Having Confidence in Christ

“We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (Hebrews 3:14)

In Christ we are built on a firm foundation. This foundation built the heavens, the earth and everything we see around us. He is the sole expression of God’s glory and holds the eternal position as Savior seated in the heavenly realm at the right hand of God the Father. As believers, we too have come to partake in Christ and all that He has for us if we hold firm until the end, the confidence we had at first.

Paul said in Colossians, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” (Colossians 2:6).

The only way to receive Christ is by faith. Faith placed in what He did to restore and redeem you. Faith is the action of our convictions.

When we heard the gospel message, our hearts responded in faith toward this message of grace. The book of Romans demonstrates this key principal, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:8-9).

What you are confessing is your faith in Jesus, this is a demonstration of the belief of your heart. Salvation is a combination of God’s grace and your faith placed in that gift of grace. Ephesians makes this very clear, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Since we received Christ by faith, we are to continue in the Him in the very same way. We start with faith and we will finish in faith. We are called to share in Christ holding confidently to the exact same faith that saved us.

As believers, our life is a faith journey. Our faith grows and changes but the foundation remains the same and everything is built upon it. Christ is that foundation. We have come to partake in Christ, to share in everything that He has for us; but to do this we must hold in faith to the very end. Why because faith is the key that unlocks everything God has for us. This is why Hebrews says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and the he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). To receive you must believe and believing takes faith.

What an amazing truth to know in this life all we need to do is focus on Jesus. If we look toward him and continue in Him the exact same way we started we will be successful. We will be rooted and established on a foundation that is firm, unshakeable and able to present us before God pure and holy.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us time and time again to focus our thoughts and attention on Jesus. Even the book of Hebrews wraps up with this reminder, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”(Hebrews 12:1-3).

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Obedience to God

In this article we will consider the topic of obedience. To start we will go to Romans 6:15-18. There we read:

Romans 6:15-18

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin you became slaves of righteousness."

According to this passage, one is the servant of the one he obeys, with two possibilities available: either, by obeying sin, he will be a servant of sin, or, by obeying from the heart God and His doctrine, he will be a servant of righteousness. In other words, it is impossible for one to truly serve God if his heart does not obey Him. It really doesn't matter how active we may be in religious activities. What matters is how OBEDIENT we are to Him, for it is our obedience and the one we obey that determines the one we serve in reality. As James 4:7-8 tells us:

James 4:7-8

"Therefore SUBMIT TO GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse yourhands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded"

We need to draw near to God, so that He draw near to us. We cannot serve Him from distance, without knowing Him. We can serve only the one we obey and to whom we subject ourselves. As it says in Philippians 2:5-11:

Philippians 2:5-11

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and BECAME OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS. Therefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

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What Faith Is

Christ that leads you to commit your whole soul to Him as Saviour (Justifier, Cleanser, Healer, Deliverer) and Lord (Master, King).

The NIV translation says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

The NKJV of the Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened.

Faith is a spiritual force. Faith in God is a response to God's Word which moves God to act. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "For assuredly I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but BELIEVES that those things he SAYS will be done, he will HAVE whatever he SAYS." Words mixed with the real, pure faith can and will move mountains or any other problem that we face.

Faith in God must be from the heart. It is not merely intellectual. It is spiritual. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

Faith causes you to know in your heart before you see with your eyes. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2Cor 5.7)

Some say, "Seeing is believing." Once you see the thing hoped for already existing in the natural order, you don't need faith.

Hope is a condition for faith. Hope is "a positive unwavering expectation of good". Hope is for the mind (1 Thessalonians 5:8; Hebrews 6:19), an anchor for the soul. It keeps us in the place where we can believe, but it is not in itself "faith". Yet, without hope there are no "things hoped for", and therefore there cannot be faith.

Through faith we can know we have the answer to our prayer before we see anything change in the natural order (1 John 5:14,15). Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mk 11:24). God expects us, even commands us, to believe that our petitions are answered by God AT THE

MOMENT WE MAKE THEM. We must believe that the response is immediately sent WHEN we pray. Faith is like the confirmation slip in our hearts that the goods are on the way. We have that confirmation slip instantly from God. We sense it in our hearts. The manifestation of those goods, the answer received, comes later as long as we are patient and do not throw away our confidence. (Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 6:12)

Faith is like a cheque. All you have to do is hold on to the cheque, go to the bank to present it and you can confidently expect the money to appear in your account after a certain time. If you throw the cheque away the money will not be put in your account. God is trustworthy and always has resources to back his promises.

Living faith always has corresponding actions. We talk what we really believe, and we act according to what we really believe. The heroes of faith like Abraham were considered men of faith because they acted on what God showed them. They acted on their faith. (Hebrews 11:17-38, James 2:21-23).

To live in faith means to do and say what you believe is right, without doubting.

Faith is a rest. It is compatible with inner peace. It is not "trying to believe". To say that you are "trying to believe" God is to say that you don't believe Him. The man who is "trying to believe" may be sincere, but he does not have faith in that area yet.

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God's blessings in Christ.

A study of the fact of God's blessings is a wonderful study. God is the greatest giver of all. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast in turning," wrote James (Jas. 1: 17, ASV).

The Father exemplified the greatest possible giving when he gave his only begotten Son for sinful man (Jn. 3: 16, for a study of John 3: 16 see link at the end of this material). There are numerous Hebrew and Greek words translated bless, blessed, and blessings. Viewed collectively they mean "to declare happy, to speak well of, very happy."

Again, I stress that God is the source of all true blessings (Gen. 1: 22, 28, 5: 2). A good example of God's blessings is seen in the case of Abraham (Heb. 6: 14, see addendum). Let us now focus our study on two areas, those whom God blesses, and blessings in Christ.

Those whom God blesses. In a general sense, God blesses all men in that He has provided for all (Acts 17: 28, Matt. 5: 45). However, in actuality God only blesses certain ones in the sense of his salvation and providence. Consider those whom God has said he blesses (also consider the opposite application).

Those who trust in God. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in him," declared the Psalmist (Ps. 34: 8, see vs. 7-9). To trust in God means we believe him and rely on him. The trust taught is child like, as a child trusts in his parents for provision and guidance (Matt. 18: 1-4).

Those who consider the poor. Again, God plainly speaks through his word: "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble" (Ps. 41: 1). The biblical principle is, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20: 35).

Those who hear instruction. Wisdom says, "Hear instruction, and be wise and refuse it not" (Prov. 8: 33). "Blessed is the man that heareth me," God's word continues, "watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors" (vs. 34). God also said, "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish (Prov. 12: 1).

Those who keep God's ways. God's word unequivocally says, "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways" (Prov. 8: 32). Jesus said, "If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them" (Jn. 13: 17, ASV).

Those who endure. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," declared the Spirit led James (Jas. 1: 12).

Peter taught that if one turns back to the world, it would have been better for him to have never known the way of righteousness (2 Pet. 2: 20-22).

The casual student of the scriptures should be conversant with the expression "in Christ." It is in Christ that the Father spiritually blesses man today. Hear the apostle Paul: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1: 3).

Appreciate the fact that "all spiritual blessings" are in Christ. Notice in particular some of the stated blessings that are enjoyed in Christ.

God's grace is enjoyed in Christ. God's grace is absolutely essential to man's salvation, as man can not merit his salvation (Tit. 3: 5). However, notice where this grace is enjoyed, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2: 1). Hence, those outside of Christ are without God's saving grace (Eph. 2: 12).

The new creature is in Christ. When one submits to God's plan of salvation (means of accessing God's grace), one becomes a new creature, the old man is put to death (Rom. 6: 3 ff). Notice the location of the new creature, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5: 17).

Furthermore, "in Christ" there is no condemnation (Rom. 8: 1). In Christ redemption, being a child of God, and salvation are experienced (Eph. 1: 7; Gal. 3: 26; 2 Tim. 2: 10).

One gains entrance into Christ by water baptism (Rom. 6: 4; Gal. 3: 26, 27). To be in Christ is to be in his spiritual body, the church (cp. Gal. 3: 27 and I Cor. 12: 13; the "body" is the church, Eph. 1: 22, 23).

In closing, all men should desire to be blessed by God in the way we have studied. However, since God is the source of all true blessings, He has the right to name those whom He blesses and state the circumstances of the blessings. We are truly thankful that God has promised to bless man in such a way that man can easily become a recipient of God's blessings. To be blessed of God is to be truly happy (Jn. 13: 17, KJV).

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Ambassadors for the Glory of God

Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland

on November 14, 2009

Washington, D.C. Victory Campaign

“Choose your thoughts very carefully that I’ve given you through your Lord and Savior Jesus and by the gift of the Holy Spirit. I’ve given you My Word and My authority to choose your thoughts—keep some, reject some, take authority over them all. Don’t you remember in My Word when I said, ‘Whatsoever things are true, lovely, and of good repoGLISHrt, if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things’? Remember also I said in My Word, ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who thought it not robbery to be called equal with God.’

“I have brought you up out of the sin. I have brought you up out of the darkness. I have given you My Word and you have been born again and I have brought you up with Me. I have made you sit with Me,” saith the Lord, “in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. You are His joint heir. You sit with Me,” saith the Lord.

“So don’t think you’re stealing from Me and robbing Me of My honor and My place as God by claiming to be equal with Me. No. You rob Me when you do not claim to be equal with Me,” saith the Lord. “Read My Word again and find out if it’s true or not. I made you equal with Me. I made you. You didn’t make yourself equal. No man could. An awesome price was paid for your joint heirship with Me,” saith the Lord. “So rejoice and take your place and walk in My blessing and in the greatness and the mightiness of the power of My Name,” saith the Lord.

Hallelujah. Whoa! I believe. I will. I’ll take it. I have it. Hallelujah. Glory be to God. Amen. Whoa! Hallelujah.

“You are vitally important to Me. It is necessary for you to rise up and take your place in these times and in these days. You are My ambassadors of My glory. You are My power in the earth. You carry My Anointing. You are the Body of Christ. You are the Body and you are the fullness of Me,” saith the Lord. “So take My Name and rejoice and walk in it in full grace and fullness of indwelling of My Spirit. For these are our days,” saith God. 

“They’re important to you. They’re important to Me. For these are the days that will bring to pass all that I planned before the foundation of the world. For rejoice and understand,” saith the Lord. “Jesus is coming so soon. Much sooner than you think. Yes. Even sooner than you think. For it is at hand. This is the framework. 

These are the times when all things must come to pass. And much that you are seeing in the world today is just that. Those things coming to pass that will bring it to a close. So rejoice and understand that we’re in this together. We’ll go in it together. We’ll go through it together. We’ll come out of it together, and we’ll rejoice together and we’ll come together,” saith the Lord.

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Testemunhos

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The value of the Bible Study

 It is essential that we have a good sense of values. We know this is true in the day-to-day. Is expensive to buy or sell unless we have a proper sense of values. The Bible shows the many shipwrecks that had no discernment of values - Lot, Esau, Balaam, Judas and Demas. We recognize the value of Bible study?

 In order to have the correct value of Bible study, we first have an appropriate value of the Bible. For those who will probably read this, you already know the value of the Bible. We know it is very helpful as a guide for this life and to point the way to eternal life. We can talk out of the mouth of its value, but if you really value it, we will study it. Let's review some reasons why we remember the value of Bible study.

Give us faith (John 20:31). Faith is necessary for the conversion (Acts 15:7) and to please God (Hebrews 11:6). It is essential for the son of God as "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).Faith is our shield (Ephesians 6:16) and give us victory (1 John 5:4).

It will strengthen our hope that can save us (Romans 8:24). Will stimulate our desire to go to heaven and give us confidence that we are headed. Serve as an anchor in the storms of life (Hebrews 6:18-20).

The Bible study will be wise on what really matters (Psalm 119:98-99). That is, the study will continue to make us wise in the things learned (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

The study of the word keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:9,11) and enable us to overcome sin (1 John 2:4).

Bible study will help us avoid falling (Psalm 37:31). The lack of knowledge of God's word leads to destruction (Hosea 4:6).

Give joy (Psalm 19:8). The deluded world does not believe, but the joy is complete in God (1 John 1:4). The study makes us able to have joy even in bad things (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28).

Bible study Console (Psalm 119:92). When a loved one from this world, nothing can console us as the Bible (1 Thessalonians 4:18). There will be times in life where one of every need of consolation. The study will enable us to find solace.

Provides food for the soul (Matthew 4:4). Have a recipe appropriate for a child to mature and another (1 Peter 2:2). The word of God must be more desired than gold and all material things (Psalm 19:10).

It has good fruit (Matthew 7:16). It has an uplifting effect on humanity. Freedom has advanced. Opposes the things that corrupt. It raises the morale and dignity to women.

Saves the soul when correctly received (James 1:21). Not cold nor dead, but it's like a fire (Jeremiah 23:29) and is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It took 3,000 people to seek salvation in Christ at Pentecost (Acts 2).

If we know and believe in these things, the Bible study will be part of our day-to-day

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God

The content of the Christian message is found in the book that Christians believe was given by God as a revelation of Himself – the Bible.

The Bible tells us things about God that we could not know otherwise. What follows is based solely and completely on that book.The Bible’s message begins with God.
 

1 The Bible does not argue God’s existence – it simply states it, assuming that man knows that God exists.
 

2 In fact, the Bible says that the created universe around us is sufficient to demonstrate the existence of God.
 

3The Bible says there is only one God.
 

4 He is the Creator of all that is.
 

5 He is not a part of creation, but is distinct from creation, for He existed prior to the created universe, and was under no compulsion to bring the universe into existence. God is spirit and has always been – He never “started” at some point in time. He is eternal.
 

6 Because God has created all things, and because God Himself is personal and creates with a reason, then all things have purpose and meaning.
 

7 God is holy.
 

8 He is the absolute standard of goodness itself – there is nothing evil or corrupt in God.
 

9 Because He is holy, He must punish evil.God is personal – in fact, the Bible tells us that God is tri-personal; that is, that the one being of God is shared by three eternal persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This would be contradictory if we said that God was one being and three beings, or one person and three persons, but as long as one remembers that being and personality are different things, the Bible’s teaching is quite clear.
 

10 And, though it is one of the greatest mysteries of all, we are told that God is loving, merciful, and kind10 – and that despite man’s rebellion against Him!

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