A wise man stated once that unfortunately many Christians fail to truly understand the fullness of receiving salvation and being sealed with the Holy Spirit. He likened it to winning the lottery for millions of dollars. One who was poor and living on the streets received this gift and after receiving their money they went out to look for food in the trash can. They could afford to buy restaurants but becuase they didn't fully understand the gift they were given they continued to live the same life that was full of self inflected struggle due to poor decissions and filled with human works. One who understands that they are rich dramatically changes their perspective on life and they live according to the reality of receiving that gift.
While it will ultimately take the rest of our lives to go through the process to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, understanding that our lives are no longer the same is a reality for today!!! Accepting the fullness of the Gospel of Christ has afforded us the pleasure of being a vessel that God will use to spread the light of His Son Jesus Christ. Paul spoke this to the saints in Rome, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God", (Romans 12). We no longer have to stay in the cage of this life, the door has been swung wide open. Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
No matter how your life looks today, please know that it is wrapped in Christ and He wishes to have you live it to the full. Accept the gift and the purpose for your life and allow the light of Christ to shine before men and this dark world. It is not easy letting go of expectations, but this life is greater than we could have ever imagined once we let go of everything that keeps us from the fullness of the gift we have received. Today, take your place in the Will of God and allow His Wisdom that knows what you were created for displace your expectations, Trust Him for everything!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 3
There are brothers and sisters in the Faith today who seem to be standing still in their journey with God. They are very frustrated in this life because they can not move forward in God's Will due to anger with Him, but they cannot go back to the world because they have been exposed to too much light and the world cannot accept them. These saints truly have hearts for God, yet they have a hard time accepting God's Will based on their unmet expectations of what their life in Christ has become. They accepted the gift of Christ and they want to please God but they want to do it in their own way or the way they feel would best benefit the world and God.
The book of Jonah speaks well to the saints that find themselves in this position. God had a purpose and mission to carry out through Jonah. Jonah wished not to carry this purpose out and he ran from the Lord. As we all know and as Jonah found out there was no where that he could go to flee from the presence of the Lord. This frustration usually turns into a bitterness that robs the saint of hours, days, weeks, years, decades, and sadly for some a lifetime of enjoying a life as a vessel of gold. This bitterness could deal from many sources such as, sickness in self or a loved one, death of a loved one, poverty, lack of acknowledgement by man, lack of promises fulfilled by God, Lack of appreciation from God, lack of love from family and friends, lack of worldly possessions, or past brokeness never heeled.
The same reason why divorce takes place outside of adultery and abuse, is the same reason why these saints stop pressing forward in God's Will for their lives, their EXPECTATIONS was not met. Expectations can simply be defined as "those actions performed by others that the receipeint beleived would take place". Many fall away from pursuing God with all their heart because they have a lack of Faith. See man defines Faith as "believing in what God is going to do", but we should see faith as "believingt in what God has already done"!!! Even the end of times and Christ's return has already been spoken into existence through the inspired WORD of God. So it not a matter of is it going to come to fruitition, the question is when and only God knows that answer. Our faith in Christ is not based on the hope that He will save us from hell, it's on the Fact that He has Saved us from the penalty of sin. Our expectations of this life in Christ must be placed on the cross or we will become a slave to them as well. We must not deny the gift of this blessed life lived in Christ becuase of our frusterations due to unmet expectations!!! Today, if you have found yourself in a pattern of wrestling with God's Will and therefore by default rejecting the gift of pursuing God with all your might by standing still in your race, place your expectations and frustrations on the cross and release the shackels of bondage in your walk!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
The book of Jonah speaks well to the saints that find themselves in this position. God had a purpose and mission to carry out through Jonah. Jonah wished not to carry this purpose out and he ran from the Lord. As we all know and as Jonah found out there was no where that he could go to flee from the presence of the Lord. This frustration usually turns into a bitterness that robs the saint of hours, days, weeks, years, decades, and sadly for some a lifetime of enjoying a life as a vessel of gold. This bitterness could deal from many sources such as, sickness in self or a loved one, death of a loved one, poverty, lack of acknowledgement by man, lack of promises fulfilled by God, Lack of appreciation from God, lack of love from family and friends, lack of worldly possessions, or past brokeness never heeled.
The same reason why divorce takes place outside of adultery and abuse, is the same reason why these saints stop pressing forward in God's Will for their lives, their EXPECTATIONS was not met. Expectations can simply be defined as "those actions performed by others that the receipeint beleived would take place". Many fall away from pursuing God with all their heart because they have a lack of Faith. See man defines Faith as "believing in what God is going to do", but we should see faith as "believingt in what God has already done"!!! Even the end of times and Christ's return has already been spoken into existence through the inspired WORD of God. So it not a matter of is it going to come to fruitition, the question is when and only God knows that answer. Our faith in Christ is not based on the hope that He will save us from hell, it's on the Fact that He has Saved us from the penalty of sin. Our expectations of this life in Christ must be placed on the cross or we will become a slave to them as well. We must not deny the gift of this blessed life lived in Christ becuase of our frusterations due to unmet expectations!!! Today, if you have found yourself in a pattern of wrestling with God's Will and therefore by default rejecting the gift of pursuing God with all your might by standing still in your race, place your expectations and frustrations on the cross and release the shackels of bondage in your walk!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 2
You have heard this term before; "The Gift that keeps on Giving"!!! For many people this gift can be represented by many things in this world. The one true gift that keeps on giving is that of Salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! That's sounds great and biblical but let's actually test the facts to see if this is true.
First, you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and you receive atonement from sin which frees you from the penalty of breaking the law. Simply you will not have to spend eternity in HELL!!! We could have received eternal rest with just our eyes closed in the dirt and that would have been just fine, rather than going to a burning lake of fire!!! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Second, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us the rest of our lives, which is God's Spirit that will go through the process of sanctifying us. So we have been saved from the penalty of death, then we get this Holy Spirit which intercedes on our behalf in prayer, gives us the power to over come temptations from the evil one, and transforms us from the sinful nature that was separated from God, to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ which allows us to have fellowship with God and reflect the light of Christ to the world. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Third, we become co-heirs with Jesus Christ, as such we enter His Father's House and we will remain in Heaven for eternity once our last breath is taken on this earth. We not only escape the burning lake but then we get to live out eternity in this place where God the Father's presence is. John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Fourth, but not last, we get treasures based on our level of stewardship in this life and how well we run the race that God created us for. So we learn through the Word of God that we are not just here by happenstance and that our salvation is not the end of our journey in this life. We were created with a purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to perform it through us please's God. So we, in our own effort, do not have to perform, but just be willing vessels to move when God calls us to move. By doing so God interns rewards us with riches and treasures and a position of purpose in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
To wrap up, we accept the gift of Christ as our Lord and Savior and He performed all the work necessary for our salvation. We accept God's Will for our lives and the Holy Spirit does all the work to complete His purpose through us, all we have to do is be a faithful steward of the gift. Sounds like all we are required to do is make the right choices and the rest is in the hands of the The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, what a gift!!! Sadly, many today as yesterday have not received the gift because the wrapping is not appealing enough to them, their eyes have been blinded by their own desires. The gift of Salvation is the only gift on the face of this earth that has NO expiration date!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
First, you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and you receive atonement from sin which frees you from the penalty of breaking the law. Simply you will not have to spend eternity in HELL!!! We could have received eternal rest with just our eyes closed in the dirt and that would have been just fine, rather than going to a burning lake of fire!!! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Second, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us the rest of our lives, which is God's Spirit that will go through the process of sanctifying us. So we have been saved from the penalty of death, then we get this Holy Spirit which intercedes on our behalf in prayer, gives us the power to over come temptations from the evil one, and transforms us from the sinful nature that was separated from God, to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ which allows us to have fellowship with God and reflect the light of Christ to the world. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Third, we become co-heirs with Jesus Christ, as such we enter His Father's House and we will remain in Heaven for eternity once our last breath is taken on this earth. We not only escape the burning lake but then we get to live out eternity in this place where God the Father's presence is. John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Fourth, but not last, we get treasures based on our level of stewardship in this life and how well we run the race that God created us for. So we learn through the Word of God that we are not just here by happenstance and that our salvation is not the end of our journey in this life. We were created with a purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to perform it through us please's God. So we, in our own effort, do not have to perform, but just be willing vessels to move when God calls us to move. By doing so God interns rewards us with riches and treasures and a position of purpose in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
To wrap up, we accept the gift of Christ as our Lord and Savior and He performed all the work necessary for our salvation. We accept God's Will for our lives and the Holy Spirit does all the work to complete His purpose through us, all we have to do is be a faithful steward of the gift. Sounds like all we are required to do is make the right choices and the rest is in the hands of the The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, what a gift!!! Sadly, many today as yesterday have not received the gift because the wrapping is not appealing enough to them, their eyes have been blinded by their own desires. The gift of Salvation is the only gift on the face of this earth that has NO expiration date!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 1
Many Blessings the Father intend for our good are rejected because of our own way in which we believe the blessing will come. The children of Israel desperately awaited the Messiah that was prophesied about in Isaiah and by the other prophets who would come to save the children of Israel. They knew that their Savior was going to be a conquering King like David who would be a mighty man of War. He would overthrow the Roman government and bring peace to the Children of Israel for eternity. This carpenter from Nazareth could not be the King that would usher in this new era of prosperity for their nation.
Mankind's pride and worldly wisdom are the reasons why man still to this day, miss the gifts and movement of God!!! God presented Israel with a perfect Savior and He was rejected because the present was not wrapped in the proper package. It did not have the proper bows attached and therefore was rejected by the very sheep that the Shepperd came to save. God has plainly said in His Word that "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). We to this day continue to reject the blessings and movements of God in our Marriages, Families, Friendships, Workplace, Church, and the world because we are busy looking for what we believe to be the proper packages. Today, look at your life and ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to understand all the wonderful gifts He has bestowed upon you. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Mankind's pride and worldly wisdom are the reasons why man still to this day, miss the gifts and movement of God!!! God presented Israel with a perfect Savior and He was rejected because the present was not wrapped in the proper package. It did not have the proper bows attached and therefore was rejected by the very sheep that the Shepperd came to save. God has plainly said in His Word that "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). We to this day continue to reject the blessings and movements of God in our Marriages, Families, Friendships, Workplace, Church, and the world because we are busy looking for what we believe to be the proper packages. Today, look at your life and ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to understand all the wonderful gifts He has bestowed upon you. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 5
My Dear Beloved, on this day almost 2000 years ago, I committed the greatest act of LOVE I could, on your behalf. I knew that by me taking every stripe for your sins that we would have this day to speak to one another, but greater than that my Father would now be able to see me in you as you accepted me as your Lord and Savior. My Father delights in every discussion He has with you, and He wishes to have more of you today. Every word I spoke and every action I made was not in vain because you simply are here today in this relationship with me, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
I know that your decision to follow me was not an easy one, as my decision to die for you also carried a heavy burden. As my Father has shown the world through my Resurrection, I am the way, the truth and the light!!! I defeated death and the grave on that very day to atone for your life. Every sin that you committed before knowing me, after you came to me, and the ones you will commit tomorrow has been accounted for. They are as far from you as the east is from the west. They have been drowned into the sea of forgetfulness!!! I did this so that you may be set FREE from the penalty of sin and to live a life that would glorify my Father. Keeping my two commandments to Love my Father and to love one another will show the rest of the world my love that I had for you.
I know at times I may seem distant from you, but make no mistake, I am your High Priest who is sympathetic and empathetic to every temptation and tribulation that you will ever experience. The enemy has known since your birth that the day of your salvation would come to bare and he has tried everything to keep you from me, but the power of Love will always break the power of evil. He now seeks to keep you bound with the desires of your heart and the hurts of your past, but once again I am here to carry that burden. Cast every care today upon me and I will supply you with my Father's peace that surpasses all understanding, for His Grace is sufficient. My Father has created you for a particular purpose, just as He created my earthly body for the perfect death, and in love He wishes you to accept His Will not because He wishes to Lord over you, but because you desire to please Him knowing that He created your purpose for another's GOOD.
I am so delighted once again to speak with you today and whether we have spoken this morning, yesterday, a week ago, or longer, please know that I love to hear your voice and please never hesitate to call out to me, in the "good" or the "bad". I know you know my voice and anytime you wish to hear it, it is available to all my beloved sheep. I have all power and glory in my hand and I sit at the right hand of my Father's thrown. There is no request too small or tribulation too hard that I cannot bare, talk to me!!! I live in the WORD that was left for you by my other sheep. Read of me and my Father, many of your questions about my Father and I are answered there. What you read of this letter is from that inspired WORD!!! It gives you the power to stand against the enemy and to have comfort in hard times. My Father would not have left it for you if it was not for your GOOD. Study so that you may show yourself approved as a faithful student of my teachings and of the Father's love!!! Continue to bare your cross each day, for the journey is worth the body that you will receive when you see me as "I AM". Be Encouraged, for I am with you ALWAYS!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
I know that your decision to follow me was not an easy one, as my decision to die for you also carried a heavy burden. As my Father has shown the world through my Resurrection, I am the way, the truth and the light!!! I defeated death and the grave on that very day to atone for your life. Every sin that you committed before knowing me, after you came to me, and the ones you will commit tomorrow has been accounted for. They are as far from you as the east is from the west. They have been drowned into the sea of forgetfulness!!! I did this so that you may be set FREE from the penalty of sin and to live a life that would glorify my Father. Keeping my two commandments to Love my Father and to love one another will show the rest of the world my love that I had for you.
I know at times I may seem distant from you, but make no mistake, I am your High Priest who is sympathetic and empathetic to every temptation and tribulation that you will ever experience. The enemy has known since your birth that the day of your salvation would come to bare and he has tried everything to keep you from me, but the power of Love will always break the power of evil. He now seeks to keep you bound with the desires of your heart and the hurts of your past, but once again I am here to carry that burden. Cast every care today upon me and I will supply you with my Father's peace that surpasses all understanding, for His Grace is sufficient. My Father has created you for a particular purpose, just as He created my earthly body for the perfect death, and in love He wishes you to accept His Will not because He wishes to Lord over you, but because you desire to please Him knowing that He created your purpose for another's GOOD.
I am so delighted once again to speak with you today and whether we have spoken this morning, yesterday, a week ago, or longer, please know that I love to hear your voice and please never hesitate to call out to me, in the "good" or the "bad". I know you know my voice and anytime you wish to hear it, it is available to all my beloved sheep. I have all power and glory in my hand and I sit at the right hand of my Father's thrown. There is no request too small or tribulation too hard that I cannot bare, talk to me!!! I live in the WORD that was left for you by my other sheep. Read of me and my Father, many of your questions about my Father and I are answered there. What you read of this letter is from that inspired WORD!!! It gives you the power to stand against the enemy and to have comfort in hard times. My Father would not have left it for you if it was not for your GOOD. Study so that you may show yourself approved as a faithful student of my teachings and of the Father's love!!! Continue to bare your cross each day, for the journey is worth the body that you will receive when you see me as "I AM". Be Encouraged, for I am with you ALWAYS!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 4
Meditate and renew your mind with these scriptures today. I pray that they bless you beyond your recognition!!!
2 Corinthians 5
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
2 Corinthians 5
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 3
Let us look below, in our passage of scripture out of John 10 at verse 10. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." We may have asked, what does having life to the full mean??? Many will say that it means a wealth of prosperity and this is what is being preached in many churches today. Look at the scripture in context. Jesus is talking about eternal life after a physical death of our body. In verse 9 we see Him say, "they will come in and go out and find pasture". This verse speaks to coming to Christ and through Him we will find eternal life.
Now, I will pose this to you, does God want to bless His children??? What Father wouldn't want to give the best of gifts to His children. This is the secret to receiving those gifts. First you must die and come to Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and transform you from the old you, so that He can conform you to Jesus Christ the image of the Most High's beloved Son. Follow the example of Christ and continue to die to the Father's Will. As the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify you (make you holy), the Father will look upon His children to see whom He can bless with His gifts. God has all power and riches in this life and the next. A Good Father will not bless His child with something that will ultimately bring them harm. A father would not give his 7 year old child the keys to a new car. He knows that the child would hurt himself and maybe someone else. God wants to see the maturing child who knows what to do with the gifts.
The example that Jesus showed us was that he was given power on earth to heal, minister, disciple, feed, and provide for so many. These gifts are not given for our benefit but they are given to benefit others with the purpose of glorifying God. See there's two parts to that equation. Can God trust you to first use the gifts He gives you for others and not yourself. Then if you do decide to use it for others will you take the glory for yourself or give it rightly to the Source of the gift. These gifts may include the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. They may also be tangible gifts like material possessions and wealth.
The child who will be blessed with these gifts and who will enjoy in this life "life to the full", is the child who has been processed by the Holy Spirit to realize that none of those gifts are for them, so they abide by the "open hand" policy. See once again we must die to every desire of this world and seek the Will of God. God cannot bless some of us because we have our hands closed trying to hold on to something or someone. God can't bring your helpmate because your holding onto the counterfeit. God can't answer that prayer because your holding onto the idea that you will be the one to solve it. If you ever been around a child who is holding on to a toy and you try to give them a new toy, you know the struggle that incurs. They want the new toy but they don't want to let go of the other toy they are holding onto, they try with all their might to hold onto to each one and we have to tell them to "let this one go". Once you let go and allow God's Will to be the master of your life, God will flow blessings through you to others knowing He will receive the glory. In doing so you will experience the "abundant life", because you will be able to witness the movement of God in this earth as He saves lost souls and free His children who are still captive. Today, open up your hands and heart, so that you may let go of everything you have been holding onto, trust God for your needs and let the Holy Spirit take over your life, and watch your life manifest into a life that is "to the full"!!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Now, I will pose this to you, does God want to bless His children??? What Father wouldn't want to give the best of gifts to His children. This is the secret to receiving those gifts. First you must die and come to Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and transform you from the old you, so that He can conform you to Jesus Christ the image of the Most High's beloved Son. Follow the example of Christ and continue to die to the Father's Will. As the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify you (make you holy), the Father will look upon His children to see whom He can bless with His gifts. God has all power and riches in this life and the next. A Good Father will not bless His child with something that will ultimately bring them harm. A father would not give his 7 year old child the keys to a new car. He knows that the child would hurt himself and maybe someone else. God wants to see the maturing child who knows what to do with the gifts.
The example that Jesus showed us was that he was given power on earth to heal, minister, disciple, feed, and provide for so many. These gifts are not given for our benefit but they are given to benefit others with the purpose of glorifying God. See there's two parts to that equation. Can God trust you to first use the gifts He gives you for others and not yourself. Then if you do decide to use it for others will you take the glory for yourself or give it rightly to the Source of the gift. These gifts may include the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. They may also be tangible gifts like material possessions and wealth.
The child who will be blessed with these gifts and who will enjoy in this life "life to the full", is the child who has been processed by the Holy Spirit to realize that none of those gifts are for them, so they abide by the "open hand" policy. See once again we must die to every desire of this world and seek the Will of God. God cannot bless some of us because we have our hands closed trying to hold on to something or someone. God can't bring your helpmate because your holding onto the counterfeit. God can't answer that prayer because your holding onto the idea that you will be the one to solve it. If you ever been around a child who is holding on to a toy and you try to give them a new toy, you know the struggle that incurs. They want the new toy but they don't want to let go of the other toy they are holding onto, they try with all their might to hold onto to each one and we have to tell them to "let this one go". Once you let go and allow God's Will to be the master of your life, God will flow blessings through you to others knowing He will receive the glory. In doing so you will experience the "abundant life", because you will be able to witness the movement of God in this earth as He saves lost souls and free His children who are still captive. Today, open up your hands and heart, so that you may let go of everything you have been holding onto, trust God for your needs and let the Holy Spirit take over your life, and watch your life manifest into a life that is "to the full"!!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
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