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
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].
“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?”
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…
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that all we [His disciples] are witnesses.
JESUS ASCENDED
“Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God,
HOLY SPIRIT POURED OUT
“And having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit,
He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.”
CHRIST’S TESTIMONY (on earth) COMPLETED
“Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both LORD and CHRIST (the Messiah)–this Jesus Whom you crucified.
My TESTIMONY :
(Part1)
“Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
Brethren, what shall we do?
And Peter answered them,… “
My TESTIMONY STARTS WITH THIS :
■ “REPENT- CHANGE your VIEWS and PURPOSE to
■ ACCEPT the WILL of GOD
in your inner selves INSTEAD of REJECTING it”
WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD?
– A Part of it… is to ACCEPT Him to be all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent..
therefore to STOP SELF preservation…
■ EMBRACE His PROCESS and Divine WAYS to REDEEM your life and KEEP you CLOSE and ABLE to STAND in all areas (Ef6)
■ Be BAPTIZED,
– into a NEW WAY of THINKING and LIVING…
■ SUBMERGE yourself in HIS WORD and WONDER- BE IN AWE OF HIM
” EVERY ONE of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of and RELEASE from your sins; and
■ YOU shall RECEIVE the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT. ”
HOLY-SPIRIT-LIVING IS FOR US ALL,
(Rom8)
TODAY
and FOR ALL WHO WILL RECEIVE and ANSWER HIS CALL
“For the PROMISE [of the HOLY SPIRIT] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.
WE NEED the PEACE, PRESENCE, POWER, GUIDANCE and direct INPUT… of the HOLY SPIRIT to make this life” WORK
As I was busy with COMMUNION, I asked the Father to reveal to me His perspective on Worship. He took me into A VISION :
COMMUNION
“I saw us on top of the mountain… partaking the Bread of Communion”.
As the BREAD became part of our bodies, it also became part of the Body of Christ…. as we understand it; in the context of Believers united in Christ.
AS WE PARTAKE in COMMUNION – EAT THE BREAD & DRINK THE BLOOD of CHRIST – HIS BODY becomes part of ours & His Blood starts to cleans us.
The effect of PARTAKING the Bread, released springs of LIFE; a river of LIVING WATER – to flow from our bellies.
He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water. (See below Joh 7:38)
“I saw the River of Life – The living Water of the Holy Spirit – starting to flow through us in 5 different streams down the mountain.”
“The 5 STREAMS flowed THROUGH HIS HOLY FIRE (to purge our worship from self, idolatry, self righteousness, fear and sin… ) the Fire turned the STREAMS (Worship) into Blood.”
WHY FIVE streams?
FIVE is the NUMBER of GRACE.
I believe our Father just wanted to emphasize again that His ABUNDANT GRACE is the very thing that KEEPS us… for NOTHING of self, our OWN efforts can help us.
THE POWER OF THE BREAD and THE BLOOD
The power of the Blood enables True Worship to reach the Destiny that the Living Word; the Bread was meant for.
The BREAD that we eat turns into streams of living water, flowing from our bellies; which in turn brings us life & therefore FOOD, nourishment – the BREAD; JESUS CHRIST to flow through us to the people HE has destined us to touch with HIs love….
“For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink.” (See Below John 6:55)
“I saw the Blood flow into the sea … water… Holy Spirit… the water evaporates… meaning THE HOLY SPIRIT rises up and nourish us with the RAIN… ALSO a symbol of Life; LIFE for ever more.”
“I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts”
The Complete circle of the Water & the Fire (heat) & the Blood…
SEA speak of souls… the people He has destined – before the begiining of time – for us to reach, influence & lead to Christ
WHY WAS THE 1ST MIRACLE OF JESUS THE WATER TURNED TO WINE?
JESUS CHRIST is The Bread…. He was there with them at the WEDDING (UNION between God & us)…
BUT His Blood had not yet flown…
The Wine was a typo of His Blood still to be shed… His Blood IN ABUNDANCE, enough Blood for the redemption of all of creation… and it was THE BEST Wine kept For last… to redeem man back to God… through the Holy Spirit
RESPOND TO HIS LOVE DECLARATION
The only thing that we should be doing, the only actions that we actually can perform in this whole REDEMPTION GIFT DISPLAY from our Father; is to EMBRACE it & RESPOND back with LOVE BECAUSE of His FIRST LOVE INITIATION ACT.
We CANNOT INNITIATE anything… HE IS the ALPHA & the OMEGA. HE IS the begiining & the End of ALL things.
WE SHOULD ONLY RESPOND to this amazing LOVE DECLARATION from CHRIST… ENRAVED on a TREE… WRITTEN IN BLOOD
Hebrews 12:4, 18-18, 22, 24 NKJV
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
TO Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,
and
TO the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Vision : PRAYER MOUNTAIN – The GIFT of REPENTANCE
30/08/2017
Mat_3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Joh 4:13 Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. Joh 4:14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
Joh 7:38-39 38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water. 39 But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him were afterward to receive. For the [Holy] Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).
Joh_19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out
Rev_21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
Isa_48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Isa_66: For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees
Rev 22:1-3 1 THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. [Gen. 2:9.] 3 There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service]. [Zech. 14:21.]
Joh 6:51-56 51 I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body). 52 Then the Jews angrily contended with one another, saying, How is He able to give us His flesh to eat? 53 And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood]. 54 He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has (possesses now) eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink. 56 He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him.
Dan_12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Prayer Sanctification and Transformation in my life – to OVERCOME through PRAYER
Intro: What is PRAYER?
GOD gave me a vision OF A MOUNTAIN as a symbol of PRAYER
See attached
We start ascending the MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER at the lowest point… at the feet of the mountain; on our knees.
ENTRY POINT
We look for best place to enter into prayer (where to start the ascend into prayer); where we humble ourselves before an almighty God and FATHER and repent for our sinfulness…
Rom 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
YET EMBRACING THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF HIS FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
1ST LANDING
Now we work our way up (our faith-life to go up); around bends & at times by moving a few stones/rocks(sin, idols, self-life, self-centred goals & passions) out of the way.
FINDING A COMFORTABLE FAITH LEDGE
At times we sit on a ledge (we rest, we quiet our soul down) & give the Holy Spirit time to speak, reveal and unveil His heart to me. Here we repent and receive HIS LOVE, forgiveness & we change towards the renewal of our understanding of our GOD.
REACHING PRAYERS SUMMIT IN HIS PRESENCE
On the last section of the mountain, where it is much higher up, there it is sometimes lonely in PRAYER & ice cold because of the ELEVATION. Here we take out our ICE-AXE; to thrust it into the ice face of the mountain. Now is the moment in our faith walk to make sure of our hold; to STAND & to KEEP ON STANDING, in order to be OVERCOMMERS.
The ICE-AXE is our testimony, utterances and words of FAITH. Also where we start to understand what it means in this text(Rev12v11) : ” not loving our life”
ON top of the MOUNTAIN of prayer we are lifted up by the Holy Spirit INTO REVELATION…HERE We CAN SEE VERY FAR…HERE we see, hear, taste, smell & and know(feel) that God is GOOD & very close to us. He is as near as my next breath. He is already in the next moment, hour & season of my life
THE FAMILIAR SPIRIT in PRAYER
We do so often just start to run up the mountain in prayer because we maybe think we know this place, we have been training for so long, we know the way up to the top of the MOUNTAIN of PRAYER; therefore we easily get familiar with the environment here.
We often will even think that we know how to do this… we know our “prayer rhymes” by heart… WE KNOW HOW to pray.
This is dangerous for intimacy, authentic prayer & transparency where His Holy Spirit’s voice must rather lead and show us the way into the FATHER’S PRESENCE!!
The closer I get to the Father, the more I realize how small, sinful & unworthy I am in myself… & the more I realize what Christ did for me on the cross and how much I need Him to lead the way into the FATHER’S HEART
Then the question is rather… what is prayer to us?
Are we here to perform a ritual, to follow a default very good habit, to do our duty… to follow a program… and even to be seen… or to impress God & our fellow man with our ability to pray….???
GOAL: Our sole PURPOSE of THIS PRAYER TIME is to MEET with the Father because of the Son through Holy Spirit
If we do not touch His heart with our prayer… if we have not been in His presence… it can be equated to the 8 woes that Christ announced over the Pharisees & Sadducees… just a lot of impressive words, works & hypocrisy or to do our duty!!!
After we’ve been in His presence we are then infused to go out and to do what God told us to do; to influence & change the lost & broken world & every person we meet, with the Father’s love
1. PREPARE OUR HEARTS
Psa 24:3-5
(3) Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?
(4) He who has clean hands and a pure heart,… (no falsehood allowed)
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(5) He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
1.1. EXAMINE OURSELVES
2Co_13:5 Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith are equaled to :
G4102 (truth itself: – assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity(-loyalty, faithfulness, trustworthiness, agreement, conformity, towing the line to Christs truth.)
G3982 (to be content, obey, trust, yield.)
Gal_6:4 But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work.
He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without boastful comparison with his neighbour and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves 1not Christ].
1.2. REPENTANCE
2Co_7:10For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret;
2Co_3:16 But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away.
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, 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; from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
Act_3:19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshingmay come from the presence of the Lord;
1.3 HUMBLE OURSELVES IN REVERENTIAL FEAR & AWE
Mat 3:11a
(11) I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of yourchanging your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins].
Mat 3:11b – 12
But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry;
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (7 fold Holy Spirit of God – Is11v2)
and with fire.(Sanctification OF a refining fire)
So does the Spirit make the soul holy like itself, and its tendency is heaven-ward. Christ says: I am come to send fire, Luk_12:49.
(12) His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor ( THE visible CHURCH) and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.
Heb_12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
1.4 SO WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?
Rom_5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2. POSITION OURSELVES IN HIS LOVE
We can do this by praying out loud THREE BEAUTIFUL INTIMATE WORDS:
“ GOOD MORNING FATHER “
Eph 2:4 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
Eph 2:6-7
(6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us N1joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
(7) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: for each person to be open to receive this PURSUING love of the Father
” THANK YOU JESUS “
Vision of Christ on the Cross : I am thirsty
His thirst became a symbol of the everlasting living-water supply of His love. He thirsted IN ORDER TO BECOME THE RIVER OF LIFE UNTO US…
Joh 7:38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
” HOLY SPIRIT HELP ME “ – To complete this race; to overcome
Rev_2:7
To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Rev_2:17
To him who overcomes (conquers), I will give to eat of the manna that is hidden, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone, which no one knows or understands except he who receives it.
Rev_2:26
And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations;
Rev_3:12 He who overcomes (is victorious),
I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God; he shall never be put out of it or go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends from My God out of heaven, and My own new name.
Rev_3:21He who overcomes I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
3. HOW will we overcome?
3.1 BY CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jas_3:18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
3.2 BY FLEEING FROM BABYLON
Rev 18:4 I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues. [Isa_48:20; Jer_50:8]
Jer 50:8 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans; and be as the he-goats [who serve as examples and as leaders in the flight] before the flocks
3.3 BY THE BLOOD & OUR TESTIMONY & selfless lives
Rev 12:11 And they have overcome 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].
3.4 BY CALLING UPON HOLY SPIRIT TO BREATHE ON US
Eze 37:9-10
(9) Then said He to me, Prophesy to the breath and spirit, son of man, and say to the breath and spirit, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath and spirit, and breathe upon these slain that they may live.
(10) So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath and spirit came into [the bones], and they lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceedingly great host. [Rev_11:11]
PRAYER POINTS:
Ask & receive forgiveness & extend this grace to others
Examine our own selves – if we are still in the faith (truth, trusting, trustworthy, loyal, towing the line In Christ)
Humble ourselves – in the understanding Who we are dealing with
Position ourselves IN HIS LOVE :
FATHER : Good morning Father
SON : Thank you, Jesus – Arise to HIS righteousness
HOLY SPIRIT : Abiding in to Overcome
In His righteousness
By fleeing from Babylon
By the Blood & the Word of our testimony
By the power of the Holy Spirit : Breathe on us, Oh Holy Breath of God
■This is the year of the Great ” I Am ” REVEALED in this world and His POWER seen in our lives.
“God answered with His name, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh…
I Am That I Am… I will be What I will be “.Ex3v14
BE SET FREE
■This is ALSO the hour TO BE “SET FREE”:
▪This is the Kairos moment in TIME TO LET GO… LET GOD…
▪To GET free from the
~ fear of failure,
even more than that is
~ fear for suffering and death…
and
~ fear of man… TO DECLARE BOLDLY : THE LORD IS GOD… in this or that situation.
▪When Rev 12v11 SHOULD BE activated, especially not to love this life
Rev 12:11-Msg 11 They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.
■ This is the season where we will sing…:
” IF MY GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!!”…. AND BELIEVE IT.‼
THIS TRUST IN HIM TO ENABLE US TO WALK IN THAT FAITH‼
■This is the YEAR:-
When the Body of Christ will SERVE Him,
the great I AM; ELOHIM, ADONAI … ALMIGHTY GOD, SOVEREIGN LORD, OUR MASTER…
The Church will arise as SERVANTS of the King and His Kingdom’s purposes in stead of all there own plans and their own “ways”.
When the CHURCH will LOVE THEIR GOD
– because HE LOVED THE WORLD and ALL THINGS created, FIRST.
As GOD INITIATES LOVE, WE WILL RESPOND BY HONORING HIM BY OUR TRUST & FAITH
As God LOVED FIRST, we will return HIS LOVE; we will HONOR HIS love- connection; Him reaching out to us – mere man
THE LORD our God, will REVEAL and COMMISSION is INTO HIS WAYS
(Prov1v2-8)
LET US THEN
HEAR AND OBEY!!
TRUST HIM COMPLETELY WITH YOUR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE… AND BE SET FREE!!
LET US “SEE” HIM AND FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF HIS VICTORIOUS BLOOD… ‼
WALK IN HIS RESURRECTION POWER ‼
LET US THEN BELIEVE IN HIS PERFECT INTERCESSION FOR US… AS HE IS NOW BEING SEATED IN HIS FATHER’S PERFECT PRESENCE AND DOMINION POWER.
LET US THEN RECEIVE OUR FORGIVENESS and SALVATION to the FULL… ABUNDANT LIFE‼
LET US EMBRACE our FATHERS LOVE and truly BELIEVE He has sent HIS SON;
to SAVE THE WORLD, OUR NATIONS, OUR TOWNS, our families… OUR LIVES‼(Jhn17)
~ To BRING US INTO THE FULLNESS OF HIS ETERNAL GLORY.
LET US RENEW OUR FAITH, STAND UP IN PERFECT HOPE and TO STAND.
TO KEEP ON STANDING; HIDDEN IN CHRIST.(Ef6)
LET US DISCERN HIM and WALK IN HIS AUTHORITY; AMBASSADORS OF THE KINGDOM OF HIS LIGHT, LOVE and GRACE-
LET US THEN HAVE HIS UNSURPASSED PEACE IN OUR HEARTS.
Php_4:7 and the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Col_3:15 And let the PEACE OF GOD rule in your hearts,
To which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD AND REJOICE EXCEEDINGLY (Ps68)
A VISION : CHRIST ON DISPLAY & the UNBLEMISHED BRIDE
1Pe_2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Vision1:
I SAW A huge billboard outside a church facing the main entry with the following slogan:
1.“CHRIST ON DISPLAY” 2. “UNBLEMISHED BRIDE”
All around in the parking area, are stalls, each one representing one of the attributes of Christ. These are the characteristics that we would wish to display to the world & tell them more about. These stalls are out in the open; there where anyone can come & feel free to inquire of & find out more about JESUS CHRIST
Inside the church are different stalls representing the different ministries; informing what the church does & what these ministries involves. Together it forms the whole Body of Christ in all its facets.
EXPLAINING VISION – 1. “CHRIST ON DISPLAY”
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT CHRIST?
1. Jesus of Nazareth – In His HUMANITY – He was completely human
Mat 1:23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which is translated, “God with us.” Mar 1:9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
2. Jesus Christ – The Messiah, Anointed One – As MEDIATOR – He is all in all
Mar 16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Eph 1:22-23 22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], [Ps. 8:6.] 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].
3. Jesus Christ – The BREAD OF LIFE:
TO EAT & FEED ON, PROVIDER, GOOD SHEPHERD, HEALER – BALM OF GILEAD, THE ANSWER, our REFUGE & HIDING PLACE. HIS MERCY & GRACE ENDURES FOREVER.
Joh 6:35 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).
4. Jesus Christ – THE LAMB of GOD:
SLAINED LAMB, REDEEMER, FORGIVING, CRUCIFIED & ASCENDED ON HIGH. SEATED AT the RIGHT HAND OF THE FEATHER. ETERNALLY INTERCEDING FOR US and RECEIVING OUR PRAYERS.
Joh 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!
5. Jesus Christ – SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD:
SEEKING to SAVE THE LOST, The RESURECTION & ETERNAL LIFE, LIGHT of the NATIONS… OUR PEACE… OUR ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS
Luk 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
6. Jesus Christ; LORD – In HIS DEITY also Creator God
Rev 22:16 “I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star. The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last – the Before all and the End of all” LION OF JUDAH, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, ETERNAL KING…
7. Jesus Christ – ETERNAL SON OF THE FATHER: “HE CALLED HIM FATHER”
Because Jesus is the 1st of many sons/daughters of the Father we need to find out MORE WHAT it MEANS to be a son or daugter of the Most High God
Eph 2:4 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for]
Eph 2:18 For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him].
What is piercing your heart for Christ’s sake?
What moves you to humble yourself before His awesome greatness?
Who or what will move us – if not self?
What is our testimony & witness about Him?
EXPLAINING VISION -2. “UNBLEMISHED BRIDE”
Jud 1:24
(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]–
THE LORD BEFORE US; OUR REAR GUARD as HE send us
Isa 52:10-13
(10) The LORD has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God. (11) Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the LORD.(12) … For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (13) Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
WHAT SHOULD WE BE BUSY WITH AS THE UNBLEMISHED BRIDE?
A. PUTTING THE FOCUS & SPOTLIGHT ON CHRIST – reverence, pursuing holiness
Isa 52:6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ “
Holiness will position us in the place for “the greater works” beyond Christ’s resurrection & in the power of His resurrection. We need healing in our physical bodies, but also “healing” in the Body of Christ unto Holiness: Consecration, being set apart, speaking what He speaks, doing what He does…
B. MINISTRIES of the BELIEVING BRIDE
“MISSIONS”: WORKS of FAITH, FEEDING THE POOR, CARING FOR THE WIDOWS and ORPHANS, MINSTRY TO THE IMPRISONED, CARING FOR THE SICK, BRINGING IN THE HARVEST-SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
“PRAYER & WORSHIP”: WATCHMEN – FILLING UP THE LAMPS – KEEP THE FLAME BURNING, STANDING IN THE GAP; WORSHIP – THANKSGVING, PRAISE & ADORATION.
“GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” at WORK: WORDS of KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM, DESCERNING of SPIRITS, GIFT of FAITH and HEALING, WORKING of MIRACLES, TONGUES, INTERPRETATION of TONGUES, PROPHECY – PROPHETIC INTERCESSION: SIGNS, WONDERS… WORDS OF EDIFICATION
“SERVING & GIVING”: FINANCES & STEWARDSHIP, BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, FAVOUR RECIEVED & RELEASED, HELPING and GREETING, MEETING THE NEED, COMFORT & COUNCIL, CARING
“NEXT GENERATIONS”: CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS
“LEADERSHIP”: GUIDING & TEACHING, EDUCATE & EQUIP, DISCIPLINE & ENCOURAGE, INSTRUCT & GUARD, EXAMPLE & LEADING, FEEDING the SHEEP
C. THE BODY LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER
Vision 2:
Two young men having a healthy wrestling match on the grass outside the church – building some muscles while playing & matching up their strengths, using their skill & enjoying a time of good, solid bonding. As they went closer to a steep slope one fell off, BUT immediately the other one – standing on the higher ground, stretch out his hand & arms to catch & rescue his fellow.
Explanation: We should exercise boldness to speak truth into each other’s lives, shaping, moulding & exercising our faith-walk-muscles in trust, love & grace – in caring for one another. We need each other to look out for one another & snatch from the fire. We need this family of God – where else can you trust like this, feel secured & cherished, build into & mentored in grace; while remembering we are all still learning about this “faith walk”
D. PERSISTANCE: The GOOD NEWS of Christ PROCLAIMED TO ALL – yet few will believe it!
Isa 52:15 So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.
Isa 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
3. TELLING HIS STORY AS IT IS:
THANKSGIVING FOR WHAT HE’S DONE FOR US
Isa 53:2-5
(3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (4) Surely He has borne our grieves, And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. (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.
Isa 53:10-12
(10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.(11) He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. (12) … Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
A CALL TO EXUBERANT PRAISE
Isa 52: 7-8 (7) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (8) Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the LORD brings back Zion.(9) Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
PREACH THE WORD, EXHORT, WARN: CALL NATIONS & LOST SOULS UNTO OBEDIENCE
Isa 55:5-7
(5) Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.” (6) Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
A CALL for ALL TO COME TO REPENTANCE
(7) Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
KNOW THAT HIS WORD WILL GO OUT & PERFORM HIS WORD AS YOU OBEY HIS CALL TO GO by FAITH
Isa 55:8-11
(8) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. (9) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (10) “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
(11) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
TELLING THE STORY & TESTIFY – TELL YOUR OWN STORY – Testify boldly about all His faithfulness & good He has done…
Vision 3 :
Two coals. One is already burnt out & cold. The other one is still very hot & burning.
Explanation: The 1st coal represents compromising words that tickle the ear. The 2nd coal that we need to put on our tongues is the pure unadulterated Word of God, the truth that sets us free, the letter/law/truth of just & Godly living. It should be more important to us what Christ said than what people and the world suggests.
FINAL BLESSING
Act 20:32
And now, I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favour]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God’s set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).
Mat 5:1-12
(3) Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
(6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
(12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Why do we then feel rejected by Him and often blame Him for that?
If GOD IS TRUE to His word.. WHICH HE IS… He says in His WORD that:
He loved us with an unconditional love. Nothing can separate us from His love
Jer 31:3 …Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.
Rom 8:38-39 38 … neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The FATHER loves us JUST THE SAME as He loves CHRIST.
Joh 17:23 I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
Joh 15:9-11 9 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. 10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
HE loved us before we could love Him
1Jn 4:18-19
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!
For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
1Jn 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
While we were still sinners… Christ died for us
Rom 5:8But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us
Isa 59:1-2 1 BEHOLD, THE Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isa 59:12-13 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You [O Lord], and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know and recognize them [as]: 13 Rebelling against and denying the Lord, turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving in and muttering and moaning from the heart words of falsehood.
He wants us to experience HIS ETERNAL LOVE & INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE
1Jn 4:16 16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
Joh 6:37 (37) All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].
WHAT HAPPENS THEN , WHEN we SIN?
If we look at the scriptures above… we can come to a clear conclusion that our SINS are NOT a problem to God. HE has sent His SON to the WORLD to SET SINNERS free.
In other words GOD DOES NOT LEAVE US & DEPART FROM US when we sin.
HE HAS MADE a plan that we can be RE-UNITED with HIM
BUT
Our sins / iniquities SEPARATE us FROM HIM!
WE WITHDRAW from HIM … when we sin , because the sin CONVICTS us. We feel guilty for God has written His law, His new COVENANT on our hearts & we know VERY clearly when we sin and this conviction of sin pushes us away from God IF WE DO NOT HAVE the WORD’s TRUTH in our hearts that tells us clearly WHAT our position is before God after we have sinned
Rom 7:9 Once I was alive, but quite apart from and unconscious of the Law. But when the commandment came, sin lived again and I died (was sentenced by the Law to death).
GOD PROMISED NEVER to leave or forsake US
Heb_13:5 (NKJ)
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” (NKJV)
Heb 13:5 (Ampl) 5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.
[I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree
leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!
[Assuredly not!] [Josh. 1:5.]
WE SHOULD EMBRACE HIS COMPLETE forgiveness, FORGIVE OURSELVES and start living with Him in JOY, CHRIST’s RIGHTEOUSNESS & PEACE
Rom 3:21-26 21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, … 22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ… 23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. 26 … He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.
WE should not withdraw FROM God when we sin, BUT WALK TOWARDS Him & REPENT. ACCEPTING His COMPLETE gift of DECLARING us SAVED, FREE & RIGHTEOUS by the perfect offering of His Son.
Rom 10:13 (13) For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. [Joe_2:32]
Do NOT crucify Christ again & again by not accepting His offering… and then falling into bitterness & resentment; in due time falling away from our PREVIOUS STAND OF CONFIDENT FAITH
Heb 6:6 If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance–[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance,
for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
Joh 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name–[Isa_56:5]
Isa 56:5 (5) To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name better [and more enduring] than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
GOD’s AIM is for us to HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. It is TO KNOW GOD
Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
Follow link to more INFO & REVELATION on SALVATION
WE ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNION AS OFTEN AS WE CAN
The Father invites us to His table for COMMUNION; to commune with Him and spend time in His Presence. His Divine presence entails perfect unison with our Trinity God, undeserved grace, unconditional love, surpassing peace, unmerited forgiveness, strengthening joy & blood-bought healing… He invites us to bring every ailment and worry, disease and quest and lay it before Him, as often as we need.
THERE IS SO MUCH TO RECEIVE & SO MUCH WE CAN GIVE
WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BRING OF OURSELVES IN THIS TIME OF INTIMACY WITH OUR GOD and THERE IS ALL OF GOD TO EMBRACE and RECEIVE
My husband & I have felt led to start having COMMUNION regularly in the evening, as we have received the revelation of His Table being laid for us to partake from, every moment of our existence. Understanding that God so LOVES US & that He gave us this prophetic symbol to ENTER INTO HIS PRESENCE through the RIGHT DOOR and to COME AND ENJOY the FATHER’S LOVE in order to find REVELATION on how to live our lives that will guide us to stay INSIDE HIS CIRCLE OF BLESSING and NOT open ourselves up … or wander outside the “boundary” of His Blessing.
ARE WE GOING TO KEEP THE FATHER WAITING AT THE TABLE?
KEY Scripture: 1Co 11:24-25 (Ampl) (24) This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. (25) Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
WHY WOULD WE USE COMMUNION EVER SO OFTEN?
Well just the mere thought of Jesus Christ, WANTING us TO REMEMBER HIM… make me think…. WOW … what a privilege to be able to have such a special connection with my God, that a symbolic action like communion can put us in such a SPECIAL intimate moment; where both parties share in the blessing and where all life, peace and joy can germinate from.
A VISION OF CHRIST’S ASCENSION
I saw in my spirit a vision of Christ… with Peter, John & Paul on the mountain of configuration. As the cloud ascended, Christ holds His hand out in a very affectionate way, in the same way that you and I probably would have done, if it were us going away FOR EVER… I saw Him doing this while He was voicing a last request down to His creation:
I saw a tear… and then a desperate urgency in His Spirit… BECAUSE He knew IF WE WILL FORGET HIM…. OUR SOULS WILL END IN HELL and our lives WILL BE hell ON EARTH
COMMUNION at the Feet of the Cross
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DRINK & EAT FROM HIS COMMUNION TABLE?
1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing, does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the BLOOD of Christ (the Messiah)?
The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the BODY of Christ?
EMBRACE THE GIFT THROUGH COMMUNION
We are encouraged to EMBRACE the WORK of the CROSS; ALL THAT CHRIST DID FOR US, on a REGULAR BASIS.
Communion, symbolizing His PERFECT REDEMPTIVE WORK to reunite us with the Father.
TO PARTAKE IN COMMUNION IS OUR ULTIMATE SOLUTION and should be our CONSTANT RESOLUTION in these days.
At the end, all we truly need and can depend on IS His PERFECT SACRIFICE (God requires NONE MORE); His BODY that was broken for us and His Blood shed IS that perfect sacrifice justifying us FOR ETERNAL SALVATION and ETERNAL REDEMPTION. We are therefore FOREVER IN RIGHT STANDING with God because of the FORGIVENESS, LIFE and POWER of the BLOOD.
THIS will work for us ONLY if we UNDERSTAND & EMBRACE the GIFT
CHRIST DID EVERYTHING necessary for us to be able to live in GOD’S GRACE, PEACE and PRESENCE.
ALL that we need to do is to EMBRACE it and BRING IT INTO OUR HEART OF HEART’S FAITH, by DISCERNING HIM, HIS SACRIFICE AND ETERNAL VICTORY; by TAKING COMMUNION.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “DISCERN HIS BODY and HIS BLOOD”?
IT MEANS to take time at the feet of the Cross while giving the Holy Spirit an opportunity TO IMPRESS on our hearts the COMPLETE VICTORY OF THE CROSS, OVER the GRAVE and HELL and to make it your own.
Here we are to COMPREHEND & APPRECIATE the FULL IMPACT of HIS RESURRECTION and the MAGNIFICENCE of HIS ASCENSION where HE IS NOW SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER; INTERCEDING FOR US CONTINUALLY.
Discerning His Body and Blood…
should lead to a cognizant state; of being in UTMOST FAITH, UNWAVERING TRUST, UTMOST RELIANCE and UNYIELDING HOPE IN OUR GOD…. WHO WOULD NEVER forsake or leave us at the mercy of HIS adversary. (Read Ps. 91, 23, 121… aloud)
TO DISCERN HIS BODY & BLOOD IS TO KNOW:
He is fighting for us He is NOT against us BUT FOR US! HE is the Eternal GOD of Glory, Creator of the Universe…!! also living IN US… ! He is VERY, VERY NEARBY… AS FAR AS YOUR WORDS OF FAITH PROCEEDING FROM YOU OWN MOUTH
A CHILD’S PRAYER
Be humble enough to listen to a child’s prayer. A child’s Innocent Prayer, praying by the revelation of the Holy Spirit – without even knowing it – make you realize how much there is… HOW CLOSE GOD IS:
Liandri’s prayer at age 5:
“Thank You, Lord, for my family. Thank YOU for ALL the LOVE. Thank You for ALL the CHURCHES and THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNION”
Luk_18:17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].
TAKE COMMUNION
Are there, fear, worries and stress in your life? Then TAKE COMMUNION!
Is there thankfulness, joy, abundance and peace in your life?
Then TAKE COMMUNION!
Does uncertainty, heart-ache and feelings of rejection taring you apart?
TAKE COMMUNION!
IMPORTANT Note on COMMUNION:
What does it mean to drink in an ” UNWORTHY MANNER “
– This when you take communion without knowing why you do it,
– or when you take it in a ritualistic way… NOT DISCERNING Christ / Not understanding what Christ did for us on th Cross
– Also as in Bible times, they indulged on the wine… and ate the bread out of hunger.
We TAKE COMMUNION out of REMEMBRANCE of Christ’s Perfect Work on the Cross:
– setting us completely free from th kingdom of darkness… He brought us into His marvellous Kingdom of Light through complete forgiveness of our sins and redeeming us back to the Father into a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR ALL ETERNITY AS WE RECEIVE CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR….
KEY NOTE on Communion:
WHATEVER YOU are in NEED off TO BE DONE…. REQUEST IT, just ask!
– UTTER YOUR FAITH’S TESTIMONY, ON GROUNDS OF HIS BLOOD SHED for YOU & SEAL IT – IN THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB …
As you look down on that marked peace of BREAD in your hand & taste the sweet WINE in your mouth… REMEMBER HIM!
REMEMBER that IT ALL revolves around His LIFE, RESURRECTION & ASCENSION…. it all boils down to WHO HE IS. HE IS the beginning & HE IS the end of all things.
And that our prayer should keep Him in the center and our Focus to stay on the VICTORY on the Cross.
Speak to the problem about God & not the other way round
RELEVANT SCRIPTURES:
I COR 11:24-27, 29, 31 NKJV ” and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
JER 31 V 2-3 …. Found GRACE in the WILDERNESS — Israel, when I went to GIVE him REST.” The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I HAVE LOVED YOU with an EVERLASTING LOVE; Therefore with LOVING-KINDNESS I HAVE DRAWN YOU. Jeremiah 31:2-3 NKJV http://bible.com/114/jer.31.2-3.NKJV
THROUGH THIS VISION WE ARE COMFORTED & CHALLENGED:
All of us have been given a chance to JUMP into that River of LIFE…
Giving us a new start DAILY… transporting us to A PLACE OF FINDING HIS GRACE ( Hebr.4)… being washed by the Blood of the LAMB daily…
To see our Father’s love & to dance before His throne… to feast at His Table because of the Blood of the Lamb… being washed in the three baths in Heaven
Is your PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BEEN WASHED in the three baths in Heaven?
Heaven is speaking
“Every time somebody comes to draw near to Me; to draw near to my Father, I come closer.”
As you approach the three baths in Heaven,
these baths are filled up with My Robe dipped in My blood, and we wash you.”
” I come with the POWER of the Blood and I wash you and cover you with MY TESTIMONY. I cover you with My Life, I cover you with everything that I Am.
And as you go to the Father, I present you to the Father as Holy, Righteous and Pure because of the washing in the Power of My blood.”
” He met me the minute that I drew near and He covered me with His blood;
We are again reminded here that… the blood that speaks from the Mercy Seat on the one side and the Blood that is dripping from His Robe – the Robe that is dipped, dipped… in Blood.”
HE IS WAITING TO EMBRACE US – EVERY TIME, EVERY MOMENT WE DRAW NEAR…
Heb 4:16
“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”
Please follow the link below to read this LIFE CHANGING vision in FILL
![The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord's Supper] upon which we ask [God's] blessing,](https://kairoslife.co.za/wp-content/uploads/20121219_064611.jpg)
