Power of Righteousness-5

by Tom Hartley | Dec 9, 2025 | Current

Part 5: Don’t Look Back

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

The Warning We Don’t Want to Hear

A few months ago, we walked through the story of two rivers — one flowing from the Tree of Life, fed by God’s righteousness, and the other polluted at the source by the self-righteousness that entered the world in the garden. We followed those rivers from Eden to the cross, from the cross to today, and we ended with an invitation: come to Jesus, drink from the right river, and never thirst again. That invitation still stands. It will ALWAYS stand.

But today I need to talk to you about something harder. Something that Jesus Himself brought up, and He didn’t bring it up casually. He didn’t mention it in passing like a weather update. He brought it up as a WARNING. And He used a story from the oldest pages of Scripture to drive it home. Three words: “Remember Lot’s wife.” That’s it. That’s the whole verse. Luke 17:32. Three words. And they carry the weight of ETERNITY. Let me show you why.

The Cities on the Wrong River

Back in Genesis, two cities had become so consumed by wickedness that their names became synonymous with judgment: Sodom and Gomorrah. These weren’t cities that had never known God. They existed in the time of Abraham, the man God had chosen to be the father of nations. Abraham’s own nephew, Lot, LIVED in Sodom. The knowledge of God was near. But the people of these cities had given themselves over entirely to the polluted river. They drank from it without shame, without restraint, without any thought of God, as if it were on tap and the tab was paid.

Now the prophet Ezekiel tells us what was really at the root of Sodom’s sin — and it might surprise you: “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it” (Ezekiel 16:49-50). Pride. Excess. Ease. And a complete disregard for the people around them. Sound familiar? It should. It sounds like the world outside your window. It sounds like the six o’clock news. It sounds like half the internet.

Sodom wasn’t just sexually immoral — though it was that too. It was self-righteous to the BONE. It had decided for itself what was good, what was acceptable, what was right. It had built an entire culture on the fruit of the wrong tree. And it was THRIVING — by the world’s standards. Beautiful buildings. Full stomachs. Prosperous ease. The kind of place that would have had a five-star rating on every review site. But God saw it. He ALWAYS does. And a five-star rating means nothing when the foundation is rotten.

Abraham’s Plea

When God told Abraham what He was about to do, Abraham did something remarkable. He BARGAINED. He stood before the Lord and pleaded for the city — not because he loved its sin, but because he loved PEOPLE. “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?” (Genesis 18:23-24). And God said yes. If there are fifty, I’ll spare it.

Abraham kept going. Forty-five? Yes. Forty? Yes. Thirty? Twenty? Ten? “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18:32). TEN righteous people. That’s all it would have taken to save the entire city. Ten people walking in God’s righteousness. Ten people drinking from the right river. There weren’t ten. In a city FULL of people, God could not find ten who walked with Him. The polluted river had taken EVERYONE.

This is what self-righteousness does when it’s left unchecked. It doesn’t just corrupt individuals. It corrupts whole communities, whole cultures, whole GENERATIONS. And eventually, it brings judgment. Not because God is cruel — He’s not. He’s the God with no shadow of turning, remember? — but because a holy God cannot call evil good forever. There comes a point where mercy has knocked on the door so many times that even mercy steps back and lets consequences do the talking.

Get Out

God sent two angels to Lot. Their message was simple and urgent: GET OUT. Take your family and go. Don’t stop. Don’t hesitate. Don’t go back for the photo albums. And then they gave one specific instruction that matters more than all the rest: “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away” (Genesis 19:17). Do NOT look back.

Lot and his family started running. Fire and sulfur began to fall. And Lot’s wife — the woman Jesus would reference by name THOUSANDS of years later — looked back. “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). One look. That’s all it took.

Now, she didn’t just glance over her shoulder the way you check behind you when you hear a loud noise. The Hebrew word here suggests she LINGERED. She longed. She looked back at what she was leaving behind — the life, the comfort, the familiarity of that city — and in that moment, she made her choice. She chose the old river over the new road God was setting before her. And it cost her EVERYTHING. The distance between salvation and destruction was the length of one backward glance. That should terrify us and sharpen us in equal measure.

Remember Her

So why does Jesus bring her up? And WHEN does He bring her up? He brings her up while He’s talking about the last days. About the time when He will return. About a generation that will be living just like the people of Sodom — eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building — carrying on as if God isn’t watching and judgment isn’t real. Business as usual. Netflix and takeaways. Like the sky isn’t about to split open.

And right in the middle of that warning, He says: “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:32-33). Whoever holds on to the old life — the old river, the old ways, the old self-righteousness — will lose EVERYTHING. But whoever lets go and follows Jesus will gain everything that matters. This isn’t ancient history. This is a warning for RIGHT NOW. For you and for me.

The Days We’re In

Paul wrote to Timothy about the kind of people who would mark the last days. And when you read his words, it’s hard not to feel like he’s looking out the SAME WINDOW you are: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Read that list again. LOVERS OF SELF. Lovers of money. Proud. Arrogant. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Having the APPEARANCE of godliness but denying its power. That last one is the one that should keep us up at night. Because it doesn’t address people who reject God outright. It’s talking about people who LOOK religious. People who show up on Sunday. People who post Bible verses on social media but live as if God’s Word doesn’t apply to them Monday through Saturday. People who’ve got the bumper sticker, the worship playlist, and the Instagram aesthetic — but no POWER. No transformation. No fruit. The appearance of godliness. That’s fig leaves all over again. That’s self-righteousness wearing its Sunday best.

And Paul’s instruction? It’s blunt: “Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:5). Don’t follow them. Don’t drink from their river. Don’t look back at their version of Christianity and mistake it for the real thing. Smith Wigglesworth put it this way: “There is a difference between the manifestation of the gift and the counterfeit. Don’t be afraid of the real because you’ve seen the false.” The real river is still running. Don’t let the counterfeits scare you away from it.

The River Still Runs

I know this is heavy. I know it might feel like I’m painting a dark picture. But I’m NOT. I’m pointing you to the LIGHT. Because here’s the thing about Sodom: God still saved Lot. He still sent angels. He still made a way out. Even when the whole city was lost, God’s mercy reached in and PULLED PEOPLE OUT OF THE FIRE. He’s doing the same thing right now.

The river of Life — the one that started in Eden, the one that flows through Jesus Christ, the one fed by the Holy Spirit — hasn’t stopped running. It’s still clear. It’s still straight. It’s still available to anyone who will turn away from the polluted water and comes to drink. But you have to CHOOSE. And you have to keep choosing. Every day. Every moment you’re tempted to look back at the old life, the old comforts, the old lies that felt like truth — remember Lot’s wife. DON’T LOOK BACK.

The writer of Hebrews put it this way: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). LOOKING TO JESUS. Not behind you. Not beside you. Not at what the world is doing or what you used to be or what you’re afraid of losing. Look at JESUS. He is the author. He is the finisher. He is the river, the gate, the vine, the way, the truth, and the life. And He’s not behind you. He’s AHEAD of you. So why on earth would you look back?

One Last Drink

If this series has done anything, I pray it’s made you THIRSTY. Thirsty for the right water. Thirsty for something real in a world full of imitations and knockoffs and five-star-rated polluted rivers.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). That hunger you feel? That restlessness? That sense that there’s got to be MORE than what the world is selling? That’s not a problem. That’s a BLESSING. Because it means you’re being drawn to the right river. Don’t fight it. Follow it. Follow HIM.

Don’t look back. Don’t settle for lukewarm. Don’t let anyone — no matter how polished or popular or how many followers they’ve got — lead you down a river that ends in death. The narrow river leads to LIFE. Jesus is standing at its banks right now, hand extended, saying the same thing He’s been saying since the beginning: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Come. Drink. Live. And NEVER look back.

* * *

A Moment Before You Go

Lord, I don’t want to be a pillar of salt. I don’t want to stand frozen between two rivers, one foot in Your kingdom and one eye on the old life. I’m turning my face forward — toward You, toward the narrow river, toward everything You’ve prepared for me. Burn the bridges behind me if You have to. I’m not going back. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* * *

A.W. Tozer wrote, “The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us.” Stop looking back. Stop giving orders. Let go, and let His river carry you forward.

C.S. Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Lot’s wife didn’t believe that. Don’t make her mistake. The best is ahead of you, not behind you. It always has been.

i-CH

Always

Fear

by Tom Hartley | Dec 24, 2024 | Christian Living

FEAR

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us? Romans 8:31

As I see it, fear can be classified into 2 categories; unhealthy and healthy. And within those categories 2 types each; spiritual and personal. I will only quickly review three of these because I want to emphasize the one type that concerns us as Christians. If time allows at some point in the future I will come back to these others however I believe a quick look at them will be enough to lay down the foundation for us.

Unhealthy Fear

Fear of Evil

This is the basest of all fears. This fear concerns all things Satanic and demonic. As Christians we’re encouraged in that we do not have a “spirit of fear” and as such we should have discernment of spirits but not a fear of them. The real power in this type of fear is really the attraction to it for many in the world. There is typically an attitude to overlook this as the reason for a lot of horrific crimes that take place. Those who are attracted to this fear leave themselves open for possession of demonic spirits. When I was living in Charlotte NC for a time I recall going down to our local video store looking for a weekend movie to watch. I noticed that over time the newly released and hot topic sections were literally filled with horror movies of all natures. I used to ask myself “who could even think of this evil let alone make it or even worse watch it.” But there were many people taking them out. Many who watch horror movies play gory video games and see news reports of evil acts are drawn to repeat them or even outdo them. There’s a story of Smith Wigglesworth when one night while having a restless sleep filled with frightening dreams he was woken by the feeling of evil in his bedroom. Looking around it’s reported he saw Satan himself at the foot of the bed observing him. Wigglesworth eyed him and said “Oh it’s just you.” and rolled over and went back to sleep. While we’re not to fear evil we must be aware of it’s presence and our authority over it.

Carnal Fear

This fear is the kind we associate with sinners. It’s the kind of fear that finds them looking over their shoulders. Guilty as charged; waiting to get caught. Following the lusts of the flesh. If the soul becomes numb to this it attracts evil spirits and many people fall further into darkness. However, some are deeply affected by this fear and are drawn out and into the Fear of the Lord; the beginning of Healthy Fears. The Proverbs are filled with many lines of wisdom on these fears: “For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:29-33

Healthy Fear

Fear That Leads to Salvation

This fear is one we are all familiar with: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:” (Proverbs 1:7a). It is the saving fear of the cross. And as our walk in the Christian life continues it leads us onwards and upwards. However some there are who backslide because of the cares of the world or other such things and are drawn back into unhealthy lifestyles and fears. “But now after that ye have known God or rather are know of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9

Our Greatest Fear as a Christian

So here we are. Walking the Christian life free from the cares of the world not having “a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and a sound mind.” We go to church on Sunday read our Bible occasionally attend conferences listen to Christian music; we pray sometimes and we’re at peace in our soul. So what kind of fear could we need that would be so healthy as to keep us going on to perfection? It’s a wonderful fear. It has power. And Satan has made it easy to miss seeing it in our lives and to make it easy to fail because we don’t see this fear at all. And we believe that since we’re the wonderful children of God that no matter what we might do wrong everything is okay. We have nothing to fear at all.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrapped up this fear in one sentence “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God – this should be our greatest fear.
We should be afraid of disobeying and grieving our Heavenly Father his Son and his Holy Spirit with our actions words and thoughts. Having laid out instruction on how to live together as a community Paul reminds the Ephesians that disobedience grieves the Holy Spirit. He tells us simple things; we should put off the old man refraining from old ways; lying stealing anger evil speaking becoming kind tender-hearted forgiving edifying one another. These things we see and do.

I have four wonderful children. Well they’re teens and young adults now. But when they were very little it used to grieve me if I said or did anything that even so much as hurt their feelings. When the disobeyed or did something wrong I always tried to remind them how wonderful they were in the sight of God and myself but what they did was wrong. The focus on the action and not the person. And if I did it wrong it grieved me to see them cry to hurt them.
And this should be our greatest fear; that our actions would grieve the Holy Spirit.
And yet I’m seeing more and more of it especially in the area of prayer. Because with answered prayer comes God’s blessing fruit and the opportunity to glorify Him. In America Satan has caused Christians to fear corporate public prayer because they might be sued or arrested. And yet children are being shot in schools. Rape murders and other unspeakable things are happening all across the country while we sit idle. The most powerful nation in the world is not the United States. It is not Russia. It is the Christian nation of God. And we have lost our power because we have become soft with our authority and it has grieved God.
We have to ask what is prayer? It’s nothing other than talking to your Heavenly Father. It’s no different than talking to your earthly father. But talking to God scares Satan so much that he’s used the world system to denounce it. Knowing that you have reasons to cry out to the one true God and that you do not grieves the Holy Spirit.

What do the Scriptures say? “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 If we as Christians which are sealed by the name of Jesus will humble ourselves and PRAY and seek His face and turn from fear of men then He will hear from heaven and forgive our disobedience and will heal our land.

How did Peter and John reply under persecution? “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye.” Acts 4:19.

And what do the Scriptures say about answered prayer? God knows what you need even before you ask Him. And yet I see people treat answers to prayer as if they were gifts from Santa Clause which can be accepted if we like them enough rejected them or set upon a shelf to be repackaged and regifted or returned from where they came from. You wouldn’t ask Satan for anything but he would gladly give you whatever you wanted if you would disobey God and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). And you would reject it if he gave it to you. But why do you reject the gift of God?

Let me tell you. Whatever God gives you is meant for three things: to bless you to bear fruit and to give Glory to God! And when you reject them you disobey God and grieve His Holy Spirit.

“It is very foolish to hesitate to trust God” -Aimee Semple McPherson

Let’s say that you pray for that lovely cardigan you saw in the shop window. And someone gifts you that ugly Christmas sweater that you wouldn’t get caught dead in. So you groan inside and say to yourself “God must not have heard me right. I’m not going to wear this. I don’t want to hurt the giver’s feelings so I’ll put it on the shelf this year and regift it next year and pray again to God that He will give me the sweater that I really wanted.” Let me tell you God heard you. You should have worn that sweater. God gave it to you for a reason. It would have born fruit and someone would have glorified God because of it.

Once I was a student at MorningStar’s School of Ministry. During that time I had a job that took me to the panhandle of Texas for a few weeks. While there I had a long weekend and decided to drive down to Waco to visit a relative. One evening we went to dinner with some friends to a Barbeque restaurant. I bought a T-shirt that had the restaurant logo on the front and a slogan on the back that I thought was funny. It read something like “I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables.” One Saturday morning after I got home I took my youngest son to his soccer game. It was early Spring and the weather was very cold. The ground was covered in frost so much that the grass crackled as you walked on it. All I’d worn that day was a hooded sweatshirt over that T-shirt. As the first half wore on I started feeling warm. But from the inside. I knew that something was happening. At one point I was so warm I took off my sweatshirt and walked around in that T-shirt only. I noticed an older woman a grandmother from a boy on the opposing team watching me pace the sideline. She was watching me more than the game. At half-time she came to me and asked me where I’d gotten the shirt from. She said something to the effect that her husband was in early stages of Alzheimer’s and that the shirt came from a restaurant back in his hometown. She thought that if she bought him one it would help his memory and that perhaps I could tell her the address of the restaurant. I knew this opportunity was a gift from God. I was being used to bear fruit and give Him glory. I pulled off the shirt and gave it to her. I told her that as cold as it was I had been getting warmed inside to the point I needed to take off my sweatshirt. I said that God had me wear that shirt that day just for her and it was God’s chance to bless her and that I wanted her to have that shirt. It was a gift and I knew that God would touch her husband through it. But I told her with a laugh that she was going to have to wash it. She was obviously touched and cried and smiled.
Fruit and Glory.

Maybe you pray for something warm to wear and someone gifts you a beautiful cardigan sweater. You think “I’m not pretty enough to wear something as beautiful as that.” And just when you’re ready to put it on the shelf to regift next year a small voice of God inside says “Wear that today.” Off to work you go and you’re feeling embarrassed and awkward as others around you tell you how beautiful that sweater is. But you notice one person in particular looking at you more than others. And the Holy Spirit says “Go and talk to them.” You learn that they had been gifted a sweater that was plain when what they wanted was the same one you were wearing. They tell you that they wore it anyway and that someone was touched by the sweater they had received. They hadn’t recognized at first the true gift of that ugly sweater until they gave it away to someone who they accidentally bumped into. What if they didn’t know Jesus? What an opportunity to share the Gospel (bear fruit) and glorify God together. A Devine appointment orchestrated by God.
Fruit and Glory.

Consider Ananias of Damascus and Saul of Tarsus:
And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord went unto the high priest
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Acts:1-2

Now the disciples in Damascus certainly must have heard that Saul was coming to the city to persecute them. And Ananias must have been a very prayerful man. He would have prayed that the Lord deliver the Christians from the hands of Saul and save them. And his prayers were heard.
What happens?
First the Lord meets Saul on the way:
“And as he journeyed he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me?
And he said Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5-6
So Jesus could have sent him back to Jerusalem. He could have killed him there on the highway or any number of other things BUT what an amazing and glorious series of events come forward from here!
The Lord blinds Saul and he’s led into Damascus. It doesn’t tell us about who Judas is at whose house he is led but he is to wait there until he is told what to do.
Now the Lord came to Ananias in a vision and sent him to the house of Judas in search of Saul of Tarsus. To which Ananias replies “Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.” Acts 9:13-14
And Jesus’ response is just not dismissive or angered but demonstrates the depth of repentance and forgiveness fruit and glory:
But the Lord said unto him Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel: Acts 9:15

FRUIT AND GLORY! Thanks be to God!

What fruit would Paul have produced had Ananias not put his full trust in Jesus and doing what he was told? But the fruit that Paul produced was counted to Ananias also. I bet that the two of them became lifelong friends after that. And we know what fruit the man now called Paul produced and the glory of the name of Jesus spread.

Fruit and Glory of God.

What happens when we disobey?
Consider Moses! The savior of Israel. The prophet of God to Israel and Egypt.

Through him God parted seas fed a nation from Heaven and Moses even intervened and kept God from wiping out the entire nation; and yet for one act one time that did not glorify God he was kept from entering the Promised Land. There was a penalty for disobedience. Of all people it was Moses that should have entered into the land.

Was there fruit? Yes. Was there glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of Moses? There was a penalty.

Consider Zacharias. Father of John the Baptist.

While serving in the Temple an angel of the Lord appears to him:
And when Zacharias saw him he was troubled and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him Fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Luke 1:12-16

From Zacharias and Elisabeth (in answer to prayer) would come one who would bear fruit and glorify God and usher in the Saviour. Talk about an answer to prayer!
But!
And Zacharias said unto the angel Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And behold thou shall be dumb and not able to speak until the day these things shall be performed because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:18-20

Disbelief. What if Zacharias had decided not to accept the word of the angel as many Christians today do not accept the answer to their prayers? He was punished albeit temporarily because the answer to his prayer was great and the fruit and glory brought forth by him would be amazing.

Was there fruit? Yes. Was there glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of Zacharias? There was a penalty.

These are special days.
The Lord is answering prayers in amazing ways. But Christians are not responding in ways that bear Fruit and Glorify God. Their disobedience will have penalties.
I have seen first-hand AMAZING things. Devine relationships meant for these times. Opportunities for healing miracles and more all missed for one reason or another. And the Holy Spirit grieved of it all. Don’t believe that God will let this go. I’ve seen Him first hand take His mighty hand off of lives who have grieved Him.
I personally know of two people who God had tried to bring together to produce fruit for His glory. Not just once BUT TWICE- TWENTY YEARS APART! Through dreams and visions and prophetic words God gave wonderful proofs and showed what Fruit and Glory they would bring. Both of them had been praying for the same thing and twice God brought them together. In fact in the course of that time God put them in the same place at the same time as a sign. So at least three times they came together twice in answer to prayer. But one of them hesitated and did not trust God. It was grievous to witness. The gift was laid down like fruit on a counter. God kept saying “Take and eat.” to no avail. And what happens to fruit left out. Over the course of a year Satan breathed on the gift in this relationship evil spirits gathered like fruit flies and what was meant for greatness became spoiled. I had the chance to witness this twice with the same two people. And in the end God had me deliver a difficult message to them. I was torn; it was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was not God’s desire; it was not mine. It was agonizing. I knew that delivering the message would mean that I might never hear from them again but not delivering it would have meant I grieved God.
Was there to be fruit? Yes. Was there to be glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of them? Unless there is repentance a penalty is waiting.
If all we are going to do is obey God when he gives us the beautiful cardigan we want and not when he gives us an ugly sweater who are we to him? Jesus was obedient unto death. And that death bore the Fruit that saves us and Glorifies God.
I delivered the message and have not heard from them again. It truly grieves me harshly and I pray fervently for them all day every day. I have seen the goodness of God in their lives and I pray that they might repent and be healed and bear the Fruit and Glorify God as they were meant to.

The scriptures say:

Jesus said “But whosoever shall deny me before men (do not those things that glorify God) him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) EMPHASIS ON EVERY!
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell severity; but toward thee goodness if though continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:22)

Mark Chapter 3 recounts the time that Jesus entered the synagogue and there was a man there with a withered hand. All the religious leaders who should have known that God was working through Jesus were waiting to see what he would do. It says “And when he had looked round about on them with anger being grieved for the hardness of their hearts…” (Mark 3:5a). Here he was about to do a miracle (bear fruit) that should have caused them to glorify God and their hearts were hardened.

Read the parable regarding the servant who was given just two talents in Matthew 25. He was unprofitable (produced no fruit) which did not bring glory to the master and he was cast into outer darkness. (25:30)

Every time that you don’t do God’s will you grieve His Holy Spirit. Some things are small; worth 2 talents. And some like Ananias and Zacharias are worth much more. Did you walk past that homeless person and not give them that $10 note you had. Even though the thought came to you? Repent the next time you see them and give them $20.

Again I say these are special times. Know that God loves you and wants to bless you above what you ask for and His GIFTS to you ARE PERFECT. But you have to take what He gives you. Right away. You can’t say to yourself “Well I’ll put it over here and think and pray about it.” You’ve already done that and He’s given it to you. What happens to fruit that’s put on the counter? I like bananas. Put one on the counter and it turns brown. The meat inside bruises. Fruit flies gather around it and in time it spoils and is thrown away. Don’t think that if you put a true gift from God aside that Satan isn’t going to spoil it.

Read the Gospels again. Look at the acts of Jesus. What does it say? People marveled at the fruit (healings and miracles and words) and glorified God. It says that Jesus fame went all around the area. Read what Jesus said to God. He had come to glorify Him. When we accept God’s goodness in our lives it gives us cause to tell every one of His loving kindness. To glorify HIM. And that is what he wants and demands of us. God is looking for us to accept all that He gives us. The gifts the work the fruit and the glory.

Should you fear God?
YES!
You should fear God knowing that your immobility grieves him and pray that it causes you to leap into action.

I say to you; if you have done wrong and grieved the Holy Spirit. REPENT. If you were meant to give your coat go give your coat and your scarf also. If you were to walk one mile go two. If you were to give $100 give $200. If you were to accept love ask for forgiveness accept it and give love back overflowing.

Then God will say unto you “Go your way eat the fat and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Joy is the opposite of grief. Today grieve not the Holy Spirit of God but let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Let the name of Jesus Christ be glorified in all the earth. And rejoice in all things.

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Where Are The Nine

by Tom Hartley | Dec 24, 2024 | Christian Living

WHERE ARE THE NINE?

“And one of them when he saw that he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God
And fell down on his face at his feet giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

Luke 17:15-17

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 23

The account of ten lepers healed recorded in Luke is not the first time that Jesus encountered a leper in the course of his ministry. There is a touching account found in Matthew 8:2-4 (also in Mark 1:40-45) that precedes this story:

“When he was come down from the mountain great multitudes followed him. And behold there came a leper and worshipped him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him saying I will; be though clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him See thou tell no man; but go thy way shew thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.”

It’s worth noting here that the record in Mark says “And Jesus moved with compassion put forth his hand and touched him and saith unto him I will; be thou clean.” Emphasis mine.

The condition effects and source of leprosy?

What is it about leprosy that makes this disease emphasized in the work of Jesus? And what is important about it for us today?

First, let’s look at the disease itself. Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary provides a good picture of the state’s social impact and source of it.

Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary records the state of leprosy as: This name is from the Greek lepra by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease as well as the regulations connected with it in Lev 13; Lev 14; Num 12:10-15 etc. There were reckoned six different circumstances under which it might develop itself (1) without any apparent cause (Lev 13:2-8); (2) its reappearance (Lev 13:9-17); (3) from an inflammation (Lev 13:18-28); (4) on the head or chin (Lev 13:29-37); (5) in white polished spots (Lev 13:38 39); (6) at the back or in the front of the head (Lev 13:40-44).

Easton’s definition continues with the impact on both the infected and the community. Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city (Num 5:1-4; 12:10-15). This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from the Lord (2Ki 5:7; 2Ch 26:20).

This disease “begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms gradually spreading over the body bleaching the hair white wherever they appear crusting the affected parts with white scales and causing terrible sores and swellings. From the skin, the disease eats inward to the bones rotting the whole body piecemeal.” “In Christ’s day, no leper could live in a walled town though he might in an open village. But wherever he was he was required to have his outer garment rent as a sign of deep grief to go bareheaded and to cover his beard with his mantle as if in lamentation at his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from him by calling out ‘Unclean! unclean!’ nor could he speak to anyone or receive or return a salutation since in the East this involves an embrace.”

Finally, Easton sheds a light on the source of the disease: That the disease was not contagious is evident from the regulations regarding it (Lev 13:12-13 36; 2Ki 5:1). Leprosy was “the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings its gradual spread its internal disfigurement its dissolution little by little of the whole body of that which corrupts degrades and defiles man’s inner nature and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God” (Maclear’s Handbook O.T). Our Lord cured lepers (Matt 8:2-3; Mark 1:40-42). This divine power so manifested illustrates his gracious dealings with men in curing the leprosy of the soul the fatal taint of sin.

And so leprosy was not a common disease like the flu that could be passed from one person to another. It was the “outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption”. The effect of a deeper sinful life (small beginnings) affecting the soul (internal disfigurement) and finally the physical (whole-body). But notice that the leper had an additional state the social shame; the stigma associated with something that could not be OUTWARDLY shared (passed on). “He had further to warn passers-by to stay away from him by calling out ‘Unclean! Unclean!” nor could he speak to anyone or receive or return a salutation.” Additionally, lepers were required to live outside the camp or city. Shame lived outside the reach of the righteous.

So here in the record, Jesus comes down from a mountain with great multitudes around him when from nowhere a leper dares to approach him looking for healing- inner forgiveness and cleansing from God. Jesus moved with compassion touches the man and heals him- but it’s more than that; Jesus has cleansed the heart, restored the soul, and healed the physical symptoms. But what are the consequences of Jesus’ compassion on the man?: Mark 1:43-45
And he straitly charged him and forthwith sent him away;
And saith unto him See thou say nothing to any man; but go thy way shew thyself to the priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.
But he (the healed man) went out and began to publish it much and to blaze abroad the matter insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.” Emphasis mine.

How hard can it be for someone touched by the Son of God, having his heart cleansed from the most terrible of diseases, one that is born from sinning against God himself, to keep what has happened to himself? NOT desiring to tell everyone. He couldn’t. But there’s an equally awful yet prophetic result.

Jesus’ reward for having compassion on a sinner was immediate identification with him the condition that wasn’t even contagious- Jesus could no longer openly enter the city. It was unlawful to touch an unclean person. He became unto the righteous an unclean man. And He the Christ of God carried that pain and sorrow; that shame to the cross. It says of Jesus while on the cross that they mocked and derided him. They continued to shame him. Jesus said that we must see him on the cross as Moses lifted the serpent in the desert. On the cross Jesus took our sin and the shame identified with it- it was nailed there; driven through his feet and his hands. We’re always reminded about the sins that he took but have you considered the shame; your shame that Jesus bore in your place as well? He took them so that you can walk cleansed today inside and out.

Here it might be good to look at John Gill’s Commentary on Matthew 8:17. It reads in part:

himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses: very agreeable to the Hebrew text הוא “he himself” not another; נשא “took up” upon himself voluntarily freely as a man lifts up a burden and takes it on his shoulders; חלינו “our infirmities” diseases sicknesses whether of body or soul ומכאבינו סבלם “and bare” or carried as a man does a burden upon his back “our sicknesses” or diseases which occasion pain and sorrow. And that these words are spoken of the Messiah the Jews themselves own; for among the names they give to the Messiah “a leper” is one; which they prove from this passage (u).

Notice “’he himself’…carried as a man does a burden upon his back “our sickness” or diseases which occasion pain and sorrow. …And that these words are spoken of the Messiah the Jews themselves own; for among the names they give to the Messiah “a leper” is one.” (emphasis mine). Can you SEE THAT? Jesus the Messiah to the Jews is classified as a leper. WOW!

In 1Thessalonians there is the order of a person’s being. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (completely); and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I have removed the words in italics I pray God which were added by the scribes copying the text. This gives the Scripture a different and more direct meaning). First, we are spiritual beings- made to be children sons and daughters of God. And this part of our being and only this part has it’s relationship directly to God. The description of leprosy and how it spreads is a very clear picture of how the ‘awful punishment from the Lord” was expressed moving from the inside-out. From the spirit (small beginnings) to the soul (internal) and the flesh (physical manifestations).

We don’t know how long after but Luke’s account takes place sometime after this meeting. The ten lepers must have heard the story of the leper that Jesus encountered earlier (he published it much and blazed it abroad) for the Scriptures say that they waited for him as he entered into a certain village “and they lifted up their voices and said Jesus Master have mercy on us.” (v 13). And he said to them “Go shew yourselves unto the priests” and as they went they were cleansed. (v14 cleansed- spiritually forgiven soul renewed and physically healed). But one a Samaritan seeing that he was physically healed turned back and threw himself at Jesus’ feet glorifying God. Alfred Edersheim in his book The Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah writes “This Samaritan had received more than new bodily life and health: he had found spiritual life and healing “…”That made a man a disciple.”

But what about Jesus’ question to the Samaritan? “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found to return to give glory to God save this stranger.” The nine others, Jews continued on their way to show themselves to the Priests as commanded. Their eyes were fixed solely on the physical manifestations of healing. Their hearts were hardened and not changed by the miracle. To them, it was important to receive their declaration of health and return to the righteous community; to the world. Even the leper from the earlier account became a convert becoming possibly the first Evangelist outside of the apostolic inner circle.

Today it is much the same. At conferences special healing services or wherever healing takes place, we rejoice in the physical manifestations. There are shouts of “Halleluiah!” and “Praise God” but whether it is 9, 99 or 999 we often overlook the one who falls at the foot of the cross, at the feet pierced with nails and accepts the true source of his cleansing. Many times when someone who is healed is asked about what happened they talk about the heat that ran through their body. Or the sensation of an electric shock from somewhere inside. Or a light piercing their heart. This is a miracle! The Holy Spirit moving on the order of things. From the small beginnings through the inner disfigurement to the whole body. Restored wholly (1 Thessalonians 5: 23). This is worth rejoicing!

Let’s remember the words of David:

“Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore onto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12. It pays to read the entire Psalm)

Create in me a clean heart (that place where you and I meet. Where we sit together and you teach me) and renew a right spirit within me (shed fresh light onto my spirit with your Word). Cast me not away from thy presence (let this be the place of my habitation); take not thy holy spirit from me (Let me never quench your holy spirit. Let YOUR ways be my ways).

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Jesus Believes In You

by Tom Hartley | Dec 24, 2024 | Christian Living

JESUS BELIEVES IN YOU

“And he called unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.” “And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” “And the Apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus and told him all things both what they had done and what they had taught.” “And Jesus when he came out saw much people and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent his disciples came unto him and said This is a desert place and now the time is far passed: Send them away that they may go into the country round about and into the villages and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.” “He answered and said unto them Give ye them to eat.“ Mark 6:7,12-13, 30, 34-37a In an earlier post The Power of Faith we looked at the unfathomable and unfailing faith that our Heavenly Father has in His Son. Adding to that now, Mark chapter 6 is a remarkable witness to the faith Jesus has in us. In order to get the most of this account we need to remember that Jesus’ entire ministry lasted just about 3 1/2 years. If we measure time by the number of chapters in the book (16) we’re just under one year into his time with the disciples. While he had accomplished much in that time, the disciples were still just witnesses to the work of the Son of God. They haven’t done anything yet themselves. The chapter starts with Jesus returning home to “his own country.” Immediately his authority is questioned in the synagogue- he’s just a carpenter; a local boy, Joseph and Mary’s son. As a result, verses 5-6 tell us “And he could there do no mighty work (miracles) save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.” (emphasis mine). The scripture doesn’t say he would there do no might work (miracles) but that he could not. All he can continue with is to provide an education of the TRUTH. So what does he do? He appoints the twelve disciples to do the work for him. This in itself is a demonstration of his extended power and authority. “And he called unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power (authority) over unclean spirits;” (v7); and belief in them. What He could not do he gave them to do. They didn’t know it at the time but this would become a taster of the work that lay ahead of them “But ye shall receive power (miraculous power) after that the Holy Spirit 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.” (Acts 1:8). And the scripture says that they carried out the assignment as instructed. Imagine all that they had seen in a few months of watching Jesus he suddenly entrusts them. That’s quite a big ask of a few uneducated fishermen. And as soon as they return to him he gives them a new task- feed FIVE THOUSAND people! HE BELIEVED IN THEM. So why couldn’t they step up to the job? This was something new. Something they hadn’t even seen him do before (feeding the four thousand comes in chapter 8). Let’s do some math; 5000 people divided by 12 disciples, that’s 417 each. Easy right? They’ve forgotten all the power he bestowed upon them. They’ve come back down to earth. Their measure is worldly and physical. Today we’d ask where we’re going to find the dinnerware for 5000 people let alone the food. That night Jesus sends them away in the ships and later walks on the water to meet up with them. That’s a lot to take in in a day! They must have thought that they couldn’t take much more without their heads exploding.

And here comes the key:

“But when they saw him walking upon the sea they supposed it had been a spirit and cried out: For they all saw him and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them and saith unto them ”Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” And he went up unto them into the ship and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” (emphasis mine) Mark 6:49-52 They considered not the miracles, for their hearts were hardened. Their focus shifted off the spiritual and back to the physical. Doing the things they had seen Jesus do up until the time he sent them out by twos was acceptable in their spirit. But once they were given something beyond their mental comprehension their hearts were hardened. The spirit gave way to the flesh, to the worldview. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17) Feeding five thousand was beyond their thinking and that hardened their hearts. How sweet are the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us? How wonderful is the opportunity to serve our Lord in the Spirit? We are a spiritual people. And in the spirit, Jesus says “MY FAITH in you is sufficient.” In the Spirit, he says that we will do all the things he did AND MORE. But only our spirit matched with His. God has a call for all of us. Who knows it might be that you are to feed 5000. Or it might be something you think is small and insignificant (nothing is small and insignificant with God). Whatever it is if you believe in your spirit that you can do it YOU WILL! In the Spirit, Jesus believes in you. In the spirit, I believe in you.

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Power Of Grace

by Tom Hartley | Dec 24, 2024 | Power

POWER OF GRACE

For the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17

One was given by or by the way of. Moses delivered the law. The other came by or in the person of. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. God’s grace is the power behind answered prayer.

You are far more than who you have come to believe you are. You are one body one nation a royal priesthood a peculiar people with authority and power. But your actions are predictable worldly and without power. Spread out across the earth; you were raised up to tend this place to bear much fruit and to fill the earth with God’s glory – this is your call to life, every one of you, not for just some.

And the way to that – to restore that to bring revival is through prayer. It is crucial to this revival on a global national local church and personal level. The Scripture says “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Only when you know your Father’s mind on the matter should you or can you move and then with all the assurance that you do so with authority and power you have been given.

Before I can get into discussion and prayer I need to talk to you about the grace OF God. The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. One was given by or by way of the other came by or in the person of. God’s grace is behind the power of answered prayer. YOU PRAY AND GRACE DELIVERS. Grace, the favor of God, merited or not, first comes to us in answer to the most important of our prayers; that Jesus would become Lord and Saviour of our lives. Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all men.” Without the grace of God, your prayers have no effect; yet the grace of God in prayer can move mountains. The grace of God is the glue that binds our prayers to answers from above.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b. So what is this grace of God that makes for effectual answered prayer? The dictionary defines effectual as successful in producing a desired or intended result authentic or binding. It further defines fervent as having or displaying a passionate intensity hot burning or glowing.
For prayer to be effectual it requires faith; To be fervent it requires love and compassion. And so effectual fervent prayer demands the love and faith of God and this is His grace. The grace of God is the combination of the love of God and the faith of God.

God must hear from heaven and move on earth. and he does so in three ways.

God’s direct love can be summed up in one sentence we all know well: “For God so love the world that He gave His only be gotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16

God look down on the plight of man and His love for His creation moved His heart to action – to send his only Son Jesus. And He had unwavering faith that no matter what He gave Jesus to do it would be done in full obedience even unto the cross.

The love and faith of God towards you is expressed through Christ Jesus: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 8:38-39. And here is an example of the faith of God for you expressed in Jesus.
Starting with the book of Mark chapter 6 verse one “And he went out from thence and came to his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the Sabbath day was come he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished saying From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter the son of Mary the brother of James in Joses and of Juda and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them A prophet is not without honor but in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. And he called unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two; And gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey save a staff only; no scrip no bread no money in their purse: but be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said on to them in what place soever ye enter into an house there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear you when you depart thence shake off the dust under your feet for testimony against them. Verily I say unto you it should be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.”Mark 6:1-13. And so the apostles went out with the authority and power and in the grace of God and did all that Jesus commanded them. And we pick up in verse 30 with “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus and told him all things both what they had done and what they had taught. And he said on to them come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while: for there were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert please by ship privately. And the people saw them departing and many knew him and ran afoot thither out of all cities and outwent them and came together onto him. And Jesus when he came out saw much people and was moved with compassion towards them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent his disciples came on to him and said this is a desert place and now the time is far passed: send them away that they may go into the country round about and into the villages and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said into them Give ye them to eat.” Mark 6: 30-37a. And so here is something exciting. In verse five it says “he could there and do no mighty work.” It does not say he would not it says he could not. And so what Jesus could not do he gave to his disciples to do. And they returned unto him rejoicing and recounting all that they had done. Picture that six sets of disciples gathered as one group sharing amazing stories of what Jesus did through them. And the very next thing he says to them is YOU feed them. It says Jesus was moved with compassion (the Love of God) and the faith of God in him commanded the disciples to feed the many. Jesus had faith in them. How cool is that?! The faith God had in them expressed through Jesus was meant to give them strength.
After Pentecost came and with that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the love and faith of God became an expression meant to be IN you. The same grace of God in Jesus found in the gospel of John is found in you in the same chapter and verse of John’s first letter: 1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God because he lay down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

In here are some other examples that the grace of God is the combined love and faith of God. (emphasis throughout is mine)

Ephesians 3:17-19 “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ which is passeth knowledge that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given onto us.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 “and the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

John 5:9-10 “as the Father have loved me so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If you keep it my commandments you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

Finally John 5:19-20 “Then enter Jesus and sayeth onto them verily verily I say onto you the Son can do nothing by himself but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son and showeth him all things that he himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these that ye may marvel.”

And for the grace of God to flow through you Christ must be alive in you:

John 1:17 “for the law was given by Moses but grace and truth became by Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 2:20 “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean it through the word which I have spoken onto you. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine; no more can you except ye abide in me. I am the vine ye are the branches: he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit: or without me ye can do nothing. If any man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done onto you. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.”

If he is not in you you are moving in your own strength; and the result is separation from God.

Matthew 7: 21-23 “Not everyone that says unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: Depart from me ye that work in iniquity.”

The glue of God’s grace in your lives then is your prayer life which moves God to work in you through Jesus and even the belief in his name.

John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name I will do it.”

John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name he may give it to you.”

John 16: 23-26 “and in the day you shall ask me nothing. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you.” “At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not onto you that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth with you because ye have loved me and have believed I came out from God.”

Your wants your desires as Christians should always have much fruit and glorifying God as the end.

Now that we have established the love and faith of God in the power others grace in your life let’s consider prayer.

PRAYER

The Prayer of Moses (why we should take God’s word to prayer seriously)

Of all the people who should have entered into the promised land it should have been Moses. His prayer life (Relationship with God)And his righteousness were infallible. He even reasoned with the Lord to save Israel from total destruction.

There are many Jewish historians who have discussed the history of why the rock suddenly stopped flowing; giving its water (see numbers 20) then why striking the rock was a problem for Moses and the more in-depth examination could possibly bring another conclusion but we aren’t here for that. And who today would look at the scene and not forgive Moses for being angry with the people and striking the rock– certainly we would expect to God to.

But the scripture says “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believed me not to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20: 12 Deuteronomy 32: 51–52.

Because Moses struck the rock (he answer the people in his own strength) and believed not God’s answer to his prayer and didn’t give God the glory (“sanctify me”) he was not able to enter into the promise land; And the fruit he was to bear was given to Joshua. Talking about Christians 1 Corinthians 10: 4 says of them in regards to them being the shadow in forebear of us “And all did drink the same spiritual drink: for the drink of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ.”

There are many Christians today who when hearing God’s answer to their prayer in his undeniable proof’s still choose to deny him the glory and choose rather to strike their own problems with their own strength; “And I will profess on to them I never knew you calling depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7: 23. The answer to all of your prayers your needs your wants should always have the focus of bearing much fruit and glorifying God.

The Prayer of Zacharias

The Gospel of Luke chapter one tells of the birth of John the Baptist. Now the scripture says that Zacharias was a priest and his wife Elizabeth were both righteous before God. They had no child and were stricken in years; they were old according to man’s standards.

And on the day that was his to burn incense in the temple an Angel of the Lord appeared on to him and said “Fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shell bear the son and thou shall call his name John.” Luke 1:13b. And what will be the result of his obedience to God’s answer? “And thou shall have great joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.” 1:14.

And why would they be happy? Not that they would have a child in their old age; but because both had royal lineage and were righteous in the eyes of God and it is said that the first male child that is born is sanctified unto God. So they would have prayed in their youth that God would give them a boy that they could dedicate to the service of God; who would follow in Zacharias’ footsteps. And the Scripture confirms their prayer “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and drink neither wine nor strong drink (err); and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.” V15-16.

John as we know would go on to bear much fruit and glorify God; and bring honor to his parent’s prayers. But the angel of the Lord penalized Zacharias “And the angel answering saith unto him I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee and to show thee these glad tidings. And behold thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Luke 1:20. And when the day came to name the child Zacharias’ “tongue was loosed and he spake and praised God.” 1:64b. and furthermore Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied 1:67-79.

Do not think that if you disbelieve God’s words in your life and rather than moving in your own strength do nothing that God will not lift His hand from you or bind you until you accept His promise to you. Many Christians are today sick suffer mental and emotional torment because they did not believe God and act on His answer to their prayers.

But God says repent accept my Grace and you will be healed. You will have much joy and many will rejoice with you and you will bear much fruit and glory.

I wear a cross. It’s a gift. It isn’t flash; it isn’t made of gold or silver or wood. But Jesus is on it. Every prayer to me is as important as my first- the one that brought Jesus into my heart. His gift to me on the cross. And it’s a daily reminder of the grace of God.
Have you denied God a gift He’s given you? Here’s something to know James says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.” 1:17. I really like that verse. What God has for you is good and perfect– starting with His son. And with no shadow of turning. Even the width of a human hair is enough to cause a shadow. What He gives you is perfect and not to be denied.

Prayer of Ananias

It was early days in the birth of the Christian nation and churches are growing throughout the region of Jerusalem– and so is hatred of it. The first recorded casualty is the disciple Stephen in Acts 6-7. Present at the stoning of Stephen only one other person is named “Then they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord and cast him out of the city and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feed whose name was Saul.” 7:57-58. And the Scripture continues “As for Saul he made havoc of the church entering every house and hauling men and women committed them to prison.” 8:3. “And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord went unto the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” And permission was given and off he went. And on the way he encounters Jesus. 9:3-8.

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me?

Act 9:5  And he said Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Act 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless hearing a voice but seeing no man.

Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened he saw no man: but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Enter Ananias:

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision Ananias. And he said Behold I am here Lord.

Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for behold he prayeth

Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight.

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel:

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said Brother Saul the Lord even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized.

Notice the two reactions to the Lord. Saul doesn’t know Jesus “And he said Who art thou Lord.” v5 but Ananias is a man with a strong prayer life. He knows Jesus’ voice “…and to him said the Lord in a vision Ananias. And he said Behold I am here.” v10.

Ananias would have been praying for God to do something on behalf of the believers in Damascus verses 13-14.

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But what would he have been praying for? Would he ask the Lord to kill Saul on the road? To turn him away to find some other way of preventing Saul from carrying on with his plans? But Jesus answers Ananias in a way he wasn’t expecting- He had a plan to use Saul to bear much fruit and to glorify God:

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel:

Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

And Ananias does exactly what he is told:

Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized.

Note how Ananias greets Saul when he meets him for the first time “Brother Saul.” v17. Imagine how that must have sounded to Saul (and anyone else who was there). No condemnation no hatred- just grace; love and acceptance. Welcomed into the family of God. And Saul was in Damascus certain days taking strength there. I believe that Saul and Ananias became very close; and I believe that Ananias shared in Saul’s fruit and glory because of his obedience to God’s answered prayer.

When we look at the story it’s clear that the grace of God was alive in the heart of Ananias. The love of God for the believers mixed with Ananias’ fears moved the faith of God to send Jesus with a wisdom not expected. And Ananias doesn’t respond with disbelief he simply expresses his concern for the believers he loved. His prayers aren’t just met; they’re exceeded. Saul would be changed repentant and bold- he would become an Apostle of fruit and glory.

The Power of Grace

Called a nation out of bondage
Sent Prophets
Gave birth to a virgin
Performed miracles
Cleansed Lepers
Gave sight to the blind
Raised the dead
Gives witness of the Messiah
LOVES YOU TODAY!

The Coming Revival

There is a lot about Christianity today that grieves the Holy Spirit but nothing more than the approach to grace truth and prayer. The coming revival is dependent on a renewed repentant Christian life; and that begins with prayer.

Today Christians approach answered prayer as though the gift is delivered by Santa Claus instead of Jesus Christ the Son of God. They act as though the gift of God can be accepted rejected regifted or put on a shelf or in a drawer never to see the light of day.

And so many people do not experience the power of prayer. Why? The Scripture says “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it on your own lusts.” James 4:3.
You do not ask for the opportunity to bear fruit and give glory to God. And this is the prayer life of most Christians today. Prayer if you can call it that unwilling to seek fruit and to glory God.

For this revival to work IN you (for you) and through you (for others) you will need to be as Ananias. Willing to accept whatever God has given you. His wisdom grace love and faith IN YOU is beyond human measure. He will move in ways you may not understand but it’s for His glory. Come as little children- and be amazed. I can’t tell you enough how much your Heavenly Father loves you. How much faith He has in you. How much GRACE he wants to give you. YOU ARE SPECIAL.

This revival is all yours.

i-CH

If the Love of God is not in you God can do nothing for you. If the Faith of God is not in you God can do nothing through you

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