Living by Every Word that Proceeds Out of God’s Mouth

In the last few months God has been continuing to speak to me about hearing His voice and living by the word that comes from His mouth. His way is right and brings abundant life to all who live by it!

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Living by Every Word that Proceeds Out of God’s Mouth

9-27-2010

Matthew 4:2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

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Please consider what a radical change in our lives if we begin to awaken to every word that proceeds from God's mouth. Scripture over and over encourages us to hear His voice from Genesis to Revelation. Oh that we might rise up and begin to live by the word that proceeds from God’s mouth. It’s a prayer that has been stirred up in me, “God let me hear your voice and live by the words You have spoken”. Is a good man’s steps ordered of the Lord? Is there a foretelling of the will of God in our lives and are we willing to live by it?

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Jeremiah 5:30 "An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?

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Jeremiah lamented the astonishing and horrible thing that had been committed in the land! The prophets were speaking lies, the priests ruled by their own power outside the order of God; worst of all the people loved it being so. The people were not hearing the voice of God and rejoiced in the prophets and the priests walking outside of the purpose and plan of God.

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Isaiah 59:20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion , And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," Says the LORD. 21 "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore." 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

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Not only hearing God's voice, but to have His word put into our mouth and the mouth of our descendants. Here in Isaiah, God is making His will very clear. God wants to put His word in your mouth and your descendants' mouths from this time and forevermore! What a powerful word! This is word you can live by directly out of God’s mouth! Arise, shine; for your light is come! The Glory of the Lord is risen upon you! Who is the light save Jesus Christ? Oh God put your word in our sons' and daughters' mouths; we agree with your word Lord and may it come to pass quickly.

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Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 'And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'

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It is imperative that we hear the voice of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the one with words for eternal life. We must hear the voice of this prophet in order to truly live.

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Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

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We have come to this place where Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant and His blood is speaking! What does it mean His blood speaks of better things than Abel’s? Abel was the first murdered man in the Bible. His blood spoke to God exposing sin and crying out for justice. The blood of Jesus speaks of redemption and the forgiveness of sin. We must hear this voice so we can live! What a promise Jesus’ voice speaking again with such clarity that only what is in the kingdom will remain. God, let your voice speak and let your kingdom come!

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Mark 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"; 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. 7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"

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Jesus appears with Elijah and Moses, and Peter, being astonished, said "let us build three tabernacles one for you one for Elijah and one for Moses!" The Father spoke from heaven and made it so clear! Church, it is time we hear the voice of the Son and live. If we will hear Jesus' voice we will live. Let us not go back and try and build a monument to Elijah and Moses they are the ones who pointed to Jesus! May we listen to the voice of God Himself “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

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Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

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Jesus speaks to us today. His blood speaks awesome things; and He has sent His Spirit to speak and lead and guide us into all truth.

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Acts 2:16 "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

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God has spoken that He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed.? Hear His voice and receive.

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Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

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If the voice is truly from God it points us to Jesus and it will bring life to our situation! Hear His voice and live.

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God Has Not Forgotten; God Will Remember

God has not forgotten you! Even if you feel like you are somehow put on the shelf, God remembers!

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God Has Not Forgotten; God Will Remember

Sermon Notes 2010-9-19

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Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me." 15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. 16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

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What happens when the righteous say God has forgotten? God brings reaffirmation! The world is wicked and as the sin wax worse God is still in control. Will a mother forget the son of her womb; maybe on a outside chance. However God has not forgotten and will not forget; you are inscribed in the palms of His hands!

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Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

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The justice of God will prevail. God will not forget your work and labor of love. God has seen work, your tears, and prayers and calls you to not give up. All your diligence toward His name are not forgotten. Never give up! You can walk with a full assurance to the end! Even if you have blown it in some area, turn your eyes upon Jesus! Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive unto God! His mercies are new every morning!

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Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

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We can live by the words that proceed from the mouth of God. God Himself is being quoted here in Hebrews 13:5. “I will never leave you nor forsake you”! What a promise! I don’t care the depth of the darkness in your life God will not leave you. You may boldly proclaim “The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what God can do to me”. God Has not forgotten. Men may well forget; however God will consider the thoughts and intents of your heart! His word of hope is “come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”. God will help you and He has not forgotten you, your circumstances, or the godly longing of your soul.

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Judges 16:28 Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!" 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.

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Here the judge of Israel who had failed miserably because he was ruled by his own lust instead of being lead by God, called out to God. Remember me one more time God! God granted Samson his prayer and God remembered him and all Israel and brought a deliverance from their enemy. Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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Luke 23:39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise ."

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Here one of the sinners hanging on the cross called out to Jesus 'remember me when you come into your kingdom'. What a God, rather a servant of God gone wayward or a sinner for a lifetime, God will hear the cry 'remember me!' God will not forget! God will not forget your labor of love, your tears that you have cried, or your prayers you have lifted before His throne over the years. You have not been forgotten!

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Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

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Never give up there is great reward continue with due diligence; take heart God will reward those who seek Him will all their heart!

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Revelation 8:3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

The good news, all your prayers are on the alter of the throne room mixed with the incense from the alter. Begin to know God has heard your prayer and seen your tears. They have not been wasted in any way! Keep praying for your sons and daughters God will not forget your labor of love lifted up before the throne room of God.

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2 Kings 20:5 "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.

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What is it you are praying for? God’s eye is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers. God will remember your prayers they still are upon the throne room alter!

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Psalms 56:8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

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What is it you have shed a tear for? What is the wound of your soul that caused those tears? Can you imagine God bottling up the tears and writing them in His book! There are no wasted tears in the throne room of God.

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Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

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I know I often bring this passage up in many sermon; however does your soul know well how you are made. Does your soul know well the thoughts God thinks of you? How great is the sum of the thoughts God thinks of you. God know and remembers! God cares for you deeply!

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1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

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Oh that the church would awaken to the power of prayer. Call a prayer meeting a handful might show up; call an event including food and one is sure to draw a crowd. Oh that we would come to know the heart of God; is God listening for prayers the saints simply are not praying. Are we making no deposit in heaven with our prayers? If the prayers are stored up on the alter may the saints arise and lift prayers up as never before! God will remember our prayers with open ears! Is the greatest revival to come waiting on the prayers of the saints?

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God has given me such a burden for the senior saints of God who wonder about their usefulness asking why is God still keeping me around. I want to speak this final word in this sermon that God will not forget.

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I am praying that God will’s will be accomplished in the saints! I pray that the old men will dream dreams just as the prophet said they would.

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Acts 2:16 "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

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God’s economy is upside down from the worlds! The world tells the young people to dream the dreams. In this economy of divine influence the promise is for the old men to see dreams! Oh that the church would esteem the old saints of God. God has caused them to dream dreams! If a vision is started with the dream perhaps God has set in order the kingdom of God ! Let the old men dream and may the young men catch the vision of the dream and the children prophesy; God will use all to bring His will to pass!

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God has not forgotten the senior saints. I dare say there is more power in the senior saints then they see in their self! What if the church begins to pray for the senior saints as never before! God let your word come to pass and give the senior saints the dreams your word has declared they would have. God give the senior saints the dreams give the young saints the vision and let our sons and daughter prophesy just as your word declares. Pour out your Spirit upon all flesh afresh and anew! God has not forgotten; God will remember our prayers and bring them to pass.

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Behold the Lamb the Value of the Sacrifice

Behold the Lamb and consider the value of the sacrifice. Precious blood brought precious redemption. Precious blood brought precious liberty. Precious blood brought the source of victory for every situation in life. Oh that we would come back to the heart cry of the Apostle Paul. " I have determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

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Behold, The Lamb; The value of the sacrifice

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

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John the Baptist's announcement of Jesus “Behold, the Lamb…” It is interesting to note under law, when the sinner came for atonement it was not the sinner that was examined. It was the sacrifice that was carefully examined to see if the sacrifice was worthy enough to make atonement for the sin. If the priest found one blemish or spot upon the animal brought for sacrifice it was disqualified! Examining the sacrifice and not the sinner was the shadow and pattern that carries important truth. Atonement could only come if the sacrifice was deemed perfect.

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Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Down through time the sacrifice provided atonement. God made atonement for Adam and Eve after their sin. God commanded an animal sacrifice from Abel and Cain. Here was a sacrifice for a man. When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt they each made an unblemished sacrifice for each family. King Solomon, when building a temple, made multiple sacrifices for the nation. However when Jesus came He was introduce as the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. Behold the Lamb; understand the value of the sacrifice!

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1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

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I want to turn your attention not to your sin but to the Lamb of God who paid the atoning price for your sin. We, the church world, have turned things around asking believers to not look upon the sacrifice for atonement. The Lamb is a perfect Lamb without blemish and without spot. What makes a believer without spot or blemish; the blood of the Lamb is the only washing that will suffice a holy God. The value of the sacrifice is great enough; God was appeased at the offering when Jesus poured out His soul as a sin offering! The wrath of God was poured out upon His own Son! Behold the Lamb!

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Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

Hebrews 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

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The greater sacrifice came down from heaven bringing an annulling of the former commandment. The law could make nothing perfect; however there is a bringing in of a better hope. A covenant that could do what the law could not. The better hope is that by which we draw near to God and there is no other way to draw near!

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John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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Jesus Christ, the Lamb, came full of grace and truth! From that very grace and truth we can receive from God. There is no other way to receive from God. Here John made the all important distinction the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came exclusively through Jesus Christ. It is so important to know the value of the Lamb. This Lamb came with grace (divine influence) and truth (separation from sin). The Lamb came with the divine influence necessary to bring us separation from our sin! When the Son sets you free from sin you are free indeed! What the law can not do behold the Lamb can do!

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Hebrews 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

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These few verses here hold such great value; they say so much about the great value of the Lamb and His accomplishment! Please behold the Lamb who is a surety of a better covenant. The sureness comes from the evaluation of the greatness of the Lamb. He is able to save to the uttermost and He always intercedes for the one who will behold Him as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. This High Priest is fitting for us as believers but is separate from sinners! The atoning work of the sacrifice is so great, Jesus looks good on you! He has separated you from your sin you have been imputed righteousness! Behold the Lamb of God.

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Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

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The Lamb from heaven did not bring an updated covenant to the law of Moses; it is a better covenant established on better promises. This Lamb of God dealt with the sin in a way the old covenant could not deal with sin.

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Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another; 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

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Jesus has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself! He appeared in the presence of God for us bearing the judgment for men. The sacrifice is great enough to bear the sin of the world. What you think of Jesus Christ determines your destiny! Does the sacrifice of the Lamb of God make the grade? It was and is the perfect sacrifice! He who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God. Those who value the greatness of the sacrifice Jesus will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation! What a promise!

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1 Samuel 2:29 'Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?'

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Eli, the high priest, and his sons did not value the price of the sacrifice. They did not honor the value of the sacrifices the children of Israel had brought to God. God accused and judged them for kicking at His appointed sacrifice. I want to be so careful to fully esteem the holy sacrifice and provision God made for the world.

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Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.

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To value the Lamb and the greatness of the sacrifice is so important. This passage begins to lay out the value and difference of value between the old testament sacrifices and the supreme sacrifice of the covenant of grace and truth.

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Under the law the worshiper could not approach in perfection! The blood of bulls and goats left a sin consciousness. Under the law there was a annual reminder of sins! What the law could not do Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, could and did do! Much like that of the old testament, in this new testament we must look at the quality of the sacrifice to determine if an atonement is possible and what does the atonement do for the believer.

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Heb 9:9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience; 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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The fleshly ordinances of the law were only imposed until the time of reformation! Jesus is our reformation! The greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ obtained eternal redemption. The old covenant with the blood of bulls and goats did a work for the purifying of the flesh. The reformation of Jesus Christ brings a better result! Through the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself with out spot to God. This work cleanses your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. We obtain from the sacrifice of Jesus a purged conscience.

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Please consider the Lamb; don’t fall short in considering the perfected spotless lamb and how that makes God approachable for the believer.

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Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all! How high is your evaluation of the precious sacrifice of Jesus the Lamb of God! For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified! May we walk in the fullness of the reformation that Jesus Christ has provided for those who have come to Him! Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

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Come into His Presence

Walking and abiding in His presence is a lifestyle Jesus calls us to!

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Come into His Presence; Access Has Been Granted

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Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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Because Jesus paid the price in judgment for sin, He became our High Priest! Our High Priest intercedes on behalf of all believers. His greatness is the anchor for our soul. His sacrifice for our sin is so great; He the sinless Lamb, took on our sin and now He can sympathize with our weaknesses!

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Because of the goodness of our High Priest we can come boldly into the throne room of grace. Imagine, we in our weakness can approach God in His throne room with boldness. The news is better than that; we can come in our greatest hour of need and obtain mercy and grace in the middle of our mess! Access has been granted into the presence of God based on the strength of the offering of Jesus the Lamb!

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Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

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At what point is the enmity and hostility ended? When you were made alive in Jesus Christ. He that confesses Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God! Jesus has abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances putting to death enmity and hostility. Through Jesus Christ we have access by one Spirit to the Father!

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Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

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When Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn in two! It was the veil that prevented access into the Most Holy Place . When Jesus paid the penalty for our sin it made way for us to gain access into the presence of God!

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Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

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The anchor for our soul is sure and steadfast! Jesus has entered into the Most Holy Place as our forerunner! The eternal work Jesus did for us gives us the right and the access into the very presence of God. This very truth should anchor your soul in Jesus! Hang on to the confession of your faith come on it to the presence of God, after all He is expecting you to show up!

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Hebrews 9:24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

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Most of the book of Hebrews is a comparison and contrast as to how the covenant found in Jesus Christ works verses how the covenant under the law worked. They are different covenants and the covenant founded in grace and truth is a better, superior covenant.

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Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

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The covenant Jesus came with has made a way for us to be connected to God spirit to Spirit! Never available under the covenant of the law. This covenant is a better covenant and is established on better promises. The law of Moses was connected by men’s performance; the covenant of grace is based on the obedience of the Man Jesus Christ! This is our way into the presence of God.

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1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

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Based upon the greatness of the love that God has we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as Jesus is, so are we in this world. Always keeping the object of our faith in the finished work of the cross is the way to walk daily in His presence.

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Jesus has a great invitation for us!

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Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

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This nothing less than an invitation to live in His abiding presence.

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Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

What Voice Shall We Hear?

Jesus recognized the difference between the voice of the Father and the voice of satan. The Father spoke life; the enemy always speaks pseudo life.

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What Voice Shall We Hear?

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Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Pseudo

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Jesus overcame every temptation because he knew the difference between the voice of God the Father and the voice of the enemy. Every temptation that Satan brought to Jesus was based upon trying to get Jesus to trust in His own doings as opposed to trusting in the word of God. It is possible to know with clarity and distinction the difference between the voice of God and all other voices.

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Satan tempted Jesus with “if” every time. His tactics have not changed. If you are the Son of God do this work of changing bread into stone. Jesus had already heard the voice of God the Father even before the temptation began.

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Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

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The devil said “if you are the Son…” The voice of the enemy brings doubt fear and death. The Father spoke “ This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” The voice of God brings life!

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John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

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Jesus' reply, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. So many of the saints are chasing the bread - doing the doings. Stop pursuing the bread and listen to so that you can hear the voice of God! The abundant life found in Jesus can only be lived by living by the word from the Father!

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Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

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Those who are truly the children of God have had a transfer. The transfer is out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love. It is based upon the forgiveness of sins found exclusively in the blood of Jesus Christ. We sing it in our songs, “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The only way to be a son of God is surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the completed work He did at Calvary . Will you hear the voice of the Father and live? Oh that the church will live by the words that proceed from the mouth of God.

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Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"

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Notice the devil brings Jesus to the religious place, the holy institution ordained by God. Satan will try to trip you up in what looks likes a very good religious atmosphere. He starts the attack again “if you are the Son of God”… The first temptation was to get Jesus to meet a physical need with stone to bread. One might ask what wrong with that. If the work is based upon proving who you are and not bringing glory to the Father, it is a work of the flesh. However in this religious place, satan was tempting Jesus to prove the goodness of the Father. Notice the devil threw a little of the Word at Jesus. The implication was, if you throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple and you truly are the Son of God your Father will save you! This was not only an accusation against who the Son was, but an accusation against Jesus' trust in the goodness of the Father. Because Jesus knew the word He was able to answer wisely “You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.”

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1 John 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

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If we ever are going to walk as mature Christians it will be because the word of God abides in us. The young men in this passage overcame the wicked one because they gained strength by the word of God abiding in them. If abundant life is found by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God it is only natural for the believer to hunger for the word of God. So many Christians are living by earthly bread without pursuit of the word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

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1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

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It is not a word spoken by an outside source that brings you victory; it is the word that abides in you. It is the word that God has spoken to you in the midst of having sweet fellowship and relationship with God. It is the word spoken by the Word of the covenant of grace.

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Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

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There are some saints who are struggling; they have gone from one prayer line to another looking for deliverance. The word has already proceeded from the mouth of God and they will not receive their deliverance in another prayer line! When one’s heart is established upon the divine influence of God, it is able to be built up to such a degree they become inheritors of the abundant life in Christ! We have been called to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. If you are walking in an area of bondage in your life perhaps it is time to receive the word of grace that can set you free from the snare of the fowler. It is the alter that Jesus Christ prepared for us to eat at that brings victory!

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2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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There are saints who are genuine in their faith yet have struggled in bondage. The struggle can’t be cast out through prayer! Telling God I am sorry for the bondage has done you no good; you find yourself back in the same struggle a few days or may be hours later. Receiving the word that proceeds from the mouth of God produces freedom.

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Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

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Do it like Jesus did! Jesus died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, He lives to God! True believers have died to sin at the point of salvation; after that it is a reckoning! You as a believer must recognize you have died to sin once for all. So many believers still see themselves alive to sin! They almost forget they have an advocate with the Father that has taken away the sin, not of only the believer but the sin of the world. By faith reckon yourself dead indeed to sin but alive unto God! Sinless perfection? No! Complete and total reliance upon the finished work of Calvary ? Yes! Beloved if you do sin remember your Advocate with the Father!

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Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

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The devil invites Jesus to take a short cut. Satan knew that the Son had been sent for the deliverance of the fallen human race. If you will but fall down and worship me I will give the kingdoms of the world! Forget the cross Jesus, here is better way! Forget the dying to self, here is a great short cut! The devil was throwing the greatest prize in his arsenal. If you will… satan wanted Jesus to do a work outside the will of the Father to gain the purpose without submission to God. We must beware of satan’s devices and not take the short cut of convenience. Worship God and serve Him exclusively!

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2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

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True spiritual warfare is bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Are we so hungry for God we will allow Him to change our mindset? Do we dare submit our thought life to such a degree that we fully are dependant upon the obedience of Jesus Christ? Will we hear His voice and live?

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Luke 8:11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. … 15 "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

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Whose voice shall we hear? The words of the devil produce pseudo life but ends in death; however, if we receive the words that proceed from the Father we will have abundant life. To hear with a noble and good heart is to hear it, believe it, keep it (hold it as precious) and bear fruit with patience. Live on God’s word!