The pride of life & the things of this world forces its priority on us. Only as He is lifted on high all who wills to “see” will be drawn unto Him and He will be glorified! Hailed by all of creation! Worshipped as the Great I am !
Pride of Life…
Extreme is the task that lays ahead, Gross the calamity of our flesh, soul and sinful dread, Weaknesses that ensnares our path, And, oh, the pride of life that tempts in our head.
Man of God…
Oh, man of God lay down your crown! Rather dare to follow The Son instead His ways are pure, His words are truth, He speaks of love amongst many other gracious worth.
Before His Throne…
Have you yet considered the moment before His Throne? When asked what did you do with love? How many days was self your lead? Now to reveal your recited self-righteous creed.
Feed His sheep…
Low we bow before Your greatness, Lord, To lay down our crowns and sword, How fallible our greatest speech, And yet you send us to feed Your sheep.
Forgive us Lord…
Strengthen now our feeble knees, Burn our lips with cleansing coals, We want to make Your kingdom proud, Not many days to sow Your Seed.
Only when Christ is lifted High…
So many still need to ‘see’ The Seed, Grace in action our strongest feed, His Blood was shed – not to be trample on, Only when He is lifted up will more men come…
… In truthful worship at His feet.
Alna@T 5.3.24
Scripture reading:
Joh 12:31-38 (31) Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (32) And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (33) This He said, signifying by what death He would die. (34) The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” (35) Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you.
Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
(36) While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. (37) But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, (38) that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?”
As we wage w-r with man and sinful seed our own lives are measured for faithful deeds. The standard being His humbled birth and selfless lead…
– Align then to His humble Birth
Nations are at w-r and People are fighting! Throwing words and b-mbs Seek resolve in g-n-blaze lightning
This folly makes me wonder… Even more so – to ponder What is their ‘just’ thinking This might then dissolve?
How angry are they really! How much anger is yet to come? Is this not the rage against The G-d… they too belong?
Wise counsel to steer the way Yet, No answer to our frantic prayers! Angry at This G-d – unmoved by our demanding charade!
Controversial challenges Leave us unsettled and unnerved He seemed not to care, to dare… Left us dabbling in our despair
For this is not an easy weight to wear His golden crown Facing human-stumbles on our path, reveal our fickle ground…
How rich would you have been, Without … sincere humbling? Relentless yield to a Higher Hand Expose the flaws within
How angry are you really! Perhaps enraged against This G-d For no display of tempered clay … But teaching us obey – HIS ways!
And now…
The poor soul at his Cross, himself Stand in your way to Ego-Bay Being the foe… all hell-break-loose; And none of these to us pertain?
How angry are you really! Why so deepened in dismay, Have you looked into your Father’s eyes, Witness’d grace, His Lovin’ embrace…?
[- for all He has made.]
And even so and maybe yet It’s not a man, But G-d… Standing in your zealous way At w-r; fought in your stead.
If you so would belong to (your)self For once adhere His urgent tell! You could have been at High-Horse-Down, already really dead!
As yet…
His love and mercy, in and through (us) Truth’s only source to make us new In guilt and shame, we all fall short… ‘His glory and renown
You have a name, yes! You are of worth But so the next, and next man down your curve A spoken premise, is yet to be lived In sole-align to His humble birth
Still to Him our love to prove As weighed in even-scale domain For the measure of His fullness’ shaped Is found amongst the dust… and fruit
To dust… from dust, let this be known This is His Holy Grail Found on the trodden path in blood-stained steps This is… His Holy ground!
Alna@T 28.11.23
‘This is…’ – another / every human being’s God-given life
Reading 161. New Spirit Filled Life Daily Bible (NKJV)
(SOCS)
2 Kings 8 verses 12, 13
Our ignorance of the depravity of our own hearts is a startling fact. Hazael did not believe that he was bad enough to do any of the things here anticipated. “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this great thing.” He might have been conscious enough that his heart was none so pure, but it might consent to do many an evil thing, yet crimes so flagrant as those the prophet had foretold of him, he thought himself quite incapable to commit… Ah, my brethren, the ignorance of Hazael is ours to a greater or less degree. In our natural state we are oblivious of the depravity of our own hearts… Ay, but, my brethren, we were, to a great degree, cured of this our ignorance when the Spirit of God brought us under conviction… Much of our ignorance was taken away; but alas! how much remained!… None of us know, after all, much of the baseness of our hearts… The depravity of our nature forbids… a venturing or presuming to play and toy with temptations… He who carries gunpowder about him had better not stand where there are many sparks… I implore thee, therefore, as thou wouldst honor thy God, and thou wouldst stand in brightness, go not I beseech thee where the temptation to sin is glaring, and flatter thyself that thou will come out guileless… God grant that we may not… be as Hazael, the perpetrators of crimes of which we never suspected ourselves capable.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Sermons of Rev. C.H. Spurgeon
Vir alles wat jy doen en vir wie jy is voor en in Hom!
Alna@T 09/11/2023
Woordlys:
Ongewild – op en af Vergete – die dood Ruskant – ewigheid Lig/Son – Christus Nuut – hiernamals Niet – hier en nou, die tydelike Goeie -grond – in die Bybel se idioom van saad wat val op goeie grond Stof – die mens se nietigheid in die ewigheids konteks
Ploeg en skaar – Christus het gelei om Sy Woord se saad na ons te bring
31.7.23 WORD of ENCOURAGEMENT for YOU: BUT GOD – HE IS!
I trust and pray with my whole heart that you are well.
In relation with the strategic mission of SABACKTOGOD Ministries… the Lord has laid it deep in my heart that we will pray into the 8 spheres of society.
CALL TO PRAYER
It is crucial that we lift up our voices in PRAYER and rise up, where we can, to have an influence directly into these 8 gates of society.
Many of you/us are battle weary…and can’t even think where to get the strength and energy to pray these days with the same fervor… let alone to go and do!
The enemy has attacked us from all sides… and the many distractions in our daily lives are tiring our souls to the point that we want to let go of our guard and our prayers of petition and intercession.
And yet we KNOW that PRAYER, together with a sound mind, power, and love that He has given us.. is the way…
BUT GOD ♎ ‼️
He will give us His strength again. He will gird up our loins with His vigor and Spirit Armor. God will be our flank on the sides and our rearguard prayer.
HE IS the victory! HE IS the battle already won! HE is the answer! He is the perfect END to our destiny and mission. He is our strength and focussed vision!!!
And HE IS in the midst of our day to day walking out of every little step… by step.
He is our Help, our Guard, Guide and Glory. HE IS the REWARD. HE is the HOPE in our story… He IS EVERY DAY!
NOT one day, HE IS not!
A CRITICAL MOMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
It is a very crucial moment in the history of SA and our Father is relying on His kinsmen to rise up to the occasion and stand on the rampart. To decree into the spiritual realm what we want to see happening in the physical.
It is not the time to sink into the down bubble SIGHT of our soul dimension. It is now the time to encourage each other to SEE and DECLARE according to the SIGHT from the higher heights of the EAGLE’S flight.
May you experience His ever-present presence, peace, and strength in this time.
Value and Appreciate you. Alna Terblanche www.kairoslife.co.za
CLEANSED SANCTUARIES BEGIN through THANKSGIVING & PRAISE. FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS, GOODNESS & PROMISES RECEIVED IN 2022
Psa 100:4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise Him. 5 The LORD is good; His love (mercy) is eternal and His faithfulness lasts forever. (to all generations)
More Scriptures to PRAY on THANKSGIVING & PRAISE :
Psa 63:3-5 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Psa 22:22,25 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
KEY focus 1 CLEANSING THE SANCTUARIES OF OUR LIFE from the very 1st day of 2023 (January 21 day FAST)
2Ch 29:17a “Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify (themselves),”… and on the eighth day…they came to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days
1st CLEANSING OURSELVES
Ezr 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast… that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. Joh 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
LETs PRAY:
FATHER, we come to HUMBLE ourselves before Your Holy Throne: We humble and sanctify ourselves to set ourselves apart for You. Re-dedicated our life, work, resources, giftings & calling to You. Place into Your care; our relationships, families, connections & all resources & people entrusted to our influence.
2nd CLEANSING THE BODY of Christ – Scriptures
Bringing (Y)our House of Assembly before You:
Eze 45:19 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the gate of the inner court. (Applies to all people entering the temple)
Heb 9:12 with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (for us all) 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
2nd CLEANSING THE BODY LET’S PRAY :
LORD as Leaders we bring Your House of Assembly before You:
We come to REPENT INDIVIDUALLY & CORPORATELY for all sins, iniquities, trespasses, and disobedience regarding our service unto You, Your people and in ourselves. We receive forgiveness and choose not to take any guilt, shame, or failure with us into this next year. We place the Blood afresh on the doorpost of our mind, soul, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, and tongue – to HEAR what You SPEAK, to SPEAK what You REVEAL , to SEE what You SHOW… to DO as You LEAD.
KEY focus 2 BE WILLING to ENGAGE INTENTIONALLY with His PROSES of SANCTIFICATION
Act 26:18 …open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
ENGAGE INTENTIONALLY – SCRIPTURES
As Prayer-Leaders we bring the MINISTRIES IN and THROUGH this House before HIS throne:
Exo 29:43 I will meet with the children of Israel, the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, …. but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
ENGAGE INTENTIONALLY
LETS PRAY :
LORD, We bring our WORSHIP unto You & every form of SERVICE to be re-dedicated, cleansed and redeemed by Your blood:
Ev’ry pastor, service, program, teaching, ministry, calling & gift, Ev’ry elder, leader, appointee, member as servants before You, Our worship & offerings, seed & resources, sacrifices (of self), Ev’ry person who has attended in the past or will enter this sanctuary in this year; to be healed, restored & sanctified, Ev’ry believer: to receive revelation of You, insight & wisdom from YOU,
To take this year’s FAITH-WALK seriously to heart, by engaging the MATURING proses of becoming “vessels of honor, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work”. (2Ti 2:20-21)
KEY focus 3. ENABLED by the HOLY SPIRIT
LETS PRAY :
Jesus, thank You for baptizing us with the HOLY SPIRIT and FIRE; for the sake of Your Holiness upon us and the Kingdom’s advance before us.
Act 15:8-9 (8) So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit,.(9)..purifying their hearts by faith.
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Matt 3:11-14)
ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT
HOLY SPIRIT, thank You for abiding IN & being WITH us: that You guide, strengthen, anoint & empower us, humble & move us to heartfelt repentance keeping us dependent on God and hopeful in HIM alone. (Matt 3:11-14)
Isa 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
LETS PRAY :
We confess our failure to yield to You and declare anew our utter dependence upon You,
We refrain from continued fearful self-protection & self-preservation. We choose to trust You with our whole lives,
We repent of our self-righteousness & disobedience, even against Your promptings,
We yield now our own will to obey boldly and be led by You without restraint,
We acknowledge that You are the VOICE of the FATHER and of the SON within us and we choose today to follow You blindly.
KEY focus 4. WILLING – TO SERVE
COUNTRY/TOWN – ALL AREAS OF SOCIETY & LEADERS
7. PRAYING for Godly leaders !!! We PRAY that leaders & citizens will COME to SALVATION in Christ and be baptized with You, precious Spirit of God
1Ti 2:1,2 PRAYER & supplications…for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Psa 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.
Pro 21:15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
2Sa 23:3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God
WILLING – TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY
8. PRAYING for the BODY of CHRIST SCRIPTURES to focus on:
Psa 5:12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Isa 48:17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Heb 10:22-25 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled… and our bodies washed…
WILLING – TO RECEIVE HIM
9. PRAYING for ALL PEOPLE GROUPS
We bring our parents, children, teenagers, the elderly, the sick, compromised citizens, the poor, backslidden, the lost & broken, those burdened, destitute, in addiction, the workless & bound before You :
We pray for Your wisdom, strength and guidance to help all on their path & challenges of life. We pray for BREAKTHROUGH!!
We pray for those out in the ‘cold’; wilfully strayed from Your will. We pray and plead for Your mercy, forgiveness & compassion to overflow their/our lives; We take hold of FAITH to OVERCOME!!
We pray for the breaking of all bondages, spiritual eyes & ears to be opened and lives to be redeemed from the destruction that rebellion, deception, greed, pride & evil brings. We declare FREEDOM!!
FINAL BLESSING
10. WE ARE CLEANSED, ENABLED & WILLING TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY BY THE POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN:
Psa 20:4-5 (4) May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. (5) We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Psa 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen & AMEN!!!!!
Each one of us needs to receive our own revelation & understanding of what Christ did for us on the Cross. WHAT a privilege then to gather together around the Communion Table to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us.
WE NEED TO CHANGE
AS YOU COME to the Communion TABLE… something in you need to CHANGE. • Something in us needs to CHANGE and BREAK, that something can BREAK-THROUGH.
IF NOT – this can MOST LIKELY just become another ritual in our lives.
THE ELEMENTS on the Communion Table
ON this TABLE THERE ARE 3 MAIN ELEMENTS • THE BREAD represents Christ’s BODY broken… • THE WINE / GRAPE-SAP represents His Life & His BLOOD shed for us: • THE CROSS is AN ALTAR – representing A PLACE for the atonement work of Christ, a place of TRANSITION.
THE EXCHANGE at the Communion Table
THIS TABLE also SPEAKS of an ANCHOR-POINT of EXCHANGE!! • You bring your STUFF – put it on the table. • We bring our brokenness, disappointment, hurt, fears, challenges, flaws… our sins. We bring our needs, sicknesses and failures… and lay it down…
• In EXCHANGE we pick up the bread & the wine, the symbols of the victorious Christ… We EAT the elements. It becomes PART OF US as He now becomes part of our life.
Isa 53 :4-5
“4 Surely He has BORNE our griefs And carried our sorrows; … 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
Bible NKJV
PERSONALIZE THE CROSS
• As we REMEMBER Christ ; we ALSO come quickly to REPENT of sins… we FORGIVE passionately… & GET RID of every hindrance!! • We come with HUMBLE, penitent hearts. • What happens here is not a ritual, a custom or religious action… IT is real!! • WE do not only come to RECEIVE – BUT ALSO to ACCEPT it BY FAITH. • You have to PERSONALIZE the Cross for your own life… making this experience at the Communion Table real to your personal life…
THE BREAD
THE BREAD SPEAKS of His Body – BROKEN, BRUISED, BEATEN • We bring our BROKENNESS and LET GO… to receive something new from Him… • We RECEIVE His WHOLENESS in exchanged for our failures & distresses. • NOW we can step into RESTORATION by ACCEPTING His GIFT by FAITH.
THE BLOOD
THE BLOOD SPEAKS of LIFE, Forgiveness, Redemption, HIS Righteousness. It ANSWERS all the accusations of the evil one !!!
In Lev 17:11 it is written: “For the LIFE of the flesh is in the blood, and I (God) have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls.”
Bible NKJV
THE ALTAR – THE CROSS
• IN the O.T., the Blood of sacrifice – slaughtered, had to be sprinkled on the ALTAR… • If there was no blood shed – there was no atonement. • On the Via de la Rosa – the way to the Cross, and on the Cross itself, Christ’s Blood was TOSSED, SPRINKLED, SCATTERED and DISPERSED all over…. • It was done as God prescribed it… even in this extreme, harshest way. • God knew how DESTRUCTIVE the sins of this world would become. • God knew how much DEVASTATION our sins will cause to our lives… • Therefore the punishment was so severe… the ULTIMATE PRICE had to be paid FOR us.
AS YOU PARTAKE of COMMUNION
AS you COME… I want to ENCOURAGE you to… • ALLOW Him to touch, cleanse, heal you, set you free & bring you PEACE. • ASK God to wash you with His Blood: “GOD WASH me WHOLE with Your Blood”
Something needs to happen here … and so every time and when-ever we draw near to GOD… Christ said “IT is FINISHED” ; THIS IS IT… this is all you need!
COMMUNION – GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU DISPLAYED
The COMMUNION Table is the heightened symbol or display of God’s LOVE. • This is the EPITOME of WHO GOD IS and WHAT CHRIST did TO establish us into the NEW COVENANT with the Father. • A COVENANT of an ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP with the ONLY TUE God that is real in your life RIGHT NOW, TODAY.
• CHRIST is standing here… with His arms open wide: “My Child…The Father LOVES you… the SON… and the Holy Spirit LOVES you.”
CONCLUSION on my contemplation at The Communion Table
As you leave here today… receive and take hold of His Blood that speaks life to you & KNOW that Christ’s BLOOD WILL help you to overcome!
When thinking about being set apart for Joy that is found in God’s truth – in His reality, we need to ask ourselves some questions to get to a clear and transparent answer.
Are we perhaps sometimes finding ourselves in an unhappy state… because we (sometimes) live in untruth, not being completely honest with ourselves or others?
IN different situations, good or bad, what do we tell ourselves? Do we say it as God says it in His Word and as He sees it by His almighty power of possibility? Or do we keep on repeating the negative… the UNTRUTH according to our fleshly observation? Do we see and speak from the temporary realm on what our REALITY dictates and not what we SEE and know to discern in the spirit?
Do we measure things according to the truth or according to what we want to believe or want it to be…..Are we sometimes forced by our unbelief to speak along with our enemy?
Do we speak His truth into situations or tag along with the lie of the enemy ? Do we bring our flesh into subjection to the spirit or does the flesh dictates?
Do we live as being set apart or being subject to?
Flesh needs to come to the end of its temporal ability in order to start functioning by the ability of the all powerful Holy Spirit.
We have been SAVED, REDEEMED and SET APART by God for Himself to live for the Praise of His Name for an hour like this in the JOY of His Glory.
SET APART for Joy – for God
Rev 22:21 The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God’s holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!
2Ti 2:21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences], will be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
Heb 3:1 SO THEN, brethren, consecrated and set apart for God, who share in the heavenly calling, [thoughtfully and attentively] consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we confessed [as ours when we embraced the Christian faith].
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,
Eph 1:4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.
Zep 1:7 [Hush!] Be silent before the Lord God, for the day [of the vengeance] of the Lord is near; for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, and He has set apart [for His use] those who have accepted His invitation. [Hab. 2:20.]
Psa 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and heeds when I call to Him.
HE HAS CHOSEN US – a HOUSE of SACRIFICE to be HOLY – For His NAME
2Ch 7:12-17
12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people. 14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
16 For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house, that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually.
SET APART as HIS COVENANT PEOPLE – To Live in AWE
Deu 10:12-21
12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being,
16 So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened.
20 You shall [reverently] fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and by His name and presence you shall swear.
21 He is your praise; He is your God, Who has done for you these great and terrible things which your eyes have seen.
SET APART FOR JOY – requires a BATTLE CRY
Psa 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy ( A BATTLE CRY ) in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD
Psa 21:1 THE KING [David] shall joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Psa 21:6 For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.
1Ch 16:27 Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. – in your inner self
Neh 8:10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold
SET APART FOR JOY – REQUIERES FAITH – trusting him regardless
Hab 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Jer 33:9 And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security, and stability I provide for it.
Psa 5:11 But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
SET APART FOR JOY – BECAUSE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS
Psa 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Mal 4:2 But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy.
Joh 16:24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. But now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Joh 17:13 And now I am coming to You. I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them.[That they may experience My delight fulfilled in them.That My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].
Rom 15:13 May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. [Ps. 118:24.]
Jud 1:24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]–
STAND IN HIS JOY AND TRUTH
3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth.
1Pe 4:12-14
12 Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange were befalling you.
‘Strange‘ : unusual and alien to you and your position
13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you,for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
1Pe 5:6-11
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care (DISTRACTION, DISUNITY, DIFFER) upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (TO DRINK DOWN, GULP ENTIRELY, DROWN, SWALLOW)
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
‘Resist ‘: STAND AGAINST, OPPOSE, WITHSTAND
RESIST is also TO STAND which also means to ABIDE, APPOINT, BRING ABOUT, CONTINUE. To stand in the authority by COVENANT, to ESTABLISH, to HOLD UP, to LAY. To PRESENT, SET (UP), STANCH, STAND (BY, FORTH, STILL, UP).
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
We are being set apart, consecrated and sanctified:-
1. Firstly by HIS EXTREME LOVE for US
IN this blog we are doing a brief study from scripture on the principles of being set apart, consecrated and sanctified. If we look at PALAH, the Hebrew word for being “set apart” the following descriptions are linked to this word. PALAH stands for ‘to be distinguished’, ‘to be shown to be marvelous’, ‘to be separated’, ‘severed’ and ‘to be made wonderfully‘.
Luk 15:7
(7) I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luk 15:21-24
(21) And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
(22) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe(anointing) and put it on him, and put a ring(covenant) on his hand and sandals(calling) on his feet.
(23) And bring the fatted calf(abundant provision) here and kill it (by Christ’s sacrifice), and let us eat and be merry(joy of the Lord-our strength);
(24) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost(destroyed, perish, marred, die) and is found(find, get, obtain, perceive, see).’ And they began to be merry.
2Ch 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and for throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of thosewhose heart is loyal(full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect, quiet, whole, complete) to Him.
2. WE ARE SET APART TO FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSES AND PLAN; TO UNITE IN HIS PURPOSE
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart (PALAH; to distinguish, show to be marvelous, separate, sever, make wonderfully) for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Exo 28:3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate (KAWDASH; to be/pronounced/observed to be clean, purify, sanctify, keep holy, proclaim) him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
Jer 29:11-14
(11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of PEACE (well, safe, happy, friendly, favor, prosperity, safe at mind, full, wholly, welfare, rest, health, perfect, salute) and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(12) Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
(13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
(14) I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Php 1:10-11
(10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
(11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
3. WE ARE SET APART TO MINISTER UNTO THE LORD
WE come to the Lord to offer a sacrifice on the altar by fire. The offering we bring to the altar is ourselves. We are called by the Lord to bring ourselves as a living sacrifice. This means that we lay down our lives and this presents a sweet smell to the Lord. As the bread is pleasing to our pallets, just the same is our consecration a sweet smell to our Father.
Exo 28:41 So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests.
Lev 20:7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.
Lev 21:6 They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.
Lev 21:8 Therefore you shall consecrate him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.
John Gill: “and the bread of their God do they offer; the shew-bread, which they set every week before the Lord on the shew-bread table, …, the “minchah”, which they continually offered along with the sacrifices: or the word “and”, being a supplement, may be left out; and so this clause is put by way of apposition, and as interpreting the fire offering to be the bread of their God, which being wholly burnt on the altar, and devoted to God, was his meat and food, and accepted by him, see Lev 3:11,” FOOD:(battle, overcome, make war, prevail)
Therefore they shall be holy; separate from all others, and abstain from all impurity both of flesh and spirit, from all uncleanness, moral and ceremonial; it being highly fit and proper that the bread of God should be offered by holy persons.
But God would not permit the blood, that made atonement, to be used as a common thing (Heb 10:29), nor will he allow us, though we have the comfort of the atonement made, to assume to ourselves any share in the honor of making it. He that glories, let him glory in the Lord, and to his praise let all the blood be poured out.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Lev 3:16 the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, offered by fire, for a sweet and satisfying fragrance. All the fat is the Lord’s.
1Ch 15:12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark( presence) of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.
4. WE ARE SET APART TO PURIFY AND CONSECRATE ONE SELF
IN YOUR WOUNDEDNESS and AFFLICTION / SICKNESS & DISEASE
– An example of being set apart, consecration and sanctification is when A BABY BOY is being circumcised on the eight day
– A LADY AFTER CHILDBIRTH and IMPURITY has to sanctify herself
Exo 13:2 “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”
Exo 19:10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.
Jos 7:13 Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.
5. WE ARE SET APART AND CONSECRATED FOR WAR AND AT SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Jdg 7:5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.
Joe 2:13-17
13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.
14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him—A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
Mic 4:13 “Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; For I will make your horn iron, And I will make your hooves bronze; You shall beat in pieces many peoples; I will consecrate their gain to the LORD, And their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.”
Jos 3:5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
New King James Bible
6. GOD SANCTIFIES HIS OWN NAME and SETS US APART FOR HIS NAMES’ SAKE
I Will Put My Spirit Within You
Eze 36:22-27
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.
23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.
24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.
25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
7. JESUS’S PRAYER TO THE FATHER TO SANCTIFY US – FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MINISTER & LIVE BY HIM; WHO IS THE TRUTH
Joh 17:17-19
(17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
(18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
(19) And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
Heb 10:29Welcomed into His presence by the Blood
(29) Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
8. WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO START FULFILLING OUR LIFE’S PURPOSE BY LOVING GOD FIRST & OURSELVES IN ORDER THAT WE CAN LOVE OTHERS
Mat 22:37-40
(37) Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
(40) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
9. WE ARE SET APART IN OUR OWN ‘DYING TO SELF’; TO RISE UP THROUGH REBIRTH IN FAITH UNTO LIFE
1Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb 13:12-14
(12) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
(13) Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
(14) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
10. WE ARE SET APART IN OUR DAILY MISSION
GO AND DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO TODAY. ONLY YOU CAN PERFORM THAT TASK
HEBREWS 13:15-16
(15) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
(16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
:20-21
(20) Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) make you complete in every good workto do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
:19-24
(19) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
(20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God,
(22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
(24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
1. HIS CONQUERING BLOOD ASSURES US RESURRECTION LIFE – That is to live an enfused SPIRIT-LED LIFE
LIVING AMONGST THE LIVING
IF….
IF LOVE covers a multitude of sins and …. and GOD IS LOVE – which HE IS!!!
If His MERCIES are NEW every morning… enabling us then to receive our Healing, Wisdom, Strength, Hope, Faith, Grace…. for each New Day afresh…
If the WORD is the TRUTH and ALIVE IN US…
2Jn 1:2 (2) Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever:
IF….
If THANKSGIVING is the KEY to ENTER the Gates of His kingdom…
Psa 100:4 Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, And into His courts with PRAISE. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
If PRAISE gives me the AUTHORITY to stand in His Courts to execute His Will…
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
If GRACE abounds where sin increases… for us to be SAVED from Utter destruction BY GRACE….
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
THEN SURELY HIS BLOOD has then…:
COMPLETED the UTMOST QUEST for LIFE!!!
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
His Blood ANSWERED all the accusations
It reaches the deepest deep
It Satisfies all the charges that the enemy can ever bring into the courts against us
It places us in an unassailable bond with the Father
1Sa 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
It provides All provision needed to live this live IN Full, To His Glory!
2Co9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
HIS Blood has power to cover the most adverse of situations, sins, losses, failures, difficulties, trials, challenges… in people’s lives
HIS CONQUERING BLOOD ASSURES US RESURRECTION LIFE
Mar 5:41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Luk 8:54 …took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”
ARISE CUMI – Hebrew H6965 qûm koom A primitive root; to rise : – abide, accomplish, confirm, continue, decree, endure, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, ordain, perform, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure (-ly), (be) up (-hold, -rising).
ARISE – Greek G1453 egeirō eg-i’-ro collecting one’s faculties; to waken, that is, rouse (literally from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence): – awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-) rise (again, up), stand, take up.
IT TRANSFORMS the LOWEST LOW to the HIGHEST HIGH
Rev 1:18 And the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades.
IT CONQUERS THE DARKEST DARK – Those who are hell-bound, sickness stricken can say
Isa 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
IT REVERSE & REBUILD, IT STRENGTHEN
Jer 33:7-8 (7) And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to be reversed and will rebuild them as they were at first. (8) And I will cleanse them from all the guilt and iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their guilt and iniquities by which they have sinned and rebelled against Me.
IT CURES 12 years of unnecessary blood flow
Luk 8:43-48 (43) And a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by anyone, (44) Came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased. (45) And Jesus said, Who is it who touched Me? When all were denying it, Peter and those who were with him said, Master, the multitudes surround You and press You on every side! (46) But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that [healing] power has gone forth from Me.
Christ knows when you draw near & trust Him; when you make Him your ONLY HELP to do something for you
(47) And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came up trembling, and, falling down before Him, she declared in the presence of all the people for what reason she had touched Him and how she had been instantly cured. (48) And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your confidence and trust in Me) has made you well! Go (enter) into peace (untroubled, undisturbed well-being).
IT REMOVES THE BLINDNESS OF SIN ( mud) from our eyes
Nehemiah petitions God
Neh 1:6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.
Our OWN STATE of Blindness (LACK of REVELATION)
Eph 4:18-22 (18) Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. (19) In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand]. (20) But you did not so learn Christ! (21) Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], (22) Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
ARISE!!!
THE VICTORIOUS BLOOD of the LAMB ENCOURAGES US TO ARISE
2. WHY DO YOU LOOK FOR THE LIVING AMONG DEAD?
Luk 24:1-7 (1) BUT ON the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had made ready. (2) And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, (3) But when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) And while they were perplexed and wondering what to do about this, behold, two men in dazzling raiment suddenly stood beside them. (5) And as [the women] were frightened and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among [those who are] dead?
(6) He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee (7) That the Son of Man must be given over into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God) and be crucified and on the third day rise [from death]. [Psa_16:10]
JESUS IS ASKING….
Why do we look for HIM among things that are worthless, stresssing about the things mortal and callous – (without the heart of God) – try to fill your lives with frivolity (superficial) & feeble things…
Why do you labour so hard at things of the spirit that is not spirit led…???
Why do you look for Christ – to experience Christ – amongst the things, programs, entertainment, pleasure, religious activities, things naturally discerned and seen or that is of the world…???
PRAYER TIME :
SHOW US LORD the things that we are wasting our time, energy, resources, talents, that is steering us away from your REAL PURPOSE for our lives • Personally • Church life • Society • Relationships • Careers
FOR HIS BLOOD LEAD US TO OVERCOME
Rev 12:11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
A. PREPARE YOUR HEART – COMMUNION Ps 24, 51, Mat 5:22-24, Mat7:3-5, Ps29:1-11 B. GIVE HIM PRAISE – Ps 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God, …worship at His footstool— He is holy. C. PRAYER for the 8 SECTORS OF SOCIETY: Isaiah 62:6-7, Ps 91, 121
8 SECTORS OF SOCIETY
1. FAMILY – Godly MARRIAGE values – Property – Healthy society – All PEOPLES
2. FAITH/ BELIEF – The END-TIME MANDATE of the CHURCH-All Faith Leaders – Churches. Ef4
3. GOVERNMENT/GOVERNANCE/LEADERSHIP:
3.1 Government and all governmental leaders.
President, All Political parties for wisdom, council of God,
EXPOSING of all wickedness, corruption, fraudulent activities, incompetent appointees.
RE-APPOINTING of GOD intervened governmental & Social Leaders
3.2 Specific prayer for our local government/leaders: Mayor,…
Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Jer 29:7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
3.3 Legislative system & judges, Courts & legal processes
7. MEDIA – HONEST reporting, Truth to prevail, Lies to be uncovered
8. ARTS, SPORT & CULTURE – God’s uprooting & nullifying of demonic influences…
SCRIPTURE: Isa 54:7-17
7. “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. 8 … But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” Says the LORD, your Redeemer. 9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. 16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
21 03 FEB Mediclinic Prayer – SCRIPTURES:
PRAYER
Eph_6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Php_1:4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, Php_1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Php_4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Col_4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Jas_5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Jas_5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
LEADERS:
Isa_9:16 For the LEADERS of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed. Jer_25:34 “Wail, shepherds, and cry! Roll about in the ashes, You leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled; You shall fall like a precious vessel. Jer_25:35 And the shepherds will have no way to flee, Nor the leaders of the flock to escape. Jer_25:36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, And a wailing of the leaders to the flock will be heard. For the LORD has plundered their pasture, Mat_15:14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Luk_19:47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,
BODY of CHRIST:
Eph 1:17-23
(17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.[for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
Eph 2:4-10
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him (by grace you have been saved)(delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation), (6) and raised us up together[giving us joint seating with Him], and made us sit together in the heavenly places [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding, immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His grace(His unmerited favor) in His kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through (your)faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, (Law’s demands) lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for (those)good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:20-22
(20) You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. (21) In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. (22) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
Eph 3:10-14
10 [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. Eph 3:11-12 (11) This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord, (12) In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).
Eph 3:14 For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:16-19
(16) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— (19) to know(practial experience) the love of Christ which (sur)passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.[may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Eph 3:20-21
(20) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]– (21) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
Eph 4
Eph 4:1 I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, Eph 4:3-8 (3). endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism;(6) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.(7) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (8)Therefore He says: “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
Eph 4:11-13 (11) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Eph 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
Eph 5
Eph 5:1-2 (1) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (2) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Eph 5:8-10 (8) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), (10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Eph 5:14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Eph 6:10-18
(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation[to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Eph 6:23-24
(23) Peace be to the brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (24) Grace (God’s undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be).
“For His DIVINE POWER has bestowed upon us ALL THINGS that pertain to LIFE and (A SPIRIT‐LED‐LIFE) GODLINESS (reverence, piety, holiness) through the FULL, PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (His virtue).”
WE ARE TO BE ACCOUNTED in HIM – to be DEFINED in HIM! All things WILL BE GLORIOUS unto HIM !
1. We HUMBLY PURSUE YOU in this late hour.
Father, You have given us ALL THINGS that can help us to live a godly and Holy Spirit‐led LIFE. We realize THIS is only possible through a “FULL, PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE of YOU” We repent for NOT taking THIS SERIOUS ‐ often living a “lackadaisy” FAITH‐LIFE. Mixing up the PURSUIT of YOU & YOUR GLORY with our own ‘more urgent or important’ STUFF We aught to be ACCOUNTED in YOU; NOT in our flesh‐life striving. We COME to WANT to KNOW YOU more!
PRAYER POINT TWO
(2) Exo 33:7 COME MEET WITH GOD!
” Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the TABERNACLE OF MEETING. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD, WENT OUT to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.”
2a. Father, we PURPOSEFULLY DRAW NEAR TO ENCOUNTER YOUR GREATNESS
Our PRAYER today is that the BODY of CHRIST: Will RISE UP IN FAITH as we SEEK You daily, by Your Spirit ‐ not through our fleshly anguish or reasoning. (Rom 8)
Will SEPERATE themselves from worldly councils to pursue YOU’RE YOUR WILL & purpose. Will pursue being SET‐APART for You.
Psa 63:1-5
1. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
2b. Father, as we SEEK Your Face
Our PRAYER today is that the BODY of CHRIST: Will RECEIVE Your DIVINE HEALING in SOUL & BODY through the Spirit; TO ENTER YOUR PEACE.
Will TRUST in Your Protection, Wisdom, Provision & HS Guidance TO RECEIVE Your GLORIOUS REST in this late season. Will SEEK YOUR FACE NOW for our lives; our Towns, Churches, this Nation, Your Kingdom… Will be STRENGTHENED TO GO and PREACH the GOOD NEWS; to GO & make disciples!!
PRAYER POINT THREE
(3) Exo 33:9‐11 A DISPLAY of GOD’S GLORY!!
“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and ALL the people ROSE and WORSHIPED, each man in his tent door. (taking ownership)
So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…”
3a. Father, we Repent of DISTRACTIONS
We REPENT & strip ourselves today of all that DISTRACTS from Your GLORY & pre‐eminence. We REGRET for allowing FEAR, DOUBT, UNBELIEF ‐ in all forms, to drive us after WORLDLY wisdom, securities, sensation, carnal comfort & significance… We BIND all FAMILIARITY (familiar spirits); that debase and demean Your NAME, Holiness, Judgement, Grace, Justice & SOVEREIGNTY! We HUMBLY YIELD to WORSHIP You ALONE!
3b. Father, we Repent of all IDOLS
For running after so many other things in seeking meaning and purpose for this life: the lusts of the world & power (1 Jh 2:16) our own carnal desires that provokes to jealousy, strife.. (Ez 8:3) Idols: ‐ idolatry of self, own worth, fame, significance, prestige, position, wealth, things, public status… (2 Pet 1:4) For placing our daily issues; the pride of life, the temporary things 1st‐ in Your stead!
PRAYER POINT FOUR
(4) Exo 33:13‐15 A GLOBAL NEED for GOD’S GLORY!!
“Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may KNOW YOU and that I may find grace in Your sight…
And God said, “MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”
Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. (4…) Exo 33:17‐18
So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; • for you have found grace in My sight, • and I know you by name.“
4. Father, we have A GLOBAL NEED for Your GLORY to MANIFEST !!
We Pray for Your MERCY, COMPASSION & GRACE in CHRIST as we enter into 2021. Tofind grace in Your sight;BY the Son’s Blood. Toshow us YOUR WAY, not to take our own. ThatYou may KNOW US BY NAME. (Rev1:5‐8) That the Holy Spirit will INVADE the Earthly realm to strengthen and REFRESH the
“ I will MAKE all My GOODNESS pass before you, I will PROCLAIM the NAME of the LORD before you. I will be GRACIOUS to whom I will be gracious, and I will have COMPASSION on whom I will have compassion.”
(5)b. Exo 34:2 BE PERSISTANT in FAITH!!
So BE READY in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.
5. Father, we need Your GRACE to KEEP us IN FAITH & REMAIN STANDING in YOUR TRUTH ALONE
We will SEEK You EARLY, and seek You as the 1st MOST important thing in our life. We will go up ‘higher’ to seek You out amongst all the other things that life calls for. We PRAY in REVERENCE of Your Holy Name.
PRAYER POINT SIX
(6)a. Rev 2:2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil…
(6)b. Rev 12:11 Look at our mandate IN Christ…
And they OVERCAME him (Satan, EVIL) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. SELAH in this!
Let’s look at what GOD SAYS about evil!
(6)c. Psa 97:10 You who love the LORD, hate evil!He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. (6)d. Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. (6)e. Amos 5:15 Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
6. Father, We STAND in the GAP by the POWER of the Blood to REPENT for SIN & EVIL
We take responsibility for ourselves, our Families, Churches, Towns & Nation; TO STAND in the GAP. We repent for all the sin, evil & bloodshed, rivalry, discord & injustice… lack of love, LIES, greed, apostasy to Your Sovereignty. We pray Your Glory will manifest to ROOT OUT sin, expose corruption & the works in darkness; AS YOU GO BEFORE us… We pray for God‐fearing LEADERS!
PRAYER POINT SEVEN
(7) Rev 2:3 …and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My Name’s sake and have not become weary.
We THANK You God, for all the SERVANTS of GOD in this House; praying in all humility.
7. Father, We PRAY for the SERVANTS of God in this house
We Pray for PROTECTION, Strength, Perseverance, Servanthood & Godly Unity to prevail. We Pray for REVELATION, Council, Wisdom, Strategy, Plans, Influence, Favour, PEACE & Your REST in all areas. We pray that Your Kingdom GLORY will CHANGE this area also through us; For Your NAME’S SAKE!
PRAYER POINT EIGHT
(8) Rev 2:4‐5 LET it BE about GOD!!!
Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
8. Father, TODAY! We COME back to YOU, our 1st LOVE
We repent, LORD, of our personal & corporate decline allowing pride, lethargy, weariness, laziness, sluggishness to numb and tempt us away from sincere, truthful REVERENTIAL AWE & HOLY LOVE for YOU. We repent for loosing our fervent zeal & standard of LOVING YOU 1st and MOST of all! – To love You FOREMOST. (Mrk12:30)
Open our eyes TO SEE!: ‐ in the MIRROR of Your Word where we are tempted to go astray. We ask forgiveness for taking Your honour and making it about us. We repent for IGNORING YOUR HOLY SPIRIT; We regret our stubbornness in NOT adhering to Your lead & wise council BUT following our own will.
We ASK ‐ in YIELDING to Your Spirit, for leading us to PURITY, FERVENT DEVOTION, HOLY OBEDIENCE & REVERENTIAL AWE. We humbly come to seek YOUR PRESENCE to REVEAL Your GLORY here in this PLACE!
BLESSING
Rom 5:1‐2,5
YET, BY GRACE WE can REJOICE in THE HOPE of HIS GLORY
Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED by faith, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through Whom also we have ACCESS by faith into this GRACE in which we STAND, TO REJOICE in HOPE of the GLORY of God.
Now HOPE does not disappoint, because the LOVE of God has been POURED OUT in our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT Who was given to us.
Considerations on Spiritual LEADERSHIP after the Global Lockdown – In the Newness of the Spirit
Serving God In the Newness of the Spirit
IN the Newness of the Spirit. We look at the now, much needed, new Spiritual Leadership after Lockdown. This need to originateFrom BEFORE GOD’S FACE -For HIS KINGDOM’S GLORY.
FOOD for THOUGHT: “From BEFORE HIS FACE – For HIS KINGDOM’S GLORY“
As we consider spiritual leadership after lockdown, we envisage
A NEW FACE OF THE TEMPLE THE CHURCH – THE INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZED
a. ABSTRACT:
The current global scenario that we all are subject to, now creates an obvious & opportune time for RENEWING PERSONAL & CORPORATE VISIONS – in this divine Kairos season; to introduce Spiritual leadership in the “Newness of the Spirit”
“The NEW FACE OF THE TEMPLE THE CHURCH Powerful – Through Every Believer THE INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZED.”
b. INTRODUCTION:
Christ’s Kingdom’s Glory (a) need to be on the forefront of the believer’s now-end-time mission; individually & corporately. The presumptuous disruption of our lives, the utter disordering from life as we know it and the way we’ve ‘done life & church’ in the past, now asks for – and presents a very natural occasion towards – refreshing current views & visions. This is a great opportunistic time – to be fully embraced in seizing the moment; for looking at things from a complete new, unfamiliar, decisive & experiential perspective.
c. RECITATION for CONSIDERATION
ORIGIN OF RECITATION – this recitation originated from:
Specific scriptures bringing conclusive insight and forming part of the backdrop of this dissertation. Academic studies and its literature on ‘revised’ or ‘refined’ visions. This script is also grounded in & founded on a Christ-Kingdom inspired search, for some answers to the Mandate of the Church’s End-Time Impact – for Kingdom Glory, through manifested Kingdom Glory, yet to be released.
IN the NEWNESS of the SPIRIT – FROM BEFORE HIS FACE – FOR HIS KINGDOM GLORY
CONTENT
1. LOCKDOWN CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
2. PRE-LOCKDOWN CHALLENGES & STRENGTHS
A) IN the Newness of the Spirit – SPIRITUAL MATURITY B) IN the Newness of the Spirit – Biblical SOUND DOCTRINE to be embraced
3. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WAY FORWARD AFTER LOCKDOWN
3.1 New WINE skins ask for New Wine – GOD’S AGENDA for the Church
C) IN the Newness of the Spirit – A New Resilient FAITH CULTURE D) IN the Newness of the Spirit – NEW WINE can BRING BREAKTHROUGH E) IN the Newness of the Spirit – SEEK HIM TOGETHER – in a new way F) IN the Newness of the Spirit – Determine the HEARTBEAT of the CORPORATE BODY
3.2 New CHRISTIAN IMPACT – In His GLORY Presence
G) IN the Newness of His Spirit – His MANIFESTED GLORY H) IN the Newness of His Spirit – His DYNAMIC POWER IN DIVERSITY I) IN the Newness of His Spirit – LETTING GO make way for RELEVANCE J) IN the Newness of His Spirit – It’s time to MOVE ON
3.3 VISION must translate into SPECIFIC STRATEGIES.
K) IN the Newness of the Spirit – INCLUSIVE, TRANSPARENT & OPEN DISCUSSIONS L) IN the Newness of the Spirit – A STRATEGY FOR NOW
3.4 A NEW BRAND of MARCHING SAINTS
M) “IN the Newness of the Spirit – Every Believer embracing His mandate; TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE”
4. CONCLUSION: NOW IS THE TIME FOR HIS GLORY TO MANIFEST
5. FINAL APPRAISAL – SUMMARY – SCRIPTURES – COMMENTARIES- COMMENTS(Strongs)
RECITATION :
IN the NEWNESS of the SPIRIT
From BEFORE HIS FACE – For His KINGDOME GLORY
Rom 7:4, 6 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
1. LOCKDOWN CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
Through all spheres of life, our reality has for ever been changed into a new unknown special consideration that requires new-wine; updated spiritual leadership. The known has been shaken & has been freed up from conformity to nominal perceptions of our existence and stale beliefs.
As individual believers and the Body of Christ in general, we need to look upon the mission ahead in a new fresh way – KAINOS. This is needed in order to accommodate, facilitate & maximize the current opportunity of the changed world.
This is now the moment – maybe the last we might have – to seize the opportunity to change the status quo of redundant scenarios. To invoke the NEW WINE on a civilization, desperate in need for something new & real! Even, if the old, set & faithful methods still work; is it what God is initiating now? Is this really what the Father has birthed through His Spirit for this moment? Or are we settling for 2nd best, that which is safe?
ARE WE WILLING to seize this new hour with an adventurous trust IN GOD? CAN we WAIT in FAITH on HIM to SHOW HIMSELF CREDIBLE in the very late BUT BRAND NEW hour ?
2. PRE-LOCKDOWN CHALLENGES & STRENGTHS
The Church has been preached to, trained, taught & equipped for years. We have been pew warmers for centuries. Spiritual leadership has always been of utmost importance. Yet now it is more important than ever before.
REVIVAL in the CHURCH will start with the revived spirit of every Believer that has made a daily encounter with God by His Spirit, revealing His Word, their default – NOT settling for anything less!!
REVIVAL in the STREETS will start when the fire of the Holy Spirit burns so bright, even harsh. Through the lives & testimonies of the saints the very shadow of Him living inside of us will convict to repentance & draw all men to His unsurpassed grace.
Because Christ’s true love is displayed through us.
A) IN the Newness of the Spirit – SPIRITUAL MATURITY
As long as we keep people dependent by feeding mainly from outer-court menus, appeased with sight-seeing passivity, comfortable programs and non-challenging examples, the need for maturing (hearing, knowing, doing for yourself) will not be stimulated.
Dependency leaves the Believer’s own call to ‘feed’ others & evangelize the lost, even further behind as part of God’s mission for them.
Unless, we are challenged to step into that place of spiritual maturity; and take responsibility for our own personal faith-walk, people will keep on ‘passing the buck’. Or keep on believing that they are incapable to perform their commission.
• This is contrary to the scriptures: (b) “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
B) IN the Newness of the Spirit – Biblical SOUND DOCTRINE to be embraced.
To NOT-share the relevance of hardships, trials & challenges of our faith walk, is not presenting to the Believer a Biblically sound doctrine and an all compassing theology. Such messages that neglect the above, presents a mediocre comfortable faith journey..
A seeker sensitive mentoring; lacking the truths about God’s judgement, wrath, righteousness, justice & grace…, do not help the believer in his/her own faith pursuit in their real-time challenges. (b. Psa 89:14)
• This soon has to change & will be a sudden shock to those who sit under erroneous preaching that mainly populate the pews by pleasing the ears; leading many astray in the process through defiled & compromised spiritual leadership.
Is the church maybe guilty of keeping babes in the pews? Have the mega-church concepts & grandeur individual pursuits been for too long, too much on the forefront?
• Being stuck in monotonous & repetitive religious rituals are the same as being under the spell of witchcraft & bondage of the Law of old. (c. Rom 7:4,6)
3. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WAY FORWARD AFTER LOCKDOWN
We should now go & fulfil the End Time mandate for maximum CHURCH-IMPACT through His many new & different creative ways; by serving & to influence this world in the ‘Newness of the Holy Spirit’ being led in His authentic ways. This happens as we come before His face; when our sole focus for ‘doing church’ is for His Kingdom Glory.
• IF, His Kingdom GLORY – to do the Father’s will (a) – was the ONLY AUTHORIZED mandatory mission; would our End Time Faith Activities have looked different from the previous Faith Business Pursuits? (see annexure B & C below)
3.1 New WINE skins ask for New Wine – GOD’S AGENDA for the Church “In the Newness of the Spirit – What is on God’s Agenda”
“WHAT will we hear as we come before Him, before His face, in the beauty of His Presence about His glory to be made renown !?”
Another read : “THE VOICE of the CHURCH has been SILENCED”
NOW is the TIME to LISTEN to WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING!
Superficial faith menus leave people unfulfilled & dissatisfied with the doctrine of the church; it frustrates. Anything not shared genuine from the heart falls flat…
For the Spirit inside us cries out, deep unto deep, for the more of the ‘newness of the Spirit’. One taste of the New Wine poured out deep into our spirit – the power and presence of the Holy Spirit – leaves us cold for anything that it is not.
Now is the TIME to QUIET OURSELES DOWN for INSIGHT & REVELATION.
We have to hear, see and observe; – so to speak ‘WITH WHAT’ & ‘WHERE’ God is busy. All Believers need to discern where His Holy Spirit is moving & what is now highlighted on His agenda.
• This won’t be found in the previous ways or by following past formats or formulas. The times have now truly & actually changed into more variations of the speedily changing world. The last ‘order of the world’ has become a greater reality and is closer at hand. It is not politics, business, church and life as in the past.
• A Familiar view, past successful programs & strategies; same old, same old ways can blur our vision & hamper our pursuit of a fresh new approach – in most areas. Before us are many, very new & challenging uncertainties that create diverse and new requirements for the present and future time.
C) IN the Newness of the Spirit – a New Resilient FAITH CULTURE
In many ways, people are now faced with the very real, fast changing dynamics of a very uncertain ‘present’ & vague future. It is an opportunistic, global, antagonizing and a constant in our lives. Believers need to become further acquainted and aware of a living God, actively guiding them, by His Spirit. The reality thereof and with greater intensity.
Personal challenges & struggles should be met with a resilient FAITH CULTURE. This is a personal, real & practical FAITH culture that will be introducing the dimension of God’s real time truths to be personified.
A NEW FAITH CULTURE- NEW wine is introduced for the new wineskins :
• It is crucial that hands-on, practical & on-the-run operational guidance & guidelines need to be introduced. This will enable the individual believer to be combat-ready, able to address & confront each personal challenge him/herself with resilient faith; in the newness of the Spirit. (b. Eph. 4:11-16)
• In-service Spirit training is the best way of learning & earning stripes under your belt; resulting in mature, relevant and practical Believers, trained in experiential faith by the Spirit.
• It’s time to throw the ball back into the hands of the believer & all members of the Christian faith.
The Assembly to assemble around His Spirit’s voice, individually received & acknowledged – as in the Upper Room – for the movement of the Church into the new, to come alive, together – form the Fulness of Christ – His Full 5 Fold.
D) IN the Newness of the Spirit – NEW WINE can BRING BREAKTHROUGH
New wine in new wineskins can break through the frontier of the unknown and step up, step out & create a new unique identity to meet the requirements of the new… Maybe now is the time to let go… to embrace faith afresh ” in the newness of the Spirit”
‘Let my people go’, to believe in themselves, to believe in God alone, to be able to fulfil the great commission; their great mission; confident to be led by my Spirit. Man made principles need to be founded on the solid Rock of the Word.
• It is the duty of the Leaders & Elders of this age to equip & commission the Body of Believers into their harvest fields; NOW even in a more resilient new way. (b. Eph. 4:11-16)
E) IN the Newness of the Spirit – SEEK HIM TOGETHER – in a new way
CORPORATELY A FEW NEW APPROACHES NEED TO BE TAKEN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN
In a corporate community we have to pursue God together to find “the new” that accommodates & is inclusive of most in the communal heart… to find the communal heart; His heart in all.
Church life has to break in & break through
The uniqueness of each individual’s faith convictions should be harnessed to enrich the faith experience of the corporate Body. This being wide-ranging, yet inclusive to encourage involvement and facilitate self-realization.
In finding the Lord’s fresh new agenda & direction for the diverse areas of church life, it could be inevitably to seek a completely new approach. This can be done by bringing new wine into new wine skins through overhauling & remodelling some of the current programs, styles & rescheduling some.
In most areas of faith life, we should not default to “as we’ve done it in the past”. The previous approach will most probably not accommodate the current systemic scenario in the much-needed new & relevant way. It will also not be able to facilitate progress towards the new wine, unless this is & stays dynamic in the current NEW demanding situation.
F) IN the Newness of the Spirit – Determine the HEARTBEAT of the CORPORATE BODY
Seeking God’s face as a congregation and participate in transparent leadership is crucial for the church to stay dynamic.
In order to discern where our Father is ‘moving’ & ‘touching the hearts’ of members in the Body, we need to determine the heartbeat of the corporate body.
HOW DO WE FIND THE CONCEPT OF THE CORPORATE HEARTBEAT?
• By encouraging open discussions, people’s dispositions, needs and personal faith quests, will be crystalized and brought into clarity. Through each member’s personal revelation of God & desired progress in their salvation process, this insight will bring revelation.
• While encouraging ownership of the individual pursuit, this needs to join together in the corporate setting. To come to the full picture of our Father’s heart. Through this we will discover His current involvement in the lives of His saints and discern where He is taking the Body as a whole.
• The voice of the sheep gives the shepherd a clearer idea of where they are and what their needs are; to meet just that. This, a paradox, but in this new season the shepherds’ may need to listen for the sheep’s cries. Let this stir up a new direction – leading from ‘behind’.
3.2 The New CHRISTIAN IMPACT – In His GLORY PRESENCE
G) IN the Newness of His Spirit – His MANIFESTED GLORY
Let us look at the scriptures:
“This, the first of His signs (miracles, wonderworks), Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory [by it He displayed His greatness and His power openly], and His disciples believed in Him [adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]”. (e) Joh 2:11
PEOPLE NEED TO BELIEVE “AGAIN”
Through the signs & wonders that Christ performed, His glory was manifest & His greatness and power became openly known. These miracles become evident of His presence; there manifesting in this dimension “on earth as it is in heaven”.
People started to believe in Him. This was something displayed through ‘Someone’; unlike anything they have ever experienced before. He had a completely New Impact in their lives.
• It is time that this must happen again. Surely, God would want show Himself strong in this moment in time; through a people that truly believe in the power given to them through the risen Christ; and them acting on it.
THE WORLD IS IN DIRE STRAITS – AWAITING SUCH A MOVE NOW:
• The dynamics of the entire social, financial, relational and operative environment in & around our socio-existence has changed.
WE need to demonstrate the PRESENCE & GLORY of God through A NEW HEIGHT of HIS SPIRIT’s INTENSITY and MANIFESTATION; NOT THROUGH more excitement & entertainment.
BY my spirit within me, I will seek you early
H) IN the Newness of His Spirit – His DYNAMIC POWER IN DIVERSITY
In order to stay relevant, we need to spent time and have open ears to find new ways of introducing a DYNAMIC POWERFUL GOD into people’s realities.
For this to happen we have to give God the mandate on OUR TIME & give the Holy Spirit our UNDIVIDED CAPTIVATION and worship of Him. Through sitting & abiding in His presence we will discover His DYNAMIC POWER in HIS DIVERSITY. This is crucial to lead the way.
As we look at Him the Holy Spirit show us His ways and lead us into all truth we will discover how He wants to manifest Himself in the “current world scenario” in this hour through HIS manifold ways.
The EVANGELISTIC Christian Ministry & Faith Life Push
The current global state of affairs should be used to the benefit of a NEW VISION. To stimulate the last leg of the EVANGELISTIC Christian Ministry & Faith Life Push.
This could result in a powerful & dynamic revival stimulus as people “start to believe” again.
• With all the diverse new challenges we may have to target a few areas where we find ourselves able to change & introduce diversity to make a difference in a new way and use this as a guideline & inspiration to change.
I) IN the Newness of His Spirit – LETTING GO make way for RELEVANCE
• The New Christian Impact now needs to make a large footprint. Out in the mission field of our everyday life, in business, the workplace, social & suburban life –
• It asks for a measure of ‘letting go & leaving’ of the occasional stagnation of the old. To introduce out of the box, new, wider & more free Christian life approaches that will meet people where they at.
J) IN the Newness of His Spirit – It’s time to MOVE ON
Most Believers have “moved on”. Christians have had enough of the rigidity of religiously; and ‘toeing the line’ to something that is not relevant to their real-time lives. These includemany who are serious in their faith. The backslidden and even potential new souls. People want to see the risen Christ now manifested in this dimension!
• In order to stay relevant in the irrevocably changed society of the 11th hour; finding new innovative evangelical ideas, mandates & encouraging new bold patterns will have to become a faith community’s pursuit.
This can ensure change to the faith life of the believer & to match the demand and need of the current late hour.
3.3 VISION must translate into SPECIFIC STRATEGIES.
K) IN the Newness of the Spirit – INCLUSIVE, TRANSPARENT & OPENLY
In order to steer the ship with inclusiveness, strategies will have to be freely discussed & openly debated by the greater part of the faith community.
This approach may keep at least the majority interested; being part of the plan through an incorporated vision, mission, goals & introducing actions steps for all to employ with vigour. Therefore, being motivated by an inclusive vision development; MORE BELIEVERS will be released to be the new face of the church – the individual mobilized.
“THE CHURCH WILL GO NOWHERE NEW, UNLESS WE ALL GO TOGETHER”
:-“God quote” Jhn 14 & 17
IF NOT implementing comprehensive vision building & INCLUSIVE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, the falling away- from the corporate setting; of even the elect, will take place sooner than later.
In the light of the current global scenario – that has brought in much confusion – more individual VOICES are NEEDED; and need to be heard. We need the voice of the church to make the End Time Statement of the church drastic; to be broad & far reaching. This is essential, especially pertaining to the relevant direction for the church in its end time dynamic purpose.
L) IN the Newness of the Spirit – A STRATEGY for NOW
The ‘New Normal’ needs to be conceptualised within a strategy for now:
‘Not knowing exactly what just happened; where we are; where we are goin; what we are facing; what is next and what to prepare for; accumulate into a new compendium – to be incorporated in our reasoning processes for the way forward.
These scenarios of global proportions, playing off in the minds of most, are now very much in our face. Where previously it was just a vague possibility in the back of one’s mind.
Much & many things have changed. Most people don’t have an idea of what exactly has changed. Neither can we factually appreciate what is really going on. And what is really at stake here.
DISCERNING THE TRUTH FROM THE LIE
The uncertainty of who are now calling the shots in governments; is of great concern.
The agenda of those key role players that socially influence our lives – even readily planning that of the next generations – is highly questionable and even suspiciously looked at. Thereis much reason to discern what the ‘truth’ sounds likeandto seriously determine the church’s new function in a societythat is stillshaking in aftershock. Nowadays, the integrity of the many voices, bellowingover the amplified media waves, is highly questionable.
It is one thing to have a plan & direction.
We are all fully aware that something of apocalyptical nature is going on! But what this entails or will amount to still need to be revealed; and it will…! BUT will we see it for what it is!?
People don’t know to what the world has changed to & what it is developing into. Most people are greatly confused, and therefore even dysfunctional after this much unsettling time. Even to the point of becoming depressed and lethargic.
This current condition applies to our personal, corporate & even spiritual settings. There where we find the plan (path and direction) is not attend to in a fresh new way and left to the “silent groaning of the uncertainties” more confusion & disengagement will set in. ‘Someone’ needs to hear God’s voice in the newness of the Spirit for new direction in this season. All of us need to discern His truth from the voice of the lie.
The CHURCH needs to find that new setting to adapt their plans, strategies & spiritual leadership approach.
• We need to keep all parties involved to be part of a new way of thinking. This is crucial for faith building & a solid faith stance. • Leaders should lead from the back at times, to accommodate & appreciate the reality of current dynamics in people’s lives; for an inclusive and dynamic new vision.
3.4 A NEW BRAND of MARCHING SAINTS
In providing diverse & creative planning opportunities, collaboration on the things that we are sure of from His Word;
The CHURCH could harness a New Brand of Marching Saints into ‘The Last Commission March’ for HIS Glory Mission.
To keep the faith community relevant, active, encouraged and energetic; in doing what the hour requires, asks for a revised, fresh, unfamiliar & dynamic new VISION. This vision should translate through strong spiritual leadership & in collaboration with all who need to buy in and ‘sell the product’ of their faith; out in a very real and uncertain world.
THE LAST BANQUET
Every generation had their years of international & national mayhem, war, confusion & instability. Yet, now we are for sure closer to the end… We are closer to a fierce enemy with a devious plan, which needs to be negotiated.
Crucial new strategies have to be developed; – in order not to fall away from the original Mission of the Church – MAKE disciples and take them with you. And not to miss out on the glorious harvest prepared for our Saviour’s last banquet feast.
M) IN the Newness of the Spirit – Every Believer embracing His MANDATE TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE
4. CONCLUSION:
NOW IS THE TIME FOR HIS GLORY TO MANIFEST
As human intervention almost ‘step to the side’ in submission; we allow the GLORY OF HIS PRESENCE break the fallow ground in the believer’s life – in a NEWNESS of the Spirit-way.
As every believer is encouraged; become bold and daring to step into the flow of His Glory River, the church will come together in unison – as we all walk in the frontline, together.
FOR THE GREATER GLORY
We are in the Father’s GRACE TIME season of realizing purpose FOR THE GREATER GLORY; where every Believer will find his/her own voice in context of the Kingdom Voice & Spirit Call.
As the Godhead is ONE, we are to manifest the many facets of Christ’s glory in unison. Becoming relevant in these last days with New Wine in New wine skins. The FIVEFOLD Minisrty Fulness of Christ must be revived into action. This need to happern by equipping through guidance and revelation of the Holy SPirit in the moment; releasing the voice of the Father into one relevant voice by revelation. (e) Joh 2:5
‘His kingdom has to come’ through each Believer’s life – living from a place of experiential faith & glory.
• HIs Kingdom should & will manifest when His glory presence flow in & through us; becoming evident with signs & miracles. A daily, supernatural manifestation of His power & presence for the world to see & believe His majestic honour & glory. THIS can only COME from HIS PRESENCE… from Him…
TO pray from the Secret Place; from before His face.
Please watch this following video of Kevin Zadai’s experience in heaven. Encouraging us to enter into the secret place through prayer.
• For God to show forth His greatness; the greater works of Christ should be PERFORMED. There where man has no pretence, no human conceived plan and no agenda of His own. This will happen when man step aside & God’s glory manifests; by Him bringing His own right arm into action. To perform His greater works, even through us.
• This happens when our Father finds a vessel through whom He can freely manifest His almighty power & glory, according to His council & perfect will; knowing His glory will reach Heaven’s throne & His accolades will be hailed, throughout the heavens and the earth. (e) Joh 2:11
All of creation will join in song for the Church has been mobilized for the honor & glory of his Kingdom to manifest.
His Glory will manifest as the corporate church “allow the believer to believe in God” through the lives of ALL and He will receive the hnour & praise. No man, no individual, no church, no denomination. We will be led by His Spirit and He will seize His own praise. He will not share His glory with no man.
A whole new era needs to be hauled in. Where the systems, calendars, plans, works and performances of man will truly subject itself, consciously, to serve God & His people “in the newness of the Spirit” (c)
The church in this late hour is crying out for Strong & mature spiritual leadership in the Newness of the Spirit
From: The Monograph – A Biblical Theology of Leadership
I quote:
“If we think of success in terms of leader-greatness, we are on faulty ground. Success is to be measured by the greatness of the people of God, not just the leaders”
5. FINAL APPRAISAL:
CHRIST wants to be glorified!
The Father’s glory was and still is Christ’s mission! Now through us, even more! HIS IS the Kingdom, the ONLY kingdom, the only kingdom to build. He ALONE is the POWER & the GLORY; to receive ALL the honour.
I humbly contemplate; might the church in general, have missed it at times… We are “flesh unto flesh”, yet we should be spirit unto Spirit. The human nature, craving for honour and selfrealiasation is much tempted to make it about ourselves.
So many HUMAN PURSUITS; instead of making this life about God…, about His Glory to manifest through our lives and testimonies.
OUR God builds His church
We are ever thankful, for Him not leaving us to our own end. God is still building His Church!!
God is building His church regardless and in spite of our neglected failures and imperfections. Which include our failure to do regular retrospective “Word-Mirror” spot checks., to toe the line with the Word.
Our neglect, that has eroded gospel priorities, has rather often highlighted man’s packaged suggestions, of a Church look alike.
Are we building the church with God or apart from HIm?
HONOUR is due – SAINTS & STEWARDS of His grace
To His Priesthood, who continues relentless in the enormous responsibility of leadership; leading the church of His Christ in His wisdom, truth & Godly ways.
Many of God’s Servants are walking in the frontline, even when own weaknesses, trails & failures temp to lure to despair.”
LASTLY, Through this dissertation,
I also want to bring honour to the past & previous Giants of Faith. Those who led the Church so diligently by the call of His Spirit in previous eras.
They achieved much by spreading Christ’s Kingdom Glory through His Great Commission and played their best role in this diverse, compelling mission of the Christ Story.
They have layed the foundations for the now-generation, to fulfil and write the last pages of this novel Narrative.
Are we ready to build the Last Arc Together!
Heb 11:7
(7) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen; moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
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These are my humble, ‘own-mirror’ reflective contemplations; a modest submission, KNOWING that it is only SHARING IN PART.
Let us all be encouraged to use this ‘New WINE Season’ to make right and keep going for the Good Lord’s Eternal Glorious Honour.
In His Righteousness alone Alna Terblanche 28/05/2020
SUMMARY
The following themes are relevant to this recitation:
Summary with acknowledgement of Dr. Emeka Ezenwugo
At PRE-Lockdown, the global Church was engaged in many ‘clever’, yet man driven initiatives. Many were not necessarily Spirit led.
What we call the church has created a class of ‘dependent” devotees who have little or no one-on-one encounter with the Lord and lack discernment.
There is a need for a tangible demonstration of God’s power and glory. This is needed both to awaken the Church and to harvest the souls in the world.
The 5 fold ministry of Christ; especially the PROPHETIC, are needed at a time like this to be in sync with what the Lord is doing globally as we approach the end of the ages.
Annexure A: SCRIPTURES – Let the Scriptures Be the Light to Our Path
(a) THE GLORY OF THE FATHER & OF HIS CHRIST – ON EARTH – IS A GOD OBJECTIVE
Key verse to consider for our core aspiration & foundational consideration:
Joh 7:18 (Ampl)
(18) He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself. [He whose teaching originates with himself seeks his own glory.] But He Who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent Him, He is true; and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him. (NKJV) (18) He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
(See Annexure B; for commentary perspective)
2Co 4:5 – 7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Treasure in Jars of Clay
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Joh 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son
Joh 17:1
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
Joh 17:4-6
(4) I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. (5) And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (6) “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
Joh 17:22-24
(22) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (23) I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (24) “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
(b) BELIEVERS MATURE UP!
Psa 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.
2Co 3:18
And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
Heb. 5:12 , 14
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1Jnn 2:27 – The believer needs to know how to ABIDE IN HIM & draw from HIS anointing But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Eph 4:11-16
(11) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— (16) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
(c) THE MESSENGER OF THE NEW COVENANT IS SENT TO SERVE BY THE SPIRIT
Mal 3:1
1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the LORD of hosts.
Rom 7:4, 6
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Ampl. VersionRom 7:4, 6 …So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life].
Joh 20:21-23
(21) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Mar 16:19 (19) So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
(d) TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER
Joh 4:34-35
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
Heb 13:21 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Joh 7:16-17
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
(e) SIGNS WILL MANIFEST HIS GLORY
Joh 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Joh 2:11 This, the first of His signs (miracles, wonderworks), Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory [by it He displayed His greatness and His power openly], and His disciples believed in Him [adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him].
Annexure B: COMMENTARIES EXTRACTS
Matthew Henry Commentary’s depicts:
(A) Comment on John 7:18
See here the character of a deceiver: he seeketh his own glory, which is a sign that he speaks of himself, as the false Christs and false prophets did. Here is the description of the cheat; they speak of themselves, and have no commission, nor instructions from God. No warrant but their own will, no inspiration but their own imagination, their own policy and artifice.
(B) Comment on John 7:16-17
Christ himself, was willing to have his doctrine enquired into, whether it were of God or not. Therefore much more should his ministers; and we are concerned to examine what grounds we go upon, for, if we be deceived, we are miserably deceived. Secondly, who are likely to succeed in this search: those that do the will of God, at least are desirous to do it.
Now see,
Who they are that will do the will of God? They are such as are impartial in their enquiries concerning the will of God, and are not biassed by any lust or interest, and such as are resolved by the grace of God, when they find out what the will of God is, to conform to it. They are such as have an honest principle of regard to God, and are truly desirous to glorify and please him.
Annexure C: Revelatory COMMENTS through Biblical context (Strongs)
• “ In the Newness of the Spirit G2538 Kainotes kahee-not’-ace : renewal G2537 kainos : kahee-nos’ – freshness G2643 katallage kat-al-lag-ay’ : exchange (figuratively adjustment), restoration to (the divine) favor: – atonement, reconciliation (-ing).
• “Before the Face of God “ G2714 katenōpion kat-en-o’-pee-on From G2596(katah) and G1799; directly in front of: – before (the presence of), in the sight of. G1799 in the face of ; 3700 optomai ; To gaze, To look at, Perceive, Regard, Take Heed, To know, To understand, To see, To visit, To behold, To discern, To consider
I release these words as God reveals His heart. I believe He wants to encourages us all, to PRAY & TO BELIEVE that He IS VERY PRESENT in our CURRENT, VERY interesting SEASON.
PRAYER RELEASES THE POWER OF GOD
Psa 85:6-9
(6) Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
(7) Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.
(8) I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.
(9) Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
WHAT HAPPENS AS WE PRAY !?
SEED NATURE TRANSFORMATION
Every seed is created by God to change the nature of that seed into something completely different as it is PLANTED or SUBMITTED. It becomes a living organism and of a “different nature”. It changes from strength, phase, stature, appearance, purpose, destiny & in effect.
God has DESIGNED THAT SEED to react to HIS NATURE – SUPERTNATURAL POWER
As we pray, putting our faith out there in audible words, we create something very powerful, life changing, atmosphere changing by releasing our faith into the God realm.
These faith-released ‘SEEDS’ change completely from nature as prayer turns words & sound into actions. These PRAYERS are to be executed by a different kind – the angel-kind, and released into another realm to execute, to manifest here on earth as it is in heaven.
PRAYERS RELEASE THE SUPERNATURAL
These prayers are directed into the spiritual realm to create something supernatural and of a wonderworking type. The heavens react to the words & doings of God’s saints, His warrior bride. Angels are sent into action. Daemons are set to flight and heaven touches earth.
Do we understand the authority & power we exude as we utter & demonstrate words, prophetic actions, gestures, songs and even groanings & sounds of weeping, praise or joy by faith?
Our faith and authority do not lie in the words, method or strategy BUT in the power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; – as the word so clearly state.
BELEIVE IN GOD OR NOT
As we PRAY, we have a choice to believe that something will happen as we have brought the matter before the Father’s Throne of grace. We also have an option to see by the spirit, our Lord, the Chief Intercessor, seated at the Right Hand of the Father, interceding for us, or we can look with the natural eye and see ourselves trying to do this life by our own natural ability…
When we employ our faith in an ALMIGHTY GOD through our PRAYERS, we can extend our spirit-hearts to take hold of the HOPE and even ETERNAL JOY; to actively RECEIVE the PEACE that we have in our Lord, HIS COMPLETE SHALOM. OR we will be guilty of being a doubting Thomas. There are no grey areas when it comes to faith in God.
We either believe in God or we don’t; in His goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, justice and kindness… to name but a few of His characteristics. If the Word of God states over and over that God is good … His mercies endures forever, then we have to make the choice, even TODAY, to believe, that is WHO He says He is – NOW & for ever more.
When circumstances changes … God does not change with it!!!
FAITH COMES ALIVE AS IT HEARS THE WORD OF GOD !
The Word says that God has given us all a measure of faith. This faith comes alive and goes into action as it HEARS the LIVING Word of God. Even more so when we utter or demonstrate this ourselves by the filling our minds, heart and mouth with great measures of the Word.
LET us therefore go INTO ACTION with our PRAYERS, filled with WORDS of WORD-FAITH! And let us look, to see & wait in expectancy what God is doing on our behalf, in this life that He has blessed us with. If you are also one of those doubting if this present situation is a blessing… I don’t blame you… surely, we are all wondering where this is going.
But one thing will never change and that is :
Joh 14:13-14
(13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
(14) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Luk 18:7-8
(7) And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
(8) I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
TRUE WORSHIP UNTO GOD RESTORES RAIN and HIS BLESSINGSTO A NATION
True Worship Unto GOD restores all things back to HIS purposes and plans. This applies to all of us and to all of our lives. We are all called to worship God. Even Satan still falls under that command. All of creation is called to worship the one true God.
IF ANY WANTS TO SERVE THIS NATION IN TRUE WORSHIP UNTO GOD – MAKE RIGHT WITH the TRUE GOD
IF you BELEVE it or NOT. You are a creation of the One true GOD. You can choose to believe what ever you want – this one fact cannot be changed according to your believe or liking. You are created by the ONE true God – that LOVES you and He created you OUT OF LOVE & FROM HIS SPIRIT. You look like Him – amazing or freeky – it still stays a fact & the only truth there is.
True Worship unto God – the only true God restores a Nation to enter into His REST. Such a people who trusts in God also receive to enjoy His protection & Covenant Blessings according to His Promises; by default!
– ONLY SHARING IN PART –
The Lord has laid a deep concern in my heart; imprinting that the current DROUGHT has a GOD PRINCIPLE implicating. This is not solely the reason, yet it links up our Government and the Presidency, as the responsible entity in office, the head of State – the head of this South African NATION.
IF ANY WANTS TO SERVE THIS NATION IN TRUE WORSHIP UNTO GOD – PRAY FOR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
Such, has ‘cut’ PEACE connections with Israel in bowing to humanistic, political, economic and cultural pressures. This decision is in clear opposite to OBEDIENCE to the Word of God and the Worship of the ONLY ONE TRUE GOD.
A logical result from this action taken by our Government – a COLLECTIVE Governmental LEADERSHIP, who takes RESPONSIBILITY for this Nation and makes the final decisions – is the consequential REFRAINING from TRUE WORSHIP to the ONE TRUE GOD.
This resulting in South Africa to stand in DISFAVOUR, AS A WHOLE NATION, before the CREATOR; and therefore, (in part) closed up for the blessings and favour of God Eternal.
HE ALONE is the giver of ALL LIFE; which includes the BLESSING of LIFE GIVING RAIN on our NATION (see scriptures below). HE demands true worship unto God, unto Himself for He has set His laws in place to bless the Nations who will abide in His blessed ways.
◇ SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVE AND TERMINOLOGY:
Therefore, as we interpret this from a Scriptural perspective, our Government, and specifically the king/our President, as the head and responsible person (see Ps 21) can’t be a blessing to the nation… and we can’t walk in the blessings of God as a nation.
Blessings, which include the blessing of rain, financial prosperity, social and governmental stability.
IF ANYONE WANTS TO SERVE THIS NATION – TAKE UP YOUR GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY
Again, this applies to all citizens of this nation.
◇ OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
A.▪ THE CHRIST BELIEVING CITIZEN’S RESPONSIBILITY:
Let us then STAND in the GAP and REPENT for the sins of this nation’s Government and PRAY for the peoples.
Let us pray for their hearts to open up to God’s wisdom and council.
B.▪ A CALL TO PRAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
Let the BELIEVING CITIZENS of this Nation CALL UPON our GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS to:
REPENT of their HOSTILITY towards Israel and REFRAINING OF ACKNOWLEDGING YAHWEH, the Great I am, as the One True God;
Let us PRAY for RESTORATION of such RELATIONS and the PROTECTION of FREE WORSHIP to the GOD of Israel; – REPENT for ALL FORMS of unrighteous BLOODSHED
Let us PRAY for the RESTORATION of such laws & the re-instating of the protection of ALL LIFE of man and all things created.
REPENT for ALLOWING the VIOLATION of the SANCTITY of THE BRIDE; MARRIAGE and ALL RELATIONSHIPS RELATING TO FAMILY;
Let us PRAY for the RESTORATION and employment of all legislation for the PROTECTION of the ENTTITY of the FAMILY; as GOD designed it.
REPENT for neglecting SERVICES to the citizens of this Nations, purely because of the DISOBEDIENCE to God’s STATUTES, PRINCIPLES and (WISE) COUNCIL to the king; resulting in a lawless, greedy, disrespectful, corrupt, truth-less and a selfish society;
Let us PRAY for the conviction of the hearts in our Leaders, by the power of the Holy Spirit to return to the One True God.
C.▪ THE BODY OF CHRIST:
IF ANONE WANTS TO SERVE THIS NATION – Let the BODY OF CHRIST UNITE IN TRUE WORSHIP OF THE ONE TRUE GOD,
the MESSIAH, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to save the world.
He also came to die for the SALVATION OF THIS NATION, TODAY. (Hebr 2 to 4)
there is NO OTHER God
IF ANONE WANTS TO SERVE THIS NATION -Let us UNITE IN PRAYER:
TO BRING HONOUR TO HIM ALONE; for HE said there are no other gods like Him.
TO REFRAIN FROM OUR OWN STUBBORNNESS, cultural, humanistic and church-political deviations and divisions; TO Worship God in Unison.
TO RETURN TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD, the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit within.
TO REPENT for the sad and compromising state of affairs in the Body of Christ and the CHURCH establishment.
TO PRAY for ALL who call themselves Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, to return to the TRUTH and sound doctrine in His WORD.
◇ CONCLUSION:
Yet, God, the God of the Whole Universe, STILL KEEPS US IN HIS MERCY and GRACE; for our God has not forsaken us completely,… There are still Prayers going up to His Throne. There are still believing, trusting hearts in His faithfulness over us.
GOD IS A SOVEREIGN GOD… HE HAS the SOUTH AFRICAN Nation as part of His End Time plan to be a SAFE HAVEN for the World.
Let us PRAY this into being!
THE SACRIFICE Christ paid has completely removed our separation from God, in order for us to freely come…; and AS WE willingly RETURN TO HIM. Let this NATION RETURN to the Living God in TRUE WORSHIP and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of HIS SOVEREIGNTY over us. LET US ARISE IN HIS GRACE; RIGHTEOUSNESS, JOY, PEACE, HOPE, TRUST and FAITH in our GOD. FOR HE HAS OVERCOME sin and death, He IS ADVANCING with the Hosts of Heaven on our behalf.
He is coming as THE ETERNAL SAVIOUR of the World… also for RSA.
◇ SCRIPTURE references:
Zechariah 14:17
And it shall be that whoso of the families of the earth shall not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain.
Psalm 21:1 – 3 , 5 – 7
THE KING [David] shall joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For You send blessings of good things to meet him; You set a crown of pure gold on his head. His glory is great because of Your aid; splendor and majesty You bestow upon him. For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence. For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the Lord, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.
Hebrews 3: 12 – 13 , 15 , 19 Ampl
[Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]. Then while it is [still] called Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion [in the desert, when the people provoked and irritated and embittered God against them]. [Ps. 95 :7, 8.] So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out].
HOW DO WE MAKE SENSE OF BAD THINGS HAPPENING TO GOOD PEOPLE?
Sickness, desease, brokenness, disaster, death, wickedness, all evil, unrighteous living and any form of sin… are definitely not God’s will for us or form part of His Covenantal blessing for us. But, we live in a fallen world and are therefore subject to it.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Sin came through a choice that man made, in the freedom God gave him to choose. God in His desire to have a relationship with us created us with a free will, enabling us to make our own choices.
He gave man a choice to choose to Love Him and to choose that by his free will. He did not enforce it on us… therefore, He gave man by default also the choice to reject Him and to sin. LOVE is a choice; no enforcement can apply.
AUTHORITY LOST AND GAINED
Adam chose to disobey God’s instruction and through His choice, all of creation became subject to that choice, which plunged all of mankind into a fallen and sinful state. From our birth we are received into this fallen, sinful world.
In the Garden of Eden man also lost his authority. At that point this was handed over to satan. When God send His Only Son to earth – for the redemption of mankind back to the heart of the Father, God gave ALL AUTHORITY back to Christ.
Therefore, as we step into God’s redemptive option to choose Christ, to be IN Him and to receive the New Covenant Position that He attained for us, we also regain our place of authority; but this time it is only as we are In Him.
(Again, we are sharing IN PART)
THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THIS STORY
a. OUR PART
The word says: ‘Because of a lack of knowledge (of God) my people perish… that calls for all areas of our lives to be subjected to the knowledge of God.
Hos 4:6 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge,...
COMMENTARY ON THIS SCRIPTURE ; Mathhew Henry’s Commentary
“The people strove with the priests that should have taught them the knowledge of God; justly therefore were they destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hos_4:6. Note, Those that rebel against the light can expect no other than to perish in the dark. This can also serve as a charge upon the priests, who should have been still teaching the people knowledge (Ecc_12:9). …so there was no knowledge of God in the land; and because there was no vision, or none to any purpose, the people perished…” Pro_29:18.
In application to the context of the title to this exposition re. “…Life’s Quest in Trials…” we now come to “The knowledge of God”:
The knowledge of GOD for victorious living
As Christ fills ALL things with Himself, we desperately need His knowledge of Himself to be revealed to us in the different situations and areas of our lives, enabling us to live our lives in the full knowledge and revelation of WHO HE is FOR US in every trial, situation and quest.
Pro 29:18 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
As the crown of God’s creation, we should constantly be looking at our Creator for wisdom and guidance in everything pertaining to this life He granted us. Yet, we have rejected Him, and often are still not interested in learning from God, His ways.
Man would rather follow his own discretion and human acquired knowledge – through his God given intellect, than to yield to our Creator’s Manuel & obediently submit to His statutes and Holy Spirit – within us – for guidance & His ULTIMATE wisdom.
Most of us suffer from a severe plague of pride, stubbornness and self righteousness. Even when earthly wisdom comes our way, from any avenue but our own preferred place of submission, we would get severely aggrivated or self righteous. We would rather stay in rebellious stubborness than to humble ourselves & follow good advice. Funny enough this happens mostly on the topics of health, relationships, finance and faith; where life’s biggest challenges also lie.
Knowledge of God through Spirit Revelation
We can sought out God’s REVELATORY WISDOM and also gather intellectual KNOW-HOW and knowledge on any given area of FAITH & LIFE in general. Such to help us in this physical life as well as in the “working out of our salvation”.
The knowledge of God, sought out in His presence through the Holy Spirit’s help – bring His wisdom & His revelation for every situation and quest we face in life. This will lead us steadily through the many processes in life towards the reward of eternal life.
GOD IS LOVE and because of that LOVE, He created man to have fellowship with us, eternally. He gave us life to love us & be loved by us and to fascilitate His rule and reign here on earth. Surely He would not have created us with thie mission at hand just to leave us stranded in our own weaknesses, without help or ability to live this life to the full. He also gave us life to LIVE for the honour and glory of His Name and therefore grants us His wise council on creation and our quest. See Ps 139:13-17
Psa 139:13-17
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Apart from our own choices, only God knows why one would become a king and another a pauper… why we are who we are, and why things befall us…
OUR SON-SHIP IDENTITY
Our Tongues play a VERY NB part in our IDENTITY, WELLBEING and DESTINY. God created by words/sound. He has given us the same ability to create in the power of Jesus’s Name.
The demonic forces and workers of evil, iniquity and unrighteousness, have the same ability to design & create through their evil exploits. Therefore our words of life – in agreement with what God says about us and our circumstances need to replace and be actively part of our desitiny.
Our lack of understanding our position as SONS (dual gender) of the MOST HIGH GOD, restrains us from taking up our authority and to step into reigning with Christ. This position of reigning and living through His authority in us, can only happen as we STAY ABIDING and HIDDEN IN Him. We often move out of His boundary of GRACE, BLESSING and AUTHORITY through our ignorant choices, rebellion – that is as witchcraft – and sin; as well as our lack of the knowledge of God.
In our Son-ship identity we need to know God (to know God is eternal life), and to know our position in Christ – which is a mystery, NOW REVEALED to us through the Holy Spirit ( Col 2 to 3 ).
This knowledge of God enables us to stand and live by our new identity IN HIS FINISHED work on the cross and IN Him; where we are seated at the Right Hand of the Father, hidden IN Christ.
When we move outside this hidden SANCTUARY of God’s knowledge, strength, wisdom & grace, our lives are exposed to the radar of the enemy.
As Christ was loved by the Father, we are loved and covered in EXACTLY the same love of the Father… (Jhn17). Everything He provided Christ with – to live His purpose – is at our disposal. We ought to embrace this in a Father-Childlike relationship; to experience the Father’s love here on earth in preperation of our eternal abode. We can and should then also extend it to others.
OUR Son-SHIP IDENTITY has been secured in the LOVE of the Father. Just as HE loved Christ, He loves us. He therefore redeemed, sanctified & glorified us to a SON-SHIP position; of which Christ is the first-born.
b. GOD’S PART
CHRIST came to earth to restore mankind back into a relationship with the Father. , through a New Covenant.
HIS REDEMPTIVE WORK is PERFECT.
He suffered. He conquered sin and death. He rose and ascended.
He now intercedes constantly for us. He is our Advocate in the Heavenly Courts.
His bountiful grace is helping us through this life. He suffered on earth; we will also have part in His sufferings…
Dying was the HIGHLIGHT of His ‘CAREER’… Dying to self – that comes through all these trials that we experience – HELPS US towards that place of salvation from self, towards salvation in Christ, and towards eternal life; then eternally with Him.
Because of His love for us, knowing our frailty & sinful nature, God also tests us to see what is in our hearts, in order to present us one day tested & standing firm in His own righteousness. ( See Eccl 7 below)
ALL THINGS FOR THE GOOD
Rom 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Yet, our disobedience does hamper the process; but as we choose Christ, the END-END result is a secured VICTORY by the Blood of the Lamb.
Everything works out for the good of those who love God and are called for His purposes. As we endure, overcome,learning obedience through suffering, as CHRIST did – and keep on STANDING IN HIM, who fills all things with Himself, we mature towards the full stature of Christ within; until Jesus comes.
As we choose HIM DAILY… we will ‘make it’, to receive the price.
Ecc 7:11-14 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,
So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
AS we draw wisdom from the Almighty and gain insight and guidance through His ways, laws and statutes, our lives become subject to His council on straight and narrow paths; following the prompting of Holy Spirit, to lead us unto life & life in abundance.
This is our quest to follow after His Holy Spirit within us, towards wise living.
c. THE GREATEST REWARDS
The greatest reward will also be to help others towards salvation, encourage all to endure together and to give hope and ENCOURAGEMENT – for all to KEEP ON STANDING.
Our privilege, as His Bride, is also to take HANDS in CREATING SPACE and AN OPPORTUNITY for GOD TO SHOW HIMSELF GREAT, CREDIBLE, FAITHFUL and FULL of LOVE to all of mankind.
Sometimes our misery is the stage for that to happen… it’s not our choice.
d. THE GOOD NEWS
While spreading the GOOD NEWS of the GLORIOUS ETERNAL SALVATION that awaits all, who have died in Him – is that sickness, disease, hardship and suffering is not God’s will for us. God promises to be there by our side in and through it all. (Math10) He promises to be there and take us THROUGH THE VALLEY of the SHADOW of death. The word says that the enemy is LIKE a roaring lion… he is not one… he only SOUNDS like one! These difficulties that befall us from time to time are part of our fallen creation. A creation that cries out to be redeemed back to the Glory of God and for the sons & daughters of God to be revealed.
e. TO OVERCOME
They have OVERCOME him by the BLOOD of the Lamb, the WORD of their TESTIMONY..
and they did not love their lives… Rev.12v11
HERE in the latter part… lies another KEY answer in HOW we perceive LIFE’S QUESTS.
How much do we ‘cling’ to our lives? Have we given our lives back into HIS HANDS and do we ENTRUST it completely INTO HIS ALL-KNOWING, ALL-WISE and LOVING CARE ?
Will we therefore follow His instructions; to receive life… in abundance?
What is life in abundance then?
Is it maybe just to live in the reality & experiential place of His CONSTANT PRESENCE & PEACE in ALL things; – THAT PEACE that surpasses all understanding.
f. GRACE! GRACE!
Not one of us can do this in our own strength or wisdom…. Therefore, we should STAND, STAY and ABIDE in HOPE, COURAGE and FAITH to progressively ENTER by GRACE, His place of REST for our lives, through all these trials.
FOR it is TRULY ONLY BY GRACE that we live and have our being…
