The Way of Blessing Part 3

Lesson 3

Where is the Kingdom of Heaven?

The Kingdom of Heaven is Here

Listen! God is closer than breathing. Do you want to find God? Do you want to reach Him? You just need to look in here, because He is inside of you. You just need to look over there, because He is inside of everybody else who knows Him. You just need to look anywhere, because God is everywhere! So where is the heavenly realm? The heavenly realm is right here.

What did Jesus preach as He came down, as He went out to begin His ministry? "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Where? Just look right here! Here it is. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Scriptures say concerning Jesus (Jesus Himself said this in John 1:18. Speaking about Himself He said), "No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father has declared it." "…who is in the bosom of the Father." Hang on, where was Jesus? He was down here on the earth was He not? He spoke those words. He said, "The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father …" Jesus was down on the earth, and at the same time He was in the bosom of the Father. How could that be? Let me show you another one.

The Scripture says in Ephesians 2:4-6, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, has made us alive together in Christ, and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Now the kingdom of God is within us. Right now.

In Two Places

You are seated in heavenly places right now if you are a child of God in Christ. You are seated on the throne of heaven, looking down (if it is up there). Do you feel like it? Have I got you confused yet? Have I got your mind ticking yet? You see, God has made man to have three parts to his being - a spirit and a soul and a body. But you see, as man you have a part of you that came from God and has the same nature as God. It is your spirit, and a spirit has access to the realm of the Spirit.

Your spirit has contact with heaven. And your spirit is living in a physical body, which has contact with the earth. That is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "…the Son of God, who is in the bosom of the Father." Jesus was physically on the earth, but His spirit was in union with Father God at the same time. What you do not realize is that you are already walking in the heavenly realm.

From the moment that you were born again and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you gained an entrance into the realm of God. That means that your spirit is in touch with the place that the blessings come from. Your spirit is in touch with the Holy Spirit. Your spirit is in touch with the heavenly realm of God twenty four hours a day. The Holy Spirit and God are communing and communicating with your spirit twenty four hours a day.

You say, "Well I wish I could hear from the Lord."

He is talking. Listen! He is talking all the time. You are just too deaf to hear Him. Oh, it is getting into heavy stuff, you know, isn’t it, way out? We are still in the Word. What I am saying is totally scriptural.

Jesus, the Key to Blessings

Paul says that we are blessed ‘in Christ’. When God made man He gave the blessing. He created this earth and He put His man Adam upon this earth and said, "Adam, I will keep control of the universe and of the solar system and of everything that is involved. But what takes place in and upon the earth is your responsibility. I’m giving it to you. You are in charge."

Jesus came as the last Adam. Jesus was born of a virgin, which means that He was born without the taint of sin and He came upon the earth in the same condition that Adam did. We will look at this also in a lot of detail. Jesus came as the seed of Abraham with whom God had entered into Covenant and given all the blessings. We saw it there. "God had blessed Abraham in everything." Jesus entered into Blood Covenant with Almighty God and He shed His own blood in the Covenant. And Jesus entered into a permanent Covenant as man with God. Man and God became one in Christ.

The Scripture says that, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself." Jesus bought back what Adam had lost. Jesus restored the relationship between man and God, which was lost in the Garden of Eden when man fell. Jesus brought us back to that place of blessing, the place of being in Covenant with somebody who has everything. And when you are in Covenant with someone, everything they have belongs to you. Jesus entered into Covenant with Almighty God and as we come in to him; as we become part of Him, the Scripture says that we as believers are members of the Body of Christ.

Now I do not care how humble a part of the Body you are. I don’t care if you are the smallest cell on the bottom of the soul of the foot of the Body of Christ, you are still part of the body, and you are still in Christ. And if you are in Christ you are in Covenant in Him with Almighty God, and everything that God has you have a right to have also. We have already seen that He has all the blessings, so we have a right, in Christ, to those blessings.

Bless Him Back

Now what is to be our response to all of this, when you realize all that He's given us?

"Oh, it makes me want to go out and live like the Devil, it really does."

Is that what it does to you? No! When I realize all that He has done for me; when I realize all that He has given me; when I realize all that is available to me in Him; when I realize how much He has blessed me, you know what I want to do? I want to bless Him back. I want to bless Him back, and I want to give Him everything that I have.

How are you going to bless Him? By saying, "Well God doesn’t want you to be blessed. He provides your needs and not your greeds."

That really blesses the Lord doesn't it? No, how can that bless the Lord? I tell you what blesses me. When I give a gift to somebody, and see the look of gratitude and the joy and the excitement on their face. When they come and throw their arms around me and hug me and say, "Man I appreciate that. Thank you!"

That is all the Lord requires of us. I think no person could be more insulted than if they gave somebody a costly gift, to have the person to pull out their wallet and say, "How much do I owe you?"

But people are trying to do that. They are trying to earn God’s blessings. They are trying to work for His blessings. They are trying to say, "Well, I’m unworthy of His blessings." They are trying to say, "Well maybe it’s not God’s will for me to be blessed at this time. Maybe it’s not God’s will for me to be healed. Maybe God wants me to remain sick to teach me something."

Oh, I do that to my son all the time. I hurt him like mad to teach him something! When he falls and hurts himself and comes crying to me with blood running down from his knee, I say, "Yeah, I want you to stay like that and suffer for a while so that you can learn not to do that in the future." I am not even that bad a parent, but we want to say that God is that kind of parent?

God the Source of Blessing

God is the source of all blessing. James, in his Epistle tells us, "Every good and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning." Every good and every perfect gift.

Listen, a curse is not a good gift. A curse is not a perfect gift. And sickness and disease, and poverty and suffering, humiliation and loneliness, despair, depression and discouragement are not gifts from Almighty God! They are a curse! And He has redeemed us from the curse, that the blessing of Abraham might come on us.

Well what kind of blessing did Abraham have? God had blessed Abraham in all things. He wants us to be blessed, that is why He gave us in Christ Jesus by His Holy Spirit, every blessing that we will ever need. All we need to do is to reach out in faith and in gratitude to Him, and take those gifts of His love.

THE WAY OF BLESSING PART 2

The Way of Blessing

PART 2

God Provides our Needs

Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall provide all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Can you see a few more things there? He shall provide my needs according to His ‘riches in glory’ (the heavenly realm). How? ‘Through Christ Jesus’ (in Christ). Can you see the same pattern? It is there. They are always together. You will see it again and again.

Well, what are some of your needs? How about basic living expenses? How about food, clothing, transport, electricity, and a house with a roof over your head? Basic needs - something that each one of us needs to survive in this world. Does God want us to have these? Of course He does!

How about health? How can I survive with ill health? If my body is sick how can I go out and work? How can I live a normal life? How about wisdom for living; the ability to know how to go about my life; the ability to go out and be employed gainfully and to bring in an income; the ability to deal with problems that come my way; the ability to handle every situation that I face in life. Are these not basic needs? Are these not blessings?

Well if they are blessings, then according to the Word of God, God has provided those blessings for us. God wants us to have our needs met. He wants us to live comfortably. He wants us to have good clothes to wear. He wants us to have a good house to live in. He wants us to have good transport to travel in. He wants us to eat good healthy food. They are our needs, and I do not think many people have a problem believing that God wants to provide our needs.

If I am walking around as a believer groveling around, wallowing, poor and beat up and beat down and sick, how many people are going to come up to me in the street and say, "Man I want what you’ve got. How did you get it?" Would you?

It is time that the people of God rise up into positions in the world that are recognized; into positions of authority; into positions of success; EVEN into positions of wealth, that they can declare to the world, "I am what I am because of what God did in me!"

Salvation Brings Blessing In

What happened when you were born again? What happened when you received Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Savior? I'll tell you what happened. What happened is the Spirit of God came upon you and came into you, and moved in and took up residence within you, and became united as one with your spirit. And your spirit and God’s Spirit are one in fellowship and in unity. God poured into you His permanent, indwelling, abiding presence by His Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit came in there He brought all of Heaven with Him! He brought all the blessings with Him. He brought all the spiritual essence with Him that would ever be needed to create anything that you might ever need in this life.

In Philippians 2:9 it says:

"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him a Name that is above every Name. That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow; of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth."

Things in heaven – that is one realm, God’s realm. Things in earth – that’s the physical realm that we live in. Things under the earth - that refers to the underworld or the realm of darkness, Satan’s realm. Three different realms. God’s realm is normally referred in the Scriptures as the realm of glory.

So Paul tells us in Philippians 4:19, "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory."

"Where are God’s riches?"

"In glory."

"Where’s glory?"

"The heavenly realm."

"What’s the heavenly realm?"

"It’s the place where God is."

We are going around in circles aren’t we? Well how far do you need to go to get to the heavenly realm since God is so far away and we have to pray these blessings down? We have to get in the Spirit, and we have to have long times of prayer and fasting. And we have to beam our prayers up there like rockets, and hope that our rockets are strong enough to get there, to reach the heavenly realm. Then God sends it here at the speed of light. And you know that the nearest star is probably several hundred light years away. No, No, No. It gets ridiculous doesn’t it? No wonder so few people expect God to answer their prayers.

GOD IS IN US!!! WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!!

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

His Name is Wonderful

Isaiah 9:6-7 says: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this.

During this Christmas season as we remember the Christ, let's look again at this amazing verse written 770 years before the birth of Jesus -- and see how it can be broken down for greater understanding.

CHILD = H3205-yâlad-means fruit- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively to beget; specifically to show lineage: - bear, beget, birth ([-day]), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (Born of woman Son of Man)

SON = H1121-Ben which means INHERITOR, our Messianic Savior.

[anointed one, appointed one, arrow, bough, branch, servant born, steward, valiant, worthy, (Born of God Son of God)

GOVERNMENT (misrah fe) = RESPONSIBILITY, DOMINION RULE, GOVERNMENT which He gives to us.

AND HIS NAME = IDENTITY, NATURE ,reputation, fame, glory, Name (as designation of God)memorial, monument.

And His Name is Wonderful! Imagine that name. "this word is a noun not an adjective!" Wonderful is His Name.

WONDERFUL = same word used as "SUPERNATURAL" (Judg. 13:18). Amazing, absolutely extraordinary, wondrous, wonders, astonishing, amazing, marvelous, a wonder.

COUNSELOR = Extraordinary strategist. One who brings words of eternal life with perfect wisdom. An adviser, wise leader, consult, Well-advised deliberator. One who determines, devises a plan, and guides to a purpose.

MIGHTY GOD = (Gen. 2:4, Deut. 10:17 - Isa. 10:21) The Victorious Father of Eternity. This word is equivalent to "Immanuel" (Isa 7:14). rwbg gibbowr adjective, noun masculine meaning warrior, strongest, soldier, champion, wealth, valiant, powerful, mightiest, skilled, prominent, hero, upright, champion, chief, and in charge.

GOD= el

EVERLASTING = perpetuity, forever, continuing future without end. He alone has total control over eternity.

FATHER = head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan, originator, benevolent protector, respect and honour, ruler or chief

PRINCE = The word for prince is Sar, which has many leadership descriptions such as captain, chief, ruler, keeper, governor, overseer, and commander. There are many more. OF PEACE - WHOLENESS, PROSPERITY, TRANQUILITY -

Jesus is birthed in us! He is our extraordinary Prince and personal analyst Who gives us dominion rule and creates safe socio-economic family environment that will never end. When we allow His peace to come into our lives, there is no question that He is in us! AND THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE WILL BE NO END.

THE WAY OF BLESSING

Lesson 1 - The Way of Blessing

Genesis 24:1: Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

Galatians 3:13: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

What does the word blessing or blessed mean to you? When you hear that word, does it produce in your mind a picture of being poor, beat up, weak, neglected, lonely, sickly? Are those all the pictures that come to your mind? Blessed - you can just see it can’t you? Can you just see this poor beaten up old person? Is that what blessed brings to your mind?

By the same token what does the word curse or cursed bring to your mind? What does it mean to you? Does it produce this picture of somebody smiling, full of happiness, a picture of prosperity and good health? Is that what the word cursed brings to your mind? I do not think so! When was the last time you heard someone pray, "And Father we ask you to curse us today in Jesus name."? no! Blessing means something good, and we all know that God is the source of all blessing. That is why we are always praying and saying, "Lord, we ask you to bless us today, in Jesus name.

God, the Source of Blessing

God is the author and the source of all blessing. Never yet has somebody greeted another person and said, "God curse you." God is not the author of cursing. I want to look here at the way of blessing; the way of blessing that God has ordained for each one of us, His children.

In Ephesians 1:3 Paul said, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." That one little verse is packed with so much power, that I am going to be sharing on it in quite a good few messages.

God is Blessed

Let’s look at what Paul is saying here. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." God is blessed. Do you know that? That is why He can bless. Hey, If I am going to bless somebody, by giving them out of my abundance, I had better have been blessed in the first place.

You want to find the most blessed person in the universe? His name is God. If you want to find any kind of blessing there is available, you are going to find it there. He has them all, every single one of them. You are not going to find them anywhere else. You are certainly not going to find them in the devil's camp. Hey, the Devil is not blessed. That is where the curse comes from. God is the fountain of all blessing.

He Has Blessed Us

And Paul says, "… the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us …". He does not say, "… is blessing us." He does not say, "… is going to bless us." He does not say, "… might bless us if He feels like it." He does not say, "… will bless you if you are good enough." He says, "He has blessed us." And if you look into the Greek there you will see something very interesting. The Greek tense that is used there for ‘has blessed’, that Greek tense is a tense known as the Aorist tense.

In our English language we have a present, a past and a future. But the Greek Aorist tense was a very special kind of past tense. It was a past tense, which indicated something which took place in the past and happened and does not need to be repeated. It happened and completed itself. So when Paul says here, "God blessed us," he is saying, "God gave us the blessing. It is done, it is over, and it is not to be repeated. It does not need to be repeated because it is complete."

We have been blessed. So why do we pray and say, "Lord, bless us today."? Why do we pray and say, "Lord, bless this person who is suffering with sickness and bless them with healing."? Why do we pray and say, "Father, this person is battling financially. Please bless them and prosper them."? Why do we keep asking God to bless, when according to this verse God has blessed once and for all in the past?

How We are Blessed

Paul tells us that God has blessed us in four different ways.

1. With All Blessings

First he says, "…with all blessings." Now when the Word tells us that God has blessed us with all blessings, I want you to realize that there is no blessing that God does not have. There is no such thing as, "God might have some of them, and maybe some of them are somewhere else, so we can at least get all of God’s blessings. But He doesn't cover all of them, so we are going to have to go somewhere else to get some of the other blessings." No. No! God has them all. You do not have to go anywhere else. If He has not got them it is not to be had. He has all blessings!

Well, can you think of some blessings? Sickness? No God is not sick. Poverty? God is not poor. Hey those are not blessings are they? Just let your mind go and think of blessing. Think of a person that you would call blessed. The world calls them successful. Is success a blessing, or is it a curse? Think about it. Every blessing that you could possibly think about is contained in God, and has been given to each one of us, past tense completed.

2. With Every Spiritual Blessing

Next Paul says, "…with every spiritual blessing". Well what does that mean? Does that mean that we are only allowed to get blessed spiritually? "Things are not spiritual, so we can’t expect for God to bless us with things. We must remain poor. Healing is a physical thing. It is not spiritual, so we can’t expect God to give us healing because that’s not spiritual." Is that true? Of course not!

3. From the Heavenly Realm

Thirdly, He has, "…blessed us with the blessings that are in the heavenly realm." I have heard a lot of people who have seen visions of angels. I see angels quite often in the Spirit, and I have never seen one that is sick yet. They are normally pretty well dressed, so I do not think they are poor. Can you imagine there being a curse in the heavenly realm where God lives? Well every description I have ever heard about heaven indicates that they have so much gold to go round they just pave the streets with it. Every blessing that comes from the realm of God has been given to you as a believer.

4. In Christ

Finally, the fourth way that God has blessed us is, "…in Christ." It is not available to you outside of Christ. If you are not a born again, child of the living God, what I am speaking about does not apply to you, because the blessings have been given to us in Christ and in Him alone. And outside of Christ we do not have access to God, or to His realm, or to His blessings.

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THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH- PS. 91

"THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH" Ps. 91 (Cross references)

VERSE 1

"He [they] that dwells (Psa.90:1) in the secret place of the most High shall abide (Psa.15:1-5) under the shadow of the Almighty."

Yes, in the shadow of My wings shall My remnant make their refuge - Psa.57:1 They shall be kept as the apple of Mine eye (Psa.32:8), hidden under the shadow of My wings (Psa.16:8), like as to an apple under the shade of its tree - S.S.2:3. In the shadow of my wings, even in my shade of protection and preservation (Psa.121:5-7) shall they rejoice - Psa.63:7. For in time of trouble shall I hide them in My pavilion: in the secret of My tabernacle will I hide them - Psa.27:5.

For there in that secret place shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat and for a place of refuge and for a covert from storm and rain - Isa.4:6. And a man, even my strong people (Isa.25:3-5), shall as a hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land - Isa.32:2.

I, the Lord, shall set them upon a rock (Psa.27:5), even a solid foundation of Christ's divine truth and knowledge - Matt.7:24, 25. Therein they shall be hidden and covered in clefts of that rock (Ex.33:21, 22), partaking of hidden riches (Isa.45:3) here in the secret places of the stairs which reach heavenward (S.S.2:14) wherein shall be offered in this tabernacle, sacrifices of joy - Psa.27:6. I the Lord Jesus Christ shall be their rock, their fortress, their deliverer and high tower - Psa.18:2; 144:2; 2Sam.22:2. My name is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe - Prv.18:10.

I shall be their strong rock for a house of defense to save & deliver them (Psa.31:2) even to the uttermost - Heb.7:25. Only I, the Lord, can deliver them in My righteousness and cause them to escape the snare of death. Only I can be their strong habitation, their rock and fortress - Psa.71:2, 3. I am the Lord their God and I shall lead them to the place of the rock that is higher than them, and only here in My rock shall be a shelter and a strong tower from the enemy -Psa.61:2,3.

VERSE 2

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge (Psa.142:5; 62:7, 8) and my fortress (Jer.16:19): my God: In Him will I trust."

I, the Lord, shall be their refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble - Psa.46:1; Deut.33:27. Am I not also their hiding place (Col.3:3) and their shield (Psa.119:114), and shall I not preserve them from trouble (Psa.32:7) by hiding them in the secret of My presence from the pride of man, keeping them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues? - Psa.132:20. They shall have learned that in the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and in this place of piety My children shall have a place of refuge - Prv.14:26.

Surely the secret of the Lord is with them that reverently are in awe of Me, says the Lord - Psa.25:14. I the Lord shall be a stronghold in the day of trouble for them that trust whole heartedly in me - Nah.1:7. Oh how great is My goodness, which I have laid up for them that fear me; which I have wrought for them that trust in Me before the sons of men - Psa.31:19.

VERSE 3

"Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisesome pestilence."

I, the Lord, have brought them into the net and they went through fire and water but yet shall I bring them out into a wealthy place - Psa.67:11, 12. Spiritual wealth and riches shall be in their house - Psa.112:3. When they pass through the troubled waters, I shall be with them. And when they pass through the rivers of death, they shall not overflow them. When they walk through the fire of painful trials they shall not be burned; neither shall the flames of wrath kindle upon them (Isa.43:2) for they shall be as a brand plucked out of the fire - Zec.3:12.

I the Lord shall deliver them in six troubles: yes, in seven there shall no evil touch them - Jb.5:19-24. They that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be fully delivered (Mat. 24:13) and it is to them that I will give power over the nations - Rev.2:26.

VERSE 4

"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler."

I shall cover their heads in the day of battle (Psa.140:7) and My truth shall continually preserve them - Psa.140:11. As birds flying, so will I, the Lord of hosts, defend them; defending them also will I deliver; and passing over I will preserve them - Isa.31:5. Their soul waits for the Lord who is their help and their shield - Psa.33:20. I the Lord, am a shield (Psa.59:11) and a buckler (Psa.18: 30) unto them that put their trust in Me - Prv.30:5. I shall compass them roundabout as with a shield (Psa.5:12) for I alone am their refuge and their strength, a very present help in time of trouble - Psa.46:1. Yes, I am the Almighty and I shall be their defense and they shall have plenty of the silver of my redemption & deliverance - Jb.22:25. Through it all, I shall be their defense and the glory of their strength - Psa.89:17; Psa.59:9, 16, 17.

VERSES 5 & 6

"You shall not be afraid for the terror by night: nor for the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday."

The sun shall not smite them by day or the moon by night - Psa. 121:6. When they sit in darkness I the Lord shall be a light unto them (Mic.7:8) and by My light shall they walk through darkness when the secret of God is upon their tabernacle - Jb.29:3, 4. Yes, they shall be far from oppression, for they shall not fear terror for it shall not come near them - Isa.54:14. Whosoever hearkens unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil - Prv.1:33.

VERSE 7

"A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you."

Behold, whosoever shall gather against them shall fall for their sake - Isa.54:15. They shall fall even by their own counsels - Psa.4:10; Jb.18:7. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one (Isa.30:17) and their enemies shall fall before them by the sword - Lev.26:8. One shall chase a thousand and two shall put ten thousand to flight - Deut.32:30. They themselves shall fall upon the sword but they shall not be wounded - Jl.2:8. There shall not a hair of their head perish - Lk.21:18. By wise counsel they shall make war and in the multitude of counselors there is safety - Prv.24:6.

VERSE 8

"Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked."

I the Lord shall let them see their desire upon the enemy (Psa.59:10) when I shall turn back their captivity before their eyes, casting out their enemy and undoing all that has afflicted them - Zep.3:15-20. For then shall the wicked be revealed, whom I shall consume with the Spirit of my mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of My coming - 2Ths.2:8. Then shall the wicked be cut off from the earth and the transgressors rooted out of it, for the upright shall dwell in the land and the perfect shall remain in it - Prv.2:21, 22. These shall be kept from the evil in the world (Jn.17:15), for I the Lord preserve the faithful, and plentifully reward the proud doer - Psa.31:23.

They that wait upon Me and My way, shall I exalt to inherit the land and when the wicked are cut off you shall see it - Psa.37:34. The full salvation of the righteous is of Me and I am their strength in time of trouble. I the Lord shall help them and deliver them. I shall deliver them from all wickedness and save them because they put their full trust in Me - Psa.37:39, 40.

VERSES 9&10

"Because you have made the Lord, which is your refuge, even the Most High, your habitation; thee shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling."

These have loved the habitation of My house and the secret place where my honor dwells - Psa.26:8. I the Lord, will bring Israel again to My habitation, even a sure dwelling, a peaceable habitation, a quiet resting place (Isa.32:18) and his soul shall be satisfied for I will pardon them whom I reserve - Jer.50:19, 20. At destruction and famine shall they laugh; neither shall they be afraid of the beasts of the earth - Jb.5:22. There shall no evil happen to the just - Prv.12:22; Prv.19:23. I shall allow no man to do them wrong for I say with power, touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm - Psa.105:14, 15. No weapon that is formed against them shall prosper - Isa.54:17.

Surely in the flood of great waters, they shall not come near to them (Psa.32:6) for I the Lord shall deliver them from every evil work and preserve them unto My heavenly kingdom - 2Tim.4:18; Psa.33:18, 19. In My faith I shall establish them and keep them from evil - 2Ths.3:3. Surely I shall fight for them and defend them (Psa.5:11; Zec.9:15) and they shall hold their peace - Ex.14:14.

VERSE 11

"For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."

Are not my ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? - Heb.1:14. Surely they shall also gather out of My kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity - Matt.13:41. The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them (Psa.34:7) for their angels do always behold the face of their Father in heaven - Matt.18:10.

In time of trouble, I the Lord will preserve them and keep them alive; and they shall be blessed upon the earth for their God will not deliver these unto the will of his enemies - Psa.41:1, 2. The angel shall seal these servants of God in their foreheads - Rev.7:3. These beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Me; and I shall cover them all the day long - Deut.33:12. But woe to the rebellious children says the Lord, that takes counsel, but not of Me; and that cover with a covering, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin - Isa.30:1

VERSE 12

"They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

I the Lord shall be their confidence and shall keep their feet from being taken - Psa.3:26. I will not suffer their feet to be moved (Psa.66:9; 121:3) for they shall be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph.6:15) having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the earth - Rev.14:6. I shall set their feet in a large room (Psa.31:8; 18:19), anchored sure and steadfast to their forerunner (Heb.6:19) to stand before the Son of man - Lk.21:36. I shall make their feet like hinds feet and set them up on My high places - Psa.18:30. I shall hold them up and they shall be safe - Psa.119:117.

VERSE 13

"You shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet."

I the God of peace shall bruise Satan under their feet shortly - Ro.16:11. Through me shall they run through a troop of the wicked and by Me shall they leap over a wall of evil and death - Psa.18:29. Through Me (Psa.44:5) they shall tread down the wicked, treading down serpents and scorpions and all the powers of the enemy - Lk.10:19. Through Me will they push down their enemies; through My name and nature will they tread them under until they are ashes under the soles of their feet - Mal.4:3. Surely in my time, I shall subdue the people under them and the nations under their feet - Psa.47:3.

VERSE 14

"Because He has set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high [even that secret place], because he has known My name."

They shall be more than conquerors through the Lord their God that loves them - Ro.8:37. For unto the woman who is in travail ready to bring forth the Son, is given two wings (Psa.61:1) of a great eagle (Duet.32:11), that she might fly (Prv.23:5) into the wilderness into her place of divine refuge where she is nourished and kept and delivered from the face of the serpent - Rev.12:4. These, even the remnant of the woman's seed which have known and kept the commandments of their Christ (Rev.12:17), shall have honored My name, not desiring their own ways nor finding their own pleasures, nor speaking their own words, but have delighted themselves fully in their Lord.

Therein, I shall cause them to ride upon the high places of the likeness My power and glory - Rev.12:5. They shall dwell on high: their place of defense shall be in the munitions of rocks - Isa.33:16. Here there eyes shall see their King in beauty (Isa.33:17) even face to face, and then shall they know even also as they are known (1Cor. 13:12) and they shall walk in My image and nature forever - Mic.4:5.

VERSE 15

"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him."

In that day, whatsoever they shall ask the Father in My name, I will give it them - Jn.16:23-26. They shall make their prayer unto Me and I shall hear them - Jb.22:27; Psa.145:18, 19. Because they have kept the word of My patience, I will also keep them from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth - Rev.3:10. Behold, I will make them of his enemies to come and worship before their feet and to know that they are the beloved of God - Rev.3:9. For when men are cast down then they shall say, there is lifting up, and I shall save & deliver the humble person - Jn.22:29; Psa.97:10.

VERSE 16

"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."

The scripture says, "Surely You are a God that hides Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior (Isa.45:15), but it shall be said in the last day, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us this is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation - Isa.25:9. For behold, I the Lord come out of My secret place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity - Isa.26:21.

Therefore, quickly now while the time is yet right, enter into your closet, and when you have shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret: and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly - Matt.6:6. Come my people, enter you into your chambers and shut your doors about you, hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be past - Isa.26:20.

Seek you the Lord all you meek of the earth. it may be, if you have sought righteousness and meekness with your whole heart, that ye shall be hid in that secret place in the day of the Lord's anger - Zep.2:3. There shall be prudent men who foresee the evil and hid themselves: but the simple shall pass on and are punished - Prv.22:3.

Oh God prepare mercy and truth which may preserve us (Psa.61:7) for only by your mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil - Prv.16:6. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. What man is he that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that God shall choose. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him: and He will show them His covenant - Psa.25:10, 12, 14.

Blessed are they whom You choose and cause [by thy mercy] to approach unto You, that they may dwell in Your [secret] courts: then shall they be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, even of Your holy temple [whom we are] - Psa.65:4. Let integrity and uprightness preserve them O lord, even those that wait on You- Psa.25:21.

"Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." Psa.50:15

CALLINGS

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 Corinthians 7:17a

Each of us is called to relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are called by Him, to Him, and for Him. Once we enter that relationship with Christ, we are called into the physical expression of that relationship. This is where our vocations are manifested as a result, not as an end in themselves.

All of us have been called to follow Christ and live our lives in obedience to Him. Many of us have a sense to go in one direction or another based on our life experiences and giftedness. This, too, is God's calling.

Calling goes beyond our work and includes our relationships to others: our spouses, our children, our neighbors-and our coworkers. We must remember this in order that our "work calling" does not become elevated at the expense of the other important aspects of our lives. This is the holistic approach to the gospel in which God made all of life equally important.

Therefore, the next time someone says, "I was called into the ministry" or "I am in full-time Christian work," stop him or her and tell him or her we are all in full-time Christian work. There is no secular and religious in the economy of God. I have a dear friend who often says, "I am a servant of the living God masquerading as a dentist." So, too, are you first a servant of the living God.

AS FAR AS MINISTRY IS CONCERNED, WE ARE NOT IN THE MINISTRY, THE MINISTRY IS IN US.

Then exactly what are we called to do.

A proper self image comes from knowing who you are in Him, how much God loves you and from knowing your purpose in God. If you want to know your purpose, go in faith to the one who created you; knowing that if you seek Him, you will find Him.

If you want to know the purpose of a thing, you go to the creator to find out.

If you don't know the purpose of a thing, you will abuse that thing.

(If we do not understand our purpose, abuse occurs.)

Go to God to find out your purpose. Your purpose then will propel you into your destiny. As you realize what He has put in you, you will realize how important you are to the one who created the universe. A proper self image comes from knowing how much you mean to God and through agreeing with Him.

The Callings of God

You are called to have fellowship with His Son.

1Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

You are called to walk in the light.

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

You are called to live in peace. (2Co 13:11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

You are called into the grace of God.

(Grace is the God given ability to do what he has purposed for us to do.)

You are called according to His purpose.

Rom 8:28-38 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

You are called unto liberty.

Gal 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

You are called with a holy calling according to His purpose which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

2Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...

You are called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…

You were called to inherit a blessing.

1Pet 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

You were called to be a saint.

The hope of your calling is Jesus who lives in you. His glory is within you.

Eph 1:17-23

You are called into His Kingdom and Glory.

1Thess 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

You are called to be justified and glorified.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

You are called to be a vessel of mercy and grace.

Rom 9:23-24

You are called to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Just to name a few, there are many more.

JESUS, YESHUA HA'MASHIACH, IN THE 66 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Jesus in the SIXTY-SIX BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Consider the themes of the sixty-six books:

In Genesis, He is the Creator God.

In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.

In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is your guide.

In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.

In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.

In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.

In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;

In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.

In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.

In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.

In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.

In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.

In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles,

but has the power to do something about them.

In Psalms, He is your song-and your reason to sing.

In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live

it successfully.

In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.

In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.

In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the

everlasting father, and more. In short, He's everything you need.

In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your

sin-sick soul.

In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend.

In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel-the one who

assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.

In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs

out of time.

In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come

back-even when you have abandoned Him.

In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.

In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your

side.

In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.

In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.

In Micah, He is judge of the nation.

In Nahum, He is the jealous God.

In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.

In Zephaniah, He is the witness.

In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies

In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.

In Malachi, He is the messenger God.

In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.

In Mark, He is the servant.

In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.

In John, He is the Son of God.

In Acts, He is Savior of the world.

In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.

In II Corinthians, He is the triumphant one, giving victory.

In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.

In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.

In Philippians, He is your joy.

In Colossians, He is your completeness.

In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.

In II Thessalonians, He is your patience and discipline.

In I Timothy, He is your faith.

In II Timothy, He is your stability.

In Titus, He is the truth.

In Philemon, He is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, He is your perfection.

In James, He is the power behind your faith.

In I Peter, He is your example.

In II Peter, He is your purity.

In I John, He is your life.

In II John, He is your pattern.

In III John, He is your motivation.

In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.

In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

From the beginning of the world to its end, there is no place you can

look and not see Jesus. He is everywhere. He is everything. "He is

before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

(Colossians 1:17)

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

1. Having the Word in your heart and speaking it.

(Rom 10:6-8) But the righteousness of faith says this: "Do not say in your heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?" that is, to bring Christ down; or "Who shall descend into the deep?"; that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what does it say? "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim;

2 . Being a Doer of the Word

(Jas 1:23) For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror.

3. Grown up, now taking the meat of the Word

(1Co 3:2-3) I have fed you with milk and not with solid food, for you were not yet able to bear it; nor are you able even now. For you are yet carnal. For in that there is among you envyings and strife and divisions, are you not carnal, and do you not walk according to men?

4. Coming into the unity of the faith and Not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine

(Eph 4:13-14) And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit.

5. Being cleansed by the Word

(Eph 5:26) that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,

6. Being transformed into the image of Christ

(Rom 12:2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

7. Knowing who you are in Christ and who He is in you.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

8. Daily renewing the mind and being renewed in knowledge

"put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:10).

9. Speaking the truth in love

10. Knowing you are becoming better

You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you" (Colossians 3:10 NCV).

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it" (Philippians 1:6).

THE GOD OF PEACE

"Rule In The Midst Of Your Enemies--Crush Satan With The Victory Of Peace!"

"There is a place of walking with God where you simply 'fear no evil.'"

True peace does not come from extreme indifference, nor does it originate from becoming so "spiritual" that you fail to notice the world around you. Peace is the fruit of being confident in God's love; it is born of the revelation that, regardless of the battle, "...greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). You are not self-assured, you are God-assured.

The God Of Peace Will Crush Satan

The apostle Paul taught, "The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet" (Romans 16:20). When we maintain peace during warfare, it is a crushing deathblow to satanic oppression and fear. Our victory never comes from our emotions or our intellect. Our victory comes by refusing to judge by what our eyes see or our ears hear and by trusting that what God has promised will come to pass.

When you truly have authority over something, you can look at that thing without worry, fear or intimidation. Your peace is the proof of your victory. Jesus' authority over the violent storm (see Matthew 8:23-27) was the exercise and expansion of His peace over the elements. He did not fight against the storm, nor did He fear it. He faced its fury and subdued it with His authority in perfect peace.

Wherever you have peace--you have victory. When the enemy hurls his darts against you, the more peace you have during adversity, the more truly you are walking in Christ's victory.

Paul tells us to be "...in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you" (Philipians 1:28). Your peace, your immovable stand upon the Word of God is a sign that you are positioned correctly in focused submission to the will of God. The very fact that you are "in no way alarmed" by your adversary is a sign that you have authority over him.

Peacemakers Are Sons Of God

Peace is spirit power. Peace is an attribute of the Holy Spirit, and when you are walking in peace, you are walking in power. A peacemaker is not merely someone who protests against war; he is one who is inwardly so yielded to Christ in spirit and purpose, that he can be called a son of God (see Matthew 5:9). Where he goes, God goes and where God goes, he goes. A peacemaker is fearless, calm and bold. Peace emanates from him the way light and heat radiate from fire.

In the 23rd Psalm, David declared, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me" (verse 4). There is a place of walking with God where you simply "fear no evil." During his lifetime, David faced many enemies including a lion, a bear and a giant. In this Psalm, he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he feared no evil. David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "You are with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God. David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (verse 5). The battle you are in will soon become a meal to you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.

Rest precedes rule. Peace precedes power. Do not seek to rule over the enemy until you are submitting to God's rule over you. The focal point of all victory comes from seeking God until you find Him, and having found Him, allowing His presence to fill your spirit with His peace. From full assurance at His right hand, as you rest in His victory, so will you rule in the midst of your enemies.

LEGAL AND VITAL SIDE OF REDEMPTION

LEGAL SIDE (SPIRIT MAN)

(What God did in Christ for us, finished work)

New Creation

Mind of Christ

More than a Conqueror

Overcomer

Full salvation; sin, no dominion over us/Right to healing, prosperity, safety

Sons and daughters of God

Heirs of God

Joint heirs with Jesus Christ

Redeemed/Justified/

Made righteous

Free from guilt and condemnation

Partaker of His divine nature(love)

Authority given/Legal right to use His Name

Perfect fellowship with God

Destiny sealed

Ministers of reconciliation

Faith of God

Ability to speak the creative Word

VITAL SIDE( SOUL/BODY)

(What the Holy Spirit through the Word and the Power does in us daily, progressively)

Daily renewed in spirit; mind is renewed

Overcoming by the blood and the word of our testimony; not loving our lives to death

Being saved, sanctified in soul and body

Maturing into manifested sons of God, pure spotless

Prospering as soul prospers

By faith and obedience righteousness accounted to us

Walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit

Walking in love, love shed abroad in our hearts

Lay hands on sick, cast out demons, Word

Communion/intimacy, no veil

Being led by spirit, Word a light to pathway

Repairers of the breach, restoring,

Growing in faith, as Word is seeded in heart

Decree and Declare, see the establishment

RECONCILED TO GOD AND TO MANKIND

Ministers of Reconciliation

What are we called to do? We are all called to be ministers of reconciliation.

But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

(Isa 61:6)

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

(2Ch 7:14)

And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

(2Co 5:18)

..that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

(Joh 17:21)

What does it mean to be reconciled?

“reconciled,” katallasso means “to change, exchange, reestablish, restore relationships, make things right, move an enmity. Five times the word refers to God’s reconciling us to Himself through the life, death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18). Whether speaking of God and man or husband and wife, katallasso describe the reestablishing of a proper loving relationship, which has been broken or disrupted.”

In examining the word reconciled, we gain a rich understanding of what real ministry is all about. In your own words, explain how the following terms relate to the quality of ministry that Jesus Christ wants us to have.

Change

Reestablish relationships

Restore relationships

Make things right

Remove enmity

Steps to being:

1. Believe the Promise of restoration—(2 Chron. 7:14 and 15)

The beginning point is to decide that the power of prayer is potentially effective to bring a saving turnaround, and that such prayer is underwritten by the Almighty Himself.

2. Love the Body (Rom. 12:3)

Mutual respect and acceptance among all God’s redeemed is essential. But this requires an end to suspicion, criticism, judgmentalism, and separatism.

3. Bless Your Enemies (Matt. 5:44)

The stance toward those opposed to our best interest as a people must be changed from one of snobbish and condescending anger to a posture of releasing, intercessory blessing.

4. Pursue Peace (Ps. 34:14; 1 Pet. 3:11)

The embracing of every ethnic group is required by the mandate of the Creator, who “has made from one blood every nation of men.” Transethnic reconciliation is God’s order.

5. Live in Purity (Phil. 2:14–15)

The Word of God, lived out by the early church, showed that the way to assert moral superiority in a corrupt culture is to shine by example, not shoot as an adversary.

6. Value Life (Prov. 31:8)

The issues of abortion and euthanasia are not political ones, but morally decisive ones. Our commitment to life is born of a respect for the Creator’s world.

7. Invade Violence (Matt. 11:12)

The living church is not an institution, but an incarnation of Jesus Christ— a seat of government in the world but not of it. The Body of Christ is called to enter Hell’s terrain, not run from its intrusions, reaching with life and love.

8. Serve the Needy (Matt. 5:16)

The ministry of the gospel involves compassion for the social need of humankind, as well as man’s spiritual need. Good works create a platform for truth to be listened to.

9. Preserve Liberty (Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Tim. 2:1–4)

Responsible exercise of our privilege as free citizens and faithful attention to our responsibilities as believing intercessors are tools to employ.

10. Demonstrate, Declare, and Dispense the Gospel of the Kingdom. (Rom. 5:20)

PRESSING INTO YOUR DESTINY

Pressing Into Your Destiny

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11).

For we are his workmanship, CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath BEFORE ORDAINED that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).

For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among MANY brethren. More-over whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also GLORIFIED (Rom. 8:29-30).

The Bible further declares our destiny or destination to be the end of this race, "the end of our faith, even the salvation of your souls" (I Pet. 1:9).To press into our destiny is to press into the high calling, to press toward the mark for the prize.( Phil. 3:14)

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the RUNNER in the games who reaches the goal and wins the prize (1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:13-14; Heb. 12:1). Moreover, the GOAL or DESTINATION of this race-our DESTINY-

THE GOAL, THE END OF THE RACE IS A PERSON! The "high (upward) calling" of Philippians 3:14 and the "heavenly calling" of Hebrews 3:1 is that each of us has been summoned forward to be like Jesus, to be conformed to His image and likeness! The Bible further declares our destiny or destination to be the END of this race-the "end" is a Person! Our INDIVIDUAL GOAL is to BECOME LIKE JESUS (see Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 2:10-11; 1 Jn. 4:17). Our CORPORATE GOAL is "THE UNITY OF THE FAITH" (Eph. 4:13 with Jn. 17:20-23), UNTIL CHRIST IS FULLY FORMED IN A PEOPLE (Col. 1:27 with 1 Cor. 12:12; Gal. 4:19; Rev. 14:1-5).

Mark 4:35-41. Jesus has commanded us to go to the other side, the realm of the SPIRIT. The MULTITUDES had to be sent away. They took Him as He WAS. There were other LITTLE SHIPS (other beliefs), but we need to stay with the one that Jesus is on! There must be STORMS and tribulation, but this ship cannot go down, through it is "full" of water. In Mark 5, we make it to the other side, and encounter the demoniac; the Woman, the bleeding Church lacking divine government; and Jairus' daughter.

OUR DESTINY IS OUR DESTINATION/ OUR DESTINY IS A PERSON (JESUS CHRIST)

DESTINY- PREDESTINED FOR WHAT?

1. DOMINION ON THE EARTH- AUTHORITY OVER CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE POWER OF THE ENEMY. GEN. 1:26

2. TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST/ MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS/ DAUGHTERS OF GOD ON THE EARTH. EPH. 1:4-5

3. ORDAINED TO DO GOOD WORKS. EPH. 2:10

4. ORDAINED IN YOUR TALENTS/SKILLS, PURPOSE/S,CALLING/S (GIFTS) JER. 1:5, 2 TIM. 8:9-10

5. TO HAVE A HOPEFUL FUTURE. JER. 29:11

6. TO FULFILL YOU DAYS ON THE EARTH. PS. 139:16

7. TO DO GOD’S WILL. HEB. 10:7, PS. 40:6-8, PROV. 16:9

8. TO MAKE YOUR WAY PROSPEROUS AND HAVE GOOD SUCCESS. JOSHUA 1:8

9. WHOLENESS IN SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY 1 THESS. 5:23

10. WALK WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING IN GOD. COL 1:10, EPH. 4:1

11. RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT REALTIONSHIP), PEACE ( WHOLENESS AND SECURITY) AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST (FLOWING IN THE RIVER OF GOD)

12. GLORIFY GOD AND WORSHIP HIM FOREVER.

OVERCOMERS

OVERCOMERS

The word overcomer in the Greek is Nike- just do it!!

John 16:33“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Rev. 12:11“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

8 promises to Overcomers:

1. SALVATION

Revelation 2:7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

2. ETERNAL LIFE

Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

3. PROVISION, DESTINY

Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The overcomers who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion have "His Father's name" (the same kind of relationship that Jesus had with the Father) in their forehead. (Rev. 14:1-5; 22:4; compare 1 Cor. 1:10)!

White Stone: "To Him who overcomes... I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it."

JESUS reached into the heart of the Father and brought forth a white stone which decreed us to be innocent through His sacrifice. Upon this stone was a new name (nature) which cannot be known by any man (carnality).

4. NEW REALMS OF AUTHORITY

Revelation 2:26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

5. RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS, FULFILLING DESTINY, AFFIRMING YOU

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

6. IMMOVABLE, NEW NAME, BRIDE OF CHRIST

Revelation 3:12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Isaiah 62:2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.

The New Name God Gives to Us

The Lord gives us a new name--a new identity. Our total identity is wrapped up in our association with Him. As His children, we receive this new name. In walking in the new name, we are confident and strong, knowing who we are in Him. It is about the name that He has given to us (Revelation 3:12).

We can choose to walk in our "old name" or walk in the new that God has given. It is a picture of choosing to yield to the old man or the new man created in true righteousness in holiness (Ephesians 4:24). We are partakers of the divine nature through His promises (2 Peter 1:4).

Just as Saul received a new name from the Lord, the demons recognized him by his new name, the new divine nature--not the old. This is because Paul walked in the new name and life that God had given to him.

7. A THRONE - a royal position and authority (Matt. 28:19-20). RULING AND REIGNING

Revelation 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 3:21, KJV To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My THRONE (thronos - place or stately throne seat of authority, with a footstool), even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His THRONE.

Ephesians 1:20-23, KJV Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,21 FAR ABOVE ALL (rulership) principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.

8. MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD

Revelation 21:7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

Overcomers are true sons of God and the Bride of Christ.

OPEN HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVEN

Do you know that we live in an OPEN HEAVEN? I was reading again today that when Jesus was baptized, the HEAVENS OPENED and God spoke. After this, there is no record of the heavens closing! Rather -- we see a progressive opening.

If we really understood that, all our prayers would change. All our business and churchy activities would cease. There would be no more beggarly pleading or faithless doubt. Our ideas about Spiritual Warfare would change radically.

Let the truth of an open heaven apprehend you and you into new realm of the Spirit.

Mark 7:33-35 tells us an interesting aspect of openness: "He (Jesus) took the man off by himself, put his fingers in the man's ears and some spit on the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, "Ephphatha! - OPEN UP!" And it happened. The man's hearing was clear and his speech plain - just like that" (MSG).

We see here that Jesus "looked up" into that already OPEN HEAVEN. He comprehended the reality of that Truth. Then, He commanded the deaf man's hearing to be likewise OPENED! Jesus called out what is in heaven upon the earth.

Beloved, let the veil be rent from our eyes that we might comprehend the nearness and nowness of the Lord and His already open heaven.

OUR CALL TO MINISTRY- A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY? IT 'S A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

The Ministry of reconciliation is a more excellent ministry. It is:

1. A ministry without condemnation

(Heb 5:1-2)For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

(Compassion on the ignorant)

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, indeed being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;(1Pe 3:18)

2. A ministry without prejudice

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.(Gal 3:28)

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.(Eph 4:4-6)

3. A ministry without retaliation

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.(Mat 5:10-12)

4. A ministry without walls

Go into all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples.

5. A ministry without profanity

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: (Isa 50:4)

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

6. A ministry without idolatry

Don’t be double minded

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.

(2Ch 7:14)

The initiative in reconciliation was taken by God—while we were still sinners and “enemies,” Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8, 10; Col. 1:21).

Reconciliation is thus God’s own completed act, something that takes place before human actions such as confession, repentance, and restitution. God Himself “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18).

Paul regarded the gospel as “the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). And knowing “the terror of the Lord,” Paul pleaded, implored, and persuaded people to be “reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

Is. 61:6 But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

2 Chron. 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

John 17:24 Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me, that they may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Col. 1:20 and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

(Eph 2:16)

“Reconciled,” means “to change, exchange, reestablish, restore relationships, make things right, move an enmity. Five times the word refers to God’s reconciling us to Himself through the life, death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18). In examining the word reconciled, we gain a rich understanding of what real ministry is all about. In your own words, explain how the following terms relate to the quality of ministry that Jesus Christ wants us to have.

1. Change, mature, grow up

2. Reestablish relationships

3. Restore relationships

4. Make things right

5. Remove enmity

Be a peacemaker, be a minister of reconciliation.

WISDOM AND DISCRETION

Wisdom and Discretion - Controlling Our Tongues

Pro 24:3 through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established

Pro 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars

The house of God is built by ruling, reigning and practicing wise judgment in every instance.

We find discretion mentioned in Proverbs 24:3 quoted above – ‘understanding’. This Hebrew word is also translated ‘discretion, skillfulness, prudence’. These words refer to the exercise of good judgment and common sense. Discretion involves considering the repercussions of the outcome of one’s decision and practicing caution, knowing when to speak and when to keep silent, knowing that one’s actions will bring about consequences. Discretion suggests wise self-restraint, as in resisting a rash impulse. It is a hallmark of maturity.

Wisdom and discretion were qualities which were essential to the man being released to rule. Why was discretion so important?

Pro 2:11 Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you.

Here we see that discretion provides protection. Once again in Proverbs 3 we see wisdom and discretion mentioned together:

Pro 3:21-23 My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck. Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

Pro 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Pro 19:11 The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Holy Spirit wants us to learn not to speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword. He cannot trust us with authority in the spiritual realm is we are unable to control our tongues and rein them in. This is just as important when sharing revelation. A word spoken at the right moment is so good and achieves the purpose for which God gave it to you. However, if you just share revelation without discretion, you cannot be trusted with the secret things of God.

James 3 tells us that a person who can control their tongue is a ‘perfect’ man. The Greek word used here means ‘complete, of full age, mature manhood’. We have to submit to the bit being put in our mouth by the Word if we desire to be useful to Him.

FINALLY SEEING

The early church was often able to SEE and incredibly discern. Think about how they could receive revelation from Paul, even though he had murdered many Christians before his conversion. Yet, those previously potential victims were later able to give great love and affection to him.

In this way, the arising church must rightly discern the Body (1 Cor. 11:29) and connect with those whom God has sent. Their past may seem strange. But, in spite of who they might have been, God sends them now. Even this very moment, we can experience a deeper drawing from the Spirit that allows us to SEE others with "Kingdom Eyes." (Col. 1:27, 3:16, Eph. 3:17, Acts 2:4, 1 Jn. 2:27, Jn. 14:17).

THE BLIND:

Jesus gave His very first talk in the temple. Among other things, He said the "Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... to give sight to the blind." Numerous Biblical stories tell about the blind receiving sight - and going from darkness (symbol of lack of energy) into seeing variegated refractions of light. These are not just cute little Bible stories for the flannel board presentations, but they reveal accurate modes of operation and mentalities which the Lord desires for us to comprehend.

New mentalities redefine the framework of our lives.We move past private goals and selfish ambitions.

Jesus walked past this poor Gentile beggar who had been born blind and had never seen the light of day. The beggar sat near the pool of Siloam (which meant "sent," and represents the Apostolic ministry that soon awaited him).

Assuming (wrongly) that there was a direct correlation between sin and suffering, the neighbors asked Jesus: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (9:2) They were probably considering the common Jewish superstitions of reincarnation or the popular Pythagorean notion that concerned the transmigration of pre-existing souls from one body to another.

Notice how Jesus refused to debate their limited doctrines. He also didn't tell them how that sickness was from God to help that beggar develop his character and learn a specific lesson. He didn't teach that sickness makes people grow closer to God! He didn't suggest that God was punishing this man for an inappropriate life-style, or that the hidden meaning of his city cultivated a particular demon. NO. This beggar wasn't born blind to develop a character trait like God. Instead, Jesus dismissed their religious ideas and stopped their empty speculation. Disease, sickness, and blindness are conflicting realities with the Kingdom of LIGHT.

God works in the LIGHT.

Jesus told them it is NOW time to work (our task) the works (the labor) of God (miracles and POWER) while it is daylight (light) and not be religious. Jesus (the LIGHT of the WORLD" - Jn. 9:5) explained how the healing of this particular blindness would enable the "work of God to be revealed in his life" (9:3-5 NIV). The One who is Light spat on the dust in order to heal the beggar who had lived in continual darkness (9:6- 7).

Remember also that the name Adam meant "ground, or dirt." And notice the parallel here, how the Adamic nature is immediately transformed and able to SEE! ("Redeemed dirt" became filled with the indwelling LIFE contained in His saliva.) Blindness opposes, resists, or disagrees with the crucial ways & timing of the Kingdom.

This healing would have the momentum and spiritual force to blast the once-blind man beyond traditional mindsets and leave him mentality awakened to the irresistible possibility of unlimited sight.

(9:8-12) The second stated purpose for this healing was so that it would be a "witness to this land and people." We read how the incredulous neighbors couldn't "believe their eyes" (9:8-9). This miracle provided an observable purpose-driven advance of the Kingdom into their midst.

Most miracles of Jesus were accomplished on the Sabbath (which is the 7th day from Adam (3rd day from the cross).

(9:13-27) Immediately, the fault-finding religious leaders asked how this healing could have happened on the Sabbath (when Jews were forbidden to "work")? (Type of seventh day/third day healing.) The Pharisees tried to get the now-seeing man to denounce Jesus (9:24). But instead, he infuriated them with his first-hand testimony, "One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I SEE!" (9:25). Then... he ironically asked them if they also wanted to be Jesus' disciples (9:26-27)!

(9:28-29) Suddenly, the once-blind man became the religious instructor of the Pharisees! He fearlessly declared that they must be blind not to SEE the truth (9:30-33). With that, the Pharisees angrily excommunicated him (9:34). This man was excluded from his past routines because he no longer saw (viewed) things like he did before. There was a total separation from the previous religious system.

Warning! Finding your new in-SIGHT will also exclude you from most of your previous relationships. (9:35-41) Notice how right after Jesus explained that He was the Son of Man (9:38), there was a continued process of greater clarity of vision. Jesus explained how the light from God blinds the eyes of those who rejected it (9:39). The Pharisees were shocked: "What? Are we blind too?" (9:40). Jesus answered that because they claimed NOT to be blind, their sin (and darkness) remained (9:41).

The beggar was both physically and spiritually healed, while the physically sighted "spiritual leaders" plunged deeper and deeper into the darkness of being wise in their own eyes. This story points out that EVERYONE HAS THE potential ABILITY TO SEE INTO THE ETERNAL REALMS. But because these Pharisees were spiritually blind, they failed to discern (SEE) who Jesus really was. The eyes of their hearts (faith) were closed.

Then the eyes of THOSE WHO SEE will no longer be closed... (Is. 32:3 NIV)