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Good day. Today's video Equal One is on the topic of "Are you equal (meaning in agreement) with God? Jesus Christ thought it not robbery to be equal (in agreement) with God, and we too should also be of the same mind set. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Miracles is on the topic of miracles which are still possible with God. We have been given a great cloud of witnesses that have proved God and his Word. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Throughout the Bible there are accounts, not stories, of the signs, wonders, and miracles of God which followed those who believed and trusted in the Holy One of Israel and did not limit Him, but wholly followed Him regardless of what others around them had chosen to do. Another word for believe is faith. Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (KJV) Notice, all these occur according to what God wills and not men. Signs means an indication or a token of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him. Miracles are a display of God’s power that cannot be understood by the carnal mind, but are known to the inner man who wonders of this thing done, and is made known to those who believe, who have faith as a grain of mustard seed that their eyes and heart are enlightened to the mighty works of God. The greatest of miracles is salvation. Luke 7:20-23 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (KJV) We were once all these, but have been miraculously healed in all when we accepted Jesus Christ. How much more of a miracle can you think of that changed your heart in an instant? And when one more enters into the body of Christ you see a miracle taking place. God is merciful; he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. He does not look on the outward but on the heart of men, and the plan or will that he has for them. He is ever watching and waiting for men’s hearts to turn unto His Son in repentance that they might not perish. Men will for a season turn to God when they see or partake of a big miracle. Many partake of miracles in their life whether they realize it or not, but how many turn back to the Lord and glorify God for that which was done on their behalf? You hear about miracles of a person or animal saving someone from sudden destruction, and yet how many stop and thank God for working through them or the animal to save the person? How many times have you seen or heard of a situation where something miraculous happened that saved a life; and have you or others given credit to an angel, to Jesus, or was it given to God? Many give credit to the creation and but few to the Creator of heaven and earth. Miracles happen every day; do you have your senses exercised to discern them? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are a miracle of God and have been from the beginning. God bless. 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. Isaiah 40:29-31 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)
Have you ever gotten in hurry only to end up frustrated by red lights; you know those days where it seems like we hit them all? Christians are like that, they get in a big hurry and then get frustrated and worn out because they get ahead of our Lord and act before hearing all His instructions. When driving, red means stop because it allows other traffic to move to the place they need to be, while you need to wait for the green light to proceed. Of course it goes without saying the perils one can get themselves into if they don’t wait and decide to proceed on red. Besides the trouble you get yourself into by breaking a simple law, it can hurt and affect others as well if you don’t obey simple instructions. The same holds true spiritually; many are used to man’s ways and timing, which seems to get more fast paced daily, and miss God’s way and timing, especially that patience part. There is definitely a big difference between man’s patience and the Lord’s. Knowing the difference can save you a world of hurt and frustration so that you don’t end up so weary and utterly falling short. Psalms 145:14-15 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. (15) The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (KJV) Oh but I prayed and the Lord didn’t answer me so I just went ahead anyway. Well no wonder you fell as verse 14 makes reference to, and need to be picked up and dusted off again. Was it so much that the Lord didn’t answer your prayer, or maybe He didn’t answer it the way you thought He should, or in the time you thought was appropriate? Has the Lord failed you or any other of His people before, or was it you that failed to wait until you knew it was time to proceed forward, you know like getting the green light? So if you were the one that took off before the light changed, is it the Lord’s fault you ended up in a wreck and had to speed dial 911? Psalms 123:1-2 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. (2) Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (KJV) Think of a waiter, interesting name isn’t it for one that waits on customers in a restaurant? If the waiter is in a hurry and doesn’t get all of the order correct it ends up with a complaint from the customer and sent back to the kitchen to be redone. You know, my life before the Lord was one of always in a hurry, I never had time to do things right the first time; so think how frustrating it was when it had to be redone a second time to make up for my lack of patience in doing it right the first time around. Hebrews 6:12-15 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (13) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, (14) Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. (15) And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (KJV) It’s not like God has a history of failure, and it’s not like going to a casino where you hope to get a lucky break once in a while, but quite the opposite is true. I can’t think of anyone above God and neither could He, so when He made promises to Abraham as He has with all those that choose to believe Him, He swore it by Himself, guaranteed it in fact. What one needs to make note of though is, verse 12 points out not only hearing the message of faith but then being a doer of it, which sometimes includes patiently waiting on the answer. God’s word is forever settled in heaven and will endure, the question is will you be settled in His promise and endure to the end also so that you can obtain what is promised? Psalms 37:7-9 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (8) Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (9) For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (KJV) Oh by the way, did someone tell you this world is fair? If they did let me be the one to tell you it is not. Just like with negligent drivers who run red lights or drive too fast causing injury to others, man’s ways are not fair or just and never will be because they are stuck in a fallen realm and in bondage to their fallen natures. There are times you are going to endure grief, but be reminded that we are only on this earth for a short time and then our Lord is going to return and set things right, and put all those evil doers in their place. That’s why we are reminded that as much as possible we should live peaceably with all men. The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, because it causes one to react in the flesh rather than respond in a spiritual manner. Isaiah 25:8-9 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (9) And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (KJV) Red means stop; stop getting angry and in a hurry, but wait until there is a green light to proceed forward. Verse 8 reminds us of what is going to take place shortly for the body of Christ when they inherit this earth. When driving, one sets out for a certain destination and sometimes gets detoured or delayed for certain reasons, sometimes to avoid hazardous conditions. When driving forward in your walk with the Lord it is vital to be patient and endure to the end so that you can make it to the destination God intended for you also. Keep looking forward and forget what is behind, and wait till you see what God has for you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Williams New Testament translation for Colossians 3:15
15. Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts, for you were called to this state as members of one body. And practice being thankful. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV) In baseball an umpire makes the final decision which determines an outcome of a play, something that can be vital concerning the final score. In the realm of Christianity, being Christ like, it’s the peace of God that should be the deciding factor in all your decisions so that you don’t end up making a bad call. The word ‘rule’ has many interesting definitions, all of which mean the same thing; umpire, prevail, determine is another one, all pointing to the same outcome, or what should be the outcome for the believer. Is it truly the peace of God that rules in all your decisions, or are you still seeking peace in a realm our Lord said it didn’t truly exist? John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) Did you ever stop and realize that there is another peace the enemy would like you to fall for? I will give you a hint; it is located in a fallen realm. All through the Bible the Lord has given promises to God’s people that the devil has tried to imitate, and though it looks so good on the outside its results are empty and useless, vain would be another way of describing it. While God promises things that look impossible to us at times and yet are still peaceful, the enemy will try to entice us with something that is too good to be true because that is exactly what it is. While God will show you the truth of a matter as well as the consequences, the enemy will only show people the highlight reel of what they think they are missing out on and all that is available to those that choose temporal things over eternal ones. Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) You know, the enemy did try to entice our Lord with a false peace, one that looked so good to the outward but would have been an abomination to the inward man. While our Lord knew the difference between the peace of God and the short term peace of this world, there are many that have and continue to fall for a cheap thrill ride in the flesh, which like a roller coaster climbs slowly but comes down much quicker and crashes. Oh the things of this life can look so good, but remember the eyes of man are never satisfied; so what you went chasing after today will get old and you will be off and running after some other dead end fleshly desire that promises much and delivers nothing but heartache and misery. Knowing the difference, rightly dividing the word of truth so that you can separate soul and spirit, what is of the flesh and what is spiritual in nature, should be the deciding factor in your walk as well. Romans 4:16-20 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (17) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (KJV) This man Abraham was some 99 years old when a promise of a son was given to him. How easily it would have been to doubt and wonder, based on the outward circumstances and not an inward peace. We serve a God who gives life to the dead; situations that seem dead in our realm are alive and well in the realm of God ready to birth and spring forth to those that trust in Him. The just shall live by faith, a faith not in what is seen which is temporal, but rather in that which is unseen to the eyes of man but readily revealed to the eyes of our understanding. So what are you holding to today, and what is the ruling factor in all your decisions, is it based on the outward or inward peace? When I look at verse 20 and see the term staggering, it reminds me of someone that has taken a hit and is ready to go down, someone who got blindsided and sucker punched by the enemy. The peace of God is truly a ruling factor and passes our own understanding; the question is will you allow it to be a ruling factor in your life? 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (KJV) The enemy would like to show you a highlight reel based on sight, the outward one that entices the flesh; the only problem is the reality reel of consequences is kept out of sight and hidden to those that have been blinded. The path of life that leads to salvation is a spiritual one, a path not heavily traveled because many choose to walk the other way, looking for coming attractions rather than seeking one based on reality. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV) When you see the word ‘keep’, it means to guard and protect. We have been given the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to keep us from evil and show us the path of life. This peace is given to us for our protection so that we won’t get hit with a spiritual virus which can infect and pull down a believer. Keeping your spiritual senses exercised, discerning the difference between what is of God and what is being presented as being of God will keep one healthy and fit in the realm of the Spirit, while anything less will have you staggering and ready to fall face first in the realm our Lord provided deliverance from. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV)
Why should you expect the best? How about the fact that you serve the best, someone who always has your best interest at heart. When mankind was in dire need of a savior God gave us His best in the form of His Son Jesus Christ to restore the fellowship between us and Him, and give us the gift of life. When the answer to your prayers manifest you know it is of God because there is not a shadow of doubt that it came from Him and was just what you needed; at times above and beyond what you could have ever thought of or asked for. We have been reborn into a new realm of the Spirit by the word of truth so that we could tap into the tree of life and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, now becoming rooted and grounded in the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts. So when you come before the throne of God and make your requests, do you truly expect the best or are your prayers like throwing dice, hoping you will get a good roll? Romans 11:16-22 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (17) And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. (20) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. (22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (KJV) You know Church this tree you have been grafted into is not one of chance or luck, but rather a sure thing to those that partake of it. Actually you are grafted into the tree of life which is Christ so that you can now be an active participant in a new life. A branch can break off a tree because of high winds, or in the case of a believer winds of doctrine that blow through which causes one to doubt and speak words that cut them off from the source of life. What is the cause for the branch being broke off; simple unbelief. What allows you to continue to partake of the root and fatness of the tree; simple faith. The more one stays attached to this tree of life the more deeply rooted and grounded they become in it and bear the fruit of it as well. God is no respecter of persons and didn’t play favorites with His natural branches which were the Jews, and He has now allowed any and all that would call upon the name of the Lord to be saved and partake of this new life in Him. As long as you continue to remain rooted and grounded in the love of God partaking of this tree of life you to should be expecting the goodness of God in your life. Psalms 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (KJV) There are times that our carnal minds wander in the depths of despair, a shadow of death because we have allowed something to block the light from shining in. As a true believer in Christ one should be retraining, renewing their mind to think like our Lord, reminding ourselves that we are the head and should quit acting like the tail end. So once one is able to get their mind out of the gutter, that valley or low point in their walk, and recover themselves they are able to clearly see the answer the Lord has for them in verses 5&6. We have all experienced heartache and frustration in the past; trying to find peace in the dead realm of the flesh, exerting so much energy only to end up frustrated and defeated. Now that we are grafted into this new realm of the Spirit, a realm of victory, we need to be confident in the fact that surely, not maybe or possibly, goodness and mercy is now a part of my life and continues to follow me all, not just some of, the days of my life. God has prepared a table for you in His heavenly realm and is now seeking those that wish to be seated with Christ and partake of the meat of His word on a daily basis. The more you stay seated with Him the less you will be caught up and entangled with the things of this life, so that like with a branch, the fellowship won’t be broken again. Quite simply put, now that you are a part of the tree of life bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit you should continue to expect the best from our Lord and not expect the results you used to get from your past. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (KJV) You are a new creature, a new creation in Christ, old failures, old results, old excuses are now passed away and your life should be a totally new experience, one of confidence and peace as well as a newfound inner strength that you never knew existed before. When you pray and make your requests to God through Jesus Christ, where there was once a shadow of doubt there should now be a new expectation of confidence, boldness, and assurance that your prayers are heard and answered. What was once a life of a day late and a dollar short is now replaced by an assurance that in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Instead of being a loser and ending up with the short end of the stick, I can now expect my cup to be running over with living waters which flow from the heart and bring new life and shed light where there was darkness and despair. Are you living in the new today or are you still holding to the past, stuck in a valley looking for the way out? Do you really expect the best from God? Then start giving Him your best effort, because with what measure you give His way will come back your way. Sometimes the reason we don’t see our way out of a situation is because we don’t spend enough time seated in the heavenly realm to hear the message delivered by Christ and we end up stooping to the ways of the world. You need to spend enough time in the word of God renewing the mind so that you can take words like ‘I can’t’ or ‘it just isn’t possible’ out of your vocabulary and replace it with words like ‘I can do all things through Christ’ or ‘with God all things are possible’, and nothing I mean nothing is impossible to those that believe. A new creation in Christ means that what was impossible to man in his fallen realm is now possible and should be expected by those that are a part of this new realm, a new life made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. Isaiah 42:8-9 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (9) Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. (KJV) You know, when you read the news of the world it is not really news or anything new, but rather the same negative things resulting from a fallen world. People fighting and warring trying to find peace in a realm the Lord said was dead, and there is no life. When one partakes of the word of God they are able to partake of a totally new realm, actually a realm where the victory is guaranteed before hand, with a promise of goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. If you give God your best then you can expect the best in return, letting His word be your one true source of life. Expect the best, because after all you serve the best. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (KJV)
Stop, freeze, put your hands up; now honestly ask yourself, what were you just thinking about, was it something that would be of benefit to you or something that you will end up throwing a fit about if you continue to try to figure it out? It’s time to embark on a new spiritual exercise program, one where you start out in small things and with practice you become perfect, mature in the things of our Lord. How often do you spend time thinking about the things of this life more than the things of the new life we have access to in Christ? How many different scenarios do you play out in your mind on a daily basis trying to figure things out that you claim to have given over to the Lord in prayer? Does it all sound to simple, to easy and elementary for those that claim they are walking in the Spirit, when all along they still have some leaven left over in the bread of life that will continue to rise and infect the whole lump if not dealt with. It is a total retraining program and so opposite from the realm we have lived in, and walked in for so many years where the focus was solely on the things of the flesh, but now we have turned it over to an unseen God in heaven who is asking us to let His thoughts and ways be ours as well. Matthew 6:28-31 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (KJV) Instead of the physical raiment we wear, how concerned were you today with your spiritual raiment, you know the armor of God that you should be wearing for your protection? How well dressed are you today, and did you take the time to double check to make sure you were ready before you left? With all the riches and wealth that Solomon possessed and the incredible things he built with it, how many would stop and truly observe something as simple as a lily and see the beauty of God? How much more could you grow spiritually if you did a lot less toiling and spinning in circles thinking about things that the Lord said He would give to His people? Something to think about. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV) Now really, did you think for one moment that God forgot about you, or maybe He forgot to write down your request? Sound silly or farfetched, but isn’t that what we are saying when we start allowing doubt and fear into His temple, which we happen to be? You know as a parent, or those who have been and raised children, was there ever a day that went by that you forgot about one of your own? Is there a day that goes by even when they are gone that you don’t still think about them and wonder how it is going with them as well as holding them up in prayer? How much more do you think your heavenly Father has considered His people, being the fact that He created you and planned your life before the foundation of this world, and then we have the nerve to doubt Him? Psalms 139:17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (18) If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (KJV) How about this, you have a heavenly Father that never sleeps, that is on duty all of the time and His thoughts toward us are nothing but precious, providing His people the good and perfect gift from above, access to His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. With this in mind and more importantly keeping this in mind, do you really know someone else that could do a better job watching out for us? When you really stop and think about it, wouldn’t you rather have someone like that in control, someone that can guarantee victory before it takes place? So now I ask you again, what were you thinking? Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) How much better, how much more peace would there be in your life if you could just keep your thoughts in line with the Lord’s? No wonder the Lord said that His burden was easy and His yoke was light, because the more you give to Him the less you have to carry around yourself. For myself, sometimes I have acted like the Lord was a hit or miss thing, like He has let me down so many times in the past and that once in a while it would be nice to catch a break, when the reality is that I am the one that had let Him down and He was longsuffering enough and patiently waiting for me to come into agreement with Him. So for today, if you are thinking or entertaining any other thoughts than what is described in verse 8, let it go; sift through what is of God and what is of your own understanding so that you can move forward in your walk and not be weighed down by unnecessary baggage that causes more doubt than confidence. Psalms 116:1-2 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. (2) Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. (KJV) You know God heard your request the first time you made it; so now it is not a matter of asking over and over again, but thanking Him for His answer and patiently waiting for it to manifest. The enemy will try to introduce reasonable doubt into your mind during this trial of your faith, so it is a matter of you keeping your mind renewed with the truth so that you don’t end up letting a little doubt get in and distort the truth. Matthew 6:32-34 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) While the world and its worldly people are blindly running in circles chasing things of this life, the Lord is showing His people a better way of life by seeking those things which are above. The just shall live by faith; so if your first priority is the Lord then everything else that is needed will be added, completely opposite of everything we have learned in the past. Before you start thinking about tomorrow, you haven’t finished today yet, so stay alert and don’t get ambushed by thoughts and ideas that are not of God and are not peaceful. So now, this moment, what are you thinking? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV)
That thing you petitioned the Lord about, was it something that would draw you closer to Him or was it something aimed more at the carnal realm, something that just might cause you more heartache than edification? True confidence in our Lord is to know, not just guess that He has heard you; actually knowing your petition has been heard; knowing you have what you desired of Him because you are doing what He is desiring of you. Simply put, are the things I desire of Him in line with what is best for my walk, or is it something that will have me walking in the opposite direction? James 4:3-4 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (KJV) If you have petitioned the Lord concerning a matter and the answer was no, then be confident in the fact that it wasn’t beneficial to your walk with Him. Rather than asking the Lord for something that would feed and benefit the spiritual, you are seeking after something that is resurrecting the carnal old man, something the world and its people are more apt to seek and pursue. The more you remain in this fallen realm and become friendly with the world’s way of thinking, the less confident you will be in the things of the Lord; and rather than being an asset to His body you are just an ass set in your own ways. The will of God is for His people to be delivered from this present evil world, the love of money being the root of all evil. So to remain confident in the realm of the Spirit one needs to be walking in accordance to the will of God, then they will know their petitions are heard because their desire and the Lord’s will be one in the same. James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV) You know, when the Lord provides His answer to His people there is no doubt about the fact that it came from Him. When the Lord does something, there is no variation or any shadow of doubt, but everywhere you look you see that what was needed was supplied by Him in a way above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought. That job you were seeking, the Lord opened a door in a place you hadn’t even thought of, something you were best suited for. When the Lord opens the door and the petitions we requested of Him manifest, it comes upon the person and overtakes them without their own doing. Some people try to make things happen, fabricate situations and events to make something appear to be happening from the Lord, rather than letting patience have its perfect work so that they are not lacking anything, especially confidence. 1 John 1:3-5 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (KJV) There are no gray areas with our Lord; and there should not be doubt and confusion with His people. If your fellowship with the Father is true then you know that it can only be established through His Son Jesus Christ so that the joy of the Lord is full, not just partial or some of the time. True communion with our Father, which is what fellowship means, is to communicate with Him, to stay in communication and continue building a confident relationship based on trust and commitment, similar to a marriage. Two cannot walk together unless they be in agreement and stay that way; otherwise there will be a parting of ways. So don’t settle for anything less than our Lord’s perfect answer from above when making petitions, because the enemy is looking to throw you a changeup and get you swinging at the wrong pitch. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV) A true worshipper of God is one that is a doer of His word and not just a hearer. Those that truly know the Lord worship and reverence Him seven days a week in spirit and in truth, not just standing in some building looking up to the ceiling and waving at it on Sunday mornings. Again we see the same pattern, if one desires to have their petitions heard then they need to hear the Lord and respond to His petitions for His people also. If you wish to provoke others to love and good works, then a confident lifestyle in what the Lord is doing through you will be more edifying than all the song and dance, the so called worship that goes on, basically people doing their alms before each other. My take on all this silly singing and hands in the air so called worship is that spiritually empty people are trying to make up for their lack of knowledge by some outward show. And here is another thing, why do so many so called preachers think the only way they can deliver God’s message is in a fancy three piece suit? Most of these three piece suits are putting out two bit doctrines, though the outward may look good to man, God is still seeking the true inward one to work through. Remember the old song ‘You’re So Vain’, well so is all this nonsense people think impresses God. Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. (KJV) You can talk to God all you want, and make as many petitions to Him as you want, but if you truly want them answered then you need to answer His call and do the walk. Personally I like knowing my petitions are heard, and I like knowing that I can walk in the light of the Lord, knowing surely that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life so that my walk doesn’t end up like the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’, a continual pattern of heartache and misery. Psalms 84:11-12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (12) O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (KJV) When the sun is shining it is much easier to see the path of life than in the darkness. What a blessing it truly is to those that trust in the Lord; a confident relationship built by learning to walk in the Spirit and no longer living according to the flesh. Jeremiah 5:25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. (KJV) If your confidence has been waning lately, if that light that was shining in the heart has gotten dimmer, if you are not sure that your petitions are being heard, then it is time to do a spiritual inventory and find out if you are in the place you need to be, seated in a heavenly place with Christ and not so entangled with the affairs of this life. Remaining confident in the Lord is based on remaining seated with Christ and not moved away from the hope of glory in Him. Psalms 15:1-3 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. (KJV) Abide means to continue; so if you wish to continue with the Lord then it is contingent on being a doer and not just a hearer. Talk is cheap, but a walk with our Lord is deep, and will bring you into a deeper relationship with Him if you are willing and obedient. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation for Hebrews 4:16 16. So let us continue coming with courage to the throne of God's unmerited favor to obtain His mercy and to find His spiritual strength to help us when we need it. Have you ever seen in a show on TV where someone is walking towards the office of an important person and along the way someone tries to stop them from entering? And rather than heed the warnings the person marching through the hallway walks right in despite being told not to? This somewhat illustrates the boldness we should be walking in as well; a confidence that despite the principalities and powers in heavenly places that would try to keep you from going unto God’s throne of grace, especially in a time of need, you have every right as a child of God to go before His throne of grace with your requests, not only for yourself but for other members of the body, and receive His answer to them as well. So despite the opposition you will encounter, especially the closer you get to God, the more determined and bold you should be to anyone or anything that would try to impede your progress. So continue operating in the manifold wisdom of God, and remind any principality or any prince of the power of the air who you are in Christ and to step aside, as you are going to obtain the mercy and grace you are looking for. Fight that good fight of faith and don’t give in so easily or take a fall, but rather keep moving forward and don’t let anyone talk you out of the answer to your need this day. Hebrews 10:19-24 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (KJV) Strong’s definition for boldness: 3954 parrhesia (par-rhay-see'-ah); from 3956 and a derivative of 4483; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance: KJV-- bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly (-ness). You know that if you had legally bought and paid for a ticket to the theatre and the usher tried to stop you from entering, I would imagine you would be quick to point out your right and authority to enter in. Are you as confident, bold, and assured of your right to come before God’s throne of grace through His Son Jesus Christ or are you just hoping that maybe your requests will get through? Your right to the throne of grace has been bought and paid for in blood by the sacrifice of His Son; so now you have every right to draw near to God with a true heart in full of assurance of faith in what His Son accomplished on our behalf. However, if you are not sure and are not holding fast to this profession of faith without wavering, then you will have doubts and fears that your requests are not being heard or responded to. You know this confidence you are building and demonstrating, it can definitely be an inspiration to the brethren also, provoking them unto a love for God and being a doer of His good work. This access, this plan of salvation is yours for the taking, today, right now, so don’t let anything or anyone stop you or your prayers from being heard and responded to by our heavenly Father. Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) 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) Paul knew His rights and authority in Christ and was bold and confident in the fact that no one or no circumstance was going to separate him from the love of God and His eternal reward of inheritance. While some people wallow in pity parties thinking we are just sheep being led to a slaughter, Paul was quick to remind and provoke the brethren unto love and goods works, that in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us, that love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So while others may struggle at times and forget the rights and authority we have by the name of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that one of the ways to provoke unto love and good works is to remind and encourage one another of the victory we have by His name. I can tell you boldly, that the people of this world who engage in lotteries and end up with a winning ticket will stop at nothing when it comes time to cash it in and collect on what is theirs. God’s desire for His people is that they would be just as bold and confident to come before His throne of grace as well and receive the spiritual blessings He has for His people which are rightfully theirs, those that call upon His name and respond in faith. 1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (KJV) Again we see that being a doer of the word accompanies our confidence we have in the Lord. You won’t have one without the other; so the more you practice what you preach, the more proficient you become at it. Practice makes perfect, a perfect love which casts out all fear and allows one to continue in a confident relationship with the Father based on a love and trust in His word. So what are you holding fast to today, and what are you confident in, your own works or the good work your Father has begun and would like to continue to perform in you? Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV) Your love and good works that you are building a confidence in, is what Jesus Christ has begun; and I pray is continuing to perform within in you, enduring to the end. So today if you sense that confidence is waning, or maybe you are not quite as sure of what you should be doing, maybe you need to let go and let someone else be in control, letting Him increase and your own thoughts and ways decrease. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thayer’s definition for confidence:
3954 parrhesia- 1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech a) openly, frankly, that is, without concealment 2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance Confidence, boldness, assurance; where do these come from and how can I maintain this in my walk, knowing who I serve and how to be an example of the believers? Is this something that just happens once in a while or is this something I have access to all the time? Is having confidence in the Lord and the good work He has begun in me something I can continue in or was it just something I experience periodically, is it just for certain special people? Be assured Church, that God would like nothing better than to see His people operate in a boldness and assurance, as well a confidence in their walk and in their prayers so that they can know that not only are they being heard, but answered also. 1 John 3:21-23 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (KJV) You know all those prayer requests you make to God, well He requests things in return, like being a doer of the word of God and not a hearer only. Verse 22 is clear to point out our responsibility in order to receive our requests. Are you as quick to respond to God and His word as you want Him to be when you request His help? Remember, this relationship you have with your heavenly Father is a two way street. He answers you and desires for you to answer Him also. You wonder at times why your prayers don’t seem to be getting answered or maybe you don’t have much confidence in what you are doing. Maybe you are not in place you need to be or maybe you are pursuing a matter that is drawing you away from God instead of closer. The more you are a doer of the word of God, a go to guy that responds to the call of our Father, the more confidence you will have when you make your requests to Him also. Simply put, with what measure you give out is given back your way; so if nothing seems to be coming your way you may need to find out if you are going the right way. Nothing in the realm of God just happens by chance or luck, which by the way none of these two words should be a part of any Christians vocabulary, but rather all the promises of God are a definite done deal to those that are willing and obedient to His word. You will find that the more you respond to God and draw near to Him the more He draws near to you as well; and the closer you get to Him the more confident you become in His word and promises. The farther away from Him you are the harder it is to hear His voice and to know what He is asking of you. So the farther away from Him you are, the more you are removed from the confidence and boldness you may have once had in His word, like the term dull of hearing. Williams New Testament translation for 1John 3:20-23 20. because if our consciences do condemn us, God is greater than our consciences, and He knows everything. 21. Dearly beloved, if our consciences do not condemn us, we come with perfect confidence to God, 22. and we obtain from Him whatever we ask for, because we practice obedience to His commands and do what pleases Him. Before you get all worked up or think God doesn’t answer your prayers because He loves you less, the truth be known He is desiring for you to get to know Him better and accomplish His perfect will in you. However, He does expect you to practice what you preach, to follow through with your commitment with Him. The same diligence you have shown in the past to achieve your earthly desires should now be aimed at His desire and what is pleasing in His sight. You wish to have confidence in your walk with the Lord, then answer His call and walk by faith, and you will find the Lord answering your requests as well. 1 John 5:13-15 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) When one believes on the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, then they believe that truly He that is within them is greater than anyone or anything in this fallen world. You trust in the name which is above all names, the only name in which you can have salvation as well as access to the throne of God. Your confidence is built on the completed work Jesus Christ has done on your behalf, and now your only desire is to do those things that are pleasing to God, which is why you know He hears you. You are also confident in this fact that God said that there is one mediator between Him and mankind, that being Jesus Christ. So if I come to my Father through that name, then I now can come boldly to His throne, holding Him to be true to His word. The more you hold God to be true and man the liar, the more confidence and trust you will build with our Father. While most of the world and worldly people are more apt to hold man’s word and interpretations above God, we can clearly see why they are not confident in their walk with Him and why their prayer life is not effective at all. 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) Talk about hitting the tri-fecta, there is definitely three things every Christian should have in their walk, boldness and access with confidence. Again we see this is all a result of the Lord’s purpose for our life, which is being purposed to us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Now be forewarned, you will experience opposition when trying to access the Father, especially from the principalities and powers that would like to keep you in darkness. But it is up to the Church, those that know who they are in Christ and their rights and authority they have by that name, to continue to operate in the manifold spiritual wisdom of God and walk according to His purpose. In all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us; so rather than giving ear to the voice of the enemy and withdrawing, tell him to step aside and get behind you, as you are going to proceed forward and not draw back. The devil is a liar and the father of them; you know the truth that has set you free, so don’t be afraid to remind the enemy who you are in Christ and confidently remind your opponents the victory you have by that name. 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) The closer you get to God, the more opposition you will find getting there. Similar to a football team driving down the field to the end zone, they may move the ball fairly well on one side of the field, but once they get close to the goal line they will find the defense stiffens and will put up a goal line stand. Those that have a heavenly game plan, following the purpose of our Lord, will know the name that will get them past the goal line and into the realm of the Spirit, while others will find themselves sacked and thrown for a loss. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV) The armor of God is spiritual, by putting on Jesus Christ you are putting on God’s uniform and protective gear, while anything less will leave you exposed and open to injury. Jesus Christ has already punched a trail past the goal line by following God’s plan; now the question is ‘will you follow the same path of a winner, or will you end up a whiner?’ God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Thessalonians 2:3-6 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: (4) But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (5) For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: (6) Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (KJV)
Flattering words are those that seek to please the people, which can actually beguile them as well if one is not saying what they truly mean. Say what you mean and mean what you say when speaking on behalf of our Lord. Many are more concerned with what people’s perception of them is rather than the approval of our Lord, which makes them more of a hindrance than an asset to the body of Christ. So how do you give God’s answer to people, is it the straight forward truth that will set them free or are you sugar coating the speech to make it more acceptable to them? When you are asked a question, do you give simple yes and no answers or do you feel it is necessary to explain yourself to people, trying to explain it in a way you hope they will accept? For those that wish to truly please our Lord you will find that trying to please God and man just doesn’t seem to work, like mixing oil and water, it just doesn’t gel. For those that are truly steadfast and unmovable in their walk, they will find that pleasing God alone may leave you on a narrow path, one that is not heavily traveled, but the only one that leads to our eternal inheritance. Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation for Matthew 5:37 37. But your way of speaking must be a simple `Yes' or `No.' Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Have you ever had someone ask you a question or make a request for you to do something and your answer was no? Then once you gave your answer there is a space of uncomfortable silence, where now you are expected or think you owe an explanation? This is exactly what the Lord is referring to here; keep your answer simple and to the point and don’t think you always have to explain yourself. Many of us have been brought up with the mindset that we need to be polite and do things just to please others, even things that are contrary to sound doctrine or something the Lord just isn’t asking us to partake of. Now I am not saying to be a jerk, but rather if the Lord asks you not to involve yourself in something, no matter how popular it may be to others, a simple yes or no answer is all that is needed to be pleasing to our Father. And don’t think you need to manufacture an answer just because someone else is putting the pressure on you, if you don’t have an answer at the time or if you are just not sure, then it would be in your best interest to leave it alone and not try to make something up that you will regret later. Sometimes the Lord just may ask you to not get involved even though at the time you are not sure why; but by letting patience have its perfect work, sometime later the answer will manifest as to why the Lord had you withdraw from it. Simply put this is just another way of saying we walk by faith and not sight. Basically what Paul is saying is that if you are always seeking to be a people pleaser, then don’t expect to be used by God. However if you chose His approval above anyone or anything else then you will be a vessel fit, ready for the Masters use. Psalms 5:8-9 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (9) For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (KJV) Have you ever seen people and the term ‘slick’ applies as a fitting nickname? Someone that always tells everyone what they want to hear, someone that just uses people for their own advantage? The reason there is no faithfulness coming out of the mouth is because there is nothing in the heart but two faced double talk; always the nice guy telling people what they want to hear and not what is really going on, which aptly describes many of the so called pastors and teachers we have around today. Are you able to give a straightforward answer concerning the kingdom of God or do you skirt the truth leaving out the essentials so as not to offend anyone? When someone asks your response to an issue are you able to respond with what is pleasing to God or are you more concerned with mans opinion of you? If someone asks you to get involved in something that is not peaceable, something you know is not of God, do you feel the need to explain it in a way they will accept, sugar coating it, or do you just give a simple yes or no answer and let them ask God for themselves if they are really concerned? We have way too many people pleasers preaching and teaching things they shouldn’t be for their own advantage sake and not the Lord’s anymore, which will have dire consequences to those that follow these wishy washy doctrines. Ephesians 4:29-30 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV) Sometimes what is edifying to the hearers is not always something that is pleasing to them, but something they needed to hear. One of the ways many corrupt the true communication that should be coming from the mouth is by flattery, people pleasing, someone that should have been a minister of grace is now a disgrace in the sight of our Lord. It grieves the Holy Spirit to see the true intention of God watered down by those that don’t have the spiritual spine to stand up and tell the people what they need to hear and not just what they want to hear. When you were raising your children and all they were concerned with in their diet was things that had sugar and spice, things that they thought were nice, did you cave in and give them what they wanted or what they needed? As one matures, and this does include maturing in the Lord, you find out that in order to grow strong it will take a much better diet than that to maintain a healthy body. So it is not only a matter of what you are feeding yourself spiritually, but what are you feeding others around you as well? Is it simple truth that will build them up and edify or are you halting between two opinions seeking the favor of man and God at the same time? Psalms 12:1-4 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (2) They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (3) The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (4) Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (KJV) Ever hear the term two faced? Well we have a lot of two faced people that speak from both sides of their mouth because of a double heart, which makes them double minded and unstable in the things of our Lord. So who is Lord in your life, and whose words are you speaking today? Are they spirit and are they life to the brethren or are they of your own tongue seeking your own desires? Don’t wait till it’s too late to find out, remember flattery will get you nowhere. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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