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When God Stands Up – James Payne
Tag: STAND
Faith to Stand in Confrontation
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Worship Cast License #: 6786
CCLI #: 3105920
RECKLESS FAITH
MARK 5: 25-29 – AND A CERTAIN WOMAN, WHICH HAD AN ISSUE OF BLOOD TWELVE YEARS.
AND HAD SUFFERED MANY THINGS OF MANY PHYSICIANS, AND SPENT ALL THAT SHE HAD, AND WAS NOTHING BETTERED, BUT RATHER GREW WORSE.
WHEN SHE HAD HEARD OF JESUS, CAME IN THE PRESS BEHIND, AND TOUCHED HIS GARMENT.
FOR SHE SAID, IF I MAY TOUCH BUT HIS CLOTHES, I SHALL BE WHOLE.
AND STRAIGHTWAY THE FOUNTAIN OF HER BLOOD WAS DRIED UP; AND SHE FELT IN HER BODY THAT SHE WAS HEALED OF THAT PLAGUE.
THIS WOMAN KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE SICK.
THIS WOMAN KNEW WHAT IT LIKE TO GET HER HOPES UP AND BE DISAPPOINTED.
I KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THE MIND OF A SICK PERSON.
I ALSO KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE HEALED.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, EVEN WHEN I WAS SICK. GOD IS GOOD TO US ALL THE TIME. THE DEVIL IS OUR ENEMY NOT GOD.
HEALING IS ALWAYS AVIALABLE TO US, SOMETIMES IT IS INSTANT, SOMETIMES IT IS PROGRESSIVE.
I PREFER THE INSTANT, BUT WILL BE HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESSIVE HEALING.
THIS WOMAN HAD A SICK BODY, BUT A STRONG WILL. A STRONG WILL IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN RECEVING ANYTHING FROM THE LORD.
SHE ALSO HAD PATIENCE, AND DETERMINATION.
HER WILL TO BE HEALED STAYED STRONG, WHILE HER BODY WAS STILL SICK.
SHE BECAME RECK-LESS IN HER FAITH. ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW, HER CONDITION OF BLEEDING, FORBID HER FROM BEING IN PUBLIC.
RECK-LESS FAITH CAN CAUSE YOU TO FORGET WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT. SOME HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT HEALING IS NOT FOR TODAY. YOU NEED TO FORGET THAT. IT IS A LIE STRAIGHT OUT OF RELIGIOUS TRADITION. GET RECK-LESS AND RECEIVE.
THIS WOMAN SAID IF I CAN TOUCH, BUT HIS CLOTHES, I SHALL BE WHOLE. HER WILL SAID, WHAT HER WILL BELIVED, THIS IS IMPORTANT. WHAT A STATEMENT, SHE DIDN’T ASK FOR JESUS TO TOUCH HER, HE DID TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR HEALING, BUT SHE WAS DETERMINED TO TOUCH HIM.
SHE KNEW SHE WAS TOUCHING THE WORD MADE FLESH.
I HAVE BEEN HEALED, TOUCHED BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH TOUCHING JESUS IN HIS WORD. BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED, HIS WILL FOR ME IS HIS WORD FOR ME. IF I CAN BELIEVE HIS WORD FOR THE SALVATION OF MY SOUL, I CAN BELIEVE HIS WORD FOR MY HEALING. SALVATION FOR MY SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY.
EVERY WORD, EVER ACTION OF THIS WOMAN WAS FAITH ORIENTED.
SHE HAD EVERY REASON TO GIVE UP, BUT SHE REFUSED TO GIVE UP.
IN DOING THAT SHE WAS REFUSING THE SICKNESS.
MARK 5:34 – AND HE SAID UNTO HER, DAUGHTER, THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE, GO IN PEACE, AND BE WHOLE OF THY PLAGUE.
SHE GOT WHAT SHE BELIEVED FOR, SHE PRESSED THROUGH THE CROWD.
THERE WILL BE OBSTACLES THAT YOU HAVE TO PRESS THROUGH; SYMPTOM’S THAT SCREAM OUT AT YOUR FAITH; WORDS OF FACT FROM PHYSICANS, TRY TO IMPART FEAR AND UNBELIEF; PAIN THAT SCREAMS, “NO THIS IS NOT FOR YOU, YOU CANT BE HEALED.”
THE WOMANS FAITH SCREAMED LOUDER THAT THE SICKNESS, I SHALL BE WHOLE.
THE ONLY ONE IN THE CROWD THAT TOUCHED JESUS IN THE PRESS, WAS THIS WOMAN’S RECK-LESS FAITH THAT WAS AIMED BY HER WILL TO RECEIVE.
SHE KNEW SHE HAD THE RIGHT MAN. THE ONLY ONE IN THE CROWD THAT COULD EVER HELP HER WAS JESUS. I SHALL BE WHOLE SHE SAID. THE TOUCH OF FAITH FIXED HER PROBLEM, THE TOUCH OF FAITH WILL FIX EVERY PROBLEM.
EVERY TIME I READ ABOUT THIS WOMAN, WHAT SHE DID AND WHAT SHE GOT, CREATES FAITH IN ME, IT CREATES STRONG WILL INSIDE ME NOT TO BE DENIED WHATEVER IS PAID FOR, THAT BELONGS TO ME.
ALIGN YOUR TALK AND YOUR FAITH; THEY GO TOGETHER AND WILL MOVE YOUR MOUNTAIN’S. AMEN, GLORY TO MY KING JESUS.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
THE GREAT ESCAPE.
I know, from one of our last messages, Wilderness Experience: where Jesus revealed to us; when He went through those temptations, he did this for us. Again, what the Father revealed to me today, is a revelation, I am likely never to forget.
When we get to the place, of complete surrender to God and His plans and purposes for our lives, we never again have to be troubled about anything. There is great freedom that comes with this level of our walk with Him. The Lord said to me, “I will take you to the place of escape for every temptation. I prepared this for you, when Jesus was in the temptation wilderness with Satan. Now, you understand how I did it. I gave My people the way of escape. This was My purpose for this great experience of Jesus. Nothing can take you under. I have prepared the way of escape.”
I always knew after I read the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13, that God will make a way of escape; but I didn’t completely understand how the escape would come.
1 Corinthians 10:13 —- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to men: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation wilderness,also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Studying this verse an comparing it with Mark 1:13a let’s read it —- And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan;…
Comparing these two, together, began to bring light to me: Jesus’ temptations; and our temptations.
Finding other references, that relate or connect, is also important for the full understanding of this great truth, or any other subject in the Bible: comparing Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:10).
Hebrews 2:3a —-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…
Escape means = to evade, or slip away from.
Temptation means = a testing designed to strengthen, or corrupt.
2 Peter 2:9a —- The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,…
Temptation is withstood, through our trust in the faithfulness of God.
God has undertaken to defend, and deliver His servants, whether it is daily temptations, or the Great Tribulation period of the last days.
We all need to escape both.
Look at Luke 21:36 —- Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Jesus prepared the way of escape, but we can see in this verse we also have something to do: We are told to watch and pray.
This would go for any kind of escape we might need.
When Jesus was tempted in the Judean wilderness, He warded off every thrust by the power of the Scriptures.
God encourages us to call on Him in the day of trial.
The sentry or soldier, doesn’t advance or move forward, to meet the approaching enemy: he falls back, and gives warning to the commander.
So, when we are tempted, we should call upon our God.
It’s the difference in being strengthened, or corrupted.
temptation When God strengthens us, we just slip away from the temptation.
Joseph was given strength, by God, to do this very thing.
Most all Christians know this story, but for those who are listening who don’t, and those who would love to be refreshed, turn with me to Genesis 39:6b —- And Joseph was a godly person, and well favored.
Verse 7-9 —- And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house (or trusts me with everything in his house) and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand.
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Look at verses 10-12 —- And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he harkened not unto her, to lie with her, or to be with her.
And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went in to the house to do his business; and there was none of the men in the house there within.
And she caught him by his garment, saying lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (he got out of there).
We know from the next verses, he escaped this temptation, but she lied on him, and his master, Potifhar, sent him to prison; but we also know God was with him, and even used him in prison.
Verse 21 —- But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Verse 23 —- The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made to prosper.
As time went by, Joseph began to interpret dreams.
interpret,butler,One morning, Pharaoh awoke from a dream that troubled him, (Genesis 41:7,8) and the chief butler told Pharaoh, that Joseph could interpret it.
Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and in verse 16, we read —- And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not dream,in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Pharaoh shared his dream of which Joseph interpreted and verse 39 reads —- And pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet (or discerning) and wise as thou art.
Joseph showed himself not only to be a man of integrity no matter the cost, he showed himself to be a man who sought God.
My friend, sometimes when we escape temptation, the result is: trouble with man; but we can depend on peace with God. Obedience, and peace with God, are worth the stand we take. In the end, we win every time.
Verse 40 —- Thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
We see Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers, taken down to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, who was the captain of the guard, under Pharaoh; promoted by God’s favor to the second to Pharaoh.
My friend, only God, can give this kind of favor, that a man could come from a servant, to the second to a king, in approximately fourteen years.
Most of Joseph’s life was filled with troubles and trials, but he remained faithful to God, and completely trusted God.
He followed God’s plan and purpose for his life.
If you are going through a time of testing or temptation, my advice to you is, stand strong in you conviction of what is truth, and keep your heart and mind toward God.
Now, there are sins of disobedience that can cause us to fail to escape the judgment of God. We will take these last few minutes, and go over some of the Scriptures that cover failure to escape:
HE THAT SPEAKETH LIES SHALL NOT ESCAPE:
Proverbs 19:5 —- A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Shall not escape what?
Revelation 21:8 —- But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
All liars are eternally separated from God.
IF WE GET INTO DARKNESS WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:
1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 —- For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
IF WE NEGLECT OUR SALVATION WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:
Hebrews 2:1-4 —- Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect (or disregard) so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.
IF WE JUDGE OTHERS WE SHALL NOT ESCAPE:
Romans 2:1-3 —- Therefore thou art inexcuseable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest (or criticizes anyone): for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(a question) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?
Or we could say, Do you think God will judge and condemn others for doing them and overlook you when you do them, too?
God is saying,— There is no excuse for you, whoever you are, that criticizes anyone for doing something you are doing yourself. When you are condemning them, you are condemning yourself. And we know that God, in justice, will punish anyone who does such things as these.
WE SEE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
MANY TIMES WE HAVE A MIND-SET ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE WHEN WE LOOK. IF WE ARE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO SEES EVIL IN EVERYTHING, WE WILL FIND IT; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD, WE WILL FIND IT. OUR GAS TANK CAN BE HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY.
IF WE FEEL INSECURE AROUND PEOPLE, WHEN WE ARE WITH MORE THAN ONE, WE FEEL INTIMIDATED, THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAINST US EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT. WE CAN SAY TO OURSELVES, “THEY ARE FRIENDS, BUT THEY DON’T LIKE ME,” OR WE COULD TELL OURSELVES, “I DON’T LIKE THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER.
THESE FEELINGS USUSALLY COME FROM A BAD PAST EXPERIENCE, OR THEY COME FROM A COMPETITIVE NATURE YOU HAVE DEVELOPED BY WANTING TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.
THIS TYPE OF PERSON IS MISERABLE AND DOESN’T EVEN LIKE BEING AROUND THEMSELVES. THIS KIND OF THINKING USUALLY COMES FROM CHILDHOOD, WHERE WE WERE AT ONE POINT, THE CENTER OF ATTENTION; AND WHEN SOMEONE ELSE STEPPED INTO THE SPOTLIGHT, WE FELT LEFT OUT. I CALL THESE PEOPLE “CENTER-STAGE” PEOPLE. THEY ARE MISERABLE WITHIN AND WE DON’T LIKE BEING IN THEIR COMPANY, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO “POUT”; OR IF THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO TARE DOWN THAT PERSON THEY FEEL COMPETITIVE WITH. OR MAYBE THEY WILL EVEN CAUSE A SCENE JUST TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
SOMETIMES THAY WILL JUST AVOID YOU SO YOU WILL SEEK THEM OUT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG. THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU OR THEM.
I HEARD A PASTOR SAY ON TV TODAY, THAT AFTER HE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE LOST THAT FEELING OF HAVING TO BE RECOGNIZED.
WHEN THIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE IS DEVELOPED IN US, IT IS HARD TO BREAK. MOST OF THE TIME, THE WAY YOU SEE IT, IS THE PROBLEM. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN OF CONCERN ALSO IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES.
PHILIPPIANS 2:4 – LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS, BUT EVERY MAN ALSO ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS. THE WAY THE WORLD IS——“PUSH YOURSELF FORWARD. BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.” BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT JESUS TAUGHT, NOR LIVED. VERSES 5-8 – LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS: WHO BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, THOUGHT IT NOT ROBBERY TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD: BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF…
PAUL POINTS OUT HERE THE CAUSES OF DIVISIONS WHICH EXISTS AMONG CHRISTIANS, ONE OF WHICH IS VAIN GLORY: PERSONAL VANITY; THE DESIRE TO BE NOTICED, AND THE HATRED OF OWNING-UP TO BEING WRONG. WE CALL THIS SELFISHNESS OR SELF-CENTEREDNESS. A SELF-CENTERED PERSON IS THE WORSE OF THE TWO. A SELFISH PERSON IS ONE WHO WANT EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF: BUT A SELF-CENTERED PERSON THINKS OF NO ONE BUT HIMSELF; AND THINKS THE WORLD SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND HIM.
SELF-CENTEREDNESS MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THOUGHT, FEELINGS, AND ACTIONS.
ALL OF US ARE A LITTLE SELFISH BY NATURE. WE ARE THE ONE THAT LIVES IN OUR BODY. IT’S INTERESTING TO ME, THOUGH, THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN, HE BEGINS TO REVEAL TO US ALL TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES AND OUR MOTIVES: IN ALL WE SAY AND DO.
WHY NOT ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO BE RIGHT FOR A CHANGE?
WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING?
IT’S BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE COUNTED WRONG. THERE IS A SAYING THAT BARES REPEATING: “I COULD BE WRONG, BUT I THINK I’M RIGHT.”
THIS WOULD STOP A LOT OF BICKERING BACK AND FORTH IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. WHO KNOWS? IN SOME THINGS THEY COULD BE RIGHT!
THE REASON WE HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM OF LOOKING ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS MORE THAN OUR OWN, IS BECAUSE WE WERE BORN WITH A SIN-NATURE. WE HAVE TO ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE US. WE NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST TO PUT-ON TRUE CHRISTIANITY. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
IT’S EASY FOR US AS MORE MATURE CHRISTIANS TO DEVELOPE A DISLIKE AND DISTRUST FOR A CERTAIN PERSON; AND WHEN THEY COME INTO THE ROOM WHERE WE ARE, WE FREEZE-UP ON THEM, SOMETIMES WE JUST MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA BECAUSE WE JUST CAN’T STAND BEING AROUND THEM.
I FIND THIS MORE IN SPIRITUALLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE, WHO DISCERN DEMONIC OPERATION IN THAT PERSON.
THEY JUDGE THE PERSON, AND NEVER PRAY FOR THEM OR TRY TO FIND SOME GOOD IN THEM.
IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO ASK GOD FOR WHAT IS IN OPERATION THERE AND GO OUR KNEES IN PRAYER AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO WILL LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE FOUND OUT, —– OR THINK WE SUSPICIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT THEM.
WE SHOULD GO TO OUR KNEES AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT SO THAT PERSON CAN BE FREE.
THEN, WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES WITH THE BOOK OF JAMES TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN US WE NEED TO BE FREED FROM.
PAUL GAVE GREST ADVICE IN PHILLIPPIANS 2:2, WHERE HE SAYS, —-THEN MAKE ME TRUELY HAPPY BY LOVING EACH OTHER, WORKING TOGETHER, WITH ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE PURPOSE.
WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
MAY GOD BLESS THIS MESSAGE AND YOU
MARK 1:10-13 – AND STRAIGHTWAY COMING UP OUT OF THE WATER, HE SAW THE HEAVEN’S OPENED, AND THE SPIRIT LIKE A DOVE DESCENDED UPON HIM: AND THERE CAME A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING,THOU ART MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. AND IMMEDIATELY THE SPIRIT DRIVETH HIM INTO THE WILDERNESS FORTY DAYS, TEMPTED OF SATAN; AND WAS WITH THE WILD BEASTS; AND THE ANGELS MINISTERED UNTO HIM.
OUR MESSAGE, TODAY, WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF VERSE 13: TEMPTED OF SATAN. JESUS WENT FORTH WITH DIVINE POWER, THE HOLY SPIRIT COMPELLED HIM, WITH GREAT ENERGY; SO THAT OF HIS OWN ACCORD HE WENT FORTH, ARMED WITH DIVINE POWER, IN THE DESERT. IT WAS A WRESTLING PLACE WITH SATAN.
THERE, CHRIST AND ANTICHRIST MET AND ENTERED INTO A CONFLICT ABOUT THE ISSUE ON WHICH OUR SALVATION DEPENDED.
I KNOW THROUGH EXPERIENCE, WHEN A CHRISTIAN IS JUST ON THE THRESHHOLD OF THEIR MINISTRY, THEY MEET SATAN, OR HIS DEMONS, HEAD-ON. THERE IS A TIME OF TESTING.
CHRIST, OUR EXAMPLE, SHOWS US HOW TO DEAL WITH SATAN’S ATTACKS, IN THIS SAME ACCOUNT, IN MATTHEW AND LUKE, WHERE HE USED THE SCRIPTURES AGAINST SATAN.
WE COULD LEARN MUCH FROM THIS STORY, AS TO BE PREPARED BEFORE THE ATTACKS COME. JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS ON THE EDGE OF BEGINNING IN FULL POWER, AND THEN THE ATTACKS CAME.
IT SEEMS TO ME, JESUS COULD HAVE SKIPPED THIS PROCESS, BUT I BELIEVE HE DID THIS FOR YOU AND ME. HE COULD HAVE SPOKEN TO SATAN, BECAUSE OF WHO HE WAS, AND SATAN WOULD HAVE HAD TO TURN-TAIL-AND-RUN. THIS MAY SEEM STRANGE TO YOU, BUT LOOK WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS FOR US: HE WENT WILLINGLY, OF HIS OWN ACCORD. HE DID THIS FOR YOU AND ME. HE MET SATAN HEAD-ON. HE KNEW HE HAD THE ADVANTAGE, BUT SATAN’S DEFEAT WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. THREE YEARS, OR SO, LATER, SATAN’S WORK AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD WAS DEFEATED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY; AND JESUS’ RESURRECTION.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER JESUS: AS THE WORD, WAS THERE IN HEAVEN WHEN SATAN AND A THIRD OF THE ANGELS WERE CAST OUT OF HEAVEN.
WHY HE THINKS HE CAN STILL WIN, I DON’T KNOW.
SATAN WAS NO MATCH FOR JESUS, THERE IN THE WILDERNESS. WE KNOW, IN HUMAN FLESH, HE SUFFERED AS MAN; BUT HIS MIND DID NOT HAVE TO BE RENEWED TO THE WORD OF GOD, LIKE DOES OURS, BECAUSE HE WAS AND IS THE WORD. HE DID STUDY THE SCRIPTURES FROMT THE TIME HE WAS A CHILD, BUT HE KNEW HIS DESTINY. AND HE KNEW HE HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. IT MAY BE HARD FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THIS, BUT HE WAS GOD IN HUMAN FLESH.
WHEN WE ARE SERVING GOD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS; AND THE ATTACKS COME AGAINST US,WE GO TO THE WORD OF GOD FOR HELP. WE MIGHT READ JAMES 1:2-4 – MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS: KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MIGHT BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, AND WANTING NOTHING.
IF WE DON’T GO THROUGH THESE ATTACKS, KNOWING, THROUGH CHRIST, WE WILL WIN, WE WILL NOT HAVE LEARNED ANYTHING; AND THE NEXT ATTACK WILL DESTROY WHAT CHRIST IS TRYING TO TEACH US.
WE CAN ONLY COMBAT THIS TYPE OF ATTACK, WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF THE SCRIPTURES. IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO KNOW WHAT THE WORD SAYS, WE HAVE TO PRACTICE USING IT. SATAN WILL THEN KNOW WHERE WE STAND, AND FLEE. ALTHOUGH, HE DOES COME BACK AFTER A WHILE, AND TRY IN ANOTHER AREA.
WE THEN, STAND STRONG, AND THIS NEW ATTACK WILL NOT TROUBLE US, AS MUCH AS THE LAST ONE; BECAUSE EACH TIME, WE GET STRONGER, MORE MATURE IN THE LORD, AND WILL COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE LACK NOTHING. PRAISE GOD!
MOST OF OUR BATTLES ARE IN THE MIND, SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER: THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS.
IN THE WILDERNESS, JESUS ALSO ENCOUNTERED WILD BEASTS (MARK 1:13). THIS SHOWS THE EXTREME SOLITUDE OF THE PLACE. IT SHOWS ALSO THE INNOCENCE OF OUR LORD, THAT THERE IN THAT WILD DESOLATE DISTRICT, AMONGST LIONS, AND WOLVES, AND LEOPARDS, AND SERPENTS, HE NEITHER FEARED THEM NOR WAS HE INJURED BY THEM. HE DWELT AMONGST THEM AS ADAM LIVED WITH THEM IN HIS STATE OF INNOCENCE IN PARADISE. THESE WILD BEASTS RECOGNIZED AND REVERED HIM AS THEIR CREATOR, AND THEIR LORD (PULPIT COMMENTARY).
CHRIST HAS GIVEN US AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME, SO WE NOW HAVE MORE AUTHORITY THAN WE HAVE EVER TAPPED INTO,
MISSIONARIES HAVE TOLD STORIES ABOUT THEIR ENCOUNTERS WITH WILD BEASTS. I REMEMBER ONE, WHERE, IN INDIA, THERE WAS A MAN WHO GOT SAVED, AND TRAVELED INTO THE VILLAGES OF THE JUNGLES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL. ONE DAY HE WENT INTO A VILLAGE WHERE HE SHARED THE LORD, AND AS HE WAS BEGINNING TO LEAVE THE AREA, HE REALIZED HE WAS LOST. HE ASKED DIRECTIONS, AND TWO MEN SPOKE-UP AND INTENTIONALLY, GAVE HIM INCORRECT DIRECTIONS. THEY WERE HEATHEN, AND DIDN’T LIKE HIM SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THEIR VILLAGE, AND SEEING THEIR PEOPLE COME TO JESUS. THE MINISTER, ALONE, AND UNKNOWINGLY, WENT THE WAY THEY SAID AND GOT LOST. HE WANDERED AROUND AND AROUND UNTIL IT GOT DARK. WHEN IT GOT DARK, IT WAS COLD. HE WAS SO TIRED, HE SAID, “LORD, I CAN’T GO ANY FURTHER. MAKE ME WARM.” HE LAY DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD GO TO SLEEP AND FREEZE TO DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING, HE AWOKE WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A WARM BLANKET OVER AGAINST HIM, BUT WHEN HE OPENED HIS EYES, IT WAS A BENGAL TIGER. AT FIRST HE WAS FRIGHTENED, BUT HE REALIZED, GOD HAD SENT THIS TIGER TO KEEP HIM WARM AND ALIVE. HE REMAINED STILL AND WAITED. THE TIGER GOT UP AND WALKED AWAY; BUT AS IT WAS LEAVING, IT STOPPED, AND TURNED AROUND; LOOKED AT THE MISSIONARY, AS TO SAY, “YOU’LL BE ALRIGHT NOW”, AND THEN DISAPPEARED OUT OF SIGHT. THE MISSIONARY SAID, GOD SENT HIM A STRIPED BLANKET TO KEEP HIM ALIVE.
WE DON’T KNOW ALL THAT HAPPENED TO OUR LORD JESUS IN THAT WILDERNESS, CHILD OF GOD, BUT OUR GOD CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING!!
WE DON’T THINK THE ANGELS HELPED JESUS THROUGHOUT THE TEMPTATION. ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, IT WAS AFTER THE TEMPTATION AND THE WILD BEASTS. IT WAS THEN THE ANGELS APPEARED TO HIM. HE HAD SAID HE COULD HAVE CALLED DOWN TWELVE LEGIONS OF ANGELS AND STOPPED THE CRUCIFIXION, BUT HE DIDN’T (MATTHEW 26:53).
HE DID ALL THIS FOR US, TO SAVE US AND TAKE US TO A HIGHER UNDERSTANDING OF HIMSELF AND TO A HIGHER LEVEL OR PLACE WITH HIM.
GOD COULD HAVE DONE IT ANOTHER WAY, BUT HE CHOSE TO DO IT THIS WAY. FOR US. PRAISE GOD!
I DESIRE INTIMATE TIME WITH YOU
“I DESIRE INTIMATE TIME WITH YOU.”
THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SPOKE TO ME THIS MORNING WHILE WE SPENT TIME TOGETHER IN OUR SECRET PLACE.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU THINK GOD DOESN’T SPEAK; AND OTHERS OF YOU THINK GOD IS LOOKING DOWN ON US, WAITING FOR US TO STEP OUT OF LINE, SO HE CAN BRING HIS WRATH ON US. BUT THIS IS NOT THE GOD OF THE BIBLE, NOR THE GOD WHO SPENDS TIME WITH ME EVERY DAY.
HE LOVES ALL CREATION AND HE DOES, OF COURSE, JUDGE SIN.
FIRST, LET’S EXAMINE HIS CHARACTER: HE IS LIFE; HE IS OUR PEACE; HIS BANNER OVER US IS LOVE; HE IS EVERYTHING WE NEED IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION; HE IS THE DIRECT OPPOSITE OF THE ENEMY OF OUR SOULS, SATAN.
NOW, LET’S LOOK AT SATAN’S CHARACTER: HE IS SELFISH;HE BRINGS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DEATH; HE IS LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE SOMEONE ON WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO BASE YOUR CHARACTER?
I FORGOT TO SAY, HIS END IS DESTRUCTION. HE DOES DESTROY, BUT IN THE END, HE WILL BE DESTORYED; ALONG WITH ALL WHO SERVE HIM.
TO FOLLOW GOD, IS TO BE WHAT HE WANTS US TO BE: BY ACCEPTING JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR, AND MAKING HIM LORD OF OUR LIVES.
IF WE WANT TO KNOW WHO TO BE INTIMATE WITH, WE LOOK FOR JUST THE RIGHT PERSON: THE ONE WHO IS FOR US AND NOT AGAINST US. LET’S DEFINE THE WORD INTIMATE: IT IS CLOSE IN FRIENDSHIP; WELL ACQUAINTED; FAMILIAR; AND CONFIDENTIAL.
WHY SHOULD WE EVEN SPEND THE TIME OF DAY WITH SOMEONE WHO DESPISES US AND WANTS TO TAKE US TO HELL? THINK ABOUT IT!
WE HAVE MANUALS TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH EVERY APPLIANCE OR GADGET WE BUY. THEY CALL IT INSTRUCTIONS. IT TELLS US WHAT THAT THING WILL DO, AND EVEN WHAT IT WON’T DO. HOW DO THEY KNOW? IT HAS BEEN TRIED AND TESTED.
WELL, WE HAVE A MANUAL, THE BEST SELLER OF ALL TIMES, YEAR AFTER YEAR, CALLED THE HOLY BIBLE. IF WE WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GOD, OR SATAN, WE CAN FIND IT IN THIS MANUAL.
MY HUSBAND HAS STATED, REFERRING TO THIS, WHEN HE FELL IN LOVE WITH ME, HE WANTED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT ME. IF THERE HAD BEEN A BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT ME, HE WOULD HAVE READ IT TO SEE WHAT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY.
I TELL YOU, WE CAN PLEASE GOD, BUT SATAN IS NEVER SATISFIED. HIS ONLY PLEASURE IS TO HAVE OUR SOUL AND DAMN IT TO HELL.
EVERYDAY PEOPLE MAKE CHOICES: SOME TURN OUT GOOD, AND SOME BAD; BUT I TELL YOU, THIS CHOICE TO SERVE GOD BRINGS EVERLASTING LIFE AND PEACE WITH IT. NOTHING ELSE WE CHOOSE WILL EVER STAND THAT TEST.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOOD AND TRUE, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES. THEY BRING EVERLASTING LIFE.
EVERY OTHER gOD, LITTLE “g”, THAT MAN HAS SOUGHT OUT TO BE INTIMATE WITH, HAS BROUGHT DEATH OR BONDAGE. WHY SHOULD ANYONE AS INTELLIGENT AS WE THINK WE ARE, WANT TO SERVE AND ENTITY LIKE THAT?
TELL ME, HOW COULD WHOLE NATIONS WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN TO A gOD WHO REQUIRES THEIR DEATH, FOR FALSE BENEFITS, AND TEACHES THEM TO TAKE LIVES? HOW COULD THEY?
WHEN WE FOLLOW JESUS, WE ARE FOLLOWING HIM TO WIN THE LOST FOR CHRIST. AND HE BRINGS US INTO HIS PRESENCE.
THE ANOINTING OR PRESENCE WE FEEL WHEN WE WORSHIP GOD, JEHOVAH, IS PLEASURABLE. WE GIVE OUR LIVES TO HIM, AND I KNOW SOME HAVE DIED FOR HIM BY BEING MARTYRED, BUT NO ONE HAS EVER COMMITTED MURDER FOR HIM, KILLED UNBORN BABIES FOR HIM, NOR COMMITTED SUICIDE FOR HIM.
WHY DO YOUM SUPPOSE THE MUSLIM god TELLS HIS FOLLOWERS NOT TO BE PROMISCUOUS, AND THEN TELLS THEM THEY CAN BE, IF THEY KILL AND COMMIT SUICIDE IN THE PROCESS? STOP AND THINK! IT IS IN THE KORAN, WHICH WE COULD SAY, IS THEIR MANUAL.
THERE ARE PRECIOUS SOULS IN THE BALANCE, AND WE SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHO WE SERVE AND COMMUNE WITH. EVERYBODY AFFECTS SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE.
MY HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS COMMUNION WITH HIS CHILDREN, AND ALL OF US HAVE A PLACE WITHIN OUR BEING, THAT WANTS TO WORSHIP SOMEONE OR SOMETHING.
THE MESSAGE I DESIRE TO GET ACROSS TO YOU, IS: WORSHIP THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!
HE DESIRES TIME WITH YOU, BUT TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM, YOU HAVE TO KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.
MY FRIEND, ALL OTHER gods BELONG TO SATAN AND HIS KINGDOM. HE HAS JUST THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU, TO DECEIVE YOU INTO WORSHIPPING THAT FALSE god; BUT IN REALITY YOU ARE WORSHIPPING SATAN, AND HE LOVES IT.
GOD THE FATHER IS THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD; GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY GHOST: THREE IN ONE.
I HAVE READ THE REAL MANUAL, THE HOLY BIBLE, WRITTEN UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; AND I HAVE BEEN IN HIS PRESENCE, AND HAS SEEN HIS SUPERNATURAL OPERATION IN MY LIFE. HE HAS CHANGED ME, AND IS CONTINUALLY LOVINGLY CHANGING ME.
WHY DO I SERVE HIM? BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED ME, AND REACHED DOWN FOR ME. HE DREW ME TO HIMSELF. I ACCEPTED HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, AS MY SAVIOR AND HE CHANGED THIS GIRL INTO A WOMAN OF GOD WHO LOVES AND TRIES TO REACH ALL THE PEOPLE SHE CAN TO BRING THEM TO THE TRUTH.
I SPEAK BLESSINGS OVER YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS: SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, AND FINANCIAL BLESSINGS.
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.
