Become What You Believe

Matthew 9:27-28; Jeremiah 29:11; Ecclesiastes 4:12; Genesis 37; Joshua 1:9; Ephesians 2:11, 3:1-8; Romans 15:4; Matthew 10; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

We are walking in today:  Become What You Believe

Matthew 9:27-28 (AMP) 27 As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, shouting loudly, Have pity and mercy on us, Son of David! 28 When He reached the house and went in, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, Yes, Lord.


“BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE” “YOUR CONFESSION MUST MATCH YOUR CONDUCT”

Matthew 8 Life Lesson

Jesus takes our suffering on himself and carries our diseases, but it takes faith to see that Jesus can help us.

Inspiration: I read in a commentary that there was a man some years ago who was rolling a wheelbarrow back and forth across a Niagara River on a tightrope. Thousands of people were shouting him on . He put in it two-hundred pound sack of dirt in the wheelbarrow and rolled it over, and then he rolled it back. Then he turned to the crowd and said, “ How many of you believe I can roll a man across?

Everybody shouted! One man in the front was very excited about his professed belief. The man pointed to this excited professor and said, “You’re next!!

You couldn’t see the man for dust! He said he believed it, he thought he believed it- but he was not willing to get in the wheelbarrow.

Just as with Christ, there are many people who say they believe on Him, who say they will follow Him. but they never have gotten into the wheelbarrow…

There are many people who ask, “well, how much faith does it take?” Jesus the Son of the Living of the God, said only the faith as a of “a grain of Mustard seed. “

Others ask, “what kind of Faith?”… there is only one kind, really. It is the object of the faith that counts. What is the object of your faith? The object of your faith must be Christ, the Son of the Living God, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not faith in rituals, not faith in sacrifices, not faith in morals, not faith in yourself- not faith in anything , but Christ, the Son of The Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

Application: The Centurion placed himself under Jesus

Authority. As you come to Jesus now, do you believe He can and will change your Life? Ask, believe and obey Him! Be Confident in Jesus’ Authority. Even in the details of the day.

Jere. 29:11

From the Hebrew perspective , HEARING (shema) is not simply the passive act of listening, HEARING involves listening and obeying.

Faith is an action word in Hebrew, it is defined as belief in Christianity.

Faith is obedience in action.

I am going to touch more on this in the book.


Matthew Chapter 9 Life Lesson

“DON’T BE AFRAID, BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE”

Situation: Although he was neither rude nor arrogant. Jesus aggravated the teacher of the Law when he exercised his privileges, as Son of God. When he forgave sins, mingled with sinners, raised the dead, and healed the sick, the teachers thought his actions were either inappropriate or unexplainable.

Observation: the Kingdom of God had come. Jesus used his power over sickness and death to show his compassion for needy humanity. As a true friend, he meets the needs we bring to him, He asks us to join his mission and reach out to those around us.

Inspiration: Tell me, why are these stories in the bible? Why are the Gospels full of such people? Such hopeless People? Though their situations vary, their conditions don’t . They are trapped, estranged, rejected--they have nowhere to turn. On their lips, a desperate prayer. In their hearts, desolate dreams, and in their hands, a broken rope.

****God’s cord of three strands for your life will hold you together. Ecclesiastes 4:12.

Pastor Debbie Stafford said:

****God’s cord of three strands for your life…is

DREAMS~~TRANSITIONS~~BALANCE

Genesis 37; Joshua 1:9; Ephesians 2:11; Jeremiah 29:11; and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

But before their eyes a never-say-die Galilean who majors in stepping in when everyone else steps out.

Surprisingly simple, the actions of this man. Just words of mercy or touches of kindness. Fingers on sightless eyes. A hand on a weary shoulder. Words for sad hearts… all fulfilling the prophecy.

“ A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”

Again I ask, Why are these portraits in the Bible?... Why did God leave us one tale after another of wounded lives being restored? So we could be grateful for the past? So we would look back with amazement at what Jesus did ?

No. No. No. A thousand times no. The purpose of these stories is not tell us what Jesus did. Their purpose is to tell us what Jesus does.

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,” Paul penned. “ The Scriptures gives us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

These are not just stories. Not romantic fables. Not somewhere-over-the rainbow illusions.

The are historic moments in which a real God met real pain so we could answer the question, “Where is God when I hurt?”

How does God react to dashed hopes? Read the story of Jairus. How does the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, feel about those who are Ill?

Stand with Him at the pool of Bethesda. Do you long for God to speak to your lonely heart? Then listen as he speaks to your lonely heart. What is God’s work for the shameful? Watch as his finger draws in the dirt of the Jerusalem courtyard.

He’s not doing it just for them. He’s doing it for me. He’s doing it for you…

I know there used to be a stone in front of a tomb. And I do also know it was moved. And I also know that there are stones in your path. Stones that trip and stones that trap. Stones too big for you.

Please remember, the goal of these accounts is not to help us look back with amazement, but forward with faith. The God who spoke stills speaks.

The God who forgave stills forgives. The God who came still comes. He comes into our world. He comes into your world. He comes to do what you can’t. He comes to move stones, you can’t budge.

Stones are no match for God. Not then and not, Now! He still moves stones.

Application: Do you see Jesus a close friend or far away?

Jesus desires to relate to us a friend. Talk with him. Tell him all your needs.

Exploration: God truly Cares.


Matthew 10 Life Lesson

Situation: The Jews viewed suffering as God’s Punishment. The disciples could not understand Jesus’ message that they would suffer for being obedient.

Observation: All though believers will be persecuted, they can trust that God has a plan for all difficult circumstances.

Inspiration: Could you use some courage? Are You Backing down more than you are standing up? If, so let the Master lead you to the mountain again. Let Him remind you why you should ”fear not, “ Listen to the time Jesus scattered the butterflies out of the stomachs of his nervous disciples and see if His words help you.

We need to remember that the disciples were common men given a compelling task. Before they were the stained-glassed saints in the windows of cathedrals.

They were somebody’s next door neighbors trying to make a living and raise a family. They weren’t cut from theological cloth or raised on supernatural milk, but they were at once more devoted than they were afraid and, as a result, did some extraordinary things…

Earthly fears are no fears at all . All the mystery is revealed. The final destination is guaranteed. Answer the big question of eternity, and the little questions of life fall into perspective.

Application: Jesus promised hard times, but he also promised comfort. Are you experiencing opposition for being a Christian but neglecting to accept His comfort? Look forward to the day when you will no longer be persecuted but will be rewarded for persevering. Let the reality of that reward encourage you.

Exploration: DO NOT BE AFRAID OF CHANGE.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

9 The Thessalonians believers left their idolatry to search for the true God 10 and to wait for His Son from Heaven, who He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (Amplified Bible) 6 And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; 7 So that you [thus] became a pattern to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus) in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece). 8 For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it]. 9 For they themselves volunteer testimony concerning us, telling what an entrance we had among you, and how you turned to God from [your] idols to serve a God Who is alive and true and genuine, 10 And [how you] look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself [ investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah].  To hear this again click here.