John 14:13-14
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."
How many times have you read that scripture and never really thought about the privilege it grants us. We have access to all that God can do, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Notice what Jesus says specifically, "Whatever you ask in MY NAME," the amplified puts in parenthesis, [As presenting all that I AM.], that is the key, who do you say Jesus is. If you are using the name like an overused credit card, hoping to get what you want you miss the point. We need to realize that His name is what brings us into the throne room of God, its His name that demons fear, its His name that soon every knee will bow to and declare for all eternity to hear that He is Lord of All. I want to quickly examine the three areas His name should be operating in for optimum efficacy in our lives today.
1. Our preaching- While the move lately is to focus on more psychological, theological, slick sermons, where He is only mentioned as a galactic Santa Claus, our preaching should present the Christ of the Bible. You know, crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended, and soon returning, as the central point of our message. That is the message of salvation, the access to our deliverance, and key to overcoming the wiles of enemy.
2. Our warfare- We are in a battle, that isn't for land or ideology, but literally for the souls of humanity. Our enemy wants to grab as many souls as he can, keep the Christian defeated, and basically make life as hard as he can. As believers we have access through the name of Jesus, to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and through that access to the weapons that are mighty and effective. As believers in Christ, we operate in the authority of Christ, so when the enemy starts telling you how powerful he is, remind him that Christ has the keys to his house, and his days are numbered.
3. Our asking- As we mature in Christ our asking changes, not for more stuff, but more of Him. We begin asking our prayers to line up with scripture, and the revealed will of God. We go from asking for "that job", for more of your presence. We begin to see Him in a different light, not just as an ATM machine, ready to dispense stuff, but instead ready to give us the power we need to live as more that conquerors!!!
Prayer: Father IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I come and I ask you to reveal Jesus to me in all His Glory that I might fully comprehend who He is and His love for me. Fill me to overflowing with your presence. In that name I ask AMEN
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
What happened??
Galatians 3:1
You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
The Lord has really been dealing with my in my private prayer life as I have been seeking Him on what has changed with the church. Why do we not see the miracles, and power as we saw at the beginning of each movement in the Church. He has been directing me to the things the apostles preached, which was echoed by the early leaders of various movements, but you hear very little about today. We preach psychology, or even say that some of the doctrines we have held to are no longer relevant to the world we live in today. There are even some who believe that the crucifixion and resurrection story are too harsh for the people today. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says the "word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing", so we ignore this doctrine and then to add insult to injury, we no longer teach the return of Christ, but instead we preach a kingdom doctrine, saying we will bring heaven to earth! To mirror Paul's words "Who has cast a spell on you?"
Satan knows that he can not defeat the church as a whole, Christ promised that, BUT what he can do is attack the believer in such a way that they become powerless and in some cases, so far from God, they are no longer aware of His presence. I have been listening and reading sermons from early church movements, and the theme of redemption through the cross, and the soon return of Jesus, runs through every sermon, yet a sampling of today's menus in various churches reads more like Psychology Today, or Christianity Lite, that it stands to reason that Christ calls the current church age lukewarm, as we are neither on fire for God, or completely away from Him.
In the book of Exodus, the 10 spies completely forgot all that God had shown them in leaving Egypt, and failed to apply it to the current situation in the Promised Land. The disciples forgot the feeding of the multitude, when the storm came, forgetting that Jesus was their protector, and source. In both cases they had to be reminded of the power that they had access to. Today we have been told that the things that Christ did, we will do and more, yet as Elisha asked, where is the God of Elijah? He hasn't changed, we have like the church at Ephesus, we left our first love, and like other churches allowed false doctrine to reign, even giving voice to people we once thought as crack pots to have a national forum, that people follow without question!!
There are 3 spirits competing if you will for the church, the first two are evil incarnate, and the other was the one that birthed the church, brings believers into the fellowship, and has the power to STILL change lives today. The first two are the Spirit of Anti-Christ, the Spirit of Jezebel, and the third is of course the Holy Spirit. We choose as Joshua said, Whom we will serve.
Friend, today examine yourself and what you believe and have been taught. Do you believe that Christ was crucified and resurrected and is coming again, or do you instead believe that the stories are just to have a psychological meaning and that they are on the level with Grimm's Fairy Tales, only you know your answer. As for me I will believe the Lord and I look forward to His return.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
The Lord has really been dealing with my in my private prayer life as I have been seeking Him on what has changed with the church. Why do we not see the miracles, and power as we saw at the beginning of each movement in the Church. He has been directing me to the things the apostles preached, which was echoed by the early leaders of various movements, but you hear very little about today. We preach psychology, or even say that some of the doctrines we have held to are no longer relevant to the world we live in today. There are even some who believe that the crucifixion and resurrection story are too harsh for the people today. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says the "word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing", so we ignore this doctrine and then to add insult to injury, we no longer teach the return of Christ, but instead we preach a kingdom doctrine, saying we will bring heaven to earth! To mirror Paul's words "Who has cast a spell on you?"
Satan knows that he can not defeat the church as a whole, Christ promised that, BUT what he can do is attack the believer in such a way that they become powerless and in some cases, so far from God, they are no longer aware of His presence. I have been listening and reading sermons from early church movements, and the theme of redemption through the cross, and the soon return of Jesus, runs through every sermon, yet a sampling of today's menus in various churches reads more like Psychology Today, or Christianity Lite, that it stands to reason that Christ calls the current church age lukewarm, as we are neither on fire for God, or completely away from Him.
In the book of Exodus, the 10 spies completely forgot all that God had shown them in leaving Egypt, and failed to apply it to the current situation in the Promised Land. The disciples forgot the feeding of the multitude, when the storm came, forgetting that Jesus was their protector, and source. In both cases they had to be reminded of the power that they had access to. Today we have been told that the things that Christ did, we will do and more, yet as Elisha asked, where is the God of Elijah? He hasn't changed, we have like the church at Ephesus, we left our first love, and like other churches allowed false doctrine to reign, even giving voice to people we once thought as crack pots to have a national forum, that people follow without question!!
There are 3 spirits competing if you will for the church, the first two are evil incarnate, and the other was the one that birthed the church, brings believers into the fellowship, and has the power to STILL change lives today. The first two are the Spirit of Anti-Christ, the Spirit of Jezebel, and the third is of course the Holy Spirit. We choose as Joshua said, Whom we will serve.
Friend, today examine yourself and what you believe and have been taught. Do you believe that Christ was crucified and resurrected and is coming again, or do you instead believe that the stories are just to have a psychological meaning and that they are on the level with Grimm's Fairy Tales, only you know your answer. As for me I will believe the Lord and I look forward to His return.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Friday, September 22, 2017
Where does your faith come from?
1 Corinthians 2:5
so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.
Growing up in the church I have seen lots of changes over the years. From the Hell, fire, and brimstone messages as a kid, to the polished sermons of recent days. No place has this transition been more evident than in the Pentecostal movement. I notice less emphasis on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and His power and more reliance on the speaker's ability to move the congregation. This is a broad statement, and I realize that there are preachers, and churches we can still categorize as "Old time Pentecostal", but for the most part there aren't many. Why?? As I was reading and praying this morning I was reminded of the scripture above, that my faith should not be based on the sand of human wisdom, but on the power of a living God. This gave me three distinct thoughts I want to share with you.
1. Where does our faith come from? Does it come from fancy, well crafted sermons, meant to make us feel good about life and where we are right now? Does it come from well-reasoned theological discussions about God, or Bible Prophecy? Or does it come from men and women, preaching under the anointing of God, allowing Him to give them the word and then allowing the Spirit to confirm the Word. Hebrews tells us that "At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will." Notice the testimony! The early church saw these miracles, the early Pentecostal movement in the early 20th century saw these miracles. Where is the Lord God of Elijah???
2. What feeds our faith? Do we have a deep hunger for the word, or are we content with "fast food" sermons, that lack real content? Do we as believers remind ourselves daily that "God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do? Are we like Abraham are are fully convinced that God is able to keep His promises?
3. Who guides us in this walk?John 14:14-17 declares 2 things about the Holy Spirit. 1. He abides with us, and 2. He abides in us, why the distinction. He abides with us as our burden bearer, our advocate, or the one called along side. We can follow Him as Israel followed the cloud in the wilderness. He is also in us to help us walk and feed our faith. Jesus asked the Father to "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.". The Holy Spirit makes the word come alive in our hearts, it brings it to our remembrance when it is needed, it allows the word to go forth with power and bring about the miracles, and demonstration of God's power to give us a real basis for our faith.
I don't know about you, but I long to see God moving in our land again, as he has before. This may mean a shake up in the house of God, and more of our ministers being in the ministry of Ezekiel, or Paul, and not __________. I'll let you decide who goes there.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.
Growing up in the church I have seen lots of changes over the years. From the Hell, fire, and brimstone messages as a kid, to the polished sermons of recent days. No place has this transition been more evident than in the Pentecostal movement. I notice less emphasis on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and His power and more reliance on the speaker's ability to move the congregation. This is a broad statement, and I realize that there are preachers, and churches we can still categorize as "Old time Pentecostal", but for the most part there aren't many. Why?? As I was reading and praying this morning I was reminded of the scripture above, that my faith should not be based on the sand of human wisdom, but on the power of a living God. This gave me three distinct thoughts I want to share with you.
1. Where does our faith come from? Does it come from fancy, well crafted sermons, meant to make us feel good about life and where we are right now? Does it come from well-reasoned theological discussions about God, or Bible Prophecy? Or does it come from men and women, preaching under the anointing of God, allowing Him to give them the word and then allowing the Spirit to confirm the Word. Hebrews tells us that "At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will." Notice the testimony! The early church saw these miracles, the early Pentecostal movement in the early 20th century saw these miracles. Where is the Lord God of Elijah???
2. What feeds our faith? Do we have a deep hunger for the word, or are we content with "fast food" sermons, that lack real content? Do we as believers remind ourselves daily that "God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do? Are we like Abraham are are fully convinced that God is able to keep His promises?
3. Who guides us in this walk?John 14:14-17 declares 2 things about the Holy Spirit. 1. He abides with us, and 2. He abides in us, why the distinction. He abides with us as our burden bearer, our advocate, or the one called along side. We can follow Him as Israel followed the cloud in the wilderness. He is also in us to help us walk and feed our faith. Jesus asked the Father to "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.". The Holy Spirit makes the word come alive in our hearts, it brings it to our remembrance when it is needed, it allows the word to go forth with power and bring about the miracles, and demonstration of God's power to give us a real basis for our faith.
I don't know about you, but I long to see God moving in our land again, as he has before. This may mean a shake up in the house of God, and more of our ministers being in the ministry of Ezekiel, or Paul, and not __________. I'll let you decide who goes there.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
How to Get an Answer
Romans 4:21
because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.
We live in the name it claim it world, the positive confession of faith to get what we want from God, but is that what the Word truly teaches? If we are using the scripture as a cafeteria plan to get what we want when we want it, and to define success as the world sees it. In my devotion time today as I listened to an old sermon, by a man I respect he brought to my remembrance on exactly how the promises of God work, and how we are to approach God. I want to share this with you, in hopes of building up your faith. Hebrews tells us to approach the throne with "Boldness", and for many that is going to God in prayer and demanding this and such, BUT I submit to you that this is arrogance and not boldness!! What is boldness, I believe it is coming before the throne of God, fully convinced of who God is, and holding the testimony of what He has already done. A lawyer will appear before a judge with past cases that apply to the situation he is there to defend or prosecute as the case may be. He doesn't walk in declaring the judge will rule this or that way, he holds the judge to the standard of the law be it civil or criminal.
Abraham was fully convinced that God would do what He had promised, that faith would bleed over into the children of Israel as they would remind the Father of who they were, and what He had promised to do for them. In Exodus chapter 32, God was very upset with the children of Israel, they had made a golden calf to worship as god, since Moses was late coming down the mountain. Moses reminded God of His divine promise. "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—you swore to them by yourself and declared, ‘I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and will give your offspring all this land that I have promised, and they will inherit it forever.’” (Ex. 32:14)
Did you see what Moses did, he didn't beg and plead as if God wasn't listening, he simply reminded God of His own promises, and God didn't kill them all. He still gave them a consequence to their disobedience, but He spared them as a group. In the same way, when I come before God in prayer, I need to know what promises I am holding to and be fully convinced that they are for me. I come before the throne bold knowing Who my God is and what He is capable of. I also knows he delights in His children and wants to meet our needs exceedingly and abundantly, more than I can even imagine, and those who know me know my imagination.
As we move into these days of problems and turmoil, hold tight to the promises of God and believe Him for ALL of your needs. Bring your requests with thanksgiving knowing what He has already done, should build up your faith to see what He is going to do.
Grace and peace.
Eric
because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.
We live in the name it claim it world, the positive confession of faith to get what we want from God, but is that what the Word truly teaches? If we are using the scripture as a cafeteria plan to get what we want when we want it, and to define success as the world sees it. In my devotion time today as I listened to an old sermon, by a man I respect he brought to my remembrance on exactly how the promises of God work, and how we are to approach God. I want to share this with you, in hopes of building up your faith. Hebrews tells us to approach the throne with "Boldness", and for many that is going to God in prayer and demanding this and such, BUT I submit to you that this is arrogance and not boldness!! What is boldness, I believe it is coming before the throne of God, fully convinced of who God is, and holding the testimony of what He has already done. A lawyer will appear before a judge with past cases that apply to the situation he is there to defend or prosecute as the case may be. He doesn't walk in declaring the judge will rule this or that way, he holds the judge to the standard of the law be it civil or criminal.
Abraham was fully convinced that God would do what He had promised, that faith would bleed over into the children of Israel as they would remind the Father of who they were, and what He had promised to do for them. In Exodus chapter 32, God was very upset with the children of Israel, they had made a golden calf to worship as god, since Moses was late coming down the mountain. Moses reminded God of His divine promise. "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—you swore to them by yourself and declared, ‘I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and will give your offspring all this land that I have promised, and they will inherit it forever.’” (Ex. 32:14)
Did you see what Moses did, he didn't beg and plead as if God wasn't listening, he simply reminded God of His own promises, and God didn't kill them all. He still gave them a consequence to their disobedience, but He spared them as a group. In the same way, when I come before God in prayer, I need to know what promises I am holding to and be fully convinced that they are for me. I come before the throne bold knowing Who my God is and what He is capable of. I also knows he delights in His children and wants to meet our needs exceedingly and abundantly, more than I can even imagine, and those who know me know my imagination.
As we move into these days of problems and turmoil, hold tight to the promises of God and believe Him for ALL of your needs. Bring your requests with thanksgiving knowing what He has already done, should build up your faith to see what He is going to do.
Grace and peace.
Eric
Monday, September 18, 2017
All Things????????
Romans 8: 26-28
In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for the good[c] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
One of the most quoted scriptures in Christianity is Romans 8:28, and I'll admit I have claimed it myself a time or two, especially when I don't see how this will be good for me. However, recently the Lord made me aware that there was more to that scripture than that verse. The key to that verse and its power is found in the two preceding verses. Spiritual prayer, the prayers not spoken in our own language, with our filters, and desires, but the prayer of the deep part of us that cries out to the Father. The psalmist said in Psalms 42:7 that "Deep calls to Deep." Lets go further, we are told to pray in the Spirit, why, because the Spirit of God, knows us better than we do, notice the verse in 27, "because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." We know that if we pray anything according to the will of God, we shall have it. The question is do we know the will of God?
Let's be honest we know what we want, and think we need. A particular job, spouse, or some other thing, and we will pray and beg and then get frustrated when we don't get what we ask for like children. How many times do you think Joseph was tempted to pray for deliverance from Egypt, only to find out later he was there to save his family. What about Paul, in prison, he had seen God deliver him before, but now he was awaiting his death, he still writes and encourages the church. Even me praying to go back into the classroom, teaching, living check to check, and not really seeking God and what His plan was. See a pattern, we most of the time know what we want, just not what we need, BUT God does. So again we are encouraged to Pray in the Spirit.
I can hear some of you already, "Brother, I don't believe in tongues and I'm not going to be some freak speaking in way that might embarrass me." He doesn't specify that he says with groanings that can't be uttered. Remember in Exodus God says he has heard them "crying out" in the CSB, these are not the organized prayers found in church, or in your corporate prayer structure, these are people crying out from their very hearts asking God to intervene. Pray in the Spirit, and watch what God will do.
Prayer: Father, fill me with the Spirit, so that I can pray in the Spirit. Change how I pray, so that I can pray according to your divine will. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Friday, September 15, 2017
The Jonah Principle: Disobedience Hurts
Jonah 1:3-7
Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. 4 But the Lord threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart. 5 The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep.6 The captain approached him and said, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Call to your god.[a] Maybe this god will consider us, and we won’t perish.” 7 “Come on!” the sailors said to each other. “Let’s cast lots. Then we’ll know who is to blame for this trouble we’re in.” So they cast lots, and the lot singled out Jonah.
This is the part of the story EVERYONE knows, Jonah blew it. He fled God's mission and went in a totally opposite direction. I don't know about you, but I can relate, I went in a totally opposite direction from God's call and I can tell you that stupid, disobedience hurts. Lets look at a few things.
1. Jonah CHOSE a path of disobedience. No one forced him, or kidnapped him, Jonah ran from the call on his life. 1 Samuel 12:15 we are told that if we "rebel against His commandment, then the hand of the Lord will be against us. " In an age of prosperity gospel preaching, and get all you can world, having the hand of the Lord against you is not a pleasant place to be. What causes disobedience you say? Several causes, disbelief, fear, or just a heart of rebellion. Notice in Numbers 13 when the spies come back from the promised land. Their fear and disbelief cause them to decide NOT to go over. John Maxwell once said, "Never let fear decide your future." and its true. Fear causes disbelief, disbelief causes either no action, or rebellion against God's plan, both have dire consequences.
2. God responds to our actions. Psalms 78:40 says "How often they defied and rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!" We love preaching that God sees us in our need, and in our despair, but usually not to keen on reminding ourselves He sees us in our rebellion. Notice he tried to hide, God found him, he tried to run, and God caught him. There is nowhere you can hide so why do we try so hard? Again fear, disbelief and rebellion are our culprits. We are afraid to admit we failed, or we don't believe He can forgive, or we think we have went too far.
3. His disobedience impacted ALL around him. They all paid the penalty of Jonah's disobedience. Why, because we don't live in a vacuum, we impact those around us for both good and bad. The Israel could not enter into the rest God wanted for them due to disobedience, many times our finances, families and relationships suffer as we reap the seeds of disobedience. Sometimes we blame God, our genetics, our family or anyone but ourselves. I can tell you from experience with unemployment, and frustration, it is a hard thing to realize that the valley you are walking through is self-created, and only the grace of God can bring you out. We will focus on that part of the story later I promise.
What about you, are there areas in your life where the seeds of disobedience have taken root, and perhaps have even began to bare fruit? Then today is a great day to pull them out by the roots and ask your Heavenly Father for forgiveness and allow you to get back on the right path.
Prayer: Father help me to always listen and be obedient to your word. Allow it to be active and alive in my life I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you
Eric
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Where are you?
Luke 18:40
Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he came closer, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
This is a story we all know and love, its the story of the blind man getting healed on the road to Jericho by Jesus, after the man cries out "Jesus , Son of David have mercy on me." He recognized that Jesus wasn't some preacher but the Messiah, although his physical site prevented him from seeing Jesus, and there are many applications in that alone, but I want to return to my education roots and examine two verbs found in the story and how they apply to us in the "real world".
Notice the first verb is brought, meaning someone got the man in the proximity of the Master. I want to focus on this a moment as many people are brought to Jesus or the presence of God and that is as far as it goes. The worship leader can bring us into the presence, we can BRING someone to church, we can bring people to a variety of places and that is as far as many will get. How many people do you think standing around Jesus that day had needs themselves. Healing, financial, spiritual or whatever, there was the ONE who had their answer yet they were there and watch another get what he needed from Christ. What was the difference? You may have guessed by now EXACTLY what the difference was, he came closer!!!
I can be brought into the presence of God, but I choose to enter in, I can be brought to Jesus, but I have to decide to come closer. Notice what the Psalmist says and the verbs he uses. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." Ps. 100:4 CSB Notice what he says, Enter, not get dragged, forced, or cajoled but enter willingly. The blind man could have been brought and stopped there being satisfied meeting Jesus, but he came closer to hear the wonderful words, "What do you want me to do for you?" WOW!! did you see that, getting closer, Christ addressed his need, and the man got what he needed.
What about you? Have you been brought and stopped or have you made the choice to come closer. All of my life I have been brought and sometimes went deeper and others were content to just sit and watch others get blessed. Recently I have been learning to get as close as I can, just to see what Christ can and will do in my life. I long to get to the place where the miracles that the early church saw, are evidenced in the ministry and people around me. I know that as I get closer to Christ, people will see less of me and more of him, and my blinded eyes will be wide open and seeing what the Lord can do.
Prayer: Lord, bring me closer to you. Let me enter that place with you, and sit with you in heavenly places. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he came closer, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
This is a story we all know and love, its the story of the blind man getting healed on the road to Jericho by Jesus, after the man cries out "Jesus , Son of David have mercy on me." He recognized that Jesus wasn't some preacher but the Messiah, although his physical site prevented him from seeing Jesus, and there are many applications in that alone, but I want to return to my education roots and examine two verbs found in the story and how they apply to us in the "real world".
Notice the first verb is brought, meaning someone got the man in the proximity of the Master. I want to focus on this a moment as many people are brought to Jesus or the presence of God and that is as far as it goes. The worship leader can bring us into the presence, we can BRING someone to church, we can bring people to a variety of places and that is as far as many will get. How many people do you think standing around Jesus that day had needs themselves. Healing, financial, spiritual or whatever, there was the ONE who had their answer yet they were there and watch another get what he needed from Christ. What was the difference? You may have guessed by now EXACTLY what the difference was, he came closer!!!
I can be brought into the presence of God, but I choose to enter in, I can be brought to Jesus, but I have to decide to come closer. Notice what the Psalmist says and the verbs he uses. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." Ps. 100:4 CSB Notice what he says, Enter, not get dragged, forced, or cajoled but enter willingly. The blind man could have been brought and stopped there being satisfied meeting Jesus, but he came closer to hear the wonderful words, "What do you want me to do for you?" WOW!! did you see that, getting closer, Christ addressed his need, and the man got what he needed.
What about you? Have you been brought and stopped or have you made the choice to come closer. All of my life I have been brought and sometimes went deeper and others were content to just sit and watch others get blessed. Recently I have been learning to get as close as I can, just to see what Christ can and will do in my life. I long to get to the place where the miracles that the early church saw, are evidenced in the ministry and people around me. I know that as I get closer to Christ, people will see less of me and more of him, and my blinded eyes will be wide open and seeing what the Lord can do.
Prayer: Lord, bring me closer to you. Let me enter that place with you, and sit with you in heavenly places. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
The Jonah Principle: God has a place
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.
Wow, we have traveled all the way to the end of the first part of this series. We have looked at the Word God has for us, then the parts of the calling of God, the talents He has given you and the vision to see it through. Now we are looking at the final piece of this puzzle, where. If God has a calling, then it stands to reason He has a place for you to fulfill it. In Jonah's case it was Nineveh, in yours it may be more complex.
Judges 7:21 "They stood every man in his place." In this old testament story every man had a place to stand in the battle plan the Lord had given Gideon, in the same way in this warfare we are engaged in, we each have a place to be in God doing the job He has given us. Watchman Nee in his study on Ephesians gave us three places we are to be in our journey with God. We begin sitting in the presence of Christ, then learn to walk in His power, and finally learn to stand in faith, learning at each phase of growth the power Christ has over whatever we face. Why bring this up? Our place to complete the calling of God, may have seasons of sitting, standing, or walking, we have to learn obedience to His voice and by that we will complete His will.
Mark 3:34-37 talks about finding and losing ourselves dependent on our obedience to Him. As we lose ourselves (flesh) we find Him in a real way, when we find ourselves (flesh) we lose out with him. We may settle for a career and not a calling, we may settle in the wilderness, and not live in the promised land of abundance. It comes down to finding our place to do what we are called to do.
Your place may be your family, and friends, being the light to them and encouraging them to stay the course and make heaven their home. Your place may be a community ministry, feeding and clothing the homeless, or helping in a free medical clinic if you have that skill set. It may be behind a pulpit teaching and preaching God's word or even farther on the mission field to those who have never heard the Gospel. Regardless, He will empower you to do it and reach those who need reached.
Prayer: Lord, help me to find my place, and grow there bringing glory to Your name and souls into the Kingdom. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.
Wow, we have traveled all the way to the end of the first part of this series. We have looked at the Word God has for us, then the parts of the calling of God, the talents He has given you and the vision to see it through. Now we are looking at the final piece of this puzzle, where. If God has a calling, then it stands to reason He has a place for you to fulfill it. In Jonah's case it was Nineveh, in yours it may be more complex.
Judges 7:21 "They stood every man in his place." In this old testament story every man had a place to stand in the battle plan the Lord had given Gideon, in the same way in this warfare we are engaged in, we each have a place to be in God doing the job He has given us. Watchman Nee in his study on Ephesians gave us three places we are to be in our journey with God. We begin sitting in the presence of Christ, then learn to walk in His power, and finally learn to stand in faith, learning at each phase of growth the power Christ has over whatever we face. Why bring this up? Our place to complete the calling of God, may have seasons of sitting, standing, or walking, we have to learn obedience to His voice and by that we will complete His will.
Mark 3:34-37 talks about finding and losing ourselves dependent on our obedience to Him. As we lose ourselves (flesh) we find Him in a real way, when we find ourselves (flesh) we lose out with him. We may settle for a career and not a calling, we may settle in the wilderness, and not live in the promised land of abundance. It comes down to finding our place to do what we are called to do.
Your place may be your family, and friends, being the light to them and encouraging them to stay the course and make heaven their home. Your place may be a community ministry, feeding and clothing the homeless, or helping in a free medical clinic if you have that skill set. It may be behind a pulpit teaching and preaching God's word or even farther on the mission field to those who have never heard the Gospel. Regardless, He will empower you to do it and reach those who need reached.
Prayer: Lord, help me to find my place, and grow there bringing glory to Your name and souls into the Kingdom. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Monday, September 11, 2017
The Jonah Principle: Catch the Vision
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
As we continue on the first of the Jonah Principle we have looked at the Word the Lord has given each of us showing how it impacts each of our lives. We have also looked at the Calling that He placed in our lives and last time we looked at the talents and gifts He placed in our lives to complete the calling. Today I want to look at the final piece of this puzzle. What is your vision or desire for God, and His calling? Habakkuk was told to "Write the vision and engrave it plainly." This would enable the people to read it and respond to it. In the same way I want to encourage you to write out your vision so you have an idea of what God is birthing in you.
When a couple find out they are going to be parents they make preparations, they make a place for the child, prepare for the eventual growth of that child, and they even make allowances of the child taking a life of its very own. So to it must be for the vision, or the dream God has placed in you. It may be a dream of your own, or the joining of another's but God has placed it in you and has a way for you to fulfill it.
What has God placed in your spirit to accomplish for His Kingdom? He has given you talents and a calling for a reason, what is it? Prayerfully ask Him today to give you a vision and WRITE IT DOWN!! Keep it before you until it becomes reality, and you see all that God has for you.
Prayer: Father, birth in me a vision of what you want. Bring me before the Throne and touch me and give me a desire and vision to build up your kingdom. In Jesus' Name Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
As we continue on the first of the Jonah Principle we have looked at the Word the Lord has given each of us showing how it impacts each of our lives. We have also looked at the Calling that He placed in our lives and last time we looked at the talents and gifts He placed in our lives to complete the calling. Today I want to look at the final piece of this puzzle. What is your vision or desire for God, and His calling? Habakkuk was told to "Write the vision and engrave it plainly." This would enable the people to read it and respond to it. In the same way I want to encourage you to write out your vision so you have an idea of what God is birthing in you.
When a couple find out they are going to be parents they make preparations, they make a place for the child, prepare for the eventual growth of that child, and they even make allowances of the child taking a life of its very own. So to it must be for the vision, or the dream God has placed in you. It may be a dream of your own, or the joining of another's but God has placed it in you and has a way for you to fulfill it.
What has God placed in your spirit to accomplish for His Kingdom? He has given you talents and a calling for a reason, what is it? Prayerfully ask Him today to give you a vision and WRITE IT DOWN!! Keep it before you until it becomes reality, and you see all that God has for you.
Prayer: Father, birth in me a vision of what you want. Bring me before the Throne and touch me and give me a desire and vision to build up your kingdom. In Jesus' Name Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Friday, September 8, 2017
The Jonah Principle:God has equipped you.
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
I have been playing piano since the 4th grade and people naturally assume that I can play organ. They seemed shocked that I cannot, and its because I don't have that skill set or gift. In the same if God has called you to something, then He will equip you to meet the call. Jonah was equipped with a message of repentance to give to the people of Nineveh. In the same way you are equipped with the tools needed to be successful in your calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us that we have been called into a "vocation of holiness" and He did it because of His Grace which was given by Christ Jesus." Each of us have a calling and with that comes the necessary gifts.
Romans 12:6-8 says this "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy,use it according to the proportion of one’s[a] faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness." Look at this list, prophecy, service, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading and mercy, sounds like anyone could one or more operating in their lives. So whatever your calling, their is a gift that matches up to that particular calling.
We have to be willing to serve and use our gifts for the kingdom. We all know the story of the talents, the 2 made profit while the third servant buried his, and I remember growing up in so many small churches that didn't have piano players, that I always wanted to be available to help them when we would visit. To be honest I still love to walk into a church who asks if anyone can play piano, tickles me to death to share. When we are engaged in our calling, it should make us the most content people in the world, even though circumstances may not always be the best.
So today, why not ask God to help you use your talents to help someone, and build up the kingdom of God, and make someone smile in the process.
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to use my talents to expand the kingdom, and reach others who need to hear your good news. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
I have been playing piano since the 4th grade and people naturally assume that I can play organ. They seemed shocked that I cannot, and its because I don't have that skill set or gift. In the same if God has called you to something, then He will equip you to meet the call. Jonah was equipped with a message of repentance to give to the people of Nineveh. In the same way you are equipped with the tools needed to be successful in your calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us that we have been called into a "vocation of holiness" and He did it because of His Grace which was given by Christ Jesus." Each of us have a calling and with that comes the necessary gifts.
Romans 12:6-8 says this "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy,use it according to the proportion of one’s[a] faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness." Look at this list, prophecy, service, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading and mercy, sounds like anyone could one or more operating in their lives. So whatever your calling, their is a gift that matches up to that particular calling.
We have to be willing to serve and use our gifts for the kingdom. We all know the story of the talents, the 2 made profit while the third servant buried his, and I remember growing up in so many small churches that didn't have piano players, that I always wanted to be available to help them when we would visit. To be honest I still love to walk into a church who asks if anyone can play piano, tickles me to death to share. When we are engaged in our calling, it should make us the most content people in the world, even though circumstances may not always be the best.
So today, why not ask God to help you use your talents to help someone, and build up the kingdom of God, and make someone smile in the process.
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to use my talents to expand the kingdom, and reach others who need to hear your good news. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Thursday, September 7, 2017
The Jonah Principle: God has a calling for your life
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
Now to dig into the meat of the Jonah principle, we have looked at the words the lord has spoken to the prophet and us, let us go forward into the principle to see what the Lord is trying to teach us. Jonah is told to Get up, go to, and preach against. Basically God is telling him I have a plan for your life, and by extension he tells us the same. Ephesians 4:1 says "Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received," (CSB) When we become believers God has a plan for our lives a calling that we and only we can fulfill. It may not be glamorous, or huge it may be as simple as being a parent or a friend to those in need.
The call is for everyone.
Isaiah 45:22 tells us to "Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other." Did you see that he didn't say hey one group or the other but everyone. Jesus in Matthew's gospel said that "many are called, but few are chosen." Before you say see, Eric I haven't been chosen for anything. The call of the Gospel is to all but only a few respond and become adopted into the family. Adopted children are chosen by their adoptive family, so dear one if you answered the call of Christ you are chosen.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that "But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God." (AMP) God does not distinguish between our races, genders, or nationalities, He only sees us in the Righteousness of Christ, and He empowers us to complete our callings.
I want you today to ask God, really ask Him what is your calling, what has he empowered you to do to build up the kingdom, and be open to what He says. Don't think if he hasn't called you to be a TV minister, or Christian Recording Artist, or someone that gets world recognition, that your calling isn't important, instead serve where you are planted and grow there. If you lead one person to Christ, you cause rejoicing in Heaven and that is worth more than all the awards and accolades this world can heap on you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Speak to my heart today and help me to find and focus on my calling for you. Help me to win souls and build up the Kingdom of God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow we will look at the gifts and talents He has given you to complete your calling.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
Now to dig into the meat of the Jonah principle, we have looked at the words the lord has spoken to the prophet and us, let us go forward into the principle to see what the Lord is trying to teach us. Jonah is told to Get up, go to, and preach against. Basically God is telling him I have a plan for your life, and by extension he tells us the same. Ephesians 4:1 says "Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received," (CSB) When we become believers God has a plan for our lives a calling that we and only we can fulfill. It may not be glamorous, or huge it may be as simple as being a parent or a friend to those in need.
The call is for everyone.
Isaiah 45:22 tells us to "Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other." Did you see that he didn't say hey one group or the other but everyone. Jesus in Matthew's gospel said that "many are called, but few are chosen." Before you say see, Eric I haven't been chosen for anything. The call of the Gospel is to all but only a few respond and become adopted into the family. Adopted children are chosen by their adoptive family, so dear one if you answered the call of Christ you are chosen.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that "But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God." (AMP) God does not distinguish between our races, genders, or nationalities, He only sees us in the Righteousness of Christ, and He empowers us to complete our callings.
I want you today to ask God, really ask Him what is your calling, what has he empowered you to do to build up the kingdom, and be open to what He says. Don't think if he hasn't called you to be a TV minister, or Christian Recording Artist, or someone that gets world recognition, that your calling isn't important, instead serve where you are planted and grow there. If you lead one person to Christ, you cause rejoicing in Heaven and that is worth more than all the awards and accolades this world can heap on you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Speak to my heart today and help me to find and focus on my calling for you. Help me to win souls and build up the Kingdom of God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow we will look at the gifts and talents He has given you to complete your calling.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you
Eric
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
The Jonah Principle 1 D
Jonah 1:2-3
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
Once again focusing on the word of lord that has been given to all believers. The first word was grace, and it looked at the grace that has been extended to all of us regardless of where we came from. The second word we looked at was a word of love, unconditional given to each of us as an aspect of all that God is. The third word was a word of mercy, I was singing the song "Mercy Came Running" this morning by Gold City and it really made my day start off in a better light.
The last word I want to look at before really divining into the principle is a word of power. We as believers are not called to just get saved and get ready for Heaven, but we are to live an empowered Christian life. Didn't Jesus say in Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Power to witness, power to pray, power to live the life, power to make demons flee, and power to speak with new tongues. You can that last part two ways, my Pentecostal family believe in speaking in a language not known to the speaker, and I believe that it is part, but secondly it should mean that we change the way we talk. Our talk should be uplifting, and wholesome, and I'll leave that right there for you to decide what all that means.
Taken together these words should form the basis of who we are as believers. The early church turned their world upside down, yet today the church has almost blended in to the society as a whole. The distinctive lifestyle of the Christian has become so non-distinctive that its hard to see it any more. This word of power should change us and draw people to Christ.
We will next move into the main principle of Chapter 1, God has a plan for your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live in the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Make me unique for your glory. Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my friends.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
Once again focusing on the word of lord that has been given to all believers. The first word was grace, and it looked at the grace that has been extended to all of us regardless of where we came from. The second word we looked at was a word of love, unconditional given to each of us as an aspect of all that God is. The third word was a word of mercy, I was singing the song "Mercy Came Running" this morning by Gold City and it really made my day start off in a better light.
The last word I want to look at before really divining into the principle is a word of power. We as believers are not called to just get saved and get ready for Heaven, but we are to live an empowered Christian life. Didn't Jesus say in Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Power to witness, power to pray, power to live the life, power to make demons flee, and power to speak with new tongues. You can that last part two ways, my Pentecostal family believe in speaking in a language not known to the speaker, and I believe that it is part, but secondly it should mean that we change the way we talk. Our talk should be uplifting, and wholesome, and I'll leave that right there for you to decide what all that means.
Taken together these words should form the basis of who we are as believers. The early church turned their world upside down, yet today the church has almost blended in to the society as a whole. The distinctive lifestyle of the Christian has become so non-distinctive that its hard to see it any more. This word of power should change us and draw people to Christ.
We will next move into the main principle of Chapter 1, God has a plan for your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live in the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Make me unique for your glory. Amen
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my friends.
Eric
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
The Jonah Principle 1C
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
We are continuing on in the Jonah Principle looking at the various words the Lord has for each of us as believers. The first was a word of grace, the second was a word of love, today's word is a word of mercy. Something that each of us need on a daily basis is the idea of mercy. The dictionary defines mercy as "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.." God has all power and when we are compared to his righteousness, we don't measure up and He has every right to allow us to go to eternal punishment, BUT he gives us mercy. Titus 3:5 tells us "he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Notice the pattern not of our works but His.
You may be saying, "you don't know my past and things that I have done." I get that but may I tell you at 47 I have had more misses than hits in the spiritual realm. My last defeat was epic, the enemy had much to rejoice over, BUT I found mercy when I called out to Him. Hebrews tells us that we need to "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." I can tell you that is exactly what I received and if he will take me back, and touch my life, then my friend you find mercy when you ask.
1 Peter 1:3 tells us "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" If you are looking for a reason to shout there it is. New birth, living hope, all paid for by mercy, and its yours today for the asking. The reason Jonah didn't really want to preach to Nineveh was he knew God's mercy and he really hated the people of that area. But God had a word of mercy for them, and even a word of mercy for a stubborn prophet, and even us today.
I ask you to not only accept the mercy of God, but to extend mercy to those who you encounter that may need it today. You may not know what they are going through and a word of mercy may help them overcome whatever it is.
Prayer: Lord, I accept the mercy you offer me today, I pray that you will help me extend mercy to those in need. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my friends.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
We are continuing on in the Jonah Principle looking at the various words the Lord has for each of us as believers. The first was a word of grace, the second was a word of love, today's word is a word of mercy. Something that each of us need on a daily basis is the idea of mercy. The dictionary defines mercy as "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.." God has all power and when we are compared to his righteousness, we don't measure up and He has every right to allow us to go to eternal punishment, BUT he gives us mercy. Titus 3:5 tells us "he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Notice the pattern not of our works but His.
You may be saying, "you don't know my past and things that I have done." I get that but may I tell you at 47 I have had more misses than hits in the spiritual realm. My last defeat was epic, the enemy had much to rejoice over, BUT I found mercy when I called out to Him. Hebrews tells us that we need to "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." I can tell you that is exactly what I received and if he will take me back, and touch my life, then my friend you find mercy when you ask.
1 Peter 1:3 tells us "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" If you are looking for a reason to shout there it is. New birth, living hope, all paid for by mercy, and its yours today for the asking. The reason Jonah didn't really want to preach to Nineveh was he knew God's mercy and he really hated the people of that area. But God had a word of mercy for them, and even a word of mercy for a stubborn prophet, and even us today.
I ask you to not only accept the mercy of God, but to extend mercy to those who you encounter that may need it today. You may not know what they are going through and a word of mercy may help them overcome whatever it is.
Prayer: Lord, I accept the mercy you offer me today, I pray that you will help me extend mercy to those in need. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you my friends.
Eric
Monday, September 4, 2017
The Jonah Principle Pt. 1B
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
We are continuing through the book of Jonah looking at the principles that God has put in their for our benefit. We told you that God has a word for your life and mine. The first word we looked at was the word of Grace and all that it means to the life of a believer. Today's word is a word of Love. One of the few scriptures every one can quote is John 3:16, you know the one for God so loved the world. Have you pondered the implications of that, God loved this crazy, broken world so much he sent His son to die in our place. I want to focus on the word of Love.
Notice the words in 1 John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love." Notice the idea here God is Love, not this Superior being waiting in Heaven to smite us in judgment, but a God who loves us unconditionally. If God is Love then watch what happens when I substitute the word love for the word God in 1 Corinthians 13
God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 God finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7. God bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." I was floored when I read it that way, it made me see God in a whole new light. Growing up God was always angry and especially in the Old Testament, but through Christ and what He did at Calvary, we see God as Father not judge. Granted in Revelation God will dispense judgment on the Earth, but until then, He wants to expose us to His love and grace.
Have you experienced God in this way, if not I challenge you to experience it. Sit at his feet, be still and let His love wash over you in a powerful way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Let me experience your love in a powerful and real way today. Let me also show that love to everyone I meet. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.”
We are continuing through the book of Jonah looking at the principles that God has put in their for our benefit. We told you that God has a word for your life and mine. The first word we looked at was the word of Grace and all that it means to the life of a believer. Today's word is a word of Love. One of the few scriptures every one can quote is John 3:16, you know the one for God so loved the world. Have you pondered the implications of that, God loved this crazy, broken world so much he sent His son to die in our place. I want to focus on the word of Love.
Notice the words in 1 John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love." Notice the idea here God is Love, not this Superior being waiting in Heaven to smite us in judgment, but a God who loves us unconditionally. If God is Love then watch what happens when I substitute the word love for the word God in 1 Corinthians 13
God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 God finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7. God bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." I was floored when I read it that way, it made me see God in a whole new light. Growing up God was always angry and especially in the Old Testament, but through Christ and what He did at Calvary, we see God as Father not judge. Granted in Revelation God will dispense judgment on the Earth, but until then, He wants to expose us to His love and grace.
Have you experienced God in this way, if not I challenge you to experience it. Sit at his feet, be still and let His love wash over you in a powerful way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Let me experience your love in a powerful and real way today. Let me also show that love to everyone I meet. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
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