If you know me very well, then you know that I love God’s Word and that I am very interested in matters concerning Israel. I would like to share with you an excerpt from “The Carmel Alert”, Out of Zion Ministries Newsletter. It is about both--- God’s Word & Israel. It’s a bit lengthy but I believe you’ll be blessed by it. Thanks for reading!
Stefan's Comment: The Sword of the Spirit
Eph 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We are in an ongoing battle every moment of our lives. In every decision that we make, we have a choice to obey God and bring Him glory, or to disobey Him and cause Him grief, regardless of anyone else knowing of this choice. Everything that we do echoes in the spiritual realm, every thought, every whim, every attitude and every word. As Shaul (Paul) wrote in the above verse, it is not against flesh and blood that we wrestle, but against principalities, powers and spiritual hosts. Out of all the armour of God stated in Eph 6, the Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon that we have. All the others are defensive weapons that are designed to keep us from the fiery arrows that the enemy sends our way. The only weapon that we have to strike back at the enemy is the sword. There is a famous saying that I think we have all heard at one point or another in our lives: “The best defense is a strong offence”. Wars and battles are not won by being on the defensive, but by attacking, striking hard at the enemy and advancing forward until he either surrenders or withdraws.It is for good reason that it is called the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ because it is a spiritual weapon and we must be in the Spirit in order to use it. Our sword is the living word of God that is “…powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12, NKJ). But in order for it to be affective, we must know how to use it and be skilled in handling it. How can a soldier go to war with a weapon that he does not know how to use? Just imagine a soldier throwing his M-4 rifle at the enemy instead of shooting at him with it – not very effective. Also think of a soldier who knows how to use his M-4, meaning he knows how to fire it, but it takes him forever to change a clip, or he only know how to fire standing up, but not squatting, sitting, kneeling or lying down. This is not how a trained, skilled soldier is to perform in battle. So we must know how to use our sword and be skilled in it.
A perfect example can be found in Matt 3:16 going into Matt 4. Yeshua (Jesus) goes through ‘Tironut’ or ‘Basic Training - Boot Camp’ in English. It is the first time that we see that the enemy tempted Yeshua. The first thing we see is that after He was baptized Yeshua was filled with the Spirit and was then moved by the Spirit into the desert. Notice the importance of being in the Spirit. Before His baptism Yeshua did not perform any miracles nor minister in anyway. We are only told that He grew in wisdom and stature before God and men. In the desert the enemy came to Yeshua in order to attack Him. Notice the pattern in the temptations:
First, Satan attacks Yeshua (Jesus) in the weakness / vulnerability of His flesh. Yeshua was hungry after fasting for 40 days already and the enemy tries to get Him to turn stones into bread. Notice how Yeshua, being filled with the Spirit strikes the enemy with the Sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God) with much skill and precision. He knows exactly how to use His weapon to refute the attack of the enemy.
Secondly, the enemy tries to use the word to cause Yeshua to fall. The enemy is doing two things here - 1/ he is twisting and perverting the word of God from the truth that is in it and 2/ he is attacking the sovereignty of God the Father over Yeshua’s life. Again Yeshua knows how to strike skillfully with the truth of the word against the perversion of the word.
Thirdly, the enemy offers Yeshua a short cut and a cheap alternative of the real promise given by the Father (Psalm 110:1). Yeshua knows why He has come, He knows what is planned for Him and what He must do. Heb 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NKJ). Again Yeshua strikes the devil with the word of God and the enemy finally flees from Him just as is written in James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (NKJ). Then the angels come and minister to Him both physically (food) and spiritually, I believe. What a perfect example of how we are to stand in the word and use it in the spirit to come against the enemy’s attacks, resisting (defending and counter-attacking) until he flees!
Another prime example is young King David when fighting against Goliath (read 1 Sam 17:45-50). David is skilled in his simple weapons – the slingshot andthe shepherds staff, but not with all of Saul’s armour and weaponry. He goes out against Goliath with what he is skilled in. I believe that David was filled with and moved by the Spirit at that moment as it was not normal for him to do what he did in that situation. Goliath curses David and his God, the God of Israel. Goliath wishes to enslave Israel. His words are lofty and come against the word of God. David speaking prophetically with boldness declares to Goliath exactly what is about to happen to him and this soon comes to pass. There was a spirit working in Goliath that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and His truth that was cut down and destroyed by a brave freckly red head who knew God’s word, was skilled in it, was brave and saw beyond Goliath’s size, armour and battle experience to God’s promises, purposes and desires.2 Cor 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…” (NKJ)
The apostles were commanded by the Lord not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled with power from on high, until they were filled with the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is the living out the New Covenant. Only in the Spirit can we walk according to God’s commandments. Only in the Spirit are we in tune with our Master, our Abba (Father) to do His will, just as Yeshua was. Of course we will always fail and wrestle with our flesh, but still that is our goal and our vision.
In these days there are many spirits that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God concerning those who are the Lord’s and also the nation of Israel. Let us become more skilled in the Word. Let us proclaim the word over out lives and over the nation of Israel. The enemy will keep attacking because he knows that his time is short, but we have a weapon that is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…” to strike back with. Let us walk in the Spirit and make full use of our spiritual sword – the Word of God.
The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for all of the soldiers in the IDF -they are defending and fighting for the Kingdom of God.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Part 2: A Lamp ...continued
The writer of II Samuel saw God as the light for our way. As we read, keep in mind that God and His Word are one. II Samuel 22: 29 – 34: “For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God: God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer. He sets me on my high places.”
This Old Testament writer recognizes that God lights our way. He lights up the darkness along our way and it is perfect. God’s Word is proven. In other words it is tested and sure. It is dependable. The writer goes on to say that God is a shield to all who trust Him and He puts our feet securely on the high path. When we struggle along our own path, in the dark, we will surely not be so sure footed.
Certainly God inspired the psalmist of Psalm 119 to write in verse 105, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Proverbs 6:23 states, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
Let’s look at the definition of “word.” It means “speech; word or words; commandment; dictum; answer; saying.” It comes from the root word “Amar” and occurs approximately 5,000 times in the Old Testament. (from Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Word Wealth” at II Samuel 22:31.) My favorite definition for "word” is “answer.” My Bible, His Word to me--- His child, contains all the answers. We have the questions and the problems. He has the answers and solutions. Every morning, when I open this inspired Word of God, He speaks into my very life, “Let there be light.”
This Old Testament writer recognizes that God lights our way. He lights up the darkness along our way and it is perfect. God’s Word is proven. In other words it is tested and sure. It is dependable. The writer goes on to say that God is a shield to all who trust Him and He puts our feet securely on the high path. When we struggle along our own path, in the dark, we will surely not be so sure footed.
Certainly God inspired the psalmist of Psalm 119 to write in verse 105, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Proverbs 6:23 states, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
Let’s look at the definition of “word.” It means “speech; word or words; commandment; dictum; answer; saying.” It comes from the root word “Amar” and occurs approximately 5,000 times in the Old Testament. (from Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Word Wealth” at II Samuel 22:31.) My favorite definition for "word” is “answer.” My Bible, His Word to me--- His child, contains all the answers. We have the questions and the problems. He has the answers and solutions. Every morning, when I open this inspired Word of God, He speaks into my very life, “Let there be light.”
Monday, February 15, 2010
Part 2. A Lamp
Look way back at my first sentence, quoting Psalm 119: 105: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” That statement, or “Truth,” alone should be enough to cause a believer to want to immerse him or her self into the Words of their Creator. Do we really believe that the Word of God will light our way along this path of life? Our actions may say, “Well, sometimes I believe that and sometimes I don’t.” We need to know, for a fact, in the very depths of our being, (that is in our spirit), that this passage of scripture (Ps. 119:105) is “Truth,” and it should then change our lives. I am talking again about revelation understanding --- the knowing that this passage is true for me and you every minute of every day of our lives.
The very first recorded words literally spoken by God are found in Genesis 1:3. Let’s look at the very beginning. Genesis 1:1-4: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”
So God’s very first recorded words were, “Let there be light.” Of course, He was referring to light in the natural and His separation of light from darkness. But how interesting this is, in relation to our topic today --- that our Creator’s first recorded words were: “Let there be light.” Every believer can walk daily in God’s light. That is, God’s spiritual illumination.
In the natural, when we are in darkness, it is very difficult to find our way. Every morning we wake up to a new day, not knowing what it will hold. Without His illumination it would be like waking up in a dark and unfamiliar place every day, not knowing where there are obstacles that will cause us to stumble and fall or pits into which we might plunge. God knew, from the beginning, that mankind would need physical light in order to make it in the world, as well as spiritual light in order to live in relationship with God, walking out abundant life on earth and then on into eternity. Speaking of eternity--- then we will have the most splendid light of all. In John’s description of the New Jerusalem, he says, “But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” Revelation 21: 22 – 24 NKJV Wow --- does this not make you just plain homesick!?
The very first recorded words literally spoken by God are found in Genesis 1:3. Let’s look at the very beginning. Genesis 1:1-4: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”
So God’s very first recorded words were, “Let there be light.” Of course, He was referring to light in the natural and His separation of light from darkness. But how interesting this is, in relation to our topic today --- that our Creator’s first recorded words were: “Let there be light.” Every believer can walk daily in God’s light. That is, God’s spiritual illumination.
In the natural, when we are in darkness, it is very difficult to find our way. Every morning we wake up to a new day, not knowing what it will hold. Without His illumination it would be like waking up in a dark and unfamiliar place every day, not knowing where there are obstacles that will cause us to stumble and fall or pits into which we might plunge. God knew, from the beginning, that mankind would need physical light in order to make it in the world, as well as spiritual light in order to live in relationship with God, walking out abundant life on earth and then on into eternity. Speaking of eternity--- then we will have the most splendid light of all. In John’s description of the New Jerusalem, he says, “But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” Revelation 21: 22 – 24 NKJV Wow --- does this not make you just plain homesick!?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Part 1 Continued: My plan for you--- Your heart's desire
God’s plan for each of us is that His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path on a daily basis. How can we, otherwise, maintain spiritual strength, wisdom and knowledge day to day? How can we, otherwise, know where to walk, at what pace, when to stop and where to turn? When we are walking in the way of God, we will have ears to hear Him direct our path. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
The only way for us to have the ability to hear Him speak on a regular basis, is to get to know Him personally through His Word -- His Holy Scriptures -- that He gave mankind for this purpose.
Someone might say, “Well, one time God spoke to me out of the blue when I was not even ‘saved.’ ” Yes, that can happen. An example might be when a person is about to make a decision such as going through the door on the right vs. the door on the left. This type of example might be a soldier in an urban combat situation. God can certainly do a sovereign work and speak clearly to him and say, “It’s the left door. Go on in.” As I said, this may be a sovereign act of God as He sees fit at that moment. Perhaps He is answering the prayers of the young man’s mama or grandpa, down on their knees interceding for that precious loved one.
What we are talking about today is the importance of learning to let God show us the way to live our lives in uttermost abundance through the light of His Word.
The only way for us to have the ability to hear Him speak on a regular basis, is to get to know Him personally through His Word -- His Holy Scriptures -- that He gave mankind for this purpose.
Someone might say, “Well, one time God spoke to me out of the blue when I was not even ‘saved.’ ” Yes, that can happen. An example might be when a person is about to make a decision such as going through the door on the right vs. the door on the left. This type of example might be a soldier in an urban combat situation. God can certainly do a sovereign work and speak clearly to him and say, “It’s the left door. Go on in.” As I said, this may be a sovereign act of God as He sees fit at that moment. Perhaps He is answering the prayers of the young man’s mama or grandpa, down on their knees interceding for that precious loved one.
What we are talking about today is the importance of learning to let God show us the way to live our lives in uttermost abundance through the light of His Word.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Part 1 Continued: My plan for you ---Your heart's desire
If you do not have revelation of these things, I implore you to ask God to help you receive this truth into your spirit -- that it will be Ramah Word to you. And ask Him to put into your belly a hunger for God’s Word that cannot be satisfied. He wants to do that and you will benefit in ways you could never have imagined.
In the natural, when we eat food, our hunger gets satisfied. Our digestive system kicks in and that food provides nourishment to our bodies so that our life is sustained, our cells are nourished and we have energy to do the physical and mental things that we do day to day. Each time this occurs, we are then hungry again in a few hours and must have more food.
The same thing should be happening when we ingest the Word of God. We take in a portion. With the help of the Holy Spirit residing in us, our mind, soul and spirit will digest or process it. It then becomes nourishment to our mind, our soul and our spirit. It sustains life and health in the core of our very being. That is in the who we are in our innermost parts. It is our spirit being, which is that part of us that communes with God and determines the real you or me. This is that part of us which wars with our flesh over what we will give ourselves to, at any given moment. Do you ever detect that battle going on between your flesh and your spirit?
It might be a battle over: to see or not to see a movie, to participate or not in a certain conversation, to eat a large piece of cake vs. a small one, to buy that pair of shoes or not, to make that remark to my spouse or not, to study God’s Word this morning or sleep another hour, to ask that hurting person if I can pray for him or not. The list could go on into eternity.
The point is, in this battle between flesh and spirit, which part will be stronger? Which part has been strengthened most by the things we have chosen to do, up to that point of making the decision? Have we been feeding our flesh more or our spirit more? Which one is stronger? Which one has been winning these skirmishes in the past and is likely to win them in our future. Just as our physical bodies need nourishment daily, our spirit needs nourishment every day in order to be strong enough to win these daily altercations. I am not talking about that devotional scripture in the little book we keep in the bathroom or on the bedside table or the one that comes across the computer screen each day. I am talking about devotion not devotional! I am talking about setting aside significant time in the daily routine to spend alone with God and His Word.
In the natural, when we eat food, our hunger gets satisfied. Our digestive system kicks in and that food provides nourishment to our bodies so that our life is sustained, our cells are nourished and we have energy to do the physical and mental things that we do day to day. Each time this occurs, we are then hungry again in a few hours and must have more food.
The same thing should be happening when we ingest the Word of God. We take in a portion. With the help of the Holy Spirit residing in us, our mind, soul and spirit will digest or process it. It then becomes nourishment to our mind, our soul and our spirit. It sustains life and health in the core of our very being. That is in the who we are in our innermost parts. It is our spirit being, which is that part of us that communes with God and determines the real you or me. This is that part of us which wars with our flesh over what we will give ourselves to, at any given moment. Do you ever detect that battle going on between your flesh and your spirit?
It might be a battle over: to see or not to see a movie, to participate or not in a certain conversation, to eat a large piece of cake vs. a small one, to buy that pair of shoes or not, to make that remark to my spouse or not, to study God’s Word this morning or sleep another hour, to ask that hurting person if I can pray for him or not. The list could go on into eternity.
The point is, in this battle between flesh and spirit, which part will be stronger? Which part has been strengthened most by the things we have chosen to do, up to that point of making the decision? Have we been feeding our flesh more or our spirit more? Which one is stronger? Which one has been winning these skirmishes in the past and is likely to win them in our future. Just as our physical bodies need nourishment daily, our spirit needs nourishment every day in order to be strong enough to win these daily altercations. I am not talking about that devotional scripture in the little book we keep in the bathroom or on the bedside table or the one that comes across the computer screen each day. I am talking about devotion not devotional! I am talking about setting aside significant time in the daily routine to spend alone with God and His Word.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Part 1 Continued: My plan for you ---Your heart's desire
I love the words of Pastor Jack Hayford, extolling the truth and value of the Scriptures:
“THE WORD OF GOD God’s Word has been unscrolled in both the Scriptures and in His incarnate Son-- Jesus Christ. Jesus, in describing the importance of the of the eternal Scriptures said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (Matt. 4:4). He also commended the steadfast inquiry into the Word of God: ‘Search the Scriptures … they … testify of Me.’ There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group. The Scriptures are the conclusive standard for our faith, morals, and practical living and are the nourishment for our rising to strength in faith, holiness in living, and effectiveness in service. The Holy Spirit who comes to fill us is the same Person who has given us the Book to guide and sustain us. The writer of this study has demonstrated the balance the Bible brings to living in his life, in his teaching ministry, and in his leadership.”
Hayford continues:
“THE SOURCE AND NATURE OF GOD’S WORD
1. The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible is ‘God-breathed’ and the words planned by God’s creative design.
2. The Complete Trustworthiness of the Bible (Ps. 19:7)
The Word of God is ‘perfect’ in its accuracy and ‘sure’ in its dependability.
3. The Content of God’s Word is Complete (Prov. 30:5,6)
The Bible is complete, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to completely answer anything we need to know about eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning relationships, morality, character, and conduct.
4. Jesus and the Holy Scriptures (Luke 16:17)
Jesus confirms that every word of Scripture is given by God, every truth is to be held inviolable, that
the Scriptures are indissoluble and credible.
5. The Way God’s Word Is to Be (2 Cor. 3:5-8)
The Word of God is to be ministered literally and life-givingly in the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Life.
THE ESSENTIAL PLACE AND POWER OF GOD’S WORD
6. The Regenerating Power of God’s Word (1 Pet. 1:23)
The Word of God regenerates new spiritual life where man has, by nature, died spiritually.
7. The Authority of God’s Word over Our Lives (Ps. 119:89-91)
As ‘spiritual’ people we are to refuse the ‘natural’ inclinations of fallen man, giving place instead to
hearing and yielding to the authority of God’s own Word.
8. God’s Word and Our Soul’s Nourishment (Deut 8:3)
Spiritual survival is not possible for long without feeding upon the Word of God.
9. God’s Word and Practical, Fruitful Living (Ps. 119:105)
The regular application of the Word of God is the pathway to success and prosperity in living.
10. True Spiritual Growth Requires God’s Word (1 Cor. 3: 1-5)
True spiritual growth requires the Word of God, which makes spiritual maturity genuine.
11. Loving God’s Word As Jesus Follower (John 14:21)
(In order) To follow Jesus and to know God a continuing requirement of steadfast commitment to
hearing, heeding, and studying the Bible is necessary.
12. God’s Word: Purifier unto Holy Living (James 1:23-25)
The Bible shows us Christ’s likeness so that we can be ordered and shaped into that image.
13. God’s Word, Evangelism, and Expansion (Is. 55:10, 11)
The spreading of God’s Word and the fulfillment of our personal potential come by the Word of God.
14. God’s Word: Read It! Study it! Memorize it! (2 Tim. 2:15) God’s Word is the only conclusive source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding concerning ultimate realities waiting to liberate and enrich those who will pursue its wealth.” (Spirit Filled Life Bible, Page xii)
“THE WORD OF GOD God’s Word has been unscrolled in both the Scriptures and in His incarnate Son-- Jesus Christ. Jesus, in describing the importance of the of the eternal Scriptures said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (Matt. 4:4). He also commended the steadfast inquiry into the Word of God: ‘Search the Scriptures … they … testify of Me.’ There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group. The Scriptures are the conclusive standard for our faith, morals, and practical living and are the nourishment for our rising to strength in faith, holiness in living, and effectiveness in service. The Holy Spirit who comes to fill us is the same Person who has given us the Book to guide and sustain us. The writer of this study has demonstrated the balance the Bible brings to living in his life, in his teaching ministry, and in his leadership.”
Hayford continues:
“THE SOURCE AND NATURE OF GOD’S WORD
1. The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible is ‘God-breathed’ and the words planned by God’s creative design.
2. The Complete Trustworthiness of the Bible (Ps. 19:7)
The Word of God is ‘perfect’ in its accuracy and ‘sure’ in its dependability.
3. The Content of God’s Word is Complete (Prov. 30:5,6)
The Bible is complete, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to completely answer anything we need to know about eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning relationships, morality, character, and conduct.
4. Jesus and the Holy Scriptures (Luke 16:17)
Jesus confirms that every word of Scripture is given by God, every truth is to be held inviolable, that
the Scriptures are indissoluble and credible.
5. The Way God’s Word Is to Be (2 Cor. 3:5-8)
The Word of God is to be ministered literally and life-givingly in the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Life.
THE ESSENTIAL PLACE AND POWER OF GOD’S WORD
6. The Regenerating Power of God’s Word (1 Pet. 1:23)
The Word of God regenerates new spiritual life where man has, by nature, died spiritually.
7. The Authority of God’s Word over Our Lives (Ps. 119:89-91)
As ‘spiritual’ people we are to refuse the ‘natural’ inclinations of fallen man, giving place instead to
hearing and yielding to the authority of God’s own Word.
8. God’s Word and Our Soul’s Nourishment (Deut 8:3)
Spiritual survival is not possible for long without feeding upon the Word of God.
9. God’s Word and Practical, Fruitful Living (Ps. 119:105)
The regular application of the Word of God is the pathway to success and prosperity in living.
10. True Spiritual Growth Requires God’s Word (1 Cor. 3: 1-5)
True spiritual growth requires the Word of God, which makes spiritual maturity genuine.
11. Loving God’s Word As Jesus Follower (John 14:21)
(In order) To follow Jesus and to know God a continuing requirement of steadfast commitment to
hearing, heeding, and studying the Bible is necessary.
12. God’s Word: Purifier unto Holy Living (James 1:23-25)
The Bible shows us Christ’s likeness so that we can be ordered and shaped into that image.
13. God’s Word, Evangelism, and Expansion (Is. 55:10, 11)
The spreading of God’s Word and the fulfillment of our personal potential come by the Word of God.
14. God’s Word: Read It! Study it! Memorize it! (2 Tim. 2:15) God’s Word is the only conclusive source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding concerning ultimate realities waiting to liberate and enrich those who will pursue its wealth.” (Spirit Filled Life Bible, Page xii)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Continue Part 1: My Plan for You -- Your Heart’s Desire
Consider the words of Oral Roberts, on this subject of abundant life, spoken of in John 10:10:
“God Desires Biblical Abundance for You, SEED FAITH. As you give your total self to God, God gives His total self to you. That is the supreme message of the Bible. Inherent in God’s ‘total self’ of His own Person is true, Bible-based prosperity – the real possibility of health for your total being (body, mind, emotions, relationships), of your material needs being met. Above all, His prosperity brings eternal life. Stop to think about it. What else is there worth having?”
“ Jesus said that He came to give life – not just ordinary existence, but life in fullness, abundance, and prosperity (3 John 2). On the other hand, the Enemy (Satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. The line is clearly drawn. On one side is God with goodness, life, and “plenty” of all that is necessary for life (see Joel 2:26 and 2 Peter 1:3), and on the other side is the Enemy of our souls, who comes to rob us of God’s blessings, to oppress our bodies through disease and accidents, and to destroy everything that we love and hold dear.”
“Your first step toward experiencing full biblical prosperity is to believe that it is God’s highest desire for you. The next step is to line up your highest desire with His.” (From Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Kingdom Dynamics,” page 1593.)
In order to line up our highest desire with His highest desire for us, we must get to know Him, and His nature, through His Word. Yes, He speaks to us in other ways such as by His Spirit to our own born again spirit. But the only way to prove that “Word from God” and be certain that it really came from God is to see that it lines up with His written Word. Many people take action on what they thought was a “word” from God, to simply later find themselves disillusioned and confused.
We must never forget that Satan, too, does indeed have a plan for each of us and that one of the best ways to begin to walk out Satan’s plan is to walk in our own plan. The road of my own plan will eventually merge right into his road. So many blindly choose this route and then wonder how their life turned out so disappointing. Often they will attribute it simply to “bad luck.” Well, luck has nothing to do with it and the word “luck” is not in my Bible. “Bad luck” is just a commonly used excuse for the consequences of not walking in God’s Truth.
So how can one know this “Truth,” in order to walk in it? Since “Truth” and God’s Word are synonymous, the answers are waiting in the pages of His Scriptures.
“God Desires Biblical Abundance for You, SEED FAITH. As you give your total self to God, God gives His total self to you. That is the supreme message of the Bible. Inherent in God’s ‘total self’ of His own Person is true, Bible-based prosperity – the real possibility of health for your total being (body, mind, emotions, relationships), of your material needs being met. Above all, His prosperity brings eternal life. Stop to think about it. What else is there worth having?”
“ Jesus said that He came to give life – not just ordinary existence, but life in fullness, abundance, and prosperity (3 John 2). On the other hand, the Enemy (Satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. The line is clearly drawn. On one side is God with goodness, life, and “plenty” of all that is necessary for life (see Joel 2:26 and 2 Peter 1:3), and on the other side is the Enemy of our souls, who comes to rob us of God’s blessings, to oppress our bodies through disease and accidents, and to destroy everything that we love and hold dear.”
“Your first step toward experiencing full biblical prosperity is to believe that it is God’s highest desire for you. The next step is to line up your highest desire with His.” (From Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Kingdom Dynamics,” page 1593.)
In order to line up our highest desire with His highest desire for us, we must get to know Him, and His nature, through His Word. Yes, He speaks to us in other ways such as by His Spirit to our own born again spirit. But the only way to prove that “Word from God” and be certain that it really came from God is to see that it lines up with His written Word. Many people take action on what they thought was a “word” from God, to simply later find themselves disillusioned and confused.
We must never forget that Satan, too, does indeed have a plan for each of us and that one of the best ways to begin to walk out Satan’s plan is to walk in our own plan. The road of my own plan will eventually merge right into his road. So many blindly choose this route and then wonder how their life turned out so disappointing. Often they will attribute it simply to “bad luck.” Well, luck has nothing to do with it and the word “luck” is not in my Bible. “Bad luck” is just a commonly used excuse for the consequences of not walking in God’s Truth.
So how can one know this “Truth,” in order to walk in it? Since “Truth” and God’s Word are synonymous, the answers are waiting in the pages of His Scriptures.
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