Don't let circumstances have the last word!

                                        For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.(Heb 4:12)

                         Are you in a rut? Plagued by health problems? Prayers not getting through? You are not alone. Many Christians are on the verge of giving up. Some are even mad at God, blaming him for their circumstances. Friends, let get this straight, God is not holding you back. He wants you to prosper and be in health as your soul prospers. 
                          One thing that we need to see is that Faith operates by laws. (Rom 3:27) In the natural, Gravity is a law. What goes up must come down but when a greater law was discovered which was the laws that governed aviation, man could fly and be above gravity. Those laws of aviation was available even in the beginning of time but it was not discovered until the early 1900's. 
               The same applies to the spiritual in the realm of faith. God's word says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6) Knowledge is the key to open the door of faith. I am not talking about head knowledge. You can know all there is to know about the Bible and still be defeated in the arena of life. I am talking about heart knowledge. Revelation knowledge that will open your eyes to the truth of God's word and bring about answers to your problems. 
             The first rule of thumb in understanding how the laws of faith operates is to have the mind of Christ. Now the word Christ is not Jesus last name. The word Christ is anointing which means the power to lift burdens and to destroy yokes in your life. (Isa 10:27) When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have at your disposal the mind of Christ. You may ask--If I have the mind of Christ, why am I still going through these problems? 
          Simple. You have to allow it to flow and release its power. (Phil 2:5) There are certain things that we need to know about the laws of faith and releasing the mind of Christ to have results. One important factor in the laws of faith is to know that you have it. I hear Christians praying---Give me more faith. God has already given you faith and it's in his word....

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

           So, if you have a bible, you carry with you the seeds of faith. The seeds of freedom of sin and bondage, the seeds of healing for your body, the seeds of financial freedom and provision, etc. As you put those seeds into good ground which is your heart, it will grow and manifest itself into the desired results. 
           Your mind plays an important role in this battleground of faith. A classic example was Joshua. Moses, his mentor was dead and overnight, he was in charge of more than a million people to pastor in the wilderness. He had battles to fight, giants to defeat and lands to occupy. In this midst of this, he turned to God and prayed. As he did, God gave him an answer...

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.(Josh 1:8) 

           A couple of points to observe in the above verse is the book of the law. The book refers to the word. Second, the word meditate comes from the Hebrew which is murmur. God understood Joshua's situation. God knew that he needed help so he told him to look at his word by murmuring it. As you murmur God's promises, it is going to your heart and transforming your mind. It is giving you a mental picture of God's promises and what belongs to you. 
              One thing to consider, change does not happen overnight. When you plant a seed, it takes time to grow but as you, constantly, feed your mind and heart on God's word, it will bring forth a breakthrough. If you have been blessed by these teachings, contact me and let me know. More to come on this interesting subject. God bless. 

Confession--I have the mind of Christ. I have his thoughts, will and desires. I will not be moved by what I see but I will be moved on what I believe. His word is alive. His word is powerful and I am more than a conqueror. Circumstances and problems will have to bow before the word. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the victory---In Jesus name. Amen! 


Previous teachings---
1-http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/09/having-trouble-hearing-from-god.html
2-http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/09/when-you-have-jesus-you-have-it-all.html
3- http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/09/put-god-in-remembrance.html

Bible Verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com
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Pastor's notes---Feb 22, 2015

                          
                                   Your life is your garden 


"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Gen 2:17)

                    When you read the accounts of Gen, you find an interesting analogy-YOUR LIFE IS YOUR GARDEN! Life is full of decisions that we must make and the results can affect your family,life,etc. Some decisions are hard to make. Sometimes, our emotions can get in the way.
       The question to ask ourselves is this-Why would God not allow Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why would God, not, allow Adam to eat something good? We know that God was protecting Adam from evil! He had all the knowledge he needed and it was all good. He and Eve did not have to know evil!
          One thing to consider-This tree wasn't evil in itself. God was showing a principle thing-Tithing! He said to Adam, you can eat of all the trees, but this one belongs to me. God's intention was for Adam to sow the seeds that were inside the fruit of the tree, so that he can abound in provision. The same concept was with Joshua. After Joshua and the Jews crossed the Red sea, God put them to the test. In their first battle, God wanted the silver and the gold for himself. They were not to touch it, but you know what happened with Achan? Achan took of the forbidden items and paid a high price-He and his family were stoned!!
               God's intention was to bless his people. He wanted the first fruits from battle, that is why this was so serious before the eyes of God. It is amazing how people downplay giving especially when it comes to the tithe. The tithe is a lot more important than you think. It cost Adam to lose the presence of God and his paradise. It affected God's people in battle when Achan disobeyed God and took of the silver and gold. 
               When you disobey God in the tithes and offerings, it could affect your family and even cost loss of lives as in the case of Achan.  It can affect your generations for years to come. That is why Satan works overtime to deceive the people of God and cause them to lose their blessing. Concerning  the tree of good and evil, let's talk about the forbidden tree being good. There are reasonings in our mind on what is good. In fact, people who are not believers, do some good and help others in need. 
                For example, let's look at Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a good organization and has done some good works but their patients are trained to say---I am an alcoholic. They credit a higher being and go on from there. Yes, there has been some wonderful results but that is not enough. Jesus can break the chains of alcoholism and make you lose your craving for it forever.  When God delivers you, you are a new creation. 
                Doing good works is good but if it is being done from a carnal mindset and not centered in Jesus, it is in vain. That is "eating" from the tree of good and evil. My righteousness or yours is not enough to gain heaven. God's word says that our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isa 64:6) We need a righteousness above ours. Through Salvation in Christ and his finished work at Calvary, he gives us his righteousness in Christ Jesus-Praise God! 
                                Finally, lets talk about the tree of life! Did you know as a believer that you have access to the tree of life? You may ask-Where? In your tongue! (Prov 15:4) If you are bound and defeated, you can speak life to your situation! If you are in financial lack and are a tither/giver, you can speak life to your finances! If you are sick and in pain, you can speak healing to your body! Take advantage of your privileges in Christ. Start eating of the tree of life. Remember, your life is your garden!

Dear Lord, Thank you for speaking to me. I receive your word for today.Help me to be sensitive to your word and give as you direct me. Help me to die to human reasoning and not eat of the tree of good and evil. Today, I will eat of the tree of life. I declare the mind of Christ in my life. I say that he has become wisdom for me. I walk in victory because my tongue is a tree of life. In Jesus name--Amen! 

Scripture reading-Joshua 7