John the Baptist said that: “He who comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire” (Mat 3:11)…

And the way you can know you are in this baptism is the more the Wind of the Holy Spirit blows, the hotter the fire burns.

There is a very important and crucial rhyme and a reason for all of this madness, because for us to enter into Glory we must first go through the fire of transformation.

It is through this fire baptism that we are being transformed into the image of Christ, and are being prepared for His return.

There are three things you need for fire: heat, air, and a fuel source.

God’s presence is the heat and the wind of the Holy Spirit is the air, and the more the wind of the Spirit blows, the hotter the fire.

Now, who is willing to be a fuel source for this Holy Fire?

That would be us, meaning you and me, as God’s born-again covenant children.

Fire changes the composition of a substance at a molecular level, and likewise it is through our baptism in fire that we are being changed as well.

Proverbs 17:3

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Are you being crushed in God’s crucible and are the flames of God’s refining process being turned up in your life?

There are two processes for purifying gold and silver, and both are used as metaphors in cleansing and purifying God’s covenant children:

Water – used to wash away sand and gravel from the chunks of metal mined from the earth.

Fire – used to burn and melt the metals to purify them.

Water and fire are both spiritually analogous to the Word and the Spirit.

The crucible is a metal refining pot and it is where the impurities are separated out; and it is used for both gold and silver, before they can be worked into fine vessels (Prov. 25:4).

These refining pots are all a part of the purifying process for both gold and silver, and they are a metaphor for how God purifies us for His service. (Prov. 17:3; 27:21).

Malachi 3:3

3 He (God) will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.

The refiner knows exactly how much heat to apply so as to purify and not to cause the metal to boil over and to be loss.

Likewise the “Master Refiner” knows our limits as well:

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

                                           
The refiner knows how valuable the gold is, and so he is extremely careful not to lose one ounce of gold in the process.
                                         
Some sources tell us that the refiner allows the silver to be refined until he can see his image reflected in the pot; and then he knows that it is pure.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

But the LORD trieth the hearts

The heart of man, in the Bible, is likened to silver and gold.

The heart of a man is of great value to God; but also we are told in its natural unregenerated state, it is deceitfully wicked (Jer 17:9).

It is because the refiner knows the value of the precious metals once refined, that he goes through so much effort to bring about that refinement.

Likewise God knows our value, that after having gone through this refining process, that we may be used in His service.

You see the problem is flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50), and the reason is the old man of our flesh, by its very nature, is contrary to the ways of God, because of sin.

So what is this sin that has caused our separation from God?

Our sin nature, which we ALL have inherited from our father Adam, is most evident in our natural inclination and predisposition to do our own thing and go our own way, without any regard whatsoever to the original plans and purposes of God.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.

Sin is ANYTHING that we do that goes against or is contrary to the original plans and purposes of God.

Sin is what brings disharmony into the natural order of things, as we find existed in the original creation.

In the biblical record of creation (found in Gen 1&2), after each thing was created, God said that “it was good;” and so the reason why sin is such a big problem and why it cannot be tolerated in God’s presence, is because it brings disharmony and confusion into God’s perfect order.

God created man to be in sync,  communion and in fellowship with Him 24/7.

If we want to know what God’s original plan and purpose was for Adam, and therefore for us as well – as his offspring, then we have but to look at Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible calls “the last Adam” (1 Cor 15:45).

In first John 2:6 we are told that anyone who says he abides in Christ ought himself also to walk, even as Jesus walked!

The long and short of this whole thing is that there is a process that we each have to go through, in training for our earthly service and also in preparation for eternity.

It is this very process that is our baptism by fire, and it is through the friction and heat of our earthly trials and tribulations, including the ones you are going through at this present moment, that God is in fact purify the dross from your life.

1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls!

Come join the Adventure!

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                   ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
—
Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

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What does it mean to let your words be few?

It means for one thing that we should never speak hastily, out of haughtiness, anger or resentment; for once those words are released, they are forever set in motion and can NEVER be brought back.

So let us choose our words wisely!
—

Words are not just simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx.

Words have real power

God spoke the world into existence by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3); and the Bible tells us that we are made in His image in part because of the power we have with words.

Words do more than convey information

The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence.

They not only exacerbate wounds, but they inflict them directly.

Of all the creatures on this planet, ONLY man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word.

The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.

Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up (Proverbs 12:6); and the writer of Proverb tells us…

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)

Are we using words to build up people or destroy them?

Are they filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat?

Like tools they can be used to help us reach our goals or to send us spiraling into a deep depression.

Furthermore, our words not only have the power to bring us death or life in this world, but in the next as well.

Jesus said:

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36–37)

Words are so important, that we are going to give an account of what we say when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
(Ephesians 4:29)

In this passage, Paul is emphasizing the positive over the negative.

The Greek word translated “unwholesome” means “rotten” or “foul.”

It originally referred to rotten fruit and vegetables.

Being like Christ means we don’t use foul, dirty language.

For some reason, many people today think it is macho or liberating to use vulgar humor, dirty jokes, and foul language, but this kind of talk has no place in the life of a Christian.

Paul continues:

“. . . but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This is reminiscent of his words to the Colossians: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
(Colossians 4:6; see also Colossians 3:16)

There is a remarkable parallel between Ephesians 4:25, lying; Ephesians 4:28, stealing; and Ephesians 4:29, unwholesome talk.

In each case Paul is urging us to be a blessing to those with whom we have daily contact.

Paul is emphasizing that merely refraining from telling lies, stealing, or unwholesome speech is not enough.

The truth is that Christianity is not a mere “don’t” religion.

As followers of Christ we should emulate the example of Jesus whose words were so filled with grace that the multitudes were amazed (Luke 4:22).

Jesus reminds us that the words we speak are actually the overflow of our hearts (Matthew 12:34–35).

When one becomes a Christian, there is an expectancy that a change of speech follows because living for Christ makes a difference in one’s choice of words.

The sinner’s mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:14); but when we turn our lives over to Christ, we gladly confess that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9–10).

As condemned sinners, our mouths are silenced before the throne of God (Romans 3:19), but, as believers, our mouths are opened to praise and glorify God (Romans 15:6).

Christians are those whose hearts have been changed by the power of God, a change reflected in our words.

Remember, before we were saved, we lived in spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Paul describes those who are dead in sin: “Their throats are open graves” (Romans 3:13).

Our words are full of blessing when the heart is full of blessing. So if we fill our hearts with the love of Christ, only truth and purity can come out of our mouths.

Peter tells us,

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Let the power of our words be used of God to manifest the power of our faith.

Be prepared to give the reason for why we love the Lord—at any time, to anyone.

Our words should demonstrate the power of God’s grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

May God enable us to use our words as an instrument of His love and saving grace.

[http://www.gotquestions.org/power-of-words.html]

—

We should also be careful about making rash promises, and the counsel of Scripture is that we let our words be few!

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Expanded Bible (EXB)

Be Careful About Making Promises
5 Be careful [Watch your step/feet] when you go to worship at the ·
Temple [house of God].

It is better to listen than to offer foolish sacrifices [or the sacrifice of fools] without even knowing you are doing wrong.

2 Think before you speak [Do not be quick with your mouth],
and be careful about what you say [do not let your heart rush to utter a word] to God.

God is in heaven,
and you are on the earth,
so say only a few words to God [let your words be few].

3 Dreams come from too much worrying [or work],
and too many words come from foolish people.

4 If you make a promise [vow] to God, don’t be slow to keep [delay to fulfill] it.

God is not happy [For there is no pleasure] with fools, so ·give God what you promised [fulfill what you have vowed].

5 It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it [make a vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it; Deut. 23:21; Prov. 20:25; Matt. 23:16–22].

6 Don’t let your words [mouth] cause you [your flesh] to sin, and don’t say to the priest at the Temple [messenger], “I didn’t mean what I promised [It was a mistake].”

If you do, God will [Why should God…?] become angry with your words and will destroy everything you have worked for [the work of your hands].

7 Many useless [1:2] promises [or words] are like so many dreams; they mean nothing.

You should respect [or be afraid of; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12, 13] God.
—

In the following discourse, we are given some key instructions on how the wisdom of the Bible is to be applied to our life:

Life lessons
by Max Lucado

Ecclesiastes 3:1—5:17

Situation:  The author gives insights on values.

He encourages the reader to use time wisely by making right choices.

Observation:  One of the key words in this section is the word “time.”

Solomon said that God has an appropriate time for every activity and for every stage of life.

How we use our time reflects our values and our understanding of our eternal destination.

Inspiration:  You have an eternal address fixed in your mind as well.

God has “put eternity in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Down deep you know you are not home yet.  So be careful not to act like you are.

Don’t lower the duffel bag too soon.

Would you hang pictures on the wall of a Greyhound bus?

Do you set up a bedroom at the roadside rest stop?

Do you load your king-size bed on a commercial flight?

Would you treat this world like home? It isn’t.

The greatest calamity is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you are not.

Don’t quench, but rather, stir this longing for heaven.

God’s home is a forever home. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).

My friends Jeff and Carol just adopted two small children. Christopher, the older, is only three, but he knows the difference between Jeff’s house and the foster home from which he came.

He tells all visitors, “This is my forever home.”

Won’t it be great when we say the same? Couldn’t we use a forever home?

This home we’re in won’t last forever. Birthdays remind us of that.

During the writing of this book I turned forty-six. I’m closer to ninety than I am to infancy.

All those things they say about aging are coming true. I’m patting myself less on the back and more under the chin.

I have everything I had twenty years ago, except now it’s all lower.

The other day I tried to straighten out the wrinkles in my socks and found out I wasn’t wearing any.

Aging. It’s no fun. The way we try to avoid it, you’d think we could.

We paint the body, preserve the body, protect the body. And well we should. These bodies are God’s gifts.

We should be responsible. But we should also be realistic.

This body must die so the new body can live.

“What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever” (1 Corinthians 15:50 NLT).

Aging is God’s idea. It’s one of the ways He keeps us headed homeward.

We can’t change the process, but we can change our attitude. (From Traveling Light by Max Lucado)

Application:  Eternity Seems like a long way away for some people. If you’re avoiding thinking about it, start looking at your own mortality.

What does it mean for you to live today in the knowledge that God has set eternity in your heart?

What changes can you make in your lifestyle based on that knowledge?

Exploration:  Eternity—Psalm 89:47; 139:24; Isaiah 26:4; John 5:39; Galatians 6:8; 1 Timothy 6:12.  Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk.—Max Lucado (A Love Worth Giving)
—

The Bible is a very pragmatic book, when it comes to the issues of life; and I think one of the main things that we all should consider, as Christians, is the importance with which the Bible emphasizes of our lining up our individual lives with the directions and precepts we find written therein.

For truly the main goal of all of this and our main purpose in life, is that we put on the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16, Php 2:5), and that we walk in this world and in our ministries as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6)!

So are you ready now to come and join the Adventure, because truly it is the ONLY way to fly!

His name is Jesus Christ!

Don’t you dare leave home without Him, and certainly do not leave this life without Him, without knowing Him and accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior!

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ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
—
Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

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The Christian walk entails a complete paradigm lifestyle change, that affects EVERY area of our life…

It’s not a religion and it’s not about going to church every now and again and/or having a passive intellectual belief in God’s existence!

Among other things, the Bible, which is called the Old and New testament (which is 66 books) contains our contract, i.e. our covenant with God; and as such, it tells us of our rights and privileges, and it also tells us what our responsibilities are and what God expects from us.
—

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young

“Leave outcomes up to Me!

Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out.

Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion.

Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me.”

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
-Psalm 27:13-14

—

This Christian walk requires our walking in 24/7 fellowship and communion with our Creator; it is what we each have been designed for and it’s why we have been created.

Without that God connection in our life, we are ALL like fish, flopping around on the shores of life, looking for our way back home.

It is our primary responsibility that sometime between when we are born and when we depart this life that we establish this link with God and that we be reconciled back into God’s family; and it is our acceptance and obedience to the Gospel Message and our faith in Yeshua (Jesus), who is the Christ (MessIah), that makes this happen.

As Jesus Himself said, “There is no other way into heaven, excepted through Him!”

[See the following references: 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 John 2:23, 1 John 5:10-12, 1 John 5:20, John 5:23, Ephesians 4:4, Matthew 11:27, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Romans 3:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]

You see, the reason why this is the Grand Adventure of our lifetime, is because it is the ONLY thing that will satisfy us and fill that huge void that we each have inside our heart.

There is no middle ground here and there is no sitting on the fence (Mat 12:30).

Jesus made it very clear that if we wish to save our life, then it will be necessary for us to lose it, for His namesake; in other words, we are required daily to surrender our lives and our will to His service (Luke 17:33 and 1 John 2:6).

So how about it, are you game or not to enter into this Grand Adventure?

This is totally your decision and you have to decide.

Truly this is the most important decision any of us will make in our lifetime, and the fact is none of us knows the date and time of our departure from this earth.

So with that in mind, just understand this one thing, that there is an expiration date, and your window of opportunity to accept this offer gets more narrow with the passing of each day.

And this offer will terminate upon your death.

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ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
—
Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

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“Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10)…

In reflective quietness and solitude, having meditated much in God’s Word, is where we learn to discern the voice of God above all other voices!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God or not: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

If what you are hearing does not line up with our spiritual plumbline, the Holy counsel of God’s Word, then you can know going out the gate that you are in error and are headed in the wrong direction.

Satan is a master of deception, whom the Bible says sometimes appears as an “angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14).

We read in the Bible how Jesus called him the “father of liars” (John 8:44); and his strategy and modus operandi is ALWAYS to bring in confusion and to get us off course from following God’s Word.

Satan will always attack us at our weakest moment, and he will always use yesterday’s abuses and/or tomorrow fears and anxiety, and the fact that he has had plenty of experience throughout the ages in pushing the buttons of people, like you and me, and in knowing how to back us into a corner, put on the pressure and apply the heat, all in order to push us off course.

This is exactly what he did in the garden of Eden, with Eve, and he has been doing it ever since, all in order to confuse and to deceive, in order that he may keep us from discerning and following God’s voice.

Jesus Christ is our ONLY true North and the only way we can be assured that we are on course is that we have to lineup everything we do and hear, including all of our doctrine and what we believe, with the inerrant counsel of God’s Word!

Let us each learn to be led of the Spirit, yes; but also, of necessity, least we drift off course, let  us ALWAYS keep our balance and monitor our heading, making course corrections along the way, using God’s Word as our spiritual compass.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).

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                   ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
—
Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

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Take control of your thoughts 

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7)

“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5)

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Let Jesus be your bridge over troubled water…

Video link

Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge over troubled water (with lyrics)…: https://youtu.be/jjNgn4r6SOA

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I’m on your side

When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part

When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by

Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine

When you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
—

The Carpenter

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict.

It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days’ work,” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor. In fact, it’s my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence — so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day — measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge… a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched…

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other’s hand.

Bridging the Gap

If you say you’ll let something be “water under the bridge” then you must stop wading in the water. Take the bridge to reach people, it’s a safer more steady trip and it even works if you can’t swim.
—

When times are rough and your back’s against the wall and nobody seems to understand, let Jesus show you the way.

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ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
—
Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

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Charles Spurgeon: Morning and Evening

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

“Underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Deuteronomy 33:27

God–the eternal God–is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble.

There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless.

Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.”

Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all.

You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost;” and to the uttermost he saves.

Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then?

Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.” He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him.

The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”–they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing.

This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God.

It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty.

And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good.

When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”

We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall.

All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”–arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.”

Continue reading “All things are possible with God…”

Jesus most definitely did not come to start another religion…

Religion, by definition, is what man does to try to earn favor with God; while Christianity is something which the Bible says CANNOT be earned:

“For by grace (unmerited favor) you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)

The gospel message is God’s offer to have our sins forgiven and to be reconciled back into His family.

This happens, not because of anything we do to earn it; but it happens because of God’s love for us (John 3:16).

Listen to this first message that Jesus gave to a synagogue congregation, when He first started His ministry, here on earth:

Luke 4:18-21

Jesus speaking:
“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.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.

And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

—

Jesus also said of His mission here on earth:

John 10:1-18
The Voice (VOICE)

[Backstory: The Pharisees are frequently around to challenge whatever Jesus says and does, but He always gets the better of them.

Once again, Jesus turns what the Pharisees say inside out.

They think blindness is a curse that evidences sin, and they think vision ensures knowledge and understanding—even concerning spiritual matters.

Instead, the Pharisees’ confidence in their vision and discernment make them unable to see the truth about Jesus.

Ironically, they have blind trust in their sighted leaders; and by refusing to believe in Jesus, they are the sinners—not the blind man.]

1 Jesus speaking: I tell you the truth: the man who crawls through the fence of the sheep pen, rather than walking through the gate, is a thief or a vandal.

2 The shepherd walks openly through the entrance. 3 The guard who is posted to protect the sheep opens the gate for the shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 When all the sheep have been gathered, he walks on ahead of them; and they follow him because they know his voice.

5 The sheep would not be willing to follow a stranger; they run because they do not know the voice of a stranger.

6 Jesus explained a profound truth through this metaphor, but they did not understand His teaching.

7 So He explained further.

Jesus: I tell you the truth: I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who approached the sheep before Me came as thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to their voices.

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be liberated, will go in and go out, and will find pastures.

10 The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance!

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep in His care.

12 The hired hand is not like the shepherd caring for His own sheep.

When a wolf attacks, snatching and scattering the sheep, he runs for his life, leaving them defenseless.

13 The hired hand runs because he works only for wages and does not care for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me.

15 As the Father knows Me, I know the Father; I will give My life for the sheep.

16 There are many more sheep than you can see here, and I will bring them as well.

They will hear My voice, and the flock will be united. One flock. One shepherd.

17 The Father loves Me because I am willing to lay down My life—but I will take it up again.

18 My life cannot be taken away by anybody else; I am giving it of My own free will.

My authority allows Me to give My life and to take it again. All this has been commanded by My Father.

[Note: Jesus loves to explain truth through everyday things like vines, fruit, fishing, building, and shepherding, as He does here.

He is a master communicator. In this metaphor, Jesus is the shepherd.

Eventually He becomes the sheep as well. On the cross, He is destined to become the innocent sacrifice that makes all future sin sacrifices and burnt offerings unnecessary.]

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“I had a debt I could not pay,

He paid the debt He did not owe,

I needed someone,
To wash my sins away.

And now I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing grace” all day long,
Christ Jesus paid the debt,
That I could never pay.”

Does any of this sound like a religion to you?

The way to be right with God, according to every religion is by earning your way.

It is based on works, not grace.

Christianity, on the other hand, is different from every religion in this one respect: ALL other religions in the world (including Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) state that you MUST EARN the right to be reconciled with God, through your “good works.”

For them you are measured and rated by what you do in this life (by your good deeds or bad deeds), and this is what determines your eternal destiny.

Christianity, on the other hand, is completely different from this; and it is NOT a religion at all!

“The difference between Christianity and every other faith in the world is that all religions are about man trying to reach up to God; whereas Christianity is about God reaching down to man.”
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From Reinhart Bonnke’s official page:

Jesus did not found a religion, a way to God. He is ‘the way the truth the life’.

Apart from baptism and the Lord’s Supper, He imposed no observances, no rituals, nothing that normally constitutes a religion.

To compare the Christian faith with any others is a very unequal undertaking, like comparing fish and fowl.

Jesus simply set things going in the world, and in peoples’ hearts, something like a river of new energy.

You can’t call a river ‘a religion’. Christ does not impart  ‘religious experience’ in the popular sense, as when sightseers creep in awe round a cathedral full of shrines to the dead, or are affected by high ritual.

If anybody thinks Christ’s presence has the same effect as stained glass and ‘the dim religious light’ their ignorance is not bliss.

Jesus talked to a woman in Samaria drawing well water, and promised her ‘water springing up into everlasting life’.

Well water was flat. Fish can’t live in wells.

Living water, cascading in white foam over a rock fall, is full of oxygen.

It seems to me that so much pleasure on offer today is second hand, stale, bottled, canned, or stored stuff like old movies, television full of repeats.

People can’t live on a diet of film.

Jesus does not bore us with the same old thing, with routine church performances.

There’s a creativeness in it all – the Spirit of God is moving, not static.

We don’t come to church for the religious atmosphere, but for the heavenly winds to stir us.

That sort of service ruffles some people – wind and fresh air does also, but is a very healthy thing.

This is food for thought. God bless you. REINHARD BONNKE
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ΙΧΘΥΣ
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
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Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Sent from my
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God’s supernatural power, joy and His Shalom (peace) is what enables us to endure and to live this Christian life, the way that it was intended by God to be lived…

John 14:27; 16:33
14 Jesus speaking: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you.”

16 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace.

In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid!”

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Please note that these are not just polite suggestions, but they are commands from on high, from the Master Himself, that we are NOT to let our hearts be troubled or afraid, and that we are to be anxious for NOTHING (Php 4:6)!

These are things you don’t learn just by reading a book, not even by reading the Bible; but they have to be experienced.

Having head knowledge about God’s Word, having memorized Scripture, alone by itself, does not replace the need for experiencing the reality and power of the Scriptures being activated in our life, as we step out upon them in faith!

In order for us to do this it requires that we cast the TOTAL of our life and also our life circumstances – including the present trial or storm that you’re having to endure – completely and totally upon God’s Word; it means that we trust the Lord with ALL of our heart and that we lean NOT upon our own understand (Prov 3:5)!

This requires much more than just having head knowledge and our giving intellectual accent to hIstoric facts and spiritual truths; rather in order for us to experience these things, it will require an absolute and complete paradigm shift in the way we live our lives!
—

Graham Cooke

Joy puts you out in advance of something, whereas negativity puts you behind something.

You see, joy is a lens. Jesus said,

“My peace I give you, not as the world gives,”

and He talked about peace as being something that could help you to overcome.

Anxiety puts you under something, but peace always lifts you above it.

From THE PORTLAND SESSIONS: SCHOOL OF PROPHECY

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Ps 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Sent from my
Samsung Galaxy Note® 3

We can’t always see where the road leads up ahead, and often in life our path is fraught with peril and difficult circumstances, but God’s promise to all those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28) is to enter into EVERY one of those circumstances (whether good, bad, or indifferent) and working it together for our good.

Just know that every cloud has a silver lining, and even though it often seems darkest before the dawn, God’s presence with us through the storm is assured; His promises are true, and as we learn to step out in obedient faith upon those promises we can be assured that there is something better for us up ahead!

“And Jesus said to him, ‘If thou art able to believe! all things are possible to the one that is believing.”
Mark 9:23

This is a fact of life, for every believer, that your trials come not to defeat you, but to make you strong and to teach you to rest both yourself and your circumstances in God’s hands!

So whatever you’re facing today, you can trust Him that He will see you through.

Streams in the Desert, with
Mrs. Charles Cowman

Streams in the Desert –
November 15, 2014

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that
happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.
(2 Cor 1:8)

But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
(2 Cor 12:9)

God allowed the crisis to close around Jacob on the night when he bowed at Peniel in supplication, to bring him to the place where he could take hold of God as he never would have done; and from that narrow pass of peril, Jacob became enlarged in his faith and knowledge of God, and in the power of a new and victorious life.

God had to compel David, by a long and painful discipline of years, to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his God, and grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness, which were indispensable for his glorious career as the king of Israel.

Nothing but the extremities in which Paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him, and taught the Church through him, the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

And nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know Him as we do, to trust Him as we have, and to draw from Him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable.

Difficulties and obstacles are God’s challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus; and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work; but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing.
—A. B. Simpson
[http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/streams-in-the-desert-november-15th.html]

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Jesus (Messiah) Lord

Be still & know Him
Psalm 46:10