Posted on Sep 28, 2020 in Devotional | Tags: Abraham, faith, Genesis 12, Genesis 20, God's goodness, God's purpose, misplaced faith
Misplaced Faith
In Genesis Chapter 12 and 20 we see the same theme play out. Abraham places his faith in worldly institutions over the divine God. Abraham convinced himself that it was safer to oblige the world with his own family, his own wife, rather than trust God to protect him.We see that nevertheless God does watch over and protect Abraham and Sarah, but not due to their actions but rather because of God’s grace. In both cases God spares the innocent (Pharaoh and Abimelech) and Abraham is rebuked.
There are times where we make compromises with the world and it’s institutions thinking that will keep us secure, but in reality this is an allusion. Security, comes from a continual faith in God to keep his promises. We see in the very next Chapter God blesses Abraham, first in Chapter 13 with a promise and then in chapter 21 with the fulfillment of that promise through a son.
This shows us God fulfills His covenants absent of obligation, that His grace is sufficient when our works are not. God may still take evil and use it for our good. Keep faith in God and by His works the promise will be fulfilled.
Reflection:
- Have you ever placed your faith in the wrong person or thing? What happened?
- Has God made you a promise, but you feel you have failed Him too many times? Consider the promise of God to Abraham. His promises are based on who He is and not who we are!
Written by: Bill Crawford
September 2020
Posted on Sep 7, 2020 in Devotional | Tags: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, athelete, athlete, devotion, faith, farmer, gospel, Jesus, plant, race, running, seed, soldier, water, witness, word
The Farmer Part 2
Planting the Seed
Once a man has had the soil of his heart tilled by the revelation of God’s truth, he ready for the seed of faith to be planted. Seeding (or Sowing) is a matter of having the courage to sow in the first place. Many Christians are content in their lives, and uncomfortable with the task of sowing. They may find a freshly ploughed field ready, for the introduction of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness, yet they will not reach into their bag of seed to plant.
I have found those who have an aversion to planting in others usually lack seed themselves! Christ called us to preach and make disciples. It was his final commandment! Yet when faced with this, many are content to shrug their shoulders and carry on. They are content with their mustard seed, why share?
Read more…
Posted on Sep 4, 2020 in Devotional | Tags: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Apostle Paul, devotion, faith, planting, preparation, reaping, salvation, sowing, watering
The Farmer Part 1
The Farmer is an icon of patience, hard work, and consistency. He, more than anyone, knows the value of the hard work it takes day in and day out to reap a bountiful harvest. Paul encourages Timothy to emulate the farmer in his approach to hard work. The farmer has certain steps to follow in order to better ensure a good harvest and as we look at each of them, we will understand their significance to the Christian life.
Preparing the Soil
Before we can discuss the work of planting, watering, and harvesting we must first look at the soil we are using. When a farmer seeks to plant a field, he must prepare the soil and make sure it is ready for the seed. Oftentimes, we rush straight to the watering, expecting a harvest and we have not even prepared the ground for planting. The soil must be tilled and ploughed to ready it to accept seed for a healthy harvest.
Read more…
Posted on Feb 28, 2018 in Devotional | Tags: armor of God, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, devotion, faith, helmet of salvation, peace, righteousness, salvation, shield of faith, shoes of peace, spirit, sword of the spirit, truth
Previously, we looked at the necessity of prayer for the equipping of believers in the body of Christ. Today we are going to look at the actual equipment the believer has available to them. In Ephesians 6:14-17, the Apostle Paul details the spiritual equipment issued to every person who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. This equipment is not optional. Its proper and consistent use is required for the believer and the church to walk in victory.
As believers, to have access to resources which can help us walk in spiritual victory and to not use them is foolishness. Unfortunately, many of us hang our spiritual armor in the closet and leave it there to collect dust. We then struggle daily in our spiritual lives and wonder what has gone wrong. Calling upon God for assistance, when what we need has been in front of us all along.
In this chapter, Paul lists six pieces of armor vital to the believer. Each of them is below and linked to a message specifically for it. I encourage you to take the time to listen and learn the importance they play in our spiritual lives.
- Belt of Truth (v.14)
- Breastplate of Righteousness (v.14)
- Feet Shod in Peace (v.15)
- Shield of Faith (v.16)
- Helmet of Salvation (v.17)
- Sword of the Spirit (v.17)
Posted on Jan 10, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, discerning of spirits, faith, healings, Holy Spirit, interpretation of tongues, manifestation gifts, miracles, prophecy, speaking in tongues, word of knowledge, word of wisdom
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
At Revive Outreach Church, we believe the Holy Spirit still operates through believers using the manifestation gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. We do not believe these gifts belong to any one person, but that the Holy Spirit chooses how and when to administer them. We take care to heed the Apostle Paul’s direction in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, where he provides clear instruction regarding the operation of these gifts within the church body. In fact, he states emphatically in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
