Luke 10:19 says, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." Many Christians today are sitting by allowing the enemy to wreak havoc in their lives under the guise of "God is in control." Nothing could be farther from the truth. The enemy is counting on us buying into that lie and therefore not enforcing all the authority that has already been given to us.
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." God didn't say the world would be destroyed, He said my people. That's talking about us. If we are ignorant of 1. the enemies devices and 2. that we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy, we will not walk in the fullness of all God has provided for us.
If you're "going through" something today, KEEP GOING! Don't linger there longer than you need to! God led the children of Israel into the wilderness, but He only meant for them to pass through! Whatever you are facing today, remember that He has empowered you to pass through! God is clearly not in control of everything here on earth. He gave us the authority that belonged to Jesus, after He stripped the enemy of every weapon he possessed. But if we don't know what's been given, we won't enforce it.
To tread on means to step over. So, we've been authorized by God to step over the opposition we see in front of us. We need to get our focus off the opposition and onto God and His power. Quit looking at it! Step over it, by faith, knowing God is more than able to back up our authority with His power!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
June 10, 2014 ~ Psalm 55 ~
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." We all know that God wants to carry our burdens for us and wants to see us walking free of things that weigh us down. But how exactly do we 'cast' them upon Him?
To cast means 'to hurl or throw with force'. We are not to just easily hand over our burdens, but to throw them from us with force. In other words, it may take some effort on our part to take that which hinders us and hurl it far from ourselves, trusting that God will sustain us. To sustain means 'to hold up or keep from falling'.
If you were deep sea fishing, you'd need to cast your line out into the depths of the ocean in order to catch something. Just sitting on the boat will not get the job done. It takes some effort on your part to participate in the expedition. In the ocean, where the fish are very big and strong, you would then need to harness your pole to the boat as the fish can overpower you while you try to reel them in and could possibly pull you overboard.
As the Lord sustains us, He is like that harness that holds us stationary and in place to keep us from falling. He will never allow His righteous ones to be shaken. Once you cast it on Him, don't pull it back immediately. If you've cast it, leave it there by faith, believing God is working mightily on your behalf and will give you something wonderful in its place. Speak this Word back to Him! That He will sustain you and not allow you to be shaken! That builds your faith AND gives Him the permission He needs to do His part, which is to bring POWER into your situation. His part is power, our part is speaking the Word by faith.
To cast means 'to hurl or throw with force'. We are not to just easily hand over our burdens, but to throw them from us with force. In other words, it may take some effort on our part to take that which hinders us and hurl it far from ourselves, trusting that God will sustain us. To sustain means 'to hold up or keep from falling'.
If you were deep sea fishing, you'd need to cast your line out into the depths of the ocean in order to catch something. Just sitting on the boat will not get the job done. It takes some effort on your part to participate in the expedition. In the ocean, where the fish are very big and strong, you would then need to harness your pole to the boat as the fish can overpower you while you try to reel them in and could possibly pull you overboard.
As the Lord sustains us, He is like that harness that holds us stationary and in place to keep us from falling. He will never allow His righteous ones to be shaken. Once you cast it on Him, don't pull it back immediately. If you've cast it, leave it there by faith, believing God is working mightily on your behalf and will give you something wonderful in its place. Speak this Word back to Him! That He will sustain you and not allow you to be shaken! That builds your faith AND gives Him the permission He needs to do His part, which is to bring POWER into your situation. His part is power, our part is speaking the Word by faith.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
April 29, 2014 ~ 1 Chronicles 14-20 ~
This passage concerns when David was transporting the ark of the covenant to the new tent which they had prepared for it. He assigned ministers to be before the ark and musicians to play in order to celebrate and to thank and to praise the Lord God of Israel. And on that first day, Kind David assigned the chief priest and his relatives to give thanks unto the Lord.
There was constant ministry at the Ark. David knew the importance of ministering to Lord in his life so much so that not only did he dance and make his heart merry before the Lord, but he assigned people to be doing that constantly. It was their full-time occupation to worship and magnify God! After this time it says that David had nine different battles and that he obtained victory over them all! In chapter 16:8-36 are the words of David before going out to do battle. They are words of praise and thanks. Words which describe God's many wonders and His great strength. Words that would keep God in remembrance of His covenant with Abraham unto a thousand generations. Words which spoke of his inheritance and that he was in the family of God's anointed ones. Words that reminded God of His promise to deliver His people from all nations.
If you are facing a battle today, following this example of David will bring you victory, too! When the problem seems impossible, don't speak the impossibility, but rather speak that with God on your side ALL things are POSSIBLE! The word impossible does not exist in His vocabulary. When you feel out of strength, remind yourself that the God of ALL STRENGTH dwells on the inside of you! Reminding yourself that the battle belongs to the Lord and all you have to do is stand and speak the Word. When you spend more time dwelling on the goodness of God and magnify His ability to move in your situation, you take the focus off of you and your circumstance and put it on God. It will cause Him to become larger than anything else in your sight and you will see yourself on the other side of that thing. So, sing and dance before the Lord while in the midst of that situation and you will walk through in VICTORY!
There was constant ministry at the Ark. David knew the importance of ministering to Lord in his life so much so that not only did he dance and make his heart merry before the Lord, but he assigned people to be doing that constantly. It was their full-time occupation to worship and magnify God! After this time it says that David had nine different battles and that he obtained victory over them all! In chapter 16:8-36 are the words of David before going out to do battle. They are words of praise and thanks. Words which describe God's many wonders and His great strength. Words that would keep God in remembrance of His covenant with Abraham unto a thousand generations. Words which spoke of his inheritance and that he was in the family of God's anointed ones. Words that reminded God of His promise to deliver His people from all nations.
If you are facing a battle today, following this example of David will bring you victory, too! When the problem seems impossible, don't speak the impossibility, but rather speak that with God on your side ALL things are POSSIBLE! The word impossible does not exist in His vocabulary. When you feel out of strength, remind yourself that the God of ALL STRENGTH dwells on the inside of you! Reminding yourself that the battle belongs to the Lord and all you have to do is stand and speak the Word. When you spend more time dwelling on the goodness of God and magnify His ability to move in your situation, you take the focus off of you and your circumstance and put it on God. It will cause Him to become larger than anything else in your sight and you will see yourself on the other side of that thing. So, sing and dance before the Lord while in the midst of that situation and you will walk through in VICTORY!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
April 8, 2014 ~ 1 Kings 3-5 ~
Our God is so good that He always gives us above and beyond all that we can ask!
When God told King Solomon that he could have anything he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom; for a discerning heart to rule the people. The Word says that the request was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, so much so that the Lord said He would give him that plus He would give him riches, honor and prolong his days!
God's thoughts toward us are always higher than our thoughts about ourselves and His ways of blessing us are higher than we can imagine! The original Hebrew text of the words 'wisdom' and 'discernment' translates to the Lord giving him "largeness of heart"! Fear and selfishness indicates narrowness of heart. But largeness of heart will always expand us on the inside to embrace the vision/plan that He has for us.
When God gives us vision, we can get so excited that we just want to run with it and get it started. But we need to make sure to take the time to also ask of Him for largeness of heart in order to embrace it the way He has planned. To not despise time of preparation that will only give us the equipping and knowledge we will need to walk it out successfully. If we ask for it, He is generous to give us all we will need, because after all it is His plan and He wants us to be more successful at completing it than we do. Ask the Lord to show you what He wants for you to do today and when He reveals it to you, also ask Him for largeness of heart. It's with the heart that we receive the promises of God!
Saturday, March 15, 2014
March 15, 2014 ~Ruth 1-4~
The story of Ruth is one of love, devotion and redemption. Naomi, an Israelite, finds herself in the land of Moab, as a widow and childless mother. Her husband and sons have died and she is left with her two Moabite daughters-in-law. She decides to return to her native land now that it is free of famine and she urges them to return to their own families. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her and made a statement of faith that would, from then on, create a new life for her.
"Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be MY people and your God shall be MY God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."
Unknowingly, with that statement, Ruth has decreed her loyalty to Naomi, her people and her God and God can now begin to make a way for her. Her love and devotion will soon be rewarded! She gives up her culture, her people and her language because of her great love.
The Biblical concept of a kinsman-redeemer is mentioned thirteen times in Ruth. It is a representation of Christ redeeming us. Through Boaz, she moves from widowhood and poverty to marriage and wealth! That's how incredible our God is. When He redeems, He does it ALL THE WAY, above and beyond all we could ask or think. He is a BIG GOD and His thoughts toward us and about us are MUCH HIGHER than we can even imagine.
Are you in a situation today where you feel as if you've lost everything? Start decreeing, according to God's promises in His Word, what you want your life to be, just as Ruth did. Asking gives Him the right to begin to move on your behalf. Give God the opportunity to meet your need. He wants to do more than you can imagine!
"Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be MY people and your God shall be MY God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."
Unknowingly, with that statement, Ruth has decreed her loyalty to Naomi, her people and her God and God can now begin to make a way for her. Her love and devotion will soon be rewarded! She gives up her culture, her people and her language because of her great love.
The Biblical concept of a kinsman-redeemer is mentioned thirteen times in Ruth. It is a representation of Christ redeeming us. Through Boaz, she moves from widowhood and poverty to marriage and wealth! That's how incredible our God is. When He redeems, He does it ALL THE WAY, above and beyond all we could ask or think. He is a BIG GOD and His thoughts toward us and about us are MUCH HIGHER than we can even imagine.
Are you in a situation today where you feel as if you've lost everything? Start decreeing, according to God's promises in His Word, what you want your life to be, just as Ruth did. Asking gives Him the right to begin to move on your behalf. Give God the opportunity to meet your need. He wants to do more than you can imagine!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014 ~ Deuteronomy 28 ~
What a wonderful chapter this is, chock full of promises and blessings. These blessings were promised for our obedience. How wonderful to get another glimpse into God's own heart and see that our Father desires to bless us with good things. If you have children, then you know how it feels to still want the best for your children even when they miss the mark. Even when they remove themselves out from under your protection and provision for them, you still desire above all else to see them walking in the fullness of God's best for them.
How thankful we need to be that all of the curses listed in Deut. 28 for disobedience no longer apply to us! We've been covered by the blood of Christ and now have right-standing with God! We now have a better covenant with better promises. Galatians 3:13 tells us that "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"--in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The sad part about it is that many people in the Body of Christ are living as if the curse is still valid in their lives. They think that God is out to get them every time they miss it. They think that God must bring hardship into their lives to teach them a lesson of some sort.
That, friends, is simply not true! If we hurt our children to teach them something or purposely put them in harm's way under the same thought, we would be put in jail! God is love personified. He cannot do anything but love us. Jesus said in Matt.7:9-11 "Or what man is there among you, when his son asks him for a loaf would give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father Who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" God only has good things to give us!
If you've been taught something different than that truth, you simply need to spend some time renewing your mind in order to get free in that area. Renewing our minds is not difficult, but it is very necessary to our spiritual growth. Renewing the mind simply means replacing the wrong thoughts that you've either been taught or that your senses are telling you, with God's definitions about Who He is, who you are in Christ and all that Jesus purchased for you and then saying those things! When people think incorrect things about God, they simply don't know Him. The more we get to know Him through the Word's definitions of Him and not what others say, the easier it is to trust Him and truly believe He only has good things for us. It takes a little practice to start saying things differently than you've been saying them for years. But the results in your life will be worth far more than any effort on your part!
If you're needing healing for your body, Deut. 28 is a great passage to camp in for a bit. Because every single sickness described under the curse of the law we have been redeemed from, Praise God! If you see something that applies to your body, then praise Him that Gal. 3:13 says you've been redeemed from it. The greatest verse of this chapter is 61 where is plainly says "Also every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law..." we have also been redeemed of! Praise God! That covers everything you could ever wonder about! It's covered! That's good news!
How thankful we need to be that all of the curses listed in Deut. 28 for disobedience no longer apply to us! We've been covered by the blood of Christ and now have right-standing with God! We now have a better covenant with better promises. Galatians 3:13 tells us that "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"--in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The sad part about it is that many people in the Body of Christ are living as if the curse is still valid in their lives. They think that God is out to get them every time they miss it. They think that God must bring hardship into their lives to teach them a lesson of some sort.
That, friends, is simply not true! If we hurt our children to teach them something or purposely put them in harm's way under the same thought, we would be put in jail! God is love personified. He cannot do anything but love us. Jesus said in Matt.7:9-11 "Or what man is there among you, when his son asks him for a loaf would give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father Who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" God only has good things to give us!
If you've been taught something different than that truth, you simply need to spend some time renewing your mind in order to get free in that area. Renewing our minds is not difficult, but it is very necessary to our spiritual growth. Renewing the mind simply means replacing the wrong thoughts that you've either been taught or that your senses are telling you, with God's definitions about Who He is, who you are in Christ and all that Jesus purchased for you and then saying those things! When people think incorrect things about God, they simply don't know Him. The more we get to know Him through the Word's definitions of Him and not what others say, the easier it is to trust Him and truly believe He only has good things for us. It takes a little practice to start saying things differently than you've been saying them for years. But the results in your life will be worth far more than any effort on your part!
If you're needing healing for your body, Deut. 28 is a great passage to camp in for a bit. Because every single sickness described under the curse of the law we have been redeemed from, Praise God! If you see something that applies to your body, then praise Him that Gal. 3:13 says you've been redeemed from it. The greatest verse of this chapter is 61 where is plainly says "Also every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law..." we have also been redeemed of! Praise God! That covers everything you could ever wonder about! It's covered! That's good news!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
February 8, 2014 ~Numbers 11~
Numbers chapter 11 speaks of when the Israelites grumbled against God because they were so tired of eating manna. That grumbling displeased the Lord greatly and caused his anger to be kindled. Even though we are living under a better covenant today, with greater promises of God's goodness, a grumbling spirit does not bring any glory to God. No matter what we are going through in life, when we choose to exalt God for all He has done and recall all of the times He has been faithful to us, it causes our faith to be stirred up that He will do it again. No, God does not have a huge ego that needs to be stroked, but He knows when we magnify Him and His ability to move on our behalf, it will keep our faith active and gives Him permission to work.
This passage also speaks of how Moses was the only one among the entire nation of Israel which had the Holy Spirit upon him. Imagine how difficult it would be for a pastor today to try to lead a congregation of 600,000 (only counting the men) who were all constantly walking by their flesh. So God put His Spirit on seventy elders to help Moses in the care of the people. How blessed are we, today, that we can have the Holy Spirit in each of us to lead, guide and strengthen us?!
With the Holy Spirit comes POWER! He is the demonstrator of the spoken Word! God has spoken the Word, when we believe it by faith, show the action of our faith by speaking what God spoke, then the Holy Spirit is the One Who performs that Word in our lives. When Jesus was on the earth HE was the power. If people needed healing or help in their lives, they had to travel to wherever Jesus was. Therefore the Holy Spirit, upon Jesus, was confined to one location. This is why Jesus told the disciples that it was better for Him to go to heaven so He could send the Holy Spirit to them.
The Holy Spirit and that power now resides in the earth in us! On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit left His residence in heaven and came to earth. The disciples were instructed to wait for Him. They needed to be waiting in faith, expecting Him because He needed an entrance into the earth. Once He made His entrance, then from there He could spread to the outer ends of the earth. That is why there is power available everywhere to be saved! Once we are born-again, that power is no longer in us just for our benefit. He dwells in us not only to lead and guide us, but so that we now have that power available to change others' lives. His power is just waiting for us to place a demand on it in faith. If we live conscious of it everyday, He will show us when and where we can be co-laborers with Him to demonstrate His power and bless the world around us! He's waiting on us! Let's go out and be a blessing today!
This passage also speaks of how Moses was the only one among the entire nation of Israel which had the Holy Spirit upon him. Imagine how difficult it would be for a pastor today to try to lead a congregation of 600,000 (only counting the men) who were all constantly walking by their flesh. So God put His Spirit on seventy elders to help Moses in the care of the people. How blessed are we, today, that we can have the Holy Spirit in each of us to lead, guide and strengthen us?!
With the Holy Spirit comes POWER! He is the demonstrator of the spoken Word! God has spoken the Word, when we believe it by faith, show the action of our faith by speaking what God spoke, then the Holy Spirit is the One Who performs that Word in our lives. When Jesus was on the earth HE was the power. If people needed healing or help in their lives, they had to travel to wherever Jesus was. Therefore the Holy Spirit, upon Jesus, was confined to one location. This is why Jesus told the disciples that it was better for Him to go to heaven so He could send the Holy Spirit to them.
The Holy Spirit and that power now resides in the earth in us! On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit left His residence in heaven and came to earth. The disciples were instructed to wait for Him. They needed to be waiting in faith, expecting Him because He needed an entrance into the earth. Once He made His entrance, then from there He could spread to the outer ends of the earth. That is why there is power available everywhere to be saved! Once we are born-again, that power is no longer in us just for our benefit. He dwells in us not only to lead and guide us, but so that we now have that power available to change others' lives. His power is just waiting for us to place a demand on it in faith. If we live conscious of it everyday, He will show us when and where we can be co-laborers with Him to demonstrate His power and bless the world around us! He's waiting on us! Let's go out and be a blessing today!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
January 23, 2014 ~ Exodus 32 ~
What is a covenant? You don't hear much spoken about covenants today. We have contracts. We understand that contracts are binding for a specified period of time. As in a 36 month auto lease or a 30 year mortgage loan. When we sign our name on that dotted line, we are essentially giving our word that we will continue to fulfill our part of the contract by paying a certain amount monthly until the balance is paid in full. A covenant is like a contract, yet it is more than a contract. It is perpetually binding. It is permanent. The only way out is through death. That is why marriage is referred to as a covenant, not a contract. It is supposed to be permanent- "till death do us part."
In the Bible, when someone cut a covenant with someone else, they brought an animal, usually a ram or goat and they would kill it by cutting it in two. Next they would face their covenant partner and walk toward each other between the two pieces of the animal, passing each other in the center. Both people were obligated now to protect and provide for one another and their families.
In this chapter, Israel willfully broke their covenant with God when they melted down their gold to create a molten calf to idolize. It is interesting how God spoke to Moses telling him His intentions. God always needs a man to speak in order for Him to perform what He wants to in our lives. That's why it's so important to not only know the Word, but to speak it in faith because it gives Him permission to move on our behalf!
Knowing that God was a covenant cutting and keeping God, Moses entreated God to remember the covenant He made long ago with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. He quoted God's own Words back to Him and it tells us that God changed His mind.
We are blessed today to be partners in a New Covenant with God. Not binding through the blood of bulls and goats but with the blood of the Spotless Lamb, Jesus. We are simply beneficiaries of this new covenant. We get to enjoy all the benefits without having to work to keep it! Jesus, our representative, has already fulfilled all the conditions on our behalf. Our covenant blessings are guaranteed because His obedience is perfect and His work is perfectly finished! We can simply rest in Jesus' finished work at the cross and receive all He provided by faith.
In the Bible, when someone cut a covenant with someone else, they brought an animal, usually a ram or goat and they would kill it by cutting it in two. Next they would face their covenant partner and walk toward each other between the two pieces of the animal, passing each other in the center. Both people were obligated now to protect and provide for one another and their families.
In this chapter, Israel willfully broke their covenant with God when they melted down their gold to create a molten calf to idolize. It is interesting how God spoke to Moses telling him His intentions. God always needs a man to speak in order for Him to perform what He wants to in our lives. That's why it's so important to not only know the Word, but to speak it in faith because it gives Him permission to move on our behalf!
Knowing that God was a covenant cutting and keeping God, Moses entreated God to remember the covenant He made long ago with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. He quoted God's own Words back to Him and it tells us that God changed His mind.
We are blessed today to be partners in a New Covenant with God. Not binding through the blood of bulls and goats but with the blood of the Spotless Lamb, Jesus. We are simply beneficiaries of this new covenant. We get to enjoy all the benefits without having to work to keep it! Jesus, our representative, has already fulfilled all the conditions on our behalf. Our covenant blessings are guaranteed because His obedience is perfect and His work is perfectly finished! We can simply rest in Jesus' finished work at the cross and receive all He provided by faith.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
January 11 ~ Genesis 37-45 ~
The story of the life of Joseph is such an amazing example of God's love and grace in the darkest of times. How horrible when your own family plots to kill you and eventually sells you as a slave. It was no coincidence that the man who bought Joseph happened to be Potiphar, Pharaoh's second in command. Even in slavery, Joseph was blessed. Genesis 39:2,3 "But the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand."
Just when things were looking okay for Joseph, he finds himself in prison and by no fault of his own. But even in the darkest place, God was still with Joseph. Genesis 39:21 "But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer." In the darkest time in his life, God made a way for Joseph as he correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dream by the leading and instruction of the Holy Spirit. He found favor in Pharaoh's eyes, but it was because he first had favor with God. When God exalts you, He does so above and beyond what you could think or imagine!
When Joseph's brothers return to Egypt in need of food during the famine, Joseph tests his older brothers a bit. As he heard them speaking to one another, he realized that they had remorse for what they had done to him many years before. Imagine the shock to Joseph's brothers when he told them who he was. Years and years of guilt and grief washed away because of the goodness of God. How relieved they must have been to find their beloved brother not only alive, but thriving under the protection and promotion of the Lord. How awesome is God to place Joseph in the exact place and time to be able to restore his own people during a time of lack?! He ALWAYS has a plan to help us in our time of need!
God can always take a situation meant for evil and not only restore, but bless for His good above and beyond what we could ask or think. We serve a mighty God Whose hand is MORE than able to lift you up out of any pit and place you right where He wants you to be, blessed, healthy and whole in every area of your life. No matter what kind of situation you may be in today, don't give up. Keep speaking your victory in faith, because God has a plan for you and it is one of VICTORY!!!
Just when things were looking okay for Joseph, he finds himself in prison and by no fault of his own. But even in the darkest place, God was still with Joseph. Genesis 39:21 "But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer." In the darkest time in his life, God made a way for Joseph as he correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dream by the leading and instruction of the Holy Spirit. He found favor in Pharaoh's eyes, but it was because he first had favor with God. When God exalts you, He does so above and beyond what you could think or imagine!
When Joseph's brothers return to Egypt in need of food during the famine, Joseph tests his older brothers a bit. As he heard them speaking to one another, he realized that they had remorse for what they had done to him many years before. Imagine the shock to Joseph's brothers when he told them who he was. Years and years of guilt and grief washed away because of the goodness of God. How relieved they must have been to find their beloved brother not only alive, but thriving under the protection and promotion of the Lord. How awesome is God to place Joseph in the exact place and time to be able to restore his own people during a time of lack?! He ALWAYS has a plan to help us in our time of need!
God can always take a situation meant for evil and not only restore, but bless for His good above and beyond what we could ask or think. We serve a mighty God Whose hand is MORE than able to lift you up out of any pit and place you right where He wants you to be, blessed, healthy and whole in every area of your life. No matter what kind of situation you may be in today, don't give up. Keep speaking your victory in faith, because God has a plan for you and it is one of VICTORY!!!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
2014 Bible Reading Plan!!!
Dear Friends,
The 2014 Bible Reading Plan starts TOMORROW! Being that Jan. 1st is a Wed. the reading for the first Wed. is Genesis 12-16. You may want to read Genesis 1-11 to get ready. We hope to have a link to the entire plan on the VCC website soon for you to refer to it. We really enjoyed last year's plan and completed the entire New Testament. This year we feel ready to stretch ourselves and read the entire Bible in a year! What a great goal to have and we look forward to hearing from all of you and about the amazing blessings you will obtain in your life by putting God's Word first place. It is our answer to everything in our lives and when we truly know that we will give it its proper place in our daily routine. If we only consumed food once a week our physical beings would be very sickly and weak. Thus it is the same with feeding our spirits with the Word. It is LIFE & HEALTH to all our flesh!
Bible Reading Plan:
Week 1
Jan.1- Genesis 12-16
Jan. 2-Genesis 17-19
Jan. 3- Genesis 20-23
Jan. 4- Genesis 24-25
Week 2
Jan. 5- Genesis 26-28
Jan. 6- Genesis 29-30
Jan. 7- Genesis 31-33
Jan. 8- Genesis 34-36
Jan. 9- Genesis 37-39
Jan. 10- Genesis 40-42
Jan. 11- Genesis 43-45
The 2014 Bible Reading Plan starts TOMORROW! Being that Jan. 1st is a Wed. the reading for the first Wed. is Genesis 12-16. You may want to read Genesis 1-11 to get ready. We hope to have a link to the entire plan on the VCC website soon for you to refer to it. We really enjoyed last year's plan and completed the entire New Testament. This year we feel ready to stretch ourselves and read the entire Bible in a year! What a great goal to have and we look forward to hearing from all of you and about the amazing blessings you will obtain in your life by putting God's Word first place. It is our answer to everything in our lives and when we truly know that we will give it its proper place in our daily routine. If we only consumed food once a week our physical beings would be very sickly and weak. Thus it is the same with feeding our spirits with the Word. It is LIFE & HEALTH to all our flesh!
Bible Reading Plan:
Week 1
Jan.1- Genesis 12-16
Jan. 2-Genesis 17-19
Jan. 3- Genesis 20-23
Jan. 4- Genesis 24-25
Week 2
Jan. 5- Genesis 26-28
Jan. 6- Genesis 29-30
Jan. 7- Genesis 31-33
Jan. 8- Genesis 34-36
Jan. 9- Genesis 37-39
Jan. 10- Genesis 40-42
Jan. 11- Genesis 43-45
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
December 16, 2013 ~ Hebrews 12 ~
Hebrews 12:2,3 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him, who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."
This is such a great passage to be reminded of whenever we are going through a trial. It exhorts us to consider Jesus. What are we supposed to consider about Him? Here He was a perfect example of how to conduct ourselves when faced with a circumstance in our lives. It says that Jesus, Himself, came through the cross for the JOY that was set before Him. In other words, He had to endure the cross by faith! Jesus was not exempt from walking by faith because He is the Son of God. In fact, He walked out His faith as a perfect example for us to follow.
Jesus had to have faith to endure the cross and believe in what He had never seen. What God did for Jesus when He went down to hell, He had never seen done before. He had to believe and have joy that God would perform His Word for Him. He had to look clear through the obstacle of the cross to the promise of His bride who was waiting on the other side! That's us, friends!
We also need to remember that this verse encourages us in the fact that Jesus is the perfecter of our faith! Praise God, we don't have to have perfect faith, we just need to use the measure we have and it promises that Jesus will come alongside and add His faith to ours causing it to be the perfect measure we are needing!
No matter what you may be facing today, get good at looking past what's right in front of you and focusing on the joy that God has set on the other side of that opposition for you! Keep speaking His Word, in faith, resisting the temptation to speak about what you're facing. Your victory is right around the corner!
This is such a great passage to be reminded of whenever we are going through a trial. It exhorts us to consider Jesus. What are we supposed to consider about Him? Here He was a perfect example of how to conduct ourselves when faced with a circumstance in our lives. It says that Jesus, Himself, came through the cross for the JOY that was set before Him. In other words, He had to endure the cross by faith! Jesus was not exempt from walking by faith because He is the Son of God. In fact, He walked out His faith as a perfect example for us to follow.
Jesus had to have faith to endure the cross and believe in what He had never seen. What God did for Jesus when He went down to hell, He had never seen done before. He had to believe and have joy that God would perform His Word for Him. He had to look clear through the obstacle of the cross to the promise of His bride who was waiting on the other side! That's us, friends!
We also need to remember that this verse encourages us in the fact that Jesus is the perfecter of our faith! Praise God, we don't have to have perfect faith, we just need to use the measure we have and it promises that Jesus will come alongside and add His faith to ours causing it to be the perfect measure we are needing!
No matter what you may be facing today, get good at looking past what's right in front of you and focusing on the joy that God has set on the other side of that opposition for you! Keep speaking His Word, in faith, resisting the temptation to speak about what you're facing. Your victory is right around the corner!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
November 8, 2013 ~ Acts 13 ~
Acts 13 "Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabus, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manean who had been brought up with Herod the tetrach, and Saul.
And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them."Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So being sent out by the Holy Spirit they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus."
It's very interesting that it was while the prophets and teachers were gathered together and after they had fasted, that while they ministered unto the Lord, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me, Barnabus and Saul.' We can take our leading from the habits of the early church. They must have been in need of some direction if they had been fasting, because fasting is an act of the person wanting to put everything else aside and therefore make themselves more sensitive to the voice of God within.
It was also during a time that the Word says 'they ministered unto the Lord'. What does it mean to 'minister unto the Lord'? It means to purpose to spend time loving Him, exalting Him, bringing Him glory through worship and praise. The attitude of our heart during that time is not about receiving from Him, but about bringing adoration and praise to Him for Who He is and for all He has done. It must please Him so much that He would chose that time for Him to speak to us. What a wonderful Father, that while we minister unto Him, in His heart of hearts He is always a GIVER and desires to give unto us direction for our lives.
If we are needing direction, we never have to walk around blindly, hoping that we make the right decision about things which pertain to our lives. Remember that we have the Greater One on the inside! The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and He will teach us all things (Jn.14:26, 1 Jn. 2:20). Purpose to spend some time ministering to the Lord today. It will bring Him glory and put us in the proper position to receive all He wants us to know.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
October 15, 2013 ~ Mark 11 ~
Mark 11:20-24 "And as they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. And being reminded, Peter said to Him, "Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which You cursed has withered."
And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.
"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
Jesus is teaching the disciples the power of faith. The God kind of faith. We know that faith is what we believe. But Jesus is teaching that there needs to be an active side to our faith. That we can operate in the same kind of faith as God in the same way God operates it, by speaking.
We know that faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10:17, but it does not operate by hearing, it operates by speaking. To believe, we put it in our hearts. But to get it operating, we need to put it in our mouths. When we hear the Word, we believe, but when we speak the Word, we receive. Believing doesn't take action. It's the saying that takes action.
In this passage, Jesus uses the word believe, only once, but repeats the word say three times. This means He was definitely emphasizing the saying or the action of our faith. Jesus wasn't asking them to believe that something is manifested before it's manifested. He was asking them to believe they received before it's manifested.
When Jesus spoke to the fig tree, He believed with His heart and He spoke with His mouth. At that instant, it began to wither underground where the roots were. It took time to see the outward manifestation of His command come to pass. So it is often with our own lives and things we are believing to have changed. When we base our faith (or beliefs) on promises that are in the Word of God, we know that we have a firm foundation and are believing correctly. But it's not until we begin to speak it out with our mouths that we put action to our faith and God is then given permission to work on our behalf.
Just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. We need to believe that it's already ours while it is still in its invisible form. Faith always deals with the invisible. It never deals with that which is seen. Once an answer is seen or manifested, faith is no longer required for that. God is so good that He has authorized us to know that when we believe and say, we can have confidence that it will come to pass and therefore we can just rest. He knows that our hearts have the ability to believe that which is invisible is ours. Our minds can't do that, but our hearts can.
No matter what adversity you are facing today, the Word is always your victory. Find scriptures that promise you deliverance from that adversity. As you hear the Word concerning that promise, you will believe it. Once you believe with your heart, begin to say it with your mouth. Thank God that He is working in your life and rest, knowing your answer is on the way.
And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.
"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."
Jesus is teaching the disciples the power of faith. The God kind of faith. We know that faith is what we believe. But Jesus is teaching that there needs to be an active side to our faith. That we can operate in the same kind of faith as God in the same way God operates it, by speaking.
We know that faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10:17, but it does not operate by hearing, it operates by speaking. To believe, we put it in our hearts. But to get it operating, we need to put it in our mouths. When we hear the Word, we believe, but when we speak the Word, we receive. Believing doesn't take action. It's the saying that takes action.
In this passage, Jesus uses the word believe, only once, but repeats the word say three times. This means He was definitely emphasizing the saying or the action of our faith. Jesus wasn't asking them to believe that something is manifested before it's manifested. He was asking them to believe they received before it's manifested.
When Jesus spoke to the fig tree, He believed with His heart and He spoke with His mouth. At that instant, it began to wither underground where the roots were. It took time to see the outward manifestation of His command come to pass. So it is often with our own lives and things we are believing to have changed. When we base our faith (or beliefs) on promises that are in the Word of God, we know that we have a firm foundation and are believing correctly. But it's not until we begin to speak it out with our mouths that we put action to our faith and God is then given permission to work on our behalf.
Just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. We need to believe that it's already ours while it is still in its invisible form. Faith always deals with the invisible. It never deals with that which is seen. Once an answer is seen or manifested, faith is no longer required for that. God is so good that He has authorized us to know that when we believe and say, we can have confidence that it will come to pass and therefore we can just rest. He knows that our hearts have the ability to believe that which is invisible is ours. Our minds can't do that, but our hearts can.
No matter what adversity you are facing today, the Word is always your victory. Find scriptures that promise you deliverance from that adversity. As you hear the Word concerning that promise, you will believe it. Once you believe with your heart, begin to say it with your mouth. Thank God that He is working in your life and rest, knowing your answer is on the way.
Friday, October 11, 2013
October 7, 2013 ~ Mark 5 ~
Deut 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; NKJV
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; NKJV
Did
you you ever stop to think that much of what we have spiritually is
from the choices we make? We choose to believe in God and become
born again. We choose to believe God's Word and walk by faith. We choose
to walk in love, obey God etc. So if we are in control and our choices
determine our spiritual life, why is it that when we talk about the plan of
God for our life or whether God is going to answer our prayers, many people
say "well, it's up to God". We talk as if God is so mysterious that no one
can figure anything out spiritually.
The
Bible says to choose life or death, blessing or cursing. Much of what
we receive from God is determined by what we choose. We have the
choice to receive from God; we have the choice to believe God's Word.
We will receive from Him based on the choices that we make.
Mark 5:25-34
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. And Jesus immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." NKJV
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. And Jesus immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." NKJV
This is a great example of
someone who made the choice to receive her healing. She could have
stayed home in bed and said "I do not feel good; I do not want to go
outside". But she made up her mind and chose to grab hold of Jesus and
receive her healing. We are faced with choices every day; choose to go
God's way. Determine in your heart that you are going to seek after God
and allow His power and His Word to work in your life. You will be glad
you did.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July 3, 2013 ~ 1 John 5 ~
1 John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." Wow, that's talking about you and me! We are born of God so that means that WE ARE OVERCOMERS!!! Praise God! It goes on to say that the victory that has overcome the world is our faith. That means our victory is waiting on something...OUR FAITH!
Many have said, "If God knows my needs, why doesn't He just do something about them? Matthew 6:32 & 7:11 tells us that the Father already knows all about our needs, but when we ask Him that activates our faith and releases God to move on our behalf and meet our need. Him knowing is not enough for us to receive. He needs our permission. We need to do our part and that is asking.
1 John 5:14,15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ASK anything, according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ASK, we know that we have the requests which we have ASKED from Him." Wow! That is good news, friends! It says when we ask (which is showing our faith, because without faith it's impossible to please God) according to His will (or we could say His Word, because His Word is His will) then we can be confident that we have it!
Faith is simply a belief. Many have no problem believing, but the key is believing that we received when we prayed. In Mark 11:23,24 God is not asking us to believe that something is manifested before it's manifested, He's asking us to just believe we received before it's manifested. God has already authorized all that we have need of in the spirit realm. In the spirit realm is our supply. There's healing in the spirit realm. There's provision in the spirit realm. When we believe we receive we are laying hold of what we need and we keep saying (thanking Him for it) until it shows up in the natural realm! Our answer always exists in two forms; the invisible form and the visible form. We need to believe we receive while it's still in the invisible form. Faith deals with the invisible. Faith never deals with what is seen. Once an answer is seen, faith for that is no longer required.
We do not always receive instantly. God knows that there is a time difference between the spirit realm and the natural realm. That's why He gave us 1 John 5:14,15! He made it so that when we ask in line with His Word, He hears us. And we can have confidence and rest because His hearing=our having! Our hearts have the ability to believe that which is invisible is ours. Our minds can't do that, but our hearts can. If you were in need of money and your earthly father was a billionaire and if you asked him for the money and he said the check was in the mail and you kept on worrying wouldn't that seem a little silly? Unbelievers and Christians without renewed minds cannot rest until they see it. They worry and fret because they don't know how to rest until they have it. God doesn't want us to live that way. He wants us to rest, knowing that He heard us and things are moving on our behalf and will soon be visible! What a loving Father He is. Use your faith by asking for what you have need of today and let God work on your behalf. He gets great pleasure in helping His children.
Many have said, "If God knows my needs, why doesn't He just do something about them? Matthew 6:32 & 7:11 tells us that the Father already knows all about our needs, but when we ask Him that activates our faith and releases God to move on our behalf and meet our need. Him knowing is not enough for us to receive. He needs our permission. We need to do our part and that is asking.
1 John 5:14,15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ASK anything, according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ASK, we know that we have the requests which we have ASKED from Him." Wow! That is good news, friends! It says when we ask (which is showing our faith, because without faith it's impossible to please God) according to His will (or we could say His Word, because His Word is His will) then we can be confident that we have it!
Faith is simply a belief. Many have no problem believing, but the key is believing that we received when we prayed. In Mark 11:23,24 God is not asking us to believe that something is manifested before it's manifested, He's asking us to just believe we received before it's manifested. God has already authorized all that we have need of in the spirit realm. In the spirit realm is our supply. There's healing in the spirit realm. There's provision in the spirit realm. When we believe we receive we are laying hold of what we need and we keep saying (thanking Him for it) until it shows up in the natural realm! Our answer always exists in two forms; the invisible form and the visible form. We need to believe we receive while it's still in the invisible form. Faith deals with the invisible. Faith never deals with what is seen. Once an answer is seen, faith for that is no longer required.
We do not always receive instantly. God knows that there is a time difference between the spirit realm and the natural realm. That's why He gave us 1 John 5:14,15! He made it so that when we ask in line with His Word, He hears us. And we can have confidence and rest because His hearing=our having! Our hearts have the ability to believe that which is invisible is ours. Our minds can't do that, but our hearts can. If you were in need of money and your earthly father was a billionaire and if you asked him for the money and he said the check was in the mail and you kept on worrying wouldn't that seem a little silly? Unbelievers and Christians without renewed minds cannot rest until they see it. They worry and fret because they don't know how to rest until they have it. God doesn't want us to live that way. He wants us to rest, knowing that He heard us and things are moving on our behalf and will soon be visible! What a loving Father He is. Use your faith by asking for what you have need of today and let God work on your behalf. He gets great pleasure in helping His children.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
June 13, 2013 ~ 1 Timothy 4 ~
In his letter to Timothy, the young pastor at Ephesus, Paul admonishes him to continue in all he has been taught. That many are going to fall away from the faith and pay attention to evil doctrines. There will be many false teachers that others will gravitate to and that he will need to point these things out to them and in doing so, even if they are not received well, Timothy will be a good servant.
He encourages Timothy to be continually nourished on the words of faith and the sound doctrine he has been following. In this purposeful discipline godliness is attained and it is profitable for this life and the one to come. It's not enough to hear the Word once or twice. We must continually feed ourselves on the principles of faith we have been taught.
Paul also admonishes Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was imparted to him. That he is going to have to take pains with these things and be absorbed in them. To pay close attention to that which he is teaching and if he perseveres it will ensure the blessing not only for himself but the hearers also.
What does it mean to us to take pains? To be absorbed? It means we, like Timothy, are going to have to give ourselves wholly to it! To not neglect giving our attention daily to the Word and prayer and to be ever aware of the gifts the Lord has placed within us. It's going to take some effort on our part to stir up the gift within us. That's why it's called the sacrifice of praise. Our flesh doesn't always feel like doing godly things. But we do it by faith. We sometimes start out in the flesh and end up in the Spirit! It takes some perseverance to push through things that try to hold us back. But it is SO worth it! And like Paul said, it will not only benefit us, but all those around us. When we are so filled up with God it will effect our missions field...in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our families, on the job, and in our specific ministry roles.
He encourages Timothy to be continually nourished on the words of faith and the sound doctrine he has been following. In this purposeful discipline godliness is attained and it is profitable for this life and the one to come. It's not enough to hear the Word once or twice. We must continually feed ourselves on the principles of faith we have been taught.
Paul also admonishes Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was imparted to him. That he is going to have to take pains with these things and be absorbed in them. To pay close attention to that which he is teaching and if he perseveres it will ensure the blessing not only for himself but the hearers also.
What does it mean to us to take pains? To be absorbed? It means we, like Timothy, are going to have to give ourselves wholly to it! To not neglect giving our attention daily to the Word and prayer and to be ever aware of the gifts the Lord has placed within us. It's going to take some effort on our part to stir up the gift within us. That's why it's called the sacrifice of praise. Our flesh doesn't always feel like doing godly things. But we do it by faith. We sometimes start out in the flesh and end up in the Spirit! It takes some perseverance to push through things that try to hold us back. But it is SO worth it! And like Paul said, it will not only benefit us, but all those around us. When we are so filled up with God it will effect our missions field...in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our families, on the job, and in our specific ministry roles.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
May 20, 2013 ~ 1 Corinthians 16 ~
This is the last part of the first letter Paul writes to the church of Corinth. He tells them that he hopes to come to them in person after he passes through Macedonia and stay with them for some time, but shall remain right now in Ephesus until Pentecost because Verse 9 says, "for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."
What did Paul mean that he couldn't come yet because there were many adversaries? He was teaching them that opposition will come. When a door is opened to you, adversaries may come to interrupt your entrance and change the effect you can make on the other side of that door. The enemy is not going to let you have an effect without putting up a fight. When you come into some light about something, he will try to steal that seed from you.
Paul is warning us so that we can be aware. Because if we are aware of it, then we won't retreat or back down when we feel that pressure against us. You might feel on your body or in your mind the effects of the adversaries, but don't be overly impressed. Our spirit man need not be shaken. We are never to be moved by what we feel or see, but only by what we believe!!!
If we're going to have an effect, we're going to have an adversary. But we need to always remind ourselves of that from our seated position! He is a defeated adversary!!! And we are far above it! He's going to out up a fight. The Bible tells us had he known, he would have never crucified Christ. The Lord knows all the adversary's plans and the crucifixion that was meant to be Jesus' demise became redemption's launching pad! When the devil intends to cause demise in your life use it as a spring board and build right over it!!!
What did Paul mean that he couldn't come yet because there were many adversaries? He was teaching them that opposition will come. When a door is opened to you, adversaries may come to interrupt your entrance and change the effect you can make on the other side of that door. The enemy is not going to let you have an effect without putting up a fight. When you come into some light about something, he will try to steal that seed from you.
Paul is warning us so that we can be aware. Because if we are aware of it, then we won't retreat or back down when we feel that pressure against us. You might feel on your body or in your mind the effects of the adversaries, but don't be overly impressed. Our spirit man need not be shaken. We are never to be moved by what we feel or see, but only by what we believe!!!
If we're going to have an effect, we're going to have an adversary. But we need to always remind ourselves of that from our seated position! He is a defeated adversary!!! And we are far above it! He's going to out up a fight. The Bible tells us had he known, he would have never crucified Christ. The Lord knows all the adversary's plans and the crucifixion that was meant to be Jesus' demise became redemption's launching pad! When the devil intends to cause demise in your life use it as a spring board and build right over it!!!
Monday, May 13, 2013
May 13th ~ 1 Corinthians 11 ~
In this passage, the Apostle Paul admonishes the people of the church at Corinth to be imitators of him as he is of Christ. He praised them for holding to the traditions which he taught them but also gave them some much needed correction. Correction from the Lord is always intended to bring people into a place of greater blessing. Doing things God's way always pays off.
Most of this chapter Paul gives instruction on the act of taking communion. When the congregation would meet together, they were consuming the communion bread and wine as a snack because they were hungry. Verse 22 Paul says, "What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?"
He proceeds to remind them about the Lord's supper and what Jesus said about it. That as often as they ate the bread and drank the cup, they would be proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes. By eating the bread and drinking the wine flippantly, they were acting in an unworthy manner and bringing judgement upon themselves. Verse 31 says, "For this reason many among you are weak and sick and a number sleep." In other words, many in their church were weak, sick and slept, which means they died prematurely. Paul was trying to help them to understand that we always need to walk by faith to please God. There is so much power available through the taking of Holy Communion and the body of Christ is missing out because they aren't rightly dividing the Word of God.
When we are partaking of communion, we are proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes again. How do we receive any of God's promises to us? We always have to BELIEVE and RECEIVE and we receive by confession. It's not enough to believe that Jesus died on the cross, we also have to receive it and make confession of it. That is FAITH and faith is our part. Then the power of God can transform us and that is HIS part. The very act of communion is a public proclamation of what Jesus did! That His body received ALL sickness and disease and we can be free of it.
Next time you partake of communion, either at church or in your home, do so with the understanding that you are indeed making a faith statement and that the power of God is present to meet any needs you have. Believe that power is working mightily in you, just like Jesus said it would and continue to confess until it is made manifest in your situation.
Most of this chapter Paul gives instruction on the act of taking communion. When the congregation would meet together, they were consuming the communion bread and wine as a snack because they were hungry. Verse 22 Paul says, "What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?"
He proceeds to remind them about the Lord's supper and what Jesus said about it. That as often as they ate the bread and drank the cup, they would be proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes. By eating the bread and drinking the wine flippantly, they were acting in an unworthy manner and bringing judgement upon themselves. Verse 31 says, "For this reason many among you are weak and sick and a number sleep." In other words, many in their church were weak, sick and slept, which means they died prematurely. Paul was trying to help them to understand that we always need to walk by faith to please God. There is so much power available through the taking of Holy Communion and the body of Christ is missing out because they aren't rightly dividing the Word of God.
When we are partaking of communion, we are proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes again. How do we receive any of God's promises to us? We always have to BELIEVE and RECEIVE and we receive by confession. It's not enough to believe that Jesus died on the cross, we also have to receive it and make confession of it. That is FAITH and faith is our part. Then the power of God can transform us and that is HIS part. The very act of communion is a public proclamation of what Jesus did! That His body received ALL sickness and disease and we can be free of it.
Next time you partake of communion, either at church or in your home, do so with the understanding that you are indeed making a faith statement and that the power of God is present to meet any needs you have. Believe that power is working mightily in you, just like Jesus said it would and continue to confess until it is made manifest in your situation.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
March 12th ~ Ephesians 6 ~
There will most definitely be things in this life, that we will encounter, that will try to come against us. We are not of this world, but we do live in it. We always need to prepare for what's to come. Verse 10,11 of chapter 6 of Ephesians tells us to "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might" and to "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Wonder why it says the full armor? Because putting on only a portion of what God has instructed us to do will leave us vulnerable to the flaming missiles of the enemy!
The Lord explains in great details exactly what each piece of armor is, and where and how we use it. Then the Lord explains that once we put on the full armor of God and having done everything as He has instructed, then we can STAND FIRM! The battle is not ours, but we do need to stand. It takes courage and faith to stand in the midst of a battle whether one is required to fight or not. It's not the most comfortable place to be.
That's when verse 18 comes into effect. If we have done everything the way the Lord has instructed us. And we are wearing all the armor He has blessed us with. Then we only need to do what it says in verse 18... "With all prayer and petition, pray at all times, in the Spirit and with this in view, be on alert with all perseverance..." This literally means with "all kinds" of prayer. Therefore, praying with our understanding, as far as we know to do, then allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us. And how can we possibly "pray at ALL times"? This means no matter where we are or what we are doing, we can have communion with the Holy Spirit. It does not even have to be audible. We can communicate with the Holy Spirit with our spirit man and have an attitude of prayer. Praying in other tongues not only gets things accomplished because the Holy Spirit is praying perfect prayers through us, but the Word tells us that we are "strengthening ourselves in our inner man"! That's how amazing our Father God is! His instructions are always filled with multi-purpose blessings. As we go about our day acknowledging that He is there, He can then help us to persevere!
The Lord explains in great details exactly what each piece of armor is, and where and how we use it. Then the Lord explains that once we put on the full armor of God and having done everything as He has instructed, then we can STAND FIRM! The battle is not ours, but we do need to stand. It takes courage and faith to stand in the midst of a battle whether one is required to fight or not. It's not the most comfortable place to be.
That's when verse 18 comes into effect. If we have done everything the way the Lord has instructed us. And we are wearing all the armor He has blessed us with. Then we only need to do what it says in verse 18... "With all prayer and petition, pray at all times, in the Spirit and with this in view, be on alert with all perseverance..." This literally means with "all kinds" of prayer. Therefore, praying with our understanding, as far as we know to do, then allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us. And how can we possibly "pray at ALL times"? This means no matter where we are or what we are doing, we can have communion with the Holy Spirit. It does not even have to be audible. We can communicate with the Holy Spirit with our spirit man and have an attitude of prayer. Praying in other tongues not only gets things accomplished because the Holy Spirit is praying perfect prayers through us, but the Word tells us that we are "strengthening ourselves in our inner man"! That's how amazing our Father God is! His instructions are always filled with multi-purpose blessings. As we go about our day acknowledging that He is there, He can then help us to persevere!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
February 26th ~ Romans 12
Verses 1,2 "I URGE you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your (reasonable) service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
That word urge is in all capitals in my Bible's text. It must be something that Paul feels very strongly about. He is urging us to listen and follow an instruction that is going to be vital to our success in this life. We are urged not to be conformed to this world. What does that mean? It means don't allow the world around you to squeeze you into its mold. We are called to be set apart. To stand out. Not to blend in. The very way we believe and react to things in life is going to be VERY different from how the rest of the world does.
We are called to not be conformed, but to be transformed. How can we be transformed? By the renewing of our minds. Renew= renovation, to replace tradition with revelation. Renovate in the natural sense means to rip out what doesn't belong and to replace it with something new and fresh. When we are renovating a house completely, we rip everything down to the studs and start to rebuild with new, higher quality materials. We build on a solid foundation and create something beautiful that will last the test of time and life.
In other words, the only way we can be successful and have our faith work in our lives is to change the way we think. We have become new creatures and everything old has been done away with. Sometimes we try to still do things the old way we've always done them. We have a newly created heart and spirit and yet our minds are still the same. So we need to constantly look to the Word to see how our minds should be thinking about the situations we are facing. The old us, may have seen the problems of debt, sickness and broken relationships in our lives and faced them with wringing hands and worrying so much we couldn't sleep. The new creature in us is formed in the image of God Himself and therefore needs to think in line with HIS thinking! So now when faced with adverse circumstances we look to His strength and His Words which tell us who we are in Christ. That we are MORE than conquerors! That Christ lives in us and brings ALL His resources with Him. So anytime we have a problem, we can face it in the power of the crucified, risen, triumphant, Lord, Who lives within us!
That word urge is in all capitals in my Bible's text. It must be something that Paul feels very strongly about. He is urging us to listen and follow an instruction that is going to be vital to our success in this life. We are urged not to be conformed to this world. What does that mean? It means don't allow the world around you to squeeze you into its mold. We are called to be set apart. To stand out. Not to blend in. The very way we believe and react to things in life is going to be VERY different from how the rest of the world does.
We are called to not be conformed, but to be transformed. How can we be transformed? By the renewing of our minds. Renew= renovation, to replace tradition with revelation. Renovate in the natural sense means to rip out what doesn't belong and to replace it with something new and fresh. When we are renovating a house completely, we rip everything down to the studs and start to rebuild with new, higher quality materials. We build on a solid foundation and create something beautiful that will last the test of time and life.
In other words, the only way we can be successful and have our faith work in our lives is to change the way we think. We have become new creatures and everything old has been done away with. Sometimes we try to still do things the old way we've always done them. We have a newly created heart and spirit and yet our minds are still the same. So we need to constantly look to the Word to see how our minds should be thinking about the situations we are facing. The old us, may have seen the problems of debt, sickness and broken relationships in our lives and faced them with wringing hands and worrying so much we couldn't sleep. The new creature in us is formed in the image of God Himself and therefore needs to think in line with HIS thinking! So now when faced with adverse circumstances we look to His strength and His Words which tell us who we are in Christ. That we are MORE than conquerors! That Christ lives in us and brings ALL His resources with Him. So anytime we have a problem, we can face it in the power of the crucified, risen, triumphant, Lord, Who lives within us!
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