Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The purest, most simple faith does not demand signs. Abraham came to the place of faith where he believed God for a son, without demanding a sign.
His faith was perfected to the point where he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead, even though no one had ever been raised from the dead up to that time (Heb. 11:19).
Yet God often stoops to our humanness and gives us a sign to strengthen our faith. God did not reprove Gideon but repeatedly granted him a sign (Judg. 6:16-23, 36-40).
David prayed for a sign (Ps. 86:17). God told Ahaz to ask for a sign (Is. 7:10-14). He gave Hezekiah a sign that he would be healed (38:7-8).
Be open to God's confirming your prayer or obedience by signs if He so chooses. In a way, every miracle is a sign proclaiming God's presence, goodness, and power.
A trembling faith can ask for a sign. Willful disdain and unbelief have no right to ask for a sign (Matt. 12:39; 16:4).
Our normal walk with God is to be a life of faith, not signs (2 Cor. 5:7). We fix our spiritual eyes on the unseen reality of God rather than on our visible surroundings (2 Cor. 4:18).
We do not dictate to God or manipulate Him. Never demand signs from God, but welcome all He gives to strengthen your faith. God does not despise your humanness.
When you need some visible strengthening to assist your faith, God is often willing to help in this way. The witness of the Spirit to your new birth is an unseen but deep assurance that God grants to you (Rom. 8:16). Perhaps you can think of it as an assuring sign.
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana
#56 Faith, Signs and Assurance
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 95-96)) Zondervan
Heavenly Prayer LanguageGlenn Arekion asks us, “So what exactly does it mean to pray in the spirit?
There are those who do not believe in ‘glossolalia’ – that is "speaking with other tongues," and they disdain this phenomenon.
They say that praying in the spirit is prayer that is led and guided by the Holy Spirit..."
Today's Bible verses-
(Ezekiel 3:10 KJV) "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears."
(Ps. 18:32 KJV) "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."
(Acts 2:21 KJV) "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Today's quote-
Tim Gustafson- "Abraham's faith was in something far bigger than himself—the one and only God. It's the object of our faith that makes all the difference."
"Lord, I want a strong faith in You, not just faith in myself or my abilities or in others. I am nothing without You.
Our faith is good if it's in the right Person."
(ODB 9/30/16)
Today's Spotlight sermon-
SEPTEMBER 4, 2016
How Disciples are Made
Speaker: Daniel Paladin Series: On Mission Location: CFC Potsdam
CFC sermons You can check out many sermons, and select the ones of interest to you. Maybe you missed one...
Jean's blog (Click to see recent posts, then click Older Posts for more)
Upcoming posts-
A Lesson Learned
24th- Saturday's post by Marion Stroud
#57 How to Know God Hears Your Prayer
27th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#58 How to Increase Faith
29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Resurrection Power!
10/2- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
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| The best Book there is! Faith comes from reading it, as well as hearing someone share it with us. |
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
31-day Devotional + my personal story
A sample verse from p. 52-
"Each day as you take time to talk
With God through Christ in prayer,
You'll learn He'll guide you in your walk
Each time you meet Him there."
(Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Used by permission).
A great gift for someone who may need help
to prepare for marriage, and for those in a
to prepare for marriage, and for those in a
marriage, wanting some helpful advice.
Thank you so much Jean for sharing.
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