Contending For The Faith Part 1

Know God’s Word

If you ever want a powerful defense for the Christian Faith Jude is an excellent book to refer to. Defending the Faith is not something new. Jude teaches the importance of not compromising the Word of God. The Word of God is priceless! You cannot manipulate God nor His Word no matter who you are.

 

There are a lot of worldly influences that from the very beginning have tried to twist the Bible and its teachings. Many have been deceived, this is still the case today. Many worldly ways, concepts and methods have been embraced and embedded into the organized church system that are not of God. This is why it is important to know God and know His Word; of Him you can be certain and sure!!!

 

Jude is an actual  flesh born  brother of Christ Jesus and James who wrote the Book of James. He writes to us from the perspective of  deep faith.  He not only walked with Jesus but lived with Him as a biological brother born of the same mother, who loved Jesus.  He knows the importance of having an up close personal relationship  with the Lord. It is here that our peace can be multiplied.

 

Contend for the Faith

Jude tells us to “Contend for the Faith!” What does this mean? Contend means to strive against difficulties, to be persistent and assert yourself. Faith means believe without seeing. “FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.  By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at GOD’S command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…” Hebrews 11 The Bible gives us the real facts! It is  not comprised of misconstrued circumstantial evidence. It is the INSPIRED WORD OF GOD!

 

Many today attempt to use the Word to control others, justify their behavior and lifestyles but are really only promoting sin. We are to encourage others to follow: “Christ Jesus!”  God always knows our hearts intentions.  We ALL are to; ” SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGTEOUSNESS…” Matthew 6 Always be aware. GOD IS OMNISCIENT. 

 

Many mistake “Meekness” for weakness or fear.  Meekness is Power under the control of God.  We never become the power but we access it through the Lord… Never compromise your relationship with God to be accepted by others. Know who you are in the Lord!

 

GOD IS POWERFUL as a matter of fact He is OMNIPOTENT meaning He is ALL POWER! He is SUPERIOR and SUPREME! Think about it with all the millions of organized church assemblies opened in the name of God, what is going on in this world should not be!   Some assemblies  are full of missionaries,  ministers and priests… BE SURE AND VERY SURE THAT YOU ARE BEING LED BY GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT an not by man or woman…

 

GOD SAYS THE LAND can be healed!  THIS IS WHAT HE SAYS TO HIS CHURCH!  “IF MY people who are called by MY NAME shall humble themselves and pray and seek MY FACE, and turn from their wicked ways; then I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land…”  II Chronicles 7.  

 

Some of you  are forever calling out the devil and telling him to go to; “the pit of hell?”  Know this; he is the prince of the power of the air so you won’t be sending him back to “the pit”  BUT GOD WILL MOST DEFINITELY DO SO IN HIS TIME…  By the way the devil is  NOT OMNIPRESENT! NOR anywhere close to being as powerful  AS GOD ALMIGHTY!!!  So yes, when led by the SPIRIT of GOD say;  “LORD REBUKE YOU IN JESUS NAME as Michael the Archangel did when, “contending for Moses body…”  in JUDE! As a matter of fact; THE WORD SAYS;  “SUBMIT YOURSELF THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST the devil, and he WILL FLEE!  “DRAW NIGH TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU…” JAMES 4  

 

 

What we see happening all around us is  certainly  NOT because of GOD.  All  these terrible things persist because of sin.  Sin is anything that separates us from God.  God never makes anyone feel comfortable in sin.  YES DO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH! For what we are seeing is because sin is being embraced all around us… This is  happening also  because there are also many wolves in sheep clothing.  PRAY FOR DISCERNHMENT! Jude says; “They are godless men (women)  who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Saints are supposed to be believers! Not followers of the world. But, followers of JESUS CHRIST!

 

Leaders being Servants of GOD

Too many want to be leaders as though they are kings or queens  that are served, Rather than Servants of God they tend to take His place.   To some degree there are those that  foster a cult like environment of  “group think.” What do you mean?   God is mentioned but dependency on them as ” their leader” is encouraged and constantly reinforced.   At times  they will accept the glory that should be given to God!  

 

All too often you now find that some in the church instead follow the latest trends and adopt the ways of the world.  Worldly ways are often  used to promote their agenda and or events… There should be a difference. But from an exterior view this is quite apparent. There is always an exception to the rule.  God gives us much freedom. Pray for discernment.  

 

No need to be envious or jealous! God never meant for worship to be all about  all your issues. Sunday Worship is not the day you  gather to revisit over and over your pain. Yes be thankful you are saved. Yes please do:  “REJOICE IN THE LORD!”  But you do not have  to rant, rave and live in  daily despair week after week.   Where is your joy & peace?  THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A COMFORTER! Worship  should not be overshadowed by your  chronic emotional pain.  Nor did God intend for the worshipping of  the leadership to be encouraged.  You can be set free?  LORD HELP US! 

 

You can be delivered from your pain

The question is do you want to be delivered from it?   Acknowledge it yes.  Grieve and then move forward. Don’t keep rehearsing it. Disengage from the messiness and focus on GOD! All throughout the Word of  God He is reminding His people and the world; who He is. GOD CAN DELIVER YOU!

 

Pray for all in attendance whenever  and wherever you are in worship.  But also pay attention to what is happening around you. Make a point to continually turn your focus upon  the LORD!  Worship should be about praising and thanking God for who He is more than anything else. Worship is time devoted to worshipping GOD. 

 

Spend time with GOD in HIS WORD

ALL you will ever need you can discover in the LORD. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it…” Psalm 24. Want what GOD wants for you! When you “STAND” on GOD’S WORD you never have to stand alone. Take time daily to meditate upon the Word of God. Don’t follow the crowd. Be led by the SPIRIT OF GOD! I assure you your pain will diminish as you walk in HIS TRUTH!  Then you will also be better able to discern the things that are not of Him.”  The battles is not ours.  We are to be adorned daily within the Spiritual Armor.  “GOD WILL FIGHT YOUR BATTLES” Take some time and think about it? Who are you really following?

 

We must TRUST GOD! When you know that there is a lot of false teaching going on what do you do?  Learn to “BE STILL & KNOW!” There is much spiritual warfare all  about us. When you know that you have helped those that no one else would help, and they turn on you, what do you do?  Know that God sees everything.  Well, when you know that you have been mistreated and maligned and falsely accused what do you do? YOU PRAISE GOD!!! Know that you are in  very good company because this is what happened to  Christ Jesus! Remember Jesus is coming back for HIS CHURCH!

 

HALLLELLLUJAH ANYHOW!!!

 

When you know that manipulation and deception is present you still must remain faithful to God and His Word! Don’t let anyone pull you so low that you hate them… Don’t settle or compromise your godly principles to get access support by the majority… Again, don’t follow  the crowd. Be led by the Holy Spirit.  It is always good to have a good strong prayer partner. You can touch and agree together when you both  genuinely desire God’s Will and you hold each other  accountable.  For  you will face strong opposition.  You can become stronger for; “iron sharpeneth iron.”

 

Christianity is really not a popularity contest. Nor is  God’s Church just a mere social club.  Many come for the activities.   Make sure you are prayed up before you come to worship and stay prayed up all during the week.  Stay connected to the Lord!  Your body is the Temple where God resides. His Word has marvelous cleansing power. He cleanses us from the inside out. Each and everyone of us  will have to answer to the Lord at some point. So get right with GOD NOW!

REPENT!!!

God knows what you have or have not done. What you do or don’t do and why?  Don’t become bitter. Become BETTER! Learn to better guard your heart.  If you are depressed allow the Lord His place within your life.   He can lift any  of your burdens as you yoke up with Him.  STOP; seeking momentary comfort or counsel in people who make you feel good in sin.  Flee  from  or hold  the gossipers at bay…    For when you leave them know you are their next topic of conversation.  Go forth and stop making excuses  and seek God first before everything else. Truly the Lord is more than able in any situation. You can with the help of the Lord rise above any circumstances. God is more powerful than what any man or woman can ever do to you or for you! 

 

Learn to Walk by FAITH

Exercising your faith will make you peculiar in a good way.  Let God direct you upon the Narrow  Path to  healing. When seeking resources or those to help you be genuine. Loyalty is fleeting for many.  Keep your commitments.  Honor your marriage as well as the marriages of others.   Many within the Church take their directions from unspiritual resources… They do not understand that your allegiance  should first and foremost always   be to the Lord.  God will not lead us to do anything that goes against HIS WORD!

 

Flee from those who make you feel comfortable in sin. You must begin to sincerely  draw closer to God and TRUST HIM for yourself!   This is how you build a “Solid Rock Foundation.” Seek Him above all else and actually put your FAITH into action.  HAVE FAITH IN GOD! This means to trust God and actually embrace His Word and implement it within your daily life.

 

What if Jesus returned today? Are you ready?

Renew your mind with GOD’S WORD!

God will give or can  give you a strong sound mind.  When someone says something  that you know is not true, you know it is not from the Lord.  Trust God and His Word to quicken your soul. HE CAN KEEP you from falling!  “Do not be conformed to this world. But TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND!”  Romans 12   As you embrace and apply GOD’S WORD it will daily renew your mind.   He then manifests and multiplies the Fruit of His Spirit within us!  Your true “security and significance” can only really be found in the LORD.

 

“IF GOD IS FOR US; who can be against us!” HALLLELLLUJAH CHRIST JESUS, THANK YOU LORD! & PRAISE GOD!

 

The Word is often used today to justify lifestyles and wrong behavior that are not sanctioned by God. Minimizing sin and embracing tolerance.  Many have been spiritually crippled. Justified under the guise of unconditional love.  Quite often you give to them and support them and in turn they want more.  Yet, the moment you do not do what they say there goes their unconditional  L—.  This merely  deposits a superficial  idea of love into the minds of many.  It also renders insecurity.   This is what we often see throughout the masses. 

 

KNOW this; A part of HIS LOVE is correction.  GOD CAN MAKE YOU WHOLE!

GOD’S LOVE IS MAGNETIC & POWERFUL!   It draws you yet drains us of the things that are not of HIM!  It cleanses   restores us.  It helps us to flourish despite any trial or tribulation.  It  corrects, directs, refreshes and refuels us.   “GOD IS LOVE” and HIS LOVE lasts throughout eternity.  Sin is anything that separates us from God.  God determines what is sinful. Therefore sin and love do not work  together… Be careful of who or what you join yourself together with. 

 

 

See Part 2

 

 

 

Where Is Your Faith ?

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is so important that it is mentioned over three hundred times in the BIBLE. Faith means to have a firm persuasion. Having Faith means much more than just to say you believe. It goes much further! Faith is developed through Prayer, Devotion, Bible Study, and the actual application of God’s Word to your life. Faith is also part of the Lord’s spiritual armor. It is “By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.” Hebrews 11:3. Faith is NOW not after the fact has materialized! “For we walk by Faith not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7

When you truly trust God your Faith will see you through any and all circumstances or situations. Abel, Deborah, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Rahab, are just a few examples of the many that trusted and had Faith in God. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets beheld many miracles, faced jeers, were stoned, saw walls fall, were persecuted, misunderstood, and mistreated yet accomplished their life purpose by trusting the Lord. Notice how they all sincerely aspired to live in the presence of the Lord. They had a personal and deep intimate relationship with Him. Hebrews commends them all for their Faith; “yet none of them received what had been promised.” It is by Faith we are strengthened inwardly! Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts through Faith.

Faith is NOW!

Hebrew defines Faith as something you cannot see. Faith without works is dead. When your Faith is truly in GOD you trust that in His time He will fulfill whatever it is that He has said or promised. Take a moment to take an open and honest personal inventory of everything that is happening in your life. Guess what God already knows as well! Despite your circumstances; good, bad, or indifferent you can rest assured that your Faith makes all the difference in the world as to how you will now proceed. In order to successfully run the race of life we must keep our focus on the Lord. Laying aside any weight or sin helps us to run with endurance. When life hurdles appear God will impart to you His patience and direction. You can not change anything that has happened “it is what it is” As you fix your eyes on “Jesus, the Author and perfector of our Faith” He will help you arise to the challenges as well as the celebrations of life. Your daily trust and reliance on God is where your true security and significance should reside. This will give you sure footing and strong solid rock foundational spiritual roots to help you withstand the storms of life. Your Joy in the Lord is where you will find strength when you keep your eyes on Him. The joy of the Lord is not contingent on your circumstance. Faith is NOW!

The key to being a Christian is the Faith we have in Jesus Christ. Do you know the importance of His sacrificial death on the cross that atoned for our sins? It was so we could live life to please Him! Did you know our lives, our homes, our marriages, families and our worship should reflect we are His children? How do we do this? Titus tells us that “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self controlled, and sound in Faith, love and in endurance. To teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good…” The natural man or woman does not accept, value, nor understand the things of God. This is why the Word says to “let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” In order to understand the things of God it is crucial that you lay aside your way and your will and let His Word be a “lamp unto your feet and a Light to your path.” Having the proper perspective will teach you how very important it is to live life and study His Word for His approval and not the approval of man. This is why we are told to “Trust in the Lord will all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path.” Proverbs 3: 5&6. Too often God is an after thought or optional choice when dealing with life. This compromise often has favorable results with man; yet results in moving you away from God. Learn to wait on God and patiently seek His way.

God’s way will give you peace and contentment that surpasses the understanding of man! God wants to be the Primary Force in your life. Being a Christian is really a chosen lifestyle. God does not force His way upon you. Faith produces commitment and faithfulness. It means to sincerely and earnestly attempt to live life to please God. Commence to truly Live, Sing, Worship and Praise Him. It really makes all the difference in the world! “LET the WORD of Christ dwell richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through Him” Colossians 3: 16&17.

God always has a better way. According to Ephesians He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. As His child we have been sealed and promised the gift of His Holy Spirit. God truly is faithful you can always count on Him! Now you must trust Him and step out on Faith. Remember Faith is not something that you can see. Always remember, you must exercise patience and your Faith and trust must rely in Him. He tells us if our Faith is “as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” Matthew 17: 20. The key to this is you must desire His will to be done. It is with God we can do the impossible. This way He receives the credit. To GOD be the GLORY! God keeps His promises. You can fully trust God to work everything out for your good.

Always keep in mind that absolutely nothing gets by God. He knows all that is past, current and will be. Be encouraged knowing “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” It is by Faith and patience we inherit His promises. We can patiently endure whatever is necessary because we know that God in His time will work everything out for our good. It is by Faith we accept His precious gift of eternal life. One of the most important elements in life is having Faith in GOD. “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he, who comes to GOD, must believe, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Romans 1:16& 17.

GOD IS FAITHFUL in His time you will reap the promises and He will give back, restore, refuel and replenish you in His time. God knows when you are sincere. We are living in interesting times. Just keep your eyes fixed on the Author and finisher of your Faith. God is able to “keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great Joy!” You can say Hallelujah anyhow! God is awesome! As I mentioned before Hebrews records in its “Hall of Faith” many Old Testament heroes who trusted in God and displayed their Faith in unique ways. Lay aside every weight and anything that hinders you from going forth in the Lord! When you truly believe; it will be a priority to live your life to please GOD! Faith results in faithfulness! Who or what are you faithful to? “Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” FAITH IS NOW!