Do you believe - for real?

What is real faith to you? The Bible defines it as "‭Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see". But when reality knocks on the door and you have to open? Then a casually empty proclamation where you have built human safety ramparts around does not help, because when existence shakes and worldly security recedes, it is only true faith in God that carries. Peter walked on the water when Jesus said "Come!", but he soon saw the waves and sank whereupon the Lord rebuked: "You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?". After Pentecost and the baptism of the Spirit, Peter's faith improved. And we born again Holy Spirit baptized today, how is our faith? Do we really believe in Jesus, God's word and its promises?

Have you had days and years without fixed, secured income, with the possibility of becoming "without a roof over your head". Have you encountered impossible situations that require an immediate solution, a flat tire out in the wilderness, lost in a city with a vital meeting booked, etc. Maybe threatened with abuse or sudden death. Certainly, health problems have made an unwelcome and rude visit to your hut, but then healthcare has often been there as a rescue, but if the healthcare fails? Who saves then? Jesus of course, Yes! And right here, do you go out on the water, and keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to look at the storm?

Real faith my friend, is what Abraham on mount Moriah showed with his son Isaac, as Paul proved when he set his steps towards Jerusalem despite the knowledge of future suffering there, as Peter learned when he sang praises in prison and the Lord delivered. You must learn to believe dear brothers and sisters, because the storm is coming, in this late midnight hour in these last seconds of human history, an anti-Christian storm is breaking through our bubble of security, and then only Jesus can carry you through the "valley of the shadow of death", straight through to the Glory of Heaven, the eternally bright and secure. What do you have to lose, worldly comforts, wealth and possessions? If you die, you are home with Jesus. No matter what happens when you truly believe, you have everything to gain no matter what, you can't lose by believing!

Dear friend, do not retreat into false worldly security, it will not last. Don't compromise, refuse to hesitate and doubt, don't hold back, no, Run with a roar straight to the storm...the sea is parting as it was in the time of Moses under the mighty hand of God, and only then can you learn to believe. This is the testimony of the Bible and millions of believers throughout the centuries. Just Believe! Then, and only then, Jesus holds you in his hand and it lasts forever.

Finally, we must not forget that if we know something is in God's will expressed in the Word or if it is God's guidance through the Holy Spirit; So "believing and acting in faith" becomes an act of obedience!

1 John 5:14-15: "‭This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him".

Candy/Sugar Prophets:

The Prosperity and Candy Sugar prophets tend to be popular these days, but that's nothing new. We can read in the Bible about them as well.

It is wrong to preach, teach and prophesy things that will give people a false security to continue living in rebellion and sin. It is also wrong to preach that the Christian life is about blessings all the time and that we never need to turn away from sin, and that God always shall help us and bless us even if we continue in rebellion and sin.

In the Bible we can read about Jeremiah. He wanted to lead the people on right path. We can also read about Hananiah. He was a false prophet and he prophesy totally different than Jeremiah.

Jeremiah said what God wanted him to say. Hananiah said things that we today should say was very good news. You can read about it here in Jeremiah 28:1-17:

28:1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

28:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

28:3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD's house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:

28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

28:5 Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,

28:6 Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD's house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.

28:7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;

28:8 The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

28:9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

28:10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.

28:11 And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

28:12 Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

28:13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.

28:14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

28:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellinon against the LORD.

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