Faith- Exploring the foundational level and understanding what it contains

Faith- Exploring the foundational level and understanding what it contains  

    In today's blog, we will delve into the profound concept of faith in God by exploring its foundational aspects. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the fundamental idea is that Jesus reconciles us back to God by atoning for our sins. This exchange brings about a transformative shift, and our lives are now lived through the perspective of Jesus.

     In our exploration, we will delve into the deep significance of this reconciliation and its impact on how we understand faith. The initial stage of our faith involves three key understandings: Mercy, Love, and Grace. I will thoroughly discuss each of these aspects, shedding light on their individual significance within the context of our ongoing faith journey.

    The redemption of mankind is a merciful act from God. Despite being a Holy and just God, He could have chosen to destroy mankind and start anew. However, out of His love for us, He extends mercy. This is demonstrated through the payment for our sins, satisfying His just nature, and remaining faithful.

   When we first surrender our lives to Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, the love we experience is so fresh and intense that we're willing to make sacrifices, even if we feel we lack the strength to do so. I want you to revisit the moment when you initially accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, reconnect with the emotions you felt at that time, and hold on to them. We will draw upon those emotions later on.

    As a child, I was raised with a deep sense of love for God that has been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember. The pivotal moment when I formally dedicated my life to God was around the age of 11 or 12 when I was attending a boarding school. I found myself in an environment where it seemed like everyone disliked me. I was distinctly different – in speech, mentality, and overall demeanor. Despite the challenges, I had an inherent resilience and strength within me.

    During this time, I crossed paths with a girl a few years older than me, two sets ahead in school. She observed the difficulties I was facing, reached out to me, and introduced me to the teachings of Jesus. Despite already having knowledge of Him, our connection led to a profound moment where I willingly gave my life to Jesus. This marked the first time I chose to serve God wholeheartedly, without any external pressure.

    Unfortunately, I experienced a period of backsliding when I ventured into the realm of being a typical teenager. Despite having led a sheltered life with limited freedom, I made a promise to God that when I felt prepared, I would worship Him wholeheartedly. I firmly believed in doing things correctly or not doing them at all, especially when it came to matters of faith. Although I entered a phase of normalcy, I maintained my godly morals and continued to harbor a healthy reverence for God. I share my story to evoke the emotions tied to when you first experienced salvation and the reasons behind accepting Jesus.

    Christian faith, or biblical faith, is intricately tied to three processes: Mercy, Love, and Grace, as mentioned earlier in the blog. This sequence unfolds precisely in that order. Every individual who genuinely accepts Jesus wholeheartedly goes through this transformative process to varying degrees.

    The journey of faith begins with God's mercy, actively seeking us regardless of our pursuit or deserving. It's essential to acknowledge that nobody inherently deserves this mercy. In this early stage, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by sins, seemingly lost in the eyes of God. Some may reach out to Him for help, and God, fully aware of our flaws, responds with mercy. This merciful response leads us to salvation, evoking remorse and prompting us to seek His guidance. Learning about salvation through Jesus Christ, our Savior, shows us that mercy reached us despite our mistakes (Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8). This deepens our gratitude for God's mercy and goodness. During this stage, we may find ourselves acting recklessly, solely focused on our own desires and needs. However, we are deeply thankful for God's mercy and forgiveness. In this phase, our mindset is centered on self-interest—what "I" want. He extends His assistance when we seek His help, guiding us toward experiencing His goodness and power. However, our understanding of God remains incomplete; we primarily recognize His benevolence rather than comprehending Him fully.

    Following that, we progress to the second stage of our faith journey. Here, we encounter the profound love of God and gain a deeper understanding of the exchange made possible through the blood of Jesus. It becomes clear that salvation is not just a means to escape judgment (hell) but an invitation to cultivate a meaningful relationship with God, as emphasized in John 3:16. During this phase, a genuine love for God emerges, prompting us to contemplate what God desires from this relationship. Recognizing that engaging in a faithful relationship with Him is a sensible commitment, we shift from a stage of Mercy marked by recklessness and self-interest—what "I" want to a devoted adherence to God's commandments. This phase of faith seeks to establish fidelity in our relationship with God, deepening our understanding of His covenant and empowering us to approach His throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy.

    Following that, you move on to the third stage—Grace. In this phase, you gain knowledge and firsthand experience of God, acknowledging His benevolence. Recognizing ourselves as joint heirs with God (Romans 8:17), we are empowered with the authority to operate in His power and witness the manifestation of Christ within us. This stage marks the point where you confidently begin to utilize the authority bestowed upon us by Jesus. It signifies your growing comprehension of the rules of engagement and your understanding of God's commitment to you. 

   In the stage of Grace, unwavering adherence to God's commandments results in a continual experience of His love, mercy, and grace, marking the initial phases of our journey in experiencing life with God. Through this experience, we come to understand God's steadfast commitment, cultivating a faithful relationship with Him, and it is from this profound encounter that our priesthood is born. Unfortunately, many believers get stuck in the grace phase, struggling to establish the priesthood due to life challenges, complacency, or compromise, hindering its development. 

    Take a moment to think back to the emotions you experienced when you first accepted Jesus. Reflect on the question: Why did you accept Jesus? Connect that emotion and your answer to the insights on Mercy, Love, and Grace that I've shared in this blog. After making this connection, ask yourself another question: Where do you currently stand in this phase of faith? Is it in Mercy, Love, or Grace? Ask the Holy Spirit to unveil the truth and help you grow in Your faith. 

    For individuals in the Grace phase, acknowledging the birth of your priesthood requires a transformative shift. In this phase, one's personal will no longer take precedence; instead, life becomes centered around aligning with God's will. God assumes lordship over one's life during this significant transition.  I suggest delving into my recent blog posts titled "Priesthood" and "What are Altars?" to guide and introduce you to this transformative journey into your priesthood.

    For those who feel trapped in the Mercy or Love stage, I encourage you to actively seek God's assistance for a complete experience of His presence. It's crucial not to miss out on the freedom and spiritual abundance that come where the spirit of the Lord dwells (2 Corinthians 3:17). Keep in mind, that God didn't save us merely for a good life, but to fulfill His divine will. By aligning with His purpose through obedience, you automatically unlock the fulfillment of every promise found in scripture (Matthew 6:33). Your journey with God is not just about existing but thriving in His abundant and purposeful plan for your life.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.

    

   

Priesthood

 Priesthood 

A priest is an individual who raises an altar with a sacrifice unto God. In the Old Testament, only the Levitical priesthood had the authority to offer sacrifices to God. However, through Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, He became the eternal high priest, bringing about perfection in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:11-28). This emphasizes the completeness of the salvation offered through Him. When we accept Jesus, we are transformed into priests to God (Revelation 1:6, 1 Peter 2:9).      

    The scripture declares, "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”(1 Peter 2:5). Our core purpose is to function as priests serving God, thereby facilitating the fulfillment of His will on earth. Additionally, our relationship with God brings Him pleasure. This stems from our creation in His image, with Him breathing life into us, shaping us as spiritual beings residing within human bodies. This distinctive creation affords us dominion over the earth, granting legal authority to operate in both the spiritual realm and our physical world. Consequently, we have the capability to interact with spiritual beings.

    Because we are designed to be priests to God, we possess the unique ability to operate in both the spiritual realm and the physical world. To transact in the spiritual realm, an altar must be raised. Raising an altar is essential to grant God access to our physical world for His will to be done. As discussed in my previous blogs, altars are where we give spiritual entities the legal right to operate in our physical world.

    In today’s blog, we will be discussing the role of a priest and the authority it commands. The primary responsibility of a priest is to ensure that God's will is accomplished. Every believer is entrusted with a unique assignment on Earth, and regardless of the specific calling, fulfilling God's will requires His assistance. Taking on our role as priests becomes crucial because God operates through us. To enable His work through us, we must provide Him access, allowing His presence to enter our physical world, influencing and directing us. This Access is facilitated by establishing an altar, and it requires a priest to operate it, directing God's agenda.

    In my previous blog titled "What are Altars," which I recommend you read for a comprehensive understanding of priesthood, I explained that our lives serve as altars to God. I  expounded on His desire to utilize our lives to manifest His glory and fulfill His will. However, for this to materialize, we must extend an invitation for His presence. Once that is accomplished, He initiates the process of renewing our minds and effecting transformation. Subsequently, we engage in the process of consecration, involving fasting, unceasing prayer, and diligent study of scriptures.

    As your relationship with God deepens, evolving into a fatherly connection, you will progress through three stages: Mercy, Love, and Grace. In the initial stage, Mercy, you grasp the concept of His salvation through His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ—how mercy was extended to us even while we were in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8). Following that, you progress to the second stage, where you encounter His love, understanding the profound exchange facilitated for us through the blood of Jesus. This understanding empowers us to confidently approach His throne of grace, seeking mercy. Additionally, you come to realize that salvation is not merely an escape from judgment (hell) but an invitation to cultivate a relationship with God (John 3:16). At this point, you find yourself in love with God, acknowledging that entering into a faithful relationship with Him is our reasonable service. Subsequently, you advance to the third stage—Grace. In this stage, you have gained knowledge and firsthand experience of Him, recognizing Him as a benevolent God. We acknowledge our position as joint heirs with God (Romans 8:17), bestowed with authority to operate in His power and witness the manifestation of Christ within us. At this juncture, the priesthood is born, signifying a sincere desire to faithfully serve Him. God begins to reveal little insights into His attributes, providing glimpses of His love and judgment. 

    The core of priesthood is found in the unwavering service to God and the prioritization of His will above all. This requires aligning one's own will with His, embracing a life devoted to sacrifice. Taking on the role of a priest involves a consecration process that commences with a dedicated pursuit of God, seeking His will through ceaseless prayers. Additionally, it entails a continual study of the Bible to deepen one's understanding of God. Establishing a connection with the Holy Spirit is crucial, as His guidance is essential for comprehending the Bible and hearing God. In the journey of priesthood, the Holy Spirit serves as the guiding force.

    When establishing an altar for God, the priest of the altar must undergo the process of consecration. This process is characterized by an exchange where one relinquishes self and desires, choosing to live for Christ by following His instructions. In this exchange, Jesus takes the place of your life, bearing the consequences of your iniquities. Living His life and abiding in Him leads to bearing fruit, as emphasized in the scripture "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4). Just as a branch cannot bear fruit independently without being connected to the vine (Jesus), we also cannot bear fruit without being connected to Him.

    Before we delve deeper into the priesthood, let us first discuss consecration. Consecration occurs when an individual surrenders their life to God, living in righteousness and obedience to Him. The pathway to consecration involves ceaseless prayer, fasting, and continuous study of the Bible. As we take the initiative to engage in these practices, the Holy Spirit takes over and begins to renew our minds and transform us. This marks the initial steps toward righteousness. 

    Ceaseless prayer, fasting, and continuous study of the Bible serve as spiritual reservoirs for the Holy Spirit to effect change; transformation and growth cannot occur without them. It is crucial to recognize that unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting are inherently spiritual practices that also function as potent weapons. They can be likened to a person enlisting in the army to become a soldier. Just as soldiers must undergo rigorous boot camp training to be equipped for survival and success, engaging in unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting prepares individuals spiritually, enhancing their readiness and effectiveness in serving God. Unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting enhance your potential for God to utilize you.  

     Let's face it, a life of sacrifice is challenging, and these trials motivate us to align ourselves with the Lord and walk in His authority. Initially, we may desire deliverance from our challenges, but as the Lord's work within us transforms us into what He desires us to be, our focus shifts from self to God's will. We remember the scripture from Matthew 6:33, which states 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.' This reassures us that He will provide for our needs and resolve our challenges. As our focus shifts solely to God, the reality of this scripture begins to manifest in our lives. He provides for us, perhaps not always in the ways we anticipate, but He will indeed fulfill our needs.

    The level of consecration within your priesthood acts as the catalyst or power source for your altar when declaring God's word. In simpler terms, the effectiveness of your altar is determined by your priesthood. The validity of your priesthood relies on your consecration because God is holy, and as Scripture says, "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34). God's response is shaped by your consecration and obedience. The outcome of the ongoing process of consecration to God enables the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When you align with His spirit, the spirit of your altar (the Holy Spirit) directs you daily in accordance with the Father's (God's) will.

    When an altar is dedicated to God, the devil, and his spirits target the priest. These spirits operate within the legal framework established by God. If the priest is not consecrated to God and does not possess the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) — including the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, a belt of truth, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit — there will be retaliation. Even when consecrated, if the priest lacks knowledge or if there is an open door or a lack of rules of engagement, attacks may occur. This underscores the crucial importance of partnering with the Holy Spirit and allowing His guidance. In the priesthood, you are enlisted into a spiritual war, serving as God's vessel to resist the forces of darkness and establish God's presence. The forces of darkness will inevitably counteract (fight back).

    The duty of a priest is to fulfill God's will and enable God's presence to influence our space and world through our altars, as we are considered the temple of God with the Spirit dwelling in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The scriptures also instruct us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). This implies that for God to recognize our altar and support us, the priest must be consecrated, set apart to God, signifying holiness and acceptability. Reading books in the scriptures, such as Leviticus, Chronicles, and Kings, etc, reveals the high level of consecration expected of priests. Since God is holy and desires His temple undefiled (1 Corinthians 3:17), it emphasizes that we, as His priests, need to maintain a level of consecration.

    For a priest to wield a powerful altar, they must be consecrated and set apart to God. I cannot emphasize this enough—the fuel for your altar is your consecration to God. A priest consecrated to God commands power and protection; the jealousy of God hovers over the priest. If you touch God's anointed, you are inviting God's wrath. God fights for His priests (Nahum 1:2).

    God's presence resides in an altar where He holds lordship, and where God dwells, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:16). God is deliberate in His principles; He approaches individuals as they are, as affirmed in scripture: "With the merciful, You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd"(Psalms 18:25-26).

    To summarize, our duties as priests to God entail ushering God’s presence into our physical world to fulfill His will. We must be holy and acceptable to God, set apart to command His authority, and accomplish great exploits. As priests of God, we protect and intercede for our territory, including our family, friends, and sphere of influence. Reading this particular blog is not a coincidence; it is a divine call from God to embrace your priesthood. Answer the call! The trials you are currently facing, which are compelling you to pray and fast, are God's way of getting your attention.

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer of priesthood. It serves as a powerful blueprint for prayer, offering guidance on how to pray and shaping the posture of our hearts. It not only provides comprehensive protection but also ensures that our prayers are aligned with God's will. I urge you to set aside some time to deeply contemplate its profound meaning and significance.

The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2-4, Matthew 6:9-13)

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.