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John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me
that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (KJV) (Williams New Testament John 15:1&2) 1. "I am the real vine, and my Father is the cultivator. 2. He cuts away any branch on me that stops bearing fruit, and He repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more. When you accepted our Lord’s plan of salvation for yourself you tapped into a tree of life. This tree is Spiritual in nature, and so are all those that draw their strength from it. All scripture is given for you to profit from; and yes, sometimes besides just showing you the blessings the Lord will speak to you in the form of correction so that you can continue in the vine. Hebrews 12:5-7 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (KJV) While watching a movie recently the statement was made, “my parents ruined the first half of my life and my children the second”. Well with that being said what kind of parents would not correct their child; and in the end, for those that have grown up in a godly home, are you not glad for the correction? The fact is that before your conversion in Christ you spent much more time in the realm of the flesh and were limited to just outward things that you thought would bring peace; and now for you to continue on this new found path of life you will find that the Lord’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than yours. It now means that you will have to learn to walk all over again, this time by faith. Hebrews 12:8-11 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (KJV) So do take it personal Church when going through changes in life; what may now be described as growing pains. You will find that the way you used to do things in the past will no longer work, but God will show you a better way. God bless and don’t let go of the Vine. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)
As we begin our quest through the Word our goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all that we share. The word of God is living and powerful, which in turn makes all those that partake of it alive and strong in the power of God. Our goal is to rightly divide the word of truth, not only encouraging and building up the believers, but also pointing out the warnings of what happens as a result of disobedience. As you will see, consistently throughout the Word there is only one doctrine our Lord approves and responds to, while all others, which I would put in the category of denominations, will be discarded and burnt. 2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV) Bottom line, if the teaching and preaching is not coming from above through the Holy Spirit then you are getting ripped off and robbed blind. God poured out His Spirit upon all mankind so that He could establish a personal relationship with His people and personally dictate His plan of salvation to each believer. Anything else, or any other interpretation, will not hold water, and will make for easy kindling material. Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV) Your day of salvation is now, and the time for judgment is drawing nearer and nearer. Don’t let this slip through your hands, rather grab hold of the truth and continue moving toward the goal line. There is only one escape from this present evil world and it is through Jesus Christ who speaks in the singular that He is the only way, truth, and life. It is He who provides a life giving word so that you can stay nourished up in words of faith, and not die of spiritual starvation. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (KJV) We will do our best through the scriptures to point out who the one Lord is, and the one faith He gives credence to, so that you can be built up and furnished unto all good works. Please, for your sake, don’t just take our word for what is printed here; take some time and hear the Lord for yourself so that you can know who you are in Christ. God bless, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 28:19-21 He that tilled his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. (KJV)
This week we have talked about faith, your ability to hear the Lord for yourself, and then stepping out in faith and seeing His results. The flip side of faith is unbelief, where one becomes fickle and easily swayed with things of this life. That’s where taking up your own spiritual cross and dying to self will go a long way toward experiencing an abundant life in Christ. Mark 4:16-19 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (KJV) Fickleness and double mindedness is on our end and not the Lord’s. You can take faith and salvation as far as you can, or you can allow it to suffer a premature death by looking for results in the outward realm. A life in the past spent trying to appease the outward man should be traded in for a new life in Christ where you no longer allow the outward to dictate anymore. Mark 4:20-22 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. 21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. (KJV) This week we have talked about the abundant life that we have access to in Christ, and as you can see we can take this as far as we desire, or we can shut our spiritual ears and become blinded by the veil of the flesh. Take note of verse 22, there is nothing hid anymore. The Lord would like to show you personally all that He has made available to you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (KJV)
Strong’s Definition for Faithful - 4103 pistos (pis-tos'); from 3982; objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful: KJV-- believe (-ing, -r), faithful (-ly), sure, true. Isn’t that what you have been looking for all your life, someone as well as something trustworthy that you can rely on? We left off yesterday talking about someone greater to trust in, Christ, who is described as our only hope of glory. He is your only ticket out of this fallen world and into an eternal realm where all things are now possible and should be expected by the believer. II Thessalonians 3:3-5 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (KJV) Thayer’s Definition for Stablish - 4741 sterizo- 1) to make stable, to place firmly, to set fast, to fix 2) to strengthen, to make firm 3) to render constant, to confirm (one's mind). God sent His Son so that you could be delivered from the evil of this present fallen world; not tossed around like some tumble weed in the wind. Some of the heartaches and misery you suffer could be avoided. Instead of entertaining all those imaginations and illusions why not give ear to some words of faith which will keep you built up and not moved away from the hope of the gospel. Deuteronomy 7:7-9 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people. 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh King of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (KJV) What a deal we have access to! You are able to serve a God who promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us, and has given a book full of promises that shows you the end result; and guess what Church you win! He is faithful; now all He asks in return is that you follow suit. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 10:10-11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (KJV)
Why, at times, is there so much noise and opposition? Well, there is an enemy of our Lord that goes about seeking who he can devour; and he will do all he can to try and distract you from hearing the Lord on how to walk in this new life He made available to you, and to all mankind. The way things look; many are not partaking of this new life in Christ, and have let the enemy rob them blind. Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) The same Christ that was living in Paul is living in you as well. You have this new life in you, and it will only come to fruition when you give more attention to the inward man and less to the outward one. In order to resurrect into the new life there has to be a death first; and that would be to our old man and its deceitful lusts which will never bring peace. If the spirit of Christ is not alive and well and working in your life it is not because He wasn’t willing; it’s because you became weak, which simply put, means you leaned back to your own understanding. Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (KJV) You are surrounded with a heavenly cheering section, seated above because they gave ear to the Author who not only showed them how to begin in faith, but to finish as well. Jesus Christ died to the things of this life so that you could have access to a new one. I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV) Our own carnal mind and ways of trying to reason can be our worst enemies at times. With so much more life available for you today why not look to someone so much greater? This abundant life will not be found in the outward, but will manifest only by giving ear to the Spirit of Christ within. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philemon 1:4-6 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Strong’s Definition for Effectual - energes (en-er-gace') -- active, operative; effectual, powerful. Salvation should not be a one and done experience, but a way of life that will never end. When you pray about a situation is it your intention to get some real results? Of course it is! And it is the Lord’s desire for you to see all that He has blessed you with spiritually. In order for your faith to be active, and working on your behalf you will need to keep in constant communication with our Lord so that you can see and hear how to put this faith into action. James 5:14-16 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 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. (KJV) Sometimes sickness is a result of a lack of communication, where the believer is giving more ear to the deceiver than to the promises of God. These sicknesses are not just limited to the carnal realm; rather, a lack of faith has caused a breach between you and God. Too many times mankind plays the blame game whether it is with each other or even blaming God for what basically amounts to a lack of faith. A simple self examination and confession can deliver you from unbelief and back into the effectual working of your faith where you belong. Ephesians 4:13-16 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV) We all have our place and calling in the body of Christ that we need to fulfill. When you are not operating in faith you are no longer effectual in what our Lord is asking of you which affects not only you, but the entire body of Christ. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 10:9-10 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)
There is a door that was opened some two thousand years ago so that you the believer could enter in and find new life. This door is not something you can see, hear, or find in the outward realm; rather, it is something that can only be accessed in the spiritual realm. God is a Spirit and can only be worshipped in Spirit and in truth. True worship is to reverence or respect, and it is not just some silly song and dance where you stand in a trance and wave at a ceiling; it is a way of life. So in order to obtain life, an abundant one at that, you will need to know how to access this door, and then enter in. Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV) Where’s the Lord standing in your life and priorities today? Is He still on the outside or did you open up and give Him a warm reception? A simple way of describing the verses above would be faith, your ability to hear the Lord’s voice and respond to what He is saying. Communication is a two way street; one where you not only make your requests to God, but then you give ear to what He is requesting of you. It’s sad to say that this is where many fall away into the abyss of unbelief, keeping the door of their heart shut and not listening with their spiritual ears to what God is speaking to them personally. Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.(KJV) When reading the Word you should be able to picture yourself in the same situation as Enoch. You too have been translated and allowed to go before the throne of God with your prayer requests; and in return He will let you know what He is requesting of you today. Without this communication the door is shut and you will find yourself on the outside instead of inside where you belong. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 5:4-7 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (KJV)
This week our goal has been to give you a basic overview of the plan of salvation, and the hope our Lord sent to us. Anytime you see ‘hope’ or ‘hoped for’throughout the Word it refers to expectation of good, or a victorious outcome. You will find that salvation is not based on your works anymore, but faith; learning to yield to someone who would like to work on your behalf, if you let Him. Colossians 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (KJV) Sometimes we are our own worst enemies, especially when we lean back to our own understanding. You will find that as you continue on the path of life many will fall away; because even though they began so well in the Spirit, they returned back to the ways of the flesh thinking they could achieve perfection on their own. Now that you have begun to walk in the Spirit it is imperative that you stay in this realm if you desire to see the Lord’s outcome of what He expected for you. Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (KJV) You will discover that our Lord’s realm is described as a mystery, something hidden or concealed to the carnal man, but readily revealed to the spiritual one. As we go along through the Word we will see who and what this mystery involves so that we can personally know for our self how to plug into this power source from above and keep our hope planted in this fertile soil. Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV) All the promises of God are on the table today and there for the taking. I hope you grab hold of what is rightfully yours; a shield of faith which quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy. God bless and expect the best. Ephesians 2:11-14 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (KJV)
Think of salvation and the new life you are walking in as a mother who is expectant with a new life within. Your life before Christ was one of no hope, a dead end filled with illusions and deception which only brought forth heartache and failure. A woman with child will often say they are expecting, and your new life in Christ should be the same, expecting new victorious outcomes to birth and spring forth. Ephesians 1:17-19 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (KJV) Just like ultrasound machines and x-ray devices help you to see the new life within an expectant mother; your eyes have been enlightened to see within so that you can see the new creature coming to life in your spirit. This new creature within is full of power and might, but only if you believe. You need to know and not just guess that this power is available to you also and not just for a select few. All these promises we see throughout the Word are there for the taking to those that hold fast and bring them to term. Colossians 1:3-6 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: (KJV) This plan of salvation which God sent our way is based on His grace, and not our works. My hope and prayer for you this day is that your hope and expectation of good will come when you look above and not limit yourself to the things of this world. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of our calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (KJV)
Throughout the Word when you see hope mentioned you will find the word expectation accompanying it. When you pray, do you really expect the Lord’s outcome, or do you jump to conclusions thinking maybe He forgot, or just didn’t hear you? That should not be the case at all Church because you have entered a realm where you serve the best, and nothing short of the best should be expected. Hebrews 3:5-6 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (KJV) Some of us have a wait problem; where instead of discarding the excess spiritual weight in the form of cares and concerns of this life, we hang onto dead things that weigh us down. It’s not that the answer isn’t available; it’s just a matter of allowing it to manifest. You may have prayed to God in your time, however our Lord responds in His. Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) There are times where you will pray about something, and then wait for it to manifest. Sometimes you grow weary waiting for the answer. A daily renewing of the mind will keep that hope alive and within reach for all those that continue in the faith. Isaiah 51:3-5 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. 4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. 5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. (KJV) Dearly loved, remember, patience is a virtue. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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