A Crucified Life - - Walks By Faith

 

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4102

Faith: belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness

From the Greek word 'pistis' (pronounced pis'-tis): God's divine persuasion

    FAITH IS A GIFT

        Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

    FAITH BELIEVES WHAT IT CANNOT SEE

        Romans 8:24

For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?

        Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

    FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD

        Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

        Galatians 3:2

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

    FAITH SAVES US

        Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.

    FAITH SHIELDS US

        1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

        Ephesians 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

    FAITH INCREASES

        2 Thessalonians 1:3

We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

     Faith is more than a denominational description; it is a precious gift from God to those who are ready to receive it and willing to accept it. God gives each one who is ready and willing a 'measure of faith' in the beginning of our journey of learning to lean on Him. It is up to us to exercise our faith that it may grow, that we may grow and reach new levels of grace as we walk in the Word, in the Way of Holiness.

    In order for our faith to increase we must exercise it -- put it to use, act on it. What is God calling you to do that you are hesitant to do? Maybe it's that first step towards the salvation God is proffering you. The Spirit is calling you, tugging at your heart. Hear the Word of the Lord. Kneel where you are, confess your sins before God and receive that measure of Faith which God has in store for you. 

    Take that next step and be water baptized. This is when you make your salvation public - in the presence of people who know who you are and what kind of person you are - publicly proclaiming that Now you Belong to Christ and Christ belongs to you. 

    TESTED FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE

        James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

    Keep walking. Take that third step and receive the baptism of God's Holy Spirit who will empower you to walk in and by Faith until you reach the perfection which God has ordained for you.

    If you have already taken these three primary steps, you are halfway home. You see the Light from afar which the Father has left on for us, to guide us home. You have chosen the old, narrow path which meanders over hills, through valleys, near streams and cuts through fields. 

    Hear the Word of the Lord. Continue to let Faith be the measure by which you live your life in Christ. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's Word to us as we read it daily. As the Israelites received the mana from heaven on a daily basis, so, too, do we receive heavenly mana from heaven when we read and study out what God is saying to us in His Word. 

    Do we eat a lifetime of meals in one sitting? Not hardly. Neither can we understand what God is doing in us, for us and through us all in one study or reading. This is allowing Faith to grow in us, whether we are new believers in Christ or steadfast believers in Christ. 

    LITTLE FAITH GETS THINGS DONE

        Matthew 17:20

"Because you have so little faith," He answered. "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

        Matthew 21:21

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

    So, let's take out that small measure of Faith which God has given to each believer and put it into action. He has called each of us to share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ and that is just what I do every day. I share it with you here. I share it when I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

    I am able to share the gospel because I study His Word every day that my well would be full of the Living Water. How can I share the Living Water with you, unless I first have It in me? We can't draw water from an empty, dry well. I have put my faith in action. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come". So, I'm calling you to come to the well and drink deeply. 

FAITHWALKER

Spirit of God - Canyon Hills Worship

Abide In Me - Andrew Marcus

Belong To You - Here Be Lions

Your Word - Awakening Music

Surrounded - UPPERROOM

Speak To The Mountains - Chris McClarney

Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship

Spirit Move - Bethel Music

WaveWalker - Citizen Way

    

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- How To Walk Like A Warrior

 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 568

Abstain: to hold back, keep off, to be away, be distant; to have one thing by separating from (letting go of) another

For a Christian to abstain from evil is to eschew evil in every form, whether by what we are seeing, what we are hearing, what we are saying or what we are doing. As has been said, the born again Christian may be the only Bible those around him or her see. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we walk an upright life, which can only be accomplished if we obey God's Word daily. 

We must live a separated life, a sanctified life: our lifestyles must align with God's Word and we must choose to be obedient to Him. Every. Single. Day. It helps me to greet Him when I first begin to wake, even before my eyes are open. "Good Morning, Lord." "Welcome, Holy Spirit." Being aware of the fact that God is with us, with us at all times. My evening prayers usually end with me falling asleep before I say Amen. 

Walk Righteously

Isaiah 33:15

He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil.

Psalm 15:2-5

He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath, who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Ephesians 15:2

(Paul writing to the church in Ephesus)

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 

Walk The Way

Deuteronomy 5:33

You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

Galatians 5:24, 25

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Follow God Faithfully 

Every army has a Commander-In-Chief, even a spiritual army.

John 7:16, 18

“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.  If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood."

Psalm 25:9, 10

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. 

Psalm 27:11

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

Isaiah 30:21

And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it."

Where He Leads Me

Psalm 23:3

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 

Psalm 119:35

Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.

Psalm 61:2

From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 40:2

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

You know what that miry clay is? Sin. It attempts to cling to us even after God has delivered us from its clutches. It stains our garments and threatens to hold us back from what God is accomplishing in us. But God. 

He (God) brings us (they whom He has saved) up out of a horrible pit (death the result of sin) out of the miry clay (sin), and sets our feet upon a rock (the Chief Cornerstone), and establishes our goings (directs our path wherein we are to walk). 

Let us pray that you and I may continue to walk where God leads us. Let us listen for His voice that we may obey Him more faithfully. Let us walk, live the life that is pleasing to God, with respect to His Word and His Way, in joy and love. Let us choose to walk like warriors: heads up (with honor), looking forward (towards the unseen destinations), uprightly (with integrity and honor), shield in hand (by faith). 

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- Sobriety, Faith, Love, Hope

 

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Believers Belong To The Day

1 Thessalonians 5:5

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

The Day of The LORD

Prophetic Verses 

Zechariah 1:7-18

Malachi 4:1-6 (refers to both Christ's first coming and His second)

2 Peter 3:8-13

Be Sober

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3525

free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.)

refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled); means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being irrational.

To watch, To be alert, To be vigilant in all things and at all times.

2 Timothy 4:5

1 Peter 1:13

1 Peter 4:7

1 Peter 5:8

The Breastplate of Faith & Love

Being a spiritual covering, we learn that it covers our spiritual heart, protecting us from the temptations of the enemy of our souls. 

This Breastplate consists of Living by Faith, Walking by Faith; Having the Love of God in us through Christ, Speaking words of Love with Love. 

FAITH

Hebrews 11:1  

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

The Just Live By Faith

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The Just Walk By Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7, 8

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

LOVE

1 John 4:7-10

Living In Love

1 John 4:11-21

John 13:34

1 Peter 1:22

Romans 12:10

SALVATION

Our helmet, which is fixed securely to our spiritual heads, gives us defence against the tactics of our the enemy of our souls. Having the Word of God firmly planted in our thoughts prevents the wiliness of the his strategies from reaching us. When we know the Word of God, we also know and become aware of how the devil works against us. Knowing our enemy from this advantage point helps us in our times of temptations and troubles to turn to God and His Word to keep us from being prey, but instead makes us the victor in every encounter. And there are many encounters throughout our lives; day in and day out.

HOPE of SALVATION

Romans 8:19, 24

 For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. 

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Titus 3:5-7

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

John 3:16, 17

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

Color of Worship-Orange-Yellow

JACINTH

1 Chronicles 12:8, 14

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains...These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

Deuteronomy 33:20

And of Gad he (Moses) said,

Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: He dwelleth as a lion,

And teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

Depending on which author you read, the precious stone used to symbolize the tribe of Gad is either Sardonyx/Sardine or Jasper. But if the stones were set in the ephod in order of birth, that would make Gad's stone a Ligure. Ligure has been translated as being Amber, Opal, Jacinth and Onyx. 

AMBER

ONYX

Still, while type of stone may seem to be obscure, color variations stay the same. Ligure, Gad's stone, is a bold orange-yellow, which is what we were seeking. 

His name means "A troop overcomes", troop here means 'good fortune' (Genesis 30:11). But the way it is phrased "a troop overcomes" also means 'an overcoming army, a victorious army'. 

In 1 Chronicles 12:14 we read that the least one of the sons of Gad had the ability to overcome one hundred enemy soldiers, while the greatest, or strongest, had the ability to take down 1,000 enemy fighters. A troop overcomes, indeed.

1 Chronicles 12:8 says that these men of Gad separated themselves unto David. What does that mean? They defected, switched sides, to enjoin themselves to David, who was on the run from King Saul. These were "men of might and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler (lance or spear), whose faces were like the faces of lions (fierce), and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." 

Matthew Henry's Commentary shows us that these men of Gad who joined themselves to David believed that God was with him and came to support him in battle, not like the others who had previously joined him: men who wanted or needed to hide out with David. These men of Gad were strong, efficient warriors and they left their lands to help David fight his battles. I would imagine that just their decision alone encouraged David and strengthened him emotionally, as well. 

And so we come full circle to this Color of Worship: Orange (-Yellow). A bold color that SHOUTS! to the enemy that their Conqueror has arrived. A troop overcomes, indeed. We raise our Banner high, our Banner being JEHOVAH-NISSI THE LORD MY BANNER. We are overcomers when our faith and trust is fully resting on what God can do and not on ourselves. For we know that our only part in any battle is to have faith, and not very much faith either. 

 

Mustard Seed

 

Matthew 17:20 "Faith as small as a mustard seed". The smallest seed in the garden is the one that produces an abundance. The littlest amount of faith in God can move mountains, put enemies to flight, uproot trees, tear down walls and overcome temptations. 

Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, my brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ), be strong in The LORD, and in the power of His might. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

A little bit of faith is being 'strong in The LORD and in the power of His might.

•  JEHOVAH-CHATSAHI THE LORD MY STRENGTH. (Psalm 27:1)
• JEHOVAH-GANAN THE LORD OUR DEFENSE and
• JEHOVAH-MAGEN THE LORD MY SHIELD (Psalm 89:18 for both)
• JEHOVAH-NAHEH THE LORD WHO SMITES (Ezekiel 7:9)
• JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH THE LORD IS PRESENT                   (Hebrews 13:5)
•  THE LORD IS MY HELPER  (Hebrews 13:6)
• JEHOVAH-'IZOA HAKABOTH THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY IN BATTLE (Psalm 24:8)

We are overcomers in every battle because The LORD fights our battles for us, when we let Him. The men of Gad knew that The LORD GOD was with David, so they left Saul's side of the battle and joined forces with David. We have got to stop fighting against God and join forces with Him! We must overcome the temptations that rise against us by THE WORD OF GOD spoken forth from our faith. Speaking Bible verses without backing them up with faith, is useless. Even the devil knows Scripture but it does him no good because he refuses to accept that GOD IS GOD. 

We overcome with THE WORD OF GOD and with The Power of The Holy Spirit of GOD. Both must be evident in our lives that we might truly be the people of God. Our might is pitiful; His might is powerful. Our strength is weak; His strength is magnified. 

Let us walk in victory every step of this journey we are walking with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! Let us walk by faith and not by sight. Let us walk in our integrity, in His light, in His WORD. 

This Walk By Faith Thing

This walking with God thing is real. 

We walk by faith, for we cannot see with the naked eye where our next step will take us. We believe God's Word is Faithful and True (Revelation 22:6), and as such, we know that when we walk in The Spirit (Galatians 5:25), our God walks with us.

We plan, we prepare; but, really, what is around the corner, what is up ahead we do not know. I did not plan on being disabled and unable to work, but there it is. And, yet, I know that I am on the right path, because it is the path God has set me on. So, until such time as I am led off this path, I know that God is walking it with me. 

It is He who upholds me with His right hand. (Psalm 63:8) It is He who makes my feet like hinds' feet to walk upon my high places. (Psalm 18:33) It is God and none other who walks with me. It is my choice to walk with Him. 

Life is the Valley of the Shadow of Death for the believer. There is nothing for us to fear in the shadows, for we have the Light of Christ (John 8:12) living, breathing, shining through us. It is He who makes bright our path and leads us along the way. What do we have to fear, when we have Jesus walking with us? Nothing. 

Nor is this walk a prideful walk. We need to stop being proud to be a Christian and start being humbled before our God. Our lips say one thing, our hearts another. Which one do you think God is going to listen to. He hears what we speak, but He is also aware of how we think and what our heart truly believes. This false humility impresses no one. 

This walk by faith thing is revealed by our actions, not just by our words. If we really are walking by faith, then we will have the evidence of Jesus' peace on our lives (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27). We are content in Him (Philippians 4:11). 

This walk will bring us low; at times we will stumble and fall, but we will get right back up. There will always be someone at that moment chosen to help us not only get back up, but also help us carry the load that caused us to fall. 

Before Jesus was made to carry His own cross through town and up the hill, He was beaten beyond recognition. The loss of so much blood weakened His body, making the cross that much heavier. He fell beneath the weight of it. But someone, a man named Simon, was chosen to help Him. (John 19:17; Mark 15:16-21; Matthew 27:27-32; Luke 23:26) 

This walk by faith thing is the evidence that draws people to Jesus. Who would ever choose to walk another way, another path, when the one that leads to righteousness is the one that brings us peace? It is such a chaotic, hateful world we live in. It always has been. Ever since sin came into the garden, this world has known nothing but heartache. But God. 

But God made a way to overcome sin. And that Way is Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God. (John 14:6). Only when we walk in that Way will be able to walk with complete trust and belief that God works all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28).