Life is not the problem; it’s the Answer…

At times God will permanently place something in my heart and no matter how I try to over look it; it just want allow me to be at peace.  I was talking to my daughter (Tamika) the other day, about how annoyed I get every time I hear someone - especially Christians say: “Sometimes life will just hand you a bunch of rotten eggs or throws you a punch in the face”.   She said to me: “Mommy I remember when we were studying the Purpose Driven Life; the one thing that stuck out to me was when the author said if something continually annoys you, it means you are suppose to do something about it.  Perhaps your annoyance is God’s way of telling you to do something about it.”  I have to be honest and tell you that when she said that to me, my first thought was “But how?” 

I communicate with people all the time, who feel that life has not been fair to them, and according to them, they’ve tried going to church, returning tithes, the whole nine yards; and they feel like they believe in God - but they can’t understand why He’s allowing them to have such a bad life.  Ok, I do share in that way and when I do, they often ask “Well why is it that sometimes my Pastor says life can be hard, is he not a man of God, shouldn’t he know the truth?”  Today I realized that God has given me another way on a greater scale to answer this question, “My Blog”.  According to the reports I receive on this blog, I get a great deal of views, so I should be good.

Now here I am today informing whoever will read this that “Life is not the problem; it’s the Answer.”   The longer I remain a Christian the more I realized the importance of reading and knowing God’s word for myself, this is why His word informs us to:

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).”

As a Believer, meaning one who believes the word of God; that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1), that it gives life (1 John 5:11), that it is a lamp unto our feet (Ps. 119:105), and more importantly that Jesus came, lived and died so that we could have LIFE and have it more abundantly (John 10:10); I often find myself grieved when I hear Pastors and other Believers say “Life is not fair, that Life is hard, or that it will throw you a blow that seems to knock you off your feet.”  When I hear such contradictions, I wonder if they really are who they say they are - if they really are believers in the word of God or could it be that they’re just not thinking before they speak.  Before I go any further let me just give you the meaning of believe: it means to see something as reality, to see it as truth.  It’s important for you to really know the meaning of believing; Believer, because when you get this truth into your mind you’ll be better off – for it is with the mind we serve God (Roman 7:25).

Too often as Christians we follow the crowd by somewhat for a better like of words “Speaking out of both sides of our mouth”- we say one thing out of one side then go back and contradict it out of the other side.  How in the world of truth! Can you encourage someone to know that God gives life and that life is in His son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11) but then at the same time, say life is hard or that sometimes it can throw you for a loop....  This is something that just does not sit right with me, it would be better if we simply said situations can be hard or can throw you for a loop.  Understand it is not life because LIFE came so that we could live – in abundance!

All throughout God’s word I read how He has giving us choices but then He turns right back around and tell us what choice we should make; as if He’s saying “Ok, I have set out there this and that but it would be better if you choose this.”   If we would be truly honest with ourselves, and look back at all the stuff we’ve gone through, all the hardship we’ve experienced – we‘d come to realize, it was not life but choices that made the situation.  It could have been your choice, your parent’s choice - someone made a choice, someone decided to do what they did to make that situation what it was or is.  Life is a gift, and when you are given a gift, you have a choice to make it what you want it to be, to use it how you decide to use it.   It’s your choice to determine if you will live life in its fullness or live it settling for whatever situation comes your way.

This thing is so in me that I could write about it for days, but instead, I'd like to challenge you to know God for yourself, because when you know Him, you’ll realize that Jesus is life (John 14:6); you’ll also realize that God is good – all the time (Ps. 100:5).... and there is no contradiction in that.  Please know that God and His son Jesus Christ are one, if Jesus is life then God is life, if God is good then Jesus is good (John 1:1, John 10:30) – please don’t make it difficult!  It’s really simple when you just learn to accept it. 

God’s word say’s: “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:20-22).” 

Each time you complain about life, what you're actually doing is saying - what Jesus came to do is of no effect.  You show your lack of respect and disbelief in the power of Life, which is Jesus Christ, in the power of the Giver of life and if He lives in you then it is He who gives you life and what can be wrong about that, what could be bad about that Life.  So watch how you speak about your life, and for all you Believers, the next time you feel the need to complain about life, to speak ill of life, remember Who you’re talking about.  Life is good because God is good, and that never changes even when situations occur.  Remember, Life is not the Problem but it is the Answer....

Below you will find a few verses to reflect upon but please, search the word for yourself.

Grace & peace….

New Testament verses:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will
never be thirsty.  John 6:35

I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.  John 8:31-32

 

Old Testament verses:

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. Deuteronomy 30:14-16

I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:18-20

“See now that I myself am he! 

There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

 He said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.

 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-48

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

 all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

The Spirit Within

There is a voice inside all of us that inspires us to keep moving even though we often feel like giving up and throwing in the towel.  If you truly believe in the power within you to succeed and fulfill your destiny, you will take heed to this voice because He knows your potential, and the results of what is awaiting you ahead if you just continue to press.  Does this voice have a name? I’m glad you asked.  His name is “Holy Spirit” He is the one that Jesus left with you as a comforter (an encourager) and He already knows who you were meant to be, what you were created to do, and all that you were meant to possess here in the earth.  So the next time you feel like giving up, listen to that voice of reasoning that says, “Don’t give up, You can do it!”  - if you do, you want regret it.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.  1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Prayer:

Father, I pray that you would encourage every soul that reads this blog to continue to press in whatever You've placed in their heart to do.  You know the vision, the inspired dream, their creative ability and all that awaits them if they continue to move forward.  I believe that You've equipped them with every thing they need to succeed and live in the purpose You have destined for their life.  Now, Father in the name of Jesus I ask that you would strengthen them for the journey, and make them attentive to the voice of Your Holy Spirit that they may not turn around or throw in the towel.  Help them to realized that Jesus has already won the fight and gain the victory on their behalf and now if they would only trust You; no matter what maybe going in the world, what the economy looks like, or even the resources that may seem to be lacking – You yet have a plan in for their life.  One that will not only meet every need but every desire but only if they adhere to the voice, I believe it’s done and I touch and agree with them in the spirit that they shall walk in all that You have prepared for their life, in Jesus name. Amen

Grace & peace!
Bertha

Are you really walking in Faith?

<sup>It's been a bit since my last blog, and I had something else in mind; however, I'm led to shed some light on faith.  I've been conversing with a lot of people in varies backgrounds and organizations and what I'm finding is this phase: "I'm just walking by faith" is just that to most who use it and nothing more because sadly to say they really don't understand what faith really is:


14</sup> What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:14-25 NKJ, also read NIV translation


Whenever you proclaim to have faith, it means you're actively doing something to bring about a different result - to bring change. This verse helps you to understand the truth of faith, and it specifies that: as the body is dead without the spirit, so is faith without works is dead also. This tells me that as the spirit gives life to the body so does works give life to faith; therefore, works is the life behind faith.  When you understand faith you should understand that faith is always busy doing what is needed to change the situation or circumstance.

When you speak of being one of faith this should be evident in your actions-your speech, thoughts (understanding), your visibility (perception), your deeds, your lifestyle and your acceptance in how or what direction your life will take.  To often I meet people who say they're walking by faith but they're not going anywhere, they're not progressing-nothing about them has or is changing. Everything they do contradicts what faith really is.  Faith brings change, it increases, it stretches out because it has no limitations in its ability to do what is good, what is right-what it is purposed to do.  Faith makes your hope visible.

Hebrews 11:1 speaks of faith's purpose and ability, it says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Substance means: essential or absolutely necessary.
Evidence means: proof - now this word comes from the root word "Evident" which means: clear to see

So what this tell me about it's purpose is: faith is absolutely necessary to receive what you're hoping for , but watch its ability; its the evidence of things not seen, which simply means it has the ability to make what you're hoping for become clear to see-to you and others.  However, there is a requirement; you have to put forth some action-some work. Faith is a busy and productive fellow, it causes you to work toward what you're hoping for in order to make it visible.  At the end of Hebrews 11:1 it speaks of faith being the evidence of things not seen, understand that not seen or unseen does not mean nonexistent. Something can be invisible and still exist as with our thoughts and words because they eventually create our surroundings but then that's another blog.   


Hebrews 11:3 tells us how the invisible creates the visible:  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

This tells me that when you walk in faith-faith causes that invisible hope to become visible, but it also tells me that God Himself operated in faith, and He put that faith to work so that He could make the intangible; tangible and the invisible; visible.  Anytime you're walking in faith, something should be happening, something should change and at some point it should become evident.  If you say you're walking in faith and nothing has change, something is wrong; and perhaps you need to evaluate your faith, perhaps you need to put that faith to work because faith produces and it manifest whatever it comes in contact with because it's always at work, which simply means if you're walking in it, you too should be at work, doing something to move toward or manifest what you're hoping for.  So I challenge you, to take a good look at what you're calling faith, and if it's not actively putting forth some effort, than perhaps what you call faith is not really faith at all.

Grace & peace!
Bertha

Any feedback or comments are always welcomed. If you'd like to know more about me please feel free to visit my site:   http://www.berthabarrett.com/JUST-BELIEVE.html

 

From the heart

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 

Matthew 15:18 NKJV

Throughout the word of God we come across scriptures speaking or illustrating the essence of one’s heart. The matters of our heart seems to be of great importance to God, and therefore should be as great of importance to us.  Though we hear the famous words in 1 Samuel 16:7 in church and often quote them ourselves “For man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart”, are we really conscious of this throughout life. 

The heart is the intellect or soul of a man, it is a person’s character or disposition; meaning the state of mind – the place where one understands or believes.  We use this word heart in many phases as an adjective:

“At heart” – in essence or reality

“Lose heart” – to become discouraged

“Take heart” – to become encouraged and more confident

“Take it to heart” – to take something seriously

“With all your heart” – completely and sincerely

It seems the heart of a person depicts their very being, and depending on the content of it; it has the ability to encourage or discourage.  As Jesus emphasize in Matthew 15:18, we see that the content of the heart can defile (damage, corrupt or destroy) a person because of its actions, coming from ones speech. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:44-46

In the book of proverbs 23:6-8 we’re told as a man thinks, in his heart so is he.  The word think in this chapter is a transitive verb meaning believe, and all though we’re taught that we think within our brain here in proverbs it tells us that one thinks in his heart.  While the brain helps us to rationalize things, meaning it helps us to interpret things by given us a clear and logical perspective; yet, it’s not until those thoughts become established (rooted) in the heart, that we create a belief system or “better said”, it’s not until these things become true to our heart (our being) that we’re able to think on them or believe in them, thereby allowing us to think with our heart.  Again after Jesus gives the parable about the sower (Matthew 13:3-8) and he explains it’s meaning (Matthew 13:18-23) we find that although something can be sown in one’s heart (the act of rationality in the brain), it’s no until that which has been sown is also rooted (understood or true) in the heart that one is able to believe (think) thereby allowing them to bear fruit and produce the wealth or value of what has been sown. So you see the reflection of one’s heart depicts the abundance or righteousness of how one lives in the eye sight of God.  God is watching and what He’s looking at has so much more to do with what appears to evident to man; we can

make our outward appearance appear to be more than what we are, just as we can make our mouth speak something other than what we believe to be true but we cannot hide our heart, our character, our true self from God. When our true self depicts a godly (righteous) appearance then will we become the good ground that Jesus speaks of in the parable of the sower.

The essence of our heart speaks to our character; as believers we should constantly examine the matters of our heart on a daily basis, looking to see if it is equivalent to the word and character of Christ.  In our examining of the heart we should understand that our submission to Christ through prayer and the reading of His word is very essential to our daily existence if we are to possess the type of heart God is looking for.  Let us not continuously be mislead by the appearance of what seems to be, what we call prosperous because of what we’re able to see on the outer but however; let us be lead by the examining of our hearts making sure we possess the character that God is looking for so that we can become prosperous both in the inner and outward appearance so that when the time of harvest comes we’re able to be gathered into His barn and not burn into the fire (Matthew 13:24-30).

As you start a new year, I encourage you to start the habit of examining your heart; make a conscious effort to see if your heart holds the character of Christ – be honest with yourself! If you need a reference to help you in your examining process start with Galatians 5:22 and Ephesians 5:9.  Remember what comes from the heart has the ability to either profit your life or defile your life so make the matters of your heart amount to the wealth of life you desire to live starting today.

Grace and peace.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father we thank you for looking at our hearts and not our outward appearance.  We pray that you teach us to examine our hearts so that when you look at us, your pleased with what you see.  We pray with ever word that we speak those who hear us will reap the abundance of life and all that is good because of the abundance in our hearts.  We ask that each day we commune with you through prayer and the studying of your word, that you would allow your word to become rooted and grounded within us so that we will not become easily distracted or discouraged by the cares of this life but we will stand strong in your word. We're grateful that you've allowed us the ability to choose what type of character we will posses by deciding what we will allow our hearts to focus on.  We give you honor and praise for all that you've done and continue to do in Jesus name we pray.  Amen 

The Righteouness Of Faith

But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?  (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead,). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Romans 10:6-12 NKJV

I’m always amazed at the simplicity of God’s word, and how it produces extraordinary things when we apply it to our lives.  So often there are people who think in order for the word of God to have an effect in their lives, it requires multiple, task wrenching, religious tactics; tactics that have been told to them by the religious people around them but does not profit any into salvation.  Paul calls it in the book of Romans 10:2 “having a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”  It’s when someone remains strong and enthusiastic for God, but all that strength and enthusiasm is without knowledge.  He continues to say: Romans 10:3-5 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law. “The man who does those things shall live by them.”

Paul helps us to understand how sometimes in our enthusiasm for God we forsake knowledge; that is we forsake the truth of His grace giving to us through His word and the life of Christ Jesus.  When we forsake the knowledge of God we tend to establish our own knowledge, our own rightness; because we have not completely submitted ourselves to the knowledge of God; which is to His rightness.  

I remember my earlier experience in the church as a newly born again Christian, I was excited and ready to conquer the world in the name of the Lord.  I felt, since I was going to church hearing the word and allowing the more seasoned women to steer me I would be good and well prepared to live out my life in the Lord and establish great things in this world.  But suddenly something took place in my life that almost took the excitement away, because although I was excited about God I had no real knowledge of God's word, I only had what was instructed to me by others. Suddenly, I found myself in a ritual of religious righteousness, one that taught me to be careful that my skirt wasn’t too high above my ankles, if I joked too much it was a sin because I was being idol and I was never to forget as a woman I had my place-this was certainly mentioned in every service so I could feel the wrath of my inferiority.  Not to mention if I didn’t shout according to how those steering me thought, something was wrong and perhaps I was slipping away from salvation but if I shouted too much then I must have sinned or was going through something extreme and had to be laid across the alter.  There was this whole list of rituals that had no salvation in it because the focus was more own religious laws then on the righteousness of God and while they meant well their tactics made many feel as though it was hard to serve God, live according to His word, and reap the goodness He has laid out for us.  They had one foot in the laws of the old testament and the other in the grace and faith of the new testament, and while there are things we must learn from the old we should know that we are no longer bond by the laws of the old testament and therefore should not bond others by those same laws.  I had almost became so focused on getting my outward appearance acceptable to those around me that my inward appearance had almost gone neglected and I almost lost sight of what really mattered which is the salvation of Christ Jesus and how that salvation effects my confession and how I believe.  Anytime you allow religious tactics to guide you in your walk instead of finding that intimate place with God, so He can teach you how to live; you risk loosing sight of what really matters.    (To be continued)

Grace & peace

Bertha 

Just Believe

The book Just Believe is about using one of the greatest abilities given to mankind by God so we can operate in this life effectively, obtain all that is available to us and live life in its fullest capacity.  It will help you to understand how to live a life of purpose by first helping you to perceive life as the gift it is.  With Mark 9:23 being the foundation for the book it shows  you how to access all the possibilities awaiting you. This book covers many topics that will help you search within yourself and identify the things which keeps you from living the life you desire so you can begin moving forward and possessing all God has designed for you.
It's my desire to reach both Christians and Non-Christians because I believe God desires to awaken all of mankind to their true abilities so they can begin living the abundant life He desires.  Just Believe will change your life and the way you live. 

Grace and Peace
Bertha