Month: May 2012

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God Working Within To Sustain Without (A Fresh Look At The Holy Spirit)

Have you had trouble lately maintaining your day to day Christian life? Has the worries and cares of this world weighed you down to the point you can’t see where to go or what to do? Maybe you find your self weak in areas of your life and wish those weaknesses would go away.

Whatever the situation, God wants to strengthen you and touch your inward parts to help you not only maintain your daily life, but to live above the circumstances you find yourself in.

Paul was in prison when he wrote a good portion of the New Testament. He was more concerned with the church and their condition then his own surroundings. He wanted to encourage them and pray for them.

Paul had to find something to help him maintain his daily life while he was in prison. He found it, and conveyed that truth in his writings.

Eph 3:16 – 21 (HCSB)
“I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, be strengthened with power the inner man through His Spirit in, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think–according to the power that works in you– to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”



1. “[I pray] that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, ” (Eph 3:16)

“Strengthened with power through His Spirit…”

Have we let the Holy Spirit have His way in us completely? I believe it is a process of learning and growing with Him that brings us to a place of totally allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in us.

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He is our friend, and our Counselor. The Holy Spirit can do more in us (if we let Him) then a Counselor can here on earth.

The Holy Spirit knows every aspect of our past, present and future. He knows us intimately. He knows our personality, character, and what we think even before we think it.

Amplified Bible
“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Eph. 3:16)

What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit indwell your innermost being? What does it mean to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit?

It means to not allow our flesh to be in control. It is a realization that we are crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us! (Gal. 2:20)

We have to come to a place where we want to please God more then our flesh! We can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are full of our self. We have to decrease. We have to die to flesh. It is submitting to the Holy Spirit’s voice even when we want to do the opposite. 

ACTS 2 (Pentecost)

The second chapter of Acts shows the infilling power at work in the Disciples and those present in the upper room. It was promised in Acts 1:4 – 8.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

They stayed in prayer, and were united and obedient, waiting together for this promise of the Holy Spirit. They had never experienced what they were about to experience before. All they knew was to wait for “the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4).

Acts 2:1 – 4 (NKJV)

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were consumed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants to consume us daily. Do you spend time in the presence of the Lord daily?

Allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in our hearts is part of letting the Holy Spirit indwell our innermost being, our “inner man.” This brings strength to maintain our daily life.

“…strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man…” (Eph. 3:16) (Amplified Bible)

The Inner Man – Inner = eso ¯ in the Greek which means inside, or within. Inner man is also known as inward parts:
Inward parts – qereb – (BDB Hebrew and Greek Lexicon)
As seat of thought and emotion
As faculty of thought and emotion
Within self – heart, more than heart, it becomes your entire being.

Here are a few verses which speak of “inward parts:”



Psalm 139:13 “For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.”


Job 38:36 ” Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?


Psalm 51:6 “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.


Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.


Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hearts in Jeremiah 31:33 is translated from the Hebrew as; “leb” or “lebeb” – mind, will, understanding, midst (of things), thinking, memory, determination, conscience; as seat of appetites, as seat of emotions, as seat of courage!

Inward parts and heart do go hand in hand in the Bible, but more than the heart, it becomes a part of your entire being.

In other words, getting back to the original scripture;strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Amplified Bible)

God wants to strengthen us with His Holy Spirit, to totally indwell our inward parts, our inner being, mind, will, understanding, appetites, emotions, and everything we are, with His Holy Spirit. This will help us to maintain our daily life and help us to follow after Christ. It will help us to not be tossed and turned with every little breeze that comes our way that is contrary to what we think should happen.

Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith to serve God, and to do our duty.

Where Christ’s spirit dwells, He dwells.

2. “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love…” (Eph. 3:16b)

Love should be our motivating force behind all that we do.

There was a song out in the eighty’s by Lori and Harry Browning called, “Lord, Teach us to love You.” It was a prayer asking God to teach us to love Him with the Love He has given us. Then it turned the love towards others and asked God to teach us to love others with the love He has given us.

John 13:34 – 35 (Message)

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when you see the love you have for each other.”

This way of looking at love and reaching out to others will help us to love each other unconditionally. Our motto should be: “Loving like Jesus loves me!”

Also, with this love, we can look at Christ’s love and how intense it is for us.

3. “…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:18 – 19)

The Message Bible reads…
“I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit–not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.“

There are so many dimensions to Christ’s love towards us. We have not even touched the surface of how much He loves us.

Our knowledge can’t comprehend His love for us.

What extent are His dimensions?

“…what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

The breadth (wide) shows its extent to all nations and ranks;
The length (long) continues from everlasting to everlasting;
The depth, (deep) its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery;
The height, (high) its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory.

God will go to great lengths to rescue us. He will reach down into the farthest depths to show us how much He loves us and for us to experience that love as we sense His presence.

He will reach down to our inner man, our inward parts, where we live and have our being, and will give us revelations of who He is and how much love He has for us.


Have you ever felt God’s love?


The Message reads…
Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

That love is there for us to live full lives.

You can live without things.
You can live without position or recognition,
You can live without a lot of things, but for one to truly live, we can’t live without love. We will die prematurely without someone to love and someone to love us.

It is true that people who are ill will recover faster when their loved ones are close by; talking to them and encouraging them to live.

How much more we can live with the knowledge of God’s love for us.

God wants us to experience His love to know the fullness of who He is.

Fullness, not lack.

The Amplified Bible reads…
“…that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” (Eph. 3:19b)

…all the fullness of God!

It is hard to comprehend the love of God towards us. Why would He love us after what we’ve done? Why would He lavish His love on us when we deserve judgment?

It is hard to comprehend His mercy and grace.


Mercy: Not getting what we deserve
Grace: Getting what we don’t deserve

This is what Christ did on the cross for all of us. Love was crucified. This love is there for the taking. Do you believe it? Do you want it? It is already there for you.

He is the lover of our soul.


4. “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think–according to the power that works in you– to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20)

What ever we can think of asking, God can do more.

The Message reads…
“God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”

God is more than enough for our every need. God can and will do more than we could ever ask, think, guess, imagine, request in our wildest dreams. He is just waiting for us to recognize what He is doing.

Think for a moment what God has done for you this past year that has been beyond what you’ve ever dreamed possible.

This year ask God what He would have you do.
Think BIG!

What you think of right now, He can do more and will as you trust Him and allow His Holy Spirit to flood your inner man, your emotions, your will, your appetites.

Resolve to soak in His presence and love more. Expect BIG things to happen in your life. He is a BIG God and has BIG things in store for each of us as we trust Him to give us strength from day to day.

Blessings,

Pastor Kris Belfils

http://www.krisbelfils.com

http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

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You Were Created For More (A Mother’s Day Message)

Have you every felt you were created for more then what you are doing and experiencing now in your life? Do you feel empty? Are you watching others experiencing more and desire the same things? I am here to tell you there is more for you. God wants to pour the “new” into you. He wants you to walk in it.

Women today have come a long way to experience freedom to be who they are in Christ. God created you for a purpose. More then what you think you are. More then how others see you.

God Created You For A Purpose

1. You have a more Abundant Life waiting for you.

John 10:10 (NKJV)

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

“…more abundantly.” This is the main reason why Jesus came to the world, so we could have everlasting life with Him eternally. He came for us to have a more abundant life on earth and walk in this “more” every day.

This “more” is gender friendly and race friendly. It is not just for the rich, it is for everyone.

Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

It is for “they” or “those” who will grab it and walk in an abundant life and make it their own.

Knowing we are to live an abundant life, and to walk in it are two different things.

Women have been abused, treated less then, and overlooked for generation after generation. It is time for women to realize who they are in Christ. It is time for women to rise up and fulfill the calling or destiny they were created for.

It doesn’t matter what your past mistakes have been. Everybody makes bad choices in their life.

2. You are more then your past mistakes.

What Christ did on the cross for you is complete. We don’t have to add to it. The cross applies to all of us.

You can never sin too much to take that away. God’s grace is not grease to slip and slide in it. We walk away from what God doesn’t like. But, once we have walked away, and ask forgiveness, we are washed from all the wrong we have done. Your mistakes do not define you. Your mistakes do not dictate your future. You are a new creation and have been remade!

Tenth Avenue North has a song that really sums up that you are more then your past mistakes, or the choices that you make. Click the link to listen:  “You Are More”  (Donehey, Mike/Ingram, Jason)

We have to get past what we think of ourselves. We have to ignore what people think of us.

3. You are a new creation! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Message)

“Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!”

Burgeons:  “to send forth new growth (as buds or branches), sprout, bloom, to grow and expand rapidly, flourish, blossom.”  

We are brand new, valuable, and blossoming into beautiful things. This is our life! God doesn’t create junk, no, He creates wonderful people to do extravagant things for His glory, and to impact their world for Him!

4. You are royalty.

We are God’s princesses. We are a royal priesthood. We are royalty.

We need to know our place! Our place is a daughter of the Most High God! Take a listen to the song:  “Royalty” by Kimberly and Roberto Rivera

It is hard to see ourselves as royalty or priceless. I remember a time in my life where I was broken. I didn’t see any value in myself. I made some bad choices and had to endure and walk through the consequences. A lot of my healing came through Women’s retreats and seeing who I was in Christ through other women. At one retreat, the entire theme was about being God’s princess. I couldn’t wrap my brain around that concept because of what I had done. My book: “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays” was written during that time (click on link and scroll down page to “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays”). One of the leaders of this retreat had a Tiara and was using it as an example that all of us were given this sparkly crown by God. There were several speakers and many sessions to glean from. When we went to lunch, One of the leaders gave me the Tiara she was using in her talks. I was shocked. I was just there to lead worship with the band. When she gave me the Tiara, she told me “I was God’s favorite, and that He sees me whole and shinning for His glory.” I cried! I didn’t see myself that way, on the contrary, I saw myself as a mess and that I blew any chance of being used by God ever again.

We are royalty. It is easy to believe this for other people, but when it comes to our own life, we seem to be blind. What causes this blindness? I believe it is the culmination of circumstances and experiences we have walked through, also the thought that we have no value, and maybe we have junk in our spiritual/emotional life that needs to be dealt with.  It could be listening to the negative, critical words we are feeding ourselves or that the enemy is feeding us. It doesn’t matter at this point, what matters is to change our viewpoint and to have our spirit healed.

5. Your Spirit can be restored.

Proverbs 15:13 (KJV)

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 18:14 (KJV)

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

These verses express that our spirit can make or break us. The word “spirit” is translated: “roo’ – akh, to blow that is, breathe.” (Strongs Hebrew and Greek Definitions)

The spirit of a man is the very essence of himself. That is why when we experience sorrow of heart our spirit is broken. When our spirit is broken, we have no strength to be all God created us to be. We have to have our spirit restored so we can move on into our purpose and fulfill our potential.

Steps In Restoring Your Spirit

(Taken from my book:  “Revive, Rebuild, and Restore” pages 147 – 149)

a. Be truthful to God about how you feel. 

God already knows, but telling Him yourself helps. It frees your spirit up to relax. You will soon feel safe in God’s arms as you rest in Him. He might change the circumstances, or He might change you. Either way you are being changed and that is a good thing.

Many times I have to run to God and cry out to Him about the circumstances. That brings release in my spirit.

b. Be sensitive to God speaking to you.

God is always speaking to us, we just need to dial in our spiritual frequency to hear Him. We need to quiet ourselves to hear His still small voice. Open your heart and mind to His voice. Remember His sheep know His voice. Spend time with Him in prayer and soaking. Learn to listen to Him and be obedient to what He tells you to do.

c. Be quick to admit your sin and repent.

If your spirit is in need of restoration because of something you did wrong, be quick to ask forgiveness, and repent. That means totally turn from what you are doing (the sin) and get far away from it. Don’t stay in your sin. Don’t think there is no hope of ever getting out of it. There is always hope. The truth is how bad do you want to be set free compared to the bondage you are experiencing in the middle of the sin. We have to come to a place we want to please God more then our fleshly desires.

d. Be Forgiving.

Forgive others and forgive yourself. Un-forgiveness will kill your spirit. It will cause you to become old and bitter. Forgiving yourself is just as important as forgiving others. Your spirit will not be restored if you hold onto un-forgiveness.

e. Be willing to accept your circumstances.

Don’t live in denial. Your life is what it is. I have a saying I say to myself, and to others often; “It is what it is!” This statement really says a lot. You can’t change what happened, you accept what happened, and you are not going to stay in what happened. Live your life determined to move on and be healthy. Don’t harbor anything in your heart. This will only lead to a broken spirit.

f. Be willing to change your circumstances.

Don’t settle for anything less than what God has planned for your life. The only person who can change your circumstance is you. If you feel worthless, go look for a job. If you are not getting any jobs, go back to school. Pursue every avenue to better yourself. Don’t be lazy and expect life to come to you. Go out and grab it. If you are lonely go out and find friends. Get involved at a church. Be friendly. Be willingly to help out at a charity. Find something or someone worse off then you and pour yourself into it. You will feel better for it, and you will be a contributing member to society.

g. Be thankful for your restoration.

When you start seeing your spirit/life being restored, be thankful. Better yet, be thankful before you start seeing anything. Cultivating a thankful heart is so crucial to restoration.

Don’t complain, but pray. Don’t criticize, but encourage. Make sure your words uplift instead of tear down, not only to others, but speak encouraging words to yourself as well. Thank God continually for what He is doing in your life. Remember where you were to where you are now. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. Give all glory to God for your restoration.

Walk Boldly In Who You Are In Christ

Once we see who we are in Christ, it empowers us to walk more boldly everyday. It is not our ability, but God’s power, that enables us to be more then what we see ourselves to be.

There will always be nay sayers. Surround yourself with people who see your potential! Protect your heart and destiny by connecting with people who will build you up and not bring you down.

Build up the Kingdom of God. Give value to others. When we serve in leadership, people will trust you. True leaders don’t dominate, they lift up other people.

Women complete each other, not compete with each other. Yet, far too often women criticize other women. Most criticism comes from fear. We criticize what we don’t understand or don’t know. We criticize if we feel threatened. But being critical of others only brings bondage and destruction. It never builds the Kingdom of God. Why do we shoot each other in the body of Christ. We are of the same body, yet we shoot criticism when someone makes wrong choices. We shoot our wounded.

“We frequently stop or minimize one another. Instead of supporting and encouraging one another for the cause of Christ, we perpetuate an oppression that renders us ineffective to be all we’re supposed to be as women and as Christians.”

Lisa Bevere

Lionness Arising 

You would never see an army soldier, who is shot in battle by “friendly fire” be shot at again. No, you will see them being rushed to the medics. But this is what we do to other Christians when we don’t have compassion, or mercy and grace. Our criticism is like shooting them again and again thinking they will change. Reality is they are wounded more and more to the point they want nothing to do with Christians.

Let us be people who encourage one another. Try to see the good in others. After all, isn’t that what you would like them to do to you?

People may label you. Remember what people say about you, or what they think about you does not dictate who you are. God’s opinion is the only opinion that matters. We might even be judged as arrogant by walking in God’s power and agreeing with what His word says we are. I have two words for you;  “Who cares!” Who cares what people think or say! Who cares what man, or this world may say! We, as God’s creation, have a mighty work to do. Each one of us were created for a specific purpose. Each one of us, male or female, have great potential.

Don’t let the naysayers stop you from being all you can be in Jesus! Their opinion doesn’t last throughout eternity, only God’s does. This is who we should please!

You Were Created For More

All of this said, I pray your eyes have been opened to see the potential that lies dormant inside of you. What are your dreams and desires? Do they line up with God’s Word? I have found my true desires, those things that I am passionate about, are really given by God.

Psalms 37:4 – 6 (NKJV)

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

As you are walking faithfully with God in life? God will bring those desires to pass. This is a promise! This promise is for you! Commit your life, plans, and desires totally to God. We can trust Him with our “precious” things. Those things we keep secret in our hearts. Those things we ponder and hope for.

Remember what Christ did for you on the cross was not just for your redemption, but also for your future. What He did is complete. He has made all things new.

Be the one who grabs ahold of this message today and change your world for Christ! Be the new creation Christ gave His life for and walk fully in the new He has for you.

From one new creation to another;

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

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Awaken: “Do You Know God Or Just Know About God?”

There is a high possibility most people in the world have heard about God. They are filled with facts of Who He is or what He has done. Some believe God is an angry God who will “zap” them if they do something wrong. Some believe if they do terrible things to themselves they will get the attention of God. They feel they get closer to Him by their works. Some believe if they go about doing good, they will be closer to God. But, it is not by works, or some terrible crazy passionate act on our part that will get us closer to God; it is an awakening to Who God is and worshipping and loving Him with our full hearts that will bring us closer to Him. It will bring intimacy and a deeper awareness of His character. When we fall in love with God, we abandon our insecurities and relinquish control over to Him.

Awaken: rouse from sleep; cause to stop sleeping.

• stop sleeping.

• rouse.

• make someone aware of (something) for the first time. (Dictionary.com)

Synonyms:  “activate, animate, arouse, awake, call, enliven, excite, fan, incite, kindle, provoke, rally, revive, rise and shine, roll out, rouse, stimulate, stir up and wake.” (Dictionary.com)

We need to be aroused and stop sleeping when it comes to our relationship with God. Enlivened to Who He is. Activated to His presence. Animated to His tenderness. Revived to His character and faithfulness. When we are, our TRUST FACTOR towards God increases and our stress level decreases.

I can understand working hard for something and receiving a reward for my efforts. This is human nature. We work hard at our job and receive a pay check. But this is not what we have to do to get closer to God.

God just wants a relationship with you. He wants you to awaken to who you are in Him and to awaken to the beauty of being His. Worship is the key, the highway to God. It is a vulnerable place. It is an intimate place. This is where we fall in love with our Creator. There is none like God. Worshipping God gets our focus off of ourselves and onto the living, breathing deity Who longs to be with you. Once you encounter the love of God and being in His presence, you will never be the same. Your relationship with Him is never the same.

Sometimes you are just one step away from walking into a supernatural encounter with the living God. Just one glance at His beauty, just one look in your direction you become transformed in His presence. Your identity lies in the fact that you belong to Him.

Knowing God is a process. I am sure you have many questions. But in seeking God, you have to get to the place you love and seek Him even if your questions are not answered. You seek Him more then the answers. You need Him more then the answers. You ache in your heart when you are not with Him.

Are you hungry for God? Do you pursue His presence? Are you a worshipper? You have to get to a place in your heart that you want to know God more then knowing yourself. Let His love consume you. Cry out to God and experience a right now moment of His presence.

To know God is a constant daily encounter you need to nurture. Worship is essential for any believer who wants more then a head knowledge about God. Worship brings you into a heart relationship with God. Worship takes us beyond ourselves to a secret place with just you and Him. It is a precious place. A place so intimate you will never want to leave.

You see, in this world there is turmoil constantly. Not only do we struggle in the natural, with our day to day experiences, we fight against principalities and powers that will try and get us distracted and pulled away from our relationship with God.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This is why we have to guard our relationship with Christ and let nothing interfere with it. Treat your relationship with God as the most precious thing in your life, because it is! When we put a high priority on God and being with and worshipping Him, our lives are so much better. In other words; protect and nurture the Vertical relationship and our horizontal life will flow and line up better. This is so true because I have seen it in my own life. When I am busy and distracted my relationship with God suffers and my life seems stressed and in turmoil. When I spend time with God and worship Him on a regular basis, I am not in turmoil. The stress subsides because my hope, my trust is in God and not in the things of this world.

You too can experience the intimate love of God. All it takes is for you to enter into worship. Set your mind on God. Think about His goodness. Put some good worship music on and soak in God’s goodness. Remind yourself of who God is and tell yourself He is all that and more to you. To know God intimate takes action on your part. He wants you to seek Him more then anything else in your life. When we come to God He will come to us.

James 4:8a (NKJV)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….”

This is a promise that God will always draw close to us when we make an effort to get close to Him. That verse goes on to say; “…Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Allow God to wash and cleanse you from anything that is not pleasing to Him. Be broken before Him knowing He is God and we are not. He will come to us and lift us up as we worship Him unabandoned.

Psalm 73:28 (NKJV)

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.”

See, it is good to draw near to God. It will build our trust in Him and we can’t help but tell others of His goodness, tenderness, and love. Even as I type this message I am listening to Kimberly and Alberto Rivera live Soaking Session, Volume III. I have to stop often and just worship Him. Such a sweet presence filling my room right now. His presence makes me weep. Not tears of sadness, but of joy and peace.

God’s presence reassures us that He is in control and sees us right where we are. We don’t have to be someone else to come to God. We just come as our selves. He never rejects us. We can’t help but express our love to Him in these intimate times. We actually become love-sick for Him.

Allow His deep places call to your deep places and get fully engulfed with Who He is. He is so amazing, faithful, and true. Nothing compares to Him. He is overflowing with goodness. He is the air we breathe.

Stay ever-soaking in His presence and you will get to know a living, breathing, loving God who cherishes you forever.

Jeremiah 17:7 – 8

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.”


Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

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Can God Be Trusted?

Can I trust God? Will He really pull through for me? Does He hear me when I cry out to Him? Am I in this alone, because God seems silent?

These questions and more have been spoken many times from God fearing Christians. We don’t see an answer and we get nervous and start to doubt. We expect our prayers to be answered right away; on our timeframe.

God is not moved by time or space. He sees everything. He knows everything. Your circumstance is ever before your Creator. He knows what you need, even before you need it. Trusting God is an ongoing process.

“Trust Jesus, and you are saved. Trust self, and you are lost.”

Charles H. Spurgeon (a sermon on personal service)

That’s a profound statement, and so true.  If we trust ourselves, we can lead ourselves astray. Our human nature wants to rely on our self. After all, we’re always there, always looking out for number one, and we think we know what’s best for us. Unfortunately we don’t see the whole picture to really make the best decisions.

God sees everything. He knows all about you and your character. He knows you better than you know yourself. He created you! Therefore, the Creator knows more about His creation then that creation knows about itself.

God created you for a specific purpose and plan. He “knit you in your mother’s womb,” (Psalm 139:13 Amplified Bible) and you’re “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14 NKJV). He knows you. He knows how you will respond or not respond to things. It’s wise to trust the Creator of our lives for everything. For what He created is wonderful and marvelous, and our soul knows very well (Psalm 139:14b NKJV).

Trust is faith in action. It believes God is working on your situation. Even though we don’t know just how God is working, He is! Even if we can’t see Him working at the start, He is!

Our eyes and understanding are limited. When we don’t see the results we want, our faith falters, and we are left with worry and doubt. I know, I’ve done it many times. But, in those moments of looking and not seeing, tell yourself, “Hold on!” Say out loud, “I can trust Him!”

When you don’t see God’s hand working out your troubles, trust His heart. His heart is for you! He’s making a way where there seems to be no way. He’s restoring you. He’s working out your situation for His glory and in His time.

God wants us to trust Him with all things. How do we do that? If we do trust God, will He make us do something we don’t want to do? Would He change us into something we don’t want to be if we give Him total and complete control? It’s hard to trust until we read more about why we should trust.

The trust issue in my life was big. I fought and struggled with it. I was reading in the Psalms and noticed so many passages that mentioned trust and what happens when I do trust Him. I found over eighty-five verses between NKJV and CEV that talk about trusting God and what the results will be. In the Contemporary English Version, the word, “trust” is translated as “wait”, “hope”, “believe” or “steadfastness”. They seemed to be interchangeable; also “love” and “mercy” are interchangeable as well. Knowing the facts about trusting God helps us to trust Him.

In the chart below you will find some of the verses on trust in the book of Psalms. First column is the verse, then Translation, then Trust Factor, and then the results. (There is more of this article after the chart)

Psalms Trust Factor

VRS     TRANS     TRUST FACTOR                                                 RESULTS

2:12b    NKJV      Blessed are those who put their trust in Him      Blessing/favor

4:5 NKJV/CEV   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust  Obedience/favor

5:11,12   NKJV    Let all those rejoice who put their trust          Joy, defense, favor

7:1 NKJV         O LORD my God, in You I put my trust               Safety, deliverance

9:10 CEV/NKJV   Everyone who honors Your name can trust You  God is faithful

11:1   NKJV      In the Lord I put my trust                                               Surety

13:5 NKJV       I trusted in Your mercy                                       Forgiveness, salvation

16:1   NKJV      In You I put my trust                                                Preserves me

17:7   NKJV      O You who save those who trust in You             Salvation/rescues

18:2   NKJV   My God, my strength, in whom I will trust      Rock, fortress, deliverer

18:30   NKJV   He is a shield to all who trust in Him                  Shield, protector

20:7 CEV/NKJV  Some trust the power of chariots or horses     We trust You, surety

21:7   NKJV   For the king trusts in the LORD                                 Shall not be moved

22:4   NKJV   Our father’s trusted in You                                           Deliverance

22:5   NKJV   They trust in You                                             They were not ashamed

22:8   NKJV/CEV   He trusted in the LORD                               Rescue, deliver

25:2   NKJV/CEV   O my God, I trust in You                    Not ashamed, not defeated

25:5   CEV    I always trust You                                            Guide, instruct, safety

25:20   NKJV    I put my trust in You                                  Keeps, delivers, no shame

25:21   CEV/NKJV   I trust You                                            Integrity and uprightness

26:1   NKJV   I have also trusted in the LORD                 Vindicates, shall not slip

27:3   CEV    I will trust You                                       No fear in the face of war

27:14  CEV    Trust the LORD!                                              Strength and bravery

28:7   CEV/NKJV  I trust you completely.                         Strong shield, help

31:1   NKJV   In You, O LORD, I put my trust                 Never ashamed, deliverer

31:5   CEV   I trust You                                                           Faithful, rescued me

31:6, 7  NKJV/CEV    But, I trust in the LORD                      Glad, Rejoice in mercy

31:14   CEV/NKJV    I trust You, LORD                                   I claim you as my God

31:19   CEV/NKJV    For all who honor and trust You    Blessings stored up for us

31:24   CEV     All who trust the LORD                                          Cheerful and strong

32:10   NKJV/CEV   He who trusts in the LORD            Mercy surrounds, gladness

33:18   CEV     Honor and trust His kindness                             LORD watches over

33:21   NKJV/CEV    We have trusted in His holy name                   Hearts rejoice

34:8   NKJV     Blessed is the man who trusts in Him             Blessed, God is good

34:10   CEV     But if you trust the LORD                           Never miss anything good

34:22   NKJV     Those who trust in Him                            Never condemned, saved

36:7, 8   NKJV    Children of men put their trust            Lovingkindness, satisfied

37:3   NKJV/CEV   Trust in the LORD and live right                     Desires of heart

37:5   CEV    Trust Him to help                                                           God will lead you

37:7, 9   CEV    Trust the LORD                                               The land will be yours

40:3   CEV/NKJV  They will honor and trust You                New song, blessing

42:5, 11   CEV    I trust You!                                                God removes depression

43:5   CEV     I trust You!                                                   Not discouraged/restless

55:23  NKJV/CEV    But I will trust in You.                         Destruction to evil men

56:4   NKJV/CEV  In God I have put my trust                       No fear, safety

56:11   CEV/NKJV  I trust You                                                   No fear, no harm

57:1   NKJV     For my soul trusts in You                                 Mercy, refuge

61:4   NKJV    I will trust in the shelter of Your wings       Fellowship, shelter

64:10   NKJV    Be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him     Gladness, shall glory

71:1   NKJV    In You, O LORD, I put my trust                        Never be ashamed

71:5   NKJV    You are my trust from my youth                          Hope

84:12   NKJV    Blessed is the man who trusts in You                    Blessed

86:2   NKJV/CEV   Save Your servant who trusts in You    Preserves life, salvation

91:2   NKJV/CEV  My God, in Him I will trust                  Fortress, place of safety

112:7 NKJV/CEV His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD   Steadfastness, no fear

115:11  NKJV/CEV  You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD      Help and shield

119:42   NKJV    For I trust in Your word                              Gives answers

119:66   CEV     I trust Your commandments                    Gives wisdom/good sense

119:74   CEV    I trust (hope) in Your word                      Your servants will be glad

125:1   NKJV    Those who trust in the LORD               Cannot be moved

130:7   CEV    Israel, trust the LORD!                               Mercy and salvation

143:8   NKJV/CEV  For in You do I trust                     Loving kindness, guidance

(I have a full and complete chart in my book:  “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays.”)
Now that we’ve looked at the Psalms and what they have to say about trusting in the Lord, I have to mention one of my favorite scriptures. It’s been the theme of my life.
Proverbs 3:5 – 6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Waiting on the Lord was all I could do at times. I couldn’t rely on myself and my thinking because it brought too many bad choices. My wisdom is limited and self-centered. I had to lean on the Lord constantly and not my own understanding. I realized if I relied on my own understanding I would fall, but if I relied on God and his word, I was stable.

During my devotions and journal writing one morning, I came up with this little reminder to help me trust the Lord:

Total

Reliance

Upon the

Surety of

Truth

It’s totally laying yourself at the feet of Jesus, knowing he’s the only One who can help you. There were times when it was all I could do to just get out of bed in the morning, let alone trust that God would bring me out of my mess. You may have felt the same way at times. Feelings of fear and uncertainty can overwhelm us if we let them. Personally, I had to tell God, “I don’t feel like trusting You right now, but I will trust you for trust’s sake.” Believe it or not, it helped me get through that moment. God is trustworthy even when we don’t feel or believe he is. Trust God for trust’s sake, if you can’t find any other reason to. God will meet you there.

When we taste and see that the Lord is good, we forget our concerns and doubts about God.

Psalm 34:8 – 10 (NLT)

“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.”

It is better to trust in the Lord then in anything or anybody else in your life. Trust God for He is trustworthy!

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

www.hopefellowshipspokane.com