One of the problems I see among Christians today is that they, like the Israelites want to listen to a man instead of God. They sit and listen to a message and take it at face value without taking the time to find out what the Word of God really says and spend time with God themselves and basically say, so and so said it I believe it.
I am here to say do not take anything that I say or have said at face value. Spend time for yourself in the Word and let the Holy Spirit guide you to the truths that have been revealed. God wants to have a personal relationship with you, He loves you and when you read, pray, and study His Word, know that Jesus is the Word! Not only will you come to more of an understanding, your relationship with God will blossom into what it was meant to be. Let’s turn to 1 John 1:1…
John 1:1-3 (Amplified)
1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
2 He was present originally with God.
3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
Taking this into consideration that Jesus is the Word to me means that when we read the Word we are to read it from the perspective of God’s love for us while seeing Jesus in everything that we read. When it pertains to the New Covenant all scripture must conclude in no condemnation.
Romans 8:1 (American Standard Version)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
When reading the Old Testament look for Jesus in what you read, for example the story of Joseph, the story of Joshua, the exodus of the Israelites form Egypt, always look for the types and shadows of Jesus. When reading the Four Gospels remember that until after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus this is still during Old Testament times. Also when reading the Bible especially the New Testament always take into consideration who it is written to. Allow the message of Jesus Christ to produce in your life. Jesus is God’s word about your life.
God wants to have a relationship with you personally, He loves you and sent His son to die for you. Make use of the finished work of Jesus. When ever you hear something always research even to the Greek and Hebrew to see what God wants you to know. Always remember that the translators from time to time added to the word thinking that God said this but really meant this and they were wrong.
I will close with this; Take time to read the Word of God for yourself, enjoy His love letters to you. Live under the influence of Jesus and read the Word from the perspective of God’s love.
God loves you and you are Blessed!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Bread or Stone
This message is going to be a little bit different in that I want it to be as if we are sitting face to face one on one, somewhat a heart to heart talk. As Paul would say in the beginning of each one of his letters, “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I don’t know how long you have embraced the True Grace message or if this is your first time hearing about it, first an foremost I am here to let you know that God is not angry with you and that He loves you. If you miss everything else that I say please make sure you know and understand again that God is not mad with you and He loves you!
For to long for those who have grown up in a church environment there has been to much emphasis put on going to church, doing the right things, tithing, playing by the rules, etc.etc.etc. On the other side for those who did not grow up in the church on the outside looking in not wanting anything to do with it are in some ways more blessed than those who do go for the fact that once they embrace the Grace message they don’t have to unlearn all the junk that for so long was taught to be right and good.
The biggest way to get people to believe a lie is to mix truth in it enough to seem that it is true; unfortunately it is still a lie. I am not here to focus on the lie but on the truth and I am so thankful that Jesus sent us the Spirit of truth to guide us in the way of what is true.
Paul says it best in his letter to Phillipi;
Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
People say to me you sure have good people skills… well that is easy I love people, I will even go as far to say that because God is “Love” and since we are His sons/daughters it is in our DNA to love. God is “Give”, He gave His son (Jesus) as a sacrifice for the world. Than it is easy to say it is in our DNA to give of everything that God has given us. It is that simple just like in the passage earlier… God who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Does that mean you have to be as the passage reads? No it says you’ll do your best by filling your minds, God wants what is best for you, He wants His best for you!
When it comes to all Churches (denominations and no denominations) that teach salvation all believe that by Grace you are saved. Thus they all believe they teach the Grace message. Do not be mislead to believe this for yes Grace is a portion of what they teach with law mixed in with it. Jesus sums this up even better in Matthew;
Matthew 7:9 (NIV)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
I would like to take this verse a little further and say; which of you if your son asks for bread (Grace), will give him a stone (Law) or even worse mix the two together and force feed him with a lie that will make his life miserable? I am here to say that is what has been going day after day, week after week, in the pulpits all over the world. That is why I don’t even like to use a pulpit because all people are using it for is as a tool to pull others down into the pit. God wants more for his children he wants you to be liberated from all the do’s and don’ts. He wants you to live life resting in Him. He wants you to trust and know that he is always there to take care of all that you need. That is why he says cast all your cares on him for cares for you. Do not be lured into the beliefs that well so and so said it so it must be right. You are God’s chosen, He loves you, and you were on His mind when He created the Heavens and the Earth. Yes you are special, why? Because you are a child of The King!
The message of Grace starts with the Love of God, so find favor in the everyone that meet. Praise and give thanks continually to God. In all that you do and say point to Jesus Christ your redeemer and savior. Be all that God wants you to be… His Best!
God loves You!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Spirit Of Truth
As I bring this message to you today I have been impressed to remind you to always remember God Loves You and He wants what is best for his children.
I was once asked; what is your ministry built on? I knew that what they were really asking was what denomination are you apart of or if non-denomination what doctrine do you preach. My answer was I teach the good news the gospel of Grace. The comment back to me that is good but don’t forget you have to be tough; people have to be kept in check. On the inside my response was that is exactly what I don’t want to be. This statement reminded me of all the junk that I had been taught in church when it came to the law, works, God sitting in heaven with a ruler ready to slap your hand when you got out of line. Those numerous times of walking the isle to rededicate, being baptized a second time to get the old monkey off my back, the times I got mad at God demanding, or what some might say claim it for things to happen. I am sure you can relate to one if not all of these. What I am here to tell you is that it is time to clean out the clutter in your mind and shut the door to anyone who teaches a mixture of law and grace.
The other statement I have been continually hearing is that Grace is dangerous if that is all you teach then sin will run rapid… what about Hebrews 12, 1 Corinthians 11, or any other passage when it comes to God chastening believers, what about the book of James. First off once you understand the true love of God sin no longer has any power over you. When sin does abound because of grace you have been given the power to overcome it. Speaking of God’s chastening in the Greek when it comes to Grace it speaks of training, when it comes to the law it speaks of punishment. Jesus is not a slave master, looking to punish when you step out of line, He is a peace provider, looking to intercede and cry Grace on your behalf.
If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkled on the mercy seat could cover the yearly sins of a nation to where they were not held accountable. Than why is it so hard to grasp the belief that the blood of Jesus sprinkled on the mercy seat redeems all sin forever!
This brings me to the heart of the message, let’s take a minute and turn to John where Jesus is speaking to the disciples
John 14:26-27 (The Message)
25-27 "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.
In this passage Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as your friend. Jesus also gives a departing gift of peace, When Jesus said the word peace he spoke the Hebrew word Shalom which means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Today’s translation means nothing missing nothing broken. Jesus went on to say later in John chapter 16;
John 16:12-15 (The Message)
12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine.” That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.'
Isn’t it fulfilling to know that Jesus knew that the understanding of things that he longed to tell us had to wait until He made the statement “It is Finished” and He was at the right hand of the Father! Then He assures us that the Spirit of Truth comes, as our friend to take you by the hand and guide you into all truth. “He takes from me and delivers to you”
This friend not only guides you to salvation but also comforts and guides you through out your life here on earth while receiving the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus. In Ephesians 1 we find it expressed this way;
Ephesians 1:13-14 (The Message)
13-14 It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
The things God has planned for us is the same as God putting everything together for us as stated in Romans chapter 4;
Romans 4:13-15 (The Message)
13-15 That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed. If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it.
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Friend that at Jesus request was sent by God to train, guide and comfort you on a daily basis out of honor takes from Jesus to give to you all that God has for you. He will pick up all the broken pieces of your life, throw out the junk and make you whole and glorious in the sight of God. Not by your works but by the work of Him in you.
I am going to close with a verse from a song my sixteen year old daughter Katelyn wrote and shared with me today. When it comes to Grace this speaks volumes;
Even though I fall and stumble,
He sees me clean, He sees me clean.
His love and grace can cover anything.
Because of Him I have no guilt,
I have no shame,
He took away all my pain.
He sees me clean, He sees me clean,
Pure and perfect, He sees me clean,
Oh Jesus covered everything.
Live life knowing God will never be angry with you; his wrath for your sins was put on Jesus while on the cross. The Spirit of Truth is now among us to comfort and guide us to fulfilling the promise of our inheritance. Faith sponsors the gift of Grace; the promise is equally secured for all God’s children. The law has no exclusive claim on anyone; the reward system cannot match the gift. The Spirit of Truth is your Friend; yes, Jesus took care of everything!
God Loves You!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Grace Wins!
Hello, I am excited to know for myself and I am glad to tell you that because of Grace you win in life! I will be reading from the Message translation, there is going to be a lot of scripture and it is my hope that by the time you finish meditating on these scriptures that you will know without a doubt that because of Jesus and His finished work you are destined to win!
For to long I have found that Believers make sin and sickness two separate issues. How do you feel about it? When Jesus was on the earth he went about doing good and healing the sick. When it comes to Sin and sickness God treats them as one. In Matthew we read what Jesus had to say about this;
Matthew 9:1-8 (The Message)
Who Needs a Doctor?
1-3 Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4-8 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.
“I forgive your sins or Get up and walk”, if Jesus looked at both in the same way then why wouldn’t you? When Jesus was on the cross he was separated from God took the curse of the law, bore our sins, sickness, and sorrows. His death paid the ransom for us all and His resurrection delivered our redemption. Is it easier to have Faith to believe that your sins are forgiven than it is to believe that God wants you to be healed and whole? You might say but Brother Bryant you don’t understand. You may be right, I don’t understand, when Jesus was alive the religious leaders of that day believed the opposite. They believed that Jesus had the ability to heal the sick but not the authority to forgive sins. Why have we as Christians made this so complicated? Is it because we have lived for to long with the teachings mixing law and Grace? Is it because of teachings that state Jesus took away all sin? For those who teach this I believe is dangerous. God said because of Grace he will remember your sin no more. That does not mean that there is no sin or sickness in this world. The effects of sin and sickness are still apparent in the world but be of good cheer God says be not of this world because of Grace you are a new creation. Let’s take a minute and read in Romans;
Romans 5:12-21 (The Message)
The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift
12-14 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in— first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death. That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses. Even those who didn't sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.
15-17 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! There's no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?
18-19 Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
20-21 All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
It is because of Grace you have the ability to be Christ conscious and be delivered from the law and sin consciousness. This includes sickness and so much more!
Let’s read more in Romans;
Romans 4:6-9 (The Message)
6-9 David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:
Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Fortunate the person against whom the Lord does not keep score.
Do you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit before God?
In Psalm David says it this way;
Psalm 103 1-6 (The Message)
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
6 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet.
God makes everything come out right! How you might ask? Paul was asked the same question in Romans and answered it this way;
2 Corinthians 5:21 (The Message)
How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
God gives you the power to overcome. It is not by your power, for to long once the law was given it was by your works and by your own strength trying to get good enough for God. Because of Christ in you, you have the ability to overcome sin. Where I am weak, He is strong! Again Paul states it this way in Romans;
Romans 6:12-14 (The Message)
12-14 That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.
If you had been kidnapped, bound, left to die and unknowingly to you the ransom had been paid you would die not knowing that you were free. The law is a ruthless slave master, and brings death. Grace is freedom, and brings life!
I am going to close with this verse in 1 John;
1 John 2:15-17 (The Message)
15-17 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
God wants you to live life knowing that because Grace wins, you win! Don’t let anything keep you from embracing what God through Grace has done for you. Be declared fit before God! Not by anything that you have done except for believing in what Jesus has done, receiving your salvation and everything God has promised. His mercy and Grace endureth forever!
God Loves You!
For to long I have found that Believers make sin and sickness two separate issues. How do you feel about it? When Jesus was on the earth he went about doing good and healing the sick. When it comes to Sin and sickness God treats them as one. In Matthew we read what Jesus had to say about this;
Matthew 9:1-8 (The Message)
Who Needs a Doctor?
1-3 Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4-8 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.
“I forgive your sins or Get up and walk”, if Jesus looked at both in the same way then why wouldn’t you? When Jesus was on the cross he was separated from God took the curse of the law, bore our sins, sickness, and sorrows. His death paid the ransom for us all and His resurrection delivered our redemption. Is it easier to have Faith to believe that your sins are forgiven than it is to believe that God wants you to be healed and whole? You might say but Brother Bryant you don’t understand. You may be right, I don’t understand, when Jesus was alive the religious leaders of that day believed the opposite. They believed that Jesus had the ability to heal the sick but not the authority to forgive sins. Why have we as Christians made this so complicated? Is it because we have lived for to long with the teachings mixing law and Grace? Is it because of teachings that state Jesus took away all sin? For those who teach this I believe is dangerous. God said because of Grace he will remember your sin no more. That does not mean that there is no sin or sickness in this world. The effects of sin and sickness are still apparent in the world but be of good cheer God says be not of this world because of Grace you are a new creation. Let’s take a minute and read in Romans;
Romans 5:12-21 (The Message)
The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift
12-14 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in— first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death. That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses. Even those who didn't sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.
15-17 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! There's no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?
18-19 Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
20-21 All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
It is because of Grace you have the ability to be Christ conscious and be delivered from the law and sin consciousness. This includes sickness and so much more!
Let’s read more in Romans;
Romans 4:6-9 (The Message)
6-9 David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:
Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Fortunate the person against whom the Lord does not keep score.
Do you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit before God?
In Psalm David says it this way;
Psalm 103 1-6 (The Message)
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
6 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet.
God makes everything come out right! How you might ask? Paul was asked the same question in Romans and answered it this way;
2 Corinthians 5:21 (The Message)
How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
God gives you the power to overcome. It is not by your power, for to long once the law was given it was by your works and by your own strength trying to get good enough for God. Because of Christ in you, you have the ability to overcome sin. Where I am weak, He is strong! Again Paul states it this way in Romans;
Romans 6:12-14 (The Message)
12-14 That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.
If you had been kidnapped, bound, left to die and unknowingly to you the ransom had been paid you would die not knowing that you were free. The law is a ruthless slave master, and brings death. Grace is freedom, and brings life!
I am going to close with this verse in 1 John;
1 John 2:15-17 (The Message)
15-17 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
God wants you to live life knowing that because Grace wins, you win! Don’t let anything keep you from embracing what God through Grace has done for you. Be declared fit before God! Not by anything that you have done except for believing in what Jesus has done, receiving your salvation and everything God has promised. His mercy and Grace endureth forever!
God Loves You!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Relationship!
Out of all of creation God formed man from the dust and then woman from the rib of man and breathed life into them, both being made in the likeness and image of God.
Why?
For relationship!
If that was not enough God never forced relationship, He gave man the will to choose. Even after man ate from the tree of good and evil God still had a plan to restore life to a dead world, to restore your right relationship with Him. In Isaiah his words prophesy to Israel of relationship.
Isaiah 58:8 (Amplified Bible)
Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
The light is Jesus who became a man to restore life and your righteousness, God’s likeness and image. To restore the relationship that was meant to be from the beginning of time, but now with the promise of much more… turn with me now to;
Philippians 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
When it comes to the choices we make everyday instead of looking at everything wrong and making a decision based on what the world thinks decide today to look at what is right being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention with your redeemer Jesus who through His life, death, resurrection, and soon return restored for all those who believe in His redemption and receives salvation total relationship with God the creator of all mankind!
2 Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified Bible)
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
In closing the main thing I want you to understand is because of the love of God that you were created. Because of the love of Jesus you were redeemed and saved from the curse of sin and death. Because of the love of the Holy Spirit, He will comfort and guide you. Because of the love of God the Father, Jesus your Brother and the Holy Spirit your Comforter relationship has been restored. Because of Grace, relationship is yours.
God Loves You!
Why?
For relationship!
If that was not enough God never forced relationship, He gave man the will to choose. Even after man ate from the tree of good and evil God still had a plan to restore life to a dead world, to restore your right relationship with Him. In Isaiah his words prophesy to Israel of relationship.
Isaiah 58:8 (Amplified Bible)
Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
The light is Jesus who became a man to restore life and your righteousness, God’s likeness and image. To restore the relationship that was meant to be from the beginning of time, but now with the promise of much more… turn with me now to;
Philippians 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
When it comes to the choices we make everyday instead of looking at everything wrong and making a decision based on what the world thinks decide today to look at what is right being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention with your redeemer Jesus who through His life, death, resurrection, and soon return restored for all those who believe in His redemption and receives salvation total relationship with God the creator of all mankind!
2 Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified Bible)
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
In closing the main thing I want you to understand is because of the love of God that you were created. Because of the love of Jesus you were redeemed and saved from the curse of sin and death. Because of the love of the Holy Spirit, He will comfort and guide you. Because of the love of God the Father, Jesus your Brother and the Holy Spirit your Comforter relationship has been restored. Because of Grace, relationship is yours.
God Loves You!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Never Leave You!
This will be the last message for 2010 and I wanted to reach out to those who feel alone and constantly wonder if they have been forgotten. Everyone has a story to tell. For the majority even Christians feel, unloved, defeated, brokenhearted, helpless, or worse without hope.
I am here to tell you today that;
GOD LOVES YOU!
HE SEES YOU!
HE KNOWS!
HE IS WITH YOU!
HE IS YOUR REFUGE!
HE IS YOUR PROVIDER!
GOD MAKES A WAY WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY!
In Deuteronomy God declares he will never leave you nor forsake you…
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
I find these words to be more than just comforting, God goes before you to lead you, it excited me to know that every step I take God takes and He sees me as so much more than others see. My friend you are the same way God sees you as so much more and takes delight in the things that you do! In Hebrews we are reminded of these very same words;
Hebrews 13:5 (MWBE)
Don’t give money a prominent place in your thoughts; realize that what you already have is priceless! He has said that he will never quit on you or abandon you! (Joshua 1:5) That is reason enough for total and continual contentment!
Whatever the situation or circumstance that you are going through, never forget that God loves you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You might be saying; but you don’t know the things I have done. I am here to tell you God does, you are forgiven and Jesus has paid your debt! Take comfort in knowing that the Blood of Jesus covers the Mercy Seat and God sees your sins no more!
In the Gospel of Matthew and also in John we find the words of Jesus saying,
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
John 16:33 (Amplified)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
God sees you as priceless! He loves you so much that he sent his son Jesus to die for you. Yes, when Jesus was on the cross his thoughts were of YOU! In the Gospel of John God gives you the Spirit of Truth who lives in you and will be in you.
John 14:16-20 (Amplified)
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-
17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
19 Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me any more, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
20 At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you.
Let the Father who loves you open your eyes so that you will see when things seem unbearable,
He is with you.
He will comfort you.
He will Guide you.
He will light up your sky!
You are Blessed! God loves you!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Check The Fruit
I have been in many circles both business and religious where the term “check the fruit” has been used. In business this meant to see what they had accomplished, how big was their network? What organizations were they a part of. Are they asked to speak at functions? In Church it was more like what kind of witness are they, do they witness? Do they give of their time, talents, and money? How many followers or members do they have? How often are they asked to teach or preach?
Let’s take a moment and see what the Word of God says when it comes to fruit. First let’s turn to Matthew 12:33, I am going to read it from two translations in hopes to bring more understanding. Also I want to remind you that Jesus is speaking here as a Jew to the Jews under the old covenant.
Matthew 12:33 (KJV)
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
In the Amplified Bible it is translated this way;
Matthew 12:33 (Amplified Bible)
Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit.
“For the tree is known by his fruit.” We all know that an apple tree produces apples and pear tree produces pears. We look at the fruit to identify what the tree is. When it comes to the believer the fruit does not determine their salvation, it is an expression of Jesus who dwells in you. Righteousness or right standing is a gift because of the finished work of Jesus. There is nothing more or less that we as believers can do to produce what Jesus has already done. The first fruit of the spirit is Love. Rest in God and everything else comes effortlessly. Fulfilling the great commission should be this way and not considered work. It is Christ in us that produce the fruit. In Paul’s letter Galatians 5:22-23 is where you will find these expressions, again I am going to read from both the KJV and the Amplified translation.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (Amplified Bible)
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
What you see here is God, “If you see me you see the Father”, it is nothing you have to strive for, since Christ is in you and you in Him the fruits are there all along, like a gift waiting to be opened and enjoyed. The finished work of Jesus fulfilled his words in Matthew. The tree of Life bears good fruit! In total contrast to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of life bears fruit effortlessly consistent with the life of our original design!
I will close with this, without the flow of Grace, fruit will not grow. A person can be born again and because of wrong teaching the fruit does not manifest. This can be explained even more in Ephesians reading from the Mirror Word translation.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (MWBE)
8 Your salvation was a grace thing from start to finish, you had no hand in it; because it is all God's gift to you, because He believes in you.
9 If this could be accomplished through any action of yours then there would be ground for boasting, (but you did not even invent faith. It was His faith in you that made you believe in Him.)
10 We are engineered by His design, He manufactured us in Christ. (Greek, poeima, we are His poem, God finds inspired expression of Christ in us.) We are fully fit to do good. We are equipped to give attractive evidence of His likeness in us in everything we do.
Live life knowing that because of God’s Mercy and His faith in you to believe and receive the gift of righteousness that Grace and truth abounds and the fruit will manifest. As you rest in Him it is effortless because of the expression of who He is in you. You are good. You are equipped to give evidence of His likeness in you. Effortlessly…
You are Blessed… God Loves You!
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