Fred C. White's Blog: Fountain Gate, page 9

Three Keys to Strong Faith

Do you wonder why some people who express strong opinions about faith still have weak faith? Do you want to know how to strengthen your faith?



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Spiritual Maturity: Signposts on the Journey

What does it take to bring a child of God to spiritual maturity? What are the greatest hindrances to spiritual maturity?

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Discipleship: Bring Forth Christ in Others

Do you want to know how to impact future generations? Discipleship properly implemented will strengthen faith and impact future generations.



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Marriage Covenant: Bring Freedom to the Relationship

Many people are afraid that their freedom would be lost after they marry. A man and woman can walk in more freedom together after the wedding than before.



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Fulfilling Purpose: Stay True to the Vision

God has an ordained purpose for every person on earth. Do you know your purpose and how to fulfill it? If your purpose is beyond your current situation, this message is for you.    

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Five of the Greatest Challenges in Marriage

Some important marital concepts are examined here. All of these concepts have a scriptural basis in the New Testament, even though many couples never apply these concepts in their marriage. Incorporating the first few concepts into a marriage will make it easier to practice the last few concepts. Even though these concepts may be challenging, they are the building blocks for a successful marriage. A married couple will truly be blessed if they apply these concepts in their marriage.

Preferring One Another

Both the husband and wife are highly valued in a successful marriage. A good way to express this value is to prefer one another. Selfishness cannot persist in a relationship in which both the husband and wife prefer one another. "Give preference to one another in honor" (Romans 12:10b NAS). For more practical understanding of this concept, the Message translation reads, "practice playing second fiddle".

Submitting to One Another

Either spouse can submit by accepting the will of the other. It is extraordinary for both the husband and wife to submit to each other. However, the word of God calls for submitting one to another. Such a level of mutual commitment is beyond just preferring one another. Most people have a very limited view of submission, but the word of God gives clear instructions on submitting one to another. "Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ" (Ephesians 5:21 NAS). Putting one's self in the other person's place helps to see that person's perspective and makes it easier to submit one to another.

Agreement

Agreement in a marriage comes from both partners having the same opinion. Agreement is often reached by one person forming an opinion and then the other person accepting it. When a married couple comes into agreement, they are able to call on heaven for help. "If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19b NAS). Amos 3:3 raises an important issue: How can two walk together if they are not in agreement? Without agreement, a marriage is doomed.

Unity (Natural)

Unity means harmony and accord. It is possible for a married couple to be united in the natural. This unity is similar to the unity of a winning team in sports. In unity the individual components, the husband and wife in this case, come together to form a whole that is greater than the sum total of the individual parts. In unity there is a singleness of purpose. "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose" (Philippians 2:2 NLT). Natural unity lacks a spiritual perspective, which is included in the next concept.

Oneness

The concept of oneness described here is a form of natural and spiritual unity. The husband and wife are to become one, both physically and spiritually. Only through intimacy inside and outside the bedroom can a married couple live together as one in the flesh and in the spirit. "Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one" (1 Corinthians 6:16b MSG). "Put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity" (Colossians 3:14b NAS). In the high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that his disciples would become one (John 17:20-23). The marriage relationship is perfected in oneness. Oneness can be attained by faith and through the work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4: 1-13). Oneness in a marriage brings peace. The married couple will have peace in their home and in their family. They will be able to impart peace into the lives of others. The world will take note of marriages in which the husband and wife operate in oneness, because God's blessings will be on these marriages.

Conclusions

The word of God identifies high standards for holy marriage. These high standards have been identified and briefly discussed in this post. If these standards appear to be especially challenging, remember that believers can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Even when other marriages are falling apart, any married couple applying these standards will stand out above the rest. The blessings of God will overtake that couple.

The Cross As a War Memorial

Communities around the globe revere the valiant warrior who fell in battle. Monuments, statues or other structures are often built and displayed to celebrate a war or victory or to honor those who died in war. These war memorials are often engraved with 'Lest We Forget.' The main intent of war memorials is not to glorify war, but to honor those who have died.

The cross of Jesus Christ, which serves as a symbol of Christian faith, is a memorial to the epic war between heaven and hell which was held over two thousand years ago. Two opposing camps met in Jerusalem on the way to Calvary. On one side stood the hordes of hell, the religious system of Judaism and the political system backed by the military might of the Roman Empire. On the opposite side of the conflict during the day of crucifixion stood heaven's sole representative, an unarmed warrior – the only begotten son of God – Jesus.

Jesus was brutally beaten and then crucified on the cross. He freely gave His life for the world so that we could be reconciled to God. Jesus' death on the cross was a great triumph over all of God's enemies. In Jesus and the cross, God forgave all sins and disarmed the rulers and authorities, making a public example of them (Colossians 2:14–15). His tragic death brought great victory to those who would believe in the finished work of the cross.

A succinct description of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us is given in Isaiah 52:13–53:17. A highlight from this passage is given in the following four verses.
Isaiah 53:4–6 (New American Standard Bible)
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried, yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
We can all spend the rest of our lives exploring what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, and still we will not have searched it all out. The riches of Jesus Christ are unending, boundless and inexhaustible (Ephesians 3:8 Amplified Bible)

The message of the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18 New American Standard Bible). Even when the cross is not adorned on the necks of Christians, it is fixed in their hearts and minds.

Communion

Christians honor or keep alive the memory of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ with a ceremony called communion. Communion is a practice that is meant to be observed frequently throughout the life of a Christian. It is a time of worship when we remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us.

Jesus established the ordinance of communion at His last supper shortly before he was arrested and then crucified.

Matthew 26:26 28 (New American Standard Bible)
26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Communion is a powerful ordinance of the church. Here are a few things that happen as we observe communion. First, by observing communion we are remembering Jesus and all that He has done for us in his life, death and resurrection:
1 Corinthians 11 (New American Standard Bible)
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Second, by observing communion we are proclaiming His death until He comes. It is a statement of our faith in the work of the cross:
1 Corinthians 11 (New American Standard Bible)
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

Third, by observing communion we take time to examine ourselves:
1 Corinthians 11 (New American Standard Bible)
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Fourth, by observing communion we show our participation in the body of Christ. His life becomes our life and we become members of each other:
1 Corinthians 10:16 17 (New American Standard Bible)
16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?
17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

Spirit-Charged Environment

The Holy Spirit sets the environment and charges the environment with the energy of God. The environment around the cross as Jesus was being crucified was charged with God's energy.
Matthew 27:50 52 (New American Standard Bible)
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

The Holy Spirit will charge the environment as believers observe communion. As believers examine themselves in preparation for observing communion, the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sins. Then God will grant repentance (Acts 11:18), and they can receive the refreshing of the Holy Spirit (Acts 3:19).

How Big is Your God?

Consider travelling to a big city as an analogy to seeking a big God. Let's say there is a big city about 100 miles from where you live. Every day you tell your family that you are going to travel to the big city. If you do this for five years and never arrive at the big city then something is wrong. Perhaps you have not been travelling on the right road to the big city. Likewise, if you are not experiencing a big God after several years of seeking him then you may not be on the right road. It is time to experience God as a big God in your life.

God is a big God, but many people limit him in their lives through doctrines and traditions. Some people who are "drowning" in their circumstances are so tied to their theology that they would not accept help from believers who can pray and believe God. Even if their life, marriage and family are being destroyed, they still refuse to question their theology that has limited God in their lives. Some consider God as a "ticket out of the fire", viewing him only as a saving God. They never consider that God could help, heal and prosper. Others want to keep God in a box or on a shelf to call on him only when all other options fail. Two purposes of this message are to show the consequences of limiting God and the benefits of embracing an unlimited God. Then practical applications of the message will be addressed.

Consequences of Limiting God
People miss out on God's help by believing the wrong thing. "Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on" (Mark 7:13a AMP). Such traditions can adversely affect others, even future generations.

Destruction comes from not knowing that God is unlimited in power, knowledge and/or presence. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you" (Hosea 4:6a). A large army was defeated first while attacking God's people on the mountains, so the second time this army attacked them in the valleys. They thought God ruled over the mountains but not the valleys. Because the great multitude said, "The LORD is a god of the mountains, but he is not a god of the valleys", God delivered them into the hands of his people (1 Kings 20:28). These enemies were destroyed because they perceived God's influence to be limited only to the mountains.

Those people who boast that they live by the word of God and think they are perfect without faults or mistakes limit God and limit his love in their lives. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6b). The rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) is a good example of a person who boasted that he lived by the word of God but missed the great blessings of following Jesus and receiving his love. Those who walk in the Spirit do not limit God's love even if it means taking risks and becoming vulnerable.

Benefits of Believing in an Unlimited God
All those who have a strong relationship with a big God benefit themselves and benefit others, as well. Many people in the Bible served a big God, and they benefited greatly from having the right perspective about him. We continue to benefit from the legacies that were birthed out of their strong relationships with God. Here are a few examples of people who truly believed that God was unlimited.

In the Old Testament, consider Abraham and David who demonstrated that they served a big God. Abraham was "fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21). Even when Abraham was almost a hundred years old, he did not waiver at God's promise to give him a son. Later, when Abraham had a son, he was willing to offer him as a sacrifice to God, because he believed that "God is able to raise people even from the dead" (Hebrews 11:19). Since Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, the heavenly Father would not withhold his only begotten son, Jesus, from being sacrificed on the cross. The significance of having the proper perspective about God cannot be overstated.

As a young shepherd, David ran to fight the Philistine's champion, Goliath, declaring, "I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands" (1 Samuel 17:45-46). He was able to face the giant with only a slingshot as his weapon, because he knew that the battle was the Lord's and the victory was his (1 Samuel 17:47). No enemy could stand against David's big God. As a consequence of David's strong relationship with God, Jesus sits forever on the throne of David (Luke 1:32).

Two New Testament examples of people serving a big God will be considered. First and foremost, Jesus served a big God. Jesus did not just live the word of God, he was the word made flesh (John 1:14). Jesus showed he served a big God when he said, "All things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27). After Jesus' resurrection, he sent a message to his disciples that they served the same big God that he did: "Go to my brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God'" (John 20:17). Since Jesus' disciples serve the same big God that he serves, they can do the same things that he did and more: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father" (John 14:12). "Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you" (John 16:23).

Apostle Paul served a big God. He wrote, "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever" (1 Timothy 1:17). He further wrote that God raised Christ from the dead, set him on a throne in heaven and placed him in charge of running the universe (Ephesians 1:22-23 MSG). No name or power is exempt from Christ's rule. He knew that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13). The same big God that Paul served is available for all believers. He wrote, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Practical Applications
Paul instructed the believers at Philippi how they could tap into his big God. Because they sent gifts to meet his needs, his big God would meet their needs (Philippians 4:16-19). Under the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote that it was not the Philippians' God who would be meeting their needs. Instead, it was Paul's big God who would be meeting their needs. Even if the Philippians had the perspective that their God was small, they would still have their needs met by Paul's big God. They were able to benefit from Paul's big God by being connected to Paul. By giving gifts to Paul, they received from his big God.

Paul's letter to the believers at Philippi reveals an important principle about giving and tithing, as well. This principle applies to kingdom relationships. Who are you related to or connected to in the kingdom of God? As you give offerings and tithes to those people to whom you are related, then their God meets your needs. If the people you are related to have the perspective of a small God, then you would not expect much from the operation of this principle. However, if the people you are related to have the perspective that they serve a big God, then you can expect much from the relationship, because of their big God.

Those people with whom you interact most can have a big influence on your life. Be cautious as you select friends. "Hang with" those people who serve a big God. The right connections can help you form a strong relationship with a big God. Then you will be in a better position to show others the true and living God.

Kingdom of Love

Are you looking for refuge from trouble all around? You can find a sure refuge in the kingdom of love, where Christ's love abounds. This discussion proposes a new way of looking at a familiar kingdom, the kingdom of God. Since God is love (1 John 4:8), the term "love" can be substituted for "God" in the kingdom of God to form its equivalent, the kingdom of love. In this kingdom, Jesus is king; more precisely, he is the King of Glory. The believers are his subjects and citizens of this kingdom. The core of this kingdom is the greatest love of all possible loves: the love Jesus demonstrated through his death on the cross and his resurrection. Greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). The royal law of this kingdom is love: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (James 2:8).

A person must be born again and become like a little child to enter the kingdom of love (Matthew 18:3). Those who do the will of the heavenly Father can enter into this kingdom (Matthew 7:21). In the kingdom of love, there is no room for hatred, anger, prejudice or strife. No immoral or impure person abides in this kingdom (Ephesians 5:5). People turn back because they have not received Christ's love. A person who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of love (Luke 9:62). Christ's love is strong; and it cannot be defeated (will not fail) (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Releasement in Kingdom Love
There is a releasement (the act of liberating someone or something) in love. Love releases you to do the Father's will. If you love Jesus, keep his commandments (John 14:15, 21 and 15:10). "This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I [Jesus] have loved you" (John 15:12). When you receive his love then you will keep his commandments. Love releases you and other people so that you can and will forgive all offenses. You give because the love of Christ has been poured into your heart. You no longer give simply to satisfy the law (e.g. Malachi 3:8-12).

As you are released in love to do the Father's will, you become more sensitive to the cries of those who need help. Under the guidance of the Spirit, you will be able to help bear the excess burdens of others. "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Let them see Christ's love through you. Let them rejoice and be glad for the Lord desires that they know him and that they follow him.

Growth in Kingdom Love
There is growth and maturity in love. Speak the truth in love to grow up in every aspect of life and become more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15). In the great love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes the effects of perfect love. Before a person operates in perfect love, he/she is a child and acts as a child. When believers live in perfect love, they put away childish things and act maturely. When perfection comes, I shall know and understand fully and clearly (1 Corinthians 13:14b, AMP)

Fullness of God in Kingdom Love
The fullness of God exists in his love. Open wide your gates and let the King of Glory come in. You will see the full measure of his glory. Continue to commune with him for all things have been made by him, flow out of him, and were made for his pleasure, even you. In his love there is fullness. When you really know the love of Christ, you are filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). In his presence you become completely filled and flooded with God himself. Then you will be filled with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Let him engulf you.

The Lord reveals himself to those who belong to him. He reveals himself to you, because he loves you and for you to receive his abundance. Believers enter into the richness of Christ's love where there is no lack - only abundance. God sent his love so that the world might know true wealth and true abundance. It is God's desire that his children walk in love and in richness.

Living the Dream

God inspires his children with dreams that are bigger than they are. Such inspiration about the future comes from the Holy Spirit: "He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:13). This inspiration may come in several different forms, including God-given ideas, thoughts, visions, dreams and revelations. In this discussion, all of these forms of inspiration will be called dreams for your future. I am living my dream: "to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke" (Isaiah 58:6). I hope this message will inspire and help you to live your dream.

Define Purpose with Dreams
Dreams are glimpses into purpose. At first, they may appear hard to grasp like smoke or a cloud. Many people let their dreams fall to the ground without doing anything about them. Those who neglect their dreams do not realize the importance of dreams. As believers hold onto the dream and realize the importance of it, it begins to take form and manifest. Joseph dreamed that he would rise to a position of great authority (Genesis 37:5-10). He held onto his dreams and integrity through slavery and prison (Genesis 39-41). He later ruled over Egypt, because it was God's will for him to save the multitudes. At the end, Joseph was able to tell his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (Genesis 50:20).

God gives you dreams to help you first see and then later fulfill your purpose. Every person is born to fulfill purpose. As a child of God, you are called according to God's purpose. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his 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.

Activate Your Dreams
First, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, because he will both inspire you through dreams and give you understanding of the dreams. God has a purpose for you that must be revealed to you in order for you to fulfill it. God reveals his purpose to you by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10). When his purpose is first revealed to you, it becomes your dream and then as it is formalized it can become your vision to pursue. Holding fast to your vision is integrity. When God's purpose for you is fulfilled, it blesses God and other people and impacts eternity.

Second, find your place in the body of Christ where you can be nurtured so that you can grow, mature and do the will of God. God provides a spiritual father for each child to help in their quest for purpose. Fathers set children on a course of life, either aiming towards their purpose or away from their purpose. An unrighteous father will set his children on a path of destruction through three and four generations (Deuteronomy 5:9). A righteous father sets his children on a path of righteousness through a hundred generations (Deuteronomy 5:10).

The love of a father sets a child on a path of life to be successful in fulfilling purpose. The child may choose to leave this path, but the love of the father will draw him/her back again. When the prodigal son came to his senses, he returned to his father who loved him (Luke 15:17-20).

Third, help others live their dreams. For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap (Galatians 6:7 Amplified Bible). Those who sow generally will reap generally, while those who sow specifically will reap specifically. Sowing to purpose will yield a harvest of purpose. If you want to fulfill your purpose then focus on purpose by helping others fulfill their own purposes.

Live your dream so that the Lord can say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"