I believe that the two greatest struggles for most believers is completely believing God's Word and receiving our inheritance now. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) When we know what our Redemption in Christ truly means, and what it means to the Father, not simply a place in heaven when we pass from this life to eternity, then we pass out of the realm of worry, fear, doubt, unworthiness and inferiority and into the rest that God has provided in Christ.
The Apostle Paul recognized this so much that he tells us, "Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be independent of circumstances." ( Philippians 4:11 TCT) Why or how can believers be independent of circumstances? Paul goes on and says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me." (Philippians 4:13) You see, redemption in the mind of the Father means a new creation, not a new renovation or a hybrid, but complete sonship with al1its privileges. It means that we have come into God’s family and have all the family rights and privileges now as His Children. Paul tells us, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…" (Romans 8:15-17 ) What a remarkable promise..
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John tells us, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God…" (1 John 3:1-2) We could stop here, because this should be enough to cause us to walk in newness of life free from the old nature understanding who we are is in Christ; who Christ is in us and how the Father truly sees all of His children. Jesus tells us, "Look
at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value
than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and, "If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those
who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11)
How about this, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 ) For some, it may take some time before the reality of this scripture becomes more than simply a nice scripture. The great God and Father, the Creator of all things, has called us into fellowship with His Son, because He sees us as new creations in and with Christ. It is important that all believers recognize these truths, because the Father sees us as being one with Him in Christ. Oh, it goes even further, PTL...
"For if, through the transgression of one individual, death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17 WEY) We are now reigning as kings in the realm of life. We have become Masters; We are more than conquerors; We are set free; we are no longer held in captivity; We were slaves, defeated, conquered, held in bondage but He has taken us to His throne, and in the name of Jesus we become the bondage breakers for the rest of the human race.
Paul tells us, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2:18) Paul tells believers not to let anyone deprive them of their due reward. The only way to secure the prize was to hold on to the truth of God's Word and not yield to the philosophy of the world or the teachings of the Jews, who would try to defrauded them of their reward in Christ. The same can happen today and is happening today. Many of God's children are being cheated out of their inheritance through faithless teachers who teach the traditions and doctrines of man, rather than the unadulterated Word of God which builds faith (Romans 10:17) and produces life. (John 6:63) So,
hold your position in Christ and stand on His truth, as Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
Monday, January 22, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018
New Life
Man is a spirit, with a soul, which dwell in a physical body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) His spirit enables him to contact spiritual things. His soul is composed of his reasoning faculties in which he contacts mental things. His body enables him to contact physical or material things. Before one is born again, a new creation, due to the fall, his spirit is dominated by spiritual death which has opened the door to his soul, that is, his mind, will, emotions and intellect to have dominion. This makes it impossible for him to understand the Bible, that is, revelation of Truth. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
However, one of the wonderful Old Testament prophecies spoken to Ezekiel by the Holy Spirit says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27) He is speaking of the new creation. He will give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them. Not only will their spirit be recreated but this suggests that He is going to take away selfishness from their heart and replace it with a new kind of love that will make them one as a body of people. Jesus reveals this during His final instructions to His disciples, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” and "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 13:35, 17:21)
The old human spirit, the real man, the real person, is to be recreated with the nature and life of God. Again he says, 'I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." This is speaking of the New Covenant person by new birth not the Old Covenant person by circumcision. The Apostle Paul tells us, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ." (Colossians 2:11) The Old Covenant made them servants, whereas the New Covenant makes us sons and daughters. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1) As we can see, our circumcision is not physical but spiritual. It is God taking away not a portion of the physical body, but putting off the body of the senses or the flesh.
This means He is taking away the dominion of the physical body over the human spirit which gained control when man sinned. He says he is "putting off the body of the sins of the flesh." That is, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:6) Here the Holy Spirit is trying to make clear the same truth. When a man is recreated, the physical body loses its dominion. The reason why men could not love God and love one another under the first covenant was because the heart was selfish, dominated by spiritual death. The only love that he had was "phileo" which is based upon selfishness. Now we can understand what Jesus meant when He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)
The natural man, due to his fallen nature, cannot do this, only those who have become new creation have the ability to love as God loves. Can you see how absurd it would be to tell the people of the world that they must love? They cannot do so until they receive the nature of love, the one who is love (1 John 4:7-8) in the new birth. Jesus, again in His final instruction to the disciples, tells them, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:9-10) The word abide comes from the Greek word that means "to settle down," "to remain." This can be worded this way, "I want you to settle down in my love just as I have settled down in my Father's love. I have remained in my Father's love. I want you to remain in my love."
Love, the God kind of love, becomes beautiful and very attractive as we continue to abide in love and let love abide in us. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John helps us to understand this, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16) In the natural, people are valued according to their financial or political standing in a community. However, in the final analysis, the people who love as God loves, are the people who truly help the community, because the former is birthed from selfishness whereas the latter is born of the spirit and yet, to operate in the God kind of love, is a choice to give up the old things and live in the newness of life that comes by-way-of life in the Spirit.
We can train ourselves to operate in the God kind of love by declaring from the moment we rise in the morning and throughout the day, "I have God, the love God, the God of love inside of me today. It is going to be easy to do my work because the Greater One is going to move through me, act through me, love through me and speak through me today. I will not be left alone to meet any crisis. He
will be there to make me a success." We say this not as a mantra, but knowing that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We simply open our hearts and minds to this truth and let the vine feed us, pour Himself into us, keeping in mind, love is God in action. There is no love without action, "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Every day will be a great day in our lives as we let the God kind of love loose in us, to flow out of us. In doing so, His grace would be without limitation. If we think about it from this perspective, grace is love manifested. So, every morning when we awaken, let us say, "Today, I am walking in love because I have God's ability and God's nature at work in me." Amen...
However, one of the wonderful Old Testament prophecies spoken to Ezekiel by the Holy Spirit says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27) He is speaking of the new creation. He will give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them. Not only will their spirit be recreated but this suggests that He is going to take away selfishness from their heart and replace it with a new kind of love that will make them one as a body of people. Jesus reveals this during His final instructions to His disciples, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” and "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 13:35, 17:21)
The old human spirit, the real man, the real person, is to be recreated with the nature and life of God. Again he says, 'I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." This is speaking of the New Covenant person by new birth not the Old Covenant person by circumcision. The Apostle Paul tells us, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ." (Colossians 2:11) The Old Covenant made them servants, whereas the New Covenant makes us sons and daughters. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1) As we can see, our circumcision is not physical but spiritual. It is God taking away not a portion of the physical body, but putting off the body of the senses or the flesh.
This means He is taking away the dominion of the physical body over the human spirit which gained control when man sinned. He says he is "putting off the body of the sins of the flesh." That is, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:6) Here the Holy Spirit is trying to make clear the same truth. When a man is recreated, the physical body loses its dominion. The reason why men could not love God and love one another under the first covenant was because the heart was selfish, dominated by spiritual death. The only love that he had was "phileo" which is based upon selfishness. Now we can understand what Jesus meant when He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)
The natural man, due to his fallen nature, cannot do this, only those who have become new creation have the ability to love as God loves. Can you see how absurd it would be to tell the people of the world that they must love? They cannot do so until they receive the nature of love, the one who is love (1 John 4:7-8) in the new birth. Jesus, again in His final instruction to the disciples, tells them, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:9-10) The word abide comes from the Greek word that means "to settle down," "to remain." This can be worded this way, "I want you to settle down in my love just as I have settled down in my Father's love. I have remained in my Father's love. I want you to remain in my love."
Love, the God kind of love, becomes beautiful and very attractive as we continue to abide in love and let love abide in us. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John helps us to understand this, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16) In the natural, people are valued according to their financial or political standing in a community. However, in the final analysis, the people who love as God loves, are the people who truly help the community, because the former is birthed from selfishness whereas the latter is born of the spirit and yet, to operate in the God kind of love, is a choice to give up the old things and live in the newness of life that comes by-way-of life in the Spirit.
We can train ourselves to operate in the God kind of love by declaring from the moment we rise in the morning and throughout the day, "I have God, the love God, the God of love inside of me today. It is going to be easy to do my work because the Greater One is going to move through me, act through me, love through me and speak through me today. I will not be left alone to meet any crisis. He
will be there to make me a success." We say this not as a mantra, but knowing that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We simply open our hearts and minds to this truth and let the vine feed us, pour Himself into us, keeping in mind, love is God in action. There is no love without action, "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Every day will be a great day in our lives as we let the God kind of love loose in us, to flow out of us. In doing so, His grace would be without limitation. If we think about it from this perspective, grace is love manifested. So, every morning when we awaken, let us say, "Today, I am walking in love because I have God's ability and God's nature at work in me." Amen...
Monday, January 8, 2018
Entirely Supernatural
When we take an honest look at Christianity, as portrayed in the scriptures, we see that it is entirely supernatural. The incarnation was supernatural. The ministry of Jesus was supernatural. The church was supernaturally birthed. The early believers saw the supernatural as simply normal Christianity. Even becoming a new creation is supernatural. However, in many Christian circles, when the supernatural is mentioned in the church today, a shying
away tends to occur due to numerous doctrines that have held many
believers in bondage for centuries. Yet, the Bible clearly reveals that God and His Word do not change (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:6; Mark 11:31; Hebrews 13:8) and that He and His Word are one. (John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:7)
In order to see the supernatural living God at work through His church, we cannot get past this one truth, which is revealed through one of Jesus' apostles, Thomas. "Then Jesus said to Thomas, Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) Simply put, we must believe. Thomas did not believe that Jesus was risen and alive, though Jesus told all the apostles that He would be killed and on the third day rise again. (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:31-33) In other words, Thomas did not believe the Lords Word.
The very things that happened with Thomas, is the very thing that goes on in many believers today. They do not believe God's Word, but have excused it away either in the same manner, as Thomas, “Unless I see...I will not believe.” (John 20:25) or have replaced God's Word by, "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down." (Mark 7:13) These are most likely the main reasons why healing in the church through the supernatural power of God in Jesus' Name is almost nonexistent in many areas. However, there is a biblical truth that is a foundation to
healing the sick and injured. This foundational truth is frequently expressed in various ways in the New Testament.
Many, who seem to generally accept the truth of divine healing, seem to fail in applying this foundational biblical truth to specific matters involving healing. Others will simply reject the implication behind this foundational truth based on doctrine that has become acceptable in the church, again, not believing God's Word. Therefore, healing for believers today in many areas of the church is generally unpredictable, unreliable, inconsistent, or not present at all. This has produced a weak theology that erodes faith for receiving and or ministering healing. This truth, which we will see, cannot be taken for granted or underestimated. It is the bedrock of receiving and ministering healing today in and through the church, believers. Let's begin with a conversation between Christ and His disciples in the Gospel of John.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:1-11)
Jesus reveals, He is the way, the truth and the life. Although this has a larger application than just healing, Christ is also the way and the truth about healing. In other words, Christ's life produces healing, and to know Christ is to know the Father. He goes on and answers Philip. To see Jesus, His actions, is to see the Father in action. Therefore, studying the life of Jesus reveals the Father's will in all matters, which includes healing. If believers fail to believe that Jesus knows the Father's will and expresses it perfectly, many things that God's has provided for believers, such as healing, will remain an unattainable puzzle at best. Believers must understand without reservation, that the Lord Jesus Christ ultimately reveals the will of the Father in all matters!
The writer of Hebrews says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 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..." (Hebrews 1:1-3) Phillips version of this verse says that Jesus is the "radiance of the glory of God, flawless expression of the nature of God." The Amplified Bible says, "He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature." Let us also keep in mind, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Again, in all matters, pertaining to God, Jesus ultimately reveals the will of the Father.
While the entire Bible declares God's will, nature, character, purpose and plan, many of these attributes were unclear and unrevealed until Jesus. Mysteries that were once hidden are now revealed in Jesus, particularly by His actions and words. Also notice, the special nature of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. Jesus says that believers must believe in this special relationship to experience the Father's will which includes healing. We also see that Jesus gives credit to the Father for His works. The miracles and healings in the ministry of Jesus were expressions of the divine purpose of the Father.
Having faith in Jesus includes believing that He was and is in the Father. Jesus has been teaching the importance of believing that He has been revealing the Father. In fact, He commands His followers to believe that very thing. If believers fail to believe that Jesus reveals the will, nature, character, purpose and plan of the Father perfectly, they will find that faith will be difficult for many of the things that the Father has freely given through Christ. (Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:32) Understanding that Jesus was expressing the will, nature, character, purpose and plan of the Father can be discerned simply by observing the ministry of Jesus in His teaching, preaching and actions.
To believe and appropriate the blessings, the promises of God, which includes healing, we must believe, we must mix God's Word with faith. This was not only the apostle Thomas' failure but also the failure of many Jews which kept them from coming to Christ. "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:2) God's Word must be mixed with faith or Christianity is reduced to nothing more than another world religion. So, as the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul states, let us cast away the, "persuasive words of human wisdom" and believe God for the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) Let us believe God for a continuous flow of His supernatural power in and through the church so that the Father is glorified, the Name of Jesus magnified and that the Word of God multiply and prevail mightily. The unsaved world is depending on us. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you...
In order to see the supernatural living God at work through His church, we cannot get past this one truth, which is revealed through one of Jesus' apostles, Thomas. "Then Jesus said to Thomas, Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) Simply put, we must believe. Thomas did not believe that Jesus was risen and alive, though Jesus told all the apostles that He would be killed and on the third day rise again. (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:31-33) In other words, Thomas did not believe the Lords Word.
The very things that happened with Thomas, is the very thing that goes on in many believers today. They do not believe God's Word, but have excused it away either in the same manner, as Thomas, “Unless I see...I will not believe.” (John 20:25) or have replaced God's Word by, "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down." (Mark 7:13) These are most likely the main reasons why healing in the church through the supernatural power of God in Jesus' Name is almost nonexistent in many areas. However, there is a biblical truth that is a foundation to
healing the sick and injured. This foundational truth is frequently expressed in various ways in the New Testament.
Many, who seem to generally accept the truth of divine healing, seem to fail in applying this foundational biblical truth to specific matters involving healing. Others will simply reject the implication behind this foundational truth based on doctrine that has become acceptable in the church, again, not believing God's Word. Therefore, healing for believers today in many areas of the church is generally unpredictable, unreliable, inconsistent, or not present at all. This has produced a weak theology that erodes faith for receiving and or ministering healing. This truth, which we will see, cannot be taken for granted or underestimated. It is the bedrock of receiving and ministering healing today in and through the church, believers. Let's begin with a conversation between Christ and His disciples in the Gospel of John.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:1-11)
Jesus reveals, He is the way, the truth and the life. Although this has a larger application than just healing, Christ is also the way and the truth about healing. In other words, Christ's life produces healing, and to know Christ is to know the Father. He goes on and answers Philip. To see Jesus, His actions, is to see the Father in action. Therefore, studying the life of Jesus reveals the Father's will in all matters, which includes healing. If believers fail to believe that Jesus knows the Father's will and expresses it perfectly, many things that God's has provided for believers, such as healing, will remain an unattainable puzzle at best. Believers must understand without reservation, that the Lord Jesus Christ ultimately reveals the will of the Father in all matters!
The writer of Hebrews says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 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..." (Hebrews 1:1-3) Phillips version of this verse says that Jesus is the "radiance of the glory of God, flawless expression of the nature of God." The Amplified Bible says, "He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature." Let us also keep in mind, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Again, in all matters, pertaining to God, Jesus ultimately reveals the will of the Father.
While the entire Bible declares God's will, nature, character, purpose and plan, many of these attributes were unclear and unrevealed until Jesus. Mysteries that were once hidden are now revealed in Jesus, particularly by His actions and words. Also notice, the special nature of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. Jesus says that believers must believe in this special relationship to experience the Father's will which includes healing. We also see that Jesus gives credit to the Father for His works. The miracles and healings in the ministry of Jesus were expressions of the divine purpose of the Father.
Having faith in Jesus includes believing that He was and is in the Father. Jesus has been teaching the importance of believing that He has been revealing the Father. In fact, He commands His followers to believe that very thing. If believers fail to believe that Jesus reveals the will, nature, character, purpose and plan of the Father perfectly, they will find that faith will be difficult for many of the things that the Father has freely given through Christ. (Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:32) Understanding that Jesus was expressing the will, nature, character, purpose and plan of the Father can be discerned simply by observing the ministry of Jesus in His teaching, preaching and actions.
To believe and appropriate the blessings, the promises of God, which includes healing, we must believe, we must mix God's Word with faith. This was not only the apostle Thomas' failure but also the failure of many Jews which kept them from coming to Christ. "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:2) God's Word must be mixed with faith or Christianity is reduced to nothing more than another world religion. So, as the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul states, let us cast away the, "persuasive words of human wisdom" and believe God for the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) Let us believe God for a continuous flow of His supernatural power in and through the church so that the Father is glorified, the Name of Jesus magnified and that the Word of God multiply and prevail mightily. The unsaved world is depending on us. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you...
Monday, January 1, 2018
Monday, December 25, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
Greater Works
With the holiday season upon us which not only includes Christmas but also the closing of a year and the beginning of a new year, let us prepare ourselves now with high expectations of God manifesting His Kingdom, Power and Glory like never before. Let us remember that Jesus gave humanity a complete and eternal redemption which provides us with life and that more abundantly, now. Let us
"lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Let us move beyond churchianity into true Christianity by letting the Holy Spirit loose, bringing us to the place where the supernatural power of God is released through us in the Name of Jesus. (Mark 16:17-18) Let us exercise more faith in God and His wonderful Word and works than we every have. Of course we will have a fight on our hands. But not a fight against Satan, for he is a defeated foe.
The greatest battle that any child of God will ever fight is the battle of faith. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul reveals this very thing, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) We often wonder why it is so hard for so many believers to truly believe God. There are several reasons. Some of these are; we are surrounded in an environment of an antagonistic world that is presided over by the enemy of all righteousness, Satan; we live in his unreal world; we are surrounded by the currents of unbelief so subtle that most seem unable to realize them, and rise above them.
To believe in God for most anything seems to be a continual struggle against the selfish, greedy, materialistic currents that buffet us. To believe in Christ for victory over sin is a battle during every hour of consciousness, with the spiritual hosts of darkness seemly and relentlessly opposing all that is good and righteous. To believe in God for healing the physical body when one is ill is to put up a battle against the centuries of trusting in medicine. So it is not at a1l strange that so many break down in their faith life. For those who press through these things we must caution ourselves to not be harsh or critical against our brothers or sisters in Christ who fail when scripture tells us, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2) So, let's take a moment and look at what the Bible reveals concerning faith.
To begin with faith is a noun whereas believe is a verb. Believing, being a verb, is an action word. To believe in a Biblical sense means "to take," or "to grasp." To believe Jesus means to take Jesus for all that the Scriptures declare Him to be. To clarify this, to believe on Christ as a Savior, is to take Him as the One who saves, delivers, redeems, sustains or preserves; the One who has opened the way to everlasting salvation, eternal life. It means to take Him and recognize Him as your healer, provider, protector, basically, our all in all. In other words, believing is an act of the will. When I believe, I have acted, having acted, I have reached what is called faith. Faith is a noun. I take a step. Having taken the step, I have arrived, therefore arriving in this sense is faith.
To believe then, is to act on the Word of God. So then, faith is action, that is, not believing only but acting on God's Word. The Apostle James says it this way, "...I will show you my faith by my works (corresponding actions)" (James 2:18) Doubt or unbelief is refusing to act on God's Word. This brings us to the next point. There are two kinds of unbelief: first, a refusing to act on the knowledge of the Word that we have. This can be called unpersuadableness. It is refusing to act on what we know to be true in the light of knowledge. The other kind of unbelief arises when one does not know, therefore he/she cannot act. In other words, if we do not understand or know something to be true, we are afraid to act or we do not know how to act. The cure for this is knowledge; the cure for the other is
obedience.
The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) For many, although this verse is describing or defining faith it seems to be somewhat obscure. So, to break this down to more understandable terms, it can be said; Faith is the title deed for things you have hoped for, the putting to proof of things unseen, that is, faith is the title deed to the property you know you possess, even though you have not yet seen it. Think about it from this perspective. You are given the deed to a property. You have never seen the property, however, the deed is the legal document and the only proof required, that guarantees and proves your ownership. In the same way, we apply faith in God's Word (the deed) which God Himself guarantees that what He says is true and that He is able and willing to perform. In other words, faith is expecting God to do what you know He has said in His Word that He will do, or, faith is believing that God speaks the truth, period, therefore, no matter what the circumstances may be, I am convinced that God is willing and able to do what He says.
When it comes to acting on God's Word, that is, releasing faith, always remember, God has never asked that we exercise faith for something that He has not first promised or that He will not do for us. In other words, first, He gives us a promise. Then as our faith grows it produces actions, then He fulfills His promise. The Apostle Paul tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Although Jesus paid the price for sin, a person must act in faith, confess and believe, before God fulfills His promise, "you will be saved." This same principle applies across the board. Faith is believing and acting on God's Word. So, always remember, God never asks us to believe He will do something for us unless He has promised to do it first. We also need to remember, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)
Solomon tells us, "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22) Let us do what we see in this Proverb concerning God's Word. In the natural, when a farmer puts seed into the ground, he does not dig it up to see how it is doing. He believes that the ground and seed have begun their work. Similarly, we are to, "Keep them (God's Word) in the midst of your heart" and believe that it is doing its work. So, let us have the same faith in the imperishable seed, God's Word. The Apostle Peter tells us, "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23)
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us the seed that is sown is the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) He also tells us in the Parable of the Growing Seed, "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." (Mark 4:26-27) Therefore, after you plant seed, (God's Word) believe it is growing even before you see any results. As we see above, we may not understand how the Word grows (our faith), we simply believe. This again is faith, which is the evidence of things not seen. Any person can get rid of their doubts by looking steadfastly at the evidence which God has given for our faith, His Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) It is God's Word that produces and increases faith. So, do not doubt your faith, but simply doubt your doubts, for they are unreliable.
As we approach 2018, let us commit to doing the following three things on a daily bases. First, saturate ourselves with and in the Word of God. Let it prevail over fear, doubt and unbelief like never before. Simply put, let's believe and act on God's Word. Second, let our confession be the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) Remember, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Thirdly, spend time conversing (praying) with the Father in the Name of Jesus. Not only offering up our petitions and requests, but also given thanks in all thing, keeping in mind, that to converse is to have a conversation, a two way conversation with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit. "truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3)
Finally, let us not make vain New Years resolutions, where according to statistics, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Instead let us truly commit ourselves to the Lord, His Word and His way's, in doing so, the church will once again takes its place in every society turning the world upside down, glorifying the Father and magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ. 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." (John 14:12) My prayer for us all for 2018 was spoken by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 2)
"lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Let us move beyond churchianity into true Christianity by letting the Holy Spirit loose, bringing us to the place where the supernatural power of God is released through us in the Name of Jesus. (Mark 16:17-18) Let us exercise more faith in God and His wonderful Word and works than we every have. Of course we will have a fight on our hands. But not a fight against Satan, for he is a defeated foe.
The greatest battle that any child of God will ever fight is the battle of faith. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul reveals this very thing, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) We often wonder why it is so hard for so many believers to truly believe God. There are several reasons. Some of these are; we are surrounded in an environment of an antagonistic world that is presided over by the enemy of all righteousness, Satan; we live in his unreal world; we are surrounded by the currents of unbelief so subtle that most seem unable to realize them, and rise above them.
To believe in God for most anything seems to be a continual struggle against the selfish, greedy, materialistic currents that buffet us. To believe in Christ for victory over sin is a battle during every hour of consciousness, with the spiritual hosts of darkness seemly and relentlessly opposing all that is good and righteous. To believe in God for healing the physical body when one is ill is to put up a battle against the centuries of trusting in medicine. So it is not at a1l strange that so many break down in their faith life. For those who press through these things we must caution ourselves to not be harsh or critical against our brothers or sisters in Christ who fail when scripture tells us, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2) So, let's take a moment and look at what the Bible reveals concerning faith.
To begin with faith is a noun whereas believe is a verb. Believing, being a verb, is an action word. To believe in a Biblical sense means "to take," or "to grasp." To believe Jesus means to take Jesus for all that the Scriptures declare Him to be. To clarify this, to believe on Christ as a Savior, is to take Him as the One who saves, delivers, redeems, sustains or preserves; the One who has opened the way to everlasting salvation, eternal life. It means to take Him and recognize Him as your healer, provider, protector, basically, our all in all. In other words, believing is an act of the will. When I believe, I have acted, having acted, I have reached what is called faith. Faith is a noun. I take a step. Having taken the step, I have arrived, therefore arriving in this sense is faith.
To believe then, is to act on the Word of God. So then, faith is action, that is, not believing only but acting on God's Word. The Apostle James says it this way, "...I will show you my faith by my works (corresponding actions)" (James 2:18) Doubt or unbelief is refusing to act on God's Word. This brings us to the next point. There are two kinds of unbelief: first, a refusing to act on the knowledge of the Word that we have. This can be called unpersuadableness. It is refusing to act on what we know to be true in the light of knowledge. The other kind of unbelief arises when one does not know, therefore he/she cannot act. In other words, if we do not understand or know something to be true, we are afraid to act or we do not know how to act. The cure for this is knowledge; the cure for the other is
obedience.
The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) For many, although this verse is describing or defining faith it seems to be somewhat obscure. So, to break this down to more understandable terms, it can be said; Faith is the title deed for things you have hoped for, the putting to proof of things unseen, that is, faith is the title deed to the property you know you possess, even though you have not yet seen it. Think about it from this perspective. You are given the deed to a property. You have never seen the property, however, the deed is the legal document and the only proof required, that guarantees and proves your ownership. In the same way, we apply faith in God's Word (the deed) which God Himself guarantees that what He says is true and that He is able and willing to perform. In other words, faith is expecting God to do what you know He has said in His Word that He will do, or, faith is believing that God speaks the truth, period, therefore, no matter what the circumstances may be, I am convinced that God is willing and able to do what He says.
When it comes to acting on God's Word, that is, releasing faith, always remember, God has never asked that we exercise faith for something that He has not first promised or that He will not do for us. In other words, first, He gives us a promise. Then as our faith grows it produces actions, then He fulfills His promise. The Apostle Paul tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Although Jesus paid the price for sin, a person must act in faith, confess and believe, before God fulfills His promise, "you will be saved." This same principle applies across the board. Faith is believing and acting on God's Word. So, always remember, God never asks us to believe He will do something for us unless He has promised to do it first. We also need to remember, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)
Solomon tells us, "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22) Let us do what we see in this Proverb concerning God's Word. In the natural, when a farmer puts seed into the ground, he does not dig it up to see how it is doing. He believes that the ground and seed have begun their work. Similarly, we are to, "Keep them (God's Word) in the midst of your heart" and believe that it is doing its work. So, let us have the same faith in the imperishable seed, God's Word. The Apostle Peter tells us, "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23)
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us the seed that is sown is the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) He also tells us in the Parable of the Growing Seed, "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." (Mark 4:26-27) Therefore, after you plant seed, (God's Word) believe it is growing even before you see any results. As we see above, we may not understand how the Word grows (our faith), we simply believe. This again is faith, which is the evidence of things not seen. Any person can get rid of their doubts by looking steadfastly at the evidence which God has given for our faith, His Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) It is God's Word that produces and increases faith. So, do not doubt your faith, but simply doubt your doubts, for they are unreliable.
As we approach 2018, let us commit to doing the following three things on a daily bases. First, saturate ourselves with and in the Word of God. Let it prevail over fear, doubt and unbelief like never before. Simply put, let's believe and act on God's Word. Second, let our confession be the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) Remember, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Thirdly, spend time conversing (praying) with the Father in the Name of Jesus. Not only offering up our petitions and requests, but also given thanks in all thing, keeping in mind, that to converse is to have a conversation, a two way conversation with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit. "truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3)
Finally, let us not make vain New Years resolutions, where according to statistics, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Instead let us truly commit ourselves to the Lord, His Word and His way's, in doing so, the church will once again takes its place in every society turning the world upside down, glorifying the Father and magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ. 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." (John 14:12) My prayer for us all for 2018 was spoken by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 2)
Monday, December 11, 2017
The Best Advertisement Ever
Advertisements are everywhere in our culture. Whether traveling on a highway, listening to radio, watching television, the internet, direct mail, or telephone we are exposed to advertisements. An advertisement is defined as; "a notice or announcement calling to the attention of the public a product, service, or an event that is being promoted." According to researchers, the average person is exposed to, yes, 4000 to 5000 advertisements daily. You may be thinking that these numbers are quite high, but look at it from this perspective. A study done in 2015 by researchers say that the sum of media asked for and delivered to consumers daily is about 6.9 gigabytes (6.9 billion) of information, or a daily consumption of nine DVDs worth of data per person per day. Researchers also say that the average brain receives approximately 34 gigabytes (34 billion) of information daily.
As far as the best advertisement ever, many would have different opinions as to which advertisement it may be, so I will use only one example to show this point, Super Bowl XLIX, (49). According to statistics the cost of advertising during Super Bowl 49, surpassed every previous Super Bowl. The base price of a thirty second advertisement was $4.5 million. Media executives projected that the cost of a 30-second commercial could exceed $5 million at Super Bowl 50. I use this example because Super Bowl 49 drew an average audience of 114.4 million viewers, which makes Super Bowl 49 the most watched broadcast in U.S. television history, plus many boast that these advertisements are the best.
Looking back at the definition of the word advertisement as, "a notice or announcement calling to the attention of the public a product, service, or an event that is being promoted" we will find that nothing in this world can compare to the absolute best advertisement ever. Interestingly enough, this advertisement has been repeated over and over from creation and though some may ignore it or chalk it up to phenomena, fantasy, or even non-existent, it will continue until the end of time. What is this advertisement? It is the power of God breaking into time and space, manifesting in the lives of man through miracles, signs and wonders. When I use the term "God advertising Himself" it simply means that He is revealing Himself. He is calling to the attention of the public, that is, man, His will, nature, character, purpose and plan.
Looking in the Bible from cover to cover we see over and over Gods divine intervention, the release of His supernatural power, in the affairs of man bringing man to the knowledge of Who He is. We see this in the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt; the Red Sea Crossing; Israel's conquest of the Promised Land; throughout the Judges of Israel; the defeat of the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. We even see God advertise Himself before the heathen rulers of kingdoms who worshiped false gods. They too came to recognize the one and only true God when God advertised Himself by manifesting His power. (Daniel 2:46-47, 3:19-29, 6:16-28)
The Bible tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14) "Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:30-31, 35)
As we look at the ministry of Jesus in the gospels, once again God advertises Himself through miracles, signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:4) causing people to be amazed and marvel. (Matthew 15:31; Mark 1:27, 6:2) The apostle John says, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25) Yet, God did not stop there. He continued to advertise Himself in the same manner in the early church. (Acts 3:12, 5:12-16, 6:8, 8:5-8, 9:32-43, 14:1-10, 15:12,19:11-12, 20:6-12, 28:8-9) Once again we see God advertising Himself, this time through the early church.
The Bible records, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) We see that in both Old and New Testament that God does not change. Although many have been told that God does not need to advertise Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, any longer, there is absolutely no evidence of this in the Bible. On the contrary, throughout the centuries of the church on earth, God has always advertised Himself to be the one and only true God by manifesting Himself through miracles, signs, and wonders. We see this evidenced in the lives of many believers, especially in every awakening and revival. It is God manifesting His power in the affairs of man through the church that proves the resurrection and it also separates Christianity from every other religion on the planet. The church is the one and only vehicle that God works through on earth revealing Jesus Christ.
This is how the gospel message is to be presented to the world. Jesus tells us, "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) Next, we find the reality of this in action, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." (Mark 16:19-20) The church began with God advertising Himself with miracles and He will continue to do the same until Jesus returns.
The Apostle Paul also tells us how the gospel message is to be presented, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:18-19) Paul tells us that "the full gospel" is revealed "in word and deed." Beleivers are to preach Christ in word, and as Jesus said He would do when the gospel, God's Word was preached, He would confirm it with accompanying signs, which Paul also reveals to us in his preaching of Christ.
Every believer today must become miracle minded. This is not to say that we are to focus on miracles and not God, but that we must come to the place once again where we allow God, through faith, to advertise Himself, that is, call the attention of the public to Himself. Once a person or a people becomes miracle minded, we will see things happen that were common to the early church. This means the nearer we come to Him, the more clearly we see Him with the eyes of faith. It is the dogma and doctrines of men which have eroded faith and promoted fear, doubt and unbelief in the church that has caused many sectors of the church not to believe that the unchanging Lord God Almighty still reveals Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, to anyone who has faith in Christ and His Word. Jesus tells us, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
As the Lord makes us one with one another and with Himself, His strength, His life, His wisdom, His love, His power becomes ours. He becomes a part of everything we do, and our response becomes, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). He takes us out of the realm of weakness , fear, doubt, unbelief and inability, and moves us into the realm of His ability and strength. (Ephesians 3:20) We actually become supermen and superwomen fearlessly undertaking the impossible letting the best advertisement ever to manifest through us, that is, the power of Almighty God. So, if you struggle with and doubt the fact that God still advertises Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, then may I suggest, simply asking the Lord to help you to so live in the realm of the His Word, growing your faith in Him, that in turn, you may become miracle minded so God can advertise Himself to the public through you.
As far as the best advertisement ever, many would have different opinions as to which advertisement it may be, so I will use only one example to show this point, Super Bowl XLIX, (49). According to statistics the cost of advertising during Super Bowl 49, surpassed every previous Super Bowl. The base price of a thirty second advertisement was $4.5 million. Media executives projected that the cost of a 30-second commercial could exceed $5 million at Super Bowl 50. I use this example because Super Bowl 49 drew an average audience of 114.4 million viewers, which makes Super Bowl 49 the most watched broadcast in U.S. television history, plus many boast that these advertisements are the best.
Looking back at the definition of the word advertisement as, "a notice or announcement calling to the attention of the public a product, service, or an event that is being promoted" we will find that nothing in this world can compare to the absolute best advertisement ever. Interestingly enough, this advertisement has been repeated over and over from creation and though some may ignore it or chalk it up to phenomena, fantasy, or even non-existent, it will continue until the end of time. What is this advertisement? It is the power of God breaking into time and space, manifesting in the lives of man through miracles, signs and wonders. When I use the term "God advertising Himself" it simply means that He is revealing Himself. He is calling to the attention of the public, that is, man, His will, nature, character, purpose and plan.
Looking in the Bible from cover to cover we see over and over Gods divine intervention, the release of His supernatural power, in the affairs of man bringing man to the knowledge of Who He is. We see this in the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt; the Red Sea Crossing; Israel's conquest of the Promised Land; throughout the Judges of Israel; the defeat of the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. We even see God advertise Himself before the heathen rulers of kingdoms who worshiped false gods. They too came to recognize the one and only true God when God advertised Himself by manifesting His power. (Daniel 2:46-47, 3:19-29, 6:16-28)
The Bible tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14) "Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:30-31, 35)
As we look at the ministry of Jesus in the gospels, once again God advertises Himself through miracles, signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:4) causing people to be amazed and marvel. (Matthew 15:31; Mark 1:27, 6:2) The apostle John says, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25) Yet, God did not stop there. He continued to advertise Himself in the same manner in the early church. (Acts 3:12, 5:12-16, 6:8, 8:5-8, 9:32-43, 14:1-10, 15:12,19:11-12, 20:6-12, 28:8-9) Once again we see God advertising Himself, this time through the early church.
The Bible records, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) We see that in both Old and New Testament that God does not change. Although many have been told that God does not need to advertise Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, any longer, there is absolutely no evidence of this in the Bible. On the contrary, throughout the centuries of the church on earth, God has always advertised Himself to be the one and only true God by manifesting Himself through miracles, signs, and wonders. We see this evidenced in the lives of many believers, especially in every awakening and revival. It is God manifesting His power in the affairs of man through the church that proves the resurrection and it also separates Christianity from every other religion on the planet. The church is the one and only vehicle that God works through on earth revealing Jesus Christ.
This is how the gospel message is to be presented to the world. Jesus tells us, "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) Next, we find the reality of this in action, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." (Mark 16:19-20) The church began with God advertising Himself with miracles and He will continue to do the same until Jesus returns.
The Apostle Paul also tells us how the gospel message is to be presented, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:18-19) Paul tells us that "the full gospel" is revealed "in word and deed." Beleivers are to preach Christ in word, and as Jesus said He would do when the gospel, God's Word was preached, He would confirm it with accompanying signs, which Paul also reveals to us in his preaching of Christ.
Every believer today must become miracle minded. This is not to say that we are to focus on miracles and not God, but that we must come to the place once again where we allow God, through faith, to advertise Himself, that is, call the attention of the public to Himself. Once a person or a people becomes miracle minded, we will see things happen that were common to the early church. This means the nearer we come to Him, the more clearly we see Him with the eyes of faith. It is the dogma and doctrines of men which have eroded faith and promoted fear, doubt and unbelief in the church that has caused many sectors of the church not to believe that the unchanging Lord God Almighty still reveals Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, to anyone who has faith in Christ and His Word. Jesus tells us, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
As the Lord makes us one with one another and with Himself, His strength, His life, His wisdom, His love, His power becomes ours. He becomes a part of everything we do, and our response becomes, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). He takes us out of the realm of weakness , fear, doubt, unbelief and inability, and moves us into the realm of His ability and strength. (Ephesians 3:20) We actually become supermen and superwomen fearlessly undertaking the impossible letting the best advertisement ever to manifest through us, that is, the power of Almighty God. So, if you struggle with and doubt the fact that God still advertises Himself through miracles, signs and wonders, then may I suggest, simply asking the Lord to help you to so live in the realm of the His Word, growing your faith in Him, that in turn, you may become miracle minded so God can advertise Himself to the public through you.
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