In John 6:63 (Amplified) Jesus says, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
Jesus tells us in the above scripture that the things we say and act on determine what will happen in our lives. When we were unsaved and without Jesus, we were dead in trespass and sin. If we were dead, then life didn't enter into us until we were born again. Your "life" comes from your spirit. Life isn't something that is in our flesh, but in our spirits.
Speaking and acting on God's Word puts life into our spirits. Our spirits then, will minister life into our flesh. One must have a strong, healthy spirit in order to have a strong, healthy body. Jesus said that His Words are "Spirit and Life." All healing and strength originate from your spirit into your flesh.
3John 2:1 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers." John continues in Verse 4 saying, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my (spiritual) children are living their lives in the truth." We just read where Jesus said that, "The Word is Spirit and Truth." It seems abundantly clear that John's spiritual children were living, walking and speaking the Word.
Words are decisions we choose to either speak or not speak. I'm not implying that only scripture should come forth from your mouth, but we should keep our words in line with the Word. We are to "agree" with what God says us and not with what the world or others say about us. If God has said you are righteous, then it doesn't matter what your flesh or someone else says about you. You must agree with what God says.
We have removed the power of the Word in our lives, by allowing the world to determine how much of it is true in our lives today. The same God Who spoke this universe into being, is the very same God Who spoke us (the new creation) into being. His Word brought everything into being and brought about our new being when we were saved. Since you were "born of the Word," your spirit responds to and lives by the Word.
1Peter 1:23-25 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from One that is immortal by the Ever living and Lasting Word of God For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like (the) flower of grass, the grass withers and the flower drops off But the Word of the Lord (Divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the Good News, which was preached to you."
Your life is sustained and strengthened by the Life of the Word that you bring into it. All of your natural and spiritual life comes from within your spirit. Even if you're eating right and exercising, your body (your natural man) will still die. But, if you are born again, then when your natural body dies, the promise of the Word and the Life thereof will raise this natural body into life again. The unsaved do not have this promise, even though they might eat correctly and exercise often.
Through God's Word, your spirit is your source of life in Christ Jesus, because HE IS THE WORD. We've somehow overlooked what the scriptures say and haven't allowed them to be Spirit. Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24 (Amplified), "Have faith in God (constantly) Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain; Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I Am telling you, Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will get it."
Jesus said that "Whatever we speak, believing in our hearts that it will come to pass, we can have it." Do you realize that this will also work on the negative side of things? In other words, faith filled words will produce what we are saying. Jesus said in Mark 4:14 (Amplified) that, "The Sower sows the Word!" We've failed to understand how all words are seeds. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke about the Word of God being a seed and your spirit or heart, is the soil. The soil has no say about what it grows. It will take the seed or words that are spoke and will cause them to grow.
What seeds are being sown into your heart? Do you have more faith in the negative things the world says, than you do in God's Word? Do you have more faith in "nothing works for me" than you do in "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me (Mark 11:23-24)?" Do you speak and believe more in being sick than you do that, "By His Stripes I am healed?" Both can be faith-filled words and both will grow in the soil of your heart.
In Mark 4:23-24 (Amplified) Jesus said, "If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend, 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."
In the natural, we plant backyard gardens with peas, green beans, carrots and other seeds. We have weeds grow in the same garden. We never intended for the weeds to be growing there, but they came up anyway. The ground (your spirit) doesn't have control over what was sown, but it will grow whatever "seed" falls into it.
Your spirit (your soil) will grow negative seeds (words) as well as the good seeds, which are the seeds of God's Word. Be careful what falls into your heart! Be careful what you speak! Your spirit will grow whatever seed (word) you allow to be sown into it. If you are hearing "These things don't work for you," then stop listening to those seeds that will bring a crop of unbelief and doubt into your "Garden of Eden."
Read and meditate on Jesus' Words in Mark 4. The world is sowing seeds (words) of doubt and unbelief into people continuously. All words are seeds. When we listen to what the world says (or even to what some Christians are saying), then we are being "planted and seeded" by words that will produce in good soil.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
The Coming Year and the Church
This coming year will be a time of maturing for the Church. Those of us who have been content in just "going to heaven" and staying out of sin until Jesus comes, are going to need and receive more insight from the Holy Spirit.
We've know for many years, that there was much more to Christianity than what we are walking in. We have always known that God is so much MORE than we've allowed Him to be in our lives, but we failed to know how to access His power in our lives. We've become discouraged and frustrated with trying and have allowed ourselves to become content with just being saved. Many had a fire in their hearts when first being saved, but futility put the fire out to burn like coals and embers.
In this coming year, the Lord is going to stir those embers into a fire of God, by the Holy Spirit. We were not only baptized in the Holy Spirit, but with fire too, according to Matthew 3:11 (Amplified) which says, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Some church traditions have resisted the "baptizing of the Holy Spirit," saying that it was for the early Church and not for today.
The Holy Spirit has revealed many things to this generation, while some in the Church are fearful about receiving that revelation. It's true that we are not supposed to be swayed by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14 (Amplified) says, "So then, we may no longer be children, tossed (like ships) to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine."
Because the Holy Spirit reveals things to our spirits, that our heads don't fully comprehend, we've been reluctant to hear or receive them and have remained in the very limited knowledge we have. We have walked in a "maintenance anointing," instead of an overcoming anointing. Moses managed the people in the wilderness, but they still wouldn't enter into what God told him. It is time now, to enter into the place God has called us to be in.
One of the greatest revelations been given and rejected by most in the Church, is the revelation that the words we speak have consequences. I'm not talking about simply speaking chapter and verse of the Bible, but about keeping our speech inline with God's Word. If what God says about you is true, then say what He says about you, when speaking about yourself.
We already know that this is the things to do, but we haven't had the teaching about it to where it's clear revelation. Paul says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Romans 5:17 (Amplified) tells us, "For if one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God's) overflowing grace of righteousness (putting them in right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." We know that we were "dead in trespass and sin," but yet we live. How then, did we come to be alive? By faith, right? The Word says that, "The just shall live by faith." So, our faith in God's Word along with out confession of that with our mouth, according to Romans 10:9, makes us no longer dead, but alive. Our life is based on our faith and our words. Now we live by faith.
Proverbs 18:20-21 (Amplified) say, "A man's (moral) self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequences of his words, he must be satisfied (whether good or evil). Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life)."
When we were dead in trespass and sin, we spoke words of life (like Romans 10:9 directs) and received life. Now, by faith in the Word of God which we spoke and believed, we,the just (or justified), are alive by faith. Death and life were in the words we either confessed or didn't confess.
Man is the only part of God's creation who has the capability of speaking words. The whole of everything created by God's Words and the entire planet is ruled by words. Our Constitution is mere words and our Declaration of Independence is only words. The laws governing our nation are only words. Our entire learning system comes through speaking and writing. We now have "hate speech," political correctness and laws prohibiting our speaking God's Word in certain places.
How is it that we, the Church, who have the liberty of knowing and speaking God's Word, are fighting among ourselves over the "validity" of His Word? Proverbs 22:17-21 (Amplified) says, "Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to My knowledge For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind (believing them) your lips will be accustomed (to confessing) them, So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made these things known to you today, even to you. Have I not written to you (long ago) excellent things in council and knowledge. To make you know the certainty of the Words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?"
Proverbs 15:4 (Amplified) says, "A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit." Proverbs 4:20-27 (Amplified) tells us, "My Son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings, let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." Verses 24-27 continue, "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk far from you. Let your eyes look right on (with fixed purpose) and let your gaze be straight before you, Consider well the paths of your fee, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil."
The above verse instructs us to put away false, dishonest, and willful and contrary speech." What does this mean and what is considered "false, dishonest, willful and contrary speech?" Whatever is not in accordance with God's Word is false, dishonest, willful and contrary speech. I hear Christians saying that, "We're still just old sinners, saved by grace, but sinners still." They say this even after receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then, they go onto quote, "None are righteous, no not one." Romans 3:23-24 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are fallen short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives (All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
If God declares you righteous and justified in Jesus, and you're still declaring yourself to be a "sinner and unrighteous," then is that willful and contrary speech against His Word? When we agree with God and what He says about us, then it brings "health and healing to all our flesh." If we continuously talk about how God is giving us sickness and destruction to teach us something, then is that contrary to His Word?
Proverbs 13:1-3 (Amplified) says, "A wise son heeds (and is the fruit of) his father's instructions and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke. A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Read James 3:6 (Amplified) and allow the Lord to minister to you through these words, "The tongue is a fire (the tongue is a ) world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature) being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna)."
Do you truly understand what James means when he writes about "setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature)?" He's saying that we can disrupt the healing and nature God placed inside our bodies for health when we were formed, with our words. A doctor cannot heal your body. It heals from within. You might cover a cut with a Band-aid to keep the dirt out, but that coverage is not what heals the wound. It's healed from the inside out.
You can stop your body's healing or you can release it to do what God put inside it, by His Words. Proverbs 15:4 (Amplified) says, "A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit." Proverbs 17:22 (Amplified) says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 16:24 (Amplified) says, "Pleasant words are a a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body."
Recall Jesus' Words in John 6:63 (Amplified) when He said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) the Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
We've know for many years, that there was much more to Christianity than what we are walking in. We have always known that God is so much MORE than we've allowed Him to be in our lives, but we failed to know how to access His power in our lives. We've become discouraged and frustrated with trying and have allowed ourselves to become content with just being saved. Many had a fire in their hearts when first being saved, but futility put the fire out to burn like coals and embers.
In this coming year, the Lord is going to stir those embers into a fire of God, by the Holy Spirit. We were not only baptized in the Holy Spirit, but with fire too, according to Matthew 3:11 (Amplified) which says, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Some church traditions have resisted the "baptizing of the Holy Spirit," saying that it was for the early Church and not for today.
The Holy Spirit has revealed many things to this generation, while some in the Church are fearful about receiving that revelation. It's true that we are not supposed to be swayed by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14 (Amplified) says, "So then, we may no longer be children, tossed (like ships) to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine."
Because the Holy Spirit reveals things to our spirits, that our heads don't fully comprehend, we've been reluctant to hear or receive them and have remained in the very limited knowledge we have. We have walked in a "maintenance anointing," instead of an overcoming anointing. Moses managed the people in the wilderness, but they still wouldn't enter into what God told him. It is time now, to enter into the place God has called us to be in.
One of the greatest revelations been given and rejected by most in the Church, is the revelation that the words we speak have consequences. I'm not talking about simply speaking chapter and verse of the Bible, but about keeping our speech inline with God's Word. If what God says about you is true, then say what He says about you, when speaking about yourself.
We already know that this is the things to do, but we haven't had the teaching about it to where it's clear revelation. Paul says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Romans 5:17 (Amplified) tells us, "For if one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God's) overflowing grace of righteousness (putting them in right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." We know that we were "dead in trespass and sin," but yet we live. How then, did we come to be alive? By faith, right? The Word says that, "The just shall live by faith." So, our faith in God's Word along with out confession of that with our mouth, according to Romans 10:9, makes us no longer dead, but alive. Our life is based on our faith and our words. Now we live by faith.
Proverbs 18:20-21 (Amplified) say, "A man's (moral) self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequences of his words, he must be satisfied (whether good or evil). Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life)."
When we were dead in trespass and sin, we spoke words of life (like Romans 10:9 directs) and received life. Now, by faith in the Word of God which we spoke and believed, we,the just (or justified), are alive by faith. Death and life were in the words we either confessed or didn't confess.
Man is the only part of God's creation who has the capability of speaking words. The whole of everything created by God's Words and the entire planet is ruled by words. Our Constitution is mere words and our Declaration of Independence is only words. The laws governing our nation are only words. Our entire learning system comes through speaking and writing. We now have "hate speech," political correctness and laws prohibiting our speaking God's Word in certain places.
How is it that we, the Church, who have the liberty of knowing and speaking God's Word, are fighting among ourselves over the "validity" of His Word? Proverbs 22:17-21 (Amplified) says, "Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to My knowledge For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind (believing them) your lips will be accustomed (to confessing) them, So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made these things known to you today, even to you. Have I not written to you (long ago) excellent things in council and knowledge. To make you know the certainty of the Words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?"
Proverbs 15:4 (Amplified) says, "A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit." Proverbs 4:20-27 (Amplified) tells us, "My Son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings, let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." Verses 24-27 continue, "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk far from you. Let your eyes look right on (with fixed purpose) and let your gaze be straight before you, Consider well the paths of your fee, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil."
The above verse instructs us to put away false, dishonest, and willful and contrary speech." What does this mean and what is considered "false, dishonest, willful and contrary speech?" Whatever is not in accordance with God's Word is false, dishonest, willful and contrary speech. I hear Christians saying that, "We're still just old sinners, saved by grace, but sinners still." They say this even after receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then, they go onto quote, "None are righteous, no not one." Romans 3:23-24 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are fallen short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives (All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
If God declares you righteous and justified in Jesus, and you're still declaring yourself to be a "sinner and unrighteous," then is that willful and contrary speech against His Word? When we agree with God and what He says about us, then it brings "health and healing to all our flesh." If we continuously talk about how God is giving us sickness and destruction to teach us something, then is that contrary to His Word?
Proverbs 13:1-3 (Amplified) says, "A wise son heeds (and is the fruit of) his father's instructions and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke. A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Read James 3:6 (Amplified) and allow the Lord to minister to you through these words, "The tongue is a fire (the tongue is a ) world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature) being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna)."
Do you truly understand what James means when he writes about "setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature)?" He's saying that we can disrupt the healing and nature God placed inside our bodies for health when we were formed, with our words. A doctor cannot heal your body. It heals from within. You might cover a cut with a Band-aid to keep the dirt out, but that coverage is not what heals the wound. It's healed from the inside out.
You can stop your body's healing or you can release it to do what God put inside it, by His Words. Proverbs 15:4 (Amplified) says, "A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit." Proverbs 17:22 (Amplified) says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 16:24 (Amplified) says, "Pleasant words are a a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body."
Recall Jesus' Words in John 6:63 (Amplified) when He said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) the Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Lesson 4 Still Unwrapping the Gift
. I first opened my Christmas Gift of salvation on October 19,1975. After forty years, I am still unwrapping this awesome Gift of God into my life. Initially, I only saw that He had done away with my sins and had accepted me as His Own. As I began delving into God's Word, I discovered there were many more Gifts in the manger than just a Baby.
I witnessed the Baby grow into a Man, through God's Word. Inspection of the Word led to my finding many more aspects of my Gift, within the Man, than I'd first seen. Ephesians 3:8-10 (Amplified) says, "To me, though I am the very least of all the Saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted; To proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable and exhaustible) riches of Christ (wealth which no human being could have searched out)." Verse 9 goes on, "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan (regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in (the mind of) God Who created all things by Christ Jesus." Verse 10 says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, 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."
In order to fulfill this portion of God's Word through the Church, there must be a revelation, unveiling or unwrapping of Jesus. So, I'm still unwrapping Christmas. Most of the above scripture is to be fulfilled when the Church comes to the realization that the Father truly loves them. Once we unwrap the revelation of God's love for us, then we can walk in faith in that love and not be fearful in things surrounding us.
Most of us have no idea how strong this love truly is. We read John 3:16 and believe we've unwrapped the revelation of that love, but not so. This "perfect love casts out fear," according to 1John 4:18. When we understand this Love (Jesus), our faith in His Love will not keep us from the miracles and a Super-natural walk with God. It's mostly fear that prevents us from laying hands on the sick, because the revelation of His Love is still not full grown, complete and "perfect."
Romans 5:5 tells us that this Gift has already been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We simply haven't understood it to its full potential. As we unveil or unwrap the full Gift and realize that this Love is to reach out from us to those that are sick, lame maimed and lost. Through Him, we will show God's power of Love to all the principalities, rulers of darkness and angel "angels that are fallen" and proclaim that Jesus Is Lord.
This age we have now entered into is the unveiling the depth of God's Love for and through the Church. This is the generation that has the task of reaping the end-time harvest. Jesus says in John 10:37-38 (Amplified), "If I am not doing the works (performing the deeds) of My Father, then do not believe Me, do not adhere to Me, and trust Me and rely on Me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, (at least) believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand (clearly) that the Father is in Me, and I Am in the Father (One with Me)."
This may be the last part of the unwrapping of our Gift through Him to be revealed to the world. Even Jesus needed to reveal God by signs and wonders, so that an unbelieving world would believe. If Jesus had to reveal God in such a way as to make them believe, then are we any better equipped to make them believe than He was?
The world needs to "see" a sermon and not simply hear one. We need to look deeper inside this Gift and reveal Him to the world in power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit in us, like Jesus did. It's only knowing God's great Love for and in us, that can expel the fear that prevents us from doing these things. We are afraid that it won't work, so we abstain from it. Being secure in His Love will expel all fear.
Think of the Christmas Gifts we could lame, sick, maimed and lost if we simply do the work of the Father. When we give the Gift of Jesus to the world, let us not hold back, but reveal Him as He is, High and Lifted Up.
Merry Christmas,
Jim
I witnessed the Baby grow into a Man, through God's Word. Inspection of the Word led to my finding many more aspects of my Gift, within the Man, than I'd first seen. Ephesians 3:8-10 (Amplified) says, "To me, though I am the very least of all the Saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted; To proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable and exhaustible) riches of Christ (wealth which no human being could have searched out)." Verse 9 goes on, "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan (regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in (the mind of) God Who created all things by Christ Jesus." Verse 10 says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, 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."
In order to fulfill this portion of God's Word through the Church, there must be a revelation, unveiling or unwrapping of Jesus. So, I'm still unwrapping Christmas. Most of the above scripture is to be fulfilled when the Church comes to the realization that the Father truly loves them. Once we unwrap the revelation of God's love for us, then we can walk in faith in that love and not be fearful in things surrounding us.
Most of us have no idea how strong this love truly is. We read John 3:16 and believe we've unwrapped the revelation of that love, but not so. This "perfect love casts out fear," according to 1John 4:18. When we understand this Love (Jesus), our faith in His Love will not keep us from the miracles and a Super-natural walk with God. It's mostly fear that prevents us from laying hands on the sick, because the revelation of His Love is still not full grown, complete and "perfect."
Romans 5:5 tells us that this Gift has already been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We simply haven't understood it to its full potential. As we unveil or unwrap the full Gift and realize that this Love is to reach out from us to those that are sick, lame maimed and lost. Through Him, we will show God's power of Love to all the principalities, rulers of darkness and angel "angels that are fallen" and proclaim that Jesus Is Lord.
This age we have now entered into is the unveiling the depth of God's Love for and through the Church. This is the generation that has the task of reaping the end-time harvest. Jesus says in John 10:37-38 (Amplified), "If I am not doing the works (performing the deeds) of My Father, then do not believe Me, do not adhere to Me, and trust Me and rely on Me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, (at least) believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand (clearly) that the Father is in Me, and I Am in the Father (One with Me)."
This may be the last part of the unwrapping of our Gift through Him to be revealed to the world. Even Jesus needed to reveal God by signs and wonders, so that an unbelieving world would believe. If Jesus had to reveal God in such a way as to make them believe, then are we any better equipped to make them believe than He was?
The world needs to "see" a sermon and not simply hear one. We need to look deeper inside this Gift and reveal Him to the world in power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit in us, like Jesus did. It's only knowing God's great Love for and in us, that can expel the fear that prevents us from doing these things. We are afraid that it won't work, so we abstain from it. Being secure in His Love will expel all fear.
Think of the Christmas Gifts we could lame, sick, maimed and lost if we simply do the work of the Father. When we give the Gift of Jesus to the world, let us not hold back, but reveal Him as He is, High and Lifted Up.
Merry Christmas,
Jim
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Lesson 3 Still Unwrapping the Gift
Most of the time, when we think about Christmas, we think about the Child born in Bethlehem's manger. Some never think beyond this point to the Child Who grew up and the Man Who died. Some have unwrapped this great Gift and see Jesus raised from the dead.
There are still many Gifts in Christ Jesus that most of us have never opened or unwrapped. There were many things "hidden" from the world when Jesus came. In order to keep these Christmas Gifts hidden, they must be wrapped.
As we study the scriptures and seek for (or unwrap and open) the Gifts still hidden (or wrapped), we come to many exciting Gifts in Christ that we have yet to unwrap. One of these Gifts is described in Hebrews 10:18-20 (Amplified) which says, "Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty of these sins and lawbreaking) there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin."
Some Christians believe the above scripture means that if you sin after being born again, then you are without a sacrifice any longer. The truth about the Christmas Gift is, that two thousand years ago, before we ever came into being, our sin was paid for and was canceled out by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Does this mean that you can continue sinning? Of course not. But, what it does mean is that this Gift goes on from eternity to eternity, from before you came into being and forever. Anyone who has truly received Christ as their Savior, is not looking for a way to continue sinning, but for a way to be delivered through this Gift. While we are growing in our relationship with God and learning to walk with Him, our mistakes or "learning" sins are covered and God doesn't even remember them, through Jesus. If the baby is twenty some years old and still has to do these things, then it's time for him to grow up. The Gift of assurance of cancellation of your sin, is a Gift that comes wrapped or hidden from some today. This keeps them under condemnation and guilt and keeps them from the Father because of shame. It is us and not Him, Who has put up a wall. He, though, has "broken down every wall."
Hebrews 10:19 (Amplified) tells what the Gift of Jesus brings when we look further into Him. thus, it says, "Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the (Holy of) Holies (by the power and virtue) in the Blood of Jesus."
How do we have the confidence to "Boldly" enter in? Not by our being "so perfect" that we don't miss it, but by the "Power and virtue of the Blood of Jesus." When we stop shaking this Gift to see what's inside and finally unwrap and open it, we can stand quiet in our Father's Presence.
We find the last Gift that I want to talk about in Hebrews 10:20 (Amplified) which says, "By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies) that is, through His flesh." Jesus' flesh was the opening of the veil that revealed our entrance into the Holy of Holies, God's Very Presence. The veil of flesh, the wrapping of Jesus' humanity, has been where many have stopped opening the Gift.
We never unwrapped this Gift from its "covering" or wrapping of flesh. Mostly, we still see Jesus wrapped in this covering and as yet unwrapped. Inside this last wrapping we're discussing today is the very presence and glory of Almighty God Himself. Jesus continually said that, "It's the Father in Me."
We might think that what we received from our Father is already too much, but the Father is the One Who is giving the Gifts. He only asks that we unwrap them and be delighted in His Great Love of Giving. Beyond this Christmas wrapping of the flesh, we see the fullness of the heart of this Christmas gift of Jesus.
We read about some things that only the unwrapping of Jesus can reveal in John 17:20-24 (Amplified). First, we get a glimpse of this hidden Gift by Jesus' Own Words in Verses 20-23 where He says, "Neither for these alone do I pray ( it is not for their sake only that I make this request), but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching. That they all may be one (Just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me." Verses 22-23 go on, "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One. I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me."
This is revealing the hidden Gift concealed by the flesh covering His glory. It's only be removing the Gift wrapping of the flesh, that we can see what it concealed. Now, I wish to show you something about Christmas Gifts that perhaps you haven't seen unwrapped yet. Let's see the depth of this giving time we know as Christmas in John 17:24. We've only looked at our receiving Gifts from the Heavenly Father, but it goes much deeper than that. Thus, Verse 24 says, "Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your Gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am; So that they may see My glory, which You have given Me, (Your Love Gift to Me) for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
God not only gave Jesus to us as a Gift, but He also gave us to Jesus as a gift. This unwrapping of Christmas is a time of delight and joy to Him, as He sees the Gift still being unwrapped for us as we keep unwrapping Jesus.
There are still many Gifts in Christ Jesus that most of us have never opened or unwrapped. There were many things "hidden" from the world when Jesus came. In order to keep these Christmas Gifts hidden, they must be wrapped.
As we study the scriptures and seek for (or unwrap and open) the Gifts still hidden (or wrapped), we come to many exciting Gifts in Christ that we have yet to unwrap. One of these Gifts is described in Hebrews 10:18-20 (Amplified) which says, "Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty of these sins and lawbreaking) there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin."
Some Christians believe the above scripture means that if you sin after being born again, then you are without a sacrifice any longer. The truth about the Christmas Gift is, that two thousand years ago, before we ever came into being, our sin was paid for and was canceled out by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Does this mean that you can continue sinning? Of course not. But, what it does mean is that this Gift goes on from eternity to eternity, from before you came into being and forever. Anyone who has truly received Christ as their Savior, is not looking for a way to continue sinning, but for a way to be delivered through this Gift. While we are growing in our relationship with God and learning to walk with Him, our mistakes or "learning" sins are covered and God doesn't even remember them, through Jesus. If the baby is twenty some years old and still has to do these things, then it's time for him to grow up. The Gift of assurance of cancellation of your sin, is a Gift that comes wrapped or hidden from some today. This keeps them under condemnation and guilt and keeps them from the Father because of shame. It is us and not Him, Who has put up a wall. He, though, has "broken down every wall."
Hebrews 10:19 (Amplified) tells what the Gift of Jesus brings when we look further into Him. thus, it says, "Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the (Holy of) Holies (by the power and virtue) in the Blood of Jesus."
How do we have the confidence to "Boldly" enter in? Not by our being "so perfect" that we don't miss it, but by the "Power and virtue of the Blood of Jesus." When we stop shaking this Gift to see what's inside and finally unwrap and open it, we can stand quiet in our Father's Presence.
We find the last Gift that I want to talk about in Hebrews 10:20 (Amplified) which says, "By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies) that is, through His flesh." Jesus' flesh was the opening of the veil that revealed our entrance into the Holy of Holies, God's Very Presence. The veil of flesh, the wrapping of Jesus' humanity, has been where many have stopped opening the Gift.
We never unwrapped this Gift from its "covering" or wrapping of flesh. Mostly, we still see Jesus wrapped in this covering and as yet unwrapped. Inside this last wrapping we're discussing today is the very presence and glory of Almighty God Himself. Jesus continually said that, "It's the Father in Me."
We might think that what we received from our Father is already too much, but the Father is the One Who is giving the Gifts. He only asks that we unwrap them and be delighted in His Great Love of Giving. Beyond this Christmas wrapping of the flesh, we see the fullness of the heart of this Christmas gift of Jesus.
We read about some things that only the unwrapping of Jesus can reveal in John 17:20-24 (Amplified). First, we get a glimpse of this hidden Gift by Jesus' Own Words in Verses 20-23 where He says, "Neither for these alone do I pray ( it is not for their sake only that I make this request), but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching. That they all may be one (Just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me." Verses 22-23 go on, "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One. I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me."
This is revealing the hidden Gift concealed by the flesh covering His glory. It's only be removing the Gift wrapping of the flesh, that we can see what it concealed. Now, I wish to show you something about Christmas Gifts that perhaps you haven't seen unwrapped yet. Let's see the depth of this giving time we know as Christmas in John 17:24. We've only looked at our receiving Gifts from the Heavenly Father, but it goes much deeper than that. Thus, Verse 24 says, "Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your Gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am; So that they may see My glory, which You have given Me, (Your Love Gift to Me) for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
God not only gave Jesus to us as a Gift, but He also gave us to Jesus as a gift. This unwrapping of Christmas is a time of delight and joy to Him, as He sees the Gift still being unwrapped for us as we keep unwrapping Jesus.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Lesson 2 Still Unwrapping the Gift
Most everyone, both believers and unbelievers, think of Jesus at this time of year. Jesus was God's gift of Love to the whole world. Even the angels declared that the Prince of Peace had come the night Jesus was born. God Himself proclaimed and announced His peace with mankind and that His will for man was to do good, according to Luke 2:13-14 (Amplified) which says, "Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood) praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest (heaven) and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased (men of goodwill, of His favor)."
God would give peace to all who accept His declaration of "Peace" and would give them His peace and favor. God has declared that He is at peace with mankind and now man must accept His declaration of peace and enter into this covenant. Many have refused to be at peace with god, even though He has made a peace treaty with man.
I know many people who continue "warring" with God, even while He continues to uphold His end of the treaty. This is what I refer to as "Still Unwrapping the Gift," the Gift of Christ Jesus. In Him we have peace with God. Many have only taken the swaddling cloth wrapping off of the Gift, without looking deeper into the fullness of it.
There was another gift besides swaddling cloth that wrapped God's Gift and that was flesh. When we look beyond the wrapping of the flesh, we begin seeing the eternal gift. Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have and enjoy life; and have it in abundance (to the full, til it overflows)."
Abundant life is the gift given in Christ Jesus. Once the wrapping is take off the Christ child, there are so many other gifts to be discovered. We have found that in Christ Jesus, there is also the Gift of Righteousness. Romans 3:22-23 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives (All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
Another Gift provided in the Christmas Gift can be found in Romans 1-2(Amplified) which says, "Therefore, Since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us (grasp the fact that we) have (the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy) peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." Verse 2 goes on, "Through Him also we have (our) access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we (firmly and safely) stand. And let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God."
There are so many gifts that God wrapped in the Christmas Gift that have never been accepted by mankind. The heart and Love that gave this Gift, was so great that God has placed everything man could ever desire or need into this Gift. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given us."
As we continue reading Romans, we come upon many Gifts or blessing that our Father wrapped in His Christmas Gift. Many of us have removed the swaddling clothes and have accepted the Son of God, but have left many layers of wrapping still not removed. Many Christians only see Jesus after the flesh.
I remember being young and unwrapping several small gifts from inside a large box. Once I wrapped the initial paper and opened the box, I relished in the smaller gifts hiding inside. First, though, I had to wrap the outer wrapping. Sometimes, I had to be very careful so as not to discard smaller gifts with the tissue paper and trappings.
The outer layer of swaddling cloth was merely the initial wrapping, the flesh was the next wrapping. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 goes on, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation ( a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The Christmas wrapping of the flesh, is the revealing of all the other Gifts contained in the Package of God's Love. There are many in the world and the Church, who have not unwrapped the wrappings of the flesh, but only have unwrapped the swaddling clothes. The wrapping of the Gift only conceals what's inside. We try shaking the Gift to see if it will rattle and we try guessing what's inside. Once we unwrap it, we can plainly see and enjoy the Gifts contained. When we unwrap the Gift, the revelation knowledge or the revealing of the Gift begins unwrapping the other Gifts contained inside by God.
In order to enjoy the Life that Jesus spoke about in John 10:10, we must peel away the wrapping of the flesh and allow the revealing of God's Gift of Love enclosed in this Gift to us.
God would give peace to all who accept His declaration of "Peace" and would give them His peace and favor. God has declared that He is at peace with mankind and now man must accept His declaration of peace and enter into this covenant. Many have refused to be at peace with god, even though He has made a peace treaty with man.
I know many people who continue "warring" with God, even while He continues to uphold His end of the treaty. This is what I refer to as "Still Unwrapping the Gift," the Gift of Christ Jesus. In Him we have peace with God. Many have only taken the swaddling cloth wrapping off of the Gift, without looking deeper into the fullness of it.
There was another gift besides swaddling cloth that wrapped God's Gift and that was flesh. When we look beyond the wrapping of the flesh, we begin seeing the eternal gift. Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have and enjoy life; and have it in abundance (to the full, til it overflows)."
Abundant life is the gift given in Christ Jesus. Once the wrapping is take off the Christ child, there are so many other gifts to be discovered. We have found that in Christ Jesus, there is also the Gift of Righteousness. Romans 3:22-23 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives (All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
Another Gift provided in the Christmas Gift can be found in Romans 1-2(Amplified) which says, "Therefore, Since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us (grasp the fact that we) have (the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy) peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." Verse 2 goes on, "Through Him also we have (our) access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we (firmly and safely) stand. And let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God."
There are so many gifts that God wrapped in the Christmas Gift that have never been accepted by mankind. The heart and Love that gave this Gift, was so great that God has placed everything man could ever desire or need into this Gift. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given us."
As we continue reading Romans, we come upon many Gifts or blessing that our Father wrapped in His Christmas Gift. Many of us have removed the swaddling clothes and have accepted the Son of God, but have left many layers of wrapping still not removed. Many Christians only see Jesus after the flesh.
I remember being young and unwrapping several small gifts from inside a large box. Once I wrapped the initial paper and opened the box, I relished in the smaller gifts hiding inside. First, though, I had to wrap the outer wrapping. Sometimes, I had to be very careful so as not to discard smaller gifts with the tissue paper and trappings.
The outer layer of swaddling cloth was merely the initial wrapping, the flesh was the next wrapping. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 goes on, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation ( a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The Christmas wrapping of the flesh, is the revealing of all the other Gifts contained in the Package of God's Love. There are many in the world and the Church, who have not unwrapped the wrappings of the flesh, but only have unwrapped the swaddling clothes. The wrapping of the Gift only conceals what's inside. We try shaking the Gift to see if it will rattle and we try guessing what's inside. Once we unwrap it, we can plainly see and enjoy the Gifts contained. When we unwrap the Gift, the revelation knowledge or the revealing of the Gift begins unwrapping the other Gifts contained inside by God.
In order to enjoy the Life that Jesus spoke about in John 10:10, we must peel away the wrapping of the flesh and allow the revealing of God's Gift of Love enclosed in this Gift to us.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Still unwrapping the Gift
Romans 1:16-17 (Amplified) tells us, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Good News) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Verse 17 goes on, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the say of faith that arouses to more faith), as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
When Jesus was born of a woman, He took upon Himself flesh and blood in order to die, a Sacrifice for mankind. His body wasn't of man's kind of flesh, because His Father and His Blood were without sin. The body of Jesus was like the body of Adam, before his transgression...There was no sin in it. Jesus must surrender to death on His Own or mankind would stay in his dead condition. We can only be saved from death, by believing in Jesus' death and resurrection and believing that He is the Son of God.
Our first act of faith (springing from faith to faith) was believing that Jesus could and would, forgive our sin and give us new life. Romans 1:17 said, "A righteousness that God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith." What we didn't understand then, was that "Faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)," according to Romans 10:17b (Amplified).
Once faith sprung up, this faith opens us to the revelation of the fullness of what Jesus delivered by His death. Every part and portion of God's plan of deliverance, must be revealed by faith. Many see the Gift of the Christ Child was simply God's forgiveness of sin. Many in today's Church, stop their faith journey at salvation. They get born again, are going to heaven and are saved, but they don't allow their faith to "lead them into more faith."
The Gift of Jesus in the manger is still being unwrapped to this day and we will never see the end of this gift. The faith you had that led to your salvation, leads you into more faith, so you can see deeper into this precious Gift that was so carefully wrapped in swaddling clothes.
When faith opens the "eyes of our understanding," we can see how many things in this Gift remain unwrapped. We see this Gift of Righteousness is opened up to us and we no longer need to struggle into order to be in right standing with God. Romans 3:23-24 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
This "saving faith" has led the way into righteousness by faith. As the knowledge of Jesus grows in our hearts, the faith in His sacrifice grows with it, by faith. And, it "springs from faith, and leads to faith." Many of the Gifts wrapped in swaddling cloth are still unwrapped. Those Gifts can only be unwrapped and seen by faith. These Gifts have your name on the package and belong to you, but you must, by faith, continue unwrapping them until you see their depths.
We sometimes only see the Baby in the manger and only see God's Love, but by faith, we can see everything that Love has prepared and delivered to us by this Gift. The Baby born in Bethlehem's manger was simply the "Body that was prepared." Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) says, "For Him to offer as a sacrifice for us." Only this body could take on the sin, guilt, curse and death that was mankind's price for redemption. The Christ that came in the flesh, always was, always is, and always will be. We see and celebrate that which we can see and identify with, but Jesus always was.
When I celebrate Christmas, I celebrate the Gift of Life that was His Gift from the foundation of the world. God's Love was so great and full of faith in His creation, that He could trust the One Who became Life and Light into the hands of a mortal woman. His Love was so great that God would trust mortal Mary to raise His Own Son, for Him.
I can barely imagine what kind of Love can trust in and believe in someone so much that He would trust a woman to raise the "Unblemished Sacrifice" for the altar of the cross. We can now understand what Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) means in saying, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." God's Love can shine in our hearts. 2Corinthians 4:5-6 (Amplified) says, "For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves (merely) as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake. For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
Notice how the above scripture didn't say that, "God has said for light to shine in our hearts," but God Who said, "Let Light shine this God has shone in our hearts." God Himself has shone as Light in out hearts. It's not just the Light, but the God Who created Light, Who shines in our hearts. This Light, Who is eternal, is Jesus the Light of the world.
Thank God for this Light, which is His Word, Who is Jesus Himself.
Merry CHRISTmas and a Blessed New Year in His Blessing!
Love you,
Jim
When Jesus was born of a woman, He took upon Himself flesh and blood in order to die, a Sacrifice for mankind. His body wasn't of man's kind of flesh, because His Father and His Blood were without sin. The body of Jesus was like the body of Adam, before his transgression...There was no sin in it. Jesus must surrender to death on His Own or mankind would stay in his dead condition. We can only be saved from death, by believing in Jesus' death and resurrection and believing that He is the Son of God.
Our first act of faith (springing from faith to faith) was believing that Jesus could and would, forgive our sin and give us new life. Romans 1:17 said, "A righteousness that God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith." What we didn't understand then, was that "Faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)," according to Romans 10:17b (Amplified).
Once faith sprung up, this faith opens us to the revelation of the fullness of what Jesus delivered by His death. Every part and portion of God's plan of deliverance, must be revealed by faith. Many see the Gift of the Christ Child was simply God's forgiveness of sin. Many in today's Church, stop their faith journey at salvation. They get born again, are going to heaven and are saved, but they don't allow their faith to "lead them into more faith."
The Gift of Jesus in the manger is still being unwrapped to this day and we will never see the end of this gift. The faith you had that led to your salvation, leads you into more faith, so you can see deeper into this precious Gift that was so carefully wrapped in swaddling clothes.
When faith opens the "eyes of our understanding," we can see how many things in this Gift remain unwrapped. We see this Gift of Righteousness is opened up to us and we no longer need to struggle into order to be in right standing with God. Romans 3:23-24 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
This "saving faith" has led the way into righteousness by faith. As the knowledge of Jesus grows in our hearts, the faith in His sacrifice grows with it, by faith. And, it "springs from faith, and leads to faith." Many of the Gifts wrapped in swaddling cloth are still unwrapped. Those Gifts can only be unwrapped and seen by faith. These Gifts have your name on the package and belong to you, but you must, by faith, continue unwrapping them until you see their depths.
We sometimes only see the Baby in the manger and only see God's Love, but by faith, we can see everything that Love has prepared and delivered to us by this Gift. The Baby born in Bethlehem's manger was simply the "Body that was prepared." Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) says, "For Him to offer as a sacrifice for us." Only this body could take on the sin, guilt, curse and death that was mankind's price for redemption. The Christ that came in the flesh, always was, always is, and always will be. We see and celebrate that which we can see and identify with, but Jesus always was.
When I celebrate Christmas, I celebrate the Gift of Life that was His Gift from the foundation of the world. God's Love was so great and full of faith in His creation, that He could trust the One Who became Life and Light into the hands of a mortal woman. His Love was so great that God would trust mortal Mary to raise His Own Son, for Him.
I can barely imagine what kind of Love can trust in and believe in someone so much that He would trust a woman to raise the "Unblemished Sacrifice" for the altar of the cross. We can now understand what Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) means in saying, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." God's Love can shine in our hearts. 2Corinthians 4:5-6 (Amplified) says, "For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves (merely) as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake. For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
Notice how the above scripture didn't say that, "God has said for light to shine in our hearts," but God Who said, "Let Light shine this God has shone in our hearts." God Himself has shone as Light in out hearts. It's not just the Light, but the God Who created Light, Who shines in our hearts. This Light, Who is eternal, is Jesus the Light of the world.
Thank God for this Light, which is His Word, Who is Jesus Himself.
Merry CHRISTmas and a Blessed New Year in His Blessing!
Love you,
Jim
CHRISTmas 2015
Christmas means many things to many different people. To some it is simply a holiday and a day off from work. To others it represents family and home. To some, Christmas is a time for reflecting on memories and times passed. Some people are offended at the mention of the word "Christmas," because it represents a God they refuse to recognize as God. Many people look forward to partying and merry making at Christmas. There are countless people who are needy and neglected, even at this special time of year. Christmas to God, is the demonstration of His Love in the highest degree.
The world has tried desperately to hide the truth of what we proclaim is the truth of salvation, which is the Gift of Life from Almighty God Himself. It was never in God's heart for man to be separated from Him. After Adam's fall, God would need to implement the means to recover His family back to Himself.
Do I know for certain what day Jesus came to earth as a Baby? No, I really don't. Many peoples war against one another over the exact date and time of year He came. I don't think it matters. God Himself knows the exact time. People are unwrapping this precious gift every day as Jesus is being born born in their hearts.
Some Christians feel that Christmas is a pagan holiday and therefore, do not celebrate December 25th in any manner. And, we all know people who celebrate the Christmas season with love and giving and then, on December 26th, they're done with those things. I believe that this is a time of year when the Spirit of God has more access to men's hearts, than almost any other time. It seems like, whether or not they believe in the true meaning of Christmas, they are moved in the giving and loving. We actually delight in buying, making and giving to others with a cheerful and giving heart.
Snow,decorations and lights are simply traditions that we identify with throughout the years and that rekindle memories in our hearts. I enjoy all of the lights and festivities that accompany this glorious day. What could be more appropriate than lights and beauty to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child into the world? Even the angels shouted and proclaimed His birthday. It was an event that divided history and changed how mankind observes earth as we know it; changing history to B.C. and A.D.
Satan has fought, with no avail, to keep man from acknowledging this day. This day will live on in mankind's lifetime, throughout history. Our Heavenly Father foresaw this day from eternity to eternity. God never left anything to change, but as a Master Designer, He always had a plan.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." We acknowledge Jesus at this time of year, but God had always known Him, according to Hebrews 1:2-3 (Amplified) which says, "(But) in these last days, He has spoken to us in (the Person of a) Son, Whom He appointed Heir and Lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time. (He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order). He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the Divine) and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding, and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of Power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleaning of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the Divine Majesty on High."
Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) says, "Hence, when He (Christ) entered into the world, He said, sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me (to offer)." Hebrews 10:12 (Amplified) says, "Whereas, this One (Christ) after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins (that shall avail) for all time, sat down at the right hand of God."
Revelations 13:8 (Amplified) tells us, "And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay Him homage,everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain (in sacrifice) from the foundation of the world."
When the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem, it became possible for man to see Him, touch Him, hear Him and identify with Him as a Man, but He had always been. We celebrate the body that God prepared for Him to sacrifice, but His Word (Jesus) lived on after the death of that body and was raised back to life and ascended to heaven to sit at God's right hand, where He still lives.
The body born in Bethlehem's manger, was simply the "Body that was prepared," according to Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) which says it was, "For Him to offer as a sacrifice for us." Only the body could take on the sin, guilt, curse and death that was the price for mankind's redemption. The Christ Who came in the flesh, always was, always is, and always will be. We simply see and celebrate that which we can see and identify with. But, He always was.
When I celebrate Christmas, I celebrate the Gift of Life that was His Gift from the foundation of the world. This was a Love so great and so much faith was placed in God's creation (His forming man in His Own Image and Likeness) that He could trust the One Who became Light and Life. God's faith in His Own creation allowed Him to put Jesus' body into the hands of a mortal woman and into the hands of His Own earthly child. God trusted Mary to raise His Own Son, for Him.
What kind of Love can trust and believe in someone so very much, that He would entrust a woman to raise the "Unblemished Sacrifice" unto the altar of the cross? Now we understand what Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!" The Same One Who spoke light into existence, is the Same now.
The world has tried desperately to hide the truth of what we proclaim is the truth of salvation, which is the Gift of Life from Almighty God Himself. It was never in God's heart for man to be separated from Him. After Adam's fall, God would need to implement the means to recover His family back to Himself.
Do I know for certain what day Jesus came to earth as a Baby? No, I really don't. Many peoples war against one another over the exact date and time of year He came. I don't think it matters. God Himself knows the exact time. People are unwrapping this precious gift every day as Jesus is being born born in their hearts.
Some Christians feel that Christmas is a pagan holiday and therefore, do not celebrate December 25th in any manner. And, we all know people who celebrate the Christmas season with love and giving and then, on December 26th, they're done with those things. I believe that this is a time of year when the Spirit of God has more access to men's hearts, than almost any other time. It seems like, whether or not they believe in the true meaning of Christmas, they are moved in the giving and loving. We actually delight in buying, making and giving to others with a cheerful and giving heart.
Snow,decorations and lights are simply traditions that we identify with throughout the years and that rekindle memories in our hearts. I enjoy all of the lights and festivities that accompany this glorious day. What could be more appropriate than lights and beauty to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child into the world? Even the angels shouted and proclaimed His birthday. It was an event that divided history and changed how mankind observes earth as we know it; changing history to B.C. and A.D.
Satan has fought, with no avail, to keep man from acknowledging this day. This day will live on in mankind's lifetime, throughout history. Our Heavenly Father foresaw this day from eternity to eternity. God never left anything to change, but as a Master Designer, He always had a plan.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." We acknowledge Jesus at this time of year, but God had always known Him, according to Hebrews 1:2-3 (Amplified) which says, "(But) in these last days, He has spoken to us in (the Person of a) Son, Whom He appointed Heir and Lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time. (He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order). He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the Divine) and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding, and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of Power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleaning of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the Divine Majesty on High."
Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) says, "Hence, when He (Christ) entered into the world, He said, sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me (to offer)." Hebrews 10:12 (Amplified) says, "Whereas, this One (Christ) after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins (that shall avail) for all time, sat down at the right hand of God."
Revelations 13:8 (Amplified) tells us, "And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay Him homage,everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain (in sacrifice) from the foundation of the world."
When the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem, it became possible for man to see Him, touch Him, hear Him and identify with Him as a Man, but He had always been. We celebrate the body that God prepared for Him to sacrifice, but His Word (Jesus) lived on after the death of that body and was raised back to life and ascended to heaven to sit at God's right hand, where He still lives.
The body born in Bethlehem's manger, was simply the "Body that was prepared," according to Hebrews 10:5 (Amplified) which says it was, "For Him to offer as a sacrifice for us." Only the body could take on the sin, guilt, curse and death that was the price for mankind's redemption. The Christ Who came in the flesh, always was, always is, and always will be. We simply see and celebrate that which we can see and identify with. But, He always was.
When I celebrate Christmas, I celebrate the Gift of Life that was His Gift from the foundation of the world. This was a Love so great and so much faith was placed in God's creation (His forming man in His Own Image and Likeness) that He could trust the One Who became Light and Life. God's faith in His Own creation allowed Him to put Jesus' body into the hands of a mortal woman and into the hands of His Own earthly child. God trusted Mary to raise His Own Son, for Him.
What kind of Love can trust and believe in someone so very much, that He would entrust a woman to raise the "Unblemished Sacrifice" unto the altar of the cross? Now we understand what Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!" The Same One Who spoke light into existence, is the Same now.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Lesson 96 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
As this Christmas season draws near, I've like to draw attention to the part the Holy Spirit played in Jesus' birth.
When Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, the Father began to instantly, at that moment, speak the Last Adam into being. Jesus didn't become the Son of God in Bethlehem, He had always been the Son of God from the foundation of the world. He always existed with the Father, according to John 1:1-4 (Amplified) which says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Himself). He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men."
Genesis 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned and) created the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form and was an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it, and God separated the light from the darkness."
Jesus was the Light in the form of the Word spoken by God. Psalms 119:130 (Amplified) says, "The entrance and unfolding of Your Words give Light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple." Jesus said in John 12:46 (Amplified), "I have come as a Light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me (whoever cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me) may not continue to live in darkness."
Luke 1:35-38 (Amplified) says, "Then the angel said to her (Mary), The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud) and so the holy (pure, sinless) thing (offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God." Verses 36-38 go on, "And listen! Your relative, Elizabeth in her old age has Also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren For with God nothing is ever impossible and no Word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Then Mary said, Behold I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said (The King James Version says, "According to your Word) and the angel left."
John 1:14 (Amplified) tells us,
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His Majesty) such glory as an Only Begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
Psalm 107: 19-20 (Amplified) says, "Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His Word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction."
That "which was spoken" into Mary's womb, was the Word of God. John 1:14 (Amplified) says that, "The flesh that the Word became (God Himself) was called Jesus." When God created all things, the Holy Spirit "hovered" over the face of the deep, but nothing happened unto God said, Light be." Once the Word was spoken, then the Holy Spirit moved on that Word and brought it to pass.
The same was true in our new birth. When the truth of the Word was Light in our heart, the Holy Spirit, Who was brooding and hovering over us all the time, took that Word of Life and Light and did as He did with Mary. The new creation was formed by the Word and the Spirit, and we became a new creation.
It is the Holy Spirit Who brings about the Word to come to pass in our lives, as well as the Word In Mary, that brought about a miraculous birth in her. We were created by the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit to "overshadow" us and bring forth a new people unto the Father.
When God began in the Garden, He began speaking forth Jesus (the Word). Bit by bit, He began to "speak" Him into Being. He spoke Who Jesus would be and what He would do. He even spoke forth what Jesus would say and where He would be born and how He would be born. God spoke of the resurrection and Jesus' being lifted to glory. He also spoke about the children of God (the fruit of the Seed of His Word). When He completed all that was needed, this Word became flesh and we actually could see the Word of God walk, talk and heal the sick, just like God had prophesied. The Holy Spirit brought about God's Word into the world that special morning in Bethlehem's manger with the angels singing praises to Him.
When Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, the Father began to instantly, at that moment, speak the Last Adam into being. Jesus didn't become the Son of God in Bethlehem, He had always been the Son of God from the foundation of the world. He always existed with the Father, according to John 1:1-4 (Amplified) which says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Himself). He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men."
Genesis 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned and) created the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form and was an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it, and God separated the light from the darkness."
Jesus was the Light in the form of the Word spoken by God. Psalms 119:130 (Amplified) says, "The entrance and unfolding of Your Words give Light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple." Jesus said in John 12:46 (Amplified), "I have come as a Light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me (whoever cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me) may not continue to live in darkness."
Luke 1:35-38 (Amplified) says, "Then the angel said to her (Mary), The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud) and so the holy (pure, sinless) thing (offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God." Verses 36-38 go on, "And listen! Your relative, Elizabeth in her old age has Also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren For with God nothing is ever impossible and no Word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Then Mary said, Behold I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said (The King James Version says, "According to your Word) and the angel left."
John 1:14 (Amplified) tells us,
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His Majesty) such glory as an Only Begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
Psalm 107: 19-20 (Amplified) says, "Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His Word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction."
That "which was spoken" into Mary's womb, was the Word of God. John 1:14 (Amplified) says that, "The flesh that the Word became (God Himself) was called Jesus." When God created all things, the Holy Spirit "hovered" over the face of the deep, but nothing happened unto God said, Light be." Once the Word was spoken, then the Holy Spirit moved on that Word and brought it to pass.
The same was true in our new birth. When the truth of the Word was Light in our heart, the Holy Spirit, Who was brooding and hovering over us all the time, took that Word of Life and Light and did as He did with Mary. The new creation was formed by the Word and the Spirit, and we became a new creation.
It is the Holy Spirit Who brings about the Word to come to pass in our lives, as well as the Word In Mary, that brought about a miraculous birth in her. We were created by the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit to "overshadow" us and bring forth a new people unto the Father.
When God began in the Garden, He began speaking forth Jesus (the Word). Bit by bit, He began to "speak" Him into Being. He spoke Who Jesus would be and what He would do. He even spoke forth what Jesus would say and where He would be born and how He would be born. God spoke of the resurrection and Jesus' being lifted to glory. He also spoke about the children of God (the fruit of the Seed of His Word). When He completed all that was needed, this Word became flesh and we actually could see the Word of God walk, talk and heal the sick, just like God had prophesied. The Holy Spirit brought about God's Word into the world that special morning in Bethlehem's manger with the angels singing praises to Him.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Lesson 95 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We've discussed many things about the Holy Spirit, but now I would like to bring His ministry to a more personal level. The Holy Spirit is the One Who will lead us, direct us and convict us, in our walk as a child of God. The more sensitive we are to His ministry, the easier it is for the Father to use us on His behalf.
When Jesus said that, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me," in John 5:30 (Amplified), He was speaking about the Holy Spirit (Who is God), Who was in Him. In John 14:17 (Amplified), Jesus said, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him, But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
It's the same Holy Spirit (God in the Spirit) Who led Jesus, is now here to lead and direct each one of us. Since we are each different in our character and lives, He leads us in different ways. Some are more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, than others. Many are reluctant to hear Him, while other say that they don't hear Him at all. The best way to hear the Holy Spirit, is to know the Word and the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into something that the Word won't back up. The Holy spirit is the will of God, because HE IS GOD. He will never lead us errantly.
We discover that the Father has placed the entire ministry of His power into the hands of the Holy Spirit, in 1Corinthians 12:1-31. All of the Gifts of the Spirit are based on and function on Love. It's not so much about how we love God, but how much God loves us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how much the Father loves us, it's not difficult to see how easily His love can flow from us to others. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
It's almost impossible to imagine how much God loves others, until we know how much He loves us. When the Holy Spirit reveals His love for and to you, then you can walk in that love towards others. When this love is revealed to our hearts, we become candidates for any or all of the Gifts of the Spirit to work through us.
God tells us to "Earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts (the higher gifts and the choicest graces)", in 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified). And He says, "And yet I will show you a still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all love)."
I failed for many years, to understand what the Holy Spirit was telling me about these gifts. One day, He spoke with me about these gifts, saying, "The gift of healing is not for you, it is for the sick." I still didn't understand the full meaning of what He was saying to me. As God began expounding on His Word, He said, "The gift of healing is for those who are sick, you are the messenger who will take that gift to them."
Finally, I began to understand that it's by knowing and understanding God's love for the people, will use His love to deliver whatever their need is to them. Those who will cultivate and desire these gifts, must be committed and moved by His love. God's love is "The greatest and best gift" that will motivate all the gifts to work through a committed Spirit. Love is the deliverer of the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself. Without knowing His love, we can never be moved by anything else to "distribute" these gifts of love to a hurting people.
Many men and women have been criticized through the years, while operating some of these gifts. Many have been called liars and phonies by other Church people. There have been some who weren't honest in their motives, but the love of God for His people, will never be stopped by anyone else's ego.
It can become difficult to resist being "puffed up in pride" when God works miracles through your ministry. People seem to either criticize you or they wish to exalt you. It's only by understanding love and God's love for the people, that we can keep on an even keel, according to Acts 3:11-12 (Amplified) which says, "Now while he (firmly) clung to Peter and John, all the people in utmost amazement ran together and crowded around them in the covered porch (walk) called Solomon's. And Peter seeing it, answered the people, You men of Israel, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us, as though by our (own, individual) power or (active) piety we made this man (able) to walk?" Even Jesus continued repeatedly telling the crowds that it was, "The Father in Me, Who has done the works."
If we get our eyes off of the love that moves us and begin to focus on the power that flows through us, then it's easy to become prideful or arrogant with such power. The Holy Spirit will constantly remind us that it's God's Love working through us on behalf of others. The only way to move in the Gifts of the Spirit, is to move by the Spirit (or let the Spirit express Himself through us). He is Love and He has poured Himself into us.
Peter stood up and made a statement about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:16-17 (Amplified) saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind." Notice how God didn't say that He'd "pour out My Spirit," but pour out of My Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit Who is being poured out from us, to all mankind. What He is pouring out of His Spirit is His great Love. Without knowing this love on a personal basis, we can never understand it on a ministerial basis.
If we remain in the dark about His love or doubt His will towards us, then we can never walk in this kind of power. Our unbelief and double-mindedness, will negate our faith and won't allow the Holy Spirit to be poured out of us to others. When we believe that God is the One responsible for the poor condition of others, then how can we believe God to get them out of it? This misunderstanding of His Love, will stop the delivery of the Gift to them, through you.
We are nothing more than delivery persons who deliver the Gifts of the Spirit to them as needed. On a personal basis, we are taking God's gift to someone else. The Gift is for the on who needs it, God though, requires someone He can trust, to take it to them. Once the Holy Spirit reveals this to your heart, you become led by Love through His Spirit, Who is Love. All the Gifts of the Spirit are based on the Love the Holy Spirit brought into our hearts, when He came.
When Jesus said that, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me," in John 5:30 (Amplified), He was speaking about the Holy Spirit (Who is God), Who was in Him. In John 14:17 (Amplified), Jesus said, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him, But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
It's the same Holy Spirit (God in the Spirit) Who led Jesus, is now here to lead and direct each one of us. Since we are each different in our character and lives, He leads us in different ways. Some are more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, than others. Many are reluctant to hear Him, while other say that they don't hear Him at all. The best way to hear the Holy Spirit, is to know the Word and the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into something that the Word won't back up. The Holy spirit is the will of God, because HE IS GOD. He will never lead us errantly.
We discover that the Father has placed the entire ministry of His power into the hands of the Holy Spirit, in 1Corinthians 12:1-31. All of the Gifts of the Spirit are based on and function on Love. It's not so much about how we love God, but how much God loves us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how much the Father loves us, it's not difficult to see how easily His love can flow from us to others. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
It's almost impossible to imagine how much God loves others, until we know how much He loves us. When the Holy Spirit reveals His love for and to you, then you can walk in that love towards others. When this love is revealed to our hearts, we become candidates for any or all of the Gifts of the Spirit to work through us.
God tells us to "Earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts (the higher gifts and the choicest graces)", in 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified). And He says, "And yet I will show you a still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all love)."
I failed for many years, to understand what the Holy Spirit was telling me about these gifts. One day, He spoke with me about these gifts, saying, "The gift of healing is not for you, it is for the sick." I still didn't understand the full meaning of what He was saying to me. As God began expounding on His Word, He said, "The gift of healing is for those who are sick, you are the messenger who will take that gift to them."
Finally, I began to understand that it's by knowing and understanding God's love for the people, will use His love to deliver whatever their need is to them. Those who will cultivate and desire these gifts, must be committed and moved by His love. God's love is "The greatest and best gift" that will motivate all the gifts to work through a committed Spirit. Love is the deliverer of the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself. Without knowing His love, we can never be moved by anything else to "distribute" these gifts of love to a hurting people.
Many men and women have been criticized through the years, while operating some of these gifts. Many have been called liars and phonies by other Church people. There have been some who weren't honest in their motives, but the love of God for His people, will never be stopped by anyone else's ego.
It can become difficult to resist being "puffed up in pride" when God works miracles through your ministry. People seem to either criticize you or they wish to exalt you. It's only by understanding love and God's love for the people, that we can keep on an even keel, according to Acts 3:11-12 (Amplified) which says, "Now while he (firmly) clung to Peter and John, all the people in utmost amazement ran together and crowded around them in the covered porch (walk) called Solomon's. And Peter seeing it, answered the people, You men of Israel, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us, as though by our (own, individual) power or (active) piety we made this man (able) to walk?" Even Jesus continued repeatedly telling the crowds that it was, "The Father in Me, Who has done the works."
If we get our eyes off of the love that moves us and begin to focus on the power that flows through us, then it's easy to become prideful or arrogant with such power. The Holy Spirit will constantly remind us that it's God's Love working through us on behalf of others. The only way to move in the Gifts of the Spirit, is to move by the Spirit (or let the Spirit express Himself through us). He is Love and He has poured Himself into us.
Peter stood up and made a statement about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:16-17 (Amplified) saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind." Notice how God didn't say that He'd "pour out My Spirit," but pour out of My Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit Who is being poured out from us, to all mankind. What He is pouring out of His Spirit is His great Love. Without knowing this love on a personal basis, we can never understand it on a ministerial basis.
If we remain in the dark about His love or doubt His will towards us, then we can never walk in this kind of power. Our unbelief and double-mindedness, will negate our faith and won't allow the Holy Spirit to be poured out of us to others. When we believe that God is the One responsible for the poor condition of others, then how can we believe God to get them out of it? This misunderstanding of His Love, will stop the delivery of the Gift to them, through you.
We are nothing more than delivery persons who deliver the Gifts of the Spirit to them as needed. On a personal basis, we are taking God's gift to someone else. The Gift is for the on who needs it, God though, requires someone He can trust, to take it to them. Once the Holy Spirit reveals this to your heart, you become led by Love through His Spirit, Who is Love. All the Gifts of the Spirit are based on the Love the Holy Spirit brought into our hearts, when He came.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Lesson 94 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
In John 3:5-6 (Amplified) Jesus says, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and (even) the Spirit, he cannot (ever) the Kingdom of God. What is born of (from) the flesh is flesh (of the physical is physical); and what is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Without the Holy Spirit, no man can be born again. One of the great movements and work of the Holy Spirit, comes during what we refer to as the "tribulation hour." Revelations 7:9-17 (Amplified) tells us, "After this I looked and a vast host appeared- which no man could count, (gathered out) of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. In loud voice they cried, saying, (Our) salvation is due to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb (to them we owe our deliverance)! And all the angels were standing round the throne and round the elders (of the heavenly Sanhedrin) and the four living creatures, and they fell prostrate before the throne and worshiped God." Verses 12-17 go on, "Amen (so be it) they cried, blessing and glory and majesty and splendor and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might (be ascribed) to our God to the ages and ages (forever and ever, throughout the eternities of the eternities) Amen! (so be it)! Then, addressing me, one of the elders (of the heavenly Sanhedrin) said, Who are these (people) clothed in long white robes? And from where have they come? I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution) and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are (now) before the (very) throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple). And He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
God showed John( and us), the power of the "incorruptible" Seed of the Word of God. We are also shown above, the power of God's love and His forgiveness. The Holy Spirit is operating in the midst of the "tribulation," to bring about the new birth and deliverance available to those left behind after the rapture of the Church. Some of these persons might be the "five foolish virgins" from Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:1-13.
I believe that these five virgins represent part of the Church. The very fact that they were virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, indicates they were to be at the wedding. Some however, seem to "burn out" or simply cease seeking and following the Bridegroom. Referring to them as "backslidden" isn't a popular description these days, nonetheless, these virgins "ran out of oil" before the Bridegroom arrived. Jesus showed up while they were "trying to get it together."
Revelations 7:14 (Amplified) says, "Who are these (this great multitude that could not be numbered)? And He said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulations (persecution) and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."
Ephesians 5:25-27 (Amplified) says, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. That He might present the Church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless)."
I often wondered why those coming out of the great tribulation would need to wash their robes. When we received the robe of righteousness, it was already clean, so why would it need to be cleansed? Could it be that these are the foolish virgins who ran out of oil and missed the call of the Bridegroom? Praise God that the Holy Spirit could still reach them and that people received the Spirit even during the tribulation. Personally, I would rather be part of the wise virgins and maintain the oil in my lamp, thus skipping the tribulation.
One of the greatest harvest to be reaped by the Holy Spirit, is the one in Revelations 7:9-11. In the middle of history's worst period, the love of God, through His Spirit continues in the quest to make "My House shall be full." In Matthew 22:8-10 (Amplified) Jesus says, "The wedding (feast) is prepared, but those invited were not worthy. So go to the thoroughfares where they leave the city ( where the main roads and those from the country end) and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both good and bad, so (the room in which) the wedding feast was held) was filled with guests."
He went on to say in Verse 14, "For many are called (invited and summoned) but few are chosen. I cannot stress enough how we must make sure our lamps have plenty of oil (the Holy Spirit) to run us until our Bridegroom returns. They Holy Spirit will never cease to bring forth Truth, Light and the Knowledge of salvation, even in the midst of the great tribulation. But, it's far better to be ready when Jesus comes back.
Without the Holy Spirit, no man can be born again. One of the great movements and work of the Holy Spirit, comes during what we refer to as the "tribulation hour." Revelations 7:9-17 (Amplified) tells us, "After this I looked and a vast host appeared- which no man could count, (gathered out) of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. In loud voice they cried, saying, (Our) salvation is due to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb (to them we owe our deliverance)! And all the angels were standing round the throne and round the elders (of the heavenly Sanhedrin) and the four living creatures, and they fell prostrate before the throne and worshiped God." Verses 12-17 go on, "Amen (so be it) they cried, blessing and glory and majesty and splendor and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might (be ascribed) to our God to the ages and ages (forever and ever, throughout the eternities of the eternities) Amen! (so be it)! Then, addressing me, one of the elders (of the heavenly Sanhedrin) said, Who are these (people) clothed in long white robes? And from where have they come? I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution) and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are (now) before the (very) throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple). And He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
God showed John( and us), the power of the "incorruptible" Seed of the Word of God. We are also shown above, the power of God's love and His forgiveness. The Holy Spirit is operating in the midst of the "tribulation," to bring about the new birth and deliverance available to those left behind after the rapture of the Church. Some of these persons might be the "five foolish virgins" from Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:1-13.
I believe that these five virgins represent part of the Church. The very fact that they were virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, indicates they were to be at the wedding. Some however, seem to "burn out" or simply cease seeking and following the Bridegroom. Referring to them as "backslidden" isn't a popular description these days, nonetheless, these virgins "ran out of oil" before the Bridegroom arrived. Jesus showed up while they were "trying to get it together."
Revelations 7:14 (Amplified) says, "Who are these (this great multitude that could not be numbered)? And He said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulations (persecution) and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."
Ephesians 5:25-27 (Amplified) says, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. That He might present the Church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless)."
I often wondered why those coming out of the great tribulation would need to wash their robes. When we received the robe of righteousness, it was already clean, so why would it need to be cleansed? Could it be that these are the foolish virgins who ran out of oil and missed the call of the Bridegroom? Praise God that the Holy Spirit could still reach them and that people received the Spirit even during the tribulation. Personally, I would rather be part of the wise virgins and maintain the oil in my lamp, thus skipping the tribulation.
One of the greatest harvest to be reaped by the Holy Spirit, is the one in Revelations 7:9-11. In the middle of history's worst period, the love of God, through His Spirit continues in the quest to make "My House shall be full." In Matthew 22:8-10 (Amplified) Jesus says, "The wedding (feast) is prepared, but those invited were not worthy. So go to the thoroughfares where they leave the city ( where the main roads and those from the country end) and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both good and bad, so (the room in which) the wedding feast was held) was filled with guests."
He went on to say in Verse 14, "For many are called (invited and summoned) but few are chosen. I cannot stress enough how we must make sure our lamps have plenty of oil (the Holy Spirit) to run us until our Bridegroom returns. They Holy Spirit will never cease to bring forth Truth, Light and the Knowledge of salvation, even in the midst of the great tribulation. But, it's far better to be ready when Jesus comes back.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Lesson 93 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8 (Amplified), "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
Acts 2:89 (Amplified) says, "For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is to and for you and for your children, and to and for all that are far away, (even) to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself."
The anointing at Pentecost changed the disciples in Acts 4:13 (Amplified) which says, "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools (common men with no educational advantages). They marveled, and they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Acts 5:32 (Amplified) says, "And we are witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit is also, Whom God had bestowed on those who obey Him."
John 16:13-15 (Amplified) tells us, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-Giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth) For He will not speak His Own message (on His Own Authority); but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him); and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future)." Verse 15 goes on, "Everything that the Father has is mine. That is what I meant when I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."
These scriptures tell of the promise of the Holy Spirit and then the fulfillment of that promise. Peter said in Acts 2:39 (Amplified) that the Holy Spirit is for himself, the people in the crowd, us and for as many as God invites to come to Him. It stands to be clear, that our Heavenly Father intended for "All who will believe" to receive the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians only go as far in their faith to become born again by the Holy Spirit. Others have believed that the Super-natural abilities were only for the early Church. Others still, believe to the point of speaking in tongues, while others believe that the Gifts of the Spirit in 1Corinthians 12, were only for the early Church and have since passed away.
Many aspects of the dispensation of the Holy Spirit have almost divided the Church, instead of uniting it. The Holy Spirit hasn't changed any aspect of His ministry since He was sent forth from the Father at Pentecost.
Everything that He was to the Church then, the Holy Spirit is today. The only things that have changed are the way we, the Church, have believed and have taught and been taught. The Holy Spirit is God Himself, living in and dwelling in everyone who will accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Having someone state that, "What the early Church had, isn't for today," is the same as saying that God cannot do today, what He did then.
Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us. Has He not come? Why then, would we ever believe that the power was ever removed from the Church? The "great deceiver," satan, has no power over the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet he lies to us, telling us that he does have power over us. It isn't any different than when he came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He only needs to make us doubt what God has said and the deception takes care of the rest of it.
The Spirit of the Living God has taken up residence in every born again child of God. The Holy Spirit in you, is the same Holy Spirit Who brought about creation in the beginning. God hasn't diminished in power, wisdom, love or might. "He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever," according to Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified).
If you need to know Who and What the Holy Spirit is to today's Church, then simply ask the Father to fill (baptize ) you in the Holy Spirit. This will equip you to walk in what the Father has for us to accomplish in this day and age. Do not allow the devil to talk you out of the blessing, like he did Adam.
The world not only needs to hear about God through the Church, but also needs to "see" God through the Church. In this dispensation of the Church age, we are about to reach the end of it as we know it. Jesus is coming back soon and we do not have another two-thousand years to wait. And, because these are the Last Days, satan has pulled out all the stops and we need the Super-natural power of the Holy Spirit in order to gather the last times harvest.
Acts 2:89 (Amplified) says, "For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is to and for you and for your children, and to and for all that are far away, (even) to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself."
The anointing at Pentecost changed the disciples in Acts 4:13 (Amplified) which says, "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools (common men with no educational advantages). They marveled, and they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Acts 5:32 (Amplified) says, "And we are witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit is also, Whom God had bestowed on those who obey Him."
John 16:13-15 (Amplified) tells us, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-Giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth) For He will not speak His Own message (on His Own Authority); but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him); and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future)." Verse 15 goes on, "Everything that the Father has is mine. That is what I meant when I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."
These scriptures tell of the promise of the Holy Spirit and then the fulfillment of that promise. Peter said in Acts 2:39 (Amplified) that the Holy Spirit is for himself, the people in the crowd, us and for as many as God invites to come to Him. It stands to be clear, that our Heavenly Father intended for "All who will believe" to receive the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians only go as far in their faith to become born again by the Holy Spirit. Others have believed that the Super-natural abilities were only for the early Church. Others still, believe to the point of speaking in tongues, while others believe that the Gifts of the Spirit in 1Corinthians 12, were only for the early Church and have since passed away.
Many aspects of the dispensation of the Holy Spirit have almost divided the Church, instead of uniting it. The Holy Spirit hasn't changed any aspect of His ministry since He was sent forth from the Father at Pentecost.
Everything that He was to the Church then, the Holy Spirit is today. The only things that have changed are the way we, the Church, have believed and have taught and been taught. The Holy Spirit is God Himself, living in and dwelling in everyone who will accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Having someone state that, "What the early Church had, isn't for today," is the same as saying that God cannot do today, what He did then.
Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us. Has He not come? Why then, would we ever believe that the power was ever removed from the Church? The "great deceiver," satan, has no power over the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet he lies to us, telling us that he does have power over us. It isn't any different than when he came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He only needs to make us doubt what God has said and the deception takes care of the rest of it.
The Spirit of the Living God has taken up residence in every born again child of God. The Holy Spirit in you, is the same Holy Spirit Who brought about creation in the beginning. God hasn't diminished in power, wisdom, love or might. "He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever," according to Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified).
If you need to know Who and What the Holy Spirit is to today's Church, then simply ask the Father to fill (baptize ) you in the Holy Spirit. This will equip you to walk in what the Father has for us to accomplish in this day and age. Do not allow the devil to talk you out of the blessing, like he did Adam.
The world not only needs to hear about God through the Church, but also needs to "see" God through the Church. In this dispensation of the Church age, we are about to reach the end of it as we know it. Jesus is coming back soon and we do not have another two-thousand years to wait. And, because these are the Last Days, satan has pulled out all the stops and we need the Super-natural power of the Holy Spirit in order to gather the last times harvest.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Lesson 92 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Revelation only comes by and through the Holy Spirit. Even when the Word of God is taught in the street or the church, it is only education and not revelation unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to your spirit. We've had our senses educated throughout the years, but it's only produced religion and not revelation. We've mostly made behavior modification of our flesh (which is good) from this, but we've failed to "become new creations in Christ."
We continue trying to change our flesh, without the revelation of "righteousness" to strengthen our spirits. The enemy has magnified our failures in our flesh above our victories in the Spirit. And, because of this, we still see ourselves as we once were, instead of who we now are in Christ Jesus. Once the revelation of who we are now comes into our spirit, we'll be able to pray and fellowship with our Heavenly Father in an entirely new and powerful way.
The Holy Spirit is the Only One to ever realize the power of this new birth in the heart of the Church. We read about being made righteous with His righteousness in 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) which says, "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 righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
The natural, carnal man will believe that the above things are for when he arrives in Heaven, without the Holy Spirit's revealing this passage to his spirit. The revelation of being righteous before God, now and in this world, seems too incomprehensible for the carnal mind to accept. We can read the Word and be educated as to what it says, but still not have the revelation of what it truly says to us now. Man's unrenewed mind enforces a sense of being unworthy deep within the natural man. The renewed mind allows the Holy Spirit to lift us out of the natural, into the Super-natural (or spirit realm) where our Father's Kingdom and family abide.
Then, the behavior modification will come from the inside and work out and not the work of the flesh from the outside in. Ephesians 5:25-32 (Amplified) says that a husband and wife are like Christ and the Church and that, "This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning (the relationship of) Christ and the Church. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her; So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. That He might present the Church to Himself inglorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless)."
It's only by revelation knowledge from the Holy Spirit, that the above Word can actually wash you clean in your natural man. The natural man cannot receive this truth in his own mind. As revelation comes into your spirit, you begin seeing yourself like God sees you and not as the way the natural man, as well as satan, will allow you to see yourself.
Paul stated that only the Holy Spirit can bring this truth into your heart in 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified), saying, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 goes on, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Without the revelation by and through the Holy Spirit, most of us will still see Jesus after the flesh too, as a human viewpoint, and as a Man. "Yet now we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." The revelation of the Risen Christ will help us no longer just see "the Son of Man," but the Risen Son of God. We will no longer see Him as just the Man who died on the cross, but as the Christ Who was raised from the dead, ascended into Heaven and justified us in the presence of His Father, by His Own sacrifice. Now, through the revelation of the Word by the Holy Spirit, we can see beyond the cross and into eternity. We will see how we are now righteous in our Father's eyes, because of Jesus' righteousness.
Many of us continue struggling because of our flesh's weakness and don't realize that our strength is in our spirit, which has now been made one with Him in Jesus. We can modify the behavior of our flesh with willpower, but can never quiet the voice of the flesh without the Holy Spirit power, because "It's not by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Only the revelation of the Word, and not the education of the Word, will set the captives free.
John 8:31-32 (Amplified) says, "So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My Word (hold fast to My teachings, and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."
John 6:63 (Amplified) tells us, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truths and life of the Word that will set you free. The freedom has already comes, but it take the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth that will set you free.
We continue trying to change our flesh, without the revelation of "righteousness" to strengthen our spirits. The enemy has magnified our failures in our flesh above our victories in the Spirit. And, because of this, we still see ourselves as we once were, instead of who we now are in Christ Jesus. Once the revelation of who we are now comes into our spirit, we'll be able to pray and fellowship with our Heavenly Father in an entirely new and powerful way.
The Holy Spirit is the Only One to ever realize the power of this new birth in the heart of the Church. We read about being made righteous with His righteousness in 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) which says, "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 righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
The natural, carnal man will believe that the above things are for when he arrives in Heaven, without the Holy Spirit's revealing this passage to his spirit. The revelation of being righteous before God, now and in this world, seems too incomprehensible for the carnal mind to accept. We can read the Word and be educated as to what it says, but still not have the revelation of what it truly says to us now. Man's unrenewed mind enforces a sense of being unworthy deep within the natural man. The renewed mind allows the Holy Spirit to lift us out of the natural, into the Super-natural (or spirit realm) where our Father's Kingdom and family abide.
Then, the behavior modification will come from the inside and work out and not the work of the flesh from the outside in. Ephesians 5:25-32 (Amplified) says that a husband and wife are like Christ and the Church and that, "This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning (the relationship of) Christ and the Church. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her; So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. That He might present the Church to Himself inglorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (that she might be holy and faultless)."
It's only by revelation knowledge from the Holy Spirit, that the above Word can actually wash you clean in your natural man. The natural man cannot receive this truth in his own mind. As revelation comes into your spirit, you begin seeing yourself like God sees you and not as the way the natural man, as well as satan, will allow you to see yourself.
Paul stated that only the Holy Spirit can bring this truth into your heart in 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified), saying, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 goes on, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Without the revelation by and through the Holy Spirit, most of us will still see Jesus after the flesh too, as a human viewpoint, and as a Man. "Yet now we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." The revelation of the Risen Christ will help us no longer just see "the Son of Man," but the Risen Son of God. We will no longer see Him as just the Man who died on the cross, but as the Christ Who was raised from the dead, ascended into Heaven and justified us in the presence of His Father, by His Own sacrifice. Now, through the revelation of the Word by the Holy Spirit, we can see beyond the cross and into eternity. We will see how we are now righteous in our Father's eyes, because of Jesus' righteousness.
Many of us continue struggling because of our flesh's weakness and don't realize that our strength is in our spirit, which has now been made one with Him in Jesus. We can modify the behavior of our flesh with willpower, but can never quiet the voice of the flesh without the Holy Spirit power, because "It's not by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Only the revelation of the Word, and not the education of the Word, will set the captives free.
John 8:31-32 (Amplified) says, "So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My Word (hold fast to My teachings, and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."
John 6:63 (Amplified) tells us, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truths and life of the Word that will set you free. The freedom has already comes, but it take the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth that will set you free.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Lesson 91 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I've been absent from my blog for four weeks now, while I was rebuilding my barn. The weather has been holding here and I need to finish it before everything broke loose for the winter. God has been very gracious holding back snow and cold, until I was done. We moved the chickens into their new home on Thanksgiving Day and hopefully will be moving the horses into their home soon. Thank you Mr. Walker for all your help and the use of your trailer. Thank you Bob and Danny and everyone for being patient in my absence.
We've been speaking about and learning about the Holy Spirit. I will continue doing so here, so let's get brought up to date here. Many things we've learned throughout the years hasn't been given from the Holy Spirit. In fact, in many Christian circles, the Holy Spirit has been left out completely from their teachings. We recognize that He is here, but then deny His presence and His Super-natural power in the Church.
The greatest part of His ministry is the building and bringing the Church, the Body of Christ, into unity. Only the Holy Spirit can bring the revelation to the Church. Some of the teachings and direction we've received over the past two-thousand years, has come from man's carnal knowledge without the revelation from the Spirit. Proverbs 20:27 (Amplified) says, "The spirit of man (that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God) is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
It has been mostly the soulish or carnal part of man that the Church has ministered to. And, we've neglected to train and teach the spirit of man. In these last days before Jesus returns, the Holy Spiirt is revealing the revelation of Jesus in the spirit of man. Carnal teaching and thinking says that the power of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, is for when we get to heaven. We've expected people to believe what we preach and teach, without any evidence of what we're telling them. Even Jesus has to present "signs and wonders" to reveal God to the people. In John 14:11 (Amplified) Jesus says, "Believe Me that I Am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the (very) works themselves (If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's Name convince you)."
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:18-19 (Amplified), "For (of course) I will not venture (presume) to speak thus of any work except what Christ has actually done through me (as an instrument in His Hands) to win obedience from the Gentiles by word and deed (Even as my preaching has been accomplished) with the power of signs and wonders (and all of it) by the power of the Holy Spirit, (the result is) that starting from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel (faithfully executing, accomplishing, carrying out to the full the Good News) of Christ (the Messiah) in its entirety."
1Corinthians 2:1-6 (Amplified) Paul tells us, "As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God (concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men) in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom for I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified." Verses 3 says, "And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling (after I had come) among you And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in the demonstration of the (Holy) Spirit and power, (a proof of God, operating in me, and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them)." Paul continues in Verses 5-6 saying, "The reason that this demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power was So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy) but in the power of God. 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."
The world and its way of thinking, cannot accept the revelation of the Risen Christ, except by the Holy Spirit. Even the Church, with man's idea of Christianity, cannot receive the real revelation of who we are in Christ, except through the Holy Spirit. Mans way of thinking has made the real "demonstration" of the Holy Spirit difficult to be accepted, even in the Church.
We've been preaching to the world and expecting them to simply believe all we say, without any demonstration of Life in our words. We should always expect the Super-natural power of the Holy Spirit to confirm what we preach, according to Mark 16:20 (Amplified) which says, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied (it) Amen (so be it)."
Only the Holy Spirit can bring forth the "confirming" signs and miracles that accompany the Gospel. We, the Church, must have the accompanying signs and wonders of God in order to reveal Him as He truly is, to the world and the Church. We serve a supernatural God and we must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to and in the world as He truly is. Otherwise, we are just another religion, no different from the rest, in their eyes. The Holy Spirit will proclaim to the world, that our God is not dead, but He is alive and still full of power. Through the Holy Spirit, we are to not only tell the world about Him, but show the world that OUR GOD LIVES.
We've been speaking about and learning about the Holy Spirit. I will continue doing so here, so let's get brought up to date here. Many things we've learned throughout the years hasn't been given from the Holy Spirit. In fact, in many Christian circles, the Holy Spirit has been left out completely from their teachings. We recognize that He is here, but then deny His presence and His Super-natural power in the Church.
The greatest part of His ministry is the building and bringing the Church, the Body of Christ, into unity. Only the Holy Spirit can bring the revelation to the Church. Some of the teachings and direction we've received over the past two-thousand years, has come from man's carnal knowledge without the revelation from the Spirit. Proverbs 20:27 (Amplified) says, "The spirit of man (that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God) is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
It has been mostly the soulish or carnal part of man that the Church has ministered to. And, we've neglected to train and teach the spirit of man. In these last days before Jesus returns, the Holy Spiirt is revealing the revelation of Jesus in the spirit of man. Carnal teaching and thinking says that the power of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, is for when we get to heaven. We've expected people to believe what we preach and teach, without any evidence of what we're telling them. Even Jesus has to present "signs and wonders" to reveal God to the people. In John 14:11 (Amplified) Jesus says, "Believe Me that I Am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the (very) works themselves (If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's Name convince you)."
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:18-19 (Amplified), "For (of course) I will not venture (presume) to speak thus of any work except what Christ has actually done through me (as an instrument in His Hands) to win obedience from the Gentiles by word and deed (Even as my preaching has been accomplished) with the power of signs and wonders (and all of it) by the power of the Holy Spirit, (the result is) that starting from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel (faithfully executing, accomplishing, carrying out to the full the Good News) of Christ (the Messiah) in its entirety."
1Corinthians 2:1-6 (Amplified) Paul tells us, "As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God (concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men) in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom for I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified." Verses 3 says, "And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling (after I had come) among you And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in the demonstration of the (Holy) Spirit and power, (a proof of God, operating in me, and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them)." Paul continues in Verses 5-6 saying, "The reason that this demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power was So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy) but in the power of God. 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."
The world and its way of thinking, cannot accept the revelation of the Risen Christ, except by the Holy Spirit. Even the Church, with man's idea of Christianity, cannot receive the real revelation of who we are in Christ, except through the Holy Spirit. Mans way of thinking has made the real "demonstration" of the Holy Spirit difficult to be accepted, even in the Church.
We've been preaching to the world and expecting them to simply believe all we say, without any demonstration of Life in our words. We should always expect the Super-natural power of the Holy Spirit to confirm what we preach, according to Mark 16:20 (Amplified) which says, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied (it) Amen (so be it)."
Only the Holy Spirit can bring forth the "confirming" signs and miracles that accompany the Gospel. We, the Church, must have the accompanying signs and wonders of God in order to reveal Him as He truly is, to the world and the Church. We serve a supernatural God and we must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to and in the world as He truly is. Otherwise, we are just another religion, no different from the rest, in their eyes. The Holy Spirit will proclaim to the world, that our God is not dead, but He is alive and still full of power. Through the Holy Spirit, we are to not only tell the world about Him, but show the world that OUR GOD LIVES.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Lesson 90 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Most of us have failed to obey the Holy Spirit's leading, because we've never been trained to hear His voice. The Lord is always endeavoring to lead us, but we have been led by the five senses for so long that we haven't listened very much to the Spirit of God.
Many have decided that only a very few persons can actually hear or know His voice. Hearing and following His leading requires training our spirit to listen beyond our five senses. Jesus told us that, "God is a Spirit." Genesis 1:26 says we were "Created in His Image and Likeness" and that we are truly "spirit beings." We were born with a flesh and blood body to live in, just like Jesus was. This body is to have contact with the natural earth and with nature, but we were always meant to be led and raised by the Spirit.
Since we are now (and were from the beginning), a spirit in His Image, our spirit is the way His Presence must be reached and understood. We can only come to a mental ascent to His presence, without contacting God by our spirit. God's Word is also Spirit, according to John 6:63 (Amplified) where Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no proof in it) The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
His Words (the entire Bible) are Spirit. God speaks to us by His Spirit and His Word. If only we would allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Word into our spirit, instead of trying to understand it with our carnal minds. The only way to understand its truth is by our spirit, because His Word is Spirit and Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Only One Who can reveal the depth of the Father's heart and intent. 1Corinthians 2:13-14 (Amplified) tells us, "And we are setting these truths forth in Words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language (to those who possess the Holy Spirit)." Verse 14 goes on, "But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and revelations and teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated."
If someone tried telling you that you can simply lay hands on the sick and they would be healed, then your carnal mind would dismiss it as foolishness. Anything that has to do with the supernatural things of God in this natural world, seems to be foolishness to the natural man.
There has been a division within the Body of Christ over these spiritual truths. Some seek to believe, but fail, because we won't accept by our spirit. Some truly believe that God can do anything, but they cannot believe that He will. All have received the truth from the Holy Spirit, as far as they will Him to take them. When we stop receiving in our spirit, we stop in our quest of understanding our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said that, "I and the Father are One" and then He prayed in John 17:21 (Amplified) saying, "They (those who will believe in Him by the words of the disciples) all may be one (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be One in us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me."
The Oneness that Jesus and the Father had (even while Jesus was a Man in the flesh), is the same Oneness He prayed for us to have. If there was ever a Person Who had His prayers answered, then it would be Jesus. You know that God has answered Jesus' prayer for us to be one with Him and our Father. The same potential to hear the Voice of the Spirit that Jesus had, is ours too.
Many have decided that only a very few persons can actually hear or know His voice. Hearing and following His leading requires training our spirit to listen beyond our five senses. Jesus told us that, "God is a Spirit." Genesis 1:26 says we were "Created in His Image and Likeness" and that we are truly "spirit beings." We were born with a flesh and blood body to live in, just like Jesus was. This body is to have contact with the natural earth and with nature, but we were always meant to be led and raised by the Spirit.
Since we are now (and were from the beginning), a spirit in His Image, our spirit is the way His Presence must be reached and understood. We can only come to a mental ascent to His presence, without contacting God by our spirit. God's Word is also Spirit, according to John 6:63 (Amplified) where Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no proof in it) The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
His Words (the entire Bible) are Spirit. God speaks to us by His Spirit and His Word. If only we would allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Word into our spirit, instead of trying to understand it with our carnal minds. The only way to understand its truth is by our spirit, because His Word is Spirit and Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Only One Who can reveal the depth of the Father's heart and intent. 1Corinthians 2:13-14 (Amplified) tells us, "And we are setting these truths forth in Words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language (to those who possess the Holy Spirit)." Verse 14 goes on, "But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and revelations and teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated."
If someone tried telling you that you can simply lay hands on the sick and they would be healed, then your carnal mind would dismiss it as foolishness. Anything that has to do with the supernatural things of God in this natural world, seems to be foolishness to the natural man.
There has been a division within the Body of Christ over these spiritual truths. Some seek to believe, but fail, because we won't accept by our spirit. Some truly believe that God can do anything, but they cannot believe that He will. All have received the truth from the Holy Spirit, as far as they will Him to take them. When we stop receiving in our spirit, we stop in our quest of understanding our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said that, "I and the Father are One" and then He prayed in John 17:21 (Amplified) saying, "They (those who will believe in Him by the words of the disciples) all may be one (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be One in us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me."
The Oneness that Jesus and the Father had (even while Jesus was a Man in the flesh), is the same Oneness He prayed for us to have. If there was ever a Person Who had His prayers answered, then it would be Jesus. You know that God has answered Jesus' prayer for us to be one with Him and our Father. The same potential to hear the Voice of the Spirit that Jesus had, is ours too.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Lesson 89 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We've discussed prior to this, how the Holy Spirit's main ministry is revealing Jesus as our Savior to the world and revealing God as our Father to the Church. He reveals Jesus to the world as the sin bearer and the only way to salvation. And, He reveals the Father and His new covenant to God's "new creation" family.
The Church still views God as the Old Testament God, without the Holy Spirit's revealing Him as Father. We seem to return to the Law instead of grace and we try pleasing God by our works. This part of the Holy Spirit's ministry has probably been the most difficult part of His job.
It's difficult for us to view God as Father, even though we refer to Him as Father. We seem to understand more about Him as our Father, but less about us as being His family. We carry around the Image of the way He dealt with man in the old covenant, more than the Image of how He deals with His family in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit has worked for more than two-thousand years, trying to teach man that Jesus is the Only Way to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we witness Jesus' attitude towards the people, we see the Father's attitude towards mankind. Jesus never used sickness to chasten or teach the masses, but He always healed them from what sin and satan had done to them. We, however, have come to believe that the opposite is our Father's way of teaching His children.
Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us that Jesus is our Image and example of how we are to see the Father. Thus, it says, "He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine), and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt. He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on High."
These verses should be enough for any believer to God as Father and as the One Who shows grace and mercy and not judgment on His family. The very same way Jesus taught the masses, is the exact way the Father teaches us today. Sickness and disease were the enemies to covenant people and they still are today, because sickness, sin, disease and death are under the curse of the Law. Some people think that the Law means the Ten Commandments, but they're not the same thing. The Law allowed God to deal with His people by grace. As long as the people obeyed the Law, they could be protected from the consequences of the Curse. Without the Law, the old covenant people would have to bear the results of what Adam brought upon all mankind.
The curse wasn't God's idea, but was the result of Adam's disobedience. God's idea or plan for man was blessing. The Law we've been redeemed from can be found in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging 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." Verse 2 goes on, "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 death." This is the Law that Jesus has freed us from. The Ten Commandments are not a law to the New Testament people, but the "walking after the Spirit of Liberty," because violating the Ten Commandments puts believers in a place of bondage.
We follow after righteousness by the Holy Spirit's leading and not the Law of Moses. The people under the Law of Moses couldn't walk under the Spirit's leading because they weren't born again. They could only obey the Laws that would keep the flesh under control, but they couldn't overcome it. We have overcome the flesh by our new covenant with Jesus.
We read about Paul's struggle with his flesh, by observing the Law of Moses in Romans 7:24-25. It was his understanding our new covenant that set Paul free from the condemnation of guilt from his past transgressions. Thus, Paul says, "O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? O thank God! (He will!) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of god, but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul spoke about the Law of God in reference to the "Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus" in Romans 8:1-2. The Law of the flesh Paul spoke about was the Law of sin and death.
We're still engaged in this same "warfare" in our bodies today. None of us are so pure in ourselves that we are free from wrong thoughts or deeds. What Paul was simply saying was summed up in Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) which says, "[Jesus] had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt."
Paul was determined to walk in and by the Holy Spirit. If we spend all of our time walking in guilt or the condemnation from our failures, then we will never rise to the place of being successful in god's victory over our flesh. We could spend our lives in guilt or shame from our past. Or, we can live our lives in the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus.
Until we reach the fullness of our salvation and the redemption of our body, we will continue walking in the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus. By not doing this, we remain under the Law of sin and death and will never be allowed to "feel" like we can walk in holiness and purity needed to operate in God's family.
We alibi our sense of guilty by saying, "God is doing this to teach me," but truthfully, we walk in it because we won't believe Jesus has "released and delivered us from the shackles of this body of death," like Romans 7:24-5 says. Paul became so convinced of this truth, that he later wrote 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point) and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross question me, I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Here stands a man who has trained his senses to walk to much in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, that the Law of sin and death no longer can hold Paul down with guilt and shame in the flesh.
The Church still views God as the Old Testament God, without the Holy Spirit's revealing Him as Father. We seem to return to the Law instead of grace and we try pleasing God by our works. This part of the Holy Spirit's ministry has probably been the most difficult part of His job.
It's difficult for us to view God as Father, even though we refer to Him as Father. We seem to understand more about Him as our Father, but less about us as being His family. We carry around the Image of the way He dealt with man in the old covenant, more than the Image of how He deals with His family in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit has worked for more than two-thousand years, trying to teach man that Jesus is the Only Way to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we witness Jesus' attitude towards the people, we see the Father's attitude towards mankind. Jesus never used sickness to chasten or teach the masses, but He always healed them from what sin and satan had done to them. We, however, have come to believe that the opposite is our Father's way of teaching His children.
Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us that Jesus is our Image and example of how we are to see the Father. Thus, it says, "He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine), and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt. He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on High."
These verses should be enough for any believer to God as Father and as the One Who shows grace and mercy and not judgment on His family. The very same way Jesus taught the masses, is the exact way the Father teaches us today. Sickness and disease were the enemies to covenant people and they still are today, because sickness, sin, disease and death are under the curse of the Law. Some people think that the Law means the Ten Commandments, but they're not the same thing. The Law allowed God to deal with His people by grace. As long as the people obeyed the Law, they could be protected from the consequences of the Curse. Without the Law, the old covenant people would have to bear the results of what Adam brought upon all mankind.
The curse wasn't God's idea, but was the result of Adam's disobedience. God's idea or plan for man was blessing. The Law we've been redeemed from can be found in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging 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." Verse 2 goes on, "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 death." This is the Law that Jesus has freed us from. The Ten Commandments are not a law to the New Testament people, but the "walking after the Spirit of Liberty," because violating the Ten Commandments puts believers in a place of bondage.
We follow after righteousness by the Holy Spirit's leading and not the Law of Moses. The people under the Law of Moses couldn't walk under the Spirit's leading because they weren't born again. They could only obey the Laws that would keep the flesh under control, but they couldn't overcome it. We have overcome the flesh by our new covenant with Jesus.
We read about Paul's struggle with his flesh, by observing the Law of Moses in Romans 7:24-25. It was his understanding our new covenant that set Paul free from the condemnation of guilt from his past transgressions. Thus, Paul says, "O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? O thank God! (He will!) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of god, but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul spoke about the Law of God in reference to the "Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus" in Romans 8:1-2. The Law of the flesh Paul spoke about was the Law of sin and death.
We're still engaged in this same "warfare" in our bodies today. None of us are so pure in ourselves that we are free from wrong thoughts or deeds. What Paul was simply saying was summed up in Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) which says, "[Jesus] had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt."
Paul was determined to walk in and by the Holy Spirit. If we spend all of our time walking in guilt or the condemnation from our failures, then we will never rise to the place of being successful in god's victory over our flesh. We could spend our lives in guilt or shame from our past. Or, we can live our lives in the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus.
Until we reach the fullness of our salvation and the redemption of our body, we will continue walking in the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus. By not doing this, we remain under the Law of sin and death and will never be allowed to "feel" like we can walk in holiness and purity needed to operate in God's family.
We alibi our sense of guilty by saying, "God is doing this to teach me," but truthfully, we walk in it because we won't believe Jesus has "released and delivered us from the shackles of this body of death," like Romans 7:24-5 says. Paul became so convinced of this truth, that he later wrote 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point) and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross question me, I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Here stands a man who has trained his senses to walk to much in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, that the Law of sin and death no longer can hold Paul down with guilt and shame in the flesh.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Lesson 88 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The revelation of God as our Father was lost at Adam's fall in the Garden. From the time of Adam until Jesus, no one could or would dare address God in such a familiar way. Only the last Adam, Jesus, had the relationship or revelation of God as Father. When Jesus spoke about God as Father, it angered the religious people who were present. The deemed it "blasphemous" to do so.
The Holy Spirit is here today in order to reveal this awesome God again as "Father." He is having trouble once again, with the religious people, who refuse to accept this revelation. Although we address Him as our Father, we continue to pull back from Him as exactly that, Father. We remain suspicious as to His intentions and motives and will for us as His children. It still seems we are reluctant to trust God as One Who loves us unconditionally.
Those of us in God's family, have a difficult time truly understanding His will for us. It is only the Holy Spirit Who can wholly reveal Him in the fullness of His love for us. Religion constantly pushes us further away from this marvelous truth. We call God "Father," but we approach Him like He won't be our Father until we get to heaven. We just cannot seem to grasp the Holy Spirit's revelation of God in all His love and wholeness to us. We address Him as Father, but still approach Him in unbelief.
This unbelief is that we're never sure whether or not God will hear us or answer our prayers. How many times have we heard or said, "I don't think God talks to me" or "God never answers my prayers?" We're a double-minded family who never seems to know what such a perfect Father, as our God is, will do.
The Holy Spirit's work and ministry is to bring God's family into a complete and whole family. Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit has revealed the very person and purpose of our Heavenly Father. We read many times in the Word, where Jesus says, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, the Father and I are One." We see Jesus as One Who walks in love and forgiveness. We see Him as One Who heals without discrimination and One Who walks in compassion. He is One Who always meets the needs of the people and never turns anyone away. Yet, we have a difficult time seeing our father in the same light. We read about Jesus' walk and how He does God's will, but fail to understand whether some things are God's will.
It is certainly true that if Jesus came to reveal God as Father and He came to do the Father's will, then the things we see Jesus do, must be God's will for us too. We act like healing is not God's will today, but one of the principle parts of Jesus' ministry was to heal the sick. How could Jesus do these things and then it no longer be God's will? Jesus Himself said that it was, "The Father in Me, that does the work."
Our problem hasn't been that we cannot get the Father to act, but we don't trust Him to do what He's wanted to do all along. When we fail to understand what God's will is, it's hard to walk in faith with His will. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal God's will and God's heart. If Jesus Christ is "The same, yesterday, today and forever," like Hebrews 13:8 says, then God is still doing exactly the same now as He was doing then.
Our religious teachings make us feel sinful and unclean in God's eyes, so that God will not hear nor move on our behalf. We still think we must do something to have God's approval or His ear. What the Holy Spirit has come to do, is remove this old spirit of guilt and condemnation from us and help us to simply believe (even though our flesh cringes at it) that God has already perfectly cleansed and purified us by the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Jesus was asked in John 6:28-29 (Amplified), "What are we to do, that we may (habitually) be working the works of God? (What are we to do to carry out what God requires)?" Verse 29 says, "Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; That you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on and have faith in His Messenger) to do, and have God do, what we really want and desire Him to do, all that is required of us, is to trust Him."
The Holy Spirit has been working in the world to bring everyone salvation. And, He's been working to bring God's family into fellowship with Him. The most simple understanding of God's will is to "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." Jesus, Himself said this about God's will in John 6:38 (Amplified) saying, "For I have come down from heaven not to do My Own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me."
This, by the Holy Spirit, should once and forever, seal the question of what God's will for us today. Why would God's will change from the unsaved to the saved? Why would it be His will to heal, feed, comfort and deliver those who weren't yet in His family and then not His will for us, His Own children?
We struggle with the weakness of our flesh, instead of glorying in the strength of the Spirit. We identify more with the first and fallen Adam, than with the Last and Victorious Adam, Jesus. We still cannot do anything of ourselves, but we can "Do all things through Christ Who strengthens us." All we're required to do is "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." We keep hearing "You can't heal anyone" instead of remembering that it's not us who are required to heal, but the Father in us, Who does the work.
We have a Father Who loves us so much, that He took our place and bore our entire punishment so we can come into His presence "pure and holy" by His Own Blood. We should never be afraid or embarrassed before Him. He doesn't look on our outward appearance, but looks upon our heart or spirit. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards or value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh) Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Again, we read in John 6:29 (Amplified) that, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on, and have faith in) His Messenger."
The Holy Spirit is here today in order to reveal this awesome God again as "Father." He is having trouble once again, with the religious people, who refuse to accept this revelation. Although we address Him as our Father, we continue to pull back from Him as exactly that, Father. We remain suspicious as to His intentions and motives and will for us as His children. It still seems we are reluctant to trust God as One Who loves us unconditionally.
Those of us in God's family, have a difficult time truly understanding His will for us. It is only the Holy Spirit Who can wholly reveal Him in the fullness of His love for us. Religion constantly pushes us further away from this marvelous truth. We call God "Father," but we approach Him like He won't be our Father until we get to heaven. We just cannot seem to grasp the Holy Spirit's revelation of God in all His love and wholeness to us. We address Him as Father, but still approach Him in unbelief.
This unbelief is that we're never sure whether or not God will hear us or answer our prayers. How many times have we heard or said, "I don't think God talks to me" or "God never answers my prayers?" We're a double-minded family who never seems to know what such a perfect Father, as our God is, will do.
The Holy Spirit's work and ministry is to bring God's family into a complete and whole family. Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit has revealed the very person and purpose of our Heavenly Father. We read many times in the Word, where Jesus says, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, the Father and I are One." We see Jesus as One Who walks in love and forgiveness. We see Him as One Who heals without discrimination and One Who walks in compassion. He is One Who always meets the needs of the people and never turns anyone away. Yet, we have a difficult time seeing our father in the same light. We read about Jesus' walk and how He does God's will, but fail to understand whether some things are God's will.
It is certainly true that if Jesus came to reveal God as Father and He came to do the Father's will, then the things we see Jesus do, must be God's will for us too. We act like healing is not God's will today, but one of the principle parts of Jesus' ministry was to heal the sick. How could Jesus do these things and then it no longer be God's will? Jesus Himself said that it was, "The Father in Me, that does the work."
Our problem hasn't been that we cannot get the Father to act, but we don't trust Him to do what He's wanted to do all along. When we fail to understand what God's will is, it's hard to walk in faith with His will. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal God's will and God's heart. If Jesus Christ is "The same, yesterday, today and forever," like Hebrews 13:8 says, then God is still doing exactly the same now as He was doing then.
Our religious teachings make us feel sinful and unclean in God's eyes, so that God will not hear nor move on our behalf. We still think we must do something to have God's approval or His ear. What the Holy Spirit has come to do, is remove this old spirit of guilt and condemnation from us and help us to simply believe (even though our flesh cringes at it) that God has already perfectly cleansed and purified us by the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Jesus was asked in John 6:28-29 (Amplified), "What are we to do, that we may (habitually) be working the works of God? (What are we to do to carry out what God requires)?" Verse 29 says, "Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; That you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on and have faith in His Messenger) to do, and have God do, what we really want and desire Him to do, all that is required of us, is to trust Him."
The Holy Spirit has been working in the world to bring everyone salvation. And, He's been working to bring God's family into fellowship with Him. The most simple understanding of God's will is to "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." Jesus, Himself said this about God's will in John 6:38 (Amplified) saying, "For I have come down from heaven not to do My Own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me."
This, by the Holy Spirit, should once and forever, seal the question of what God's will for us today. Why would God's will change from the unsaved to the saved? Why would it be His will to heal, feed, comfort and deliver those who weren't yet in His family and then not His will for us, His Own children?
We struggle with the weakness of our flesh, instead of glorying in the strength of the Spirit. We identify more with the first and fallen Adam, than with the Last and Victorious Adam, Jesus. We still cannot do anything of ourselves, but we can "Do all things through Christ Who strengthens us." All we're required to do is "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." We keep hearing "You can't heal anyone" instead of remembering that it's not us who are required to heal, but the Father in us, Who does the work.
We have a Father Who loves us so much, that He took our place and bore our entire punishment so we can come into His presence "pure and holy" by His Own Blood. We should never be afraid or embarrassed before Him. He doesn't look on our outward appearance, but looks upon our heart or spirit. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards or value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh) Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Again, we read in John 6:29 (Amplified) that, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on, and have faith in) His Messenger."
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