One On One #17I

    Healing , the Blood and the Curse of the Law. How are these things tied together in our new covenant? We've heard about the Blood of Jesus and we've heard about our redemption, but what does this all mean to me in my personal walk with the Lord? 

    Lev.17:14(Amp) tells us, "As for the life of all flesh, the blood of it represents the life of it." The life of a lamb and the blood of it, could be received for the life of a man and cover him from death or the Curse of the Law, under the old covenant.  In the new covenant, Jesus' Blood and Sacrifice is received by the Father and not only covers but eradicates the Curse and its many applications on our behalf.

    The Spirit and its separation from the Father at Calvary, gave us Eternal Life and a new birth from death unto Life in Jesus. Our mortal bodies are still left vulnerable to the effects of the Curse. In Deut.28:15(Amp) God tells those in the old covenant, "Bu t if you will not obey the Voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments and statutes which I command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you." The rest of the chapter, is about how God will curse them. If the people violated God Laws, then the penalties would bring separation from the Blessing.

    Jesus said in Matt.5:16-17(Amp), "Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law of the prophets; I have not come to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until the sky and the earth pass away and and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hook (identifying certain Hebrew letters) will pass from the Law until all things it foreshadowed are accomplished."

    Gal.3:13(Amp) tells us, "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 (crucified). To the end that through their receiving Christ Jesus, the Blessing promised to Abraham might come on the Gentiles so that we through faith might all receive the realization of the Promise of the Holy Spirit."

    Yes, but what about the Law? In Matt.22:36-40(Amp) Jesus speaks about the Law, saying that we are to "Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets." Jesus fulfilled the Law and by faith in what He did, we only have these two laws to walk in now. The Blood and Sacrifice have born the Curse and sickness, the Spirit gave us our new creation Life and restored us back to God. We're clean and pure in spirit, soul and body.

    We must believe what Jesus has done for us and live in and through Him in love. If we get our of love and sin, then we have the Ever Living Blood of our Sacrifice Lam, which continually gives us Life. Remember, "the life of all flesh is in the blood." We're still flesh and maintain life in the flesh, by the Life in Jesus' Blood. 1John1:7(Amp) says, "But if we really are living and walking in the Light, as He Himself is in the Light, we have true unbroken fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son (cleanses and removes us from all sin and guilt, keeps us from sin in all its forms and manifestations."

    This is the healing and redemption from the Curse, given because Jesus became the Curse for us. He gave us His Blood to keep us clean and well. If we do sin, then His Blood and faith in it, will now cleanse us  If we confess our sin before Him, then His Blood will keep us clean and well, so we can walk and live in THE LIGHT (the Light of His Word and Love).

One On One #16

    Spending quiet time alone with the Lord, is one of the greatest times in the believer's life. It's not just reading and hearing the Word that builds up our faith and trust in Him, but it's fellowshipping and spending quiet time with Him. Jesus gave the "Parable of the Sower," in Mark 4:18-22(Amp) where He spoke about different soils (hearts). Verse 18 tells us that the seed is sown among the thorns that choke it out. Jesus never said that this didn't happen to believers. He said that the seed is being choked out by all the cares of the world. In the world we're living in today, there are so many things happening around us and in our daily lives, that we can't find time to think. This doesn't always mean that the cares are sinful. 

     The politics of America and all the things happening in our lives can cause more cares than we need. The price of food, gas, heat, rent, insurance and so many other things, are causing many to work two jobs. We're worn out by the time we get home, so we don't spend time with God. This isn't accidental, but is the enemy's plan. He doesn't want us to bear fruit. We might still be holding onto our salvation, but aren't bearing fruit in the lives of others. Jesus says in Verses19-22, "Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless. And those sown on the good (well adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit-some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some (even) a hundred times as much. And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not (to be put) on the lampstand? [Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything (temporarily) kept secret except in order that it may be made known."

    The things that seem to be hidden from us today, can and will be revealed to us in our quiet time of fellowship with the Lord. I truly recognize how difficult it is sometimes to find the time for fellowship with the Lord. We're saved and love the Lord, but it's still hard to find the time for one on One with Him. When we hear the Word about certain things, it might ring true, but before we can receive it into our hearts satan comes to steal it from us. The things around us steal the Word, before it can take root in our hearts.

    Meditating on God's Word is something that must be developed in us. It doesn't just happen, but must be learning and accepted on an individual level. Some seem to grasp it easier than others, but it's a discipline we must each develop. It's not just reading the Word, but it's spending time meditating on what we read and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the hidden truths of the Word to us. Jesus continues in Mark 4:26-27(Amp) saying, "The Kingdom of God, is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases, he knows not how."

    Most of us know that Jesus shed His Blood for us, but don't really know what that means. When we meditate on this Truth, even while we're working or driving or at home, and stay in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit, then He will reveal the Truth of Jesus' Blood to us. He will reveal what the effect Jesus' Blood means to our natural man/woman. This is one on One time where we will see the seed sprout and grow, but we "know not how." The seed knows how to grow, if it's in good soil. Meditating on the Word causes the soil (our hearts) to be fertile, so the seed can grow. 

    Every seed or Word of God is self-fulfilling in itself. God tells us in Is.54:11(Amp), "My Word will not return unto Me void, but will accomplish that which I have sent it to do."

 

 

One On One #15 with

      While spending one on One time with the Lord, He revealed things from the Word to me about the Power of the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus.  Most of us are familiar with Is.53:3-5(Amp)  says, "He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrow and pains, and acquainted with grief and  sickness; and like one from Whom men hide their faces. He was despised and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him. Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains (of punishment) yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken and smitten and afflicted of God (as if with leprosy); But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, the chastisement (needful to obtain) peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes (that wounded) Him we are healed and made whole."

     Our healing was the result of the stripes that ripped the flesh of Jesus and poured out His Blood. 1Peter2:24(Amp) says, "He Personally bore our sins in His Own Body on the tree (as on an altar and offered Himself on it) that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you have been healed." 

    Luke22:20,19(Amp) tells us that at the Last Supper, "Jesus in like manner took the cup after supper saying, This cup is the new testament or covenant (ratified) in My Blood which is shed and (poured out) for you." Earlier in Verse 19, Jesus said that His Body was the Bread and His Blood was the wine of communion and when we partake of it, we must "Do this in remembrance of Me."

    Most of us keep the crucifixion of Jesus in mind when partaking of communion, but do we truly understand what Jesus was saying? We get insight into the full meaning of the communion supper in 1Cor.11:29-30(Amp) which says, "For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation (that it is Christ's) Body, eats and drink a sentence (a verdict of judgment) on Himself. (For careless and unworthy participation) is the reason that many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death."

    Jesus' Blood was shed on our behalf for healing and length of life. Lev.17:14(Amp) tells us that, "As for the life of all flesh, the blood of it represents the life of it." We aren't covered by the life blood of bulls and goats. The Life of the Blood of our Lamb is now the life of our flesh and blood body, bringing us healing and longevity of life. 

    Jesus said in Luke22:20, "This cup is the new testament or covenant (ratified) in My Blood." He was telling the disciples that the blood of animals will no longer be shed, in order to heal, cover or give life from the animal. Jesus' Blood is now our Life, bringing healing and deliverance from sickness and disease to us and is for eternity.

    Most of us believe that Jesus can heal us, but few understand that by His Blood, He has and still is the Life in our flesh and blood bodies. Remember, "The life of all flesh is in the blood." We're still in our flesh and blood bodies and the same devil that brought sickness and disease before, isn't changing his strategy, Instead of animal's blood that needed to be renewed daily, the Life in Jesus' Blood keeps us healed and redeemed from the Curse once and for all time.

    Paul told us in the above scripture that, "By not judging and understanding what the Power of Jesus' Blood means for our healing, many of God's people are sick, weak and prematurely die." When partaking of communion, we must discern and remember the Lord's Body and Blood.    

One On One #14

      Most of us know that "By Jesus' stripes we were healed," according to Isaiah 53:(Amp). This tells us that the healing of our mortal bodies were healed by the Same Sacrifice that made our spirit man/woman new creations. We know too that many Christians aren't made whole, even though they recognize that the stripes and whippings that Jesus took, were the shedding of His Blood for our healing.

     Our eternal salvation, the new birth, was complete when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In the old covenant, goats and lambs were sacrificed and their blood was sprinkled to cover the people's sins. God accepted the life of the animal's blood and used it to give life to the natural man/woman. The blood of animals though, wasn't enough to sustain life, so they needed to continue making offerings. Lev.17:14,11(Amp) says, "As for the life of all flesh, the blood represents the life of it." Verse 11 says, "For the life (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for yours souls."

     The blood of animals is inferior to that of man's, so it could only cover the flesh or soulish part of men/women for a short period of time. The Life in the Blood of Jesus never diminishes or need to be replenished. Should Jesus tarry in His coming, our natural bodies will die, but our spirits are alive unto God, through Jesus' Sacrifice. The Lord says in Gen.6:3(Amp), "My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man; but his days shall yet be 120 years."

     The Blood Jesus shed for us at His beatings and crucifixion, was to sustain and prolong our natural bodies, so we could carry out our mission here on earth. Most of us know that Jesus shed His Blood for us, but don't know what it truly means on this side of the cross. Those living under the Law were instructed to offer up blood sacrifices for the sick, knowing that God would accept the life blood of the animals and heal the sick. The life of the animal's blood gave life to the man/woman in need, but it had to be renewed over and over.

     We read what God's first actions were, when confronting Adam and Eve after they sinned in Gen.3:21(Amp) which says, "For Adam and also his wife, the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothes them." The only way of fashioning coats from skins is to first kill the animal, after which the blood and skin are removed. The day Adam and Eve transgressed in the Garden, God said, "This day you will surely die," so the life of the animal's blood was needed to cover their sin.  

     Adam and Eve taught their children to offer sacrifices, according to Gen.4:3-4(Amp) which says, "And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. And Abel brought the first born of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and his offering." Cain's offering came from the earth, which was now cursed because of Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden. Gen.3:17(Amp) says, "And to Adam He said, 'Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you.'" Abel offered the first born of his flock, along with the fat portions and blood, so God accepted his offering. Cain killed his brother because of this. Gen.4:10(Amp) says, "The Lord said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to Me from the ground." The life of all flesh is in the blood.

     Heb.13:10-12(Amp) says, "We have an altar from which those who serve and worship in the tabernacle have no right to eat. For where the blood of an animal is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin, the victim's bodies are burned outside the limits of the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the city's gate in order that He might purify and consecrate the people through the shedding of His Own Blood and set them apart as holy for God."

     We still sin in our natural bodies and the "wages of sin is death." Our spirit has been cleansed once and for all time, by His Resurrected Spirit and the body is cleansed by His Blood, which gives it life for 120 years. The Blood of Jesus washes us daily and keeps us whole and sin free, even in the flesh and extends the life of our natural bodies. 3John1:2(Amp) says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and that your body may keep well, even as I know your soul keeps well and prospers."

     1John1:7(Amp) says, "But if we really are living and walking in the Light, as He Himself is in the Light, we have true and unbroken fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses, removes us from all sin and guilt, (keeps us cleansed from sin and all its forms and manifestations." While we're constantly learning how to walk in the Light, we still make mistakes that would take our natural lives. The healing and Life Giving Blood of Jesus will give us His Life and maintain our life and healing, if we will accept it.

     

One On One #13

    So many things we've been taught about our Heavenly Father are not really true. Because he/she didn't understand the Truth of what God's Word said, he/she taught what they though it said. When we spend one on One time with the Father, He will reveal the depth of His Truth to us. 

    If I was a math teacher who didn't know or understand the laws or principals of math, then I would be fired and hopefully, I didn't teach errors to the students. There are laws of principals of math that can't be changed. Two plus two will always equal four. I can believe that two plus two equals five, teach that to my students and have them believe that it's true. They will probably believe that until someone tells them then truth. The errors I taught them could affect their entire futures, unless the truth is revealed to them.

    1Cor.2:9-13(Amp) says, "But on the contrary, as the scripture says; What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered into the heart of man, (all that) God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him (who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He bestowed) Yet to us, God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Holy Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God (the Divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within Him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehends) the thoughts of God. NOW we have not received the spirit (that belongs to) the world, but the Holy Spirit Who is from God that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the Gifts (of Divine favor and Blessing so freely and lavishly) bestowed on us by God. And we are setting these Truths (faith in Words not taught by human wisdom) but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting Spiritual Truths with Spiritual language (to those who possess the Holy Spirit)." 

    Paul goes on to tell us that, "The unspiritual man doesn't accept or welcome these teachings and the Revelation of what the Truth of the Word has revealed." God hasn't held back or left us in a place where we're guessing what is or isn't His will and His inheritance for us. He has revealed them to us by the Holy Spirit, Who is now Living in our own spirits. He is God and He is a Spirit and has given us the Mind of Christ. 

  Paul tells us in 1Cor.12:1-8(Amp) that he was taken into into the "third heaven" and received Revelation directly from the Lord. The Revelation God gave to Paul was about the new creation man/woman who has been born into the Kingdom, through Jesus' Sacrifice. Paul writes in 1Cor.14:2(Amp), "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue, speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit, he utters Divine secrets and hidden Truths (not obvious to the understandings)."

    These aren't hidden things or secrets to God, but hidden and secret to the carnal mind of man. In his own wisdom, man doesn't comprehend the things of the Spirit of God. Jude encourages the Church and child of God in Jude1:2(Amp) saying, "Build yourselves up, founded on your most holy faith, (make progress rise like an edifice higher and higher), praying in the Holy Spirit."

    This is left to the individual child of God to receive Revelation and strength, by the Truth and understanding of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. So many things which man believes to be not important and dismissed by the natural mind, could have improved his/her relationship and walk with God. The Power of His Blood didn't just cover our sins, but eradicated them. The sins of our old man/woman n don't exist in the new creation. Our natural minds might not yet understand this Truth, but the Holy Spirit will reveal this and how our healing is in the Blood. Lev.17:14(Amp) says, "As for the life of all flesh, the blood represents the life of it." The life of our flesh and blood bodies is now the Life that the Blood of Jesus represents. We've been redeemed from the Curse of the Law and have come into a place where the life of our flesh is now the Blood of Jesus, which gives us life in this natural realm on earth. The Blood of Christ isn't a temporary covering for us, but now God's Own Blood removes our sin and brings us healing, deliverance, protection from disease. 

One On One #12

     Gen.1:26(Amp) tells us, "And God said, Let Us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our Image, after Our Likeness, and let them have complete authority." Gen.2:7(Amp) says, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or life, and man became a living being." 

     After God formed and brought forth all the vegetation and life on the earth, He said that, "There was no man to till the ground." Adam and Eve were spirit beings, made in God's Own Likeness and God is a Spirit Being, they needed a natural body to till the ground. 1Cor.15:45(Amp) says, "Thus is is written, the first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality), the Last Adam (Christ) became a Life Giving Spirit), restoring the dead to life." 

     Adam was first created a spirit being like God and was an eternal being, then God formed a body in which to function in the natural realm. Adam and Eve would not have died, except for the sin in the Garden. Jesus wasn't born from the seed of man, which was already dead by sin. He was born by the Seed of God and submitted Himself to death. Jesus told Pilate in Matt.26:53(Amp), "You could have no authority over Me at all; I could call down twelve legions of angels to deliver Me, if I choose."

     Sin entered Adam and Eve when they committed the sin of high treason in the Garden. They didn't just die in the flesh, but in the spirit too. Adam's spirit was cut off from God, Who is the Source of Life, and joined together with satan, who is against God and is death itself. A spirit being doesn't die, but is eternal because God is eternal and we're made in His Image. 

     Lev.17:14(Amp) says, "As for the life of all flesh, the blood of it represents the life of it." Now it's easy to understand God's order to sacrifice animals to cover and retain life in the flesh. God accepted the life of animals to cover man's trespasses and continue the life to man. The blood of animals couldn't give life, unlike the Blood of Jesus, but could only extend the life and cover man's sins. So, daily sacrifices needed to be performed in order to maintain life to God's people, until He could bring Jesus into this world and eradicate all sin and death.

     Those in covenant with the Father, like Abraham, his descendants and many others, didn't die like we know death, but they were destined to enter Heaven. The natural body is yet to be made new according to God's Word and will be immortal and eternal through Jesus. 1Cor.15:49-50(Amp) says, "Just as we have borne the image of (the man of dust), so shall we and so let us also bear the Image of (the Man of Heaven), But I tell you this brethren, flesh and blood cannot become partakers of eternal salvation and inherit or share in the Kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit or share in the imperishable (the immortal)."

     John3:1-3,6(Amp) says,"Jesus answered him (Nicodemus) and said; I assure, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above) he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the Kingdom of Heaven." He continues in Verse 6, saying, "What is born of (from) the flesh is flesh (of the physical is physical; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit."

     Religion and tradition can't do what needs to be done, in order to inherit the Kingdom. We must be born again from on High, by faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The term "born again" isn't just a term used by so many people, but is an actual experience with the Holy Spirit and a personal relationship with the Father, by covenant of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. One on One. 

One On One #11

     God made Adam and Eve in His Image, before He created a natural body.  John 4:24(Amp) tells us, that God "is a Spirit," so Adam was a spiritual being before he had a flesh and blood body for his spirit to live in. God formed Adam's body  from the dust of the earth, but before the transgression in the Garden, Adam and Eve dwelt in spirit with God. 

     God saw that it was important to create a body for His son Adam to inhabit this world, so God made him from the dust of the earth and gave him dominion over it. Like his Heavenly Father, Adam needed someone to share his kingdom with, so God made a helpmate for Adam to fellowship with, enjoy and love.

     When Eve fell to satan's temptation, sin entered into her spirit and then into Adam's, after he accepted satan's lies. God had told both of them, "If you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, then you will die." Death entered their spirits at the moment they disobeyed God and they were separated from Him instantly. Adam died in the natural body, 930 years after he sinned.

     Rom.5:17(Amp) says, "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one (Adam), much more surely will 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)." Adam's sin caused his separation from God and could only be restored by a Spiritual Life. 

     Many Christians don't believe that Jesus Christ was separated from the Father, while paying for our spiritual penalty. Jesus suffered the cost of Spiritual death, which separated Him from the Father, Who is Life. Jesus' Spirit was made sin with our sin, which caused the same separation from God, just like Adam's did. Jesus said to the Father on the Cross, "It is finished." His physical body died and His Spirit was actually take into the belly of the earth, because the wages of our sin was death.

     By the shedding of innocent (Blood), Jesus' Own Sinless Blood, He cleansed us from the results of that that sin, bringing healing and life again to our natural man/woman. Jesus' Blood represents healing and deliverance from sickness and the Curse of the Law, while we're still in these flesh and blood bodies, if we will accept it. We are healed by the stripes of Jesus. His Blood didn't just cover us, but cleansed us and gave healing to our bodies. Gen.6:3(Amp) says that, "Man's life will be yet 120 years."

     Those who lived before Jesus' Sacrifice shed the innocent blood of bulls, goats and doves, but could never fulfill the Curse of the Law, according to Deut.28. Jesus paid for the life in our flesh and the Life that is in His Own Blood. His Spirit paid for our eternal life and His Body also paid for our natural lives.

     We are now alive unto God and can do the work He has called us to do. When Jesus calls us to Heaven, we will receive new bodies which will never die. 1John3:2(Amp) says, "Beloved, even here and now God's children, it is not yet disclosed and made clear what we shall be hereafter, but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall as God's children resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He really is."

One On One #10

      Few of us see ourselves as the Lord has already mad and formed us to be, while we're still in this body. 2Cor. 5:16-18(Amp) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). No, even though we once did estimate Christ from a human point of view 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."

     Most of us still see ourselves after the flesh, even after being born again. If we look into a mirror, we see the flaws and scars of the flesh. Everyone sees these things too. Paul goes on in Verse 18, saying, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror or 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."

     God's Word is like a mirror that shows us who we really are now, in the eyes of our Father. The natural mirror only reflects who the flesh is, as our earthly house. James also says this in James 1:23-25(Amp), writing, "For is anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his (own) natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless Law of Liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a forgetful, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."

     We're a three-fold being. We're a spirit, we have a soul and we reside in a body. Jesus came to recreate a new and living spirit within us, and by His Spirit and Word we grow. Rom. 12:1-2(Amp) says, "Therefor I appeal to you brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all of your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice (holy, devoted, consecrated) and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external (superficial custom), but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (By its new ideals and its attitude), so that you may prove (for yourself) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (in His sight for you)."

     When we spend one on One time with God in His Word, we'll see what He has made us to be in Christ Jesus. Most of us are afraid of seeing ourselves as being righteous in God's eyes, because of who we once were. The enemy will constantly remind us of who we were, when we were in the world. We, within ourselves) can never be righteous, but because of what Jesus did, we're no longer in ourselves, but in Him and He is Righteous.

     This is the mirror of God's Word that reflects back to us who we are now in the new creation. Begin seeing yourself as the Father sees you in His new creation family. Don't let the enemy hold you down in the old man/woman. Spend much of your worship time one on One with the Father and live by the new man/woman who has been made righteous, holy, sanctified, consecrated and brand new in Him.    

One On One #9

     We've been learning how important it is for God's children to spend time listening and hearing from our Heavenly Father. When we spend personal one on One time with Him, then we will learn His will and the direction of His leading in our lives. God wants every one of His children to know Him on a personal on a  personal basis.

     When we spend personal time in God's Word and His Presence, our faith in His Word will allow us to receive His instruction and Guidance. Jesus said in John 10:14 (Amp), "I Am the Good Shepherd and I know and recognize My Own, and My Own know and recognize Me." Do we know and  recognize His Voice or do we listen to the voices of others? 1Cor. 14:2(Amp) tells us, "For one who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things not obvious to the understanding."

     These "secret truths and hidden secrets" aren't unknown to God, but to us. The Holy Spirit is revealing things that our understanding doesn't directly to our spirits one on One. Jesus was close to the cross when He told His followers in John 14:16-17(Amp), "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Stand-By) that He may remain with you forever. The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly and will be in you."

     In John 8:63(Amp) Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatsoever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." When we spend one on One time with the Father, through His Word and speaking to Him in the spirit, it builds up our spirits. It also gives us more faith in God and brings Life (Truth) into us, in a way that strengthens our entire life.

     In John 4:23-24(Amp) Jesus says, "A time will come however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such a people as these are His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality)." 

     1Cor. 14:2(Amp) tells us, "When a man speaks in an unknown tongue, he speaks not to men but unto God." When we spend one on One time with the Father and pray in unknown tongues, the enemy doesn't know what we're speaking and can't interfere or block our prayers. God shares the Mysteries and secrets of the Spirit when we do this. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive directions, Revelations and instructions from the Father. The enemy has no defense for and can't stop or hinder our prayers, because he can't understand what we're praying. 

     It's the most precious time when we come boldly before God's Throne of Grace and we spend in God's Presence. This has always been the Heart of God, that we spend time in fellowship with Him. Many Christians only call on God when we need something, instead of spending time learning, growing and honoring Him for Who He is. Jesus instructed, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His Righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and all these things taken together will be given you besides."

 

One On One #8

      We've been discussing the importance of spending one on One time with our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Too many things have been lost to God's people, because we lack understanding how important spending time in God's Word and in fellowship with Him. I go to the feed store on a weekly basis and talk about God with a friend of mine there. He's a Lay preacher at his local church and sometimes we ask each other what are you going to speak about this Sunday. This week I told him I had some things lined out, but I was waiting on the Holy Spirit to guide me.

     He told me that he was going to preach about the pearl of Great Price. I asked, "Who is the pearl of Great Price" and he answered,"Jesus is." I suggested that if he reread the Parable, then he would find the rich man saw a field which contained a pearl of Great Price. The rich man purchased the field, for the pearl. The rich man in the Parable was God, the field was earth, the pearl is us  and the Great Price was Jesus. 

     We must understand how valuable we are to our Father. John 3:16(Amp) says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believed would be saved." Jesus prayed to His, saying in John17:23(Amp), "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me." It's hard to understand with our own minds, but we have the Mind of Christ, so we can see how valuable we are to the Father.

     The world has dimmed our eyes, with its way of thinking, so we don't know how much God truly loves us. Religion constantly reminds us that we're "old sinners who are saved by Grace." We were old sinners and were saved by faith in God's Grace. We're now sons and daughters of God. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. Jesus said, "Father show them that You love them even as You love Me." This breaks down unbelief, lack of faith and confidence in our prayers, letting us know that God hears us and answers our prayers. All doubt and fear that God will deny our requests, fall away when we know that God loves us so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son to save us.

     Read the "Parable of the Pearl of Great Price" again, then spend one on One time with God in quiet fellowship, so the Holy Spirit can explain it. This will change your entire attitude about Who He is and who we are in Christ Jesus. Put faith in what god has said about you and how important you are to Him. If He was willing to send Jesus to take our place on Calvary's Cross. Know too that everything Jesus endured was meant for us. God loves us more than we love ourselves.

     We cannot allow anything contrary to God's Word to penetrate our hearts and minds. If God said it, then it is Truth and God won't change His Word. Believe what God says above what others tell you, so you can have the Peace Jesus spoke of in John 14:27(Amp) where He said, "Peace I leave you; My (Own) peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (Stop allowing yourselves to be agitate and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled)." Having peace with God is the peace that overcomes the world.

     You're so valuable to God that He sent Jesus to the cross, so that we wouldn't be separated from, but united with Him once again. You are the pearl of Great Price and were of such worth that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. Never underestimate the Power of God's Love for us. Don't stop daring to believe that He will never leave or forsake you. Galatians 5:6(Amp) tells us, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, for only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love." Understanding that faith works by love, will lift your faith to a higher level.

     We won't understand how God's Kingdom works, until we understand His love for us. God's entire Kingdom is based on His love for us and is Jesus has prepared a place for us there, by His Sacrifice. 1John 4:18(Amp) says, "There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment and he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love (is not yet grown into love's complete perfection)."

     God wants us to understand the depth of His love for us, so we won't fear that He will hear and answer our prayers. God wants to spend one on One time with us. He wants us to "Come boldly before His Throne of Grace." My children know they can approach me at any time in boldness and have confidence that I will not only hear their supplications, but help them. My children know that I love them, so they come boldly to me. How much more should God's children trust in His love and come boldly to Him?

     

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.