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After The Fact

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Going Down Before We Rise Up

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2 Chronicles 20:1-25

[1] It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
[2] Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.
[3] And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
[4] And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
[5] And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
[6] And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
[7] Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
[8] And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
[9] If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
[10] And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
[11] Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
[12] O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
[13] And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
[14] Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
[15] And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
[16] To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
[17] Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
[18] And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
[19] And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
[20] And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
[21] And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
[22] And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
[23] For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
[24] And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
[25] And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

Jehoshaphat was good, Godly, and faithful and still not exempt from trouble. The Moabites, Ammonites and others from Edom were coming against him and of Judah. The key part of this to simply say is that when we are faced with things that are going to pull us down or destroy us that the only solution to take in the beginning of all things is to seek God. We have to begin to go down before we can ever rise up with victory.

Just as Judah came together, let’s remember the power of a church. It’s not to just gather for a social or entertainment experience, but to reach out and help those that are in need. As they came together in praise and worship, God fought their battle on their behalf. We have got to start applying this and remembering to not make it a battle when we are in service; for when you truly come together and seek God, God will perform the great works at hand.

As Jahaziel spoke and was confirmed by Jehoshaphat, we need to also “back” or support those that will step out as God would lead them in a greater way! Let’s not let support just be based on what we like or do not like: this kind of praise is based on carnality and not the spiritual unity that God intended. True worship is when God is centered in it, and when opinions and favoritism steps out of the way.

The part that is encouraging to me is that the obedience unlocked more spoils from the battle than they could even carry; more than they would have imagined when they were in fear. When God fights your battles, you are able to then receive what is out there when God performs it rather than you!

Evaluating Our Hindrances

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Exodus 14:8-9

[8] And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
[9] But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.

Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel is a very good representation of how evil forces in our lives pursue us today.

Luke 22:31

[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Jesus even was saying to Peter during His life on earth that Satan desired to have them. The word “have” is a very strong word when it comes to the ownership of your life or soul.

Exodus 14:21-22

[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
[22] And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

The opening of the Red Sea when compared to today is a good comparison to the hindrances in our life being removed.

Luke 23:34

[34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

The way was completely made when Jesus made the sacrifice for us; it was made for our deliverance. How powerful were the words “Father, forgive them”? It immediately remitted our sins and provided the way we know today!

Exodus 14:19-20

[19] And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
[20] And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Reading about the pillar of cloud and fire reminds me of the divine presence of God that is with us now!

Acts 2:17-21

[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

His presence is still with us! So what do we begin to do about our hindrances? How different are we than these we read of here?

Exodus 12:38

[38] And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

The mixed multitudes demonstrated then what we would know as the worldly element that is present in a church without the leadership of God in it.

Exodus 16:3

[3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

The flesh pots get right down to where we are with our sensual pleasures of life. Dependency on sin can be a direct hindrance, whether we choose to acknowledge that or not. So what do we have to overcome our hindrances?

Exodus 16:4

[4] Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

The manna here for them is our representation of Jesus Christ to us today; for He is the bread of life to us as He is in us each and every day.

Exodus 17:6

[6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

The water from the rock was refreshing then, but how much more is the refreshment of knowing that we still have access to the living water through Christ!

1 Corinthians 10:4

[4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

When reading that they drank of the Rock, the Rock here to me is what we base our faith and beliefs upon; that Jesus came and died so that we could have life and it more abundantly!

The Strength Of The Spirit

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Ezekiel 36:24-29

[24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
[28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[29] I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

Ezekiel speaks on the blessings that were being spoken to Israel, speaking on the transformation of the heart. That spirit we have today is used to cleanse us, to walk in the statutes, and do them!

John 14:16-28

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
[22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
[24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
[25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
[28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Jesus was speaking about the spirit that would be there for us in our time of need, that what was being left behind would keep us until we get to Heaven!

Romans 8:9-10

[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

So when we are in the spirit, He is with us, and without it we are our flesh and the part that is sin. We need the spiritual things to keep us each and every day while we live!

1 John 2:27-29

[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
[28] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
[29] If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

The spirit will teach you, not man, not tradition, not doctrine, not religion, not what you had always thought you knew, but the spirit will!  We need not be ashamed!

Following God’s Plan

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A lot of us need to forsake our focus on “God’s will for my life”. I know that that sounds like a big shocking statement, but read on. God wants a response about us moving and working in his spirit today! We use searching for God’s will as a crutch so our fears over making mistakes never come. We need to come to a decision to start living now. Let us use a couple applied examples from the scriptures.

Galatians 5:16-25

[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[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.

The spirit and flesh work directly against each other. Verses 19-21 lay out some specific works of the flesh. Verses 22-23 lay out some specific works of the spirit. If they are Christ’s, we have already put to death the flesh (along with the parts that lift it up). If it’s in there, let it go with you! Put into practice what you believe in Christ!

Paul said in the passage above to walk by the spirit and you will not gratify your flesh; that if we live in it (the spirit) thereby we also walk in it. In essence that is saying if the spirit of God lives in you that it is going to show on you and show to others.

We’re getting into this mold of what we like to call church, with new followers who will not follow. God does not want big numbers, short services, an engaging speaker and all of that with no spirit!

He wants his bride to be a faithful people and lovers of him.

I am beginning to wonder if the Lord is looking down upon us and seeing us as the prophets of Baal more than the prophet of Elijah, the prophet of God.

1 Kings 18:18-40

[18] And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
[19] Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
[20] So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
[21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
[22] Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
[23] Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
[24] And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
[25] And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
[26] And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
[27] And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
[28] And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
[29] And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
[30] And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
[31] And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
[32] And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
[33] And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
[34] And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
[35] And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
[36] And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
[37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
[38] Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
[39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
[40] And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Sounds like some of our services, right? There is lots of noise but no God?!? They did not say how wonderful the speaker or praise band was, but they acknowledged God alone for the works that were performed at that time. We need to learn to worship what has been performed in our lives, and to not settle for just a bit of peace, but the peace of God:

Philippians 4:7

[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When you consider Elijah, read the passage below and it will begin to unlock higher heights and deeper depths in your life.

Three things stand out here:

1)    It wasn’t in the numbers

2)    Giving glory to anything other than God will not work

3)    God is powerful enough to defy anything that we would consider impossible

James 5:15-20

[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
[17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
[18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
[19] Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
[20] Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

He (Elijah) was subject to the same battles we face, and yet still took a stand for God. He prayed earnestly, passionately; this is where we need to find our prayer lives: with faith and with passion!

Praying for rain and no rain and seeing them both come to pass not only demonstrated the faith that Elijah had but the almighty power of God!

Recognizing Our Bondage

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In Galatians 4, Paul explains the difference between a slave and a child. He wanted to make sure the Galatians were enjoying the path made by Jesus Christ. The epistle to the Galatians shows other missionaries were in conflict with Paul at that time. The Jewish-Christians from Palestine had visited the congregations of the Galatians after Paul’s visit there and was trying to teach that what Paul had taught prior to them coming was not complete. They were trying to persuade some of the Galatians that salvation required observance of the laws of the Torah, which included circumcision. Paul writes to rebuke and to persuade the Galatians in this letter. Paul communicates in this letter that Christianity, with its emphasis on faith in Christ, is antithetical to religion which approaches God based on good works. He also argues that nothing can be added to Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin, nor circumcision or any other external religious forms.

Galatians 4:1-3

[1] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
[2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

When we were in bondage of the elements of the world, as an heir I differed not from a slave, or in other words anyone else in bondage. When I was saved, I was set free from the bondages of sin, and brought forth from the slavery of being lost (and being in bondage to the world as well). That should excite anyone that has a relationship with God if you really begin to think about it long enough! If we cannot begin to learn to live as children of God and mature to be the people God wants us to be, we will continually be as slaves to sin!

Acts 15:8-11

[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Galatians 4:4-7

[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
[5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Jesus Christ was sent to redeem, we receive the redemption and adoption as sons, and if a son, then an heir of God through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 4:8-9

[8] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
[9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

When we did not know God, it was our instinct to turn to which by nature were things other than God. So how in this world could we begin to turn back to what we were before after we start to know God or are known by God? I do not know about you, but I have no desire to go back into the bondage I was freed from!

Galatians 5:1

[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Do not walk back into what you came out of!

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he emphasizes in the passage below:

Romans 8:15-17.

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

We are accepted, and the victory comes when the kingdom is fully realized!

Beating Life’s Storms

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Mark 4:1-2 – Jesus Teaching at the sea side

[1] And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
[2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Mark 4:3-8 – Jesus giving the parable of the sower

[3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
[4] And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
[5] And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
[6] But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
[7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
[8] And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mark 4:9-10 – The people began to question

[9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

Mark 4:11-33 – Christ brings out the deeper meaning of it

[11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
[13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
[14] The sower soweth the word.
[15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
[16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
[17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
[18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
[19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
[20] And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
[21] And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
[22] For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
[23] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
[24] And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
[25] For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
[26] And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
[27] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
[28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
[29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
[30] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
[31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
[32] But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
[33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Mark 4:34 – Christ broke it down further for his disciples

[34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Mark 4:35 – Christ asked the disciples to come along across the waters

[35] And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

Mark 4:36-38 – As the winds blew down, they became worried

[36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 4:39 – Christ first rebuked the wind, then spoke to the sea

[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:40 – Jesus questions their faith

[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 4:41- The disciples realized His power

[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

North of Jerusalem about 80 miles lies a body of water known as the sea of

Galilee. It is roughly 12 miles long and 7 miles wide. The sea is quite low at about 680 feet below sea level. The river Jordan flows through it on its way to the Dead Sea. It was the lake that Jesus knew as a child and young man. It was only 12 to 15 miles from this childhood home of Nazareth.

Jesus used the boat to get a few yards out so all could see and hear. As the heat became so great on the sea and the hills around the water, and considering that those hills were very high, this would allow cold air to rush in from above and create truly violent winds. These were the kind of storms they were experiencing as they went across. Jesus calming the storm was one of His demonstrated miracles of power over Nature.

It demonstrated the power of rebuke and how we need to put into practice rebuke AND speaking peace. Demonstrated Godly authority to the enemy AND faith in God bringing peace to your mind!

John 2:6-11 – Water Into Wine

[6] And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
[7] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
[8] And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
[9] When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
[10] And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
[11] This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

When you read about the containers, let us put it into perspective:

1 firkin = 9 Gallons

1 Water pot = 2 or 3 firkins (18-27 Gallons per pot)

6 Water pots = 108-162 Possible Gallons of changed water!

The people that drew the water knew that it was truly a miracle. Not just because of the change of contents, but because of the volume of the change. Normally wine is a very long process and would take longer than literally a few spoken words. You can just consider that by the sacrifice of Jesus and grace of God that we are not the old covenant, but of that new wine of Christ!

Rest Remains

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Hebrews 4:9-12 – Rest Remains!

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There remains therefore a rest to the people of God! We cannot enter into rest until we cease from our own works! It’s there for you if you are willing to come into rest!

Rest can only come for the children of God when we begin to surrender the things that keep us away from our focus to God. It’s hard to acknowledge things in this manner, but when done can truly unlock a powerful virtue within you! To be able to be in the middle of a trial and enter in the rest of God is far more of value than anything you could use to replace it! That should speak to each and every one of us!

Luke 6:35-38 – Rewards For The Benevolent!

[35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

There is rest for the benevolent! Learn to be selfless and your reward can be great. Learn to be merciful! When we learn to live with the mind of Christ, our quality of life as well as the qualities of our character will begin to change. We will begin to become strong witnesses of God and the clear distinction of separation from the world will be truly present in you.

Matthew 10:40-42 – Rewards For The Humble Servants!

[40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
[41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
[42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

When we lose our lives for Christ we find that eternal life! When we give to other fellow servants, we shall not lose our blessings! Amazing! If we can we learn to unlock this as individuals and as a church, the blessings will absolutely begin to flow in an abundance in your/our lives!

2 Timothy 2:10-13 – The Word Not Bound

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

The word of God is not bound. If we live, we live. If we deny, we deny. When we read into it like that, it paints a pretty simple picture. Let us learn to not be ashamed and not only come into acceptance but to start learning to advertise how wonderful God is in our lives!

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 – Light Afflictions!

[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our outward man will always come short and fail, but the spiritual person CAN continue! Those things that are not seen are eternal (and spiritual). We can through faith continue in life and have joy while we are here until we get to inherit those things far eternal!

Romans 8:18-26 – The Glory Will Be Revealed!

[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The spirit will help our infirmities! The infirmities are not worthy to be compared to the testimony and experiences that you will be able to speak of once you have conquered and came through!

1 Corinthians 15:24-26,46-58 – Staying True

[24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
[25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
[26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
[48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
[49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord! The church of today needs to step up and be the true example for the church of tomorrow. We cannot be the church of the past. Let God lead you into that new life! The Lord will come quickly, you better be ready!

The Inner Well

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The Well – close and local in its refreshment

Isaiah 12:1-6

[1] And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
[3] Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
[4] And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
[5] Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
[6] Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

We draw our Joy of life when we draw from the living waters of the spirit through our obedience and praise! If we have any willpower and desire whatsoever, we have to remember to push with all that we have, for God is always worthy through what we receive and through our salvation that we received through Jesus Christ! We can continually draw from our prior experiences, but how your spiritual waters are refreshed as you create new experiences by trusting God for new things and seeing them come through faith!

The Brook – for the one who is lost (as a pilgrim) and intermittent in its flow

Psalms 110:7

[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

We can come to the brook to be lifted up, encouraged, and strengthened when we are weak! You can always draw from the brook! I found myself once as a pilgrim and a stranger that came to the river without understanding of the spirit of God. Now that I know, I know that it is something that will NEVER run dry and something that I can always draw from and as God pours into me equips me to be able to give to others!

The Inward Well – of spiritual experience

John 4:7-15

[7] There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
[8] (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
[9] Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
[10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
[11] The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
[12] Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
[13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
[14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
[15] The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Everlasting life, salvation, the waters of the spirit are always freely available and ready for you! There are many things that always come with a cost, but all of the previously listed qualities are there for whosoever will that would be willing to come! That excites me! I’m glad that the way was made for each and every one of us!

The Inward Well – becomes a flowing river of blessings (after the baptism of the Holy Spirit)

John 7:36-39

[36] What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

This reiterates what was spoken to the woman at the well. And as we apply it to us in the day that we live in, we have to remember to distinguish the difference between the inward and outward well. Leaning on the outward well (our flesh) is a formula for failure. Putting our faith and trust on the inward well (the spiritual person) is the only thing that will hold strong in times when we are required to endure through trials and temptations!

The River – Gives life wherever it flows

Ezekiel 47:9

[9] Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

Wherever there are obedient vessels and boldness to be what God wants us to be, there is life and abundance of life. As we see churches in our modern day, obedience is becoming frowned upon and discouraged. We need to come back to the place where we have churches that welcome free obedience, and to take the time to allow people to participate in free worship to Christ. This way was not made just for us to try and close it back up! Do not allow forms, fashions and traditions stand in the way of the living waters of the spirit of God!

The River – Unaffected by time or season

Zechariah 14:8-9

[8] And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
[9] And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

The waters of the spirit are always freely available and are always in season! There should not be a non-spiritual service. It’s always there! We often wait on this and that, but the rivers are continual, and are always ready for those that will draw. If you could ever see now more than ever we need to be more than just existing; we need to be living from the waters of God!

The River – Never runs out, it is inexhaustible

Revelation 7:16-17

[16] They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
[17] For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

We draw from something here on earth that keeps us in peace! We do not hunger or thirst for the world any longer!

The River – It will make you fruitful

Revelation 22:1,2,17

[1] And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
[2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

We can become free and we can be fruitful in this life! We can draw from the waters of Christ and Christ will flow out of the depths of us!

Godly Love And Fellowship

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Some key purposes when you read in 1 John:

  • Increase their joy (1 John 1:4)
  • To guard them against sin (1 John 2:1)
  • To warn people against false teachers (1 John 2:26)
  • To strengthen their faith in Christ and assure them of eternal life! (1 John 5:13)

1 John 3:1-2

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We cannot be as we were when we become and are a son of God! We are changed! His love is manifested through the exaltation of the believer into a sonship of the Son, Christ!

God has no respect of person, so we should remember when we come to him that we ALL can come to God regardless of race, gender, status, or doctrines that have been placed before you. It was written that whosoever will could come! And until we receive that sonship, we cannot begin to realize who He is, and the world will still know you as you are. When you are changed in Christ, you will know it.

1 John 3:3-10

[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
[5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
[6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
[7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
[9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
[10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

When we walk of God, we walk a new walk and talk a new talk. What we have placed within us is born of God! It cannot fail you! When we start to ABIDE in Him, we can begin to build a resistance to the old sin that we once had trouble with, and are now prepared to face all the new trials of life that are now ahead of us in the future!

The test of your walk with God is ultimately how you live your life for Him. God remains in you, so you are able to continually walk each day without giving up. It might seem hard to do, but by faith and the experiences of your life (testimony) you are able to draw strength. Prayer and fasting and reading help too!

1 John 3:11-15

[11] For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
[12] Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
[13] Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
[14] We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
[15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

When we live in evil works it begins to show on us, and our lives begin to come to a standstill. When our minds continually inherit sin on a daily basis, people cannot draw or be drawn from neither the light of our witness nor the fruitfulness of God in our lives.

As we read above, brotherly love is going to be the distinguishing mark of your spiritual life. The way that we are able to reach out to people in love regardless of what they have done puts into practice and demonstration the mind and heart of Christ!

1 John 3:16-18

[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Let us do it in deed and truth! It is shown by the word of God and your obedience! Demonstrate what is living inside of you by letting the overflow show through your acts of love (of God) towards others. Always remember that love begins to manifest itself in sacrifice and not just in words.

1 John 3:19-22

[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

If we begin to walk in His statutes and through His will, you will begin to walk a victorious life that is pleasing to God. The outcome of love will always be assurance through faith and answered prayer!

1 John 3:23-24

[23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
[24] And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

The faith that we have in each other and love that we carry will stand through anything that we must endure together as a body! Faith and brotherly love is a must to fellowship with God! They are connected!

Obedience And Sacrifice

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There were different types of offerings that were used by the Levites that are read of in the Old Testament, and as we read about them, you can see parts of them that tie into our lives in ways today.

Burnt Offerings

Atonement -> Greek -> Reconciliation

Atonement -> English -> At-One-Ment – to bring together

Leviticus 1:2-9 – Showing atonement and the consecration

[2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
[3] If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
[4] And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
[5] And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
[6] And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.
[7] And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
[8] And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
[9] But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

It was made with a male without blemish, and the inwards and legs washed with water. They brought their best, without blemish. That speaks mounds and volumes when we consider how we have to come to God of our own voluntary will and allow the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to bring us to the atonement in our lives today!

Galatians 4:3-6 – How do we tie that into our way of life today? By Jesus!

[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
[5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Christ became our atonement, our way to be brought back together with God! It draws all lost and saved together!

Meat (meal) Offerings

Leviticus 2:1-2 – Showing our thanksgiving

[1] And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:
[2] And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:

Aren’t we glad that we have come through this?

Isaiah 61:1,2,3,10-11

[1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
[2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

[10] I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
[11] For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

 

Being thankful, having praise is so important to have in your life! Thanksgiving shows humbleness and a sacrifice of all that would humble you! Being the church of today, the level of praise that you demonstrate shows the amount of life that you have to offer for others! Don’t be afraid to show the praises that God has placed within you! It was meant to come forth, not to be held silent.

Peace Offerings

Leviticus 7:11-15 – Showing the coming together and fellowship

[11] And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.
[12] If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
[13] Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
[14] And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings.
[15] And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

Some other verses to read here are:

Proverbs 16:7

[7] When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Romans 14:17

[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 5:22-23

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When I begin to abide in the peace of God, I can begin to allow people to bear of the fruit of the Spirit in my life. People can be drawn by the witness of God in you; not the parts of us that are unclean or are weak to sin. God wants us to come and offer all the things that would draw us away from peace, to allow us to walk in the Holy Ghost to find a spiritual calm! And yes, it is possible to do!

Sin Offerings

Leviticus 4:34-35

[34] And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:
[35] And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

I recommend reading all of chapter 4 to fully understand the significance of this.

This was as they did then, but Jesus became our sin offering, that we would be saved and set free!

Trespass Offerings

Leviticus 6:2-7 – showing cleansing us from guilt

[2] If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
[3] Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
[4] Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
[5] Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.
[6] And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
[7] And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

We have to bring something when we have failed, right? What we bring today by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is confessing our sins unto Him, and by the grace and mercies of God we are forgiven! We can be free from all the bondages that have tried to hold us captive. We can move forward in our lives. We do not have to live in bondage! That should stir each and every individual who is a child of God!

Luke 12:1-12

[1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[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.
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
[6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
[7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
[10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
[11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
[12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

We have to come and confess, it’s an age old commandment but not a phased out tradition! It is very much alive and well! When we come close to God, it will begin to lead us in the right direction; or in other words, the true will of God that was intended for us when we felt so lost and without a way to go!