Post by Admin on Aug 16, 2024 22:22:24 GMT
How to experience genuine faith: written for the simple layperson.
If you want proof that our theory of faith is confirmed by the Bible itself, by Ancient Hebrew as a first witness and our Hebrew English translator as a second witness and confirmed by published comments from another independent human such as A. T. Jones in 1888, you can read our 70 page booklet on this link:
https:// spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/54/person-simple-using-righteousness-faith
But for the lay person who is not into strong meat, the Hebrew or the Greek, the best way to experience genuine faith is to “taste and see the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8 ). Reading this presentation is about giving you simple wholesome food, like milk; that is guaranteed to be assimilated into your life easily.
First this salvation experience might become a stumbling block for you because of certain things that you have inside of you that oppose your Saviour. Or you might consider the simple steps just plain foolishness, so it clashes with your pride. The advice Jesus gave to those who establish their own righteousness with faith so called is this:
Mt 15:14 Let them alone:
The Bible teaches us to " Php 2:12 ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (KJV)
So let’s get start first on the major things that stop this genuine faith from working in the layperson on the street.
Mt 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in poetry saying, Behold, (Jesus the) sower went forth to sow (faith)...
In this favourite “precious promise” of mine, Jesus is a grand sower sowing faith as a seed.
Notice what happens when Jesus sows the seeds of faith over the nations of people.
(1) Dealing with devils in your life.
Mt 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Question: what is a wayside and whom are fowls in this poetry presentation?
Poetry was invented by God to make things clear, but also to hide things from casual or careless eyes. Poetry also makes it fun to read, like discovering precious gems among the other words.
Mt 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Here the wise men return home on another road, instead of going past Herod.
Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Here is some clues, there are many “religious roads” out there and it’s all confusing. How do you know which one is true? By their fruits ye shall know them, Jesus replied. Wide are the roads to destruction, but narrow is the path to eternal living by faith.
So from this idea you are about to partake on a journey most people do NOT choose. Are you prepared for this? Are you willing to meet it’s cost?
Now let’s consider the fowls:
Mt 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Reading through all the verses in the NT on “fowls” the poetry of the “fowl” is difficult to fathom, it clearly doesn’t refer to natural flying birds taking away your faith as soon as Jesus throws out His seeds of faith.
Jesus tells you the meaning of the symbolism of the “fowl”:
Mt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart
The poetry simile of “fowls” in the OT is difficult to find, and there is only two verses that refer to any clues about the “wicked one”.
So how does a layperson do this? Find a place where the Bible in the NT quoting the OT.
Ac 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Here the verse quoted is
Le 20:25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
And looking up verses with the word “fowl” in it we have this verse
Jer 5:27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
So the fowl is a poetry simile of some creature that is deceitful and gets rich of people, they don’t mind wicked humans.
Here is a Bible verse using similar poetry language, which we call parallel poetry:
De 32:15 ¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
So the “fowls” by the roadside ready to eat the faith seeds sown unto some people are “devils”, that function “like” birds of prey, ready to take away your faith.
So one of dangers we have for tasting milky doses of the words in Scripture, we can easily be led to misleading pathways, because we are just learning. In this case pray for the Holy Spirit to be your tutor and guide you into all truth.
So one of major obstacles to humans willing to accept genuine faith is the devils are waiting to steal immediately your faith away using various means. We will offer various solutions to this problem later.
(2) Dealing with human pride.
Mt 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
In this example some people accept the genuine faith try it out and find it works OK but after a while become complacent and forget Jesus as their provider of their faith. They have attitude problems in their relationship. Once faith begins, the seed grows in relationship to its surrounds and to the Divine Provider, who makes the seed grow.
So let’s see what stones are in the Bible. These are poetry similes of real things affecting your faith.
Now there are no NT verses explaining this poetry, so we have Jesus explaining things to us:
Jesus offers more insight into this person of faith:
Mt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
So here Jesus speaks of the root development is poor, and tribulation comes, both of these are more poetry similes of real events affecting this person’s faith. Most times we don’t get answers to our prayers straight away is because we lack experience , our root development is poor. Maybe we need patience first?
There are so many verses using stones in the OT, how does the layperson find the best ones?
Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
Is this not a good verse paralleling the one in the NT where rock steals away the words of faith Jesus is trying to sow?
Lets study this rock and what it means?
Isa 22:15 ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
The rock is a poetry symbol of Jesus, but this one man who is named sought to make his funeral place higher than others in the rock to make a name for himself. So the rock or stone is a symbol of pride, the attitude that opposes Jesus, who is your rock of ages, not you.
Now what is the most common way those who try genuine faith, give up after a while, after the honeymoon wears off?
Ho 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. (KJV)
So when our faith makes things go well, we are happy, but than we our hearts become exalted and we forget Jesus, and so our faith dies. So in this type of person we have to show solutions for dealing with pride and selfishness.
(3) Faith choked out by worldly affairs.
Mt 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Here is a third kind of person who readily grows in genuine faith but is slowly overcome by the affairs of the world which choke out the fruitfulness of their faith.
What are thorns?
Notice how Jesus explains the thorns:
Mt 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
If you have genuine faith your good fruits will prove this to be so, although it is possible to fake good works because faith is only seen first on the inside and makes works later on the outside. So many pious people can fake faith and look good in the eyes of others.
Isa 34:13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
Notice the thorns are outgrowth symbols of demons, or devils where the serpent or dragon is chief.
Notice the NT says the same thing
Mt 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
So even GOD has enemies on earth who oppose Jesus.
These people are lukewarm able to understand the need for faith, but not willing to go all the way into this for fear of being ruled by Jesus.
Most of us like doing what is right in our own eyes, a common problem with Israel in the OT too.
Jg 17:6 ...every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Now we have discussed many problems for people accepting faith, what now is the process of genuine faith?
The process of experiencing genuine faith, is termed by Ellen White the Science of Salvation, and it the whole subject of a scroll written by Yasha (with different spelling Hosea) where the Father asks His Son to go marry a woman of fornication. We humans are similes of that woman, and the entire scroll is a fascinating poem about Salvation through Jesus. Towards the end of this scroll, Jesus outlines the process of receiving His faith using very simple words.
For those who want more simple details can study this process here
spiritualsprings.org/ss-1514.htm
These steps of the process follow and parallel the same steps Mrs White wrote in her booklet “Steps to Christ”. We strongly recommend readers reading her booklet.
(1) God’s Love for Man
Ho 14:1 O Israel,
Simple question. Where are you? Do you wish to have genuine faith? Are you willing to be rescued by Jesus every day? Do you have a genuine need, or are you simple curious? Do you want God in your life? Where is your life right now? Do you have anything better to turn to? What is love ? This is the hardest step of them all because it comes from your attitude of gratitude. Do you understand what Jesus did for you?
(2) The Sinner’s Need of Christ
Ho 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God;
Are you willing to be rescued daily by Jesus? but you have to ask for this. Is your pride preventing you from asking God... I do not need a crutch you say.... I am OK on my own....
(3) Repentance
Ho 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
You need to feel the gift of repentance, that Jesus helps you to feel sorrow for missing his powers in you and your transgressions of sin. Things we do wrong. Do you feel this pain that Jesus went through for you, so you have have eternal peace? There is nothing you can do except accept His grace and take His faith upon yourself as your own. Do you have an attitude of gratitude?
(4) Confession
Ho 14:2 Take with you words,
Here is where the medium of genuine faith begins. You take takings as words. These are special words in the Scriptures that "promise power" as you confess them to Jesus. Ellen White calls them “precious promises”. We might call them “faith foods”, or “prayer promises”. You are free to take them as your words, you have studied the verse and God reads your heart, so you confess the words to Jesus in prayer allowing the words to provide a specific power in your life because you asked.
Here is a simple example of taking his words:
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
So every "faith food" is a miracle to you , a private grant of Jesus grace, against your natural condition of heart and righteousness, for we are all as filthy rags.
“Lord call on me at 4:30 am, so I can worship you with your word” Pray these words and allow God to show thee great and mighty things. See if the exact time is chosen. Or some other time you choose. This was the Author’s first private miracles of His grace.
(5) Consecration
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD
Notice how important it is to hear GOD speaking to you, so you turn to the Lord, and hear His words...
The purpose of to “take takings as words” is to “support” Jesus power flowing in you. Rededicate yourself to Jesus every time you “take takings as words” it’s your way of supporting Jesus, what the Bible terms in the NT as faith.
Faith is supporting Jesus. We do this by taking His words, as our own, and speaking them to Jesus in “Consecration” whatever that fancy word means in all its deepest details.
(6) Faith and Acceptance
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him,
Once you say the words of faith unto Jesus in prayer, a flow of faith will happen often immediately because you asked for this and your need is also immediate.
At other times Jesus will ask you to pray formally on your knees because you are a witness against the Opposer and your support is important to Jesus.
If you don’t find Jesus talking to you, try this “precious promise” “Lord let me hear you talk to me through the conscience of your Holy Spirit” (Rom 2:15) or “Lord let me hear your still small voice” ( 1Ki 19:12) or “Lord show me the way to go” ( Isa 30:21)
(7) The Test of Discipleship
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity,
So once the conditions of your asking and praying are met and your asked according to God’s will, than accept the flow of faith, and grow in Jesus power because you asked specifically for this.
You will become less transgressing the moral law, and more aware of the missing of Jesus daily, which is really breaking of faith. A common example of missing is speaking to others using human powers rather than asking God to speak through you. Try this “precious promise” “Lord let me speak your words, not mine” (Jas 1:26)
(8) Growing Up Into Christ
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously:
Pray in the attitude of gratitude and receive that which you asked for.
“Lord give me an attitude of gratitude” (Lu 7:47)
(9) The Work and the Life
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Finally expect fruits of his faith to flow into you and makes His fruits of love in your life, because you asked for this.
“Lord let me be a living sacrifice of your grace” (Heb 13:15)
When you take takings as your words, do not be afraid that there are many “precious promises” in a single verse. Everyone can plan their course and choose their needs, for Jesus directs your steps through faith.
Pr 16:9 ¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
This powerful verse is spelled out chapter by chapter in Mrs White Steps to Christ, and they follow the same process as genuine faith does as a process. Read the little book as it helps to explain more details.
Doubt is the opposite of faith. James has a lot to say about doubting.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Here is what A. T Jones wrote of this part of the process of faith:
A.T. Jones: "Anyone who seeks in the word of God for the specific things which God has provided and then bows upon that specific word for that thing, is asking according to the plainly expressed will of God, and knows that his prayer is heard and that he has the thing for which he prayed. So doing, the prayers will be always certain, the life will be filled with the direct gifts of God, and the faith will be sure and strong and will be ever increasing in strength ( www.1888mpm.org/files/Lessons%20on%20Faith-AT%20Jones.pdf ) (This writing is NOT published by EGW writings.org; not found on this website.)
Here A. T Jones is writing about the same process of experiencing genuine faith as Jesus messages explains in Hosea 14:1,2.
And here is a second confirmation from A. T Jones:
A.T. Jones: "This is justification by faith alone. This is justification by faith, without works. For the faith being the gift of God, coming by the word of God, and itself working in man the works of God, needs none of the work of sinful man to make it good and acceptable to God. The faith itself works in man that which is good, and is sufficient of itself to fill all the life with the goodness of God, and needs not the imperfect effort of sinful man to make it meritorious. This faith gives to man good works, instead of being itself dependent upon man for “good works.” It is not expressed by “faith and works;” but by “faith which works,” “for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). “Seest thou how faith wrought?” (Jas. 2:22). “Remembering without ceasing, your work of faith;” “and the work of faith with power” (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11). And, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:29). This is “the faith of God” which Jesus exhorts us to have (Mark 11:22, margin); which was manifested in him; and which by his grace is a free gift to every soul on earth."
Notice faith works, and this power of doing is Jesus doing through you because you asked specifically for this.
Faith is more important that people really think.
All the ten commandments are based on faith principles.
Ps 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: .. (KJV)
The basic function of the curved mirror ( curved because of sin) if you are far from looking into it, the mirror shows your transgressions, and thus your really big sins, where you trample on the ten words. But as you move closer to the curved mirror the focus changes and you see yourself as missing Jesus powers flowing through you, you are in fact breaking faith. So the royal teachings has both functions depending how far you view yourself from this curved mirror.
Seek the Precious Promises in the Ten Words so you can live continually under a flow of Jesus because you ask for this.
For more on this theme see: spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/25/commandments-simple-living-faith
For a possible list of ten words as “precious promises” try these:
1 Rescue.
2 Provide
3 Empower
4 Share
5 Parents
6 Living
7 Relationships
8 Garden
9 Witness
10 Desire
The first four are you functioning as a Provider because GOD functions as a Provider to you, so as GOD does likewise for you,
YOU do likewise for others.
1 Let me rescue others, as you daily rescue me from self will.
2 Let me provide love for others, as you provide love to me.
3 Let me empower others with power, as you empower me with faith
4 let me energize others by sharing as you are also sharing things
The last six refer to your responding to God’s providing. Responding is important because without responding there can be no providing.
Love is dependent upon these two functions working together.
5 Let me respond fully to the love from two heavenly parents
6 Let me respond fully to living: Only Divinity is living
7 Let me respond to relationships: Divine principles are relational
8 Let me respond to the Gardens you give me, to dress and care
9 Let me respond to your words as a true witness of faith
10 Let me respond by desiring you all throughout eternity
I would suggest you take taking as your own words and experiences that suit your specific needs and wants from studying the Ten Words yourself, for these principles are broad.
Some examples “precious promises” you can claim
1 “Save me O Lord from my will to choose self.”
1 “Lord rescue me from self”
1 “Lord help me to rescue others from poor decisions”
2 “Lord be my provider, as I process faith”
2 “Lord let me be a Dorcas for others”
2 “Lord let me be a provider for others”
3 “Lord empower me with you words of faith”
3 “Lord let our words come with rain”
3 “Lord your words I speak, not mine”
4 “Energize me O Lord as I share to others”
4 “May others take away your fruits in me”
4 “Lord you are a community power, faith is a relational power”
5 “Lord let me experience provider love and responder love”
5 “Lord your love flow as two heavenly parents, as faith”.
5 “Lord help me to see earthly parents as examples of your love”
6 “Lord you are living faith”
6 “Lord let me not wound others from their faith”
6 “Lord help me care for all living”
7 “Lord no biological urges”
7 “Lord help me respond correctly to relationships
7 “Faith is a relational relationship maker”
8 “Lord grant me a Garden to care for”
8 “Lord let me dress and care for your Gardens you give me”
8 “Help me O Lord to care for all things in Your world”
9 “Lord let us be your witness”
9 “May your words be a true witness of faith"
9 “Lord let me speak your words, not mine”
10 “ Let me desire you all the time”
10 “You O Lord is my desire”
10 “May we be desiring 'faith foods' from Jesus”
These are some of the “precious promises” embedded inside the Ten Words, the Ten Commandments.
Learn to take takings as your own words, memorise them and build up a list of faith words you need daily in your life. All of us have different gifts and different needs so our relationships of faith foods are different.
Here is a simple way for beginners to build “precious promises” from the word. Close you eyes and pray “Lord show me a precious promise I need to add to my character for today. Move your finger to a place in the Scriptures and open your eyes to that verse. Seek a gemstone in that verse and memorise a “faith food” there.
Not all verses are positive. Here is one that God showed me for over 30 years, over and over:
Jer 31:18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
Sometimes we require heavy handedness. This was a common verse we discovered many times in our training years, more than 10 years. “Lord your disciplined me as an unruly calf and I have come slowly to understand”
So over the years we grow and are trained in the process of learning by faith, and growing under Jesus care.
Now we do not have all the answers to this genuine faith process, but I do understand how important it is to eat food every day for it’s biological support for us. Faith is the exact same function.
Without faith there is no powers from Jesus for our doing.
There are two ways of doing.
Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do..
This power is from human powers of doing, and sadly means nothing to the Lord.
There is another form of doing, using divine powers of doing, and this means everything to the Lord, because such a system comes from the Lord, because you asked for it. It is called the process of faith.
This process is creative, it is unknown as a power flow, looks like manna as literal food from heaven, but is the flow of provider and responder love from GOD, comes to those who seek to support God and God will support you with power. So faith comes with power to do, because you asked for this specific power to do.
There is nothing seen on the outside because divine power is not seen, though hoped, does not show itself upon demonstration, nor is it boastful or selfish, but works with the humble and meek.
And while words makes things overly complex and cause a bogging down for the simple child like reader, you really have to have attitude of gratitude seeking precious promises through speaking His words of support so Jesus will support you. Shalom to those who are able to experience this wonderful character of Jesus replicated as their own through the power of faith. Amen
If you want proof that our theory of faith is confirmed by the Bible itself, by Ancient Hebrew as a first witness and our Hebrew English translator as a second witness and confirmed by published comments from another independent human such as A. T. Jones in 1888, you can read our 70 page booklet on this link:
https:// spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/54/person-simple-using-righteousness-faith
But for the lay person who is not into strong meat, the Hebrew or the Greek, the best way to experience genuine faith is to “taste and see the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8 ). Reading this presentation is about giving you simple wholesome food, like milk; that is guaranteed to be assimilated into your life easily.
First this salvation experience might become a stumbling block for you because of certain things that you have inside of you that oppose your Saviour. Or you might consider the simple steps just plain foolishness, so it clashes with your pride. The advice Jesus gave to those who establish their own righteousness with faith so called is this:
Mt 15:14 Let them alone:
The Bible teaches us to " Php 2:12 ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (KJV)
So let’s get start first on the major things that stop this genuine faith from working in the layperson on the street.
Mt 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in poetry saying, Behold, (Jesus the) sower went forth to sow (faith)...
In this favourite “precious promise” of mine, Jesus is a grand sower sowing faith as a seed.
Notice what happens when Jesus sows the seeds of faith over the nations of people.
(1) Dealing with devils in your life.
Mt 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Question: what is a wayside and whom are fowls in this poetry presentation?
Poetry was invented by God to make things clear, but also to hide things from casual or careless eyes. Poetry also makes it fun to read, like discovering precious gems among the other words.
Mt 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Here the wise men return home on another road, instead of going past Herod.
Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Here is some clues, there are many “religious roads” out there and it’s all confusing. How do you know which one is true? By their fruits ye shall know them, Jesus replied. Wide are the roads to destruction, but narrow is the path to eternal living by faith.
So from this idea you are about to partake on a journey most people do NOT choose. Are you prepared for this? Are you willing to meet it’s cost?
Now let’s consider the fowls:
Mt 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Reading through all the verses in the NT on “fowls” the poetry of the “fowl” is difficult to fathom, it clearly doesn’t refer to natural flying birds taking away your faith as soon as Jesus throws out His seeds of faith.
Jesus tells you the meaning of the symbolism of the “fowl”:
Mt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart
The poetry simile of “fowls” in the OT is difficult to find, and there is only two verses that refer to any clues about the “wicked one”.
So how does a layperson do this? Find a place where the Bible in the NT quoting the OT.
Ac 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Here the verse quoted is
Le 20:25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
And looking up verses with the word “fowl” in it we have this verse
Jer 5:27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
So the fowl is a poetry simile of some creature that is deceitful and gets rich of people, they don’t mind wicked humans.
Here is a Bible verse using similar poetry language, which we call parallel poetry:
De 32:15 ¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
So the “fowls” by the roadside ready to eat the faith seeds sown unto some people are “devils”, that function “like” birds of prey, ready to take away your faith.
So one of dangers we have for tasting milky doses of the words in Scripture, we can easily be led to misleading pathways, because we are just learning. In this case pray for the Holy Spirit to be your tutor and guide you into all truth.
So one of major obstacles to humans willing to accept genuine faith is the devils are waiting to steal immediately your faith away using various means. We will offer various solutions to this problem later.
(2) Dealing with human pride.
Mt 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
In this example some people accept the genuine faith try it out and find it works OK but after a while become complacent and forget Jesus as their provider of their faith. They have attitude problems in their relationship. Once faith begins, the seed grows in relationship to its surrounds and to the Divine Provider, who makes the seed grow.
So let’s see what stones are in the Bible. These are poetry similes of real things affecting your faith.
Now there are no NT verses explaining this poetry, so we have Jesus explaining things to us:
Jesus offers more insight into this person of faith:
Mt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
So here Jesus speaks of the root development is poor, and tribulation comes, both of these are more poetry similes of real events affecting this person’s faith. Most times we don’t get answers to our prayers straight away is because we lack experience , our root development is poor. Maybe we need patience first?
There are so many verses using stones in the OT, how does the layperson find the best ones?
Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
Is this not a good verse paralleling the one in the NT where rock steals away the words of faith Jesus is trying to sow?
Lets study this rock and what it means?
Isa 22:15 ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
The rock is a poetry symbol of Jesus, but this one man who is named sought to make his funeral place higher than others in the rock to make a name for himself. So the rock or stone is a symbol of pride, the attitude that opposes Jesus, who is your rock of ages, not you.
Now what is the most common way those who try genuine faith, give up after a while, after the honeymoon wears off?
Ho 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. (KJV)
So when our faith makes things go well, we are happy, but than we our hearts become exalted and we forget Jesus, and so our faith dies. So in this type of person we have to show solutions for dealing with pride and selfishness.
(3) Faith choked out by worldly affairs.
Mt 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Here is a third kind of person who readily grows in genuine faith but is slowly overcome by the affairs of the world which choke out the fruitfulness of their faith.
What are thorns?
Notice how Jesus explains the thorns:
Mt 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
If you have genuine faith your good fruits will prove this to be so, although it is possible to fake good works because faith is only seen first on the inside and makes works later on the outside. So many pious people can fake faith and look good in the eyes of others.
Isa 34:13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
Notice the thorns are outgrowth symbols of demons, or devils where the serpent or dragon is chief.
Notice the NT says the same thing
Mt 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
So even GOD has enemies on earth who oppose Jesus.
These people are lukewarm able to understand the need for faith, but not willing to go all the way into this for fear of being ruled by Jesus.
Most of us like doing what is right in our own eyes, a common problem with Israel in the OT too.
Jg 17:6 ...every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Now we have discussed many problems for people accepting faith, what now is the process of genuine faith?
The process of experiencing genuine faith, is termed by Ellen White the Science of Salvation, and it the whole subject of a scroll written by Yasha (with different spelling Hosea) where the Father asks His Son to go marry a woman of fornication. We humans are similes of that woman, and the entire scroll is a fascinating poem about Salvation through Jesus. Towards the end of this scroll, Jesus outlines the process of receiving His faith using very simple words.
For those who want more simple details can study this process here
spiritualsprings.org/ss-1514.htm
These steps of the process follow and parallel the same steps Mrs White wrote in her booklet “Steps to Christ”. We strongly recommend readers reading her booklet.
(1) God’s Love for Man
Ho 14:1 O Israel,
Simple question. Where are you? Do you wish to have genuine faith? Are you willing to be rescued by Jesus every day? Do you have a genuine need, or are you simple curious? Do you want God in your life? Where is your life right now? Do you have anything better to turn to? What is love ? This is the hardest step of them all because it comes from your attitude of gratitude. Do you understand what Jesus did for you?
(2) The Sinner’s Need of Christ
Ho 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God;
Are you willing to be rescued daily by Jesus? but you have to ask for this. Is your pride preventing you from asking God... I do not need a crutch you say.... I am OK on my own....
(3) Repentance
Ho 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
You need to feel the gift of repentance, that Jesus helps you to feel sorrow for missing his powers in you and your transgressions of sin. Things we do wrong. Do you feel this pain that Jesus went through for you, so you have have eternal peace? There is nothing you can do except accept His grace and take His faith upon yourself as your own. Do you have an attitude of gratitude?
(4) Confession
Ho 14:2 Take with you words,
Here is where the medium of genuine faith begins. You take takings as words. These are special words in the Scriptures that "promise power" as you confess them to Jesus. Ellen White calls them “precious promises”. We might call them “faith foods”, or “prayer promises”. You are free to take them as your words, you have studied the verse and God reads your heart, so you confess the words to Jesus in prayer allowing the words to provide a specific power in your life because you asked.
Here is a simple example of taking his words:
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
So every "faith food" is a miracle to you , a private grant of Jesus grace, against your natural condition of heart and righteousness, for we are all as filthy rags.
“Lord call on me at 4:30 am, so I can worship you with your word” Pray these words and allow God to show thee great and mighty things. See if the exact time is chosen. Or some other time you choose. This was the Author’s first private miracles of His grace.
(5) Consecration
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD
Notice how important it is to hear GOD speaking to you, so you turn to the Lord, and hear His words...
The purpose of to “take takings as words” is to “support” Jesus power flowing in you. Rededicate yourself to Jesus every time you “take takings as words” it’s your way of supporting Jesus, what the Bible terms in the NT as faith.
Faith is supporting Jesus. We do this by taking His words, as our own, and speaking them to Jesus in “Consecration” whatever that fancy word means in all its deepest details.
(6) Faith and Acceptance
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him,
Once you say the words of faith unto Jesus in prayer, a flow of faith will happen often immediately because you asked for this and your need is also immediate.
At other times Jesus will ask you to pray formally on your knees because you are a witness against the Opposer and your support is important to Jesus.
If you don’t find Jesus talking to you, try this “precious promise” “Lord let me hear you talk to me through the conscience of your Holy Spirit” (Rom 2:15) or “Lord let me hear your still small voice” ( 1Ki 19:12) or “Lord show me the way to go” ( Isa 30:21)
(7) The Test of Discipleship
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity,
So once the conditions of your asking and praying are met and your asked according to God’s will, than accept the flow of faith, and grow in Jesus power because you asked specifically for this.
You will become less transgressing the moral law, and more aware of the missing of Jesus daily, which is really breaking of faith. A common example of missing is speaking to others using human powers rather than asking God to speak through you. Try this “precious promise” “Lord let me speak your words, not mine” (Jas 1:26)
(8) Growing Up Into Christ
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously:
Pray in the attitude of gratitude and receive that which you asked for.
“Lord give me an attitude of gratitude” (Lu 7:47)
(9) The Work and the Life
Ho 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Finally expect fruits of his faith to flow into you and makes His fruits of love in your life, because you asked for this.
“Lord let me be a living sacrifice of your grace” (Heb 13:15)
When you take takings as your words, do not be afraid that there are many “precious promises” in a single verse. Everyone can plan their course and choose their needs, for Jesus directs your steps through faith.
Pr 16:9 ¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
This powerful verse is spelled out chapter by chapter in Mrs White Steps to Christ, and they follow the same process as genuine faith does as a process. Read the little book as it helps to explain more details.
Doubt is the opposite of faith. James has a lot to say about doubting.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Here is what A. T Jones wrote of this part of the process of faith:
A.T. Jones: "Anyone who seeks in the word of God for the specific things which God has provided and then bows upon that specific word for that thing, is asking according to the plainly expressed will of God, and knows that his prayer is heard and that he has the thing for which he prayed. So doing, the prayers will be always certain, the life will be filled with the direct gifts of God, and the faith will be sure and strong and will be ever increasing in strength ( www.1888mpm.org/files/Lessons%20on%20Faith-AT%20Jones.pdf ) (This writing is NOT published by EGW writings.org; not found on this website.)
Here A. T Jones is writing about the same process of experiencing genuine faith as Jesus messages explains in Hosea 14:1,2.
And here is a second confirmation from A. T Jones:
A.T. Jones: "This is justification by faith alone. This is justification by faith, without works. For the faith being the gift of God, coming by the word of God, and itself working in man the works of God, needs none of the work of sinful man to make it good and acceptable to God. The faith itself works in man that which is good, and is sufficient of itself to fill all the life with the goodness of God, and needs not the imperfect effort of sinful man to make it meritorious. This faith gives to man good works, instead of being itself dependent upon man for “good works.” It is not expressed by “faith and works;” but by “faith which works,” “for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). “Seest thou how faith wrought?” (Jas. 2:22). “Remembering without ceasing, your work of faith;” “and the work of faith with power” (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11). And, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:29). This is “the faith of God” which Jesus exhorts us to have (Mark 11:22, margin); which was manifested in him; and which by his grace is a free gift to every soul on earth."
Notice faith works, and this power of doing is Jesus doing through you because you asked specifically for this.
Faith is more important that people really think.
All the ten commandments are based on faith principles.
Ps 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: .. (KJV)
The basic function of the curved mirror ( curved because of sin) if you are far from looking into it, the mirror shows your transgressions, and thus your really big sins, where you trample on the ten words. But as you move closer to the curved mirror the focus changes and you see yourself as missing Jesus powers flowing through you, you are in fact breaking faith. So the royal teachings has both functions depending how far you view yourself from this curved mirror.
Seek the Precious Promises in the Ten Words so you can live continually under a flow of Jesus because you ask for this.
For more on this theme see: spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/25/commandments-simple-living-faith
For a possible list of ten words as “precious promises” try these:
1 Rescue.
2 Provide
3 Empower
4 Share
5 Parents
6 Living
7 Relationships
8 Garden
9 Witness
10 Desire
The first four are you functioning as a Provider because GOD functions as a Provider to you, so as GOD does likewise for you,
YOU do likewise for others.
1 Let me rescue others, as you daily rescue me from self will.
2 Let me provide love for others, as you provide love to me.
3 Let me empower others with power, as you empower me with faith
4 let me energize others by sharing as you are also sharing things
The last six refer to your responding to God’s providing. Responding is important because without responding there can be no providing.
Love is dependent upon these two functions working together.
5 Let me respond fully to the love from two heavenly parents
6 Let me respond fully to living: Only Divinity is living
7 Let me respond to relationships: Divine principles are relational
8 Let me respond to the Gardens you give me, to dress and care
9 Let me respond to your words as a true witness of faith
10 Let me respond by desiring you all throughout eternity
I would suggest you take taking as your own words and experiences that suit your specific needs and wants from studying the Ten Words yourself, for these principles are broad.
Some examples “precious promises” you can claim
1 “Save me O Lord from my will to choose self.”
1 “Lord rescue me from self”
1 “Lord help me to rescue others from poor decisions”
2 “Lord be my provider, as I process faith”
2 “Lord let me be a Dorcas for others”
2 “Lord let me be a provider for others”
3 “Lord empower me with you words of faith”
3 “Lord let our words come with rain”
3 “Lord your words I speak, not mine”
4 “Energize me O Lord as I share to others”
4 “May others take away your fruits in me”
4 “Lord you are a community power, faith is a relational power”
5 “Lord let me experience provider love and responder love”
5 “Lord your love flow as two heavenly parents, as faith”.
5 “Lord help me to see earthly parents as examples of your love”
6 “Lord you are living faith”
6 “Lord let me not wound others from their faith”
6 “Lord help me care for all living”
7 “Lord no biological urges”
7 “Lord help me respond correctly to relationships
7 “Faith is a relational relationship maker”
8 “Lord grant me a Garden to care for”
8 “Lord let me dress and care for your Gardens you give me”
8 “Help me O Lord to care for all things in Your world”
9 “Lord let us be your witness”
9 “May your words be a true witness of faith"
9 “Lord let me speak your words, not mine”
10 “ Let me desire you all the time”
10 “You O Lord is my desire”
10 “May we be desiring 'faith foods' from Jesus”
These are some of the “precious promises” embedded inside the Ten Words, the Ten Commandments.
Learn to take takings as your own words, memorise them and build up a list of faith words you need daily in your life. All of us have different gifts and different needs so our relationships of faith foods are different.
Here is a simple way for beginners to build “precious promises” from the word. Close you eyes and pray “Lord show me a precious promise I need to add to my character for today. Move your finger to a place in the Scriptures and open your eyes to that verse. Seek a gemstone in that verse and memorise a “faith food” there.
Not all verses are positive. Here is one that God showed me for over 30 years, over and over:
Jer 31:18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
Sometimes we require heavy handedness. This was a common verse we discovered many times in our training years, more than 10 years. “Lord your disciplined me as an unruly calf and I have come slowly to understand”
So over the years we grow and are trained in the process of learning by faith, and growing under Jesus care.
Now we do not have all the answers to this genuine faith process, but I do understand how important it is to eat food every day for it’s biological support for us. Faith is the exact same function.
Without faith there is no powers from Jesus for our doing.
There are two ways of doing.
Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do..
This power is from human powers of doing, and sadly means nothing to the Lord.
There is another form of doing, using divine powers of doing, and this means everything to the Lord, because such a system comes from the Lord, because you asked for it. It is called the process of faith.
This process is creative, it is unknown as a power flow, looks like manna as literal food from heaven, but is the flow of provider and responder love from GOD, comes to those who seek to support God and God will support you with power. So faith comes with power to do, because you asked for this specific power to do.
There is nothing seen on the outside because divine power is not seen, though hoped, does not show itself upon demonstration, nor is it boastful or selfish, but works with the humble and meek.
And while words makes things overly complex and cause a bogging down for the simple child like reader, you really have to have attitude of gratitude seeking precious promises through speaking His words of support so Jesus will support you. Shalom to those who are able to experience this wonderful character of Jesus replicated as their own through the power of faith. Amen