Revival of Doctrine, Truth, Soundness of Mind and Sanity.
Hope and Faith - They're Electric! (Part Two)
This is the second part of the article. If you haven't read the first part, please do so. You will miss some important concepts if you do not read Part One. You can find it here.
Ready?? Here goes!
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Now let's expand on this and take a closer look at electrical circuits.
As I said, the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. You have probably seen them in action. We call them lightning. Here's how a lightning circuit works:
The surface of the Earth normally has a negative charge. When a thundercloud grows, it develops a negative charge at its base, and a positive charge towards the top.
You can already see a difference of potential has developed inside the cloud. Sometimes processes inside the cloud will create conductive paths between the base and the top of the cloud. I once observed a supercell move towards Sapulpa around sunset and it had numerous "anvil crawler" strokes going up the sides of the main storm tower. It was one of the most impressive and beautiful lightning displays I have ever seen.
Sometimes, lightning can happen between two different clouds, but what we usually see most is cloud to ground (CG) lightning.
As the base of a thundercloud develops its negative charge, that charge repels the normal negative charge at the surface, and the surface develops a positive charge. This creates the difference of potential between the cloud and the surface. Research has shown that the attraction between the charges create ionized (electrically charged) channels that grow from the cloud base towards the ground, and from the ground towards the cloud. If they meet, a conductive path forms that completes the circuit, and zzzt-BOOM! LIGHTNING! If it happens close enough to me, I call it LIGHTNI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NING!
Now, CG lightning is known to be dangerous to humans, but we do benefit from it indirectly. When CG lightning hits topsoil, it generates nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is a key ingredient in many fertilizers, so CG lightning helps to keep soil fertile.
Now consider for a minute these verses:
Heb 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a CLOUD of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We just looked at how clouds produce lightning. If we are surrounded by the cloud, we are in the cloud, and maybe we have become part of the cloud. Now consider that this discussion of Hope has come in the context of warfare. Is God calling us His stormtroopers?
Most electrical circuits designed by men serve some human need. Let's compare Hope & Faith circuits to these man-made circuits.
The Hope within us exists as an image of an all-powerful, loving God Who is more willing to use His power to bless us than to harm us. This image creates the difference of potential when compared to our need.
Faith is the conductor that delivers His power to the device that meets our need.
Most circuits that designed to meet human need have a switch. Our will is that switch.
As James said, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." Jas. 2:17 (NASB) A wire not connected to a working device does no one any good. The works of Faith are the gifts and tools He has given us to use, from His Word, to our words, to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the armor of God.
1Cor. 13:13 (NASB) But now Faith, Hope, Love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Gal. 5:6 (NASB) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but Faith working through Love.
Love is how we determine when and where to use the Hope & Faith circuit.
Every part of the circuit must be in good working order to use it according to the Father's will. Our Hope must be strong. Our Faith must be unbroken and free from obstruction and corruption. We need to keep our working devices clean and in a good state of repair. Our Love must be pure, focused on the needs of others more than ourselves, and on the needs of the Kingdom.
How can we maintain our Hope - Faith - Love circuits?
Jude (NASB) 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Ready?? Here goes!
#####
Now let's expand on this and take a closer look at electrical circuits.
As I said, the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. You have probably seen them in action. We call them lightning. Here's how a lightning circuit works:
The surface of the Earth normally has a negative charge. When a thundercloud grows, it develops a negative charge at its base, and a positive charge towards the top.
You can already see a difference of potential has developed inside the cloud. Sometimes processes inside the cloud will create conductive paths between the base and the top of the cloud. I once observed a supercell move towards Sapulpa around sunset and it had numerous "anvil crawler" strokes going up the sides of the main storm tower. It was one of the most impressive and beautiful lightning displays I have ever seen.
Sometimes, lightning can happen between two different clouds, but what we usually see most is cloud to ground (CG) lightning.
As the base of a thundercloud develops its negative charge, that charge repels the normal negative charge at the surface, and the surface develops a positive charge. This creates the difference of potential between the cloud and the surface. Research has shown that the attraction between the charges create ionized (electrically charged) channels that grow from the cloud base towards the ground, and from the ground towards the cloud. If they meet, a conductive path forms that completes the circuit, and zzzt-BOOM! LIGHTNING! If it happens close enough to me, I call it LIGHTNI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NING!
Now, CG lightning is known to be dangerous to humans, but we do benefit from it indirectly. When CG lightning hits topsoil, it generates nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is a key ingredient in many fertilizers, so CG lightning helps to keep soil fertile.
Now consider for a minute these verses:
Heb 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a CLOUD of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We just looked at how clouds produce lightning. If we are surrounded by the cloud, we are in the cloud, and maybe we have become part of the cloud. Now consider that this discussion of Hope has come in the context of warfare. Is God calling us His stormtroopers?
Most electrical circuits designed by men serve some human need. Let's compare Hope & Faith circuits to these man-made circuits.
The Hope within us exists as an image of an all-powerful, loving God Who is more willing to use His power to bless us than to harm us. This image creates the difference of potential when compared to our need.
Faith is the conductor that delivers His power to the device that meets our need.
Most circuits that designed to meet human need have a switch. Our will is that switch.
As James said, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." Jas. 2:17 (NASB) A wire not connected to a working device does no one any good. The works of Faith are the gifts and tools He has given us to use, from His Word, to our words, to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the armor of God.
1Cor. 13:13 (NASB) But now Faith, Hope, Love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Gal. 5:6 (NASB) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but Faith working through Love.
Love is how we determine when and where to use the Hope & Faith circuit.
Every part of the circuit must be in good working order to use it according to the Father's will. Our Hope must be strong. Our Faith must be unbroken and free from obstruction and corruption. We need to keep our working devices clean and in a good state of repair. Our Love must be pure, focused on the needs of others more than ourselves, and on the needs of the Kingdom.
How can we maintain our Hope - Faith - Love circuits?
Jude (NASB) 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Comment
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on August 27, 2009 at 4:39pm -
Debbie, I am going to post a separate thread for one of the steps to “the Wal-mart experience.”
One step is to learn how to prevent the anointing from being blocked – or said differently, to learn what allows the anointing to flow.
I’ll call that post “Blessed are those who are not offended in me.”
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on August 25, 2009 at 3:41pm
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I have been struggling to find the best place to add this comment. I was considering "What does/will reivial look like?" and this thread "Faith and Hope". I even thought of starting a new thread. Regardless...
Gary mentioned recently about how strange it would sound to the world to walk into Walmart and say "I have the power to speak to cancer and have it obey me." He chuckled and went on with his analogy, but I was stuck there.
That is EXACTLY what the world needs! Jesus did the very same thing!
By making that kind of bold statement, hope in presented to someone in need. And if I make that statement because I'm convinced it is true, my declaration will ring with confidence. Then if the person responds in faith, they will receive.
Remember...I don't beg someone or pressure them to let me pray for them. Neither do I talk them into it "to see what will happen." Because if they have faith, they'll be the ones telling me, "Hey put that sack of dog food down and get over here and pray for me."
When we can confidently make the bold proclamation of what we have that we can freely give, it will spark hope within the hearts of those who are without natural hope, and faith will have the opportunity to arise - laying hold to the promise (hope) that 'Christ in me' IS the hope of this present age!
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on July 23, 2009 at 4:07pm
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Doug I was thinking a little more of some analogies for faith, hope...
Here is what I thought of:
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for…”
Hope is like the blueprint for a building.
Faith is like the building materials.
Now just because a person is operating in faith does not mean the building will be complete over night! There are lots of materials (faith) that go into the making of a building.
Patience is the time it takes to complete the project.
Then hope will be seen – no longer with the eyes (hope) of the spirit but “faith will become sight (physically).”
Another example of this: a Swan Dive.
If you could imagine yourself performing the perfect swan dive, that would be likened to hope.
Then comes the knowledge it takes to perform the actual steps – “get wisdom; get understanding.”
Faith could be likened to the execution of that knowledge.
Patience could be likened to the time of practice it takes until you are able to do what you first imagined.
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on June 5, 2009 at 11:14am
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"As the base of a thundercloud develops its negative charge, that charge repels the normal negative charge at the surface, and the surface develops a positive charge. This creates the difference of potential between the cloud and the surface."
How does this happen? Are you saying that over time two like charges will eventually create an opposite charge?
"Lightning charges produce nitrogen that benefit plant growth in the soil." If I understand correctly, the barrenness of a land will cause more storms in the area. I see this as God’s way of regeneration against the destructive results sin has had on the soil.
Our will is the switch – as Gary teaches “the unjust judge” it is indeed our soul that is the switch.
Patience may then be likened unto the cable/wire that connects the device to the power source. Because patience – that long drawn out piece of equipment that covers the distance is what’s required to connect from the here and now to the suddenly in the future.
The working device is our faith. Because Faith without works is dead.
And because faith works by love, that means that our device works because we have the hope that His love will supply our need to crank the device of our faith by his grace.
Let me recap in my words what I understand you saying:
Love made a promise.
Hope believes that word.
Faith works by the supply of His grace (fuel) that came through the word.
Patience is the connection between what has been promised and our activity to do what He said.
Fruit i.e. Revival (wisdom, miracles, healings, salvation…) is the byproduct of the collaboration of each member doing its part - the byproduct of our device (faith) connected through the wire (patience) to the source of power (God is love) because we implement the design (hope) He gives/gave.
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