| If you have faith, then now is the time to prove it. Faith, | | | | 3:17). We have the choice to either choose life or |
| Foolishness or Presumption, by Dr. Frederick K. C. | | | | death, so we who have chosen life must go and |
| Price, is another book I strongly recommend from | | | | "Teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Realize our status |
| faithdome. | | | | as ambassadors; it is because we have understood |
| First, we begin by recognizing spiritual temptations. | | | | and obeyed the Word of God. Just to love God and |
| Spiritual temptation is that inner voice that speaks to | | | | go to congregational gatherings several times each |
| us. Remember God communicates with us by faith. | | | | week is not enough. In this case, we are limiting our |
| The will of God is already written in our spirit (Hebrews | | | | intelligence to the teachings of the church, which limits |
| 8:10; 1 John 2:20); therefore, following his will comes | | | | the strength of our faith. If we love and trust God, then |
| naturally and not through an inner voice. Faith is not of | | | | let us not be stiff-necked like the Jews in the Old |
| the natural but of a godly nature. It is, therefore, of | | | | Testament but remember to study the Bible and |
| Jesus Christ. This level of communication is way | | | | exercise intelligence to edify our true leaders in Jesus |
| above that which is of men, and only those who | | | | Christ. Simply to be in fellowship and worship God limits |
| believe in Jesus Christ have it. Realize that we do not | | | | one's provisions in Christ, but those who have |
| avoid temptation because of our faith. It is by faith that | | | | understood and obeyed the Word of God will have |
| God through His beloved son, Jesus Christ, answer | | | | unlimited provisions (consider Abraham, Moses, and the |
| prayers. Therefore, it is important to continue to pray, | | | | twelve apostles of Jesus Christ). |
| "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to avoid | | | | The days of the Old Testament and our current days |
| being led into temptations, which will help to increase | | | | are similar in that the key element in keeping the faith is |
| one's confidence in the Word of God. This confidence | | | | to understand the Word of God so that we become |
| is from the realization that God has answered our | | | | responsible for the choices we make. The faith of |
| prayers. | | | | Abraham created Israel, but the faith of Jesus Christ |
| Always remember that God works on his time, not | | | | created Abraham. Recall that God instructed Abraham |
| ours. Therefore, he will provide for us when the time is | | | | to take the life of his son, but he told Jesus Christ to |
| right and not when we think the time is right. God is the | | | | give up his own life. In both cases, they earned the |
| spirit that knows all things; therefore, he will know all the | | | | responsibility of building a nation in God, the Father. If |
| dangers of life beforehand. We must never give in to | | | | we understand the Word of God, then we certainly will |
| sickness, unhappiness, loneliness, or allow our minds to | | | | learn how to pray and be patient for our needs in |
| control us. The light of our temple is the Word of God. | | | | Jesus Christ. The consolation we will receive if we live |
| Be faithful so that these words may manifest and do | | | | by the way of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is |
| not render actions that may be extreme. Recall Jesus | | | | eternal salvation. Remember, we are led into "divers" |
| Christ, who suffered because of betrayal. The pain we | | | | (different) "temptation" if we obey our inner voice. If |
| feel, he has already experienced, so he understands | | | | we know the Word of God, then why would one listen |
| our needs. It is, therefore, our duty to remain faithful, | | | | to their inner voice? The path we choose to travel is |
| which will determine victory for us (the story of Job will | | | | our responsibility. The path of righteousness requires |
| describe this principle well and increase your faith). | | | | our patience in keeping the faith. Only then will we be |
| If one is able to understand why God chooses who he | | | | able to see the results of our sacrifice. |
| chooses to reveal his ordinances, then one will | | | | This is also the way to eternal life. It is the third and |
| understand why leaders of the early Jews were | | | | final step, a step which depends on the mercy of God |
| chosen. God first chose a leader that was strong in | | | | (Lamentations 3:22). Only God knows the sincerity of |
| spirit, one that would sustain his or her spiritual growth. | | | | our hearts, so a true sacrifice does please the Lord, |
| Yes, many did drink, but they did not have the New | | | | who, when pleased, rewards us in abundance. Recall |
| Testament to know the latter requirements of God. | | | | that during the time of Israel, the tabernacle that God |
| However, they faithfully waited on God, who was | | | | instructed them to build was built so that the |
| always first in their lives. This is very strong faith, to | | | | atonement in Israel was finalized at the Mercy Seat |
| wait on someone you have never seen. Now, we, the | | | | (Exodus 31:7, 40:20). God would meet with Moses at |
| latter generations, are doing the very same thing, but | | | | the Mercy Seat to accomplish this task (Exodus 30:6). |
| this time, we are all waiting independently on Jesus | | | | The Mercy Seat was symbolic of the mercy of God, |
| Christ to return. Abraham's temple is now in Jesus | | | | which was granted after a sacrifice. |
| Christ, and so the book of the Old Testament is | | | | It should now be clear to us that God will grant us the |
| closed. The Jews and Gentiles are not divided, as they | | | | Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6) if we are worthy, by which we |
| were in the Old Testament (Acts 15:7, 9; Galatians | | | | will be saved. We then become heirs of the Holy Spirit |
| 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:14). Therefore, those who are | | | | (Titus 3:7) because we have fought "the good fight of |
| religious leaders must not think they are superior to | | | | faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). That is, we are justified by his |
| others in their congregation. This act is from the evil | | | | judgment to achieve eternal life. On the Day of |
| one and seeing such works are intentional, they are | | | | Judgment, we, the just (the children of the Holy Spirit), |
| mockeries to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus | | | | will be saved and will live under the law of the God of |
| Christ. I, therefore, am begging you to "be strong in the | | | | Abraham and Moses forever. |
| Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10) | | | | I realize now the three steps to eternal life, which are: |
| and not in the power of any leaders. | | | | 1. Believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is |
| If one is to receive the Holy Spirit, it is because Jesus | | | | the son of God and was raised from the dead by he |
| Christ is very pleased, as his Father was please with | | | | who sent him. Romans (10:9) |
| him when he received the Holy Spirit. "This is my | | | | 2. Keeping the faith (2 Timothy 2:15) |
| beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew | | | | 3. |