Mark 11:23
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
NKJV
Prov 18:20-21
20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
NKJV
Deut 28:8
8 "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
NKJV
My Comments:
In Prov 18:21, the writer states that both 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue'. In Hebrew, the word 'power' is the exact same word as the word 'hand' that is found in Deut 28:8. A literal translation of Prov 18:21 would be "Death and life is in the hand of the tongue"
In Deut 28:8, Moses spoke to the children of Israel and told them that God would bless them in everything they set their hand to. This meant that whatever it was that they chose to do, He would bless it!
Our words contain either life, or death, based on Prov 18:21. Relating this to Deut 28:8, we could say that what we choose to say would result in either life or death being released! In a sense, we could rephrase Prov 18:21 as: "Death and life is
in what we choose to say, and we will reap the fruits of what we chose!
Whatever the situation we may be facing, we have to examine the words that we speak, as by virtue of Jesus' lesson on faith in Mark 11:23, we will have what we say! Let us be watchful over what we speak as we enter 2013, that we may speak words of life and not death both to ourselves and to those around us!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
You Have What You Say!
Mark 11:23
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
NKJV
My Comments:
Continuing from the previous post on Jesus and His lesson on faith, there is another area in the same passage that we should examine; where Jesus said "he will have whatever he says."
In Mark 11:23, note that Jesus was very specific on the identity of the person talking to the mountain, and that he also concluded with saying that that same person will have whatever he said.
Therefore, the conclusion to draw is that we have what we say! People can say what they want, we don't have what they say, we have what we say! You may have had negative words spoken against you by your parents, your siblings, your friends, your teachers, anybody! You don't have what they say, you have what you say!
And if what you say is the same as what God says about you, you can be assured that it is good, and you will have what you say!
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
NKJV
My Comments:
Continuing from the previous post on Jesus and His lesson on faith, there is another area in the same passage that we should examine; where Jesus said "he will have whatever he says."
In Mark 11:23, note that Jesus was very specific on the identity of the person talking to the mountain, and that he also concluded with saying that that same person will have whatever he said.
Therefore, the conclusion to draw is that we have what we say! People can say what they want, we don't have what they say, we have what we say! You may have had negative words spoken against you by your parents, your siblings, your friends, your teachers, anybody! You don't have what they say, you have what you say!
And if what you say is the same as what God says about you, you can be assured that it is good, and you will have what you say!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Jesus' Lesson On Faith
Mark 11:22-24
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
NKJV
My Comments:
2012 is drawing to an end, and I felt that there's no better way to close it out than to do a series of posts on our faith in God, what it is and isn't, and how we walk by faith.
Mark 11:22-24 gives the fundamental lesson on faith, as taught by the Lord Himself. In the context of the passage above, this happened after the disciples saw a fig tree that was cursed to its roots previously by Jesus before they entered Jerusalem. When leaving Jerusalem, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Jesus immediately used this as an example to teach them, and us, that we could do the same thing that He did! There are three things in His lesson to consider:
1. "Have faith in God"
Notice that Jesus said to have faith in God. In the Greek, the word 'faith' is translated as the word 'pistis' and that it comes with the idea of having a definite trust in God and His ability.
It appears almost 239 times in the New Testament and almost always comes with the implication of having faith in God. It is not faith in ourselves, or faith in our words, but faith in God that He is more than able and willing to act on our behalf!
2. "whoever says, those things he says, whatever he says"
Faith is not mental assent! Note that after telling the disciples to have faith in God, Jesus immediately went into teaching them on talking! This implies that faith is exercised through the words spoken. Faith is not silent! It has a voice!
We act on our faith through our words that are spoken. When we put our faith in God, it would naturally come out in the way we talk. Our speech would line up with what we believe.
For example, if we had a particular sickness and we believed that God was able and willing to heal us, we would not be talking about how God gave us that sickness, that He's not willing to heal us. Rather, we should be talking about God and that we're believing Him for healing, that He's more than able to heal, etc.
3. "does not doubt in his heart"
The Greek word for doubt is the word 'diakrino' which in its context would mean to oppose, to hesitate, to stagger or waver. It's made out of two words, 'dia', where one of its meanings is 'to avoid' and 'krino', which has a possible meaning of 'conclude'.
If we put the two words together and take its literal meaning, we could revise the phrase 'does not doubt in his heart' to 'does not avoid making a conclusion in his heart'. We have to make a decision, a conclusion as to the truthfulness of God's Word in our lives and stick to that decision rather than avoid making a conclusion and sit on the fence on whether God's Word is true. Either it is true or it is not true. There is no in-between!
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
NKJV
My Comments:
2012 is drawing to an end, and I felt that there's no better way to close it out than to do a series of posts on our faith in God, what it is and isn't, and how we walk by faith.
Mark 11:22-24 gives the fundamental lesson on faith, as taught by the Lord Himself. In the context of the passage above, this happened after the disciples saw a fig tree that was cursed to its roots previously by Jesus before they entered Jerusalem. When leaving Jerusalem, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Jesus immediately used this as an example to teach them, and us, that we could do the same thing that He did! There are three things in His lesson to consider:
1. "Have faith in God"
Notice that Jesus said to have faith in God. In the Greek, the word 'faith' is translated as the word 'pistis' and that it comes with the idea of having a definite trust in God and His ability.
It appears almost 239 times in the New Testament and almost always comes with the implication of having faith in God. It is not faith in ourselves, or faith in our words, but faith in God that He is more than able and willing to act on our behalf!
2. "whoever says, those things he says, whatever he says"
Faith is not mental assent! Note that after telling the disciples to have faith in God, Jesus immediately went into teaching them on talking! This implies that faith is exercised through the words spoken. Faith is not silent! It has a voice!
We act on our faith through our words that are spoken. When we put our faith in God, it would naturally come out in the way we talk. Our speech would line up with what we believe.
For example, if we had a particular sickness and we believed that God was able and willing to heal us, we would not be talking about how God gave us that sickness, that He's not willing to heal us. Rather, we should be talking about God and that we're believing Him for healing, that He's more than able to heal, etc.
3. "does not doubt in his heart"
The Greek word for doubt is the word 'diakrino' which in its context would mean to oppose, to hesitate, to stagger or waver. It's made out of two words, 'dia', where one of its meanings is 'to avoid' and 'krino', which has a possible meaning of 'conclude'.
If we put the two words together and take its literal meaning, we could revise the phrase 'does not doubt in his heart' to 'does not avoid making a conclusion in his heart'. We have to make a decision, a conclusion as to the truthfulness of God's Word in our lives and stick to that decision rather than avoid making a conclusion and sit on the fence on whether God's Word is true. Either it is true or it is not true. There is no in-between!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A Continuous Refilling
Acts 2:1-4
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NKJV
Eph 5:18
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled [pleerousthe] with the Spirit,
NKJV
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, it's not enough to just stay satisfied at having been filled once!
Several Greek scholars agree that in his letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul wrote Eph 5:18 as a command to the believers. It was not a suggestion, or a plea! Not only that, they also agree that it was written in present continuous tense, which means that it was not just a one-off case. It was a command to always stay continuously filled with the Spirit!
Likewise as members of the Body, how much more we should endeavor to stay continuously filled with the Spirit and not leak!
Confession:
I'm not satisfied with being filled with God once! I choose to stay filled with Him continuously! I will be filled with Him till I'm overflowing and I will not leak!
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NKJV
Eph 5:18
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled [pleerousthe] with the Spirit,
NKJV
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, it's not enough to just stay satisfied at having been filled once!
Several Greek scholars agree that in his letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul wrote Eph 5:18 as a command to the believers. It was not a suggestion, or a plea! Not only that, they also agree that it was written in present continuous tense, which means that it was not just a one-off case. It was a command to always stay continuously filled with the Spirit!
Likewise as members of the Body, how much more we should endeavor to stay continuously filled with the Spirit and not leak!
Confession:
I'm not satisfied with being filled with God once! I choose to stay filled with Him continuously! I will be filled with Him till I'm overflowing and I will not leak!
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Demonstration of Love!
John 3:16-17
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ( unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
AMP
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
NKJV
1 Cor 13:4-7
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
AMP
Rom 5:5
5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
AMP
My Comments:
We see a demonstration of God's Love for us when He gave us His only Son to be our Substitute for sin. Jesus came not only to save us, but to demonstrate the Father's love for us! All through His ministry we see how he demonstrated that love to sinners, the sick, anybody and everybody!
However, before He went to Calvary, He gave us a new commandment, to love one another, as He has loved us! We see the characteristics of the God-Kind of love how God defines it in 1 Cor 13:4-7 (AMP). Brother Kenneth E. Hagin called it the 'Love Thermometer' and gave an exhortation to walk in that Love like God did.
I can hear people saying "But I'm only human!" "I'm not Jesus!" "That's for God, not for me!" We may think that it's an impossible task to walk in that kind of love, but we have a hope! God knew that our love is so frail and weak, so He gave us His love! When we received the Holy Spirit, we received the God-Kind of Love with Him! For He is Love! So we can demonstrate His Love to people!
Confession:
I have the God-Kind of Love! He IS Love! I choose to walk in His love and I will demonstrate it! I love just as He loves me!
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ( unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
AMP
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
NKJV
1 Cor 13:4-7
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
AMP
Rom 5:5
5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
AMP
My Comments:
We see a demonstration of God's Love for us when He gave us His only Son to be our Substitute for sin. Jesus came not only to save us, but to demonstrate the Father's love for us! All through His ministry we see how he demonstrated that love to sinners, the sick, anybody and everybody!
However, before He went to Calvary, He gave us a new commandment, to love one another, as He has loved us! We see the characteristics of the God-Kind of love how God defines it in 1 Cor 13:4-7 (AMP). Brother Kenneth E. Hagin called it the 'Love Thermometer' and gave an exhortation to walk in that Love like God did.
I can hear people saying "But I'm only human!" "I'm not Jesus!" "That's for God, not for me!" We may think that it's an impossible task to walk in that kind of love, but we have a hope! God knew that our love is so frail and weak, so He gave us His love! When we received the Holy Spirit, we received the God-Kind of Love with Him! For He is Love! So we can demonstrate His Love to people!
Confession:
I have the God-Kind of Love! He IS Love! I choose to walk in His love and I will demonstrate it! I love just as He loves me!
Friday, December 21, 2012
He Is With Us Always!
Ezek 48:35
35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE [Jehovah Shammah]."
NKJV
Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV
John 14:16-18
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV
2 Cor 6:16
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
NKJV
Heb 13:5
5 ... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
NKJV
My Comments:
In the Old Testament, though at times Israel sinned and provoked God to judgement, He always had them on His mind. He revealed Himself to them as Jehovah Shammah, or "God is Present" or "God is There". He revealed Himself as always being with them and not leaving them to their own destruction.
Likewise in the New Testament, we have a far better covenant established upon much better promises! We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us! And Jesus Himself has promised that He's with us always! Even in the darkest moments of our life when we feel all alone and abandoned by everyone, He's there to comfort us! Even when we succumb to temptation and we think that God isn't there for us, He still is! We know that when we call on His Name, He Is There for us!
35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE [Jehovah Shammah]."
NKJV
Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV
John 14:16-18
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV
2 Cor 6:16
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
NKJV
Heb 13:5
5 ... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
NKJV
My Comments:
In the Old Testament, though at times Israel sinned and provoked God to judgement, He always had them on His mind. He revealed Himself to them as Jehovah Shammah, or "God is Present" or "God is There". He revealed Himself as always being with them and not leaving them to their own destruction.
Likewise in the New Testament, we have a far better covenant established upon much better promises! We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us! And Jesus Himself has promised that He's with us always! Even in the darkest moments of our life when we feel all alone and abandoned by everyone, He's there to comfort us! Even when we succumb to temptation and we think that God isn't there for us, He still is! We know that when we call on His Name, He Is There for us!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
His Name is Our Right Standing!
Jer 23:6
6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. [Jehovah Tsidkenu]
NKJV
Job 33:24-26
24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom';
25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, he shall return to the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, he shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness.
NKJV
2 Cor 5:21
21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
AMP
My Comments:
A lot of people get confused over the word righteousness, and stumble over how they can attain to righteousness. In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as Jehovah Tsidkenu, who could be translated as "The Lord who is Right", or "The Lord who is My Right Standing"
In Job, we see how God says that He's found a Ransom, and that He will restore His righteousness to man.
We see this in the New Testament, where Jesus died as the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world. He was our Substitute in taking the Judgement of God upon Himself. As a result, we now have right standing with God based on what He has done! It's not what we've done, but what Jesus has already done!
When we call upon the Name, we remind God that He Himself is our Right Standing with Him!
6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. [Jehovah Tsidkenu]
NKJV
Job 33:24-26
24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom';
25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, he shall return to the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, he shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness.
NKJV
2 Cor 5:21
21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
AMP
My Comments:
A lot of people get confused over the word righteousness, and stumble over how they can attain to righteousness. In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as Jehovah Tsidkenu, who could be translated as "The Lord who is Right", or "The Lord who is My Right Standing"
In Job, we see how God says that He's found a Ransom, and that He will restore His righteousness to man.
We see this in the New Testament, where Jesus died as the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world. He was our Substitute in taking the Judgement of God upon Himself. As a result, we now have right standing with God based on what He has done! It's not what we've done, but what Jesus has already done!
When we call upon the Name, we remind God that He Himself is our Right Standing with Him!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
He Is My Shepherd!
Ps 23:1
23:1 The LORD is my shepherd [Jehovah Ra-ah]; I shall not want.
NKJV
John 10:10-11
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
NKJV
Rom 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself to David as Jehovah Ra-ah, or "God my shepherd" David knew what that meant as he went on to describe how God was his Shepherd, providing for his needs, leading him into safe pastures, being with him wherever he went.
In the New Testament, Jesus identified Himself as our Shepherd. That means that as our Shepherd, He leads us, He guides us! Psalm 23 describes what the Shepherd does for us, and how He provides for us, that we do not lack. Likewise in the journey of life, we need not fear that we're left on our own to decide what to do! Just call on the Name of Jesus and see Him guide you through His Spirit!
23:1 The LORD is my shepherd [Jehovah Ra-ah]; I shall not want.
NKJV
John 10:10-11
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
NKJV
Rom 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself to David as Jehovah Ra-ah, or "God my shepherd" David knew what that meant as he went on to describe how God was his Shepherd, providing for his needs, leading him into safe pastures, being with him wherever he went.
In the New Testament, Jesus identified Himself as our Shepherd. That means that as our Shepherd, He leads us, He guides us! Psalm 23 describes what the Shepherd does for us, and how He provides for us, that we do not lack. Likewise in the journey of life, we need not fear that we're left on our own to decide what to do! Just call on the Name of Jesus and see Him guide you through His Spirit!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
His Name Brings Peace!
Judg 6:23-24
23 Then the LORD said to him,"Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."
24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace [Jehovah Shalom]. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
NKJV
Mark 4:38-40
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him,"Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
NKJV
John 14:27-28
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the light of recent tragedies, the world is struck with fear and panic. Everyone's looking for answers for the storms in their lives. Likewise in the Old Testament, Israel lived in fear of the Midianites, who oppressed them through war and fear.
God raised up a man called Gideon who was also a coward with storms in his own life, and revealed Himself as Jehovah Shalom, or "God Your Peace". That calmed the storms in Gideon's life and caused him to rise up as a man of God and we see him recorded as one of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
In the New Testament, we see the physical demonstration of peace in Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace! He gives us His Peace, and He shows us how to walk in that peace! The disciples were in the midst of the storm and like Gideon, feared that they were going to die. Jesus spoke "Peace, be still" and the storm ceased.
Likewise when we go through the storms of life that will surely come, we have the Name of Jesus that brings peace to calm those storms! We can boldly say to those storms "Peace, be still in the Name of Jesus!" And know that those storms will have to obey!
23 Then the LORD said to him,"Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."
24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace [Jehovah Shalom]. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
NKJV
Mark 4:38-40
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him,"Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
NKJV
John 14:27-28
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the light of recent tragedies, the world is struck with fear and panic. Everyone's looking for answers for the storms in their lives. Likewise in the Old Testament, Israel lived in fear of the Midianites, who oppressed them through war and fear.
God raised up a man called Gideon who was also a coward with storms in his own life, and revealed Himself as Jehovah Shalom, or "God Your Peace". That calmed the storms in Gideon's life and caused him to rise up as a man of God and we see him recorded as one of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
In the New Testament, we see the physical demonstration of peace in Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace! He gives us His Peace, and He shows us how to walk in that peace! The disciples were in the midst of the storm and like Gideon, feared that they were going to die. Jesus spoke "Peace, be still" and the storm ceased.
Likewise when we go through the storms of life that will surely come, we have the Name of Jesus that brings peace to calm those storms! We can boldly say to those storms "Peace, be still in the Name of Jesus!" And know that those storms will have to obey!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Victory in His Name!
Ex 17:13-16
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses,"Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."
15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner [Jehovah Nissi];
16 for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."
NKJV
Isa 59:19
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
NKJV
Col 2:15
15[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
AMP
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
5 Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
AMP
My Comments:
The context of Ex 17:13-16 shows Israel being victorious against Amalek before the name Jehovah Nissi is revealed. In its context, we can say that Jehovah Nissi could also be expressed as "The Lord who is My Victory".
Likewise in the New Testament, we see how Jesus won a victory for us over satan and his armies that as Christians, we have the right to enforce in His Name! His Name is our Banner of Victory! We're not to be subject to satan's whims and fancies, and to be tormented by whatever devilish thoughts he may give us! We can boldly apply the Name of Jesus in his face and see him run in terror!
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses,"Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."
15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner [Jehovah Nissi];
16 for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."
NKJV
Isa 59:19
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
NKJV
Col 2:15
15[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
AMP
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
5 Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
AMP
My Comments:
The context of Ex 17:13-16 shows Israel being victorious against Amalek before the name Jehovah Nissi is revealed. In its context, we can say that Jehovah Nissi could also be expressed as "The Lord who is My Victory".
Likewise in the New Testament, we see how Jesus won a victory for us over satan and his armies that as Christians, we have the right to enforce in His Name! His Name is our Banner of Victory! We're not to be subject to satan's whims and fancies, and to be tormented by whatever devilish thoughts he may give us! We can boldly apply the Name of Jesus in his face and see him run in terror!
Friday, December 14, 2012
His Name Heals!
Ex 15:26
26 and [God] said,"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you [Jehovah Rapha]."
NKJV
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
NKJV
Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
NKJV
My Comments:
Another Name of God in the Old Testament was Jehovah Rapha, or "The Lord Your Healer". Divine healing was an important part of the Old Testament as it showed God as more than able of taking care of His people in the midst of sicknesses and disease.
There are at least 25 different instances in the four Gospels of Jesus healing all kinds of sickness and disease which shows both His ability and His willingness to heal anyone who would come to Him! Healing the sick continued all the way into the book of Acts, and the Apostles state clearly in the Epistles that the sick can be healed. If it was found in the Old Testament through to the New Testament, we can be sure that it is still for us today!
Healing is more than just physical healing! It involves deliverance from mental torment and any other work of the Enemy in our lives that we suffer from!
We therefore can be confident that healing is in the Name of Jesus! We know that when we come to God in times of sickness, we have this assurance that the Name of Jesus contains healing for us today!
26 and [God] said,"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you [Jehovah Rapha]."
NKJV
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
NKJV
Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
NKJV
My Comments:
Another Name of God in the Old Testament was Jehovah Rapha, or "The Lord Your Healer". Divine healing was an important part of the Old Testament as it showed God as more than able of taking care of His people in the midst of sicknesses and disease.
There are at least 25 different instances in the four Gospels of Jesus healing all kinds of sickness and disease which shows both His ability and His willingness to heal anyone who would come to Him! Healing the sick continued all the way into the book of Acts, and the Apostles state clearly in the Epistles that the sick can be healed. If it was found in the Old Testament through to the New Testament, we can be sure that it is still for us today!
Healing is more than just physical healing! It involves deliverance from mental torment and any other work of the Enemy in our lives that we suffer from!
We therefore can be confident that healing is in the Name of Jesus! We know that when we come to God in times of sickness, we have this assurance that the Name of Jesus contains healing for us today!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The One Who Provides
Gen 22:14
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide [Jehovah Jireh]; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
NKJV
John 6:5-6,11
5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
NKJV
Phil 4:19-20
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
NKJV
My Comments:
One of the Names of God in the Old Testament was Jehovah Jireh, and when directly translated from the Hebrew, it would be taken to also mean "The Lord Who Sees". So in a sense, a literal translation of Jehovah Jireh would be "The Lord who Sees and Provides"
We see this in the Name of Jesus as His Name shows his character. Throughout the Gospels we see the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000. He saw the need, and He provided for it. Paul writes likewise in Philippians when he declares that God meets all our need by Christ Jesus!
So when we come to the Father for our needs, we know we have it through the Name of Jesus. That ALL our needs are met in His Name!
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide [Jehovah Jireh]; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
NKJV
John 6:5-6,11
5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
NKJV
Phil 4:19-20
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
NKJV
My Comments:
One of the Names of God in the Old Testament was Jehovah Jireh, and when directly translated from the Hebrew, it would be taken to also mean "The Lord Who Sees". So in a sense, a literal translation of Jehovah Jireh would be "The Lord who Sees and Provides"
We see this in the Name of Jesus as His Name shows his character. Throughout the Gospels we see the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000. He saw the need, and He provided for it. Paul writes likewise in Philippians when he declares that God meets all our need by Christ Jesus!
So when we come to the Father for our needs, we know we have it through the Name of Jesus. That ALL our needs are met in His Name!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
No Other Name
Acts 4:12
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be
saved*. [The Name of Jesus]
NKJV
My Comments:
It'll be of much benefit to find out just what the Name of Jesus means to us, and what it contains. Over the next week or so, I'll be doing a mini study on what the Name of Jesus is and how it applies to us in prayer.
When Peter says that there’s no other name by which we can
be saved, it means that there really is
no other name for us to be saved by!
Being saved isn’t just being saved
from our sins and coming into salvation, it’s
more than that! The Name of Jesus is
all-encompassing, and covers everything! If you want deliverance, call on the Name! If you want healing, there’s healing in the Name! The Name
of Jesus in our prayer covers everything! For that Name is above every other name!
*sozo (sode'-zo); from a primary sos (contraction for
obsolete saoz, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally
or figuratively):
KJV - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Hosting the Presence
Ex 40:34-38
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys.
37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up.
38 For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
NKJV
1 Cor 3:16
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
NKJV
My Comments:
God has always desired to be with His people. His Presence was with them in dwellings made with human hands but now, He dwells in us! His Presence makes the difference in our lives, and His Presence sets us free! We are carriers of His Presence, and where He is, there is freedom! Where He goes, we go; and where we go, He goes too! We are His temple, and He lives in us!
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys.
37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up.
38 For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
NKJV
1 Cor 3:16
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
NKJV
My Comments:
God has always desired to be with His people. His Presence was with them in dwellings made with human hands but now, He dwells in us! His Presence makes the difference in our lives, and His Presence sets us free! We are carriers of His Presence, and where He is, there is freedom! Where He goes, we go; and where we go, He goes too! We are His temple, and He lives in us!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Going Where God Leads
Ex 13:21-22
21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
NKJV
Neh 9:19
19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them on the road; nor the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way they should go.
NKJV
Rom 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
KJV
My Comments:
When the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Lord led them through the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The key point here is this: where He went, they followed. Likewise under the New Covenant; as we have the Holy Spirit with us and in us, how much more we should follow the leadings of God when we hear Him speak!
I don't want to be stuck in the past and find myself doing some mindless routine that's going on forever! I want to follow where God says to go! With Him, it's never dry, boring, dead!
To add some words of caution here, I am not telling you to do things that are clearly outside the Bible. Because God will not lead you into doing things that are clearly against what He says! But at times, He may be calling you to come out of a certain place or a certain thing that you've got yourself entangled in. Just stay close to Him, and when He gives you something to go with, act on it! It's a joy to find yourself in the will of God, fulfilling His plan, His purpose for your life!
21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
NKJV
Neh 9:19
19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them on the road; nor the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way they should go.
NKJV
Rom 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
KJV
My Comments:
When the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Lord led them through the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The key point here is this: where He went, they followed. Likewise under the New Covenant; as we have the Holy Spirit with us and in us, how much more we should follow the leadings of God when we hear Him speak!
I don't want to be stuck in the past and find myself doing some mindless routine that's going on forever! I want to follow where God says to go! With Him, it's never dry, boring, dead!
To add some words of caution here, I am not telling you to do things that are clearly outside the Bible. Because God will not lead you into doing things that are clearly against what He says! But at times, He may be calling you to come out of a certain place or a certain thing that you've got yourself entangled in. Just stay close to Him, and when He gives you something to go with, act on it! It's a joy to find yourself in the will of God, fulfilling His plan, His purpose for your life!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Kingdom Within
Luke 17:20-21
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” NKJV
My Comments
As much as we believe in the soon return of Jesus and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the book of Revelations, notice how Jesus answered the Pharisees by stating that "The kingdom of God is within you.", present tense. It is not something external but it is an internal issue, that over time will be seen externally.
Another way of looking at the word 'kingdom' would be 'where the King has his domain', or 'where the King has dominion'. The King lives inside you! The area where He has dominion over, is the area where He has the authority to have control. Let His Life, His Nature flow in you! Let Him have dominion in every area of your life, even the areas where you think you can't handle! He will give you the authority to deal with that area as a child of the King!
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” NKJV
My Comments
As much as we believe in the soon return of Jesus and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the book of Revelations, notice how Jesus answered the Pharisees by stating that "The kingdom of God is within you.", present tense. It is not something external but it is an internal issue, that over time will be seen externally.
Another way of looking at the word 'kingdom' would be 'where the King has his domain', or 'where the King has dominion'. The King lives inside you! The area where He has dominion over, is the area where He has the authority to have control. Let His Life, His Nature flow in you! Let Him have dominion in every area of your life, even the areas where you think you can't handle! He will give you the authority to deal with that area as a child of the King!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Closer Than You Think!
Gal 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
NKJV
My Comments:
To me, one of the biggest wonders I am in awe about is how Jesus did much more than just dying on the Cross for my sins and to reconcile me back to God. He moved in and lives on the inside of me! That everywhere I go, He goes! He's closer than the air I breathe, firmer than the ground I stand on. My constant Companion, Comforter, Friend. When I'm going through storms, He's there within me to command those storms to cease! And when I reach out to people, He's reaching out to them! His very nature is in me!
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
NKJV
My Comments:
To me, one of the biggest wonders I am in awe about is how Jesus did much more than just dying on the Cross for my sins and to reconcile me back to God. He moved in and lives on the inside of me! That everywhere I go, He goes! He's closer than the air I breathe, firmer than the ground I stand on. My constant Companion, Comforter, Friend. When I'm going through storms, He's there within me to command those storms to cease! And when I reach out to people, He's reaching out to them! His very nature is in me!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
In Whose Presence We Stand
1 Kings 17:1
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab,"As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word."
NKJV
James 5:16-18
16 ..The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months.
18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
AMP
My Comments:
James writes about how Elijah was a man just like anyone of us; yet when he prayed, God answered his prayer in both occasions, to shut the heavens and to open the heavens. Many of us would have wanted to know what his secret was to get such answers. He stood in the presence of the Lord. He knew the very heartbeat of the One who he served and what he heard, he proclaimed. And God answered him!
If we want to see our own prayer lives flourishing; may we be like Elijah of old, standing in the presence of God! Just to hear what He says to pray about and to pray it out! Knowing that when we have the very desire of God in our hearts, we will see it come to fruition not only in our lives, but in the lives of those who we have a Divine connection with!
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab,"As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word."
NKJV
James 5:16-18
16 ..The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months.
18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
AMP
My Comments:
James writes about how Elijah was a man just like anyone of us; yet when he prayed, God answered his prayer in both occasions, to shut the heavens and to open the heavens. Many of us would have wanted to know what his secret was to get such answers. He stood in the presence of the Lord. He knew the very heartbeat of the One who he served and what he heard, he proclaimed. And God answered him!
If we want to see our own prayer lives flourishing; may we be like Elijah of old, standing in the presence of God! Just to hear what He says to pray about and to pray it out! Knowing that when we have the very desire of God in our hearts, we will see it come to fruition not only in our lives, but in the lives of those who we have a Divine connection with!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Exhortation - 4/12/12
To wait upon the Lord
To be in His presence
Just to hear His voice
For He will never leave you
Nor will He forsake you
Yes, though the storms may rise
He is there with you
Put your trust in Him
Put your hand in His hand
For He will not lead you
Down a path where you will stray
But He has a far better way
So cling to Him
Draw near to Him
Let Him envelope you with His voice
Let Him cover you with His presence
And you will surely know
The path you are to go
To be in His presence
Just to hear His voice
For He will never leave you
Nor will He forsake you
Yes, though the storms may rise
He is there with you
Put your trust in Him
Put your hand in His hand
For He will not lead you
Down a path where you will stray
But He has a far better way
So cling to Him
Draw near to Him
Let Him envelope you with His voice
Let Him cover you with His presence
And you will surely know
The path you are to go
Monday, December 3, 2012
Peace In Your Storms
Ps 46:10
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
NKJV
Mark 4:39-40
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the storms of life, we are tempted to worry incessantly about how we'll get through it intact. We start looking for solutions everywhere, only to find that instead of getting better, the storms seem to get worse. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just be still before the Lord; quieten our hearts before Him, who is the Greater One within us. And He will arise and say "Peace, be still!" to the storms in our life. And a great calm will come over us, and we will cross over to the other side as He has said!
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
NKJV
Mark 4:39-40
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
NKJV
My Comments:
In the storms of life, we are tempted to worry incessantly about how we'll get through it intact. We start looking for solutions everywhere, only to find that instead of getting better, the storms seem to get worse. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just be still before the Lord; quieten our hearts before Him, who is the Greater One within us. And He will arise and say "Peace, be still!" to the storms in our life. And a great calm will come over us, and we will cross over to the other side as He has said!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Your Day of Salvation
Ezek 12:27-28
27 "Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.'
28 Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done," says the Lord GOD.'"
NKJV
2 Cor 6:2
2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you."
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
NKJV
Isa 55:11
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
NKJV
My Comments:
When we don't see the Promises of God coming to pass in our lives, we are tempted at times like Israel to say "It'll be coming soon", "In God's perfect timing", "He'll bring that breakthrough in the future". We cheat ourselves out of seeing that Promise come to pass in our lives by relegating it to the future! If we're struggling with any particular area, we deceive ourselves into believing that God will 'surely deliver; some day; but not now'
But hear what our Father says! He says that His words will NOT be postponed! In His eyes, what He says is already done! It will NOT be void! Not only is He the God of the past; and the future; but He is the God of TODAY! TODAY is your day of salvation! Hold fast to your confidence that what God has said concerning you has come to pass today!
Confession:
Everything God has said concerning my life is not void! I maintain my confession that TODAY is my day of salvation! What He says about me is good!
27 "Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.'
28 Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done," says the Lord GOD.'"
NKJV
2 Cor 6:2
2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you."
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
NKJV
Isa 55:11
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
NKJV
My Comments:
When we don't see the Promises of God coming to pass in our lives, we are tempted at times like Israel to say "It'll be coming soon", "In God's perfect timing", "He'll bring that breakthrough in the future". We cheat ourselves out of seeing that Promise come to pass in our lives by relegating it to the future! If we're struggling with any particular area, we deceive ourselves into believing that God will 'surely deliver; some day; but not now'
But hear what our Father says! He says that His words will NOT be postponed! In His eyes, what He says is already done! It will NOT be void! Not only is He the God of the past; and the future; but He is the God of TODAY! TODAY is your day of salvation! Hold fast to your confidence that what God has said concerning you has come to pass today!
Confession:
Everything God has said concerning my life is not void! I maintain my confession that TODAY is my day of salvation! What He says about me is good!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Building On The Rock Of Revelation
James 1:22
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
NKJV
Matt 7:24-25
24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
NKJV
Matt 16:17-18
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
NKJV
My Comments:
The parable of the wise man and the foolish man tells us that it's not just by hearing the Word that we are delivered, but it's by acting on what we've heard that deliverance comes!
In the Greek, the word for 'rock' in both Matt 16:17-18 and Matt 7:24-25 are the same: 'petra' which means a large mass of rock.
In the context of Matt 16, this 'large rock' refers to the Divine revelation of who Jesus is, i.e. the Anointed One, the Son of God. It is on that rock of revelation knowledge that we are to build ourselves on like the parable of the wise man in Matt 7!
James says it similarly when he write to the Church, exhorting them to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. This is true, as what goes in one ear can easily come out the other, except that we choose to act on what we hear.
So if you find yourselves struggling in an area, go back to God for a Divine revelation of who He is to you, what He says about that area, then build yourselves on that rock, acting on what He says!
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
NKJV
Matt 7:24-25
24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
NKJV
Matt 16:17-18
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
NKJV
My Comments:
The parable of the wise man and the foolish man tells us that it's not just by hearing the Word that we are delivered, but it's by acting on what we've heard that deliverance comes!
In the Greek, the word for 'rock' in both Matt 16:17-18 and Matt 7:24-25 are the same: 'petra' which means a large mass of rock.
In the context of Matt 16, this 'large rock' refers to the Divine revelation of who Jesus is, i.e. the Anointed One, the Son of God. It is on that rock of revelation knowledge that we are to build ourselves on like the parable of the wise man in Matt 7!
James says it similarly when he write to the Church, exhorting them to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. This is true, as what goes in one ear can easily come out the other, except that we choose to act on what we hear.
So if you find yourselves struggling in an area, go back to God for a Divine revelation of who He is to you, what He says about that area, then build yourselves on that rock, acting on what He says!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Giving Out Of The Overflow
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
NKJV
Acts 3:6-7
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)
AMP
My Comments:
The principle of giving says that what we give will be given back to us as stated in Lk 6:38. It is significant when we have the God-Kind of Life on the inside of us, in an abundance! For we give out of the overflow that is in our hearts; whatever is required at that time, and we know that we receive even more than what we gave! We are carriers of the presence of God! It's a never-ending cycle that works out for the good of all!
Confession:
I am a carrier of God's presence! I have an overflow of the God-Kind of life on the inside of me! I give out of that Life, and I know that it will be given back to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
NKJV
Acts 3:6-7
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)
AMP
My Comments:
The principle of giving says that what we give will be given back to us as stated in Lk 6:38. It is significant when we have the God-Kind of Life on the inside of us, in an abundance! For we give out of the overflow that is in our hearts; whatever is required at that time, and we know that we receive even more than what we gave! We are carriers of the presence of God! It's a never-ending cycle that works out for the good of all!
Confession:
I am a carrier of God's presence! I have an overflow of the God-Kind of life on the inside of me! I give out of that Life, and I know that it will be given back to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Pressed To Overflowing
2 Cor 4:7
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NKJV
2 Cor 4:8-11
8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
10 Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
AMP
My Comments:
It's through the storms of life that we find out just how full of God we are. Persecution can and will come from every possible avenue, including the ones closest to us. But thank God we have v7 "We have this treasure in earthen vessels"! Let the Life and Nature of God flow out of us! As we are pressed from outside, God is more than able to cause us to overflow!
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NKJV
2 Cor 4:8-11
8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
10 Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
AMP
My Comments:
It's through the storms of life that we find out just how full of God we are. Persecution can and will come from every possible avenue, including the ones closest to us. But thank God we have v7 "We have this treasure in earthen vessels"! Let the Life and Nature of God flow out of us! As we are pressed from outside, God is more than able to cause us to overflow!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Strength In The Midst Of Our Storms
Isa 40:27-31
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
NKJV
Gal 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
NKJV
My Comments:
It's through the storms of life that we question whether God is there. We don't seem to get a response to our prayers, and we lose heart. We talk just like Israel; "God's forgotten about me. He's not there. I can't get out of this mess. I give up." We grow weary of waiting. Don't lose heart! God is still there! He is there to strengthen us, and to bring us through our storms! As we put our hope in Him, He will give us the strength to come out of that storm a victor!
Confession:
I may have storms, but I choose to not give up! I will not grow weary! God gives me power! He increases my strength! My strength is renewed! I run my race with joy! I choose to walk by faith, and I won't faint! I cannot be defeated and I will not quit! [*]
*: For the last sentence "I cannot be defeated and I will not quit", credits go to Pastor Kenneth W. Hagin, Rhema Bible Church as that's his often repeated declaration.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
NKJV
Gal 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
NKJV
My Comments:
It's through the storms of life that we question whether God is there. We don't seem to get a response to our prayers, and we lose heart. We talk just like Israel; "God's forgotten about me. He's not there. I can't get out of this mess. I give up." We grow weary of waiting. Don't lose heart! God is still there! He is there to strengthen us, and to bring us through our storms! As we put our hope in Him, He will give us the strength to come out of that storm a victor!
Confession:
I may have storms, but I choose to not give up! I will not grow weary! God gives me power! He increases my strength! My strength is renewed! I run my race with joy! I choose to walk by faith, and I won't faint! I cannot be defeated and I will not quit! [*]
*: For the last sentence "I cannot be defeated and I will not quit", credits go to Pastor Kenneth W. Hagin, Rhema Bible Church as that's his often repeated declaration.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Conquerors Through The Father's Love
Ro 8:37-39
37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMP
My Comments:
We all go through storms at any point in our lives; whether it be persecution, heartbreak, depression, etc. But one thing we do know: Our Father still loves us! And it's because of His love that we are MORE than able to speak to those storms in our lives! It's because of His love that we gain a surpassing victory, making us MORE than conquerors!
Confession:
Nothing can separate me from the love of my Father! It's because of His love that I can choose to stand up in the midst of my storms and declare "My Father loves me!" And it's because of His love that I have a surpassing victory over my storms! I am MORE than a conqueror because MY FATHER LOVES ME!
Friday, November 23, 2012
An Open Mouth For God!
Ps 81:10
10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I [being God] will fill it.
NKJV
My Comments:
Too often we find ourselves comparing our own prayer lives to that of people around us who are closer in their walk with God. We think that their way of communicating with God is the way that we should pray, and we go about trying to copy their style of prayer.
But God has a different plan and purpose for you to pray about! He will lead you in the direction He wants you to go. Just open your mouth, believing Him for the words that He wants to you speak! His Word says that He will fill your mouth, IF you open it!
There's a deeper dimension of prayer to enter if we would just yield our tongue to God and let Him pray through us! Ezekiel 47:1-5 shows various depths of water that could be ventured into. Some of us are content to just dip our toes into the water, others want to venture out into the deeper ends. Both are just as all right with God.
Just go with what God's already placed in your hearts, and He will take you further!
10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I [being God] will fill it.
NKJV
My Comments:
Too often we find ourselves comparing our own prayer lives to that of people around us who are closer in their walk with God. We think that their way of communicating with God is the way that we should pray, and we go about trying to copy their style of prayer.
But God has a different plan and purpose for you to pray about! He will lead you in the direction He wants you to go. Just open your mouth, believing Him for the words that He wants to you speak! His Word says that He will fill your mouth, IF you open it!
There's a deeper dimension of prayer to enter if we would just yield our tongue to God and let Him pray through us! Ezekiel 47:1-5 shows various depths of water that could be ventured into. Some of us are content to just dip our toes into the water, others want to venture out into the deeper ends. Both are just as all right with God.
Just go with what God's already placed in your hearts, and He will take you further!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Keeping Our Mind On God
Isa 26:3-4
3 You [being God] will guard him [being man] and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
AMP
My Comments:
When we go through the storms of life, it's Who we put our focus on that determines whether we go under or not. Put your trust in God, for He is the Rock that will NOT go under when the storm rises! Keep your mind on Him, and He will guard you, and keep you in a peace that is perfect and constant!
Confession:
God guards me and keeps me in peace! This peace is perfect, and it is constant! I choose to commit myself to Him, lean on Him, and my hope is in Him! I trust in Him, for He is an everlasting Rock. And that Rock will NOT go under in my storms!
3 You [being God] will guard him [being man] and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
AMP
My Comments:
When we go through the storms of life, it's Who we put our focus on that determines whether we go under or not. Put your trust in God, for He is the Rock that will NOT go under when the storm rises! Keep your mind on Him, and He will guard you, and keep you in a peace that is perfect and constant!
Confession:
God guards me and keeps me in peace! This peace is perfect, and it is constant! I choose to commit myself to Him, lean on Him, and my hope is in Him! I trust in Him, for He is an everlasting Rock. And that Rock will NOT go under in my storms!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
You Fit Just Nicely!
1 Cor 12:18,27
18 But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.
27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].
AMP
My Comments:
The context of these two verses refer to the local church, as well as to the Body of Christ. Every one of us is just as equally important to the Body! There's a phrase that goes "There is no Big 'I's and little 'u's in the Kingdom" That is correct! We all have our own part to contribute towards fulfilling the Will, Plan and Purpose of God! God knew each and every one of us and how we would fit in with the best adaptation into the Body! So don't despair and think that what you're doing is insignificant! You matter to God! And to us! There's a place for you to fit!
Confession:
God has a plan for me! He knows where I fit the most, with the best adaptation! I am a distinct and unique part of the Body! I am not useless or insignificant! I fit just nicely!
18 But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.
27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].
AMP
My Comments:
The context of these two verses refer to the local church, as well as to the Body of Christ. Every one of us is just as equally important to the Body! There's a phrase that goes "There is no Big 'I's and little 'u's in the Kingdom" That is correct! We all have our own part to contribute towards fulfilling the Will, Plan and Purpose of God! God knew each and every one of us and how we would fit in with the best adaptation into the Body! So don't despair and think that what you're doing is insignificant! You matter to God! And to us! There's a place for you to fit!
Confession:
God has a plan for me! He knows where I fit the most, with the best adaptation! I am a distinct and unique part of the Body! I am not useless or insignificant! I fit just nicely!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Praying For The Lost
Matt 9:37-10:1
37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
10:1 AND JESUS summoned to Him His Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.
AMP
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they [the sick] will recover."
NKJV
2 Cor 4:4
4 For the god of this world [satan & co] has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as Paul wrote that Jesus stripped satan and his like of all their power over the Christian, we must also consider the fact that the enemy still has a hold over the lost; preventing them from coming to the truth of their redemption in Christ.
We have authority that we can exercise however to remove this spiritual blindness over their lives! We can drive out the enemy that has a foothold in the lives of the lost; and at the same time pray to the Father to send people across their paths who can bring them out of the darkness that they're in, and into the glorious light of the Gospel!
37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
10:1 AND JESUS summoned to Him His Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.
AMP
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they [the sick] will recover."
NKJV
2 Cor 4:4
4 For the god of this world [satan & co] has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as Paul wrote that Jesus stripped satan and his like of all their power over the Christian, we must also consider the fact that the enemy still has a hold over the lost; preventing them from coming to the truth of their redemption in Christ.
We have authority that we can exercise however to remove this spiritual blindness over their lives! We can drive out the enemy that has a foothold in the lives of the lost; and at the same time pray to the Father to send people across their paths who can bring them out of the darkness that they're in, and into the glorious light of the Gospel!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Pouring Out Our Hearts
Lam 2:19
...Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
Lift your hands toward Him ...
NKJV
1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
AMP
My Comments:
We all go through storms at one point or another in our lives. God's not looking for people to be religious and give some flaky prayer about what they're believing Him for when they're actually hurting deep inside! God wants us to be real with Him! Just pour out your sorrows on God! Just unload everything on Him! Your hurts, your pains, everything! 'all' means all! He cares for you!
...Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
Lift your hands toward Him ...
NKJV
1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
AMP
My Comments:
We all go through storms at one point or another in our lives. God's not looking for people to be religious and give some flaky prayer about what they're believing Him for when they're actually hurting deep inside! God wants us to be real with Him! Just pour out your sorrows on God! Just unload everything on Him! Your hurts, your pains, everything! 'all' means all! He cares for you!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Containers of God
2 Cor 4:6-8
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NKJV
2 Cor 6:16
16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
AMP
My Comments:
As frail and weak as we are, God sees us as containers worthy of containing Himself! Smith Wigglesworth said this: "In me is working a power stronger than every other power. The life that is in me is a thousand times bigger than I am outside." We are containers of God! It's not about us, it's about Him working through us to reach the world!
Confession:
I'm a container for God! He lives in me! He walks in me! When He's in me, I'm a thousand times bigger inside than I am outside! The greater One lives in me!
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NKJV
2 Cor 6:16
16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
AMP
My Comments:
As frail and weak as we are, God sees us as containers worthy of containing Himself! Smith Wigglesworth said this: "In me is working a power stronger than every other power. The life that is in me is a thousand times bigger than I am outside." We are containers of God! It's not about us, it's about Him working through us to reach the world!
Confession:
I'm a container for God! He lives in me! He walks in me! When He's in me, I'm a thousand times bigger inside than I am outside! The greater One lives in me!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
God At Work - In Us!
Phil 2:13
13[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as we desire to be in the Will of God all the time, we also worry about whether we are actually in the Will of God. It's not about how much effort we put into it, it's about the One who is in us, working through us! He gives us His strength, energizing us and giving us both the desire and the power to be able to walk in His will!
Confession:
It's not by my own strength that I'm in the Will of God for my life. He's always in me, working in me! He gives me the power and desire to fulfill His plan for my life! I will walk in His plan, and I will work for His good pleasure, satisfying and delighting Him!
13[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
AMP
My Comments:
As much as we desire to be in the Will of God all the time, we also worry about whether we are actually in the Will of God. It's not about how much effort we put into it, it's about the One who is in us, working through us! He gives us His strength, energizing us and giving us both the desire and the power to be able to walk in His will!
Confession:
It's not by my own strength that I'm in the Will of God for my life. He's always in me, working in me! He gives me the power and desire to fulfill His plan for my life! I will walk in His plan, and I will work for His good pleasure, satisfying and delighting Him!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
We Are Anointed!
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed one, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]
AMP
My Comments:
This is a statement of fact, not a promise. We don't have to chase after the Anointing, the Anointing is inside us! We're not anointed because we have the anointing, we have the anointing because we are anointed! It's the yoke-breaking, bondage-anointing power of God on the inside of us! We can preach the Gospel and set people free!
Confession:
The Spirit of God is upon me, therefore I am anointed! I don't have to chase after the Anointing, I have the Anointing because I am anointed! All bondages in my life can be broken! I am free! And I can set others free!
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed one, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]
AMP
My Comments:
This is a statement of fact, not a promise. We don't have to chase after the Anointing, the Anointing is inside us! We're not anointed because we have the anointing, we have the anointing because we are anointed! It's the yoke-breaking, bondage-anointing power of God on the inside of us! We can preach the Gospel and set people free!
Confession:
The Spirit of God is upon me, therefore I am anointed! I don't have to chase after the Anointing, I have the Anointing because I am anointed! All bondages in my life can be broken! I am free! And I can set others free!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
God's Promises - Exactly as He Promised!
Acts 27:25
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith (complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me;
AMP
2 Cor 1:20
20 For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.
AMP
My Comments:
The context of Acts 27:1-26 talks about the storm that Paul and the other passengers on the trip went through. Paul confidently declared that they would make it through the storm, even as God had told him. We all go through storms in life. But we know that we will go through it safely even as God has told us! His promises are sure, and we can stand on them as God has told us!
Confession:
All that God has promised concerning me are true! I walk through storms, and I choose to maintain my confidence in Him! It is exactly as it was told me! His promises are Yes, and in Him, Amen!
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith (complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me;
AMP
2 Cor 1:20
20 For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.
AMP
My Comments:
The context of Acts 27:1-26 talks about the storm that Paul and the other passengers on the trip went through. Paul confidently declared that they would make it through the storm, even as God had told him. We all go through storms in life. But we know that we will go through it safely even as God has told us! His promises are sure, and we can stand on them as God has told us!
Confession:
All that God has promised concerning me are true! I walk through storms, and I choose to maintain my confidence in Him! It is exactly as it was told me! His promises are Yes, and in Him, Amen!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Overflow - More Than Enough!
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
AMP
Ps 23:5
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
AMP
My Comments:
When we have Jesus, we have the God-kind of life (which is more than just financial prosperity!) on the inside of us. It's everything good that comes from God! Not only is it filled to the brim, but it's overflowing! When it overflows, it's more than enough for those around us. Our God is El Shaddai, the God who's More Than Enough!
Confession:
I have the God-kind of life inside me! I have it, and I enjoy it! It overflows in my life! It's More Than Enough!
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
AMP
Ps 23:5
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
AMP
My Comments:
When we have Jesus, we have the God-kind of life (which is more than just financial prosperity!) on the inside of us. It's everything good that comes from God! Not only is it filled to the brim, but it's overflowing! When it overflows, it's more than enough for those around us. Our God is El Shaddai, the God who's More Than Enough!
Confession:
I have the God-kind of life inside me! I have it, and I enjoy it! It overflows in my life! It's More Than Enough!
Friday, November 9, 2012
The Glory Revealed Through Us!
Isaiah 40:3-5
3 A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!
4 Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
AMP
My Comments:
This referred to John the Baptist in his time. But it also refers to us, right here and right now, before the second coming of The Lord. When we lift up our voice in prayer, obstacles are removed, bondages broken, and the Glory of God is revealed. And all flesh will see it!
Confession:
I choose to lift up my voice when I pray! I know that when I pray, God hears! Obstacles are moved! Bondages broken! When I lift up my voice, The Glory of God is revealed! And we will see it!
3 A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!
4 Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
AMP
My Comments:
This referred to John the Baptist in his time. But it also refers to us, right here and right now, before the second coming of The Lord. When we lift up our voice in prayer, obstacles are removed, bondages broken, and the Glory of God is revealed. And all flesh will see it!
Confession:
I choose to lift up my voice when I pray! I know that when I pray, God hears! Obstacles are moved! Bondages broken! When I lift up my voice, The Glory of God is revealed! And we will see it!
Pulling Strongholds Down
2 Cor 10:4-5
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one),
AMP
My Comments
Satan has already been defeated in the spiritual realm and has no authority over us in the spirit. He attempts to attack us in the realm of the soul (our mind, will, emotions, intellect). Sometimes there are strongholds in our mind that contradicts what God says about our situation, and those must be pulled down! Anything that is in contradiction to what the Bible says should not stay there, and we can pull them down because of what Jesus has already done! Bondages can be broken once those strongholds are down!
Confession:
I choose to believe what God says in His Word about me! If there is anything in my life that contradicts what He says, I pull them down in Jesus' Name! My mind is renewed to what God says about me, and I believe what He says is true!
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one),
AMP
My Comments
Satan has already been defeated in the spiritual realm and has no authority over us in the spirit. He attempts to attack us in the realm of the soul (our mind, will, emotions, intellect). Sometimes there are strongholds in our mind that contradicts what God says about our situation, and those must be pulled down! Anything that is in contradiction to what the Bible says should not stay there, and we can pull them down because of what Jesus has already done! Bondages can be broken once those strongholds are down!
Confession:
I choose to believe what God says in His Word about me! If there is anything in my life that contradicts what He says, I pull them down in Jesus' Name! My mind is renewed to what God says about me, and I believe what He says is true!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Living Epistle in Action!
2 Cor 3:2-3
2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
NKJV
2 Cor 3:3
3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
AMP
My Comments:
Reaching out to people isn't just only based on how much we know the Bible (although that is important). They won't be affected by us quoting chapters and verses from the Bible. It's when they see Jesus in us reaching out to them, that they know that He is real! To manifest Christ as a loving Savior to the world, that is our aim! A physical demonstration of Himself to a lost and needy world!
Confession:
I am an epistle of Christ, read by all men! I demonstrate the love of God not only through my words or speech but in my actions too. And they see Jesus in me!
2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
NKJV
2 Cor 3:3
3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
AMP
My Comments:
Reaching out to people isn't just only based on how much we know the Bible (although that is important). They won't be affected by us quoting chapters and verses from the Bible. It's when they see Jesus in us reaching out to them, that they know that He is real! To manifest Christ as a loving Savior to the world, that is our aim! A physical demonstration of Himself to a lost and needy world!
Confession:
I am an epistle of Christ, read by all men! I demonstrate the love of God not only through my words or speech but in my actions too. And they see Jesus in me!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
A Masterpiece For a Master Calling!
Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship),
recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which
God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared
ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He
prearranged and made ready for us to live].
AMP
My Comments:
As children recreated in Christ, we are a unique masterpiece
formed by God. There is no other work like us! Not only that, He has a divine
destiny for us; and He’s prepared it ahead of time that we can walk in it! He
will not prepare something that we could not fulfill, as he knows each calling
that He has prepared for us!
Confession:
I am a masterpiece created by God! He has a calling for me,
and He’s prepared the way for me to walk in it! And I will walk in it, living
the good life prepared by my Father and made ready for me!
You Are Free!
John 8:32
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
NKJV
My Comments:
Our faith is not based on how we feel about situations in our life. It's based on what we know. Like a pastor once said, "You know, you grow, then you show" We demonstrate what we do know. We know the truth, and we are free! It's what we know that sets us free!
Confession:
My faith is not based on what I feel. It's based on what I know. I know the Truth, and I am free!
Completing Our Race
Heb 12:1
12:1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us
AMP
My Comments:
Each and everyone of us have been given a specific calling and a task to complete by God. We are created in Him for good works that have been already prepared for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). To fulfill that task, we have to choose to lay aside every hindrance that stands in our way of completing that race!
Confession:
I choose to strip off and throw aside everything that keeps me from fulfilling my call in life. I run with endurance the appointed course of the race God has for me, and I will complete it!
12:1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us
AMP
My Comments:
Each and everyone of us have been given a specific calling and a task to complete by God. We are created in Him for good works that have been already prepared for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). To fulfill that task, we have to choose to lay aside every hindrance that stands in our way of completing that race!
Confession:
I choose to strip off and throw aside everything that keeps me from fulfilling my call in life. I run with endurance the appointed course of the race God has for me, and I will complete it!
Friday, November 2, 2012
God is Good!
Matt 7:7-11
7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?
11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
AMP
My Comments:
This shows the graciousness of God as our Father, as it compares him to an earthly father who gives good gifts to his children, and says how much more He, being our heavenly Father, will give us good things because we ask him as His children!
How much more should we not give up on our requests for deliverance from thoughts and ideas that are not of Him!
Confession
My Father is good! He gives good things to me when I ask Him! I ask and I receive! I seek and I find! And the door of deliverance is opened to me!
7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?
11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
AMP
My Comments:
This shows the graciousness of God as our Father, as it compares him to an earthly father who gives good gifts to his children, and says how much more He, being our heavenly Father, will give us good things because we ask him as His children!
How much more should we not give up on our requests for deliverance from thoughts and ideas that are not of Him!
Confession
My Father is good! He gives good things to me when I ask Him! I ask and I receive! I seek and I find! And the door of deliverance is opened to me!
God In Us
2 Cor 6:16
16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
AMP
My Comments:
We are living in New Testament times. Under the Old Covenant (Testament), man was spiritually dead and void. God could only show Himself to them through visible signs and wonders. Under the New Covenant, God moved in. He lives in us now. Therefore since God lives inside of us, We have a far greater power on the inside of us than any circumstance or lie of the enemy can dominate!
Confession:
I am a temple of God! He lives in me! He walks in me! He walks among me! He's my God, and I am His child! I can do all things through Him!
16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
AMP
My Comments:
We are living in New Testament times. Under the Old Covenant (Testament), man was spiritually dead and void. God could only show Himself to them through visible signs and wonders. Under the New Covenant, God moved in. He lives in us now. Therefore since God lives inside of us, We have a far greater power on the inside of us than any circumstance or lie of the enemy can dominate!
Confession:
I am a temple of God! He lives in me! He walks in me! He walks among me! He's my God, and I am His child! I can do all things through Him!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Completeness in Christ
Col 2:9-10
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
AMP
My comments:
Christ is the ultimate expression of the Godhead in a physical body. As such, because we are members of the Body of Christ, we too have the Godhead dwelling in us And because He [being Christ] is the head of every angelic principality and power, it means that everything is subject to Him. Therefore, they are also subject to us as we are members of His Body, He being the Head.
Confession:
The Godhead dwells in me, because I am in Christ. Demons are subject to Him, as He is above them. Therefore they are subject to me because I am in Him!
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
AMP
My comments:
Christ is the ultimate expression of the Godhead in a physical body. As such, because we are members of the Body of Christ, we too have the Godhead dwelling in us And because He [being Christ] is the head of every angelic principality and power, it means that everything is subject to Him. Therefore, they are also subject to us as we are members of His Body, He being the Head.
Confession:
The Godhead dwells in me, because I am in Christ. Demons are subject to Him, as He is above them. Therefore they are subject to me because I am in Him!
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