Which Truth Sets You Free?

How many times have you heard that the truth will set you free. I’ve even heard it said on secular TV programs! People quote it all the time and I wonder how many really know what it means. Do you know what it means? Let me explain what I believe Jesus meant when He said it in John 8:32. Let’s start with verse 31:

John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

If you’ll notice, Jesus says that if you continue in His Word, then you shall know the truth that sets you free. What does He mean by continuing in His Word? Continue means to persist in a thing, to endure. But I like to say it this way: it means to hang in there no matter what!

To continue in God’s Word means that you value and honor it. It’s not just something you read once and then go on your way. Or something you hear in a Sunday morning service. You don’t give up on His Word when your prayers seem to go unanswered. You’re in it for the long haul!

God’s Word is everlasting and for all times. It’s the Word that has gone forth from His mouth to provide everything you’ll ever need in this life and for all eternity. It’s the very necessity that will put you over in this life and give you the victory in every situation, if you’ll continue in it.

Truth is not just something that’s true. There are a lot of facts out there but only one TRUTH and that’s the Word of God. It’s the only TRUTH that never fails and is backed up by Almighty God Himself. Why would anyone want to put their trust in something that’s going to decay and fade away?

And it’s not just knowing the truth of God’s Word but actually walking in it. Yes, we need to believe His Word but in order for it to operate in our lives, we have to walk in it and make it part of everything we do. Then we will know His TRUTH and that TRUTH will indeed set us free!

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

— Pamela

Living What You Believe

God forgives our past, knows our present and future, and has so gloriously provided everything we’ll ever need to be successful and victorious. What’s not to like!

However, we’ve really short changed God’s goodness in that we live our lives, for the most part, trying to survive on our own, getting through this life as unscathed as we can. That’s not how God intended for us to live. He has good plans for us:

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) 11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
We are sons and daughters –bought with the precious blood of His dear Son—our Lord Jesus! We are children of the Most High God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. We are His representatives on this earth—ambassadors sent to show forth God’s goodness, which leads people to repentance.

Romans 2:4b (KJV)  … not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

If the only thing people ever see are defeated, beaten down saints, why would they want what we have? They already have that. We need to start walking in what we say we believe. We need to actually live what we profess. We need to have corresponding actions to the faith that we profess. Then the world will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, manifested right before their eyes, and it will draw them to seek our mighty God and become true follows of Jesus Christ–victorious in every area of life.

James 2:20 (KJV) 20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:17 (AMP) 17  So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

— Pamela 

Is Your Experience Distracting You from Believing God’s Word?

If you ask any Christian about whether or not they believe God’s Word, the answer would be yes. That’s because God’s Word is the very foundation upon which our faith is based. That’s good and as it should be. But—

What happens when you pray and pray about something and it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted? Do you still believe God’s Word or do you “edit” it to agree with your experience? This is wrong!

God’s Word isn’t based on your experience not does it depend on what you experience. God’s Word is the incorruptible Word of Almighty God and is forever settled in Heaven. It has stood the test of time and will forever be true—throughout all eternity.

Too many times people (Christians included) have based what they believe on their experience. This is contrary to the Word of God and will never get you the desired results. Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us to “go by our experience.” That would be disastrous because that’s the arena of the devil—the carnal world, the flesh, the physical conditions.

God moves in the spirit realm and that’s where born-again, Spirit-filled believers are supposed to move. We have the Holy Spirit residing in us Who leads and guides us. Our part is to listen and obey. God said that if we are willing and obedient we shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:12). Who doesn’t want that!

God isn’t moved by our experience. His Word is true and He backs it up totally. We should have that same mind set: that we believe and stand on God’s Word no matter what our experience happens to be. We aren’t perfect and miss it more times than we care to admit. God never misses it. Which testimony should you believe?

Remember, God is faithful, faithful, faithful. If things didn’t work out the way you anticipated, continue to believe God’s incorruptible word and let Him keep you in perfect peace.

Isaiah 1:19 (KJV) 19  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Psalm 119:89 (KJV) 89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

John 14:16 (KJV) 16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 16:13 (KJV) 13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1 John 2:20 (KJV) 20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

— Pamela

Feelings & Emotions: Are They Reliable?

Feelings – just what are they and what should we do with them? That’s a good question because we all have to deal with feelings on a daily basis. So, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of feelings and emotions.

What are feelings? What are emotions? Are they the same and what should we do about them?

Emotions, as you know, are very real – love, joy, peace, even hatred. Feelings seem to be the response we give to the emotions we feel. Nevertheless, it’s has to do with how we act or react in any given situation.

And just how should we act or react in any given situation? Good question. And the answer is to do what God says to do. That way you’ll always be doing the right thing and the right thing always works. More about that later.

So, what’s wrong with just “letting it all out or venting?” What’s wrong with letting your emotions do whatever they want to do? Plenty! Because—emotions and feelings are supposed to be the caboose, not the engine. And that’s where many (and I would even venture to say, most) people go wrong. They let their emotions lead them instead of reigning them in and responding in a godly manner.

Letting your emotions lead and direct you will not solve your problem nor will it pacify the situation. The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God (James 1:20).

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide us into all truth—not our emotions or feelings. But, you might say, I’m just so angry, sad, upset, etc. I just have to let it out! Do you? Why? That’s not staying in control—that’s out of control and will get you nowhere.

So, what do you do? Glad you asked. You go to God’s Word and do what He says. If you’re tempted to get angry, yield to the peace of God that’s already in your re-born spirit. Jesus told us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts (John 14:27).

Are you fearful? Let the love of God cast out all fear. And what if you’re sad or heartbroken? Yield to the love of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He’s the only One Who can truly comfort you.

Let’s take control of our emotions and do things God’s way. Then we can walk in peace and make good, quality decisions from a godly point of view.

 John 16:13 (KJV) 13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 14:27 (KJV) 27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1 John 4:16 (KJV) 16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:18 (KJV) 18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

John 16:7 (KJV) 7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

— Pamela

What Do You Do When Your Prayers Don’t Seem to be Answered?

So, you’ve prayed and prayed and waited and waited but still no manifestation of answered prayer. What do you do? Or rather, what should you do?

First of all, don’t quit! That’s a sure-fire way to never get your answer. Maybe you’ve been praying for a long, long time about a certain situation and things just don’t seem to be getting better. Still, the key is to NOT QUIT! Keep on believing.

Remember, God looks at the heart—not at the results. It’s faith that pleases Him and regardless of whether or not you ever see manifestation of what you’ve been praying about, keep walking by faith and believing for the manifestation. That’s what pleases God and He’s the One who counts. He’s the One we want to please.

Of course, we all want manifestation of answered prayer. That’s the whole reason we’re praying about it in the first place. But many times, our time table is not set by us. We always want instant everything and rightly so. But it doesn’t always happen that way. That’s where our faith has to be strong and fixed on God’s promises. His Word always works in spite of what we think.

Standing on God’s Word is the best place to be and the only way to receive the answer to our prayers. He said His Word would not return to Him void without accomplishing what He sent it forth to do. Our part is to believe and receive and continue standing until we see manifestation of what we have prayed about.

Unfortunately, many people blame God when they don’t get the answer they want. It’s never God Who’s at fault. His Word always works but we have to work the Word. We have our part to do. God won’t do our part and we can’t do His part. But, working together, we can get the job done!

Keeping walking by faith and see the glory of God right before your eyes!

1 Samuel 16:7b (KJV)  … for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) 7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Numbers 23:19 (KJV) 19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) 20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Pamela

How’s Your Strength?

 Proverbs 24:10 (KJV) 10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

As Christians, we want to believe that we are strong and able to stand up under the greatest of pressures. After all, we’re believers and that’s what we do – believe. But do we really believe and walk-out what we purport to believe?

Of course, it’s easy to be strong when everything around us is going well. But what happens when we get thrown a curve ball? What do we do when problems and crises arise unexpectedly and catch us off-guard?

In those cases, do you stand firm on God’s eternal Word that you say you believe? Or do you fall apart like a two dollar suitcase, not even able to help yourself, let alone someone else?

God’s Word says that He gives power to the faint and to those who have no might, He increases strength (Isaiah 40:29). He also tells us that He always causes us to triumph in Christ, the Anointed One and His Anointing (II Corinthians 2:14). And He hasn’t changed!

Remember, the circumstances, no matter what they are or what the outcome is, never change God’s Word. His Word is eternal and has as much power in it today as it had when He first spoke it.

And another thing: our experiences never change God’s Word. His Word operates independent of our experience. His Word is meant to change our circumstances and when spoken in faith, forces the circumstances to change. It’s incorruptible seed and makes a demand on the soil in which it’s planted. That’s why it’s so important to continually plant the Word in your heart so that when bad situations arise, the word that’s been planted in your heart will burst forth and see you through.

Our part is to trust God and His Word. His part is to perform His every Word, which He has always done and will continue doing through all eternity.

As we grow and develop in the Word of God, we will experience more and more of the results He expects for us.

Isaiah 40:29 (KJV) 29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) 14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Hebrews 13:5b (KJV) 5  … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Malachi 3:6a (KJV) 6  For I am the LORD, I change not;
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV) 23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (KJV) 8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Pamela

Real Faith for Today

Too many times when FAITH is mentioned, it’s received negatively. Why is that? I think it’s because people really don’t know what it means to “have faith.” Perhaps they think it means to really, really, really want something to happen or not happen.  

For example, they might really want to be healed so they “have faith” that they will get healed. Or they might be afraid that something bad will happen but they “have faith” that all will be well. Is this really the God- kind of faith that we see in the Bible?

Faith, the God-kind of faith is not wishful thinking, it’s not strong desire, and it’s not even a feeling. The God-kind of faith is simply believing that what God has said in His Word is true and then acting that way. It’s our positive response to what God has already freely given to us by His grace.

If we truly love the Lord Jesus, then we, of necessity, must love His Word because He is the Word of God. And if we truly want to please God, We MUST develop our faith by getting into His Word and walking in it because without faith it’s impossible to please God.

We need to find the promises given to us for every situation we’re in and stand on them. Let’s do all we can to develop our faith to where we are pleasing God and moving the mountains in our lives.

Romans 10:17 (KJV) 17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

John 1:1 (KJV) 1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Mark 11:23 (KJV) 23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

 

Are You Suffering from Spiritual Malnutrition?

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life!”

John 6:35 (KJV)
35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

As Americans, we can say, for the most part, that we have plenty to eat and we do it very well, even to excess! And, as you know, that can be harmful. In fact, the acronym for the Standard American Diet is SAD! And sad it is. People eat and eat and eat but are they getting the nutrition they need to be healthy? I wonder and I think not. Of course, that can change but it takes effort, commitment, and diligence to stick to it.

Enough said but I wanted to use that as an example of what happens in the spirit realm. God uses natural things to explain spiritual things. Just as we need to feed our bodies, we most definitely have to feed our spiritual bodies – our reborn human spirit. And the food we must feed it is God’s Word.

Just as your physical body will eventually die if you starve it long enough, so it is with your spirit. It won’t die but it will remain emaciated and virtually unable to help you in the realm of life here on planet earth.

Romans 8:14 (KJV)
14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

God intends for you to live from the inside out – being led by your spirit under the direction of the Holy Spirit. But, the only way you can trust your spirit is to continually feed on the God’s Word. It’s more than mental assent which acknowledges that God’s Word is true but goes no further, not acting on it.

By feeding on the Word of God continually, it will get down into your reborn spirit and develop and mature. When that happens, you’ll begin to speak God’s Word with power and authority and see circumstances change.

Feeding on the Word takes commitment, diligence, study, meditation, and doing the Word. That’s how you get it from your head into your heart. And that’s when supernatural things happen.

God’s Word always works but we have to work the Word.

John 1:1 (KJV)
1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (KJV)
14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Not Mad; He’s Not Even in a Bad Mood!

Too many times we tend to think that God is mad at us when we mess up and miss the mark of perfection. That’s simply not true. He loves us with an everlasting love. Not only that—His love has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:5b (KJV)  … because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Hebrews 13:5b (KJV)  …  for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

How can we think that God is mad at us when He said He will never leave us nor forsake us – never, never, never?! We are truly loved in spite of ourselves. Remember, we are not to judge God the way people judge each other. He is perfect and He is love. He doesn’t just have love, He is love personified! He chose us before the foundation of the world and that should settle it for us.

Ephesians 1:4 (KJV) 4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

There are many Christians who think they have to do everything just right or God won’t answer their prayers. Not so. We can’t earn anything from God. Everything we’ll every need on planet earth has already been given by Almighty God to us. Our part is to simply believe and receive. God has His part to do (and He’s already done it) and we have our part to do—to receive by faith what He’s already given. How can it be any simpler?

Of course, there are those who would have you believe otherwise but they have no scripture to back up their false allegations against God.

What we need to do is to trust God with all our beings and believe that what He said is what He means. That’s what faith is. And that’s how we access the His promises.

 — Pamela

Fear – the Enemy of Faith!

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) 7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

As I’ve said many times, faith and fear are opposites. In fact, fear cancels out faith. That’s not what we want when we’re believing for answers. We need answers and therefore, we need to do all we can do to cooperate with our faith to bring the manifestation of what we want.

So, just how do we stand against fear? First of all, you have to recognize fear when it comes knocking on your door. It can be very subtle because the devil is a wily, scheming enemy and will try to sneak in the back door when you’re not looking. Doubt, unbelief, and temptation to quit are all open doors to fear. Shut the door!

Many times when we’re being challenged by the devil’s attacks, it seems like we’re in way over our heads. Actually, we are. But—the good news is that we’re not alone trying to fight enemy. God has given us all the tools we need to win the battle because the victory is already ours even before it begins.

When the battle is raging, it usually looks like it will never end. That’s when you have to dig in your heels and stand on God’s Word with all you have. His Word never fails. It is incorruptible seed and will produce what He has sent it to do. Our part is to keep on keeping on.

1 Peter 1:23 (KJV) 23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

God’s Word has enough power in it to cause itself to come to pass. Your faith is the catalyst that activates the power. That’s why it’s imperative that you resist the temptation to get into fear. Fear will negate your faith and you won’t get your answer. Stay in faith and walk in victory!

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

1 Kings 8:56b (KJV) 56  … there hath not failed one word of all his good promise …

 Psalm 119:89 (KJV) 89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

 — Pamela