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Author: ascendthehill
My greatest desire is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and to see his church rise to the glory for which he has called them. Let's ascend the hill of the LORD together.
The Branch of King David, Destined to Reign
On Thursday night’s bible study we went through King David’s life while he was on the run from King Saul. This is found in 1 Samuel chapter 19 thru chapter 31. We selected a few verses out of this portion of King David’s history with the LORD.
1 Samuel 21 verse 10 thru chapter 22 verse 3
David flees from Saul in fear and then acts like a crazy person in front of Achish the king of Gath. Achish was the king of this Philistine city, Gath. The Philistines were enemies of Israel and yet David fled into their territory. David was so scared at this moment in his life he acted like a crazy person just to stay alive.
David was anointed by God to be king over Israel. He had defeated Goliath and led Israel to victory in different battles, but at this point of time in his life, not many people would have thought much of him. He was drooling out of his mouth and letting it run over his beard. Many people would have been ashamed to even be associated with him, but it did not change the fact of what God had called David.
Circumstances Do not change God’s call
How often have we been in a circumstance and acted poorly because of fear? I know I have. There have been moments in my life that are very debasing, but it does not change the fact that God has called me and anointed me. Just like David here, we can go through very humbling circumstances and act in ways that are unflattering but it does not change what God has said about us or his call on our lives.
After this, he heads to a cave, and a bunch of outcasts of Israel begins to flock towards him. The people who came to him were poor and in debt, bitter, and in complete distress. Not people of great influence, but the people society would deem “less than”.
From the outside looking in, David was a renegade. The people of Israel would have not known that Saul was at fault and chasing him down because of envy. They only knew that David was on the run from the king and now he was the captain of a band of outcasts that he ended up taking into enemy territory to live there.
Peoples Perception Does Not Change What God Says
Here it is good to mention that David’s life is a prophetic resemblance of Jesus Christ. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day rejected him and were constantly against him. While the scourge of society was receiving him. The poor and the broken, the oppressed, and the outcasts were the ones who flocked to Jesus. Not the people of great influence.
1 Samuel Chapter 23 verses 1 thru 12
David and his men deliver this city from enemy invaders and David enquires if the people of Keilah (the city they just saved) would deliver him into Saul’s hand. The LORD tells him they will. So he leaves the city.
How very human this story is. One minute you are their champion who saved them from destruction then circumstances change and they will deliver you over to be executed. Many scholars believe that some of the people who championed Jesus into Jerusalem shouting, “Hosanna in the highest” were the same who cried out, “Let him be crucified.”
People can turn on you even if you’ve been good to them
Personally, I believe that this was what happened. I have seen firsthand how quickly public opinion can change based on the unmet expectations they have for someone. The expectation they had for Jesus was that he was going to come as King over Israel beating the nations into submission and bringing about a physical eternal Davidic kingdom. But he came to bring a spiritual kingdom and set up its eternal rule on earth from heaven.
The opinion of how they believed the word of God was supposed to be fulfilled blinded them to its fulfillment. When they thought the kingdom was going to be a physical one and their expectations did not get met they wanted him to be killed. They also had other false “Christs” that had come to them too, so they were wary of messiahs who did not fulfill what they believed to be the scriptures. The problem was they were looking at it from a carnal (worldly) perspective and not from a spiritual.
Expectations Can be Dangerous
I know I have been guilty of this. I thought God’s word to me was going to be fulfilled a certain way and when it wasn’t fulfilled the way I expected it to I got angry, discouraged, and hurt. But the truth was he never told me how certain things were going to happen he just said they would happen. Expectations can disappoint you if you are not grounded in the character of God.
1 Samuel chapter 25
We did not read this section here we talked about it. If you would like to know more about how this section of scripture is a prophetic resemblance of Jesus Christ and his church please take a look at The Throne of David.
David did good to this wealthy man named Nabal, but Nabal did not recognize his kindness or repay it. As a matter of fact, Nabal actually accused David of deserting his master Saul (vs. 10). It is evidence of the public’s perception of David, a renegade.
Afterward, David ends up sparing Saul’s life again and is in despair. David says in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul…” (from 1Sam. 27:1). Many biblical scholars believe that David was on the run from King Saul for about ten years. Ten years of being looked at like a renegade, of people thinking the worse about him, of him living in wilderness areas and among the enemies of Israel. Ten years of having nothing to rely upon except a promise God made to him, being anointed king over Israel when he was still a child. I think he started to lose hope a little, but this one thing he did, he turned to the LORD over and over again. He found his strength in the LORD.
Placing your eyes on people will discourage you, Put your trust in God
During this time period, David wrote many of the Psalms among these is Psalm 22.
My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you far from helping me, far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I call by day and you do not answer, and by night but I have no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted you; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; they trusted you and were not ashamed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by humankind and despised by people. All who see me mock me. They open wide their lips; they shake the head, saying: "He trusts Yahweh. Let him rescue him. Let him deliver him because he delights in him." Yet you took me from the belly; you made me trust while on my mother's breasts. On you I was cast from the womb. From my mother's belly you have been my God. Do not be far from me because trouble is near; because there is no helper. Many bulls have encircled me; mighty bulls of Bashan have surrounded me. They open their mouth against me like a lion tearing and roaring. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dry like a potsherd, and my tongue is sticking to my jaws; and you have placed me in the dust of death. Because dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has encircled me. Like the lion they are at my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; they gaze, they look at me. They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Yahweh, do not remain distant. O my help, hasten to help me. Rescue my life from the sword, my only life from the power of the dogs.
(Psalm 22:1-20)
He felt like a worm who was not worthy of salvation, but he continued to look to God for his mercy. And because he put his hope in the LORD he was not put to shame! “Indeed, none who wait for you should be put to shame…” (from Psalm 25:3).
Hold fast to the word that was preached to you
I am fully persuaded that anyone who is called by God goes through periods like these, and the purpose for these times is to produce character in us. As long as we remain believing in Jesus Christ abiding in him then God will use it to produce fruit. God’s attributes, so that when we get to the place that he has called us we will be able to keep it. When I say keep it I mean having the quality of character that will be able to rule well.
"You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of [Jesus the Messiah]."
(1Peter 1:6-7).
Comfort For the Broken
I was thinking about a precious promise that I have held dear for a while and believe God wanted me to share it with some of you guys on here. This promise has been very precious to me. I have held on to it, along with many others, during times of internal affliction and turmoil. It is found in Isaiah 54:11-14 and says,
"O you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. And I will make your windows of agates, and your gates of carbuncles, and all your borders of pleasant stones. And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you."
We are the house of God and He is committed to us even in the midst of our internal struggles and turmoil. He is faithful to lay our foundation with precious stones and cause the beauty of His temple to be renewed. I know in the midst of our afflictions it may seem like we will never find peace, but God is committed to us and speaks comfortably to us in our turmoil. The zeal of his house consumes him! And he will not rest until he makes you a praise in this earth!
Other times we may think back on how we used to be and think how we were so much better before when we were first born again. This may be due to different sins, failures that we have made, or even our hearts growing cold because of the different hurts we suffered at the hands of loved ones. But in this I have comfort:
“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the LORD of hosts…”
From Haggai 2:9
The history of this verse gives me hope. God told this to the people of Israel after they sinned and rebelled against him. They were sent into exile and God allowed them to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem.
After the temple was rebuilt those who remembered the glory of the first temple were weeping for sorrow because they knew the result of their sin had caused the diminishing of God’s house, but in the midst of that God encourages them and lets them know that the former glory of His house will be greater than the first.
We are the temple of God! We are the house of God and the former glory of this house will be greater than when we were first born again. When God restores He restores a double portion for our affliction.
“For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.”
Isaiah 61:7
Be encouraged He is faithful and His mercy endures forever. Love you guys and God bless you!
The Power to Subvert Kingdoms
Pointing out a problem without giving a solution always leads to one or more of the following: discouragement; anger; bitterness; hopelessness; fear; anxiety; helplessness; unworthiness… the list goes on. The thing is, pointing out a person’s problem doesn’t really help them, it just leaves them wanting. With no solution, facing these problems seems daunting and turns into fear and discouragement.
These problems scoff and laugh at us. They blaspheme the armies of the living God as we sit on the sidelines shaking in fear, too afraid to say anything against the insults and blasphemous slander. Just like Goliath, they stand in the way of God’s kingdom, openly opposing its advancement.
David believed in the Solution more than the problem. He didn’t ignore the problem and act like it wasn’t there. He addressed the issue by faith. He knew there was an issue, but he knew his God was bigger than the problem. David when looking out at this giant saw an enemy of God’s people and knew “if God be for us, who can be against us” (from Rom. 8:31). He gave his fear to the Lord instead of fearing this Philistine. He glorified the living God and said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
When David looked out he saw a problem, but he did not shrink from it. He glorified God and knew the God who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear will deliver this Philistine into his hands. We look at David like he had courage in himself to do this great feat, but we so easily forget that David is a man just like me and you. His courage was not in himself, he just believed in God. It’s very easy to exalt a champion of the Lord’s, and they are champions indeed, but their victory didn’t come from themselves it came from believing in God. As we think about the great cloud of witnesses that went before us, let us be reminded that they accomplished everything through faith in the living God. So, we must be victorious through faith in the living God as well.
“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”
Hebrews 11:33-39
God Is Speaking, Do you Perceive it?
Hard Times and Hard Hearts.
Sometimes when we are going through hard times we tend to think God is silent, but I would like to say that he is not silent. He is always speaking to us; however, we may not be in a place where we are receptive to how God is trying to speak to us. It is usually because our hearts are hardened.
Now when I say hard hearts instantly people begin to think of negative connotations and harsh judgments from God toward the hard-hearted individual. While there is validity to this assumption, it is not completely true. Some people who remained hard-hearted did receive punishment against them. In Rom. 2:5 it says that because of a person’s hard heart they are storing up wrath for themselves at the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. But others, whose hearts were hard, were rebuked but not cast out awaiting the wrath of God.
The disciples at numerous times were said to have hard hearts. In Mark 6:52 it tells us that the disciples did not think about the miracle of the loaves because their heart was hardened. Mark 8:17 Jesus asks his disciples if their hearts were hardened. Then at the end of Mark 16:14 Jesus rebukes his disciples for their hardness of heart. Time and time again the disciples displayed hard hearts; yet, Jesus did not cast them to the side.
Strong's Greek definition: hard heartedness, that is, (specifically) destitution of (spiritual) perception: - hardness of heart.
Destitution of spiritual perception. They lacked the spiritual perception to see the hand of God in a situation. Or how God was trying to communicate with them through his Spirit.
When we go through hard times we tend to lose sight of God. We tend to think that he is distant or unconcerned. We think that he is silent, but in all actuality he is still communicating to us. It is just a matter of us getting our perception right.
All Eyes On Him
Recently I have been thinking about how God called out to Moses from the burning bush (found in Exodus chapter 3). He only called out to Moses after He saw Moses turn and look on the bush. God waited until He had Moses’ undivided attention. I wonder though, how often did God appear to Moses waiting for him to turn his attention towards Him? It is purely speculative, but it intrigues me.
Another scenario is when Jesus meets his disciples on the road to Emmaus and their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He talks with them along the way and when they get to the town they were headed to, Jesus acted as if he was going to keep traveling forward. They stopped him and asked him to stay with them until morning because it was already late in the evening. He complied. While they were sitting down to eat after Jesus blessed and gave thanks their eyes were opened to know who he was (full story found in Luke chapter 24). I’ve wondered here, what if these men never asked him to stay with them?
To me it is simple, then they would have never known that they were speaking to Jesus. He was hidden from them. But then when they took time to stop the man from going forward and dove into connection that’s when Jesus opened their eyes. He wants us to dive into connection, to be present. He wants us to give him our undivided attention.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jer. 29:13
Conclusion
Sometimes we just need to be present, undistracted and looking for him. Then we will see him. If we are too busy with trivial things we may miss him. I wonder how many moments in my own life that God was wanting to talk to me and yet I completely missed him?
This is something I pray that will be corrected in me. I want to hear my Father every time he calls out to me. I do not ever want to miss an opportunity when God calls me into fellowship with him. I know that he is always with me, but being with someone and fellowshipping with them are two different things. Just ask some married couples. Being married to someone and living in the same house does not mean that you have great communication or fellowship.
Call to Action
Let this be our prayer, “Father, I want to know you. Not just about you, but really know you. Who you are and what you are like. I don’t want to just read about you or hear about you from others I want true fellowship with you. Please help me when I get distracted with insignificant things because all things are insignificant when compared to you. And soften my heart to the different ways your Spirit is operating in and through me. I want my eyes to be opened to any way you are trying to speak to me. If through a burning bush, a stranger on the street, or through your Spirit working around me I want to be present pressing into connection. Thank you for your faithful love in doing these things! Praise your name forever!”
Image by Michael Power via https://www.artstation.com/artwork/wNYxw
Don’t Touch My Baby!
My Little Princesses
A couple of days ago, my wife gave birth to our twin baby girls! I am so excited and in love with these precious girls. They are beautiful, perfect, wonderful princesses! But with all newborns, the babies need to go through different tests to make sure nothing is wrong with them. Withdraw blood, jaundice tests, reflex tests, etc.
Yesterday I watched as the nurses pricked my little girl with a needle to get blood for various tests. They poked her and started to squeeze her foot to get the blood as I watched through a glass wall… It was hard.
Everything in me wanted to yell at them and tell them to stop! I clenched my fists inside my pockets, stood up on my toes, and leaned forward on the glass. One of the nurses outside was watching me and she seemed like I was making her uneasy. I didn’t care though because all I had on my mind was my baby. I saw my baby getting hurt and I wanted to snatch her out of their grasp.
I had to tell myself that this had to happen. She had to go through this so that they could get the results of the test. It didn’t make it any easier though, watching my baby in pain. My heart hurt for my precious child, and if there was any other way to get these tests accomplished I would have done it.
God’s Heart
I instantly thought about our heavenly Father. He does not just look on in apathy while we suffer the pain of our trials. He sees us in our sufferings. He knows our pain, and his heart hurts for us.
He also knows that we need to go through certain trials to be tested and purified. That these things must happen to accomplish something in us that in the end will produce something more precious than gold.
“By trusting, you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of [Jesus Christ].”
1Peter 1:5-7
Just because he knows this that doesn’t mean he is not concerned with how we feel. I know this to be true. He is a good Father, and I am a reflection of him. If I feel these things for my children I know my heavenly Father feels this more than me. But I have a more sure word than my own judgment as a loving father; I have His word, and it says,
“In all their affliction He was afflicted. So the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, then He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.”
Isaiah 63:9
Jesus (The Son of Suffering) Also Models This
Jesus also had to go through his trials and he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me! Yet not as I will, but as You will” (from Mat. 26:39). He knew the suffering he was going to endure; yet, he trusted his Father’s judgment. God knew that this was the only way and on the other side of this suffering, which was for a moment, it was going to produce for him an eternal weight of glory that is so awesome that the suffering is not even worthy to be in comparison.
Did this mean Father didn’t care that Jesus went through what he did? Of course not! It is so evident that our Father cared deeply. So deeply in fact that darkness covered the face of the earth and a great earthquake happened. When the Roman centurion saw this he exclaimed, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (from Mat. 27:54).
God Cares About Us
He cares about our suffering, but he knows that it is for our good. God bless you guys, do not think for one moment that our Father does not take notice during your afflictions. He is so near. He loves you so much! I am so astounded by his goodness. His gentleness makes us great!
"For our momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure and proportion, because we are not looking at what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal."
(2Co 4:17-18).
"Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" ~Jesus
(Luke 24:26).
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Heb. 12:2).
Image source: @ula.la.land on Instagram
Serpents and Eye Drops
Your Old men will Dream Dreams…
I guess I’m getting old because last night God gave me a dream lol. It was a dream of instruction, but before we get into that I wanted to say a little bit about dreams. Dreams have been a way that God has communicated with people all throughout history. We see when Abram was with God and asleep that he began to have a nightmare. And then God started to share with Abram about how his children were going to be in bondage (Found in Gen. chapter 15).
We also see Jacob’s dream of the gate of heaven (Gen. 28). Joseph’s life had numerous dreams, the first few were his own. Then he was sent to interpret others. The book of Daniel is riddled with dreams and visions.
In Joel 2:28 the Lord says, “…it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” We see that God has been in the business of using dreams to communicate with people all throughout history and he is still in that same business today. He says, “ For I am the Lord, I change not…” (From Malachi 3:6).
For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:14-18
Many times God does instruct us at night and speaks to us through dreams. It is a way for him to speak without all the clutter of our minds getting in the way. I believe it is very important for a person to be aware of their dreams, and seek God for the interpretation.
Not all dreams are safe to share with others, just take a look at what happened with Joseph. So be careful with whom you share your dreams. “Don’t give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine…” (From Matthew 7:6).
With that being said, I am choosing to share this dream because God told me to. He wanted me to write about it on this blog. So, let’s go ahead and jump into it.
Snakes and Antidotes
In the dream, I was watching the development of a nature show. They were doing a special on venomous snakes. They had different video clips of various species of venomous snakes, but in one video I saw the host of the show around a black mamba. The host was standing behind an open door and the black mamba was outside in a field area. When the snake saw him it slithered right up to him. It came up right outside of the doorway. The snake never came inside but was just outside the open door. The host was toying with the snake. He would stick his leg in front of its head, and then quickly move it out of the way when the snake would strike. The host was actually trying to get bit by the snake because they wanted to film what he experienced from the bite. The host gets bit and the snake latches on to him for a little longer than I would expect. I thought to myself that it was unleashing more venom than normal. The next thing I know I am in the hospital seeing this man, and he is in excruciating pain. He is begging for the antidote! They administer the antidote to him, but the way they applied the antidote was very unusual. The antidote was eye drops, and they put a few of the drops in his eye. I didn't understand how eye drops were going to help this man. I thought maybe the antidote would be absorbed into his body and cleanse his body of the toxins. The dream ends.
You are the house of the Lord
The first thing I want to expound on is the open door. In certain circles of Christian teachings, we use this type of terminology to basically say that if you open a door then the devil has some type of legal entry into you. I want to say this is not true for a person who is redeemed by Jesus. If you were bought by the blood of Jesus Christ then the LORD is your owner and he won’t have a devil in his house.
You are the house of God. “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Does this mean you can’t stick your foot outside the house to get bit? Of course, you can, but preferentially you wouldn’t do that.
Likewise, in the dream, the snake never entered the door. It stayed outside of the open door while the man kept putting his leg in front of its mouth. If the snake had access he would have simply slithered right through the door and bit the man.
Snakes: A Work of the Devil
It was the form of a serpent that the devil chose when he worked rebellion into the earth (aka sin). The snakes represented sin or a work of the devil. I was reminded of an instance in Israel’s history while they were in the wilderness and venomous snakes were released on them.
…The people grew impatient on the journey and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.”
So Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.
Numbers 21:4-9
Jesus uses this story when talking to Nicodemus to describe how he must die in order to give life to the world. He says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” The same way Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness Jesus needed to be lifted up. Remember that the serpent represents sin. Jesus became sin for us when he was hanging on the tree. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor. 5:21).
The Remedy
You might be asking, Why does this even matter? What does this have to do with the dream? Well, I am glad you asked. The antidote to the poison was eye drops! The antidote for the man getting bitten was not an antivenom it was eye drops. The man needed to get his vision restored.
He needed to get his eyes back on the cross, and everything God had done for him there. He needed to remind himself of the great love that was displayed to save him from death. He needed to see the depth of God’s dedication towards his salvation.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:31-35
God bless you guys! God is for us! There was never a moment in Father’s heart that was divided about you. He has always had a resounding yes when thinking about your redemption from the grave. There is no variation or shadow due to change with him (from James 1:17).
The Potency of His Seed
Hey guys thinking about the Potency of God’s seed today. God’s seed is so potent that in the very beginning He impregnated the void with his word and the void gave birth to everything!!! How amazing is our Progenitor! He called light out of the darkness. Formed all the stars through the vapor of his breath. Then breathed his Spirit into man and birthed a living soul!
Think about that for a second in the beginning of this physical realm there was nothing. Then God spoke his Word and created everything. His word is so full of life that it literally impregnated nothingness and gave birth to everything that we see!
He shows us over and over again that it does not matter how broken or void a thing may have become, but he is able to birth Christ in us regardless. It does not matter if Sarah’s womb is barren, or if Mary is a virgin. It doesn’t matter how broken, how empty, or how dark a situation is God can call light out of the darkness with the mention of His word.
I am in awe of the only wise Potentate our magnificent Father who impregnates the darkness with light! Holy is his name!
God bless you guys, our struggles do not compare to the awesomeness of his power. He is able to subdue all things unto himself by the working of his power. Listen to what he tells Israel through the prophet Isaiah,
For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze. That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen!’ (New Living Translation, Isa. 48:4-5)
He knew Israel was rebellious and yet he still called him and chose him. There is a Misty Edwards song called, I Knew What I Was Getting Into. I highly suggest that you listen to this song. Because our Father is singing it over us.
The gist of the song is he knew everything about you and still chose you. In Ezekiel 36:27 it says, “… I will put my Spirit within you, and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Do you think you are able to withstand God’s Spirit causing you to walk in his statues? No, he is able to subdue all things to himself! It does not matter how rebellious you think you are HIS SPIRIT is GREATER!
"[Jesus] shall change our vile body (rebellious flesh), that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to SUBDUE ALL THINGS unto himself" (Php 3:21).
If he can ride a donkey that no one has ever ridden, then he can definitely tame our rebellious nature by the birthing of Christ in us. He is our Hope and Glory! Much love. He is for us! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
Fight For Your Inheritance!
Good afternoon people of God! Today I wanted to share with you that sometimes faith looks like not taking no for an answer. If there is a promise of God, and there is something between you and the fulfillment of that promise, then we should not take no for an answer. Because “…all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (from 2 Cor. 1:20).
I was thinking about the Canaanite woman who wanted the Lord to deliver her child from a devil. The Lord didn’t speak a word to her except when his disciples came and asked him to send her away. At which point he told her that he was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and then compared her to a dog… She asked for help and he was resisting her at first, but she didn’t take no for an answer! Then Jesus recognized her great faith and her daughter was made whole. (From Mat. 15:21-28).
This woman did not have a covenant with God! She was not a part of God’s covenant people; yet, and the one who was the voice and representation of God on the earth told her that he was only sent for God’s covenant people and that it wasn’t right to give the children’s bread to the dogs! But she did not take no for an answer! She continued to seek for the healing/deliverance of her child despite what even Jesus (the word of God) had told her! This woman truly had great faith!
We are God’s covenant people, to whom belong the promises and mercies of our God. We are not like this woman who had no covenant. But we are the ones to whom belong the inheritance of the kingdom. So we are not in the same circumstance as she was. The reason why I am saying this is because our resistance is not from Jesus or our Father, it is from the devil. The uncovenanted Canaanite woman was not a part of the adopted inheritors yet, but I do believe she is now!
Whenever we have something standing in the way of our possession it is either a devil or religion that is resisting us! And we should not bow to religion or demons ever! That was one of the discrepancies that Jesus had with the Pharisees. They did not seize hold of the promises and hindered those who were trying to possess them. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Mat. 23:13).
God bless you guys fight the good fight for your inheritance!
“According as his divine power has given unto us ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and [valor]! By which he has given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. That by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Pet. 1:3-4).
“Do not fear, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Grace and Truth Came by Jesus Christ!
Blessings everyone! Yesterday I was thinking about how God sings over us (from Zeph. 3:17). And the song that he sings is one of grace. I believe he continues to sing this song of grace over us until we, in turn, start singing it in this world.
It has been by grace that we were saved through faith (not of works). It is a free gift, and everything that we receive in the Kingdom is freely given. Not through religious works. I am so grateful to God for his goodness, and that because he is good I am free from the works of satan. Sin, sickness, and death are all works of the devil, of which we were all anointed by God to destroy!
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (2Peter 3:18).
I think it is imperative as a body that we grow in the grace of God. Not in our self-willed attempts of reaching him (whether it be prayer, fasting, or reading scripture) all these things the Pharisees did, and yet they stumbled at the stumbling stone of grace (Jesus). The law truly was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). If we continue in grace we will have peace, but if we try to continue in dead works (religion) we will not have peace.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes… (From Rom. 1:16).
Grace is the answer. Grace is the way. Grace is God’s will for this earth! It was God’s grace that he gave his son. It was God’s grace that he did not hold the world’s sins against them but was reconciling the world to himself (2 Cor. 5:19). And it is this message of grace that we must carry into this world!
The [law] kills, but the spirit gives life from 2 Cor. 3:6
The law points the finger and tells a person all the reasons they are not worthy to receive anything from God. But grace tells us that Jesus did everything so that we can freely receive from God. We must sing the same song our Father is singing over us and join him in song to this world singing, “Grace! Grace unto it!”
Love you guys, you don’t earn anything from our Father. You have freely received everything from him that you need!
"...I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires" (from NLT Bible, 2Peter 1:1-4).
A desire for all the nations of the earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. 