From
the Editor...
by Tim
Greenwood
|
The
Bible, being a faith book, really has very little doubt in it.
Actually, the word `doubt' is used only three times in the Old
Testament and ten times throughout the New Testament. Here we will be
concentrating on the Greek, New Testament words translated as `doubt'.
In Matthew 14:31 and 28:17 the word translated as `doubt' means
double-minded or wavering between two things, such as when we say that
someone is straddling the fence on some matter.
Peter started wavering between Jesus telling him that he could walk on
water, and his lifetime of experience as a fisherman. And when
the disciples first saw Jesus after His resurrection, some wavered
between what they saw with their own eyes and what a lifetime's
experience had taught them about life and death.
But, Matthew 21:21 and Mark 11:23 is another Greek word entirely, negated with the Greek word for `not'.
In Matthew 21:21, Jesus is talking to His disciples about the
unfruitful fig tree that He had withered from the roots. And He tells
them that if they `doubt not' then they too could do the same thing he
did.
And, in Mark 11:23, Jesus is telling His disciples that if they
believe, (in good faith), what was said and `doubt not' then they will
have, (receive, experience or realize), what was said.
In BOTH of these scriptures, the phrase `doubt not' means:
- Don't call it into question,
- Don't mentally or judicially try it, (as to try it in court),
- Don't stagger at it,
- Don't pick it apart and
- Don't think it to pieces
...due to your initial opposition, based upon your preconceived ideas.
In the remaining five scriptures in which the word `doubt' is used,
another word or phrase could and likely should have been used:
In Acts 2:12 the word doubt should have been translated as "thoroughly perplexed."
In Acts 28:4 the word doubt should have been translated as "surely" or "by all means."
In 1 Corinthians 9:10 the word doubt should have been translated as "for indeed."
In Galatians 4:20 the word doubt should have been translated as "not perplexed" or "show you the way out."
And finally, the word doubt in Luke 11:20 is rather odd because it
should have been translated as either "I conclude that" or more likely
as an unspoken long pause after an inflection raising the pitch of what
came before, like a, "wait for it," and then the verbal reveal, which
leaves out the word entirely but emphasizes the point.
So, what have we learned? When it comes to faith, don't straddle the
fence and don't over analyze it. If God said it, it cannot fail. And
how much faith do you really need to believe it something that cannot
fail? TGM
|
|
Please Consider Making a
Generous, Tax Deductable Donation
to
Tim Greenwood Ministries!
Your donation will make a difference.
Your giving will help us to forward our mission to equip and empower
the body of Christ to diminish the darkness of this world by lifting up
the marvelous light of Jesus Christ.
Use the form below or you can give securely via
the TGM online Contribution Center
|
Make a
credit card donation with PayPal
It is fast, free and secure!
Do you accept PayPal?
Yes.
"One-time" donations and we can set up to "automaticlly" charge the
amount you choose to your credit card each month for as long as you want.
Just select one of the buttons
below and you will be securly taken to the 
site.
Make
a one-time credit card donation with PayPal
|
|
Windows
on the Word is published monthly for the edification and pleasure of
the partners and friends of Tim Greenwood Ministries (TGM).
If
this newsletter, website, or other media published by TGM has been a
blessing to you, please consider becoming a regular monthly financial
partner with TGM. Through your financial support, you can share in the
rewards for making these and other outreaches of TGM possible. Every
gift large or small is deeply appreciated and is vitally important.
Tim
Greenwood Ministries is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, California Religious
Organization. All contributions, less the value of any products
received, are tax deductible as allowed by law. (Upon receipt of
sufficient funds for a specific project, support will be used for an
equally
important outreach.)
www.windowsontheword.org
|
Ministry Resources ...
Donate
to Tim Greenwood
Ministries on line.
Request prayer
from Tim
Greenwood Ministries
Order
books & audios by the Greenwoods on line.
Unsubscribe |
|
Do Not Waver
by Marcia Greenwood
|
I chose
Abraham as an example to follow in this subject. Abram was his
name before God changed it. He was not a fictional
character, he was just like us - going through life day by day - until
one day he heard from God and Abram's faith journey began. Begin
reading in Genesis Chapter 12.
Remember, Abram did not have the Bible to read to teach and encourage
him like we do. But just the same; he learned how to put his
total trust in the promise's of God, without wavering.
Yes, in the beginning of his faith journey, Abram couldn't quite
understand how God could actually bring to pass something He said he
would do. I mean, haven't we questioned this in our own
lives as well?
We tend to believe in things we see, things we know, examples from our
past, opinions of other `well meaning people', but to trust and put our
total faith in the Creator of the Universe! It takes time to
unlearn our old ways of doing something and to put our total trust in
God; the only ONE who will never lie to us.
One of the promises God told Abram was that he and his wife Sarai would
have a baby. Now wait a minute here - Sarai's womb is old and she
never had any children up to this point - and you know God "I'm not
quite as young as I use to be", he might have said.
So what would any baby in the faith do?
Sarai came up with a brilliant plan, or so they thought (the world is
going through so many problems because of that plan)! Sarai told
Abram, go to my maiden and have a child with her and it will become
mine. So Abram did, and little Ishmael was born to Hagar.
But this was not God's plan.
God's plans are always perfect and carry no baggage with them. (Chapter 16)
But one day God changed Abram's name to Abraham and told him that he
and his wife, now renamed Sarah, would have that promised child.
So now, Abraham, having learned his lesson the hard way, had many years
to learn to trust God's Word. What He said, He meant!
Abraham "hoped against hope". The world's hope is: maybe,
someday, if only.. But the Bible's hope is EXPECTATION! Abraham learned
not to waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but he was
strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded
that God had power to do what He said He would do. And now,
Abraham and Sarah had Isaac and they became the "father and mother of
many nations."
So, I ask you. What are you going through? What facts and
the symptoms in your body, in your finances, with your children, with
your marriage - in general is life throwing at you?
The truth: God's promises, override the facts. With His Own
body and blood, Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law.
Our God, our Creator, is a God of faith. He gave each of us a
measure of His faith and we can grow in faith as we read the Word of
God and then we need to believe and act on that faith.
There is NO reason to waver. Cling to the Word of God. Jesus says that "My word is truth."
I wish to encourage all of you to put your total trust, total hope, and
total faith in the ONLY ONE that loves us, the ONE WHO wants us to
succeed, and the ONE WHO will never leave us or forsake us: God
Almighty and His Son, Jesus. TGM
How hard can it really be to believe in something that cannot fail?
In this 2 part audio
series, Marcia Greenwood teaches the keys to believing in your heart,
building your faith and keeping your faith strong.
You are just one step away from receiving everything God has for you.
If You Believe
AVAILABLE NOW
from the
TGM Resource Center:
|
a
Tim preaching, Sunday Morning, at Word Faith Fellowship in Norco, CA!
|
