Jesus came and strengthened the law: He changed "an eye for an eye," to "turn the other cheek;" and "love your enemies," to "bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you." He made adultery, not just the act, but the thought in the heart. He made murder, not just the act, but the anger and hate in your heart. He told us not to repay injury or insult. He told us that restraint of sin was not enough, but that we were defiled by what was in our hearts; so our hearts must be cleansed of the desire or inclination to sin.
After the Law and before Christ, the only people who received the favor of God were those who walked to the best of their ability, closely conforming to the Law's requirements; those who ignored his Law were disregarded by Him, Heb 8:9. Because of Jesus' tasting death for all men on the cross, with only a belief in His name and humble sorrow for the past, we can approach God by faith in the name of Christ to be able to receive the operations of his changing grace to purify our hearts, whatever our burden of past sins may be. He can now make you perfect in every good work to do what pleases him; a forever cleansing and perfection with resulting union that is now available to all who go to him for change. The power of God to change you is released by: 1) belief in the name of Jesus Christ, 2) belief in the good news promise of release from sin with entrance into the kingdom of God, and 3) the inward cross of self-denial. These wonderful, but forgotten, promises were made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose ignored warnings - teachings, and promises, were treated with contempt by Israel then, and by Christendom today. Without any fear of God, Christendom ignores his teachings, his commands, and his warnings; thus they deny him as Lord and Master. As you read this Bible, with commentary, you may attain the way to salvation and disprove others, while discovering the hidden depths of the gospel that Jesus came to deliver.
"The Father is in you all, Christ is in you, and the Kingdom of Heaven is in you; there, in your hearts, is where you will find them all. Know him there searching your hearts, and find him there trying your minds and hearts; incline your ears, and give ear to him there, who will render to everyone of you according to your words and works whether they are good or evil, (George Fox)." BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10. From the Voice of the Lord: "He awaits you."]
Sunday 31 January 2010
Saturday 30 January 2010
Jesus is the Saviour of the world
Luke 2:11-12 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
The Saviour of the world had been born. His incarnation was so significant that God sent an angel to announce the birth to shepherds. The previous verse records that the Messiah's arrival was good news for every people-group; now unsophisticated farm workers are told that Jesus has been born to them personally and they were instructed to go to meet Him. They were not dressed for a royal visit, so perhaps they were reassured that there was no need to change their clothes, when they knew that they were looking for a swaddled baby, lying where the animals were fed.
Jesus is described as a descendent of David the king, and yet He is also the Messiah from God - the ruler of all people. In Him, the long line of covenant promise, from Abraham through David, fuses with the incarnation of God. Yet the shepherds were not put off. They were told three times that Jesus was for them; and that they were expected to find Him. Of course, the shepherds had their own unique encounter with Jesus: but Jesus had not only come for them, but for everybody; irrespective of their nationality, tribal loyalty or culture.
Many people find the humility of the manger difficult to bring together with the majesty of its occupant. Yet Jesus started on earth as an outcast, was hunted as a dangerous rival, continued as a refugee, and spent the best part of 30 years in obscurity. He completed His mission with a slow painful execution, as a common criminal. Yet He came to save the overloaded businessman, the proud king, the civil servant, fellow trades-people, religious police, professional soldiers and even executioners. They could all have received God's blessing by welcoming Jesus, but most were too proud.
On the other hand, the shepherds knew they were nothing special: and so the humble sinners went to meet the humble Saviour. In fact, you cannot come to Christ in any other way (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more). Although God's invitation is to all, only the humble listen and respond. The Holy Spirit works to convict us of sin, so that we realise that we need God's mercy. Humble people will plead for mercy and will accept free salvation; but the proud will use confidence or competence as a mask for arrogance, and will disqualify themselves from God's grace. So let's stay humble ourselves, and pray that the proud will humble themselves to seek the Lord before it is too late.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for bringing me to realise my need of Jesus as my Saviour. Forgive me when pride rises in my heart to grieve Your Spirit and prevents me from receiving Your grace. Help me to practise humility so that it becomes my lifestyle, and to be a valid witness of the transforming power of Your indwelling Spirit. Help me to pray for those whose pride rejects Your mercy; may my friends and colleagues desire to meet You for themselves. In Jesus' Name. Amen
The Saviour of the world had been born. His incarnation was so significant that God sent an angel to announce the birth to shepherds. The previous verse records that the Messiah's arrival was good news for every people-group; now unsophisticated farm workers are told that Jesus has been born to them personally and they were instructed to go to meet Him. They were not dressed for a royal visit, so perhaps they were reassured that there was no need to change their clothes, when they knew that they were looking for a swaddled baby, lying where the animals were fed.
Jesus is described as a descendent of David the king, and yet He is also the Messiah from God - the ruler of all people. In Him, the long line of covenant promise, from Abraham through David, fuses with the incarnation of God. Yet the shepherds were not put off. They were told three times that Jesus was for them; and that they were expected to find Him. Of course, the shepherds had their own unique encounter with Jesus: but Jesus had not only come for them, but for everybody; irrespective of their nationality, tribal loyalty or culture.
Many people find the humility of the manger difficult to bring together with the majesty of its occupant. Yet Jesus started on earth as an outcast, was hunted as a dangerous rival, continued as a refugee, and spent the best part of 30 years in obscurity. He completed His mission with a slow painful execution, as a common criminal. Yet He came to save the overloaded businessman, the proud king, the civil servant, fellow trades-people, religious police, professional soldiers and even executioners. They could all have received God's blessing by welcoming Jesus, but most were too proud.
On the other hand, the shepherds knew they were nothing special: and so the humble sinners went to meet the humble Saviour. In fact, you cannot come to Christ in any other way (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more). Although God's invitation is to all, only the humble listen and respond. The Holy Spirit works to convict us of sin, so that we realise that we need God's mercy. Humble people will plead for mercy and will accept free salvation; but the proud will use confidence or competence as a mask for arrogance, and will disqualify themselves from God's grace. So let's stay humble ourselves, and pray that the proud will humble themselves to seek the Lord before it is too late.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for bringing me to realise my need of Jesus as my Saviour. Forgive me when pride rises in my heart to grieve Your Spirit and prevents me from receiving Your grace. Help me to practise humility so that it becomes my lifestyle, and to be a valid witness of the transforming power of Your indwelling Spirit. Help me to pray for those whose pride rejects Your mercy; may my friends and colleagues desire to meet You for themselves. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Friday 29 January 2010
Jesus said he only did the will of the Father, not his own.
He is the Lord of the universe, and even He did not do his own will.
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me-- To do Your will, O God.' Hbr 10:7
The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30 [So, even Christ did not make his own decisions. Notice, Jesus said he only did the will of the Father, not his own. In Mat. 7:21, Jesus said: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. So here Jesus tells us what is necessary to go to heaven - to do nothing of ourselves - to only say what we hear the father tell us to say- to only do what the Father shows us to do - to only judge how we are told to judge by the Father. So, we are not to think for ourselves - we are to only follow the promptings of the Father. We must have our carnal mind destroyed to the point that we speak and act from the promptings of the Spirit of God; this is the end of obedience - to think, speak, and act according to God's promptings.]
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:49-50
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12:27-28
Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. Luke 22:42
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
John 18:11
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
John 14:31
But [Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know (be convinced) that I love the Father and that I do only what the Father has instructed Me to do. [I act in full agreement with His orders.] Rise, let us go away from here. John 14:31 (Amplified Bible)
I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. John 17:4
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me-- To do Your will, O God.' Hbr 10:7
The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30 [So, even Christ did not make his own decisions. Notice, Jesus said he only did the will of the Father, not his own. In Mat. 7:21, Jesus said: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. So here Jesus tells us what is necessary to go to heaven - to do nothing of ourselves - to only say what we hear the father tell us to say- to only do what the Father shows us to do - to only judge how we are told to judge by the Father. So, we are not to think for ourselves - we are to only follow the promptings of the Father. We must have our carnal mind destroyed to the point that we speak and act from the promptings of the Spirit of God; this is the end of obedience - to think, speak, and act according to God's promptings.]
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:49-50
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12:27-28
Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. Luke 22:42
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
John 18:11
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
John 14:31
But [Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know (be convinced) that I love the Father and that I do only what the Father has instructed Me to do. [I act in full agreement with His orders.] Rise, let us go away from here. John 14:31 (Amplified Bible)
I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. John 17:4
Thursday 28 January 2010
Jesus, is the image of the invisible God
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created. Rev 4:11
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phl. 2:10-11
And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do [practice, obey] not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name John 1:12
So, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Ti 2:22. and those who use the things of the world, [use them] as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1Cor 7:31
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20
Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist... For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; Col 1:15-19
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for all You have taught me, as Your Word has placed life's experiences in a heavenly perspective. Please forgive my impatience in rushing my time with You and for the priority I have given to spiritually wasteful pursuits. Please give me a new desire to treasure all You have revealed to me, and a new peaceful confidence to wait until You fit the pieces together. Meanwhile, may I continue to hold everything with a tender preciousness, and seek my next step of obedience as I follow Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phl. 2:10-11
And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do [practice, obey] not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name John 1:12
So, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Ti 2:22. and those who use the things of the world, [use them] as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1Cor 7:31
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20
Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist... For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; Col 1:15-19
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for all You have taught me, as Your Word has placed life's experiences in a heavenly perspective. Please forgive my impatience in rushing my time with You and for the priority I have given to spiritually wasteful pursuits. Please give me a new desire to treasure all You have revealed to me, and a new peaceful confidence to wait until You fit the pieces together. Meanwhile, may I continue to hold everything with a tender preciousness, and seek my next step of obedience as I follow Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
Wednesday 27 January 2010
In Jesus was life; and the life was the light of men
And praise be to His holy name, His pleasure was to send His Son to us so that we might become His people:
able to see Him, to be like Him, even be one with Him.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty. Who covers yourself with light as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain: Psa 104:1-2
In Him [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor 9:15
able to see Him, to be like Him, even be one with Him.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty. Who covers yourself with light as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain: Psa 104:1-2
In Him [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor 9:15
Monday 25 January 2010
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and the Savior of the world
Just as promised, God raised His Son Jesus back to life -- eternal life -- on the third day after His burial. He was seen by His closest friends and over 500 of His followers before He went up into heaven before their very eyes. After His resurrection, his close friend Peter told a great crowd to repent from their sins and believe in Jesus Christ to be saved, "for the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call." This promise is for you! There are many religions and prophets, but no one but Jesus Christ offers complete forgiveness from your sins and eternal life with God. He has already died for your sins; now you must put your faith in Him. "For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." If you believe in Jesus, you can pray a prayer like this right now and receive the gift of eternal life.
Receive Him Now
"Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Thank you for coming to Earth and dying so that I could have eternal life. Please forgive all my sins. I am going to follow You with my life now. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and direct my steps. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Receive Him Now
"Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Thank you for coming to Earth and dying so that I could have eternal life. Please forgive all my sins. I am going to follow You with my life now. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and direct my steps. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Sunday 24 January 2010
Jesus death had been predicted over a thousand years before
Jesus' life was just as amazing as His birth. At 30 years old, He went out into the cities of Israel and began teaching and healing people. The Bible records that He was different from other preachers, for "the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Likewise, there was no disease too great for His power. It says, "They brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments. and He healed them." Threatened by His fame and authority, the political and religious authorities conspired to kill Him.
A Sudden Death
His death had been predicted over a thousand years before. The prophet Isaiah wrote of Jesus, "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed." Jesus would pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. Just as had been predicted, Jesus was given the most brutal death sentence of that day for maintaining that He was the Son of God. While hanging on a wooden cross with spikes through His hands and feet, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus had power to come down from the cross, but He chose to sacrifice His life for others.
A Sudden Death
His death had been predicted over a thousand years before. The prophet Isaiah wrote of Jesus, "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed." Jesus would pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. Just as had been predicted, Jesus was given the most brutal death sentence of that day for maintaining that He was the Son of God. While hanging on a wooden cross with spikes through His hands and feet, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus had power to come down from the cross, but He chose to sacrifice His life for others.
Saturday 23 January 2010
Jesus the best Person
Jesus Christ is often compared to other prophets and teachers, but He is the most unique person to ever live. Everything from His birth to after His death was miraculous and set Him apart from everyone else. Jesus was born by a virgin -- a natural impossibility. Before His mother Mary was married, she was told by an angel she would give birth to the Son of God. When she asked him how this could be, he answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Just as promised, the virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, the most incredible person to ever have lived.
Friday 22 January 2010
Pray in Faith to jesus with the Holy Spirit
How to Pray in Faith to be Filled
with the Holy Spirit
We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:
"Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit."
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.
How to Know That You are Filled (Directed
and Empowered) with the Holy Spirit
Did you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? Do you know that you are now filled with the Holy Spirit? On what authority? (On the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word: Hebrews 11:66And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him; Romans 14:22, 2322The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from.)
Do not depend upon feelings. The promise of God's Word, not our feelings, is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) ( John 14:2121He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.).
The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend upon feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.
How to Walk in the Spirit
Faith (trust in God and in His promises) is the only means by which a Christian can live the Spirit-directed life. As you continue to trust Christ moment by moment:
Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit
( Galatians 5:22, 2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.) and will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ ( Romans 12:22And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.; 2 Corinthians 3:1818But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.).
Your prayer life and study of God's Word will become more meaningful.
You will experience His power in witnessing ( Acts 1:88but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.).
You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world ( 1 John 2:15-1715Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-1716But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.); and against Satan (1 Peter 5:7-97casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world; Ephesians 6:10-1310Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.).
You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin
(1 Corinthians 10:1313No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.; Philippians 4:1313I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.; Ephesians 1:19-2319and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.;
2 Timothy 1:77For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.; Romans 6:1-161What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;7for he who has died is freed from sin.8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!16Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?).
Spiritual Breathing
By faith you can continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.
If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins - past, present and future - on the basis of Christ's death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him.
If you retake the throne of your life through sin - a definite act of disobedience - breathe spiritually.
Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.
Exhale - confess your sin - agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. and Hebrews 10:1-251For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; 6In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. 7"Then I said, `Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O god.'"8After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),9then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.10By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;12but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,13waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.14For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16"This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them," He then says, 17"And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."18Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.19Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,20by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action.
Inhale - surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you; according to the command of Ephesians 5:1818And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,, and the promise of
1 John 5:14, 1514This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
You will want to share this important discovery...
If this page has been meaningful and helpful to you, please share it with someone else.
Millions of copies of the booklet, "Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life?" have been distributed in most major languages around the world. As a result, thousands of Christians have learned how to experience the power and control of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. Through the abundant life which Christ promises, and which they are now experiencing, they have become more effective in sharing their faith in Christ with others. Experience has confirmed the validity of Christ's command to the disciples to wait until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit before going forth to the world to share the good news of His love and forgiveness. Most Christians, when they have learned this truth concerning the Holy Spirit, want to be actively sharing Christ and helping to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation.
with the Holy Spirit
We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:
"Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit."
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.
How to Know That You are Filled (Directed
and Empowered) with the Holy Spirit
Did you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? Do you know that you are now filled with the Holy Spirit? On what authority? (On the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word: Hebrews 11:66And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him; Romans 14:22, 2322The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from.)
Do not depend upon feelings. The promise of God's Word, not our feelings, is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) ( John 14:2121He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.).
The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend upon feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.
How to Walk in the Spirit
Faith (trust in God and in His promises) is the only means by which a Christian can live the Spirit-directed life. As you continue to trust Christ moment by moment:
Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit
( Galatians 5:22, 2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.) and will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ ( Romans 12:22And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.; 2 Corinthians 3:1818But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.).
Your prayer life and study of God's Word will become more meaningful.
You will experience His power in witnessing ( Acts 1:88but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.).
You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world ( 1 John 2:15-1715Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-1716But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.); and against Satan (1 Peter 5:7-97casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world; Ephesians 6:10-1310Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.).
You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin
(1 Corinthians 10:1313No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.; Philippians 4:1313I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.; Ephesians 1:19-2319and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.;
2 Timothy 1:77For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.; Romans 6:1-161What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;7for he who has died is freed from sin.8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!16Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?).
Spiritual Breathing
By faith you can continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.
If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins - past, present and future - on the basis of Christ's death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him.
If you retake the throne of your life through sin - a definite act of disobedience - breathe spiritually.
Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.
Exhale - confess your sin - agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. and Hebrews 10:1-251For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; 6In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. 7"Then I said, `Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O god.'"8After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),9then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.10By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;12but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,13waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.14For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16"This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them," He then says, 17"And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."18Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.19Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,20by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action.
Inhale - surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you; according to the command of Ephesians 5:1818And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,, and the promise of
1 John 5:14, 1514This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
You will want to share this important discovery...
If this page has been meaningful and helpful to you, please share it with someone else.
Millions of copies of the booklet, "Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life?" have been distributed in most major languages around the world. As a result, thousands of Christians have learned how to experience the power and control of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. Through the abundant life which Christ promises, and which they are now experiencing, they have become more effective in sharing their faith in Christ with others. Experience has confirmed the validity of Christ's command to the disciples to wait until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit before going forth to the world to share the good news of His love and forgiveness. Most Christians, when they have learned this truth concerning the Holy Spirit, want to be actively sharing Christ and helping to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation.
Thursday 21 January 2010
Jesus Promised the Abundant and Fruitful Life as the Result of Being Filled (Directed and Empowered) by the Holy Spirit
The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-directed life by which Christ lives His life in and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 151I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.3You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.5I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.9Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.12This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.14You are My friends if you do what I command you.15No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.16You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.17This I command you, that you love one another.18If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.19If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.20Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.21But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.23He who hates Me hates My Father also.24If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.25But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, They hated Me without a cause.26When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,27and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.).
One becomes a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, according to
John 3:1-81Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;2this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."3Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."4Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7"Do not be amazed that I said to you, `You must be born again.'8"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at all times (John 1:1212But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,; Colossians 2:9, 109For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;; John 14:16, 1716I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.). Though all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not all Christians are filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37-3937Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.38"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.).
The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ (John 16:1-151These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.2"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.3"These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.4"But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.5"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, `Where are You going?'6"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.8"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;9concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;10and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;11and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.12"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.14"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.15"All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.). When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a true disciple of Christ.
In His last command before His ascension, Christ promised the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:1-91The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.3To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.4Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."9And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.).
How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?
We are Filled by the Holy Spirit by Faith;
then we can Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Life Christ Promised to each Christian.
You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you:
Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 5:66Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.; John 7:37-3937Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.38"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.).
Confess your sins.
By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past, present and future - because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13-1513When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.; 1 John 1; 2:1-31What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-2and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us-3what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.4These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.God Is Light5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;2and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.3By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.; Hebrews 10:1-171For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; 6In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. 7"Then I said, `Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O god.'"8After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),9then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.10By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;12but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,13waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.14For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16"This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them," He then says, 17"And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.").
Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 21Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.).
By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to:
His Command - Be filled with the Spirit. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:1818And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,).
His Promise - He will always answer when we pray according to His will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14, 1514This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.).
Faith can be expressed through prayer...
One becomes a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, according to
John 3:1-81Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;2this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."3Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."4Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7"Do not be amazed that I said to you, `You must be born again.'8"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at all times (John 1:1212But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,; Colossians 2:9, 109For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;; John 14:16, 1716I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.). Though all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not all Christians are filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37-3937Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.38"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.).
The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ (John 16:1-151These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.2"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.3"These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.4"But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.5"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, `Where are You going?'6"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.8"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;9concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;10and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;11and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.12"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.14"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.15"All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.). When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a true disciple of Christ.
In His last command before His ascension, Christ promised the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:1-91The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.3To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.4Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."9And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.).
How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?
We are Filled by the Holy Spirit by Faith;
then we can Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Life Christ Promised to each Christian.
You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you:
Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 5:66Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.; John 7:37-3937Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.38"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.).
Confess your sins.
By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past, present and future - because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13-1513When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.; 1 John 1; 2:1-31What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-2and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us-3what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.4These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.God Is Light5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;2and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.3By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.; Hebrews 10:1-171For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; 6In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. 7"Then I said, `Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O god.'"8After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),9then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.10By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;12but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,13waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.14For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16"This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them," He then says, 17"And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.").
Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 21Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.).
By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to:
His Command - Be filled with the Spirit. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:1818And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,).
His Promise - He will always answer when we pray according to His will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14, 1514This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.).
Faith can be expressed through prayer...
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Jesus said, I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly
God Has Provided For Us an Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:1010The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.).
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:55I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.).
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22, 2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.).
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:88but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.).
1.The Spiritual Man
The degree to which these traits are manifested in the life depends upon the extent to which the Christian trusts the Lord with every detail of his life, and upon his maturity in Christ. One who is only beginning to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged if he is not as fruitful as more mature Christians who have known and experienced this truth for a longer period.
2.The Carnal Man - Some or all of the following traits may characterize the Christian who does not fully trust God:
(The individual who professes to be a Christian but who continues to practice sin should realize that he may not be a Christian at all, according to
(1 John 2:3; 3:6, 91 John 2Christ Is Our Advocate3By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 36No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.9No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.; Ephesians 5:55For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.).
Carnal Christians Cannot Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life
The carnal man trusts in his own efforts to live the Christian life:
1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten, God's love, forgiveness, and power
2. He has an up-and-down spiritual experience.
3. He cannot understand himself - he wants to do what is right, but cannot.
4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:1010The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.).
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:55I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.).
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22, 2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.).
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:88but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.).
1.The Spiritual Man
The degree to which these traits are manifested in the life depends upon the extent to which the Christian trusts the Lord with every detail of his life, and upon his maturity in Christ. One who is only beginning to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged if he is not as fruitful as more mature Christians who have known and experienced this truth for a longer period.
2.The Carnal Man - Some or all of the following traits may characterize the Christian who does not fully trust God:
(The individual who professes to be a Christian but who continues to practice sin should realize that he may not be a Christian at all, according to
(1 John 2:3; 3:6, 91 John 2Christ Is Our Advocate3By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 36No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.9No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.; Ephesians 5:55For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.).
Carnal Christians Cannot Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life
The carnal man trusts in his own efforts to live the Christian life:
1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten, God's love, forgiveness, and power
2. He has an up-and-down spiritual experience.
3. He cannot understand himself - he wants to do what is right, but cannot.
4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
different living with Jesus and no living with Jesus
Every Day can be an Exciting Adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and who lives constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious direction.
The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people.
1.Natural Man (one who has not received Christ)
"A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:1414But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.).
2.Spiritual Man (One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit)
"He who is spiritual appraises all things...We have the mind of Christ"
(1 Corinthians 2:1515But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.).
3.Carnal Man
(One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat because is trying to live the Christian life in his own strength)
"And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to carnal men, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still carnal. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshy, and are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-31And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?).
The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people.
1.Natural Man (one who has not received Christ)
"A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:1414But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.).
2.Spiritual Man (One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit)
"He who is spiritual appraises all things...We have the mind of Christ"
(1 Corinthians 2:1515But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.).
3.Carnal Man
(One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat because is trying to live the Christian life in his own strength)
"And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to carnal men, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still carnal. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshy, and are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-31And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?).
Thursday 14 January 2010
Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
How You Can Experience the Adventure of Giving
Everything that we have in this world belongs to God. “The earth is the LORD’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). In the same way an owner entrusts his property to his workers to take care of it, God has entrusted us with that which He has given to us: our health, money, time, and ability. The Bible tells us that God gives unto us so that we can give unto others: “I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).
We are to love others with these entrusted gifts out of our love and thankfulness to God.
The Bible describes what we have been given as seed and tells us that it is God “who supplies seed to the sower” (2 Corinthians 9:10). When you plant a seed, you temporarily lose that seed in the ground, but wonderful fruit comes up in its place. It is the same when you give to God of your time, money, or possessions with a happy attitude—He blesses what you give to become good fruit. You can give to your local church, to Christians who are working to preach the gospel, and to those who are in need. As you give of what you have to God, you are making an investment that is eternal, for His kingdom has no end!
Key verses
“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.'”
Matthew 25:40
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
Everything that we have in this world belongs to God. “The earth is the LORD’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). In the same way an owner entrusts his property to his workers to take care of it, God has entrusted us with that which He has given to us: our health, money, time, and ability. The Bible tells us that God gives unto us so that we can give unto others: “I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).
We are to love others with these entrusted gifts out of our love and thankfulness to God.
The Bible describes what we have been given as seed and tells us that it is God “who supplies seed to the sower” (2 Corinthians 9:10). When you plant a seed, you temporarily lose that seed in the ground, but wonderful fruit comes up in its place. It is the same when you give to God of your time, money, or possessions with a happy attitude—He blesses what you give to become good fruit. You can give to your local church, to Christians who are working to preach the gospel, and to those who are in need. As you give of what you have to God, you are making an investment that is eternal, for His kingdom has no end!
Key verses
“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.'”
Matthew 25:40
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
Wednesday 13 January 2010
Jesus told His disciples, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name
How You Can Pray with Confidence
As a Christian, you are now God’s child. In the same way that a parent longs to talk and spend time with his child, so God wants to talk and spend time with you. God says in the Bible, “Call to Me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3). This interaction is called prayer, and because Jesus became the bridge to the God for you, you can pray anytime you want. When you pray, you are talking to the most powerful Person in the entire universe—the One who created you and everything you see. And as one of His dear children, this most powerful God loves you and cares about what you tell Him.
Jesus told His disciples, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name” (John 16:23). You can pray with confidence in this promise when you come to God in faith and with a pure heart. This means that you can ask God for forgiveness when you sin and in turn forgive others when they wrong you. Believe that He hears you and will answer your prayers according to His will because of your faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Another wonderful part of prayer is telling God how great He is and how thankful you are to Him. If you have never experienced the joy of talking to God, you can begin today, knowing that He is listening and loves to hear from you!
Key verses
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15
“The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
Psalm 145:18-19
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
As a Christian, you are now God’s child. In the same way that a parent longs to talk and spend time with his child, so God wants to talk and spend time with you. God says in the Bible, “Call to Me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3). This interaction is called prayer, and because Jesus became the bridge to the God for you, you can pray anytime you want. When you pray, you are talking to the most powerful Person in the entire universe—the One who created you and everything you see. And as one of His dear children, this most powerful God loves you and cares about what you tell Him.
Jesus told His disciples, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name” (John 16:23). You can pray with confidence in this promise when you come to God in faith and with a pure heart. This means that you can ask God for forgiveness when you sin and in turn forgive others when they wrong you. Believe that He hears you and will answer your prayers according to His will because of your faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Another wonderful part of prayer is telling God how great He is and how thankful you are to Him. If you have never experienced the joy of talking to God, you can begin today, knowing that He is listening and loves to hear from you!
Key verses
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15
“The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
Psalm 145:18-19
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
Monday 11 January 2010
How You Can Love Jesus Christ by Faith
Often the love we experience in the world today is based on our performance or another’s personal preference. This kind of love can change easily and does not fulfill. The love with which God loves you is not this way. The Bible tells us that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This means that even when you had your back turned toward God, He loved you so much that He sent His only Son to earth to die in your place, that you might receive eternal life.
The love that God has shown us is the kind of love we as Christians are to show everyone we know—the kind of love that treats another person as we ourselves would like to be treated, the kind of love that would die for another person, even for our enemies. When someone treats you badly and you treat them well in return, you have loved them the way God loves. You cannot love this way out of your own strength; you will only end up frustrated. Instead, you can love others by faith. When you understand that God loved you completely when you were a sinner, and that you have been saved by this love because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can love others by this same faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can ask God in faith to fill you with His love for others and He will be faithful to do it, for it is His desire that you love others as He has loved you.
Key verses
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:10,11
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
1 John 4:21
The love that God has shown us is the kind of love we as Christians are to show everyone we know—the kind of love that treats another person as we ourselves would like to be treated, the kind of love that would die for another person, even for our enemies. When someone treats you badly and you treat them well in return, you have loved them the way God loves. You cannot love this way out of your own strength; you will only end up frustrated. Instead, you can love others by faith. When you understand that God loved you completely when you were a sinner, and that you have been saved by this love because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can love others by this same faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can ask God in faith to fill you with His love for others and He will be faithful to do it, for it is His desire that you love others as He has loved you.
Key verses
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:10,11
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
1 John 4:21
Sunday 10 January 2010
millions of people in the world today have not heard the good news about Jesus Christ
How You Can Help Fulfill the Great Commission
Now that you are a Christian, you know of and have the great gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. Because you were presented with the gospel and believed, you have been freed from sin and death and have been given an abundant, eternal life. But millions of people in the world today have not heard the good news about Jesus Christ and so do not have the chance to believe and experience an abundant, eternal life.
In the same way that God desired you to hear the gospel so that you might believe in His Son Jesus and be saved, He also “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). This is why Jesus gave us the command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) and to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). Bringing the good news of Jesus to the world is called the Great Commission, and this privilege has been given to us as Christians. You can help fulfill the Great Commission by telling those you know about Jesus, by praying for those who do not yet know Him, or by giving your time or money to help allow the gospel to be preached throughout the world. You can ask God about the specific way you can help fulfill the Great Commission.
Key verses
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:15
Now that you are a Christian, you know of and have the great gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. Because you were presented with the gospel and believed, you have been freed from sin and death and have been given an abundant, eternal life. But millions of people in the world today have not heard the good news about Jesus Christ and so do not have the chance to believe and experience an abundant, eternal life.
In the same way that God desired you to hear the gospel so that you might believe in His Son Jesus and be saved, He also “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). This is why Jesus gave us the command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) and to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). Bringing the good news of Jesus to the world is called the Great Commission, and this privilege has been given to us as Christians. You can help fulfill the Great Commission by telling those you know about Jesus, by praying for those who do not yet know Him, or by giving your time or money to help allow the gospel to be preached throughout the world. You can ask God about the specific way you can help fulfill the Great Commission.
Key verses
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:15
Friday 8 January 2010
How You Can Introduce Others to Jesus
How You Can Introduce Others to Christ
One of the greatest things you can do for another person is to tell him or her about Jesus Christ and the way He has saved you from your sins through your belief in Him. You don’t have to be a pastor or perfect speaker to introduce others to Jesus; if you are a Christian and filled with the Holy Spirit by faith, you can introduce others to Jesus Christ and see many people saved through your witness. Jesus told His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).
The Bible tells us that God wants every person to believe in His Son that they may be saved (John 3:16), but “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). As Christians, we are the ones to tell those who do not know about Jesus. There are many good ways to share your faith. One such way is by sharing The Four Spiritual Laws with someone who doesn’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a booklet that explains the message of the gospel in an easy-to-understand manner. If you would like this tool to help you share the gospel or would like to receive more training, please contact us at www.globalmediaoutreach.com. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit has been given to you to be your Helper, and He will empower you to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.
Key verses
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
“For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”
Acts 22:15
One of the greatest things you can do for another person is to tell him or her about Jesus Christ and the way He has saved you from your sins through your belief in Him. You don’t have to be a pastor or perfect speaker to introduce others to Jesus; if you are a Christian and filled with the Holy Spirit by faith, you can introduce others to Jesus Christ and see many people saved through your witness. Jesus told His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).
The Bible tells us that God wants every person to believe in His Son that they may be saved (John 3:16), but “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). As Christians, we are the ones to tell those who do not know about Jesus. There are many good ways to share your faith. One such way is by sharing The Four Spiritual Laws with someone who doesn’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a booklet that explains the message of the gospel in an easy-to-understand manner. If you would like this tool to help you share the gospel or would like to receive more training, please contact us at www.globalmediaoutreach.com. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit has been given to you to be your Helper, and He will empower you to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.
Key verses
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
“For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”
Acts 22:15
Thursday 7 January 2010
tell others about Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit
What is the most important moment of your life? If you are a Christian, it is the moment you accepted Jesus Christ into your life to be your Lord and Savior. Because of your faith in Him, you now have life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). What then is the greatest thing you can do for another person? It is to give them an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and experience the abundant life you now have. God has you given you both the command and the ability to tell others about Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said to His disciples (us), “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19,20). We can make disciples of others by witnessing to them—by telling them about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. In order to be an effective witness, you should be confident of your own salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Always confess any sin you have committed to God and ask for His forgiveness, and be prepared to share your faith in Jesus. Then ask God for opportunities to witness, and talk to those whom you know and those you meet about Jesus Christ. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), so you can go in the power of the Holy Spirit and tell others about the salvation available through belief in Jesus Christ!
Key verses
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
“And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
“And He commanded us to preach to the people, to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2)
Jesus said to His disciples (us), “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19,20). We can make disciples of others by witnessing to them—by telling them about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. In order to be an effective witness, you should be confident of your own salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Always confess any sin you have committed to God and ask for His forgiveness, and be prepared to share your faith in Jesus. Then ask God for opportunities to witness, and talk to those whom you know and those you meet about Jesus Christ. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), so you can go in the power of the Holy Spirit and tell others about the salvation available through belief in Jesus Christ!
Key verses
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
“And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
“And He commanded us to preach to the people, to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2)
Wednesday 6 January 2010
god given you the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life like Jesus Christ
How You Can Walk in the Spirit
If you have asked God in faith to fill you with His Holy Spirit, you can be confident that He has filled you according to His promise. Now you are able to live everyday walking in the fullness of the Spirit He has given you. The Bible compares people to trees; the way to know a good tree is by its fruit, or by the actions of the person: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). God wants every Christian to produce good fruit and has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life like Jesus Christ, one of love and of power.
As a Christian, you must make a continual choice between walking according to the desires of your old self and walking according to the desires of the Holy Spirit. We are told in Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” You can learn to walk in the Holy Spirit as you read and obey God’s Word, give thanks to Him in all things, and continually confess yours sins to God and ask for forgiveness. If you want to live your life walking in the Spirit, tell God now that you want Him to teach you. Because it is what He wants for you, you can know that He will do it.
Key verses
“For if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:8).
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:13,14).
If you have asked God in faith to fill you with His Holy Spirit, you can be confident that He has filled you according to His promise. Now you are able to live everyday walking in the fullness of the Spirit He has given you. The Bible compares people to trees; the way to know a good tree is by its fruit, or by the actions of the person: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). God wants every Christian to produce good fruit and has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life like Jesus Christ, one of love and of power.
As a Christian, you must make a continual choice between walking according to the desires of your old self and walking according to the desires of the Holy Spirit. We are told in Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” You can learn to walk in the Holy Spirit as you read and obey God’s Word, give thanks to Him in all things, and continually confess yours sins to God and ask for forgiveness. If you want to live your life walking in the Spirit, tell God now that you want Him to teach you. Because it is what He wants for you, you can know that He will do it.
Key verses
“For if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:8).
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:13,14).
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Jesus has given you the gift of the Holy Spirit
You can live an abundant life as a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit. God has not left you to live your life as a Christian out of your own efforts, alone and frustrated. Jesus has given you the gift of the Holy Spirit! He told His disciples, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you” (Luke 24:49). When you first accepted Christ as your Savior by faith, the Holy Spirit was given to you by God to assure you of your salvation. But He has more for you! God wants you to be filled (directed and controlled) with the Holy Spirit so that you can live an abundant and fruitful life, one of fulfillment and powerful witness of Jesus Christ to those around you.
You can be filled with the Holy Spirit the same way you became a Christian—by asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit by faith. Here is the promise Jesus gave to all believers: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It is as if you had a million dollars in the bank; you just have to go in and ask for it. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is worth far more than a million dollars—it will give you a life of powerful witness and great fulfillment—and the gift is already in your spiritual bank account. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit today, ask God to fill you, and then thank Him in faith for doing so. You will begin to experience a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Key verses
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
You can be filled with the Holy Spirit the same way you became a Christian—by asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit by faith. Here is the promise Jesus gave to all believers: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It is as if you had a million dollars in the bank; you just have to go in and ask for it. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is worth far more than a million dollars—it will give you a life of powerful witness and great fulfillment—and the gift is already in your spiritual bank account. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit today, ask God to fill you, and then thank Him in faith for doing so. You will begin to experience a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Key verses
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
Monday 4 January 2010
You are now one of those who are in Christ Jesus, free from condemnation!
If you have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, you have been completely forgiven of all your sins. The Bible says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Jesus’ death on the cross took away your sins. He died so that you could be free from the guilt and shame of your sin and experience God’s total love and forgiveness.
Now God sees you as if you had never sinned. We are told in the Bible “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You are now one of those who are in Christ Jesus, free from condemnation! God has also made a way for you to be forgiven if you sin in the future. As Christians, we are promised “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). Go now and thank God that you can experience life as one completely forgiven!
Key verses
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name” (I John 2:12).
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Now God sees you as if you had never sinned. We are told in the Bible “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You are now one of those who are in Christ Jesus, free from condemnation! God has also made a way for you to be forgiven if you sin in the future. As Christians, we are promised “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). Go now and thank God that you can experience life as one completely forgiven!
Key verses
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name” (I John 2:12).
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Sunday 3 January 2010
God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
1. God Loves You!
The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"
2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
4. If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."
The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"
2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
4. If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."
Saturday 2 January 2010
our Savior Jesus Christ
If any will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
Jesus said: except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3,5
Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24
See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more detail.
He wants us to come to him so we can be taught and he can show us our condition; and by us repenting and obeying his commands, he purifies us until he and the Father come to establish their Kingdom in our hearts and translate us to paradise, all by grace; a grace that teaches us to live godly and righteously in this present world. Contrasted with the deficit sects' false, instant grace, Paul describes the true grace in letter to Titus stated below:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-4
(This is not instant grace; this is a teaching grace, a purifying grace; in this world. This takes time. You must be quiet to listen to be taught by grace, resulting in the appearance of God and Christ and leading you to good works.)
See True Grace vs. False Grace for more.
If you think believing or baptism is all you need, see The Fallacy of John 3:16 Taken out of Context, and the The Missing Cross.
See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for how to get started listening.
You might be asking, how could this be true? Everyone believes that there is nothing I have to do but believe in Jesus, and maybe get baptized in water. The answer is in the Bible; countless examples in the history of Israel where they forgot the requirements of righteousness and became comfortable in their flesh. In cycles, a prophet would arise, point out their universal error, and then get persecuted or killed; then the people were punished, they repented and lived correctly until they again drifted back into a false religion. The same thing happened in the early church; Jude wrote in 1:4, For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality. All the deficit sects of today are simply variations on the doctrines established by the Roman emperor, and of course saint, Constantine in 325 AD regarding salvation and Christianity; the doctrines were further standardized by later Roman emperors, including the sainted despot, Justinian. Within sixty-five years the true church, with its correct doctrines, was stamped out by the deceptive lure of their doctrine of instant, ritualized salvation, coupled with the Roman Empire's crushing boot of persecution for any deviation from their authorized, state religion. As predicted in the Bible's Book of Revelation, the church had adulterated with the Kings of the earth. For 1260 years the true church was banished to the wilderness, to appear again in 1650 with the breakthrough of the early Quakers - only to die again by 1880 due to the deception of presumptive salvation. People are eager to embrace the broad, easy way.
Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus was his Lord and Savior; but you saying so, doesn't make him your Lord in control of your words and deeds.
Read George Fox's Journal, and you will know for sure; just as they were surrounded by godless deficit sects, so are we today in an age of universal apostasy: false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, blind guides, minster's asking for your money, countless thousands of blind ministers taught by colleges instead of Christ, millions of blind followers in the ditch, still subject to rage, lusts, anger, greed, envy, emotions; with no purity, no peace, false hope, false gospels, false salvation, the missing cross, and no one entering the Kingdom. In response to a question, would many be saved? Christ said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many will go in there: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few will find it." Paul said, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (quaking)." So salvation is not as easy as you have been led to believe. You have been misled. It is easy to go with the herd; but beware, for Paul said, They that are in the flesh cannot please God. See the Missing Cross for more.
Christ is eager to help you enter by the narrow gate and for you to receive his Kingdom; but you must go to him. To learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. You must go to Him for the purpose of loosing your fleshly life to gain your spiritual Life; to attain purity through his grace and your faith in the power of the true gospel, the power of the cross, and the power of his name, Jesus Christ; all the power of God. Remember, all things work together for good for those who love God, to them who are called according his purpose. You have nothing to worry about. Even the things you did wrong in your life, worked to bring you to God, to be reunited with Him, to learn to love, to learn of God's love for you, to love God, to be loved by God, to become a son of love, to become love too. If you love Him, you will seek Him by going to him and getting quiet to hear his very soft voice. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to be purified. You can be purified on earth by grace through repentance, or you can be purified in the next life, through Hell to a much lower Heaven. Everyone will be purified eventually and receive right standing with God to live in Heaven; but purification in the next life is far harder and the subsequent life is far less. See Is There Hope for ALL Men and Women for more information. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
Jesus said: except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3,5
Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24
See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more detail.
He wants us to come to him so we can be taught and he can show us our condition; and by us repenting and obeying his commands, he purifies us until he and the Father come to establish their Kingdom in our hearts and translate us to paradise, all by grace; a grace that teaches us to live godly and righteously in this present world. Contrasted with the deficit sects' false, instant grace, Paul describes the true grace in letter to Titus stated below:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-4
(This is not instant grace; this is a teaching grace, a purifying grace; in this world. This takes time. You must be quiet to listen to be taught by grace, resulting in the appearance of God and Christ and leading you to good works.)
See True Grace vs. False Grace for more.
If you think believing or baptism is all you need, see The Fallacy of John 3:16 Taken out of Context, and the The Missing Cross.
See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for how to get started listening.
You might be asking, how could this be true? Everyone believes that there is nothing I have to do but believe in Jesus, and maybe get baptized in water. The answer is in the Bible; countless examples in the history of Israel where they forgot the requirements of righteousness and became comfortable in their flesh. In cycles, a prophet would arise, point out their universal error, and then get persecuted or killed; then the people were punished, they repented and lived correctly until they again drifted back into a false religion. The same thing happened in the early church; Jude wrote in 1:4, For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality. All the deficit sects of today are simply variations on the doctrines established by the Roman emperor, and of course saint, Constantine in 325 AD regarding salvation and Christianity; the doctrines were further standardized by later Roman emperors, including the sainted despot, Justinian. Within sixty-five years the true church, with its correct doctrines, was stamped out by the deceptive lure of their doctrine of instant, ritualized salvation, coupled with the Roman Empire's crushing boot of persecution for any deviation from their authorized, state religion. As predicted in the Bible's Book of Revelation, the church had adulterated with the Kings of the earth. For 1260 years the true church was banished to the wilderness, to appear again in 1650 with the breakthrough of the early Quakers - only to die again by 1880 due to the deception of presumptive salvation. People are eager to embrace the broad, easy way.
Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus was his Lord and Savior; but you saying so, doesn't make him your Lord in control of your words and deeds.
Read George Fox's Journal, and you will know for sure; just as they were surrounded by godless deficit sects, so are we today in an age of universal apostasy: false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, blind guides, minster's asking for your money, countless thousands of blind ministers taught by colleges instead of Christ, millions of blind followers in the ditch, still subject to rage, lusts, anger, greed, envy, emotions; with no purity, no peace, false hope, false gospels, false salvation, the missing cross, and no one entering the Kingdom. In response to a question, would many be saved? Christ said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many will go in there: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few will find it." Paul said, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (quaking)." So salvation is not as easy as you have been led to believe. You have been misled. It is easy to go with the herd; but beware, for Paul said, They that are in the flesh cannot please God. See the Missing Cross for more.
Christ is eager to help you enter by the narrow gate and for you to receive his Kingdom; but you must go to him. To learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. You must go to Him for the purpose of loosing your fleshly life to gain your spiritual Life; to attain purity through his grace and your faith in the power of the true gospel, the power of the cross, and the power of his name, Jesus Christ; all the power of God. Remember, all things work together for good for those who love God, to them who are called according his purpose. You have nothing to worry about. Even the things you did wrong in your life, worked to bring you to God, to be reunited with Him, to learn to love, to learn of God's love for you, to love God, to be loved by God, to become a son of love, to become love too. If you love Him, you will seek Him by going to him and getting quiet to hear his very soft voice. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to be purified. You can be purified on earth by grace through repentance, or you can be purified in the next life, through Hell to a much lower Heaven. Everyone will be purified eventually and receive right standing with God to live in Heaven; but purification in the next life is far harder and the subsequent life is far less. See Is There Hope for ALL Men and Women for more information. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
Friday 1 January 2010
Jesus came so he could destroy the the works of the devil in us - if we go to him.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, [in us] that he might destroy the works [sin] of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Jesus said: If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. John 13:8 (This is not the ritual water baptism.)
If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20. Sitting quietly while thinking on his name is how we learn from Him, get cleansed by Him, be led by Him, and come to know Him. Hearing his voice is not reading the Bible, it is hearing his voice. To hear someone, we have to listen; to listen we have to stop talking, reading, and racing our mind.
For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and does [practices] them, ...
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; securely.. Luke 6:47-48
He is extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Do not fear, you can experience the joy of real fellowship with Christ. I am not recruiting for any sect. I seek no followers; you have no need of any teacher but the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, 1 John 2:27; Christ in you, the hope of glory. I do not want your money. Everything on this site is free. Nothing is for sale. I only want you to know the freedom from the distress of sin. I want you to know that you can be so filled with love, that you go through the rest of you life obsessed with loving others and loving God. You can be full of everlasting joy and peace. You can have fellowship with the Father and the Son. You can become pure in heart and see God. You can have the Kingdom of God and the glorious Christ established in your heart. Go and readn John 14 and John 17, to understand the true promises of God. But, you must pick up you cross daily and crucify your flesh's affections and lusts to be with God. Be of good courage and have faith, for compared to his cross, your burden is light and easy. The cross simply is to go to him, think on his name, listen, and obey. He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." This is how you learn from him, (you will be taught, shown your condition, and you will receive personalized commands from Him to you):
* seeking the Kingdom of God, as your first priority, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
* turning away from evil, as you understand it, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
* you don't want to sit quietly every day to listen and watch, but if you do - it is a cross to your selfish will
if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20
* you don't want to obey his commands that you hear, but if you repent- it is a cross to your selfish will
* you don't want to forgive injustices done to you, but you repent and forgive - a cross to your angry self
* you don't want to admit and regret what the Light shows your condition to be, but if you repent - it is a cross to your will
(this is the place where you get changed, where your peace increases; in the Light)
* you don't want to give to others from your excess, but if you repent from your selfishness and give- it is a cross to your will
* you don't want to defer (deny self) to others, rather than insist on your way, but if you repent and defer - it is a cross to your will
Jesus said: If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. John 13:8 (This is not the ritual water baptism.)
If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20. Sitting quietly while thinking on his name is how we learn from Him, get cleansed by Him, be led by Him, and come to know Him. Hearing his voice is not reading the Bible, it is hearing his voice. To hear someone, we have to listen; to listen we have to stop talking, reading, and racing our mind.
For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and does [practices] them, ...
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; securely.. Luke 6:47-48
He is extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Do not fear, you can experience the joy of real fellowship with Christ. I am not recruiting for any sect. I seek no followers; you have no need of any teacher but the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, 1 John 2:27; Christ in you, the hope of glory. I do not want your money. Everything on this site is free. Nothing is for sale. I only want you to know the freedom from the distress of sin. I want you to know that you can be so filled with love, that you go through the rest of you life obsessed with loving others and loving God. You can be full of everlasting joy and peace. You can have fellowship with the Father and the Son. You can become pure in heart and see God. You can have the Kingdom of God and the glorious Christ established in your heart. Go and readn John 14 and John 17, to understand the true promises of God. But, you must pick up you cross daily and crucify your flesh's affections and lusts to be with God. Be of good courage and have faith, for compared to his cross, your burden is light and easy. The cross simply is to go to him, think on his name, listen, and obey. He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." This is how you learn from him, (you will be taught, shown your condition, and you will receive personalized commands from Him to you):
* seeking the Kingdom of God, as your first priority, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
* turning away from evil, as you understand it, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
* you don't want to sit quietly every day to listen and watch, but if you do - it is a cross to your selfish will
if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20
* you don't want to obey his commands that you hear, but if you repent- it is a cross to your selfish will
* you don't want to forgive injustices done to you, but you repent and forgive - a cross to your angry self
* you don't want to admit and regret what the Light shows your condition to be, but if you repent - it is a cross to your will
(this is the place where you get changed, where your peace increases; in the Light)
* you don't want to give to others from your excess, but if you repent from your selfishness and give- it is a cross to your will
* you don't want to defer (deny self) to others, rather than insist on your way, but if you repent and defer - it is a cross to your will
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)