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Good morning. This week's video Spiritual is on the topic of 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; the Spiritual manifestation of the gift of Christ that was given to each of us when we were born again. 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 Living Waters is on the topic of now that you have been baptized into Christ start partaking of the well of life; the spiritual living waters given unto you in Him. 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 Perfect Storm Part 2 is the second video of a two-part series on the topic of having begun in the Spirit you can't mix flesh and spirit as they are contrary to one another and create a perfect storm within the believer.. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Please note: tomorrow we will be changing our website over to Doctrine of Christ Ministry; the new link will be http://www.doctrineofchristministry.org Have a blessed and 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. John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV)
The reason the disciples could not bear or endure sound doctrine at that time is because they were not born again, but rather still stuck in the carnal realm. The reason Jesus of Nazareth knew the things of God is because He was the first born into the realm of the Spirit, letting this Spirit of truth lead and guide Him and not the desires of his flesh. As good as an example this man was in demonstrating not only in word but in deed the works of God, even then He was instructing them to wait until the Comforter comes and is able to abide within them as well and let that Spirit be their guide. The Spirit itself was not speaking of itself and expounding in areas we were not able to comprehend, but rather would take the things of God and show them to us in a simple way so that we could hear God’s personal plan of salvation for ourselves and the place He has for us in His body of believers. When people spend more time pointing you to themselves and what they consider good works be assured this is not the Holy Spirit speaking through them anymore, but rather fallen people pointing people to the lower nature rather than pointing them in the direction of the one true source of life. The only comfort you will ever find in life is when you are able to know God for yourself and how to operate in the realm of the Spirit, giving more heed to His word and less to man’s. John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (KJV) Do you know why people miss the message of God and fall for some cheap imitation? Because many times people are looking to other people as their source of strength and comfort, and are not looking to the Spirit which is the only source of that comfort. The other reason many fall is because the person preaching a message makes it sound like without him they wouldn’t be able to make it in their walk. Folks, bottom line, if it is not the Spirit that is leading and guiding you this day; if it is not the Spirit of truth bearing witness with your spirit and renewing your mind, then you are not one of God’s people and you have already fallen from grace. If someone is pointing you in any other direction besides that which is based on truth, that being the Spirit of truth, especially toward themselves or some other prominent person they think is godly, then I would seriously think about pointing myself toward the exit, ASAP. You have a direct line to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, having sent the Spirit of truth for our benefit. Learn to trust in the inward man more than the outward one and you will get the results our Father intended for you in the form of peace, with a confidence and boldness to know that you are one of His people. God is able to speak through His people, but it is only when they allow the Spirit to speak and they stay out of the way. Like our Lord Himself said it is the Spirit that gives life and the flesh profits nothing; in other words, it is of no help or value. The more one is in tune and harmony with the things of the Spirit the less they will be pointing you to the realm of the flesh, or to any fallen man that thinks God needs them. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (KJV) You know why He is the God of all comfort? Because He is able to provide what is needed, spirit, soul, and body; the complete package. How many documentaries have you seen of famous people who had great talent in this world only to end up self destructing and having a meltdown? Not only did these people have talent, whether in the form of an athlete or an actor, or any other famous personality, they also had everything they could have desired of this world and yet could never find the true comfort that would bring them peace. All those in Christ shall suffer persecution; but be assured that as those sufferings abound so also will the consolation abound and bring comfort in time of need. The quicker and more alert one is to the things of the Spirit, the quicker they will be able to identify the answer the Lord is bringing to them through His spirit; while many others fall away and think they have done something wrong when confronted with these afflictions. The truth which will only come from the Spirit of truth is what will set you free and keep you free from fear and guilt; while those that don’t have their spiritual senses exercised will not know the difference between what is good and what is evil, keeping them in bondage to the problem and unable to access the solution. Williams New Testament translation of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the all-comforting God, 4. who comforts me in every sorrow I have, so that I can comfort people who are in sorrow with the comfort with which I am comforted by God. 5. For just as my sufferings for Christ are running over the cup, so through Christ my comfort is running over too. What are you going to do when that person that claims they have a hold on your salvation isn’t around? Well there is a person that is around always, one that promised He would be with you always, abiding with you forever. Isn’t it comforting to know that God has made this available to all, not just a few who think they are special, but to whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord? Where do you find comfort; where are you looking for the true comfort that covers all the need; is it in the realm of man which is temporal or temporary, or is it in the eternal one, the one that lasts forever? Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (KJV) You know, there are some fishy people out there with some fishy doctrines, which if something smells fishy then obviously it is. When you look to man for a spiritual answer you may end up with a cheap imitation, while if you are willing to look to the Spirit of truth then you will find the answer that brings comfort. Mankind is limited to what they can give, which usually has a price tag attached to it; while the gift of God is eternal life which was given to us freely through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Comforting isn’t it? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 14:37-38 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (38) Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)
The spirit truly is ready and willing to serve the Lord, while it is the flesh that is weak and would rather be doing something else. You know, if you were hired to do a job and the boss came around and found you sleeping on the job, how long before you think you might end up fired? Which is what will happen to those that are spiritually asleep and not keeping watch over their salvation. The flesh is weak because it is limited to this fallen carnal realm; while the spirit truly is willing, able to operate in a realm where all things are possible. As I look around this fallen world I see many that are weak because they choose to lean to their own understanding, things they can see, and not into the unseen eternal realm where one can have access to the Lord and the power of His might. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV) The Lord said many are called but few are chosen. As we see in verse 30 the many had become weak allowing sickness into the temple, and some are sleeping, in a spiritual stupor even to the point of death. Rather than examining themselves working out their own salvation, they gave in to the temptation of the flesh choosing an easier path rather than a straight and narrow one that leads to victory. Instead of watching and praying, exercising their spiritual senses to know and not just guess the difference between what was good and evil, they dosed off and let the enemy catch them with their guard down, making themselves an easy target. While you were eating and drinking in a place you thought was safe and healthy, you ended up ingesting a lot of poisonous doctrine, doctrines of man that catered more to the flesh than to the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (KJV) You know Church, there is still a law that is in play and that is the law of sin and death, which if the devil can catch a believer napping he would like nothing better than to have you put back under arrest and convicted. Once a believer has begun a walk in the Spirit it is vital to continue that walk, enduring to the end in order to obtain your eternal salvation. The more you walk in the Spirit the stronger you become, while on the flip side the more you stay in the flesh the weaker you are. As many as are led by the Spirit of God are truly the sons of God, and able to partake of His divine nature, operating in a realm so much higher and above all that we could ever ask or think of. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV) Sin, to put it in its simplest form, is unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief which stems from one choosing the carnal over the Spirit. Death is the result of sin, which is another definition of sleep, and for some it will mean eternal separation from God. The law of faith is what brought you back from the dead and enlightened you to the realm of the Spirit allowing you to walk in a new life by leaving the old one behind. Just like with the laws of the land here on earth, there is an order to the law of the Spirit; one must abide by the law of faith, living a life that is based more on what I hear from God and less by what my fallen nature tries to dictate as truth. So which realm are you in today; are you up and at it, ready, willing, and able to worship our Lord today in Spirit and in truth, or are you still on your backside, knocked down and unconscious because you got sucker punched? Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV) Once you enter the realm of the Spirit there are no laws or limitations on how far you can go, in fact you have just entered a realm that goes on for eternity. The question is how far are you willing to go? Well, if you are in the Spirit it never has to end; however, if you choose the flesh then it will come to an end, an end God did not intend for His people. When you pray and make your petitions to God through Jesus Christ you have tapped into a source of life that is not limited to what you can see, hear, or touch in this fallen realm, but it is able to do so much more above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought of on your own. In fact when you revert back to the flesh, that being your carnal mind, then you have taken the Lord out of the equation by leaning to your own understanding; you then open yourself up again to the law of sin and death which has now cut off the source of living waters, which if it lasts to long will result in death. Proverbs 19:15-16 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (16) He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. (KJV) Have you lost interest in your salvation; not as exciting as it used to be; instead of moving forward in your walk you have parked on the side of the road and are idling? Is the upkeep of your soul still your sole interest, or are you solely interested in what appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit? 1Thessalonians 5:5-8 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (KJV) There is a Son that shines eternally, it never goes down or dims, but rather is described as a daystar which arises in our heart and gives enlightenment to the believer. If you end up sleeping spiritually and in the dark, it is because you chose a dark fallen realm rather than the eternal one where there is no darkness, neither shadow of turning. Mark 14:38-41 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (39) And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (40) And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. (41) And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (KJV) When the enemy is heading your way and trying to bring you back under arrest will you be watching and praying so that you don’t enter into temptation, or will you be easy prey for him? The spirit is willing; the flesh is weak, and is a weak excuse for those that choose their own desires ahead of our Lord’s. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (KJV)
Luke 10:25-28 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (26) He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? (27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. (28) And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. (KJV) What do these two verses have in common? Well both verses deal with love, which is what the word charity means, and both deal with someone other than yourself. Now you are not going to go out and blab about all your shortcomings and sins to others, so the point being made here is why would you do it to someone else, especially those in the body of Christ? Most people, rather than deal with areas in their walk that can be a struggle or even something they know is sin, spend more time and effort covering it up rather than dealing with it truthfully. Those that do desire to deal with these issues and remove them from their lives do not wish to have them advertised or discussed in public, but are more apt to seek counsel from someone they can trust, someone who is not going to repeat everything they hear. Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (KJV) How would you like your situation handled? Especially if you were struggling with an area that you knew was wrong but you weren’t sure how to make it right. Do you consider yourself when hearing things about others? In other words, how you would like a little compassion thrown your way and not as much finger pointing. You know, the one without sin gets to cast the first stone; so again consider yourself, because as long as you are in this temporal body you too are subject to temptation and would not want your faults broadcast on the evening news. The restoration is brought about by those that are spiritual, those that are less likely to react in the flesh but know how to respond in the Spirit because they don’t think of themselves more highly than they ought. Hey why do you think these tabloids do so good and sell out? Because they pounce and prey on the weak, and then air the dirty laundry in public which appeals to man’s lower nature, but is an abomination to the divine nature our Lord asked us to partake of. Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (KJV) You wonder why people don’t want much to do with others sometimes; because if they didn’t have other people to talk about they wouldn’t have anything to say. It’s not hard to figure out either, that if all these gossip groups which call themselves a church spend a good part of their time and effort pointing out the faults of others then you can be assured that they will be ripping you to shreds too once you are out of earshot. Not everything you hear folks’ needs to be repeated or passed on, but by knowing the love of God you will be able to rightly divide and keep it in prayer; you know, in the realm of the Spirit which is spiritual and so are the people that keep it there. Remember when you wound the brethren, which can be inflicted by words, you are in essence sinning personally against Christ Himself, which is not a good thing. Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (KJV) Well if they weren’t sure about you being a fool before, all it took was a few minutes of listening to what was coming out of your mouth to seal the deal. Not everything that passed through your heart and mind is always healthy or needs to be spoken. Knowing the difference of when to speak and when to keep silence can be the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Oh you may know something about someone, but is it really necessary to be bringing it up at this time? Or maybe there is a more appropriate time and place to deal with it when it is done in a spiritual manner and not some self righteous carnal one. 1 Peter 3:8-11 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (KJV) Oh but somebody said something about you so now it’s time to set the record straight? Well how about going straight to your prayer closet and hearing the correct response before you lash out in anger and make matters worse. Are you your own defense lawyer who thinks he has to justify himself every time something is said? Because remember he who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. Do you truly love God and the new life He has given you access to? Then learn to keep that tongue in subjection to the Spirit so that the words you speak will be spiritual, bringing life, and not tearing down. Proverbs 11:12-13 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. (13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (KJV) So your neighbor said something about you, and rather than operate in the Spirit and being a man of understanding, understanding the love of God, you decided to dish the dirt on someone else and blow the cover off of your being a fool. If you were faithful, spiritual, and understanding of how the love of God operates, not just how it works on your behalf, but actually demonstrating it on behalf of others, you would have kept a lid on your mouth and not become some spineless talebearer. The restoration that could have been brought about by those that should be spiritual ends up in childish strivings and contentions by those that try and justify their fallen lower natures instead of operating in a mature divine nature. Proverbs 25:8-10 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. (9) Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: (10) Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. (KJV) Brown-Diver-Brigg’s definition for ‘infamy’: 1681 dibbah- whispering, defamation, an evil report a) whispering b) defamation, defaming c) an evil report, an unfavorable saying Ever hear the term ‘tripping over your own words’? Well that’s what happens when you put all those negative words out there, they end up snaring you instead. Which category would you truly say your life patterns? Is it one of love, loving others as you would yourself, or do you have the mentality of the world, climbing over others to get to what you think is the top? Maybe it is time to put a lid on it. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (KJV)
While some religious groups and organizations limit being fruitful to just the flesh, thinking that they have to have large families, being fruitful in the spiritual realm is what will be truly pleasing to our heavenly Father. It takes a healthy tree that is nourished on a daily basis to bring forth and bear this fruit, while anything else will leave one dried up and withering. Psalms 1:1-4 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (KJV) What kind of farmer would you be if all your crops were dried up and withering away? You wouldn’t last very long before you went out of business, because somewhere along the line you got some bad counsel that obviously wasn’t of the Lord. Unless one becomes rooted and grounded in the truth, planted and nourished with living waters from the river of life, you won’t last long in the realm of the Spirit either but will dry up and wither away, eventually to be burned. There are a lot of cheap imitations out there, those that claim they are of God but actually not rooted and established in sound doctrine, but rather holding more to man’s outward interpretations of what should be words that bring spirit and life to the believer. You may not realize it at the time or even in some cases are not that concerned about it, but eventually it is going to manifest what source you have become attached to or rooted in; which is either going to be fertile or sterile ground. John 15:1-3 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. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:1-3 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. 3. You are already pruned because of the teaching that I have given you. You know, some of that stuff you keep hanging onto or those so called godly counselors you think are bringing you life are actually pulling you down, not building you up. Rather than letting the Lord have His way, and pruning you the way He sees fit, you end up throwing a fit and are no longer fit for His kingdom. You have a choice in the matter, because one way or another something is going to get cut off, either the dead things in your life or your place in the kingdom of God and the body of Christ, so which will it be? You have been grafted into the tree of life, that being Christ the one true real vine, so as long as you continue rooted and grounded in Him you too will be the real deal as well. John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:4-6 4. You must remain in union with me and I will remain in union with you. Just as no branch by itself can bear fruit unless it remains united to the vine, so you cannot unless you remain in union with me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with me and I in union with him will bear abundant fruit, because you cannot do anything cut off from union with me. 6. If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown away as a mere branch and is dried up; then it is picked up and thrown into the fire and burned up. You know, you really have to put on some spiritual blinders to think that this one and done doctrine, this once saved always saved stuff flies with our Lord. Oh there will be plenty of flies, but we all know what attracts flies don’t we? Oh you can get saved and walk with our Lord, but don’t think for one moment that you can’t walk away either; sometimes without the person even aware it happened. Without Him, without knowing who Christ the one true vine is for yourself you can do nothing, notta, zip, zilch, ain’t happening, period. Keep in mind folks, that in the end when someone is gathered and cast into the fire it is on the opposite side of heaven and not the one they should have inherited. You as a child of God are responsible for bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and not just on certain days or during certain periods of time when people say they are holy or special, but being in season, ready to give an answer to any one that would ask of the hope within you. John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:7-8 7. If you remain in union with me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you please and you shall have it. 8. By your continuously bearing abundant fruit and in this way proving yourselves to be real disciples of mine, my Father is glorified. Whose words really have the most influence on you today? Are they words of life that remain a part of you, or is it something you have departed from? Out of your belly, or heart, should be flowing rivers of living waters bringing life to those around you, because you have remained rooted and grounded in truth, the one true vine that you have become a partaker of. If you truly desire to honor, or worship the Father, which is what the definition of the word glorified means, then for today stay planted and firm in His word bearing much of His fruit letting Him increase as you decrease. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (KJV)
What if you woke up one day and asked yourself honestly, are all these big religious groups all they say they are, or is it more of a show than reality? What if you honestly looked in the mirror and asked yourself, ‘am I really where God wants me to be in my walk and cleansed in His sight, or am I just blindly, ritually following some big name organization because people say it is the right thing to do?’ What if I was more concerned with the inward than the outward, and the blessings I am now partaking of are more spiritual in nature and not limited to just the outward manifestation or what appears to look good? Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV) What if I realized that a church is not just a building or some big name organization, but that I am the Church, the temple of the living God, and that I can walk with the Lord and let His word be my guide and not some big name hot shot preacher who is more concerned with the love of money than the love of God? 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) What if there was something called living waters, something that would cleanse me from the inside, would that be of more value than some old ceremonial washing and other dead end carnal ordinances? John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV) What if I could live my life free from guilt or sorrow, is this something that is available today, right now? Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV) What if the majority of people don’t believe in the simple truth of God’s word but rather make it more complicated than it really is; would I be wrong for not following the crowd? Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) What if I am not just talking about a few though, but rather a majority of people who don’t believe, does that make me weird or as some say self righteous? I John 5:19-20 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (KJV) What if I am not as popular as before my conversion in Christ, does that make me wrong if I don’t fit in with the old crowd or even my family? Matthew 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV) What if the Lord is asking me to move on and is separating me from certain situations, or certain people that are no longer healthy and building me up, would that be something He would actually be asking of me? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV) What if every time a question came up, or a situation arose in my walk, that I could go to the word of God and find the answer; would I take the time to do it, or would I keep looking in the carnal realm for a spiritual answer? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) What if you knew the word of God, and were able to respond with the word every time the enemy would come against you, who would that resemble? Matthew 4:3-4 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV) Instead of what if, how about what is? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (KJV)
Have you ever had a favorite sports team you cheered for? How about these big cities that have their franchises, teams that have been around for a long time and have a big following, ever notice how fickle the fans are if the team starts losing? Oh boy, once they get on a roll and make it to the finals then the fans come out of the woodwork and jump back on the popular bandwagon again, acting like they never left. Well if you notice in the above verse, team Christ is made the Head, in other words they are always in first place and they never have to take a back seat to anyone or any circumstance either. Do you always keep this in mind, or are you acting like someone just kicked your tail end? The Lord made you the head, He didn’t put you in last place nor are you last on His priority list either. But He chose to die on your behalf even when you were a sinner playing for the other team. Now that you are part of His team, how much better is your life, knowing you are in first place and have the opportunity to remain there as long as you are willing and obedient to His word? The Bible says if God be for us then who can be against us. Would you like to take on God and see how you fare? Well, many have throughout the Bible, and have failed miserably I might add. In fact weren’t you quite miserable yourself before you knew the Lord, and were enemies and alienated from the life of God by your carnal thinking? With this in mind, hopefully a renewed one, why do so many of God’s people walk around acting like the tail and not the Head, acting like they are in last place instead of first? Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) Hey speaking of head, how many hairs did you count on yours today? How about that sparrow that keeled over in your back yard, were you aware of that? Our Father in heaven was aware of it, just as He is aware of you and your need as well. So what was that hair count this morning, or did you lose count? Yet with this in mind we still doubt God or act like He doesn’t hear us or love us anymore, sounds rather birdbrain don’t it? A God that feeds sparrows and keeps an accurate head count of them is certainly not going to forget you is He? No, if fact your value is much more than a birds, just like one of your children would have more attention put on them than the birds in the backyard. So why all this fretting and fussing when you can’t even count the hairs on your own head, yet you have the audacity to doubt our Father in heaven? If you don’t like the results in your life then maybe you best be checking the direction you’re heading in and make sure it is the path our Lord intended for you to be on and not some dead end you chose to follow. Luke 12:24-26 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (25) And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? (26) If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (KJV) You ever wonder how the leaven got into the bread of life; subtly snuck in there when you weren’t looking or paying attention to details? Again we see an example of the birds, this time ravens which the word says God feeds them; did you ever stop and think about that? Are you not of much more value than these fowls? Yet that is how you act at times or think God sees you. Which of you being a parent would feed the birds and starve your children? That would be criminal and insane, yet that is how easy it is to drift off the path of life if one doesn’t keep a watch on the heart and monitor the mind bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. Consider the ravens; when is the last time you saw one drop over from heart failure because the stock market took a dive, or the price of fuel just rose another ten cents a gallon? Are we not better than these fowls, which is what is being asked in the above verses? In other words, when you cast all your care upon the Lord then do you leave it with Him letting Him do the caring for you? Or do you cast your cares upon the Lord and then like a fisherman reel them back in and reevaluate them thinking you can handle it yourself? Sound to simple, yeah that is the part we miss though, that simplicity. You know, instead of watching some hot shot preacher on TV tell you how to live, and how much better you could live if you show them the money, turn off the tube and look in the backyard and consider what is around you, right in front of you, and how simple the Lord would like us to live if we would only let Him be the Head of our life. Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV) ‘Come unto me’, get steered in the right direction, go to the Head if you wish to be the head and remain in first place. How did things get so complicated, how did you get weighed down with so much burden and heaviness? Well it started ever so simple, so subtle; just snuck right by you while you were looking elsewhere to find rest. Do you remember where they put the yokes? Yup right around the neck which is attached to the head. All this excess weight and baggage you have been lugging around was it something our Lord asked you to carry, or is it something the enemy packed on while you weren’t looking? The Lord’s burden is easy; in fact it is light, otherwise He wouldn’t have said it. But that only applies when you let Him have it and not try to carry the load yourself. Ever hear of the two-headed monster? Well, that’s what happens to people when they become yoked with something of this world, double minded and unstable, unable to do what the Lord is asking because they are too weighed down with the cares of this life. The yokes on you; now it would do you good to make sure you put it on the Head, and not the tail end or you will end up with a big mess. Hebrews 12:1-2 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. (KJV) Remember what comes out of a cloud? Did you know you are surrounded with a cloudburst, ready to rain down on you in the form of living waters? Let’s get rid of all this excess baggage which is a result of sin; sin being unbelief. Let’s start looking above to a man that is seated at the right hand of God, the man being Jesus Christ who not only authored but finished our faith, providing all that was needed so that we could run this same course, the course that is heading home. A spiritual race requires a spiritual leader, so why not follow one that ran this race and is in first place so that you will be also, and all those that follow His lead. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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