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MANY TIMES, WE JUST CAN’T ACCEPT THE TRIALS AND EVENTUAL END OF OUR TROUBLES AS AN INCREASE IN OUR LIVES. ALL WE CAN SEE IS THE NOW. USUALLY OUR TRIALS ARE ONLY A FORERUNNER OF THE JOY TO COME. WHEN IT CONCERNS WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US, IT IS REJECTION BY THAT PERSON’S ACTIONS THAT TROUBLES US THE MOST, EVEN IF WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS UNTRUE.
IN HANNAH’S CASE, SHE DIDN’T RETALIATE AGAINST HER HUSBAND’S OTHER WIFE (POLYGAMY WAS TOLERATED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, BUT FORBIDDEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT), BUT PATIENTLY ENDURED ALL THE REPROACHES CAST UPON HER, YET SHE WEPT AND DID NOT EAT.
THERE WAS A REASONING IN THE MIND OF PENINNAH FOR HER TORMENT OF HANNAH: BECAUSE HER HUSBAND LOVED HANNAH MORE. SHE HAD FALLEN INTO A STATE OF JEALOUSY, BY WHICH SHE JUSTIFIED HER ACTIONS.
IF WE COULD JUST “GET-IT”, THAT GOD CARES ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON IN OUR LIVES, AND, AS A CHRISTIAN, WE HAVE THE PROMISE THEY WILL TURN OUT FOR OUR GOOD, WE WOULD HAVE JOY IN THE KNOWING THAT IT WILL NOT STAY THE WAY IT IS NOW, BUT THAT GOD WILL SOMEHOW TURN IT ALL AROUND.
ANOTHE EXAMPLE OF BITTERNESS IN THE BIBLE, IS ABOUT SIMON WHO WAS A SORCERER. HE WAS IN THE GALL OF BITTERNESS. WHY? BECAUSE WHILE HE WAS A SORCERER, BEFORE HE RECEIVED SALVATION, IT WAS SAID ABOUT HIM, WHEN HE BEWITCHED THE PEOPLE, “THIS IS THE GREAT POWER OF GOD.” BUT AFTER SALVATION, HE NO LONGER HAD THE EVILPOWER.
ACTS 8:9-11; 13; 18-22 – BUT THERE WAS A CERTAIN MAN CALLED SIMON, WHICH BEFORE TIME IN THE SAME CITY USED SORCERY, AND BEWITCHED THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA, GIVING OUT THAT HIMSELF WAS SOME GREAT ONE:
TO WHOM THEY ALL GAVE HEED, FORM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST, SAYING, THIS MAN IS THE GREAT POWER OF GOD.
AND TO HIM THEY HAD REGARD BECAUSE OF LONG TIME HE HAD BEWITCHED THEM WITH SORCERIES (WITCHCRAFT).
THEN SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED ALSO; AND WHEN HE WAS BAPTIZED, HE CONTINUED WITH PHILIP, AND WONDERED, BEHOLDING THE MIRACLES AND SIGNS WHICH WERE DONE.
AND WHEN SIMON SAW THAT THROUGH LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLE’S HANDS THE HOLY GHOST WAS GIVEN, HE OFFERED THEM MONEY.
SAYING, GIVE ME ALSO THIS POWER, THAT ON WHOMSOEVER I LAY MY HANDS, HE MAY RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.
BUT PETER SAID UNTO HIM, THY MONEY PERISH WITH THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST THOUGHT THAT THE GIFT OF GOD MAY BE PURCHASED WITH MONEY.
THOU HAST NEITHER PART NOR LOT IN THIS MATTER, FOR THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
REPENT THEREFORE OF THY WICKEDNESS, AND PRAY GOD, IF PERHAPS THE THOUGHT OF THINE HEART MAY BE FORGIVEN THEE.
VERSE 23 – FOR I PERCEIVE THOU ART IN THE GALL OF BITTERNESS, AND IN THE BOND OF INIQUITY.
THEN ANSWERED SIMON, AND SAID, PRAY YE TO THE LORD FOR ME, THAT NONE OF THESE THINGS WHICH YE HAVE SPOKEN COME UPON ME.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE? WHY WAS PETER SO UPSET WITH SIMON? BECAUSE ALL THE GIFTS AND CALLINGS OF GOD ARE FREE, AND NONE COULD BE OBTAINED BUT THROUGH GOD, AND NOT FOR A PRICE. JESUS HAD ALREADY PAID THE PRICE ON THE CROSS.
SIMON HAD GIVEN UP HIS UNHOLY GIFT OF WITCHCRAFT, BUT HIS FLESH STILL LOVED THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SUPERNATURAL AND THE ATTENTION IT BROUGHT HIM. HE SAW SOMETHING THAT WAS MANIFESTED ON THOSE RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST AND THAT THE HOLY GHOST CAME ON THEM IN SUCH A SUPERNATURAL WAY THAT OTHERS SAW SOMETHING HAPPEN, THAT HIS FLESH WANTED THIS POWER.
BUT WHAT WAS HIS BITTERNESS? I BELIEVE THAT HE NO LONGER HAD THE POWER TO THRILL PEOPLE LIKE HE ONCE HAD, AND SEEING THOSE WHO HAD THE POWER OF GOD ON THEM, HE WAS JEALOUS: WHICH IS A PART OF BITTERNESS.
THE GALL: A PERSON, A WICKED PERSON, WHOSE LIFE AND BEHAVIOR IS OFFENSIVE TO GOD. I T MEANS THIS WAS THE DEEPEST KIND OF BITTERNESS, BECAUSE IN HIS MIND HE WAS ASSOCIATING THE EVIL SUPERNATURAL WITH THE DIVINE.
HEBREWS 12:15 – LOOKING DILIGENTLY LEST ANY MAN FAIL OF THE GRACE OD GOD; LEST ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP TROUBLE YOU, AND THEREBY MANY BE DEFILED (OR HOW YOU ACT AFFECTS THOSE WATCHING YOUR LIFE).
THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS, IS DEEPLY EMBEDDED BITTERNESS THAT COULD SPRING-UP UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY TIME AND TROUBLE THE PERSON WHO POSESSES IT. IT CAUSES THEM TO SAY THINGS THAT CAUSES DISCORD IT THE BODY OF CHRIST AND FAMILIES, AND CAN DEFILE MANY.
THOSE WITH IT, MOST OF THE TIME, DON’T BELIEVE THEY HAVE IT, OR DON’T EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE IT, BECAUSE IT IS SO EMBEDDED DOWN DEEP WITHIN. IT HAS TAKEN ROOT IN THEIR PERSONALITY, AND HAS BECOME A PART OF THEM.
TO GET RID OF IT, THEY HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE IT, AND ASK GOD TO EXPOSE IT TO THEM; CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE; AND BAPTIZE THEM WITH LOVE.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME, ALARMINGLY, THEY HAVE HAD IT SO LONG, THEY WANT TO KEEP IT. SO, MANY ARE DEFILED AND ARE AFFECTED, OR SHOULD I SAY INFECTED.
EVEN IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE A PORBLEM, ASK THE FATHER TO SHINE A LIGHT ON IT, AND SHOW YOU IF ONE EXISTS. IF IT DOES, GIVE IT TO GOD AND ASK HIM TO DELIVER YOU. ASK HIM WHAT CAUSED IT TO TAKE ROOT, AND EXPOSE IT TO YOU. THEN FORGIVE.
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
Mark 10:46 – And they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus sat by the highway side begging.
Jericho means place of fragrance. Jesus was passing out of Jericho on His last journey to Jerusalem when He passed blind Bartimaeus. Jericho was the home of someone in the lineage of Jesus, a woman named Rahab, a Gentile harlot, who helped spies sent out by Joshua to spy out the land.
How wonderful it is that even though we have a past, being sinners, Jesus passes through our lives with the sweet fragrance of salvation, if we will cry-out to Him in faith.
Bartimaeus was the son of Timaeus. The only thing we know about Bartimaeus, he was the son of Timaeus. The only thing we know about Timaeus, he was the father of Bartimaeus.
They were nobodies. They were unknowns until the Holy Spirit put them in the Bible. Jesus came to save us, nobodies and make us somebody: sons and daughters of God; a kingdom of priests.
Bartimaeus sat by the highway side, begging everyday, rain or shine. His day was the same old thing every day with no hope for things to be different. But one day, blind Bartimaeus heard about Jesus of Nazareth. He heard of the miracles and the signs and wonders. Someone must have told him about the teaching, preaching, and healings that Jesus did. Bartimaeus understood Jesus was the Jewish Messiah,the Son of David.
Bartimaeus heard a great noise coming from a crowd of people passing by. Bartimaeus asked, Who are all these people?
Mark 10:47 – And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Bartimaeus couldn’t see, but he could shout. He used his faith to cry out to Jesus. He was physically handicapped but his spirit and soul was determined to get the attention of Jesus and be healed. He cried out and asked, Have mercy on me. It was covenant prayer, confessing by faith. He knew who Jesus was: the promised Messiah, the seed of Abraham, the son of David, the Jewish Messiah, the One who came to give mercy to those who will believe in Him.
Everybody is not happy with a desperate person who knows who Jesus is and will not shut up.
Now, Bartimaeus is shifted to a seeking mode, he is seeking Jesus for his need. Some people stop after asking. Not blind Bartimaeus, he has faith that will not be quiet, he will seek his Healer.
Mark 10:48 – Many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
The number of people following Jesus, we do not know, but probably many of them did not have the understanding of who Jesus was, but Bartimaeus did, he knew Jesus was God, come in the flesh, Son of David,Virgin born Son of God.
This asking, seeking, confessing his faith, stopped Jesus, He stood still.
Mark 10:49 – And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise: He calleth thee.
Jesus stood still and commanded them to call Bartimaeus. Jesus wasn’ t ignoring Bartimaeus, but was listening to his faith cry out. Jesus stood still and let a blind man come to him. This would seem cruel to some who don’t understand that true faith will overcome every roadblock, every hindrance, every handicap. Desperate people do desperate things to get to Jesus. He didn’t say to Jesus, I can’t come to You, I’m blind. He got up and throwed off his beggar’s garment. He would never need it again. And he went to Jesus Faith never complains, faith receives.
Mark 10:51 – And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
Why would Jesus ask a blind man a question like that? Couldn’t he see the man was blind? Bartimaeus had cried out and asked for mercy. he cried out again, seeking the Lord’s attention, now he is standing at the door, knocking for his miracle, crying, Lord, that I might receive my sight. God knows what we need before we ask, but we must ask and seek Him, and continue to knock until the answer comes.
Mark 10:52 – And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received h is sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Some people think God does not heal people anymore. But the Bible says, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Salvation of a soul comes by faith in Jesus. Bartimaeus was healed by his own faith. So was the woman with the issue of blood. If faith in Jesus still saves the soul, Will it not bring healing to the body? Will faith not bring answers to all our prayers, to all of our needs? Yes, it will . God responds to faith when we pray in His will: His Word is His will Barimaeus asked, seeked and knocked, and got his need met. So can we.
Matthew 7:7 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;…
MARK 9:23 – JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH.
LIMITED FAITH IS MOTIVATED BY FEAR AND UNBELIEF.
LIMITED FAITH RESTRICTS THE POWER OF GOD.
LIMITED FAITH IS CONTROLLED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.
LIMITED FAITH DOESN’T RESIST OR FIGHT FOR THE PROMISES OF GOD, IT JUST LAYS DOWN AND DIES.
FAITH IS PRODUCED BY GOD’S WORD AND IS UNLIMITED, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. ANYTHING THAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US BELONGS TO US.
FAITH RELEASES THE ANIONTING AND ALSO FAITH RELEASES ANGELS.
THE FATHER OF THE DEMON POSSESSED CHILD SAID, LORD I BELIEVE YOU CAN DELIVER MY CHILD, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF.
WE ALL HAVE UNBELIEF, BUT JESUS CAN HELP US OVERCOME OUR UNBELIEF.
IF WE GET FULL, AND STAY FULL OF THE LORD, UNBELIEF WILL DISAPPEAR AND FAITH WILL APPEAR.
IN THE BOOK OF ACTS WE READ OF A MAN CALLED STEPHEN, WHO WAS FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FAITH. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF IN THIS MAN’S LIFE.
HE PREACHED WITH SUCH POWER, HIS SERMON’S WERE FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD. WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW HE GOT FULL OF FAITH AND POWER, HE WAS FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD.
THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER FILLS OUR LIFE WITH FAITH AND POWER, A FIRE BURNS IN OUR HEARTS, A PASSION FOR MORE OF THE LORD. SO STRONG THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF OR LIMITED FAITH. THE FIRE OF FAITH AND POWER THAT CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE FOR GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACLES.
WE CAN BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST AND POWER, THAT GIVES US A PASSION FOR PRAYER, WORD, AND WORSHIP.
DON’T LIMIT HOW MUCH OF GOD IS IN YOUR LIFE, LET’S BE LIKE STEPHEN: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER. WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH ANOINTING WE HAVE IN OUR LIFE.
GOD MAKES HIS PRESENCE AND POWER AND FAITH AVAILABE TO US, WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH WE WANT: WE CHOOSE.
I DESIRE HOLY GHOST FIRE TO SET THE CAPTIVE FREE, AND TO STAY FREE MYSELF: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:10 TO ANOTHER THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
THESE NINE GIFTS ARE SHUPERNATURAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS SAID THESE WORKS THAT I DO, YOU SHALL DO.
THE GIFT OF FAITH AND THE WORKING OF MIRACLES CONNECT MANY TIMES, OR THEY FLOW TOGETHER MANY TIMES.
THE WORKING OF MIRACLES IS A SUPERNATURAL DEMONSTRATION OF THE POWER OF GOD, BY WHICH THE LAWS OF NATURE, OR NATURAL LAWS ARE SUSPENED OR ALTERED OR CONTROL, BY THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD.
MATTHEW 14: 19-20 AND HE COMMANDED THE MULTITUDE TO SIT DOWN ON THE GRASS, AND TOOK THE FIVE LOAVES, AND THE TWO FISHES, AND LOOKING UP TO HEAVEN, HE BLESSED, AND BRAKE, AND GAVE THE LOAVES TO HIS DISCIPLES, AND THE DISCIPLES TO THE MULTITUDE.
AND THEY ALL DID EAT, AND WERE FILLED: AND THEY TOOK UP THE FRAGMENTS THAT REMAINED TWELVE BASKETS FULL.
AND THEY THAT HAD EATEN WERE ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND MEN, BESIDE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE IN THE BIBLE OF THE MANIFESTATION OF THE WORKING OF MIRACLES. JESUS TOOK THE FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES, AS THE DISCIPLES PAST OUT THE FOOD THERE WAS INCREASE, THE WORKING OF THIS MIRACLE CONTINUED UNTIL EVERY ONE WAS FEED, WITH TWELVE BASKETS LEFT OVER FOR THE GIVER.
JESUS, WHO WAS GOD COME IN THE FLESH, DID MIRACLES THROUGH THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
ACTS 10:38 HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND POWER: WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, AND HEALING ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL; FOR GOD WASW WITH HIM.
JESUS WORKED MIRACLES THE SAME WAY THE DISCIPLES WORKED MIRACLES, THROUGH THE MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE SAID THESE WORKS I DO SHALL YOU DO AND EVEN GREATER.
AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS THESE GIFTS AS HE WILL’S, WE ARE TO DESIRE THESE GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST.
THESE GIFTS ARE FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST, SEEK TO FLOW IN THEM.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:7-11 BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO EVERY MAN TO PROFIT WITHAL.
FOR TO IINE IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT THE WORD OF WISDOM: TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE SAME SPIRIT:
TO ANOTHER FAITH BY THE SAME SPIRIT: TO ANOTHER THE GIFTS OF HEALING BY THE SAME SPIRIT:
TO ANOTHER THE WORKING OF MIRACLES: TO ANOTHER PROPHECY: TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS: TO ANOTHER DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES: TO ANOTHER INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:
BUT ALL THESE WORKETH THAT ONE AND THE SELFSAME SPIRIT, DIVIDING TO EVERY MAN SEVERALLY AS HE WILL.
THESE GIFTS OR NOT NATURAL GIFTS, BUT ALL NINE OF THIS GIFTS ARE SUPERNATURAL.
IF YOU SEPERATED THE GIFTS, THERE ARE THREE GIFTS OF REVELATION, THE WORD OF WISDOM, THE WORD, OF KNOWLEDGE, AND DISCERNING OF SPIRITS. THESE THREE GIFTS OF COURSE, REVEAL SOMETHING.
THERE ARE THREE POWER GIFTS, THAT DO SOMETHING. THE GIFT OF FAITH, THE WORKING OF MIRACLES AND THE GIFTS OF HEALING.
THERE ARE THREE UTTERANCE GIFTS, THAT SAY SOMETHING.
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, DIVERS TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.
THIS GIFTS EMPOWER BELIEVERS TO OVERCOME THE FORCES OF HELL THAT OPPOSE THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON THIS EARTH. THESE GIFTS SUPERCEDE THE LAWS OF NATURE OR NATURAL LAWS.
THESE GIFTS ARE MANIFEST THROUGH THE BODY OF CHRIST, TO BLESS SAINTS, AND ARE A SUPERNATURAL WITNESS TO THE LOST.
THIS GIFTS CONNECT MANY TIMES TO EACH OTHER. ALL OF THESE GIFTS GLORFY JESUS, NOT MAN. WE WILL DISCUSS EACH GIFT, AS WE TEACH ON THIS SUBJECT. TO BE CONTINUED.
I CORINTHIANS 12:10 TO ANOTHER THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE NINE GIFTS LISTED IN THIS CHAPTER IS AMAZING. I PERSONALLY, HAVE HAD ALL NINE OF THIS GIFTS MANIFEST IN MY LIFE OR MINISTRY. SO I KNOW THEY STILL OPERATE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.
I HAD AND EXPERIENCE IN ENGLAND ONE TIME, COMING FROM WALES TO STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. WE WERE SCHEDULED FOR A MEETING THAT NIGHT WITH A PRISON MINISTRY, AT GREEK ST BAPTIST CHURCH. WE WERE DELAYED IN OUR TRAVEL, AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THE MEETING, SO WE PRAYED AND ASK THE LORD TO HELP US. WE HAD NEVER MISSED A MEETING WE HAD NEVER BEEN LATE BEFORE, SO WE ASK GOD TO DO THE IMMPOSIBLE. AS WE WERE DRIVING OUR GUIDE BEGAN TO LOUD. HE SAID, WE HAVE MISSED THIS LARGE CITY, HE SAID I DON’T UNDERSTAND, WE ARE AT LEAST 3 HOURS FUTHER TO OUR DESTINATION THAN WE SHOULD BE. WE DIDN’T PASS THROUGH THIS LARGE CITY, LOOK AT THIS MAP HE SAID, I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS. THE YOUNG MAN HAD LIVED IN THIS COUNTRY ALL HIS LIFE, HE KNEW THE ROADS AND THE CITIES.
GOD HAD JUST MANIFEST THE WORKING OF MIRACLES AND TRANSPORTED US LIKE PHILLIP. WE PULLED INTO MANCHESTER AND STOCKPORT ONE HOUR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
GOD ALLWAYS HAS A PURPOSE FOR WHAT HE DOES. WE DIDN’T KNOW THIS, BUT FOUND OUT, THESE PEOPLE IN THE PRISON MINISTRY WERE DISCOURAGED AND THAT WAS TO BE THEIR LAST MEETING.
JESUS HAD OTHER PLANS FOR THEM. THIS GROUPE ENTERED INTO OVERSEA’S MISSIONARY WORK AND BUILT A CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION’S. A POWERFUL MINISTRY WAS GIVEN ENCOURAGEMENT AND CONTINUED ON WITH THE WORK OF GOD.
ARE THE GIFTS LISTED IN THIS CHAPTER STILL OPERATING IN THE BODY OF CHRIST? YES PRAISE THE LORD. MOST OF THEM MANIFEST THROUGH PROPHETS OR PRIEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, AND THEY STILL MANIFEST TODAY AS THE SPIRIT WILL’S.
IF YOU ARE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, YOU ARE A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, PRAY FOR GOD TO USE YOU.