Online Sermon

IT IS FINISHED

2011-09-26T10:07:00.003-03:00

Jn.19:30 - ... He said, "It is finished!" Then He bowed His head and released His spirit.

Christ's earthly mission was to do the will of the Father. (Jn. 4:34) Christ came to seek and save the lost. (Lk.19:10) He came to destroy the devil and his works. (Heb. 2:14) (1 Jn. 3:8)

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Heb. 9:22) The sacrificial blood of the Lamb was poured out on the cross. Jesus' blood purchased New Covenant salvation for everyone. He died for the sins of the world. (Jn.1:29)

No one needs to perish. God is not wanting anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance. This is God's perfect will. That, however, doesn't mean none will perish. In the perfect love of God He has chosen to allow individuals to choose for themselves. God refuses to force His will on anyone. God will openly receive all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. Act 2:21 - But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.

The initial salvation experience comes as a result of faith. God's New Covenant salvation method is "believing in Jesus Christ". Acts 16:31 - ..."Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Salvation is more than just "believing". It's about believing in Jesus. It's about putting our faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The demons believe in God but that's not enough to alter their destination. Jms. 2:19 - You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. Saving faith is faith that is fully anchored in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

When Jesus said "It is finished" that's exactly what He meant. It's a bit difficult for to get our brains around this that's for sure and without revelation we'll never get our hearts around it, but our salvation, as far as God is concerned, is a done deal. Christ died once, the full price of our full redemption has been paid for with the blood of Christ. Heb 7:25 - Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. Clearly God has done His part what's left is our part! When the Great Jehovah purposed redemption for Israel, as far as He was concerned it was a done deal. Canaan land was Israel's land before they ever put a single foot into it. It was done, what remained was up to Israel. Would they go in? Would they believe God and obey? The first generation of Exodus Israelites failed to enter the land. Why? Had God failed them? Was it His fault? Had He mislead them? They didn't experience God's best simply because they refused to believe the heart of God. (Heb.3:19)

Some of the early followers of Christ asked Him in John 6:28, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" The answer given is the key to all new covenant relationship with God and the receiving of His blessings that make us rich and add no sorrow to us. They were told in John 6:29, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent." Successful New Covenant Christianity is all about "believing in Jesus". That goes for our initial salvation and everything related to our spiritual growth process and our final salvation.

Let's, for a moment, consider 2 P. 1:3, 4. Let's look at our New Covenant Canaan land and see what we think. Are we ready to cross over? Are we ready to humble ourselves and go "down under" (that's what Jordan means) and allow the word of God to wash us? Lord help us to see our spiritual promised land. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

How does this all become a personal living reality? What must I do, crawl a thousand miles on crushed glass? What? What does God want from me? What's my part in this salvation deal? Believing in Jesus! Oh my, that sounds simply too easy. Surly there must be more to it. Ask anyone whose been on the way for a while. If there's any honesty in their hearts at all they'll be quick to tell you that Christianity isn't hard to live, it's impossible. It was impossible for Israel to conquer Canaan but they did it. They did it because God fought for them. God went before them! God brought down their enemies. He'll do the same for us in New Covenant. He'll bring us fully into our salvation if we look to Him, if we trust Him for our needs.

He's given us everything we need. Then why so many failures? Isn't God big enough? Wasn't the blood of Christ good enough? What must we do to live as Jesus did? What must we do to inherit the promises and to personally experience the "everything we need for life and godliness" in our lifetime? It's about believing in Jesus. It's all about believing in His saving power. It's all about believing that when I run out of gas, when I've come to the end of myself that as I turn to Him, as I look to Him, He will step in and make up the difference. New Covenant Christianity, successful New Covenant Christianity is all about Christ doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Successful Christianity is possible for us all because Jesus is for us all. He is capable. When I'm "maxed out" on my love. When I've come to the end of my "love road" and they're nothing left to give; Jesus has "the more I need". Be encouraged Christ in you is your personal hope of glory today as well as tomorrow. (Col.1:27)

Heb 11:6 - And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. When we sincerely seek the Lord to meet our needs He will reward us with His "all sufficient" regardless of our need. It might be love, or joy, or peace, or endurance, or (put your need in here).

NOW LET'S CARRY THIS THROUGH TO REVIVAL, personal, family, local church, national and global. God what are you saying? How do you see the Church today? What must we do to be involved in the works of God in the twenty-first century? What's are the keys of the Kingdom for today? As I ask myself these questions it's as though I can hear an audible voice in the depths of my heart and soul saying, "This is the work I require of you that you believe in My Son Jesus."

It's absolutely irrelevant where we live on this globe, Jesus Christ is Lord and He's still the Head over all things to His Church. He began the work of building the spiritual house of God and He's well able and committed to its completion.

When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father He commissioned His disciples to carry on His work. He sent them, He gifted them, he baptized them with the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is filled with the works of God done through people filled with the Holy Spirit. Nothing has changed. I don't know where you live but where I am pastoring I personally need more. I'm not presently experiencing the book of Acts in our home church or in the community.

Deut. 4:29 - But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him.

God bless and be encouraged Jesus never fails and He never fails us.

Extreme Passion

2010-02-17T13:12:00.017-04:00

To some the concept of "Full Throttle" brings to mind one of latest Energy Drinks. It's quite interesting that the vast number of people using these supplements is for the purpose of just keeping themselves awake. Forget going flat out. This Online Sermon isn't about staying awake. It's about going "flat-out for God" in our generation.

One of the main common denominators in most forms of racing is reaching "Full Throttle"! It's extreme for sure and power is at the heart of the issue!

I'd like to bring this concept into the practical realm of everyday Christianity. We're often cautioned about extremes, and rightly so. There is however critical areas of our Christianity where "extreme" is expected to be the norm. Yes, the norm!

I'm certainly not going to apologize for the fact that we serve an extreme God, one who seeks extreme love and devotion from His children. Deut. 6:5 is the first of the ten commandments. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." I ask you, "what can be more extreme than this?. "All" leaves no room for more, or for less. That's extreme but that's our God!

Let's look at another extreme. Rev 3:15 - "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!" Wow! Where's the middle of the road in this one? There isn't any. At least none that has God's favor shinning down upon it. The point here is, "It's quite OK to be passionately in love with the Lord Jesus Christ." It's OK to be in love with God in a "Full Throttle" manner. One thing you're never going to hear from God is, "Back off you're loving me too much". Or, "Get your foot out of the throttle you're just too passionate about serving Me".

Making power:

Making power is the key to an effect “Full Throttle”. It’s all about quality fuel mixture and combustion. New Covenant Christianity is all about power; God’s power. 1Cor. 4:20 - For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Definitely “Old Covenant” was all about “instruction”. They were given the “Law”. It was of God. It was holy and it demanded obedience. It’s all good. The only draw back was the fact that the people lacked to “power to perform”. They had a race to run but the human nature just wasn’t and isn’t up to the task.

New Covenant introduces “the new power source”. That’s what being “Born of the Spirit” is all about. It’s about having God’s power to perform. It’s about having divine power enabling us to run “FULL THROTTLE“ and “flat out” for God.

On the practical side, “God’s not going to force us to run “Full Throttle”. Nor is He going to do it for us. God gives us the “spiritual fuel” and the “spiritual ignition” that’s capable of accelerating us into passionate relationship with Christ. The fuel is God’s Word and the Igniter is the Holy Spirit.

The internal combustion engine is similar to our Christian life. All the potential to make power is there. In order for the potential to become a reality requires that the engine take in fuel and then for that fuel to be ignited. If we will choose to take in God’s Word. By that I simply mean, “read it”. The Holy Spirit will see to that it’s ignited.

It's not at all extreme to say that in our generation the Lord is looking for people who will choose to run "FULL THROTTLE" for God. You know we only have one life to give to God. Let's run it "Flat out". When all is "said and done", we'll be glad we did.

Spiritual Fruitfulness

2010-01-01T11:08:00.000-04:00

Unless otherwise stated Scripture quotes are from the

English Standard Version of the Holy Bible.

Right from the beginning of creation we learn about fruitfulness, we learn that it's God's intended purpose for created things to flourish.

Genesis 1:11,12 - And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so.12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Fruitfulness is God purposed:

There's a lot here. We're just going to focus on a couple of things. Things that touch our everything Christian living.

God often uses the natural things to illustrate and teach the spiritual. It's a great principle to be aware of during the spiritual growth process that every true Believer experiences. Learning from these illustrations help us to understand what God is doing in our life and why.

From the creative workings of God we see that fruitfulness is very much a part of His purposes. He not only created vegetation but He created it to be fruitful. The same is true for when He made people. He created them to be fruitful. Fruitfulness needs to be a major part of our spiritual focus.

When it comes to being a "Born Again Believer" there are some fundamental things that need to be kept in clear focus. The "Born Again Believer" is a new creation with divine purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This new creation, this new life, has the divine purpose of spiritual growth and fruitfulness. I once had the opportunity to plant a few fruit trees in our back yard and I did so fully expecting that one day we'd be able to pick the fruit. We expect fruit from fruit trees. It's just what happens. It's apart of their natural DNA.

During the Christian journey there's so many opportunities to become distracted from the basic purposes of God. Spiritual growth and spiritual fruitfulness is as fundamental to the Christian life as it for an apple tree produce apples. We expect oranges from orange trees. That's what orange trees are all about! It right for us to expect spiritual fruitfulness in our Christian life. It's what we're all about. It's a God thing!!

Isaiah 61:3 tells us that we're "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord". It also says that these trees of righteousness are for the purpose of glorifying the Lord. Wow! Just stop and think about that for a bit. What's it all about? What value is there to my Christian existence? God has purposed that everyone who has truly been forgiven and saved would go on to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. The beauty of this is that bearing fruits of righteousness comes natural for the "Born Again Believer". Fruitfulness is in our spiritual DNA. It's God purposed.

Fruitfulness is natural:

A passionate desire to horror the Lord has the potential of frustrating us. How to perform? How to produce? How to grow, flourish and be fruitful? Let's see what we can learn from natural things. The fruit tree produces because of the sap. "Born Again Believers" produce through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Do apple trees try to produce apples or do apples just naturally grow on them? Learning spiritual things from the natural things. In the spring we begin witnessing the phenomena of fruitfulness. As the sap starts flowing in the trees, buds are formed, leaves come out, then there's the blossoms and finally the fruit. All this is the result of the sap. This is the trees energy source. Without it there's simply no growth nor fruitfulness.

Isaiah 61:3 not only informs us that we're "trees of righteousness" but that we've been "planted by the Lord". What an awesome work of God! He has taken us from the "rot of sin", created new life and given us the powerful potential of spiritual fruitfulness. He has purposed fruitfulness and profitability with the goal of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. What expectation we have to live with.

John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Galatians 5:22,23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Philippians 1:11 - filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The whole concept of spiritual fruitfulness is all about trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. It's very possible, and not at all uncommon, for Christians to become dysfunctional in their spiritual maturity as a result trying to produce Christlikeness through exerting more human effort. There's a world of difference between trying and trusting.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap:

The trees of the Lord are His planting and His vision and purpose is fruitfulness. As we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our life He will energize fruitfulness. It's His purpose!

Psalms. 92:13,14 - They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,

(AMP) Psalms. 104:16 - The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly and are filled with sap,

As New Covenant Believers we're encouraged to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. It isn't without significance that being "filled with the Holy Spirit" is being illustrated using the "natural element" of drinking wine. Drunkenness is produced when the physical human body is being controlled by alcohol. The more wine you drink the greater the influence alcohol will have on human conduct. Drunkards are know by their actions. So it is with true Spirit filled "Born Again Believers". The Holy Spirit produces the fruits of righteousness which glorify the Lord. We should live in the expectation of bearing spiritual fruit. It's simply apart of our new spiritual DNA and something that will be produced through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Expect it! Anticipate it! It's what we're all about! Trees of righteousness that the Lord might be glorified.

God's At Work!

2009-12-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

Unless otherwise stated Scripture quotes are from the English Standard version of the Holy Bible (ESV)

In this Blog Spot we're purposing to see how God works in the Believer to bring about the inner transformation that results in greater Christ-likeness.

When we come to Christ in repentance of sin, and in trusting faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we are "Born Again". That is, we've been "Born from Above"! We've been given new spiritual life by the power of God. At that time we're taken out of Adam's natural earthly family and placed into Jesus' spiritual one. We're given "new life" in Christ. Birthed within our spirit is a whole new spiritual person. We're given the hope of an incredible, eternal future, in the Kingdom of God. The spiritual potential is both awesome and amazing. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

What does this "new life" look like? What is the realist picture of this "new creation" that's been birthed in our spirits by the power the Holy Spirit. What is the un-exaggerated potential of the "new self"? Ephesians 4:24 tells us that the "new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." The absolute reality of this has the potential of stirring up a measure of unbelief in us. This isn't new, however that certainly doesn't make it right.

The first generation of "exodus Israelites" were told and even shown their "Promised Land". They balked and staggered in unbelief. They refused to become actively engaged with the Word of God. The result? They wandered around in the wilderness of doubt, fear and unbelief for 40 years. The second generation of "exodus Israelites" approached their potential differently. They chose to look at it through the power of God. They chose to believe in the integrity of God's heart. They chose to believe that if God said the land was theirs then it was, even if at present it didn't look like it.

What's one of the one of lessons to be learned here? We need to become actively engaged with the Word of God by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - for we walk by faith, not by sight. It's certainly basic but it's so important for us to understand. The enemy has a way of constantly reminding us of our inadequacies, shortcomings and outright failures. His purpose in this is to distract us from looking to Jesus. He wants us thinking about us, our "un-Christlikeness", rather than on Jesus. After all, successful Christian living isn't about trying harder it's about trusting more.

We should never loose sight of the fact that we're presently "under construction". God is purposing to build into us Christlikeness and that we might enjoy a life free from sin and its effects. It is through this transformation that the world will see Christ in us the hope of glory. We are His representatives in the earth and it's important that our lives accurately reflect the power and person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proper Balance:

When it comes to change in our life how does it happen? How does God construct Christlikess within us? 2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. In John 6:28 Jesus was asked this question, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?". His answer? "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:29) The difference between the first and second generation of "exodus Israels" was faith. The second generation chose to believe God and when it comes to God working in us today it's faith that allows His creative powers to be released in us. We need to believe what God has said about us, what He's said about our today and our tomorrows.

What do we actually believe about 2 Peter 1:3 and 4? "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. Do we see this as for here and now? Do we see this as personally for me? Do see this as our New Covenant "Promised Land"? And, are we prepared to become actively engaged with this Word? Will we rise up and enter our "Promised Land"?

Faith is interesting. It's so easy to make it subjective, to put it in the realm of theology. Faith is as objective as things get. Faith is power in action. How do we see faith? We see it through the actions of obedience. James 2:18 - But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James isn't talking about gaining eternal life through the works of Old Covenant law he's talking about the works of obedience that's generated from a heart filled with New Covenant faith.

Active Faith:

God has chosen to work through people who have chosen to let Him work in them. God will never force Himself upon us. He will never make us do something against our will. He does everything He can to effect our heart and bring us to a place where we want God's perfect will to be done. Amos 3:3 - "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Agreeing with God releases Him to do His creative work in us.

When we see that our thoughts and actions are not in agreement with the character and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ then we need to allow genuine faith to produce the actions of putting off the old self and putting on the new. Ephesians 4:21,22,23,24 - assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. To put off the old self is simply saying, "No" to sin. It's refusing to allow sin to have dominion over you. It's faith agreeing with the Word of God which says in Romans 6:14, "sin shall not have dominion over you". The "how to" action of putting off the old and putting on the new is seen in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you".

Faith's attitude towards the "putting off, putting on" process is expressed in Romans 6:11, "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus". Faith reckons it done! Faith sees the finished product. Faith resists the passions generated through the old sin nature while at the same time reaches out to Lord for the expression of His nature (the new self) to be released. This is God at work in us. A work that wants us actively engaged with today. We can be more like Jesus in every area of life and living. Nothing is too hard for God! Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Spiritually Minded

2009-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

Unless otherwise stated Scripture quotes are from the

English Standard Version of the Holy Bible (ESV)

Everyone birthed into the human race gets a very rough spiritual start. We're all born in sin. Adam's direct disobedience to God resulted in death. Sin brought death into an otherwise perfect world. It not only brought a physical but also a spirit one. It brought separation from the True and Living God and if not corrected is eternal.

Adam's sin not only brought spiritual separation from the Lord it also brought the "sin nature". With the spiritual connection with God severed it left Adam's family total void of God seeking. Instead of coming to God it became natural for us to run away. That was Adam and Eve's first post-sin response. When God called they hid away. (Genesis.3:8) That's what sin does it drives us away from God, farther and father away.

One of the amazing things about Jesus rescue mission is the fact that He came, suffered, bled and died not for those who were God seekers but for those whose nature it is to avoid God all together. Romans 3:10,11 - as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. This being the case then, how do we find God? The truth is we don't find Him he finds us. Without the grace of God, with His divine influence upon the human heart no one would be saved. The first work of God's grace in a persons life is when God begins to point the sin sick heart towards the Lord, when He begins to stir an interest and an appetite for God. This basic and the fundamental work of the Holy Spirit in all who have come to Christ. He said He would draw people to Himself. (John 12:32) This should go a long way in telling us just how interested He is us. Clearly he wants the best for us.

Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Sin blinds and binds. Jesus has come to set us free. The point that I feel is vital for us to see is that, this freedom is not just some objective theoretical position but is actual and objective. It's very interesting to note the wording of Romans 5:12 -Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. The spiritual death penalty of eternal separation from God is not declared upon those who are merely born with the sin nature but upon all who actually sin. The point is; the sin nature is not subjective but objective. It's not theoretical, but practical. It's power effects our actions and it's our actions we're judged by. Revelation 2:23 - I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Jesus' "blood bought salvation" is much more than a theory to be believed it's a power to be experienced. Sin effects peoples behavior. It causes them to think and acted sinfully. The grace of God also effects people. It causes them to think and do actions complimenting the nature of Christ.

Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Tragically some Christians feel that the grace of God means that they're free to sin without penalty. This is to suggest that by putting your hand on the hot stove element that there's no consequences. God's grace is His divine influence in the life of the Believer. It frees us from the power of sin. It's important for us to understand that this is not theoretical or subjective but actual, objective and realistic. Its a power to be enjoyed by all who are purposing to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's grace is enough. Romans 5:20,21 - Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin is powerful force BUT the God's grace is more powerful. It doesn't matter what sin has ruled or maybe presently rules in our life God's grace is great. God's Word clearly declares, "sin shall not rule over you". Romans 6:14 - For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. The Apostle Paul was experiencing a physical adversity in his life, an affliction he wanted to be free of. This man faith sincerely and seriously sought the heart of his God for deliverance. In this unique situation God chose not to deliver Paul from the affliction but rather through it. How would this servant of God overcome? How would master any discouragement or pain? How would be "more than a conqueror"? How would not spend all his time feeling sorry for himself? The awesome answer to Paul's prayers came to him loud and clear. There was no questions, no confusion! God said, "My grace is sufficient". (2 Corinthians12:5)

The power of God's grace is great than the power of sin. How do we effectively live in the grace of God? How can we more effectively tap into this divine resource in a more consistent manner? Clearly the power of God's grace is there for us so why is it that at present so many of God's people are tail and not head? Why are so many beneath the load and weight of sin rather than above it? God's people are to be the head and not the tail. They are to be above only and not beneath.(Deuteronomy 28:13) There are a few things that I feel are playing into this. The biggest one being "our mind set".

A changed "mind set" is a fundamental requirement for initial salvation. That's what repentance is all about. The Gospel Jesus preached and the one He sent His followers to preach included repentance. Mark 1:14,15 - Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." To repent is to reverse direction. Prior to repentance the unsaved are all about sinning. It's what we do best without Christ. Our whole purposed thought life is all about running away from God. It's all about opposing righteousness. (Gal.5:17) When God calls us he calls us to reverse our direction and follow Him. It means a change of "mind set". It means a change in what we understand to be directional and important. Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Prior to Jesus' crucifixion the people sought to forcibly establish Him as their earthly king. They envisioned a restoration of Solomon's erra. Jesus was asked by Pilate if he was the Kink of the Jews. We need to hear Jesus’ response to this and really take it to heart in our generation. John 18:36 - Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world." Is this our “mind set”? Do we really believe that we are the subjects of Jesus’ heavenly spiritual Kingdom? Do we live our lives and base our everyday decisions on this reality or are we somewhat confused? If we’re consciously checking the authenticity and purity of our “mind set” then in the long haul we’re going to get ripped off. The enemy will successfully rob and steal from us. (John 10:10)

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. God is committed to us. He has purposed His best for us and part of the New Covenant says, “I will put my laws into their minds” (Hebrews 8:10) God has covenanted to powerfully effect our thinking. If we avail ourselves to His Holy Word He’ll see to it that we start thinking in line with His eternal Kingdom. He will give us the grace to live as people whose minds are set on Christ and His Kingdom.

Romans 8:5-7 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Unpacking The Promises

2009-10-01T09:10:00.000-03:00

In the book of Romans we're given a "prophetic principle" of God. One that, if we understand, will help us to open the "promise packages" so that we can partake of them and more fully enjoy the blessings of God that make us spiritually rich and add no sorrow to our life. (Pr.10:22)

Rom 4:17 - As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (NLT)

In the context of this verse we find where the Lord called Abram, Abraham, the father of many nations. God called Him that before he had any children. In the heart and mind of God it was a "done deal". Through the eyes of humanism this would seem absurd.

Another example of this "prophetic principle" is the exodus of Israel after 400 years of Egyptian bondage. Before they had experienced even the least physical evidence of change God told them that Canaan Land was theirs. The challenges that the first generation of "exodus Israelites" faced are very similar to the ones New Covenant Believers face today.

God has given us a New Covenant Promised Land. The Land of Christlikeness. Will we join with the Joshua's and Caleb's in our generation and choose to believe in the loving heart of God or will we balk in unbelief and join the crowds that are of the opinion that say, "it will never happen".

It should noted that when it comes to "entering into the Land" this is where revival gets real personal. I can't control other peoples choices. I can't cause a local church or a nation to experience revival but I sure in a position of authority when it comes me and what I'll allow the Lord to do in my own life. I choose for me.

The more individuals that choose to fully surrender to God's "prophetic vision" for today the larger the revival will be. The story is told of a young pastor who was visiting a revival meeting. He approached the aged and seasoned revivalists and how he could have a revival in his church. The answer he was given is what we all need to hear and embrace today. Here's the "key to revival" that was given to the young eager pastor. "I want you to go home and, with chalk, draw a four foot diameter circle on the living room floor. Then I want you to stand inside the circle and pray this; God revive everything inside this circle."

The first generation of "exodus Israelites" were given the promises of God. They were given Canaan Land yet they refused to personalize those promises. They failed to embrace them! They failed to believe that the "prophetic vision" of God was for them. All they say was the impossibilities. They choose to look at the promised land through the eyes of humanism. Through the eyes of human logic. Nothing made sense because they refused to look at it through the faithful uncompromising heart of God's love. They refused to walk by faith. They refused to walk on the revealed Word of God. They allowed their unbelief to dictate their future. This we need to avoid like a plague. There will always be plenty of opportunities throughout life to be dictated by fear and unbelief rather than peace and faith.

There's some major things to learn and apply to our New Covenant life through truths revealed in the "exodus story". I think it's important to understand that the promises given to the nation of Israel were the same for both the first and second generations. The second generation of "exodus Israelites" experienced in their generation all that the first generation missed. They promises were the same for both generations. God had done His part in releasing to them His "prophetic vision". The fulfillment of that would be determined by the peoples obedience to God's Word. An obedience which was generated out of genuine faith, a faith that was motivated by love for God. (Gal.5:6)

The New Covenant promises had been around since the conception of the Church. The promises, God's "prophetic vision" is the same for our generation as they were in the early Church. Nothing has changed! The Word of God penned by the Apostle Peter in 2P. 1:3,4 are as relevant now as they've ever been.

2Pe 1:3,4 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

These two verses reveal the heart of God for us today. In a nut shell they're God's "prophetic vision" for us today. Do they seem out of reach? Are we tempted to put at least put so of this into heaven? How real is the vision of Christlikeness to us? Over the years I've heard more than once this expression coming out of Christianity, "Well what do you expect, we're only human you know!" Prior to being "Born Again" this statement has some relevance, however, it's simply not true of the New Covenant Believer. By the power of the Holy Spirit Christ lives in us. We're no longer "just human". This is because of truth that Christlikess becomes a major possibility just like Canaan Land was possibility for the "exodus Israelites".

The challenge we face today is unpackaging the promises. How do we enter into our Promised Land? What must we do? The example has been left us. One that is clear and easy to follow. The second generation of "exodus Israelites" did things different than their forefathers. They chose to obey. They chose to agree that what God had said He wanted for them was a realistic objective. It was a possibility because of who He was. They chose to trust the integrity of God's love filled heart. They chose to obey, to move forward. The first thing they were confronted with was a flooding Jordan River. (Josh 3:15) There's a picture here that is vital for us to not only see but also apply personally. In order for Israel to enter the Promised Land they were required to go through the Jordan which means "down under" which for us typifies the need we have to humble ourselves and the water of the Jordan typifies the water of the Word.

Before we can experience the fulfillment of the promises we must know what they are, humble ourselves, and begin living in agreement with them. We do this the same way the Israelites did, by trusting God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Put yourself in the shoes of the priests who were carrying the Ark. They were the first ones to be confronted with the realities of the impossible. They moved steadily forward trusting that as they did, that something was going to happen that would enable them to get to the other side. (The imaginations could have been running wild for sure) We're not requited to figure it all out. We're required to trust and obey. God will work the miracles required to fulfill His prophetic vision as we simply choose to obey.

2 Cor 3:18 - And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Php 2:13 - for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Col 1:27 - Christ in you, the hope of glory. (glory now as well as latter)

For us to experience God's "prophetic vision" being realized in us today requires that we humble ourselves, agree with the Word of God and allow it to be applied to our personal life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jms 1:21 - Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

It's a very possibility for us to experience our New Covenant Canaan Land of Christlikeness. Let's be open to hear the testimony of Joshua today. Jos 23:14 - "And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed." Let's be apart of that company of people that are able, with all honesty, to say this at the close of our earthly journey in Jesus.

Reestablishing Original Purpose

2009-09-01T10:15:00.000-03:00

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen.1:1) Because all we've ever known in this world has been viewed through the scares of sin it's difficult to accurately comprehend how things were before the Fall. We are told, however, in Gen 1:31 just how God felt about all the work He had done. "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." It was VERY GOOD! And this is coming from the God who tells things as they really are; void of exaggeration. This is the accurate expression of the God who is capable of creating anything and everything.

Col.1:16 informs us that all creation was made by God and FOR God. It was a pleasure, for God, to both create and enjoy. Job 38 gives us a bit of a glimpse into the spiritual realm during the time of

creation. The angles were singing and shouting for joy. Without question the original was good. The purposes of God for humanity rest solidly on the eternal foundation of God's love.

The depths and quality of God's love is seen in the fact that He crowned His creation, Adam and Eve with the freedom of choice. God's love was willing to run the risk of not being loved. God could have made us all robots, but that, we are not. Even today God's love is extended to all people. He refuses to force His love on anyone, choosing rather to invite and welcome people to receive His gift of forgiven and eternal life. God's love refuses to force!

Mat 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Sin Paints The World Black

Adam was God's direct creation. A creation that God called good. God considers it a good thing for people to have freedom of choice. He gave this awesome God-like quality to the "federal head" of the human race. Adam took that power and privilege and chose to disobey the One who created and blessed him. This was the original "black plague". This is when sin entered the human heart. This is when death entered the world. This is when humanity became slaves to the powers of darkness. No longer would they be free to please God. In choosing to disobey, Adam forfeited his God given privilege of choosing to obey His Creator. He and all his descendants would be helpless to avoid sin. In fact it became "human nature' to sin. Sin would be as natural as breathing. It would be an integral part of the person. Sin would be a distinguishing feature of peoples spiritual DNA.

Rom 3:10-18 - as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 13 "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." 14 "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Some suggest that there's a little bit of good in everyone. It might be an encouraging thought at times, however it's simply not true. Once sin entered and found its place in the human heart it became human nature to sin. Dogs bark because they're dogs. Cats meow because they're cats. And people sin because they're sinners. Without the help of God there is no hope of ever being rescued or restored to the Lord's original purposes for us. (Eph.2:12; Col. 1:20) Rom 8:7,8 - For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (NLT)

The world has come a long way in knowledge, medicine and science yet we still are unable to secure any kind of lasting peace. Presently there's so much violence, so much lack of genuine "God love' in the world. As I'm putting this together for the Internet there are hundreds of thousands starving in war torn countries. How is this possible in our time? It's possible because information, knowledge and even great instruction is powerless to change human nature. This we need God for.

Repainting The World With God's Colors

God is far from finished with this world. As bleak as things appear and are going to appear, God has not surrendered this world to darkness forever. God promised Abraham that he and His descendants, through the Lord Jesus Christ, would inherit the earth forever. God's promise is eternal life on earth in absolute peace and security. This will happen. God's eternal purposes will be realized.

At present and in the plan of God we're in transition. God has been and is today calling out a people for Himself, a people who will inherit eternal life, a people who will inhabit the glorified earth.

While we wait for that day to come how do we live? God sent His Son, Jesus into this world to make it possible for people to be saved, to be rescued from the power sin and to be given the awesome blessing of choice. Everyone who comes to Christ in sincere repentance of sin and receives Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior experiences a spiritual rebirth in the human heart (spirit). Repentance in this context means a deep inner determination to turn away from all known sins and with this same determination seek to serve God in obedience. 2Cor 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

The salvation package which Jesus purchased for us with His shed blood includes not only a "Jesus like" nature but also the power to honor God through obedience to His Word. One day everything will be made new and the true children of God will be fully revealed in the world. (Rom.8:21) Until then God has purposed that His people color their world right where they are. Every child of God has the "call of God" upon their life to be like Jesus right where they live, right where they work. 1Jn 2:4-6 - Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The world is a dark place and the only way it's going to change for now is if God's people choose to live in consistent obedience to the Word of God by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Sin has stained the world with hatred, bitterness, fear, pride, self seeking, suspicion, lies, deception, unforgiveness and the list goes on. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.(1Jn.3:8) The works of the devil is sin. He first does this work in us and then through us He is able to paint the world around us with His love and with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is meant to be lived in the world not just in the four wall of a church building on Sundays. Isa.61:3 - ... They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (NIV) God has purposed that His display His spendor in the world.

To those who live and work around us we are the only Jesus they'll see and experience until they come to Christ. The Christian life is important to have but it's also important to give away. (Mt.10:8) Gal 5:22-25 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. When God gets into the human heart there is genuine change and it's this change, this Christ in us we carry into a world of darkness. Be encouraged, your Christianity is meant to be lived right where you live everyday. It's there we can expect to experience God's indwelling Spirit expressing God's person to people in our world.

As a Born Believer God has restored to you the power and privilege of choice. How will you use it? Will you choose to say "yes" to God's Word and live to glorify Jesus Christ right where you are? You have been gifts and power to repaint the world around you. Through the power fo the Holy Spirit you can bring the clor of God's heart into the blackest hole. Allow God to do it through you today. Be a world changer!

The Power of Sin is Broken

2009-08-01T19:33:00.000-03:00

Ps. 124:7 - We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

When the Son of God came to earth he did so in human form. (1Tim.3:16) We're told in Col.1:16 that Jesus Christ, the personified Word of God is the Creator of all things. The Creator became the created.

The Creator came to earth for a very specific purpose. That purpose was to address the who sin question and it's effects on the world and in people's lives. To do this He would offer Himself as the sinless sacrifice for the sin of the world. This is what John the Baptist publicly declared concerning the Christ. Jn.1:29 -... Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

God chose not to raise up a "good man" or an exceptional prophet as the sacrifice for sin. He chose His only Son. He was the "God provided' Savior of the world. No one else would do. No one else could do! Jn. 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Think for a moment what it cost God to provide salvation for people. I'm convinced that the vast majority of Christians in North America do not understand what is cost the Lord Jesus Christ to free them from the penalty and power of sin. If we did there'd be a lot less sin in the camp, that's for sure. Let's stop and take a look at the personal price Jesus paid.

Jesus, God's only Son was absolutely unique in that He was fully God while still fully human (Rom.1:3,4), something beyond our complete comprehension. Here was God encased in human flesh with all it's limitation, human emotions, human feelings. He felt physical pain in the same way you and I do. With that in mind let's consider Isa. 52:14 - As many were astonished at you-- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind-- Is it any wonder that the Roman soldiers were forced to make Simon to finish carrying

Jesus' cross up Golgotha's hill (Lk.23:26). As if this was not enough pain to bear! They then nailed Jesus' bleeding, mutilated body to the cross.

One might imagine that once those spikes were embedded into the tree, Jesus' fate was sealed. NOT SO! Jesus voluntarily laid down His life. No one took it from. At no time was Jesus sacrifice

out of His control. it's good for us to be reminded that in the midst of all that pain and suffering Jesus could have called out to His Heavenly Father resulting in Him sending twelve legions of angels ( about 60,000) to His aid (Mt.26:53). Jesus was in full control of His physical death. This He did for you and I. This He did for all the souls of humanity. God did for us what we could never do for ourselves.

Through the severity of Jesus' crucifixion we are able to see His love and commitment to the Father's will. Jesus obedience unto death earned Him the right to be the perfect Savior (Heb.2:10).

It was enabled Him to become the perfect High Priest, One who is able to personally identify with suffering and temptation (Heb.4:15).

WHAT'S JESUS' HIGH PRIESTHOOD ALL ABOUT?

Jesus came to destroy the devil and his work (Heb.2:14 & 1Jn.3:8). The whole purpose in all this was to fully address the sin issue and in so doing He has made it possible for everyone to be be freed from both the penalty and the power of sin. Most Christian seem to have a fairly good handle on freedom from "penalty" aspect of sin. Basically it's the imagined "fire insurance policy", believing that as Christians we are free from God's wrath and eternal judgement. This is wonderful and we're so grateful for it. There is however much more for us. It's that part of salvation which the Lord has purposed would powerfully effect us in the "here and now". It has to do with freedom from the power of sin.

If Jesus sacrificial death only dealt with future judgement against sin then people would still be plagued with sins power in they're life. They would never be free to live a life being filled with the Spirit. Are we understanding that Jesus has made it possible for us to live free from sinning? If this were not the case there would be no need for Jesus' present High Priest ministry.

When Believer's are being tempted to sin (as Jesus was) we turn, in prayer to Jesus.

Heb 2:18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, HE IS ABLE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE BEING TEMPTED.

Heb 4:14-16 - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It's vital for us to understand how important it is to God that we live free from sinning. If it were not important there would be no need for Jesus' High Priest ministry. The point is when we are being tempted (not after) we look to the Lord for help to overcome the temptation and experience victory over sinning. There is always forgiveness for sin but what God has purposed is that we would live free from it.

1Jn 3:8-10 - Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Clearly it's God's full intention to have his people experience freedom from the power of sin. The heart of God is to bless His people in such a way that they are able to enjoy victory of sinning. This is at the heart of the Gospel. The wages of sin is death. This is a principle, a law that operates in the lives of Believers as well as unbelievers. God will not be mocked we will always reap what we sow.

Gal. 6:7-9 - Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

GETTING OBEDIENCE WORKING FOR US

We're doing good whenever we're purposing to live free from sinning. We will reap a great harvest of eternal life as we remain persistent in seeking to honor and glorify the Lord through living in obedience to the Word of God. To say it's easy would be totally inaccurate and grossly misleading. Jesus obedience lead Him to the cross and so it will for us.

There's a Bible truth that seems to have hidden in the shadows cast by the extremes of the "Prosperity Doctrine" that has been dominating much of Western Christianity. We don't want to hear about suffering. We've grown up in a society that has known little hardship at all and that's had an influence on the Church. In most Christian circles today if Believers are suffering difficulties in life it's assumed they're out of God's will. The fingers of judgement are all too often pointed in their direction. The hidden truth I mentioned; it's found in Ph. 1:29. "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake," What does this? The answer to this question is one of the major components to living free from sin.

To help us understand the suffering all Believers have been called to let's look at 1P. 4:1,2 - Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. The context here is clearly living free from a life controlled by the old sin nature.

What is meant by, "suffering in flesh"? It sounds so morbid, even sadistic! It has to with resisting sinning. It has to with saying "NO" to sin when being tempted just the same way Jesus did. Heb. 2:18 - For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Jesus' greatest temptation came in the garden of Gethsemane. The temptation was for Him to avoid going to the Cross. Obedience, however, demanded it. It's time for us to hear again the words of Christ. Mat.10:38 - And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Every Believer has a cross and it's there we choose to nail the that part of our old sin nature that the enemy is using to distract us from God perfect will of obedience. This can be a real battle for us. It was Jesus! Lk. 22:44 - And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. This is the kind of inner suffering the writer of Hebrews is referring to in Heb 12:4 - In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Jesus understands exactly what it takes to overcome sin. He understands the need we have and that is why He remains ever faithful to His people. God has chosen to involve us in the spiritual growth process which He is engaged in within the human heart. This is one reason that he has put a cap on the severity of temptation we'll face in life. 1Cor. 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. At times temptations can seem unbarable and the devil would love us to believe they are. The truth is, God will not allow any temptation to be more than we're able to handle. The key factor here is to apply God's Word and use His way of escape. Prayer is so important. When we're being tempted wether big or small we need to turn to the Lord in faith believing He'll help us.

Rom 6:14 - For sin will have no dominion over you

Winds of Change

2009-07-01T11:52:00.000-03:00

Awareness of Need:

The resent economical developments in North America and the world has surfaced the need for drastic change in the way financial institutes do business. Even though the problem appears to have come quite suddenly many economists have been warning of pending danger for a years. It’s clear now that many in the global financial arena were aware of the signs of pending danger, yet for various reasons (mostly greed) chose to ignore them.

Many were staring at the collapse of the banking system while being unwilling to give up the “good life”. It’s quite possible that some of these executives were totally incapable of imagining life any different. For some it’s all they had ever known. The joy ride, however, is over! It’ll take time for it all to sink in but eventually things will change. They have to! The journey to economic recovery has just now begun. We’re entering a period of transition.

The vast majority of what we’re seeing take place in the financial institutes in North America has never been experienced before. It’s precedent setting! It definitely has our attention. I feel this serves as a vivid picture for us; one that illustrates the present spiritual need in the Church.

In the nation of Israel there was time of transition from King Saul to King David. During that period of time the sons of Issachar were not only able to discern the times but also they knew what to do as a result of it. 1Chr. 12:32 - From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. One of the key things for us to glean from this is the fact that sons of Issachar followed through on what they understood was the right thing to do. It’s one thing to know something and quite another to act upon the knowledge you have.

Winds of Change:

King Saul is illustrative of humanism. It's interesting to note that record is even made of his physical stature. 1Sam. 9:2 - And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. He had barely started his reign as king of Israel when God withdrew the anointing. For the most part Saul was on his own as Israel's leader.

Let's not forget that people can live and display even a great deal of success in the world and be totally void God's present anointing in their life. Scripture makes it quite clear that even the ungodly prosper in this world (Ps.37:7; Ps.73:3). Success measured on the scales of the world, appears quite different when placed on the scales of the Kingdom. God had chosen and anointed David, a man after His own heart. (1Sam.13:14) Both Saul and David had their successes. The difference was that David's greatest success lay in the fact of God's continued anointing in his life. It'll be the anointing upon David's life that the sons of Issachar were able to see and it was this anointing that caused them to become personally involved in the "winds of change". They knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the nation should have been living in the blessing of the anointing and under the authority of the Anointed.

The Christian Church in North America presently experiences one of its lowest spiritual times. Over the last twenty years numerous high profile leaders from various denominations have fallen into immorality. The present divorce rate is the same inside the Church as outside. The same holds true for premarital sex among Christian teens. Churches are running things using the measuring sticks of "big business". Some denominations which still carry the Christian name-tag no longer believe in the divine inspiration of Scripture and have fully embraced "new age" situation ethics. The list goes on.

We can have large "big business" churches and talk the talk but all indications are that in general the Church has come out from under the leadership of the Anointed One, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is definitely true for all professing Christian who are not experiencing God's Word being fulfilled in their life. Where's the true love, joy and peace? Where's the righteousness that comes with a Holy Spirit filled life? Where's the being "more than a conqueror" over ever situation that would lead us into sin? (Rom.8:37; Ph.4:13) It's time for change! It's time to refuse Saul's leadership in my life and choose Christ's.

Back To Basics:

Not too many in the evangelical community, today, will argue against revival. We so desperately need to get back to the basics. Really that's simply what a spiritual revival is. Records of former revivals or spiritual awakenings makes it pretty clear that such a move of the Holy Spirit can appear very dramatic and almost out of human control.

A quick revisit of the book of Acts reveals what normal church life is like when the anointing of the Holy Spirit is active. Normal Christianity is a Spirit filled Christianity. This kind of normality all started when the glorified Christ poured out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. You talk about dramatic and "out of control"! Wow! To the onlookers it seemed as though those on whom the Holy Spirit had descended upon were all drunk. They were all speaking in "other tongues"! (Acts 2:1-13) What on earth was going on? What was going on was,

God was pouring His Holy Spirit power into His obedience followers. Jesus had told His disciples to wait until they received power from heaven before they when out into the world as His representatives. Lk. 24:49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." (NLT) This was the same power that Jesus received prior to His ministry of preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and raising the dead to life again. (Lk.4:18; Mt.11:5) The Holy Spirit filled life was "normal life" for Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled life was "normal life" in the early church.

Getting back to basics is getting back to a Spirit filled life, a Spirit filled home, a Spirit filled Church. For us in North America, getting back to the Biblical standards of "Normal Christianity" will be a Holy Spirit revival. It's going to require that we individually choose to come out from under the "Saul leadership" in our life to the "Jesus leadership".

Holy Spirit Anointing:

Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit there is no real "New Covenant" Christianity. Just as Saul ruled Israel for forty years void of God's anointing it's very possible to have a form of Christianity. A religious organization with a Christian name tag void of Holy Spirit anointing is simply a "big business" religious organization. That we don't need. Change is in the wind.

The Holy Spirit's anointing brings the reality of God's power to bare on real life situations. It enable those who once were "sin filled" to be Spirit filled. (Gal.5:16) It enables Believers to experience the righteousness, peace and joy of God's Kingdom. (Rom.14:17)

The Holy Spirit will guide us into the truths of God's Word. (Jn.16:13; 1Jn.2:27) His anointing will break the bondages that often come from a former lifestyle. (Isa.10:27)

A Holy Spirit filled life will result in spiritual fruit that honors the Lord. Gal. 5:22,23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;... God's purpose for His people has always been, "Spirit filled". God has always purposed to do for us what we are unable to do for our self, to enable us to experience the "Jesus life" in a personal way. God has always purposed for us to enjoy victory over sin, to be more than conquerors, to be the head and not the tail. It's all possible because of the Holy Spirit and the power that comes as a result of His anointing.

Be "being filled" with the Holy Spirit:

Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism, the day of Pentecost, and a refilling in Acts 4:31 have at least one thing in common and that is prayer. It's also interesting to note that in Jesus' teaching on prayer in He includes the Holy Spirit in the context of a gift. Lk.11:10-13 - For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" With the Lord putting so much emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer will He not freely give us of His Holy Spirit?

Eph 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, God does nothing by mistake. Using drinking of wine in the context of being filled with the Holy Spirit is significant. To be in a continuous drunken state requires continuous drinking. I feel we're being taught that in order to be continuously controlled by the Spirit requires continuous filling.

There's something to learn from the making of old testament lamp stand. It was all to be made of absolute pure gold and was hammered into shape from one solid peace gold. (Ex.25:31) To cast something of this nature with impurities would result in it being porous, allowing the oil to drain through it. That's kind of how I see Believers. We're in the process of being perfected. The dross is imperfections of our old sin nature which is progressively being purged from us. I feel that my own personal need to be continuously refilled with the Holy Spirit is due to the fact that I still leak. I'm not the purest of gold at this point in my Christian walk.

Realizing our present imperfections and our need of constant refilling of the Holy Spirit is something that helps us maintain a consistent communication with the Lord. This is a good thing!

"Lord refill us today and keep us constantly coming to you in love and faith looking for you to refill us and empower us in our generation to be all you envision for us to be." It's important for us to remember that we're not begging God to do something, we're not trying to convince Him to do something He's not particularly interested in. It's more about us receiving what He wants us to have. Being "filled" is God's perfect will for all His people. No exceptions! We seek to be "filled". We reach out in faith, with expectation and anticipation of receiving the blessing that makes us rich and adds no sorrow to our life.

The Lord is coming soon! Let's be sure that we're apart of the "wise virgins" company, those who had enough oil for their lamps to keep them burning bright when Jesus returns.(Mt. 25:1-11)

Abundance of Life

2009-06-01T22:16:00.000-03:00

Jesus makes this powerful statement in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Jesus makes it very clear that there are two powers seeking to influence human life, your life, my life. The powers of darkness purpose to steal kill and destroy. On the other hand Jesus has come to give life in abundance. What life is He referring to here and what abundance should be expected?

As the driver of this Top Fuel Dragster throttles up, the engine comes to life with a mighty roar and that life trusts this machine down the 1/4 mile in less than 5 seconds and at a speed in excess of 325 mph. That's miles per-hour not kilometers per-hour.

When this engine "comes to life" it accomplishes its intended purpose and enables this Top Fueler to also realize the purposes for which it was engineered. The key element to the dragster's success is its power source. 8000 horse power from only a 500 cubic inches of engine!

God's Word emphatically states, "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN". What's so important here? Why did Jesus say that unless people are "Born Again" by the power of God they will neither see nor enter the eternal Kingdom of God? It's all about receiving a "new power source"; a spiritual engine capable of thrusting us forward into Christlikeness.

As people we're birthed into this world with the fallen human nature, a nature completely incapable of pleasing God. Human nature is a power source incapable of catapulting us into Christlikeness. No amount of religious revamping or disciplining will ever give the "old engine" the power needed to accomplish God's purposes for us. We must have an "engine change"! We must receive from the Lord the power source (engine) that has been built to both please God and enable us to run the spiritual race with the capability of winning.

As Christians we need to come to the place where we understand that our "old self" is absolutely incapable of performing to the spiritual standards set by God. Rom 8:7,8 - For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Maybe you've heard or even used the term, "there's a little bit of good in everyone". This isn't the way the Apostle Paul understood the "old nature". Notice what he says in Romans 7:18 "And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature". For this reason we must experience God giving us the new "power source" of His Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (ESV) When truly "Born Again" by the power of God we are not only forgiven our sins we are given an entirely new spiritual "power source". This "New Life in Christ" is what Jesus means when He says that He came to give life in abundance. What really is life? Is it not the power to live! To think that "abundant life" is merely receiving "abundance in life" (things) is certainly limiting God's vision. Jesus has come so that we can receive from Him "New Life", a power source capable of glorifying Christ through our thoughts and actions.

Notice what Paul says in Ph. 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength". Think of this truth! Everything! In order for that to be the truth it must fully embrace the hard things. Things like loving our enemies, loving our neighbors as our self, forgiving the unforgivable. It includes having the spiritual resources to put behind us negative, crushing experiences, failures and shortcomings and embrace the new day that God has purposed for us. It means having the spiritual resources to forgive our self and move forward without the heavy baggage that drags people down. It is absolutely possible for Christians to love one another as Christ loves them. It's absolutely possible for us to lay our lives down for one another. Yes it is. We can love Christians who hold to differing views than our own. To young Pastor Timothy Paul said, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2Tim. 1:7).

The clear teaching of Scripture is that as Christians we are not in competition against each other, however there is a race to be won. Paul uses "people racing" to teach the importance of determination and proper "goal setting". 1Cor. 9:24-26 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step.

The competitors in the personal spiritual race are "worldly verses spiritual". We do have two power sources to draw from. We're either going to live under the influence of the "old nature" or that of the "new one". The choice is ours! The driver of the "Top Fueler" must choose to accelerate as well as steer the machine as it heads for the finish line. Amos 3:3 - Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

The driver of the dragster knows the potential of his car and races accordingly. As God's people we should understand the spiritual potential of our new power source. What are we capable of? What can be accomplished as it pertains to matured Christlikeness in our life? Eph 2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. We can please God! We can arrive at the destiny chosen for us in Christ. Eph. 4:24 - Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. This is not an exaggeration! It is however, our goal, our finish line as it were.

There are definite rewards given by the Lord. He believes in rewards and when Jesus returns there'll be a "Rewards Banquet" of sorts. At times we can feel that choosing to serve Lord by obey the Word and being directed by the Holy Spirit costs a lot. Be sure that in the light of eternity they'll be less than nothing. Our decision to do it God's way will be worth it all.

2Tim. 4:8 - And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.

In the book of Revelation 22:12 said "Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds. Let's run to win. We have the potential. We have "New Life". We have the spiritual "Power Source" capable of honoring and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. He purchased "new life", a "new power source" for us with His shed blood and He has given it to us. In Jesus name let's throtle up and head for the finish line expecting to win. Let's glorify Christ in the "here and now" by living in "love obedience" to His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. The race is on!