Father of Lights Vol II: The Good Shepherd Provides

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

 Jesus declared Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Again this wasn't just some clever phrase or catchy saying. This was the Son revealing who He is and what He does.

 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 MEV

 We have seen two aspects of this Good Shepherd. First the Good Shepherd preserves the sheep. He dearly loves us so He sustains us. He began the work in the believer and He will see it through to the end.

 He who started the work will be faithful to complete it. He who started the work, doesn't expect you to complete it. Salvation isn't God starts it we finish it. He preserves us.

 This is where some that oppose Grace miss it. They erroneously label eternal security as Calvinism's fifth point, perseverance of the Saints. This is not a Grace view but in truth a works view. To persevere means to maintain and endure. That is man's doing. Preservation means God preserves us, not our works or performance. 

 The Good Shepherd preserves the sheep! He holds us and keeps us, we are not keeping ourselves. Next He is the Good Shepherd who protects the sheep. In our last study we saw how he protects us.

Today we want to see the third aspect of the Good Shepherd: He provides for His sheep. A good shepherd takes care of his flock. He doesn't allow his sheep to go hungry or remain sickly without care. He watches over them, tends to their needs, and provides what they need to flourish. So it is with our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. He cares for His flock, and He provides for them. 

 The Good Shepherd has provided peace. In a troubled world, anxiety and uncertainty attempt to assail our minds and cause many to stress and get over into worry. Jesus gave us His peace. Peace that surpasses understanding. Like a pressurized cabin in an airplane what we have inside insulates us from what is going on outside. Peace keeps us grounded in His Love and enables us to navigate through this world and any circumstance. 

 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1 MEV

The Good Shepherd also provides for our material and financial needs. He knows we have responsibilities in this natural life. He knows we need food, clothing, shelter, and the resources necessary to fulfill the things He has called us to do. There is no shame in acknowledging that God is our provider in these areas. There is no reason to retreat from the goodness of God because religious people have criticized the teaching of prosperity or provision. The answer to error is not to deny what the Word reveals. Our Father is not opposed to our needs being met. He is not glorified by our lack. He is our provider, and His goodness extends into every area of our lives.

Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication and want what is right for me; Let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27 AMP

But perhaps one of the greatest expressions of the Good Shepherd's provision is His provision of divine healing and health. Jesus did not merely tell us that God cares about us. He demonstrated it. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. He touched the leper. He opened blind eyes. He caused the lame to walk. He healed all those who came to Him, and He never turned away the sick who sought His help. 

 These were not cold religious demonstrations performed merely to establish His credentials as the Jewish Messiah. They were expressions of His compassion. He saw people suffering, and He cared. He saw their pain, and He moved toward them. He saw their need, and He provided.

The religious mind often tries to separate the compassion of Jesus from the healing ministry of Jesus. It assigns His healing to a limited purpose in the past, as though He healed merely to prove who He was and then withdrew that provision from His people. But Jesus is the exact image of the Father. He said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” 

 If we want to know what the Father is like, we look at Jesus. And when we look at Jesus, we see a Good Shepherd who cares for the sick, the suffering, and the afflicted. We see One who is moved with compassion. We see One who provides healing.

Healing is not merely something Jesus demonstrated during His earthly ministry. Healing is part of what He accomplished for us in the Finished Work. Isaiah declared that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and that with His stripes we are healed. Peter looked back at the cross and declared, “By whose stripes ye were healed.” The provision has been made. Jesus bore our sins, and He bore our sicknesses. He carried our pains. He did not merely provide forgiveness for our sins while leaving sickness as an unavoidable part of our inheritance. He provided redemption for the whole person.

The Good Shepherd does not provide healing because He is trying to prove something to us. He provided healing because He is Good. He provided healing because He cares for His sheep. He provided healing because He is moved with compassion. And He provides healing because the Finished Work has already made provision for it. Faith does not create the provision. Faith receives what Grace has provided. We do not have to persuade a reluctant Shepherd to care and provide for us. We come to the One who has already demonstrated His love, already made provision, and already declared His desire for us to walk in the fullness of His life.

The Good Shepherd provides peace. He provides for our needs. And He provides divine healing and health. He is not merely the Shepherd who watches over His sheep from a distance. He is the Shepherd who cares for them, provides for them, and gives His life for them. He is the Good Shepherd. And He is still Good.

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Discover Jesus: The Savior

 for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 MOUNCE 

30 He brought them out of the prison and said, `Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'  31 They replied, `Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. All the people in your house must do the same.' Acts 16:30-31 WE

 We have begun a new journey of discovery. We began the journey by discovering who the believer is in Christ. Then the Spirit impressed on me to focus more on the Lord Jesus Christ. We really can't know who we are if we don't know and understand who He is.

This brings us to the next discovery about Jesus. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is the 2nd person in the Godhead. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. In Him is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and we are complete in Him. This is not to get too "heavy" or "deep" theologically speaking.

 Getting into real deep theology isn't where everyone lives in their daily lives. That is, how does deep theology really impact people in their daily lives? It is good to gain knowledge and understanding about God, but it should have practical effects in daily living.  

So let me say there is one practical element of knowing about the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is actually beautiful when you ponder it. God Himself so loved you and me that He took on flesh, became a man, and paid the highest price. God left the boundless wonders of Heaven and dwelt among us in this fallen and fractured creation.

 Jesus came to pay the price and be the Savior of all mankind. He willingly took the pain and bore the curse of Calvary to pay the price to redeem mankind.

 A question may arise;

"Why do I need to be saved? What do I need to be saved from?"

 The Cross speaks to us of the universal need for salvation. God revealed in His Word why we all need to be saved. Let me briefly address the foolishness of pseudo-grace, universalism, and inclusionism. They make claims using out-of-context and misapplied passages, and teach that no one was ever lost.

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled Colossians 1:21 NKJV

  This passage is used to conclude that no one was really lost. That the lost state was really just a lost state of mind. The devil simply convinced mankind in the garden that they were lost, but it was all in their minds, in their imagination. 

 Calvary proves this nonsensical position false. If it were a mere mental block, God didn't need to come to earth as a man. Jesus didn't need to suffer and die a criminal's death. Look at the passage again and get a clearer image.

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, Colossians 1:21 NLT

  Mankind was lost and separated from God by their evil deeds and thoughts. Let's not take the amazing out of Grace. Grace is amazing because this loving and holy God stooped down to the level of wicked and lost mankind and paid the full price of redemption.

 God is also just; He will not force Himself on anyone. The price He paid on the Cross was for all mankind. He saves from the uttermost to the guttermost. He saves rich and poor, fat and thin, tall and short. He offers salvation to all, but it is not automatic; a response is needed. He only asks that we believe and receive the free gift of forgiveness of all sins, eternal life, and Righteousness.

 Since we know all mankind is lost and in need of a Savior, what then must we do to be saved? Traditional religion places obstacles in the path of the lost seeking salvation. They say you must first turn from all your sinning, then God will save you. They say you must also promise and commit to God that you will stop sinning, then God will save you.

 That is a works-based salvation. Lordship salvation is the theological term for this performance-rooted message. This message is not good news. It places the burden back on the sinner seeking salvation instead of seeing Jesus taking all the burdens on that Cross. 
 The Good News of Jesus Christ is so much better. Jesus came to earth, and He walked among us. He demonstrated the Goodness of God before our eyes. He brought deliverance, provision, healing, and an abundant life. 

 Looking at our opening texts, we see all we need to do is call on the name of the Lord. All God is looking for is a spark of Faith. Just believe, and you will be saved. You will be forgiven of all your sins, past, present, and future. You will receive eternal life, and that life is secure eternally. You will receive the free gift of Righteousness. Right standing, acceptance, approval, no more condemnation or shame, but the ability to stand in the presence of God without fear or guilt or a sense of unworthiness or inferiority. 

 Discover Jesus, our Savior. This is the Good News, this is the best news. God so loved the world that He came and died and rose again for us all, and whosoever simply believes will freely receive eternal life. This is exciting news, spread and herald this good news for all to hear! God is not mad at you or anyone. Come receive this free gift

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Discover: Accepted and Approved

 

Praise him! His kindness is great and wonderful. We have been accepted by God through Jesus Christ, whom he loves so much. Ephesians 1:6 WE

Acceptance and approval are what so many long for. Humanity goes to great length find this. We all look for someone's approval. We want to be accepted. 

 Humanity goes to great lengths to gain acceptance and strive to receive approval. Be it from family, employers, friends, or peer groups, we long to be accepted. People will change their hair, their clothing style, even their taste in music, just to be accepted. 

 It is more evident in our younger years. Young children and teens sometimes take even greater steps to secure acceptance and approval from their peers. Many want to be approved by their peers. They want to be in the "popular" group, the "in crowd". Sometimes they lose their own identity in pursuit of this acceptance.

  I have good news for those longing to find acceptance and approval.  There is a way to find lasting and permanent acceptance and approval. An acceptance that will never fail or fade away. There is a way to be in the greatest "in crowd" in the entire world.

 This way is only found in and through Jesus Christ. He wants you to be in His "in crowd". His "in crowd" is being in right standing with God. The real "in crowd" is being in right standing, or being made Righteous in Christ.

 Because of Jesus, we who have put our trust in Him alone are forever accepted and approved by our Father in Heaven. 

And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household Ephesians 2:19 VOICE

 When we believed, we were no longer outcasts, no longer strangers, and no longer disconnected from God. In Him, we have divine approval and acceptance. This acceptance is rooted in Jesus' performance and His approval before the Father. Our trust is in His works and obedience; we reap the benefits. 

 ...As He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17b NKJV

 Because of Jesus, we have a relationship with the Father. We are partaking of the New Covenant and are included in all its blessings and benefits. This is not based on our fragile works or doing, it is based on Jesus alone and His perfect work of Redemption. We can't produce it, we can't achieve it, we can never earn it. If we could, why would we need Jesus? Why would we need a Savior?

 Under this divine acceptance and approval, it is not that behavior doesn't matter; it's that behavior and obedience didn't cause it or merit it, therefore, our behavior can't undo it. His divine life, though, is within us now; new nature-new root, produces new desires and new fruit. 

 The beautiful part of this acceptance and approval is that even when we falter or fail, we can't undo or lose this divine approval.  Acceptance and approval remain, because Righteousness has been permanently imputed and is not fluctuating or wavering. Acceptance and approval are not an approval of every choice we make, but of who we are in Him. Identity is found in Christ; attitudes and actions are not who we are.  

 This is the wonderful Good News Gospel of Grace. Because of this acceptance and approval, we now have confidence in God. This produces confidence in prayer, confidence in walking by Faith, and confidence in worshipping our Savior. We have joy unspeakable in following the Lord's leading, knowing even in failure we are secured and approved in Him. 

 Child of God, you are not on probation but accepted and approved. We have union with God because of Jesus. Our identity is found in Him. He loves us, accepts us, and actually likes us. What a Good Father, what a victorious, loving Savior, we have! 

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Discover: Forgiven

 

13 You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. Colossians 2:13 CEV

And although you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our transgressions, Colossians 2:13 MOUNCE

13 God took us out of a life of darkness. He has put us in the holy nation of His much-loved Son. 14 We have been bought by His blood and made free. Our sins are forgiven through Him. Colossians 1:13-14 NLV

 When a discovery is made, it is often heralded and celebrated. We have begun a new series on discovering who we are and what we have in Christ. Let this be a reminder of who you already are and rediscover what it means to be in Christ. 

 We have seen that we are deeply loved by the Father. Our Father in Heaven looks upon us with loving kindness and mercy. He isn't looking upon us with disappointing eyes. He saw all our mistakes and still chose us.

 It's like when we were young, attending school or some activity, and they were choosing teams to compete in a game or activity. Sometimes we weren't the best players, and we were the last picked. I know it may not be the best illustration if you are a star athlete; however, even the best don't get drafted by every team. 

 God, however, is not like man. He saw all our flaws and failures and still readily chose us. In fact, God chose us first to be on "His team". He didn't choose us last. He chose us first! That's God's Love! This Love expressed itself in Jesus' perfect work of Redemption.

 Perhaps you think sure He loves us but I have sinned, or I have too much sin for Him to use me or choose me. The Good News is that Jesus paid the price. You may say, I am not a Christian, that's not for me. No, my friend, Jesus paid for all the sins of all mankind;

2 He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 NLV

 Jesus paid it all. He has paid this sin debt in full. Now all one must do is RECEIVE the forgiveness of sins. Although the price has been paid, God won't force you to respond and receive it. He will allow you to attempt to pay for your transgressions with your own goodness. This is why people end up eternally separated; they chose their own works and goodness to save them. 

 Jesus has paid the price in full. In Christ, we are fully forgiven of our sins. Our sins are completely forgiven. From now to eternity, our sins are washed, cleansed, and removed from us. We are forgiven past, present, and future. There is not one sin we have committed that has not been forgiven, nor is there one we have yet to commit that God's not already forgiven.

 I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. 1 John 2:12 NLT

 You may be struggling to accept that our future sins are already forgiven. This is an area where many believers struggle to accept. It seems like it is reckless, making light of poor choices or rewarding bad behavior. If this feels unsettling, it’s not because grace is reckless—it’s because grace is bigger than we were ever taught.  The reality is we are making much of Jesus' Finished Work, His once-for-all sacrifice. 

  Let the Word of God be the final authority; 

17 I will erase their sins and wicked acts out of My memory as though they had never existed. 18 When there is forgiveness such as this, there is no longer any need to make an offering for sin. Hebrews 10:17-18 Voice

 God has confirmed through His Word that He has forgiven all our sins. All means all. If it were so that our future sins aren't forgiven, then what sacrifice is needed to pay for them? This is the arrogance of man and his self-righteous thinking that they can "pay" for their sins.

  God gave me this beautiful illustration of total forgiveness. When I was a young man, my mother and I went to see a Veterans' Day parade. We are on the street level, looking at the parade floats as they pass by. Someone had advised that there was a better view on one of the open rooftops. From this view, we saw the entire parade. 

 When I was on that rooftop, I saw the parade from the first float up to the very last one. Likewise, when we come to Christ, He sees our entire life. He saw us from the first breath we took up till the very last breath we take. He saw our whole entire life and declared forgiven! 

We are forgiven of all our sins. We are free from all our sins and transgressions. God is not accounting our sins against us. He has forgiven us. In Christ, we are forever forgiven. This is not something we strive to become. This is who we already are in Christ.

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The Marks of the Religious (minded) Man: Powerless

 

making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13 NKJ 

Don’t let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. Colossians 2:8 TLB

They act as if they worshipped God, yet they do not let God's power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:5 WE

 Religious tradition makes God's Word ineffectual. Religion weakens and renders the Church impotent in a fallen world. We have defined religion as a man-centered philosophy rooted in rigid rules, rituals, and rites. 

 We are examining the marks of the religious man-or rather, the religious-minded man. Our focus is the mindset of religion, not people, for no one is our enemy. We do not wrestle with flesh and blood. 

  In John 9, we see a perfect portrait of powerless religion. This is the story of the blind man made whole. They brought him before the Pharisees. The Pharisees were enraged because this work of Jesus violated their rules and the way they had always done things.

 Notice they were angry because Jesus broke their rules. They were cold and callous to the plight of the man; he was born blind, and that impacted all aspects of his life. That was of no concern to them, only that the rules be observed and never broken, no matter the reason.

 The reality is their cold religion was powerless to render help, healing, and wholeness. This leads us to identify one of the marks of a religious-minded man. Religion is powerless. The 6th mark of the religious-minded is "powerless."

 Religion is powerless. Religion has a form of godliness but has no power. Religion serves a god that is comfortable for the intellectually led and emotionally inclined-a deity shaped from human logic and limited compassion.

The Jesus of powerless religion's only ability is to forgive one of their past sins and allow the sinner to become born again. Apart from that, Jesus can't help you. While being forgiven of past sins and getting born again are vitally important, it is not truly good news if that's all He can do.

 What about your future sins? Are these left up to you to work for or beg for forgiveness? What about your life in the here and now? Are you on your own in this life? 

 Powerless religion seems to insinuate and proclaim this as fact, and if you ask for more in this life, then religion labels you a heretic and someone who seeks not God but happiness this side of Heaven. They call into question the sincerity of Faith and commitment to God for anyone who believes there is more for us in this life than just suffering and squeezing by in life, as if expecting goodness from God is somehow greed, covetousness, or discontentment! 

 One of the marks of the religious-minded man is powerlessness. Jesus can't help you is really what they believe and express in matters apart from initial belief in Christ. Powerless religion is a religious expression without any revelation. Jesus is a mere historical figure who used to work miracles, heal the sick and infirm, set captives free, and transform lives. Today, that is not what Jesus does, and if you have a need apart from accepting Jesus as Savior, well, sorry, Jesus doesn't do that anymore. He can't help you with that!

 That’s not just bad theology — this is the heart of powerless religion 

It’s a Christianity that preaches a historical Jesus, not a living Christ.
It knows about some of His words but not His presence.
It can quote the stories as historical events, but it has forgotten the Spirit that makes them real.

Powerless religion looks into the eyes of the broken, a sick mother, a grieving father — and says, “Sorry, that was for Bible times.”
But the Gospel of Grace says the same Jesus who opened blind eyes still mends broken hearts — the same Spirit who raised Him from the dead still gives life today.

 Powerless religion sees God's Word for the most part as a history book. A collection of events that detailed what God used to do. An account of a Savior who only intervened in people's lives to coldly prove He was, in fact, God in the flesh, not because of compassion and mercy, compelling Him to show up in people's situations and change them to bring about healing, wholeness, and restoration. 

 Powerless religion serves a savior that can't save completely, only partially. Powerless religion preaches a partial Jesus.

He can forgive, but He can’t restore.
He can pardon, but He can’t empower.
He can cleanse the record, but not redeem the life.

This brand of religion presents a Christ who died for sins — but not for sickness.
A cross that covers the past — but not the present or future.
A redemption that opens heaven for receiving the new birth alone — but leaves hell’s grip on earth untouched.

It’s a gospel that says:

• “He can save your soul, but your body’s on its own.”

• “He can forgive your sin, but not break your addiction.”

• “He can bless you spiritually, but not touch your finances.”

• “He can comfort your pain, but not cure it.”

Powerless religion presents a powerless Savior — one good enough to pity you, but not strong enough to help you. But the real Jesus not only came to forgive sin — He also came to undo its effects on earth and in the lives who trust in Him! 

 Powerless religion has entombed Jesus in a museum. Where His works are mere exhibits, serving as a reminder of what He once did, but no longer does today. They are memorials of a God who once changed circumstances and outcomes for the blessing and betterment of His people, but of course, that was not for the actual blessing, but merely to show He was a sovereign God who was capable of powerful acts and nothing more. 

 Has powerless religion ensnared you and your thinking? Has Christianity merely become an intellectual encounter, rather than a truly life-changing event? Break free from the shackles of powerless Christianity and know you serve a risen Savior who conquered death, hell, and the grave and rendered the enemy powerless and ineffective against His Church, the Body of Christ. 

 Do you have any experiences with powerless Religion you wish to share? Comment below and let your testimony inspire others.

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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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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. 

 

 

Faith Food: What are you feeding on?

 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB
So · faith comes from hearing the message, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 MOUNCE'

Today, many focus on diet, what we eat, and what we drink. Some even discuss, debate, and dispute which kind of diet is best for people. Is it a low-carb diet, a keto diet, or a no-dairy diet? This discourse seems endless. I don't have the answers for a natural diet, but I would like to ask about your spiritual diet.

 What are you feeding on, so to speak? Are you feeding on fear, anxiety, or worry? Are you feeding on the natural circumstances? What it looks like? How long its been that way? Are you feeding on the religious traditions of men? Telling you God's power has ceased, or how you never measure up to God's standards?

What you feed on—what you consistently give your attention to—shapes your life and the direction of your destiny in Christ. If all you feed on is fear and anxiety, and worry, then you will never fully trust God and take Him at His Word. If you feed on tradition, you will always second-guess your worth, value, and right standing in God's eyes.

 This is why it is essential to know and understand fully the Goodness of our Loving Father. Our Father is Faithful and true. No matter what we are facing, we know He is Good and He is not the author of our trouble or tribulation, but rather He is the victorious Savior, causing us to triumph over them. 

 When we know His character, His Goodness and Faithfulness, we can then take Him at His Word. Knowing His Word is true, because the One who spoke them is Good, Loving, and merciful. We can believe in and act on His Word because He is Faithful to His Word. 

 This is what Peter did, in Luke's Gospel. He took Jesus at His Word, and we see the result: a boat sinking harvest.

 Peter, an experienced fisherman, understood the circumstances. In the natural, a great catch after a fruitless night was unlikely. Peter said Nevertheless, at your Word I will let down the net. The Greek word here is the word Rhema. It means what is uttered, spoken, or declared. In essence, it can be a divine declaration. 

 What has God divinely declared over you? He declares that you are loved. He declares you are healed and whole. He declares you are free from fear, worry, and anxiety. When you accepted His free gift, He declared that you were His own. You are His child and have purpose and a future. He declared that you are the Righteousness of God and are accepted and approved.

 This is what you need to be feeding on. Not your temporary circumstances, challenges, or struggles. You need to tune out the negative and tune in to what God says about you. Tune in to what He accomplished for you in His redemptive work. Tune into what His triumphant resurrection purchased, procured, and provided for you.   

 How do you feed? By giving attention to His Word and what the Cross provided. Take time to study and read the Word, and see what God says and what He did about your situation. In essence, agree with God and receive all He has for you. When you feed on the Word of Christ and all He did for you, your Faith will grow exceedingly. 

image by Grok3 on X 

Father of Lights: Healing mercies

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

 James declares God to be the Father of Lights. That is the Father in whom there is no darkness and is always Good. Christians need to know and understand who God really is. He is a Good Father, not a harsh taskmaster.

 When we consider the work of Jesus during His earthly ministry, we see Him heal the masses of their sicknesses and diseases. Religious tradition claims Jesus only healed to prove He was the Jewish Messiah. It seems this was a mere wooden, mechanical reaction to the gathering masses. 

 In the mind of the religious, it had nothing to do with God's Love, kindness, Goodness, and mercy. It was merely a mechanical fulfillment of prophecies given long ago and to establish His identity to people. If healing was more than just proving His identity, religious people would have to give an account and answer as to why they teach God no longer heals or brings restoration and wholeness.

 The Scriptures tell a different story. They reveal to us a Father who loves us. They affirm a Savior who was moved with mercy and compassion to restore that which was broken. God is a Good God and He heals because He loves humanity. He created us, surely He loves us as well.

Whenever Jesus healed, we can see the correlation between compassion and the ministry of divine healing. It is the compassion of the Lord that brings wholeness. Faith is trusting in His Love and Goodness. Faith is having a good opinion of God! Faith is being fully persuaded. Persuaded about what though? Fully persuaded that God is a Good Father who loves us unconditionally and is for us and never against us.

 Now someone may say they don't feel worthy to receive healing. I want to share a story from the life of Abraham to offer hope and bring greater clarity to the Lord's loving kindness in healing. Look at Genesis 20. 

 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; Genesis 20:17 NKJV

 This is the first instance recorded in God's Word of divine healing. The law of first mention really helps us get a blueprint and insight into who God is. The law of first mention is a scholarly way of Bible interpretation. Basically, it simply means the first time an event occurs or a word is used, we typically use that instance or definition to define that word or similar event when we see it again in Scripture.

 This passage beautifully illustrates the Love and mercy of God in bringing divine healing. How so? Abraham lied to the people, and the king took a married woman into his palace to be one of his wives. So, both King Abimelech and Abraham were not "worthy" based on their behavior or performance to pray for anything, let alone receive something from a holy God. 

 Yet we see God answer Abraham's prayer for healing and Abimelech's household receiving healing. This beautiful passage reveals to us healing is never about us and our goodness or behavior. It's all about the Goodness of God.

 The Father of Lights brings healing and wholeness because of His Goodness and holiness, not our own. His healing is based on His merciful kindness and compassion and not on something we have done to merit receiving it. Healing is rooted in God's mercy and Love. 

 In summation, let's put our trust in His Goodness alone and not our achievements or merits. He heals because He loves us. He procured our redemption on the Cross, and that's what brings healing, not anything we can do. 

If you’ve ever doubted whether healing is for you, remember: It’s not about your worthiness, but about His goodness. Right now, choose to trust in His love and receive the healing He freely gives!

Image by sdecesare from Pixabay

Living the Victorious Christian Life: Words

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE

 Who doesn't like winning? We wouldn't follow a sports team very long if all they did was lose every single game they played. It's the same in the spiritual arena. In Christ, we have reason to celebrate. We who have received the free gift of Grace are now victors in this life. We are winners, champions, and triumphant, all because of Jesus.

 Living a life of victory is what Christ provided for us in this life as well as the one to come. He has given us the provision, tools, and keys, if you will, to be victorious in life. Delving into this victorious life, we have seen wisdom, hope, and Faith as important factors in living victorious lives. 

 Today, I want to go further into these areas by looking at the words we speak daily;

For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful, And who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Ecclesiastes 8:4 AMP

 Words are powerful and creative. Words are containers. They either contain life, goodness, Grace, and Faith or death, cursing, unbelief, and condemnation. In desiring to live victoriously, we must ask ourselves what are we speaking? What are we saying?

 Most believers are familiar with the passage in Proverbs that says death and life are in the power of the tongue. What is more powerful is reading it in the context of the previous verse. 

From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, From the increase of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21 YLT

 Words continually spoken reveal where we are in our thinking and what we have been feeding on consistently. Words of doubt, fear, worry, and anxiety show that we are feeding on and giving attention to the symptoms, the problem, the lack, and the current circumstances we face. 

 It's not that we should ignore what we are going through. It's not that we should pretend nothing is wrong or deny what is happening or what we face. Walking in victory means we shift our focus, thinking, and belief onto God's provision and promise. 

 Look at an athletic event for example of what I am speaking of. Say it's the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left to play and the team is down 14 points. Does this mean it's over? No hope of winning the game? 

 That depends on what the players and coaches are giving attention to. If they only see the deficit on the scoreboard, the abilities of the opposing defense, and their own deficiencies, they will not overcome the odds. Champions look not at the circumstances but at the possibilities of victory. 

 In other words, they have hope, they don't quit. They have positive expectations to overcome the deficit. They exercise wisdom in calling and executing plays. They believe they can and they act on their belief and go for it. 

 So what are we feeding on? What are we giving attention to? If we feed on the Word of Christ, what He has done, what He has provided, and what the Father promises, our beliefs and thinking begin to align with what is written and what He accomplished. Our words then begin to agree with God and not disagree with Him.

 We can talk ourselves out of the promises and provisions of God. I know that cuts cross grain the hyper-sovereignty view so many preach about God. This is not God withholding from us. This is not God saying no I won't bless you now because of poor performance. 

 This is us disagreeing with God and unwittingly telling Him no. He will not override our will. Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

 Words are a powerful force in the universe. God created the whole universe by speaking to it. Faith and confession, or agreement, are inseparable truths. Faith is released by words. We got saved by words spoken. Now we didn't cause the salvation but words made it real in our lives. 

 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3 AMP

 Our words are framing our own world. If we agree or disagree with God, we will see our lives framed by that which we speak. If we believe He holds our sins against us and speak that out, our lives will be framed with guilt, shame, inferiority, and condemnation. On the other hand, if we agree with God that we are forever forgiven and made Righteous, our lives will be framed with peace, confidence, and freedom.

 Faith's confession agrees with the reality that Grace already made. Faith's confession creates that reality in our own life. Speaking in alignment with Christ and the promises of the Father frames our world with Faith, hope, victory, and wholeness in every area of life.

 Abram spoke in agreement with God and manifested the promise. God changed his name to Abraham. That means father of a multitude. He called him the father of a multitude when he currently wasn't. Abraham kept agreeing with God, calling himself the father of a multitude, and soon after Isaac was born. 

 So let me ask what are you saying? The Word doesn't let the weak say I am weak. it says to let the weak say I am strong. What are you saying? 

 "God can't forgive me, I have sinned so terribly."

 "God won't forgive me this time, I have committed this sin once too often!"

 "There is no way God can help me. This situation is impossible."

  "I can't receive healing, this is incurable."

 "God can't provide for me, this is too big for even God."

 In summation, words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Let's add our agreement with the Grace of God, the Finished Work of Christ, and God's Word. Let's speak out in agreement with God and not the situation. Let's consider Jesus and the Father's great Love for us and not the problem. Let's embrace the victorious Christian life with the words we speak. 

 I declare victory, hope, healing, power, and blessing over every area of your life in Jesus' name. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Living the Victorious Christian Life: Faith

 

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE 

 What comes to mind when you hear the word "victory"? Maybe it’s when your favorite sports team wins or a long-standing problem finally gets resolved. Victory brings a sense of relief, joy, and fulfillment when challenges are overcome.

 The Good News of Jesus Christ is that in Him, we have victory—not just occasionally, but as an ongoing part of our lives. Through His work on the cross, He has equipped us with everything we need to live victoriously. As we delve into living the victorious Christian life, we’ve seen how wisdom and hope empower us. Today, we’ll explore another vital key: Faith.

 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 1 John 5:4 NKJV

 Faith is the foundation for walking triumphantly. Now, Faith is not merely what denomination you belong to or the religious belief system you hold to. Let's define Faith so we are on the same page.

 A simple definition and understanding of faith is being fully persuaded. Persuaded of what? That God is a Good Father and is for us, not against us. In essence, it's having a good opinion of God. 

 More precisely defined Faith is the assurance, the conviction, the "title deed" of the things we hope for (positively expect for), being the proof of things we do not see, the conviction of their reality, Faith perceiving, fully assured, as real fact what is not yet revealed to the senses. This is a detailed definition and understanding of Faith.

  I believe this definition beautifully captures the essence of Faith as described in Hebrews 11:1—Faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The perspective that Faith is a "title deed" is powerful because it emphasizes that Faith is our legal, spiritual claim to what grace has already provided. When we have Faith, we’re holding the title deed to promises and realities that may not yet be visible in the physical realm but are assured in the spiritual realm.

Building on this, Faith is our confident trust in God’s character, promises, and His Finished Work through Jesus. Faith is a fully persuaded heart that embraces what God has already done by grace, even when our senses or circumstances don’t yet align with it. It’s a stance of inner certainty, holding onto God’s truth as more real than any other reality.

 In practice, Faith operates from a place of rest and expectation, not striving or uncertainty. It is the active assurance that what God has promised is not just possible but certain, and we live in accordance with that conviction. When we "speak in Faith," we're not trying to manifest something new; we're simply releasing into our lives what has already been accomplished in the spiritual realm through grace.

 Faith is not about earning or striving. Yes, there is an effort in Faith, but the effort is not about earning or attempting to gain something from God as payment for our doing, our performing, or our works. The fight of Faith is to rest in what He has already accomplished.

 Walking by Faith is key to living victoriously in this life. We have a positive expectation of good because of Jesus' Finished Work. His triumphant work of redemption brings us hope. Faith is what gives substance to that which we hope for. Without hope there is nothing for Faith to give substance to. Without Faith, what we hope for is merely wishful thinking because we have nothing to give substance to our expectations. 

 Faith is not moved by time, by circumstance, or how we feel. Faith declares God's Word is true. God's Word isn't true because I feel it or experience it. God's Word is true because God said it. Faith having a good opinion of God, is fully persuaded that His Word is true regardless of experience, and because it is true, we will experience it in our personal lives. 

 Faith is not "blind faith." Faith is not a fantasy or fairy tale. Faith is rooted in what Jesus has done, what He has procured, purchased, and provided for in the Finished Work of redemption. 

 Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ Jesus. The more we hear about Jesus, the more Faith comes. The more we continue to hear and act like what He said and has done for us is true and actively believe for His provision to manifest, the more our Faith grows and develops.    

 Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. That is whatever is contrary to Grace, to redemption, to the Finished Work, to His Love, His Goodness, Faith is what overcomes that. Faith is the victory! 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net