Whether, we believe in God; or not, “Is God so unseen, that He is ‘Unbelievable’?” I would like to paint a fresh picture of a living God! A Father, who lives in Heaven and watches over our every need! A Father whom loves us; and whom is able to deliver us; If thou will believe! I pray this message is an encouragement to grow deeper in your faith that trusts God enough to experience His wonderful favor and love He has for us. Yes! This message is for you! And yes, there is hope in all things through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord! You are not alone; and God has not forsaken you! Let us begin with prayer, “Lord Jesus, I pray for the Holy Spirit to deliver this message that speaks right to the heart of those who read and reach them in such a way that is at the heart of their every need.”
Holy Spirit you are welcome here!
On the Topic of Scriptural Obedience, let us reference the temptations that Jesus faced and how He overcome. Please open your Bible to Luke 4:4 & Matthew 4:1-11.
Matthew 4:1-11King James Version (KJV)
4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Jesus chose to say, “It is written,” when tempted.
Jesus was God made in the flesh! 100% God & 100% Human! Jesus was born in human flesh of a virgin (so Jesus did not enter the world with a sinful nature the same as us). However, Jesus experienced the harshness of life in this broken world, as we do. Jesus had human needs! Jesus come, because God had a plan, and because God understands our needs, and because God Created to love; and made us as we are; and loves us still today!
Jesus was God in the flesh, yet Jesus did not sin in the flesh; nor in the spirit. The perfection of Jesus is our example of how to follow the Holy Spirit of God to live well blessed; and how to overcome all things that come against us. There is a tempter in the world who knows our weakness and need, but remember that God knew first. God has supplied our every need. Don’t be willing to sacrifice your blessing, for the pacifier the devil is willing to give.
Jesus chose to say “It Is Written.”
Jesus chose to pray.
Jesus chose to be obedient to scriptural references.
Jesus chose to wait on God’s timing.
Jesus chose to walk in the spirit; stay in step with the spirit; and rely on the Holy Spirit of God Before he chose by human needs and emotions alone.
Jesus knew God and was OF God; And Jesus knew his mission that pleased God. Jesus knew God’s love for us & Jesus shared in that love, because Jesus was SO connected as part of God; and God lived in Jesus.
Jesus come to teach us; to pray for us; to be an example for us; and to die for us; And, Jesus come to BE risen from the dead for us, so that we too can live in him for all eternity with God.
In Christ, we need to remember that Jesus has made us to be a Citizen of Heaven; even “on Earth as it is Heaven” at this time, as we are here for a purpose & for “as long as God calls it today”.
The same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus, lives in us when we invite God to live in our heart, by believing in the testimony God gives our very heart to know and believe. This is the conviction! Are you convinced in the reality of God? Are you convinced that Jesus has made old things pass away and new things come?
It is healthy to do a heart check. It is healthy to do a self-examination of our spiritual heart that 1st believes. Would you agree that our spiritual heart 1st believes and then our human mind is transformed?
Are we trusting God like Jesus did? Are we relying on the Holy Spirit as Jesus did? Are we trusting in God’s plan for us, so much as Jesus did, that we are not willing to waver in our spiritual obedience to God? Are we trusting in the power of God’s written word so much, like Jesus did, that we won’t accept a temporary pacifier, for our basic human needs; nor cave to an “easy fix” for difficult and challenging situations that God knows we desperately need provided for?
How much do we believe?
Have you experienced God as your Father yet?
If so, we still have to remember who we are to God!!!
Notice the temptations that Jesus faced began with “If Thou Are the Son of God.” How about your doubts when thoughts come to you … that God might miss meeting a need you have; or that God will be on time? Have you looked at your watch and reminded God what time it is yet? I have, and God met me need right on time! Do you notice that your human-minded doubts, in some way or another, really at the root of doubts, begin with questioning a Father’s love and devotion to you personally?
When we know God is the source; and the true and living source of everything we need here and now and forevermore, we still will face temptations as Jesus did and as Sarah and Abraham did. Yet, we can learn from History how to trust in God’s devotion as our Source for everything God already knows we need.
Our faith, whom trusts in God, Asks, Seeks, and Knocks and knows that God will meet our needs in perfect time; and we will see in time that God is working behind the scenes to demonstrate His All-Mighty being! God is amazing! And, God too, let’s us know Him in ways we can believe!
God loves us so much!!! A FATHER’S LOVE!!! God is the source of everything we need for all eternity. And, we are called to believe and trust in God’s Testimony to us.
Are we trusting God like Jesus did? Are we willing to wait? Do we really trust that God will meet our needs according to all his riches in glory and grace!?
Let’s explore our faith.
This is the end of Part 1
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1, KJV).”
Love in Christ,
Karen Rowe
Hope in Today Ministries