Moses had told the children of Israel that “the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.” Deuteronomy 30:14 The words “with your mouth” refers to speech, “with your heart” to thought, and “that you may do it” refers to action. With our heart” pertains not only to the power of thought, but also to the heart as the place where our emotions reside. We are able to function in this world within an experience of love, respect, and in awe of God. The verse is telling us that it is within the capability of a believer to fulfill the will of God in the midst of their life. There was a time when the statement “this thing is very near to you…in your heart” seemed contrary to our experience because in our experience we found that we did not automatically acquire a spirit of love and fear of God. We saw that we had to change our heart. Fortunately God has made provision for us to obtain to it in Jesus Christ for we are His workmanship.
We have received as a gift, by the Spirit, a love and respect for God who saved us. We have received the life of Jesus Christ. We can stir the gift that is within us on a daily basis. Paul declared in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. As we continue to reflect and think upon the goodness and greatness of God, we can experience a love and awe of God, sufficient to give Him expression. God is seeking a people who care enough about His existence, His will and His plan to give Him expression on earth. We grow in our unity and oneness with the Lord. Jesus prayed: “That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me. And the glory which You gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me.” John 17:21-23 He prayed that we might participate in and enjoy the relationship that He had with the father.
God has sent forth and provided a living word to create and bring into manifestation the desire of His heart. The Spirit has revealed to us the plan of God but it has been proven by our own experience - formed from the understanding that His word has produced. It is a living word. We believe that as we follow and speak a living Word that we have heard from God, that Word will bring into being that which has been declared. We have determined to give the truth expression through our lives. We have seen that as we have borne the image of the earthly we can bear the image of the heavenly. Our lives are gradually being motivated by one thought - that Jesus Christ be revealed and glorified on earth.
The Apostle Peter assures us that we have obtained like precious faith with them through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. We have been given exceeding great and precious promises: through which we might be partakers of His divine nature. It is an encouragement for those who desire to be liberated from their doubts to experience a life of faith. We are asked to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Therefore, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” Hebrews 10:23 The Spirit brings to our remembrance the thought, ‘There a promise for me’. If the word of God gives us the answer then that is sufficient to cause us to expect that He will perform the promise in us. Our labor is not in vain. God desires to reveal the essence of His own existence. Deep calls to deep.
We have resolved to focus our minds on the Word of God, and encourage our hearts be filled with the thought: "He is faithful that promised." Above all, especially when we are challenged by circumstances or inner struggle we seek to remember, "God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians 1:9. We are seeking divine transformation and manifest sonship. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify us completely; and may our whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who has called us is faithful, who also will do it.” 1Thessalonians 5:23-25
“Delight thyself in the LORD; and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 God will generate by His Word and His Spirit the proper hope in our hearts. The desires are according to His will. Through His grace we can find the proper response, which is faith. “Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 Trust is faith – a response of the heart consistent with the hope that He has shown us. We commune with our heart and form faith out of our lives. “Trust in the LORD (form faith), and do good; so shall you dwell in the land (dwell in the promise – dwell in hope), and truly you shall be fed.” Psalm 37:3 We live in, and by the hope revealed out of the mouth of God.
Hope must shape us. This occurs as we find the proper response to the promises that God has given to us. There is always choice and response. The proper response of the heart enables us to mix faith that is formed out of our life with the word preached. Faith teaches the heart and soul to wait upon God so that He may point out to it what it must do, and that it may learn by experience to understand the significance of the promise: “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 Believing in His faithfulness we walk in it. The just shall live by faith – and give expression to the hope that is in them. Christ in you is the hope of glory.
*For more information on this topic simply E-mail Michael Brod at: michaelbrod@hotmail.com
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LIFE AND HOPE: BY MICHAEL BROD