One On One #7

     God made man in His Own Image and Likeness, so Adam was made like his Father. He was a spirit that is eternal and had an immortal body. Adam was never meant to die, either spiritually or physically. Rom.5:12(Amp) tells us, "Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death a result of sin, so death spread to all men (no one) being able to stop it or to escape its power because all men sinned." Most people believe that it's because of what we've done, that makes us sinners. We're sinners because of being born of Adam, who was the seed that produced all men after the fall in the Garden of Eden. Paul tells us in Rom 5:12, "So death spread to all men, (no one) being able to stop it or escape its power." 

     God tells us in Lev.17:11(Amp), "The life (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life (which it represents)."  Even though the spirit of man was still dead to God, the Blood of an Innocent Lamb would cover the sin of the spirit and give Life to his natural body. The life of the flesh is in the blood.

     The word "atonement," is not used when speaking of the Blood of Jesus, because His Blood didn't cover our sin, it remitted and and removed our sins. When we got saved, the Life that is the Blood of Jesus has extended life in our natural bodies. Gen.6:3(Amp) says, "The the Lord said, 'My Spirit will not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh, but his days shall yet be 120 years, but the life of the flesh is in the Blood." With more Revelation about the Blood of Jesus, we could truly understand that "By His stripes we are healed." The stripes Jesus endured also shed blood, along with the nails, beatings and crown of thorns.  

     His Spirit was separated from the Father, when Jesus died on the cross. God told Cain in Gen.4:10(Amp), "Your brother's blood calls out to me from the ground." The Blood of Jesus is crying out to and for us from the Mercy Seat in the Heavenly Holy of Holies and it continues to extend the life of our flesh today. Much of what we understand about the Blood of our Innocent Sacrifice Lamb and its Power in our lives in this world and in our natural bodies, relates to our physical healing. Jesus told His followers, "You are in this world, but not of this world." We still need to maintain our bodies, in order to do the work we were designed to do while in this world. The Blood of Jesus' flesh is still the Life of our flesh. It has destroyed the sin factor that caused death and disease. It also extends the natural body by its place on the Mercy Seat in Heaven.

     Sickness and disease are still here and are why many of us die. So long as they listened diligently to the Lord, we see no sign of sickness and disease in the Blessing of the Covenant found in Deut.28. In the latter part of the Blessing, we see how the people weren't obedient to listen diligently to the Lord and instead walked in their own understanding, the people were destroyed by sickness, disease and calamity of the Curse that was already here.

     Jesus said in Matt.15:6(Amp), "So for the sake of your tradition (rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God (depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect)." The people were still offering sacrifices, without believing what God had said. Their offerings were something they did as a religion and tradition, so their had no life in the blood. When we spend one on One time with God, we will better understand why Christians are still vulnerable to many things of this world. When we pray in the Spirit, we're speaking mysteries unto God and not to men. God will reveal mysteries to us, that will change how we see His Word. We might not live to 120 years, but we don't have to check out at 70 or 75 years. We must take the Life of the flesh that is in the Blood of Jesus and renew our minds by His Word and one on One fellowship with our Heavenly Father. 

One On One #6

     We've been learning about the importance of spending one-on-One time with the Lord and how we receive Revelation about our covenant when we're doing so. We've heard much about our covenant with God, which have caused division in the Church for centuries. When we're born again and have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have a covenant with Him which we know little about, other than we're going to Heaven when we die. This covenant isn't only the guarantee that we'll spend eternity in God's Presence when we die, but we'll live in His Presence while we're here on earth.

     We sing songs about "The Power of the Blood," without understanding what that means. Moses instructs the people in Exodus 12:23-24(Amp) saying, "For the Lord will pass through to slay the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood upon the lintel and the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your house to slay you. You shall observe this rite for an ordinance for you to your sons forever."

     Psalm 105:36-37(Amp) says, "He smote also the firstborn in their land (Egyptians), the beginning and chief substance of all their strength. He brought Israel forth also with silver and gold, and there was not one feeble among their tribes (Israelites)." There was a miracle service that night when those under the blood were healed and made whole. The Israelites had been slaves in captivity and bondage for over 400 years. Some were old, lame, sick and worn out, but there "was not one feeble among them."

     We find the explanation for this in Leviticus 17:11(Amp) which says, "For the Life (the animal, soul) in the Blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the Blood that makes atonement by reason of the Life which it represents." In Deut.4:10(Amp) God says to Moses and the people, "Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His Commandments, which I command your this day, that it may go well with you and your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the Land, which the Lord your God gives you forever."

     The Israelites observed the rite for an ordinance, but forgot what it was for and that the Life of the flesh is in the blood. The life of the flesh is in the blood, even in this natural realm. Whether it's blood cancer or lung cancer, it is carried by the blood. If one of our main arteries is cut and can't stop the bleeding, then we will bleed out and die. If one of our main arteries is blocked, then the blood can't flow and we could have a heart attack or die. Our natural life is in our blood. 

     Heb.9:12-14(Amp) says, "He (Jesus) went once for all into the Holy of Holies (in Heaven), not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves (by which to make reconciliation between God and man), but by His Own Blood, having found and secured a complete redemption (or everlasting release) for us. For if (the mere sprinkling of unholy and defiled person with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a burnt heifer is sufficient, for the purification of the body, How much more surely shall the Blood of Christ, Who by virtue of His Eternal Spirit (His Own pre-existent Divine Personality) has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify your consciences from dead works, and lifeless observances to serve the Living God."

     The Blood of Jesus wasn't shed for our spiritual life only, but for our healing because the life of the flesh is in the blood. 1John 1:7(Amp) says, "But if we really are living and walking in the Light, as Life Himself is in the Light, we have true unbroken fellowship with Another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt (keeps us cleansed from sin and guilt) in all its forms and its manifestation."

      If we're truly born-again, then our spirits are already new creations, been made Alive in Christ Jesus and have been made the Righteousness of God in Jesus. Out spirits aren't subject to the things of this world, but our natural bodies. The Curse is still here and satan is quick to put it on our natural man/woman, if we don't understand that the life of the flesh is in the blood. We already have eternal life in our spirits, but the flesh is where satan attacks.

     When the Israelites applied the blood of a lamb to their homes, it protected their natural lives from the destroyer, but it didn't protect their spirit. When Jesus gave up His Life on the Cross, He not only paid for our spirit, but for our natural lives here on earth. Jesus died twice on the Cross. He died (was separated) from God Our with our sins and He died and shed His Blood as our Passover Lamb, that the destroyer (satan) has to pass over us when he sees that Blood. The preservation of our natural bodies are protected from satan by the Blood of our Passover Lamb, Jesus.

     The Spirit raised us up into the heavenlies, but our natural man/woman is still here in the enemy's realm. The Blood of Jesus and our faith in His Blood, not only can but will keep us whole and well, if we understand it. Psalm 91:9-10(Amp) says, "If you have made the Lord your Refuge, and the Most High your Dwelling Place, There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your dwelling place (tent, home)." The Blood stops the sickness, disease, and plagues that the enemy tries to bring upon God's people. We must keep the Blood and the Promise of our Lamb on our life as a pass over to the destroyer. 

One On One #5

      Joshua 1:6-9(Amp) says, "Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the Land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and have good success. Have I not commanded you be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

     Notice that the Lord instructed Joshua, "Don't let My Word depart from your mouth." This would be important to Joshua's success. Then God told Joshua to "Meditate on My Word day and night," so he could do according to all that was written in it. God insured Joshua that if he did these things, then Joshua would prosper and have good success in all that God told him to do. God commanded Joshua to "Be strong, vigorous, very courageous, and don't be afraid or dismayed," because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

    David meditated on God's Words, while tending his father's sheep, like Joshua and many leaders under the Abrahamic covenant. When facing Goliath, David remembered God's instructions to Joshua. David could be strong and of good courage, because the Lord God was always with him, wherever David went. 

     It will require us to spend one on One time with the Lord, in order to do whatever He has for us to do. We must heed the same advice and God's command to meditate on His Word, so we too can be strong and courageous. Jesus assured us that, "I will never leave you, or forsake you, but I will always be with you to the end of the age," in Heb.5:13(Amp). We too, can be strong and courageous to do or say everything that God has for us, even when facing giants.

     Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Joshua, David and even Mary, had to be strong, courageous and meditate on the Truth that God is always with us, so they could carry out what God called them to. The new covenant tells us too, "Take courage, strength and understand God's Word." We must meditate on God's Word and keep His Word in our mouths." so we can carry out what God has called us to do. We're to stand on His Word even under the new covenant. We're to be strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might, knowing that He will never leave or forsake us. 

     We're to be strong and courageous in the Lord God and not in ourselves. We can't heal the sick, but when we read, meditate on and understand His Word, we will have faith, believing and lay hands on the sick in Jesus' Name, then God will do the healing. God never intended David to grapple with Goliath on his own. God only intended David to stand on God's Word, believing that one small stone would conquer the giant. God didn't expect Moses to part the Red Sea, but to believe, hold out his staff over the Sea and speak the Words God gave him. The rest is history.

     If we spend time one on One reading God's Word and fellowshipping with Him, then we will be courageous and confident that we're not alone, because our God will never leave or forsake us.

      

     

One On One #4

     When we learn to walk one on one with God, then it will change our relationship with Him and what He can do through us. The Philistines and Goliath were battling with God's covenant people in 1Samuel17:34-37(Amp) when young David said, "There was a lion and bear that came to take the sheep; I slew them both with my hands." David got his confidence in the field while tending his father's sheep and while he was in fellowship one on one with God. How do we know this? Read Psalm 23. David got the Revelation that his Shepherd, God, also watched and cared for His sheep.

     This gave David the courage to know God would fight for him, like he did his father's herd. This didn't mean that God wouldn't fight for Israel's army, but they hadn't spent time before God and weren't confident enough to be bold in their God. Do we get home from church and spend time in meditation and fellowship with God about what we just heard? Do we rightly divide the Word of Truth that we just heard? Do we allow God to show us His Truth?

     Jesus said in John 10:1 (Amp), "My sheep know My Voice." Do we know His Voice enough to act upon it for ourselves or do we just follow the herd, like sheep? When in Israel year ago, I saw a man take his sheep and turn them into the sheep fold while he did his shopping. There must have been another one-hundred sheep in the pen, but when that man returned and called them his sheep separated themselves and followed him out of the fold. All of the sheep heard that man's voice, but only his sheep "knew" his voice.

     Do you spend enough time with the Lord to "know" His Voice? Jesus told His followers in Mark 4:23-24(Amp), "If any man has ears to hear let him be listening and let him perceive and understand. Be careful what you hear, it will be measured back to you. The thought and study you give to the Truth you hear will be the measure of the virtue and knowledge that comes back to you, and more besides." Many heard Jesus' sermon that day, but didn't spend time meditating and fellowshiping with Him, in order to understand what He was saying.

     We sometimes simply go to church, get encouraged or discouraged from the message, but do we spend time in God's Word or in fellowship with Him, to rightly divide what we heard? When I was first saved, I listened to many preachers and persons, eagerly seeking to know more about God.  Some taught that God put sickness and calamities upon us, in order to teach us. Others told me that God was my Healer and Deliverer. They were all good Christians, but had very different messages. I desperately wanted to know the Truth, so I spent time in prayer, when God said very clearly to me, "This is as the waters of Noah to Me."

     My immediate thought was, "What in the world does this have to do with what I asked Him?" I had to listen to the Holy Spirit in order to find the answer and He directed me to Isaiah 54:5-10(Amp),where God said that "His anger and His rebuke and His former way of dealing with us, (because of Jesus) would be like the waters of Noah. Just like God promised Noah that the waters would never again cover the earth with a flood, He would never again deal with us in the same manner He did when before we were born-again."

     Those under the old covenant weren't born-again and God had to deal with only the flesh and blood men/women.  Under the new covenant, God can deal with us one on One, spirit to Spirit and in Spirit and Truth. There is no longer need for physical chastisement, because we are one with Him in Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray in Matt. 6:13(Amp) saying, "Lead us not into temptation (trials, tests), but deliver us from the evil one." James 1:13(Amp) says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted from God,' for God is incapable of being tempted by what is evil and He Himself temps no man." God will always lead us in Truth, when we spend one on one time with Him.

One On One #3

     Have you noticed that there are so many different things being taught to God's people? There are so many opinions and doctrines about Jesus and the Father being given. Most teach the Truth that there is salvation in no other Name or Person than Jesus. We've been taught what Jesus said, "I Am the Only way to the Father," but then we're taught so many different doctrines.

     Many teach that the things we read about in the Gospels and New Testament "have passed away" or were "only for the Apostles and the early Church." Sadly, some teach that healing has passed away and that God puts diseases and calamities on us, "in order to teach us something."

     Many lies have been taught good and well-meaning people, so how do you know for sure where you are in your own one on One walk with the Lord? If you've received Jesus into your heart by faith, like it says in the Word, then you're born-again and have become a child of God. Now what?

     Does it matter what a child is fed as he/she grows into an adult? Of course it does. Peter writes in 1Peter 2:2(Amp), "Like new born babies, you should crave (thirst for and earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) Spiritual milk of the Word, that by it you may be nurtured and grow into (completed) salvation."

     It falls on the individual to search the scriptures to know the Truth.  Jesus said in John 10:10(Amp), "The thief comes only to steal and the kill and destroy, but I come that you should have Life and have it more abundantly." Anything that is killing, stealing or destroying in your life, is not Jesus. If it's stealing your health, wealthy or peace and leaving confusion, disease and confusion, then it's not Jesus. In Mark 4, Jesus gave the "Parable of the Sower" saying, "Satan comes immediately to steal and take away the Word that was sown into their hearts." Proverbs 4:23(Amp) instructs us to, "Guard your heart (spirit), for out of it flows the forces of life."  

     How do you know what to allow into your heart and what to guard against, if you don't spend personal time in God's Word and before the Lord for yourself? Praising and worshipping the Lord as a congregation is a blessing and is powerful, but when we go home after the Sunday service, we must spend personal time with God. We must balance what we've heard with what the Word says and only allow the Wisdom and Truth of God's Word into our hearts.

     We must stand for the Truth. Paul was misunderstood by almost everyone he spoke to, but he knew he was right because he was directed one on One by the Lord. Jesus was mocked and criticized by many He spoke to, but He was steadfast because He spent One on One time with the Father. 

       

One On One #2

     We sometimes believe that our pastor, preacher or teacher "Have it all together," when nothing can be further from the truth. I don't know about other pastors, but I teach people what God is now teaching me in my own life. The same things that are plaguing other Christians, are the the same things that affect us.

     Paul wrote to Timothy in 2Timothy 1:6 (Amp), saying, "That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the ember of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the gracious Gift of God (the inner fire that is within you) by means of the laying on of my hands, with those of the elders at your ordination." 

     Paul continued in 2Tim.2:15 (Amp), saying,"Study and be eager and do your upmost to present yourself to God approve (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth."

     Teachers and preachers cannot teach what they don't know and they learn by doing what they hear from God and His Word. Preachers go through the same trials that the Church goes through. We seem to think that the great men and women of God, whom we read about in the Word, had a free pass from trials and temptations.  Paul was given the Greatest Revelation of the new creation from Jesus Himself, but he suffered more persecution than any other Apostle.

     We can never be complacent in this world.  Jesus warned about "Those who have the Word sown among thorns in Mark 4:23-24 (Amp). In Verse 24, Jesus warned about our "having ears to hear." saying, "Be careful what you are hearing."  We hear many excuses about why God and the Word "don't work for us" or "do the things God said it would."

,   One way I keep myself going when the turmoil and chaos of the world surrounds me, is by reading God's Word.  Jude 1:20 (Amp) says, "But you beloved, build yourselves up (founded) on your most holy faith (make progress rise like an edifice, higher and higher) praying in the Holy Spirit."

      I read Rom. 8:26(Amp), which says, "So too, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness: for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it as worthy as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance."

     And, I read 1Cor. 14:2(Amp), which says, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men, but unto God, for no one understands or catches his meanings, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secrets truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."  This is what Jude was saying about, "building up our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit." Remember, we're talking spirit to Spirit and face to Face and one on One with God Himself. He is revealing to us in our spirit, the answer on how and what to do in times like these.

     We sometimes become complacent and are content with just going to Heaven when we die. We have a job to do on this planet and God will show us how to get it done for His Glory. Jesus instructed His followers in Mark 4:19(Amp), saying, "Don't allow the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age creep in and choke out the Word, making it void in our lives."

      

One On One

      Prov.25-28 (Amplified Bible) says, "He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls." 

     I wish to speak to you, not as a pastor, but as an individual.  Sometimes, in the church service, we speak to the congregation as a whole, and not to an individual.  We hear the Word, and we either listen intentionally or say, "I've heard all this before" and not listen.

     Jesus spoke to the churches in Rev.2:4 (Amp), saying, "I have this one charge to make against you that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first; You have abandoned Me, your First Love."  Like them we might think, "Well, I'm still saved, I still go to church, I still pray and I'm not living in sin."

     Do those of us who have received the Holy Spirit and speak in the spirit, still speak in the spirit like we did when we first received?  Do we spend as much quiet time just listening and in fellowship with the Father, as we did when we first got saved?  Is your love for the Word as strong as it was when we first got saved?  Do we read God's Word because we love it or out of a sense we must do so?  Has your relationship become one of religion, instead of relationship with God?

     I've seen many persons that I led to the Lord, who had so much fire and love in them, that was exciting to see.  The love for the Lord and His Word was like a strong hunger that always kept them hungering and thirsting for righteousness.  Every individual knows how their walk with God is and whether or not they still have that hunger for the Lord and His Word.

     When was the last time you led someone to the Lord or laid hands on someone for healing or help?  Are we still growing and learning about the Lord or have we ceased doing so?  Jesus said to His followers in Mark 4:24(NIV), "Consider carefully what you hear, With the measure you use, it will be measured unto you-and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."  Do you come into His Presence, to hear God's Voice or has the noise around you, made it difficult to hear Him?

     These are the "one on one" things that I check myself for, so I don't become a stagnant Christian, who doesn't grow.  Moses had a "maintenance" anointing, whereby he maintained those in the wilderness.  Joshua had an "overcoming" anointing and he led them into the Fullness of God's Promise. 

    Let's stay on the front side of the Cross.

     

Where Is Your Trust (Faith)? Lesson 1

      Luke8:25(Amp) says, "And He (Jesus) said to them, Why are you so fearful? Where is your faith (your trust), your confidence in Me-My veracity, and My integrity?"

     I preached a message and wrote a blog titled, "How far is too far?"  It seems like we have put a limit in our hearts, on how far we can trust God.  We've been taught that "God no longer does certain things."  We've been told from the pulpit that, "These things were only for the early Church and for the disciples."  we've also been taught that certain things Jesus talked about, "have passed away."

     If God's Word has passed away, then God Himself has passed away, because tells us that "He and His Word are One."  Thus, John1:1(Amp) says, "In the beginning (before all time), was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself."  God and His Word are One.  We cannot  separate God and His Word, without having a total lack of faith in our own salvation.  If God can take us out of the grave and give us Life, then is there anything He cannot do for us, while we're here on this side of the grave?

     If He was God, then He's still God and everything in His Word is still Truth.  Our failing to believe doesn't make what He says, untrue.  Paul writes in Rom.3:3-4(Amp), "What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity to His Word? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written; That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when you are judged by sinful men."

     We've failed to follow Paul's instruction in Rom.12:2(Amp), which says, "DO NOT be conformed to this world (this age), fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your mind."  I don't believe we can have "too much God in our lives), like others have told me.  Jesus said in Matt.15:6(Amp), "So for the sake of your own traditions (the rules handed down by your fore-fathers), you have set aside the Word of God (depriving it of its force and authority and making it of no effect."

     We would never go to church, if we believed we were being deceived by traditions that would stop God's Word in our lives.  Many believers have suffered early deaths, because they were taught that "God is doing this to you" and "this is God's will for you." 

     Many preachers still teach things that aren't from God's Word, but are against God Himself.  Jesus said something in Matt.6:33(Amp), that many ignored or haven't given much thought about, concerning God's being involved in our daily lives.  Thus, He says, "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 try to hang onto our way of doing and being right, instead of God's way.  If our way doesn't work, then we make excuses for ourselves, instead of accepting responsibility for not following His ways.  We place blame on our Heavenly Father, for His not doing what we believe He should do.  Our healing depends more on us, than it does on Him.  God has already provided healing through Jesus, so we must choose to either receive or reject it.  Salvation has been provided for the entire world, according to John3:16, but not everyone has accepted it.  It's not God's fault or His intent, but is left for every individual to receive.  

     Conformity to this world doesn't just mean drinking, lying, adultery, cussing, or anything we think about.  It means that we don't think about God's Word by the standards of others, but by the integrity of God Himself.  This isn't to condemn us, but to inspire us to think about God's Word according to the Holy Spirit Who is within us, instead of listening to others who say, "God's Word doesn't work for everyone."

     Praying shouldn't be compared to playing the Lottery, according to 1John5:14-15(Amp) which 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 Plane), He listens to and hears us. And if, since we positively know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know with settled and absolute knowledge, that we have granted us as our present possessions, the requests made of Him."

     You might ask, "How can we know Him will and Plan for us?"  When I went to basic training in 1958, the gave me boots, a uniform and The New Testament.  They probably can't do that anymore, because it might offend someone.  But when I opened the first page, I read, "The Last will and Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  We can know God's will, when we read His will.  Paul tells us in Gal.3:15(Amp), "To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, if even a man makes a last will and testament, ( merely human covenant), no one sets is aside  or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed)."  Jesus dies and ratified His will, signed it in His Blood and then rose from the dead, in order to be the Executor over His will.  God's will and Plan for us is "The Last will and Testament."  If it's in the new covenant, then it's for us today, whether or not we believe it.  

     We must read the will, in order to find out what the One Who wrote the will, had in His heart and bequeathed to us.  Jesus is our Advocate, and reveals what the Father's will is.  1John2:27(Amp) says, "But as for you, the Anointing (the Sacred Appointment, the unction) which you have received from Him, abides permanently in you; so then you have no need that anyone should instruct you, but just as His Anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no false-hood, so you must abide in, live in, never depart from Him; being rooted in Him (knit to Him), just as His Anointing has taught you to do."

    This doesn't mean that we don't need teachers in the Church, but it does mean that we can know the difference in what is being taught and what the Anointed Word teaches.  Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, our "Advocate" in John16:17(Amp), saying, "The Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth (the whole, full Truth) and will only speak the Message that has been given Him."

     An advocate is like our personal lawyer, who reads the will to us and is on our side of Truth.  The Holy Spirit is our Advocate Who stands for us in God's court of justice.  He pleads our case before the Throne Room of God, on behalf of the will.  The devil is the other prosecutor, and will hold us accountable for who we were before we were born of God and declared righteous in Jesus.  Think of God's will in legal terms as the Last Will and Testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  If He wrote it in His will, then it is ours.

     Instead of allowing the world to push tradition and religion from carnal minded men, we should allow the Holy Spirit to read the will to us.  I would choose to learn about what Jesus died to give me, even if I don't receive it all, than to blame God and not believe His will.  If things aren't working the way the Word and will says, then don't give up and make excuses, but continue with the Word until it makes.

     We've made the Word of no effect and without power in our lives, because of the traditions of men.  Everything God said about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands, the speaking of tongues, the speaking to the mountain, the casting out of devils, and the raising of the dead is true for us today!  Our God is "the same yesterday, today and forever."  Let's not settle for what others have settled for, but let us seek God for ourselves and dare to go on with Him.

     Is.59:2(Amp) says, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His Face from you, so that He will not hear you."  When reading the rest of this chapter, you realize that Jesus was to be the Intercessor Who would remove mankind's sins and restore right standing for us before God.  Through Jesus, we now have Eternal Life.  Jesus explains what Eternal Life is in John17:3(Amp), saying, "And this is Eternal Life (it means) to know, to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand You, the Only True and Real God, and likewise to know Him, Jesus as the Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent."

     Through Jesus, sin wasn't just forgiven, but removed and eradicated, to where there is no more remembrance of its existence.  2Cor.5:21(Amp) 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 accepted and in right standing and in right relationship with Him by His Goodness."

     Now that we have been made righteous in and through Jesus, the Eternal Life He described as "to know God," is ours to enter into and enjoy.  Too few have entered into this honor and privilege today.  We continue to hold onto things we were taught by others who believe we're only "old sinners saved by Grace."  We were old sinners and by Grace we were saved, but we're no longer old sinners.  Rom.8:16-17(Amp) tells us that we are God's children, "heirs with God and joint heirs with Jesus."

     We need to realize and accept that the sin which separated us from God has been done away with, by the new creation in Jesus.  God is once again our Father and there is no separation between Him and us.  We must have faith in what Jesus did on the cross and His Resurrection.  Heb.4:16(Amp) says, "We now have boldness to come openly before God's Throne of Grace at any time, to receive, find help in our time of need."

     Heb.10:1-2,10(Amp) says, "For since the Law has merely a shadow (a mere outline), foreshadowing of the good things to come-instead of fully expressing those things, it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year, make perfect those who approach its altars. For if it were otherwise, would these sacrifices not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed; they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin."  Verse10 goes on, "In accordance with this will of God, we have been made holy, consecrated and sanctified through the Offering made once for all of the Body of Jesus Christ,the Anointed One."  It's difficult to accept Jesus' Words that, "Eternal Life is knowing God and being at rest and peace in His Presence," when the condemnation of our past sins remains present in our hearts. 

     We've returned to religious ceremonies, in order to approach God on our own, leaving out the Supernatural things of our salvation.  Heb.11:6(Amp) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him (God). For whosoever would come near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him out."

     We can't exercise faith in Jesus' Sacrifice, with the sin consciousness holding us back.  We can't approach God like we should and as He desires, without faith in Jesus' Sacrifice.  Eternal Life is knowing God, but some still find it hard to accept even after being saved.  The separation between them and the Father remains, by their sin consciousness.  We either believe that Jesus accomplished all that was needed to reunite us with the Father or we believe we must do it on our own.  Man-made laws and rituals cannot do what Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, did for us.  If Jesus didn't accomplish this by His Sacrifice, then we are still dead in trespass and sin before God.

     This is why Paul instructs in Heb.11:6, "Without faith [in what Jesus did]. it is impossible to please God and be satisfactory before Him."  Jesus says in John10:9(Amp), "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 will find pasture."  Jesus is the Only Door into the Father's Presence.  He is our Eternal life, our place in the family of God, our Righteousness, our only hope of knowing God.  We must place our faith in the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus, in which we live and move and have our being."

      

     

    

The Reason for Forgiveness Lesson 3

     In Is.59:1-2,16-21(Amp), God tell us that, "Sin made a separation between His people and Himself."  In Vs.16-21 God tells us that, "Through Jesus, our Redeemer and Intercessor, God has provided us a way back to Himself."  

    Many want to argue about what they have or don't have, saying, "God doesn't do that today."  Jesus gave a Parable in Matt.21:33, about a vineyard owner and a vineyard.  The owner needed help harvesting the fruit of his vineyard, so he hired workers to do so.  Every believer has been called to work in God's vineyard, going into all the world to preach the Gospel.  Through Jesus, the sin problem has been dealt with and God can reach His people with His Presence and Blessing

     The Master of the vineyard gave the same promise to every worker.  The workers who were hired first, were promised a wage for their service.  Those who were hired later and even those who were hired at the end of the harvest, received the same reward or wage for their service.  Some complained about their working longer and receiving the same wage.  The Master paid the promised reward.  

     Some in today's Church are receiving and experiencing the Revelation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, healing, Blessings and more, while others aren't.  Like the workers, they complain, thinking they should have all these things.  The Truth of this Parable is that God is the Master and has Promised us all the very same wage.  It's been ours all this time, but we feel as though others received more.  Jesus gives "The Parable of the Talents, in Matt.25:14-25, where He teaches about the Master giving the same sum of money to several men.  One man invested his sum, earning interest and making a profit.  Another took his wage and buried it, because he didn't know the master enough to trust him.

     Jesus tells us what Eternal Life is, in John17:3(Amp), saying it means "to know, recognize, perceive, become acquainted with and understand the Father and Himself."  There are many reasons why some believers fail to take what the Master has offered, even though we were all Promised the same reward when we were called to God's family.  When first saved, I didn't know much scripture, but I did know the Author.  I received criticism from those who were Christians before me, as I went about laying hands on people, casting out demons and walking in God's Presence.  They had been Christians and church goes longer, and felt like a reformed drunkard (me) had received more than they did.  They asked, "Why would God allow such a person to walk in these things, when we can't?"

     The Truth is that they could have walked in these things too, but didn't.  They were saved before me and felt cheated.  They had buried what they'd been given, instead of investing in the Kingdom.  Some take offense when I speak about those "who have chosen God," saying, "God chooses us, we don't choose Him."  This is true to the extent that we were chosen before the foundation of the world, but now that we are chosen, do we find people in the Body of Christ who choose to walk in a different place with the Mast, that others don't walk?

     The British Evangelist, Smith Wigglesworth, chose God above all else and God used him in a mighty way that we don't see often today.  Was it because he was "God's favorite" or because he forsook all else for the choice to know God in a way that many have chosen not to do?  Religion doesn't always teach us to know God, as it does to know about Him.  The very choice Smith Wigglesworth made is available to every child of God today.  It

is available to "whosoever will."

     We're not just saved so we can go to Heaven, but so we can know Him in Truth and He in turn can have fellowship with us again.  Religion has taught us so many reasons why "the Supernatural is not for us today."  Relationship reveals to us all the things that are still ours through Jesus, in order to set the captives free and be laborers in God's Vineyard.  The greatest privilege God has granted to mankind, is that we're able to know Him on a personal level.  We can come to Him, hear from Him, talk with Him and know His heart, will and Love.

     I'm not saying that believers who don't do these things are "not born-again."  They just haven't entered into the joy of Heaven, while still on this earth.  We were all called to walk in the Master's Vineyard and the reward is the same for all who do so.  We shouldn't complain about how some received more than others or how it's a hard thing.  

     It's not a difficult task to walk with the Father in close fellowship.  Many believers are just "hanging on until the end."  It's a privilege and honor in which God will always reward us for.  He will always reward us for being faithful to His Purpose.  Sometimes we struggle to keep our flesh under, but the closer we walk with the Father, the easier it becomes.  When we Rest in Him, it becomes easy.  You cannot make a mistake that God can't fix, if you stay in His Presence and fellowship with Him.  Messing up doesn't mean God can't fix it and use us.

    

The Reason for Forgiveness Lesson 2

      Is.59:1-2(Amp) says, "Behold, the Lord's Hand is not shortened at all that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His Face from you, so that He will not hear you."

     God did more than forgive our sins.  In Jesus, our sin and iniquities were not forgiven, but were totally removed on our behalf.  We were born-again by the Seed of God Himself and ,made new creation children of God.  We became heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus, in our new creation birth.  Our righteousness is now the Righteousness of God Himself.

     2Cor.3:18(Amp) says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face, because we continued to behold in the Word of God, as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit."

     Jesus came to earth, in order to bring all of God's children back into family, instead of strangers who were separated from Him by sin and death.  Jesus accomplished the goal of God's heart to restore His children back to Him.  Jesus said in John17:3(Amp), "And this is Eternal Life. It means to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with), and understand You, the Real God, and likewise, to know Him, Jesus as the Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) Whom You have sent."

     It's awesome that we're going to spend Eternity in Heaven when we die, but the Truth is that the Father has given us the privilege of knowing and fellowshipping with Him now, by the Spirit.  Religion has told us that, "No one can come into God's Presence, because we're all sinners."  God could have continued in the Law, where man's sins were covered by the blood of animals.  This meant that God couldn't leave the Holy of Holies and we couldn't into it.  Through Jesus, God accomplished His Own desire, to once again be a Father and have His family.  

     Few in today's Church have come into the Revelation that we can know Him, while we're still on earth and in these mortal bodies.  It's hard to keep the human body of flesh and blood in check, if we don't understand who we've now become here and now, in Christ Jesus.  John17 is filled with Revelation for us today, if we'll simply believe what Jesus said and then walk in it.  Jesus prayed, "The Glory You have given Me, I have given them."  He prayed, "Show them that You Love them even as You Love Me," and "Don't take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil."  These all pertain to our position with God, while we're still here in this world.

     Jesus said in John4:24(Amp), "God is a Spirit (a Spirit-Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in Truth (reality)."  We can't build a knowing of God, by our emotions or feelings, because that's not where He has called us too and deals with us by.  God deals with us by His Spirit and by His Word.  Feelings might arise in us, as we enter in His Presence, but feelings aren't reliable and are constantly changing.  We can't count on feelings to build a strong foundation on which to "know" Him.  Ps.119:89(Amp) tells us that, "Your Word, O Lord,  is forever settled (standing firm and unchangeable)." 

     The world, along with many in the Church, share the opinion that, "You never know what God will do."  This is based on their not knowing God or Jesus, in a personal way of Eternal Life.  I want to know Jesus, when I see Him.  I don't want to arrive in Heaven and have someone introduce me to Jesus, because I'm unable to recognize Him.  I want to know Him now, so I don't need an introduction there.

     Do you recognize God's Voice, when He speaks to you?  Do you spend time in His Presence, in order to converse with and get to know Him?  Do you spend time in His Word, in order to understand His Heart?  Or, do we hold tightly to the time we received Him as our Lord and Savior, instead of learning to Him as Lord?  

     The Father has invited us into His Own Presence, to know and understand Him, by His Spirit.  Is.55:7-10(Amp) prophesies about the "Abundant pardon (Who is Jesus), saying in Vs.8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."  God isn't boasting here, but is inviting us to come to Him, in order to learns His thoughts and His Ways.  God describes how His Word works and tells us how to use it, in Is.1:18-19(Amp), saying, "Come now, and let us reasons together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow: though they are red as crimson they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the Land."

  

     

 

The Reason for Forgiveness

     Is.59:1-2(Amp) says, "Behold, the Lord's Hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His Face from you, so that He will not hear you."

     We were not sinners, because of what we did.  We were sinners, because of our birth.  When Adam fell, he took all were born of his seed (all of mankind) with him.  The seed of Adam polluted everyone, because of his transgression, causing us to be born into sin and death.  God had to have a new Seed, in order to produce a new creation.

     Rom.5:17(Amp) says, "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense), death reigned through that one, much more surely with those who receive God's overflowing Grace (unmerited favor), and the FREE GIFT of righteousness (putting them in right standing with Himself), reign as kings in life through the One Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."  We're not just forgiven sinners, but we're new creations by the Word of God.  2Cor.5:17,19(Amp) tells us, "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 creation has passed away. BEHOLD, THE FRESH AND NEW HAS COME."  Verse 9 goes on, "It was God Personally present in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against men their trespasses, but cancelling them and committing to us the Message of reconciliation (the restoration to favor)."

     With the new creation man, comes the Gift of God to be reconciled back to Himself, as though we never existed before we were saved.  Most of us believed that when we were saved, we were cleansed of sin, which means we're going to Heaven when we die.  This is Truth, and a wonderful Truth, but that's not all we have received in our new birth.

     John3:16(Amp) tells us there's more about this new birth, than we've been taught. Thus it says, "For God so greatly Loved and greatly prized the world that He even gave up His Only Begotten, Unique Son, so that whosoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him, shall not perish (come to destruction), be lost, but shall have Eternal, Everlasting Life."  For most of us, this means just that we'll live forever with God, but Jesus explains what Eternal Life is in John17:3(Amp), saying, "And this is Eternal Life, it means to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the real God, and likewise, to know Him, Jesus, as the Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent."

     We remember Adam mostly for his great transgression in the Garden, that put all of us outside of a relationship with God. One of the great things about Adam was that he "knew" God and walked with Him every day.  How long did Adam walk with God, before satan talked him into transgressing?  We don't know how long he lived in the Garden, before losing dominion or even why he transgressed.

     I'd like to believe that Adam did so, because of his love for Eve.  Adam was after all, born out of the Love of God and this might have been his motive.  Adam didn't taste of the "forbidden fruit" out of deception.  1Tim.2:14(Amp) tells us that Eve was deceived, but Adam wasn't.  Thus it says, "And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and deluded and fell into transgression."

     Adam and Eve walked with and knew intimately knew God as their Father, before their transgression.  The didn't have to read about Him, because they knew Him as Father.  The greatest thing about the new birth has been missed by so many of God's children.  We've been restored back to our own Heaven Father, in such a way as to know Him and to know Jesus.  We can now come into His Presence through a personal relationship.  He can now come into our presence, because sin can't hold Him back from us.

     Prior to Jesus, if all of God's Holiness and Righteousness, came into contact with the sin of fallen man, it would have completely destroyed mankind.  God was so intent to have His family back, but He needed to do it in such a way that wouldn't destroy them.  Jesus paid for our sins and death by His Sacrifice, so now anyone who accepts Him as our payment, will be restored to the innocence Adam and Eve had before the fall.  We have the privilege, honor and God-given right to once again know Him.

     We can now enter into the Holy of Hollies, coming face to face and spirit to Spirit, as His Own children.  We've been restored to His family.  There's no barrier or sin to hold Him back or to hold us back.  This isn't true just in prayer, but in actual fellowship and in conversation and Revelation of His will and knowledge.  We can walk hand in Hand with our Heavenly Father, as His children.  Religion has separated us again, but Truth is being revealed, so we're returning with boldness and confidence, to knowing Him as Father.

     

     

Does It Really Matter? Lesson 3

      Many things have been said about "who" and "what," we are as Christians.  Some are Truth and some are foolishness.  Many believers try to fulfill the Law of Moses and walk under the Ten Commandments, while others have misunderstand what Grace is, believing they can live any way they wish and be okay with God.

     Paul instructed Timothy in 2Tim.2:15(Amp), "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, tested by trial, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed; correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching teaching the Word of Truth)."

     In order to "rightly and accurately divide the Word of Truth," we must understand the change our covenant under Grace and the old covenant under The Law, Jesus brought about after His Resurrection.  Many under Grace still see themselves as under The Law.  They still expect our Heavenly Father to deal with them as He did with those under the first covenant.  Instead of leaning on Jesus for healing, they expect God to put hardship on them, in order to correct and discipline them.  We have failed to understand that we're not like those under the Law, but have been made a new creation and are God's family.

     Those under the first covenant weren't born-again and were still dead in trespass and sin.  We've been made alive and have become one with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  God didn't change.  He still corrects and disciplines His children, like a loving Father.  God didn't change, but He changed us.  He disciplines, leads and corrects us through His Word and His Spirit, as new creation children through Jesus.  2Tim.3:16-17(Amp) says, "Every scripture is God-Breathed (given by His Inspiration) and is profitable for instruction, for reproof and for conviction of sin, for correction of error, and for 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."

     If we don't understand the difference between how God deals with us now and how He dealt with those under the Law, then we will be double-minded, having doubt and unbelief concerning His Word.  James4:7(Amp) says, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him), and he will flee from you."  If we don't know whether it's God testing us or the devil trying to kill us, then we're not subject to God and are in unbelief.  This results in our being complacent and not resisting the devil, because we're unable to rightly divide God's Word of Truth.  We might be revving our motors, but we're still stuck in neutral and going nowhere.

     If it's God, then we're to be subject to Him, but it's it's the devil, then we're to resist him.  If we don't know which it is, then we're not in a position to to anything, other than complain and wonder "why is God doing this?"  We're not called to fight the devil, because he is already defeated by Jesus.  We're simply called to resist him by God's Word, which is the Sword of the Spirit.  When we do this, then satan will flee from us. 

     In Matt.6:33(Amp), Jesus says that we are called to, "Seek first of all His Kingdom and His Righteousness (His way of doing and being right)."  Many are shocked to learn that God has a way of doing and being.  What is His way of doing?  Many dismiss the Revelation of our speaking to certain things, as "name it and claim it."  This though, is God's way of doing and being right.  He created everything by Words and Jesus' entire ministry was based on Words.  Jesus said, "I only say what I hear My Father say."

     Jesus says in Mark11:23(Amp), "Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."  Do you speak to God about the mountain or do you speak to the mountain about God?  Do you believe in your heart that it will move or do you believe it cannot move?  Do you believe more it what someone has said about "blab it and grab it" or what God's Word says?  Are you hearing and believing in God's Word or hearing and believing more in what others say?

     Do words really matter?  This entire planet and universe is ruled and run, by words.  Many have taken no thought about the power of words in this age.  Have you noticed how our nation has changed so drastically, in the last few years?  It has all come about by words.  The changes in our schools, our churches, our believing the Constitution and our history, along with our biological bodies, have been brought about by the replacement of words.

     We've replaced everything God ordained for and in America, with our words.  The mandates that have no authority, according to our Constitution, have held people in bondage for over three years now.  Churches have been forbidden to hold services and proclaim God's Word, by leaders enacting emergency mandates.  If the words of the enemy and leaders can change things in our lives and nation so drastically, then can our speaking God's Words change things too?  Does it really matter?

     We, God's Church, are in spiritual welfare and are instructed to submit ourselves to God's Word and resist the devil; then he will flee from us.  It's about time we submit to God and speak the Words He has given us, causing satan to flee.  

  

Does It Really Matter? Lesson 2

     John3:34(Amp) says, "For since He Whom God has sent speaks the Words of God (proclaims God's Own Message), God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the Gift God makes of His Spirit!"

     Rom.10:17(Amp) says, "So then faith comes by hearing what is told, and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that comes from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)."

     One of the first preachers I heard, after being born-again, was Charles Capps.  He has since gone Home to be with the Lord, but the revelation of what he spoke has gone on in me ever since.  He preached about the "words of our mouth" and "watching the words of our mouth."  Much has been taught about our confession since that time and much of the Light of Truth has been lost about it.  Many call it, "name it and claim it" or "blab it and grab it," but these are men's interpretation, without Revelation.

     Does it really matter?  Do we just want to go to Heaven when we die or do we want to walk victoriously with God?  Is our salvation something held in the future or can we truly walk in God's Presence and Power on this earth?  Do the words we continually speak mean anything?  

     Let's delve into God's Word and find the answers to these questions.  Let's start though, recognizing that this planet and the universe are controlled by words.  We're free in this country, because of the words held in our Constitution and the "Declaration of Independence."  Others are held in bondage and slavery, to a government that makes proclamations over them.  Wars have come about, because of words that are spoken and heeded.

     Prov.4:24(Amp) says, "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you."  Prov.8:13(Amp) says, "The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord (includes) the hatred of evil: pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate."  Prov.10:32(Amp) says, "The lips of the uncompromising righteous know and are therefore utter what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows and therefore speaks only what is obstinate, willful and contrary."  Prov.12:18(Amp) says, "There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."  Prov.13:2-3(Amp) continues, "A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence, He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."

     Prov.14:3(Amp) says, "In the fools own mouth, is a rod to shame high pride, but the wise man's lips preserve them."  Prov.15:4(Amp) says, "A gentle tongue with its healing power is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit."  Prov.16:23-24(Amp) says, "The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honey comb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body."  Prov.18:20-21(Amp) says, "A  man's moral self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth: and with the consequences of his words he must be satisfied, whether good or evil. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it for death or life."  Prov.21:23(Amp) says, "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles."  Prov.22:17-18(Amp) admonishes, "Listen, consent and submit to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind, believing them, your lips will be accustomed to confessing them."

     Psalm17:4(Amp) tells us, "Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent, the paths of the destroyer."  Psalm12:3-4(Amp) says, "May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting. Those who say, with out tongues we prevail; our lips are our own to command at our will, who is Lord and Master over us?"

     Jesus told His followers in Matt.12:36-7(Amp), "But I tell you, on the Day of Judgement men will have to give account for every idle, inoperative, non-working word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced."

     I've provided many scriptures, but I'm not saying that we will go around quoting them like parrots.  I am saying though, that our words must line up with God's Word.  Words are the most powerful thing on this planet and God has given them to men and women.  We're the only ones who can speak and proclaim God's Word or repeat the enemy's words.  Words have the ability to create or destroy.

     Our Heavenly Father used Words to create everything.  Jesus used words to stop storms, raise the dead, cast out demons, kill the fig tree, fed the multitude with five loaves and fishes, along with so many other things.  Jesus told us in Mark11:23(Amp), "If you believe what you say you could move a mountain and whatever you believe in your heart and say with your mouth, you would have whatsoever you say."

     What words are we saying, that we believe in our hearts?  Jesus didn't say that if we only spoke His Word, that we would have whatsoever we said.  Do we believe His Word and speak according to them?  Or, are we speaking contrary to His Word and receiving accordingly?  Could we be speaking words into our lives, that are bringing things we don't wish?

      

Does It Really Matter?

      I hear people saying, "I don't believe we have to do all that, in order to go to Heaven."  If you have truly received Jesus as your Lord and are born-again, then I guess that is alright.  But, do you honestly just want to go to Heaven or do you want to walk and live in God, while we're here on earth?

     Jesus tells us in Matt.6:33(Amp), "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."  What is God's way of doing and being right?  The Kingdom of Heaven has Spiritual Laws that it functions by, just like we function by laws here.

     When we violate or don't walk by God's Laws, then God's will and way won't be allowed to do as He wants and things won't be like He wants.  God is not fair, He is just.  He cannot and will not violate His Word, not even for us.  If He violates one part of His Word, then we can't depend on any of it, because it has become unreliable.  This doesn't mean that we're not saved, but we aren't operating in Kingdom Principles and Spiritual Laws.  

     I'm not talking about the Law of Moses, because Jesus was the Only One Who fulfilled that Law.  In Jesus though, God sees us as having fulfilled it too.  We have Spiritual Laws that work here on earth, that we can't violate either.  Gravity is a Spiritual Law that God put in place, when creating this planet.  One can supersede the Law of Gravity, but no one can remove it.  We can make airplanes fly, using the Law of Lift and Thrust, but the planes will fall to the earth if the engines are turned off.

     Spiritual Laws of the Kingdom supersede the laws that govern earth, but the earthly laws don't go away.  Jesus superseded the Law of Gravity, when He walked on the water.  The Apostle Peter dared to try this too, saying, Lord if it be You, bid me to come to You," in Matt.14:28-30.  Jesus answered, "Come."  Peter could also walk on water, at least for a short time, by allowing the Kingdom Law to overcome the natural Law of Gravity.

     Many believe that believing and trusting God's Word is "too far out."  I'm not sure how anyone can have too much of God in his/her life, but I believe religion has caused us to be in unbelief, concerning the Truth.  Does it make a difference what we say"  Does it matter how much time we spend in God's Word?  Does it matter what we are hearing?  Does it matter whether or not we assemble and go to church?  

     Does it matter how we're raising our children, what they're learning, where they go to school or what college they attend?  Does it really matter who they hang out with or how much time they spend on-line?  Are there certain things we don't want our children to do, because they could be harmed or unsuccessful in the future, due to these things?  It's the same with our Heavenly Father, Who Loved us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to die in our place, in order to bring us back to Him.

     God's ways are Righteous or right, in the very Kingdom we have come into, through Jesus.  There are ways of doing things that open the doors to Blessing and there are things that will stop the Blessing.  Sin doesn't only include the bad things we do.  Some of the words for sin include, "error" or "missing the mark."  School teachers grade their students on the work we do.  We might have failed a math test, because we missed the mark or erred.  This doesn't mean we can no longer do math, but we must do it correctly, in order to receive a passing grade.  There are laws that govern mathematics.  They must be done correctly and will not bring about the truth, if they're done any other way.  This is why we have teachers.  This is also why the Holy Spirit is the Teacher of the Church.  The Bible is His textbook that teaches us and gives us understanding on how the Kingdom works.  

     We're not kicked out of our own country and no longer citizens, simply because we failed math.  There are certain things though, that we don't qualify for, like being a math teacher.  If we miss the mark or fail math, then we'll probably never become a banker, because that position requires our being able to count.  If you can't count, then I wouldn't want you to be my banker. 

     If you're a math teacher, but all you teach is what you learned in preschool, then what good would that provide high school students?  As Christians, our Father requires that we learn how to function in His Kingdom, while we're still here on earth.  Saying it "doesn't matter how we do things," is like saying, "I don't need to learn math, in order to be an American citizen."  This is why it really does matter, in our Christian walk and life with God.

     If one relocates from Ireland to America, then he/she must learn how to live by America's laws.  People in Ireland drive on the opposite side of the road, but does it really matter which side they drive on here?

"A Call To Arms" Lesson 8

     2Cor.10:4(Amp) says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and  of strongholds."  There is no doubt that the Nation God gave us and His people are both under siege, by a spiritual attack.  Many of God's people refuse to get involved, saying, "We're not of this world, so it's none of our affair."

     God has sent forth His Church into the world, to be the Light and Salt which stops the decay satan has sown.  Perhaps the Lord is weeding out those who will not get involved in this spiritual warfare, much like He did in Gideon's army.  The only Person or thing God's Word instructs us to surrender to, is Jesus Christ.  This is a spiritual war against God and His Kingdom and we, like generations before us, have been called to "having done all to stand, stand therefore."

     We are to put on the Armor that God provides and bring defeat to the "principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places," according to Eph.6.  This Armor is for warfare, by the Power of His Name and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word.  Why don't more Christians put forth a voice against the demonic things befalling the citizens of America.  The murder of unborn children, the perverting our school children, and our being afraid to speak out against the demonic assault of Christians, are spiritual warfare.  Rev.12:11(Amp) tells us, "They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony."  This is how we overcome too.

     This isn't the politics we've come to know, but is a war of words we've come to accept, by our years in the flesh.  We are still one Nation under God, despite what we might hear and see.  So much of the truth about America's founding and Her purpose on earth for the Lord, has been forgotten and we're not allowed to speak about it.  The Liberty we've been given, doesn't come from our Constitution.  Our Constitution came from God and His Liberty is worth fighting for.

     Have we become so afraid of the world, that we won't stand for our faith in God and fight the good fight?  In the last election, only 42% of the Church voted.  Prayer is one of the greatest weapons we have against the enemy.  God has given us this Land, but like Joshua, we must go forward and possess the Land.  There are still giants in the Land, but God is greater than they are.

     If you haven't voted, then please do and when you do.  Raise your voice for God's Word and pray for Righteousness to be restored in our Land.  Don't vote a party, but vote for "God's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven."  Heaven's Laws are still the Law we live by and God's Word is our vote.  Grace and faith in God will overcome.

"A Call To Arms" Lesson 7

      This is not a call for revolution, but for REVIVAL.  It's not about guns and ammo.  2Cor.10:4(Amp) tells us that, "For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are Mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds."

     God tells Moses in Numb.13:1-2(Amp), "Send men to explore and scout out for yourselves the Land of Canaan, which I give to the Israelites."  God had given the people the Land, but they still had to go forth and take the Land.  They failed to do what God instructed and remained in the Wilderness for another forty years.

     God has given us this nation, the United States of America.  He has heard the prayers of His people, but there is more we must do.  We must prayer for God's Wisdom and then vote.  We sow the seeds of righteousness, when we vote our faith and confidence in God.  In 2Chron.7:14-16(Amp) God says, "IF My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, (seek, crave and require of necessity) My Face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from Heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their Land. NOW My Eyes will be open and My Ears attentive to prayer offered in this place. For I have chosen and sanctified, (set apart for Holy use), this house (Land), that My Name may be here forever, and My Eyes and My Heart will be here perpetually."

     This Nation was chosen by and for God, to use and rule from and in.  God's people have let go of what God has done for through America and Her influence in the world.  This Nation is and has been, a beacon throughout the world, because of our faith in God.  The Body of Christ must step up and shout, blow the trumpet and defeat the enemy, like Joshua did in Jericho.  Our shout, is the voice of our vote, which will sound the defeat for the enemy.

     We've been taught that we must not "get involved in politics," because "it is worldly."  We are not of this world, but we are still in this world.  We're doing this not for our sake alone, but for the sake of those who are unsaved and for this Nation's children, who are being assaulted by satan's ungodly agenda.  We cannot hide our talents in the ground, but must invest into the Kingdom of God.  God has given us this Land, but we're required to take it.  The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, so we can't allow the enemy to conquer our inheritance.  God's Church can't be passive, because we're in the Last Days and it's time for the Great Harvest that Jesus spoke about.  We're called to be laborers, leading others to Salvation in Christ Jesus.

     We shouldn't be thinking about the Tribulation, but about the Harvest.  This isn't over, until God says so and He hasn't said so yet.  Satan is trying to destroy America, in his quest to defeat God and His Plan for the world in these Last Days.  Are we going to sit in our little camps and watch God work?  Or, will we take and occupy, until the Lord comes?

     God didn't instruct His people to "be woke," but He said, "Awake."  We've been asleep and comfortable for too long, forgetting who we are and Whose we are.  Rev.12:11(Amp) says, "They overcame by their testimony and the Blood of the Lamb."  The Blood hasn't lost any of it's Power, but our testimony of who we are in Him, has become weak.  Joshua1:6(Amp) says, "Be strong, confident, and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the Land I swore to their fathers to give them."  We're a Joshua generation, called to take and hold this Land for God.