Tuesday, July 31, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 3

Psalm 37: 39, 40
The salvation of the righteous is of the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

SALVATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS OF THE LORD

Those who put their trust in the LORD and lean on Him are counted unto Him as righteous. There is no righteousness without a deep relationship with the LORD. That relationship begins with the saving work of JESUS in bridging the gap between GOD and man through His willing sacrifice of Himself. JESUS is GOD and everyone who puts their trust in Him and believe on His Name are saved. The Salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, and only from Him. JESUS is the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father except through Him.

What follows those who are rightly related to GOD and counted as righteous, are the blessings of GOD. Those blessings include: Strength in the time of trouble, help in the time of need, deliverance from the wicked and Eternal Salvation. All the blessings from Abraham through to today are provided for the children of GOD who believe on His Name and trust Him. For a good summery of the blessings, turn to Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 and Matthew 5: 1-12. 

CHOOSE LIFE AND SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE LORD. 

Monday, July 30, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 3

Psalm 115: 12-15
The LORD hath been mindful of us; He will bless us, He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed by the LORD who made heaven and earth.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD BRINGS BLESSING FROM GOD.

The LORD is mindful of us; the LORD is mindful of each of us, individually. This thought fills me with great thanksgiving and awe, that the LORD who made heaven and earth is mindful of me. What are His thoughts about me? In His great love, He desires the very best for each person. It is His desire to bless all those who fear Him and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. It does not make any difference if a person is small or great; His love reaches out to all people. He desires to increase each person more and more, covering the children with His abundant love and blessing. 

Those who put their trust in the LORD and fear His Name; worship the LORD in the beauty of Holiness; respect and honor Him, will receive grace and mercy from His Heart of love. GOD so loved you, that He prepared the way for you to be with Him forever. By His Blood, He reconciled us to GOD and by His wounds we were healed, are healed and will be healed forever.

TRUST IN THE WORD OF THE LORD; HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

TRUST IN THE LORD - 3

Psalm 115:11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF HELP AND PROTECTION

This week we will look at the "Fear of the LORD" and how it opens the gates of help and protection. Those who fear the LORD give Him reverence and honor. They bow down before Him in worship and adoration. They trust in Him and are not afraid. 

The fear of the LORD is not terror or fright; instead, it is awe and reverence. Those who fear the LORD will only speak of Him in terms of honor and respect. When they walk with Him in the quiet of deep prayer, they walk with their eyes open to see Him more clearly; they listen to Him, as one listens to a person with absolute authority; they love Him with a heart overflowing with passion. Those who fear the LORD put Him first at all times, counting everything else as having less importance. 

Those who fear the LORD trust Him without question. The LORD responds by giving help in the time of need and by protection from all evil. He is the shield, the stronghold, the fortress and the high tower; those who fear Him run to Him for help; HE IS THEIR HIDING PLACE.

Friday, July 27, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

Psalm 46: 1-5
GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of GOD, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. GOD is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. GOD shall help her, and that right early.

GOD IS VERY PRESENT, NOW

I end this week of meditation on "Trust in GOD" with this Word from the LORD in Psalm 46: When the earth moves, the mountains shake and the waters of life roar with a great thunder; when we look and see destruction and turmoil in the midst of our life; LOOK UP, YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR. 

The Scripture is very clear that we are to acknowledge the LORD GOD, always, and He will direct our path. JESUS commanded the wind and the sea to become calm and they obeyed Him. The storms of our life are not different from the storms of nature; they come in like a flood and vanish  when they are finished their course. Our troubles are just like that, they come in like a flood and then vanish; we are left with questions and fears.  The Psalmist is very clear; JESUS says over and over again, FEAR NOT; TRUST IN THE LORD.

There is a river that flows from beneath the Throne of GOD and GOD is in the middle of that River. When we acknowledge the LORD, He becomes the refuge and strength needed to stand firm and be unmovable. GOD gives us His faith and we clasp hands with Him through our belief and trust in Him. When the hands are clasped, He leads in the path of righteousness and we are with Him. Through it all, the LORD will help and we will not fear.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT UNTO YOU OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH. 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

Psalm 18 1-3
I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my GOD, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

SING TO THE LORD THE SONG OF TRIUMPH

When we put our trust in the LORD, we are strengthened by His might in the inner man. Those who know the strength of the LORD flowing in every cell, know that He has shielded and delivered from every evil condition.

Rabbi Semon said in the Midrash Shocher Tov,"Whoever is saved miraculously and responds with a song to GOD is assured that all of his sins are forgiven and he is considered as if he was born anew." The LORD JESUS is our song and we are born anew by singing praise to His Holy Name.

We triumph over all our foes when we put our total trust in the LORD. He is our Rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our shield, the anointing of salvation and the high tower for protection. Beside all this, He fights the battles in the Spirit and victory is assured in JESUS. The Scripture says that the "Battle is not ours, the battle belongs to the LORD." II Chronicles 20: 15 says, "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of the great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but GOD's" We only need to trust in the LORD and sing the victory song of praise. JESUS won the battle and the enemy has been defeated; believe and trust in this with all your heart and you will be sheltered from the storm.

SING TO THE LORD THE SONG OF VICTORY FOR HE HAS TRIUMPHED GLORIOUSLY

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

Psalm 56:2-4
Mine enemies  would daily swallow me up; for they are many that fight against me, O Thou Most High. When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. In GOD I will praise His Word, in GOD I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12: 32). These are the words of JESUS, words that can be trusted  completely. JESUS was hounded day and night by the enemy of life. Day and night He was tormented by those who fought against Him. Yet, He did not fear what men could do to Him. He would praise His Father and praise the Word of His Father; He put all His trust in the mercy of the One who had power to save.

JESUS shows us the way through trials and troubles; He went before us into the "valley of the shadow of death" and He feared no evil, because His Father was with Him. Now He sits with the Father as intercessor for the children of men. He bridged the gap between GOD and man by His precious Blood shed on the cross and poured on to the Mercy Seat in the Heavens for us. There is no evil that can kill, steal or destroy the ones who put their trust in GOD.

IN GOD ALONE I HAVE PUT MY TRUST; I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT FLESH CAN DO UNTO ME.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

 Isaiah 12: 2, 3
Behold, GOD is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD, even Jehovah, is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

GOD IS MY SALVATION

BEHOLD!!!! Pay attention to these words that the LORD is saying to His people; embrace these words and claim them for your own; stand on them at all times, in the good times say, "GOD is my salvation", in the bad times say, "GOD is my salvation". Salvation also means healing(Greek, sozo), so you can say, "GOD is my healer". Trust in the LORD and He will save and heal you; He is your shield from all the fiery darts of the evil one.

Do not be afraid of the terrors by night or the pestilence that wastes at noon day. Night terrors can be awful, they deprive those who experience them of sleep and peace. The LORD will give great peace to those who trust in Him; He will turn the darkness into light and terror into great rest and peace. We enter into the rest of the LORD through trust in Him and songs of praise flowing from our heart. 

Salvation is a well filled with living water. Those who trust in the LORD draw life from that well and are refreshed in soul and spirit by the life of GOD in the heart.  JESUS said that He is the Way, the Truth and the LIFE. We draw life from the well of Salvation which He provided through His Life; this is His Eternal Life with Him, beginning right now.

DRAW AND DRINK FROM THE WELL OF SALVATION; LIVE A LIFE OF TRUST IN THE LORD

Monday, July 23, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

Proverbs 30: 5
Every word of GOD is pure; He is a shield unto those who put their trust in Him.

The NIV says that every word of GOD is flawless; the KJV original version says that every word of GOD is purified. No matter what translation you use, the intent of the writer of Proverbs is very clear; the Word of the LORD is without error, flawless, pure and purified. When GOD says a word, He stands by His word and will do what He says He will do.

When GOD says that "He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him", He means it. Psalm 115: 9-11 says this, "O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. O House of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield." The LORD is faithful to His promises and will help and shield those who trust in Him.

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118: 8, 9). It is time for all of us to make our decision, the LORD has set before us life and good, evil and death. He urges us, passionately, to choose life so that you and your children shall live. "But as for me, I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my GOD". (Psalm 31:14).

JESUS passionately laid down His life so that we would be able to come boldly to the Throne of Grace and find mercy in the time of need. By the Blood of JESUS we are reconciled to GOD and only through His Blood can we find union with GOD. 
CHOOSE THIS DAY WHO YOU WILL SERVE, GOD OR MAMMON

Sunday, July 22, 2012

TRUST IN GOD - 2

Psalm 31: 14
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my GOD." (NIV)

YOU, O LORD, ARE MY GOD

The State of Colorado, USA, has experienced a horrific tragedy this week. Around the world we hear of death and destruction; tragedy in enormous volume; we are stunned.  Tragedy causes us all to reflect and to affirm our confession of faith in the LORD; we overcome evil by our confession of faith and our trust in the LORD. Evil can not stand in the presence and power of the LORD. 

We pray that the LORD will comfort all who mourn; He will give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning; a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. We pray that joy and peace will settle upon all those who are troubled by what has occurred. We pray that fear will be removed and rest will return to the lives of all who are troubled. That the efforts of evil will be overcome and trampled down by the foot of JESUS and that the Blood of JESUS will flow over this situation, bringing peace and rest.

How do we get to this place of rest and peace? How in the face of tragedy do we find comfort? Throughout this world there is tragedy and the attack of evil on innocent people; men, women, and children are being killed, maimed and destroyed. How do we respond? I believe that we arm the people with the Word of the LORD JESUS; the WORD FROM THE WORD, which is the Sword of the Spirit.

Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in GOD, believe also in me."(John 14:1). Proverbs 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto you own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Romans 15: 13 says, " May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The answer to all of life's questions reside in GOD and He has given us all that we need to stand unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD. Children ask, "why is this happening?" JESUS says, " Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest; take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly of heart and you shall find rest unto your soul." (Matthew 11:28, 29)

Now, hear comes the deciding factor; who do you trust? Are you trusting GOD or man or money or position or tradition or idols or yourself? The choice is yours to make; I, nor anyone else can make it for you. The Scripture says, "I set before you, this day, life and good, death and evil;"  (Deuteronomy 30:15). TRUST IN GOD AND CHOOSE LIFE. Deuteronomy 30: 19b completes this thought by saying, " Choose life that both thou and thy seed may live." Train up your children in the way of the LORD and He will keep them safe, under the shadow of the wings of GOD.

BUT AS FOR ME, I TRUST IN YOU, O LORD; I SAY, YOU ARE MY GOD.
Stand on this Word from the LORD


Friday, July 20, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Psalm 118: 8, 9
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man, it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

The best advice that can be given to any person, is to trust in the LORD; lean on Him, for He is the strength of your life and a shelter from all trouble. Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths." This is a promise from GOD that He will direct your paths. GOD is always true to His Word; He does not lie or throw out frivolous words. What He says He will do, and do it with abundance. Our part is to trust Him and to wait on His perfect timing.

In my life, I have found that "it is better to trust in the  LORD than to put confidence in man" or princes. This does not mean that you are to go around suspecting everyone of doing wrong, no, on the contrary, when you put your trust in the LORD than you can allow others to be themselves and you can encourage the goodness to emerge from them. When we can hold life in an open hand, GOD will bring blessing to our soul daily; daily bread to feed our spirit. You can be to others an invitation from GOD to come and receive His Love for them.

WHEN YOU TRUST IN GOD, YOU CAN GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO OTHERS

Thursday, July 19, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Job 13: 14, 15
Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though He slay me, yet will I trust him, but I will defend mine own ways before Him.

ULTIMATE TRUST

Why do we want to take our flesh in our teeth and our life in our hand? What good does it do to try to control our life? Can we see tomorrow or the next minute of time? What will happen if we give our entire life to GOD and let Him direct our path?

The reason that we want to take our life in our own hand is that we do not trust GOD completely. We tend to trust what we see and only what we can see, and GOD is a Spirit and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. A block to the mighty work of GOD in our life is to trust only what we see with our eyes. Trust in the LORD must come before the mighty work of salvation can be fully realized in our life.  The price has been paid for our salvation; we are united to GOD through the finished work of JESUS on the cross and the pouring of His Blood on the mercy seat. To make that work of grace alive in us, we must trust JESUS in the same manner that He trusted His Father - total and complete trust. 

Psalm 17: 7 says this, "Show Thy marvelous loving-kindness, O Thou who savest by Thy right hand those who put their trust in Thee, from those who rise up against them." Those who put their total trust in JESUS have the power of GOD defending them from all harm. 

Psalm 37:40 tells us that, "The LORD shall help them, and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him." The LORD has bound Himself to those who trust in Him, He will guide, govern and protect those who lean on Him in total trust.

Isaiah 26: 3 shows us the result of total trust in the LORD, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in Thee." The path to perfect peace is total trust in the LORD. This is how the Apostle Paul could sleep peacefully in prison when he was threatened with execution. Paul trusted in the LORD. Perfect peace and perfect rest are the gifts that GOD gives to those who trust Him.

TRUST YE IN THE LORD FOREVER; FOR IN THE LORD GOD IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH (Isaiah 26: 4)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Psalm 135: 15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them.

MISPLACED TRUST

 We have been talking for days about "trust in the LORD with all your heart", however, we would be remiss if we didn't talk about misplaced trust. Most of us have had issues with the 4 paths of misplace trust and have suffered the consequences of believing that they were true and reliable. The 4 paths of misplaced trust are:
1. Trusting in riches and accumulating wealth for security. (Proverbs 11:28)
2. Trusting in your self only to be profoundly disappointed. (Proverbs 28: 26)
3. Trusting in others and being betrayed. (Jeremiah 17: 5)
4. Trusting in idols and becoming like them. (Psalm 135: 15-18)

Idols come in many forms; they can be bundled under the words "addictions"or "obsessions". They occupy the thoughts and imaginations of your life. These addictions or obsessions do not have mouths or eyes or ears, nor do they have a breath UNLESS you give it to them. They rob a person of their time to focus on the LORD and meditate on Him; they rob a person of their joy and their peace, their wisdom and their understanding. Think for a moment about those things which take you away from Scripture study, prayer, and meditation; then make a choice between that idol and GOD. Do not be double-minded; chose this day who you will serve, GOD or mammon.

While meditating on the verses from Psalm 135: 15-18, I found something that helped me make sense out of certain behavioral patterns. "They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them." What this tells me is, what occupies your thought life and your worship transforms you into that image. Think about it!!!! First of all, you make the thing your idol. If you obsess over money, you become like your money; or your weapons, you become like them; if it is a person, you become like them, but abandon the image of GOD in you.  The good side of this understanding is, if you meditate and worship the LORD JESUS you will become like Him; transformed into His likeness and image, the perfect image.

TRUST IN GOD; HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU, BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU.



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

TRUST DEFINED

We all have our understanding of the word, "trust", but for the sake of clarity I offer these definitions:
Trust is  the firm belief in the strength of someone.
Trust is the firm belief in the confidence of someone.
Trust is the total reliance on the ability of another
Trust in the LORD is total reliance in the strength, confidence and ability of the LORD GOD; that what He says He will do, He will perform totally, perfectly and completely.
The question remains; Do you trust the LORD?

Do you trust that goodness and mercy, which spring from the heart of GOD and are His attributes, will follow you wherever you go, all the days of your life and that you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever? While you are walking down the street; while you are doing the dishes; while you are driving your car or shopping in the stores; GOODNESS AND MERCY ARE FOLLOWING YOU. When you turn around to see who is following you, you will see goodness and mercy, carried by the Holy Spirit of GOD from GOD, standing right in front of you, ready to embrace you with the love of the LORD. Do you believe/ trust that this is true?

Do you trust that the LORD has prepared a home for you in His presence, where you will dwell with Him forever? Yes, by the willing sacrifice of JESUS, that home is prepared for all who put their trust in Him. He said that He was going to prepare a place for us and that where He is, we would be also. 

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED AND YOUR HOUSE. TRUST IN HIM.


Monday, July 16, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Psalm 9: 10
And they who know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee;  for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.

KNOW THE HOLY NAME AND SEEK HIS FACE

It is true, in the way of the Children of Israel, that to know the name of a person is to have influence with them. GOD revealed His Name to Moses and Moses revealed the Holy Name to the people. When the Psalmist says,"and they shall know Thy Name" he is saying that those who know the Holy Name will have influence with Him.

In Psalm 27: 8 the Psalmist says,When Thou said, "Seek ye My face", my heart said unto thee, "Thy face, LORD, will I seek". The Psalmist says at the end of Psalm 9: 10, "for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." GOD has promised that when we seek Him with our whole heart, He will meet us face to face and deliver us from all our troubles. 

In the time of the Old Covenant, GOD revealed His Name as Eyeh Asher Eyeh ( I AM WHO I AM); the Hebrews knew GOD as YHWH (the Holy Name). YHWH was so Holy that they would not pronounce it, lest they would dishonor Him by pronouncing it wrongly, so they used other names to honor Him - Adonai, Jehovah, HASHEM, and others. In the time of the JESUS, and the New Covenant with GOD, JESUS revealed   Himself as the I AM.  "At the Name of JESUS, every knee shall bow of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that JESUS Christ is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father." (Philippians 2: 10, 11). For His Name is "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and  every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come."( Ephesians 1: 21) 

We know the Holy Name, JESUS Christ the LORD; we see Him face to face, when we seek Him with our whole heart; therefore we have all reason to TRUST IN GOD.

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

Sunday, July 15, 2012

TRUST IN GOD

Psalm 62: 8
Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him. GOD is a refuge for us. Selah.

This week we will look at the Spiritual Principle of Trust. Yes, trust in the LORD is a basic Spiritual Principle; coupled with belief, it is the base upon which the Spiritual life is built by GOD. We will look at what hampers that life of Christ in us and we will explore what happens when we do trust the LORD. This week, we hope to answer the age old question, "Who can I trust?"

Psalm 62: 8 is very clear, "Trust in Him (the LORD) at all times, ye people". What does "all times" mean? It means "all times"; good times, bad times, fast times, slow times, strong times and weak, TRUST IN THE LORD. When the world looks crazy, TRUST IN THE LORD; when people are doing crazy things, TRUST IN THE LORD; when you do crazy things, TRUST IN THE LORD to make things right.

"Pour out your heart before Him." This means pray from the heart. David said in the Psalms, "My heart is fixed, O LORD, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise." (Psalm 56:7) (Psalm 108:1) (Psalm 112: 7).

GOD is a refuge and a strong tower to all who put their trust in Him. Belief and trust in the LORD set the stage for the mighty work of GOD in your life; saving, delivering, healing, strengthening and anointing. He will bring forth all the good and mercy in your life if you put all your trust in Him.

SELAH, (THINK ON IT!!!!!)

Friday, July 13, 2012

THE WAY TO VICTORY

II Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto GOD, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.

ALWAYS TRIUMPH IN CHRIST

Let those words ring in your heart, "ALWAYS TRIUMPH IN CHRIST". We always triumph when we are united with Christ, because JESUS Christ won the victory for us on the Cross.  To understand this better and more personally, say the verse from II Corinthians 2: 14 and where there is the word "us" replace it with "me". Make this verse very personal just like JESUS made His life's concern all about you and your life. 

When we do the substitution of "us" for "me", the verse reads like this: "Now thanks be unto GOD, who always causeth me to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by me in every place." What is the sweet smelling savor that we give to the world around us? It is life, life in Christ JESUS, which brings victory and salvation to all who come to Him. We all are victorious in Christ JESUS and we live our life as Children of Almighty GOD.

Notice the word, "always". Always means, in all ways and forever. We are always triumphant in Christ JESUS, not just sometimes, but ALWAYS.

NOW THANKS BE UNTO GOD, WHO ALWAYS CAUSETH US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

THE WAY OF VICTORY

I Corinthians 11: 27, 28
Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the LORD, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the LORD. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat off that bread, and drink of that cup. 

These are not the most comforting and gentle words from the Scripture, but they are a warning to all of us about the Holiness of Communion. Communion with the LORD is very Holy time and should not be taken casually or lightly. Exodus 20: 7 says this: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD they GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain." Many people take this commandment to mean that you must not swear, using the Name of the LORD  in a perverse manner, this is true, but there is another depth to this Commandment; do not take the Name of the LORD lightly or casually.

The words, "unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the LORD"  and " the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain" hold the same meaning.  The Corinthians 11: 28 gives the way to discover whether there is "unworthiness"; examine yourself and see if there is any unworthiness in your approach to Communion. Notice that it says, "himself", not others, but look carefully at yourself and see if there are any distractions from your focus on JESUS.

The LORD GOD is Holy and His Name is Holy, when we come to the LORD we must acknowledge that He is the Holy One and that it is through Him that we live and move and have our being. Then in Holy Communion we eat the bread and drink the cup, showing our love for Him and receiving His love, mercy and grace within us. 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

THE WAY OF VICTORY

I Corinthians 11: 25, 26
After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My Blood; this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the LORD'S death till He come.

COMMUNION, THE WAY TO VICTORY

In every account in the Bible, when there is a need for victory, there is the shedding of blood in sacrifice. JESUS Christ was our sacrifice for the atonement, once and for all time. His Blood reconciled us to GOD and by His wounds we were healed and we are healed and we will be healed. The Blood of JESUS carried into the Holy of Holies by JESUS and poured on the Mercy Seat in intercession for us paid the price for our redemption.

Whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup in Holy Communion, you proclaim  and celebrate the WAY OF VICTORY IN JESUS CHRIST. There is a new Covenant made between GOD and JESUS, who is GOD incarnate; the Covenant of LOVE. He first loved us and gave Himself for us an offering and sacrifice to GOD. We love Him, because He first loved us. We have been made One in Him by the Blood of the Lamb of GOD. No evil can touch us and no disease can inhabit our body when we are in union with the Father; through the Son and by the Holy Spirit. 

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 54: 17)

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

THE WAY OF VICTORY

I Corinthians 11: 24
And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
 
Communion is the unity of the body of believers in JESUS with the Father GOD; through the Son; by the Holy Spirit. We are One Bread and One Body when we are united in the Communion of our LORD. 
 
JESUS is our Passover, sacrificed for us and we keep the feast as commanded by GOD for us to do. Notice what JESUS does first, HE GAVE THANKS. The Communion begins with thanks and worship as we lift up JESUS, our Passover, and give thanks for His life, passion and death; for His resurrection, ascension and intercession with the Father; for His Love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness; for carrying His own Blood to the mercy seat, bridging the gap between GOD and man; for the New Covenant in His Blood.
 
After JESUS gave thanks, He broke the bread and gave it to us as a remembrance of all that He has done to secure our Salvation. So that we can remember who we are and whose we are; Children of the Living GOD, bought with the price of the Body and Blood of JESUS, GOD incarnate, Man Divine.
 
The Way of victory in all of our life begins with thanksgiving for who JESUS is, what He has done and who we are in Him. We remember that old things are passed away and all thing have become new. The time of remembrance strengthens our faith as we walk out our life in Communion with JESUS.   


THE WAY OF VICTORY

Acts 2: 42, 43
and they continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles.

THE 4 DISCIPLINES

Most of us do not like the word, "Discipline" but discipline is necessary in our life, especially the life of a Christian. The Apostles followed a discipline which kept them focused on JESUS: They followed the teaching of JESUS; they had fellowship in the LORD; they had Communion of the Body and Blood of JESUS; and they prayed together in one mind and in one accord.

We can take this discipline to our own life and the life of our family: 1. Read the Holy Scripture and meditate on the teachings of JESUS; 2. go to Church and fellowship with Christians who build us up in the most Holy faith; 3. take Communion of the Body and Blood of JESUS regularly; 4. Pray without ceasing for all people, especially those of the Household of Faith and pray for those who have lost their faith.
 
When we follow these 4 disciplines, the fear of the LORD  (great awe of the mighty work of GOD), will overshadow us and we will see wonders and signs done by the LORD through us. Why is this so? Because the whole mind, body and spirit is in unity with the Mind, Heart and Spirit of the LORD. When we are in right relationship with the LORD, miracles happen. It is all to the Glory of GOD the Father.
 
THE WHOLE EARTH IS GROANING FOR THE CHRISTIANS TO BE UNITED WITH THE LORD AND BE HIS VESSELS OF HIS WONDROUS LOVE 

Sunday, July 8, 2012

THE WAY OF VICTORY

I Corinthians 11: 23
For I have received of the LORD that which also I delivered unto you, "That the LORD JESUS the same night in which He was betrayed took bread."
 
COMMUNION - THE WAY OF VICTORY
 
The Way of Victory begins in JESUS. He considered it so important that He made sure that a convert, Saul of Tarsus renamed Paul the Apostle, was given the revelation of the Upper Room experience of the Apostles. For what took place in that Upper Room read Matthew 26: 26-30; Mark 14: 22-25; Luke 22: 19-23. The Apostle Paul was not there, it happened before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, but the LORD considered it so important that the truth be known to all the world, that He gave this revelation to Paul after his conversion.

JESUS gave to all of us the most powerful key to Victory, His body and Blood.  The Blood of JESUS stands as the strongest defense against the work of the enemy that can ever be. In all of history, the Blood was the strong defense and the path of victory.  It is only by the Blood of JESUS that we live and move and have our being. Nothing can destroy us when the Blood is over us and in us. Communion is the washing of the Blood and the applying of the Blood on our heart.

BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS WE ARE RECONCILED TO GOD

Saturday, July 7, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO

I John 5:4, 5
For whatsoever is born of GOD overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that JESUS is the Son of GOD?
 
Next week we will discuss the "way to victory". When we are faced with the Jericho type trouble, that which is bigger, stronger and tougher than we are, then we must raise up the standard of Faith, given to us by GOD and believe that JESUS, the Son of GOD, has more strength, and is bigger than any problem that we could ever face.  JESUS defeated death and the grave; He defeated sickness and disease; He defeated sin and addiction, therefore, we are more than conquerors through JESUS Christ who gives us the victory.

There is an old hymn with these words, "Faith is the victory, faith is the victory; O glorious victory that overcomes the world." When we follow JESUS, we are walking in the path of victory and the walls of the Jericho type situations, come tumbling down so that we can have the victory and the spoil.

WHO IS HE THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD.

Friday, July 6, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.
 
WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT
Faith is a gift from GOD so that we might know the Heart of GOD; that we might know His ways and walk in them. Faith is both substance and evidence of things unseen and hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).  Many people over look the first word in the Hebrews passage, it is "Now". Now faith is seeing with the eye of GOD NOW, and knowing that what He has promised in His Word, He will accomplish IN HIS TIME. 
 
Many people say that belief and faith are the same thing, I have heard a good distinction between these two. Faith is from GOD by His Holy Spirit; belief is our act of following the Holy Spirit.  It is like joining hands; faith from GOD, belief from us and they link hands and walk side by side. 
 
It takes trust to join hands with another and walk with them. If we lean on our own understanding, we will trip and fall, not being able to see. Sight comes from staying linked with JESUS who is the Light. He has given us enough faith, now we must believe and trust. 
 
THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT AND OUR SALVATION, WHOM THEN SHALL WE FEAR.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO

Psalm 47:1
Oh, clap your hands, all ye peoples; shout to GOD with the voice of triumph.

HAS THE CHURCH LOST ITS SHOUT?

It is true that when you shout unto GOD with the voice of triumph, that the enemy is subdued and walls come tumbling down. This verse reminds us of the walls of Jericho, falling down flat when the trumpets sounded a long blast and the people shouted with a loud voice. 

There are times for a soft voice, a gentle sound and a whisper; but then there are times when we are to shout to GOD with the voice of triumph. Notice, we do not shout at GOD; we shout with the voice of faith in Him to bring about the victory that He has promised. When the walls of Jericho fell down, it was due to the obedience of Joshua, the priests and the men of war, to the Word of the LORD. They did not dream up this victory and then expect the LORD to honor it; instead, they followed the command of the LORD and did what He told them to do, THEN, the walls came tumbling down.

I am drawn to the fact that the victory shout came before the manifestation of the victory. The evidence of devout faith in GOD, is when the shout comes before the answer. When we know that the LORD has given us the victory, then we shout before we see the manifestation. If we doubt that the LORD will do what He has said He would do, then the shout comes after the visual manifestation. The LORD receives the glory when the people of faith declare the victory with gladness and thanksgiving BEFORE there is visual proof.
 
IN OUR STRUGGLES, LET US GIVE THE VICTORY SHOUT BEFORE WE SEE THE ANSWER.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO - PART 2

Joshua 6:20
So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets; and it came to pass when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the walls fell down flat, to that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
 
SHOUT OF PRAISE BRINGS DOWN WALLS
 
Has the Church lost its shout? In many places the Church is quiet on many issues, issues that are close to the heart of GOD. They are quiet about poverty and violence; homelessness and unemployment; sickness in body, mind and spirit and sickness in the home. A quiet Church has lost its shout so the walls of injustice remain thick and strong. We must begin to march around the "city" of injustice and violence; when the trumpet blast sounds, we must shout. What is it that we shout? We shout praise unto JESUS; we shout thanksgiving to the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS. 
When we face a "Jericho" of trouble, we must march forward around that troublesome city. Our marching forward is to take care of those things needed to accomplish the path of recovery. Then, when the trumpet of the LORD sounds, signaling that the time is right, then with a loud shout we praise the LORD and watch the walls of adversity crumble.When the walls have crumbled there is a straight path through the trouble to the glorious promise of GOD.

GOD HAS GIVEN US THE "CITY", GO CLAIM IT WITH A SHOUT OF VICTORY

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO - PART 2

Joshua 6: 23
and the young men who were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them out side the camp of Israel.
 
The story of Rahab and her salvation is a foreshadow of the salvation of the world through our LORD JESUS Christ. Rahab had a house in the wall of Jericho.  When the spies came and spied on the land of Jericho, she hid them from the officials and then let them down the wall on a rope.  The spies promised her that she would be saved when Jericho was taken over, as GOD had promised. She was to hang a "Scarlet Thread" from the window to signify where her house was, and she was to gather her family; father, mother, brethren and all that she had into the house and she would be saved.
 
Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the LORD JESUS Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The story of Rahab is a foreshadow of the salvation promised to those who believe in JESUS. The story of Rahab is also a reminder of the Passover, where the blood of the Lamb was put on the door posts and lintel of the house and all within were saved from death. The Blood of JESUS on our heart saves us and our household from death.
 
The two young men had promised Rahab that she would be safe and GOD honored that promise by saving her house in the wall and her household who were within her home.  Likewise, if we believe in the LORD JESUS Christ, we will be saved from destruction and the Blood of JESUS will be the sign that we are covered by GOD. GOD IS FAITHFUL ALWAYS AND IN ALL WAYS.

Monday, July 2, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO - PART 2

Joshua 6:19
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
 
THE TITHE UNTO THE LORD
 
Joshua was told to burn the city and kill all the inhabitants of Jericho, but that which was consecrated unto the LORD was to be put in the LORD'S treasury. The people were warned not to take any booty for themselves, everything was to be totally destroyed except that which was consecrated to the LORD. This was the first fruits which must be given to the LORD as a tithe offering.
 
When we are confronted by a terrible mountain of trouble, the cause of the trouble must be defeated and utterly destroyed, burned up and brought to ashes, except that which was consecrated to the LORD, that is the tithe that is brought into the storehouse.
 
We must "put off" all the lusts of the flesh. Ephesians 4:22 says, "Put off concerning the former manner of life the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts." But the gold, silver, bronze and iron, those things which are good and consecrated to GOD, must be given as a tithe of thanksgiving to the LORD. Nothing must remain in our hands unless purified by the LORD and returned to us in GODLY form. The reason for this, is that the spirit within those things will draw you back to the ways of the old man; the way of destruction.

Nothing of the city of Jericho was to remain standing, except Rahab's house that was in the wall.
Tomorrow we will discuss Rahab's house and the scarlet thread.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

CONQUER JERICHO - PART 2

Joshua 6:11
And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."
 
STAY FOCUSED
 
In the wilderness journey, the people of Israel crumbled and murmured about all the hard time they were having. I can hear the sound of the little children, "are we there yet?" Their focus was on their conditions and troubles, so that is all they could talk about. Out of their mouth came negative talk which stirred up the people to think that the promises of GOD were of no effect. They lost their focus on GOD.
Joshua remembered this time, so he cautioned the people not to say a word; stay focused on the plan of the LORD and the path that He had chosen. After the walk around Jericho on the first through the sixth day, the band of men of war would return to Gilgal where the stones of remembrance were. They would see the stones and remember GOD IS FAITHFUL.They would look out at the swollen Jordan River and remember how the LORD heaped up the Jordan so that they could cross into the promised land. They remembered the stones in the middle of the Jordan, which said to them, HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

All day and all night they were reminded that GOD IS FAITHFUL and HAVE FAITH IN GOD. By morning they were ready to put their foot on the path of the LORD and walk around Jericho. They murmured not, neither did they complain; not a word of negativity passed from their lips as GOD had commanded through Joshua.

We can learn from this that GOD has a plan for each of us. His plan is to prosper each of us and not to harm us. We only need to STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS and the whole promise will be fulfilled.

When we are tempted to murmur or complain, do as a 5 year old told his grandfather, "ZIP IT; LOCK IT AND PUT IT IN YOUR POCKET."