May 12, 2013

End Times church countdown: worship in spirit and in truth

The little house church learns to listen to the Holy Spirit. They have no formula or program. They believe that the end times church must repent and turn back to follow the old way – the way of the First Church, as in the Acts of the Apostles. They meet every Lord’s Day at a certain time and spend the bulk of the day together, listening to the Lord, worship, singing praises (Scripture songs), praying in the Spirit, singing spiritual songs, reading the Bible, proclaiming the verses, listening to prophets and teachers of the word of God.
The church was formed nearly seven months ago. On the first Lord’s Day, they were led to read the Acts of the Apostles (Acts of the Holy Spirit) and almost all who participated that first Lord’s day were filled with the love of God during worship.
They had no musical instrument or music director. They used a tiny MP3 player and listened to Scripture songs, learning to sing along. They had no preacher. Each brethren reads his/her Bible at home and some come for weekday morning 5am Bible reading. On the Lord’s day one brethren will speak the words of God and teach as led by the Holy Spirit.
The singing had been enriched lately by the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to some members. Today the singing was harmonious as broke through the usual level of spiritual realm. They were led by the Lord to heavenly realm. The rivers of living water that flew out of each belly (John 7:38-39) merged into a mighty river! It was like heavenly angels joined in and blended together with the little group of brethren (age 7-80+) and praising the Almighty God.
The worship continued as the Spirit of the Lord continued to flow within the believers. They were joined to the Lord and became one spirit with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17) Even the brethren who was speaking that morning did not bother with how little time he would have left when the worship took longer time. Time was not on anyone’s mind.
In fact, time stood still. The singing went on in the Spirit. Someone prayed in understanding from time to time as led by the Spirit.
When the speaker finally took over and spoke. The word turned to a clear focus on Christ Jesus who was the Word Himself. it was wonderful.
The truth flowed as during worship. Words came direct from the Bible. They linked and bonded across the pages from various chapters, Old and New Testaments. Some were Scripture songs that could be sung. So they all sang those verses during the sermon (which was aptly called “The Word of God”).
The watchman had longed for such a day for quite sometime. It came.
________________Suggested Bible reading:
John1; Hebrews 1-2; Genesis 1:1-3; Isaiah 11 (2,9); 2 Timothy 3; Hebrews 4; 1 Corinthians 2; John 14, 17; Proverbs 4; Psalm 119 (1-2, 9-11)

May 8, 2013

End Times Classic Revival: Prevailing Prayer

 This is quoted from Revival Classic. You may download more from: http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=601

Power from on high: Prevailing Prayer (by Charles Finney)

Prevailing prayer is that which secures an answer. Saying prayers is not offering prevailing prayer. The prevalence of prayer does not depend so much on quantity as on quality. I do not know how better to approach this subject than by relating a fact of my own experience before I was converted. I relate it because I fear such experiences are but too common among unconverted men.

I do not recollect having ever attended a prayer meeting until after I began the study of law. Then, for the first time, I lived in a neighborhood where there was a prayer meeting weekly.

I had neither known, heard, nor seen much of religion; hence I had no settled opinions about it. Partly from curiosity and partly from an uneasiness of mind upon the subject, which I could not well define, I began to attend that prayer meeting. About the same time I bought the first Bible that I ever owned, and began to read it. I listened to the prayers which I heard offered in those prayer meetings with all the attention that I could give to prayers so cold and formal. In every prayer they prayed for the gift and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Both in their prayers and in their remarks, which were occasionally interspersed, they acknowledged that they did not prevail with God. This was most evident, and had almost made me a skeptic.

Seeing me so frequently in their prayer meeting, the leader, on one occasion, asked me if I did not wish them to pray for me. I replied: "No." I said: "I suppose that I need to be prayed for, but your prayers are not answered. You confess it yourselves." I then expressed my astonishment at this fact, in view of what the Bible said about the prevalence of prayer. Indeed, for some time my mind was much perplexed and in doubt in view of Christ's teaching on the subject of prayer and the manifest facts before me, from week to week, in this prayer meeting. Was Christ a divine teacher? Did He actually teach what the Gospels attributed to Him? Did He mean what He said? Did prayer really avail to secure blessings from God? If so, what was I to make of what I witnessed from week to week and month to month in that prayer meeting? Were they real Christians? Was that which I heard real prayer, in the Bible sense? Was it such prayer as Christ had promised to answer? Here I found the solution.

I became convinced that they were under a delusion; that they did not prevail because they had no right to prevail. They did not comply with the conditions upon which God had promised to hear prayer. Their prayers were just such as God had promised not to answer. It was evident they were overlooking the fact that they were in danger of praying themselves into skepticism in regard to the value of prayer.

In reading my Bible I noticed such revealed conditions as the following:

(a) Faith in God as the answerer of prayer. This, it is plain, involves the expectation of receiving what we ask.

(b) Another revealed condition is the asking according to the revealed will of God. This plainly implies asking not only for such things as God is willing to grant, but also asking in such a state of mind as God can accept. I fear it is common for professed Christians to overlook the state of mind in which God requires them to be as a condition of answering their prayers.

For example: In offering the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come," it is plain that sincerity is a condition of prevailing with God. But sincerity in offering this petition implies the whole heart and life devotion of the petitioner to the building up of this kingdom. It implies the sincere and thorough consecration of all that we have and all that we are to this end. To utter this petition in any other state of mind involves hypocrisy, and is an abomination.

So in the next petition, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," God has not promised to hear this petition unless it be sincerely offered. But sincerity implies a state of mind that accepts the whole revealed will of God, so far as we understand it, as they accept it in heaven. It implies a loving, confiding, universal obedience to the whole known will of God, whether that will is revealed in His Word, by His Spirit, or in His providence. It implies that we hold ourselves and all that we have and are as absolutely and cordially at God's disposal as do the inhabitants of heaven. If we fall short of this, and withhold anything whatever from God, we "regard iniquity in our hearts," and God will not hear us.

Sincerity in offering this petition implies a state of entire and universal consecration to God. Anything short of this is withholding from God that which is His due. It is "turning away our ear from hearing the law." But what saith the Scriptures? "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination." Do professed Christians understand this?

What is true of offering these two petitions is true of all prayer. Do Christians lay this to heart? Do they consider that all professed prayer is an abomination if it be not offered in a state of entire consecration of all that we have and are to God? If we do not offer ourselves with and in our prayers, with all that we have; if we are not in a state of mind that cordially accepts and, so far as we know, perfectly conforms to the whole will of God, our prayer is an abomination. How awfully profane is the use very frequently made of the Lord's Prayer, both in public and in private. To hear men and women chatter over the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," while their lives are anything but conformed to the known will of God is shocking and revolting. To hear men pray, "Thy kingdom come," while it is most evident that they are making little or no sacrifice or effort to promote this kingdom, forces the conviction of bare-faced hypocrisy. Such is not prevailing prayer.

(c) Unselfishness is a condition of prevailing prayer. "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).

(d) Another condition of prevailing prayer is a conscience void of offense toward God and man. 1 John 3:20, 22: "If our heart (conscience) condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things; if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God, and whatsoever we ask we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

Here two things are made plain: first, that to prevail with God we must keep a conscience void of offense; and, second, that we must keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

(e) A pure heart is also a condition of prevailing prayer. Psalm 66 18: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

(f) All due confession and restitution to God and man is another condition of prevailing prayer. Proverbs 28:13: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy."

(g) Clean hands is another condition. Psalm 26:6: "I will wash mine hands in innocence, so will I compass thine altar, O Lord." I Timothy 6:8: "I will that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

(h) The settling of disputes and animosities among brethren is a condition. Matthew 5:23, 24: "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, then come and offer thy gift."

(i) Humility is another condition of prevailing prayer. James 4:6: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

(j) Taking up the stumbling-blocks is another condition. Ezekiel 14:3: "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?"

(k) A forgiving spirit is a condition. Matthew 6:12: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"; 15: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive your trespasses."

(l) The exercise of a truthful spirit is a condition. Psalm 51:6: "Behold, Thou desireth truth in the inward parts." If the heart be not in a truthful state, if it be not entirely sincere and unselfish, we regard iniquity in our hearts; and, therefore, the Lord will not hear us.

(m) Praying in the name of Christ is a condition of prevailing prayer.

(n) The inspiration of the Holy Spirit is another condition. All truly prevailing prayer is inspired by the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:26, 27: "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." This is the true spirit of prayer. This is being led by the Spirit in prayer. It is the only really prevailing prayer. Do professed Christians really understand this? Do they believe that unless they live and walk in the Spirit, unless they are taught how to pray by the intercession of the Spirit in them, they cannot prevail with God?

(o) Fervency is a condition. A prayer, to be prevailing, must be fervent. James 5:16: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

(p) Perseverance or persistence in prayer is often a condition of prevailing. See the case of Jacob, of Daniel, of Elijah, of the Syrophoenician woman, of the unjust judge, and the teaching of the Bible generally.

(q) Travail of soul is often a condition of prevailing prayer. "As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." "My little children," said Paul, "for whom I travail in birth again, till Christ be formed in you." This implies that he had travailed in birth for them before they were converted. Indeed, travail of soul in prayer is the only real revival prayer. If anyone does not know what this is, he does not understand the spirit of prayer. He is not in a revival state. He does not understand the passage already quoted, Romans 8:26, 27. Until he understands this agonizing prayer he does not know the real secret of revival power.

(r) Another condition of prevailing prayer is the consistent use of means to secure the object prayed for, if means are within our reach, and are known by us to be necessary to the securing of the end. To pray for a revival of religion, and use no other means, is to tempt God. This, I could plainly see, was the case of those who offered prayer in the prayer meeting of which I have spoken. They continued to offer prayer for a revival of religion, but out of meeting they were as silent as death on the subject, and opened not their mouths to those around them. They continued this inconsistency until a prominent impenitent man in the community administered to them in my presence a terrible rebuke. He expressed just what I deeply felt. He rose, and with the utmost solemnity and tearfulness said: "Christian people, what can you mean? You continue to pray in these meetings for a revival of religion. You often exhort each other here to wake up and use means to promote a revival. You assure each other, and assure us who are impenitent, that we are in the way to hell; and I believe it. You also insist that if you should wake up, and use the appropriate means, there would be a revival, and we should be converted. You tell us of our great danger, and that our souls are worth more than all worlds; and yet you keep about your comparatively trifling employments and use no such means. We have no revival and our souls are not saved." Here he broke down and fell, sobbing, back into his seat.

This rebuke fell heavily upon that prayer meeting, as I shall ever remember. It did them good; for it was not long before the members of that prayer meeting broke down, and we had a revival. I was present in the first meeting in which the revival spirit was manifest. Oh! how changed was the tone of their prayers, confessions, and supplications. I remarked, in returning home, to a friend: "What a change has come over these Christians. This must be the beginning of a revival." Yes; a wonderful change comes over all the meetings whenever the Christian people are revived. Then their confessions mean something. They mean reformation and restitution. They mean work. They mean the use of means. They mean the opening of their pockets, their hearts and hands, and the devotion of all their powers to the promotion of the work.

(s) Prevailing prayer is specific. It is offered for a definite object. We cannot prevail for everything at once. In all the cases recorded in the Bible in which prayer was answered, it is noteworthy that the petitioner prayed for a definite object.

(t) Another condition of prevailing prayer is that we mean what we say in prayer; that we make no false pretenses; in short, that we are entirely childlike and sincere, speaking out of the heart, nothing more nor less than we mean, feel, and believe.

(u) Another condition of prevailing prayer is a state of mind that assumes the good faith of God in all His promises.

(v) Another condition is "watching unto prayer" as well as "praying in the Holy Ghost." By this I mean guarding against everything that can quench or grieve the Spirit of God in our hearts.

Also watching for the answer, in a state of mind that will diligently use all necessary means, at any expense, and add entreaty to entreaty.

When the fallow ground is thoroughly broken up in the hearts of Christians, when they have confessed and made restitution, if the work be thorough and honest, they will naturally and inevitably fulfill the conditions, and will prevail in prayer. But it cannot be too distinctly understood that none others will. What we commonly hear in prayer and conference meetings is not prevailing prayer. It is often astonishing and lamentable to witness the delusions that prevail upon the subject. Who that has witnessed real revivals of religion has not been struck with the change that comes over the whole spirit and manner of the prayers of really revived Christians? I do not think I ever could have been converted if I had not discovered the solution of the question: "Why is it that so much that is called prayer is not answered?"




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May 6, 2013

Two prayers: ask for spiritual eyes to open and receive spiritual strength!

Two prayers: ask for spiritual eyes to open and receive spiritual strength!
Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer one: the eyes of your hearts be opened and enlightened

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer two: to receive Spiritual Strength, filled with God!

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

May 5, 2013

Today’s word: To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed


prayer and thanksgiving Psalm 9
Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Righteous Judgments
To the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David.
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment.
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.
15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
16 The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
Meditation. Selah
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.
19 Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah
Psalm 10
A Song of Confidence in God’s Triumph over Evil
10 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.
His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity.”
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.
He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;
He lies in wait to catch the poor;
He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 So he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his strength.
11 He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see.”
12 Arise, O Lord!
O God, lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the humble.
13 Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
“You will not require an account.
14 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.
16 The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

May 2, 2013

5 am lesson: seeing God from the will of His good pleasure

The 5 am gathering of brethren in Christ learned that seeing God, that is, reading His words, require starting from the end (the goal and end result intended by God). That is how they were led in the Spirit to read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
When they read chapter one this way the eyes of their hearts opened, just as Paul had prayed (which prayer the brethren copied and prayed daily). The key verses of the first prayer are: Ephesians 1:17-19. without the opening of our spiritual eyes we cannot understand this letter at all.
What does God want to achieve as the end result for His people? A glorious body of Christ, holy and without blemish, presented to Him, be the praise of His glory, fulfilling the will of His good pleasure! That makes sense of all the blessings He has given to those who believe just to make sure they make it to the end goal, all in Christ and filled with Christ to the full!
How can they make it? That is exactly what Paul’s letter is about.
Here are some of the findings received by us:
God created humans. He knows what we are made of and what we can and cannot in our natural capacity and capability.
He has a good plan for us so He has given us what we cannot have in the natural so that we may make it to reaching His final goal for us in Christ.
1. He has given us Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus has completed everything He needs to complete (the whole salvation package which encompasses all things, the entrance into the kingdom of God and the power and authority to live as children of God).
2. In Christ He has given us all spiritual blessings, pertaining to living the victorious life of the children of God.
3. In Christ He has given us the power to do so, that is, the power of the Holy Spirit. (This is the same power that He raised Jesus from the dead).
“and [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]. far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name…not only in this age and in this world, but also…to come.” (1:19-21)
4. God wants us to know this. Why? Because only by knowing we can live accordingly, manifesting His power in and for us who believe.
5. God provided the Holy Spirit for us. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. He gives us understanding and the mighty strength to live out the title and entitlement of children of God.
6. Through the Holy Spirit we can access every spiritual blessing (which in KJV is described as “all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places” 1:3) giving by the Holy Spirit.
7. By faith we are joined to the Lord and be one spirit with the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:17). By faith we become members of His body, of His flesh and of His bone (6:30). By faith we reach into the spiritual realm (heavenly places) and receive all blessings which God has given us (Ephesians 1:3) to enable us to live for the praise of His glory, according to the will of His good pleasure.
This means we will not subject our body and soul (body, mind, emotion included) under the bondage of the evil power (all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name…) which rule this world (physical and spiritual). How do we do this? By the power of God in us and for us and all the spiritual resources readily available for us to use (using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and taking the authority of the Son of God Himself, which has been given to us as children of God).
Watchman’s suggested readings: from KJV, NKJV, AMP; Ephesians 1; 1 Corinthians 2; 2 Corinthians 3.;

April 30, 2013

Journey to see God - Your Doctor (Healer)

God says, “For I am the LORD who heals you.” He spoke to His people as recorded in Exodus 15:26 (over 3400 years ago). He still speaks to His people today the same today. This declaration of God is valid today as God has not revoked it. It is most relevant and urgent in this generation as the needs for physical and mental healing have escalated to an unprecedented level in frequency and intensity.
This time I will quote passages (excerpts only) from some books that the Lord has led me and my brethren in Christ to re-read lately.
Vine’s complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
To Heal: rapa (7495), “to heal.” This word si common to both modern and ancient Hebrew. It occurs approximately 65 times in the Hebrew Old Testament, appearing first in Genesis 20:17: “ God healed Abimelech.”
“To heal” may be described as “restoring to normal,” an act which God typically performs. Thus, appeals to God for healing are common: “O Lord, heal me for my bones are vexed” (Ps. 6:2); “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed” (Jer. 17:14). not only are human diseases “healed”, but bad water is restored to normal or “healed” (2 Kings 2:22)…
False prophets are condemned because they deal only with the symptoms and not with the deep spiritual hurts of the people: “They have healed also the hurts of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14; also 8:11).
New Spirit Filled Life Bible – New King James Version
Kingdom Dynamics (topical articles on spiritual truth)
Exodus 15:26 The Old Testament Healing Covenant, DIVINE HEALING. This verse is widely referred to as the OT Divine Healing Covenant. It is called a “covenant”, because in it God promises He will keep His people free from diseases and conditions the promise upon their diligent obedience.
The words used here for “diseases” (Hebrew makhaleh) and “heals” (Hebrew rapha) are regularly used for physical sickness and bodily healing. This is not only a spiritual concept, but also an intensive physical one. The covenant is made absolutely certain by the fact that God joins His mighty name to the promise, calling Himself “Yahweh-Rapha”, meaning “the LORD who heals.”
Power in the Name (Revealing the God Who Provides and Heals) by Derek Prince
Exodus 15:22-26 “…for I, the LORD [Jehovah], am your healer.” (NASB)
The second covenant name of God is given at the very end of the passage: “the LORD…you healer.”
The word that is translated “healer” is the basic Hebrew word for “physical healing”. In modern Hebrew, it is the word used for “doctor”. In face, it would be perfectly correct to translate this as “I am Jehovah, your doctor.” That is exactly what it would be in contemporary Hebrew, “the LORD (Jehovah, or Yahweh) is directly connected to the word for one who heals. Alternatively, we could say, “The Lord who heals.”
Requirement for healing -wholehearted faith in God
The basic requirement for healing is stated clearly: “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God…” (Exodus 15:26). In the original Hebrew, it is literally, “If listening you will listen to the voice of the LORD.” The word listen is repeated twice.
Once, as I lay sick in a hospital, desperately needing healing and seeking God for it in the Scriptures, this verse came to me. I said, “What does it mean to ‘listen’, ‘listening’?” And it seemed God gave me this answer: “…To ‘listen’, ‘listening’ is to listen to Me with both ears. But if you listen to Me with one ear and to somebody else with the other ear, all you get is confusion and not faith.” So, I stopped up my ear to the sinister whisper of the devil and listened to God with both ears. Sure enough, I received my healing!
Jesus was the final fulfillment of the healing covenant of God for His people. On the cross, Jesus not only bore our sin, but He also took our infirmities and carried away our diseases. He not only provided forgiveness, but He also provided healing.
Remember that God is still the healer of His people. The blessings of the covenant are now available to both Jews and Gentiles-to all those who come in faith, through Jesus, to God the Father, on the basis of His covenantal name: The One Who Heals. (Exodus 15:26)
Healing The Sick – A living Classic, by T.L Osborn
Chapter 1 How Many Will God Heal?
I will take sicknesses away from you. The number of your days I will fulfill. (Exodus 23:25-26)
I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15:26)
The purpose of this chapter is to acquaint you with what the Bible teaches: If you are sick, God wants to heal you.
Until you are fully convinced that God wants you to be well, there will always be a doubt in your mind as to whether or not you will be healed. As long as there is that doubt in your mind, perfect faith cannot exist, and until faith is exercised, without doubt or wavering, you may never be healed.
Without faith, it is impossible to please Him; for they that come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrew 11:6)
But let them ask in faith, nothing wavering. For they that waver are like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not those [who waver] think they shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:6-7)
Once people are fully convinced that God wants to heal them and that it is not God’s will for them to be sick, they almost always receive healing when prayed for, if not before. Knowing God’s will concerning sickness provides the ground on which perfect faith can act.
God is honest
There has not failed one word of all His good promise. 1 Kings 8:56
For ever O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
I will hasten My word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12 That word hasten means: “to watch over”, “to look after”, “to protect”, or “to stand behind.” In all of His unlimited power, God is standing behind His word to accomplish it. Believe that.
There is no reason for doubting God.
Three Million Healed
God announced Himself to be the healer of His people (Ex. 15:26). He spoke those words to about three million people. (Ex. 12:37) Everyone of them believed god’s words were true. The result: Everyone of them who needed healing was made perfectly whole.
We are told: He brought them forth…and there was not one feeble person among their tribes (Ps. 105:37). Can you imagine three million people all well and strong? Not one feeble, not one weak, and not one sick?
If that was true in Israel, under the law, it is much more true for you, who have been redeemed by the blood of God’s Lamb and are living under grace, mercy and truth.
Let this be a settle truth that you know, as well as you know two plus two are four: Healing is for you -all may be healed.
The only reason disease takes such a toll among Christians today is that many do not believe what God has spoken. They know God said, I am the Lord who heals you. Somehow they have failed to believe He meant what He said, which is basically what Satan said to Adam and Eve: God did not mean what He said. Influenced by tradition (Mark 7:13), people have changed God’s I am to “I was.”
Chapter Two Healing is for All
There is no better way to know the will of God than by reading the Gospels, which record the teachings and the works of Christ. Jesus was the physical expression of the Father’s will. His life was both a revelation and a manifestation of the unchanging love and will of God. He acted out the will of God for us.
Uncertainty corrected
The leper said: If You will, You can. Jesus answered, I will (Mark1:41).
Let that settle forever with you: God will heal the sick. If He wills to heal one, then He wills to heal all.
James asks: Is any sick among you? (James 5:14). Any included you if you are sick.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matthew 12:15
As many as touched [Him] were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14:36
The whole multitude sought to touch Him: [and He] healed them all. Luke 6:19
When the evening came, they brought to Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.
Christ is still healing the sick, in order to fulfill the prophet’s words: Himself took our infirmities [weaknesses], and bore our sicknesses [diseases].
Always remember: you are included in the our in Matthew 8:17, and God is bound by His covenant to continue to heal all who are sick and weak, in order to fulfill Isaiah’s words.
Healing is for all and should be preached to all
Philip preached Christ at Samaria (Acts 8:6-8). Jesus proved to be exactly the same when Philip told the people about Him.
Peter preached Christ to the cripple (Acts 3:6), to the multitudes (Acts 5:14-16), to Aeneas (Acts 9:34). All were healed. Jesus was the same for Peter.
Wherever and whenever Jesus Christ is proclaimed as our sacrifices for sin and sickness, physical healing as well as spiritual salvation will result.
Paul preached Christ (Acts 14:8-9). Paul must have preached the gospel of healing, because the lame man received faith to be healed while listening to Paul’s message.
Let it be a settle fact: It is God’s will to heal you. You have a right to healing as well as forgiveness when you believe.
Healing is part of the gospel and is to be preached throughout all the world and to every creature, to the end of the world (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:20).
Being part of the gospel, the divine blessing of physical healing is for all.

April 26, 2013

Journey to see God: See how a servant Baruch encountered God

The scribe (who chose to be a servant/messenger/recorder for the most unpopular prophet then) appeared suddenly in the Book of Prophet Jeremiah starting chapter 32 ending chapter 45. Chapter 45 (with only five verses) was entirely about him. What an interesting and intriguing person of record. He himself was a recorder of messages (including signs). He even carried the messages he recorded to the audience as instructed. Was his role of any use in the spiritual realm? Definitely. He was even singled out by the unseen enemy as target. Here is his story in Biblical verses. (The notes of the watchman are in brackets after each sety of verses.)
Jeremiah 32:12 and I gave the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses who signed the purchase deed, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the prison. Jeremiah 32:13 “Then I charged Baruch before them, saying, Jeremiah 32:16 [ Jeremiah Prays for Understanding ] “Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying:
(Baruch appeared suddenly and undertook very important prophet act on behalf of prophet Jeremiah who was imprisoned.)
Jeremiah 36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him.
(Baruch’s key job was to write down accurately what Jeremiah had received from the Lord. Jeremiah could not have paid him or given him any physical or even social emoluments and amenities compared to other prophet employers who were in the king’s favor and enjoyed prestigious and materially better off status and positions. Baruch could not have worked for things that others valued. What drove him? What was he looking for when he chose to follow Jeremiah who was being persecuted by all the powerful and important leaders of the nation then? What did he see in that time of national crisis, chaos, confusion, insecurity and strife? Indeed Jeremiah had not much to offer except words from God. This scribe Baruch heard the words and believed. He was a man of words. He was drawn to God’s spoken words. He was a man of discernment. He discerned that the words were from God and not from man. He was a man who hungered for God’s words and sought out God’s words even at the time of impending nationwide shaking and collapse.)
Jeremiah 36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I am confined, I cannot go into the house of the Lord. Jeremiah 36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading from the book the words of the Lord in the Lord’s house. Jeremiah 36:10 Then Baruch read from the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper court at the entry of the New Gate of the Lord’s house, in the hearing of all the people.
(Baruch’s second assignment: Represent faithfully the one who sent him -Jeremiah- before the people, even before leaders and princes.He was an educated man and knew the political and religious scenario then. He knew Jeremiah was feared and hated by many and considered a national threat. Yet he obeyed Jeremiah and went ahead and did exactly what Jeremiah instructed him to do! Baruch was a courageous man. What gave him the boldness? He knew whom he believed. He knew the truth and the truth of God’s words had freed him from the fear of men. The words of God set free the captive.)
Jeremiah 36:13 Then Michaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard when Baruch read the book in the hearing of the people.
Jeremiah 36:14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll from which you have read in the hearing of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and came to them.
Jeremiah 36:15 And they said to him, “Sit down now, and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read it in their hearing. Jeremiah 36:16 Now it happened, when they had heard all the words, that they looked in fear from one to another, and said to Baruch, “We will surely tell the king of all these words.”
Jeremiah 36:17 And they asked Baruch, saying, “Tell us now, how did you write all these words—at his instruction?Jeremiah 36:18 So Baruch answered them, “He proclaimed with his mouth all these words to me, and I wrote them with ink in the book.”
Jeremiah 36:19 Then the princes said to Baruch, “Go and hide, you and Jeremiah; and let no one know where you are.”
(Baruch’s next assignment: Witnessing the exact words of God. Tell the truth as he had received. Be the vessel as he was called. The messenger on behalf of the messenger. The faithful and obedient disciple. The servant. It was indeed a life and death mission and testimony. Even the princes advised him and his master to go and hide immediately.)
Jeremiah 36:26 And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but the Lord hid them.
(The enemy acted without hesitation. The Lord too.)
Jeremiah 36:27 [ Jeremiah Rewrites the Scroll ] Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: Jeremiah 36:32 Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the instruction of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And besides, there were added to them many similar words.
( Take note: the Lord God does not stop what He had decreed. Burning of the original scroll in the physical realm had no impact whatsoever in the spiritual realm. God’s plan continued and more words were added! How awesome it must have appeared to Jeremiah the true prophet and Baruch the true servant of God!)
Jeremiah 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death or carry us away captive to Babylon.”
Jeremiah 43:6 men, women, children, the king’s daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.
(The enemy wasted no time and continued with their false accusations and persecutions in the physical.)
Jeremiah 45:1 [ Assurance to Baruch ] The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the instruction of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, Jeremiah 45:2 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch
(The words of the Lord continues in the spiritual. That counts. The words have come to pass just as the Lord has spoken. It was worthwhile to serve the Almighty and Living God! Both Jeremiah and Baruch knew and indeed experienced. Today the same happens for all faithful servants of God.)

April 19, 2013

Your Power in the Holy Spirit (miracles are for today!)

your power in the Holy Spirit
your power in the Holy Spirit
Excerpts from this book.
The Miraculous Mind of Christ
 Jesus’ mental processes were miraculous. Ourlibraries are full of books written by great thinkerslike Thomas Edison and others who were incessantthinkers. With Jesus there is something different. Hespoke out from the Spirit that dominated Hisspiritual faculties. The Spirit of Christ ruled Hisintellect. Gems of divine truth dripped from His lipsas honey from the honeycomb. The Sermon on theMount and great portions in Luke and John are asuntouched as when they dropped from the lips of  Jesus. Men’s writings grow old and out of date. God’struth is ever fresh. Yes, Jesus’ words and life andcontact with men were miraculous; they are still miraculous.His death on the cross, His three days in the tomb,His dramatic and startling resurrection, were allmiracles. His presence among the disciples ondifferent occasions and, finally, His ascension in thepresence of five hundred witnesses were miracles.
They do not belong to the reason realm; they belongto the miracle realm. Jesus was in the realm of theSpirit, the realm of faith, the realm where God acts,the realm where the real child of God lives. You see,Christians have been translated out of the realm of human thought and reason into the kingdom of theSon of His love, the realm of the Spirit.
It would be uncharitable if we were to criticize aman of reason who knows nothing about thespiritual realm.
Christianity is not the product of human reasoning. Christianity is a divineintervention. Christians are those who have beenborn from above. They have been re-created. Thislife of God that comes into their spirit naturedominates the reason so that they have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) to think God’s thoughtsand live in God’s realm of miracles.
Friends, when a Christian tries to live by reason, he is moving out of God’s country into the enemy’s land.
We belong in the miraculous or supernatural realm.
Christ was a miracle. Every Christian is a miracle.
Every answer to prayer is a miracle.
Every divine illumination is a miracle.
The power of Christianityin the world is a miraculous power.
God, help us torealize that ours is a high and holy calling.
____________________________________
Miracles Are For Today
I want to talk to you on the subject of miracles thisafternoon. From the year 400 until now, by and large,the church has assumed the attitude that the days of miracles are passed—without any scripturalevidence whatever. They have taught that miracleswere to demonstrate the divinity of Jesus and that, therefore, the divinity of Jesus having beendemonstrated, there was no longer any need formiracles.
We had a local incident that demonstrates the effectof this teaching. I think my conviction on the matteris that it has done more damage to the Christian faiththan any other teaching that has been promulgated.
There is a gentleman who works at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, O. A. Risdon, who is one of theengineers there. He had a son with a deformed head.The top of the head raised up like the ridge of a roof; the forehead and back of the head also were forcedout in similar manner, giving the head the appearance of the hull of an upside-down yacht. He was born with what the physicians call a closed head. The boy was always slobbering. The pressure on the brain caused the right side to become paralyzed, and the boy was dumb. He was five yearsold at this time.
The physicians said there was nothing they could do.Then, in desperation, he appealed to his pastor. The pastor told him that the days of miracles were past, that the Lord did not heal now, and that miracles were given to demonstrate the divinity of Jesus. The father replied, “If Jesus would heal my son, I would be convinced that He is divine now. If He is divine,He could lift this damnation from our house.
“Finally, he came to us seeking help. We began tominister to the child. In a few days, we observed that the paralysis began to depart. Instead of walking onone side of his ankles, he began to walk on the foot, and that indicated that the pressure was relieved onthe brain. In seven weeks, the child was perfectly well. The bones of the head softened and came downto normal. The paralysis disappeared, and the child began to talk. In three months, he was in the publicschool. He is a young married man now.
Dear friends, if we had continued to believe that the days of miracles were past, that boy would be in the insane asylum. But we believed that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the boy was healed.
It is a delight to believe the words of  Jesus. I have used this rule in my study of the Scriptures. If there is any question on any Scripture, I settle it with the words of Jesus. I consider all the Scriptures are a common court of the gospel, but the words of Jesus are the Supreme Court of the gospel.
When I want a Supreme Court decision, I appeal to the words of Jesus.
You can read all the words of Jesus in two hours or less in a red-letter New Testament. Make a practice of reading the words of Jesus on any subject that troubles you, and make a compilation of what He says.
He ought to be sufficient authority on any question, for the heavenly Father called attention to the fact that He is the Son of God and that we are to hear Him. God declared:
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am wellpleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

April 13, 2013

5 am lesson: Key to walking in courage and power

http://kzlam36.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/new-life-challenged.jpgJesus the Son of God had demonstrated to His disciples (and all believers who want to be His disciples) how to walk in the mighty power of God. Jesus told us plainly that no one had seen God except Him. When one sees Jesus one sees God. So His mission on earth was to show us how God is like. God is Almighty. He walks in supreme power. Jesus also walked in supreme majesty and power. Power came out of Him when patients touched Him (His clothes) by faith and they became healed immediately. Demons submitted themselves to Jesus voluntarily.
Jesus told His disciples that all who believe will do the same things that He did and even greater things. To Jesus being like Him (in word and deed) is a natural thing. Those born of God's Spirit are spirit and have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness. All that God has given to Jesus He has given to those who believe in Jesus. Like Father like Son (and sons). So why are we not seeing this supernatural and transformational change in many of us? The distinct manifestation of the Son of God in us?
Today's message for the 5am class is: the key to living and walking in His power. The key is in Jesus. Thus we are on the right track when we continue to read the word of God revealing Jesus to us.
Jesus has revealed two of His secrets to success:
Success Key one: Walking in the Light.
He announced that He was the true Light that gives light to every man in the world. (John 1:9) He commanded His disciples to take heed that the light which is in them is not darkness. (Luke 11:33-36) He warned them of the dark forces behind the hypocrites -namely Pharisees, scribes and lawyers (symbol of religiosity in appearances and not in truth and motives; in flesh and not in spirit) of that generation which He called evil and perverse. (Luke 11:37-54; Matt.15:1-20; 16:1-6)
What is the spirit behind the hypocrites? The spirit of the world. They were blinded and dull and hardened with worldly philosophy (which runs on natural laws). They just could not see or understand the supernatural laws that Jesus had demonstrated in reality. God is supernatural. No man can possibly understand the matters of God without Jesus. But their jealousies and covetousness (which is idolatry) had hardened them further, even to the point they were willing to perish forever.
Jesus summed up their depraved condition: “Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. But everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:19-20)
Jesus Himself was undeterred by such dark hatred and opposition. He continued to walk and operate in the Light of God. He manifested God's Light.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in Go.” (John 3:21) Only those who do the truth can come in the Light of God and the deeds are done in God! Nothing can be more powerful than deeds done in God! This is the success key of Jesus -doing everything in God's Light, that is, in God. God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
What does this mean to those who want to have this success key? The answer is in 1 John 1:6-10. (Read the whole passage and meditate and pray)
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Success Key two: Walking in understanding of the matters of God.
One thing that Jesus repeatedly told off His disciples was their not understanding what He told them about the matters of God, that is, the Kingdom of God.
He demonstrated how the Son of God has the power over natural matters: walking on water, calming the wind and sea, multiplying (without limit) food stuff out of the unseen resources in heaven, making demons (evil spirits) tremble and submit to Him, commanding (by mere words) physical things to happen (healing, deliverance, giving life back to the dead etc.). Power was evident in Him. Even King Harod admitted. Sick people touched the hem of His garment and were made well.
Why did the disciples not use this power when they were alone? They just could not understand the supernatural matters, the matters of God's Kingdom then. The key word is 'understanding'.
That is why Jesus spent a lot of time teaching them and all who followed Him at that time about the Kingdom of God and how it operates. Jesus was very clear about the way it functions. He is from above and He has seen how it operates in the supernatural realm. He knows it is real.
When Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to preach the Gospel, calling for repentance, healing the sick, casting out demons, saying the Kingdom of God was near, He gave them the power of God through His word. He instructed them by word and His word came to pass. They merely obeyed and witnessed that indeed what Jesus had spoken came true.
After Jesus ascended into heaven the disciples continued to obey and waited for the power from above, the Holy Spirit. Indeed the power came as told. After they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit their spiritual eyes were opened and they had spiritual understanding of the whole Kingdom of God message. They were transformed from a bunch of fearful humans to overcomers (as in Revelation 12:11).
Today, how do believers receive such supernatural understanding of the kingdom of God?
GUIDE ONE: ASK! (Luke 11:9-13)
11:9 Ask, seek, knock
11:13 how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
GUIDE TWO: PRAY! (Ephesians 1:17-23)
17 pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened
19 know the greatness of His power toward those who believe
20-23 know the power in Christ. He is our head. We are His body! We can be filled with His fullness!

5 am lesson: How to live God’s will?

Spirit-led lifeThe supernatural God has placed eternity in the heart of man ever since creation. Man was not created for death. Adam’s fall was not meant to be. Death entered because of his fall. However, since then man has continued a lifelong quest to seek the everlasting design to be restored. The utmost wish is how to live a long and healthy life. Sicknesses is the number one enemy to mankind.
Why do most people prefer to linger as long as possible on earth? one main reason is fear. The fear of eternity. An average man does not know or concern with spiritual matters because spiritual matters cannot be seen and it is hard to ascertain. Oftentimes faith is required. Living in the eternal realm means living in the spiritual realm.
Faith is a key word in accessing the unseen and yet real realm of existence.
Can faith be acquired? How? Faith is a title deed given to those who want to believe in the unseen God. It is given freely to those who seek. God awards those who come to Him by faith. Eternity is not frightening. It merely means knowing God and the One Whom He sent (Jesus). It means even while on earth the believer can live and walk in eternity. There is a change of citizenship to that of a heavenly kingdom. He lives under God’s rulership and abides by God’s laws. He enjoys the rights and privileges of a citizen in this special kingdom (royal priesthood, holy nation and special people of God).
How does one enter this kingdom? By faith believing in God, and the ‘Entrance’ He has provided. The ‘Entrance’ is Jesus. Believe in Jesus having died and redeemed you on the cross, paid for your sins and suffered all the penalty for you. Believe that He is the Son of God, Who came to the world to save sinners and heal the sick. His death on the cross had paid for all sins, and the stripes He bore on His back prior being nailed on the cross had absorbed all diseases and pain. The hanging on the cross had broken all the curses on mankind.
Believe that Jesus not only died He was buried and on the third day He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Believe that there is a heaven and a hell. No one can avoid going to either one after death.
How does one enter the kingdom of God? Believe in the salvation of Jesus. By faith just believe in God’s word telling you this Good News.
What happens at the moment you believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior and Lord? Something happens supernaturally and spiritually in heaven.
  1. The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Jesus Christ) gives birth to you.
  2. The word of God becomes the incorruptible seed planted in you.
  3. Your name is recorded in the Book of life in heaven.
  4. You are given the citizenship in the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Light).
  5. You are given the Holy Spirit as a deposit/guarantee for your final salvation when Jesus comes again to give you the new heavenly body.
  6. You are given the privilege of the citizen in the kingdom of God: the status of the son of God, the authority of the name of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of the truth and the life).
  7. You can receive and enjoy all the blessings given to Abraham the father of faith.
  8. You can enjoy all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and bear fruits of the Holy Spirit, living the divine nature of God.
  9. You can put on the whole armor of God, overcome the devil and You can live under the supernatural divine protection of God. All the promises of divine protection in the Bible are yours to claim and receive.
  10. You can live the super-abundant life that Jesus has promised to all who believe.
Eternity is wonderful. It is the answer to your prayer, as taught by the Lord Jesus to all His disciples of which you become one, “God’s Name be hallowed; God’s Kingdom comes; God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven”! Jesus advises all: “Seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you!” (‘All these things’ means everything you need to live the super-abundant life that Jesus has promised evey believer of His.)

April 12, 2013

5 am lesson: How to carry out your divine appointment?

Every follower of Jesus has been given a divine appointment. Jesus demonstrated how this can be carried out when He was walking on earth. Just as He had promised, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It is an easy job as far as Jesus is concerned. The disciples too carried out the same just as Jesus had commanded.
The appointment: And Jesus came to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the edge.” (Matt.28:18-20)
Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” 20 “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
How were the ordinary disciples sent out? Jesus showed how this was done.
Luke 10:1 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”
2 Then He said to them, “...pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out...”
4 “”Carry neither money bag...and greet no one along the road.
5 “But whatever house you enter...”
6 “And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it...”
7 “And remain in the same house eating and drinking such things as they give...”
8 “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.”
9 “And heal the sick there and say to them, 'the kingdom of God has come near to you.'”
It is clear that the only mission Jesus gave the disciples was in verse 9: heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God Good News in the city that received them who went in Jesus' name.
What was the purpose of Jesus asking the disciples to do these two things?
Jesus gave the answer: Luke 10:17-20, 22
17 The disciples returned and reported that demons were subject to them in Jesus' name.
18 Satan's authority and power had been superseded when the disciples took up the authority of Jesus and moved in the power of the Holy Spirit.
19 It proved that the authority Jesus gave to the disciples was indeed superior: they can trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt them.
20 But the more significant issue is: the disciples have proved their worth by demonstrating their citizenship in the Kingdom of God, their sons of God status, both in authority and power over Satan's subjects.
22 The display of the superior authority and power of Jesus confirmed to the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God as He had claimed to be. His supremacy in the spiritual realm is evident to those whom He chose to reveal Himself.
And this is the message of the gospel: the Kingdom of God is what Jesus has brought to the world. All who believe Him and follow Him as the disciples did could enter through His gate. He is the Gate. Citizenship in the Kingdom of God is far more superior than that of all the other kingdoms on earth.
The disciples tasted this Kingdom and continued even after Jesus ascended to heaven. They moved in the supreme authority and power of Jesus, the Son of God. They lived out their divine appointment.
The Kingdom of God has continued to advance since then. Are you part of this Kingdom? Have you received your divine appointment?

2025-12-25 给Joyce 的诗 ——永远记得你!

2025-12-25 Joyce,我们仍然记得!两年前今日是与您最后一次一起度过的圣诞节,次日凌晨就天上人间分隔了。今天我只想写一首诗,告诉我们有“永远”这事实,我们今世没法用肉眼看见,但是可以用心灵领会,圣经所形容的天上一切都是真实的! 给你的诗歌 ——永远记得你! 如此罕见真...