evidence – Cross Culture Church

Meditation: November 20

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

There is a position in Christ where His love and the benefits of His love are made known. The greatest of these is for what is of Him to be given expression through us without any fleshly interference. The competition between the flesh and the spirit remains while we live our lives daily upon the earth. There are so many things vying for our attention. It requires a steady diet of the Word of God to purge us of the thoughts and passions that would otherwise mislead us. If we were raised with Christ is the prerequisite of the soul’s condition. Only those who are born again are enabled to see that there is a Sovereign to rule the soul who has positioned them in a different place. They are above and seek those things which are above because they have obtained wisdom from there. The heavenly places to which we have been placed provide for us wisdom and a discipline to pursue righteousness rather than selfish endeavors. Only those who are delivered from self are able to understand this. Our lives are hidden since our wisdom is hidden from those who think themselves to be wise and prudent. Yet Christ will provide the evidence of true wisdom, and enduring treasures in the end.

22 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: August 22

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Gideon said to Him, ’O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, “Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?” ‘ “ (Judg 6:13).

God called Gideon before there was any evidence of might and valor within him. God did not wait on the evidence in order to affirm the fact that he was called. His call provided the evidence necessary to face the challenges that awaited him. We have been called to greatness! His call is initially a call to Himself. It is His might and valor working through us when given permission, that will launch us into new challenges and trials leading to victories beyond measure. The question on Gideon’s heart was, “If the Lord is with us, why then have all these things happened to us?” Things happen that cause questions to be raised. Sometimes we may feel abandoned and all alone. These are times when God provides evidence that will take us beyond the level of our own strength. He was a mighty man of valor incognito. God does not merely choose those who have the external qualities of exerting strength. He may choose a man or a woman that has the appearance of a coward. With knees trembling and heart in hand, God calls him or her out of their inhibitions and reluctant demeanor to a level and task that the mightiest would fear to approach. Once Gideon was convinced that he had been called, he tore down the altars of Baal. These sacred altars represented what were most dear but most damaging to the people. Then he defeated both the Midianities and Amalekites. The Lord is with us because He has called us to rise beyond complacency to engaging the enemy on his own turf.

01 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: April 1

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. “Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?” Matthew 12:38

Those who appear before men as authorities in relation to God’s order seldom recognize the fact that He refuses to restrict Himself to their expectations. Formulas and theorems of success do not work. He will withhold from them what they expected, but show forth the unexpected. These few that approached Him thought that He would be anxious to validate Himself before such an impressive crowd. But Jesus had nothing to prove. He was as sure of Himself then as He was when Satan tempted Him on the pinnacle of the Temple requesting Him to show off His divine powers. When we are asked to prove ourselves to be what we have been called by God to be, we must first recognize who it is that requires of us evidence. If not God by way of His Spirit, a prophetic word is sufficient. We live by what God has said and it serves as the basis for all He is now saying. If not by the Word of God, we become performance oriented. We must live by the Word and allow the Word to be given full expression through us. But never should we hide behind our credentials of education to prove our pedigree nor miracles to prove our power before men. It is God who wills and performs His work in and through us.

02 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: February 2

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” Isaiah 54:17

The objective of Satan is the formation of weapons that may be used to attack areas of apparent weaknesses against the saints of God. The alluring factions that seem to appear out of nowhere were skillfully planned with precision to wear down even the strongest among us. If we ever become careless in our defense or unaware that we are in the battle of the lifetime, his fiery darts will attach itself to us and slowly dispense the poisonous venom that slowly produces death. Much of what is used are words that plant within our hearts the seed of discontent and doubt. What God has done, and is currently doing in the life of the believer, is establishing him in righteousness. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Our eyes must constantly be fixed upon the object of our faith, Jesus Christ that we might be established in His righteousness. Every trial, every challenge that comes can either be used as a means of establishing us in the faith, or providing evidence against the One in whom we have placed our trust. We must be reminded that righteousness and faith to believe, in spite of circumstances, is from the Lord. Stand in faith and God will be our defense to judge as impotent whatever weapons may be used against us.

07 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: October 7

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3

The heavenly place must be occupied by the preparer before it can be inhabited by the prepared. The place was the reward of obedience to the will of the Father. All requirements of His earthly life were fulfilled. He was spiritually there even though He was still here. His spirit at that point knew no limits. His death was the ultimate qualifier for His bodily entrance into the place once filled by Him spiritually. The heavenly place was to become the permanent positioning of all who would allow the life of Jesus Christ to fully absorb their own. His finished work was to be presented to the Father as evidence through the passageway of death. His spirit had already ascended, yet all limits of time and space had been removed. Those who have received His life are seated in heavenly places in Christ. We are there in Him. Just as He arose from the grave and now the Man Jesus Christ is there in bodily form, so shall we be in the future. Now His life is to be given expression on the earth through us. We are there in Him and He is here in us. All of our efforts are to become the expression and evidence of the One who is here among us and in us. He must be altogether here in us as we are altogether there in Him.

23 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: September 23

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God’s eyes are upon the truth in every situation. His judgments are based on the truth that He knows without having to measure circumstantial evidence. This may serve as vindication for the innocent, but will also be an indictment to the guilty. Man can only see that is made known to him. Actions are borne out of motives. We both speak and do what has been brewing in our hearts even before the time comes that we give full expression to it. The matter is already judged in heaven’s court. It is the execution of His judgment carried out when penalties are met. Our judgments or our opinions at that moment do not really matter. When God takes charge of what He sees, it is to our best interest to allow God to be God and for us to take inventory of our own lives. We may have done things differently if we were God. We may even think that what is happening is unfair. But He is God and not us. Our justice system may or may not be accurate. It is not a matter of being innocent until proven guilty from His perspective. It is either guilt or innocence manifested in due time. “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:3) Regardless of the process, the outcome will be His expected end. He will have the last word. He will get the glory that He alone deserves.

22 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: August 22

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ Judges 6:13

God called Gideon before there was any evidence of might and valor within him. God did not wait on the evidence in order to affirm the fact that he was called. His call provided the evidence necessary to face the challenges that awaited him. We have been called to greatness! His call is initially a call to Himself. It is His might and valor working through us when given permission, that will launch us into new challenges and trials leading to victories beyond measure. The question on Gideon’s heart was, “if the Lord is with us, why then has all these things happened to us?” Things happen that cause questions to be raised. Sometimes we may feel abandoned and all alone. These are times when God provides evidence that will take is beyond the level of our own strength. He was a mighty man of valor incognito. God does not merely choose those who have the external qualities of exerting strength. He may choose a man or a woman that has the appearance of a coward. With knees trembling and heart in hand, God calls him or her out of their inhibitions and reluctant demeanor to a level and task that the mightiest would fear to approach. Once Gideon was convinced that he had been called, he tore down the altars of Baal. These sacred altars represented what were most dear but most damaging to the people. Then he defeated the both Midianities and Amalekites. The Lord is with us because He has called us to rise beyond complacency to engaging the enemy on his own turf.

30 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: March 30

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Sublimation according to Dr. Hadfield, was “the process by which instinctive emotions were diverted from their original ends, and re-directed to purposes satisfying to the individual and of value to the community.”

Man will instinctively fulfill the lust of the flesh. The energy to carry out that end is within him and if nothing is changed, it is inevitable that he will follow after that path. It is only when the Spirit is given permission to intervene will his course be changed. His instincts will be diverted away from what comes natural and the more he yields to the Holy Spirit the more he will find pleasures equal to and ultimately greater than what formally occupied his time and attention. The energy that was expended towards self-gratification is now used for the benefit of the community. When we walk in the Spirit, we are moving in the direction and the ultimate destination of God. All other paths lead to isolation and death. Habits are broken and new passions are ignited in place of the dominating forces that lead to frustration. The evidence that one is walking in the Spirit is the willingness to continue with the Spirit. There is no place in that individual’s life to engage in the contrary and unfruitful works of darkness.

22 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 22

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3

There is a higher and a greater level of understanding that comes as result of faith. It is not blind and misguided but rather, sure and applicable to all aspects of life. The theories that surface from time to time require faith in speculations. More effort is required to disprove what is made evident than what a person of faith in God is convinced of. All that he believes is anchored on the truth that God is. There is first cause, something that came forth from out of nothing. How many philosophers and secular scientists have wrestled against this most important truth merely to end up with nothing but a sea of questions? One does not have to force himself to believe that God is. The evidence of His existence is all around us. It is those who are wise in their own eyes who would allow their minds to imagine a godless world.

The worlds were in fact framed by the word of God. That which emanated from God created all things. God spoke the worlds into existence. Therefore, the more significant element of life is God’s Word to us. He has spoken and continues to speak, creating newness of life where void and deadness once occupied. When we trust in His Word, we are able to comprehend by faith mysteries hidden in God for those who are born of Him.

20 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 20

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

There is a position in Christ where His love and the benefits of His love are made known. The greatest of these is for what is of Him to be given expression through us without any fleshly interference. The competition between the flesh and the spirit remains while we live our lives daily upon the earth. There are so many things vying for our attention. It requires a steady diet of the Word of God to purge us of the thoughts and passions that would otherwise mislead us. If we were raised with Christ is the prerequisite of the soul’s condition. Only those who are born again are enabled to see that there is a Sovereign to rule the soul who has positioned them in a different place. They are above and seek those things which are above because they have obtained wisdom from there. The heavenly places to which we have been placed provide for us wisdom and a discipline to pursue righteousness rather than selfish endeavors. Only those who are delivered from self are able to understand this. Our lives are hidden since our wisdom is hidden from those who think themselves to be wise and prudent. Yet Christ will provide the evidence of true wisdom, and enduring treasures in the end.