Life

QUIT TRYING TO QUIT AND QUIT…


Spiritual blog - Strength

Proverbs 26:11 – “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”

 

             How many times have you said or heard someone say, “I’m trying to quit…”  That may be applied to a myriad of things in life and we have all said, thought or heard that declaration.  I understand the difficulty a person has stopping a habit or practice long formed and how painful the withdrawals can be.  I know a man that has said for at least 40 years, “I’m trying to quit smoking.”  He has never succeeded but he is still trying and one day another friend said, “Quit trying to quit and quit!”  I have heard people say regarding gossip, “I’m trying to quit.”  There are those who are trying to quit eating too many sweets, being couch potatoes, being critical, being negative or a host of other things they are trying to quit.

Clovis G. Chappell said, “It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything.”  That is true and I have learned that failure is not the opposite of success, it is, in a very real way, part of it.  A failure can be turned into a triumph and gain if we learn from our mistakes and realize that in many things in life, WE CANNOT but HE CAN.  The Psalmist made an incredible statement in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”  That is foreign to the mentality and philosophy of some in the world and the church that affliction or difficulty can be good. I or the Bible suggests that afflictions are in and of themselves good but the good can be found in what it produces or the result in our lives as we LEARN.  In a sense that is embodied in Romans 8:28.  As we learn that ALL THINGS are working together for good and rather than looking at each individual event in life look to the finished product, the goal, the plan and purpose of God and rejoice in ALL THINGS and at ALL TIMES!

Back to our topic of Quitting trying to quit and quitting.  James 4:7 did not say, “Ask me to resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  It says, “…submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  The next verse says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  That is you acting not just praying for something to happen.  When I hear, “I’m trying to quit” I have to thoughts and/or emotions occur almost simultaneously in my head.  First, I have a sense of empathy and compassion for the plight they are enduring from that bondage whatever it might be.  I know what it is like to fight compulsion, obsession or even habit that is not desired and detrimental and finding the battle incredibly difficult.  Second, I think, “You are conditioning yourself for failure by trying to…”  If I make my objective to TRY TO I am not focusing on the objective of DOING or ACHIEVING that objective and failure is likely if not assured.  There comes a time when we need to RESIST and once we do I believe God will come to our aid and strengthen us.

James 3 speaks of the tongue and putting a bridle on it so we can control it.  Proverbs 18:21 speaks of “life and death” being in the power of the tongue.  We read in the Bible about  the impossibility of blessings and cursing coming from the same stream and I contend that setting our goal to “try to” is becoming that of which James 1:8 speaks, “double-minded.”  If the Bible is true, and it is, then the declaration and promise of Philippians 4:13 is an awaiting reality for each of us.  It says, “I can (not maybe I can) do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  [Emphasis and inclusion mine].  Therefore, my declaration is “I have quit trying to quit and am quitting.”  I am setting aside, as Hebrews 12:1 declares, “…every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares me…”  I am casting off every unnecessary encumbrance and weight that has entangled itself around my life and by an act of will and faith I am looking to the author and finisher of my faith to help me be that fully matured, complete person He desires me to be.  I make a faith choice to “Quit trying to quit and quit!”  Then, by quitting I am committing to in a new and deeper way to Him whom I live and move and have my being.

My encouragement is, QUITTING whatever you deem necessary to quit is possible and can be a realized reality if we will “Quit trying to quit and quit.”  Please do not fail to understand that this action is reliant on the strength, mercy, grace, and power of the LORD!  My prayer for each one is that the LORD will grant us the grace to develop the courage, make the commitment, and persevere until victory becomes a reality in whatever we are trying to quit that is hindering us.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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THE VICTORY IS NOW… (Conclusion)


Spiritual Blog - Victory 

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  NKJV

 

Picking up where we left off we need to anchor in our hearts and minds the truth of God concerning the enemy of our souls, the devil.  We need to become those who believe and understand the devil has been defeated.

He Was Defeated at the Cross.

This is an accomplished fact and it is to be said PAST TENSE, he has been defeated.  If we could somehow grasp that reality and apply it in our lives it would be powerful. There can be no permanent victory UNTIL we see and appropriate the truth that the devil was defeated at Calvary.  Remember Hebrews 2:14, “That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, even the devil.”  The word “destroy” in the Greek is [katargeo] which means to “make of none effect.”

 He Is Defeated Today.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  It is a present reality and truth that Jesus has present dominion over the devil and has delegated His authority to us, therefore, we have dominion over the devil today.  At, least that is our heritage.

He Is Defeated Forever.

What more do we need to know?

WE, BELIEVERS, CAN OVERCOME SATAN IN OUR DAILY LIVES THROUGH JESUS.

I have been told by coaches through the years that the best offense is a good defense, and that hold significant truth, it is applicable here.  We need to establish a good defense and learn to “give no place” to the devil in anything.  We need to fill our lives so full of God there is no room for anything the devil offers.  We need to become “sober and watchful” as 1 Peter 5:8 charges and instructs.  We have to actively RESIST the devil and when we do, in Jesus name, he flees.  Also, we must become those who can and do enforce the Victory of Calvary walking in the knowledge of the Finished Work of Jesus.  We also need to learn to exert our Spiritual Authority and take Luke 4:18 to heart and incorporate it into our daily walk.

We can and should have Victory Now in our Present Daily Lives.  We have the Name of Jesus and the Blood of Jesus as our weapons and authority.  The Name of Jesus empowers us and the Blood of Jesus cleanses and protects us.  Jesus said He came that we could have LIFE and that life would be ABUNDANT!

Refuse to allow the devil to rob you of your Present Victory and become one who Enforces the Victory of Calvary through the Name and Blood of Jesus.  God bless you as you go through this day in His Strength and Grace!

 

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VICTORY NOW… (Continued)


Spiritual Blog - Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  NKJV

 

What are some things vital for us to realize and implement in our lives and spiritual walk if we are to enjoy Present Victory and God’s Abundant Life in our Daily Lives?

  • We Must Discern Satan’s Tactics…

Paul advised, “We are not ignorant of the devil’s devices…”  As we study the Bible we find that possibly the most fitting example of dealing with the devil is the man Job.  There is a pattern that is worthy of note.

  1. The devil first accuses Job to God.

That is one of his primary tactics and he is called the “accuser of the brethren” for a reason.  He implied that Job was simply a “Saint for Profit” and serving God for what was in it for Job.  Notice Job 1:9, 11, the devil asked God, “Do you think he (Job) serves you for nothing?  Touch him and what he has and he will curse you to your face.”

     2.  Then the devil attacks Job with God’s permission.

It is always accusation then attack and God allowed the devil to touch Job’s possessions, family, and his health and finally it got so bad Job’s wife turned on him saying, “Give up Job, curse God and die…”  I have learned that the devil does not always launch a frontal assault but will nip at the heels of his target.  If he cannot defeat you with an all-out frontal assault he will endeavor to take from you something you love and treasure.

     3. Then the devil harassed Job.

There are no non-aggression pacts to be made with the devil. He is merciless and has no intention of letting up until he is forced to stop.  He even used Job’s friends which Job called “Physicians of no value.”

Fortunately, God allowed this but only for a time and restored Job giving him a double portion in the end.  Job would never have reached that point had he followed the counsel of his wife or his friends.  He had to resist the devil and stand in his faith and walk in righteousness.  The devil is a deceiver, perverter, imitator, and totally lawless.  He will use any form of subversion, diversion, or perversion to divide distract, depress and ultimately destroy.

We find that expressed in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”  1 Peter 5:8 directs us to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”  Then 1 John 5:4 brings us a powerful promise, “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”  Let me give you something that hopefully will be of great encouragement.  If the devil is attacking you now, it is a sure evidence that he does not have control over you and you pose a threat to him, so REJOICE!  It is as we learn the devices and tactics of the devil we are able to ENFORCE the Victory Jesus Won on the Cross and relegate the defeated devil to a state of defeat.

I truly want to present a few more thoughts on this matter so I will again pause and pick up in the next devotional addressing the Defeated Foe and our response to the devil. So, until next time, God bless you and keep you is my prayer!

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THE VICTORY IS NOW…


Spiritual Blog - Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  NKJV

 

If there is ever a time a believer lives in any condition less than Full Spiritual Victory, that is one time too many.  That is not the plan of God even in times of struggle and difficulty there is Victory to be achieved, experienced, and manifested.  It is God’s desire for us to be Victorious and enjoy the inheritance we have as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.  I am totally convinced we can see the path to that victory in the New Testament Church and as we near the time of the Second Coming we will see two trends manifested in an unmistakable fashion.

  • There Will Be Revival in the Church – [Acts 2:17].

The Bible speaks of the former rain of Pentecost being followed by the latter rain of Harvest.  James 5:7, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”  In today’s troubled world more and more believers are engaging in prayer for revival and I am convinced God never lays a burden on people to pray for something He does not desire to bring to pass.  I sense something moving in the air, spiritually and know that with the shaking that is coming and now is there is going to be the going in the mulberry bush and God is going to move mightily in our present world.

  • There Will Be Religious Apostasy in the Church – [1 Timothy 4:1].

The devil is a crafty devil and he disguises himself as an angel of light and messenger of truth.  When people depart from the faith they have no alternative but to give heed to “seducing spirits, and receive doctrines of devils.”  That is the natural result and sadly, it is happening today.  I have read that there are over 40 million bonafide or verified witches in America and possibly another 40 million who dabble in the black arts.  The devil has made inroads in desensitizing the church to his tactic and many no longer recognize or discern the spirits at work even in our churches.  The devil is a “defeated foe” we are told in the Bible but not one who has given up.  The unfortunate reality is although he is defeated, many do not seem to know that or understand how to enforce the victory of Jesus at the Cross.

We are reminded in 1 John 3:8, “For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  In James 4:7, we read, “Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  I am encouraged that even in the midst of apparent and revealed apostasy there are those in churches across the land who have:

  1. Discovered there is a real spiritual war transpiring.
  2. Decided they are on the Lord’s side.
  3. Declared that Jesus has won the victory.
  4. Determined they will walk daily from victory to victory.

 It is the time that we, believers, renew our commitment and confidence in the Blood of Jesus and the Name of our Lord and begin to enforce the Victory Jesus won in our present world against our present spiritual foe, the devil.

Let me remind you that “Victory implies Struggle.”  Where there is no battle there can be no victory.  We have an enemy who wants to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus has come so that we could have ABUNDANT LIFE.  We have a biblical, legal mandate and authority over the power of the devil and as we have seen on many fronts, ignoring or denying the existence of something does not make it disappear.  The devil loves to be ignored and I am sure he is delighted when churches and believers deny his existence or influence.  If there is a lion in the street the only way to defeat that lion is to FACE HIM.  Victory is available to us but to obtain that victory we must believe it is possible and learn how to enforce Christ’s Victory on the Cross.

We will pause here and pick up next time to discuss HOW we can have Victory Now in Jesus manifested in our Daily Lives!   God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

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GOD’S SOLUTION For Spiritual Frustration – – [Part 2]


Spiritual Blog - Framed Together

Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  NKJV

 

Let me begin suggesting some things that are critical in our achieving both a knowledge of the Will of God for our lives and Satisfaction in where God has placed us.

  • We Must Discover the Will of God For Our Lives.

Of course!  How did Jesus glorify the Father?  Consider John 17:4, “I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.”  Jesus glorified the Father by completing His assignment.  His assignment was to be the Chief Cornerstone of the Church and in accomplishing that He was the Lamb Slain from the foundation of the World and Savior of the world.

But, what is our assigned work?  Among other things that God may have for each of us is we are afforded the wonderful privilege of participating in God’s redemptive plan for the world.  Acts 1:8, “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.”  We are, all believers, to be a part of God’s worldwide plan of evangelism.

However, I am convinced that we cannot be aware of God’s will for our lives until we are aware of who God is.  Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, had a plaque on his wall with the inscription:  “The sun stood still, the iron did float this God is our God!”  Think about it, God answered the prayer of an ordinary man and the sun stood still.  God suspended the laws of gravity and the iron ax head floated on water.  This is the God to whom we pray!  This is the God on whose promises we rest our hope.  He is El-Shaddai, the one who is enough!  When I survey the names of God I am amazed at how each name conveys a dimension of His person, purpose, power, and character.

In the industrial world, the past is extremely important with regard to employee performance.  The past is the best indicator of how a person will perform in the future in the natural.  I suggest that the same is true of God.  His truth makes it impossible for Him to lie.  His Omniscience makes it impossible for Him to be deceived. His Omnipotence means He has the power to do whatever within His purpose.  And His Omnipresence means He is always there and aware.

  • We Must Commit Ourselves to Do the Will of God.

The ultimate cure for Spiritual Frustration and Dissatisfaction is to know the will of God and realize that He considers us special and has a unique and specific task for us.  He has uniquely fitted us for the job He has called us to do.  That is incredible!  When we know the will of God for our lives and commit our hearts to do the will of God a number of things transpire.

Our Walk Becomes a Worthy Walk.  Have you ever noticed professional athletes, especially the stars?  Basketball players seem to bounce along whereas football players will often devour the sidewalk.  Every group has specific mannerism easily identifiable.  Athletes have a walk, policemen have a walk, postmen have a walk, and every vocation has a unique walk that is identifiable.  Have you ever noticed that some dogs strut, they can’t do anything about it, because it is in their DNA?

Our Lives become Fruitful.  We know that apple trees produce apples and orange trees produce oranges and that is how it will always be.  Matthew 12:33, “The tree is known by its fruit…”  Once you have really caught and embraced the passion for the calling of God for your life you will seize every opportunity to glorify God by being what He has made you.  You will bloom where you are planted.

  • There will be an Increase in Your Knowledge God, His Precepts, and Principles.
  • There will be a Noticeable Increase in Spiritual Strength and Stability in Your Life.
  • There will be a Recognizable evidence of Steadfastness and Patience in Your Heart.
  • You will exhibit an Attitude of Gratitude and Thanksgiving.

 In this new place where we have been “fitted together,” we will have a heart for others and will find the burden light and the yoke of service easy.  We will find ourselves being strengthened by the Holy Spirit and when the enemy comes in like a flood God will raise up a standard against him and bring us forth to victory.

It is my genuine prayer that the Lord help you discover your place in the building and with great contentment commit yourself to that purpose.  I know that in so doing you will find a solution or cure to Spiritual Frustration and Dissatisfaction.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Jesus!

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GOD’S SOLUTION For Spiritual Frustration…


Spiritual Blog - Growing Together

Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  NKJV

 

I am by no means a Master Carpenter especially in finish carpentry and there are times that bothers me greatly.  I will see things that could be or need to be done but lack the necessary skills to satisfactorily complete the task.  I am always impressed by and have a deep appreciation for fine craftsmanship and am intrigued by the transformation of buildings at various stages of development.  It is exciting to see things like that come together.  The Pyramids of Egypt are, to me, an architectural wonder.  Every rock fits perfectly into place and each of them hewn to do a specific job and fit a specific location.  No rock, once chiseled, could fit any other location.  That is Fascinating!

That is exactly what God wants to do in our lives and His church.  God is desirous to fit us into His church as LIVING STONES.  Notice in verse 21 of the text, “In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord…”  What kind of stones are used to be a temple or even a huge pyramid?  There are big stones, little stones, odd shaped stones, and they are “fitted” together to fit perfectly.  What a picture!  Our Lord, the Master Builder, orders the stone masons to chip away at each rock UNTIL it becomes a perfect fit in the perfect place it is to be placed.   That is another subject we overlook, the placement of us as living stones and our refusal to stay where we have been placed.

In this picture, the little stones must be satisfied to fill the gaps.  The big stones must be willing to endure the stress and responsibility of supporting the structure and the other stones.  The odd shaped stones will need to be patient, waiting for the right spot and service to be determined.  But ALL as living stones are ‘FITTED TOGETHER’ to form the building.  The LORD has or is choosing the exact spot for each of us.  Some of us may be placed beneath the surface and not be visible and never noticed providing our strength so the foundation is strong and the building stable and functional.  A prime example of that would be the intercessors.  Some strive for recognition and I warn that we must never crave to be the cornerstone.  Without the proper corner, the building would be unstable and eventually crumble and that spot is reserved for Jesus Himself.

I read a report some time back regarding statistical analysis studies done by some companies to determine the reason they experienced a high turnover rate.  That report indicated that 80% of people working full-time were dissatisfied with their jobs.  That is reflective in what I’ve observed about people in general.  Many or too many are dissatisfied with life. Some are unhappy because they want more.  Some want to do more to feel productive and some want to do less so there will be less stress and others are continually searching for new opportunities to satisfy a longing inside.  If that only represented a condition in the world it would be bad enough but it is found in the Church as well.  Sadly, many believers never see a clear picture of what their purpose in the Kingdom of God is and therefore become frustrated and that dissatisfaction and frustration affect others and the local fellowship.

There is a Cure or a Solution in the Bible.  The only lasting cure for this kind of frustration and dissatisfaction is spiritual growth.  I know that is too simplistic and general but it gives us a place to launch into the deep from.  In Colossians 1:7-12, the apostle Paul emphasized the critical need to understand God’s will for our lives and then to walk worthy, be faithful, increasing in knowledge and draw from God’s strength in steadfastness and patience.  That is not always easy but is necessary.

There are several things I want to discuss or introduce regarding God’s Solution to Dissatisfaction and Spiritual Frustration in life and the church but will pause here because of time and space and pick up in the next devotional and hopefully offer some thoughts that will be liberating and inspiring.

            God bless you as you enjoy God’s wonderful world today!

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BODILY HEALING and THE ATONEMENT… [Part Three]


Spiritual Blog - Healing

Isaiah 53:4-6 – “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  NKJV

  

Our first reason for believing that the Christian can believe in and expect bodily healing today is found in the Sameness of God, yesterday, today, and forever.  Yet, there are more reasons to believe that God heals today.

  • The Work of Christ on the Cross.

I believe that a careful examination of Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2:24 bring us to the conclusion that bodily healing is part of Christ’s covenant with man as well as healing or deliverance from sin.

Isaiah 53:4, “Surely He [Christ] hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…”  The word rendered griefs is [kholee] which means sicknesses and Sorrows [makob] which means pains.  As we examine those words we discover that [kholee] is derived from “chalah” which means to be weak, sick, afflicted and in reading Deuteronomy 7:15, “The Lord will take away from you all sickness [kholee]” we see the picture. The word is translated sickness in [Deuteronomy 28:61; 1 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 1:2; 8:8].  The word [makob] is translated pain in Job 33:19 and in Jeremiah 51:8.  So we can easily believe that the words of Isaiah 53:4 means that Jesus has borne our sickness and pain in His own body and as He died for sin He also died for healing.

But we must not stop there for there are at least two more words which must be given consideration in this passage to help our understanding.  The word BORNE [nasa] and CARRIED [sabal] are vital.  The word [nasa] means to bear a sense of suffering punishment for something as is seen in Leviticus 15:1, “And if a soul sin… then he shall bear [nasa]]his iniquity.”  Isaiah 53:12 gives the clear meaning of [nasa], “And He [Christ] was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare [nasa] the sin of many.”  How did He bear our sins?  Vicariously, as our substitute.  But, this same verb is used in Isaiah 53:4 regarding sickness.

Almost no one has a problem with the assertion that the verb [nasa] in Isaiah 53:12 refers to Jesus bearing our sin vicariously so why should we have a problem with it also meaning He bore our sickness the same way?  The word [sabal] which means carried identifies the act of bearing something as a penalty or chastisement.  Lamentations 5:7, “Our fathers have sinned… and we have borne [sabal] their iniquities.”  Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied… for He shall bear [sabal] their iniquities.”

Again, how did Christ bear our Iniquities?  Vicariously or as our substitute.  He did is as us and for us and he bore our pain and sickness in the same way.  That should give us incredible hope in the struggles of life.  HE WAS!  HE IS!  HE WILL ALWAYS BE the Same!

But lest you still question my interpretation let me suggest the interpretation of Jesus of Isaiah’s words in Matthew 8:16-17, “When evening had come, they brought many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled with was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:  ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.'” 

I truly hope that opens a new door for you because Jesus is the same today as He was then. The same Holy Spirit is ministering in the world today as then.  Therefore, we should expect God to be the same God no matter what we face or need in this present world.

One of the most powerful statements on this subject is found in 1 Peter 2:24 where the apostle Peter declared, “Who His own self, bare our sins in His own Body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.”  That agrees exactly with Isaiah 53:5 and notice Peter puts it in the past tense not that it used to be available but that it is a settled reality.  The word healed in the New Testament is [iaomai] which always speaks of physical healing and is used 28 times in such connection.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “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? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  That is incredibly powerful!  We are bought [egorasthete], which means I buy or redeem, with a price.  Our bodies and spirits have been redeemed with a price and when Jesus was scourged and crucified He purchased our Spiritual and Physical healing in His Atoning Work.  I shout Hallelujah at that thought!

Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.”  I would suggest that you examine all the  physical maladies included in that curse.  If you will read Deuteronomy 28:15-47; 28:1 and 28:15, 21,22,27,28 I believe you will be moved deeply and encouraged greatly.  I thank God for Salvation and I am elated with the reality that I can trust Him for physical healing as well.  He came that we might have ABUNDANT LIFE and that covers everything!

God bless you richly as you enjoy this wonderful day the Lord has made with rejoicing.

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BODILY HEALING and THE ATONEMENT… [Part Two]


Spiritual Blog - Healer

Isaiah 53:4-6 – “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  NKJV

 

With the foundation laid in the last devotional fresh in our minds and on our hearts we proceed.  I would like you to consider, with me, some of the reasons I believe Christians (All Christians) can and should receive Jesus as not only Savior but Healer of their physical bodies.

  • God is Unchangeable, the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

The fact that He once healed is a truth inescapable in both the old and new testaments.  In the Old Testament we see Him as Healer in Exodus 15:26 where He gave Israel an incredible promise, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Ord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians; for I the Lord, am your Healer.”  That is part of the Sinaitic Covenant and we know the New Covenant is a better covenant established on better promises.  Omitting that from the New would not seem to be better, would it?  Just my thought.

In Exodus 23:25 we find the promise to take sickness away and in Psalm 103:3 we find the declaration that God not only forgives sin but heals disease.  In Psalm 105:37 the beautiful description of those coming out of Egypt included there was “not one feeble one among them”.  Why?  God was their healer and health.  Remember this is in the Old Covenant.  In Psalm 107:20 we read, “God sent His word, and healed them…”

In the New Testament, we find that Jesus is the Healer of man both spiritually and physically.  Mark 9:35, we cannot escape the truth that He healed all sickness and disease in various places.  We dare not overlook the reality of Mark 6:12 that He gave power to heal to His disciples and if we remember Malachi 3:6 we hear God’s declaration “For I am the Lord, I change not.” Also, Hebrews 13:8 wonderfully declares, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”  The word THE SAME is [Ho Autos] meaning the very same identical person in every respect.  James 1:17, tells us, “Every good Gift… is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  HE DOES NOT CHANGE!  What God used to be He is today and will be forever! 

 He used to be:

Jehovah-Shammah – – The Lord Ever Present.

Jehovah-Jireh – – The Lord Our Provider.

Jehovah-Nissi – – The Lord Our Banner.

Jehovah-Shalom – – The Lord Our Peace.

Jehovah-Ra’ah – – The Lord My Shepherd.

Jehovah-Tsidkneu – – The Lord Our Righteousness.

Jehovah-Rapha – – The Lord That Heals.

What God was HE IS and will be forever!  Jehovah includes all three tenses “Past, Present, and Future.”

One of the many reasons I believe that Bodily Healing is included in our covenant is found in what I have just listed but there are more including personal experience.  In time to come, I hope to share more on this matter.

Until then I pause and pray that God grant you Grace for the Journey and bless your richly in this day.

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BODILY HEALING and THE ATONEMENT…


Spiritual Blog - Jesus Healer

Isaiah 53:4-6 – “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  NKJV

             Most Christians believe in the Atonement for Salvation and while some believe it includes bodily healing others do not.  I fall in the group that does and feel that the Holy Spirt would have me invest some time in explaining why and what I believe. If you agree or disagree that is your choice and I hope you will hear the conclusion of the whole matter before rendering a judgment on my presentation and subject.  I am not trying to be controversial but helpful.

How did sickness enter the world?  I believe that is a valid question and one I have been asked on numerous occasions.  It is a question that, in my understanding, has been answered clearly and definitively in Scripture.  Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”  No controversy there I would hope.  Physical death and all that produces it are the direct results of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden or SIN.  Therefore, we know that Satan is the originator of sin and thereby sickness and death.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I am in no way suggesting that if you encounter sickness it is specifically and directly connected to some sin in your life.  RATHER, I want to convey the understanding that sickness entered the world as a result of sin and is the product of THE FALL.  I will acknowledge that it is possible to open the door to sickness through sinfulness that is not necessarily the cause of you being sick at any given time.

In Jesus’ day many questioned whether He had the power to forgive sin, he responded by demonstrating His power over disease and as He healed the sick He demonstrated His power and authority over all the power and authority of hell.  In Mark 2:9-11, Jesus addressed that very question of the power to forgive sins saying, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’, or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk?’  But that you may know that the Sone of Man has power on earth to forgive sins – He said to the paralytic, “I say to you arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  Immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never say anything like this!”

I suggest another factor, indicating that the devil is the cause of sickness, as well as sin, can be found in the fact that Jesus always used the same harsh Greek word to rebuke sickness as He did to rebuke evil spirits.  Luke 4:35, “And Jesus rebuked [epetimesen] him, saying hold your peace, and come out of him.”  Luke 4:39, “And He stood over her [Simon Peter’s Mother in law] and rebuked [epetimesen] the fever; and it left her.”  Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with Power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”  Jesus healed those “oppressed” of the devil and the word OPPRESSED comes from two meanings:  Down under and I hold power or Lordship.  Therefore, the verse could be translated, “Those under the domination or lordship of the devil, Jesus healed.”

Further, I not only suggest that the devil is the originator of sickness but he is the propagator of it.  In Luke 13:11 we read of a woman with a “spirit of infirmity” and in verse 16 Jesus asked, “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”  The word INFIRMITY is the most common Greek word for SICKNESS.  In Mark 9:25 we read of “deaf and dumb spirits”.  In Mark 1:23 we see a man in the Synagogue with an “unclean spirit.” Then in Acts 16:16, a girl with a “spirit of divination” and Ephesians 6:12 encourages us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” 

I am attempting to lay a foundation and hope that you see that SICKNESS has its cause and origination in the devil.  I believe very strongly that Bodily Healing is part of our Covenant and is the Children’s Bread. It has been a part of every covenant of God up to and including the New Covenant.  Therefore, it is my conviction that God’s perfect desire is for us to be well and healed.  No, I cannot explain why all are not but will not stop praying for healing and believe in divine healing because some do not receive healing in this life.  However, I will continue to ask God, if there was something more I could have done to have brought about healing for those whom we pray.  Knowing that sickness entered the world and affected man as a result of the Fall in the Garden, in my view, is enables us to understand the source of this enemy and the source of our help in fighting it.

I will venture further into this subject in the next devotional and pray that you will be open minded and open hearted as we seek to receive all God has for us today and be all He wants us to be.  Blessings abundantly are my prayer and desire!

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HOLY SPIRIT, We Need You Now!!!


Spiritual Blog - Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 – “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.”  NKJV

 

Jesus promised His followers in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent being a member of the God-head and is our Helper to guide, equip, strengthen, and empower us for the work of the Kingdom of God.  I believe that if anything is to be done in the “Supernatural” for God and good it will be done through the ministry and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  He EMPOWERS.  He BESTOWS gifts and He ANOINTS.  Therefore, it would seem obvious that we need His presence, power, and manifestation in today’s world and church.  Yet, it is biblically clear that God will not intrude, violate us and our ability to choose and force Himself upon us.  He stands at the door and knocks and it is up to us to open the door and invite Him in.  Therefore, if we are to have the Supernatural Manifestation of the Holy Spirit, most of the time we have to extend an invitation for Him to come in.

I realize there were times in Scripture and even history where the Holy Spirit sovereignly and spontaneously fell upon people His power was demonstrated.  [Acts 2:2; 10:44].  There were times when people prayed for Him to come and He came as in Acts 4:31.  With that in mind I suggest we can and should “Invite Him to Come” and do so with complete confidence He will.

  • Scripture teaches that we can ASK for the Holy Spirit. [Luke 11:13]
  • The Church Needs God’s Supernatural Power and Anointing. The first empowering occurred when the Holy Spirit spontaneously fell on them. [Acts 1:8; 2:4]
  • Frequently in the Book of Acts, church growth was triggered by the manifestation of God’s Power through the Work of the Holy Spirit. [Acts 5:12,14]
  • Paul listed the Demonstration of God’s Power above Brilliant Reasoning in preaching the Gospel. [1 Corinthians 2:4]
  • Miracles, Signs, and Wonders were wrought by the Power of God to confirm the preaching of the Gospel. [Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:3-4]
  • The Anointing of the Holy Spirit effects the release of the Gifts of the Spirit and opens the door for God to initiate Spiritual Ministry. [1 Corinthians 12:11]
  • The Anointing of the Holy Spirit blesses those who receive the Spirit of God and subsequently those ministered to by them. [We find that Gospel is confirmed by God’s Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God extended and expanded and the Name of Jesus is glorified.  Are those not reason to invite the Holy Spirit and desire His presence and ministry in our lives and churches today?]

As individuals, we do the things mentioned but what can we do as local congregations to invite and receive the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit in our midst?  I believe there are several things that apply both to the individual and the local congregation.  We must MAINTAIN Open Hearts.  We must INVITE the Holy Spirit to come.  We must learn to WAIT or TARRY until He comes, which is the most difficult of all.  If our hearts are not pure and open to God the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion and cannot operate as God would desire. Therefore, if we want God’s Spirit to be mightily in our lives and churches we must SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Among other signs of His presence will be Awe of God and humility in His presence.  I believe that when the Holy Spirit comes on an individual and a Congregation LOVE will overflow so powerfully it is beyond description.  I believe in all the gifts of the Spirit and while I am not addressing them, at this point, let me say that when the Holy Spirit comes, Jesus Comes and where Jesus is LOVE is present as is PEACE.  If those are absent regardless of any other apparent evidences, I would suggest that the Holy Spirit is not there as God desires Him to be.

We need God’s Holy Spirit today as much if not more than ever in our lives, churches, and the world.  God help us to desire and seek the anointing and power of the Spirit of God today!

            God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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