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\u201c<\/i><\/b>Intelligent faith forces us to think.<\/span><\/b>\u201d<\/i><\/b>\u00a0– <\/span>Viviane Freitas<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201c<\/i>And Zacharias said to the angel, \u2018How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.\u2019 And the angel answered and said to him, \u2018I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.\u2019\u201d<\/i> (Luke 1:18-20)<\/p>\n
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\u201c<\/span><\/i><\/b>How shall I know this?\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
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This question says a lot\u2026<\/p>\n
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Why? Because when we are caught by surprise, especially us women, we want to make plans and know the circumstances. If everything is favourable, then it\u2019s fine! But what happens when the circumstances are not favourable?<\/p>\n
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Immediately, we ask, \u201cHow will I know this? How is it going to happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
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When faced with that situation, Zacharias asked just like we do many times. His reaction reflected what was in his heart. And remember: he was a righteous man\u2026<\/p>\n
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When we look around us, we start to doubt; this happens because we divert our attention from our objective and start looking at the circumstances.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAnd the angel answered and said to him, \u2018I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The angel repeated his statement because he knew exactly who he was and what his mission was. There was no doubt… <\/p>\n
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Many times God uses someone to speak to us, but sometimes the person who receives the \u201cgood tidings\u201d asks too many questions, or worries too much about the circumstances\u2026<\/p>\n
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This is a big mistake!<\/p>\n
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In some cases, it\u2019s sheer unbelief. In some other cases, it\u2019s because people want to know everything in detail; they want answers to all their questions\u2026 they end up lost!<\/p>\n
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And because of this, they waste many opportunities.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s when we are faced with the unexpected that we show the kind of faith we have, as well as our level of confidence and obedience.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
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Hence the need to be in Spirit (vigilant) every day, ready to face any challenges.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place.\u201d<\/p>\n
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When we want to know everything in advance, we end up mute; that\u2019s because anxiety makes us waste the opportunities that are given to us.<\/p>\n
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God does not need to tell us in advance everything that will happen… This is not how He works!<\/p>\n
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When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, He did not tell her in advance what was going to happen. He did not explain anything to her, and He will not explain anything to us either. Our “job” is to believe and obey!<\/p>\n
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When we have an intelligent faith, we live by what we believe! Otherwise, our faith is emotional and natural, that is, it\u2019s based on what we see, hear and feel.<\/p>\n
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How often do you waste opportunities to show your faith, trust and obedience?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
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The time that Zacharias had to wait until the fulfilment of the promise was enough for transformation to happen inside of him. He examined himself\u2026 he considered what the Angel said\u2026 and he believed!<\/p>\n
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The Word of God has authority and it judges our cases according to our actions. If you do not read the Word of God and examine yourself as you read it, you will never manifest your faith, let alone your obedience.<\/p>\n
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\u201c\u2026 which will be fulfilled in their own time.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
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Things will not happen the way I want or when I want. They will happen in their own time!<\/p>\n
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Because of anxiety, many people do not rely on what is written and the promises are disregarded as coming from God. As a result, the life of many people remains unchanged!<\/p>\n
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Unbelief is a sin. It blocks the blessings of God!<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
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Stop and examine your life. Examine your attitudes: Do you want to do things your way, or do you believe in what He promised?<\/span><\/p>\n
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