It is a heart matter!

"When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path." Matthew 13:19

God gave this verse to my son in his prayer time today and I am praising Him for such a powerful message.  Have you ever wondered how you can go to church "religiously" and yet not have any change in your life? It is because religion does not produce change.  In order to change, you must have a heart transplant. That is you must die to self and allow the Holy Spirit by faith to indwell in you. If you have done this, then you should see radical changes in all your ways.  God does that.  When we belong to Him, then He changes us in ways we couldn't have imagined.

If you feel like the Word of God is falling on dry ground, then it probably is.  Pray and ask the Lord to be your Savior. Ask Him to take over your life and use it for His purposes. Then watch the Word of God take root and come alive in you! Praise be to God for His Holy Powerful Living Breathing Word! May it fully take root in our hearts and speak to us today!

Faith Comes By Hearing

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  Romans 10:17

Ever feel like God is just having you sit on something for a while. I have been experiencing that feeling for a while now and it is this verse. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  Romans 10:17  It rolls around in my heart and mind daily these days. So I keep seeking what God is teaching.  I think it is simple. I need to be soaked in His Word every day as much as possible.  But why? Again, a simple answer. . .FAITH.  This verse clearly teaches that it is by the Word of God that our faith increases.  And, Beloved, faith is a powerful and wonderful thing.

Matthew 9:2
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Matthew 9:22
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew 9:29
Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 21:21
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

Mark 9:19
He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.”

Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 9:32
Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.

The Bible is loaded with verses about faith. God gives us many accounts of the difference someone's faith made and how God blesses the faithful.  During a recent Bible Study group, we talked about hindrances. The subject of fear came up on numerous occasions. So many of us walk daily in fear.  But fear comes from the enemy, never from God.  In Mark 4:40, it says "But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

I want to confess for myself and challenge you. We do not spend enough time in the Word of God. Therefore, we live by fear. Let's not allow fear any more control over our lives. It takes far too much from us (health, love, happiness, joy, opportunities to serve, etc).  Think about what fear has taken from you and then determine to do something about it.  Because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God! Will you accept the challenge?