by Tom | Sep 2, 2023 | Living
“…the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10
What is so important about marriage?
I didn’t ask, what is so important in a marriage; you can find answers to that question in plenty of good Christian Counseling materials such as The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. But, my question is, what is so important about marriage that Satan works so very hard to destroy it, or to discourage people from entering into it. Since we are supposed to live by the spirit as Followers of Jesus, what makes it so easy to be lured into a doomed relationship according to the flesh, as a distraction from its true intended and GLORIOUS purpose. As with anything Satan does, there is a reason.
What is the mystery of marriage that could make it so exciting to the Followers of Jesus?
With all of the bad things that we read about, see on TV, and sometimes experience ourselves in bad marriages, what could be so exciting about it to Followers of the Living Jesus? For even Jesus himself said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” (Mt 22:30). So, wouldn’t it just be easier to live that way now and save ourselves the pain of falling into a bad marriage?
No, not if we are the true Follower of the LIVING Jesus. In fact, for FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, MARRIAGE IS A WONDERFUL GIFT, it’s to be looked forward to with great anticipation that a REAL BLESSING HAS ARRIVED- He needs us to live together in a spiritually healthy marriage. More importantly, there’s an exciting joyful mystery in it if we follow the first two principles, of Loving God and Seeking His Kingdom and Righteousness. This message isn’t about a deep scriptural dive, because the answer is graciously simple and wonderful.
I’ve often said that if we live according to the Spirit and are guided by God (see the Principles), then God will bring us into a glorious relationship with someone else who is like us in the spirit and is equally on fire for Jesus WHO LIVES. Anything else isn’t going to work. But, when God brings us together, then we know that it’s right and together we seek His kingdom and righteousness, and that’s where the true joy BEGINS.
Marriage as the way to prepare for Jesus’ return
Matthew 25 gives us a picture (via a parable) of what it will be like when Jesus returns:
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In this parable, half of the virgins were foolish and half of them were wise. The half that weren’t prepared, had no knowledge (oil) of what the Bridegroom expected of them in marriage, but the other half did know how to prepare themselves for what was to be expected of them in marriage to our Lord Jesus- they had practiced. The foolish half lived as modern day religious Christians giving time to God for a few hours on Sunday mornings, and the world the rest of the week, they and won’t be prepared; they still have some light in them, but since they don’t live according to the Spirit every day (see Principle One), then they will be turned away.
True married Followers of Jesus however, equally and joyfully living according to the Spirit, live practicing today the roles expected of us as the Bride of Christ when he returns. By practice, we will be prepared. It may not seem like it to the foolish, but the wise recognize that this is a great mystery- the Bible even tells us this:
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (emphasis mine)
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Be warned, Jesus said that straight (difficult) is the gate, and narrow is the path that leads to eternal life- and FEW there are that will enter into it.
“the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10
I won’t go into this any further. I’d rather let you enjoy the journey for yourselves. How exciting could be your future together. Let me encourage you to become a Follower of Jesus who LIVES.
Pray that God will bring you into the relationship, according to the Spirit in you, with the person you are meant to be with, and that together, you will see the truth in this message and will find great joy in marriage, to prepare yourselves through practice as members of the wise virgins ready to serve our Bridegroom, the Living Jesus when he returns. I had the most fantastic opportunity myself some 30 years ago before Satan stole the gift from me. Yet, I am still devoted to my wife after all these years apart. I couldn’t have it any other way…and neither should you. Study this message and embrace the gifts that God gives you.
Together, bear much fruit and glorify God.
i-CH
Bearing You Fruit
by Tom | Sep 2, 2023 | Living
Moses assembled a Nation, not a religion. And, David established a Kingdom, not a sect.
Yet, by the time Jesus arrived, the Nation and the Kingdom were both gone. What remained had deteriorated into religion (and somewhat mixed at that) with sects, and a perverted law. Moses was raised as a Prophet to the Nation of Israel, and David was raised as to its King. Jesus came as a Prophet (Deut 18:15, Acts 3:2, John 4:19) and when he returns, he will come as the King of Kings (Acts 1:6). When Jesus came, there was nothing left that resembled the Tribe of Judah. They were Jews in name only, and their behavior was devoid of nationality. They were so blended into the world and perversion, that Jesus declared that Satan was their Father (John 8:44).
From the Scofield Bible on the period between Malachi to Matthew (pg 986):
(1)…The problem was to keep alive this exalted ideal in the midst of outward persecutions and sordid and disgraceful divisions within.
(2) The organic means to this end was the synagogue, an institution which formed no part of the biblical order of the national life. Its origin is obscure.
(3) But during this period, also, was created that mass of tradition, comment, and interpretation…so superposed upon the Law that obedience was transferred from the Law itself to the traditional interpretation.
(4) During this period also rose the two great sects know to the Gospel narratives as Pharisees and Sadducees. The Herodians were a party rather than a sect.
Amongst such a people, governed, under the suzerainty of Rome, by an Idumean usurper, rent by bitter and unspiritual religious controversies, and maintaining an elaborate religious ritual, appeared Jesus, the Son and Christ of God.
Here is some history from, The Story of Christianity by Justo Gonzalez:
Pre-Jesus
Alexander the Great introduced Hellenism before Jesus’ time. Some were elements of Greek and some from other places. Some Jews adopted those, “Since part of the Hellenistic ideology consisted of equating and mixing the Gods of different nations.” pg 8
From one, there became many sects, among them was the Pharisees- party of the populace. They did not enjoy the benefits of Roman rule. They were faithful to the Law. They studied and debated how the Law should be applied in every conceivable situation. This led to the charge that they were legalistic. they held some doctrines such as the final resurrection and the existence of angels. pg 10
More conservative were the Sadducees- mostly aristocrats, conservative in policies and religion, they rejected the doctrine of the Pharisees.
The Jews were scattered among the Roman Empire. Those in the East spoke Aramaic, and those in the west spoke Greek.
Philo of Alexandria (a Hellenistic JEWISH philosopher) sought to show that the best of Pagan philosophy agreed with the Hebrew scriptures. He also tried to prove that the God of the scriptures was the same as the One of the philosophers. pg 13
Post-Jesus
The Roman Empire encouraged as much conformity as possible without unnecessary violence as possible. While it favored the spread of Christianity, “In order to achieve greater unity, the imperial policy sought religious uniformity by following two routes: religious synchronism- the indiscriminate mixing of elements from various religions, and Emporer worship.” Syncrronism (the amalgamation, or attempt of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought) was the fashion of the time. In that atmosphere, Jews and Christians were seen as unbending fanatics who insisted on the sole worship of their One God- an alien cyst that must be removed for the good of society. In this, Socrates and Plato introduced the belief of the Immortality of the Soul. pg 14
All this, many Christians found attractive and useful in their attempts to respond to charges that they were ignorant and unbelieving. Although at first these philosophical traditions were used for interpreting the faith of outsiders, eventually they began influencing the manner in which Christians understood their faith. [a falling away?] pg 16-17
In Acts 6:1 there were already divisions (Grecians (Hellenists) entering into the faith, and the Word had not yet been preached to the Gentiles). So here, there was a conflict between the Jews; those who kept the customs, and those who were open to Hellenistic teaching.
“By its ninth chapter, Acts becomes more increasingly interested in Paul, and we hear less and less of the church in Jerusalem. What was happening is that the “Hellenistic” Jewish Christians were serving as a bridge to the Gentiles, and they were joining in such numbers that they overshadowed the Jewish Christian Community.” pg 20
Their faith was not a denial of Judaism but was rather the conviction that the Messianic age had finally arrived. [NOTE: Early Christians did not see themselves as a new religion (as we do now), but were convinced that the Messiah had finally arrived.] pg 20
In the earliest Christian community, the breaking of the bread took place “with glad and generous hearts.” Acts 2:46.
Note: it’s important here to expand on that. The Believers continued in the “apostle’s doctrine.” That doctrine or belief was NOT a new sect as outsiders, including Jews under Pharisitical or Saduceedical rule thought, but instead was, “the conviction that the Messianic age had finally arrived.” Again still, Christians were Jews. The Word had not yet reached the Gentiles. However, this Spiritual nation acted differently: The Fellowship of the Believers- Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
James addresses his epistle to, “the twelve tribes scattered abroad.” James 1:1
In A.D. 62, James the brother of Jesus (and leader of the church in Jerusalem) was killed by orders of the high priest. Soon thereafter, the leaders of the Christian community in Jerusalem decided to move to Pella…whose population was mostly Gentile. pg 21-22 By the second century, now that the Apostles are gone, everything begins to change, and not for the better.
Every major city began to claim Apostolic origins. The focus continues along religious lines rather than national lines.
Acts 28:20- Paul was persecuted, “because of the hope of all Israel.” Not for religion, but for a nation.
Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but as THE Prophet Moses declared, to restore the nation of Israel (12 tribes) to a right relationship with God. (John 4:19-26)
i-CH
by Tom | Sep 2, 2023 | Living
“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.
i-CH
by Tom | Sep 2, 2023 | Power
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 9:17 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.
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.
by Tom | Sep 2, 2023 | Power
“And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it to you.” John 16:23
“If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
I grew up in New York in a loosely Catholic household. Attending Sunday school as a child I was rote taught the Apostles Creed. It goes like this:
I believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of Heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day, He rose again and ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit the Holy Catholic Church the communion of Saints the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
All Christians believe. We believe in God and we believe in Jesus and we believe in the Holy Spirit (John 11:27). And to us is given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). The faith we hope will overcome all of our cares. We find peace and comfort in our faith but not the power we need to overcome.
Often we’re faced with obstacles; in our own lives and in the lives around us. As Christians, we’re called to pray for ourselves and for the welfare of others. We read the Word we offer prayers and supplication and hope that God hears us and will answer us. But many times we don’t see the answers we seek. If we want to see mountains moved (literal ones or the ones present in our lives) we need to understand the power of faith that brings miracles.
The key to seeing real success is believing that the power to active faith lives in the faith OF God. That is nothing less than the faith that our Father has in HIS Son. Everything God sent Jesus to do he DID. He was utterly obedient to his Father- even unto death. “And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8. And why did he do this? For us. It’s always about us.
The beginning of all things; the beginning of Genesis is built on 6 days of creation. The Father gave the Son work to do and the work was done faithfully to the pleasure of the Father. Read Genesis chapter 1 for yourself. Every day the Word says (God gave instructions) “And God said” followed by (the work fulfilled) “and it was so” and each time it says (the Father was pleased) ” and God saw that it was good.” And we read on the last day among other things he created man in his own image and at the end of it all the Scriptures say He looked on everything he had made and “it was very good.” Do you see it was very good? And who was all this done for? It was done for us.
The key to seeing real success is believing that the power to active faith lives in the faith OF God. That is nothing less than the faith that our Father has in HIS Son.
To us Jesus says:
“Again I say unto you That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it” John 14:14
Of Jesus God says in the Gospels:
“Behold my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased:” Matthew 12:18a
“While he yet spake behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
“And there came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11
“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22
Clearly God the Father has complete faith (confidence) in His Son. He was faithful in ALL he was given. Jesus will do whatever we ask our Heavenly Father because he seeks to glorify his Father.
“And now O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.“ John 17:5
“These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come; glorify thy Son that thy Son may also glorify thee:” John 17:1
“Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:28
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Do you see this? Let your light shine. Whatever you ask of the Father in the name of the Jesus (your good works) seeing the manifested answer through the faith of God in His Son to answer to your request they will glorify God. Our faith in God, is His faith in His Son.
Smith Wigglesworth is one of my modern day heroes. The stories of his active faith are incredible to us but perfectly normal to a man of God (“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead?” Acts 26:8). The work that he did he knew were only possible on a line of faith above his. He tells a story in which a young mother was oppressed by an evil power. And it’s clear that the faith OF God was called for:
He was asked to pray for a young woman who was oppressed by an evil power. At the house, he was taken to the room where she was. When he saw her Wigglesworth was moved with compassion. Some of the people present were holding her down on the bed. Her husband was also there holding a little baby. The whole atmosphere was charged with satanic power. Out of the corner of his eye Wigglesworth noticed another young woman creeping out of the room. The look in her eyes was dreadful. “I knew I was facing demonic activity” he later related. “Something had to be done.” He said “My faith began to penetrate the heavens. If you want anything from God you will have to pray into heaven. That is where it all is. If you live in the earth realm and expect to receive from God you will never get anything. “I saw in the presence of God the limitations of my faith. Then there came another faith-a faith that takes the promise a faith that believes God’s Word. And from that presence, I came back to earth a different man. God gave me a faith that could shake heaven.” (emphasis mine) In that faith he wrought total deliverance for that young wife. After sleeping for fourteen hours she awoke perfectly healed because Wigglesworth had been moved from the natural to the supernatural. SMITH WIGGLESWORTH: SECRET OF HIS POWER by Albert Hibbert
The next time you face a mountain in your life. Or you are asked to help with the mountain in someone else’s life. PRAY knowing that RIGHT THEN AT THAT MOMENT the faith of God is waiting to help you. HALLELUJAH and AMEN
i-CH
