Faith Matters Podcast

#645 - Joys of Heaven; Day 2

Good Versus Far BetterJonathan Edwards once commented that no pilgrim en route to a glorious and exotic place will take up permanent residence at an inn along the way. Yes, the pilgrim is glad to have a resting place during his journey, but as soon as possible he is on his way again, drawn by eager anticipation of the joys that await him at his destination. Edwards’ point, of course, is that Christians are to emulate this pilgrim. Sadly, however, believers tend to take too much pleasure in their temporary accommodations and allow themselves to be distracted from pressing on toward their final destination (heaven). The solution, as Edwards suggests, is for Christians to keep in mind that while the accommodations may be good, the destination is far better.Paul displays this outlook. Writing to the Philippians from prison, he confides that he is unsure of what is going to happen to him. It very well may be, he says, that he will be put to death. On the other hand, he might be set free. But this uncertainty really means nothing, he says, because either outcome will represent a “deliverance” and will magnify Christ. Thus, he is absolutely serene about his future. For Paul, to live on “is Christ.” In other words, Christ is his one consuming idea, his one passion in life. He is focused on Christ and on serving Him to the full. But he has no fear that death will spell the end of that passionate pursuit. Indeed, his fellowship with Christ will be enhanced by death. “To die is gain,” he proclaims. His only ambivalence has to do with the Philippians. It is “needful” that he continue ministering among them; he truly wants to be there for them. But death would be “far better” for him, for it would usher him into the presence of Christ, where he most wants to be.Obviously it was a good thing for Paul to live and minister among the Philippians. But going on to heaven, he said, would be “far better.” By comparison, there was no comparison. Nothing in the world could entice him to stay if heaven beckoned. This is the attitude that every Christian should have. Instead of seeing death as a loss, as the loss, we should understand that it would be boundlessly better to exchange the temporal, limited glories of this world for the ageless, boundless glories of heaven, where dwells the lover of our souls, the Triune God. The inn is just an inn; the Celestial City lies ahead.CORAM DEO Living before the face of GodIf you were told that you would die without pain tonight, would you be excited? Obviously you would have pangs at the thought of leaving your loved ones and of the sorrow your death would bring them. But you would be about to see heaven! As we study the joys that await believers, pray that God will help you see heaven as “far better.”

#644 - Joys of Heaven; Day 1

A Needful RealityIn his magnificent summary of God’s faithfulness in Joshua 21:43–45, the unknown author of the book lists three indications of God’s favor toward Israel. First, He has given the Israelites the land He promised them. Second, He has brought a cessation of their long labors. And third, He has caused them to triumph over their enemies. In short, God has given them a home, rest, and victory. And in His benevolence to Israel, we see a picture of God’s kind intention toward His people in all times and places. The Bible tells us that we, too, will have a home, sweet rest, and ultimate victory. But it is clear that these things will not be ours in this life; we will experience them in full only in heaven.Through the centuries, Christians have drawn great encouragement from knowing that these things awaited them beyond the grave. Not so today. Many contemporary believers, especially Westerners, being blessed with freedom of religion, good health, and abundant material goods, are at ease in Zion. Thus, we tend to fix our eyes on the here and now, not the prize that awaits us. But in doing so, we deny ourselves the kind of hope that sustained the Israelites. To combat this tendency, we will spend the next few days looking at what awaits believers after death.Jesus clearly asserts the existence of heaven, and promises that believers will have a place there. In John 14, speaking to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion, HeJesus urges them not to let their hearts be troubled. This is a call to faith, to trust. He notes that they believe in God; therefore, they ought to have faith in Jesus, too, because God has declared who He is by speaking from heaven and empowering Him to do wonders. Then, having called them to faith in Him, He gives the disciples some of His most magnificent promises about heaven. It truly exists, He says, and He is about to go there to prepare a place for them. In time, He will come back to take them there. They can and should believe these things, He says, for He, their God-attested Lord and Savior, would not mislead them.CORAM DEO Living before the face of GodDo you think much about heaven? Why or why not? If your answer is no, is it because your life here is so comfortable that you have little desire to experience the riches of glory? Give thanks for God’s blessings to you in the here and now, but begin today to ask Him to help you look forward to dwelling in His heavenly courts.

#641 - Faith Matters; Book of Signs - Ch 14 Heaven

Faith Matters with Brian and Andi HaleThe Book of Signs by Dr. David Jeremiah, Ch. 14 HeavenGod created us for heaven. That's our true home, our country, our destination. When we set our minds on things above, we can experience a supernatural peace even when the world around us is falling apart. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you in heaven. Everything that is near and dear to you and me, everything that is important to Christ followers, is in heaven. Almighty God is inviting you to the banquet in heaven, but you need to reserve your place.

#640 - Power of the Decree; Day 5

Write a DecreeWe have been commissioned by God to bring His heavenly purposes to the earth. Through humanity’s fall into sin, we lost our place of dominion, but Christ restored that severed authority to whomever receives Him as Savior and Lord. We have permission to speak and act “in His name” (see Matthew 28:18–20). In other words, we have Christ’s power of attorney—we represent Him throughout the earth.Jesus promised that heaven would back His people up in whatever they would bind or loose on earth based on His new covenant (see Matthew 16:19). In other words, we have power to settle on earth anything that has been accomplished through His finished work on the cross––with heaven’s backup.When you face situations that need God’s help, go into His presence to receive the applicable Word of promise. You will receive when you seek the Lord for His insight, wisdom and perspective (see Matthew 7:7). This is much better than figuring things out in your own mind.Comb through the Scriptures for God’s purpose, writing down specific promises that reveal His will. Search key words with a Bible tool such as a concordance or Bible dictionary. Discovering promises is a treasure hunt! As you receive many consistent promises for your area of desired breakthrough, you will understand God’s perspective regarding that area.Next, speak them out. Pray back to God what He has given you. Decree the Word into the need. The more you speak out the Word and the insights He has given you, the more confident you will become. Your words will hit their mark.It helps to write them down. Which promises excite your spirit? Which ones activate your faith? Those are the ones to decree.The Kingdom of God is voice-activated, so decrees need to be spoken. Just as God spoke the world into existence, so we can be His voice today, for He is still creating. He needs your voice. None of the promises in the Word will be activated unless they are given voice.Decree of Love: Absolutely nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Because I am so loved by God, I love others well. I love them as He has loved me. I am marked by love and for love.

#639 - Power of the Decree; Day 4

Decrees in ActionWe wanted to minister in the city jail and prison in the city of Tijuana, Mexico, bringing them food and aid and sharing the gospel with them. When we approached the authorities, they firmly denied us entrance. The Lord seemed to be encouraging us to press in, and during prayer, He highlighted Isaiah 45:1–3 to my heart.These verses made a powerful impact on me, and I wrote out a decree based on that Scripture and gave a copy to everyone on our team to use during our prayer time. In agreement, we declared:In Jesus’ Name, we decree that the Lord opens doors before us in the city jail and in the federal prison so that their gates will not be shut.He goes before us and makes the rough places smooth, shattering all resistance.He gives us the treasures of darkness (souls, healings, deliverances) and hidden wealth of secret places (favor, grace, anointing) so that we know it is the Lord our God who calls us by name to fulfill this assignment.We prayed it every day for a week in our prayer time and then went back to the jail and prison. In faith, we took blankets, food, toiletries, and Bibles to give to the prisoners. They welcomed us in and did not even make us go through security—this was supernatural favor! We spent hours in that dark place, reaching out to those who were bound and oppressed. Jesus’ hope and love filled the place. Many were saved, healed, and delivered. We were welcomed back over and over. We never faced resistance in the jail or prison after that. The decree went to work on our behalf.Jesus often used this principle in His ministry. For example, we read in Luke 5:13 about a leper who had come to Jesus. He was full of devastating leprosy, but Jesus decreed, “be cleansed.” Immediately the leper was cleansed; his leprosy was gone. The decree of Jesus’ word brought forth cleansing, healing, and restoration that had not existed previously.Decree Freedom in Christ:The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. In Christ, I live and move and have my being. He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

#638 - Power of the Decree; Day 3