Fruitful in Christ

Why Won’t God Do Something?

One of the most prevalent questions among believers and non-believers revolves around suffering in the earth, and personal suffering. It seems that if there is a God, and if He is good, there should be no suffering. He should “do something”. Because most Christians lack understanding in this area, they have no answers for those who have decided there must be no God. How can we understand God’s role in a world full of suffering?

The world God created was perfect.

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. (Gen. 1:31)

There was no sickness, no death, no violence, no war, and there were no disasters. Evil was not a part of God’s creation. Just before the completion of creation, God created the purpose for His creation; man.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion . . .” (Gen. 1:26-28)

God created the earth for mankind and gave the earth to mankind. Men and women were created to have dominion and rule the earth as God’s representatives.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. (Ps. 115:16)

God put mankind in charge of His creation.
. . You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalm 8:4-6)

Once Adam and Eve sinned against God, the consequences were immediate. Darkness, death, sickness, violence, lust, and fear all entered into creation because man had chosen independence from the Source of life and goodness.

The earth was now under the dominion of an enemy, the one who had deceived Adam and Eve, and through their sin had now “stolen” their dominion. In a very real sense, God was on the outside looking in. The earth was under man’s dominion and God must honor His Word.

Cain killed Abel and God didn’t intervene. Why didn’t He do something? He couldn’t. The earth belonged to man, and man had given it to Satan. God’s only way to now intervene in the affairs of men would be through man’s choice to believe Him by means of His covenants, and finally by means of His gift of redemption through Jesus. Only by our faith can God “do something” in our lives.

Suffering is not God’s fault. It is now our responsibility to “reign in life” (Rom. 5:17), “heal the sick” (Luke 9:2), “resist the devil” (James 4:7), and “believe and receive” (Mk. 11:24). God is waiting for us to believe Him. Born-again believers are now the light of the world, and are called to demonstrate God’s goodness in the midst of darkness.

If you are fearing, you are believing.

Many live lives of fear, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. What they may not realize is that they are using the God-given capacity to believe for the wrong things. They are believing for what they don’t want.

All of us have beliefs. Beliefs are shaped by words spoken to us, experiences, events, and feelings. Our beliefs can vary from day to day based upon our mood or the latest cultural fad. Fear is one of the major “beliefs” that many deal with. Fear of politics, the economy, the doctor’s report, and the bank account can be found in many hearts.

What we must understand is that when we are fearing something, we are actually believing in the power of the world and the enemy. Job said . . .

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. (Job 3:25)

Job’s fears were realized when the enemy took all he had. Fear powerfully attracts the forces of darkness. As the fearful meditate on the potential problem, they begin to speak about it, and sometimes even prophesy its inevitability. They are using the principles of faith against themselves.

God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7). Our “new creation” nature is the very nature and spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:17). There is no fear in our born-again spirit. But our mind and emotions need to be reprogrammed with this truth.

Fear reveals the foundation on which you have built your life. Is it built on politics, science, relationships, and money? If so, fear will have room to live in your life. But when your foundation is God, you will be able to resist the fear, and it will flee (James 4:7).

In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Ps. 56:4)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Ps. 118:6)

Don’t waste your faith on fear! Choose to know God and trust Him. Let the love of God fill you. God’s love drives out every fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, (1 John 4:18)

God’s Blessings Are For You!

Do you believe God wants you healed, blessed, and prospered? What is the vision you carry in your heart? Can you see yourself healed? Do you know God wants you to be blessed? Your logic will try and talk you out of it, just like the serpent did to Eve. You will feel unworthy. You will let the circumstances steal your vision, but then you will remember the words of Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)

You must conceive His words in your heart. Meditate on His goodness and His promises until every doubt is driven out. See the victory, speak the victory, and receive the victory by faith! If you can conceive it, you can have it.

A thankful heart is the door to miracles. So many lose the blessings of God because they are bitter and offended. Rather than acknowledging the good things He has done, many complain of their lack and pain. Bitterness is not the soil for a miracle harvest. What God has given you is enough to bring forth what He has promised. You have the mind of Christ, the power of words, and spiritual eyes to see the victory. You have the Holy Spirit!

Don’t let doubt and bitterness steal your blessings. The victory is within your grasp! He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

Can You Conceive It?

When I minister, my heart is to help people not only “see” the possibilities, but also “conceive” the Word in their hearts. Many feel they see the possibilities of healing, restoration, or provision, but don’t give time for that vision to be truly conceived within. You can know what has been conceived in you by what you are “seeing” in the Spirit. Not just an imagination, but a vision of something that absolutely will happen.

When a farmer plants his seeds, he is already “seeing” the harvest and planning for the economic blessing and the future for his family. He is acting on that which is still invisible.

When a woman discovers that she is expecting a child, her whole life changes. She continues her outward routine, but on the inside she is already seeing her child, planning, dreaming, and talking about the baby. A child has been conceived. The child is coming. Plans must be made.

Most of us understand that ungodly desires and lusts can be conceived and lead to sin and loss.

“Then, when desire (Lust) has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15)

If the desires of the flesh can be conceived, so can the desires of God! Jesus said it this way:

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Mt. 12:35)

Did you know that you can allow God’s words and God’s will to be conceived in your heart? Do you understand that every promise of God is a “seed” that can bring forth a harvest of blessing? What we allow our hearts to meditate on will determine if the treasure within is good or evil. What is being conceived in your heart?

Healing can be conceived, believed, and received. So can restoration, provision, and protection. All of His promises are “seeds” waiting to be planted in the soil of your heart (2 Cor. 1:20). Conception is the key. Conception requires communion with God.

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)

I have just experienced something absolutely amazing. This happened now just before 11:30pm. I was dreaming and I'm my dream, I was lying down leaning up on my right arm. I cannot recall what I was praying for but I had my left arm up in the air with my finger pointed and I said very calmly and very confidently" I believe I receive in the name of Jesus" as I said this, I experienced a tangible healing power throughout my whole body, it was so powerful it woke me up. I had goosebumps all over. I specifically felt the goosebumps on my legs as I woke up. People, I cannot even begin to describe in words how this felt.....I have experienced his before when I was alot younger in another dream I had about the rapture. I am in absolute awe right now 🙏

What is faith?

Absolute assurance in the goodness and the promises of God. Being fully persuaded by God’s Word and not moved by circumstances. Faith is “knowing” that can come only from hearing Him.

How do you know if you are in faith?

You have peace regardless of the circumstances. You speak words of life, not fear. You can “see” God’s will accomplished in your heart before you see it in the circumstances. You are filled with praise and thanksgiving in every situation.

An Image of Victory

So much of our lives is spent evaluating. We evaluate our health, we evaluate our economic condition, we evaluate our marriage, our children, our job, and our country. The list could go on.

Most evaluation focuses on what we see, hear, and feel about situations. and people. We are very locked into that which is tangible. Those evaluations create images on the inside. Those images shape our attitudes, thoughts, and words. Attitudes, thoughts, and words are the seeds of our future. Jesus said it this way.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Mt. 12:35)

The “treasure” is the image you carry within. It can be a treasure of faith, hope, love, and victory, or it can be a treasure of doubt, fear, and loss. You have an image inside of you, whether you have given it much thought, or not. From that image or “treasure” you are approaching your life.

A negative doctor’s report can create an image of impending death, but the word of God can overwhelm that image with an image of healing and health. Which image will win? Only you can decide what you will see in your heart.

The disciples had an image of lack when faced with feeding the multitudes. They made sure that Jesus understood how bad the situation was. “And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” (Mt. 14:17) Jesus carried a different image on the inside. He thanked the Father for what He had, blessed it, and put it to work. Thousands were fed because Jesus had a different image of the possibilities.

Do you see yourself as God sees you? Do you see yourself full of faith, full of joy, and full of love? Do you see a powerful man or woman of God inside of you, or do you still see a fearful, insecure victim?

Our image/treasure is subject to how much of God’s Word finds a place in our hearts. What you meditate on is what you will “see”. What you see is will become your destiny.

The Scripture says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” He doesn’t inhabit complaints; He doesn’t inhabit worry, frustration. “Why is this taking so long? These children are getting on my nerves.” That doesn’t get God’s attention. But when He hears you talking about His greatness, praising when you could be complaining, declaring His promises when you’re up against giants, thanking Him that He’s working when nothing is changing. That’s when God says, let Me step in. Let Me fight that battle. Let Me make a way. Let Me bring promotion, healing, favor.

The Power of Doubt

Probably the greatest hindrance to receiving all that God has for us is doubt. If we could understand the source of doubt, it would be easier to stay in faith.

Doubt is not spiritual, it is carnal. It is related to the five senses, natural logic, and memory. The God kind of faith is spiritual. It transcends our emotions and feelings. When we struggle with faith we are actually struggling with our senses and feelings. Faith is not of that realm, but faith can be quickly snuffed out when our senses have dominion.

When Jesus called Peter to walk on the water in the midst of a storm, Peter’s initial faith was in the word of Jesus. Had he stayed focused on that word, there would have been no problem. But Peter became very aware of the circumstances. The spiritual possibility was lost when his focus was lost. His senses gained the dominion and faith disappeared.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

We have been called to live by the Spirit, and in the Spirit all things are possible to those who believe. However, most don’t live in the Spirit. Most live very aware of the natural circumstances, their feelings, and their logic. Many think they are believing God when in reality they are “hoping” this faith stuff works. Most are filled with doubt.

What is the answer? What is the true issue?

“….purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

As long as we live by our senses/soul, feed our feelings, meditate on natural things, and allow our logic to interpret God’s Word, we will stay in doubt. The blessings of God will be hindered. The heart is the source of faith or doubt. The heart chooses to believe God or believe the circumstances.

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23)

Determine to “feed” your spirit daily and starve your feelings and senses of the negativity and unbelief that is everywhere. One word from God is enough but looking at the circumstances could be fatal.

Are You Afraid?

Fear describes the basic condition of natural, fallen man. Faith was transformed into fear in the Garden of Eden when man sinned. The fear of death became the root of all other manifestations of fear.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bo***ge. (Heb 2:14)

Fear is bo***ge. Fear can steal, kill and bring destruction to our lives. An abundant life is impossible when fear is allowed to dominate some area of our lives.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. (1 Jn. 4:18)

Fear gives birth to torment. Fear is the sign that love has yet to be perfected in the heart. For the fearful, their relationship with God is more mental than spiritual.

Fear is a warning sign that the love of God has not yet fully filled you.

The key to being free is to know the love of God. Paul prayed in the following manner for the church.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:17-19)

Make that prayer personal and thank God for the revelation of His love. God has not given you a spirit of fear. The new creation is power, love and a sound mind! (2 Tim. 1:7) Don’t concentrate on the fears. Concentrate on the love of God. The fears will disappear and the Truth will set you free (Jn. 8:32).

What is the prayer of faith?

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:15)

The subject of faith can be frustrating to some. There are tremendous promises in the New Testament about the power of faith, and yet many believers struggle to receive the answers they think they should. Do we really know what faith is?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1)

When we speak of faith we immediately must leave the realm of that which is seen and move into the dimension of “things not seen.” This can be a challenge since we are accustomed to evaluating our lives based upon our five senses. We know something when we see it, feel it or can prove it scientifically. But faith is not of that dimension. Thus, the prayer of faith can be a mystery.

The difficulty lies in understanding the difference between what we know with our heads, and what has been quickened to us in our spirits.

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto your word. (Ps. 119:107)

Faith comes by “hearing” the Word (Rom. 10:17). This does not refer to simply hearing the Word with our natural ears, since many do so and never demonstrate faith. We are speaking of spiritual hearing. Paul says it this way:

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit. . . (Rom. 8:16)

This spiritual event is the birth place of faith. Apart from “hearing” there is no faith. There can be agreement, mental assent and a generally positive feeling toward the things of God, but those characteristics are not faith. Therefore, when many pray what they believe is a prayer of faith, they may be simply stating what they agree with in their minds.

Spiritual hearing should be taking place daily. It is not a mystical, random thing, but should be the expectation of every believer as a fruit of our relationship with Him. The more sensitive we are to the Word and Spirit of God, the more we will be quickened and find faith abounding.

The prayer of faith has “seen” or “heard” the answer and declares it. It does not require natural sight or feelings to know that the answer is certain. The prayer of faith has seen the unseen and knows that what was seen in the Spirit will manifest. There is no doubt.

Faith in His Word

When Jesus walked the earth healing all who came to Him, the people were in the presence of the physical Jesus whom they could see, hear and touch. In most cases their faith was on the level of their 5 senses. Only the Centurion and the Canaanite woman demonstrated a level of faith that went beyond the sense realm. While those who went to Jesus were healed instantly, they were not walking in the same kind of faith that we walk in today. Our faith is not sense related, but Word related. We must approach the Word as they approached Jesus.

“blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

It seems one of the most challenging aspects of our life in Christ is that of having to trust His Word rather than our senses. If we truly believe that His words are Spirit and life (Jn. 6:63), then we must come to the place where we honor His Word over our senses.

True faith receives the answer before the senses and symptoms agree. Faith is the evidence of things “not seen.” (see Hebrews 11:1)

“But these are WRITTEN, that you might BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.” (Jn. 20:31)

That which is written carries the same life and authority as Jesus in the flesh! When we choose to believe what is written, we have life through His Name! The flesh profits nothing. Trusting in the flesh profits nothing. Waiting for the flesh to feel good before deciding if God’s Word is true is walking by sight. Dedicate yourself to believing what is written for you and about you. Let the vision in your heart conform to the promises of God, not the symptoms and circumstances of the moment. That is Life!

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)

Why Faith?

What does faith do for us that God hasn’t already done? We understand the finished work of the cross and our position of rest in Him, justified and holy in His sight. We rejoice in His infinite love and know that we are free from guilt and condemnation, so, why faith?

Is faith just resting, or can it be proactive as well? Actually, faith is our response to the incredible truths mentioned above. It is faith that receives what God has given. Our faith is the only thing that gives God pleasure. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:6).

He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, ….(does it)…..by the hearing of faith. (Gal. 3:5) We know that faith is the result of ‘hearing’ God. Miracles are a harvest of such hearing.

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” (Mt. 9:29) Our faith establishes the boundaries of what we can receive from God.

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” (Mt. 15:28) Faith receives that which is already available. If God’s blessings were automatic we would have no needs. The moment a need arose, grace would make it go away. But we know that isn’t how it happens. God’s grace has provided His promises and His promises quickened to our spirits release our faith to receive that which grace has provided.

…by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).

The promises of God are the seeds of grace. Faith brings in the harvest. Faith is our response to His goodness!

The Heart

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23)

Our lives spring from our hearts. What we feed on is what our hearts produce in thoughts, words, and actions. Those who feed on the news, Hollywood, sports, gossip, and criticism, will be in tune with those environments, and from their hearts will spring those feelings, thoughts, words, and actions. If our hearts are never nourished on His Word which is Spirit and life, then we are limiting the grace that is available for an abundant life.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Mt. 12:35)

Those “treasures” in the heart have sources. The sources are what we feed on, what we give our time to, and what we meditate on.

It is so important to understand the power of the heart! For, “. . . out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Mt. 12:34)

Words carry life and death, faith and fear, blessing or cursing. Words come from the heart.

Doublemindedness is a heart issue. “purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) Those who are confused and always struggling with doubt have a heart problem. What we are feeding on will shape our thinking, our feelings, our words, and our actions.

“Keep your heart with all diligence!” Feed yourself on the promises of God, and praise and thanksgiving. Choose to be a blesser, a giver, and one who speaks words of life, hope, and faith. As we bring forth “good things,” the harvest of God’s blessings will overtake us.

Is He available before the problem, or only after?

I was speaking with someone recently who made a comment that resonated within me. They said, “God is not just a grief counselor.” The idea behind the statement was that so many Christians view their relationship with God as one of consolation after a failure or tragedy. If you are hurting, broken or devastated, you can count on God to “be there for you”. We usually hear the following statement in such times: “God has everything under control, and everything happens for a reason.”

While I don’t want to diminish the ministry of the Holy Spirit in comforting the afflicted, when we reduce God to the mere role of grief counseling, we are accepting the idea that we have no resources in this world and that we are at the mercy of adverse circumstances. We are just trying to hang on until He comes or we pass from this life. Is this an accurate view of God? Does He have more to offer than just consolation after a tragedy?

Consider for a moment what God has given to us and what He expects of us:

1. We are expected to reign in life (Rom. 5:17)
2. We are expected to pray believing, and receive what we ask for. (Mark 11:23-24)
3. We are expected to put on the whole armor of God and stand. (Eph. 6:13-18)
4. We have been given the Name above all names. (Phil. 2:9-11)
5. We can be endued with power by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:49)
6. We have been given exceeding, precious promises. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)
7. We are partakers of a better covenant. (Heb. 8:6)
8. We have the keys of the Kingdom. (Mt. 16:19)
9. We have authority to bind and loose. (Mt. 16:19)
10. We have the authority of the Word of God. (Acts 14:3)
11. We are seated with Him in heavenly places. (Eph. 2:6)
12. No weapon formed against us should prosper. (Isa. 54:17)
13. By His stripes we were healed. (Isa. 53:5)
14. We can tread upon on the works of the enemy. (Luke 10:19)
15. We can resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:8)

This list could go on and on. In other words, God is more than a grief counselor. He has provided us with more than enough to take charge of our circumstances and establish His will. We can be proactive with our resources, or we can sit back and be overwhelmed with the storms of life. The choice is ours.

Be it unto me according to thy Word. (Luke 1:38)

What would life be like if we determined to live according to this statement? Here are some alternative ideas:

- Be it unto me according to my fears.
- Be it unto me according to my feelings.
- Be it unto me according to the news.
- Be it unto me according to the doctor’s report.
- Be it unto me according to my bank statement.

Do you get the picture? All of us are submitting to and agreeing with something. Are we agreeing with His Word, or are we agreeing with other things? What is actively working in your life and forming your future; your fears and feelings, or the Word? What is coming out of your mouth? The news and the doctor’s report, or the promises of God? What are you agreeing with?

Let God’s Word be conceived in you and determine to agree with what it says above all else. Sow it day and night into your heart and mind. Speak it and sing it. Let the Word prevail in you, and you will prevail in life!

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” (Acts 19:20)