Fred C. White's Blog: Fountain Gate, page 10
November 3, 2010
God-given Purpose
As a child of God, you are called according to God's purpose (Romans 8:28). His purpose for you is programmed inside you like spiritual DNA with genetic instructions from the heavenly Father. Your unique purpose in God must be discovered and pursued. Rely on God to decode your unique purpose rather than import someone else's view of your purpose. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). Keep asking, seeking and knocking to discover your unique God-given purpose.
No man should try to make you conform to his purpose. Some ministers try to turn out many followers who are all alike. They want their followers to catch their vision for life. God's ministers should help believers discover their God-given purpose and fulfill it.
The lives of believers are not a book filled with blank pages on which others can write in order to specify purpose. The book about believers has already been written. "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God'" (Hebrews 10:7). Each believer must find what is written in the word of God about him/her in order to walk in it and fulfill purpose. The Holy Spirit will paint a picture of purpose just for you. Those scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to life through revelation are included in the picture of your purpose.
No man should try to make you conform to his purpose. Some ministers try to turn out many followers who are all alike. They want their followers to catch their vision for life. God's ministers should help believers discover their God-given purpose and fulfill it.
The lives of believers are not a book filled with blank pages on which others can write in order to specify purpose. The book about believers has already been written. "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God'" (Hebrews 10:7). Each believer must find what is written in the word of God about him/her in order to walk in it and fulfill purpose. The Holy Spirit will paint a picture of purpose just for you. Those scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to life through revelation are included in the picture of your purpose.
October 1, 2010
The Truth about Abilities and Disabilities
As I entered a building one day, I saw a man with only one leg on crutches approaching the same door. I reached the door first and held it open for him, but he became visibly upset with me. He went to an interior door and demonstrated that he was nimble and strong enough to hold it open for me. Why did he get so mad at me for doing a nice deed? I pondered this question for years. Now, I know the answer. He was mad about what he perceived to be my attitude, not the nice deed. He hated anyone's viewing him as being disabled and in need of assistance. He viewed himself as well able. It's a matter of how we see the vessel. Is the vessel half full or half empty? He thought that I viewed his vessel as half empty, while he viewed the same vessel as half full. This example provides a great lead-in story for a meaningful discussion of abilities and disabilities.
The concept of disabilities implies something is lacking. Each disability is measured relative to a group standard or norm. Let's say the attribute being considered is height. If the norm for the group of men is a height of 6 feet, then a man who is only 5-feet tall would have a disability of 1 foot. If we viewed him as having a 1-foot disability, we would be ignoring all of his other abilities. We would be focusing on what he could not do rather than on what he could do. The list of serious disabilities that exists in the world is far too numerous to cover in detail but relates to such things as sight, hearing and a sound mind.
The world has programmed our thinking in terms of disabilities rather than abilities. People with abilities are generally respected and honored. Much too often, people with disabilities are despised and scorned. Characterizing people by disabilities can lead to a type of prejudice and discrimination based solely on outward appearances without getting to know the truth that lies within a person. Jesus was despised and rejected of men as he hung on the cross because his body had been beaten and disfigured (Isaiah 53:3). Disrespect is the world's typical response to a disfigured body, such as a person lacking a tooth, an eye or a leg.
A perfect body or perfect mind is highly esteemed by men. When men look for women with a "perfect 10" body, they are emphasizing the body above everything else. However, it is good to remember Jesus' teaching: "that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15). Nothing fleshly or natural will glory in God's presence (1 Corinthians 1:29). Even the perfect body and the perfect mind are perishing. Only the life that resides within the spirit man will live forever. Let's focus more on what is inside a person than on their outward appearance. The apostle Paul said "from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh" (2 Corinthians 5:16).
As would be expected, God's perspective on the issues of abilities and disabilities is totally different from the world. When God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king from among Jesse's sons, Samuel chose those who had the outward appearance of being a king (1 Samuel 16:6-13). However, God chose the one who had the heart of a king rather than the appearance of a king. God sees the ending from the beginning and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). He calls forth perfection out of imperfection. The word of God says to let those who are least esteemed in the church judge those things that need to be judged (1 Corinthians 6:4). In contrast, the world searches high and low to find the most esteemed people to judge important matters.
Through his words and actions, Jesus demonstrated his perspective about lame, blind, deaf and leprous people. Jesus told a crippled man who could not walk to "rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:1-8). He told a blind man who could not go to "go, because your faith has made you whole" (Mark 10:52). When Jesus was surrounded by people with bodily functions below the norm, he was not dismayed or distressed. The words that came out of his mouth about their situations were: "the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:5).
By faith, believers can see the blind, deaf and lame as more esteemed than themselves (Philippians 2:3). Like the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16) and the faith of Peter (2 Peter 11), it takes the faith of Jesus Christ operating through believers for them to see the blind, deaf, lame, as well as others, made whole. Then they will be able to operate in the spiritual realm with power and authority. Believers have the ability to make people whole when they see and believe that they are made whole. Jesus said that believers "will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark 16:18). He also said that believers will do the works that he did and greater works (John 14:12). A believer must see people made whole through the eye of faith even when the natural eye sees something less than complete healing. If you believe, you will see people made whole.
The concept of disabilities implies something is lacking. Each disability is measured relative to a group standard or norm. Let's say the attribute being considered is height. If the norm for the group of men is a height of 6 feet, then a man who is only 5-feet tall would have a disability of 1 foot. If we viewed him as having a 1-foot disability, we would be ignoring all of his other abilities. We would be focusing on what he could not do rather than on what he could do. The list of serious disabilities that exists in the world is far too numerous to cover in detail but relates to such things as sight, hearing and a sound mind.
The world has programmed our thinking in terms of disabilities rather than abilities. People with abilities are generally respected and honored. Much too often, people with disabilities are despised and scorned. Characterizing people by disabilities can lead to a type of prejudice and discrimination based solely on outward appearances without getting to know the truth that lies within a person. Jesus was despised and rejected of men as he hung on the cross because his body had been beaten and disfigured (Isaiah 53:3). Disrespect is the world's typical response to a disfigured body, such as a person lacking a tooth, an eye or a leg.
A perfect body or perfect mind is highly esteemed by men. When men look for women with a "perfect 10" body, they are emphasizing the body above everything else. However, it is good to remember Jesus' teaching: "that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15). Nothing fleshly or natural will glory in God's presence (1 Corinthians 1:29). Even the perfect body and the perfect mind are perishing. Only the life that resides within the spirit man will live forever. Let's focus more on what is inside a person than on their outward appearance. The apostle Paul said "from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh" (2 Corinthians 5:16).
As would be expected, God's perspective on the issues of abilities and disabilities is totally different from the world. When God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king from among Jesse's sons, Samuel chose those who had the outward appearance of being a king (1 Samuel 16:6-13). However, God chose the one who had the heart of a king rather than the appearance of a king. God sees the ending from the beginning and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). He calls forth perfection out of imperfection. The word of God says to let those who are least esteemed in the church judge those things that need to be judged (1 Corinthians 6:4). In contrast, the world searches high and low to find the most esteemed people to judge important matters.
Through his words and actions, Jesus demonstrated his perspective about lame, blind, deaf and leprous people. Jesus told a crippled man who could not walk to "rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:1-8). He told a blind man who could not go to "go, because your faith has made you whole" (Mark 10:52). When Jesus was surrounded by people with bodily functions below the norm, he was not dismayed or distressed. The words that came out of his mouth about their situations were: "the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:5).
By faith, believers can see the blind, deaf and lame as more esteemed than themselves (Philippians 2:3). Like the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16) and the faith of Peter (2 Peter 11), it takes the faith of Jesus Christ operating through believers for them to see the blind, deaf, lame, as well as others, made whole. Then they will be able to operate in the spiritual realm with power and authority. Believers have the ability to make people whole when they see and believe that they are made whole. Jesus said that believers "will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark 16:18). He also said that believers will do the works that he did and greater works (John 14:12). A believer must see people made whole through the eye of faith even when the natural eye sees something less than complete healing. If you believe, you will see people made whole.
September 11, 2010
Understanding Fighting among Religious People
Have you ever played with two magnets? A magnet has two poles, one positive and one negative. The opposite poles of two magnets attract and hold the magnets together. However, as two magnets are brought together at like poles, the magnets repel one another or push each other apart. Something similar to magnetic forces are evident on the earth.
A religious spirit is like a magnet to the religious system. It has both a positive pole to draw people to a religious system and a negative pole to rep...
A religious spirit is like a magnet to the religious system. It has both a positive pole to draw people to a religious system and a negative pole to rep...
September 6, 2010
Season of Change
Many people spend a lot of time and effort trying to find themselves. What happens if they are not satisfied with what they find? If you are not satisfied with your life, you can do something about it today. You can redefine your life in Christ! You are not limited to your old ways of thinking and acting. If you are not what you were created by God to be, then you are a candidate for change. We are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:18). This post examines how t...
August 25, 2010
Sonship
Tip #4: As a rightful son and heir, build a loving relationship with your heavenly Father.
The foundation for kingdom prosperity relates directly to the heavenly Father himself. The Father bestowed all spiritual blessings on his family through their union with his Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The first foundational concept is love, because the Father is love. He loved the world so much that he gave his best, his only begotten Son. Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior births other sons into t...
The foundation for kingdom prosperity relates directly to the heavenly Father himself. The Father bestowed all spiritual blessings on his family through their union with his Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The first foundational concept is love, because the Father is love. He loved the world so much that he gave his best, his only begotten Son. Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior births other sons into t...
August 9, 2010
Kingdom Priorities
Tip #3 Display a kingdom spirit by prospering King Jesus above your own interests.
People with a kingdom spirit put the king's interests above their own so that his interests are not impaired. The distinguishing mark of the kingdom spirit is prospering the king. Believers radiate a kingdom spirit by loving, respecting and freely obeying King Jesus. Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, making him the King (Matthew 28:18). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As believers prosper King...
People with a kingdom spirit put the king's interests above their own so that his interests are not impaired. The distinguishing mark of the kingdom spirit is prospering the king. Believers radiate a kingdom spirit by loving, respecting and freely obeying King Jesus. Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, making him the King (Matthew 28:18). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As believers prosper King...
August 6, 2010
Spiritual Life
Tip #2: Tap into the spiritual life that originates in Jesus Christ, while disengaging from the things of this world that burden your spirit.
The spiritual life of God flows through the lives and circumstances of believers. This life brings the blessings from heaven, abundance and prosperity wherever it flows, including spirit, soul, body, family, relationships and finances. Many people want God to change their circumstances and prosper them, without realizing that he is at work changing their...
The spiritual life of God flows through the lives and circumstances of believers. This life brings the blessings from heaven, abundance and prosperity wherever it flows, including spirit, soul, body, family, relationships and finances. Many people want God to change their circumstances and prosper them, without realizing that he is at work changing their...
July 14, 2010
Liberty
Tip #1: Break free from persistent poverty and debt by opening your heart to the Lord for correction and redirection.
Poverty can have a grip on its victims. When prosperity seems close for those living in poverty, some unforeseen obstacles often arise to thwart even their best plans. There are no quick and easy answers for escaping poverty, but here is a proven strategy for freedom from poverty. Deliverance begins with destroying the roots of persistent poverty and debt that bind and then mak...
Poverty can have a grip on its victims. When prosperity seems close for those living in poverty, some unforeseen obstacles often arise to thwart even their best plans. There are no quick and easy answers for escaping poverty, but here is a proven strategy for freedom from poverty. Deliverance begins with destroying the roots of persistent poverty and debt that bind and then mak...
July 13, 2010
Distinguishing Marks of the Kingdom
People need to know the differences between the kingdom of God and the religious system. Many are stuck in the religious system but told they are in the kingdom. They are being deceived by the schemes of men. The religious system uses kingdom jargon, so at first it may seem difficult to understand the differences between the kingdom and religion. Here are a few simple ways to tell whether you live in the kingdom or in religion. Religion often focuses primarily on the institution of the local ...
July 12, 2010
A Mind Better than Oxen
A yoke of oxen can plow a large area of ground, cleaning out the undergrowth. However, a troubled mind can produce more weeds and prickly briers than any yoke of oxen could possibly keep under control. Fear, anxiety, oppression and depression work together and continually produce evil thoughts that take on a life of their own. These weeds and briers that would entangle people in their minds must be plucked up and destroyed. Such conditions must be dealt with swiftly and effectively.
On numerou...
On numerou...
Fountain Gate
About Fred and Sherry White
Our hearts’ cry is for REVIVAL among God’s people. God has placed within us his word, his power and his gifts to share with the body of Christ. He has called us to preach an ...more
Our hearts’ cry is for REVIVAL among God’s people. God has placed within us his word, his power and his gifts to share with the body of Christ. He has called us to preach an ...more
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