His Indescribable Gift
It's the Christmas season, and at this time most everyone is searching for just the right gift to give those they love.
Tonight I want to share a little about the Unspeakable gift, that God Himself has given to mankind.
This gift was in the heart of God before the foundation of the world. It was a gift only He could give. It was a gift that took on flesh and became a "Son of Man". A title Jesus used to describe Himself. Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
His gift to us was announced the day of His birth into our world. It was announced by a multitude of Heavenly Host. Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
It was announced by a sign in the heavens, a Star appeared at His birth and then guided the wise men to the place where Jesus resided.
Mat 2:9b and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Not only was His birth announced at the moment of His arrival on planet earth; it was foretold even in the garden of Eden.
Gen 3:15 and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Jesus was and is the seed. Search it out, do a word study on the Seed. Gal 3:16-19
The birth of Jesus was the most foretold, prophetic event of all of the ages. The entire history of biblically recorded events, were foreshadows of His coming.
His birth was described by Isaiah in chapter 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
This was written over 700 years before Christ.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Matt 2:6 this was also foretold over 700 years before Christ.
I want right now for you to see something with your spiritual eyes and hear this with spiritual ears. Jesus' coming is not according to man's invention. He was and is real, and He came to earth according to the time frame of God's will; He came to reconcile God with Man. He came to break down the wall of seperation from God, because of man's sin and take away the Sin Factor.
But this Gift is one that you must believe, in order to receive.
Tonight I want to show from scripture the unspeakableness, some of the magnitude of God's gift towards us.
Firstly I want you to realize how much God loves you and how throughout the ages He proclaimed this Gift of His Son for all mankind.
Secondly I want you to realize that God's desire is for you to become like Jesus by living according to His Spirit. God prepared Himself as a sacrifice for your sin so you can become the righteousness of Him. God wants you to receive His Son and All that means. Life and life abundantly.
In the first case God gave us many prophetic words from the beginning of creation.
I want you to see how the laws of compound probability work.
Each detail of a prophecy doubles the chance of the prediction not coming to pass. For instance, a prophecy with one detail, has one chance in two of fulfilment. a prophecy with two details, has one chance in four of coming to pass. This will show how impossible it is for all predictions concerning the Messiah's birth to be fulfilled other than by direct Divine Power and Will. God so loved that He gave His Son.
Chart of Compound Probability hand out.
This is a partial list of some of the predictions concerning Jesus Christ, His birth, death and resurrection.
We have already looked at a couple of scriptures. Recap.
Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled in Matt. 1:23 Written between 792-722 B.C.
A virgin shall conceive...........................................1
She shall bear a Son...............................................2
His name shall be Immanuel................................3
Micah 5:2 fulfilled Matt. 2:6 Written between 772-722 B.C.
He shall be born in Bethlehem.............................4
He is the ruler of Israel.........................................5
Some others are:
Gen 22:18 fulfilled Gal 3:8 Written about 1688 B.C.
In thy Seed shall all nations be blessed..............6
Deut 18:18 fulfilled Acts 3:22-26 Written about 1645 B.C.
God will raise up a prophet..................................7
Ps 2:7 fulfilled Acts 13:33 Written between 1500-450 B.C. by seven or more various authors
The Son of God declared to man.........................8
Ps 8:4-6 fulfilled Heb 2:9
Jesus becoming man.............................................9
Jesus' death..........................................................10
Ps 16:10 fulfilled Acts 13:35-37
Jesus's resurrection............................................11
Ps 22:18 fulfilled Matt 27:35
Casting lots for His garments............................12
Ps 41:9 fufilled John 13:18 Acts 1:6
Jesus betrayal by Judas.....................................13
Ps 45:6,7 fufilled Heb 1:8,9
Jesus, the sceptre of the Kingdom....................14
Ps 68:18 fufilled Eph 4:8-13
Jesus' ascention...................................................15
Ps 69:21 fulfilled Matt 27:34
Jesus offered vinegar and gall...........................16
Ps 78:2 fulfilled Matt 13:35
Jesus spoke in parables......................................17
Ps 110:4 fulfilled Heb 5:6
Jesus obtains the eternal priesthood................18
Ps 132:11 fulfilled Luke 1:69
Jesus born through the house of David............19
Isa 9:2 fulfilled Matt 4:15,16
Jesus ministry beyond Jordan..........................20
Isa 9:6,7 fulfilled Luke 1:32-33
Jesus called the Son of God................................21
Throne of David His............................................22
His Kingdom without end...................................23
Isa 11:10 fulfilled Rom 15:12
Jesus root of Jesse..............................................24
His reign over the gentiles.................................25
Isa 28:16 fulfilled Rom 9:31-33
Jesus as the stumbling stone.............................26
Isa 49:6 fulfilled Luke 2:32
Jesus proclaimed as the Light...........................27
Isa 53:3-6 fulfilled Acts 26:23
Jesus would suffer..............................................28
Jesus would rise from the dead........................29
Jesus would be a light........................................30
Isa 53:9 fulfilled Matt 27:57-60
Jesus would be buried with the rich................31
Zec 9:9 fulfilled Matt 21:4,5 Written between 557-525 B.C.
Jesus came to Jerusalem upon a donkey.......32
Zec 11:13 fulfilled Matt 27:9-10
Jesus betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.......33
Zec 12:10 fulfilled John 19:34
Jesus side piereced............................................34
Mal 3:1 fulfilled Matt 11:7-10 Written about 557-525 B.C. also
One going to prepare the way before Jesus..35
Hosea 11:1 fulfilled Matt 2:15 Written about 781-711 B.C.
Called out of Egypt............................................36
Num 24:17 fulfilled Heb 1:8
Jesus is the Sceptre out of Judah....................37
Remember this is only a partial list. An indepth study of prophetic scripture concerning Jesus would reveal many, many other fulfilments, that number beyond the chart I gave you.
But even with these alone, the probablilties of fulfilment would be one in 137 Billion 438 million, 953 thousand, 400 hundred and seventy-two.
I think God is trying to get our attention.
Hey! Jesus is not just a good idea. His coming was planned, His offer of Salvation is open, His suffering was for us, His resurrection is our guarantee of Salvation and Eternal life to all those who seek Him.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The unspeakable gift, is a gift that contains ALL gifts pertaining to life.
In this gift is perfect peace (Shalom) for life.
In this gift is the Key to financial freedom.
In this gift is the way to perfect health.
In this gift is the way to Eternal life.
The Everlasting Life in us is the (hope) expectation of glory. Through this gift we have God in us, and therefore ALL things become possible to one who believes. To the one who believes, God's gift works in all areas of their life and they become more than conquorers.
The gift is God's Life, God's Spirit that we receive when we ask Him into our lives. Rom 6:23. Matt 7:11 Luke 11:13
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The laws of probability put Jesus' life beyond the scope of chance, into that of the Divine will of God. God's plan of redemption in human form, God's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all the requirements for the removal of the sin nature from man. We become clothed with His Righteousness, as soon as we accept the Sacrificial Lamb of God, the One who came to take away the sins of the world.
Without entering through Jesus, there is no remision of sin. Our sin cannot be wished away, it has to be accounted for, either by Jesus, our by us. When we accept His payment then all our debts are cancelled; and Jesus becomes one with us. We receive Eternal Life. The one caution I have is that you let this word sink into your heart and accept the offer of His unspeakable Gift, Jesus. Don't throw away a gift so precious, that it cost Someone His life.
May the Grace and Peace of God become a reality in your lives this Holiday Season. Amen.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Who you are in Christ..forgetting the past.
Who you are in Christ..forgetting the past
I want you all to understand what the Word of God says to each of you who believe in Jesus Christ.
For to long the enemy has had his way in convincing the body of Christ, that we are not in victory. The enemy has fought long and hard to keep each of us enslaved in our past. Tonight I’m here to set you free by the Word of God. If God wrote the Bible, then we should take it as truth, should we not?
Then how come many of us are living life far below what the Word declares for us?
This is not going to be a message of condemnation, but rather a pointing to the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What did Jesus do on the Cross? If we are accurately dividing the Word of Truth, then all of scripture will back up the message tonight.
I believe that Jesus conquered sin,.. did He not?
I believe that Jesus conquered death,..did He not?
I believe that He also conquered sickness..did HE not?
I believe that Jesus overcame Hell and the grave.
I believe that He made ALL things new.
These are all PROMISES made in the Word to those who believe.
The problem with us, is we live according to how we feel, not according to scripture.
If we have had a bad day, then we live according to our feelings, and everyone around us suffers with our bad attitude. We haven’t learned to take authority over our circumstances and declare the goodness of God in our lives. Instead of looking at all the great promises in His Word, promises we have been given, we gripe and complain about our circumstances and how we have no victory.
Well Jesus is called the High Priest of Our confession. If we are confessing things NOT according to the Word, then Jesus cannot make them happen. The Word says “let God be True and every man a lier.” This means if we are living and proclaiming things that are in direct contrast to His Word, He will not work against His Word. We have effectively shut Him out of that area in our lives.
My desire is for us as believers to begin to recognize who we are called to be, and how we are called to live; which is Free in Christ.
My Bible says, “that whomever the Son sets Free is Free indeed.” To that I say, “Glory Hallelujah!” and ‘Amen!’
Now from scripture lets look at the life of the Apostle PAUL.
In the book of Acts we read that Saul of Tarsus was very zealous for God. In fact he was so zealous he was attempting to erase (that means kill), every believer in Jesus from his area of influence, his ‘district’ and even areas outside of his district.
Lets read this account of Saul in action from Acts 7:58-8:1-3
Then in Acts 9:1,2. We read that he went so far as to get letters from the High Priest in order to arrest those in Damascus approx. 140 miles away. Now that is zealous! Even if it was misplaced.
I want you to notice that Saul was a man who persecuted Jesus. His people, the body of Christ.
He was present at Sephens death and imprisoned others.
Now I hope most of you realize that Saul became a believer, He had an encounter with Jesus that changed him. It not only changed him as a person, but also his name was changed..he became Paul.
Jesus says that all who believe in Him are given a new name on a white stone.
We have a new name and a white stone. New identity=new name.
Rev.2:17 White stone=clean, pardoned.
A white stone was used to cast your vote in favour of a persons innocence.
A black stone was used to cast your vote as guilty.
As a believer you have a new name, and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Now back to Saul/Paul. We read that after he was healed, he immediately preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God....Acts 9:20-22.
Paul became a new creation 2Cor. 5:17 and he immediately began to proclaim freedom from the past.
Paul learned the secret to living in victory was believing what Jesus said. Jesus called Him a chosen vessel Acts 9:15. And in Acts 22:14-16 we read his commissioning. We became a ‘sent one’ an apostle.
Paul faced more challenges, persecutions and hardships, than most of us will, and yet he declared in Phill. 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
What was Paul’s secret to living victorious? How did he strengthen himself, and have such spiritual success?
The secret is found in Phill. 3:13,14. As you read, notice the italicized words are not in the original text. This is how it reads, 'Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (or laid hold of) but one thing, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
You see the secret..Paul was writing to us and revealing to us the one thing he understood or had mastered, or learned to do; this was to forget the past. Forgetting the past is the key to living in victory in the present.
The Word of God declares that Jesus is Faithful and True Rev 19:11. As our High Priest, Jesus has cleansed us from the handwriting of ordinances that were against us, blotting them out...Col 2:14.
Paul had to overcome his past and put it behind him, supernaturally declaring the promises of Jesus, the Word of God over himself.
God, once we have asked Him to forgive us of our sins, declares us to be cleansed. We become the Righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21
1 John 1:9 says, ‘ If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
These verses are key to victory. Believe what the Word declares to be true about all those who believe.
Do not let the devil deceive you into living according to your past. The past is dead and gone.
Paul had to overcome his memories of past sins, murder and persecution,. Jailing those who confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour, overseeing the death of Stephen.
I’m sure the devil was trying his best to bring him into condemnation mode and disqualify him from his True Calling which he had received. Can you imagine how the devil must have been trying to remind him of his past atrocities, to make him feel unworthy to be a minster of the gospel?
Yet somehow Paul defeated those memories. He clearly found a way to live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ which he preached.. Freedom..the good news..where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17,18. We are being transformed into His image day by day as we look at Him in the Word, and in the Spirit. Word=Scriptures Spirit=Holy Spirit inspired visions and gifts
James 1:25 Look into the perfect law of Liberty. The Word of God which sets you free in Christ Jesus, for He is the Word. See John 1:1 ...In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
2 Cor.10:4-6, ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.’
We don’t just sit around waiting for our thoughts to come into alignment with Gods’ Word, it is a battle. The devil would like to keep you under oppression and unable to accomplish Gods work in this earth. The adversary continually tries to keep us believers under a cloak of oppression and condemnation. But thanks be to God, Roman 8:1 makes this declaration, “Therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
We battle negative thoughts with the Truth of Gods Word. It isn’t enough to battle unscriptural condemning thoughts with positive scriptural thoughts. You must speak the Word of God over your life out loud. This stops your mind from thinking, and it has to listen to what your saying. So declare the Truth of what Gods word says about you!
I hope you’ve noticed most of these scriptures tonight were from Paul’s writings.
He knew the secret to living in victory. He took revenge on every memory, mental image, concept or imagination that contradicted what the Word of God said about him as a reborn, righteous, new creation in Christ.
If you want to live in victory then we need to begin to do as Paul did, take captivity every thought that exalts itself against Gods Word for your life.
We need to renew our minds through the washing of the Word.(Eph. 5:25,26.).
When we became believers in Jesus and made Him our King, our Spirits were reborn, however our minds are still carnal. Our minds need renewing in the scriptures because faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Read your bible out loud! So your ears hear the Word of God, and your spiritual ears hear the Word of God at the same time. (If they are up to it do the test.. plug your ears and say Jesus out loud, the spirit hears!.)
Our mind will try to keep bringing us back into the same old cycles of abuse, sin and defeat. This is because it hasn’t been reborn as our Spirit has, if we don’t renew the mind with Gods Word, it will feed us with thoughts and fears from the past.
Our lives are shaped by what we think, which then translates into what we decide is right or wrong, and then our decisions lead us into what we do. These thoughts from the past then determine our future. If we continually dig up the dirt from the past then we will be buried by it.
Rather forgetting the past, we reach forth to those things which are before, I PRESS on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phill. 3:14.
We either live according to the Word or the whispering lies of the enemy. We need to wield the Power of the Sword of God, which is the Word of God.
In Hebrews 4:12 we read ‘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 the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Soul=thoughts of the mind, emotions, intellect
Spirit=the believer inside you, the Eternal life force keeping you alive
If we don’t use the power of the Word to supernaturally forget those things which are behind we will be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past again, and again, and again.
You must forget the way God forgets..Psalm 103:12..put it as far from you as the east is from the west. Root it our of your memory by the blood of the Lamb, and cleanse your conscience of it forever by FAITH.
Come into agreement with the Word, believe what the Bible declares about your past life. It is dead and gone! Every sin is cleansed! Everything the devil did to you and through is gone!
2 Cor 5:17. THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. AMEN!
I want you all to understand what the Word of God says to each of you who believe in Jesus Christ.
For to long the enemy has had his way in convincing the body of Christ, that we are not in victory. The enemy has fought long and hard to keep each of us enslaved in our past. Tonight I’m here to set you free by the Word of God. If God wrote the Bible, then we should take it as truth, should we not?
Then how come many of us are living life far below what the Word declares for us?
This is not going to be a message of condemnation, but rather a pointing to the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What did Jesus do on the Cross? If we are accurately dividing the Word of Truth, then all of scripture will back up the message tonight.
I believe that Jesus conquered sin,.. did He not?
I believe that Jesus conquered death,..did He not?
I believe that He also conquered sickness..did HE not?
I believe that Jesus overcame Hell and the grave.
I believe that He made ALL things new.
These are all PROMISES made in the Word to those who believe.
The problem with us, is we live according to how we feel, not according to scripture.
If we have had a bad day, then we live according to our feelings, and everyone around us suffers with our bad attitude. We haven’t learned to take authority over our circumstances and declare the goodness of God in our lives. Instead of looking at all the great promises in His Word, promises we have been given, we gripe and complain about our circumstances and how we have no victory.
Well Jesus is called the High Priest of Our confession. If we are confessing things NOT according to the Word, then Jesus cannot make them happen. The Word says “let God be True and every man a lier.” This means if we are living and proclaiming things that are in direct contrast to His Word, He will not work against His Word. We have effectively shut Him out of that area in our lives.
My desire is for us as believers to begin to recognize who we are called to be, and how we are called to live; which is Free in Christ.
My Bible says, “that whomever the Son sets Free is Free indeed.” To that I say, “Glory Hallelujah!” and ‘Amen!’
Now from scripture lets look at the life of the Apostle PAUL.
In the book of Acts we read that Saul of Tarsus was very zealous for God. In fact he was so zealous he was attempting to erase (that means kill), every believer in Jesus from his area of influence, his ‘district’ and even areas outside of his district.
Lets read this account of Saul in action from Acts 7:58-8:1-3
Then in Acts 9:1,2. We read that he went so far as to get letters from the High Priest in order to arrest those in Damascus approx. 140 miles away. Now that is zealous! Even if it was misplaced.
I want you to notice that Saul was a man who persecuted Jesus. His people, the body of Christ.
He was present at Sephens death and imprisoned others.
Now I hope most of you realize that Saul became a believer, He had an encounter with Jesus that changed him. It not only changed him as a person, but also his name was changed..he became Paul.
Jesus says that all who believe in Him are given a new name on a white stone.
We have a new name and a white stone. New identity=new name.
Rev.2:17 White stone=clean, pardoned.
A white stone was used to cast your vote in favour of a persons innocence.
A black stone was used to cast your vote as guilty.
As a believer you have a new name, and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Now back to Saul/Paul. We read that after he was healed, he immediately preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God....Acts 9:20-22.
Paul became a new creation 2Cor. 5:17 and he immediately began to proclaim freedom from the past.
Paul learned the secret to living in victory was believing what Jesus said. Jesus called Him a chosen vessel Acts 9:15. And in Acts 22:14-16 we read his commissioning. We became a ‘sent one’ an apostle.
Paul faced more challenges, persecutions and hardships, than most of us will, and yet he declared in Phill. 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
What was Paul’s secret to living victorious? How did he strengthen himself, and have such spiritual success?
The secret is found in Phill. 3:13,14. As you read, notice the italicized words are not in the original text. This is how it reads, 'Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (or laid hold of) but one thing, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
You see the secret..Paul was writing to us and revealing to us the one thing he understood or had mastered, or learned to do; this was to forget the past. Forgetting the past is the key to living in victory in the present.
The Word of God declares that Jesus is Faithful and True Rev 19:11. As our High Priest, Jesus has cleansed us from the handwriting of ordinances that were against us, blotting them out...Col 2:14.
Paul had to overcome his past and put it behind him, supernaturally declaring the promises of Jesus, the Word of God over himself.
God, once we have asked Him to forgive us of our sins, declares us to be cleansed. We become the Righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21
1 John 1:9 says, ‘ If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
These verses are key to victory. Believe what the Word declares to be true about all those who believe.
Do not let the devil deceive you into living according to your past. The past is dead and gone.
Paul had to overcome his memories of past sins, murder and persecution,. Jailing those who confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour, overseeing the death of Stephen.
I’m sure the devil was trying his best to bring him into condemnation mode and disqualify him from his True Calling which he had received. Can you imagine how the devil must have been trying to remind him of his past atrocities, to make him feel unworthy to be a minster of the gospel?
Yet somehow Paul defeated those memories. He clearly found a way to live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ which he preached.. Freedom..the good news..where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17,18. We are being transformed into His image day by day as we look at Him in the Word, and in the Spirit. Word=Scriptures Spirit=Holy Spirit inspired visions and gifts
James 1:25 Look into the perfect law of Liberty. The Word of God which sets you free in Christ Jesus, for He is the Word. See John 1:1 ...In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
2 Cor.10:4-6, ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.’
We don’t just sit around waiting for our thoughts to come into alignment with Gods’ Word, it is a battle. The devil would like to keep you under oppression and unable to accomplish Gods work in this earth. The adversary continually tries to keep us believers under a cloak of oppression and condemnation. But thanks be to God, Roman 8:1 makes this declaration, “Therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
We battle negative thoughts with the Truth of Gods Word. It isn’t enough to battle unscriptural condemning thoughts with positive scriptural thoughts. You must speak the Word of God over your life out loud. This stops your mind from thinking, and it has to listen to what your saying. So declare the Truth of what Gods word says about you!
I hope you’ve noticed most of these scriptures tonight were from Paul’s writings.
He knew the secret to living in victory. He took revenge on every memory, mental image, concept or imagination that contradicted what the Word of God said about him as a reborn, righteous, new creation in Christ.
If you want to live in victory then we need to begin to do as Paul did, take captivity every thought that exalts itself against Gods Word for your life.
We need to renew our minds through the washing of the Word.(Eph. 5:25,26.).
When we became believers in Jesus and made Him our King, our Spirits were reborn, however our minds are still carnal. Our minds need renewing in the scriptures because faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Read your bible out loud! So your ears hear the Word of God, and your spiritual ears hear the Word of God at the same time. (If they are up to it do the test.. plug your ears and say Jesus out loud, the spirit hears!.)
Our mind will try to keep bringing us back into the same old cycles of abuse, sin and defeat. This is because it hasn’t been reborn as our Spirit has, if we don’t renew the mind with Gods Word, it will feed us with thoughts and fears from the past.
Our lives are shaped by what we think, which then translates into what we decide is right or wrong, and then our decisions lead us into what we do. These thoughts from the past then determine our future. If we continually dig up the dirt from the past then we will be buried by it.
Rather forgetting the past, we reach forth to those things which are before, I PRESS on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phill. 3:14.
We either live according to the Word or the whispering lies of the enemy. We need to wield the Power of the Sword of God, which is the Word of God.
In Hebrews 4:12 we read ‘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 the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Soul=thoughts of the mind, emotions, intellect
Spirit=the believer inside you, the Eternal life force keeping you alive
If we don’t use the power of the Word to supernaturally forget those things which are behind we will be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past again, and again, and again.
You must forget the way God forgets..Psalm 103:12..put it as far from you as the east is from the west. Root it our of your memory by the blood of the Lamb, and cleanse your conscience of it forever by FAITH.
Come into agreement with the Word, believe what the Bible declares about your past life. It is dead and gone! Every sin is cleansed! Everything the devil did to you and through is gone!
2 Cor 5:17. THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. AMEN!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Scripturally Seeking, but missing
John 7:37-John 8:1
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them,
51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
53 And everyone went to his own house.
John 8:1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus cried out with a loud voice. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
His invitation stands today, as it did then. Drink deep, by faith. Jesus is and has always been the spiritual drink that satisfies. He sends the living water, the wellspring of Life, the Holy Spirit who fills and satisfies. It is the Spirit of God, that we are invited to partake of.
Back in Exodus 17:6 we find that Moses struck the Rock, and the water flowed out, enough for millions of the Israelites to drink and be filled. This first incident was a type for the suffering of Jesus. An Old Testament sign that pre-figured the bruising and wounds that Jesus was to suffer.
It was on the Cross that Jesus fulfilled the curse of the Law, and His blood flowed. Blood shed for all; everyone still has the ability to accept Jesus as their Saviour. Those that do accept Jesus, are cleansed in a River, a River of Jesus' Blood. Baptised with Him in Death and raised to Life in Christ. Amen.
As you look back to Numbers 20:8, we find that in this example, Moses was commanded to speak to the Rock.
verse8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”
This is also an example for us of what Jesus promised, "Ask of me and I will give you rivers of living water." In this type we see that all we need to do is ask. We need no longer beat against the 'gates of heaven' trying twist God's arm to give us something He already promised.
The first incident= Jesus on the Cross released the cleansing flood. He took away the handwriting of ordinances that were against us.
The second incident= Jesus releases the Holy Spirit upon those that diligently seek Him. Those that are diligentlyy seeking will find Him. By diligently seeking, I don't mean that we need to beat ourselves up trying to do penance, to make ourselves acceptable to God. We can never make ourselves acceptable by our actions, it was His actions that have redeemed us and made us clean. Our past failures or regrets have no bearing on our acceptance by God. God looks to see if we have accepted His Son's purchase of freedom for us. If we have, then we are accepted. Stop trying to gain what is freely given to you by God. This is the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. He has done it for us. Diligently seeking is our reading His Word, the Bible, then believing the promises written there. Receiving it as the Truth of God into our hearts. We are then able to meditate on those great and precious promises. The more we believe, then earnestly desire for them to be given to us; the more we meet the requirements for the overflowing power of the Holy Spirit to be released into our hearts and lives.
On the other hand the Pharisees of the day railed against Jesus. They struck against the Rock, and so missed out on the promisd land. Using the scriptures against Jesus, they actively persuaded people to put away His teachings as the ravings of a demoniac. John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keep the law? Why go ye about to kill me? John 7:20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
They also used scripture to try and prove that Jesus was not the Christ, the anointed one. See in John 7:52.. They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
The very ones who had been given the key, used it to lock up the people from entering into the Kingdom. In Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, experts of the law, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
By this word we see that that the authority you submit to, rules you. We either are submitted to what Jesus and the Word declares, or we are submitted to others opinions, doctrines, or our own thoughts andbeliefss. Don't let these influences rule you, if the Bible says otherwise. It takes a renewing of our mind to live in the fullness of the Promises of the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk from darkness into the Light of all that is available. The Promises of God are Yes! and Amen! to those who believe. 2Co 1:20
Don't let your doctrines rule if the Bible says otherwise. Walk into freedom.
Submit unto Jesus, and His Truth. Speak to the Rock, and ask for the waters of the Holy Spirit baptism to be released into your life. Drink of that spiritual drink that only satisfies the soul.
It is the anointing that destroys the yoke. Free yourself from unscriptural teachings, or twisted scriptural teachings that rail against the Truth of Jesus' words. Today is the day of Salvation, ask Jesus to be you Saviour. Ask for His Spirit to indwell you, let your body become the Temple of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 6:19.
Be cleansed, be healed, be Holy. Stop holding onto your sins and let them go.
For those who have already accepted Jesus as Christ the Saviour; You are no longer held in bondage. Sin and sin-conscienceness of the past, must be destroyed from your life. Walk in the newness of the Resurrection Power of God. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. see Romans 8:11
As a believer you have died to the flesh, so that Jesus may live in you. Romans 8:9
You have truly been raised from death to life. You have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
I urge you to go forth as the Redeemded of the Lord and let our Light so shine. Amen.
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them,
51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
53 And everyone went to his own house.
John 8:1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus cried out with a loud voice. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
His invitation stands today, as it did then. Drink deep, by faith. Jesus is and has always been the spiritual drink that satisfies. He sends the living water, the wellspring of Life, the Holy Spirit who fills and satisfies. It is the Spirit of God, that we are invited to partake of.
Back in Exodus 17:6 we find that Moses struck the Rock, and the water flowed out, enough for millions of the Israelites to drink and be filled. This first incident was a type for the suffering of Jesus. An Old Testament sign that pre-figured the bruising and wounds that Jesus was to suffer.
It was on the Cross that Jesus fulfilled the curse of the Law, and His blood flowed. Blood shed for all; everyone still has the ability to accept Jesus as their Saviour. Those that do accept Jesus, are cleansed in a River, a River of Jesus' Blood. Baptised with Him in Death and raised to Life in Christ. Amen.
As you look back to Numbers 20:8, we find that in this example, Moses was commanded to speak to the Rock.
verse8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”
This is also an example for us of what Jesus promised, "Ask of me and I will give you rivers of living water." In this type we see that all we need to do is ask. We need no longer beat against the 'gates of heaven' trying twist God's arm to give us something He already promised.
The first incident= Jesus on the Cross released the cleansing flood. He took away the handwriting of ordinances that were against us.
The second incident= Jesus releases the Holy Spirit upon those that diligently seek Him. Those that are diligentlyy seeking will find Him. By diligently seeking, I don't mean that we need to beat ourselves up trying to do penance, to make ourselves acceptable to God. We can never make ourselves acceptable by our actions, it was His actions that have redeemed us and made us clean. Our past failures or regrets have no bearing on our acceptance by God. God looks to see if we have accepted His Son's purchase of freedom for us. If we have, then we are accepted. Stop trying to gain what is freely given to you by God. This is the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. He has done it for us. Diligently seeking is our reading His Word, the Bible, then believing the promises written there. Receiving it as the Truth of God into our hearts. We are then able to meditate on those great and precious promises. The more we believe, then earnestly desire for them to be given to us; the more we meet the requirements for the overflowing power of the Holy Spirit to be released into our hearts and lives.
On the other hand the Pharisees of the day railed against Jesus. They struck against the Rock, and so missed out on the promisd land. Using the scriptures against Jesus, they actively persuaded people to put away His teachings as the ravings of a demoniac. John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keep the law? Why go ye about to kill me? John 7:20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
They also used scripture to try and prove that Jesus was not the Christ, the anointed one. See in John 7:52.. They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
The very ones who had been given the key, used it to lock up the people from entering into the Kingdom. In Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, experts of the law, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
By this word we see that that the authority you submit to, rules you. We either are submitted to what Jesus and the Word declares, or we are submitted to others opinions, doctrines, or our own thoughts andbeliefss. Don't let these influences rule you, if the Bible says otherwise. It takes a renewing of our mind to live in the fullness of the Promises of the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk from darkness into the Light of all that is available. The Promises of God are Yes! and Amen! to those who believe. 2Co 1:20
Don't let your doctrines rule if the Bible says otherwise. Walk into freedom.
Submit unto Jesus, and His Truth. Speak to the Rock, and ask for the waters of the Holy Spirit baptism to be released into your life. Drink of that spiritual drink that only satisfies the soul.
It is the anointing that destroys the yoke. Free yourself from unscriptural teachings, or twisted scriptural teachings that rail against the Truth of Jesus' words. Today is the day of Salvation, ask Jesus to be you Saviour. Ask for His Spirit to indwell you, let your body become the Temple of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 6:19.
Be cleansed, be healed, be Holy. Stop holding onto your sins and let them go.
For those who have already accepted Jesus as Christ the Saviour; You are no longer held in bondage. Sin and sin-conscienceness of the past, must be destroyed from your life. Walk in the newness of the Resurrection Power of God. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. see Romans 8:11
As a believer you have died to the flesh, so that Jesus may live in you. Romans 8:9
You have truly been raised from death to life. You have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
I urge you to go forth as the Redeemded of the Lord and let our Light so shine. Amen.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Firm Foundaton
A Firm Foundation
Jesus based our foundation upon the Word of God. However it is not just knowing what it says, that makes a strong foundation. It is doing what it says.
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
The emphasis is upon the hearing of God's Word, then the proper response to the hearing becomes going out and doing God's Word.
This doing the Word, is what establishes the foundation of faith. Stepping out and doing what you read in the Bible, creates an atmosphere for God to confirm His Word. Our faith then grows, as we become a doer of the word, not a hearer only. As we are anchored to Jesus as our Rock, His Spirit in us, is the creative power of God that flows out from us to others.
Jesus is our 'role model'. He came as the Word to demonstrate man's potential to be yielded to the Holy Spirit, and operate according to the Word of the Father. How Jesus acted, is our example, and foundation.
Notice in the above passage of scripture, that the storm beat upon each house the same way. It wasn't the storm that caused the destruction of the one house more than the other. Let me rephrase that for better clarity. The storm wasn't any more destructive in it's intensity against the house that fell, than against the house that stood. The difference was in the foundation.
One had a foundation built upon the Rock. Faith in Jesus, faith in God's word. The other did not.
There are many ways we may erode our foundation. Reading the bible, then adopting a doubt filled attitude. Such as, "I can't believe that is true."
"Maybe Jesus could do that, but I can't." Or, "Jesus said that, but I don't see how that could happen."
These thoughts disqualify us from being a doer of the Word, because without faith it is impossible to please God. We need a new way of believing, it is called RISK. Step out in faith, but make your foundation sure first. Read and pray until you come to the knowing that God is with you. Accept Jesus as the Lord of your life. Ask Him to live in you, then through you by His Spirit; The Comforter.
The receiving of Jesus as your Saviour is fundamental to living by Faith. Get to know Him as your personal Saviour. Read the Word to find out what it truly available to those who believe. Let the word of God become your foundation. Become strong in order to withstand the storms of life.
Pressure comes in many different forms. There is financial pressure, physical pressure, and emotional pressure. If you are under pressure in any area of your life, then you need to have a verse of scripture that is your foundation. Something to stand on when the winds are blowing, and the rain is falling and everything looks like it is impossible.
It is never to late, to begin building a strong foundation. Under gird your house with the Rock. Believe in the Word of God. Get so strong, that when a giant raises up against you, you have the Sword of the Spirit in your hand ready to chop off his head.
Our combat is clearly revealed in Ephesians 6:13-18a.
13 oTherefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 sand having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,...
Above all, the shield of faith. Faith quenches those fiery darts, the thoughts that are aimed at you, the words that are spoken against you by others. People saying things that are contrary to what God says about you. In this world, those that do not have their minds renewed by scripture, always expect the worst. They expect the worst to happen not only to them but everyone else. Learn to cut off these words, declare the goodness of God over your life. Feed on the Word of God, it is health to your bones and life to your flesh. It is Light for your path. It is the Foundation of your walk. Amen.
Jesus based our foundation upon the Word of God. However it is not just knowing what it says, that makes a strong foundation. It is doing what it says.
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
The emphasis is upon the hearing of God's Word, then the proper response to the hearing becomes going out and doing God's Word.
This doing the Word, is what establishes the foundation of faith. Stepping out and doing what you read in the Bible, creates an atmosphere for God to confirm His Word. Our faith then grows, as we become a doer of the word, not a hearer only. As we are anchored to Jesus as our Rock, His Spirit in us, is the creative power of God that flows out from us to others.
Jesus is our 'role model'. He came as the Word to demonstrate man's potential to be yielded to the Holy Spirit, and operate according to the Word of the Father. How Jesus acted, is our example, and foundation.
Notice in the above passage of scripture, that the storm beat upon each house the same way. It wasn't the storm that caused the destruction of the one house more than the other. Let me rephrase that for better clarity. The storm wasn't any more destructive in it's intensity against the house that fell, than against the house that stood. The difference was in the foundation.
One had a foundation built upon the Rock. Faith in Jesus, faith in God's word. The other did not.
There are many ways we may erode our foundation. Reading the bible, then adopting a doubt filled attitude. Such as, "I can't believe that is true."
"Maybe Jesus could do that, but I can't." Or, "Jesus said that, but I don't see how that could happen."
These thoughts disqualify us from being a doer of the Word, because without faith it is impossible to please God. We need a new way of believing, it is called RISK. Step out in faith, but make your foundation sure first. Read and pray until you come to the knowing that God is with you. Accept Jesus as the Lord of your life. Ask Him to live in you, then through you by His Spirit; The Comforter.
The receiving of Jesus as your Saviour is fundamental to living by Faith. Get to know Him as your personal Saviour. Read the Word to find out what it truly available to those who believe. Let the word of God become your foundation. Become strong in order to withstand the storms of life.
Pressure comes in many different forms. There is financial pressure, physical pressure, and emotional pressure. If you are under pressure in any area of your life, then you need to have a verse of scripture that is your foundation. Something to stand on when the winds are blowing, and the rain is falling and everything looks like it is impossible.
It is never to late, to begin building a strong foundation. Under gird your house with the Rock. Believe in the Word of God. Get so strong, that when a giant raises up against you, you have the Sword of the Spirit in your hand ready to chop off his head.
Our combat is clearly revealed in Ephesians 6:13-18a.
13 oTherefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 sand having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,...
Above all, the shield of faith. Faith quenches those fiery darts, the thoughts that are aimed at you, the words that are spoken against you by others. People saying things that are contrary to what God says about you. In this world, those that do not have their minds renewed by scripture, always expect the worst. They expect the worst to happen not only to them but everyone else. Learn to cut off these words, declare the goodness of God over your life. Feed on the Word of God, it is health to your bones and life to your flesh. It is Light for your path. It is the Foundation of your walk. Amen.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Love or Hate
Love and Hate
John 15:17-20
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
For God so loved..John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God so loved, He gave. He is still giving today. Today we have two choices or responses to the TRUTH=Jesus.
Embrace all that God is giving with open arms. Love what is being done on the earth in and by the Name of Jesus or reject it, sometimes with extreme prejudice.
The Lukewarm state is not a desirable option. see Rev 3:15,16. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
The Laodicians aqueduct system consisted of two springs, one hot, one cold at the source. However, by the time the water had traveled from the top of the area down the gravity feed pipes, at the bottom is was lukewarm. Not very palatable or tasty. I prefer cold water to quench my thirst, how about you? I freeze my water the night before heading out to the job site so it will stay cold during the heat of the day.It may melt during the course of the day, but it stays cold. In the winter I take a thermos to keep hot drinks hot, and warm me up when I get cold.
God desires a person consumed with the fire of God, a burning ember that will allow the Holy Spirit to fame the flames of Faith.
John 17:20-23
20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
The Glory the Father gave Jesus. He, Jesus, has given to all those who will believe. That we may be One with the God.
And filled with the Love of God, verse 26.
Speak in Love, with a pure heart. Even when others speak evil of you and your beliefs, you stand firm, rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit that operates in you. It is the anointing that causes the "Ruckus". When God begins to confirm His Word with miracles, healings, and signs. A demonstration of God's love and goodness occur bringing things such as Gold teeth, gold dust, angel feathers, people being touched by the Power of the Holy Spirit, backs and shoulders healed, virus' destroyed, such as fevers, flue symptoms, and colds. All these things and many more cause a disturbance, both in the natural realm and the spiritual realm.
You would think a demonstration of God's willingness to be Glorified to the world would bring rejoicing. Not always the case!
These kinds of occurrences bring with them an opposition and hatred from those who have hidden realms of sin and unbelief. They even quote scripture, most often out of context to prove their opinions and lack of faith. Sometimes they are operating in a judgemental and envious spirit, which seeks to destroy that which they do not understand or control.
God is not under our control, we cannot manipulate Him to do our bidding. His Word is Truth, and it will stand, and bring forth its purposes and yield good fruit.
Biblical examples of opposition.
Jesus in Matthew 12:10-14
Mat 12:10 And,behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? That they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you,that shall have one sheep,and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day,will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Mat 12:13 Then saith he to the man,Stretch forth thine hand. And5 he stretched it forth; it was restored whole,like as the other.
Mat 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out,and held a council against him,how they might destroy him.
Jesus did not fit the box and viewpoint of the Pharisees, therefore they rejected Him and plotted to destroy Him. When God moves in Power and miracles happen, it stretches our faith to accept things we cannot explain or control. We either run to God and desire Him more, or in the case of the Pharisees we reject what we do not understand and condemn it.
In verse 15 it reads;
Mat 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
Notice that many are attracted to Jesus because of the demonstration of God's Power and Goodness, His ability to show the willingness of God to heal.
Second example is of the Disciples:
Acts 3:6-9
Act 3:6 Then Peter said,Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Act 3:7 And he took him by the right hand,and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Act 3:8 And he leaping up stood,and walked,and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Act 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
In this example the miracles stir up the people so much they ran towards them in order to hear the Way of Salvation.
Act 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's,greatly wondering.
In this great recorded event from the book of Acts, we see that from this incident 5000 are added to the body of Christ.
Act 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Many willingly embraced the Way of Salvation, and glorified God when shown how Jesus heals; the same is true today.
In the same manner the opposition to this whole salvation message is still in operation today.
Acts 4:9-12
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified,whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Salvation is the Greek word SOZO
G4982 to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
G4991 noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
In every use it refers to the entire person- spirit, soul and body being made whole.
In verse 18
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Verse 21
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Tension occurs..the lost and hungry ones searching for God are moved by the miracle and glorify and magnify God.
The prideful and envious threaten the believers; they operate out of jealousy, and a desire to return to the old ways of worshipping God. An outdated method had been done away with by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Sometimes the opposition occurs by those who would like to be able to control their God. If He is doing something that does not fit their viewpoint, then it couldn't be God. I pray for the spirit of wisdom to bring people into oneness with all that God is doing. To embrace the otherworldly nature of a Supernatural being, that operates outside the limitations of our understanding.
I pray for boldness to preach and teach the word of God and expect the anointing of the Holy Spirit to confirm His Word with signs and wonders. Miracles that testify to Jesus' Kingdom being established on this earth, by those who dare to believe.
This is exactly the prayer from the bible that the early followers prayed in Acts 4:29-30
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
They prayed in one accord, and the Holy Spirit came in Power and the place was shaking, and they received the boldness from God to continue despite opposition, threats, flogging, and public stonings.
When you embrace all that God desires to give to His children, then things begin to shake, and miracles happen.
Acts 5:16,17
Act 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
G2323 therapeuō
From the same as G2324; to wait upon menially, that is, (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specifically) to relieve (of disease): - cure, heal, worship.
Once again as miracles happen, opposition occurs. Root of this is jealousy. More recognition by the people for those moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit than those already established in minstry but lacking power.
verse 17
Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
G2205
From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice): - emulation, envy (-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.
Now our choice is either to respond in Love or Hate.
Love which forgives or hate resulting in bitterness, and jealousy.
Acts 5:40-42
Act 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
After being beaten and commanded to keep silent about Jesus. They counted it a joy to suffer for Jesus, and were bold to continue daily preaching, and teaching Jesus in the temple and in every house.
For the Love of God constrains us.
We desire to share the Goodness of God, the Glory of Jesus' Name for today, and the share in the sufferings of bringing the true gospel of Jesus Christ complete with helps/gifts of the Holy Ghost.
So today those who need healing in their bodies
Those who want a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit for their lives
And those who want to experience the spiritual renewal of their souls/salvation through Jesus Christ.
I pray for boldness..step out.
Be blessed today and every day. Amen!
John 15:17-20
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
For God so loved..John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God so loved, He gave. He is still giving today. Today we have two choices or responses to the TRUTH=Jesus.
Embrace all that God is giving with open arms. Love what is being done on the earth in and by the Name of Jesus or reject it, sometimes with extreme prejudice.
The Lukewarm state is not a desirable option. see Rev 3:15,16. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
The Laodicians aqueduct system consisted of two springs, one hot, one cold at the source. However, by the time the water had traveled from the top of the area down the gravity feed pipes, at the bottom is was lukewarm. Not very palatable or tasty. I prefer cold water to quench my thirst, how about you? I freeze my water the night before heading out to the job site so it will stay cold during the heat of the day.It may melt during the course of the day, but it stays cold. In the winter I take a thermos to keep hot drinks hot, and warm me up when I get cold.
God desires a person consumed with the fire of God, a burning ember that will allow the Holy Spirit to fame the flames of Faith.
John 17:20-23
20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
The Glory the Father gave Jesus. He, Jesus, has given to all those who will believe. That we may be One with the God.
And filled with the Love of God, verse 26.
Speak in Love, with a pure heart. Even when others speak evil of you and your beliefs, you stand firm, rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit that operates in you. It is the anointing that causes the "Ruckus". When God begins to confirm His Word with miracles, healings, and signs. A demonstration of God's love and goodness occur bringing things such as Gold teeth, gold dust, angel feathers, people being touched by the Power of the Holy Spirit, backs and shoulders healed, virus' destroyed, such as fevers, flue symptoms, and colds. All these things and many more cause a disturbance, both in the natural realm and the spiritual realm.
You would think a demonstration of God's willingness to be Glorified to the world would bring rejoicing. Not always the case!
These kinds of occurrences bring with them an opposition and hatred from those who have hidden realms of sin and unbelief. They even quote scripture, most often out of context to prove their opinions and lack of faith. Sometimes they are operating in a judgemental and envious spirit, which seeks to destroy that which they do not understand or control.
God is not under our control, we cannot manipulate Him to do our bidding. His Word is Truth, and it will stand, and bring forth its purposes and yield good fruit.
Biblical examples of opposition.
Jesus in Matthew 12:10-14
Mat 12:10 And,behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? That they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you,that shall have one sheep,and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day,will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Mat 12:13 Then saith he to the man,Stretch forth thine hand. And5 he stretched it forth; it was restored whole,like as the other.
Mat 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out,and held a council against him,how they might destroy him.
Jesus did not fit the box and viewpoint of the Pharisees, therefore they rejected Him and plotted to destroy Him. When God moves in Power and miracles happen, it stretches our faith to accept things we cannot explain or control. We either run to God and desire Him more, or in the case of the Pharisees we reject what we do not understand and condemn it.
In verse 15 it reads;
Mat 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
Notice that many are attracted to Jesus because of the demonstration of God's Power and Goodness, His ability to show the willingness of God to heal.
Second example is of the Disciples:
Acts 3:6-9
Act 3:6 Then Peter said,Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Act 3:7 And he took him by the right hand,and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Act 3:8 And he leaping up stood,and walked,and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Act 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
In this example the miracles stir up the people so much they ran towards them in order to hear the Way of Salvation.
Act 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's,greatly wondering.
In this great recorded event from the book of Acts, we see that from this incident 5000 are added to the body of Christ.
Act 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Many willingly embraced the Way of Salvation, and glorified God when shown how Jesus heals; the same is true today.
In the same manner the opposition to this whole salvation message is still in operation today.
Acts 4:9-12
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified,whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Salvation is the Greek word SOZO
G4982 to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
G4991 noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
In every use it refers to the entire person- spirit, soul and body being made whole.
In verse 18
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Verse 21
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Tension occurs..the lost and hungry ones searching for God are moved by the miracle and glorify and magnify God.
The prideful and envious threaten the believers; they operate out of jealousy, and a desire to return to the old ways of worshipping God. An outdated method had been done away with by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Sometimes the opposition occurs by those who would like to be able to control their God. If He is doing something that does not fit their viewpoint, then it couldn't be God. I pray for the spirit of wisdom to bring people into oneness with all that God is doing. To embrace the otherworldly nature of a Supernatural being, that operates outside the limitations of our understanding.
I pray for boldness to preach and teach the word of God and expect the anointing of the Holy Spirit to confirm His Word with signs and wonders. Miracles that testify to Jesus' Kingdom being established on this earth, by those who dare to believe.
This is exactly the prayer from the bible that the early followers prayed in Acts 4:29-30
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
They prayed in one accord, and the Holy Spirit came in Power and the place was shaking, and they received the boldness from God to continue despite opposition, threats, flogging, and public stonings.
When you embrace all that God desires to give to His children, then things begin to shake, and miracles happen.
Acts 5:16,17
Act 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
G2323 therapeuō
From the same as G2324; to wait upon menially, that is, (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specifically) to relieve (of disease): - cure, heal, worship.
Once again as miracles happen, opposition occurs. Root of this is jealousy. More recognition by the people for those moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit than those already established in minstry but lacking power.
verse 17
Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
G2205
From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice): - emulation, envy (-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.
Now our choice is either to respond in Love or Hate.
Love which forgives or hate resulting in bitterness, and jealousy.
Acts 5:40-42
Act 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
After being beaten and commanded to keep silent about Jesus. They counted it a joy to suffer for Jesus, and were bold to continue daily preaching, and teaching Jesus in the temple and in every house.
For the Love of God constrains us.
We desire to share the Goodness of God, the Glory of Jesus' Name for today, and the share in the sufferings of bringing the true gospel of Jesus Christ complete with helps/gifts of the Holy Ghost.
So today those who need healing in their bodies
Those who want a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit for their lives
And those who want to experience the spiritual renewal of their souls/salvation through Jesus Christ.
I pray for boldness..step out.
Be blessed today and every day. Amen!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jesus our role model
Jesus our Role Model
Clothed in His Righteousness..
Ephesians 4:23,24..and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Surrounded by His Presence..Acts 2:28.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
Psalm 16:9
You will show me the hpath of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore
Walking in His Armour......Romans 13:12
Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Jesus is our model.
Jesus absorbed the scriptures from a young age....never too late to start reading and meditating on scriptures.
Jesus prayed with His Father by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was baptized unto repentance by John the Baptist. After a public demonstration of His willingness to surrender all; then the Heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended and God spoke.
Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and 2He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Note that the Father spoke His blessing over Jesus, before Jesus had done one miracle; before He began His ministry.
Jesus fasted 40 days. Fasting is New Testament.
Jesus overcame trials, tests, and temptations by the confession OUT LOUD of scriptures. He understood the authority of the Word of God. God's Word is final, whether you use it or not determines your outcome.
When the devil was tempting Jesus, was he in physical form, or, did he cause thoughts to come into the mind of Jesus?
When Jesus was conversing with the devil, did people see the devil? Or was Jesus apparently speaking Out Loud to nothing (thin air). Nothing visible to the physical eye.
Jesus was warring in the spirit realm. The unseen realm.
God is a Spirit. His heavens include, angels, and all manner of unseen beings. Such as , the Four Living Creatures, Cherubim, Seraphim, arch-Angels, horses with chariots, wheels within wheels, thrones that move.
All these things are spiritual material, but are unseen. Because we do not normally see them with our physical eyes, that doesn't mean that they are any less real.
In fact, the unseen realm is a higher realm than the seen realm.
It is in Spiritual discernment that we observe and then defeat the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12..For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We have the right and ability to speak FAITH words, backed by the authority of God's Word and see victory!
Jesus battled three tests.
Doubt- “If you are the Son of God”
The devil knew Jesus was the Son of God, likewise he knows we are now Sons of God; but if he makes you doubt your authority, then you become weak and defenseless.
Know the scriptures..Jesus didn't waste time trying to prove He was the Son of God. He did however defeat the temptations.
1)To use the Anointing of the Holy Spirit for the wrong reasons and purposes. Turn stones to bread. His response was, “God sustains us by every word that proceeds from His mouth.”
2)To use a public demonstration of His Power in order to impress people and gain an instant following. It was actually a 'form', a demonstration used by others who were attempting to gather followers. History shows us that many others during this time had lept from the pinnacle of the Temple in failed attempts to prove they were the Messiah. His response, “Don't tempt the Lord your God.” Meaning, don't try and make God establish you by trying to do things others have wrongly attempted.
3)Temptation of using a shortcut to gain a worldly kingdom and people's worship by-passing the Cross and the sin-bearing punishment He knew was coming upon Him. Response-Worship God only and serve Him only.
Thank God, Jesus was focused on His calling, His Son-ship, His coming to be sacrificed for our sin.
Jesus knew His Purpose.
Jesus knew His Father.
Jesus knew His ultimate victory was promised and assured.
Jesus is our role model.
His life is an example of a man living in total communion with his Heavenly Father, and fully filled and dependent upon the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew the word and believed it.
He acted on and fulfilled every promise given.
His fulfillment of every purpose was declared by Himself to witnesses as he was on the Cross, by the LOUD declaration' “It is finished!”
This means everything necessary and required was accomplished by Him.
Everything lost in the fall of Adam, is now returned.
Our need is to recognize His Dominion, His Kingdom is established in us!
Jesus ascension to the throne has caused a new spiritual reality..The Kingdom .
Pentecost- the instructions given were Acts 1:4,5 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
As believers we need personal Pentecost. We need the Holy Spirit in Power upon us and in us.
Remember, Jesus is our model. We need to make Isaiah 61:1,2 our declaration.
61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
This is our declaration for today.
Jesus opened the Way.
The veil has been torn.
The Holy Spirit is given to those who earnestly desire and wait for this Precious Gift of God.
The altar is open,..sacrifice your old man, your old ways of living...and receive ALL of God's Goodness!! Amen.
Clothed in His Righteousness..
Ephesians 4:23,24..and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Surrounded by His Presence..Acts 2:28.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
Psalm 16:9
You will show me the hpath of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore
Walking in His Armour......Romans 13:12
Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Jesus is our model.
Jesus absorbed the scriptures from a young age....never too late to start reading and meditating on scriptures.
Jesus prayed with His Father by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was baptized unto repentance by John the Baptist. After a public demonstration of His willingness to surrender all; then the Heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended and God spoke.
Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and 2He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Note that the Father spoke His blessing over Jesus, before Jesus had done one miracle; before He began His ministry.
Jesus fasted 40 days. Fasting is New Testament.
Jesus overcame trials, tests, and temptations by the confession OUT LOUD of scriptures. He understood the authority of the Word of God. God's Word is final, whether you use it or not determines your outcome.
When the devil was tempting Jesus, was he in physical form, or, did he cause thoughts to come into the mind of Jesus?
When Jesus was conversing with the devil, did people see the devil? Or was Jesus apparently speaking Out Loud to nothing (thin air). Nothing visible to the physical eye.
Jesus was warring in the spirit realm. The unseen realm.
God is a Spirit. His heavens include, angels, and all manner of unseen beings. Such as , the Four Living Creatures, Cherubim, Seraphim, arch-Angels, horses with chariots, wheels within wheels, thrones that move.
All these things are spiritual material, but are unseen. Because we do not normally see them with our physical eyes, that doesn't mean that they are any less real.
In fact, the unseen realm is a higher realm than the seen realm.
It is in Spiritual discernment that we observe and then defeat the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12..For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We have the right and ability to speak FAITH words, backed by the authority of God's Word and see victory!
Jesus battled three tests.
Doubt- “If you are the Son of God”
The devil knew Jesus was the Son of God, likewise he knows we are now Sons of God; but if he makes you doubt your authority, then you become weak and defenseless.
Know the scriptures..Jesus didn't waste time trying to prove He was the Son of God. He did however defeat the temptations.
1)To use the Anointing of the Holy Spirit for the wrong reasons and purposes. Turn stones to bread. His response was, “God sustains us by every word that proceeds from His mouth.”
2)To use a public demonstration of His Power in order to impress people and gain an instant following. It was actually a 'form', a demonstration used by others who were attempting to gather followers. History shows us that many others during this time had lept from the pinnacle of the Temple in failed attempts to prove they were the Messiah. His response, “Don't tempt the Lord your God.” Meaning, don't try and make God establish you by trying to do things others have wrongly attempted.
3)Temptation of using a shortcut to gain a worldly kingdom and people's worship by-passing the Cross and the sin-bearing punishment He knew was coming upon Him. Response-Worship God only and serve Him only.
Thank God, Jesus was focused on His calling, His Son-ship, His coming to be sacrificed for our sin.
Jesus knew His Purpose.
Jesus knew His Father.
Jesus knew His ultimate victory was promised and assured.
Jesus is our role model.
His life is an example of a man living in total communion with his Heavenly Father, and fully filled and dependent upon the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew the word and believed it.
He acted on and fulfilled every promise given.
His fulfillment of every purpose was declared by Himself to witnesses as he was on the Cross, by the LOUD declaration' “It is finished!”
This means everything necessary and required was accomplished by Him.
Everything lost in the fall of Adam, is now returned.
Our need is to recognize His Dominion, His Kingdom is established in us!
Jesus ascension to the throne has caused a new spiritual reality..The Kingdom .
Pentecost- the instructions given were Acts 1:4,5 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
As believers we need personal Pentecost. We need the Holy Spirit in Power upon us and in us.
Remember, Jesus is our model. We need to make Isaiah 61:1,2 our declaration.
61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
This is our declaration for today.
Jesus opened the Way.
The veil has been torn.
The Holy Spirit is given to those who earnestly desire and wait for this Precious Gift of God.
The altar is open,..sacrifice your old man, your old ways of living...and receive ALL of God's Goodness!! Amen.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Where is your Mount of Olives?
opening passage Luke 22:39......
39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed.
Jesus made it a custom, a habit if you will, of praying to His Father.
In verse 40 When He came to the place.....
Jesus made it a habit to pray, and He also made it a habit to meet with His Father at a favourite place. The Mt. Of Olives.
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
Jesus prayed, it is through prayer we become connected with Our Father in Heaven.T
The secret to operating in the Peace if god, is to be intimately and consistently spending time in His Presence. Prayer, meditation, and soaking are all avenues that will lead you into a closer walk with your Father, your Elder Brother, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
All three are One God, they are inseparable.
You need all three operating in you and through you to be effective in the Kingdom.
Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Not a 3 second prayer, or a 3 minute prayer, or a 3 hour prayer..but all night.
Spending time in communion gives you Wisdom and Insight to make proper decisions.
It was after an “all-nighter” that Jesus choose the twelve.
Spending time in God's Presence brings Peace and Wisdom.
Charles and John Wesley's mother, Susanna would put her apron over her head as a signal that it was now her time to be undisturbed, and she was seeking God. In a household of ten children, they were taught that when the apron was in use it was her quiet time. Often she would be one hour-two hours of alone time with God. This was a daily occurrence in the afternoon. She would then come out refreshed and with the peace to continue running the household.
The great women and men of Faith all spent time in prayer; the list is extensive. Not one person who wants to be closer to God will achieve their desire apart from prayer.
Our spiritual growth is Not Dependant on what others do. It is dependent on what we do. We do not gain intimacy with God by letting others pray for us.
One or two hours Sunday morning will not bring us to the level of intimacy that our Daddy wants to share with us.
God is always looking for those who are looking for Him. It is a Promise in His Word.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
God's eyes are continually roaming across the face of the earth, searching for those who are desiring Him. And He is willing to show Himself strong, on their behalf.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
One of the greatest privileges is to catch the Eye of the Almighty God. When His attention is on you and His favour is upon you; then you have received a gift that is incomparable with anything this world has to offer. To receive this free gift, you must come to the realization that Jesus offered Himself freely as payment for sins that you have committed.
He did not die to create a religion or Denomimation. He did not die for His own sins.
He died so that the Holy of Holies..Heavens access point would be opened up to anyone who would like to have His Heavenly Father become their Heavenly Father.
He died to make a Way to unlimited access to God.
He died so that the Peace, Wisdom, and most importantly Friendship between God and man, would be re-established. No longer would man be fearful of death, sin, disease, or any other circumstance that would arise. Man could become acquainted with His Lover and Maker..God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has become the Way the Truth and the Light, to a world lost in darkness.
No other method of salvation is offered, but Jesus Christ.
You cannot be council-ed into Heaven.
You cannot earn your way into Heaven.
You cannot buy your way into Heaven.
You do not tip the balances in your favour, by having the good things you've done, outweigh the bad things you've done.
One sin breaks the standard of Righteousness set forth by God.
Only Jesus, the one without sin could take away your sins, and nail them to his cross. Forever leaving us free.
I hope that this day brings you into a relationship with your Heavenly Father, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, and you receive the Holy Spirit, the Eternal Life of God into your spirits.
When you receive God into your hearts, you become the carrier of His Presence.
Where you go, He goes. And He is looking for a Mount of Olives.. a place to have intimacy with you. Are you willing to find Him? Are you willing to make the time and commitment to get to know Him?
The offer from God is open and continuous, and He awaits.
Blessings.
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