Techniques for Faith

Telling yourself to have more faith is like a little league coach telling his players, “hit the ball, hit the ball!” but never teaching them the grip, the stance, the follow through, etc. Being told game after game, “You’ve got to hit the ball, son!” is not going to develop a great batting average.

Believers need to exercise faith in times of disaster but also, in times of success. A person of faith should respond to situations by using the three techniques of effective faith.

FAITH FOCUS: This is where you apply 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on God” and focus on a promise such as “all things work together for good.” (Rm. 8:28) This step by itself is not faith anymore than a good looking batting stance is a home run. The purpose of the faith focus technique is to reverse your concentration away from the distraction and toward God so that you can enter His rest.

FAITH REST: By holding on to a promise of God you have cast your anxiety on God and are ready for Hebrews 4:10, “He who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work.” In this place of faith rest you have peace in the midst of problems or success (“the worries of this Life” or “the deceitfulness of wealth” Mt. 13:23). Here you rest from your “own work” (schemes, plans, etc.) and wait to hear God. You can not hear God If you remain frantic or distracted.
David writes in Psalm143:8: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go."

FAITH EXECUTION is what you do after God reveals his plan for you. You handle the situation God’s way. You heard his word while in the place of rest, now you are ready to emerge to fight the giant, flee to the mountains, build the ark, wait for the promise, or endure patiently in hope. You will have the strength to do whatever God wills because you are living in faith.


Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com

End of the Holidays/A New Beginning

I just got back from dropping off one of my sons at the airport. Justin's flight back to the Marine base leaves at 6:00 am. He was home for Christmas. Our house has been a non-stop revolving door. Five of our six sons were home, along with girl friends visiting, which brought by other friends of all ages. It has been an intense two weeks with memorable moments occurring so fast it is difficult to keep them from slipping into the sequence of time without being noticed. Taking Justin to the airport was the first sign that things are heading back to normal which is both sad and refreshing. The holidays give way to the refreshing hope of a new start and a second chance to accomplish goals, touch dreams and recall the memories.

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com

The Cross Always Comes Before the Crown!

There is clear scriptural distinction between today which is the time before the manifestation of the kingdom of God, and that day in the future when the kingdom of God will be revealed. (2 Tm.4:1,8; 1Tm6:14) Indeed the Kingdom of God has always existed, (Dan.4:3, 34;7:14,27) and we become members of that kingdom at the time we place faith in Jesus Christ and are born again. (Col.1:13) We spiritually become members of that kingdom and are called citizens (Phil.3:20-21), but we remain in time, here on earth, surrounded by the kingdom’s of this world, serving as ambassadors to the people of the worldly kingdoms. (2 Co.5:20; 4:5; 2:14) The kingdom of God is not here yet, nor can it be until the King comes. Jesus said himself:

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)

Paul lived as though the kingdom would be manifested later (Rm.8:18f; 2 Co. 4:17; also, 1 Pt.4:13; 5:1) and rebuked those who confused today’s kingdoms with the Kingdom that will come. (1 Co.4:8; 1 Tm. 6:5; also, Rev.3:17) The reason this becomes an issue is that our view of the Kingdom will:

1. determine our attitude toward our role as a servant today (John13:12-17; Matt.20:25-28)
2. influence the significance we place on material possessions today(1 Tm.6:5, 9, 11)
3. determine how we assess circumstances (Phi.3:7-12;4:11-12) (good and bad) today

To have a wrong view of the kingdom could derail our purpose and God’s calling on our life (2Tm4:10; 1Tm1:19) because, simply put, we will resist the truth and purse a lie (2 Tm3:8) . We could turn from God’s will to follow a fantasy.

Today we are servants of an unseen kingdom. (Rm6:22; Titus2:13) Paul, James, Peter, Jude and John called themselves servants in time, (Rm.1:1;Jm.1:1; 2 Pt.1:1, Jude 1;Rv.1:1) but recognize themselves as kings when the Kingdom comes. (1 Co. 4:8; 15:49; 1 Pt.2:9,11;1 Jn.3:2; Rv.2:26) To live as a king today and reject the position of servant hood is to subject yourself to Jesus’ warning that when the Kingdom comes “there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” (Lk. 13:29-3) We may not be willing to sacrifice today what it takes to become the type of king God has planned for us in eternity. (Mk.10:29-31)

Jesus was tempted by Satan to take the kingdom before he took the cross. (Mt.4:8-9) In the same way, the people wanted Jesus to take the kingdom of the Jews from Rome on Palm Sunday, but instead “he humbled himself and became obedient to death.” (Ph.2:8) Even his disciples’ first major concern after the resurrection was not obedience but “restoring the kingdom.” (Acts 1:6)

God is not restoring us to Adam’s position. Adam was “the earthly man.” (1 Co.15:48) God is changing us into “the likeness of the man from heaven,” (1 Co. 15:49) and we will see it! (1 Jn.3:1-3)

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com/

God’s Personal Word to Jeremiah

Like all of us, the prophet Jeremiah became confused and discouraged when things did not work out like he had expected. Jeremiah told God,

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” (15:16)

Soon, the cost of having received the sweet word of God brought bitterness. Jeremiah complains of the isolation and affliction the word brought into his life when he says,

“I sat alone because your hand was on me. Why is my pain unending? (15:17)”

He then accuses God of being deceptive and failing him. (15:18)

The Lord had told Jeremiah when he called him,

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.” (1:17)

Twenty-four years later Jeremiah is complaining and God answers by telling him to repent of these things:

Fearing Men— In 15:10 Jeremiah had complained to God that no one liked him. He described himself as, “a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!” He says, “everyone curses me.” God’s reply was, “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me” (15:19)

False Doctrine—Jeremiah was to bring the sinful people back to God. But in 14:7 Jeremiah prays false doctrine, “Although our sins testify against us, O Lord, do something for the sake of your name.” He was asking God to overlook sin and bless the people. God rebukes him for his false doctrine when he says, “If you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman.” (15:19)

Following Messages of Men-Jeremiah told God, “the prophets keep telling them, ’You will not see the sword. . .I will give you lasting peace’. (14:13) God replied, “Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.” (15:19)

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com