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.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

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.

imagebyGrok3onX

Father of Lights Vol II: the Good Shepherd

 

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 our Father is Good. Christians generally believe and accept this as truth. They will proclaim, 'Yes, God is good,' yet when crises or disasters occur, they usually lay the blame on God as the cause, the one who ordains or orchestrates it. 

 They believe God is God, so He must control everything. If He controls everything, that means He causes disaster for some mysterious purposes, yet rest assured, it's for our best. When we remove hyper sovereignty as an attribute of God, we can better see God's role in crisis, disaster, dysfunction, and turmoil. 

 God is God! He is the supreme ruler of the universe. He does have it all under control. God’s control is not robotic or coercive. He doesn’t program evil or disaster. Disasters and famines are the result of a fallen creation, not God killing people. Crime, violence, dysfunctional, and abusive families are not God's handiwork. Again, in a fallen world, sinful mankind acts out that sin, causing harm and hurt to others.    

  Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd protects His flock. He provides for His flock. He preserves His flock. Look at the Father through the lens of Jesus, and you will see God's Goodness at all times, laying the blame for bad things that happen on the right source.  The source being the enemy satan, fractured and fallen creation, and the choices and actions of sinful man. 

 Knowing this, we can rest in His Goodness. If we know He isn't the one ordaining harm or horrendous events, we can trust Him with our whole lives. We can trust our Good Shepard to protect us and provide for us. He is merciful and compassionate. He isn't withholding deliverance, healing, or provision. He heals and protects and provides because He loves us.

 Another aspect we should place our full trust in is that the Good Shepherd preserves the sheep. Many believe our salvation is rooted in our ability to remain sin-free and steadfast, never wavering. Our trust is in our efforts and performance. 

 The Good Shepherd preserves His flock. When we first trusted in Him alone, He sealed us with His Spirit until the day of Redemption. So many believe the security of their salvation is based on their grip on God. The Good News is that the security of our salvation is based on His grip on us! 

 This is Good News, this is the best news! Jesus is preserving us and will never relax or loosen His hold upon us. 

  27 My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me. 28 I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from My hand. 29 My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 VOICE

   God has us in the palm of His hands, and nothing will ever change that. His Grace grip has firmly secured and preserved us for all time and eternity. There is nothing that removes us from this Graceful grasp. 

    Jesus the Good Shepherd protects, provides for, and preserves His sheep. God is the author of salvation. Jesus is the beginning and developer of our Faith. What He started, He finishes. He who began the good work in you will be Faithful to complete it. 

   God is Good and only does good. He is not the author of disaster or death. He gives life eternal and is not the author of evil or calamity. In every storm, in every need, in every moment of doubt—we can look to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and know we are protected, provided for, and preserved forever. He is always Good.

Image by AstralEmber from Pixabay

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.

Image by David Yonatan González Aburto from Pixabay

Receiving Grace:The One Resume Heaven Accepts

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

 The Gospel isn’t a to-do list. It’s an announcement: Jesus did it all. That’s Grace. Jesus, God Almighty in the flesh, came to the earth to reveal the Father, and to bring us to an end of ourselves by unveiling the full weight of the Law. This work of Christ leads us to fully receive this Grace.

 Grace must be realized—seen in Jesus’ finished work—and then received as a free gift. We, as mere men, often struggle to receive a free gift. We want to contribute, to play a part, to aid, assist, and add to the work.

 In the natural realm, merit has its place, and ability is necessary for success. What may sound contrary to what I have just said is that this is also true in the spiritual realm. The difference is that only one has the ability and merit in the spiritual realm. That is God Almighty.

 Look at the angels. They are in the spiritual realm and have great abilities, and yet they are imperfect; one-third of them followed lucifer into rebellion. Bringing the spiritual into the natural through the Law also confirmed man's inabilities. They couldn't keep the Law. 

 Christ shows us that He is the only one who kept the Law perfectly. Jesus then took upon Himself the sins and judgment for all the world. He endured all the punishment of sin and the agony associated with the Cross. He descended into Hell, taking all the judgment, and stripped satan of the keys of death and hell, and triumphed over him and arose victoriously three days later. 

 Jesus completed the Work. He performed perfectly. His ability is greater than all. He merits all the goodness, blessings, and benefits of God. What about us? This is where the lines get blurred. 

 We then attempt to attain these blessings and benefits by our own performance and behavior. Our efforts and abilities are incapable of receiving the goodness and gifts of God. 

 Our abilities, our efforts, and our behavior are, in essence, our resume submitted for the open position of the saved, the Righteous, the set apart. The heavenly HR looks at our resume and sums it up, and it always falls short of the top applicant, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Merit, performance, ability, and behavior? All are vitally important in both the natural and spiritual realms. The Good News is this: Jesus has met the Righteous requirements and has the position. He now has acquired the full benefits and freely offers all to share in them. All we have to do is believe it and receive it.

 Let Grace bring you to an end to yourself. Realize your efforts and behavior will never be adequate to warrant or merit the Goodness and favor of God. Only One's merit was worthy. So place your trust in the One alone. 

 So many will reject this. They will fight back that our behavior is vital and positively or negatively affects our standing with the Father. The issue with this is we are now saying we are Righteous by Faith plus our works or goodness. This is contrary to the Gospel Paul preached.

 Behavior matters — for growth, maturity, and walking in love. But our identity and standing with God? That’s built on Christ alone. Identity first. Fruit follows. 

So let go of striving.
Stop trying to earn what can only be received.
Lay down your spiritual résumé — and pick up Christ’s.

Grace has already done the work.
The cross was enough.

You are loved, accepted, and blessed — not because you qualified, but because Jesus did.

Just receive it.

That’s the Gospel.

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. 

 

 

A Gifted Response

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

As children, one of the most exciting holidays was Christmas. Why? Because we woke up to gifts under the tree! We were thrilled to find out if we got that shiny new bike or the latest popular toy. People often look back with fond memories of time spent with loved ones—and the joy of receiving those gifts.

But think for a moment: what often shaped how we saw those gifts? Loving parents gave them, yes, but the cultural narrative added something else—Santa Claus.

Remember the message? “You have to be good to get gifts.” He’s got a list, and he’s checking it twice—looking to see if you’ve been naughty or nice. The implication? The gifts were earned. It was all about behavior. Performance.

Sadly, this is the same mindset many Christians have about God’s grace.

We’ve turned the Father into a kind of “heavenly Santa Claus.” Be good, act right, do enough, and maybe you’ll receive from Him. But if you mess up? Expect coal—or silence. This is absolutely contrary to the Gospel Paul preached.

The Church has often drifted into performance-focused teaching, turning the Gospel into a rulebook of how to behave and earn God’s blessings—rather than proclaiming the Good News: that Jesus already did all the work.

The Gospel isn’t about what we do for God. It’s not about our dedication, devotion, or discipline. It’s about God’s Grace, revealed through Christ’s perfect Redemptive Work.

Religious tradition adds crushing burdens—rules, regulations, requirements—to “help” believers behave. But all that does is trade relationship for rules.

That’s not the Father’s heart.

The Christian life wasn’t designed to be difficult, heavy, or burdensome. Yes, life in a fallen world is full of challenges—but the life we have in Christ is a relationship based on the faithfulness of another, not our own. It’s built on Jesus' obedience, not ours.

This is what separates Christianity from every other religion or philosophy. Other systems require their followers to do more, work harder, and earn status. But true Christianity is centered on a Finished Work—on the sinlessness, perfection, and sacrifice of Another.

And that’s the Good News.

The work is done. The Father has accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Salvation has been purchased and secured forever by His blood.

We don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to strive to be accepted. We don’t have to perform to be worthy of eternal life.

All we need to do is simply believe. This is also a gifted response as a result of hearing the Word of Christ and all He has done. 

This is the heart of the Gospel—God’s unearned, undeserved, unrepayable favor. Grace isn’t a reward for the worthy; it’s a gift for the believing. It’s not given because we’ve done everything right, but because Jesus did everything perfectly. You don’t qualify yourself—Jesus qualified you forever.

Grace means you don’t have to jump through spiritual hoops to be loved, blessed, or accepted. In Christ, you already are. No striving. No bargaining. No performance. Just a Good Father lavishing His favor on His children because of Jesus.

And this is just the beginning. In this new series, we’ll dive deep into the outrageous generosity of His Grace—how it saves you, secures you, empowers you, and forever settles your place in God’s heart.

Grace has no fine print. No loopholes. No earning it. Only believing it. More to come… and it only gets better.

Faith Food: God's image of you

 

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

Nutritionists and doctors agree on the importance of a proper diet. It matters what we feed our bodies—there are both benefits and consequences. Did you know it's also vital to understand what we are feeding our spirits?

 If we want our Faith to grow, we must know what we are feeding on. Are we feeding more on our circumstances, the diagnosis, and the conditions around us—or on what God says in His Word? Are we feeding on what God declared or what the religious tradition of men says? 

 To become strong in Faith, we must first know the reality of the Lord's goodness. God is a Good Father. His lovingkindness gives us the assurance that we can trust Him. We must also know the truth of God's Word. What God says is Faithful and true, and we can count on it. 

 To grow stronger in Faith, we must also grow in another reality: our identity in Christ. We must know who we are in Him, and we must begin to see ourselves as God sees us. We must feed on or give attention to our true identity.

 This fallen and fractured world and the enemy work overtime to label us. They label us as failures, mediocre, common, never good enough, defeated, and broken. Is this what God declared? Is this who God says we are?

 God declares who we are, not circumstances, not setbacks, not failures. God declares we are overcomers. God says we are triumphant victors, not victims. God calls us more than conquerors, not defeated or fallen. God proclaims we are above and not beneath, the head and not the tail, not average or mediocre. 

 As we resist the enemy and refuse to conform to the world system, we must also reject the lies of religious tradition spoken over us. Religion says we don't measure up, we aren't doing enough. We are displeasing to God. We are unworthy, unrighteous, and have no security in Him. 

 God tells us who we really are, not the traditions of men. God declared us to be the Righteousness of God in Christ. We are Righteous not by our doing but based solely on the complete and Finished work of Christ Jesus. Our acceptance and approval come from Jesus' perfect Redemptive work, not our abstinence from sin or our good works. 

God has made us righteous and holy through His blood—kings and priests unto our God. He has forgiven us of all our sins forever. His Blood has made us worthy. He has unconditionally secured our salvation for all eternity. 

 We are secure in Christ. We have perfect peace, because we are forever in His hands and He will never let us go. We can walk tall knowing we are in Him and He is in us eternally. 

 Strong Faith comes not just from knowing His Words of promise, but also from a confident knowing of who we are in Him. Knowing our true identity means we can come boldly to the throne of our Father and receive all He has procured and provided for us in Redemption. 

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: 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

Father of Lights: What is the Chastening of the Lord

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

 If one subject or concept has caused much misunderstanding in the Body of Christ, it is the chastening of the Lord. The belief that God punishes His children or inflicts hardship to teach them a lesson is one of the most damaging lies a believer can hear. 

 It distorts the very nature and character of God, painting a Father who wounds to correct, rather than one who heals to restore. This misconception doesn’t just create confusion—it erodes trust, hinders intimacy, and misrepresents the heart of the Father revealed through Jesus.

Chastening is often misunderstood because it’s rarely defined by its true New Testament Greek meaning. Instead, people interpret it through the lens of painful experiences and outward hardships. These events become the definition of the chastening of the Lord rather than the Scriptures themselves. This is why people see God as a harsh taskmaster.

Observable hardships and adversity seem to be some kind of proof of divine discipline in the minds of traditional religious believers. But biblical chastening isn’t about punishment—it’s about loving instruction and correction that aligns with God’s goodness and grace. The chastening of the Lord is loving instruction and correction from our Father, who cares for us.

 The Lord's chastening is the Father's instruction to His child. It is correction, not condemnation. It is the conviction of your Righteousness in Christ, not catastrophes. It is coaching, not cancer. God is not crushing you, He comforts you and corrects you because He loves you.

 Hebrews 12 gives us the most detailed look at what the chastening of the Lord really is. It is not calamities and cataclysmic events in your life. It is God's instruction. A basic Bible search of the Greek word chasten will show you how, in other passages, it is translated as instruction, teaching, and learning.

Think about it: when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth—a group indulging in all kinds of excesses and immorality—he never once said, “God is going to chasten you with hardship.” Instead, he reminded them of who they were in Christ:

“Don’t you know you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?”

“Such were some of you, but you were washed, sanctified, and justified…” 

God’s correction comes through reminding you of your identity—not sending disaster to break your will.

 Why do so many ministers and believers, though, continue defining chastening as hardship and adversity? The reason for this, to me, is that they have a fearful expectation of judgment. That is, they have a fear of punishment. I believe the Apostle John has some insight into this.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. So the one who fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 MOUNCE

 So many define chastening from the Lord as painful instruction and punishment because they have not been perfected in Love. That is, they have not been seen, understood, or gained insight into God's perfect Love for them! When you know and believe that God Loves you and is not mad at you when you fail, you won't believe it's His hands bringing destruction and calamity to your life. 

God is a good Father. He doesn’t chasten His children with pain, punishment, or destruction. He corrects us the way a loving parent would—with instruction, compassion, and clarity. His correction aligns with His character—He is the Father of Lights, in whom there is no variation, no shifting shadow, and no hint of darkness.

To say God teaches us through cancer, car accidents, or catastrophe is to say Jesus bore our sin but not our discipline. It’s to suggest that the cross was not enough. But the truth is, Jesus already bore the curse. He already took the punishment. God isn’t doubling back to teach you a lesson through what Jesus died to redeem you from.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t discipline you by destroying your life—He disciplines you by reminding you of your sonship. He teaches you who you are in Christ. When correction is needed, He brings it through the Word, not wrath. Through love, not loss. Through grace, not grief.

So the next time you hear someone say, “God is using this hardship to teach me,” don’t be afraid to ask: “Where’s that in the New Covenant?” Because chastening—real biblical chastening—is God training you up in righteousness. It’s not a divine smackdown. It’s not a trial sent from heaven. It’s your loving Father whispering truth to your heart:

“That’s not who you are. You are holy. You are Mine. Let Me show you a better way.”

This is correction that leads to confidence, not condemnation. This is discipline that reminds you who you are, not punishment that makes you afraid of who He is.

Beloved, reject the religious lie that God teaches through trauma. He teaches through truth. He corrects by revealing your righteousness. He doesn’t bring storms—He calms them. He doesn’t break legs—He heals them. He’s not tearing you down. He’s building you up.

He is the Father of Lights. And in Him, there is no darkness at all.

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Father of Lights: Mercy not wrath!

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 our Father is a Good Father and in Him is no darkness within Him. He is Good and only does Good. Yet when we see this world around us, filled with famine, disasters, and desolation, we begin doubting His Goodness.

 In these times, we must focus on who God said He was and look to the Son, Jesus who perfectly demonstrated the nature and character of God. Circumstances and situations don't determine who God is. His Word and the work of Jesus do! 

 As we continue studying more about the Father of Lights and examining God's Goodness at all times, let's address this notion of God's wrath and judgment on cities, nations, and continents. God is Good, but is He sending judgment today? Are disasters and destruction the handiwork of God?

 In 2011, the Fukushima disaster occurred in the nation of Japan. It was a terrible tragedy. An earthquake struck the island nation. Subsequently, a tsunami was triggered as a result of this quake. This destruction also caused a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 

 The Christian response to this tragedy? In some circles, they claimed this tragedy was the judgment of God on this Godless nation. For hundreds of years they have rejected Jesus as a nation therefore God sent this devastating disaster to get their attention and to cause them to repent and turn to God. 

 These sentiments are not what brings about a change of mind. Instead, these teachings and proclamations are one of the reasons the Japanese people refuse to accept Jesus or have anything to do With the Father! Is this the message that God endorses and confirms?

 Absolutely not! Look at what He has said already. 

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 MEV

 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10 MEV

 Look at what God declared and revealed to us in the person of Jesus. If God gave up His only Son for us while we were enemies, what would He do after this perfect final sacrifice was offered up and He accepted it fully? 

 If we were enemies and He gave us His Son why do we think under this New Covenant God is sending destructive judgment and wrath on nations? Enemies are adversaries. They are actively opposing and standing against their foe. If God expressed His love for humanity when we were actively resistant and opposing God by giving His Son how much more loving, kind, and merciful is the Father under Grace? 

 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 TLB

 In this 2011 disaster over 19,000 people lost their lives. These are people with families and loved ones. How do we tell these precious people who lost their loved ones that God killed them to get their attention? How do we tell them God killed their babies so they will repent, and then afterward ask, now don't you want to receive Him and serve Him?

 God is a Good Father. How dare we as the Church misrepresent the Father to a lost and fallen people? These who are lost, are sheep scattered with no Shepherd. God's heart is for them to know how much He loves them and how precious they are to Him.

 In a fallen and fractured creation, tectonic plates shift, causing increased damage and devastating destruction. This has nothing to do with God's wrath and judgment. I saw God's hand in the rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts, not in the destruction.

God loves the Japanese people. God wants them saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, healed, made whole, and at rest in Him. We must not misrepresent the Father to a lost and dying world. God is Good and only does Good! 

 God is not the author of disasters. He is not sending destruction to any nation. He is sending the power of the Spirit to the nations. He is revealing His Love and Goodness to the world. He is not sending destruction in wrathful judgment today. 

 Jesus took all the punishment for the sins of all humanity. He bore in His body the wrath and judgment of God. God is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. If He is sending wrath and judgment with tsunamis, tornados, and typhoons that could only mean He is not satisfied with the work of His Son on the Cross, and that is not the truth. Let’s represent the Father rightly. Jesus revealed a God who saves, not destroys. When tragedy strikes, let our message be mercy, not wrath. God isn’t sending disasters—He sent Jesus. And Jesus is enough.

 Let’s be a generation that represents the Father accurately. Let’s proclaim what Jesus came to reveal: a God who rescues, not ruins—who saves, not strikes—who loves, not lashes out. When disaster strikes, the Church should not echo wrath but embody rescue. Let the message we carry be clear—God is not mad at the world; He gave His Son for it. And that Son, Jesus, fully satisfied the justice of God. All that remains is mercy, grace, and the invitation to come home to a Father who is always Good.

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