Genuine Faith Brings Revelation About Jesus

Elected, sanctified, for obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus; the greater the revelation about Jesus the greater you participate in His inheritance.

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Genuine Faith Brings Revelation About Jesus

1 Peter 1:2  elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Too many times we read over opening passages of chapters viewing them as only words of greeting.  Remember the word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit. We the believer are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, we are sanctified by the Spirit, for obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus!  Elected by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit and sprinkled by the blood of Jesus!  Divine influence to you and oneness with God be multiplied!  Peter opens his book with great blessing being penned by the Holy Spirit.  Oh that we would write with an intent to bless, oh that we would speak with the intent to bless, oh that we would live with the intent to bless.  Jesus said it, bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Peter does not seem to be able to help but speak revelation and truth of our relationship with God.  The Father has begotten us according to His abundant mercy.  Oh that we would learn to receive from the mercy of God.  His mercies are new every morning; He intends for us to partake fully of the mercy He prepared for us today.  We have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  The  hope is living and  the source of the hope is eternal.  It is not based on the circumstance around you; the hope is based upon the resurrected redeemer!  Turn your eyes upon the mighty God who has redeemed and brought hope alive!  God’s mercy is greater than the carnal mind can comprehend.  Jesus told the Pharisee to learn what it meant that God desired mercy not sacrifice.  We can trust and rely upon the mercy of God and the living hope He has given.

1 Peter 1:4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

The mercy of God and the living hope brings you into an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away.  The church needs greater revelation of the inheritance that belongs to them; have you forgotten man/ woman of God you have been seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The greater the revelation the greater the believer can participate in the inheritance.  Hebrews declared that Jesus appears once at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  You are a participator by the revelation of Jesus Christ!  Oh I want to know Him!

1 Peter 1:6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Trouble free life?  No!  Life of rejoicing in the midst of the trials?  Yes, absolutely yes!  Troubles and trials will test the genuineness of your faith.  However if you have genuine faith the testing of it by fire will be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Genuine faith has the object of their faith in Jesus Christ alone; if the object of your faith is in anything but Jesus it is not the genuine faith.

1 Peter 1:8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Genuine faith brings a joy that is inexpressible and full of Glory.  When the object of your faith is Jesus, the measure of joy is great.  The kingdom of God is righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!  The joy of the Lord is my strength.  There is an abiding joy that only faith in Jesus Christ can bring.  It is a genuine faith that brings the joy unspeakable and full of glory!  Victory is not elusive when the object of your faith has been proven to be in Jesus Christ alone!

1 Peter 1:9  receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.

It is one thing to become a new creation in Christ Jesus at the born again moment; what is it when your soul receives the end of your faith?  When your soul and spirit have come in line there is a transformation that is glorious!

James 1:21  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

It is time to do some implanting of the word of God in the our souls; it will have an outcome of victory.

1 Peter 1:10  Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  11  searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

This is a salvation the prophets who spoke of it inquired and searched carefully, desiring to know and understand that which they prophesied.  Oh the glory that has come with the revelation of Jesus Christ!  You can partake and taste what they only wonder about!

1 Peter 1:12  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into.

The prophets of old desired to look into the greatness of our salvation the angels of God desire to look into them!  You and I can experience all that they long for; oh the depth of His mercy and the greatness of the living hope.  It is so strong it can change your mind, will, and emotions and bring wholeness to your soul!

3 John 1:2  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

God wants you to prosper spirit, soul and body.  When your souls becomes prosperous your spirit and soul will be in line with the work of God in your life.  The soul can only come in line by renewal through the word of God.  Do you believe in the living hope?  Has your mind been so transformed you are a partaker of the inheritance of the saints?

1 Peter 1:13  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Take the stray thought that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God and bring them unto the obedience of Jesus Christ.  REST YOUR HOPE FULLY UPON THE GRACE THAT IS BROUGHT AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST!   On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand!

The Power Of Words From The Heart

The Power of words from our heart spoken from the new creation will reap the desired results. Jesus' words are Spirit and they are life!

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The Power Of Words From The Heart

Matthew 9:18  While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live."  19  So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.  20  And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.  21  For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well."

The ruler came on behalf of his daughter and spoke his heart to Jesus.  What was in the rulers heart?  Faith in Jesus to make his daughter well!  The woman with the flow of blood for 12 years came and touched the hem of Jesus' garment to be made well.  Do you see the words she spoke from her heart?  “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well”  What he said and what she said were the words of faith that brought the healing virtue flowing from Jesus!  From their heart cry, filled with faith in Jesus, their lives were changed.  How do we know this to be true?  Jesus said it “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” 

2 Corinthians 4:13  And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,

Speaking from the spirit of faith will revolutionize the believers life!  The power of life and death are in the tongue!  Where does the spirit of faith come from?  How did the ruler get the word of life in his mouth that resulted in Jesus raising his daughter from the dead?  How did the woman with the issue of blood have a heart that spoke “If only I may touch His garment”

Romans 10:17  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The thing in common that the ruler and woman had was they had heard that Jesus was the healer and faith rose up in the heart!  It was evidenced by that which they spoke!  He spoke and she spoke and they both got their miracle.

Mark 4:23  "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  24  Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  25  "For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." 

A few week ago we started with this passage in Mark declaring we needed to hear the word of God with a full measure.  Because the degree to which we hear is the degree from which we can receive from God.

Romans 10:10  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."  14  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

There is the glad tidings the good news; Jesus is our Savior, Healer, our Baptizer of the Holy Spirit, our Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  When faith brings the belief in our heart and the confession of our mouth together there is deliverance.  We speak of the bible defined faith, where the object of our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  What we believe about Jesus determines our destiny and quantity of abundant life we can live in here and now.

Matthew 14:35  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,36  and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Mark 6:56  Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

There was a degree of hearing in the land of Israel .  Though most of the Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah, there were those who heard and believed and their lives were ever Changed.

Matthew 8:16  When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed.And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,  17  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."

Those who heard and believed pursued Jesus! Our pursuit of God, little or great, is the measuring stick of how well we have heard His word.  Whatever our heart’s pursuit is that is what we put in our mouth and where we spend our treasure. 

Luke 6:43  "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  44  "For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  45  "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  46  "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?  47  "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  48  "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  49  "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

Whatever is in our heart reveals itself by the fruit of our lips.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  What is it that God has put in our mouth?  Declare it in the heavens and God with bring it to pass.  Hearing Jesus produces a crop that can only be brought to harvest by our mouth speaking what has been put in our heart.

 Proverbs 18:20  A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

From the produce of our lips we shall be filled.  Like the ruler who put words of faith in the Messiah, or like the woman with the flow of blood spoke what she believed.  It was fulfilled in their lives.  The church has run into a stronghold of satan by keeping complaint and murmuring flowing from our mouths.  However, it is time for the stronghold to be broken by bringing down that which exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  That we might indeed bring every thought into submission unto the obedience of Jesus Christ.  Let the culture and traditions come down that inhibit the word of God from being put in our mouth.  The power of words from our heart will reap a harvest; surrender to the newly created man in you and speak forth from the good treasure in it! 

Vessels of Honor Are Ready For The Masters Use

The vessels of honor are ready to be used by the Master. You can choose!

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Vessels of Honor Are Ready For The Masters Use

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

There is a solid foundation that stands!  God knows who belongs to Him.  Those who name the name of Christ are called to depart from iniquity.  We the believer have been bought with a price; the blood of Jesus is heaven’s most valuable commodity.  The Father willing spent it so we could belong to Him.  This indeed is a foundational truth.

2 Timothy 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  21  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

By the blood of the lamb we have been brought into this household of faith.  In the house are vessel of honor and some for dishonor.  The implied truth is those who depart from iniquity are the vessel of greater value and honor.  Walking in iniquity is a choice we make.  It can be a besetting sin, secret sin, closet sin if you will.  It is what separate the vessels of honor and dishonor.  Those who make the choice to depart from iniquity are the vessels of honor.  One of the lies of the enemy declares “I can’t help it!”  Vessels of dishonor and those walking in besetting sin are not  ready for the Mater’s use.  Walking in iniquities can stop up the blessing!  Departing from iniquities will prepare you for every good work!

2 Timothy 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

There is a sure way to overcome iniquities; the scriptures are replete with lessons on how to walk away from the iniquities.  Here in this verse, FLEE youthful lust!  However it is not an end to the means.  There is the fleeing away from but you also must be walking toward righteousness.  The pursuit of righteousness is what we have been called to!  The pursuit of faith, love, and peace with a pure heart.  Those following iniquity in some way have ceased from guarding their heart.

1 Corinthians 15:33  Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."34  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

The company you keep can keep you from awaking fully to the righteousness of God.  It can be the people we keep company with; however it this society it can be the kind of media we allow in our lives.  Christians watching sinful acts from adultery to acts of sin implied keep us in the wrong company.  God truly calls His children to hate what He hates and love what He loves.  How much cursing and swearing is acceptable to your viewing pleasure; how many acts of sin pass before your eye before you are willing to turn it off.  Our ignorance or slothfulness of allowing things in our lives via TV and computer and other devices can make us slaves to that which Jesus died to set us free from.

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Test all things; hold fast what is good.  22  Abstain from every form of evil.   23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Many, many love verse 23  and 24; however God can not do His part if we are not yielded vessels of honor departing from iniquities.  We tie His hands in our lives.  We must test all thing and hold fast to the good.  Verse 22 is obvious, abstain from every form of evil.  Slothful living keeps us from abstaining from EVERY form of evil.  The KJV of verse 22 say to abstain from the appearance of evil.  Grace emboldens the believer to walk away from sin.  Oh, that every believer would lean into the divine influence of God.

John 8:32  "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.

Some believers find their self walking in sin because they still see there self as a sinner.  However, we must exalt the word of God higher than the circumstance of our lives.  When you come into the kingdom you are set free from sin and are brought into the Master’s house a son free from the dominion of sin.  IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU SHALL BE FREE INDEED.  When you speak with a believer struggling with a besetting sin often you find out they have not subjected themselves to the word of God.  1^st you must submit to the truths of righteousness.  However you can not skip over changing your company.  If you are spending 30 minutes of devotion and 3 hours every evening watching entertainments your pursuit is not righteousness.  We can not skip over abstaining from evil and expect we can walk in victory.  It is the small foxes that spoil the vines.  We must pay attention to the small things we allow in our lives that are things God hates.

Acts 5:29  But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.  30  "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  31  "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  32  "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

The Holy Spirit has been given to those who obey Him.  We can choose to be men and women who are filled with the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 5:14  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."  15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  16  redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  17  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  18  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

AWAKE, AWAKE! God calls His children to awake.  The children of God who are sleeping and not walking as vessels of honor, God calls to wake up and arise from the dead.  Christ will give you light.  I don’t know what the sin is but I know where the victory over the sin is!  Let Christ shine on you.  It is time for the church to arise from it’s slumber and foolish living.  We are no longer called to live for ourselves.  We are called to live for Him who loved us and gave Himself for our sins.  Oh church it is time to redeem the time; the days are evil.  AWAKE to the will of the Lord; God calls us to be filled with the Spirit.  Don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 5:19  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,  20  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  21  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

God wants to change our culture; God has a plan and a atmosphere He is pleased with.  Do we set the atmosphere with speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.  Do we sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord?  Have we awakened to the will of God to such a degree we are giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ?  Submitting to one another in the fear of God is a lifestyle God has called us to.  God has called us to live as vessels of honor ready to be used by Him.

The Fullness Of Grace Leads Us Into Good Works

God grace leads the believer into good works!

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The Fullness Of Grace Leads Us Into Good Works

Romans 1:5  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,  6  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Through Jesus Christ we have received grace and the gifts we need for obedience to the faith.  Divine influence justifies us freely; justification is given to enable us to walk in obedience to the faith.  Grace brings us freedom from sin; grace brings us freedom to walk in righteousness and holiness.  Grace frees us to fulfill the destiny God has called us to.

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.  …  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.

Jesus came with the glory of the Father; it is from the bosom of the Father that Jesus declares truth about Him.  Jesus came full of grace and truth; from that grace and truth is the only way to receive from God!  As verse 16 declares it is grace for grace!  It is divine influence upon divine influence that we receive from God.  We in this covenant of grace and truth can not receive from God on any level except it be through the divine influence of God upon our lives.

Romans 11:6  And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Let there be no confusion we are made right with God by grace.  If one could be made right with God by works there would be no need for the covenant of grace and truth to replace the law of Moses for the way of righteousness.

Romans 4:1  What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?  2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  3  For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  4  Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.  5  But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,  6  just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:  7  "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;  8  Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."

Each of these first 8 verse in Romans 4 are packed with revelation knowledge about how the better covenant established on better promises is established between God and the believer.  If our works can make us right with God; we could claim our righteousness was due to our good works.  We could lay claim that God owed us.  However the object of our faith would be miss placed!  We would be trusting in our own actions as opposed to trusting in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Righteousness of God can only be given to those who do not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly.  That man’s faith is accounted for righteousness.  This righteousness that abounds to the believer has resulted in justification.  The one who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ is the man who is blessed to the degree that the LORD does not impute sin.  What an awesome covenant we who have faith in Jesus are birthed into.

1 Corinthians 15:56  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Those under the law give sin strength; those in Jesus Christ have victory by Him!  Though we do not believe in works for our righteousness; we surely believe those who come into righteousness by faith will walk in good works.  Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!  Your labor is not in vain; you will fulfill the destiny and purpose God has for you!

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  9  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The scripture makes clear time and again by grace you have been saved through faith and not of ourselves; it is the gift of God.  It can not be of works or man could boast.  It is time for the church to walk in the full counsel of God.  We must declare salvation by faith and not of works for righteousness.  However, we must not fail to declare there is a purpose for God bringing us to such a great salvation.  Indeed we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Baby Christians need to hear the saved by faith message loud and clear.  However, if ever they will fulfill the destiny and purposes of God they too need to hear God prepared a work for them to do before the foundation of the world.  God calls His children to walk in the good works.  It is my hearts desire that every believer will know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and fulfill the purposes of God.

Titus 3:4  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  6  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  7  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

Not by works of righteousness that we have done but by the kindness and the love of God our Savior!  His mercy saved us washed us and renewed us. We have been justified by His grace so we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This is a faithful saying and we should never depart from it.  Those who have come into this marvelous grace and have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable to men!   This truth needs affirmed constantly according to the word of the Holy Spirit.  There is the camp that wants to preach righteousness by works and then the camp that wants to ignore that God has called us to walk and maintain good works.  Both camps are in extreme positions that do hurt to the body of Christ.  We must walk in the full counsel of God and teach it is exclusively by grace you are saved and not by your own works.  However having obtained righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ let him lead you into the good works that are prepared for you.

Titus 3:14  And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  12  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  13  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

I have heard it said that if you preach grace too much people will have a mentality to sin; however the grace that Jesus brings, is a grace that teaches us…  Jesus redeems us from by grace from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.  This is the fullness of His grace.

Walking By Faith And Not By Sight

Walking by faith and not by sight is the pathway to partaking in all the benefits of the covenant of grace and truth.

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Walking By Faith And Not By Sight

2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Men in covenant with JESUS walk by faith, not by sight.  We are conditioned to live by sight, what we see, taste, touch, smell, and hear.  The gospel of the kingdom of God calls us to no longer behave like mere men.  We are called to walk as the newly created, filled with righteousness and holiness, beings God has given birth to.  The newly created being is conditioned to live by faith in the word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

The gospel of Christ is the covenant of grace and truth we have been called to live in.  The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith and there is no other way for God’s righteousness to be revealed.  “AS IT IS WRITTEN, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.  Let’s go back to the prophet God used to write this great revelation.

Habakkuk 2:1  I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.  2  Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.  3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.  4  "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

My pastor has preached about this vision; it stirs my heart there are godly men living the life of faith prophesied by Habakkuk.  I thank God for my pastor!  The principles for living a faith filled life are revealed here in the short passage.  Set yourself on watch until you hear from God.  When God speaks let it bring correction that changes you.  Once corrected God can speak words of clarity.  Hearing from God with a corrected heart will give birth to vision.  The vision written out will, in the end, speak for itself!  Those who have truly caught  the vision will be the just living by faith! 

Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  2  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  3  Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Bible faith is defined by those who have put their trust and confidence in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  It begins with the hearing of the word and believing; the life continues by hearing of the word and believing.  It is trusting in the word of God and the overflow is the supernatural work of God being manifested.  It is witchcraft not to understand we receive the works of the Spirit by the hearing of faith!

Galatians 3:4  Have you suffered so many things in vain; if indeed it was in vain?  5  Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?; 

He who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  It is all provided by the HEARING OF FAITH. 

Galatians 3:6  just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  7  Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.  8  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."

Believing in God’s word is counted for righteousness!  To borrow a phrase from my pastor, believe in the raw Word of God.  Yes, the just shall live by faith!

Galatians 3:9  So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.  10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."

Living by faith and living by the works of the law can not be mixed.  There are not compatible.  Living under the works of the law brings one back under the curse of the law,  The blessing without the curse is exclusively found in living by faith!

Galatians 3:11  But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." 12  Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."

The just shall live by faith.  It can never be about justified by the performance of the law.  Those who preach justification by works are preaching the law; it will never be life giving because the law is not of faith!

Galatians 3:13  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14  that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Jesus became a curse for us we are not a part of the covenant that bring cursing and blessing.  Jesus took the curse and gave us the blessing.  Hear the word of the Lord and receive the Spirit through faith. 

Galatians 3:15  Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.  16  Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.

The object of your faith must be in the “Seed” Jesus Christ!  Those who will live by faith must understand the covenant of promise that gave them birth into this kingdom.   Mixing law with grace only brings sorrow.

Galatians 3:17  And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.  18  For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Our inheritance is by the covenant of faith and we can not try and live by the law.  The greatness of Jesus Christ and all He has done at Calvary if of promise.  The just shall live by faith!  If the inheritance is of the law it is no longer of promise but of works.

Galatians 3:19  What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.  20  Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.  21  Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.  22  But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Thank God for the law and the purpose that it serves!  However those living by faith must use the law lawfully!  The law was added to make sin exceedingly sinful; the law never had the power to give life!  However the promise is only given to the who believe by faith in Jesus Christ.  It is a lifestyle of faith in Jesus Christ; it is from faith to faith!  It can not be faith to law!

Galatians 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.  24  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  25  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  26  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

When the church is trying to bring the believer back to the law we are using the law illegally!  We are out of order!  After faith has come we are no longer under the tutelage of the law.  We are now living by faith exclusively; It is our faith in Jesus Christ that has made us sons of the kingdom.  If the Son sets you free you are free indeed!

Galatians 5:6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Opening Our Eyes To His Power

There is the greatness of the Father's power at work in every believer; oh, that we might surrender to the power working in through us. Friday night prayer gave birth to this in my heart. Saturday morning I attended my church men's breakfast and the men's leader begin to speak about the power of God. It stirred my heart even further to complete these bible study notes about the great power of God working in and through the believer.

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Opening Our Eyes To His Power

Ephesians 1:17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,  18  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  19  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power  20  which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  21  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  22  And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,  23  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The end of Ephesians 1 is jammed full of revelation about God the Father and His desires for His children.  He desires for us to walk with the spirit of wisdom and revelation that causes us to know Him in intimacy. 

1.  There is the hope of His calling!  God has a destiny and design for your life from the foundation of the world.  When we walk in this truth it builds a hope that will anchor our soul in relationship with the Father.  Hebrews 6:19

2.  There are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.  Jesus has made us joint heirs in the beloved!  What a great revelation of truth when we understand we are joint heir with Christ.  Romans 8:16-17

3.  There is the working of His mighty power toward us who believe!  This power is the same power that he worked in Christ when He raised Him form the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places.  This power exerted by the Father placed Christ far above all principality and power and might and dominion; this is the same power that is at work in the believer!  It is time for the church to get a greater revelation of the power that is at work toward us by the Father Himself!

God has been stirring in my spirit about the power that is at work in the believer!  It is indeed His power at work in us.  When the revelation of the greatness of His power, the accepting of the hope of His calling, and the understanding of the riches of the glory of His inheritance is brought together you have a believer walking in the triumph He is always leading us to.

Ephesians 3:20  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  21  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God the Father is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us!  Oh how the church needs a revelation of the power of God at work in the believer.  It may be time to allow God to expand your expectations.  The God we serve will do exceedingly and abundantly above…  What are your expectations of God?  What are you asking Him for?

2 Corinthians 4:6  For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels!  It is the power of God working in us!  This is the supernatural at work in the believer’s life.

Mark 16:15  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16  "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  17  "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  18  "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Jesus spoke the expectation of the believers life.  Signs will follow those who believe.  Demon cast out, speaking with new tongues,  deadly things unable to hurt, the laying hands on the sick and the sick recovering!  It is the power of God that is at work in the believer.  Why preach and teach about the power of God at work in the body of believers?  I believe therefore I speak!

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

We live in the covenant where all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ.  We the believer are called to rise up and walk in His authority!  Satan holds sway over the world; however Jesus has all authority over heaven and earth.  Those who come into the covenant of grace are covered by the blood of the lamb.  We can overcome the enemy of our soul, by resisting Him steadfast in the faith.  We have a power that the Father has called us to walk in!

Colossians 1:16  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  17  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  18  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Jesus is the head of the body, the church!  We are not slaves to the circumstances that surround us; Jesus has preeminence over all! 

2 Peter 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,  4  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The Father’s divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness!  His divine power provides for life, yes the abundant life.  The Father’s power makes us participators in the exceedingly great and precious promises.  The Father’s power makes us partakers of the divine nature.  The Father’s great power is at work in every true believer.

1 John 4:4  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Let it be said we are overcoming because of the power that is at work in us!  Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world!  Too many believers have settle for less than God’s expected end for them.  You are not enslaved to your circumstance because Christ is in you.  Christ in you the hope of glory..

John 14:12  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  13  "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  14  "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Our expectation should be set by the authority of the words of Jesus Christ!  Jesus declared that “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  What are your expectations what is it you believe the power of God can do in and through you?  We need to declare the words of JESUS over our circumstances, “.  Oh that the church will become a reflection of the word of God.  Surrender to the resurrection power that is working in you!  

Ramifications of Grace Reigning

We have, for the last three months, been working our way through the book of Hebrews. This final chapters begins to show the the desired results of walking in grace.

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Ramifications of Grace Reigning

Hebrews 12 closed out with Jesus' blood still speaking and the strength and power it speaks with.  The covenant of grace and truth is more powerful than the law of Moses in this regard, the covenant of grace and truth has better results!

Hebrews 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.

One of the ramifications of walking in grace is it allows for brotherly love to continue!  Remember all through Hebrews we have compared and contrasted Jesus and His house and what it brings to Moses as a servant over the household of law.  Love rules in grace.  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God.  Let love continue… 

Hebrews 13:2  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Hebrews 1 brings such great revelation about Jesus and how by Himself purged us from our sin.  Jesus came with a scepter of righteousness to rule in His kingdom.  However at the end of chapter 1 we see Jesus has given angels assignment over the inheritors of the kingdom.  Have you ever wonder if someone you met was actually an angel on assignment?  The angels of God are encamped around about those who fear God.

Hebrews 13:3  Remember the prisoners as if chained with them; those who are mistreated; since you yourselves are in the body also. 

Grace tells us to remember the prisoners, those who are mistreated.  God’s grace has abounded to us in such degree that we can reach out to the hurting and unlovely.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Grace causes us to walk honorable.  The marriage bed is undefiled; however, the fornicators and adulterers God will judge.  Grace has not been given so that we can use it as a cloak of unrighteousness.  We must learn to possess our vessel in sanctification.

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?"

It seems the writer of Hebrews was trying to make a case for what living in the covenant of grace should look like.  In grace we can rest in God.  We can be content with what we have and with where we are at.  In grace we have been promised God will never leave us or forsake us.  Make a bold proclamation!  “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”  Children put the word of God in your mouth.  You can trust your God to bring it to pass.

Hebrews 13:7  Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Grace brings us balanced leadership who love and care for the sheep.  The sheep can gladly submit to godly leadership and follow them, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This is an often quoted verse!  It is a truth about Jesus Christ.  Look at Him in His earthly ministry… did He heal the sick?  He still is a healing Jesus today!  Did He seek and save the lost?  He is still seeking and saving the lost today.  Did He go about setting captives free from their bondages?  He still setting free today.  Did His  blood speak on the cross of Calvary bringing a converted thief into paradise?  He is still bringing sinners to Himself today.  Did He pray for forgiveness for the ones who put Him on the cross?  He is still the intercessor today.  Oh the ramifications of grace!

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.

It is good that the heart be established by the word of grace.  Not by some practice of tradition or practices of the law, but by the grace found in Jesus Christ alone we can be saved.  Any doctrine that takes you away from trusting in Jesus Christ and Him crucified is a strange doctrine.  We must come and live by the covenant of grace by which we have  been birthed.

Hebrews 13:10  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

We are still comparing and contrasting between the law of Moses and the covenant of grace and truth.  We must eat from the correct alter the alter of grace and truth.  The alter that Jesus Christ Himself made us partakers.

Hebrews 13:11  For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.  12  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

This was done outside the gate so that we might be partakers of the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 13:13  Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  14  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  15  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Don’t try to get to Jesus by going inside the camp of the law.  Our hope is in the new covenant.  Not in the earthly covenant but the heavenly covenant where we are looking for the city whose builder and maker is God.  We don’t want to go to the alter of the covenant of the law but to the alter of grace and truth that speaks greater things based upon heavenly eternal promises.

Partakers of the greater alter, the eternal alter, give us the opportunity, by Jesus Christ, to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.  The eternal alter is fruit bearing putting a praise on our lips, giving thanks to His name!

Hebrews 13:16  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Walking in the greater covenant brings us to overflow doing good and sharing with all.  God is well pleased when we are walking from the strength of the alter of grace.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Obeying godly leadership is possible when you are walking in the fullness of grace.  It is commanded for us to submit and obey those who are looking out for our soul.  Who is the godly leadership you are submitted to?  Divine order is at work here; if you are not submitted to godly leadership it is time to come into divine order.  Those lone guns without submission are not walking in grace.

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.

One of the greatest ramifications to walking in grace is the Father Himself begins a work in us and desires to carry it to completion.  This work is done through the blood of the everlasting covenant!  He will continue to work in you until you bring Him great pleasure!  What a great God!

Hebrews 13:25  Grace be with you all. Amen.