Faith Archives » Your Belief is Your Starting Point.

Tree of Life

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NASB

Healing, Protection, Everlasting life

From Genesis to Revelation, the Tree of Life stands firm and strong as a wonderful through line. It brings to us a great mental image and great expression of the fullness of God through Jesus Christ.

The Tree of Life is full of meaning of healing, protection, everlasting life, and abundance of God’s great love. The Tree of Life shows us harmony and togetherness with God through the image of roots, vines, branches, leaves, fruit and more.

The Tree of Life is represented in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection is the offering of healing, protection, and everlasting life. Jesus Christ is the promise, given to us by our Father God, seeded in the conveyance of Abraham’s personal heartfelt faith, which intently grew into blessings for his descendants, and the promise continued through to all the nations of the earth grafted in.

Jesus Christ, the branch of David, leads us from sin and death in Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis through to everlasting life as the way to healing of the nations in the book of Revelations.

The Vine

We, now being like trees with roots, branches, leaves and fruit are called by Jesus Christ to remain in Him who is the vine. He causes us to survive and thrive with the fruit of the Spirit. He invites us to this transformation.

In the Garden of Eden, where we so innocently once walked with God in His presence, and having access to the Tree of Life lived forever in peace with God, there we came to find ourselves in the midst of radical change- the regenerative plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

And though distanced from the Tree of Life in the book of Genesis, we press on to what lies ahead, having access to this grace in which we stand- the bountiful grace of God- which blooms the Tree of Life. Be covered, eat, and be transformed by the Tree of Life that in revelation heals the nations.

Fulfillment

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 ESV

Love and Sacrifice

The feeling and action of fulfillment is satisfaction and completion. Fulfillment derives from something that was accomplished and the resulting integrity of that accomplishment. Fulfillment remedy’s debt- it counteracts and eliminates something owed. The necessary steps that were taken to meet a requirement or condition was successful according to a process. And in the midst of the process of fulfillment is love and sacrifice.

Our debt was paid long ago on the cross in fulfillment of God’s law. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He fulfilled the law of sin and death by taking the burden of our sins upon Himself and defeating death in resurrection. God made Him who knew no sin to be an offering for our sins so that we could be made right with God. And since this time of fulfillment in Christ, we have been brought close to Him that we may attain absolution and the resulting joy associated with His promise of forgiveness.

Our Advocate

In Jesus Christ we have an advocate who intercedes for us as we stand before God in judgement. Jesus Christ clothes us with righteousness and lives within our hearts as we are in Him also. He testifies to God on our behalf that we have been redeemed by His sacrifice- the shedding of His blood, and our receipt of grace and mercy through faith in Him who died for our sins. This fulfillment brings us atonement and reconciliation with God through Christ.

We are justified, and the promise of this fulfillment is everlasting. We have moved from a place of sin and injustice to the state of grace and justice. And when we receive justification through faith, our obligation changes from slave to sin to freedom from sin.

The Courts of Heaven

There is a cost for sin < the price was paid < fulfillment made.

And in the courts of heaven God sees our condition. Have we moved from a state of sin to a state of righteousness? Has the accuser of Job, the enemy of God and man succeeded in his accounts to discredit us before God? Or are we confident in our position- having joy and peace in believing the fulfillment of Jesus Christ, His forgiveness, and God’s everlasting love.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:31-34 NKJV

It’s Not Small it’s Just Beginning

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NASB

Birth Pangs

When Jesus spoke to His disciples about a future time before His second coming, He spoke of birth pangs. The productive pain of something that is just beginning- or that has begun since the time of Jesus. A pain that leads to a positive result.

We hold this pain in the form of a longing for the return of Jesus Christ, and this longing grows as we grow in Christ. We can also relate to this pain in many varied ways. In the birth of a child, the birth of aspirations, the birth of hope fulfilled.

“It’s not small it’s just beginning” is a call to remember that the desires of our hearts, which God knows more than we do, which leads to wisdom and understanding is beginning to grow or increase rapidly, as the state of the world also increases rapidly in conquest, division, economic changes, and demise. Personal birth pangs and societal birth pangs are intensifying consecutively. Small now, but just the beginning.

Hope & A Future

For those who believe, Jesus offers us hope and a future. He offers us a time of maturation- a gestational period of development where our faith grows, and hope and love is made reality within us. As Jesus covers us in His righteousness and protection, He fortifies and strengthens us, and prepares us for the pain of birth and sanctifies us in the process as we submit to His process.

The birth pangs are real as they have been happening throughout the centuries. And now we feel them too. They are collectively happening within and without. A course of reckoning of the state of things. He has always been preparing His church body- His bride, and the world for His coming. And He has indwelled within us the Holy Spirt, full of purpose and promise for His glory.

The Way Forward

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalms‬ ‭32:8‬.

Faith

Belief + action + confidence = Faith. Go forward by faith. The only way forward is by faith. And how do we know this causation? Because our inclination is to always be moving forward. To not be at a standstill but to grow. We’re wired to move with time, to consider the future, to seek avenues that ultimately lead to progress and peace. We build upon what we know; we act upon what we believe. These are the building blocks of our faith that propels forward the chain of events in which life unfolds.

There is a reason for everything. A never-ending series of remarkable occurrences with causal connections. A way forward that draws us in the way of purpose, and draws us through time like magnetism. Should we care to know is an exercise in wonder.

Force of Life

We are in the midst of surrender to the force of life that connects us all. We relatively live in the unknown from our point of view. Ideal objectivity is ever so out of reach- we are in echo chambers of egos. We think and feel with skewed emotional maturity- intellectually striving to subvert our primal drives. We feel masterful in our autonomy. To know we’re not the ones in control is to threaten our sovereignty.

We make our choices, every second of every day, one after the other. Without a thought or indiscriminately, or with impeccable planning and forethought; But also with guidance. An invisible hand in the form of momentum moving us forward.

God’s Will-Your Journey

So, are we creating this journey of life with God? Is the way paved before us or are we paving the way? Free will or determinism. The answer is both. Free will and destiny coexist. We are all in a symbiotic relationship with our creator God and with each other. The good, the bad, the ugly things in life, all mutually dependent. All our choices are a means to an end. God draws you to Him as we all draw nearer and nearer to the end of time and a new heaven and a new earth.

Your life journey is your own. It’s a most memorable and personal journey between you and God. In every decision you make, you walk the path set before you. An ecosystem of free will and determinism. And this is God’s will for your life. Be receptive to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; and fear not the path that leads you forward.

Part 2- of Mini Devotion On Faith

Mark 4:39 “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”.

This morning I had my devotional as usual prayed then read the word, came across a writing from Charles Spurgeon saying “Faith and calm go together”. Who wouldn’t want calm specially at this time!

In going to bed the night before I had a left pain in my chest, woke up not really feeling myself but when I read what I am sharing with you, I felt an unexplainable release and thought this is good, I need it and others too.

The writing goes on “if you believe, you will rest; …”. My mind immediately went to the first devotional I called ‘Mini Devotion On Faith’.

Here is a recap: However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tends and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tends”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came.

It hit me meaning I better understood what (P) was saying. In Isa. 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Him): because he trusteth in thee (Him)”.

Charles Spurgeon “Oh, to get into that calm and remain in it until we come to that world where there is no more raging sea!.

Another quote “He gives sleep to His beloved”. The Word of God tells me to hold onto my faith, that is the first part then the second is to trust Him. I am convinced that faith brings trust and trust takes you and I to that place of calm, where we no longer fight; and peace will be present because we know.

In all of this, surrendering to Him is essential. I just love connecting the dots that’s me; 😊

By Kerri-Ann

Mini Devotional on Faith

Yesterday morning as I opened my eyes, the thought came; have we (laid down) accepted the virus! I am not ignorant to the virus and I do feel bad knowing that I no longer work in the hospitals (healthcare settings). In not working in health care and being at home, I know I am shield to an extent from the virus.

However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tense and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tense”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came. I will re-share P’s video.

Mark 4:37-40 there was a storm.

39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40) And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

Second line in St John 3:16 ….,that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Mustard seed is a the plant referred to here is generally considered to be black mustard, a large annual plant up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, but growing from a proverbially small seed (Wikipedia).

By Kerri-Ann

The Burning of Notre Dame

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
Philippians 3:18-19

Faith, housed in the heart, will never be destroyed.

It is Holy Week 2019 and Notre Dame Cathedral is burning. The stark imagery of a burning building a wash in medieval symbolism, juxtaposed to the procession of Holy Week was curious to say the least. This masterful edifice has stood its ground since the 12th century, with its demanding architecture and demanding presence. Now on this 15th day of April, 2019, it is burning.

So now, as we consider this imagery and wonder, the question is: What do we see, what do we know, and what do we learn? Destruction in this world is imminent. But faith housed in the heart will never be destroyed.

Stress management and the Bible

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9

Manage Stress

Stress is a part of life and it can wreak havoc on our body, soul, and mind if we do not know how to cope with it in our daily life. Stress is the result of pressure, strain, or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances, or circumstances you feel are out of your control. Stress can be overwhelming and can cause anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, pounding heart, insomnia, and premature aging among others. One of the best things we can do for ourselves when encountering stress is to manage it in healthy ways.

Change Perspective

God shows us the way to consider stress. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”(James 1:2-4). Changing your perspective on stress and knowing that God is in control, that He loves us and wants the best for us, can enable us to look at the stressors in a different way which can be freeing. Once we’re able to see the stressors in a different light, we are better able to make use of stress management tools like relaxation techniques, physical activity, communicating your feelings or counseling, time management techniques etc.

We also need to keep ourselves mentally and spiritually strong and resilient before stress occurs. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). We need to know who we are in Christ, strengthen the areas in which we are weak, and put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We need to be prepared with the truth that God has our back no matter the stress of the moment. “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Start. Trust that God loves you and wants the best for you. Pray and meditate before, during, and after stressful moments so you have an understanding of each event and can take lessons from it. Make use of stress management techniques like controlled breathing, positive thinking, time management, exercise, doing something you love, treating yourself, talking to close friends and family, and more.