When Jesus defeated the devil, He did it for you and me. Jesus was never under the dominion of the devil because He was sinless. His blood came from the Father and there is no sin in Him. Because we came from the same bloodline as the fallen Adam, we were born with sin in us. It's not because of what you did, but because of what Adam did.
A friend of mine recently adopted a baby. The baby was born a heroin addict not because of what the baby did, but because of what the mother did. Sin was transferred through the bloodline that was Adam just like the addiction was transferred to the baby because of the blood.
I remember watching a television program about a diseased monkey. Everyone who was scratched or bitten by that monkey died. The only way to stop the disease was to find the monkey who was a carrier of the disease and use his blood to make an anecdote. The monkey carried the disease but never died from it. The entire time I watched that show, all I could think of was is that's what Jesus did. He carried our sins and death and then rose from the dead to give us life in His blood. Jesus was the anecdote for the sin disease.
Once the sin disease was broken and destroyed by the blood of Jesus, the enemy had no hold on the one who will accept the anecdote. The disease of sin and death has been broken by the blood offered by Jesus. This sin was a spiritual disease that gave satan power over the one who had it. Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord, the anecdote of His blood cured the disease and set you free from it.
Without this hold on mankind, the only thing for the devil to do was to try and deceive you into thinking it didn't work. As long as he could deceive you, you still walked under the same guilt, condemnation, and shame that you did when you had the sin. 2 Corinthians (Amplified) is the written cure for the sin disease and says that, "for our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin. So that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteous of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him) by His goodness."
The blood of Jesus has made us free from the enemy forever. Romans 8:1 (Amplified) declares, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no judging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus (who live and walk not after the dictates of the flesh), but after the dictates of the Spirit." The dictates of the flesh still want to condemn you and the dictates of the Spirit declare you free.
If satan can still move on you for things that you've done, then you're walking in the dictates of the flesh. As long as you live under guilt, satan will torment you even though you've been cleansed. Romans 8:33_34 (Amplified) says, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect (when it is) God who justifies (that is, who puts us in right relationship with Himself)? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God acquit us?" Verse 34 continues, "Who is there to condemn us? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah) who died, or rather was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of the Father actually pleading as He intercedes for us?"
We've been sold a bill of good by satan, as well as some well meaning individuals, that somehow God still isn't pleased with us. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. When we read in Colossians 2:14-15 (Amplified) that, "Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us) this (note with its regulations, decrees and demands) He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to (His) cross." Verse 15 goes on, "(God) disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against and made a bold display and public example of them, triumphing over them in Him and in it (the cross)."
We are so free that it makes the latter day Scribes and Pharisees angry because we don't knuckle under to their religious demands. They want you to dress a certain way, to wear your hair a certain way, to feel guilty over who you used to be and to consider yourself as some kind of low-life. 1 Peter 2:9 (Amplified) declares that Jesus made you saying, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, (God's) own purchased special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfection of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
You wonder sometimes how we can read the words and miss the meaning of these scriptures. We have the ability to understand in our minds, but we miss the truth in our hearts. We read what it says, yet, can hardly believe it is true. We wouldn't dare say that we don't believe God's Word, but continue on as though the blood of our Lord wasn't enough.
If you have done something that the blood of Jesus didn't cover, then please, don't tell me what it is, His blood did it all! We say we believe in Jesus and act as though we're still guilty. We say we believe that Jesus did it all and still try basing righteousness on how long we pray, how much we read and how nice we are. We still try to improve on His righteousness that is our relationship with God. If you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, then you can't improve on that. You only have to believe it.
Don't let the devil tell you that you must jump through hoops to be in right standing with God. Just tell him who you are in Christ Jesus.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Lesson 3 One Greater Than He
In the 28th chapter of Ezekiel (Amplified) we find the Lord instructing the prophet to speak to the King of Tyre. He had just spoken to the Prince of Tyre. The Prince was the man on the throne and the King of Tyre was the spirit, satan, who was really in charge of what was going on.
You find in Verses 13-14 (Amplified) the Lord says that this King of Tyre was in Eden. There were only three persons in Eden except for when satan entered. There was Adam, Eve, and God. The only other person was the serpent or satan. In Verse 14 God called him the anointed cherub.
In Verse 18 (Amplified), the Lord spoke of the end of satan when He said, "'I have brought forth a fire from your midst; it has reduced you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who looked at you.'" Verse 19 says, "'You have come to a horrible end and shall never return to being.'"
This prophecy spoken to satan by the Lord has come to pass by Jesus. The enemy has already been stripped of his authority and power. The only thing left to be fulfilled is the final judgement into the lake of fire. The ability to deceive men is all that's left for his overthrown kingdom.
In Thess.2:7-10 (Amplified), the Word of God speaks of the anti-Christ and his power of deception. In Verse 9 we read, "The coming (of the lawless one; the anti-Christ) is through the activity and working of satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of (pretended) miracles and signs and delusive marvels (all of them) lying wonders." Upon reading this, you understand that satan is like a magician using slight of hand to make things appear differently than they are.
The Word says that all these things are "pretended miracles and signs and delusive marvels; all of them lying wonders." I once watched David Copperfield make the Statue of Liberty disappear on television. Everyone knew it was still there, but he made the illusion of disappearance look so convincing.
In Corinthians 11:13-15 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul speaks about those who would deceive the Church in the guise of being the Church, counterfeit men and false apostles, masquerading as apostles. Verse 14 (Amplified) says, "And it is no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."
When satan comes to a believer, he doesn't come saying he is satan. But, he comes saying that he is the Lord. He tries to get the Church to believe that all the hard times and sicknesses and heartaches are just God teaching His people. All the while, it's a deception of the same defrocked satanic spirit that comes as an angel of light.
If the Church ever catches onto the fact that Jesus defeated the devil for us and stripped him of his authority and ability, then it will be all over for the devil. The only power that was left to him was the power (or ability) to deceive people. He'll try telling you that your sins haven't been forgiven, that you're not clean before the Lord, that you don't pray enough, that you can't get healed or that your prayers are unanswered because you don't live a perfect life. And, then he will try convincing you that all of your problems stem from God.
If satan can convince you of these things, then he will keep you from enjoying your salvation. I knew a lady some years ago who was placed in a mental health ward because of the lying spirit. She was a Christian woman who loved God. This lying devil came to her saying that he was Jesus. He told her that (as Jesus) he loved her enough to shed his blood for her. Then he said that if she loved him, then she must shed her blood as proof. The lady (who did love God) was deceived into cutting her wrists and the back of her knees to prove her love for God. She was placed in a mental ward and remained there for 13 years until God told me to go get her out and set her free.
This lying spirit will tell you anything to get you to allow him to minister into your life. You must know who he is and what Jesus did to him. If he told you he was the devil, then you wouldn't listen to him. But, if he can deceive you into thinking he is God, then you will listen. That's why James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God; Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you."
You find in Verses 13-14 (Amplified) the Lord says that this King of Tyre was in Eden. There were only three persons in Eden except for when satan entered. There was Adam, Eve, and God. The only other person was the serpent or satan. In Verse 14 God called him the anointed cherub.
In Verse 18 (Amplified), the Lord spoke of the end of satan when He said, "'I have brought forth a fire from your midst; it has reduced you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who looked at you.'" Verse 19 says, "'You have come to a horrible end and shall never return to being.'"
This prophecy spoken to satan by the Lord has come to pass by Jesus. The enemy has already been stripped of his authority and power. The only thing left to be fulfilled is the final judgement into the lake of fire. The ability to deceive men is all that's left for his overthrown kingdom.
In Thess.2:7-10 (Amplified), the Word of God speaks of the anti-Christ and his power of deception. In Verse 9 we read, "The coming (of the lawless one; the anti-Christ) is through the activity and working of satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of (pretended) miracles and signs and delusive marvels (all of them) lying wonders." Upon reading this, you understand that satan is like a magician using slight of hand to make things appear differently than they are.
The Word says that all these things are "pretended miracles and signs and delusive marvels; all of them lying wonders." I once watched David Copperfield make the Statue of Liberty disappear on television. Everyone knew it was still there, but he made the illusion of disappearance look so convincing.
In Corinthians 11:13-15 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul speaks about those who would deceive the Church in the guise of being the Church, counterfeit men and false apostles, masquerading as apostles. Verse 14 (Amplified) says, "And it is no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."
When satan comes to a believer, he doesn't come saying he is satan. But, he comes saying that he is the Lord. He tries to get the Church to believe that all the hard times and sicknesses and heartaches are just God teaching His people. All the while, it's a deception of the same defrocked satanic spirit that comes as an angel of light.
If the Church ever catches onto the fact that Jesus defeated the devil for us and stripped him of his authority and ability, then it will be all over for the devil. The only power that was left to him was the power (or ability) to deceive people. He'll try telling you that your sins haven't been forgiven, that you're not clean before the Lord, that you don't pray enough, that you can't get healed or that your prayers are unanswered because you don't live a perfect life. And, then he will try convincing you that all of your problems stem from God.
If satan can convince you of these things, then he will keep you from enjoying your salvation. I knew a lady some years ago who was placed in a mental health ward because of the lying spirit. She was a Christian woman who loved God. This lying devil came to her saying that he was Jesus. He told her that (as Jesus) he loved her enough to shed his blood for her. Then he said that if she loved him, then she must shed her blood as proof. The lady (who did love God) was deceived into cutting her wrists and the back of her knees to prove her love for God. She was placed in a mental ward and remained there for 13 years until God told me to go get her out and set her free.
This lying spirit will tell you anything to get you to allow him to minister into your life. You must know who he is and what Jesus did to him. If he told you he was the devil, then you wouldn't listen to him. But, if he can deceive you into thinking he is God, then you will listen. That's why James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God; Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you."
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Lesson 2 One Stronger Than He
We've been discussing the believer's authority over the enemy. When Jesus made the remark about one stronger than he (satan), He was speaking about Himself being stronger than satan. He was the One who spoiled the strong,man's house and divided his goods.
You and I have the authority that Jesus gave to us when He gave us His name. After being made our sacrifice for all things and rising from the dead, Jesus made the statement in Matthew 28:18 (Amplified) that "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given Me." When we were saved we became joint-heirs with Jesus. According to Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) , we share in His name and in His inheritance in the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says that, "His name (which was given to us) is a name above every name." Verse 10 says that "every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus." That means that every being in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow at that name. We are in Christ Jesus and according to Romans 8:1 (Amplified) as believers we have what He died (and rose from the dead) to deliver unto us.
Jesus made a statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) that if anyone else had made, then it would have been more than anyone would have dared to believe. Jesus declared that those who believed in Him would do the things that He (Jesus) did. This would include having His authority over demon forces.
Many Christians seem to be squeamish about using the name of Jesus for their own deliverance. The only name you can use is His name. Your name has no power in it to do anything. In our own selves we have no authority over satan or our own sin. We're totally dependent upon His name and authority.
When Jesus was raised from the dead, it was as though you and I were raised up together with Him. Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him (Jesus) and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
So, we're in the place of authority over satan and his demon power by virtue of being in Jesus. Does this mean that we can stop him from working tragedy on the earth? No! But, you can stop him from working in your life.
Go with me to Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) and let's read what the Holy Spirit has to say about God's family here on earth. Please, read the verses before verse 10, but let me preface it by saying that the mystery that the Holy Spirit wrote about was "Christ in us, our hope of glory." Verse 10 says, "(The purpose is) many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
This plan that God had in the beginning was that His children would rule with Him over everything. Now let's look at Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified) where Paul says that this armor would make us "successful to stand against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil." In Verse 12 he continues telling us that what we are in war against is demon forces. Once more, Paul says in Verse 16 (Amplified) that "the shield of faith would quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one."
These same principalities and powers Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:12 are the same powers he spoke about in Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified).
God wants the Church to walk in the name of Jesus and to spoil the strongman's house just as He did. He is the one who is stronger.
Notice! This shield of faith that quenches all the missiles of the devil, is just that; a shield of faith. What if you are a believer and you don't have faith against the devil? Is it then a shield of faith? Does this shield work if you have no faith in it?
This doesn't mean you're not saved, but only your faith is limited by what you believe. James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you." The only thing that will cause him to move is your understanding and faith in your understanding about your authority in the name of Jesus. Without faith over the devil in the name of Jesus, you have no shield to cover you against him.
You and I have the authority that Jesus gave to us when He gave us His name. After being made our sacrifice for all things and rising from the dead, Jesus made the statement in Matthew 28:18 (Amplified) that "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given Me." When we were saved we became joint-heirs with Jesus. According to Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) , we share in His name and in His inheritance in the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says that, "His name (which was given to us) is a name above every name." Verse 10 says that "every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus." That means that every being in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow at that name. We are in Christ Jesus and according to Romans 8:1 (Amplified) as believers we have what He died (and rose from the dead) to deliver unto us.
Jesus made a statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) that if anyone else had made, then it would have been more than anyone would have dared to believe. Jesus declared that those who believed in Him would do the things that He (Jesus) did. This would include having His authority over demon forces.
Many Christians seem to be squeamish about using the name of Jesus for their own deliverance. The only name you can use is His name. Your name has no power in it to do anything. In our own selves we have no authority over satan or our own sin. We're totally dependent upon His name and authority.
When Jesus was raised from the dead, it was as though you and I were raised up together with Him. Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him (Jesus) and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
So, we're in the place of authority over satan and his demon power by virtue of being in Jesus. Does this mean that we can stop him from working tragedy on the earth? No! But, you can stop him from working in your life.
Go with me to Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) and let's read what the Holy Spirit has to say about God's family here on earth. Please, read the verses before verse 10, but let me preface it by saying that the mystery that the Holy Spirit wrote about was "Christ in us, our hope of glory." Verse 10 says, "(The purpose is) many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
This plan that God had in the beginning was that His children would rule with Him over everything. Now let's look at Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified) where Paul says that this armor would make us "successful to stand against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil." In Verse 12 he continues telling us that what we are in war against is demon forces. Once more, Paul says in Verse 16 (Amplified) that "the shield of faith would quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one."
These same principalities and powers Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:12 are the same powers he spoke about in Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified).
God wants the Church to walk in the name of Jesus and to spoil the strongman's house just as He did. He is the one who is stronger.
Notice! This shield of faith that quenches all the missiles of the devil, is just that; a shield of faith. What if you are a believer and you don't have faith against the devil? Is it then a shield of faith? Does this shield work if you have no faith in it?
This doesn't mean you're not saved, but only your faith is limited by what you believe. James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you." The only thing that will cause him to move is your understanding and faith in your understanding about your authority in the name of Jesus. Without faith over the devil in the name of Jesus, you have no shield to cover you against him.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Lesson 1 One Stronger Than He
In Luke 11:21-22 (Amplified) we read, "When the strong man, fully armed, (from his courtyard) guards his own dwelling, his belongings are undisturbed (his property is at peace and is secure)." Verse 22 goes on, "But when one stronger than he attacks him and conquers him, he robs him of his whole armor on which he had relied and divides up and distributes all his goods as plunder (spoil)."
In Luke 4:5-7 (Amplified) Jesus (having been taken by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to meet satan) was now entering into the strong man's own territory." Verse 5 says that "Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time (in the twinkling of an eye)." Verse 6 goes on, "And he said to Him, 'To you I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity and grace) for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will." Verse 7 says, "Therefore, if you will do homage to and worship me (just once) it shall all be yours."
Jesus made the statement that "you shall worship only God" and rejected the deception of the enemy. The deception wasn't that the kingdom was his to give away; it was. Adam had delivered it over to him in the Garden. The deception was, that had Jesus taken the bait, then He would have fallen into the same thing Adam had fallen into. He would have subjected mankind (and God) into this world of sin and death forever.
Jesus, walking in the authority of a sinless man (having been born of God) now walked in a place that satan's authority did not control Him. In the book of Luke 11:21-22 (Amplified), Jesus stated (after casting out a demon), "When the strong man (satan) fully armed, (from his courtyard) guards his own dwelling, his belongings are undisturbed (his property is at peace and is secure)." Verse 22 goes on, "But when one stronger than he attacks him and conquers him, he robs him of his whole armor on which he had relied and divides up and distributes all his goods as plunder (spoil)."
In Luke 10:19 (Amplified) Jesus remarked to His disciples, "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon scorpions and serpents, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses); and nothing shall in any way harm you."
This ability over the kingdom of darkness wasn't just for Jesus because He was never under the authority. It was for us. Jesus took the authority that Adam gave satan and took it back. By the power of His name alone, Jesus issued authority to His disciples who weren't born again yet. This ability over the enemy was now Jesus' to administer even before His resurrection. Jesus stated in Mark 16:17 (Amplified), after His resurrection, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they shall drive out demons; they will speak in new languages."
Ephesians 2:1-2 (Amplified) tells us, "And you (He made alive) when you were dead (slain) by (your) trespasses and sins." Verse 2 says, "In which at one time you walked (habitually) you were following the course and fashion of this world (we under the sway of the tendency of this present age) following the prince of the power of the air. (You were obedient to and under the control of) the (demon) spirit that still works in the sons of disobedience (the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving who go against the purposes of God)."
This stronger man (who is Jesus) took back the authority that God gave Adam in the beginning in Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) where, "God said, 'let us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make manking in Our Image, after Our Likeness; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the (tame) beasts, and over all the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.'"
This authority over satan and the dark forces of the enemy was given over to us by Jesus Himself. After He took over the strong man and spoiled his house, Jesus gave us the power of attorney to walk in His authority. Because of Jesus, the enemy has no right to the believer at all anymore. His reign of death, guilt and condemnation of sin, is ended in the life of the believer.
In Luke 4:5-7 (Amplified) Jesus (having been taken by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to meet satan) was now entering into the strong man's own territory." Verse 5 says that "Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time (in the twinkling of an eye)." Verse 6 goes on, "And he said to Him, 'To you I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity and grace) for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will." Verse 7 says, "Therefore, if you will do homage to and worship me (just once) it shall all be yours."
Jesus made the statement that "you shall worship only God" and rejected the deception of the enemy. The deception wasn't that the kingdom was his to give away; it was. Adam had delivered it over to him in the Garden. The deception was, that had Jesus taken the bait, then He would have fallen into the same thing Adam had fallen into. He would have subjected mankind (and God) into this world of sin and death forever.
Jesus, walking in the authority of a sinless man (having been born of God) now walked in a place that satan's authority did not control Him. In the book of Luke 11:21-22 (Amplified), Jesus stated (after casting out a demon), "When the strong man (satan) fully armed, (from his courtyard) guards his own dwelling, his belongings are undisturbed (his property is at peace and is secure)." Verse 22 goes on, "But when one stronger than he attacks him and conquers him, he robs him of his whole armor on which he had relied and divides up and distributes all his goods as plunder (spoil)."
In Luke 10:19 (Amplified) Jesus remarked to His disciples, "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon scorpions and serpents, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses); and nothing shall in any way harm you."
This ability over the kingdom of darkness wasn't just for Jesus because He was never under the authority. It was for us. Jesus took the authority that Adam gave satan and took it back. By the power of His name alone, Jesus issued authority to His disciples who weren't born again yet. This ability over the enemy was now Jesus' to administer even before His resurrection. Jesus stated in Mark 16:17 (Amplified), after His resurrection, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they shall drive out demons; they will speak in new languages."
Ephesians 2:1-2 (Amplified) tells us, "And you (He made alive) when you were dead (slain) by (your) trespasses and sins." Verse 2 says, "In which at one time you walked (habitually) you were following the course and fashion of this world (we under the sway of the tendency of this present age) following the prince of the power of the air. (You were obedient to and under the control of) the (demon) spirit that still works in the sons of disobedience (the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving who go against the purposes of God)."
This stronger man (who is Jesus) took back the authority that God gave Adam in the beginning in Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) where, "God said, 'let us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make manking in Our Image, after Our Likeness; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the (tame) beasts, and over all the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.'"
This authority over satan and the dark forces of the enemy was given over to us by Jesus Himself. After He took over the strong man and spoiled his house, Jesus gave us the power of attorney to walk in His authority. Because of Jesus, the enemy has no right to the believer at all anymore. His reign of death, guilt and condemnation of sin, is ended in the life of the believer.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Lesson 6 The Sower Sows The Seed
Jesus taught a parable of a sower sowing seed in Mark 4:1-35 (Amplified). In Verse 34, He explained this parable to His disciples and to us. In Verse 23 Jesus said, "'If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.'" Now that we have the Holy Spirit it seems so simple to understand the paraable, or does it?
Today, we find that some people don't "have ears to hear." There are many reasons for this, as Jesus already addressed in Verse 14-20, but He didn't stop at these verses. In Mark 4:24 Jesus said something that many haven't seen or paid attention to and that's that the Word of God isn't the only seed being sown. Verse 24, says, "And He said to them, 'Be careful what you are hearing. The measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you---and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'" Verse 25 says, "For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away (by force).'"
All words are seeds and your heart (spirit) is the soil in which it will be sown. As we said before, the soil has no say at what it grows, it will produce weeds just as quickly as it will produce wheat. That is why Jesus said, "Be careful what you are hearing." If you hear unbelief long enough, then you will begin to believe it. If you hear doubt long enough, then you will begin to believe how it. If you hear how "that's passed away" or "God's out to get you" long enough, then you'll begin to believe that.
We sit in churches all over the world and hear from the pulpit how God is angry at us for the things we have done. We're taught condemnation and guilt and fear from all sides. According to what the Word of God said in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (Amplified), this is bad seed and should not be allowed to find place in your heart. Also, in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "There should be no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Verse 2 continues, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and of death."
We struggle to achieve some kind of righteousness and be accepted by God. Somehow, it never seems to come and we feel as though we're still outside the Holy of Holies and not in God's presence. We hear half scriptures and read Romans 3:10 or Romans 3:23 . But, if you won't just hear these scriptures and read what He's talking about, then you find that all of the things under the law couldn't make you righteous. But, now we read Romans 3:22 (Amplified), "Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (and is meant) for all who believe, for there is no distinction."
Are you a believer in Christ Jesus? If you are, then God has declared you to be righteous by faith in Jesus. Now you don't have to struggle to be right standing with God, so you can have boldness through your faith in Jesus, that God sees you as righteous. Once you know that you've been made righteous and that your faith in Jesus made you righteous, you can have boldness in Jesus to pray and expect God to hear you. James 5:16 (Amplified) says, "The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working)."
Mark 4:24 (Amplified) says, Be careful what you are hearing." We can no longer just listen to anything and everything being said. We must learn to do as Proverbs 4:24 (Amplified) says, "Keep and guard your heart (spirit) with all diligence and above everything that you guard, for out of it (your spirit) flow the springs of life."
Matthew 12:35 (Amplified) says that, "The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things."
There are those in the world who will sow evil seed (words) into the soil or spirit of the believer just as good men will sow good seed (or words) into the heart (spirit) of men. In the world we live in today, we find resemblances to Psalms 2:1-3 (Amplified) which says, "Why do the nations assemble with commotion (uproar and confusion of voices) and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) and empty scheme?" Verse 2 says, "The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take council together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ)." Verse 3 goes on, "Let us break their bands (of restraint) asunder and cast their cords (of control) from us."
I can't think of a time in all of my seventy-three years on this earth, where this is more true than now. We hear it on the news daily about someone being forbidden from speaking the Name of Jesus in public. We see disclaimers from the channel broadcasting a Christian program denying any association with that content. We prayer restricted to only those who have boldness to pray in public or our schools. We see public officials trying to distance themselves from Jesus for election purposes. We watch the United Nations downplay Christianity and the Lord Jesus.
We hear the cry all the time about "breaking the bands of restraint from off the people and cast the cords of control off from them." The great revival is now underway, but so is the time of great darkness. So, heed what you hear and guard your heart.
Today, we find that some people don't "have ears to hear." There are many reasons for this, as Jesus already addressed in Verse 14-20, but He didn't stop at these verses. In Mark 4:24 Jesus said something that many haven't seen or paid attention to and that's that the Word of God isn't the only seed being sown. Verse 24, says, "And He said to them, 'Be careful what you are hearing. The measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you---and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'" Verse 25 says, "For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away (by force).'"
All words are seeds and your heart (spirit) is the soil in which it will be sown. As we said before, the soil has no say at what it grows, it will produce weeds just as quickly as it will produce wheat. That is why Jesus said, "Be careful what you are hearing." If you hear unbelief long enough, then you will begin to believe it. If you hear doubt long enough, then you will begin to believe how it. If you hear how "that's passed away" or "God's out to get you" long enough, then you'll begin to believe that.
We sit in churches all over the world and hear from the pulpit how God is angry at us for the things we have done. We're taught condemnation and guilt and fear from all sides. According to what the Word of God said in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (Amplified), this is bad seed and should not be allowed to find place in your heart. Also, in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "There should be no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Verse 2 continues, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and of death."
We struggle to achieve some kind of righteousness and be accepted by God. Somehow, it never seems to come and we feel as though we're still outside the Holy of Holies and not in God's presence. We hear half scriptures and read Romans 3:10 or Romans 3:23 . But, if you won't just hear these scriptures and read what He's talking about, then you find that all of the things under the law couldn't make you righteous. But, now we read Romans 3:22 (Amplified), "Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (and is meant) for all who believe, for there is no distinction."
Are you a believer in Christ Jesus? If you are, then God has declared you to be righteous by faith in Jesus. Now you don't have to struggle to be right standing with God, so you can have boldness through your faith in Jesus, that God sees you as righteous. Once you know that you've been made righteous and that your faith in Jesus made you righteous, you can have boldness in Jesus to pray and expect God to hear you. James 5:16 (Amplified) says, "The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working)."
Mark 4:24 (Amplified) says, Be careful what you are hearing." We can no longer just listen to anything and everything being said. We must learn to do as Proverbs 4:24 (Amplified) says, "Keep and guard your heart (spirit) with all diligence and above everything that you guard, for out of it (your spirit) flow the springs of life."
Matthew 12:35 (Amplified) says that, "The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things."
There are those in the world who will sow evil seed (words) into the soil or spirit of the believer just as good men will sow good seed (or words) into the heart (spirit) of men. In the world we live in today, we find resemblances to Psalms 2:1-3 (Amplified) which says, "Why do the nations assemble with commotion (uproar and confusion of voices) and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) and empty scheme?" Verse 2 says, "The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take council together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ)." Verse 3 goes on, "Let us break their bands (of restraint) asunder and cast their cords (of control) from us."
I can't think of a time in all of my seventy-three years on this earth, where this is more true than now. We hear it on the news daily about someone being forbidden from speaking the Name of Jesus in public. We see disclaimers from the channel broadcasting a Christian program denying any association with that content. We prayer restricted to only those who have boldness to pray in public or our schools. We see public officials trying to distance themselves from Jesus for election purposes. We watch the United Nations downplay Christianity and the Lord Jesus.
We hear the cry all the time about "breaking the bands of restraint from off the people and cast the cords of control off from them." The great revival is now underway, but so is the time of great darkness. So, heed what you hear and guard your heart.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Lesson 5 The Sower Sows The Seed
As we study to find the explanation of the parable of the sower found in Mark 4:21 (Amplified), Jesus seemingly changes His discourse (or so it seems) about the seed. Jesus said to them, "Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not (to be put) on the lampstand?" Verse 22 continues, "(Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation) for there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything (temporarily) kept secret except in order that it may be known."
As we look at this parable, it seems Jesus has ended the teaching about the sowing seed or Word. As we drop down to Verse 26 it seems to pick up the theme about sowing the seed all over again. In actuality, Jesus never stopped talking about the seed at all. In Verse 26 Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground," Verse 27 "and then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases---he knows not how." Verse 28 continues, "The earth produces (acting) by itself---first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29, "But when the grain is ripe, immediately he sends forth (the reaper) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
When Jesus was teaching about the lamp being put on the lampstand in verse 21, He was talking about those who heard the Word and brought forth 30, 60 and 100 fold in the Word. This seed (the Word) isn't supposed to stay hidden in the ground (or heart), but to produce and bring forth a greater harvest.
We find in Acts 2 that when the people receive the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word, it brought forth a harvest of 300 more people into the Kingdom. In Mark 4:22(Amplified) Jesus said, "nothing was hidden except to be revealed." A kernel of corn is hidden in the ground, it grows night and day, and we don't know how. It begins to produce and is finally revealed as it produces grain in the ear. The only way you know the seed has done it's job is when you see the finished work (or corn in the ear). Then it's totally revealed as to the success of the sown seed.
Remember that Jesus was explaining this parable to His own disciples. He was sowing seed (or the Word) in their hearts.
After He had sown the seed of the Word of the Kingdom in their hearts, Jesus got into a boat to go to the other side of the lake. On the way, He and the disciples encountered a storm and the boat began to fill up with water. Remember how Jesus said in Mark 4:40 (Amplified) that "satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which was sown in them?" Now you understand why Jesus said in Mark 4:40 (Amplified) "Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?"
The seed had been sown, the explanation of it had been revealed and yet satan was successful in removing what they heard by the storm from the outside and choking out the Word.
How many times do we hear the Word preached and then when things rise up against us, forget that it's satan coming for the Word? Even after it's been revealed to us, we don't realize that it's still the same parable. We realize that the parable pertains to the Word in our hearts, but seem to forget the part of it that pertains to satan and the job he's about.
This is why I put in what I did from Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified), "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for our of it flow the springs of life."
Guarding your heart is the thing satan counts on when he comes. He seems to know that most of us either don't do it or don't know how to do it. Part of how to guard your heart is written in Proverbs 4:24 (Amplified) where the Holy Spirit wrote, "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you."
Remember what they said in Mark 4:38, "Master, do you not care that we perish?" That was not what the seed of the Word that was sown in their hearts was supposed to produce. That was a seed of fear the enemy had planted when he came to steal the seed of faith of Jesus from them. It was taken by force from them as they took their eyes off Jesus and placed them on the storm.
Remember, when you hear the Word of revelation knowledge, something will come up and you will have to guard your heart to protect the seed.
As we look at this parable, it seems Jesus has ended the teaching about the sowing seed or Word. As we drop down to Verse 26 it seems to pick up the theme about sowing the seed all over again. In actuality, Jesus never stopped talking about the seed at all. In Verse 26 Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground," Verse 27 "and then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases---he knows not how." Verse 28 continues, "The earth produces (acting) by itself---first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29, "But when the grain is ripe, immediately he sends forth (the reaper) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
When Jesus was teaching about the lamp being put on the lampstand in verse 21, He was talking about those who heard the Word and brought forth 30, 60 and 100 fold in the Word. This seed (the Word) isn't supposed to stay hidden in the ground (or heart), but to produce and bring forth a greater harvest.
We find in Acts 2 that when the people receive the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word, it brought forth a harvest of 300 more people into the Kingdom. In Mark 4:22(Amplified) Jesus said, "nothing was hidden except to be revealed." A kernel of corn is hidden in the ground, it grows night and day, and we don't know how. It begins to produce and is finally revealed as it produces grain in the ear. The only way you know the seed has done it's job is when you see the finished work (or corn in the ear). Then it's totally revealed as to the success of the sown seed.
Remember that Jesus was explaining this parable to His own disciples. He was sowing seed (or the Word) in their hearts.
After He had sown the seed of the Word of the Kingdom in their hearts, Jesus got into a boat to go to the other side of the lake. On the way, He and the disciples encountered a storm and the boat began to fill up with water. Remember how Jesus said in Mark 4:40 (Amplified) that "satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which was sown in them?" Now you understand why Jesus said in Mark 4:40 (Amplified) "Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?"
The seed had been sown, the explanation of it had been revealed and yet satan was successful in removing what they heard by the storm from the outside and choking out the Word.
How many times do we hear the Word preached and then when things rise up against us, forget that it's satan coming for the Word? Even after it's been revealed to us, we don't realize that it's still the same parable. We realize that the parable pertains to the Word in our hearts, but seem to forget the part of it that pertains to satan and the job he's about.
This is why I put in what I did from Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified), "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for our of it flow the springs of life."
Guarding your heart is the thing satan counts on when he comes. He seems to know that most of us either don't do it or don't know how to do it. Part of how to guard your heart is written in Proverbs 4:24 (Amplified) where the Holy Spirit wrote, "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you."
Remember what they said in Mark 4:38, "Master, do you not care that we perish?" That was not what the seed of the Word that was sown in their hearts was supposed to produce. That was a seed of fear the enemy had planted when he came to steal the seed of faith of Jesus from them. It was taken by force from them as they took their eyes off Jesus and placed them on the storm.
Remember, when you hear the Word of revelation knowledge, something will come up and you will have to guard your heart to protect the seed.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Lesson 4 The Sower Sows The Seed
Mark 4:20 (Amplified) says, "And those sown on the good (well adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and rescue and accept and welcome it and bear fruit-some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some (even) a hundred times as much."
If you notice, the same seed that brought forth a hundred times as much, was the same seed that was taken from them in verse fourteen. The seed never changed; only the heart (or spirit) of the hearer. Not everyone wants to walk in the fullness of the Word. It seems strange to me that some are content to just go to heaven and not be bothered with going any further with God.
Even in those who heard, they didn't bring forth the same amount of return. The seed would have produced one hundred times as much in any of the ones who heard it. Anyone who ever put out a garden knows that after you sow the seed you must watch over it and "tend" the garden.
I passed out about 100 packets of watermelon seed in our church one time. The back of the seed packet told how to plant and care for the seed and plants. The seeds were for short growing watermelons and would mature within 90 days of planting. Each person was quipped with the same chance to produce a harvest. I told the people that we would have a church dinner and have watermelon for all after 90 days. At the end of the 90 days when we were to have watermelon, we ended up with only two. As I compare this with the parable of the sower, I began to realize that not everyone takes things seriously at all. You say that, well, after all, it was just watermelon.
If we can be faithful in little things, then God can put us in charge of greater things. Many simply forgot to water the seed, many forgot to even plant it, and some planted it far later than they should have and their harvest would come in very late (far too late for watermelon).
It was a simple experiment, but it showed how many things choke out our harvest in the Kingdom. It wasn't that the watermelon didn't like some people and it wasn't that only certain people were chosen to have watermelon, but it was that most just didn't take the time to invest their time in such little things.
It showed the character of many people and their role in the promises of the covenant. Why should I spend time messing with this seed when I could just go to the grocery store and buy one? Well, when watermelon season is over, it can get pretty hard to find watermelon just anywhere.
When the seed isn't taken care of then it can be very hard to make it grow. They didn't have to plant the entire packet of seed, just some of it. If they only planted one seed, then it would have produced a watermelon that held hundreds of seed to plant later. The results were, that if you planted them (even indoors) and taken care of them, then you could eat watermelon from your own seed even January.
No farmer ever went out to plant a cornfield and sowed one hundred bushel of seed, only to expect one hundred bushel of harvest. Each seed would bring forth a stalk; each stalk would bring forth several ears; and each ear would bring forth several kernels of corn. The result would be that you got back at least 30, 60, or 100 times as much as was sown. Now you have that to eat from and more to sow as well.
Whatever time you spend in the Word of God, is time well spent. As you woe the Word in your heart, you must guard your heart to protect the seed. Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified) says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."
We sometimes don't guard our heart and we lose our harvest. The soil that the Word is sown in is good soil. The Holy Spirit has prepared it to receive this seed. The problem with good soil is this...the ground doesn't have any say in what it grows. The same soil that will grow corn will grow poison ivy just as well. The same soil that will produce one hundred fold for the Kingdom will, with the same gusto, produce ragweed or burdock.
This is why we must guard our heart or tend the garden. We can't put up a scarecrow and expect the devil to be afraid of it and leave the seed alone. It takes the diligence of the hearer to guard the Word in his heart.
If you notice, the same seed that brought forth a hundred times as much, was the same seed that was taken from them in verse fourteen. The seed never changed; only the heart (or spirit) of the hearer. Not everyone wants to walk in the fullness of the Word. It seems strange to me that some are content to just go to heaven and not be bothered with going any further with God.
Even in those who heard, they didn't bring forth the same amount of return. The seed would have produced one hundred times as much in any of the ones who heard it. Anyone who ever put out a garden knows that after you sow the seed you must watch over it and "tend" the garden.
I passed out about 100 packets of watermelon seed in our church one time. The back of the seed packet told how to plant and care for the seed and plants. The seeds were for short growing watermelons and would mature within 90 days of planting. Each person was quipped with the same chance to produce a harvest. I told the people that we would have a church dinner and have watermelon for all after 90 days. At the end of the 90 days when we were to have watermelon, we ended up with only two. As I compare this with the parable of the sower, I began to realize that not everyone takes things seriously at all. You say that, well, after all, it was just watermelon.
If we can be faithful in little things, then God can put us in charge of greater things. Many simply forgot to water the seed, many forgot to even plant it, and some planted it far later than they should have and their harvest would come in very late (far too late for watermelon).
It was a simple experiment, but it showed how many things choke out our harvest in the Kingdom. It wasn't that the watermelon didn't like some people and it wasn't that only certain people were chosen to have watermelon, but it was that most just didn't take the time to invest their time in such little things.
It showed the character of many people and their role in the promises of the covenant. Why should I spend time messing with this seed when I could just go to the grocery store and buy one? Well, when watermelon season is over, it can get pretty hard to find watermelon just anywhere.
When the seed isn't taken care of then it can be very hard to make it grow. They didn't have to plant the entire packet of seed, just some of it. If they only planted one seed, then it would have produced a watermelon that held hundreds of seed to plant later. The results were, that if you planted them (even indoors) and taken care of them, then you could eat watermelon from your own seed even January.
No farmer ever went out to plant a cornfield and sowed one hundred bushel of seed, only to expect one hundred bushel of harvest. Each seed would bring forth a stalk; each stalk would bring forth several ears; and each ear would bring forth several kernels of corn. The result would be that you got back at least 30, 60, or 100 times as much as was sown. Now you have that to eat from and more to sow as well.
Whatever time you spend in the Word of God, is time well spent. As you woe the Word in your heart, you must guard your heart to protect the seed. Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified) says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."
We sometimes don't guard our heart and we lose our harvest. The soil that the Word is sown in is good soil. The Holy Spirit has prepared it to receive this seed. The problem with good soil is this...the ground doesn't have any say in what it grows. The same soil that will grow corn will grow poison ivy just as well. The same soil that will produce one hundred fold for the Kingdom will, with the same gusto, produce ragweed or burdock.
This is why we must guard our heart or tend the garden. We can't put up a scarecrow and expect the devil to be afraid of it and leave the seed alone. It takes the diligence of the hearer to guard the Word in his heart.
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