Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not
seen [the conviction of their reality--faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Heb.11:1
(Amplified)
As a congregation, we have been busy with “thought-life” and “focus” for a while. Many people have beautiful testimonies today
because of the fact that they started “thinking what they were thinking about”. I love the one testimony of a family who went home and started discussing the sermon of the morning. The father asked the children if they felt that they did not spend enough time together. To his shock, the children answered that they did not feel that he was part of their spiritual growth and that work and TV were too important for him. As a family they decided to switch the television off that night. They also decided that they were going to spend evenings together with more honest and open talks.
His words to me were filled with tears: “I took up my role as husband and father and decided that I was going to be a display of
Abba and Christ to my family. Thank you for challenging us to think about what we think about, and for encouraging us to get in
the Word more. Our lives are changed and today we can say that we are a happy family as well”. Obviously, when I hear a testimony as pure and raw as this, my eyes well up with tears and I thank the Lord for the change that
He brought about. For the sake of a wife, children, and a family! I LOVE THE TRUTH, because JESUS (as the Truth) came to set us free.
Why do I share this? Twofold:
• Because I want to encourage more people to view their lives and thinking and be brutally honest with themselves regarding
what they are thinking about and what they spend their time and energy on. I want to encourage them to make the right decisions which would lead to more freedom and trust in their relationship with the Lord. It would open their eyes to the things unseen, and make the impossible possible.
• Because unfortunately we would always have scepticism and doubt in our midst, and testimonies, teaching and encouragement alone are not enough to change someone’s thinking and habits. Therefore, I want to use the Scripture as mentioned above to explain why our decisions and actions must come in line with His will.
The Lord intended relationship from the beginning, and relationship is built around trust. If we do not trust the Lord, we will not obey Him, and if we do not obey Him, we will not receive the benefits of His promises, love and covering.
Many people call themselves “christians” (see small letter used in the name) because they go to church services, etc, but it does not mean that they trust the Lord or have a relationship with Him. One way to know that you are a Christian (see capital letter used in the name this time) is WHEN JESUS THROUGH HIS SPIRIT CHANGES YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT, due to you wholly
submitting your life to Him, and allowing Him full access to challenge and change you as HE knows best. This comes down to FAITH and it excludes all fear of failure, hatred, rejection, pity, doubt or anything that comes against His promises.
Let us make wise decisions this year. Let us lay down everything that slows us down and set our goal to grow towards the full
stature of Christ. Let us live for Him with faith which is the title deed and confirmation of things divinely guaranteed, and the
conviction of their reality. Because faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.
As leadership, we praise the Lord for you as members of this beautiful congregation and we celebrate IN FAITH everything
that He is busy within all of us for the glory of HIS name, because HE deserves our ALL!
Written By: Pierre Ferreira
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