Thank the LORD for the incredible revelation that He made known to the Apostle Paul concerning ones identification in Christ. For instance, one of my favorites identification scriptures is ...
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The very moment that a person confesses with their mouth the LORD Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior they become born again. Of course we know this, but do you know that the moment one becomes born again they instantaneously become a supernatural, one hundred percent "New Creation." Furthermore, do we truly understand this from Gods perspective? We are no long common anymore. We belong to an unusual supernatural order of beings. The Apostle Paul tells us...
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..."(Ephesians 2:10) and "the new man was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) The Apostle Peter tells us, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…"(1 Peter 2:9)
In Christ, the born again person is a new creation in every sense...
They instantly become partakers of Gods divine nature; "by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4)
They instantly become partakers of Gods divine life; "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
God’s ability instantly becomes their ability; "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."
(John 14:12)
God's strength instantly becomes their strength; "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
"His promises instantly become their promises; "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
His love instantly becomes their love; "...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)
His faith
instantly becomes their faith; "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have the God kind of faith." (Mark 11:22)
His power instantly becomes their power; "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect
in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
His wisdom instantly becomes their wisdom; "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God..." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
His righteousness instantly becomes their righteousness; "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) The list goes on and on.
Unfortunately for many Christians this is hard to believe. Far to many Christians live in the sense realm rather than the spiritual realm. In other words, their belief system is based upon what they can see, touch, taste, smell or hear, (see John 20:24-25) which has nothing to do with believing and acting upon God's Word. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh (senses) profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
The word life is the Greek word "Zoe." It literally means, life as God has it; the very life of God. Now we can understand why one instantaneously becomes a new creation in every sense. It is because the very life of God takes residence in the new believer immediately upon their confession of Christ. Again, this has nothing to do with feelings. It is pure fact!
Next we see 2 Corinthians 5:17, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
The old thing that Satan had control of has passed away. The believer is no longer spiritually dead but made alive in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:1) Jesus said of Himself, "the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. " (John 14:30) All believers must come to realize this very thing, Satan no longer has any authority, dominion, jurisdiction or power over them. ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW!!!
Through God's Word our faith is built up (Romans 10:17) and our spirit is strengthened so that the soul (mind, will and emotions) is renewed and begins to respond to the new created spirit and not the flesh. But this does not change the fact that the very nature and life of God is in the believer. For many in the church today, it is time to put an end to the ungodly habits of the flesh and negative confession from the mouth. It is time to let God’s life arise and call those things which do not exist as though they did. It is time to live in the abundant "Zoe" that Jesus gave His life for. It is time for believers to realize that eternal life is not a destination, but the "Zoe," life of God that already exists in everyone who is born again. It is time to let the lost know that they too can have the same abundant "Zoe," life.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Is There a Doctor in the House
Medical science has made some incredible advances in recent years. For years physicians have help countless people through numerous physical ailments and have saved many lives. I respect physicians who truly have a desire to see sick people become well and believe that they deserve payment for their labors. However, I do draw the line with physicians whose only desire is to live well at the expense of sick people.A physician named Luke wrote two book found in the New Testament and shares some incredible stories of a Healer that did things beyond the minds comprehension.
Although Luke records a story concerning a particular woman who had a physical ailment for twelve years, Marks gospel gives more details which I think sheds more light. I am sure that most believers have read or heard the events of this story, but for many, they have not let these events permeate their spirit and therefore they struggle with various physical ailments.
"Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
(Mark 5:25-26)
For twelve years this woman had to go through many painful things at the direction of physicians in order to be healed. She had also spent all the money she had, but grew worse. Isn't it interesting that today if you take your automobile to a mechanic (auto doctor so to speak) to have a problem fixed they too charge a fee for their labors and they have every right to do so. However, if the same problem reoccurs within a certain time frame, most mechanic will correct the problem and some will not charge an additional fee to correct the same problem. In this story we see just the opposite. Not one physician fixed her ailment, but they all took her money. I know of several believers who have had this very thing happen. They went to one physician who prescribe treatment, it did not work, so they went to another physician and then another, and unfortunately they met the same results as this woman. But let's look at what this woman eventually did...
When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." (Mark 5:27-28)
Notice that she had only heard about Jesus. This is one of those important keys to understanding God's will when it comes to healing. The four gospels reveal the ministry of Jesus as He walked on the earth as a man. The apostle Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) As believers hear the Word of God we first must believe that it is truth and that it does not change. When this occurs, God's Word will build ones faith. This woman only heard about Jesus and it is apparent that whatever she heard began to build faith in her, For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." I am sure her mind was saying, "You saw many physicians and got worse, no one can help you," but her heart was saying, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.
This is where many believers miss the healing that God has provided for them through Jesus Christ. They have either been trained that "healing has stopped because the church has the completed Word of God in the Bible and therefore God does not provide healing in the church today as He did in the early church" or they believe that God does indeed heal but have trouble releasing their faith and receive it.
The first of these issues is one that is not easily over come. It has been taught and accepted by many church leaders due to a poor interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (if you read this passage you will note that healing is not even mentioned) and a lack of faith applied to the scriptures. The second issue is common among believers that do believe that God heals today but as mentioned, may have trouble releasing their faith to receive their healing. Hebrews records, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith (which is now) make hope (which is future) a present reality even though there may not be any physical evidence. The latter issue totally rejects divine healing whereas in the former issue, faith can always grow and the believer can receive their healing. Let's look at the results of faith overcoming physical realities...
Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. Her faith gave substance to hope and manifested the reality of Gods healing in the now. We must look beyond our minds saying something to this effect, "well that was her but it won't work for me." This is doubt working and will neutralize faith every time. God has provided healing through Jesus Christ and like the woman with the issue of blood all one needs to do is believe. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Now let's look at Jesus response to the woman...
"And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (Mark 5:25-34) Remember, this woman was motivated by only hearing about Jesus and by applying her faith in Him she was healed of her affliction. Beloved, it is just that simple. The LORD has not made it difficult for you to receive all that He has. He has only asked that we believe.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) He who comes to God must believe that He is. That He is what? Savior, Healer, Deliver, Provider, Protector, etc. Paul tells us in Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." The word saved is the Greek word "sozo" which means to deliver, protect, heal, preserve, make whole, and so on. Romans 10:9 carries a far greater promise than regeneration only. However, most of the church today only uses this verse for salvation (in the sense of regeneration) and yet the Greek word for salvation "soteria" has the same definitions as does saved (sozo).
Again, I am not speaking out against physicians, but there are some sicknesses that medical science cannot cure. However, if you need a physician, then see a physician. It takes time for faith to develop in some areas of your Christianity. Sometimes a sickness may have a head start on your faith so don't let any one put you under any condemnation for going to see a physician. You must operate in the level of faith that you have, but do not stay on that level. Build up your faith through God's Word. Let His Word take up residence in your spirit and become part of you. In doing so, sickness will not be able to have place in of your life.
In short, the woman with the issue of blood heard of Jesus, turned hope into faith and then acted upon her faith by pressing through the sense realm of seeing is believing into the reality of the spiritual realm that believes without seeing. Please take some time and learn from the woman who had the issue of blood. Meditate on God's Word and then act upon it which will build your faith. Honestly, the same grace and faith that was present when you received Jesus as LORD and Savior is available for you today to be healed, delivered, protected, preserved and made whole, only believe...
Although Luke records a story concerning a particular woman who had a physical ailment for twelve years, Marks gospel gives more details which I think sheds more light. I am sure that most believers have read or heard the events of this story, but for many, they have not let these events permeate their spirit and therefore they struggle with various physical ailments.
"Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
(Mark 5:25-26)
For twelve years this woman had to go through many painful things at the direction of physicians in order to be healed. She had also spent all the money she had, but grew worse. Isn't it interesting that today if you take your automobile to a mechanic (auto doctor so to speak) to have a problem fixed they too charge a fee for their labors and they have every right to do so. However, if the same problem reoccurs within a certain time frame, most mechanic will correct the problem and some will not charge an additional fee to correct the same problem. In this story we see just the opposite. Not one physician fixed her ailment, but they all took her money. I know of several believers who have had this very thing happen. They went to one physician who prescribe treatment, it did not work, so they went to another physician and then another, and unfortunately they met the same results as this woman. But let's look at what this woman eventually did...
When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." (Mark 5:27-28)
Notice that she had only heard about Jesus. This is one of those important keys to understanding God's will when it comes to healing. The four gospels reveal the ministry of Jesus as He walked on the earth as a man. The apostle Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) As believers hear the Word of God we first must believe that it is truth and that it does not change. When this occurs, God's Word will build ones faith. This woman only heard about Jesus and it is apparent that whatever she heard began to build faith in her, For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." I am sure her mind was saying, "You saw many physicians and got worse, no one can help you," but her heart was saying, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.
This is where many believers miss the healing that God has provided for them through Jesus Christ. They have either been trained that "healing has stopped because the church has the completed Word of God in the Bible and therefore God does not provide healing in the church today as He did in the early church" or they believe that God does indeed heal but have trouble releasing their faith and receive it.
The first of these issues is one that is not easily over come. It has been taught and accepted by many church leaders due to a poor interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (if you read this passage you will note that healing is not even mentioned) and a lack of faith applied to the scriptures. The second issue is common among believers that do believe that God heals today but as mentioned, may have trouble releasing their faith to receive their healing. Hebrews records, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith (which is now) make hope (which is future) a present reality even though there may not be any physical evidence. The latter issue totally rejects divine healing whereas in the former issue, faith can always grow and the believer can receive their healing. Let's look at the results of faith overcoming physical realities...
Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. Her faith gave substance to hope and manifested the reality of Gods healing in the now. We must look beyond our minds saying something to this effect, "well that was her but it won't work for me." This is doubt working and will neutralize faith every time. God has provided healing through Jesus Christ and like the woman with the issue of blood all one needs to do is believe. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Now let's look at Jesus response to the woman...
"And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (Mark 5:25-34) Remember, this woman was motivated by only hearing about Jesus and by applying her faith in Him she was healed of her affliction. Beloved, it is just that simple. The LORD has not made it difficult for you to receive all that He has. He has only asked that we believe.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) He who comes to God must believe that He is. That He is what? Savior, Healer, Deliver, Provider, Protector, etc. Paul tells us in Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." The word saved is the Greek word "sozo" which means to deliver, protect, heal, preserve, make whole, and so on. Romans 10:9 carries a far greater promise than regeneration only. However, most of the church today only uses this verse for salvation (in the sense of regeneration) and yet the Greek word for salvation "soteria" has the same definitions as does saved (sozo).
Again, I am not speaking out against physicians, but there are some sicknesses that medical science cannot cure. However, if you need a physician, then see a physician. It takes time for faith to develop in some areas of your Christianity. Sometimes a sickness may have a head start on your faith so don't let any one put you under any condemnation for going to see a physician. You must operate in the level of faith that you have, but do not stay on that level. Build up your faith through God's Word. Let His Word take up residence in your spirit and become part of you. In doing so, sickness will not be able to have place in of your life.
In short, the woman with the issue of blood heard of Jesus, turned hope into faith and then acted upon her faith by pressing through the sense realm of seeing is believing into the reality of the spiritual realm that believes without seeing. Please take some time and learn from the woman who had the issue of blood. Meditate on God's Word and then act upon it which will build your faith. Honestly, the same grace and faith that was present when you received Jesus as LORD and Savior is available for you today to be healed, delivered, protected, preserved and made whole, only believe...
Monday, April 23, 2012
When You Look, What Do You See
Today one of the problems that captivates most people, including believers, is image. Just standing in the checkout line of most stores, all you see is tabloids and magazines concerned with how one looks. Basically image deals with how one projects themselves, which in turn becomes what people think you are. Although this issue has been present throughout man's history, since the mid 1990’s it has had a profound affect on the church. There is a greater concern about image that unfortunately is at the expense of integrity. What do I mean by this?
Today many church leaders seemed to have adopted various worldly concepts and have brought them into the "Body of Christ." Some of these concepts are; the church building needs to look appealing and non-threatening to an unbeliever meaning, remove anything that presents a Christian view (banners, scripture verses, etc.); church members need to refrain from using certain Christian phrases that may make unbelievers uncomfortable; the church needs world class entertainment to keep people interested and coming back; music must be upbeat only with a time limit; worship means maybe one slow song but no true expression of worship; and sermons also known as a message, are to be short and sweet to make people happy and feel good about themselves (this type of sermon is considered to be "relevant" for today). The thinking is that if the church does these things, we then can expect to reach unbelievers and have a successful ministry.
Naturally we should have clean facilities, but are we representing Christ or the local coffee shop? One of the things that separates believers from the world is how we talk and act. When the presence of the LORD begins to touch lives during a service believers should be shouting the name of Jesus. When Jesus entered Jerusalem look at the response of the people, the religious leaders and Jesus Himself...
"Then they brought the colt to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."
(Luke 19:35-40)
Notice that "the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice." This was a multitude of disciples not unbelievers. To keep believers from shouting or speaking "Christian Phrases" is to deny God the honor that He is worthy of. It is ignorance motivated by fear in church leaders that want to squelch believers from verbalizing their excitement about Jesus because it may offend an unbeliever or make them feel uncomfortable. Though the people may not be shouting out the praise due to the LORD one day the stones supporting the building may.
There is certainly nothing wrong with doing drama or having special music during a church service. The problem lies when we saturate people with entertainment to keep them interested and
coming back to "Our Church". The following is the entertainment that the LORD provided in the church to multiply the number of believers...
"And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33
"And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." (Acts 5:14-16)
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8)
"And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:6-8)
Not to belittle or make light the power of God in any way shape or form, this is the entertainment that unbelievers truly desire. They do not want Broadway plays and concerts, but a demonstration of the Spirit and power. (1 Corinthians 2:4). However, this takes faith in an all powerful God who has not changed. It also take courage for church leaders to step away from the pressures that the world wants to conform the church to, and let Jesus build His church through His people.
Music is a powerful medium especially during church gatherings (not to exclude any other time). It is a means to usher in the presences of the LORD as we exalt and magnify Him through singing. David tells us, "...In Your presence is fullness of joy..." (Psalm 16:11) and "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Your people". (Psalm 22:3) Why would any church leader want to exclude Gods presence as to not offend an unbeliever or to make them feel uncomfortable? I have been in numerous congregational and small group meetings where unbelievers were so taken by Gods presences that some were saved, some healed, some delivered and some a combination of them all. I have been in other meetings where the presence of God was so strong that the praise and worship continued unplanned for two hours. There was no preaching during this time and in the LORDS presence time seemed to stop. It was extremely power having such an affect on both believers and unbelievers that many still talk about the experience today. To exclude and intimate time of ministering to the LORD through worship or to place a limited time frame on worship is to say that God is not worthy of our admiration and we do not need His presences to have a successful church service.
I find it very interesting how church leaders advertise that they share a "Relevant Message" at their meetings but rarely preach from the Bible or use the Word of God in context. Honestly, the gospel (God's Word) has always been, is and will always be the only relevant message that the world will ever need to hear. Church leaders must stop being ashamed of the gospel of Christ and begin to preach and teach God's Word without reservation or apologizing for what it says. Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Notice that the unadulterated Word of God has the power to save all people. To not preach and teach God's Word is to deny Jesus the preeminence in His Church. He is the Word!!! (John 1:1-2, 14, Revelation 19:13)
When the Prophet Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint a king to replace king Saul He made this statement concerning David, "...For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, (Image) but the LORD looks at the heart (Integrity)." (1 Sam. 16.7) We should not be concerned as to how we match up with the worlds image, but realize that Gods presences and glory far surpasses the best the world has to offer. We should concern ourselves with being a people of integrity as we serve the one true God, more than trying to adjust our image with worldly concepts that are motivated by Satan and infested with sin that only appeal to the flesh.
The real problem is not trying to reach the unbeliever per se, but how congregations go about it. We must stop reducing the church to a palatable organization where we fit into the world, but once again become a life filled Body that turns the world upside down. The church must begin to operate in faith and return to preaching the full gospel. The apostle Paul makes it clear as to what the full gospel entails, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel..." (Romans 15:18-20)
As Paul tells us, the Full Gospel is preaching God's Word (the gospel) in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. This is the churches legacy; this is how multitudes will be saved, healed and delivered; this is church growth Gods way!
Won’t it be wonderful when the church becomes the envy of all once again. Well I have some good news and some not so good news, you can decide for yourself. We will see the so called "Open Church" (not the name of a congregation, but how they precieve themselves) continue to compromise the truth (God's Word) for the sake of unbelievers who unfortunately never come to Christ. We we see what is known as "Seeker Friendly" church's who currently have thousands of members begin to shrink and some will even be forced to close their doors (this is already happening) because all their programs and entertainment have not truly fixed broken lives. We will see many main line denominations reject sound doctrine and teach such things as Christ not being the only way to eternal life (this also is currently happening). Some will even be deceived by Mormon's, J---- Witnesses, Muslim's or other false religions and join their ranks.
However, on the other hand, there are some church leaders and congregation that have not bowed their knee to the world for the sake of having a world pleasing image. They have maintained their integrity in Christ and have not compromised God's Word. They are not trying to please the world but save people from the world. They understand and embrace the kind of faith that pleases God which will open the door to many lost souls being saved, healed, delivered and becoming true disciples. We will see reformation taking place in some denominations. Many denominational church leaders will throw away doctrines that they have embraced for years which are contrary to God's Word. They will begin to live in a realm of faith that they have been taught to reject.
Even now there is a stirring in many believers, young and older, who want more of Christ than they are receiving where they current attend. They have participated in many church programs that are built on psychology rather than the Word of God and they are still not walking in the freedom that Christ has provided. Even now many are seeking a congregation where the Full Gospel (as Paul presents
it) is the norm and where true Christian community is experienced replacing the social club atmosphere. Why are these things happening and why will they be? Because the church is Christ's Body which He loves. Even now He is cleansing her so that she will be a "glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27) The sad news is, many will once again harden their hearts to Him and open their hearts to the world.
As I close I would like to share a quote from General William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army. Although the church has entered the twenty first century, his statement is still worth pondering…
“The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell.” (William Booth Quotes) How prophetic...
Monday, April 16, 2012
God is the Masterful Architect
Creation reveals the master hand of the Designer. Blind chance is not the author. Taking an honest, intelligent look at creation will agree that there is nothing left to chance. Creation is governed by fixed laws and these laws apply to the most minute cell, to the highest forms of life as well as all things seen and unseen. There is an intelligent purpose behind all creation and yet the science of evolution (which in most institutions is taught as fact) has not given us any adequate reason for creation, why? because we have forgotten that truth is eternal and theories are based on the opinions of man. Webster defines theory as facts related to one another based on unproved assumption. Also theories are limited by time as seen by the constant revisions made from age to age.
Notice that theories are based on "unproved assumptions." Could this be why when evolution is mentioned educators and evolutionists who believe in this twisted "unproved assumptions" try to avoid using the term "theory of evolution." They know as fact, that it cannot be proven through any means. In short, it is argued that fossil records and biology can prove that evolution is the basis of creation; that life evolved from non-life; and that life as we know it came to exist by chance. However, modern day advancements in technology have concluded beyond question or reasonable doubt, that evolution is a fallacy. I cannot speak for you, but it would take a whole lot of faith and a rejection of logic for me to believe the religion of evolution, especially when it has been PROVEN scientifically (an evolutionists means to test theory) to be false. So if evolution cannot be proven, then why is it taught as fact? The apostle Paul tells us...
"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things...who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever." Amen.
(Romans 1:21-25)
Every human being whether involved in religions other than a true form of Christianity or even if
they profess to be atheist, know that something is not right, so they look for anything that will ease their conscience. Even though they know that Jehovah God exists, they refuse to acknowledge Him as God. But to appease their conscience some will believe that a higher power exists and thereby create a god in their own image, while other who emphatically deny the existence of God, resort to their futile thinking. In either case, they exchange the truth of God for a lie. Those who deny that God exists and yet are driven by the feeling that something is not right, fail to recognize the reason behind their quest. They refuse to believe that God blew
His breath of life into the first created man and it was this breath that brought life into man. They cannot perceive that sin caused man to die spiritually and that "he has become flesh.” Nevertheless man still has a spirit
and that spirit longs to connect with its creator and until it does, man will always be on a quest to find the answers to life.
The apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:14-16) Looking at verse 14, we know another reason why educators and evolutionist hold to the theory of evolution. However, looking at verse 15 and 16, I must ask this question. Why do Christians who use the public school system permit their children to be taught this lying nonsense? Do we get it? The public school system...It is public tax dollars that are paying the salaries of educators to teach Christian children "unproved assumptions" as fact. It id no wonder why so many people in the church today do not know God's true nature, purpose and will?
I can remember several years ago when our oldest child attended public high school. Before she did, my wife (an educator) and I sought out the principle to discuss the schools curriculum and policies. The school district did teach evolution but our daughter was not subject to any classes that taught it. One of the things we accomplished was getting a student prayer group established with the aid of some Christian faculty members. I believe that it was this student prayer group that kept many of the problems that high schools face from escalating as well as keeping additional perverted curriculum from being taught.
Next I tried to motivate church leaders from the thirty two churches within the school district at that time to converge on the sidewalk in front of the high school and pray against the "god of this age" that was blinding lost faculty, employees and students from the truth. Believe it or not, only eight people came to participate (Two of which were my wife and I) and that was only one time (though my goal was to have a church presence at least once a week). Interestingly enough this one time event happened to be on (get this) the National Day of Prayer. There was not one other time that the church leaders (other than myself) took the initiative to be a presences at the high school.
Another issue that we attacked was that of teenage sex (sex outside of marriage). My wife had developed a curriculum under the guise of "Character Development." Within the curriculum the issue of sex was a major point of discussion and hidden within that topic was also the issue of abortion (I say hidden within because if blatant then the proponents of abortion would have certainly rejected it). Unfortunately the curriculum was rejected even though it would be strictly voluntary on the part of students and it was to be taught by Christian educators that would volunteer their time. The unfortunate thing was not just that the curriculum was rejected by the school district, it was that the churches in the area did not want to get involved.
I am not at all trying to toot my own horn. I am concerned with why the church is silent. I am concerned as to why Christians complain but do nothing beyond that. If the church is Gods vehicle to "turn the world upside down;" if the church is backed by the power of God; if it is Gods desire that all people be saved; if the authority of Christ has been delegated to the church, then why is it so difficult to muster a large number of Christians to make our presences known and not only pray down these dark forces but get involved in the community, such as; being on the town/city council or Board of Education, and the like. Let us be honest, we know why. Comfortable Christianity is more appealing than stepping out of the "comfort zone" and believing God. With that said, I only have one last question to ask which Jesus asked several times and one that I ask myself to keep me tracking with Him, "Where is your faith?"
Monday, April 9, 2012
Free At Last
One of the areas that the church has been strong in its teaching is man's need for righteousness, which is definitely needed, but in doing so it tends to lean heavy on ones weaknesses, failures and inability to please God. Even a large majority of hymns tend to speak only of victory, freedom, peace and rest in the after life rather than in this life. Many of the more modern contemporary Christian songs also tend to focus on the struggles of this life; the difficulties of becoming a better Christian; confessing ones lack, which is basically the "woe is me" syndrome. These things have filled many believers with guilt, condemnation as well as having feelings of inferiority. This is what is known as "sin consciousness." Sin consciousness is a product of pastors and teachers who constantly preach and teach that believers will always be sinful. It's a product of song writers whose lyrics, whether old or new, are contrary to scripture and the reality of what believers have and have become through Christ.
The following is one of many facts presented in the Bible concerning what the believer has and has become through their faith in Christ...
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
First we see that the believer is a "New Creation." This means that his spirit which was dead is now made alive with the very nature of God. The apostle Paul tells us that "we were dead in trespasses, but made alive together with Christ." (Ephesians 2:5) In the same way that Jesus was made alive and became a new creation after He satisfied justice by taking all of mans sin upon Himself believers also have become new creations. Next we see that "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." This means exactly what is says. The old sin nature has passed away. Believers are not dealing with a dual nature.
Unfortunately, many pastors and teachers tell people that they still have the old sin nature within them based on Romans chapter seven. However, the apostle Paul was explaining what a person under the law was dealing with not a born again believer who is a product of God's grace. Remember it was the apostle Paul who said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:24) Does this sound like a believer who had a dual nature, one of sin and one of righteousness? Not at all! But this is where the problem lies. Teaching believers that they have two natures would mean that they would have God's nature and the devils nature in the same temple. What utter nonsense this teaching is. It is a total contradiction of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." No wonder so many believers are under guilt, condemnation as well as having feelings of inferiority.
At this point we need to have some clearer understanding of a problem that a new believer faces, but one that has already be solved by God. When one becomes born again, it is their spirit that becomes a new creation not their soul (mind, will and emotions) or their flesh. Until one is born again their soul has been manipulated by and under the desires of the flesh and still wants to follow fleshly impulses. So what did God do to correct this dilemma? He has given us His Word. This is why it is so very important for believers to read, study and meditate on God's Word daily. The apostle Paul tells us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) In other words a mind renewed with God's Word becomes subject to the newly created spirit and not the old corrupt flesh. It is just that simple.
The apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews dealt with believers who confessed Christ but never really did anything more with their new life, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?"
(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) and "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14) Let's not be naive and prideful, there are far to many believers in the church today who are carnal. I am not only referring to new believers who have not been taught how to live by God's Word, but also those who have been saved for many years who consider themselves mature as well as ordained ministers who stand in pulpits every Sunday. Carnal Christians are those who let their fleshly feelings run their lives, which is due to a lack of a mind renewed by God's Word.
Next, we see in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 that God "has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ..." It has nothing to do we us, that is, how we feel or how low we think ourselves to be. The fact is God took it upon Himself the reconcile humanity to Himself. (Because the focus here is "sin consciousness," I will not take the time to discuss the ministry that believers have to the lost as ambassadors for Christ). We see that God took mans sin issue upon Himself by making Christ to be come sin. He placed all sin with all of its destructive manifestations upon His Son for every man woman and child for an incredible purpose, "that we (believers) might become the righteousness of God in Him. The moment that one confesses and places their faith in Christ, an instantaneous transformation happens. They become a new creation with the righteousness of God filling them.
What this means is that the very moment that one becomes born again they can stand before God without guilt, condemnation or inferiority. It means that believers are truly free from their past. It means that they are new creations NOW and can live in victory right here on planet earth. It means that eternal life is not something that the believer is heading toward where one day they will finally have relief, it means that eternal life is flowing through them NOW.
The apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit goes to great lengths in the first eight chapters of Romans giving the church the revelation of the righteousness of God; the need for God's righteousness; the imputation of God's righteousness, and the demonstration of God's righteousness all for the purpose of the believer walking free from condemnation, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
Let us look at some of the other wonderful attributes that God provides for His newly created child...
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)
"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-39)
Honestly, it there one shred of evidence in any of these scriptures that believers stand guilty, condemned or inferior before God? Certainly not! Now is the time to rid ourselves of sin consciousness and place our faith in the integrity of God's Word. It is time to live the resurrected life every day not only on Easter Sunday. When believers truly understand what it means to have the righteousness of God in them, sin, sickness, disease, pains, poverty nor the devil will ever have place in their lives again Guilt will be replaced with innocence, condemnation will be replaced with liberation, inferiority will be replaced with superiority and believers will truly be able to do all things through Christ.
The following is one of many facts presented in the Bible concerning what the believer has and has become through their faith in Christ...
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
First we see that the believer is a "New Creation." This means that his spirit which was dead is now made alive with the very nature of God. The apostle Paul tells us that "we were dead in trespasses, but made alive together with Christ." (Ephesians 2:5) In the same way that Jesus was made alive and became a new creation after He satisfied justice by taking all of mans sin upon Himself believers also have become new creations. Next we see that "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." This means exactly what is says. The old sin nature has passed away. Believers are not dealing with a dual nature.
Unfortunately, many pastors and teachers tell people that they still have the old sin nature within them based on Romans chapter seven. However, the apostle Paul was explaining what a person under the law was dealing with not a born again believer who is a product of God's grace. Remember it was the apostle Paul who said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:24) Does this sound like a believer who had a dual nature, one of sin and one of righteousness? Not at all! But this is where the problem lies. Teaching believers that they have two natures would mean that they would have God's nature and the devils nature in the same temple. What utter nonsense this teaching is. It is a total contradiction of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." No wonder so many believers are under guilt, condemnation as well as having feelings of inferiority.
At this point we need to have some clearer understanding of a problem that a new believer faces, but one that has already be solved by God. When one becomes born again, it is their spirit that becomes a new creation not their soul (mind, will and emotions) or their flesh. Until one is born again their soul has been manipulated by and under the desires of the flesh and still wants to follow fleshly impulses. So what did God do to correct this dilemma? He has given us His Word. This is why it is so very important for believers to read, study and meditate on God's Word daily. The apostle Paul tells us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) In other words a mind renewed with God's Word becomes subject to the newly created spirit and not the old corrupt flesh. It is just that simple.
The apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews dealt with believers who confessed Christ but never really did anything more with their new life, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?"
(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) and "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14) Let's not be naive and prideful, there are far to many believers in the church today who are carnal. I am not only referring to new believers who have not been taught how to live by God's Word, but also those who have been saved for many years who consider themselves mature as well as ordained ministers who stand in pulpits every Sunday. Carnal Christians are those who let their fleshly feelings run their lives, which is due to a lack of a mind renewed by God's Word.
Next, we see in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 that God "has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ..." It has nothing to do we us, that is, how we feel or how low we think ourselves to be. The fact is God took it upon Himself the reconcile humanity to Himself. (Because the focus here is "sin consciousness," I will not take the time to discuss the ministry that believers have to the lost as ambassadors for Christ). We see that God took mans sin issue upon Himself by making Christ to be come sin. He placed all sin with all of its destructive manifestations upon His Son for every man woman and child for an incredible purpose, "that we (believers) might become the righteousness of God in Him. The moment that one confesses and places their faith in Christ, an instantaneous transformation happens. They become a new creation with the righteousness of God filling them.
What this means is that the very moment that one becomes born again they can stand before God without guilt, condemnation or inferiority. It means that believers are truly free from their past. It means that they are new creations NOW and can live in victory right here on planet earth. It means that eternal life is not something that the believer is heading toward where one day they will finally have relief, it means that eternal life is flowing through them NOW.
The apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit goes to great lengths in the first eight chapters of Romans giving the church the revelation of the righteousness of God; the need for God's righteousness; the imputation of God's righteousness, and the demonstration of God's righteousness all for the purpose of the believer walking free from condemnation, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
Let us look at some of the other wonderful attributes that God provides for His newly created child...
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)
"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-39)
Honestly, it there one shred of evidence in any of these scriptures that believers stand guilty, condemned or inferior before God? Certainly not! Now is the time to rid ourselves of sin consciousness and place our faith in the integrity of God's Word. It is time to live the resurrected life every day not only on Easter Sunday. When believers truly understand what it means to have the righteousness of God in them, sin, sickness, disease, pains, poverty nor the devil will ever have place in their lives again Guilt will be replaced with innocence, condemnation will be replaced with liberation, inferiority will be replaced with superiority and believers will truly be able to do all things through Christ.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Jesus; Name Above All Names
The incarnate Son of God was manifest to restore humanity to the place that God had originally intended. All that Adam was before he committed treason and forfeited the dominion and authority that God had given him over creation, was God's goal of the restoration of man. The Apostle Paul tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. " (Romans 3:23) This means that not one human being could ever satisfy justice for Adam's transgression. So God Himself would be the only candidate that could fulfill such an incredible undertaking.
The Apostle John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) and "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14) The angel Gabriel announced to Mary, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:31-33) and so it was, Deity and humanity came together. The Word was conceived in the womb of a woman, became flesh and His name is JESUS.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
Because Jesus willingly gave up His sinless, perfect life for every man, woman and child, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name." In other words, God the Father has super-eminently exalted Jesus, has given Him the highest position above all else and there is no other name that can be compared with his. It stands alone! Hebrews tells us, "having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:4) These things are very important for all believers to understand because not only is the name of Jesus above every other name, His name carries with it ALL AUTHORITY in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. This means that every created being in those three realms must bow in submission to His name.
We may be quick to say "amen" to this but the possibilities that surround His name are beyond our understanding. Basically, in His name, He has given the church (believers) "carte blanche" to all the resources and promises of God. The good news in this is, all believers have been given the legal use of His name so that, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This mean the devil and every demon. We see this played out in the ministry of seventy other disciples that Jesus sent out, "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:17) Let us take note that this was before His resurrection and the exaltation of His name. So think how much power and authority the believer has today in His name. Honestly, it is almost incomprehensible.
God did not do this for Himself. He made this incredible investment for the benefit of the church (all believers). He made this investment so that all who would believe upon the name of Jesus would have the liberty to use His magnificent name to meet their every need and also to enforce what Jesus' death and resurrection has secured, power over the enemy. However, all of these things that the name of Jesus provides for the church do not manifest simply because the Bible reveals these things. Faith must be released through the believer and then the believer must act upon his released faith."But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18)
So let us remember this; God the Father has bestowed upon Jesus honor, glory, power, all authority and has "seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:20-23) Glory be to God!!!
The Apostle John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) and "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14) The angel Gabriel announced to Mary, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:31-33) and so it was, Deity and humanity came together. The Word was conceived in the womb of a woman, became flesh and His name is JESUS.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
Because Jesus willingly gave up His sinless, perfect life for every man, woman and child, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name." In other words, God the Father has super-eminently exalted Jesus, has given Him the highest position above all else and there is no other name that can be compared with his. It stands alone! Hebrews tells us, "having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:4) These things are very important for all believers to understand because not only is the name of Jesus above every other name, His name carries with it ALL AUTHORITY in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. This means that every created being in those three realms must bow in submission to His name.
We may be quick to say "amen" to this but the possibilities that surround His name are beyond our understanding. Basically, in His name, He has given the church (believers) "carte blanche" to all the resources and promises of God. The good news in this is, all believers have been given the legal use of His name so that, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This mean the devil and every demon. We see this played out in the ministry of seventy other disciples that Jesus sent out, "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:17) Let us take note that this was before His resurrection and the exaltation of His name. So think how much power and authority the believer has today in His name. Honestly, it is almost incomprehensible.
God did not do this for Himself. He made this incredible investment for the benefit of the church (all believers). He made this investment so that all who would believe upon the name of Jesus would have the liberty to use His magnificent name to meet their every need and also to enforce what Jesus' death and resurrection has secured, power over the enemy. However, all of these things that the name of Jesus provides for the church do not manifest simply because the Bible reveals these things. Faith must be released through the believer and then the believer must act upon his released faith."But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18)
So let us remember this; God the Father has bestowed upon Jesus honor, glory, power, all authority and has "seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:20-23) Glory be to God!!!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Finale
As we come to the close of this most important series, my prayer is that you have permitted the Spirit of Truth to guide you into all Truth. The Apostle Paul said to the church, "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26) The fact that an incredible number of Christians have either been inoculated with doubt or have not been taught what true Bible faith is all about by faithless shepherds is evident by the number of Christians that suffer from sickness and premature death. This causes the entire Body of Christ to suffer whether we want to admit it or not.
For one of Gods children to suffer (other than through persecution for the gospel sake) with sickness, disease or destruction going on in their life is abnormal to Him. Christians must at all cost place their faith in the integrity of God's Word. Jesus said to the Father in prayer, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) Everything that God has said is true and unchanging, but no one can convince another of this fact. It can only be realized through ones faith! I want to share another incident that Jesus experienced in His ministry on earth that hopefully will roll the stone in front of the sepulcher of doubt which questions, "Do bad things come from God?" and seal it shut forever.
"Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd,"There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him."
(Luke 13:10-17)
The sad side of this story is that this woman had to suffer being bent over for eighteen years. However, what is even more sad is how the church today would look at this woman. Let's be honest, the chances are that the majority of church leaders today would have her go to an Orthopaedic Surgeon after praying a faithless prayer doubting that God could not heal her. Although ALL sickness is related to Satan, in over 25% of the healing that took place in Jesus' ministry, He had to deal with a specific demon. In the account above Jesus was dealing with a "spirit of infirmity." Today we call it, Osteoporosis caused by Parathyroid Disease. To cure such a disease, proper nutrition may work only if started at the earliest stage of the disease. However, it can be treated with pharmaceuticals. But according to researchers the pharmaceuticals prescribed to offset the disease known as bisphosphonates has certain side effects.
Side effects for all bisphosphonates include gastrointestinal problems, such as difficulty swallowing, inflammation of the esophagus, and gastric ulcer. There have also been rare reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw (a condition in which the bone becomes weak and dies) and of visual disturbances. Which one is worse? The disease or the cure?Fortunately for this woman Jesus had no problem revealing the Father's will and loosed her from a spirit of infirmity.
Next we see the typical religious leaders response to Jesus healing on the Sabbath. But look closely at His response to them, "The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" Who had bound this woman and cause this suffering for eighteen years? Satan! Now look at the emphasis that Jesus places on this situation, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years. In other words, "you let this child of God suffer for eighteen years at the hands of God's enemy and did nothing about and to make it worse, you get upset because God healed her on the Sabbath which He created?"
A passage like this should cut us to the heart, especially when we know that there are children of God suffering at the hands of the one who causes bad things to happen, Satan and his gang of demon spirits. It is time for church leaders to repent of their wishy washy faithless theology that prevents God's children from knowing the truth and living a victorious life here on planet earth. It is time for the church to rise up and be the triumphant church; a church filled with His glory; a church filled with His presences; a church that replicates His ministry to a lost world; a church that breaks free from fear, doubt and unbelief. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who BELIEVE: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18)
Think about this. If God is the one who causes bad things to happen, then why would he give the church this commission? Look close, "And these signs will follow those who BELIEVE..." If you are truly a believer then this applies to you! However, if after seeing God's true will and nature portrayed through this series which we find in His Word, and you still believe that Bad things come from God," then not only do you not know the price that Jesus has paid for you, but you also disagree with God's Word...Selah...
For one of Gods children to suffer (other than through persecution for the gospel sake) with sickness, disease or destruction going on in their life is abnormal to Him. Christians must at all cost place their faith in the integrity of God's Word. Jesus said to the Father in prayer, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) Everything that God has said is true and unchanging, but no one can convince another of this fact. It can only be realized through ones faith! I want to share another incident that Jesus experienced in His ministry on earth that hopefully will roll the stone in front of the sepulcher of doubt which questions, "Do bad things come from God?" and seal it shut forever.
"Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd,"There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him."
(Luke 13:10-17)
The sad side of this story is that this woman had to suffer being bent over for eighteen years. However, what is even more sad is how the church today would look at this woman. Let's be honest, the chances are that the majority of church leaders today would have her go to an Orthopaedic Surgeon after praying a faithless prayer doubting that God could not heal her. Although ALL sickness is related to Satan, in over 25% of the healing that took place in Jesus' ministry, He had to deal with a specific demon. In the account above Jesus was dealing with a "spirit of infirmity." Today we call it, Osteoporosis caused by Parathyroid Disease. To cure such a disease, proper nutrition may work only if started at the earliest stage of the disease. However, it can be treated with pharmaceuticals. But according to researchers the pharmaceuticals prescribed to offset the disease known as bisphosphonates has certain side effects.
Side effects for all bisphosphonates include gastrointestinal problems, such as difficulty swallowing, inflammation of the esophagus, and gastric ulcer. There have also been rare reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw (a condition in which the bone becomes weak and dies) and of visual disturbances. Which one is worse? The disease or the cure?Fortunately for this woman Jesus had no problem revealing the Father's will and loosed her from a spirit of infirmity.
Next we see the typical religious leaders response to Jesus healing on the Sabbath. But look closely at His response to them, "The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" Who had bound this woman and cause this suffering for eighteen years? Satan! Now look at the emphasis that Jesus places on this situation, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years. In other words, "you let this child of God suffer for eighteen years at the hands of God's enemy and did nothing about and to make it worse, you get upset because God healed her on the Sabbath which He created?"
A passage like this should cut us to the heart, especially when we know that there are children of God suffering at the hands of the one who causes bad things to happen, Satan and his gang of demon spirits. It is time for church leaders to repent of their wishy washy faithless theology that prevents God's children from knowing the truth and living a victorious life here on planet earth. It is time for the church to rise up and be the triumphant church; a church filled with His glory; a church filled with His presences; a church that replicates His ministry to a lost world; a church that breaks free from fear, doubt and unbelief. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who BELIEVE: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18)
Think about this. If God is the one who causes bad things to happen, then why would he give the church this commission? Look close, "And these signs will follow those who BELIEVE..." If you are truly a believer then this applies to you! However, if after seeing God's true will and nature portrayed through this series which we find in His Word, and you still believe that Bad things come from God," then not only do you not know the price that Jesus has paid for you, but you also disagree with God's Word...Selah...
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