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

"The Righteousness of Faith" Part 2 - Finally!

I know it seemed as if I totally forgot about the continuation of this but there are days when you can only blog about what's on your heart at that moment, not to mention my office computer went out for a bit and part 2 just happened to be on that computer.  However, I like to think that part 2 was meant for this season of a new year! Enjoy!!

Through the coming of Christ Jesus, He put and end to the law of righteousness for everyone who believes.  The law was never intended as a substitute for a relationship with God, but as a means of leading Israel toward their Savior. In Galatians 3:19, Paul writes:

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.  In other words, God had a starting point and an ending point for the law, and the ending point was the death and resurrection of the Messiah and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul continued in verses 21-26:

Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

The law, like the entire Old Testament, teaches us who God is.  It also teaches us how He raised up a people through whom the Savior would come to take away their sins – not only the sins of God’s people Israel, but the sins of the whole world.  For Israel, the law was a teacher; to help them understand the difference between sin and righteousness and the need for redemption.  It guided them until the promised Messiah came, through whom God would bless all the nations. However, the law could not give Israel either righteousness or salvation. It could only tell them they were guilty and sinners in need of a Savior.  Now that the Savior Jesus Christ has come, we’re told that He has put an end to the law of righteousness to everyone who believes.  It’s because of His sacrifice we no longer have to be bond by things that neither profits us into righteousness or salvation but we can live in the grace of God through faith knowing that one greater than the law has come to redeem us back to God Himself.  Therefore, in knowing this we believe we are saved once we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. 

Yet, there are some who still debate that this confession and heart rooted belief is too simple and not all that is required.  Perhaps this issue is being debated because of the lack of knowledge and understanding of what this confession and believing is really entails.  If you read Matthew 5, Jesus lays the foundation for us to see what our confession and believing is really about through what is called the “Beatitudes and the Similitude’s” (“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...etc), then He proceeds with how He did not come to destroy the law are the Prophets but to fulfill it, He then establishes what He means by these sayings with every example He gives in parables throughout the bible, and although it seems a lot to take in, (this hold concept of walking as Christ) yet, they are just simple guidelines; guidelines that are founded on love, faith, and salvation, so that those looking at us would see our good works and glorify God which is our Father in heaven.  However, the key is in believing the word of God within our heart; because whatever is in our heart becomes a part of who we are but it also becomes our way of living.

As believers it’s my prayer that as we continue in this new year and the years to come, we remember all that this confession of faith entails so we can live the abundant life God has designed for us not only in salvation but in every area of our lives; however, we must remember that we can not forsake salvation trying to get the abundance, and we should not make salvation difficult for others, as not to make all that Jesus did for us through faith in vain.  Salvation is simple once we understand anything that does not produce the righteousness of God is not profitable to anyone; however, understanding the word of God and how it applies to our everyday living as children of God; living in purpose, destined for greatness and producing all the fruits of His Spirit so those who are lost in this world would come to know Him through us and glorify Him; this is what is profitable to all.

As I was studying this, I saw no end because there’s so much God wants us to know about how we believe and our daily confessions because of what we believe.  Our belief and our confession wholes so much power; and the affects of the two can have so much bearing on our lives and our way of living that it’s imperative for us to understand that Christ has already set the way for us, and He has already left an example for us so we might know God for ourselves and live according to all He has designed for our lives. 

The way you believe and confess what you believe is very essential to your life, and it literally shapes your way of living but understanding what you believe and confess will free you from religious ignorance and help you to walk in the liberty of faith.

 Prayer

Father I come to You today in the name of Jesus Christ, first thanking You for sending Your son Jesus because it's through Him we're able to live a life of righteousness through grace, and walk in the faith of knowing He came to redeem us back to You so we can live the life You destined for us, one of purpose, power and provision all through salvation.  I thank You that He's already set the path for us and because of this we can live this life knowing that the righteousness of faith leads us into Your riches; riches that can be applied to every area of our lives, riches that increases day after day, riches that gives us health, wealth, long life, peace, joy, love and increasing favor, not just in our lives but the lives of our children and family.  I thank You that we're no longer bond but we're free to live, and whatever we confess and believe in our heart we can have; thank you for not making salvation hard but simply to those who choose to believe your word and put faith to work in their lives.  I pray that You would activate faith in the lives of those reading and following these topics, that whatever they believe in their heart, confess with their mouth and set out to do by faith would prosper.  Bless those who do not know You that they would come to know You for themselves through a relationship with You and the studying of your word; I thank You for answering this prayer and I count it done in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Be encouraged-you were created to win!

Happy New Year

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

 

Dealing with the original instructions - conclusion

Replenish – to make full or complete, by supplying what is lacking – to fill again.

This third instruction is no doubt one of my most favorite as it speaks to our ability to really be like God.  Through this one word He instructs mankind to complete what He’s started, to go out and fill the earth and whatever or wherever is lacking.  This one word speaks volumes:

To Fill

To Furnish

To Provide

To make Provision

To Refresh

To Renew

To Restore

To make better

To gather resources

To transform

To contribute

To revive

To give life

To minister or serve

Sourceful

All this from one word and I find that the greatest of these definitions is the word serve because in serving we’re able to effectively do all the others.  Serving is a way of saying; meet the needs; make what needs to happen; happen.  So as we examine these instructions (be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth), we find that there are some very important requirements expected of us by God, and He’s requiring these things because He knows that He has given us everything we need to complete the assignment.  He’s given us everything needed to be fruitful (increase) in what He’s placed within us, and multiply (duplicate) the gifts He’s given then replenish (serve) in all that He’s given.  And there has to be some importance to it because even after His frustration with sin and He destroys the earth with water, He still comes back in Genesis 9:1 and repeats the same instructions to Noah. God gave Noah the same instructions He originally gave to Adam and Eve-He hasn’t changed His mind about this thing.  Apparently there’s something in this that God meant and still means for mankind to do. 

Now it seems for some time there’s been something called the Gap Theory going on were people are trying to figure out exactly what this word replenish meant and it seems that some have through this theory come to the conclusion that because God said replenish the earth there must have been others here in the earth besides Adam and Eve.  I’m not going to try to get into this theory as it bares no truth to me according to what my bible says.  But I will get into how significant these instructions and this word replenish is to us and how God intended and yet intends for us to walk here in this earth.

 

As noted the word replenish can also be seen as to serve.  To serve means to provide with a regular supply, apparently there is something that we have that the earth is in need of, and God says He wants us to supply it regularly.  In Romans 8:19-25 we’re told how the earth is in frustration and groaning waiting for us the children of God to be revealed, which simply tells us that even the earth understands the need for God’s created image to be in their rightful place because until that day comes nothing in the earth is free to function as it ought.   

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

 ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 

This passage speaks to our need to get back to the original instructions because in those instruction is a place of order, and without that order nothing can operate as it should.  Now what is our rightful place; in this same passage in verse 23 it speaks of those who have the firstfruit of the Spirit, meaning those who believe the truth that our God has spoken and yet speaks. What is rightful place?  It’s in the firstfruit, it’s in possessing the Spirit of God because when we do, we realize that God has given us everything we need to live in this earth realm effectively, (productively, increasingly and sourcefully).  I find it amazing that the act of God giving mankind power and dominion over the earth simply means He allows us to be the source (power) with authority (dominion), another meaning for replenish is sourceful, to supply.  When we get back to the original instructions and realize who we really are, possessing the Spirit of God within us, it’s then realize that He has given us everything we need to live abundantly here on the earth and stop using the excuse that we’re waiting on God and realize that He is waiting on us because He has equipped us to be the source for everything here in the earth.  When we provide the universe with what it needs-the sons of God walking in power and dominion, bearing God’s likeness “fruitful”, increasing in our God given gifts “multiplying”, and being the source for everything “replenish” by speaking life and showing our godship; then the universe will yield to us whatever we ask.

I could go on and on with this because it excites me to know that God has entrusted us with so much and yet, at the same time, it also grieves me because we have yet to realize how much we posses, and how resourceful we can be here in the earth to restoring unity and harmony as God intended.  So although I could go on because there’s so much in God’s word that declares to us our ability to do the exceeding great work that Jesus says we would do, I’ll stop here and hope that you would search God’s word for yourself and allow Him to reveal unto you truth, so you can walk in your God given image.

Grace and peace.

Dealing with the original instructions - Part 2

Multiply – means to increase, enlarge, intensify or manifold; as an adverb it means: in several or many ways.  Anyway you look at it, you’re suppose to increase and since God did not specifically point out 1 or even 2 areas in which He wanted this to occur I’m left to believe that He desires increase in all we do:

In His word

In His image- living a god life so that others may see as desire to serve and be like Him

In our gifts

In prosperity-understanding the purpose of all we posse

In knowledge

In love

In all we do for Him and the list can go on for days

As with fruitful this word multiply was also thought of as having many babies; to procreate only in the way of humanity; however, because God is God and I know Him to be a God of many aspects (healer, sustainer, protector, provider; God of love, peace and joy but more importantly a Father); He made us in His image, with the ability grow in many aspects. 

In verse 27^th of Genesis 1, you’ll notice that after He created man, the first instructions He gave was be fruitful, multiply and replenish.  And although I don’t believe He just wanted mankind to increase in number, I do believe in the mist of mankind increasing He wanted us to increase the created image we were made in, which is the image of Him-which requires us to maintain a godly image. However, outside of that He desired for mankind to increase in the creation of this world or the creativeness of this world; He wanted mankind to multiply in their ability to be creative beings and although as you look around the world it seems that we’ve done just that.  We’ve been creative in the way of building and a vast of creative methods, inspiring, motivating, encouraging and innovation. From the fabulous structures you see and visit daily, to literature, music, spoken word, film and dance.  All sorts to creative outlets and yet we lack in our ability to multiply in one of the greatest areas most dear to God’s heart; “love”. 

The very idea that He would desire for us to multiply here in the earth significies that there had to be love in the mist because without it, we would do just as we are doing now which is to destroy each other.  This destruction is done through many ways, in our actions, words, our betrayal of each other, the lack of support we show each other and so on.  However, when love is in the mist it conquers, it units, it heals, it revives, it supports, it blesses and it creates an atmosphere of peace and atmosphere suitable for His presence.  God is love; I believe it was out of love He created us, He sent His Son to die for us and it’s the reason He continues to be there for us and forgive us.  It’s clear that God desires for mankind to multiply in the areas of life He has assigned for each individual but more than this He desires for us to multiply in our ability to be like Him and through our knowledge of Him.  The more you know about Him the more you increase.

All throughout the scriptures it is clearly shown that we should be multiplying, increasing or adding to; in some area of our lives:

2 Peter 1

John 14:26

John 10:10

2 Peter 3:18

John 15

As you read these scriptures and many others throughout the word of God you will notice that God desires for His people to increase, to expand and to live in the abundance of all He has purposed for us.  I pray, that from this day forward you would make a decision to heed to His voice so you can live in the increased blessings and love He has awaiting you and desires to manifest through you.

Grace & peace

Bertha 

Dealing with the original instructions - Part 1

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

First instruction - Be fruitful
I'm always floored at the fact that many Christian today although we confess to live according to God's word we often forget the initial instructions He gave. This idea of fruitfulness deals with a range of things: productiveness, character, the way you speak and the words you accept for your life.


Productivity:
In His instructions, the first was to be fruitful, the definition of fruitful is to be productive. And although for years this was referred to as having many babies God desires for us to do more than just have babies, and the idea that He would give us a vast of abilities gives proof to this. We have the ability to produce fruit from our hands, lips and mind. We have the ability to be creative in a range of ways and yet many Christians today are looking for a sign in order to give some indication on if they should step out and be productive in their abilities-in their gifts. Remember the initial instruction was to be productive, this has not changed - it's still in effect; therefore, the only sign needed is in Genesis 1:27-28.

Character:
There are fruits that we should bare in our character, and although it's becoming a rarity in what is non as the church body it's still a requirement. Perhaps if we remember that we are associated with the body of Christ and become sincere in our living in Him this spiritual character will become and often trait seen in those of us who call ourselves Christians. Galatians 5:22-26 shares with us this expected character:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited (opinionated), provoking one another, envying one another.

In my traveling I meet many leaders from small to mega churches and it seems as many of these people reach what is seen as an elaborate lifestyle, suddenly this spiritual character is no longer needful. However, God still requires it, which often leads me to thinking if He's really as please with them as we tend to think based of how they're living. However, before you mistake me as one who depicts the leaders of the church let me say that this lack of character extends beyond leaders but is also seen in much of the Christian body. We must - and I say we, because I too maybe looked upon as one who lacks spiritual character (I pray that I'm not, but you never know); however, we must become conscious of our character and work on the lack of, so that we're able to do the true will of God which is to love, because in loving we draw others to Him. If we don't get this straight we too will take part in what Jesus is speaking in Matthews 7:21-23:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The way you speak:
Proverbs 18:20-21 tells us how we will eat the fruit of our lips:

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

How you speak is very essential to your life and the life of others depending on if they accept what was spoken. To often I hear the conversations of those who call themselves Christians and after listening to them, it leaves their confession to be questionable. Your conversation should be clearly evident of your confession as a Christians (God's child, a Believer). Situations and circumstances are subject to change and how you speak over them can affect the change for the better of for the worse. Your words are seeds and they literally affect your life through the harvesting of how you speak. Depending on the type of fruit you desire for your life, you'll need to seed words which will yield what you're hungry for. If you desire to obtain all God has for you; you must learn to speak according to His word, you must learn to speak positively in your life.

Words you accept for your life:
As you should know at the beginning of creation God, breathe life or spoke life into mankind; as He continues to do with each of us. If you understand anything about words and how they react in your existence you know that words are like seeds and depending on whether or not you accept what was spoken it has the ability to produce a harvest in your life. Don't allow negative, deadening words spoken into your life affect how you live. God desires for you to live this life happy, fulfilled and prosperous in every area of your life. One of the greatest gifts God has ever given mankind if the gift of choice- you do have a choice. You can choose to accept or reject whatever words you don't want to harvest in your life.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.3 John 1:2

God expects us to be fruitful in every area of our lives; in our productivity, our relationships, on our jobs, in our conversations, our character, our life style, our body (healing), in the manner of which we prosper and in our influence in this earth. So let's be fruitful so we can manifest as God desires in the earth.

Grace & peace

Bertha