Intelligent faith

 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?" Luke 14.28

Intelligent faith has nothing to do with excitement, enthusiasm or feelings. Rather, Biblical faith requires the use of the intellect. It weighs, measures and checks that it is 100% in agreement with what he believes. From then, one must throw himself body, soul and spirit. That is, put all strength towards his goal.

High heels

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5.3

This was the first teaching of Jesus. At first glance, it does not seem to draw too much attention. However, this is the basis of deliverance and salvation. If a person does not become humble like a child, it is impossible to be born of the Holy Spirit. Is it not the truth that sets one free? But how can it freed someone proud? Impossible. Unfortunately, many people, despite being in the bottom of the pit, remain on top of their high heels shoes. 

True worshiper

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." John 4.23

God the Father seeks true worshipers. But how to distinguish between the true and the false worshipers? The true worshipers will worship God - the Father - in spirit and in truth. In spirit means to worship with an intelligent and balanced faith. 
God is intelligence and wisdom, so why would He accept an emotion based worship? 
In truth means to worship Him through His Son Jesus, The Truth.

The secret to happiness

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." James 1.25

It is impossible to walk in sin and be free. The spirit of sin has trapped its victims so that they cannot understand the reason for so much unhappiness.
Disorder, indiscipline and rebellion are elements of injustice that have prevented freedom. Freedom of life, of conscience... Consequently, even with the world at their feet, yet the slave of sin is unhappy.
That is why God, in creating man, also established righteous laws that, once practiced, leads to a life of freedom, peace within yourself and especially with God.

Spirit of the Lord

"And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done." Judges 14.6

When the Spirit of God takes possession of someone, it is impossible not to overcome the difficulties of each day.
Give him freedom to invade your being, to dwell in your body, and you will see the difference. What the Spirit of the LORD did in the past, He does today.

Powerful Word

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4.12

It's the only word capable of generating power to create, save and transform any human being. God does not require perfection, holiness, purity or any other virtue. Only a vote of confidence that He will do everything He promised to do. Those who propose themselves to believe in it will have the Personal Answer from the Almighty.

Conscience

"How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?" Job 6.25

The words of a friend accompanied with Spirit edifies and comforts the soul. However, the conscience must be humble take heed of the Voice of God.

Discipline

"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12.11

The proud sons of the devil, hate discipline. But the humble sons of the Spirit, love to be corrected because most consider it a learning experience.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27.6

Who is who

"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Romans 8.9

In my view, this is one of the most incisive biblical statements. It does not leave room to doubts or discussion. Those who have been possessed by the Spirit of God are so different from those who have not, just as the difference between wine and milk. The behavior of each one bears witness to who is who.

If anyone...

"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Romans 8.9

Even before Paul revealed that, Jesus had already said: "... unless one is born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God.” John 3:3;
Then he said: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered..." John 15.6.
Finally, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20.15.
Do these verses require interpretation?

Title of property

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1.13

Lately, Edir has been talking a lot about the Spirit of Promise. And the verse above goes further, for it speaks of the seal of the Spirit of Promise. This seal is a guarantee of God's fulfillment of His promise. That is, seal is the title of property given by the Lord Jesus.

You will bring them

"Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, 'Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.'" Deuteronomy 31.23

God never asks the impossible. Before giving an order, He gives the person the ability to obey. As He pours out from His Spirit, that person becomes His child, and is enabled to expand His Kingdom in the hearts of those who seek Him.
Exercise your faith seizing all opportunities, for He is with you.

New Israel

“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen,The descendants of Abraham My friend.⁹ You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you,‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:¹⁰  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" Isaiah 41.8-10

Only those who are born of the water and of the Spirit realize that such promises relate to them. It is that same Spirit who testifies within them. They are the New Israel raised by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because of that, come what may, they withstand: they were chosen from the ends of the earth to make a difference in this evil world. There is nothing to fear when we live by faith.

Rebelliousness vs. Life

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3.36

A marriage only works out when there is surrender of body, soul and spirit. Body mates with body, soul with soul and spirit with spirit.
The belief in God is no different. There must be total surrender of body, soul and spirit. If one of then is lacking, then you lack belief. And if there's no belief, the wrath of God remains.

Clothed with strength

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6.11

Putting on The armor of God involves the following ATTITUDES:
1 - Gird yourself with Truth, meaning let go of lies;
2 - Dress up in Righteousness, meaning leave sin;
3 - Put on the boots of Peace, meaning get rid of anger;
4 - Embrace the shield of Faith, meaning resist doubts;
5 - Put on the helmet of Salvation, meaning flee from sin;
6 - Occupy your mind with the sword of the Spirit: God's Word, meaning flee from futile reading and vain things;
7 - Stay in prayer and supplication in the Spirit rather than worrying about vanities;
8 - Also, always watch and do not let your faith be distracted.

The Spirit of the Firstborn

"Then you shall say to Pharaoh, thus says the Lord: 'Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.'” Exodus 4.22-23

God demands to have the first place in our lives because He treats us as first priority in a relationship with Him. The firstborn is the eldest son who, in practice, assumes all the authority of the father in the family leadership. Firstborn means first child ...
GOD IS FAMILY. FIRSTBORN IS THE FIRST CHILD IN THE FAMILY OF GOD.

Shunning evil

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." Job 1.1

Three characteristics of those born of the Spirit: they are honest and upright, they fear God and they shun evil.
Honesty and uprightness are related to our conduct towards other people. The fear of God relates to our conduct towards the Lord or the practice of His Word. The rejection of evil has to do with our conscience, when we avoid places and situations that have nothing to do with faith.

The difference

"Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." Malachi 3.18

Those who are born of the Spirit are essentially different.

If a person says he or she is a child of God but their behaviour is not different from those who live according to the course of this world, they are deceiving themselves.

Those who are born of the Spirit bear the image of God Almighty, that is, His character.

The only way the world will see and know the invisible God is through His children.

As Jesus said, "Who sees Me sees the Father."

The Spirit and faith

"And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?'” Genesis 41.38

Only those who are possessed by the Spirit of God make a difference. As a matter of fact, even the the children of darkness recognise them. However, in order to have Him, we must pay the price of sacrifice.

Tough work

"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure." John 3.34

Imagine the joy of achieving the greatest and most important dream of your life. Now, imagine the sacrifice you made in order to achieve it. This is it...
To make His dream of dwelling in us come through, God had to send and sacrifice Jesus, His Dream, to wash us and cleanse us. Only then could He send His Spirit.
Jesus had to do the "tough work" so that we can be possessed by the Spirit.
And what have you been doing to match such a great sacrifice?
The Daniel Fasting of Daniel is not for the curious or adventurous.