JC Blog

Why is it is that we have a hard time reading the instruction manual for things? The other day, I was trying to complete a task at work eventually I succumbed to frustration after my trial and error approach to solving the problem failed. I had struggled for a long time never finding the solution. Doing a trial and error approach, I zoomed in on every manner of possible fixes running circles around myself. Finally giving into frustration and failure, I decided to read the instruction manual. Three minutes later I had the solution.

Why is it that our last resort is to read the instructions? If I had started with the instructions I would have saved myself lots of work pouring over the problem. I came to the end of myself, the end of my knowledge and gave up any hope of solving the problem. This made me finally stop trying and start relying on the author of this process. Once that happened, I had success!

Life is like this. We spin and toil through life, wondering why we haven't made progress. Why we haven't solved the problems in our families, finances, marriages and lives, never admitting to ourselves that the real solution is in the Word of God. Peter said, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ( II Peter 1:3-4 ).

First, everything we need for life and godliness comes through the knowledge of God. How do we have knowledge of God? It comes through knowing and understanding His Word. Secondly, we have very great and precious promises in the Word; knowing what these are shows us how to participate in the divine nature, escaping the pitfalls and snares of this world. We do not have to struggle with the problems in our lives; the Word of God shows us how to overcome them.

David had the same observation and recorded this in the Psalm,

“Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:97-105).

David knew that the Law of the Lord, or His Word gave him insight, wisdom and protection. It became nourishment to his soul, illumination for his choices and a plumb line for his life’s decisions. David was called a man after God’s own heart. His success came from knowing and understanding God through His Word.

Today, I hope that you will take the first step into planting the seeds of life. Just meditate on your favorite verse asking the Lord to speak truth and understanding into your heart and I guarantee that this will illuminate your path today. He is faithful to His Word and watches it closely to see it come to pass ( Isaiah 55:11, Jeremiah 1:12 ).

“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” ( Hebrews 5:13-14 )

When a baby is born they are fed their mother's milk for the first six months of their lives. Then as they grow they are slowly introduced to solid food. First in the form of baby foods, pureed fruits and vegetables that are easy to swallow and digest. Then small amounts of prepared food, cut into little bits. Eventually they are given solid food, once their teeth have come in and they have learned to chew and swallow it. It is a natural process that one does not have to teach with much effort.

As children grow, they also begin to feed themselves. Every mother knows that at a certain point, the baby will not allow others to spoon feed it any longer. The child wants to use the utensil to bring the food into their own mouth. What begins as a messy process is also a necessary one. They learn coordination from working the spoon when they eat. They develop skills, early on, to feed themselves for the rest of their lives. This is the way it should be. After all, no one would want to spoon feed a forty year old baby, it would be quite embarrassing.

The same natural principle can be used for Christians. At first, they should be gathered and taught the first principles of God's Word. They should be encouraged and led into these amazing truths by those who are older in Christ. As this happens, their own skills should start to develop for reading and understanding the Word for themselves. They should ask questions seeking comprehension of what they are studying. All the while being trained through the power of the Holy Spirit to understand what has been written to them in the Scriptures. As they do this, the Lord speaks His powerful truths into their hearts illuminating their lives with this knowledge and truth.

This is a process which requires solid doctrine as its foundation. The footing must be set on the basic principles of God's Word to understand the other truths that are recorded for us. No one would give a child a steak; so in the same way a new believer must start out on the milk of the word and grow in the knowledge and truth of God.

Problems arise because we have a multitude of Christians who are not progressing in the natural process of growing up. The writer of Hebrews is chiding the people for their laziness in understanding the principle he is writing about. He told them that they ought to be teaching others by this time and yet they are still feeding on the milk of the word, needing someone to each them the very first principles over and over again ( Hebrews 5:12 ). He goes on to say that anyone in this condition is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. The Amplified Bible puts it this way, “For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!” ( Hebrews 5:13 Amp ). These are harsh words, but the truth in them rings clear, just as it is not acceptable for an adult to continue to nurse, a believer should not remain an infant in the knowledge of the Word.

The remedy to this problem is growing up! It takes time and it takes discipline to get in the Word regularly. But Jesus is the one who said, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" ( John 6:63 ). The written word is our handbook for this life, Peter said that everything pertaining to life and godliness is found there ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). The writer of Hebrews closes chapter 5 with these words, “But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law” ( Hebrews 5:14 Amp ). As we grow, the more skilled we are in the word, the more we will understand these truths when we hear or read them. We will not need anyone to first explain the foundation again, instead we will build upon it entering into the fullness of God with the complete understanding that belongs to the spiritually mature.

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” ( Hebrews 5:11-12 )

This is a word for the modern church today. We have congregations of people who neither know the truth of the Word or the power of God. They remain in infancy, hovering around the door of salvation without desire to walk into the fullness of God to which they have been called. Placing no importance on God's Word in their own lives, they starve on half truths and “feel good” sermons. They cannot accept the deep things of God because they haven't strived to understand even the foundation.

This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is chiding the reader about. The wonderful truth being explained of Jesus' priesthood being on the same order as Melchizedek’s is hard to comprehend, not because it is impossible but because we are unable to receive it. This is due to dullness in our spiritual understanding and being undisciplined in God's word. The Amplified Bible records it this way, “Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even slothful in achieving spiritual insight]. For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food” ( Hebrews 5:11-12 Amp ).

I believe this epidemic of infancy is twofold. First, since those who call themselves teachers do not have a full understanding of the scripture as a whole, they deliver the same message over and over packaged in different forms with a witty title. They spoon feed these elementary truths again and again without offering to lead their congregations deeper in their understanding of God. Secondly, because of this, people have no desire to find out for themselves what God's Word says. They take at face value what they've been taught without verifying or knowing it for themselves. They do not allow themselves to feast on anything other than the milk of the Word. Because of this, we have congregations full of people who look more like the world, than like Jesus.

As believers we must place the utmost importance on knowing God's Word. Not just reading it to check it off the list, but studying it to gain spiritual understanding and revelation knowledge. This is our handbook for life. This is God's love letter to us to show us the person of Jesus Christ. John tells us that Jesus is the Word ( John 1:1; John 1:14 ), which means that these written truths are living and once we digest them they will activate within us and change us forever.

Peter said "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). Paul told Timothy, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" ( II Timothy 3:14-17 ). James said something similar, "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does" ( James 1:25 ). All of these great men placed an importance on knowing the Word. Scripture was given for us to help us through this life. To remind us of everything Jesus said and did. To show us what is to come. And to protect us from everything that Jesus died to set us free of. The Bible is full of amazing truths and wonderful promises, but unless you know them you will never own them.

The Bible is not hard to understand because we have a capable teacher. This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit. I John 2 says, "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him" ( I John 2:27 ). The Holy Spirit will guide you to understand the Bible as you start to explore. He will speak these truths into your life, bringing understanding. All you need to do is start planting the seeds of life and He will do the rest.

Paul's charge to Timothy is a good one for us today, He told him, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" ( II Timothy 2:15 ). We study not to prove ourselves to God, but to show ourselves that we are approved by God. We will never be ashamed before Him when we accurately handle and skillfully teach the truths of the Word.

How we think is dependent on many things, how we were raised, the values and world views we were taught, not to mention the circumstances of our lives. All of these things shape our attitudes and perceptions whether good or bad. No matter where we come from the Word is able to expose all these things so the truth of scripture can be rewritten on our hearts.

Paul said in Romans 12:2 that transformation comes by the renewal of the mind. The transformation he is talking about is metamorphosis, illustrated by a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It is a complete change. The same illustration holds true for us. When we let the truth of scripture rewrite the thoughts and attitudes we possess then our soul realm is transformed displaying the amazing things that are contained in our born again spirits. Everything God said we are through Christ is exactly what will show up in our lives through this renewal.

Peter said, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). He gave us everything we will ever need in our spirits, remember they are identical in Jesus’ spirit and perfected. Unlocking these things comes through the knowledge of Him and renewing our minds to the truths found in scripture.

This is why God’s word is alive and full of power! It is able to discern and release truth into our lives. It exposes, judges and analyzes the purposes of the heart. Then it rewrites, renews and changes our perceptions of reality aligning it to God’s view. This is an amazing truth! This is why Paul told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” ( II Timothy 2:15 ). We study not to show God that we are approved but to show ourselves that we are approved by God. Handling, releasing and teaching the word of truth with accuracy and skill.

Learning this verse from Hebrews 4 early on in life has made all the difference as I have grown and understand more clearly God’s word. I see the wonderful things it contains and trust that God will reveal these truths to me. They contain life and have transformation power. Not only will my life resemble Christ’s life in my born again spirit but it will also be displayed in my thoughts and actions as well. Knowing this amazing truth helps me dwell in a constant state of Sabbath rest.

Tomorrow we will look at Hebrews 4:13; Nothing is Hidden From God’s Sight.

The Word is powerful because it is able to discern the difference between the soul and spirit. These two words are so similar that most understand them to be the same thing. Even our language uses them interchangeably, but the Biblical definition is vastly different. I Thessalonians 5:23 shows us that mankind is made up of three parts, a spirit, a soul and a body. Understanding this truth is a key to unlocking and understanding many scriptures.

Our spirit is our life force. It is the part of us that was born again when we put our faith in Jesus. The default sin nature was taken out and we were give a new spirit that is identical to Jesus ( Romans 6:6-7, I John 4:17 ). The believer’s spirit is the part that has been sanctified, sealed and redeemed ( Ephesians 2:13-14, Romans 8:15-17 ) . The spirit you have now is the same spirit you will have for all eternity, it is perfect ( Romans 8, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14 ).

The soul can be described as your personality, your thoughts, your attitudes and what makes you unique. Perhaps this is why we use words like spirit and soul interchangeably because we cannot see either one, yet we understand that we possess something that makes up who we are as a person.

The body is the container for the spirit and the soul. It is the physical structure of a human. It is our flesh and blood. It is who we are when people look at us. This is the third part to mankind, without any one of these things, we cannot sustain life.

The spirit and the soul appear to be so similar that we group them together. But Hebrews 4:12 says the Word is capable of showing us the difference between the spirit and the soul. It is like a sharp sword that is able to penetrate and divide the two. The Amplified Bible puts it this way, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart” ( Hebrews 4:12 Amp ).

This is an important concept because we look at certain scriptures and wonder who they are talking about. We read passages showing us that we are identical to Jesus in this world, God considers us pure, righteous and holy and we don’t believe it because we look to the realm of our soul and assume that God has made a mistake. We quote passages saying we are raised and seated with Christ in the heavenly realm ( Ephesians 2:6 ) but continue to struggle with hardship in our homes. This is because we haven’t understood the differences between the spirit and the soul and this plays out in how we interpret and understand the Bible.

The born again spirit we received the moment we were saved is identical with Jesus ( Romans 8, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14 ). This is how God sees us, He looks at our spirit. This is why He sees us a righteous, because the sin nature is gone. Consequently this is how the devil sees us also. He looks at us dressed in our full armor ( Ephesians 6:10-18 ) and cannot tell the difference between us and Jesus ( Isaiah 59:15-18 ). This is why he trembles when we are around. The spirit is truly who we are because of what Jesus did.

However, we look at ourselves through the eyes of our soul. We see where we struggle, we know the thoughts we have, we know how we mess up. So there is a huge disconnect when we read the Bible because we don’t understand who we are in the spirit and how God looks at us. Then we get frustrated thinking we need be holy and righteous when in fact we already are.

This is why this passage of scripture is so powerful because it shows us the Word of God is able to discern between the two. Knowing the difference between the spirit and the soul brings enlightenment to the scriptures because we are able to discern what part of our makeup is being talked about in passages. Paul wrote, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” ( I Thessalonians 5:23 ). Our spirit is already blameless, but our soul, the thoughts, attitudes and intent of the heart, needs to be renewed and reminded of who we are in the spirit so we will experience them in the physical realm as well.

Tomorrow we will look at Part 3; The Word Exposes Our Thoughts and Attitudes.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

Growing up I worked at a summer camp. Each year the camp had a themed Bible verse that was presented to the kids and taught on in the chapel services. The second year I worked, Hebrews 4:12 was the verse. Since then, this verse has stuck with me, making a profound impact on my life because it placed an importance on the Word of God. Thinking of it often, I understood early that the scriptures were there to help and guide me through life. In fact they became life to me because the word that God speaks is alive and full of power, which makes it effective and life changing.

It is no coincidence that this verse is found in the middle of instruction on entering into God’s rest through Jesus. Hebrews 4:11 gives warning to make every effort of entering into rest; not following in Israel’s example of disobedience and unbelief. To do this we must learn who God is and understand His nature and will concerning us. This is accomplished through scripture. The Word of God has an active part in remaining in rest.

The true Sabbath Rest is found in Jesus; we enter by trusting in Him and the finished work of the cross. But to remain and stay in this place takes effort, not because we must do something to remain saved, but because we have a tendency to take back control and strive in the midst of circumstances. Instead we must rely solely on Him; not trusting in ourselves when situations come against us. The more we let the truth of scripture speak into our lives, the more we will trust God when things beyond our control happen because we know His promises. He reminds us of the things he has said in His Word, bringing both encouragement and confidence.

Tomorrow we will look at Part 2; The Difference Between the Soul and the Spirit.

Think back over all of the amazing truths that Paul has shared in the book of Romans. No wonder that he is issuing a warning to the believers to hold fast to the truth they know and protect it at all costs. From past experience Paul knew that others would come in after him with smooth talk and flowery speeches in hopes of causing division and confusion among the church.

His warning was against false doctrine. This is anything contrary to the teachings that they had learned from Paul. He doesn't encourage them to discuss or persuade those individuals, he tells them to have nothing to do with them. This is because deception is a most subtle form of trickery which can, in many cases, even if only slightly alter your course in life.

Turning from the truth even a little can completely change where you end up. Falling prey to deception will keep you from being free, keep you in the dark and hold you there. However, Jesus said that it is the truth you know that will make you free and shortly before that statement he gave the key to the truth, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" ( John 8:31-32 ). Staying in the Word, seeking understanding and applying these truths will protect your heart from those who mean to deceive you.

Our responsibility is to guard and protect the truth we know. We need to keep to the teachings we have learned from the Apostle Paul and the book of Romans. This book is a wonderful exhortation of grace, freedom from the Law, freedom from our sin nature and how to walk by the Spirit of God. It is essential for the health of the believer. This is the starting point to understanding how Christ has made us free and has rescued us from the power of sin and death. If this amazing truth can be stolen away from being rooted and established in our hearts then we will not experience the freedom Christ purchased for us. This is why Paul said to watch out and keep away from anything contrary to the truth he wrote.

What a great reminder for us today to compare everything we hear and read with the Word of God. If we stay plugged in to the truth then we cannot easily be fooled and deceived. As an added benefit we will reap all the rewards of the wonderful truth found inside. Knowing these things will make us free to live for Jesus in a powerful and effective way!

I am sure at this point in Paul's letter to the Romans, the Jews were feeling pretty beaten up. Paul spent the last few verses revealing to them that they had misunderstood God covenant with them. They were operating under the assumption that because they were the natural descendants of Abraham, they were heirs to the promise.

However, Paul reveals to us at the end of Romans 2 and also in Galatians 3, that the promise was not many descendants but One descendant. "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. " ( Galatians 3:16 ) So we can conclude that no one has ever become a heir of God's promise by natural birth as the Jews assumed. Before Christ, Old Testament saints were justified by faith in God's promised Messiah. After Jesus, we are justified through Faith in Christ. Heirs of the promise are those who are of the spiritual seed of Abraham, and are justified by faith. ( Romans 4:16 )

So the natural question arises...what advantage is there in being a Jew? Paul just proved to them that they were guilty before God, just like the Gentiles. Then revealed to them that being born into this nationality did not make them heirs of the promises. It was only through faith in the Jesus Christ, which gave them circumcision of the heart through the Spirit, not of the flesh. Everything that the Jews held onto as being a people separated apart for God had been utterly shattered with Paul's letter, so one needs the answer for, the benefit, profit and gain in being a Jew.

Fortunate for us, Paul gives us the answer in verse 2. Being a Jew profits "Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." ( Romans 3:2 ). God had trusted them with His spoken and written word. Not only did he give them intuitive knowledge of himself like the rest of creation, He gave them the oracles of God. They were literally given the intension and utterances of our Heavenly Father. This profited them much in every way!

God places a huge importance on His Word. Psalm 138:2 says, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (KVJ) on the other hand, Philippians 2 says "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " ( Philippians 2:10-11 ) The Bible says that at the name of Jesus, everything will come into submission to Him, and then that God magnifies his Word above His name. Therefore, since the Jews were entrusted with the Words of God, they retained a favorable position with God right from the very beginning.

Today, we also are blessed through the Jewish race because we also the Word of God. We have access to these words that bring life and health to our bodies and nourishment to our bones ( Proverbs 3:8 ) So today we can rejoice in God's graciousness with mankind because of Christ. And rejoice that He provided us with everything pertaining to life and godliness through His Word.

No matter what the circumstances around you, when you have a promise from God from his written word, then that promise is as strong and faithful as the guarantor of that promise. Abraham knew this and that is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham believed God, even though, what he was believing for had not yet come to pass.

The amazing thing from this passage of scripture is that Paul reminds us that this was written. Psalms 138:2 says, "...thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (KVJ) So the written word of God carries much weight. We know that everything in heaven, on earth and under the earth will one day bow down and confess that Jesus is Lord. He is given the name above every name. ( Philippians 2:9-11 ). However, the Psalms said that God himself magnifies his word above his name. Why? Because His name rests on his word.

You have heard it say that a man is only as good as his word. Meaning that unless one does what they say the will do, they cannot be trusted. God holds himself to the same standard. In other words, if a promise has been spoken by him and has been recorded in his word, then that promise is as good as the name he bears and you can consider the promise fulfilled. The name to which one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord.

Abraham believed God when he told him that he would be the father of many nations. No matter what the circumstances, he clung to that promise. It didn't matter that he was nearly one hundred years old. It didn't matter that Sarah was over ninety years old. No, didn't matter that she was barren. The scriptures tell us two things regarding this promise. First, God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Secondly the scriptures tell us that Abraham believed God.

In fact, Abraham believe God before he believed his circumstances. He knew that when God spoke and promised something that he would deliver it. He reasoned that God would do what he promised even when, in the physical it seemed impossible. And Abraham saw the fulfillment of part of that promise through Isaac and had glimpses of the rest of the fulfillment through Jesus. His faith was the catalyst to bring the promise to realization.

The second half of this verse is so powerful. '...God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.' ( Romans 4:17 ) We see this example in creation. Nothing existed before hand, but God spoke and believed that what he had spoke would come to pass. As he spoke, things that did not exist, came into existence. He called things that were not as though they were, and suddenly the were.

Abraham believed God in such a way. Even though in the present physical condition, there was no heir to the promise, he believed God. He knew that God was able to call things into existence. All of this steams out of a personal relationship with Him and knowing him. It also comes from knowing his word and the promises within. When we know God in an intimate way, then we know who he is and what he will do. The more we know about him, the more we look to him and forward to the outcome rather than the circumstances.

This is so important for us today, because no matter what the circumstances are, no matter what the doctor has said, no matter what we feel, we need to rest of what God has said about it. He is the one who 'gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.' ( Romans 4:17 ) When we believe him in such a way, then, like Abraham we operate in unwavering faith. Also like Abraham, we see the promises of God that are done and complete, called to manifest into the physical realm where we can interact with them.

Today, I praise God, that He is the one who gives life to the dead and changes circumstances. I praise God that the more we know him, the more we are able to operate in the faith that Abraham had. Because of this, 'He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believe' ( Romans 4:17 ) His faith has blessed us and will continue to do so for the many generations to come. Amen!

 We all have faith in something, but what our faith is in depends on what or who we're listening to. If we listen to the world then chances are we have faith in the world's system. We will let it dictate our thoughts, our actions and even our bodies. However, if we depend on the word of God and what he has spoken to determine our present reality then we operate in an entirely different realm, the realm of victorious faith.

 Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please God..." so on this basis we can deduct that faith is what pleases God. The verse goes on to say, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him ( Hebrews 11:6 ). Believing in Jesus takes faith. In today's passage Paul tells us that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Paul is talking about saving faith. The message of Christ is the only thing that can produces this type of faith. We must hear it, receive it, believe it and lastly confess it. This is "the word of faith we are proclaiming: if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved ( Romans 10:8, Romans 10:9 ). This marvelous miracle happens when you humbly receive the word of God planted in you that has the power to save you ( James 1:21 ).

The Word of God is a faith builder. The more you hear it, the more encouraged in your faith you become. The word of God is likened unto a seed that is sown into our hearts. If we receive and cultivate the soil in which it is planted, the seed will yield proportionally to what was sown ( Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:14-20, Luke 8:11-15 ). This is the law of harvest, what is reaped is not a 1:1 ratio of seed to fruit. One seed will bear much fruit if the conditions are right. And the fruit will contain more seed regenerating itself. In the same way, the word of God planted in your heart will bring its abundance into your life proportionally to what has been sown. And the fruit of these blessings will regenerate into the lives of others.

Planting the word of God into your heart is so important. Peter said, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). Through Christ we have great and precious promises but these come through the knowledge of him who has called us. If we don't know what these promises are then we will never escape the corruption in the world. Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" ( II Timothy 3:16-17 ). The word of God equips us for this life. It is the breath of God and it is everything we need to live. Jesus said, the words I speak to you are life ( John 6:63 ). Above all else, we need the word of God planted in our hearts otherwise we will not grow in faith, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God ( Romans 10:17 ).

Are you listening to the world as your basis for living? Or, are you listening to God? Faith comes by hearing and if you are only hearing the negativity of the news then that's the faith you will have. If you're only taking in the chaos on the television, set then you will have disorder in your life. The seed determines the crop not the soil. If you don't like what's growing in your garden, then plant something else. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). These fruits come by planting the word of God in your heart and letting it grow.

Reading the Bible and hearing the Word is a wonderful adventure. It is my prayer that you take these seeds of life and starting planting them. Meditate on today's verse until God makes it alive in your heart.  When you do you will see your crops grow, first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head then you will know that the harvest has come ( Mark 4:28-29 ). May you be blessed in abundance, amen!