David said in Psalm 122:1 (NKJV), "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the House of the Lord.'" This Psalm by David is titled, "The Joy of Going to the House of the Lord: A Song of Ascents Of David." Like him, I love going to the House of the Lord or church, in order to praise, worship, and learn about God and to fellowship with my Church family.
The church building is supposed to be a school house for the Church. This is where the Body of Christ gathers to worship, to learn and to grow in the knowledge of Jesus. This is where we learn the Word and how to apply the Word in our lives, so we can live victoriously in the life Jesus came to give us. The Body of Christ comes to the church to be taught and edified and strengthened and become ambassadors and ministers of Reconciliation.
When we are born-again, we become the temple or habitation of God, according to Ephesians 2:19-22 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens) but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's Own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's (Own) household. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the Chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord (a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the Presence of the Lord). In Him (and in fellowship with one another) you yourselves are being built up (into the structure) with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit."
God can work not only within us, but among us. I know some people who don't believe in going to church or that it is necessary to come together, but let's look at what the Word says in Hebrews 10:24,25 (Amplified) which says, "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities; Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together (as believers) as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully, as you see the day approaching (the day of Christ's return)."
The Message Translation translates the above scripture like this, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
The Worrell Translation says, "The gathering of ourselves together; for the public worship of God, The day approaching: the day of Christ's coming."
Are we respectful, when we come to church? How many people come to church fighting all the way there, then put on their "church faces" when pulling into the parking lot? Are we attentive in church or are we watching the time, planning lunch, texting or reading Emails?
Do you hinder the move of the Holy Spirit? Do you let the flesh distract you? Do you allow your children to disrupt the service and take the attention of others off the Message? Do we give the Holy Spirit respect? Are we sensitive to what God wants to do in our lives and in the lives of those attending the service?
God is not looking for phony Christians. He wants the REAL THING, not just people who "talk the talk." God wants people who will "WALK THE WALK."
We are supposed to come to church prayed up, expecting God to use us (as well as the preacher) to be a BLESSING and be sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit.
God gives Gifts to ALL OF US, to use for His Glory. #YOU ARE SPECIAL. Every born-again child of God, has RESURRECTION POWER, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, on the inside of them.
Let's look at Ephesians 5:15-20 which says, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people). Making the very most of the time (buying up each opportunity), because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery but ever be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices (and instruments) and making melody with all your heart to the Lord. At all times and for everything giving thanks in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father."
The King James Version says, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The above scriptures tell us that when we come together, we should see ourselves as God the Father sees us.
So, let's come to the House of the Lord EXPECTANTLY!!!
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If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, then let's pray now, saying, "Dear God, I know that I am a sinner, but I'm coming before You now, asking for forgiveness of my sins. Thank You, for forgiving me of ALL my sins and please, come into my heart to live. I thank You Lord, that I am now Your child and will some day live with You in eternity. Please, lead me to a place of worship, where I can learn more about You. Amen.
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If you are already saved and born-again, but you do not come into God's Church with thanksgiving, then pray for God to lead you, through His Word and by His Holy Spirit, to do so from now on.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Friday, September 9, 2016
SEED TO PLANT
Here's a portion of a prophecy given by Kenneth Copeland. This reminds us why it's so important to keep our eyes on what God says, regardless of circumstances. Thus, God says, "Don't pay attention to or make any plans based on what the media says or what [politicians] says. Stand on My Word in John 16. Pay attention to Me...I already have THE PLAN for you, and it's very good. Follow it. It will not only get you through, it will place you in a high place---a rich place---a strong place of victory. Discipline yourself and be diligent to listen to Me...My system is stronger than ever. My Kingdom is flourishing, and THE BLESSING is the place to be. Keep your eyes on My Word. It will guide you and I will perform it. Love My people---You'll be able to reach out to untold numbers of suffering people with the Good News of the Gospel."
God prophesied through Hosea in Hosea 4:16 saying, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
God didn't say that His people were destroyed because the devil is so great or because he's so big and powerful there's nothing you can do about it. No! God didn't say that. His Word says that, "My people are destroyed for LACK OF KNOWLEDGE."
You cannot believe anything further than YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE. 2Peter 1:2-3 says, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." It's important to recognize that, "It's through knowledge of God that grace and peace are multiplied" to you. So many people have no peace-grace and peace aren't multiplied to them, because they don't have the knowledge of God---they don't know the promises of God or realize God has made promises in His Word that we can stake our lives on.
Verse 3 goes on, "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature."
We can be "PARTAKERS of the DIVINE NATURE OF GOD." Peter said,in the above scripture, "Hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness." If God has given them, then THEY ALREADY BELONG TO US---THEY ARE OURS, but quite often, we have let the devil cheat us out of those things, which God intended us to have.
1John 5:18 says, "He that is born of God keepeth himself." We keep ourselves by knowing that you cannot use faith any further than the KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE. The single most reason tragedy happens to Christians, is they lack the knowledge of the Word God has spoken to us---a knowledge of what God has wrought in Christ Jesus and what our position is in Christ. They lack knowledge of what their authority is in the earth as children of God.
Proverbs 2:1-6 says, "God says the Lord gives wisdom and out of His mouth comes wisdom and understanding." In other words, the words that come from God's mouth are the wisdom of God and His understanding.
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, "My son, forget not My Law but let thine heart keep My commandments: for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man."
Through knowing what God's Word says WE CAN HAVE FAVOR in the SIGHT OF GOD and MAN. Proverbs 3:5-8,13 continue, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy naval and marrow to thy bones." God's Word is designed to give us knowledge, wisdom and favor with both God and man. Verse 13 goes on, "Happy is the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour."
When Hosea prophesied that, "God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," he was not filling in pages of the Bible. He was speaking a truth that will absolutely transform your thinking and cause you to enter into the blessings God has prepared for you. God's Word is filled with great promises, but UNLESS WE KNOW THEM and BECOME PARTAKERS, WE WILL NEVER RECEIVE THEM. Knowledge of God's Word will be, "Keeping and garrisoning our property, our possessions and that which God has given us as an inheritance in the earth." That makes US the ones who are responsible for keeping it. We have a responsibility to possess the Promises and to enforce satan's defeat.
David said in Psalm 17:4 that, "I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer." How did he do that? By the "Word of his lips." In other words, David spoke what God spoke. Read what Jesus said in Mark 11:24. He admonished us to not pray the circumstances or the problems, but PRAY YOUR REQUEST, saying, "Whatsoever things you desire." "What you desire" is YOUR REQUEST. What you should pray for IS THE ANSWER and not THE PROBLEM. The Church has missed out in this area and has opened the door for satan to con God's people into PRAYING the PROBLEM, instead of PRAYING the ANSWER.
The more you pray the problem, the greater the problem will become. The Principle of Mark 11:23 is geared for you to speak that which you desire. Jesus said, "Whosoever shall say to the mountain." WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY to the mountain (the mountain of finances, sickness, divorce, etc)? SPEAK YOUR DESIRE. Jesus said, "Whosoever believes and doubts not in his heart (not his head) but believes those things which he sayeth shall come to pass-he shall have whatsoever he SAYS." Because of that faith principle, you will have what you SAY. If you pray the problem, then you're going to receive the problem. If you pray the ANSWER, then you will RECEIVE THE ANSWER.
God prophesied through Hosea in Hosea 4:16 saying, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
God didn't say that His people were destroyed because the devil is so great or because he's so big and powerful there's nothing you can do about it. No! God didn't say that. His Word says that, "My people are destroyed for LACK OF KNOWLEDGE."
You cannot believe anything further than YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE. 2Peter 1:2-3 says, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." It's important to recognize that, "It's through knowledge of God that grace and peace are multiplied" to you. So many people have no peace-grace and peace aren't multiplied to them, because they don't have the knowledge of God---they don't know the promises of God or realize God has made promises in His Word that we can stake our lives on.
Verse 3 goes on, "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature."
We can be "PARTAKERS of the DIVINE NATURE OF GOD." Peter said,in the above scripture, "Hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness." If God has given them, then THEY ALREADY BELONG TO US---THEY ARE OURS, but quite often, we have let the devil cheat us out of those things, which God intended us to have.
1John 5:18 says, "He that is born of God keepeth himself." We keep ourselves by knowing that you cannot use faith any further than the KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE. The single most reason tragedy happens to Christians, is they lack the knowledge of the Word God has spoken to us---a knowledge of what God has wrought in Christ Jesus and what our position is in Christ. They lack knowledge of what their authority is in the earth as children of God.
Proverbs 2:1-6 says, "God says the Lord gives wisdom and out of His mouth comes wisdom and understanding." In other words, the words that come from God's mouth are the wisdom of God and His understanding.
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, "My son, forget not My Law but let thine heart keep My commandments: for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man."
Through knowing what God's Word says WE CAN HAVE FAVOR in the SIGHT OF GOD and MAN. Proverbs 3:5-8,13 continue, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy naval and marrow to thy bones." God's Word is designed to give us knowledge, wisdom and favor with both God and man. Verse 13 goes on, "Happy is the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour."
When Hosea prophesied that, "God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," he was not filling in pages of the Bible. He was speaking a truth that will absolutely transform your thinking and cause you to enter into the blessings God has prepared for you. God's Word is filled with great promises, but UNLESS WE KNOW THEM and BECOME PARTAKERS, WE WILL NEVER RECEIVE THEM. Knowledge of God's Word will be, "Keeping and garrisoning our property, our possessions and that which God has given us as an inheritance in the earth." That makes US the ones who are responsible for keeping it. We have a responsibility to possess the Promises and to enforce satan's defeat.
David said in Psalm 17:4 that, "I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer." How did he do that? By the "Word of his lips." In other words, David spoke what God spoke. Read what Jesus said in Mark 11:24. He admonished us to not pray the circumstances or the problems, but PRAY YOUR REQUEST, saying, "Whatsoever things you desire." "What you desire" is YOUR REQUEST. What you should pray for IS THE ANSWER and not THE PROBLEM. The Church has missed out in this area and has opened the door for satan to con God's people into PRAYING the PROBLEM, instead of PRAYING the ANSWER.
The more you pray the problem, the greater the problem will become. The Principle of Mark 11:23 is geared for you to speak that which you desire. Jesus said, "Whosoever shall say to the mountain." WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY to the mountain (the mountain of finances, sickness, divorce, etc)? SPEAK YOUR DESIRE. Jesus said, "Whosoever believes and doubts not in his heart (not his head) but believes those things which he sayeth shall come to pass-he shall have whatsoever he SAYS." Because of that faith principle, you will have what you SAY. If you pray the problem, then you're going to receive the problem. If you pray the ANSWER, then you will RECEIVE THE ANSWER.
Friday, September 2, 2016
SEED TO GROW - Part 2
It is really awesome when you find you can lift your voice in praise and spiritual song, while you run the vacuum, prepare dinner, fold the laundry and take care of your other natural, daily responsibilities. I love doing these things, while simultaneously worshiping, making intercession and like Jude 20 says, "BUILDING UP yourselves on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit."
"Praying in the Holy Spirit" is not your mind praying. This is how many of us have prayed for years---just with our mind, in our native tongue---because that is all we understood. We didn't know about being "filled with the Holy Spirit" and speaking in tongues.
We are admonished to pray in the Holy Spirit, but for what purpose? To "build yourself up," building your mind up and your soul. With the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we reach the place where we can get our spirit to take authority over our soul and bring it under subjection. Tongues can also be intercession, not only for your needs, but the needs of your family or those whom God places in your heart to pray for. It's essential as a wives and mothers, that we have this power.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone. Acts 2:38 says that "We should repent, be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the only requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God. It is a change of your views, bringing the acceptance of God's will in your life and receiving forgiveness of sins in the Name of Jesus Christ. There isn't a born-again Christian, who should go on without receiving this power. After all, Jesus told the disciples who walked with Him and talked with Him daily for three years, that although they had witnessed miracles, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, (the Third Person of the Trinity), they could never live a Christian life. Peter thrice denied Jesus, even though he had seen Jesus perform miracles and knew that Jesus was God's Son. He had confessed to Jesus' face, that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, but he didn't have the power and strength (within himself) to walk out the Christian life. And so, because He knew it, Jesus told them in Acts 1:4-5, "WAIT HERE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT."
Jesus' followers obeyed and waited in Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit fell and 120 people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (including Jesus' mother and all the women who were serving the needs of those there). Our families depend on us so very much, scheduling activities and meeting demands of daily life. We cannot truly meet these needs in the natural---WE MUST HAVE THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD TO HELP US.
This means that you're not having to depend on your husband, your boyfriend, your pastor or your friends. YOU ARE NOT DEPENDING ON ANYONE EXCEPT YOU and YOUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, for the edification of yourself, your mind, your soul and then for the needs of your loved ones. When we depend on our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father to meet our needs, then we will never be disappointed. HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS. Many times, our brothers or sisters, sons or daughters, spouses or friends fail us, because they are not perfected yet and then we're disappointed or left in despair. GET YOUR EYES AND MIND BACK ON THE LORD AND HE WILL SURELY KEEP YOU IN PERFECT PEACE, MEETING EVERY NEED.
Isaiah 26:3 says, "He will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on YOU, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You."
What would you classify as a wife's greatest need in the marital relationship? It's to be loved and to know that her husband believes she is a gift from God. Can those of us who are married, truly know in your heart that your husband believes you are a gift from God? Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a (true) wife finds a good thing." A man who finds a good wife, obtains favor of the Lord. How can we make ourselves lovable? WE ALL HAVE A NEED TO BE LOVED. If our husband doesn't tell us that he loves us, then we don't feel good. Not only do we have to feel that our spouse loves us, but we need to him SAY he loves us. We need to MAKE ourselves lovable, so that our husbands will say, "I love you."
We must establish the principle of living to follow Jesus and seek His righteousness, BECAUSE NOTHING WILL WORK WITHOUT JESUS---NOT ONE THING. 2Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Even though we're not perfect in every area, we can still say that, "We are the righteousness of God" and are working out His principles in our lives.
We need to be honest, too. Being honest with God and ourselves, requires lots of courage. We must also be willing to change. If we humble ourselves, then God will exalt us. It's much harder to be willing to change, even though your spouse might be the one who needs the most change, in a certain area. You be the one who humbles yourself and change. Maintain a good attitude and in doing so, you will leave the door wide open for him. Be willing to apologize, even though the other person is at fault. We must submit to each other, in love.
When you fail, ask God to forgive you, forgive yourself and then, be determined to TRY AGAIN. There are many habits we've formed through our old nature. Attitudes, emotions and reactions have been learned through our mothers, our aunts, or whomever was instrumental in influencing our formative years. We may have picked up these attitudes from the movies and other social media. It's surprising how many little girls still dream about being Cinderella and desire this kind of life even after growing up. There's nothing wrong with that and we can still make it real. Both little and big girls cling to the Cinderella idea, because this is really the "right" idea. The idea of having a Prince Charming to care for us, is based on God's plan for women.
Self acceptance is an important thing, as well as forgiving others. If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, then it's a terrible thing and will prevent the Fruit of the Spirit from being manifest in our lives. This will also keep our minds from being renewed. Forgiving ourselves and others, will bring deliverance from the deeds of the flesh.
We must keep the door open, because God continuously leaves the Door open to us, through Christ. We always have an avenue to our Father. Jesus has already opened the door and if we walk through by Jesus, then we are there. The secret to God's forgiveness is our confession to Him of our sins and the repentance of them. Then we must receive His forgiveness.
Some of us have had unrenewed minds for so long, that we fail to understand forgiveness and then satan is free to intimidate and condemn us. Psalm 103:12 says, "How far is the east from the west? They never meet do they? That is how far God has removed confessed sin from you and from HIM." He doesn't ever see it, because it is removed from Him. Micah 7:19 says, "He will again have compassion upon us. He puts our sins into the deepest part of the sea, never to be remembered again." God puts a big "NO FISHING" sign there for the devil. Do not allow satan to take you back to the old memories that God has buried---THEY ARE GONE!
Isaiah 43:25 tells us that God has no memory of confessed sin. He says, "For My Own sake" and not simply for your sake, God removes the sins. God removes them for His Own sake, because HE WANTS FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU. It's not just that you want and need it, but HE WANTS YOU and NEEDS YOU. He wants your sins blotted out and removed, so that He can come to you and show His love to you and live inside of you.
Throughout the Bible, we find God reaching out to His people. Anyone, anyone, who reaches out towards God, will find God reaching out to them through Jesus. That's where God wants us to be. He wants our sins to be blotted out and they are. Then, we come into times of refreshing in the Presence of the Lord. He builds us up and restores everything that satan tries to destroy and tear down . Isaiah 1:18 says that "God makes us clean---pure white." Isn't that marvelous that all our sins are gone and blotted away? Hallelujah!!! ONCE THERE'S FORGIVENESS, THERE IS NO NEED TO EVER BRING IT UP AGAIN.
We belong to Him and that's where we're going to stay. If you make a mistake, then don't be afraid and come under condemnation, running further away from the Father, into darkness. Always run back to the Father and ask Him for forgiveness. Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light and He will help you. God knows you cannot do it all at once, especially if you're just coming into your walk with Him. You might stumble some, but HE is going to be right there to pick you up, if you're willing to confess your sin and ask for His forgiveness. How much do you love it, even as a mother, when your child comes to you saying, "Oh, Mom, I'm sorry." You just want to gather them up in your arms (it doesn't matter how old they are) and cover them with your love. THAT'S HOW GOD FEELS.
Never allow satan to try and rob you of the completeness of God's forgiveness. If he brings up your past sins, then don't receive them, because you have been forgiven and God doesn't even remember those sins anymore. Quote the Word at satan, call him the liar and deceiver he is, and tell him that he doesn't have the right to bring them up again. Do the same thing, when things in your marriage hurt you. It might help to date it, saying, "Satan, on (date) I forgave my husband for that particular thing and you have no right to bring it back to my mind EVER."
Confess these wrongs and sins to each other and ask forgiveness from each other, as well as from the Lord. When you do this, the way will be open for healing, releasing bitterness, resentment, fear and jealousy. Remember, it's not necessary to bring up old sins, which the other person is aware of. That only adds grief and hurt to our mate, unnecessarily. If you confess these things to God and have repented, then it's best to leave them there, never to be remembered again.
Just as it is important for us to keep the doorway open to God's love, it's important to keep the doorway open to your husband's love. "Openly forgive him and forget it," like Mark 11:25 instructs.
"Praying in the Holy Spirit" is not your mind praying. This is how many of us have prayed for years---just with our mind, in our native tongue---because that is all we understood. We didn't know about being "filled with the Holy Spirit" and speaking in tongues.
We are admonished to pray in the Holy Spirit, but for what purpose? To "build yourself up," building your mind up and your soul. With the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we reach the place where we can get our spirit to take authority over our soul and bring it under subjection. Tongues can also be intercession, not only for your needs, but the needs of your family or those whom God places in your heart to pray for. It's essential as a wives and mothers, that we have this power.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone. Acts 2:38 says that "We should repent, be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the only requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God. It is a change of your views, bringing the acceptance of God's will in your life and receiving forgiveness of sins in the Name of Jesus Christ. There isn't a born-again Christian, who should go on without receiving this power. After all, Jesus told the disciples who walked with Him and talked with Him daily for three years, that although they had witnessed miracles, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, (the Third Person of the Trinity), they could never live a Christian life. Peter thrice denied Jesus, even though he had seen Jesus perform miracles and knew that Jesus was God's Son. He had confessed to Jesus' face, that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, but he didn't have the power and strength (within himself) to walk out the Christian life. And so, because He knew it, Jesus told them in Acts 1:4-5, "WAIT HERE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT."
Jesus' followers obeyed and waited in Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit fell and 120 people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (including Jesus' mother and all the women who were serving the needs of those there). Our families depend on us so very much, scheduling activities and meeting demands of daily life. We cannot truly meet these needs in the natural---WE MUST HAVE THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD TO HELP US.
This means that you're not having to depend on your husband, your boyfriend, your pastor or your friends. YOU ARE NOT DEPENDING ON ANYONE EXCEPT YOU and YOUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, for the edification of yourself, your mind, your soul and then for the needs of your loved ones. When we depend on our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father to meet our needs, then we will never be disappointed. HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS. Many times, our brothers or sisters, sons or daughters, spouses or friends fail us, because they are not perfected yet and then we're disappointed or left in despair. GET YOUR EYES AND MIND BACK ON THE LORD AND HE WILL SURELY KEEP YOU IN PERFECT PEACE, MEETING EVERY NEED.
Isaiah 26:3 says, "He will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on YOU, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You."
What would you classify as a wife's greatest need in the marital relationship? It's to be loved and to know that her husband believes she is a gift from God. Can those of us who are married, truly know in your heart that your husband believes you are a gift from God? Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a (true) wife finds a good thing." A man who finds a good wife, obtains favor of the Lord. How can we make ourselves lovable? WE ALL HAVE A NEED TO BE LOVED. If our husband doesn't tell us that he loves us, then we don't feel good. Not only do we have to feel that our spouse loves us, but we need to him SAY he loves us. We need to MAKE ourselves lovable, so that our husbands will say, "I love you."
We must establish the principle of living to follow Jesus and seek His righteousness, BECAUSE NOTHING WILL WORK WITHOUT JESUS---NOT ONE THING. 2Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Even though we're not perfect in every area, we can still say that, "We are the righteousness of God" and are working out His principles in our lives.
We need to be honest, too. Being honest with God and ourselves, requires lots of courage. We must also be willing to change. If we humble ourselves, then God will exalt us. It's much harder to be willing to change, even though your spouse might be the one who needs the most change, in a certain area. You be the one who humbles yourself and change. Maintain a good attitude and in doing so, you will leave the door wide open for him. Be willing to apologize, even though the other person is at fault. We must submit to each other, in love.
When you fail, ask God to forgive you, forgive yourself and then, be determined to TRY AGAIN. There are many habits we've formed through our old nature. Attitudes, emotions and reactions have been learned through our mothers, our aunts, or whomever was instrumental in influencing our formative years. We may have picked up these attitudes from the movies and other social media. It's surprising how many little girls still dream about being Cinderella and desire this kind of life even after growing up. There's nothing wrong with that and we can still make it real. Both little and big girls cling to the Cinderella idea, because this is really the "right" idea. The idea of having a Prince Charming to care for us, is based on God's plan for women.
Self acceptance is an important thing, as well as forgiving others. If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, then it's a terrible thing and will prevent the Fruit of the Spirit from being manifest in our lives. This will also keep our minds from being renewed. Forgiving ourselves and others, will bring deliverance from the deeds of the flesh.
We must keep the door open, because God continuously leaves the Door open to us, through Christ. We always have an avenue to our Father. Jesus has already opened the door and if we walk through by Jesus, then we are there. The secret to God's forgiveness is our confession to Him of our sins and the repentance of them. Then we must receive His forgiveness.
Some of us have had unrenewed minds for so long, that we fail to understand forgiveness and then satan is free to intimidate and condemn us. Psalm 103:12 says, "How far is the east from the west? They never meet do they? That is how far God has removed confessed sin from you and from HIM." He doesn't ever see it, because it is removed from Him. Micah 7:19 says, "He will again have compassion upon us. He puts our sins into the deepest part of the sea, never to be remembered again." God puts a big "NO FISHING" sign there for the devil. Do not allow satan to take you back to the old memories that God has buried---THEY ARE GONE!
Isaiah 43:25 tells us that God has no memory of confessed sin. He says, "For My Own sake" and not simply for your sake, God removes the sins. God removes them for His Own sake, because HE WANTS FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU. It's not just that you want and need it, but HE WANTS YOU and NEEDS YOU. He wants your sins blotted out and removed, so that He can come to you and show His love to you and live inside of you.
Throughout the Bible, we find God reaching out to His people. Anyone, anyone, who reaches out towards God, will find God reaching out to them through Jesus. That's where God wants us to be. He wants our sins to be blotted out and they are. Then, we come into times of refreshing in the Presence of the Lord. He builds us up and restores everything that satan tries to destroy and tear down . Isaiah 1:18 says that "God makes us clean---pure white." Isn't that marvelous that all our sins are gone and blotted away? Hallelujah!!! ONCE THERE'S FORGIVENESS, THERE IS NO NEED TO EVER BRING IT UP AGAIN.
We belong to Him and that's where we're going to stay. If you make a mistake, then don't be afraid and come under condemnation, running further away from the Father, into darkness. Always run back to the Father and ask Him for forgiveness. Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light and He will help you. God knows you cannot do it all at once, especially if you're just coming into your walk with Him. You might stumble some, but HE is going to be right there to pick you up, if you're willing to confess your sin and ask for His forgiveness. How much do you love it, even as a mother, when your child comes to you saying, "Oh, Mom, I'm sorry." You just want to gather them up in your arms (it doesn't matter how old they are) and cover them with your love. THAT'S HOW GOD FEELS.
Never allow satan to try and rob you of the completeness of God's forgiveness. If he brings up your past sins, then don't receive them, because you have been forgiven and God doesn't even remember those sins anymore. Quote the Word at satan, call him the liar and deceiver he is, and tell him that he doesn't have the right to bring them up again. Do the same thing, when things in your marriage hurt you. It might help to date it, saying, "Satan, on (date) I forgave my husband for that particular thing and you have no right to bring it back to my mind EVER."
Confess these wrongs and sins to each other and ask forgiveness from each other, as well as from the Lord. When you do this, the way will be open for healing, releasing bitterness, resentment, fear and jealousy. Remember, it's not necessary to bring up old sins, which the other person is aware of. That only adds grief and hurt to our mate, unnecessarily. If you confess these things to God and have repented, then it's best to leave them there, never to be remembered again.
Just as it is important for us to keep the doorway open to God's love, it's important to keep the doorway open to your husband's love. "Openly forgive him and forget it," like Mark 11:25 instructs.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
SEED TO PLANT
Last week, the Spirit of the Lord told me to tell you to turn your "expecter" on. Let's dig a little to see what that means. According to Collier's Dictionary, the word "expect" means to "look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of; to expect guests; to expect; to look forward for with reason or justification; to look out for; await."
Synonyms, also according to Collier's Dictionary, are "anticipate and expect, imply looking to some future event; expect implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will take occur; anticipate is to look forward to an event and even to picture it."
The word "expectancy" means "the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire; the state of being expected; an object of expectation; and something expected."
The word "expectant" means "expecting; the expectation; an expectant mental attitude; a person who expects or waits in expectation; a woman pregnant is expecting; waiting in expectation; a prospect of future good anticipation, hope, trust."
The Spirit of God has been putting anticipation and expectancy in the hearts of God's people in a special way.
Both Jim and I have had an expectancy in our spirits for a great and mighty move of God before Jesus comes back and the Holy Spirit has been fanning the flames of that expectancy in a greater way.
Remember the prophecy from Jerry Savelle's Ministry we shared last week? In case you've forgotten it, here's a refresher:
THE WORD OF THE LORD FOR 2016
"Extraordinary things are taking place in the heavenlies and 2016 will come to be known as THE YEAR OF THE GREAT BREAKING LOOSE.
More and more notable miracles will break loose in the earth.
More and more signs and wonders
More and more angelic visions
More and more instant healings
More and more deliverances from demonic activity
And more and more finances will break loose so My people can do more for the Kingdom, saith the Lord.
And during this time of THE GREAT BREAKING LOOSE, the enemy will no longer be able to hold back that which My faithful ones have stood in faith for, not even the things that looked as though they would never come to pass.
For I will cause them to break loose and to SUDDENLY manifest and to do so in such a way that no one will be able to deny the greatness of your God.
Yes, 2016 will be a year in which the FAITHFUL shall be rewarded beyond their highest expectations and they shall abound in My blessing as never before."
Given to Jerry Savelle October 2015.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things now seen." The Greek word for "hope" is "a favorable and confidant expectation." According to Romans 5:2, "We have the hope of the glory of God."
Hope describes the happy anticipation of good.
Colossians 1:27 tells us, "Christ in YOU the hope of Glory."
How do you think the Glory of God is going to be manifest?
THROUGH BELIEVERS LIKE YOU AND ME. GET YOUR EXPECTER ON.
Be listening for THE HOLY SPIRIT and be ready to be obedient to what He tells you to do and you will be used of God to show forth His goodness in the land and signs and wonders will follow YOU!!!
Synonyms, also according to Collier's Dictionary, are "anticipate and expect, imply looking to some future event; expect implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will take occur; anticipate is to look forward to an event and even to picture it."
The word "expectancy" means "the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire; the state of being expected; an object of expectation; and something expected."
The word "expectant" means "expecting; the expectation; an expectant mental attitude; a person who expects or waits in expectation; a woman pregnant is expecting; waiting in expectation; a prospect of future good anticipation, hope, trust."
The Spirit of God has been putting anticipation and expectancy in the hearts of God's people in a special way.
Both Jim and I have had an expectancy in our spirits for a great and mighty move of God before Jesus comes back and the Holy Spirit has been fanning the flames of that expectancy in a greater way.
Remember the prophecy from Jerry Savelle's Ministry we shared last week? In case you've forgotten it, here's a refresher:
THE WORD OF THE LORD FOR 2016
"Extraordinary things are taking place in the heavenlies and 2016 will come to be known as THE YEAR OF THE GREAT BREAKING LOOSE.
More and more notable miracles will break loose in the earth.
More and more signs and wonders
More and more angelic visions
More and more instant healings
More and more deliverances from demonic activity
And more and more finances will break loose so My people can do more for the Kingdom, saith the Lord.
And during this time of THE GREAT BREAKING LOOSE, the enemy will no longer be able to hold back that which My faithful ones have stood in faith for, not even the things that looked as though they would never come to pass.
For I will cause them to break loose and to SUDDENLY manifest and to do so in such a way that no one will be able to deny the greatness of your God.
Yes, 2016 will be a year in which the FAITHFUL shall be rewarded beyond their highest expectations and they shall abound in My blessing as never before."
Given to Jerry Savelle October 2015.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things now seen." The Greek word for "hope" is "a favorable and confidant expectation." According to Romans 5:2, "We have the hope of the glory of God."
Hope describes the happy anticipation of good.
Colossians 1:27 tells us, "Christ in YOU the hope of Glory."
How do you think the Glory of God is going to be manifest?
THROUGH BELIEVERS LIKE YOU AND ME. GET YOUR EXPECTER ON.
Be listening for THE HOLY SPIRIT and be ready to be obedient to what He tells you to do and you will be used of God to show forth His goodness in the land and signs and wonders will follow YOU!!!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Seed To Plant
Insecurity is like a poison that affects every area of a person's life. Healing may be a bit painful, but it's better than being emotionally handicapped all your life. We must learn to trust God for the attention He knows we need.
If someone does not give us the attention we think we should have, then what is the Godly response? Respond with mercy and understanding. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember that love always believes the best of others according to 1 Corinthians 13:7.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Would you want someone to judge you harshly or show you no mercy or spread gossip about you and spread strife in your church or organization? Of course you wouldn't! And neither would I.
Peace can be maintained and strife kept out by following the example of Jesus. How would we handle the situation you are facing? Never forget that strife destroys. It destroys marriages and relationships on every level. It destroys churches, business and people's health.
Strife is a peace stealer. If we can learn to recognize and deal with strife, then we will stop a lot of intended destruction.
Strife brings stress and stress brings sickness. We are vessels created by God for righteousness, peace and joy. We were never created to house strife, worry, hatred, bitterness, resentment, rage, unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, turmoil and upset of every kind. Our bodies are built to endure a lot of punishment and still survive, but filling the temple with wrong things damages it.
A lot of disease is caused by dis-ease. The symptoms and the sickness is real, but the root cause is stress.
Strife causes much of the stress in our lives. Nothing is physically harder on us than getting angry or upset, especially if we stay that way for a long time.
Look at what the Bible says in Ephesians 4:26 and James 1:19.
Stress can be mental, emotional or physical tension, strain or distress. Stress was originally an engineering term. How much stress can be placed on the steel beams in a building structure without it collapsing? Today, more people are collapsing than buildings! We are built by God in a marvelous way to handle (and handle well) a normal amount of stress.
Everyone has some stress. If you go out of a warm house into the bitter cold, then it creates thermal stress on your body. There's a certain amount of mental stress to each person's job. We all get a normal amount of physical stress. Stress in each of these instances cannot be avoided, but we must realize that proper rest and quiet time are vital to rebuild the energies that have been expended.
No wonder God establishes that man should work six days and then have a Sabbath (one day in seven to totally rest from all his labors in Exodus 20:8-10. According to Genesis 2:2 even God rested from His labors after six days of creation.
We can handle normal stress, but when things get out of balance or excessive, then we often sacrifice our good health.
The world is a stressful place. Even the noise levels are growing at an alarming rate. Everybody is in a hurry. The sad thing is that they're going nowhere and they don't know it. All of this creates an atmosphere of stress and void of peace. The atmosphere in the world today is supercharged with stress and strife. Many families are experiencing financial pressures. Normal living frequently requires two incomes, thus both parents have to work or maybe Dad works two jobs. Many single moms work two or three jobs to pay the bills and still have all the work to run a household when they get home.
To be continued...
If someone does not give us the attention we think we should have, then what is the Godly response? Respond with mercy and understanding. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember that love always believes the best of others according to 1 Corinthians 13:7.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Would you want someone to judge you harshly or show you no mercy or spread gossip about you and spread strife in your church or organization? Of course you wouldn't! And neither would I.
Peace can be maintained and strife kept out by following the example of Jesus. How would we handle the situation you are facing? Never forget that strife destroys. It destroys marriages and relationships on every level. It destroys churches, business and people's health.
Strife is a peace stealer. If we can learn to recognize and deal with strife, then we will stop a lot of intended destruction.
Strife brings stress and stress brings sickness. We are vessels created by God for righteousness, peace and joy. We were never created to house strife, worry, hatred, bitterness, resentment, rage, unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, turmoil and upset of every kind. Our bodies are built to endure a lot of punishment and still survive, but filling the temple with wrong things damages it.
A lot of disease is caused by dis-ease. The symptoms and the sickness is real, but the root cause is stress.
Strife causes much of the stress in our lives. Nothing is physically harder on us than getting angry or upset, especially if we stay that way for a long time.
Look at what the Bible says in Ephesians 4:26 and James 1:19.
Stress can be mental, emotional or physical tension, strain or distress. Stress was originally an engineering term. How much stress can be placed on the steel beams in a building structure without it collapsing? Today, more people are collapsing than buildings! We are built by God in a marvelous way to handle (and handle well) a normal amount of stress.
Everyone has some stress. If you go out of a warm house into the bitter cold, then it creates thermal stress on your body. There's a certain amount of mental stress to each person's job. We all get a normal amount of physical stress. Stress in each of these instances cannot be avoided, but we must realize that proper rest and quiet time are vital to rebuild the energies that have been expended.
No wonder God establishes that man should work six days and then have a Sabbath (one day in seven to totally rest from all his labors in Exodus 20:8-10. According to Genesis 2:2 even God rested from His labors after six days of creation.
We can handle normal stress, but when things get out of balance or excessive, then we often sacrifice our good health.
The world is a stressful place. Even the noise levels are growing at an alarming rate. Everybody is in a hurry. The sad thing is that they're going nowhere and they don't know it. All of this creates an atmosphere of stress and void of peace. The atmosphere in the world today is supercharged with stress and strife. Many families are experiencing financial pressures. Normal living frequently requires two incomes, thus both parents have to work or maybe Dad works two jobs. Many single moms work two or three jobs to pay the bills and still have all the work to run a household when they get home.
To be continued...
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Seed To Plant
In order to be successful in spiritual warfare, we must wear our shoes of peace and not just carry them around. God instructed us to put on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. God supplies us with all the armor we need to defeat the devil in every one of his strategies and deceits, but it's useless to us unless we put it on. We must keep it on because "the devil roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour," according to 1 Peter 5:8.
Learning how and being willing to walk in our shoes of peace is one of the secrets of successful spiritual warfare. Taking authority over the devil with a loud voice does not replace simple obedience to the Lord. Look at the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "Many people live in confusion, wondering why the promises of God don't work in their lives. The promises of God cannot just be claimed. They must be inherited as we enter into a sonship relationship with our Father. Look at Romans 8:14-15 which says that the "sons of God are those who are led by the Spirit of God."
Paul instructed the Corinthian church regarding God's faithfulness. He assured them God was faithful and he taught the importance of living in harmony, unity and agreement. Look at Hebrews 12:14-25. We are to want peace and to strive to live in it. Peace is to be a primary goal for us. We're to help watch over one another. If we see a brother or sister in the Lord becoming angry or upset, then we should help restore them to peace if possible. This may be one of the ways we are peace makers.
The verses in Hebrews 12:14-25 tell us that strife (or the absence of peace) leads to resentment and bitterness and even hatred. If left unattended it shoots forth and spreads.
Strife strikes like an infection or highly contagious disease. It causes trouble and brings torment and it troubles and hinders the work of the Lord and many become contaminated and defiled by it. God works in an atmosphere of peace, but satan and his cohorts work in strife and turmoil. He sets us up to cause us to become angry with one another. He knows which buttons to push at just the right time. The devil is a strategist. He lays out a plan and doesn't mind working behind the scenes for long periods of time in order to accomplish his desired goal. He lies to people setting them against each other. He magnifies incidents and makes them appear to be much more important than they really are. A person can make a simple mistake and the devil will tell him that it was done on purpose. He will try to make you believe people have plotted against you and try to hurt you on purpose. Many times people may not even realize how they offended you.
Probably, more damage is done by the spirit of offense than any other enemy. It opens the door for multitudes of deep, dangerous problems that few know how to deal with. Such problems develop from carnal Christians-immature people who live by their feelings. They say and do exactly what they feel. They don't ask God to help them get over the hurt.
The Bible plainly states that we're to forgive those who hurt us quickly, frequently, and freely.
Insecure people carry a root of religion. They need a lot of outward assurance that they're accepted. They lack feelings of worth and value from within so they crave it from outside sources.
To Be Continued....
Learning how and being willing to walk in our shoes of peace is one of the secrets of successful spiritual warfare. Taking authority over the devil with a loud voice does not replace simple obedience to the Lord. Look at the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "Many people live in confusion, wondering why the promises of God don't work in their lives. The promises of God cannot just be claimed. They must be inherited as we enter into a sonship relationship with our Father. Look at Romans 8:14-15 which says that the "sons of God are those who are led by the Spirit of God."
Paul instructed the Corinthian church regarding God's faithfulness. He assured them God was faithful and he taught the importance of living in harmony, unity and agreement. Look at Hebrews 12:14-25. We are to want peace and to strive to live in it. Peace is to be a primary goal for us. We're to help watch over one another. If we see a brother or sister in the Lord becoming angry or upset, then we should help restore them to peace if possible. This may be one of the ways we are peace makers.
The verses in Hebrews 12:14-25 tell us that strife (or the absence of peace) leads to resentment and bitterness and even hatred. If left unattended it shoots forth and spreads.
Strife strikes like an infection or highly contagious disease. It causes trouble and brings torment and it troubles and hinders the work of the Lord and many become contaminated and defiled by it. God works in an atmosphere of peace, but satan and his cohorts work in strife and turmoil. He sets us up to cause us to become angry with one another. He knows which buttons to push at just the right time. The devil is a strategist. He lays out a plan and doesn't mind working behind the scenes for long periods of time in order to accomplish his desired goal. He lies to people setting them against each other. He magnifies incidents and makes them appear to be much more important than they really are. A person can make a simple mistake and the devil will tell him that it was done on purpose. He will try to make you believe people have plotted against you and try to hurt you on purpose. Many times people may not even realize how they offended you.
Probably, more damage is done by the spirit of offense than any other enemy. It opens the door for multitudes of deep, dangerous problems that few know how to deal with. Such problems develop from carnal Christians-immature people who live by their feelings. They say and do exactly what they feel. They don't ask God to help them get over the hurt.
The Bible plainly states that we're to forgive those who hurt us quickly, frequently, and freely.
Insecure people carry a root of religion. They need a lot of outward assurance that they're accepted. They lack feelings of worth and value from within so they crave it from outside sources.
To Be Continued....
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Seed To Plant
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples. The 20th chapter of John tells us about His appearances to His people. Look at verse 9, 21 and 26. It's apparent that Jesus was saying, "Stay in peace."
Look at 1 Corinthians 14:30: Jesus gave us peace, but it will certainly slip away from us if we are not determined to hang onto it.
Look at Proverbs 17:1: How many people come to church fighting all the way there? Then when they reach church, they put on their "church face."
God isn't looking for phony Christians. He wants the real thing and not just people who talk the talk, but those who walk the walk.
We have many promises in God's Word that He will bless and prosper us. God is faithful and true to His Word.
Look at 1 Corinthians 1:9-11: Where there is strife, there will be no power or prosperity.
We like to read God's promises without the "buts" and "ifs." In this scripture Paul says God is faithful to His promises, but we must get along with one another. The Corinthians were people just like us. They were people in relationship with one another arguing over trivial things they should have left alone. Look at verse 12:
Only the names have changed in today's arguments: I'm Catholic; I'm Lutheran; I'm Baptist; I'm Pentecostal or I'm Charismatic. Look at verse 13:
Paul was telling the Corinthians to keep their minds on Christ and not men. We must do the same thing.
The blessings are abundant for those who will pay the price. Look at Matthew 18:19:
The prayer of agreement will not work for someone who gossips about the pastor, then gets sick and asks the pastor to agree with him for a miracle in his body. The Amplified translation states that this power in the prayer of agreement is only effective when it's prayed by those who "harmonize together, make a symphony together" in verse 19.
Turn to Psalm 133 (Amplified): I love this Psalm. It says it is good and life is enjoyable when people live in unity and keeps strife out of their homes and lives. There is nothing worse than a home or relationship filled with an angry undercurrent of strife. Unity is like the oil of anointing upon the priest. Where there is strife, there will be no anointing. Where there is unity, God will command His blessings.
Strife is a killer. It kills the anointing, the blessings, the prosperity, the peace and the joy. Keep it out of your life. Be determined that strife isn't going to steal from you that which is rightfully yours as a child of God.
You may not be able to walk in peace with every single person you know. The Word says in Romans 12:18, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" If you are a peacemaker, then God's blessings will flow to you as they did to Abraham.
We know from scripture that Abraham was a very rich man. Look at Genesis 13:2: But let us look at one of the reasons riches and prosperity flowed into his life. Look at verse 6-8. The first thing we see is that Abraham dealt aggressively with strife.
God spoke some powerful words to Abram and Abram evidently was determined not to let strife come in and steal the blessings of God.
Do you have strife in your home? On the job? In your church? You must treat strife like some dreaded disease. Do all you can do to keep it from coming near you.
Look at 1 Corinthians 14:30: Jesus gave us peace, but it will certainly slip away from us if we are not determined to hang onto it.
Look at Proverbs 17:1: How many people come to church fighting all the way there? Then when they reach church, they put on their "church face."
God isn't looking for phony Christians. He wants the real thing and not just people who talk the talk, but those who walk the walk.
We have many promises in God's Word that He will bless and prosper us. God is faithful and true to His Word.
Look at 1 Corinthians 1:9-11: Where there is strife, there will be no power or prosperity.
We like to read God's promises without the "buts" and "ifs." In this scripture Paul says God is faithful to His promises, but we must get along with one another. The Corinthians were people just like us. They were people in relationship with one another arguing over trivial things they should have left alone. Look at verse 12:
Only the names have changed in today's arguments: I'm Catholic; I'm Lutheran; I'm Baptist; I'm Pentecostal or I'm Charismatic. Look at verse 13:
Paul was telling the Corinthians to keep their minds on Christ and not men. We must do the same thing.
The blessings are abundant for those who will pay the price. Look at Matthew 18:19:
The prayer of agreement will not work for someone who gossips about the pastor, then gets sick and asks the pastor to agree with him for a miracle in his body. The Amplified translation states that this power in the prayer of agreement is only effective when it's prayed by those who "harmonize together, make a symphony together" in verse 19.
Turn to Psalm 133 (Amplified): I love this Psalm. It says it is good and life is enjoyable when people live in unity and keeps strife out of their homes and lives. There is nothing worse than a home or relationship filled with an angry undercurrent of strife. Unity is like the oil of anointing upon the priest. Where there is strife, there will be no anointing. Where there is unity, God will command His blessings.
Strife is a killer. It kills the anointing, the blessings, the prosperity, the peace and the joy. Keep it out of your life. Be determined that strife isn't going to steal from you that which is rightfully yours as a child of God.
You may not be able to walk in peace with every single person you know. The Word says in Romans 12:18, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" If you are a peacemaker, then God's blessings will flow to you as they did to Abraham.
We know from scripture that Abraham was a very rich man. Look at Genesis 13:2: But let us look at one of the reasons riches and prosperity flowed into his life. Look at verse 6-8. The first thing we see is that Abraham dealt aggressively with strife.
God spoke some powerful words to Abram and Abram evidently was determined not to let strife come in and steal the blessings of God.
Do you have strife in your home? On the job? In your church? You must treat strife like some dreaded disease. Do all you can do to keep it from coming near you.
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