Radical Faith: Transforming the World, One Person at a Time from the Inside Out

By A. V Munoz

The truths contained in Radical Faith transformed a violent criminal into a humble, peaceful, and meek man of God. No one is beyond reach of the transforming power of God. When the Word of God gets into a man who received it with the mind to obey, understand, and guard it, nothing can keep him from God's call on his life. He becomes invincible to all of life's pitfalls until his mission is complete.

Today, we lack vision, desire, and diligence. Most do not even know their purpose. Through these truths, your purpose and vision can be restored. Your spiritual blindness can be healed and your perspective can be aligned with God's. You will understand you have all of heaven's resources at your disposal to fulfill God's calling on your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490824062

A. V Munoz

A.V. preached his first sermon on March 13, 1988, at the age of seventeen. He was drawn back into the world resulting in great hardship and a murder conviction. He repented and began the process of change. Almost immediately, A.V. was called back into ministry—mainly teaching, preaching, and evangelizing. A.V. has been involved in ministry for eighteen years. Today, A.V. continues “in-prison” ministry as well as participates in and facilitates Christian and other self-help programs. He, with the sponsorship of Ebenezer Outreach, facilitates Life Above Reproach (English/Spanish). Now, A.V. is reaching out to a dying world with truth that can radically transform any life.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2407-9 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901440

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/16/2014

Contents

Opening Prayer

Introduction

1     Radical Faith

2     Mustard Seed Faith

3     Matters Of The Heart

4     The Exchange

5     The Journey

6     Order My Steps

7     Enemies Of The Cross

8     Olive Trees

9     Good Fruit

10   Grass Hoppers

11   Flies In The Ointment

12   Amazing Love

13   Prepared For The Mission

14   Equipped For Battle

15   Establishing Cities Of Peace

16   Fishers Of Men

17   Behold The Bride

18   Evidence Of The Kingdom

19   Captivity To The Cross

20   The Law Of Liberty

A Few Last Words

Closing Prayer

Our Commission

Bibliography

Setting Captives Free Ministries

For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory

that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

1 John 5:4

The LORD bless thee,

and keep thee:

The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and

be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and

give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

DEDICATION

In loving memory

of Robert, my grandfather,

who did not get to see this book finished,

but he will see His finished work,

when he sees me again in Heaven.

And,

To my wife, Maria,

my mother, Anna,

my grandmother, Leonore,

my children,

my four granddaughters,

who continue to teach me God’s ways,

and all others in my family,

who have stood by me,

comforted me in sorrow,

strengthened me in labor,

and prayed me through the most difficult times of my life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my gratitude to my Lord Jesus Christ, who inspired me to write this book.

I would like to thank my mom, Anna, for enabling me to get this book to the publisher.

I would like to give a special thanks to Carol for all of her time she willingly gave to help me in the process of editing and proofreading.

Thanks to my aunts Bonnie and Rita and my mom for their financial support – without you this book would have never found its way to being published.

I also want to thank Corene for her encouragement to write the book.

I would like to thank Richard, my cell mate and dear brother in Christ, who encouraged me when I saw his life change right before my eyes. As I wrote the book, he read; and I watched how he was affected.

Last but not least: I beg forgiveness of all those who have been with me over the course of the years and whose names I have failed to mention.

OPENING PRAYER

Father,

Thank You for all of Your faithfulness You have shown me. Despite all my failures, You have never shown me anything but love. When no one else could be there for me, You were there. You walked with me through the fire and through the flood, and I was not utterly destroyed. You used the fire to purify me, and the flood to wash and refresh me. You made me come out white as snow. I love You like no other for You have forgiven me of so much. You are my all, my everything. I was blind, but now I see.

Now Father, I pray for each one individually whom You have drawn to read this book. I pray You would remove every veil that would prevent their effectual understanding and anything that would distract them from receiving all that You would have them receive through it. I pray each one would be filled with faith in You and Your love for Your people. I pray You would enlighten each one with understanding and grant them the Spirit of revelation of the knowledge of Him and wisdom that they may know the vocation of their calling in You; what is Your Son’s inheritance in them; and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us all who believe in You. I pray that each one be filled with the Holy Spirit unto overflowing that any and every chain that binds them be broken and they be set free in spirit and in truth to the extent each one may worship You in Spirit and in Truth as they respond to Your grace. As You open each heart, Lord, allow the Rhema Word You have sent forth to penetrate deep into them. Make each one brand new, with a new heart, and a renewed vision and hope. Use each one to reveal Your love through them to change the world, one person at a time, from the inside out. Now Father, I thank You for hearing me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

I don’t know if you have noticed, but it is more evident than ever that we are in the last days. There have been earthquakes, major catastrophes, financial crises worldwide, and wars everywhere. (Matthew 24:6-7; Revelations 13:17) If you have eyes, you can see. Many believers are fighting against the coming of the one world government and socialism which the Bible clearly foretells will come into being. (Revelations 5:8-9) Although this appears to be gloomy and fearful, for us as believers it is good news. As you should know this means that we are ever closer to be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9) He can come at any moment, as the Bible says, in the twinkling of an eye. (1 Corinthians 15:52) Hallelujah, because I have had enough. I am ever ready to be with my Master, Savior, and King.

The nature of the world’s love is: I love you if you perform within my expectations. However, as a Christian, it is not so. We are loved despite our ability to live up to God’s expectations. (Romans 5:8) Our inheritance awaits us regardless, because it was bought and paid for by the Blood of my Lord. (Hebrews 9:14-15) We, as fallen man, are incapable of complete and perfect obedience. (Romans 3:10-12) So God sent Jesus to fulfill the law in our behalf, and all the righteousness of God, and all the blessings of a perfectly obedient life become ours as a result. (Romans 4:21-25; Hebrews 9:14-15; 2 Corinthians 1:20) Praise the Lord! We should be rejoicing, shouting from the roof tops, and telling everyone the good news of a found treasure. However, we are not, or do not because we do not fully understand the height, depth, or width of God’s love for us. (Ephesians 3:18-19) It takes an experience with God to understand even one iota of it at any level. (2 Peter 1:16, 18; 1 John 1:1-3; Romans 15:18)

Anyone can tell you what the Bible says. Anyone can argue over the definitions of the words of the Bible. Anyone can argue the grammar, Hebrew, Greek, Old English, or Latin translations of the Word. But no one can argue with someone that has had a personal experience with the Lord. (John 9:25) When God tells you to step, He meets you at the point of obedience and no one can argue with that. (Romans 1:5; Matthew 9:2-8) No one can argue with you when you prayed and your daughter was healed three times. No one can argue with you when God said speak, and what you spoke came to pass after you spoke it. No one can argue with you when God gave you a dream one day and the next day it came to pass.

I know God is real. I know God answers prayers. I know God heals. I know God delivers. I know God blesses us financially. I know God… not just because the Bible says so, but because like the Apostle John, I have seen with my eyes, handled and felt with my hands the manifestation of God and His Word. I have experienced the reality of God in my life.

I am a changed man. I know that every time I look in the mirror a miracle is looking back at me. I was so bad that when I got saved wicked people said, Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! I know what it’s like to have lost everything and everyone, and have God only on my side. I can say with radical faith that I am glad because God plus one is a majority and God doesn’t need anyone’s approval to bless me.

Can you believe? Can you trust God with everything and everyone in your life? What I am talking about is Radical Faith. Do you have it? Can you believe in the face of all unbelief? When everything is against you, do you yet believe? When the way you thought God was going to bless you didn’t happen, can you still believe? Or do you try to manipulate God into doing what you want? Hmmm… well, I’m not going to… anymore. Or do you press in, and hold onto God even more? Like Jacob, I’m not going to let you go until you bless me!

Oh I wish I had a praying church who was fully persuaded, so persuaded that they would prepare for God’s promises and calling on their lives. I am looking for a person that knows their place and does not intrude on the gifts or callings of others, someone who is willing to hear the voice of God and do whatsoever He tells them. I am not talking to just anybody. I am talking to somebody! You know who you are! Your heart is stirring, the fire is being kindled. Stand up and get ready, get ready, get ready! It is time, sound the alarms, blow the trumpets, the cloud has lifted and it is time to move! It is ok! You are safe. You are secure. You cannot lose. You are not responsible for the results. You are only responsible for your obedience to His voice! It is simple, God says, Speak! you speak. God says, Do…! you do! You cannot lose!

God is preparing an Army. Are you in the Army or are you just playing church? We are called to be soldiers! We are called to fight, not in the natural, but in the Spirit. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual, mighty for pulling down strongholds.

Precious Lord, help us put away our ideologies, our preconceived notions of religion, any training or indoctrination we have had that filter our vision, hearing, and obedience to You. Father, open our hearts, open our eyes, open our ears, that we may know Your presence. We want to see You when You move. We want to hear Your voice when You speak. Give us a heart to obey You. We want to meet You at the place of our obedience to Your voice. Lord fill us with the radical faith You have given each one of us. Thank you for allowing us to experience You and all You have for us, in Jesus’ name.

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CHAPTER 1

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RADICAL FAITH

R adical Faith! What is it? How is it that people can endure great hardship and still press on without the slightest hesitation? How is it that a woman with an issue of blood would be willing to break the law just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment? (Mark 5:25-34) How is it that a blind man would continue shouting in a crowd to get Jesus’ attention, after he was ordered to keep quiet? (Mark 10:46-52) How is it that after having been arrested, beaten, and ordered not to speak about Jesus, the Apostles immediately, upon release, went out and preached Jesus even more fervently? (Acts 5:40-42) How is it that people who have suffered vast amounts of persecution over their faith in the one and true Savior Jesus Christ, refused, even unto death, to renounce the name of Jesus? (See generally Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by W. Grinton Berry) How could the Apostles have left their lives as they knew them, and forsaken all to follow Jesus? People have left families, houses, property, jobs, careers, all for the knowledge of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 19:27; Philippians 3:8-9) This did not just happen in Jesus’ time, but it has continued to go on for over 2,000 years since Jesus walked the earth as a man.

It is still happening today. The lame are healed, the dead are brought back to life, and the blind see. Do you believe? Can you believe? Can you endure all hardship and persecution? Can you face the impossible, and in the midst of the fire cry out I WON’T BOW, AND I WON’T BURN! (Daniel 3:17-18) You can do whatever you want to me, but I will press on with my Lord! When I am lonely, I am not alone, for He is with me. (Hebrews 13:5) When I am weak, I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory. (Philippians 4:19) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Whether I live or die, I live or die unto the Lord. (Philippians 1:20) I am precious in His sight. (Isaiah 43:4) Any suffering I encounter will not go unredeemed. (2 Thessalonians 1:6) I am His and He is mine. (Song of Solomon 2:16) This my friend is radical faith. The perceived invincibility of youth is a spiritual reality in Christ. (Romans 8:31-39)

You might call me a fanatic, a Jesus Freak, or whatever you like. However, you cannot condemn me to hell, and the only one who can, Him will I serve. (Matthew 10:28) I will worship Him with all my heart, soul and strength. I will worship Him in spirit and truth. (John 4:24) He is my Master and my Lord. When faith radically infects a person’s entire being, his life revolves around Jesus. He or she has no regard for social norms but lives by belief and trust in God no matter what happens. (Philippians 4:11-12) Living in this manner is highly contagious. Whenever you meet someone like this, you are drawn to them. You see the image of Christ. You may not know it, but you begin to be transformed as you see the Glory of the Lord operating in them. (2 Corinthians 3:18) This is the way we are called to impact the world around us. To those who are alive, we are the sweet savor of life and to those who are perishing, we are the aroma of death… (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) Want some? Get some!

The Bible clearly defines faith, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) The Greek word for faith is pistis, such a knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in, certain divine truths, especially those of the gospel, as produces good works. (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, Lexical Aids to the New Testament: "Pistis") This is very deep when you dissect it.

Pistis depicts a belief that has grown beyond trust to complete confidence, and is outwardly manifested in a character and behavioral change where good works become natural. When faith has reached this point, it has become the substance of things hoped for. However, this does not mean that you can simply start doing good works to manipulate your desired response. The mind is beyond evil when allowed to rule without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Jeremiah 17:9) We cannot work for what God has promised, it is all of grace. This way He gets all of the glory.

In Greek substance means placed under or to stand under. In other words, it is the foundation of all things hoped for. It is the vessel that carries your hope into the natural, the unseen into that which may be seen, felt, handled and experienced. In papyri, this term was a legal term for title deed. Therefore, faith is the title deed to that for which you are believing. In law there are two types of due process: procedural and substantive or substance. The procedural aspect is the process which must be undertaken to give effect to the substance of the law. The substance is the right itself. Faith is the substance or the right to the object hoped for. Faith is the substantial entitlement that the object of your hope belongs to you.

Hope is desire with the expectation of obtaining the object of hope. Biblical hope has its basis in the promise and your acceptance. The promise must be rooted in the Word, and made alive by the Holy Spirit to you by revelation. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) Your part is acceptance in belief and trust to the point of being fully persuaded that He is able and willing to do what He said He would do. (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 4:21) This level of faith will effect a behavioral change in you. (1 John 2:5-6) When you have this kind of faith, you have the title deed to the things hoped for. (1 John 3:22)

You have title, and with title, the right of ownership, possession, and to use what you have been promised. No one has a higher right to it than you; and as such, it cannot be taken away from you, it is yours! It has been given to you by God, bought by the Blood of Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Your relationship with the Son as a co-heir secures the promise. This is because all of the promises are to the Son (Galatians 3:16), and because you are in Him, they are yes and amen to you in Him. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Moreover, it was conveyed to you through the Holy Spirit, and ratified by your acceptance. (Romans 4:20-22) Now let God deliver.

Now faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith, as identified above, becomes the proof of your claim. Remember this is not name it and claim it theology. Only God can call those things that be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) However, God is in you! (2 Corinthians 6:16) The Son is in you! (John 14:23) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is in you. (John 14:17) He reveals all truth to you and tells you of things to come. (John 16:13)

Sometimes we doubt what the Holy Spirit has revealed to us. This is common due to our fallen nature. (1 Corinthians 2:14) However, be not concerned because He will confirm His Word by two or three witnesses. (John 5:23-37; 1 John 5:6-10; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25) When He confirms His Word, you have conceived. Get ready because you may have to go through some birth pains before you get there. (Genesis 3:16)

The Bible tells us that God reveals to us the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) He does this because it is these promises that we hold on to while we are on the journey. It is these promises that encourage us to continue when the difficulty feels overwhelming. It is by these promises that we are able to exercise self-control, and yield to the Spirit so as to become partakers of His divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) It is the looking to the end that keeps us from