Search And Find The Love That’s Real

Search and find the love that’s real and genuine and true.
Search and find fulfillment and the love that’s right for you.
How often earthly love has broken hearts that were sincere.
How many have reached out for love and now withdraw in fear.

How many seek for love but don’t know what they’re looking for,
Nor will they know the genuine as their emotions soar.
For love that’s true must come from God, a gift from up on high.
A gift that’s free to anyone. On that, you can rely.

And for each good and perfect gift that flows from God above,
The enemy makes counterfeits. And this is true of love.
Deceptive spirits, human minds in darkness speak of love,
But this is not the same as that which flows from God above.

So many things that are called love are sources of great harm,
And sorrow is the sad result of that deceptive charm.
The earthly love cannot compare to love that’s heavenly,
The love from God transcends the flesh and sets the spirit free.

So, as we learn to come to God and to discern His voice,
We often make mistakes and find we’ve made a harmful choice.
But God wants a relationship and if we will give heed,
If we but open up to Him, He’ll give us what we need.

Let all who want fulfillment come to God and walk in love,
And let it be that unfeigned love that flows from God above.
The love we need is found in God, whatever people say,
For God is love, and Christ is truth and Jesus is the way.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

The church is one. Human systems try to divide us.

Those who are Christians are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” See everyone as equal and united in Christ, regardless of background or status. The church is not divided, but human systems often try to divide us.

Serve others in love. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) You should see others as those whom you are called to serve and help in love.

Encourage and build other Christians up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Even when you are with ungodly people, let God speak His words of wisdom and comfort through you. See others as people you support and encourage in their walk with God.

Forgive others as God forgave us: One other thing: you are called to view others with mercy and forgiveness, following God’s example of grace. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) That doesn’t mean you should tell people it’s OK for them to sin. You will often be with people who have their lives inside-out and backward. They get mixed up, and that hurts them. Often, these people think they are right, and they are self-righteous. You need to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit when you talk to them, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Most people won’t listen to you until they come to a point where they open up their minds.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean to be one in Christ?
Why does the Bible say there is no Jew or Gentile in Christ?
What does it mean for you to serve others in love since God is love?
What does it mean for you to encourage someone?
How can you build someone up in their faith?

Bonus questions:

Why should you forgive others?
How did God forgive you and still be faithful and just?
What does it mean that you should forgive others like God forgave you?
Since God is love, how can you serve people in love?
What should you do when someone doesn’t listen to you?

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The church is not divided, but human systems often try to divide us.

Those who are Christians are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” See everyone as equal and united in Christ, regardless of background or status. The church is not divided, but human systems often try to divide us.

Serve others in love. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) You should see others as those whom you are called to serve and help in love.

Encourage and build other Christians up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Even when you are with ungodly people, let God speak His words of wisdom and comfort through you. See others as people you support and encourage in their walk with God.

Forgive others as God forgave us: One other thing: you are called to view others with mercy and forgiveness, following God’s example of grace. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) That doesn’t mean you should tell people it’s OK for them to sin. You will often be with people who have their lives inside-out and backward. They get mixed up, and that hurts them. Often, these people think they are right, and they are self-righteous. You need to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit when you talk to them, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Most people won’t listen to you until they come to a point where they open up their minds.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean to be one in Christ?
Why does the Bible say there is no Jew or Gentile in Christ?
What does it mean for you to serve others in love since God is love?
What does it mean for you to encourage someone?
How can you build someone up in their faith?

Bonus questions:

Why should you forgive others?
How did God forgive you and still be faithful and just?
What does it mean that you should forgive others like God forgave you?
Since God is love, how can you serve people in love?
What should you do when someone doesn’t listen to you?

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation #KnowingJesus

Science And Logic Are Limited Tools

Science and logic are limited tools.
Overextending them makes people fools.
Rationalism assumes beyond fact,
Making up data that science had lacked.

Chains are as strong as the link that is weak.
Buckets with one hole will still have a leak.
Science that’s false adds assumptions to fact,
Making up data that science had lacked.

Faith, on the other hand, comes from above.
It is a substance, which God gives in love.
Blindness is lifted by faith, so we see
Matters of Spirit and eternity,

Going beyond where the human can go,
Into the power of Him, Whom we know,
Unto the One Whom the world abhorred,
Into the presence of Jesus, our Lord.

How sad the problem with mere human minds!
Pride and assumption of false science blinds.
Thinking they’re wise, people show themselves fools:
Science and logic are limited tools.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

BE TOTALLY CONFORMED TO CHRIST, SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY

Once you have been born again, your spirit must rule over your mind, and your mind must rule over your body. That way, the Holy Spirit will lead you, and your body will submit to the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit speak through your mouth. Then your words will be righteous words. They will be the words of God. Your acts will be the righteous acts God does through you. Eventually, you will be totally conformed to Christ, spirit, soul, and body.

God commands you to love others as yourself.  “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) The Holy Spirit will even lead you to love your enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45) If you see by the eyes of the Spirit of God, you will see others with love and compassion, and you will treat them with the same care as you would yourself. Treat others as you want to be treated. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

That doesn’t mean you hang around with those who want to do evil. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” Bad friends will deceive you. They will try to get you to say bad things and do bad things. You can love them and try to bring them to Jesus, but don’t let them pull you away from Jesus.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean for your spirit to rule over your mind?
How does your mind rule over your body?
How does the Holy Spirit lead you?
What are righteous words?
What are righteous acts?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to be totally committed to Christ?
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
How can the Holy Spirit help you love your enemies?
What does it mean to treat others as you want to be treated?
Why shouldn’t you hang around with people who do bad things?

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Eventually, you will be totally conformed to Christ, spirit, soul, and body.

Once you have been born again, your spirit must rule over your mind, and your mind must rule over your body. That way, the Holy Spirit will lead you, and your body will submit to the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit speak through your mouth. Then your words will be righteous words. They will be the words of God. Your acts will be the righteous acts God does through you. Eventually, you will be totally conformed to Christ, spirit, soul, and body.

God commands you to love others as yourself.  “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) The Holy Spirit will even lead you to love your enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45) If you see by the eyes of the Spirit of God, you will see others with love and compassion, and you will treat them with the same care as you would yourself. Treat others as you want to be treated. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

That doesn’t mean you hang around with those who want to do evil. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” Bad friends will deceive you. They will try to get you to say bad things and do bad things. You can love them and try to bring them to Jesus, but don’t let them pull you away from Jesus.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean for your spirit to rule over your mind?
How does your mind rule over your body?
How does the Holy Spirit lead you?
What are righteous words?
What are righteous acts?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to be totally committed to Christ?
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
How can the Holy Spirit help you love your enemies?
What does it mean to treat others as you want to be treated?
Why shouldn’t you hang around with people who do bad things?

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation #KnowingJesus

ROMANS 8 For those who love and seek the Lord

For those who love and seek the Lord,
All things work together to perform
God’s good purpose, which is to conform us
Into the image of the Lord.

For those who love and seek the Lord,
All things work together to perform
God’s good purpose, which is to conform us
Into the image of the Lord.

If the pain and weight of life is coming
on so very strong,
That it’s taken away your song;
When your days are filled with irritation;
Things keep going wrong,
And you cry out, “O Lord, how long?”
Just remember God’s good purpose,
And what He intends to do;
He intends to make all old things new.
He will have us shine as lights,
And He will see it through,
So let patience work a perfect work in you.

For those who love and seek the Lord,
All things work together to perform
God’s good purpose, which is to conform us
Into the image of the Lord.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Romans 8:28

What is a new creation in Christ?

Since Adam and Eve obeyed the devil instead of obeying God, there has been trouble, pain, and death. And then Jesus came. When you receive Him as your Lord and Savior, you are a new creation in Christ. The old carnal, fleshly you has died to you and you have died to it. It’s no longer part of you even though it still tries to slow your progress. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us this, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse tells you that your identity was transformed when you accepted Christ. If you see reality as it really is, you see yourself as a new being with a fresh start.

And yet, you should be humble. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

You must see yourself with humility and not think too highly of yourself. Once you were born again, you became an individual special member of Christ the body here on earth joined to every other member of that body in submission to Christ the head in heaven.

As a member of Christ the body on earth, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Your life and body belong to God, so you should treat it with respect and honor. Sin dishonors your body. Your spirit is joined in union with the Holy Spirit if you’re born again.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What really happened with Adam and Eve?
What did Adam and Eve do that caused trouble, pain, and death?
Why did Jesus come?
What does it mean to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?

Bonus questions:

What is the old carnal, fleshly you?
What does it mean to see yourself as a new being with a fresh start?
What does it mean to be humble?
What is the body of Christ?
What does it mean that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Learn to stand in God’s presence and hear His voice. Then teach others to do the same.

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What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?

Since Adam and Eve obeyed the devil instead of obeying God, there has been trouble, pain, and death. And then Jesus came. When you receive Him as your Lord and Savior, you are a new creation in Christ. The old carnal, fleshly you has died to you and you have died to it. It’s no longer part of you even though it still tries to slow your progress. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us this, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse tells you that your identity was transformed when you accepted Christ. If you see reality as it really is, you see yourself as a new being with a fresh start.

And yet, you should be humble. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

You must see yourself with humility and not think too highly of yourself. Once you were born again, you became an individual special member of Christ the body here on earth joined to every other member of that body in submission to Christ the head in heaven.

As a member of Christ the body on earth, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Your life and body belong to God, so you should treat it with respect and honor. Sin dishonors your body. Your spirit is joined in union with the Holy Spirit if you’re born again.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What really happened with Adam and Eve?
What did Adam and Eve do that caused trouble, pain, and death?
Why did Jesus come?
What does it mean to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?

Bonus questions:

What is the old carnal, fleshly you?
What does it mean to see yourself as a new being with a fresh start?
What does it mean to be humble?
What is the body of Christ?
What does it mean that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Learn to stand in God’s presence and hear His voice. Then teach others to do the same.

Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin

ROMANS 6

Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin,
But alive unto God through Christ the Gift of Love.
Let not sin therefore reign in the body you are in
That You should obey it in the lust thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments
Of unrighteousness unto sin,
But yield yourselves unto God,
As those having life within.
Corruptible must put on incorruption, don’t you see.
Mortality must put on immortality.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Romans 6

How can you love people who hate you?

Some people think we can only love those who are like us or those who are nice to us. That’s not true. God says we can love those who hate us. God says we can love every person no matter who they are or how different they are. Many Christians know this and struggle to love everyone but find it difficult. This is the same problem of self-effort that happens with faith. Many Christians struggle to make themselves believe. They struggle to have faith. The struggle to love the unlovable. God doesn’t want you to struggle. He says, “Just keep walking in the Spirit.” “Just keep standing in My presence, listening to My voice, and yielding to My Spirit. Don’t beat yourself up about entering into My glory, love, and righteousness. Rest in Me. Flow with Me. Yield to Me and let yourself go into My glory.”

You don’t need to understand all of this. If you turn your attention to Christ, you find Christ. As you grow in Christ, you start to see yourself and others in a new way. Galatians 2:20 tells us that Jesus lives in us. This means you begin to see Jesus in other Christians too and understand that we are all part of one big family (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Not everyone is in this family since some people don’t want to know Jesus. Some people choose to follow the devil even after Jesus purchased their freedom. They don’t want to know Jesus Christ, and they don’t want to be saved. They aren’t part of God’s family. But God will help you get along with other people and love them even if they aren’t part of God’s family. His Spirit in you loves everyone, even those who hate you. God’s Spirit loves them through you.

God made all people in His image. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

This verse helps us understand that everyone has value and worth because every person is created in God’s likeness. (Genesis 1:27) Each person is fearfully and wonderfully made, and each one is a unique creation of God. Some people aren’t doing what’s right, but God can change them if they will allow it. God loves them all and keeps calling them. You don’t know what their future will be, so you pray that they turn to Jesus.

Ask God to answer these questions:

How is it possible for you to love people who hate you?
Why should you love people who are different from you?
What does it mean that Jesus lives in you?
Why are some people not part of God’s family?
What does it mean that God made people in His image?

Bonus questions:

Why do you pray for people who aren’t doing what’s right?
What does it mean for you to be “fearfully and wonderfully made”?
What happens if you pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only?
How do you direct your mind toward the Lord only and enjoy His presence?

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How is it possible for you to love people who hate you?

Some people think we can only love those who are like us or those who are nice to us. That’s not true. God says we can love those who hate us. God says we can love every person no matter who they are or how different they are. Many Christians know this and struggle to love everyone but find it difficult. This is the same problem of self-effort that happens with faith. Many Christians struggle to make themselves believe. They struggle to have faith. The struggle to love the unlovable. God doesn’t want you to struggle. He says, “Just keep walking in the Spirit.” “Just keep standing in My presence, listening to My voice, and yielding to My Spirit. Don’t beat yourself up about entering into My glory, love, and righteousness. Rest in Me. Flow with Me. Yield to Me and let yourself go into My glory.”

You don’t need to understand all of this. If you turn your attention to Christ, you find Christ. As you grow in Christ, you start to see yourself and others in a new way. Galatians 2:20 tells us that Jesus lives in us. This means you begin to see Jesus in other Christians too and understand that we are all part of one big family (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Not everyone is in this family since some people don’t want to know Jesus. Some people choose to follow the devil even after Jesus purchased their freedom. They don’t want to know Jesus Christ, and they don’t want to be saved. They aren’t part of God’s family. But God will help you get along with other people and love them even if they aren’t part of God’s family. His Spirit in you loves everyone, even those who hate you. God’s Spirit loves them through you.

God made all people in His image. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

This verse helps us understand that everyone has value and worth because every person is created in God’s likeness. (Genesis 1:27) Each person is fearfully and wonderfully made, and each one is a unique creation of God. Some people aren’t doing what’s right, but God can change them if they will allow it. God loves them all and keeps calling them. You don’t know what their future will be, so you pray that they turn to Jesus.

Ask God to answer these questions:

How is it possible for you to love people who hate you?
Why should you love people who are different from you?
What does it mean that Jesus lives in you?
Why are some people not part of God’s family?
What does it mean that God made people in His image?

Bonus questions:

Why do you pray for people who aren’t doing what’s right?
What does it mean for you to be “fearfully and wonderfully made”?
What happens if you pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only?
How do you direct your mind toward the Lord only and enjoy His presence?

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation #KnowingJesus

RIVER OF LIVING WATER

River of living water,
Flowing out ever stronger,
Causing the fruit of the Spirit to grow,
River of living water.

River of living water,
Flowing out ever stronger,
Oh! Let it ever abundantly flow,
River of living water.
Oh! Let it ever abundantly flow,
River of living water.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

River of Living Water

What does it mean when Jesus says, I never knew you?

Jesus talked about some who did all sorts of works. Jesus had this to say to them: “I never knew you (Matthew 7:22-23).” They even worked miracles but didn’t know Jesus and He didn’t know them. The word “knew” in this Scripture is the same word that’s used of a man “knowing” his wife so she has a baby. It speaks of that kind of intimacy. That’s the kind of intimacy that happens when we listen to the Father’s voice and yield to His grace to the point that He does His works through us and the Seed of Christ is planted in us.

This is the simplicity of that intimacy (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). The Father speaks His Word, and you hear Him (Romans 10:17). Jesus Christ, the Word of the Father, authors faith in your heart (Hebrews 12:2). Faith gives you access to God’s grace (Romans 5:1-5), and God’s grace does God’s work through you (1 Corinthians 15:10). Your part is to listen to God’s voice and yield to His righteousness as He speaks or acts through you. When you yield, the seed of the Sower is sown on good ground (Matthew 13, Luke 8) and brings the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17-18).” And works that are not by grace through faith are also dead.

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

Know that if you seek God you will find Him.

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh (body) I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

If you have been born again, you have already been crucified with Christ. You live in a physical body, but you don’t live by that physical body. You live by faith. You flow in the River of the Holy Spirit, and He controls the flow.

Ephesians 6:16: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

Faith acts as a spiritual shield, protecting us from the attacks and lies of the enemy.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean when Jesus says, “I never knew you”? That is, what kind of intimacy does the word “knew” describe in Matthew 7:23?
In this meaning of the word “know,” why is knowing Jesus so important?
What does it mean to you for your faith to have works?
Why are works dead if those works have not been done by grace through faith? (You might have to think about this for a while.)
What does it mean to seek God and find Him?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to live by faith instead of being ruled by the carnal mind?
How does faith protect you from the enemy?
Why is faith without works dead?
What happens to works that are not done by grace through faith?
Why is faith necessary to please God?
What two things must you believe to draw near to God? (It’s in the third paragraph in the article.)
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?

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Intimacy with Christ

Jesus talked about some who did all sorts of works. Jesus had this to say to them: “I never knew you (Matthew 7:22-23).” They even worked miracles but didn’t know Jesus and He didn’t know them. The word “knew” in this Scripture is the same word that’s used of a man “knowing” his wife so she has a baby. It speaks of that kind of intimacy. That’s the kind of intimacy that happens when we listen to the Father’s voice and yield to His grace to the point that He does His works through us and the Seed of Christ is planted in us.

This is the simplicity of that intimacy (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). The Father speaks His Word, and you hear Him (Romans 10:17). Jesus Christ, the Word of the Father, authors faith in your heart (Hebrews 12:2). Faith gives you access to God’s grace (Romans 5:1-5), and God’s grace does God’s work through you (1 Corinthians 15:10). Your part is to listen to God’s voice and yield to His righteousness as He speaks or acts through you. When you yield, the seed of the Sower is sown on good ground (Matthew 13, Luke 8) and brings the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17-18).” And works that are not by grace through faith are also dead.

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

Know that if you seek God you will find Him.

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh (body) I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

If you have been born again, you have already been crucified with Christ. You live in a physical body, but you don’t live by that physical body. You live by faith. You flow in the River of the Holy Spirit, and He controls the flow.

Ephesians 6:16: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

Faith acts as a spiritual shield, protecting us from the attacks and lies of the enemy.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean when Jesus says, “I never knew you”? That is, what kind of intimacy does the word “knew” describe in Matthew 7:23?
In this meaning of the word “know,” why is knowing Jesus so important?
What does it mean to you for your faith to have works?
Why are works dead if those works have not been done by grace through faith? (You might have to think about this for a while.)
What does it mean to seek God and find Him?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to live by faith instead of being ruled by the carnal mind?
How does faith protect you from the enemy?
Why is faith without works dead?
What happens to works that are not done by grace through faith?
Why is faith necessary to please God?
What two things must you believe to draw near to God? (It’s in the third paragraph in the article.)
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?

RISE UP, OH YOU SAINTS

That same mighty peace that raised Christ from the grave,
That same grace is pow’r freely giv’n to the saved.
Why, timid, are we, and why not enter in?
Why, shackled, are we by our sickness and sin?

Rise up, oh you saints, you who seek for the Lord.
Rise up in His pow’r. Victory evermore!
Rise up in His might. Be His arm in the land.
Rise up, and take hold of His Kingdom that’s at hand.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

What it Means that Faith is Substance

John 1:1 and 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is speaking of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:2: “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by believing what you heard?”

You received the Spirit by believing what God said to you. Even that belief was a gift. The works that come by faith are also a gift.

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance (Greek: ὑπόστασις) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

In Hebrews 11:1, the Greek word ὑπόστασις is translated as “assurance,” but other translations use the word “substance.”

We hear many claims every day. Most of them have no substance. What God says has substance. It’s real. Assurance is substance. Faith has substance. In classical Greek usage, ὑπόστασις was used to describe:

A foundation or something that support,
A substance or something real and tangible, as opposed to something abstract.
An essence or underlying reality.

In the Hellenistic period (including the time of the New Testament), ὑπόστασις often carried meanings such as:

Confidence or assurance: a firm, underlying certainty.
Reality or substance: the essential nature or actual existence of something.

The word translated as “evidence” is ἔλεγχος, and carries a stronger connotation than the word “evidence” might suggest in English, especially when “evidence” can imply something circumstantial or incomplete. In classical Greek and New Testament usage, ἔλεγχος often refers to something definitive, as in:

A proof that establishes the truth beyond doubt.
A conviction that results from undeniable demonstration or logical argument.
A refutation that exposes error conclusively.

Hebrews 12:2: “Looking to Jesus, the founder (initiator) and perfecter (completer) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, Word of the Father, the initiator and completer of our faith. He is the One who begins faith and the One Who finishes faith in you each time the Father leads you.

Ask God to answer these questions.
What does it mean that Jesus is the Word?
Why does the Spirit come when you believe what God said?
Why is faith real?
What does it mean that faith is substance?
What does it mean that Jesus is the perfecter of your faith?

Bonus questions:

Why did Jesus endure the cross?
Who is the Word mentioned in John 1:1 and 14?
How did believers receive the Spirit according to Galatians 3:2?
How does “evidence” in Hebrews 11:1 establish truth beyond doubt?
Why is Jesus called the founder and perfecter of faith in Hebrews 12:2?
What is the significance of Jesus being seated at the right hand of God?

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What does it mean that faith is substance?

John 1:1 and 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is speaking of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:2: “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by believing what you heard?”

You received the Spirit by believing what God said to you. Even that belief was a gift. The works that come by faith are also a gift.

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance (Greek: ὑπόστασις) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

In Hebrews 11:1, the Greek word ὑπόστασις is translated as “assurance,” but other translations use the word “substance.”

We hear many claims every day. Most of them have no substance. What God says has substance. It’s real. Assurance is substance. Faith has substance. In classical Greek usage, ὑπόστασις was used to describe:

A foundation or something that support,
A substance or something real and tangible, as opposed to something abstract.
An essence or underlying reality.

In the Hellenistic period (including the time of the New Testament), ὑπόστασις often carried meanings such as:

Confidence or assurance: a firm, underlying certainty.
Reality or substance: the essential nature or actual existence of something.

The word translated as “evidence” is ἔλεγχος, and carries a stronger connotation than the word “evidence” might suggest in English, especially when “evidence” can imply something circumstantial or incomplete. In classical Greek and New Testament usage, ἔλεγχος often refers to something definitive, as in:

A proof that establishes the truth beyond doubt.
A conviction that results from undeniable demonstration or logical argument.
A refutation that exposes error conclusively.

Hebrews 12:2: “Looking to Jesus, the founder (initiator) and perfecter (completer) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, Word of the Father, the initiator and completer of our faith. He is the One who begins faith and the One Who finishes faith in you each time the Father leads you.

Ask God to answer these questions.
What does it mean that Jesus is the Word?
Why does the Spirit come when you believe what God said?
Why is faith real?
What does it mean that faith is substance?
What does it mean that Jesus is the perfecter of your faith?

Bonus questions:

Why did Jesus endure the cross?
Who is the Word mentioned in John 1:1 and 14?
How did believers receive the Spirit according to Galatians 3:2?
How does “evidence” in Hebrews 11:1 establish truth beyond doubt?
Why is Jesus called the founder and perfecter of faith in Hebrews 12:2?
What is the significance of Jesus being seated at the right hand of God?

RIGHTEOUSNESS SPRINGS FORTH

Righteousness springs forth.
Only God can make it grow.
We may plant and we may water it.
We will reap just what we sow,

CHORUS:
But righteousness springs forth.
Only God can make it grow.
We may plant and we may water it.
But only God can make it grow.

Righteousness springs forth.
Only God can make it grow.
By His Spirit, He’ll transfigure us,
And He will conquer every foe,

CHORUS

Righteousness springs forth.
Only God can make it grow.
As each joint supplies in faithfulness,
So let your Lord Christ Jesus show.

CHORUS

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Righteousness Springs Forth

The difference between rhema and logos

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This verse tells you to live your life through faith in Jesus, who will then transform you. You are becoming more of Christ, a member in particular of Christ the body. And the rebellious carnal nature is dying away until you are totally transformed.

The devil will try to trick you and tempt you to do all sorts of things and to think thoughts that aren’t right. That’s why Ephesians 6:16 says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” When the devil tempts you, he’s throwing flaming spears and shooting flaming arrows at you. You are fighting a war against him. Faith acts as a spiritual shield, protecting you from the attacks and lies of your enemy, the devil.

Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word (rhema) of Christ.”

The Greek word “rhema” means an utterance or a word spoken. It’s a sentence or statement. Some have said there’s a difference between the Greek words “rhema” and “logos.” That’s a theological idea, but it doesn’t hold up to examination. Faith comes when God speaks. God speaks the rhema or logos, which is the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God’s Word, authors faith in your heart. That’s why faith is substance. It’s the substance of things hoped for. God speaks a vision of hope into your heart. Faith is also the absolutely certain proof of things you cannot see.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean for you to be crucified with Christ?
How does faith in Jesus transform you?
What is wrong with the carnal nature?
What does the shield of faith do?
Why does the devil try to trick you?

Bonus questions:

What is the difference between “rhema” and “logos”? (Is there any real difference or is the idea of a difference just a theological idea?)
How does faith act as a shield against the devil’s attacks?
What are the flaming darts of the evil one?
What does the Greek word “rhema” mean?

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