REST IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

REST IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

Habakkuk's chief message was a sad prophecy of the triumph of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) over Israel. He warns his people of the Divine retribution that would come swiftly and overwhelmingly: Habakkuk is unique among the prophets in that he openly questions the wisdom of God (1:3a, 1:13b). In the first part of the first chapter, the Prophet sees the injustice among his people and asks why God does not take action: Hab. 1:2-11"How long, O Lord, shall I cry and You will not hear? I cry out unto You of violence, and You will not save ....
 Behold, I will raise the Chaldeans, that bitter and impetuous nation that march to the wide spaces of the earth to conquer dwelling places that are not theirs. Terrible and dreadful are they; from them alone go forth their laws and dignity. Swifter than leopards are their horses, and fiercer than wolves at night. And their horses come riding on, arriving from afar. They fly like eagles, hastening to eat. They all come for violence; their faces are like the east wind, and they gather captives as the sand. And they will make sport with kings, and princes will be a play to them. At every stronghold will they laugh .... They make their power god . . . ."

TLB- Must I forever see the sin and sadness around me. Wherever I look I see oppression and bribery and me who love to argue and fight. Seeing how the wicked and arrogant Chaldeans will trample upon Israel, Habakkuk cries out to God with pain: Hab. 1:13"You are of eyes too pure to behold evil, and can not look upon mischief, wherefore do you look, when they deal treacherously, and hold Your peace, when the wicked swallow up the man that is more righteous than he?"

These were the predominate sins in Habakkuk’s Day: Sin of idolatry Sin of immorality ( over the land of Judah they worshipped the Assyrian god, Venus) Persecution Destruction- especially the destruction of the Word of God (famine of the word. (Similar sins in Judah compared to America; child sacrifice, unnatural affection, conspiracy and deceit) Every entrance the enemy has is a place where there is no word ( deficit) Habakkuk was a temple singer and a writer of songs that were intended for worship. He was part of the temple choir and speaks of his instruments. The name Habakkuk means embrace or fold.

Martin Luther said of him that Habakkuk signifies the embrace. He embraced his people and takes them into his arms. The predominate theme in Habakkuk is Rest in the Day of trouble. Scriptures about trouble: (LukE 7:6) Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

 (Act 20:10) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (2Co 1:3-4) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 Lessons to be learned from Habakkuk:

 1.Rest in the day of trouble- Cease from your labor and enter into His rest. (Hab 3:16) When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. We are called to be not to do. Let us cease from striving. If we are out of rest then we are out of faith. Ex. Sarah entered into rest and conceived. (Heb 11:11-12) Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.(Heb 4:9-11) So then there remains a rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.

 2. Press-(Php 3:14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The mature are going to press toward the mark of the goal of the high calling ( the revealing of Christ)

 3. Give-(Gal 5:13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not 3 liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 4. Be bold and courageous, tell it like it is, continue the vision. Habakkuk 2:2-4 Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Summary The vision is for: An Appointed time It will Speak at the end It Would not lie It Would tarry But would surely come

 5. Stay in peace, free from offense- (Heb 12:15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 6. Keep your eyes on Jesus Here’s what it looks like. Body in pain, marriage hurting, finances devastated, children away from God, you think your ministry is over, churches in turmoil, nation collapsing around you, world falling apart In the name I of Jesus, look again. You have cried, now you will sing You’ve been in pain, now you will roar in praise!  New day in the Church New day in America Look at the bigger picture Economy, deceit, lack of integrity, immorality, violence Yet Divine provision, truth, righteousness restored

NOT UNDER A CURSE, UNDER BLESSINGS! Part 1

To assume that some BELIEVERS who happen to be sick or hungry are under a CURSE – while other believers (who are healthy and full) are not CURSED – is wrong. Not only is this unkind and judgmental -- it’s a misuse of scripture. 

Those who fully trust the Gospel of Salvation know that we are not Old Covenant people. Jesus (our deliverer, mediator, savior) proclaimed a new covenant – a replacement for the “schoolmaster." Hebrews makes it plain (8:13), “By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear” NIV. 

Jesus gave us the guarantee of our inheritance NOW (Rom. 11:26, 27, Eph. 1:12-14). We are MADE ALIVE in Him (1 Cor. 15:22). The iniquities of previous generations can have no LEGAL jurisdiction in the lives of the NEW CREATION. We are not affected by our old nature any longer; neither do we partake of the sins of our past -- nor the sins of others. 

THE DEVIL CAN’T DO IT: 

Our freedom doesn’t come through repeating specific phrases to the devil about our rights. Scriptures everywhere teach that it’s NOT the devil who holds our destiny in his hands. God is absolutely in control. James 4:7 tells us, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 


DRAW NEAR TO GOD..." James didn’t say anything about repeating expressions, or formulas that could supposedly take away satan’s “legal rights.” 

John gives us great assurance when he says: “He who has been born of God keeps Himself and the wicked one DOES NOT TOUCH (harm) HIM” (1 John 5:18). This word for touch in Greek is “hapto” and means to fasten onto or to lay hold. Essentially, John says that if we’re born of God, the devil can’t affect our lives anymore. (See also Gal. 3:23-28.)

And what could ever separate us from the love of Christ? Not trouble or hardship, not persecution or famine, not nakedness or danger. (NOTHING, Not our past mistakes. Not words or curses that others have said.) Not death nor life, not angels nor demons, not the present nor the future, nor any powers…not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38). 

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31 NIV). (Who can be against us? The answer is NO ONE -- NOTHING!) The devil is eternally defeated, and we are delivered from the power of darkness into the kingdom of light. Christ’s work is totally FINISHED in us! We now sit in heavenly places (Eph. 2:5-6). 

WHAT WE KNOW:
If after becoming a Christian, we continue to act with ungodly behavior similar to that of previous generations, then we just don’t understand the reality of the fullness of our salvation. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (“soteria,” to be delivered from the bondage of sin, to be whole, rescued, salvaged, be in health). NIV Col 1:12-14, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” NIV. 

There must be a transition for all of us … a full transformation into the REDEMPTIVE TRUTH that CHRIST lives IN US and we live IN HIM. We need our understanding baptized with TRUTH. We need to apprehend what the cross has already provided. 

If we believe that our failures and disappointments are due to our past failures -- or those of our ancestors, then we forfeit the need for our own accountability. Galatians 2:19-21 says, “I HAVE BEEN crucified (past tense) with Christ and I NO LONGER LIVE, but Christ lives in me. (The sins of my old life – and my fallen nature no longer exist for me.) The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” NIV. (Rom 5:1-5, Rom. 8:1-8).
For those who live In Christ Jesus, THERE ARE NO GENERATIONAL CURSES.


Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law.(Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Ironically, Paul CURSED those who presented a false gospel – these are the ones that required Christians to keep Old Testament laws and concepts:


"As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9, 4:21). The stronghold that really needs to be pulled down is the one of lack of knowledge! 

CONCLUSION: 

Perhaps we need to change our “terminology” – because we’re not under a “CURSE!” However, as believers, we do need to repent. We need to become transformed by the renewing of our minds… and become whole. We all do have “environmental tendencies” that need to be recognized and changed. All inclinations, predispositions, propensities toward wrong behavior need to be modified and adjusted; we all have wrong habits that need to be addressed. But those are not CURSES. They are pivotal CHARACTER issues that we need to deal with. 

2 Cor 5:18-21, All this is from God, who RECONCILED us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, NOT COUNTING MEN’S SIN’S against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 

**Gal 4:8-10, “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God -- or rather are known by God -- HOW IS IT THAT YOU ARE TURNING BACK TO THOSE WEAK AND MISERABLE PRINCIPLES? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? NIV 

**Titus 2:13-15 also makes it very clear “…. Jesus Christ … gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. THESE THEN ARE THE THINGS YOU SHOULD TEACH. ENCOURAGE AND REBUKE with all authority.” NIV

Out of our own ashes, we emerge as the mature company of believers. We’ve freed ourselves from wrong behavior by incorporating the truth that Christ has redeemed us from every curse. We’ve taken our own accountability for wrong-doing. We’ve changed our responses. Now, with undeserved vindication, we glimpse into the nowness of the eternal resurrection life and we manifest the Image of the overcoming Son.

RESURRECTION DAY

I prefer to call this holiday Resurrection Day instead of Easter because of the pagan holiday it is named after.

"Hope for the Hopeless - Believe Again!"

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."—John 11:25

Easter/Resurrection Day is that one time of the year which not only reminds us of the love that God has for humanity, but reminds us that He is the God of impossibilities. Although many things are collapsing around us, there is one thing that we can hold onto for security—and that is the promises of God. Jesus promised His disciples that He would return, and after three days in the grave, He arose. His resurrection should assure you that God is able to:

· Reverse the seemingly irreversible.
· Change the seemingly unchangeable.
· Overcome the seemingly insurmountable.
· Heal the seemingly terminally ill.
· Solve the seemingly unsolvable.
· Restore that which seemingly cannot be restored.

Christ's death and resurrection has many implications for those of us who have been delivered from the power of sin. Firstly, when He died, He died for all mankind. According to Galatians 2:20, we were crucified with Christ, and through the shedding of His Blood we were redeemed.

Galatians 3:13-14 states, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, 'Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree': that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

By this Spirit, we are able to have faith and hope which transcends any circumstance or the doom and gloom reports that bombard us on a daily basis:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."—1 Peter 1:18-21

God of the "Second-Go-Around"
Easter/Resurrection Day speaks to me of the God-of-the-second-go-around. It is interesting because when the Lord spoke to me that this year would be a year of the second-go-around, initially I thought He was referring to a second chance. Then God spoke to me about the difference between the resurrection of Christ versus the resurrection of Lazarus. Lazarus brought his grave clothes out of the grave because he would need them again. He was given a second chance at life. But Christ left His grave clothes in the grave because He would never need them again. He had a second-go-around at life eternal.

The old grave clothes are representative of what we will never need again. Where God is taking you, you will not need the "grave clothes" or old ways of operating. You will now function in a new realm in God. Lazarus operates in the realm of the earth. Jesus operates in the realm of the heavenlies.

In this season, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let me remind you that there are some things, attitudes, habits and people that you will leave behind; because after God processes you during your times of trials, tribulations, testing and even crucifixion, you will evolve into a new person—and you will no longer rely on those old people and things for your happiness, joy, peace and prosperity. You will find them in Christ. Indeed, you will have a second go at life, love and ministry.

Second Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead Changes Everything

The other powerful thing that God showed me about Christ's resurrection was that He was resurrected to a realm of dominion and intercession. When God does a work in you, He should also be able to do a work through you. In this season, God is raising up intercessors: those who have committed themselves to a life of "boiler-room" prayers so that they can have throne-room power. He was resurrected and ascended into the throne-room, according to Romans 8:34: "...who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Since you are crucified with Christ, you must also assume your place of dominion through prayer and intercession. As a result of our salvation, Ephesians 2:5-7 states that God "hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;) (by...: or, by whose grace) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

I encourage you to hope again. The same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave is the same power that we have at work within each of us. I believe there are many of you who just need to hope again. Has your faith died? Has your joy been crucified? Have you buried your dreams? You must trust again, believe again and have faith again, "for with God," according to Matthew 19:26, "all things are possible." You must remember, the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in you.

Do not give up. Even if you have been beaten down by circumstances, you will rise again. Your relationships will rise again. Your finances will be restored. Do not let your faith die, because according to Romans 8:11, the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you.

During this Easter / Resurrection Day season, may you be reminded that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes everything. Easter puts human history in perspective. It brings a confident hope for the future and shows the incomparable power of God and the brightness of His glory.

Three of the Greatest Words in the Bible
With the Easter message we declare that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of life. He died a voluntary death and suffered crucifixion as the Savior of the world. He bore our sins in His body on the Cross, but He died as a victorious Savior. He died as our Savior, but He now lives as our Lord. To reiterate the words of Matthew, "He is Risen." Three of the greatest words in the Bible. This is what makes our Christian faith different from all other religions of the world. We serve a Living Savior, who was, is, and is to come.

Mark 16:1-6 states: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, 'Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?' "And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, 'Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.'"
Several women were bringing spices early in the morning and Luke says two angelic beings showed up in the empty tomb. The two suddenly appeared to the women and said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee..." (Luke 24:5-6).

These words—"He is risen"—are words of foundation; Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection of Christ. A dead Savior cannot save. Thus, if our message is what it claims to be, then it is a foundational truth that the Lord Jesus arose bodily from the grave. It was impossible for death, hell and the grave to hold Him down. I declare that the same power that raised Christ from the grave makes it impossible for satan, the spirits of depression, oppression, sickness, affliction and poverty to hold you down or hold you back.

He is risen... three simple words of revelation, declaration, and observation that give hope to every Believer. Those who spoke these words knew the resurrection was not a myth, superstition or wishful thinking as some atheists and theologians assert on the part of man. The disciples knew it had actually happened; they knew it was a reality. This resurrection power is still available to us today.
He Did Exactly as He Promised
The angels had seen Christ come forth. The disciples had seen the undisturbed grave clothes and later saw Him in the upper room after His resurrection. These words were declared by angels and subsequently the disciples of Christ. The word "declare" comes from the Greek word "ginosko" which means "to know." In the New Testament, it is the intimate knowledge that expresses "experience," not just a mental assent or intellectual awareness, but a personal revelation. It is a knowledge grounded and based on a personal experience. It is my prayer that you may know Christ, not just through intellectual awareness but by personal intimate revelation and relationship.

I am glad there were many eyewitnesses to the fact that these words—"He is risen"—are true. These are words that brought comfort, encouragement and hope to the disciples; and they can bring comfort, encouragement and hope to you because He that promised that after three days He would return did exactly that. Christ's credibility is eternally secured.

Therefore you can trust Him in all things.
"For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."—2 Corinthians 1:20

We can surmise that the real treasure is the resurrection life of Jesus Christ within us. Your life may be under tremendous pressure, hopeless, afflicted; filled with external pressures, perplexities, and confusion. You may have been abandoned, struck down, stigmatized, distraught, marginalized, attacked, ostracized, but I want to encourage you today that you are not forsaken by God. Even though you may have been knocked down, the power of God within you can put you back on your feet, and give you vitality and hope.

The Good News of Easter/ Resurrection Day is Where We Feel Death is Irreversible, Jesus Destroyed its Power

The Good News of Easter/Resurrection Day is that where we feel death is irreversible, Jesus destroyed its power as He declared in 1 Corinthians 15:55-58, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave (grave: or, hell), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Easter/Resurrection Day should remind us that where we feel happiness is unattainable, we see that Jesus delivers happiness. Because of Easter, Jesus can give you a purpose to live for, power to live on, principles to live by and a hope for the future. Just as Jesus came out of the tomb, I decree and declare that you will come out. According to Psalm 118:17 you must declare over you own life: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." You are coming out of everything that threatens to destroy your peace, your health and your happiness.


May this Easter (Resurrection Day) be a time of rejoicing for you, your family and loved ones as you remember that He is alive, and because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

OUR INHERITANCE PART 2

OUR POSITION IN JESUS CHRIST
1OO LEGALITIES THAT WE ARE IN CHRIST

In Jesus Christ:

John 1:4 I have life and that life is the light of all men.
John 3:15-16 I have eternal life.
Rom. 3:24 I have been justified by faith.
Rom. 5:1 I have peace with God.
Rom. 5:8 I am loved of God.
Rom. 5:17 I have an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.
Rom. 6:17 I reign in life.
Rom. 6:4 I walk in newness of life.
Rom. 6:11 I reckon myself to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God.
Rom. 7:4 I bring forth fruits unto God.
Rom. 8:1 I have no condemnation.
Rom. 8:2 I have been made free from the law of sin and death.
Rom. 8:2 I live by the law of the Spirit of Christ
Rom. 8:16 I am a child of God.
Rom. 8:17 I am an heir of God.
Rom. 8:17 I am a joint heir of God.
Rom. 8:32 I freely receive all things from God.
Rom. 8:37 I am a more than conqueror.
Rom. 8:38-39 There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God.
1 Cor. 1:2 I am sanctified.
1 Cor. 1:5 I am enriched in all knowledge.
1 Cor. 1:30 I have wisdom.
1 Cor. 1:30 I have righteousness.
1 Cor. 1:30 I have sanctification.
1 Cor. 1:30 I have redemption.
1 Cor.15:20-22 I have resurrection power, the same resurrection power that resided in Christ Jesus resides in me.
1 Cor. 15:57 I have victory over death, hell and the grave.
2 Cor. 1:20 All promises of God are yes and amen to me.
2 Corinthians 1:21 I am established.
2 Cor. 1:21 I am anointed.
2 Cor. 2:14 I always triumph.
2 Cor. 2:15 I am a sweet fragrance to God.
2 Cor. 3:14 My mind is renewed and enlightened.
2 Corinthians 5:17 I am new creation; old things have passed away; and all things have been made new.
2 Cor. 5:18 I have the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Cor. 5:20 I am an ambassador of God, a little king under the King of kings. Rev.1:6; 5:10
2 Cor. 5:21 I am made the righteousness in God.
2 Cor. 13:4 I live by the power of God.
Gal. 2:4 I have liberty.
Galatians 3:13 I have been redeemed us from the curse of the law.
Gal. 3:14 I have the blessings of Abraham.
Gal. 4:7 I am a son/daughter of God.
Gal. 5:6 I have faith which works by love.
Ephesians 1:3 I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Eph. 1:4 I have been chosen before the foundation of the world.
Eph. 1:6 I am accepted of God.
Ephesians 2:5 I have the life of God.
Eph. 2:6 I now sit together in the heavenly places.
Eph. 2:7 I have the exceeding riches of His grace I and His kindness.
Eph. 2:10 I am a His workmanship.
Eph. 2:10 I am created for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:22 I am being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Eph. 3:12 I have boldness and access with confidence before God.
Eph. 5:8 I am a shining light.
Eph. 6:10 I am strong in the power of His might.
Phil. 3:4 I have the high calling of God.
Philippians 4:6 I am anxious for nothing, I do not worry.
Phil 4:7 I have the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.
Phil 4:7 I have the peace of God which guards my heart and mind.
Phil 4:13 I have strength.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phil 4:19. All my needs are met according to His riches in glory.
Colossians 1:13 I have been delivered from the power of darkness.
Col. 1:13 I have been translated into the kingdom of the God.
Col. 1:14 I have redemption through His blood.
Col. 1:14 I have the forgiveness of sins.
Col. 1:20 I am reconciled to God having made peace with Him.
Col. 2:3 I have all the treasuries of wisdom and knowledge.
Col. 3:3 I am made complete and perfect.
Colossians 3:3 My life is hidden with Him in God.
1 Tim. 1:4 I have abundant love.
2 Tim. 2:10 I have obtained salvation with eternal glory.
Heb.7:25 I am saved to the uttermost.
Hebrews 9:12 I have obtained eternal redemption.
Heb. 9:12 I have eternal inheritance.
Heb. 13:21 I am made perfect in every good work to do His will.
1 Peter 1:3 I have abundant mercy from God.
1 Peter 1:3 I have a lively hope.
1 Pet. 1:8 I have joy inexpressible.
1 Pet. 2:5 I am a holy priest of God.
1 Pet. 5:10 I am settled.
1 John 1:7 I have fellowship with all believers.
1 John 2:27 I have received the anointing which teaches me all things.
1 John 3:24 I have the Spirit of God.
1 John 4:4 I have overcome the devil, the flesh, and the world.
1 John 4:15 God dwells in me.
1 John 4:16 I have the love that God.
1 John 4:16 I have no fear in love.
1 John 5:4 I have overcome the world.
1 John 5:4 I have victory.
1 John 5:20 I have understanding.
1 John 5:20 I know God.
Jude 1:24 I am kept from stumbling and falling away.
Jude 1: 24 I am sinless, faultless and perfect in His glorious presence.
Rev. 12:11 I have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.
1 Sam. 2:26 I grow in favor with the Lord and with men.
Ps. 37:23 My steps are ordered by the Lord.
Ps. 91:10 The Lord keeps me from evil and from harm.
Ps. 103:2-3, Ps. 68:19, Is. 53:3-5, 2 Peter 2:24 I have been forgiven and He has healed all my diseases; by His stripes I was healed 2,000 yrs. ago.
Ps. 107:20 I am healed and delivered from destruction.

Our Inheritance part 1

WHO I AM IN CHRIST - JESUS MY LIFE

Right confession = speaking only what God says

Hearing only what God hears

Seeing only what God sees

Doing only what God does

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing: for whatsoever things He does, these the Son also does in like manner.
(John 5:19)

Whatever you fix your eyes upon grows within you.
Whatever grows within you, you become. What comes out of your mouth determines your life; what you do changes your life.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
(2Co 3:18)

As we focus on and confess our inheritance in Christ. Here are a few things WE ARE AS BELIEVERS:
I. In the Eternal Plan of God:
Foreknown, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29. See also 1 Pet. 1:2).
Elect, "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God" (1 Thes. 1:4. See also 1 Pet.1:2; Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Tit. 1:1).
Predestinated, "Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the council of his own will" (Eph.1:11; Rom. 8.29, 30; Eph. 1:5).
Chosen, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt. 22:14; 1 Pet. 2:4).
Called, "Faithful is he that calleth you" (1 Thes. 5:24, etc.).
II. Reconciled:
Reconciled by God, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 5:18, 19; Col. 1:20).
Reconciled to God, "Much more being reconciled to God" (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:20).
III. Redeemed:
Redeemed by God, "In whom we have redemption through his blood" (Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18; Rom. 3:24, etc.).
Out of all condemnation, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1; John 5:24; 1 Cor.11:32; John 3:18).
IV. Related to God Through a Propitiation(appeasement for sin)
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2; Rom. 3:25, 26).
V. All Sins Washed Clean by the Blood of Jesus Christ:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 4:25, etc.).
VI. Vitally Conjoined to Christ for Judgment of the "Old Man" Unto a New Walk:
"Crucified with Christ," "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him" (Rom. 6:6).
"Dead with Christ," "Now if we be dead with Christ" (Rom. 6:8) ; "We being dead to sin" (1 Pet. 2:24).
"Buried with him," "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death" (Rom.6:4; Col. 2:12).
Raised with Christ to walk by a new life, principle, "That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1).
VII. Free from the Law:
"Dead," "Wherefore, my brethren, ye, also are dead to the law by the body of Christ" (Rom. 7:4).
"Delivered," "Now we are delivered from the law" (Rom. 7:6; Gal. 3:25; Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:11).
VII. Children of God/ Sons of God:
"Born again," "Ye must be born again"(John 3:7; 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:23).
"Quickened," or made alive, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13).
"Sons of God," "Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (1. John 3:3; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 3:26).
"A new creation," "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (creation) (2 Cor.5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:10).
"Regeneration," "But according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Tit. 3:5; John 13:10; 1 Cor. 6:11).
IX. Adopted (placed as adult sons):
"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption" (Rom. 8:15, etc. So, also, a future adoption, see Rom. 8:23, etc.).
X. Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ:
"Made the righteousness of God in him," "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom. 3:22; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9).
Sanctified positionally,, "Christ Jesus, who is made unto us ... sanctification" (1 Cor.1 :30; 6:11). This is in no way to be confused with experimental sanctification as mentioned in John 17:17, or the final perfection of the believer (Eph. 5:27; 1 John 3:3).
"Perfected for ever," "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:14:).
"Made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph.1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5).
"Made Meet," "Giving thanks to the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12).
XI. Justified:
"Therefore being justified by faith" (Rom.5:1; 3:24; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:7).
XII. Forgiven All Trespasses and Sin:
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14; 2:13; 3:13; Eph. 1:7; 4:32. A distinction is necessary here between the complete and abiding judicial forgiveness and the oft repeated forgiveness within the family of God. See 1 John 1:9).
XIII. Made Nigh(near)
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13. With this there is a corresponding experience; see James 4:8; Heb. 10:22).
XIV. Delivered from the Powers of Darkness:
"Who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness" (Col. 1:13; 2:13-15).
XV. Translated into the Kingdom:
"And hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col. 1:13).
XVI. On the Rock Christ Jesus:
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor.3:11; Eph. 2:20; 2 Cor. 1:21).
XVII. A Gift from God to Christ:
"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me" (John 17:6; 11,12, 20; John 10:29).
XVIII. Circumcised in Christ: (circumcised in the heart)
"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ" (Col. 2:11; Phil. 3:3; Rom. 2:29).
XIX.Partakers of the Holy and Royal Priesthood:
"Holy priesthood," "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:5).
"Royal priesthood," "But ye are ... a royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
XX. A Chosen Generation and a Peculiar People:
"But ye are a chosen generation, ...a peculiar people" (1 Pet. 2:9; Tit. 2:14).
XXI. Having Access to God:
"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph.2:18; Rom. 5:2; Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19,20).
XXII. Within the "Much More" Care of God (Rom. 5:9, 10):
Objects of His love, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us" (Eph. 2:4; 5:2, etc.)
Objects of His grace,
For salvation, "For by grace are ye saved" (Eph. 2:8).
For keeping, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Rom. 5:2).
For service, "But to every one of us is this grace given" (Eph. 2:7).
For instruction, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present age" (Tit. 2:12, 13).
Objects of His power, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward" (Eph. 1:19; Phil. 2:13).
Objects of His faithfulness, "For be hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb.13:5; Phil. 1:6).
Objects of His peace, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body" (Col. 3:15).
Objects of His consolation, "Our Father which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation" (2 Thes. 2:16).
Objects of His intercession, "Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb.7:25; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24).
XXIII. His Inheritance:
"That ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph. 1:18).
XXIV. Given Our Inheritance:
"An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 1:14; Col. 3:24; Heb. 9:15).
XXV. A Heavenly Association (Eph. 2:6):
Partners with Christ in life, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear" (Col. 3:4; 1 John 5:11, 12, etc.)
Partners with Christ in position, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6).
Partners with Christ in service, "God is faithful, by, whom ye were called into fellowship (partnership) with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9); "Workers together with God" (I Cor. 3:9); "Workers together with him" (2 Cor. 6:1); "Ambassadors" (2 Cor. 5:20); "Ministers of God" (2 Cor. 6:4); "Ministers of the New Testament" (2 Cor. 3:6); "Epistles" (2 Cor. 3:3).
Partners with Christ in suffering, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:20; 4:12, 13; 1 Thes.3:3; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:24).
Partners with Christ in betrothal, "That I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ" (2Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-27).
XXVI. Heavenly (Kingdom) Citizens:
"For our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil.3:20, R.V.; Eph. 2:19; Heb. 12:22; Luke 10:20).
XXVII. Of the, Family and Household of God:
"Fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19; 3:15; Gal. 6:10).
XXVIII. Light in the Lord:
"Now are ye light in the Lord" (Eph.5:8; 1 Thes. 5:4).
XXIX. Vitally United to the Father, Son, and Spirit:
"In God" (1 Thes. 1:1).
"In Christ" (John 14:20).
A member in His body (1 Cor. 12:13).
A branch in the Vine (John 15:5).
A stone in the building (Eph. 2:19-22).
A sheep in His flock (John 10:27-29).
A part of His bride (Eph. 5:25-27).
A priest of the kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:5, 9).
A saint of the "new generation" (1 Pet. 2:9).
"In the Spirit" (Rom. 8:9).
XXX. Blessed with the "First Fruits" and the "Earnest" of the Spirit:
"Born of the Spirit" (John 3:6, etc.).
"Baptized with the Spirit," "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Cor.12:13; 10:17).
Indwelt by the Spirit. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19; 2:12; ,John 7:39; Rom. 5:5; 8:9; 2 Cor. 1:21; Gal.4:6; 1 John 3:24).
"Sealed by the Spirit," "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22).
XXXI. Glorified:
"And whom he justified, them he also glorified" (Rom. 8:30).
XXXII. Complete in Him: "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Col. 2:10).
XXXIII. Possessing Every Spiritual Blessing:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).

FEARLESS LOVE

Fearless Love (1 John 4:18)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

1. The Protection of Perfect Love (there is no fear)

This gives us security and when we have perfect love we will make other people
feel secure around us.

2. The Power of Perfect Love (drives out all fear)

This enables us to change and experience freedom from fear and all its forms.

3. The Potential of Perfect Love (being made complete in love)

-living without condemnation

Condemnation is simply saying that your faith doesn’t work

-living free from rejection

A feeling of rejection is perpetuated by not knowing that you are accepted in the Beloved.

-living free from judgment

You have already been judged in Christ Jesus!

-living free from fear of man

We all must go through this: We are inoculated against the praise of man, the Lord then baptizes me in the criticism of man, until I die to the control of man. Fear is control and torment.

-living freely in a love that totally accepts you, forgives you, and restores you

4. The Problem of Imperfect Love (the one who fears...)

When we are not living in the knowledge of God's true love for us, we
cause other people to become enslaved through what we teach about God.

Expectation

Last week I closed the blog with a statement: You are Chosen for Greatness

Are you expecting that?

Everyone who has attended high school has read "Great Expectations" in English literature. Also most of us have read Charles Dickens work, "The Tale of Two Cities." The opening line goes like this," It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

What are you expecting good or evil, light or darkness, hope or despair?

The level of our expectation determines our life.

Expecting good things= Faith
Not expecting= doubt

Some Expectation Scriptures

Luke 7:19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Psalm 37:34 Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
1 Corinthians 9:10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
Acts 26:6“And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
“What shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” 2 Chronicles 25:9
Ps. 62:5My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
Even creation expects:

Rom. 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Phil. 1:19For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed,