The Bride Rises Up to Encounter the Bridegroom

 ”then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains, “Then we who are alive will join them, transported together in clouds to have an encounter with the Lord in the air, and we will be forever joined with the Lord”.  To ‘be caught up’ is being caught up in the victory of Christ’s unveiling.  There is a cloud of witnesses around us who encircle us as clouds.  The Lord Jesus will be coming for His Bride to rise up and have an encounter with Him.  We must always stay awake and be alert, because we don’t know the day or the hour when the Bridegroom will appear.  But when He does, we rise up to have an encounter with Him as we say, ”I am my Beloved’s, And my Beloved is mine. He feeds His flock among the lilies.”  He knows we are His since He has also stamped His seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride—a down payment of the blessings to come!  Hallelujah!

Christ Has Called Us As Friends

 ”And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭20‬:‭42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jonathan said, “Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God’s Name, saying, ‘God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!’”  Both David and Jonathan took the covenant they made between themselves seriously.  Jonathan stood by David against his father.  David, after Jonathan’s death took the covenant to Jonathan’s stricken son Mephibosheth.  This friendship between David and Jonathan was a prophetic picture of Jesus’s friendship with all those who believe and trust in Him.  Jesus takes His new covenant of friendship with us as unbreakable.  ”No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you”.  Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.  What a Friend we have in Jesus!  Amen!

Abounding in Love towards One Another

 ”And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s prayer, “And may the Lord increase your love until it overflows toward one another and for all people, just as our love overflows toward you. Then your hearts will be strengthened in holiness so that you may be flawless and pure before the face of our God and Father at the appearing of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.Amen!  Paul’s prayer is so heartening that the Lord should make them increase and their love superabound.  The Lord will lift up their hearts without contention at the coming of the Lord of us, Jesus Christ, with all of the holy myriads of Himself.  Through the finished work of the Cross, His image has been fully restored in us.  What grace! What love!  Amen!

The Power of the Holy Spirit

 ”And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Saul headed out for Naioth in Ramah, the Spirit of God was on him, too. All the way to Naioth he was caught up in a babbling trance!  When the earth was without form, and void, darkness was upon the face of the deep, the almighty God, the Holy Spirit, moved over the void and creation came into being as God spoke.  The same eternal God moved over Saul in his confusion to kill David, and he lost control over himself, and started to prophecy!  God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He is unchanging.  In the new covenant, Jesus has nailed all our life’s confusion and disorder on the Cross and through His Blood sacrifice has brought peace and order into our lives.   For God is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.  Thank You Jesus!

By Love Serve One Another

 ”But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul told the Thessalonian church, “Even  though we could have imposed upon you our demands as apostles of Christ, instead we showed you kindness and were gentle among you. We cared for you in the same way a nursing mother cares for her own children. With a mother’s love and affectionate attachment to you, we were very happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our lives—because you had become so dear to us”.  Although Paul was an apostle of the Messiah and could have demanded that honour, yet he and his team became vulnerable because the Thessalonian church became beloved to Paul.  Just a few months before the Thessalonians were complete strangers to Paul.  Now he states how dear they had become to his heart.  True ministry is caring for others with a father’s and mother’s love - not exerting control or abusive authority over those whom we serve.  This is how we love one another as the Messiah loves us. For we have been called to liberty; only not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love we serve one another.  Amen!

Jealousy Must Be Rooted Out

 ”And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬-‭11 KJV

The next day an ugly mood was sent by God to afflict Saul, who became quite beside himself, raving. David played his harp, as he usually did at such times. Saul had a spear in his hand. Suddenly Saul threw the spear, thinking, “I’ll nail David to the wall.” David ducked, and the spear missed. This happened twice.  Jealousy is caused by an evil spirit. The rage and anger of others can be overwhelming, but it’s nothing compared to jealousy’s fire.  Controlling and manipulating others is a work of the flesh and its root is covetousness and jealousy.  For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.  Saul’s end was tragic as a result of this.  But thank God that in the new covenant, there is deliverance from bad attitudes and behaviour.  When we acknowledge our sin before Christ and turn away from such things, the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.  Thank You Jesus!

Grace & Peace from our Father God & the Lord Jesus Christ

 ”Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We send our greetings to you, the congregation of believers in Thessalonica, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s delightful grace and peace rest upon you.  Ministry requires teamwork and Paul saw himself as part of a church planting team made up of three men - Paul, Silas and Timothy - with wonderful giftings, the called out ones or the ekklesia - the Church.  We are the Church, called out to function as those with responsibilities of shaping societal norms and the morality of culture as Paul and his team did in their time.  The Church is both in God and in Jesus Christ.  The Trinity makes room for the Bride.   We thank God for His grace, the joyous delight that rests upon us, the people of God.  As part of the Church, we have the grace, the joyous delight, of manifesting Christ in shaping society’s norms and the morality of culture in our time here on earth.  Amen!

The Power of the Cross

”Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭45‬-‭47‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David answered, “You come at me with sword, spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the Name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—He’s handing you to us on a platter!”  That’s David faith in the living God!  Now new covenant Holy Spirit power is in us, by the finished work of the Cross, to overcome impossible situations. Amen!

Grace Living that brings the Flavour of Christ

 ”Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.“

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s injunction to the church at Colossae and to us down the ages, is to walk in the wisdom of God as we live before the unbelievers, and make it our duty to make Him known. Let every word we speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then we will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about our faith.  Paul says that it is so important how we live amongst those who don’t believe in Christ, it is like living in the wilderness!  But he says by the Holy Spirit, to make a full commitment to Christ, giving it all we’ve got.  Let our every conversation be dripping with grace and compassion, friendly, clear and making people thirsty for truth.  Jesus Himself said that our lives are like salt among the people. But if we, like salt, become bland, how can our ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others.  So let’s learn to reflect Jesus in and through our lives as He dwells in us.  Amen!

The Anointing of the Anointed One on Us

 ”And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking. God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.” Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. Samuel left and went home to Ramah.  The insignificant, unrecognized David, the youngest son of Jesse, was changed and chosen after he was anointed.  In the new covenant, God transforms insignificant people with the anointing by the Holy Spirit with the anointing of the Anointed One - Christ Jesus!  Now we have an anointing from the Holy One, and we know all things. The wonderful anointing we have received from God is so much greater than deception, and now lives in us. There’s no need for anyone to keep teaching us. His anointing teaches us all that we need to know, for it leads us into truth, not a counterfeit. So just as the anointing has taught us, let’s remain in Him.  Amen!

The Reward of the Inheritance

 ”knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.“

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One! A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men.  Jesus Christ is YAHWEH - the LORD God.  Jesus has set the time to reward us from the inheritance He has given us.  Because Jesus wore the crown of thorns on His head, now every spiritual blessing in heaven is ours and He has crowned us with lovingkindness and tender mercies; He has crowned the humble with victory; He has crowned us with grace and a chain of honour around our neck; He has crowned us with knowledge, wisdom and riches; He has crowned us with beauty and everlasting joy; we are a crown of glory and a royal diadem in the Hand of the Lord; an incorruptible crown; the crown of righteousness, life and rejoicing!  Jesus tells us, “Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which you have, that no man take your crown”.  Let’s heed Him.  Amen!

Exceeding Great Riches of Christ’s Grace

 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then Samuel said, “Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to Him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship”.  In the old covenant there were consequences to rebellion which is going against Divine Authority, and being stubborn is to be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  Thank God that in the new covenant, we have the happy fulfillment ahead for us whose rebellion has been forgiven and whose sins are covered by the Blood of Jesus.  Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by His  Blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the exceeding great riches of His grace.  Amen!

Christ Destroyed Death & Every Work of the Enemy

 ”and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.“

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the Cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were His!  Having put off His body, He stripped principalities and powers, governments and authorities, and shamed them openly.  Between the day of crucifixion and the day of resurrection, while in the spirit realm, Jesus destroyed death, the powers of darkness, and every work of the enemy, through the Blood of His Cross.  All the enemy’s weapons have been stripped away from him and now the Church, the Body of Christ, has authority in Christ to enforce this triumph upon the dethroned rulers of this world.  He now sends out His Body, the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, believers - us.  We enforce His triumph to all the thrones and authorities, putting them to public shame by the manifestation of Himself in us.  Amen!

Christ Always Gives us Victory

 “And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Saul immediately called his army together and they went straight to the battle. When they got there they found total confusion—Philistines swinging their swords wildly, killing each other. Hebrews who had earlier defected to the Philistine camp came back. They now wanted to be with Israel under Saul and Jonathan. Not only that, but when all the Israelites who had been hiding out in the backwoods of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running for their lives, they came out and joined the chase. God saved Israel! What a day!  Even though the Israelites had rejected God in asking for a king, yet He helped them win.  In the new covenant we thank God Who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

The Blood of Christ Reconciled Us to God

 ”and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.“

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains, “And by the Blood of His Cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to Himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again!”  God initiated the reconciliation of all things to Himself.  Through the Blood of the Cross, He restored the original harmony.  His reign of peace now extends to every visible thing upon the earth, as well as those invisible things which are in the heavenly realm.  The fullness of God, the fullness of His plan for our lives, and the full image of God is being restored into our hearts.  Christ’s death transferred His Life into us when He rose again.  Hallelujah!

Let Christ be Seen in Us

 ”But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV

”That was a fool thing to do,” Samuel said to Saul. “If you had kept the appointment that your God commanded, by now God would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel. As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. God is out looking for your replacement right now. This time He’ll do the choosing. When He finds him, He’ll appoint him leader of His people. And all because you didn’t keep your appointment with God!”  Being stubborn and rejecting the Word of God to do his own thing when God had anointed Saul, had terrible consequences.  In the new covenant, Christ the Anointed One said, ”The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  Through the Cross, Christ lives in us and has anointed us with His anointing, to accomplish everything He said, in His Name, so that the world will see Christ in us.  Amen!

Labouring for Christ in Unity

 ”I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul, from prison, is writing to the church in Philippi and down the ages to us, “I plead with Euodia and Syntyche to settle their disagreement and be restored with one mind in our Lord. I would like my dear friend and burden-bearer to help resolve this issue, for both women have diligently labored with me for the prize and helped in spreading the revelation of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers. All of their names are written in the Book of Life.”  In every church there is often found conflict in relationships.  Paul here is encouraging these two dear women to resolve all their disagreements.  Along our journey we may collide with another, but God always has grace for restoration.  Clement and other leaders in the church at Philippi had helped Paul in preaching the Gospel and bringing God’s Kingdom realm to come in that place.  God is urging us in these last days to be Gospel bearers bringing God’s Kingdom realm in our areas, to rise above conflicts in relationships, to fulfill God’s purpose and destiny for our lives.  Amen!

The Cross Removes All Sin

 ”Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Samuel told the children of Israel after he anointed Saul as the king as they had asked, “Pay attention! Watch this wonder that God is going to perform before you now! It’s summer, as you well know, and the rainy season is over. But I’m going to pray to God. He’ll send thunder and rain, a sign to convince you of the great wrong you have done to God by asking for a king.” Samuel prayed to God, and God sent thunder and rain that same day. The people were greatly afraid and in awe of God and of Samuel. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  The Israelites had rejected God as King to ask for an earthly king.  Samuel the prophet conveyed God’s displeasure at their decision.  God then sent His Son at the fulfillment of the ages to abolish sin once and for all by the sacrifice of Himself!  This is the testimony of Jesus our Lord, that the wrong decision to sin against God, will not ever change the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.  Let’s greatly reverence our Lord Jesus for removing the guilt of ALL sin.  Thank You Jesus!

Christ Laid Hold of Us for a Purpose

 ”that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul, from prison, is rejoicing and explaining his faith in Christ, “And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of His resurrection working in me. I will be one with Him in His sufferings and become like Him in His death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with Him in His resurrection from the realm of death. I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me His own. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead”. Let’s learn from Paul’s humility to be used of our Lord Jesus in our time.  Amen!

Led by the Holy Spirit

 ”And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

They all trooped out to Gilgal. Before God, they crowned Saul king at Gilgal. And there they worshiped, sacrificing peace offerings. Saul and all Israel celebrated magnificently.  When the Ammonites came against the Gileadites, they asked Saul to help and a great victory was won by the children of Israel against the enemy.  As Samuel directed, the children of Israel went to Gilgal and crowned Saul as king.  This historically for them was momentous as Saul became the first king of the nation of Israel to lead them.  In the new covenant, the Holy Spirit is now with us to be guided by and to lead us in all situations of our life.  Spiritual power has been made available to the Church to accomplish God’s will on earth.  But now that we have been fully released from the power of the law, we are dead to what once controlled us. And our lives are no longer motivated by the obsolete way of following the written code, so that now we may serve God by living in the freshness of a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Lord!

Christ’s Humility & Christ’s Exaltation

 ”and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV

The seven steps Jesus took from the Throne to the Cross: He emptied Himself; He became a servant; He became human; He humbled Himself; He became vulnerable revealed as a Man; He was obedient until His death; He died a criminal’s death on the Cross.  The seven steps of exaltation that God gave Jesus after the Cross: God exalted Him and multiplied His greatness; He possesses the greatest Name of all; His sovereign authority causes every knee to bow;  God decreed that everyone in heaven bows in worship of the God-Man; God decreed that every demonic being bows to the God-Man; God decreed that every tongue proclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh; God received the glory and honour of sharing His Throne with the God-Man.  Glory to God!  Let’s give glory, honour, power and praise to the Name above all names - Jesus.  Amen!

The Power of the Holy Spirit

 ”After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: and the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Samuel anointed Saul to be the king over the children of Israel and told him, “Next, you’ll come to Gibeah of God…and you’ll run into a bunch of prophets coming down from the shrine, playing harps and tambourines, flutes and drums. And they’ll be prophesying. Before you know it, the Spirit of God will come on you and you’ll be prophesying right along with them. And you’ll be transformed. You’ll be a new person!”  The nervous would-be king was transformed into another person by the Spirit of God.  The prophetic ecstasy hit Saul again when he had turned against Yahweh later.  The saying came about, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  The Spirit of God powerfully transforms anyone, even non-believers.  In the new covenant He is here to help us be like Jesus.  Let’s surrender to the Holy Spirit and be spiritually minded where there is life and peace.  Amen!

Discerning God’s Will with Abounding Love

 ”And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s prayer, “I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things. This will enable you to choose the most excellent way of all —becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ.“  Paul desires that we have a practical understanding of life in Christ so that we have the truth this insight reveals.  This discernment brings reality to our experience of Christ that we apply to life; it becomes the path to finding what God approves, not just what He forbids.  When God’s love, revelation and insight overflow into our discernment, we choose to look for that which is excellent and pleasing in God’s eyes.  We choose what is best, not by law or rules, but by loving discernment.  This brings us contentment.  Let’s choose God’s loving discernment for that which is excellent in God’s eyes because we are in Christ.  Amen!

Christ’s Obedience

 ”And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭9‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The moment Samuel laid eyes on Saul, God said, “He’s the one, the man I told you about. This is the one who will keep My people in check.”  Amazingly, even when Samuel was offended by the children of Israel’s desire for a king, God was able to help Samuel understand in accordance with His Will, and come into obedience to do it.  In the new covenant, it is Christ’s obedience that we dwell upon.  During Christ’s days on earth He  pleaded with God, praying with passion and with tearful agony that God would spare Him from death. And because of His perfect devotion His prayer was answered and He was delivered. But even though He was a wonderful Son, He learned to listen and obey through all His sufferings. And after being proven perfect in this way He has now become the source of eternal salvation to all those who listen to Him and obey.  May we all focus on Christ’s sufferings on the Cross, listen to Him and obey Him.  Amen!

Put On the Whole Armour of God

 ”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains at the end of this wonderful revelatory letter to the church in Ephesus, and to every church down the ages, that, “Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious”.  Every spiritually dark power down the ages, pagan deities - these powers of darkness mentioned in occult rituals, rebellious authorities that hold humans in bondage, are to be vanquished by the power of the believing Church, in the finished work of the Cross of Christ.  When the Church has conquered, it stands in victory over the devil.  Let’s put on the whole armour of God and declare the victory of the Cross in all our situations.  Amen!

Jesus Christ is Lord

”And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God answered Samuel, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected Me as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving Me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.”  In the new covenant, our King of kings is the Lord Jesus Christ.  When we reject His Blood Sacrifice on our personal behalf, we are accepting some other authority.  Until we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, we cannot say, “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  Let’s declare Jesus Christ is Lord.  Amen!

Christ Restores His Image in Us, His Church

 ”that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬ ‭KJV‬

All that Christ does in us is designed to make us a mature church for His pleasure, until we become a source of praise to Him—glorious and radiant, beautiful and holy, without fault or flaw.  Christ’s love for us makes us infused with His glory, radiance and splendour, without wrinkle or spot, just flawless.  Christ restores in us His image and likeness to Himself, to His delightful approval, without any distraction or reminder of a blemished past, or any scar of sin’s abuse.  We stand before Him in immaculate innocence!  Glory to God!!  Hallelujah!!!

Declare the Victory of the Cross

 ”And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV

Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them.  At the very moment the Philistines were getting ready to attack, the  Israelites were frightened, and asked Samuel to pray to the God of Israel for help.  Samuel told the children of Israel to get rid of the idols and false gods and repent with fasting.  In the midst of their fright, they obeyed Samuel.  So when the enemy arrived to attack, the LORD thundered with a great thunder and the Philistines were defeated.  Today, we are in the new covenant where Jesus destroyed ALL the works of the enemy through the Cross.  Let’s be obedient in faith and declare the victory over every enemy of the Cross of Jesus Christ and let’s thank our God Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. Amen!

Maturing to Perfection through Grace Ministries in the Church

 ”And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s revelation was that Christ has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ. These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness into the faith, until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and finally we become one into a perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed into the abundance of Christ.  Perfection cannot come to the Body of Christ without the example and teaching of these five ministries. Let’s mature to perfection as the Body of Christ.  Amen!