God’s Good Work in Us

 
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
—John 15:2
 
 

In John 15:2, John uses the image of pruning branches to make a point. A fruit-producing branch, when pruned, will eventually produce more fruit. In the same way, more fruit is produced in our lives when we are pruned. Some people believe the Lord prunes us with things like disease, sickness, loss, and other tragedies so that we will ultimately bear more fruit. 
 
Such a belief glorifies our tragedies as good things and suggests they are necessary if we want to bear more fruit. This is inconsistent with God’s goodness revealed in Christ and with the rest of the text in John 15, which demonstrates Jesus’s pruning is done through the Word He has spoken to us.
 
“If you abide in Me,” Jesus said, “and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this, My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:7).
 
The will of God is for you to bear much fruit. If you abide in Him, and His Words abide in you, you will receive from Him and produce greater fruit. The Word changing you and not your tragedy glorifies the Father. The promise that you will receive from the Lord is conditional on your abiding in Him. This abiding is not a one-time event with Him. This is a vital, intimate, ongoing relationship with Him. The Lord doesn’t fail to answer our prayers; Satan hinders us, and our flesh has its own way and renders us powerless against the enemy. But when we abide in Jesus, the Spirit has His way. The Word prunes us to bear love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And against His spiritual fruit in us, there is no law.
 
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul wrote that God's Word was given to us “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God’s Word is how He prunes us. He doesn’t need the enemy’s contribution to produce spiritual fruit. In fact, the enemy's purpose is to defeat the spiritual work the Word can accomplish in us. But God's Word will make us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 
 
Just because we can learn lessons from life’s tragedies doesn’t mean God sends them to prune us. God’s Word prunes us. And, yes, His pruning can hurt when the Word challenges our wrongful beliefs and lousy lifestyle choices. We live in a fallen world where the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy us, but also where Jesus has given His life for us to have God’s abundant life. God doesn’t bring tragedy. He gives abundant life—not death. We endure tragedy as the result of Adam’s sin and often as a result of our own. Yes, we will suffer from Satan’s battering when we live for Jesus. But suffering for the Gospel's sake is totally different from the suffering sin produces. The hardships we endure because of the Gospel and our godly lifestyle choices glorify the Father. 
 
If we believe God places tragedy in our lives to make us more fruitful, then we will not resist the devil. James 4:7 says if we submit ourselves to God and resist the enemy, he will flee from us. We all can learn from the tragedies of life, but the believer who welcomes them and does not resist them will suffer greatly. He will be far behind the person who lets God's Word have His perfect work in him.
 
God prunes my life with His Word. His Word is His perfect work in my life. But it is only His perfect work if I abide in Him, and His Word abides in me. I will submit myself to God and stand in the face of adversity. I won’t welcome tragedy in my life as a gift from God. I will refuse to give place to the enemy. I will submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee. 
 
Jesus, you have overcome. Now, overcome in me. Have your perfect work.
 
"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" (Philippians 1:6).
 
 

The Heart


For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  


—Romans 10:10 NKJV

I write not to only encourage myself in God’s goodness but, hopefully, others, too. If I’m not encouraged about God’s love in my own life then I cannot encourage anyone else about God’s love in theirs. If I don’t constantly examine myself, my motives, and what I believe according to Scripture, I will miss out on God’s will. I write not only to inspire my faith in Him. I pray that what I write inspires you to become fully convinced that what God has promised you, He is able to perform (Romans 4:21).

Faith doesn’t deny the reality of what you are going through. Faith just believes God’s truth supersedes what you see, feel, or experience. We were saved by grace through faith. In just the same way, we receive the truth of God’s Word through faith. We cannot judge God’s truth in our lives with our natural senses. That defeats the purpose of faith.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV).

I believe when I pray God’s will about a need, He hears my prayer and answers my petition when I ask, whether I experience my answer or not. Even though I may not experience the answer, the prayer that I pray in agreement with God’s will is answered in the spiritual realm. This is foolishness to my natural mind because God’s will must be spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). For me to experience His will in my natural life, what is in the spiritual must be believed and conceived in my heart through faith.

My heart is where I believe, and it’s my faith which prepares my heart to receive the manifestation of God’s will.  Frequently, receiving isn’t immediate, because the revelation of my answer is often a journey. But it’s a journey, I never want to forsake.

Don’t give up on God’s will, His Word, because of what you mentally, emotionally, and physically experience. When you received salvation through faith, you believed with your heart that Jesus had made you righteous, and with your mouth you confessed it. You receive the truth of God’s Word in  the same way. With your heart you believe, and with your mouth you confess it. 

Whether it’s healing or any other will of God for your life, you will either testify to its truth or you will deny it. 

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, NKJV). 

You partake of what you speak (Proverbs 18:21), and what you speak comes out of what is in your heart. You have been reborn into the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is in your heart. What are you confessing? Are you speaking from the spirit or the flesh? What are you bringing forth out of your heart? 

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23, NKJV).

 

The Goodness of the Lord

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
—Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

When we encounter problems beyond our understanding and experience, disappointment can make us susceptible to the spiritual sickness of doubt and unbelief. This verse cautions us against becoming spiritually sick when we face disappointment. The way we direct our minds and hearts through such an experience determines our outcome. To avoid spiritual sickness, we must seek God’s help to navigate our disappointment with divine wisdom. 

“Keep your heart with all diligence,” Solomon wrote, “for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV).

We should have a heart that is guarded from doubt and open to believing God’s truth. When we experience disappointment in not receiving what God has promised us, our initial response should be to express gratitude for His faithfulness.

Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
—Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

Just because we haven’t witnessed God’s Word manifesting in our lives as we’ve believed doesn’t diminish its truth. Our sacrifice of praise, acknowledging the authenticity of His Word regardless of our experiences, is crucial to our faith and influences the faith of others. We should never compromise the truth of His Words simply because we haven’t visually or physically seen their promises in our lives. 

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
—Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV

We must always guard our hearts and the things we put into them. We need to pay attention to His Words and keep them deep in our hearts, instead of fostering doubt and unbelief. Our thoughts, the things we value, the words we speak about ourselves, and above all else, our hope should reflect a heart that is surrendered and open to God’s healing grace. 

Psalm 103:2-4 emphasizes the importance of honoring the Lord for His forgiveness of all our sins and healing of all our diseases. We are told not to forget His benefits. How often do we forget these truths in the face of what we see and experience? 

If you consistently sow disappointment into your heart instead of embracing God’s truth, it can lead to the painful consequences of doubt, disillusionment, pain, and bitterness, ultimately resulting in unbelief. Disappointment should never hinder your belief in Him. Even if you aren’t witnessing His promises in your life, God remains steadfast to His Word. It’s imperative to safeguard your heart from disappointment.

Regardless of any sickness or disappointing circumstance you encounter, don’t ever forsake the revelation of God’s goodness revealed in Scripture and His covenant with you. Hasn’t His goodness and mercy surpassed anything you could ever earn or desire? During times of abundance and lack, God has always remained faithful and unwavering.

When faced with disappointment, we may be tempted to flee from God instead of fleeing from the enemy. When we do this, we play into the devil’s lies and confusion. A heart not surrendered to the Lord will struggle with issues it was never meant to confront. Our lives are already challenged enough without allowing mental and emotional confusion to guide us instead of faith in God’s goodness.

Never play into the enemy’s purpose to redefine God by what you experience in this life. It doesn’t matter if what you have gone through is good or bad. God is revealed in Scripture as perfectly good. He is better than you can think or imagine. It’s up to you to change the way you think so that you can delve into His goodness with all your heart and mind. Your faith must take possession of God’s Word. His truth must become your truth. If you are facing the pain of disappointment, there is no better time to explore the reality of God’s goodness.

If you don’t see God’s Word working in your life, God is still good. God didn’t send sickness for your benefit. That is an affront to the Gospel. You can’t believe for healing at the same time you believe the Father made you sick. That would be like having a divided house that cannot stand. Don’t compromise His truth by saying you believe it’s God will to heal, but He heals some and He doesn’t others. Spiritually seeing God’s truth as your own is essential to believing and ultimately receiving what God declares is true. Compromising His Word undermines His goodness and hinders His work in your life. God never surrenders to your definition of His truth if it is different from His Word.

The goodness of God is the foundation of our faith. A revelation of His goodness will feed your spirit, soul, and body. Your healing is not based on your goodness. Don’t ever speak defeat. Don’t be passive and give in to “what will be will be.” God’s Word is intentional. Are you? Keep believing. Keep putting His Word in your heart. God’s promises are true. He will use all things for His glory and your strength. 

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13, NKJV).

Have you believed and lost heart? You can be confident of His good will toward you.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV).

Breakthrough

In Judges 7:9, the Lord told Gideon to go into the enemy’s camp to receive confirmation that the Midianites would be delivered into his hand. The Lord had culled Gideon’s men down to 300, and the enemy had thousands. Gideon was naturally afraid. His eyes were on his lack of resources instead of God’s promise.

A lot of us can identify with Gideon because we, too, have known fear. Gideon had a hard time coming to grips with the fact God had chosen him to do something significant. Gideon had already put out two fleeces because of his fear, and the Lord had revealed that Israel would be delivered (Judges 6:36-40). Now in Judges 7:10, the Lord tells Gideon if he is still afraid to attack, he is to take his servant with him into the enemy’s camp. There he will hear something that will encourage and strengthen him.

Going into the enemy’s camp sounds unreasonable to our thinking. Walking right into danger makes no sense. Why would Gideon do it? Because his fear was overwhelming him, and he desperately needed to trust God. There are somethings we can’t receive where we are safe. Somethings that we hunger for, we have actually protected ourselves from. Many times, we have made ourselves so comfortable where we are that access to what we have asked can only be found in surrender to what makes no sense to our natural minds.

Even though Gideon was afraid, he took his servant and under the cover of night he responded quickly to the Lord’s instruction. He heard two men talking. One man was saying to the other that he had this dream that a loaf of barley bread rolled down the hill and wiped out their tent. The other man immediately answered that this was none other than Gideon, the servant of the Lord, who would wipe them out.

This was just what Gideon needed to hear. His faith soared even though nothing in the natural had changed. He still faced overwhelming odds. But now he didn’t see them. He walked boldly back out of the enemy’s camp, giving instruction to his men. Gideon got his courage but he got it in an unexpected way. He walked right into the enemy’s camp to hear a word from the Lord. Gideon heard what he needed to hear. He got the word he needed to get, and he went forward with 300 men. Blowing trumpets and smashing jars, the Midianites heard what they believed was a great army and fled. Gideon had won the moment He believed God. It was his breakthrough.

Have you kept yourself so safe that you have missed the breakthrough God has for you? You must break down the barriers that have insulated you, and expect to hear God. Most often you must step out of your comfort zone to hear him. God speaks in the most unusual ways, but He speaks so that you can hear and understand. He speaks to give you hope and reinforce what He has promised you. He speaks desiring you to trust Him and respond to Him in faith.

Several years ago, I found myself in Gideon’s place. The Word of God promised me victory, but I was worn out from fear and fleeces that never gave lasting security. The Holy Spirit took me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to believe God’s unquestionable truth for me. I knew doubt wasn’t an option. In the darkness, I heard His promise. After months of sowing His Word in my heart, my faith soared. I knew I was healed, and it was OK that my body didn’t know it yet. My heart did. Jesus had overcome. My victory wasn’t someday. It was now. It had already been secured by His precious blood for me a long time ago. I had all I needed. I had Jesus.

What I am seeking is not just found in knowledge. It’s found in His Presence. Bold faith is discovered in quiet trust. I’m not there in my journey, but I’m going in that direction. Each day is another beginning and another instruction for His Life to change me. If I let go of the One in whom I believe, I will drown in the evil the enemy plans for me. I refuse to play into his hands. May I never allow myself to let go of this precious gift His grace has given me.

God’s Word doesn’t lie. God was never the problem. The problem was I didn’t believe Him in my heart. God didn’t cause my illness. In the darkness, I finally heard Him. I had never grasped the true power of God’s grace until the hope I heard in the enemy’s camp moved me to believe Him in my heart.

Jesus desires to build quiet trust in you and in me so we can stand strong in our faith. Believe Him. Don’t doubt because you see no proof. Keep your eyes on His faithful promises and not what you lack. Trust Him in your valley. God is higher and above everything. Jesus has won, and the enemy has fled the camp.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it’” (Isaiah 30:15).

Lord Jesus, I choose all of it. I choose you.



www.lynnlacher.com/2025/08/breakthrough.com

Please God

But without faith it is impossible to please Him.
—Hebrews 11:6

Some Christians don’t believe it’s God’s will to heal them. They think their sickness is God’s way of testing them, or that they’re not good enough to be healed, or that God can’t decide if they should be. God is the Creator of all things good and not the author of evil. He doesn’t cause or use evil to achieve a divine work in you. He’s made all believers worthy of His healing, and He never changes. If we’re not sure if God will keep His promises, like healing or any other truth, then we can’t have faith. And without faith, we can’t please Him.

Faith needs to be based on the unwavering certainty of God’s true nature, His promises, and His will. If these truths are in question, faith becomes impossible, and therefore, pleasing Him becomes impossible. Calling “whatever will be will be” faith is dishonest. If that were the true definition of faith, our best advice would be to just accept life’s events and let them happen.

But that isn’t the true definition of faith! “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). 

Faith begins with hope, especially the kind of hope grounded in God’s promises. Is it wrong to assume God desires to fulfill His promises? Is it wrong to have hope? Apparently not, because without faith to receive what is hoped for, it is impossible to please God. Doubters face a serious issue. Can they truly please God with their unbelief in His true nature and promises? The answer is a resounding no.

If healing is only God’s will sometimes, why did Jesus always heal? Didn’t He come to fulfill God’s will? 

Why did Jesus command twelve disciples to heal the sick, seventy more to heal the sick, and then the church to heal the sick? 

After Jesus was resurrected, why did all who came to the first church in Jerusalem get healed? Why did Jesus bless the church with gifts of healing? Why did healing happen throughout the book of Acts? 

Why did James ask the church if there were any sick among them, and then explain how to get healed (James 5:14-16)? Because these people had faith. They pleased God.

Never let another believer’s doubting words tempt you not to seek God’s Word. Never listen to the enemy who will use the words and experience of anyone he can to keep you from God's promise. Never allow their unbelief to put down roots in your heart.  

God’s Word was sent to heal you (Psalm 107:20).  It’s alive and active, just waiting on your response. When you seek and find His Word for you, seize it, put it down deep in your heart, and hold on to it with everything you have. Reach beyond everything that comes to steal and kill the promise Jesus died to manifest in you. God rewards those who believe and diligently seek Him. Believe His Word, and please Him.

The Gift of Choice

Predestination is the belief that all events have been willed or determined beforehand by God—that He has already decided who will be saved and who will be condemned. With this belief, individuals have no control over their fate. This fatalistic view asserts that all events are inevitable and predetermined by a sovereign God. 

I believe that this doctrine creates a tension between an all-knowing God who controls the world and man’s free will to make choices. You have the freedom to make your own choice. I have considered the following Scriptural references in making my choice.

If God has already predetermined the fate of man’s soul, leaving no room for man to choose, why does He commission the church to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations? Since each man’s eternal destiny is already sealed, isn’t it a futile endeavor? If our fate is predetermined, why would Paul assert, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher” (Romans 10:14)?

If man’s fate is predetermined, he lacks the freedom to obey or disobey God. Therefore, why does God command us to make choices? “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). 

Why does God strongly urge us to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)?  If there is no such thing as personal choice, and if the devil only does God’s will, then resisting the devil would be resisting God. 

If sickness and suffering are God’s preordained will, why did Jesus instruct the church to go throughout the world and lay hands on the sick to heal them (Mark 16:18)? 

If sickness is preordained, why does James inquire about those who are sick and then offer instruction on how to receive healing (James 5:14-16)?

What’s the purpose of prayer if everything is predetermined and there’s nothing we can do to alter the course of events? If God has predetermined everything, why does James emphasize the significance of fervent prayer, stating that it can have a profound impact on our lives? What benefit does fervent prayer even offer us?

Why did Jesus rebuke those with little faith (Matthew 8:26) and commend those with great faith (Matthew 8:10)? If what happens in our lives is predetermined by God, there is no need for faith.

Is there any point in asking and seeking God if our prayers have no effect? If my life’s circumstances are already set in stone, why bother trying to improve my situation through prayer?

Why do those who believe that a hardened heart is predetermined by God neglect the teaching of Scripture that says, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13)? This was written to believers and shows that hardness of heart is not ordained by God but rather the result of the deceitfulness of sin.

If God has predetermined everything according to His will, why is it impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6)?  If God has chosen who will and won’t have faith, wouldn’t He be pleased if we don’t have it?

Why would a predestined believer need to “labor to enter into that rest” if he has no choice nor will in the matter? If God had chosen him to believe for all eternity, why would He be warned in Hebrews 4:11 not to fall into unbelief? “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

If God predestines everything, what difference does it make if we ask according to His will? “And this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us” (1 John5:14).

Why must the just live by faith (Hebrews 10:38) if their salvation is preordained? What does it matter how they live if there is no chance to change their destiny?

Why does Jesus exhort the man He healed to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14)?  If you believe in predestination, hasn’t God already predetermined all the good or bad that will ever happen to that man in spite of his lifestyle? 

If nothing can come against the will of God, then why could Jesus not perform any miraculous works in His own town because of unbelief (Mark 6:1-5)? 

If salvation is preordained and assured, then why was Paul concerned for his own salvation? “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Why are life and death in the power of the tongue and not the result of the “sovereign will of God?” (Proverbs 18:21) “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9).

Why must we run with patience the race that is set before us if the outcome of that race is already predetermined by God? Why does it matter how we run the race (Hebrews 12:1)? If God is control of everything, He is in control of my choices. Why even try?

What is your view of God? Of His sovereignty? You may not consider yourself as one who believes in predestination, but I ask you to look at how you view the sovereignty of God. God hasn’t predetermined your fate. He hasn’t predetermined what is going to happen and your outcome. He doesn’t control the decisions you make. It matters what you choose. It matters if you pray. It matters how you run your race. It matters if you live by faith and if your faith pleases God.

Unbelief hinders God's ability to work in your life. Don’t believe in a fatalistic God. It makes you passive. God has never been passive about you. He proved Himself to you in sending His Son to save you. For His grace to work in your life, your response is needed. And faith is the required response (Ephesians 2:8). There would be no reason to respond to a God who is in control of every aspect of your life. A person who is obedient to the faith is a person who knows God has given them the gift of choice.



 

The Fellowship of Faith

Many Christians have a common understanding of faith. They believe that if we understand faith, recognize its potential, and align ourselves with God’s will, we are inherently in faith. However, life has demonstrated that our faith doesn’t always manifest the Truth of God’s Word as anticipated. This can leave some believers confused or some even bitter, questioning, “I know I have faith. Why doesn’t it work?”

Questioning why faith doesn’t work suggests an underlying issue: faith is not a stand-alone principle or belief system that can be called upon at will. For believers, faith is the manifestation of their relationship with the Father, not a principle or belief system lacking fellowship with Him.

“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23-24)

Looking at these verses, we see that our faith must be in God, not in principles, rules, or even our renewed minds. Paul said, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12). Faith is a realization of trust, confidence, and assurance in God. We can only know God confidently with the deepest trust and assurance when we are in fellowship with Him. Mark goes on to say that in the realm of faith, we cannot doubt, but believe from the heart. This is where we often miss it. We are trying to believe with our minds or with our emotions, but maybe we aren’t believing from the heart.

“For with the heart one believes…” (Romans 10:10). Faith is of the heart, not the head. It is spiritual, not mental. It is called the “spirit of faith” in 2 Corinthians 4:13, and the spirit of faith speaks from the heart with no doubt.

We often speak to our needs and circumstances, but are we doubting? If something is not happening, is it God’s fault, or is it our lack of faith? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Perhaps, we are trying to bring to Life something apart from “hearing Him.” Jesus could only do what He saw and heard from the Father. We can never improve on that which we witness and hear in fellowship with the Father.

Never give up on your promise. Abraham didn’t waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith (Romans 4:20). If your promise is only in your mind and not sown and conceived in your heart, that promise will receive the brunt of your doubt. Faith speaks from the heart, not from the mind. The manifestation of your promise is never something that happens by just believing it with your mind, will and emotions. It is born of faith and receives Life in fellowship with the Father.

Yes, never give up on your promise, but being consumed with receiving it will keep you obsessed on your promise instead of your relationship with the Lord. Your promise is not something to be gained; it is something that is inherent in your relationship with Him and manifests in fellowship with Him. The Father has never left or forsaken you. If you seek Him, you will find Him (Matthew 7:8). 




 

When Truth Becomes Life

I’ve heard good Christian teachers and read good Christian authors who have presented truths that seemed more like formulas to guide me from one point to another instead of something that quickened my heart. While the lessons themselves were valid, there was an underlying emptiness.

One day, I approached John 14:6 with a fresh perspective. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can reach the Father except through me.” 

Perhaps, many of us have grasped that Jesus is the Way and the Truth, yet are missing the spirit of the Life? Can we separate Truth from Life and still have Life? As a teacher and writer for years, I admit that I have been guilty of this mistake. Truth is powerful, and it sets people free (John 8:31-32), but truth (in this context, good teaching) cannot stand alone apart from Life.

Life is fellowship with God. Adam and Eve were created to walk and converse with God in the Garden of Eden. Truth, in my view, emanates from fellowship with Him. We often speak of “relationship” with God, but we rarely discuss “fellowship.” Relationship is inherited, while fellowship is a choice.

Truth that is disconnected from Life can be reduced to a formula. However, Truth that emanates from fellowship with the Father becomes Life. John comprehended this and expressed it as follows: “We declare to you what we have seen and heard, so that you may also have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

John’s intention in writing this letter was to invite others into the same fellowship with the Father and the Son that he had. Everything a person needs is derived from his relationship and fellowship with the Father and Son. Those who seek only what God can produce in their lives and not God Himself will always struggle to receive. Those who cherish a genuine fellowship with the Father and Son will naturally receive everything they require as a consequence of that profound relationship. That which we witness and hear in fellowship with the Father is Truth and Life.

You cannot separate Truth from Life and still have Life. Until we choose true fellowship with the Father, we will be left with mere formulas and frustration. I have personally experienced this, and you probably have as well. I strongly encourage you to seek fellowship with the Father. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth of His Word to you. It will never be a formula; it will be Life.

A Root of Bitterness

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.


— Hebrews 12:15

When a person becomes offended and doesn’t deal with the cause of his bitterness, that bitterness can persist within him for a long time, eventually putting down deep roots in his soul. Essentially, this is the message of Hebrews 12:15, which emphasizes the importance of vigilance to prevent deep-seated bitterness. Bitterness in our lives doesn’t just hurt or poison us, but also other people. Hebrews 12:15 shows that we should diligently walk in a way that influences others in a positive manner.

The word “root” is the Greek word “ridzo.” It refers to a root that has gone down deep and is now deeply embedded. Therefore, the word “ridzo” often denotes something that is firmly established or fixed.

Has someone hurt you? If you fail to turn away from bitterness and eliminate it from your life, it will become deeply ingrained in you. Your negative opinion of the person who has offended you will become firmly established. As time passes, your judgmental thoughts about that person will grow, and in your mind, they will be thoroughly justified. This root of bitterness will become so deeply ingrained within you that your angry thoughts about the person who has offended you will actually start to make sense to you. 

When a root of bitterness becomes deeply ingrained in your mind, it transforms into a intimidating stronghold. This stronghold dominates your thoughts and feelings, providing you with numerous, and what you perceive as logical, reasons not to have any contact with that person.

The word “bitterness” was translated from the Greek word “pikria,”and it means “acridity (especially poison), literally or figuratively” (Strong’s Concordance). The Houghton Mifflin American Heritage Dictionary defines “bitter” as “exhibiting or proceeding from strong animosity; having or marked by resentfulness or disappointment.” 

Bitterness is like an acid that poisons your soul. It not only harms you but those around you. When it manifests, it often leads to mocking, insulting, cynical, and wounding behavior. Instead of seeking positive aspects in the person who caused the offense, bitterness focuses on negative remarks to influence others’ perceptions of that person.

If you find yourself always criticizing someone who has hurt or upset you, it might be a warning of a deepening root of bitterness. If this lesson convicts you, it’s imperative to confront and address this root of bitterness through repentance and forgiveness. You cannot just cut it off at the surface level and hope it doesn’t grow back; you must uproot its whole root system, intentionally turning away from your negativity and forgiving the offense and the offender. In doing this, you can find freedom from that root’s devastating control. However, if you fail to repent, allowing forgiveness to flow, bitterness will become so deeply embedded in you that it will eventually consume you with the evil it manifests in your life.

If the Holy Spirit is right now addressing a negative attitude you have toward someone, pay attention to Him. Spend quality time with the Lord. As you draw closer to Him, you will find yourself overwhelmed with the need to turn away from that bitter attitude. You will surrender that root of bitterness to Him, allowing Him to remove it. God desires to liberate you from this root of bitterness, but you must first invite Him to liberate you.

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Lord Jesus, I ask you to reveal any unforgiveness or resentment that resides in me, just waiting to wear me out and tear me into shreds. I refuse to allow any root of bitterness to grow deep into my heart. The moment I see bitterness trying to put down roots in me, I will dig it up and turn away from its evil influence in my life. I am tired of walking around with this offensive monkey on my back. He is heavy, draining, and has stolen sweet life from me. With your help, Lord Jesus, I will destroy this offense that has claimed my heart, I will rip up any growing root, and walking in forgiveness, I will stay free. Thank you, Jesus. I choose freedom. I choose you.

 

Humility Comes Before Honor

 

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
—Matthew 18:1-5

In Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about the greatest in the kingdom of heaven by using the example of humbling oneself as a child.

It’s intriguing that Jesus chose a young child to exemplify humility. While it’s true that children possess a purity and humility that adults don’t normally have, they certainly aren’t selfless. Children enter this world entirely self-centered, demanding what they want when they want it. Parents must teach their children to put aside self-centeredness.

Humility is a quality that comes from relying on God rather than ourselves. It has always been a key to success. Jesus’ teachings on humility weren’t new; what made them incredible was how Jesus lived out this virtue in a way no one ever had.

Humility denies self. Self-denial is exactly the opposite of the world’s way of exalting one’s self at everyone else’s expense. Self-denial wouldn’t work if there was no God; success would only come through human effort, and anyone humble would be trampled underfoot. But humility does work. God exalts those who truly humble themselves and surrender to His will in their lives ( 1 Peter 5:6).

Philippians 4:6 in the New King James Version instructs us to let our gentleness be evident to all. Gentleness is a voluntary choice; we actively choose to be humble. However, if we are compelled to be humble, it becomes a form of self-humiliation rather than true humility. Philippians 4:6 emphasizes that gentleness should permeate our lives, making it evident to everyone. When we truly humble ourselves before God and become totally dependent on Him, gentleness becomes a dominant trait in our demeanor and actions. 

True humility is a step of faith—a step of faith that God is the judge and promotion and honor come from Him (Psalm 75:6-7). It is a step of faith that God will resist the proud but give grace unto the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Humility is trusting in God and not in ourselves. This is precisely why it’s easy to be humble when we’ve failed, but hard to be humble when we’ve achieved great success. Paul instructed Timothy not to put a novice into a position of leadership in the church because pride is self-sufficiency and self-exaltation, while humility is self-denial and dependence on God.

“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

Pride can bring us low, but humility helps us stay honorable. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride will ultimately destroy us, but humility will honor us. Proverbs 15:33, 18:12, and 22:4 all declare that humility is a source of honor.

Whoever humbles himself is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. God's kingdom is built upon this principle of humility coming before honor. God's kind of love is selfless as can be seen in Jesus’ own demeanor and actions, and ultimately in the way He humbled himself so we might know the love of the Father.  Pride is the only reason that strife comes (Proverbs 13:10); so remember, humility is the absolute key to walking in love with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Humility always comes before honor.