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Good morning. Today's video Powered is part 2 on the topic of the power of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Power is part 1 on the topic of the power of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Reminder is to remind you to let the Holy Spirit be your teacher; who will lead and guide you into all truth. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Slow Me Down Lord is a poem of prayer asking the Lord to slow us down so that we can run this race of faith and not be weary, or stumble and fall, nor faint before the finish line of eternal life. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video And The Oscar Goes To, is on the topic of God's Oscar for those who endure to the end. The body of Christ will be the winners of eternal life. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Book of Life Part-1 , is the first video of a two part series on the topic of keeping your name in the Lamb's book of life; in the end will your name still be written or will it have been blotted out?. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV)
How do you endure temptation; do you speak and hold to words of life, or do you blame others, even God? We talked yesterday about a man named Job, and though some claim that God just chose him to teach a lesson to, the hard way I might add, the question is, would that be a God you would want to really serve, or should I say, is that how you want to learn a lesson, having your life basically in shambles? I would say not, because that is not how God operates, especially with His people. However, it is the people that choose to end up on the enemies turf because of fear or doubt, which can result in sin which is unbelief. So before one goes pointing the finger at God and blaming Him for their enticements they allowed into the heart, it is up to us the believers to rightly divide the word of truth so that we can have a spiritual diagnosis for any spiritual situation that comes our way. What fits; what is consistently written throughout the Word that would fit a situation that we may encounter or read about, which applies to God and not man’s lower fallen nature? Proverbs 18:20-21 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV) Out of our belly or heart should be flowing rivers of living water which will bring life to ourselves as well as to others around us. However, if we have allowed something bitter, even poisonous into the heart, then bitter water will be spewing forth manifesting in death, separation from God and His kingdom. Just a reminder today, that God did not send a temptation our way, especially anything that is evil. So before you blame Him or anyone else you need to realize it’s your words that get you into these situations, and it is your words that will get you out of them as well, especially if they are in line with God’s. Job 3:24-26 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. (25) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. (26) I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (KJV) Oh but look at what God did to Job in the first 2 chapters, nonsense! Look what Job did to himself, and now take a second look at what is coming out of your mouth, and ask what realm have you put yourself into? We are either with God or against Him. So for those that walk in His light and speak His words, they will have life; while all others that choose a lie, will have death, separation from God and His intended result He had for them. So fast forward and ask yourself, ‘how did Job get out of his ordeal’, well it is quite simple actually. Job 40:1-5 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, (2) Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. (3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (5) Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. (KJV) So you’re frustrated with your walk; things seem stale in your life and all this fussing and blaming you have been doing just came back your way, on your doorstep. Nothing in God’s realm happens by chance or luck, but rather all the promises in Him are a done deal to those that hold Him to be true; while anything else will put you back in the realm of the dead, with dead end results. Thus why we are told to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, because the wrath of man and those negative words do not work the righteousness of God. How much sillier can people get, to think that God would randomly choose a man like Job and then give him all these bad things to deal with just to teach him a lesson; hey, would that be very comforting to think that God might do that to you also? No, not at all, and not according to His word, which is what we need to be speaking and stay in line with if we wish to avoid these hardships as well. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (KJV) God’s people have suffered hardship throughout the Bible, none of which was God’s intention for them. But He had so much more He would have liked to bless them with, as He does with you. When we read the accounts in the scripture’s, they are there for our benefit to learn from and to rightly divide the word of truth so that we don’t have to make the same mistakes as others; even those who were of God. But how are you ever going to know this unless you take the time to study the Word for yourself and hear God personally so that out of your heart and through your mouth will be rivers of living waters also. While some have even blamed God for Job’s calamities and are probably blaming Him for some of their own, the truth be known, that it is by our words that we are either justified or have entered the realm of condemnation again. So where do you stand today, or should I say are you standing? Or maybe it is time to put your hand to your mouth and stop the flow of bitter waters and allow some living waters to flow through again. Mark 11:23-24 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV) If you don’t like what has manifested in your life you might want to ask yourself ‘what is it that I have been speaking into existence, was it words of life or death’? The Lord said you will have whatever you say, which not only includes His realm but that of the enemy also if you put yourself on his turf. The Lord promised He would give us the desires of our heart. Now the question is, will you hold fast that profession of faith without wavering and not give place to the devil, whether in word or in deed? God bless and watch your mouth. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Job 1:6-9 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (KJV)
We shared previously about our place in heaven and the opportunity to go before the throne of grace to find what we need; that first and foremost being the spiritual need. As we also discussed, there is an enemy that patrols the heavenly realm seeking whom he can devour. A wolf, or to use another example, a lion in the physical realm will seek its prey by sight and sound looking for a weakness or weak area to prey on and then take advantage of that. Our enemy to the Christian works in a similar way; while the Lord says we are seated in the heavenly places and able to operate in a realm above and beyond this fallen realm of the world, the enemy is listening in from time to time to find a weakness in God’s flock and to see if he can take advantage of it. While many have wondered at times what happened to Job and why would God test him that way, or so they think God tests His people, remember the scriptures are given for our advantage to learn from and not make the same mistakes; and as we read on further we will see that what happened to Job happens to others who don’t hold their position in the Lord, holding fast their profession of faith without wavering. 2 Timothy 2:12-13 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (KJV) Know this also, that the enemy is described in Revelation 12:10 as the accuser of the brethren, basically running a smear campaign before the Lord to see if the mud he is slinging at them sticks. If it turns out that a believer has fallen and entered back into the fallen realm of the flesh and the enemy challenges their position, God cannot lie, even when it involves one of His people. It is vital that we keep a watch over our mouth making sure the words we speak are Spirit and life, not words that will separate us from our right standing with God. This is why it is so important that you as a believer in Christ know your rights and authority in the word of God so that you can continue strong in the Lord and not become easy prey for the wicked one. Job 1:10-12 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. (KJV) Did Job fear God for nought or nothing? Well obviously there was a fracture in the relationship because God could not lie and deny the fact that Job had put himself in the enemy’s realm and was no longer holding to a position of faith. God does not randomly pick His people to go through trials like this just to teach them a lesson, that’s nonsense, but rather it was Job that put himself in this position. Job 1:4-5 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. (5) And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. (KJV) So right before Job’s trouble, obviously there was an area of concern in his life, one that involved his own children, one he continually claimed involved sin and cursing. If we read the rest of this chapter we see the enemy had a field day against Job and even his grown children, which is what the enemy preyed on, his weakness and fear. Why would the word fear have anything to do with this? Job 3:24-26 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. (25) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. (26) I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (KJV) Ahh hah, all that roaring and sighing that had been pouring out of him; the end result of his calamities then was not God trying to teach him a lesson but rather the fear and doubt he allowed into his life which resulted in the enemy hearing the prey and then pouncing on it like a wounded animal. Are there things in your life that are entering the heart and coming forth in the form of words, words that are not building up but rather tearing down? Do you know how to pray effectively, or have you become an ineffective prey of the wicked one? 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV) The Word says we should be resisting steadfast in the faith, not giving the enemy an open door or a clear shot with his fiery darts. The enemy walks about seeking and listening, especially to God’s people to see and hear where they are at in their walk and if there is any weakness that can be used against them. The devil doesn’t have any power to pull you out of the kingdom of God, however if he can introduce doubt and get the believer to fall for a lie and then their own words will put them on his turf, that which is the artificial turf of this fallen world. Like a lion, as described in the book of Peter, a toothless one to those that know their rights in the Word, while others will be off and running to and fro at the roars of a loud mouth lying beast. Ephesians 3:10-12 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) This confidence, boldness, and access we have is located in the heavenly realm and is available now to those that choose to operate in it and realize that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. The more you hold your heavenly position the less likely you will be entangled in the affairs of this life. Will you resist steadfast in the faith, or will you be running to and fro with every wind and roaring doctrine of the enemy? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
The Lord begins this chapter encouraging the believers not to be troubled but to continue believing. You can expect opposition as you take your place in the body of Christ, because the more grounded you become in the Lord the more of a threat you become to the enemy. You have a place prepared and ready for you to take up residence in, but there is a spiritual enemy who will do all he can to detour you and try and keep you in this fallen realm. Only the truth will set you free and allow you to carry out your heavenly calling so that you can be a true resident of the kingdom of God in Christ. Ephesians 3:9-12 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Our fellowship with God, our citizenship with Him is described as a mystery, something hidden to the carnal man but readily revealed to those in Christ. There are principalities in the heavenly realm, like with a football team, the defense is stacked up at the goal line trying to deny you access to it. This principality, or as it is described the prince of the power of the air, the devil and his angels, will do all they can to try to talk you out of your inheritance and your rightful place in the body of Christ by attempting to deny you access to His kingdom. But to those that are in Christ and have His spirit bearing witness to their spirit, they will know the truth and boldly confidently access His kingdom by letting these principalities know who they are in Christ, and that these principalities need to step aside because they are going in. The only way one can know all the spiritual blessings they have been blessed with is by entering into the kingdom of God and staying seated with Christ to hear His doctrine of love and liberty in Him. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV) There is spiritual armor available to ward off spiritual resistance, so the more you keep the shield of faith up and operational the less likely you will be hit in the vitals with a fiery dart from the wicked one. Do know that there will be opposition to those that take up residency in their heavenly place, and that there are principalities and powers that will do all they can to pull you back into the realm of the flesh. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV) Strong’s definition for ‘persuaded’: 3982 peitho (pi'-tho); a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): KJV-- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield. Are you of the persuasion that nothing or no one is going to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? That no one or no being is going to keep you from accessing your heavenly reward? Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will continue in the faith grounded and settled and not allow themselves to be moved away or evicted from their heavenly place in Christ, but rather they will let the enemy know it is time to step aside as they go forward, and don’t let the door hit you on my way in. Luke 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth knew who He was in Christ and how to access the kingdom of God despite opposition from principalities in heavenly places. In fact He knew that God promised His people that they would be the head and not the tail, so He put the devil in his place by walking past him and leaving him behind. When you encounter persecution or obstacles the devil tries to put in your path, will you be as quick to respond in the Spirit and put him in his place as well, that being a fallen one, or will you get caught up in petty wrestling matches in the affairs of this life? The more you stay seated in the heavenly realm in Christ, hearing His message, the more you will continue to move forward in your walk with Him and not let anyone tell you different. The Lord has prepared a place for you in His kingdom, now put the distractions behind you and obtain what is rightfully yours. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV) The enemy is like a little tattle tale, slinging mud at the believers to see if it will stick. Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will be blameless, without spot before Him. Once you have been cleansed by the washing of the water by the word of God it is imperative that you keep clean so that the mud does not stick. While accessing your place in the heavenly realm, do know there will be opposition, but do keep the persuasion and the mindset that nothing will come before your love for God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord who is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realm with a place for you right next to Him. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (KJV)
Have you ever seen a parent chasing a child, especially a toddler that is just learning to walk and wants to explore a bit? Oh, that child just seems to take off in the most dangerous direction, many times thinking something looks more interesting there. We as Christians get like that also, especially in our youth, something looks interesting and we are off and running exploring areas the Lord is not leading us in. Just like with the parent chasing down the child, it is not that they were trying to hold back something from them, no matter how interesting it looked, but rather were asking for them to wait before proceeding in an area they were not familiar with and could end up hurt in. Those that have matured in Christ, which is what letting patience have its perfect work is, have learned it is much easier staying yoked with Him and not getting ahead of Him. A good time to be patient, not that there is a bad time, is during a trial of our faith so that we can hear the Lord’s instruction and continue in His perfect will, lacking nothing, which includes confidence. Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (KJV) Whoa! Stop! You made your request to the Lord now wait for it to manifest. The Lord heard you the first time you made it, now it is a matter of waiting, that patience stuff again. Yet a little while, the answer is coming and it will not be too late or delayed (which is what the word tarry means) as your mind keeps telling you, but rather in due season on time, the Lord’s perfect timing. Oh but what about the deadline, well that’s just what it is, a deadline, one you need to let go of and grab the lifeline instead. Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) What are you hearing right now, what is the message of faith the Lord asked you to grab hold of and not let go of? Not what your mind is telling you is going to happen, you know, like the worst case scenario we used to live by; but what is that Word that built you up and gave you the confidence in the first place telling you; is it still the one you will be holding to in the end? Again the Lord is saying, wait for me, don’t take off, quit drawing back to your own understanding but continue in the faith, believing that what the Lord promised He would deliver as well. It is our Father’s good pleasure to give you His kingdom, but how can you receive it if you are not there when it is given, but are off and running looking for an alternate answer? Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of Romans 5:3-5 3. And not only that, but this too: let us continue exulting in our sufferings, for we know that suffering produces endurance, 4. and endurance, tested character, and tested character, hope, 5. and hope never disappoints us; for through the Holy Spirit that has been given us, God's love has flooded our hearts. When trials or tribulations arise for the Word’s sake it is not something we enjoy, but our first response is to look for a quick escape. We need to look before we leap though so that we don’t jump into something worse than what we are dealing with already. The more one can learn patience and let it have its perfect work the more they will be able to identify their way of escape when the answer manifests; as well as knowing it is the Lord’s answer and not some quick short term fix. Rather than looking for someone to blame and putting a physical face to a spiritual issue, the truth will set you free and allow the love of God to continue flowing through your heart like a river of living waters. Romans 15:4-6 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) The patience and comfort of God is in His word, thus the reason why we need to spend quality time in it on a daily basis in order to be a partaker of it. It’s when we get ahead of the Lord or lose sight of His promises that we get in a hurry and start getting uncomfortable with the outcome He promised us. As long as you stay in agreement with the Lord, being likeminded and of one accord, then you will be speaking with one mouth and not double tongued or talking out of both sides of it. Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV) If you rely on things you can see, things that are temporal, then you will not have the patience to wait on the Lord. Our Lord operates in a realm that is not seen. Faith is the substance of our belief which is located in the realm of the Spirit, hidden to the carnal mind but readily revealed to spiritual people. The more you look into the unseen realm, the more you will see your answer and patiently, confidently endure to the end. So today, are you holding more to the word of God and less to the fallen realm, or have you fallen back into the realm of the flesh because you didn’t wait for God’s answer to manifest? Here is something to look into, could you imagine your walk with the Lord if you learned His patience and only spoke His word no matter what the outward circumstances try to dictate? Now that would be worth looking into wouldn’t it? I hope you do. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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