Sunday, September 30, 2012

GOT CHURCH? - 2

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

THE CHURCH RECEIVES POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

We are the Church of the Living GOD and we have been given power to be His witnesses in the world.  The Holy Spirit has been given at Pentecost, therefore we are commissioned to appropriate it. The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke in approximately 60 A.D, has 28 chapters; we, the Church are writing the 29th Chapter with our life. Think about that and then ask yourself, "what am I writing in the 29th Chapter of the Acts?" Am I edifying the future generations in the way of the LORD? Am I proclaiming JESUS Christ, the LORD, as the head of His Church? Am I preaching the Gospel to every nation? Am I reflecting the love of JESUS by my actions, words, thoughts and deeds? Who do I exalt in my life? Am I in one accord with the Doctrine handed down through the Scripture and with all those who proclaim the teaching of the Apostles? Do I fellowship and worship with true believers in JESUS? Do I receive Communion regularly, recognizing the presence of JESUS in Body and Blood? Do I pray and intercede for all the brothers and sisters in Christ and their ministries?

Only you can answer these questions for yourself, so answer them to the LORD and where you need help to amend your behavior, ask Him for help. It is time for the Church to arise and proclaim the glory of the LORD throughout the world. Let the wave of the spread of the Gospel begin with us, right now, immediately.

YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COME UPON YOU.


Friday, September 28, 2012

GOT CHURCH?

Ephesians 1: 22, 23
And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.

JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH; HIS BRIDE

JESUS is the head over all things and fills all things concerning the Church, which is His body and His Bride. Let those words sink into your spirit; JESUS is LORD of all. This is why every organized religious organization MUST first consult JESUS about how He wants that Church group to serve Him. This is one of the understandings of the Scripture verse, "Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.". JESUS was saying that, before you do anything about anything, "seek the LORD" first. JESUS also said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you;"

JESUS has a great desire to give, to all who ask Him, the answers that they seek. He does not withhold from those who seek Him with their whole heart and believe that He holds the way to righteous living. The problem is that people naturally try to solve their own issues with their own ideas; leaving JESUS out of the picture. When this happens, and JESUS is not honored as head of the Church, the attempts to live well and prosper usually are a failure. The "Father, please, I'd rather do it myself" behavior, only leads to destruction. JESUS sees the whole picture of every issue and sees the consequences of every action, therefore, He knows what will be effective and will prosper. It is only the wise persons who listens to the guidance and direction of GOD and follow, humbly, the Word of the LORD. Let us all BE WISE!!!

JESUS directs the ministry of His Church. He opens doors and closes others; He provides opportunities for service and directs how that opportunity will be successful. The Church ministers under the direction of JESUS. It is vital that the Church be unified in GOD; edified in the way of the LORD, and be in one accord. We need a revival in the Church; return to the first love and follow Him only, "looking to JESUS the author and finisher of our faith."

CHANGED HEARTS; CHANGE NATIONS.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

GOT CHURCH?

Ephesians 5: 25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word; that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

The Church is the Bride of Christ;  bought by the blood of JESUS, purified by Christ and from the side of JESUS the Church was born.  It is interesting that in Genesis, Eve was brought forth from the side of Adam (his rib); the sword of the Roman guard pierced the side of JESUS and out of His side came both Blood and water; JESUS is the redeemer, husband of the Bride, the Church. This is a mystery, Christ and the Church, but it is a reality that the head of the Church is JESUS and He will present the Church to Himself as holy, spotless and without wrinkle or any such thing.

I don't know about you, but I feel very humbled that the LORD JESUS Christ loves the Church with such passion that He gave His life for her. I am humbled to know that we who believe in the LORD JESUS Christ are part of that Holy Church that JESUS loves so much. When JESUS comes, He will take His Bride home to be with Him forever. This Bride will be completely purified by the action of JESUS and everyone who makes up the Bride of Christ will be holy and without any spot or blemish. JESUS does it all to prepare His Church for union with Him. This is a mystery and it is awesome.

"I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly." "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and has loved them, as Thou hast loved Me." Thus saith the LORD.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

GOT CHURCH?

Matthew 16: 17-19
And JESUS answered and said unto him (Peter), "Blessed art thou Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father, who is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

PETROS AND PETRA

In this statement of JESUS, we have a play on words from the Greek; "petros" means a stone, while "Petra" is a massive rock. JESUS is the Rock (Petra) and on the Rock (Petra) He builds the Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The Church was not built upon the "petros" which is a fractured stone. It is upon JESUS Himself that the Church is built; the Church which He purchased with His own Blood.

The "gates" are where plans are made, therefore, the plans of the enemy from hell can not prevail against the Church of the Living GOD. This means that all the plans of the enemy are canceled by the power and authority of GOD.

"Keys" are the symbol of authority. The keys have been given to the disciples of JESUS, those who are born-again. These "keys" give the born-again believer the authority to bind and loose. These are powerful keys, entrusted to us, and are to be used wisely, by the wisdom of GOD and His direction.

These are the words of JESUS and they are not a matter to dispute. JESUS is the head of the Church and the Rock of our Salvation. JESUS is the Cornerstone of the Church and

UPON THIS ROCK (JESUS) IS BUILT THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

GOT CHURCH?

Matthew 16: 13-16
When JESUS came into the borders of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" And they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets". He saith unto them, "But who say ye that I Am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living GOD."

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

This is the question that every soul must answer unto the LORD. He asks this question repeatedly to those who seek Him. Is your answer like that of the first response or like that of Simon Peter? Who is JESUS to you? Is He a prophet? Is He the return of a  prophet like John the Baptist? OR Is JESUS, GOD incarnate, man Divine? IS JESUS GOD?

 The Church is made up of all those who confess that JESUS Christ is GOD incarnate, man Divine; the second person of the Trinity and One with the Father and the Holy Spirit. JESUS is our Savior, LORD, Redeemer, Friend and Lover of our Soul. He is our provider, sustainer, strength, shelter and guide; our leader, light, King and Law. His law is Love and He is Love personified. He is our ever present help and comfort. JESUS is our everything and all things; HE IS GOD.

The Church is One LORD, One faith and One Baptism; one accord in doctrine and belief, based upon the authority of the Holy Scripture inspired and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The Church proclaims, 
JESUS IS LORD
THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.

GOT CHURCH?

I Timothy 3: 15
But if I tarry long, that thou may know how thou ought to behave thyself in the House of GOD, which is the Church of the Living GOD, the pillar and ground of truth.

The Church is a living, breathing organism, made up of many parts. It functions under one head and that is JESUS Christ the LORD. The Church has one message; the Gospel of JESUS Christ; manifests one character, the nature of JESUS Christ; and one truth, JESUS Christ is the way, the truth and the life. 

I Timothy 3: 16b says, "GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in the world, received up into glory." JESUS lived, died, rose again, appeared to many after the resurrection, ascended into heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of GOD in glory. JESUS is coming again to receive the Church as His Bride and call her home to live with Him forever.

The Church is to be the witness of the Love of JESUS in the world, bringing all souls to Christ; to know Him and to make Him known. Therefore, the behavior of the Church must be unblemished. This is the responsibility of each member to behave themselves in a holy and righteous manner. I Timothy 2: 1, 2, 3 says this, "I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving thanks, be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of GOD, our savior." We are the Church of the Living GOD, our behavior should show Him and His unconditional love to a broken and hurting world.

RISE UP, O CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD AND STAND AS THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

GOT CHURCH?

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the House of the LORD!"

I love the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134); these Psalms were sung as the Children of Israel "ascended" out of the Babylonian captivity and traveled to Jerusalem. Another view relates that these Psalms were to be sung on the 15 steps  leading to the Court of Israel in the Temple. No matter which understanding is true, these songs indicate joyful thanksgiving to GOD for the deliverance from bondage.

Psalm 122:1 expresses the great joy of the pilgrims who love the House of the LORD so much that they want to go there singing; the House of the LORD is the CHURCH. 

This week we will look at the Church and see what is the understanding that JESUS had of the CHURCH. I will begin by saying that the Church is not a building; it is the people of GOD, whom  JESUS delivered from bondage and captivity, and who worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  The building is the meeting place of the Church of the Living GOD; it is alive with the people of GOD praising the Head of the Church, JESUS Christ.  We tend to forget this fact, so this week we will look into the Scripture concerning the meaning of the Church: the Bride of Christ; the Body of Christ and the Ministry of Christ.

I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE GOING INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD TO WORSHIP HIM.

Friday, September 21, 2012

REVIVAL - 3

Psalm 80: 3, 7, 19
Restore us, O GOD of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
Restore us, O GOD of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
Restore us, O GOD of hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

THREE TIMES; IN THE SAME WORDS.

The Psalmist calls out to GOD for revival. Let this cry to the LORD be our prayer to GOD; Restore us, O GOD of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

The shining Face of GOD is pure light that drives out the darkness of this world. We are saved by entering into this Light and be embraced by His Light. We are the light of the world, a city built on a hill, shining the light of Christ like a beacon; those entering that light will be saved. Revival will come when we all enter the flood light of the glory of GOD. How do we do that? By believing on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who is the true Light that lightens every man. Then walk in the light as He is in the light; let His face shine on your heart and in the heart of all the people.

REVIVE US AGAIN, O LORD; LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. 

REVIVAL - 3

II Chronicles 7: 14
If My People, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND

We have been meditating on this verse for all this week; humility, prayer, and seeking His face. Now we will look at the last compulsory statements in this verse from II Chronicles; "Turn from their wicked ways, in other words, REPENT.

GOD is speaking to His People, the Church of the Living GOD, therefore, He is saying, "Repentance must begin in the house of GOD". What are we to repent? We are to repent of all things thought, said, and done which are contrary to the Gospel of JESUS. That is huge!!! If we say that we have not sinned, we are not telling the truth; we all have sinned, but "if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness"(I John 1:9). What sins do we have to be alert to and confess regularly? The sin of Pride; the sin of prayerlessness and the sin of vain worship. What is vain worship? Vain worship is worshiping something other than JESUS Christ; worshiping idols; worshiping without focus on the LORD, this is vain and not worthy of the Holiness of GOD.

Romans 10: 9, 10 says: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and believe in thine heart that GOD that raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  This type of confession is also known as profession of faith. In our "confession" we are to admit our sin, receive the forgiveness and then profess JESUS is LORD, redeemer and healer. 

BLESSINGS TO YOU AS YOUR PROFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

REVIVAL - 3

Jeremiah 29: 11-14a
"For I know the thoughts that I have toward you," saith the LORD, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Than shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,"saith the LORD.

THUS SAITH THE LORD

This is a call to worship the LORD in great awe and thanksgiving. His thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace and prosperity; of access to Him and the way to be in His presence always. He has said that we will seek Him and find Him, if we search for Him with all our heart. JESUS said "Seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). 

JESUS calls us to worship, JESUS said, " But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." (John 4:23, 24).

JESUS opened the door for us to worship Him face to face in Spirit and in Truth. He opened that door with His own, precious Blood poured on the Mercy Seat for our Salvation. He made it possible for us to come into the Presence of the Father and worship Him. JESUS made it possible for us to look into the face of the Holy One; bask in His presence and receive His Word in our heart; JESUS made all things possible for us.

Revival in our heart, our land, our Nation, our Church and our family will come when we all worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Take notice of the fact that the Trinity is present in that statement; The Father, the Holy Spirit and JESUS, who is Truth. The door is open for us to worship, seek Him, find Him and hear His voice. Are you thirsty for His Presence? HE WILL FILL YOU.

COME UNTO HIM AND HE WILL GIVE YOU REST


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

REVIVAL - 3

I Chronicles 16: 11
Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.

To "seek" means to strive for or to look earnestly for something. I think about the widow who lost a coin, how she looked earnestly and swept the floor of her house looking for that lost coin and when she found it she rejoiced with her friends. This is the kind of "seeking" we are called to do when we "seek the LORD". Sweep away all those things that block our communion with Him; look high and low for His touch and His look of Love.

We are to seek "His strength"; trying to do things on our own is weak, at best. His strength is all powerful and Almighty. The LORD sees the beginning and the end of everything, therefore, in His strength and His wisdom, the outcome will be perfect.

To "seek His face" is to seek His presence in every moment of your life. Psalm 27: 7, 8 says this, "Hear, LORD, when I cry with my voice; have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When Thou saidst, 'Seek ye My face,' my heart said unto Thee,'Thy face, LORD, will I seek." I see a number of things in these verses from Psalm 27; David is speaking back to GOD the words of GOD, and David is not seeking the hand of GOD He is seeking the very Presence of GOD, His face. When we are in trouble or when we are earnestly desiring communion with GOD we should stand on the Word He has given us in His Scripture. Praying the Word of the LORD is a vital key to effective and fervent prayer. Next, we should pray, not seeking a hand-out, but seeking His presence. When we seek His presence, He will provide all that we need; we must continually seek His presence in our life and in our whole heart. 

The word "continually" means without end. We are to desire JESUS every moment of every day and night; seeking His face, loving and adoring Him with our whole heart.

THIS IS REVIVAL - A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST


Monday, September 17, 2012

REVIVAL - 3

I Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

This short verse of Scripture carries a powerful message; pray always. How can one pray always and without ceasing? Do we spend all of our time on our knees with our face to the floor in deep prayer? No, Proverbs 3: 6 tells us that "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path", that is prayer and answered prayer. "In all your ways acknowledge Him" means that in everything you do, say, think, hear, and see, you acknowledge the presence of the LORD. This type of living will be very different from the way the culture lives. Imagine a business meeting in a corporation where the LORD would be honored and His presence acknowledged. Imagine if the executives of that corporation would ask the LORD for His direction. This would be a sign of revival in that corporation. Now, think about your Church, what if all the decisions of that Church would be made by the LORD and in prayer - acknowledging His presence - He would give the direction for the life of that Church; if everyone in the leadership would acknowledge the presence and the direction of JESUS; THIS IS REVIVAL.

In the Acts of the Apostles, when they were all in the upper room praying, the fire of GOD fell on everyone with earthquakes and wind (Acts 2:1-4). If we, as the Church of the Living GOD would "stand up and pray up", we too, would see the fire fall and the anointing of GOD overwhelm everyone. This is Revival, when the anointing of GOD falls and the shekinah glory fills the Church. We need to step up, pray up, and let the fire fall.

REVIVE US, O LORD, REVIVE YOUR CHURCH

Sunday, September 16, 2012

REVIVAL - 3

II Chronicles 7: 14-16
If My people who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be here forever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.

IF MY PEOPLE...

The directions and choice from the LORD is coming to the People of GOD; a call to commitment. The first step in this call is to "humility"; humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD and He will raise you up. The second part of the call to commitment is "to pray". GOD responds to the cry of the humble who pray. The humble are in right relationship with GOD. Remember the Pharisee and the Publican; the Pharisee exalted himself, while the Publican begged for mercy, in great humility. 

We all want our prayers to be heard and we know, from Scripture, that GOD responds to prayer. II Chronicles 7:14 lists the 4 conditions upon which the LORD will see, hear and answer our prayers: 1. humility; 2. prayer, in the spirit and in truth; 3. seek His face - not a hand out; 4. turn from wicked ways. All these steps are from the heart of a true worshiper. GOD wants our heart to be right with Him. 

The result of the People of GOD seriously taking these 4 steps in their life and the life of their faith community is,"Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be there forever; and Mine heart shall be there perpetually." Divine favor is the result of faithfulness to GOD; right relationship is the result of humility, prayer, seeking His Face and repentance.

Friday, September 14, 2012

REVIVAL - 2

I Peter 5: 5, 6
In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for GOD resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of GOD, that He may exalt you in due time.

SUBMIT; BE SUBJECT; HUMBLE

This is a powerful lesson for this time in the world; it is indeed counter-cultural. "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD, thy GOD, giveth thee" this is the 5th Commandment  and the first commandment with promise. So, when it says, "submit yourselves unto the elder" it means to "honor" your elders. 

To "be subject one to another", means the same as "submit", it means to honor. In this case, it means to honor one another; clothed in humility. Each person is made in the image of GOD and therefore, deserves the respect due that image. The whole duty of man is to fear GOD and walk humbly before Him and others. Pride will not call on the name of JESUS; JESUS is meek and lowly of Heart. Pride will not bend the knee.

The first place of humility is to submit "under the mighty hand of GOD"; this is the best definition of the fear of the LORD. Love will cause us to submit one to another; when you love, you honor the other. Humility is the willing submission to the lowest place, trusting that the LORD will raise you up in due time. The humble will be raised up; the prideful will be brought low.

HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE WILL RAISE YOU UP.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

REVIVAL - 2

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the High and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and lofty place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

GOD SAID IT; I BELIEVE IT; THAT SETTLES IT!

When GOD speaks, every word is true. These are the Words of the LORD GOD when He says that He is the High and lofty One who inhabits eternity - He lives in the realm of the everlasting and never ending. GOD says that those who are contrite and humble in spirit will live with Him and He will revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite ones.

What does it mean to be contrite? Contrite means to be repentant, that means to confess faults unto GOD, the humble will also be repentant of sin. Notice the word "revive" that is used twice in the quotation above. I see revival as being resurrected to new life and only GOD can do that. 

What the Church, which is the Bride of Christ, needs most, is to repent and humble itself in the sight of the LORD; lay down before Him in humble adoration of Who He is and love Him with the whole heart. He promised, in Isaiah, to raise them up; He showed His power by raising JESUS from the dead; He will raise the humble and contrite who cry to Him day and night.

IF MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND. 
(II Chronicles 7:14)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

REVIVAL - 2

Luke 18: 10-14 (NIV)
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself, 'GOD, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers-- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ' GOD, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before GOD. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. These are the words of JESUS.

Revival comes when we stop talking and praying "about our self". The life of the individual and the life of the Church is not about how good it can be in doing things; life is all about GOD. Revival comes when all humble themselves in the sight of the LORD; realizing that He is LORD of all and worthy to be praised.

We must all return to our first love, JESUS, and embrace Him as the great lover of our soul. We must see Him in the littlest person and honor Him in one another. It would be an awesome thing if we all would strive to be the littlest, meekest, most humble, most lowly person in the community. If this would be so, GOD would raise up leaders after His own Heart and there would be a glorious Presence of Christ in our midst. Then the eyes of the blind would be open and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame man would leap as a deer and the tongue of the dumb would sing. There would be healing and such joy in the land that those who were walking in sickness and darkness would want to come to JESUS and be healed. It takes humility and lowliness; death of the self, so that the life of JESUS will reign supreme in us.

PRESENT YOUR BODY A LIVING SACRIFICE, WHOLLY ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

REVIVAL-2

James 4: 7,8
Submit yourselves, therefore, to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

GOD OPPOSES PRIDE

James 4: 7and8 have some key words that, when followed, lead to personal and corporate revival. Those words are: Submit to GOD, Resist the devil, Draw near to GOD, Cleanse your hands and Purify your hearts.

Submit to GOD means to yield to His direction and guidance. It takes Love of GOD and trust in His ways in order to submit to His direction. Our work is to humble ourselves, empty self of pride and yield to His authority.Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In every case, resist those things which are not from the Good Shepherd. Know the voice of GOD through communion with Him and then resist the devil's whispers. Draw near to GOD, through the study of Holy Scripture and prayer, resting in the LORD and trusting in His word. Cleanse your hands, the work of your hands be clean; Purify your hearts, by confession of faults and receiving forgiveness immediately. 

Do not be double-minded, but keep your mind single on the LORD, resisting the proud imaginations of the heart. Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart. The LORD is near and will always guide you and your community into truth, if you submit to Him and follow His ways.

SUBMIT, RESIST, DRAW NEAR, CLEANSE AND PURIFY; YIELD AND FOLLOW GOD.
REVIVAL


Monday, September 10, 2012

REVIVAL-2

James 4:6b
Wherefore He saith, "GOD resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD

It was pride that caused Lucifer to contend with GOD; it was pride that caused Lucifer and his angels to be thrown out of Heaven. Pride exalts self; the hallmark of pride is the focus on "I"; I will do this, I have done that, I am good, I have achieved, "I,I,I,I" GOD resists the proud and the consequences of pride is abasement or to look at it another way, pride is a basement. It is a funny thing to think about how hard people try to be better than anyone else, only to find out that they are not better at all. Many try to climb the ladder of social success only to find that the cost was too much and worldly success is beyond their grasp.

James 4:10 says, "Humble yourself in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up". Think about JESUS how He humbled Himself even to the place of death, trusting that the Father would raise Him up. This is complete trust. It is true that the more you trust another, the more you submit to their direction. In the case of GOD, there is no one more trustworthy than GOD; so putting your trust in Him is freedom and security.

Humility, is summed up in submission and obedience to GOD. It is the sign of true love of GOD to give Him full control over your life. The hallmark of those who are humble is that they give GOD the glory for everything He has done; they see GOD moving in everything and they trust His vision. The LORD GOD is ever present and He shows Himself in the littlest things in life. The humble person sees GOD in the heavens; in a grain of sand; in the eyes of another and gives Him thanks.

HUMBLE YOURSELF IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP.




Sunday, September 9, 2012

REVIVAL - 2

Philippians 2: 3-7
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ JESUS, who, being in the form of GOD, thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men;.....

HUMILITY - THE FIRST KEY OF REVIVAL

JESUS is our first example of humility. He is GOD and became man so that the world through Him might be saved. He humbled Himself totally to the will of the Father in humble obedience. He was meek and lowly of heart and void of all pride. The King of Glory became a servant so that others, throughout all generations, would receive the promise of life with Him in glory.

LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS. This is the challenge and the commission of GOD to us and to all generations, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, let us esteem others better than ourselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." "Love your neighbor as yourself", reach out to others in the Name of JESUS. Empty yourself of selfish pride; with lowliness of heart, care for and with others in the same manner you would like others to care for and with you.

WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE ABASED; WHO EVER HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED

Friday, September 7, 2012

REVIVAL

Isaiah 43: 7
Even every one who is called by My Name; for I have created him for My glory; I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

I close this week of comments on the need for and the way of REVIVAL with a very uplifting word; YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL TO GOD AND ARE WONDERFULLY MADE.

In today's world, many souls are feeling depressed and have low self esteem. They picture themselves as being inferior or less than others; weak, sickly and of no use. That is not the way GOD sees each individual. GOD sees the work of His Hand and loves what He has created. Each individual is made in the image of GOD and reflects His glory; each one is a work of the art of GOD.  He makes all things and people perfect and whole.

Jeremiah 1:5-10 declares that the LORD watched over the formation of each person while they were being formed and has given each a mission and a purpose. In our life, as one of His Children, we are always discovering more and more about the image of GOD and more and more about our purpose in His plan.
If we seek the LORD while He wills to be found and call upon Him while He is near, He will disclose to us the meaning and purpose of our life in Him. The purpose of each one begins with, "Love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and soul and mind and might; love thy neighbor as thyself." The rest unfolds as we walk with Him.

Revival comes when we call Him LORD. Revival comes when we see ourselves and others as made in the image of GOD and honor Him in them. Revival comes when we rejoice in the LORD and in His love for us; showing His love to all who come within our reach.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL TO GOD AND FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE IN HIS IMAGE. REJOICE!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

REVIVAL

I Peter 2: 9, 10
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an Holy Nation, a people of His own, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who in time past were not a people but are now the people of GOD; who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHOSE YOU ARE

If everyone would know that they are the chosen people of GOD, precious and called to be His witnesses, there would be such a great revival that the earth could not contain the joy. Born-again believers must rest in the fact that they are beloved, precious, chosen and beautiful; then, arise and bring the light of Christ into the world. The praise of the people of GOD will attract those who are walking in darkness, they will come to the light and through the preaching of the Gospel will come out of darkness and obtain mercy; the LORD will save their soul and give light to their mortal body.

In the past we were all "not a people" but now, by the grace of GOD and the shed Blood of JESUS, we are the people of GOD. We obtained mercy and we offer the gift of grace and mercy to those who walk in darkness. REVIVAL IS IN THE WIND, let's catch the wind in our sails and go forth as lights in a dark world.

HOLY SPIRIT, LIGHT OUR FIRE THAT WE MIGHT BE AGLOW FOR YOU

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

REVIVAL

John 1: 12, 13
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of GOD, even to them that believe on His Name. Who were born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of GOD.

REVIVAL - BORN AGAIN
Revive means to live again; born again means to be revived. How are we revived? By the will of GOD, who gives power to those who believe on His Name. Our first birth is by the will of the flesh, our spiritual revival is by the will of GOD. 

When we say that revival must begin in the house of GOD, we mean that the born-again believer must be given the power to live and act as the Children of GOD, which is a process. This means that signs and wonders will follow those who believe. There will be a family likeness to the Father in heaven, His Son and made possible by the Holy Spirit.  It takes the power of GOD to transform the flesh into the instrument of GOD, whereby the LORD sees, hears, touches and heals through the person. 

REVIVE US, O LORD, SO THAT WE CAN BE YOUR WITNESS IN THIS WORLD. TRANSFORM US, O LORD, SO THAT WE ARE VESSELS FIT FOR THE MASTER'S USE.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

REVIVAL

II Chronicles 7 : 14
If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

THE FORMULA FOR REVIVAL

We are called by the Name of JESUS Christ. Think about that; we are Christians who are followers of JESUS Christ, we believe in His Name and are saved, therefore, we are the People of GOD. This acknowledgement is the beginning of revival in our own heart and in the environment around us. We have been called out of darkness into His glorious light.
 BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU WILL BE SAVED, THEREFORE YOU ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE LORD.

We, the people of GOD, must humble our self and pray and seek His face and turn from the wicked ways.
Humility, prayer, seeking GOD, and repentance are the steps of revival. GOD hears; GOD forgives and GOD heals when we acknowledge Him, walk in humility, pray, seek and repent.

SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE WILLS TO BE FOUND; CALL UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.

Monday, September 3, 2012

REVIVAL

Psalm 71: 7, 8
I am as a wonder unto many, but Thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day.

SIGNS OF A NEED FOR REVIVAL

There are key signs that there is a need for revival, the most vivid of which is the absence of praise. When the assembly goes from praise, to division and bickering, there is a need for revival. Revival does not mean artificial shouts of happiness, it means giving glory to GOD from the heart of worshipers. Joy comes when we rest in the LORD; praise comes when we are filled with joy.

The next sign that there is need for revival is that the assembly has left its "first love" (Revelation 2: 4 ). When the focus of the assembly is on fun and games; trivial matters and shallow reasoning; rather than the LORD GOD and Him only, then the sign of the need for revival is apparent.

If you and your assembly have lost joy and are not praising the LORD; if there is reason to believe that the assembly has left the "first love"; then REPENT NOW AND TURN TO THE LORD. When that fire of the Holy Spirit begins to move, there will be joy unspeakable and praise that resounds to heaven. You will say with the Psalmist, "Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day."

RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE AND BE REVIVED 

Sunday, September 2, 2012

REVIVAL

Psalm 85: 6
Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? 

REVIVAL BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD

Why does revival begin at the House of GOD? Because we are the people of GOD and it is through us that the message of Salvation in JESUS Christ is carried to the world. 

Do we need revival? Yes, the joy of the LORD, which is our strength, has become dulled by the trials of the life around us. We need revival in our Church, our homes, our businesses, our Nation and our leadership.
Joy and gladness must resound again in our land and this must begin in the House of GOD.  WE MUST RETURN TO OUR FIRST LOVE, JESUS. (Revelation 2: 4)

What does revival mean? "Re" means "again"; "vive" means to "live". We need to live again for JESUS with a renewed joy and vigor. The enemy has stolen our joy, so we pray, 
"LORD, wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"