Greeting from Pastor Mel, and thank you for visiting our Blog site. If you have any questions for the Pastor or just would like to share a testimony of who this ministry has been a blessing to you please do. Or if you just want share something that may be on your heart? What is it that you are thankful to God for today? If this ministry has blessed you or your family please take a moment and let us know. Again thank you for visiting us God Bless.
Things in life seem to always be changing sometimes for the good and something for the bad. But I like the way my God daughter puts it. “No worries” and she always has not only a smile on her face but a true smile in her heart. She stands firm no matter what in her faith in God for she knows that God is so good and faithful and no matter what circumstances and situations we may face will never changes that truth. God is the only thing in our lives that remain the same. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Yes things do come things will happen and mistakes are made, along with our bad decisions. But the mercies of God cover those things Lamentations 3:23-24 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" So let us always keep our hope in Him for He is faithful.
ReplyDeleteRomans 3:24-26 (NKJV) 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteNow as we can see from the verses mentioned here how many times we see the word FAITH used seven times
• The News About Your Faith
• Encouraged By Each Other's Faith
• Righteousness Is Being Revealed From Faith To Faith
• The Just Will Live By Faith."
• By His Blood, Through Faith,
• The One Who Has Faith In Jesus
What I see here is that I am to hear news about YOUR FAITH, we are to be ENCOURAGED BY EACH OTHER’S FAITH, that propitiation came THROUGH FAITH in the Blood. That He became the justifier of the one who has FAITH IN JESUS. Righteousness is revealed FROM FAITH TO FAITH. We are to LIVE BY FAITH!!
CONFIDENCE
ReplyDeleteWhen we look at the news or read the newspaper we are constantly hearing about how bad the economy is doing. Then on top of that we are hearing about all the lay offs. Some of you may have been affected by these things. But I am here to tell you that we the believers and are not apart of the world’s economy. Praise the Lord we are protected by Jehovah Jireh (The Lord our Provider) But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deut 8:18
We also have read in the psalms where David said through the Holy Spirit I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:25 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17 the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Prov 13:22b We are the righteous.
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus) shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19 We were made righteous by and through the Lord Jesus Christ. So that means that we are entitled to the benefits of the righteous.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalms 34:19 You must say I refuse to participate in the worlds economy. You are in the Kingdom’s economy. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Cor 4:20 Please remember to pray to the Father for ALL your needs and concerns!!!! So don't lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can and will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:35-36 having confidence is our ability to look beyond circumstances, and our situation. Knowing that we have the ability to succeed. Not of anything we can or have done of ourselves. But through Christ Jesus!! It is our Faith and belief in Him that gives us confidence. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27 There is no problem to big for God, so no matter what it may be whatever you are facing, our God can handle it. Does not the Word say “Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 God loves us so much that He asks us to turn over to Him ALL our anxieties. Which means those painful things and areas in your life, those things which are giving you an uneasiness of mind, and those things which are causing you to walk in fear? God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. 2 Tim 1:7 So I say to you today STAND TALL AND WALK IN THE POWER GIVEN TO YOU!!!!! Remember 57 Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57
Matters of the Heart
ReplyDeletePsalms 37:4-5
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
What desires do you have? What are the things you are craving for, longing for, what are you wanting in your life. Here we see that God Himself says that he will give you the DESIRES of your heart.
Now that may look like a promise that is beyond you ability to accept.
But it does not make it untrue. Whatever God has promised has gotten stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In Jesus is God’s Yes and Amend. 2 Corinthians 1:20
God is faithful to HIS WORD and you must know that the Lord your God, He is God, the FAITHFUL GOD who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
The Word of God speaks for itself it is true and settled. The question is have you done what is required of you to obtain the promise. Have you:
1. Delighted in the Lord
2. Committed your way onto the Lord
Are you finding great joy and pleasure in God and the things of God. That is how you delight yourselves in the Lord. Does it bring you Joy to just think about the Lord are you able to rejoice in everything that is happening in your life. Can you say it like David was able to say it “I have trusted in thy lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. Psalms 13:5
Is God magnified in your heart are you seeking God whole heartily? David again said Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!" Psalms 70:4
But David was only able to say this because of his commitment to God his LOYALTY to God his DEVOTION to God his DEDICATION to God and that came from his RELATIONSHIP with God.
That is why he made the state Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
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ReplyDeleteCREATED TO REIGN
ReplyDeleteThe devil will attempt to use people situations and circumstances to control you in your thoughts, and in your behavior. Mostly he will use those that have become close to you, and situations that you yourself have created though bad decisions, lack of patience, and being disobedient to the Word. These are the environments that he (Satan) can work within greatly and easily.
The people used will create a hostile environment which will also create confusion and we know or should know what the Word says about that in... James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. This is just what the devil wants for each of us, to walk into his atmosphere. We can stop this from happening by keeping our hearts in a place of peace and that is only done by keeping our mind on God. Isaiah 26:3-4 YOU will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. The Lord Himself said that He trust in you, I believe that He trust in us to do the right thing (use the Word) Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
The key is not releasing our minds to the created situation in which the person or persons have created for you. Not being conformed to what the enemy wants Romans 12:2 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. The will of God is for you to REIGN. To be in control, and not be controlled. Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." We must first learn to reign in our minds which will cause us to rule in this earth the fact of being the dominant and having the controlling power. We have been told that we can prove we show we confirm and we can demonstrate the perfect will of God. Let’s look at this another was in Romans 12:2 if you do not renew your mind you can prove, confirm and demonstrate the perfect will of the devil for your life. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
Now let’s talk about situations and circumstances that will attempt to control you in your thoughts, and in your behavior. As I said in the beginning of this teaching, situations that you yourself have created through bad decisions, lack of patience, and being disobedient to the Word. These are the environments that he (Satan) can work within. These things come through not handling our money with wisdom. Placing ourselves in a place of bondage to debt. When this happens an environment of the fear of lost .is created in an atmosphere of fear the devil rules us that is why God said 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Notice in this next verse it says again to fear! Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear" We give up the spirit of fear when we came to Jesus those situations and circumstances want to bring us back to that place of fear again. But it is the love that we have for God, and the love that God has for us. 1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. It says that if you fear then you do not have the development, nor have you "fully grown” and matured in understanding His love for you. When this is done you will fall completely in love with Him. I PRAY THIS HAS BEEN A BLESSING FOR YOU, AS IT HAS BEEN FOR ME.
HOW TO FIND A GOOD HOME CHURCH
ReplyDeleteBy Dr. Dale A. Robbins
It goes without saying that every believer should have a church home where they attend regularly. If you are not a part of such a fellowship, the following advice will be invaluable to your search.
1. Look for a church prayerfully. As is the case with all others aspects of a Christian’s decisions, you should begin your search for a church by seeking the Lord’s direction. The Bible promises, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov. 3:6).
2. Search for prospects. Always seek the congregation which is evangelical and Bible-based. A referral from a trusted Christian friend is the most frequent way people are introduced to a church. A visit or two is helpful, but there is no way to fully evaluate a church without attending most services for a month or so.
3. Keep in mind that you’re looking for a fellowship of believers. A church is not a building, nor is it merely a ministry, it is the body of Christ. So seek people who love the Lord and who love each other -- people that will love you and people to whom you can give your love.
4. Look for the church that preaches the Word of God. -- Seek the fellowship that has sound doctrine, proclaims the Word, and sincerely lifts up the Lord Jesus Christ in worship and in all they do. Much of this can be discovered by observation, but most fellowships have a printed statement of their doctrines they will provide to you upon request. For clarity, you can speak with the pastor or leadership about their beliefs or practices.
5. Look for a church that has good character. Seek a loving, peaceful, stable church which has a pastor devoted to godliness, prayer and the word, which are more important than his eloquence, education or charisma.
6. Look for a church that will help draw you closer to Christ. It might be nice to find a church where the music is flawless, where the seats are padded and the minister dismisses promptly at noon. But more importantly, you need a church that cares about you and who will help meet your spiritual needs -- that will inspire you to grow in Christ, and will motivate you toward the aspirations of God. You need a church whose preaching and teaching will not merely appease or entertain you, but will boldly challenge you to advance beyond your comfort zones to live toward God’s high ideals.
7. Look for a church where you can become committed. In many ways, your relationship with the church is similar to a marriage -- you can’t get any more out of it than what you put into it. The only church in which you will ever grow and mature spiritually is the fellowship where you will commit yourself and get involved -- where the people submit themselves to God and to each other -- where they will both encourage you and hold you accountable.
HOW TO FIND A GOOD HOME CHURCH
ReplyDeletePart II
8. Seek that fellowship that is attempting to reach lost souls. Find the fellowship that is seeking to bring lives to Christ, both in their community and on foreign mission fields. Such a church understands its purpose and will provide a healthy environment in which to grow.
9. Look for a church where you can contribute. I’ve often heard the comparison made between a church and a restaurant -- a place where you get served a meal. But actually, the church is more like a pot luck dinner. What you bring with you to church is added to the content of the meal. Your contribution to the gathering helps to make it what it is. Therefore, seek the church where you can roll up your sleeves and help them to minister to others. Don’t look for a church that will only "serve you," but look for a church in which you can "serve." Always remember, a church is the combination of what its people are. So if you want your church to be the best it can be, you must be the best you can be. A church can never rise above what it’s individual members are.
10. Be ready to accept the individuality of a church. Frequently people look for a church like the one in which they got saved, or like one they see on TV. But this is futile, because even though a church might have the same beliefs or similarities as another, every church is distinct and different in its personality, just like people are. Always use the Bible as the standard to measure a church -- not other churches.
11. Look for a church with reasonable expectations. Don’t bother looking for a perfect church, because there aren’t any. In every church you will find people who are wonderful and some who aren’t. Jesus taught that it was common for weeds to be found growing together with the crops (Matt. 13:24-30). Also, in every church, you’ll find some things done well, and others that are not. Don’t worry about finding a perfect pastor, either. Trust me, they’re all human and will make mistakes. But look for a pastor who is sincere, who is trying his best to live a godly moral life, and who is proclaiming the uncompromised Word of God. In short, be content with the church that is doing the best they can.
There are many good churches in your community. Trust the Lord to guide you to the fellowship where he wants you, and become faithful there. Don’t be a church hopper -- bouncing around to one church after another each week. God wants you to be submitted to the accountability of spiritual leaders who will help you and even correct you when necessary (Heb. 13:17), and this isn’t possible unless you are rooted somewhere. Don’t have an neglectful attitude, going to church only when you feel like it. Attend faithfully and show up on time. Serve your church at least as diligently as you would your employer. Remember, the Lord views your attitude toward His church as your attitude toward Him (Matt. 25:40), so serve the Lord in a way that if He were your employer, you wouldn’t get fired.
Then there are those who come into Christ and the personality of some little congregation and somehow seem to hit the deck running. One young man who had been addicted to drugs came into the church after his conversion and couldn't wait to share his newfound faith with friends. He became one of the most successful soul winners.
There is a plethora (don't you just love that word?) of reasons for the dropouts of the church and society. Most of these reasons are merely excuses. Having heard most of the illogic and rationale offered for why folk leave the church, I have developed some insights that might be helpful. Jesus asked some people to follow him and they at once began to make excuse. One had to go see a field he had already bought. He should have looked it over before the purchase. Another had to try out a team of oxen he had acquired. And one had to go bury his father. Can you imagine someone saying to the Lord of Lords, "Sorry, Pal, but I have funereal plans that are more important than eternal ones?"
HOW TO FIND A GOOD HOME CHURCH
ReplyDeleteTHE EXCUSES OF PEOPLE
Often people don't stay with the church because they find offenses in others. They come to the church with the mistaken notion that it is a provider of entitlements. They shop for church as they do for fast food. They want a little McChurch and might even suffer a few McSermons on Sunday. But don't ask them for any McService or involvement. They came asking a myriad of questions. "Do you have a youth minister who can play with the kids? Do you have an attended nursery so we don't have to be bothered with the baby? Do you have an aerobics class and free counseling?" McShame! You see; they came not seeking salvation, but membership in a club. They want all the perks of body life but are unwilling to extend themselves in providing the same thing for others. They are takers, not seekers. When they don't find their felt needs, every one of them, met by the church staff and members, they drop out. Actually, they were never in the body in the first place. Like the little girl who fell out of her grandma's feather bed, when asked what happened replied, "I guess I stayed to close to where I got in." Ouch!
*The Excuse of Time
Many have said to me after leaving the church that they just didn't have enough time in their schedules to be active members of the body of Christ. Some houses are run like Grand Central Station where family members drop in to refuel and then are out again to do whatever it is that fills their lives. They have bridge club, and the spa, and tennis lessons, and tap lessons, and track meets, and seminars, and a 300-column newspaper to read, plus three hours on the computer, and four in front of the TV, ad nauseam. So many of us have lives so full we hardly have time to pillow our heads and rest. No wonder families are falling apart. Without time for spiritual and emotional renewal, it's a wonder folk this busy even had time to think of church and eternity.
The Excuse of Boredom
Now I have to give it to the ones who come up with this reason for dropping out. God has not given us the inalienable right to bore each other in the name of Jesus. Gatherings of disciples should be the highlights of our week. Too many lessons are dry and ineffectual. This is a fact. Classes should be led by teachers who know the book and live it. Sermons should be dynamic and make us feel like walking closer to the Master after we hear them. They should also challenge us to reach down into ourselves and come up with the wherewithal to let our faith be felt wherever we go.
Someone recently told me he had quit attending because the class was boring. I told him the class wasn't presented for his entertainment and that if it was boring it was his responsibility to help make it interesting. By the way, the high critic had never volunteered to teach a class in his life of 40 years as a Christian. If we approach church as some institution to meet all our felt needs and to serve us instead of us being body members who are active and eager to serve others, it's a wonder we would hang around at all.
The Excuse of Weakness
Like an automobile that needs some mechanical attention, people will sputter and quit now and then before they stop altogether. Recently a new brother in Christ confided in me that the reason he was starting to miss assemblies was because he was just too weak to walk the walk. I told him that he was a prime candidate to keep on keeping on and to stay with it. He said he was unable to overcome the sin in his life. I asked him if he actually wanted to walk with Jesus and overcome his demons. He said he did. So I reasoned that if he would keep with it and keep praying and trying, the Lord would eventually empower him in the Holy Spirit to overcome the evil one in his life. The very reason for dropping out is one of the greatest for staying in.
The Excuse of Family
ReplyDeleteSally was her name. She came to church with her two children who were pre-schoolers. With a vivacious presence she jumped into the programs available, not to be served, but to participate in them. She even volunteered to teach a Sunday School class. This is the kind of new member that ministers just adore. They seem to have that drive that makes them low maintenance. Within six months Sally was starting to miss services. When approached, it all came down to her husband's inability to encourage her. He even made fun of her eagerness to be a "goodie two shoes." She was finally beaten down to the point where she just wanted to give up.
Perhaps more than anyone people whose families are not supportive may have the most understandable cause for burnout. With much love and encouragement Sally was able to recommit herself to Jesus and eventually won her husband to Christ.
The Excuse of God
"Where was God when my son died?" the sobbing man asked with tears running down his heavy cheeks. Standing beside the casket of his teen-age boy, the thoughtful preacher answered, "John, he was right where he was when His Son died." Perhaps it is understandable why people will shake their fists in the face of God and presume to accuse him of malfeasance. "If I were God I would not let babies be born deformed. If I were God I would not allow suffering in the world. If I were God I would not let wars and famine and earthquakes occur." But we aren't God, are we? Actually, the problem of pain is only a hurdle for believers. Atheists don't have one moment to quarrel with the Almighty because they think this is all one big bang of an accident in the first place. And maybe it did begin with a bang, but God was the one who lit that firecracker.
Human suffering is the hardest obstacle to overcome in the minds of many. Much suffering is brought upon ourselves by our own behavior, or those around us. We do suffer the consequences of the evil that surrounds us. But not all pain is self-induced. And this is where those with skeptical minds feed their misgivings. Tornadoes. Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Famines. Floods. These natural disasters we flippantly refer to as "acts of God." Though we don't have all the answers for why people suffer, perhaps the sacred hymn provides some solace: "We'll understand it better by and by."
The Authority that Jesus Passed Onto The Disciples
ReplyDelete(Healing for Today)
"He called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" ( Matthew 10:1).
"As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ HEAL THE SICK, RAISE THE DEAD, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8)
Even a man, who was not one of the disciples was driving out demons in Jesus name. The disciples told him to stop but Jesus said "do not stop him." No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me for whoever is not against us is for us (Mark 9:38).
While Jesus was still on earth, He gave authority to others and told them to follow in the same ministry He was doing; teaching, preaching and healing.
The last thing that Jesus told the disciples before His resurrection was to: "Go into all the world, preach the gospel to all creation, andhe who believes will be saved and he who doesn't will be condemned. And these signs will follow them who believe:
• They will cast out demons in My name.
• They will speak in new tongues.
• If they drink poison it will not harm them.
• They will lay hands on the sick and the sick will be made well"
• (Mark 16:15-18).
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things then these because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).
What did Jesus do? He went around teaching, preaching and healing.
How can we do even greater things than Jesus? Because, when we believe Jesus’ Word then we will act on what He says and more of us will be laborers to gather people for His Kingdom, bringing the lost to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We will teach others what their inheritance is that Jesus left them. We will be bold and lay hands on the sick, casting out demons from the sick and dying world that has been so deceived by Satan.
How can we do this? Because Jesus said we could, and His Word is true. It doesn't matter what you have been taught by other people. If you believe, you will receive!
Jesus said He came to destroy the power of the devil, and He did just that. (I Jn. 3:8)
John preached how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him (Acts 10:38).
"All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing hem in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18).
The disciples used this authority, before and after Jesus was resurrected.
As I sit here this morning just bathing in the Spirit of the Lord and yielding myself to Him, it is so wonderful. It is so sweet to know that His presence is here in me and around me. I have recently began to work on my relationship with my Father (God). I want you to really stop and ask yourselves “HOW IS MY RELATIONSHIP” with God you can tell how it is by the time you spend with Him. Do you really know Him or do you just know of Him? Are you working in your church for Him or for the man that He placed there? Are you going to church to just keep from going to hell? Or are you going just to learn how to get more things? Man of God are you preaching for status from people and a paycheck? Or are you doing it because you really love Him. So many things we face in life is really a heart test as we can see in Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. What commandments do you have today? Mark 12:30-31 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. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. It is a time now in your life and mine to think about building a solid relationship with God. The foundation that needs to be laid to build on is love. Love for Him, loving Him more than anything or anyone. It is easy to say that you are living for Him. But the real question is this, are you loving Him. It is time to check your own heart, because He is checking it.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the love in the church? So many today seem to be about what they need and what they can get from God. Think about your prayer life when have you just spent an hour in His presence without asking for something? Just Worshiping Him, just loving Him just waiting on the Lord. It is not all about you, all of the time. When is the last time you have been to a service where you just Worshiped the Lord? “I hear people all the time saying I am going to get fed” again looking for something for them, because once they get fed, who do they feed? Or do we even think about that God wants to feed off our love? What are you giving God back? What you said your tithes and offering, that is good for those of you that do it as they should. That’s what you are commanded by God to do. Many think they can buy their way into Heaven with works. Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' To enter Heaven it is going to be done through loving Him. We speak about how much He has done for us. So what have you done for Him lately? People it is time for a wake-up call in the church. It starts with you, ask yourself again “HOW IS MY RELATIONSHIP” Be honest because if you are not honest in this life, when it is over you will stand before the honest Judge and it is going to be dealt with then. Check your heart. Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
THE PRAYER
ReplyDeleteFather, as I come to you today I surrender my heart to you. It is my honest desire to have the relationship with you that you desire for me to have. Help me to love you with all of my heart, with nothing lacking. I give you all of me today. Remove from my heart any selfishness that I may have hid away in it. Show me Lord how to give you first place in my life. I ask this in Jesus name Amen.
MOVING ON THE WORD
ReplyDeleteSo lets look at the life of the friend of God
Romans 4:21-24 (NKJV) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Many people find it hard to walk in Faith, and that is due to the fact that they have not established in their hearts with a solid relationship with God. Strong faith is always going to be based off the relationship you have with God. There is no way around that, a relationship is based off of what you know about a person. The more time you spend with a person the more you learn about the person. Jesus himself gave us the invitation to come in. Matthew 11:28-29 (GW) “Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves.
Having a relationship starts with first having an association which is the joining of two people or a group of people. But depended on the time spent together it will move into either a bond between the two people where there becomes a link that binds the two together. The link which will bind the two is LOVE. If real time is not spent together then they will have just an affiliation with each other. That is where you have a knowing about the other person but not a knowing of the other person. The knowing of a person means that you know secrets about that person that others do not know and are unaware of. The knowing about a person is where you have knowledge and information about a person but it is superficial nothing of depth.
Why am I speaking today about relationship? Because that is what God desires from you and from me. God desires for us to get to know him in a personal way those that will reverence Him which means that they have feelings of deep devotion, and honor towards Him and when this happen He will show them the secret, the hidden things in Him. Psalms 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. Now this brings me back to Abraham
Romans 4:16-25 (NKJV) Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
22 And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
In order for us to really understand this relationship between Abraham we must go to the first meeting between God and Abram in Genesis 12 and following the relationship that developed.
Genesis 12:1-4 Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
ReplyDelete3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
The Orders Come To Abram
1. Get out of your Country – Away from your surrounding
2. From your Family- Those who are able to influence you
This is the first conversation that God has with Abram, and this is where the relationship starts with first having an association which is the joining of the two. The relationship begins with TRUST in God. This man had to have confidence that what he was being told could be trusted so the only thing that he had was THE WORD OF GOD.
God Commits To Be His Guide
1. To a Land “I WILL SHOW YOU” – God is to guide Him
But God Himself Makes Promises To Abram For His Obedience To Obey
1. I will make you a great nation;
2. I will bless you
3. Make your name great;
4. And you shall be a blessing
5. I will bless those who bless you,
6. I will curse him who curses you;
7. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed
So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
THE HAND OF GOD WAS UPON ABRAM for we can see that in even thou there was a famine in the land he was not effected by the famine for he was following the Word of God which were the instructions for his life, even In the mist of the deception the Abram give to the King about his wife being his sister in attempting to protect himself with his own knowledge we can see here that a solid relationship had not be developed. Yet God in protecting him was also protecting His promise made to Abram for his moving at the Word of God.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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