THE PLACE OF REST

THE PLACE OF REST

Genesis 18:3-5 -
..."If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." (NIV) 


We see in the above verse that Abraham is visited by the Lord unexpectedly. Abraham recognizes the Lord for who He is and suggests that He rest and have His feet washed. Abraham also offers food to be eaten that the Lord and the angels with Him may be refreshed. The Lord does not resist. The Tree of Life is the place of rest. It is the place of joint rest for Christ and His Body. It is here that He is refreshed and fed by His Bride. It is important to note that the Lord accepted the desires of Abraham because He was pleased with him. This is discovered in Abraham’s heart motive of being a servant to the Lord. The Lord is not coming to His Bride looking to be fed by any except those who have the heart of a servant towards Him. 


Matthew 11:28 -
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (NIV) 


The idea of rest in the Body of Christ seems like such a foreign concept in this day and time. So much of the Church is convinced that they draw their identity from what they are doing instead of who they are being. It is important now more than ever that we understand the finished work of Christ and operate out of His work instead of producing something of our own effort. The revelation of rest is Christ being unable to be removed from the power of His finished work. 


God Is Finished
Everything God has ever wanted to do has been done. What manifests from our heavenly Father today flows out of His being, not His doing. We are ordained to enter the rest of the Lord and understand that it is not our accomplishments that make us effective, but rather our being in accordance with the relationship God desires from us. God is finished. The one God has three expressions and each is finished with His work. 


Hebrews 4:2-4 -
Now we who have believed enter that rest…And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His work.” 


The Father finished His work on the seventh day. We have assumed that this statement was relegated to His creation work. The truth is that all that He intended to do He accomplished by the sixth day so that He could rest from then on. We have entered into the 7th day from Adam.


Seven is such a perfect expression of the purpose of rest and there is much to support this in Scripture. Seven is the number of Spiritual perfection. Seven days in a week. Seven colors in the spectrum. There are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 parables in Matthew, and 7 promises to the churches. There are 7 "eternals" in Hebrews which are: A priest for ever (1:6); eternal salvation (1:9); eternal judgment (6:2); eternal redemption (9:12); eternal spirit (9:14); eternal inheritance (9:15); and everlasting covenant (13:20). Each of these examples leads to a finish. 


John 19:30 -
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (NIV) 


This verse simply paints the idea of the finished work of Christ. The person of Christ declared that what He had come to earth as a man to accomplish was indeed finished on the cross. His simple wording is profound in that it includes anything and everything. It does not matter the issue or excuse--it is finished! 


I Corinthians 2:9-10 -
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has ever conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit teaches all things, even the deep things of God. (NIV) 




In this day and age it is vital and necessary to appropriate the finished work of the Father in every area of life. Much of the Church is burned out from flowing in natural strength. Pastors are resigning at an alarming rate! If there has ever been a time for the Body of Christ to understand this revelation, it is now! 


Exodus 33:14 -
..."My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."


Deuteronomy 12:8-10 -
You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you. But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. (NIV) 


The place of rest in the Father is a place where our opinions and desires are not allowed. The above verse shows us that you cannot come into the rest that the Father has for you as long as you are doing what you see as fit. We must cross over from the place of wandering and enter into the place of promise. This is the place of inheritance and rest from all of our enemies. Truly it is the place of perfect safety in God. 


Deuteronomy 33:12 -
..."Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for heshields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." (NIV) 


The rest of God flows out of our love relationship with Him. It cannot come from any other place. The fruit of this exchange is our being able to rest in Him and He being able to rest in us. We also see that those who have a love relationship with the Lord rest between His shoulders. The place between the shoulders of the Lord is His loving heart. Partake of the Tree of Life and partake of the rest ordained for you in the Father. 


Jesus Is The Pattern


John 14:6 -
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV) 


There is a great freedom in understanding that we are not sanctioned to create a new pattern in the Kingdom of God. I believe that it is because of man’s religious desire to do something “new” that we are exposed to much of the error that runs rampant in the church today. We have tried to produce something of our own strength that is strange to the Father and is therefore cursed. What we must do as believers is adjust to the perfect pattern that has already been established in Jesus Christ our Lord. 


Matthew 9:35 -
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (NIV) 


Matthew 10:1 -
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (NIV) 


Matthew 10:8 -
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (NIV) 


Luke :1-2 -
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (NIV) 


The “works” that follow the Pattern should be obvious from the verses I have just shared with you. As we submit to the pattern of Jesus our accomplishments should at least be that of healing the sick, driving out demons, cleansing leprosy, raising the dead and preaching the Kingdom of God. We must understand that these things should be commonplace in the lives of all believers. These awesome initiatives are not reserved only for the Fivefold Ministry Gifts (Eph. 4:11) in the Church today. When the pattern is followed by everyone in the Body of Christ, the world and all who are in it will be changed. 


It is vital to remember that “works” in the Lord can only be birthed out of “relationship” with Father God. The works that many people desire to do are withheld from them because of their lack of relationship with the Lord. You will only be entrusted with the dynamic power of God based on the level of your intimate strength of relationship with Him. Remember, Jesus is the pattern. His relationship with the Father was both vital and paramount. We are to have the same relationship with the Father that Jesus has with Him. 


John 5:19 -
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (NIV) 


John 5:30 -
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (KJV) 


Relationship with the Father is the key to rest. Rest has been feared by the church because it is directly coupled with submission. You cannot walk out the pattern of Christ without direct relationship and submission to the Father. What He first does, we are permitted to do. What He first says, we are permitted to say (John 8:28; 9:4; 12:49; 14:10). 


Welcome to the place of rest. 

KEYS TO LONG LIFE

Keys to a Long Life!

Moses had none of the above and died at the age of 120 in perfect health and with perfect eyesight. So what's up with that?

Our lifestyle choices play a significant part. Statistics show that those who eat right, exercise, and sleep well live longer than those who don't. For sure, those are things we should all do, but that's not the whole story.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. –Abraham Lincoln

I recently celebrated my 68th birthday. Honestly, I don't think of myself as being that old. I jokingly said to a group of people that I am now 39 years old for the 29th time. That caused me to start thinking about what the Bible has to say about longevity. Here's what I found:

Keys to a Long Life

• PEACE

Proverbs 14:30, A tranquil heart is life to the body...

• WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

Proverbs 3:13-16, How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

• THE  Reverantial FEAR/IN AWE OF THE LORD

Proverbs 10:27, The fear of the LORD prolongs life...

Proverbs 19:23 (Amp), The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil.

Proverbs 22:4 (Amp), The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

• THE WORDS WE SPEAK

Proverbs 18:21 (Amp), Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].

Proverbs 13:3, The one who guards his mouth preserves his life...

Proverbs 10:11, The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...

Psalm 34:12-14, Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

• OBEDIENCE

Proverbs 4:10, Hear, My son, and accept My sayings and the years of your life will be many.

Proverbs 3:1-2, My son, do not forget My teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 4:20-22, My son, give attention to My words; Incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body.

Proverbs 7:2, Keep My commandments and live...

Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14: The blessings of obedience.

• NOT BEING GREEDY

Proverbs 28:16 (Amp), ...he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days.

• LOVE

Psalm 91:14-16 (Amp), Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

• CHOICES

Deuteronomy 30:19-20, I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.

• CONTINUALLY PRAISING HIM

Psalm 103:1, 5, Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name... Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

THE FINISHED WORK

THE FINISHED WORK "IT IS FINISHED"! How these words must have ripped through the halls of sin and the fortresses of condemnation. And how they must have brought a glorious praise before the throne in the heavens. So greatly powerful were these words and the work of the Cross that "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27:50-53 The earth itself convulsed and was shaken to its very core as these words rang throughout the universe. So great was this declaration that death could no longer hold those that were bound. And God moved out of the Holy of Holies in a natural temple into a new temple which is made without hands. Now once again God could walk with man and be one with him. But this time it would be different. This man being born of incorrupitible seed could not fall from His presence again. The word FINISHED in the Greek is teleo G5056 and it means to end, complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):—accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform. He declaration revealed any payment that was before us in judgment concerning sin had been adjudicated and accepted as final and complete, bringing an end of demand for payment. The flaming sword (message, word) which had kept the way to the Tree of Life had come and made entrance thereunto. The last Adam (Jesus) had come to redeem man from the curse of death to walk again with God. 1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Many Christians do not know who they are today or who Christ is in them. They have been deceived into a works religion rather than understanding, receiving, and walking in the grace that God has given them. Grace came by way of Jesus Christ and will never come through our own self-efforts. Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). Just as our ability to be good couldn't save us, so our own works won't keep free. It is by grace and the goodness of God that has been deposited within us that will help us to walk each day and will keep us from falling. Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. To walk according to our own abilities and works is to seek justification through the law and our own abilities, but do you see the words? YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE! Does that mean that you are not saved??? NO!!! It simply means that you have forgotten what MANNER OF MAN YOU ARE and when we try to perform the law, then we must keep all the law. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:23-25 We are to continue in the PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, not the LAW! Men ideals of walking with Christ have brought many false doctrines to the body of Christ which are all MAN CENTERED and not CHRIST CENTERED. And when the gospel becomes man centered, then the MINISTRY OF CONDEMNATION flourishes in the house of God! It not only flourishes in our churches but it flourishes IN US! 1Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? There was a time that we were under the law and it was for a purpose. The purpose was to teach us and BRING US TO CHRIST: But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-27 Paul brings a clear word to the church at Galatia which speaks of departing from our liberty in Christ. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:1-7 Notice the word BEWITCHED! It speaks of being unwise and sensual. Sensual refers to the lust of the flesh! I CAN DO IT. It was a deception that came that said, "Okay, you are saved now, and you need to make sure that you stay that way"! So do this, and do that, and be sure to practice this, etc. Forgetting that "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). You see, "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled IN us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:2-4). We need to become more GRACE CONSCIOUS THAN WE ARE SIN CONSCIOUS! For if we are in Christ, then we are not to have a consciousness of sin! What does this mean then? Paul even asked this. Does it mean that we can just sin because of this grace that has been given? He said "GOD FORBID". When we fully recognize the truth and what has done for us, the acceptance of this work in our hearts will enable us to walk in the Spirit. Sin will not have dominion over us! Let's take a look at Hebrews. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins (Heb. 10:1-4). You see, had those sacrifices made those who came they should have no more conscience of sins. But there was one that was prepared that could. There was one prepared whose body in offering for sin would bring it all to an end. Let us take a look at some more in the 10th Chapter of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but A BODY HAST THOU PREPARED FOR ME, In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may ESTABLISH THE SECOND. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: BUT this man, after he had offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by ONE offering he hath PERFECTED FOREVER them that are sanctified! Hebrews 10:5-14 Jesus was the complete, final, and full sacrifice for sin! All the judgment, all the wrath that God had toward sin was poured into ONE MAN that day that Jesus became SIN FOR US! Oh do we hear it! All that sin was, he became for us thereby removing its power and control over us. Never again to have sin as a master but we have been SET FREE! The day that Jesus hung on the cross, we hung there with Him. The lamb was slain before the foundation of the world and we were there in the heart of God when it happened. We didn't kill Jesus as we have been taught to believe. Sin didn't kill Him! He was the spotless lamb that was offered FOR sin to exact the payment. In the Old Testament, the father of the house had to take a lamb and offer it for the sins of the family. He would lay his hands upon the lamb thereby imputing the sins and then slay it. God, Our Father, who gave us the pattern for things, provided HIMSELF a Lamb and offered Him as an offering for us. ONE TIME, FOREVER! The blood was sufficient enough to touch the halls of eternity. So Jesus DIED, He was BURIED, He was QUICKENED, He was RAISED, He ASCENDED and He is SEATED in heavenly places on the right hand of Majesty on High! Corinthians II 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are PASSED AWAY (dead); behold, all things are become new. Colossians 2:13 And you, being DEAD in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he QUICKENED together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:12 BURIED with him in baptism, wherein also ye are RISEN with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Romans 6:4 Therefore we are BURIED with him by baptism into death: 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. Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were DEAD in sins, hath QUICKENED us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:6 And hath RAISED us up together, and made us SIT IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN Christ Jesus: Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ASCENDED up on high, he LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, and gave gifts unto men. Can you see it? We DIED, we were BURIED, we were QUICKENED, we were RAISED, we ASCENDED, and we are SEATED in HEAVENLY places IN Christ Jesus! Why are we trying to GO UP, when we are already there. And the Lord wants us to take our position and inheritance IN HIM and begin to RULE AND REIGN from the heavens. That is what He did when He was here! He ruled and walked in a realm that man could not walk in. He said what He heard spoken in the heaven and He only did that which He heard the Father say! Jesus said to pray 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, IN earth AS IT IS IN heaven! God wants to bring heaven to earth. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof (1Cor. 10:28) and the mandate to man in the Garden of God has never changed. Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Now, man is REDEEMED and he can walk in the newness of life as the body of Christ and be the king-priest that God has called him to be. We are to be kings and priests unto our God (Rev. 1:6). The Church has been asleep, in a tomb so to speak, but it is the THIRD DAY and God is saying: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Isaiah 60:1-5 Awake O Israel and the TRUTH shall set you free, awaken and put on strength. Awaken unto righteousness and sin not! It is in the awakening to righteousness, it is in the power of the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD which has been imputed to you, that you will overcome, because you will understand that you have overcome, and you will be able to say, "Satan you can find NOTHING in me". Paul said it so eloquently: I AM CRUCIFIED with Christ: nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and GAVE himself FOR me (Galatians 2:20). And then Paul told us to know NO MAN after the flesh but after the Spirit and that includes ourselves. For if we know man after the flesh, we will only see guilt, sin, and condemnation. But if we know man after the Spirit, we behold the NEW CREATION MAN. God grant us the eyes to see TRUTH and behold the CHRIST in ourselves and in others. And in closing we have this comfort which gives us peace: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:25-27 Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. We overcome Satan through the blood of Jesus, the supreme sacrifice and our TESTIMONY is IT IS FINISHED and we love not our lives (own wills, mind, emotions) unto death. Meaning we love HIM more and we let our own self-will, our own self-life die to HIS .

HOPE

What is hope?


 Some Hebrew & Greek words for Hope:


982 batach { baw-takh’} trust 103, confidence 4, secure 4, confident 2, bold 1, careless 1, hope 1, hoped 1, ones 1, sure 1, 1) to trust, to trust, trust in, to have confidence, be confident, to be bold, to be secure, to cause to trust, make secure, to feel safe, be careless983 betach { beh’takh} safely 17, safety 9, carelessly 3, careless 2, safe 2, securely 2, assurance 1, boldly 1, care 1, confidence 1, hope 1, secure 1, surely ; from GK - 1055 1) security, safety adv2) securely--bittachown { bit-taw-khone’} confidence 2, hope, GK - 1059 {  trust, confidence, hope620 chacah { khaw-saw’} to trust 35, to make a refuge 1, have hope 1; 37 GK - 2879 { hs;j; to seek refuge, flee for protection,  to put trust in (God), confide or hope in (God) 1679 elpizo { el-pid’-zo} from 1680; TDNT - 2 AV - trust 18, hope 10, hope for 2, things hoped for 1, vr hope 1; GK - 1827 { ejlpivzw }1) to hope1a) in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence2) hopefully to trust in Elpizo- The word for 'trusted' in Luke 24:21 (Luke 24:21)  But we had trusted that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Elpizo means, 'to expect or confide.' It is  only one of the Greek words for 'hope.' 3175 yachiyl { yaw-kheel’} AV - hope GK - 3497 - waiting, hoping176 yachal { yaw-chal’} AV - hope 22, wait 12, tarry 3, trust 2, variant 2, stayed 1; 42 GK - 3498 to wait, hope, expect, to wait, to wait, await, tarry, to wait for, hope for, to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for3178 Yachl^eÕeliy { yakh-leh-ay-lee’} -


These are just a few of the definitions.

Some Scriptures:

(Heb 11:1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and… rest in safety" (Job 11:18 NIV).

Hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Ro 5:5

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, say the LORD, thoughts of peace, & not of evil, to give you an expected end.(hope) JER 29:11

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Again these are only a few of the Scriptures.

Here are some more:

     Job 14:7 -For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

     Psalms 42:5 – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

    Psalm 119:114-Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

    Proverbs 13:12 – Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

    Jeremiah 29:11 – 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.

     Hosea 2:15 – And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope:

     Zechariah 9:12 – Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

     Romans 4:18 – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

     Romans 12:12 – Rejoicing in hope;

    Romans 15:13- Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

    Ephesians 1:18 – The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

    Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

    1 Timothy 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

    Hebrews 6:19 – Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast;

In all reality HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST. Hope is Him and He lives in you. Hope is confident expectation, simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1).(1Ti 1:1)  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the command of God our Savior, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,


It's the same with our faith, faith is Him. He is the author and finisher of our faith.


Don't Worry, Hope!

 2 Tim. 1:1 says the same. I love the way the Mirror Bible translates this verse. The amazing news of announcing this life which is unveiled in Christ Jesus is what my ministry is all about! The promise is a person.

OUR HOPE IS NOT IN HIM BUT OUR HOPE IS HIM!!

    

RECEIVING THE HEAVENLY PRIZE/CALLING

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14

(Php 3:13-14)  Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and

I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.

What is the heavenly prize, the heavenly calling?


Paul's very words is that the race, his destiny, is a heavenly prize or a heavenly calling. Does that mean at the end of his life? With all intent and purposes we already have achieved heaven. Where is heaven-- in our hearts.…and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: …" (Eph. 2:6-7). 

Seated in Heavenly Places with Christ Jesus

and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,

(Eph 2:6)....

TRUE CONCEPT OF A BELIEVER’S POSITION 

IN CHRIST--THIS IS YOUR POSITION OF AUTHORITY AND MINISTRY

The ministry from the heart of the Father  has been established through the rending of the veil (flesh) of His Son. He does not dwell in the temples which were made with the hands of men, but His abode is within every man/woman born of the Holy Spirit through the new birth.  He sits upon His mercy seat and reigns, in you. It is from there that His love  flows bringing life to all who so desired it, His holy habitation that His very life and presence would be made manifest. 

     "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places]" (Ephesians 1:20) 

We who know this  have heard God's  Voice calling, "Come up hither," and  stand in the blazing glory of the door opened in the heavens.  Rev. 4:1

The object of  this Christian life is not  to go to heaven one day! It is the unveiling of the most attractive life possible, the  abundant life!  Now to  enjoy the immediate, intimate, daily, constant, conscious feedback encounter with our Living God in Spirit,  to rule and reign throughout eternity.

THE OPEN DOOR OF HEAVEN - the entrance into all that which is new, unprecedented opportunities of ministry and influence as salt and light throughout the earth. 

Jesus taught the disciples to pray: In earth as it is in heaven. In you as it is in heaven. Heaven has come in You.

(2Co 5:2)  For indeed in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling-place out of Heaven;

Think about it, receive the heavenly prize and calling. Again what is the prize?

He sits upon His mercy seat and reigns, in you. It is from there that His love  flows bringing life to all who so desired it, His holy habitation that His very life and presence would be made manifest.