What it more important to you, temporary satisfaction or long-term benefits, blessings, and great rewards from FATHER? It is easy to be theoretical in your answer but when you are confronted with the reality of potentially suffering, which option will you choose? This issue speaks to why I continue to emphasize praying in Tongues thus increasing our hearing The Holy Spirit in all matters which in turn results in us walking in great faith. It is a progression.
Are you fully convinced in Jesus and His Words where you would die for Him?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 11:
13 These heroes all died still clinging to their faith, not even receiving all that had been promised them. But they saw beyond the horizon the fulfillment of their promises and gladly embraced it from afar. They all lived their lives on earth as those who belonged to another realm.
14 For clearly, those who live this way are longing for the appearing of a heavenly city. 15 And if their hearts were still remembering what they left behind, they would have found an opportunity to go back. 16 But they couldn’t turn back for their hearts were fixed on what was far greater, that is, the heavenly realm!
So because of this God is not ashamed in any way to be called their God, for He has prepared a heavenly city for them.
These heroes of faith rejected the world’s offerings and FATHER has made a record of all these rejections. We can sow in obedience by NOT accepting the world’s alternatives to what FATHER has shown us. Nearly every time FATHER instructed me to change jobs & companies, I was offered an alternative which looked more inviting at the time. However, each time I respond to FATHER’S directive.
24 Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity, 25 choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. 26 He found his true wealth in suffering abuse for being anointed, more than in anything the world could offer him, for his eyes looked with wonder not on the immediate, but on the ultimate—faith’s great reward! 27 Holding faith’s promise Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh’s rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God who is unseen.
29 Faith opened the way for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to cross they were swallowed up and drowned!
30 Faith pulled down Jericho’s walls after the people marched around them for seven days!
31 Faith provided a way of escape for Rahab the prostitute, avoiding the destruction of the unbelievers, because she received the Hebrew spies in peace.
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40 But now God has invited us to live in something better than what they had—faith’s fullness! This is so that they could be brought to finished perfection alongside of us.
Sowing in obedience means we accept FATHER’S directives in every situation. HE not only directs us to “go” but also to wait or reject depending on the situation. In some cases the heroes refused to be released from their bonds and that of course is contrary to man’s mindset. Men don’t want to suffer, especially the younger generations. They don’t embrace the walk we as overcomers have been called to complete. If I have to suffer, it does not matter for I am in pursuit of finished perfection. If GOD be foe me, who can be against me?
When I was running half-marathons in my 60’s, the first 3 miles were relatively easy. It was then next 10.1 miles that tested my commitment to finish the race. My body would try to convince me to stop but I knew that by mile 8, it would shut up and I would then run in a rhythm until I completed the course. The body is supposed to be a servant, not a dictator of your actions or inaction.
Faith brings forth provision for our calling if we are just willing to commit wholeheartedly to walking in great faith. We will be tested along the way and FATHER will assess our level of commitment as HE records our sowing in obedience to HIS Word. HIS assessment will reveal our level of commitment, trust IN HIM, and our faith in HIS Word and what THE SPIRIT instructs us.
Our faith is meant to fasten onto FATHER’S promises and pull them into reality! Let’s do it!
PS: I am personally convinced praying in THE SPIRIT builds up our immune system, both in our souls and our bodies. Selah.