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New Jerusalem – Rick Bagwell
Tag: jerusalem
JESUS PRAYED
AT JESUS’ BAPTISM, HE PRAYED.
IN LUKE 3:21,22 – …JESUS ALSO BEING BAPTIZED, AND PRAYING, THE HEAVEN WAS OPENED, AND THE HOLY GHOST DESCENDED IN A BODILY SHAPE LIKE A DOVE UPON HIM, AND A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, WHICH SAID, THOU ART MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.
AGAIN, JESUS PRAYED AT HIS TRANSFIGURATION:
LUKE 9:28-31 – HE (JESUS) TOOK PETER AND JOHN AND JAMES AND WENT UP INTO A MOUNTAIN TO PRAY. AND AS HE PRAYED, THE FASHION OF HIS COUNTENANCE WAS ALTERED, AND HIS RAIMNENT WAS WHITE AND GLISTERING. AND, BEHOLD, THERE TALKED WITH HIM TWO MEN, WHICH WERE MOSES AND ELIAS: WHO APPEARED IN GLORY, AND SPAKE OF HIS DECEASE WHICH HE SHOULD ACCOMPLISH AT JERUSALEM.
THEN AGAIN, JESUS PRAYED IN THE GARDEN:
MATTHEW 26:36,39,41 – THEN COMETH JESUS WITH THEM UNTO A PLACE CALLED GETHSEMANE, AND SAITH UNTO THE DISCIPLES, SIT YE HERE, WHILE I GO AND PRAY YONDER.
AND HE WENT A LITTLE FATHER, AND FELL ON HIS FACE, AND PRAYED, SAYING, O MY FATHER, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME: NEVERTHELESS NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT.
WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.
ALL THREE EVENTS LISTED: WE SEE THAT JESUS PRAYED.
HOW MUCH MORE DO WE SEE THE NEED TO PRAY MORE?
WHAT ARE WE MISSING?
YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST OVER
I HAVE BEEN TOLD, WHEN WE ARE TRIED, AND DON’T PASS THE TEST OF ENDURANCE, AND TRUST GOD TO FIGHT OUR BATTLE —- BY THIS, I MEAN, WE TAKE IT IN OUR OWN HANDS —-WE WILL AT SOME POINT IN LIFE, HAVE TO TAKE THE SAME TEST OVER AGAIN.
IT IS MUCH BETTER FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND WATCH GOD MOVE ON OUR BEHALF, AND WAIT IT OUT, AND LET GOD GET THE VICTORY FOR US, THAN TO HAVE TO FACE THIS AGAIN.
YOU WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN THROUGH A TRAIL, DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT; BUT YOU WILL FACE ONE AT SOME POINT AND TIME AS YOU SERVE THE LORD.
II CORINTHAINS 8:2 – HOW THAT IN A GREAT TRAIL OF AFFLICTION (OR IN A TIME OF MUCH TROUBLE) THE ABUNDANCE OF THEIR JOY AND THEIR DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED UNTO THEIR RICHES OF THEIR GREAT LIBERALITY. PAUL IS WRITING A LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS TO INFORM THEM OF HOW THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHES WHO WERE GOING THROUGH A TIME OF GREAT TROUBLE, WERE STILL FILLED WITH JOY THAT THEY COULD BE IN AN OVERFLOW OF GIVING TO THE CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM.
MANY OF US WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A GREAT TRIAL, WHETHER IT BE PHYSICAL OR FINANCIAL, WHATEVER IT IS, COULD LEARN FROM THESE MACEDONIANS. THEY WERE ONLY ACTING ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PROMISES OF GOD.
THEY DIDN’T ALLOW SATAN TO STEAL THEIR JOY, AND THEY WERE SOWING AN OFFERING AGAINST THEIR OWN POVERTY TO MINISTER TO THE NEEDS OF THE SAINTS. WHAT A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE TO US.
IF WE ARE BEING TRIED, WE SHOULD FIRST, PRAISE GOD THROUGH IT, AND THEN, TRUST HIM FOR THE OUTCOME.
ALSO, WE SHOULD ASK HIM, “LORD,WHAT CAN I LEARN THROUGH THIS?”
I PROMISE YOU, HE WILL SHOW YOU, AND BRING YOU TO A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW HE WORKS.
JAMES 1:2-4 – MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS (OR VARIOUS TRIALS):
KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH (DEVELOPS) PATIENCE.
BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT (COMPLETE) WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT (MATURE) AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING (OR LACKING NOTHING).
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN GOING THROUGH TRIALS THAT DEVELOPE PATIENCE, AND BEING TEMPTED TO DO EVIL. BEING TEMPTED TO DO EVIL , IS BEING DRAWN AND ENTICED BY YOUR OWN LUST.
GOD DOES NOT TEMPT MAN TO DO EVIL (JAMES 1:13-18).
JAMES 1:12 – BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM.
JAMES TELLS US TO COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN WE FALL INTO TRIALS (VERSE 2), BUT HE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT FALLING INTO SIN, HE IS TALKING ABOUT DISCOVERING THAT WE CAN FIND STRENGTH TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION AND ENDURE TRIALS, THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS POWER.
WITHOUT THE POWER OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER, TRIALS CAN CAUSE HIM OR HER TO BECOME BITTER AND CRITICAL AND LOOSE THE CROWN OF LIFE.
VERSE 12 READS …WHEN HE IS TRIED… THIS SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING: WE WILL BE TRIED AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES.
LETS PASS THE TEST THE FIRST TIME, SO WE WON’T HAVE TO TAKE IT OVER AGAIN!!!
ANNA THE PROPHETESS
LUKE 2:36-38
AND THERE WAS ONE ANNA, A PROPHETESS, THE DAUGHTER OF PHANUEL OF THE TRIBE OF ASER: SHE WAS OF GREAT AGE, AND HAD LIVED WITH AN HUSBAND SEVEN YEARS FROM HER VIRGINITY;
AND SHE WAS A WIDOW OF ABOUT FOURSCORE AND FOUR YEARS, WHICH DEPARTED NOT FROM THE TEMPLE, BUT SERVED GOD WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY.
AND SHE COMING IN THAT INSTANT GAVE THANKS LIKEWISE UNTO THE LORD, AND SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM.
ANNA MEANS GRACE. SHE WAS A PROPHETESS. SHE WAS A LADY THAT TOTALLY GAVE HER LIFE TO GOD AND HIS SERVICE. SHE WAS A WIDOW FROM A YOUNG AGE . SHE WAS ONLY MARRIED FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HER HUSBAND DIED. SOME TIMES THE DEATH OF SOMETHING IN A PERSONS LIFE CAUSES THEM TO BECOME BITTER TOWARDS GOD. BUT NOT ANNA. SHE WAS A VERY YOUNG WOMAN WITH GREAT SORROW. SHE IS NOT BITTER, BUT TURNS COMPLETELY TO GOD FOR COMFORT; AND GRACE TO SERVE HIM IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS.
SHE WAS OF THE TRIBE OF ASHER. ASHER MEANS BLESSED. AHSER WAS JACOBS SON BY ZILPAH. ZILPAH WAS LEAHS MAID. ANNA WASNT OF THE LINEAGE OF LEAH OR RACHEL, HER LINAGE WAS THRU LEAHS MAID, IT WAS OUTSIDE THE INNER CIRCLE.
HER FATHERS NAME WAS PHANUEL, WHICH MEANS FACE OF GOD. THIS WOMAN WHO’S LINEAGE GOES BACK TO LEAH’S MAID, HAS A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE. HER FATHER WITH THE SAME HERITAGE SOUGHT THE FACE OF GOD AND PRODUCED AN ANNA, A PROPHETESS, WHO SERVED GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. EIGHTY FOUR YEARS SHE SERVED GOD IN HIS TEMPLE WITH FASTING AND PRAYER.
BACKGROUND CAN BE CHANGED. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT OUR FAMILY HISTORY IS OR WHERE WE CAME FROM, WE CAN SEEK THE FACE OF GOD, WE CAN SEEK GOD’S WAYS AND PRODUCE AN ANNA.
ANNA SERVED GOD NIGHT AND DAY WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS, SHE PRAYED FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME. IT WAS THE FULLNESS OF TIME AND GOD HAD THIS WIDOW WOMAN PRAYING FOR THE WILL OF GOD, THE SON OF GOD, TO COME TO THE EARTH, TO REDEEM MANKIND.
ANNA COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND TO MAKE HER BITTER, BUT SHE DIDN’T, SHE TURNED TO GOD WITH PRAYER AND FASTING, SERVING HIM IN HIS HOUSE
IT DOESN’T MATTER ABOUT OUR PAST OR PAIN OR OUR PRESENT SITUATION, GOD’S GRACE HAS AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU. IN YOUR PAIN, IN YOUR SADNESS, IN YOUR FAILURE TURN TO HIM, THERE IS GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED. JESUS HAS A JOB FOR YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS TO SERVE HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. BRINGING THRU PRAYER , THE MESSIAH INTO THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND I. PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING AND DID NOT COME FROM THE INNER CIRCLE. JESUS CAN TAKE THE INNER AND OUTER CIRCLE AND USE US BY HIS GRACE. DON’T LET YOUR LOSS CAUSE YOU TO MISS GOD’S ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR LIFE. MINISTRY IS BIRTHED OUT OF PAIN, THE GLORY OF GOD COMES LATER. THE CROSS WAS THE ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO JESUS, THE GLORY CAME AT THE RESURRECTION.
HOLY GHOST POWER
ACTS 1:14 – THESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, AND WITH HIS BRETHREN.
THEY WERE WAITING IN OBEDIENCE.
LUKE 24:49 – AND, BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TARRY IN JERUSALEM UNTIL THEY RECEIVE POWER FROM ON HIGH.
JOHN 20:22 – AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE BREATHED ON THEM, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST:
THESE PEOPLE, CONTINUING IN PRAYER HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE NEW BIRTH, THEY WERE ALREADY BELIEVERS, WAITING ON POWER FROM HEAVEN.
BEFORE THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS WITH THEM, BUT AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME INSIDE THE BELIEVERS, BUT NOW HE COMES UPON THEM.
IN THE YEAR 1978, I PERSONALLY RECEIVED THIS EXPERIENCE OF PENTECOST.
I PRAY IN TONGUES EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE.
WHAT A BLESSING TO PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I CORINTHIANS 14:14 – FOR IF I PRAY IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE, MY SPIRIT PRAYETH , BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS UNFRUITFUL.
PAUL SAID, “I THANK MY GOD, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES, MORE THAN YE ALL.”
YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER
ACTS 1:8 – BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.
THE NEW BIRTH IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
JESUS SAID IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN – JOHN 14:17 – 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.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS WITH THE DISCIPLES, BUT AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS, HE CAME INSIDE THEM, AND AT PENTECOST HE CAME UPON THEM WITH POWER.
THE BIBLE TEACHES US, AT THE NEW BIRTH, THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN US. WE CAN SEEK THE LORD AND AND GET FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, BUT WE CAN GO A STEP FURTHER AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
POWER FROM ON HIGH.
WE DON’T CHOOSE OUR MINISTRY, BUT WE DO CHOOSE THE LEVEL OF ANOINTING WE WALK IN.
IN THE BOOK OF LUKE, CHAPTER ELEVEN, VERSE THIRTEEN, JESUS TAUGHT US TO ASK FOR MORE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WE DESIRE. IF WE WILL ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK. PENTECOST WILL COME UPON YOU WITH POWER. JESUS SAID IF ANY MAN THIRST LET HIM COME UNTO HIM AND DRINK, AND OUT OF YOU INNERMOST BEING WILL FLOW A RIVER OF POWER AND BLESSING.
BATTLE PLANS
Intellegence report from military leaders: LARGE ARMIES COMING TO DESTROY JERUSALEM!!!
In response, King Jehoshaphat turned his troubles face to seek God.
The Lord said, “Be not afraid nor dismayed (fearful, confused, or discouraged) by reason of this great attack, for the battle is not yours, but the Lords.”
When King Jehoshaphat received that word from the Spirit of the Lord, he told his people, “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established (built-up, supported). Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.’
Then King Jehoshaphat did a strange thing to many, he appointed singers unto the lord, to proclaim: PRAISE THE LORD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER!!!!!
The Lord responded by setting an ambush against the enemy.
Remember – The battle is the Lord’s – Seek Him. Praise Him! (II Chronicles 20)
Sr. Pastor Roy Porter
AT THE APPOINTED TIME
MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE FROM HEARING FROM GOD, AND TODAY I BELIEVE YOU WILL BE ENLIGHTENED ON THIS SUBJECT.
GENESIS 8:14 – IS ANYTHING TO HARD FOR THE LORD? AT THE TIME APPOINTED I WILL RETURN UNTO THEE, ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON. GENESIS 21:1,2 – AND THE LORD VISITED SARAH AS HE SAID, AND THE LORD DID UNTO SARAH AS HE HAD SPOKEN. FOR SARAH HAD CONCEIVED AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE, AT THE SET TIME OF WHICH GOD HAD SPOKEN TO HIM.
THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “APPOINTED” IS, ASSIGNED OR ARRANGED.
HOW MANY OF US HAVE HEARD FROM THE LORD, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN’T HAPPEN WHEN WE THOUGHT IT SHOULD, WE SAID,”MAYBE THIS WAS IN MY MIND; MAYBE I DIDN’T REALLY HEAR FROM GOD.”
THIS IS WHEN DOUBT COMES IN AND FAITH GOES OUT.
II SAMUEL 17:14 —-HERE WE FIND ABSALOM, TRYING TO TAKE OVER DAVID’S KINGDOM; BUT DAVID WAS CHOSEN BY GOD AS KING. AND EVEN THOUGH DAVID IS RUNNING IN THE NATURAL, HE KNOWS HIS APPOINTMENT—-FOR THE LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE GOOD COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, TO THE INTENT THAT THE LORD MIGHT BRING EVIL UPON ABSALOM.
15:31 – AND ONE TOLD DAVID, SAYING, AHITHOPHEL IS AMONG THE CONSPIRATORS WITH ABSALOM. AND DAVID SAID, O LORD, I PRAY THEE, TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS.
DAVID HAD A REBEL SON, ABSALOM, WHOSE PLAN WAS TO TAKE OVER THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD. FOR THE PROMISED SEED TO COME : JESUS, WAS TO COME FROM THE LOINS OF DAVID.
ABSALOM TOOK COUNSEL FROM TWO MEN, BUT HE ACCEPTED THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, ONE OF DAVID’S COUNSELORS WHO JOINED IN THE CONSPIRACY WITH ABSALOM AGAINST DAVID, THE KING.
WHEN SOMEONE TOLD DAVID THAT AHITHOPHEL, HIS OWN ADVISOR, WAS BACKING ABSALOM, DAVID PRAYED, “O LORD, PLEASE MAKE AHITHOPHEL GIVE ABSALOM FOOLISH ADVICE.”
AS SOON AS HE HAD FINISHED PRAYING, AND HAD REACHED THE TOP OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, WHERE PEOPLE WORSHIPPED GOD, DAVID FOUND HUSHAI THE ARCHITE WAITING FOR HIM. BUT DAVID TOLD HIM, “IF YOU GO WITH ME, YOU WILL ONLY BE A BURDEN. RETURN TO JERUSALEM AND TELL ABSALOM, I WILL COUNSEL YOU AS I DID YOUR FATHER. THEN YOU CAN FRUSTRATE AND COUNTER AHITHOPHEL’S ADVICE. SEND WORD BACK TO ME WHAT IS GOING ON.”
SO WHEN DAVID’S FRIEND, HUSHAI, ARRIVED, HE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO SEE ABSALON.
ABSALOM ASKED HIM, “WHY AREN’T YOU WITH DAVID?” AND HE ANSWERED, “BECAUSE I WORK FOR THE MAN WHO IS CHOSEN BY THE LORD AND BY ISRAEL, AND ANY WAY, WHY SHOULDN’T I? I HELPED YOUR FATHER AND NOW I WILL HELP YOU!”
THEN ABSALOM TURNED TO AHITHOPHEL AND ASKED HIM, “WHAT SHALL I DO NEXT?” AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, “. GO SLEEP WITH YOUR FATHER’S WIVES, FOR HE HAS LEFT THEM HERE TO KEEP THE HOUSE. THEN ALL ISRAEL WILL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE INSULTED HIM BEYOND RECONCILATION, AND THEY WILL SUPPORT YOU.”
SO ABSALOM DID EVERYTHING AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, UNTIL ONE DAY AHITHOPHEL ASKED FOR TWELVE THOUSAND MEN TO GO AFTER DAVID AND KILL HIM WHILE HE WAS DISCOURAGED.”HE AND HIS TROOPS WILL BE THROWN INTO A PANIC AND EVERYONE WILL RUN AWAY,” HE SAID. BUT ABASOLOM ASKED HUSHAI HIS OPINION.
“WELL,” HUSHAI REPLIED, “THIS TIME I THINK AHITHOPHEL IS MISTAKEN. YOU KNOW YOUR FATHER AND HIS MEN; THEY ARE MIGHTY WARRIORS AND ARE PROBABLY AS UPSET AS A MOTHER BEAR WHO HAS BEEN ROBBED OF HER CUBS.
YOUR FATHER IS AN OLD SOLDIER AND ISN’T GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT AMONG THE TROOPS. HE HAS PROBABLY ALREADY HIDDEN IN SOME PIT OR CAVE. WHEN HE COMES OUT AND ATTACKS AND SOME OF YOUR MEN FALL, THERE WILL BE PANIC AMONG YOUR TROOPS AND EVERYONE WILL START SHOUTING THAT YOUR MEN ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED. THEN, EVEN THE BRAVEST OF THEM WILL BE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, BECAUSE ALL ISRAEL KNOWS WHAT A MIGHTY MAN YOUR FATHER IS AND HOW COURAGOUS HIS SOLDIERS ARE.’
“I SUGGEST YOU MOBILIZE THE ENTIRE ARMY OF ISRAEL. AND I THINK YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY LEAD THE TROOPS. THEN, WHEN WE FIND HIM, WE CAN DESTROY HIS ENTIRE ARMY, SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT ALIVE.”
THEN ABSALOM AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL SAID, HUSHAI’S IS BETTER THAN AHITHOPHEL’S.” FOR THE LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, WHICH REALLY WAS THE BETTER PLAN; SO HE COUD BRING DISASTER UPON ABSALOM. —-AND HE DID.
WHEN GOD GIVES US A WORD, THAT HE IS GOING TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS BEST FOR US TO KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME, AS WAS IN THE LIFE OF ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH (LUKE 1). THE ANGEL TOLD HIM WHILE HE WAS DOING HIS SERVICE TO GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THAT HIS WIFE, ELIZABETH, WOULD HAVE A SON NAMED JOHN. BECAUSE OF ZACHARIAS’ UNBELIEF THE ANGEL STRUCK HIM DUMB UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME.
WHEN GOD DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING, HE HAS A PURPOSE AND A PLAN HOW HE WANTS IT CARRIED-OUT.
THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, IS WAIT IT OUT UNTIL IT COMES TO PASS. IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO GET INTO UNBELIEF. WHEN WE GET TIRED OF WAITING, WE CAN BRING AN ISHMAEL INTO OUR LIVES, AS DID ABRAHAM AND SARAH. THEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ACTIONS THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
WHEN THE PROMISE DOES COME, WE FIND WE CAN ENJOY IT LIKE GOD PLANNED IN THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO ISHMAELS TO DEAL WITH.
WHEN WE BEGIN TO QUESTION GOD—-WE SHOULD BE SAYING, “GOD, I TRUST YOU WITH JUST THE RIGHT TIMING, AND I TRUST YOU WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND ME.”
IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER, ESTHER’S UNCLE, MORDECAI HAD TOLD HER. “NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO REVEAL YOURSELF.”
ESTHER 4:14 – FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER HOLDEST THY PEACE AT THIS TIME, THEN SHALL THEIR ENLARGEMENT (OR HELP) AND DELIVERANCE COME FROM ANOTHER PLACE; BUT THOU AND THY FATHER’S HOUSE SHALL BE DESTROYED: AND WHO KNOWETH WHETHER THOU ART COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?
BY MAKING HER MOVE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, SHE DESTROYED ALL THE ENEMIES PLANS.
DON’T LOSE YOUR SEAT IN THE KINGDOM
MATTHEW 8:10-13 WHEN JESUS HEARD IT, HE MARVELLED, AND SAID TO THEM THAT FOLLOWED, VERILY I SAY UNTO YO, I HAVE NOT FOUND SO GREAT FAITH, NO, NOT IN ISRAEL.
AND I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT MANY SHALL COME FROM THE EAST AND WEST, AND SHALL SIT DOWN WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB, IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE CAST OUT INTO OUTER DARKNESS: THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.
THE KING CAME TO HIS PEOPLE THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND THEY HAD NO FATIH.
THE CENTURION A GENTILE HAD GREAT FAITH, JESUS CAME LOOKING FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH, WHO WOULD BELIEVE HE WAS THE JEWISH MESSIAH
THE WORD OF GOD SAID HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT.
THERE WAS A SEAT IN THE KINGDOM FOR THIS GENERATION OF JEWS.
THIS GENERATION REFUSED THEIR SEAT AND LOST IT, THEY SAID CRUCIFY HIM.
MANY JEWS AND GENTILES WILL SIT DOWN IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WITH ABRAHAM, AND ISAAC, AND JACOB, BUT THIS GENERATION AND THOSE GENERATIONS TO COME WHO REJECT KING JESUS, WILL LOSE THEIR SEAT, AND WILL BE CAST INTO OUTER DARKNESS.
JESUS WAS OFFERED TO HIS PEOPLE ON PALM SUNDAY AND WAS REJECTED.
HERE IS THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY.
DANIEL 9:26 AND AFTER THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS SHALL MESSIAH BE CUT OFF, BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF: AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY; AND THE END THEREOF SHALL BE WITH A FLOOD, AND UNTO THE END OF THE WAR DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED.
THIS IS HISTORY, FROM THE TIME OF THE DECREE TO REBUILD JERSUALEM 49YEARS UNTIL WALLS ARE UP, THEN 434 MORE YEARS AND MESSIAH WILL BE CUT OFF IN JERUSALEM.
THIS IS A TIME PERIOD IN HISTORY THAT CAN BE CALCULATED
FROM THE TIME OF THE DECREE UNTIL MESSIAH BE REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE, 483 YEARS.
GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL, HE REMEMBERS HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM.
BUT MANY GENERATIONS OF JEWS HAVE LOST THEIR SEAT IN THE KINGDOM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE REFUSED TO BELIEVE JESUS IS THE MESSAIH.
THERE IS A SEVENTH WEEK TO COME, IT IS CALLED JACOB’S TROUBLE.
THIS IS A PERIOD GOD HAS SET ASIDE FOR THE LAST GENERATION OF JEWS AND THEIR NATION.
ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR THOUSAND JEWS WILL BE SAVED, TWELVE THOUSAND FROM EACH TRIBE, AND THEY WILL TURN THIS WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.
WHEN THE KING RETURNS TO JERUSALEM, THE EYES OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL WILL BE OPENED, AND THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR KING JESUS.
JEW OR GENTILE, GOD HAS A SEAT FOR YOU IN THE KINGDOM, IF YOU WILL RECEIVE JESUS AS YOUR MESSIAH.
THE SAME ANGEL THAT CAME TO DANIEL WITH THE PROPHECY OF THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL, CAME TO THE VIRGIN MARY.
THE MESSAGE TO MARY YOU WILL HAVE A CHILD, AND YOU WILL CALL HIM JESUS.
THIS IS A FULLFILLMENT OF ISAIAH 7:14 BEHOLD A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON . ALSO THIS IS THE SEED OF THE WOMAN IN GENESIS 3:15.
GABRIEL TOLD MARY IN LUKE 1:33 AND HE SHALL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOR EVER: AND OF HIS KINGDOM THER SHALL BE NO END.
DON’T LOSE YOUR SEAT IN THE KINGDOM, JEW OR GENTILE ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR KING, ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART AND SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SIN.
JESUS TOLD THE JEWS, YOUR FATHER ABRAHAM REJOICED AT TO SEE MY DAY.
IF WE JEW OR GENTILE, DON’T REJOICE AT THIS DAY THAT MESSIAH CAME, WE WILL ONE DAY WEEP AND GNASH OUR TEETH AND BE CAST INTO OUTER DARKNESS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, JESUS IS THE KING AND JESUS IS OUR KING.
OBEDIENCE THE PROOF OF LOVE
JOHN 21:15 – SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED, JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA LORD: THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY LAMBS.
PETER HAD LEFT JERUSALEM AFTER JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND RETURNED WITH OTHER DISCIPLES TO THE FISHING BUSINESS.
PETER WAS DISCOURAGED AND CONFUSED. HIS IDEAS OF MINISTRY WAS LOST. THEIR KING HAD BEEN CRUCIFIED.
JESUS HAD ALREADY APPEARED TO THEM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH FOR THESE DISCIPLIES, THEY STILL DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THEIR PURPOSE.
IT WAS EASIER TO RUN AND RETURN TO THEIR FLESH THEN. THEY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND, SO IT WAS EASIER TO RETURN TO THE COMFORT ZONE.
WHAT LOOKS LIKE A FAILURE, IS A STEPPING STONE TO VICTORY.
JESUS WOULD NOT LEAVE THESE MEN IN THIS CONDITION, BUT CAME AFTER THEM.
JESUS LOVED TO ASK PETER QUESTIONS.
HE CALLED PETER SON OF JONAS (DOUBLE REFERENCE HERE, THEREFORE, JESUS WAS IDENTIFYING PETER WITH A DISOBEDIENT OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET WHO WAS SWALLOWED BY A GREAT FISH).
PETER HAD BEEN A DISCIPLE OF JESUS FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, HIS OBEDIENCE HAD TO BE CONNECTED TO LOVE FOR JESUS.
OBEDENCE IS PROOF OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD, WE MAY BE CONFUSED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US, WE MAY BE DISCOURAGED. BUT IF WE REALLY LOVE JESUS WE WILL OBEY.
JESUS ASK PETER THREE TIMES DO YOU LOVE ME? PETER SAID, “YES LORD”, JESUS SAID, “OBEY ME.”
PETER OBEYED JESUS AND WENT BACK TO JERUSALEM AND TARRIED IN THE UPPER ROOM FOR TEN DAYS.
120 PEOPLE WERE IN THAT ROOM BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR JESUS.
LOVES ALWAYS CARRIES US TO OBEDIENCE.
JESUS LOVES PEOPLE AND WE ARE A CONNECTED TO WHAT HE DOES ON THIS EARTH.
WE ARE OBEDIENT TO GODS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES, BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS.
LAMBS ARE EASIER TO FEED THAN SHEEP.
JESUS TOLD PETER TO FEED HIS LAMBS ONLY ONCE, BUT HE TOLD PETER TWICE TO FEED HIS SHEEP. SHEEP BITE HARDER THAN LAMBS.
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN SHEEP BIT AND WENT BACK TO THE COMFORT ZONE.
JESUS IS ASKING THIS QUESTION OF YOU. DO YOU LOVE ME?, FEED MY SHEEP.
ODEDIENCE IS THE PROOF OF LOVE.
GO BACK TO THE UPPER ROOM AND TARRY, AND TRY AGAIN.
JESUS HAS COME AFTER YOU, HE NEEDS YOU TO LOVE HIM AND OBEY.
