Jesus and His brothers

The world can’t hate you, you go on to this festival of Shelters. Jesus replied His brothers. For even His worldly brothers didn’t believe in Him at that time. He was traveling around Galilee to stay out of Judea where the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Him. His brothers told Him to leave and go to Judea, “where your followers can see your miracles!” They knew and had seen His supernatural power but they were not His followers. They wanted Him to show off the physical power He could display. They further said, “You can’t become famous if you hide like this!” They wanted him to become famous in their world. Judea was the centre of religious and political activities as people went there yearly for various national festivals. The ‘who is who’ would all be there, people of political/social/economic power, wealth and influential connection. They also said (obviously with unbelief), “If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”

What makes a person believe in Jesus? Even His brothers did not believe, who can believe? This is the question today.

Jesus told us the answer in John 7:17 “Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether My teaching is from God or is merely My own.”

Anyone can believe.
The condition in your heart must be right and ready. You really want to do the will of God.
Believing in Jesus is the will of God. (John 6:29, 39-40)
You will be given the discernment from God to know that Jesus is the One who comes from God and is speaking to you God’s message for you.
Anyone who is thirsty for God. (John 7:37)
Anyone who loves God will love Jesus. (John 8:42)
Everyone who listens to the Father (God) and learns from Him comes to Jesus. (John 6:45)

God’s will: who will have everlasting life?

What did Jesus say about who will have eternal life? What is God’s will? What authority Jesus has over who gets eternal life?  The answers are as follows.

NKJV Bible John 6 (37-40; 44-47 boldness and italics added to some verses for highlighting purpose)

37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

39 “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

44“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

45“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

46“Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. (note: Jesus refers to Himself here. Only Jesus has seen God.)

47 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

What God declares

What does God want from His people? One word the watchman has received today is ‘DECLARE’. What God declares and what He expects His people (witnesses) to declare.
GOD DECLARES HIMSELF:

Psalm 111:6

He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Isaiah 43:12

I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I am God.

Isaiah 44:8

Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’”

Isaiah 45:21

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.

Isaiah 48:3

“I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.

Isaiah 48:5

Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them.’

Isaiah 43:21

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

Psalm 147:19

He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.

GOD’S WITNESSES DECLARE GOD:

Exodus 9:16

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

John 17:26

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Acts 9:27

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 15:14

Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

Romans 9:17

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”

Luke 8:47

Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

John 1:18

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John 17:26

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Psalm 9:11

Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.

Psalm 22:22

I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

Psalm 40:5

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 40:10

I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

Psalm 66:16

Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.

Psalm 118:17

I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.

GOD’S WITNESSES DECLARE GOD’S WORDS:

Deuteronomy 5:5

I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:

Psalm 2:7

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Matthew 12:18

“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

John 16:14

He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Acts 26:20

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Following The Desires Of Your Heart

How to know you are on the right track of life? Here is my recommendation today. How to follow God's will? A practical audio teaching series.
http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1067
The contents cover:

Following The Desires Of Your Heart

Moses Missed God's Timing

The Rod Of God

Follow The Peace

The Wisdom Of God In A Mystery

quote: "Finding God’s will for your life is essential, but it’s just the beginning. Once you start moving in God’s direction, you have a big target painted on your back. Satan will do everything he can to stop you. If you don’t bump into the devil, it’s because you both are headed in the same direction.
You’re going to have all kinds of problems trying to follow God’s will. You can definitely learn from hard knocks. I certainly have. But I don’t recommend it. There is a better way. You can learn from somebody else’s hard knocks.
This is exactly what the Scripture has to say:
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come"....(excerpts from the article at: http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/follow_will )

Here is the book for those of us who like reading at the same time we listen ! I find this a great
at way to remember truth and truth changes lives.

"One of the most important lessons of all is that you can't fulfill God's will any way you want. His strength and timing, and your obedience and patience are just a few of the things it takes. This book explains all this and much more, including how Andrew found, has followed, and is fulfilling God's will for his life. This will help you on your way to doing just the same!"

http://www.awmi.net/store/usa/books/335

Sample Chapters

	Table of Contents
	Chapter 1 - God Create You For A Purpose
	Chapter 2 - God Of Second Chances
	Chapter 3 - A Living Sacrifice

Journey to see God: be Strengthened with all might

Today the 5am Bible reading brethren in Christ read Colossians 1 and John 14, referring to Ephesians 1& 3, and 1 John (on praying God’s will).
Here are diagrams that help us to understand and memorize God’s words.

Colossians 1:2-12 Be filled with the knowledge of God’s will

Colossians 1:13-20 The beloved Son of God -Jesus

Colossians 1:9

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Colossians 1:11

King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

5 am lesson: How to live God’s will?

The 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.)

Journey to see God: see His perfect will

See God: See His Perfect Will today! A sure way to success! The key is: be like God's Son, Jesus.

Romans 12

New King James Version (NKJV)

Living Sacrifices to God

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Journey to see God: He is Purposeful

Today we see all about God being a purposeful God. Nothing He does is without purpose. Know for what purpose you are called. Take heed His purpose for you! 

Romans 9

English Standard Version (ESV)

God's Sovereign Choice

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,^[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.⁵ To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” ⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ⁹ For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹² she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!¹⁵ For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it depends not on human will or exertion,^[b] but on God, who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? ²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— ²⁴ even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵ As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
²⁶ “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

²⁷ And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel^[c] be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, ²⁸ for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” ²⁹ And as Isaiah predicted,

“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring,
    we would have been like Sodom
    and become like Gomorrah.”

Israel's Unbelief

³⁰ What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;³¹ but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness^[d]did not succeed in reaching that law. ³² Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³ as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
    and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Footnotes:

1. Romans 9:3 Or brothers and sisters
2. Romans 9:16 Greek not of him who wills or runs
3. Romans 9:27 Or children of Israel
4. Romans 9:31 Greek a law of righteousness

___________More verses on God's Purposefulness

1. Romans 4:11
   He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purposewas to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
   Romans 4:10-12 (in Context) Romans 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Romans 8:28
   And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
   Romans 8:27-29 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Ephesians 1:5
   he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
   Ephesians 1:4-6 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Ephesians 1:9
   making known to us the mystery of his will, according to hispurpose, which he set forth in Christ
   Ephesians 1:8-10 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Ephesians 1:11
   In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
   Ephesians 1:10-12 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Ephesians 3:11
   This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
   Ephesians 3:10-12 (in Context) Ephesians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

end times witnessing: Draw near to God

1. Hebrews 4:16
   Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
   Hebrews 4:15-16 (in Context) Hebrews 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Hebrews 7:19
   (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
   Hebrews 7:18-20 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Hebrews 7:25
   Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
   Hebrews 7:24-26 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. 9:¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God,purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
5. Hebrews 10:1
6. [ Christ's Sacrifice Once for All ] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
   Hebrews 10:1-3 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. ^{Hebrews 10:19} Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 
8. James 4:8
   Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
   James 4:7-9 (in Context) James 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Hebrews 11:5-7 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
10. Leviticus 9:7
    Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as theLord has commanded.”
    Leviticus 9:6-8 (in Context) Leviticus 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Isaiah 29:12-14 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.” 13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, 14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,     and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”
12. Isaiah 48:15-17 I, even I, have spoken and called him; I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. 16 Draw near to me, hear this from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit. 17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.
13. Jeremiah 30:21
    Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the Lord.
    Jeremiah 30:20-22 (in Context) Jeremiah 30 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Ezekiel 43:19
    you shall give to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, declares the Lord God, a bull from the herd for a sin offering.
    Ezekiel 43:18-20 (in Context) Ezekiel 43 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations