Romans 1:16-17 (KJV)
“16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
The good message of Christ gives strength to salvation, to everyone and anyone that will believe. It was first made available to the Jews and has also been made available to the Greek. It is in this good message that the true righteousness of God is revealed. We take hold of this revelation by faith; In so doing, we are justified and given access to the righteousness of God that is in Christ Jesus by faith.
This is the only message we have that will supply the strength that is needed for salvation to take hold of the people in our lives. Any other message, as good as they may be, will never possess the strength and power this message has.
Let us make known how deliverance and healing comes through Jesus Christ.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
NEVER FAILS
1 Corinthians 13:8-9 (KJV)
“8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”
Love sees things spiritual gifting’s cannot see; love can handle things spiritual gifts cannot handle. We can cast out devils and do many wonderful works in Jesus name and still be empty of love. Without love we become sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Love knows what “knowing” does not know. Knowing in part and prophesying in part is the best we can do; love moves beyond the “can’t do’s” into the “can do’s” of God; love never fails.
Not talking about some mystical feeling floating around in the air; I am talking about steadfast love, covenant love, love that is fostered and embedded in the holy God. God is holy, He sets outside of time and sees what time and all that is concealed in time can see. Eyes from without and eyes from within the creatures have promoting His holiness. Circumference vision comes from God that is holy. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can substitute His presence. This is where love can be found.
The angel of LORD who was speaking said, “…I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God…” (Luke 1:19). Love never fails.
“8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”
Love sees things spiritual gifting’s cannot see; love can handle things spiritual gifts cannot handle. We can cast out devils and do many wonderful works in Jesus name and still be empty of love. Without love we become sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Love knows what “knowing” does not know. Knowing in part and prophesying in part is the best we can do; love moves beyond the “can’t do’s” into the “can do’s” of God; love never fails.
Not talking about some mystical feeling floating around in the air; I am talking about steadfast love, covenant love, love that is fostered and embedded in the holy God. God is holy, He sets outside of time and sees what time and all that is concealed in time can see. Eyes from without and eyes from within the creatures have promoting His holiness. Circumference vision comes from God that is holy. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can substitute His presence. This is where love can be found.
The angel of LORD who was speaking said, “…I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God…” (Luke 1:19). Love never fails.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
JESUS ALL UP IN HERE
(Acts 9:40-42 ESV)
“But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”
Our significance is not found in our spiritual gifts. Our significance is found in expressing Jesus to the lost world we live in, it is when our spiritual gifts become a witness of His presence in our lives, and more specifically, in our living.
It is not solely what we do in church that will change the world we live in; it is what we do in the world that will change the world we live in. We are to be a witness of Jesus and His healing presence. The manifestations of the Spirit in the life of the believer manifest as a witness of His deliverance and healing presence. More simply, spiritual gifts manifest that we may be a witness unto Him.
At this point, it does not matter if others recognize our spiritual gifts; the point becomes that they recognize the healing presence of Jesus in us. Consequently, our significance comes into view as Jesus comes into view. We must understand it is not our spiritual gifts that are on display; the manifestation of the Spirit is Jesus on display.
“But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”
Our significance is not found in our spiritual gifts. Our significance is found in expressing Jesus to the lost world we live in, it is when our spiritual gifts become a witness of His presence in our lives, and more specifically, in our living.
It is not solely what we do in church that will change the world we live in; it is what we do in the world that will change the world we live in. We are to be a witness of Jesus and His healing presence. The manifestations of the Spirit in the life of the believer manifest as a witness of His deliverance and healing presence. More simply, spiritual gifts manifest that we may be a witness unto Him.
At this point, it does not matter if others recognize our spiritual gifts; the point becomes that they recognize the healing presence of Jesus in us. Consequently, our significance comes into view as Jesus comes into view. We must understand it is not our spiritual gifts that are on display; the manifestation of the Spirit is Jesus on display.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
TANGIBLE KNOWLEDGE
Acts 2:2-4 (KJV)
“2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Encounter knowledge (Yada) always moves us from thinking ability to tangibility; nothing like encounter to move us from faith to actuality. The encounter of glossolalia (speaking in tongues, the uttering of a language unknown to the speaker that is seen as a gift from the Holy Spirit enabling one to praise and worship) is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit actualized. It is one thing to hear about it, know about it, or even witness it, and another to encounter it.
“2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Encounter knowledge (Yada) always moves us from thinking ability to tangibility; nothing like encounter to move us from faith to actuality. The encounter of glossolalia (speaking in tongues, the uttering of a language unknown to the speaker that is seen as a gift from the Holy Spirit enabling one to praise and worship) is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit actualized. It is one thing to hear about it, know about it, or even witness it, and another to encounter it.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
BORN OF THE FLESH
1John 4:1-6
John emphasizes very strongly in our text the significance that Jesus came in the flesh. He did not come to us as an angel, Superman or Batman; Jesus is more incredible than the Hulk, more super than Superman, He is lot nicer than Miss Isis. He has more Scooby than Scooby-doo, because He loves me and you. One may ask if Jesus was a human being, what exactly makes Him any different than other spiritual men with a spiritual message? Jesus is the human face of God because He was born of a virgin conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the whole story of mankind wrapped up in flesh. Father God knew we would never figure out how to get to heaven, so He came as Jesus to show us how to get there.
You see, Jesus being born of the flesh is more than just a man taking a journey to the cross as a sacrificial Lamb; Everything about Jesus from the manger to the tomb is significant as to what makes Him the Christ; the anointed one of God.
John emphasizes very strongly in our text the significance that Jesus came in the flesh. He did not come to us as an angel, Superman or Batman; Jesus is more incredible than the Hulk, more super than Superman, He is lot nicer than Miss Isis. He has more Scooby than Scooby-doo, because He loves me and you. One may ask if Jesus was a human being, what exactly makes Him any different than other spiritual men with a spiritual message? Jesus is the human face of God because He was born of a virgin conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the whole story of mankind wrapped up in flesh. Father God knew we would never figure out how to get to heaven, so He came as Jesus to show us how to get there.
You see, Jesus being born of the flesh is more than just a man taking a journey to the cross as a sacrificial Lamb; Everything about Jesus from the manger to the tomb is significant as to what makes Him the Christ; the anointed one of God.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
PLANTING OF THE LORD
Isaiah 61:1-4
Trees are not transit they are established permanently. They become a part of the earth where they are planted. They will do one or the other, “thrive and survive” or they will “wilt and die.” Their survival comes from daily resources of which they draw from. They draw from the storms and the sunny days, they draw from the soil and the wind that blows, they need it all to grow.
Isaiah describes those who are anointed as the planting of the Lord as trees of righteousness; he describes the anointed as those who are appointed. Therefore, it can be said, that we are anointed and appointed with a purpose in mind. We are appointed to those that mourn to those who are lamenting and living their lives in regret.
Regret is a sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone; regret can be a feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wish could be different. In our text it is a reference to those in Israel lamenting the loss of their homeland and with it a loss of their identity and sense of belonging.
Their condition was self-afflicted they brought it upon themselves; nonetheless, their mourning was very real, they had become a very regretful people wishing that things were different.
Regret can leave one with the feelings of abandonment, discouragement, and even bitterness. These feelings become so deep that it blinds the mind of seeing any hope or encouragement, everything in life is laced with this negative view of things.
The anointed of the Lord are to build up the waste places, raise up the desolate, repair the waste cities, heal the desolations of the generations devastated by their self-afflictions.
This will take commitment, deep consideration and understanding of the twisted. The anointing is a power that unveils truth in the midst of lies, disfigurement, and convoluted distress. The anointed must be untwisted themselves that they may untwisted the twisted.
Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (Acts1:8).
Trees are not transit they are established permanently. They become a part of the earth where they are planted. They will do one or the other, “thrive and survive” or they will “wilt and die.” Their survival comes from daily resources of which they draw from. They draw from the storms and the sunny days, they draw from the soil and the wind that blows, they need it all to grow.
Isaiah describes those who are anointed as the planting of the Lord as trees of righteousness; he describes the anointed as those who are appointed. Therefore, it can be said, that we are anointed and appointed with a purpose in mind. We are appointed to those that mourn to those who are lamenting and living their lives in regret.
Regret is a sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone; regret can be a feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wish could be different. In our text it is a reference to those in Israel lamenting the loss of their homeland and with it a loss of their identity and sense of belonging.
Their condition was self-afflicted they brought it upon themselves; nonetheless, their mourning was very real, they had become a very regretful people wishing that things were different.
Regret can leave one with the feelings of abandonment, discouragement, and even bitterness. These feelings become so deep that it blinds the mind of seeing any hope or encouragement, everything in life is laced with this negative view of things.
The anointed of the Lord are to build up the waste places, raise up the desolate, repair the waste cities, heal the desolations of the generations devastated by their self-afflictions.
This will take commitment, deep consideration and understanding of the twisted. The anointing is a power that unveils truth in the midst of lies, disfigurement, and convoluted distress. The anointed must be untwisted themselves that they may untwisted the twisted.
Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (Acts1:8).
Friday, February 20, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Mark 9:33-37
Mark 9:33-37 (NRSV)
“33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’
34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.
35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’
36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,
37 ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’”
What can this give me? What will this do for me? If I acknowledge one for their status alone; then it is more about their status than it is them. When we give of ourselves to ministry because of what it gives to us; ministry becomes about us.
“33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’
34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.
35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’
36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,
37 ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’”
What can this give me? What will this do for me? If I acknowledge one for their status alone; then it is more about their status than it is them. When we give of ourselves to ministry because of what it gives to us; ministry becomes about us.
Monday, February 9, 2015
THE RED THREAD
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (KJV)
“9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”
Here is there and there is here. The sense of Him is the greatest worth as we move along. Is it the Old song or is it the New song? If we are singing of Him we cannot go wrong. His-Story is the same thread weaved into us all. As the red heifer burns so does the read thread; in the fire, the life that is in Him is the life that will remain after we are dead.
“9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”
Here is there and there is here. The sense of Him is the greatest worth as we move along. Is it the Old song or is it the New song? If we are singing of Him we cannot go wrong. His-Story is the same thread weaved into us all. As the red heifer burns so does the read thread; in the fire, the life that is in Him is the life that will remain after we are dead.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITY
Jude 1:17-19 ESV
"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."
Passions void of the Spirit misplaces our identities and original content given to us of God. The foundational Apostolic Father’s saw this. It divides the community. Anytime we step outside of the Trinity and their function in us, community goes out the window and we become a kingdom of self all up in ourselves. This is the rule of faith capsulized in being connected to God and God to us. The relational workings between the Trinity works in us to bring about harmony in what’s handed to us.
"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."
Passions void of the Spirit misplaces our identities and original content given to us of God. The foundational Apostolic Father’s saw this. It divides the community. Anytime we step outside of the Trinity and their function in us, community goes out the window and we become a kingdom of self all up in ourselves. This is the rule of faith capsulized in being connected to God and God to us. The relational workings between the Trinity works in us to bring about harmony in what’s handed to us.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
EVIL PRESENCE
Luke 8:35-36 (KJV)
“35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.”
“Healed of evil spirits?” The same was said of Mary Magdalene. “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,” (Luke 8:2). Being healed of the presence of evil is equally important as being delivered (free). Deliverance is never complete (sustained) without healing and healing cannot begin without deliverance; healing and deliverance are dependent upon each other. The spirit of things may be evil but never more evil than the invitation given them; to divorce them would mean we need to divorce our own will.
“35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.”
“Healed of evil spirits?” The same was said of Mary Magdalene. “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,” (Luke 8:2). Being healed of the presence of evil is equally important as being delivered (free). Deliverance is never complete (sustained) without healing and healing cannot begin without deliverance; healing and deliverance are dependent upon each other. The spirit of things may be evil but never more evil than the invitation given them; to divorce them would mean we need to divorce our own will.
Monday, February 2, 2015
LIVE ACCEPTED
Genesis 4:3-5 (KJV)
“3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
The lesson in this is, we do not give to be accepted, we give because we are accepted; likewise, we do not live holy to be accepted, we live holy because we are accepted. When giving and holiness becomes an issue of rejection, we totally miss what giving and holiness is all about. Living accepted empowers us to give and it empowers us to be holy in our giving.
“3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
The lesson in this is, we do not give to be accepted, we give because we are accepted; likewise, we do not live holy to be accepted, we live holy because we are accepted. When giving and holiness becomes an issue of rejection, we totally miss what giving and holiness is all about. Living accepted empowers us to give and it empowers us to be holy in our giving.
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