2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
The enemy has tried very hard to teach the new creation man to identify with the world. Jesus said, though, in John 17:16 (Amplified) that, "They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world) (Just) as I am not of the world." Our identities are no longer White, Italian, Hispanic, African, Irish or any other nationality that we are given to check the box. Jesus said this about our identity in John 17:21 (Amplified), "That they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me."
It's difficult for the Church to become one with God on the earth, when we continue identifying with the world. Our identity and life in is Christ Jesus and we're all made one in Him. Even as Christians, we identify with our natural race and color, more than the glory we've been ingrafted into with Jesus. We all have the same Father and were all born of the Same Seed. 1Peter 1:23 (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." This is who we are and where we're from. We are all now one, as He is One in the Father.
When the Lord sent me to Chaumont, New York, I saw a place that was like my Promise Land in God. It didn't look very prosperous, but the Lord said that, "Where My Word is preached, prosperity follows." As we preached the Word and claimed our inheritance, the are began prospering. I was stationed at Camp Drum, where the permanent cadre was made up of 100 soldiers and it was primarily used to train reserve troops, during the summer. Now, it has become Fort Drum and the permanent cadre is about 30,000 troops and workers.
The surrounding land had laid fallow and wasn't being used, but now it's become valuable for building homes and quarters for the incoming people. Shopping malls have sprung up and housing is continually being built, but we've nearly failed to see it as a "work of God." Many times the Church looks for the spectacular and misses the Super-natural things that God does. The spectacular is great, but the Super-natural sometimes comes very quietly. Many churches have been established in this area and the Word of God is being freely preached.
In the Promised Land, the Israelite spies found giants who had held it for many years, but the Lord moved the giants and made way for His people. We sometimes miss what happened in Exodus, when Joshua and Caleb led the people into the Promised Land. After taking the Land, the people forgot who they were and didn't remember how the Land became theirs and went back to life as usual. Eventually, they returned to worshiping other gods and returned to bondage, because they began to identify with the world again.
When the people ca e out of Egypt, they came out by spectacular miracles from God. The plagues fell of their enemies, the Red Sea parted, and the Egyptian army was destroyed through the power of God. But, the people began to forget the Super-natural hand of God that delivered them from 400 years of slavery, according to Psalms 103:37 (Amplified) which says, "He brought them forth also with silver and gold, and there was not one feeble person among their tribes." God also fed and gave water to over two-million people, for 40 years in the Wilderness. Deuteronomy 29:5-6 (Amplified) says, "I have led you forty years in the Wilderness; your clothes have not worn out upon you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet. You have not eaten (grain) bread, nor have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you might recognize and know (your dependence on Him Who is saying) I am the Lord your God."
These Super-natural things might not have been spectacular, but they were the continued things of God, that we are aware of in our daily lives and that we are grateful for. During the hustles and bustles of daily living, we sometimes forget what God is continuously doing. We look for the spectacular things that our eyes and carnal minds can see and comprehend. God is always working on our behalf, but we sometimes begin identifying again with the world, instead of Who He has made us to be. We begin murmuring, just like those in the Wilderness did.
For forty years, God supplied bread from Heaven for the people, water needed for two-million people and their livestock, and He saw to it that their clothes and sandals never wore out, but they didn't praise Him for His Super-natural provision. They cried out for the spectacular instead. They forgot who they were and began identifying with the world once again. While I was explaining these things once, someone said to me, "I know Jesus died for me, but what has He done for me lately?" We forget who we are and then we forget Who He is.
It doesn't matter what color we are, because we are all "one in Him." We lose our identity in the new creation, when we identify more with our color or race. Our body is only a house for the new creation man to live in while we're still on earth and it is not you any longer. When beginning to build up this are for the new influx of people, they built new housing units in many different places. These housing projects all looked the same, having been given only different colors. The color of the house only identified the house, and not those who lived in them. Those living in them were mostly identified as soldier of one Army and they all had the same calling. We never addressed the house, only the people who lived in them. When the people arrived at Fort Drum for duty, they were all the same and no one asked, "What color is your house?"
Our identity in Christ Jesus determines who we truly are. I don't judge men by color, but by character. I don't select fellowship because of color, but because of who the people are. There are many white persons that I don't fellowship with, because I wish to fellowship with other Christians and color doesn't come up. I don't fellowship with them because they look like me, but because they believe in Jesus, like me. We're instructed to select our fellowship with wisdom, in Proverbs 13:20 (Amplified) which says, "He who walks (as a companion) with wise men is wise, but he who associates with (self-confident) fools is (a fool himself and shall smart for it)."
My personal fellowship is with others who know the Lord and we spend most of our time together, speaking about Him and learning more about Him from one another. I witness to the world, but I identify with the new creation. We need to stop identifying with the world's ideas about the Church and remember it's our job to make them like Jesus, instead of making us like them. You cannot hangout with the world, without one of you changing. Either they will become like you or you will become like them, otherwise you have very little in common.
You are not something "religious," but you are a new creation, who was sent by the Father, to be a light for the world to see and be drawn too. The more we look like the world, the less light the world will see in us. Jesus ministered to the sinner, but He did so to change them, not to change Himself. If we take note of the daily things God is continually doing in our lives, then we always have joy and praise Him for the work He's doing in and through us. We cannot always look for the spectacular, but must watch for and be thankful for, the continued Super-natural things God is doing in our lives. We shouldn't take these things for granted.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Lesson 174 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Everything in this new creation family and covenant, is based on our faith in redemption and the finished work of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, John writes in 1John 5:4 (Amplified), "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world even our faith."
Our faith is the "God kind of faith" which is in Christ Jesus and is everything needed to overcome the world. As new creation family, we are required to believe in what Jesus has done for us, by faith, and no longer believe in our works. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; for he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man)-blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." Since we are no longer under the Law, but now under grace, we're required to have faith in grace provided by Jesus.
This grace still depends on faith, in order to receive what this grace has provided and that is "what overcomes the world, even our faith." If we have no revelation of this redemption, then we're still perishing (on the human part of our covenant). Our life (spiritual life of the new birth) is still sealed by our faith in the new birth, but our natural life is still subject to the lies of the enemy.
For example: If some (as it is preached) still believe for themselves that they're still not righteous before God, then their lack of faith in God's righteous makes them a target for condemnation and the guilt of the old man, even though it's a lie. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "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."
The faith that overcomes the world, is the faith we put into the Truth of God's Word and not the flesh. The flesh refuses to accept the Word as Truth and still tries bringing about its own righteousness by works. Paul said in Romans 3:24 (Amplified), "(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."
A revelation or vision of redemption, will free us from laboring and working to provide our own righteousness, instead of accepting His righteousness by faith. This faith will hold us against the deceit of the world and free us from condemnation. Many even in today's Church, still oppose this "righteousness by faith" and hold fast to the old covenant that proclaims "As it is written, None is righteous, Just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one," Romans 3:10 (Amplified). Paul was speaking of those under the Law and those outside of the Law too, saying, "None are righteous." Our righteousness isn't based on the Law of our on good works, but on faith in His righteousness. Our faith in His righteous is received by faith and will overcome the world and its condemnation.
Our justification and the entire plan of salvation, rests on our faith in Christ Jesus. The new creation people have everything mankind needs to be righteous in God's eyes and to receive all that grace has provided for him. All are received by "the faith that overcomes the world." The world is carnal and has no faith in God or what He has done our man's behalf. Without the vision or revelation of redemption, even the Church (the new creation people) remain in the deceit of the world by a carnal mind.
If we still think as the world (with a carnal mind), then we cannot overcome that portion of our lives, without faith in God's grace for redemption. This vision comes by hearing, according to Romans 10:17 (Amplified) which says, "So 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)." The faith that overcomes the world, doesn't come by seeing, but by hearing. As we hear it, we believe it and our faith (in what Truth we hear) will establish it. By this, we overcome the world.
When God called it a "vision of redemption," He gave revelation, which is a picture or vision of this plan, that you can actually see by your spirit. First comes the Word, then comes the faith, then comes the vision or revelation that causes us to see ourselves the way we are in Him. Without this vision, we continue walking in carnality and the world still holds an upper-hand over us in this world. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) says, "What if some did not believer and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written. That you may be justified and show to be upright in what you say, and prevail when you are judged by (sinful men)."
The entire new creation is a product of faith in the finished work of Jesus. Without our faith being in Him, we simply do not overcome. Our level of faith in Him, has been eroded over the years, to the point that it's difficult for us to hear the Word preached in many circles. Without the Word being preached, we don't hear and without hearing, we have no faith and we don't overcome that part of the world and it's carnal way of thinking. We don't hear much preaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in many of today's churches. And, because it's not being preached, faith in it isn't being put into place, so that we receive this miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in Mark 16:20 (Amplified), "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)." When the Word is preached, vision comes, the Lord confirms it by the signs and miracles that faith hears and accepts. This faith, overcomes the world. Even if you don't receive anything other than just being born-again, then you've already overcome the world and Heaven is your Home. But, the overcoming strategies of the enemy, are still a major part of our "outward perishing," while we are still here on earth.
Everything in this new creation family and covenant, is based on our faith in redemption and the finished work of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, John writes in 1John 5:4 (Amplified), "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world even our faith."
Our faith is the "God kind of faith" which is in Christ Jesus and is everything needed to overcome the world. As new creation family, we are required to believe in what Jesus has done for us, by faith, and no longer believe in our works. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; for he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man)-blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." Since we are no longer under the Law, but now under grace, we're required to have faith in grace provided by Jesus.
This grace still depends on faith, in order to receive what this grace has provided and that is "what overcomes the world, even our faith." If we have no revelation of this redemption, then we're still perishing (on the human part of our covenant). Our life (spiritual life of the new birth) is still sealed by our faith in the new birth, but our natural life is still subject to the lies of the enemy.
For example: If some (as it is preached) still believe for themselves that they're still not righteous before God, then their lack of faith in God's righteous makes them a target for condemnation and the guilt of the old man, even though it's a lie. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "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."
The faith that overcomes the world, is the faith we put into the Truth of God's Word and not the flesh. The flesh refuses to accept the Word as Truth and still tries bringing about its own righteousness by works. Paul said in Romans 3:24 (Amplified), "(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."
A revelation or vision of redemption, will free us from laboring and working to provide our own righteousness, instead of accepting His righteousness by faith. This faith will hold us against the deceit of the world and free us from condemnation. Many even in today's Church, still oppose this "righteousness by faith" and hold fast to the old covenant that proclaims "As it is written, None is righteous, Just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one," Romans 3:10 (Amplified). Paul was speaking of those under the Law and those outside of the Law too, saying, "None are righteous." Our righteousness isn't based on the Law of our on good works, but on faith in His righteousness. Our faith in His righteous is received by faith and will overcome the world and its condemnation.
Our justification and the entire plan of salvation, rests on our faith in Christ Jesus. The new creation people have everything mankind needs to be righteous in God's eyes and to receive all that grace has provided for him. All are received by "the faith that overcomes the world." The world is carnal and has no faith in God or what He has done our man's behalf. Without the vision or revelation of redemption, even the Church (the new creation people) remain in the deceit of the world by a carnal mind.
If we still think as the world (with a carnal mind), then we cannot overcome that portion of our lives, without faith in God's grace for redemption. This vision comes by hearing, according to Romans 10:17 (Amplified) which says, "So 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)." The faith that overcomes the world, doesn't come by seeing, but by hearing. As we hear it, we believe it and our faith (in what Truth we hear) will establish it. By this, we overcome the world.
When God called it a "vision of redemption," He gave revelation, which is a picture or vision of this plan, that you can actually see by your spirit. First comes the Word, then comes the faith, then comes the vision or revelation that causes us to see ourselves the way we are in Him. Without this vision, we continue walking in carnality and the world still holds an upper-hand over us in this world. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) says, "What if some did not believer and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written. That you may be justified and show to be upright in what you say, and prevail when you are judged by (sinful men)."
The entire new creation is a product of faith in the finished work of Jesus. Without our faith being in Him, we simply do not overcome. Our level of faith in Him, has been eroded over the years, to the point that it's difficult for us to hear the Word preached in many circles. Without the Word being preached, we don't hear and without hearing, we have no faith and we don't overcome that part of the world and it's carnal way of thinking. We don't hear much preaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in many of today's churches. And, because it's not being preached, faith in it isn't being put into place, so that we receive this miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in Mark 16:20 (Amplified), "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)." When the Word is preached, vision comes, the Lord confirms it by the signs and miracles that faith hears and accepts. This faith, overcomes the world. Even if you don't receive anything other than just being born-again, then you've already overcome the world and Heaven is your Home. But, the overcoming strategies of the enemy, are still a major part of our "outward perishing," while we are still here on earth.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Lesson 173 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish, but he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."
In the above scripture, God says that "Where there is no vision or redemptive revelation of God, the people perish." It seems like every time we get a vision or redemptive revelation from God, we deny it and remain with tradition. Whenever man comes up with something new, others arose to oppose it. Every new invention mankind every made, others arose in strong opposition to it. When the first trains were introduced, many were afraid to ride at such high speeds (which were only 30mph), but thankfully, the rails didn't stop because of opposition. We now enjoy the fruits of their vision and high speed rails travel at 200 mph in some parts of the world.
Everything begins with a vision, both in the world and the Church. Men could envision sky scrapers and worked to bring their visions to fruition. Many bridges like the San Francisco bridge were believed to be impossible things at one time, but today's people laugh to think of such a scenario.
Mankind was created to dominate the earth and everything in it. Man has accomplished many things that were thought to be impossible at one time. Jesus said that "Nothing would be impossible to him who believes." His statement doesn't only apply to the Church. Salvation and the things of the new birth though, are not included in this statement, because both require faith in Christ Jesus. Mankind was created to believe and have dominion.
Every person on earth, has the God given ability to believe. Many believe in the wrong things and have created havoc in the world, while many believe only in what they can see (after it's built). Many others believe that it "won't work," even after seeing it. Some people would rather live only in what they know and never step into something new (revelation). They put their heads in the sand, like an ostrich, and act like it doesn't exist.
In these Last Days, the Lord has added to the revelation of redemption to the Church, but many refuse to see the vision. It's God's plan that has always lived in His hearts for us, but even during Jesus' earthly ministry, the people clung to tradition over revelation. For many years now, some believers have seen beyond tradition and have met opposition by the mainstream, so they laid a blueprint for someone else to follow. Some have passed on the vision and blueprint via books, CD's DVD's and blogs, but others have refused to accept the vision (even though "the people perish without lack of vision."
The things we've learned about Jesus, over the years, concerning salvation are true things. We've believed in salvation and grace for many, many years, but the vision doesn't stop there. The vision has led to some receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, but many others still reject these things. This extended revelation is something that will continue into all eternity.
I don't believe that we will ever understand everything that God knows, while we are still here. I also believe that God continually encourages us to walk deeper with Him. When He revealed His plan for the confession of our mouths, to speak only His Words and to stop speaking the language of the enemy, many opposed this part of the vision of redemption (and some still do).
Revelation or the vision of God's will for man, has nearly been dismissed in the Church (except for the message of salvation). Christianity was birthed nearly two thousand years ago, and there's still a division in the Church about what God's will is. Some believe that it's God's will to teach His children with calamity and sickness. Some believe we are still under the Law and try walking under it. Others believe that grace covers everything and they can continue living in opposition to God's Word and that everything they do is okay with God. It seems like every time God brings new revelation to the Church, the majority rejects it and remain in tradition. Is it any wonder that He said, "Without this vision of redemption, His people perish?"
The things God has been revealing to us in this vision, have been set aside for tradition. Tradition won't get you healed. Only the vision or image that brings faith in His redemptive work, will bring healing. Tradition may have a place in Christianity, but it's not the full vision of redemption. Sadly, many won't receive that redemptive reality until they go Home, after this life. The true vision of redemption is already a finished work in Christ Jesus. We are now, the redeemed of the Lord!
We have been purchased (redeemed, bought back) by the Blood of Jesus, according to 1Corinthians 6:20 (Amplified) which says, "You were bought with a Price (purchased with a Preciousness and paid for, made His Own) so then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." We read about the people whose imaginations, led to their trying to build a tower to Heaven. The image or vision of the Church, needs to include what the Father is doing now and not only what He is going to do in the future. Our vision of His redemptive ability, should include healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead and casting demons out of the Church and the world. Jesus delegated power of dominion and authority to the Church, for us to use here, not in Heaven. All of these things were included in the redemption of Jesus and His resurrection.
Why would Jesus instruct us to "Go forth and preach the Gospel, lay hands on the sick, speak with new tongues and cast out demons" in Mark 16, if these things weren't intended for us today? We have lost the vision that came from the Word and the Spirit and have held onto tradition instead. Every invention (both in the natural for the world and Super-natural for the Church) mankind has put forth, came first from imagination and vision. We use the images given or seen by others, to preach and teach the Word throughout the world. People can watch TV, search the web or be taught God's Word by iphone everywhere, everyday. All these things began with a vision or imagination.
I've heard someone say that he didn't seen why preachers needed airplanes in their ministry, in order to preach the Gospel. His feeling was that if Jesus used a donkey and walked everywhere He went, then we only need these things too. My answer to him was, "Jesus never crossed the Pacific Oceans in His earthly ministry." And, I said, "Jesus instructed us to go into all the earth." This requires vision and imagination, in order to accomplish. How big do you see God? If your vision of Him and His plan of redemption is small, then Jesus Words in John 14:12 aren't for you, because He said, "Greater things than these will you do."
We are to lift up our vision and allow it to come into us, so we can see God's plan of redemption, through His eyes and not just in tradition. We must take His Word from Sunday morning assemblies and come out equipped for the streets. We're no longer satisfied to say we believe, but we will prove that God still lives today. The first time you raise someone out of a wheelchair in Walmart, you will have an audience who will listen and wish to meet the God Who heals. Let God give the vision of redemption to you and then simply walk it out in your life. We weren't only purchased, but everything God created for His family was also purchased by the very same Sacrifice of Jesus.
Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish, but he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."
In the above scripture, God says that "Where there is no vision or redemptive revelation of God, the people perish." It seems like every time we get a vision or redemptive revelation from God, we deny it and remain with tradition. Whenever man comes up with something new, others arose to oppose it. Every new invention mankind every made, others arose in strong opposition to it. When the first trains were introduced, many were afraid to ride at such high speeds (which were only 30mph), but thankfully, the rails didn't stop because of opposition. We now enjoy the fruits of their vision and high speed rails travel at 200 mph in some parts of the world.
Everything begins with a vision, both in the world and the Church. Men could envision sky scrapers and worked to bring their visions to fruition. Many bridges like the San Francisco bridge were believed to be impossible things at one time, but today's people laugh to think of such a scenario.
Mankind was created to dominate the earth and everything in it. Man has accomplished many things that were thought to be impossible at one time. Jesus said that "Nothing would be impossible to him who believes." His statement doesn't only apply to the Church. Salvation and the things of the new birth though, are not included in this statement, because both require faith in Christ Jesus. Mankind was created to believe and have dominion.
Every person on earth, has the God given ability to believe. Many believe in the wrong things and have created havoc in the world, while many believe only in what they can see (after it's built). Many others believe that it "won't work," even after seeing it. Some people would rather live only in what they know and never step into something new (revelation). They put their heads in the sand, like an ostrich, and act like it doesn't exist.
In these Last Days, the Lord has added to the revelation of redemption to the Church, but many refuse to see the vision. It's God's plan that has always lived in His hearts for us, but even during Jesus' earthly ministry, the people clung to tradition over revelation. For many years now, some believers have seen beyond tradition and have met opposition by the mainstream, so they laid a blueprint for someone else to follow. Some have passed on the vision and blueprint via books, CD's DVD's and blogs, but others have refused to accept the vision (even though "the people perish without lack of vision."
The things we've learned about Jesus, over the years, concerning salvation are true things. We've believed in salvation and grace for many, many years, but the vision doesn't stop there. The vision has led to some receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, but many others still reject these things. This extended revelation is something that will continue into all eternity.
I don't believe that we will ever understand everything that God knows, while we are still here. I also believe that God continually encourages us to walk deeper with Him. When He revealed His plan for the confession of our mouths, to speak only His Words and to stop speaking the language of the enemy, many opposed this part of the vision of redemption (and some still do).
Revelation or the vision of God's will for man, has nearly been dismissed in the Church (except for the message of salvation). Christianity was birthed nearly two thousand years ago, and there's still a division in the Church about what God's will is. Some believe that it's God's will to teach His children with calamity and sickness. Some believe we are still under the Law and try walking under it. Others believe that grace covers everything and they can continue living in opposition to God's Word and that everything they do is okay with God. It seems like every time God brings new revelation to the Church, the majority rejects it and remain in tradition. Is it any wonder that He said, "Without this vision of redemption, His people perish?"
The things God has been revealing to us in this vision, have been set aside for tradition. Tradition won't get you healed. Only the vision or image that brings faith in His redemptive work, will bring healing. Tradition may have a place in Christianity, but it's not the full vision of redemption. Sadly, many won't receive that redemptive reality until they go Home, after this life. The true vision of redemption is already a finished work in Christ Jesus. We are now, the redeemed of the Lord!
We have been purchased (redeemed, bought back) by the Blood of Jesus, according to 1Corinthians 6:20 (Amplified) which says, "You were bought with a Price (purchased with a Preciousness and paid for, made His Own) so then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." We read about the people whose imaginations, led to their trying to build a tower to Heaven. The image or vision of the Church, needs to include what the Father is doing now and not only what He is going to do in the future. Our vision of His redemptive ability, should include healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead and casting demons out of the Church and the world. Jesus delegated power of dominion and authority to the Church, for us to use here, not in Heaven. All of these things were included in the redemption of Jesus and His resurrection.
Why would Jesus instruct us to "Go forth and preach the Gospel, lay hands on the sick, speak with new tongues and cast out demons" in Mark 16, if these things weren't intended for us today? We have lost the vision that came from the Word and the Spirit and have held onto tradition instead. Every invention (both in the natural for the world and Super-natural for the Church) mankind has put forth, came first from imagination and vision. We use the images given or seen by others, to preach and teach the Word throughout the world. People can watch TV, search the web or be taught God's Word by iphone everywhere, everyday. All these things began with a vision or imagination.
I've heard someone say that he didn't seen why preachers needed airplanes in their ministry, in order to preach the Gospel. His feeling was that if Jesus used a donkey and walked everywhere He went, then we only need these things too. My answer to him was, "Jesus never crossed the Pacific Oceans in His earthly ministry." And, I said, "Jesus instructed us to go into all the earth." This requires vision and imagination, in order to accomplish. How big do you see God? If your vision of Him and His plan of redemption is small, then Jesus Words in John 14:12 aren't for you, because He said, "Greater things than these will you do."
We are to lift up our vision and allow it to come into us, so we can see God's plan of redemption, through His eyes and not just in tradition. We must take His Word from Sunday morning assemblies and come out equipped for the streets. We're no longer satisfied to say we believe, but we will prove that God still lives today. The first time you raise someone out of a wheelchair in Walmart, you will have an audience who will listen and wish to meet the God Who heals. Let God give the vision of redemption to you and then simply walk it out in your life. We weren't only purchased, but everything God created for His family was also purchased by the very same Sacrifice of Jesus.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Lesson 172 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
The new creation citizen of God's Kingdom is a people who has never existed before, in all of creation. We've been here from the time of Jesus' resurrection and will continue throughout eternity. We cannot identify with any other species of being that has ever graced this planet before, because we are a new creation. And, because we've never seen ourselves the way the Father sees us, we still try identifying with previous generations.
It wasn't too long ago, that horses were the main mode of travel. We've gone from horseback to rockets in a relatively short period of time. We've gone from being a primitive people to this technological age we've living in now. Things that most people recognize as "everyday things" didn't exist only a short number of years ago. Even electricity is relatively a new discovery, as far as the universe is concerned, but it's hard for us to imagine living without the convenience it provides.
This isn't only true for most Americans, but for much of the planet. Air travel has now become our main source of traveling and we can cross the planet in just a few short hours. Those born into new generations have never lived without the things many of us lived without once. I remember my family waiting for the ice trucks that brought ice for our ice boxes, because we didn't have refrigerators. We got our first colored television in the 1970's and it was a huge piece of furniture. We called these "the good old days," but I don't know why. It's much better today, with all the modern conveniences we have.
The world system is advancing into a new invention with each passing day, while the Church seems to still be riding horses. The world isn't afraid to create and advance into a new place of learning, but the Church refuses to enter into those things that God has prepared for those who love Him. I'm not talking about the power and grace of salvation. This is a Truth that will endure forever. I am talking about entering into the wisdom of God and His Kingdom.
The people in Genesis 11:6 (Amplified) were building a tower that would reach Heaven. These weren't covenant people and their hearts weren't right in trying to build this tower. However, God said something about this people, that we should begin to understand. In Verse 6 God said this about their endeavor, "Behold! They are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them."
In Numbers 13:33 (Amplified) God tells the Israelites to go into Cannan and take the Land that He had given them. Joshua and Caleb came back and told the people that the Land was just like God said and that they were "able to take the Land." Consider that only twelve men had even seen the Land God promised. The leaders of the tribes came back with the report those twelve spies had given and conveyed their image of the Land to nearly two-thousand people in the wilderness. We see the image that they unveiled to the people in Verse 33 which says, "There we saw the Nephilim (or giants), the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Keep in mind that only twelve men had ever seen the Land and these two-million people only had their word to go on. Two men, Joshua and Caleb, saw things from God's viewpoint, while the others made their own machinations from their testimony. They cried and murmured against God, even though Joshua and Caleb brought back proof of the good Land, because their own imaginations held them back in fear. This was the same imaginations that God said about the people building the tower in Genesis 11:6. He said that, "What they have imagined now nothings will be impossible to them." The same imaginations that were building the Tower to Heaven was being used in the same way. Now, what they had imagined though, held the Israelites from going into the Promised Land.
Imagination isn't an evil things, only when it is used wrongly. Without having imagination, man wouldn't have pressed on to invent the things we take for granted today. Someone imagined a better means of providing light other than lanterns, and invented electricity. This changed the world forever. Someone imagined traveling by air and invented the airplane. Now, that's the accepted means of transportation across the world. Someone imagined a horseless carriage and today, millions of people ride in automobiles daily. These inventors began with an image or picture they could see in their minds and hearts.
Some in the Wilderness only saw or imagined "grasshoppers and giants." Caleb and Joshua saw the Promise and goodness of God. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) tells us, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; but he who keeps the Law (of God) or the Word of God which included that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." We've been reluctant to imagine or see the vision God has for His family. We've imagined grasshoppers and giants, instead of pursuing the vision we should have imagined. The enemy has been successfully putting forth people (like the 10 out of 12 spies) who will keep God's people imagining they are like grasshoppers in the eyes of giants, instead of new creation people.
We can imagine ourselves "when we get to the Promised Land," when God has already given us the Land. Hebrews 4:6 (Amplified) says, "Seeing then that the promise remains over (from past times) for some to enter that rest, and that those who formerly were given the good news about it and the opportunity, failed to appropriate it and did not enter because of disobedience."
We've been trained to see ourselves in the image of "victims" instead of victors. Our grasshopper image has kept the Church in the horse and buggy era, while the world's image has taken on new heights. The Church is the new creation and has the Mind of Christ to create and change things, so why are we still in the infant stages of Christianity after nearly two-thousand years since it's beginning? Are we allowing the grasshopper image that others put onto us, to prevent our seeing ourselves as overcomers? Do we see ourselves in "the Image of God" or do we see ourselves as grasshoppers and food for the giants?
It's time for the Church to retake the vision of the redemptive work of Jesus and do like Joshua and Caleb did. It's time we take the Promised Land and enter into it. The image we have of ourselves, isn't what God has said about us. The word of ten spies, gave two million people an image of themselves as being grasshoppers in the eyes of giants. Two million people cried in fear and never entered into the Promised Land, because of their imaginations. They had never even seen the Land for themselves. Do you see yourself like God's Word says you are? Don't pattern yourself after another people, who refused to step into the creative work of God like they did. You will never rise above your confession as to who you are. We must say what God says about us and take the land and inherit God's Promise and His rest.
The new creation citizen of God's Kingdom is a people who has never existed before, in all of creation. We've been here from the time of Jesus' resurrection and will continue throughout eternity. We cannot identify with any other species of being that has ever graced this planet before, because we are a new creation. And, because we've never seen ourselves the way the Father sees us, we still try identifying with previous generations.
It wasn't too long ago, that horses were the main mode of travel. We've gone from horseback to rockets in a relatively short period of time. We've gone from being a primitive people to this technological age we've living in now. Things that most people recognize as "everyday things" didn't exist only a short number of years ago. Even electricity is relatively a new discovery, as far as the universe is concerned, but it's hard for us to imagine living without the convenience it provides.
This isn't only true for most Americans, but for much of the planet. Air travel has now become our main source of traveling and we can cross the planet in just a few short hours. Those born into new generations have never lived without the things many of us lived without once. I remember my family waiting for the ice trucks that brought ice for our ice boxes, because we didn't have refrigerators. We got our first colored television in the 1970's and it was a huge piece of furniture. We called these "the good old days," but I don't know why. It's much better today, with all the modern conveniences we have.
The world system is advancing into a new invention with each passing day, while the Church seems to still be riding horses. The world isn't afraid to create and advance into a new place of learning, but the Church refuses to enter into those things that God has prepared for those who love Him. I'm not talking about the power and grace of salvation. This is a Truth that will endure forever. I am talking about entering into the wisdom of God and His Kingdom.
The people in Genesis 11:6 (Amplified) were building a tower that would reach Heaven. These weren't covenant people and their hearts weren't right in trying to build this tower. However, God said something about this people, that we should begin to understand. In Verse 6 God said this about their endeavor, "Behold! They are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them."
In Numbers 13:33 (Amplified) God tells the Israelites to go into Cannan and take the Land that He had given them. Joshua and Caleb came back and told the people that the Land was just like God said and that they were "able to take the Land." Consider that only twelve men had even seen the Land God promised. The leaders of the tribes came back with the report those twelve spies had given and conveyed their image of the Land to nearly two-thousand people in the wilderness. We see the image that they unveiled to the people in Verse 33 which says, "There we saw the Nephilim (or giants), the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Keep in mind that only twelve men had ever seen the Land and these two-million people only had their word to go on. Two men, Joshua and Caleb, saw things from God's viewpoint, while the others made their own machinations from their testimony. They cried and murmured against God, even though Joshua and Caleb brought back proof of the good Land, because their own imaginations held them back in fear. This was the same imaginations that God said about the people building the tower in Genesis 11:6. He said that, "What they have imagined now nothings will be impossible to them." The same imaginations that were building the Tower to Heaven was being used in the same way. Now, what they had imagined though, held the Israelites from going into the Promised Land.
Imagination isn't an evil things, only when it is used wrongly. Without having imagination, man wouldn't have pressed on to invent the things we take for granted today. Someone imagined a better means of providing light other than lanterns, and invented electricity. This changed the world forever. Someone imagined traveling by air and invented the airplane. Now, that's the accepted means of transportation across the world. Someone imagined a horseless carriage and today, millions of people ride in automobiles daily. These inventors began with an image or picture they could see in their minds and hearts.
Some in the Wilderness only saw or imagined "grasshoppers and giants." Caleb and Joshua saw the Promise and goodness of God. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) tells us, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; but he who keeps the Law (of God) or the Word of God which included that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." We've been reluctant to imagine or see the vision God has for His family. We've imagined grasshoppers and giants, instead of pursuing the vision we should have imagined. The enemy has been successfully putting forth people (like the 10 out of 12 spies) who will keep God's people imagining they are like grasshoppers in the eyes of giants, instead of new creation people.
We can imagine ourselves "when we get to the Promised Land," when God has already given us the Land. Hebrews 4:6 (Amplified) says, "Seeing then that the promise remains over (from past times) for some to enter that rest, and that those who formerly were given the good news about it and the opportunity, failed to appropriate it and did not enter because of disobedience."
We've been trained to see ourselves in the image of "victims" instead of victors. Our grasshopper image has kept the Church in the horse and buggy era, while the world's image has taken on new heights. The Church is the new creation and has the Mind of Christ to create and change things, so why are we still in the infant stages of Christianity after nearly two-thousand years since it's beginning? Are we allowing the grasshopper image that others put onto us, to prevent our seeing ourselves as overcomers? Do we see ourselves in "the Image of God" or do we see ourselves as grasshoppers and food for the giants?
It's time for the Church to retake the vision of the redemptive work of Jesus and do like Joshua and Caleb did. It's time we take the Promised Land and enter into it. The image we have of ourselves, isn't what God has said about us. The word of ten spies, gave two million people an image of themselves as being grasshoppers in the eyes of giants. Two million people cried in fear and never entered into the Promised Land, because of their imaginations. They had never even seen the Land for themselves. Do you see yourself like God's Word says you are? Don't pattern yourself after another people, who refused to step into the creative work of God like they did. You will never rise above your confession as to who you are. We must say what God says about us and take the land and inherit God's Promise and His rest.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Lesson 171 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
We have been made alive again unto the Father, by our union with Jesus, in this new creation man. The Spirit of God is now not only alive to us, but is alive within us in our new creation. The Spirit-filled man never existed before, in all of creation. Now, we are alive again in the Spirit and are actually one with God Himself. This union isn't merely a saved man, but has now been made a son or daughter of God. And, this Awesome God is now our Father.
The entire relationship with God has now changed completely, because we're no longer a people who is petitioning God for our needs. We are God's family depending on our Heavenly Father to provide for us. This relationship isn't any different than it was for Jesus, when He was here in His earthly body. Jesus never had a need that His Father failed to provide, according to John 17:18,22 (Amplified) where Jesus said, "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." He goes on in Verse 22, "I have given them the glory and honor which You have given Me, That they may be one (even) as We are One."
Jesus' statement in the above scriptures, have changed the entire universe for those who will dare believe what Jesus was saying. Jesus declared that "Everything the Father sent Him to do, was now being transferred to the new creation man." God never intended us to become the sacrifice for man, but we were the results of Jesus' Sacrifice to the world. Our responsibility wasn't to die on the cross, but to live in the results of the cross for the world.
The Father sent Jesus to "Be the Light of the world" and He has now said we are "the light of the world." The Father sent Jesus (the Word) to heal and deliver and now those of us who are born of the Word, are to heal and deliver others from the darkness. All that we are and were meant to be, was to start and end in the spirit. The new creation man was to be a spirit that wouldn't just rule our flesh, but would exhibit the same ability to rule over sickness and bondage that rules the flesh of others.
As our new creation man begins learning who we are, our spirit (by and through the Holy Spirit now living within us) is to take complete dominion over our flesh and then walk like Jesus Himself walked. Jesus' carnal nature never overrode His Spirit. We sometimes forget that Jesus was a flesh and blood Man, Who was simply led by the Spirit of God. Jesus overcame the things of the world, by the same thing He gave us, so that we could overcome them too. When we discuss the "Faith Movement," we usually think of those people as being "strange people," who were outside the traditional Church.
Jesus overcame every obstacle in His earthly ministry, by faith in what the Father said. 1John 5:4 (Amplified) says, "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith." It's our faith in God and His Word that "conquers the world." Some have faith that, "God puts sickness on them" or faith that "God uses bad things to teach us something," but their faith in these things doesn't conquer the world. We can transfer our faith into many different thins and have no victory in our lives.
Many times we put our faith in God, into things we've been erroneously taught or into things that we've been taught that don't line up with God's Word. If we put our faith in God, into the wrong things, then God is simply not going to fulfill these things. If we don't understand what His purpose and plan for us it, then we put our faith into traditions and rituals that God will not acknowledge at all. We've learned many things that we thought were God, but were traditions of man and not God.
Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:23-25 (Amplified) and said that the Word of God was the Seed sown into our hearts. Thus, He 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. For to him who has (ears to hear) will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away (by force)."
If we "hear" the wrong things and put our faith in them, then the enemy will strip us of our true faith and use our "wrong hearing" against us. We will consequently become discontent in our lack of success in walking in the Word and quit trying to do so. Throughout the years, satan has undermined the Truth of God's Word in the ears of God's people. We've been taught many things that are contrary to God's Word and His purpose for His children. We've been taught such things as "these things have passed away," "are not for us today," "were only for the early Church" and many other things that are contrary to His Word. If we hear these things and apply our faith towards them, then our faith is void of power to produce on our behalf. This is why Jesus warned us to, "Be careful what you are hearing."
Not everything that is called "the Gospel," is THE GOSPEL. Even during Paul's ministry, there were already people preaching "another gospel" and even another Jesus. Satan began at once, to undermine the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel and the Truth of it, were the downfall of satan's dominion and he tried immediately to discredit it. Satan knew that if the Truth ever penetrated the heart of God's people like it did with the first few who believed, then his kingdom was doomed.
The handful of early Church believers, so stunned the world that they said this in Acts 17:5-6 (Amplified), "But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to Jealousy, and getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the market place, they gather together a mob, set the town in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring (Paul and Silas) out to the people, But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also."
When was the last time you heard about believers who "turned the world upside down" with the power and Presence of the Lord or the Name of Jesus?
We have been made alive again unto the Father, by our union with Jesus, in this new creation man. The Spirit of God is now not only alive to us, but is alive within us in our new creation. The Spirit-filled man never existed before, in all of creation. Now, we are alive again in the Spirit and are actually one with God Himself. This union isn't merely a saved man, but has now been made a son or daughter of God. And, this Awesome God is now our Father.
The entire relationship with God has now changed completely, because we're no longer a people who is petitioning God for our needs. We are God's family depending on our Heavenly Father to provide for us. This relationship isn't any different than it was for Jesus, when He was here in His earthly body. Jesus never had a need that His Father failed to provide, according to John 17:18,22 (Amplified) where Jesus said, "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." He goes on in Verse 22, "I have given them the glory and honor which You have given Me, That they may be one (even) as We are One."
Jesus' statement in the above scriptures, have changed the entire universe for those who will dare believe what Jesus was saying. Jesus declared that "Everything the Father sent Him to do, was now being transferred to the new creation man." God never intended us to become the sacrifice for man, but we were the results of Jesus' Sacrifice to the world. Our responsibility wasn't to die on the cross, but to live in the results of the cross for the world.
The Father sent Jesus to "Be the Light of the world" and He has now said we are "the light of the world." The Father sent Jesus (the Word) to heal and deliver and now those of us who are born of the Word, are to heal and deliver others from the darkness. All that we are and were meant to be, was to start and end in the spirit. The new creation man was to be a spirit that wouldn't just rule our flesh, but would exhibit the same ability to rule over sickness and bondage that rules the flesh of others.
As our new creation man begins learning who we are, our spirit (by and through the Holy Spirit now living within us) is to take complete dominion over our flesh and then walk like Jesus Himself walked. Jesus' carnal nature never overrode His Spirit. We sometimes forget that Jesus was a flesh and blood Man, Who was simply led by the Spirit of God. Jesus overcame the things of the world, by the same thing He gave us, so that we could overcome them too. When we discuss the "Faith Movement," we usually think of those people as being "strange people," who were outside the traditional Church.
Jesus overcame every obstacle in His earthly ministry, by faith in what the Father said. 1John 5:4 (Amplified) says, "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith." It's our faith in God and His Word that "conquers the world." Some have faith that, "God puts sickness on them" or faith that "God uses bad things to teach us something," but their faith in these things doesn't conquer the world. We can transfer our faith into many different thins and have no victory in our lives.
Many times we put our faith in God, into things we've been erroneously taught or into things that we've been taught that don't line up with God's Word. If we put our faith in God, into the wrong things, then God is simply not going to fulfill these things. If we don't understand what His purpose and plan for us it, then we put our faith into traditions and rituals that God will not acknowledge at all. We've learned many things that we thought were God, but were traditions of man and not God.
Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:23-25 (Amplified) and said that the Word of God was the Seed sown into our hearts. Thus, He 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. For to him who has (ears to hear) will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away (by force)."
If we "hear" the wrong things and put our faith in them, then the enemy will strip us of our true faith and use our "wrong hearing" against us. We will consequently become discontent in our lack of success in walking in the Word and quit trying to do so. Throughout the years, satan has undermined the Truth of God's Word in the ears of God's people. We've been taught many things that are contrary to God's Word and His purpose for His children. We've been taught such things as "these things have passed away," "are not for us today," "were only for the early Church" and many other things that are contrary to His Word. If we hear these things and apply our faith towards them, then our faith is void of power to produce on our behalf. This is why Jesus warned us to, "Be careful what you are hearing."
Not everything that is called "the Gospel," is THE GOSPEL. Even during Paul's ministry, there were already people preaching "another gospel" and even another Jesus. Satan began at once, to undermine the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel and the Truth of it, were the downfall of satan's dominion and he tried immediately to discredit it. Satan knew that if the Truth ever penetrated the heart of God's people like it did with the first few who believed, then his kingdom was doomed.
The handful of early Church believers, so stunned the world that they said this in Acts 17:5-6 (Amplified), "But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to Jealousy, and getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the market place, they gather together a mob, set the town in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring (Paul and Silas) out to the people, But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also."
When was the last time you heard about believers who "turned the world upside down" with the power and Presence of the Lord or the Name of Jesus?
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Lesson 170 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Himself)."
Most of us attended twelve years of school, before graduating. Many of us believe that this is all the education required for a successful life, but some desire to gain a fuller education. We don't use everything we learned throughout our twelve years of learning, but no day goes by without our using something we learned at school. It might be something as trivial as counting our change or reading a restaurant menu, but these are a pertinent part of our daily life.
We have so many, many things of God to learn about the new creation life, our Heavenly Father and His way of doing things. Many believers only wish to gain knowledge of those things that are necessary for daily living, just like some in the world. Many of us have received Jesus, began living a more prosperous life and then began to be comfortable in our walk, just like some in the world. It seems like many have become content with just being saved and going to Heaven when we die. That's enough for them.
I find that there is need for continued learning, even after living more than seven decades on earth. My generation was brought up without computers, cell phones, Facebook, apps, or many of the things that younger people consider a common part of today's life. Man can get by without some of these things, but many would suffer separation anxiety if they had to live without these things. Some of these modern marvels separate us from personal interactions.
I have always found that purposely seeking out the wisdom of God, has opened many doors to the Kingdom, that I would never have known if I had stopped at just being saved. I don't look at a checklist every morning that leads me through the Word, just like I don't look at a checklist to walk daily in this realm. However, I do use the things the Holy Spirit shows me, at any point, during my daily life here. There are only two ways of dealing with anything in life. We either go the way of the Word or we go the way of the world.
Every situation that arises in our everyday life, will be dealt with either of these two ways. If we continue dealing with these situations like we did before being born-again, then we will get the same results we had before being born-again. Someone said that, "Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over, and expecting different results." If the things that didn't work before, are the things we keep doing after being saved, then why do we think things will change?
The door to God's wisdom has been opened to "whosoever will." There is no place where the Lord has determined we should not come to know Him better. There are many ways we can come to know Him better, but all of them are by the Spirit. We don't and never will know Him by the flesh and our natural senses, because GOD IS A SPIRIT. When we were born-again, our spirit was made like unto Him and that's how we know Him.
I recently shared with the congregation, one of the most important things I have adopted in my own life, after being born-again. It's really a very simply thing, but it's of the upmost importance. After being saved, we bought the entire Bible on CD and played the Word nightly. The last thing I heard before going to sleep, was the Word of God that was being directly fed into my spirit. This brought peace to my body, so my flesh could actually rest, it brought rest and strength to my spirit and it brings health and healing to my flesh. Proverbs 4:22 (Amplified) says that, "God's Words are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."
When I wake up in the morning, my mind is clear, my flesh is rested and my awareness of the Lord is sharper than when I went to bed. I've also discovered that I know the Word from the inside and not just from memory. As I sleep, the Lord is able to reveal Himself to me, in ways that the noise and confusion of the world doesn't always let me hear. Some might say this is foolish thinking, but hearing the Word while sleeping, has been a great source of strength and revelation in my life.
There's nothing that says you must do this to be saved, but it is essential to my spiritual growth. I've never been a Christian who's content with just being saved. I've always wanted to know the One Who created all things. Hearing the Word during the night, is like having my Heavenly Father reading me a bedtime story. The Word feeds straight into my spirit, without my mind interfering with the process. This has become a way for Truth and Life to enter my spirit.
I previously blogged about "How far is too far, with our walk with God?" Some might say, listening to the Bible every night, is too far, but it is a great way to learn the Word and build up your faith in God's Word. This isn't a religious chore or a duty we must perform for the Lord but it's a way to know Him better, because "Faith comes by hearing" according to Romans 10:17. Hearing God's Word throughout the night while I sleep, builds my faith in God's Word when I'm awake.
In Joshua 1:8 (Amplified) God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law (or God's Word) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." If this would work for Joshua, then it will also work for us, especially now that we are a new creation.
It's not always easy to find the time, stop everything you're doing and then reading God's Word Satan will make sure that a million things will come up. Jesus said in Mark 4:18-19 (Amplified), "And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasures and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness and passionate desires for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word and it becomes fruitless."
Notice how the things that arise aren't always sinful things, but are everyday things of life in this realm. It can be something so simple as attending your child's softball games, going camping or many other things that steal time with the Word. These are things we enjoy in life, but they are often distractions from spending time in the Word. Listening to the Word while I sleep, allows me to enjoy these things and still meditate on God's Word. I can still do all the things like being a husband, father, friend and grandfather while I'm awake, while not neglecting time for the Word.
You might ask, "Am I still a good Christian, even if I don't do this?" Yes, you're still a good Christian. It only means that you don't do this. I want to know the Father and the secret things of His heart, so I use my sleep time as hearing time. Since my spirit never sleeps and my body does, I can strengthen my spirit and my body simultaneously. My soul (my mind, my will and my emotions) is also restored, according to Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) which says, "He restores my soul."
This little tidbit might aid in your attempt to have more time in God's Word. You can buy the entire Bible online for about $60.00 and in many different translations and languages. Try it and see for yourself.
Most of us attended twelve years of school, before graduating. Many of us believe that this is all the education required for a successful life, but some desire to gain a fuller education. We don't use everything we learned throughout our twelve years of learning, but no day goes by without our using something we learned at school. It might be something as trivial as counting our change or reading a restaurant menu, but these are a pertinent part of our daily life.
We have so many, many things of God to learn about the new creation life, our Heavenly Father and His way of doing things. Many believers only wish to gain knowledge of those things that are necessary for daily living, just like some in the world. Many of us have received Jesus, began living a more prosperous life and then began to be comfortable in our walk, just like some in the world. It seems like many have become content with just being saved and going to Heaven when we die. That's enough for them.
I find that there is need for continued learning, even after living more than seven decades on earth. My generation was brought up without computers, cell phones, Facebook, apps, or many of the things that younger people consider a common part of today's life. Man can get by without some of these things, but many would suffer separation anxiety if they had to live without these things. Some of these modern marvels separate us from personal interactions.
I have always found that purposely seeking out the wisdom of God, has opened many doors to the Kingdom, that I would never have known if I had stopped at just being saved. I don't look at a checklist every morning that leads me through the Word, just like I don't look at a checklist to walk daily in this realm. However, I do use the things the Holy Spirit shows me, at any point, during my daily life here. There are only two ways of dealing with anything in life. We either go the way of the Word or we go the way of the world.
Every situation that arises in our everyday life, will be dealt with either of these two ways. If we continue dealing with these situations like we did before being born-again, then we will get the same results we had before being born-again. Someone said that, "Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over, and expecting different results." If the things that didn't work before, are the things we keep doing after being saved, then why do we think things will change?
The door to God's wisdom has been opened to "whosoever will." There is no place where the Lord has determined we should not come to know Him better. There are many ways we can come to know Him better, but all of them are by the Spirit. We don't and never will know Him by the flesh and our natural senses, because GOD IS A SPIRIT. When we were born-again, our spirit was made like unto Him and that's how we know Him.
I recently shared with the congregation, one of the most important things I have adopted in my own life, after being born-again. It's really a very simply thing, but it's of the upmost importance. After being saved, we bought the entire Bible on CD and played the Word nightly. The last thing I heard before going to sleep, was the Word of God that was being directly fed into my spirit. This brought peace to my body, so my flesh could actually rest, it brought rest and strength to my spirit and it brings health and healing to my flesh. Proverbs 4:22 (Amplified) says that, "God's Words are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."
When I wake up in the morning, my mind is clear, my flesh is rested and my awareness of the Lord is sharper than when I went to bed. I've also discovered that I know the Word from the inside and not just from memory. As I sleep, the Lord is able to reveal Himself to me, in ways that the noise and confusion of the world doesn't always let me hear. Some might say this is foolish thinking, but hearing the Word while sleeping, has been a great source of strength and revelation in my life.
There's nothing that says you must do this to be saved, but it is essential to my spiritual growth. I've never been a Christian who's content with just being saved. I've always wanted to know the One Who created all things. Hearing the Word during the night, is like having my Heavenly Father reading me a bedtime story. The Word feeds straight into my spirit, without my mind interfering with the process. This has become a way for Truth and Life to enter my spirit.
I previously blogged about "How far is too far, with our walk with God?" Some might say, listening to the Bible every night, is too far, but it is a great way to learn the Word and build up your faith in God's Word. This isn't a religious chore or a duty we must perform for the Lord but it's a way to know Him better, because "Faith comes by hearing" according to Romans 10:17. Hearing God's Word throughout the night while I sleep, builds my faith in God's Word when I'm awake.
In Joshua 1:8 (Amplified) God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law (or God's Word) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." If this would work for Joshua, then it will also work for us, especially now that we are a new creation.
It's not always easy to find the time, stop everything you're doing and then reading God's Word Satan will make sure that a million things will come up. Jesus said in Mark 4:18-19 (Amplified), "And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasures and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness and passionate desires for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word and it becomes fruitless."
Notice how the things that arise aren't always sinful things, but are everyday things of life in this realm. It can be something so simple as attending your child's softball games, going camping or many other things that steal time with the Word. These are things we enjoy in life, but they are often distractions from spending time in the Word. Listening to the Word while I sleep, allows me to enjoy these things and still meditate on God's Word. I can still do all the things like being a husband, father, friend and grandfather while I'm awake, while not neglecting time for the Word.
You might ask, "Am I still a good Christian, even if I don't do this?" Yes, you're still a good Christian. It only means that you don't do this. I want to know the Father and the secret things of His heart, so I use my sleep time as hearing time. Since my spirit never sleeps and my body does, I can strengthen my spirit and my body simultaneously. My soul (my mind, my will and my emotions) is also restored, according to Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) which says, "He restores my soul."
This little tidbit might aid in your attempt to have more time in God's Word. You can buy the entire Bible online for about $60.00 and in many different translations and languages. Try it and see for yourself.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Lesson 169 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The above scripture tells us that our previous (old) moral and spiritual condition has passed away and that "all things have become new." We seem to have have difficulty truly believing this is true in our own lives, because we still live mostly in our carnal nature and are more aware of that nature, than we are in our new creation identity. We've been so tied down to our own past failures, that it's hard for us to see ourselves in the victory that Jesus has delivered us into, by His death and resurrection.
This has left us trying to function simultaneously, in two very separate realms of existence. Jesus told His followers in John 17:11 (Amplified) that, "They are in this world, but they are not of this world, even as I am not of this world." We're no more a "part" of this world, than Jesus is. We've have two-thousand years of culture and teachings, that fostered out identity as being "part of this world," but now we are suddenly removed from all we'd been taught and placed into an entirely new identity. We still know how to operate as "mere men," but somehow have failed to develop our new nature to operate in it. And, this has led to our returning to a religious mode, that we function in totally without the spirit man.
We keep the rituals and fleshly observances of the Law, but we cannot seem to grasp what the new nature and spirit truly means. We try hearing the Voice of God with great difficulties and then we don't trust our new man to lead us into the Truth. We've seen how such men as Jim Jones and others, led men into foolish things and their destruction, that we don't dare to enter into anything that seems unfamiliar. Satan has used this as a mighty weapon to keep the new creation living in the same carnal existence for millenniums.
As long as he can rule us with this fear, satan can still rule over the new creation people, like he has for too long. Some brave believers have tried stepping into the Super-natural things of the Holy Spirit, but we viewed them as "special people God chose for such things. Very few believers realized that this is the place where all God's people are called to be living and doing the work. We are truly a new creation family in God and the Father wishes to "Do the work in us," just like He did in Jesus. We read this about Jesus, but believe that the miracles only happened because He was Jesus.
We've never developed faith in the fact that this same Father now lives in each and every new creation being, on this planet. Denoting that we can walk like Jesus walked, brings outcries of rage from God's people and some even accuse us of blaspheming God. We believe that Jesus' Words were Truth, but then we put His Words into such categories as being "passed away" or "for another time" or for "when we get to Heaven."
Have you ever wondered why we would need the power to heal the sick or raise the dead or cast out devils when we get to Heaven? There are no sick, dead, or demons in the New Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus instructed us to set people from satan's grip, while we are here on earth. Our faith has been retrained by our fear, to where we're not very successful in our prayer lives. We're still debating about what God's will is for mankind, when this should be settled in the believer's heart after reading Jesus saying, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father."
Jesus came to do the will of the Father and everything He did was God's will. Did Jesus heal the sick? Then that's God's will. Did He cast out demons? Then that's God's will. We could continue with these examples, but you get the idea. We console ourselves with religious ideas of what God's will is and it relives us from the responsibility of walking in the Super-natural realm of the new creation, because it is the "Father in you," that is to do the work.
Why do we look at our own incapability, instead of His capability? We feel like our pride is at stake, when we fail at what we're doing or not doing. We think to ourselves, "What if laying hands on so-and-so doesn't work?" If the Father is doing the work, then how can it not work? Learning to trust the Father to work both in and through us, like He did in Jesus, is what separates us from the world and unites us with our new identity.
If we could realize that it's not only the Father's will, but also the Father's ability, then we can enter int without fear of failure. We've been so fearful of making a mistake, but the biggest mistake we could make if doing nothing at all. We will never succeed, unless we first try. How can we hurt anyone by praying for them anyway? Jesus said "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." The only thing we're required to do, is to lay hands on them and it's His responsibility to heal them. We're simply releasing God in us, by following instructions from His Word.
People have lived thousands of years without airplanes, because no one ever made one that could fly. The people who laughed and mocked the Wright Brothers, after they failed to fly their planes again and again. But, the laughter stopped when the plane flew. Now air travel is the number one mode of travel, for most people. Aren't you glad that someone didn't quit, because of prior failures?
The above scripture tells us that our previous (old) moral and spiritual condition has passed away and that "all things have become new." We seem to have have difficulty truly believing this is true in our own lives, because we still live mostly in our carnal nature and are more aware of that nature, than we are in our new creation identity. We've been so tied down to our own past failures, that it's hard for us to see ourselves in the victory that Jesus has delivered us into, by His death and resurrection.
This has left us trying to function simultaneously, in two very separate realms of existence. Jesus told His followers in John 17:11 (Amplified) that, "They are in this world, but they are not of this world, even as I am not of this world." We're no more a "part" of this world, than Jesus is. We've have two-thousand years of culture and teachings, that fostered out identity as being "part of this world," but now we are suddenly removed from all we'd been taught and placed into an entirely new identity. We still know how to operate as "mere men," but somehow have failed to develop our new nature to operate in it. And, this has led to our returning to a religious mode, that we function in totally without the spirit man.
We keep the rituals and fleshly observances of the Law, but we cannot seem to grasp what the new nature and spirit truly means. We try hearing the Voice of God with great difficulties and then we don't trust our new man to lead us into the Truth. We've seen how such men as Jim Jones and others, led men into foolish things and their destruction, that we don't dare to enter into anything that seems unfamiliar. Satan has used this as a mighty weapon to keep the new creation living in the same carnal existence for millenniums.
As long as he can rule us with this fear, satan can still rule over the new creation people, like he has for too long. Some brave believers have tried stepping into the Super-natural things of the Holy Spirit, but we viewed them as "special people God chose for such things. Very few believers realized that this is the place where all God's people are called to be living and doing the work. We are truly a new creation family in God and the Father wishes to "Do the work in us," just like He did in Jesus. We read this about Jesus, but believe that the miracles only happened because He was Jesus.
We've never developed faith in the fact that this same Father now lives in each and every new creation being, on this planet. Denoting that we can walk like Jesus walked, brings outcries of rage from God's people and some even accuse us of blaspheming God. We believe that Jesus' Words were Truth, but then we put His Words into such categories as being "passed away" or "for another time" or for "when we get to Heaven."
Have you ever wondered why we would need the power to heal the sick or raise the dead or cast out devils when we get to Heaven? There are no sick, dead, or demons in the New Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus instructed us to set people from satan's grip, while we are here on earth. Our faith has been retrained by our fear, to where we're not very successful in our prayer lives. We're still debating about what God's will is for mankind, when this should be settled in the believer's heart after reading Jesus saying, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father."
Jesus came to do the will of the Father and everything He did was God's will. Did Jesus heal the sick? Then that's God's will. Did He cast out demons? Then that's God's will. We could continue with these examples, but you get the idea. We console ourselves with religious ideas of what God's will is and it relives us from the responsibility of walking in the Super-natural realm of the new creation, because it is the "Father in you," that is to do the work.
Why do we look at our own incapability, instead of His capability? We feel like our pride is at stake, when we fail at what we're doing or not doing. We think to ourselves, "What if laying hands on so-and-so doesn't work?" If the Father is doing the work, then how can it not work? Learning to trust the Father to work both in and through us, like He did in Jesus, is what separates us from the world and unites us with our new identity.
If we could realize that it's not only the Father's will, but also the Father's ability, then we can enter int without fear of failure. We've been so fearful of making a mistake, but the biggest mistake we could make if doing nothing at all. We will never succeed, unless we first try. How can we hurt anyone by praying for them anyway? Jesus said "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." The only thing we're required to do, is to lay hands on them and it's His responsibility to heal them. We're simply releasing God in us, by following instructions from His Word.
People have lived thousands of years without airplanes, because no one ever made one that could fly. The people who laughed and mocked the Wright Brothers, after they failed to fly their planes again and again. But, the laughter stopped when the plane flew. Now air travel is the number one mode of travel, for most people. Aren't you glad that someone didn't quit, because of prior failures?
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Lesson 168 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
There has never existed a people on this planet before, like the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Body of Christ (the Anointed One, and His Anointing) is the most powerful force, that the world has ever seen. The Body of Christ is exactly that---His Body. We are His hands, His feet, His Voice, His nature and the manifestation of His Love and character. The only hands Jesus has to lay hands on the sick today, are in His Body. Jesus doesn't come back into this earth and lay His hands on everyone who is sick. He expects you and I to do that in His Name.
Jesus meant it when He said that, "It is the Father in Me, Who does the work." Now, by and through the Holy Spirit, we have the Father living in us too. Jesus still does only what the Father tells Him to do, but now we are to be taking instructions from Him in doing it. We've become so self-conscience over our own weaknesses (what if I lay hands on that person, and it doesn't work?), that we've forgotten to be God-conscious and remembering it's His power.
Many believe this is being prideful and puffed up and begin persecuting you, like they did in Jesus' day. This is part of suffering for His Name, as He suffered. Religion and deception have relinquished to being "as mere men," in satan's sight. God is now raising up this Joshua generation, in order to take the land and enter into "the rest." After God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt, the spies saw the giants in the Promised Land and reported, "We looked like mere ants in their sight" and didn't believe it was possible to enter the Land God promised them.
Hebrews 4:9-11 (Amplified) says, "So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the (true) people of God. For he who has once entered (God's) rest also has ceased from (the weariness and pain) of human labors, Just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His Own. Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest (of God) (to know and experience it for ourselves) that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience (into which those in the wilderness fell)."
The Israelites couldn't enter this "rest," because they couldn't see themselves supplying for their needs and because they forgot that it was God with them, doing the work. They couldn't rest in faith at God's provision for them (even after He delivered them from Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea & on & on). We've fallen into this same trap, when it comes to the Super-natural things of God. We know that we can't do these things of ourselves and have fallen into the same pattern of the Israelites.
God never intended for the people in the wilderness to take care of themselves, but to trust Him to meet their needs. They were more aware of their own weaknesses, than they were of His ability. They could only see self and it angered God, because they wouldn't trust Him to be God, in their midst. We have nearly forgotten that, "It's not [us], but the Father in us, Who does the works." It is the Father in us, Who still provides all that we need, through Christ Jesus.
We've read Philippians 4:19 (Amplified) as only being about our needs. We have even limited this scripture to our finances and wealth. Paul didn't even say it was about finances. He said that because of the people's love and giving to Paul's ministry, God would supply all their needs. Thus, Paul says, "And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Are we not "in Christ Jesus" and He is us?
Your every need is to be met, by the same power that met the needs of those in the wilderness. Now though, we are in Christ Jesus, we have His Name, we are His Body, we share His anointing, and we have the Father promise that He will meet our every need. You may have "need" of His ability to heal someone. You have have "need" to cast a demon out of someone. You may have "need" to raise someone from the dead. Paul said, "My God will meet your every need." We are to rest in this promise and not think that we have to do this alone or on our own.
2Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified) says, "However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." We must remember that the Father in us will do the work and "enter into the rest." God never intended for you to do these things on your own, but to rest in Him, to do the work. We take our eyes off of Him and then the only thing we can see, is ourselves. Without Him, we can do nothing. Even Jesus made this statement about "the work" in John 5:30 (Amplified) saying, "I am able to do nothing from Myself (independently, of My Own accord-but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders)."
Jesus was always conscious of the Father in Him, to do the work. He walked in the rest of God in Him, at all times. The same Father Who did the work through Jesus, is the same Father Who wants to work through us. We are more conscious of our frail, human body of earth, that we won't rest and allow God's glory to be seen through us. Don't be deceived. Anyone who ever knew you, knows that you cannot do miracles then or now. They don't expect you too. When they see miracles and healings done through you, they know it is God the Father in you, Who does the work.
They Body of Christ is called to "enter into this rest,"trust that we have in Him living in us and that He will do the work. God did the work through the flesh and blood body of Christ Jesus, when He was on earth as a Man and He still does the same thing through the flesh and blood Body of Christ here and now. We are not to fall short by unbelief, like those in the wilderness. We are to enter into the rest in Him, to do the work.
There has never existed a people on this planet before, like the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Body of Christ (the Anointed One, and His Anointing) is the most powerful force, that the world has ever seen. The Body of Christ is exactly that---His Body. We are His hands, His feet, His Voice, His nature and the manifestation of His Love and character. The only hands Jesus has to lay hands on the sick today, are in His Body. Jesus doesn't come back into this earth and lay His hands on everyone who is sick. He expects you and I to do that in His Name.
Jesus meant it when He said that, "It is the Father in Me, Who does the work." Now, by and through the Holy Spirit, we have the Father living in us too. Jesus still does only what the Father tells Him to do, but now we are to be taking instructions from Him in doing it. We've become so self-conscience over our own weaknesses (what if I lay hands on that person, and it doesn't work?), that we've forgotten to be God-conscious and remembering it's His power.
Many believe this is being prideful and puffed up and begin persecuting you, like they did in Jesus' day. This is part of suffering for His Name, as He suffered. Religion and deception have relinquished to being "as mere men," in satan's sight. God is now raising up this Joshua generation, in order to take the land and enter into "the rest." After God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt, the spies saw the giants in the Promised Land and reported, "We looked like mere ants in their sight" and didn't believe it was possible to enter the Land God promised them.
Hebrews 4:9-11 (Amplified) says, "So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the (true) people of God. For he who has once entered (God's) rest also has ceased from (the weariness and pain) of human labors, Just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His Own. Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest (of God) (to know and experience it for ourselves) that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience (into which those in the wilderness fell)."
The Israelites couldn't enter this "rest," because they couldn't see themselves supplying for their needs and because they forgot that it was God with them, doing the work. They couldn't rest in faith at God's provision for them (even after He delivered them from Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea & on & on). We've fallen into this same trap, when it comes to the Super-natural things of God. We know that we can't do these things of ourselves and have fallen into the same pattern of the Israelites.
God never intended for the people in the wilderness to take care of themselves, but to trust Him to meet their needs. They were more aware of their own weaknesses, than they were of His ability. They could only see self and it angered God, because they wouldn't trust Him to be God, in their midst. We have nearly forgotten that, "It's not [us], but the Father in us, Who does the works." It is the Father in us, Who still provides all that we need, through Christ Jesus.
We've read Philippians 4:19 (Amplified) as only being about our needs. We have even limited this scripture to our finances and wealth. Paul didn't even say it was about finances. He said that because of the people's love and giving to Paul's ministry, God would supply all their needs. Thus, Paul says, "And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Are we not "in Christ Jesus" and He is us?
Your every need is to be met, by the same power that met the needs of those in the wilderness. Now though, we are in Christ Jesus, we have His Name, we are His Body, we share His anointing, and we have the Father promise that He will meet our every need. You may have "need" of His ability to heal someone. You have have "need" to cast a demon out of someone. You may have "need" to raise someone from the dead. Paul said, "My God will meet your every need." We are to rest in this promise and not think that we have to do this alone or on our own.
2Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified) says, "However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." We must remember that the Father in us will do the work and "enter into the rest." God never intended for you to do these things on your own, but to rest in Him, to do the work. We take our eyes off of Him and then the only thing we can see, is ourselves. Without Him, we can do nothing. Even Jesus made this statement about "the work" in John 5:30 (Amplified) saying, "I am able to do nothing from Myself (independently, of My Own accord-but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders)."
Jesus was always conscious of the Father in Him, to do the work. He walked in the rest of God in Him, at all times. The same Father Who did the work through Jesus, is the same Father Who wants to work through us. We are more conscious of our frail, human body of earth, that we won't rest and allow God's glory to be seen through us. Don't be deceived. Anyone who ever knew you, knows that you cannot do miracles then or now. They don't expect you too. When they see miracles and healings done through you, they know it is God the Father in you, Who does the work.
They Body of Christ is called to "enter into this rest,"trust that we have in Him living in us and that He will do the work. God did the work through the flesh and blood body of Christ Jesus, when He was on earth as a Man and He still does the same thing through the flesh and blood Body of Christ here and now. We are not to fall short by unbelief, like those in the wilderness. We are to enter into the rest in Him, to do the work.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Lesson 167 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous spiritual and moral condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Let's consider "The Beatitudes," in light of the new creation. Jesus speaks about "The Golden Rule" while expounding on "The Beatitudes." In Matthew 5:48 (Amplified), Jesus says, "You therefore, must be perfect (growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity), as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
In Verse 44 Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." These are instructions for living in the new creation life, that Jesus came to give through His sacrifice. We cannot reach the realm of maturity or love, without the birth of this new creation. The principles Jesus instructed us to do, were impossible without the new birth. We've tried living "The Golden Rule" in the natural man and then found ourselves not measuring up to what God wants us to do. Even after being born-again, these simple teachings will evade us, unless our minds are renewed by God's Word and by submitting to the Holy Spirit.
In the natural, man cannot "love his enemy," like Jesus instructed. We have difficulties sometimes, even loving the brethren like Jesus said to do. We argue among ourselves about differences in our doctrines and denominations. We argue about things that some believe and do, because some believe these things have "passed away." There is no part of the new creation, that we can or are called to do, in the natural man. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives Live (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."
Have you ever wondered about the things concerning Love, the Apostle Paul spoke of in 1Corinthians 13? The Love he spoke of is what Jesus was speaking about in "The Beatitudes." We can give to many charities and do good works by the flesh, but it profits us nothing in God's Kingdom. It's not what we do, as much as why we do it and how we do it. Even our church offerings aren't always acceptable to God, because do didn't give in Love or from the heart.
Your tithes and offerings aren't charitable donations, that help pay the light bill in your church or give the preacher some money. These are Spiritual Gifts to God, given in Thanks and gratitude for Who He is and to honor Him for His Truth. Everything we do after being born-again, takes on a new life of its own. The manner in which we raise our children and treat our spouses, is to be ruled now by the Spirit and the Word. It changes everything about our lives, because now our lives are not our own, but His.
This isn't some sort of bondage that religion imposes on us, but it is a liberty and blessing of the Spirit, that empowers us to live. After becoming new creations, everything we say or do, is all about the Spirit and not the flesh. Many have perverted the tithe and offerings, by relating "hard luck" stories and pressuring the people to give. This is strictly of the flesh, and not the Spirit. Tithes and offerings manifest from the heart (the new creation man) and expresses our love and honor for the Father. The dependence and honor you have for our Heavenly Father, are expressed in how much you honor Him for what He has (and is) doing in you.
It's not wrong to give to charities, but we are required when we give, to know where and what our giving is doing. There are many "good" things, that can use the blessing of God in them, but in order to involve the blessing, we must use and invoke the blessing of our new covenant, into the giving. The things we do in the new covenant, aren't religious things, but "living" things we are now able to do. Attending service on Sunday morning, isn't an obligation of religion, but an expression of our Love for the Father and the brethren. This should be an opportunity for the believer to bring their gifts (tithes, offerings, praise, Thanksgiving, worship and gratitude) for the Father, as family. It shouldn't be a "duty," but a privilege.
We've come to the place in our walk with God, where we've view religion as bondage, instead of liberty. I don't go to church on Sunday morning because it's my "job," but because it's my privilege. I suppose that people only think about the preacher's studying God's Word, in order to have something to preach. Most have probably never given much thought about the importance of the people praying and preparing their hearts, in order to "hear and receive" what is being taught.
It doesn't do much good to "sow seed on stony ground, according to what Jesus said in Mark 4:16
(Amplified). It's as important for the people to prepare their hearts to receive the seed, as is the importance for the preacher to prepare to sow the seed. Preachers are not acting or performing for an audience, but we are family at our Father's House. Worship isn't just singing some "slow" son, but it's a heart song. We don't have praise and worship service, in order to get everything in the mood, but to join as one in the Spirit of Worship. The word "worship," derives from "worth-ship." How much is He worth to you"
I've heard some say, "Well, I don't know these songs, that's why I'm going somewhere else, where I do know them." "Worth-ship" is not limited to knowing the words, but knowing the Lord. I love going to church in Mexico, when I'm with Gary and Steve Brewer. I don't understand or speak a word in Spanish, but I understand the people's hearts. When they enter into praise and worship, I simply sing in the Spirit and enter in with them. Those who still walk only in the flesh, cannot know His Presence unless they "feel" Him present. If He is only God when we feel His Presence, then most of the time He must not be God to us, because we don't "feel" Him in our lives.
Feelings are great when you get them, but they change and don't always determine God's Presence in your life, because they are of the flesh. If you allow your feelings determine whether God is present in your life, then 98% of the time, you will miss Him. When we live by faith, we will understand that God is always there, whether or not we feel Him. I've heard some people say, "I really feel the Lord, during praise and worship," that's because they are expressing their love. For others, though, worship is simply a move of their flesh and their emotions (that are gone as, soon as they've left the parking lot).
Worship is "doing the will of the Father and it is a way of life, not feelings. I'm thankful that feelings do arise sometimes when I worship, but Jesus said that, "[He] will never leave you or forsake you." This isn't a feeling, but a Truth. Worship is a way of life, for the new creation people. Our lives are to be a worship and revelation of Him, manifested to the world. We don't stop cussing and drinking because the church says we must, but we stop doing these things because it doesn't please the Father and we want to please Him.
Some things we do are religion, and some things are revelation. The revelation things we do, please Him, because they manifest as worship and honor towards Him. Doing the things outlined in "The Beatitudes" without God, are good things to do, but it's doing them mostly as an act of the flesh. When we rely on God, His Word and His Spirit to deliver us, we can always find worth-ship in our worship that comes from the heart. I love singing songs to Him, more than about Him. Both are good, but when I sing to Him, then I can sing in the Spirit and receive Spirit and revelation, that my understanding cannot express. When I sing about God, I am limited in my own intellect, as what to say. In my spirit, I am unlimited in my worship, because my spirit knows Him like my flesh has never achieved.
You might be reading this and wondering where you are in your own walk with Him. Our gathering together on Sunday morning (or whenever you get together) might not always be about your receiving, but for the sake of someone else. The Lord might wish to use you in the life of someone else, but you're so caught up in your own life that you are never there when He needs you. Or, you might believe there's nothing anyone can teach you, because you're so smart. Both of these things are of the flesh and not the spirit. Man loves to be religious, because he can fulfill all of the requirements and then feel "alright." God's requirement is for us to be His vehicle into the lives of others.
Your entire life (spirit, soul, and body) are a spiritual sacrifice for and to Him. We are to be available to God at all times in our worship, giving, offerings, tithes, praying, doing, and going. You are a worship at all times, in this world. You are the one who brings God into the presence of others, because He lives in you and walks in you. You are His hands, His feet, His Voice, and His love towards others.
Let's consider "The Beatitudes," in light of the new creation. Jesus speaks about "The Golden Rule" while expounding on "The Beatitudes." In Matthew 5:48 (Amplified), Jesus says, "You therefore, must be perfect (growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity), as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
In Verse 44 Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." These are instructions for living in the new creation life, that Jesus came to give through His sacrifice. We cannot reach the realm of maturity or love, without the birth of this new creation. The principles Jesus instructed us to do, were impossible without the new birth. We've tried living "The Golden Rule" in the natural man and then found ourselves not measuring up to what God wants us to do. Even after being born-again, these simple teachings will evade us, unless our minds are renewed by God's Word and by submitting to the Holy Spirit.
In the natural, man cannot "love his enemy," like Jesus instructed. We have difficulties sometimes, even loving the brethren like Jesus said to do. We argue among ourselves about differences in our doctrines and denominations. We argue about things that some believe and do, because some believe these things have "passed away." There is no part of the new creation, that we can or are called to do, in the natural man. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives Live (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."
Have you ever wondered about the things concerning Love, the Apostle Paul spoke of in 1Corinthians 13? The Love he spoke of is what Jesus was speaking about in "The Beatitudes." We can give to many charities and do good works by the flesh, but it profits us nothing in God's Kingdom. It's not what we do, as much as why we do it and how we do it. Even our church offerings aren't always acceptable to God, because do didn't give in Love or from the heart.
Your tithes and offerings aren't charitable donations, that help pay the light bill in your church or give the preacher some money. These are Spiritual Gifts to God, given in Thanks and gratitude for Who He is and to honor Him for His Truth. Everything we do after being born-again, takes on a new life of its own. The manner in which we raise our children and treat our spouses, is to be ruled now by the Spirit and the Word. It changes everything about our lives, because now our lives are not our own, but His.
This isn't some sort of bondage that religion imposes on us, but it is a liberty and blessing of the Spirit, that empowers us to live. After becoming new creations, everything we say or do, is all about the Spirit and not the flesh. Many have perverted the tithe and offerings, by relating "hard luck" stories and pressuring the people to give. This is strictly of the flesh, and not the Spirit. Tithes and offerings manifest from the heart (the new creation man) and expresses our love and honor for the Father. The dependence and honor you have for our Heavenly Father, are expressed in how much you honor Him for what He has (and is) doing in you.
It's not wrong to give to charities, but we are required when we give, to know where and what our giving is doing. There are many "good" things, that can use the blessing of God in them, but in order to involve the blessing, we must use and invoke the blessing of our new covenant, into the giving. The things we do in the new covenant, aren't religious things, but "living" things we are now able to do. Attending service on Sunday morning, isn't an obligation of religion, but an expression of our Love for the Father and the brethren. This should be an opportunity for the believer to bring their gifts (tithes, offerings, praise, Thanksgiving, worship and gratitude) for the Father, as family. It shouldn't be a "duty," but a privilege.
We've come to the place in our walk with God, where we've view religion as bondage, instead of liberty. I don't go to church on Sunday morning because it's my "job," but because it's my privilege. I suppose that people only think about the preacher's studying God's Word, in order to have something to preach. Most have probably never given much thought about the importance of the people praying and preparing their hearts, in order to "hear and receive" what is being taught.
It doesn't do much good to "sow seed on stony ground, according to what Jesus said in Mark 4:16
(Amplified). It's as important for the people to prepare their hearts to receive the seed, as is the importance for the preacher to prepare to sow the seed. Preachers are not acting or performing for an audience, but we are family at our Father's House. Worship isn't just singing some "slow" son, but it's a heart song. We don't have praise and worship service, in order to get everything in the mood, but to join as one in the Spirit of Worship. The word "worship," derives from "worth-ship." How much is He worth to you"
I've heard some say, "Well, I don't know these songs, that's why I'm going somewhere else, where I do know them." "Worth-ship" is not limited to knowing the words, but knowing the Lord. I love going to church in Mexico, when I'm with Gary and Steve Brewer. I don't understand or speak a word in Spanish, but I understand the people's hearts. When they enter into praise and worship, I simply sing in the Spirit and enter in with them. Those who still walk only in the flesh, cannot know His Presence unless they "feel" Him present. If He is only God when we feel His Presence, then most of the time He must not be God to us, because we don't "feel" Him in our lives.
Feelings are great when you get them, but they change and don't always determine God's Presence in your life, because they are of the flesh. If you allow your feelings determine whether God is present in your life, then 98% of the time, you will miss Him. When we live by faith, we will understand that God is always there, whether or not we feel Him. I've heard some people say, "I really feel the Lord, during praise and worship," that's because they are expressing their love. For others, though, worship is simply a move of their flesh and their emotions (that are gone as, soon as they've left the parking lot).
Worship is "doing the will of the Father and it is a way of life, not feelings. I'm thankful that feelings do arise sometimes when I worship, but Jesus said that, "[He] will never leave you or forsake you." This isn't a feeling, but a Truth. Worship is a way of life, for the new creation people. Our lives are to be a worship and revelation of Him, manifested to the world. We don't stop cussing and drinking because the church says we must, but we stop doing these things because it doesn't please the Father and we want to please Him.
Some things we do are religion, and some things are revelation. The revelation things we do, please Him, because they manifest as worship and honor towards Him. Doing the things outlined in "The Beatitudes" without God, are good things to do, but it's doing them mostly as an act of the flesh. When we rely on God, His Word and His Spirit to deliver us, we can always find worth-ship in our worship that comes from the heart. I love singing songs to Him, more than about Him. Both are good, but when I sing to Him, then I can sing in the Spirit and receive Spirit and revelation, that my understanding cannot express. When I sing about God, I am limited in my own intellect, as what to say. In my spirit, I am unlimited in my worship, because my spirit knows Him like my flesh has never achieved.
You might be reading this and wondering where you are in your own walk with Him. Our gathering together on Sunday morning (or whenever you get together) might not always be about your receiving, but for the sake of someone else. The Lord might wish to use you in the life of someone else, but you're so caught up in your own life that you are never there when He needs you. Or, you might believe there's nothing anyone can teach you, because you're so smart. Both of these things are of the flesh and not the spirit. Man loves to be religious, because he can fulfill all of the requirements and then feel "alright." God's requirement is for us to be His vehicle into the lives of others.
Your entire life (spirit, soul, and body) are a spiritual sacrifice for and to Him. We are to be available to God at all times in our worship, giving, offerings, tithes, praying, doing, and going. You are a worship at all times, in this world. You are the one who brings God into the presence of others, because He lives in you and walks in you. You are His hands, His feet, His Voice, and His love towards others.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Lesson 165 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
As I read through God's Word, I cannot help but wonder how we lost sight of the power of Jesus' Name. The modern Church uses the Name, but somehow it doesn't seem to hold the power that it did in the early Church. Many have simply dismissed this by saying, "God no longer does the miracles and healings that He did then," but that's not true according to Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) which says, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)."
Jesus told His followers in Mark 16:17- 20 (Amplified), "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death); but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents and (even) if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well. 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)."
Jesus also said in Luke 10:17-19 (Amplified) that, "The servant returned with joy, saying, Lord even the demons are subject to us in Your Name! And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from Heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any harm you."
Jesus made the above statements even before His resurrection saying, "My Name is above all names." How much more is it higher now, in the new creation people? Peter and John used the Name of Jesus at the Gate Beautiful and stunned the people with it's power, in Acts 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "And His Name, through and by faith in His Name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong. (Yes) the faith which is through and by Him (Jesus) has given the man this perfect soundness (of body) before all of you."
Has Jesus' Name lost it's power or have we lost the sight of that Name? We use His Name in prayer and preaching, but then argue among ourselves as to what that Name is capable of doing. We've denied the Super-natural ability of His Name, in almost every aspect of its Super-natural authority. We no longer cast out demons, but medicate them into submission. We've all but forgotten healings and miracles, recommending good doctors instead. Thank God for good doctors, but they still haven't taken the place of His Name and faith in His Name.
As the new creation, we not only have His Name to use in authority and power, but we are actually "in Him," too. What have we lost in our modern Church that has take His place, as far as the Super-natural is concerned? We still believe for the new birth, but have almost limited the Name to only that. Are we afraid to teach the miraculous to the people any longer, or are we more afraid of our own failures? Even Jesus said that, "It is not Me, but the Father in Me Who does the works." We have this Father , in the form of the same Holy Spirit, living in us.
The Name of Jesus is "above all names." It is above the name of cancer, Aids, or any other disease that satan has brought upon humanity. As far as God's concerned, it's not hard to heal any disease. We have lost sight of the Word and it hasn't lost any power, because Jesus is the Word and He doesn't change. We've allowed our own government to determine when and where we can speak the Word. The early believers ran into the same world government in Acts 4:17 (Amplified) which tells us, "But in order that it may not spread further among the people and the nation, let us warn and forbid them with a stern threat to speak any more to anyone in this Name (or about this Person)."
We are bold enough to speak the Name of Jesus in church, but we are warned not to "offend others, other gods, or ideas by speaking His Name in public places." I'm not advocating becoming obnoxious about religion, but about being bold enough to speak His Name and to have faith in His Name. The world will never consent to the use of Jesus' Name and His is the only Name that will change the world. Even in many Christian circles we have bowed a knee to political correctness instead of Biblical Truths, so we won't offend other believers. We've allowed the Name of Jesus and God to be removed from our schools, public places and now from the Pledge of Allegiance and perhaps our money. Some schools won't allow staff or students to say "Merry Christmas" or to celebrate Easter and Christmas.
Even if the Church doesn't realize the power of Jesus' Name, satan does and he's trying his best to silence the use of Jesus' Name among the people. As new creation people, we were made to herald the Name of Jesus and prove His Name with signs, power, and wonders. We name holidays and street signs after famous political persons and it's frowned upon to disgrace or defame those names. Why are we so intimidated by the world's idea about where we might speak His Name?
Society doesn't care if you speak of God, because this can mean their god, or any god, but the Name of Jesus causes even the timidity in Christians. The masses are in religion, but the power IS IN HIS NAME. It doesn't matter what name if above denominational church doors, because without the Name of Jesus and faith in His Name in their doctrine, it's only a religious bunch of people.
As new creation people, let's understand that we are "ingrated" not only in Jesus, but into His Name as well. The potential of who we are in Him and His Name, has yet to be revealed to the world.
As I read through God's Word, I cannot help but wonder how we lost sight of the power of Jesus' Name. The modern Church uses the Name, but somehow it doesn't seem to hold the power that it did in the early Church. Many have simply dismissed this by saying, "God no longer does the miracles and healings that He did then," but that's not true according to Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) which says, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)."
Jesus told His followers in Mark 16:17- 20 (Amplified), "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death); but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents and (even) if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well. 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)."
Jesus also said in Luke 10:17-19 (Amplified) that, "The servant returned with joy, saying, Lord even the demons are subject to us in Your Name! And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from Heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any harm you."
Jesus made the above statements even before His resurrection saying, "My Name is above all names." How much more is it higher now, in the new creation people? Peter and John used the Name of Jesus at the Gate Beautiful and stunned the people with it's power, in Acts 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "And His Name, through and by faith in His Name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong. (Yes) the faith which is through and by Him (Jesus) has given the man this perfect soundness (of body) before all of you."
Has Jesus' Name lost it's power or have we lost the sight of that Name? We use His Name in prayer and preaching, but then argue among ourselves as to what that Name is capable of doing. We've denied the Super-natural ability of His Name, in almost every aspect of its Super-natural authority. We no longer cast out demons, but medicate them into submission. We've all but forgotten healings and miracles, recommending good doctors instead. Thank God for good doctors, but they still haven't taken the place of His Name and faith in His Name.
As the new creation, we not only have His Name to use in authority and power, but we are actually "in Him," too. What have we lost in our modern Church that has take His place, as far as the Super-natural is concerned? We still believe for the new birth, but have almost limited the Name to only that. Are we afraid to teach the miraculous to the people any longer, or are we more afraid of our own failures? Even Jesus said that, "It is not Me, but the Father in Me Who does the works." We have this Father , in the form of the same Holy Spirit, living in us.
The Name of Jesus is "above all names." It is above the name of cancer, Aids, or any other disease that satan has brought upon humanity. As far as God's concerned, it's not hard to heal any disease. We have lost sight of the Word and it hasn't lost any power, because Jesus is the Word and He doesn't change. We've allowed our own government to determine when and where we can speak the Word. The early believers ran into the same world government in Acts 4:17 (Amplified) which tells us, "But in order that it may not spread further among the people and the nation, let us warn and forbid them with a stern threat to speak any more to anyone in this Name (or about this Person)."
We are bold enough to speak the Name of Jesus in church, but we are warned not to "offend others, other gods, or ideas by speaking His Name in public places." I'm not advocating becoming obnoxious about religion, but about being bold enough to speak His Name and to have faith in His Name. The world will never consent to the use of Jesus' Name and His is the only Name that will change the world. Even in many Christian circles we have bowed a knee to political correctness instead of Biblical Truths, so we won't offend other believers. We've allowed the Name of Jesus and God to be removed from our schools, public places and now from the Pledge of Allegiance and perhaps our money. Some schools won't allow staff or students to say "Merry Christmas" or to celebrate Easter and Christmas.
Even if the Church doesn't realize the power of Jesus' Name, satan does and he's trying his best to silence the use of Jesus' Name among the people. As new creation people, we were made to herald the Name of Jesus and prove His Name with signs, power, and wonders. We name holidays and street signs after famous political persons and it's frowned upon to disgrace or defame those names. Why are we so intimidated by the world's idea about where we might speak His Name?
Society doesn't care if you speak of God, because this can mean their god, or any god, but the Name of Jesus causes even the timidity in Christians. The masses are in religion, but the power IS IN HIS NAME. It doesn't matter what name if above denominational church doors, because without the Name of Jesus and faith in His Name in their doctrine, it's only a religious bunch of people.
As new creation people, let's understand that we are "ingrated" not only in Jesus, but into His Name as well. The potential of who we are in Him and His Name, has yet to be revealed to the world.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Lesson 164 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
In this new creation, we've been now created from the same Seed (the Word of God) as the Last Adam, Who is Jesus. We were created new in His Likeness and Image. Jesus was the first to be infused with the Holy Spirit and actually had the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. The Holy Spirit dwelt within a born-again human spirit for the first time ever and Jesus was the First Born of many brethren. We've been born anew by the Holy Spirit Himself.
Jesus said in John 14:17 (Amplified) that, "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." Jesus was saying something about the new creation, that He couldn't explain in full at the time. He was speaking about the new creation man, who was to come into being after His death and resurrection. Jesus couldn't fully explain this, because He didn't want the enemy to understand and prevent His crucifixion and no play into the Father's plan. In 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) Paul says, "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God-(that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence). None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this; for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Jesus could only reveal small segments of the new birth and new creation to His disciples, at that time. If God revealed the entire plan in the enemy's presence, then that would be inviting the enemy to prevent Jesus' death and resurrection and all would be lost before it began. Jesus was speaking about the new creation people, who would be born after His ascent to the Father in John 14:12 (Amplified) saying, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
Jesus went on speaking about the new creation, saying, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was telling His followers that the same things that enable Him to do the work, is going to be in them. And, He went on to tell them that through the Holy Spirit, they would be empowered by the same Holy Spirit of God. We've been taught and have believed that Jesus could perform miracles and healings, simply because He was Jesus, but He said that "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was revealing how he same force and power (the Father), Who lived in Him, would make His home in us too.
In Acts 1:8 (Amplified) Jesus says, "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."
Satan has tried his be to keep this revelation about the new creation, hidden from the Church. He has no defense against those who will walk in the Spirit and who will take this warfare into the Heavenlies. If satan can keep us bound by simple human understanding, he can maintain a hold over us. Ephesians 6:10-12 (Amplified) says, "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him) draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides. Put on God's whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies) that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only against physical opponents) but against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
We've been trying to fight against the "spirit forces" in the "super-natural," with simple, carnal weapons and have been limited by "satan's strategies and deceits." What do you suppose would happen in a bullfight, if the bull stopped chasing the red cape and came after the matador? The bull is deceived into thinking the red cape is his problem and he doesn't concentrate his efforts against the matador. If the bull ever figured this out, then the bullfight would last only a few minutes. This is the same sort of deception, that satan employs against us. He causes us to keep our eyes on the problem, instead of the answer. We become so enthralled with the red cape, that we don't see the one who is holding the cape and we look foolish chasing it. Jesus always addressed the spirit and not the natural.
Paul spoke to the Church in Corinth in 2Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified) saying, "For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him (as He was humanly weak), yet in dealing with you (we shall show ourselves) alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him by the power of God." In the flesh, Paul was just a man, but in fellowship with the Father, Paul was walking in the power of his new creation relationship, through the Holy Spirit. In the natural, Paul was no stronger than any other man, but in the union of his spirit with the Holy Spirit, he had power over satan and the world around him.
Many view Paul's trials and have concentrated more on those things, than with his victories. Of course, you will be opposed by the enemy (while we're here on earth), but we are to go beyond them onto victory. Paul was never defeated in his calling, despite whatever rose against him. In 2Timothy 4:6-7 (Amplified) Paul says, "For I am already about to be sacrificed (my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering) the time of my (spirit's) release (from the body) is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith." Paul never viewed death as a defeat, but as a release from his work on earth and as his entry into the Father's Presence.
Throughout the struggles satan put against him, Paul never stopped to look only upon his circumstances, but upon the Lord. And, as a result, he was given as revelation directly from the Lord. We've majored on his trails, instead of Paul's great faith. Some even believe that the trials he endured, came from God, Who was trying to discourage Paul from doing his ministry. This is one of the main deceits and strategies, a cunning and lying enemy uses against God's people. Why would God give Paul a revelation about the new creation, commission him to take this revelation to all the world, hold him responsible for the preaching of this Gospel, and then, try stopping Paul at every turn? We act like God lost sight of what He called Paul to do.
What kind of God would it take to give you a task and then try vehemently to stop you and even go as far as chastising you when you failed? Really? Paul was forewarned about the enemy's trying to prevent the completion of his God-given ministry, even before he accepted his calling, according to Acts 9:16 (Amplified) which says, "For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My Name's sake." 2Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) says, "So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities, and distresses; for when I am weak (in human strength) then am I (truly) strong (able, powerful in divine strength)."
If we do nothing, then we are more deceived than anyone and the afflictions still come anyway. They come simply because we are "not of this world" any longer. You're already a target of the enemy, because you bear the Name and Likeness of Jesus. The more we do for God's Kingdom, the greater the trials will be, that come against you. If anyone thinks he can make a peace treaty with satan (one that says,"I will leave you alone, if you leave me alone"), then he has already fallen for one of satan's greatest deceits. You were created to rule and not be ruled. You were created new to walk as Christ's ambassador of God's Kingdom and not to "hide your light under a bushel."
If you do not know which side you're on, then you have a problem waging a warfare on the enemy. The world would have you believe that everyone is God's children, but this is not so! Only those who have been born-again into His Kingdom, are His. The entire world is at warfare against the Lord, whether of not they understand it. Sometimes, it seems like we don't see satan as the enemy, but would rather trying to make a peace treaty with him, in order to further our cause. No one can make peace with the devil and still walk in clear conscience with our Father.
In this new creation, we've been now created from the same Seed (the Word of God) as the Last Adam, Who is Jesus. We were created new in His Likeness and Image. Jesus was the first to be infused with the Holy Spirit and actually had the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. The Holy Spirit dwelt within a born-again human spirit for the first time ever and Jesus was the First Born of many brethren. We've been born anew by the Holy Spirit Himself.
Jesus said in John 14:17 (Amplified) that, "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." Jesus was saying something about the new creation, that He couldn't explain in full at the time. He was speaking about the new creation man, who was to come into being after His death and resurrection. Jesus couldn't fully explain this, because He didn't want the enemy to understand and prevent His crucifixion and no play into the Father's plan. In 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) Paul says, "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God-(that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence). None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this; for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Jesus could only reveal small segments of the new birth and new creation to His disciples, at that time. If God revealed the entire plan in the enemy's presence, then that would be inviting the enemy to prevent Jesus' death and resurrection and all would be lost before it began. Jesus was speaking about the new creation people, who would be born after His ascent to the Father in John 14:12 (Amplified) saying, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
Jesus went on speaking about the new creation, saying, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was telling His followers that the same things that enable Him to do the work, is going to be in them. And, He went on to tell them that through the Holy Spirit, they would be empowered by the same Holy Spirit of God. We've been taught and have believed that Jesus could perform miracles and healings, simply because He was Jesus, but He said that "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was revealing how he same force and power (the Father), Who lived in Him, would make His home in us too.
In Acts 1:8 (Amplified) Jesus says, "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."
Satan has tried his be to keep this revelation about the new creation, hidden from the Church. He has no defense against those who will walk in the Spirit and who will take this warfare into the Heavenlies. If satan can keep us bound by simple human understanding, he can maintain a hold over us. Ephesians 6:10-12 (Amplified) says, "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him) draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides. Put on God's whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies) that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only against physical opponents) but against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
We've been trying to fight against the "spirit forces" in the "super-natural," with simple, carnal weapons and have been limited by "satan's strategies and deceits." What do you suppose would happen in a bullfight, if the bull stopped chasing the red cape and came after the matador? The bull is deceived into thinking the red cape is his problem and he doesn't concentrate his efforts against the matador. If the bull ever figured this out, then the bullfight would last only a few minutes. This is the same sort of deception, that satan employs against us. He causes us to keep our eyes on the problem, instead of the answer. We become so enthralled with the red cape, that we don't see the one who is holding the cape and we look foolish chasing it. Jesus always addressed the spirit and not the natural.
Paul spoke to the Church in Corinth in 2Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified) saying, "For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him (as He was humanly weak), yet in dealing with you (we shall show ourselves) alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him by the power of God." In the flesh, Paul was just a man, but in fellowship with the Father, Paul was walking in the power of his new creation relationship, through the Holy Spirit. In the natural, Paul was no stronger than any other man, but in the union of his spirit with the Holy Spirit, he had power over satan and the world around him.
Many view Paul's trials and have concentrated more on those things, than with his victories. Of course, you will be opposed by the enemy (while we're here on earth), but we are to go beyond them onto victory. Paul was never defeated in his calling, despite whatever rose against him. In 2Timothy 4:6-7 (Amplified) Paul says, "For I am already about to be sacrificed (my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering) the time of my (spirit's) release (from the body) is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith." Paul never viewed death as a defeat, but as a release from his work on earth and as his entry into the Father's Presence.
Throughout the struggles satan put against him, Paul never stopped to look only upon his circumstances, but upon the Lord. And, as a result, he was given as revelation directly from the Lord. We've majored on his trails, instead of Paul's great faith. Some even believe that the trials he endured, came from God, Who was trying to discourage Paul from doing his ministry. This is one of the main deceits and strategies, a cunning and lying enemy uses against God's people. Why would God give Paul a revelation about the new creation, commission him to take this revelation to all the world, hold him responsible for the preaching of this Gospel, and then, try stopping Paul at every turn? We act like God lost sight of what He called Paul to do.
What kind of God would it take to give you a task and then try vehemently to stop you and even go as far as chastising you when you failed? Really? Paul was forewarned about the enemy's trying to prevent the completion of his God-given ministry, even before he accepted his calling, according to Acts 9:16 (Amplified) which says, "For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My Name's sake." 2Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) says, "So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities, and distresses; for when I am weak (in human strength) then am I (truly) strong (able, powerful in divine strength)."
If we do nothing, then we are more deceived than anyone and the afflictions still come anyway. They come simply because we are "not of this world" any longer. You're already a target of the enemy, because you bear the Name and Likeness of Jesus. The more we do for God's Kingdom, the greater the trials will be, that come against you. If anyone thinks he can make a peace treaty with satan (one that says,"I will leave you alone, if you leave me alone"), then he has already fallen for one of satan's greatest deceits. You were created to rule and not be ruled. You were created new to walk as Christ's ambassador of God's Kingdom and not to "hide your light under a bushel."
If you do not know which side you're on, then you have a problem waging a warfare on the enemy. The world would have you believe that everyone is God's children, but this is not so! Only those who have been born-again into His Kingdom, are His. The entire world is at warfare against the Lord, whether of not they understand it. Sometimes, it seems like we don't see satan as the enemy, but would rather trying to make a peace treaty with him, in order to further our cause. No one can make peace with the devil and still walk in clear conscience with our Father.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Lesson 163 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
When you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were made a new creation in Him. We don't need to struggle, in order to become a new creation, you have already become one. We've spent many years trying to become that which we already are. We now must learn what this new creation is designed to be and how to function in it. When my children were born into the world, they were already human beings and were already my children. They didn't need to try to become my children, because they were born into that. They didn't need to try to become human beings, because they were born human beings.
As Christians, we are already new creations, already the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, already sons and daughters of God, already citizens of the Kingdom of God, already in unbroken fellowship with God, and already heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. We no longer need to struggle to become what the Lord has made us to be already, but we need to do like babies in the natural life and learn how to live in our new creation life.
We didn't need to learn how to be human beings, but we did need to learn how to walk, talk, dress, eat, listen, learn and grow up into the knowledge of adulthood. We needed to learn responsibility for the liberty we received when we were born. I didn't have to reestablish my liberties, but I needed to learn what they were and then to walk in what was already mine by birth.
We've already been made free from the Law of sin and death, by the liberty which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (there is) NOW no condemnation (adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live and walk not after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death." We cannot walk in who we are, by trying to remain who we were. You were dead before receiving Jesus as your Savior and now in Him, is your new life.
Can you imagine how ridiculous it would be, if you believed you came from the family of apes and then, because you believed that was your lineage, you tried becoming one? Can you imagine how ridiculous it would seem if you climbed trees, lived in the branches, swung from tree branch to tree branch, picked bugs off yourself, wore no clothes and only spoke "monkey speak." You could never enjoy being a human and could never master being an ape (no matter how hard you tried). You would live in a frustrating manner, by trying to live a dual lifestyle and not living either one very well.
Many have never accepted our identity as Spirit beings and new creations. We've lived under the world's confines and have never allowed our true identity to be made manifest in us. We've tried to live like apes, even though we were born humans. In a sense, this is what we've done in the new birth, too. We've been born of the Spirit of God and been made in His Image and Likeness, but we try developing our identity by the flesh we live in.
We cannot truly enjoy who we are in Christ, because we continue trying to live like someone else says we should be. Our true identity, the spirit man, is limited in his life withing us, by our trying to make him live like a flesh and blood being. He cannot do what he is born to do and the flesh can't accomplish what it was subjected to be, which is the servant to the spirit. The spirit man doesn't take charge and the body of flesh has no ability to do what it should. We've ended up with a war between the two, because we have no knowledge of who we really are in Him.
We must be in God's Word on a daily basis, because that is the only thing that can correctly separate the soul, flesh, and spirit. When we listen to a man preach what he may think is God's Word, we must weigh it by our new creation spirit and then judged according to God's Word. If we don't know what God's Word actually says, then we have no way to judge what is being said. We must remember that, until we were born-again, our spirits were dead and our souls had been taught and trained by a fallen world. Your soul couldn't teach your brain or flesh how, to do anything it hadn't learned from the world.
We've have devised many things that don't pertain to our new creation man, because we haven't listened to the true Voice of God's Word. It's like believing in evolution and trying to walk in creationism. One belief mistakenly claims that you evolved from a lower animal form and that you still maintain animal instincts, while the Truth of God's Word says that God designed and formed us and that we can bring the animal instincts under the subjection of God's Word and His Spirit.
So, we've been trapped in this dual life-role, with no way of separating the two, other than God's Word. His Word can separate and divide the spirit, soul, and body, into their different ways of functioning in our lives. Our brain can only record the information we put into it and only what we allow to be put into it, because it has no mind of its own. Our soul can only receive truth from our spirit and then transfer it to the brain. Our body can only function in what the brain directs it to do. The flesh can only do what we have taught and allowed it to do. The body cannot go and do what it wants , without first receiving direction from the brain This is why a person who is brain dead and put on a ventilator to keep the body alive, cannot walk or talk or move their body.
There are people saying that we are to do this or that, and we know they're saying the correct thing. When we're born-again, we also know that some of the things we do, are wrong. We live in guilt and condemnation for our wrongdoings, but we still don't seem to have the victory we were given through Christ.
We find both the wrongdoing and the answer to bringing the body and soul, back under subjection to our new living spirit man in Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified) which says, "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective) it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and (the immortal) spirit, and the joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) natural man exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Remember, Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "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."
When we allow God's Word to enter into our spirit, it will "judge, analyze, and expose: the things we learned before we were born-again and reveal what it was we've learned before knowing Jesus as our Lord. It will show those thoughts and deeds to be "wrong" and will reveal the new thoughts and purposes of our heart (new creation man).
Change doesn't come, without having every person making this a priority in their individual lives. I know other Christians who do these things and stop the voice of the accuser of the brethren. Those who simply accept these things and don't at least attempt to put them away, are those who spend absolutely no time in God's Word. Or, they read it, but don't allow God's Spirit to show them "Truth and Spirit" by these words.
We hear God's Word from someone who doesn't have the Truth of it in their spirit, thus making them unable to minister the Truth of it, to your spirit either. We must read God's Word with a personal direction from the Holy Spirit and allow Him to reveal the Truth to us. We've allowed others to "chew" our food for us, so that we only need to swallow. There is no effort on our part to eat for ourselves. Only babies should require their food to be processed for them. We should grow some spiritual teeth and eat the "Strong Meat of the Word" for ourselves.
Nothing in the life of the new creation, can replace seeking the Spirit and Truth of God's Word for himself. We are each required to seek God on our own. When you attend church, then you should bring your own Bible, in order to read along and learn the Word. Then, you do not need to take the word of someone else, because you will have firsthand knowledge of what the Word says. This isn't meant to have something to argue over, but to have Truth and Life from the Spirit of God feeding your spirit.
Simply reading the Words from natural intellect, doesn't always feed your spirit. We must meditate on what the Spirit meant when He proclaimed the Word and then, draw strength and Life from the Meat of the Word and process it into our spirit. It's better to read one chapter of scripture, meditate on it throughout the day and then allow the Holy Spirit to speak this Truth into your spirit, than it is to read ten chapters just to fulfill your "Godly duty to read His Word." It doesn't matter how many chapters are read, but how much Truth and Life are gleaned from what it read.
Many times, we pray the problem (as if God doesn't already know the problem) at prayer time. God doesn't need us to tell Him the problem, He needs us to stand united with His Word in the answer to the problem. After all, God's Word tells us that, "God watches over His Word to perform it"---not my words. When my words are His Words, He can bring it to pass by our faith in His Word. Thankfully, God doesn't bring "all words" to pass in our lives or most of us would be dead (and have taken many others with us). Read Matthew 12:33-37 (Amplified where Jesus tells where the good things and evil things come from in our lives. People who foolishly say, "God put these things on you," wouldn't say that if they read these Verses and learned that hard times come out of their own hearts and mouths.
We are a new creation, we come from a new Kingdom and we are required to speak the language of this New Kingdom and our King, instead of the old words of the enemy's fallen kingdom and the words he taught us, in order to keep us in bondage. God's Words are Spirit and Life; speak them. The Word tells us that, "From the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks." We must put the Word of God into our hearts in abundance.
When you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were made a new creation in Him. We don't need to struggle, in order to become a new creation, you have already become one. We've spent many years trying to become that which we already are. We now must learn what this new creation is designed to be and how to function in it. When my children were born into the world, they were already human beings and were already my children. They didn't need to try to become my children, because they were born into that. They didn't need to try to become human beings, because they were born human beings.
As Christians, we are already new creations, already the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, already sons and daughters of God, already citizens of the Kingdom of God, already in unbroken fellowship with God, and already heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. We no longer need to struggle to become what the Lord has made us to be already, but we need to do like babies in the natural life and learn how to live in our new creation life.
We didn't need to learn how to be human beings, but we did need to learn how to walk, talk, dress, eat, listen, learn and grow up into the knowledge of adulthood. We needed to learn responsibility for the liberty we received when we were born. I didn't have to reestablish my liberties, but I needed to learn what they were and then to walk in what was already mine by birth.
We've already been made free from the Law of sin and death, by the liberty which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (there is) NOW no condemnation (adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live and walk not after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death." We cannot walk in who we are, by trying to remain who we were. You were dead before receiving Jesus as your Savior and now in Him, is your new life.
Can you imagine how ridiculous it would be, if you believed you came from the family of apes and then, because you believed that was your lineage, you tried becoming one? Can you imagine how ridiculous it would seem if you climbed trees, lived in the branches, swung from tree branch to tree branch, picked bugs off yourself, wore no clothes and only spoke "monkey speak." You could never enjoy being a human and could never master being an ape (no matter how hard you tried). You would live in a frustrating manner, by trying to live a dual lifestyle and not living either one very well.
Many have never accepted our identity as Spirit beings and new creations. We've lived under the world's confines and have never allowed our true identity to be made manifest in us. We've tried to live like apes, even though we were born humans. In a sense, this is what we've done in the new birth, too. We've been born of the Spirit of God and been made in His Image and Likeness, but we try developing our identity by the flesh we live in.
We cannot truly enjoy who we are in Christ, because we continue trying to live like someone else says we should be. Our true identity, the spirit man, is limited in his life withing us, by our trying to make him live like a flesh and blood being. He cannot do what he is born to do and the flesh can't accomplish what it was subjected to be, which is the servant to the spirit. The spirit man doesn't take charge and the body of flesh has no ability to do what it should. We've ended up with a war between the two, because we have no knowledge of who we really are in Him.
We must be in God's Word on a daily basis, because that is the only thing that can correctly separate the soul, flesh, and spirit. When we listen to a man preach what he may think is God's Word, we must weigh it by our new creation spirit and then judged according to God's Word. If we don't know what God's Word actually says, then we have no way to judge what is being said. We must remember that, until we were born-again, our spirits were dead and our souls had been taught and trained by a fallen world. Your soul couldn't teach your brain or flesh how, to do anything it hadn't learned from the world.
We've have devised many things that don't pertain to our new creation man, because we haven't listened to the true Voice of God's Word. It's like believing in evolution and trying to walk in creationism. One belief mistakenly claims that you evolved from a lower animal form and that you still maintain animal instincts, while the Truth of God's Word says that God designed and formed us and that we can bring the animal instincts under the subjection of God's Word and His Spirit.
So, we've been trapped in this dual life-role, with no way of separating the two, other than God's Word. His Word can separate and divide the spirit, soul, and body, into their different ways of functioning in our lives. Our brain can only record the information we put into it and only what we allow to be put into it, because it has no mind of its own. Our soul can only receive truth from our spirit and then transfer it to the brain. Our body can only function in what the brain directs it to do. The flesh can only do what we have taught and allowed it to do. The body cannot go and do what it wants , without first receiving direction from the brain This is why a person who is brain dead and put on a ventilator to keep the body alive, cannot walk or talk or move their body.
There are people saying that we are to do this or that, and we know they're saying the correct thing. When we're born-again, we also know that some of the things we do, are wrong. We live in guilt and condemnation for our wrongdoings, but we still don't seem to have the victory we were given through Christ.
We find both the wrongdoing and the answer to bringing the body and soul, back under subjection to our new living spirit man in Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified) which says, "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective) it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and (the immortal) spirit, and the joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) natural man exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Remember, Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "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."
When we allow God's Word to enter into our spirit, it will "judge, analyze, and expose: the things we learned before we were born-again and reveal what it was we've learned before knowing Jesus as our Lord. It will show those thoughts and deeds to be "wrong" and will reveal the new thoughts and purposes of our heart (new creation man).
Change doesn't come, without having every person making this a priority in their individual lives. I know other Christians who do these things and stop the voice of the accuser of the brethren. Those who simply accept these things and don't at least attempt to put them away, are those who spend absolutely no time in God's Word. Or, they read it, but don't allow God's Spirit to show them "Truth and Spirit" by these words.
We hear God's Word from someone who doesn't have the Truth of it in their spirit, thus making them unable to minister the Truth of it, to your spirit either. We must read God's Word with a personal direction from the Holy Spirit and allow Him to reveal the Truth to us. We've allowed others to "chew" our food for us, so that we only need to swallow. There is no effort on our part to eat for ourselves. Only babies should require their food to be processed for them. We should grow some spiritual teeth and eat the "Strong Meat of the Word" for ourselves.
Nothing in the life of the new creation, can replace seeking the Spirit and Truth of God's Word for himself. We are each required to seek God on our own. When you attend church, then you should bring your own Bible, in order to read along and learn the Word. Then, you do not need to take the word of someone else, because you will have firsthand knowledge of what the Word says. This isn't meant to have something to argue over, but to have Truth and Life from the Spirit of God feeding your spirit.
Simply reading the Words from natural intellect, doesn't always feed your spirit. We must meditate on what the Spirit meant when He proclaimed the Word and then, draw strength and Life from the Meat of the Word and process it into our spirit. It's better to read one chapter of scripture, meditate on it throughout the day and then allow the Holy Spirit to speak this Truth into your spirit, than it is to read ten chapters just to fulfill your "Godly duty to read His Word." It doesn't matter how many chapters are read, but how much Truth and Life are gleaned from what it read.
Many times, we pray the problem (as if God doesn't already know the problem) at prayer time. God doesn't need us to tell Him the problem, He needs us to stand united with His Word in the answer to the problem. After all, God's Word tells us that, "God watches over His Word to perform it"---not my words. When my words are His Words, He can bring it to pass by our faith in His Word. Thankfully, God doesn't bring "all words" to pass in our lives or most of us would be dead (and have taken many others with us). Read Matthew 12:33-37 (Amplified where Jesus tells where the good things and evil things come from in our lives. People who foolishly say, "God put these things on you," wouldn't say that if they read these Verses and learned that hard times come out of their own hearts and mouths.
We are a new creation, we come from a new Kingdom and we are required to speak the language of this New Kingdom and our King, instead of the old words of the enemy's fallen kingdom and the words he taught us, in order to keep us in bondage. God's Words are Spirit and Life; speak them. The Word tells us that, "From the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks." We must put the Word of God into our hearts in abundance.
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