OUR NEW NAME

OUR NEW NAME

"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." (Rev.2:17c)

The Word tells us that "We are in the light as He is in the light" and "be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48) and " to perfect holiness".  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).

In Hebrew a white stone was given to a man who had been forgiven great sins.  In Hebrew Court the white stone was given on the right hand for not guilty, the black stone for guilty. The former accused then wore the white stone and stood on the right  (symbolic of acquittal, court satisfied by the Blood of Jesus Covenant) as a sign that he had been forgiven. 

In the Middle Ages alchemists were fond of speaking of the 'lapis lazuli,' or white stone (actually a rich azure or sky-blue).Alchemists sought by science and discipline to build themselves into perfected stones - actually to become the white stone by which they could possess total knowledge and wisdom.

On the island of Patmos, whether or not John was aware of alchemy, the Holy Spirit certainly was, and the Lord promised, [Rev. 2:17]. But the Holy Spirit may also be saying something like this: 'To him who overcomes will I give a perfected soul; no one has to study alchemy to achieve it.' Every Believer is in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, (soulish realm) which will finally be accomplished in 'the twinkling of an eye' (1 Cor. 15:52) - as a gift and not by alchemic science or its modern counterpart, 

To him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon 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 My new name.(Rev 3:12)

In the Hebrew a person’s name was his nature, so they were very careful in naming a baby. Example, my husband David’s name means beloved, lover of all. My son’s name is Sean, a derivative of John which means God is gracious.

Therefore, our new name that is written in heaven is His nature. Our new name is Jesus Hebrew Yashua. In the Old Testament, Hebrew names such as Joshua, Jehoshua, and Jeshua are simply linguistic variations of Jesus, meaning "God's salvation" or "God is my help," my salvation, my healer, my protector, my deliver, my refuge etc. His name/ His nature is written on our foreheads: His nature is embedded in our hearts and minds.


And I looked, and lo, the Lamb stood on Mount Zion. And with Him were a hundred and forty-four thousands, having His Father's name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)
And they will see His face, and His name will be in their foreheads.(Rev 22:4)

What name do you have written on your forward Jesus!

LIFT UP YOUR EYES, BE THANKFUL!

"Therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is , the fruit of our lips GIVING THANKS to His name."      (Heb. 13:15)

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1Thes. 5:18). Giving thanks always for all things (Eph. 5:20). 

Thanksgiving (eucharisteo, from which we get the word Eucharist) means to be aware of our blessings and be filled with gratitude. Thanksgiving opens the vaults of the treasures of the Kingdom.

Opposite of Thanksgiving:  Ungratefulness, Complaining and Murmuring
Examples:
1. Hebrew children, "Nor let us . . . grumble, as [Israel] did, and were destroyed by the destroyer" (1 Cor. 10:9-10).
2. Some of his disciples "Do not grumble among yourselves" (John 6:43)
3. Judas

Paul warned that, "in the last days . . . men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips" (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

"Lifting up our eyes." BE THANKFUL!

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable . . . is right, whatever is pure . . . lovely . . . of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8). Remember, Paul was writing to people in the ancient Roman world. It was full of evil, full of injustice, full of reasons to grumble and be upset; but instead, God calls His people to a higher realm, where we dwell on the things that are above.

(John 11:41-43) At the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus, Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD ME."  Imagine this kind of assurance! Jesus didn't need to beg or intercede. A command to the dead was all that was needed, "Lazarus, come forth." 

We SEE that the Father hears us BEFORE we pray (John 17:1-2). This is why we can be thankful. 

Thanksgiving is a holy declaration of what we SEE when we LIFT UP OUR EYES. Let's remember some of the incredible personal things that should stir a spirit of thanksgiving in our heart. Let the fruit of our lips give thanks as we confess our Thanksgiving blessings out loud together (using I, we, and/or you):

1. The God of love has an unfolding plan of LOVE for me. I can live without fear  --being certain of this LOVE. 
2. I am a brand new creation in Christ. 
3. I am not who I used to be! Thank the Lord. 
4. I am destined to spend eternity with God. My eternity is NOW. 
5. I have already been delivered from all the powers of darkness. 
6. Christ died for a total forgiveness of my past and present sins.  I am pardoned from sins because of that inestimable gift of God. 
7. I am already a joint-heir with Christ. 
8. Jesus died to restore me to the dominion authority of the Garden. 
9. I am now seated in heavenly places with Christ. 
10. I am already co-crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6, 11, Col. 3:1-4). We have already died. We don't need to die to our old man any longer. Wrongly emphasizing our personal sacrifice to need to continually die, denies the power of the resurrection. When Jesus died, we died. 
11. I am already co-buried with Christ (Col. 2:12, Rom. 6:3-4). 
12. I am already re co-resurrected with Christ (Col. 3:1, Rom. 6:9). 
13. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 
14. The fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells with me. 
15. I am already co-seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:5-6). 
16. I am already made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:23). 
17. I am already partners with God for His plan concerning every living human being. 
18. I am already part of Christ's body today on earth. 
19. I am already a ROYAL PRIEST (1 Pet. 2:5).  
20. I have the power to draw near God's presence and fellowship with Him there.  I have the ability to communicate to others the power of a life within the veil. 
21. I can access total salvation for my body, soul, and spirit.  I can become whole in this lifetime. 
22. Every day is holy, set apart, and designed for me. 
23. I can become God's honored representatives on earth. 
24. I am not of this world (James 4:4, 1 Jn. 2:15-18). 
25. I can overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). 
26. I was created for His glory (Is. 43:7). I have been given the power to manifest His breathtaking glory on earth. 
27. I can ask the Lord of the harvest for laborers and for rain on behalf of all humankind, that they be brought to repentance by the goodness and love of God. 
28. I can lift up my eyes to see the provision of God. For the Lord will hasten to perform His Word and reveal to His people the abundance of peace, truth, health, prosperity, deliverance, safety, and abundant life. 
29. I can put on His love and walk in absolute trust and confidence of His power, wisdom, and goodness. 
30. The Spirit of Death has no power over me. 
31. I am thankful that we don't need man's approval, distorted ambition, self-exaltation, or popularity.  I do not have to flinch in sacrifice, hesitate in adversity, negotiate with the enemy, or wallow in the maze of mediocrity.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1Thes. 5:18). Giving thanks always for all things (Eph. 5:20). 

PRAYING ALWAYS; YOU'VE WON

Ephesians 6:18 says, " Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..."

The Amplified Bible rightly translates the first portion of this verse as "Praying at all times in the Spirit...", correctly reversing the order, from the Greek, and placing prayer and supplication after "... in the Spirit...".

"Always" - This word means at all times or on every occasion. The emphasis is either;

1) always be praying in the Spirit, [ a term for speaking in other tongues (languages), 1 Cor. 14:14; Rm. 8:26; Jude 20], or

2) every time you pray, employ this method of prayer

" Prayer and Supplication" - The first word is the general word for prayer and devotion to God (but also specifically bold or confident assertions about one's self in prayer) and the second word relating to specific requests in prayer, based on the need of the moment.

"Watching" - This word literally means, "to go without sleep", and is taken from the visual example of shepherds "watching over" their sheep. There are two specific aspects to this word which are important:

1) the first being alertness,

2) and the second being "on your guard" or guarding something or someone.

"Perseverance" - The two crucial aspects of this word are that;

1) it speaks of a specific period of time. 

2) it is an endurance that clings expectantly.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TIME WHEN YOU PRAY WITH THE ATTITUDE NOT SO MUCH THAT YOU NEED SOMETHING BUT JUST TO HAVE COMMUNION.

Pray without ceasing, meaning being aware of His presence and communicating with God, not always with words.

It is used only here in the NT, [though the root word is used in several places and contexts], and its historical use, in two areas, is significant as related to this verse on aggressive prayer.

1) there is the military aspect which deals with not giving up, means expecting 

2) Even more significant, is the legal sphere, [which is especially related to the courtroom setting of prayer], which means to stay before the court [for a specific period of time, not forever], until the verdict is rendered. [What is implied, is that the verdict is rendered in your favor!]

Is this is tenaciously waiting before the courtroom of heaven until you obtain a favorable verdict?

You already have a favorable verdict!!

This verse , staying true to the meaning of the Greek text, could be paraphrased to say:

"Pray all the time, in other tongues,( in the Spirit), whether you are just talking to your Father, generally, or you have specific needs that you are addressing, and stay alert, on your guard,expecting, believing you  have already received a favorable verdict from the court room of Heaven, [ You've won the court case]!

WORD BECOMING FLESH

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1,14) 

Spiritually the Word being made flesh...  It is the engrafted living Word that is able to bring salvation to our mind, will and emotions- our soul, our flesh. (5 senses)

and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:18, 21)

(Col 3:16)  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

(2Co 3:2)  You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men,

WE ARE LIVING EPISTLES ( THE LIVING WORD BEING REFLECTED TO THE WORLD)

If then, the Word being made flesh is so central, let us explore HOW this happens. 

We are going to look at three things: the EAR canal, the VOICE canal, and the BIRTH canal; or said another way, perception, proclamation, and procreation. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy WORD.” (Luke 1:30-31, 34-35, 37-38) 

(Prov.23:7) So, by definition, we understand that the Word is the AUDIBLE expression of Who God is. 

The EAR GATE-Perception 

In the spiritual sense, we are also surrounded by the Word Who was in the beginning (John 1:1), 

When we focus on and listen to those other ‘sound waves’, we loose sensitivity to the HIGHER frequency of the Word, the AUDIBLE expression of Who God is. 

Just a few verses previous to the messenger bringing the Word of the Lord to Mary, there is a very similar message for Zacharias concerning the birthing of John. If you remember the account, it would seem that Zacharias had been listening to those other ‘sound waves’- opinions of men, fear and unbelief, prejudice and ignorance


(Luke 1:11-18)  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him as he was standing on the right of the altar of incense.

  And seeing this, Zacharias was troubled, and fear fell on him.

  But the angel said to him, Do not fear, Zacharias. For your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

  And you shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.

  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

 And he shall turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

(Luk 1:18)  And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? For I am old, and my wife is advanced in her days.

Take note of the vast difference in Mary’s response to the Word, “be it unto me according to thy WORD.” (Luke 1:38) 

The VOICE GATE- Proclamation 

As we just saw, Mary’s proclamation was “be it unto me according to thy WORD.” (Luke 1:38) 

So as with Mary, we see the same process with Jesus, He HEARD the Word of the Father, and joined His VOICE with the Word, therefore establishing it as a reality. 

2 Cor. 13:1 states this principle so clearly; “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every WORD be established.” 

RHEMA- the God-breathed, living, NOW-Word of God. 

RHEMA, God-breathed, living, NOW-Word be established!” This is ruling and reigning in Christ. This is bringing the Kingdom of heaven to bear upon the earth. 

The BIRTH GATE- Procreation 

Perhaps you are thinking about now, “How can this be?” Well don’t worry, Mary asked the same question in Luke 1:34. The angel’s answer to Mary rings just as true for us today, “For with God NOTHING shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) I believe also that there is much to be gleaned from the proclamation of the messenger; “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) 

Notice first that the holy thing being birthed is called “the Son of God.” Of course Jesus Christ was uniquely the only begotten Son of God, but John 1:12-14 tells us that “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name: Indeed, as the Word is made flesh and He encamps IN us, we become the SONS OF GOD. 

Now, 2 Cor. 6:17 is quite clear when it says, "he who is joined to the Lord becomes ONE SPIRIT with Him..." (Amplified Bible) Yes, you read that correctly, our human SPIRIT is joined in ONENESS to the SPIRIT of God. 

“The Holy Spirit shall come upon you...” From these definitions we see that there first has to be a supervening, a super imposition of the Spirit of God upon us- giving us a NEW SPIRIT (Ezek. 36:26). Here is the reason why: in order for a ‘Holy Thing’, a Manchild, to be birthed, it must proceed from a ‘womb’ that is holy, a NEW SPIRIT, fertilized by ‘seed’ that is holy. 1 Peter 1:23 in the Amplified Bible says, “...you have been regenerated - born again - not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting WORD of God.” 

You’re in the delivery room of the Word being made flesh. 

Equipping the Saints Part 3

What is Equipping the Saints all about?

(Eph 4:11-16)  And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 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. But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

The equipping sandwich

1. Calling [an equipping task]
What is the person’s calling?

“We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now.” 2 Timothy 1:9 MSG

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 NIV

2. Gifting [a training task]
What gifts, skills and talents does the person display? In the world, a person’s gifts are recognised in various fields (sport, art, education, speaking etc.) and trained.
1) Demonstrate the task (the learner watches);
2) Do the task together (I do, then you do);
3) Independence (you do on your own, I watch);
4) Review (you do it, I come back and check it).

“God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 MSG

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” 1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

3. Knowledge [a teaching task]
What information, knowledge or wisdom does the person need? Knowledge is not just book learning, but includes life experience, educational and mentoring.

“I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14 NIV

4. Character [an equipping task]
Will the person last in their calling? How is their character?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV

The church as we know it today is very strongly oriented toward teaching and preaching. This stems largely from the value we have placed upon knowledge. As a result our leadership has been made up primarily by pastor/teachers who are now paid professionals.

Equipping, as a task set by Christ for saints to accomplish, falls inside two broad themes that Jesus spoke of:

* The great commandment and
* The great commission.

Equipping is based first on the instruction to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. He is our model, he is our source. It is him we are trying to grow up to become like. Equipping is based secondly on the instruction to go into all the world, make disciples and instruct them in all Christ taught and to obey all he said. This discipleship process is central.

An effective discipleship program

Equipping does not come from attending a single event and it cannot come from simply bringing your friends to an evangelistic rally or going to watch “Passion of the Christ”, or even having a prophetic, evangelist, pastoral,apostolic, teaching seminar. Although we may train and activate in a seminar, equipping is a lifetime process.

 Mentorship and relationship is most important over a period of time in equipping.

 Some closing thoughts:
* You cannot imitate someone you cannot access;
* You cannot give what you do not have;
* You cannot teach what you do not know;
* You cannot share what is not yours;
* You cannot impart (stir up and educate others)what you do not practice successfully yourself.