The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
It’s the will of God that every person be born again. Sometimes I hear people pray, Lord save so and so. The truth is that the person they are praying for is already potentially saved. Jesus has gone to the cross and been raised from the dead. He is now seated at God’s right hand as their representative. So from heaven’s viewpoint, all has been accomplished to secure salvation for every human being.
Now it’s up to each individual to personally repent of sin, open their will to God, and confess Jesus Christ as their Savior from their personal sin. Instead of praying the generic prayer Lord save so and so, here’s a more specific and results producing way to pray. There are three specific areas to cover.
First, ask the Lord to draw the person to Himself, creating within them a desire for Him. This is based on John 6:44 where Jesus said that no man can come to Him unless the Father Himself draws Him. Any desire we have for God comes from God. This is the grace that precedes our salvation. The human heart is wicked and depraved and only the Holy Spirit can produce within us a desire for God.
Secondly, command Satan to remove the blinders from their minds. 2 Corinthians 4:4 reveals that the god of this world blinds the minds of unbelievers. That is, he clouds their thinking and keeps them from seeing their true spiritual condition. The gospel is hidden from their understanding. According to this verse, we have the authority to tell Satan to remove the blinders. Then the person will be open to see their need, and to understand the gospel when they hear it.
Lastly, ask the Lord for laborers to cross the person’s path every day. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus tells us to pray that the Father, the Lord of the harvest, would send laborers into the harvest field. Laborers can come from a variety of sources. Laborers can be bumper stickers, billboards, license plates, periodicals in a waiting room, radio broadcasts, TV programs, overheard conversations, or people who walk in wisdom that share the gospel with them personally.
Pray these three things every day for the person you want to see born again. Ask the Lord to create a desire in them for Himself, drawing them away from the influence of sin in the world. Command Satan to remove the blinders from their minds, and then remind him every day that his power over this person is broken. And then ask the Father every day to send gospel laborers across their path.
Conviction produces friction within! Don’t be surprised if the person becomes unsettled and irritable. That may appear for a while to get worse! Don’t stop praying. It a telltale sign that the Lord of the harvest is at work!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (1 Peter 5:6-7).
Worry is always based on fear. Worry solves no problems. Worry is a waste of time! Someone has said worry is always based on a lie; deal with the lie and the fear will die. And of course the acronym for FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Satan is the master of counterfeit.
Worry is a sin! It’s the sin of unbelief. When we worry, we choose to believe the voice of circumstance over the voice of the Word. My worry breaks the Fathers heart. He told us not to worry about the things of life. He said that if He takes care of birds and flowers, which have a short life span, He will most certainly take care of us. Fear not little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
The solution to the problem you face is already available. My former pastor Bob Yandian would say, If Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, then the answer to your problem existed before the problem ever came into being!
Here’s how I deal with worry. Years ago, the Father gave me Philippians 4:6, J.B. Phillips translation, as the answer to my worry. Don’t worry over anything whatever. Tell God every detail of your need in sincere and thankful prayer.
Instead of worrying, I am to tell the Father the exact details of what bothers me, the good, the bad, the ugly, etc. Tell it all. I really pour out my heart.
But, I don’t stop there! Pouring out my heart is only half of the process. Then, I pray the prayer of faith. The prayer of faith is the key to overcoming worry! I tell him exactly what I want him to do, and I ask him to do it based on His Word.
With the prayer of faith, I believe I receive the answer the moment I pray. Then I must speak and act like I believe I receive the answer to my prayer, even if the problem seems to get worse! Faith takes the place of what I don’t have until it manifests! If I’m walking by faith, then I have the title deed so to speak that guarantees that the answer is mine. And it’s only a matter of time before is shows up. The only thing between me and the answer is TIME! So I praise and thank the Father during that time until the manifestation come.
This works every time, and covers every problem. Worry evaporates when the prayer of faith is prayed! Don’t worry! Pray the prayer of faith over everything in your life!
Worry is always based on fear. Worry solves no problems. Worry is a waste of time! Someone has said worry is always based on a lie; deal with the lie and the fear will die. And of course the acronym for FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Satan is the master of counterfeit.
Worry is a sin! It’s the sin of unbelief. When we worry, we choose to believe the voice of circumstance over the voice of the Word. My worry breaks the Fathers heart. He told us not to worry about the things of life. He said that if He takes care of birds and flowers, which have a short life span, He will most certainly take care of us. Fear not little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
The solution to the problem you face is already available. My former pastor Bob Yandian would say, If Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, then the answer to your problem existed before the problem ever came into being!
Here’s how I deal with worry. Years ago, the Father gave me Philippians 4:6, J.B. Phillips translation, as the answer to my worry. Don’t worry over anything whatever. Tell God every detail of your need in sincere and thankful prayer.
Instead of worrying, I am to tell the Father the exact details of what bothers me, the good, the bad, the ugly, etc. Tell it all. I really pour out my heart.
But, I don’t stop there! Pouring out my heart is only half of the process. Then, I pray the prayer of faith. The prayer of faith is the key to overcoming worry! I tell him exactly what I want him to do, and I ask him to do it based on His Word.
With the prayer of faith, I believe I receive the answer the moment I pray. Then I must speak and act like I believe I receive the answer to my prayer, even if the problem seems to get worse! Faith takes the place of what I don’t have until it manifests! If I’m walking by faith, then I have the title deed so to speak that guarantees that the answer is mine. And it’s only a matter of time before is shows up. The only thing between me and the answer is TIME! So I praise and thank the Father during that time until the manifestation come.
This works every time, and covers every problem. Worry evaporates when the prayer of faith is prayed! Don’t worry! Pray the prayer of faith over everything in your life!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend (Psalm 15:1-3).
These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him…one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16,19).
Gossip is to be avoided by those who want the fresh presence of God in their life. It’s one of those lists of things He calls an abomination.
Gossip not only hurts others, it also breaks our fellowship with God. Gossip is when we say things about others when they’re not present that we wouldn’t say if they were. It’s a noxious weed that needs to be pulled from our spiritual garden.
Over 30 years ago I was challenged by a friend when I first began my life with God. I was in a circle of people talking, and I mentioned something derogatory about a person not present. My friend tapped me on the shoulder and motioned for me to come aside with him. He told me quite sternly that I should never speak that way again as a believer. He told me that we displease the Lord and hurt others when we gossip.
Initially I was taken back by his rebuke. I wanted to be angry and defensive, but deep down I knew he was right. That incident abruptly changed me and later I saw how much my friend cared for me by calling me on the carpet about my habit of gossiping.
Our words should bless and inspire, they should build up and comfort. The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary (Isaiah 50:4).
If you’ve acquired the habit of gossip, break it today! Go over these scriptures and meditate on them. The word has the power to change you! When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need — words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you (Ephesians 4:29 New Century Version).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Use your tongue today as an instrument of life!
These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him…one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16,19).
Gossip is to be avoided by those who want the fresh presence of God in their life. It’s one of those lists of things He calls an abomination.
Gossip not only hurts others, it also breaks our fellowship with God. Gossip is when we say things about others when they’re not present that we wouldn’t say if they were. It’s a noxious weed that needs to be pulled from our spiritual garden.
Over 30 years ago I was challenged by a friend when I first began my life with God. I was in a circle of people talking, and I mentioned something derogatory about a person not present. My friend tapped me on the shoulder and motioned for me to come aside with him. He told me quite sternly that I should never speak that way again as a believer. He told me that we displease the Lord and hurt others when we gossip.
Initially I was taken back by his rebuke. I wanted to be angry and defensive, but deep down I knew he was right. That incident abruptly changed me and later I saw how much my friend cared for me by calling me on the carpet about my habit of gossiping.
Our words should bless and inspire, they should build up and comfort. The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary (Isaiah 50:4).
If you’ve acquired the habit of gossip, break it today! Go over these scriptures and meditate on them. The word has the power to change you! When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need — words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you (Ephesians 4:29 New Century Version).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Use your tongue today as an instrument of life!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul (Proverbs 22:24-25).
We learn by observation, association, and influence. And we tend to assume the habits of those with whom we have regular close fellowship.
In his book, Spiritual Leadership, Oswald Sanders made the statement that the person you are five years from now will be determined by the kind of books you read, and by the friends you entertain.
Paul mentioned this principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Amplified), Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
None of us are immune from acquiring the habits and mannerisms of our close friends. The key is to find godly friends who can sharpen you!
On the other hand, Jesus was the friend of sinners. He ate with the hypocritical Pharisees, and with the most despised of his day. We should never isolate ourselves from others just to be godly. Rather, we should insulate ourselves on the inside from the effects of sin and unbelief by staying full of the Word by staying filled with the Spirit!
Lot vexed his righteous soul from day to day by hearing and seeing the deeds of the wicked Sodomites. It cost him everything but the clothes on his back! King Saul was enraged with a desire to harm David, but began to prophecy when he hung around the prophets of God! Never underestimate the power of associations!
Here’s the balance I’ve found in my life. I’ll fellowship with anyone. But I draw the line when I hear or see compromise with the world or the flesh. If someone I’m talking to (who is a believer) says something off color or does something that is blatantly wrong, I won’t stand back silently. I will lovingly confront what I’ve seen or heard. And I’ll challenge the person about their behavior. If they continue, well, that fellowship time just ended! I hold a believer to a higher standard. Sinners are going to sin, that’s just what they do. And we need to carefully and lovingly use wisdom as we let our light shine.
We need the influence of godliness in our lives daily! I believe that’s the reason we’re encouraged to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as believers. We need the atmosphere of faith, love, and holiness we find when we’re together. Make sure you attend services at your local church, and make sure you fellowship with folk regularly who will stir you up in God!
What kind of character will you have five years from now?
We learn by observation, association, and influence. And we tend to assume the habits of those with whom we have regular close fellowship.
In his book, Spiritual Leadership, Oswald Sanders made the statement that the person you are five years from now will be determined by the kind of books you read, and by the friends you entertain.
Paul mentioned this principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Amplified), Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
None of us are immune from acquiring the habits and mannerisms of our close friends. The key is to find godly friends who can sharpen you!
On the other hand, Jesus was the friend of sinners. He ate with the hypocritical Pharisees, and with the most despised of his day. We should never isolate ourselves from others just to be godly. Rather, we should insulate ourselves on the inside from the effects of sin and unbelief by staying full of the Word by staying filled with the Spirit!
Lot vexed his righteous soul from day to day by hearing and seeing the deeds of the wicked Sodomites. It cost him everything but the clothes on his back! King Saul was enraged with a desire to harm David, but began to prophecy when he hung around the prophets of God! Never underestimate the power of associations!
Here’s the balance I’ve found in my life. I’ll fellowship with anyone. But I draw the line when I hear or see compromise with the world or the flesh. If someone I’m talking to (who is a believer) says something off color or does something that is blatantly wrong, I won’t stand back silently. I will lovingly confront what I’ve seen or heard. And I’ll challenge the person about their behavior. If they continue, well, that fellowship time just ended! I hold a believer to a higher standard. Sinners are going to sin, that’s just what they do. And we need to carefully and lovingly use wisdom as we let our light shine.
We need the influence of godliness in our lives daily! I believe that’s the reason we’re encouraged to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as believers. We need the atmosphere of faith, love, and holiness we find when we’re together. Make sure you attend services at your local church, and make sure you fellowship with folk regularly who will stir you up in God!
What kind of character will you have five years from now?
Monday, April 26, 2010
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting (Acts 9:3-5).
The way we treat other members of the body of Christ is the way we treat Jesus Himself. This is quite a statement. If I’m angry and resentful towards a fellow believer, I’m that way towards Jesus! The way I treat my wife Susan is the way I’m treating Jesus!
If we want the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we must treat other members of the body of Christ with the same respect we would give to Jesus Himself.
According to Jesus, when we see the stranger and give him shelter, when we go minister to the sick person, or the person in prison, we are ministering to Jesus Himself!
We create an environment that either attracts or detracts from the presence of God by what we do with our attitudes, words, and actions towards fellow believers.
Be careful today with how you treat others. It will directly affect your relationship with the Lord! If we say we love Jesus, and pay no attention to others needs, how can we really say we love Him?
Our age is quickly becoming numb and loveless. This is our time to shine! Treat others the way you want to be treated. Pray for those you come in contact with daily. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing to them. Ask Him what you can do to show care and compassion to them.
If I don’t care for the person I can see, there’s no way I can really love the God I can’t see.
Let’s be sensitive to others today; what we do to them, what attitudes we portray, and what we say to them or about them to others.
The way we treat other members of the body of Christ is the way we treat Jesus Himself. This is quite a statement. If I’m angry and resentful towards a fellow believer, I’m that way towards Jesus! The way I treat my wife Susan is the way I’m treating Jesus!
If we want the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we must treat other members of the body of Christ with the same respect we would give to Jesus Himself.
According to Jesus, when we see the stranger and give him shelter, when we go minister to the sick person, or the person in prison, we are ministering to Jesus Himself!
We create an environment that either attracts or detracts from the presence of God by what we do with our attitudes, words, and actions towards fellow believers.
Be careful today with how you treat others. It will directly affect your relationship with the Lord! If we say we love Jesus, and pay no attention to others needs, how can we really say we love Him?
Our age is quickly becoming numb and loveless. This is our time to shine! Treat others the way you want to be treated. Pray for those you come in contact with daily. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing to them. Ask Him what you can do to show care and compassion to them.
If I don’t care for the person I can see, there’s no way I can really love the God I can’t see.
Let’s be sensitive to others today; what we do to them, what attitudes we portray, and what we say to them or about them to others.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:11).
The Father wants spiritual gifts to manifest in us as the Holy Spirit desires. There are three Spiritual Gifts that reveal; the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, and the Discerning of Spirits. There are three that do; The Gift of Faith, The Gifts of Healings, and the Working of Miracles. Then, there are three that say; The Gift of Prophecy, Divers kinds of tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues.
These gifts are all demonstrations of the Father’s love for the world and of His desire that people be free from the bondage of sin.
Three things are necessary for these gifts to manifest. First, there must me unity. In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit manifest regularly in spiritual gifts and you’ll find that the church was in one accord. Don’t speak negatively about others, and be sure to forgive and give much grace and mercy to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Secondly, we must walk in love. The kingdom of God works on the foundation of love, and you’ll find that spiritual gifts will manifest more frequently when we really show agape for one another. Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire this love, make it your aim, your great quest (1 Corinthians 14:1Amplified).
Lastly, we must desire these spiritual gifts. If we desire them, we’ll want to know more about them and how they manifest. And we’ll spend time praying for them to manifest as the Spirit wills. I recommend the books Concerning Spiritual Gifts by Kenneth Hagin, and Spiritual Gifts by Harold Horton (no relation :) ).
I encourage you to regularly ask the Father to manifest His love for humanity through spiritual gifts. And tell Him you’re open any time to be used by Him. Then expect the Holy Spirit to manifest these gifts as He wills.
The Father wants spiritual gifts to manifest in us as the Holy Spirit desires. There are three Spiritual Gifts that reveal; the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, and the Discerning of Spirits. There are three that do; The Gift of Faith, The Gifts of Healings, and the Working of Miracles. Then, there are three that say; The Gift of Prophecy, Divers kinds of tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues.
These gifts are all demonstrations of the Father’s love for the world and of His desire that people be free from the bondage of sin.
Three things are necessary for these gifts to manifest. First, there must me unity. In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit manifest regularly in spiritual gifts and you’ll find that the church was in one accord. Don’t speak negatively about others, and be sure to forgive and give much grace and mercy to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Secondly, we must walk in love. The kingdom of God works on the foundation of love, and you’ll find that spiritual gifts will manifest more frequently when we really show agape for one another. Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire this love, make it your aim, your great quest (1 Corinthians 14:1Amplified).
Lastly, we must desire these spiritual gifts. If we desire them, we’ll want to know more about them and how they manifest. And we’ll spend time praying for them to manifest as the Spirit wills. I recommend the books Concerning Spiritual Gifts by Kenneth Hagin, and Spiritual Gifts by Harold Horton (no relation :) ).
I encourage you to regularly ask the Father to manifest His love for humanity through spiritual gifts. And tell Him you’re open any time to be used by Him. Then expect the Holy Spirit to manifest these gifts as He wills.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:23-24).
Faith brings results! If faith can move a mountain out of the way, it can move any obstacle that crosses our path too! Faith is a heart conviction based on God’s word. Pentecostals of yesteryear would say I’ve got the witness, meaning that they knew deep inside that this or that would work out. Oral Roberts used to say I know that I know that I know, speaking of a deep conviction of heart that would not be shaken by circumstances.
Jesus mentioned one thing in this verse to steer clear of, doubting in the heart. This phrase and does not doubt in his heart could be translated to make his heart two; to be with two hearts; to have two minds. It could also be translated to repeatedly spread out in order. This implies the process of arranging and rearranging of materials as a person wavers back and forth over varying possibilities.
When you’re cogitating mentally all the possibilities that your circumstances can produce, you can be sure you’re not in faith. Real heart faith never considers that it won’t receive. You can’t focus on the circumstances and stay in faith at the same time! Faith focuses on God and His promises!
Real faith produces such a bold conviction of heart based on God’s Word that there is no room for considering that the desired result will not happen. And that knowing produces words that affirm that belief.
If you’ve ever has a faith failure, that is, you’ve believed for something and it hasn’t happened, do an inventory and see if there hasn’t been some lack of true heart conviction about it, some doubt in the heart, some mulling over the varying possibilities of what could happen. Faith makes no room for failure.
Jesus mentioned saying three times in this verse. Heart faith must come out of your mouth! If you never say what you believe, it may be because you really don’t! Faith is not mute! Faith speaks!
For me, I’ve found that I must take plenty of time to meditate on the Word before this strong heart conviction arises. When it does, there is a solid knowing that I’ll be fine, even when the circumstances have not changed at all or have gotten worse! And Then I can speak with conviction, knowing that as I believe I receive the desired you will have them will sooner or later come.
This kind of faith also produces joy. Things may look bad, but you not looking at the things, the circumstances, you’re focusing on the promises of God’s Word. In fact joy is the confirmation that you’re really in faith. If you dread the future, doubt has you bound. Joy comes from knowing that God has acted and brought the answer, before there is any physical evidence. Don’t doubt!
Meditate in the Word today. Mull it over and over within. Soon a strong conviction of heart will rise up, and you’ll tell the mountain where to go, and it will!
Faith brings results! If faith can move a mountain out of the way, it can move any obstacle that crosses our path too! Faith is a heart conviction based on God’s word. Pentecostals of yesteryear would say I’ve got the witness, meaning that they knew deep inside that this or that would work out. Oral Roberts used to say I know that I know that I know, speaking of a deep conviction of heart that would not be shaken by circumstances.
Jesus mentioned one thing in this verse to steer clear of, doubting in the heart. This phrase and does not doubt in his heart could be translated to make his heart two; to be with two hearts; to have two minds. It could also be translated to repeatedly spread out in order. This implies the process of arranging and rearranging of materials as a person wavers back and forth over varying possibilities.
When you’re cogitating mentally all the possibilities that your circumstances can produce, you can be sure you’re not in faith. Real heart faith never considers that it won’t receive. You can’t focus on the circumstances and stay in faith at the same time! Faith focuses on God and His promises!
Real faith produces such a bold conviction of heart based on God’s Word that there is no room for considering that the desired result will not happen. And that knowing produces words that affirm that belief.
If you’ve ever has a faith failure, that is, you’ve believed for something and it hasn’t happened, do an inventory and see if there hasn’t been some lack of true heart conviction about it, some doubt in the heart, some mulling over the varying possibilities of what could happen. Faith makes no room for failure.
Jesus mentioned saying three times in this verse. Heart faith must come out of your mouth! If you never say what you believe, it may be because you really don’t! Faith is not mute! Faith speaks!
For me, I’ve found that I must take plenty of time to meditate on the Word before this strong heart conviction arises. When it does, there is a solid knowing that I’ll be fine, even when the circumstances have not changed at all or have gotten worse! And Then I can speak with conviction, knowing that as I believe I receive the desired you will have them will sooner or later come.
This kind of faith also produces joy. Things may look bad, but you not looking at the things, the circumstances, you’re focusing on the promises of God’s Word. In fact joy is the confirmation that you’re really in faith. If you dread the future, doubt has you bound. Joy comes from knowing that God has acted and brought the answer, before there is any physical evidence. Don’t doubt!
Meditate in the Word today. Mull it over and over within. Soon a strong conviction of heart will rise up, and you’ll tell the mountain where to go, and it will!
Friday, April 23, 2010
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart (Proverbs 20:27). For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:14) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).
Everything God does for the believer starts within. He enlightens us in our spirit. Guidance doesn’t come from the outside, by circumstances, but from within, from an inner prompting in our spirit. Paul called that inner prompting the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit. So we can call it the inward witness.
Gideon put out a fleece to confirm the will of God. Putting out a fleece is when we say, Lord if you want me to do this, then show me this outward sign. Let me illustrate.
In 1981, after I graduated from Bible School, Susan and I took a trip to our hometown for a visit. I desperately wanted to be in ministry, and we had planned a meeting with her previous pastor. Here’s how I prayed; Lord if you want me to come and help him as his associate pastor, then have him ask me when we meet with him. I was actually asking the Lord to give me a sign that would show me his will.
We met with the pastor, and sure enough, he asked me if I wanted to be his associate. Thrilled, I said yes, believing this was God’s plan. But inside, I felt funny and awkward about it. I just didn’t feel completely right about it. But because it seemed as though my prayer was answered, I pursued. We moved to my hometown, and spend nine miserable months out of the will of God.
In asking for an outward sign, I did what Gideon did, I put out a fleece. I should have listened to the inward witness, but I chose to believe the outward sign instead. I learned a life lesson through this, and have never again put out a fleece to determine the will of God.
Don’t look for an outward sign in finding God’s will. Look within, to your own spirit, and to the inward witness. Ask yourself, how do I really feel deep inside about this matter. It may take some time to sort it out, but that inward witness, that sense that this seems really good or it may be a sense that I’m not so sure this is right, is the primary way God leads New Testament believers today. Gideon didn’t have the Holy Spirit within to bear witness with his spirit. He had to rely on outward things. Never ignore your deepest inner promptings.
Take time to get quiet so that you can sort out your deepest thoughts and desires. The inward witness will never lead you astray. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite scriptures that I apply to this inward witness.
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed (Proverbs 16:3- Amplified).
Everything God does for the believer starts within. He enlightens us in our spirit. Guidance doesn’t come from the outside, by circumstances, but from within, from an inner prompting in our spirit. Paul called that inner prompting the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit. So we can call it the inward witness.
Gideon put out a fleece to confirm the will of God. Putting out a fleece is when we say, Lord if you want me to do this, then show me this outward sign. Let me illustrate.
In 1981, after I graduated from Bible School, Susan and I took a trip to our hometown for a visit. I desperately wanted to be in ministry, and we had planned a meeting with her previous pastor. Here’s how I prayed; Lord if you want me to come and help him as his associate pastor, then have him ask me when we meet with him. I was actually asking the Lord to give me a sign that would show me his will.
We met with the pastor, and sure enough, he asked me if I wanted to be his associate. Thrilled, I said yes, believing this was God’s plan. But inside, I felt funny and awkward about it. I just didn’t feel completely right about it. But because it seemed as though my prayer was answered, I pursued. We moved to my hometown, and spend nine miserable months out of the will of God.
In asking for an outward sign, I did what Gideon did, I put out a fleece. I should have listened to the inward witness, but I chose to believe the outward sign instead. I learned a life lesson through this, and have never again put out a fleece to determine the will of God.
Don’t look for an outward sign in finding God’s will. Look within, to your own spirit, and to the inward witness. Ask yourself, how do I really feel deep inside about this matter. It may take some time to sort it out, but that inward witness, that sense that this seems really good or it may be a sense that I’m not so sure this is right, is the primary way God leads New Testament believers today. Gideon didn’t have the Holy Spirit within to bear witness with his spirit. He had to rely on outward things. Never ignore your deepest inner promptings.
Take time to get quiet so that you can sort out your deepest thoughts and desires. The inward witness will never lead you astray. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite scriptures that I apply to this inward witness.
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed (Proverbs 16:3- Amplified).
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him (Psalm 91:1-2 - NLT).
I was scheduled to leave India on April 21st, and due to the flight disruptions caused by the volcano, my departing flight was pushed back to May 4th. The Lord gave me favor and I now have a confirmed seat for the flight in the morning (May 22)!
Thanks to those of you who agreed with us in prayer. Hundreds of thousands of people are struggling to get their destinations. For Bruce and me, the Lord has (in my view) worked an awesome miracle!
I'll be preaching on Saturday morning. I'm ready.
I must cut this short so I can pack and get a little sleep before we get up at 3:00 AM for our long journey home!
Thanks for standing in faith with us!
Pastor Mitch
I was scheduled to leave India on April 21st, and due to the flight disruptions caused by the volcano, my departing flight was pushed back to May 4th. The Lord gave me favor and I now have a confirmed seat for the flight in the morning (May 22)!
Thanks to those of you who agreed with us in prayer. Hundreds of thousands of people are struggling to get their destinations. For Bruce and me, the Lord has (in my view) worked an awesome miracle!
I'll be preaching on Saturday morning. I'm ready.
I must cut this short so I can pack and get a little sleep before we get up at 3:00 AM for our long journey home!
Thanks for standing in faith with us!
Pastor Mitch
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22).
God’s will is that we walk in Divine health. Healing is a part of our salvation. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. The above verse gives the necessary ingredients we need in order to walk in health. We need an attentive ear, a steadfast look, and an enshrining heart.
Notice that the verse says attend to my Words, incline your ears to my sayings. That means that we must take the necessary time to feed on the Word concerning healing. Attending to the Word means making the Word top priority.
The Word is like a seed we plant in the ground. A seed that is watered and cultivated will produce. Plant the seeds for healing daily by giving attention to the scriptures that promise healing.
Then this verse above says do not let them depart from your eyes. A steadfast look at the Word is necessary to receive healing. You can’t focus on your symptoms and on the Word at the same time. Hebrews 12 mentions our looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. This word look in the Greek means to look away from everything else and to focus on Jesus. We do this by looking away from the symptoms and focusing on the Word.
Lastly, the above verse says keep them in the midst of your heart. For healing to come we must have an enshrining heart. We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. Meditate daily on the verses that promise healing. Meditating on the Word is like a farmer watering the seed he’s planted.
The Father watches over His Word. He sent His Word and healed us. The Word will accomplish healing in your body if you’ll give it strict attention. Take your focus off of your symptoms and keep your gaze on the Word. Read it, quote it, meditate it, and then act on it. Believe that you receive the health God’s Word promises. The Word is God’s Medicine!
God’s will is that we walk in Divine health. Healing is a part of our salvation. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. The above verse gives the necessary ingredients we need in order to walk in health. We need an attentive ear, a steadfast look, and an enshrining heart.
Notice that the verse says attend to my Words, incline your ears to my sayings. That means that we must take the necessary time to feed on the Word concerning healing. Attending to the Word means making the Word top priority.
The Word is like a seed we plant in the ground. A seed that is watered and cultivated will produce. Plant the seeds for healing daily by giving attention to the scriptures that promise healing.
Then this verse above says do not let them depart from your eyes. A steadfast look at the Word is necessary to receive healing. You can’t focus on your symptoms and on the Word at the same time. Hebrews 12 mentions our looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. This word look in the Greek means to look away from everything else and to focus on Jesus. We do this by looking away from the symptoms and focusing on the Word.
Lastly, the above verse says keep them in the midst of your heart. For healing to come we must have an enshrining heart. We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. Meditate daily on the verses that promise healing. Meditating on the Word is like a farmer watering the seed he’s planted.
The Father watches over His Word. He sent His Word and healed us. The Word will accomplish healing in your body if you’ll give it strict attention. Take your focus off of your symptoms and keep your gaze on the Word. Read it, quote it, meditate it, and then act on it. Believe that you receive the health God’s Word promises. The Word is God’s Medicine!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose (Romans 8:28-Amplified)
This is my first post in over a week! I've had no internet access in the hotel where I stayed during my ministry time here in India.
Bruce and I are in a hotel near the airport here in India waiting for a flight to open for us. We arrived here today after a 6 hour taxi in 110 degree heat! The a/c in the vehicle kept us from melting!
Ministry in India was good. We ministered Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week in the pastor's conference. The Holy Spirit moved upon the pastors as Bruce and I ministered each day. We had numerous testimonies from those attending of the encouragement they received.
We held evangelism meetings in villages on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights. We had many born again on Saturday night. Sunday night we found the meeting filled with mostly believers, so Bruce taught from the Word. Monday night the meeting was again filled with mostly believers, but we had a least 8 born again in the crowd! Then we prayed for the healing for the sick.
I preached in a church on Sunday morning, giving encouragement to the believers present.
I am in "missionary mode" and am looking forward to coming home this weekend. Our flights have been canceled due to the volcano, along with thousands of others. The good news is that Bruce has confirmed seating on flights for this Sunday the 25th. We're currently working to confirm my seats too!
Please agree with us we trust the Lord to get us home during this strange volcano crisis. I believe that things are fitting in a pattern for good as we go through this ordeal! I appreciate your agreeing with us!
This is my first post in over a week! I've had no internet access in the hotel where I stayed during my ministry time here in India.
Bruce and I are in a hotel near the airport here in India waiting for a flight to open for us. We arrived here today after a 6 hour taxi in 110 degree heat! The a/c in the vehicle kept us from melting!
Ministry in India was good. We ministered Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week in the pastor's conference. The Holy Spirit moved upon the pastors as Bruce and I ministered each day. We had numerous testimonies from those attending of the encouragement they received.
We held evangelism meetings in villages on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights. We had many born again on Saturday night. Sunday night we found the meeting filled with mostly believers, so Bruce taught from the Word. Monday night the meeting was again filled with mostly believers, but we had a least 8 born again in the crowd! Then we prayed for the healing for the sick.
I preached in a church on Sunday morning, giving encouragement to the believers present.
I am in "missionary mode" and am looking forward to coming home this weekend. Our flights have been canceled due to the volcano, along with thousands of others. The good news is that Bruce has confirmed seating on flights for this Sunday the 25th. We're currently working to confirm my seats too!
Please agree with us we trust the Lord to get us home during this strange volcano crisis. I believe that things are fitting in a pattern for good as we go through this ordeal! I appreciate your agreeing with us!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20 - NLT).
I'm leaving early this afternoon for India. I will meet Bruce in London and then we will travel on to India,and then board a connecting flight the the city where we will minister.
We will conduct a pastor's conference Thursday through Saturday. Many of these pastors have had no opportunity for formal Bible school training, so the conference is a huge experience of learning for them. I'll be ministering on how to activate God's power in your life and ministry. I'll preach on the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and love and unity.
At night we will hold evangelistic meetings in small villages. Please pray with us that the hearts of the people will be open to hear and receive the gospel.
Bruce and I will begin our trip home next Tuesday, and I'll be home early Thursday morning just past midnight.
Thanks to those who pray for us. Your prayers make a huge difference.
I'll tweet and blog as technology is available over the next few days.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13:3).
Our words rule us. From the cradle to the grave, our life is largely a product of our words. Words set the boundaries, the landmarks in our lives. Words literally have the power of live and death.
When going through a tough place in life, words will make you or break you. The old adage sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words will never hurt me is a lie. Words can destroy you. When you speak of you failure, your weakness, your inability, those words set a dynamic in place. You can almost feel the energy drain from you when you speak those negative assertions.
On the other hand, when you verbalize your faith when you’re in a tough place, you can feel the strength of God rise up within you. Talk about the Father’s love, the Father’s care, the Father’s provision, the Father’s comfort, the Father’s strength, and you’ll find a new confidence buoy up within.
Jesus said that we’d give account for even the smallest words we speak. He understood the power of words. He calmed a raging storm with three words; Peace Be Still! He raised a man from death with three words; Lazarus, Come Forth! All things are now held together by the power of His Words.
Learn to use words to your advantage. Speak words that will motivate, inspire and challenge you. Let your words today be instruments of life, healing, blessing, grace, favor, strength, and inspiration to others. The most powerful force in your life today is your words.
Don’t let your lips be used to carry gossip and negative things. Let your words be a cut above. Regardless of where your life is right now, you can rise above it. Lack, weakness, and inability will flee if you release the Father’s blessing into your life with right words, positive assertions that come from your heart.
I should not have been successful in my life endeavors. I was raised in the wrong atmosphere, one of hesitation and doubt. But I learned a valuable life lesson at age eighteen: Words will take me where the Father wants my life to go.
I started my new life with a new mouth. I overcame insurmountable odds. The Father’s will overcame my human tendencies of self-doubt. My words, agreeing with God’s Word, produced in me the ability to do what the Father wanted for me.
Start where you are today. Never mind the past. Don’t relive it. Give voice to the Father’s will for your life by saying what He says about you. Let the weak say, I am strong. At first, it feels awkward to change your course in mid-stream, from negative to positive. Be keep at it. Confidently affirm God’s Word verbally every day, and one day you’ll wake up, and you’ll be surrounded with the product of your words. Death and life are produced by your words. Guard you mouth closely today.
Our words rule us. From the cradle to the grave, our life is largely a product of our words. Words set the boundaries, the landmarks in our lives. Words literally have the power of live and death.
When going through a tough place in life, words will make you or break you. The old adage sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words will never hurt me is a lie. Words can destroy you. When you speak of you failure, your weakness, your inability, those words set a dynamic in place. You can almost feel the energy drain from you when you speak those negative assertions.
On the other hand, when you verbalize your faith when you’re in a tough place, you can feel the strength of God rise up within you. Talk about the Father’s love, the Father’s care, the Father’s provision, the Father’s comfort, the Father’s strength, and you’ll find a new confidence buoy up within.
Jesus said that we’d give account for even the smallest words we speak. He understood the power of words. He calmed a raging storm with three words; Peace Be Still! He raised a man from death with three words; Lazarus, Come Forth! All things are now held together by the power of His Words.
Learn to use words to your advantage. Speak words that will motivate, inspire and challenge you. Let your words today be instruments of life, healing, blessing, grace, favor, strength, and inspiration to others. The most powerful force in your life today is your words.
Don’t let your lips be used to carry gossip and negative things. Let your words be a cut above. Regardless of where your life is right now, you can rise above it. Lack, weakness, and inability will flee if you release the Father’s blessing into your life with right words, positive assertions that come from your heart.
I should not have been successful in my life endeavors. I was raised in the wrong atmosphere, one of hesitation and doubt. But I learned a valuable life lesson at age eighteen: Words will take me where the Father wants my life to go.
I started my new life with a new mouth. I overcame insurmountable odds. The Father’s will overcame my human tendencies of self-doubt. My words, agreeing with God’s Word, produced in me the ability to do what the Father wanted for me.
Start where you are today. Never mind the past. Don’t relive it. Give voice to the Father’s will for your life by saying what He says about you. Let the weak say, I am strong. At first, it feels awkward to change your course in mid-stream, from negative to positive. Be keep at it. Confidently affirm God’s Word verbally every day, and one day you’ll wake up, and you’ll be surrounded with the product of your words. Death and life are produced by your words. Guard you mouth closely today.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding] (1 Corinthians 14:2- Amplified).
Praying in tongues every day will give you an ability to walk in the wisdom if God. Nothing else will give you the ability to tap into secret truths and hidden things not obvious to the understanding.
So many things are hidden from us: things about our future; answers to pressing problems; issues about our jobs and our finances; how to deal with testy relationships. I’ve found praying in the spirit to be a real key to practically hearing from heaven about everyday life.
The key is keeping at it. I pray in tongues everyday. And I seek to pray for at least an hour. The mind fights this because it doesn’t know what you’re saying and wants to be in control. The emotions many times are unaffected. But the results are always the same.
I usually don’t receive the wisdom when I’m praying; it comes later, like while I’m cutting the grass, running an errand, driving to an engagement, or when I’m awakened at night. Praying in the spirit tunes you into the spirit real; to the realm of your own spirit where God can get information through to you. It’s like you’re opening up a new avenue for information in your mind by praying in tongues. The path of information from your human spirit to your mind becomes accessible and clear.
Years ago after a season of praying in tongues, I was shaving, and not feeing spiritual at all. I suddenly had a desire to check the oil in my car. It was Monday morning and I never check my oil on Monday morning.
When I checked it, to my dismay I found a mixture of oil and water. I drove immediately to my mechanic who told me that my head gasket had burst. And then he told me something that surprised me. He said it had obviously just occurred. And because I had caught it in time, no damage had occurred to my engine. If I had waited, my engine would have been greatly damaged.
The Lord cared about that natural thing in my life and showed me what I did not know. It was hidden from me. But because I took time to pray about secret truths and hidden things, I was spared a greater expense.
I have hundreds of stories like this from over a thirty three year period. It happens that I stumble upon secret truth and hidden things just about every week. Take time to pray in the spirit every day. Listen to that inward voice. Pay attention to those inward thoughts and desires that seem fleeting and small. It may that the Lord is revealing some secret truths and hidden things to you. It will save you time, heartache, and sometimes money. And you’ll be able to tap into a new source of wisdom from above.
Praying in tongues every day will give you an ability to walk in the wisdom if God. Nothing else will give you the ability to tap into secret truths and hidden things not obvious to the understanding.
So many things are hidden from us: things about our future; answers to pressing problems; issues about our jobs and our finances; how to deal with testy relationships. I’ve found praying in the spirit to be a real key to practically hearing from heaven about everyday life.
The key is keeping at it. I pray in tongues everyday. And I seek to pray for at least an hour. The mind fights this because it doesn’t know what you’re saying and wants to be in control. The emotions many times are unaffected. But the results are always the same.
I usually don’t receive the wisdom when I’m praying; it comes later, like while I’m cutting the grass, running an errand, driving to an engagement, or when I’m awakened at night. Praying in the spirit tunes you into the spirit real; to the realm of your own spirit where God can get information through to you. It’s like you’re opening up a new avenue for information in your mind by praying in tongues. The path of information from your human spirit to your mind becomes accessible and clear.
Years ago after a season of praying in tongues, I was shaving, and not feeing spiritual at all. I suddenly had a desire to check the oil in my car. It was Monday morning and I never check my oil on Monday morning.
When I checked it, to my dismay I found a mixture of oil and water. I drove immediately to my mechanic who told me that my head gasket had burst. And then he told me something that surprised me. He said it had obviously just occurred. And because I had caught it in time, no damage had occurred to my engine. If I had waited, my engine would have been greatly damaged.
The Lord cared about that natural thing in my life and showed me what I did not know. It was hidden from me. But because I took time to pray about secret truths and hidden things, I was spared a greater expense.
I have hundreds of stories like this from over a thirty three year period. It happens that I stumble upon secret truth and hidden things just about every week. Take time to pray in the spirit every day. Listen to that inward voice. Pay attention to those inward thoughts and desires that seem fleeting and small. It may that the Lord is revealing some secret truths and hidden things to you. It will save you time, heartache, and sometimes money. And you’ll be able to tap into a new source of wisdom from above.
Friday, April 9, 2010
I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD (Jeremiah 23:4).
People go to a church for many different reasons. Some go out of tradition, because their parents or relatives have attended that church for a long time. Others go because they feel obligated, their gnawing consciences urging them. Still others go because of the friends they meet there. In one church I pastored years ago, a lady told me that she went to a church all her life because her family had bought her a burial plot there. If she left, she’d lose her plot!
A church is a feeding station for believers. The real reason for the existence of a local church is for believers to be fed spiritually so they can go out and reach their community for Jesus.
A pastor’s primary job is to feed the sheep. Peter admonished pastors to feed the flock of God which is among you (1 Peter 5:2). At a pastors conference in Ephesus in Acts 20:28, Paul encouraged pastors to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.
The Kenneth Wuest translation of Ephesians 4:11 says it well as it mentions the ministry gifts and ends with the phrase pastors who are also teachers. A pastor who is really doing his job is teaching the Word to his people. The Word is central to spiritual growth and maturity. A steady diet of the Word produces stability in life.
Movements come and go, and certain things are emphasized at times in the body of Christ. I’ve been with Jesus now for over 33 years and at times I’ve seen so many different things emphasized at the expense of the Word. And I’ve seen this putting of side issues first hinder and sometimes derail a person’s growth in God.
Kenneth Hagin was being interviewed in the 1950’s and made a comment about those who are building their ministries on spiritual gifts rather than on the Word. He said that long after these ministries were gone he would still be preaching. He said that he was building his ministry on preaching the Word, and not on the manifestation of spiritual gifts. His ministry spanned the globe and is still touching lives worldwide. The Word produces fruit.
Put God’s Word first in your life. Never place the moving of the Spirit before the Word of God. In looking for a church home, believers would be wise to ask the Lord to lead them to a church that teaches the Word and that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
According to Jeremiah in the verse above, the Word taught will produce freedom from fear, from depression and oppression, and will produce blessing in the life of the hearer. Put God’s Word first today!
People go to a church for many different reasons. Some go out of tradition, because their parents or relatives have attended that church for a long time. Others go because they feel obligated, their gnawing consciences urging them. Still others go because of the friends they meet there. In one church I pastored years ago, a lady told me that she went to a church all her life because her family had bought her a burial plot there. If she left, she’d lose her plot!
A church is a feeding station for believers. The real reason for the existence of a local church is for believers to be fed spiritually so they can go out and reach their community for Jesus.
A pastor’s primary job is to feed the sheep. Peter admonished pastors to feed the flock of God which is among you (1 Peter 5:2). At a pastors conference in Ephesus in Acts 20:28, Paul encouraged pastors to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.
The Kenneth Wuest translation of Ephesians 4:11 says it well as it mentions the ministry gifts and ends with the phrase pastors who are also teachers. A pastor who is really doing his job is teaching the Word to his people. The Word is central to spiritual growth and maturity. A steady diet of the Word produces stability in life.
Movements come and go, and certain things are emphasized at times in the body of Christ. I’ve been with Jesus now for over 33 years and at times I’ve seen so many different things emphasized at the expense of the Word. And I’ve seen this putting of side issues first hinder and sometimes derail a person’s growth in God.
Kenneth Hagin was being interviewed in the 1950’s and made a comment about those who are building their ministries on spiritual gifts rather than on the Word. He said that long after these ministries were gone he would still be preaching. He said that he was building his ministry on preaching the Word, and not on the manifestation of spiritual gifts. His ministry spanned the globe and is still touching lives worldwide. The Word produces fruit.
Put God’s Word first in your life. Never place the moving of the Spirit before the Word of God. In looking for a church home, believers would be wise to ask the Lord to lead them to a church that teaches the Word and that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
According to Jeremiah in the verse above, the Word taught will produce freedom from fear, from depression and oppression, and will produce blessing in the life of the hearer. Put God’s Word first today!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 1:19-20).
To receive God’s best we must pursue Him with our whole heart and seek to obey His plan for our lives. It is not possible to walk in the best that God has for you spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, and financially without obeying His call for your life. You can’t have the blessings without intimacy with the one who brings the blessings!
When I lived in Tulsa, I frequently attended Kenneth Hagin’s meetings and heard him share several times about a lady that he could not pray for to be healed. Many years ago he had gone to a hospital to visit a lady there who was around 58 years old. As he sought to pray for her, he said he just couldn’t pray for her healing. He said it was as though a hand lifted his hand off of her as he sought to lay hands on her.
He asked her why he was having trouble praying for her healing and she responded by telling him that she had been called by God into ministry as a missionary at age 13. As she grew older, she said she longed to get married, have children, and have a normal family. She said that she reasoned in her mind that she could obey the call of God by being a secretary in a church and by just supporting missions.
She said to Rev. Hagin that she did what she wanted, got married, had children, and supported missions, but that her health broke and she had never been healthy all her life. And now she knew that she could not be healed because she was not in line to receive God’s best due to her disobedience.
Sometimes people fail to receive healing for similar reasons. Unless we put God first, we’re not in line to receive the promises of His Word. We all should take the time to seek God in prayer and find out what His perfect will is for us. He won’t speak to you about it unless you initiate! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Take time regularly to consecrate yourself to do the will of God. Obedience creates in your life the atmosphere for blessing. Disobedience or slackness in seeking can open up a door to the devourer! Seek God today!
To receive God’s best we must pursue Him with our whole heart and seek to obey His plan for our lives. It is not possible to walk in the best that God has for you spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, and financially without obeying His call for your life. You can’t have the blessings without intimacy with the one who brings the blessings!
When I lived in Tulsa, I frequently attended Kenneth Hagin’s meetings and heard him share several times about a lady that he could not pray for to be healed. Many years ago he had gone to a hospital to visit a lady there who was around 58 years old. As he sought to pray for her, he said he just couldn’t pray for her healing. He said it was as though a hand lifted his hand off of her as he sought to lay hands on her.
He asked her why he was having trouble praying for her healing and she responded by telling him that she had been called by God into ministry as a missionary at age 13. As she grew older, she said she longed to get married, have children, and have a normal family. She said that she reasoned in her mind that she could obey the call of God by being a secretary in a church and by just supporting missions.
She said to Rev. Hagin that she did what she wanted, got married, had children, and supported missions, but that her health broke and she had never been healthy all her life. And now she knew that she could not be healed because she was not in line to receive God’s best due to her disobedience.
Sometimes people fail to receive healing for similar reasons. Unless we put God first, we’re not in line to receive the promises of His Word. We all should take the time to seek God in prayer and find out what His perfect will is for us. He won’t speak to you about it unless you initiate! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Take time regularly to consecrate yourself to do the will of God. Obedience creates in your life the atmosphere for blessing. Disobedience or slackness in seeking can open up a door to the devourer! Seek God today!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Also the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you (Deuteronomy 30:5-7). Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it (Zechariah 12:2-3) I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land (Joel 3:2).
Unless the prayers of the saints of God prevail, our nation is heading into the judgment God pronounced on the enemies of Israel. Our current foreign policy with respect to Israel is to work towards the creation of a Palestinian state that will exist alongside Israel and that will give the Palestinians a land to call their own.
The problem with this plan is that to do this, our government supports taking land from Israel and giving it to the Palestinians. Along with this is the idea to divide Jerusalem into two parts, one part given to the Palestinians, the other part to belong to Israel.
The land that Israel now occupies was given to her by God Almighty! When God says something, He intends to bring it to pass. If God says that those who divide Jerusalem and who hinder His plan for Israel will be judged, then they will. According to the verses above in Deuteronomy, the nations that seek to hinder God’s plan for Israel returning to the land He promised them through Abraham will inherit curses. The curses mentioned there are clearly spelled out in Deuteronomy 28: 15-68. If our government continues its current strategy in the Middle East, these scriptures will show you the days ahead for America. This is difficult to watch as it slowly comes to pass.
This is going to shock you, but I want you to see a summary of the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Let me remind you again; these are judgments promised also to the enemies of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:7).
Here is a summary of the judgments listed in these verses in Deuteronomy 28: children cursed (v. 18); low birth rate (vv. 62-63)crops ruined and animals killed (vv. 18, 22, 31-32, 38-40, 42, 51) confusion of mind, madness, and fear (vv. 20, 28-29, 34, 65-69) sickness (vv. 21-22, 27-28, 35, 59-61) drought, hunger, and thirst (vv. 22-24, 48) defeat in war (vv. 25, 49-50, 52) wives ravished (v. 30) oppression and slavery (vv. 29, 33, 48, 68) cannibalism (vv. 53-57) captivity (vv. 36, 63-64) corpses not buried (v. 26) plans shattered (v. 30) poverty, debt, and nakedness (vv. 44, 48) robbery (vv. 29, 31, 33) children kidnapped (vv. 32, 41) aliens take over the land (v. 43) shame and scorn (v. 37). 1
If you love your country, you should be earnestly seeking God in prayer for our president and our government. Unless we change courses, certain judgment is ahead for America. Obey 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and pray for our national leaders every single day, that the Lord will open their eyes to what He said about Israel and those who oppose His plans for them and the land He promised them through Abraham. What affects our nation will affect you and your children in the future.
1. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)
Unless the prayers of the saints of God prevail, our nation is heading into the judgment God pronounced on the enemies of Israel. Our current foreign policy with respect to Israel is to work towards the creation of a Palestinian state that will exist alongside Israel and that will give the Palestinians a land to call their own.
The problem with this plan is that to do this, our government supports taking land from Israel and giving it to the Palestinians. Along with this is the idea to divide Jerusalem into two parts, one part given to the Palestinians, the other part to belong to Israel.
The land that Israel now occupies was given to her by God Almighty! When God says something, He intends to bring it to pass. If God says that those who divide Jerusalem and who hinder His plan for Israel will be judged, then they will. According to the verses above in Deuteronomy, the nations that seek to hinder God’s plan for Israel returning to the land He promised them through Abraham will inherit curses. The curses mentioned there are clearly spelled out in Deuteronomy 28: 15-68. If our government continues its current strategy in the Middle East, these scriptures will show you the days ahead for America. This is difficult to watch as it slowly comes to pass.
This is going to shock you, but I want you to see a summary of the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Let me remind you again; these are judgments promised also to the enemies of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:7).
Here is a summary of the judgments listed in these verses in Deuteronomy 28: children cursed (v. 18); low birth rate (vv. 62-63)crops ruined and animals killed (vv. 18, 22, 31-32, 38-40, 42, 51) confusion of mind, madness, and fear (vv. 20, 28-29, 34, 65-69) sickness (vv. 21-22, 27-28, 35, 59-61) drought, hunger, and thirst (vv. 22-24, 48) defeat in war (vv. 25, 49-50, 52) wives ravished (v. 30) oppression and slavery (vv. 29, 33, 48, 68) cannibalism (vv. 53-57) captivity (vv. 36, 63-64) corpses not buried (v. 26) plans shattered (v. 30) poverty, debt, and nakedness (vv. 44, 48) robbery (vv. 29, 31, 33) children kidnapped (vv. 32, 41) aliens take over the land (v. 43) shame and scorn (v. 37). 1
If you love your country, you should be earnestly seeking God in prayer for our president and our government. Unless we change courses, certain judgment is ahead for America. Obey 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and pray for our national leaders every single day, that the Lord will open their eyes to what He said about Israel and those who oppose His plans for them and the land He promised them through Abraham. What affects our nation will affect you and your children in the future.
1. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Many people simply can’t correlate the scriptural teaching of hell with a loving God. How can God allow people to suffer such a horrible fate if He really loves them?
Many people surmise their own idea of who God the Father is and what He is like from their own thinking and from their own experiences. But we must go to Word to understand God. It may take our finite minds eternity to explore all of His ways and understand the infinite God completely!
Notice Psalm 50:16-21: But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.
One part of God’s character is justice. Psalm 89:14 reveals: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. His love for us is based on justice. God cannot forgive sin just because He loves us. If that were so, then why did Jesus go to the cross? Why did Jesus have to come as the incarnate Son of God if God could simply forgive the sin of mankind? God’s forgiveness of our sin must be just and fair. He can’t break the rules He set up to govern the universe. That would disqualify Him from being God.
God must be just to His own moral law; He must be just to His enemy Satan; and He must be just to man. Our redemption is amazing. Satan never thought that God would go to such an extreme to redeem us from hell. When Satan succeeded in his scheme to cause man to sin, he thought that we would end up with his own judgment, hell, and that there was no way God could justly set us free from this penalty. But Satan miscalculated the love of God for us!
In redeeming us, God assumed the liability for our wrongdoing, and chose to pay the just penalty for us sin for us! The penalty for eternal spirit rebels is incarceration in hell and then the final judgment of the lake of fire! When Jesus went to hell for us and legally paid our sin debt, the indictment for sin was removed from us, and the trial date cancelled!
Now, every person who accepts Jesus Christ’s legal payment for their sin by bowing their knee to Him can be set free from sin and it’s eternal penalty! Now that is amazing love!
The sad part is that those who refuse Jesus just and legal payment for their sin must endure the sentencing at the great white throne judgment and eventually be placed in the lake of fire. Those who seek their own way in life without bowing their knee to the Son of God in obedience and faith in Him must bear their own sin and its penalty. We have an obligation to tell the sinner that God has cancelled their sin debt in Christ and that they do not have to go to hell!
If a person chooses to refuse Jesus’ eternal sacrifice, then God has an obligation to His own just to allow them to go to hell even though He loves them so. Let’s wake up to our responsibilities today to share this good news with those we come in contact with. Ask the Father to open up conversations with the people you associate with today. Their eternal well being is at stake!
Many people surmise their own idea of who God the Father is and what He is like from their own thinking and from their own experiences. But we must go to Word to understand God. It may take our finite minds eternity to explore all of His ways and understand the infinite God completely!
Notice Psalm 50:16-21: But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.
One part of God’s character is justice. Psalm 89:14 reveals: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. His love for us is based on justice. God cannot forgive sin just because He loves us. If that were so, then why did Jesus go to the cross? Why did Jesus have to come as the incarnate Son of God if God could simply forgive the sin of mankind? God’s forgiveness of our sin must be just and fair. He can’t break the rules He set up to govern the universe. That would disqualify Him from being God.
God must be just to His own moral law; He must be just to His enemy Satan; and He must be just to man. Our redemption is amazing. Satan never thought that God would go to such an extreme to redeem us from hell. When Satan succeeded in his scheme to cause man to sin, he thought that we would end up with his own judgment, hell, and that there was no way God could justly set us free from this penalty. But Satan miscalculated the love of God for us!
In redeeming us, God assumed the liability for our wrongdoing, and chose to pay the just penalty for us sin for us! The penalty for eternal spirit rebels is incarceration in hell and then the final judgment of the lake of fire! When Jesus went to hell for us and legally paid our sin debt, the indictment for sin was removed from us, and the trial date cancelled!
Now, every person who accepts Jesus Christ’s legal payment for their sin by bowing their knee to Him can be set free from sin and it’s eternal penalty! Now that is amazing love!
The sad part is that those who refuse Jesus just and legal payment for their sin must endure the sentencing at the great white throne judgment and eventually be placed in the lake of fire. Those who seek their own way in life without bowing their knee to the Son of God in obedience and faith in Him must bear their own sin and its penalty. We have an obligation to tell the sinner that God has cancelled their sin debt in Christ and that they do not have to go to hell!
If a person chooses to refuse Jesus’ eternal sacrifice, then God has an obligation to His own just to allow them to go to hell even though He loves them so. Let’s wake up to our responsibilities today to share this good news with those we come in contact with. Ask the Father to open up conversations with the people you associate with today. Their eternal well being is at stake!
Monday, April 5, 2010
A truth that is rarely mentioned is the doctrine of eternal retribution. This is the belief found in scripture that there is a place called hell and the lake of fire for those who leave this life without embracing the forgiveness for sin offered them by God through Jesus Christ.
Every human faces judgment after death. Hebrews 9:27 reveals: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Those who die without being born again will face the Great White Throne judgment. This is only for unbelievers, no believers are found here. At another time and place, believers will stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Let me give you the why and how of what happens to unbelievers at death. To understand hell, you must understand the purity and holiness of God. God cannot come near impurity or sin. His very presence would annihilate it! Old Testament saints had no access to the presence of God in the Holy of Holies because they were still sinners. Only the high priest could go into the presence of God and then under great precaution lest he be struck dead by the holiness of God’s presence. Uzza died when he touched the Ark of the Covenant. He was a sinner touching God’s purity.
There has to be a place of confinement for eternal spirit rebels. Those who leave this life without being born again are impure because of sin and cannot enter heaven. If God allowed them to wander around the universe unrestrained, they would demoralize the universe!
Hell was created as a place of eternal confinement for Satan and fallen angels after they sinned and rebelled against God. The Lake of Fire is the final resting place for Satan! Since humanity yielded to sin, humanity faces the same fate as Satan since humans too are eternal spirit rebels that never cease to exist after death.
At death the unsaved go immediately to the eternal county jail called hell to await the trial for their sin called the Great White Throne Judgment. Once judged for their rejection of Jesus, they are cast into the federal penitentiary of eternity called the Lake of Fire. There the unsaved will suffer the agonies of the being burned by fire for eternity. Once there, no one ever gets out! It’s eternal. Spirit beings don’t burn up, they just keep existing! This is a terrible end for any living thing.
I’ll share more on this tomorrow. I’ll leave you with the passage from Revelation 20 which clearly shows the trial and sentencing for eternal spirit rebels. Every person you meet today will either spend eternity with God in heaven and then later in the new heavens and new earth if they have been born again, or they will spend eternity hell and then the lake of fire if they die without Jesus. We have the responsibility today to share the good news with them! No person has to go to hell unless they choose to reject Jesus’ payment for their sins. You have the responsibility today to share the gospel –the good news- with every person you meet!
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Every human faces judgment after death. Hebrews 9:27 reveals: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Those who die without being born again will face the Great White Throne judgment. This is only for unbelievers, no believers are found here. At another time and place, believers will stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Let me give you the why and how of what happens to unbelievers at death. To understand hell, you must understand the purity and holiness of God. God cannot come near impurity or sin. His very presence would annihilate it! Old Testament saints had no access to the presence of God in the Holy of Holies because they were still sinners. Only the high priest could go into the presence of God and then under great precaution lest he be struck dead by the holiness of God’s presence. Uzza died when he touched the Ark of the Covenant. He was a sinner touching God’s purity.
There has to be a place of confinement for eternal spirit rebels. Those who leave this life without being born again are impure because of sin and cannot enter heaven. If God allowed them to wander around the universe unrestrained, they would demoralize the universe!
Hell was created as a place of eternal confinement for Satan and fallen angels after they sinned and rebelled against God. The Lake of Fire is the final resting place for Satan! Since humanity yielded to sin, humanity faces the same fate as Satan since humans too are eternal spirit rebels that never cease to exist after death.
At death the unsaved go immediately to the eternal county jail called hell to await the trial for their sin called the Great White Throne Judgment. Once judged for their rejection of Jesus, they are cast into the federal penitentiary of eternity called the Lake of Fire. There the unsaved will suffer the agonies of the being burned by fire for eternity. Once there, no one ever gets out! It’s eternal. Spirit beings don’t burn up, they just keep existing! This is a terrible end for any living thing.
I’ll share more on this tomorrow. I’ll leave you with the passage from Revelation 20 which clearly shows the trial and sentencing for eternal spirit rebels. Every person you meet today will either spend eternity with God in heaven and then later in the new heavens and new earth if they have been born again, or they will spend eternity hell and then the lake of fire if they die without Jesus. We have the responsibility today to share the good news with them! No person has to go to hell unless they choose to reject Jesus’ payment for their sins. You have the responsibility today to share the gospel –the good news- with every person you meet!
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
Here’s what the judicial side of our redemption demanded. A man got us into sin, and a man must legally pay our sin penalty. But not just any man. For a man to qualify to pay our sin penalty, he must first meet certain criteria. He must be in fellowship with God, and be guilty of no sin of His own. He must not be subject to Satan’s control and He must have a body that is not subject to physical death. No human born of two human parents is capable of legally paying for the sins of mankind, for he is sinful himself, is under Satan’s control, and is already subject to death.
When Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out as God literally turned His back on Him and made Him to become our sin. Our sin is a spiritual thing. Though Jesus suffered untold agony when He hung on the cross, His physical sufferings did not begin to touch our sin problem.
Jesus literally bore our spiritual death. He really died twice on the cross. He died spiritually when He cried out as God forsook Him. He became our spiritual death. Later, He died physically, but only after He died spiritually by becoming our spiritual death.
When Jesus died, He went to hell to pay our sin penalty. The penalty for sin is spiritual and physical death, and incarceration in hell. Jesus bore our sin penalty, and went to hell for us the moment He died. In this way, He legally dealt with our sin problem, and made a complete redemption available for us!
Hell was divided into two compartments before Jesus died and rose from the dead. According to Jesus there was the righteous side of hell called Paradise by Jesus on the cross, and also called Abraham’s bosom. There was also the unrighteous side of hell where all unbelievers of all ages go at death (See Luke 16).
When Jesus died, He went to hell and stayed there until God was satisfied that our sin debt was completed paid in full. When God’s justice toward our sin was satisfied, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in hell, and He was Born Again, that is, He came back alive unto God and His fellowship with the Father was restored!
There in paradise, the righteous side of hell, he preached the gospel to the Old Testament saints, showing him that he was the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. He led the Old Testament believers out of hell in a triumphantly! Their bodies were resurrected when He was resurrected, and they appeared to many of the believers in Jerusalem!
Jesus then conquered death by being resurrected from the dead in a new flesh and bone body. His resurrection took the sting out of death for us, and guarantees us a physical resurrection when Jesus comes for us in the rapture of the church.
Jesus defeated death, hell, Satan, and the grave for us when He was raised from the dead. His resurrection gives makes available to us the New Birth; access into the presence of God anytime day or night; victory over Satan and all His forces; healing for our bodies from sickness and disease; the promise of all our needs being met in this life; and the promise that one day we’ll have a brand new immortal body just like the one He received at His resurrection.
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where He ever lives to make intercession for us. He is our heavenly defense attorney, and He’s never lost a case! We are seated with Him far above the power of Satan and his emissaries.
Take your place seated in heavenly places with Jesus Christ, and rule and reign in your life through the victory gained By Christ Jesus for you!
Here’s what the judicial side of our redemption demanded. A man got us into sin, and a man must legally pay our sin penalty. But not just any man. For a man to qualify to pay our sin penalty, he must first meet certain criteria. He must be in fellowship with God, and be guilty of no sin of His own. He must not be subject to Satan’s control and He must have a body that is not subject to physical death. No human born of two human parents is capable of legally paying for the sins of mankind, for he is sinful himself, is under Satan’s control, and is already subject to death.
When Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out as God literally turned His back on Him and made Him to become our sin. Our sin is a spiritual thing. Though Jesus suffered untold agony when He hung on the cross, His physical sufferings did not begin to touch our sin problem.
Jesus literally bore our spiritual death. He really died twice on the cross. He died spiritually when He cried out as God forsook Him. He became our spiritual death. Later, He died physically, but only after He died spiritually by becoming our spiritual death.
When Jesus died, He went to hell to pay our sin penalty. The penalty for sin is spiritual and physical death, and incarceration in hell. Jesus bore our sin penalty, and went to hell for us the moment He died. In this way, He legally dealt with our sin problem, and made a complete redemption available for us!
Hell was divided into two compartments before Jesus died and rose from the dead. According to Jesus there was the righteous side of hell called Paradise by Jesus on the cross, and also called Abraham’s bosom. There was also the unrighteous side of hell where all unbelievers of all ages go at death (See Luke 16).
When Jesus died, He went to hell and stayed there until God was satisfied that our sin debt was completed paid in full. When God’s justice toward our sin was satisfied, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in hell, and He was Born Again, that is, He came back alive unto God and His fellowship with the Father was restored!
There in paradise, the righteous side of hell, he preached the gospel to the Old Testament saints, showing him that he was the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. He led the Old Testament believers out of hell in a triumphantly! Their bodies were resurrected when He was resurrected, and they appeared to many of the believers in Jerusalem!
Jesus then conquered death by being resurrected from the dead in a new flesh and bone body. His resurrection took the sting out of death for us, and guarantees us a physical resurrection when Jesus comes for us in the rapture of the church.
Jesus defeated death, hell, Satan, and the grave for us when He was raised from the dead. His resurrection gives makes available to us the New Birth; access into the presence of God anytime day or night; victory over Satan and all His forces; healing for our bodies from sickness and disease; the promise of all our needs being met in this life; and the promise that one day we’ll have a brand new immortal body just like the one He received at His resurrection.
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where He ever lives to make intercession for us. He is our heavenly defense attorney, and He’s never lost a case! We are seated with Him far above the power of Satan and his emissaries.
Take your place seated in heavenly places with Jesus Christ, and rule and reign in your life through the victory gained By Christ Jesus for you!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God — [that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-8- Amplified).
The wisdom of God sent Jesus to the cross. The whole reason that Jesus was incarnated was so that He could die for the sins of humanity. The Magi who offered Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were prophetic in their deed (Matthew 2:11). The gold spoke of Jesus divinity, the frankincense of His anointing as Messiah, and the myrrh spoke of His death, since myrrh was used in preparing the dead for burial.
If we knew the day, time, and events surrounding our death, it would take a heavy psychological toll on us. A. B. Simpson says the veil that hides our future is woven by the hand of mercy. But this is not so with Jesus. He was born to be the lamb taken to the slaughterhouse. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
But it was not just Jesus gruesome physical death that bore our sins. His sacrifice was much deeper than that. In the wisdom of God, the sinless Son of God became a man so that he as a sinless man could assume our sin debt and pay it for us! When Jesus cried out on the cross My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me, He fulfilled part of His purpose in coming to the earth in incarnate form. Isaiah reveals that the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
The Apostle Paul received the revelation from the Holy Spirit that Jesus was our sin substitute there on Calvary. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus actually bore our spiritual death on the cross. He became what we are, so the we could become what He is! He became our sin, our separation from God, so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him! That means that now we can stand before God as though we had never sinned!
When Jesus cried out My God, My God on the cross, He was hit with the sudden realization that God had turned His back on Him. The sweet fellowship He has with the Father from eternity past was suddenly gone. Gloom and darkness surrounded Him. The legions of hell in the spirit realm gaped upon Him. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet (Psalm 22:13-16).
Yes, Jesus became our spiritual death on the cross. And He endured our sin penalty so that we could go free. Tomorrow we’ll look a bit deeper into Jesus death and what it did. Don’t take personal sin lightly in your life. Jesus endured hell so that you could be forgiven. He gave both His natural and spiritual life so that you could escape hell!
The wisdom of God sent Jesus to the cross. The whole reason that Jesus was incarnated was so that He could die for the sins of humanity. The Magi who offered Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were prophetic in their deed (Matthew 2:11). The gold spoke of Jesus divinity, the frankincense of His anointing as Messiah, and the myrrh spoke of His death, since myrrh was used in preparing the dead for burial.
If we knew the day, time, and events surrounding our death, it would take a heavy psychological toll on us. A. B. Simpson says the veil that hides our future is woven by the hand of mercy. But this is not so with Jesus. He was born to be the lamb taken to the slaughterhouse. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
But it was not just Jesus gruesome physical death that bore our sins. His sacrifice was much deeper than that. In the wisdom of God, the sinless Son of God became a man so that he as a sinless man could assume our sin debt and pay it for us! When Jesus cried out on the cross My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me, He fulfilled part of His purpose in coming to the earth in incarnate form. Isaiah reveals that the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
The Apostle Paul received the revelation from the Holy Spirit that Jesus was our sin substitute there on Calvary. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus actually bore our spiritual death on the cross. He became what we are, so the we could become what He is! He became our sin, our separation from God, so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him! That means that now we can stand before God as though we had never sinned!
When Jesus cried out My God, My God on the cross, He was hit with the sudden realization that God had turned His back on Him. The sweet fellowship He has with the Father from eternity past was suddenly gone. Gloom and darkness surrounded Him. The legions of hell in the spirit realm gaped upon Him. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet (Psalm 22:13-16).
Yes, Jesus became our spiritual death on the cross. And He endured our sin penalty so that we could go free. Tomorrow we’ll look a bit deeper into Jesus death and what it did. Don’t take personal sin lightly in your life. Jesus endured hell so that you could be forgiven. He gave both His natural and spiritual life so that you could escape hell!
Friday, April 2, 2010
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 1:19-20).
Jesus prayed the prayer of consecration in the garden of Gethsemane before He faced crucifixion, died, and then was raised from the dead. The word Gethsemane means the place of crushing. There in that olive tree orchard olives were harvested and crushed in order to provide the rich and healthful oils that benefit humanity. And in that same Olive orchard Jesus was faced with giving up His human desires to a higher cause, the redemption of all humanity from the penalty of sin.
Jesus had to experience the place of crushing and then He had to face the physical agony of death by crucifixion before He could attain His stature in heaven of being seated at the right hand of the Father. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:8-11).
Before His exaltation, Jesus faced personal humiliation. There is a pattern here that we must see. If we are going to occupy that place of being seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and of being heir of God and equal heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17), then we’re going to have to be willing to experience our personal Gethsemane. This is the place when we take all of our personal human ambition and desire and lay it down before the Father. Then we willingly submit to whatever plan the Father has purposed for our lives from the foundation of the world.
Unless you’re willing to bow in humility before the sovereign purposes of God for your life, you will never attain to the best that God has for you right now.
Isaiah stated tersely that only those who are willing and obedient will eat the good of the land. Willingness and obedience go hand in hand. The Father wants you to be willing to do anything He asks you to do and to go anywhere He asks you to go. That kind of personal consecration takes life out of the sphere of self-centered living, and places us into the abundant stream of God’s will.
Kenneth Hagin used to mention the Lord speaking to him in a time of personal consecration while he pastored a church in Texas in the 1940’s. He said that the Lord told him that at that time he had only entered into the first phase of the ministry that God had for Him, and at the time he had already been in ministry for 12 years! Then brother Hagin mentioned that the Lord said to him that many ministers live and die and never enter the full will of God for their lives. He then noted that God did not speak to Him further about his own ministry until he took extra time to seek him and make personal consecrations.
Kenneth Hagin also mentioned something that may shock you. He said the Lord told him that this lack of consecrating to do the will of God is the reason that many die before their time, and die in mid life! That’s quite shocking, but the truth is that we don’t qualify for God’s best unless we give him our best, our ultimate consecration of our now and our future to the Father.
To be seated in that position of authority and blessing with Jesus your Lord, you must pass through your own Gethsemane and your own crucifixion of fleshly desire and will. To receive the best that God has for you, you must seek Him with your whole heart!
This prayer of consecration should be a regular part of your personal prayer life. Take some time today and commit yourself afresh to do the will of God, whatever it may be for your life. If you do, you’ll qualify to eat the good of the land. If you refuse, it could cost you dearly!
Jesus prayed the prayer of consecration in the garden of Gethsemane before He faced crucifixion, died, and then was raised from the dead. The word Gethsemane means the place of crushing. There in that olive tree orchard olives were harvested and crushed in order to provide the rich and healthful oils that benefit humanity. And in that same Olive orchard Jesus was faced with giving up His human desires to a higher cause, the redemption of all humanity from the penalty of sin.
Jesus had to experience the place of crushing and then He had to face the physical agony of death by crucifixion before He could attain His stature in heaven of being seated at the right hand of the Father. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:8-11).
Before His exaltation, Jesus faced personal humiliation. There is a pattern here that we must see. If we are going to occupy that place of being seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and of being heir of God and equal heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17), then we’re going to have to be willing to experience our personal Gethsemane. This is the place when we take all of our personal human ambition and desire and lay it down before the Father. Then we willingly submit to whatever plan the Father has purposed for our lives from the foundation of the world.
Unless you’re willing to bow in humility before the sovereign purposes of God for your life, you will never attain to the best that God has for you right now.
Isaiah stated tersely that only those who are willing and obedient will eat the good of the land. Willingness and obedience go hand in hand. The Father wants you to be willing to do anything He asks you to do and to go anywhere He asks you to go. That kind of personal consecration takes life out of the sphere of self-centered living, and places us into the abundant stream of God’s will.
Kenneth Hagin used to mention the Lord speaking to him in a time of personal consecration while he pastored a church in Texas in the 1940’s. He said that the Lord told him that at that time he had only entered into the first phase of the ministry that God had for Him, and at the time he had already been in ministry for 12 years! Then brother Hagin mentioned that the Lord said to him that many ministers live and die and never enter the full will of God for their lives. He then noted that God did not speak to Him further about his own ministry until he took extra time to seek him and make personal consecrations.
Kenneth Hagin also mentioned something that may shock you. He said the Lord told him that this lack of consecrating to do the will of God is the reason that many die before their time, and die in mid life! That’s quite shocking, but the truth is that we don’t qualify for God’s best unless we give him our best, our ultimate consecration of our now and our future to the Father.
To be seated in that position of authority and blessing with Jesus your Lord, you must pass through your own Gethsemane and your own crucifixion of fleshly desire and will. To receive the best that God has for you, you must seek Him with your whole heart!
This prayer of consecration should be a regular part of your personal prayer life. Take some time today and commit yourself afresh to do the will of God, whatever it may be for your life. If you do, you’ll qualify to eat the good of the land. If you refuse, it could cost you dearly!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
And He said to her, Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace (Luke 8:48).
Faith receives what grace provides. This lady had a physical problem for twelve years. Crowds were pressing on Jesus from every side, but her believing touch pulled the power of God from Him into her body and she was healed. In a crowd that size, there had to be so many that needed that same healing power. But only she had the touch of faith.
Smith Wigglesworth, the noted English evangelist, said that when you’re believing God, it seems as though He will pass over a million people just to get to you. Need doesn’t move the hand of God. But faith pulls on His awesome power. Faith is conduit that God’s power travels on into your life.
With God all things are possible. All things are possible to him who believes. Healing comes through faith. Not hoping that one day things will be better, but by believing that right now God has done and is doing what He promised.
Faith never looks to the future to receive what God has provided. Hope longs for the day of deliverance. Faith acts as though the work has already been done. It talks of the victory and gives thanks for the answer while symptoms rage.
Faith takes the place of what you are believing God for until it manifests. Faith is as happy and joyful before the results can be seen and felt as it is when the manifestation comes. It is almost anti-climactic. Faith is as sure of the results as it would be if they were already manifested.
Believing you receive is the key to results. Give yourself a faith check-up today. Are you believing and acting as though you had the healing right now. Or are you looking to some unknown date in the future for the manifestation. Faith sees it now. Hope looks in the distance. Faith is excited and joyful, full of praises now. Hope longs for the day of deliverance. Faith acts as though the deliverance has already come.
Add faith to your foundation of hope and you’ll be like the woman in the crowd. As you stand in faith, praising, thanking, speaking, and acting as though you had what you asked for, one day the Father will drop the manifestation on you. The Father is looking for your faith today.
Faith receives what grace provides. This lady had a physical problem for twelve years. Crowds were pressing on Jesus from every side, but her believing touch pulled the power of God from Him into her body and she was healed. In a crowd that size, there had to be so many that needed that same healing power. But only she had the touch of faith.
Smith Wigglesworth, the noted English evangelist, said that when you’re believing God, it seems as though He will pass over a million people just to get to you. Need doesn’t move the hand of God. But faith pulls on His awesome power. Faith is conduit that God’s power travels on into your life.
With God all things are possible. All things are possible to him who believes. Healing comes through faith. Not hoping that one day things will be better, but by believing that right now God has done and is doing what He promised.
Faith never looks to the future to receive what God has provided. Hope longs for the day of deliverance. Faith acts as though the work has already been done. It talks of the victory and gives thanks for the answer while symptoms rage.
Faith takes the place of what you are believing God for until it manifests. Faith is as happy and joyful before the results can be seen and felt as it is when the manifestation comes. It is almost anti-climactic. Faith is as sure of the results as it would be if they were already manifested.
Believing you receive is the key to results. Give yourself a faith check-up today. Are you believing and acting as though you had the healing right now. Or are you looking to some unknown date in the future for the manifestation. Faith sees it now. Hope looks in the distance. Faith is excited and joyful, full of praises now. Hope longs for the day of deliverance. Faith acts as though the deliverance has already come.
Add faith to your foundation of hope and you’ll be like the woman in the crowd. As you stand in faith, praising, thanking, speaking, and acting as though you had what you asked for, one day the Father will drop the manifestation on you. The Father is looking for your faith today.
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