Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God — ‘Jesus is my Master’ — . . . That’s it. You’re not ‘doing’ anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation.” Romans 10:8-10 (MSG)

The things of GOD manifest by faith; starting with belief in Him Whom the Father raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:6-10; Ephesians 1:19-21). Salvation by which is righteousness or right standing is a gift by the grace of God through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). After sin entered the earth by the free-will decision of the first Adam to act contrary to what the LORD told him (Genesis 2:16-17), God entered blood covenant after blood covenant with man to restore us to our rightful place. The Sovereign Lord God Almighty desired His chosen people to be a “kingdom of priests”, however the people expressed their preference for no direct speak from God (Exodus 19:6 & 20:19). Righteousness of the Old Testament/Old Covenant would be by the law because the people insisted that such could be attained by their own good works. Of course, the law served to prove (to man himself) that the “steps of man” couldn’t attain it. Ah, BUT GOD! Now (this day), righteousness of the New Testament/New Covenant is of faith in Him Whose Blood has redeemed us unto God the Father, as “kings and priests” Revelation 1:6 & 5:10 (KJV). Faith is trust in God Who never forces anyone. Rather, God comes into our lives by invitation and bearing many gifts, including “the measure of faith” and its operative power which is divine love (Romans 12:3; Galatians 5:6). Among those the LORD is calling to Himself through Christ Jesus as well as those of us already reconciled unto Him by the Blood (Colossians 1:11-14,20), He always moves on behalf of those who steadfastly seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Yet, the promises of God don’t necessarily manifest in cookie-cutter fashion because our level of faith differs one from another. That is, there are different degrees or levels of faith, and Love Who is God meets us exactly where we are in our level of faith; crying won’t do it. Rather, it is the degree of faith which continually develops or increasingly strengthens as we exercise it. Isaiah, who prophesied about the first coming of Christ, wondered: “LORD who has believed our report?” Isaiah 53:1 (MEV). I too wonder why a significant number rendered sons & daughters of God by the Blood neither make faith commands nor operate in the sacred ministry-of-authority. And the toxic manner that some who say they’re followers of Christ, refer to others including the brethren. Yet, Jesus the Anointed One reiterated the fact that He only spoke and did as seen of the Father (John 5:19 & 8:26b,28,38 & 12:49-50 & 14:10). And in response to terse unbelievers, “But He Who sent Me is true (reliable), and I tell the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him” John 8:26 (AMP). And ended many of His teachings by saying, “those who have ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15 & 13:9,43; Mark 4:9,23 & 7:16; Luke 8:8 & 14;35). Scripture tells us that “faith comes by hearing/listening, and hearing/listening by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Revelation of the information in God’s Word is by the Teaching of the Holy Spirit with Whom all “in Him” were sealed (2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 3:14b; Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30). Therefore, we pray/ask Abba Father, in Jesus’ name, for wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17-23); and that we may listen to the WORD as well as do what it says (James 2:22).

 Speak the promise . . . Harriet