The Flipside of Being Justified (Part 2 of 2) | 02.13.12

(Continued from Part 1)  I was recently contemplating how ungrateful we can be as Christians.  One need not look too hard to see the numerous ways in which our ingratitude is displayed.  We disobey GOD more times than we care to recall, yet we're always standing in the need of a blessing.  We constantly complain about how things are not going as we wish, but we fail to obey GOD in the simplest of matters.  We drag our moody selves to church on Sunday like we're doing GOD and the minister a favor, and we have the nerve to sit in the sanctuary as if we're part of some live studio audience waiting to be entertained.  Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that it's the will of GOD in Christ Jesus concerning us that we give thanks IN EVERY-THING.  But the aforementioned hardly paints a picture of us being a thankful people.

The Flipside of Being Justified (Part 1 of 2) | 02.12.12

I was recently inspired by a Facebook status update from Jonathan Booth, in which he made mention of justification.  What struck me was what I saw in the scripture he cited because I have never before noticed this.  (Sidenote: That happens to me from time to time because--honestly--I don't know it all.  Even though I've been in church all my life, I NEVER profess to know it all.)  Jonathan's status update focused on faith in challenging situations, but what caught my attention was the following passage of scripture:

"But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." (James 2:18, 21-24 NKJV)

Manifesting the Glory of the Teacher (Part 2 of 2) | 02.09.12

(Continued from Part 1)  We typically respond to situations in our lives based upon how we feel at the moment, which can be ANY number of ways.  In order for us to mature in the faith, we must embrace the mindset that GOD only allows to happen to us that which is beneficial for us NO MATTER HOW it looks.  See Romans 8:28.  When we really get an understanding of this, it totally transforms how we react to circumstances because our minds have been renewed to perceive things differently than before.  The situations we face may present themselves as the enemy coming to take us out, but the truth of the matter is that our situations are only granted access to us by GOD for the express purpose of escorting us to promotion.  Basically, what appears to be a setback is merely assigned to be our springboard to the place where GOD wants us.

Manifesting the Glory of the Teacher (Part 1 of 2) | 02.09.12

During times of great difficulty, it's important to understand that it's our faith that's being tried.  Don't take it personal... because it's only a test.  We often forget that before every promotion there MUST be a test.  Furthermore, scripture (James 1:3) teaches us that the testing of our faith produces cheerful endurance (or patience).  We're to let patience thoroughly transform our mindsets that--as we are transformed--we may be whole, lacking or wanting nothing once the process is complete (James 1:4).

One of the most common observations made while enduring a faith trial is that it seems like GOD could not be heard.  We're quick to associate tests and trials with GOD trying to teach us something, but we fail to realize that it's during the test that the teacher is silent.  If the lesson was indeed learned, then the teacher should not have to say a thing.  However, just because the teacher is silent, it doesn't mean that the teacher is not present.

Only By Prayer and Fasting (Part 2 of 2) | 02.02.12

The following blog is a continuation from Part 1:

Faith comes by hearing both the Word that's already been spoken (Logos) as well as hearing what the Holy Spirit is yet saying (Rhema).  If we can't posture ourselves to hear, then it begs to be asked what exactly are we saying when we open our mouths to praise GOD?  Oh, that's right: WE DON'T... because THAT'S the praise team's job, just like it's the preacher's job to motivate us, the teacher's job to study the Word for us, and the intercessor's job to pray for us.  If we can't MOTIVATE ourselves, STUDY for ourselves and PRAY for ourselves, then we need to REEVALUATE ourselves because our faith apparently is in man and not in GOD.  Why do we place more faith in another man's ability to hear from GOD than our own?  Simple: we're too apathetic and lazy to do that which is necessary to hear from GOD for ourselves.  The whole point in Jesus reconciling us to the Kingdom and filling us with His Spirit is to the end that we indeed be able by the power of the same Spirit to boldly articulate prophetic utterances, consistently receive a Rhema Word and fervently pray for Heaven's earthly intervention OURSELVES.  However, all of this requires us being able to hear from Heaven.

Only By Prayer and Fasting (Part 1 of 2) | 02.01.12

It seems something strange is happening with my blogging.  As of late, I am being inspired by my own Facebook status updates.  It's kind of weird, since I tend to get inspiration from other people's status updates and tweets; so bear with me as I adjust to the new thing GOD is doing.  Earlier this week, I posted the following status:

"Elton Taylor believes that there are some things we desire from GOD which require prayer AND fasting.  Sorry, but we just can't praise our way out of EVERYTHING. C'mon, that's just silly..."

One of my goods friends left a comment that got me to thinking: "...you will be amazed at your heightened spiritual connection to really hear from GOD and how revealing scriptures are during that time frame."  I began to consider how fasting and praying COMBINED create a heightened sense of awareness in our spirit man.