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After The Fact

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Riches In Revelation

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Revelation 3:14-22

[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Let us analyze some verses as we go through:

Verses 14-16

Laodecia had two different kinds of water in other nearby cities:

–        Hierapolis was known for its hot waters that was often used for spa-like healing purposes.

–        Colossae was known for pure and cold drinking water.

One point to take note of here is that the waters of Laodecia was known for their waters that would make one sick and was often undrinkable. The significance of this shows several things, but one above all: it shows that the church is not useful when the waters they keep are not for healing and refreshment. When water grows stale and still it is more susceptible for things to intermingle into it, which in turn proves it not able to be consumed. Another common way to say this is that the lack of power in the church was being identified as without and not pleasing.

Verse 17

The type of complacency being shown here caused the church to be blind to the true state of how worldly things were destroying them. Case and Point? Lukewarm people actually feel satisfied in their life but yet lack the power of God to really be the true church full of the substance of the spirit.

Verse 18

Buying Gold Tried In The Fire – this is to say that it will refine the faith that was lacking from a people that had been satisfied with its own worldly goods.

White Raiment – is washed by the blood of the lamb and used to cover the spiritual nakedness and shame. (read verses 15 to 16 again for clarity)

Eye Salve – anointing the eyes with salve would remedy the spiritual blindness and encourage people to be earnest and repent when they are aware of the magnitude of sin.

The solution as it was read here was to not be complacent but to repent of their sins , search out the joy of God’s will, and to take the true faith of God. This is what will cause us in today’s church to not be blind and continue the ever-raging battle for those in need of a relationship with Christ.

Verse 20

The analogy of the door represents being able to be alert enough to hear a knock. In other words, we are saying that we must not be asleep or idle in our walk with God just in case there is a call to do or change something! The great thing about it is that God will knock and give the chance for everyone to come and to change!

When it comes to overcoming your life faith and obedience are everything when done together! As we work through our trials to victory we must mix these together to be led by God to realize our real riches in life: the relationship and benefits of God!

Additional notes also provided by Brent Griffith

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

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Philippians 4:4-9

[4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

For this part I would like to break down key verses into points:

Verse 4

This verse is directing towards having thankfulness for anything. Another good way to say that is to be thankful and satisfied with all of the good things that come in our lives.

Verse 6

The verse here calls for us to be the devoted Christians that we know we can be and to have prayerfulness for anything!

Verse 7

This has two important key pieces to note:

1)    A sense of carefulness for anything

and

2)    Knowing in great depth the peace of God

The good way to think about this would be to have a mindset that is less worrisome over everything. This will allow the peace of God to do its wonderful work.

Verse 9

Reading this should let us know that as we are ready to give ourselves to God that His presence pours out upon ours! How do we know? By the experiences and lessons that we learn over the course of our lives!

A Love For Christ Brings Love For Life

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2 Samuel 16:5-13

[5] And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
[6] And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
[7] And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
[8] The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
[9] Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
[10] And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
[11] And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
[12] It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
[13] And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

Shimei (by the favor of what he felt from Absalom being in power) went with a boldness to come against a man (David) that he saw at the time as the man who wronged him for the death of Saul (the mistakes he had made.

Often times we jump out into irrational decisions or words without reason, words with a given reason, or words followed by action. What David demonstrated by letting him alone was the great beginnings of a showing of the mercy and love of God through people. Saying the Lord might requite him is another way of saying, “I will trust the Lord with my affliction”. This is a great example of the love of God prevailing over our natural perspective or point of view (flesh). Abishai is also a great reflection of our flesh attempting to get in the way!

2 Samuel 19:16-23

[16] And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
[17] And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
[18] And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
[19] And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
[20] For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
[21] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?
[22] And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
[23] Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Shimei had been moved to confess to David that he wronged him and wanted it to be essentially forgiven. No doubt David could have dwelled in high-mindedness and remembered what had happened prior to make him behave the same way. We could have been reading about a motive of revenge, wrath or other irrational behavior. Yet, the love of God is shown again!

John 15:17-27

[17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
[22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
[23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
[24] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
[25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
[26] But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
[27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:1-3

[1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
[2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
[3] And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

The promise of the comforter gives us the ability to not only show love but to have mercy for those that sin and do not have an intimate relationship with God.

Blessed Are They That Endure

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James 1:1-15

[1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
[6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
[7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
[8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
[9] Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
[10] But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
[11] For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
[12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
[13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
[15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.We need to learn to count it a privilege when we have a chance to be as tried, and not always either in-between or never making it through the trials of life.

Hebrews 13:5-6

[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

How that we need to be content with such as we have! If we cannot ever say that we are thankful for what God has done or is doing, we will never get into the place where we can faithfully say “such as I have, I give unto thee”. It is that living substance that goes SO FAR BEYOND any possession that we find of worth.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
[13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The reality of it all is that there will be things items and issues that come up in your life. There is no safe zone! However I am happy to say that God will always provide the means for you to be able to make it through with gladness.

Hebrews 2:1-4

[1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
[2] For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
[4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Unless we abide in the presence of the most High we may lose the very thing that will keep us in our love and works: faith! As the spirit will continue in our hearts, it will help us in not only keeping our salvation sweet and cherished but our mind to a peaceful place of rest.

Jesus Is Where The Need Is

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Matthew 8:2-4

[2] And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[3] And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
[4] And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Christ is found with the leper, those so ill all had forsaken them. The spirit of God wants to perform works to where the needs are, yet when we are not in the place to let it dwell within our temple (personal life) we may miss that very season of time to see it done.

John 5:5-8

[5] And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
[6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
[7] The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
[8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Jesus is found where friends neglect and religion and tradition loses its ability to have compassion. I am so glad I was not saved by the church service timesheet structure. I am glad that when we break our own rules sometimes that we come to realize that God is neither on a timeframe nor structure. There is a Holy appointed structure; it is called the will of God! There is also a guide to following it as well? It’s the word of God that lives in you and that which you read from the pages of life (bible).

Matthew 9:27-31

[27] And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
[28] And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
[29] Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
[30] And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
[31] But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Jesus is found where the blind will not only walk in faith but believe!

Matthew 18:28-35

[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Christ is found where the poor are persecuted and are put under bondage!

It’s Time to Turn on the Light of God

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Matthew 6:22-34

[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
[23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
[26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
[27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
[28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
[29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
[32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
[33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

The substance of your temple is your seeker, and your seeker must be single or only focused upon God. The eye here represents your ability to seek God. As we seek God and remove other things out of the equation of what consumes us, we become “single” or as one; this is similar to how you would make yourself as one with a person that you would want a relationship with!

Ephesians 5:6-14

[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
[7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

The light gives wisdom to what is around you. It invokes knowledge by what it gives light to. Oh how the love and light of God will expose the plan of the enemy and how we can be guarded and so much more prepared than we normally are! It baffles me to no end to think that we consider ourselves “prepared” yet we treat God like a flashlight and just expect the gift of wisdom and knowledge to bail us out each time we get in trouble or periods of darkness! God wants the lights on all the time! We need to remember that light has no fellowship with darkness. Light only has the ability to illuminate and overcome darkness.

Luke 12:2-3

[2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
[3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

The light of God not only will uncover truths and revelations for your life but will also reveal to you the parts of us that are not so good. I know this is one of the hardest things to preach (TRUST ME), but it is in the good purpose of good to rid us of sin to strengthen us to fight against temptation by using the light! We will never be caught off guard or by surprise by anything when you have a clear view of what it is that you are facing!

John 1:1-17

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] 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.
[15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
[16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 8:12

[12] Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

As the word that God spoken to it brought the light that we dwell within the word, so is the light of Christ within us as well! Shine your light so that others can begin to see the good things in your life! It will provide a way to Christ through your love and obedience.

Change Through The Sufferings Of Christ

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John 19:1-6

[1] Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
[2] And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
[3] And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
[4] Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
[5] Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
[6] When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Genesis 22:7-13

[7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
[9] And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
[10] And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
[11] And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Horns were as a sign of strength and power (authority). The symbol of sheep is a sign of humility. The sheep mentioned here is made in reference to a ram (male) instead of a ewe (female). The ram shows the foreshadowing of Christ. Here is the ram caught about the horns (head) in a thicket (bushes or branches) prior to its sacrifice, thus revealing the crown of thorns.

John 19:31-33

[31] The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
[32] Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
[33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Psalms 34:18-20

[18] The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
[19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
[20] He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.As we read this, we recognize the fruit of the new man: it is what we have become through Christ and what we consume to live!

In Pilates not allowing the legs to be broken, the scripture in Psalms was fulfilled, thus demonstrating the favor of God.

John 19:34-38

[34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
[35] And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
[36] For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
[37] And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
[38] And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

This scripture showed that Christ laid down His life of himself. It broke the fountain of life! The blood and water flowed out, signifying the two great benefits to which believers partake of daily: justification and sanctification. The blood of Christ is for our atonement while the water (of the spirit) is for the purification and stirring of the gifts and callings that flow continually. It is also important to remember that the waters of  the spirit flow continually and are a refresher for whomsoever is in need of the comforter (Holy Ghost).

Matthew 27:50-54

[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
[51] 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;
[52] And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
[53] And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
[54] Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

The power of the living God came before the tomb and was a powerful move of God when Jesus gave up the ghost! That same resurrection power is here to heal your life and raise the spiritually dead!

Mark 15:15-17

[15] And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
[16] And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
[17] And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

The scourging was by tradition 40 lashes minus one. The strap was usually split up into several ends with the tips combined with sharpened lamb bones, stones, and glass. This weapon inflicted great suffering and affliction, all for our healing (1 Peter 2:24).

Mark 15:21-22

[21] And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
[22] And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

Simons walk with Christ (in His suffering) demonstrates the love and humility that was demonstrated towards man, thus showing the fellowship that God has wanted from the beginning.

Luke 23:39-43

[39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
[40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
[41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The two thieves remind me of how that man has failed all the way even unto death (at times) and how yet that God still has extended mercy for every person for that present moment. As the scripture has made known and we have conveyed continually, there is no better time than now than to begin your life with Jesus Christ!

Knowing The Things We Cannot Do Without

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1 Corinthians 12:3

[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

We cannot have religion without the Holy Ghost. The spirit will bear witness to your belief, and essentially (to put it simply), “you’ll know that you know”.

Acts 5:29

[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

We cannot handle secular matters without God. Peter’s words should remind us that we must learn to not handle our worldly business solely on our own. Secular things only will (first of all) happen and (finally) bless us as we seek and incorporate God!

1 Thessalonians 5:3

[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

We must not preach Heaven without hell. We can preach being saved and inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. Praise the Lord for that! However, we must also present the fact that there is a hell and destruction. People cannot be deceived from the lack of truth.

Colossians 3:17

[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We must not live a life of Christianity without Christ. There is so much of what appears to take on the appearance and sound of church, but without Christ it will have no substance or power to draw us or others in need.

John 3:3

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We must not attempt to live and have salvation without regeneration. Without the belief, commitment and experience that the spirit of God bears witness to, we are attempting a form of salvation. Without the renewing power of Christ, our sins still hold bondage.

Matthew 10:38

[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We must learn that we cannot have crowns of life without crosses. When we do not partake in the belief of Jesus sufferings and try to execute a life of Christianity, please do not expect to reap the rewards of the blessing without the foundation being established in your life!

Isaiah 55:7

[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

We cannot have forgiveness without repentance! If we continually come short and lack in the act and ability to repent, we tend to pile up all of this without knowing it and ultimately falling (spiritually).

Luke 22:15-22

[15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
[16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
[17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
[18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
[19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
[21] But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
[22] And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

The cup of wine (or as it was known then according to the Torah as the cup of salvation) was produced at the cost of the grape (Jesus Christ). The grape loses its individuality as it is pressed out and the fruit of the wine is ready for use (the sacrifice for sin). Partaking shows our participation in it. In the bible wine represented joy, gladness, or the joy of the Kingdom.

What’s On Your Tree?

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Galatians 5:19-25

[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Matthew 7:17-20

[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The fruit that we bear will declare the nature of the tree, right? What we show and demonstrate each and every day will show what is of the true roots of our being! That’s pretty plain to me! When I examine myself and I do not see Christ in every action and word then I have received the answer to “what do I need to change”. The first fruits of our lives should be Christ!

Romans 7:5-6

[5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
[6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

As we read here, we know the fruit of the old man represents the person that we use to be or what we tend to try to fall back on when we face harder times. We must learn to recognize this so that we can learn to grow out of that discouraging life!

Romans 6:21-23

[21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
[22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we read this, we recognize the fruit of the new man: it is what we have become through Christ and what we consume to live!

Mark 11:13-14

[13] And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
[14] And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Fruit is expected and not just leaves alone; in other words not just to know God but to have the relationship and the spirit bear witness. That is to say, it will be something you know and feel and that others will be able to partake from you.

John 15:2,8

[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Fruit bearing is helpful to you but is of most benefit for others. It is for the molding of your life and the example to be ‘witnessed’ by others. Most importantly, as you come through in victory your testimony and the impact it has upon other people gives glory to God.

Matthew 13:22

[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Fruit is hindered by bad surroundings (ground that is not kept). In other words if the flesh or part of us that will not let God lead us refuses to break down, the ground will be impossible to receive seed.

The Turning Point

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Luke 17:11-19

[11] And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
[12] And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
[13] And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
[14] And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
[15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
[16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
[17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
[18] There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
[19] And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

The mercy of God should yield and produce thanksgiving within us. Getting closer to God happens by trusting Him. Even when we feel so far away from God, we should never forget that God is right there!

2 Kings 5:10-15

[10] And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
[11] But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
[12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
[13] And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
[14] Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
[15] And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

The foreigner is the most sensitive to Jesus. Those who respond to God may not be who you expect. Naturally one would expect your pastors, preachers, teachers and singers to; however as we yield unto each other’s flesh the spiritual response fades. As we read from the way that the Jews did not return unto Jesus (due to their lack of being able to give glory to another Jew), God’s blessings are often unappreciated and less to be appreciated.

1 Peter 4:1-19

[1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
[2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
[3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
[4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
[5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
[17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
[18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
[19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

If there is anything that I could leave you with today, it would be that the turning point in our lives should always be to come to Christ each day, resisting the part of ourselves that wants to dwell in the world and feign to its sin and weaknesses. You cross the turning point and stay in victory by abiding in the spirit of God as He is in you. As you come to realize this power, you will not be ashamed and will be proud to proclaim that He is Lord of your life and will want to spread the gospel of God!