Passionate for Christ

 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “When the apostles understood what was happening, they were mortified and tore their clothes as a sign of dismay. They rushed into the crowd and shouted, “People, what are you doing? We’re only weak human beings like everyone else. This is why we’ve come to tell you the good news, so that you would turn away from these worthless myths and turn to the living God. He is the Creator of all things: the earth, the heavens, the sea, and everything they contain.”  There were more than twelve apostles who were recognised by the Church.  Barnabas is described multiple times as an apostle.  Paul said that apostles and prophets minister and equip the Body of Christ until we are complete and restored into Christ’s fullness.  Preaching the Gospel is about exalting Jesus Christ as the Living God.  People follow other humans to give them importance and give them exaltation rather than - only Christ.  Otherwise the propensity is to exalt a denomination or pastor or church.  But as Paul and Barnabas passionately avoided such actions and only exalted the Living God Who made heaven and earth and sea and all things that are therein.  Let’s passionately love Jesus and glorify only Him.  Amen!

Saved from the Wrath of God by Christ’s Sacrifice

 “In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “They pour into the streets wearing sackcloth. In public and in private, they fall down sobbing.”  This was a prophecy of judgment on Moab, an enemy of the people of God.  Today, in the new covenant, Jesus has borne the judgment on all humanity at the Cross of Calvary and whoever believes in Him becomes a child of God and judgment has passed over from all believers.  This is the Gospel and it is the only power that saves us.  We are no longer enemies of God, living in rebellion, but we are the people of God, His children - sons and daughters - simply by faith in the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus. Paul was given this revelation, “Much more then, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”  The only way we are saved from the wrath of God is by being justified by the Blood of Jesus.  Let’s give this good news, this Gospel to everyone we meet.  Amen!

Co-Labouring as God’s Sons & Daughters in Christ

 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “While they were worshiping as priests before the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “I have called Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for Me.  Now, release them to go and fulfill it.”  Here we see the Church was praying as priests to perform the work of the Lord. For the Lord of the harvest, the Holy Spirit, was sending out labourers into the harvest field. The Holy Spirit speaks in many different ways.  Perhaps He spoke a prophecy through one of the prophets in the Church, or a divine voice may have interrupted their worship.  God’s Spirit still speaks today in any way He chooses.  The true Church, the Church that is prepared to be the Bride of Christ, still speaks today, knowing and experiencing the Holy Spirit move powerfully and doing the will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  Let’s move as led by the Spirit of God as sons and daughters of the living God to co-labour with Him to fulfil His work.  Amen!

Jesus Christ is Lord

 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend into heaven and exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will rule on the mountain of the congregation, on the highest place of the sacred mountain. I will rise past the tops of the clouds and rival the Most High God!’ Yet down to the underworld you go— into the depths of the pit!”  Although this was spoken to the king of Babylon but it is speaking of the fall of Lucifer to becoming satan.  This created being was closest to the Presence of God, but his attitude caused his fall.  When he spoke in his heart that he will ascend and exalt his throne above the stars of God, that he will rule on the highest place of the sacred mountain, that he will rival the Most High God, he thought God wouldn’t know what was in his heart.  He chose his free will to make these decisions and took a third of angels with him when he fell.  Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”  In our culture today there are many who imagine themselves to be gods and take worship from fellow humans.  The end of such is torment forever and ever, that has not been experienced by any.  All those in rebellion against the sovereignty of the True and Living Most High God and who do not have the fear of God in them, will end in this sad way for eternity.  Let those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord and the Light of the Glorious Gospel in them preach it fervently in these end times.  Amen!

The Reality of the Spiritual Realm for Believers in Christ

 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬, ‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “when all at once an angel of the Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light. The angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry up! Let’s go!” Instantly the chains fell off his wrists. 23 Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, an infestation of worms, because he accepted the people’s worship and didn’t give the glory to God, and he died.”  The angel of the Lord here is as a rescuer from God to Peter who is persecuted for preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This same word “struck” is the word used for Jesus being “struck” for our sins.  Jesus had spoken this to His disciples, “Along the way Jesus said to them, “Before the night is over, you will all desert Me.  This will fulfill the prophecy of the Scripture that says: I will strike down the shepherd and all the sheep will scatter far and wide!”  Jesus was pierced in His side to awaken hearts to God.  Peter was awakened from his sleep by the angel of the Lord who struck him on his side.  In the second instance, the angel of the Lord as an executioner brought God’s judgment on Herod who had persecuted the church and accepted worship due to God alone and did not give glory to God.  May the persecuted Church of today be awakened to the angels of God in the reality of the spiritual realm sent by God as ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation.  Amen!

Fight the Good Fight

 “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Listen! A thunderous noise is heard on the mountain, like that of a massive multitude. Listen! Kingdoms are in an uproar; nations are assembling together. The almighty Lord Yahweh is mustering an army for war. They are coming from a faraway land, from the end of the heavens. Here comes Yahweh with His instruments of judgment, ready to ravage the entire earth.”  This was a prophesy Isaiah spoke against Babylon which happened some years later. In our time, it is for the Church to awake as Joel said, “Blow the shofar in Zion, sound the alarm on My mountain of holiness! Shake the people awake, for the day of Yahweh is coming. Yes, it is almost here.”  Paul also warns us of “the unveiling of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His messengers of power within a flame of fire. He will bring perfect and full justice to those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to embrace the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, banished from the Lord’s Presence and from the manifestation of His glorious power. This will happen on that day when He glorifies His holy ones, and they will be marveled at in all those who believed—including you, since in fact, you believed our message.”  Even Jude says, “He comes to execute judgment against them all and to convict each one of them for their ungodly deeds and for all the terrible words that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”  The heavenly sons and daughters of God are also consecrated, mighty ones and warriors, who rejoice in Christ’s triumphant victory.  Today let’s fight the good fight of faith in our spiritual warfare for victory, to God’s glory.  Amen!

Called Christians - To Whom Supernatural Revelation Comes

 “and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭11‬:‭26‬ ‭KJV‬

Dr. Luke records, “Together Saul and Barnabas ministered there for a full year, equipping the growing church and teaching the vast number of new converts. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first revealed as “anointed ones”.  The meaning in Greek of Christians is “supernaturally revealed” which is much more than “called”. Supernatural revelation is to be valued by mankind because the God Who created mankind is supernatural and when He gives revelation, we must be honoured to receive it.  Jesus Christ became human, died and rose again and through faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we are now those anointed ones to whom supernatural revelation comes and we are privileged to receive it.  It is exclusive and not for the rest of the world who don’t believe.  God called us and simply through faith we become not only the called, but the chosen and the faithful.  As John the Revelator saw, “the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings! Those who are with Him will also conquer them, and they are called ‘chosen ones’ and ‘faithful ones.’”  Let’s be privileged that we are recipients of supernatural revelation which is sacrosanct!  How glorious, how awesome is our God that He chooses to impart to us supernatural revelation of the mysteries of the glorious Gospel and that we are called Christians.  Amen!

Drinking with Joy the Water of Life

 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “With triumphant joy you will drink deeply from the wells of salvation.”  These wells or springs or fountains are never ending because this Water of Life represents the Jesus Life in us.  That’s what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “If you drink from Jacob’s well, you’ll be thirsty again, but if anyone drinks the Living Water I give them, they will never be thirsty again. For when you drink the Water I give you, it becomes a gushing Fountain of the Holy Spirit, flooding you with endless Life!”  John the beloved disciple saw this revelation “For the Lamb at the center of the Throne continuously shepherds them unto Life —guiding them to the Everlasting Fountain of the Water of Life”.  Today, every born again, born of the Spirit son and daughter of God, is a Living Well of Salvation, that container which brings the Water of Life to others.  Amen!

The Power of the Gospel all Across the World

 “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “So he instructed them to be baptized in the power of the Name of Jesus, the Anointed One. After their baptism, they asked Peter to stay with them for a few more days.”  At last the Gospel broke through and penetrated into the non-Jewish cultures and people groups.  The Holy Spirit is now uniting Jewish believers and non-Jewish believers into one mystical Body of Christ on the earth.  Because of this, there would no longer be a distinction between Jew and non-Jew, but one family of believers formed by faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul got this revelation that we have all become true children of God by faith in Jesus Christ! Faith immersed us into Christ, and now we are covered and clothed with His life and we no longer see each other in our former state—Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ. And if we belong to Christ, then we are now Abraham’s “child” and a true heir of all his blessings because of the promise God made to Abraham!  The three conversions of: the Ethiopian (a descendant of Ham), Saul of Tarsus (Shem’s descendant) and Cornelius (Japheth’s descendant) - all the sons of Noah - they prove of the power of the Gospel of Christ our God - all were converted.  Still the Gospel’s power is the same today because our God is the same unchanging God.  People are coming to Christ among the Jews, in the Middle East, the Americans, the Chinese, the Africans, in India and all continents on the globe to the glory of God.  Amen!

The Spirit of Yahweh

 “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “the Spirit of Yahweh will rest upon Him, the Spirit of Extraordinary Wisdom, the Spirit of Perfect Understanding, the Spirit of Wise Strategy, the Spirit of Mighty Power, the Spirit of Revelation, and the Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh.”  The Spirit of Yahweh is the Spirit of prophecy, the manifest Presence of God resting upon the Lord Jesus.  John the Baptist witnessed it, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon Him.”  The Spirit of Extraordinary Wisdom brings skilfulness and equipping ability and wisdom for judicial decisions, creativity in music, art, business, writing and such which Paul prayed for churches, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened”. The Spirit of Perfect Understanding is that of intelligent insight imparting the ability to discern the truth, decipher parables and allegories, the meaning of riddles and puzzling dreams - the anointing of this was on Joseph and Daniel.  The Spirit of Wise Strategy is that of guidance, counsel, advice or purpose and is the anointing that imparts wisdom and counsel needed for spiritual leadership.  The Spirit of Mighty Power is what ensures our victory to overcome the enemy who accuses us all the time by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.  The Spirit of Revelation is the knowledge that comes from experiencing intimacy with God.  The Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh, is the absolute loyalty and obedience, reverence, wonder and awe that we have to our God that makes us shine with His Light.  The same Spirit of Yahweh is on us who have received our Pentecost.  Amen!

God’s Gracious Gift of Christ’s Fullness to Us

 “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records that, “The Lord said, “Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. You will find him at Judah’s house. While he was praying, he saw in a supernatural vision a man named Ananias coming to lay hands upon him to restore his sight.”  The conversion of Saul the legalist into Paul the grace preacher is a lesson to us - we can be amazingly wrong while thinking we are doing right.  The Holy Spirit awakens our hearts to feast on Christ, our righteousness.  Religion has a deadening effect on our hearts.  Like Saul, we have to fall off our “high horse” and bite the dust before our blinded eyes can see.  Ananias, which means “God’s gracious gift” or “Yah is merciful”, was truly that to Paul, who was healed by God’s gracious gift.  God asked Ananias to live up to his name!  God has given us His gracious gift in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ to all of us who believe and are called His sons so we may be a blessing to others.  For we have all received from Christ’s fullness one gracious gift after another.  Amen!

The Anointing of Christ Teaches Us Everything

 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day the Lord will remove the heavy burden from your shoulders and break off the yoke of bondage from your necks because of the heavy anointing upon you!”  It says the yoke is destroyed because of oil (anointing).  Oil is the symbol of the anointing of God.  It is also the imagery of an ox who grew so fat that it shattered the yoke over his neck.  Isaiah prophesied that Assyria’s yoke of bondage will be broken off Judah because they will grow fat, heavy with the anointing of God’s restored favour.  Jesus is the Anointed One in the new covenant and His anointing is now available to all who believe in Him.  Jesus loves righteousness and hates wickedness; therefore God, our God, has set Jesus above His companions by anointing Him with the oil of joy.  This anointing has been given to us.  But the wonderful anointing we have received from God is so much greater than deception and now lives in us. There’s no need for anyone to keep teaching us. His anointing teaches us all that we need to know, for it will lead us into truth, not a counterfeit. So just as the anointing has taught us, let’s remain in Jesus the Anointed One.  Amen!

Genuine Change of Mind towards God’s True Power - Jesus Christ

 “saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “saying, “I want this power too. I’m willing to pay you for the anointing that you have, so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter rebuked him and said, “Your money will go with you to destruction! How could you even think that you could purchase God’s supernatural gift with money? You will never have this gift or take part in this ministry, for your heart is not right with God. Repent this moment for allowing such wickedness to fill you. Plead with the Lord that perhaps He would forgive you the treachery of your heart. For I discern that jealous envy has poisoned you and binds you as a captive to sin.”  All the Samaritan believers were asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill them.  Even Simon the sorcerer wanted the same power and authority, offering money for it. Peter instantly told him that he had no portion in this faith for he was cursed since he operated in bitter anger and control, telling him to repent sincerely for such evil, pleading for mercy.  This is the message to all astrologers, sorcerers and divination gurus, to seek the true God and His true power available simply by genuine change of mind and faith in what Christ did on the Cross personally for each of them.  Amen!

Christ Magnified our Joy

 “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV

As Isaiah prophesied, “Lord, you have multiplied the nation and given them overwhelming joy! They are ecstatic in your presence and rejoice like those who bring in a great harvest and those who divide up the spoils of victory!”  God has magnified joy to everyone who receives the Light.  As the Light  of Jesus shines on the earth, it will bring in a harvest of joy and rejoicing.  The people of God are about to arise and spoil the kingdom of darkness, even as Israel spoiled Egypt and went out rejoicing.  God will cause our joy to overflow like those distributing loot after a battle.  Great will be the conversions, the increase and our rejoicing.  Many sons will be brought into glory as the increasing Light of Dawn appears.  With both harvest and victory in battle, people rejoice in what God has done.  A sign of the moving of God among us to fulfil this promise, is an outbreak of joy!? He fills our mouths with laughter as a sign that the great ingathering of the harvest is here.  They joy before God and are ecstatic in His Presence because He has released a heart of worship today.  The Gospel brings joy and those who receive good news, rejoice.  This is the joy of the Feast of Tabernacles.  The two great joys of the human heart come at a time of harvest and a time of victory.  As the increase is brought in, victory is experienced.  What greater joy is there in heaven and earth when souls are saved?  Amen!

Jesus Stood to Welcome Stephen in Heaven

 “and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭56‬, ‭58‬, ‭60‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke recorded, ““Look!” Stephen said. “I can see the heavens opening and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God to welcome me home!” Then they pounced on him and threw him outside the city walls to stone him. His accusers, one by one, placed their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul of Tarsus. He crumpled to his knees and shouted in a loud voice, “Our Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” And then he died.”  Jesus sits at the right hand of God, but when He saw Stephen give his last breath for the Gospel, He stood to welcome His martyr into his eternal reward.  Stephen’s graduation was Saul’s initiation who later would go on to become Paul the apostle after his conversion when he met with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.  As Stephen was about to die, the words that came out of him were the same which Jesus said to forgive His killers for they didn’t know what they were doing.  Let’s consider the example that Jesus, our Lord, has set before us. Let His mindset become our motivation. He existed in the form of God, yet He gave no thought to seizing equality with God as His supreme prize. Instead He emptied Himself of His outward glory by reducing Himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled Himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a Man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in His death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion! Because of that obedience, God exalted Him  and multiplied His greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names! The authority of the Name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence!  Amen!

Believe in the Risen Christ

 “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Now, suppose someone says, “Consult mediums and spiritists who moan and mutter their incantations in their ritual pits; after all, isn’t it right for people to seek oracles from their gods by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?” You are to answer them: “Listen to the teaching and instruction of the Lord! If their speech does not line up with His word, they will have no light of dawn!”  In our culture today, there are many mediums and spiritists who offer knowledge of your personal future.  In fact they offer their services in hotels and resorts even!  Tell such people of the living God, Isaiah tells.  We are to tell everyone of the Risen Christ.  The light of dawn is the hope of Jesus Christ that grows inside of us.  The path of the righteous is like the light of a sunrise shining in the eastern sky.  It increases from dark to dim to bright - but the path of the righteous is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.    In times of calamity, let’s make sure we quiet our heart and seal up the Word of God in our soul.  The dawning of Christ’s glory is coming.  For us, the early rays of morning light are already shining.  Let’s believe in the Risen Christ.  Amen!

God Resists the Proud

 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Stephen, who was a man full of grace and supernatural power, performed many astonishing signs and wonders and mighty miracles among the people.”  Stephen was not a gentile but a Greek speaking Jewish believer, for later when he addressed the high priest and others in the temple, he said, “fellow Jews and fathers”.  Stephen is from the Hebrew Zephaniah which means “Yah has treasured him”.  Although he was a powerful minister of the Word, Stephen was humble to accept the task of serving as a deacon.  God used Stephen to work miracles of power through his ministry, even though he was a deacon and not an apostle.  The miraculous is not for the few but for the many.  God looks at the hidden motives, the thoughts and intents of our heart to see whether it is giving true glory to God or not.  Humility in the heart is what counts with God and if it’s anything else, it doesn’t work with God. The Word of God tells us to be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  Let’s choose to have a servant’s heart of serving our true Master and giving all the glory to Him, not just in words but with all our heart and be ready to be used by Him for the miraculous.  Amen!

Christ Our Immanuel

 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold—the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son and will name Him God Among Us.”  There is nothing miraculous about a young woman having a baby, it happens every day.  However, the uniqueness is the prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah.  No child with a human father could be the fulfilment of Immanuel, “God among us”.  This prophecy was specifically the virgin Mary giving birth to the Son of David of the tribe of Judah.  Immanu El” is “God became One of us”.  A new nature is about to be planted in the soil of humanity.  It will begin as a Man but will soon become a company of men and women.  Immanuel is the partnership of heaven and earth, God and humanity.  This is also the prophecy of the virgin Bride of Christ of the last days.  Paul prophesied that God has betrothed us to One Husband, that we be presented as a chaste virgin to Christ.  This is the Father’s will for us who have Christ in us and have identified with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  Amen!

The Church is Being Built

 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke recorded, “The apostles performed many signs, wonders, and miracles among the people.”  These were the disciples who were now filled with the Holy Spirit and were doing all that Jesus had done.  Jesus had told His twelve disciple on the night that He was betrayed, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  This was to build His Church for the Church is Jesus’s Body of which He is the Head.  Jesus had said that the gates of hell will not prevail against Him building His Church.  At this time when the Church began, through the apostles,  many believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.  Till today the gates of hell have not prevailed against the Church as down the ages many believers have continued to join the Church.  As Paul said, that God gave gifts to the Church, “And Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.  Let’s believe in the miracles, signs and wonders God does through believers even today - who may be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers - to bring many souls into His Church for He is the Living God.  Amen!

Be Holy for God is Holy

 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah saw God, “And one called out to another, saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, Commander of Angel Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!”  The seraphs in the very Presence of God make the threefold repetition of the word holy as a reference to the way God manifests His holiness: - in heaven; in this world; and in the ages to come.  Today we see the triune God being praised: Holy (Father), Holy (Son), Holy (Spirit).  This sacred chant has been heard down the ages in church history in worship.  God is known as the Holy One of Israel.  Isaiah saw the sinfulness of man and the seraphim saw the glory of God.  Today, because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, because of the Name of Christ, we are greatly blessed, because the Spirit of glory and power, who is the Spirit of God, rests upon us.  God said that He is holy and called us to be holy.  The Blood of Jesus sanctifies us into holiness and we are to follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.  Let’s live godly and holy lives because we who are Christ’s disciples, carry the Presence of God.  Amen!

Our Personal Experience with the Life-Giver & the Covenant of Life

 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬

Dr. Luke records, “There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only One  Name to Whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the Name of Jesus.” The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with Him.”  Just a few days ago the disciples were hiding for their life from the authorities and even when Jesus had told them to tarry in Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high, yet they disobeyed and went back to fishing in the lake at Galilee.  At this moment, after they received the power of the Holy Spirit, they were courageously withstanding the temple authorities and insisting there was no man who could claim to be the Messiah other than Jesus.  The coming of the Holy Spirit in power had made them experience the Life-Giver and they remembered the Covenant of Life Christ had made with them.  Unless each one of us who call ourselves the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ have our own personal life experience with the mighty Holy Spirit, our preaching Bible verses has no power and will not bring the fruit God desires for us.  Let’s remember the Covenant of Life that Christ has made for us personally and receive the Holy Spirit power in our lives.  Amen!

The Absolute Standard of God’s Word

 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who replace darkness with light and light with darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and see themselves as clever and shrewd.”  In that time among the Israelites and in our culture today, the moral code is reversed.  Sin is accepted as something good and not content with abandoning what is good, they must label good as evil.  Those who abandon the absolute standards of God’s Word find a reversal of every true virtue.  Good is mocked and evil is embraced.  Light is ridiculed and darkness is worn like a cloak.  The sweetness of God is called bitter; the bitterness of sin is called sweet.  Who will outwit Eternal Wisdom and who can outsmart Infinite Wisdom?  God will resist the proud of heart.  The Wisdom that comes from above is without pride for Christ through the Cross became for us Wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”  Amen!

R storation & Fulfillment of All Things

 “whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Dr. Luke recorded, “For He must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through His holy prophets.”  Restitution is the restoration of all creation to the state of existence before the fall.  Jesus had to be born as the Son of Man Who descended and He is also the One Who ascended above the heights of heaven, in order to begin the restoration and fulfillment of all things.  Jesus Himself had said, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory..” There is an appointed time of the restitution of all creation and that’s why God’s Word has been given to us, which is the very Breath of God.  All Scripture is God-breathed, given by divine inspiration and is profitable for instruction, for conviction of sin, for correction of error and restoration to obedience, for training in righteousness, learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage.  This is the heart restoration for us to be prepared with, so that we are an integral part of the restoration of all creation.  Let’s abide in God’s Word all the time.  Amen!

The Fire of Love for Jesus our Lord

 “when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “And the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem by a Spirit of justice and by a Spirit of burning.  Zion’s daughters are prophetically spoken for the churches of Christ. God’s people dwell in Zion which is the New Jerusalem.  Sadly, the daughters of Zion had become haughty, synonymous with filth which is translated as a drunkard’s vomit or human excrement.  The Lord is willing to cleanse them so they are humble and repentant and He does this by the Judging Spirit and by the Burning Spirit. The Spirit’s breath is the blast of justice and the blast of fire coming to cleanse God’s people.  The Spirit of Judgment releases holy vision to see things as God sees them.  Decisions will be made by the justice of God, not the prejudices of men.  It is not that He merely executes justice but that He demonstrates perfect discernment to see what is holy and what is not.  The Spirit of fire will thoroughly cleanse God’s remnant and make them holy by refining fire.  A fire of passionate love for Jesus Christ will cleanse the Church.  The fire of love as a seal over our hearts will keep us pure from temptation and end time distractions.  God will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.  Amen!