Avoid The Yoke

Here in the United States of America, we just recently observed Memorial Day, which is meant to remind us of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom as a nation. It is meant to cause us to reflect on the cost of the freedom we enjoy.

Freedom from the tyranny of any kind is important to all people. Freedom was also important for the church.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

In Scripture, we discover that there were law zealots who wished to bring believers back under the law as a means of proving their devotion to God and a genuine salvation. They demanded that Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses if they were truly sincere about following God. They caused problems in Antioch and then later in Galatia and other places.

The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to settle the matter once and for all time. It caused no small stir among the church when they came.

Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

According to the Dictionary, the word "yoke" is used to describe something that is regarded as oppressive or burdensome.

In Greek, this English word was used to interpret the word Zugos, meaning to join, a coupling, servitude, or an obligation.

Pay attention to what others wish to bind you to. To enjoy your freedom in Christ, you must understand that Christ set us free for freedom, not to be put under a yoke of traditions or that of the law of Moses or any other manmade ordinance claiming to be a means of obtaining or maintaining righteousness and peace with God. The only way to experience true peace with God and a vibrant relationship is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. No believer should be subjected to the law as a means of gaining righteousness initially or to maintain afterward.

Acts 15:23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment

Avoid the yoke of bondage that being brought back under the law is. We are to be yoked with Christ, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and we find peace for our souls in Him.

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As He Is

Have you ever wanted to be like someone else? I hope you understand what I am getting at here. Have you ever said, "tongue in cheek," I wish I could be that person?

I know that for many Christians, this is something that resonates because you hear it frequently. "I want to be more like Jesus." I understand the sentiment behind that phrase, but did you know that when someone is in Christ, they already are a lot like him in the ways that matter most?

1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

"As He is, so are we in this world."

That phrase has been used many ways in churches by various preachers. I hope to shed a little different light on this today. "As He is." That is a statement of current status concerning Jesus. So when I think about it in that way, I can't help but be blown away by the idea that, right now, Jesus is in the bosom of the Father. According to the Scripture, I am seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That means I am partaking of and benefiting from what Jesus is experiencing. What is He experiencing?

Jesus is greatly loved, greatly honored, greatly accepted, in full fellowship and oneness with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, enjoying their union and unity together. Jesus is full of joy, peace, rest, love, and power in the presence as He is a part of that presence Himself.

Have you ever considered that this might be what John was being moved by the Holy Spirit to say?

That this state of fellowship and unity within the godhead and the fruit it produces might be what is meant by the phrase "As He is?"

Knowing the love of the Father, of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and enjoying fellowship with them as Jesus prayed we would in John 17 produces a particular type of fruit in our lives. Just think, the verse said, " So are we in this world." It is not speaking about our experiencing, "As He is," being our reality once we get to heaven. He is referring to an experience that we have while we are on this earth.

If we continue to read, what follows we find,

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

The root of fear is doubt and unbelief. Fear is the fruit of doubting His love and commitment to have fellowship with us by having done all that was necessary to secure that reality for us. When we understand how complete a work it was that Jesus performed, we begin to walk in a confidence of relational fellowship with God at all times. This exchange also produces another fruit.

1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.

No one has ever initiated a love for God on their own. Love for God has its starting point in our acknowledgment of His love for us. This revelation of His love can be as deep and as broad as we will permit it to be by allowing the Holy Spirit to bring such revelation to our hearts and minds concerning Jesus and what He did to secure God's love for us. "As He is," is true whether we believe it or not. However, we can miss out on the blessing of it if we fail to possess it by the revelation of the Spirit.

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Persuasive Words

Four men were together, and three of them were debating a particular matter. When the first man made his case, the fourth man said, "Good point." When the second man chimed in with his counterpoint, the fourth man said, "That's a good point, too." Finally, the third man offered his point, and like before, the fourth man said, "That's a good point as well." At this time, the second man, somewhat aggravated, looked at the fourth man and said emphatically, "We can't all have a good point." To which the fourth man replied, "Good point."

My reason for sharing this comical portrayal of someone changing their mind with each convincing point is to show how easily someone can change their mind when simply convinced by one argument after another.

This continual type of debate has gone on throughout church history and was no stranger to the early church. For this reason, as an apostle, Paul spoke to this very thing when writing to the Colossians.

Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

According to the Scriptures, a double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways. Of course, this is especially true when it pertains to knowing Christ and understanding who He is, what He has done, and how that applies to our lives every day.

I have watched believers being tossed to and from when it comes to the completed work of Christ on their behalf. They scurry about, wearing themselves out, trying their best to qualify as men and women of God with an anointing. I've seen churches acting like prophets of Baal doing all sorts of things to try to get God to send fire. They carry on as if Jesus never went to the cross and that God is reluctant to respond. I hear others speak of what must be done to obtain an open heaven.

All of these points are not rooted in New Covenant Gospel understanding but are instead the byproducts and fruit of the confusion a mixture gospel is prone to produce, and are largely the reason there has been such a large defection from churches. People wear themselves out trying to jump through all the hoops, only to find it was not the promised solution after all. It seems as soon as they finish with one idea, a new one comes along because the mark of what it takes to get God to move is a moving target. All this is because a mixture gospel creates double-mindedness. I will end today's encouragement with Scripture.

Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16  So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Stand firm in your assurance of being complete in Jesus, who is the head not just of the body of Christ, but of all principalities and powers too. Our steadfastness and all that we need are found in Him alone.

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The Ministry Of The Spirit

We are living in a unique time spiritually. We were born for such a time as this.

Sadly, many in churches miss out on the unique yet powerful time we are in due to being misled regarding the ministry of the Spirit.

They are led to believe that a promise of heaven is pretty much all there was to what Jesus did. They live clueless ot the beauty and power of the Holy Spirit promised by the Father to believers.

They are clueless because many fail to preach the good news of the New Covenant to the church.

As an apostle, Paul declared the following,

2 Corinthians 3:4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

Since the people of God under the Old Covenant witnessed His power on display for their benefit. Why shouldn't those of a covenant that is more glorious be recipients of the supernatural power and work of the Holy Spirit for their benefit?

Many are missing out on the help the Holy Spirit can bring into their existence because they are being taught it must be earned. Instead of seeing it as a gift received according to faith, they are made to think they must earn the right to walk according to the Spirit, and that results in self-effort interfering with a true experience of the Spirit.

Others have been taught that the role of the Spirit is reduced to merely making one aware of the truth, or convicting them of sin, or just making them a little bolder than usual. The supernatural attributes of the Spirit are stripped away, and the person is told they have all of Him they'll ever have when they get saved. They walk in glory less attractive than that of the old, and it forces them to revel in the stories of the Old Testament as opposed to having stories of their own here and now.

I like having stories of my own of how the Holy Spirit moved mightily to confirm both the truth of the gospel concerning Christ and the glory of His New Covenant that is now in place and the only Covenant God recognizes. The glory of Covenant mixture is confusion and a lackluster glory devoid of real power in the Spirit. I prefer the ministry of the Spirit over my most convincing argument at any time. Which covenant are you called to minister?

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Simplicity

God loves me. The Father loves me, Jesus loves me, and the Holy Spirit loves me. I am convinced of this. Someone might ask me why I am convinced, and I would simply answer that they went to the greatest lengths to save me from my sin and self and give me eternal life and hope in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That is simply stated, and I believe it. I love that it is direct and clear. It is uncluttered by high-sounding nonsense.

Simplicity - the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do: for the sake of simplicity, this chapter will concentrate on one theory.

There is a certain beauty to simplicity. This is indeed true in the context of the gospel.

The gospel is simple. It does not require a degree to understand or apply it; it simply calls on faith.

I will say, though, that getting it right, getting it in, and then getting out matters.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Wait a minute, did you see what the Holy Spirit moved Paul to say here?

The serpent used craftiness to deceive Eve; Paul feared craftiness would dupe the Corinthians from being content with the simplicity that is in Christ.

I hear some preaching and teaching, and think to myself that what I just heard was anything but simple when it comes to Christ. It comes across as if one must go to college and study for four years before one can truly grasp what there is to know about what is ours in Christ.

Jesus turned ignorant and unlearned men into fishers of men.

1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

When simplicity is no longer enough, a darkened plot is likely involved, intending to deceive and possibly even manipulate those listening to it. Many think that was complex and took brilliance to deduce, so I should listen and take heed. No! You should beware, because the gospel was never meant to be complicated. Studying to show oneself approved is not an invitation to become complicated. Please keep it simple.

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It Takes Time Sometimes

When it comes to embodying New Covenant truth, it can take some time for it to be deeply absorbed into the soul, producing a more robust fruit for Jesus.

The disciples had been with Jesus for a considerable time and were still struggling to fully grasp His message and realize that ministering in His name was not exclusive only to them. In fact, it would take them a while after the Holy Spirit had come to grasp that the Gospel of the kingdom was intended for the Gentiles.

Luke 9:46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” 49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

The disciples just learned that children are not enemies or hindrances to Jesus and are welcome to come to Jesus. Then they had to learn that others could do things in His name, just as they could, and that they were not enemies or hindrances. This was even the beloved John, who was wrestling with this matter and coming to Jesus over it. The "love apostle," John, struggled with sectarianism, just as the other disciples did.

Sectarianism - excessive attachment to or identification with a particular religious or political group

In the disciple's mind, only Jesus and they had any right to cast out demons in His name, or that is by His authority.

In this age, when they don't dot their i's or cross their t's the way we do, and therefore they are of less value than we, it can create quite a stir. This is why the New Covenant Gospel needs to have time to marinate in our hearts and minds until it produces less concern about those who do not say it the same way we do, or promote Jesus in the same way we do, than our concern for the lost in this world who so desperately need Him.

When the church spends all her time only ministering to her own, she can forget her mission and get caught up in a civil war within the kingdom of God. That is when every message is directed against someone with a different opinion, rather than being geared towards producing life, health, and freedom for anyone who is being called. Let's stay on mission and let the message of "the hope of glory and eternal life is only in Christ Jesus and no other" sort it all out.

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The Importance Of Preaching

There are some in these last days who believe preaching is unnecessary. To accept this notion is to be ignorant of the Scriptures. Perhaps they just haven’t gotten far enough yet in their reading to see what it says. But according to the word of God, preachers who are sent play a vital role in the salvation of others.

Romans 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

The glad tidings are not the law of Moses. It is not behavioral modification—those who truly know how to get the gospel right are discernible sent ones.

Notice what works in the heart for salvation. It is the word of faith! The call to believe! The word of faith in Jesus alone is preached. I love the clarity of this encouragement and instruction.

It states, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus.”  That is not merely a phrase without revelatory knowledge. “Jesus is Lord” implies an understanding of His authority and right to govern one’s life from now on. It is a call to surrender to the One who gave all to redeem and make new.

It also states, “Believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead.” This is not mental assent due to being unable to argue against the point effectively. It is not agreeing outwardly while disagreeing inwardly, and questioning whether or not it is really true that Jesus is alive and has a body.

The very righteousness of God is possessed by those who believe with the heart! Being brought into relationship with God by means of His own righteousness leads to a proper confession of faith, having been convinced of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

For all this to be someone’s reality, a preacher is needed. Someone sent by God to proclaim the good news. According to Scripture, such persons have beautiful feet because those feet carry them to their appointed destination, where the lost are in need of hearing the good news of Christ Jesus.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

1Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

I feel like Paul, I cannot help but preach the gospel because I am compelled to do so within. It is the only message reported to bring a release of God’s power for salvation. Thank You, Jesus, for preachers who carry the word of faith concerning You!

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Go Figure

Here in these parts where I live, when someone hears something hard to believe, they might say, “Who would have thought that? Go figure.”

Receiving information at any level that was once something not accepted, but is now presented and received, would merit a “go figure.”

John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Go figure! When you see in Scripture how Jesus reacted to all sorts of dire situations in which people were in great need, you are seeing how God the Father responds to it.

So, what was the Father doing while Jesus walked the earth?

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

Who resisted and protested these actions of Jesus, who was showing us what the Father is like?

Matthew 12:22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 Now, when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

This attitude of religious resistance to God’s goodness for those in need still exists today. You see, when God heals by supernatural means, a man cannot take the credit.

Matthew 14:14 And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

The Father demonstrated compassion by healing through Jesus. Why would He do such a thing? Could it be due to one of His names? Jehovah Rapha. We are never more like the Father and more like Jesus than when we are being moved with compassion to do good and to heal others through the working of His mighty power on display by means of the Holy Spirit He has graciously and generously given to all who ask for Him.

This is why we should also expect to see the move of the Holy Spirit in our gatherings. God has compassion on His children. One might say He wants more for them. Go figure!

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The one another’s of Scripture cannot be done in isolation from the body of Christ, and the Father loves the gathering because that is the place His children come together. He will manifest Himself there as well to those who gather in faith in His name. He is still moved by compassion and supernaturally healing today. Go figure!

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Abundance

The dictionary defines this word as meaning - a very large quantity of something. Plentifulness.

The Scriptures say the following concerning God,

Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance (Enough to spare, surplus) of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

God dwells in abundance. He will always be more than enough. He not only has more than enough, but He is more than enough.

God gave us His fullness in Christ, and Christ gives us His fullness in the Holy Spirit. Grace was and is exceedingly abundant towards us. More than that, Faith and love are included in that abundance in Christ Jesus. God has given us an abundant mercy, an abundant grace, an abundant life, and an inheritance in heaven that does not fade away! The power of God keeps us through faith for salvation!

God is full of some things! Things like compassion, graciousness, and long-suffering, and He is abundant in mercy and truth. He has set His affections upon us in Christ Jesus. He causes us to flourish in Him. I encourage you to enjoy flourishing in His abundant goodness towards you today.

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Could It Be?

Ever been told something that seemed too good to be true?

There’s a passage in the Bible that is amazing to me and offers the opportunity never to need to worry about situations and circumstances.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

He meets my every need! But not in a way that scratches the bottom of the barrel. He meets it according to His riches in glory!

Now this is only an encouraging and amazing promise when I am convinced of His love and the oneness He has made possible.

There is even this promise in the Old Covenant that the Psalmist brings to light.

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.

Now this holds weight with us when we live in the confidence of,

2Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

By knowing His love, our oneness with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit, and being convinced of being made righteous with God’s righteousness as opposed to our own, these promises come alive to us.

Instead of always thinking of how far from the mark we may be or how much we think we lack, what if we focused on what Christ has done and made possible for us? What if we actually walked in the blessings of God’s promises, which are now yes and amen in Christ?

What need are you faced with? The God who counts the hairs on your head cares for you and loves you. He wants to meet your need and put His blessing you on display to the world around you.

Could it be? I say yes!

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Pecious Sleep

Today is for all those who struggle to sleep at night for whatever reason. Every circumstance that threatens any promise of God in your life will always come with a reason for its existence to justify its place.

It might even have science behind its reason. A miracle is when a promise of God defies proven science and occurs on your behalf anyway.

I know of nothing that is attacked more than sleep for many people. Since the Father loves us with the same love He had for Jesus, and since Jesus loves us so much, it was part of His motivation to endure the cross. Now, He has sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and given us His peace. I have determined I am God’s beloved.

Why is it important to know I am His beloved when it comes to getting some sleep?

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Jesus, as His beloved, was able to sleep in a boat during a storm. Talk about a vivid, loud, moving, and incredible circumstance that should forbid any human being from being able to sleep. A boat tossing, the wind howling, the rain falling, and the disciples screaming to each other what to do to keep from sinking. That is a profound circumstance that would have more than enough science behind it to justify not being able to sleep.

What circumstance, justified in the natural, argues against this promise in your life? Is this promise for you today, to the degree it was for Jesus that day on the water in that boat with His disciples?

Before you set out to answer such a question, I encourage you to first answer the question about being His beloved. Once you answer that one, I encourage you to consider this other passage of Scripture given to us for our encouragement and strengthening.

2Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

I want to walk in an ability of faith that subjects all my circumstances in life to the promises He has made, rather than subject all the promises He made to my circumstances. I want to live my life in agreement with what He has said more than what I can see, touch, taste, feel, smell, or hear. His word says He gives sleep, so I sleep. I believe you can too! I bless you today with this promise from Him.

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Loved Like Jesus

Have you ever taken time to imagine what it is like to be loved by the Father with the same love He has for Jesus? Before the cross, Jesus prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, and in that prayer, He spoke something very profound.

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

In this prayer, Jesus is not speaking about unity amongst believers. He is speaking about unity with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is speaking about being one with God through being in a relationship with Him.

In this relationship that Jesus makes possible, we are loved with the same love that the Father loves Him with.

Why did Jesus declare the Father’s name to us? So that the love with which the Father loved Jesus would be in us, and Jesus would also be in us. He has made His abode with us. We have been hidden in God with Christ, and I can assure you that being in that place in Christ, there is no animosity occurring.

I believe this revelation is what led Paul to write the following to the Colossian church.

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Our perfection is realized in being one with Him. Our being loved is secured by being one with Him.

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I encourage you in the love of Christ today. Be persuaded of this amazing love we have received in Christ Jesus. See yourself as one with Him. Know that you are greatly loved by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let this good news of being loved like Jesus by the Father invade your soul.

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Not Difficult

If I gave you a $100 bill and asked you to give it to a perfect stranger, could you do it?

Think about it, would it be difficult for you to approach a person with a $100 bill and say, “Hello, I would like to give you something to bless you?”

Would you be afraid of offending them? Would you fear rejection? Would you feel that the value of what you are offering would negate your fears and intimidation and empower you to offer it anyway?

We are not as intimidated when we know for certain that whatever we have to offer is of great value and thus expect it to be appreciated.

I mean, who wouldn’t want $100?

This example does not allow for a “what if” because we are likely to assume everyone would appreciate $100. We know that the world out there loves money and esteems it with the highest value.

How valuable is eternal life? Healing in a desperate situation? A miracle? The revelation of being loved and cared for?

Should we really think it strange or difficult to pray for someone we see who appears to really need it?

Should we think it is strange or difficult to share the good news of Jesus with someone we encounter?

Should the desire to bless and make a difference in the life of another be something strange or difficult to us?

2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 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. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Again, the Scriptures say,

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The more we believe in the grace of God we have received and the goodness of God we have tasted, the easier it is for us to share it with others. Those who truly know they are blessed in Him have a desire to share the blessing with others. Such as you have, you can give!

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Determination

Every day, some people wake up at a certain time, get dressed, get in their car, drive to work, and then work for a specified time based on their employer’s expectations.

Interestingly, they do not allow aches and pains to get in their way. They do not allow a friend’s call, “Let’s go to the lake today,” to interfere with their commitment to go to work. They are committed because they know the importance and value of having a job to provide for their lives and the lives of those they love. Therefore, a job ranks very high on their scale of value, and it sets their determination to do what they must to have it, keep it, and advance in it.

Jesus said something very important and wise.

Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

How does one lay up treasures in heaven? It involves being kingdom-minded as opposed to earthly-minded. One way of understanding kingdom-mindedness is to put God’s will and His purpose at the top of my values scale.

Is there something you are so passionate about and committed to that nothing is allowed to interfere with it?

If the surrender and trust God wants from me takes a back seat to the things I want to do, I am being earthly-minded as opposed to kingdom-minded.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Being determined to do God’s will and trusting in His ability to take care of us stores up treasures in heaven. Being passionate about the things He desires is a good thing. He is pleased by our faith; without faith, we cannot please Him. Faith is active, not passive. There is a goal to faith that leads to making decisions and commitments. Faith is at the heart of determination because it acts based on something hoped for but not yet seen.

Paul said, 1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

What are you determined about? What are the things you will not compromise on no matter what? Are they things that will bring heavenly reward? I want to live with an eye towards my eternity. I want to sow where I know it will count for all eternity. To achieve that goal, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me with my resolve and determination to do all that He has in mind for me.

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The Gathering

What would you say if I told you never to get together with your blood relatives, especially your immediate family members, again, because gatherings don’t matter?

I would be willing to bet that you would think I was crazy and ridiculous, and you would disregard my point of view. You would be right to disregard me, too.

But think about it, isn’t this what many who say they are Christians are doing today? It is becoming popular for people to say that gathering doesn’t matter, only believing in Jesus matters.

Here’s another question. Have you ever met a child born into a family who believed they chose their family? Or would it be more accurate that they were part of that family based on the decision of the parents to have them?

1Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

It might help if we take a moment to think who this was written to. It was not a letter to an individual. It was written to a gathering of believers in Corinth referred to as the church at Corinth. The Apostles did not travel to minister to individuals or establish one person in Christ, and call that a church. The fivefold ministries were given by Jesus for the equipping of the saints, plural, so that the church would be able to grow and the body of Christ would be edified.

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

How can a believer engage in the one another commands if they are never a committed part of a community of believers? How do you love all the more a person you never see? How do you strive for unity with someone you are never around? How do you prefer another as better than yourself if you never see them or have contact with them?

The proof that gathering with other believers on the Lord's Day matters is revealed in how hard the enemy works to keep believers from being there.

He will try to send sickness or physical pains and sleeplessness on the weekend, emergencies late Saturday evening, or stir dissension in a home on a Sunday morning. If the gathering meant nothing at all and posed no threat to his agenda, he would leave people alone on weekends and allow them the convenience of an easy choice.

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Lord can use the enemy's tactics against believers for an opportunity to equip if we will only rise in faith and stand against the enemy's schemes. Having done all to stand, stand therefore!

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The gift of fellowship is a wonderful privilege that is an integral part of the New Covenant Gospel. I hope and pray you are taking full advantage of all that it can offer your life today.

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According To

According To

Why is it so simple for a person to follow the instructions of a medication and yet so difficult to do so with spiritual life issues?

A medication will say when to take it, how many times a day to take it, and whether or not to take it with food. I’ve not heard of anyone who struggles to follow the advice given to maximize the benefit of that medication.

Scripture offers us some sound advice for spiritual success in life by telling us what to walk according to. Yet I see some struggle to receive and apply such advice.

Let’s start with just one example.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

I’ve witnessed so many attempting to rid themselves of condemnation by digging in deeper to their own will power and resolve to get their act together in accordance with the law, thinking it will be the ticket to removing their condemnation. The result is an even greater condemnation when they fail to perfectly keep the law, and until they realize that perfection under the law is an exercise in futility, they will keep going around the same mountain.

They need to get a revelation of,

Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

The flesh here refers to a confidence in the flesh and its strength to become righteous. It is not referring to immoral lifestyles. Of course, someone living a blatantly immoral lifestyle will be subject to condemnation. Here, Romans is speaking about life according to the Spirit being the ticket to freedom from condemnation. In other words, it means living in surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Actively hearing and following the voice of the Holy Spirit and submitting to His leading is how I rise above the pitfalls of the lust of the flesh. To listen and follow His leading, I must trust He is good and wise and have as warm a sense of relationship with Him as I do the Father and my Lord Jesus. That will be hard to do if my doctrinal position does not afford me the privilege of knowing just how involved He is meant to be in my life, and makes all the information in Scripture concerning Him a thing of the past.

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In You

Are you aware today of what is in you? Here are just a few passages to get you started in thought about the abundance of blessings at work in you.

John 14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

John 15:11   “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

1Corinthians 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

1Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

2Corinthians 9:14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Philemon 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

1John 4:4   You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

All this and more is in you because of Jesus Christ! Live today according to the “In you.”

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Our High Priest

Were you aware that the New Covenant is a better covenant and one of the main reasons for it is due to who our High Priest is now?

Hebrews 7:11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ ”), 22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

Aaron, Moses’ brother, was the first priest of the Old Covenant. He died and was buried. So it was with every priest that followed after him. That was called the Leviticus priesthood because Aaron was of the tribe of Levi. That is the change being talked about in the passage. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Jesus died and was raised again to life eternal. He will never die again. His priesthood is forever.

Hebrews 7:23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Jesus is not merely a continuance of the Levitical priesthood under the Law. He is a complete replacement priesthood of a New Covenant. He is the Mediator of a better covenant with better promises! There will never be another covenant or another priest of the covenant. Jesus has the final say, His is the final ministry and His promises are sure and He offers a sure hope to those who truly put their trust in Him. Jesus is not an earthly priesthood overseeing shadows and types He is the heavenly priesthood who went in once for all time to in the real holy place of heaven and sprinkled His own blood on the real mercy seat in heaven and then sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high! He does not need to keep offering sacrifices year after year. His being seated at the right of the Majesty is a testament to the fact that His sacrifice was more than enough and His blood more than sufficient. All praise and honor and glory be to Jesus the Lamb who was slain and the High Priest of our confession who now not only our Savior but our Lord!

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The Voice Of Blood

Were you aware that in criminal investigations, blood evidence is of great importance?

Blood evidence can be crucial in criminal investigations. It provides information about a crime scene and can potentially link a suspect to it.

In other words, blood becomes a crucial witness. It brings testimony to a trial. In a way, I guess you could say blood has a voice.

We know this to be true based on what we read in Scripture.

Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

The blood of Jesus testifies concerning those who have received Him as their Lord. His blood speaks something definitive about you.

Interestingly, the blood of Jesus does not speak accusations against those who are covered in it. You may recall the story about the first two sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. It is the first recorded murder in human history. Cain became jealous of his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but rejected Cain’s. This angered Cain, and he took a rock and bashed his brother Abel’s head in and killed him. Cain then buried Abel’s body to hide it and figured he would pretend he did not know what happened to Abel. The story happens in Genesis chapter 4.

Genesis 4:9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

God says, “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”

Have you ever wondered what Abel’s blood was saying to God? Whatever it was, it found Cain guilty of murder and led to bringing Cain to justice before God. I wonder if it was crying out, “Avenge me! Give me justice!”

Guess what? The blood splatter evidence of Jesus cries out and bears witness to God about all who have it on them. But it isn’t crying out what Abel’s blood cried out. It says something better! Instead of declaring we are guilty, it declares we are not guilty. Instead of calling for justice against us, it calls for favor towards us.

1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

It will always be better to let the blood of Jesus testify on your behalf than for you to testify on your own accord. God knows the difference, and anyone without the blood of Jesus will be unable to justify themselves before God. I am thankful for the blood of Jesus because it has cleared me from all wrongdoing before God.

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Encouraged

The enemy is most encouraged when believers are discouraged. So, the question is, how do believers stay encouraged despite the attempts of an enemy to discourage them?

I’m sure many could offer a diverse set of answers to this question. However, I wonder how many of those answers would touch on the need to gather with other saints regularly, with a commitment to both bring something to that gathering and receive what others bring to it. You see, the enemy likes to isolate a believer in order to discourage them. He wants to keep them away from others because he knows the danger that they can pose to his agenda.

1Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Being committed to a fellowship of believers for the purpose of mutual encouragement in the Lord is of great significance to being and staying encouraged. More than that, it is a matter of being equipped as a disciple of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

I’ve never heard of a five-fold ministry gift that goes to individual believers’ homes to fulfill this calling to equip. They do this equipping in the gatherings of the saints, and it is of great importance to Jesus. The goal of this equipping is to believers in their calling and empower the commands that Jesus gave to be a blessing to one another—commands such as love one another as I have loved you, do good to one another, care for one another, and share with one another.

Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another;

These cannot be fulfilled from home, separated from the fellowship of believers to which God desires you to belong. The online church cannot facilitate these very important interactions and needed equippings. The in-person gathering is a very important part of that very important process. If you want to really stay encouraged, stay connected in person, and bring whatever you’ve received from Jesus with you.

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