Acts chapter seven records the first murder of a Christian, his name was Stephen. We also are introduced to a man named Saul who was not only present at Stephen's execution but was also consenting to his death. In Acts chapter nine we find this same man, Saul, "still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem." (Acts 9:1-2) but something happened, "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:3-4) Next, we see Saul ask a very important question, "Who are you Lord?" (Acts 9:5) Saul recognized that there was something taking place that was beyond everything he knew. His response was not "Who are You," but he address the One talking to him as Lord. On the surface this may not strike you as something all that important but to Saul it was the beginning of an experience that would radically change his life as well as have an impact on the entire world.
In Acts chapter thirteen we see that Saul becomes know as Paul and he and Barnabas are sent from the church at Antioch to the world to preach Christ. In the Epistle of Paul the apostle to the Philippians, he shares who he was prior to meeting Christ, "For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." (Philippians 3:3-6) In the eye of academia today, Paul would be perceived to be a brilliant man who knows the Word of God. However, look at what Paul himself says about his incredible wealth of biblical knowledge, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;" (Philippians 3:7-9)
Notice that Paul considers all the former knowledge that he had gained as useless as rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ. His utmost desire was, "That I may know Him..." (Philippians 3:11) Paul did not want to know about Christ. He did not want to know what others thought or knew about Christ. He desired a personal intimate knowledge of Christ. We see his intimate knowledge of Christ revealed in the Epistle that he wrote. The epistles of Paul reveal an overwhelming wealth of revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul's desire to know Christ personally and intimately should be the desire of every believer, but unfortunately for most, knowing what others think or know about Christ has become sufficient. This attitude has cause damaging doctrines to permeate the church promoting division. Paul had to deal with this very issue and calls those who fall prey to it carnal babies in Christ who act like mere men. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
Paul tells Timothy in both his letters to Timothy, the damage that would occur in the church as the end time approached, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1) "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Of course not one church leader would ever admit that this could be about them and their belief system.
I believe that there is not one church leader or particular group of churches that have the revelation that Paul gives us in its purest form. This is why we've got to put down our pride and prejudices and let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. We must also be open enough to consider that our pet doctrines may not be entirely correct. Instead of resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51) and embracing doctrine whether old or new, that does not consider the whole counsel of God's Word, let's grow up and embrace Jesus Christ with a desire to know Him so that the power, presence and glory of the Lord fills His entire Body once again. Whether we want to take the responsibility or not, the lost world is depending on the church to reveal to them the real Jesus. The church is His body which means that as He is, so should the church be in the world! This means that as He is supernatural in ever sense of the word, so is the church. Through the name of Jesus and having an intimate knowledge of Him, the church will once again turn the world upside down for His glory.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Are There Giants in Your Land
As Israel approached the land of Canaan Numbers records, "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them. So Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the command of the LORD, all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel." (Number 13:1-2) The spies return and give an exciting report, "Now they came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit." (Numbers 13:26-27)
What a report. The land that God was giving Israel was not barren waste land, but a vibrant, fruitful land flowing with with milk, honey. In other words, the land was fertile, able to produce all manner of vegetation as well as sustain their flocks. This was evidence of what the Lord had spoken to Moses when He had called Moses to go to Egypt to deliver Israel from Pharaoh. (Exodus 3:8) However, the physical confirmation of the Word of the Lord was not enough for ten of the spies, "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan." (Numbers 13:28-29) and "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Number 13:33) The results were, all of Israel believed the word of the spies rather than the Word of God.
This same scenario tends to repeat itself in many sectors of the church today. Many of God's children see life circumstances as giants rather than ants. They believe the report of their senses rather than believing what God has said. God spoke to Isaiah and said, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
(Isaiah 41:10) What a wonderful promise, but do you believe it? You see, we would have much to fear if God did not say, "I am with you." Distress would overtake us if God did not say, "for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." But again, do you believe this? Is this passage revelation that resonates in your heart or is it only knowledge that you reason in your head? When life circumstances seen like giants is your response similar to Israel's, "So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron... (Numbers 14:1-2) or is it like Joshua and Caleb, "Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us,'a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:6-9) This report sounds like the Word of the Lord to Isaiah, "Do not Fear, the Lord is with us." (Isaiah 46:10)
Jesus tells us how to deal with every giant that comes against the believer that stands in the believers way opposing him/her, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:22-23) First we are to exercise God like faith. If you say that it is impossible for a mere person to have the God kind of faith, then you have just sided against the Word of God and your results will most likely be the same as Israel's when they sided with the ten spies rather than the Word of God, they got what they asked for. (Numbers 14:2-3, 26-30) Next, Jesus tells us that if we can believe the Word of God, and not doubt that is, believe the reasoning of man or the lies of Satan, then we would be able to move the mountain (giant) that we are facing.
This is not something that we try, but something the we live. Faith is of the spirit and not of the mind. What Jesus is telling us cannot be comprehended with the mind, although our recreated spirit can fill our mind with revelation from God's Word. So, if you are facing a situation or circumstance that seems like a giant, speak to it in the name of Jesus without doubting and the results are, he will have whatever he says. PTL...
What a report. The land that God was giving Israel was not barren waste land, but a vibrant, fruitful land flowing with with milk, honey. In other words, the land was fertile, able to produce all manner of vegetation as well as sustain their flocks. This was evidence of what the Lord had spoken to Moses when He had called Moses to go to Egypt to deliver Israel from Pharaoh. (Exodus 3:8) However, the physical confirmation of the Word of the Lord was not enough for ten of the spies, "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan." (Numbers 13:28-29) and "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Number 13:33) The results were, all of Israel believed the word of the spies rather than the Word of God.
This same scenario tends to repeat itself in many sectors of the church today. Many of God's children see life circumstances as giants rather than ants. They believe the report of their senses rather than believing what God has said. God spoke to Isaiah and said, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
(Isaiah 41:10) What a wonderful promise, but do you believe it? You see, we would have much to fear if God did not say, "I am with you." Distress would overtake us if God did not say, "for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." But again, do you believe this? Is this passage revelation that resonates in your heart or is it only knowledge that you reason in your head? When life circumstances seen like giants is your response similar to Israel's, "So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron... (Numbers 14:1-2) or is it like Joshua and Caleb, "Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us,'a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:6-9) This report sounds like the Word of the Lord to Isaiah, "Do not Fear, the Lord is with us." (Isaiah 46:10)
Jesus tells us how to deal with every giant that comes against the believer that stands in the believers way opposing him/her, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:22-23) First we are to exercise God like faith. If you say that it is impossible for a mere person to have the God kind of faith, then you have just sided against the Word of God and your results will most likely be the same as Israel's when they sided with the ten spies rather than the Word of God, they got what they asked for. (Numbers 14:2-3, 26-30) Next, Jesus tells us that if we can believe the Word of God, and not doubt that is, believe the reasoning of man or the lies of Satan, then we would be able to move the mountain (giant) that we are facing.
This is not something that we try, but something the we live. Faith is of the spirit and not of the mind. What Jesus is telling us cannot be comprehended with the mind, although our recreated spirit can fill our mind with revelation from God's Word. So, if you are facing a situation or circumstance that seems like a giant, speak to it in the name of Jesus without doubting and the results are, he will have whatever he says. PTL...
Monday, February 11, 2013
Are You in Training Camp
Before an athlete(s) enters into competition they first spend a fair amount of time in what is called training camp. Training camp refers to the time before actual competition begins. During this time, athlete's work on their skills through various drills to increase endurance and performance. Also during this time and athlete(s) will have a coach(es) assisting them in perfecting their skill by close observance, repeated evaluation and making all the required adjustments to bring the athlete into peak performance.
The Christian life is very much the same. The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul reveals, as it were, the training camp scenario for the Body of Christ... "And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Notices the various areas the church coaches (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) are training and evaluating the athletes (believers). The believer is being equipped for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ministry, faith and the knowledge of Jesus is an on going process. If believers continuously work on perfecting these skills they will see fruit in their lives. Sometimes believers can grow weary as they work out their salvation because they do not see immediately results or they may fall prey to the lies of the devil which ushers in discouragement. Paul tells us, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) So don't get discouraged, remember we are all in training and as we train our skills (knowledge of Christ, gifts, calling, faith, grace, etc.) will grow and have a tremendous impact in the world around us.(the world is counting on us for the sake of winning souls to Christ)
Next, we see the reason for the believers conditioning, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Now notice the great results that believers share as the coaches through the Holy Spirit assists and perfect their skills, "causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." PTL This is our destiny. This is our inheritance. This is what training camp will do for every believe.
However, training camp for the believer is not any different than for athletes. It takes willingness, commitment, daily practice and a desire to please the Head Coach, Jesus. Paul told Timothy, "...If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5) The rules have been developed by the Father through Jesus and given to His disciples (See the Gospels) who in turn gave to to other disciples and had unprecedented success for nearly three centuries. (See The Acts of the Apostles along with early church history). So let us remember, "...we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Looking to whom? That's right, JESUS!!!
The Christian life is very much the same. The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul reveals, as it were, the training camp scenario for the Body of Christ... "And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Notices the various areas the church coaches (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) are training and evaluating the athletes (believers). The believer is being equipped for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ministry, faith and the knowledge of Jesus is an on going process. If believers continuously work on perfecting these skills they will see fruit in their lives. Sometimes believers can grow weary as they work out their salvation because they do not see immediately results or they may fall prey to the lies of the devil which ushers in discouragement. Paul tells us, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) So don't get discouraged, remember we are all in training and as we train our skills (knowledge of Christ, gifts, calling, faith, grace, etc.) will grow and have a tremendous impact in the world around us.(the world is counting on us for the sake of winning souls to Christ)
Next, we see the reason for the believers conditioning, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Now notice the great results that believers share as the coaches through the Holy Spirit assists and perfect their skills, "causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." PTL This is our destiny. This is our inheritance. This is what training camp will do for every believe.
However, training camp for the believer is not any different than for athletes. It takes willingness, commitment, daily practice and a desire to please the Head Coach, Jesus. Paul told Timothy, "...If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5) The rules have been developed by the Father through Jesus and given to His disciples (See the Gospels) who in turn gave to to other disciples and had unprecedented success for nearly three centuries. (See The Acts of the Apostles along with early church history). So let us remember, "...we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Looking to whom? That's right, JESUS!!!
Monday, February 4, 2013
State Your Case
Many believers are afraid of God because they perceive Him as being austere, waiting for someone to step out of line so that He can bring punishment through various means such as sickness, disease or all manner of struggles. However, the Bible reveals God in an entirely different light, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth." (Exodus 34:6) We sometimes forget that the most potent characteristic of God is love. This is revealed in numerous scriptures, for instance, "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." (John 3:16) and "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Another characteristic of God is one of a judge, but not in a negative sense, but as a righteous judge (John 7:24, 8:16) Job reveals another interesting concept concerning God's Character, "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress."
(Job 37:23) Notice that God is excellent in Judgment. Isaiah reveals a very important key when it comes to addressing God with the problems that the believer may face, "Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted." (Isaiah 43:26)
This is reflective of one trying a case in a court of law. Here God is asking His people to present their case before Him (the Judge) to see if they can be acquitted. To put Him in remembrance is to remind Him of His promises, not that He has forgotten them, but because His Word is truth (John 17:17) and it is the only thing that is worthy to bring before Him that gets a response, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
This very principle is what believers must do to have God move on their behalf. When we have any problem that arises we find scripture that addresses the problem and through faith, present our case before the Lord. For instance, if you have a health issue and are in need of healing you can say to the Father something like this, "Father according to your Word, "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) or "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
This puts the Father in the place where He has obligated Himself to answer our request, "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23-24) However, we must remember to ask in faith, believing that we have received the answer even though there may not be any tangible evidence. (Mark 11:23-24). James states it this way,
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8) We must remember when approaching the Father, "Without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)
John records, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15) So if you are dealing with a problem, circumstance or situation whether large or small and need the Father's divine intervention, state your case before Him in Jesus' name and believe that you have received the petition that you have asked of Him.
Another characteristic of God is one of a judge, but not in a negative sense, but as a righteous judge (John 7:24, 8:16) Job reveals another interesting concept concerning God's Character, "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress."
(Job 37:23) Notice that God is excellent in Judgment. Isaiah reveals a very important key when it comes to addressing God with the problems that the believer may face, "Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted." (Isaiah 43:26)
This is reflective of one trying a case in a court of law. Here God is asking His people to present their case before Him (the Judge) to see if they can be acquitted. To put Him in remembrance is to remind Him of His promises, not that He has forgotten them, but because His Word is truth (John 17:17) and it is the only thing that is worthy to bring before Him that gets a response, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
This very principle is what believers must do to have God move on their behalf. When we have any problem that arises we find scripture that addresses the problem and through faith, present our case before the Lord. For instance, if you have a health issue and are in need of healing you can say to the Father something like this, "Father according to your Word, "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) or "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
This puts the Father in the place where He has obligated Himself to answer our request, "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23-24) However, we must remember to ask in faith, believing that we have received the answer even though there may not be any tangible evidence. (Mark 11:23-24). James states it this way,
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8) We must remember when approaching the Father, "Without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)
John records, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15) So if you are dealing with a problem, circumstance or situation whether large or small and need the Father's divine intervention, state your case before Him in Jesus' name and believe that you have received the petition that you have asked of Him.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Loose Lips, Sink Ships
The Bible reveals two types of confession. One could be considered a negative confession because it deals with confessing sin, but the other would be considered a positive confession. This type of confession is affirming something that one believes, testifying of something that one knows or acting on a truth that one has embraced…
Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith, the Word of God, made incarnate in Jesus Christ, without being shaken by the trials, or by the arguments of the enemy, for God who cannot lie, is faithful to give you what He has promised." (Paraphrased)
Notice that this type of confession deals directly with the Word of God, which makes confession a very important part of a believers life. Remember Jesus said…
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
Our thinking should be, when we confess God’s Word that it goes beyond the natural realm into the spiritual realm to accomplish God’s will and to prosper in the thing for which it is sent...
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) In other words, no Word of God is without power!
No one can affirm, that is, testify or act on things that they do not believe, know or embrace as truth. Thank the Lord for giving us a revelation of Himself through His Word. His Word is "Living and Powerful" and as we confess His Word we are agreeing with it and not letting life circumstances have the upper hand. The believer who is constantly confessing their lack, weakness and failure is not agreeing with God's Word. Negative confession is an unconscious declaration that our heavenly Father has failed to accomplish the fullness of redemption through Christ. This type of confession destroys faith, holds people in bondage and says that the redeemed life is nothing more than a life filled with misery and disappointment.
The apostle Paul tells us, "Everywhere and in all things I have learned to be independent of my circumstances. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:12-13)
Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” not because he was more special to God than other believers, but because he did not let Satan or the influences of the natural realm to distract or manipulate him. He relied on God’s strength and ability to work through him in every area of life. In other words, he walked by the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is apparent that he understood that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing."
If believers look to the circumstances or the things in the natural realm rather than seeing God’s Word as Spirit and life, then the results will be a negative confession. In other words, if I confess that by His stripes I am healed, but look to the natural and do not see immediate results, then I am allowing the natural realm to have place neutralizing my confession. I might find myself saying, "well this does not work for me, I guess sickness is God’s purpose for me, God why am I not healed." This opens the door for the devil to respond with his lies and deception that causes the believer to believe him more than believing God. We must train ourselves in the fact that God is spirit, Satan is spirit and man who was made in God’s image and likeness is also spirit. Through faith, a believers confession should center around these three points…
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Psalms 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Hebrews 1:3 …upholding all things by the word of His power,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful,
The devil cannot read our mind but he certainly hears our words. If our words are negative, that is, contrary to God's Word, then he will devises a deceptive plan for us to agree with him and not God. This causes many believers to live a defeated life. However, when the believer sides with God's Word and refuses to let circumstances to have control, he/she will live in victory and continuously see the salvation of the Lord, because HE IS FAITHFUL!!!
Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith, the Word of God, made incarnate in Jesus Christ, without being shaken by the trials, or by the arguments of the enemy, for God who cannot lie, is faithful to give you what He has promised." (Paraphrased)
Notice that this type of confession deals directly with the Word of God, which makes confession a very important part of a believers life. Remember Jesus said…
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
Our thinking should be, when we confess God’s Word that it goes beyond the natural realm into the spiritual realm to accomplish God’s will and to prosper in the thing for which it is sent...
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) In other words, no Word of God is without power!
No one can affirm, that is, testify or act on things that they do not believe, know or embrace as truth. Thank the Lord for giving us a revelation of Himself through His Word. His Word is "Living and Powerful" and as we confess His Word we are agreeing with it and not letting life circumstances have the upper hand. The believer who is constantly confessing their lack, weakness and failure is not agreeing with God's Word. Negative confession is an unconscious declaration that our heavenly Father has failed to accomplish the fullness of redemption through Christ. This type of confession destroys faith, holds people in bondage and says that the redeemed life is nothing more than a life filled with misery and disappointment.
The apostle Paul tells us, "Everywhere and in all things I have learned to be independent of my circumstances. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:12-13)
Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” not because he was more special to God than other believers, but because he did not let Satan or the influences of the natural realm to distract or manipulate him. He relied on God’s strength and ability to work through him in every area of life. In other words, he walked by the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is apparent that he understood that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing."
If believers look to the circumstances or the things in the natural realm rather than seeing God’s Word as Spirit and life, then the results will be a negative confession. In other words, if I confess that by His stripes I am healed, but look to the natural and do not see immediate results, then I am allowing the natural realm to have place neutralizing my confession. I might find myself saying, "well this does not work for me, I guess sickness is God’s purpose for me, God why am I not healed." This opens the door for the devil to respond with his lies and deception that causes the believer to believe him more than believing God. We must train ourselves in the fact that God is spirit, Satan is spirit and man who was made in God’s image and likeness is also spirit. Through faith, a believers confession should center around these three points…
- What God has worked in Christ for us…(The legal side of redemption)
- What God through His Word and the Holy Spirit is doing in and through us…(Vital; side of redemption)
- What we are to the Father in Christ…(Identification side of redemption)
- We confess first and foremost that Jesus Christ is absolute Lord of my life...
- We confess that all authority is His over everything, 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...
- We confess that He is Lord over sickness, disease, poverty, Satan, sin and death…
- We confess that His Word and Spirit have the preeminence in our lives…
- We confess that we are God’s children and as sons and daughters we are entitled to all of His promises as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…
- We confess that He has given us the legal right to use the name of Jesus to enforce what He has done and to keep the devil under the believers feet
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Psalms 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Hebrews 1:3 …upholding all things by the word of His power,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful,
The devil cannot read our mind but he certainly hears our words. If our words are negative, that is, contrary to God's Word, then he will devises a deceptive plan for us to agree with him and not God. This causes many believers to live a defeated life. However, when the believer sides with God's Word and refuses to let circumstances to have control, he/she will live in victory and continuously see the salvation of the Lord, because HE IS FAITHFUL!!!
Monday, January 21, 2013
What's Your Nature?
There are six Greek words that describe various aspects of life. The two found most in the New Testament are psuehe which is natural life and the other is zoe which is life as God has it. The apostle Paul tells us, "And you God made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1-2) In other words before we were born again we were spiritually dead and partakers of Satan’s nature. It is this nature that has produced sin, wickedness, evil, misery, sickness and disease. It has produced the works of the flesh, which are, "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like." (Galatians 5:19-21) It has also produced condemnation, guilt, inferiority, shame and a sense of unworthiness. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:12 "that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." In Romans 8:7-8 Paul tells us, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
Much of Christianity today is a product of the Dark Ages and has not moved very much beyond the old wine skin of the reformation in respect to who the born again person has become in Christ. When you think about it, if it were possible for God to forgive a sinners their sin only, it would actually not do the sinner any good, because he/she would continue sinning due to the fallen nature within them. The fact is that the fallen, sinful, satanic nature in un-regenerated man must be taken out and replaced with a new nature. Man must be recreated. According to 2 Peter 1:3-4 we read, "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 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."
The corruption that is in the world is the satanic nature. However, the born again person is delivered from the old nature and becomes a partaker of God's divine nature which is zoe, life as God has it, or eternal life. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in the Son of God should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting (eternal) life." (John 3:15-16) and "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24) All who are born again, have been delivered out of death, the satanic realm, into the realm of life as God has it, where there is no judgment.
To be born again is actually and literally being birthed out of Satan’s family and being placed into the family of God. Look at the following scriptures...
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 6:14 For sin (Satan) shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 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,
When one confesses Jesus as Lord and accepts Him as Savior, God immediately gives him His very nature. He no longer has Satan’s nature, he is no longer a sinner, beggar, or even a servant, but a child of God. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12) and "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15) also "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God." (1 John 3:1) The new believer is a child of God with God's divine nature. He is no longer a child of the devil with his fallen, sinful nature. PTL
Believers must understand that they have been given the nature of God and that eternal life in them now. It is not a destination nor some reward that is received when a believer passes from this life. Eternal life, the nature of God, makes us righteous, we love as God loves, we have the God kind of faith, we are His children, we are heirs and have rights and privileges in Christ as sons and daughters that unfortunately, we have barely appropriated. So let us make this faith declaration together...
“I have confessed Jesus as Lord; I have taken Him as my Savior; God has completely removed the satanic nature from me; God has given me life as He has it which is His divine nature. Healing, provision, long life, strength, success and victory are mine because they are all a part of my New Creation Life in Christ." Amen.
We all need to meditate on these truths until they burn in our very being, so if sickness, disease, sin, or Satan himself tries to come upon us, we can declare with all certainty that God dwells in this new creation; He is my Father and I am His child and I refuse to let these thing in my life, in Jesus' name!
Much of Christianity today is a product of the Dark Ages and has not moved very much beyond the old wine skin of the reformation in respect to who the born again person has become in Christ. When you think about it, if it were possible for God to forgive a sinners their sin only, it would actually not do the sinner any good, because he/she would continue sinning due to the fallen nature within them. The fact is that the fallen, sinful, satanic nature in un-regenerated man must be taken out and replaced with a new nature. Man must be recreated. According to 2 Peter 1:3-4 we read, "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 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."
The corruption that is in the world is the satanic nature. However, the born again person is delivered from the old nature and becomes a partaker of God's divine nature which is zoe, life as God has it, or eternal life. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in the Son of God should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting (eternal) life." (John 3:15-16) and "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24) All who are born again, have been delivered out of death, the satanic realm, into the realm of life as God has it, where there is no judgment.
To be born again is actually and literally being birthed out of Satan’s family and being placed into the family of God. Look at the following scriptures...
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 6:14 For sin (Satan) shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 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,
When one confesses Jesus as Lord and accepts Him as Savior, God immediately gives him His very nature. He no longer has Satan’s nature, he is no longer a sinner, beggar, or even a servant, but a child of God. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12) and "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15) also "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God." (1 John 3:1) The new believer is a child of God with God's divine nature. He is no longer a child of the devil with his fallen, sinful nature. PTL
Believers must understand that they have been given the nature of God and that eternal life in them now. It is not a destination nor some reward that is received when a believer passes from this life. Eternal life, the nature of God, makes us righteous, we love as God loves, we have the God kind of faith, we are His children, we are heirs and have rights and privileges in Christ as sons and daughters that unfortunately, we have barely appropriated. So let us make this faith declaration together...
“I have confessed Jesus as Lord; I have taken Him as my Savior; God has completely removed the satanic nature from me; God has given me life as He has it which is His divine nature. Healing, provision, long life, strength, success and victory are mine because they are all a part of my New Creation Life in Christ." Amen.
We all need to meditate on these truths until they burn in our very being, so if sickness, disease, sin, or Satan himself tries to come upon us, we can declare with all certainty that God dwells in this new creation; He is my Father and I am His child and I refuse to let these thing in my life, in Jesus' name!
Monday, January 14, 2013
God, Why Did You Let This Happen?
One of the saddest phrases that comes forth from a Christians mouth when life trials come or a tragedy happens is, "God, why did you let this happen!" It is as though somehow God takes pleasure in the agonies that take place in humanity. Many will even say, "God is sovereign" (which He is) which to them means that God does whatever He wants whenever He wants, even if it means operating contrary of His Word. Many come this conclusion because they have been taught to think this way by church leaders who reason through life's adversities rather than exercising faith in the integrity of God's Word and understand what is actually going on. Peter tells us...
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:2-3)
Notice that God has given the believer "all things that pertain to life and godliness." This means that believers should have an understanding of how God operates in this life. He is a God of blessings and life not of tragedy and death. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) and "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) In both of these verses the word life means, "life as God has it; that which the Father has in Himself." Although redemption is much far reaching than most in the church today understand, notice that one of the reasons for the incarnation was to give humanity life as God has it, life which the Father has! From this, to say that God has some mysterious purpose in the tragedies that happen in humanity, especially to the believer, His child, comes down to this, "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me." (Hosea 4:6)
Looking back on 2 Peter 1:2-3, notice that grace and peace are multiplied to the believer in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Also notice that all the things that God has given the believer that pertain to life and godliness, also comes through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This connects with what the Holy Spirit spoke through Hosea. One of the ways that people, even Christians, blame God for permitting tragedies or saying that tragic things are a part of God divine purpose is because they do not know Him, meaning, His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. Of course terrible things happen on the earth, but it is not God's will nor are they some sovereign purpose of God that we will never understand. We must stop blaming God for things that are not His will nor a part of His divine purpose. Sure God can use a tragedy and turn it for good, but to say that He somehow permits tragic things to happen to fulfill some mysterious purpose of His is utter nonsense. It would be like saying that Jesus did not fully satisfy justice for humanity, so God uses tragic situation to complete mans redemption.
Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;" (John 14:7) and "He who has seen Me has seen the Father;" (John 14:9) Jesus is not saying that these men were not his disciples, but that they did not have an accurate knowledge of his nature, character, will, purposes and plan, which was actually the Father's. God has given us His Word, the Bible, so that the believer can know His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. We should start by looking at the four gospels. In them we will discover that Jesus is a perfect reflection of the Father's nature, character, will, purposes and plan which is to save, heal, deliver and bring abundant life to humanity not tragedy and death. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) but He does not use His authority to override mans will nor does He use His authority to operate contrary to His Word.
How can one honestly believe that our heavenly Father somehow has a sovereign purpose or plan to have one of His children perish at the hand of a drunk driver? It was the will of the drunk driver to reject what was right for what they knew to be wrong. It was the will of the drunk driver to get behind the wheel of a car and cause this tragedy. God will not stop people from exercising their will. He didn't in the Garden of Eden nor does He do it now. He does not force people to do His will, so yes, He does permit tragic things to happen, but it certainly is not His will or His divine purpose. Never forget, that sin has its consequences and unfortunately many innocent people suffer for it. Also let us not forget that Satan's hatred for God and humanity is the motivator behind such heinous things.
God is certainly in control, (sovereign) but He Himself is limited in that control...
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress." (Job 37:23) and "...For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) God does everything on absolute legal grounds and within the parameters of His Word so that none (man, angels, Satan or demons) can accuse Him of not being just or blame Him for permitting things to happen that are contrary to His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. He is limited by His own Word as well as the choices of man. Even in the Garden, God did not encroach Adam's will (free choice) to commit treason and yet God was just as sovereign then as He is now and will ever be. Throughout Israel's history scripture clear shows us that they rejected God through their poor choices which were not God's will nor some divine purpose of God and we see that they received the consequences of those choices and yet God remained sovereign. God has made a way for man to be free from sin and Satan through Jesus Christ, but it does not mean that all people will Chooses God's plan of redemption, thereby permitting the destructive nature of sin and Satan to still have their way in humanity. Another thing to consider is that God is also limited by the choices that believers (the church) also make that are contrary to His Word. The church is the Body of Christ and therefore it is the voice and power of God on earth.
The Lord has given the church (believers) authority over sin and Satan. We must use this authority to enforce and uphold what Jesus has provided through His death, resurrection and glorification. We must stop taking tragedy on the chin and stand on God's Word knowing that God does not have some divine purpose in the destruction of His children. My friends, blaming our Great Heavenly Father for these things breaks my heart and brings me to tears. God's ingenious plan of redemption liberates all men and provides abundant life right here on planet earth while we wait in hope for the glory of heaven. Don't believe me? Study and meditate on God's Word being led by the Holy Spirit and see for yourself the true nature, character, will, purposes and plan of God and be set free. For who Jesus has set free (being born again) is completely free.
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:2-3)
Notice that God has given the believer "all things that pertain to life and godliness." This means that believers should have an understanding of how God operates in this life. He is a God of blessings and life not of tragedy and death. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) and "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) In both of these verses the word life means, "life as God has it; that which the Father has in Himself." Although redemption is much far reaching than most in the church today understand, notice that one of the reasons for the incarnation was to give humanity life as God has it, life which the Father has! From this, to say that God has some mysterious purpose in the tragedies that happen in humanity, especially to the believer, His child, comes down to this, "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me." (Hosea 4:6)
Looking back on 2 Peter 1:2-3, notice that grace and peace are multiplied to the believer in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Also notice that all the things that God has given the believer that pertain to life and godliness, also comes through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This connects with what the Holy Spirit spoke through Hosea. One of the ways that people, even Christians, blame God for permitting tragedies or saying that tragic things are a part of God divine purpose is because they do not know Him, meaning, His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. Of course terrible things happen on the earth, but it is not God's will nor are they some sovereign purpose of God that we will never understand. We must stop blaming God for things that are not His will nor a part of His divine purpose. Sure God can use a tragedy and turn it for good, but to say that He somehow permits tragic things to happen to fulfill some mysterious purpose of His is utter nonsense. It would be like saying that Jesus did not fully satisfy justice for humanity, so God uses tragic situation to complete mans redemption.
Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;" (John 14:7) and "He who has seen Me has seen the Father;" (John 14:9) Jesus is not saying that these men were not his disciples, but that they did not have an accurate knowledge of his nature, character, will, purposes and plan, which was actually the Father's. God has given us His Word, the Bible, so that the believer can know His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. We should start by looking at the four gospels. In them we will discover that Jesus is a perfect reflection of the Father's nature, character, will, purposes and plan which is to save, heal, deliver and bring abundant life to humanity not tragedy and death. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) but He does not use His authority to override mans will nor does He use His authority to operate contrary to His Word.
How can one honestly believe that our heavenly Father somehow has a sovereign purpose or plan to have one of His children perish at the hand of a drunk driver? It was the will of the drunk driver to reject what was right for what they knew to be wrong. It was the will of the drunk driver to get behind the wheel of a car and cause this tragedy. God will not stop people from exercising their will. He didn't in the Garden of Eden nor does He do it now. He does not force people to do His will, so yes, He does permit tragic things to happen, but it certainly is not His will or His divine purpose. Never forget, that sin has its consequences and unfortunately many innocent people suffer for it. Also let us not forget that Satan's hatred for God and humanity is the motivator behind such heinous things.
God is certainly in control, (sovereign) but He Himself is limited in that control...
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress." (Job 37:23) and "...For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) God does everything on absolute legal grounds and within the parameters of His Word so that none (man, angels, Satan or demons) can accuse Him of not being just or blame Him for permitting things to happen that are contrary to His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. He is limited by His own Word as well as the choices of man. Even in the Garden, God did not encroach Adam's will (free choice) to commit treason and yet God was just as sovereign then as He is now and will ever be. Throughout Israel's history scripture clear shows us that they rejected God through their poor choices which were not God's will nor some divine purpose of God and we see that they received the consequences of those choices and yet God remained sovereign. God has made a way for man to be free from sin and Satan through Jesus Christ, but it does not mean that all people will Chooses God's plan of redemption, thereby permitting the destructive nature of sin and Satan to still have their way in humanity. Another thing to consider is that God is also limited by the choices that believers (the church) also make that are contrary to His Word. The church is the Body of Christ and therefore it is the voice and power of God on earth.
The Lord has given the church (believers) authority over sin and Satan. We must use this authority to enforce and uphold what Jesus has provided through His death, resurrection and glorification. We must stop taking tragedy on the chin and stand on God's Word knowing that God does not have some divine purpose in the destruction of His children. My friends, blaming our Great Heavenly Father for these things breaks my heart and brings me to tears. God's ingenious plan of redemption liberates all men and provides abundant life right here on planet earth while we wait in hope for the glory of heaven. Don't believe me? Study and meditate on God's Word being led by the Holy Spirit and see for yourself the true nature, character, will, purposes and plan of God and be set free. For who Jesus has set free (being born again) is completely free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)