Honour Jesus by Serving Others in His Name

 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart.  In Hebrew culture in the days of Jesus, the firstborn of the household had honour, while the youngest accepted the role of menial service to all the others of the house.  In the Kingdom of God, as Paul tells us, Jesus is the Head of the Body, the Church, Who is the Beginning, the Firstborn  from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  Jesus has the place of honour in our hearts where we enthrone Him.  He came to serve and having done that through the Cross, He is the only One Who gets the honour.  Jesus was responding, at that time, to the disciples argument of who of them is the greatest.  His response was unexpected for the disciples and for those Christians today who expect honour to their status!  Jesus’s response is the same today as it was then.  Serve others if you expect to be honoured.  Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood.  Let’s honour the Lord Jesus, by serving others.  Amen!

Be Quick to Forgive

 “An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “The source of strife is found in an angry heart, for sin surrounds the life of a furious man. Lift yourself up with pride and you will soon be brought low, but a meek and humble spirit will add to your honor.”  Strife is the work of the flesh when we don’t give importance to our relationships and take offence and harbour grudges.  Pride and ego keep us from either seeking forgiveness or forgiving others.  If we want to live honourably, meekness and humility is key to our behaviour pattern.  When we remember that God made Jesus Who knew no sin, to become sin for us so that we in Christ would become the righteousness of God, we are in awe of the humility of Jesus our Lord.  Grace is the power of God to enable us to release the faith of Jesus Christ to overcome our challenges, instead of taking offence or harbouring grudges.  We who believe in the Lord Jesus know that we are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live; yet not we but Christ lives in us and the life we live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God Who loves us and gave Himself for us.  Let’s be quick to forgive, quick not to take offence, and to not harbour grudges in our heart.  Thank You Jesus!

Persevering in Our Passion for Christ

 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, Jesus saying - “And at last, when you see how the Son of Man comes—surrounded with a cloud, with great power and miracles, in the radiance of His splendour, and with great glory and praises—it will make you jump for joy! For the time of your full transformation has arrived.”  Jesus is the Son of God Who became a Man.  It is our privilege to believe even when we can’t see, that the Lord Jesus is always surrounded with the radiance of His splendour, in great glory and praises.  It is our faith as those belonging to Christ, who are redeemed and liberated by the Blood of Jesus, from the shackles of deception, sin and the enemy of our souls to believe in the majesty of our risen Lord.  As we persevere in our passion for the Lord Jesus Christ, we are coming into the total transformation of our body, soul and spirit, when we see Him as He is.  May the God of peace and harmony set us apart, making us completely holy. And may our entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.  Amen!

The Church Releases the Victory of the Cross

 “As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; So is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Ruthless rulers can only be compared to raging lions and roaming bears. Abusive leaders fail to employ wisdom, but leaders who despise corruption will enjoy a long and full life.”  David, before he killed Goliath, went after the lion and the bear and dealt soundly with them!  These beasts represented demonic forces of evil over the land   Daniel also mentions ruthless world leaders as lions and bears.  “Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.”  Abusive leaders devour like a hungry lion and unjust leaders will trample like a bear.  But thank God that He has given the Church to release the victory of the Cross, this exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.  Amen!

David’s Son & David’s Lord

 “And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, ““Haven’t you read in the Psalms where David himself wrote: The Lord Yahweh said to My Lord, ‘Sit near Me in the place of authority until I subdue all Your enemies under Your feet!’ ” Jesus explained, “If David calls this One ‘my Lord,’ how can He be his son?””  In Hebrew translation, David wrote “Yahweh said to my Adonai” which paraphrased reads “The LORD God said to my protecting Lord Messiah”.  Jesus is quoting from David’s psalm and He was yet to make all God’s enemies become a footstool under His Feet, by dying on the Cross and rising again the third day.  Jesus was challenging the people to know that the Christ is both God and Man, David’s Son and David’s Lord.  Jesus as the Son of Man, 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 mankind.  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!  This is 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, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.  Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God, David’s Son and David’s Lord.  Hallelujah!

The Word of God our Only Opinion

 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬

Wisdom from above says, “You can trust a friend who wounds you with his honesty, but your enemy’s pretended flattery comes from insincerity. When your soul is full, you turn down even the sweetest honey. But when your soul is starving, every bitter thing becomes sweet.”  Wounds by a loved one are long lasting, effective and faithful.  Whereas flatterers are hollow, even when they kiss you - you never know where you stand with them and it’s dangerous to take their words and kisses to heart.  When we are full of many things and many opinions, the sweet Word of God, like revelation honey, is spurned.  Instead, we eat and fill our souls with things that can never satisfy.  For our spiritual growth and maturity, we all need to be corrected by the Word of God as it is God speaking to us. Remember, when our human parents disciplined us, we respected them. If that was true, shouldn't we respect and live under the correction of the Father of all spirits even more? Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God's correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share His holiness.  Let’s make the Word of God our only opinion and speak it forth to others as well as to ourselves.  Amen!

Be the Temple of God and Reveal Christ in You

 “And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “Jesus entered the temple area and forcibly threw out all the merchants from their stalls. He rebuked them, saying, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Father’s house is to be filled with prayer—a house of prayer, not a cave of bandits!’ ”  The Gospel of the Lord Jesus can never be traded for money.  Freely we have received and freely we give.  The only time when Jesus used force was when people mixed the goodness of God with money.  It was prophesied, Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord.  “And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”  Our personal relationship with Almighty God can never be misused.  Through the defeat of sin and death, our Lord Jesus has sent His mighty Holy Spirit to make us the temple of God.  As the apostle told, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”  Let’s walk in the consciousness that the Holy Spirit dwells in us to show Jesus to the world around us, let’s reveal Jesus through us.  Amen!

Christ is our Wisdom

 “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not seemly for a fool.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “It is totally out of place to promote and honor a fool, just like it’s out of place to have snow in the summer and rain at harvest time.”  Both snow and rain are good in their proper season but harmful in the wrong season.  So is it harmful for a fool if you affirm him and honour him prematurely.  The Scripture has defined fools as, ‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”’  Only the withering soul would say to himself, “There’s no God for me!” Anyone who thinks like that is corrupt and callous; depraved and detestable, they are devoid of what is good. In today’s world such people are honoured, but according to the Word the one who fooled first was the father of lies and since then has been fooling people that there is no God.  Such people have tried to fool others. These people have gone out into the world. They don't agree that Jesus Christ came in a human body. People like this try to trick others. These people are like the great enemy of Christ. Eventually, the devil who fooled all of them will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur. He will be there with the beast and the false prophet, and they will be in pain day and night forever and ever.  Let’s live in the faith that overcomes, which is our victory - the victory that Jesus won for us at the Cross.  Let’s live to honour God in Christ because Christ has become to us the wisdom of God.  Amen! 

How Much More the Blood of Christ

 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.are I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, The religious leader stood apart from the others and prayed, ‘How I thank You, O God, that I’m not wicked like everyone else. They’re cheaters, swindlers, and crooks—like that tax collector over there. God, You know that I never cheat or commit adultery; I fast from food twice a week and I give You a tenth of all I earn.’  The tax collector stood alone in a corner, away from the Holy Place, and covered his face in his hands, feeling that he was unworthy even to look up to God. Beating his breast, he sobbed with brokenness and tears saying, ‘God, please, in Your mercy and because of the blood sacrifice, forgive me, for I am nothing but the most miserable of all sinners!’  The LORD God Almighty hates self righteousness, the pride that makes you feel superior to others - it was the same pride that led to Lucifer’s fall to become satan.  The tax collector’s humility in prayer led to him scourging his breast in genuine repentance, as he said to God, “Look at me as you look at the blood-sprinkled mercy seat.”  Today, how much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who  through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  Let’s cast aside self-righteousness and come before God in genuine sorrow, looking at the Blood Sacrifice of the Lamb of God that takes away our sin, and receive grace at heaven’s Mercy Seat.  Amen!

Anointed by the Anointed One

 “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift Is like clouds and wind without rain.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Clouds that carry no water and a wind that brings no refreshing rain — that’s what you’re like when you boast of a gift that you don’t have.”  The symbols of clouds, wind and rain are significant.  Clouds are often a metaphor for the people of God filled with glory. The writer of Hebrews says, “As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds”.  Wind is an emblem of the Holy Spirit bringing new life, as John explains, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  Rain often points to teaching the revelation-truths that refresh and water the seeds of spiritual growth.  That’s how Isaiah tells, ““For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  God’s anointed people are to be clouds carried by the wind of the Holy Spirit that bring refreshing truths to His people.  When we are empty and false, we are clouds without rain.  As Peter puts it, “These people are dried-up riverbeds, waterless clouds pushed along by stormy winds—the deepest darkness of gloom has been prepared for them.”  Let’s be God’s anointed people instead, those who have the Anointed One dwelling in us, like clouds carried by the wind of the Holy Spirit that bring revelation truths to refresh others.  Amen!

The Kingdom of gos is Within Us

 “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, Jesus was once asked by the Jewish religious leaders, “When will God’s Kingdom come?” Jesus responded, “God’s Kingdom does not come simply by obeying principles or waiting for signs. The Kingdom is not discovered in one place or another, for God’s Kingdom realm is already expanding within some of you.” The Pharisees thought that by every Jew perfectly observing the law and keeping people under their leadership, the Kingdom of God will come as Israel will overthrow the Roman conqueror and the Messiah will be in power.  Many Christians feel like that today that by keeping the Ten Commandments perfectly, we are entering into God’s Kingdom.  But what does Jesus say? That the Kingdom of God is within us.  In the New Covenant, the Kingdom of God is the Person of Jesus Christ, within us, by faith.  When people see Jesus in us, and the power of His love, they desire Him.  All self righteousness, our performance works, indeed our self-centredness and self-consciousness disappear, as we are only conscious of Christ within us. And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Let many people hear this Gospel and invite the Lord Jesus Christ to dwell within them and the Kingdom of God increase.  Hallelujah!

It’s Better to be Wise than to be Strong

 “Through wisdom is an house builded; And by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬

Wisdom from above says, “Wise people are builders — they build families, businesses, communities. And through intelligence and insight their enterprises are established and endure. Because of their skilled leadership, the hearts of people are filled with the treasures of wisdom and the pleasures of spiritual wealth. Wisdom can make anyone into a mighty warrior, and revelation-knowledge increases strength.” A house is built by wisdom and it is more than a structure with roof and a floor - it is a metaphor for families, churches, businesses and enterprises.  This wisdom from above in our inner chambers gives us righteous wealth.  This wisdom makes anyone a hero because it is better to be wise than to be strong.  For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.  If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!  Amen!

One Way, One Truth, One Life, One Judgment

 “And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “What if they’re not listening?’ the rich man added. ‘If someone from the dead were to go and warn them, they would surely repent.’ “Abraham said to him, ‘If they wouldn’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither would they be convinced if someone were raised from the dead!’  The rich man had lived totally depending on money and worldly power, never thinking about death, judgment and the after life.  When he asked Abraham to tell his family members about the tormented place he was in, Abraham said that they never listened to Moses or the prophets and neither will they listen to someone who rose from the dead.  Jesus is that “someone” Who rose from the grave, yet many still will not listen and believe.  The world and money power is such a deception to the people.  Religions and philosophies that are tolerant of sin will also deceive.  Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  Let’s proclaim this truth that there is only one life, after that is the judgment, and there is no other way to eternal life except through Jesus Christ.  Choose life in Christ.  Amen!

Trample over All the Power of the Enemy

 “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it giveth his colour in the cup, When it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “And don’t be drunk with wine but be known as one who enjoys the company of the lovers of God, for drunkenness brings the sting of a serpent, like the fangs of a viper spreading poison into your soul.”  Meditate on righteousness as one who is passionate about God rather than getting into an addiction.  The Hebrew for “horned serpent” or “dragon” is basilisk which root word means “little king”.  This is the poison of demonic power that can cause addictions and rule over the soul like a  “little king”.  But for those who have chosen to believe in Jesus Christ and to follow Him wholeheartedly, He says, “Now you understand that I have imparted to you My authority to trample over satan’s kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority.”  Great is the power Jesus has given the Church to be His authority on earth in the Kingdom of God.  Amen!

Our Great Shepherd

 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy, he raised it up, placed it on his shoulders, and carried it back with cheerful delight!”  There is this theory going around that shepherds take the errant lamb and break its leg to ensure that it doesn’t run away again.  This is so not what Jesus does as here in the parable Jesus tells that the shepherd finds the lamb and raises it up and places it on his shoulders and brings it back, rejoicing.  As Jesus said, “I Am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd  gives His Life for the sheep.”  Let’s thank our Father God. Now may the God of peace Who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Our Relationship with the Resurrected Christ is Most Important

 “Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: He that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬

Wisdom from above says, “Twisted and perverse lives are surrounded by demonic influence. If you value your soul, stay far away from them. Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.”  Thorns and snares are a metaphor of demonic curses and troubles.  Thorns are associated with the fall of Adam.  Jesus wore a crown of thorns and took away our curse.  The snares picture the temptations of evil that satan places in our path.  It is important to train up our children on the values of the Word of God from the time they’re born, declaring the Word of God over them.  As soon as they can, let’s help them to memorise the Word of God.  Educational institutions of today can snare children into believing in and adopting ungodly values, which are in rebellion against our Living God.  The relationship that believers have with the resurrected Christ can never be substituted by artificial intelligence apps!  Let’s teach our children to believe in Jesus Christ and come into a relationship with Him at an early age.  That’s how we train up our children.  Amen!

Seasoning Life With Salt

 “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭KJV‬ 

Dr. Luke writes, “Salt is good for seasoning. But if salt were to lose its flavor, how could it ever be restored? It will never be useful again, not even fit for the soil or the manure pile! If you have ears opened by the Spirit, then hear the meaning of what I have said and apply it to yourselves.”  The salt that has lost its flavour is foolish and the salt that keeps its flavour is wise.  Rabbinical tradition equates salt with wisdom.  In the time of Jesus, it was common practice to put salt on the wick of the lamp to increase its brightness.  The “salt” of wisdom will make our light shine even brighter.  Jesus talks of us as the salt of the earth and also calls us the light of the world.  Let’s use the wisdom of God to be the bright lights in this dark world, getting darker by the day. But the truth of the brightness of the light shining in and through us who believe in Christ, will cancel every darkness.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.  Let’s be wise in shining brighter with the light of Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Appointed All Believers As Kings & Priests

“The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV

Wisdom from above says, “It’s as easy for God to steer a king’s heart for His purposes as it is for Him to direct the course of a stream.”  God is the source of Wisdom.  In the old covenant this wisdom was applicable for kings and priests chosen by God.  However, in the new covenant all believers in Christ’s finished work of the Cross, are made kings and priest by the Blood of the Lamb.  The apostle Peter reminds us that we are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called us out of darkness to experience His marvelous light, and now He claims we as His very own. He did this so that we would broadcast His glorious wonders throughout the world!  Even John the beloved disciple reveals to us “You have chosen us to serve our God and formed us into a Kingdom  of priests who reign on the earth.”  “From Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from among the dead and the ruling King, Who rules over the kings of the earth! Now to the One Who constantly loves us and has loosed us from our sins by His Own Blood, and to the One Who has appointed us as a Kingdom of priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and dominion throughout the eternity of eternities! Amen!”

Christ’s Kingdom Come

 “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “God’s kingdom is like the smallest seed that one might plant in a garden. When it grows, it becomes a huge tree, with so many spreading branches that various birds make nests there.”  The LORD had spoken through the prophet Ezekiel “I will plant it on the highest mountain in Israel, where it will put out branches and bear fruit and grow into a stately cedar tree. Every kind of bird will find a home in it. Yes, in the shade of its branches the birds will make their nests.”  The obvious meaning of this parable is that the Kingdom of God will begin small but it will expand, grow and mature.  People from every nation will come and make a “neat” in God’s Kingdom realm.  This is what the Church is here for, to impact the earth in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ so that it keeps expanding and increasing.  It is our responsibility and every believer is called to turn many to righteousness and bring many people to the Kingdom of God and fulfil Jesus’ taught prayer, “For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen!

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

 “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Which one of us can truly say, “I am free from sin in my life, for my heart is clean and pure”?”  The Hebrew for “clean” also means “perfect” or “holy”; and “pure” means “clear, bright, shining, unmixed.” Through God’s grace, by the Blood of Jesus, believers have been purified, made holy, and set free from our sins. In the old covenant, they had to sacrifice every time they sinned, but thank God that in the new covenant, by His one perfect sacrifice He made us perfectly holy and complete for all time! 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 cascading riches of His grace. This superabundant grace is already powerfully working in us, releasing all forms of wisdom and practical understanding.  This grace of the redemption by Christ’s Blood sacrifice is only available in this lifetime, after that is the judgment for all who have rejected God’s love of their own free will.  Let’s believe in God’s love that was revealed to us in Christ.  Thank You Jesus!

Let’s Not Be Hypocrites

 “In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “By now a crowd of many thousands had gathered around Jesus. So many people pushed to be near him, they began to trample one another. Jesus turned to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It permeates everything they do and teach, like leaven. Everything hidden and covered up will soon be exposed. For the facade is falling down, and nothing will be kept secret for long. Whatever you have spoken in private will be public knowledge, and what you have whispered secretly behind closed doors will be broadcast far and wide for all to hear.”  Not only is He the God Who created all that is seen and unseen, and the precision design of the entire universe, but He also knows every thought, every attitude, every behaviour of every human being, past, present and future.  No one can fake it, or do a presentation of public relations with God.  The hypocrites know how to present fantastic appearances without the substance, as the Pharisees did.  The culture that we live in today seems to be all about a PR exercise!  We all are accountable to God with Whom we have to do.  Jesus bore the judgment of all humanity and took the punishment of the wrath of God, willingly, suffering an ignominious death.  If we don’t accept God’s forgiveness through Christ, and reject Him, or even if we say yes to Him along with anything or anybody else, it is unacceptable to God - it is Christ and Christ alone.  Let’s not be hypocrites.  Amen!

Integrity of Faith

 “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: And his heart fretteth against the LORD.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “It’s better to be honest, even if it leads to poverty, than to live as a dishonest fool. The best way to live is with revelation-knowledge, for without it, you’ll grow impatient and run right into error. There are some people who ruin their own lives and then blame it all on God.”  In this love of money-conscious world that we live in, dishonesty is the name of the game.  Impatience to get rich quick leads to stupid mistakes and gets you into trouble whereas patience leads to abundant understanding.  Such people refuse to believe the Gospel and the true riches that come by it.  Jesus said this about integrity, “If you have not handled the riches of this world with integrity, why should you be trusted with the eternal treasures of the spiritual world?”  There was one Simon the magician who wanted to buy salvation and the power of God, but Peter responded, “May your money be condemned to hell along with you because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money!”   No one can trade Jesus’s Blood Sacrifice with money for it is faith in Christ that keeps us from eternal damnation.  There is such never-ending agony and torment in the fires of hell and Jesus alone has the keys of death and hell.  Believe in Christ Jesus so that you and your family are saved.  Amen!

God’s Word is Light & Life to Us

 “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light to enter into your being. When your heart is open the light floods in. But when your heart is hard and closed, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. Open your heart and consider my words. Watch out that you do not mistake your opinions for revelation-light!”  The teachings of Jesus are the “revelation light” referred to here.  It is your eye that is the lamp of your body.  If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is sick, your body is full of darkness.  The eye becomes a metaphor for spiritual perception.  The body is our spirit, the lamp is Jesus’s teachings.  The darkness is formed by the lies and opinions that blind us.  As the psalmist said, “Your commandments are my counselors; your Word is my light and delight!”  So we have the prophetic Word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Let’s know the power of the Word of God that brings God’s Light and Life into us.  Amen!

The Name of Jesus - Our Strong Tower

 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart and be exalted on high.”  As the prophets of old have continuously encouraged God’s people to trust in the Eternal One forever, for He is like a great Rock-strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.  YAHWEH will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.  The epitome of trust is our Lord Jesus Who is faithful and absolutely trustworthy and He is calling you to Himself for your salvation, and He will do it He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own, because He washed you with His own Blood and made you righteous.  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, only the Name of Jesus Who Alone makes you righteous.  That’s why the righteous run into Him and are safe.  Amen!

God Given Authority

 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “Jesus replied, “While you were ministering, I watched Satan topple until he fell suddenly from heaven like lightning to the ground. Now you understand that I have imparted to you My authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority. However, your real source of joy isn’t merely that these spirits submit to your authority, but that your names are written in the journals of heaven and that you belong to God’s Kingdom. This is the true source of your authority.”  When God created mankind, He said, “Let Us make a man and a woman in Our image to be like Us.  Let them reign over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the livestock, over the creatures that creep along the ground, and over the wild animals.”  When Adam lost it to satan through deception, Jesus took it back as the Son of Man representing mankind.  The Cross of Calvary is where satan received his final defeat and Jesus gives this authority to all His disciples, not only as God but as the Son of Man, the Firstfruit of all born again disciples. God rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of the Son of His love.  Let’s know the authority God has given us and obey Him.  Amen!

Kingdom of God People are the Most Blessed

 “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: And the father of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “If you love to argue, then you must be in love with sin. For the one who loves to boast is only asking for trouble. The one with a perverse heart never has anything good to say, and the chronic liar tumbles into constant trouble. Parents of a numbskull will have many sorrows, for there’s nothing about his lifestyle that will make them proud. A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression.”  Here, the gate becomes a picture of the mouth, a figure of speech for proud boasting.  People with a negative mindset, have nothing good to say about anything, having a perverse heart that falls into calamity.  Fools will bring sorrow wherever they go for they don’t think, speaking many unthought through things!  But a joyful, cheerful heart knows to rejoice even in the midst of confusion, bringing joy to those who hear such a person, for good words bring healing to the inner being.  Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, is for those Kingdom of God people, who know the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the goodness and blessings of God every day of their lives.  Amen!

All Authority is With Christ & He give Authority to the Church

 “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Jesus summoned together His twelve apostles and imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease. Then He commissioned them to proclaim God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick to demonstrate that the Kingdom had arrived”.  Jesus, through His earthly life, was the example of His great authority over the spirit world and disease, the consequence of mankind’s sin which was the result of eating the fruit of the tree of good and evil.  This authority was what Jesus gave to all who believe in Him through His resurrection, which God 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, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.  Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  The authority of the Name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this Name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm.  Let the Church know the authority and fulfil the responsibility God gave us.  Amen!

The Wise are Motivated by God’s Love

 “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Winsome words pour from a heart of wisdom, adding value to all you teach. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits.”  The heart of the wise comes from a personal relationship and experience with the risen Christ, the God Who is love.  People who do not love do not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  “Health to the bones” is the inner healing we need.  The Word of God is life to us, therefore when we speak the life-giving Word of God even to ourselves we speak inner healing.  Let every disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, speak the life giving Word of God spoken with a heart of love.  Amen!

Resurrection Life in Christ

 “And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭55‬-‭56‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Instantly her spirit returned to her body and she stood up. Jesus directed her stunned parents to give her something to eat and ordered them to tell no one what just happened.”  In this chapter, Luke records the four great miracles of Jesus Christ: over nature, for He stilled the wind and the waves; over demons, for He cast out a mob of evil spirits; over disease, for He healed the haemorrhaging woman; and over death, for He restored the life of this twelve year old girl.  At that time Jesus told them not to tell what He had done, for He still had to be sacrificed at the Cross to free all humanity from sin, for which He eventually died for.  The greatest miracle was when Jesus rose from the dead and then gave the resurrection power by His Holy Spirit, to His disciples at Pentecost.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Amen!

Sacrifice of Worship with Righteousness

 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: But the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “It is despicable to the Lord when people use the worship of the Almighty as a cloak for their sin, but every prayer of the righteous is pleasing to His heart. The Lord detests the lifestyle of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue purity.”  The sacrifice of the wicked is worshipping God with a wicked heart, only to hide sin.  Our yielded hearts must be the sacrifice we offer to God.  Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world because in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.  Our hearts become yielded when we examine ourselves as we partake of the bread and drink of the cup of communion in the new covenant and sacrifice our heart to Him Who perfects us in purity to manifest Himself to the world through us.  To worship God casually and with distractions is the sacrifice of a wicked heart that the Lord detests.  Let’s be those who reverence Him even when we are chastened by the Lord, so that His mercy and grace enables us to practice righteousness in our daily lives.  Amen!

Worshipping Christ At His Feet

 “and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “Broken and weeping, she covered His Feet with the tears that fell from her face. She kept crying and drying His Feet with her long hair. Over and over she kissed Jesus’ Feet. Then, as an act of worship, she opened her flask and anointed His Feet with her costly perfume. When Simeon saw what was happening, he thought, “This Man can’t be a true prophet. If He were really a prophet, He would know what kind of sinful woman is touching Him.”  Six times we find someone at Jesus’s Beautiful Feet: the sinful woman here who poured out her worship and tears at Jesus’s Feet; the demonised man who worshipped at Jesus’s Feet; Jairus who fell at Jesus’s Feet pleading for a miracle for his daughter; Mary who sat at Jesus’s Feet and received His Word; the healed leper who fell at Jesus’s Feet in deep gratitude; those who worshipped Jesus at His resurrection when He showed them His Hands and Feet.  Simon the host here thought Jesus should have known the sinfulness of the woman, but Simon should have known the love of the One next to him, Who was ready to forgive and restore.  Religion focuses on the sinfulness of a person, but faith sees the glory of the One Who forgives and heals.  Let’s just believe and receive our miracle from out Lord and Saviour Who heals and forgives.  Amen!

The Royal Law - the Greatest Power

 “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Haven’t you noticed how evil schemers always wander astray? But kindness and truth come to those who make plans to be pure in all their ways.”  The followers of evil don’t understand mercy and faith, but evil speaking harms you and makes you sick.  Love is the royal law in Scripture, to love our neighbour as ourselves, and be kind and truthful to them.  Jesus Himself said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  In this world where hate and cruelty is rampant, the Body of Christ, the Church, is called to obey Jesus and to walk in the power of love, mercy and kindness.  Without the Holy Spirit, to obey Jesus in this is impossible.  But Jesus has shown through the Cross to show love to others is life changing, transformative and the only power that makes us victorious.  With the Holy Spirit we can obey Jesus and so fulfil the royal law of love and bring many sons to glory.  Let’s show mercy and kindness in giving the glorious Gospel of Christ, it is the only power of God unto salvation.  Hallelujah!

Poor in Pride

 “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke writes, “Having concluded His healing of the multitudes, Jesus lifted up His eyes and spoke to His followers, To be reduced to the most extreme state of poverty, does not define you.  Disaster is not the fruit of fate or karma (performance based religion).  The blessing of knowing that the Kingdom of God belongs to you personally (it is oozing from you), is the essence of your well-being and identity.”  God requires us to be poor in pride and not imagine us to be more than we are, thinking highly of ourselves.  The concept of fate has been predominant in most religions as well as in Greek and Roman cultures and is the driving force of performance based philosophies and religions, relying on self and pride.  Lucifer was an angel closest to the Presence of God, beautiful and a worshipper.  But pride and imagining himself to be like God, led to his fall to become satan.  Since then he has deceived people against God.  Jesus came to set it right by proclaiming that being poor in pride is the way to God’s Kingdom.  The Almighty All-Powerful God humbled Himself to be born as a helpless Babe and then to become the Sacrifice as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.  Let’s believe in the simplicity of this truth and be poor in pride.  Amen!

Raise Your Children with Godly Values

 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Much food is in the tillage of the poor: But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “The benevolent man leaves an inheritance that endures to his children’s children, but the wealth of the wicked is treasured up for the righteous. The lovers of God will live a long life and get to enjoy their wealth, but the ungodly will suddenly perish. If you withhold correction and punishment from your children, you demonstrate a lack of true love. So prove your love and be prompt to punish them.”  Many of us have taken for granted the legacy that came to us from our parents and grandparents with a sense of entitlement but it comes from God.  Those who don’t find the way of life destroy many years of wealth and some are utterly destroyed.  Corporal punishment was common when parents disciplined their children with love in their hearts wanting their best to learn godly values and clean living.  Unfortunately today the system looks for excuses like mental health issues to excuse parents from their responsibility so that children grow up to be irresponsible in society.  When it is a genuinely medical issue, the medical world is there to help, but in general children grow up to be indisciplined with a huge sense of entitlement which is a terrible combination.  If we love our children, discipline is necessary.  Amen!

Jesus Christ Alone Awakens the Mind

 “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Luke recorded, “Jesus overheard their complaining and said, “Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who know they are sinners and bring them to repentance.”  Sickness is a form of evil in God’s eyes.  Jesus came to heal the “evil” or sicknesses of earth.  He didn’t come to re-define the self-righteous but those who realise they couldn’t get it right by themselves.  Jesus came to awaken ‘sinners’ to recognise their identity through Him with a complete change of mind.  Sin is to live out of context with God’s image and likeness in mankind, to behave out of tune with God.  It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ we can have an awakening of the mind and a realignment of one’s reasoning.  That’s why the preaching of the Gospel is so vital, that people realise it’s not self-righteousness (trading our deeds to please God) that transforms people but just allowing God’s Word to cleanse and transform us.  Amen!

The Life-Giving Word of Encouragement

 “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: But the slothful shall be under tribute. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “If you want to reign in life, don’t sit on your hands. Instead, work hard at doing what’s right, for the slacker will end up working to make someone else succeed. Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.”  Proverbs not only means a wise saying but it means “to rule, to reign in power, to take dominion”.  The one who reigns must stop worrying and think instead of what brings gladness.  Our focus must never be on what we can’t change but on the everlasting joy we have in Christ.  Sometimes we have to find the  life-giving Word of encouragement rising up in our own hearts.  This is the secret of finding perpetual encouragement by the Word that lives in us.  The Word that our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us is Spirit and Life.  Let’s abide in the Word and the Word dwell in us.  Amen!

The In-Christ Anointing

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Luke recorded, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, and He has anointed Me to be hope for the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, ‘You are set free!’ I have come to share the message of Jubilee, for the time of God’s great acceptance has begun.”  This is what Isaiah had prophesied of the Messiah hundreds of years ago.  The Anointed Christ is the Good News or the Gospel.  For those who have identified with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection and are in Christ, this same anointing is the true measure of our lives.  It is not our mental or muscle efforts that produces results, it is only the anointing.  This in-Christ anointing is the glad tidings of the Year of Jubilee of opening the blind eyes to change the perspective and look upwards and see Christ; to bring freedom to those in trauma and hurts through deliverance, shutting that door with forgiveness and remission of sins; and knowing that we are accepted in the Beloved.  This in-Christ Anointing breaks every yoke of bondage and we release it to a needy world.  Amen!

Wisdom for the Humble to Succeed

 “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “Dishonest business practice is something that Yahweh truly hates. But it pleases Him when we apply the right standards of measurement. When you act with presumption, convinced that you’re right, don’t be surprised if you fall flat on your face! But humility leads to wisdom.”  A false balance is deception when we try to measure up to God with our own works and performance.  But the Perfect Stone is Jesus Christ Who is the legitimate weight of balance.  He has been promised to “the one whose heart is open, let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will let him feast on the hidden manna and give him a shining White Stone. And written upon the White Stone is inscribed his new name, known only to the one who receives it.”  Jesus is the shining White and Perfect Stone given to the humble who are willing to receive from the Spirit of God the wisdom that comes from the Mind of Christ which is in direct opposition to the mindset of self-effort.  But the proud who are presumptuous, and think they know everything, can’t get the Mind of Christ and the wisdom that comes with it, and they come a cropper.   Amen!

Get Rid of Sin Forever through Christ

 “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Dr. Luke recorded, “John went preaching and baptizing throughout the Jordan Valley. He persuaded people to turn away from their sins and turn to God for the freedom of forgiveness,”  the definition of repentance has two concepts.  One is turning away from sin, the other is turning to God for freedom.  They are linked together as one word translated “repentance” and the concept is  returning to God to unite with Unity.  This message was revolutionary in that day for the religion instituted that forgiveness was temporary found by offering sacrifices in the temple.  Here, John was declaring that repentance was a heart issue, not gained by an animal sacrifice offered in the corrupt religious system.  Repentance, breaking open the heart, is more important than gaining forgiveness by religious acts.  Jesus started His preaching with, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Unless we recognise that sin separates us from God and that Jesus’s Blood sacrifice is our only hope and the judgment He took on our behalf, we will be under God’s judgment, forever separated from Him and eternal Life of God will not be our portion.  Amen!

The Blessing of the LORD is Christ in Us

 “The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “The lovers of God feed many with their teachings, but the foolish ones starve themselves for lack of an understanding heart. True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from Him.”  We are righteous by the Blood of Jesus and it is the Word of Life and Living Bread to the hungry.  Only the foolish reject it!  The blessing of salvation is only in Jesus and in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.  This true blessing of the LORD, is our true enrichment and there is no labour or sorrow attached to it.  All that is required is our free-will choice to have faith in the judgment that Jesus received on the Cross on each of our behalf, Who became sin for us so that we might be the righteousness of God in Him.  All the money in the world cannot buy our salvation, it is only the Blood of Jesus that redeemed us. It is the finished work of the Cross that is our true and eternal riches without any sorrow - just have the faith to believe this.  Amen!

Jesus - Mankind’s Peace

 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Luke wrote, “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”  God’s greatest delight is mankind.  He loved us first even when we were at our worst.  Jesus exhibits God’s happy delight to be human.  For God is satisfied to have all His fullness dwelling in Christ.  Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of peace.  The four prominent sacrifices in the old covenant are emphasised in the four Gospels.  In Matthew we see the death of Christ in the figure of the trespass offering; in Mark the sin offering; in Luke the peace offering; and in John the burnt offering.  The peace God gives us is emphasised in Luke’s Gospel, which is why the angel’s announced peace and hope.  On the day of His resurrection Jesus said, “Peace to you.”  Jesus exhibits God’s happy delight to be human as He gives peace to us.  This peace is only for those who believe that Jesus died to forgive humanity’s sins, bless by taking all their curses and heal every sickness reconciling us to our holy Father as His children.  Amen!

Wisdom Through Calvary’s Cross

 “She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, “She has made ready a banquet feast and the sacrifice has been killed. She has mingled her wine, and the table’s all set.”  As mentioned earlier Christ is made to us the Wisdom of God.  The sacrifice here points to Calvary.  Wisdom’s pillar is the Cross.  Wisdom’s feast teaches us the ways of God.  We feed our hearts on revelation-truth that transforms us; then we implement with wise strategies the understanding we have learned at the feasting table. Wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of Wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.  Let’s act on the true Wisdom from above which is our true identity in Christ - Christ in us the hope of glory - feasting on the Bread of Life and focused on the sacrifice of the Blood of the Lamb of God.  Amen!

The Word is Revealed to the Lovers of God

 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”

Luke 1:1-4 KJV

As Luke recorded, “I am writing for you, mighty lover of God, an orderly account of what Jesus accomplished and fulfilled among us. Several eyewitness biographies have already been written, using as their source material the good news preached among us by His early disciples, who were from the beginning loving servants of the Living Expression. Now I am passing on to you this accurate compilation of my own meticulous investigation based on numerous eyewitness interviews. It is appropriate for me to write this, for He also appeared to me so that I would reassure you beyond any shadow of a doubt the reliability of all you have been taught of Him.” Although addressed to Theophilus, which means “lover of God”, it is meant for all who are lovers of God even today!   The early disciples ministered the Word which is Jesus Christ, the Eternal and Creative Word made visible to us.  He is the divine Self-Expression of all that God is, contains and reveals in incarnated flesh.  Just as we express ourselves in words, God has chosen to express Himself in Christ.  Luke wrote in Greek and used the term “Logos” from above, also used by John in his Gospel, revealing that the Lord Jesus appeared to him and authorised him to compile his inspired Gospel.   Let’s know God and be a lover of God inspired by His revealed Word.  Amen!

Christ is the Wisdom of God to Us

 “Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Wisdom from above says, ‭‭”Can’t you hear the voice of Wisdom?  From the top of the mountains of influence she speaks into the gateways of the glorious city.  At the place where pathways merge, at the entrance of every portal, there she stands, ready to impart understanding, shouting aloud to all who enter, preaching her sermon to those who will listen.”  Wisdom is personified here as Lady Wisdom, a figure of speech for God Himself, Who invites us to receive the best way to live , the excellent and noble way of life found in Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Wisdom personified, for He was anointed with the Spirit of Wisdom.  The Church is also a gateway, the house of God, the portal to heaven, that Jesus calls a “city set on a hill.” Christ is the Head of the Church, where the Wisdom of God is revealed.  True Wisdom is easy to find - we only have to listen to her voice.  Though it comes from above, it is found on street level.  Creation and conscience are two voices that speak to our hearts.  To discover Wisdom we don’t need a brilliant intellect, but a tender, attentive heart.  Let’s live this awesome gift of eternal life given to us with a tender and attentive heart, listening to Christ Who is made to us the Wisdom of God by the Holy Spirit and enjoy this abundant life right here on earth as part of the Church, the Body of Christ, in the Kingdom of God.  Amen!

The Power God Gives to Those Who Believe in Christ

 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Mark’s Gospel ended with this command, Jesus said to His disciples, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the Gospel to the entire human race! Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of My Name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”  The Gospel is such wonderful news of the God Who loves mankind more than His own life, the God Who has loved us with an everlasting love and has accepted mankind in His Beloved Son, Jesus.  Those who believe and receive, rush to be baptised into Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection.  Then He gives the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and even when poison is give, the resurrection life of Christ in us has no effect.  Every tormentor leaves and sickness departs when we lay hands on the sick or cast out devils.  What power God has given His children who believe so that they set such captives free.  Amen!

Wisdom to Resist the Religious System & the Traditions of the World System

 “Now is she without, now in the streets, And lieth in wait at every corner.)”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Her type can be found soliciting on street corners on just about any night.”  This parable not only warns against the obvious evils of adultery and immorality, but is also a warning to the anointed young people in ministry, not to be seduced by the religious system.  Wisdom looks from the window (revelation and insight) of her house (the true Church of Jesus) and sees a young person (not fully mature) who has placed his or herself in the path of sin.  This makes such a person vulnerable to the seduction of the “harlot” system of a works-based religion that entices into partnership, covering and ordination with this system.  This “harlot” religious works-based system is loud and stubborn (the old carnal life never dealt with), and will not remain in her house (the true Church of Jesus); but lives in the darkness of compromise which is the way that leads to death.  The “harlot” doesn’t remain faithful to the husband (our Bridegroom-God). Let’s be uncompromisingly loyal and faithful to our True Bridegroom-God, our Lord Jesus Christ, giving Him first love in every area of our life which He purchased with His Blood.  Amen!

Receiving Christ Qualifies Us as God’s Children

 “And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “Now, Pilate was holding in custody a notorious criminal named Barabbas, one of the assassins who had committed murder in an uprising. The crowds gathered in front of Pilate’s judgment bench and asked him to release a prisoner to them, as was his custom.”  In Aramaic Bar-Abbas means “son of a father” or “son who is like his father”.  This is the picture of every son of Adam, our father.  The true Son of the Father was crucified that day.  One man wanted a political revolution, the Other a revolution of love filling the hearts of all men.  It is hard for us to understand and comprehend fully the loving heart of God by sending His Son to die in the place of the sons of Adam including Bar-Abbas.  This was to avert the judgment over mankind through the punishment that Jesus took.  Therefore, as many as received Jesus Christ, to them He gave the right to become children of our Father, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  He Who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Behold what manner of love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.  Amen!

Keep Sharing the Gospel Despite Opposition

 “A naughty person, a wicked man, Walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, He teacheth with his fingers;”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Here’s another life’s lesson to learn from observing the wayward and wicked man.  You can tell they are lawless.  They’re constant liars, proud deceivers, full of clever ploys and convincing plots.  In the Hebrew this gives a picture of those who wink their eyes, shuffle their feet, and point their fingers - such are the devious ways of the wicked.  Jesus encountered them when with such maliciousness, the Pharisees tried to entrap Him with a cunning ploy of asking whether Jews should pay tax to Rome or not!  Jesus knew they were testing Him and He silenced them completely.  The evil one was totally silenced when Jesus was sacrificed on the Cross as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.  Today the devil connives to stop believers from sharing the Gospel by sending his messengers to burn churches and stop believers by persecuting, imprisoning or even killing them.  But as Jesus said, “I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  The prophet prophesied “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end..”. Hallelujah!

New Covenant, a Better Covenant Established on Better Promises

 “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Mark records, Jesus said to them, “This is My Blood, which seals the new covenant poured out for many. I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the day comes when we drink it together in the Kingdom feast of My Father.”  This new covenant is a better covenant because it is established on better promises.  In this new covenant, God freely gives us forgiveness, life, salvation and every heavenly spiritual blessing.  Jesus serves His disciples the Bread and the Cup which means He is serving us His death and resurrection.  This is now our feast and constant supply of God’s life.  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 God’s Kingdom realm.  It is growing and increasing in scope, and every time believers drink of the Cup of Communion, Jesus is present with us.  It is the Lord’s Table not ours.  Jesus now drinks with us in a new way, and not just once a year at Passover, but every time we worship Him by taking communion.  Amen!

The Only Way to Remove the Sting of Sin

 “For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, And her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on hell.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wisdom from above teaches, “Remember this: The lips of a seductress seem sweet like honey, and her smooth words are like music in your ears. But I promise you this: In the end all you’ll be left with is a bitter conscience. For the sting of your sin will pierce your soul like a sword. She will ruin your life, drag you down to death, and lead you straight to hell.”  This kind of person seduces, deceives and drags to hell.  For the believer, the promiscuous person can be a picture of the false anointing of the religious spirit that attempts to seduce us, weaken our message, and rob the anointing of God from our ministries.  Of course there is also a clear and dire warning for all to stay sexually pure or face the consequences.  Wormwood is bitterness and when bitterness and unforgiveness is harboured in the heart, conscience becomes hardened piercing the soul.  That life becomes a hellish experience dragging to death.  But the Gospel is, that the sacred Blood of the Messiah thoroughly cleanses our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit He has offered Himself to God as the perfect Sacrifice that now frees us from our dead works to worship and serve the living God.  This is the only way to remove the sting of sin that makes our conscience bitter unto death - the perfect Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on your and my behalf and receiving the forgiveness of sin.  Amen!

Guard against Deception

 “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, when Jesus sat on the mount of Olives overlooking the temple in Jerusalem, “Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you’re not fooled! For many will appear on the scene claiming my authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am God’s Anointed,’ and they will lead many astray. You will hear rumors of wars nearby, with more rumors of wars to come. Make sure that you are not thrown into a panic or give in to your fears, for these things are destined to happen. Prepare for it, but still the end is not yet.”  Jesus prepared us for the times we’re living in.  Many will speak on behalf the Lord Jesus Christ but without the fruit of people coming into the Kingdom of God through the Gospel.  The strategy of satan is the same today as before, to make people believe a lie.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY  way to salvation but the compromise of this truth is so rampant that it puts the Cross of Christ to no effect.  The bleeding Christ on the Cross is a sign of weakness to the world but to us who believe, it is the power of God to salvation.  Sin is not a problem to the world but that is the reason why God came into the world to deal with it.  Anyone who indulges in sin lives in moral anarchy, for the definition of sin is breaking God’s law.  God’s commandment is what Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  It is the lack of love that causes hate, fear, wars and destruction.  Let’s believe Jesus and walk in faith, hope and love; the greatest power is love that forgave us our sins.  Amen!

Wisdom & Understanding is a Gift in God’s Word

 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Listen to my correction, my sons, for I speak to you as your father. Let discernment enter your heart and you will grow wise with the understanding I impart. My revelation-truth is a gift to you, so remain faithful to my instruction. So make wisdom your quest— search for the revelation of life’s meaning. Don’t let what I say go in one ear and out the other.”  We listen to God’s Word as though it is Jesus Christ speaking directly to us.  He is the Everlasting Father and we are called His sons.  Truly the Scriptures are a gift to us.  No other generation has had the availability of the Word of God with such ease as this generation.  It is however the revelation of the truth of God’s Word that is a gift and comes to us through our meditating on it day and night and doing what it says - that’s the secret of success in life.  The more time we spend with our Lord Jesus, the more we will receive revelation as Peter, James and John were revealed the glory of God at the mount when Jesus was transfigured and they heard the Father’s voice. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.  But of Him we are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  Amen!

The Kingdom of God is a Present Reality

 “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “When Jesus noticed how thoughtfully and sincerely the man answered, He said to him, “You’re not far from the reality of God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to question him again.”  Jesus tells the man that the Kingdom of God is within reach.  It is a present reality, not just a far-off concept.  The religious scholars were hawk-eyed concerning Jesus, always questioning His authority and His interpretation of Scripture.  They taught a theology without the reality of Christ, the Messiah.  Today many preachers are caught in the trap of preaching and teaching Christ without a personal relationship with Him.  There is no fruit in such preaching and teaching.  Every teaching of the Kingdom of God needs to be weighed by the reality of Christ, not the traditions of men.  The fruit comes when we understand our mission is to open the eyes so that many may turn from darkness to light and from the kingdom of satan to the Kingdom of God; and that they may receive forgiveness of all their sins and have a place among those who are set apart for a holy purpose through having faith in the risen Christ Jesus.  Amen!

Jesus Christ to us is Wisdom, Health & Freedom from Sin

 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Proverbs is the wisdom we have in Christ, “Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.”  Fearing the LORD is making a will decision to avoid everything wrong and to depart from evil, so that we can love and adore Him with true focus, not distracted by anything or anyone.  The knowledge that God gives through His Word is amazing!  Health is in our navel as every baby in the womb gets the blood supply through the navel.  New cells are made in the marrow of our bones.  As the navel and bones picture the life flow of our bodies, so the navel and bones are a picture of our inner being.  Jesus told us “Believe in Me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!” Jesus was prophesying about the Holy Spirit that believers were being prepared to receive. But the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out upon them, because Jesus had not yet been unveiled in His full splendor.”  Because of faith in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us so that our inner being is empowered by resurrection power of our Lord Jesus.  Let’s keep ourselves focused on adoring our Lord Jesus so that we walk in the divine resurrection power given to us by faith.  Amen!

Fruitful Lives in Christ

 “and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “He noticed a leafy fig tree in the distance, so he walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—only leaves (for it wasn’t yet the season for bearing figs).”  The fig tree is first mention when Adam and Eve used fig leaves as a “covering” to hide their nakedness when they fell into sin.  It also became a hiding place for Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus.  The tree with leaves but no fruit can also be a symbol of the religious system that was in Israel at that time.  From here Jesus went  to drive out the money changers from the temple, who were rotten fruit.  Jesus said, “For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.”  Jesus ensured through the Feast of Firstfruits that the Holy Spirit will empower every believer to have a fruitful life.  The Holy Spirit helps us to abide in Jesus Who said, ““I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  Let’s be the fruitful branch that bears much fruit.  Amen!

Faithful to the New Covenant of our God

 “To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wisdom from above says, “Only wisdom can save you from the flattery of the promiscuous woman— she’s such a smooth-talking seductress! She left her husband and has forgotten her wedding vows.”  Clearly a warning to all those who commit adultery, though there is a deeper meaning here.  The book of Proverbs tells us of two women: the adulteress and the virtuous woman at the end of this book.  Both are a parable of two systems in the Church.  One is religious and alluring, tempting the young anointed ones to come to her “bed” of compromise, and which nullifies the Word of God.  The other is the holy Bride, virtuous and pure, keeping her first love of her “wedding vows” to Christ alone.  Her “house” is the House of the Lord.  One system brings shame and despair and the other brings favour, honour and glory.  It is wisdom that protects us from one and unites us to the other.  As we approach the end of this age, may we be the faithful ones who are victorious as we persevere for our faith and may our names be found in the Book of Life.  Amen!

Bless the Children and the Coming Generations

 “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “The parents kept bringing their little children to Jesus so that He would lay His hands on them and bless them. But the disciples kept rebuking and scolding the people for doing it. When Jesus saw what was happening, He became indignant with His disciples and said to them, “Let all the little children come to Me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom exists for such as these? Listen to the truth I speak: Whoever does not open their arms to receive God’s kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it.” Then He embraced each child, and laying His hands on them, He lovingly blessed each one.”  The laying on of Jesus’s hands was the impartation of a blessing.  Parents should always bring their children to be blessed by Jesus as it is His desire to bless children.  The disciples could not see people the way Jesus sees them.  We, who have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus and know that the resurrected Christ dwells in us, must needs release His blessing especially on children even today.  We are blessed to bless others especially children.  Amen!

True Wisdom

 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Solomon has written most of these wise sayings.  “We cross the threshold of true knowledge when we live in obedient devotion to God. Stubborn know-it-alls will never stop to do this, for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge. Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words and never forget your mother’s instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions.”  The “fear of the Lord” implies submission, awe, worship and reverence.  You will pass from darkness to wisdom’s light by the “fear” of the Lord.  A fool is one who hates true wisdom and correction, with no desire to acquire revelation knowledge.  What will bring us wisdom is the words of our Father (God) and our mother (the Church, the freewoman - as we’re the seed of Abraham, the children of promise like Isaac the child of promise).  The adornment on our neck is our willing obedience that guides our decision, in contrast to being stiff-necked or proud.  Let’s submit to the Holy Spirit in surrender as He leads us to do God’s will.  Amen!

See God’s Kingdom Powerfully in Christ

 “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭KIV

Mark recorded, “Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here now who won’t experience death until they see God’s kingdom realm manifest with power!” After six days, Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, Jacob and John, and hiked up a high mountain to be alone. And Jesus’ appearance was dramatically altered, for he was transfigured before their very eyes! His clothing sparkled and became glistening white—whiter than any bleach in the world could make them. Then suddenly, right in front of them, Moses and Elijah appeared, and they spoke with Jesus.”  This manifestation of the power of the Kingdom of God is seen in three dimensions as - Jesus’s transfiguration and the appearing of Moses and Elijah on the mountain; Jesus’s resurrection and ascension into glory inaugurating a new era of God’s Kingdom power; the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which brought to birth the Church of Jesus Christ and extending the Kingdom of God to all the earth. Jesus said that the good news of the kingdom of God will be spread all over the world, and may we co-labour with God to increase it in our generation.  Amen!

Let Everyone Breathe Praises to the LORD

 “Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭150‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This the last of the Hallelujah psalms to commemorate the second temple, “Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”  When the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, man became a living being.  The breath that mankind has to live on planet earth, is from God.  But when sin came and tarnished mankind, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to planet earth to make us new creatures to bring the Kingdom of God to this planet earth.  So Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again…born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, now the Spirit of life breathes into us and liberates us from sin and death.  This is the breath as a new creation, that causes us to praise God with all our being.  Now the Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us.  That is why we praise Him with all our being.  Amen!

Personal Revelation of Who Christ Is

 “And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark records, “He asked them, “But who do you say that I Am?” Peter spoke up, saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” Then He warned them not to breathe a word of this to anyone. From then on, Jesus began to tell His disciples that He, the Son of Man, was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer great injustice from the elders, leading priests, and religious scholars. He also explained that He would be killed and three days later be raised to life again.”  Simon Peter heard the question Jesus asked, and answered it.  Simon means “he who hears” for he was the first one who heard the revelation from the Father that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son, Jesus’s true identity.  The Messiah had to suffer great injustices of beatings, mockings, rejection and illegal trial.  For the Messiah to suffer was contrary to every belief system among the Jews as they believed the Messiah to be the King of Israel, surrounded with glory, not suffering.  Jesus prophesied His death at other times also and each time the disciples were confused and unable to understand and Jesus explained every time the cost of following Him.  Unless we have a revelation of Who Jesus is to us personally, we won’t be able to understand why He had to suffer, die, be buried and rise again.  May we hear the Father’s revelation to us personally. Amen!

The Unrestrained Joy of Our Salvation in Christ

 “Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭149‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is a Hallelujah psalm sung when the second temple was inaugurated.  “Break forth with dancing! Make music and sing God’s praises with the rhythm of drums! For He enjoys His faithful lovers. He adorns the humble with His beauty, and He loves to give them victory.”  Dancing,making music and singing, is connected with unrestrained joy.  Unrestrained joy is a profound exuberant, spiritual response to God’s Presence, salvation, and blessings, transcending circumstances to become a "joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory". It is an outward expression of an inward reality, a dance of victory in God’s Presence.  These expressions of joy are the dancing, shouting, singing, praising and laughing.  It was seen in David dancing with all his might when bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem; and the Magi upon seeing the star “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy".  As Luke tells us, “ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”  Jesus Himself said, “How content you become when you weep with complete brokenness, for you will laugh with unrestrained joy.”  In the new covenant we are commanded to rejoice and again to rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.  Let the salvation we have personally experienced, not be covered up with religious duty, but let the source of our joy be anchored in the Lord’s Presence, His glorious salvation, and His goodness, rather than external circumstances.  Amen!

Jesus Christ Heals Even Today

 “And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; and were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭32‬-‭37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Mark recorded, “Some people brought to Him a deaf man with a severe speech impediment. They pleaded with Jesus to place His hands on him and heal him. So Jesus led him away from the crowd to a private spot. Then He stuck His fingers into the man’s ears and placed some of His saliva on the man’s tongue. Then He gazed into heaven, sighed deeply, and spoke to the man’s ears and tongue, “Ethpathakh,” which is Aramaic for “Open up, now!” At once the man’s ears opened and he could hear perfectly, and his tongue was untied and he began to speak normally. Jesus ordered everyone to keep this miracle a secret, but the more He told them not to, the more the news spread! The people were absolutely beside themselves and astonished beyond measure. And they began to declare, “Everything He does is wonderful! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”  Jesus led the man away from the unbelief of the people around, to work His miracle and healed him with His saliva.   (Later, the wicked people would spit on Jesus in public.)  Jesus then told the man not to tell others, but he did.  Now Jesus tells us to spread the good news, and we don’t.  Let’s love Jesus and obey Him.  Amen!

All Creation & All the Earth Declares Christ’s Glory

 “He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the LORD from the earth, Ye dragons, and all deeps:”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A Hallelujah psalm to commemorate the building of the second temple, “He established the cosmos to last forever, and He stands behind His commands so His orders will never be revoked. Let the earth join in with this parade of praise! You mighty creatures of the ocean’s depths, echo in exaltation!”  All creation is beautiful to God and Jesus the Lord of all creation towers above it, for all things exist through Him and for Him. And that God made Him, pioneer of our salvation, perfect through His sufferings, for this is how He brings many sons and daughters to share in His glory. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who His children are.  At the end, all creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea will be speaking. The whole creation will speak, “Praise and honour belong to the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!”  Whenever we praise Him, we join with all creation even the dragons in the deep - all creation - to praise Him for ever. There is  salvation in no other, for there is no other name under heaven except the Name of Jesus.  All heavens declare His glory.  Amen!

It’s All About the Lord Jesus Christ Only!

 “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “He was unable to do any great miracle in Nazareth, except to heal a few sick people by laying His hands upon them. He was amazed at the depth of their unbelief! Then Jesus went out into the different villages and taught the people. Jesus gathered His twelve disciples and imparted to them His authority to cast out demons. Then He sent them out in pairs with these instructions:”.  Nazareth was the only place recorded in the Gospels that Jesus was unable to do miracles because of their unbelief.  This is one of the two instances where Jesus was amazed at the response of faith - here it is the total lack of faith, unbelief in fact.  In another place, an unbeliever, the Roman centurion, who recognised Jesus’s authority and showed great faith in Jesus’s Word, amazed Jesus.  In Jesus’s hometown, Nazareth, the people knew Jesus as He grew there, but this familiarity stopped them from believing in Him.  There is no record of Jesus ever returning to Nazareth.  He made Capernaum His base of ministry while in Galilee.  Jesus’s response to unbelief was to teach His disciples to impart to them His authority so that the Gospel would extend to every part to bring the Kingdom of God.  Today’s Christian preachers and teachers respond to the Gospel with that same familiar spirit and start making disciples for their own ministry or denomination, and lack the power of God unto salvation.  Let’s take Jesus at His Word and teach and preach to others to make 
Jesus known and make disciples for Him and build people up for the extension of God’s Kingdom.  It’s all about the Lord Jesus Christ ONLY.  Amen!