Taking In God's Word

 

Have you ever stayed in someone’s home and felt unwelcome? It is not a place you want to be. If you feel like a burden to someone obligated to host you, how do you think God feels when you treat His Word as something you must accept out of obligation? 

How have you received the Word of God in your life?  Have you given it the respect it deserves or overlooked it? Does God’s Word feel at home within you, or does it feel unwelcome? Have you embraced it with joy, clearly showing that you value having it reside in your heart?

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” Paul writes in Colossians 3:16.

The word of Christ should “dwell” in us richly. The Greek term “enoikeo,” translated as “dwell,” means “to dwell in and influence someone for good” (New Testament Greek Lexicon). This term is used in the New Testament and in other Greek literature to signify taking permanent residence. Paul implores us to invite and welcome God’s Word into our hearts until it feels so at home that it desires permanent residence within us.

Does the Word hold a significant place in your life? Does it feel at home and welcome in you? Or is the Word of God regarded as an occasional visitor, sometimes welcomed into your life as a guest? 

Paul says the Word is to dwell “richly” in us. The word “richly” translates from the Greek word “plousios” and means “richly abundantly” (New Testament Greek Lexicon).

Jesus is the Word who came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). Is the Word dwelling richly within you, influencing you for good, and producing abundant fruit in your life? Thirtyfold? Sixtyfold? Hundredfold? As its truth takes deeper root and grows in your heart, the Word produces more and more of its truth within you. There becomes less of you and more of it. Jesus dwells in you more richly and abundantly. He becomes your identity rather than a lack of knowledge that will destroy your life (Hosea 4:6).

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).

Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with it (Proverbs 8:11). Your spiritual life is built on God’s wisdom, and you are rooted in Christ through understanding. Knowledge of the Word fills your life abundantly with God’s precious and delightful blessings (Proverbs 24:3-4).

The Holy Spirit wants to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17). However, you must welcome the Word as a permanent resident in your heart. 

Are you ready to give the Word permanent residence in your heart? Be renewed by the Word and meditate on it until the Holy Spirit unveils Jesus in your heart. Then, the Word is powerful enough to produce what it promises. You have welcomed Him. The power of the Holy Spirit dwells richly in you. He is in you, and you are in Him. 

*******

Lord Jesus, I cannot thank You enough for Your Word. It transforms me into the new person I became when I was reborn in You. You are life in me. Your Word is life in me. I want You to dwell in me richly. Give me wisdom, Lord. I want to experience the truth and fulfillment of Your Word in my life. I want to see Your Word produce richly in my life. I am honored that You would place such an indescribable gift of grace in me. 

Help me appreciate Your Word, value it, and give it the honor it deserves. I want Your Word to know it is welcomed, honored, and deeply loved. Teach me, and live in me, Holy Spirit. I seek the Word dwelling in me more abundantly than ever before. 

When Your Word is alive in me, I know You shall do even more abundantly than I think or ask. I only want to witness the miracle of Your Word confirmed in me and through me in the lives of others—forgiveness, healing, deliverance, and a prosperous, abundant, and blessed life. Abide in me, and I will abide in You. I let you, Jesus. Use me. Work through me. You are the One I praise. 

In Your Name, I pray.

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You Are Christ in Me

 

 

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

—Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)

 

 

You have calmed my mind and heart throughout the night with blessed sleep. As consciousness returns, I hear your gentle whisper urging me to wake. Your Word rises from within my heart, encouraging and uplifting me. Yet, without warning, the concern I entrusted to you last night tries to claim my first waking moment, and a feeling of uncertainty descends. But you, my overcoming strength, are not just with me; you are within me. That concern holds no power as it attempts to come against you—not against me. 

 

How wonderful that your thoughts for me are as plentiful as grains of sand! You have miraculously triumphed over every challenge in my life! You are for me! You desire your best for me! You are my promise. My thoughts calm as I focus on your goodness and grace. Rather than the concern I entrusted to you last night, you remind me of your unwavering faithfulness throughout all my days and nights.

You lay hold of me, drowning any doubt.

 

“It is finished,” you speak in my heart. 

 

There is only you. No thought to tear my heart. No fear of what might come. No problem to fix. No purpose to fulfill. Nothing but you breathing in me. Nothing but you praying from within me. Your Words are my words. All is unspoiled and perfect in you. We are one—you in me and I in you. I ride your strong currents, and I am renewed like the eagle. Your peace owns my heart. I delight myself in you. You are all I have ever desired. You are Christ in me, my hope of glory.

 

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Focus on the Eternal

 

Throughout history, evil empires have advanced, wars and plagues have destroyed lives, and economic collapses have occurred. Humanity’s hunger for more is never satisfied. The enemy still steals, kills, and destroys. There is no lasting satisfaction to be found in men’s attempt to fill the void God created only to be filled by Him. 

 

No matter what happens in this world, never be preoccupied with what is merely temporary.

 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

 

Regardless of the world’s past hardships, they were all temporary. Those catastrophes have come and gone. Our present turmoil is also transient. While it may seem like we are in the end times due to our current experiences, it only seems that way because we are living in them. 

 

History demonstrates that far more devastating events have impacted the world than those observed today.  In World War I and World War II alone, eighty-five million to one hundred seven million people lost their lives. These figures include the deaths of military personnel from battles or wartime events, civilian fatalities resulting from conflict, and those caused by war-induced plagues, famines, and genocides (Wikipedia).

 

Slavery, massacres, the conquests of nations, and social injustices have endured since the creation of man. 

 

We are definitely closer to the coming of the Lord than ever before, but our temporary discomfort does not necessarily mean He must come now to deliver us. Christians and others have suffered tremendously for the last two thousand years. This is not new. 

 

Our country is being shaken by the forces of evil. At this moment, it may seem permanent, but in the context of history, it is only temporary. It is our “light affliction, which is but for a moment.” We must keep our eyes on the unseen if we are to traverse our times successfully.

 

During the oppression of the Roman occupation, Jesus ministered to Israel. His message was not aimed at Rome but focused on the Kingdom of God. We can preach about the Kingdom of God and the cross of Jesus in any circumstance. Our lives may not be as comfortable as we would like, but this is only temporary. The Kingdom of God and eternal life are everlasting. 

 

Are you more concerned about your destiny than that of others? Don’t worry about this life—what you will wear, eat, or drink. Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things (Matthew 6:31-32). Don’t focus on yourself. Focus on those who don’t know Him. We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone (Mark 16:15). If you are consumed by the news and what is happening around you, you cannot fulfill Christ’s commission. Fear will paralyze you. But you are an overcomer in Christ!  You have the message of the Gospel and the authority that Jesus has given you! 

 

Are you confident that the Holy Spirit is working through you?

 

“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 day will come…

 

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

 

You are the only Jesus that some people will ever encounter. Is your mandate from Jesus or from the world? Jesus is eternal, while this world is merely temporary. Focus on the eternal.

 

 

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Seeing

 

         Is one of the most significant moments of your day spent “seeing” God’s goodness in your life? If not, it should be. His goodness is His grace, and His grace changes your perspective from the temporary to the eternal.

 

         “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians  4:18).

 

         Paul stated that we are exploring things beyond our sight. If we can’t see these things, how can we examine them? Paul was not referring to sight with our physical eyes but to seeing through faith.

 

         We have both natural and spiritual eyes. Many individuals operate primarily in the natural realm, facing life’s challenges with doubt, anxiety, and a focus on possible difficulties or failures. Yet, as a born-again believer, you are not limited to this perspective. You have the Spirit of God, empowering you to perceive His blessings.

 

         “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

 

         In the previous verse, 1 Corinthians 2:11, Paul explained that the Holy Spirit is the only one who knows the deep things of God. In 1 Corinthians 2:12, he indicates that because we have received the Holy Spirit, we have free access to God’s wisdom (James 1:5). The Holy Spirit reveals what God has given us. He is a willing teacher who desires to provide us with a revelation of Jesus even more than we want it (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13). However, to receive this revelation, we must intentionally be still and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say (Psalms 46:10). 

 

         The Lord Jesus is our greatest example of seeing with spiritual eyes. He only ministered what He saw the Father do. 

 

         “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner’” (John 5:19).

 

         Can you “see” what the Holy Spirit is doing, just as Jesus saw what the Father was doing? “Blessed are your eyes,” Jesus says, “for they see what many men desired to see but could not see” (paraphrase of Matthew 13:16-17). The Father has given you this ability, but spiritual vision requires time, attention, and focus. Many Christians are so preoccupied with navigating the natural world using their innate skills that they fail to seek the spiritual revelations the Spirit wishes to instill in them. 

 

          What is God’s will for your health? Can you see it? What is His will for your marriage? Do you see it in your heart? What about the direction of your life, your relationship with your children, your job, and finances? Can you perceive His vision? Instead of concentrating on what you frustratingly don’t have, why not choose to recognize the blessings and provisions of God in your heart?

 

         Paul expressed it this way: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

 

         Are you “seeing” with spiritual eyes the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report? You will receive no more in your life than you perceive in the spiritual. Reflecting on praiseworthy things helps you recognize God blesses your life and enables you to share those blessings with others. Each day, contemplate God’s goodness and the blessings He has sown in you. 

 

         “And of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).

 

         When you “see” the blessings of God’s grace, you have no doubt. You ask in faith, and He freely gives (James 1:5-6). Nurture His blessings in your heart, and they will blossom and reproduce in your life.

 

It is as if the dew of Hermon

were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

even life forevermore.

—Psalm 133:3 (NIV)

 

 

The Seed is Jesus

 

When we receive a revelation of the "seed principle" in redemption, everything else about the Kingdom becomes easier to grasp. 

 

"And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit" (John 12:23-24).

 

Jesus describes Himself as a seed that must be sown for the fruit of the Kingdom to emerge. You and I are part of that harvest. We experience new birth through the principle of sowing and reaping. 

 

God, the Giver of Life, sowed His Son so that He could reap you!

 

"The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38).

 

Jesus identified the children of the Kingdom and those of the wicked one as the outcomes of the seeds sown. The "good seed" represents the children of the Kingdom. We have been reborn by the incorruptible seed of God's Word. You and I embody these seeds—filled with God's life and able to share it with others! In contrast, the children of the wicked one choose to accept the deceptive "word seeds" from the "father of lies." What we believe are the seeds that ultimately shape our eternal destinies.  

 

Once we understand how the Kingdom operates, aligning with God's way of doing things becomes easier. Every thought, word, and action is a seed, and each seed reproduces according to its nature. What we cultivate in our lives—what we think, envision, and believe—manifests in our reality. 

 

If we continue to sow the enemy's lies in our minds, those falsehoods will consume our thoughts and dictate our actions. The corruptible seeds of the enemy will reproduce according to their nature: immorality, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, and other sins like these (Galatians 5:20-21). The "word seeds"—the lies of the enemy that we continue to sow in our lives define who we are. Our beliefs will align with the enemy's, and he will shape our futures.

 

However, when we sow the incorruptible seed of God's Word into our lives and meditate on it, it reproduces within us. The Holy Spirit yields this fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Nothing opposes those in whom the fruit of the Spirit is manifesting (Galatians 5:22-23). What is born of God belongs to Him. What comes from incorruptible seed is of God, and God is everlasting. When you sow His Word into your life, your beliefs will align with His. His eternal Word is your vision, and He will shape your future. 

 

What is your vision? It is born of what you are sowing into your life. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives and not allow negative seeds sown by the enemy to invade our minds and hearts.

 

Whatever you sow, you will bountifully reap. When you plant incorruptible seeds of forgiveness, you forgive because Jesus has sown forgiveness in you. When you plant incorruptible seeds of healing, you receive His healing because Jesus has sown healing in you. Jesus is the seed that reproduces in and through you again and again. Keep sowing the seed of His incorruptible Word into your mind and heart. Meditate on it. Protect it from the enemy who is determined to steal it from you. Nourish that seed, and it shall reproduce in you.

 

You can never survive on someone else's Jesus. You must sow God's incorruptible seed in the fertile soil of your heart. When you witness the fruitful results in another's life, you yearn for what they possess. However, you can never thrive on someone else's seed. You will never fully embrace the Word and its abundant fruit until you sow the Holy Spirit's unveiled truth of Jesus in your life. 

 

In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. His Word is LIFE. His Word is not a mystery. God spoke the world into existence and continues to speak through His Word. Meditate on His Word until it resonates within you, and you hear it in your heart.

 

For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

—Proverbs 4:22

 

 

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The Position of Unwavering Faith

 

    But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

— James 1:6-7

 

    During tough times, the devil works overtime, trying to snatch the Word from your heart and undermine your faith. However, in these critical moments when the enemy assaults your faith, you must realize you are at a crossroads. You face an important decision. You can either yield to the enemy's tactics or declare with conviction, "I will not be shaken in my faith! The Word of God is true, and I will not waver in believing it!"

    Don't feel guilty if you have struggled to maintain faith during the enemy's attacks and failed. We all have. Now is the time to strengthen your faith and persevere. To steer through a challenging situation or a relentless trial that burdens you, you must stand firm and remain resilient in your faith.

    It may take time for you to receive the answer to your prayer. While your request may align with God's will, responses don't always come quickly or easily. You are facing an adversary who seeks to keep you from realizing God's purpose. Additionally, you must confront your own flesh, which prefers the path of least resistance and avoids challenges. God desires you to grow stronger in faith as you await His answer to your prayer. 

    Genuine biblical faith is unwavering. In James 1:6, James outlines the resolute attitude a believer must uphold when seeking something from God. He states, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

    James informs us that we must "ask." The term "ask" comes from the Greek word "aiteo," which means to be firm and determined when seeking help. The person praying is so assured that his request aligns with God's Word that he asks confidently, expecting to receive what he seeks. This individual prays with boldness and authority, speaking the truth of God's Word into his life. 

    James also emphasizes the importance of asking "in faith." The Greek text focuses on the preposition "in," suggesting a sense of being firmly anchored or resolute. This implies a person who approaches prayer from a position of stability, remains steadfast in his belief and clearly expresses his desires. Faith holds him firm, and he does not waver. When you are "in faith," you are deeply rooted in your beliefs.

    James 1:6 emphasizes that we must ask in faith and not "doubt." The Greek word for "doubt" is "diakrinomai," which means to be in conflict with oneself. You can say all the right words of faith and still doubt God. The words you speak then become mere empty phrases. You are not asking in faith until your heart and words agree. 

    James notes that if we fail to ask with faith, we resemble a wave of the sea, at the mercy of the wind and constantly fluctuating. An individual who wavers in faith might seem strong, but their prayers and desires are continually in flux. They do not stand firm in a place of unwavering faith where God can bestow His blessings. 

    In verse 7, James states, "Let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord." God desires to bless us; however, He cannot provide blessings if we do not remain in a place of faith long enough to receive answers to our prayers. Our faith weakens as we fluctuate with different requests regarding the same issue. As circumstances bear down on us, doubt can seep into our hearts, causing us to waver even more.

    Have you truly committed yourself to believing in a specific need? Do you waver in doubt or change your mind regarding what you've asked God for? It becomes difficult for God to bless you if you are consistently shifting and uncertain in your faith. Sometimes, specific prayers can take years to receive. That is why it's essential to focus on the Word and commit yourself to aligning with it. When you stand firm and declare, "This is what God has promised me! I will not be shaken! I will stand on it!" you position yourself as a person God can bless. 

    What do you desire that is rooted in God's Word? Offer a prayer of faith and commitment to not wavering until you see that answer fulfilled. Repent for the times you sincerely voiced faith but then faltered due to something you saw or felt. A double-minded person will not receive anything from the Lord. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Regardless of how long the wait or how challenging the journey may be, remain unwavering in your faith until you see your promise manifested in your life.

    Don't you ever give up! 

 

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The Image You Allow

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

—James 1:23-24

 

Looking into the Word of God is like gazing into a spiritual mirror. Just as a physical mirror helps you understand your appearance, you cannot see your face directly. No one can view their own face through their own eyes. Instead, you perceive a reflection of your face, meaning you can never gaze upon it directly. You observe the reflection in the mirror and respond accordingly to what you see.

Similarly, you can’t see your spiritual self, but you can look into the mirror of God’s Word to understand who you are in Christ. God’s Word is spiritual and reveals your spiritual identity (John 6:63). You need to be just as confident in your spiritual image as you are in your physical appearance. After all, you cannot see either directly; instead, you look at something else and accept what you see by faith.

Can you examine your reflection in the mirror of God’s Word and hold the same confidence in your spiritual image as your physical appearance?

Your physical image exposes flaws and problems in your body, showcasing the effects of challenges and illness and leading you to believe that improvement or healing is unattainable. However, as shown in the mirror of His Word, your spiritual image affirms that nothing is impossible with God, that you are an overcomer in Christ, that God sent His Word to heal you, and that by His wounds, you are healed. Unless you align with God’s view of yourself, the physical image you have of yourself will shape your existence. Faith won’t be triggered, and you will not take actions that reflect and complete your faith.

A man who doesn’t act on what he has heard in God’s Word (James 1:22) is like someone who looks in the mirror but takes no action. The Word has sparked faith in his heart, yet he continues on his way and forgets what he has seen. Similarly, you must keep in view the image that God’s Word presents of your spiritual self and act accordingly.

 

Has God stirred faith in your heart? How do you respond? Don’t compromise it by doubt or by justifying what your physical eyes can’t see. Don’t give up. He is the Word. He is the Truth. Don’t let go of Him. The words you speak about yourself bring forth either evil or good fruit in your life (Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 12:35). Truth is truth whether you are physically experiencing it or not. Speak His truth. Speak His life.

The image you allow to define your life will be your outcome. 

As a man thinks in his heart, he is (Proverbs 23:7).

 

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The Presence of God’s Goodness

 

Moses asked God to reveal His glory. The Lord responded that He would show him His goodness (Exodus 33:18-19). How often do we consider that God’s glory is His goodness?

 

“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth’” (Exodus 34:6).

 

If God didn't exist, goodness would be nonexistent. God is the origin of all that is good. Despite living in a flawed world, we still enjoy air to breathe, food to nourish us, and the love of others. God’s presence and goodness make all these blessings possible.  

 

Religion sometimes portrays a vengeful, demanding God who will only love and bless you if you earn it by fulfilling His conditions. However, the reality is quite different. In His goodness, God desires to have a relationship with you. He has chosen to rescue humanity and grace us with His presence, goodness, and light to dispel the world’s darkness. 

 

Did you know that every good thing that happens on earth, regardless of whom it happens to, shares the same Source? God is extending mercy to everyone, whether they deserve it or not.  

 

“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).

 

Though the world is shrouded in darkness due to Adam’s sin, life exists solely because of God’s presence and goodness. Without Him, humanity would lack a path to hope and redemption. We would not know love, extend forgiveness, feel joy, or possess faith. God's goodness is available to everyone. 

 

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).

 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). 

 

When we recognize the goodness of God, our hearts can be transformed. 

 

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin” (Romans 2:4 NLT)?

 

God’s goodness leads to true repentance, while fear brings torment (1 John 4:18). Those who receive Jesus Christ out of fear of punishment or retribution struggle to trust Him, experiencing feelings of condemnation and questioning whether they have done enough to please Him. Individuals driven by fear only seek God during hard times. They pray when there is a crisis. While fear might bring some to God, it remains inferior to love.

 

God’s perfect love casts out fear and draws us to Him (1 John 4:18). Those drawn to God by His goodness recognize Him as the Source of everything good in their lives and will serve Him through good and challenging times. The world, and often religion, uses negative incentives to inspire us, while the Gospel emphasizes God’s immense love as the positive force that leads us to Him. It is essential that we renew our minds with God’s goodness.

 

You experience the presence of God when you receive a revelation of His goodness in your heart. His goodness is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). He transforms you. You see God as He is. He is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.

 

His goodness is no longer a mystery. Can you say from the depths of your heart, “Amen, so be it?”

 

 

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God Increases

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

—1 Corinthians 3:6 

 

The Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth and served as its first pastor until Apollos, a respected and educated man from Alexandria, Egypt, was appointed as his successor. Shortly after Paul's departure, Apollos became the senior pastor of the Corinthian church. Apollos was renowned for his eloquent preaching.

The Corinthian believers began to compare Apollos's preaching style with Paul's. Some long-standing members held Paul in high regard and struggled to appreciate the new pastor's approach. Others admired Apollos and claimed that his preaching exceeded Paul's. The Gospel they both preached was the same; the difference lay in how they delivered it.

Upon learning of the divisions in the Corinthian church regarding his and Apollos' differing ministry styles, Paul wrote to them, stating, "I have planted, Apollos watered…" (1 Corinthians 3:6). 

In this verse, the term "planted" comes from the Greek word "phuteuo," which denotes the act of planting. By using this term, Paul described his role in Corinth as a planter. His purpose was to pierce the city's darkness with the light of the Gospel. Corinth was undoubtedly among Paul's most significant challenges in ministry.

Like a garden left untended and overgrown with weeds, demonic forces overran Corinth. To sow the Gospel in the hearts of the people and establish the church in such a challenging, sinister place, Paul needed to demonstrate God's miraculous power, which opened the door to the Gospel. He worked tirelessly to uproot the weeds of the demonic influence of the worship of Greek gods and goddesses. Paul dedicated himself to this work for a year and a half. When he eventually departed from Corinth to pursue his mission in another city, the Corinthian church was planted, deeply rooted, and bearing fruit.

Paul was fully aware of where his responsibility as a planter ended and another equally important responsibility began. This understanding is why he continued in 1 Corinthians 3:6, saying, "I have planted, Apollos watered…." The word "watered" comes from the Greek term "potidzo." It can also be translated as "to irrigate" or "to absorb," which conveys the idea of being soaked with water in the context of this verse. 

Paul told the Corinthians: "Apollos soaked you with the Gospel!" He acknowledged what an incredible job Apollos did in the Corinthian church. Paul had pulled the weeds, kept out the vermin, planted the seed, and started the new growth of the young church. Apollos then nurtured it, watering it regularly with God's Word and contributing equally to its growth. The roles of both pastors were vital. Each played a significant part in the spiritual development of the church.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul clarified that he had planted and Apollos had watered, but God gave the increase in the church. This verse teaches us about our dependence on God for growth, regardless of our attentive planting and watering. While we can fulfill our responsibilities, it is solely God who provides the guidance, means, and power for growth. Without Him, all our efforts would be in vain. Therefore, as we serve to the best of our ability in whatever role He has assigned us, we must remember that we are not accountable for the growth and success of our work. It is God who gives the increase.

You should acknowledge and thank the people who have played a significant role in your life. But never make the mistake the Corinthians did—get so fixated on personalities that you forget that God is the One who really makes the seed grow!

As you fulfill your God-given role in someone else's life, do your best with what He has entrusted to you. Cultivate the soil, plant the seed, and provide the nourishment necessary for spiritual growth. God calls you to assist Him by doing your part. You are wholly dependent on Him for increase. 

*******

Lord Jesus, I am grateful for the people who have significantly influenced my spiritual growth. Many have supported, corrected, helped, and taught me throughout the years. Reflecting on the countless investments others have made in my life fills me with amazement and gratitude for Your love. Holy Spirit, please guide me in expressing my appreciation to those You have sent to nurture me. Most importantly, I thank You for providing what no one else could offer. While others have contributed greatly to my life, You are the true source of any growth and success I have experienced in the past and am experiencing now. Without Your presence, none of this would be possible today, so I want to sincerely thank You with all my heart for investing Yourself in me. Without You, I can do nothing. With You, all things are possible. Lord, help me to rely only on you. I want nothing in me that keeps me from all of you. Help me, Lord. Keep increasing in me.

www.lynnlacher.com/2025/03/god-increases.html

 

The Fruit of Genuine Faith: Part 2

 

 

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God."

—James 2:21-23

 

Faith without action—without a corresponding deed is dead. In James 2:21, James uses the example of Abraham to make his point about how important our actions are. He says Abraham was justified by his works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. In Romans 3:28, Paul says Abraham was justified by faith without the works of the Law. Romans 4:2 also speaks of Abraham not being justified by works. Which is it? 

 

The key to understanding this is recognizing that there are two different kinds of works: works of the Law (Romans 3:28) and works of faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11).

 

Works of the Law are actions made in an effort to earn favor from God. However, it's impossible to earn anything from Him. We must humble ourselves and believe in what Jesus did for us. Genuine biblical faith humbles us and transforms our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17), resulting in actions born of faith in Christ. These actions emerge from a transformed heart and do not change a heart. They emerge from our relationship with God rather than creating a relationship with Him.

 

Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted as righteousness (Romans 4:1-5 and Genesis 15:6). This took place decades before Abraham brought his son Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice him (Genesis 22:1-24). Romans 4:9-16 shows that Abraham believed God before receiving the commandment to circumcise Isaac (Genesis 17:9-11). Abraham had faith prior to these actions, but his faith became complete (perfect) when he obeyed God's command to take Isaac and sacrifice him. Therefore, while Abraham's faith saved him and made him righteous in God's sight according to Genesis 15:6, it did not reach perfection until he obeyed God in Genesis 22:10-13.

 

"You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works" (James 2:22) is a powerful truth. If we are struggling, acts of faith can bring about our promises. Please hear this. Acts alone (those born out of desperation, doubt, and fear) can never complete, perfect, or produce a promise. Actions without faith are ineffective and harmful. Equally, faith without action is dead, too (James 2:20). If faith is already present, acting correspondingly will unleash its power and eventually produce the miracle of God's promise.

 

However, some people believe that actions alone will yield miraculous results. Some have stopped their medications or acted in life-threatening ways, believing their actions would bring about their miracle. Faith is our victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). Our actions—our works—do not constitute our victory. When faith is absent from the heart, our actions are harmful. We cannot build our faith through what we do. Faith never comes through our works, but rather through hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

 

Faith must be acted upon to achieve the results God has promised us. However, it's not the action that creates the miracle; it's the faith. Acting out of desire or under the misconception that actions generate faith will cause a believer to miss God's promise. They would have attained the desired result if they had truly acted in faith.

 

We need to be honest and humble enough before God to discern whether our faith is a genuine biblical faith that requires action, or if we are merely hoping and still need to nurture our faith a little longer before we act.

 

Hope means "a desire accompanied by confident expectation" (American Heritage Dictionary), so desiring the things of God with an expectation of obtaining them is the first step in walking in faith. Hope comes through the Scriptures (Romans 15:4). Once this hope is present, faith begins to work. If there is a delay, patience completes the work (Romans 5:3-4). The character developed through trials only enhances the hope we have already received through God's Word. 

 

"You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

—James 2:24

 

Faith alone saves us, but faith is never alone. Faith without works has no life. True biblical faith requires action. Your faith overcomes. Are you in the hoping stage, nourishing your faith? Or are you ready to step out in faith, taking authority over the enemy who tries to steal, kill, destroy, and take your promise?

 

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12).

 

 

https://www.lynnlacher.com/2025/03/the-fruit-of-genuine-faith-part-2.html