"Therefore “Come out from among them And be separated, says the Lord. And do not touch an unclean thing, And I will receive you.” “And I will be a Father to you, And you will be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty.”
So what does it really mean to 'come out from among them and 'be separated'?
Well I can tell you what it doesn't mean! It doesn't mean that as a follower of Jesus you withdraw yourself from humanity and go live inside a convent!
And it also doesn't mean that you build big buildings and congregate inside them on Sunday, while the rest of the week you look and act just like the world does!
The Greek definition of separated means:
873. aphorizo af-or-id'-zo from 575 and 3724; to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.:--divide, separate, sever.
And who is our perfect example of one separated from the world? Jesus is of course!
Jesus was completely separated from the world, yet He could live in the world and co-exist with His creation. He was never ashamed of who He was and He never compromised the word of God!
The first century disciples were called out and separated by Jesus from the world.
John 15:18-19
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
So the truth is, being chosen out of the world and becoming like Christ in all we say and do will inevitably cause the world to hate us!
There are many today who talk about the love and compassion of Jesus, and surely He was full of those two fruits, but they forget what Jesus told His own brothers in John 7:7
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil."
Would it be any different for Jesus if He preached the same message and did the same ministry works He did in the first century, in the streets of America today? I think not!
James 4:4 Tells us:
"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
2nd Corinthians 6:14-16
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
Are you trying to do what the world does to win the world? Are you hanging out with unbelievers thinking you can some how win them over for Christ? Don't you know that bad company corrupts good character!
It's not up to us to win or save the world! Only Jesus can save a persons soul! And only the Father can draw people to Christ!
In the first century church the believers were all together and the LORD ADDED to the church those who should be saved. The apostles and prophets were just instruments used by God to do His will and accomplish the works He prepared in advance for them to do.
It's God's will for those in Christ to bear fruits, to be holy, separated, co-laborers with Christ, and to enter His rest.
Smith Wigglesworth (8 June 1859 – 12 March 1947), Was a British evangelist and faith healer who was important in the early history of Pentecostalism.
"You know, beloved, it had to be something on the line of solid facts to move me. I was as certain as possible that I had received the Holy Ghost, and was absolutely rigid in this conviction. When this Pentecostal outpouring began in England I went to Sunderland and met with the people who had assembled for the purpose of receiving the Holy Ghost. I was continually in those meetings causing disturbances until the people wished I had never come. They said that I was disturbing the whole conditions. But I was hungry and thirsty for God, and had gone to Sunderland because I heard that God was pouring out His Spirit in a new way. I heard that God had now visited His people, had manifested His power and that people were speaking in tongues as on the day of Pentecost.
When I got to this place I said, “I cannot understand this meeting. I have left a meeting in Bradford all on fire for God. The fire fell last night and we were all laid out under the power of God. I have come here for tongues, and I don’t hear them-I don’t hear anything.”
“Oh!” they said, “when you get baptized with the Holy Ghost you will speak in tongues.” “Oh, is that it?” said I, “when the presence of God came upon me, my tongue was loosened, and really I felt as I went in the open air to preach that I had a new tongue.” “Ah no,” they said, “that is not it.” “What is it, then?” I asked. They said, “When you get baptized in the Holy Ghost-” “I am baptized,” I interjected, “and there is no one here who can persuade me that I am not baptized.” So I was up against them and they were up against me.
I remember a man getting up and saying, “You know, brothers and sisters, I was here three weeks and then the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost and I began to speak with other tongues.” I said, “Let us hear it. That’s what I’m here for.” But he would not talk in tongues. I was doing what others are doing today, confusing the 12th of I Corinthians with the 2nd of Acts. These two chapters deal with different things, one with the gifts of the Spirit, and the other with the Baptism of the Spirit with the accompanying sign. I did not understand this and so I said to the man, “Let’s hear you speak in tongues.” But he could not. He had not received the “gift” of tongues, but the Baptism.
As the days passed I became more and more hungry. I had opposed the meetings so much, but the Lord was gracious, and I shall ever remember that last day-the day I was to leave. God was with me so much that last night. They were to have a meeting and I went, but I could not rest. I went to the Vicarage, and there in the library I said to Mrs. Boddy, “I cannot rest any longer, I must have these tongues.” She replied, “Brother Wigglesworth, it is not the tongues you need but the Baptism. If you will allow God to baptize you, the other will be all right.” “My dear sister, I know I am baptized,” I said. “You know that I have to leave here at 4 o’clock. Please lay hands on me that I may receive the tongues.”
She rose up and laid her hands on me and the fire fell. I said, “The fire’s falling.” Then came a persistent knock at the door, and she had to go out. That was the best thing that could have happened, for I was ALONE WITH GOD. Then He gave me a revelation. Oh, it was wonderful! He showed me an empty cross and Jesus glorified. I do thank God that the cross is empty, that Christ is no more on the cross. It was there that He bore the curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” He became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, and now, there He is in the glory. Then I saw that God had purified me. It seemed that God gave me a new vision, and I saw a perfect being within me with mouth open, saying, “Clean! Clean! Clean!” When I began to repeat it I found myself speaking in other tongues. The joy was so great that when I came to utter it my tongue failed, and I began to worship God in other tongues as the Spirit gave me utterance.
What had I received? I had received the Bible evidence. This Bible evidence is wonderful to me. I knew I had received the very evidence of the Spirit’s incoming that the Apostles received on the day of Pentecost. I knew that everything I had had up to that time was in the nature of an anointing bringing me in line with God in preparation, but now I knew I had the Biblical Baptism in the Spirit. It had the backing of the Scriptures. You are always right when you have the backing of the Scriptures and you are never right if you have not a foundation for your testimony in the Word of God.
For many years I have thrown out a challenge to any person who can prove to me that he has the Baptism without speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance-to prove it by the Word that he has been baptized in the Holy Ghost without the Bible evidence, but so far no one has accepted the challenge. I only say this because so many were as I was; they have a rigid idea that they have received the Baptism without the Bible evidence. The Lord Jesus wants those who preach the Word to have the Word in evidence. Don’t be misled by anything else. Have a Bible proof for all you have, and then you will be in a place where no man can move you.
I was so full of joy that I wired home to say that I had received the Holy Ghost. As soon as I got home, my boy came running up to me and said, “Father, have you received the Holy Ghost?” I said, “Yes, my boy.” He said, “Let’s hear you speak in tongues.” But I could not. Why? I had received the Baptism in the Spirit with the speaking in tongues as the Bible evidence according to Acts 2:4, and had not received the gift of Tongues according to 1 Corinthians 12. I had received the Giver of all gifts. At some time later when I was helping some souls to seek and receive the Baptism of the Spirit, God gave me the gift of Tongues so that I could speak at any time. I could speak, but will not - no never! I must allow the Holy Ghost to use the gift. It should be so, so that we shall have divine utterances only by the Spirit. I would be very sorry to use a gift, but the Giver has all power to use the whole nine gifts."
Reuben Archer Torrey (28 January 1856 – 26 October 1928), Was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, writer, and first Superintendent of Moody Bible Institute In Chicago.
"While a great deal is said in these days concerning the baptism with the Holy Spirit, it is to be feared that there are many who talk about it and pray for it who have no clear and definite idea of what it is. But the Bible, if carefully studied, will give us a view of this wondrous blessing that is perfectly clear and remarkably definite.
1. We find first of all that there are a number of designations in the Bible for this one experience. In Acts 1:5 Jesus said: “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” In Acts 2:4, when this promise was fulfilled, we read, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” In Acts 1:4 the same experience is spoken of as “the promise of the Father,” and in Luke 24:49 as “the promise of my Father” and “endued with power from on high.’ By a comparison of Acts 10:44, 45, and 47 with Acts 11:15, and 16, we find that the expressions “the Holy Ghost fell on them” and “the gift of the Holy Ghost” and “received the Holy Ghost” are all equivalent to “baptized with the Holy Ghost.”
2. We find in the next place that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience which one may know whether he has received or not. This is evident from our Saviour’s command to the apostles: “Tarry ye in the city…until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). If this enduement with power, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, were not an experience so definite that one could know whether he had received it or not, how could they tell when those commanded days of tarrying were at an end?
The same thing is clear from Paul’s very definite question to the disciples at Ephesus. “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?” (Acts 19:2, ASV). Paul evidently expected a definite “yes” or a definite “no” for an answer. Unless the experience were definite and of such a character that one could know whether he had received it or not, how could these disciples answer Paul’s question! In fact, they know they had not received or been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and a short time afterward they knew they had received and been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for every child of God in every age of the Church's history. If it is not ours in experimental possession, it is because we have not taken (the exact force of the word "receive" in verse 38 is take) what God has provided for us in our exalted Saviour.
A minister of the Gospel once came to me after a lecture on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and said: "The church to which I belong, teaches that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit was for the Apostolic age alone." "It matters not, " was replied, "what the church to which you belong or the church to which I belong teaches.
What says the Word of God?" Acts ii: 39 was read: "To you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." "Has he called you?" I asked. "Yes, he certainly has." "Is the promise for you?" "Yes, it is." And it was. And it is for every child of God who reads these pages. What a thrilling thought it is that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, the endue-ment with power from on high is for us, is for me individually."
"If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?"
*****Excerpts quoted from Alex Jones' InfoWars.com*****
"There has been a lot of talk about things that are going to happen in September, but something that has been almost totally overlooked is the fact that the UN Security Council is likely to be voting on a UN resolution which will establish a Palestinian state at that time.
Right now, France is working on a proposed resolution which would give formal UN Security Council recognition to the Palestinians, would declare that a divided Jerusalem is the capital of both Israel and a Palestinian state, and would set the 1967 borders as the baseline for future negotiations which would establish the final borders between the two nations. It is being reported that France will submit this resolution for a vote after the 70th session of the UN General Assembly begins on the 15th of September. At this moment, 136 nations have already recognized a Palestinian state, but the United States has always blocked recognition by the UN Security Council. This time may be different though, because there are quite a few indications that Barack Obama actually plans to back the French resolution in September. If that happens, and the UN Security Council approves this resolution, it is going to have enormous implications for all of us.
The proposed French resolution will only be tabled after the June 30 deadline set for the nuclear negotiations with Iran. The intention is to bring it to a vote in the Security Council during the General Assembly session in New York in September.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest pledged on May 12 that following “the comments made by the prime minister in the closing days of his election,” the United States would change its approach toward promoting a solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Earnest was referring, of course, to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comment that a Palestinian state will not be established as long as he is prime minister. The most likely assumption, based on Earnest’s words, was that the president will replace his indulgence of Netanyahu’s procrastination on the process with support for proposals for resolving the conflict. Among other things, the new approach appears to include a freeze of the US veto at the UN and its institutions until such time as Israel deigns to extract the two-state negotiations from the freezer.
If the United States does not veto the French resolution later this year, it will almost certainly pass. So right now, the only thing standing in the way of a Palestinian state is Barack Obama. And considering the fact that he is probably the most anti-Israel president in our history, that is a very sobering thought.
Publicly, Obama is being very coy about what he plans to do. But privately, it appears that he has already made up his mind. In fact, Debka is reporting that Obama has given France a “green light” to move forward with this resolution…
US President Barack Obama did not wait for Benjamin Netanyahu to finish building his new government coalition by its deadline at midnight Wednesday, May 6, before going into action to pay him back for forming a right-wing cabinet minus any moderate figure for resuming negotiations with the Palestinians.
Banking on Netanyahu’s assertion while campaigning for re-election that there would be no Palestinian state during his term in office, Obama is reported exclusively by our sources to have given the hitherto withheld green light to European governments to file a UN Security Council motion proclaiming an independent Palestinian state." {end quote}
"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings."
The first deception and sin of man. This one act of disobedience led to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the glorious garden of Eden, and caused every subsequent human born to be spiritually disconnected and separated from the One True God.
I thank God for this testimony in Genesis because it helps us to see how easy it is to fall from grace and be deceived by a fallen angel who hates us and God.
What I would like to point out though is that all the evil power that satan wields to deceive man, would have been negated with a simple, NO! And to make matters worse, Adam, who God made to take care of His creation was right there with his wife and didn't say or do anything to stop the deception!
We can see the same type of immaturity in some men today who let their wives rule over them and they don't fight or stand up for themselves or their family!
All Adam had to do was say, wait a minute Eve, I remember what God said:
Genesis 2:15-17
"Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
That's why it's so important to have the word of God in our hearts and minds, it's the truth that keeps us from falling into deception and sin. If you obey the word of God and put into practice the teachings of Jesus Christ you will be able to resist the devil, and stand against his lies.
Of course God knew what would happen, but He allowed this situation to occur to test Adam and Eve, they had a choice to obey the command of God or take into their hearts and minds the lies of satan. They made the wrong choice!
Thankfully God also had a plan before the foundation of this world, JESUS! It's because of the Lord and Savior that we can be reconciled to God and be free from sin and death.
So let us make the right choice today, let us choose life instead of death!
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."
Have these scriptures been removed from modern day translations of the bible? It certainly seems so to me!
What we see today in the buildings that are called 'church', has no resemblance whatsoever to the first century church, and the ministry gifts that Jesus Himself gave to His body are essentially non-existent in many congregations of professing Christians.
Did Jesus revoke His gifts to equip the saints for the work of the ministry?
Did He change the way He wants His church to function?
The scripture tells us, that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So that means man has done the changing and exchanged the truth of God for a lie!
Many religious leaders today have done exactly what the Pharisees and Sadducees did during the time of Jesus' ministry. They have nullified the commands of God by their traditions!
Some believe that there are no more true apostles or prophets today, if that's true, then there are no more true evangelists, pastors, and teachers!
Sadly, those who oversee God's flock in many denominations and ministries have not been holding to the teachings of Jesus Christ, nor do they hold their congregations accountable to what's clearly written in the scriptures they read every Sunday!
The first century church was blessed by the plurality of overseers who loved the saints and fought for them, laying down their lives daily to see them grow and mature in Christ.
2nd Corinthians 3:1-6
"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
The first century apostles, prophets and elders, knew that nothing came from themselves, they received their ministry and strength from God.
The time of the one man show is ending, the hand writing is on the wall, and the Lord said to my wife a few years ago: "The Little Ones Will Be Great And The Great Will Disappear".
"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
This is the way of God. Death to self. If you try to hold onto any part of your life in this world you can ultimately lose your soul in the end.
And isn't it the American dream to have the big house, the attractive spouse, a fancy car, respect and admiration from your peers?
But the words of Jesus that lead to eternal life are the exact opposite of everything the world holds dear.
John 12:24-25
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
In order to truly live, you must die! And I mean complete death of all that you are in this world, and what does Jesus promise if you give up your life for Him and the gospel? Eternal Life!!!
The blessed assurance and hope of living forever with God in complete love, peace, and joy for all eternity!! What could be better than that?
So the question is, have youdied yet? Or are you still holding on to that bank account? To the American dream?
And if you are a Christian, is there something still in you that you haven't completely surrendered to God?
Paul understood the ways of God and applied the teachings of Jesus to his life, will you do the same?
Galatians 6:14
"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Let me say this right off, sin is sin, regardless of what type of sin it is.
Murder, fornication (which is adultery, and pre-marital sex), rape, theft, sexual immorality (which includes lesbianism and homosexuality), all of these and more are sins according to the word of God as so written in the scriptures contained in the bible.
Now, one could believe what the scriptures say or not, we all have free will, that's how God made us.
But just because a person does not believe in God or agree with what the scriptures say on any given subject, doesn't mean they are not true!
Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage will be legal in all of the United States Of America. A ruling that goes against the laws and commandments of God, just as any other sin does.
I wouldn't even be writing about this had I not seen the above picture of the guy holding up a sign that says, "our constitution is our shield against Bible based discrimination toward our gay friends and neighbors".
Since when did the bible start discriminating against a specific group of people?
Here is what Discrimination means:
"The practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people" (Merriam Webster)
The only person and group of people I read about in the bible being treated unfairly is the prophets of God, Jesus, and the Christians!!!!
If any professing Christian is using the bible to discriminate against a person or group of people then they are not practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ!
Jesus tells us to 'love our neighbors', and 'love our enemies', but we are not called to love the sin that people commit! We are called to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus name!
In contrast here is what Gov. Bobby Jindal and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said:
"Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, a Republican candidate for president, warned that the court decision “will pave the way for an all-out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree.” (Quote taken from The New York Times Online)
"But Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., dissenting, wrote, “Hard questions arise when people of faith exercise religion in ways that may be seen to conflict with the new right to same-sex marriage — when, for example, a religious college provides married student housing only to opposite-sex married couples, or a religious adoption agency declines to place children with same-sex married couples.
There is little doubt that these and similar questions will soon be before this Court,” he wrote, adding, “Unfortunately, people of faith can take no comfort in the treatment they receive from the majority today.” (Quote taken from The New York Times Online)
The prophecies that Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:9-10 are right at the door and I pray that those who call themselves Christian will be ready to face the persecution that's coming to this country and the world.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
The Judge of judges also said this:
Revelation 21:6-8
"And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."
After three and a half years of miracles, signs and wonders, wisdom from above, and a love that was beyond human comprehension, the eleven disciples that walked, talked, ate, slept and ministered with Jesus still had hardness in their hearts.
I'm amazed by that truth and even more amazed that one could eat, sleep and minister with the Lord and never change, never be touched by His love, never shed a tear of repentance and Godly sorrow.
Yet that was the case with Judas Iscariot, who we all know betrayed the Savior of all mankind.
It has taken me years to really understand how a man or woman can harden themselves to the love, grace, and Spirit of God. I've learned over the years that it's not hard to resist the pull of God's grace, and it's not hard to resist the conviction of the Spirit, people just do what comes natural to them since birth.
When they feel the pull of God, they turn their faces away, when the Spirit convicts their hearts of sin, righteousness, and judgment, they harden themselves to it, they ignore the Spirit of God and become engrossed with work, pleasures, and the pride of life.
No, it's not hard to resist God, but it IS hard, painful, and difficult to resist satan! It's hard to resist the lusts of your flesh, and very difficult to overcome the world, and go against the grain.
The truth is sin hardens the heart, and once a man or woman resists God long enough, He gives them over to a depraved mind, He gives them over to the lusts of their flesh and they eventually end up beyond feeling.
Did you know it was possible to be past feeling? The scriptures talk about such people.
Ephesians 4:17-19
"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Jesus prophesied that because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Lawlessness is indeed abounding throughout this world!
Is your heart hard?
Hebrews 3:15
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!”And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
God does many things on a daily basis to test our hearts and minds, He tests the fruits that are birthed in our hearts to see how we will respond in any given situation.
Are we faithful when disaster strikes, are we peaceful when the storm rises up and threatens to overtake us?
Jesus is the prince of peace and He trusted the Father completely with His life while He walked this earth as the Son of man and the Son of God. He knew and understood that no matter what was going on around Him, that God was with Him and would protect Him from harm and death. Jesus had peace.
Are you peaceful when there's an unforeseen accident? Are you peaceful when you lose your job and the rent is due and the kids are hungry? Or do you go off and lose your temper not knowing what to do?
While Jesus slept in the boat the disciples were becoming more and more fearful of death as the storm raged and the waters started to fill up the boat.
How could Jesus sleep in the midst of a raging storm, howling winds, flooding boat, and fearful, yelling disciples? PEACE!
Strong's Lexicon gives us this definition of Peace.
G1515: 1. A state of national tranquillity, a. exemption from the rage and havoc of war 5. of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. (Blue Letter Bible)
The disciples might have thought Jesus didn't care about them because He was sleeping while the storm raged, but that was their state of mind and being at the time. Jesus loved them all, but they had to go through the experience to learn how to trust in God and follow the example of Jesus.
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Phillipians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee."
The fact that there was a man sitting in the midst of the synagogue with an unclean spirit, (while Jesus taught!) tells us that satan and evil spirits don't care about a physical building at all, they are not bound by the physical. And it doesn't matter how historical or the name of the building, demons can and will enter a building with the label "church" on it and feel quite comfortable IF there is no one in that building with the Holy Spirit and anointing of God IN their souls.
If there is no one with the power and authority of Jesus to cast out the devils that inhabit the bodies of the wicked and believers as well, inside buildings and outside, then the demons will be free to do what they will.
What those who are truly in Christ must understand is that WE ARE THE CHURCH! And if the Spirit of God dwells in you, then it doesn't matter where you step your foot, God is with you in that place!
1st Corinthians 3:16
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
Did Paul tell the Corinthian saints that the physical temple of Jerusalem at that time was the temple of God? NO! He told them that THEY were the temple of God!
Jesus knew that His body was a temple of God.
John 2:19-21
"Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body."
Paul quoted the prophets and reiterated to the Corinthians what God Himself said.
2nd Corinthians 6:16
"For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
Eventually the demons will manifest (show themselves) in the presence of one with the power, authority, and grace of God emanating from their spirits. Even Judas who was with Jesus His whole ministry, eventually showed himself for who he was, a betrayer and a devil!
No, the church is not a building and never will be. And when the buildings that are called 'the church' are no more, then those in whom God dwells will stand strong in His power and His might!
Matthew 16:18
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Do you have a reverent fear of God? A fear that helps you to do right when you want to do wrong?
I'm not talking about a fear that makes you afraid to come near to God and receive His salvation and love. But a godly fear that keeps you obedient to Him and His commands.
In these last days it seems there is nothing much that can cause a man or woman to stop sinning and repent (change your mind) and turn to God.
With ever increasing sin and debauchery, what will it take before people begin to fear the Creator of Heaven and earth?
What has to happen before man says this is the finger and the judgment of God, who can stand?
In the first century church, Ananias and Sapphira learned a hard lesson about lying to God.
Acts 5:1-5
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things."
It's inevitable that God will do the same things today that He did thousands of years ago when people forgot to fear and reverence Him.
So let those who fear the Lord remember His promise of a heavenly kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us labor to enter into that kingdom and the joy of our Lord!
Hebrews 12:28-29
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."
A few weeks ago my spirit was quickened by the Lord and I said, "something is coming". And the same day while my wife was praying and meditating she received the same thing and spoke out loud, "something is coming".
Whatever it is many will not be prepared for it and they will be swept away by it. The only hope any soul has on the face of this earth is Jesus!
Luke 21:25-26
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken."
Mensagem escrita dias 04 e 18 de Abril de 2015 -Parte 1 e Parte 2
This message can also be found in our blogspot on 04/12/2015 named as: Be Transformed By the Renewing Of Your Mind! Part 1 and Part 2 written on 04/18/2015
PARTE 1
Romanos 12:1-2
Portanto, irmãos, rogo-lhes pelas misericórdias de Deus que se ofereçam em sacrifício vivo, santo e agradável a Deus; este é o culto racional de vocês. 2 Não se amoldem ao padrão deste mundo, mas transformem-se pela renovação da sua mente, para que sejam capazes de experimentar e comprovar a boa, agradável e perfeita vontade de Deus.
Eu disse isso antes em outra mensagem, mas eu preciso dizer novamente: Ler as escrituras e concordar com elas e uma coisa, mas VIVER A REALIDADE das verdades das Escrituras e totalmente diferente!
Ser transformado pela renovacao de sua mente e uma escritura que deve se tornar uma realidade para os que estao em Cristo antes de nos comecarmos a entender inteiramente o que o Espirito estava falando atraves de Paulo quando a escritura foi escrita.
G3339. metamorphoo met-am-or-fo'-o de 3326 e 3445; transformar (literalmente ou figurativamente, "metamorfose"):--mudanca, transfigurar, transformar.
Transformar 1 a: mudar em composicao ou estrutura b: mudar por fora a forma ou aparencia form de c: mudar em carater ou conficao :converter (Merriam Webster)
Ser transformado significa se tornar algo COMPLETAMENTE DIFERENTE do que voce e agora, fisicamente E espiritualmente! Ser mudado para algo mais! A comparacao mais proxima de transformacao que Cristaos podem experimentar em Cristo e a mudanca da Lagarta para Borboleta.
2 Corintios 3:17-18
Ora, o Senhor é o Espírito; e onde está o Espírito do Senhor aí há liberdade. Mas todos nós, com rosto descoberto, refletindo como um espelho a glória do Senhor, somos transformados de glória em glória na mesma imagem, como pelo Espírito do Senhor.
Os que estao em Cristo e estao pressionando para santidade e maturidade estao literalmente sendo transformados na MESMA IMAGEM de nosso Senhor e Salvador!
Entao faca a voce mesmo algumas perguntas como: Voce esta experimentando transformacao e sendo conformado a imagem de Cristo? Fisicamente e espiritualmente? Quando voce se olha no espelho, voce enxerga as manifestacoes de Jesus? Voce ve e sente vida em seu corpo? Paz, alegria, e amor em seus olhos? Voce ve a face de um anjo olhando de volta para voce? Se nao, voce deve se perguntar por que nao?
Nas escrituras nos encontramos um dos martires, Estevao, que experimentou as transformacoes fisica e espiritual a imagem de Cristo. Ele estava cheio do Espirito, fe e sabedoria de Deus.
Atos 6:1-6
Ora, naqueles dias, crescendo o número dos discípulos, houve uma murmuração dos helenistas contra os hebreus, porque as viúvas daqueles estavam sendo esquecidas na distribuição diária. E os doze, convocando a multidão dos discípulos, disseram: Não é razoável que nós deixemos a palavra de Deus e sirvamos às mesas. Escolhei, pois, irmãos, dentre vós, sete homens de boa reputação, cheios do Espírito Santo e de sabedoria, aos quais encarreguemos deste serviço. Mas nós perseveraremos na oração e no ministério da palavra. O parecer agradou a todos, e elegeram a Estevão, homem cheio de fé e do Espírito Santo, Filipe, Prócoro, Nicanor, Timão, Pármenas, e Nicolau, prosélito de Antioquia, e os apresentaram perante os apóstolos; estes, tendo orado, lhes impuseram as mãos. Atos 6:8-15
Ora, Estêvão, cheio de graça e poder, fazia prodígios e grandes sinais entre o povo. Levantaram-se, porém, alguns que eram da sinagoga chamada dos libertos, dos cireneus, dos alexandrinos, dos da Cilícia e da Ásia, e disputavam com Estêvão; e não podiam resistir à sabedoria e ao Espírito com que falava. Então subornaram uns homens para que dissessem: Temo-lo ouvido proferir palavras blasfemas contra Moisés e contra Deus. Assim excitaram o povo, os anciãos, e os escribas; e investindo contra ele, o arrebataram e o levaram ao sinédrio; e apresentaram falsas testemunhas que diziam: Este homem não cessa de proferir palavras contra este santo lugar e contra a lei; porque nós o temos ouvido dizer que esse Jesus, o nazareno, há de destruir este lugar e mudar os costumes que Moisés nos transmitiu. Então todos os que estavam assentados no sinédrio, fitando os olhos nele, viram o seu rosto como de um anjo.
Podemos nos andar na face desta terra cheios de fe, poder, sabedoria, e do Espirito de Deus? Eu te digo SIM!!!
as nossas faces podem brilhar tao cheias de luz, gloria e beleza, que as pessoas olharao para nossas faces como se fossemos anjos? Eu te digo SIM!!!
Como foi no primeiro seculo, assim tambem sera no seculo 21!!
PARTE 2
Colossenses 3:1-3
Se, pois, fostes ressuscitados juntamente com Cristo, buscai as coisas que são de cima, onde Cristo está assentado à destra de Deus. Pensai nas coisas que são de cima, e não nas que são da terra; porque morrestes, e a vossa vida está escondida com Cristo em Deus.
Paulo nos da uma chave muito importante para facilitar o processo de transformacao e renovacao da mente. Ele nos fala dos santos de Colossos para colocarem suas mentes nas coisas de cima e NAO nas coisas que sao da terra!
Se voce aplicasse esta palavra a sia vida por um dia, voce veria o quanto voce pensa sobre as coisas da terra! Como contas, esposas, criancas, trabalho, divida, escola, politica, membros da familia, e a lista continua!
Este mundo e cheio de distracoes e satanas sabe como enlacar voce, distrair voce, e mentir para voce, para que voce mantenha sua mentes em tudo mais exceto JESUS!!!
Uma vez que voce comeca a meditar na palavra de Deus e pensar nas coisas do ceu, santidade, e nas coisas de Deus, as coisas desse mundo comecam a perder o poder. Uma vez que voce se disconectar do Matrix ( o sistema dos homens), sua mente comeca a se abrir para verdade e como Neo (do filme Matrix), voce comeca a perceber que a vida que voce estava vivendo nao era vida pois somente atraves de Cristo podemos ter vida abundante!
2 Corintios 10:3-5
Porque, embora andando na carne, não militamos segundo a carne, pois as armas da nossa milícia não são carnais, mas poderosas em Deus, para demolição de fortalezas; derribando raciocínios e todo baluarte que se ergue contra o conhecimento de Deus, e levando cativo todo pensamento à obediência a Cristo;
Paulo disse aos santos que nos andamos na carne mas nos nao guerreamos de acordo com a carne. Se voce tentar lutar com satanas pela carne voce perdera todas as vezes e dara a ele abertura em sua vida.
Mas se voce entender que nos somos alma e espirito covertos por corpos de carne e voce lutar a boa luta da fe andando na vitoria de Jesus, o inimigo nao podera nos tocar a nao ser que Deus o permita.
A escritura nos diz para levar cativo TODO PENSAMENTO a obediencia de Cristo! Quantas horas do dia voce senta e pensa nas coisas da terra? Ou assiste TV?
Se voce colocar sua mente em Jesus e nas coisas de cima o mesmo tempo que gasta pensando nas outras coisas terrenas, voce ficara espantado com a quantidade de bencaos espirituais e avancos que recebera de Deus!
Neste trecho e dito: "Voce deve deixar tudo Neo: Medo, Duvida, Descrenca. Liberte Sua Mente"
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Paul gives us a very important key to facilitate the process of transformation and mind renewal. He tells the Colossian saints to set your mind on things that are above, NOT on things that are on the earth!
If you applied this word to your life for one day, you would see how much you think about earthly things! Like bills, spouses, kids, job, debt, school, politics, family members, and the list goes on!
This world is full of distractions and Satan knows how to entice you, distract you, and lie to you, so that you keep your mind on everything else but JESUS!!!
Once you start to meditate on the word of God and think about heaven, holiness, and the things of God, the things of this world start to lose their power. Once you're unplugged from the Matrix (the system of man), your mind begins to be opened to the truth and like Neo you start to realize that the life you were living wasn't life at all, because only through Christ can we have the true abundant life!
2nd Corinthians 10:3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Paul told the saints that we walk in the flesh but we do not war according to the flesh. If you try to fight Satan by the flesh you will lose every time and give him a foothold in your life.
But if you understand that we are soul and spirit covered by our fleshly bodies and you fight the good fight of faith walking in the victory of Jesus the enemy cannot touch us unless God allows it.
The scripture says to bring EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ! How many hours of the day do you sit and think about earthly things? Or watch T.V.?
If you set your mind on Jesus and things above for the same amount of time, you will be amazed at the amount of spiritual blessings and breakthroughs you will receive from God!
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
I said this before in another post, but I must say it again; To read the scriptures and agree with them is one thing but to LIVE THE REALITY of the truths of scripture is entirely different!
Being transformed by the renewing of your mind is one such scripture that must become a reality for those in Christ, before we can begin to fully understand what the Spirit was speaking through Paul when the scripture was written.
G3339. metamorphoo met-am-or-fo'-o from 3326 and 3445; to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose"):--change, transfigure, transform.
Transform 1 a: to change in composition or structure b: to change the outward form or appearance of c: to change in character or condition : convert (Merriam Webster)
To be transformed means to become something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than what you are now, physically AND spiritually!. To be changed into something else! The closest comparison to the transformation that Christians can experience in Christ is that of the Caterpillar's change into a Butterfly.
2nd Corinrhians 3:17-18
"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Those who are in Christ and are pressing on to holiness and maturity are literally being transformed into the SAME IMAGE as our Lord and Savior!
So here's a few questions: Are you experiencing transformation and conformation into the image of Christ? Physically and spiritually? When you look at yourself in the mirror do you ever see manifestations of Jesus? Do you see and feel life in your body? Peace, joy, and love in your eyes? Do you see the face of an angel looking back at you? If not, then you must ask yourself why not?
In the scriptures we find one of the first martyrs, Stephen, who experienced the physical and spiritual transformation into the image of Christ. He was full of the Spirit, faith, and wisdom of God.
Acts 6:1-6
"Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them."
Acts 6:8-15
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel."
Can we walk upon the face of this earth full of faith, power, wisdom, and the Spirit of God? I tell you YES!!!
Can our faces be shining so full of light, glory, and beauty, that people behold our faces like those of angels? I tell you YES!!!
As it was in the first century, so shall it be in the twenty first century!!
I believe TD Jakes explained The Sabbath Rest for the people of God really well, it is done in 3 very small parts worthy of listening to, meditating and practicing it. So, I would like to share with you for your edification. This is very enlightening! Let us labor to enter into this rest.
Genesis 2:2 - By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Jeremiah 17:21 - This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem.
Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Hebrews 4: 9-10 - There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Let us live the freedom that our Messiah already purchased for us,
God bless you,
Cynthia R. Palmer
One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
