Why Declaring the Word works: Grace through Faith

 

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 What a powerful force our words are. Words are seeds. We can plant seeds of hope, healing, and wholeness. We can plant these seeds in the soil of our own heart or in the lives of our loved ones and those around us.

 What words are you sowing? Are you planting seeds of love, peace, and positive affirmation? Or are you planting seeds of misery, hopelessness, strife, and unbelief? This is why it is vital to continue examining the power of words. 

 Declaring the Word works. Speaking in agreement with God will change your life forever. The more you grow in Faith, in Grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus, your words will agree with God and not with your present circumstances or situation. 

 Why does confessing or saying the same thing as God work? We have seen that first it causes Faith to come. Secondly, it renews the mind to think God's thoughts. Thirdly, it reprograms the heart, helping to focus on the unseen rather than the seen. It also keeps the promise of God before us, keeping Faith in focus and not the problem.

 The fifth reason why confessing God's Word works is that it puts the Law of Faith into motion. When you declare God's Word, Faith is being released. There is a miracle in your mouth; all you have to do is speak it out! 

So [it shall be] that he who invokes a blessing on himself in the land shall do so by saying, May the God of truth and fidelity [the Amen] bless me; and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth and faithfulness to His promises [the Amen], because the former troubles are forgotten and because they are hidden from My eyes.  Isaiah 65:16 AMPC

 Look at this powerful prophecy from Isaiah. This is foreshadowing the Redemptive work of Jesus. You invoke the blessing by releasing your words. Grace has already provided it; it belongs to us through Christ.  

 Grace provided it, but Faith takes it. Grace made it all available, but you partake of it by receiving what was purchased and procured by Jesus' Finished Work. How do you receive it? By declaring His Word, agreeing with what He made available. It is not just acknowledging it but agreeing with God that it is yours and you have it now.

 Casually acknowledging the Righteousness of all believers in Christ is not laying hold of it and claiming it for yourself. You receive of the gift of Righteousness by declaring "I am the Righteousness of God in Christ."

 Faith's confession agrees with the reality that Grace made in Jesus' Finished Work of Redemption. Faith's confession creates that reality in your own personal life. Declaring the Word of God sets the Law of Faith in motion for what concerns you.

 What is the Law of Faith? 

 Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. Romans 3:27 Mounce.

 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening, he shall have whatever he says Mark 11:23 WEB

 The Law of Faith is no different than the law of gravity. The Law of Faith says that what you believe with the heart and declare with your mouth will come to pass. Faith is not just about speaking the Word, but it is a part of it. Faith is released when we speak in agreement with His Word and what Redemption provided.

  Look again at the Gospel of Mark, where the woman with the issue of blood declared her healing, putting the Law of Faith in motion. She declared continually that when she touched His garment, she would be healed.

  She kept speaking it, and put the Law of Faith in motion. She reached out and touched Jesus' garment and received her healing. When Jesus sensed the healing anointing released, He sought her out and declared that her Faith made her whole.

 Your Faith can make you whole, too. The Law of Faith is about believing and speaking. Notice in Mark 11 that Jesus mentioned believing once and saying three times. He was showing that Faith is released by speaking. He showed us the power and importance of words.

 So what are you saying? Are you agreeing with the Finished Work or religious traditions? Redemption or present circumstances? The Law of Faith is not about works or earning or striving. It is not based on works. It is not about performance. It is about Grace through Faith.

 When you declare God’s Word, you’re not striving, begging, or trying to earn. You’re simply agreeing with what Grace has already finished. The Law of Faith is voice-activated—believe in your heart, speak with your mouth, and watch His promises manifest in your life. Healing, provision, peace, and victory are not distant dreams; they are present realities waiting to be received. So lift your voice, declare His Word, and set the Law of Faith in motion—because what Jesus has done is already yours today.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Faith in focus

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Our words matter. What we speak impacts our lives, those around us, and those we interact with throughout our lives. Harsh words can create trauma, turmoil, and troubling thoughts in the hearer. Doubtful, faithless, and unbelieving words can stifle creativity, vision, and suppress trust in the Lord's promises.

 Speaking in agreement with God, on the other hand, brings peace, hope, and feeds Faith. It creates an atmosphere of expectancy for God to do what only He can do. Kind, loving, and soft words stir up joy, peace, happiness, calmness, and hope. 

 Words are containers. They contain life or death, blessing or cursing. Words are seeds we plant in the soil of our heart, and the harvest will be life and abundance or death, cursing and misery. It is up to us to plant the seeds for the harvest we want. 

In this series, we've been exploring why declaring God's Word works. We have seen that confession, or agreeing with God, causes Faith to come. As we hear ourselves speak, Faith comes. Declaring the Word renews our mind to His truth, dismantling the lies of the enemy. It reprograms our hearts with the image of victory, not defeat. The more we speak His Word, the more it shifts our perspective from doubt and defeat to Faith and triumph.

The next reason why declaring the Word works is that speaking the Word continually keeps His Word, His promises before us. It shifts focus to what He said, not on what we see.  It keeps our eyes focused on Faith, rather than doubt, unbelief, and discouragement. 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

We live by what we believe, not by what we can see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NCV

We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 ERV

 Our words shape our reality. Our words, then, should align with what Heaven has declared over our lives. Let that reality be in line with what His perfect Work of Redemption provided, purchased, and procured for us. Our words shouldn't align or agree with a fallen, fractured creation and a defeated devil's lies.  

 Speaking His Words keep what He said about us and our circumstances before us. When your mind is flooded with thoughts of shame and condemnation, keep declaring the Word of Righteousness. The more you speak in agreement with who you are in Him, the more those thoughts fade in light of your identity in Him.

 If lack, insufficient funds, poverty is all you see, consider His Word, keep speaking it, the more you do, the more His promise to meet your needs will continually be before you. The more you see His promises, the more you trust Him to take care of you. The more you declare, the more the work of Redemption becomes real to you. On the cross, He became poor so you would be blessed. The more you speak, the more wisdom, favor, opportunities, and blessings come. 

 There is a woman in the Word of God who did just exactly this. The woman with the issue of blood is the perfect illustration of the power of words and receiving the healing miracle of God. In the Gospel of Mark 5, this powerful account is recorded.

 The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus. What did she hear? She didn't hear that God gave her this illness to strengthen and perfect her character. She didn't hear that God doesn't heal anymore; that went out with the prophets. She didn't hear that desiring healing is wrong, don't you know, trying to live your best life now is covetous?

 No, she heard about a Good Shepherd. She heard about a Savior who forgave sins and healed all who came to Him. She knew that going out in public was an executable offense. She had an unclean condition. Yet she trusted in this Jesus who was full of Grace.

 She also kept declaring what she wanted. She kept speaking the Word of God, she knew Jehovah is the Lord who heals. She kept that promise before her; she continually said If I touch his clothes, I will be healed! She pressed in touch His clothes with confident expectation and Faith and took her healing. 

 She kept speaking, she kept declaring, which caused Faith to come. The more she spoke, the more her mind was renewed to this truth of healing. The more she spoke, the more she planted the word in her heart, reprogramming the image in her heart. She had been getting worse for twelve years. She painted a new image within, she kept speaking, and she saw herself healed and whole. 

 The more she spoke, the more she kept the promise before her. Her miracle began with her words. She declared the truth until it became more real to her than her condition. And the same principle holds true for us today.

When we declare God’s Word, we are not simply speaking into the air—we are planting Heaven’s reality into the soil of our lives. Every declaration keeps our focus on God’s promises rather than our problems. Hope is strengthened, Faith comes, and the unseen manifests into the seen. Just as the woman with the issue of blood received her miracle, we too can walk in healing, provision, peace, and victory—when we keep God’s Word in our mouths.

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Why declaring God's Word works: A Faith pespective

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words spoken out contain either life or death, or blessing or cursing. The words we speak can determine the course of life. We can either agree with God or disagree with God and accept the report of fear, failure, and frustration. 

We are continuing to examine why declaring God's Word works. We have seen that when we speak forth the Word, we are hearing God's word declared. As we hear the Word, Faith comes. The more we speak God's Word, our minds are renewed to God's thoughts. The more renewed the mind, the more we agree with God. 

 When we confess God's Word, we are not just making noise. We are adding our agreement with what God has already said about our life and situation. One more thing it does is build an inner image of victory and wholeness.

 This leads us to the next reason why declaring God's Word works: it reprograms our hearts. That is, it gives us a new perspective. It brings about a Faith perspective. 

 When we confess the Word of God, we are depositing the Word in our hearts. We may liken this to farming principles. When we declare His truth, we are planting the seed of the Word in the soil of our hearts. 

 Jesus tells us this is how the kingdom operates in Mark. We are planting seeds with the words we speak. We are planting the seeds of blessing and success in our hearts. The more we speak, our hearts will bring forth a harvest of hope, boldness, and Faith.

 The words we speak can also sow seeds into the lives of those around us. What are we saying to others then? Are we sowing seeds of guilt, shame, and condemnation? Are we declaring favor or failure over others? 

 Parents sowing seeds of disappointment, doubt, and disapproval will see a harvest of depression, despondency, and defeat in the hearts of their children. Sow good seeds to children, to coworkers, to loved ones. Words are seeds; they can plant life and blessing, or plant death and discouragement. 

 In Christ, we are new creations. We have the mind of Christ. We have a new heart. This is our identity, yet the same Apostle of Grace who told us this also told us that we need to renew our minds. Was Paul confused or speaking religious double-talk?

 Paul was not confused; he was essentially telling us to add our agreement with what He has already made us inwardly. With this understanding, living in a fallen, fractured creation can cause negative images to reside inwardly. This is where the power of confessing the Word comes in. 

 When we declare the Word, we are sowing the right seeds in our hearts. The more we speak His Word, the more we are programming our hearts with Heaven's reality. Confession paints an inner image of victory, health, and abundance until what we see inside becomes greater than what we see outside.

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

 When we declare the Word of God, we are agreeing with Heaven's reality. We are depositing His seeds of greatness, abundance, healing, and wholeness in our hearts. We are creating new images inwardly. 

 The more we declare what God says, we are uprooting the negative seeds we have planted in our hearts. When we speak His Word, we are removing the old images of defeat, despair, and doom and reprogramming our hearts with victory and hope. We are adding our agreement with God.

 When dealing with infirmity, sickness, and disease, for instance, sometimes an image of death and despair is planted in the heart. The image may play over and over, of not recovering and growing worse. This inward image must be removed and replaced by declaring what God says and not what the symptoms and situation say.

 The more the Word is declared concerning healing and wholeness, the more the Word is planted in the heart. The more the Word is declared, the more the image of health, recovery, and wholeness is programmed in the heart. The more the Word is sown in the heart, the greater the harvest of faith, hope, and expectation of victory. Declaring the Word doesn’t deny the problem—it replaces the problem’s image with God’s promise. The result is a reprogrammed heart that sees the outcome through God’s eyes instead of fear’s eyes.

 Declaring the Word works because it gives us a fresh perspective—it creates a Faith perspective. The symptoms and situation may scream, but our confession of God’s Word speaks louder. As we hold fast to His promises, we begin to see ourselves whole, blessed, and fulfilled in Him. 

A Faith perspective doesn’t only apply to healing—it shapes every area of life. When lack tries to paint a picture of never having enough, the Word declares, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When fear tries to dominate, the Word declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When discouragement whispers defeat, the Word declares, “Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.”

A Faith perspective is seeing life through God’s promises instead of life’s problems. It’s refusing to let circumstances set the vision of your heart and instead allowing the Word of God to program your inner image of victory. As this perspective takes root, hope rises, peace rules, and Faith produces.

So keep declaring His Word. Keep painting His promises on the canvas of your heart. Before long, you’ll find that what you once only declared, you now experience—because God’s Word always works and never returns void.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Renewing the Mind

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words matter. What we speak carries either life and blessing or cursing and calamity. Words can change our circumstances for the better or prolong them for the worse. 

 What we are saying can minister grace to the hearer, or they can bring hurt or cause strife. What we say can locate whether we are in Faith or in fear, in panic or at peace, wallowing in self-pity or rejoicing in victory. This is why we must be mindful of our words.

 Knowing how vital words are, exploring why declaring or confessing God's Word works. We have seen that when we declare the Word over our lives, Faith comes. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. That means someone has to speak the Word for it to be heard. The greatest way to hear the Word is to hear yourself say it.

 The second reason why declaring God's Word works is that it renews the mind. When we declare what God says, we cause our mind to shift from fear to Faith, from despair to joy, from sadness to gladness. Our thinking begins to align more with God's thoughts on the situation.

 What are God's thoughts? His thoughts are what His Word reveals about our current situation or circumstances. We can realign our thinking with His when we declare what He already said in His Word.

 We begin to think His thoughts when we read His Word, study His Word, and declare His Word and promises. What are His thoughts? They are revealed in what He declared in the Word, what He promised, and what He provided in the Finished Work of Redemption.

 God's thoughts on sin and wrongdoing? He tells what's right and wrong behavior. God's thoughts on sin also reveal that He forgives sins and brings newness of life to those who call upon Him. 

 God's thoughts on condemnation and guilt? Jesus' shed blood is the shame remover. He is satisfied with the perfect Redemptive work of His Son. God's thoughts are of forgiveness and redemption and acceptance, not condemnation.

 God's thoughts on catastrophe and calamity? His Word declares He is a Good God and only does good. He isn't the architect of tragedy, trials, or tribulation. His thoughts of peace, of comfort, and being our stronghold in times of trouble and heartache. He doesn't send the earthquake, but he heals the heartbreak!

 God's thoughts on sickness, disease, poverty, and lack? His Word declares He is the healer and the provider for His people. Jesus bore our sickness and carried our diseases. He is not for sickness and disease; He is for wholeness. 

 He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. He became a curse to redeem us from the curse. He bore the curse of poverty. He took our poverty and gave us His riches on the Cross. God's not saying everyone is going to be a millionaire, but He is saying He is our provider and wants our best, our blessing, and an abundant life. 

 When we declare His Word, His promises and provisions in the Redemptive work, we are renewing our minds to His Thoughts.

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Romans 12:2 VOICE

We are transformed by the renewing of the mind. This means replacing the default setting of defeat, depression, and despair with victory, peace, and joy we already have in Christ. We can conform to the world or allow the Word to reprogram our thinking to life and wholeness. 

We can have a world-renewed mind or a Word-renewed mind. We can have a world-conformed mind, or we can have a Word-conformed mind.

 When we speak out God's Word, we are adding our agreement with what He says. The more we speak in agreement with what He says, our thinking will begin to shift. We will move away from the devil's and world's system, stinking thinking, to glorious transformation in our thoughts. 

 When we declare God’s Word, we are not just speaking into the air. We are reprogramming our minds with His truth. So let's not let the enemy have the last word in our minds. Let's agree with what God says about us. Speak only what God says about our situation. Speak what God says about our future.

Every time we declare His Word, our minds are being renewed, our faith is being built, and our lives are being transformed. That’s why declaring God’s Word works—because it changes the way we think until we see as He sees and believe as He believes.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Faith comes

 

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words are powerful. Good words spoken bring life, health, and hope. Wrong words spoken can create fear, anxiety, and foster hopelessness. Words bring life or death; the choice is ours.

 God's Word declares the power of our tongue. Jesus taught us about words. The Apostles taught us about words. Since we know our words contain either life or death, we should choose to speak life.

 Yet some fail to do this consistently. Why? Perhaps they have never learned why confessing, or saying the same thing God says, works. They possibly see no value or purpose in declaring what God says. Maybe they see it as unnecessary work. 

 Listening to some of the words that have come out of fellow believers' mouths over the years, it seems good to expound on and explain the Scriptural reasons why confessing God's Word "works," or why it is effective, or successful, in its intended operation.

To begin, let's define our terms to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication. The word confession in the Biblical context simply means "to say the same thing." In other words, it means agreeing with God. When we declare God's promises over our life and situation, we are agreeing with what God's Word says.

When we confess God's Word, we are adding our agreement to what God has said about us and what we face. We say what God says not what it looks like or feels like. Confessing or declaring God's Word over our life, our circumstances, or our loved ones is our Faith talking. 

 This leads to the number one reason why declaring God's Word works. When we speak out God's Word, it causes Faith to come. Paul confirms this in Romans.

  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17 NLT

 Faith doesn't come by going through challenging times. Tests and trials don't cause Faith to come. Faith only comes by hearing what God says. 

When we declare God’s Word, we hear it with our own ears. The more we speak it, the more we hear it. The more we hear, the more faith comes. Speaking and hearing create a cycle of faith that grows stronger each time. This Faith brings victory to every area of life.

Suppose you are dealing with feelings of guilt and shame or are experiencing a sense of condemnation. You can speak out that God is disappointed with you, or you can speak to these accusing thoughts. The Word declared there is no condemnation in Christ. The Word declared we are forgiven. 

 Confessing God's Word continually concerning your right standing, your forgiveness of all your sins, and freedom from all condemnation, will cause Faith to come. The more you speak out, the more you will believe what God said is true. Then you will declare in Faith that you are forgiven and free in Christ, and the sense of condemnation and feelings of shame will dissipate. 

 This works the same with divine healing. The symptoms may cry loud, but let your confession of His healing power cry louder! Keep declaring His Word about healing and health. The more you speak His Word, the more Faith for healing comes.

 The more we speak God's Word, the more we hear ourselves declaring God's promises. The more we hear, the more Faith comes. The more Faith comes, the more our Faith grows and develops. This isn't earning or achieving. This is adding our agreement to what His Grace provided through the Finished Work, and what He lovingly promised us in His Word.

 In summation, this confession isn’t magic—it’s agreement with the Living Word, Jesus Himself. So don’t let your words agree with fear, shame, or sickness. Let your words agree with God. Continue to declare His promises over every area of your life. Faith will come, arise in your heart, and as you speak, Faith is released, causing victory to manifest in your life.

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Declare: What are you saying?

 

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

  Words are powerful things. Words are not neutral. Words are containers; they contain life and blessing, or they contain death and misery. In light of this powerful truth, let's pause and ask ourselves, what are we saying?

 The words we speak consistently are the fruit of the seeds we have planted within our hearts. Our words in daily situations are often a mirror of what we believe, what we meditate on, and what we truly expect. The words we speak reflect on what we have been feeding on or given attention to. 

  If we give our attention to constant negative news, then our words will reflect worst-case scenarios and convey dread, loss, and hopelessness. If we plant seeds of doubt and unbelief concerning God's promises, our words will reflect that. We will only speak words of lack, fear, and limitation. 

 If our thinking and beliefs are shaped by circumstance, by experience, and by feelings, then our words will merely reflect and mirror our current conditions and present circumstances. If our perspective is influenced and formed by natural and popular trends, our words will often carry frustration, confusion, or self-judgment. 

 Our words shouldn't be an echo of negative situations, circumstances, and failed experiences. Our words shouldn't be an agreement with what a lying, defeated devil says about us. Our tongues were designed to declare the goodness and love of God.

 Our words should agree with what God, our Good Father, has declared over us. Our words should agree with what God has provided for us already in the work of Redemption. Our words should agree with who God says we are in Him. 

 What do we say when we hear a negative report? What are the words we speak when symptoms appear worse? What are the words we say when we have messed up, failed, fouled up, and just plain sinned?  

 Do we declare words of hopelessness, fear, and defeat? Do we echo the circumstances, saying it's never going to get better, it's over, no point in continuing to believe God? Do we add our agreement with guilt, shame, and condemnation? 

 We are built for so much better. We are equipped and empowered with His Spirit. Our words reflect His Goodness at all times. Our words agree with what He says about us. The words we speak are words of hope, Faith, and Grace.

 Be encouraged, your words have power and will change your reality. Come into agreement with everything God has spoken and declared over your life. Speak words of healing, protection, peace, and life. No matter what it feels like, or looks like, or what you hear, agree with God. Speaking what God has declared is your Faith speaking! 

Let your words be faith talking, not fear echoing. You’ve been equipped to speak life—so speak boldly, speak freely, and speak like God is always good… because He is.

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Father of Lights Vol II: Only Good

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 When the Father sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, He demonstrated to the world just how loving He is. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the enemy. He revealed the very nature and character of God.

God is Good all the time. This is not just a cliché or a catchy Christian phrase. God revealed His kindness, mercy, and goodness through the redemptive work of Jesus. When the disciples asked Jesus to “show us the Father,” He replied, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”

So we must ask: Did Jesus ever send destruction or tragedy when He walked the earth? Did He ever give someone a crippling disease or inflict pain and suffering? Did He destroy lives—or save them?

If the answer is no, then we can know with confidence that God is not the author of evil or tragedy. Jesus never afflicted, killed, or harmed. He is Good—and He can only be Good!

 You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:68 NLT

You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness. Psalm 119:68 MSG

  The Word of God, our source of truth and guide for living, shows that God is only Good. God only does Good. 

 As of this writing, we in Texas have just witnessed a terrible tragedy. Texas experienced a flash flood that took so many lives. Many of the lost were young Christians at summer camp. When tragedy strikes, questions arise.

 It's good to ask questions. It's good to seek clarity and understanding during hard times. God is not afraid of man's questions from a place of anger and sorrow. He is our Father, and He cares for us.

 When tragedy strikes, we must be firmly established in the truth that God is Good and only does Good. We must be rooted in the truth that He is Good and not the author of destruction, death, and disaster. This Goodness is an anchor that produces hope during the worst circumstances. 

 In a fallen and fractured creation, storms arise and waters overflow. In a fallen world, floods occur. This is not the handiwork of God. This is the result of life in a fallen world. Yet during these times, God's peace and comfort are there, meeting us right where we are. 

 Let us never confuse life in a fallen world with the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we don’t understand, let us cling to what we do know:

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)  

  He is not the destroyer. He is the Deliverer. And His Goodness is more than enough to carry us through.

His Goodness offers us hope that there is peace, healing, and restoration in Him. It may look hopeless, feel painful, and seem like never-ending sorrow is all we have to look forward to. Yet His Goodness brings hope. This hope will sustain anyone through the hard times.

His Goodness also allows us to run to Him during times of suffering. He is not the author of the storm, the trial, the tragedy, but He heals the heartbreak in the middle of it all. God is right there with the one afflicted. He is such a Good Father.

 In times like these, when the questions are many and the pain is raw, let’s hold fast to what is unshakable: God is Good, and He is for us. Let His Goodness be your stronghold, your refuge, and your peace. He has not abandoned you—He never will. Run to Him. Trust Him. Let His love surround you, heal you, and lift your eyes. Even in the darkest valley, the light of His Goodness will guide you home.

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Trust Fund

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then is it no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work. Romans 11:6 MEV

God is a Good and Gracious Father. The gifts He freely gives—eternal life, perfect Righteousness, and total forgiveness—are not wages earned, but unearned, undeserved, and unrepayable. This is the heartbeat of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: not what we do for God, but what He has already done for us. And yet, so much of modern Christian teaching has drifted from this truth, placing the spotlight back on us—our efforts, our sacrifices, our performance. But Grace flips the script. Grace reminds us: it's not about what we do, it's about what He did.

 Christianity is rooted in the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus. It is not rooted or built upon the foundation of our sacrifices, pledges, or promises to God. It's about the finality of the Cross and the glorious, triumphant resurrection of Christ. It's never been about our work, performance, or striving to earn God's favor, acceptance, and approval.

 Think of this. Sometimes a parent lays up an inheritance for their children. When they reach a certain age, those funds are made available to them. We call this a trust fund. This is a fund in the natural realm. 

 I want to use a play on words and see what kind of trust fund we have. Do we have a "trust fund" deposited with God's gifts readily available for us to withdraw from? Or do we have a "trust fund" that has deposits of our own works, performance, and perfect behavior?

 In other words, where is your trust? So often we claim we trust in God alone, but the moment we go through a challenge, we shift to the default setting of looking at our behavior or performance to see if we have messed up. We default back to thinking we're being punished by God for messing it up again.

 Certainly, there can be negative circumstances directly attributed to specific choices we have made, but that is not much of a mystery. If you were speeding, it should be clear why you got a speeding ticket. That wasn't divine judgment; that was traffic officers enforcing the speed laws. 

 I am speaking more so of those times when we are praying and standing on the Word and don't see answers manifest. When the circumstances don't seem to be changing, or perhaps they are getting worse. The default religious setting is to critique our performance and behavior and adjust accordingly so we can be good enough to receive from God.

 It may sound elementary or far-fetched, but this is the focus of much modern Christian teaching. Our behavior becomes our savior and source of blessing. This religious default reveals to us where our trust is. 

 Our trust is not in Jesus' faithfulness but in our own. Jesus paid the price. He finished the work. He completed the task. His victorious death, burial, and resurrection are what procured everything we need to live in life and godliness. 

 So many place the majority of their trust in their church attendance, financial giving, devotional time, and abstinence from sin. Jesus and His perfect redemptive work take a backseat to man's effort. Christ's perfect work tends to pale in comparison to our own work. 

 Brothers and sisters, this is not the Gospel. This is not the Christian life we are called to lead. God wants us to behold Jesus in the beauty of His holiness, to look to His perfect redemptive work rather than our own, and to put our trust in Jesus' faithfulness rather than our own. 

 It has never been about our work, good behavior, or performance. It's all about Jesus. Grace is about putting Jesus back in the center of it all. It is remembering Jesus in His splendor and glory for the perfect sacrifice He made. 

This is the Good News—the best news! The work is finished. It is completely done. It is all about a free gift. Focus on Him, and trust in His work and faithfulness alone. 

 

 

Father of Lights: Cruel God and cruel men.

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 God is a Good Father. He has revealed Himself as the Father of Lights. In Him, there exists no darkness at all. He is not the author or orchestrator of death, disaster, or destruction. He is the author of Abundant Life. 

 Does it matter whether we receive and understand this truth? Absolutely. If we want our faith to grow strong and steadfast, we must know the character of the One who makes the promise. Trust is built on knowing the heart behind the words. If we are to confidently trust a Savior who offers eternal life through simple belief, we must be fully convinced of the goodness and integrity of the One who offered it.

 As important as those things are, there is another reason we must know the character of God. We are told to emulate, to be like God throughout the Word. We have sayings like;

 What would Jesus do?

 If we think of Jesus and the Father and the Spirit as harsh taskmasters who are quick to punish, point out our sins and shortcomings, and separate themselves from us, how will we treat others? 

 When men believe they serve a cruel God, they themselves will become cruel. If they see God as angry, obsessed with rules, and determined to make them do what they dread simply to prove His power, it will shape their hearts into the same harsh image. A distorted view of God always produces a distorted life.

 The Lens of the Heart

The way we perceive God becomes the lens through which we see everything else.
If we believe God is unpredictable, harsh, and ready to lash out, we will approach life with fear, suspicion, and anxiety.
We will struggle to rest, to trust, or to live with joy — because deep down, we will always be bracing ourselves for the next blow.

But if we see Him as the Father of Lights, the One who is pure goodness with no shadow of turning, our hearts can finally exhale.
We can live freely, joyfully, and fearlessly, rooted in the unwavering love of a perfect Father.

"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

Religious Fear Produces Religious Cruelty

Many believers today, though sincere, have been taught to fear God in the wrong way.
Not with a holy awe for His majesty and grace, but with a terror of punishment and rejection.
This false fear hardens hearts. It produces believers who are more judgmental than joyful, more condemning than compassionate.

The truth is, a cruel view of God creates cruel men.
If you believe God is constantly displeased with you, you will live displeased with yourself and others.
You will feel justified in being critical, harsh, and unkind because you think that's how God is.

This isn't holiness. It's hurt wearing a religious mask.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." (1 John 4:18)

The Father of Lights

Our God is not two-faced. He is not sometimes good and sometimes cruel.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever — good, faithful, merciful, and kind.

He corrects His children, yes — but He corrects by reminding us who we are in Christ, not by crushing us with calamity.
He leads by love, not by fear. He builds up — He doesn’t tear down.

Beloved, reject every image of God that is less beautiful than Jesus.
Reject the religious lie that portrays the Father as cruel, calculating, and condemning.
Embrace the radiant truth that your Father is the Father of Lights — and in Him, there is no darkness at all.

You were created to reflect the One you behold.
Behold His goodness — and you will shine.

 Religious traditions' distortion of God has created the image of a cruel God. This cruel image causes the thinking of the religious mind to be programmed to condemnation, shame, and guilt. We direct this first toward ourselves, and afterwards to others around us.  

 This makes us forget who the Father is. We forget that we cannot come to God based on our merits. We forget that it was only the shed blood of Jesus that makes us worthy. 

Summarizing, why must we know and understand how good God truly is? Because everything in the Christian life rests upon this truth. His goodness and His grace are not side notes—they are the very foundation! The entire Christian life rises or falls on this revelation. His goodness is the anchor of our faith, and His grace is the melody of the Gospel—without them, there is no true Christianity, only cold religion.

Image by Alexa from Pixabay