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From the desk of Steve Shultz:
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Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Dutch Sheets: "The Power of Decreed Prayer"- Elijah Streams
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Faith. Enough Already? Now Think On This by Steve Martin
Steve Martin
“And 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 seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6-7, NASU)
When is enough faith enough already?
Or, as you might think, “I have faith. Isn’t that enough for me to the end of this life?”
That question recently came up when a younger pastor and I were considering the costs of operating the church facility, and the needs that seemed to be always in front of us. As we talked back and forth, we briefly considered when we would have reached the “faith maximum bar“, as I call it. Reaching that point in our lives for each of us, you included, when we have built up enough faith to last us through to the end.
Now I know that that bar doesn’t really exist. But wouldn’t it be nice if we just might get to the point in our faith walk when we reach a certain marker when the faith we have thus far will be enough faith to last us to the finish?
The Lord Himself tells us that that answer would be a “no”. Because He always wants us to have to keep trusting, keep looking, keep believing in Him, He will always require that we walk in faith. For all that we need and desire.
Often I myself, even one who has now walked with the Lord for over 50 years (being 64 years of age at this writing), still continually finding myself in the position of needing to put my trust in Him. And pray more. And seek more. And believe Him for more.
And that is the way He likes it.
For without faith, we cannot please Him. Without faith, it is sin if we go on our way thinking we have “enough”, as the one with the full barn thought, so as to not have to rely on His provision, His protection, His guidance in our life today, or tomorrow.
“And He (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, ' You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-21, NASU)
Wouldn’t it be great to someday tell our kids and grandkids, “When you reach this age or get to this point, you have made it. There will be no more need to trust God for the daily bread, or the upcoming days' provision, for you have crossed that point. You can coast from here.” And yet I know I can’t say that, for until I go onto the glory promised in the next life, it will daily take trusting faith for this day to day walk we have with our Lord Jesus.
For many of us, Abraham is one prime example of being required to trust on and on, almost to the point where you would think he could not believe. Way beyond the physical means did both he and Sarah reach when having a son was possible. And yet the Lord kept Him in the place where he had to believe. In the end, he was rewarded for his faith.
Many of those who have walked before me have shared their opportunities given by the Lord to believe God for more. They could have rested on their laurels, called it a day, and sat back while reaping the bounty of their harvest. But each time the Lord wanted to bring them into a deeper walk with Him, and for the sake of others. Thus, they couldn’t rely on the previous faith that met the challenge last time. They drew strength from those previous faith challenging experiences, knowing He Who is faithful always came through, but each time going forward they needed fresh manna, a new word, another encouragement given by His Holy Spirit to go beyond where they were at before. He was there to give them what they needed, as they pressed on.
Today you might be having another faith challenge – for daily food, another house or car payment, a relative needing the Lord to touch them as only He can. You may be leading a congregation, big or small. and realize you need more than what you have, to keep giving what they are looking to you to give.
Do you have enough faith already? My experience is that what you have has brought you this far. What you need in the future is what you will still need to believe God for whatever He calls you to do. It will take obedience. And it will take more faith on your part. That way you will always be putting your trust in Him, and not in that which anything else or person can fulfill.
I know He likes that. Having His children walk daily with Him, in faith, as He leads us on.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #399 - in the year of our Lord 03.12.19 – “Faith. Enough Already?” – Tuesday, 5:45 pm
God is not Finished with You Yet by Elaine Tavolacci - Identity Network
God is not Finished with You Yet
by Elaine Tavolacci
Identity Network March 12, 2019
The Lord has given me several dreams in the past few weeks. A few nights ago I dreamt of a prominent minister who many of you are familiar with. In this dream, I was watching him on an old black and white TV. As he was standing at the edge of the platform he had a word of knowledge. A lady quickly walked across the stage towards him. He yelled to her "Get out of here." She walked over to him and pushed him backward off the stage. I then lost reception on the TV. I was wondering if the program was live. I then scrolled through the channels but just got static and was not able to tune the picture back in.
As soon as I woke up and recorded the dream I received the interpretation. I knew that this woman represented the spirit of Jezebel and the dream had a lot of spiritual significance. In this dream, she didn't kill him but she tried to push him off his platform. The Lord is showing me that the enemy has been trying to push many of you out of your position of authority. He is showing me an airplane that hasn't left the ground. Airplanes are meant to fly, not roll on a runway. You have a calling on your life but can't seem to get off the ground. The Holy Spirit wants to take you into new levels and new heights of what you have been called to do.
This afternoon when I thought about this dream I remembered something that I experienced a couple of years ago when I was very sick. I heard (not literally) a voice from the kingdom of darkness saying, "I am not finished with you yet." I remember thinking about this for a few seconds but then the presence of God flooded my body and the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a still small voice saying, "I Am not finished with you yet." He confirmed this word with the scripture Jeremiah 29:11. I knew this was Jesus. His voice was gentle but strong. It was not demanding or forceful but filled with love and compassion.
The Holy Spirit is showing me that many of you are listening to the voices of the enemy and it is bringing fear and torment into your life. There are numerous voices in the world that vie for your attention throughout the day. They come in mere thoughts and images in your minds. They come with enticement and temptations. Jesus will never lead you in the wrong direction. The Holy Spirit is your comforter. Jesus has plans for you. He is not finished with you yet.
Listen for the Voice of Truth
The Lord says; don't submit to the voices that bring defeat and confusion, but listen for the voice of truth. I have given you ears to hear and I speak with clarity. My voice will bring peace and it will carry My presence. It will always glorify Jesus for who He is and what He has done for you. It will release healing and it will bring favor. Don't allow your emotions to become entangled with thoughts of failure and defeat but allow Me to release My presence into every situation.
You were once in the kingdom of darkness but now you are the light of the world. The enemy has trained you to fight well when you were in his camp, but now is the time to take those same spiritual weapons of warfare and use them against him. I have given you authority over powers, principalities, rulers of darkness and wicked spirits in heavenly places. I have put My word in your mouth and have given you dominion to decree and declare what is rightfully yours. Your words have authority to call things into existence and transform atmospheres. The powers of darkness will have to obey and submit as you speak My word.
Do not submit to the lies of the enemy about your future. I Am your healer, I Am your provider, I Am your deliverer, I Am the God of your destiny and I Am with you in the fire of affliction. Rejoice at all times and know that all that I have promised to you will come to pass. When the voices of darkness try to rise up against you in fear, intimidation, and accusation, know that your victory is assured. I will watch over My word to perform it and I will complete the work that I have begun in you says the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Elaine Tavolacci
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