What Is Faith?

[Brother Mike]

What is faith?
My definition is the ability to believe the word of God, despite what my natural senses are being told.

I am not moved by what I see, what I hear, but by the Word of God.

The Bible has a different definition.
Faith is a Substance of a thing that your are hoping for. It is evidence that what your hoping for is real, already there, sure to show up, though you can not see it.

Heb 11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, [a] the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

So, now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is an actual substance, some have preached that God created everything out of nothing. That can't be true. You can't take nothing and make something. For by FAITH we know that the worlds were framed by the word of God.
Everything came from the substance of God's faith. Everything you see, eat, and sit on, came from the spoken word. The substance was there, and God having the blueprint in his mind (Hope) He spoke his word and that substance of faith was formed by the Power of the Holy Spirit into a physical reality.

I bet some did not know that the word "Word" and the Word "Things" in the old testament are the same Hebrew word. (Dabar) To God, things use to be his Word, and his Word became things. Sort of interesting. The people that translated the Bible had to figure out which was the right one to use.

How to get faith?
Some think that the great car crash that almost killed them, or that horrible situation they went though helped increase their faith. Well, if that was the case then almost everyone on the planet would be faith Giants. No, There is no scripture that says that, but Romans 10:17 tells us that Faith comes from hearing Gods word. Actually in the Greek, faith comes from hearing over and over the same Word, keeping it in mind and meditating on it. God will cause it to grow inside you until The word overrides any physical things you see. Faith only comes from keeping your eyes and ears trained on the Word of God.

Faith is a Spiritual force.
God's faith will give you the ability to believe and be at peace no matter the situation. The natural world can not have this ability, as Fear will always overcome them. We as the Children of God can rest, even in the worse case situations with a smile on our face, knowing that surly God is faithful to perform his word.

How do I know if I am in faith?
Faith is never sad or down. Faith is full of joy. Faith never dwells on the issue or problem, but on God's Word. Faith never, never speaks against what it is believing for. Jesus said you will have what you say.
so if your confessing weak faith or the devil is trying to get you, then check yourself. Faith pleases God, and being worried and in fear does not please God at all.

Faith is a mystical power we release. False
Some think we have the ability in ourselves to do signs and wonders. This is not true. Even though faith is a substance more real than what we are believing for, We only got that faith though the spoken Word which God already released long ago. We are believing what he said will be produced by His Word. It is not some power we have in us. Faith is the Ability to receive What God already said.
Jesus said all things are possible to those that believe.

WE are equal to God, but not the creator.
I asked God a few years back. I said, "If we are equal, then what is it that makes you God."
At the time I was trying to grasp just what we believers are missing in power all over the church world.
God answered back. (I'll try to remember exactly how he worded it.) He said, "For one I did not give you the wisdom or knowledge to create planets, I am the creator. (I could see how that would be a problem if we learned how to do that.) He continued. "You are not the creator, nor can you create matter, but I gave you the ability to change matter. Son, physical matter should be of no consequence to my people, if only my people knew who they were and could believe."

I started to think back to Peter walking on water, He did not get help from Jesus, He used his own faith to step out. I thought about Jesus making water into wine, changing the atoms in the water. A lot of things are just molecules away from being something else. I thought back to when Jesus said we are not of this world.......

Faith is a substance, and I believe someday, I will comprehend what God told me as well as others. The works that Jesus did, we will also fully come in to full growth and do also.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings Brother Mike,

Yesterday I saw a droplet of dew glistening in the sunshine.....


View attachment 361




... this was yesterday, before you posted this thread..... and I put this picture together in faith.... yesterday....

have you read when the apostles said unto the Lord, "Increase our faith."?

Jesus tells a parable about the little grain of mustard seed and then about a servant serving his master.... and then goes on to say....

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Luke 17:9-10 (Luke 17:5-10)

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[Br. Bear]

To further the study,

The notion that faith is based on hope is incorrect.... if you search the Scriptures, and even read the Scripture you quoted, Hebrews 11:1, you will see that faith is based on what we have already been shown.. what the Lord has already revealed to us.... not blind faith just because we ought to believe...
The Lord is much more loving than that... He always gives evidence of Himself first... so we have our hope based on that taste.... that love to return to.... and our faith does not have to be huge, but on the contrary, considering the fearsome aweful magnitude of the holiness of our LORD, a consuming fire... we, in our very feeble frames of dust, can only contain a minute portion of Him.... that grain of faith....

What He is telling us is .... that is all we need... more than enough to turn the world upside down, like the sods of earth being turned in the plowmans paddock...

like the crumbs that fall from the master's table, Matthew 15:27-28, and the dew that falls from heaven... not loaves and not rain.... but we can believe in that tiny little portion of faith He gives us upon hearing the Word, the Real Thing (truth in a word) to fill and feed us forever... to give us the drink we need, to have joy and peace in our soul....

BECAUSE it is from Him!

........................................................................................><>

There are a few words used for WORD in the Hebrew language, one we see in Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. word=dabar

And in 2Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
word='imrah

Psalm 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. word=millah

Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. word=peh

In Hosea, we see two words for WORD in Chapter 1, verses 1 & 2
The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
verse 1 = daw-bawr'
verse 2 = daw-bar'
and they have different meanings, although looking at the text, one might think they are the same word and meaning.


Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

Jesus Is The Lord

ps, thank you for sharing your definition of faith, brother.

Now faith
is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence
of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

 

[Brother Mike]

What is faith.

Praise God Bother. I copied your picture to my desktop. I do not want to attempt to correct you. I respect your knowledge of the Word. So I will make a few points. We only have so much room to write, and to do anything justice it would take several pages, and even at the end, God will show us something else we did not even know.

Mustard seed faith is not enough!!!

That is not what Jesus said. He responded to the question of increasing their faith.


Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luk 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Mustard seed faith is not going to pull a tree up by the roots and hurl itself into the ocean. Not going to happen. Jesus is not happy with little faith. "Oh ye of little faith...."Mark 6:30,Mark 8:26, ETC........

but we can believe in that tiny little portion of faith He gives us upon hearing the Word

What did Jesus say? It was in a response to INCREASE FAITH. He said Plant the seed!!!! Plant the SEED!!!!
The Kingdom of God. The sower sows the WORD!! What is that Kingdom like?

Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, (Increase!!) and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

This faith that is a mustard seed must grow, meditated on, kept in front of us. God gives the increase!!!

Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. (over and over)
Rom 10:17

We determine the level of faith that gets measured back to us.
Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

everyman was given the measure of faith. It is not mountain moving faith, but faith. Nobody should confess they have no faith. Use what you have.
I am amazed at when bad things happen, Christians just throw up some prayers, beg, bawl, and cry to God. It is not time for that, it is time to get immersed in the Word and keep it in front of you. What God said has to become more real than the problem. Sadly, most do not see power in the Word, and never get diligent. They go around asking for prayer, advice, and wish upon a star the situation changes.

Bread crumbs...... The woman already came to Jesus fully convinced that he could cast the devil out of her daughter. No doubt in her mind at all. Her statement about even the dogs get the crumbs was a response to Jesus telling her that all his ministry was for the Jews only. She believed He would help her also. Jesus said...............
Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
She was in charge of what the outcome would be, not the bread crumbs from the table. It was as SHE WILLED!!! Jesus said this was GREAT FAITH!!! not little faith he gave rebuke for.
Jesus never mentioned a tiny portion of faith, he would give!!! He Said the Woman had the faith!! She came already believing.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Faith based on hope?
I never said that.


I said faith is a substance of something you are hoping for. Faith focuses on what God said will come to pass. Faith must be focused on something or your not in faith about anything.
I did not have time to go into everything.
These three things must be in place for faith to work.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

You can not have faith for something your not believing for (Hoping for.)
Without love, you can have faith to move mountains, but when you give the command to the mountain all it will hear is brass cymbals, and not the authoritative Word of God. (Gal 5:6)
There is a safety check on using that kind of faith. It's called love.

I can hope for a million dollars, I can say I will be a millionaire tomorrow, because Jesus said I have what I say. I can command that money to come into my hands.
Problem?
Yes, I have no scripture (blueprint) or spiritual substance that promises me that will happen over night. There is nothing to build my faith on this coming to pass.

-------------------------------------------------------
DABAR= words or things.
To stop the picking on what I wrote, I should have clarified it more. My fault. There are other Hebrew words that define these things. I was just pointing out that it is interesting that in many places Dabar is the same word used. Why God did that is just speculation, but I thought I would bring it up. God is a faith God, and faith is the substance of a thing, so I thought I would mention it, even though it's not an absolute for all instances.

God Bless!!! thank you for your response!!!

Jesus Is Lord.
p.s thanx for that picture

 

[jiggyfly]

Amen Br Bear,

Luke17:5-10
5*One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.”
6*“Even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed,” the Lord answered, “you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May God uproot you and throw you into the sea,’ and it would obey you!
7*“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn’t just sit down and eat. 8*He must first prepare his master’s meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. 9*And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. 10*In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.’”

The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, but5 Jesus shows them that the size of their faith is not the problem because even the smallest measure of faith has the power to do great things. The problem here is that their flesh (self) was in the way of their faith. So in essence Jesus is telling the disciples that a lack of faith is not their problem. Their problem is self - centeredness and the lack of servanthood. We also know that faith is a fruit of the Spirit so faith for personal gain just doesn't seem to align with Jesus' teachings or any of the new covenant scriptures.

WOF preachers always seem to preach the necessity of giving (which is ok) but they are always the recipients of the money. I don't recall ever hearing a WOF preacher tell everyone to just go and find someone in need and bless them as a matter of fact I have heard from some of the captains in the WOF movement say that you should give to those who are already wealthy because that indicates good ground. I have searched and have yet to find a leader in the WOF movement that is denying self but rather I see extreme and exorbitant life styles. Many, many false prophecies and teachings with no humble apologies. Is it faith or fraud???

 

[Brother Mike]

Thank you Jiggyfly for posting

God bless Brother Jiggyfly. Please recheck the parable in Mark 4 then compare it with Luke 17:5

They asked, Increase our faith!!
Jesus told them how. Plant the seed, Word of God. It will Grow according to the measure you meet to it. Mark 4.

Jesus pointed out several times the difference of little faith and great faith. He also said according to your faith. There was a difference to him, so there should be a difference to us.

Your allowing your believe system get in the way of what the Scriptures say. I would list a bunch, but it is not going to help. We are to compare spiritual with spiritual. COMPARE!!

So in essence Jesus is telling the disciples that a lack of faith is not their problem. Their problem is self - centeredness and the lack of servanthood

He answered them by saying if you had faith the grain of a mustard seed. It must have been a faith issue. Amazing!!!
Jesus never said any of that, you need a new bible. Compare the scriptures, it will make sense.

The fruit of the spirit.
Love, joy, peace, goodness, Meekness, temperance,gentleness. Are all ourwardly observable. Why would anyone think faith which is a substance of something not seen be included with these?
The correct translation is Faithfulness. Being faithful in the things you do. One greek word is consistency.
Faith comes from the Word of God, not a fruit of the spirit.

I won't respond to all the money talk against the Word of faith group.
Your misinformed.

God Bless
Jesus Is Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

Luke 17:5-10 is all in context and it should be interpreted respectfully. I am sorry but Jesus did not say "plant" anywhere in this context of scripture, but He did say become an unprofitable servant.

I am sure that there are many things concerning those who are participants in the WOF movement that I am unaware of, but that doesn't change the evidence. I know all the justifications bottom line is I don't see anywhere the scriptures say "blessed are the rich" but rather I do notice that when the scriptures mention those that are rich it is always in the context of warning and correction.

Jesus said to His disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven, if the WOF teaching concerning material wealth is true then God wants to make it hard to get to heaven. Paul was not wealthy in material goods, there is no record that any of the apostles were wealthy.

It really disgust me that these so called men and women of God live exorbitant lifestyles from those who are much less fortunate. Jet planes to preach the gospel? More like hunting trips for the boys and vacations for the families and all under a "nonprofit" umbrella. If you desire to follow such, it's up to you but I assure you that direction does not lead to spiritual maturity. I was very involved in the largest mens fellowship in the world and have been around Kenneth, Jesse, Jerry, Creflow, Mike, Richard and many others and I can testify first hand that these ministries major goal is to collect money, gain influence and recognition.

The new covenant scriptures clearly instruct a much different lifestyle than what is propigated through the WOF teaching and beliefs.

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Jesus), not some guy who needs to gas up his Jet so he can take his boys on a hunting trip.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

This faith that is a mustard seed must grow, meditated on, kept in front of us. God gives the increase!!!

Regarding the "mustard seed" quote cited from Luke 17:5, in my twenty-five years of Bible study one of the primary things I've learned is that Jesus often used hyperbole (intentional exaggeration to stress a point), the point here being that a seemingly small amount of faith, when exercised diligently, has power that exceeds the limits of our puny imaginations. Our job is to use that faith persistently.

SLE

 

[Brother Mike]

Wow......

Thank you SpiritLedEd.

I would agree to a point, but in contrast to comparing scripture, and the fact that faith comes from the word of God, I believe he was talking about the same mustard seed that He mentioned in Mark 4 or else he would have used a different term. He Used things in the word we need other scripture to verify clearly. Like the sword or word of God. Candlestick, or spirit of man.
The question was to increase our faith. Mark 4 as you well know is about that as I have read some of your other post. All faith should go beyond what we can see in the natural. Now how much faith will it take to pluck up a tree from the roots? How about walking on water like Peter.
If you find out, please tell me. I think things are coming to a point were we are going to be shown things in the Word and revealed that will give this world no excuse in the end. When he returns, He will find faith.......





Dear Brother Jiggyfly.
Jesus said if you have the faith of a mustard seed.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God. You can read it if you don't want to listen to those Word of Faith preachers. The Kingdom of God is a parable. It is the sower sows the Word, and how that word can be taken from you.
At the end of mark we see Jesus wrap up what he is teaching.
the Kingdom of God operates by the Word of God sown in your heart.

Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

One we see that seed grows and we know not how. God gives the increase.....

In the other Jesus talks about the mustard seed and how it grows to provide protection. THE SEED MUST GROW~!!!
I really hope your just giving me a hard time, I really don't want to think you can't see this clearly.

Jesus said if you had faith the grain of the mustard seed. (If you had the Word sown into that faith comes by, and take heed giving a measure to the Word of God, then it shall grow up and you can say unto this tree be tho plucked up and cast into the sea.

This is how faith increases. some produce 30, 60 and 100. This is what they asked, How to increase our faith. Jesus said, there must be a seed. How it gets planted is not important, but it must be planted and allowed to grow.




Brother I do not know everything. Brother Copeland was kinda enough to send me hundreds of dollars in books and materials free when I did not have a thing. Same with Brother Hagin. I was locked up at the time.
When I got out, I had to stay in a shelter, and I preached faith. I cast a devil out of someone. I have seen a person that I did not even know just stop and scream at me you can't cast me out, you can't cast me out, then run off. I have laid hands on people and they have been healed instantly.
IN the year 2000 I was told my son was not going to live. that it may be the next day he may go. I thank God for Brother Copeland, He taught me not to be moved, not to beg or cry, but to Believe......

When I found myself a Pastor at a church, I went to God and told him I can't do this. He said yes you can. You know how to believe me, teach my people faith. Not everything is revealed to everyone, that's why there are different parts to the Body.

You two ruined my post. Thanks. It could have helped someone, when they are told that nothing can be done. I know I have been there.

God Bless.

 

[natty threads]

Respect to you, Brother Mike, on casting out demons.
I've seen a couple of people who were definitely possessed but apparently not in a way that most people noticed.

Sometimes I see things.
I try to not look anymore.

Mustard can grow to be quite a large plant, in the right conditions.
It is an invasive weed here.



The mustard seed will grow, but you have to feed it.

Doesn't Jesus say somewhere about birds nesting in a mustard plant?
Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19.

The Matthew and Luke go on to compare the Kingdom of God to leaven in flour.
Again, it grows when it is fed.

So is the Kingdom of God faith?

My faith is the proof of things unseen.

BUT I HAD TO GROW IT.

I prayed and prayed and prayed for a mustard seed.
Then I prayed and prayed and prayed for it to grow.

The very fact that I have faith and that it did grow are the proof that God is real.

Bless up!
Jennifer

 

[Brother Mike]

God Bless you Natty.

God bless you dear Sister. Thank you.
Someone that can read!!! and compare spiritual with spiritual.

That was my whole point. Increase our faith!!! Jesus said if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed.

The kingdom of God parable is the sower sows the Word.
Mustard seeds grow up as the Word Grows up in you as you take measure to the Word, even to protecting Birds.
If your having trouble believing, get your nose in the Word of God. It will give you unshakable faith, and little faith is not going to move a mountain or tree. Jesus even rebuked people for Little faith. Plant the Word, take care of it, let it grow.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Respect to you, Brother Mike, on casting out demons.

Well, most the time we resist the devil, and not dwell on his planted thoughts and lies. The cases in the Bible we see devils cast out is when people were so blinded they could not think correctly (Insane)

Well, It is a little embarrassing to tell the real story. I was sitting in a break room at a homeless shelter minding my own business, when up front (Down the hall from me into the main entrance.) some guy that was crazy started to scream that Satan is lord, then he would say Jesus is lord. Then he would yell and cry. There were about 40 people in the front room and all were avoiding him.
I was minding my own business playing electronic battleship.

Then God spoke to me. He asked me if I was going to take care of that.

I told the Lord that the guy was crazy, and I am not going to embarrass myself.
The Lord asked me again. Are you going to take care of that.
I said, Lord I am tired, (Just got out of prison yesterday.) and I want to play my game.
The Lord said, are you going to obey me? Your the only one I have here to help him.
I said fine.
so, I got up and walked down the hall. This guy was out of his mind.
I walked straight up to him and grabbed him and said look at me.
I said devil you come out of him right now in the name of Jesus, You will torment him no more.
By now everyone had gathered around, and the man started to cry, saying He is gone, He is gone, the Monster is gone.
I said, Well, He will be back if you do not do everything I tell you. Lets go talk.
so we walked back in to the room Where my battleship game was and we talked.
All 40 or so guys also followed but they did not come in, but stood by the door listening.
After I was done with the guy, I spent the next 3 hours preaching faith and hope. To all those guys. The anointing of God was so powerful.

So, that is what happened. Not exactly a stand up and take authority right away type of thing. All the Glory Goes to God.

so many people can be helped, if we could just grasp the faith we are suppose to walk in. Devils will not leave if you are not totally convinced you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and fully walking in Love, and faith, being fully convinced of your authority and power in the name of Jesus.
Thank you so much Jennifer, You have truly blessed me with your understanding, and care in writing.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings again,

there was once a classroom of boys, all being quite rowdy... some throwing pencils and paper darts while others were jumping around chasing each other as young lads do.... but the room was anoise with their loud chatter, all trying to be heard above one another..... until......

the teacher walked in....

and suddenly all went quiet.... order was restored..... a peacefulness seemed to fill the room as if it had always been like that!


Have you ever been in a room where someone has lit some incense...... O how it fills the house.... converting the stale odour to a sweet fragrance, delightful to the senses... a pleasure to be in.



Let us not belittle the omnipotence of the fragrance of God's grace... in giving us the measure of faith we need for our salvation....

I am not sure what size my faith was when I first believed ....BUT....

Im very sure it ushered me into His eternal Salvation, by His grace.....performed a mighty miracle in me.... and I mean a mighty powerful miracle....

One might say a sprinkling is only going to touch the dry bones... a sprinkling will hardly dampen the dry ground.... a sprinkling will only be a scattering of what might be better a flooding, in regards to cleansing a stained and soiled life like mine...... BUT,

Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
Hebrews 10:22-23


In Luke 5:4 we see that Jesus said to the blokes, cast out your nets......
were they big nets ? ... perhaps, perhaps not.... but they could not contain the catch.... was the fishermen's faith big or small ? ... they hadn't spent much time with this man Jesus .... but, the nets were not enough to hold the catch... and neither the boats.

Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:4-7

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Dear Brother Mike

I have just posted a question to you in the prayer thread, perhaps would have been better placed here. Since posting there I have been to prayer....and wow have realise that my mustard seed of faith is enough to drown me in the power and love of our beloved Lord.

My answer will not be as learned as many here...so please excuse my simplicity.... It is just my recent personal experience.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
She was in charge of what the outcome would be, not the bread crumbs from the table. It was as SHE WILLED!!! Jesus said this was GREAT FAITH!!! not little faith he gave rebuke for.
Jesus never mentioned a tiny portion of faith, he would give!!! He Said the Woman had the faith!! She came already believing.

I was just looking at this verse you quoted dear brother Mike and amen this woman's faith was great....and her faith was in accordance with the Lord's will.

Now recently I have prayed and prayed for my daughters healing. At times it has felt like the door to God's throne has been closed. Sometimes I have felt that the Lord has abandoned me. This is satan digging away trying to confuse faith with feeling....saying why haven't you got the faith of the woman who was made whole that very hour.

But as I prayed this morning the Lord spoke to me through verses in Hebrews and I was filled with such comfort, love and peace

These faithful folk endured by faith alone...having their faith rewarded in heaven and not on earth.

...they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; been destitute, afflicted tormented......and these all having obtained a good report through faith, recieved not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect Hebrews 11: 38-40


Faith for me is knowing that whatever happens in my life it is according to the Lord's will and His will is always best.....no matter how it may feel at times

.....God having provided some better thing for us.......

Faith for me is the knowledge and fact that I am saved.
Faith is the knowing that His beautiful Holy Spirit, who dwells in our hearts, fights the battles within us that challenge belief.
Faith is reaching up in the darkest periods of life knowing that His hand is always there.

I agree with brother Jiggyfly it is not the size of our faith that is the problem, but the flesh.

we, in our very feeble frames of dust, can only contain a minute portion of Him.... that grain of faith....

What He is telling us is .... that is all we need... more than enough to turn the world upside down, like the sods of earth being turned in the plowmans paddock...

like the crumbs that fall from the master's table, Matthew 15:27-28, and the dew that falls from heaven... not loaves and not rain.... but we can believe in that tiny little portion of faith He gives us upon hearing the Word, the Real Thing (truth in a word) to fill and feed us forever... to give us the drink we need, to have joy and peace in our soul....

BECAUSE it is from Him!

Amen to that Br. Bear..... I have experienced that joy and peace

Blessings to all

Julia

 

[jiggyfly]

Brother I do not know everything. Brother Copeland was kinda enough to send me hundreds of dollars in books and materials free when I did not have a thing. Same with Brother Hagin. I was locked up at the time.
When I got out, I had to stay in a shelter, and I preached faith. I cast a devil out of someone. I have seen a person that I did not even know just stop and scream at me you can't cast me out, you can't cast me out, then run off. I have laid hands on people and they have been healed instantly.
IN the year 2000 I was told my son was not going to live. that it may be the next day he may go. I thank God for Brother Copeland, He taught me not to be moved, not to beg or cry, but to Believe......

When I found myself a Pastor at a church, I went to God and told him I can't do this. He said yes you can. You know how to believe me, teach my people faith. Not everything is revealed to everyone, that's why there are different parts to the Body.

You two ruined my post. Thanks. It could have helped someone, when they are told that nothing can be done. I know I have been there.

God Bless.

So do you believe your resume justifies your message? Seems we have a problem, I have witnessed these same things many times over and yet my message is very much contrary to yours. It seems we don't agree on much of anything including the gospel of Christ Jesus the Word of God.

 

[Br. Bear]

Brother Mike,

It seems perhaps my turn to clarify what I was saying in a previous post here about the size of faith....

first, I totally agree with you that a seed needs planting.... yes, just as a light needs turning on to brighten a room.....

I have oodles of really good non-hybrid, heritage seed not far from where I sit.... and that is all it is, brother.... seed..... BUT, as you know, IF I plant it..... I shall have oodles more! (depending of course on my gardening aptitude and efforts and the Lord giving increase)

Now the size is not impotant when it comes to seed.... take the miniture seed of the giant Redwood.... or the equally miniscule seed of the giant Mountain Ash..... and look what majestic trees grow from them.... it really is mind-boggling.

I have planted many seed in my time, and often on poor ground... and the result, however hopeful, was as good as nothing.... BUT, it was not the seeds fault!

What my original response was saying, and the picture I posted, was that we feeble folk, tend to examine ourselves.. and decide our little faith is not enough.... we get down about not being able to muster miracles... we get sad about the little faith we possess, and beat ourselves into misery because we somehow only have a teeny weeny little portion of faith.....

BUT, my message was that it is enough, like the seed of the majestic trees I mentioned..... or better still, as the Lord said, as a mustard seed ....

Remember that if we look at that text, we see this...

To say to the mountain... be cast into the sea!

I say .... WHAT!!!

or, be planted in the sea....

again, WAHT!!!

You mean to say that little bit of faith will give me the 'power' to move a mountain like that or perform an extreme miracle like a tree being planted in the sea?

That little seed of mustard.... it's gutsy stuff, brother! I too have witnessed the Lord healing all manner of things, and seen all sorts of miracles and been approached by demonics, etc.... but I am not sure if I could order a mountain into the sea... could you?

That name Jesus.... it is not very big.... in any language of man... some only have three letters for Jesus instead of five, eg.. ISA (arabic for Jesus)

But wow! In heavenly language, it is the most powerful name ever! (You understand I am referring to Jesus Christ the Lord... not just the name Jesus on it's own as is a common name in some languages)

Remember the chap who was calling out from the flames (?) ... he asked for not a bucketful, nor even a cupful.... just a drop of water.... to cool his tongue.

My message was not in rebuke, but rather trying to expand.... to grow some of what you said.....

As we are faithful, He grants more....

Let us not fall out about faith , but rather, in humility bow before our Redeemer, who was one life.... for many, and seek His wisdom and His blessing upon the Word in our lives, and provoke one another to good works, in Jesus name...
amen

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:23-24


Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear


ps.. I am glad you like the picture! Feel free to send it to your brothers over yonder!

and, pps...
that word, Substance , that you mention regarding faith....

hupostasis = a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): - confidence, confident, person, substance.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

[natty threads]

"we feeble folk, tend to examine ourselves.. and decide our little faith is not enough...."

Because we are so selfish.

It's all about me me me me me.

That's why God tells us to love one another, so we can think about others.
Then we'll quit being so hard on ourselves.

WE ARE FORGIVEN!!!!

Accept the gift of God.

Pray for that mustard seed and it will grow.

How do we know God exists?
Because we believe in God.
It is because we believe that our eyes are not blinded to God, so we are able to see that He exists.

This is not circular.

Faith is the proof.

Bless up!

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings again Brother Mike,

thank you for starting this thread, brother....

it has 'forced' me to dig in.... like a gardener might.... and have a good look at the Scriptural references to faith.

I'll post few here.... there are more , as you may well be aware,

2Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Timothy 3:10-12

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:1-5

1Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

2Corinthians 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Hebrews11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:2-7




Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[Brother Mike]

Wow!!! Glory to God

Look at all these post. I feel loved!!!
We are told to compare the word precept upon precept. here a little and there a little. No scripture can have just it's own interpretation. (Isa 28) (2Peter 1) Comparing spiritual with spiritual, My word is Spirit!!.


Hos 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes,(Resemble and compare) by the ministry of the prophets.

ONE MORE TIME...............Please Read before posting again. Please...

God Bless BR Bear.

What my original response was saying, and the picture I posted, was that we feeble folk, tend to examine ourselves.. and decide our little faith is not enough.... we get down about not being able to muster miracles...

This is my point, feeble and weak people can be so filled with God's Word they can speak over the most impossible situations and fully know without out doubt that it is settled right then and there. You don't start that way, The seed of faith grows!!!!! You get stronger. It can be done.

Brother, please listen. We must be renewed day by day. The Word is alive and powerful, being EN GRAFTED it is able to change you soul, (Thinking)

I have experienced some awesome things, and God has used me in some pretty great things because he knows I will step out and not doubt.

We can not live on yesterdays revelation. It is just foundation. We must continue to sow the word into our hearts.

You know we do not produce miracles. How God does it, is up to him. We believe without wavering that he is faithful that promised. If it has to be a miracle, then we must have gotten ourselves so turned around to need such a mighty thing to get us turned back.

____________________________________________________

Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word. Mark chapter 4.....


Pay Close attention please.................It as small as a mustard seed.

1) some seed get taken by Satan, he steals the word from us. (Not understanding, not keeping in your heart and mind, ETC.....)

2) Some receive with Gladness, but Satan comes with trouble for the word's sake. He can not defeat faith, so he does something natural to get your eyes on that. (Peter and the wind and waves.) You get offended and depressed. You become moved. You will reap in due time if you FAINT NOT!!! (Gal 6:9)

3) Some let the cares of other things get in and the deceitfulness of riches. Choke the Word.
Christians just leave a church to get a better paying Job. (Money led) They don't even think about the will of God on the matter.
some take up more duties, like doing a hundred things for the church and get off track on what God wanted them to do. Satan introduces other things to occupy our time. This is his last recourse, and it can be hard to detect if we are not paying attention.

4) Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

The Candle is the spirit of man. The candle has a purpose. The word was not meant to be hid from the spirit of man, for all things were meant to be revealed to him. The spirit man lives on the Word of God.

Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

You decide how the Word is measured back. Jesus said according to YOUR faith it is done unto you. That is scripture!!!!! Your master and Lord said that, it would be good not to brush that off and find out what he was talking about.

All things are possible to them that believe!!!! not to those that don't, or waiver, or in fear, or doubting......... to those that believe.

Watch closely!!!!!!!! *******************************

A mustard seed is just a seed!!!!! It has not produced fruit yet!!!

Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Birds do not lodge under a seed, it is not grown up!!! It has not produced 30, 60 or even 100 fold fruit.
-----------------------------------------------------
So What was the Question?
INCREASE OUR FAITH!!!!!
Jesus said if you had the faith as a grain of mustard seed........ then you can tell a tree to pluck itself up by the roots and dive into the ocean.
He Told them how to get that kind of faith. Plant the seed, take heed, water it. It will grow if you don't let the enemy take it. The seed itself is not the fruit, it is not grown. It needs planted first.
Jesus said Plant the Seed!!!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------

Mat 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Mat 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

They have cast out devils, this one was different as their are different classes of devils. (EPH 6:12)
They must have had faith, but not enough for this one.
Notice Jesus was not happy? Notice he did not say it was OK to have a little faith, Let me help you with your human side. Just hold on to that little faith you had.

NO......NO......NO.... Our Lord was not happy at all!!! It would do everyone well to pay attention.

Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Why could we not cast him out? That is not faith to begin with. They had cast out others, why not this one? They had faith, but needed to be on a higher level to deal with this situation.


Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Notice what unbelief can cause? So why did not Jesus just add to their little faith and help them? Why is Jesus upset? Why did he tell them it was their fault?
I know it does not fit anyone's Doctrine. So learn something..........

Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Fasting puts away flesh to focus on God, Prayer will build your faith (Not create faith) Keep focused on that little seed planted. take heed what you heard. He said I gave you authority to cast out devils. Pray for more revelation, get some time in with God. Let that seed of faith Grow to where there is not more room for doubt or unbelief.

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

If it does not make sense yet, then God help you or me to learn more about it so that I may be anointed enough to make it more clear.
Joshua was told to meditate on the Law (word) day and night so that HE (Joshua) may make himself prosperous.

You don't have to be weak in faith. No excuse as Jesus has told us what to do.

The condition was the SEED must produce Fruit!!! 30, 60 100 fold... If it is just a seed you plant that.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Br. Bear]

Brother, please listen. We must be renewed day by day. The Word is alive and powerful, being EN GRAFTED it is able to change you soul, (Thinking)

Yes, Brother Mike,

I know.

Thanks be to the Lord, I know.

But for me, I believe even more than thinking.... but let's not split hairs.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear


My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:20-26

 

[Br. Bear]

Quote: Jesus said Plant the Seed!!!!!!!

Where did He say this ?

Did I plant the little seed in me? I can't remember... but I do remember the speed it grew.... in a moment.. I was changed.... and not of my works or gardening skills for as yet I had none in the Word......

and it is this same drop of oil... that fills this humble house with His perfume.... and it lingers, ever fresh to quicken me.....

.............................................................................................><>

What was this kind mentioned in Matthew 17:21 ?
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.


I personally find this whole sequence pretty groovy.....

the day of Pentecost, the 'birth' of the Church.... the Holy Ghost beginning, had not come yet...... and here, with ONLY the name of Jesus (Praise his beautiful magnificent holy name) they cast out devils.

But, casting out devils is again,. a sign... of a seed planted, a glimmer of the yet to be revealed promise of the Father.. the redemption that draws nigh..... and the fulfilling of the Word of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Agreed, better a person without a devil than one who is in bondage to one (or many),
but ultimately.... is it, they will know you by the devils you cast out, or.... By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

Bless you .....><>

Br. Bear


ps.... The word I was looking for in regards to my picture and some of what I said, is...

underestimating

How often we underestimate the omnipotent holiness of the Lord.

Bless you all, in Jesus name ><>


another ps....

rather than post another one....

going back to the unprofitable servant.....

as a young Christian, I asked that question... Lord, increase my faith, please Lord, please...

I read that Scripture Luke 17:5-10 and believed He must be telling the truth, so, asked for wisdom... as per James 1:2-8 ... My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (and the rest of that Chapter of James.)

In a nutshell, this is what I came to understand,

it's in the doing that our faith increases, not doing to get, but to serve our Lord in serving others.... it's getting your hands dirty for the Lord, and not counting the cost, nor the time taken, nor a looking for a reward, because He has already promised that anyway... another fact of faith.... Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.


and, because He is true to His Word, sure enough, my faith increased as I went about doing all He required of me... my cry unto Him being, "Lord, send me", each morning.... and He did.

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

I write this here NOT to sound my trumpet, NO WAY !!!, but to encourage each reader to do as the Lord bids of you, and He will increase your faith as you go.... and you will go on your way each day, rejoicing... because your faith will increase... and shine more brightly and He will srengthen you.

May you be blessed as you serve our glorious Lord and King, Jesus Christ, and in doing, don't fuss over a reward for each effort you put in, neither get tangled up in teachings that are at present beyond you, if that be the case, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever.

Amen.

2Peter 3:18