HEART-THOUGHTS by DK

WHAT YOU WEAR MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

2012-01-21T21:09:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The Greek word found in the Strong’s Concordance for the word ‘put’ is en-doo, which means to wear.

To wear something implies that we become a part of a garment, or suit, by simply getting into it, i.e. the knight got into his suit of armor. Furthermore, it applies to our wearing this new man in every aspect; completely, spiritually, emotionally and physically. It’s what we’re commanded to do as children of God.

Note: You must remember that scripture is not for the unbeliever; but only those who are in Christ through the born-again experience.

It is this ‘new man’ who was created after God in righteousness and true holiness. This wonderful truth should bless you beyond measure. The churches of today seldom convey this truth to their members, largely because they don’t understand it themselves. As they say, “you can never teach a truth adequately, if you don’t understand it yourself”. This is true about anything.

Now, about the method God used to forgive sin(s) in the Old Testament, which is found in this scripture…

Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Here’s what the context of this verse means. In the book of Hebrews we see the method by which all sins were previously dealt with in the Old Testament. Forgiveness of sin(s) for the Jewish people was only accomplished through an animal sacrifice. This was done in accordance with the laws God established for the nation of Israel during that time in history. But it was not a permanent fix for their sinful condition. It was only temporary. Every time sin was committed by an individual, a specific blood sacrifice was required to atone for that sin.

Here is a partial list of the animals God required for that purpose.
1) Goats
2) Calves
3) Bullocks
4) Lambs
5) Pigeons

Whenever an infraction of the law [sin] was committed, up to the temple they went, to present the appropriate offering to the priests. So it was, till the time of Christ’s crucifixion.

Once every year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies to offer up a special blood sacrifice for the entire nation of Israel for any sins that were not covered during the year.

Do you know what this means? From the time the laws of God were instituted, until the sacrifice of Christ, the land was in a continual state of sin consciousness. They could not escape it, because the LAW was a constant reminder to them of their failure and humanity’s inability to live up to the standards God had set before them. The Ten Commandments that most of the Christian world still embrace today, was for the Jews a constant reminder of their failure to be holy apart from the law. They could never be made completely free while the law [Ten Commandments] existed. Every offering was at best a temporary fix for their sin. It took the death of Christ, at Calvary, to finally break the grip of the law that had held them captive so long.

The sacrificial blood of countless animals continually flowed throughout the whole land of Israel, for the sins of the Jews. In contrast, Hebrews 9-12 shows us the “too good to be true” Good News, when Jesus entered into the holy place after he died to present his blood sacrifice before the Father for the sins of all humanity. His sacrifice obtained for us eternal redemption by his shed blood. No longer would the blood of lambs and bullocks be necessary every time someone sinned. The law had been replaced by grace.

I rejoice in this truth constantly; thanking God for his great grace and tender mercy. Because of this singular sacrificial event, we are now privileged to put on this new man, which was created in righteousness and true holiness. It should be a highly esteemed honor for all saints to “put on” this new man.

In the book of Romans I showed you the love of God and the revelation of his grace poured out upon all mankind. I have shown you the futility of trying to approach Almighty God through your own merits and self-effort. Friends, this great truth has the potential to make you free, if you will simply believe it by faith.

Scripture says that Jesus entered into the holy place once and obtained eternal redemption for us through his blood sacrifice. You will find nothing in scripture that says Christ enters the Holy of Holies [the presence of God], with another blood sacrifice, every time you sin. If that were true, he would need to be crucified over, and over, and over again, to provide that blood offering. Putting it another way; it’s like saying his one-time sacrifice [atonement] at Calvary was never sufficient, or adequate enough to get the job done the first time. Just think about that for a moment. If this were the case, then you would never be truly born-again. Every time you sinned you would feel you needed to be born-again, and again, and again. That my friend is utter nonsense! Christ completed the work the first time, and by his own words, proclaimed, “It is finished” – John 19:13 KJV. He won’t do it twice. It’s yours alone to receive this truth by faith, or to reject it, and him. Another compelling scripture tells us the greatest truth concerning this one-time only event - Hebrews 10:18 KJV - Now, where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Question…
If Christ claimed the work at the cross to be finished, then why isn’t it finished for you?

The answer is quite simple. You honestly don’t believe that the work of the cross is finished, or in fact sufficient, for every sin and need you have. Religion has taught you the error which says you need to repent and get your sin “under the blood” one more time. Hogwash! It’s true that you need to sincerely repent of any sin you commit, but not by offering another blood sacrifice for it. That is no longer necessary – thanks to Calvary.

By grace, God made a way for us to be restored unto him through Christ’s blood atonement, permanently. Sin was the barrier that separated us from God and certainly needed to be dealt with. However, the blood sacrifice of Christ broke the strength of all sin, thus reuniting us with our tender, merciful, and loving God. Scripture tells us we will sin, as long as we’re in our flesh and our minds remain un-renewed. When we do sin, we’re to go quickly to the throne of grace to receive mercy in time of need [to repent]. God quickly forgives us of any repented sin because he loves you and doesn’t want anything hindering you from intimacy with him.

Remember, there is always a cost for sin in your lives, if you continue in it, but it does not restrict your access to the Father. Scripture admonishes us to forsake sin and cling to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Since sin brings death to our flesh, then let us rather chose life that we might live unto God. As scripture admonishes us in John 8:11 …”go, and sin no more”.

Understanding un-repented sin…
1) What happens if you commit a particular sin and you fail to repent of it? Would it mean that atonement could not be made, or provided for it? Absolutely not!
2) Does it mean that your sins are not eligible to be under the covering of God’s forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice? Absolutely not!
3) Does it mean that you no longer can enter into the presence of God, or have access to him when there is un-confessed sin in your life? Absolutely not!

Many believe there can be absolutely no fellowship with God once they’ve sinned; that their sin causes alienation from Almighty God?

Response…
If this is how you view your salvation, then the blood of Christ has no greater value to you than the blood of goats and bulls did for the Children of Israel.

For every sin committed in the Old Testament a new sacrifice had to be made on an altar – a lamb – goat – bullock, etc. Many believe the same applies today. Every time you sin in the New Testament, you still feel that your sin(s) must be put “under the blood” one more time [Old Testament Law].

You’ll also seek…
1) A place of repentance – again
2) To rededicate your life – again.
3) Seek to be born again – again.

Salvation, as viewed from eyes of religion, is an event that is ongoing, simply because you can never seem to get your life in order or straightened out. Because of this, the church believes you’ll never be in a favorable enough place with God to have the kind of intimacy and closeness I’m teaching is possible; all because of sin.

This also implies that…
1) You’ll never have assurance your sins are actually forgiven.
2) You’re never going to feel secure in your fragile faith.
3) You’ll never have genuine peace which comes from knowing the truths of scripture.
4) You’ll never feel you have sufficient boldness to enter into the Throne of Grace.
5) You’ll never have confidence enough to approach God because you are always in a state of repentance and feel completely unworthy.
6) You’ll feel that blood must be continually applied every time you trip, stumble, and fall.

You see unworthiness written everywhere, but God says you have been made worthy in Christ. Shame and rejection comes because the child of God does not understand what Christ has done through the atonement. Scripture clearly tells us that Christ entered in once and thereby obtained eternal redemption for us.

The results of stinking thinking…
1) You always feel unworthy and condemned because of your sin.
2) You feel rejected by God and man because of your sin.
3) You don’t enjoy being in the presence of God because of un-repented sin.
4) There is no joy, singing, or dancing in your life because of sin consciousness and resulting condemnation.
5) You have no awareness of being saved to the uttermost.

The word of God proclaims that Christ entered once into the holy place and obtained eternal redemption for us.

What is eternal redemption? It occurs when we become born-again by faith, inviting Christ to be our Savior and Lord; committing our lives to him alone, for the rest of our human existence and then into eternity. At this momentous event, our sins, which were many, were completely washed away by God and cast away from us, as far as the east is from the west, to be remembered no more, forever. At that instant, we were completely sin free. Our sinful nature was removed and a new life in Christ instituted. This new man was then sealed by the Holy Spirit.

What happens after that?
Generally, since our minds have not been renewed [taught] to understand all that Christ has done for us, we’ll ultimately revert back to our old familiar ways. We’ll sin. It may not happen right away, and we certainly don’t want to sin, now that we’re born-again. But at some point sin will occur. Scripture tells us so - 1 John 2:1 KJV - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

In the Old Testament the nation of Israel was given the original Ten Commandments and a host of additional laws to obey, without exception.

The Old Testament “law(s)” commanded the children of Israel to be in control of their actions as the law dictated, while the New Testament commands us to be in control of our thoughts.

Here’s a well-known example…
If a man commits adultery in his mind, then scripture says he is just as guilty as if he actually performed the act.

This scripture lends credence to the example given. Proverbs 23:7 KJV - For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Who of us can stand up to a standard like the law? It is impossible. We must realize our need for “eternal redemption” which can only come through Christ. It is absolutely necessary for each of us today and available in the future for times when we’ll surely fail again. Eternal redemption is, as it states, eternal [without end]. What was sufficient for the early church is just as sufficient now and will to be till the end of the age.

The book of Hebrews shows us the transition made from animal sacrifices in the Old Testament to the final and permanent solution for sin, the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, and all it implies.

Heb 9:13
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

This verse tells us that the sacrifices made during Old Testament times were only temporary.

Verse 14
…much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Verse 14 identifies the need we have to purge our conscience from unbelief, to that of faith and trust in the finished work of Christ.

Verse 15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Notice, there are two fundamental truths concerning Christ’s sacrifice. He obtained for us eternal redemption, and eternal inheritance.

Few of God’s children understand this radical truth. When you come to a place of surrender, salvation, and personal commitment to Christ, you are atoned of your past, present and future sins. Hearing this truth, most people generally ask what they feel is a logical question. “Can we then do whatever we want [continue sinning], since our sins have already been forgiven”? NO!

That is not what I am saying and it isn’t what scripture teaches. The thought of sinning again, once you’ve received Christ as your Lord and Savior, should be appalling to you, as the mere thought of it was to Paul in this next scripture reference.

Rom 6:1-2 KJV - 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

This is what the good news of the gospel proclaims. We can be free and remain free from all sin, when our minds are renewed. Understanding this good-news separates you from your former sinful desires and causes you to be drawn closer in love to your new master and Lord.

In Christ, sin no longer abounds, but grace does, and unto every good work. This transformation is about you decreasing [becoming less of what you were] and Christ increasing [becoming more of what Christ is like] in your life.

The scriptures I’ve referenced confront the teachings of most denominations. The truths are clear…
1) He obtained eternal redemption.
2) He obtained eternal inheritance.
3) He entered in once into the holy place and offered up his blood sacrifice to the Father.

In closing…
Religion tells you that God is totally unapproachable on your own. Don’t you dare believe it! He loved us enough to send his most precious gift – Jesus, so that you can have more in this life and the next, than you ever thought possible. God is completely approachable!

If you have difficulty with this teaching, ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you and help bring understanding, so that you will abound to every good work in Christ. If you’re anything like me, you’ll do exactly that, since you’ll long to have absolutely everything Christ has given us through his atonement.

Putting on the new man is a mandate from Almighty God.

A MONSTER IN THE CHURCH

2012-01-12T17:53:00.000-06:00

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

When the Holy Spirit directed me to begin sharing what He has placed in my heart I understood that there was going to be reality and truth that was certainly going to offend many, especially those in the Pentecostal realm who believe that their lives are being directed by the Holy Spirit simply because they speak in tongues.

But here is reality and truth, we speak in tongues but we are not drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not allowing Him to lead us into all truth and we are not allowing him to guide us to the fullness of walking through Him in completeness

With all that he is, with all that he possesses, with all that is available to us through Him, we still do not draw on his power.

The truth is that we have access to God through God the Holy Spirit and the prophets of old longed and desired to see what we are seeing; they longed and desired to hear the things that we are hearing from the word of God

Matt 13:17
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
And here we are living in this blessed day where it is more beneficial for us to have the Holy Spirit than it is to have Jesus Christ
.
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

And we walk around depressed, discouraged, wanting a fresh touch from God, constantly looking for some thing new that can be felt, chasing God here and chasing God there and the whole time the Holy Spirit (Almighty God) lives on the inside of us.

If you have been born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues then He lives and dwells on the inside of you,
He lives on the inside of you where you can be refreshed and if you are weary can find rest

Isa 28:11-13
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing : yet they would not hear.

He lives on the inside of you where you can build up your most holy faith,

Jude 20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith , praying in the Holy Ghost,

But what does the child of God do, they chase God from one event to another, they chase God from one church to another and God is not running.
They are looking for a well to drink from, they are looking for a place to get a fresh drink of water and they never come to the revelation that the well that they are looking to drink from is on the inside of them.
A well of living water springing up, leaping up into everlasting life,
The Holy Ghost.

John 4:10---Jesus is speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

VERSE 13
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life .

Notice the words,
But whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give shall never thirst and it will be a well of water springing up into everlasting life

John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life : he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Hear the words,
You shall never hunger, you will never thirst if you drink of the water that he gives and it shall be to you a well of living water that is constantly bubbling up, that is springing up like an artesian well, it never has to be primed, it never has to be pumped---it is a well of springing water.
And one of the biggest monsters in the church today is
Lord I hunger for you
Lord I thirst for you
Fill us up Lord we are so desperate for you.

It’s like sitting down to a six course meal and then telling every one how hungry you are,
If you are hungry --- then why don’t you just eat, if you are thirsty then why don’t you just drink, it has been given to you so that you will never hunger, so that you will never thirst.

But the language of the church is I feel so empty, so dry, so drained, instead of telling every one how hungry you are—why don’t you eat.

The reason you’re so empty, so dry, so confused and so drained is because you are not drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit to refresh you and bring you rest
When did you stop realizing who it is that lives on the inside of you?
When did you stop seeing the potential that lives on the inside of you?
When did you stop the flow of the resurrection power that dwells on the inside of you?
When did you stop promoting spiritual growth and strength.

Speaking in tongues edifies and builds you up, when did you stop allowing it to do that.

1 Cor 14:4
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

The word edifieth in the Greek is oykodomehoo and it means to build a house,
Building a house promotes growth and strength.

Jesus said come to me and you will never hunger and you will never thirst again and yet in the body of Christ there are multitudes that are doing just that, hungering and thirsting, desperate for him and the whole time the well is on the inside of them.

The Holy Spirit has been sent to be your encourager, your comforter, to build you up, to strengthen you, to refresh you, to bring you rest when you are weary, to lead you into all truth and we walk around depressed discouraged and confused.

There is something terribly wrong with this picture.

It is not about what we do not have; it’s about not appreciating what we do have and not walking in the revelation of power that has been given to us.

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He will guide you into all truth
Those words he will guide in the Greek are hodaygeho and it means to show you the way and the meaning is literal
To show you the way means to start revealing to you the things of God

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus
The Holy Spirit takes the things of Jesus and reveals them
The Holy Spirit is sent to exalt Jesus, to glorify Jesus, to lift up Jesus, to magnify Jesus and many of God’s people do not know the Holy Spirit intimately.
Are they born again---Yes?
Are they baptized in the Holy Spirit—yes--but they do not know Him apart from speaking in tongues.

The way that you think reveals whether or not that you know Him, The things that you speak reveals whether or not you have intimacy with him.

What is intimacy---knowing Him?
Paul said it in
Phil 3:10
That I may know him , and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

It is the Holy Spirit that reveals Jesus to you, you can come to the place in your life where you know Jesus and it will keep you from being depressed and discouraged, it will keep you from being confused.
I am not speaking about superhuman strength in which to persevere through
I am revealing to you intimacy and love through the Holy Spirit..

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

If you only take the last part of this verse it would transform your life if you would grasp what is being said.

and he will shew you things to come.

If you were open to see just what he would reveal unto you about next week it would transform you, and if you would take advantage of what he would show you it would radically change your life, it could prevent you from having a car wreak and being killed, it could prevent you from having an accident at home.
There have been times when the Holy Spirit has told me to move and if I would not have moved I would have been seriously hurt.
The Holy Spirit shows you things to come and because he knows about those things he can save your life.

Rom 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The word helpeth our in the Greek is soonanteelombanomahee and it means to take hold together.

The Holy Spirit does not intercede for you by himself, He does not help our infirmities by himself, He does not help our infirmities on his own and you can not intercede on your own
.
It is beyond human ability.

But when you begun to pray and to intercede then the Holy Spirit takes hold with you and He then joins with you making intercession with groanings which can not be uttered making the prayer of a righteous man effectual and fervent that avails much.

WORSHIP---RISING TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL

2011-12-29T20:40:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

For the past several blogs I have been teaching and exhorting you to put on the new man [spiritual man]. This is the same new man who was created after God in righteousness and true holiness.

What a truly awesome revelation this is to the child of God who longs to be free from all human effort; to let God do for his children the things which they are unable to do by themselves.

The truths I’ve been bringing to you are revelations, directly from the word of God. You need to understand that the revelations I’ve been bringing to you are not my interpretation of what I think scripture is saying, rather it is the very word itself which is corroborated by countless other scriptures; so there is neither doubt or confusion about what God has done and desires for each of us to know concerning him. The word of God states clearly that knowledge builds the [spiritual] house, but it’s our understanding that establishes [makes sure] the house – Proverbs 24:3 KJV.

God has a profound desire for us to have clear understanding in this matter so that we’ll become partakers of this new nature.

Remember this…
It’s only in the new [spirit] man where we are able to approach the Lord for the purpose of worshipping him. Any other method that man devises to worship God is done in their flesh, or carnal man. These efforts have no value to God, nor will he bless it.

John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Question…
What does it mean when this scripture says that believers who worship the Lord must worship him in spirit and truth, and that the Father specifically seeks these people out?

The answer is quite simple. You are unable, in your humanity, of having access to the Lord. Human emotions and our intellect, which we favor, and are taught to be so necessary and essential for proper and effective worship, are actually the very things which hinder that worship. Most Christians seem put-off when this truth is revealed. They’ve been convinced that human effort pleases God. But that is far from the truth. The things in your humanity that you believe are such a benefit to worship are actually huge distractions when you desire to worship God. They cause a communication failure with him on every conceivable level. God knows this of course and is willing to instruct us by his word. Since he loves us so deeply, he actually gives us the needed direction and instruction so that this blessed event [true worship] isn’t compromised by the flesh.

The flesh, referenced here in scripture, refers to the two parts of our humanity which were not regenerated at the time of salvation; the soul [intellect; mind] and your body [emotions and five senses].

Both of these areas of your flesh are great inhibitors to true worship of the Godhead. In the realm of your humanity, it is impossible to approach God in the areas of boldness, confidence, assurance, and purity, which are achieved when we know truth.

Take a moment to think of what I’ve just said. Surely you can see how much of a conflict it would be to drag all of your unnecessary ‘human baggage’ into worship. Most Christians believe these things couldn’t possibly be a distraction or hinder their worship of Almighty God.

Example…
On purely a human level, we have all experienced this very thing. You’re out doing things and unexpectedly stumble upon a good friend you haven’t seen in quite some time. You’re anxious to spend some quality time with them, so you invite them for coffee and eagerly get down to some serious social interaction. Everything seems to go well until you ask them how they’ve been doing. Then it begins. A torrent of personal troubles and woes come spewing out of their mouths, and you think to yourself, what have I done to deserve this. Soon, you’re looking for the exit door, wondering how to escape. What otherwise was an expectation of joy, turned sour because of their baggage.
Your efforts to achieve intimacy it seems was purely one sided. The cares of the world choked out the intimacy you wanted so desperately. What they unloaded on you dramatically influenced the otherwise peaceful and pleasant interaction you had hoped to have achieved with them.

God the Father wants uninterrupted quality time with his family [you]. The baggage you bring to the meeting influences how you’ll worship God. You may think your Heavenly Father doesn’t care what you bring, but I tell you he does.

God doesn’t want anything to disrupt this precious time with his child, so we should always endeavor to honor him by leaving our flesh outside the door when we enter. It must be through the spirit only [your regenerated spirit] that you come worshipping him.

Let’s read this portion of scripture one more time.
God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4: 24

There are specific conditions under which God allows the worship of his saints, so the phrase …“must worship him” is a directive, which must be followed precisely in order for the event to be meaningful to both parties. Remember, God never let the Old Testament priests come into his presence with any excess baggage.

The churches have taught their members for years that the only way to ever have a meaningful relationship, or intimacy with God, is through their personal [human] effort, or sanctification through works and obedience to church doctrine. This is absolutely untrue and not supported anywhere in scripture. No amount of obeying, submitting, or surrendering of yourself to any denomination will ever give you clout with God.

If you approach God in any of these areas, you can be assured that there will be no intimacy.
1) By any human effort that involves your emotions or five senses.
2) Through human achievements that your feel merits God’s approval or acceptance, i.e. educational accomplishments - degrees, intellectual pursuits at understanding God; theology, etc.
3) By your perceived goodness as defined by religious dogma, or denominational standards; i.e. by praying, giving finances, through church attendance, or services rendered as a condition of membership, or because of any positions of leadership that you hold within the church.
4) By attempting to walk in self-proclaimed holiness, thinking that your relationship with God is guaranteed/ assured.

The absolute biblical truth is that no one is able to approach God from the realm of the flesh, or any part thereof. No one is holy enough – pure enough – or righteous enough to ascend to God from the realm of their humanity.

Rom 3:9-10
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

At the time of the last judgment, many will see just how valuable their efforts in the flesh have really been. Scripture tells us that everything will be tried by fire and only those things which are pure will come through untouched. This is the true testimony of your worth.

Man has always thought he was able to approach God on his terms. But that doesn’t line up with scripture. We think we meet the standard of holiness because we’re church members, or attend a certain denomination, but rest assured, this isn’t God’s standard. Why do you think that is? Do you honestly think God will lower his standards for worship? Absolutely not, and he never will. To meet his standards requires that you rise to a different level, but not through your flesh. You’ll never be able to achieve sufficient human status where you can boldly enter into God’s presence. Frankly, that’s precisely why mankind created religion. It was their tool/ tower to reach Almighty God by their own efforts. Man simply got tired of God’s standards for worship. They liked their standards more, but in the end, they always fell short.

In a brilliant move, that ultimately affected most all of creation, mankind tried another way – through their flesh [self-effort; religion]. Cain did exactly the same thing when he offered up another sacrifice, as found in the book of Genesis 1: 3-7. God had set the standard for worship, and Able gladly met the standard. Cain didn’t want God, or anyone else telling him how to worship, so he created his own way, but God rejected his offering. Cain was beside himself with anger, and this anger was later vented on his brother Able when he killed him.

Instead of offering up the required sacrifice of a lamb, he offered up grain and vegetables, and then was upset when it was not accepted as a legitimate sacrifice [worship].

That is the purpose of salvation and corresponding worship – relationship with the Godhead.

Your spirit was created after God in righteousness and true holiness, which is what, allows us to boldly approach God and worship him.

That’s the reason why John 4:24 specifically tells us “that they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”.

Your relationship with God is based on who you now are in your new spirit man, not the old or carnal man [flesh]. Our identity is now with Christ, which makes all things new. It’s no longer our human mind or intellect, but rather our renewed mind, which is the mind of Christ. Our emotions no longer govern how we act, but rather that we govern all things of the flesh because of intimacy with Christ and the Godhead.
Your relationship with God is based on who you are in the inner man – your brand new spirit.

Someone might surely ask, “since our relationship with God is now based on who we are in the spirit, what does it matter what we do in the flesh”?

This is a very good question, but the answer should be obvious. It is through your flesh that Satan gains inroads into your life, to destroy it.

Rom 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Remember, Satan cannot affect your new, born again spirit, since it was sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13 KJV
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Your relationship with God can only be through your born again spirit, not by anything to do with your flesh; any goodness you perceive you have through works, your religious actions, human merit(s), or good heartedness.

Please allow this to sink in…
Whenever you enter into prayer and you begin your worship with God by saying anything like the following…
1) “Oh Lord I humbly come unto thee”
2) “I am not worthy to enter into your presence”
3) “Lord I have failed you so completely”
4) “Have mercy on me, since I am are so unworthy”
…then you are not approaching God from a position of boldness.
Another example to remember is when Jehovah God told the Children of Israel to boldly enter into the Promised Land that he had prepared for them; they did not, since they could only see themselves as grasshoppers in their own eyes, not as the conquerors God proclaimed them to be. Read it for yourself in Numbers 13 KJV (vs 33 : and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers).

We are not to be as grasshoppers, but emboldened by the words of God, according to scripture, that we are overcomers/ conquers through Christ in all things, and that we have access to boldly enter into his presence – to worship him.

Those that approach God in the spirit have the revelation of what has been done for them in Christ, and that their new spirit and the spirit of God are one and the same.

Heb 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

I Jn 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Eph 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Heb 10:19-20
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Eph 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Rom 5:2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I Jn 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Most denominations feel that it is arrogant to approach God outside of religion, but that isn’t what God says. He desire intimacy with his children apart from religion. Religion is the law, but intimacy is through grace by faith. It was freely given, so freely receive it to the glory of God.

When I approach the Lord in spirit, it is through the spirit that I worship him in truth. John 4:23-24 KJV But the hour cometh, and now is,

One last time…
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is,
when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

In closing…
If you approach God in your flesh, you are trying to enter worship through human weakness, which cannot please God.

Let me tell you who I am.
1) I am a blood bought child of the living God.
2) I am a son and joint heir with Christ.
3) I am an overcomer and conquer through Christ who strengthens me.
4) I am victorious in all areas of life because Christ has risen.
5) I have total and unrestricted access to God at any time of the day or night, through boldness and with confidence by the faith of him [Christ].
6) I please God!!!!!!!

That’s who I am! Who are you?

NEVER TO RISE AGAIN!

2011-11-10T21:53:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Scripture seems so clear in these passages and yet multitudes of Christians are unable to grasp the simple message it seeks to deliver to them from their heavenly Father.

God is wonderful, loving, and gracious to his children; those born-again in Christ. He knows what is best for us, and better yet, what we need to be victorious in our existence upon this earth. Only a loving God would care so much about your every need.

The new man he wants us to put on was created after himself in righteousness and true holiness. It is simply too marvelous for words, yet it is ours to put on. By doing so, we fulfill his great desire for us to be over comers in all things natural and supernatural. It is for each of his children and it’s for the here and now - today.

That new man I’m talking about is your ‘new spirit’. Remember scripture; it replaced your old sinful nature when you accepted Christ – “behold all things became new”- not recycled. When your sinful nature died, the new man rose up and took its place as a new creation, which until that instant did not exist.

Many believe your old nature had to take a backseat to this new spirit at salvation [your conversion], and that the two are constantly at war with one another. Folks will claim that it’s a constant battle – “to do good or not to do good”. That’s another lie from the father of all lies, Satan himself. But that’s not what scripture says. The new spirit man completely replaced your old sinful nature. When God created your new man, he didn’t need to repair the fallen one that was filled with sin. No! What you were in your sinful state had to die. In death, it was forever buried – never to rise again.

That new man identified in scripture, created in righteousness and true holiness, is the real you. It was created in absolute perfection, lacking nothing. God now resides, or inhabits that new creation, because you invited him in. Heb 13:5 KJV …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Now that we are new creatures in Christ, we must transition ourselves away from who we think we were in the flesh, to a greater reality of who we really are in our new spirit. Our identity is no longer to be that of just a sinner saved by grace, but rather as over comers and conquerors, as Christ is an over comer and conqueror himself. Remember what scripture says. Christ is now seated in victory, in heaven, with everything beneath his feet (read Ephesians 1:19-23 KJV).

When most Christians identify themselves to others, they’ll often give you their name and then tell you what things they do as humans, such as the job they hold or skill they possess. A scant few identify themselves with who they now are in Christ.

Remember, a change took place in your spirit at the time of salvation. Revelation of that fact should cause us to think differently about our humanness; who we are now and what we’ve become because of Christ.

Here’s a fantastic scripture to know and understand.

Philippians 1:6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Do you know what “the communication of your faith” means? That word communication in the Greek is [koy-nhon-ee-ah]. It means distribution, or the sharing in partnership; transferring to one another.

Whenever I stand in the pulpit or minister to folks over radio or television, I’m actually communicating with them. What am I communicating? I’m certainly communicating the good news of the gospel, but more importantly, I’m taking the things that are in my spirit [every good thing which is in me in Christ Jesus] and sharing them, or transferring those truths with each and every listener. I am sharing with you what God has shared with me in my spirit man. At that moment, the communication of my faith becomes effectual. Your faith becomes effectual when you do the same.

It begins to work by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. It is a profession of the finished work of Christ in your life. These truths prevail over every evil work of the enemy. It’s the light that drives darkness out.

If you don’t know there are good things inside your spirit, it can be attributed to many things, a few of which I’ve mentioned here.

1) You’ve not been taught that there are great things in your spirit, as a result of the finished work of Christ.
2) You try to relate and define good things through the things that you do, or those made by human effort.
3) Through your many prayers.
4) Through reading the bible.
5) Through your financial giving, as demanded by Old Testament law.
6) Through your church attendance, bible studies, Christian retreats, seminars, concerts, or evangelistic efforts.

If any of these are places you go expecting to find good things, then you’re no doubt feeling totally frustrated with your faith. Inadequacy is the hallmark of all who seek to find goodness in anything but Christ. Your actions, emotions, and thinking are false indicators of what is good about you and what is really in your new spirit man. Your faith will never become effectual in any of these things.

If, on the other hand, you embrace the concept of being a totally new creature in Christ, by putting on, or donning the new man – seeing yourself as God and his word [scripture] sees you, then your soul and human identity will change.

It is important for you to know these things.
1) In your new spirit there is nothing but good things.
2) In your new spirit there is zero, or no corruption.
3) In your spirit there is absolutely no sin.
4) In your spirit there is no contamination from outside forces.

When was the last time you were taught these thing in your place of fellowship [church]?

Many Christians will openly and quickly confess that there is nothing good about them, which is in direct opposition of what scripture tells us.

Because we don’t ‘feel’ it’s true, doesn’t mean it is. We don’t see ourselves in the proper light of the gospel, so we use our humanity to determine what is good and what is not. Revelation has not yet manifested itself inside of us, because the churches aren’t preaching the too good to be true good news of the gospel.

The new man inside of us is trying desperately to reveal it, but we don’t have an adequate reference point to understand what has truly happened within our new nature. Instead, we fall back to the old standbys to identify any goodness we might possess.

When we think of ourselves outside of scriptural truths, we find only frustration, because it conflicts with the reality of the spirit of Christ within us. Feelings and emotions are a poor substitute for the real thing. If truth makes us free, then feelings and emotions brings only bondage. The word of God is the perfect representation of spiritual truth. It takes human effort, feelings, and emotion out of the equation entirely.

So, let’s get this straight…
1) Truth does not come from your feelings.
2) Truth does not from your emotions.
3) Truth does not come from the things you can see.
4) Truth only comes from the Son of God as clearly spelled out in scripture [the word of God].

If the word of God only speaks truth, then everything else is a LIE. And we know where lies come from.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

You can read this scripture until the cows come home; or you can pray about it until your knees are bloodied; or quote it like a famous orator, but without these words becoming one with you, it means absolutely nothing.

Here’s another example.

John 17:21
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

How many of God’s children are saved, but they do not walk in the oneness that this scripture talks about. They don’t, because they don’t see themselves in the same light that Christ and God the Father sees them. To these people the scripture, though a promise directly from the mouth of Christ himself, is actually dead to them. They don’t believe it’s possible to experience this oneness, perhaps because of religious teachings [dogma], so they’ll likely never possess it for themselves.

The truth is that all born again Christians were regenerated with a new spirit through the atonement of the Jesus Christ, when they accepted his sacrifice by faith. Oneness with Christ and the Father took place at that very moment. There was no hesitation and no effort required on our part, except to believe it true.
____________________

Let me briefly touch on this for a moment tonight. I’ll be going into more depth in the next couple of weeks.

Eph 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The scripture says that after we believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That word [believed] in the Greek is ‘pist-yoo-o’ and it means to believe; to commit; to trust in completely.

Look at the scripture again - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:

When you heard the word of truth, in which you also trusted, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

The Greek word for ‘ye were sealed’ is ‘sphrag-id-zo’ and it means to preserve for security. In other words it has the same implication as when you can fruits or vegetables and sealing the jar to keep out impurities. Canning, or sealing the jar preserves the item from outside sources of contamination. That jar of fruits or vegetables becomes immune to the outside elements which would otherwise seek to rot or ruin the contents of the jar.

This is the same application. The Spirit of God seals your new spirit from outside contamination.

By believing and trusting in the finished work of Christ for your salvation, you were permanently sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Because you are now sealed, nothing shall ever be able to touch, mar, or influence that spirit. It is as perfect as Adam and Eve’s spirits were before the fall.

Question:
Do you honestly think that the Spirit of God would sweep the temple clean, inhabit the newly created spirit, and then let it become corrupted by outside forces? Not a chance.

You were born again; made new because of Christ.

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Your new spirit was created after God in righteousness and true holiness. In your spirit you became like Christ, being made one spirit, in absolute perfection – lacking nothing.

I Jn 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 Cor 6:17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Gal 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Eph 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

All of these scriptures are saying the same thing. When you made the commitment to Christ, trusting in the truth of it, you received the spirit of Christ.
If you are born again your spirit is as perfect as it is ever going to get. You now possess the righteousness of Christ and are SEALED by the Holy Spirit of promise.

Questions: So what happens when we stumble, fail, or fall?

When failures take place in your humanness, your spirit remains completely untouched though the body suffers the results of your sin.

Remember this - If sin could touch or impact your spirit, then your spirit wouldn’t be sealed, which would be opposite of what the word of God promises. What is therefore sealed by God, remains sealed by God!

Sin obviously affects your humanity and will bring untold destruction and devastation in your life if not dealt with, but the sin and its destructive forces do not affect your spirit man.

What does that mean for me?

It means that if you fail [sin] but sincerely repent of that sin before God, he will forgive you, casting that sin away from both him and you, as far as the east is from the west – to remember it no more, yet your spirit remains unchanged.

What does sin do in the life of a believer?

1) Sin can and will touch your physical body adversely.
2) Sin can and will touch your mind [intellect] adversely.
3) Sin can and will touch your emotions adversely.
4) Sin can and will touch your soul and wreak havoc with it adversely.

Simply stated, sin will bring destruction and devastation in your life, even to death. Ask anyone who is addicted to anything and see if it hasn’t adversely affected their lives, or the loved ones around them.

Those who do not know who they are in Christ and who do not recognize the good things done in their spirit because of Christ, will sin with greater frequency.

Far too many Christians are incorrectly taught just the opposite of the following truths…

1) Your spirit doesn’t need to be rededicated at an altar.
2) Your spirit doesn’t need to be dusted off or cleaned up.
3) Your spirit doesn’t need to be renewed again.
4) Your spirit doesn’t need to be born again; again.
5) Your spirit doesn’t need to be put under the blood one more time.

Your spirit was created after God in righteousness and true holiness. When your commitment to accept Christ was made, you were then sealed.

Rejoice brothers and sisters at this great and wonderful news.

Here is a simple way you can know the difference. Do you enjoy your sin and sinning, or does your heart long for the things of God and his Christ?

Now in closing… to the born again child of God I say, “The Lord is pleased with you”. Yes he is! Why? Because, you are his workmanship.

Eph 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We should be beacons of truth so that others will desire the Christ we love. Seek him now while there is still time!

Putting on the New Man - Have you done it yet?

YOUR SPIRIT---THE REAL YOU

2011-09-29T21:34:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Over the past several blogs, I have brought you revelations concerning the reality of the word of God as it applies to his born-again children and the relationship afforded us through the atonement of Christ blood sacrifice. This is the truth concerning the great and marvelous grace and tender mercy of God to each of us. These truths are the only things you can count on to make you truly free. It’s certainly worth shouting about.

Before Christ, you and I were dead in our trespasses and sin, bound for an eternity in hell. Something stepped between you and your destiny with hell. His name was Jesus Christ. Because you dared believe by faith the work of the cross, you entered into a relationship you probably never knew existed or thought possible for a lowly sinner like yourself. But it happened none the less and here you are now, a new creature in the kingdom of God, according to the promises of scripture. You may have thought nothing really changed outside of your faith acceptance of Christ. But something marvelous did happen, though unseen by human eyes. In a reality that you probably didn’t even know existed at the time, your old nature, or spirit man, died and was done away with, never to return. It passed away and was laid in the eternal grave; a place where there is no resurrection. A wholly new creation event took place when you received Christ. That new spiritual man, created by God in righteousness and true holiness, now stands in that former dead spirit man’s place. This is the new temple of God, where Christ says he’ll never leave or forsake us. This new man was then sealed with that promise and now nothing can ever impact or change it.

Over the past three weeks I have laid a foundation of truths so you could see for yourself the greatness of God’s word as it applies to this newly created man, and why it is imperative that we now don, or put on this new man.

So what does donning the new man actually mean? Perhaps it can best be expressed by showing you what some of the synonyms for donning means. These should help give you a better word picture so you’ll be able to grasp its meaning.

To don something means to…
1) Put on.
2) Throw on.
3) Get into.
4) Pull on.
5) Dress yourself in.
6) Slip on.

How much simpler can it be? All of these synonyms are action related, meaning that it is our responsibility to actually do something with this new man.

It should be now be apparent what God desires for his children. He intends for them to take full advantage of everything the new man is, but how to do that is another matter completely. Most Christians feel they already know everything about their salvation experience because of the religious teachings. Most church attending believers are taught to don only the teachings of their particular denomination; to embrace the dogma that they’ve been raised with.

The reality is that few believers actually have even a rudimentary understanding of what scripture says about putting on the new man, which leads to confusion when presented with the true message of the gospel.

I’ll agree with one thing, learning truths about the new man takes some time, but there are so few Christians who are willing to step out and explore the word of God for them self. Many are simply content with the comfort of the church’s apron.

Listen, no natural child ever grew up without exploring the natural world around them without the aid of their parents. Obviously parents are necessary, but so is individual exploration. That’s how we grow in the Lord, through the renewing of our minds.

If a church or denomination restricts, or discourages your right to explore the word of God for yourself, then perhaps you need to find another fellowship. If your church encourages it, then maybe you’re where you need to be.

Don’t be intimidated by those who want restrict your growth because of church doctrine. You actually have a greater right as a child of God to know him first and foremost – above all else, in fullness – to the length, breath, depth, and height, which is his greatest desire for you.

If you have the opportunity to talk with other Christians, it becomes quickly evident that most, who have been in a denominational setting for a period of time, think they know more than you do. These people have been well indoctrinated and are unwilling to put aside the errors of religious teaching they’ve grown up with. They are hardened against learning, or accepting scriptural truths, even when presented with irrefutable scriptural evidence.

Sadly, most people don’t even recognize the spirit man as being a necessary or functioning part of their make up as human beings. The word of God tells us that man is made up of three distinct parts - spirit, soul, and body.

Since Christians don’t actually feel the spirit within themselves and they can’t see it, they feel it must not be important. People easily recognize the functioning elements of the body through their five senses - seeing, hearing, and tasting, feeling and touching. They can also recognize the soulish realm by their emotions and their intellect; the ability to reason. In most cases, this is as far and deep as they’ll ever go.

Let’s look to a better source for the answer.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Interestingly God recognizes and understands the value of the triune man. After all, this man creature was created in his very own image.

Of the three parts, what is the least important to man is actually the most important to God – your spirit. In God’s eyes, the real you is your new created spirit. When the old man [former nature], was in control, God knew that it needed a Savior, so he sent Christ his son. When by faith you accepted the message of the cross, Christ came into your life, and replaced your dead and dying spirit with a brand new spirit, untouched by sin. It was in your spirit alone that you became this new creature – a new creation made in the very likeness and image of his son. In this spirit, behold all things became new. The old nature passed away completely.

Ephesians 4:24 tells us to put on that new man - that was created after God in both righteousness and true holiness.

God admonishes us to put it on; wear it like a suit; walk in it; to be one with it.

After you become born again, your spirit is complete. It doesn’t need further work; to become righteous, or holy, or to mature through some process of learning. The new spirit creation that God gave us was made perfect in every area from the get go.

Think about these things...
1) You can’t make something perfect that is already completely perfect.
2) You can’t teach it anything, when it already knows all things.
3) You can’t hope for an eventual maturity, when it is already fully mature – lacking nothing
4) You can’t protect it from harm or sin, when it has been sealed by the Holy Spirit against anything that man or the devil can do.

Your spirit was created after God…

I John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The only way you can understand this scripture is when you understand that it was your spirit that was born again. This is accomplished by faith.

Your spirit is just like Jesus Christ, and so are we in this world. Your soul and body aren’t like Jesus, just your spirit man.

1 Cor 6:17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1 Cor 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Notice, that word one is singular only.

I dealt with this last week, but I wish to tell it again in a different way. Why do that? Repetition is necessary. It helps the word stick.

What I’m teaching is so radical to modern Christianity, so out of the box for most believers. It’s about time we came to understand the truth of it. You must agree that it is a radical departure from most of God’s people think or believe today. The early church understood it; walking and living in it constantly. Their lives were changed by it when they embraced its truth, and they never looked back.

We need to hear the truths over and over and over again. You need to be pregnant with it and watch it come alive inside of you. You need to have these revelations transform your thinking (your soul) by the renewing of your mind.

Scripture clearly says, “As a man so thinketh in his heart so he is”.

Your mind is a road that has many ruts in it. Every time you go down that path you keep falling into the same ruts, the same “stinking thinking”. This is like the un-renewed mind, thinking the same old man fleshly thoughts, forever stumbling along.

People fall into the same religious ruts time and time again.
It’s the things you’ve been taught all of your life. When you become born again you no longer easily relate with the newly created spirit man because your mind has not been renewed. You find comfort in the thoughts of your former self and easily revert back to those familiar things of your old nature – the old carnal man. Let me tell you, death is in the old nature. Your mind must be renewed to God’s word, as it is rightly divided.

To have success in your walk with Christ, you must learn to relate with the brand new you, which is your new spirit man, created in the image of the master – perfect.

It takes effort to come out of that old way of thinking. It’s a brand new road – less traveled. It takes effort to walk in the knowledge of the new spirit man, but it can be done. It takes effort to don the new man, but it is well worth it.
I would tell you to start focusing in on the good things that you now know are inside of you because of what Christ has done for you, instead of the limitations and the failures that are in your mind, caused by religion.

Philemon 1:6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Isn’t this a tremendous scripture verse?

This is the key to your success as a born again child of God. That (your) faith might become effective by acknowledging and accepting every good gift that is in you in Christ.

The average Christian does not grasp the significance of acknowledging the good within them, through the finished work of Christ. Instead, they see only their human failures and inadequacies as children of God. They’re certain they don’t measure up and therefore couldn’t be loved by God because of these continual carnal failures.

The scripture you just read tells you emphatically that your faith becomes effectual the moment you begin to acknowledge the good work of Christ in your spirit man.
Understanding this will set the captive (you) totally free.

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Do you understand what this scripture verse is telling you? Your soul and body are places were no good thing dwells. Paul summed it up perfectly by confessing the truth about his unregenerate soul and body in this scripture. You and I can say exactly the same thing. But thanks to God for our regenerated spirit man which makes it entirely possible, through our renewed, or soon to be renewed minds.

Rom 7:24-25
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank god through Jesus Christ our lord.

Focusing on the soul and body is not what makes your faith effectual. In fact it hinders all things spiritual. What gives you victory in your Christian life is your acknowledgment of every good gift inside you.

Everybody should remember where they’ve come from. Doing so enables us to understand why we needed God in the first place. By recognizing your total inadequacy, we see that God is completely adequate in all things. He changed us by changing the core of our nature. He gave us the new man; a nature cast in the image of Christ - complete.

To walk in the victory of the Jesus Christ, you need to now put on this new man, who after God was created in righteousness and true holiness, and then to begin acknowledging the good gifts which have been given to you freely through his son Jesus Christ.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

As stated before, in your flesh “no good thing dwelleth in you”. Yet the medical profession, psychologists, and psychiatrists, even the churches today, embrace the concept that people ought to feel better about themselves in their humanness. This is a falsehood on every level and has deceived multitudes. It is a work of futility and false hope to believe or teach that we can be anything, or of any worth apart from Christ. Without the new man, through salvation, there is virtually no hope for the individual.

Did you know that most churches don’t believe that your spirit becomes brand new when you’re saved? They, like the world believe it’s now entirely up to you and your efforts to do right from here on out. Neither do they believe that old things passed away with the new birth, through though they preach salvation and a relationship with the God.

The church of today wants its membership to know the following things.
1) They want you to dress up the old man by your own efforts – to appear to be something it isn’t.
2) They want you clean up the old man yourself by getting your act together.
3) They want you to call the old man by a newer friendlier, less confrontational name.
4) They want you to feel good about the old carnal man that is now dressed up in this new suit.

So, remember these things…
1) Religion cannot make you feel better about your sinful condition.
2) Medicine cannot heal your spiritual or inner man.
3) Counseling cannot make you feel good about yourself - long term.

Simply stated, the flesh, on its own, will never get better.

Reread this with me.

Romans 7:24-25
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1) It’s Christ alone who redeems you.
2) It’s Christ alone who makes you spiritually whole.
3) It’s Christ alone who makes all things new.
4) It’s Christ alone who breaks down the barriers of sin.
5) It’s Christ who desires to bring you into intimate relationship with the Godhead.

I therefore admonish you to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Everyone who does has never been sorry!

YOUR SPIRIT—A NEWLY CREATED WORK

2011-09-03T13:32:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

For the past two blogs, I have been giving you scripturally based revelations about putting on the new man. What an awesome revelations they have been, but there is still so much more to learn. Stay with us.

This is a vitally important aspect of your Christian walk that cannot be ignored if you hope to achieve everything God has prepared for you. Putting on the new [spirit] man who is created in righteousness and true holiness is our heritage because of the born again experience.

Rom 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The past two chapters introduced you to the stark reality that each of us is a triune creation – body, soul, and spirit, though two-thirds remain, for the moment, unchanged – that being the body and soul.

Here is one of many scriptures which confirm your triune nature.

1Thes 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Man is made up of three equal parts…
1/3 spirit
1/3 soul
1/3 body

When you became, a born again child of God, not all three of these parts became “Saved”. The portion that was “saved” involved one of the unseen elements of your triune being, called your spirit. At the moment of salvation, your spirit changed completely and forever. It [your spirit] was then sealed in its new state of perfection, by the Holy Spirit of God. This perfected and sealed state, or condition, now makes it virtually impossible for your regenerated spirit to be influenced or affected in any way by any outward experiences of either your soul or body.

In the portion of your triune being, called the soul, the old things of the soul did not pass away, or become new. In other words, your soul did not get saved, as many falsely believe and are taught. Your human character, thoughts, and actions continue on as though nothing happened. The same with your physical body; it didn’t get saved either. As I illustrated to you previously, if you were overweight, before you got saved, then you were overweight after you got saved, if you smoked, or drank, then those too likely continued. Both of these parts – soul and body – remained unchanged or unregenerate.

Not so with your spirit. This is where everything takes place, or changes at the moment of salvation. When you become born again, your spirit became a newly created work; the handiwork of God himself, where old things [your spirit nature] passed completely away. Your “old man”, the sinful nature died and was replaced with your new man, who was created in righteousness and true holiness, as scripture clearly states. The grace of God made the allowance for it when Christ died at Calvary. Your faith, upon hearing the preached word of God made it happen, or brought it into existence. This is exactly the same type of faith that worked in life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The promise was presented [preached] to her by the angel Gabriel; she received the message by faith, and it happened.

These next few scriptures tell us exactly what our wicked and sinful condition [nature] is like, and in fact the dilemma of all men and women born after the fall of Adam. The resulting transformation which takes place in our spirit at the very instant salvation occurs restores us once again to God, bringing us into sonship with the Godhead. From that moment, your spirit is changed forever.

Eph 2:3-6
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The word of God is awesome to behold.

Here are some interesting questions to consider…
1) Just how does a person ‘put on’ this new man?
2) How can the human mind grasp the greatness or significant of this salvation event with anything but faith?
3) How can you fathom the utter and complete transformation which takes place on the inside of you [your spirit] through your humanity?

Many people think that they can answer these questions by pondering them and conferring with others using the power of their human intellect. But that is not the answer. In fact, the word of God clearly tells us that it is impossible to understand spiritual things by human sight, feelings, or intellect. Spiritual matters can only be discerned by the spirit, through faith.

2 Cor 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

If we’re to walk by faith, then what exactly is it? This next verse will help get you started.

Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

“Now faith” is faith you can use to receive something immediately. Now faith is also the substance, or means we use to acquire the hidden or unseen things of God.

The Greek word for the word substance is hoop-os-tas-is, which means confidence or a person with confidence.

It further tells us that now faith is the confidence of things hoped for. The Greek word for confidence is el-pid-zo, which means the things you are expecting, or trusting to receive.

When these words are used in scripture, it is imperative that we understand precisely what the author actually meant when he used it. The original Greek helps us to do just that. With clarity now firmly established, any religious speculation is put to rest. It means exactly what it says, and is not based on ‘religious’ or personal interpretations.

These scriptures will help you.

John 3:2-3
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This man was Nicodemus, a religious man. He was struggling with the words Christ had spoken to him saying, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.

Jesus then tried to clear it up for Nicodemus in verse 6 by saying…

John 3: verse 6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

This was simply stated for both Nicodemus and to all of humanity; to those who have an ear to hear.

In other words, those things which are physical are limited by the physical, and those which are supernatural are exclusive to the supernatural. They cannot be mixed. They are as separate as the east is from the west.

A person who attempts to comprehend spiritual matters through anything but faith will end up utterly and completely frustrated.

People, religious and heathen alike, constantly try to make contact with the spiritual realm through natural or physical means. To these people, emotions play a pivotal role in that experience. They think that goose pimples are a sure sign that God, or the spirits are moving in their midst, which goes completely against the word of God.

The spiritual realm for the child of God should be a simple concept, but they make it difficult when they’re taught or believe that religion must play a major role in their relationship with Christ and their understanding of all things spiritual.

What have we learned?
1) You cannot receive spiritual truths by human intellect.
2) You cannot receive spiritual revelation through your soul or body.
3) That darkness cannot be penetrated by the light of your humanness.

I’ll even go one step further. Religion as a whole and individual denominational groups are unable to reveal the things of the spirit to their followers, though they profess openly that they can. Their so called truths only become more darkened, and the child of God is pulled further and further away from the Godhead.

There is a gulf that separates mankind from God, which can never be crossed except by faith. This defines flesh from spirit.

Spiritual truths can only be revealed through the quickening power of the Holy Spirit through your spirit man; the regenerated, born again you, which was created in righteousness and true holiness at the moment of salvation, by faith.

In that spirit realm you are oblivious to your humanity. The work of regeneration is done without fanfare and is made complete in Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

Here’s some insight for you.

I am a spirit filled man of God; one who speaks in tongues, dances in the spirit and shouts for the glory of the Lord. I operate in all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in every aspect of the five-fold ministry. I am in fact a very charismatic Christian by the standards of many; a fanatic if you will, yet one who operates according to the specific dictates of God’s word. My human effort has no value in my worship of God. Emotions have never altered or manipulated the work of God; in fact they can be a hindrance to what God wants to do for his children. The Holy Spirit does all things in proper and holy order. You and I should too, being members of the household of faith.

So why do I mention that? Here’s why. Most people equate most or all of these spiritual things through their humanity [flesh]. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say to me in a church service, “Can’t you just feel the spirit”?

I must say it again. You cannot feel, see, or touch the spirit. But what you can do is believe the word of God, by faith. This is what pleases him. Then the unseen things are made manifest. This bypasses the need for human emotion to claim something which is not true. Human emotions are a good thing and can even enhance your worship experience, but only if they line up with the word of God. God is a God of order, not chaos.

In this faith, which comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, you can tell the difference of what is real and what is not. In this place you can see faith in action; you can rejoice in the handy work of God as it is revealed openly.

There are two things that you can feel and see within yourself, when you operate in the spirit. Those two things are faith and virtue.

Illustrations…
1) When someone comes to the altar to be healed and your spirit bears witness in faith with theirs, you can spiritually see the healing taking place in their body before it even occurs.
2) When another comes for deliverance, and all are in one accord, believing in faith, you can feel the move of God, or virtue, flowing.

This is where so many people become confused. They believe they’re being led by the spirit by the feelings they have in their flesh. To them it feels so good, so it must be true. Denominations are filled with such people, but nothing supernatural is actually happening.

The following is a scriptural example.

Mark 5:30 KJV
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

The widow woman touched the hem of his robe and Jesus felt virtue flow out of him, by way of his robe, to this woman. He felt it in his spirit as it was manifested to her in the natural realm, or physically. You and I can sometimes feel the anointing of God flowing through our hands when we’re ministering to others.

Interestingly, no one else around Jesus, or this woman, felt, or saw anything. In fact the disciples became a bit testy when asked by Christ, “Who touched me”.

I have often felt the anointing of God flowing through my hands as I pray for people. I can often see things through my faith as they stand before me. I then speak things as my mind is touched by the revelation of God’s finished work concerning their need in my spirit.

So, faith and virtue can be spiritually felt, though you cannot feel the spirit itself.

Here is what I hope for you to achieve in this life. I want you to come to the place in your walk with the Lord that is unique and special; not a shallow relationship based on what you feel in your humanity, but something far deeper.

The only way for you to get a true visualization of what of your spirit actually looks like is by reading the word of God. His word reflects back to you the precise condition of your spirit; much like a spiritual mirror. It’s a valid comparison, if we hope to become like him.

James 1:23-25
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

So what does the word of God; the spiritual mirror, have to say about the new man that you’re to put on?

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Scripture confirms that you are created after God in righteousness and true holiness when we’re saved.

I John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

This refers to our condition in this world today, not in the world that is yet to come.

1 Cor 6:16-17
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
KJV1 Corinthians 6:17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Take a close look at verse 16
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Listen to what’s being said. An example in the flesh is like being joined to a harlot. When two people join themselves together in intimacy, they become one flesh.

This same word tells you that when you join yourself to the Lord, through the born again experience, you become one spirit, with him. Flesh begets flesh and spirit begets spirit.

That word joined in the Greek is heis, which means oneness, to the inclusion of another; in other words a complete oneness. In this place there is no separation

This is a 100% oneness, which shows no differentiation between the vine and the branch. They are one; identical in spirit. So, our spirit and Christ’s spirit are one.

Gal 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

It simply doesn’t get much clearer than this.

So, right now, in this world we live in until our deaths, you are a son of God with all the attributes of that Son and the privileges that go with being a joint heir with Christ – the vine and the branch – one.

The spirit that dwells in you right now is, in fact, the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t have the spirit of Christ, then you are not born again.

My spirit is not trying to become like Jesus. It is as complete as his, to the glory of God.

Let me deal with this for a moment…
A large percentage of the churches in America, and across the globe cringe at such a teaching as this. This flies against everything they’ve been teaching their congregations for ages. But the truth of scripture, rightly divided and separated from human emotion and intellect, remains unchanged. It is truth that makes the captives free.

Read it for yourselves. It’s as plain as the ink on the pages. I’ve added nothing to it, and neither should they. What most are given is a religious teaching, not spiritual truths.

When you are born again, you are not born again as a baby. That’s what Nicodemus thought.

Your spirit does not grow, nor does it need to mature. It is both complete and mature at the very instant of your new [born again] birth. The reason your spirit does not grow is because your spirit is made complete in Christ. Christ isn’t maturing and neither are you. You come into the revelation of what has been given to you in your soul and body, because of this salvation experience through the renewing of your mind. Your spirit is finished, sealed and precisely the same as that of Jesus Christ.

Yes, I understand that there are scriptures concerning growth in the word of God, such as in this verse, but that is not to be confused with anything that remains undone in your spirit, only your soul and body, which need to be renewed constantly through teaching.

1 Pet 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

This same scripture is used by countless pastors and teachers who want their ‘baby Christians’ properly brought up according to the denomination doctrines of their church. They want them to mature, but only as it lines up with their specific church doctrine. Denominations are not interested in its members becoming independent thinkers in their beliefs towards God. The thought of dealing with a Christian radical for Christ, sends shivers up their spines. To allow that to happen would be a scourge against their organized religion.

I will say it again; when you are born again you are fully grown [mature, lacking nothing] in your spirit. Remember, the word of God never contradicts itself. It must be taken together as a whole and in context.

It is your soul that needs to mature, not your spirit.

It is not your spirit that I am trying to get the word of God into. It’s your unregenerate soul. Your spirit already knows this if you are born again. That’s why there is a natural hungering and thirsting for the sincere milk of the word of all new Christians.

1) Your spirit does not need to grow into maturity. It already is fully mature.
2) It’s your soul that needs to grow, understand, discern, recognize, and gain revelation into the things and ways of God – by a renewing of your mind.

Your soul [mind] is where the blockage is. In it are the things you’ve be taught over your lifetime that are in direct opposition to the truths of scripture.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is for children to accept spiritual truths? They become harden over the course of their lives by the errors taught them. After a while, even they will have difficulty accepting truth.

As your mind is renewed you will begin walking in the completeness of Christ, as he intended. This creates a longing for more and more truth. We find ourselves hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

Col 2:6-10
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Please understand this. I am not trying to create a new religion; goodness knows we have enough of that going on already. I am not a rebel to the cause of Christianity or ministry, or some fanatic who’s fallen off the church’s parade float. I am a man of God who longs to see the children of God enjoying the fruits of their relationship with Christ, as they are clearly outlined in scripture.

I am grateful for the revelations I have learned over these many years. The Lord has opened my eyes to see him as he truly is. My mind is in a constant state of renewal. I don’t want to miss anything he has provided me through Christ’s death. Some may say that I am the sign that stands out in the middle of the highway, in the dark of night, warning others that the bridge ahead has been washed out.

So I must tell you. Please stop! This is not the way to go home. The bridge is out! There’s a better way.

QUICKENED BY FAITH

2011-07-18T20:00:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

I recently began a new series entitled “Putting on the New Man” which I am very excited about, and hope it will be of an equal blessing for those of you who read it. It never ceases to amaze me the deep and awesome truths the Lord reveals to my spirit, which I then pass along to his hungry children. God is so gracious to his church. He will never leave you floundering in the wilderness if you have a heart to know him in the light of his word. God is in fact blessed as you worship him in truth, rightly dividing scripture. Are you one who hungers and thirsts to be filled? Then you have found a source, an oasis of refreshing here at Rock Solid Truth International.

Being filled with the wonderment of his word is exhilarating to the child of God. Our righteousness in Christ unites us with him, the Father and the Holy Spirit to give us hope and an expected end as it states in Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

In the previous chapter, I brought you revelation concerning putting on the new man, which is created in righteousness and true holiness.

This scripture brings great truth about our uniqueness as created being after God’s own image.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The scripture you’ve just read is presented to you for one purpose only; that you might have scriptural proof that we are each a triune being, even as Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are united and triune. Remember, we are made after his own image, which is found in Genesis 1:27 KJV - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

So what are the three parts of all human kind? We each have a spirit, soul, and body; three in one.

These three parts are all real and functioning parts of your personal makeup as humans, and which separate us from every other being born on this earth.

Something very extraordinarily happens when a man or woman becomes one with Christ through the Salvation experience. There is a transformation that takes place, that you cannot see, but it’s real and changes who you are forever. The dead spirit within you is immediately transformed into a completely new and living spirit. It is created in righteousness and true holiness and precisely resembles the perfect nature of Christ, without sin, spot, or blemish - perfect.

Your dead spirit, because of sin, ceases to exist. No longer is your spirit dead, it is now alive and sealed forever by the Holy Spirit in its perfect condition. It’s true that the old man has in fact passed away, but it was replaced by a new “created man”. Because of this transformation, we are now one with Christ, united with the triune God / Godhead. To say the least, our relationship with God just improved a million fold. No longer are we separated from him, but are united with him through Christ’s blood. We’re now one with him in intimacy.

But wait. Something still remains unchanged. Though our spirit has been forever changed, our soul and body remains the same, or unchanged.

Most children of God believe that the body and soul are crucial to our humanity. The majority of believers even believe the attributes of the body and soul trumps the spirit. I believe this happens because they didn’t really see the transformation take place, so they don’t believe it really did. But that isn’t true at all, and certainly not what scripture tells us. What makes us who we are in the eyes of God is our regenerate spirit, not our soul or body. It is from here that all interaction with God is made.

Born again believers, especially in the course of worshiping God, believe their religious practices and human effort merit favor with him. Instead of coming to him and worshipping him in the spirit, as he desires, they strive to do an impossible thing, worshipping him through human effort and their intellect, which never pleases God.

Very few children of God have a solid grasp of the more important or weightier aspect of our born again/ new nature, which is the finished work of our spirit, through redemption. It is the source from which all born again life flows.

The spirit, created in the image of God is the part that drives the soul and the body, but only when it is recognized as the true source from which all life flows; as described in scripture.

John 3:3 says,
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.
.

2 Corinthians 5:17 follows, saying.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.

I’ve already taught that according to scripture, only the spirit changed. Old things; your personality, thoughts, mannerisms, etc, did not pass away in your body when you were born again. In fact nothing about your body and soul was made new at your conversion, only your spirit man.
I like to tell people the truth about the soul and body of believers after the salvation experience. If you were overweight before you were born again, you’re still overweight after being born again. If you cussed, smoked, lied, gossiped, and drank in excess, etc, before salvation, then you most likely did the same types of behavior after salvation.

Please listen to some wise instruction. Ok, so your body and soul were not changed at conversion and your old habits and failures did not dissolve instantly, as you and everyone else had hoped. Perhaps your emotions run from one extreme to another, on a regular basis. The good news is that the most important part of your triune creation did change; your spirit. Though you didn’t actually feel it change, or see it’s transformation with your human eyes, it still changed. We received that revelation by faith as the word was preached and it became a reality in our lives. It happened because we believed (faith) and it became real.

Here’s what happened. Our spirit was quickened when faith was applied. Our spirit was resurrected from its dead state and was made alive, even as Christ was quickened from the dead. His spirit body was made new and so was yours at salvation.

Here’s the proof.
Ephesians 2:1
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”;

Ephesians 2:5
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Colossians 2:13
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”;

So, for clarification, here is what the word “dead” in these scriptures does not mean concerning your spirit man. It does not imply that our dead spirit does not exist, or that it’s a non functioning part of our triune character, because it does live and it does impact the other two elements, namely the soul and body. The problem is that our spirit is completely alienated from the Godhead because of our sinful condition. The word dead in these scriptures refers to our complete separation from Almighty God. Because of our separation from him, we are unable to communicate with the Godhead on any level outside of salvation. The consequences of our dead spirit, we are dead to him and he is dead to us, by virtue of that sinful nature.

It is crucial that we understand the condition we’re in spiritually, prior to salvation, so we can appreciate the great gift of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, which breaks the barrier of separation from Almighty God.

Illustration: Many millions of people know that God exists. They say they pray to him in times of calamity in their lives and even believe he hears them. Most, in fact claim to be Christians, when the sad reality is that God cannot hear them and does not answer their prayers because they are separated from him by their sinful natures – dead spirits.

Thanks to God, and by his great and tender mercy, provision has been made. We could not provide the answer for restoring relationship with God, so he provided it for you and I. The method is simple, yet life changing. There is only one door through which we can come in to God and that by the redeeming blood of his son Jesus – through salvation.

This scripture spells it out clearly for you.

Ephesians 2:2-3
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”.

This was what our spirit and the nature of all mankind is like before salvation.

When we became born again, through the salvation experience, everything about our dead, separated spirit is changed. What was formerly dead was replaced with a brand new spirit – in fact a brand new you. Except for your body and soul, everything became new, and it was sealed in that brand new state, at that instant, by the Holy Spirit. This regenerated spirit cannot be touched by sin or altered in any way by what we think or do in our flesh. It is sealed from human intervention.

Ephesians 2:4-8
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”:

Now that’s something to get excited about.

Because of his grace, mercy, and love, God quickened our dead spirit and gave us new life. Wherein times past we were dead to him because of our sinful nature, we are now alive to him in all things and are called sons of God. Salvation also brought with it the gift of intimate relationship with the Godhead. In it we are given eternal life which is to be enjoyed both in this present world, thorough our unique relationship with Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, and then finally onto our final destination in glory (heaven) when we die.

So it’s our spirit that is forever changed. From this new spirit flow all of the issues of life. As Christ is perfect, so too are we made perfect, because his (Christ’s) life now lives in perfection in our new spirit. It is in this spirit where all things become new.

This new life (our spirit) cannot be felt by human emotions or by any of our five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing), nor can it be perceived by human thinking or intellect. You also can’t recognize it intuitively; it is a work of faith only.

Example:
When we go out on the town to be with friends, coworkers, etc, we do things to make ourselves presentable. You comb your hair, brush your teeth, dress properly, shave, etc.
To confirm the finished result, we’ll go to the mirror to inspect our workmanship. The mirror tells the true story and we believe what it says. Feelings don’t play a part in what we see at all. The proof is before us in the mirror.
There have been many times when all of us felt that something wasn’t quite right with there hair or clothing, but when examined in the mirror, it reveled that our feelings weren’t true. In fact they were completely wrong.
When you want confirmation that you’re hair is properly done, you don’t go by what you feel. You go to a trusted source – the mirror.

This scripture give credence to the prior example.

James 1:23-25 says,
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”.

This scripture tells us that the word of God (scripture) is likened unto a mirror. With it, you get a valid appraisal of what your spirit is really like. It has nothing to do with your feelings, thinking, or intellect. This is such an awesome revelation if you’ll simply grasp hold of it.

The man who looks into the perfect law of liberty looks only to Christ. It’s the gospel of freedom and grace. We continue therein, being doers of his word, not forgetful hearers; believing that everything was done by Christ for our sakes. It is a completed work.

In Christ, we rejoice in examining ourselves according to his word. It strengthens us and causes us to make right decisions. We see what needs to be done and do it that Christ might be glorified. We see God in Christ and Christ in God and ourselves grafted into his marvelous vine. We become sons of God, in the image of his blessed son Jesus, and we become one with the Godhead in intimacy.

The word of God will never lie to you about the condition of your spirit. The mirror always reveals the truth.

John 6:63 says:
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”.

God’s words are spirit and they are life to the believer. If you want to see what your spirit is like, you go to the place that relates to your spirit – God’s word.

When we seek truth, we find that like mindedness begets life; spirit to spirit producing new life in Christ is the result.

Here’s what God says about the outcome of this spiritual change.

Ephesians 4:24 says:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

Did you know this truth? Sadly most professing Christians have virtually no clue that this takes place. Non-the-less, it is still glorious news. You get a new you in the form of a regenerated new man (spirit).

God created your new spirit after himself; in his likeness. He created it complete in both righteousness and true holiness.

Question: How many of you reading this, or listening to the broadcast would say, “But I don’t feel that way”.

My answer to your question is, “Why are you trying to feel a spiritual transformation, when I just explained to you that it is impossible for your soul and body to relate to your spirit, except in faith”. Though multitudes continually attempt to relate to an Almighty God through their humanity, it cannot be done. They’ll testify that they feel God moving, or being in his presence, citing the goose bumps they have, as proof. This isn’t proof. Scripture already told you that God already moved and that was two thousand years ago. It also says that God promised that once he came into your life by faith, he would NEVER leave you or forsake you. He’s been with you since salvation and will be until your human death. God hasn’t lied yet, nor can he.

Stop trying to see something through your feelings. It’s a false indicator. Anything that is false is a lie. The truth is you are created in righteousness and true holiness; joint heirs with Christ, reconciled unto God by your faith.

Do you like truth? Here’s some more.
1) Scripture says that you are the head and not the tail.
2) That you are above only.
3) That we are men and women of valor.
4) That we are more than conquers.
5) Says we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.
6) That we are healed from every malady, disease, and plague, because of Calvary
7) That we are delivered from every mental infirmity and demon possession, because of Calvary.
8) That we are made rich (financially prosperous) because of Calvary.
9) That we are saved because of Calvary.

All of these things, and so much more, are a result of our faith in Christ; in the finished work of the cross, not your feelings.

His word tells you that he so loved you so much, that he gave his only begotten son (Jesus) that you might have eternal life and intimate relationship with the Godhead. Scripture says that you also have all love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, and temperance, which are gifts of the spirit.

His words are the true spiritual mirror. His words are spirit and they are life. The words of life show a reflection of whom you are personally and who you are in him because of salvation.

Now here’s a scriptural promise I really like.

I John 4:17 says:
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world”.

Did you notice that this scripture speaks to us in present tense, though it was written two thousand years ago? That means we’re in the constant state of ‘right now’, which is our earthly existence, not something which will ultimately occur when we’re dead, as most are taught.

The scripture tells us to expect the same things in our lives that are in Christ’s life. What might some of those things be?
1) He is seated at the right hand of God.
2) All things are beneath his feet.
3) He is in complete authority.
4) He is all powerful.
5) He is all mighty.
6) He is ever joyful.
7) He is humble.
8) He is perfect.
9) He is complete.
10) He is at rest.
“And as he is so are we in this world”.

This is such a powerful truth for the child of God who desires to be Christ like. Until you are instructed with the infallible word of God, you’ll mistakenly think you can know God in your soul or body, but you cannot. We can only receive spiritual truths spiritually, or through our regenerated spirit man by faith. Your soul and body are not spiritual, or regenerated, and are therefore unable to know or accept spiritual truths. Faith helps you to realize that your new man is powerful through Christ and that by putting on this new man, you can be victorious in all things, here on this earth.

Ephesians 4:24 says:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

Remember:
1) You are not like Jesus in your mortal body.
2) You are not life Jesus in your soulish realm.
3) But in your inner, or spirit man, you are precisely like Jesus, lacking nothing.

Want something to rejoice about?
“and as he is, so are we in this world”

This ought to transform your life forever. In it you’ll find
1) His goodness.
2) His perfection.
3) His worthiness.
4) His wonderment.
5) All revelation.
6) Unhindered communion.
7) Unity of the spirit.
8) Complete oneness.
9) The opportunity for intimacy with the Godhead.

When you get this, you’ll be able to receive the love of God as he intended, and able to comprehend the fullness of God’s love in its depth, length, breadth, and height.

Ephesians 3:19-20 tells us
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”,

And no matter how many times you “blow it” in your flesh, your new man is completely unaffected. It was created in righteousness and true holiness by the blood of Christ and has been sealed by the Holy Spirit forever.

What an awesome word. Receive it for yourself and be blessed.

PUT ON THE NEW MAN

2011-05-28T18:44:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

… And that ye put on the new man,

This new man, spoken of in these two passages of scripture, is the part of us that is in complete union and communion with Almighty God. It is our regenerated spirit man, the one third of us that was and is created in righteousness and true holiness. In other words, it is this part of us that became born again, and the only part of our triune man which was completely changed – made new in Christ. This is the new man we’re told to put on – the spirit man, not the soul or the flesh /carnal man, which weren’t changed when salvation took place.

But how do we put it on this new man? Here’s your answer.

These five things are a start…
1) Through an attitude of right thinking – desiring truth above all else.
2) Through our thoughts and ponderings of God’s great love to the heirs of salvation, in light of his word - scripture.
3) Through revelations and insights gained by personally reading God’s word on a regular basis, reinforcing our commitment to serve him only.
4) Through understandings, gained by the aid and counsel of the Holy Spirit.
5) By establishing a truly unique and righteous relationship with God, untainted by denominational religion.

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Vs 5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Note: It is important for you to reread these passages of scriptures (and all scripture for that matter) slowly and repeatedly, so you’ll get the full meat of what God intends for you to have.

Take this portion of 2 Cor 5:17 “Old things are passed away and all things are become new”.

What else is it telling us? It’s revealing that something dramatic and marvelous happened at the moment we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. It also identifies the true nature of man as a triune creation—body, soul and spirit; that one of these parts, the spirit, was forever changed and sealed by the Holy Spirit in its new condition.

Gaining insight into the mysteries of God…
So, according to these verses alone, we’re presented with a reality that is seldom, if ever taught in churches. The third part of our triune being is the only part that has been changed and now resembles that of Christ – created in true righteousness and holiness.

If we want a stark reality check, all we need to do is gaze into the mirror the morning after our born-again experience. Though we stare at ourselves intently, we’ll see, at least from the physical standpoint that absolutely nothing changed. It’s the same ole us staring back. Harder yet is to see our soul’s condition. It hadn’t changed either. While the soul is the seat [source] of our thoughts and emotions, it remains untouched for the moment. It’s what we often call the carnal man. Both of these parts remain active and alive just as they were the day before.

So what changed? Our spirit man changed. It became a brand new creation, in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ; as perfect, righteous, and holy as he is. It’s our spirit that was resurrected from of the ashes of the fallen nature, and now reigns with Christ.

You should praise God for this wonderful event. Thank goodness, our old nature passed away with that glorious born-again event. We were freed from the bondage of sin, which separated us from the Godhead.

Here are some of the things associated with that old nature [man].
1) The sin nature ceased to exist.
2) The nature of wrath passed away.
3) The nature that identified us as servants of the devil passed away.

When we became children of God through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, all those things passed away [died].

Now turn with me to…
Eph 4:17-24
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

We see from this scripture that there is a separation from the abundance that Christ said that he came to give us. Sin hinders us from receiving good things from God because we don’t understand that they’re rightfully ours as heirs of salvation. Now, having been enlightened, by the renewing of our mind, we’re not to revert once again to the ways of the Gentiles.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Christ came to give us abundant life. But few experience this abundance because their understanding has being darkened.

We should come to the realization that it is not God who is alienating himself from us. Rather, we’re the ones alienating ourselves from God because we don’t understand what has been done for us.

Eph 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

It’s through ignorance and the blindness of our heart [soul] that brings alienation from God and then not knowing or understanding the great things he desires for you and I to possess as heirs of the Kingdom.

This is such a powerful truth for you to know.

This is the reason I emphasize the importance of knowing scripture for yourselves, which bring these truths to light, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. It is this very knowledge that literally transformed my life. My life today is a full 180 degrees different from where I was over fifteen years ago. My understanding is no longer darkened since I found the source of all light [his word. I fully know who I am in Christ and have such an intimacy with the Godhead that I never thought it possible.

This same life has been extended to each of you, as it was to me. I am special because God says I am, and I believe it completely. This intimacy is a place of high honor and privilege for all who enter in. It gives you a boldness to enter into the very throne room of Almighty God – my father and yours, without intimidation. What a place! What a place!

So, we alienate ourselves from the abundance that God has for us…
1) By our darkened thinking / understanding.
2) By our own ignorance of God’s word.
3) By our blindness to the truths revealed.

Remember this always. God is always abounding towards you in all things. We retreat from him.

When I became born again I received a brand new spirit that is identical to his spirit, but my darkened understanding prevented me from receiving the best that God had to offer. Thus, ignorance of his word alienated me from him, because of the blindness of religion. These falsehoods kept me from embracing what I needed so desperately in my life. It was those things that kept me from experiencing abundant life and the victory in Christ, as scripture promised.

Verse 19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Listen to the command of God - …put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

This scripture relates specifically to your new man [nature] - your spirit. Scriptures tells you the condition of this new creation; that it is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The new you, created by Almighty God when you chose to become born again, is righteous and holy.

Honest questions we should ask ourselves…
1) How many years did I strive to do things so that I might become righteous?
2) How many years did I do religious things so that I might become holy?

Are you one of those people who find themselves immersed in religious things that they hope will make them righteous and holy?
The churches are filled with such people, hoping against hope that they’re pleasing God through their actions, performance, and good works. Religion has deceived multitudes throughout history.

Quote – Living a Christian life is difficult. No, living a Christian life is impossible.

Apart from Christ, it is an insurmountable task. Religion says you can achieve it through these things, but it is a lie perpetrated by the Devil himself. It cannot be done - not in this body – not in this soul – not in this lifetime.

You’ll never attain perfection you desire in your body or soul. You’ll never stop dealing with the negative emotions that torment your body and soul. You will continue to fall short in these two areas.

Coming to the place of perfection and holiness in this body and soul is just a religious illusion. The perfection of these two areas of your life can only be achieved once you receive your glorified body. Since that is the case, then we need to walk daily in our regenerated spirit, according to the scriptures. Walking in the spirit, we ultimately become more and more like Christ.

Gal 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit .

One of the ways of walking in this new regenerated spirit is by pressing toward the mark of high calling in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:14-17
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

We’ll always be insufficient in our earthly body, until the day we receive our new body. In our soul, we’re continually changed through the renewing of our minds, though in our regenerated spirit we’re completely righteous and holy since we have been created righteous and holy by Almighty God.

Created----is not something we grow into, or attain to by human effort. We were created righteous and holy because of the new birth [born-again experience]. The work is finished in our spirit.

Now, because of this transformation, we’ve been made just as righteous and holy as Jesus.

The word of God is vividly plain. The reason that we don’t grasp this awesome truth is because of our darkened understanding and
blindness of our heart [our ignorance].

One more time… No, our body isn’t as righteous or holy, and our soul isn’t as righteous and holy as Jesus, but our spirit is.

Now read it for yourself…
Rom 8:10
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Created in righteousness and in true holiness

You need to understand this…
If there’s a true righteousness and holiness that comes from Christ, in the form of our new birth, created in our spirit, then there is also a fleshly righteousness and false holiness that can manifest itself in your flesh. This false righteousness and holiness are expressed through human actions or achievements, which are strongly encouraged by religion and religious teachings.

False righteousness or holiness is always a human comparison to the condition of other people. It always expressed by comparing oneself against someone who you perceive to be worse than you.

Scriptural example:
Luke 18:10-13 KJV
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Your false righteousness means nothing and is of no value to God.
Why? Because scripture says, that according to the standards of God we’ve all fallen [come] short.

Rom 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

According to the word of God, neither our body nor soul measures up to his standards. That includes everyone.

If none of us measures up to the standards of God in our flesh or soul, doesn’t it stand to reason that anything we do in either of these areas is a total waste of effort?

Nothing brings us into right standing with God apart from our spirit which is made perfect through Christ’s atonement. If God were to accept your human efforts, then he would have to do so apart from the sacrifice of his son Jesus.

Ask yourself this…
How many times have I done human things and felt sure that it pleased God?

We all have at one time or another, but it is not actions that please God. Only faith pleases God.

Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What are actions?...
Actions are nothing more than the by product of a person who does not walk in faith.

Faith alone pleases God. You can never have a relationship with God through the law or on the basis of performance, only faith. It’s impossible to do and yet religion says it is possible. In fact it is the tradition of the church to garner God’s good graces because of efforts on their part. These people are deceived. The word of God stands against them at every turn.

There’s absolutely no way that you’ll ever come into the abundance of life, or have Godly peace and joy in your lives through your works.

Scripture already told you that you’ve fallen short, and you will always be short in this body and soul. This is how Satan has been so successful in bringing about defeat in the life of the child of God. He keeps their understanding darkened concerning scriptural truths.

When a child of God begins to trust in their own abilities and actions, condemnation soon follows because of the inevitable failure associated with not doing enough or the right things they think will please or appease him. The reason that condemnation stays with you and hinders you is because you don’t believe that God is able to do what he says he’ll do. Rather, you believe that though he is able to do it, he won’t do it through you because you’re too unworthy.

That’s the reason that multitudes of people travel hundreds of miles to be in a meeting with a televangelist. They’ll drag sick people great distances to try and get them healed; all because they think God won’t use them.

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear…
You don’t deserve it in your body and soul, but in your spirit you do deserve it. Why?

Here it is…
Gal 4:5-7
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Gal 3:26-29
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This is a blessing for you…
Phil 2:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Look at the preceding verse, and then let the next verse embolden you.

Phil 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Remember, it’s not something to be earned. It is a gift to you as a child of God.

So dear friends, I say… “PUT ON THE NEW MAN”

THE LIMITATIONS OF BROKEN FLESH

2011-04-11T20:38:00.000-06:00

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Today’s blog is about you, the born-again, spirit filled child of God, coming into the marvelous revelation of how you can walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Does that appeal to you? I thought it might!

So, what exactly does walking in the spirit mean?

Most cannot explain it, though it should be no more difficult to grasp or explain than knowing what salvation is.

Walking in the Spirit simply means to understand precisely who you are in the Beloved [Christ], as clearly outlined and stated in scripture. When you have this understanding and believe it without wavering, you’ll be victorious in all matters here upon this earth. The Holy Spirit was sent as a gift, to equip us with the truths of this knowledge. Speaking in tongues unlocks the hidden mysteries of God, making them real and alive to us. Why, without him we can’t even understand the simple things of our faith, much less the deep things of God.

We’re like the totally ineffective disciples before Pentecost. After Pentecost, they were endued with power from on high – the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Why? So they would get some spiritual backbone, namely, understanding exactly what Christ had done for them, and who they really were because they believed on him. You might call it pre-Holy Ghost and post-Holy Ghost experience. Pre-Holy Ghost, the disciples were helpless and hopeless; hiding so the religious leaders wouldn’t find and torture them. When Pentecost rained down on them in the upper room, they became bold and powerful, not caring who heard them. In fact no one could resist their message and thousands came to Christ over the next several days. What happened? These people went from nobodies to somebody – they were emboldened with the truths of who they were in Christ. They were walking in the spirit, and it lasted their entire life.

Because many don’t know these truths for themselves, they can only talk about the future events in heaven, when we’ll all receive everything God has to offer. That’s true of course, but frankly, that doesn’t do us much good when we’re supposed to be fighting the good fight of faith here and now.

God doesn’t like to see his children confused or in doubt concerning their relationship with the Godhead and who they now are as a result of this relationship. We can’t proclaim ourselves to be something we don’t understand ourselves.

Think of it this way…
God doesn’t derive any benefit from uninformed and weak Christians. God wants all of us, especially you, to be an overcomer; victorious in all matters of your human life. That’s why he gave you his word and the Holy Spirit to empower you with the knowledge of truth.

Knowing who we are in Christ, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, strengthens, and enables us to walk in the spirit [our born-again spirit; made perfect in Christ]. It’s the knowledge of God proclaiming who and what you are in Christ. Walking in the Spirit means to believe without doubting, having full confidence that if God said it, it is so.

Do not be deceived, there are only two ways you can walk on this earth, either in the spirit, or through your fleshly, carnal man. If you don’t walk in the spirit, which is Christ, you’re confined to walking in the flesh, which consists of your five senses and your emotions.

Walking in the revelation and truth of Gods word instead of the realm of your five senses gives you freedom that can never be achieved in the flesh.

This is such wonderful news.

Gal 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Here’s the promise…
Walk in the spirit and you shall not [will not] fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Let’s be careful not to get things backward. Most of God’s people misinterpret this scripture. They’re taught that if they desire to walk in the spirit, they must first stop fulfilling the lusts of their flesh. This is absolutely incorrect and impossible to do. There is nothing you can personally do, through your own efforts, to walk in the spirit of God.

Galatians 5:16 does not tell you to quit fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, and then the spirit will come abounding in your life. It says that if you will begin to walk in the revelation of the new man [your born-again spirit] then you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll find being taught in most churches; that they claim will enable you to walk in the spirit.

You must first…
1) Stop Smoking
2) Stop Drinking
3) Stop Swearing / Cussing
4) Stop Gossiping
5) Eliminate Unforgiveness
6) Eliminate Jealousy
7) Eliminate Envy
8) Eliminate Strife

I’m sure that the majority of you would admit that this is a very tall order for most people to accomplish on their own.

On the other hand, God tells us that if we’ll walk in the spirit; that is to put on this new spirit man and walk in the revelation of who we are and have become, we will most definitely stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.

The churches’ fundamental stand on this matter is plain to see. It’s all about you and your effort(s) to reach God by simply quitting or getting rid of this or that in your life; believing they would then be holy and therefore pleasing to God. This is the same mentality that man had thousands of years ago when they sought to build a tower to reach God [Babel]. It didn’t work then and it certainly won’t work now. Human effort always results in failure and frustration.

Living a holy life and striving to walk in righteousness is a theme that is repeated in virtually every human religion on the earth. We know these religions worship false gods, but we jump right on the wagon with them.

If we can just get rid of all our carnal sin, then the spirit will flow towards us in abundance, after which all the promises of God will begin to work

That is exactly the opposite of what the scripture teaches.

What if we think about it this way…
Let’s say, for instance, you were able get rid of all things fleshly or carnal in your life; the undesirable actions, and were able to cleanse and bring into dominion every sin and rebellion through your own strength, then why would you ever need the spirit?

We were given a new nature because the old nature wasn’t up to the task, nor could it commune with God, except in repentance.

What needed to happen began at Calvary and was completed in the upper room. Like the early disciples, you need the power of the Holy Ghost to come flooding into your life to break the power and dominion of sin and human carnality, enabling you to walk in the spirit, in complete victory.

Illustration…
Have you ever gone into a room and pushed or shoveled out all of the darkness so the light would come in? What utter nonsense. You simply turn on the light and instantly the darkness disappears.

Now, that’s precisely how the Spirit of God works. Remember, he is the light. When you allow him in, he comes in all of his glory and the darkness in you is driven out. Your old man is replaced with a newly created man; created in righteousness and pure holiness. No more should the frailties of your humanity [your five senses], dominate every waking moment.

Truth destroys the following…
1) Sickness’
2) Addictions
3) Depression
4) Condemnation
5) Failures
6) Defeat
7) Obsessions
8) Vile Compulsions
9) Persuasions of the flesh.

It will stop the flesh from dominating you.

I hope you can grasp how wonderful this word is to you. To
walk in the revelation of who you are in Christ; in the revelation of the brand new you, which never existed before Christ came, is the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to man. With this knowledge, you can defeat every foe.

Just think, if preachers understood the this message of putting on the new man, they would never suffer burn-out.

Let me describe what burn out is…
It’s man’s attempt to do something spiritual through human effort.

There’s little question that the result of human effort brings total frustration and exasperation with the very people they moved to minister to in the first place. Let me tell you, Paul never suffered burn-out, or countless others who knew who they were in Christ.

Inside of you is a brand new spirit; one created by God, so that you can be accepted into the beloved [Christ]. This new man has a new mind, with the attributes and character of Christ, in completeness.
It has the full measure of faith as Christ had; the capability to love as Christ loved [unconditionally] and the long suffering patience of Christ to meet any challenge. It lacks nothing; complete [in fullness] in everything that our Lord is.

Here’s what’s possible to do in the spirit…
1 Cor 13:4-8
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth:

Walking in the spirit breaks the dominion of the carnal man.

Illustration…
Have you ever known someone who just rubbed you the wrong way – all of the time? You don’t like them and can’t ever see yourself liking them.

Listen, this is a natural human thing. We’ve all experienced similar situations. It’s called being in the flesh.

How do you overcome that? You overcome it by drawing from the well which abides in you through your spirit.

Here’s how it works…
You truthfully admit your immense dislike for this person to God. You tell him your feelings and admit that you know it isn’t right to hate others.
The Spirit reminds you of the love that Christ had for those who had crucified him; who had scourged him almost to death and then nailed him to the cross. It was the agape love that he had, which enabled him to bear and endure all things. He cried out to his Father to forgive them for they knew not what they had done.
It is that love which now resides in my new man [spirit] in fullness as it was with Christ.
In this revelation you speak, saying, “In the name of Jesus, allow that love, which is in my spirit, to manifest itself, and that the dominion of my flesh will be broken, in his precious and holy name.

The conscience revelation of what God has done for you in the spirit [new man], will cause you to walk in that new spirit. The dominion of sin will then be broken. You’ll switch identities from the old nature, to the new nature, which is Christ. Agape love will flow as it did for him. In light of this you understand who you really are in Christ and desire to walk in that spirit, over everything else.

Don’t forget…
It’s about understanding the new you as God sees the new you; created in righteousness and true holiness, not having the flaws and failures of the mortal flesh.

When Christ came in, everything changed. Be a part of the change.

SO MUCH MORE

2011-03-28T17:41:00.000-06:00

Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The title of today’s message is “SO MUCH MORE”, and what that means for us today.

I am convinced in my heart that there are multitudes of people desperately searching for the ‘more’ in their walk with Christ. They fit a unique criterion of individuals who believe there’s more to be received, but have not been exposed to the truths of scripture that unlock this mystery for them. Frustration is a sad companion for these men and women of God. “Give us more”, they plead.

Through this message, I believe the Lord will bring the necessary revelation to these hungering and thirsting souls
Read on.
When I make the statement that there are people searching for the “so much more”, what exactly do I mean? Scripture is quite plain concerning what must be done to receive the “more”. The truths are both simple and yet fundamental to all believers, as stated in the word of God. Sadly, the very institution, “the church”, has been the source of much confusion when it comes to understanding the ways of God and our relationship with him as Born Again believers.

) The first step that must take place is that you must be born again according to the mandate of word of God. This requires you to submit and then accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

2) The second step is just as critical and essential. You must receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Most Christians are well acquainted with the salvation experience, but feel uncomfortable and awkward with the second part; being baptized in the Holy Ghost. Why is that? If God desires to give every good gift to his children, then why do we balk at receiving this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit? The church is the reason. It claims that it was good, even necessary 2000 years ago, when the church was being established, but it has outlived its usefulness and is no longer a requirement. What a falsehood. Isn’t the church still being established today, as it was then? Absolutely! Isn’t the salvation experience still just as necessary for the unsaved today as it was then? Of course!

The salvation experience brings you into relationship with God through Christ; gets your foot in the door, so to speak. The Holy Spirit, once received by faith, improves on that relationship by teaching you the deep things of God that only he can reveal to the child of God. It pushes the door of the Kingdom wide open, where all of the pleasant things of God are found and to be enjoyed by his children – you and I. Your mind is renewed and improved daily as you enter into communion with him, through speaking in tongues.

Paul understood this completely and spoke in tongues all of the time; practically without ceasing. As a result, he had the type of intimacy with the Father, fully grasping the deep things of God that most of you have been longing for.

Have you ever wondered how is it that Paul received such great revelations and understood the deep mysteries of God that he’s revealed in scripture? Is he better, or more holy than the rest of us? Did God simply love Paul more than the rest of us? Was he uniquely special in anyway from you and I? The answer is simple – NO! We’d be fools to believe that were so, especially since his word says that he [God] is NOT a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Does this then imply that we too can have what exactly what Paul and countless other believers throughout church history possessed or experienced? Absolutely! Even in this very day.

First things first –
If for some reason you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, or have not been baptized in the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, since your salvation experience, you need to…

1) Get in touch with someone who is a spirit-filled believer, who can properly explain these experiences to you, as clearly outlined in scripture.

2) Lead you into either, or both, experience(s) so you can possess everything God desires you to have.

If you ever desire to go further in your relationship with Almighty God, then these two elements are mandatory. Those possessing only the salvation experience are greatly hindered in their walk with Christ. Don’t let that happen to you. If God gave the gift(s), who are we to say if they are valuable or not.

Understanding…
If you are born again and afterwards baptized in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, then here is what you can expect. Remember, these are two completely different experiences. Sometimes the experiences happen on the very same day, one right after the other. For others, it might happen days, months, or even years later. It depends on who the pastor or leader is and whether or not they have accepted these truths for themselves. If they aren’t baptized in the Holy Spirit themselves, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, or don’t believe the experience is relevant for the lives of believers today, it might never happen if you remain in their church. The mind must be renewed through God’s word for faith to become effective enough to receive.

Question…
So how do you go from, or beyond human knowledge into an intimate relationship with Almighty God?

First of all, as you can imagine, I cannot possibly touch on every element of this question in a short blog, because of its enormity, but here’s the key element I want you to remember – relationship.

A relationship with God is totally unique and unlike any relationship you’ll ever have with members of the human race. My relationship with God is so special that I am willing to die to preserve it. As the song says, “it is the air I breathe”. It is everything I am; that I teach; that I proclaim; the foundation of my faith. These elements enable me to stand on the sure foundation which is Christ, having intimacy and communion with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Remember, you simply can’t have an effective relationship with anyone, let alone God, without first knowing the truth about the one you desire to have that relationship with. It only makes sense.

As a child of God, you should understand the unique nature and character of God, but precious few saints actually do. Many think, or are erroneously taught, that God is completely unapproachable and won’t reveal himself to sinful man. This is utter nonsense of course and is certainly not supported anywhere in scripture. In fact, God is far more anxious to reveal himself to his church, than the church is willing to believe. God wants us to discover him. It’s a part of his gloriously plan to draw all people unto himself in intimacy. Relationship is what God is all about. Remember, truth dispels rumors.

It is our responsibility, however, to understand scripture, which is all but impossible without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

He [Holy Spirit] guides us into all truth. Man’s effort to intellectually interpret scripture always ends in frustration and error. The Holy Spirit always leads us in truth to discover greater truths – “yea, the deep things of God”.

If you’re ever to have a relationship with God, then you must have a clear understanding of all that God has provided for you according to his promises.

Everything God desires to give you will come from him alone.

Here it is again…
If you are going to have relationship with Almighty God, then you need to know the truths concerning Him. The truth always makes you free.

So, once you’ve been born again and later had the second experience of being baptized in the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, then the next logical step is for you to establish a proper relationship with Almighty God. This cannot be accomplished by human effort or intellect. It must be done according to God’s instruction; his word. Any other way will result in pure frustration, since it’ll be utterly impossible to achieve.

Here’s the method…
James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

When scripture tells us to draw nigh, it simply means to come near to God; to get close. This isn’t a one sided effort, like a person attempting to be close to someone who really doesn’t want it, or to be communicated with. God is nothing like that. God wants to be found and he desires relationship with his children.

Scripture shows us God’s love and desire to be united with you in this next passage.

Rom 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God was in fact abounding towards us even when we were yet sinners. Another great verse confirms Rom 5:8.

I Jn 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.

Here’s the point. You don’t need to do something special or anything at all, to get God to love you. He has always loved you! God has always been passionate about you, even though you may not yet know or understand it. His love is not diminished because you have grasped how special you really are to him.

Illustration…
As we all know, the whole world is filled with radio and television air waves. They’re transmitted every single second of every day – 24/7. Unless we have a proper receiver though, we’ll never know what’s being transmitted. What’s being broadcast simply does us no good whatsoever.

Think about this…
Even when you had absolutely no desire to serve God or love him, he was still reaching out to you in love, calling you to himself. As he was abounding towards you, he was reconciling the world unto himself.

The issue of relationship is not about how God needs to get closer to you. He’s already done that in its fullest measure. The issue is really all about you drawing nigh or closer to God. Most Christians don’t grasp this, so they end up floundering in their faith after accepting Christ, wondering why a relationship with God seems so impossible.

I honestly believe most of us want to flourish in our Christian faith after salvation. We just don’t know how.

If we could say there was a real goal of salvation, it would certainly have to be that of establishing a relationship with God. He is passionate to have that relationship and has gone to great lengths to achieve it. Now he waits for you to do your part by drawing nigh to him, so the relationship can be sealed.

When you have understanding of what I’m giving you, you can enter into the next step.

Acts 13:1-2
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The key phrase here is, “As they ministered to the Lord.”

Personal example…
There was a time in my life when I couldn’t fathom God ever needing or desiring anything from his creation. After all, he was God, the creator of all things. What could he possibly want or need from me? Nothing – right?!

My relationship with God always centered on what I thought he could or should do for me as a born again child of God.

Like most Christians, I had been taught that God is the source from which we draw all things, so I never concerned myself with the possibility that God had a need. It never occurred to me until years later that I would be able to enjoy ministering to the Creator through relationship.

Perhaps, like me, you too never thought about a relationship with God beyond what service and obedience you could render. It only stands to reason that most of us never really thought we had much to offer God. Boy, were we mislead.

When my eyes were finally opened, I learned many new and exciting things. I finally realized that God does have a need and I was able to fulfill that need because of what he had done in me – the new man.

I Jn 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

The very core and nature of God is his love. God is love and he loves us. He is agape love personified; pure and holy.

Anyone who truly loves has a similar need, which is to be loved in return. A tragedy occurs when someone loves another deeply, but their love is never returned.

I believe we all know that God is completely sufficient in all things and sovereign, that he requires nothing, but he longs for fellowship with his creation - mankind. Love created all things and all creation acknowledges their creator, yet nothing pleases God more than his creation of man. These are the ones God fashioned after his own image. They’re special and unique, far above everything else, including the angels. Only man will rule with him in the new kingdom.

When scripture tells us that these Christians “ministered” unto God, it’s teaching us the proper way of expressing our love back to Almighty God for the love he first bestowed on us.

Here’s what happening…
As they are together, they begin worshipping him in spirit and in truth. Their ministering is genuine and sincere and is having an impact upon God.

1) As they are expressing their love of God.
) As they are praising and exalting God.
3) As they are worshipping God.

In these things, they ministered unto God and it fulfilled his need. What a radical concept.

God paved the way for this unique relationship to be interactive. He sees that you finally grasp his great and marvelous love and are willing to acknowledge it in your worship of him. In this love he sees only you, not any of your failings. His love is made complete.

God has invited us to come and enjoy relationship, but we must heed the call and accept his invitation. We having nothing to bring or offer except our worship through thankful hearts, but it is enough.

Religion has done a disservice to believers. It told us that God was unapproachable. That is a lie!

Religion has taught us that whenever we fail or stumble, falling once again into sin that God pulls away from us until we repent. Over and over again we hear that God will not fellowship and enter into relationship with a dirty vessel.

The real shocker…
I want you to understand, that God doesn’t have any other kind of vessel to fellowship with. That’s right. The world is crammed full of impure vessels.

If religion had its way, no one would ever be good enough, regardless of what they did. They’ll inform you that God won’t have fellowship with anyone who has sin in their lives. If that were the case, God could never have fellowship with mankind. Thank goodness religion isn’t the final answer.

How did God overcome the reality of religion? He did so by sending us his son [Jesus] to reconcile the world unto himself. He took care of the sin issue so he could once again have relationship with mankind. Religion always brings bondage.

The bondage of religion is that it’s always trying to get God to move, when he has already moved in every area.

Examples…
1) Trying to get God to answer your prayers.
2) Trying to get God to show his love for you.
3) Trying to get God to do something, or move in a special way when you feel he hasn’t.
4) Trying to get God to heal you.
5) Trying to get God to deliver you from your lust.
6) Trying to get God to save your spouse, friend or family member, etc.

Friends, God has already provided for every contingency. He has left nothing undone, despite what religion tells you. In fact he proclaimed that the work [all of it] was finished when he took his last breath. Why then must he ever do anything else? The reality is that most Christians don’t believe it. Instead they’re taught to lament and travail before God, pleading for another great move. Most would be shocked if I told you that God hasn’t move since Calvary. There’s no need! The only real need we have is to come into the revelation of truth that sets the captives free. If God’s word proclaims the work to be finished, why don’t you believe it? The answer has always been because of religion. Christ often rebuked the religious establishment, and those who loved it and practiced it.

Consider this…
The problem is not with the transmitter, it’s with the receiver.

God is transmitting his love and promises 24/7. It is always flowing 100% towards you – always abounding towards you.

You will never be able to minister unto the Lord until you draw nigh unto him in love and understanding. You’re going to have to move into faith and out of your feelings. Start believing what the word of God says to you and about you, then immediately start thanking him for everything he provided then and all that he is doing for you, to bring you into truth and relationship.

When your love flows from a heart of truth, it will minister greatly unto the Lord of Glory. He is worthy of it.

Draw nigh to God and he shall draw nigh unto you. You won’t be disappointed.

IT’S JUST NORMAL

2011-02-24T09:13:00.000-06:00

Mark 6:45
And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

When the Lord instructed the disciples to get into the ship he gave them a simple word or a command. What was the word? “Let us go to the other side”.

Throughout the day, he taught and impressed upon his disciples the importance of his word and how it would impact their lives. That very evening, he was to test them to see what, if anything, they had learned. The test was not to be a simple test, but one which would take them to the very end of themselves. He told them to cast off and then proceeded to lie down and go to sleep. Everything was pleasant when they began their journey, but in short order everything went sour. A severe storm arose upon the lake and everything turned chaotic. Great fear gripped the hearts of every single disciple. They thought they were surely doomed because of the severity of the storm; totally disregarding the fact that it was Jesus himself in the boat with them. Obviously, they hadn’t learned a thing.

Finally, out of desperation, they rushed to Jesus and woke him from his sleep. They probably wondered to themselves, “How can he possibly be sleeping at such a desperate time as this”. You might even say from their communication, that they were more than a bit perturbed that Jesus was still fast asleep during this event. Master do something, don’t you care that we perish?

Please note…
This is exactly the same response that many of God’s children have in the middle of their crisis.

1) God don’t you care?

2) Help us!

3) Do something!

Many become offended or even upset with God. As a result, some become embittered with their faith.

Know this…
When you become rooted and grounded in the word of God and understand his great love for you, you’ll never utter these kinds of accusations or challenges to God.

People who make such proclamations are not rooted and grounded in their faith. They don’t know the God they profess to know; nor are they steadfast or grounded in his word, which brings forth all life and godliness.

Illustration…
How silly it would be for a tree not to know that when it is truly grounded in soil, that it is from this source that it draws all substance for life; to thrive and grow. It exists because of the soil.
Personal reflection…
When I became aware of these very issues in my life, I made a conscience decision to trust God only, in all circumstances of my life. That was over 12 years ago. I have never regretted my decision or looked back.

Ps 119:163-164

I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
vs 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Other great scriptures…
2 Tim 2:10-13
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Rom 3:3
For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

The majority of us have a debilitating problem. We interpret the word of God by our fleshly experiences instead of through God’s precious word.

That’s precisely what the disciples did. The storm, or calamity they were in, was interpreted by what was taking place in their lives at that very moment, not by the truths Christ had been trying to teach them throughout the day.

In the midst of the great storm, the disciples were overwhelmed with panic. They saw the danger, because the tempest was severe; in fact it appeared to them as a hopeless situation. They didn’t see the “author and finisher of their faith”, who was resting peacefully in the same boat.

To them, his sleeping peacefully represented a person who was seemingly unconcerned about the welfare of his friends. In desperation, they cried out to him saying, “don’t you care that we perish”.

Example…
A wonderful example of looking beyond the terrible situation brewing around her, we see how the widow woman of Zarepath reacted, when the “word” was given by the Prophet Elijah. In the very midst of her storm, and in desperation, she received the word as a promise. It became life to her in a bad situation. The promise sustained her, her child and Elijah for the duration of the great famine.

This is the true testimony of a word spoken. She received it with gladness, but the Disciples of Christ did not – they panicked. Their test resulted in failure.

Do you want a reality check?
Anytime there is anxiety, panic, fear, worry, or stress in your life, you’ve not received or embraced the word the Lord has given you.

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In the context of this scripture, Christ is giving the Disciples another “word”. This word was given them the night before Jesus was to be crucified. They didn’t do well with this word either.

The disciples were about to witness some terrible things, culminating with the very death of Christ at Calvary.

1) The disciples would witness him horribly beaten and scourged.
2) They would see the crown of thorns being placed upon his head.
3) They would see brutalized and nailed to a cross.
4) They would see their Lord as the spear was thrust into his side.
5) They would see his life ebb away as he died before their very eyes.

Just think about it for a moment. Everything they had believed and witnessed over the last three years was going to be tested, and tried, in ways they never imagined. They were under extreme stress and fear, and yet he had given them a “word”.

The word…
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Three days later - Resurrection Day…
Mary Magdalene sees the Lord of Glory and tells the disciples the things the Christ had spoken to her, but they doubted.

John 20:18-19
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
When the doors were shut and the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus appears to them in their midst, giving them yet another word - Peace be unto you.

Just imagine with me what their minds must have been thinking – “You greet us with peace, but don’t you know what’s going on outside these doors? . We’re afraid for our lives”

It’s difficult to understand how the early church ever got off the ground with people like these. They couldn’t seem to get anything right.

Now, let’s return to the ship…
The disciple’s wake up Jesus because of their fear, but Christ does something quite amazing. He rebukes the very thing that brought fear and confusion to his disciples, concerning the word that he had given – the storm.

Then he questions them…
Mark 4:40
And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

This is what always takes place when the word has been given you, but you refuse to receive it.

Instances where we can see…
1) It took place in the ship, when Christ was asleep.
2) It took place in the room where they were gathered after Christ’s death, with the doors shut because of fear for the Jews.
3) It took place when Peter denied the Lord three times.
4) It took place in the midst of the ship when they did not consider the miracle of the loaves.
5) It took place when the remaining 11 disciples stayed in the ship instead of walking on the water with Peter.

In this last instance, only one responded when he received the word from Christ – come. Only Peter would walk on the water with Christ, while all the others remained fearful and exhibited no faith. These disciples were with the word – Jesus, yet they didn’t receive his word, which would have calmed every storm and doubt. Though they were in the presence of the Creator of all things, they couldn’t believe the very sea he had created had no power over him.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. [insert: I have triumphed over everything that would rise up to destroy you]

So why do we fall apart when the doctor gives us a negative word? Why do we fall apart when everything seems to be going in a bad direction for us?

Most of God’s people feel that it’s normal to have those feelings.

Then consider these things.
1) It might be normal if God didn’t live inside of each of us in the new man he created in when we were born again.
2) It might be normal if God would have never said to those belonging to him that by his stripes we are healed.
3) It might be normal if he wasn’t our hope.
4) It might be normal if he didn’t say, “let not your heart be troubled”.
5) It might be normal if he wasn’t our buckler and shield.
6) It might even be normal if the word of God wouldn’t have said, “trust in the Lord and to lean not upon our own understanding”.

But, he did say those things friends, and he does live within each of us. As he was in the boat with the disciples, so he is now within each of us, strengthening us with his “words”. Fear not; only believe.

Things which aren’t normal for the child of God…
1) It’s not normal to be a child of God and be in panic.
2) It’s not normal to be a child of God to fear anything.
3) It’s not normal for a child of the King to be filled with anxiety and worry, when we’re to sit in heavenly places with Christ, with everything under our feet.
4) It’s not normal for the child of God to murmur and complain in the midst of such great riches.
5) It’s not normal to have been given the very word of God, with every promise, according to his covenant, then live as though he has never done anything for us.

With all the promises of God in our lives, through Christ, everything that would exalt itself above the knowledge of God should cease to exist in our lives.

We should not live as the heathen or ungodly live, full of doubts, fears, anxieties, and without hope. We should be as Christ, above only, in all things. It isn’t time for the church to be waking up Jesus, crying out for him to do something, when he has already done all things. It’s time for the church to wake up and to finally realize that Jesus has already made every provision, for everything that you will ever need.

2 Pet 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Conclusion…
We saw for ourselves that the disciples didn’t do very well with the “words” that Jesus gave them, but thankfully they would learn and finally get their spiritual acts together, and we can too.

Fear not; only believe!

THE CONFLICT WITH BEING SALT AND LIGHT

2011-02-13T15:08:00.000-06:00

According to the word of God, you and I, the children of God, are responsible for salting the earth and bringing forth the light of the gospel.

Matt 5:13-17
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matt 5:11-13
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

In my previous blog “GOOD FOR NOTHING”, I said that being salt and light is God’s only plan for humanity. There is no plan B or C. We’re it!
Therefore, it’s our responsibility and distinct honor I might add to serve him in this manner; reaching out and making a difference in the lives of people.

Every one of us, from the pastor on down, needs to understand God’s chosen method, or plan for changing this world. As salt and light, we start salting and giving light to this world the moment we’re saved. The quicker we come into truth and revelation, the more valuable we are to the peoples of the earth, and the Kingdom of God at large. In order to give the right message, we must know the right message, as it is revealed to us by his Holy Spirit. Learning to rightly divide the word of God makes us effective. So, our message must be clear, correct, and concise.

Most people don’t realize the conflicts involved with being salt and light in a world like ours, especially at this time in history.

1 John 2:18-23
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Inserted… Do you understand what the word of God is saying here? Over two thousand years ago, the Apostle John wrote this passage of scripture. If it was impressed upon him by God concerning the terrible condition of the world during his lifetime, then it shouldn’t take a Christian long to figure out that our situation is far more precarious today.

Scripture cont’d…
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Who’s the liar spoken of in verse 22? It’s anyone that denies Jesus is the Christ. Our world is full of such people / antichrists.

1 John 2:23
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Please turn to…
John 5:22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

These are powerful scriptures, and they convey a powerful message.

This passage of scripture tells us something that is crucial to our faith, but rejected by so many religions. It emphatically states that Jesus Christ is equal to the Father; equal in honor, tribute, respect, and distinction. Why is that important to us? The most important thing is that it affirms our faith in God according to scripture. It also confirms our relationship with Christ as both Savior and Lord; the only true and legitimate source for redemption, relationship, and intimacy with God.

In other words we’re to honor Christ, the true son of God; in the same fashion we honor the Father / God – equal terms. If we disavow Christ, we must disavow God, because you cannot separate the two. Such people are liars. We have multitudes of people claiming to be Christians today who simply are not what they profess. As a result, they have this demonic spirit of antichrist.

Please let me clarify something…
I do not hate these people, nor do I have any issues with any of them, apart from what is stated in the word of God. I only desire to be salt and light to them; to bring forth the same truths I learned, so they too might be made free. I love them, because he loved me first. Our love for them should be the same love Christ had for all of humanity when he came to the earth - Rom 5:8 KJV But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Love brings freedom.

Examples…
There is a religious group called Jehovah’s Witness, who enthusiastically minister door to door, proclaiming to be the mouthpiece of God, heralding truth. Their doctrine proclaims that Jesus Christ is none other than Michael the archangel incarnate, exalted, and manifested in the flesh. They do not believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, thoroughly rejecting his deity.

Though I have no personal malice against these people, I cannot sit idly by while they promote their false gospel. Scripture says that you and I are the salt and light that’s needed to combat the errors of antichrist. Their doctrine is the spirit of antichrist, and they do not know the truth.

Let me make myself abundantly clear. The deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is an absolute, and it’s non negotiable. There’s no compromise concerning that absolute. Either you believe it entirely, or you have the spirit of antichrist.

The religion of the Mormons states that Jesus Christ came from another planet. Because he lived so holy, he was exalted to the place of godhood. They claim that all of us can live holy and then be exalted to the place of godhood ourselves and thus bring life to other planets.

Catholicism gives credence and status to the worship of human “Saints” and further proclaims that Mary is in fact the mother of God, equal with Jesus.

These are only three religions, representative of countless others. Their errors are obvious, and the word of God says that they are the spirit of Antichrist.

Let me say it one more time. The deity of Christ is non negotiable. He and he alone is equal with God.

We have religions, churches, and organizations across the globe that desires all people to be brought together in the spirit of love and unity. It’s been tried countless times, but I assure you, it will never ever happen.

1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

More scriptural proof…
1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 7
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Being salt and light is not very popular in the world you and I find ourselves in. I struggle with how to bring this revelation to you, so that you will have proper understanding.
The conflicts facing our world today are not about liberal or conservative views, or political persuasions. The conflict is far deeper. It’s about the spirit of Christ, which is the gospel; the power of God unto salvation and the spirit of antichrist which is against that gospel.

There is a current political party here in the United States which is antichrist.
It is both anti-gospel and anti-Christian. Yet their members have no problem offering up prayers, or even evoking the name of God for convenience sake.
Such people are clearly antichrist as defined by scripture. Their thinking is antichrist; their actions are antichrist, and their agenda is antichrist.

These people are certainly not anti-religion. In fact they embrace religion. Their religion serves only one purpose, which is the cause that suits the enemy of God – Satan himself. They are antichrist.

It takes salt and light to destroy the lie.

Though truth telling can be hazardous, be salt and light anyway.

GOOD FOR NOTHING

2011-02-06T15:30:00.000-06:00

Today I am troubled and angry. The Heart Thoughts you typically receive from me are not what you’ll find in today’s blog. I typically like bringing you blogs that teach hope, peace, joy, and other spiritual attributes, but the things I’ve witnessed recently have made me very angry. Perhaps no less so than what Christ must have felt on the Temple grounds, which caused him such great anger and response. Righteous anger over the destruction of the church of God is quite acceptable and biblically called for when so much is at stake. When Christianity is negatively impacted, we have a duty and responsibility to take a stand against such matters and even the people perpetrating or further enabling that destruction.

The condition of the Christian church suffers enough by the man external influences today, without adding to that destruction by high profile, or “celebrity” pastors, who gladly participate in media events that seek to bring down or destroy Christianity.

Many of God’s children are mesmerized by these mega sized churches with their superstar preachers, though they deliver more fantasies and candy from their pulpits than the truths of God. The result is an exponential deterioration of a once sacred institution. These pastors bring spiritual death and damnation to the members of their own congregations and to countless other ministries with their personal and public proclamations on secular television.

The word of God, (below) proclaims that we (the church of the Living God) are the salt and light of the earth. As born again, spirit filled children of God, we have an obligation to reveal the truths of God and his gospel to a lost and dying world.

As the light of the world, we’re to be a city set on a hill which cannot be hid. As men and women of faith, we do not light a candle (our message) and place it beneath a basket to hide it from view. Rather, we display it so the whole world might know who we are and what we believe. Sadly, such is not the case today.

Matt 5:13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
The phrase (wherewith shall it be salted), refers to the world. If the world is not salted with the salt of the gospel, it becomes good for nothing, except to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men.

Jer 1:9
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

A similar experience happened to me in 2001, at 5:30 in the morning, as I was preparing for a crusade in Baltimore, Maryland. As a result, I have never been the same since.

I do not seek the favor of men, but of God, the author and finisher of my faith; he who judges both the living and the dead.

Jer 5:14
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Please read and understand what God is saying.

Because you speak this word (his word), I will make my words in your mouth fire and I will make people wood and it shall devour them.

Now look at it again in these verses.

Jer 1:9
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth . And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Verse 10
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
There is something very significant being stated here. Don’t miss it. What is God telling us to do?
#1 …to root out.
#2 …to pull down.
#3 …to destroy.
#4 …to throw down.
#5 …to build and to plant.

Please understand what the Lord is saying concerning his word. You cannot accomplish planting and building in your ministry without the other four things taking place at the very same time.

You can’t expect to be a blessing and an encouragement to people only, nor can you plant or build on top of something that has already been planted and built by others. It’ll never work.

The field must be properly prepared. No garden is worth anything unless you toil hard and long to properly prepare it to receive the precious seed. You must destroy anything which prevents or hinders the seed from producing a 100% harvest.

So, where does salt come in? What’s its purpose?
#1 …salt kills.
#2 …salt preserves.
#3 …salt adds flavor.

The problem is rather obvious. The church has chosen the wide path. Instead of being salt, as Christ instructs, they’re involved with the touchy feely part of ministry, which they think is far more important. They don’t wish to offend, but desire only to help these poor people. Because salt isn’t introduced, the old man doesn’t die. His condition remains unchanged. Nothing is gained; nothing won.

The church no longer has the killing effect on sin. It no longer destroys the works of the flesh, nor adds the flavor of a changed life in Christ. It strengthens the flesh only, because of its absence.

Our society is not being preserved, though it longs for the salt.

Illustration…
When babies were born many years ago, they were first rubbed down with salt. Why, because salt killed infections.

We’re the salt of the earth that God has ordained to kill the infection of sin throughout the world, by the preaching of his gospel. The words of truth we speak are the chosen weapon that brings freedom to the weary soul. We must therefore be faithful to the task, with all boldness; allowing the spoken truths to become a spiritual fire that devours the people. In this devouring, they will cry out to Christ for forgiveness and restoration.

What’s in store for us; the truth bearers / the salt and light of God?
Matt 5:10-12
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

The reason that the church has stopped being outspoken and bold is because of persecution.

What does persecution bring? It brings discrimination, harassment, mistreatment and lastly, it scatters those being persecuted

God has chosen for the world to be salted through the body of Christ and if we don’t do it, the world won’t get salted, and it becomes good for nothing.

Matt 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

More truth…
There isn’t another way for the earth to be salted. Period! There isn’t a plan B or C, there’s only plan A. No angel has been appointed by God to salt the earth, or to preach the gospel.

Everywhere I travel, I always hear the same thing; children of God asking him to send revival. They’re also asking for God to put a godly man in the White House, as president, who will turn things around and get this country back on course for God, who’ll get rid of the laws that are contrary to the word of God. It won’t happen.

The laws that are passed by our legislature and the decisions made by our president are nothing more than a reflection of the job that the body of Christ are doing as salt and light.

I don’t wish to get into a political discussion here, but let’s be clear about one thing. Our original system of government was created for moral, God fearing, people. What we have today, though called a democracy, is vastly different.

When a nation stops being moral, its elected government rapidly deteriorates. Democracy, as we once knew it, ceases to exist. The “new” democracy wields power to change statutes and redefine laws, or even the Constitution to meet its own needs or purposes. When this is allowed by us, because of the ways we vote, then God can do nothing. The message of the gospel is greatly restricted; lawlessness and ungodliness rule the land. What happens when that occurs? Exactly what you see taking place today in America.

The church is losing the spiritual battle, though people languish in prayer, hoping for Godly intervention. Let’s be honest with ourselves, evangelicals are losing their influence and impact in the United States at an alarming rate and we think a simple prayer is going to fix it. It will not. As a result of our complacency, our salt and light are far less effective than ever before, and the earth and America are becoming good for nothing.

We are rapidly losing the spiritual battle for our land and the system of government we’ve permitted is killing our society spiritually. This has occurred because men and women of faith have been passive about their faith. No longer do the evangelicals dominate our government and the rulings of this country. Our influence has been crippled. Those who profess to be Christians know little or nothing about being salt and light, as it’s clearly defined in the word of God. The results are obvious.

The strength of this great country use to be in the church. This same moral compass is what is needed for our nation today
Our forefathers were very effective people of faith who knew their spiritual heritage and what was required by God to be salt and light. They didn’t sit idly by while elected officials did their own thing. No sir. They challenged everything and were rewarded when men and women of faith were eventually elected to office. These elected officials were representatives of heaven and ambassadors of the living God.

The Christianity you and I’ve read about was mightily blessed of God to set the proper standard of righteous and moral living for America. We were commanded of God to be “above only”, “the head and not the tail”. We’ve relinquished that right and our standards. Shame on us! As a result, the America our forefathers instituted was a far cry from what we’ve become today.

Examples…
1) As we know, gay marriage and alternative lifestyles are a sweeping reform that is taking place from one end of our country to the other, which should be a foul stench in the nostrils of every evangelical in America. Major parades openly display their perversion.

Many people and even church denominations believe that homosexuality is not really a moral issue at all, but an alternative lifestyle which a freedom loving nation should be embraced. In fact, many denominations have embraced it to the point of ordaining gays as pastors. Even the government has even removed the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy from the military – a tragic mistake.

2) The majority of our youth and young adults embrace fornication and gladly commit abortions to eliminate the inconvenience of raising unwanted children. To support these new founded beliefs, they’ll also support any other deviant behavior they come across as simply lifestyle alternatives, which should be tolerated by all.

- Marriage? It’s a waste of time and way too restrictive and debilitating.
- Right and wrong? It’s discretionary and acceptable as long as it doesn’t impede a person’s pursuit of happiness.
- Prosperity / getting ahead? It’s the right for everyone to have what they want, when they want it, regardless of the consequences, or who it affects.
- Social justice? They abhor rules and regulations or any laws which demand accountability.

The battle being fought and lost in the United States is about morality. Read what the word of God says.

Isa 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good , and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
This is clearly one of the signs of the end times. The corrupt conditions that take place in any land, or country, where its citizens call evil good and good evil, will quickly fall. America is not exempt from the failures of past civilizations. We are becoming what they became. And the fall will be great.

Why has this happened? I has happened, because the church is not being salt.

For hundreds of years the salt (the true church of God) salted this country. The salt killed; it preserved and the salt added favor. But now, the love of many has waxed cold.

Matt 24:8
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The words “he that shall endure”, in the Greek is hoop-en-mio which means to carry on upward. In other words it means, “to persevere through”, or “to abide in and to endure”, “to carry on upward”. By doing what? By being salt, and then salting the earth.

Today, Christians are more hated and despised than even terrorists. We have been targeted by every degenerate organization and person who hates God. Our country has strengthened their position by enacted “hate crimes” laws which forbid even light opposition or criticism to gays, Muslims, etc.

The salt has stopped being salt.

2 Tim 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

If the salt is going to be salt then persecution is going to follow. It’s a foregone conclusion.

Be salt and light anyway!

You Are As Close To God As You Want To Be

2010-12-27T18:05:00.000-06:00

Heb 4:16
let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The very thought of being close to Almighty God should thrill every born-again Child of God, and to compel them to seek out this special relationship above everything else in life. Nothing compares to it here on the earth. Just imagine, though we’re on the earth, we have a unique and special opportunity to have a close, intimate relationship with our beloved God. We should desire to wrap ourselves around this wonderful concept even as he desires to wrap himself around each of us in intimacy. It’s literally heaven on earth to those who find it. In this closeness, all troubles and concerns of earth quickly disappear. Every Christian needs to seek it with their whole mind, spirit, and body. It is the greatest thing that you or I can ever hope to achieve here on this earth.

That God would even permit such a relationship with humans goes beyond my wildest dreams and comprehension. Though many feel it is mere wishful thinking, I assure you it is as true as his word. We know from scripture that God enjoyed daily fellowship with his creation, both in the Garden of Eden, which was the ideal setting, and of course with men and women of faith after the fall. Remember, by example that scripture plainly tells us that God spoke with Moses as a man speaks with a friend. Ex 33:11 KJV And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend;

So, my blog is appropriately entitled…

“You are as close to God as you want to be”.
Now, just let that concept sink into your mind for a bit. This bold statement delivers a very clear message to you and me. As children of God, at this very moment in time, we are as close to, or intimate with God as we want to be.

It’s no doubt shocking to most Christians to hear such things, though I’m not really sure why. The truth of this message is so simple that children find no difficulty in accepting it.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be closer to God than other people? Though most probably never question it, there are undoubtedly a few who have given it some thought.

If you’re one of those who have given it some thought, what might be your conclusion as to why they have this special kind of relationship with God?

1) Does God have favorites?
2) Is God a respecter of persons?
3) Does God purpose to have special relationships with some and not others?

Scriptures clearly tells us that it’s you and I who determine the level of intimacy that we have with Almighty God.

James 4:8
draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Heb 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
So, according to this scripture, we’ve all been extended the invitation from God himself. We’re the ones who are to fearlessly and confidently draw neigh unto the throne of grace.

Read it for yourself.
Eph 2:18
for through him we both have access by one spirit unto the father.

Eph 3:11-12
according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our lord:
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Heb 10:19
having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Here’s our opening scripture again.
Heb 4:16
let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Now listen carefully. There are four levels of intimacy that you choose to have with God.

The one that you chose will be the one that determines just how close to God you are and the relationship that you have with him.

God called Moses to the top of Mount Horeb, which is the mount of God, to speak with him face to face. After that, God then established three more levels, or borders where others could ascend in order that they might draw near to him also.

#1 - The first level or border is at the foot, or base of the mountain.
Exod 19:9-12
And the Lord said unto Moses, lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the lord.
And the lord said unto Moses, go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai.
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

#2 - The second level was about a third of the way up the mountain.In scripture we find the Lord inviting Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy of the elders to come up into his mountain.

Exod 24:9-11
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

#3 - The third level was even further up the mountain.

Exod 24:12-14
And the Lord said unto Moses, come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
And he said unto the elders, tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

Do not miss this – When God called Moses up into the mount, Joshua followed him. You should know, Joshua was not one of the elders, or leaders of Israel, and yet here he is following Moses up the mountain.

This should cause you to shout and dance, if you’ll understand the significance of what is happening.

#4 – Is the highest level in the mountain – THE TOP.

Exod 24:15-18
And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Here’s the breakdown of who went where.

1) First level or at the base of the mountain – Over 3 + million men and their families.
2) Second level or about a third of the way up the mountain – 74 people / priests and leaders.
3) Third level or higher still – 2 people / Moses and Joshua.
4) Fourth level or the top of the mountain – Moses alone.

Surely you must ask yourself, why would God restrict which of the people could come into a certain level of his presence (up the mountain), and not all? Then why would he further restrict that number to only two (Moses and Joshua) and finally only Moses would be permitted to come to the very top of Mount Horeb (Mount Sinai) where he would see God face to face?

Each of these four groups actually represents the various levels of intimacy these groups of people had with their God. Their commitment to know God can be easily witnessed by their ascent up the mountain of the Lord.

You see friends, it’s you and I that determine what depth of his presence that we live in or enter into. We decide to what level we’ll ascend the mount of God, by the level of obedience and commitment that we have in our lives.

Let me show you some things that will change your life. Let’s go back to the first level, or the foot of the mountain.

Listen to the Lord as he speaks to Moses.

Exod 19:9
And the Lord said unto Moses, lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.
And the Lord said unto Moses, go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

The Lord is saying to the people of Israel; I am coming to visit you, but you can only come this far into my presence – the base of the mountain. The people were satisfied and comfortable with these words and didn’t go one step closer to the God they greatly feared. In fact, I’ll bet most of the people never even got close to the base of the mountain. They were fearful of God and his potential wrath and quite content to let someone like Moses go up for them. To them God looked like a consuming fire and someone to avoid at all costs.

These are the same group who would later build a golden calf because when Moses had been gone too long on the mountain, fearing he was dead.

This group built the calf out of earrings and gold that God had given them, as a blessing, when they left Egypt. Gold which was meant for use in the temple of God was made into an idol that they worshipped instead of the living God.

These same people would continue to murmur and complain against Moses because of the lack of food, water, and meat. They rejected all of the promises God had made to care for them, believing that his purpose was to destroy them and they’re families in the wilderness. The last insult was that they refused their inheritance, the Promised Land, that he had prepared for them – cites built and vineyards planted by others.

The second group, who would ascend the mount of the Lord, was privileged to see wondrous things - the beauty of the Lord’s feet and also to eat and drink in his presence.

Exod 24:9-11
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Remember, that at this second level Aaron and the other leaders worshipped God. Aaron later helped the first group build the golden calf. Nabab and Abihu (the sons of Aaron) who shared the same encounter with God, would lose their lives because of disobedience, when they offered “strange fire” (unacceptable sacrifices) in the Tent of the Congregation.

Num 3:1-4
These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spake with Moses in mount Sinai.
And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.

Joshua an aid and minister of Moses, was allowed to climb the mountain of the Lord even to the third level of intimacy. Here he witnessed Moses entering into the cloud of God’s holy presence.

Why was Joshua able to come to such a level? He had humbled himself as a servant (minister) and faithful assistant of Moses. He was dedicated to serving God by serving Moses. Wherever Moses went, Joshua followed. When he wasn’t serving Moses, it says that Joshua was praying.

Exod 33:11
And the lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Joshua was later to become one of the twelve spies who were sent into the Promised Land and bring back a report. If you’ll recall, only Joshua and Caleb brought back a favorable report concerning the land that God had given them.

After the forty years isolation in the wilderness, Joshua would be the one the Lord would choose to lead his people into the Promised Land, instead of Moses.

Josh 1:1-3
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the Son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

Four levels of intimacy…

You are as close to God as you want to be
In the New Testament we can see these same four levels of intimacy demonstrated in the lives of those who followed Jesus Christ as well.

First level of intimacy…
Luke 10:1
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Second level of intimacy…
Matt 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Third level of intimacy…
Matt 17:1-2
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Fourth level of intimacy…
John 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

There is great similarity in these levels of intimacy as there was in the Old Testament.

Let me bring this to light for you.

Level one
Christ appointed at least seventy people to go forth and to go ahead of him announcing to everyone that he was coming.

Level two
Out of these seventy he would chose only 12 disciple who would have a deeper level of intimacy with him.

Level three
Peter, James, and John would be taken by Jesus into situations that none of the others would be allowed to share, even Christ’s transfiguration.

Fourth level
But out of those three only John would enter into a place where he would be comfortable enough to rest his head upon the breast of Jesus, as he listened to his Lord speak and teach concerning the Kingdom of God.

1) Jesus had seventy acquaintances.
2) He had twelve disciples.
3) He had three close friends.
4) He only had one who loved him like a brother.

Jesus loved them all and they all loved him. He was not a respecter of persons as many would say. Not everyone was willing to make the life changing commitment to enter into a personable and intimate relationship with him, including many of his disciples.

Each was as close to God as they wanted to be.

Want some truth?
Not everyone is willing to pay the price it takes to walk close to God. They may say they are, but you always have to ask yourself. Why aren’t they up on the mountain of God? The price for admittance is loyalty, devotion, commitment, and time.

Every day you do the things that you feel must be done, or are important to you. You make choices, and those choices have consequences – good or bad.

Here are things you might say to yourself.
1) You can say that you are just too busy to be in God’s word.
2) You can say that you do not have time to meditate and pray to him .
3) You can say that your day is full and you need your rest.
4) You can always find an excuse.

The reality is as simple as the nose on your face. If you say that he is the most important thing in your life, you will need to find time for him and his word. Why is it that he doesn’t have a place of importance in your daily lives?

If you want intimacy with God, then you’d better give him some of your time so it can develop.
You must also protect this precious allotted time, this intimacy with your God. Fight every evil distraction and desire to do other things, which wants to rob you of your intimacy with Almighty God.

God is worth it friends! He felt you were worth it too. That’s why he sent Jesus to restore it. So don’t lose it!

Relationships require commitment. Make yours today!

THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE

2010-11-01T11:46:00.000-06:00

Mark 13:34
for the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Today, I’d like to deal for a moment about a subject matter that for the most part is completely foreign to the Children of God. That subject is the authority we’ve been given as heirs of Christ.

There should be no question or doubt in the minds of Christians that we’re the servants referred to in this scripture portion. So we’re the ones given the authority mentioned here. As stated, authority belongs to the heirs of salvation - you and I. This authority resides within us because of the finished work of Christ through salvation. It is part and parcel of the new man, which was created in righteousness and true holiness, granted to us by God.

By stating these truths, I’m trying to impress upon you the importance of this great gift of privilege we now possess and should be enjoying victoriously as servants of Almighty God.

Therefore, as Children of God, we should be acutely aware that we are specifically targeted by the devil, who has come to steal, kill and destroy the promises given you. It is little wonder that this life we now lead in Christ can be a hostile environment indeed. Not because of the work of Christ, but because of the forces of hell that want to reduce your effectiveness as Children of God. It’s warfare, plain and simple. The devil hates you and wants to strip you of your rights as Christ’s servants. How does the devil do that; through ignorance of God’s word on our part.

Make no mistake; the devil is savvy. He’s dealt with the likes of most Christians for centuries. If he can take any of the promises of God from you, he’ll happily strip you clean and leave you an ineffective and weakened force.

Do we need to be afraid of the devil? NO! But we’d better know that we’re in a great spiritual fight and our enemy is serious about what he wants to do to us. So, we had better be just as serious and violent concerning him. We’re to understand who we truly and rightfully are in Christ, as proclaimed and believe according to God’s word.

Satan doesn’t intimidate a victorious Christian, though he continues to do battle against them. He’s after the easy prey or target, attacking them relentlessly. That’s the kind of violent warfare he likes to conduct.

If you want Satan to be ineffective in your life you’ll first need to discover who and what you are in Christ. You’ll need to see yourself as Christ sees you; which is nothing short of being completely victorious and overcoming in all things. We’re to be violent in our faith, destroying the forces and works of darkness in our world today.

Does that sound like you child of God? Well it should!

Warfare is violent, and the violent take it by force.

Those who know who they are in Christ are the true warriors of the kingdom. They are violent in what they believe and will do what’s necessary to come out on top; being victorious against the devil in all areas of their lives.

Friends, we have been handed a world that is corrupted; full of sin and deceit. In case you haven’t noticed, this system is extremely hostile and violent to everything which is pure and undefiled. If you want to keep your salvation and the promises God has given you, even in a world like this, you’ll have to fight violently to keep it. The devil wants to destroy it. The whole world continues to pollute it with their sin and rebellion. Even your friends and family are fearful, not understanding the seriousness of it all. What a mess!

You may wonder if or even how you can possibly stand out in a place like this as a Christian, but you certainly can and should. God has given you the necessary resources to do so – His word. It’s more powerful than you can ever imagine.

Example…
If you want to hold onto and claim the healing that was purchased for you some 2 thousand years ago, through the stripes that he took upon his body, then you’ll have to fight for it. You’ll need to see yourselves in the light of that promise in spite of what others may think and doctors proclaim – especially those closest to you; your family.

There is a mentality out in the world that suggests that God gave us doctors and prescription drugs to help us in maintaining our health. I see nothing in scripture to support that notion.

Everyone knows about Luke, the physician in the New Testament. Yet, there is no record of him ever being called upon to administer healing to any individual because the gift of healing through Christ failed.

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. Doctors and medication do have their part, but they have never healed anyone. Christ never told anyone to take two aspirin, or see him again in a couple of days if that didn’t work out. In every case, regardless of the severity of their condition, Jesus simply spoke to their condition and they were healed completely and permanently. With the lepers, their leprosy was replaced with healthy flesh. No trace remained of the leprosy, nothing which required further treatment.

This type of healing simply doesn’t wash with most Christians today. In fact the churches are filled with sick people, who prefer their sickness over truth. Their purses are filled with prescription bottles for ever know ailment. What a tragedy!

The battle that goes on in your own heart and mind testifies to what I’m saying.

As children of God, we need to understand the authority that has been given us because we’re now the servants and heirs of Christ. What Christ’s position was, should also be our position - the violent take it by force.

There are untold millions of Christians who believe that God is able and even wants to heal. Ask any of them.
The problem is that they sit back waiting for God to do something special on their behalf. It’ll never happen.
They pray and pray, asking the Lord to move mightily and gloriously in their condition; today. They wait and wait and wait some more for the great gift to arrive, like the folks waiting at the Pool of Bethesda for the angel to trouble the waters so they can be the first ones in (ref John 5:4 KJV).

The truth is plain child of God. The miracle has already occurred; the healing has already been given – 2000 years ago – at Calvary – by his stripes. “It is finished,” Christ said.

Perhaps it could even be stated like this. “It was and is still finished, even for you today. Let faith dip into the finished work and drink its truth and be healed.”

This is important to consider…
Do you honestly think that God ever leaves anything unfinished, so that you would need to continue pleading for a fresh work from him or because you feel he might have overlooked something? Why don’t we understand what the Lord did when he went to the old rugged cross? Scripture makes it clear that his sacrifice was all encompassing and fully complete. He took upon himself all our transgressions, iniquities and diseases. By the bruising of his body and the inflicted stripes we were healed. Every disease and malady throughout all history to come was obliterated because of his stripes on that day. It’s no different than the forgiveness of sin. It was done once, and all of humanity from that point on benefits from his one time suffering.

So why aren’t you healed? Simple – you don’t believe it! You had no problem believing for salvation through the forgiveness of sin, but you won’t believe for healing, prosperity, or deliverance. And that’s a real tragedy.

As rightful heirs, having been adopted into the household of faith by his blood, we now have power as his servants. The power Christ has given us is to tread on serpents, to heal the sick, cast out demons and to raise the dead.

It is now up to us to exercise that power. We have to use force in a world that is hostile towards those gifts given us because of Calvary. The position we should enjoy as servants of the Most High God is undermined by unbelief – your unbelief.

When I speak of force, I am not talking about the kind of force normally associated with human warfare, when waging a campaign against flesh and blood. I’m talking about a greater force than the world knows about; a mighty force against demonic powers. This warfare is a spiritual fight against the principalities and powers of darkness, and we’re to be violent about it.

Take your own body as an example. Often we can believe for the healing of others but feel helpless when it comes to our own body. We’re to rise up in spiritual strength and defeat the lies of Satan. I’m talking about your own body lining up to the very Word of God.

Example…
Police have complete jurisdiction over any law breaker. The police control all situations, using force as required, remedying any potential or real problems as they are encountered.

The authority that I’m referring to is the same authority that any policeman has over criminals, only spiritually. Satan is a criminal. He has transgressed and rebelled against the ultimate and supreme law of God – his word.

Satan speaks to me of death when as a child of God I have been given life and that more abundantly (John 10:10 KJV). He talks to me of sickness when I’ve been clearly told by God’s word I’m now healed because of the stripes of Christ (Is 53:5 KJV). Then he’ll tell me I’m defeated when scripture tells me I am victorious by my faith (I John 5:4 KJV).

Satan is a criminal, a transgressor of the law. He is in rebellion to the word of the highest authority, God himself.

As long as you remain passive and don’t exercise your God given authority, when confronted by this violator, allowing him to exercise his deceit and profess lies against you, he has every right to take what belongs to you.

But if you do understand who you are and that you are a joint heir with Christ; resisting and being violent in faith against the devil, he will flee from you. In all matters.

This verses of scripture tells you the authority of the believer…
Mark 11:22-24
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
KJVSo, as you can see, this scripture specifically tells us that the “whosoever” mentioned here is the believing Christian. If that believing Christian shall say unto this mountain, or his/ her problem(s), “be removed and be cast into the sea and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe those things which he says, he shall have whatsoever he says.

Are you paying close attention to the emphasis that the Lord is placing on what you say?

How important are our words…?
James 3:1-2
my brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
for in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.James tells us just how important our words really are.
This scripture admonishes us not to try and master everything, or to be experts in everything. We’re to be consistent with the words we speak. In other words, making sure whatever you say lines up correctly with the Word of God in all things.

Here’s how it works…
If you speak your words long enough (life or death) and these words are consistent, then there’s a time coming when your actions will follow the very words that you speak.

Words of life… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I’m an over-comer by the words of my testimony. I shall live and not die, that I might proclaim the goodness of God. I am healed because of the stripes of Christ. I am victorious in all things. I am a joint heir with Christ, seated with him I heavenly places, with everything under my feet. I am above only. I am the head and not the tail.

Words of death…
I’ll never amount to anything. I’m a loser. Nobody loves me. I don’t have any skills or talents that God can use. God doesn’t really love me. God will never forgive me because of the terrible sins I’ve committed. I’m satisfied being poor and underprivileged. God wants me to suffer. God gave me this disease to keep me humble. God punishes me and hates me whenever I step out of line. God never hears my prayers. God loves others more than me.

Sound familiar? Where do you fit in?

Though I certainly don’t believe in earthly evolution, as some would profess, I do believe in spiritual evolution. We may start out at the bottom, but we certainly don’t have to remain there. We can grow and mature in the light of his word. We can go from stinking thinking to right thinking. We can become a mighty force for God against all evil here in the earth. We can destroy the works of the devil at every turn. We can bring glory to God by fulfilling our rightful place as joint heirs with Christ.

1) Start thinking and believing the right things.
2) Get to where you say the right things; professing the truths according to scripture.
In a short time your mind, body and attitude will get you to the place where you’ll do and believe the right things.

Your emphasis ought to be on the words that you speak. This scripture helps you to understand how dangerous the tongue can be if not properly used. It can bring death or it can bring life. Your words are the key to who you are and what you will become. Words are vital. Be careful how you use them.

James 3:3-4
behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
James tells us a great truth. A bit in the mouth of a 1000# horse controls his entire body. That horse goes to right or to the left according to the one who controls the reins.

A rudder, though small and seemingly insignificant and undetected, controls the direction of that ship no matter how great it might be.

Your tongue…
1) Your tongue controls the direction that your body goes. It’s the bit in your mouth.
2) Your tongue speaks either life to your body or it speaks death to your body.
3) Your tongue speaks either life to those around you or it speaks death to those around you.
4) Your tongue is the vessel by which all authority is spoken.

Christians are constantly calling out to God about their multitudes of problems, but it’s of no use.

Please listen as I tell you something vitally important…
You don’t need to talk to God about your problems. You need to start talking to your problems about God and what he has already done concerning the problems

What do I do personally?
1) I speak directly to my problems.
2) I speak to the condition of my body.
3) I speak to those things that come against me, whenever they come against me.
4) I speak directly to the devil.
5) I speak to the winds and waves that desire to overflow me.
6) I speak because I have the authority and platform to speak.

The outcome is predictable. Whatsoever I speak; when I pray; in faith; believing that which I’m speaking, I shall have it.

If I have pain, then I speak to that specific pain and I command the pain to leave my body. Whenever there are other problems in my body I speak to my body, taking rightful authority over it. I command it to respond to the truths of scripture and the promises of God… “To all who would believe”, and my body responds. Period! It’s the authority I know I have as a legitimate child of God and heir of the kingdom.

This authority didn’t just drop on me one day, out of the clear blue sky, as some might think, nor am I better than any of you. I had to learn and apply these truths as they became clear to me through the study of scripture, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. You can learn and apply these same truths as I have and then enjoy the fruit of your faith.

If the Word of God says you’re healed and your body rises up to defy the Living God with a lie, saying you are not healed, then you are obligated to cut the head off of this uncircumcised Philistine so he can no longer speak.

Your profession of faith should be as follows…
Because of his stripes I know I am healed and have the authority to speak to my condition which is trying to exalt itself above the knowledge of God - then cast it down.

God has given you and I authority to release his power, so that we can be healed in the name of the Jesus. The way that his power is released is through the words that you speak.

In Closing…

Remember, Memorize and Repeat…
You can either speak forth life, according to his words or you can speak forth death, according to how you feel.

You cannot believe for healing while talking sickness. You cannot believe in victory while speaking things of defeat.

There is great power in the words that you speak - life and death. Your words affect you. Therefore, speak life.

The Authority of The Servant and the violent take it by force.

CHANGE

2010-09-25T12:26:00.000-06:00

When we speak about change most of Gods children desire that change to come about from a supernatural touch from God and very few see change coming forth from the application of Gods word

Hear what Rom 12:1-says
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Verse 2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The word conformed in the Greek is soos-khay-mat-id-zo and it means to be poured into the mold

In this world that we live in there are tremendous pressures and fires that come against us that are going to melt us and if there is one thing that I am sure of it is that you can not exit this world the same way that you came into it

The pressures, heartaches, sorrows, tribulation and persecutions of this life are going to melt every single one of us,

But we get to choose what mold we are going to be placed in and molded by.

Will it be the mold of this world or will it be the mold of another world.

The scripture is very clear do not be conformed, do not be poured into the mold of the world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind
The renewing of your mind is how this transformation is going to take place
We will be transformed by our thinking.

Prov 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

The way that you think is the way that you are.
If you want to change your actions you must change your thinking.

How is it that we as children of God effect change and become more Christ-like?
How is it that we begin to walk in health, love, joy and peace?

I will tell you how!
Most people try to get it accomplished through prayer
They pray for God to supernaturally touch them and transform them and then they look for that transformation to come in some way that is outside of the word.

Don’t miss this
The transforming takes place by the renewing of your mind

We have to renew our mind, our thinking and our attitude into the truths and principles of God’s word

Why?

Because Gods word is the only standard for proper thinking, it is the only standard: by which we are to live, think and evaluate things,

You do not have to look very far in the world or the church to find negative responses, negative emotions and negative thinking.
There is negativity all around us and yet if the child of God would look at Matthew 24 you would find that we are to rejoice when we see these things coming to pass for our redemption draws nigh.

That which is in the world producing depression and discouragement should be doing the opposite in us
We are to be encouraged according to Gods word

Here is revelation
The way that you think determines the way that you feel

Grace and peace is multiplied unto you through how much you know about God and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Pet 1:2
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

If we have the wrong knowledge on the inside of us it makes no difference how much you pray, go to church or
how many people lay there hands on you to bless you.
You are not going to have grace and peace and joy until you get a hold of Gods word and that word starts to get a hold of you

Make no doubt about it you will be what your dominate thoughts are and if your thinking is contrary to God’s word then the results that take place in your life are going to be contrary to the word of God also.

Most people that see change in the Christian life see it as something that is torturous
They see it as hard and difficult and yet that is not what the word of God teaches.

Rom 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The word transformed in the Greek is metamorphoo and it means to be changed into another form
It is the same word that we get metamorphous from

And metamorphous describes the process in which a caterpillar spins a cocoon and later comes forth as a butterfly
In that cocoon that worm is not struggling, it is not striving and fighting to become a butterfly
It is just the nature of that caterpillar to become a butterfly

God placed that power within the caterpillar.

And so that caterpillar spins a cocoon and isolates itself and allows the process to transform it into what it is supposed to become

God made the child of God to be victorious over the world, an over comer and a conqueror over the world

You were not made in His image and likeness to be defeated by the flesh, discouraged or depressed by the flesh

He has given you his word to wrap around you like a cocoon and all you have to do is isolate yourself in that cocoon and wait for the transformation to take place

The potential is already on the inside!

If you are a Born Again child of God it is already placed within you,
All you have to do is take Gods word and wrap yourself within it and wait for the process to bring you forth as a butterfly
Do you want to know the difficulty if you can call it that concerning the child of God

It is not trying to be good, it is not striving to be made perfect or holy, the only difficulty in the child of Gods life is just to reject and cast aside all that is evil.
As that worm wraps that cocoon around him, he separates and isolates himself from everything that will hinder the process of that transformation

And when we as that caterpillar separate ourselves from all the things that vie for our attention, all the things that vie for our time and put the word of God first and foremost in our lives that word will effortlessly and without struggle change us

Here is revelation
There are multitudes of people who are discouraged and depressed over the way that there lives are as a children of God
The answer is within them and they have the tool in their hands
The word of God

If you will take this word and make it dominate in your heart so that it is dominate in your thought, emotions and actions
Then all that it promises will be yours to behold
GLORY TO GOD

VICTORY

2010-09-21T12:50:00.000-06:00

How was Abraham victorious and an over comer concerning the word that God had spoken to him
What we have makes Abraham look like he had nothing
Abraham had God on the outside
We have God on the inside
Abraham had a tabernacle built in his home, we are the tabernacle
Abraham had a word, we have a volume of words
Abraham’s promise was his son, our promise is the Son of God
And in Abraham having less he walked in more, believed for more and staggered not at the promise that God had given Him
Victory starts with the way that you think

HIGHER GROUND

2010-08-10T08:21:00.000-06:00

Most of Gods children desire to walk in intimacy with the Lord but very few understand that the level of intimacy that you desire also demands the same level of commitment.

There are four levels of intimacy that is demonstrated in the lives of those who follow Jesus

1st Level
Luke 10:1
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Christ appointed at least seventy people to go forth and to announce to the entire nation of Israel that He was coming

2nd Level
Matt 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Out of these seventy he would chose 12 who would have a deeper level of intimacy with him

3rd Level
Matt 17:1-2
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Peter, James and John would be taken by Jesus into places and situations that none of the others would be allowed to share.

4th Level
John 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

But out of those three only John would enter into a place where he would be comfortable enough to rest his head upon the breast of Jesus as he listened to the Lord speak and teach concerning the kingdom of God.

Jesus had seventy acquaintances, twelve disciples, three close friends and one who loved him like a brother.
Jesus loved them all and they all loved Jesus but not every one was willing to make that commitment to enter into that personable and intimate relationship with him.

YOU ARE AS CLOSE TO GOD AS YOU WANT TO BE

WINNING THE BATTLE OVER YOUR EMOTIONS

2010-08-02T22:03:00.000-06:00

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Allow me to ask you a question,
Why do people leave a church?
Why do people leave a marriage?
Why do people abandon babies?
Why do people have road rage and anger problems?
Why do people give up and call it quits?

There is only one answer and that is because of emotions.
One more question
Why would you or I ever consider counseling?

The only reason that we would ever consider counseling would be because we feel that things are out of control and what is out of control when things are out of control, our emotions.

So let’s deal with the reality of our emotions for a moment,
Every single one of us has emotions and the emotions that we have are directly tied to our five senses.
The good news is this,
When God created us he created us with emotions and emotions have a purpose in our lives and I am constantly amazed as I speak to people because the best and the worst that people speak about concerning there life is directly tied to there emotions.

Every individual has and is tied to emotional experiences that completely dominate there lives whether they be positive or whether they be negative and these emotional experiences have a direct effect as to the quality of life that each individual is living.
I believe that the key to successful living in the Lord Jesus Christ is winning the battle over those emotions.

Emotions are a fact of life that we can not live without but we as children of God need to learn how to direct and how to win the battle over these emotions,
In the world that we live in today every thing and I mean every thing is tied to and linked to our emotions, we have elevated our emotions to a place of importance above morality, above accountability, above responsibility, above integrity, above truthfulness and honesty.

Forty years ago when a woman became pregnant it did not matter what feelings she felt, she became a mother in spite of her feelings and the man married the woman in spite of his feelings,
All feelings were put aside to do the right thing
Abortion was not an issue and an orphanage was not an issue

Forty years ago when a young man reached the age of 13 he worked at a job to help the family make ends meet, it did not matter how much school work that he had, it did not matter how tired that he was or how far he had to walk home from school, his feelings were shelved to help in whatever manner he could.

Our emotions are involved with saving the whales and killing our children, our emotions are involved with doing what feels good and then they are involved with not paying the consequences for our actions that feel good
And we now are at the place in our society where our emotions dictate to us instead of us dictating to our emotions

Instead of people having there emotions under control for the most part peoples emotions are out of control

Let me give you truth that will make you free,
The temptation that you are dealing with is limited to what you think
You are not what you eat you are what you think

If you do not think about the temptation you will not be tempted by it because you will never be tempted beyond what you are thinking and emotions are controlled by what you think as well.

One of the major problems that I have with physiology and psychiatry is that they do not make you accountable and responsible for your thinking, they do not teach you how to control your emotions instead they give you drugs and anti depressants to get you through but your condition never changes and they just keep you holding on as your emotions go on a roller coaster ride.

I wonder how many of you have understanding that God has made you accountable and responsible for your emotions.

Deut 28:47-48
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
Hear the word of God,
Because you do not have joy when you served me, because you do not have gladness, because you did not rejoice concerning all the blessings and abundance that I have given you, I am going to bring you into bondage to be punished for your negative thinking.

There it is
Negative thinking brings forth bondage
God brought forth judgment on his people because they had negative thinking and negative emotions.

Most churches do not want to hear this in fact most of Gods people do not want to hear this and yet this is the truth of Gods word that brings the captive to revelation and makes them free.

YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR EMOTIONS

Turn once again to our opening scripture
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Here we find the Lord speaking to His disciples concerning the things that are going to be taking place in a few short days and He is telling them that He is going to be given into the hands of those who desire to destroy him and He will be crucified, scourged, beaten and tortured.

And then He makes this incredible statement
Do not let your hearts be troubled

Why would He tell them not to let their hearts be troubled if it was not possible for them to come to that place of peace and rest?

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus told His disciples, you are going to see and hear things in the next couple of days that are going to rip your heart out, things that are going to overwhelm you and frighten you but
Let not your heart be troubled.
Be in peace.

So let’s have understanding,
He is telling them not to be troubled in the midst of tremendous trouble because they can have perfect peace.

Isa 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
What is perfect peace?
It is the place where your emotions are at perfect rest because your mind is stayed on Him instead of on your troubles.
It is not a place where you are emotionless or hardened to the place where no emotion comes through
It is a place where your emotions are at perfect rest and in that perfect rest your emotions are producing fruit that are positive and productive.

Look at this scripture and understand the implications
Deut 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

You chose

The Lord has set before us this day life and death, blessing and cursing,
Heaven and earth have recorded it and then the word of God tells you to chose life that you and your seed may live.

What are emotions?

Emotions are the spice of life and the Lord has given us emotions for the purpose of those emotions having a positive effect on us and not a negative effect.

What is the purpose of negative emotions?
The purpose is to rob you of your peace.

The word of God is very clear in outlining to us that the reason that our emotions get out of control is because our emotions are not in control,
Paul and Silas in Macedonia is a very clear indication of what I am speaking about

Paul receives a vision from the Lord and in that vision Paul sees some one telling him to come to Macedonia because they need his help

Paul obeys

When they reach Macedonia, they are beaten with rods, placed in stocks and bonds and cast into the deepest part of the prison.

This is a place where emotions are going to bring forth life or they are going to bring forth death and Duet 30:19 proclaims that you chose the one that will be manifested,
Heaven and earth have recorded it
You choose
What will it be life or death?

The word of the Lord proclaims it
Let not your heart be troubled
Let not your emotions get out of control

So what did Paul and Silas do
They chose life, they sang praises, and they sang hymns and they exalted the Lord and the prison became a place of life in the midst of death.

What is it that is going to keep Paul and Silas from singing and praising the Lord in the worst of conditions?

Emotions

You see I believe that emotions are one of the major things in the body of Christ that keep us from going through and going over and I also believe that emotions are at the top of the list in the four area’s that Satan has access to you and I

What are those four areas?
#1 thoughts
#2 responses
#3 actions and
#4 emotions

Thoughts plant a seed but they do not immediately motivate us like emotions do,
Emotions spur our actions, emotions spur our responses and emotions even accelerate our thoughts and I do not believe that the church has effectively dealt with this issue in depth so that the child of God is able to walk in victory,
One of the reasons that the child of God is not able to walk in victory over their emotions is because they have not been brought to the place of accountability concerning their emotions and victory only comes by becoming responsible for your emotions.

The word of God is very clear
We are responsible
James 1:13-14
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God
For God can not be tempted with evil and God tempts no man

But every man, every woman, every single person who has ever been tempted was tempted because of there own lust and in that lust they are enticed.

The word lust means any overwhelming desire

Most people want to take that word lust and use in an immoral issue, they want to use in a sexual connotation but the true meaning of lust is an overwhelming desire.

I wonder how many of you have revelation that the spirit lusts as well
Gal 5:16-17
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

What this is speaking about is a strong emotional desire, the flesh has a strong emotional desire to fight against the spirit and the spirit has a strong emotional desire that fights against the flesh.

And some one might ask that if emotions are such trouble why do we have them,
The reason that you have emotions is because God has emotions

The scripture tells us that God is a jealous God

Exod 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Jealousy is an emotion.

The word of God tells us that God is love and certainly love is more than emotions but it certainly involves emotions

God has emotions and God created us in his image and likeness and that is why that we have emotions

James 1:13-14 again
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

What this scripture is saying is that temptations come through your emotions and the reason that most people do not feel responsible for there actions is because they do not feel responsible for there emotions.

Most people feel that their emotions are the cause of a chemical reaction or imbalance and because it is a chemical reaction they need a chemical to control the chemical reaction, so they take medication, they go to therapy, they go to a psychiatrist or a Christian counselor, they go every where but where they need to go and that is to themselves to bring there emotions under control through the word of God

Hear the scripture,
You are drawn away because of your own lust or desires

Now look at,
James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Have understanding because this is what the scripture is revealing to you,
Sin is conceived in your emotions.

What a radical truth and here is truth concerning that which is radical?
If you can stop the conception of sin, then you can stop the action of sin and if you can stop the action of sin then you can limit the devil being able to use you and you will begin winning the battle over your emotions and walking in victory.

YOU CAN’T BE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN YOUR HEART

2010-08-02T13:58:00.000-06:00

People are constantly desiring and wanting change. It’s the universal cry of virtually every one of us. You may hear your friends or acquaintances say they want to change this or that behavior, maybe a bad attitude that they’ve developed, or some characteristic action they find undesirable. But the change everyone seems to want so desperately never takes place, or at least long term. Why not? The reason that it does not work for most is because change is really all about the heart. A person’s heart needs changing before real, or permanent change can take place in the physical. Try all you want, but you’ll come up empty handed every time, or at least until your heart has been changed.

Write this down. . .
Actions always follow the things, or conditions, of the heart of men. Man thinks he’s in control of himself and his actions (that is his flesh nature), doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants. The truth tells quite a different story. Be patient and watch. In a very short time you’ll discover exactly what this person may not want the world to know – the real them. His or her heart always gives them away, good or bad, revealing exactly who and what they are.

We use many ways to hide what’s inside, in as much as the limits of the human will power will allow, but these changes are never long term, or permanent. The conditions of the hearts of men cannot be easily changed simply by their thoughts and desires.

Man, in his greatest effort cannot do the changing for himself! The conditions of the heart are therefore a spiritual issue and not fleshly as men would suppose or even like. The nature of mankind is to think more highly of themselves than they ought, believing that they’re in complete control.

What you say that you want and what you actually do reveals whether or not your heart is changed. No one can act differently from what‘s inside of their heart. It simply is not possible.

This is one of the major reasons for mental health problems in our world today. Medication, therapy sessions, psychological counseling cannot resolve the problems that are within your heart.

Medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and variety of other counselors and therapists, with all their wisdom and knowledge of modern human thinking and medical technology, have tried for decades and even centuries to solve mankind’s problems. But peace and comfort never come to those who only want to deal with their actions rather than dealing with the condition of their hearts. And man is perplexed. No wonder!

The heart of the spirit man is never changed by human means, or understanding. In fact, scripture tells us that spiritual matters are foolishness to the unbeliever. When was the last time any of these ‘professional’s ever directed a person to seek the Lord for the conditions of their heart? Even the ‘Christian psychologists’ attempt those things which are God’s alone to do. In fact they greatly hinder or thwart the work of God in the lives of countless individuals, thinking that their humanness is somehow equal to the works of Almighty God. They don’t get it either.

Listen to the Lord as he speaks to you in these verses. . .
Matt 12:33-35
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

So the question is simple. Why is Jesus Christ able to minister to all groups and classes of people? Jesus never deals with their human actions, behavior or attitudes. He
only deals with the matters of their heart.

The reason that Jesus could effectively deal with the prostitute, the tax collector, the thief, leper and religious leaders is because their hearts are all the same. Scripture tells us that our hearts are evil.

The only difference between them is that the prostitute and the thief knew that their hearts were evil. Christ confronted their condition with truth. The message of life (truth) convicting them of their condition. Humbling themselves, they admitted that they did indeed have an evil heart and needed deliverance from it. Truth always brings healing and deliverance to the humble; those willing to be transformed by it. Newness of life always results.

The Pharisees of old and even religious people of today will hardly ever humble themselves and admit the condition of their evil hearts. Self righteousness is very destructive to the lives of people who claim to love God, but whose hearts are far from him. They are not in oneness with God, nor can they be until their heart condition is allowed to be changed.

A thing to ponder. . .
The actions of the Pharisee or the religious person seem to us to be much better than those of the prostitute, the thief, or the adulterer. But Christ does not see as men see. In his eyes, they all have the same deplorable heart condition.

Man might argue that there is a vast distinction between the two. To them, a religious person looks good, so they must be good. Outward appearance to these people is the ultimate test of goodness or holiness. While man looks on the stature and actions of a person, God does not. This next scripture proves the point.

1 Sam 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

The people that can most easily be touched by God, to bring them to saving grace, is the person who is not trying to be something that is not in their heart. This person does not wear a mask or have a false display of righteousness. They understand that they are not ok, but need help from God to resolve the issues confronting them.

This is a person whom God does not have to go through layers of hypocrisy and lies to deal with a heart that will not humble itself.

Have you ever looked at the word hypocrisy? It means to wear a mask, have a pretense, or a falseness to something which isn’t true. A hypocrite is a person who’s trying to portray one thing through their actions, but their heart is quite different. The heart of a man is ultimately revealed.

The key to character, integrity and honesty is to get your actions and your heart to agree so that they are in one mind and one accord. This person can be touched by God

Check out this excellent scriptural illustration. . .
2 Chr 12:13-14
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

How do you argue with this? Here’s a ruler who prepared not his heart and missed out on the best that God had for him.

Have you ever wondered why is it that the friends and relatives that we’ve witnessed being lead to the Lord; people who came to an altar of prayer, desiring and seeking a change in their lives from God, ultimately turn away and no longer follow after the Lord? It’s like King Rehoboam - Because he (they) prepared not his (their) heart to seek the lord.

What does it mean, ‘because he prepared not his heart?’

Anyone who has ever done bad or evil things never intended to do what they did. It just seems to have happened!

Examples you can easily identify with. . .
1) People who get married never intend to get a divorce on their wedding day.
2) People who take that first drink of alcohol or smoke that first joint never intended to become hooked on drugs.
3) People who bought their first pack of cigarettes never intended to become addicted to smoking.
4) Teenagers who submitted to that first kiss never ever intended to have a baby out of wedlock.
5) The individual who submitted to anger never intended to be hurtful and cruel.

The list goes on and on and on.

No one ever intends to do evil. The reason that we do is because we’ve not prepared our heart to seek the Lord.

A warning to all believers. . .
When you don’t make preparations to seek the Lord, it’s because our minds are not on the spiritual condition of our hearts, but on the things which please the flesh or carnal man. In time, if we’re not diligent, we too will reject Christ in favor of the lust of the flesh.

Before I close, let me to ask you one more question. And it’s a big one. Did Rehaboam ever follow after the Lord?

Read this!

2 Chr 11:16-17
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

For three years Rehoboam walked in the way of David and Solomon, seeking the face of the Lord.

So who was this ruler - REHOBOAM?

He was the grandson of King David; the son of Solomon.

You see, at one time Rehoboam had a sensitive heart towards God and followed diligently after him. But it all changed.

I wonder how many have this same testimony.

1) At one time I was on fire for the Lord, desiring and loving him above all else.
2) At one time I sought the face of the Lord constantly.
3) At one time my family worshipped and praised God together.
4) At one time my life was in complete harmony with the God of my salvation.
At one time. . .
At one time. . .

How tragic to not prepare our hearts to seek the Lord and then miss out on all the benefits he desires to bestow on his children.

What most people don’t understand, especially children of God, is that it is a natural human tendency for your heart to grow distant and hardened towards the Lord. It’s a natural thing because of the curse of sin and the influences of a sinful society. It’s more unnatural to seek the Lord than it is to live sinful lives. Just look around you!

It takes effort to remain sensitive to the Lord, and to be sensitive towards other people. It takes effort to keep your heart from becoming hardened. But it can be done!

Rehobaom had a sensitive heart towards God, but because he did not take the effort to prepare his heart he did evil and forsook the Lord.

Closing thought. . .
When you prepare your heart, you’ll never have to be concerned about your actions.

Like the title says, “YOU CAN’T BE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN YOUR HEART”

A BREEDING GROUND FOR HYROCRISY

2010-06-03T12:32:00.000-06:00

In my blog IF YOUR HEART IS FIXED IT IS NOT MIXED I made a statement that is revelation and that is that your heart controls your actions
Anytime that a person tries to act differently than the way that they are in there heart then those actions bring forth confusion, turmoil and actually brings forth an hypocrisy, a breeding ground for satan and all that he wants to do in your life

When you try to act differently from the way that you are in your heart it sets up a breeding ground for anything that satan wants to do.

So instead of the child of God dealing with behavior modification, instead of trying to monitor and change our actions we need to go to the root of the problem which is in our heart and get rid of the weeds that are growing there.

Take notice,
When you become born again you receive a new heart.

Ezek 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
When you received that new heart it was not given to you in stone, neither was it set in cement, but rather was changeable.
In other words it was moldable and pliable, so that it can be formed and transformed and the reason that your new heart has to be changeable is because of the society that we live in because this society does not care about matters of the heart.

Our society is more in tune with performance, achievement and experience and because of that many things that we deal with on a daily basis are destructive to the heart

We live in a society where the things that take place around us, the things that present themselves to us, the people that we deal with on a daily basis are destructive to our heart and many of you who have a new heart still have heart issues within your heart that are very destructive to your Christian lifestyle.

The society that we live in has taken on this demonic attitude,
Many of you remember a couple of years ago when the president of the United States was found in adultery, and then when he lied to the entire nation concerning that action, a great number of people were not bothered by those actions because they said that his performance in the white house and running our country was most important and what he did in his personal life had no bearing on the job that he was doing as president

Hear me,
Actions always reveal character and integrity and they always reveal the confines of the heart.

For as you are in your heart so you are.

Prov 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

So what does For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: have to do with Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

The chapter explains the verse
Prov 23:1-6
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

What does all this mean?
It means do not be swayed by this rulers deceitful meat
Consider diligently what is set before thee
Do not be swayed by the food that he has, the influence that he has or his material possessions.

You need to understand that as he thinks so he is

The whole context of this passage of scripture is that you are not to judge this man by the food that he has. by the riches that he has, by the servants that he has, by the possessions that he has, judge him based upon his integrity.

Beware for as he thinks in his heart this is how he is going to be.

You are what you think and what you think your flesh follows.

Allow me to make a statement
The Academy award ceremonies take place in Hollywood but it could also take place in the church

We have many actors in the church and most of them should receive awards for their acting in church and in public and at the homes of friends

But how we really think shows up in our actions at home, with our spouses and children, with our neighbors and with our dog

For as a man think in his heart so that is what he is

It is that which is in your heart that is the real issue,
And you can not consistently be something differently than what is in your heart

What you have in your heart dictates who you are.

You can be the actor, you can play the part of the hypocrite and win an academy award for your performance around people, but that does not change the fact of who you are in your heart is how you are.

This is the reason why so many people fall and revert back to what they were delivered from and those in the church world say,
I would have never believed that they were like that
She was so angelic,
He seemed to be such a good man,
I thought he loved his wife
He treated her so well, they seemed so happy

I would have never thought that he would take up with this other woman, this is the reason that people drink, smoke, go to places that they should not, do things that they should not do, gossip, lie, have bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment

Issues of the heart

If you want your life to change then you have to change your heart and most people want nothing to do with this because after they have been born again they do not want to deal with their heart that has evil issues.

Prov 4:20
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Ps 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.It is in the heart that the word of God has to be hid in.

The word of God is not a head issue, it is not a flesh issue, it is a heart issue and it affects how you think.

Prov 4:22-23
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Everything that you are ever going to desire, everything that you are going to want, everything that is going to be life to you is going to come out of your heart.

Jesus himself said the very same thing in the book of Matthew out of the abundance of your heart the mouth speaks

Listen to me
When you have a heart that is filled with evil it can not produce good things, you may look good, talk good and you may have a story that is good but the end product will be the same as the heart from which it comes out of.

And when it is placed within the fire as stated in 1 Cor 3:12 then its true worth will be revealed
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

I will say it again
As your heart goes so goes your life,
If you want any area of your life to change then your heart in that area needs to change.

2 Chr 12:13-14
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

You may not want to, you may say that you will never turn away from God but you will if you do not prepare your heart to seek the Lord.

WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIXED IT IS NOT MIXED

2010-05-22T18:19:00.000-06:00

Let me start by making this incredible statement. If you’ll prepare your heart you’ll never have to worry about your actions.

What revelation. So long as your heart is right, and prepared, you’ll never have to worry about what you’re going to do or might do. The truth is that you cannot operate differently or separately from the condition of your heart. In large part, the children of God seem to be more focused with their actions and responses, than they are with the condition of their hearts. The condition of the hearts is not to be ignored, because it plays the major part, or catalyst of our actions.

Christians are constantly trying to control their actions, which is impossible, since they really don’t understand the root cause of those actions. The real cause of these actions centers on what’s occurring in their heart (inner man). This is the element of our divine nature that is largely out of control. If we would recognize what the central or real problem is, then we would see clearly that the process needs to be reversed. Focusing on the reaction instead of the cause always results in frustration.

It isn’t our actions that need so much to be addressed, though they certainly can be troublesome to us and those around us. These undesirable outward reactions and responses always reveal deeper hidden problems which must first be addressed.

The spiritual condition of our heart is generally the last thing we consider when we attempt to understand what’s happening to us. If we dealt with the condition of our heart first, then our actions, the by-product of the real problem, would be alleviated.

Remember, dealing with the root cause always results in predictable and desirable outcomes.

This proverb is a key to understanding this mystery.
Prov 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
When your heart becomes fixed or stayed on the things of God, you’ll no longer be concerned or worried about your resulting actions. Isaiah makes this very clear for us.

Isa 26:3-4
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

When your heart is fixed, then your heart is not mixed. It’s not mixed with anxieties, unbelief, doubt, or with a multitude of other things like bitterness and resentment. These and many other negative things reside in the heart of the child of God because they’re unaware of how the condition of their hearts impacts their outward nature.

Ask Paul about a fixed heart. He certainly knew.

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul is speaking to you about a heart that is fixed.

He’s telling you:
1) I’m not moved by the things going on around me.
2) I am not moved by things taking place beside me.
3) I am not moved by what other people do to me.
4) My heart is fixed so that I might finish my course with
joy.

Paul can’t be moved because his heart has been prepared and is fixed on God. The result of that fixation is perfect peace. Who wouldn’t want that for themselves? It’s just as possible for you as it was for him.

Perfect peace results because of your trust and dependence on God. Having intimacy with God, knowing who you are in him, understanding your heart concerning all that he’s done for you is the starting place. When you begin walking and believing in this place, it’ll have a direct impact on the success in your life. You possess the mind of Christ, but you must make his mind your mind. This is where it all begins. It’s the starting place of your relationship with God. The degree, to which you understand this, is going to be to the degree to which you’ll walk in it.

Heb 3:12-13
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

These scriptures have been written for the instruction of the child of God. Take heed and beware, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.

The unbelief spoken of here in scripture is being described as an evil heart, or a heart that hasn’t been renewed in truth.

The scripture further cautions us to beware, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Unbelief and hardness of heart result in a departing from the living God.

Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came to give us life and life more abundantly. Unbelief and hardness of heart make us depart from the life of God, where there is no abundant life.

Please hear this. . .
I honestly don’t believe that there’s a single person reading this blog who wants to depart from the living God. Sadly, though you claim you don’t want to and though your desire is to faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you’ll still end up departing from him regardless. It’s the way or the road that unbelief and hardness of heart takes.

Departing from God takes place internally (in your soul), not externally. Read on.

Mark 7:18-23
And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
So, how is it that people fall away from the Lord? How do people fail in the Lord, or forsake and depart from him? And what’s going to keep you and I from falling away and departing from the living God.

The answer is very clear,

2 Chr 12:13-14
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

The heart of Rehoboam was not prepared to seek the Lord.

…and he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

It’s the reason that Rehoboam did evil and this’ll be the reason we’ll do evil. This is also the reason why people walk away from God, having become frustrated with God and ultimately even forsaking God.

As you can see, not preparing your heart to seek God can and is very dangerous. Preparing to serve God brings you into oneness with him. His ways become your ways and you enjoy the full benefits of intimacy with him.

Once again. . .
Your flesh, or the actions you take, will always follow your heart, or the condition of your heart.

The reason that you do the things you do is because of the root problem of evil within your own heart. The spirit is made new (the new man) in Christ at salvation, but the flesh, or carnal nature is not renewed. It still has evil in its heart. This evil heart desires sin over serving the Living God. Until it is brought into submission according to the word of God, it remains rebellious, seeking its own way.

You may hate the things that you do and wish you could change those undesirable things, but you’re helpless to do anything about them until your heart changes.

As stated, the root problem of evil causes the actions you despise. Until your heart is fixed, you’ll always find yourself in tremendous conflict with what you know is true. Your regenerated spirit tells you what’s right, but you can’t seem to break free to do what’s right. You literally have to force yourself and fight with yourself, not to enter into those things you know are wrong.

Your only solution is to deal with and fix your heart.

Prov 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Final note:

Many of you are probably thinking that this is impossible to do, but I assure you it is not. The God of your salvation will help you and not frustrate you. He desires for you to know his truth that makes captives free. Seek him out! His word – the Bible will guide you into all truth.

The choice is yours to make. Choose Life!

God bless you and keep you as you climb ever upward.

Thanks for remaining faithful to this blog.

DK Grooms

THE DEVILS FOOTHOLD

2010-05-14T16:39:00.000-06:00

Eph 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.

Have you ever wondered what this scripture means, “neither give place to the devil?” Simply stated, it means to give him no opportunity whatsoever, no room to work and no place for a foothold in which he can gain an advantage over you.

We’re on a battlefield when it comes to fighting Satan, which should be rather obvious to the Child of God. His objective in dealing with us is simple, and that is to kill or destroy anyone considered a threat. He’ll resort to any measure to destroy us.

By example, when a soldier is wounded in battle, the enemy essentially gains a foothold over his victim by way of his injury. The injury generally incapacitates the soldier, making him more of a liability and thus ineffective or useless in battle. He’s also more vulnerable to further attacks. Without proper treatment and care, the individual languishes / suffers and often dies as a result.

It’s easy to see the similarities between combat soldiers and children of God. If we’re not prepared, we stand a strong chance of being incapacitated. Wounded Christians are of little effect against him.

2 Cor 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Take note. . .
As children of God, we’ve been given instructions to avoid giving place to the devil, and we are not to be ignorant concerning his devices, so that he doesn’t have, or get an advantage over us.

Since our battle is spiritual, not fleshly, here’s an example in scripture to help us understand some of the snares / weapons he uses.

Eph 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Be ye angry and sin not. . .
Did you notice in God’s word that this is scripture precedes Eph 4:27, where we’re told not to give place to the devil.

Have you wondered why the writers of the gospel inspired by the Holy Ghost placed this scripture right after be ye angry and sin not?

Please allow me to give you some insight concerning this issue. The Holy Spirit understands the pitfalls of anger and the foothold that Satan gains if our emotions are not kept under control.

As children of God, we’re instructed through scripture to be very careful when it comes to anger.

Types of anger. . .
1) Anger that is not godly anger.
2) Anger that is not controlled
3) Anger that is generated by emotion over unimportant issues.
These types of anger are precisely what the devil uses to gain a foothold within the life of a child of God. It wreaks much havoc and unrest.

Questions. . .
1) How many times have you become upset over something that really made absolutely no difference whatsoever in your life?
2) What brought the irritation in your life?
3) What caused that irritation to remain, to finally become completely unbridled – full blown, allowing unrest to have its place and losing all peace?

Perhaps things were said to you that ought never have been said, or thoughts entertained that gave Satan that long sought advantage/ foothold.

Here are some revelations concerning your thoughts. The thoughts you have, which you dwell upon, are the thoughts you’ll inevitably speak. This is where you’ve given the devil a place in which to work. He gains a foothold for himself and we lose victory in our lives. Victory is lost with ungodly anger, peace quickly vanishes, attitudes change and our countenance fades.

Many times the foothold that the devil has in our lives has less to do with him and more to do with our choices. He merely presents the opportunity to enter into darkness, but we’re the ones who enter. You’ve probably heard the saying, “we’re our own worst enemy.” What we need to do is stop being our own worst enemy. Hear the word of the Lord concerning who you are in Christ.

Havoc and chaos are distractions in our lives that we bring about.
It is not the will of God for us to be victims of our foolish choices. We’re to have peace, being of a sound mind, resting in all that he’s done for us.

It’s absolutely amazing what the Lord would do in our lives if we would simply honor him by choosing to stay in perfect peace.

Isa 26:3
thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
As children of God, we must learn to control our emotions and not allow our emotions to control us. That doesn’t mean we’re not to have feelings. Absolutely not! It means that we’re to manage and control our feelings.

In the midst of our anger, being upset and being in uncontrollable circumstances, we’re to posses our souls with patience.

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls.

So, how are the children of God to be in possession of their souls? In peace and rest!

Phil 1:28
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

What does that scripture mean and how does it apply to what we’ve been learning?

If I can paraphrase it for you, it means, “do not, even for a moment, be frightened, or intimidated by anything that your adversary or opponents might do. Consistency and fearlessness on your part will be a clear sign. It’s proof and a seal to them (the devil and his demons) of their impending destruction and a sure token, with evidence, of your deliverance and salvation from God himself.

How are we to be in the possession of our souls? By being consistent and fearless!

Ps 23:4-6
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Good news. . .
According to Philippians 1:28, the clear sign, the proof, the seal, the token and evidence to our enemies of their defeat and destruction and our deliverance and salvation is our consistency and our fearlessness in the face of our arch enemy.

What’s the sign that the devil can not control us? Consistency and our fearlessness!

What is the sign, the token of victory? Consistency and our fearlessness!

It’s our confession of power and authority over the devil and his demons; our consistency and our fearlessness, even in the face of his onslaught against us.

Many would ask, “why does our deliverance seem to take so long?”

I believe it’s because the Lord is waiting to see if we truly trust and believe in him.
Because if we really do trust in the Lord, we’ll remain seated with him, in rest, in heavenly places, while the he works out everything for our good.

Scripture makes it clear that Christ is now seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father. Our place is to be seated at his right hand, resting with him because the work has already been done. The work is completed!

Eph 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

And what exactly does seated signify?
To be seated signifies that we’re fully satisfied and assured / persuaded that God is able and mighty to keep his word concerning all of His promises to his children. Therefore, we’re able to be seated, with Christ, according to the rest that he provides.

What unseats us?
When the devil gets a foothold in your life!

Our solution to all of our problems and storms in life, even in the unrest all around us, is to say with all confidence that I shall remain seated in Christ, enjoying the presence of the Master, while he works out everything that needs to be worked out.
Glory to God!

Remaining calm in the time of adversity. . .

Ps 94:12-13
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Let me read it to you in another version,
Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law;
you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

The Lord uses every event, all distractions, situations and circumstances, even the efforts of the devil and the people around us, desiring to destroy us, to buildup our spiritual character, power and most holy faith.

Most Christians think the Lord empowers us to have authority, to overcome every problem in life, by rebuking the devil. So we rebuke every situation thinking it’s an evil event, often failing to see what God is really wanting to do in our lives.

No matter what’s going on around us, what terrible things are taking place in our midst, even the daily things that assault us continually, we’re to remain the same, rooted and grounded and in Christ unmovable. We’re to stand firm on the rock of Christ.

The Lord is working in our lives to discipline us; to chasten us; to instruct us, so he can give us the power to keep us calm in the day of adversity. In that power, we can confidently and patiently wait upon the Lord for our promised deliverance, salvation and the destruction of our enemies.

Phil 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passed all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Seated with Christ in heavenly places, at the right hand of God, where we’re truly anxious for nothing. What a promise!

Take away the devil’s advantage. Trust in Christ! Read and study his word for yourself. Then live the life you were destined to live – seated next to the Master.

God Bless You All!

HERO SPEAKS OUT

2010-05-08T18:51:00.000-06:00

I received this today and I was so impressed with this 95 year old hero I felt impressed to place it on my Heart--Thoughts blog.
God Bless America

95 year old hero!

Letter To Obama at Whitehouse Sent from 95 year Old Pearl Harbor Survivor !! Fantastic!!

WW II Battleship sailor tells Obama to shape up or ship out !

This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.

Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.
You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"
" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even
announced to the world," America is mean-
spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching
that nonsense to 23 generations of our
war dead buried all over the globe who
died for no other reason than to free a
whole lot of strangers from tyranny and
hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts , who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.
You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle...

Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes

Snopes confirms as true:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/haroldestes.asp

When a 95 year old hero of the "the Greatest Generation" stands up and speaks out like this, I think we owe it to him to send his words to as many Americans as we can. Please pass it on.

THE WARFARE OF REST

2010-05-03T15:51:00.000-06:00

Heb 4:3
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Today I want to speak to you for a few moments about a place called ‘rest’ and the warfare that’s involved as we strive to enter into that glorious place of rest. It is important that we enter into the rest of God, but clearly it is up to us whether we enter or not. Even as the nation of Israel was bidden of God to enter into his rest, the promised land of all things pleasant, they chose not to because of their unwarranted fears.

So let’s deal with the requirements of gaining entry into this place of rest, as it relates to us today, according to New Testament scripture.

How do we enter? It’s simple really; we enter the door by believing and trusting. There’s nothing complicated, nor confusing about the promises of God, nor his instruction to us. But aren’t we the ones today, as they too were the ones in history past, who simply choose not to accept his word regarding this blessed place of rest. We take the simple command and make it complicated by our thinking and reasoning. We challenge all of the promises of God, making them Goliaths of impossibility, refusing to do as he has commanded us.

At this point, I’m sure that almost every child of God will rise up saying, “well, I believe, and I certainly trust God.” But let’s be careful and not too hasty in making such statements of belief and trust, especially in light of what we know from scripture, when an entire generation of God’s people were denied entry into this place called rest, the promised land because of their unbelief.

Let me show you the importance of what I am talking about.

Heb 3:10-12
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

The word of God is telling us several things here in this scripture.
1) That there is a real place called his rest.
2) That there were many who grieved him because they erred in their heart and did not know his ways, resulting in a failure to enter into his rest.
3) That we, the children of God, according to the new covenant, are also are to beware, lest we too enter not into that place called rest.

Question: What was it that caused the Lord to be grieved with that generation and swore that they would not enter into his rest?

Now stay with me. . .
1) Remember, this was not the first time rebellion surfaced in the children of God.
2) There were many instances of unbelief; a series of events that occurred from the time of the Red Sea Crossing to Kadesh Barnea.
3) Because of their continued unbelief, God grew weary of these people. This was the final straw.

Num 13:25-26
And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Now listen to what the spies said.
Verse 28
Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
VERSE 30
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

What really happened at Kadesh Barnea? The Israelites became fearful and upset by the words spoken by these ten fearful spies. Only two of the twelve spies, Caleb and Joshua gave a strong and encouraging report. Caleb could see fear rising up among the people and knew he had to make their case fast. The word of God says he ‘stilled’ the people before Moses. Why? Because there was better news to be conveyed and he didn’t want them to miss the opportunity to hear it. He and Joshua knew what God had promised the nation of Israel and were convinced they could possess the land in God’s strength, regardless of what was being said by the other ten spies. Caleb didn’t want them making a hasty decision based on a bad report, so he was trying desperately to embolden the children of Israel to go and immediately take the Promised Land because it was their inheritance, their possession.

What was the result? The impact of the negative report was greater than the truth of God’s promise. Fear had entered the hearts of the people based on lies and they would not go in. The ten spies had given the bad report and the people became upset over the bad report.

Question. . .
How many people reading this blog right now have received a bad report of your own, or become upset because of uncontrollable circumstances in just the past six months? Perhaps the negative report came from your doctor of a serious or deadly ailment. Maybe your employer was considering layoffs or cutting jobs. What if your spouse was asking for a divorce? How many are loosing their homes and possessions? Fear of the economy? The list goes on and on. Bad news is everywhere and touches everyone at one time or another. Has a bad report caused you great anxiety and fear? Each day brings greater fear and all hope seems dashed. Where are the promises of God? Unbelief rears its ugly head. Now you only deal in doubt and unbelief.

All it took was the bad report! “. . . Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.”

There it is! Unbelief has established itself.

How then are we supposed to defeat the devil? How can we stop what he is trying to do in our lives?

Four things to remember. . .
1) Don’t become upset by what you see before you.
2) Don’t become upset by what has been said to you, or what you hear.
3) Don’t become upset by situations and circumstances taking place around you.
4) Trust Only! – Believe Only!

“For we who have believed do enter into rest.”

Let me paraphrase it by saying it another way.
For we who have believed, who have adhered to, who have trusted in and have relied on God do enter into his rest...

2 Tim 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

What is this scripture trying to teach us? What is the meaning of perilous times? It means that times of great stress and great troubles are upon us all. It also means that times will be very difficult and hard to deal with / hard to bear. Well, if you haven’t guessed already, we’re in hard times and in times that are very difficult and hard to deal with / hard to bear. Perilous times are upon us.

2 Tim 3:2-5
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Vs 11
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

What a great statement of faith that Paul gives each of us in this scripture. It’s a good report in the midst of everything that’s negative.

Vs 12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Hear the word of God again. . .
Continue in those things that thou hast learned and thou hast been assured of and knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

What should our response be to living in these perilous times and being in the midst of an atmosphere of pending doom?

2 Tim 4:2-4
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We’re to preach the word no matter what. Should we keep our sense of urgency concerning the word and the time in which we live? YES!
1) We need to always be on stand by, always diligent, always alert.
2) We need to be firmly united with like minded believers.
3) We need to be ready whenever the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, convenient or inconvenient, welcomed or unwelcome.

Listen to the word. . . “…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

What does that mean? “…correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction.”

Why are the children of God given instruction to reprove, rebuke and exhort? So that the individuals will not move farther from the truth than where they already are.

VERSE 3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

More questions to consider. . .
1) What should our response be concerning all the trouble we see in the world?
2) What should our response be concerning all the troubles we see happening in our lives?
3) What should our response be concerning all the cares of the world?
4) What should our response be concerning people who are difficult to deal with and harder to bear?

Scripture says. . .

2 Tim 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Two other versions help us understand the meaning.

(NIV version) But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

(Living Bible) Stand steady, and don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Bring others to Christ. Leave nothing undone that you ought to do.

Our response in trouble and perilous times should be that we remain calm, cool and collected. It’s the will of God for our lives because we trust him.

Now, let’s go back to Kadesh Barnea, back to the crossing into Canaan Land.

1) We’re the Israelites calm, cool and collected? Absolutely not!
2) Were they steady? Absolutely not!
3) Did they keep there heads? Absolutely not!
4) Were they watchful enduring hardships? Absolutely not!

Then what were they? What was the condition of their hearts and minds concerning the great promise God wanted to bestow on them? They were certainly in one mind and one accord, but in the worst sense of the word. Collectively they were upset, confused, anxious, bewildered, frustrated. They had lost all hope, feeling they were doomed to suffer or die horribly in a “terrible place” God called his “Promised Land.” How tragic! Instead of having their minds stayed on God and his promise, they had their eyes fixated on the problem. They lost the battle concerning his rest, they lost the warfare of their hearts and minds that must be won if they were to ever enter into his rest.

Because of the choice they made, individually and collectively, they lost out on God’s best and they did not enter into his rest.

Where will you rest tonight?

The warfare of his rest.

BELIEVING AGAINST HOPE

2010-04-19T16:20:00.000-06:00

Rom 4:18
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

The title of my blog seems to swirl in the midst of contradiction and even opposition. Yet the scripture verifies and brings to light the much needed response that should come from the child of God, to hope against hope, just as Abraham hoped.

In reality, everyone hopes for better things, but hope, by itself, is not enough.

Why not, you ask? Because hope does not produce the necessary results which will accomplish the task. The truth of the matter is that you can even fail in your own hope.

If you want results from hope, you must believe against hope. If you are redeemed and blood bought, if you believe and stand on the promises of God, then you’ll also need to stand in the victory that should make all believers more than conquerors. It’s not about believing only, but confirming your belief by standing firm and unmovable in that belief.

This may seem like such a difficult thing, but it really isn’t. It’s actually no more difficult than faith in believing in every element of the salvation experience.

Rom 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
What makes us more than conquerors? Three things. . .
#1 We must be redeemed or born again.
#2 We must know that we are the first fruits of His glorious resurrection.
#3 We have to know that we’re children of light.

Circumstances and situations overwhelm everyone from time to time, but even these should be no excuse for our abandoning what we know to be true. Whether men or organization(s) agrees or disagrees with you, it ultimately is up to you alone to believe and then continue believing – believing against hope. Standing independent of what others think, when you know what the Lord has placed in your heart can be taxing on you spiritually, but be of good cheer, you’re in fine company. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Esther, Job, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Paul, Silas, Peter, John and the multitudes of other New Testament church disciples, who have gone on before, are but a few of the pillars of faith. In fact you can be counted among them if you’ll believe as they dared believe.

The men and women of faith understood the cost of believing against hope. We should never be ignorant of what true fellowship with Christ costs. Everything has it’s cost, whether in Christ, serving him, or separated from him, serving sinful lusts. Choose today whom ye shall serve.

Eph 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1Thes 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

We are the light of the Lord in this world and we should be walking as children of light.

Listen once again to the scripture - “we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” We are of the light.

Dear brothers and sisters, we had better get this in our mindset and into our hearts. Because light is the only thing that makes darkness flee.

So what happens to us if. . .
1) As children of God, we don’t walk in the marvelous light of the Lord because of ignorance?
2) We fail to fully understand the tremendous value and worth that comes with being children of light, in our daily walk?

If we don’t walk in his marvelous light, then darkness slowly overtakes us. Darkness erodes, or continually dims the light until it’s finally extinguished. Then we’ll become as dark as everything around us, and the world and those closest to us suffer.

1) When are we going to stop thinking and embracing the darkness that wants to engulf us?
2) When are we going to stop speaking the negative things which dims and hinders the light that has been placed inside of us?
3) When are we going to stop empowering Satan in our lives?
4) When are we going to stop adding to the devastation of death and begin walking in the light and believing and behaving as children of light?

And what about all these things that hinder and beset us from running this race called life? Perhaps this will help.

Rom 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So what are we as children of God supposed to do concerning the tribulations, distresses, persecutions, famines, nakedness and death?

We’ll have to come to the stark truths of God’s word and embrace them as our divine right. A renewed mind is essential if we’re to overcome darkness, but then this is not what most of God’s people want to hear.

Everyone loves to sing songs about being overcomers, but precious few want to pick up the fallen standard and carry it headlong into battle. Light transforms people. It helps them to clearly see the possibilities that are in Christ. People generally love the warmth of light. It invigorates and grows things. It makes weak vessels strong and gives hope to peoples cast down and trampled down by the works of Satan. Finally, it makes over comers out of failures. Ask Peter about that.

You may have started out bad, but thanks be to God, “you can finish top of the class.”

Listen to the apostle Paul in:
Rom 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are you going to rejoice with Paul who said in:

2 Cor 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Who wants to keep allowing death and negatism to keep their light dim?
Will you stand on the irrefutable promises of God and believe everything he has proclaimed through his Son?

Luke 6:45-46
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

More questions about yourself. . .
1) When are you going to believe what you see and speak what you see, in your spirit?
2) Will you prefer believing and speaking what your carnal ears hear, what your five senses and your feelings or emotions dictate to you?
3) When will you take a stand to stand on the promises of the Lord,

Wouldn’t you love to be like Abraham? A man who didn’t stagger at the promises of God. We all would! And it’s possible too! Even more so today, because Christ is risen!

Gal 3:6
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Remember, God told Abraham that he was going to give him a son. After Abraham looked at his body, then he looked at the body of Sarah and replied unto God saying, “Yes Lord, I believe.” For out of his heart, his mouth spoke faith, and it was counted unto him as righteousness.

On the other hand, God also told Sarah that He has going to give her a child, a boy. She then looked at her body and no doubt the body of her husband Abraham and laughed.

Remember this. . .
Let me tell you what Sarah’s laugh birthed. It birthed a Hagar. I also birthed a Ishmael. It birthed confusion and dissention in the family of Abraham, which is still going on to this day.

But Abraham believed… and it was counted unto him for righteousness. It brought forth the promise - the child Isaac. Through the promise, the Christ child came.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE BIRTHED IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?

TURNING ON THE LIGHT

2010-04-17T12:57:00.000-06:00

Eph 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

What is it that hinders and restricts the child of God from attaining and receiving that which has already been provided for them through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Though there are variables to that question, I want to bring to you a promise and insight that I believe will make all the difference in your walk with Christ.

And that is. . . YOUR ATTITUDE CAN BE MANAGED BY THE WORD OF GOD

What a promise we have. Our attitudes can actually be managed, ruled and controlled by the word of God.

If you’ve been looking for great revelation and good news, then this is surely it.

Haven’t you ever wondered why is it that we, as children of God, constantly need our attitudes adjusted and why they’re like a roller coaster ride that never seems to end?

Please allow me to give you some precious insight. Our attitudes are the way they are because we haven’t yet come to the truth and the realization that everything has already been done and accomplished in the spirit.

When you have the mindset that God needs to furnish something else for you that is still lacking, or feel there are things that He has left unfinished concerning you, that would make you complete, the truth doesn’t reside in you.

You are not dealing in the reality of God’s word wherein He has promised that all things have already been provided for according to His divine power.

2 Pet 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

When you remove, or separate yourselves from the reality of God’s word, then that greatly affects your mind and attitude. The difference, or outcome, is whether you walk in victory or defeat.

Do I need to say it again?
When your mindset is stuck on what you believe to be the unfinished work of Christ, you lose out.

There is a huge difference between people who fast and pray, in order “to move the hand of God,” and people who walk in genuine power and authority of that which has already been done/ given by Him.

Please listen!
We are not the sick trying to get healed and we are not the undelivered trying to get delivered. We are the healed and delivered in Christ. Satan is trying to steal these truths from us.

When people pray and fast for healing and deliverance; when they are fighting the good fight of faith and seem to spend enormous amounts of time rebuking the devil, whom they feel is personally blocking the move and hand of God, usually the effort is about getting something we feel we lack for ourselves which will make us complete. Perhaps it’s about standing in the gap, praying and interceding for the benefit of others, who are just as lacking.

The good fight of faith is in knowing what rightfully belongs to you in Christ and keeping it. Praying for others is so they too will come realize these truths and receive them as their own lives.

When you walk in the power and authority of that which is already been done, you’ll still pray, you’ll still fast and you’ll still rebuke the devil. But you’ll be doing these things in new light and revelation. You won’t be rebuking him so that healing and deliverance will come to you. You’ll be rebuking him because he’s a thief who’s bent on stealing something that already belongs to you.

What’s the difference?
Your attitude.

When your attitude sees yourself as already blessed instead of waiting to be blessed; when you see yourself already healed, already delivered, already financially prosperous and already forgiven, then this difference is victory.

Remember, it’s much easier to keep something that you already have, or own, if you truly know it belongs to you, than it is to go get it back, when you didn’t even think was yours in the first place.

This is the powerful, but unfortunate mindset that affects multitudes of God’s people.

Everyone knows that God is able. We all know that God can do all things. We know that virtually nothing is impossible with God, so what do they do anyway? They petition, plead, fast and pray to God to move on their behalf. It seems so good and Godly, so surely it must be a holy and righteous thing to do. It’s the place where they start, but actually it’s a place of defeat.

Starting places can include. . .
1) A place of desperation.
2) A place of discouragement.
3) A place of need.

They’ll pick a place out of the Word of God, but do so according to the flesh. Though they don’t realize it, they’re actually operating from within the enemy’s camp.

Instead of starting from the place of complete victory in the Lord’s camp; a place of full understanding and confidence in their relationship with the Father, they’ll start in the enemy’s camp where they embrace the lie(s) about who they are in Christ, resulting in never ending struggles of trying to be victorious.

I’m not saying that you cannot get to victory from the enemy’s camp, which, at best, is a difficult place to be. Rather, I’m telling you that there is a better place, a better camp from which to start.

In the camp of the Lord, there is always victory. We see what the Father is doing and we do it too. We go from victory to victory!

Let me show you something in this scripture. . .

1Thes 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Children, hear what the word of God tells us through the words of Paul . . . and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.
That word holy in the Greek is holoteiace and it means to be sanctified completely or to be sanctified entirely. Then Paul makes this incredible statement as he’s praying for those in Thessalonica.

And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our lord Jesus Christ.

Here’s revelation knowledge. . .
You’re a triune man, which is made up of three separate parts, spirit, soul and body.

And Paul says, “I pray that your whole spirit your soul and your body are preserved blameless until the coming of our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

I believe most Christians have an understanding that they are made up of these three parts, but their understanding is only tied to hearing it with their natural ears, than the application of it through their hearts, or what I call revelation knowledge.

Most people relate to themselves through those two primary avenues, specifically their soul, or emotions, and then also through their physical body. These are the two avenues that the majority of God’s people tend to relate to God and to them selves as well.

The average child of God does not see himself or herself through the spirit, or the third part of our being.

It is not terribly difficult to discern the emotions of the soul, nor is it difficult to discern the feelings of the body. We’re naturally in tune with both of these. We experience them on a daily basis. What very few of God’s people relate to is the one third of our being that is born again. The one third of us that is identical to Jesus at salvation, and the one third of us that is both sanctified holy and righteous because of Christ in us.

I don’t believe that there are ten Christians in a thousand who even have revelation knowledge concerning the spirit, soul and body, or who walk in that knowledge on a daily basis. I find that tragic!

It’s a shameful tragedy, and yet, the average Child of God doesn’t even understand that the only part of them that is born again is their spirit man, NOT the soul or body. If the spirit isn’t allowed to influence and transform the soul with the truths of God’s word, then the body will continue do what it has always done through the soul, or what we know as the “seat of our emotions.”

It is amazing to me how multitudes of Christians have placed such tremendous importance on getting souls saved. There are only two scriptures in the entire New Testament that speak of souls being saved. Neither of which has anything to do with the born again experience.

James 1:21
wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Heb 10:39
but we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Neither one of these scriptures speaks about being born again. Why is that, you ask. Because in the born again experience, your soul is not saved, only your spirit is made brand new – a new creature.

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Old things are passed away and all things are new, because you are a new creature.

VERSE:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Cor 5:17 is not speaking about your physical body, or your soul, becoming brand new. It speaks only of your spirit.

When you became born again your soul did not change or die; neither did your emotions change and your body did not change or die. Only the spirit was made new in Christ, or – BORN AGAIN.

Multitudes of God’s people place such great emphasis and importance on saving souls. Properly stated, the soul can never be saved. It can only be renewed.

Rom 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Salvation comes by hearing the Word of God and receiving, by faith, the finished work of Christ. This results in the death of our old man, which is then regenerated in Christ as a new creature. The body and soul remain as they were. Only renewing of the mind (soul) brings about the desired change in the body.

Have you ever heard the saying, “As the mind goes, so goes the body?”

I’ve often wondered how it is that so many people, who’ve been born again, believe that everything about them changed when they accepted Christ. No wonder they doubt their salvation experience. Walking away from an altar, they find that they still think and feel the same. Nothing appears different to them, though in fact, if genuine, they are indeed different. Their spirit man has been made new in Christ. The old man is dead, replaced with the new creation that only Christ can give. Faith makes the work a finished work. Now it’s the soul and body that needs to catch up to these truths through the renewing of the mind.

It’s a wonderful and beautiful journey that begins with salvation and ends upon our earthly death. Behold all things would become new and the old things would pass away.

Christians falsely think that salvation includes a change in all things. Most prayed a prayer of faith at an altar, which they no doubt really meant. But instead of coming into the full promise of his word / truth, they entered into a state of confusion and doubt when things didn’t quite change in the ways they wanted.

Here are but a few examples. They thought. . .
1) That lusts and evil desires will simply go away.
2) That bad circumstances and situations in their lives would be easily remedied.
3) That broken marriages, that a moment before were total disasters, would suddenly and instantly be healed.
4) That all that was wrong in life would unexpectedly be made right.
5) That their runaway emotions and attitudes would now behave and be completely under control.
6) That their past and all that they hated and disliked about it would be completely gone and forgotten.

Does this sound like someone you know?
They were accepting and rejoicing in the experience of the moment, but never actually came to a place of knowing the kind of truth(s) that brings real freedom. If you have real freedom in your inner or new man, and you do, then transformation in the soul and body can take place as your mind is renewed.

Emotions, attitudes and feelings, are conflicts when revealed by the truths of God’s word. Christians who do not allow the words of truth to wash over them remain captives of all that the soul and body experience. Though they are captives, the real prisoner is the new man within them who yearns to be set free, to possess all things, but is sadly at the mercy of a person who knows nothing of this new man and the freedoms he has come to give each of us.

Anonymous Quote: “You can’t have what you don’t know”

When you come into understanding concerning the word of God, only then will God’s word bring the necessary understanding, or renewing, that makes it possible for a lifestyle change in you. We then become more than conquerors.

Rom 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
As great a word as this is, multitudes of God’s people simply do not feel like conquerors, nor do they walk in the lifestyle of a conqueror.

This scripture was written about the new man, the new creature in Christ, in you, not the flesh man who accepted Christ.

When the light comes on in the hearts of God’s people, then God’s people will begin walking in that light – “the eyes of their understanding being enlightened.”

Be blessed in the Lord. His words are powerful, enlightening and full of joy. Walk in the light while there is still time.

WHAT I HAVE, I GIVE YOU

2010-03-05T20:07:00.000-06:00

Mark 13:34
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

I wonder if I can get a witness from the child of God that this scripture literally speaks volumes to those who have ears to hear.
“and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work. . .”

What authority? Authority to rule and reign with Christ, to speak now faith into existence, as stated in Hebrews 11:1, to cast out demons, cleanse the lepers and with authority, healing those who are sick.

The Son of Man, Christ, gave His authority to His servants and to every man his work.

The principle of using authority to rule and reign, casting out demons, speaking with assurance and confidence in and of faith, cleansing lepers and especially healing the sick, is a principle that is lacking in the church of the living God today.

Sadly, this is an attribute that most of God’s people sorely lack today. When it comes to casting out demons, cleansing lepers and healing the sick, most of the church is very passive about these things. Most believers will wait on the pastor to hear a special word from God, or they’ll hold on till an evangelist comes to town. “Surely, these revival meetings will deliver an outpouring of all of the promises of God,” they say.

Outside of these events occurring, most believers feel that they have zero ability to control any of these situations themselves. Most believe that it is up to a move of God as to whether or not people are healed or touched, which is absolutely false.

I’m sure many of you reading this blog are shocked at what I’m bringing you, but as believers and servants of God, we’re the ones who’ve been given the authority to do his work. The reason that we are not healed and set free is because we do not exercise the right of our spiritual authority. The Word of God is explicit. Our authority is granted by the one in authority, Jesus Christ. But because we do not take hold of this truth, through ignorance, our healing, deliverance and prosperity are greatly hindered. We suffer lack, when we should be living in the abundance and fullness of this revelation.

My intention is neither to offend, nor to bring condemnation on anyone. It’s only after much study, that the Lord has revealed these truths in my spirit, to give you, so that you will know and understand these things and your true position as Children of God. As stated, we’re too passive concerning our position in Christ. Christ wants us to be pro-active in the issues of our faith, especially concerning the authority of believers.

I’ll tell you what it’s like. We pray and ask God to move in healing for someone, then sit back and wait to see if they are. This isn’t faith and it isn’t pro-active. We’re asking God to do something for us, when he’s told us to do it.

God doesn’t to need to move today. He moved over 2,000 years ago! The work’s been done! It’s complete; finished! We simply have not applied the truth of it to our thinking. Christ tells us to only believe. But we seldom do.

2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

If you’re going to have the mind set or attitude that God needs to move for you, then I guarantee that death will come to your situation, whatever it is. It will cause you to die, or be unfruitful, in that area and the other areas of unbelief in your life. You’ll have far more defeats than victories.

The attitude of the child of God today is not the same attitude of the early church men and women. They didn’t keep calling on Christ to come down and do something, when they had just witnessed his ascension into heaven. He was gone. He left ministry in their hands, to perform it as they had been instructed, through the power of the Holy Spirit, whom He did send, as promised. In fact he told them to wait for it before proceeding. They did, and what wonders were wrought as a result. Read the book of Acts and be blessed.

Acts 3:1-8
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Thirty eight years this man had been a cripple, unable to walk. He was always at the mercy of someone to carry him daily to the gate, or entrance to the temple. No doubt he’d hoped his condition could be different, or that someone might give him a bit of encouragement, hope, or money. He was always expectant, or he wouldn’t have been there at the gate. What a day this turned out to be. The best event of his life was about to occur, and all because of a pro-active children of God, in this case Peter and John, believers who believed that the work had already been done by the Master.

As Peter and John approached, the beggar begins to ask of them alms. Then Peter, fastening his eyes upon him says, “look on us.”

Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:

This concept is far removed from the church world of today. We all believe that God can heal and that God wants to heal. But very few actually believe that healing is for us today, or that, at the very least, at our disposal, by faith, to help those in need.

Note: It is important for you to understand that in all likelihood, this beggar would have gone to his grave crippled, if Peter and John had not fully understood who they were in Christ. These men were not confused. They both knew what was available to them because of Christ’s death, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. They had total clarity about the issue of divine authority granted them by Christ and they exercised it at every opportunity.

If we believe that it is only in the hands of God to heal or that it is an exercise of His will to select worthy people to be healed, then, we know nothing about Christ, or his word.

The responsibility of exercising authority is in the hands of the appointed. In simpler terms, Christ has delegated his authority to his heirs, while he is away. And we are his heirs.

Have you ever noticed that when we see or hear of an individual who’s been healed, we’ll praise God and testify of his goodness? If we see they are not healed, then the testimony is that we’re still waiting for His will to take place in our lives, or for him to move.

People don’t like to hear that they’re to have something to do with, or are responsible for the healing that’s to take place in their body. It makes and holds them accountable to God.

Our society and denominational churches have taught us to be masters at dodging any type of responsibility. They find it easier to say that it’s God’s fault we’re not healed, than to accept the responsibility ourselves. How convenient is that!

There are millions of alcoholics who’re deceived believing they have a disease instead of a demon. Multitudes of men and women are controlled by prescription drugs because they’ve been told that they’re emotionally unstable, had the wrong parents, husband or wife, etc. In reality, the only problems in your lives have been the choices that you’ve made. You’re responsible for every decision.

When you start making right choices, seek the face of God, making him first in your life instead of the things you want, then your choices will start becoming a truer reflection of Christ and Him in you.

When I tell Children of God that they have authority over healing, it seems offensive to them. They don’t want to hear it, but that doesn’t change the truth of God’s word.

If you’re born again and spirit filled, you’re response to people who a need to be healed or delivered should be, as Peter stated, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee, rise up and walk in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This should be your response as a pro-active, authority empowered child of the living God.

Did you notice, there was no question mark in Peter’s statement? There wasn’t any, ‘if it’s the will of God,’ or none of. . . ‘maybe it’s not my season or my time.’ No sir, none of that was present. Peter knew full well that it was the will of God to heal that beggar man and he also knew that he had the authority to speak life to this man’s dead situation. The beggar was looking up at them, expecting to receive – faith. So, upon speaking these words, Peter reached down and grabbing the man by the hand, jerked him to his feet. Instantaneously he was healed – then and there! Was this a sad event? Not at all! This was a glorious event and it turned Jerusalem upside down with the exciting news. The people in the city knew this man and his condition. There was no denying it. God, moving through his church, people of faith, performed this supernatural work. Read the account for yourselves. See it in your mind’s eye, even as it unfolded for this beggar man. Then sense the joy and gladness that he must’ve felt having been freed from this life long terrible bondage.

I can only imagine what would happen if this were to take place in most of our churches today? I’m sure you’ll agree that the church does not experience many of these great works today. Could it be that there isn’t a real clear understanding of how the kingdom of God really works here on the earth today.

Fear of operating in the realm of the supernatural is quite evident in the lives of God’s children. People feel it is taboo to enter God’s supernatural kingdom. That it’s somehow off-limits to do what they feel God alone should be doing, much less claiming to have been given God’s authority to do so here on the earth ourselves. They’ll tell us, “If God wants it done, he’ll do it himself.” This theology keeps people sick and in bondage.

Perhaps you’re reading this message right now and are “rubbed the wrong way” by what I am saying. This isn’t what you’ve been taught But I invite you now to check out the scriptures for yourself. I have nothing to hide and you have everything to gain. If you’ll do honest research in scripture, you’ll discover that you do indeed have the authority of which I speak, not something manmade or conjured up, but God given. You do have power to walk in the supernatural if you’re born again and spirit filled, with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Granted, you can’t just go up to someone and heal them against their will, nor can you deliver someone who has no desire to be delivered. It wasn’t against the beggar’s will. He wanted something and he received it. It was beyond his expectation, but he received it anyway.

There are obvious limitations when you are dealing with other people and their will, but there should be no obstacles when dealing with yourselves. You have complete control and authority to become limitless according to the power that works within you; to be healed, delivered, set free from every weight and made prosperous, etc.

Eph 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Not healed? It isn’t because God doesn’t want you healed. It’s because you haven’t received and believed the truths of his word in faith; the word that sets the captives free. Enjoy what was freely given you through Christ’s atonement then tell us your testimony, so we can rejoice with you.

We do have authority and control! Use it!

SUCH AS I HAVE GIVE I THEE

PS - It is imperative that the Children of God know their heritage. We will certainly reign with him in the future, but for now we reign apart from him while on this earth, as his ambassadors.
Read the Word of God for yourselves. Challenge everything you read and hear in the light of his glorious word. It’s your responsibility!

YOU KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT YOU ARE

2010-02-27T18:53:00.000-06:00

Eph 1:17-18
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Last week in Heart-Thoughts of DK I wrote a message titled Revelations Right Results Right and I made this statement that if we as children of God are not getting the results that we are desiring in our relationship with God then the core problem is misconceptions and misunderstandings about God and the way that God operates concerning us and what that all boils down to a lack of knowledge on our part.

That is an awesome revelation and the reason that so many people live there lives in this condition is because of misconceptions concerning God and those misconceptions hinder their relationship with God.

Heb 7:16-18
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

The word of God is telling us that Jesus Christ was not made a high priest after the law of a carnal commandment nor was He made a High Priest after the Leviticus Law; He was made a High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec and through the power of an endless life.

Verse 18
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

To what is the disannulling?
The disannulling is to the commandment going before or in other words concerning the Old Testament commands,

That word disannulling in the Greek is athetaysis and it means to cancel, to put away and the reason that there is a cancellation of the commandment going before is because of the weakness and powerlessness that existed in the previous commandments

In other words let me bring something to you that will shock you
The Old Testament commandments are not for the New Testament believers

This is powerful and yet very few are going to take the time to study out what I am saying and come to the truth that will literally change their lives.

I need to say it again so that there is no confusion the Old Testament commands are not for New Testament believers.

This is one of the reasons that there is so much confusion about God today,
The things that God did and had to do in the Old Testament because of the covenant that existed at that time many of God’s children have no understanding concerning those things and because they do not understand they have wrong conceptions concerning the covenant in the New Testament.

Verse 19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

The word of God is clear, the law made nothing perfect. It brought no hope, no life and no expectation but the bringing in of a better hope did by which we can draw nigh unto God and the better hope brought unto us was the opportunity to have intimacy with Almighty God.

Heb 8:7
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

The first covenant prophesied the end of itself and prophesied that there was something better that was coming and yet multitudes of Christians today are still trying to relate and to have relationship with God through the first covenant that was disannulled.

The reason that the old covenant was disannulled is because the first covenant was not compatible with the second covenant, the two covenants do not contradict each other but it is the second covenant that fulfills the first covenant and the first covenant compliments and ushers in the second covenant.

But if you try to live your life according to the Old Testament and the New Testament at the same time you are going to have ideas about God that are not accurate and complete because the two covenants can not be mixed together.
Many of our ideas about God come from the Old Testament and those ideas do not give a complete and accurate representation of God.

Jesus Christ is the total and complete expression and perfect representation of the glory of the Father

John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Here is a truth that very few of God’s children really grasp,
If Christ would have been present in His physical body in the Old Testament a great deal of the things that were done by men of God and who were anointed by God in the Old Testament would have been rebuked by Christ

And the reason that they would have been rebuked is because they did not give a true representation of the Father

Heb 8:8
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

This verse not only applies to the house of Israel but this verse applies to every born again child of God, for we are the heirs of Abraham through faith and have been grafted into the house of Israel

Look at the verse,
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

For all that are of this house shall know me personally, intimately and be in close communion with me.
We do not have to depend on some one telling us about God, some one relating to us about God, some one teaching us about God for they shall know me from the least to the greatest.

Heb 8:12-13
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

This is a radical statement being made by God,
I will be merciful to there unrighteousness and I will remember there iniquities no more and what that means is that if you are born again that means past, present and future.

And if you do not believe that your future sins are forgiven then you also have to concur that no one in this day and age can be saved because He took care of the sin issue two thousand years ago.

Most of Gods children believe that God holds their sins against them, that God holds them accountable and responsible for their sins and that God holds back blessing and refuses to answer prayers based upon sins that He holds against them.

For some reason we as children of God still feel that God relates to us based upon our sins and failures,
This is one of the reasons that we hold and esteem prayer and fasting and tithing in such high regard because if we are not doing these things that is the reason that God has not moved as He should be moving in our lives

We have in our mentality that God moves according to the good that we have been doing and that is a misrepresentation of the gospels and the character of God

And just to set the record straight no I do not believe in once saved always saved and neither do I believe that you can live your life anyway that you want regardless of sin
The word of God is very clear that sin kills and destroys and those who deliberately sin are stupid because sin will cost you more than what you are willing to pay.

I need to say it again,
We have in our mentality that God moves according to the good that we have been doing and that is a misrepresentation of the gospels and the character of God

The word of God tells us that He will be merciful to our unrighteousness and our sins and iniquities and He will remember them no more

Heb 8:13
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Here is truth
For the most part the child of God and even many preachers have very little understanding concerning the relationship between the Old and the New covenant and because of the misunderstandings that we have we have been getting wrong results in our relationship with God and those wrong results have brought much confusion and division concerning our relationship with God.

Please have understanding,
No matter what your perception of God is He is still God and He is not changed by your perception of Him but the huge difference is that you can not receive right results from God when you have wrong revelations or perceptions of Him

If you do not think that God still works miracles that does not change the fact that He is still El Shaddai and He is still the miracle worker
The only thing that is going to matter is that you are not going to receive any of those miracles that you do not believe that He still performs

If you do not think that speaking in tongues is of God that does not change who God is nor does it change what the word of God says concerning speaking in tongues the only thing that comes out of that is that you are not going to speak in tongues and come into the completeness and the fullness of all that He desires to give you through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

You can not have what you do not believe and you can not believe beyond your concept of Him

Awesome truth

If you believe that every negative experience that has ever happened to you is because there is something that you have to learn, something that you have to go through, make no doubt about it, God will be there for you, God will comfort you and He will guide you through it but that is not who God is

God is who God is regardless of what you think and one more thing God will not be anything to you that you do not believe that He is.

Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

That is an awesome word,
What you do not pursue through your perception of Him you can not have for as a man so thinks in his heart so he is.

Prov 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

I can not tell you the multitudes of people, who pray like this,
Lord I just don’t think I can do this, Lord make me to have revelation, Lord make me to see it, make me to walk it, make me to understand it, I give you my will make me to get this.

It is not going to happen
That is not who God is, your impression of God is going to be what you receive and experience with God

Listen to the word of God,
Matt 7:8-11
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:10-13
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The majority of Gods children do not see God in this light instead they see Him as the one who withholds blessings and takes away things if a certain standard is not met.

Most of Gods children relate to Him through the Old Testament instead of through the New Testament, they get saved through amazing grace and then relate to Him through the law and performance

I believe that there is no one misrepresented more than God and I believe that once God is truly revealed as to who He is and to what His true nature really is, then His children will begin to walk in the awesome revelation of the good Father who is not imputing there iniquities unto them and is reconciling His children unto himself through His Son

I Jn 4:8-9
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

We say that God is love, to the sinner we proclaim that God is love and then out the other side of our mouth we proclaim that if America does not repent and turn from her wicked ways the judgments of God are going to fall upon this evil nation, in fact they are already falling through hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, draughts and floods.

We proclaim the bird flu as a judgment of God; we proclaim every epidemic as God trying to get our attention.

No wonder the world has a difficult time trying to understand our definition of the love of God when the love of God according to the church is saving us on one hand and destruction on the other.

I Jn 4:9
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

In this was the love of God manifested towards us that He sent His Son in to the world that we might live through Him,
We say that God loves us,
We say that He is merciful and that His great grace has brought us into His presence and then we say things that undermine that love and pollute that love and take away the benefit of that love.

We as children of God need to get some things understood so that we can start to get right results from our relationship with God.

I need to say this again,
If Jesus would have been present in the Old Testament He would have rebuked a lot of the things that took place in the Old Testament and to many this statement is incredible and hard to believe and the reason is because they do not understand God in the Old Testament and they do not see the true nature of God in the New Testament.

II Ki 1:2-3
And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

Ahaziah who is the king of the ten northern tribes of Israel has fallen through the lattice in his upper chamber and because of that fall has sustained severe injuries and so he sends his messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether or not he will recover from these injuries

In case you do not know who Ahaziah is he is the son of Ahab, the ten northern tribes of Israel have fallen into paganism through his father and now the son reigns as king.

And the Lord tells Elijah to arise and go intercept the messengers of Ahaziah and ask them this question.

Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

This is what is being said,
Why do you go to the pagan god of Samaria is there not a God in Israel

VERSE 4
Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
This is interesting
The king’s men give a very small description of a man and they describe him as hairy and girt about his loins with a girdle of leather and the king immediately makes this observation and says
it is Elijah

There has been a long feud between Elijah the prophet of God and the family of Ahab,
It was Elijah that stopped the rain from falling on the land of Israel, it was Elijah that killed the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel who were the priests of Jezebel
It is Elijah who confronts Ahab when he goes down to take possession of Naboths vineyard

Let me bring the word of God to you
IKing 21:1-7
And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

So Jezebel has Naboth killed and gives his vineyard to Ahab and as he takes possession of the vineyard Elijah shows up.

IKing 21:16-19
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

VERSE:23
And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

And that is exactly what takes place when Ahab is killed in battle and they brought his chariot into the garden to clean off the blood in the exact place that Naboth was killed dogs licked the blood of Ahab
Later on when King Jehu took possession of the city of Samaria Jezebel painted herself up and as Jehu cried out who is on the Lord’s side,
Jezebel was thrown out of the two story window and Jehu took his chariot and ran over her again and again and again until she was dead and the dogs ate her

This is the relationship that Elijah had with the family of Ahab

Now I can imagine that this is the reason that Ahaziah went to the god of Ekron to inquire about his injuries because the relationship between Elijah and the family of Ahab to say the least was not a good one and that relationship continued to spiral downward even through Ahab’s son.

Look at
II Ki 1:9-17
Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken.

Here is the judgment of God falling out of heaven according to the words of the prophet Elijah and to many this is the nature of God in reality,

Fire falling out of heaven consuming all in His path,
His righteousness consuming all that stands in His way, the words of His anointed one the prophet bringing forth destruction and judgment to all those who do not surrender and repent and if you do not know scripture this is the impression that you will have of God.

But look at.
Luke 9:51-53
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

The reason that they did not receive Him is found in
John 4:5
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria,( Remember the city of Samaria is the city that Ahab and Ahaziah reigned in) which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

This is the woman that Christ ministered to and she went in and told the entire city about the things that He had told her,

VERSE:28
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

VERSE 39
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
And many more believed because of his own word;

The entire city was turned around and believed on Him but now that his face is turned towards Jerusalem and crucifixion they do not receive Him

Now look at
Luke 9:54-56
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

In the Old Testament fire fell from heaven and consumed them,
When the disciples wanted to do the same thing Elijah did Jesus rebuked them and said you do not know what manner of spirit that you are

I have not come to destroy mans lives but to save them.

And I dare say today that many of Gods children do not know what manner of spirit that they are

REVELATIONS RIGHT, RESULTS RIGHT

2010-02-20T11:52:00.000-06:00

A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

2010-02-13T23:11:00.000-06:00

1Thes 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

The title that I am using in my posting speaks of the immanent destruction that can take place if spiritual truths are not grasped by the child of God,
What I want to share with you I believe is going to help you in your receiving from the Lord.

Look at the scripture again,
that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Listen to Paul,
As we have taught you and instructed you as how to walk and please God, the reason that we have done this is so you can abound more and more.
I believe that this is the universal heart cry of every born again child of God, teach me how to walk and please you Lord, show me how to walk and please you, instruct me, chastise me, lead me and guide me until I know and walk in the realms of pleasing you.

We all desire to hear these words spoken to us by the Lord in
Matt 25:21
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
And yet how many of us do not feel that we are walking and pleasing God, how many of us feel inadequate, how many of us feel that we are insufficient and lacking when it comes to walking and pleasing the Lord.
And I need to tell you that these feelings are a recipe for disaster, they are destructive and they will ultimately rob you of all that you are and all that you do for Christ.

This is the place where condemnation is birthed in our life, this is where dissatisfaction and low self esteem is birthed into our lives when we desire to walk and please and then do not believe that we are able to do it.

I will say it again
All of us desire to walk and please God and yet very few of us really believe that we are walking and pleasing God

Now hear me because I am going to say something very radical,

I believe that there is such a disparity between the desire to please God and the feelings that we are pleasing God and I believe that it originates from and is produced from religion.
Religion is always a misrepresentation of God unless that religion is pure and undefiled before God.

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I wonder if God’s people understand that being a Christian is not about you reaching out to God but rather it is God reaching out to you.

There are many religions who reach out to God and every one of them misrepresent God in some way or another, religion has its own opinions, its own rules and regulations, its own standards and it will create in you a false set of standards that we prefer to call holy,
And in those false standards we have been given falsehoods of what God is seeking and looking for in the midst of those He calls His own.
What is it that God is looking for in the child of the living God?
What is it that pleases God when He looks upon us and sees us as His children?

How is it that we are to walk?
How is it that we are to please him whom we have given our lives to?

Here are some things that immediately come to mind as to how religion says that we are to please him.
#1 you must live holy
#2 you must be free from sin in your life
#3 you need to treat your spouse well and treat other people with kindness
#4 you must help those in need

But allow me to show you something in scripture
Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It is faith that pleases God and not your performance, good works or presentation; it is your faith and believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who are diligently seeking Him.

Religion does not preach this in fact many churches who proclaim to be Christian do not preach this, their message is that if you do right, if your actions are right God will accept you,

That is not the gospel of the New Testament.

Do we really have understanding as to the group of people who persecuted Christ?
It was not the unbeliever, and it was not the heathen, it was the religious crowd.
Pilate was willing to let Him go, Pilates wife had received a dream from God and sent a messenger to tell her husband to have nothing to do with this just man,
It was the religious system that crucified Christ
Yes the Roman government sent Him to the cross but only because they were manipulated by Jewish leaders.

Jesus came preaching that God loves you, Jesus came preaching that God will accept you through faith through His beloved Son and you would be fully redeemed and justified in faith in Him and it would usher you into right standing with God,
And it upset the religious system of that day as it upsets the religious system of this day.

The religious people always want to deal with the outward things but God desires to deal with the inward things.

Listen to me
Deal with the inward things and it will take care of the outward things.

Listen to the Lord in
Matt 23:25-28
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

It is this system that killed Christ the Messiah and the one question that should be paramount within the body of Christ today is how much of that system, how much opinion and self righteousness and pleasing comes into play within the body of Christ today that was prevalent at the time of Christ, how much of the religious system that killed Christ is present within this body of Christ today, how much of the religious system that Christ hated and rejected and verbally called devils and hypercritics abides and lives within us.

The things that were prevalent then are prevalent now and the things that took place then are taking place now.

The same spirit that existed when Christ took a whip and drove the money changers from the temple, that same spirit exists within many of our churches today.
That same spirit of performance and competition, the same spirit of grievous offences, the same spirit of killing our own that was present in that day is still present in this day and I believe that we need to take a good look to see how much of that same spirit is still present within the body of Christ today.

Matt 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

One of the religious problems that the Pharisees and Sadducees had was that they were constantly looking on the outside and they desired others to view them from the outside.

Listen to Jesus in,
Matt 23:25-26
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

And what this really amounts to is people taking notice of your actions and wanting people to follow those actions, your actions are nothing more than a by-product of what is really in your heart.

The word of God tells us that as a man so thinketh in his heart so he is.

How important are actions,
They are very important and the reason that they are important is because in human relationships actions either strengthen or destroy, but in the realm of the spirit God looks beyond your actions and sees the motive of your heart which is the result of your actions.

1 Cor 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

How radical can you get?

The scripture is very clear, your actions are not the real thing that God looks at, and your actions are not the determining thing that will move God,
Once again, actions are nothing more than the by product of your attitude and personality and how you really are in your heart.

When you are trying to please God in your actions and in your performance you are always going to fail.

Why

Because flesh can not please God

1 Cor 1:29
That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The standard of perfection in the sight of Almighty God is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, only He is the lamb that was slain from the foundations of the world, and only He is the righteousness of the Father.

Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

And because of Him we have been accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Because He made provision for me, because He pitied me, because I was lost and helpless in my condition, because I was a sinner, but now I am accepted in the in beloved and because I am accepted in the beloved I please God.
I can not tell you what that would do for your Christian walk if you understood that you are pleasing to God.

You ought to go buy some sweatshirts and place your church on the back and on the front I PLEASE GOD.
I can not tell you how many people would be offended and would consider you arrogant and prideful and the reason that this bold statement is not and can not be accepted within the realms of the church is because of one reason and that reason is performance.

The church needs to get to the place where they have a relationship with God based on what God has done for them instead of what they are doing for God,
Everything that could ever be done for you to have and to obtain salvation and favor has already been done.

There is nothing that you can do to earn; there is nothing that you can do to justify what you already have, the reason that you please God is because of what He has already done for you and by the way, the faith that He has given you is the same faith by which you please Him.

The only thing left for you to do is to accept it, believe it and walk in it.
By His faith,
Who is the author and finisher of your faith, it is the Lord Jesus Christ, the same faith that He is the author and finisher of is the same faith that He gave to you and it is through that faith that you please God and all that you have to do is to believe it

God loves you because God is love and not because you are lovely.
He has extended salvation unto you and all that you have to do is humbly accept it and if you will accept it you will become pleasing to the Father

Heb 11:5
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Follow me,
Here is a man that was translated that he should not see death, he was a man who was taken from the face of this earth, he was translated by God or in other words God took him

Why was he taken?
Because he pleased God, he had this testimony that he was pleasing to God.

What is a testimony?
It is something that you tell to others

What did he tell to others?
That he pleased God

How could he have this testimony that he pleased God when in the Old Testament the sacrifice of bulls and lambs or in other words performance could not satisfy God?

That is why there would be a better way, the way of Jesus Christ, the way of faith in accepting Jesus Christ and here in the Old Testament we see Enoch pleasing God

How?
By faith
And it so pleased God that he was not found because God took him
Glory

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Now follow me
Two men were translated and did not die in the old Testament Enoch was one and the other was Elijah.

IKing 19:1
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

Now get this
Here is a man who is running from Jezebel fearing for his life, he is depressed, he is weary from fighting the good fight of faith against the evil works of king Ahab and Jezebel

Listen to him in verse 10
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Here is a man who has heard an audible voice from the Lord telling him what to do
VERSE 11
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

But what does Elijah do, he immediately goes and anoints Elisha.

Why?

Because he is tired, he is ready to give up, he felt that he was the only one left, he was discouraged and disappointed with himself.

He was ready to get out and ready to give up so he went to Elisha first when he was told by the Lord to go to him last,
He never did anoint Hazael to be king over Syria and he never did anoint Jehu to be king over Israel.
Two/thirds of what God told him to do he did not do because of discouragement and disappointment.

Elisha the successor of Elijah would be the one to do those two things not Elijah the one who was commanded to do them.

And yet here is a man who pleased God

How do I know that he pleased God?

Because the same translation that took place with Enoch took place with Elijah

II Ki 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

I want to tell you something and this will mess with people’s theology,
Elijah pleased God when he failed miserably, Elijah pleased God when he did not get done what God wanted him to do, Elijah pleased God when he was discouraged and disappointed and Elijah pleased God when he wanted God to take his life

Why was God pleased?

It is faith that pleases God and not performance.

This ought to impact your life,
None of us please God by our actions; we please God by our faith.

Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS

2010-02-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Col 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We as children of God live in a time of great light and revelation.

The wonderful and marvelous Holy Ghost has revealed unto us the powerful meaning of the work of Jesus Christ that took place upon the cross.
Revelation has been brought to many concerning the incredible blessings that are involved in being in Christ because of His great work on the cross and yet in the midst of bountiful teachings and blessings concerning the victory of Christ at the cross, many children of God still do not understand the important aspects of His work as it pertains to us.
And that revelation is being in Christ.

Here is the reality of being in Christ, being in Christ is the only foundation upon which true holiness and righteousness can be attained.

Eph 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Without this foundation we rely only on our flesh, on our church, in our goodness, we rely on our deeds to produce within us some kind, some form of holiness within ourselves.
But the truth of the word of God is that the righteousness of man is as filthy rags and true holiness can be only attained through knowing the riches of God in Jesus Christ.

And we being in Him makes us holy
For if the first fruit is holy then the lump is holy and if the root is holy then the branches are holy as well.

Rom 11:16
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Look at
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

In this place of holiness through Christ and being in Christ, grace begins to teach us how to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world that we live in.
Grace teaches us how to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts, carnality and attitudes of the flesh.

This teaching can not be attained by any kind of works; it can not be attained through the flesh, through the church, seminars or conferences it can only be taught by the grace of God.

What I desire in this writing is for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes concerning the incredible blessings and privileges of being in Christ.

Let me show you something,
Isa 42:1-4
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Who is this one that God upholds and delights in?

The answer is found in
Matt 3:16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Hebrew word for well pleased is delight and what God is saying is that His soul delights in His Son Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament untold numbers of sheep and cattle and goats we’re offered to God as a sacrifice, rivers of blood flowed for centuries from the slaughter of these animals and yet none of these brought pleasure and delight to the Lord.

Heb 10:4-7
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

NOW LOOK AT VERSE 7
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to do what no animal sacrifice could ever do

LOOK AT VERSE 5 AGAIN,
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

God almighty prepared a physical body for Jesus Christ here on this earth that would provide the final perfect sacrifice, in other words God abased himself for you and for me, He encased himself in a human womb and He took on our nature so we could take on His.
He gave up the riches of heaven to become poor like us so that we could become rich like Him

What was the plan for the redemption of fallen man, what was the plan to reconcile fallen and sinful man back into the graces of Almighty God

God was to send forth His Son as a deliverer, after His Son would be crucified, after He would die and be buried, He would rise from the dead and stand before God in all His glory and He would be the one that we would recognize as the only mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Tim 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

So Christ would be the one and only sacrificial lamb and it would be Him who would gather up in Himself all who have been severed and would reconcile man back to the Father through His blood.

1 Pet 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Now follow me again to,
Heb 10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

When the Lord said a body thou hast prepared for me, He not only was speaking about a physical body that would be the Pascal lamb, the perfect sacrifice, but He was also speaking about a spiritual body that was being prepared and it would be a body that would consist of every one who would believe in Him

Eph 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

VERSE 22-23
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

THERE IS ONE BODY

Eph 4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Eph 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Hear me,
There is a physical man in heaven and He is Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of Almighty God but by the world He is not seen physically.

Here are the facts,
We are members of the body of Christ here on earth; the only Jesus this world will ever see is going to be through us until He returns,
Jesus Christ is the firstborn of a new humanity.
The first Adam fell and plunged the entire human race into sin and separation from Almighty God, the second Adam came to bring reconciliation back to the father and begin a new humanity.

Col 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

So in this place of being in Him, in this place of being reconciled back to the Father and walking in this new humanity, how is it possible to stand before an Almighty God and be holy.

I believe this question is pondered and asked more than any other question how is it possible to stand in the presence of a holy God, how it is possible to stand in the presence of a holy God and be ye holy as He is holy.

I know from experience that we as children of God are constantly trying to win approval, constantly striving to be good; constantly searching for things that will please God and the same things that we search for are the same things that Israel searched for in the Old Testament.

Listen to,
Micah 6:6
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Listen to the cry of God’s people,
How shall I come before the Lord, with what shall I bow before Him,
Shall I come with burnt offerings, shall I bring a calf that is a year old,

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams?
Will the Lord be pleased with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my first born for my transgression, shall I give the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul.

Their question was very valid,
They wanted to know how they as frail human beings could ever approach God, how they could ever please God and be accepted by that same God.

And the same answer over and over and over again in scripture is God telling man,
I will not accept your sacrifices, I will not accept your good works, I will not accept your promises or your morally good deeds, for none of these things are acceptable in My sight.

No fleshly thing will ever please Him; no sacrifice outside of His Son will ever please Him,
Nothing will ever please the Father but His Son and only those in His Son will be acceptable to the Father because they have been gathered by Him.

SO HOW ARE WE ACCEPTED

Eph 1:6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

He has made us accepted in the beloved and we are only accepted as we are in the beloved.
Claim whatever church you want to claim, belong to whatever church you want to belong to but the fact is this
You are only accepted by God the Father as you are accepted in the beloved.

1 Pet 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

You want good works to count, they only count and bring forth results from being in Him.

Eph 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Notice the scripture
EVEN IN HIM;

Eph 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

We have access by one spirit unto the Father.

You do not have to tell me but I already know the thoughts that many of you have had at one time or another and there communication goes something like this, how can I stand before God with all of my failures, all my sins, how can I stand before God and Him find pleasure in me.
How can I ever please Him, how will I ever be accepted by Him, I’ve made promises that I have not kept, I have failed in so attempts to please Him,
Every time that I believe that I am making progress something happens and I take one step forward and two steps back.

These are the thoughts that all of us have had and these are the thoughts that keep many of us bound.

God does not want your sacrifices or good works outside of His Son
He is only pleased in His Son and has chosen you from the foundation of the world to be wed to Him.

Listen to the word of God,
Isa 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Who is the servant in whom I delight?
It is the Lord Jesus Christ
Who is the body of the Christ?
We are.

How can God dislike His own flesh, if He delights in His Son?
He delights in his wife, in His bride

Listen to the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ
John 17:10
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

VERSE:26
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Listen to Jesus in,
John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Tell me beloved,
How hard are you striving to please God, do you go through times where you are very pleased with what you are doing and feel that you are a delight to Him and then at other times you feel as if you are displeasing Him.

Beloved you had better get the facts straight,
The fact is that God’s pleasure in you has nothing to do with your strivings, your intensity or your good intentions or actions.
God’s pleasure in you has to it with His Son and your faith in what His Son has done.

It’s called like precious faith.

2 Pet 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

What is like precious faith?
It is a focused faith that is centered and focused on one principle

If you wish to stand holy before the Father you must stand on holy ground and that holy ground is in Christ.

Heb 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

This is an issue of faith and believing.
And when we move away from the foundational doctrine of being accepted by God by being in Christ we depart from the Lord,
When we doubt and disbelieve that which is foundational we stand in a place of confusion and uncertainty

The flesh, the law, religion, it’s all a part of spiritual bondage.

The evidence of faith is rest,
Heb 4:3
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

VERSE:10
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

The only way that you can bring your striving, sweating, troubled soul into peace is to convince yourself that you are in Christ and it is in Him that you are accepted of the Father and pleasing to Him.

Regardless of whether you are up or down, regardless of whether you feel like it or not, if you are in Christ then you are accepted of the Father and you sit in heavenly places and the only thing left is for you to convince you’re self of that revelation.

CHRIST IN YOU