I believe one of the biggest problems that bothers most of God's people, is how to know the will of the Father. As difficult as knowing God's will can be to some, simply put, His will is found in His Word. Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38) Jesus knew what the Father's will was. We see this when He says, "...for I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him (God)" (2 Corinthians 5:9) So, if Jesus could please the Father and do His will, if Paul
could please the Father, know His will and do it, then it is possible for believers to also know God's will.
What are the grounds for this assurance? In the first place we have His mind and His will in the Word. If we search the Word diligently, meditate on it, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in it, we will attain spiritual growth and come to the place to where His will, will be an unconscious consciousness in us. In other words, it will become normal for the believer to know and live in God's will in the same manner as Jesus and the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ..." (Colossians 3:16) He also tells us, "So now, brethren, I
commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build
you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32) and, "For this reason we also, since the day we
heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be
filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding." (Colossians 1:9)
The word "knowledge" above, comes from the Greek word n"epignosis" which means correct, full, complete, concise knowledge. We are to be filled with the knowledge of God in this manner and then He gives us the wisdom to use this perfect knowledge. For some, you may be thinking that it does not seem credible that we could have perfect knowledge of God's will. Well, why shouldn't we? Think about it. We have a perfect Revelation of His will (John 14:1-11) in a perfect book, the Bible. The Holy Spirit is a perfect teacher. (John 14:26) We are perfect new creations, created in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We have perfect righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We have a perfect relationship with the Father and the Son. (1 John 1:4) We are partakers of the very fullness of Christ. (John 1:16) We have a perfect and complete redemption. (Colossians 2:10) We are born again by the incorruptible Word of God. (1 Peter 1:23) So, it is only logical, it is only reasonable, to believe that God's children should have the ability to have a correct, full, complete, concise knowledge of God, His will.
Unfortunately, many believers have been preached at for so many years as to being poor miserable creatures, who are unworthy and unfit to please God. However, freedom has come to you today that you can enjoy for the rest of your life on planet earth. The Word is a perfect message and you may have perfect knowledge of God's wi1l. Our great, loving, wonderful, heavenly Father has given us His ability to know His will to know what our share is in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12) We have the ability. It is God-given ability. We have the Holy Spirit whom Jesus said would guide us into all truth. He is our teacher, our guide, our indwelling instructor.
Finally, in searching the scriptures, I cannot see where there is any ground for us to live in weakness, failure and or ignorance of the Father's will. I cannot see where there is any ground for us to live outside of our true place and standing in Christ or of our rights and privileges that are freely ours through Jesus Christ. We are the sons and daughters of God as well as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:14-17) Know this day and forever, God has and is revealing His perfect will to you and as Jesus said, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) can be accomplished through you...PTL
Monday, June 12, 2017
Monday, June 5, 2017
Your Just Like Your Father
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) This literally means that believers are to act like God Himself in the same manner that Jesus, the Son of God did as we will see shortly. Now for many, this may seem difficult to believe or it might even seem absurd, but there lies the problem, not agreeing with God's Word. Jesus tells a parable that reveals why many people have such a difficult time believing God's Word. He teaches us a parable that we have entitled "The Parable of the Soils." In it, He reveals some important information by asking two questions, "...Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) So, why is this parable so important for believers to understand?
Jesus starts the parable by saying, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." (Mark 4:3) To get a better understanding of this parable, we must first "listen" with our spiritual ears. Simply listening with our natural ears will not open our spirits to what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us. In Jesus' explanation of this Parable, He tells us, "The sower sows the word" that is, the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) Simply put, to sow is to scatter (seed) over the ground for growing. In this Parable the ground in which God's Word is to be sown, is the human heart, that is, man's spirit. There is an important reason why sowing God's Word is so vitally important, "that you (all believers) may be filled with the knowledge (complete, concise, full knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9)
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells us, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21) So we can see, the more a believer sows God's Word, that is, speak or confess it with the mouth, the more they become imitators of God, as we saw in the above verses. The Apostles Paul also says, "...being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Unfortunately, for many believers, they are quick to gloss over this highly important point in this particular Parable. Let's look at why this is so.
In Genesis chapter one we see the account of creation. Nine times we see, "God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20-21, 24, 26-31) In the earth ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus tells us, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) "...I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) "I speak what I have seen with My Father..." (John 8:38) "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) Without doubt, Jesus was imitating God, His Father in His words and actions. Do you see the pattern here? "God said...and it was so." Jesus only spoke the words of the Father and I might add, it too, was so.
It is no different for the believer. Believers are to be imitators of our Heavenly Father just like Jesus was during His ministry on earth. This is one of the most important areas for the believers life, sow (speak) God's Word continuously. Moses went to Pharaoh a number of times and spoke God's Word to Him in saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you saying, Let My people go..." (Exodus 7:16, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 13, ) If we fully read this account, we will see that Moses continually spoke God's Word, the Word eventually prevailed over the circumstances and the children of Israel were released from their bondage. (Exodus 12:31) But it did not stop there. Not only were they released from bondage, they also left Egypt with their possessions, all of the Egyptians wealth, (Exodus 12:31-36) and the entire nation of Israel had perfect health. (Psalm 105:37)
God tells Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Notice, the first thing that God tells Joshua concerning His word is, "This Book of the Law (God's Word) shall not depart from your mouth..." God commanded Joshua first and foremost to continuously speak His Word. Why is that? Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) We are to speak, that is, confess God's Word because it causes faith grow. Paul does not say that faith comes by having heard the Word, but hearing and hearing and hearing, etc. the Word of God.
God also gives us a wonderful promise concerning His Word. "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) What a wonderful promise! We also see, "The Word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) So, we have a choice. We can confess God's Word continuously, have our faith built up, see the salvation of the Lord, and live in victory triumphing over the circumstances, or we can confess the problems of life, muddle our way through life and literally let the problems squeeze the life out of us.
Let us look at God's Word spoken through Solomon and Jesus and learn, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) "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) In other words, the words of the flesh have no intrinsic value because they do not produce life. In fact, as we saw in Proverbs, negative confession literally snares us, traps us, and produces death.
I want to encourage and challenge you today to speak by declaring the following verses over yourself daily until your faith rises up, "I declare that I will not let any corrupt word proceed out of my mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And I will not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom I am sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30) Corrupt words do not only mean obscene or filthy conversation, but any words that do not produce good fruit. Yes, corrupt words from our mouth will grieve the Holy Spirit. So, let us begin to speak edifying words by also doing as Paul tells us, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Exercising an attitude of thanksgiving in all things will aid us in promoting healthy, edifying, good fruit bearing words, that is, confessing God's Word, because it always bears good fruit. Let us be imitators of God as His dear children.
Jesus starts the parable by saying, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." (Mark 4:3) To get a better understanding of this parable, we must first "listen" with our spiritual ears. Simply listening with our natural ears will not open our spirits to what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us. In Jesus' explanation of this Parable, He tells us, "The sower sows the word" that is, the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) Simply put, to sow is to scatter (seed) over the ground for growing. In this Parable the ground in which God's Word is to be sown, is the human heart, that is, man's spirit. There is an important reason why sowing God's Word is so vitally important, "that you (all believers) may be filled with the knowledge (complete, concise, full knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9)
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells us, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21) So we can see, the more a believer sows God's Word, that is, speak or confess it with the mouth, the more they become imitators of God, as we saw in the above verses. The Apostles Paul also says, "...being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Unfortunately, for many believers, they are quick to gloss over this highly important point in this particular Parable. Let's look at why this is so.
In Genesis chapter one we see the account of creation. Nine times we see, "God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20-21, 24, 26-31) In the earth ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus tells us, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) "...I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) "I speak what I have seen with My Father..." (John 8:38) "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) Without doubt, Jesus was imitating God, His Father in His words and actions. Do you see the pattern here? "God said...and it was so." Jesus only spoke the words of the Father and I might add, it too, was so.
It is no different for the believer. Believers are to be imitators of our Heavenly Father just like Jesus was during His ministry on earth. This is one of the most important areas for the believers life, sow (speak) God's Word continuously. Moses went to Pharaoh a number of times and spoke God's Word to Him in saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you saying, Let My people go..." (Exodus 7:16, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 13, ) If we fully read this account, we will see that Moses continually spoke God's Word, the Word eventually prevailed over the circumstances and the children of Israel were released from their bondage. (Exodus 12:31) But it did not stop there. Not only were they released from bondage, they also left Egypt with their possessions, all of the Egyptians wealth, (Exodus 12:31-36) and the entire nation of Israel had perfect health. (Psalm 105:37)
God tells Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Notice, the first thing that God tells Joshua concerning His word is, "This Book of the Law (God's Word) shall not depart from your mouth..." God commanded Joshua first and foremost to continuously speak His Word. Why is that? Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) We are to speak, that is, confess God's Word because it causes faith grow. Paul does not say that faith comes by having heard the Word, but hearing and hearing and hearing, etc. the Word of God.
God also gives us a wonderful promise concerning His Word. "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) What a wonderful promise! We also see, "The Word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) So, we have a choice. We can confess God's Word continuously, have our faith built up, see the salvation of the Lord, and live in victory triumphing over the circumstances, or we can confess the problems of life, muddle our way through life and literally let the problems squeeze the life out of us.
Let us look at God's Word spoken through Solomon and Jesus and learn, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) "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) In other words, the words of the flesh have no intrinsic value because they do not produce life. In fact, as we saw in Proverbs, negative confession literally snares us, traps us, and produces death.
I want to encourage and challenge you today to speak by declaring the following verses over yourself daily until your faith rises up, "I declare that I will not let any corrupt word proceed out of my mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And I will not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom I am sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30) Corrupt words do not only mean obscene or filthy conversation, but any words that do not produce good fruit. Yes, corrupt words from our mouth will grieve the Holy Spirit. So, let us begin to speak edifying words by also doing as Paul tells us, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Exercising an attitude of thanksgiving in all things will aid us in promoting healthy, edifying, good fruit bearing words, that is, confessing God's Word, because it always bears good fruit. Let us be imitators of God as His dear children.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Wise as Serpents
When Jesus commissioned the twelve to go out before Him, He told them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
Wisdom is defined as, the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; the ability to use knowledge correctly. Although wisdom is defined as such, we must understand, as there is God's Kingdom of light and life, there is also Satan's kingdom of darkness and death. This means that wisdom can come from only one of these sources.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells, us, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:13-17)
So we can see, the wisdom that is in the world is not from God, but "earthly, sensual, demonic." This simply means, that every person on planet earth, that is not born again, uses earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom to use their knowledge correctly. However, the truth is, as they use this type of wisdom to promote their knowledge, the results are, bitter envy and self-seeking in their hearts, they lie against the truth and their world is filled with, envy, self-seeking, confusion and every evil thing. Simply look at any society, people group or person who does not know God or His Word, and we clearly see that these things are quite evident. For example, creation, God's wisdom, whereas, evolution is, earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom. For the believer, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3) For those who are not of God, there is still debate, vain discussions and differing opinions of how everything came into being.
The Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Colossi reveals another interesting point concerning wisdom, "...that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9) The Holy Spirit tells us through Paul, that believers can be filled, (to make full, to fill up, to fill to the full) with the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of God's will (His will is His Word and His Word is His will) in all wisdom (from above, which is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy) and spiritual (things of the Holy Spirit) understanding (the correct use of knowledge, moreover, the knowledge of His will, His Word). PTL
Think about this. If believers have God's ability and His wisdom, and we do, and if we were to let them loose, what limitlessness there will be in the church as well as in the believers ministry. It is not a problem of education, but of letting God loose in us, liberating Him in us so He can reveal Himself through us to others. Again, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God..." (1 Corinthians 1:30) Simply put, Jesus has been made wisdom from God to and for every believer.
Going back to the Apostle James, we see, "And if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives with open hand to all men, and without upbraiding; and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes." (James 1:5-8 WEY) However, I summit to you, that you have the knowledge of the life of God that is in you. You have the knowledge of the power and authority of His Word. You have the knowledge of your legal right to use the Name of Jesus in your combat against spiritual forces. You have the knowledge of the fact that God is actually in you, because you have the wisdom of God in you! So, now you are going to use these mighty facts to bless humanity. Amen!
The Holy Spirit, the greater one Who is in us, is no longer imprisoned, but is now set free to use us as He pleases. We are no longer hidden. People know who we are. The Father is glorified, the Name of Jesus is Magnified, the Holy Spirit is working mightily through us and the Word of God is growing and prevailing mightily. So, declare with me, "I have let God loose and have given Him the freedom to do through me the works that He did through Jesus to bless the world." "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)
Wisdom is defined as, the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; the ability to use knowledge correctly. Although wisdom is defined as such, we must understand, as there is God's Kingdom of light and life, there is also Satan's kingdom of darkness and death. This means that wisdom can come from only one of these sources.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells, us, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:13-17)
So we can see, the wisdom that is in the world is not from God, but "earthly, sensual, demonic." This simply means, that every person on planet earth, that is not born again, uses earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom to use their knowledge correctly. However, the truth is, as they use this type of wisdom to promote their knowledge, the results are, bitter envy and self-seeking in their hearts, they lie against the truth and their world is filled with, envy, self-seeking, confusion and every evil thing. Simply look at any society, people group or person who does not know God or His Word, and we clearly see that these things are quite evident. For example, creation, God's wisdom, whereas, evolution is, earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom. For the believer, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3) For those who are not of God, there is still debate, vain discussions and differing opinions of how everything came into being.
The Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Colossi reveals another interesting point concerning wisdom, "...that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9) The Holy Spirit tells us through Paul, that believers can be filled, (to make full, to fill up, to fill to the full) with the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of God's will (His will is His Word and His Word is His will) in all wisdom (from above, which is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy) and spiritual (things of the Holy Spirit) understanding (the correct use of knowledge, moreover, the knowledge of His will, His Word). PTL
Think about this. If believers have God's ability and His wisdom, and we do, and if we were to let them loose, what limitlessness there will be in the church as well as in the believers ministry. It is not a problem of education, but of letting God loose in us, liberating Him in us so He can reveal Himself through us to others. Again, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God..." (1 Corinthians 1:30) Simply put, Jesus has been made wisdom from God to and for every believer.
Going back to the Apostle James, we see, "And if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives with open hand to all men, and without upbraiding; and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes." (James 1:5-8 WEY) However, I summit to you, that you have the knowledge of the life of God that is in you. You have the knowledge of the power and authority of His Word. You have the knowledge of your legal right to use the Name of Jesus in your combat against spiritual forces. You have the knowledge of the fact that God is actually in you, because you have the wisdom of God in you! So, now you are going to use these mighty facts to bless humanity. Amen!
The Holy Spirit, the greater one Who is in us, is no longer imprisoned, but is now set free to use us as He pleases. We are no longer hidden. People know who we are. The Father is glorified, the Name of Jesus is Magnified, the Holy Spirit is working mightily through us and the Word of God is growing and prevailing mightily. So, declare with me, "I have let God loose and have given Him the freedom to do through me the works that He did through Jesus to bless the world." "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)
Monday, May 22, 2017
Right Standing
One of the miracles of redemption, is the believers standing with God. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul gives us the greatest revelation of the believers standing with God. One thing we are told is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21. It reveals what God did in Christ for the believer, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." When one confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and takes Him as Savior, they immediately become the righteousness of God in Christ. This bears out further in Paul's Epistle to the Romans, "to demonstrate at the present time His (Gods) righteousness, that He might be just (righteous) and the justifier (righteousness) of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:26) "Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (being declared righteous) (Romans 4:25) "Therefore, having been justified (declared righteous) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)
What a wonderful picture of who and what the born again believer truly is in Christ. Righteousness is the ability to stand in the Father's presence without guilt, condemnation, unworthiness or inferiority. It also gives the believer the legal right to the use of the Name of Jesus. Now we have God's grace, His strength, His ability to stand in the presence of all kinds of sickness, diseases as well as stand in the presence of Satan without fear, as an absolute master over them all. This means that believers must become completely aware, without wavering or doubting, as to their legal position in Christ. In other words, we are a new creation and have the nature and life of the Father in us. Without a total understanding of these truths, it becomes difficult to live the victorious life that we have been given through faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:27)
Notice what the Holy Spirit speaks through the Apostle John, "You are of God, little children..." (1 John 4:4) Take a moment and let that soak into your spirit. Now say it over and over again, "I am of God...I am of God...I am His child...I am His child..." This is not doing mantras. This is speaking the truth over yourself. The more we receive these truths in our spirit, the more we come to realize that the old man, the old nature, with its weaknesses, its failings, its doubts, its fears, its sense of servitude to circumstances, is all gone, and we come to a greater understanding of what a new creation in Christ is all about. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Where we were once a slave, we are now free and filled with abundant life in Christ. Now we can understand the next part of 1 John 4:4, "...For greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
However, as we come to know and walk in these truths, our Heavenly Father wants us to bear the fruit of righteousness. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:10) The Apostle John tells us, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." (1 John 2:29) For most, to "increase the fruits of your righteousness" or to, "practice righteousness" have thought it meant only our conduct, a carefulness in our walk. Although that is implied, it is actually doing the works that Jesus did while on earth as the Son of Man. It is taking Jesus' place and doing the things that He did and even greater. (John 14:12)
Keep in mind that believers do not do works in and of themselves, but it is recognizing and acting upon the grace of God. The Apostle Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10) The Amplified Bible describes grace as, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)
Although in the past, we may have lacked in understanding these things, but now, through the Holy Spirit in us, we will major in these truths and present them to others. The Apostle James tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22) "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18) Faith is simply acting upon God's Word and at the same time His grace goes to work through us. The Lord wants us to begin to live righteousness, to practice righteousness, to break Satan's dominion by speaking with authority just as Jesus did. So, as it was with the Apostle Paul, so it is with us, "...but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." The grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you...
What a wonderful picture of who and what the born again believer truly is in Christ. Righteousness is the ability to stand in the Father's presence without guilt, condemnation, unworthiness or inferiority. It also gives the believer the legal right to the use of the Name of Jesus. Now we have God's grace, His strength, His ability to stand in the presence of all kinds of sickness, diseases as well as stand in the presence of Satan without fear, as an absolute master over them all. This means that believers must become completely aware, without wavering or doubting, as to their legal position in Christ. In other words, we are a new creation and have the nature and life of the Father in us. Without a total understanding of these truths, it becomes difficult to live the victorious life that we have been given through faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:27)
Notice what the Holy Spirit speaks through the Apostle John, "You are of God, little children..." (1 John 4:4) Take a moment and let that soak into your spirit. Now say it over and over again, "I am of God...I am of God...I am His child...I am His child..." This is not doing mantras. This is speaking the truth over yourself. The more we receive these truths in our spirit, the more we come to realize that the old man, the old nature, with its weaknesses, its failings, its doubts, its fears, its sense of servitude to circumstances, is all gone, and we come to a greater understanding of what a new creation in Christ is all about. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Where we were once a slave, we are now free and filled with abundant life in Christ. Now we can understand the next part of 1 John 4:4, "...For greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
However, as we come to know and walk in these truths, our Heavenly Father wants us to bear the fruit of righteousness. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:10) The Apostle John tells us, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." (1 John 2:29) For most, to "increase the fruits of your righteousness" or to, "practice righteousness" have thought it meant only our conduct, a carefulness in our walk. Although that is implied, it is actually doing the works that Jesus did while on earth as the Son of Man. It is taking Jesus' place and doing the things that He did and even greater. (John 14:12)
Keep in mind that believers do not do works in and of themselves, but it is recognizing and acting upon the grace of God. The Apostle Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10) The Amplified Bible describes grace as, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)
Although in the past, we may have lacked in understanding these things, but now, through the Holy Spirit in us, we will major in these truths and present them to others. The Apostle James tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22) "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18) Faith is simply acting upon God's Word and at the same time His grace goes to work through us. The Lord wants us to begin to live righteousness, to practice righteousness, to break Satan's dominion by speaking with authority just as Jesus did. So, as it was with the Apostle Paul, so it is with us, "...but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." The grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you...
Monday, May 15, 2017
We Are Not Alone
During Jesus' last days on earth as the Son of Man, He gave His disciples some final instructions prior to His departure concerning their future relationship with Him, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the
Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees
Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be
in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18) "The
Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will
teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I
said to you." (John 14:26) "But
when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the
Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26) and...
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8)
Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after His departure to take His place on earth. Not only would the Holy Spirit be with them, but He would be in them. We see this fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4) Notice that the Holy Spirit not only filled the whole house where they were sitting, but also notice that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, various creeds and doctrines have either limited or prevented people from this wonderful experience. When the disciples exited the upper room and took to the streets of Jerusalem, Peter explains what was taking place by quoting the prophetic scriptures that pointed to this event. He continues to tell them that what they were witnessing was a result of Jesus being raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, which then released the promise from the Father, the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 5-33) Finally, Peter tells the people that God has made Jesus whom they had crucified both Lord and Christ. In response the people say to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2.37) "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2.38-39)
Not only was the Holy Spirit poured out upon the apostles and those that were present in the upper room, but also we see that anyone who would be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Looking further into this experience, we note, "to your children" is a reference from the Prophet Joel, "your sons and daughters" (Joel 2:28); "to all" refers to, the whole race; not limited to Jews, "who are afar off" refers to, "those in other lands" and "as many" refers to, all those who hear the gospel and respond to it. There is no indication whatsoever that the pouring out of the Holy Spirit was or is limited to a dispensation of time or a specific people group on the earth.
That very day, the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit entered them and recreated them. They were now new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) What a miracle it is to have God the Holy Spirit immediately come into the person who confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior. How wonderful it is to become instantly recreated becoming a partaker of the Divine Nature. (2 Peter 1:4) This means that we have the same creative ability of God in us, (Ephesians 3:20) and the same love of God also in us (Romans 5:5) No wonder the Apostle John tells us, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
There is so much that can be shared concerning the Holy Spirit, but for now, take some time and meditate on the truths above as well as the following. The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who participated in creation. (Genesis 1 - 2) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who was in Jesus when He walked on the sea in Galilee. (Matthew 14:22-33) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. (Ephesians 1:19-21) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit that enables the believer to do the same works that Jesus did and even greater. (John 1:12) Although we may not have taken advantage of the riches of grace that belong to us, it does not change the fact that the same Holy Spirit who did these things is with and in us, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13 AMP)
The Holy Spirit longs to be loosed in us to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth today through each and every believer, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) So remember, we are not alone. God Himself, that is, the Holy Spirit, is with us and in us, "strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Hallelujah...
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8)
Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after His departure to take His place on earth. Not only would the Holy Spirit be with them, but He would be in them. We see this fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4) Notice that the Holy Spirit not only filled the whole house where they were sitting, but also notice that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, various creeds and doctrines have either limited or prevented people from this wonderful experience. When the disciples exited the upper room and took to the streets of Jerusalem, Peter explains what was taking place by quoting the prophetic scriptures that pointed to this event. He continues to tell them that what they were witnessing was a result of Jesus being raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, which then released the promise from the Father, the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 5-33) Finally, Peter tells the people that God has made Jesus whom they had crucified both Lord and Christ. In response the people say to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2.37) "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2.38-39)
Not only was the Holy Spirit poured out upon the apostles and those that were present in the upper room, but also we see that anyone who would be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Looking further into this experience, we note, "to your children" is a reference from the Prophet Joel, "your sons and daughters" (Joel 2:28); "to all" refers to, the whole race; not limited to Jews, "who are afar off" refers to, "those in other lands" and "as many" refers to, all those who hear the gospel and respond to it. There is no indication whatsoever that the pouring out of the Holy Spirit was or is limited to a dispensation of time or a specific people group on the earth.
That very day, the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit entered them and recreated them. They were now new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) What a miracle it is to have God the Holy Spirit immediately come into the person who confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior. How wonderful it is to become instantly recreated becoming a partaker of the Divine Nature. (2 Peter 1:4) This means that we have the same creative ability of God in us, (Ephesians 3:20) and the same love of God also in us (Romans 5:5) No wonder the Apostle John tells us, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
There is so much that can be shared concerning the Holy Spirit, but for now, take some time and meditate on the truths above as well as the following. The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who participated in creation. (Genesis 1 - 2) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who was in Jesus when He walked on the sea in Galilee. (Matthew 14:22-33) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. (Ephesians 1:19-21) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit that enables the believer to do the same works that Jesus did and even greater. (John 1:12) Although we may not have taken advantage of the riches of grace that belong to us, it does not change the fact that the same Holy Spirit who did these things is with and in us, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13 AMP)
The Holy Spirit longs to be loosed in us to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth today through each and every believer, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) So remember, we are not alone. God Himself, that is, the Holy Spirit, is with us and in us, "strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Hallelujah...
Monday, May 8, 2017
The Marvelous Name
The Father has given His children so much through Christ, that it staggers the mind. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John tells us, "For out of His fullness
[the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace
upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon
favor, and gift heaped upon gift]." (John 1:16 AMP) One of the things that we have been given which is so marvelous, is the right to use the Name of Jesus. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14) The word ask here means "to demand something due."
In this passage we need to understand that this is not praying to the Father, nor making a request of Jesus. It is using the Name of Jesus in the same way that Peter used it at the beautiful gate to set a certain man free who was lame from his mother's womb. (Acts 3:1-8) Peter did not demand anything from God, but demanded (commanded) the forces of darkness to become obedient to the authority of the Name of Jesus. It's like going to the bank where you have a savings account with a thousand dollars. You give the bank teller a withdraw slip for five hundred dollars. You are simply demanding the teller to release something that is already yours. The powerful Name of Jesus belongs to every believer. You may not have taken advantage of it, but is does not negate the fact that Jesus gave you the power of attorney to use His Name.
Jesus tells us, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20) The word "disciple" means student, one who learns. Every believer is to go and make students of the Word of all nations. You have the ability to go and do it. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
These things belong to the church now. The age of miracles, signs and wonders is now. Every believer can live and walk in the fullness of God's strength and ability now. The Name of Jesus is yours to use at all times in your combat with spiritual forces. Now, by faith, you are going to use His mighty Name to bless others. You are longer hidden. People will come to know who you are and the Christ who dwells in you. (1 John 4:4) As Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) This is not simply believing in God, but believe God. He and His Word are one. He is faithful and ready to preform His Word from generation to generation. (Isaiah 40:8, 55:1; Jeremiah 1:12; Mark 13:31) So, let us rise and go from here being used of God to "seek and save those who are lost" and in the Name of Jesus set the captives free.
In this passage we need to understand that this is not praying to the Father, nor making a request of Jesus. It is using the Name of Jesus in the same way that Peter used it at the beautiful gate to set a certain man free who was lame from his mother's womb. (Acts 3:1-8) Peter did not demand anything from God, but demanded (commanded) the forces of darkness to become obedient to the authority of the Name of Jesus. It's like going to the bank where you have a savings account with a thousand dollars. You give the bank teller a withdraw slip for five hundred dollars. You are simply demanding the teller to release something that is already yours. The powerful Name of Jesus belongs to every believer. You may not have taken advantage of it, but is does not negate the fact that Jesus gave you the power of attorney to use His Name.
Jesus tells us, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20) The word "disciple" means student, one who learns. Every believer is to go and make students of the Word of all nations. You have the ability to go and do it. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
These things belong to the church now. The age of miracles, signs and wonders is now. Every believer can live and walk in the fullness of God's strength and ability now. The Name of Jesus is yours to use at all times in your combat with spiritual forces. Now, by faith, you are going to use His mighty Name to bless others. You are longer hidden. People will come to know who you are and the Christ who dwells in you. (1 John 4:4) As Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) This is not simply believing in God, but believe God. He and His Word are one. He is faithful and ready to preform His Word from generation to generation. (Isaiah 40:8, 55:1; Jeremiah 1:12; Mark 13:31) So, let us rise and go from here being used of God to "seek and save those who are lost" and in the Name of Jesus set the captives free.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Let God Arise
One of the most thrilling things that every believer should aspire to, is learning about the depths of redemption that the Father has given through the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will come to understand and appropriate the marvelous ability of God that is in us. Think about it, the moment that one is born again, the living God takes up residence within them, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) We have God's life in us. We become new creations. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are God's masterpiece created in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10) We are partakers of God's divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) Can we see that we have within us, as God's children, the very life and nature of God. The objective of Christ's coming was that we might have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit..." (John 15:5) Every believer, a branch of the vine, Jesus, receive the same life that is manifested in the vine, that we bear much fruit. It is the vine's life in us that produces the fruit of righteousness, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
However, these wonderful things are not actively a part of the believers life simply because the Bible teaches them. It requires every believer to spend time in God's Word "...and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) The Apostle Paul tells us, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16) Notice, what the Word of God does in and through the believer; It is admonishing; educating; training; correcting, and causing us to step out of religion to where we are "admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Let us also not forget that God's Word also builds faith into our recreated spirit. (Romans 10:17) Look at the Holy Spirit's Word to the church through the Apostle Paul, "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32) It is the Word that builds us up; it is the Word that causes us to know our privileges, our rights, our inheritance, that is, all that we have in Christ.
The revelation that the Apostle Paul received and we have in his epistles, are the Father's Words about Jesus. When believers say, "I am a new creation created in Christ," it is actually the Father's Words expressing a fact through their lips. When believers say, "in the Name of Jesus, disease, stop being," they are using the very Words of Jesus. Remember, Jesus said, "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak...Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) When believers step out into their rights of righteousness and begin to bear fruit, it will be the same kind of fruit Jesus bore in His earth walk as the Son of Man. Righteousness means the ability to stand in the Father's presence without the sense of guilt, condemnation, unworthiness or inferiority. His righteousness becomes ours the very moment that we confess with our mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ and believe in our heart. (Romans 10:9-10) Look at this literal translation of Romans 4:25 which reads, "Who was delivered up on account of our trespasses, and was raised when we were declared righteous."
As believers spend more and more time letting God's Word wash over us, that is, reading, studying and especially meditating on it, the more God arises in our lives. The more we let God arise in our life, the more freedom, liberty, we will experience. When Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-29) He meant it. When God told the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He meant it. When the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul said, "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, (Ephesians 3:20) and "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13 AMP) He also meant it.
So, "Let God Arise" and let His Word transform us so that we will be the fruit bearers that His strength, His ability, His power, His grace, which is continuously at work in us, can accomplish through us for His glory. Finally, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) PTL...
However, these wonderful things are not actively a part of the believers life simply because the Bible teaches them. It requires every believer to spend time in God's Word "...and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) The Apostle Paul tells us, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16) Notice, what the Word of God does in and through the believer; It is admonishing; educating; training; correcting, and causing us to step out of religion to where we are "admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Let us also not forget that God's Word also builds faith into our recreated spirit. (Romans 10:17) Look at the Holy Spirit's Word to the church through the Apostle Paul, "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32) It is the Word that builds us up; it is the Word that causes us to know our privileges, our rights, our inheritance, that is, all that we have in Christ.
The revelation that the Apostle Paul received and we have in his epistles, are the Father's Words about Jesus. When believers say, "I am a new creation created in Christ," it is actually the Father's Words expressing a fact through their lips. When believers say, "in the Name of Jesus, disease, stop being," they are using the very Words of Jesus. Remember, Jesus said, "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak...Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) When believers step out into their rights of righteousness and begin to bear fruit, it will be the same kind of fruit Jesus bore in His earth walk as the Son of Man. Righteousness means the ability to stand in the Father's presence without the sense of guilt, condemnation, unworthiness or inferiority. His righteousness becomes ours the very moment that we confess with our mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ and believe in our heart. (Romans 10:9-10) Look at this literal translation of Romans 4:25 which reads, "Who was delivered up on account of our trespasses, and was raised when we were declared righteous."
As believers spend more and more time letting God's Word wash over us, that is, reading, studying and especially meditating on it, the more God arises in our lives. The more we let God arise in our life, the more freedom, liberty, we will experience. When Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-29) He meant it. When God told the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He meant it. When the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul said, "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, (Ephesians 3:20) and "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13 AMP) He also meant it.
So, "Let God Arise" and let His Word transform us so that we will be the fruit bearers that His strength, His ability, His power, His grace, which is continuously at work in us, can accomplish through us for His glory. Finally, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) PTL...
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