Touching Scripture by Faith

 “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus knew at once that someone had touched him, for he felt the power that always surged around him had passed through him for someone to be healed. He turned and spoke to the crowd, saying, “Who touched my clothes?”  There was a glorious power that kept going out around Jesus Christ, drawing others to Him and healing those He touched, and in this case, healing a woman who touched Him in faith.  Jesus knew that the power of God was always emanating around Him, yet it had flowed through Him to someone in the crowd.  Jesus already knew the answer to His question.  He wanted the woman to come forward and acknowledge her healing.  There were crowds around Jesus, the Living Word.  Many today crowd around the written Word.  But only those who “touch” the Scriptures in faith receive its promises, just like the sick woman who received her healing.  May we “touch” Jesus in faith in the written Scriptures.  Amen!

Worship in Spirit & in Truth

 “Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV

David selected worship leaders from the family of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for special service in preaching and music. From the family of Jeduthun there were six sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah; they were supervised by their father Jeduthun, who preached and accompanied himself with the harp—he was responsible for leading the thanks and praise to God.  Others were in charge of leading the singing and providing musical accompaniment in the work of worship in the sanctuary of God.  They were well-trained in the sacred music, all 288 of them skilful and masters.  Worship was priority in David’s tabernacle.  David had seen in the spirit when he worshipped as a young lad what heavenly worship was like.  He was only a teenager when he wrote the psalm  eulogising YHWH on his victory over Goliath.  In the new covenant worship includes singing, praying, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, studying the Word of God and giving generously and cheerfully for the extension of the Kingdom of God.  Let’s worship God this way in spirit and in truth.  Amen!

Wholehearted Obedience

 “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus told the parable of the seed that fell on the ground, and He says, “Are you listening to this? Really listening? If you understand this, then you need to respond”.  Or, “The one with ears to hear should use them.”  We usually apply portions of this parable to those who don’t believe, but Jesus instructs us to apply it to ourselves.  The four kinds of soils speak of four kinds of hearts: hard hearts, hollow hearts, half hearts, and whole hearts.  With the first soil we see the activity of satan; the second,  that of the flesh; and the third, that of the world.  Bearing fruit is not a problem with the seed but with the soil it falls upon.  May we allow the seed of the Word of God to fall upon the good and fruitful soil of our wholeheartedness.  Let’s with our whole heart pay attention to what God speaks to us through His Word and do what it says.  Amen!

Presenting Ourselves as a Living Sacrifice

 “But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died before their father and left no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar filled the office of priest.  Nadab and Abihu had given unacceptable sacrifice which God had not asked for and instantly the fire of God consumed them.  In the new covenant, God has arranged through Christ Jesus that we surrender ourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices, living in holiness, experiencing all that delights God’s heart. For this becomes our genuine expression of worship.  Anyone who continues to worship the detestable deception and refuses to accept the Blood Sacrifice of Christ for the forgiveness of sin, will in the age to come be tormented forever in the lake of fire.  This is God’s unchanging Word.  Amen!

The Sent Ones

 “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: and Simon he surnamed Peter;”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus appointed the Twelve, whom He named apostles. He wanted them to be continually at His side as His friends, and so that He could send them out to preach and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons. He appointed his Twelve and gave Simon the nickname Peter the Rock.  The apostles were the “sent ones” serving God’s Kingdom realm.  Jesus raised up twelve, and later seventy, whom He sent out to preach the message of God’s Kingdom.  None of them were fully mature or equipped, for the Holy Spirit had not yet come to empower them.  Leaders today need to raise up others and not centre their ministry around themselves.  The legacy of a spiritual leader is made up of those he or she has released and sent forth to proclaim Christ.  When Jesus gave the name to Peter, He was calling his purpose into existence.  Peter would be the strong rock of faith and a leader to the others.  May we live out the purpose God has called each of us to in Christ for His Kingdom.  Amen!

True Worship is Intimacy with God in Christ

 “moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David, in his old age, recorded,  “…four thousand are security guards; and four thousand are to serve in the orchestra, praising God with instruments that I have provided for praise.”  David knew the importance of worshipping God from as a child.  Through worship, David’s intimacy with YHWH grew.  Now in his old age, he organised how worship must come from God’s people to the Most High.  David worshipped from his heart yet Jesus is the One Who has enacted a new covenant with a new relationship with God so that those who accept the invitation will receive the eternal inheritance He has promised to His heirs. Because it is through the sacred Blood of Jesus our Messiah that we thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit Jesus has offered Himself to God as the perfect Sacrifice that now frees us from our dead works to worship and serve the living God.  He died to release us from the guilt of the violations committed under the first covenant.  Now, anyone who believes in Christ anywhere can be a true worshipper of Jesus, our Lord and our God only by faith in His Blood sacrifice.  Amen!

Enjoying Our Sabbath Rest in Christ

 “And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

One Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field of wheat. The disciples were hungry, so they plucked off some heads of grain to eat.  Sabbath is from the Hebrew shavat, which is the verb “to rest”.  What was designed to be a day of rest and intimacy with God and family was now complicated by a host of rules and traditions.  In the new covenant, through the finished work of the Cross of Christ, there is still a full and complete Sabbath-rest waiting for believers to experience.  As we enter into God’s faith-rest life we cease from our own works, just as God celebrates His finished works and rests in them. So then we must be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.  Let our hearts be at rest in God’s Presence to enjoy our Sabbath rest in intimacy with Him.  Amen!

The Indestructible Temple of Christ’s Body

 “Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David prophesied and prayed over his son Solomon, to prepare Solomon to build a temple for God.  “So now, son, God be with you. God-speed as you build the sanctuary for your God, the job God has given you.”  God had given assurance to David, who greatly desired to build God’s sanctuary, that his son would build it.  David therefore prepared his son Solomon to do this service to God that he had so earnestly desired to do himself.  But the temple that Solomon built was destroyed, and the second temple that was built by those that returned from the Babylonian exile and which Herod enhanced was also destroyed.  Ultimately, it was Jesus Who said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  When He rose again,  we who believe, rose with Him and now our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us, whom we have from God, and we are not our own, for we were bought at a price; therefore we glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God’s.  Amen!

Receiving God’s Word with Meekness

 “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The people were awestruck by Jesus’s teaching, because He taught in a way that demonstrated God’s authority, which was quite unlike the religious scholars.  Jesus spoke with such glory and power emanating from Him that His words were like thunderbolts in the listeners’ hearts.  They were shocked and astonished because they had never heard anything like this before and they were shaken to the core of their hearts.  Jesus taught from an inner knowledge of God and His Word, for His teaching emphasised obedience to God from the heart, not just outwardly keeping of laws.  May we receive with meekness His implanted Word which is able to save our souls.  May we allow the Word to do a work in our hearts by the power of God the Holy Spirit.  Amen!

Overcomers

 “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel.  What David as king of Israel did was against God as he showed dependency on man’s strength rather than on God.  So he and Israel had to bear the consequences.  Yahweh came as Jesus, the Son of Man, to experience the ordeal of testing in the wilderness, by the accuser that is satan, for all humanity.  In the new covenant, the Lamb of God has, through His shed Blood, taken every accusation that satan brings over us, who believe, before God.  Let it be that we believers know how to discern every accusation the adversary brings. When we are guilty of wrong-doing, it is better to agree with our  adversary and confess our sins and mistakes. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness by His precious Blood.  Let’s overcome satan by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.  Hallelujah!

All Believers are Christ’s Brothers and Sisters

 “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Along the way, Jesus suddenly appeared in front of them and said, “Rejoice!” They were so overwhelmed by seeing him that they bowed down and grasped his feet in adoring worship. Then Jesus said to them, “Throw off all your fears. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will find me there.”  Jesus told His disciples to be rejoicing.  What an incredible truth that all believers are now His brothers and sisters.  For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”  What a privilege and what  an honour!  Let us be rejoicing.  Hallelujah!

The Purpose of the Church

 “These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV

These came from the clan of giants and were killed by David and his men.  David kept defeating the Philistines, the ancestors of the Palestinians.  David and his men were giant slayers.  Today, in the new covenant, the Church is called to establish the Kingdom of God, not by fighting against people, but bringing God’s Kingdom into their hearts. The believers are to know the exceeding greatness of God’s  power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church.  We are in Christ, therefore, we are above the principalities and powers in the spiritual realm, which have been conquered and defeated by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Cross.  As believers, and as the Church, let’s do what God has purposed for us to do which is to declare the Victory of the Cross.  Amen!

God’s Clear Sign

 “and set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭37‬ ‭KJV‬

Above Jesus’s head they placed a sign that read, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of Israel.”  The sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.  Aramaic was the language of the common people in Israel as Hebrew had ceased to be their spoken language after 450 BC when the Jews returned from Babylon.    Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire.  The inscription was also in Greek, for the Alexandrian Jews who had come to observe the Passover in Jerusalem and were unable to read Aramaic.  The words were “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews”. The first letters of each of the four words written on the sign were Y-H-W-H _Y’shua Hanozri Wumelech a Yehudim.  _This was YHWH, the Tetragrammaton, the Hebrew form of writing the sacred Name “Yahweh”.  No wonder the chief priests were so offended by this sign and insisted that Pilate changed it.  This was a sign given to Israel, for over Jesus’s Head on the Cross was written “Y-H-W-H God, the Saviour, bled to death for you.”  Amen!

God’s Promises Surely Happen

 “And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭19‬:‭19 KJV

When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. The Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites ever again.  God had promised David to establish him as king and God had promised Israel that He had chosen for His Presence to be with them.  God faithfully kept His promise even when Israel was not faithful to Him.  The enemies of Israel may gang up against it but God will preserve Israel because Jesus promised that He will come again.  He said, ““And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”  Let’s keep looking to Jesus our Lord.  Amen!

The Lord’s Table

 “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭29‬ ‭KJV‬

Jesus said, “The next time we drink this, I will be with you and we will drink it together with a new understanding in the kingdom realm of my Father.”  We are now in the realm of the Kingdom of God.  The Holy Spirit brings us into the Body of Christ and into the reality of the Kingdom of God.  It is growing and increasing in scope, and every time believers drink of the cup of the communion, Jesus is present with us.  It is the Lord’s Table not ours.  This was a prophecy of what would happen in just a matter of days from then, as believers would break bread together in remembrance of what Jesus did for them.  Since that time, all believers continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Jesus now partakes with us in a new way, not just once a year at Passover, but every time we worship Him by taking communion.  Amen!

God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Earth

 “So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thus David ruled over all of Israel. He ruled well, fair and evenhanded in all his duties and relationships.  God helped David to establish the kingdom which God had given the children of Israel.  Jesus, the Son of David, came to bring God’s Kingdom on earth.  In the new covenant that Jesus came to establish, He said that the Kingdom of God cannot be entered in unless you are born of water and the Spirit and it is within us.  As we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things will be added to us.  All those who put their trust in riches and in the systems of this world cannot enter the Kingdom of God.  It is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! The Kingdom realm of God comes with power, not simply impressive words.  Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, it is of the higher order - it is spiritual.  We have no fight against people, but against principalities and powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Through the Cross of Jesus Christ and His shed Blood, we have been given the power to bring the Kingdom of God on this planet, in the hearts of all people.  May God’s Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen!

Kingdom of God Principle of Generosity

 “thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭27‬ ‭KJV

The master told the servant with the one talent he had buried, “Why didn’t you throw my money into the offering?  Then I would have returned to ask for what was mine together with its bounty.”  The money given in sacred offering to God will be returned with even more by God’s generosity.  God’s abundance is for us to give generously and generous gifts will be given back to us, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon us with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of our generosity becomes the measurement of our return.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Rules His Kingdom Forever

 “And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God told prophet Nathan to speak His Word to David, “And now I’m telling you this: God Himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child to succeed you, a child from your own body, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule forever.”  Although the prophet spoke about Solomon who would succeed David but actually it is the prophecy of the Messiah Jesus Christ, Who as the Son of Man was a descendant of king David and Whose Throne is established in the heart of all believers who are in the Kingdom of God.  The  psalmist said, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”  Many believe that there is no forever after death on planet earth, there is no reckoning, that’s it, finito, kaput! Only through repentance do we come into God’s Kingdom for the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Amen!

The Son of Man Coming in Power & Glory

 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said, “Then immediately this is what will take place: ‘The sun will be darkened and the moon will give no light. The stars will fall from the sky and all the cosmic powers will be shaken.’ Then the sign announcing the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn over Him. And they will see the Son of Man appearing in the clouds of heaven, revealed with mighty power, great splendor, and glory.”  The lights of the natural realm will be shut off and replaced by heaven’s glory - lights out on the old order.  Sun, moon and stars represent the governmental structures failing with great calamity.  A new order, a new glory, is coming to replace the fading glories of this world.  Many prophets have already prophesied this as did Isaiah here, “For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.”  May we be sensitive to the Lord’s coming.  Amen!

Into the Holiest Place by the Blood of Christ

 “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

They brought the Ark of God and placed it right in the center of the tent that David had pitched for it; then they worshiped by presenting burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.  The Ark represented the Presence of God in the Holy of Holies where the high priest went but once a year to atone for the sins of the Israelites.  David brought the Ark to Jerusalem and anyone who wanted to worship came to where the Ark was kept, until Solomon built the Temple.  But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own Blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption for all mankind.  What an awesome Saviour and what an awesome Atonement.  Hallelujah!

One Father and One Lord Jesus Christ

 “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said, “And you are not to be addressed as ‘father,’ for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be addressed as ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Anointed One.”  Jesus is emphasising the priority of God over titles of men and over all teachers, fathers and leaders, but that God must be in first place over all others.  When Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He is, Peter answered, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God Himself, let you in on this secret of Who I really Am.”  This is our priority, that God is our Father and Jesus is our Teacher and our Lord.  With this revelation we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere we go.  Let’s not undermine our own or others personal relationship with our Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father and the revelation given to us.  Amen!

Surrendering in Worship

“Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬

On they came, all Israel on parade bringing up the Ark of the Covenant of God, shouting and cheering, playing every kind of brass and percussion and string instrument.  Worship for the Living God with David was never solemn!  It was accompanied by skilfully played instruments and a lot of noise.  Not a cacophony and definitely not a lament!  There was dancing in the Presence of God, which the Ark of the Covenant denoted in the old covenant.  Worshipping God with loud noise and dancing is a big “no, no” in many circles, it causes offence.  Those who enjoy being in the Presence of God know otherwise.  As another psalmist said, “What pleasure fills those who live every day in Your temple, enjoying You as they worship in Your presence!”  Surrendering in God’s Presence through worship is what delights our God.  Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender ourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes our genuine expression of worship.  Amen!

Our Wedding Garment

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now, when the king entered the banquet hall, he looked with glee over all his guests. But then he noticed a guest who was not wearing the wedding robe provided for him.  Those invited to come from the streets had no opportunity to buy wedding clothes.  This wedding robe is a picture of the garment of righteousness that grace provides for us.  The man without the wedding garment had one provided, but he didn’t want to change into new clothes.  A change is necessary, for our King provides garments of white linen for us to wear, our wedding garments.  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.  To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  May we be ready for our King.  Amen!

Christ’s Obedience is Our Victory

 “David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David did exactly as God commanded, slaughtering Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. David was soon famous all over the place, far and near; and God put the fear of God into the godless nations.  Because David chose to obey God and did exactly as God commanded him to, so YHWH made him famous and victorious.  The Son of David showed by example that 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.  Because of that obedience, God exalted Jesus and multiplied His greatness! He has now been given the greatest Name of all names!  Scripture has subjected the whole world to sin’s power so that the faithful obedience of Jesus the Anointed might extend God’s promises to everyone who has faith. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  Amen!

True Victory!

 “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV

Jesus rode in the center of the procession—crowds going before Him and crowds coming behind Him, and they all shouted, “Bring the victory, Lord, Son of David! He is the Blessed One sent from the Lord Yahweh! We celebrate with praises to God in the highest!”  Hosanna means ‘O save and bring the victory, Lord!’  The crowds recognised Jesus as Yahweh’s Messiah.  By shouting out “Son of David”, the people were clearly expecting Jesus to immediately overthrow the Roman oppression and set the nation free.  Many want victory before they understand the Cross, but true victory comes after resurrection, when you identify with Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection.  At the Cross we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives, in Christ.  That’s true victory!  Now we can say from our hearts, Hosanna, blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!  Amen!

The Presence of God

 “And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬

The Ark of the Covenant was in storage in the house of Obed-Edom for three months. God blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything around him.  The Ark represented the Presence of God.  David was jealous for the Presence of God and from Abinadab’s house in Kiriath Jearim, he wanted to bring the Presence of God to Jerusalem .  But when Uzzah (Abinadab’s son), grabbed the Ark to keep it from falling off, he died on the spot.  David was afraid and had the Ark taken to Obed-Edom’s house instead.  Today in the new covenant, we can go right into the Presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s Blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.  What an awesome God we serve!  Hallelujah!

Seeking Our Father’s Will

 “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you are asking.” Then, looking in the eyes of James and John, Jesus said, “Are you prepared to drink from the cup of suffering that I am about to drink? And are you able to endure the baptism into death that I am about to endure?” They answered him, “Yes, we are able.”  The naïveté of James and John is glaring.  Their ambition is emphasised by having their mother come and ask this favour.  This event is included immediately after Jesus prophesied for the third time His coming crucifixion.  Their hearts were set on their own advancement rather than intercession for their Master.  Some people are preaching the message of the Anointed One because of jealousies and rivalries. Their motives aren't pure. They're driven by selfish ambitions and personal agendas.  Let’s turn back from doing our own thing and seek for our Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven like James and John did.  Amen!

Trusting God Brings Joy

 “Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Neighbors ranging from as far north as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali arrived with donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen loaded down with food for the party: flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep—joy in Israel!  All these soldiers came to David at Hebron, ready to fight if necessary; they were both united and determined to make David king over all Israel.  It was not David who strove to become king, God arranged it that all Israel came to make David king.  Trusting in our own strength and performance is an ineffective way in the Kingdom of God.  Trusting in God to make the circumstances happen for His perfect will to be done is the true way.  God is a specialist in making the impossible happen, that’s what Jesus said!  “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One Who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Amen!

Enthroned With Christ in Heavenly Places

 “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus responded, “Listen to the truth: In the age of the restoration of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will have twelve thrones of your own, and you will govern the twelve tribes of Israel.”  This is the second birth when we accept Jesus Christ as our only Lord and come into the new realm of being born of the Spirit.  Jesus came to save us. Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done or the belief in karma, dharma and moksha, but only because of His extravagant mercy. He saved us, resurrecting us through the washing of rebirth. We are made completely new by the Holy Spirit, Whom He splashed over us richly by Jesus, the Messiah, our Life Giver.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Having received the gift of righteousness, we now reign in life, enthroned with Christ together in the heavenly places.  Amen!

Preaching the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation

 “And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬, ‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The citizens of Jebus told David, “No trespassing—you can’t come here.” David came on anyway and captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.  David took up residence in the fortress city; that’s how it got its name, “City of David.” David fortified the city all the way around, and his stride became longer, his embrace larger—yes, God-of-the-Angel-Armies was with him!  David had many triumphs - those who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.   David won new territory for Israel in the power of God.  In the new covenant, we are to win people in the power of God.  The preaching of the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation.  Through the preaching of Christ, people are convinced through the release of God’s power in miraculous signs and wonders.  Let’s increase the Kingdom of God through the preaching of the Gospel and win souls.  Amen!