Thoughts for Life: #47 The Command of Faith is Biblical

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- The exercise of Christ's authority is sometimes referred to as "the command of faith." This truth is taught by symbol and example in the word of God. God wants His children to use the authority He has given us.

The staff of Moses was a symbol of his authority as the representative of God to Pharaoh. During Moses' conflict with the demonic powers behind the magicians and gods of Egypt, Moses sometimes prayed to God. at other times he was told merely to use his staff. (Google image, Moses with staff)

God told Moses to stretch out his staff and strike the water of the Nile, and the water turned to blood; to stretch out his staff, and the frogs came on Egypt; to stretch out his hand and strike the dust with his staff, and the dust turned to gnats; to stretch out his hand toward the sky, and the huge hailstones fell; to stretch out his hand, and the locusts came and devastated the land; to stretch out his hand, and for three days and nights, there was no light from sun, moon, or stars (Exod. 7-10).

When Israel came to the red Sea, Moses began to pray. "Why are you crying out to me?" (14:15), God asked him. He told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea, and the waters parted and the people crossed over on dry land. Sometimes continued prayer indicates a lack of faith. God wants us to give the command of faith and go forward.

Elijah was a mighty man of prayer, but there were times when he was led to use the command of faith. He told the widow at Zarephath to prepare a meal for him first, and she would have a miracle supply of food that would last till the famine was over (1 Kings 17:8-16).

He told Ahaziah's rude captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven" (2 Kings 1:10). The fire appeared and consumed the captain and fifty men. Then Elijah and Elisha reached the Jordan River, Elijah did not pray. Instead, he smote the water and the Jordan rolled back like the Red Sea had done for Moses. When Elisha returned after Elijah's ascension, he also smote the waters of the Jordan, and they parted for Elisha too (2:14).

Jesus repeatedly demonstrated and used the command of faith. In Cana of Galilee, the scene of His first miracle, He simply commanded the servants to fill the water pots with water. He commanded the lepers, "Be clean." He touched blind eyes and said, "Be opened." He commanded deaf ears, "Be opened."

To the paralytic, He said, "Get up." He touched feverish bodies, leprous bodies, even dead bodies, and the miracle happened. At the grave He commanded, "Lazarus, come forth." He rebuked evil spirits, and they came out. He rebuked the wind and said to the stormy waves,"Quiet, be still!"

The apostles also practiced the command of faith. At the gate of the temple, Peter commanded the leper, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." To the paralyzed Aeneas, Peter said, "Get up."

To the sorcerer Elymas, Paul said, "You are going to be blind!" And he was. At Lystra Paul called to the man lame from birth, "Stand up on your feet." To the demon enslaving the girl at Philippi, Paul ordered, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her." The spirit instantly left her (Acts 16:18).

(Chapter 15, pp. 111-112, italics added for emphasis)

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Let's pray-

"Dear Lord, please show me any relationships in my life that need attention. Have I offended anyone without knowing it? Help me to settle my disagreements with others so that the focus of my mental and heart energy can be sharing Your good news. I don’t want any root of bitterness to grow in my heart that will keep me from joy and affect others negatively. Jesus thank You for reconciling me to the Father through Your blood. Help me to be a woman [man] who brings people together rather than tears them apart.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen."

Melissa Spoelstra

Today's Bible verses-

Romans 8:28 (AMP) “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) “God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Today's quotes-

~ Holley Gerth- "Hard days can tempt us to place our security where God never intended it to be. We grasp at money, relationships, or even self-reliance to make us feel safe. It’s a human response to reach out for what’s tangible and what seems like it will give us peace. We try to find a way to stay standing. We want to hold on to what’s in front of us with all our might.

And yet this verse Psalm 4:8, extends an entirely different invitation than what our mind is screaming at us to do: it invites us to “Lie down and sleep in peace.” In other words, release control. Realize that you can’t keep yourself safe. You can’t fix this problem. You can’t be strong enough on your own.

Yes, you can partner with God, but in the same way a baby partners with a parent—in trust, obedience, and surrender.

Lay your head on His chest. Tell Him you’re afraid and weary. Tell Him what you need. Then let your heart rest."

~ Tom Haire- "When you get to America," the Voice said within him, "don't get mixed up in doctrinal trifles. Don't pay any attention to their heads. Just look at their hearts. You will find their differences to be of the head; their similarities to be of the hearts. Don't read up on the religious situation in America. Don't try to fit into things or please people. Just talk to them straight out of your heart. Tell them the things I have told you, and you will get on all right." Fortunately Tom had the courage and good sense to obey these wise admonitions."

[Taken from PRAYER WARRIORS, pp. 35, 36]

Words of wisdom-

~ Have you made a special time to meet with the Lord each day, preferably early on, to have a quiet time alone with Him? Allow Him to speak to you through His Word each day to be refreshed and touched by Him. He longs to meet with you, so it would seem best to seek Him in a scheduled place and time, if at all possible. Maybe a time away by yourself on a walk or just sitting in the park on a bench would bring His peace and comfort. Ask Him to guide you as to what will be best for you to connect with Him.

Today's question:

If the Church has left the building, what are we to do?

During these days of confinement for many, we're seeing innovating ways being created to get the Word of God out to folks. It has been very hard to maintain what faith some folks have. Their safety is important right now, so if they wish to remain healthy and be active again at some point, they'll need to listen to services online, so they can have their faith supported by the worship and Word given there.

As it turns out, many are checking in to view the services that have never even listened to a message about Christ, and they're learning of salvation, which is really what the church's mission is! Training the believers is very important too, of course, as Christ's Spirit helps them learn His ways of doing things, preparing them for Kingdom-living here, and someday, to live in heaven with Him.
As we learn to allow Christ to be the ruler of our churches and hearts, the world may see our lives as examples of His grace. Being scattered away from a particular place of gathering, can cause us to become more serious about out faith, as we must find ways to sustain our faith, to be good examples of Christ's believers. Our working through repentance and forsaking what used to control us, we're finding a deeper faith rising. May this time of self-examination be what we find beneficial to our growth in faith, and not resent the intrusion of our regular practice of gathering together, though that is very important, and should be done as soon as possible.

Some reasons for this is, we actually need "family", accountability, encouragements by others, and the challenges of getting along with others (as we're admonished to "love one another." Receiving prayer from the leaders and others in the congregation, is also very important. There's strength in attending a church with believers, as then we see what church is supposed to be like, the pros and cons of it all. We learn to forgive others, as well as to ask for forgiveness when we say or do something offensive. It's a training ground for living in heaven!
Seeing our Pastor and teachers is invigorating, as we can see them in real life, and can better receive their messages and wisdom. As the Father resigns within His people, we are to represent Jesus, to proclaim His mission, til He returns for His world-wide

Church.