The things of the Spirit don't come naturally. Unless God's children overcome their natural disposition by faith, they won't press into the spirtitual realm. Yesterday's meeting began in the natural and ended in the spiritual as we turned nice singing into bringing heaven on earth and used the songs to proclaim, establish and overcome spiritual darkness by declaring Christ's lordship over our lives, our church, our city and our nation! We broke through the natural realm and entered the realm of faith that releases God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! Hallelujah!
After a powerful time of worship we heard the amazing testimony given by one of our members who took hold of God's Word and prayed it over her life for healing. She testified that after one year of prayer she has been healed of diabetes and can now eat anything she likes without any problems. Hallelujah!
The Lord then spoke to us about the development of faith. He showed us that just as a baby learns to sit then walk and then stand, so believers must also learn to sit, walk and stand by faith.
Sitting stage - knowing and receiving the grace of God.
In Ephesians 2:4-9 we learn that every believer is raised with Christ and seated with Him. By faith the believer must take hold of the fact that s/he is seated in heavenly places with Christ. It is in this place where the believer enjoys the grace and love of God by faith. The disciple who sits by faith rests in the finished work of Christ.
Walking stage - knowing and doing the will of God.
In Ephesians 5:1-17 we are commanded to imitate God and to find out what His will is. Those who seek God's will to obey it, walk by faith. They understand that God reveals His will to His children for them to obey it (see John 14:15; Col. 1:9-12). They walk by faith and not by sight. They follow the Spirit rather than their own selfish desires (see Gal. 5:16,17). Believers who choose to walk in holiness and obedience do so by faith and have matured beyond only sitting by faith.
Standing stage - knowing and standing in the authority and power of God.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are encouraged to stand firm in the authority and power of God. Unless we have learned to sit and walk by faith we will not be effective when we try to stand by faith (see Eph. 4:26,27). To stand by faith is to believe that we are representatives of God's Kingdom and have been entrusted with the authority and power of God to overcome the kingdom of darkness. Jesus gave His disciples authority to overcome all the power of the enemy and to heal and to deliver people from Satan's grip (see Luke 9:1,2). Believers who stand by faith have matured beyond sitting and walking by faith.
We praise God for His revelation and for equipping us to live the Kingdom life. Hallelujah!
We are excited about several new groups that are starting. We now have a youth ministry and two new Life Groups. Jesus is building His Church!
Quote of the week
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:6
"For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." Eph. 5:8-10
"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Eph. 6:13
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