Climate Change
This is the perfect time of year to discuss climate change. Living in Georgia gives me the privilege of experiencing seasons. Naturally, with seasons there will be extreme climate changes. Many places have a consistent season due to its geographical location. Even so, there are climate changes - just maybe not as drastic. The first thought of climate is the definition we are most familiar with: weather conditions or a region, temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds. But, there's an additional definition of climate, along with scripture I was reading, that provoked this thought to be written: The prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place. Could our climate affect our faith? According to this definition, absolutely.
Faith (belief) is the essence of Christianity. We cannot be Christians without faith (Ephesians 2:8). If we have enough faith in the One who came from God, lived and ministered for others performing miracles, gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin while never committing sin Himself, and resurrecting Himself to fulfill God's plan that we could be "saved," then why do we not have faith to do the things, the greater things (John 14:12), as this same One did?
In Mark 9:14-29, we find a situation that has Jesus wondering about the substantiality of His disciples. I'll allow you to read the details in the scripture itself. What stood out to me is the significance for a climate of faith. The longer the disciples wrestled with delivering this boy, the more the climate displayed doubt with the dad and the surrounding crowd. A climate change was necessary; one of faith.
Everything in nature responds to a persistent climate. Certain vegetation will grow and life will exist in a tropical climate. Very little life will inhabit an arctic climate. What kind of faith climate surrounds you? Persistent faith creates a place of divine healing.
The demonic spirit in this reference also represents affliction. Affliction is "a state of pain, distress, or grief. A cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution." (Dictionary).
Jesus told the dad that he could change his own climate; regardless of what climate he was in because of others.
You are responsible for the prediction of your climate. Why are we not seeing deliverance in our services and gatherings? The afflictions of addiction, sickness, abuse, relationships, and your deepest struggles are not being cast out. It's time for a climate change. Jesus told his disciples in their search for an answer to why they could not deliver this boy that "this kind (affliction) can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." (verse 29). Our climate is not right for deliverance of the "impossible" affliction.
Persistent prayer, accompanied by praise (verse 24) and sometimes fasting, provides "Faith Climate" bringing deliverance. What would take place in the Kingdom of God if every Christian would build their persistent faith climate each day individually? What would take place when we gather together? How many afflictions would be cast out because of the faith climate? It's time for a climate change.
Faith (belief) is the essence of Christianity. We cannot be Christians without faith (Ephesians 2:8). If we have enough faith in the One who came from God, lived and ministered for others performing miracles, gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin while never committing sin Himself, and resurrecting Himself to fulfill God's plan that we could be "saved," then why do we not have faith to do the things, the greater things (John 14:12), as this same One did?
In Mark 9:14-29, we find a situation that has Jesus wondering about the substantiality of His disciples. I'll allow you to read the details in the scripture itself. What stood out to me is the significance for a climate of faith. The longer the disciples wrestled with delivering this boy, the more the climate displayed doubt with the dad and the surrounding crowd. A climate change was necessary; one of faith.
Everything in nature responds to a persistent climate. Certain vegetation will grow and life will exist in a tropical climate. Very little life will inhabit an arctic climate. What kind of faith climate surrounds you? Persistent faith creates a place of divine healing.
The demonic spirit in this reference also represents affliction. Affliction is "a state of pain, distress, or grief. A cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution." (Dictionary).
Jesus told the dad that he could change his own climate; regardless of what climate he was in because of others.
"If you can believe (have faith), all things are possible to him who believes." (verse 23).
You are responsible for the prediction of your climate. Why are we not seeing deliverance in our services and gatherings? The afflictions of addiction, sickness, abuse, relationships, and your deepest struggles are not being cast out. It's time for a climate change. Jesus told his disciples in their search for an answer to why they could not deliver this boy that "this kind (affliction) can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." (verse 29). Our climate is not right for deliverance of the "impossible" affliction.
Persistent prayer, accompanied by praise (verse 24) and sometimes fasting, provides "Faith Climate" bringing deliverance. What would take place in the Kingdom of God if every Christian would build their persistent faith climate each day individually? What would take place when we gather together? How many afflictions would be cast out because of the faith climate? It's time for a climate change.
Comments