The Father's Love

 Did you ever have someone come and say to you, "God loves you", but were not really sure that He did (does)?  There are many in the church today that have experienced new birth but are not absolutely sure, deep within their heart, that God loves them. Jesus tells us, "For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." (John 16:27)  In this sentence, Jesus has given us a picture of God the Father's Heart. It is a Father who loves His children; a Father whose heart is reaching out tenderly toward His own family. So, take a moment and meditate on the above verse. What comfort there is in this precious thought, that the God of creation, Almighty God, the Father Himself loves us without condition. This means that even with all the burdens, cares and even our failures that we may carry or experience in this life, the Father Himself loves us. No matter whatever the heartache, whatever the struggle, whatever the secret grief, the heart of God the Father yearns over us.

When believers come to accept the surrounding abounding love of the Father, what peace floods the soul; what courage to fight the battle when every reason for living has gone and death would be a relief. We can take the battle up again and carry it on to victory, because we know that He loves us. As long as we are loved, and as long as we can love, there is a reason for being in the world, but when we cease to love and cease to be the object of 1ove, then the reason for being ends. Look at the Words of Jesus, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) This is such a wonderful promise. The Creator of everything seen and unseen, He who has charge of every form of life, every star in the universe, every blade of grass, every flower and tree, He whose ear is open to the heart of every human, will come in and make His home with us.

The heart can hardly take it in. The mind can barely comprehend the fact that the Father and Son will come and dwell with (in) us. Honestly, it does not seem credible that He will live in us but He has promised to do it. (John 14:16) What a blessing, what a wonder, that the Omnipotent God will come into us and make His home. He does this because of His great love. He comes and gives us wisdom to deal with all areas of this life, (Colossians 3:16); to help us in those dark hours when we do not know what to do, (Psalm 18); to strengthen us in our times of weakness, (2 Corinthians 12:9); to give us the ability to know His will, (Colossians 1:9) and much, much more. How the Father's heart yearns for us, craves for us. What a blessing He has bestow upon us, what riches are ours to inherit, what fellowship we can have, all due to the Father's limitless love for us.

Look at just how great the Father's love is for you, "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:26) The Father loves you even as He loved Jesus. You may not be able to understand it. It may not sound reasonable, but it is true and utterly beautiful to not only think about, but moreover receive it in your heart. Not only is God love (1 John 4:16), but He gives His love nature to us. (1 John 4:7-11) Think about it, if we walk in love, we will never sin. Isn't that wonderful? God's love solves the problem of the human condition. To live in love's realm; to learn love's language; love's methods and love's way, will set us completely free (1 John 4:17-19) and we will speak aloud, "God is love; this God of love is my Father; I am His child and He truly loves me. (1 John 3:1)

So how can I come to know the love of the Father? Learn to think in terms of love. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8) Learn to give in to love so that your actions are a reflection of Jesus, who is love. Let the Jesus kind of love reign in your heart until every thought and all of your words will be covered in love. So, today let us declare that we are going to let the love of God rule us in every way, in all that we think, do and say. "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5) Open your heart and receive God's love today, knowing that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ." (Romans 8:39)

Our Father's House

In past, we saw what the scriptures tells us about God the Father and His family, that is, believers. What a wonderful privilege it is to receive new birth and immediately become a child of God. Now every believer is a legal partaker of all the promises of God and are now members of the house or household of God. The house of God is often referred to in the Old Testament as a physical Tabernacle or Temple. Many in the church today still hold on to that concept that the House of God is a material building or structure where believers gather together for church functions. However, the Bible paints an entirely different picture. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) The apostle Peter tells us, "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house..." (1 Peter 2:5) Both Peter and Paul are not talking about an edifice, but believers themselves are the temple, the spiritual house of God, His dwelling place. Paul also tell us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)

Here God's Family is given a very choice name, "the Household of Faith." This reveals another wonderful truth. All believers are blood-brothers (and sisters). We have partaken of the same nature, as well as being heirs and joint heirs of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17) We are not Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Charismatics or even non-denominational. To those who have come into new birth through faith in Jesus Christ, we are God's sons and daughters, God's Family, His house on earth. As members of the Family, we are to minister to each other and watch over each other in love. Paul tells us, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19)  All believers everywhere need to drop everything that we use which separates us from one another and realize this very important fact, God desires to live with His children. He does not want to be simply a guest in our individual lives, no, He wants to have a Father's place in our lives and hearts (John 14:23) and as children of God, we are to be one. (John 17:22)

Think about this. Perhaps the most wonderful fact is, God did not create the whole human race at the same time, but He created one man and one woman and permitted them to be the father and mother of His house to produce for Him more children. This shows the eternal responsibility of fatherhood and  motherhood not only in the natural sense, but moreover, in the spiritual sense. The Apostle Paul says it this way, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) But how can Christ be formed in believers, (His house, the church), if we do not want Him. What do I mean by this? No matter what denomination, group of churches or whether an independent congregation, according to statistics, the average church service lasts approximately one hour. 

We may say things like, "we come together to meet with God", "we come together to worship God", but the reality is, for most, we come together to practice our religion in the name of being "sensitive to each others time or to those we are trying to reach." We sing songs instead of truly worshiping in spirit and truth. We hear so called relevant sermons that makes us feel good about ourselves, but rarely have any spiritual affect upon those who hear, because they are meant to play upon the emotions and not spiritual transformation. In stead of making disciplines, we fill the church with numerous programs that are simply therapeutic and not spiritually life changing. The sad thing is, we twist the meaning of scripture, to appease our conscience and fit our religious experience and life styles so we can justify what we do or not do. Think about it. How many marriages would survive if a husband and wife squeezed each other into a one hour a week meeting? This is why most congregations never experience a true encounter with God in their church services or programs, but equate an emotional response as an encounter with God.  This is not to say that we cannot be emotional, but that emotions cannot dictate a true encounter with the Living God. Transformation is the results of encountering God. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Jesus said, "..."If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) This is not referring to the new birth experience, but the continuous presence of God in the church. In Jesus' final instructions to the disciples, He also prays for those who will believe in Him through the preaching of the gospel by the disciples. He says, "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one." (John 17:22) He also says, "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold (to look at; to view attentively; to see; to perceive with the eyes; to enjoy the presence of) My glory which You have given Me." (John 17:24)     

The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21) This is not about an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, per se, it is about the continuous manifestation of God in His house, the church. Honestly, where is the manifestation of the Lord in His house? Where is the manifestation of oneness in His house? Where is the manifestation of His power in His house? Where is the manifestation of His glory in His house?  Why has the majority of the church become an institution working at pleasing man rather than a living Body seeking to please God? Look at the words of the Apostles Peter and John, "But Peter and John replied to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you (man) and obey you (man) rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves]." (Acts 4:19 AMP) They said this under persecution. They wanted to please God, not man and were willing to face the consequences, be what they may. Look at the words of the Apostle Paul, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) I guess we can say, if Paul were to please man, he would not be pleasing to Christ.

Jesus finish up what we term "The Lord's Prayer" with these words, "For Yours is the Kingdom, Power and Glory forever, Amen." (Matthew 6:13) I certainly cannot speak for all who read this, but I desire the manifestation of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory wherever I am, especially in a church service, than trying to get through religious acts and programs of man that do not transform lives. A congregation that is more concerned about peoples scheduling than desiring the manifestation of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory, should never expect to experience the manifestation of such in their meetings. Jesus tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

I am certainly not trying to be critical toward any congregation, but Jesus did say, "I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18) So, let's open the door of our heart. Let's open the door of His house and stop trying to fit God into our schedules, but let Him takes us into eternity by permitting Him full access to His house on His terms and on His schedule. Let's throw religion out of the church and let the King of Glory in. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Honoring Our Abba

Father's Day is next Sunday and it is a celebration honoring fatherhood and the influence of fathers in society. It was first proposed by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington in 1909. It is currently celebrated in the United States annually on the third Sunday in June. Father's have always played a big part in every society. Unfortunately, there is a father absence crisis in America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18.3 million children, that is, 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. Research shows when a child is raised in a father-absent home, he or she is affected in the following ways; there is a four times greater risk of poverty; Seven times more likely to become pregnant as a teen; more likely to have behavioral problems; more likely to face abuse and neglect; two times greater risk of infant mortality; more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol; more likely to go to prison; two times more likely to suffer obesity; more likely to commit crime and two times more likely to drop out of high school.

Although these statistics are real and even heartbreaking, nevertheless their is some wonderful news. God chooses to relate to us in terms we all understand, that is, terms of the family. Family is God's design for the foundation of society. Though God embodies the characteristics of both a father and a mother, yet, in a greater, more passionate way, He presents Himself as our Heavenly Father. When we put our faith in Jesus, we become children 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: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12–13) Jesus Himself taught us to call on God, Father, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:Our Father in heaven..." (Matthew 6:6-9)

We also see in Psalm 68:4-5 more wonderful news, especially to the fatherless, "Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, and rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation." Whether we have had a good earthly father or not, the Bible clearly reveals God, our heavenly Father, the greatest example of fatherhood by revealing to us in His very nature, as a good, good father. In His nature we find the need to be protected, loved, guided, valued, and even disciplined. And God will fulfill that role in our lives if we let Him. There is no need for anyone to be truly fatherless, because God is the perfect Father and He made provision for everyone to become a child of His.

Our Heavenly Father offers Himself as the ideal Father not only to those without earthly fathers, but to all who will come to Him, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." (John 6:37) "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." (John 16:26–27) God gave His Son so that we might become His children, "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) When we belong to Him, He expects us to call on Him, trusting His goodness. He wants us to give our worries over to Him to carry, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) and simply have confidence in Him as we desire to have confidence in an earthly father. God is the best Father there is. He will be a Father to the fatherless and He alone is capable of filling every void left by our imperfect earthly fathers. In truth, God is the only perfect Father and the One we all need most.

So, on this Father's Day as we honor our earthly fathers, let us also honor the greatest Father that ever was or will be, Almighty God, our Heavenly Father...

O' The Joy Of It All

Joy is defined as, "To fill with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction." Noah Webster (1828) describes joy as, "The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits; A glorious and triumphant state." Although most people may equate joy as happiness or ecstatic happiness, joy actually goes way beyond happiness on ever level. Reason being, happiness is based solely around ones existing circumstances, the material or physical realm. Remove the thing(s) that brought happiness, happiness then dissipates.   

Joy on the other hand is not based on the physical realm, because it is spiritual. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." (Galatians 5:22-23)  Nehemiah tells us, "...the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Joy is not something that is based on the physical realm nor is it conjured up, but a realization of the Truth. Joy is a product of the recreated human spirit when one comes to Christ and is born again. So, why is it that many believers do not have joy? Mostly, because they are looking for joy in the wrong place(s). What they miss, is what is pointed out above. They are looking for joy based on material circumstances not realizing that it comes by-way-of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It comes knowing Him and the best way to know Him is through the Word of God. Honestly, a believer without joy is a contradiction in terms. If you are right with God, you ought to have a continual, conspicuous, contagious joy. Any time we look at that natural to fulfill what only the spiritual can fulfill, we will find ourselves on an emotional roller-coaster caught between happiness and dissatisfaction. Joy is nothing of the sort.  

One of the things that many believers have trouble understanding and applying to their daily life, is what James tells us about joy, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." (James 1:2) Many believers question, "Why does James say this? Doesn't God realize just how severe and or traumatic my circumstances are?" Certainly, God knows every situation that life brings even before we have to face them. (Matthew 6:19-34) He fully understands what our struggles are. (Hebrews 4:15) He will not let us be under the pressures of life that He knows we cannot handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13) So, why do many believers respond to the various trial of life without joy?

The writer of Hebrews gives us some insight concerning this very thing. "Therefore we also, since 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." (Hebrews 12:1) Believers are to run the race without allowing ourselves to be hindered by any obstructions, and without giving out or fainting on the way. We are to encourage ourselves by the example of the multitudes who have run the same race before us, and who are now looking out upon us from heaven, where they dwell, and are cheering us on. Believers cannot run the race, "the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:14) with the concerns of the world and or sin in their life. Therefore, it becomes impossible to have "the joy of the Lord" as our strength to overcome every trial in the way that James points out.

But look what Hebrews continues to reveal to us, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Naturally, Jesus is the greatest example that believers have to live in the abundant life that He said we would have. (John 10:10) Notice, believers are to look to Jesus, not the problem, not the trial. Surely, if you are facing a trial, it is not to say that it does not exist when it truly does. The trial is real. Again, believers are to look to Jesus not the trial. He is the One who will strengthen our faith. But look at the next portion of this scripture, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame..." How could Jesus have joy when He was facing the horrific pain, shame, agony and death of crucifixion? 

He had joy because he was not looking at the pain, shame, agony and death. He was looking at the end result, "sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God." This meant that redemption would now be eternal and available to all mankind. It meant that justice was satisfied (Hebrews 1:3) and the world was reconciled to God the Father. (2 Corinthians 5:18) This was the joy that was set before Jesus. This is why He could endure the indescribable suffering and shame of the cross. So, why does God tell us through James to count it all a joy when you fall into various trials? Because we are to look at the end product or promise in the same way that Jesus did and not focus on the trial. 

When believers look at what a trial can produce in their life rather than the discomfort of the trial, joy is the natural product, just as Jesus had joy, though He face the cross. No matter what the trial is, if believers would turn to God's Word, find the solution and stand on and look to His promises rather than the problem at hand, joy will abound. Jesus tells us, "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) For instance, say you are lacking in finances, God says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom." (Luke 6:38) "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8) "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) 

These are but a few of the promises of God concerning finances, but are enough to drive home the point. We take God's Word, confess with our mouth and believe with our heart that God is able to do what He says. (Romans 4:21) We then get an image in our mind of the finished product, our financial need met. We then go about our business knowing that God heard us and will give us the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15) We know the problem exists in the natural, but we do not focus on the natural, only on the spiritual, God's Word, His promises. This is what Jesus tells us in a Parable, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)    

The man first scattered (sowed) seed, God's Word (Mark 4:14) and went about the routines of life. He was not idle after sowing the seed and even though he did not know everything there is to know about the earth bringing forth a crop, he knew that his labors of sowing and going about his business, would eventually produce a crop. Every believer has a choice. We can continuously confess (sow) the problem, which means we agree with the problem, and reap a harvest, the problem itself,  or we can confess (sow) God's solutions to the problem, His promises found in His Word, and reap a harvest, the manifestation of His promise. James tells us one of the aspects of "counting it all joy when you fall into various trials," is, "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:3-4) What a wonderful promise, "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." PTL

So, when we face a trial, and we will if we plan to serve Jesus, let us no longer focus on the problem, although it exists, and "look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Looking to Jesus is the same as looking to the Word of God "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh..." (John 1:1, 14) In doing this, the joy of the LORD will rise...

Free Indeed

Today, is the fifth Monday of the month of May 2023 and in the United States it is a national holiday entitled, Memorial Day. It is a day in which Americans remember the service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives so that others may have freedom. They did not give their lives for the United States alone, but as they fought and died in the numerous conflicts throughout the world, they did it to bring an end to demonized dictators. They fought and died to turn back these satanic ruled people whose only objective was or is to steal, kill, destroy and or hold in bondage to slavery their fellow man in efforts to promote their tyrannical reign. Let us never forget those in the armed forces who have gone before and those today who are ready to do what it takes to defend and protect the citizens of the United States of America.

In a similar way, Christians also have a Memorial Day. However, our Memorial Day is not only a day of remembrance, but a day of celebration. We celebrate the day that we "confessed with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and were saved." (Romans 10:9) We celebrate the fact the Jesus Christ also paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving His life to save (redeem, heal, deliver, make whole) all humanity from Satan, the most evil, murderous tyrant known to man. The Bible reveals to us, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) and "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)

When we consider what Jesus did for mankind the mind can hardly comprehend it. The apostle Paul reveals to us through the Holy Spirit, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned  (Romans 5:12) and speaking of the state of all men since the fall, “…having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12) This means that not one person in all of mankind had the ability to provide redemption. God Himself must provide man’s redemption. God must redeem man from the dominion of Satan. Death must be destroyed and man’s authority over the Satan must also be restored. We also must keep in mind that God is just, "…God is abundant in justice…” (Job 37:23) and therefore mankind could only be redeemed on absolute legal grounds. Even though God's love for man is unfathomable and the fact that He is also sovereign, He could not redeem man outside the realm of justice.

God would have to provide a substitute who would not have man’s satanic fallen nature. He could not be mortal or immortal, but a perfect man as Adam was before the fall. He must fulfill the entire Mosaic Law, withstand the onslaught of all the devils attacks without sin, meet the demands of justice, (meaning that He would have to pay the penalty for man’s crimes against God) and suffer in man's place by becoming sin, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Being make sin the Redeemer would be separated from the presence of God by going to hell, (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31) which is the ultimate penalty for sin, until mankind had been fully and legally acquitted for their crime. In other words, Deity must suffer for humanity.

As Adam die both spiritually and physically ("a death you shall die," or, "dying you shall die." Genesis 2:17  Hebrew) and "and they made His grave with the wicked, but with the rich at His death..."(Isaiah 53:9 deaths in the Hebrew) Jesus too would have to experience both spiritual and physical death as Adam, did to reverse Adam's transgression. If Jesus' physical death was all that was required to redeem humanity, then sin is nothing more than a physical condition. If physical death deals with the sin issue, then every person that physically dies pays the penalty of his/her own sin. If sin is only a physical condition and can be dealt with through physical death, then we must conclude that no person will ever be separated from God in hell because the physical death of every person would be sufficient to satisfy justice and give them a pass to eternal life.

However, we know that this is not true. Jesus must suffer in both realms, physically and spiritually. Physically because that is the only way that spiritually dead humanity could eliminate the Son of God; spiritually, because it’s the only way that God could legally redeem man taking away Satan’s claim to humanity. It also stops man from accusing God of being unjust when they reject His way of redemption. Jesus indeed went to hell and suffered as a substitute for all mankind.  His physical death was infinitesimal to what He suffered in the spiritual realm. If humanity could have been redeemed apart from Christ, then Jesus becoming a substitute for humanity and being sent to hell would have become the most heinous crime ever committed in all of creation.

But thanks be to God who was willing to take upon Himself man's liability by suffering an incomprehensible death in two realms as man's substitute. So let us never forget what the Father did through Jesus to give humanity complete freedom from Satan's power. Let us never forget and rejoice continually on our Memorial Day. The day you and I were born again.  

The God Kind Of Love

Although we can list many things that seem to have the greatest impact on humanity, I believer the two greatest forces in the world today are love and selfishness. Selfishness is what makes a person concerned chiefly or excessively with himself, and having little or no regard for others. It is a robber. It breaks friendships and hearts. It wrecks marriages and homes. It flat out steals, kills and destroys because all of these things are a product of Satan. (John 8:44, 10:10) There is only one force able to conquer selfishness and destroy its destructive nature. That force is not simply love, but the God kind of love. Natural human love is motivated by human desires, that is, what satisfaction, what pleasures can "I" get from another without giving anything in return. It can turn in a moment from expressing affection and concern to neglect, hatred, jealousy and even murder.

A home could never be destroyed if every member would love as God loves. The wife would never remember the past mistakes of her husband, nor the husband ever remind the wife of any unpleasant happenings of her past. All the mistakes and failures of the past would be wiped out. What homes we would have if we were to love as God loves. There would be no more quarreling over finances, no more bitter hurtful words spoken, but each one would be seeking how they could put others above themselves even at their own expense. Why is this? Love never takes advantage of anyone. Love always bears the burdens of the weak. Love says, "It is all my fault. Had I done differently, or spoken differently, or lived in love, it would never happened." People who walk in the God kind of love never injure anyone, never take advantage of anyone. They simply walk and live in God. They respond to the fruit of the spirit and give no place to the selfish works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-26)

No matter what evil the adversary may bring into a life, love will change evil to good, and will bring forth good fruit. (Romans 12:21) Jesus said, "Al1 things are possible to him that believes." (Mark 9:23) That means "a believing one" can operate in the God kind of love. How do we know this? "For the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) Jesus tells us, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Believers, the branches, are linked up with Jesus, Who is the Vine. The branch is the fruit-bearing portion of the vine. Therefore, the believer has a legal right to the Father's love and Jesus' ability to carry it out. (Philippians 4:13)

The believer is to take Jesus' place in this life. He is a reproduction of Jesus (John 17:20-26) to carry out the will of the Father just as Jesus did when He walked this earth. Jesus was the first man who ever walked in the God kind of love on this earth. When selfishness is eliminated in us and love gains the dominion, we will not seek our own any longer. We will live as Jesus lived. We will seek only the Father's will as Jesus did. (John 6:38) As we walk in the God kind of love, we will be walking just as Jesus walked. There isn't a thing in the New Covenant or in the finished work of Christ that does not belong to every believer, especially the God kind of love. God is able to make us all what His great heart desires us to be. He delivered us out of the hand of the enemy. (1 Peter 2:9) He gave us His own nature. (2 Peter 1:3) He made us a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Ephesians 2:10) He is in us now living and working His own good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13) Let us all yield to His Word and give Him the right-of-way in every area of our lives.

Please take some time, slowly read and meditate on the God kind of love as revealed in the Gospels from the Garden of Gethsemane to resurrection of our Lord. Paul tells us, " But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Also, take some time to read and reread the Amplified Version of the God kind of Love as revealed in
1 Corinthians 13:4-8...
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].  

Standing On The Rock

In His final instruction to His disciples as recorded in Mathew's Gospel, Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) Why would He say this? He did not need authority, He always had it. Why then was it given to Him now that He was leaving the earth and returning to heaven? It was given to Him because He is the Head of the church, the first born from the dead. (Colossians 1:18) All the authority that was given to Him was for the benefit of the church, His Body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Through the meritorious work of Jesus in His mission to completely redeem man, He stripped Satan of the authority that was given to him by Adam, (Luke 4:5-6). He destroyed him who had the power of death, that is the devil. (Hebrews 2:14) He took from Satan the keys of death and hell. (Revelation 1:18) He delegated His authority to believers through using His name (Mark 16:17-18) Most believers have not come to fully understand the authority that has been given to them through Jesus Christ, neither have they accepted the authority that is rightfully theirs by virtue of being born again. Let us look at one of the most compelling events in the Bible that reveals the various aspects of authority.

"Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour." (Matthew 8:5-13)

First, we need to keep in mind that this man was a Gentile, furthermore a Roman Centurion. He was not a Covenant partner with God. He was not a Jew and was considered an outcast in his day. He had no legal grounds to come to Jesus, because He had come to share the Gospel with the Jews (Matthew 15:24) Even when Jesus sent His disciples to preach, He said, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:5-6)  Although this man was not included in the Covenant, Jesus said, "I will come and heal your servant." The centurion knew the relationship between Jew and Gentile an concluded that he was not worthy for Jesus to come to his house and suggests an alternative plan, "...only speak a word, and my servant will be healed."  

This statement from the centurion suggesting that Jesus heal another way reveals something that most believers fail to grasp concerning the will, nature, character, purpose and plan of God. To think that after the Lord says "I will come and heal him" this man who was not in Covenant with God say in a sense, "no I have a different or better plan" is almost unbelievable because Jesus could have said no to this mans alternative plan. What we should take away from this is how the Father responds to faith. Gods responses to a believers faith, not based their abilities or intellectual knowledge of God's Word, but believers "being fully convinced that what God has promised He is also able to perform." (Romans 4:21) The centurion must have observed Jesus' dealing with sickness and disease and had no trouble suggesting an alternative plan. 

Let's look at what the centurion says now after offering Jesus his alternative plan,  "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it." Again, it is apparent that the centurion has observed Jesus in His dealing with sickness and disease. In a sense the centurion is saying, "Jesus, I am also a man under authority and I know how things work. You do not have to come to my house. I see that you have authority over sickness and disease who are subject to you. In the same way, I have authority over men who are subject to me. I only have to speak a word to these men and I know my command will be carried out. All you have to do is speak a Word and I know your command will be carried out also." This is faith in action. As a matter of fact, Jesus states that this mans understanding of authority is equated to having great faith. Jesus finally tells the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” Understanding and walking in authority like this centurion, is the same in God's eyes as having great faith. The results for this mans actions, "And his servant was healed that same hour."

We are in a time like no other. We must become people who understand and walk in the authority that is rightfully ours through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,  against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) The word wrestle is used figuratively here to give the idea of the spiritual conflict engaged by believers. However, it also akin to another Greek word which means to "sway." Remember, Jesus has "disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them." (Colossians 2:15) Therefore, believers are to "stand" in the position of authority in the Name of Jesus to uphold and enforce what Jesus has accomplished, because the principalities and powers are at work trying to "sway" believers from faith and their position of authority. This is why the Apostle Paul says, "having done all, to stand. Stand..." (Ephesians 6:13-14) 

Paul finishes his exhortation with, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:17) Believers are to get God's Word into their recreated spirit by speaking it. (Romans 10:8, 17) As they do this, it releases power. "God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:2-3) God's Word is His power. Look what the people around Jesus said concerning the Words that He spoke, "And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:28-29)

Believers can and should stand in their legal position of authority. Jesus delegated His authority to His church, to every believer. The Apostle Paul tells us, "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 2:9-11) Paul also tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) So, let us stand in the face of darkness knowing that the Word of God, the Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit in us carries more authority than anything or anyone in all creation, because our weapons are mighty in God. They are backed by God Himself. So, let us never forget, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)