Ephesians 1:13-14 says of that relationship that, “…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…” Peter wrote about this. 1 Peter 1:4-5 says, “To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith…”

Hebrews 1:3 says of Jesus, “…upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Our faith is rooted and established in eternal truth that keeps us moment by moment.

Faith first comes in a measure. Romans 12:3 says, “…as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” It is increased as we hear and apply God’s word. Romans 10:17. Colossians 2:7 says that we abound it in through thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:7 says, “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Faith is not a method or formula. It is a deeply established belief in God that will not be shaken by anyone or anything.

Mark 11:22 says, “…Have faith in God.” Our Creator God is the only True God. There are many gods in this world. I think of Revelation 12:5. It says, “She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…”

There is only One who fits that description. Psalm 2:4 says, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” The ‘them’ refers to those rulers who are against the Lord.

Our personal relationship with the Lord of glory is based on Who He is from eternity to eternity. 

Our faith rooted in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Hallelujah He is risen!

I love the militant tone of Nahum 2:1. Think of our present situation. It says, “He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.”

Stalwart means strong, sturdy, robust, solid, dependable, and courageous. Think of Joshua. He was the new leader of the children of Israel, who could not be counted because they were like the sands of the sea.

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Timeless words. 

Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance…” Stalwart faith endures. I encourage you to make a list of ten verses that you know say ‘fear not’ so that you can pull them out when  you start to doubt.

Right after the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples encountered an unexpected trial. Matthew 14:24 says, “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.”

The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and they cried out in fear. When Peter heard Jesus’ voice, he said in verse 28, “…Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus bid him. Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water!

As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus all was well. The second he looked at his tempestuous circumstances, he began to sink. Jesus’ words in verse 31 are fitting for us in our trials when we begin to sink emotionally. “…O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” James 1:8 warns against being double-minded ~ vacillating between faith and doubt.

Matthew 14:13-21 was the record of Jesus feeding five thousand men, besides women and children. In verse 15 the disciples told Jesus to send the multitudes away. In verse 16 He said, “…They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

They replied in verse 17 that they only had five loaves and two fish. Jesus multiplied that to feed the multitudes, and there was enough left over that each disciple had a basket full.

Yet in Matthew 15:32-39, there is another situation where there was a hungry multitude. In verse 33 the disciples asked, “…Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”

Our trials are designed to test our faith. The intensity of the fiery trial is used to expose the hidden dross of doubt, fear, and unbelief. Out of the disciples heart came doubt instead of faith.

1 John 1:6 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Our words and actions have credibility when they agree with God’s truth. 

Our heart is our belief center. Therefore the type of treasure in our heart stems from what we believe about ourselves. I read Matthew 10 just before I started typing this devotional. Verse 1 says that Jesus gave power to His twelve disciples, “…over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” That included Judas.

John 13:2 says, “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas…to betray Him.” The seed of betrayal was a planted thought! This is why we have to guard our hearts with utmost diligence, not allowing the enemy of our soul any opportunity!

Matthew 12:34-35 says, “…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”

Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We can tell what we treasure by the words that come out of our mouths. Do you hear what you are saying? 

Matthew 15:19 says, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…” An evil thought is dark. In order for one to develop a photograph, a negative has to be made in a dark room. We are children of light! We have no business developing dark thoughts. 

Ephesians 5:11 says to have no fellowship with darkness. 1 John 1:5 says, “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

When we view ourselves through God’s eyes, we are mirroring the truths from His word. What does He say? Isaiah 43:7. We are created for His glory. Genesis 2:26 says, “Let Us make man in Our image…let them have dominion…”

Where is the word ‘unworthy’ in that? It doesn’t exist. Consider ‘unworthy’ as being from the realm of darkness. Here are a few lies: I am unworthy of His love, I am unlovable, I am a mistake, or I can’t do anything right. Truth: I am loved unconditionally. That means that no matter how many mistakes we have made, they are all situations that we can learn from.

Life is a journey of progress. Perfection alone belongs to God. Learn to kill ants ~ Automatic Negative Thoughts. Squash them by immediately proclaiming the truth of who you are in Christ. That is irrefutable truth!

I woke up from a dream. I actually got up in the dark, and wrote down the three key words in my notebook. Subliminal lies~unworthy. Subliminal means: below the threshold of sensation or consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone’s mind without their being aware of it.

Subliminal is a perfect word to describe a stealth fiery dart lie. It slips in unnoticed, especially when we are in our flesh and not walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth. When we are attentive to His leading, we will not fall prey to the lies of the enemy.

Have you ever felt unworthy? In my dream I was reinforcing who we are. We are created in the image of God. God is love. We are created in love for love. Unworthy has no connection to His love for us. Think about it ~ it is eternal truth.