Shalom,

Romans 8:1 should be very familiar to born again believers! 

8 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus

In some translations there are added words to this verse, but they are not found in the original language, according to the Interlinear Bible that I used. I can understand why some would want the rest of the verse put in there! This God kind of Grace and Love is sometimes unfathomable to our human thinking! The extra words that are included in some Bibles are here:

who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

The TRUTH of the matter, though, is that Jesus paid the full, once for all, price so that we would never face condemnation (actually damnation, or punishment for wrong done) again! He BECAME sin with MY sin (yours too, if you have received Him) and the punishment that went with it, which was separation from God! Do you remember when He said "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" God the Father had to turn His back on His own Son at that moment because He WAS sin! Because Jesus had no sin that was His own, He died a sacrificial death, out of the fullness of love, for ME! Death could NOT keep Him and He was "reborn"! He rose from the dead as a new man, still 100% God and 100% man, to live forever in Heaven as a resurrected man! Thank You, Jesus! So, refuse ALL condemnation, no matter what you've done or not done! There is nothing that will keep you from Heaven once you have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior! NOW, the choices we make to sin or not while here on this earth WILL, most definitely, affect our quality of life HERE! Sin, selfish decisions to do things our own way instead of God's way, always brings the death realm in to our lives. That could come in the form of sickness and disease, poverty, loss of family, friends and favor! There is NO reason to live like that, but the choice is always and completely OURS!  God says: "Choose life!" What will YOU choose? Here is Hillsong United with "Rhythms Of Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,  

Today I want to share this from Kenneth Copeland's Faith To Faith Devotional:

And be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. – 1 Peter 5:5

Most believers don't know anything about true humility. If you tell them they're the righteousness of God, they'll fight to keep from believing it. You can give them scripture references to prove it, and they'll still argue.

"Oh no," they'll say, "I'm not righteous. I'm just an old sinner saved by grace." They're making a sincere attempt to be humble. But they're sincerely wrong. They're so afraid of being exalted by pride that they've let Satan trick them into falling right into it.

Let me show you what I mean. According to 1 Peter 5:5-6, to be truly humble is to submit to God. That means when God says something, you believe it no matter how foreign to your "religious" thinking it may be. When He says you've been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, you say that too. In fact, you wouldn't dare say anything else because to do so would be to dare to disagree with God. And, when you get right down to it, that's the ultimate form of pride, isn't it?

Don't let Satan keep you groveling in the dust of false humility. Agree with God. Find out what His Word says about you, then be bold enough to say it yourself. Banish pride by submitting to His truth. Clothe yourself in true humility. It's sure to look good on you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 says:

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Do YOU know who YOU are - IN HIM? The most vital thing you can do for you life, once you have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, is to find out who you are because HE, by the Holy Spirit, lives in YOU! We are meant to be the presence  of Jesus Himself in the earth! In order to do that, we MUST humble ourselves to accept this that we do NOT, on our own, deserve! We must be about our Father's business of seeking and saving the lost! We CANNOT do that unless we have the full confidence that comes from the Bible knowledge of who we are! We are Ambassadors for Him, in this earth, and we CAN DO all that He requires us to do! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "To Know Your Name":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Within Psalm 78:1-8 lies the reason for all of the ungodly things that are going on in this nation right now!

¹ Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ² I will open my mouth in a parable (in instruction by numerous examples); I will utter dark sayings of old [that hide important truth]— ³ Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their children, but we will tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed. ⁵ For He established a testimony (an express precept) in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, commanding our fathers that they should make [the great facts of God’s dealings with Israel] known to their children, ⁶ That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born might arise and recount them to their children, ⁷ That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but might keep His commandments ⁸ And might not be as their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their hearts aright nor prepared their hearts to know God, and whose spirits were not steadfast and faithful to God.

Verse 6 shows the responsibility we have before God to teach His Word and His Ways to OUR children, so that THEY can teach them to THEIR children! When this is done, no one forgets the God that created them, saved them, healed them, provided for them, and then called them to carry out His call on their lives! Look again at verse 8! Does that not sound exactly like the ungodly ones living on the earth right now? Parents stopped training their children in the Word of God! It got to be more important to acquire "things", position, fame, worldly honor and worldly accolades, than to please the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible. What can be done? Start right where you are, repent of disobedience, make a determined purpose to speak the Word of God when you feel like it and when you don't! Preach the Good News to everyone you come in contact with, as the Holy Spirit give the opportunity! Train up your children according to the Word, if you have them at home yet, and pray for them if you don't! Sow good seeds of the Word and prayer into the lives of other children and God will take care of yours! See every day as a new opportunity to tell of the wonderful works and ways of our wonderful God and King! Amen! To encourage you in this, here is "Mighty To Save" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 77:1-2 say this:

¹ I will cry to God with my voice, even to God with my voice, and He will give ear and hearken to me. ² In the day of my trouble I seek (inquire of and desperately require) the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out [in prayer] without slacking up; I refuse to be comforted. AMP

I saw something in these verses today that I hadn't thought about before! The psalmist is saying that when he faces trouble, he sets his face to seek God with all that is within him! We read here that he seeks ( inquires of and desperately requires) his answer from the Lord. He continues in this heartfelt and determined prayer time without giving up or giving in until he receives the answer! How do we know this? The word "comforted" here is the Hebrew word "nacham". It means: a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of purpose. This person REFUSES to be deterred by anyone or anything from his determined purpose of receiving the promises of God in his life! Is that YOUR attitude in prayer? It should be! 1 John 5:14-15 shows us how to know that our prayers will be answered:

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

So, we must find God's will, which is revealed in His Word, and then ask! If we ask according to His will, then He hears! If He hears, HE has said that we WILL HAVE WHAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR! Amen! So search, the Word, seek His presence, ask of Him and praise and thank Him for the answer, never questioning the outcome! The only thing we don't know is the "WHEN"! So simple praise Him for it now and forever! AMEN! Here, to encourage you in this and in having that childlike faith, is Hillsong Kids with "My Number One":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Romans 3:10 tells us this:

¹⁰ As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.

Righteous actually means :right standing with God, or, "right in His sight"! This means that there is not one person ever born on the earth that is righteous on their own! How do we become righteous then? Verse 20 tells us what will NOT work!

²⁰ For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].

That means that there is nothing we can DO that will make us righteous, or right in God's sight! No good works, no sacrifice! What CAN we do then? Verses 21-24:

²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, ²² Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³ Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. ²⁴ [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us this:

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV

How do we receive this righteousness? Look at Romans 10:9:

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. AMP

If you have already received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, then stop trying to become righteous! You already are! Now spend time in His Word and in His presence to see how HE wants you to show that righteousness to the world! AMEN! If you have NOT received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, then see my blog post from last Sunday, March 10, for the prayer to BE MADE righteous! Here is Hillsong with "Hope Of The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Romans 2:1-4 is great guidance for us today in order to be able to stay in God's protection, provision and safety, no matter WHAT is going on in the world around us! 

 1 And the Lord said to Moses, ² Say to the Israelites, I am the Lord your God. ³ You shall not do as was done in the land of Egypt in which you dwelt, nor shall you do as is done in the land of Canaan to which I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes. ⁴ You shall do My ordinances and keep My statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.

We are to look, speak and act as those whose God is the LORD! Look at 1 Peter 2:9-10:

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. KJV

Now look at this in the Amplified Bible:

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  [Ex 19:5,6.] 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. AMP

We are told to be ready to give an answer when people come and ask us why WE are not hopeless and filled with fear with what is happening all around us! 1 Peter 3:15:

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. AMP

THIS is what HE has done in us, who we now are and what we are now to do. 

2 Cor 5:18-20:

18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. 19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God. AMP

Do you see why it is imperative that we stay separated from the world and separated unto HIM? It is vital that we do NOT try to live by the laws of THIS world, but of the one we now call HOME! They MUST see the difference, so let's BE the DIFFERENCE! Amen! No introduction should be necessary for THIS song!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Romans 1:16 is another favorite Scripture of mine!

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. KJV

"Ashamed" is the Greek word "epaischunomai", which means: "to have a feeling of fear or shame which prevents a person from doing a thing." What is the thing that we are SUPPOSED to do? Look at Mark 16:15:

15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. AMP

"Power" is the Greek word "dunamis", which means: force, specifically, miraculous power. It also means: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. This power that we are talking about is the power of God Himself! This is the same "power" that Paul tells us, in Philippians 3:11, comes with knowing HIM! "Salvation" is the Greek word "soteria", which means: rescue, safety, deliverance, preservation, health. THIS is why I will NEVER be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! People are counting on US to reveal His power to THEM! HE is counting on us to walk in His power on the earth so that HE gets the glory, and when HE gets the glory, people take notice! KNOW the Gospel, LOVE the Gospel, SHARE the Gospel! People will be saved in every area of life, HE will be pleased and YOU will be glad! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. It is a priceless teaching that, if we will diligently meditate on and get into our innermost being, will completely and utterly change our lives! 

For God so loved the world that He gave . . . —John 3:16

Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness. The salvation which comes from God means being completely delivered from myself, and being placed into perfect union with Him. When I think of my salvation experience, I think of being delivered from sin and gaining personal holiness. But salvation is so much more! It means that the Spirit of God has brought me into intimate contact with the true Person of God Himself. And as I am caught up into total surrender to God, I become thrilled with something infinitely greater than myself.

To say that we are called to preach holiness or sanctification is to miss the main point. We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). The fact that He saves from sin and makes us holy is actually part of the effect of His wonderful and total surrender to us.

If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us— totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

I always like to add verse 17 when I use John 3:16:

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  KJV

"Saved" here is the Greek word "sozo". It means: save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, do well, make whole, rescue, restore. Paul said that he had made it his determined purpose to know Him (Philippians 3:10)! Peter reminded Jesus that they had left everything and everyone in their lives behind in order to follow Him (Mark 10:28). In order to really walk in the fullness of the new and better Covenant that we have with Almighty God through the Blood of Jesus, we must commit to, or surrender, all that is ours into His MOST capable hands! AMEN! Here to inspire you in this is Hillsong with "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he must do, Jesus replied by telling him to go and sell what he had (liquidate his assets), to give to the poor (notice Jesus did NOT say give it all, just GIVE) and follow Jesus! The man would not do so because he had "great possessions"! (Actually, his possessions had him!) When Peter started to tell Jesus that THEY had left all to follow Him, Jesus made this declaration to hem in Mark 10:28-30:

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,  

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. KJV

Notice two very important things about this passage. First, Jesus said that this leaving everything behind MUST be "for my sake, and the Gospel's"! Motives are very important to God! Make sure that you do a continuous check of your motive for everything that you do! Desire the promises of God for the same reason He GAVE the promise and you won't be able to contain the Harvest of good and Godly things! Next, notice that JESUS said ... "now in this time" concerning  this Harvest. Stop putting every good thing to the future in Heaven and expect Godly favor NOW! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with another new song called "Love Is War":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was reading about Peter today in Mark 14. I have always appreciated Peter's impulsiveness because it made him so much more real to me! I can identify with his enthusiasm and his boldness to want to please the Lord! People have been quick to jump on Peter for his "fumbles", but who of us have ever walked on water? Yes, Peter fell, but before he did, he DID walk on the water, just like Jesus! In Mark 14:29-31, Jesus had just told His disciples that they would all leave him that night. Here is part of the conversation:

²⁹ But Peter said to Him, Even if they all fall away and are caused to stumble and distrust and desert You, yet I will not [do so]! ³⁰ And Jesus said to him, Truly I tell you, this very night, before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times. ³¹ But [Peter] said more vehemently and repeatedly, [Even] if it should be necessary for me to die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And they all kept saying the same thing.

Peter was VEHEMENT in his declaration that HE would never leave Jesus or deny Him! We all know what happened later! Everyone DID leave Jesus and run for safety. When Peter was recognized as a disciple of Jesus, he did deny Jesus, not once, but three different times! Peter, and all of the disciples, really meant what they said, they just did not have the needed spiritual strength to withstand, AT THAT TIME! Look at what Jesus said in verse 38:

³⁸ Keep awake and watch and pray [constantly], that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak

These disciples were not even born again yet, because Jesus had not yet given His life! Once Jesus rose from the dead and they believed on Him and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they had a fighting chance to stand strong, IF they spent time in His Word! Joshua 1:8 tells us how to have great success at whatever we do in this life! The real boldness, however, didn't come until Peter and the other disciples, including the family of Jesus, were "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49) when they received the infilling of the Holy Spirit! Just listen to the boldness of Peter when he preached that day and 300 were saved! (Acts 2) So, is it possible for ME to deny Jesus? I will tell you this, I NEVER plan on finding out! I will continue to immerse myself in the Word of God, pray in the Holy Spirit, fellowship with like-minded believers on a daily basis and spend time daily in thanksgiving, praise and worship! I can also guarantee that if YOU will do the same, you will NEVER deny Him before men, or any other being! AMEN! Here is a brand new song from Hillsong United called "Oceans p (Where Feet May Fail)". It's a longer song, but very powerful!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was praying about whether to share from the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today or to share something from The Spoken Word Church Worship Service. The decision was made very clear when I read Psalm 69:19-21:

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. 20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. KJV

Pastor Bill Novak has been teaching on "The Sayings of Jesus on the Cross". Yesterday he covered when Jesus said "I thirst". John 19:28-30:

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. KJV

The Psalms many times have dual meanings. They are referring to events that were taking place at the time they were written, and then some are considered Messianic Psalms, which refer to what Jesus said and did as the Saviour! This particular Psalm is a Messianic Psalm! What I learned in the lesson yesterday was what exactly happened with the vinegar offered to Jesus. I won't go into great detail. You will be able to find the teaching on The Spoken Word Church website through the link at the left, if you would like to hear it all. I will share, though, that crucifixion was a very foul and messy situation. There are all types of bodily fluids that are present as a result. The people attending to this would keep them mopped up with vinegar, applied with a sponge at the end of a long stick or handle! Do you see what their final mockery of the One Who was giving His life for them, and us, was? THAT is when Jesus said His final words on the cross: "It is finished"! Thank YOU, Lord Jesus, for all that YOU have done for us! If you have never received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, I invite you to pray this prayer now and make sure that, on your behalf, His total and loving sacrifice was not in vain! 

Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.

Now get into the Word of God and into a good local church where you will be taught, trained, loved and cared for and continue to grow up In HIM! AMEN! Here is a brand new song from Hillsong United called "Relentless":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I had in mind what I wanted to share here today, but once I read "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers for today, I had to share this:

Do you also want to go away? —John 6:67

What a penetrating question! Our Lord’s words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, “Do you also want to go away?” We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.

Peter saw in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him.

In John 6:70 Jesus lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to go with Him. And each of us must answer this question for ourselves and no one else: “Do you also want to go away?”

When Jesus ministered on the earth He was asked what the greatest commandment was. Here is His answer, from Matthew 22:36-40 and Mark 12:28-31:

Matt 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. KJV

Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. KJV

So there you have it! The very most important thing for us, as born again believers, to do is to LOVE HIM! More than any other person, place, thing or event, we are to love HIM! Out of our love for Him will spring the very best love we could ever give to all of the other important people in our lives! Without loving Him first, and best, we are actually CHEATING all of the other important people in our lives of the best love they could have from us! Love HIM first and everything else will fall right into its God-given place! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Lord Of Lords":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was slightly shocked today to receive an email that proceeded to preach to me that the Word of God shows that signs, wonders, and miracles stopped with the early church. They are way to late to try and win me over with THAT completely FALSE teaching! Look at what Jesus Himself had to say about born again believers and what they would do! John 14:11-12 from both the KJV and the AMP:

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. KJV

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's name convince you.] 12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. AMP

Do you KNOW what the works were that Jesus did? Look at Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35:

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. KJV

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. KJV

What Jesus did was to go about teaching, preaching and healing! And HE said that WE would do THOSE works and even greater works, because He was going to the Father. When He did that, They sent God the Holy Spirit to live inside of us and then, for those who will receive, He gave the enduing with power from on high - the infilling of the Holy Spirit and power! The phrase "greater works" is the Greek word "meizon" which means: in a greater degree. That means that Jesus was saying that, if we choose to obey (He ALWAYS give us the choice) then we would do what He had done and even more frequently, and in more places! Don't EVER let anyone tell you that "God doesn't do that anymore"! Jesus is the SAME yesterday, today and (HALLELUJAH!) FOREVER! Amen! Here, to enforce THAT thought, is Hillsong United with "Lost Are Found" with lyrics following:

Everlasting
While earthly ages fade
In mercy
Our God Your kingdom reigns

Lord over everything
You are near
All of the universe at Your feet

In the Savior
Injustice brought to right
For Your glory
That Your name be lifted high

Lord over everything
You are near
All of the universe at Your feet
Lord over everything
You are near
All of the universe at Your feet

The lost are found
The blind will see
The lame will walk
The dead will live
And You are God
Forever You will reign

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I love the devotion for today on The Spoken Word Church Website!

You Can Determine Any Future You Want

You will never leave where you are, until you decide where you would rather be. The day you make a decision about your life is the day your world will change.

Move decisively toward the goals you have established. Intolerance of your present situation creates your future.

"Isaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

We have discussed here before that true success is being where God wants us to be, doing what God wants us to do. Once we KNOW the will of God for our lives, we must MOVE! He will lead, guide and direct us each step of the way, but it will only come as we MOVE! Take that first step before you expect another to be revealed! Look at these promises from the Word of God. Hosea 6:3, referring to knowing the Lord and His ways:

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: KJV

"Follow on" is the Hebrew word "radaph" and it means to pursue! If we want to know Him, we must do as Paul, in Philippians 3:10, and make it our determined purpose! THEN we must DO something to get started! What can we do? Spend time in the Word of God first of all. Spend time praying in the Spirit. Spend time in praise and worship. Spend time in intimate fellowship with Him. All are equally important and the emphasis for any particular time will be as the Holy Spirit leads us! Paul then goes on to say this in verses 12-14:

12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. AMP

To "press on" here is the Greek word "dioko" and it also means to pursue! So what should we do? "Move decisively toward the goals you have established", as led by the Spirit of God and the Word of God! Once you have established your spiritual goals, then incorporate that same method, determination and intensity to accomplishing the natural goals that God has given you! Remember what our partner Jerry O'Dell has shared: "When we want what God wants, for the same reason He wants it, we cannot fail!" AMEN! Here is a very old song from Hillsong called "Faith":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 65:1 says this in the KJV:

1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. KJV

Let's look at some other translations of the Bible on this verse. Here are the Complete Jewish Bible; Young's Literal Translation and the Amplified Bible:

2(1) To you, God, in Tziyon, silence is praise; and vows to you are to be fulfilled. CJB

1 To Thee, silence — praise, O God, [is] in Zion, And to Thee is a vow completed. YLT

1 TO YOU belongs silence (the submissive wonder of reverence which bursts forth into praise) and praise is due and fitting to You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed. AMP

"Waiteth" in the KJV is the Hebrew word "duwmiyah. It means: stillness, silently, quiet, trust, repose, silence, to keep silence, to be motionless, to be stupified (amazed or astonished). SO, to be still and know that He IS God will result in praise bursting forth! Spontaneous praise is a great indication that THIS is a person who has spent time in the presence of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Do you want to absolutely thrill and bless "the socks off" of YOUR Praise and Worship Leader? Then spend time in the very presence of God until praise bursts forth, and then get yourself to church and be a participator! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Praise Him":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

David's cry to the Lord in Psalm 64 is to preserve Him when the enemy is scheming against him! Verse 2:

² Hide me from the secret counsel and conspiracy of the ungodly, from the scheming of evildoers,

These evildoers, led by King Saul, were after David to kill him because he was perceived as a threat to Saul's reign. David goes on to describe more of what they were up to in verses 5-6:

⁵ They encourage themselves in an evil purpose, they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, Who will discover us? ⁶ They think out acts of injustice and say, We have accomplished a well-devised thing! For the inward thought of each one [is unsearchable] and his heart is deep.

BUT, what these evildoers seem to have forgotten is that the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible KNOWS all, HEARS all and SEES all! NOTHING that they planned or did was hidden from HIM! Their end was NOT pretty! If some of these tactics sound familiar to you, be of GREAT good cheer! The same God is watching over the affairs of man right now! Nothing being done in "secret" is EVER a secret to Him! The certain end for those who continually reject God and His Word? Verses 7-9:

⁷ But God will shoot an unexpected arrow at them; and suddenly shall they be wounded. ⁸ And they will be made to stumble, their own tongues turning against them; all who gaze upon them will shake their heads and flee away. ⁹ And all men shall [reverently] fear and be in awe; and they will declare the work of God, for they will wisely consider and acknowledge that it is His doing.

SO, pray for them and be about our Father's business while we wait as a spectator in the secret place of His presence (Psalm 91:8), being a DOER of verse 10:

¹⁰ The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory and offer praise.

Here to encourage you is Hillsong Live with "Love Knows No End":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was thinking about this Scripture today! 1 John 4:19:

19 We love him, because he first loved us. KJV

I pray this Scripture TO Him all the time, reminding myself of all that HE has done for ME! I discovered something "new to me" about this verse today! Look at how the Amplified Bible shows it:

19 We love Him, because He first loved us. AMP

Do YOU know what that little italics "Him" means? It means that this word is NOT in the original languages! It was added by the translators to try and make it clearer. Of course it IS true that we DO love Him because He loves us so very much! But what this verse is actually saying is:

We LOVE because He first loved us! 

HIS love is the only real love that there is! He has placed within us, as believers, the ability to love EVERYONE with the same love that we have received from Him! Don't ever let the devil steal from you by keeping you in unforgiveness because of his LIE that it is impossible for you to forgive, love and bless those who have hurt or harmed you. God would NEVER ask us to do something that we are not capable of doing, IN HIM! So, next time you think that you have found the ultimate unloveable person, remember that while YOU were yet a sinner, HE died for you (Romans 5:8)! Amen! There is NO greater love than that (John 15:13). Not so hard to love others when we truly understand HIS love! Here is Hillsong with "Love So High":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Pastor Bill Novak has been teaching a series on "The Sayings of Jesus on the Cross" at The Spoken Word Church. Today He covered Matthew 27:46:

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?KJV

This was a direct quotation of Psalm 22:1! Did you know that, other than Mark's account of the same in Mark 11:34, this is the ONLY time that we hear Jesus address God the Father as God? He always  called Him "Father" before this moment!  What changed? Look at 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. KJV

Our sinless Jesus was MADE sin with OUR sin, so that all who will receive Him can be MADE the righteousness of God! Look at Romans 6:23:

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  KJV

He suffered separation from the Father, which is what death really is! Because He was without His own sin, the death sentence could NOT stick! HALLELUJAH! Because HE identified with us in our sin, WE can identify with HIS life! Eternal LIFE! Do you see why THIS is the most important message that we have to give in this life? Check out 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 to get YOUR commission from God into full time ministry! AMEN! Here is a song from Hillsong to inspire you to DO just that! "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I hope you are all checking out the devotional on The Spoken Word Church website (link on the left) every day! It is short and concise and always backed up with Scripture! Here is a portion of today's:

Learn How to Read the Bible

Consistent Bible reading will be the most difficult habit you will ever establish in your life. The reason: It is the #1 key to your power. Set up a specific time for daily study of God's Word.

One of the Scriptures used is 2 Timothy 2:15:

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

Notice that this does not say read, it says "study"! This is the Greek word "spoudazo". It means: to use speed; to make effort; be prompt or earnest (marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness). It also means: to exert oneself; to endeavor; diligent; proficient; to be zealous. That doesn't sound like a quick little read-through, does it? In fact, look at this verse from the Amplified Bible:

15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. AMP

Remember Who it is that is living IN you, as a born again believer! (1 John 2:20 and 27)! Pray, asking this wonderful Teacher to teach you what the Word of God is to mean to YOU! (Psalm 25:5), and then determine to be a DOER of everything that He shows you! Your life will NEVER be the same again! Here is a fun song called "Everyday" by Hillsong Kids to inspire your child-like faith!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share portions from two different devotionals today! This from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

Do you love Me? —John 21:17

Peter’s response to this piercing question is considerably different from the bold defiance he exhibited only a few days before when he declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35 ; also see Matthew 26:33-34). Our natural individuality, or our natural self, boldly speaks out and declares its feelings. But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be discovered only by experiencing the hurt of this question of Jesus Christ. Peter loved Jesus in the way any natural man loves a good person. Yet that is nothing but emotional love. It may reach deeply into our natural self, but it never penetrates to the spirit of a person. True love never simply declares itself. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men [that is, confesses his love by everything he does, not merely by his words], him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).

One of the reasons that Peter could not keep himself from denying Jesus was because his love for Jesus WAS simply emotional! Peter was not yet born again because Jesus had not yet risen from the dead, so his spirit man was NOT alive in God by the Holy Spirit. Peter was a "mere natural man"! Once Jesus rose from the dead, Peter could become a new creature, with the Spirit of God living IN him! He could NOW experience the true Love of God, "agape", that is the type of love that can make a determined purpose and love by decision and not by emotions, which are fickle! Even though Peter now had a new Spirit when Jesus asked him the above question, he still had not yet received the "infilling" of the Holy Spirit, which endues "with power from on high"! This infilling of the Holy Spirit allows us to operate in a realm of power not available to those who will not receive! That brings us to this portion of Kenneth Copeland's "Pursuit of His Presence":

For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.– 1 Corinthians 14:2

What are mysteries? Mysteries are things we don’t know. Sometimes we don’t know what the perfect will of God is for our lives. We don’t know exactly what steps to take and what moves to make each day to fulfill the plan God has laid out for our lives. And no one in the world can tell us!

As 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit”

Besides being endued with power, those who have received the infilling now have this new, powerful prayer language with which we can pray the perfect will of God into the earth, AND into our lives! THIS is how we learn to operate in the supernatural love of God that will not deny Him! Kenneth Copeland also says this:

God has things that are so far better than what we’ve seen that we can’t even figure them out. But if we’ll pray in the spirit, we’ll get beyond our natural knowledge and receive supernatural understanding. Spend time praying in the spirit every day. Tap into the mind of God. Receive wisdom from heaven. And unlock the mysteries of God’s plan for your life!

 Have YOU received the infilling of the Holy Spirit since you have been born again? If not, please go to The Spoken Word Church website through the link at the left and find out more! you will be SO glad you did! you will truly never be the same again! Amen! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "Most High":

Shalom in Him!