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!

Repent of Unbelief

 “He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A Hallelujah psalm written to commemorate the rebuilding of the temple.  “He heals the wounds of every shattered heart. He sets His stars in place, calling them all by their names. How great is our God! There’s absolutely nothing His power cannot accomplish, and He has infinite understanding of everything.”  This is how the old covenant psalmist saw God, as One Who is great and Who heals the broken-hearted.  The God Who knows every precise movement of the stars in the universe, is our God Who loves us and redeemed us.  It is our unbelief that stops us from knowing God in His power.  Jesus said clearly, “The world's sin is unbelief in Me.”  Let’s fix our gaze on the simultaneous kindness and strict justice of God. How severely He treated those who fell into unbelief! Yet how tender and kind is His relationship with us. Let’s keep on trusting in His kindness; otherwise, we also will be cut off. Let us labour therefore to enter into the rest that Christ won for us through the Cross, and let’s repent of every form of unbelief.  Amen!

He Is El Elyon - God Most High

 “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to Him and threw himself down before Him, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! Swear in God’s name that You won’t torture me!” (For Jesus had already said to him, “Come out of that man, you demon spirit!”) Jesus said to him, “What is your name?” “Mob,” he answered. “They call me Mob because there are thousands of us in his body!” The demons always recognised Jesus as God’s Son.  God is the Most High as Melchizedek the priest of El Elyon blessed Abram, “He spoke over him a special blessing, saying, “Blessed is Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, whose power delivered your enemies into your hands!”  There is no one higher than our God. Knowing this the devil tried hard to get Jesus to worship him, ““All of these kingdoms I will give to You,” the accuser said, “if only You will kneel down before me and worship me.” But Jesus said, “Go away, satan! For the Scriptures say: Kneel before the Lord your God and worship only Him.” At once the accuser left Him, and angels suddenly gathered around Jesus to minister to Him. Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the Cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were His!  Hallelujah!

Let the Church Do What the Lord Jesus Christ Does

 “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: The LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: The LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is the first of the Hallelujah psalms and is attributed to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah at the dedication of the second temple after the return from exile, completing the last five psalms of the book of psalms in Scripture.  “You open the eyes of the blind, and You fully restore those bent over with shame. You love those who love and honor You. You watch over strangers and immigrants and support the fatherless and widows. But You subvert the plans of the ungodly.”  The Lord Jesus had spoken this at the synagogue, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  This is the mandate to the Church today to fulfil what the Lord Jesus spoke then and take the help of the Holy Spirit for this.  Let’s do it.  Amen!

Revelations in Our Quiet Time with Christ

 “but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “yet when it springs up and grows, it becomes the largest plant in the garden, with so many large spreading branches, even birds can nest in its shade.” Jesus used many parables such as these as He taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until He was alone with His  disciples to explain to them their meanings.”  This parable describes the growth of God’s Kingdom.  It may appear in the beginning as small and insignificant, but it will grow until it becomes the greatest Kingdom of all.  God’s Kingdom is growing on the earth and not diminishing.  God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, “Lord Yahweh says: “I will take the highest branch from a cedar tree. I will break off from the very top a tender shoot and plant it Myself on a high and lofty mountain. 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. And all the trees of the field will know that I, Yahweh, Am the One Who brings the tall tree low and raises the low tree high, Who withers the green tree and makes the withered tree sprout again. I, Yahweh, have spoken.”  Jesus still delights to mystify those who follow Him, but He waits until we are alone with Him, and then He reveals the wonders of His grace and truth to our hearts.  Let’s spend time alone with our Lord Jesus to receive the mysteries of His Kingdom.  Amen!

His Mighty Power to Raise Christ from the Dead

 “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David wrote on the greatness of God, “You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity! You are faithful to fulfill every promise you’ve made. You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do. Weak and feeble ones you will sustain. Those bent over with burdens of shame you will lift up.”  David lived centuries before the Gospel of grace was revealed yet he had a personal revelation of the greatness of God’s grace because of his relationship with Him.  Even though David was king, he knew that it was God Who ruled Israel through him.  When he made mistakes and fell, David repented and turned to God Who picked him up and raised him.  David recognised that it was only the greatness of God Who raised him up from a shepherd boy to being the king of Israel.  In the new covenant, Paul explains the greatness of God, “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!”  May we never downgrade the greatness of God revealed to us believers through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

God’s Love Brings Purpose to Our Existence

 “and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: and Simon he surnamed Peter;”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons. He appointed his Twelve and gave Simon the nickname Peter the Rock.”  These twelve disciples served God’s Kingdom, became apostles or “sent ones” and the Jesus chose seventy more to preach the Gospel.  None of them were fully mature or equipped for the Holy Spirit had not yet come to empower them.  Disciples are raised that they may walk continuously with Jesus; preaching with the genuine love for others preaching the truth of God’s Word and walking in the power to heal and cast out demons.  Today, this is the same that the Lord Jesus requires from His disciples.   Leaders today need to raise up others and not centre their ministry around themselves. The legacy of a spiritual leader is made up of those whom he or she has released and sent forth to proclaim Christ.  Following Jesus means living out the purpose for which He created each one.  By giving Simon the new name “Peter”, Jesus gave him the purpose of his existence, having a strong, rock-like faith, even though He knew Peter would deny Him later!  Such is the love that Jesus has for each one of us that He puts His confidence in us.  Thank You, Lord!

God Always Leads Us Triumphantly in Christ

 “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: Who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David sang this song as he came to face Goliath the giant.  “My God, I will sing You a brand-new song! The harp inside my heart will make music to You! I will sing of You, the One Who gives victory to kings— the One Who rescues David, Your loving servant, from the fatal sword. Deliver me and save me from these dark powers who speak nothing but lies. Their words are pure deceit, and you can’t trust anything they say.”  David had such confidence in God because of his relationship with Him and He remembered God’s deliverance with a thankful heart and declared it.  In the new covenant, the Lord Jesus has told us to be of good cheer because He has conquered through the Cross the evil that besets us and now thanks be to God, He always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  This is the exceeding greatness of His 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.  Thanks be to God, Who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s defeat every evil giant in our life.  Hallelujah!