Thursday, February 23, 2012

Your Great Commision

In the book of John chapter fourteen, I am BLOWN AWAY at how plain and real the text is! I will set up a scene for you: Jesus sits down with his disciples to talk to them. There is extreme pressure among them. They know Jesus is in danger. They have witnessed crucifixions and the torture that accompanies it. They also know that as many fans that their teacher has, he also hasenemies. Can you imagine what was going on in their heads?Jesus gathers them together and begins to speak: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. Jesus begins to describe these mansions that His Father has where He is going. Can you imagine the real threat of death and bodily harm of your teacher, guide, comforter, Savior and He begins to describe this glorious place He is going to and that you also must do as He does?
The question then becomes in our finite thinking,' if we follow you where you are going do we have to be hung on a cross, flogged, and tortured as well?' Thomas asks for the name and directions to this place and Philip just asks to speak to the owner of the property; God!

Jesus repeats that to know Him is to know the Father. How clear is that? They have walked with the Christ for years, watched Him heal the sick, raise the dead, feed thousands, and love unconditionally, yet at the hint of trouble they seem to reduce who He is! In verse 12 - 13 there is a guarantee from Jesus. {12 I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.} Clearly if you truly believe in Him you will heal the sick, teach the gospel to all, and love people. You will raise the dead and cast out demons too.
You will do things here on earth that is greater than what Jesus did ONLY if you really believe! In turn He will do whatever you ask! WOW! Let that soak in! Over and over I read, "IF you love me"..... Some think they love Him but don't have the full understanding of what it takes to prove it. Your fruit speak about your love; not how much you shout, spin, cry and yell! He said to not just be HEARERS but DOERS of the word!(James 1:22) In verses 14 - 17 the formula is laid before you. 14[Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. 15If you [really] love Me, you will keep and (obey) My commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-- 1st- you Must do what He did! 2ND you will KEEP and OBEY His command(to do what He did)BE CONSISTENT! 3rd- THEN AND ONLY THEN will He go to the Father and ask for the Holy Spirit to come.It seems as if verse 21 could preach in any step-parenting brochure. The Father will love you when He sees how you love His Son!

"The love that you have for the Father is the manifestation of Jesus."-Minister Eloise Person

He promises to manifest Himself to you. Manifest means to be clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious. Not only does He promise to show up; but to MOVE IN! (17)
Verse 27 sent me straight over the edge! 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Okay, let's discuss "leaving" and "giving!" I don't know about you, but I would MUCH RATHER someone GIVE me something while they are here than to be left something when they go! Jesus is CLEAR about what He has done here! He left something that anyone can pick up if needed, but to those who LOVE (obey, and keep His word) Him, He GAVE! God didn't leave His son for our sins, He GAVE HIM!


When abiding in the word, please notice the different words that are used in the scriptures. The Word is God breathed and have NO typos in the meanings. It is simple if you look and in all your getting, get understanding.

Remember verse 20- 20At that day(God's appointed time) ye shall know(SEE) that I am IN My Father, and you IN Me, and I IN you. How much better does it get than that? When people see you, they should see HIM(THEM)!


GLORY!!!!


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Smokin!

Have you ever watched a fire and saw smoke rise? The heat CANNOT be seen but you can see the result of the fire in a melting of everything in that area! Black billowing smoke rises and spreads throughout the area faster than the eye can see. You begin to cough and struggle to breathe. The odor is pungent overpowering. Soon your vision is blurred and your eyes are tearing. Before you know it fire and smoke has spread so fast that you cannot keep up! After
it's all done, you have soot blanketing everything. It's thick in the lungs of the people who were close in proximity but that you cannot see because it's on the inside, but they can feel it. The smell of smoke hangs in the air for a long time no matter what you do.


This is much like prayer. Yes, prayers rise too fast for any of us to catch. At first we cannot see it, but there is a spreading, a billowing, and for some people it is hard to breathe. You see, prayer immediately affects a concentrated area, but it quickly fills up a place and reaches far and wide without eye witnesses except for those who it found residence deep on the inside. Prayer and fire are extremely close in nature. Even after the fire has been put out, you cannot deny it was there. It touches a many in a very short period of time and affects all in different ways.

Start your own fire. Wave the blaze around! Add an accelerant if you will! Turn the heat up and watch it spread all over. Know that when it is all, over people will not be able to deny the power that it had. Some will say that it was destructive, but some will see the newness that it has to bring. Some things must be torn down and destroyed in order to be affected and changed.

So when you ask that I pray for you, know that I am starting a fire! I pray for you who read this that the fire of God be upon you. I pray that it burns up everything not like Him and that it causes you to run and move in what He has already declared over your life! I pray that it affects all those around you. I pray that they can see that you suffer from prayer inhalation! I pray that they see the long term affects of the prayer. May God get the glory ...In Jesus' name..AMEN AMEN AMEN!



Saturday, February 4, 2012

"STONE HIM!"





So, I have been quite quiet about a certain topic involving a certain situation, but now I am going to bust if I don't loose my thoughts. You ready to ride? Okay, let's go! In reading the story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery, the priests, not the common folk drug her to Jesus! They tell Him the law of Moses demands her to be stoned to death and they ask Him what He says do. As he begins to write in the sand, they pressure Him for an answer. Jesus tells them that whoever is without sin, let them be the first to cast a stone. I have heard so many theories about what He wrote, but I liked this one best. I heard a pastor describe Jesus listing the sins of whatever Pharisee was standing over his shoulder looking for permission to stone this lady.


In shock they would back away and leave the crowd, without casting their rock. Oh, how quick we are pointing righteous,and Holy fingers.


Let's look at the case of Jesus. As long as HE was healing the sick, delivering those who were captive, performing miracles and feeding the hungry, everyone praised, followed and loved Him. Why didn't anyone uphold the same principles when it came down to the Christ? When it came time to punish Him, there was NO mercy, no forgiveness and no Savior. They screamed, "Crucify Him!"


He said, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.(Matthew 5:17)

Now think personally about the things that are only between you and God. I mean REALLY think about those secret things you know would have sent you to a fiery eternity IF it had not been for GRACE! How many people do you know would scream to kill you now if they knew what you had done? Some of us know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have ABSOLUTELY NO business having rocks in our possession, much less throwing them!


I dare you to THROW DOWN YOUR ROCK and throw up your hands and remember that we love HIM because He FIRST loved us. (1John 4:19) Remember that we MUST forgive so that He will forgive us!(Col 3:13) When our brother or sister is snared by a sin, we are to restore them gently and humbly and be careful to not do the same. (Gal 6:1)In ALL situations PRAY (Phil 4:6).

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I tell you this......I do not want to miss the call when the horn is sounded and those whom I have accused or scorned are passing me in their way to glory! I hope that you feel the same. This battle is not yours and it NEVER will be!
WRAP YOURSELF IN THE TRUTH WAY AND THE LIGHT! Wrap yourself in the WORD OF GOD! GET WRAPPED UP IN LOVE AND GRACE! I KNOW I AM!!!!