IS HEALING GOD'S WILL?

1 John 5:14 “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.”

Whenever I want to know God’s will in most any matter, the first place I look obviously, is in the Bible. The Bible is The Manufacturer’s Handbook and it reveals to us God’s Will in most areas of our lives. If you want to know His will regarding the mission trip to Africa or exactly how much money to give in the next offering, then you need to talk with the Holy Spirit and He will lead you into all truth regarding those kinds of matters. (John 16:13)

If you need to know God’s will for your eternal destiny, loving others, proclaiming the Good News or Divine Healing, then we dive into the riches of His Written Word. In regards to healing, 1 John 5:14 states that if we are to be confident that he will heal us of our sicknesses, diseases and infirmities, then we NEED TO KNOW HIS WILL pertaining specifically to this matter. We must know what His will is concerning any matter if we are to receive from God.

James 1:6-8 states that we are to “…ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”If we are unable to know God’s will on any specific matter then it is impossible to ask God “in faith”and to be single minded on the eventual outcome. The Bible states that a man that does not know His will is unable to “receive anything from God.” If you want the possibility of God healing you, then you must know it to be His Will!

Even more specifically, I dive into the Gospels and listen to the Words of Jesus and watch His life and actions toward those who are sick. Jesus said “He who has seen Me has seen the Father…”John 14:8 If I want to know how God responds to the sick, I observe His characteristics as evidenced in the life of Jesus. “Behold, I have come to do your will O God.”Hebrews 10:7 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38”

Do you know the only time Jesus would not or could not heal EVERYONE who came to Him for healing was when He was faced with incredible unbelief attempting to minister to those in need in His own home town. “And he could there do no mighty work, except he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching…”Mark 6:5-6

When I discovered this event, I learned that people can literally thwart the healing power of God from flowing. It says He COULD NOT DO, not that he didn’t want to but that he Couldn’t heal many people. Notice His response to this unbelief. “He went round about the villages teaching…” When He encountered unbelief and was unable to fulfill the will of God for healing these people, He began to teach them on faith, believing and receiving from God.

Every other time when people came to Jesus for healing, He never refused them. Sometimes the Providence of God was released and Healing flowed. Other times people were healed in response to their own faith. God may choose to heal you through Divine Choice (Providence; Mark 3:1-6) but He will always heal those who come in Faith asking! Matthew 9:29 “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”

Observe the following Scriptures and see the Will of God on display in Jesus’life…

Mt 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Mt 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Mr 6:56 And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Lu 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Lu 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Matthew 8:16-17 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

David was a man who pursued and discovered the very heart of God and the Holy Spirit revealed to him a very special fact. Let these words sink deep into your heart today.

“Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:2-5

Since Jesus is the “…same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb 13:8, He has not changed and still desires to heal you today. In Acts 10:34 the Bible states “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Simply put, this means if God forgives all of David’s sins and heals all of his diseases, He will do the same for you! God does not love you any less than He does David!

Let me leave you with this thought. If you are convinced that God might not want to heal you, then why are you going to the Doctor and shaking your fist in the Face of God’s Will?

Settle in your mind….That God wills to heal You of all your sickness, disease and infirmities!

“I am the Lord that healeth thee!” Exodus 15:26

SICKNESS AND DISEASE ARE RUNNING RAMPANT. WE NEED TO LOOSE THE WORD OF GOD REGARDING DIVINE HEALING. I’M CONFIDENT THERE IS SOMEONE IN YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE WHO NEEDS A TOUCH FROM GOD TODAY. GET THESE WORDS IN YOUR HEART. IF YOU DON’T NEED THEM TODAY, REST ASSURED THAT YOU WILL SOON. WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!

There is healing in the Name and provision of Jesus!

IN LOVE WITH GOD!

Matthew 22: 37-38 "Jesus said to him, you shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."

The Bible plainly tells us that loving God is the greatest principle contained within it's pages. Loving God is the reason you were created. To live within a love relationship with Him is the highest of all life purpose and without this intimacy we will live a life that remains frustrated, meaningless, stagnant, empty and without purpose!

So many people do not know the very basics of Loving God. Let's keep in mind we are commanded (it's not optional) to love Him with "all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind." We are so often concerned that if we love God in this manner that we won't have any time or affections left for others in our lives. The opposite is true. We are told in Matthew 6:33 that if we put God "first" and the affairs of His "Kingdom" and "righteousness" then all the "things" of life are taken care of!

Let's think for a moment about some of the principles we employ when we set our affections on others close to us. If we apply these same tactics to our relationship with God, we will be off to a good start in loving Him, as well.

1) Set aside time to spend with Him. I remember when I first met my wife, Debbie, I believe that I invested enough in fuel taxes to repave all of Richie highway as I traveled back and forth between Pasadena & Annapolis. She became a priority on my daily schedule. it was amazing how much time I had for her when I re-prioritized my life and other interests. You cannot build a relationship by remaining separated or without spending good quality time together.
Time chatting while eating or riding down the road is good, but true intimacy only develops when our sole focus of the moment is on the one we love. Set two or three times a week, initially and have a date with God. Do not cancel, it may harm your relationship!

2) Good love relationships are not easy to develop. They take a lot of effort and good old fashioned work. "...Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Hebrews 11:6 Another translation says He rewards those who "diligently seek Him." Sincerely seeking and diligently seeking, both speak of working to build relationship with God. After all the years of relationship with the world, it takes a concentrated effort to focus on God.

3) Communication is essential! Most of us have no problems bombarding God with our problems and needs, but when it comes to listening to his heart, we need to employ the skills the prophet Samuel learned. "...Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.” 1 Samuel 3:10

We need to learn to be open and honest with God (He knows all of our thoughts anyway), and we need to allow God to be open and honest with us! This is one of the biggest obstacles to developing intimacy with Him. We don't want to hear what He has to say and oftentimes when He does begin to speak into our hearts correction or conviction, we begin to shout Him down with our religious banter! Sometimes heart exchanges with our loved ones can be painful! However, if we wish the relationship to deepen these exchanges of truth need to be allowed in our time together.

4) We willingly and affectionately lay down our own self centered desires to reap a harvest of love from our loved one. "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God..." Ephesians 5:21 We become givers as a result of our new natures. "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, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ..." 2 Cor 5:17-18 We remain givers by the continual oversight and review of our will.We, as a result of our continued, deepening relationship with God, commence to take on the character and nature of God, Himself. " For God so loved the world, that he gave...: John 3:16

We too become givers as we spend time with Him.

5) We discover and share each others giftings and talents. The more time we spend in reading His Word and in discovery of His character and nature, the more we fall in love with Him. The more time we spend basking in His presence the more He begins to reveal Himself to us. (In our own relationships, we DO NOT reveal our innermost thoughts, impressions, motivations and desires to those who are mere acquaintances.)

When we first encounter a loved one , we simply "love" them based on first impressions and external observations. The more time we spend together, the more we are able to observe the intangibles which form the very foundation for any long lasting, intimate relationship. (loyalty, faithfulness, trustworthiness, etc...)The more you know Him, the more your heart goes out to Him and the deeper relationship you develop. "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord..." 2 Peter 1:2

Here's the way it develops...
The More you know Him, the More you love Him!
The More you love Him, the more you trust Him!
The more you trust Him, the more you obey Him!

6) Finally as your intimacy progresses, you couple together to produce offspring.When you spend time with Him, you discover that His heart goes out for other hearts who desire to be with Him. 2Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (loyal) toward him."

His desire is that you remain so intimate and connected to Him (Two operating as one) that your life is filled with much fruit. John 15:5 in The Message says it this way. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. "

Then out of our Love relationship, and having laid down our own interests and desires, we begin to pursue the desires of His heart. We allow His Holy Spirit to influence others through our lives and the anointing which flows out of us. Out of His love for us and our love for Him, we obey Him and He manifests Himself to us and others.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21

Do we really love God with all all your heart, soul, strength and your mind, as He desires and commands?
I Think Not!

Let's begin or intensify (Whichever place you're at) the journey into the heart of God.
Begin Today.

Your Biggest Mistake!

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Ken Bombard translation simply says this: “If you put God FIRST in all things, He will take care of the rest!” Our priorities are out of whack! We have it all backwards. We put every thing and everyone else first, and give Him our leftovers. Our days begin by being instantly thrust into the affairs of the world, without refueling or refreshing in the Presence of God. (Acts 3:19) We struggle in everything we do throughout the day and we wind up at the end of the day thoroughly exhausted and give Him a simple “Goodnight Lord.”

“BUT…” we say. “I have to take care of my family and that takes time!” Let me share a Kingdom secret with you right now! WHATEVER YOU MANUFACTURE, YOU MUST MAINTAIN! That includes the care, provision, protection, nurture and growth of your family. God desires to provide for your every need. Philippians 4:19 “…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” If we will let Him, that will even include our families. Remember this…WHATEVER GOD MANUFACTURES, HE WILL MAINTAIN! According to Matthew 6:33 quoted above….IF I put Him and His Kingdom work first in my life….HE will take care of my family!

May I add, that He is capable of doing a better job than us! If you rearrange your priorities, and place God where He belongs in your life, then all the time you spend at the Doctor’s office, the Principle’s office, the Counselor’s office, etc., will be eliminated or greatly reduced. It’s hard to row a boat upstream without an oar. Life flows upstream and God is not just our oar, He is our engine and He wants to be our helmsman, as well! Do you also know that it doesn’t hurt your children, to bring them along when you are ministering to others. It gives them a chance to see the Love and the Spirit of God in action!

Last weekend, a group of men helped out a family that needed some special assistance around the yard and their house. One of the men brought his young daughter along and SHE helped the family clean inside along with the only other lady who showed up. Oh My…were they blessed! They were blessed; the young lady learned that blessing others is a greater blessing to ourselves, AND she will be blessed by God for blessing them! What a great deal!

In the same manner please don’t go to work or out into the world without first being with God. If you’re a night person, then spend time with Him in His Word and in conversation (two way prayer) at night, when you are strongest. If you’re a morning person then get up earlier and spend a few precious moments with the One Who loves you, and desires to empower you and give you Godly wisdom for whatever will come your way in the day ahead!

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate our life priorities. Would you stop for a moment right now and ask Him, “Lord, what are the areas of my life that are out of whack? What do I need to evaluate? What do you wish to change in my life?” If you will consider this challenge, bring a pen and paper when you do ask. As you hear and obey your life will be influenced by Godly Wisdom and empowered by Divine ability! Doesn’t THAT sound refreshing?

If you won’t take the time, what is it that you’re afraid of? The Truth!

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD?

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."

One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in establishing and maintaining our relationship with God is the concept of righteousness. Furthermore, it also inhibits us from doing anything productive in His Kingdom!

I remember so often when I first started out in Ministry that as soon as I'd begin to preach, to pray for someone or minister in the gifts of The Spirit I would immediately hear " Who do you think you are? You are a miserable sinner and God will certainly be able to find someone more deserving to flow with His Spirit than you!" All of a sudden the sins I had committed recently would begin to rise up in my remembrance and they would commence to distract me from the Kingdom tasks at hand.

As "Able Ministers of the New Covenant" (2 Corinthinans 3:6) God has established a place where we can go and be filled with the answers to the needs of anyone we encounter in our circle of influence. Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Isn't it exciting and breathtaking to know that God has created a special place for us to go and receive "grace" (the Divine Ability of God) not only for ourselves but also for those we are to serve.

Here at the Throne of Grace we can obtain Mercy (The Divine desire of God that deeply desires to remove the source of distress in our lives) and the Divine ability of God to remove that distress. Now here's where the problem of righteousness comes in. Inately we know this simple truth contained in Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." Everytime we begin to approach the Throne of Grace, this fact seems to pop in our heads and captures our thought processes. Somehow when these thoughts take over, our boldness to approach the Throne dissapears! And we stand in the outer courts hoping to catch some crumbs of God's Mercy.

If we investigate the verses that preceed Hebrews 4:16, we discover that the Bible says that "we have a great high priest, who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:14-15 This also confirms our Scripture for today in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that because He knew no sin and because we are "in Him" (Our position because we believe in Him) therefore we are the Righteousness of God!

Speak this fact out loud right now and everytime you are attacked with the lies of the devil to "Remember the sins you have committed and the bad things you have done!"

I am the Righteousness of God!

Now allow me to blow your mind with the facts concerning this statement! Here's what it means...

You have the ability, right now, to stand in the Presence of God as though sin has never touched your life!

This my Christian Brother or Sister is what the Righteousness of God means to you! Some are snorting right now..."Well, I don't know about that!" Let me back it up with Scripture! Psalm 103:12 states "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions(sins) from us." No matter how far east youn travel, you can nevere reach the west! Jeremiah 31:34 "...I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." When you stand at the Judgement Throne of God, He will not even remember one sin you have committed due to the Mercies of the Shed Blood of Jesus. Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 10:17 "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

So the very next time you are approaching the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, and that accusatory voice begins to whine, you begin to shout the truth of God's Word! "I am the Righteousness of God!" Right now I stand here as though sin has never touched my life. I don't care what you think you know or what I remember from my past; what matters is how God views my life. I am the righteousness of God in Christ! He does not remember my sins!

Maybe today you're not even thinking about ministering on behalf of God, and you're just struggling to even lift up your head or to hear from God because you believe that you're not worthy. If the truth were based on what we've done, you'd be correct. However the truth declares that its based soley on what He has done and accomplished!

Micah 7:19 "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

It's liberating to know that we have become the Righteousness of God. Now walk in that Freedom!

You are not a miserable sinner saved by grace! That is a lie! You are the Righteousness of God!

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!

GOD IS IN COVENANT WITH ME!

Luke 22:20 “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.”

You are in Covenant with God! Better yet, God is in Covenant with you! When you are in a personal relationship with Almighty God through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross and His subsequent Resurrection, you have been entered into a legal binding agreement with Him.

A covenant is defined as a binding agreement or contract in writing under seal, for the performance of a specified action. The Covenant which God Himself has entered into with you, has been signed, sealed and ratified by the precious Blood of Jesus. There can be no more powerful seal than the Blood of Jesus! We are told in Leviticus 17:14 “…the life of all flesh is in the blood…” When you break it down, this simply means that the Covenant which God has contracted with you is backed up with the very LIFE OF GOD which is in the Blood of Jesus!

The good news today is that God is in Covenant with you! He is in a legally binding Contract, ordered by the Supreme Court of the Universe (Himself), because the Blood of Jesus has been shed for “YOU!”

OK… God has entered into an agreement with me, but what exactly does that mean for me? There are some very unique characteristics that are involved in Biblical Covenants. The one I want you to see today is what I call the “Joint Heir” stipulation. Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…”

In Biblical times when two families or tribes entered into a covenant, they each brought unique giftings and talents into the relationship. For example the Jones family had wealth, wisdom, creative imagination, and a talent for conducting wise business practices. The Smith family was know for their brute strength, and had a reputation as fierce warriors. They were men and women who could work the land and produce the most abundant harvest on the smallest piece of land.

When they entered into Covenant, they each pledged to one another everything they had and all the talents each had to offer. Now as the Smith-Jones tribe, it appeared that they were lacking no good thing. The wealth of the Jones family now flowed into the Smith family and when anyone would arise against the Jones family, the warriors from the Smith clan would rise up to defend the Joneses! They became joint-heirs, meaning that they both owned/shared everything both families possessed one hundred percent. There was no holding back on anything they had!

NOW PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION: Since God initiated a Covenant agreement with you; HE HOLDS BACK NOTHING! Now read these Covenant Words written to you! Romans 8:31-32 “What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

God has given you everything…His Name..His Son…His Blood…His Angels…His Promises… His Ability…His Power…His Authority..His Spirit within us…His Righteousness…His Healing...His Provision…His Protection…His Wisdom…His Direction…His Deliverance… His Rest…His Care…His Security…His Reward…His Refreshment…His Presence…His Restoration… and the List goes on endlessly! Can you even name one thing that God has withheld from you? Of course you can't!

God did not spare His most prized possession…His Son. He gave us Jesus so that He could enter Himself into a legally binding Eternal Covenant with us, thereby offering US everything He is and everything He has! Jesus “…has been given a ministry that is far superior to the ministry of those who serve under the old laws, for he is the one who guarantees for us a better covenant with God, based on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6

You would do well to daily rehearse the terms of your Covenant with God. David did! (Psalm 103 ) The whole deal is not about what you can bring to the table of Covenant, ITS ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS BROUGHT INTO THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP!

NOW ACCEPT THE TERMS AND LIVE THE LIFE HE EXPECTS! (John 10:10)

FORGET IT?

James 1:23-24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

Many Christians fall under this same category that James describes. We love to dive into the depths and mysteries that we find in the Word of God, however, when it comes to applying those same truths in our own lives, we often become very resistant. I believe that we have the answer to this problem found in the Scripture stated above.

The mirror, spoken of, represents the Word of God in this passage. This passage simply declares to us as Christians, that we are to journey into the Word of God, with hearts and minds that are ready and willing to apply (obey) any principle that we encounter.

The passage further states that if we do not apply the principles, we discover that we will soon forget the liberating truths we have uncovered, especially when we face opposition. There is something about applying (obeying) the principles in the Word of God that causes these discoveries to stick with our spirit man. If we practice discovery and application of the principles contained in God’s Word, there are two things that occur as a result. This is a Spiritual Law!
1) We will not forget who God has made us to be!
2) We will not forget with what ability we have been enabled!

We find this exact principle summarized in Deuteronomy 28: 1-2 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey (apply His Principles) the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey (apply His directives) the voice of the Lord your God.”

The other truth that James states is that when we do NOT apply the principles (commandments) of God and we face an attack, we forget “what kind of man” we are. The spiritual glue, or power of the Holy Spirit, is activated in our lives when we obey. If we refuse to obey, the Holy Spirit can not activate the Reality of the Truths contained in His Word in our lives and we enter into the struggles of life, powerless, and uncertain of the great things God has done for us!

1Corinthians 2:9 “…it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”

If you are walking in unforgiveness or bitterness, it is not worth the price you pay. God’s Principles declare the necessity to forgive. If you don’t forgive, then you will never reach the level where you realize Who You are in Christ and you will continue to walk in defeat!

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”

If you discover and obey God's Principles, you too will, like the kitten pictured above, will turn into a lion. When you encounter obstacles in your life, they will be transformed into stepping stones!

Do Not Be Afraid!

Matthew 17:7 "And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 According to His Words these are the two single greatest commandments.

Do you know what ranks a close number three? If we can judge by the number of times in the four gospels that He addressed individual issues with specific commands, the answer is clear. The Gospels list some one hundred twenty plus commands from the lips of Jesus. The two Great Commandments listed above are mentioned only eight times, while the Commands related to fear appear twenty one times. (Not be afraid, not fear, have courage, take heart, be of good cheer) If the number of times a topic is mentioned by Jesus is any indication then Jesus takes the “fear issue very seriously!

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,
Matthew 9:2 “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 10:28 “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
Matthew 10:31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 14:27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
John 14:1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, also believe in me.”
John 14:27 “Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The List goes on!

Jesus does not wish for us to live a life dominated by fear! Jesus was in the boat with His disciples on a storm tossed sea, when he was awakened from a deep sleep. Waves were crashing over the boat and He was asleep. Oh to know that intimacy with God that we can endure peaceful sleep in the midst of the storm. Before He sprung into action and calmed the turbulence He posed this question. “…Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26

Occasion to fear may surround us day to day. It may be attacking our minds on a daily basis, or even moment to moment, BUT it does not have to be able to fill our hearts. Remember that “…God has not given us a spirit of fear” 2 Timothy 1:7 Recognize that fear is a “spirit” and it is attacking you and your very spiritual foundation. Fear is the reciprocal (opposite) of faith. If your enemy can get you to operate in fear instead of faith, your boat may go under in the middle of the tempests of life!

Whenever you entertain fear filled thoughts, “take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17 and begin to swing your sword. Do you believe that it is possible to control your own thoughts? Our Creator certainly knew what He was doing when He made these incredible houses that we live in.

Try this simple illustration! Begin to count silently in your mind backwards from 100 to 1. When you get to 90 say “Jesus!” three times out loud. What happened to your counting? Amazing, that God has given us a very simple tool to combat stinking thinking, the power of speech. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

The Word of God is your weapon. Fear is a temptation. How did Jesus combat temptation in the desert? “It is written…” (Matthew 4) Jesus took the Sword of the Spirit and thwarted the attack of the enemy. The power is in the Word of God when it is spoken by you lips! My favorite is Psalm 118:6 “…the Lord God is on my side, I will not fear…”

Remember, Jesus commanded “Do not fear…” Isn’t today a good day to obey! Speak His Word and walk in victory. How long do I speak the Word? Speak the Word until the fear subsides. If it raises it’s ugly head again, start swinging your Sword again!

STANDING IN THE STORM!

Matthew 7:27 “When a storm rolled in and the waves came up…” MSG


Thunder Storms…awesome, troublesome, and with the accompanying rain sometimes just bothersome. Ask anyone who has been struck by lightning and it’s also shockingly painful, as well. I can remember one evening in my younger years when I sat in a four wheel drive vehicle on Assateague Island and watched the most intense display of lightning for hours.

Lightening and storms can be beautiful, but they can also be devastating. It's always better to watch the storm as it happens somewhere else!

Most of us remember Hurricane Katrina which pounded the Gulf Coast and took 1836 lives. We have watched pictures of the 2004 Tsunami launched in the Indian Ocean killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries. That storm generated waves up to one hundred feet high and devastated many lives! Storms are not always beautiful or fun!

We’ve had a lot of lightening and rain the last couple of days and I was driving home late last evening from Church watching the awesome display of God’s majesty in the heavens. Job 37:3 “He directs…His lightning unto the ends of the earth.”Jesus had a lot to say concerning storms too! Jesus said that in this life you can not avoid the storms.

Matthew 7:27 “When a storm rolled in and the waves came up…” There is no way to avoid storms or trials and tribulations in this life. Jesus also stated in John 16:33 that “…In the world you will have tribulation…” That Greek word for tribulation means “pressure, squeezing, squashing, stress, etc.” Experienced any of that recently?

It seems to me that in the Gospels Jesus knew exactly how to still the storms of life. Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” He is still in the storm business today. He will either calm the storm in you, calm the storm itself, or calm you in the storm!

Here is His advice direct from the Manufacturer’s handbook (Bible.) Translated from the message it goes like this concerning the Word of God. Matthew 7:24-27 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”


So here’s the wrap-up! Jesus simply says that those who discover His Principles written in the Word of God and APPLY (obey) them will stand in the middle of the storms of life! Perhaps He will speak a simple directive (word) into your spirit in a time of prayer. If you apply (obey) that Word, again you will stand in the midst of the storms of this life or “you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock!”


Soldiers are not thrust right into the fray without extensive training and rehearsal in advance. Isn't it time that you practiced for the next storm! get into God's Word and discover His Principles of Life. Immediately apply them in your life through His Ability. Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Somebody you know needs to hear this message today. Who do you know that is currently suffering a collapse in the midst of the storm? Pass the site on today! Get involved in someone else's life!

MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK

GOD’S WORD…THE BIBLE OR THE MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK!

1) LIFE…REAL LIVING COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD…
Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man Does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

2) YOU DISCOVER …
A) THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD…HIS CHARACTER, HIS GREATNESS, HIS LOVE, HIS MOTIVATIONS.
B) THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE..WHAT’S GOD..WHAT’S NOT!
John 8: 31 ¶ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; 32 And ye will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

3) THE FAITH AND POWER TO ENJOY LIFE COMES FROM HIS WORD…Romans 10:17 17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

4) THE WORD GIVES US ANSWERS TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS TO LIFE’S PROBLEMS… Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

5) TEMPTATIONS ARE DEFEATED BY THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT(Eph 6:17)…
Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

6) HEALING COMES FROM THE DISCOVERY & APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD…

A) HEALING FOR DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS…Ps 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

B) HEALING FOR THE DISAPOINTMENTS AND DEFEATS IN LIFE…Matthew 7: 24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock

C) HEALING FOR PHYSICAL DISEASES…
Prov 4: 20 Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. NLT

D) HEALING FOR EMOTIONS OR DEPRESSION…Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Mark 4:1-25 The measure you measure the Word of God is the measure you receive in return! It's time to get serious about the Manufacturer's Handbook read and apply it it today. Everytime you read the Bible look to discover the Character and Nature of God and search for His prinicples to a cussessful way of living! Joshua 1: 8 "Meditate in this book day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein. You will make your way prosperous and you will have good success!"

JESUS IS COMING: PART THREE

Revelations 19: 11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven (US…white linen or robes of righteousness) followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Israel has been re-established as a Nation and Jerusalem is her Capital city.

The United States has begun to lose her influence over the world.

Religions are now headed toward a one world ecumenical church, where any way to God is acceptable and sin is no longer deemed sin.
Fear of Nuclear holocaust has set the stage for a Global Community Leader…the Antichrist.

Nuclear war breaks out in the Middle East. You know it’s coming, the whole world knows it’s coming! Believers especially should know it. It’s in the Book!

1/3 of all the fresh water will be destroyed.

1/3 of the life in the seas will be destroyed.

The light of the sun and the number of stars in the heavens will be reduced by 1/3.

Vicious demons will be released upon unbelievers resulting in sores and pain unlike the world has ever known for a period of five months. China will begin it’s march with a 200 million man army and 1/3 of the world’s remaining population will die under their crushing blow. In less than three years ½ of the earth’s people are killed and the worst is yet to come.

BUT before all that happens the Bible says this mortal shall put on immortality. The things we see are subject to change and believe the Word of God…there is a change coming! Every two thousand years a monumental change takes place on the earth . I can almost see Him now. Jesus is coming with all the hosts of Heaven. Like a crane with a giant magnet, we will leap though the air and crash against the magnet forever to be with Him. When eternity has begun and time is no more. When the end has become the beginning, I don’t know where you’ll be…under the earth, at work or in school, at home in your bed or praising God in Church.

There is coming a time when you’ll strap on your shoes one last time and one split second after we're going to meet Him in the air. There will be no more time to proclaim His Good news to our loved ones, friends and others. THE KING IS COMING AND WE NEED TO GET TO WORK!

Cancers will be on all who have taken the mark of the beast. The oceans will be turned to blood and all aquatic life will die. All fresh water turns to blood. It’s time to forget about our amusement, our social lives and extra curricular activities. Tomorrow may never get here! It’s time to spit in the devils eye and keep him under our feet where he belongs. It’s time to get your loved ones, coworkers and neighbors into the Kingdom, before it’s too late. God is speaking to His Church all over the earth. He is commanding His Bride to get ready for the Grand Finally!

When the Church is taken up, Russia will make the biggest mistake in her history. Russia is already as mad as a hornet at Israel. Jews are like a bunch of pesky flies to Russia and her troops and allies will begin to march toward Israel. The battle is about to begin and Russia, with those who accompany her, will suffer an annihilating defeat on the outskirts of Israel.

Let those who have eyes to see, recognize what is happening in our lifetime.

NEXT BLOG: JESUS IS COMING CONCLUSION!

NEED TO FEED!

"Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

We discovered the nest when we walked outside our front door last year and immediately came under attack from the parents. The nest stands in a 6' pine bush we have next to our sidewalk. We've watched and waited patiently for the birthing process to occur. I was rewarded when the first little guy popped through and wobbled back and forth unsteadily. He was hilarious, with a completely naked body, huge bug eyes and a patch of hair on the very top of his head. It looked like he had a bad mohawk haircut. (SEE THE PICTURE ABOVE...THIS IS PROOF!)

Then there were more in the nest and every time I made a noise their mouths poped open eagerly expecting to feed on something! If we REALLY WANT TO LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST, we need to develop the same attitude spiritually. Jesus said that “Man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” The converse is also true...if you don't feed on the Word of God you are not able to live like He desires you to live.

In John 10:10 Jesus said that He came that you and I might "…have life and have it more abundantly." The Greek word used for life is "zoe" and one translation declares it to be "the God kind of life." God has designed a lifestyle that he desires to flow through us and Jesus declares that lifestyle should be the “God kind of lifestyle.” Acts 17:28 states “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …For we are also his offspring.” Nothing in the Bible states that we will go through life unaffected and untouched by the troubles, situations and circumstances of life. On the contrary the Bible declares in Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

We are told in the initial Scripture that "Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 If you want to live life the way it was designed to be lived, then you need to feed on the Word and the promises of God! If you continue to exercise your physical body or your mind without feeding them, your physical strength will fail and your mind will grow dull and stagnate. It’s the same with your spirit man. Remember…you are a spirit. You live in a house called a body and you have a soul (Mind, emotions, intellect, willpower, imagination). The most essential part of your life is to feed on God’s Word!

Paul tells us that the Word of God “ is alive, sharp and powerful Hebrews 4…” Solomon relates to us that the words of God are “life to those that find them and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 20

His Word keeps you from offending or rebelling against Him. Ps 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

His Word empowers and strengthens you! Ps 119:28 “My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.”

His Word will not change; EVER! Ps 119:89 “For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.”

His Word gives us instruction or as I like to call it “The Manufacturer’s Handbook.” Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

His Word illuminates the way to the liberating truth! John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

His Word contains His Principles of living the God kind of Life as discovered in John 10:10 .Joshua 1: 8 “This book of the law must not depart out of your mouth; but thou must meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then thou will make thy way prosperous, and then thou will have good success.”

God has a Commandment concerning taking His Name in vain…BUT His Word is even more VALUED by God! Ps 138:2 “…for you have magnified thy word above your name.”

Every human being has an eternal, innate drive or quest for satisfaction, that can only be satiated when you give in to the hunger and thirst for His Word and feed on it. You begin to live when you live by every word that God has given us!

Jesus said that the key to withstanding the storms of life comes from the discovery and application of the principles (Word) of God. Matthew 7:24-27.

Grace (The Divine Ability of God) and peace are increased in our lives as we increase our intimate knowledge and communion with God through His Word. The Bible declares that He has given us everything “that pertains to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him.” 2 Peter 1:3

Here’s what it boils down to…

The More you know Him…The more you’ll love Him.

The More you love Him…The more you’ll trust Him.

The More you trust Him…the more you’ll obey Him!

It all begins with knowing Him through His Word!

Like the baby bird outside my house…you were designed to respond every time you hear His sound. You spiritual mouth drops open and desperately seeks to feed. Sad to say…most of us continue to starve and die, refusing to feast at the table that God has prepared for each of us!

Respond today and make time for His Word. You’ll never know Him until you do. You can hear about God from people like me or even from people who don’t know Him at all. Discover the Character and Nature of God as revealed in the life of Jesus. “…he that has seen me has seen the Father…” John 14:9

LIVE LIFE TODAY…FEAST ON HIS WORD! Those who feed continuously will grow into Godly Character and display His nature!

Thanks Baby Bird!

CHECK ME OUT LORD!

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

One of my Spiritual mentors taught me from the beginning, a very simple secret to walking closely with God. He taught me always to be honest with God and also to always let God be honest with me. I never had a problem with being honest with God because I knew that He already knew all about me. Job 21:27 “Behold, I know your thoughts…” Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knows the thoughts of man…” It was easy for me to be honest with Him because He was the one that I could not fool. Knowing that, it was easy for me to bare my soul, openly share my feelings with Him, and expose my weaknesses, inabilities and insufficiencies.

This was a safe place to be, because I knew He cared for me even when I was a miserable sinner, desperately seeking satisfaction everywhere else but the source. Romans 5:8 “But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” If you have never realized this fact, it’s time to have a heart to heart conversation with the One Who formed you and called you into existence. He desires for you to unload your burdens, trials and tribulations on Him! His heart calls out to yours, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

His heart speaks that if we simply come to Him, He will give us rest. In addition, if we hitch (yoke) ourselves to Him and His Promises, we will find rest for our souls as well. (Our minds, emotions, imaginations, intellect, etc.) Today spend time with him and see His love and peace flowing into your being.

That part of the deal is pretty easy; but now it’s time to get on with the difficult part. For me, it was not easy to allow God to be honest with me, because then the enemy of my soul would always trick me into thinking that God was harping on all of my imperfections. I would thank Him, Praise Him, and Worship into His Presence and every time I would stop to hear His response and allow Him to speak into my life, He would tell me of His great love, care and desire to provide for me. I could listen to that all day long, but then He wanted to get even more honest and would focus my attention on an area of my life that needed cleaning up.

Precisely, at that point in the conversation, I would begin to shout Him down with praise or something like it. When he started to get real with me about me, I did not want to hear it! When I was young, I was taught that God was simply a matter of “You can’t do this. You can’t do that. You won’t do this and you won’t do that. You don’t do this and you don’t do that.” No more commandments from anyone, even God! Then I experienced a breakthrough! I discovered that His Commandments were not a burden; BUT A BREAKTHROUGH! 1John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

I discovered that in these quiet times when I allowed Him to speak to me, my faith came alive. (Romans 10:17) In these times of quiet, He would reveal Himself and His ways to me.(Psalm 46:10) His still small voice would speak to me and inject His Life into the darkest of my circumstances. His Word sprung forth in healing for my body and soul in these precious moments when I listened. (Proverbs 4:20-22) The directives, corrections and orchestrations He gave me in those quiet times literally revolutionized my life. (Proverbs 3:6, Matthew 4:4)

Go ahead Lord, Have your way! “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:24 When He points out that which offends Him, He is seeking only your good. His desire is that you would respond in loving obedience and be led along the “path of everlasting life.”

It is no coincidence that you have two ears and only one mouth. You should listen to the Voice of God twice as much as you speak to Him! How about right now! Listen to Him and allow Him to be honest with you! It’s for your own good! Thanks Pastor Anthony Spero for one of the many times you’ve been used by the Holy Spirit to change my life!

THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE!

The Bible says that we live and exist by faith. (Hebrews 10:38, Galatians 3:11, Romans 1:17) The Bible goes on to state that faith works, or is fueled and energized by love. (Galatians 5:6) Ephesians 4:15 proclaims that we should always speak the truth encapsulated in the attitudes and actions of love. 1 John 4:18 instructs us that perfect love, or love that is mature, casts out and destroys all fear.

Isn’t it amazing that the force of love can literally drive all fear out of our lives? We all know about the Biblical characteristics of Hope and Faith, but the Bible declares that Love is a greater force! “These are the three things that will endure; faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13 Love is a more powerful force than Faith. Without love, your faith has no power!

Paul tells us that you can prophesy and speak in tongues; have the greatest understanding of all the mysteries and knowledge of God; have the highest level of faith possible; do some of the greatest works for God; If you don’t have love…they all amount to nothing! 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The most powerful force in the universe will never fail you! The perfect way to success in all that we do is specified in 1 Corinthians 13:8. “Love never fails…” Nothing will affect your own life and touch people more deeply than the Love of God flowing through you.

We are commanded to love God, self, family, friends, neighbors and enemies. (Those who have hurt you!) “That’s impossible!” you say! In our own ability, it is impossible.

Now here’s where the real problem begins…Attempting to love others with the limited, imperfect love we already have, will never get the job done, either to our satisfaction or to God’s. Jesus said in John 15:5 “Apart from me you can do nothing.” You will never be able to love anyone according to the definition assigned love in 1 Corinthians 13, unless you are loving them with the Love of God; not your own ability!

Catch this…. YOU CAN NOT GIVE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE!

How can I love with the Love of God? Good question! It all begins with knowing the source of Gods Love; what God’s Love really is; and how to release the Love of God through your life!

The first step in walking in the most powerful force in the universe is confessing your own inability to love like He commands.

Paul recognizes this truth when he proclaims “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 1 Corinthians 12:9 Paul recognized that when he would begin to confess his own inabilities, the Ability of God could begin to take over!

Jesus confirmed this Spiritual principle when He began His sermon on the beatitudes with the following declaration. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:5 Those who recognized their own inabilities became the perfect candidates for an infilling of the Presence and Power of God!

Tell Him right now that you are unable to Love like He wants you to. Tell Him you need His Love flowing out of you, and watch what He will begin to do. If you will begin today, you will access the most powerful force in all the universe; the very essence of God Himself, on your behalf!

Next Blog: What is Love really like? Where do I begin?

WHAT IS GOD REALLY LIKE?

Jesus replied, “… Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him?” John 14:9 NLT

People tell me all the time that “It would be awesome if we could discover what God was really like?” I listen as others vainly attempt to convince each other that God probably has this or that kind of characteristic. Still, others still believe that God is like an old man walking around wrapped up in a sheet, with a beard hanging down from head to toe. (These are the same ones who believe that angels are little naked babies floating around on pink clouds strumming their harps. We’ll get to that lie some other time!)

Just because you have certain ideas about God, does not mean they’re right! Your personal conception of what God is like doesn’t matter. What matters is the truth! Jesus said in John 8:31 “to those…who believed Him, “If you continue (stay in, discover and apply) in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Where then can we discover the truth concerning God; the heartbeat of God? What’s God really like? What moves His heart? How does He react in certain situations? What makes Him sad or disappoints Him? What angers God? What kind of heart captures His attention? Jesus said in John 14:9 that “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” Paul also writes in Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is “…the express image of His person.” The NLT translation and The Message say the same thing in this manner. “…everything about him represents God exactly.” And “This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 confirms this fact. “…They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” NLT

Where do we begin? We simply read the Gospels…Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and as we do, we look at what the life of Jesus speaks about the Character and Nature of God the Father.

Every time I read any of the Bible, I’m always looking to discover two things.
1) I want to discover God’s character and nature.
2) I want to discover His principles so I can apply them in my life and teach the same to others.

For example…

Luke 5:17 shows us that whenever people gather in the Presence of God, there is power to heal all who are present, and sadly some will still walk away without getting what they really needed.

John 11:39 demonstrates that God desires us to do whatever we can do (as directed by the Spirit) and then we get out of His way as He does what only He can do!

Luke 13:34 reveals that God desires to be able to gather us under His wings of protection, but so often we won’t let Him.

Matthew 20:30-34 allows us to see that when someone gets a revelation of, and calls on the Mercy of God, (His extreme desire to be involved in removing the source of distress in our lives) it opens the way to the heart of God… “And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What do you want me to do for you?”

Matthew 23:37 shows that God dislikes “religious” people who try to profit from their status or position. These people focus on the religious aspects of traditional (man made laws) denominational garbage that keeps us from relationship with God. These focus on matters of ritual instead of issues of the heart as it seeks to connect with God himself.

Matthew 8:16 demonstrates that God wishes to heal everyone who will come to Him but we also discover in Mark 6:5-6 that unbelief throttles the hand of God and His ability to heal.

Matthew 19:14 reveals that God loves childlike faith.

Mark 5:34 allows us to see that Faith does play a role in receiving from God!

Mt 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Speaks for itself…. Now it’s your turn to dive into the life of Jesus and discover for yourself what God is really like.
Stop living your life vicariously!
Get to know Him yourself.

I don’t need to write the book again…it’s already been settled. You need to get into the Word. Take a look at the character and nature of God as revealed in the life of Jesus. Begin to read the Gospels today. “ Jesus said, “I am the Road, (Way) also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6-7 Message

If you really know Jesus…study His life…His motivation…watch Him operate…observe His lifestyle…learn His principles and obey His commands. You will see the Heart of God revealed right before your eyes AND receive a reward. Hebrews 11:6

2Pe 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” Grace and Peace will multiply in your life as you truly discover Who God is and what he is like. It’s a lifelong journey!

Begin today!