THE WAY OF BLESSING

Lesson 1 - The Way of Blessing

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

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

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

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

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

God, the Source of Blessing

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

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

God is Blessed

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

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

He Has Blessed Us

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

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

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

How We are Blessed

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

1. With All Blessings

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

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

2. With Every Spiritual Blessing

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

3. From the Heavenly Realm

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

4. In Christ

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

-

-

THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH- PS. 91

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

VERSE 1

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

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

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

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

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

VERSE 2

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

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

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

VERSE 3

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

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

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

VERSE 4

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

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

VERSES 5 & 6

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

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

VERSE 7

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

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

VERSE 8

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

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

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

VERSES 9&10

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

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

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

VERSE 11

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

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

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

VERSE 12

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

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

VERSE 13

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

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

VERSE 14

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

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

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

VERSE 15

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

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

VERSE 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CALLINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then exactly what are we called to do.

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

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

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

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

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

The Callings of God

You are called to have fellowship with His Son.

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

You are called to walk in the light.

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

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

You are called into the grace of God.

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

You are called according to His purpose.

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

You are called unto liberty.

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

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

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

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

You are called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

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

You were called to inherit a blessing.

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

You were called to be a saint.

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

Eph 1:17-23

You are called into His Kingdom and Glory.

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

You are called to be justified and glorified.

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

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

Rom 9:23-24

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

Just to name a few, there are many more.

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

Jesus in the SIXTY-SIX BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Consider the themes of the sixty-six books:

In Genesis, He is the Creator God.

In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.

In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is your guide.

In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.

In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.

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

In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;

In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.

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

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

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

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

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

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

but has the power to do something about them.

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

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

it successfully.

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

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

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

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

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

sin-sick soul.

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

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

assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.

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

out of time.

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

back-even when you have abandoned Him.

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

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

side.

In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.

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

In Micah, He is judge of the nation.

In Nahum, He is the jealous God.

In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.

In Zephaniah, He is the witness.

In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies

In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.

In Malachi, He is the messenger God.

In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.

In Mark, He is the servant.

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

In John, He is the Son of God.

In Acts, He is Savior of the world.

In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

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

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

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

In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.

In Philippians, He is your joy.

In Colossians, He is your completeness.

In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.

In II Thessalonians, He is your patience and discipline.

In I Timothy, He is your faith.

In II Timothy, He is your stability.

In Titus, He is the truth.

In Philemon, He is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, He is your perfection.

In James, He is the power behind your faith.

In I Peter, He is your example.

In II Peter, He is your purity.

In I John, He is your life.

In II John, He is your pattern.

In III John, He is your motivation.

In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.

In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

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

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

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

(Colossians 1:17)

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

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

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

2 . Being a Doer of the Word

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Being cleansed by the Word

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

6. Being transformed into the image of Christ

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

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

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

8. Daily renewing the mind and being renewed in knowledge

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

9. Speaking the truth in love

10. Knowing you are becoming better

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

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

THE GOD OF PEACE

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

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

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

The God Of Peace Will Crush Satan

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

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

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

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

Peacemakers Are Sons Of God

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

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

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

LEGAL AND VITAL SIDE OF REDEMPTION

LEGAL SIDE (SPIRIT MAN)

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

New Creation

Mind of Christ

More than a Conqueror

Overcomer

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

Sons and daughters of God

Heirs of God

Joint heirs with Jesus Christ

Redeemed/Justified/

Made righteous

Free from guilt and condemnation

Partaker of His divine nature(love)

Authority given/Legal right to use His Name

Perfect fellowship with God

Destiny sealed

Ministers of reconciliation

Faith of God

Ability to speak the creative Word

VITAL SIDE( SOUL/BODY)

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

Daily renewed in spirit; mind is renewed

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

Being saved, sanctified in soul and body

Maturing into manifested sons of God, pure spotless

Prospering as soul prospers

By faith and obedience righteousness accounted to us

Walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit

Walking in love, love shed abroad in our hearts

Lay hands on sick, cast out demons, Word

Communion/intimacy, no veil

Being led by spirit, Word a light to pathway

Repairers of the breach, restoring,

Growing in faith, as Word is seeded in heart

Decree and Declare, see the establishment