Faith

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In order for the word to be profitable, we are told that it has to be mixed with something. It has to be mixed with a very powerful ingredient, called faith. Hebrews 4:4—For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard DID NOT PROFIT them, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH in those who heard it. Faith according to the word can accomplish great and mighty things. Where has all the power gone? Why are we not seeing God move as in days of old? Was that His witness in those days only, and not for our generation? Not according to Jesus! John 5:19—Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, THE SON OF MAN CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, but what He sees THE FATHER DO; FOR WHATEVER HE DOES, THE SON OF MAN ALSO DOES IN LIKE MANNER. (20) “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that HE HIMSELF DOES; and He will show Him greater works than these, THAT YOU MAY MARVEL. John 10:24—Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, TELL US PLAINLY.” (25) Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. THE WORKS THAT I DO in MY FATHER’S NAME, THEY BEAR WITNESS OF ME. (37) “If I DO NOT DO THE WORKS OF MY FATHER, DO NOT BELIEVE ME; (38) “but if I do, though you do not believe me, BELIEVE THE WORKS, that you may know and believe THAT THE FATHER IS IN ME, AND I AM IN HIM.” Another time some men asked Jesus, “What shall we do, THAT WE MAY WORK THE WORKS OF GOD?” (29) Jesus answered and said to them, “THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD that you BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE SENT.”

Hebrews 11:1—NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 5:5—BY FAITH Enoch was translated so that HE DID NOT SEE DEATH, “and was not found because God had translated him”; for before his translation he had this testimony, THAT HE PLEASED GOD. (6) But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. David had asked a question in the book of Psalm that we can now answer! Psalm 89:48—What man can live and NOT SEE DEATH? By faith Enoch was translated so that HE DID NOT SEE DEATH? So we see that by the Spirit and wisdom of Christ we can obtain answers to age old questions. Do you believe that question is still relevant for today? Let’s see if we can not just speculate, but actually find the answer! Psalm 102:18—This will be written for THE GENERATION TO COME, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. (19) For He LOOKED DOWN from the height OF HIS SANCTUARY; FROM HEAVEN THE LORD VIEWED THE EARTH, (20) To hear the groaning of the prisoner, TO RELEASE THOSE APPOINTED TO DEATH, (note above, God is IN HEAVEN while doing this.) (21) TO DECLARE THE NAME OF THE LORD IN ZION, and His praise in Jerusalem, (22) When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

Let’s look at these Scriptures right above in this same Psalm 102:12—But You, O lord, shall endure forever, AND THE REMEMBRANCE OF YOUR NAME TO ALL GENERATIONS. (13) YOU WILL ARISE and have MERCY ON ZION; for the time to favor her, YES, THE SET TIME HAS COME. (14) For Your servants take pleasure IN HER STONES, and SHOW FAVOR to her dust. (15) SO THE NATIONS SHALL FEAR THE NAME OF THE LORD and all the kings of the earth Your glory. (16) FOR THE LORD SHALL BUILD UP ZION; He shall appear IN HIS GLORY. (17) He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer. (18) This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. (19) FOR HE LOOKED DOWN FROM THE HEIGHT OF HIS SANCTUARY; FROM HEAVEN THE LORD VIEWED THE EARTH, (20) To hear the groaning of the prisoner, TO RELEASE THOSE APPOINTED TO DEATH, (21) To declare the name of the Lord in ZION;

Well, it looks to me like the question is still relevant and that God is yet looking today for people of great faith like Enoch and David. We all know the story of David and Goliath, BUT LET’S LOOK AT IT A LITTLE CLOSER! Goliath, the Philistine drew near to the armies of Israel and presented himself forty days, morning and evening. “And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we might fight together. “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” “AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 1 Samuel 17 verses 16,10,9, and 24. The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to battle. Jesse who was also David’s father had asked David to take some food to the camp for his brothers and also for the captain of the army. When David arrived, Israel, and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. David greeted his brothers and as he talked with them there came Goliath threatening as usual. David heard the men talking about all what would be done for the man who kills Goliath.
1 Sam. 17:26—Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, THAT HE SHOULD DEFY THE ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD? This statement made his brothers angry, and when the words which David spoke were heard they reported it to Saul, who in turn sent for David. David told Saul he would fight Goliath and explained to him how he, David, had killed a lion and a bear, to protect his sheep. 1 Samuel 17:36—“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied THE ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD.” (37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, WHO DELIVERED me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, HE WILL DELIVER ME FROM THE HAND OF THE PHILISTINE.” (These are powerful words of faith being spoken here!) And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

(38) So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. (39) And David fastened his sword to his armor, and he tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I CANNOT WALK WITH THESE, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. (Let’s note something here before continuing on with the story. You see Saul was operating IN THE NATURAL REALM while DAVID WAS WALKING IN THE SPIRIT. For David knew ….2 Corin. 2:3—for though we walk in the flesh, WE DO NOT WAR ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. (4) For the weapons of our warfare ARE NOT CARNAL but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTS ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.) Then David chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, and took his sling in hand and drew near to the Philistine. (41) So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and THE MAN WHO BORE THE SHIELD went before him.

(Let’s make another note right here! Goliath had someone to carry his shield and go before him. David on the other hand HAD A SHIELD WHICH HE DID NOT NEED ANYONE TO BEAR FOR HIM. Eph. 6:16—“Above all, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE.”) Now back to the story, verse (43) so the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (44) And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” (45) Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. BUT I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, WHOM YOU HAVE DEFIED. (46) “THIS DAY THE LORD WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HAND, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. (47) “Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS.” (48) And it was so, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine (49) Then David put his hand in his bag and TOOK OUT A STONE; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. (50) So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling AND A STONE, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. (51) Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath, and cut off his head with it.

2 Samuel 22:1 Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. (2) And he said: The Lord IS MY ROCK, my fortress and MY DELIVERER; (3) The God of my strength, in Him I will trust, MY SHIELD and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. (4) I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; SO SHALL I BE SAVED FROM MY ENEMIES. A prayer of David…Psalm 35:1—Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. (2) Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation. A praise of David….Psalm 144:1—Blessed be the Lord MY ROCK, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle—(2) My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, WHO SUBDUES MY PEOPLE UNDER ME.

Do we not serve the same God as David, THE LIVING GOD? Has God not got the same power to deliver us as He did David? We will never have the victory without facing the giants! David was facing this Giant SO THAT ALL THE EARTH WOULD KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. (1 Sam. 17:46) Cannot our God prevail over our enemies? 2 Chronicles 16:9—“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to SHOW HIMSELF STRONG on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

We are right at that point in time when the nations are raging, and some are claiming to have nuclear weapons or right on the verge of having them. Bin Laden is calling it a Jihad, a holy war! Is not our God the Great and Mighty God! Has not the winner of this so called holy war all ready been predetermined? I think that the Scriptures will tell us plainly that it has!

Asa might like to join us in prayer right here! 2 Chronicles 14:11—And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, WHETHER WITH MANY OR WITH THOSE WHO HAVE NO POWER; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and IN YOUR NAME WE GO AGAINST THIS MULTITUDE. O Lord, You are our God; DO NOT LET MAN PREVAIL AGAINST YOU!”

Psalm 2:1—Why do the nations rage, and the people plot A VAIN THING? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, AGAINST THE LORD and against His anointed, saying, (3) “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” (4) He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. (5) Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: (6) “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of ZION.” (7) I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You. (8) Ask of Me, and I WILL GIVE YOU, the nations for YOUR INHERITANCE, AND THE ENDS OF THE EARTH FOR YOUR POSSESSION. (9)You shall break them with A ROD of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. (10) Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed you judges of the earth.

Psalm 110:1—The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (2) The Lord shall send THE ROD OF YOUR STRENGTH OUT OF ZION. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! (3) Your people shall be volunteers IN THE DAY OF YOUR POWER; (5) The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall EXECUTE KINGS in the day of His wrath, (6) HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE NATIONS, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, HE SHALL EXECUTE THE HEADS OF MANY COUNTRIES. (7) He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; THEREFORE HE SHLL LIFT UP THE HEAD. 1 Sam. 2:10—The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; FROM HEAVEN HE WILL THUNDER AGAINST THEM. THE LORD WILL JUDGE THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. He will give strength to His King and exalt the horn of His anointed. (It is interesting to note this Scripture here; Romans 4: 17—(as it is written, “ I have made you a father of many nations.”) in the presence of Him whom He believed, even God, who gives life to the dead AND CALLS THOSE THINGS WHICH DO NOT EXIST AS THOUGH THEY DID.)

Acts 4:24—You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, (25) “who by the mouth of YOUR SERVANT DAVID have said: Why did the nations rage, and the people plot VAIN THINGS? (26) The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together AGAINST THE LORD and against HIS CHRIST. (27) “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, WITH THE GENTILES and the people of Israel, were gathered together (28) “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined BEFORE to be done. (29) “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPREAD YOUR WORD, (30) “BY STRETCHING OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL, AND THAT SIGNS AND WONDERS MAY BE DONE THROUGH THE NAME OF YOUR HOLY SERVANT JESUS.

Mark 16:17—“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; THEY WILL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY WILL RECOVER.

Psalm 19:43—You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; You have made me the head of the nations; A people I have not known shall serve me. (44) As soon as they hear of me they obey. The foreigners submit to me. (46) THE LORD LIVES! Blessed by MY ROCK let the God of my Salvation be exalted. It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me (49) Therefore I will give thanks to You AMONG THE GENTILES, and sing praises to Your name, (50) Great deliverance He gives to His King, and shows mercy to His anointed to David and HIS DESCENDANTS FOREVERMORE. Psalm 111:6—He has declared to His people THE POWER OF HIS WORKS, IN GIVING THEM THE HERITAGE OF THE NATIONS.

Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. (32) “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (33) “And He will reign over the house of Jacob, forever (Psalm 24:6—This IS JACOB the generation of those who seek Him) (And let them know that God rules in Jacob TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. Psalm 59:13) Psalm 96:10—Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; THE WORLD ALSO IS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED, it shall not be moved; HE SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLES RIGHTEOUSLY.” Psalm 82:8—Arise, O God, judge the earth; FOR YOU SHALL INHERIT ALL NATIONS. Psalm 111:6—He has declared to His people THE POWER OF HIS WORKS, IN GIVING THEM THE HERITAGE OF THE NATIONS.

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