We have discussed that faith is fundamental in becoming complete in Christ Jesus. Faith is "the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not yet seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony" (Hebrews 11:1,2). Clearly, faith (a revelation to us of God: who He is; how He expects His children to live; what His plan is in each of our lives, individually) precedes the manifestation of all those things in Christ Jesus. The revelation focuses and empowers us to press on in Him.
"Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse. WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT JESUS she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, 'if only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.' Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction ." (Mark 5:25-29) Why would she have thought that her touching Jesus' clothing would produce such a result? It is my impression that she received an understanding from God regarding Jesus Christ that focused and directed her steps regarding her affliction. She acted on the understanding first by saying what had been revealed to her ("with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" Romans 10:10) and then by taking the steps directed- literally touching His clothing.
The good news is that faith is the seed of all things included in salvation in Christ Jesus. Any seed contains the directions for how it will be manifested. Salvation in Christ Jesus desires to touch our spirit, our soul, our physical body, our vocation or call, a good land or our sustenance. It is all-encompassing. The faith that you have been given: whether by a measure or increased/greater in its depth, holds the keys to your victory over sin/sickness/self-service/defeat. The scripture says that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of faith.
Call out to Him from the depth of your soul, from the depths of who you know yourself to be, and He will answer. He will remind you of the things He has revealed to you that you have yet to act upon and reveal to you those things that build upon the former. Each revelation serves to focus/direct your path to completion in Him so you can walk just as He walked - not apart from Him but with Him because you are in Him!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tongues: For Personal and Private Use
The topic of spiritual language is devisive amongst christians. The reason: Satan likes it that way. He knows if he can keep the christian away from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he can keep them from becoming "witnesses to Jesus Christ"(Acts 1:8) in our sphere of influence. The examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon people always resulted in the spiritual language of tongues coming forth from those people experiencing that power.
My family and christian friends know that I agree with the biblical teaching on this subject. They know I strongly advocate for every christian to seek after spiritual gifts yet they have rarely, if ever, heard me as I pray in tongues because it is not important that they hear me. In my personal christian life, I speak in tongues other than my native language of english because "he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries"(I Cor. 14:2) and "but you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit"(Jude v.20). Reference back to v.19 regarding sensual persons, causing division, because they do not have the Spirit. Having and praying in the Spirit empowers us to be Spirit-led as opposed to being sense-led. It is my opinion that these references speak of tongues for personal use. I am edifying myself in Christ as I speak in tongues. A strength arises in in my spirit for my soul as I pray/speak in tongues.
I Corinthians, chapter 14, discusses tongues for public edification. As you read this chapter, you will see there is place for this manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the church service as well. Here, tongues are vocal and are to be heard by others, serving as a sign to unbelievers.
I Corinthians 12:29-31 reads,"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? " I have prayed/spoken in tongues personally and almost daily for 18 years yet vocally in church only on 3-4 occasions over that same period. Earnestly desiring the best gifts (those that profit others as well as you) will put you in a position to be ready when He calls upon you.
Remember, we struggle not with flesh and blood, but principalities, with powers, with rulers of darkness of the age, with spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places. This is a point of contention in particular christian circles because Satan wants to steal the empowerment Jesus means for us to have. He wants to remove the spiritual which draws people to God's goodness and make church a lecture series. This is a living gospel, we need all the tools God means for us to have!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Receive the Holy Spirit
In the gospel of John, chapter 20, Jesus formally provides the Holy
Spirit to the apostles. Previously, Jesus had declared certain people
clean, presumably because they were willing to hear what He was
teaching, "because of the word I have spoken to you". It appears that
the giving of the Holy Spirit in John 20 was simply an empowerment, at
least to forgive/retain sins, yet this is the first reference I know of
where Jesus speaks of giving the Holy Spirit to anyone. Nevertheless,
He certainly did.
In the book of Acts, chapter 1, Jesus again speaking to the
apostles, informed them that they should wait in Jerusalem for the
Promise of the Father: the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Obviously this
baptism with the Holy Spirit is a second work of Grace as the apostles
had already received the Holy Spirit from Jesus in Jn. 20.
Acts, chapter 2:1-4 states that "the apostles were all with one accord
in one place (doing what Jesus had commanded) when a sound came from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole place where
they were sitting. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
distributed and resting on each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance".
I have heard ministers say that when you are born again by the Holy
Spirit, you then receive all the Holy Spirit you will need or get.
Clearly the apostles experienced two distinguishable events: after
being made clean by His word that they were willing to receive; they
received the Holy Spirit when He breathed upon them then were baptised
or filled with the Holy Spirit WITH THE EVIDENCE being speaking with
other tongues (differing from their native language). I suggest to you
that each time we speak in tongues, whether in our personal prayer time
or vocally in a church service, God refills us with the Holy Spirit. It
builds us up on our most holy faith! (Jude v.20,21)
Spirit to the apostles. Previously, Jesus had declared certain people
clean, presumably because they were willing to hear what He was
teaching, "because of the word I have spoken to you". It appears that
the giving of the Holy Spirit in John 20 was simply an empowerment, at
least to forgive/retain sins, yet this is the first reference I know of
where Jesus speaks of giving the Holy Spirit to anyone. Nevertheless,
He certainly did.
In the book of Acts, chapter 1, Jesus again speaking to the
apostles, informed them that they should wait in Jerusalem for the
Promise of the Father: the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Obviously this
baptism with the Holy Spirit is a second work of Grace as the apostles
had already received the Holy Spirit from Jesus in Jn. 20.
Acts, chapter 2:1-4 states that "the apostles were all with one accord
in one place (doing what Jesus had commanded) when a sound came from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole place where
they were sitting. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
distributed and resting on each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance".
I have heard ministers say that when you are born again by the Holy
Spirit, you then receive all the Holy Spirit you will need or get.
Clearly the apostles experienced two distinguishable events: after
being made clean by His word that they were willing to receive; they
received the Holy Spirit when He breathed upon them then were baptised
or filled with the Holy Spirit WITH THE EVIDENCE being speaking with
other tongues (differing from their native language). I suggest to you
that each time we speak in tongues, whether in our personal prayer time
or vocally in a church service, God refills us with the Holy Spirit. It
builds us up on our most holy faith! (Jude v.20,21)
Monday, June 11, 2012
What Has Jesus Said to You?
John 11:1-44
The eleventh chapter of John's gospel shows us how Jesus responded to the death of Lazarus. Mary and Martha went to Jesus to inform Him that Lazarus was sick. Jesus responded by informing them the sickness was not unto death. He was dead, but Jesus knew His petition to the Father for Lazarus would be successful: the Father and the Son would be glorified as capable to not only heal but to raise people from the dead. We see in verse 43 that, just as Jesus had said, Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days. Again, Jesus spoke, saying, "Lazarus, come forth!" Jesus has all power in heaven and earth! What He told Mary and Martha was as good when He said it as it was when Lazarus walked out of the grave.
Now let us look at how those who had been around Him responded to His words. His disciples, as well as Mary and Martha, said the following:
v.8 (when Jesus knew it was time to travel back to Judea to help Lazarus) the disciples said to Him, 'Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are you going there again?" (I am guessing that Jesus already knew that.)
v.12 "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." (Another interpretation I suppose Jesus was aware of. He then had to tell them that Lazarus was dead but would live.)
v.23 Jesus informs Martha that her brother will rise again. Martha goes on to tell Jesus what she knows.
v.32 Now its Mary's turn. She tells Jesus that if He would have been there for them, her brother Lazarus would not have died. The scripture reads that Jesus groaned and wept. I think it is very possible that He was groaning and weeping due to His disciples lack of understanding that what He has spoken will be.
v.37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"
v.39 Jesus begins the resurrection of Lazarus. Mary has more information for Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus re-explains believing unto glory; thanks the Father and resurrects Lazarus.
Matthew 8:8 shows us that the centurion said to Jesus, "only speak a word, and my servant will be healed". The centurion knew when Jesus spoke, it was good as done. No groaning nor weeping here.
I am in no position to criticize another person: I have had wobbly legs in certain matters just like the disciples. But, thanks be to God, I want to be like the centurion.
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges Him- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." (John 12:48,49)
The eleventh chapter of John's gospel shows us how Jesus responded to the death of Lazarus. Mary and Martha went to Jesus to inform Him that Lazarus was sick. Jesus responded by informing them the sickness was not unto death. He was dead, but Jesus knew His petition to the Father for Lazarus would be successful: the Father and the Son would be glorified as capable to not only heal but to raise people from the dead. We see in verse 43 that, just as Jesus had said, Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days. Again, Jesus spoke, saying, "Lazarus, come forth!" Jesus has all power in heaven and earth! What He told Mary and Martha was as good when He said it as it was when Lazarus walked out of the grave.
Now let us look at how those who had been around Him responded to His words. His disciples, as well as Mary and Martha, said the following:
v.8 (when Jesus knew it was time to travel back to Judea to help Lazarus) the disciples said to Him, 'Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are you going there again?" (I am guessing that Jesus already knew that.)
v.12 "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." (Another interpretation I suppose Jesus was aware of. He then had to tell them that Lazarus was dead but would live.)
v.23 Jesus informs Martha that her brother will rise again. Martha goes on to tell Jesus what she knows.
v.32 Now its Mary's turn. She tells Jesus that if He would have been there for them, her brother Lazarus would not have died. The scripture reads that Jesus groaned and wept. I think it is very possible that He was groaning and weeping due to His disciples lack of understanding that what He has spoken will be.
v.37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"
v.39 Jesus begins the resurrection of Lazarus. Mary has more information for Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus re-explains believing unto glory; thanks the Father and resurrects Lazarus.
Matthew 8:8 shows us that the centurion said to Jesus, "only speak a word, and my servant will be healed". The centurion knew when Jesus spoke, it was good as done. No groaning nor weeping here.
I am in no position to criticize another person: I have had wobbly legs in certain matters just like the disciples. But, thanks be to God, I want to be like the centurion.
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges Him- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." (John 12:48,49)
Sunday, June 3, 2012
The Bread of Life
John 6:48-58
"I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "how does this man give us His flesh to eat?"
Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I IN HIM. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that comes down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."
This is an intense portion of scripture as it directs us to do something which is physically impossible yet obviously is very important to our Master. Jesus reminds the Jewish people that their fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and died. The manna was edible. They gathered it daily and consumed it that day. They had no other food to eat. It was vital to their existence. Jesus is telling the Jewish people(and us) that, if they want to live eternally, they must feed on Him. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is a way of telling them/us to partake fully of who He is: partake worthily of communion with Him. Now, is it really physical eating and drinking that Jesus is concerned about? He used this analogy because He knew how vital eating/drinking are to life. He knows we want to live yet the way to REAL LIFE is in Him! Ask the Father to reveal to you what it means to eat Jesus' flesh and drink Jesus' blood. I think you will find this is a raw depiction of one who hungers and thirsts for Him!
"I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "how does this man give us His flesh to eat?"
Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I IN HIM. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that comes down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."
This is an intense portion of scripture as it directs us to do something which is physically impossible yet obviously is very important to our Master. Jesus reminds the Jewish people that their fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and died. The manna was edible. They gathered it daily and consumed it that day. They had no other food to eat. It was vital to their existence. Jesus is telling the Jewish people(and us) that, if they want to live eternally, they must feed on Him. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is a way of telling them/us to partake fully of who He is: partake worthily of communion with Him. Now, is it really physical eating and drinking that Jesus is concerned about? He used this analogy because He knew how vital eating/drinking are to life. He knows we want to live yet the way to REAL LIFE is in Him! Ask the Father to reveal to you what it means to eat Jesus' flesh and drink Jesus' blood. I think you will find this is a raw depiction of one who hungers and thirsts for Him!
Monday, May 21, 2012
That Which is Perfect is Coming
1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13 is spoken of as "the love chapter". This discussion will focus on verse 7.
"(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things". As we have previously discussed, all things does not mean any thing but all His things. I see this portion of scripture as the place where the Lord initiates His perfect plan for our individual lives and shows us how to work out that plan in and with Him as opposed to working it out in our own power.
Bear, the verb, has 26 applications or definitions according to Webster's dictionary. A few that interest me and are applicable to this discussion are: to accept or have as an obligation; to carry in mind or heart; to carry or conduct; to sustain or be capable of; to give birth to; to hold up or support; to tend in a course or direction; TO BE SITUATED. The love of God in us situates us in the direction He wants us to go. If we love Him, we will bear it, willing to conduct or carry it. We will allow Him to change our course.
Believing all things means, once we have been situated by His course, to do what He reveals to us regarding the course or vision, taking the steps you feel inspired to. His vision will thrill you although you are yet unrefined in it. The thrill is meant to bring your focus on Him and His righteousness. You will seek Him for revelation regarding the course; He will show you who He is. He is making it real to you that you can do nothing in this course without Him; but all things are possible WITH HIM.
Hoping all things means that you are willing to be stimulated in the course by the truth of what He has revealed to you. It is not "maybe it will happen some day if I am lucky". It is a knowing that what He has said will come to pass.
Enduring all things is the place where He and His course are truly refined. Without doubt, we bear His things in a place of carnality. He situates us so that we may come to a place where we are carnal no more. No matter what you think, you will make mistakes in this course as you will take action based upon the thrill you have. The carnal nature of the self-sufficient man must be replaced by the nature that desires to walk just as Jesus himself walked: He said what His Father said; He did what He saw the Father do. Endurance is strengthened by repentance: recognizing your mistake and returning to Him. If you make no mistakes, He did not come for you. He came for those who need help. The idea is that enduring all things will bring you, under His tutelage, to the place of oneness with He and the Father, walking out His perfect will. "To be made complete in one, so that the world may know that You have sent Me (Jesus) and have loved them (that's us) just as You loved Me (Jesus)"(John 17:23).
1 Corinthians 13 is spoken of as "the love chapter". This discussion will focus on verse 7.
"(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things". As we have previously discussed, all things does not mean any thing but all His things. I see this portion of scripture as the place where the Lord initiates His perfect plan for our individual lives and shows us how to work out that plan in and with Him as opposed to working it out in our own power.
Bear, the verb, has 26 applications or definitions according to Webster's dictionary. A few that interest me and are applicable to this discussion are: to accept or have as an obligation; to carry in mind or heart; to carry or conduct; to sustain or be capable of; to give birth to; to hold up or support; to tend in a course or direction; TO BE SITUATED. The love of God in us situates us in the direction He wants us to go. If we love Him, we will bear it, willing to conduct or carry it. We will allow Him to change our course.
Believing all things means, once we have been situated by His course, to do what He reveals to us regarding the course or vision, taking the steps you feel inspired to. His vision will thrill you although you are yet unrefined in it. The thrill is meant to bring your focus on Him and His righteousness. You will seek Him for revelation regarding the course; He will show you who He is. He is making it real to you that you can do nothing in this course without Him; but all things are possible WITH HIM.
Hoping all things means that you are willing to be stimulated in the course by the truth of what He has revealed to you. It is not "maybe it will happen some day if I am lucky". It is a knowing that what He has said will come to pass.
Enduring all things is the place where He and His course are truly refined. Without doubt, we bear His things in a place of carnality. He situates us so that we may come to a place where we are carnal no more. No matter what you think, you will make mistakes in this course as you will take action based upon the thrill you have. The carnal nature of the self-sufficient man must be replaced by the nature that desires to walk just as Jesus himself walked: He said what His Father said; He did what He saw the Father do. Endurance is strengthened by repentance: recognizing your mistake and returning to Him. If you make no mistakes, He did not come for you. He came for those who need help. The idea is that enduring all things will bring you, under His tutelage, to the place of oneness with He and the Father, walking out His perfect will. "To be made complete in one, so that the world may know that You have sent Me (Jesus) and have loved them (that's us) just as You loved Me (Jesus)"(John 17:23).
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Refining Your Approach to Him
Luke 14:26-33
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Sounds like a message to be digested by a mature Christian, doesn't it?
"For which of you , intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--- lest, AFTER HE HAS LAID THE FOUNDATION, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'this man began to build and was not able to finish'." What does "coming to Him", "counting the cost" of starting and "laying the foundation" mean to you regarding our salvation through/in Christ Jesus? Could Jesus be saying to those who are considering accepting the Lord's salvation by being born again that they should know what they are getting into?
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND CONSIDER WHETHER HE IS ABLE with ten thousand TO MEET HIM WHO COMES AGAINST HIM with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation AND ASKS CONDITIONS OF PEACE. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple".
I believe the Lord showed me a clear example of what Jesus is saying here. I had heard sometime ago that there are few medical school students who leave school or fail out; very few (less than a few percent). Yet medical school is one of the most rigorous of matriculations, both in intensity of study and length of time to graduate. Very expensive! Would seem to me that those circumstances would produce many dropouts. Why not? The medical student has already counted the cost- he/she knows what is expected long before application.
Now apply that to our Christian population. Is that what we see, a small percentage of dropouts? Maybe the converts to Christianity are not being informed of the cost of discipleship. Maybe the prospective converts should be read this before they lay the foundation so they may finish strong!
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Sounds like a message to be digested by a mature Christian, doesn't it?
"For which of you , intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--- lest, AFTER HE HAS LAID THE FOUNDATION, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'this man began to build and was not able to finish'." What does "coming to Him", "counting the cost" of starting and "laying the foundation" mean to you regarding our salvation through/in Christ Jesus? Could Jesus be saying to those who are considering accepting the Lord's salvation by being born again that they should know what they are getting into?
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND CONSIDER WHETHER HE IS ABLE with ten thousand TO MEET HIM WHO COMES AGAINST HIM with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation AND ASKS CONDITIONS OF PEACE. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple".
I believe the Lord showed me a clear example of what Jesus is saying here. I had heard sometime ago that there are few medical school students who leave school or fail out; very few (less than a few percent). Yet medical school is one of the most rigorous of matriculations, both in intensity of study and length of time to graduate. Very expensive! Would seem to me that those circumstances would produce many dropouts. Why not? The medical student has already counted the cost- he/she knows what is expected long before application.
Now apply that to our Christian population. Is that what we see, a small percentage of dropouts? Maybe the converts to Christianity are not being informed of the cost of discipleship. Maybe the prospective converts should be read this before they lay the foundation so they may finish strong!
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