NEW CREATION REALITIES

James 1:25 “…if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law—the law that sets you free—and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

John John was very comfortable in his father’s presence, even in the most powerful Office in the world. While his father conducted the affairs of the Nation, he was free to come, go and receive of his father’s attention and love. How about you and your Heavenly father?

Many of us read the Bible frequently, some almost every day, and we repeatedly say that we “believe” that the Bible is true, but when it comes to some of the basic truths of the Word of God, we simply don’t believe them. At the very least, we don’t act like we believe them. We seem to consider them as mere philosophical utterances instead of living our lives as though these truths contained within the Bible were actual fact.

As an example, the last entry, “Underestimating Jesus,” mentioned three basic truths which can be combined in the following statements: I am a new creation and everything from my past has been wiped out. Everything within me has been newly created by the hand and heart of Almighty God and I am walking with a Divine Nature within me in the state of Eternal Life! You don’t really believe that you have a Divine nature within you! (Look up the references in the article)

If you did, you would be living your life differently; no more sin, no more failure, no more defeat, no more depression, no more wasted time, and no more fear! Romans 10:10 tells us that “…with the heart man believes…and with the mouth confession is made…” When a person truly believes, the words out of their mouths and corresponding actions, will indicate what they truly believe. We are also told in James 2:20 that “faith without works (corresponding actions) is dead.”

If you truly believe that you are a “New Creation” living “Eternal Life” and are filled with a “Divine Nature,” then start confessing the same, and living a life that corresponds with those beliefs and confessions!

Here are the next three basic truths I want you to receive as New Creation Realities.

1) There isn’t anything I can’t do through power of Christ as I remain connected with Him! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2) I am able to come into the Presence of God as though sin has never touched my life! 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” I am the Righteousness of God!

3) I know whatever I ask the Father, according to His will, and in Jesus’ Name, He will give it to me! John 16:23 “in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” 1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

My confession today is: I am a new creation and everything from my past has been wiped out. Everything within me has been newly created by the hand and heart of Almighty God and I am walking with a Divine Nature within me in the state of Eternal Life! There isn’t anything I can’t do as I walk in the Presence of God, because according to His Viewpoint, sin has never touched my life. Whatever I ask Him in Jesus’ Name and according to His will, I receive!

Make this Profession every day, multiple times, until it becomes alive within you. Begin to live like all these truths are factual, because they are!

Rise up and become who Christ has made you to be!

UNDERESTIMATING JESUS!

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God…”

There is a definite need for us to intensely study the writings of Paul in order to fully comprehend exactly what it is that Jesus has done for us. Most Christians, because of a lack of study and subsequent acquisition of knowledge, never fully understand what Jesus did for us, and in us! Since we do not comprehend the work done for us, and in us, we do not grasp what he wills to do, and is able to do through us! Ephesians 3:20 describes His unique ability. “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” I can dream pretty big.

After 30+ years of my spiritual walk and growth, I am beginning to recognize the riches of His grace, the riches of His finished work, and the riches of His own Nature which He has imparted to us! Nothing can destroy faith and put a believer in bondage more quickly and surely than underestimating who Jesus is, and what we are because of our ties to Him.

When we underestimate and undervalue Him, His Word receives the same value and does not become productive in, or through our lives. Mark 7:13 states that we make “the word of God of none effect through your tradition.” We may say, “I believe the Word of God,” but when trouble comes, we instantly turn to our own strength and wisdom in order to escape the pressure.

When we pray for our troubled finances and worldly needs, we do not ask with the quiet confidence that we would have if some banker had given us his word in regards to our financial standing at the bank. There is an unconscious underestimation of the Word of God, because of our underestimation of the Author of this work, Jesus.

This all leads to weakness, doubt, worry and fear! The only thing that is able to change our position and thinking is begin to digest the revelations contained in the writings of Paul. As a result we will realize what He has done for us in His great substitution and in the new creation referenced above.

Let’s begin with three simple but awesome facts:

1) 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…all things are of God…” You are now a new creation…something that never existed before. The old you has passed away and every single component of your makeup is now of God.

2) 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” Know this: You are already living Eternal Life; the very life of Almighty God lives in you! It does not begin when you die; you are already living it.

3) 2 Peter 1: 4 states that God has “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” You possess a Divine Nature and that Divine Nature is of God!

My friends, this is not a theological statement. This is not simply Paul’s philosophy. This is Father God’s declaration of what we are in His Son, Jesus! Now get into your Bible and learn what it says about who He is, and what He’s done for you!

Never underestimate Him again!

A LITTLE FARTHER!

Matthew 26:39 “He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”’

There is a story told about a young lady attempting to break the world record for swimming the English Channel. Her name was Florence Chadwick and she failed in her first attempt because of heavy fog. She couldn’t see anything and when she gave up she was less than a half mile from the finish line. When she was told how close she had been, she broke down and cried.

Florence went back again and broke the World record because she realized that her goal was attainable if only she had gone a “little farther.”

Think of Jesus in the above passage at the Garden of Gethsemane. In this place, where all of hell’s forces were beginning to break out against him in their vain attempts to finish Him off, Jesus recognized the need to separate Himself from the crowd, from His disciples and even from His closest three friends.

Jesus “went on a little farther” in order to get closer to His Father God. Jesus knew that He would need this life giving sustenance in order to embrace the Will of God for His life. The Word declares in Acts 3:19 that “times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

The strength to handle your current crisis and the Godly wisdom to know which way to turn will be yours as you separate yourself from the crowd and draw near to Him. God calls to you today! “Go a little farther than you ever have before. Get up earlier and spend time with Me! Stay in My presence a little longer and dig a little deeper into My Word! IF YOU ONLY KNEW HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO THE OTHER SIDE.”

Think about Jesus. He was only a few hours away from the Cross and a few days away from the Resurrection! Pentecost and the day of His Church would follow only a few months later, which would change the course of the entire world!

If today you are in your own Garden of Gethsemane experience, go “on a little farther” with God, surrender your will to His Kingdom perspective, and watch Him prove Himself on your behalf!

If you only knew how close you are to the other side!

Betrayal

Luke 22 tells us the story of the process of betraying Christ. Websters defines betrayal as : “to lead astray ; seduce, to deliver to an enemy by treachery, to fail or desert especially in time of need.”. The Bible says in vs. 4 that Judas went to the religious leaders specifically to “discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.”

When you fall in love with Jesus and truly recognize all He’s done for you, betrayal cuts to the core of our hearts. Betrayal stifles our walk and progress with Him. Betrayal cuts us off from the fellowship of believers, from intimate relationships with others and from the very mercy seat of God. When I walk or move contrary to His Word or His Spirit (sin) I betray Him! How is it possible that with such a great Lord, Savior and King that we could ever possibly consider betrayal. Luke 22 gives us some insight.

1) Betrayal results when we give an opportunity for the flesh or the enemy to “enter in” to our lives. In John 14:30 Jesus said that the ruler of this world was coming after Him, but that he had no part in Him! There is an old saying that “When you reach out to shake hands with the devil, he’ll bite your arm off!” We must TOTALLY subdue our fleshly, selfish desires and submit to the Spirit of God. There must be no area of entrance into our lives for the enemy of our souls. Do a review in your own life. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal the weaknesses in your walk. Then shore up those areas by fasting & prayer and discipline and denial and accountability with others. Stay Holy!

The best way to kill a giant Oak tree is when it’s an acorn. Do not let it take root! When sin or self knocks at your door…do not open the door! The Bible says in 1Co 10:13 that “There hath no temptation overtaken you that is not common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above your strength, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you are able to bear it.” Have you ever formulated a way of escape? We already know our own areas of weakness, therefore we should have a Divine Strategy already in place for the time when temptation strikes. You don’t wait until fire breaks out before an exit strategy is in place. There’s one in every hotel room! Take some time today, get with God and create an exit strategy. I know one brother who suffered form severe addiction to crack cocaine and lost everything he had. When he got his Divine Escape plane AND put it into action continually…He experienced VICTORY!

When temptation comes…begin to destroy the thoughts immediately…begin to sing praises to God out loud! James tells us that the tongue steers the course of your life (like the rudder of a ship)…When you speak, your thoughts are refocused in another direction. Pull out the Word of God (The Sword of the Spirit) and begin to speak against that “Stinkin thinkin!” Jesus did it! (Matthew 4:4) call your prayer or accountability partner and expose the thought to another…when wrong thinking is exposed to holy air…it’ suffers a violent, swift death!

Remember…you are just thinking about shaking hands…your enemy is considering biting your arm off!I’ll be back soon to continue this message. In the mean time, read Luke 22: 2-6 and see what He speaks to you!

Resting in His Ability Today!

Ken Bombard

Love is Kind

“Love is kind…” 1 Cor 13:4b

Kindness can be defined as “Love in Action!” In Luke 10:33 the Bible says that the Good Samaritan “…saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him.” We need to begin to develop eyes that see the need & the hurts in people all around us. We need to slow down and recognize the conditions of those whom God has placed in our own individual circle of influence, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE MOST UNLOVABLE!

One translation says that “When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him…(was moved with compassion) . When Jesus saw people’s condition, He responded in like fashion… “Mt 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. In verse 37 of Luke 10 Jesus tells us to “go and do likewise,” or to go and show mercy to others we are able to influence.

The Lord gave me a definition of mercy one night many years ago. “Mercy is the innate desire of God to get intimately involved in removing the source of distress in someone’s life.” That is exactly what we are called to do. Do you know that Love for one another is the Calling Card of Christianity? Jesus said “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35 If we are to be true disciples of Christ then we need to be kind and show mercy to others. We need to put our life into action. We aren’t able to see the hurts or recognize the needs in other’s lives because our own lives are filled with busyness.

We need to play the part of the good Samaritan as I stated above. We need to begin to practice seeing the needs of others and to be moved with compassion toward that need. When compassion reigns in our hearts we begin to “seize the moment” and to do whatever we can with what ever we have at that time at our disposal.

Proverbs 3:23 MSG states “NEVER WALK AWAY FROM SOMEONE WHO DESERVES YOUR HELP; YOUR HAND IS GOD’S HAND FOR THAT PERSON”

When you reach out to someone in pain, you have one hand connected to the heartbeat of God and the other is connected to the hurting, pain filled heart of the person in need. God’s Word promises that He will empower you when you reach out in Love. Love is the only power in the universe which is destined to Victory every time. “Love never fails.”1 Cor 13:8

If we are going to be loving people…moving on behalf of the heart of God…then we must be willing to be interrupted in the course of our lives and we must be prepared to take risks. The Samaritan was on a journey…he had a plan…a destination and a specific timetable, yet he responded to the interruption and got involved at his own expense in someone else’s pain. He was not avoiding the interaction due to some possible personal consequences or inconveniences. He was not afraid. “Perfect love casts out all fear.”1 John 4:18.

Be prepared to spend whatever it takes, whether it be a hearing ear, time, personal involvement, wisdom from the Word, encouragement, finances, etc.. The Samaritan told the innkeeper that he would pay whatever it costs. The essence of kindness is doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return, at whatever the cost.

Have you ever needed a Good Samaritan and everyone let you down? How did you feel? Was there ever a situation where someone stepped up and got involved in your heartache? Wasn’t it incredible…a true gift from God? Who is there that you haven’t been seeing the hurt? They are right in your own circle of influence today. Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see hurts and pain in those who surround you. Step out today and put your love in action…be kind to someone. Pull out that Calling Card and let them know who your represent!

Rest in His Presence!

Ken Bombard

TODAY!

Time once spent, cannot be reclaimed, so invest it wisely! 2 Corinthians 6:1 "Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us." The Message

How was your day? Was it filled with the same old routine stuff, meandering throughout the obstacles of the day? Perhaps you floated all the way through, just holding your breath that nothing out of the ordinary would throw you off course. Maybe it was a day full of bitterness, pain, and heartache, and your head throbbed and your heart pounded to the rhythm of the hurt. Perhaps the deep depression got even darker today and those nagging, desperate thoughts plagued your mind once again. Sometimes you just can’t feel, find, or see the Hand of God upon your life.

Today I want you to take a deep breath and reflect on what the Holy Spirit has to say to you! He says “please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given you!” In other words, don’t waste the opportunities to enjoy what God has set before you in each and every day. It is indeed a marvelous life if we stop to reflect on Who Jesus is in our lives and What He’s done for us! This could be the day of your Victory if you would begin to praise him in the midst of your dungeon experience. He “always causes us to triumph in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 He has defeated death and there isn't anything left that that He has not conquered!

Let me ask you this question. Are you aware of anyone who is not under some sort of pressure, trauma, trial or testing? Everybody I know is going through something. Everyone has issues! The good news is that you have someone to go through the fire with you! Listen as Jesus’ Words come alive in Matthew 28::20 “…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Sometimes it seems impossible, but you need to know miracles usually aren’t necessary when things are still under our control. Jesus is the God of Possibility when He is invited into the midst of your impossibilities!

Acts 16:23-ff states that after Paul and Silas had been beaten many times and were thrown into a deep, dark dungeon, in the darkest hour of night, they began to remember Who was with them. They began to praise Him, because they understood that God shows up on the scene when He hears His Name being lifted up. I believe that the darker it is, the quicker He appears and the brighter He shines. God showed up on the scene and broke them out of the place of bondage. The same God, Who moved Joseph from the Prison to the Palace; Who walked with Daniel in the lion’s den and delivered Him from certain doom; The same Jesus Who was the “Fourth Man” in the fire with Shadrach, Meshak and Abednigo and brought them through the fire “without even the smell of smoke upon their garments;” He is with you right now and He has come to deliver you and set you free!

Stop pursuing liberty and freedom and begin to pursue the “Way, Truth and the Life!” We are not speaking of the pursuit of a place; but the pursuit of a Person! He will set you free! Stop looking for the way out of your situation and circumstances, and begin to look for the way into “abiding” with Him where He can fill you with His Presence and His Power. Listen very carefully.

Evil can not and will not stay in His Presence. His Word declares to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 The Word of God declares concerning today… "This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Psalm 118:6 also states that “…the Lord God is on my side, I will not fear what man can do to me!”

God is on your side!
You can not lose.
Just don’t quit!
Start praising Him right now and see if He doesn’t show up.
Make a sacrifice of praise! It’s easy to praise Him when everything is going along fine. Lift up your hands and voices and call on His Name. God is waiting on you!

Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For, behold, the darkness will cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” I can see Him right now!

REMEMBER!

Our God is a God of Remembrance. He enjoys recalling to His mind such things as people who have a fear or reverential awe of Who He is, or people who set their minds on Him and the things of His Kingdom. He even has a Book of Remembrance for those people as stated in Malachai 3:16-18 "Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other. And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. “They shall be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in that day when I make up my jewels...Then you will see the difference between God’s treatment of good men and bad, between those who serve him and those who don’t."

The word remember or remembrance means "to call to mind, usually by a verbal declaration, or to rehearse an experience orally." The Bible is filled with God's commands to build altars and memorials to

remember the grace of God after deliverance, provision and victories, etc.. We are commanded to remember or rehearse the goodness and greatness of God even to our children. "We will not hide these truths from our children, but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of His power and the mighty miracles He did." Psalm 78:4

Revelation 12:12 states that we "overcome the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony." That means that we declare with our mouths and believe in our hearts exactly WHO Jesus is, and WHAT He's done for us." JESUS Said in 1 Corinthians 11 and Luke 22 “as often as you do this do it in remembrance of me.” Call to remembrance...REHEARSE THE TERMS

Exactly what are the TERMS OF THE COVENANT? What should we remember? What should we declare? Who is He? What has He done? Let me give you something to declare!

Ephesians 1: 19 declares "I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His Power for us who believe Him."

WHO HE IS...Ephesians 1:20-23 Message translation

HE...

WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD,
SITS ON A THRONE IN DEEPEST HEAVEN,
IS IN CHARGE OF RUNNING THE UNIVERSE,
EVERYTHING FROM GALAXIES TO GOVERNMENTS,
NO NAME, NO POWER EXEMPT FROM HIS RULE,
FOREVER,
IS IN CHARGE OF IT ALL,
HAS THE FINAL WORD ON EVERYTHING,
RULES HIS CHURCH, HIS BODY
THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THIS WORLD,
IN WHICH HE SPEAKS AND ACTS,
AND FILLS EVERYTHING WITH HIS PRESENCE!

Ephesians 1:18 "...I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to his people(YOU)."

WHAT HE'S DONE FOR YOU!

SON OF GOD.John 1:2

FREE FROM THE CONSEQUENCE AND TYRANNY OF SIN. Romans 6:6

TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. 1 Corinthians 6:19

FREE FROM CONDEMNATION Romans 8:1

I AM BORN OF GOD 1 John 5:1

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD 2 Corinthians 5:21

I HAVE PURPOSE IN GOD. Romans 8:28

PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE 2 Peter 1:4

REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE Galatians 3: 13

DELIVERED FROM THE POWERS OF DARKNESS Colossians 1:13

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD John 15:14

I AM A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, CHOSEN BY GOD 1 Peter 2:9

I AM GOD’S WORKMANSHIP Ephesians 2:12

I HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE, I BELONG TO GOD! 1 Corinthians 6:20

INVESTED WITH THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS John 14:13

ANOINTED WITH THE POWER AND ABILITY OF ALMIGHTY GOD. Acts 1:8

A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST 1 Corinthians 12:27

I HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST 1 Corinthians 2:16

I HAVE THE WISDOM OF GOD. James 1:5

I POSSESS ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS Ephesians 1:3

I HAVE EVERYTHING THAT PERTAINS TO LIFE OR GODLINESS. 2 Peter 1:3

THE ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING HE ASKS ME TO DO. Phil 4:13

GOD WORKS FOR MY GOOD IN ALL MY CIRCUMSTANCES. Romans 8:28

I CAN NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. Romans 8:39

I HAVE A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SOUND MIND. 2 Timothy 1:7

THE EVIL ONE CAN NOT TOUCH ME. 1 John 5:18

I AM A MINISTER OF RECONCILIATION FOR GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:18

I CAN COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE FOR MERCY AND GRACE He 4:16

GOD ALWAYS CAUSES ME TO TRIUMPH 2 Corinthians 2:14

HE SUPPLIES ALL OF MY NEED. Phillipians 4:19

HEIR OF GOD. Galatians 4:7

LIGHT OF THE WORLD, SALT OF THE EARTH. Matthew 5:13-14

REFRESHED IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. Acts 3:19

I KNOW THE WAY & I HAVE THE TRUTH. John 14:6

HEALED BY HIS STRIPES. 1 Peter 2:24

I WALK BY FAITH, I AM NOT MOVED BY WHAT I SEE. 2 Corinthians 5:7

I AM AN ABLE MINISTER OF RECONCILIATION 2 Corinthians 3:6

I AM FREE Romans 8:2

NOTHING BY ANY MEANS CAN HARM ME. Luke 10:19

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER. Isaiah 54:17

AN OVERCOMER BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF MY TESTIMONY! Revelations 12:12

And Many, many, many, More!

Begin today to daily make your declarations as to Who Jesus is and What He has done for you! Declare it and meditate on it, until it becomes a reality in your heart. God is raising up the sleeping giant within!