THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH - MAY 18

 

THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH - MAY 18

Mark 7:2, "And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault."

MARK 7:1-7

Man looks on the outward appearance (this is what the scribes and Pharisees were concerned with), but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Jesus looked on men's hearts. The Old Testament laws concerning washing served a secondary purpose of hygiene, but as stated in Colossians 2:16-17 and Hebrews 9:1,9-10, their real purpose was to shadow or illustrate spiritual truth.

Defiled food may hurt our bodies, but it cannot reach our spirits (Jn. 3:6).

The scribes and Pharisees missed the principle of spiritual purity taught by the Old Testament ordinances and became obsessed with strict adherence to their rituals. While they relentlessly enforced the laws dealing with the physical realm, they had become completely corrupt in the spiritual realm.

"The law is not of faith." When combined with Romans 14:23 which says, "...whatsoever is not of faith is sin," this statement must have been near blasphemy to the legalistic Jews, just as it is to legalistic Christians today. It is sin for the New Testament believer to try to relate to God by attempting to keep the Old Testament law. The law itself is not sin (Rom. 7:7). But it is sin to try to use the law for justification with God. This was never the purpose of the law.

Under the law a person got what he deserved. Under faith, the New Testament believer receives grace because of what Jesus did for him. Any departure from faith, especially a departure back to the Old Testament law, voids the work of Christ (Gal. 2:21) and is the worst sin of all. Only faith in Jesus Christ has the key that unlocks the door to the law's harsh imprisonment of guilt and condemnation. With a great price He has purchased your freedom. Walk in it today and enjoy His Life.

THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD ARE ONE - MAY 17

 THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD ARE ONE - MAY 17

John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

JOHN 6:40-71; 7:1

Jesus is stating that our spirit, not our flesh, is where our life comes from. These people were so dominated by their physical lives that they were missing all the spiritual significance of His words. Although God's Word does benefit our physical man, the Word is spiritual and must be understood through the spirit. God's Word is spirit and it takes our spirit to illuminate its truths to our minds.

The Word of God is not paper and ink. Jesus is the Word, and He existed in spiritual form long before any words were inspired to be written down by the Holy Ghost. The Bible is simply a physical representation of Jesus and spiritual truth. It is inspired of God and therefore, totally accurate and reliable, and yet, until we receive the Spirit expressed in these words the Bible will not profit us. This is why many people have read the Word, maybe even memorized it, and yet aren't reaping its benefits.

Just as our physical man receives life from the food he eats, so our spiritual man receives life as we partake of Jesus, the "bread of life. Jesus plainly stated that the words He spoke were spiritual - not physical.

If we want to know what spiritual truth is, we must believe the Bible, for it is spirit and life. If we want to be led by the Spirit, then we must follow God's Word. If we want to hear from the Spirit of God, then we must listen to what God says in His Word. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) and the Word (Jesus - Jn. 1:1) are one.

OUR VICTORY IS IN OUR CONFESSION!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2024.

SUBJECT : OUR VICTORY IS IN OUR CONFESSION!

Memory verse: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...." (Revelation 12 vs 11.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 15 - 17:

8:15: For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, "Abba Father."

8:16: the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

8:17: And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

INTIMATION:

Most Christians have never realized the vital place that our testimony or confession holds in our daily lives. Our positive confessions indicate the steadfastness of our faith in Christ. When our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, our persistent, intelligent confession of what we are in Christ guarantees our victorious living against the devil and his cohorts. It is because of the importance of confession or testimony in our Christian life that the Scripture in Hebrews 10 vs 23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

When you came into the family of God, you made a confession of the Lordship of Christ over your life. His Lordship means; the bread-provider, the caretaker, the protector from all your enemies, and everything concerning your life. You actually become a partaker of the Divine Nature. (Second Peter 1 vs 4). And as you become a partaker of His Nature, you become a partaker of His ability. God's ability becomes your ability. God's Strength becomes your strength, and Jesus is the surety of that New Covenant for you. (Hebrews 7 vs. 22.)

Christ has already finished the work for us in redemption. Ours is to believe in our hearts the finished work and confess with our mouth our rich heritage in Him. When you acknowledge Him as your Lord, then God becomes automatically your very Father. All the resources of heaven are at your disposal.

The saints of old have power over the results of their sins by the power of the cleansing blood of Jesus. They have power over the kingdom of darkness by the power of the gospel and the Word of God they preached. They were willing to suffer to death because they knew that death is only a transition into a better realm. 

In the passage we read today, the old bondage of fear and want and diseases is gone. You have another spirit now, a recreated spirit. God is no longer God to you: He is your Father, and as a Father, He is your Lover, Caretaker, and Faithful Companion. You aren't afraid of anything now. You are absolutely fearless before all your enemies. You lift up your banner; you shout His praises; you stand complete in Him over every circumstance and every attack of the enemy.

The Bible, in Second Corinthians 3 vs 4 - 6 says, "And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant......" We have tried to conquer the adversary with our own strength. We have tried to overcome temptation with our own wills. That is unnecessary, for His Will has become ours; His sufficiency is ours; His ability is ours. Now we become efficient as a member of the body of Christ with His efficiency.

Jesus said in John 14 vs 30, "....for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me." The same is true in a believer’s case. We are new creatures in Christ. If then we are new creatures, Satan has nothing in us. That new creation is all of God. The old thing that Satan owned and controlled is all passed away and the things that are in you now are all of God.

When you know this as you know the multiplication table, you will have something that will absolutely put to flight the forces of Satan. There isn't any reason why we should live in constant fear of sin and doubt when we are the very sons and daughters of God.

Believers should anchor their absolute faith in Christ just as the apostle Paul advised the believers in Philippi; that their conduct would be worthy of the gospel of Christ, ensuring that they, at all times, are expressly demonstrating in their conduct, their trust and confidence in Christ. (Philippians 1 vs 27.)

In the next verse he says, "And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [consistency and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God." (Philippians 1 vs 28 Amplified Version.)

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for what You wrought for me in redemption through Christ. In You I live, move, and have my being, You are the LORD over my life. I am in Christ, and Christ in You, therefore, Satan has no portion in me. My sonship with You has given me victory as an overcomer of the world through my faith in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

SEPARATING THE TARES FROM THE WHEAT - MAY 16

 SEPARATING THE TARES FROM THE WHEAT - MAY 16

John 6:61, "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"

JOHN 6:60-69

This scripture, as well as Matthew 15:12, reveals that people will be offended by the Gospel. As much as possible, however, we should make sure that it is not ourselves that are offensive. But we cannot labor under the deception that everyone will receive the Gospel, even if the truth was presented properly. We know that Jesus represented His Father perfectly and yet most people rejected His message.

In these two instances, when Jesus realized He had offended the listeners, He didn't apologize and try to make concessions to gain their acceptance. Instead, He got harder. This hard message of commitment is not only beneficial to those who receive it, but it serves a dual purpose in that it exposes the "tares among the wheat."

It is important to be aware that the children of the wicked one are placed among the true believers. We should be very careful about putting just anyone who professes Christianity into any position of authority (1 Tim. 3:10). Our best defense is to preach the Word of God without watering it down. False brethren will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). They leave when the Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, begins to expose the thoughts and intents of the heart. There will still, however, be those who are deceived and unaware that they are not born again, remaining among the Church until the end of this world.

As long as Jesus was in the world in His physical body, He was lighting the way to the Father. He now shines through our lives. It is our responsibility to be a witness. The purpose of a light is to dispel the darkness. So "let your light shine before men...." (Matt. 5:16).

YOUR PRAYER CAN CHANGE EVENTS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2024.

SUBJECT : YOUR PRAYER CAN CHANGE EVENTS!

Memory verse: "Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them." (Psalm 106 vs 23.)

READ: Exodus  32 vs 9 - 14:

32:9: And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!

32:10: Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation."

32:11: Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?  

32:12: Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, 'He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people.

32:13: Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'"

32:14: So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.

INTIMATION:

In response to fervent prayer God may change the course of our lives or His attitude toward us. Although we do things that deserve God's anger, we receive God's forgiveness from sin by asking Him in prayer for it. When we pray He is always willing to forgive us and restore us to Himself because His mercy endures forever. 

God is just, and there is no injustice with Him. He is also, a merciful God, and His mercy endures forever. These two natures of God came to the fore when the children of Israel angered Him. God was ready to punish them to remain consistent with His nature of justice. But when Moses interceded for the people, God relented in order to act consistently with His nature of being a merciful God. He changed His behavior to remain consistent with His nature.

This is one of the countless examples in the Bible of God's mercy. Although we deserve His anger, He is willing to forgive and restore us to Himself. We can receive God's forgiveness from sin by asking Him. Like Moses, we can intercede in prayer in any circumstances, and God may use us to bring the message of His mercy by forgiving others. In the passage we read today, God was ready to destroy the whole nation of Israel because of their sin, but Moses interceded and pleaded for mercy and God spared them. 

In Second Kings 20 vs 1 - 6, Hezekiah the king was sick and near death. God sent Isaiah the prophet to him telling him to set his house in order, for he shall surely die. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly, reminding God how he has walked before Him in truth and with a loyal heart, and has done what is good in God's sight. God heard his prayer and saw his tears. Not only did God spare his life and added more fifteen years to him, He also healed him of his sickness and saved his city from the Assyrians. His faith and prayer changed the course of events. 

You too can make a difference, even if your faith puts you in the minority. Faith and prayer, if they are sincere and directed toward the one true God, can change any situations. Never hesitate to ask God for radical changes if you will honor Him with those changes. God has asked us to bring forth our strong reasons for whatever we ask Him in prayers. He is a just God, and ready to reason with us. 

He is also, ready to grant our prayers if our reasons are strong, convincing, good enough, and in consonance with His will: "Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD....."Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob......"Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted." (Isaiah 1 vs 18; 41 vs 21; 43 vs 26.)

Prayer: Abba Father, hear me O LORD, and attend to my cry. Let my prayer come to You as sweet smelling savor, and give me an answer of peace. There is nothing impossible nor difficult with You. You are the God that listens to the cry of Your children. Thank You Lord for You have heard me. To You be all the honor and glory for the great things You have done, is doing, and will do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PRAYER FOR UNCOMMON FAVOUR

 PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, relocate me from the place of disfavor to my place of favour and destiny I shall not be an abandoned project in Jesus name.

2. My destiny shall not be diverted in Jesus name.

3. In Jesus name, you spirit of disfavour and rejection, I break your power over my life.

4. Lord, create strategic opportunity for my uplifting in life.

5. I shall never miss my timing, season and chances in Jesus name.

6. Helpers of my destiny arise.

7. Like Daniel and Esther of old, Father, clothe me with the spirit of preference in Jesus mighty name.

8. Everywhere I go, the favour of God will make me an irresistible attraction and acceptance.

9. Uncommon favour of God shall attend unto all my requests, applications and prayers and appearances in Jesus name.

10. Where others have been rejected, I shall be accepted, where they’ve been abused and condemned, I shall be praised and commended, where they’ve failed, I shall succeed, and where they’ve been tolerated, I shall be celebrated because of God’s aroma of favour on me.

11. My destiny shall not be wasted in Jesus name.

12. Thou divine wind that blow Joseph, Esther and Daniel to their correct destinies, blow over me in Jesus name.

13. O thou God of grace and mercy, intervene in my destiny in Jesus name.

14. Dear Holy Spirit, please always give me spiritual network of prayers.

15. My prayer requests will not go into the heavenly voice mail in Jesus name.

16. Lord, raise for me godly destiny supervisors.

17. Wind of destiny; blow me to the correct location for my allocation in life.

18. I break by fire every curse, spell and covenant of disfavor in Jesus name.

19. Thank you father for your quick answers to my prayers of favour; I receive by faith in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER AGAINST DELAY AND DISAPPOINTMENT

 PRAYER AGAINST DELAY AND DISAPPOINTMENT

PRAYER POINTS

1. Thank God for what He has done for you this year. 

2. Let frustration and disappointment, be the portion of every object fashioned against my life and family, in the name of Jesus.

3. Every tie to polluted objects and items between my life and family, break, in the name of Jesus.

4. Every unspoken curse against my life, break, in the name of Jesus.

5. Every curse pronounced inwardly against my destiny, break, in the name of Jesus.

6. You inward curses, militating against my virtues, break, in the name of Jesus.

7. Let every spirit of Balaam hired to curse my progress, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.

8. Every curse that I have brought into my life through ignorance and disobedience, break by fire, in the name of Jesus.

9. Every power magnetizing physical and spiritual curses to me, I raise the blood of Jesus against you and I challenge you by fire, in the name of Jesus.

10. Father, Lord, turn all my self-imposed curses to blessings, in the name of Jesus.

11. Every instrument, put in place to frustrate me become impotent, in the name of Jesus.

12. I reject every cycle of frustration, in the name of Jesus.

13. I break the curse of constant disappointment in my life, in the name of Jesus.

14. I curse every spirit of disappointments, in my life, in Jesus name.

15. I destroy every altar of disappointments at the edge of success, in the name of Jesus.

16. Every arrow of disappointment and confusion fired into my life, backfire, in the name of Jesus

17. You spirit of disappointment, you cannot hold me ransom, so therefore pack your loads and get out from my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus.

18. Every disappointments in my marriage, be cancelled by the blood of Jesus.

19. Any power given the mandate to curse and hinder my progress, summersault and die, in the name of Jesus.

20. I shake off every spirit of disappointment and worry in my marriage, in the name of Jesus.