This is a word for me in 2017, and I know that many also are in the process of learning more about trust – and being able to fully enter in.

Here are some definitions from one of my favorite resources, the Webster’s 1828 Edition of the American Dictionary of the English Language (available online at http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary)

TRUST, noun

Confidence; a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.

…whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Prov 29:25)

TRUST, verb transitive To place confidence in; to rely on.

(This is very similar to the word faith, which is often defined as, to trust in, to depend on, and to rely on.)

TRUST, verb intransitive To be confident of something present or future.

To trust to, to depend on; to have confidence in; to rely on.

Also – To trust in, to confide in; to place confidence in; to rely on

Practical examples

When one sits on a chair, you are able to rest and be comfortable.  Most often we do not even think about this action; we just do it, we just sit down and enjoy the support and comfort of the chair.  This is because we have done it before many, many times, and we know it works.

In John 15 Jesus teaches the lesson of the branch abiding in the vine.  Abiding means is to be “vitally united”, it is also defined as “maintaining a living communion.”

The branch does not struggle or strain as it abides, in fact the branch fulfills its purpose as it produces fruit.  Being fruitful and productive is the natural result of abding.

Trust results in rest and health

When one trusts, there is rest, there is ease from struggle and stress.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-39 Message version

Trust taps into “Christ in us”

When we trust in the Lord we put into action the reality of His life that is in us, His favor that is on us.

We have so much to trust in, many are His promises of care, of protection, of victory, of fulfillment, and of love.

]]> https://jaybecker.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/trust/feed/ 1 Jay https://jaybecker.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/faith-and-relationship/ https://jaybecker.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/faith-and-relationship/#respond Sun, 06 Nov 2016 16:15:41 +0000 http://jaybecker.wordpress.com/?p=641 Continue reading Faith and Relationship

In this world so many do not have hope, they are blinded by the devil and by their sin, and cannot see. This blindness prevents exposure to the light and the result is people stay in their sin; they remain captive and stay in bondage and prison.

This is what is so powerful about preaching and the prophetic, for it shines the light and the truth. One can look up the Greek words for prophetic and will find the sense of light – illumination, enlightenment, and revelation. This is how God shines forth light and dispels the darkness. (This is a whole study on its on, but I only mention it, as I am going into another study)

Here is a short study from 2 Cor 4 that I originally learned from Dutch Sheets, it is from his first book, Intercessory Prayer. There is much more than what I share, but I was led to share, since I know you are doing so much reading and study.

2 Cor 4:3-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Hid

g2572. καλύπτω kalyptō; akin to 2813 and 2928; to cover up (literally or figuratively):— cover, hide.

AV (8)- cover 5, hide 3;

to hide, veil to hinder the knowledge of a thing

The enemy will blind us to hide our eyes from the light – meaning we can’t see the truth, and because of that will not be set free. Blindness = bondage and captivity.

In order to see, the cover, the veil must be removed.

The greek preposition to lift is “apo”

apo + kalupto = apokulpto

g0601. ἀποκαλύπτω apokalyptō; from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i. e. disclose:— reveal.

AV (26)- reveal 26;

to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up disclose, make bare to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown

this word, g0601 comes from g0602 – which is a familiar word: revelation

g0602. ἀποκάλυψις apokalypsis; from 601; disclosure:— appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation

Revelation is the lifting of the veil!

The shining of the light through the eyes and into the heart brings revelation.

This is actually speaking in “photographic” terms. The opening of the shutter causes light to shine on the film, or digital media, or hearts – and the result is an exact representation of the image seen is copied.

This is powerful!

This is speaking of Christ is us, the image of God, in our hearts.

In the creation account in Gen 1:26-27, man is created in the image and likeness of God!

The blindness from the devil and from sin prevents people from seeing the original state they were created – it prevents them from seeing and understanding their original design.

At this point it is time to go back to 1 Cor 4:1-7

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

This section clearly and powerfully describes the shining of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, into the hearts of man.

In Christ, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, in jars of clay.

God by His light and glory, through His Spirit, is the one who changes lives. This spiritual transaction comes from the opening of eyes.

God is the source, He is the one who transforms and brings the revelation about who we are in Him. He reveals to us how we are created, how each and every one are created.

Remember, He knew us before we were born, even when we were in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-16)

The ministry of Jesus is to bring freedom so we can see and understand and fully become who we were created to be in Him.

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[j]

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

When Jesus was on the earth, He told us that He was the light of the world. Now that He has ascended and the Holy Spirit has been poured out, we now are the light of the world.

Matt 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We are to preach and to be His witnesses. To preach and to proclaim, to bring forth the truth, whether it is convenient or not

Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to M] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

2 Tim 4:2

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season

We are called to be preachers. Rom 10:14-15

We preach and we witness because people in to work who are without God are without hope. Eph 2:12

We are always to be ready to speak of the hope that is in us. 1 Pet 3:15

Christ in us – the hope of glory. Col 3:16

Without Christ people are blind and are in bondage of all kinds.

In Christ we have the answer, we carry the words of life and hope, the light that can open the blind eyes and bring enlightenment and freedom. Words that can deliver, give hope, and allow people to step up into the destiny, into their original design.

People need to get their eyes off the external packaging and start recognizing that when Christ fills a person, they are a new creation and the old things are passed away.

Eph 3;20, Col 1:29 are just two verses that talk about the power of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through lives. Reading almost any of Paul’s epistles communicates the supremacy of Christ in His people, Eph 4 tells us that His Body is full of working parts and that each joint supplies – all are a part of the manifestation of Christ in the earth.

It’s time to stop all this limited thinking and saying that peoples’ gender or national origin or this or that… It’s time to make a difference with what the Power of God in a person can do. Let’s get off this debate that divides and limits the Body of Christ – the truth is the Spirit of God and the call of God and the power in us, all believers, is so much greater than we realize (abundantly above and beyond). He poured out His Spirit on ALL flesh

Peter told us that we have been given ALL things that pertain to life and godliness, period.
This whole argument is wrong and distracts the people of God from the Mission of Christ.
We are all called to be light and salt, we are all called to preach and declare the hope there is in Christ.
Paul and John wrote about powerful women of God, some who had churches in their homes, Aquilla and Priscilla worked with Paul and were a powerful team. Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Proverbs 31 shows how great and capable women are in God. Esther ruled and made a difference for Israel, Deborah was a judge in Israel.

It is time for all to recognize the power of God in people who are His own. It is time to stop all the religious banter and step up and be the expression of Christ in the earth today.

The law of Christ is the law of liberty and freedom – it is about what Jesus has done, not what we do.

God demonstrated His love for us that while we were still independent and doing our own thing, Christ died for us. The love of God is freely given, it is not dependent on us, our works, or our circumstances – the fact is that God is love, this is who He is and what He does.

In Christ we are loved, we are set free, and we become free to love others – that is all others. Remember, God did not look to you to change, to do good, to look good, or to want to receive His love – the fact is that He loved you.

This is the good news, this is the message of hope, this is the reality of His love.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

When we realize we are loved by God, really loved, then there comes the understanding that we are free from guilt and shame, free from the expectation to do good works and be a good person. When we have this understanding, we then start to understand that we are free, truly and really free.

This is how we can love others and help them, even when they don’t love us in return – because we know we did not deserve God’s love, yet He loved us anyway.

Jesus loved us, gave His life for you, and told us to share this good news, to pass it on – to pay it forward.

Freely you have received, freely give
Matt 10:8

Life in Jesus is not about behavior modification or looking good on the outside – it is letting Him be your guide and inspiration, Be free, and do not let the circumstances drag you down – for He is your hope and your life!

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Romans 12:1 Message

“At the basic level prayer is not a ritual or exercise or even a list of requests –
Rather, it is a matter of heart which flows out of our relationship with Jesus.
It is an ongoing conversation.”

But in reality – it would be best to simply say, “prayer is not a ritual or…” The
point here is the relationship we have IN CHRIST and the full time 24/7
abiding of the Holy Spirit.

As believers we need to see and practice the understanding that Christianity
is not a set of rules, expectations, or behaviors – it is being in Christ and it is
also Christ in you.

If we look at all of the OT and NT examples of relationship, of abiding, of
letting roots go down deep, of being caught up in the Spirit, etc.. we have to
recognize the reality of being one with God.

It’s a similar discussion regarding church – for we do not go to church, we
are the church.

A few more comments on prayer and praying;

It is not about works or attainment, it is not about standing outside at
midnight pounding on the door crying out for bread. It is recognizing we are
IN relationship, we are in the family, we are heirs together with Him, that it is
He good pleasure to give to us and to be with us and to inspire us and to
work through us.

So many struggle with prayer and work at prayer – all you need to do is listen
to others (and listen to yourself at times too) to see that many times what is
being asked for HAS ALREADY been given in Christ.

We do not need to be so fixated on the devil. So many live in fear, and the
fear of retaliation, when in fact we have victory and dominion in Christ. You
do not need to fight the darkness, you only need to turn on the light – and
the darkness flees. You to not need to live in fear, for in perfect love, fear is
cast out.

There is already, in the earth today a fullness and an abiding and a richness
in Him – we already have it. We do not need to pray and work for what has
already been freely given. I am not discounting special and powerful events
and heavenly visitations – what I am saying is that we are IN CHRIST – and we
need to live like it and help other believers to do so too.

We are not beggars crying out for a morsel of bread, we have all things in
Christ.

Staring things is easy, but finishing is not.  For to complete something requires focus, persistence, and hard work.

Starting things can be fun, as there is creativity, energy, and excitement.  Yet as the task or project continues, the excitement level can lessen.  Often what began as a delight soon becomes drudgery.

There are many who run and there is excitement about training for that 10 K, or even a marathon.  Yet as the training goes on and on, and on – many will quit because it takes so much time, and has become so difficult.  Some will actually make it to race day, only to pull out because the pain and the struggle simply became too overwhelming.

As I write this, I stop and look around in the room I am sitting, and there are unfinished projects and tasks.  Many that I was excited about doing, but now I look at them with dread and even guilt.

Is this anyway to live?

This is where we go back to the wisdom in the statement, finishing is better than starting.

The simple fact is that finishing something brings a great feeling of satisfaction.  The person who hangs in there and finishes the marathon – becomes joyful because they have triumphed and accomplished their goal.

I have learned in sports and leadership training, that closure energizes.  The sense of accomplishment and the joy of victory can be exhilarating.  This is so true, completion brings a sense of accomplishment, and it is good.  For many things the feeling of triumph is more important than money or notoriety.  Often accomplishment is its own reward.

Galatians 6:9 also speaks to this subject with the following exhortation;

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

An informal translation of this verse could be, “hang in there baby, it will be worth it to finish.”

This sense of accomplishment and the joy that comes from the Lord – it is in our natural and spiritual DNA.  We designed by God with ability and creativity; we are enabled to contribute and to make a difference.

This has nothing to do with earning God’s love or favor, for we are all loved by His unconditional love.  This is more about stepping up into the abundant life the Lord has for us.

Ephesians 2:8,9 tell us that we are saved by grace, not by our works.  Yet, the passage goes on in verse 10 to say that we are His workmanship created for good works.

All of us, each and every one of us, are here in this world to contribute and to help make a positive difference.  We are invested with gifts and talents, God has placed dreams and desires in our very framework.  As we start understanding this and begin to walk in such a way that we finish more tasks (both small and big) we start to grasp the revelation that this is not just about our own personal fulfillment – but this is about the powerful and glorious demonstration the Lord wants to have come forth in the earth.

While, this simple statement on finishing impacts and improves our personal lives – it also has powerful and far-reaching implications. 

Let us all encourage one another and exhort one another all the more, for we experience the abundant life in Jesus, the more in mores in us, the more it moves through us.

Col 3:13 

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

If we as believers would live like this more people might run to the Church, instead of running from it.

Here is the rest of that section from Colossians chapter 3;

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:12-17 NLT

As I read this section, I saw how much I look at life, at circumstances, and other people from my own limited perspective (and if I am really honest I will add from my own selfish perspective). Yet, in Christ we are able to see from His perspective.

We start seeing that the important thing is who we are becoming in our new life with Jesus, and that who we were and what we came from is not really important at all.

God’s Word and His character in His people, and expressed through His people will overcome – His life and love, the hope in Christ, it will be seen; and live will be changed.

Overcome evil with good, overcome hate with the love of Christ

The love of God – it is real and it makes all the difference

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

(1 John 4:16)

Nothing can separate us from the Love of God (Rom 8:38-39)

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

Even in the midst of the troubles, even when we walk through the valley of the death we can fear no evil – for God is with us and brings help and victory (Psalm 23:4)

Trust in God and let His love work in you and through you – it will help you and help those you are with.

Be Ministers of Hope

Christ in you the hope of glory (Col 1:27)

Those who are without God are without hope in this world (Eph 2:12)

Always be ready to speak of the hope that is in you (2 Pet 3:15)

Don’t Cover Your Light – Don’t be Salt Without Savor

You are the light of the world

Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify God

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt (Col 4:6)

Our spoken words are like salt that makes people thirsty for the living water.  Salt also serves to preserve.

One of the definitions of “without savor” is to keep one’s mouth shut.

Preach the Gospel – Share the Good News

How can they hear without a preacher (Rom 10:14)

Jesus commissioned His followers to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15)

We have been reconciled, we have be given the ministry of reconciliation, we are His ambassadors, His representatives in the world (2 Cor 5:19-20)

Preach the Word – be instant in season, or out of season, whether it is convenient or not (2 Tim 4:2)

Open the floodgates and let it flow

For out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38)

Too long have the people of God sat back and waited – so many are like dams with water backed up for miles.  So many are filled with so much potential, but nothing happens – because things are in a static state.  It is time to become dynamic, to let things flow.  It is only with the water flows that there is power.  The same is with electricity or heat; if there is no flow there is no effect or impact – stop damming up the flow of the Spirit of God.

Stop insulating yourself from being a conductor of God’s power.

We learn in physics that energy and power do not flow if there is insulation.  It is time to search our hearts and remove that, which stops the flow of God.

Too long have the people of God retreated and waited for something to happen – is this not the day that the Lord is saying it is time to stir yourself up and take ahold of God (Is 64:7).  Stir up the gift of God that is in you (2 Tim 1:6).

Break out of the 4 walls of the Church buildings

Go into the world and preach the Gospel!

The preaching of the Gospel is the Power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:18)

Let the cry that came upon Isaiah also come upon you, who when He saw God’s glory, received the cleansing and the commissioning, and said, Here am I, send me!

Yes, the world is hard and cold – yet, does not light shine brightest in the dark?

Don’t hold back because some may not hear – go because you know some will hear.

Don’t hold back because of fear – for there is no fear in love, the perfect love of Jesus will compel you and stir you up to move with compassion and make a difference in this world.

Preach the gospel, shine the light, share the hope, and let the love flow!

© Jay Becker 2014

Making a Difference

http://www.jaybecker.org