The Scepter Of Righteousness

Living under the rule of righteousness!

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The Scepter Of Righteousness

Hebrews 1:8  But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.  9  You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

Jesus Christ came with the scepter of righteousness; this righteousness is the scepter of the kingdom.  Hebrews chapter 1 is the exaltation of Jesus Christ showing His preeminence above all.  He has preeminence above the prophets of old, preeminence above the law, preeminence above the heavenly angels, and the Father gave Him a name above all names!

The Father Himself testifies of Jesus; the Father said that Jesus loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  Jesus rules with the scepter of righteousness.  The scepter of righteousness is of the utmost importance.  The scepter of righteousness is the scepter of the kingdom; as people of the kingdom we should have the understanding of righteousness as it rules and prevails in the kingdom.

Romans 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.  4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  5  For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."

Israel had a desire for righteousness; however, it was a righteousness of their own and not the righteousness of the kingdom of God .  They side stepped God’s righteousness because of their ignorance.  Our desire should be for the authentic righteousness found in God alone.  Jesus Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes!  Moses wrote of the righteousness of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them”.  Do you see the scripture making clear the difference between the righteousness of grace and the righteousness of the law and they are two different things. 

The righteousness of the law was based upon the performance of men.  The righteousness of the kingdom, the scepter of righteousness, is based on faith in the Son of God whom the Father has sent.  Any other way of righteousness would be a false righteousness.  It would be a righteousness of ignorance.  The testimony of the Father had declared righteousness to be found exclusively in Jesus Christ and there is no other way to righteousness.

1 John 5:11  And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  12  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Finding the righteousness of Jesus is the way to eternal life and there is no other way.  The Father Himself has testified He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  The righteousness of God must be submitted to!

Romans 10:6  But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above)  7  or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).  8  But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  11  For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  13  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

I write it often, yet compelled to write it again.  What you think of Jesus Christ determines your destiny.  It determines your destiny both in this life and in the life to come.

Righteousness is becoming reconciled to God and rendered innocent in standing with Him.  With the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Any other definition on how to be made righteous is outside God’s definition of righteous.  It is confessing Jesus is my Messiah.

Romans 3:21  But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,  22  even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

The righteousness of God comes exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ and there is not another way!  Not the law of Moses or man’s traditions, but Jesus only!

John 5:24  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Jesus established the righteousness of faith by His own words.  When does one pass from death unto life?  When they believe the Father sent His Son and you hear the words of the Son and the object of your faith rest in Him.

John 17:1  Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,  2  "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.  3  "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Eternal life is knowing the Father, and Jesus whom the Father sent.  Eternal life is exclusively in Jesus Christ.  This is the righteousness of the kingdom of God .

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  18  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  19  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.  21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Faith in Jesus makes you a new creation.  The Father made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Jesus.  In Jesus we have been sanctified, in Jesus we have been perfected forever.  Yes we have been given a perfected spirit, a soul that needs to receive the word of God so it can get in line with what God has done in our spirit.  When our soul and spirit are in line with the work of God we are walking in victory.  We are walking in the imputed righteousness of God.

Psalm 35:27  Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."  28  And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long.

Shout for joy and be glad.  Jesus has come with the scepter of righteousness. Let your tongue speak of the righteousness of His kingdom. Let the Lord be magnified by your rejoicing in His righteousness; and rejoice that He has willingly imputed that righteousness to you.

Romans 14:17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Righteous peace and joy in the Holy Spirit are all gifts given to the children of the kingdom; rejoice!

ENOUGH Turn And Take Your Journey

There comes a time to enter into the promises of God. Embrace the God of the promise and walk into victory.

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ENOUGH Turn And Take Your Journey

Deuteronomy 1:6  "The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.  7  'Turn and take your journey,

Deuteronomy 2:3  'You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.

There is a generation who will rise up in victory and walk in the promises of God!  Brothers and sisters we are that generation.  Israel had marched around the mountain long enough and God declared “enough”.  God had spoken the promise; the children of Israel were so familiar with the promise.  The promise became so familiar it had become the mundane.  It is hard to exercise faith for the mundane!  The mundane became the complaint in the mouth of the children of Israel .  They spent the next forty years wondering the wilderness skirting the mountains of Hebron .  It took forty years to get past the generation of complainers and raise up a generation who would embrace the promises.  God declared ENOUGH!  Turn and take your journey into healing, provision, and blessings!  This is the generation who can rise and shine for the glory of the Lord is risen!!

God has been speaking His promise to you, receive it as the Spirit of truth!  The children begin to possess the land.  Are you tired of skirting the mountain of despair, sickness, lack, and unfulfilled promises?  Enough then, turn and take your journey into victory, turn and take your journey into abundant life, turn take your journey into healing, turn and take your journey into prosperity, and turn and take your journey into household salvation.   Walk in the fullness of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Jeremiah 9:23  Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24  But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

When the object of your faith and your desire is in a relationship with the living God your motives will be right.  Glory comes from knowing God.  When you come to know your God as “faithful God” it changes everything.  When you come to know your God as the One who can not lie, it changes everything.  When you come to exalt the immutability of God’s word above all else, it changes every thing.  Glory in knowing your God!

Psalms 95:8  "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,  9  When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.  10  For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.'  11  So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

There was the generation that never entered the promise land.  They heard the promises of God, they knew and could recite the promises of God.  However they did not know the ways of God Himself.  They clung to the promise but not the Promise Maker.  Their hearts were not hungry for sweet relationship with God.  We beloved, are not of that generation; we are the generation who hungers for intimacy with our Father.  We will arise and take our journey to victory because we believe in faithful God.

Psalms 103:7  He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel .  8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

The children of Israel knew well the acts of God; however they did not know His ways.  Moses did, the children of Israel did not.  The difference between Moses and the children of Israel is Moses knew the voice of God and Israel had rejected and requested not to hear His voice.

John 1:18  No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Beloved we are a heart beat away from knowing the abundant life found in God.  Jesus Himself is in the bosom of the Father; if we will hear His voice we will know the heart beat of God.  Jesus always leads us into triumph! 

John 6:63  "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Giving ear to Jesus is proof of the connection Spirit to spirit.  Jesus said “My sheep know my voice and another they will not follow.” 

John 3:1  There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  2  This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."  3  Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  4  Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"  5  Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God .  6  "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7  "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  8  "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

We must be born of the water and the Spirit.  That which is flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  We have a natural birth or one might say born of the water of the womb if you will.  That which is Spirit is spirit!  You can’t see the wind you only see the signs that the wind is here and so is it with one who is born of the Spirit.  We can not live after the flesh and walk in victory.  It is the Spirit to spirit connection; we live the life of victory because we have become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:45  And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  46  However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.  47  The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.  48  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

If we ever are going to walk in the fullness of the promises of God it is living as the heavenly man!  The flesh is flesh and the Spirit is spirit.  Paul instructed us to put off the old man, be made new in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man.  Some believers have never entered the promise land because they have not put off the old man.  They have spent their energy trying to revive, rebuild, recondition the old man.  It will never work it is a carnal work and will never bring victory.   Put off the old and put on the new man which is created in true righteousness and holiness.  Enough of wondering here and fro; walk as the heavenly man.  Quit behaving like a mere man; walk in the truth Christ in you the hope of glory.

2 Corinthians 5:16  Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Beginning to know things after the new creation brings victory.  It gives you vision to know that a cloud no bigger than the size of a man hand is the sign of abundance of rain.  Intimacy with God gives you vision for the desires of God; it does not give credence to the surrounding circumstances. When you rise up as the new man you consider the greatness of your God.  It was when Sarah counted God as faithful, she received strength in her body to conceive even past child bearing years.  Count your God is faithful in the middle of the storm and you will have the strength to give birth to the desires of God in your life.  Quit viewing it according to the flesh; view it with God’s mercy and faithfulness anchoring your soul to the promises He has spoken.  God made an oath His promises are true.  Put the word of God in your mouth and exalt it over your circumstance until every thought has been brought under the subjection to the obedience of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:24  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  25  "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  26  "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27  "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Do not be a fool, live by the words that Jesus has spoken.  Those who come to Jesus will in no wise be cast out.  Be a partaker of the promises and provision of God by standing on the solid rock of Christ Jesus.  Take your journey of faith; receive your promise!

Eternal Hope Awakened Brings Participation In His Promises

God is interested in you participating in His promises. God wants to bring hope alive in every believer; those who put their Hope in God will not be ashamed.  

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Eternal Hope Awakened Brings Participation In His Promises

Psalm 33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,  19  To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.  20  Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.  21  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.  22  Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

He is the God of all hope and His eyes is on those who fear Him!  Let the object of your faith and hope forever be in faithful God.  All those who put there hope in God shall not be made ashamed.  God is interested in bringing you into eternal perspective.  Trusting in Him brings rejoicing to the believer’s heart.

John 6:27  "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."  28  Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"  29  Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

The work that the Father calls us to is to believe in the One He sent.  Putting complete trust and reliance upon Jesus and the finished work of the cross pleases the Father.  It is the work He calls us to!

1 John 3:23  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

When the object of your faith is in Jesus Christ it changes everything.  When the object of your affections are God it overflows into loving one another.  Faith in Jesus Christ brings us righteousness and holiness.  We become new creations in Christ Jesus where the old is gone and the new has come.  I want to partake fully in the divine nature!

John 6:35  And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  36  "But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  37  "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  38  "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  39  "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  40  "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Our provision is found in Jesus Christ.  He is alone the one who is our bread of life and can fill the longing in our souls.  Our pursuits have often been misguided not understanding the need of our soul is fulfilled exclusively in Jesus.  You can not find in your spouse what can only be filled by Jesus.  You can not find in your favorite hobby that which only Jesus Christ can fill!  In Jesus we find a place we belong. 

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.

At faith in Jesus we move from death to everlasting life.  Jesus alone quenches our greatest thirst and hunger.  The enemy of our soul would like to distract with carnal desires, temptations, and trying to bring life to the sin nature we died to!  God’s desire for you is abundant life!  Abundant life is not elusive it is found in being sold out to the kingdom of God .  Then the longings of our soul will be satisfied in Jesus Christ.

John 8:31  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32  "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  33  They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"  34  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35  "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Abundant life comes to those who abide in the word of Jesus Christ!  Jesus' own words declared “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  To abide in the word is to meditate consider and ponder carefully the word of God.  It is the truth that you are intimate with that sets you free.  It not any truth or generic truth, or intellectual knowledge, it is a specific truth found in Jesus Christ that brings freedom.  Jesus set the believer free from sins and makes them a son in the house. If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.  This is the specific truth that sets you free.

John 10:27  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  28  "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  29  "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

Can we latch on to the truth found in the word.  The sheep that hear Jesus' voice are given eternal life and they shall never perish.  Will we consider the fullness of this truth?  The greatness of the Father is the covering for those who belong to Him.  If you have been born again no one can snatch you from the Father’s hand.  Hebrews declares that Jesus saves to the utter most ever living to make intercession for those in covenant with Him.

He is the God of all hope!  Can you see yourself free from every bondage?  Can you see yourself walking in righteousness, peace, and in the joy of the Holy Spirit?  Can you see yourself walking in soundness of mind?  Can you see yourself walking in complete victory?  The Father can see you in the fullness of His destiny which He has for you.  Come and catch His vision for your life.  You can trust Him.  He is the God that wants you to be convinced that His promises are sure and steadfast! 

1 John 3:1  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Behold the manner of love the Father has bestowed on you!  You are called the child of God!  The promise is sure and steadfast, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  When the hope is directed completely in the love of God it overflows in living a life of purity.  Believer let hope come alive, fan it back into flame; it will not make ashamed.

1 Peter 2:6  Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

Where is your confidence?  When the object of your faith is in Jesus Christ alone you will by no means be put to shame.  On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.  Jesus the cornerstone, elect, precious, and worthy to made the complete object of your faith.  The just shall live by faith.

1 Peter 2:7  Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"  8  and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.  9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  10  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

What value do you hold God in?  What value do you place on His immutable word?  Precious is our Savior and precious are His words.  To those who have surrendered to the Chief Cornerstone they have great benefits.  You believer are chosen, you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.  You are who God says you are; filled with great eternal hope!  You have been called to proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  Can you see God’s declaration for you?  In God’s estimation you are now the people of God and the ones who have obtained His mercy.  His mercy is upon you to the degree to which you put your trust in Him!  Surrender!

A Place Where You Belong

There is a place where you belong where all that you need you've found in Jesus!

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A Place Where You Belong

Hebrews 6:17  Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,  18  that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refugeto lay hold of the hope set before us.  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.

God has made a determination!  Birthed out of His own desire, He wants to show the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel by confirming it with an oath.    Indisputable is the promise of God!  It can not be argued away because the promise is absolute; the promise is undeniable to the heirs of promise.  God promised by oath which is the source of our strong hope.  God can not lie!  There is a place where we belong that Jesus made the access possible.  Jesus indeed has become our forerunner into the presence of God.  If Jesus is the forerunner for us we are expected in the presence of God.  The place you belong is in the very presence of God.

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.

KJV

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The way into the presence of God is made by Jesus Christ being our High Priest.  Jesus becomes our High Priest by our confession of faith.  The whole kingdom of God is based upon the confession that Jesus is the Messiah.  This  High Priest is moved by the feeling of our infirmities.  Jesus has become our High Priest and it is not just the weakness He is moved by, it  is how we are feeling in the middle of the infirmity that stirs His heart toward us.  His advocacy is so powerful we have been given an invitation to come into the throne of grace boldly; the covenant of grace says come into His presences in our greatest hour of need.  Come boldly obtain mercy and find grace!  What a covenant keeping God that invites His children in boldly when they are at their worst, yes in their greatest hour of need.  This is the place where we belong access into the throne!

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

God’s promises He is faithful!  He will establish you and guard you from the evil one!

1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,  5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,  6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,  7  so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,  8  who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been enriched in everything by God our Father!  The Father confirmed the testimony of Jesus Christ in you!  God will confirm you to the end that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  You have a place where you belong; you belong in the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Friendship with Jesus fellowship divine!  We belong in fellowship with Jesus, praise the Lord! 

Ephesians 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  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. 

We have been brought near by the blood of Jesus!  Jesus Himself is our peace.  Jesus abolished in His flesh all that stood against us!  Jesus made a place where we belong!  Jesus put to death the enmity between God and man; by the supreme sacrifice we have been given peace with God.  We have been brought near and given  access by one Spirit to the Father.  We belong in His presence!

Ephesians 2:19  Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,  20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,  21  in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,  22  in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are not strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.  The strength of the sacrifice of Jesus is so great we now belong to the household of God.  Yes, we have a place where we belong!  This place we belong to is so great; Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone!  God is working in us and through us; we are being built together for a dwelling place of God!  This place we belong is so great we have become a holy temple in the Lord.  Yes, we have a place we belong.

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. 

We have been brought into this covenant of grace and truth.  It is an eternal covenant by the blood of the Lamb.  When we come into knowledge of this place we can surrender to the great work God wants to do in us!  By the blood of the everlasting covenant the Father will make you complete in every good work to do His will.  When you come into His presence where you belong He is able to work in you what is well pleasing in His sight.  You belong to the household of faith to the glory of God forever and ever!  Welcome into His presence.

Coming Out of The Valley of Despair

Walk right out of this valley lift my hands and praise the Lord.

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Coming Out of The Valley of Despair

Ezekiel 37:1  The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.  2  Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.

What do you do when  you find yourself in the valley.  Everything around is beyond dead; nothing left but bone, dry bones.  Is there any hope in the valley of dry bones?  The answer you give will reveal if you have given ear to the voice of God.

Ezekiel 37:3  And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."

Can life be found in the valley of despair?  Ezekiel deferred to God!  “O Lord GOD, You know.”  When we find ourselves surrounded by dry bones it is not time for despair but time to defer to the Living God.  If it is your personal circumstances or perhaps you feel the despair thinking the church needs revival. Too many saints living outside God prescribed order for victory.  Saints not living with their provision, their healing, their joy or peace.  What is it a believer can do?  Defer to God and ask Him can the bones live?

Ezekiel 37:4  Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 

The time has come for the handmaidens and servants of the Lord to put the word of prophecy in their mouth.  It is hard to put the word of prophecy in ones mouth when  despairing about the dry bones.  We must hear the voice of God calling us to prophesy to the bones.  We have been so busy crying to God, complaining, “if you don’t do something we are in trouble”.  God has  been waiting for us to get the complaint out of our mouth and speak to the bones!  “Bones hear the word of the Lord.”  God calls His children to put His word in their mouth.  We have become experts at telling God all about the problem and how hopeless it seems!  God is the one that put you on assignment; reminding God of it will never bring victory.  Speak the prophetic word to the bones “Hear the word of the Lord”.

Ezekiel 37:5  'Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6  "I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD."' "

Hear the voice of the Lord and live!  If you will speak to the bones the word of God, you give God room to work.  After the prophet spoke, God spoke a word of confirmation to the bones.  Put God’s word in your mouth and quit hindering the work of God.  Quit behaving like mere men, only seeing dry bones and living with despair in your heart.  Jesus often rebuked a fever, spoke to the sickness, spoke to the demon.  Put the word of deliverance in your mouth and speak to the circumstance.

Isaiah 51:16  And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion , 'You are My people.'"

God has chosen to put His word and our mouth.  Speaking His word brings us under the covering of the shadow of His hand.  It sets God planting the heavens, and laying the foundations of the earth.  It is those who have come to Mount Zion who are the people of God.  Put His word in your mouth and it will bring you out of the valley of despair.

Ezekiel 37:7  So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.  8  Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.  9  Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."' "  10  So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

If you will prophesy the word that God gives you He will be faithful to give you another word.  First Ezekiel spoke to the bones, now God instructs him to prophesy to the breath.  When you prophesy what God commands God’s purpose will be fulfilled.  Notice the prophet spoke to the bones and then he spoke to the breath.  Speak the prophetic word to the circumstances surrounding you.

Zechariah 4:6  So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.  7  'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"' "  8  Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:  9  "The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.  10  For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth."

Zerubbabel was facing a mountain of rubble.  It was time to build the temple the foundation got laid and the work ceased.  Sometimes it seems like the work of God is not going further.  The prophet came to Zerubbabel, not by might not by power but by My Spirit says the LORD of host.   God  started the work and God will finish it.  Put the word in your mouth!  “This will happen by the Spirit of God”.  Do not try and bring it about by your might or own power.  Trust and lean upon the power of God.  You can walk out of the valley of despair if you will cry out “grace, grace” to the circumstance.

Revelation 3:14  "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  15  "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  16  "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  17  "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;  18  "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19  "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  20  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  21  "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  22  "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' "

Like the valley of dry bones some despair the condition of the church today.  Yes, I must admit I have fallen into this category.  Laodicea was a church that never put on the God’s robes of righteousness.  The church that thought within itself “I’m okay”.  God seen them as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.  God counseled for the church to come buy from God.  We have spent much time considering the condition of the church; however, it is the message of God we need to put in our mouth.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.  One of the greatest invitations in the word should be in our mouth.  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  We can lament the condition of the church or we can put the greatness of the solution in our mouth.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  It is time for us to put the prophetic word in our mouth and it will bring us out of the valley of despair.

Colossians 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,  20  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.  21  And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  22  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight;

Jesus's sacrifice is so great that it can present us holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight.  There is wholeness and soundness for the body of Christ!  We can walk out of the valley of the shadow of death because Jesus is our Shepherd.  The greatness of our redeemer is greater than any valley we find ourselves in!

Psalm 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  2  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  3  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.  4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

GOD is here and willing to walk you out of the valley of the shadow of death.  No need to fear the evil because the great Shepherd is with you.  Let Him lead you out!