All things are possible
By DN Hoets
Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to Him who believes.' [Mark 9:23]
So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.' [Matthew 17:20]
There is a place in God where all things are possible. There is a place in God where mountain moving faith operates. It appears that the amount of faith that one needs is only faith as the size of a mustard seed to move mountains; the important thing not focusing on increasing our faith, but rather of finding that place in God.
It appears from the context [Matthew 16-17] that the disciples were not in that place yet. They were unable to cast out the demon. They used the name of Jesus to no avail.
This is the picture of the church today. Many use the name of Jesus, do this and that in faith, speak to their mountain and yet nothing happens! Many seek to increase their faith, yet to no avail. Most of the Charismatic world are here today. This is why we need to let go of the old wineskins and seek the new wineskins. We need to ascend the mountain of God - and to learn from our Lord who began teaching His disciples the way of the cross at this time [Matthew 16: 21-26]. Let us not respond to the way of the cross in the manner of Peter! [Matthew 16:22-23]. There is a place in God in which we need to learn to dwell - a place of glory, a place of transfiguration.
It was said of Apostle Paul that sometimes he appeared as a man; other times he looked like an angel. The glory of God. The Apostle Paul found that place in God; have we?
The Secret Place
Foundation text: Psalm 91
Coming soon!
Understanding Philippians
Foundation text: Philippians 2: 5-11
Let this mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not
consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a servant, and coming in
the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of the
cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted
Him and given Him the name which is above
every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of those in heaven, and of those
on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
Most of us have read this book of the New Testament many times. But have we really understood it? I submit this to you: It is impossible to understand Philippians without understanding what it is to take up the cross.
Many think that Paul was speaking of having a lowly mind set in chapter 2. False humility. However, unless we clearly understand and experience the cross in our daily lives, we will never fully understand Paul, or rather what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul.
True humility is found in taking up the cross. Resigning yourself to everything that comes into your life. With a threefold silence. True humility is not about ensuring that you have a lowly disposition. Meditating on this passage will not help. We need more than a changed mindset. We need to experience the cross. We need to experience Philippians 2 on a daily, moment by moment basis.
Notice that Philippians is about peace. Corporately and individually. Our old nature tends to be rebellious. That is why taking up the cross is so important. It focuses on the will – part of our soul. The self life dies as we take up His cross. To keep our temples a place of peace, we need to take up the cross as the Holy Spirit indicates in Philippians 2. Much discord in our lives, our marriages and in local churches arises because we have not taken up His cross in our lives.
We need to learn to receive all things from the hand of God. He is sovereign. Do not receive things from the hand of man or from Satan. Only from the hand of God. As we learn this truth, our love for Him becomes pure. We love Him both on the Mount of Transfiguration and at Calvary equally. We learn the same truth that Apostle Paul learnt. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He learnt to receive all things equally from the hand of God – whether abundance or lack.
Note that the secret of spiritual authority is revealed in Philippians 2. If we truly take up the cross – and I am not speaking of asceticism but rather something very specific – we will decrease. He will increase. He will be exalted. And demons will bow to His name, the name above all names.