Where Does Your Faith Stand?

Calling all believers:

Consider the scripture found in 1 Co. 2:4&5, " And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

There's a whole lot of knowledge "flying" around these days. There are scientific reports, governmental reports, reports from organizations, and communities, all of which are being presented powerfully and persuasive as wisdom. However, when the reports are given, who's report will you believe?  

There is wisdom that comes from a lot of the reports that we may encounter, but what kind of wisdom is it? Consider James 3:17, which says, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

Next I ask, Is your faith standing in technology? Or, is your faith standing in the Power of God?  When your body needs healing, technology cannot heal you, but the power of God can.  The government cannot transform a life, but the power of God can.  Community organizations cannot stop the widespread pandemonium and fear resulting in many innocent lives dying prematurely, but the power of God can.

Now I ask, "What is your faith standing in?"  Understand that your faith is standing in something. When your faith stands in the power of God you get what the power of God produces. Likewise, if you were standing in water you'd get what water produces. If your faith stands in the government you only get what the government can produce.  If your faith stands in activism, you only get what activism can produce.  The conclusion should be that your faith is left standing in the Power of God.  The power of God heals you, delivers you, conforms you, transforms you, prospers you, and the list can go on and on.  When your faith stands in the power of God you get all that the Power of God produces.

The Church in the Midst of It All

Who is the Church in the Midst of All This?

The Church is made up of many members and we are one body; The ecclesia, the called-out ones. We are disciples of Christ.  In the midst of this, we have an identity that can be seen.

We are "wisdom", but not as the world speaks of the wise, and those who are considered to possess wisdom. Consider  James 3:15-18 KJV, which says, "...But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Next, we are "peacemakers". A peacemaker is different from a peacekeeper. We are equipped to make peace because we carry the prince of peace, Jesus. (Is. 9:6) Consider Matthew 5:9 KJV, which says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

We are "salt". Consider Matthew 5:13 KJV, which says,  "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

The church is also "light". Consider Matthew 5:14,16 KJV, which says, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

The list above does not include all that the church is on the earth today, but it will start your journey of discovery with key descriptive words for the church.

Wisdom

Peacemaker

Salt

Light

Here's a thought to keep in mind while navigating through the challenges we're facing in life these days.  There was civil unrest at the time of Jesus' reign on the earth. Disciples had just faced Jesus having been put to death. They were in the upper room.  A leader emerged after they received power from on high.  

Today, we are amidst civil unrest. It comes in many forms such as: Economic and social injustice unrest, sports-related unrest, politically motivated unrest, as well as the reaction to police action unrest. That still doesn't change who we are.   The church is: Wisdom, Peacemakers, Salt and Light.

"The Shaking"

Have you been experiencing "the shaking?"  A part of the shaking was to wake us up so that we would walk in the authority that God has given us. We are a new nation, a whole new species and we have the DNA of Jesus.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  (Romans 8:29)

Here are 5 indications of "the shaking":

1.  Corona virus pandemic 

2.   Protests and Riots

3.  The Church not being considered essential 

4.  Fear that has gripped the world

5. The manipulation of racial issues

Let's walk in the authority that God has given us.  We were born for "such a time as this".

Pentecost

                                        

Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The "day of Pentecost" was a time in history.  For us today we are receiving a move of God's Spirit in a brand new way.  

There were events that led up to the Day of Pentecost and finally the time came.  Those who obeyed were found in the upper room.  They were in the right place at the right time, doing exactly what they were asked to do which was to wait.

Here are five things we can expect and look for as we move forward in Life with Christ.  For us today, Pentecost marks:

A life of fire

A life of power

A life of victory 

A life of faith

The enemy may have tried to smother your fire, but you are now empowered to rise and say, "You're not putting my fire out!". Saints who are learners of Christ, we have  been made "too hot for the devil to handle."

This is a new era and a new time, and we have passed over into a life full of faith.  Our faith keeps us steady.  Our faith also keeps our reliance on Jesus.  A lot of what we've experienced more recently with Corona, like protests and rioting, was used to "shake the church and to wake the church up."  This time of quarantine and threat of sickness and death, served as a reminder that as a believer, there is a price to pay.  It costs.  It costs to trust the Lord in the midst of a global pandemic.  What does that look like?  It looks like you putting God's word above the word of the scientists.  

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

You may say what is the explanation for the believers who have become sick or have fallen into horrible times?  The answer is that what you may have witnessed is described in the scripture below.

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV

[19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

As we move through Pentecost and is moving forward let us:

Believe God

Trust God

Hold fast to our confessions 

Hold fast to our professions

Receive Holy Ghost Power

Move out by Faith

Expect