By: Michelle C Tull
We've heard it preached that the Kingdom of God has two signs. The first sign is "casting out demons" and the second is "healing the sick". Casting out demons demonstrated how Jesus will finally stop satan from having Christians as his lawful captives, and, the healing of the sick represented how Jesus will heal us of spiritual and physical infirmities for all eternity.
In the book of Luke chapter 11 and verse 14, Jesus was driving out a mute demon from a certain man, and when the demon left, the man that had been mute spoke. The scripture continued that the crowd was amazed, but, something was not totally right... some of the people said that Jesus was able to do this only by way of His association with beelzebub, the prince of demons. Others tested Jesus asking for a sign from Heaven. (The beelzebub thing and the request for the sign are two thoughts that are connected.) Jesus had just given them a sign, a sign from Heaven, but evidently, it was not good enough for them! Nobody could discredit Jesus based on the miracles He did, so the people tried to discredit Jesus by saying that He was from hell.(They were saying that beelzebub was empowering Him!)
Jesus reading their thoughts and concluding that they were not really that dumb, spoke to them concerning the Kingdom, and a house being divided (Luke 11, verse 17). The people had determined that Jesus was the right hand man of satan and that He was out there driving out demons; that would have showed however that satan was coming against himself. Jesus spoke about their stupidity and the fact that they were listening to things that were not true and this prevented those same persons from entering into the Kingdom.
Jesus did not have to practice exorcism to drive out demons, He simply pointed the finger of God at them and the demons were expelled without all the "aesthetics". The "finger of God" was a term used to represent God's Holy Spirit and His rule. It was something that the pagans, magicians, wizards and astrologers understood, even though they did not obey God.
In Exodus chapter 8, verses 17 through 19, when the third plague with the lice came upon the Egyptian men and the animals, the magicians said to Pharaoh, "this is the finger of God." Those people knew exactly what Jesus was referencing; they could see it! They simply refused to acknowledge it - just like the Pharaoh. (The reason for their refusal was that their hearts were hardened.)
Luke 11, verse 20 reads, "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you." This is Kingdom invasion! When Jesus does battle with satan by the Spirit of God, and begins to plunder the strong man's house, He frees the people from the bondage of the enemy. Right there in this text we identify that the powers of the Kingdom were at work and the Kingdom of God was already present.
Some people get confused over the fact that the Kingdom has come and is still coming. This might be attributed to the fact that the Old Testament does not separate the two comings of Jesus Christ. The "Great Day of the Lord" is always recorded as one event making it unclear that Jesus came to earth already to atone for sin, and that He is coming again for the final consummation with great power and glory.
Take this encouragement today: the Kingdom of God has arrived and its power is gathering many. God has equipped us to share our faith, enjoy His peace and joy and to experience victory over the evil one by His Word. Let us continue in the body of Christ to seek the lost and bring glory to the King of all Kings.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_C_Tull
Monday, November 25, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Give Thanksgiving Unto God
By: Francis D Edwards
Hebrews 13:8:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Jesus has always been at work and He is still at work today."
Luke 17:11-19:
"And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
Outcasts
In Bible times you were an outcast if you had a skin disease. When Jesus went through Samaria He went by ten lepers who stood afar off. They were obedient to the law and kept their distance from other people.
They knew Jesus could heal them and they cried out for mercy. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest so he could declare them clean and they were healed as they went. Obedience always brings blessing.
Give thanksgiving to God
All ten were healed but only one returned with thanksgiving to Jesus. This Samaritan knew he had been in the presence of God. He knew Jesus had the authority and power to give new life. He wasn't focused on the old, but the new.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Thanksgiving
The others were thankful, but they didn't give thanksgiving to God. We need to rejoice and give thanksgiving to God when He blesses us. Prayer is not complaining and we should never be complaining to God or others.
Thankfulness is an attitude. We should give thanks in all things not necessarily for all things. All things are not from God. If something steals, kills, or destroys it is from Satan, not God. Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundant. God is a giver not a taker.
In closing
Don't give Satan the glory by continually counting and speaking your problems. God is always faithful. The battle is the Lord's so turn it over to Him. Then give Him all the glory and thanksgiving for your victory.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that being thankful is not enough. I want to always give thanksgiving for all good things to You because You are my source. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
Confession
I am like that one leper and I always give thanksgiving to You Father. Thank You Father for all You have done and all You will do for me. I confess this in the name of Jesus.
Question
Do you give thanksgiving to God or are you merely thankful?
I am the Sound Engineer/Webmaster/Internet Marketer and Head of the CD Ministry at Believer's Worship Center in Benton, Louisiana.
Visit our website to learn how to use your faith and the Word to get God's help in your daily living at: http://www.believersworshipcentersermons.net.
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Believers-Worship-Center-Sermons-Blog/210281765709290.
God wants to help you be a success, visit our website and start getting His help today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_D_Edwards
Hebrews 13:8:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Jesus has always been at work and He is still at work today."
Luke 17:11-19:
"And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
Outcasts
In Bible times you were an outcast if you had a skin disease. When Jesus went through Samaria He went by ten lepers who stood afar off. They were obedient to the law and kept their distance from other people.
They knew Jesus could heal them and they cried out for mercy. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest so he could declare them clean and they were healed as they went. Obedience always brings blessing.
Give thanksgiving to God
All ten were healed but only one returned with thanksgiving to Jesus. This Samaritan knew he had been in the presence of God. He knew Jesus had the authority and power to give new life. He wasn't focused on the old, but the new.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Thanksgiving
The others were thankful, but they didn't give thanksgiving to God. We need to rejoice and give thanksgiving to God when He blesses us. Prayer is not complaining and we should never be complaining to God or others.
Thankfulness is an attitude. We should give thanks in all things not necessarily for all things. All things are not from God. If something steals, kills, or destroys it is from Satan, not God. Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundant. God is a giver not a taker.
In closing
Don't give Satan the glory by continually counting and speaking your problems. God is always faithful. The battle is the Lord's so turn it over to Him. Then give Him all the glory and thanksgiving for your victory.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that being thankful is not enough. I want to always give thanksgiving for all good things to You because You are my source. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
Confession
I am like that one leper and I always give thanksgiving to You Father. Thank You Father for all You have done and all You will do for me. I confess this in the name of Jesus.
Question
Do you give thanksgiving to God or are you merely thankful?
I am the Sound Engineer/Webmaster/Internet Marketer and Head of the CD Ministry at Believer's Worship Center in Benton, Louisiana.
Visit our website to learn how to use your faith and the Word to get God's help in your daily living at: http://www.believersworshipcentersermons.net.
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Believers-Worship-Center-Sermons-Blog/210281765709290.
God wants to help you be a success, visit our website and start getting His help today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_D_Edwards
Friday, November 8, 2013
The Five Levels of Faith
By: Francis D Edwards
What is Biblical faith?
Biblical faith does not believe whatever comes to mind. Biblical faith believes what God has said in His Word and then acts on it. God says things in His word that are contrary to what we see in the world. This requires us to walk by faith not by sight. If someone says they believe something and never act on it do they truly believe it? The God kind of faith requires action.
Biblical faith begins with the Word. It cannot exist apart from the Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). The Word is seed and the soil is our heart. When we study and meditate the Word we are sowing seed and it will produce faith in our spirit. Take time to sow the Word daily. I will explain this process in a future blog. It is also essential to be in a Bible believing church and sit under sound preaching based on the Word. It all works together for good (Rom 8:28).
When we are born again God gives each of us the same measure of faith (Rom 12:3). It is up to us to grow our faith. No one can do it for us. He is patiently waiting to help. He will show you scriptures to grow your faith if you look in the Word. He expects us to study the Bible.
Why do we need to grow our faith? God is not moved by need. He is not moved by anything except Biblical faith. Faith is the coin of the realm in God's kingdom. Faith is required to accomplish anything spiritual.
Levels of faith
1) The measure of faith (Rom 12:3). This is saving faith. The measure of faith is where we all begin.
2) Weak faith (Rom 4:19, & Rom 14:1) Weak faith is where a believer has begun to sow the word into their heart. They are starting to learn what God has said in the Bible. They believe a few scriptures. However, they are still ignorant of the word and have many doubts.In Rom 14:1 we are told to accept those who are weak in faith and not look down on them. We should never say or do anything to cause them to stumble.
3) Little faith (Matt 6:30, Matt 8:26, Matt 14:31, Matt 16:8, & Luke 12:28). In Matt 8:26 Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep in the boat. A storm arose and the disciples were terrified they were about to die. They awoke Jesus. He spoke to the storm, and a great calm came. He told them they had little faith.They were all active in ministry and doing a work for God. Yet Jesus told them they had little faith. He wanted to help them grow their faith. Their faith would later soar on the day of Pentecost after his resurrection.
4) Strong faith (Acts 3:16, Rom 4:20, & 1Cor 16:13). In these 3 verses God talks about strong faith. Strong faith drives out unbelief (Rom 4:20) and gives us perfect soundness (Acts 3:16). Strong faith should be every believer's desire and goal. God would not call us to have strong faith if it were not attainable.
5) Great faith (Matt 8:10, Matt 15:28, & Luke 7:9). In Matt 8:10 a centurion came to Jesus to receive healing for his servant. Jesus said he would go with him. The centurion said he was unworthy for Jesus to come to his home. He told Jesus he was a man under authority and he tells the men under him what to do and they do it. He told Jesus to just speak the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled and said he had never seen such great faith in all of Israel. He then spoke and the man was healed. This centurion had the faith of Mark 11:23 that could move mountains. He had great faith.
6) Shipwreck faith (1 Tim 1:19). This is not a level of faith. This is a total loss of faith. This is the kind of faith to be avoided at all costs. The only fight God calls us to fight is the good fight of faith. There are many twists and turns in our faith walk. Setbacks will come. However we are overcomers (Rev 3:20). We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. (I will cover this in a future blog.) We're never finished when we're defeated. We're only finished when we quit. During WWII Winston Churchill gave a speech where he said he would never, never, never give up. We need to have that kind of bulldog tenacity in our fight of faith. When a setback comes don't give up. Get back on your feet, dust yourself off, and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).
In closing
Every believer begins with the measure of faith. To grow your faith sow the word as seed. Sow it in the soil of your heart by studying and meditating the word. Then expose yourself to sound preaching centered on the word. Let the seed take root and grow into strong faith. Don't ever let the devil shipwreck your faith. Get up and keep pressing in. We are saved by faith alone. However growing one's faith takes effort and work. It's not automatic. It's well worth the effort. You'll never regret doing it. When you get strong faith don't stop there. Don't be satisfied with weak, little, or even strong faith. Press in for great faith like Paul had. God is not a respecter of persons. He wants every believer to have great faith. What he did for Paul he can do for you. If you're willing to work you can have great faith too.
Prayer
Dear Father, please give me the discipline and strength to do everything I need to do to achieve great faith. I ask this In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Confession
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil 4:13). By the grace of God I will do everything I need to do to have great faith. I make this confession in the name of Jesus.
Question
Is your faith everything it can be?
I am Francis Edwards the sound engineer and head of the CD Ministry at Believer's Worship Center in Benton, LA.. If you enjoyed my article I want to invite you to learn more about God at http://www.believersworshipcentersermons.net. God bless you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_D_Edwards
What is Biblical faith?
Biblical faith does not believe whatever comes to mind. Biblical faith believes what God has said in His Word and then acts on it. God says things in His word that are contrary to what we see in the world. This requires us to walk by faith not by sight. If someone says they believe something and never act on it do they truly believe it? The God kind of faith requires action.
Biblical faith begins with the Word. It cannot exist apart from the Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). The Word is seed and the soil is our heart. When we study and meditate the Word we are sowing seed and it will produce faith in our spirit. Take time to sow the Word daily. I will explain this process in a future blog. It is also essential to be in a Bible believing church and sit under sound preaching based on the Word. It all works together for good (Rom 8:28).
When we are born again God gives each of us the same measure of faith (Rom 12:3). It is up to us to grow our faith. No one can do it for us. He is patiently waiting to help. He will show you scriptures to grow your faith if you look in the Word. He expects us to study the Bible.
Why do we need to grow our faith? God is not moved by need. He is not moved by anything except Biblical faith. Faith is the coin of the realm in God's kingdom. Faith is required to accomplish anything spiritual.
Levels of faith
1) The measure of faith (Rom 12:3). This is saving faith. The measure of faith is where we all begin.
2) Weak faith (Rom 4:19, & Rom 14:1) Weak faith is where a believer has begun to sow the word into their heart. They are starting to learn what God has said in the Bible. They believe a few scriptures. However, they are still ignorant of the word and have many doubts.In Rom 14:1 we are told to accept those who are weak in faith and not look down on them. We should never say or do anything to cause them to stumble.
3) Little faith (Matt 6:30, Matt 8:26, Matt 14:31, Matt 16:8, & Luke 12:28). In Matt 8:26 Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep in the boat. A storm arose and the disciples were terrified they were about to die. They awoke Jesus. He spoke to the storm, and a great calm came. He told them they had little faith.They were all active in ministry and doing a work for God. Yet Jesus told them they had little faith. He wanted to help them grow their faith. Their faith would later soar on the day of Pentecost after his resurrection.
4) Strong faith (Acts 3:16, Rom 4:20, & 1Cor 16:13). In these 3 verses God talks about strong faith. Strong faith drives out unbelief (Rom 4:20) and gives us perfect soundness (Acts 3:16). Strong faith should be every believer's desire and goal. God would not call us to have strong faith if it were not attainable.
5) Great faith (Matt 8:10, Matt 15:28, & Luke 7:9). In Matt 8:10 a centurion came to Jesus to receive healing for his servant. Jesus said he would go with him. The centurion said he was unworthy for Jesus to come to his home. He told Jesus he was a man under authority and he tells the men under him what to do and they do it. He told Jesus to just speak the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled and said he had never seen such great faith in all of Israel. He then spoke and the man was healed. This centurion had the faith of Mark 11:23 that could move mountains. He had great faith.
6) Shipwreck faith (1 Tim 1:19). This is not a level of faith. This is a total loss of faith. This is the kind of faith to be avoided at all costs. The only fight God calls us to fight is the good fight of faith. There are many twists and turns in our faith walk. Setbacks will come. However we are overcomers (Rev 3:20). We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. (I will cover this in a future blog.) We're never finished when we're defeated. We're only finished when we quit. During WWII Winston Churchill gave a speech where he said he would never, never, never give up. We need to have that kind of bulldog tenacity in our fight of faith. When a setback comes don't give up. Get back on your feet, dust yourself off, and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).
In closing
Every believer begins with the measure of faith. To grow your faith sow the word as seed. Sow it in the soil of your heart by studying and meditating the word. Then expose yourself to sound preaching centered on the word. Let the seed take root and grow into strong faith. Don't ever let the devil shipwreck your faith. Get up and keep pressing in. We are saved by faith alone. However growing one's faith takes effort and work. It's not automatic. It's well worth the effort. You'll never regret doing it. When you get strong faith don't stop there. Don't be satisfied with weak, little, or even strong faith. Press in for great faith like Paul had. God is not a respecter of persons. He wants every believer to have great faith. What he did for Paul he can do for you. If you're willing to work you can have great faith too.
Prayer
Dear Father, please give me the discipline and strength to do everything I need to do to achieve great faith. I ask this In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Confession
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil 4:13). By the grace of God I will do everything I need to do to have great faith. I make this confession in the name of Jesus.
Question
Is your faith everything it can be?
I am Francis Edwards the sound engineer and head of the CD Ministry at Believer's Worship Center in Benton, LA.. If you enjoyed my article I want to invite you to learn more about God at http://www.believersworshipcentersermons.net. God bless you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_D_Edwards
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
It Is Finished -Well Now What?
By: Larry Beam
Jesus hung on the cross and then He said, "it is finished." Well, now what? When Jesus said it was finished, He simply meant His earthly ministry was finished. He walked the earth and fulfilled the moral aspect of the Law of Moses (which we know as the Ten Commandments). Jesus kept every single one of the commandments; He never violated any of them. But He still had some work to be done that you don't see with the natural eyes. There was a spiritual side to it and it is known as the 'Ceremonial Law' and the Ceremonial Law had not yet been brought to completion.
Acts 2:29-31 says, "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne he foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption." We know that His flesh did not see corruption; therefore, it was raised from the dead. However, there is another part to that verse, though His body was left in the grave for three days and nights, His soul was not left in Hell. The word of God says, God did not leave His soul in Hell. So for that verse to even to be in the scriptures it automatically implies His soul was in Hell.
But why did Jesus' soul go into Hell? It's because Jesus became a substitute for us. He didn't just forgive our sin; the word of God says that He was made to be sin. When He hung on the cross, God made Him to be sin in our place. He became what we were, and He had to pay the penalty for what we were. He was made sin and Father God departed from Him and satanic spirits began to take over. Then there came a point in time when the penalty was paid and the Supreme Judge of the universe said, "it is done," and He conquered every demon of Hell, arose with all authority, with the keys of darkness! That's what happened and it was all for me and for you!
He died as a substitutionary lamb, but He arose from the dead as a High Priest. Under the Old Testament they had the Priesthood and Aaron was the High Priest. The Priesthood went throughout entire generations, one after the other. One would die and then another son would take that office. When Jesus hung on that cross, died, and was made sin, God Almighty reached down out of heaven and the curtain that separated mankind from the presence of God into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest could go, was torn and ripped from the top to the bottom. There was no Priesthood now; anybody could go in and see in there. But there was a void because there was no Priesthood at all, but when Jesus rose from the dead it says that He entered not into the sanctuary on earth, but the one that's in heaven. Now we have a new High Priest and He enters into the Holy Place in heaven and He brings His own blood and He sprinkled it upon the mercy seat of heaven and obtained an eternal redemption.
Now, He is the High Priest of our confession and over in Philemon 6 it tells us that our faith becomes effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in us in Christ Jesus. Learn to say what God says about you. Child of God, we now have the Spirit of God on the inside of us and that Spirit is in us to do the work of our Father everyday of our life, all we have to do is just believe it. Most Christians won't lay hands on the sick because they are already in unbelief by being afraid that the person won't get healed. He never told you that you were going to see people get healed. He told you to just go lay hands on them. All we need to do is just learn to stay in tune with the Spirit of God, listen, and be sensitive to what's on the inside of you.
For more information visit: http://www.jubileechristiancenter.org or http://www.larryandthelord.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Beam
Jesus hung on the cross and then He said, "it is finished." Well, now what? When Jesus said it was finished, He simply meant His earthly ministry was finished. He walked the earth and fulfilled the moral aspect of the Law of Moses (which we know as the Ten Commandments). Jesus kept every single one of the commandments; He never violated any of them. But He still had some work to be done that you don't see with the natural eyes. There was a spiritual side to it and it is known as the 'Ceremonial Law' and the Ceremonial Law had not yet been brought to completion.
Acts 2:29-31 says, "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne he foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption." We know that His flesh did not see corruption; therefore, it was raised from the dead. However, there is another part to that verse, though His body was left in the grave for three days and nights, His soul was not left in Hell. The word of God says, God did not leave His soul in Hell. So for that verse to even to be in the scriptures it automatically implies His soul was in Hell.
But why did Jesus' soul go into Hell? It's because Jesus became a substitute for us. He didn't just forgive our sin; the word of God says that He was made to be sin. When He hung on the cross, God made Him to be sin in our place. He became what we were, and He had to pay the penalty for what we were. He was made sin and Father God departed from Him and satanic spirits began to take over. Then there came a point in time when the penalty was paid and the Supreme Judge of the universe said, "it is done," and He conquered every demon of Hell, arose with all authority, with the keys of darkness! That's what happened and it was all for me and for you!
He died as a substitutionary lamb, but He arose from the dead as a High Priest. Under the Old Testament they had the Priesthood and Aaron was the High Priest. The Priesthood went throughout entire generations, one after the other. One would die and then another son would take that office. When Jesus hung on that cross, died, and was made sin, God Almighty reached down out of heaven and the curtain that separated mankind from the presence of God into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest could go, was torn and ripped from the top to the bottom. There was no Priesthood now; anybody could go in and see in there. But there was a void because there was no Priesthood at all, but when Jesus rose from the dead it says that He entered not into the sanctuary on earth, but the one that's in heaven. Now we have a new High Priest and He enters into the Holy Place in heaven and He brings His own blood and He sprinkled it upon the mercy seat of heaven and obtained an eternal redemption.
Now, He is the High Priest of our confession and over in Philemon 6 it tells us that our faith becomes effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in us in Christ Jesus. Learn to say what God says about you. Child of God, we now have the Spirit of God on the inside of us and that Spirit is in us to do the work of our Father everyday of our life, all we have to do is just believe it. Most Christians won't lay hands on the sick because they are already in unbelief by being afraid that the person won't get healed. He never told you that you were going to see people get healed. He told you to just go lay hands on them. All we need to do is just learn to stay in tune with the Spirit of God, listen, and be sensitive to what's on the inside of you.
For more information visit: http://www.jubileechristiancenter.org or http://www.larryandthelord.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Beam
Saturday, November 2, 2013
The Heart of Psalm 119
By: Stephanie B. Blake
In every reading of Psalm 119, I am captivated by it - discovering a new theme, another revelation of God and more depth of understanding of the heart of the man who wrote it. Although the psalmist may have been David, many say the author cannot be known for certain. One thing we do know for sure. This man was led by God to write down the desire of his heart - to love God by learning, heeding and keeping His commandments.
Knowing God's way is the way of truth (Psalm 119:30), this psalmist states that God has revealed Himself through His words, statutes, commandments (law), precepts and testimonies. Determined to live according to God's plan for his life, he pays attention to what He says.
The same should be true for us today. We cannot separate the love of holy God and His commandments. As sinful men, we come short of completely obeying God's law. Jesus Christ, The Way, the Truth and the Life, fulfilled God's law for us, paid the price for our sin on His cross, and offered us eternal life as His love gift. What He asks from us is our heart.
Verse 2: The psalmist begins his prayer with "You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently." From then on until the end of the psalm, his prayer is very personal using pronouns "I", "You", and "my", pledging to God the commitment of his heart, reflected in the following verses.
7: Holy God desires our praise - for His love, for His grace expressed through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ and for His righteousness.
10: Even with a commitment to seek and to serve God, the psalmist knows there will always be a temptation to focus on something other than God and His will.
11: Perhaps the most well known verse in this psalm, the secret to staying in God's will is to stay close to Him (or as Jesus put it "abide in Him"), to listen to Him, to know His word intimately.
32: The longer a believer serves and obeys God, the larger the capacity for loving Him becomes.
34: This is not a plea for understanding as the world defines it, but as God does. As Solomon put it in Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
36: Sinful human nature can lead one to covet the things of the world. The psalmist wants to love what is lasting - the things of God.
58: We do not deserve God's favor, but He promises it to those who truly love Him.
69: C. H. Spurgeon said: "We cannot keep in the heart that which we have not heartily embraced by the affections." When our affections are set on God, the darts of the wicked fall short of their goal.
80: Sin originates in the heart. The psalmist did not want to look back on his life and regret falling short of God's best for Him. Each of us should have the same goal.
111: God's involvement in our lives is cause for rejoicing. In his song The Longer I Serve Him, Bill Gaither puts it this way, "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows."
112: In verse 64, the author says, Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love; teach me Your statutes (HCSB). God has no obligation to anyone except Himself, but even so, He shows His love to us by His faithfulness to His promises. We owe God everything and are obligated to show Him our love by trusting and obeying Him.
145: The psalmist's decision has been made. He will remain faithful to the God who was faithful to him.
161-162: The inevitable persecution that Christians encounter cannot be compared to the awesome treasure of knowing God.
To those disciples who were true believers - saved by trusting Christ alone for their salvation, Jesus said, If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10).
Stephanie B. Blake is an international Bible teacher, serving the Lord through Xtend Ministries International. To download free Bible studies or devotionals for personal or group study, or to find out more about her ministry and other writing, please visit http://www.onefocusministries.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_B._Blake
In every reading of Psalm 119, I am captivated by it - discovering a new theme, another revelation of God and more depth of understanding of the heart of the man who wrote it. Although the psalmist may have been David, many say the author cannot be known for certain. One thing we do know for sure. This man was led by God to write down the desire of his heart - to love God by learning, heeding and keeping His commandments.
Knowing God's way is the way of truth (Psalm 119:30), this psalmist states that God has revealed Himself through His words, statutes, commandments (law), precepts and testimonies. Determined to live according to God's plan for his life, he pays attention to what He says.
The same should be true for us today. We cannot separate the love of holy God and His commandments. As sinful men, we come short of completely obeying God's law. Jesus Christ, The Way, the Truth and the Life, fulfilled God's law for us, paid the price for our sin on His cross, and offered us eternal life as His love gift. What He asks from us is our heart.
Verse 2: The psalmist begins his prayer with "You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently." From then on until the end of the psalm, his prayer is very personal using pronouns "I", "You", and "my", pledging to God the commitment of his heart, reflected in the following verses.
7: Holy God desires our praise - for His love, for His grace expressed through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ and for His righteousness.
10: Even with a commitment to seek and to serve God, the psalmist knows there will always be a temptation to focus on something other than God and His will.
11: Perhaps the most well known verse in this psalm, the secret to staying in God's will is to stay close to Him (or as Jesus put it "abide in Him"), to listen to Him, to know His word intimately.
32: The longer a believer serves and obeys God, the larger the capacity for loving Him becomes.
34: This is not a plea for understanding as the world defines it, but as God does. As Solomon put it in Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
36: Sinful human nature can lead one to covet the things of the world. The psalmist wants to love what is lasting - the things of God.
58: We do not deserve God's favor, but He promises it to those who truly love Him.
69: C. H. Spurgeon said: "We cannot keep in the heart that which we have not heartily embraced by the affections." When our affections are set on God, the darts of the wicked fall short of their goal.
80: Sin originates in the heart. The psalmist did not want to look back on his life and regret falling short of God's best for Him. Each of us should have the same goal.
111: God's involvement in our lives is cause for rejoicing. In his song The Longer I Serve Him, Bill Gaither puts it this way, "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows."
112: In verse 64, the author says, Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love; teach me Your statutes (HCSB). God has no obligation to anyone except Himself, but even so, He shows His love to us by His faithfulness to His promises. We owe God everything and are obligated to show Him our love by trusting and obeying Him.
145: The psalmist's decision has been made. He will remain faithful to the God who was faithful to him.
161-162: The inevitable persecution that Christians encounter cannot be compared to the awesome treasure of knowing God.
To those disciples who were true believers - saved by trusting Christ alone for their salvation, Jesus said, If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10).
Stephanie B. Blake is an international Bible teacher, serving the Lord through Xtend Ministries International. To download free Bible studies or devotionals for personal or group study, or to find out more about her ministry and other writing, please visit http://www.onefocusministries.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_B._Blake
Friday, November 1, 2013
Driven Into the Heart of God By Our Struggles
By: Steve Wickham
"To Keep Us From Excessive Pride" - the Poem
Praise God, praise God,
Regarding a thorn in the side,
It's divinely-appointed purpose,
Is to keep us from pride.
Remember the purpose that God had for the Apostle Paul's thorn (2 Corinthians 12). Part of it was to humble him and to keep him honest, reliant on God's strength and not his own. A thorn in the side (a recurrent area of struggle) can have its purpose in keeping our pride in check.
Being as it is, an area of weakness and struggle, when it is at the forefront of our understanding - where we cannot, in all honesty, depart from it, unless to do so would be the vastest of all denials - it keeps us in God.
In such a state - in the region of spiritual presence - we can be driven into the very heart of God, for praise, instead of dwelling in our weakness; discouraged and disempowered by it.
If God has good purposes for our struggles we can know quickly what purposes Satan has for them; they are there to weaken us and to compel us to give up.
But God has given us this struggle - a dependence on something unhealthy, a physical ailment, a mental illness, a disability, etc (though God's will is to heal us) - for the demonstration of his glory; as we praise him despite the issue. Overcoming an addiction is for God's glory, because even if we're clean we are never not an addict.
When we go the way of praise in our struggle instead of the way of pride for something we do well, God tips into us various lashings of joy and peace; the abundance of his Spiritual Presence.
We are blessed, no longer seen personally as cursed.
God wants every recognition to go to us for the things we call praiseworthy and not pride-worthy. No sane sinner wants to wallow knowingly in their pride for a struggle; only the humblest servant of God will call it for what it is - the demonstration of God's power when we praise God for something we would prefer we didn't have.
God is with us in every area and facet of life; there is a theological reference point to the most inane of discouragements and disappointments. If only we would go there with our God.
***
When we go the way of praise in our struggle instead of the way of pride for something we do well, God tips into us various gifts of the fruit of the Spirit; the abundance of his Spiritual Presence. We are driven into the heart of God because of our struggles; our opportunity is to praise God for his purposes in them.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
Steve Wickham is a Baptist Pastor who holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wickham
"To Keep Us From Excessive Pride" - the Poem
Praise God, praise God,
Regarding a thorn in the side,
It's divinely-appointed purpose,
Is to keep us from pride.
Remember the purpose that God had for the Apostle Paul's thorn (2 Corinthians 12). Part of it was to humble him and to keep him honest, reliant on God's strength and not his own. A thorn in the side (a recurrent area of struggle) can have its purpose in keeping our pride in check.
Being as it is, an area of weakness and struggle, when it is at the forefront of our understanding - where we cannot, in all honesty, depart from it, unless to do so would be the vastest of all denials - it keeps us in God.
In such a state - in the region of spiritual presence - we can be driven into the very heart of God, for praise, instead of dwelling in our weakness; discouraged and disempowered by it.
If God has good purposes for our struggles we can know quickly what purposes Satan has for them; they are there to weaken us and to compel us to give up.
But God has given us this struggle - a dependence on something unhealthy, a physical ailment, a mental illness, a disability, etc (though God's will is to heal us) - for the demonstration of his glory; as we praise him despite the issue. Overcoming an addiction is for God's glory, because even if we're clean we are never not an addict.
When we go the way of praise in our struggle instead of the way of pride for something we do well, God tips into us various lashings of joy and peace; the abundance of his Spiritual Presence.
We are blessed, no longer seen personally as cursed.
God wants every recognition to go to us for the things we call praiseworthy and not pride-worthy. No sane sinner wants to wallow knowingly in their pride for a struggle; only the humblest servant of God will call it for what it is - the demonstration of God's power when we praise God for something we would prefer we didn't have.
God is with us in every area and facet of life; there is a theological reference point to the most inane of discouragements and disappointments. If only we would go there with our God.
***
When we go the way of praise in our struggle instead of the way of pride for something we do well, God tips into us various gifts of the fruit of the Spirit; the abundance of his Spiritual Presence. We are driven into the heart of God because of our struggles; our opportunity is to praise God for his purposes in them.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
Steve Wickham is a Baptist Pastor who holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wickham
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