Faith, Forgiveness, and Knowing!!!

Written by on July 9, 2023

Words Accompanied by The Spirit
Words Accompanied by The Spirit
Faith, Forgiveness, and Knowing!!!
Loading
/

The Power of Knowing Who You Are

Many of us are speaking death over ourselves without even realizing this. As I watch my children struggle in young adulthood, I realize the grace and favor over my life. And the importance of imparting this power, faith, and wisdom to them.

As I meditate on God’s goodness, I want to give you some manna. While reading the 11th chapter in the book of Mark.

It starts with Jesus sending two of His disciples to loose the colt. “Saying to them, ‘Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a [donkey’s] colt tied, which has never been ridden by anyone; untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it’; and immediately he will send it here.”(Mark 11: 2-3, AMP).

Picture 07 - Mark 11:3 KJV - And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say - Bible Verse Picture

Recognize the intricacy of this gift. The colt was unmarred. Never broken in. Untouched by man. Open and receptive.

Step Out on Faith

Jesus, being guided by the Holy Spirit, trusted His zealous discernment.

Imagine being asked to go and take what God has prepared for you. The disciples were obedient. But they had to wonder how Jesus knew this colt would be waiting for Him.

It took courage and faith to go into an unknown area and take something as valued as the donkey. So large that it could not be done in secret. Not knowing who it belonged to. Fully aware of the punishment for someone caught stealing.

Jesus gave them a simple command and they obeyed. Not knowing the outcome.

Picture 04 - John 15:14 KJV - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command - Bible Verse Picture

What is significant? That they had to do this in the presence of strangers. Trusting that these outsiders were aware of their own individual assignments.

For Whom Much is Given Much is Required

The Holy Spirit made me think of the blind man who sat at the side of the road. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

“And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10: 47-48, KJV).

This man was at his lowest. He had nothing to lose. So he didn’t care what anyone thought of him. Those around him may have labeled him as being undignified and unworthy. But he is the perfect example to whom much is given, much is required.

Walking in the Spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh. He is begging for Jesus. As the observers stood on the sidelines. His heart is ready to receive all that Jesus has for him. Having nothing to lose. The crowd being more concerned with how they appeared to those around them.

Picture 06 - Galatians 5:16 KJV - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall - Bible Verse Picture

You cannot glorify and honor God if you believe that everything that you have is by your might. By your power.

Are You Speaking Life or Death

I want to bring you to another point. Jesus was about to prove the power of faith. To not only speak life but also death.

“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He was hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘No one will ever eat fruit from you again!’ And His disciples were listening [to what He said]” (Mark 11: 12-14, AMP).

Picture 06 - Mark 11:14 KJV - And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat - Bible Verse Picture

Now consider this. When Jesus came to that tree looking for fruit. It was not prepared. Compare this to all those standing on the sidelines, whose hearts were not ready to receive.

The tree was rejected and just as important, cursed by Him because it was not fit. The key initiative is to be willing and in a state of constant readiness.

Behold I Stand at The Door

It is written in Revelation for such a time as this. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (3: 20, KJV).

The tree is used as an example because it is expected to produce figs every year. Unlike the tree, as men, we are aware because our conscience bears witness that God Is. That we can’t deny Him. Therefore, we must stay ready.

As Jesus and the disciples passed by the tree again, they saw that it withered from the roots up. It was dead. Not dying. Dead.

Listen to how He responded to them when they saw it. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11: 23, KJV). Whether it be life or death.

Picture 04 - Mark 11:23 KJV - For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall - Bible Verse Picture

The Power of Forgiveness

There are a couple of things I need to point out. 1) To speak life, it must be in accordance with God’s will. Your desires have to be aligned with the Spirit.
And 2) To facilitate this unlimited power. You must forgive.

It is so relevant, that it immediately follows the premise of faith. “For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

“Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]” (Mark 11: 24-25, AMP).

Picture 07 - Mark 11:24 KJV - Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye - Bible Verse Picture

Power in Authority

Finally, Jesus followed up by teaching us to never question or allow anyone else to question the authority given unto us. In verses 27-33, the scribes are questioning Jesus’ dominion.

“And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and they say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these?

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

Picture 02 - Mark 11:28 KJV - And say unto him, By what authority doest thou - Bible Verse Picture

The Depth of Man’s Deception

“And they reasoned within themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven: he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?”
Now let me stop right here because every time Jesus had an interaction with these deniers. It was clear that they were cognizant of their words and deeds.

This is why it is written, “because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1: 19, AMP).

Yet I digress. “But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.”

Now again, I will deviate, briefly. As addressing and confirming men’s desire to worship with adulation of self.

“And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things” (KJV).

Picture 07 - Mark 11:33 KJV - And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot - Bible Verse Picture

God is The Head

See when you are ordained of God. You don’t owe any man an explanation. Lest they become a snare to your ministry.

Some men refuse to answer to God. But feel that it is acceptable to demand that men explain their intents and actions to them. Deeming themselves esteemed above God. In their minds.

Let me give you a stark example. A man will attempt to demean and dishonor another. Devaluing them.
This is dangerous because you are denying God’s deity. Having no infinite power over life or death. But you criticize and mock the ultimate Creator.

Because of blatant ignorance and arrogance. Take heed. “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes” (Psalm 82: 6-7, KJV).

Picture 03 - Psalms 82:7 KJV - But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of - Bible Verse Picture

We take the scriptures of being as gods out of context to exalt ourselves. But the writer is warning that although ALL men are created in God’s image, we are just that. Mere men.

Pride Comes Before the Fall, Then Death

Let that sink in and meditate on this. “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 3: 19, KJV).

Picture 05 - Ecclesiastes 3:19 KJV - For that which befalleth the sons of men - Bible Verse Picture

Meaning it is stupid to think otherwise. So, when we think of ourselves to be something. Even though we are nothing. Fooling ourselves. Operating as the basest of beings. At the lowest level of self-worth and esteem.

This is why Jesus washed the feet of others. Because you can’t be a leader without the willingness to serve. Having a heart of a servant-leader.

Always coming from a place of love and truth!!!

Originally written on July 8, 2023.

 

Schedule Life Coaching Sessions – benevolentwoman.com

https://benevolent-woman-4.creator-spring.com

 

Thank you, Cassandra Mack, at Cassandra Mack Ministries, for allowing me to sponsor an episode of your podcast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cassandra-mack-podcast/id1608225126?i=1000608584809



Comments

Leave a Reply



Continue reading


Please visit Appearance->Widgets to add your widgets here