Archived Thoughts

17   So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.    18   But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. ~ ROMANS 10:17-18

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What is the origin of faith in the individual? Faith is a revelation, and more specifically, a revelation of the Mind of God Himself. Paul tells us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God”. Many people hear, but do they really hear? The Bible tells us “He that HATH and ear, let him hear”. The implication is that some do not have the ear to hear. When Paul says, “and hearing BY the Word of God”, he is saying that it is the Word of God, the Logos seed of God that you are, that gives you an ear to hear, and when that Word is heard it produces faith, the Mind of Christ in you. Obviously the more you hear, the more faith is grown in you. Your natural, or rather supernatural hunger will lead you to the spiritual nutrition your election is groaning for.

18   Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.   19   Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,   20   By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ~ HEBREWS 10:18-20

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“Now WHERE (something that has been applied) remission of these is…” Paul is talking about the removal of sin and the privilege it brings. There must be an application of the sacrifice of Calvary, and once applied It allows us entrance into the Holy Place, or the eternal thought of God. You cannot enter by your own life, no matter how clean and pure you think you can make yourself. The only entrance is by the Token life of Christ, a new and living way. This is a change born in you, bringing a faith sight that you never had before. Now you see things in a reality way and not by the shadow you have been accustomed to.

Faith is something that you; it's absolutely; it's not just what you imagine; it's--it's a--it's a reality. Many people... I say this with humble humility, because I--I may never be--see you all again from tonight. There probably is people here I'll never see again in my life. But I say that eighty percent of the people that comes to the platform, doesn't know what faith is. They have a hope, but not faith. But "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~ 51-0729E  THE SECOND MIRACLE

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Faith IS a reality. The word  “substance” in Hebrews 11:1 means the reality behind the expression. Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus is “the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person”. The word “Person” is the same word as substance in Heb 11. What is more real, the expression, or the reality that caused the expression? Faith is the reality that causes the expression. Now, apply faith to whatever your need is, including a rapture or change. Most times we think reality follows faith, but faith IS the reality. It is the expression that follows.

3   Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?  4   He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. ~ PSALM 24:3-4

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Who has clean hands but Christ? Who has a pure heart but Christ? Whose soul, or life, has not been lifted up to vanity but Christ? Psalm 24 is a psalm about the resurrection and rapture. When we lift up our Head, which is Christ, the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong in battle. Christ has taken possession of His Temple. He has claimed those purchased in the Book of Redemption and the Seals being opened by the Lamb is proof that the Token is now in existence for His possessed People.

11   Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.   12   Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;   13   And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. ~ HEBREWS 12:11-13

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While correction is not fun, Paul describes the most beautiful result. It is like a flower unfolding. We receive correction because Christ is not preeminent. It is a way of bringing a focus that cleans the branches and allows them to be used. Didn’t Jesus say the branches were purged to bring forth more fruit. The result of that purging causes the hands and knees to “lift up”. It causes the feet to walk. It will even cause the lips to move, even as you “take no thought”. Why? So that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

See, if you had Perfect Faith, you'd look right straight to God and believe it, and walk away. You would--you would have no need of coming into a prayer line. You'd have no need of these things, because your faith has done made it so. See? What would be the use for me saying, "I got to put a shirt on"? I got a shirt on! "How do you know you got a shirt on?" "Well, I see it, feel it, and I know it's there." Well, that's just how real that when Perfect Faith takes a hold. You don't--you don't need no more. It's already done; you know it. "How do you know it?" "Faith tells me so!" That's it. See? Do you get it now, what I mean? That Perfect Faith. ~ 63-0825E  PERFECT FAITH

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Faith is just as real as the reality. It is not a promise of something coming. It is the substance of things hoped for. Perfect faith is God’s Own thought revealed. Let’s put any request into the above statement. “What would be the use for me saying ‘I got to have a healing? I GOT A HEALING!’” “What would be the use for me saying ‘I need a rapture? I GOT A RAPTURE!’” Perfect faith for a perfect rapture!

Let somebody try to put you off the land, say he belongs, and you with the abstract in your hand. Let him try to do it. There ain't a law in the land can do it, because you hold the abstract. And there's no devil, no church, or any theology, that can overstep the boundaries of God's proof and abstract, that the baptism of the Holy Ghost has recognized us in Jesus Christ. We're just as sure to raise as He raised, because potentially we have already raised in Him. Amen. The old things. What does it do to our mortal bodies? It turns our opinion, changes our notions. It sets our affections on things which are Above. And the smoking, drinking, gambling, the things that you used to do, is dead. It's beneath you. And you are quickened. And this quickening power brings your body into a raptured condition, already. ~ 65-0410  THE EASTER SEAL

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When you have the abstract, your origin is sure. You know where you came from. If you know where you came from you know where you are going. What is in-between is time. Faith is a revelation of eternity. When that grabs you what difference does time mean? It is not an excuse to sin. It is a freedom from sin. It is the result of redemption.

10   For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.  11   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  12   Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  13   And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ~ JEREMIAH 29:10-13

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We can see a valuable type of our day when Israel comes back from Babylonian captivity to their original land. The fullness of redemption has been waved before us, our original condition. The turning of our heart should bring a desperation to fulfill His Word in us. The promise is that “ye shall seek me, and FIND ME, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” “All your heart” is the key. No distractions, no needs other than Him. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).

1   Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,    2   Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.   3    And this will we do, if God permit. ~ HEBREWS 6:1-3

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This is a favorite scripture of mine considering that God didn’t permit in Paul’s day, but it is for this age. The question is, have we yielded to this or is it just something we examine and talk about? When we talk about a rapture condition, we must think about having gone on unto perfection. Perfection is our position in Christ. It is the result of redemption, having been restored to our original condition. Have we attained to this? I think most of us are believing the rapture could happen at any time, but what about fulfilling this verse and many others that have to do with perfection. Are we in the Capstone? Is Christ in full control of our actions? These are things worth thinking about.

But look, friend, the time is coming, that when there is rising up a church. If we can't have faith for Divine healing, how are we going to have for the rapture? We've got to move out, friend. We've got to get out of this old, slow, church condition that we're in. Step out. Launch out. Cut the shorelines, and get out into somewhere, where you lose all senses of fear and doubt, out there where all things are possible, brother, just as free as it can be. You've got your sail set towards heaven, and nothing can stir you no way. You're gone that way; that's all. Nothing can harm you. Now, that's the kind of a church it's going to be, one of these days, according to the Bible. ~ 54-0719A  GOD'S PROVIDED WAY OF HEALING

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I believe a rapturing condition is so far beyond what we might think. When you think of the preeminence of Christ in a person and what that is like, particularly the potential of that life to do things that you could never have thought possible in your own humanity. Think of what an “all things are possible” condition will be like. There is no doubt, no fear, no limitations. That is what we have with the life of Christ in us. It will take the Mind of Christ to unveil it to us individually. We are living in the hour of this NOW!