God is kinder than you think

God is kinder than you think

 

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Rom. 8:32)

 

What if our lives are mostly a reflection of how we see God?  If you see God as easily angered, condemning, stingy, unwilling to let go of His blessings, or always wanting to test you, you will live like the slave of a temperamental master.  You will never know if you are good enough.

 

What if God is kinder than you think?  What if His reputation has been ruined by men who didn’t really know Him?  Let’s look at some verses that paint a different picture.

 

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water. (John 4:10)

 

– The gift of living water.

 

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

 

– The gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.  (Rom. 5:17)

 

– The gift of grace and righteousness.

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  (Eph. 2:8)

 

– The gift of salvation by faith.

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

 

–  Every good gift.

 

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  (Luke 12:32)

 

– The gift of the Kingdom.

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you  (John 14:27)

 

– The gift of His peace.

 

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23)

 

– Whatever we ask in His Name.

 

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

 

– The gift of His promises and all things that pertain to life.

 

Do you have enough faith to believe in his goodness?  Faith begins when God’s extravagant goodness is embraced.  All you need has already been given.  He is that good!

Barry Bennett
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Legalism is not….

Legalism is not……

 

…Faithfulness.  If it is, then God is a legalist:  “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

 

…Self-control.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

 

…Diligence.  “And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.”  (Heb. 6:11)

 

…Good works.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  (Eph. 2:10)

 

…Regular giving.  “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” (Phil. 4:16)

 

…Holiness.  “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)

 

Legalism IS…keeping the Law of Moses in order to be righteous.  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  (James 2:10)

 

A sincere relationship with the Father will bear the fruit of faithfulness, self-control, diligence, good works, generosity and holiness.  These are not the traits of a legalist.  A true legalist is one who will only do what they are told.

Barry Bennett

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Charis Bible College Open Day 21 – 22 January 2019

Come and join us for our Open days on the 21st & 22nd January 2019 at the Charis Bible College, Heidelberg WC. All are welcome!

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It has always been about hearing Him

It has always been about hearing Him

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day… “I heard Your voice in the garden.”  (Gen. 3:8-10)

Adam and Eve were created to hear the Father and learn from Him.  Sin brought fear and ignorance into Adam and Eve, and men have been living without the fellowship of the Lord that we were created to enjoy ever since.

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” (Mt. 4:4)

We were created to hear Him.  Apart from hearing God, life is more biological than spiritual.  Life isn’t life if there is no divine hearing.  There can be no life without His voice.

We are expected to hear Him.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (Jn. 10:27)

It should not be difficult to recognize the voice of God.  We were created to recognize His voice.  The problem lies in the distraction of so many other voices competing for our allegiance.

Jesus was limited in His ministry to what He heard from the Father.

“I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” (Jn. 8:28)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do;” (Jn. 5:19)

Whether we use the term “seeing” or “hearing”, we are speaking of the revelation of the Holy Spirit to our spirit.  If Jesus was limited to what He saw and heard, why do we think that we can live our lives as we wish and then have instant faith when it is needed?

The only way to walk in faith is to hear Him.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

It has always been about hearing God.  It will always be about hearing God.  The victories we desire are wrapped up in hearing Him.  Our knowledge is not enough.  Knowledge was not enough for Adam and Eve in the Garden.  Knowledge killed them because they didn’t get it from His voice.

Determine to lay aside the mundane voices of the world and grow sensitive to the voice of God.  Therein is the victory and the abundant life you desire.

Barry Bennett
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