Sunday, April 17, 2016

Word of God (17.04.2016) Overcoming the Natural – (Live by Faith, not by sight)


# Faith
Overcoming the Natural – (Live by Faith, not by sight)

# 2 Corinthians 5:7New International Version (NIV)
For we live by faith, not by sight.

# Psalm 77:19New International Version (NIV)

19 Your path led through the sea,
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.

#John 20:27-29New International Version (NIV)

 

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

·         Believe in Jesus beyond the natural happenings with all our heart is faith. Because He is supernatural. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Why do we see Natural?

5 Things that makes us to fall from the Faith


1.       Overwhelmed by the natural circumstances & difficult situations
Ex: Peter had seen the rising Ocean while walking in the sea rather looking into Jesus. Hence slipped but when he realized he was rescued.
·         Shift your focus & don’t look at the situation.

2.       Controlled by our selfish cravings, Lusts & worldly desires.

3.       Stuck in stagnancy & the monotonous of life.

·         Life with God is adventurous so RISE UP. You are not called live a monotonous life or a boring life.
4.       Blinded and controlled by the world system
5.       Following a religion / Tradition and not a genuine relationship with God.

5 Things that help us to keep in Faith


1.       The Assurance that the presence & Glory of God is with us
# Supernatural Presence

Exodus 33: 11- 16 (Moses – My presence will go with you)

Exodus 33:11-16New International Version (NIV)

11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The Lord replied,My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”


God owns our time and we need to spend a quality time with Him.

2.       Not be an ignorant of the spirit realm & fight the enemy through spiritual warfare.

·         2 Corinthians 10:3-5New International Version (NIV)


For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
3.       Stir up & Exercise the gifts of the Holy spirit

Someone called to be a leaders, Prayer warriors and mentors. Identify the gifts and use it for the glory of the lord.

2 Timothy 1:6-7New International Version (NIV)

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
4.   Persevering in the midst of natural trials & oppositions by receiving God’s sufficient grace.
·         Paul went through all the insults, Hunger and sufferings but still stood firm with a Faith.

·         2 Corinthians 12:7-10New International Version (NIV)

because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

·         Hebrews 12:1-3New International Version (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
·         Live with an eternal focus and perspective
5.   Supernatural Focus

·         2 Corinthians 4:17-18New International Version (NIV)

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

·         2 Timothy 4:7-8New International Version (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Summary:
God has called us to live adventurous life to be a building block for others and not a selfish life. Only by keeping faith beyond the nature of this world will make it possible. To keep up the faith, 5 essential flavours are, Supernatural (Presence, Realm, Gifts, Grace and Focus). May God bless with us with theses flavours richly to keep up our faith to live a meaningful life in spite of our troubles and problems today.

Supernatural Presence
Supernatural Realm
Supernatural Gifts
Supernatural Grace
Supernatural Focus















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