DOING WHAT IS RIGHT!

JOHN 3:13-15 “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John didn’t want to baptize him. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It must be done, because we must do everything that is right.” So then John baptized him.”

Many people believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about avoiding the pitfalls of going to hell. As we mature in Christ that focus eventually begins to turn towards an eye on heaven. In the Scripture above, Jesus is talking about the real reason for our existence on this earth…WALKING HOLY…Doing that which pleases our Father in heaven, because then He can direct and orchestrate a lifestyle that will demonstrate what He can accomplish with a man or woman who becomes totally committed to His way of living.

Jesus was to be baptized in order to fully commit his entire life; spirit, soul and body, to the Will of God forever! He was making a bold proclamation for all to hear. He had purposed in His heart to manifest the Righteousness of God in His life. In other words, he was going to manifest, or model, in this world the very Character and Nature of His Father.

Listen carefully…this is also your purpose as a Born Again Christian…to live a Holy life and model the Character of God to a hopeless, lost and dying world. Heaven and all the rewards are simply a natural outgrowth of this loving and obedient relationship in which we walk with Him.
Ephesians 4: 13-14 “until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children…”

The Words that Jesus spoke had a way about them that uncovered the soul of men. It didn’t matter whether He was speaking to the hardest of sinners or those who already followed Him, His Words stirred the hearts of men!
Matthew 22:33 “You serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
John 15:13 “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

These Words spoken as a result of the Father’s command uncovered the Character and nature of Almighty God so that man could love Him. The more you know God the more you are able to love Him! His grace and peace are multiplied many times over as we grow in the knowledge of Him. 2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…”

His message was not simply a list of commands which demanded negative obedience or else. His Words were constructive and filled with positive righteousness. John 10:10 “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly..”

He came to reveal a new Name for God. In the Old Testament the various Prophets called Him Jehovah, Yahweh, Warrior, healer, Righteousness, and Ruler of the Universe, but Jesus introduced Him as our FATHER! MATTHEW 6:32 “…for your heavenly Father knows that you need of all these things.”

Our goal in life is to be “mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” Let His Words stir your heart today. Life was never meant to be boring or mundane. Every day is to be an adventure. Every moment is to bring a Divine Opportunity. Every encounter is to have Eternal significance. What a life He has given us!

In today’s text Jesus issues us a resounding challenge “…we must do everything that is right.” When you accept His grace to walk righteous and do that which is right (holy), He will grab hold of your heart and your life and you will be a tool in the Master’s hand!

Purpose in your heart and life right now to do “everything that is right!”

Miracles!

Mark 16: 17 & 20 “These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name…They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.” And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

Do you know that the Lord Jesus wants you to live in the place where signs, wonders and miracles are as natural to you as breathing? In the Scripture listed above, as well as many others, He simply qualifies any Believer who believes in His Name as the one who will live with signs following themselves. When we consider the Word of God, miracles should be part of our every day experience. The Power of God should be flowing freely in and through our lives, not just on occasion!

You are part Diety. You are part Divine! Don’t suck all the oxygen out of the room, stop and consider what the Word of God says. “Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’?” John 10:34 “And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4

Consider David laying on his back in the hill country gazing up into the heavens and experiencing this revelation from the Spirit of God. “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have set in place—what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us? For you made us only a little lower than God, and you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things…” Psalm 8:3-6

That thinking takes my breath away! That, however, is exploding with truth! Revelation 5:10 “And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” What kind of religious excuses can we make to avoid having to deal with THIS Truth!

I am not saying that you are God! There is only one God, BUT you were created in the image and likeness of God and you are His Offspring. Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…and over all the earth…” Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…For we are also his offspring.”

Miracles are natural to God. They appear supernatural to us, but now we are living in the realm of the supernatural, therefore miracles should be a natural part of our lives. A miracle happens by supernatural means and that means now abides in you! Acts 1:8 “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect…” Herein lies the secret to Church growth for the next twenty years or so, or until Jesus returns. Church growth will come as a direct result of a Holy Church walking in loving obedience and intimacy with Christ, resulting in the manifestations of the miraculous in the Body of Christ!

Walking Holy enables us to abide in Jesus and experience the miraculous. John 15:7-8 “But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.” The world is hungry to see the Power of God, and they will on a magnanimous scale. The Church---You and I---will release these through the Power of the holy Spirit within us and the Name of Jesus!

Miracles are Powerful tools in the Kingdom of God! “But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever…So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her…At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.” Mark 1:30-33 Because Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a simple fever, the entire town gathered at the door.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has happened, the Gifts are resident within each of us, (maybe dormant, but they’re in there!) and healings are running rampant all over the world. We will have a revival of miracles like the world has never seen. The book of Acts will come alive right here in our midst! MIRACLES ARE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW!

If you want to see something you’ve never seen before, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done before! Here’s my suggestion!
1) Connect with Jesus constantly.
2) Commit to walk Holy before Him.
3) Listen to His voice and obey His every directive.
4) Give Him the glory!

“The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John 14:12

Let me hear about the miracles in your life!

SHAKEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

Isaiah 19: 1 “…Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.”

In Old Testament symbolism, Egypt refers to those people of the world, who do not belong to the Kingdom of God and are lost without Him. This Scripture tells us that the Presence of God is the chief factor necessary to shake those things in the lives of unbelievers (believers too) that prevent them from entering into the Family of God. When the Lord begins to shake the worldly foundations around someone; their lives begin to teeter and the temporary things of this world commence to fail them. The Presence of the Lord will melt their hearts!

The Word declares that their hearts will “melt in its midst” referring to the presence of God. Now let’s get real for a moment. Where is the Presence God today? The Bible declares in Acts 2:17 that “…it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…” Read it again! “..I will pour out of My Spirit…” Where is His Spirit? He lives within each Born Again Believer. 1Corinthians 3:16 “…you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you…”

In the Bible we can clearly see the lives of men and women reflecting the Presence of God in their day to day decisions and lives.
Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife.
Moses abandoned the House of pharaoh to identify with the afflicted people of God.
Elijah boldly challenged the prophets of baal.
Paul and Silas sang praises in the dark dungeon and shook its foundations.

Each of these expressions of the Presence of the Lord came as a direct result of relationship with Him. Their claim to know Jesus made a difference in their lives. They knew Him because they spent time with Him. Does the claim to know Jesus make a difference in your every day living? Your time…your money…your energy…your values…in what happens Monday through Saturday?

Does the faith you proclaim make a difference with members of the opposite sex? What do they see when we experience pain or disappointment? When the chips are down, does the unbeliever see an attitude in our lives that he would like to possess? Does he want what you have?

What about your relationship with God? Do you respect Him and treat Him as a living vital person in your everyday living? Do you have that heart hunger and thirst that compels you into the presence of God everyday in order to get away with him and talk to Him? Does your heart yearn to feast on His Word? Forgive me if I’m stepping on your toes, but don’t you want to really experience the Presence of God and stop pretending? No one really enjoys faking it!

Many of us talk about the sweetness and power of the Presence of God, but we avoid it like the plague! Be honest…was it today…or yesterday…perhaps a week ago…or a month…a year?

If you want to walk in power and authority…to have your prayers answered from heaven..then those things which prevent the flow must be shaken and there is only one way… “…Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel, So that…all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” Ezekiel 38:19-20

In His Presence, those things which hinder the release of the Presence of God into others lives will be shaken and “shall fall!”

YOU MAY DIE UNSAVED…
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DIE UNLOVED!

Redeemed From the Curse!

Ga 3:13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:"

As a result of mankind's initial fall to sin we have been subjected to the curse of sin (Or the Curse of the Law) and it's effects. When mankind was walking in fellowship with God and obedience to His Word and His Principles, we were under the influence of the blessings of the Law.Both the blessings and curses can be found in Deuteronomy 28.

Let's begin with the Blessings and make ourselves happy:Dt 28:1 "And it shall come to pass, if you will hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments...that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings will come on you, and overtake you...Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field. Blessed will be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground...Blessed will be your basket and your store. Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when thou go out. The LORD shall cause your enemies that rise up against you to be smitten before your face...The LORD shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouses, and in all that you set your hand to; and he will bless you in the land...And all people of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD...And the LORD will make you plenteous in goods...The LORD will open unto you his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and thou will lend...and ...not borrow. And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you will be above only, and ...not be beneath..."

In today's Scriptural nugget we are told that Jesus "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law." Redeemed is defined as "being set free, rescued or ransomed." Today's passage tells us that we have been set free from whatever the curse of the law is; so let's take a look in Deuteronomy and see what we've been set free from, especially in regards to healing!

Deuteronomy 28:18 "Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body..."vs 21... "the pestilence..."vs 22... "consumption(tuberculosis), and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning..."vs 27... "the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods(hemorrhoids) and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed."vs 28... "madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart..."vs 35... " in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head."vs 45... " all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed..."vs 60&61... " all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law..."vs 66... "And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life..."

You have just read a complete list to include "every sickness & every plague...". This is what Jesus Christ has redeemed you from. Jesus went to the Cross in spirit, soul and body; therefore He has redeemed us, spirit, soul and body! The Cross is the Center of Salvation for your spirit, soul and body! 1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your spirit and your body because they both belong to God."

If He had not redeemed them, they wouldn't belong to Him.Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law! Sickness of every kind was included in the curse of the Law. Therefore Christ has redeemed us from Sickness and Disease! Don't you let ignorance keep you from getting what rightfully and legally belongs to you! Read God's Word.

Study the Character and Nature of God as revealed in His Word and in the Life of Jesus. ANYONE who came believing received!Mt 21:22 "nd all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.Matthew 7: 7 Ask, and it shall be given you...For every one that asks receives...If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Now you know better...go ahead and ask Him to heal you right now in the Name of Jesus!

I'd like to pray with you in agreement! Mt 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

LIVING THE LIFE?

Acts 1:8 “After the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall receive power to witness…”

Do you know that right at this very moment unbelievers are watching the Church? They are watching every move you make. They are observing who we are and what we do, to see if we have really found the way and discovered the truth. So what that means for us is this…a peripheral, superficial walk with the Lord will not stand up in the court of public scrutiny.

They are looking for the real thing in the Church and they don’t always see it. Some will excuse the lack of insight to the general public by saying they are spiritually blind, but I believe that the problem lies with us, the Church and that the power of God is not clearly demonstrated within our lives. Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, You err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Jesus said that the problem lies squarely with those who proclaim to follow God.

What the world sees is what I like to call “Environmental Christianity.” A society created by our surroundings; Bible classes, tapes, Christian TV, prayer meetings and Christian friends. We even speak the Christian language, but when a non-believer looks at us what do they see? Do they see the power of God or simply a reflection of our environment. What they really want is to see a living faith expressing the love and the power of God. They desire to experience the Living God.

In Acts 1:8, we are told that “when the Holy Ghost comes upon us, we shall receive power to witness..” There is to be a force within us that demonstrates to others, giving them proof that the one we follow is the Author of life! Herein lies our problem. When we do not live day by day in an intimate relationship with Jesus, (walking in loving obedience) we soon discover that our own second hand faith is disintegrating. Believing facts about Jesus is simply not enough! We need to be intimately connected with the person Who embodies these facts contained within the pages of the Bible. Without intimate relationship with Jesus we become like Coke that has lost its fizz!

James 2:19-20 “You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” But will thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? " Listen carefully to these words…”FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.” The works I believe are being discussed here are the supernatural workings that are supposed to accompany the Holy Spirit when He comes upon us! Simply believing things about Jesus does not make us believers; even the demons believe!

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” Being a Christian requires continual commitment to a Living Lord…A RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE AND OBEDIENCE. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Being a Christian involves more than knowing something or believing something. Christianity is receiving someone…living with someone…responding to Jesus.

In the Bible we can clearly see man’s faith in God revealed in tweir day to day decisions and lives…
Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife and ran the kingdom.
Moses abandoned his sonship with Pharoah and the worldly ways of the palace to identify with the afflicted people of God and he was chosen to lead God’s people.
Elijah boldly challenged the prophets of Baal and God answered with fire from heaven.
Paul and Silas sang praises at midnight and God shook the earth to set them free!

These were not pious expressions emanating out of religious indoctrination but were a direct result of living in relationship with Him…thereby demonstrating His Nature and Character in everyday living. What did your life demonstrate today? This Week? What has your life spoken since you were born again? 2 Corinthians 3:2 “You are our epistle…known and read by all men:”

Isn't it time we got moving in the Power of the Holy Spirit!

Do You REALLY Care?

Acts 1:8 “After the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall receive power to witness…”

I firmly believe that technology is the new basis for the religion of today. The green movement, global warming (some are also espousing a global cooling tendency), microbiology, cloning, etc.. However the same sad results are now in, with mankind even more dissatisfied and empty then ever before, without any hope of salvation.

One of the co-conspirators of Sigmond Freud, Carl Jung summarized his entire life’s work while laying on his death bed in words similar to these. “The central neurosis of our time is emptiness, and there is nothing we are able to do about it!” Technology is still not able to rescue us from hopelessness, being lost and despair. You can have access to all of the latest gadgetry and applications on your cell phone, but the fact remains that you are becoming even more isolated and disconnected, therefore you become more meaningless. These continue to characterize our entire generation. Everyone still continues to search for some meaning to this life!

A large majority of people still experience a deep desire or need for some sort of religious faith in order to conjure up some kind of meaning to their life experiences. People recognize the deep vacuum within their lives. The question that remains for us as Christians is “How can we show others that Jesus is the Way and the truth?”

Recognize that people are looking for that something which is REAL! Whatever we, as Christians, are offering them, it must be real enough to stimulate and sustain their attention. People are sick of phony solutions and even more, phony people. They are no longer going to be fooled by religious people who can not provide real answers for the real problems they are dealing with in this world.

When Jesus was in the midst of a lost, desperate and hungry people, He fed them REAL food. When He was faced with sickness and disease, He provided a genuine REAL healing for them, spirit, soul and body! If their minds were tormented, He delivered them from torment. He did not help them co-exist with their torments, He delivered them with REAL comfort!

Jesus knows how to deal with the new generation of “cutters” (the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue without suicidal intent.) Mark 5:2-5 “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Jesus did not attempt to make the person feel better about themselves, or to build up their self esteem, He simply dealt with the core issue and healed them in a REAL and tangeable way! Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Jesus knew the condition of the people who were around Him. We too must begin to recognize the condition of those in our own immediate circle of influence. We must pray and get the mind of the Lord concerning their needs. “Open our eyes Lord!” We must recognize their needs, that they are tired, weary, bored, lonely, mistreated, rejected, abused, guilty, anxious, depressed, lonely and hopeless!

WHEN THEY KNOW THAT YOU REALLY CARE, THEN THEY WILL REALLY CARE ABOUT WHAT AND WHO (Jesus) YOU KNOW!

Who is watching your lifestyle today? Who desperately needs to see the character of Jesus reflected in your day to day living? Who needs to experience the REAL power of the Acts 1:8 experience upon and in your life?

Remember unless you are walking in loving obedience with Jesus, the Power will not flow out of your life and they will remain empty and hopeless. That’s even more motivation to walk righteous!

Unbelievers are very carefully examing the Church, to see if we have REALLY discoverd the TRUTH!

FEAR FILLED?

"That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. " 1 Samuel 17:48

Fear is one of the most amazing tools that the enemy has to paralyze our lives. I was at a conference for people with Prophetic giftings some years ago, when a brother preached on the topic of fear. At the end of his message he gave an altar call and of the over 1000 people in attendance, all but 3 or 4 of us got out of their seats and ran toward the altar. I was floored!

It really opened my eyes to the enormity of this spiritual stronghold in the lives not only of the world, but in the hearts of believers as well, even in the five-fold ministry gifts. Whether it's fear of failure, rejection, opposition, exposure, relationships, involvement, separation, inadequacy, inability, insecurity and so on, the fact remains that this is one of the major bondages that stifles the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

How do we defeat fear?

1) Let the Holy Spirit be honest with you? Ask Him to reveal where in your life fear is making it's presence known. Set aside time to be quiet before the Lord with pen and paper in hand. Write down what he reveals to you! John 16:13 "...when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..."

2) Understand that fear does not come from God. 2Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear comes from the input( in your thought life) and influences of the devil and the direct result of walking in sin. Genesis 3:10 "I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." Fear is the reciprocal (opposite) of faith and whenever we exit faith we enter into sin! Romans 14:23 "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. "

3) Know that God is with you...He's on our side! Psalm 118: 6 "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear..." God is with you, for you and in you! 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome...because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." No matter who or what comes against us, they need to know Who is coming against them on our behalf! (You need to know too!) Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us? "

4) Choose not to fear...your will is involved...you make the choice... Psalm 118: 6 "The LORD is on my side; I WILL not fear..." We must will not to fear.
Check out the classic battle in 1 Samuel 17 between David and Goliath. Fear can be the Giant in your life and may be holding you back from engaging in the battle at hand. Goliath was unusually large (Huge problem) and kept on taunting the people of God with words. 1 Sam 17:10-11 "I defy the armies of Israel! Send me a man who will fight with me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken" Sound familiar?

5) Remember and rehearse what the Lord has done in your past. 1 Samuel 17:37 "The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Think about all the things God has done both great & small in your own life. Remember His faithfulness and His greatness. Psalm 103: 2 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

6) Begin to speak the Word of the Victory of the Lord to the giant of fear in your life! read the following classic out loud right now and let these words of Faith reverberate in your spirit. They will begin to come alive as you speak them over and over again. Listen to what these words are speaking to you!

1 Samuel 17: 45 "Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’S, and He will give you into our hands.”

7) Now here comes the best one...
RUN TOWARD THE GIANT
David took off "running toward the giant" 1 Samuel 17:48 Scare the hell out of that giant!

In Africa when a pack of lions hunt, the old toothless lion with the loudest roar sets himself on one side of the prey. Even though he can not run like he use to, he still roars a good game. The young able bodied hunters await the victim on the other side. When the prey hears the roar, their natural instinct prompts them to run away from the roar; right into the mouths of the young hunters! Don't run from fear... RUN TO THE ROAR!

If you're afraid of the dark and you hear a noise in the house that arouses fear, start speaking the word and walk toward the noise. The spirit of fear will break! Fear of heights...find the tallest glass elevator you can find; stick your nose on the exterior and ride up and down, speaking the Word "The Lord God is on my side, I will not fear!" until the spirit of fear breaks. Ephesians 6:17 "And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."

Every time the spirit of fear raises it's ugly head, purpose in the Spirit that you will take the Word of God and cut it's head off. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... (in stark, shear terror)"
Now let's go kill a few giants and have ourselves some fun!

TOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH HEAT?

Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

If you are in the midst of the fire; the heat is being turned up and you feel like you're going to burst, then the Lord has given me a word to share with you!

First, we need to be truthful concerning fire. Fire is hot and causes pain. You should not be surprised or caught off guard when you enter into the fiery furnaces of life. Jesus warned us with these words in John 16:33..."These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation(pressure, stress,squashing,squeezing): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Everyone in this world goes through the fire at one stage or another, and oftentimes it seems that we go from one fire to another. Because He has overcome, we can walk in a place of peace no matter how immense the pressure!

Find His purposes in the fire and set your focus on Him. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6 Those who set their minds on matters of the Holy Spirit, experience life and peace no matter what the circumstances.

I was going through some pretty wild times a few years back and I cried out to the Lord saying "When will this end?" He simply spoke back in that still, small voice and said "It won't!" I have learned that as a Disciple (Not just a Believer) the heat is usually always on! As younger, immature Christians we sometimes enter in to a time of complaining, resisting and looking constantly for ways to escape the pressure. I have learned that pressure is a good thing and that God will use the fires of life, no matter what the origin (Himself, Ourself or the devil) to mold, shape and conform us closer to the image of Christ in us, He desires.

I discovered and meditated on a very unusual Scripture in James 2:2-4 "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

What? You want me to be joyful when troubles come my way? Am I to be a glutton for punishment? Isn't that crazy? Not when you begin to comprehend that in the midst of the fire, your faith is tested and grown. Going through the fires of life can equip you and get you "ready for anything!" Everyone in the Bible who became what God wanted them to become went through times of testing. Joseph in prison; Daniel in the lion's den; Paul imprisoned and beaten; Jesus in the Garden; Shadrach, Meshack & Abednego in the fiery furnace.

In reading the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel Chapter three we discover...
How to make it through the fire...

1) Know that everyone is currently going through some kind of fire, whether spiritually, financially, family, sickness, relational. You are not the only one in the fire! "But remember that the temptations (trials)that come into your life are no different from what others experience." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Personally, I believe that pressure is designed to create intimacy with God. Think about how distant we seem to wander when everything is going well. Hopefully, as soon as it gets a little rough we are smart enough to turn to God. Eventually, we learn to stay with Him and remain connected with Him in fellowship, praise, prayer and obedience. Daniel 3:21 "So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace..." Because of the sin nature of this fallen world, everyone goes through the fire at one time or another!

If you feel bad about the fire you're in, take a look at what the Apostle Paul had to endure; you'll feel better immediately. "They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not.I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Now stop whining...it could be worse!

2) Know that you are not alone God is with you! Psalm 118:6 states that "The Lord God is on my side; I will not fear what man can do..." He has promised He will be with us no matter what we do or what we feel. Even when you FEEL alone, He is with us! Heb 13:5 "…he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

3) You will be tempted to give up and succumb to the effects of the flames. The enemy of your soul will speak these words to you in the midst of your fire, attempting to have you give up and quit. "I will give you one more chance. If you bow down...all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?” Daniel 3:15

Remember that "...God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 1 Corinthians 10:13” You don't have to bow!

4) Make a declaration of God's willingness & ability. Daniel 3:17 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power..." Stop your mind from being overwhelmed with facts. God's Truth always over-rides fact! Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believes...and with the mouth confession is made..."

When David faced his giant, he prophesied the fall of the giant even before he engaged in combat. 1 Samuel 17:45 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou have defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite you, and take your head from you; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” Begin to prophesy your emergence from the fire and your ultimate victory!

5) Know that it may get a little hotter before it gets better! Daniel 3:19 "Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual." In the Kingdom of God, there are processes that we must endure in order for him to fulfill His purposes, maybe even in the lives of others. Have you noticed that our trials usually involve other people, as well ? He doesn’t always answer the way you think He should. He is God and He knows best. His timing is always perfect.

6) Connect with others in the midst of your fire. You are not designed to ever go it alone. We are the members of the Body of Christ. If you go it alone you will be burned. 1Corinthians 12:21 “…the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” You cannot state this either by your words or your actions; the way you live your life in relation one to another. If you disconnect and enter the fires of life by yourself, the odds remain against your survival. Daniel 3:23 23 “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”

7) Know that the power of God is with you! Daniel 3:25 “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. His presence, His ability, His Companionship, His strength, His wisdom, His power, His destiny for you will all be present in the heart of the fiery trials of your life. Ask Him what good can come out of this trial. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28 ” Its refreshing to know that God has a plan that determines the final outcome of your trail.

8) You are destined to go through the fire and you will come out on the other side and people will see that “the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!.” 1 Samuel 3:27 You will not be consumed by your trial. The experience will not slow you down or defeat you. It will empower you to trust further in His ability.

9) God will receive praise for your personal victory. You will stand as an eternal memorial to the goodness and faithfulness of God as you rely on Him. The world needs to see His movement in your circumstances so they too can come into relationship with Him! Daniel 3:29 “Therefore I make a decree, That …. there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”

10) Here is the best news yet. On the other side of your fiery furnace there is a promotion from the king for YOU! Daniel 3:30 “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

WILL GOD HEAL ME?

MARK 1:40 "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Cancer...its everywhere...front page news today is "tanning beds cause serious cancer." Over the last week or so, I have heard people tell me that well over twenty five people have been stricken with cancer. The State we live in (Maryland) has one of the highest rates of cancer in the entire United States and a great percentage of the population is being struck down.

Arteriosclerosis (Hardening of the arteries) is running rampant and taking the lives of additional thousands, not to mention diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease etc.. Even though science now dramatically points to the consumption of fat in the diet when combined with large doses of carbohydrates as one of the major culprits, to those who already have the damage done, it is stealing, killing and destroying the lives of thousands of additional.

Jesus said "The thief's purpose it to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" John 10:10 What is one to do in the midst of these trying times? Is sickness and disease just an acceptable part of life, or is there something that can be done to defend ourselves against these attacks when they come? Is it too late if we're already facing the inevitable? My standard response is to discover and apply whatever the Manufacturer's Handbook has to say concerning this matter.

The leper in the introductory Scripture listed above asked the question that most people, including Christians still do. "I know you can; BUT are You willing to heal me?" No one doubts that God can heal. No one questions His ability to make one whole. We all believe in miracles; just not for ourselves. I believe that the greatest obstacle to those who are seeking healing or desire to walk in divine heath, is the uncertainty in their minds as to the Will of God in the matter.

Exodus 23:25And ye shall serve the LORD your God...and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee...the number of thy days I will fulfil."Exodus 15:26 " ...I am the LORD that healeth thee." Translated in plain old English it goes this way. "I am the Lord Who is healing you now!" (Present tense ad-infinitum)Until you believe that God wants you, His child, to be healed, there will always be doubt in your mind as to whether or not you will be healed according to His Will. Hebrews 11:6 " But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."

This Scripture says that God rewards (In this case heals) those who believe that He is The Healer and He can heal us. Now here's the key to this verse. We don't pursue healing; we pursue the Healer! When you get to the best physician, the odds of being healed increase. He is the great Physician!When we go to God and ask our petitions of Him, we need to go in a certain attitude of faith (Simple childlike faith...God said it; that settles it!) James 1:6-8 "But when you ask Him, be sure you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a waveof the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waiver back and forth in everything they do."

What this Scripture states is pretty straightforward. Anyone who prays the faith destroying prayer "Lord if it be thy will, please heal me." can not ask him like you "really expect him to answer..." And they usually don't expect to receive anything (healing) from the Lord; resulting in exactly what they believed!We begin with the simple basic Bible truths. If you can't seem to believe that you will be chosen to be one of the fortunate ones to be healed, I ask you this question. Do you believe that God will keep His promise to you? If you do...That is simple belief...spelled F-A-I-T-H!

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie...has He spoken, and will he not do it? or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?"1 Kings 8:56 "...there has not failed one word of all his good promise..."Psalm 119:89 "For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven." When God makes a promise...he keeps it. He's not like people who continue to modify our promises and declarations. When He speaks a Spiritual Law into existence, there is enough power behind that Word to enforce it throughout eternity. Let me give you an illustration. In Genesis 1:3 "God said, Let there be light: and there was light." When God spoke that Word, He infused that Word with enough power to sustain it throughout all eternity, unless He says "Light Cease!" The universe is still expanding from that Command at the rate of 186,000 miles per second!

When God spoke the Word in Exodus 15:23 "I am the Lord that healeth thee.", He empowered that Word to endure and empower throughout all eternity, as well.God's Word is law! A law is something that always works. It may be a fact that you are sick right now, but there is a law that over-rides that fact. Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."Obviously you've heard and understand the "Law of Gravity." The Law of Gravity simply states that whatever is dropped within the earth's atmosphere begin to fall. Take an airplane, for example. If the engines quit in midflight, what happens? It falls to the ground. That is Fact! However there is a Truth that over-rides the law of Gravity; its called the Law of Lift. When an airplanes engines accelerate and with certain aerodynamic principles in effect, the Law of Lift supercedes the law of Gravity and they plane doesn't fall, it rises!

The fact may be that you have cancer, or are facing precancerous conditions, or your family has a history of cancer. The fact may be that right now you're in the fight of your life, BUT the Truth of God's Word, His law, supercedes that fact!

Where do I begin?

1) Get into the Word of God and begin to discover what it has to say about healing.

2) Look at the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. He said "if you've seen me, you've seen the Father." If you look at His life and Ministry, God's desires become much clearer!

3) Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you the Truth about God's Will concerning your healing.

4) Get yourself some good books on healing ...T.L. Osborn's "Healing the Sick" or F.F Bosworth's "Christ the Healer" read them and back up what they claim with the Scriptures.

5) Memorize Healing Scriptures that you discover.

6) Find others who want to discover the Truth, who will make the journey with you!

7) Get in a Church that believes that Divine Healing is for you!

PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. KNOWING THE TRUTH WILL SET ANYBODY FREE. DON'T KEEP IT FOR YOURSELF IF IT BLESSES YOU. WE ARE UNDER A PHYSICAL ATTACK ON THIS EARTH LIKE NEVER BEFORE. YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, AND WE NEED TO KNOW GOD'S WORD ON THIS TRUTH!PASS IT ON...

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There is Healing in Him!