Lesson 181 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you think I am," in Matthew 16:16-19 (Amplified) where, "Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ (the Son of the Living God). Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate) and to be envied are you, Simon Barjonah. For flesh and blood, men, have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter (Greek-"Petros"-"a large piece of rock") and on this rock, (Greek-"Petros"-"a huge rock like Gilbraltar"), I will build My Church, and the gates of hades (the powers of the infernal regions, shall not overpower it (or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it). I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful on earth), must be what is already bound in Heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful on earth) must be what is already loosed in Heaven."
     Jesus didn't say that Peter was "the foundation or rock," that He would build His Church on, but He revealed the knowledge of God.  God was the One Who gave the Revelation, that Jesus was the Son of God.  This Revelation knowledge is the Keys of the Kingdom.  Jesus confirms this in Matthew 18:20 (Amplified) saying, "For wherever two or three are gathered together, drawn together as My followers in (into) My Name; There I Am in the midst of them."
     These Keys of the Kingdom, open every and all the doors of the Kingdom.  Jesus didn't say "the Key to the Kingdom, which would open the door to the Kingdom," but He said, "the Keys of the Kingdom which opens all the doors or secret places in the Kingdom."  Jesus Himself is the "Door," according to John 10:9 (Amplified) where He said, "I Am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out freely and find pasture."
     "Coming in and going out," indicates our seeing the different places of the Kingdom.  By faith in Jesus, we have Revelation of the entire Kingdom and not just the foyer.  Many have entered in, but have simply stood just inside the door or the foyer, never seeking out what the other Keys of Revelation offer God's children.  Many have never dared to come to the Throne of Grace, fearing they didn't belong.  The Keys of Revelation unlock the other Graces that God offers to us.  Jesus didn't only give the key to the front door, but He gave the Keys to every door in the Kingdom.
     The Keys of Revelation are where the Mysteries and Secret things of God, have been hidden for us and not from us.  They are ours, by the Door Himself.  There is the Revelation of the Door to Redemption, which many have failed to open.  There is the Door of the Blessing, that remains unopened to many, even though it belongs to them.  These Revelations of the Kingdom, are things that Jesus (the Door), gave His Life for us to have.
     We're approaching the Day we've set aside as "Resurrection Sunday."  Without this Day, the birth of Jesus would have meant nothing to Christianity.  It was only by His Resurrection, that made the Promises and Truth a reality in this entire universe.  This is the Day that sets our God, apart from all the other gods, that others worship.  Jesus' rising from the dead has done away with all other religions of the world and has brought something religion couldn't do.  His Resurrection brought Life to the dead and a family to God, in Him.
     Many have come to the cross and received the Keys of the Kingdom, but haven't gone beyond the cross into the Kingdom that has now been opened to them.  Beyond the cross is where we Live and at the cross, is where we died.  To Live in God by the Blood of Christ, is entering into the Kingdom and God's Throne Room.  It's receiving our places as His ambassadors, to be sent by our King into the world.  This is our assignment, from our King.
     God has anointed us, by His Spirit and has given the Keys of Life and Blessing, so we can present the Kingdom to the world.  We must understand that these Keys, give us insight into "binding and loosing" on this earthly kingdom.  Our King has equipped us as His ambassadors, with the ability to bind everything on this earth, that is bound or unlawful in Heaven.  We have the authority to loose or declare, whatever is declared lawful in Heaven, too.
     Do you think that sickness or disease are lawful in the Kingdom?  If it's not lawful there, then it shouldn't be lawful here.  We've been given this Key, to bind sickness and disease here, just like Jesus did with the Keys of the Kingdom.  Jesus sent His disciples in Luke 10 to the homes of the city.  He directed them as Ambassadors or servants of His Authority, to "Set free and heal in every house they entered."  Jesus could do this, because He knew the Power of what was lawful or unlawful in the Kingdom.  If it was unlawful in the Kingdom, Jesus declared the right to not allow it to function here, as One sent from Heaven.
     We've been unsure in our salvation, as what is lawful or unlawful in the Kingdom, so the Keys don't always work in the lock and Revelation is still not Light in our spirits.  Most Christians would and could, walk in these things, if we only knew it was "the will of the Kingdom, from which we're sent."  We don't operate, because we don't know what God's will is.  The Keys of Revelation open the Doors, to knowing what God's will is for both here and in Heaven.
     We certainly don't think they are sick and diseased people in Heaven, who remain like that for eternity.  Do we?  How could we believe it's God will for them here then, after Jesus has come and returned to God's Kingdom?  Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 (Amplified), "All authority, all power of rule, in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. God then and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the Name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I Am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the very close of and consummation of the age, Amen (So let it be)."
     Don't get hung up on Baptism and dogma and religion.  Jesus has been given a Name which is above every name.  This Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has been condensed into One Name, and that Name is "Jesus."  People aren't saved, in the Name of the Holy Spirit and they're not saved in the Name of the Father.  Acts 4:12 (Amplified) says, "There is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."  When we're in Christ Jesus, we're in the Father and the Holy Spirit.  We sometimes "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel," with our ideas, instead of using the Keys of Revelation.  Didn't Jesus say, "ALL power and authority has been given in Me, both in Heaven and earth?"
     This Resurrection Sunday, let's stay in Him and His Power of Truth and Grace.  Let's allow Him to open God's good treasure to us, with Keys of Revelation.
     "Maranatha, even so quickly come, Lord Jesus."  Happy Easter, Cowboy Jim

Lesson 180 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     In John 3:5-6 (Amplified) Jesus says,"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and even the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the Kingdom of God. What is born from the flesh is flesh (of the physical is physical); and what is born of the Spirit is spirit."
     One must be born of the physical, in order to become physical and must be born of the Spirit, in order to become spirit.  We've had a difficult time accepting the Truth that we are Spirit beings, in God's Own Image.  Many Christians put off the spirit part, for when they get to Heaven.  We've had a difficult time distinguishing the difference between becoming a spirit and actually being a spirit.  We continue seeing ourselves as more flesh than spirit.  You don't have a spirit.  YOU ARE A SPIRIT.  Your spirit is what and is, in God's Image.  Your body isn't made in His Image.  Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)."  
     God's Word tells us that Jesus came in the likeness of men (in the flesh), but His Spirit was in the Image of God, to the place where Jesus said, "It is the Father in Me Who does the work."  If it was true that our flesh is in God's Image, then how would God look?  Would He be brown, black, yellow, red or white?  Would He a man or a woman, short or tall, fat or thin?  Your flesh isn't in His Image, but your spirit is.  We try making our body in His Image and fail by our own efforts.  Your spirit is to control your flesh and not the other way around.
     We've all probably what Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified), but haven't understood it.  Thus, he writes, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a purely human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). No, even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now we have such knowledge of Him that we know Him no longer in terms of the flesh. Therefore, if any person is ingrafted in Christ (the Messiah), he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away. Behold! the fresh and new has come."
     Paul says that we know Jesus in such a way, that "we no longer know Him after His flesh."  This is unthinkable to many of us, because we still see Jesus as the Man from Bethlehem and Mary's Son.  Jesus has put aside His mortal Body and is now clothed in His Heavenly Body, in the very Kingdom of God.  He has a Body, but it's unlike the one that died and was buried.  It's now Glorified and no longer subject to death.  His Own Spirit is now the Life Source of His Glorified Body.
     This is how we will be, when we leave this earth.  We will have a body, but it will no longer be subject to the physical, but the spirit.  You are a spirit!  You won't "become a spirit," but you NOW ARE A SPIRIT.  The reason it's so important we're in God's Word on a daily basis, is because God now deals with us as Spirit family.  He doesn't correct and discipline our body, but our spirit.
     God doesn't train your body, but your spirit.  When your spirit yields to Him and receives correction, then it will train your body to walk not in the fleshly appetites of the world.  Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver), the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
     We've tried speaking life, to a dead flesh, hoping it will respond to Spiritual things.  Jesus said that, "The flesh conveys no benefit whatever, there is no profit in it."  The flesh was crucified and died with Jesus on the cross, it is dead.  Your spirit was made alive on the other side of the cross, at Jesus' resurrection.  God now deals with Spiritual people on a Spiritual scale.
     The struggle with our flesh is overcome by the Life of our new creation spirit, as children of God.  When the spirit is made strong by God's Word (which is Spirit and Life), the flesh will line-up with your spirit.  If we don't understand and read the Truth about who we really are, then our flesh will dominate us and continue in it's old ways.  Even though it's dead unto God, it will continue it's old ways out of habit and take your spirit with it.
     Your body is only clothing for your spirit.  Its the vehicle that takes your spirit from place to place.  You drive the vehicle, the vehicle doesn't drive you.  We don't stay on this earth without a body.  That's how we function here on earth.  When we leave this earth, then our body stops functioning.  Our spirit is now the only life your body has, in order to operate in this earth.  It's important to God, only as a means of delivering Him to world.  We can't lay hands on the sick, preach the Gospel, cast out demons, or feed the poor and hungry, without a body.  God needs your body to be strong and well, so that we can be ambassadors of His Kingdom, to the world.
     We're Spiritual children of God and we're to allow His Word (which is Spirit and Life), to feed our spirit with the strength of His Word and the Power of His Might, so we can do His work.  If God made you sick or disabled in your body, then He would be hindering Himself from doing what He left us here to do.  Paul said, "We're no longer to be seen anymore after the flesh and by the natural man only, but by the spirit."
     Jesus gives "The Parable of the Sower, in Mark 4, telling us that God's Word is Seed.  1Peter 2:2 (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."  So, we know that God's Word, which is the Seed Jesus spoke about, is ever living and lasting.  The King James Version calls it, "The incorruptible Seed."  God's Word is Seed and our spirits are the soil for the Seed to produce in.  It's important that we don' see ourselves after the flesh any longer, like Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:16-17.
     So long as we see ourselves after the flesh our hearts aren't tilled to receive this Seed (Word) and bring forth the harvest, into the Spirit Kingdom.  Jesus says in Mark 4:14-15 (Amplified), "The sower sows the Word. The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown in their hearts, but when they hear, satan comes at once and by force takes away the Message which is sown in them."
     The soil must be prepared to receive the Seed.  No one plants seed along the path, where people have continuously walked.  The path's soil is hard-packed and seed will not take root in hard-packed soil.  The first thing a farmer does in the spring, is prepare the soil.  He turns it over, in order to kill any weeds and then he discs it to smooth out any hard places.  Then the farmer harrows it to make it smooth and plants the seeds.  After the seed is sown, he will cultivate between the rows, to discourage any weeds from growing and killing his harvest.  After the crops have matured, he will go in and harvest the crop.
     Many have tried sowing seed on the path, where people have walked for centuries.  Most of them have never had a crop sprout up, because the path is hard-packed soil.  The Seed (God's Word) has been sown on the path that religion has walked and trampled hard.  In order to bring forth a harvest, we must first allow the Holy Spirit to prepare our heart to receive the Seed.  Jesus told us that, "You can't put new wine in an old wine skin, because it will break the old wine skin and spill the new wine, so that both are lost."  For anyone who has made homemade wine, you know that it builds a gas that must be allowed to expand.  Many put a balloon over the top, to allow it to breath and the gas to expand.  Then, it will settle down into the container without breaking it, but it must have room to expand first.  If you make new wine or allow your spirit to receive the Word (Seed) or if you don't prepare your heart and stay by the path of hard-packed soil, then you'll lose the new wine and break the wine skin.
     We can't walk the same path and stifle the Seed by putting it on hard-packed soil, because the enemy will take the Seed from you by force and you'll lose it all.  We must keep our hearts pliable to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to til the soil of our hearts.  Many have heard the Word or received the Seed in our hearts.  We received it gladly at first, but then we stayed by the path or hard-packed soil of tradition and now we don't accept the Truth of God's Word.  Many have been talked out of what the Seed would've produced years ago, because we didn't til the soil.  Tradition took over the garden and now only weeds of man's ideas grow there.
     2Timothy 2:5-6 (Amplified) says, "If anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down). It is the hard working farmer who labors to produce, who must be the first partaker of the fruits."
     No one can receive the crown from a marathon race, unless he/she stays on the lawful course.  One can't cut across the field and place first, but must stay on the track.  We can't make the Word work like it's supposed to, unless we do it the prescribed way.  The farmer who works to keep his crops secure, won't only raise a good crop, but will be the first to partake of and enjoy the fruits of his labor.  If we do it God's way, then we won't only receive the crown, but we'll also enjoy the fruit the Seed produces in our lives.  Just because tradition says, "It won't work," doesn't mean the Seed has become corrupt.  We must continue sowing and caring for the Seed, in order to walk in the fruit of it, like God's Word says.
     Some have tried eating and enjoying fruit, from a crop they didn't plant.  America's hardworking family farms are being phased out and we're becoming dependent o the grocery store, for our food.  Without the farmer, we'll go hungry.  In today's Church, we see people who run from one place to another, partaking of what other farmers have sown and reaped, instead of sowing for ourselves.  We go from meeting to meeting, seeking men and women of God and the harvest of their labors.  The hungry are still out there and most of them are still on the path, with it's hard-packed soil.  This soil is hard-packed from the many feet and years of an unproductive tradition.
      You're the only one who can determine your heart and know whether the Seed will grow there.  You can turn a deaf ear or blind eye, deciding you don't need the Seed of God's Word.  You can remain dependent on some other "farmer" to supply fruit for you or you can prepare your heart to hear and allow the Seed to produce in your life.  The Year of Understanding has come to all who will allow their hearts to be pliable and receptive to the Seed of God's Word.  Just because the Seed is sown or broadcast, doesn't mean it will produce where it has no place to take root.
     Jesus described four different types of soil or people's hearts in His Parable.  Only one kind of soil produced and even then it was limited.  Some heard the Word and got excited about it, but then after awhile, they went back to the pathway they had always walked, which choked out the harvest.  I've heard some say, "You mean we have to go back to watching what we say?"  I answer, "You should never have stopped watching what you say."
     They ask, "You mean I have to go back to praying in tongues?"  Why would you ever stop praying in tongues?  We forget what the rules of the competition are and what we're to play by.  We start taking shortcuts to get a harvest, but no farmer ever receives a harvest, unless he plants seed.  When was the last time you spent time in God's Word, learning and growing?  Or, are you satisfied with where you are?  Speaking God's Word forth from only memory won't feed your own spirit, anymore than the memory of a steak will feed your body.  This is why Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day, our daily bread."  We need to feed on God's Word daily.
     The manna God sent those in the Wilderness, was only good for one day at a time. Each day, the people had to seek God for provision and food.  God wasn't trying those in the Wilderness, they were trying and limiting Him.  They tried competing by their rules, instead of just complying with the rules laid down.  This is an individual walk with the Master.  It's not based on how everyone else is doing, but how you are doing.  Others might be satisfied with someone else's fruit, but I want to grow my own fruit and be able to feed the hungry from God's abundance.

Lesson 179 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ." 
     Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the Throne of Grace (the Throne of God's unmerited favor) that we may receive mercy for our failures and find Grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help coming just when we need it)."
     Faith in Jesus activates Grace for our needs, as well as the needs of others.  Grace has made it possible by faith, to actually be in the Presence of our Heavenly Father.  We don't appropriate the Grace that came through Jesus, like we should.  God's Grace will allow us to actually know our Father, on a one on One basis.  I can talk to Him, learn from Him, be directed by Him and learn to love Him, as the One Who Love me enough to die for me.
     Many feel that learning to walk with Him, by His Word and His Spirit, is "bondage."  Many believe it's "bondage," for us to watch what we say, read His Word and fellowship with Him, pray and listen to His Spirit.  If you're doing all these things because "you have too," then it is bondage and only religious ritual.  These aren't things we have to do, but things we're privileged to do.  It's a privilege to come into God's Throne Room by Grace and learn in His Presence.  It's a privilege to pray and work together with Him, concerning the things of my own life and the lives of others, including our nation and world.  It's a privilege to understand the Father's heart and carry out His Plan for mankind.  This is Grace.
     We've forgotten the privilege we have through Grace and have lost our own identity to religious rituals and teachings.  When someone is told to do certain things, in order to be right with God, then it becomes bondage, because it's not done from a right heart and motive.  Prayer is the greatest privilege mankind has ever received.  The ability to stand in His Presence, by the Blood bought privilege of being righteous in His Presence and conversing with Him Face-to-face, is the greatest thing salvation has provided us.  When you were born-again, you became His family and He became your Father.  This isn't something we believe when reciting "The Lord's Prayer," but it's a Truth that only those who know Him can be privileged with.  I can come to God at any time and all the time and He will always take the time to hear me, talk with me, instruct me, and fellowship with me.  Prayer isn't always done in time of need, but in the privilege of knowing Him.
     You already have favor with Him, without having to earn it, BECAUSE OF JESUS.  How much time do you spend in His Word, learning from and getting to know Him?  Is it something you "have to do?"  The Law was established, because it was the only way God could keep the people in a place of being able to Bless them.  Under Grace, we shouldn't need any laws, in order to make us spend time with Him.  It should be a privilege for us to do so.
     Many believe it's bondage to learn how to walk with the Father.  Many believe any sermon or teaching that goes beyond fifteen minutes, is bondage.  The Law was placed on the old covenant people, to make them walk in a place where God can Bless them, because very few of them would simply trust Him and lean on Him.  We've viewed the Spirit Realm as being "Casper the Ghost's world."  The Realm of the Spirit, God's Kingdom, is the most orderly Realm known to anyone, here or there.  There are Spiritual Laws that govern God's Kingdom, are much more sure than the laws governing earth.  When we seek God and His Kingdom, we learn the Spiritual Laws that govern and faith is no longer like playing the Lottery, hoping we can win.
     By faith, accept Grace.  By Grace, accept your place in God's Kingdom and by being in the family, accept your inheritance.  By accepting your inheritance, accept the Truth that you have been favored and are God's Own child and walk with Him on this earth.  We didn't become righteous, because we were good.  We were made righteous, because He is good.  We didn't earn favor, but we were granted favor, because of Grace that we didn't deserve.  We've been trying to achieve these things after we're born-again, but they're already ours to enjoy, when they're received by faith in Jesus.
     How can we not want to learn how to please and love a Father, Who has done so much for us?  How can it be a bondage, to have to want to learn how to return His Love?  Most of us don't even know Him.  Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth (reality)."  Is God real to you?  Does He talk with you, guide you, live not only in you, but with you?  Is He Lord in your home, at your job, in your school and your daily life?  Do you love to spend time with Him, in your daily life?  Or, do you just spend Sundays with Him?
     Many have told me, "It's hard to walk with God and be a Christian" and to those who only know religion instead of reality, that might be.  Walking with God has been the easiest thing I've ever done, in my entire life.  If I don't know something, then I ask Him and He tells me the answer.  If I need Wisdom, then He guides me.  He keeps me from all harm, by His Word and His Spirit.  I was driving to Watertown, when I approached the single traffic light in Limerick.  The light was green, but God told me to "Stop."  Jesus asked His followers, "Why do you call Me Lord and not do what I say?"  So, because He is my Lord and I try to do what He says, I stopped.  A vehicle didn't stop, when approaching the light, from the perpendicular side of the highway.  I recognized God's Voice and listened to His commands, which saved my life and perhaps the life/lives of those in the other car.
     Some might think it sounds extreme, to actually walk in these things, but God thinks this is how His children walk with their Father.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His Righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."  We don't change God's Word, to meet our lives.  We change our lives, to meet His Word.  We spend most of our Christian walk, trying to stay out of sin and doing right.  I've found that when I spend time in His way of doing and being right, sin no longer has dominion over me and I can keep my mind and heart on Him.
     Don't spend time fellow-shipping with the world, trying to win them over.  They're not impressed with our being nice to them, they need to see God manifested in our lives.  They're not impressed when we lower the standards of God's Word, that's not what they're looking for.  Before being saved, I believed the only difference between Christians and me, was that they went to Church and I stayed home nursing a hangover.  I didn't really see much difference between them and myself.  When I was born-again, I saw God as He is and not how they portrayed Him to be.
     I didn't find a hard and stern God, but a kind, patient, loving Father, Who was eager to teach me His ways, so I could walk closer with Him.  Most men dream of having a son he can teach and watch grow into a man.  I wanted a son, I could teach to ride horses, hunt, fish and camp out.  I wanted a son who respected his elders and was a good man.  I wanted to raise him right, so he could grow into a father, who was able to teach his children the right things.  I didn't just dream of a son, but I wanted a son who was obedient and who would follow me out of love and respect, and not fear.  Isaiah 54:9 (Amplified) says, "For this shall be like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My Love and Kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My Covenant of Peace and Completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you."
     The Lord spoke to me earlier this year, saying this was to be "The Year of Understanding."  I was initially confused, but then He began showing me how He spoke to us many times, but we had no understanding of His Word.  He was preventing hardship and calamity from befalling us, but many times He was stopped from doing so, because we believed, "That's how God is teaching me."  The hardship and calamity came, when we wouldn't turn and obey, at His reproof.  I then began understanding where we've invented excuses for the calamity and hardship in our lives.
     Proverbs 17:10 (Amplified) says, "A reproof enters deeper into a man of understanding, than a hundred lashes into a self-confident fool."  2Timothy 3:16-17 (Amplified) explains, saying, "Every scripture is God-breathed (given by His Inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and training for righteousness, in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
     We can only be what God calls us to be, by understanding His Word.  God is Spirit, God's Word is Spirit, and we are spirit.  The only way to teach and understand Spiritual things, is by Spiritual matters.  Your body can't train your spirit, only the spirit trains the body.  Abstaining from fleshly things and bringing our bodies into line, will not work when our spirits aren't strong and in charge, because of God's Word.  When trials comes, our body will return to its old ways, if we don't strengthen our spirit by His Word.  This is why so many Christians lose fire after awhile and become carnal again.
     The Holy Ghost and Fire will keep us seeking God.  If we don't understand His Word, then the Fire goes out, frustration sets in, and we go back to the carnal way of thinking.  We say, "It must not be for everyone" or "This must be God's will for me."  We're only educating our senses without Revelation, when we read God's Word without understanding.  Jesus told us that, "The Words I speak unto you are Spirit and Life."
     Your intellect (head) might be able to read the Word, but it cannot bring Revelation of the Spiritual reality it holds.  God directed Joshua to, "Meditate on My Word day and night."  He was transferring Spiritual understanding, beyond his intellect and building faith on what he was meditating on.  God say that, "He would make his ways prosperous and he would have great success."  All of them heard the Word, but only a few of those in the Wilderness understood.  The Word guides our lives and gives success.
     We must not rely on someone else to seek God for us.  We have the privilege of entering into God's Presence for ourselves.  We need teachers in our lives, but every good teacher will say, "Don't take my word for it, go to the original source for yourself."  Teachers instructed me how to do something, and then left it to me to do.  A teacher doesn't do the work for us, but shows us how to do it.  Studying is left to every individual.  Listen and seek for yourself, what God is saying to you.
     Grace gives us the opportunity to come into His Presence for ourselves.  Don't neglect God's Throne of Grace for understanding, but go as often as you need and stay there, if you must.  The most important things on this planet for you, is God's Word.  It's Life to you, it's health and healing to all your flesh, it is correction and obedience, and it's the Father speaking to you as His child.  Don't deny Him the instruction of a Father, by doing it your way.  Do it His way.

Lesson 178 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself thus testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are His Heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His Glory."
       We've been taught that sharing in His suffering, means being sick and diseased.  Jesus bore all of that for us, so we don't have to.  What then did "His suffering" include?  Jesus took a stand against the traditional way things were done and brought forth the Blessing instead of the Curse, so those in charge came against Him.  Jesus never suffered anything by the hand of God, except when He did it for us.  Jesus's suffering was brought about by His Own people.
     You will suffer persecution in this age or any other age, when you step out in your walk with God.  The last thing the enemy wants is another Jesus, Paul or Peter on his hands.  Jesus didn't come just simply preaching and teaching the Blessing, but He actually walked in the Blessing.  Jesus demonstrated what God had said all along, by His actions.  Those who were raised and taught at that time, were astonished at the Words of Grace that Jesus taught.
     Those who walked under the burden of traditional teachings, began to see the Light in Acts 4:16-17 (Amplified), "Saying, What are we to do with these men? For that an extraordinary miracle has been perform by (through) them, is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. 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 anymore to anyone in this Name or about this Person [Jesus]."
     Most Christians aren't experiencing this type of suffering.  Most Christians are still on good terms with religious customs and teachings.  We have all been Blessed with all the same Blessings of Grace, favor, and Gifts.  We are all fellow joint-heirs with Jesus and we're all children of God.  Touting traditions, we've denied these things as "Not being for everyone today," excusing ourselves from seeking or receiving from Grace.  These things don't come upon you, just because you're a Christian.  In order to receive the Blessing that is already yours. you must believe in it.  We've seemingly accepted and put faith in everything, except God's Word.
     We can only know and understand His Truth, by His Word.  John 1:17 tells us that, "Jesus came with Grace and Truth.  Sadly, much of what we hear today, is not Truth, but are traditional and religious teachings that stop us from going into Truth.  Many Christians believe that we don't need to walk according to and live by, God's Word.  Most Christian churches aren't teaching God's children how to walk in the Blessing and refuse the Curse.  Redemption is just a word, like any other word, to many.
     Jesus spoke about sowing and reaping in the Gospels.  He taught that God's Word is Seed and the hearts or spirits of the people, is soil, in Mark 4.  Many have had the seed sown that should have been received and have reaped a harvest that God never intended.  Seed doesn't care why you plant it, it just grows.  Soil has no way of determining whether you truly want to grow the seed you planted or not.  It just grows the seed.
     Many of us have not only sown, but have allowed others to sow seeds we didn't want, into the soil of our spirit, which produced an unwanted harvest.  Some haven't sown at all and then wondered why they didn't receive a harvest, like other have.  Then they say, "It must not be God's will for me to have it."  It's difficult to reap the Blessing, when we continually sow seeds of the Curse.  We don't take the time and make the effort to listen and learn God's Word and instead decide it's unnecessary to do these things as Christians.
     Being a farmer, doesn't mean you'll have a crop.  Holding a bag of seed, doesn't lead to a harvest.  You must plant and watch over that seed, in order to receive a harvest.  We've spoken such words that are in complete contrast to God's Word, that only Grace has kept us from reaping only misery.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 (Amplified), "For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced."  In other words, "The words believers speak will either bring God's Plan into play in our lives or the adversary will take the power of our words and use them against us."
     We've mostly looked at Spiritual things as being "Super-natural," and they are, however, we mostly think of Super-natural things as being the dumb things we're seeing advertised on TV or the web.  The Spiritual things of God aren't spooky, weird, or unknown, because god has made them known to us, by His Spirit.  It's not a matter of being unknown, but unlearned.  We steer away from the Super-natural, out of fear of the unknown.  We're much more aware of the Super-natural work of witchcraft and demonic forces, so we stay away from them.  The things God has for us in the Spirit or in the Super-natural, are so much higher than the spooky things that bring fear, so there's no need to fear.
     The adversary uses "things that go bump in the night," against the carnal minded people who have no understanding.  They are real, but by not understanding these things, we stay away from them in fear.  The Super-natural or Spiritual things of God, are where we're called to walk in and be raised up in.  We are a Super-natural people, born of a Super-natural Father and are governed by a Super-natural Word.
     God isn't a natural Man.  His ways are Spirit and Truth.  Much of what we see around us, isn't Truth, but a traditional pretext of Truth.  Many believers view those who live by faith in God and His Word, as being "foolish."  We've come to depend on God's Grace for our lives and should, but Grace doesn't mean we live anyway we want and be alright with God.  Romans 5:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing) with God through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have the Peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have our access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this Grace, (state of God's favor) in which we firmly and safely stand. And let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God."
     We can rejoice, exalt, and enjoy the Glory of God, when we put faith in His Grace.  Grace, to me, means the ability to actually come into the Father's Presence at any time and talk with, learn from and fellowship with the God of all creation!  Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the Throne of Grace (the Throne of God's unmerited favor) that we may receive mercy for our failures and find Grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help coming just when we need it)."
       

Lesson 177 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) tells us, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     There are several different meanings given to the word "Grace," in the Bible and many have been misunderstand.  One of the greatest things of Grace is the provision by faith, into salvation.  Our faith in God's Grace has opened the door of salvation, to all who will believe and accept His offer to receive.  By faith, we can "come boldly to God's Throne of Grace, without the prescribed way and sacrifice under the old covenant Law, by faith in the Blood of Jesus," according to Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified).  By God's Grace, we are accepted and welcomed as God's children, before His Throne of Grace.
     When we need Grace and mercy for anything, it's always available at God's Throne.  We don't need to offer goats and bulls or depend on rituals if we sin, but now by Grace, we can come under the Blood of our Eternal Sacrifice Jesus and be accepted and receive Grace and mercy, for whatever we need.  There's never an unacceptable or unavailable time whereby those who put their trust and faith in Grace, cannot enter God's Throne of Grace.  We can come boldly to God's Throne of Grace, which is the Very Face and Presence of our Heavenly Father.  Others can intervene on our behalf as God's priesthood and we can expect God's Grace and mercy.
     Many of the Body of Christ have heard a "watered-down" version of the Gospel for centuries now, so they only expect Grace to happen when we leave this earth and go to Heaven.  This has resulted in the reducing of understanding of who our Heavenly Father has created us to be.  Most of our focus has been on sin and not Righteousness.  It is the Righteousness that teaches us how to walk above sin.
     We fight the sin nature that was in the old man, until we understand Righteousness we've been given through the Blood of Jesus Christ.  When we understand what our Lamb Jesus has truly done, we can "walk out from under the old Law of Sin and Death and into the new Law of the Spirit of Life, which is in Christ Jesus," according to Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified).  This is all by Grace and faith.
     It's been a long time, since the Church has actually determined that God's Word is our Source of Life and understanding.  We've spent more time in what we learned through tradition and religion, than in God's Word, in order to understand "God's way of doing and being right," like Jesus directed in Matthew 4:23.  We might hear and/or read Bible Verses, but then fail to understand what God is saying to us.
     Psalm 107:2 (Amplified) says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary."  Galatians 3:13 (Amplified) says, "Christ purchased our freedom, redeeming us from the Curse (doom) of the Law and its condemnation by Himself becoming a curse for us, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)."  How many people do you know who quote this, in the midst of adversity?
     We've just accepted the things under the Law that Christ redeemed us from, as being "God's will for us," when God says we should say, "Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary."  Who are we to "say so?"  To the adversary, the devil."  When he comes against us, we're to stand in God's Armor and boldly declare the redemption that Jesus bought for us!
     Many Christians have suffered at seeing their children taken into custody, by the adversary.  They're left feeling helpless and wonder why God allowed this to happen.  God has already sent a Redeemer to buy their children out of captivity.  His Own Sacrifice redeemed them and we're instructed to, "Declare as the redeemed of the Lord and stand by faith in Him, Let the redeemed of the Lord, SAY SO."
     We must stand for the Law of the Kingdom, which is the Law of the Spirit of Life, which is in Christ Jesus.  Every nation has laws that govern that nation.  There are lawbreakers in every nation too, who refuse to obey these laws, so the laws must be enforced.  God's family has Laws in the Spirit realm, that apply in our lives, so we can carry out His assignment.  If we don't enforce these Laws and "say so as the redeemed of the Lord," then the lawbreaker will continue to infringe on our liberty.
     Jesus took the time to "Say so" and enforce the Laws of the Kingdom.  We witnessed Jesus keeping the destroyer at bay, during His earthly ministry.  We've read God's Word, without saying so and applying that Word to our lives.  We read the Blessing, but don't appropriate it as being "real," in our lives.
     God's family isn't subject to the Curse, but the Blessing.  Until we actually begin standing up in full armor and "say so," the enemy doesn't care and the angels have nothing to enforce.  Psalm 103:19-20 (Amplified) says, "The Lord has established His Throne in the Heavens, and His Kingdom rules over all, Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise), the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the Voice of His Word."
     We are the family of God and are now the ones who "give voice to His Word."  This is one reason that the redeemed of the Lord are to "Say so."  If we don't give voice to God's Word or we speak contrary to it, then how can God's angels bring forth His rule from Heaven?  Jesus gave Voice to God's Word and it came alive in the earth.  God's Word has been here for thousands of years, but only the prophets gave voice to it.  Jesus never brought anything into "voice," but that which was already in God's Word.  When He did give voice to it, it became a Living command from God's Throne.
     Many Christians dismiss the teachings about the words of our mouths and watching watch we say,  David wrote in Psalm 39:1 (Amplified), "I said, I will take heed and guard my ways, that I may sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle while the wicked are before me."  Did you know that you can sin with your tongue?  I'm not talking about cussing, but about speaking contrary to the Voice of God's Word.  David writes this in Psalm 17:3-4 (Amplified), saying, "You have proved my heart; You have visited me int the night; You have tried me and find nothing, no evil purpose in me, I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress Concerning the works of me, by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent, the paths of the destroyer."
     God's Word speaks many times, about "the words we speak and the words we're not to speak."  These aren't found only in The Old Testament, but Jesus taught this in the Gospels.  We've just thought this wasn't important enough to obey.  Speaking to mountains, diseases, storms or dead people and life or death, is in the power of the tongue, according to Proverbs 18:21 (Amplified), which says, "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it, for death or Life."
     There are many teachings about the importance of words, in God's Handbook of Life, The Bible.  James 3:5-6,3-4 (Amplified) tells us, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is a world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of mans nature), being itself ignited by hell (gehenna)."
     The above scripture tells us that, "The whole body can be turned around, by words."  James writes in Verses 3-4, saying, "Turning a horse or a ship with a little rudder or a bit. How much more a body with a tongue that is unbridled?"  With all our getting, we must GET UNDERSTANDING and know that Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.  We find the Truth of this in Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified) which says, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and in your heart believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes and so is justified and declared righteous, and with the mouth he confesses his faith and confirms his salvation."
     Did we not go from death to Life, by what we believed and said, when we were saved?  If this is true for our salvation, then why wouldn't it be true for our preservation, while we're still on this earth?  God says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so."  We must stop saying what is under the Curse and holding back our own deliverance.  We must say what the Blessing says about us and allow "the angels to hearken to the Voice of God's Word," instead of the enemy and his words.  Your words hold power for either your good or your destruction.  Through the Holy Spirit, you can put a bridle on your mouth, for good.
     Mark 4:24 (Amplified) says, "And HE SAID to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear, will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you, and more besides will be given to you who hear."
     God will only measure to you, from the Truth you hear and speak.  The adversary will be the one who is measuring back to your words of foolishness, doubt, unbelief, sickness and depression that you speak.  Life and death are in the power of your tongue, and he who indulges it, will eat the fruit of it.  In 1Corinthians 3:1 (Amplified) Paul writes, "However Brethren, I could not talk to you as to Spiritual men, but as to non-spiritual men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates, as to mere infants in the new Life in Christ (unable to talk yet)."
    

Lesson 176 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     Wisdom has already come, through Jesus.  Understanding though, is something you acquire by reading God's Word and listening to the Voice of the Spirit.  We haven't lacked Wisdom, but our problem has been that we lack understanding about what Wisdom says.  1Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified) says, "But it is from Him that you have your Life in Christ Jesus, Whom God has made our Wisdom, from God, revealed to us a knowledge of the Divine Plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as our Righteousness, thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God, and our Consecration, making us pure and holy, and our Redemption, providing our Ransom from eternal penalty for sin."
     This is Wisdom through Christ Jesus and it has nothing to do with religion or denominational things.  We've lacked understanding of God's Word, so many still struggle with believing that through Jesus, we are Righteous in God's eyes.  Many try to "become righteous," because they lack clear understanding of what Jesus has done for them.  No one can become righteous.  We must accept righteousness by Grace, as a Gift of God's Sacrifice, according to 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified), which says, "For our sake He made Christ virtually to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become endued with (viewed as being in), and examples of the righteousness of God, what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His Goodness."
     2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) tells us, "For as many as are the Promises of God, they all find their Yes answer in Him, Christ. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it), to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency) to the Glory of God."  We read one of these "Yes Promises" to and for us, in Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified), which says, "But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition, is the heritage of the servants of the Lord is reproduce, this the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me, this is that which I impart to them as their justification, says the Lord."
     It's God's Own Righteousness that we've obtained by faith and Promise.  We can't improve on righteousness, because it's His Own Righteousness that we've obtained by Promise.  When we struggle to "become righteous," we miss out on being righteous and in right standing with the Father.  Our faith in prayer and everything concerning our Christian walk is hindered, because we hold back in our understanding.
     This isn't a blank check we use as an excuse to be foolish, but it's a signed check we use to enter into His Very Presence.  Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed by the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
     Paul wrote the above scripture, assuming we would have understanding concerning righteousness; the righteousness God ascribes."  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His Righteousness (His way of doing and being right)."  We've been given righteousness by our faith in Jesus and this is God's way of doing and being right or the Righteousness which God ascribes.  It's only our faith in Jesus and His finished work and our acceptance of His Righteousness are acceptable to the Father.  The harder you work and try to become righteous, the further you get from it, because we know that by ourselves and our own merit, we cannot be righteous.  This is why Paul says, "It's a Righteousness which God ascribes and is only revealed and springing from faith."
     We frustrate God's Grace and fail to enter into the place His Grace has provided for us, when we try to become righteous.  Don't remain at the cross.  This is where we died with Jesus, but we must go beyond the cross to where we were raised from the dead with Jesus.  We must take our place by faith in the righteousness or right standing that we have now with the Father, through Jesus.  This is understanding.
     It's only by faith that we can accept His Gift of Righteousness, through Jesus, like Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) invites, "Let us fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the Throne of Grace."  1John 5:14 (Amplified) says, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness, which we have in Him. We are sure that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His Own Plan), He listens to and hears us."  Our Righteousness, is His will and is according to His Own Plan, not ours.
     This might be the greatest hindrance to answered prayer and fellowship, in the Body of Christ today.  We know that in our own selves, we're not righteous, so our way of seeking His Righteousness is far from His will and God's Own Plan for us.  This is Grace and the only way to obtain it, is by faith in His will and Plan.
     Grace has made all of God's Promises to and for us, "Yes and Amen to His praise and Glory through Jesus."  If we try obtaining righteousness by our own works, then it's not by Grace but works.  This is why the Law isn't for the new creation child of God.  If works is the only way to obtain righteousness, then we're doomed.  Jesus admonished in Matthew 5:17 (Amplified), "Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo, but to complete and fulfill them."  The only way we obtain God's Promises and His Righteousness, is by faith in what Jesus has done when He fulfilled them.  We must simply receive them by God's Grace.
     Paul wrote about this in Hebrews 4:11 (Amplified), "Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that Rest of God  (to know and experience is for ourselves), that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience into which those in the Wilderness fell."  Those in the Wilderness refused to believe in God's Grace to deliver them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land and His Rest.  Many Christians today, have accepted God's deliverance out, but not into.  It's only be Grace that we can be delivered into God's Presence and Righteousness.  Our Righteousness is accepted only when we have faith in what Jesus has done for us.  Jesus said in John 14:6 (Amplified), "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."  This includes our right standing or our righteousness.
     This is truly an act of faith in God's Grace and no other way is His ascribed way or His Plan or His will.  This is why we labor to enter in, because we know that within ourselves, we're not righteous.  This is a battle between the carnal mind and the renewed mind.  Your carnal mind has been ruled by your senses and will not let you Rest in righteousness, so we must labor or work, at renewing our minds, according to Romans 12:2 (Amplified) which says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), fashioned after and adapted to its external (superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind, by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is that Good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Even the thing which is Good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you."  This is Grace and it must be contended for, by faith.
     Our lacking understanding makes us lack confidence in our prayers for the sick or receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  We know that we didn't deserve to have these things function through us.  This carnal mindset has held the new covenant child of God in bondage to the external, superficial customs of the unrenewed mind.  Learning to think as God has made you through Jesus, requires laboring in God's Word that overcomes the world's way of thinking.
     Don't be deceived into thinking that what Jesus did at His Resurrection, wasn't enough to make you a new creation.  If you're a new creation, then you have no past, otherwise you're not new, but you're simply done over.  "New creation" means exactly that, "NEW."  2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is ingrafted in Christ (the Messiah), he is a new creation (a new creature altogether), the old (previous moral and Spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold! the fresh and new HAS COME."
     We must understand what the Word is saying to us, in Wisdom and receive the Wisdom God has given us, through Jesus.  Remember, God says, "Therefore get understanding."  Grace is saying to us in 2Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified), "However, we posses 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 can't show forth God's Power, without His Righteousness being developed in us.  Jesus repeated this in John 5:19 (Amplified), saying, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His Own accord), but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way in His turn."
     Jesus totally depended on His Father, just like we must do.  Jesus had to walk the Law perfectly, in order to fulfill it, for us.  Jesus had to allow the Father to direct Him, by listening to the Holy Spirit.  We can never develop right standing with God, without listening to the Holy Spirit.  When we read God's Word without the Holy Spirit's giving us understanding, we establish man-made rules and not the Wisdom of God.
     Until we begin to depend on God's ascribed way of being Righteous, we will never truly walk in what our Father has for us.  We can sing and build bigger churches, without taking the Power of the Gospel to the world, like we should.  The Gospel was never to be without the signs and wonder of God's Presence following.  

Lesson 175 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all receive, all had a share and have all been supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) came through Jesus Christ."
     Why would God need to try and test us, when Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20,21 (Amplified), "It is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who Love me and gave Himself up for me."
     God's not trying to push you to the point of quitting and "returning to Egypt," but is believing with you, so you don't "Set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the Grace of God," in Verse 21.  We must never believe that the adversary can bring more on you, than faith in God's Grace cannot deliver you from.  If Goliath, a Jericho, the Red Sea or the things Pharaoh uses against you, then God has already prepared a way out and a safe place to land.
     Many of us, sadly never see God's deliverance, because we accept whatever comes as being His will for us.  God will isn't the one trying to kill you.  God is the One Who delivers you .  When sickness or calamity come against you, don't accept it as being God's will and your portion.  We're to "submit ourselves unto God, and resist the devil, and he will flee from you," according to James 4:7 (Amplified).  How do we know when to "be subject to God" or when to "resist the devil," if we don't know whether it's God or the devil resisting us?  We must come to the place where we trust in His Grace and where we can by faith, "be subject to God."
     We're called to submit ourselves unto God, but we must understand Who God is.  We've been double-minded about Who He is and have confused God with the adversary.  Even my kids know the difference between their own father and someone else's father.  Surely God's Own children should know Who the Father of Spirits is.  God contrast our earthly fathers who disciplined our earthly body and our Heavenly Father Who disciplines our spirit, in Hebrews 12:9.
     My earthly father spanked my backside, in order to correct me and my Heavenly Father, the Father of Spirits, corrects my spirit.  We know how our Heavenly Father, the Father of Spirits, deals with and corrects His Spiritual children, by reading 2Timothy 3:16 (Amplified), which says, "Every Scripture is God breathed, given by His Inspiration, and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin (for correction of error and discipline in obedience and for training in righteousness) in holy living (in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action) So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
     Why would a child of God want his Father to "make him sick," rather than submit to God's Word and be compete, proficient, well-fitted and equipped for every good work?'  We've substituted satan's lies for the truth of God's Word.  We've submitted to the devil, instead of submitting and being subject to God?  John 4:24 (Amplified) tells us, "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)."  God is a Spirit and His Word is Spirit.  Jesus says in John 6:63 (Amplified), "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) I speak to you are SPIRIT AND LIFE."  You are a spirit.  Romans 8:16,14-15 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself, thus testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God."  Verses 14-15 say, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For the Spirit which you have now received is  not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption (the Spirit producing son-ship), in the bliss of which we cry, Abba, Father, Father."
     If we're Spirit beings and have a Spirit Father, then wouldn't He correct, discipline and direct us by His Word, which is Spirit?  We've been taught and led to believe that God deals with us, like He did the Old Testament saints.  These men and women were sustained by the sacrifice of goats and bulls.  They weren't sons and daughters by the new birth, but were under Law.  They weren't born-again, but were carnal and dead in their spirit, through the first Adam.  We're born-again by and through the Spirit and the Word, by the Blood of our Lamb, the Last Adam, Jesus.
     God doesn't deal with us like he did with them, because we're family, who are led by the Spirit and not the flesh.  We're to receive instructions, discipline and correction from our Heavenly Father, by His God-breathed Word, which is Spirit.  We don't receive instructions discipline and correction from sickness, disease and torment.  Remember, "As many as are led by the Spirit are sons (or mature sons) of God."  This is how we make ourselves "subject to God.  This is how you resist the devil and he will flee from you.
     We submit and make ourselves subject to God's Word, so we have sufficient authority to resist the devil, and he WILL flee from us.  If your truly love God, then you don't a disease or a broken leg to convict you of something.  If you're in sin, then God's Word will convict, correct and deliver you back into Grace, if you receive it.  First though, you must read and understand God's Word, which is Spirit.  Your flesh doesn't care what God's Word says, because it's not subject to the spirit, according to Romans 8:7,6 (Amplified) which says, "That is because the mind of the flesh, with its carnal thoughts and purposes, is hostile to God, for it does not subject itself to God's Law, indeed it cannot."  If you wait for the flesh to correct you, then you'll never receive correction, because your flesh isn't subject to God's Word.  You'll keep following the flesh, until the flesh kills you.  Paul writes in Verse 6, "The mind of the flesh, which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit (or the Word( is death."  If we don't receive correction and discipline by the Word and the Spirit, then our flesh or carnal mind will deceive us into death.
     We're God's Own children and are to make ourselves subject to God, by His Word and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.  God never intended for the devil to guide, discipline or correct His children.  God intends for satan to keep his hands of us.  We don't know and can't distinguish our Father from our enemy.  Paul tells Timothy in 2Timothy 2:21 (Amplified), "So whoever cleanses himself from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contaminating and corrupting influences, will them himself be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."  He goes on in 2Timothy 3:17 (Amplified), "So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
     How was Timothy to cleanse himself to be a vessel used by God?  He was to receive the Word as being God breathed and then apply it to his life.  Hebrews 4:11 (Amplified) says, "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."  It takes labor, to enter into Rest."  This labor isn't by the works of the flesh.  Paul instructs Timothy in 2Timothy 2:15 (Amplified), "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved and tested by trial, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth."
     This is the labor we do, in order to enter into and experience God's Rest.  No one can do this for us, it's left up to each individual to do this.  It might seem easier to stay in Egypt, than it is to trust God in the Wilderness.  Many have decided that "God doesn't do these things any longer" and "We're supposed to put up with whatever comes."  Our fight is one of faith in the One Who has already fought the battle for us.  Our job is to "fight the good fight of faith."
     Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified) tells us, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending with only physical opponents), but against the despotisms, 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."  There are some believers who deny the devil's existence.  The don't believe satan is an outlaw spirit who opposes God and His children, at every turn.  This might be satan's greatest deception.  We can't fight him, if we don't believe he exists.  We deny satan is the master of darkness, sickness, disease and calamity.  We say instead that satan is God's way of punishing and correcting us.
     No one can convince you otherwise by simply saying so.  Everyone must come to his/her own conclusions.  Sitting back, without trying to understand this, might seem like an easy way out, but it always results with you can't trust the devil.  James says in James 1:3-4 (Amplified), "Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. but let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be a people perfectly and fully developed with no defects, lacking in nothing."
     So you say, "See Brother Jim, James tells us that trials and testing of our faith, will make us perfect and developed."  "No."  James tells us to remain steadfast in our faith, when trials and tests come.  He says that patience, consistency and endurance will strengthen you, during the trial or test.  The test didn't happen to make you strong, but to put you under.  How you endure the test, depends on you.  Others will say, "Surely God knew when He tried and tested me, what I would do."  That's a second mistake, according to James 1:13-16 (Amplified) which says, "Let no many say when he is tempted, he is tempted from God: for God is incapable of being tempted by what is evil and He Himself tempts no man. But every person is tempted when he is drawn away (enticed and baited) by his own evil desire (lust, passion). Then the evil desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured brings forth death. Do no be misled my beloved brethren."
     Jesus taught us to pray this in Matthew 6:13 (Amplified), "And lead (bring us), not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen."  If you follow God's Word in 2Timothy 3:16-17 and allow it to correct, convict, reproof, correct you of error and discipline you, then you will correct the enemy's lie about "God does this to teach you."  Submit yourself to God, then resist the devil, instead of accepting him.
     God has drawn the Battle Line in the sand, in many different ways and times, in His Word.  He has revealed Himself and He has revealed the enemy.  God has drawn the line and shown us which side He is on.  Jesus says in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief has come only in order to steal, to kill and to destroy. I have come that you may have and enjoy Life to the full (till it overflows)."
     Romans 8:2 (Amplified) says, "For the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus."  This is the Law of our new being, which is God.  He has freed me from the Law of Sin and of Death.  The Law of Sin and Death comes from the thief.  The Law of the Spirit of Life, which is in Christ Jesus comes from God.
     Luke 13:11-13 (Amplified) says, "And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon) of sickness. She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look forward. [THIS IS THE THIEF].  And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, Woman you are released from your infirmity. [THIS IS GOD. Then He laid His hands on her, and instantly she was made straight and recognized and thanked and praised God."  The crowd asks in Verse 16, "Ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom satan has kept bound for eighteen years, [THIS IS THE THIEF] be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"  [THIS IS GOD].
     It would seem relatively easy to spot the difference between God and the thief (satan), but it's apparently not easy for some.  It must heart the Father's heart, when He hears His Own children blaming Him for the heartache they're going through.  If my children spoke of me like God's children speaks of Him, then I would be devastated.  Even after God has done so much to deliver us from the enemy, we still accuse Him of doing what the enemy has been doing all along.
     Remember that we're admonished, "With all your getting, get understanding."  Without understanding, Wisdom has become carnal minded and religious in doing.  We're replaced God's thoughts with our thoughts and His way of doing, with our way of doing.  We must humble ourselves and ask, when we don't know what to do, according to James 1:5-8 (Amplified) which says, "If any of you is deficient in Wisdom, let him ask of the Giving God, Who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly (without reproaching or fault finding), and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks (this will be the understanding of Wisdom) with no wavering (no hesitation, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out to sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything that he asks for from the Lord. For being as he is, a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), he is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels or decides."
     This is where many believers are today.  We've been taught by carnal minds, customs and traditions, that it's difficult not to be double-minded when we hear something contrary to those things.  Our religious backgrounds have been established in our lives for so long, that it seems to be "unChristian" for us to even question.  This destroys our understanding, when we question the Wisdom from Above.  When God answers our prayer request for Wisdom, we become double-minded, asking "Was that really God," if God's answer opposes former teachings.  We lose the Wisdom of God's answer and fail to receive it.  It's not that God didn't give us Wisdom when we asked, but we didn't receive in our faith, because of being double-minded.
     James 1:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Every Good Gift and every Perfect (free, large, full) Gift is from Above; it comes down from the Father of All that gives Light in the shining of Whom there can be no variation, rising or setting or shadow cast by His turning (as in an eclipse). And it was of His Own free will that He gave us birth as sons by His Word of Truth so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created) to be consecrated to Himself."
     I don't know how much time the average Christian spends in God's Word, but it's probably not enough time.  We get so caught up in every day life that we seem to forget that God's Word is Spirit and Life.  It might seem like more trouble to do it God's way, because we will all meet Him in the end anyway.  This might be true, but I want to know God and serve Him in Spirit and in Truth, while I'm here on earth.  When we're so comfortable in the world and don't miss His Presence (except on Sundays), then we're not walking in His Plan for His family.
     Where is God in your home, your family, your thinking or fellowship with Him?  How much is God on your mind?  Would you hear Him, if He tells you to "Stop at the intersection," even though the light is green?  The reason for stopping, was that the man approaching wasn't going to stop.  Would you hear God or would we be having a funeral service and saying "God needed another angel, so He took him."  God doesn't need us to make excuses for Him.  He needs us to listen to His Voice and follow His Spirit.
  

Lesson 174 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     Many of God's children are still struggling to have God's Promises bring forth fruit in their lives.  We hear others testify about the things God is doing and about all the works He is moving in, secretly wishing that He would do this for us.  In order to have what they have, we must spend time in God's Word like they do.  We were lost and living in the Law of Sin and Death, before we heard the Word of salvation.  When the Seed of salvation was sown, we accepted and received the Seed in our hearts.
     Many Christians read their Bibles when they first get saved, but then they stop planting the Seed in their hearts.  Many become discouraged believing that, "It doesn't work for me," while others reap the joy of the harvest of salvation in their lives.  Others still have reaped the harvest of salvation, but have never allowed the Seed of other Promises of God to be sown.  Most of these "Grace and Truth" series, have begun with John 1:16-17 (Amplified) which says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law came through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."  This scripture tells us that "We have all received, all had a part and were all supplied with these things.  The Seed only works for those who sow it.  We have all received the same Seed package in God's Word, but only the Seed that enters into the soil of the heart, will produce a harvest in our lives.
     We stand in awe and wonder, when we hear about those who've been healed or delivered, but we don't take the time to understand the Seed that brought their harvest of Blessing.  Proverbs 4:22 (Amplified) says this about God's Words, "They are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."  God speaks about Wisdom or His Word in Proverbs 3:8 (Amplified) saying, "It (Wisdom) shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your lives."
     This scripture should offer hope and faith in God's Word, to anyone is suffering from disease and understanding the principal of the Seed.  Don't wait until wintertime, to sow your seed.  Plant it in the spring and time of planting.  Don't wait until you're diagnosed with some disease, before you sow Seeds of healing.  Plant the Seeds that bring Divine health now.  Many of us wait until we're sick and "need it," before we get serious about reading God's Word.  This isn't a religious thing to do, but it's a wise thing to do.  One doesn't wait until he needs a salad, before planting the tomato.
     We must learn to re-seed our own spirit, by staying rooted in God's Word.  Memorizing scripture isn't enough.  The memory of a steak, won't nourish your body.  We must actually eat a steak, in order to receive it's benefits.  Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:11 (Amplified), saying, "Give us this day our DAILY BREAD."  We must feed on God's Word daily, in order to receive the Spirit and Life into our spirit, that Jesus spoke of in John 6:63 (Amplified), where He said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver), the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths), that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
     Proverbs 7:4 (Amplified) instructs, "Say to skillful and Godly Wisdom, You are my sister, and regard understanding or insight as your intimate friend."  Proverbs 8:8-9 (Amplified) says, "All the Words of My Mouth are righteous, upright and in right standing with God; there is nothing contrary to Truth or crooked in them. They are all plain to him who understands and opens his heart, and right to those who find knowledge and live by it."
     Reading God's Word with understanding, is the key to walking in His Promises.  All of God's Promises are given by Grace and it's only by faith in Him, that we can receive and actually walk in His Grace.  Grace is always present and waiting for someone to believe and accept it.  God has already supplied every need we can have, by His Grace.  Healing was bought and paid for, before we were ever born.  It comes by God's Grace and is received by faith in that Grace.  Jesus was and still is, the Very Truth of Grace, according to John 1:17.  Grace and truth came through Jesus.  We have put our faith in His Grace, in order to receive salvation and forgiveness, but this Grace is Truth in all of the other areas of our lives too.
     Exodus 14:11-12 (Amplified) says, "And they said to Moses, is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the Wilderness? Why have you treated us this way and brought us out of Egypt? Did we not tell you in Egypt, Let us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the Wilderness."
     The Wilderness was where they actually had to trust in God and walk by faith in Him.  God had already made the way for them, but it was by faith, they had to trust in His Power and not their own.  God had no problem getting His people out of Egypt, but He had a problem getting Egypt out of His people.  It seemed easier for them to remain in the bondage of Egypt, rather than to trust in their deliverance.  Deliverance was in God's hands and not theirs.  The majority of God's people never saw the Promised Land that God had prepared for them, because they wouldn't believe and trust God.
     The Word tells us that they "limited the Holy One of Israel and refused to trust Him at His Word."  Only Joshua and Caleb dared to trust Him and that entire generation died in the Wilderness, like they declared would happen.  God never intended for us to stay in the Upper Room, but to take the Power of His Promise to those who are in captivity.  We cannot remain in the Upper Room, but must put faith in the Truth of God's Promises and set at liberty, those who are still bound.
     The miracle that occurred in the Upper Room, was displayed in the streets by the signs and wonders of God's Presence.  It's easier for us to stay in the Upper Room, because it's without conflict, but we must bring God's Presence into the streets.  We can't lead others to salvation, without teaching them to trust in God's Power and keep the rest of His Promises.  That's like having Egypt remaining in the people, after they were brought out.  We were born-again by trusting in God's ability to deliver His Promise of salvation.
     Like those in the Wilderness, we too, have limited the Holy One, by not believing the Promises God made to us through Jesus.  We've seen the mighty things God has done, like those He delivered out of Egypt did, but we hold back from trusting that He will finished what He started.  We are out of Egypt, but we still have most of our faith there.  We've allowed Egypt to tell us that "we can't be free from the plagues of the world," and then we murmur against God, like those in the Wilderness.  Jesus' disciples accused Him of "not caring if they died," when they entered a storm in the Sea of Galilee.  We forget that our faith in Him, is what moves His Grace towards us and does what Grace has Promised.  It was easy for the Israelites to watch God part the Red Sea and do many works on their behalf, because it didn't require anything from them.  It took faith on their part, to trust and believe God was able and would fulfill His Promises.
     The same Grace that brought them out of Egypt, was the same Grace that would have taken them into the Promised Land.  The deliverance came by Grace, but they had to put faith in that Grace, in order to follow God.  The cross was all by Grace and it was all by Him.  The same Grace that delivered us, is the same Grace we must now put our faith in, to take us through.  We didn't have to trust Him at the cross, He did this all by Grace before we were born.  We only had to trust in that Grace, to bring us out.  Now that we're "out of Egypt", we must place our faith in that same Grace, to take us into the Promised Land.
     We must trust in God's Grace while we're still in this Wilderness of our earthly walk.  The Grace that we trusted in for salvation, is the very same Grace that Promised healing, peace, righteousness, Truth, the Power of His Name, the deliverance from evil, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Blessing of Abraham, and the redemption from the Curse of the Law.  Psalm 107:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; for His mercy and loving kindness endures forever. Let he redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary."
     We've been quick to "say so," but not so quick to believe what we say.  We go through the same things that the enemy puts on those who are still under the Curse and just like those in the Wilderness, we blame our Deliverer for them.  I've heard so many of God's children say, "God is putting this hardship upon me, in order to teach me something or to test me."  I've heard too many Christians say, "These things must be God's will for me."  This is wisdom with no understanding.  We're wise enough to read God's Word, but we're still carnal enough that we don't understanding what He said in it.
     The people God brought out of Egypt weren't born-again and could only think carnally, but we don't have that excuse.  We choose to remain carnally minded.  Paul writes in Romans 5:1-5 (Amplified), "Therefore, Since we are justified, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God THROUGH FAITH, let us grasp the fact that we have the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy, peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) through Him we also have our access (entrance, introduction) BY FAITH into this GRACE (state of God's favor) in which we firmly and safely stand, and let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God. Moreover, let us also be full of joy now! let us exalt and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produces patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character, approved faith and tried integrity. And character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given us."
     Our faith doesn't grumble, when we see "there's no bread to eat," like those in the Wilderness did.  Our faith rejoices when we don't "see" it and trust God to deliver us, even when we can't see that deliverance.  When we can see everything, then we don't need faith.  When we fully trust in God's Grace to provide bread when we need it, our faith is truly in Him.  Paul says in the above scripture, that this kind of faith will "develop maturity of character, approved faith and tried integrity."
     It's easy to believe, when things are going good, but when adversity arises, do we still trust in God or do we accept the adversity and believe "it's God will for us?"  Do we still "say so," as the redeemed of the Lord or do we accept the adversary's pressures as being "God's will for us?"  This is a dilemma in our belief system, which tries to make us accept the trials of the adversary as being "God's testing our faith."  Paul writes in Galatians 2:20-21 (Amplified), "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust) in the Son of God, Who Loved me and gave Himself up for me. Therefore, I do not treat God's Gracious Gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose, I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the Grace (unmerited favor of God)."
     Paul was simply saying that, "Although things came up against him and troubles arose due to God's calling on him, he put his faith in the Grace God gave him, in order to deliver him from it."  Paul says, "Since it's actually Christ living through him, then why would God Himself try to oppose Him?"  Paul says, "It's no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."  If you're living through Jesus Himself, then why would God need to test the very faith He has given you, in order to walk with Him?  It is after all, the "God kind of faith."  He knows what His faith will do and so does your adversary, the devil.  "Standing strong in faith against the one who tries you," Paul says in Romans 5:4, "develops maturity of character and approved faith and tried integrity."
     Don't worry about the waters of the storm, because our Rock is Jesus and He will lead us beside still waters.

Lesson 173 GRACE AND TRUTH-GOD'S WILL

     John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth, came through Jesus Christ."
     Mankind has inhabited this earth for thousands of years, since God placed him/her in the Garden.  The Laws that we now understand, like the Law of Physics and Gravity, are the same Laws that existed since that time too, but we couldn't understand them at that time.  I'm certain that people of old, took falls and hit the ground, but never they were unaware the gravity caused them to fall.  When man understood this Law, he was aware of the truth that gravity was the force causing people to fall to the ground.
     Since that time, man has also become aware of so many Laws, like the Law of Lift and the Law of Thrust.  These discoveries have resulted in air travel and even space travel.  The Law of Gravity is still in effect, but other Laws supersede it.  We find the Law of Sin and Death in God's Word.  God's Word also tells us that the Law of the Spirit of Life, which is in Christ Jesus, supersedes this Law.  In Romans 8:2-3 (Amplified) Paul writes, "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."
     When we understand the new Law that is in Christ Jesus, we can understand what Paul goes onto write in Verse 3, saying, "For God has done what the Law could not do, its power being weakened by the flesh (the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit); Sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an Offering for sin, God condemned sin in the flesh (subdued, overcame, deprived it) of its power over all who accept that Sacrifice."
     We have been delivered from the Law of Sin and Death in Jesus, when we accept Him as our Sacrifice for sin.  This is like the Laws of Lift and Thrust, that overcome gravity.  Before having understanding, we were still earthbound.  Now, after understanding these Laws, we can travel across the planet and even to the International Space Station and beyond.  The men who discovered these Laws and worked to invent air travel, were laughed at and scorned.
      Today, those who've begun to understand the Laws of God's Kingdom are ridiculed, much of the time.  These Laws have always been there, but because we didn't understand these Laws, we've been "earthbound."  Christians have struggled under the Law of Sin and Death for two-thousand years.  We've lived under it's shadow, even after being born-again, even though Jesus set us free from that Law.
     We've lived like "mere men," according to Paul, because we haven't understood the Laws that operate God's Kingdom.  Many ridicule believers who would rise up on eagle's wings, calling us "fools" and "radical."  The Truth of God's Word that came through Jesus Christ, has been veiled by that same lies that have held us in captivity like before we were born-again.  These lies have kept us under the same guilt and condemnation, like before we were born-again.
     Jesus told the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4, where He liked God's Word as "Seed sown in our hearts."  If we don't sow a seed, then we won't receive a harvest.  Jesus said that some sowed the Word of God in their hearts and reaped a harvest that was greater than other's harvest..  The ones who didn't have the great harvest became discontent and believed those who received were in a "special place with God."  The Truth is though, they didn't reap a harvest, because they never sowed a seed.  One can't "wish he/she had a harvest like the one others have received," without sowing a seed.  Everything on this planet, begins with a seed.  We don't have babies, without a seed.  We don't have trees, without seeds.  We don't make the Laws of God work, by simply possessing a Bible.  We must have a relationship with the Lord and His Seed (His Word).  The person who plants a seed, reaps the harvest from that seed.
     We understand the Laws of Sowing and Reaping in the natural, but have failed to understand that it is also a Spiritual Law and principal from the Kingdom of God.  The more time we spend in God's Word, the more understanding we will receive.  The Seed of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus, must be sown into the soil of our spirit.  Simply reading the instructions found on the back of the package of cucumber seeds, won't bring cucumbers in our gardens.  They must be planted or sown, in the soil.  The soil of man, is the spirit of man and God's Word is the seed that "Will not return to Him void."  Don't just read the package label, but take the Seed and sow it in your heart.  Your heart (or spirit) knows what to do with the Seed.