Christ’s Breath of Life & the Power of the Holy Spirit

 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then, taking a deep breath, Jesus blew on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.”  The word for ‘breathed’ is the same word for God breathing into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life.  The beginning of new creation came from the breath of Jesus.  The mighty wind of the Holy Spirit in the upper room was for power and the breath that Jesus breathed into His disciples was for life.  Jesus went on to say that if they forgave someone for their sins, their sins will be discharged, but if they retain someone’s sins, their sins will be retained.  Jesus was not giving absolute authority to forgive the guilt of sins, for God alone has that right.  The apostles at no point assumed that authority.  What He gave them is the authority of being His sent ones to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.  If they refuse to go and preach the good news, then people will have no opportunity to believe it.  Let’s be His disciples and give the Gospel to everyone.  Amen!

Servant Leadership in Christ

 “Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

From the time King Artaxerxes appointed me as their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of his reign, twelve years—neither I nor my brothers used the governor’s food allowance. Governors who had preceded me had oppressed the people by taxing them forty shekels of silver a day for food and wine while their underlings bullied the people unmercifully. But out of fear of God I did none of that.  Nehemiah as governor had a heart for the Jews under him and interceded for them.  In Christ leaders are to shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor lording over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  When the Chief Shepherd appears, you’ll be crowned with unfading glory.  Amen!

Commit Your Way to God & Trust Him

 “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar.”

‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV

From then on Pilate tried to find a way out of the situation and to set Jesus free, but the Jewish authorities shouted him down: “If you let this Man go, you’re no friend of Caesar! Anyone who declares Himself a king is an enemy of the emperor!”  In essence, these words were a form of blackmail as the Jewish authorities were reminding Pilate that it would ruin his career if he pardoned Jesus.  Pilate’s position was a political appointment due to his being a member of the elite class of Romans who took an oath of loyalty to Caesar.  The Jewish authorities were, in effect, threatening to inform Rome that Pilate was allowing treason in Caesar’s empire.  This blackmail would finish Pilate’s career and even his life.  This overruled Pilate’s desire to set Jesus free and he went on to condemn Jesus to His death.  To place your career over Jesus is never wise.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.  Amen!

Fulfill God’s Purposes

 “But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairs of the walls of Jerusalem were going so well—that the breaks in the wall were being fixed—they were absolutely furious. They put their heads together and decided to fight against Jerusalem and create as much trouble as they could.  When you come into faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and follow and serve Him, troubles come.  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  He also said “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  When we fulfill God’s purposes the enemy will have to stop.  We thank God that the devil is a defeated foe.  Amen!

The Great I AM

 “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”

‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV

The moment Jesus spoke the words, “I Am He,” the mob fell backward to the ground!”  This was a stunning event as the great I Am spoke His Name before those who sought to seize Him.  They were not tripping over each other in surprise, for every one of these strong men fell backward to the ground by the power of God.  Jesus was in charge that night as the Captain of the host of the Lord.  They could not seize Him unless He permitted them to do so.  What a wonderful Saviour Who willingly submitted to the hands of cruel men to bring us the gift of salvation.  When God named Himself to Moses, He said, “I-AM-WHO-I-AM. Tell the People of Israel, ‘I-AM sent me to you.’”  Jesus is the great I AM!  Hallelujah!

Cooperating with God as He Builds His Church

 “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests were up and at it: They went to work on the Sheep Gate; they repaired it and hung its doors, continuing on as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.  Nehemiah got the Jews together to start the work on rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.  He divided them into  groups according to their tribes, and they each took responsibility for a part of the wall to rebuild it.  Everyone took their responsibility well and did it inspite of the threats and intimidation.  They succeeded in building the wall of Jerusalem.  In the new covenant, God is building His Church, the new Jerusalem; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So then, let us aim for harmony in the Church and try to build each other up. The finished work of the Cross fully equips and perfects the saints, God’s people, for works of service, to build up the Body of Christ, the Church.  As new creatures in Christ, we have come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides - the invisible Jerusalem; we’ve come to Jesus.  Amen!

The Fullness of Christ in Unity of Faith

 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus prayed, “So with deep love, I pray for my disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to you, those you have given me.”  How could it be that Jesus loves the world and gave Himself for the sin of the world, yet emphasises that He is praying for His disciples and not praying for the world?  Jesus coming into the world brings life to those who believe and judgment to those who do not.  The implication is that the key to reaching the world is the life, maturity, unity and the love of the disciples.  This does not mean that Jesus doesn’t love the world, but that the world will be reached when the disciples come into the fullness of Christ and in unity of the faith.  This is what consumes the heart of Jesus as He prays for them before the Cross.  As disciples, let’s come into the fullness of Christ with His life, love and unity of faith as we allow Him to manifest through us.  Amen!

Commit Your Way to God & Trust Him

 “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The king then asked me, “So what do you want?” Praying under my breath to the God-of-Heaven, I said, “If it please the king, and if the king thinks well of me, send me to Judah, to the city where my family is buried, so that I can rebuild it.”  Nehemiah was in a place of influence with king Artaxerxes but yet he prayed to the LORD God Almighty for wisdom to place his request before the king.  Nehemiah was diligent being a cupbearer to the king so he had the king’s ear.  When Nehemiah prayed to God, the king's heart became like a stream of water directed by the Lord. Artaxerxes gave favour to Nehemiah’s request.  Even the thoughts and decisions of kings are influenced by God.  God directs the hearts of rulers according to His divine purposes, reminding us that earthly power is not autonomous. All things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and given us the ministry of reconciliation; to also pray for kings or anyone in high places.  Let’s pray for those in authority over our nation as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Christ Became Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification & Redemption for Us

 “of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬

Jesus said, “‘Sin,’ because they refuse to believe in who I am. “God’s ‘righteousness,’ because I’m going back to join the Father and you’ll see me no longer. “And ‘judgment’ because the ruler of this dark world has already received his sentence.”  Sin, righteousness and judgment are related to three persons.  Sin is related to Adam, for it is was through him sin came to humanity. When Adam sinned, the entire world was affected. Sin entered human experience, and death was the result. And so death followed this sin, casting its shadow over all humanity, because all have sinned.  Righteousness is related to Christ because it comes through Him and He has become our righteousness. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  Judgment is related to satan, for the pure works of Christ bring judgment to the work of satan.  If we do not embrace Christ’s righteousness, we will share satan’s judgment.  Let’s believe that we who believe in Christ’s finished work on the Cross, are the righteousness of God in Christ.  Amen!

Effective Intercession

 “and said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 

Nehemiah prayed, “God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to His covenant and faithful to those who love Him and obey His commands: Pay attention to this prayer of Your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession for Your servants, confessing their sins. I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against You.”  True intercession is identifying with sin, and repenting and confessing it.  Jesus on the Cross divided the spoil with the strong, as He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors as He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.  In the new covenant, the Holy Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to intercede through us.  Amen!