Calling Things That Are Not As Though They Are

I once heard a preacher by the name of Doug Stanton make what I considered to be a profound statement. He said, "I don't call things that are, as though they are not. I call things that are not as though they are." We, as children of God, have the right and the privilege to call things that are not as though they are. Romans 4:17 refers to Abraham's faith in God by saying, "As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." NIV ( Italics mine.)

As children of God, we are called to become transformed to the image of our Father. Our Father calls things that are not as though they are. They are made so because God desires it so and speaks it so. Look at creation. Out nothing, God called things that were not, as though they were. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light. The light did not exist before he spoke it into existence.

Now, as I am considering this topic, I feel that there is a web of subjects that will spin themselves into upcoming posts. Things like, the power of the tongue, the definition of faith, what about the name it claim it people, how does all this apply to me.....my mind likes to play connect the dots, as you can tell. And often times, I connect dots that others didn't even think were remotely related ~ I guess that's what makes me unique. So, bear with me if you will, while I bumble through this myself. That's what this blog is about after all, just discovering God's truth out loud.

Back to calling things that are not as though they are. That is the essence of faith. Hebrews 11:1 " What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead." The Living Bible. So, faith essentially calls things that are not as though they are. I was pondering the question of why the church in America doesn't seem to be seeing many miracles ~ and it occurred to me that we lack faith. Both in the fact that we don't feel a need and we simply are not used to calling things that are not as though they are - we're much too pragmatic for that. Which brings me back to a previous post ~ What if we took God at His Word, pointed to His promises and called things that are not as though they are. Scary thought, huh?

As I was looking for additional verses on faith, I recalled Jesus' saying in Matthew 21: 21 -22, " Then Jesus told them, 'Truly if you have faith, and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this Mount of Olives, 'Move over into the ocean,' and it will. You can get anything - anything you ask for in prayer if you believe." The Living Bible. Sound far-fetched? Remember that Jesus also told us that we would do greater miracles than he did.

Matthew 17:20 says, " And He said to them, ' Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you , if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, ' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you." Why? Because all things are possible with God. This is not about us, it's about clearing away the junk and developing a spiritual and eternal perspective that puts the Word of God first and foremost in any and every situation. And when we begin exercising our puny little faith muscles, we need to remember the admonition in James 1:6-8 "But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." If we are going to take God at His word, then we need to believe that He meant what He said, not just once in a while, but every time. Whew! That seems like a tall order to me!

First of all, I've prayed for miracles, healing, restoration, etc. and quite frankly, it seemed like things just went from bad to worse. So, did I not even have "mustard seed" faith? I don't know. What I do know is that the problem was most likely with me and my perspective or with the enemy ~ not with God. God's Word is true, His ways are higher than our ways, and I may not understand everything that is going on, but He is in control and on the throne. That never changes. All He asks of me is to lay hands on the sick, pray for miracles, and leave the rest up to him. I don't think that we can discount that fact that we are in a spiritual battle and the forces of darkness do wage war. (I don't think they've had to do too much work in this area, because we don't seem to be taking it too seriously.) But one of the great weapons of warfare from "the dark side" is simply to "let sleeping dogs lie." If Christians don't walk in faith, take God at His Word and pray for miracles, how much work does Satan really have to do? None. Point Satan. Secondly, I am profoundly convinced that we, as a body, are not saturated in the Word of God. How can I believe, claim or pray His promises if I don't know them personally? God's Word needs to be oozing out of my pores and the essence of my very being. How's that going to happen? I need to soak in it every day. (Again, how much work do you think Satan has really had to do here? Most Christians aren't in the Word of God daily. Again - point, Satan.)

So, where do I need to go with all of this? For myself, I know I need to soak in more of God's promises. I need to step out in faith and start talking to those mountains. I need to find my little mustard seed, plant it and help it grow, so that I can fulfill the promise of doing greater miracles for the Kingdom.

Let's pray: Lord, this question of faith is one I wrestle with. Help me to understand, to rightly divide Your word, to walk in obedience, and to accept Your promises. I know, Lord, that this is not about me ~ it's about Your Kingdom, Your love and Your desire that none should perish. Help us to walk in faith. Develop that mustard seed. Let us do greater things and see You receive the glory! In Jesus Name. Amen.

God Gives Us MORE THAN We Can Handle

I’ve often heard it said that, “God never gives you more than you can handle.” While I understand that that statement is meant to bring comfort ~ I think it”s a fundamental misconception in the Christian life. I believe God loves to give us more than we can handle. Why? So that He can get our attention.

Think about it. When are you most likely to focus on God? When you are living a life of ease, and everything is going along just right; or when you are hard pressed from every direction and your world seems to be falling apart? If we’re honest, it’s during times of crisis ~ during the times when we can’t handle things on our own that we most often cry out to God. Why? Precisely because we are feeling that we can’t handle whatever is going on by ourselves. We know we need help, so we turn to God.

Lately, it seems that there have been numerous brothers and sisters in the Lord who have been facing extremely pressing times in their lives. God is definitely giving them more than they can handle. Marriages are under stress, finances are tight, children are facing and causing challenges of their own, and the list goes on. One sister said, “If things don’t ease up soon, I’m going to crack.” I think that’s exactly what God wants. He wants us to crack. He wants us to acknowledge Him and say, “Lord, there is none beside thee to help.” 2 Chron. 14:11 RV

We don’t learn faith in comfortable surroundings. We don’t learn utter dependence upon God when things are going our way. Somehow, it seems that we need a little turbulence in our lives every now and again for God to remind us that He is the Source of Life, our ever present help in time of trouble.

I know in my own life that He has used extremely intense and difficult circumstances as a means to an end. And the end for me was a surrender so freeing that I can hardly describe it. It was and is a surrender that says, “Lord, I am on the altar. My life is on the altar. Nothing matters except You. Nothing. Not family, not finances, not anything that this world has to offer. Whatever You have for me is fine. My life is completely Yours, do with it what You will.” I’ve said similar words before and meant them, asking for His guidance, His grace and His will in my life. I’ve earnestly desired His Presence and the manifestation of the Spirit ~ but this prayer was from the core of my being, and it has changed my entire perspective on life. I can honestly say that if God wants me to live in a cardboard box, I will be happy to be there as long as I am in the presence of my God. I know I would have voiced a similar sentiment in times past, but this is a “knowing” that comes from the very depths of my heart.

When I asked the Lord about the challenges I was facing and why, He simply said, “You are in the Refiner’s fire. It’s time to burn off the dross (the impurities) and bring you into a deeper understanding of the things I have for you.” Ouch! I thought I was doing okay. I was walking with God, and doing what I believed I needed to do, so were the other believers I knew that were going through hard times. But God is a God of Passion, who desires more for us than we even desire for ourselves. He demands that our relationship with Him supersede ALL else. He is jealous of our affections, and longs to communicate with us as His beloved. And because He is so passionate, He will bring us to and through the fire in order to purify us in our innermost being and bring us to that place of intimate fellowship with Him.

Let’s pray: Lord, thank You that You do give us more than we can handle. As uncomfortable as it is, we know it’s because You have more in mind for us than we have in mind for ourselves. Help us to realize when we are in the midst of the fire that You are there. You are with us. You never leave or forsake us. Let the fire be a tool in our lives that brings glory to Your name ~ then, no matter the circumstances, it will be worth it. We love you, Lord. Be it done to us, according to Your Will. In Jesus Name.