John 12:27-30 (KJV)
“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.”
Jesus was notorious at this; while in conversation with others He would break out and speak directly to His Father (out loud). Now, those in conversation with Him are probably thinking. How do we rate and who is He talking to? Where is this person He is talking to as they look around to see where this person is?
Love it, love it, love it; our Jesus carries His Father with Him in His thoughts so closely, He does not separate the distance between He and His Father by what He sees in the natural. So, He just talks out loud to Him as though He is standing in the midst of them. Now catch this, Father God is really the bomb, He speaks out loud back to Him and in the natural He is not to be seen.
“Laugh out loud” as these folks dance in their thoughts; one says, the voice was thunder, another said, an angel was speaking to Him. Jesus knowing their struggle says He spoke out loud not for me but for your sakes. Glory!!!!!!!! Isn’t that awesome -
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
HIS ENTRANCE
John 12:19 ESV
So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem as prophetically implied by Old Testament Scripture. This weekend is our time of celebrating that entrance. Our text is the response the Pharisees had toward His entrance. The “world” to the Pharisees is an exasperated statement; in their mind anyone who sees it differently than them are considered as ignorant and unspiritual.
When Jesus makes His entrance in our day let us not miss Him as they did when He does not fit our certainties; we must desire Him above our certainties and make room for His entrance.
So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem as prophetically implied by Old Testament Scripture. This weekend is our time of celebrating that entrance. Our text is the response the Pharisees had toward His entrance. The “world” to the Pharisees is an exasperated statement; in their mind anyone who sees it differently than them are considered as ignorant and unspiritual.
When Jesus makes His entrance in our day let us not miss Him as they did when He does not fit our certainties; we must desire Him above our certainties and make room for His entrance.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE
Psalm 36:5-7 (KJV)
“Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
His mercy is in the heavens; nothing like it on this earth. His faithfulness is higher than anything here also, and His righteousness is like the great mountains that cannot be settled by human efforts. His lovingkindness is steadfast, unmovable, and unshakable. How can we not put our trust under the shadow of His wings?
“Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
His mercy is in the heavens; nothing like it on this earth. His faithfulness is higher than anything here also, and His righteousness is like the great mountains that cannot be settled by human efforts. His lovingkindness is steadfast, unmovable, and unshakable. How can we not put our trust under the shadow of His wings?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
LISTEN TO JESUS
1 Corinthians 1:4-6 (KJV)
“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:”
Enriched: “to add greater value or significance to” (Dictionary.com). The testimony of Christ concerning us encompasses what has been, what is, and what is to come.” …Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come…” (Revelation 4:8). What was and what is, is as prophetic as our “is to come” is. What we are to become cannot make sense without understanding where we are in the present and where we have been. The enriching process of Jesus in our lives takes what was meant for harm and interprets it for our good. This is why Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Jesus’ testimony is the spirit of Prophecy (Revelation 19:10). The motive in His testimony is to reconcile all things (Colossians 1:20). When we submit to this enriching process, glorious transformation takes place; when what He is saying about us makes sense and becomes the grace given to us is when His testimony is confirmed in us. Makes us want to listen to Him doesn’t it -
“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:”
Enriched: “to add greater value or significance to” (Dictionary.com). The testimony of Christ concerning us encompasses what has been, what is, and what is to come.” …Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come…” (Revelation 4:8). What was and what is, is as prophetic as our “is to come” is. What we are to become cannot make sense without understanding where we are in the present and where we have been. The enriching process of Jesus in our lives takes what was meant for harm and interprets it for our good. This is why Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Jesus’ testimony is the spirit of Prophecy (Revelation 19:10). The motive in His testimony is to reconcile all things (Colossians 1:20). When we submit to this enriching process, glorious transformation takes place; when what He is saying about us makes sense and becomes the grace given to us is when His testimony is confirmed in us. Makes us want to listen to Him doesn’t it -
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
TEND
Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
“The Ephesians were being told that the way out of cunning, craftiness, and deceitful scheming (4:14) is to benefit from Christ's gifts to the church” (Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary). They took Jesus off that cross and stuck in a tomb and sealed it up with a large stone. With the assistance of an angel and His Father raising Him from the dead, He came out of there and went to it on our behalf; He ascended into heaven and gave gifts unto some folks. These gifts or abilities in these people became an expression of His resurrection with the Victory and the Authority He gained by it. It would do us good to investigate the fellowship and community workings in the primitive believers; there is wisdom (anointing of Christ) in them waiting to be rediscovered as we tend for the faith they possessed in the power of His resurrection.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
“The Ephesians were being told that the way out of cunning, craftiness, and deceitful scheming (4:14) is to benefit from Christ's gifts to the church” (Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary). They took Jesus off that cross and stuck in a tomb and sealed it up with a large stone. With the assistance of an angel and His Father raising Him from the dead, He came out of there and went to it on our behalf; He ascended into heaven and gave gifts unto some folks. These gifts or abilities in these people became an expression of His resurrection with the Victory and the Authority He gained by it. It would do us good to investigate the fellowship and community workings in the primitive believers; there is wisdom (anointing of Christ) in them waiting to be rediscovered as we tend for the faith they possessed in the power of His resurrection.
Monday, March 23, 2015
MANIFEST
Romans 15:13 (KJV)
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
When we decide to truly take hold of it there is an indescribable joy and a peace that takes hold of us. It is in this believing that hope is able to move us into the things God has for us. Hope activates the power of the Holy Ghost. The power of the Holy Ghost brings about paradigm shifts that transform how we see things. It is in the transformation that He being the “God of hope” is manifested.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
SALVATION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (KJV)
“13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
This can be traced historically. Why would that be important? That we may keep alive what kept them spiritually alive. We are simply a continuation of the same. It is not like they are separate from us just because time, culture, and worldviews are between us. Salvation that takes place through sanctification of Spirit and belief of the truth was vital for them and it is vital for us. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
I am not promoting restorations, how can we restore something that has never changed. We must revisit over and over what has been taught in word or epistle, it is the only process of sanctification that can sustain our salvation. Nope! Not restoration – rediscovery in covenant community, dialogue, and transparency of heart.
“13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
This can be traced historically. Why would that be important? That we may keep alive what kept them spiritually alive. We are simply a continuation of the same. It is not like they are separate from us just because time, culture, and worldviews are between us. Salvation that takes place through sanctification of Spirit and belief of the truth was vital for them and it is vital for us. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
I am not promoting restorations, how can we restore something that has never changed. We must revisit over and over what has been taught in word or epistle, it is the only process of sanctification that can sustain our salvation. Nope! Not restoration – rediscovery in covenant community, dialogue, and transparency of heart.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
A GOOD CONVERSATION
Matthew 6:9-15 (KJV)
“9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. ...
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
“This has been a good conversation” (The Last Samurai). Very interesting, when it comes to forgiveness, regardless of how much we pray, God will treat us the same as we treat others.
“9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. ...
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
“This has been a good conversation” (The Last Samurai). Very interesting, when it comes to forgiveness, regardless of how much we pray, God will treat us the same as we treat others.
Friday, March 13, 2015
HIS SAKE
Matthew 16:24-25 (KJV)
“24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
“…lose his life for my sake…” It is not until we love those we love for their sake and their sake alone that we have truly loved. Often times we choose to express self-sacrifice with the agenda of what it will give back to us in return; in this, although we sacrifice and we give, we have not lost anything.
Therefore, to lose our agenda is what it means to lose our lives. “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).
There is a huge difference between iniquity driven ministries and ministries driven by love drenched in intimacy. Our validation in ministry is not that we alone know God but that God knows us also; not that we lay claim to our gift and calling alone but that our gift and calling lays claim to us also.
The structure of ministry cannot come together until Jesus can turn to us and say as He did to Peter, “…I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…” (Matthew 16:18). “…the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19).
This gives reason as to why 1Corinthians 8:3 tells us this, “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” It is not until we lose our lives for “His sake” and become possessed intimately by Him that His life is in us.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
“…in heaven…?” What a perspective. He is our heavenly Father. He is not our earthly father and cannot be compared as such, no more than our earthly father can be compared to God. “In heaven” puts God in a place that is not of this world. When we start thinking out of this world is when we will start acting out of this world. Before the world was formed He (heavenly Father) chose to love us; His love is out of this world. He does not love like this world, He does not think like this world, and give reason why Jesus said, “I am not of this world.”
It is not until we become crucified to the world and the world to us that we are available to His world. In fact, the Scripture tells us that the love of the world is enmity with God. Now, this is not talking about the people in this world, it is talking about the kosmos or systematic ways of this world. Getting connected with God will disconnect us from this world.
Jesus prayed that the Father would not take us out of the world, but that He would keep us from the evil of this world. Jesus was in the world, yet not of it; our heavenly Father expects the same of us. We must love differently, think differently, and act differently. Our heavenly Father sent Jesus to the world and is why Jesus said, “Even as the Father has sent me, so send I you.” Just because we are not of this world, we are not to abandon the people in the world. Get out there and love like Daddy, think like Daddy, and live like Daddy. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Friday, March 6, 2015
LET THE RIVER FLOW
1 Corinthians 1:9 (KJV)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This is a continuation of our last devotion. “…the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here is how it works, if we concentrate on fellowshipping with Jesus, God will change us. Let us look a little deeper. “We are called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Before we can fellowship with Him as we have discussed; we must understand “His fellowship.” We are called to His fellowship, and His fellowship is with His Father.
Their fellowship according to “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” in visual metaphor is this river flowing out of the throne of God and the Lamb. This river is flowing out of what is going on between the Father and the Son; a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal (Rev. 22). The Scripture tells us the earth is His footstool and the heaven is His throne.
Whether we acknowledge it or not; geographically, the river is rushing over us now. We need to find the highest rock we can find, jump up on it and just watch that relationship flow as it fills up the floor of heaven; of which, the floor of heaven is a crystal clear sea of glass (Rev.4:6). Here again, a visual metaphor of the vast knowledge of God we stand on. That knowledge flows from out of that fellowship between the Father and the Son. The river itself is the Spirit of love; it is the Spirit of God flowing and rushing over us as it empties into the floor of heaven.
If we drink this fellowship in according to Jesus, this same river will flow from out of us as it does the throne of God and the lamb (John 7:38). Yes! This is what we are called to “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto...”
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This is a continuation of our last devotion. “…the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here is how it works, if we concentrate on fellowshipping with Jesus, God will change us. Let us look a little deeper. “We are called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Before we can fellowship with Him as we have discussed; we must understand “His fellowship.” We are called to His fellowship, and His fellowship is with His Father.
Their fellowship according to “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” in visual metaphor is this river flowing out of the throne of God and the Lamb. This river is flowing out of what is going on between the Father and the Son; a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal (Rev. 22). The Scripture tells us the earth is His footstool and the heaven is His throne.
Whether we acknowledge it or not; geographically, the river is rushing over us now. We need to find the highest rock we can find, jump up on it and just watch that relationship flow as it fills up the floor of heaven; of which, the floor of heaven is a crystal clear sea of glass (Rev.4:6). Here again, a visual metaphor of the vast knowledge of God we stand on. That knowledge flows from out of that fellowship between the Father and the Son. The river itself is the Spirit of love; it is the Spirit of God flowing and rushing over us as it empties into the floor of heaven.
If we drink this fellowship in according to Jesus, this same river will flow from out of us as it does the throne of God and the lamb (John 7:38). Yes! This is what we are called to “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto...”
Thursday, March 5, 2015
TICK TOCK
1 Corinthians 1:9 (KJV)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Tick tock, tick tock, God is faithful as clock work and even more so. It is not His will that any should perish, but that we all come to repentance. This can only come about as we fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ. God desires that we live a life of transformation.
It is not our calling to change the world; it is our calling to be changed ourselves and this only comes about as we fellowship with Jesus. There are those who constantly look for reasons to disqualify rather than to qualify; always looking for what is not right rather than what is. If we stay focused on what is not right about everything and everybody around us, we do not have to be aware of what needs to change about us. The Scripture ask the question, “What fellowship has light with the darkness?” Stop worrying about the darkness and just shine. “Overcome evil with good.”
Here is how it works, if we concentrate on fellowshipping with Jesus, God will change us.
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Tick tock, tick tock, God is faithful as clock work and even more so. It is not His will that any should perish, but that we all come to repentance. This can only come about as we fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ. God desires that we live a life of transformation.
It is not our calling to change the world; it is our calling to be changed ourselves and this only comes about as we fellowship with Jesus. There are those who constantly look for reasons to disqualify rather than to qualify; always looking for what is not right rather than what is. If we stay focused on what is not right about everything and everybody around us, we do not have to be aware of what needs to change about us. The Scripture ask the question, “What fellowship has light with the darkness?” Stop worrying about the darkness and just shine. “Overcome evil with good.”
Here is how it works, if we concentrate on fellowshipping with Jesus, God will change us.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
LORD GOD ALL MIGHTY
Revelation 11:17 (KJV)
"17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."
Jesus will take His power and reign. Everything that has been, everything that is, and everything that will be is present in Him. He will take His power and He will reign. All will be exposed, nothing hidden, nothing in control but Him. The insanity will end the moment He takes His great power and begins to reign.
The prince of peace will bring balance to everything that has gone sideways. Taking His great power to Himself is not our choice, it is His. He is the Lord God Almighty. How can we prepare ourselves for this?
Romans 10:12-13 (KJV)
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
"17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."
Jesus will take His power and reign. Everything that has been, everything that is, and everything that will be is present in Him. He will take His power and He will reign. All will be exposed, nothing hidden, nothing in control but Him. The insanity will end the moment He takes His great power and begins to reign.
The prince of peace will bring balance to everything that has gone sideways. Taking His great power to Himself is not our choice, it is His. He is the Lord God Almighty. How can we prepare ourselves for this?
Romans 10:12-13 (KJV)
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL
Psalm 122:6 (KJV)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
“In light of what Jerusalem should be, the psalm ends by urging God’s people to seek the conditions that will make that a reality: the peace of Jerusalem will ensure its stability and accessibility, in order that God’s people might be able always to journey to the house of the LORD” (ESV COMMENTARY). This is a call to a people in that scripture of that day. We as Christians look to the cross just outside that city for our salvation. The dung hill of Jerusalem is where our salvation was purchased. That place is just as precious to us as the city is to the Jewish people.
At one point in Christian history there were more Christians living in Jerusalem than there were those of the Jewish faith. There was at that time a deep resentment because of this. The one thing we must keep in mind; Jerusalem is a city not a people. The people who have occupied Jerusalem have not always been those of the Jewish faith. Nonetheless, we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This property will become the place where Jesus will eventually rule out of for a thousand years. It is not as much about the temperature in the earth that will determine this rule; it depends upon the temperature of heaven. We cannot stop Jesus from walking through the eastern gate to the temple mount. Not enough army’s in this world or not enough technology can stop it when He gets ready to do what He has chosen to do; not even time itself.
I personally think we need to give ear to the prime minister with great respect and honor and to be in deep prayer and consecration to God in behalf of not just Jerusalem, but also for the whole world. We are all a community and we need the peace of God to rule our hearts and mind regardless of Geographic’s; the peace of God is heart-graphics. We as believers have the responsibility to point to the one and only one (Yeshua/JESUS) that can and will eventually bring peace to the city.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
“In light of what Jerusalem should be, the psalm ends by urging God’s people to seek the conditions that will make that a reality: the peace of Jerusalem will ensure its stability and accessibility, in order that God’s people might be able always to journey to the house of the LORD” (ESV COMMENTARY). This is a call to a people in that scripture of that day. We as Christians look to the cross just outside that city for our salvation. The dung hill of Jerusalem is where our salvation was purchased. That place is just as precious to us as the city is to the Jewish people.
At one point in Christian history there were more Christians living in Jerusalem than there were those of the Jewish faith. There was at that time a deep resentment because of this. The one thing we must keep in mind; Jerusalem is a city not a people. The people who have occupied Jerusalem have not always been those of the Jewish faith. Nonetheless, we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This property will become the place where Jesus will eventually rule out of for a thousand years. It is not as much about the temperature in the earth that will determine this rule; it depends upon the temperature of heaven. We cannot stop Jesus from walking through the eastern gate to the temple mount. Not enough army’s in this world or not enough technology can stop it when He gets ready to do what He has chosen to do; not even time itself.
I personally think we need to give ear to the prime minister with great respect and honor and to be in deep prayer and consecration to God in behalf of not just Jerusalem, but also for the whole world. We are all a community and we need the peace of God to rule our hearts and mind regardless of Geographic’s; the peace of God is heart-graphics. We as believers have the responsibility to point to the one and only one (Yeshua/JESUS) that can and will eventually bring peace to the city.
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