TRUST

THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.

TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.

IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).

THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS. 

WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?

BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.

THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.

     FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.

     LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

     SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.

WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.

MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

     BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:

     I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.

     HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

     A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

     AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.

THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM  5;11     BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.

IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?

I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.

FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.

I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.

I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.

I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.

I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44.  ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.

I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.

THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.

AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.

WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.

          * PART 2 COMING UP.

 

   

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WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE?

THIS IS THE QUESTION OF THE AGES.

FUTURE IS DEFINED AS “THAT WHICH IS BEYOUND THE PRESENT.”

MANY SPEND MILLIONS TO FIND OUT THEIR FUTURE.

PHYSIC HOT-LINES AND FORTUNE TELLERS ARE PAID THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR.

ARE YOU SEEKING TO KNOW YOUR FUTURE?

WELL, BELIEVE ME, I KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE.

A FAMOUS PRESIDENT’S WIFE CONSULTED A PHYSIC FOR HER HUSBAND WHILE MHE WAS STILL IN THE WHITE HOUSE. IT WAS SAID, AFTER HE WAS SHOT, SHE SOUGHT THE HELP OF A PHYSIC BEFORE ACCEPTING ANY OUTSIDE APPEARANCES.

THEY SCRIPTURES ARE COMPLETELY AGAINST ANY USE OF PHYSIC POWERS.

I TALKED TO A PALM READER ONE DAY AND SHE WAS SO DECEIVD: SHE TOLD ME HER POWERS CAME FROM GOD, AND SHE WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET HER TO UNDERSTAND, GOD WOULD NEVER GIVE POWERS TO ANYONE THAT WOULD GO AGAINST HIS PRECIOUS WORD. I HOPE I LEFT HER WITH QUESTIONS OF MIND THATWOULD CAUSE HER TO SEEK OUT THE TRUTH.

THE BIBLE CALLS THEM SORCERERS, WHICH IS DEFINED AS SUPPOSED POSESSORS OF SUPERNATURAL POWERS.

THEY USED WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS, DIVINATION, WHICH IS DEFINED AS AN ATTEMPT TO FORETELL YTHE FUTURE BY OCCULT (OR SECRET) MEANS.

DIVINATION IS AN ABOMINATION (EVIL PRACTICE) TO GOD. LOOK AT DEUTERONOMY 18:9-14 – WHEN THOU ART COME INTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, THOU SHALT NOT LEARN  TO DO AFTER THE ABOMINATIONS OF THESE NATIONS.

THERE SHALT NOT BE FOUND AMONG YOU ANYONE THAT MAKETH HIS SON OR DAUGHTER PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, OR THAT USETH DIVINATION (OR FORTUNE TELLING OR CHANNELING [INTERPRETATION OF OMENS]), OR AN OBSERVER OF TIMES, (WHICH INCLUDES HOROSCOPES AND ALSO, I BELIEVE, ALMANACS), OR AND ENCHANTER (MAGICIAN, WIZARD, WITCH), OR A WITCH (SORCERESS OR ENCHANTRESS),

OR  A CHARMER (CONJURER OF SHAMAN [MEDICINE MAN, OR WITCHDOCTOR]) OR A CONSULTER OF FAMILIAR SPIRITS (THESE ARE GENERATIONAL DEMONS, THAT FOLLOW A FAMILY FROM GENERATION  TO GENERATION, AND CAN GIVE INFORMATION TO THE ONE PRACTICING SUCH POWERS, SO THAT THY CAN FOOL THE ONE WHO IS DESIRING TO HEAR FROM THEIR DECEASED LOVED ONE. TO ME, THIS IS THE SICKEST OF ALL DECEPTIONS ON THIS LINE., BECAUSE THE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HEAR FROM THEIR LOVED ONES ARE EXPERIENCING GRIEF AND LOSS, ALREADY,  AND ARE SO VENERABLE TO THESE DECEPTIONS.), OR A WIZARD (A DEVINER, CHARMER, AND THE LIST GOES ON), OR A NECROMANCER (ONE WHO INQUIRES OF THE DEAD).

FOR ALL THAT DO THESE THINGS ARE AN ABOMONATION UNTO THE LORD: AND BECAUSE OF THESE ABOMINATIONS THE LORD THY GOD DOTH DRIVE THEM OUT FROM BEFORE THEE.

THOU SHALT BE PERFECT (ENTIRELY OBEDIENT, UPRIGHT, SINCERE)  WITH THE LORD, THY GOD.

THIS ALSO INCLUDES ALL SECRET ORDERS, WHICH ARE OCCULTS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW, WE CAN PUT OUR FUTURE IN THE HANDS OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WHO KNOWS OUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. HE WIPES AWAY ALL OUR PAST WHEN WE COME TO HIM, AND  WILL REVEAL TO US HIS FUTURE PLANS FOR US THAT ALWAYS COME TO PASS.

ONLY GOD KNOWS THE FUTURE:  ISAIAH 41:21-24 – PRODUCE YOUR CAUSE, SAITH THE LORD (OR SET FORTH YOUR PLANS); BRING FORTH YOUR STRONG REASONS, SAITH THE KING OF JACOB. 

LET THEM BRING THEM FORTH, AND SHOW US WHAT SHALL HAPPEN: LET THEM SHOW THE FORMER THINGS WHAT THEY BE, THAT WE MAY CONSIDER THEM AND KNOW THE LATTER (PRESENT) END OF THEM; OR DECLARE US THINGS FOR TO COME.

SHOW US THE THINGS THAT ARE TO COME HEREAFTER, THAT WE MAY KNOW THAT YE ARE gods: YEA, DO GOOD, OR DO EVIL, THAT YE MAY BE DISMAYED, AND BEHOLD IT TOGETHER.

BEHOLD, YE ARE OF NOTHING (OR OF NO ACCOUNT), AND YOUR WORK OF NAUGHT (AMOUNTS TO NOTHING): AN ABOMINATION IS HE THAT CHOOSETH YOU.

GOD IS SAYING, “LET YOUR IDOLS SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO. LET THEM TRY TO TELL US WHAT OCCURRED IN YEARS GONE BY, OR WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. IF YOU ARE GOD’S, TELL WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE DAYS AHEAD! OR DO SOME MIGHTY MIRACLE THAT MAKES US STAND AMAZED.    BUT NO! YOU ARE LESS THAN NOTHING, AND CAN DO NOTHING AT ALL. ANYONE WHO CHOOSES YOU NEEDS TO HAVE HIS HEAD EXAMINED!”

GOD IS UNHAPPY, TO SAY THE LEAST, WITH HIS PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN OFF INTO IDOLATRY. HE WAS MIMICKING THEIR IDOL gods TO THEIR FACE.

MANY CULTURES WORSHIP AND LOOK TO IDOL gods FOR THEIR FUTURE, THAT CANNOT SPEAK OR HEAR, OR MOVE.

IT IS SAD WHEN PEOPLE, INTELLIGENT PEOPLE, FOLLOW AFTER  DEAF AND DUMB IDOLS WHICH IS A WASTE OF THEIR TIME.

THOSE WHO ARE INTO ANY OF THESE OCCULTS AND WITCHCRAFT, THINKING THEMSELVES TO BE SO INTELLIGENT, AND HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE TRUTH,  SHOULD TURN TO THE RISEN LORD, JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS THE SON OF GOD, AND IS GOD, WHO CAME IN THE FLESH AND DIED ON CALVARY FOR ALL SINNERS.

JESUS SAID IN JOHN 14:6 – I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.

JEHOVAH GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, WHO KNOWS AND REVEALS THE FUTURE.

YOU MIGHT ASK, “HAS GOD, THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD, EVER TOLD YOU THE FUTURE?’

WELL, I’M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. “YES, MORE THAN ONCE”.

 

 

I WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU IN PART II OF, “WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE?”

TOMORROW.

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NO MISSING LINK HERE

 

PSALMS 16:10,11 –  FOR THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL: NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.

THY WILT SHEW ME THE PATH OF LIFE: IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY: AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES EVERMORE.

JESUS IS SPEAKING THROUGH DAVID, BY THE ANOINTING, CONCERNING HIS DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.

THE FATHER WILL RESURRECT THE BODY OF JESUS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

JESUS TOLD THE UNBELIVING, RELIGIOUS CRITICS, AS JONAH STAYED IN THE BELLY OF THE FISH 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS, SO SHALL THE SON OF MAN STAY IN GRAVE 3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS. HIS EARTHLY BODY WILL NOT SEE CORRUPTION. THE GRAVE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD HIM. JESUS WILL CONQUER DEATH AND THE GRAVE, HE WILL RIP APART SATANS AUTHORITY.

THE PATH OF LIFE WAS GIVEN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS AT HIS RESURRECTION, ALSO FOR ALL OF US BELIVERS WHEN JESUS RETURNS FOR HIS CHURCH, THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, AND THEN THOSE ALIVE SHALL BE CHANGED TO A GLORFIED BODY.

THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS IN THE PROMISED MESSIAH, WHO’S  BODIES WERE IN THE GRAVE, WERE RESURRECTED AT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

MATT 27:52,53 – AND THE GRAVES WERE OPENED, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS WHICH SLEPT AROSE.

AND CAME OUT OF THE GRAVES AFTER HIS RESURRECTION AND WENT INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND APPEARED UNTO MANY.

THIS WAS DONE FOR A WITNESS TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, THAT JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD. WHAT MERCY.

DEATH COULD NOT HOLD JESUS, AND DEATH COULD NOT HOLD THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS, WHO DIED LOOKING FOR THE MESSIAH.

IN THE BOOK OF LUKE CHAPTER SIXTEEN, WE SEE A MAN THAT WENT TO HEAVEN AND WE SEE A MAN WHO WENT TO HELL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY AT THAT TIME TWO COMPARTMENTS IN THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, WHICH WAS SEPERATE FROM EACH OTHER. ONE COMPARTMENT WAS A PLACE TO TORMENT, FOR THE WICKED DEAD, THE OTHER COMPARTMENT WAS FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD. THERE WAS A GULF THAT SEPERATED THEM. WHEN JESUS WENT INTO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, HE PREACHED TO THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD CONCERNING WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

LUKE 16:23  –  AND IN HELL (EVIL MAN) HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.

JESUS TOLD THIS TRUE STORY BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. IT IS EVIDENT THERE WERE 2 COMPARTMENTS IN HADES: ONE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD, THE OTHER FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD.

NOAH, ABRAHAM, ISSAC, JACOB, DAVID, AND MANY MORE, WERE THERE. DAVID WAS PROPHESYING OF THIS EVENT IN PSALMS SIXTEEN. ALL OF THESE WERE WAITING ON THE COMING MESSIAH AND THE RESSURECTION OF THERE BODIES.

JOB19:25,26 – FOR I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH:

AND THOUGH AFTER MY SKIN WORMS DESTROY THIS BODY, YET IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD.

JOB WAS GIVEN BY GOD, THE REVELATION OF MESSIAH AND RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. JOB IS ACTUALLY THE OLDEST BOOK IN THE BIBLE.

ISAIAH 26:19  –  THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE, TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY SHALL THEY ARISE. AWAKE AND SING, YE THAT DWELL IN DUST: FOR THE DEW IS AS THE DEW OF HERBS, AND THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD.

ISAIAH HAD THIS REVELATION FROM GOD OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. JESUS IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING THROUGH ISAIAH IS THIS VERSE. JESUS SAID THE DEAD SHALL ARISE TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY.

OUR FAITH WOULD BE IN VAIN WITHOUT A RESURRECTION, BUT OUR FAITH IS NOT IN VAIN BECAUSE JESUS IS THE FIRST TO EVERY RESURRECT FROM THE DEAD. HE PREDICTED HE WOULD ARISE FROM THE DEAD AND HE DID.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26 – BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT (DIED).

FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN CAME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. (FIRST – ADAM, LAST ADAM – JESUS)

FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.

BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER; CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. (NEW TESTAMENT  BELIEVERS)

THEN COMETH THE END, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD, EVEN THE FATHER; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY AND POWER. ( END OF THOUSAND YEAR REIGN ON EARTH.)

FOR HE MUST REIGN, TILL HE HATH PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET.

THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.

JESUS SAID I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE. AT THIS MONENT HE IS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER, SITTING AT HIS RIGHT HAND. WAITING FOR THE HARVEST, KNOWING THAT HE WILL RETURN FOR HIS CHURCH, AND THE RESURRECTION OF THOSE WHO DIED IN CHRIST.     

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 – BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT, BRETHREN, CONCERNING THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP (BODY IN GRAVE, SPIRIT AND SOUL WITH JESUS), THAT YOU SORROW NOT, EVEN AS OTHERS WHICH HAVE NO HOPE.

FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM  ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH THEM.

FOR THIS WE SAY UNTO TO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, THAT WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PREVENT THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP.

FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST.

THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.

WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.

NO MISSING LINK HERE, GOD KNOWS ALL THE FUTURE,  HE PLANNED IT. HE CREATED THE EARTH AND ALL WE SEE. ACCEPT JESUS AS YOU SAVIOUR, HE LOVES YOU, IF YOU REJECT HIM AFTER ALL THE PROOF IN HIS WORD, AND HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, YOU ARE LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE. PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS. REPENT AND ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR HEART BY FAITH. HE LOVES YOU, BUT IF YOU DIE WITHOUT HIM, HE WILL JUDGE YOU. HE CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND OR YOUR WORST ENEMY. YOU CHOOSE, RESURRECTION WITH THE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST OR THE RESURRECTION OF UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD WITHOUT CHRIST.     

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WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?

CHRIST MEANS “THE ANOINTED ONE.”

TO UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING, WE MUST INVESTIGATE THE “ANOINTED ONE” – JESUS CHRIST.

LETS LOOK AT JOHN 1:32-34. WHEN “JOHN THE BAPTIST” BAPTIZED JESUS IN THE RIVER JORDAN  …THE SPIRIT DESCENDED AND REMAINED ON HIM…(I JOHN 1:33).

JOHN 3:34 DECLARES THAT JESUS HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. (WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE.)

LUKE 4:1,2 – SAYS …AND JESUS BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST RETURNED FROM JORDAN, AND WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS, BEING FORTY DAYS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL…

          JESUS WAS TEMPTED HERE WITH: THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYE, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, THE SAME WAY THE FIRST ADAM WAS, AND FAILED.

JESUS BEING THE SECOND ADAM DID NOT FAIL.

WE SEE HERE, AS SOON AS JESUS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT HE FACED THE DEVIL HEAD-ON.

WE CALL THIS THE “TEMPTATION OF JESUS.”

THIS WAS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS MINISTRY TO BEGIN.

JESUS WAS ALWAYS SUBMITTED TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER.

AFTER DEFEATING THE DEVIL ON HIS OWN GROUND, VERSE 13-21 READS – AND WHEN THE DEVIL HAD ENDED ALL THE TEMPTATION, HE DEPARTED FROM HIM FOR A SEASON.

          AND JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT INTO GALILEE: AND THERE WENT OUT A FAME OF HIM THROUGH ALL THE REGION ROUND ABOUT. AND HE TAUGHT IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES …

HE NOW GOES BACK TO NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP, …AND AS IT WAS HIS CUSTOM, HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND STOOD UP TO READ.

(WE SEE HERE HE WENT TO CHURCH WHERE HE TOOK AN ACTIVE PART.)

SOMEONE HANDED HIM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.

HE OPENED THE BOOK AND FOUND THE PLACE WERE IT WAS WRITTEN IN ISAIAH 61:1,2:

          “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME” BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREAH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR: HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKEN-HEARTED, TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD (LUKE 4:18-19).

VERSE 21,32 – AND HE BEGAN TO SAY UNTO THEM, THIS DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS.

          AND THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE; FOR HIS WORD WAS WITH POWER.

IMMEDIATELY, THROUGH THE ANOINTING, HE CAST OUT AN UNCLEAN DEVIL, AND HIS MINISTRY “TOOK-OFF.”

NOW, WHAT ABOUT US, AS SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVERS?

          WHEN JESUS ASCENDED BACK INTO HEAVEN, HE SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ARRIVED HERE TO ABIDE WITH US FOREVER, AND GIVES US POWER (JOHN 14:16; ACTS 1:8).

JOHN 14:12 – VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME, THE WORKS (GREEK, ERGON – TOIL {AS AN EFFORT OR OCCUPATION}; IMPLIES AN ACT, DOING, LABOUR OR WORK.)  THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO: AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO; BECAUSE I GO UNTO MY FATHER.

JESUS SENT US THE HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTING: TO CHANGE US INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST, WHO IS OUR PATTERN, AND THAT WE MIGHT DO THE WORKS OF CHRIST. 

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WAIT

THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.

OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?

IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY  EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT  IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.

WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.

ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE 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.

IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.

SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.

LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.

MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.

ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) –  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM)  SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD)  AS EAGLES  (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.

THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?

THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH.  HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.

THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.

“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”

IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.

ISAIAH 64:4 –  FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.

 HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.

THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM,  TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.

ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.

IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.

WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.

WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.  

LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.

      BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.

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