YCCM PT 3 CH 12 NEW WINE SKIN
YCCM Part 3 THE HEART OF A CHILD
Chapter 12
NEW WINE SKIN
My Brothers and Sisters,
It does well to remember and constantly remind one another, that we are not alone. If God be for us, then, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
We who love the Word, do not mind reading and hearing it again. It is like hearing our favorite song for the hundredth time and waiting to start the next hundredth. It is like never tiring of our favourite meal. It is a wonderful way to start the day; a breath of fresh air breathed upon us to revive us throughout the day; and a sweet melody to lull us to sleep and keep us throughout the night.
Break bread with me, my Brothers and Sisters and taste the goodness of the Lord and hear of His immeasurable Love for us.
ROMANS 8:30-39 (KJV, see NIV Version below)
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory to God! My spirit rejoices, leaping within me and my soul cries out in thanksgiving to God for His Living Word!
Now, let us continue...
My Brothers and Sisters, Children of God, who are blessed to be free, we are faced with no light task in freeing our brother from darkness. Freeing the mind means going against family curses, cultural and religious beliefs, traditions, false doctrine and worldly ideology, demonic influence, self-will and other bondage, affecting the mind, body and spirit.
Jesus often posed a question to those He was about to heal...
Matthew 9:28King James Version (KJV)
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
In dismantling the strongholds
over individuals, families, communities and nations. It is important, at this point, to believe that the influence of Darkness can be undone.
Jesus was teaching us about change and Transformation. There cannot be any obstacles standing in the way of their faith. Jesus showed us that He did not have to be physically present to heal. Faith is a conduit--an automatic connection to the power of God within Christ Jesus.
If people are to accept new ideas and the Truth, there cannot be any obstructions interfering with the connection to The Truth, The Way and The Life. We must tear down the structure of lies in which they believe and give them a new house to hold the Truth; one able to hold the Truth without perishing. We must remove any stumbling blocks, false beliefs and doctrine. We can liken this process to Jesus' parable of pouring new wine into old wine skins.
God chose Jeremiah because He needed new wine skin in which to pour His Word, as Jesus had not been sent to redeem us and send the Helper, who would: give us new birth and a new mind; keep us from sin; and keep our houses clean and free from bondage. The priests, pastors and prophets, during that time were corrupt, worshipping Baal. The uncorrupted, trusting heart of a child was new wine skin, in which God could pour His Word and create a prophet who belonged to Him.
God's need for new wine skin helps us to better understand the process of change, beyond what the textbooks and behavior specialists can explain to us. God not only changed Jeremiah's behavior, He rebuilt him and fortified him, endowing him with new attributes needed for his tasks. Then, God poured His Word into His new wineskin, the prophet, Jeremiah.
During my studies, I have often wondered why there was no change over many others, who had learned or were learning the same things that I was. Why weren't their eyes opened and their hearts changed? Why were people beyond my years in age still stuck behind bars, living under the law and false holiness and righteousness?
They would grasp the meaning of the lessons, but were unable to allow it to change them. Now, my eyes have been opened to the importance of being born of Water and the Spirit and why John was told in Revelation to take and eat the little book; which was like honey in the mouth, but bitter in the stomach.
(Revelation: 8-11) The Word must be taken in and absorbed into our being, becoming a part of us.
My colleagues could not swallow and digest the lessons and let them become part of their being, because they were not ready to take the bitter with the sweet. Some preferred the old wine over the new, that is, living under the law.
We find this same problem amongst others who love to listen to the Word of God, but are not ready to take the bitter with the sweet by applying it to their own lives. Likewise, they profess to believe in and love Jesus, who is The Word of God, but, they fail to let Him in and abide in Him, because they cannot bear His cross; taking the bitter with the sweet.
New, fermenting wine causes wineskin to expand. Old wineskin has lost its suppleness and flexibility and would only tear and burst, as a result of the fermentation forcing it to expand. This is why Jesus used the parable of old and new wineskin. Some people are like old wine skin, unable to hold new wine; unable to hold the new Word that they hear, so they pour out the new wine, to preserve themselves and continue to remain just as they are--unchanged.
Jesus is also telling us that you cannot mix old religious practices and rituals with new doctrine. This is one of the reasons why there is such division and confusion within churches. Many cannot hold the New Wine--the New Covenant through Jesus, who fulfilled all the law and prophecy. They cling to religion and rituals and have no flexibility or malleability to receive new wine. I have seen churches die off and permanently close their doors for this very reason.
Peter and John were sent to Samaria, because the people believed, but God's Holy Spirit had not fallen upon them. The new Believers would not bear good fruit if they were not attached to the Vine. They would not be able to hold new wine, or be able to take the bitter with the sweet, without the new Mind of Christ and guidance of God's Holy Spirit to enable them to hold and apply God's Word to their lives. This is the condition of most Believers, today.
We must ask ourselves, "Am I able to hold new wine? " This is vital to change within us and having realistic expectations of change within others.
God, The Holy Spirit, changed Jeremiah as a child, making him over from the inside out. Yet, He told him that in order for him to be successful, he must remember that, I am with you, I will deliver you. MyBrothers and Sisters, this is of the utmost importance, if we are to walk in Spirit and in Truth, with the power of God. God made Jeremiah accountable, saying if you don't obey me, this is what I will do to you.
God had to show Jeremiah tough love to prepare him for the harshness in the world and prevent him from living in fear of men.
God trained Jeremiah like a horse with blinders on, to keep his eyes ahead, focused on Him and trusting Him to guide him. He had to be prodded and made accountable for his behavior to become without fear of men, but to fear God.
Conditions in the world today show us why we can't go on without preparing the Saints, as we were instructed to do; teaching accountability and abiding in Christ to take the bitter with the sweet, without fear.
Through the process of rebirth, God gives us NEW WINE SKIN! --A NEW MIND, able to hold the Living Word, poured into it to give us NEW LIFE!
Now, we need only to abide in Him, having The Mind of Christ, with the heart of a child, trusting our Father to give us peace and courage to conquer that which comes against us in this world. Through Christ, we are made perfect in love. Perfect Love casts out fear!
Still, we cannot forget the lost and those not attached to the Vine to produce good fruit. It is so very sad to see people, worshipping and serving God for years, yet, remaining unchanged. Who is accountable for these souls my Brothers and Sisters, if we say we love our neighbor? What is a joyful noise, but the sound of Truth ringing throughout the rafters?!
Those stuck behind bars, like in any prison, learn to measure their fruit and the fruit of others by what they have and what they can give and do and not by the fruit born of abiding in God's Holy Spirit, attached to the Vine. The most tragic result is that, most often, the most vital fruit of discipleship--love for all of God's people, is not found within them.
If discipleship had not been replaced by membership, perhaps, more people would be accountable to the commandment of Christ Jesus to His Disciples, "Love one another, as I have loved you." Jesus is not saying, as you choose to love them, but as I have loved you, which is in Perfect, Agape Love. The Holy Spirit is God! If His Spirit be in us, then, He endows us with Agape love.
Change--Transformation--a renewing of the spirit (heart) and mind, is more than most people bargain for, because of their love of self, the world and lack of love for God and their brother. They cannot surrender all.
How, does this affect our assignment, as disciples? Do we give up on the lost? Do we only focus on those with new wine skin?
Jeremiah delivered the Word of God for many years, under several Kings of God's people. They did not heed God's call to repent and change their ways. As a result, the prophecy was fulfilled and they were carried away into bondage by another people of foreign ways.
Nonetheless, Jeremiah never gave up, but obeyed God. Some might say, that Jeremiah's efforts were in vain. Why did God even bother to warn the people, if He knew they weren't going to listen? --Because, God is a God of promises, who keeps His promises. He is a teacher and a healer. He is everything we need.
God would not and could not give up on His people. He is the same today as yesterday. It is so wonderful to know that this is the character of the God we serve.
Our Father said that we should imitate Him and try to become like Him. This means that we too, cannot give up on others. We must continue being obedient to let others know His Will and that they, too, are accountable.
It may mean that we must watch others and some who are close to us, be carried off into bondage or fall deeper into darkness. God knows the end and the beginning. He will judge accordingly.
Why continue to use Jeremiah to warn the people? God knew that there would be some hearts changed; there would be other new wine skin; but, to God, ALL His sheep are important to Him.
Relationships require us to take the bitter with the sweet. God wants man to be a willing participant in our relationship with Him. He wants us to know that He is still with us and looking out for all of our best interests. He wants us to know that He loves us and we should have that same love for one another.
Then, with that love comes accountability to one another. These are the things we must continue to tell others, even when they are in bondage and as with everything, it must be done in love.
God was not giving up on His people, when He allowed them to be carried off into bondage. By enslaving their body, He was giving them a chance to have their mind freed. This is why we can't give up. God makes a way for His children to be freed.
As He taught Jeremiah to fear Him, so must He teach His other children to fear Him. He had a promise to keep, as well as a creation to save. Like any good father, He did not take delight in the punishment, but, it was time to correct His Children.
As disciples, helping Jesus make other disciples, how do we help them understand fear of God, without turning them against God? We press towards the heart.
We help them first come to know about God, worship and love Him. This is what churches have been doing RIGHT. We don't stop doing what is right, but, we realize that there is always another level God wants to take us to.
Worshipping God seems to be the mode or level in which most churches are stuck today. They have rejected the fire and brimstone preaching of yesteryear, which began to turn people away from churches, only to trade it in for God is love and prosperity and Jesus will fix anything, so let us worship Him.
However, to truly love God, is to obey God, which involves accountability--an area in which most people have been left to believe is their own "personal space."
As ambassadors of Christ, we must be that living example to show others how to be accountable, and how to be open to others, without fearing man. We want them to know that God looks beyond our faults and sees our need, but He doesn't stop there. Oh, no. He takes us out of our comfort zone, because He doesn't want us to keep those faults.
We can teach others about knowing God, but to know God they must become One with Him, through His Holy Spirit.
So we continue to press towards the heart, exposing lies and the weaknesses they will create within us. We teach them how to resist the enemy, rebuke him and cast him out of their lives. We bring them God's weapons and armor to wear and teach them how to wield His Sword.
Discipleship requires us to come out of our comfort zones. It exposes our weaknesses and uses our strengths and gifts and teaches us to work side-by-side with our brother. We, in turn, are able to better minister and witness to others and be used to help change lives.
This is a very fragile area for most people, especially leaders, because they don't want to be vulnerable or show weakness. So, they allow Satan to whisper in their ear, telling them to cover up their weaknesses and reject anything and anyone that might expose them.
They are unaware that their excluding anything and anyone who might expose them extends to include God. However, God wants to free us because He wants no one to live in constant fear, shame or ignorance. It separates us from Him. He will expose our pride and weaknesses because He knows that these things stir up strife, division, hatred and war.
Our fear affects everyone around us. People become afraid of change in the world, because they have no anchor to keep them from drifting out to sea and perishing. World change such as globalization brings drastic change to those who identify themselves in their nationality, culture and religion. It has brought FEAR into the hearts of nations. It is threatening to those who have no anchor. STILL, anywhere there is fear, we press towards the heart; for the mind follows the heart. As disciples, we continue to press toward the heart, as Jesus did with His parables and sermons.
Fear exposes weaknesses and one becomes vulnerable to the enemy by their own doing. That is why our faith must grip The Solid Rock, Jesus, so that the changing winds in the world cannot sway us or break us.
Yes, fear exposes what we are lacking. The adversary knows that at that point, the most crucial thing we are lacking is FAITH IN GOD! Is it no wonder that Darkness fights to keep others in the world from knowing and believing in Jesus and being made perfect in love? Jesus is our blessed assurance that we cannot be separated from God.
Those who cling to this world will find it forever changing, as the seasons. Those who place their faith in worldly leaders, will be disappointed. Those who place their faith in culture, race, nationality, religion, money, weapons and war will be disappointed. Their pathway has been blocked and they cannot see the road ahead, because God has allowed them to become blinded. --But those who cling to and put their faith in the Lamb of God cannot fail; for His Way is that of His Father, His Truth is Everlasting and He is our Peace.
God has all power in His hands and is a jealous God. Therefore, He will not have us worship things, people, ourselves, false doctrine and ideology or any other idol man creates.
The only thing that we can be sure of in this world, is that God is unchanging. He will be the same today and tomorrow as He was yesterday. He is faithful, my friends. He is always, faithful.
Fear of God is a good thing, in that it propels us toward holiness and righteousness and away from Darkness. Can we say that we fear God and run from Him as some do? No, it is not God, Whom they fear, but fear of surrendering their will and of losing the world, to which they cling; for to fear God is to know of His Wrath and Almighty Power, which can snuff you out like a candle.
Fearing God is knowing He can take His hand and favor from you. Fearing God is knowing there is no place you can go where God cannot reach. is all knowing and sees everything. There is no place to hide. God is not afraid to go into the darkness; for He created darkness. David wrote,
"[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
He is there. Even in the Darkness, He is there. When you continue to sin, Satan has lied to you. He cannot and has no desire to protect you. He surrounds you with others in sin and bondage, doing the same things, so that you become bold in your sin.
He wants to expose you and lead death to your door. Need you worry about people exposing you or your weaknesses, when you have given the enemy Carte Blanche, full unconditional authority, the key, to unlock your door; not only to expose you, but to steal, kill and destroy your life?
You, see, we must press toward the heart, my Brothers and Sisters; throwing out the lifeline to rescue the lost; dispelling lies; rooting out; tearing down; and beginning the process of building up, in preparation for the Transformation of new wineskin. Always in love, my Brothers and Sisters, always in love, to create a relationship, as Jesus did with His Disciples.
I hear that there is an echo from my heart that wants you to understand and grab on to these words for dear life. It is an echo of love for you and a desire for you to know the Truth, so that you will live in the fullness of God's Glory!
God bless you. May He give you steadfast love and keep you in obedience. May He give you strength, abundance and wisdom to aid those in need. May His arms embrace you, for me, also, and wipe away your tears. May His peace be upon you. May God keep you in Truth and protect you in Life, until you've Gone the Last Mile of the Way. Amen
God chose Jeremiah because He needed new wine skin in which to pour His Word, as Jesus had not been sent to redeem us and send the Helper, who would: give us new birth and a new mind; keep us from sin; and keep our houses clean and free from bondage. The priests, pastors and prophets, during that time were corrupt, worshipping Baal. The uncorrupted, trusting heart of a child was new wine skin, in which God could pour His Word and create a prophet who belonged to Him.
BITTER WITH THE SWEET
God's need for new wine skin helps us to better understand the process of change, beyond what the textbooks and behavior specialists can explain to us. God not only changed Jeremiah's behavior, He rebuilt him and fortified him, endowing him with new attributes needed for his tasks. Then, God poured His Word into His new wineskin, the prophet, Jeremiah.
During my studies, I have often wondered why there was no change over many others, who had learned or were learning the same things that I was. Why weren't their eyes opened and their hearts changed? Why were people beyond my years in age still stuck behind bars, living under the law and false holiness and righteousness?
They would grasp the meaning of the lessons, but were unable to allow it to change them. Now, my eyes have been opened to the importance of being born of Water and the Spirit and why John was told in Revelation to take and eat the little book; which was like honey in the mouth, but bitter in the stomach.
(Revelation: 8-11) The Word must be taken in and absorbed into our being, becoming a part of us.
My colleagues could not swallow and digest the lessons and let them become part of their being, because they were not ready to take the bitter with the sweet. Some preferred the old wine over the new, that is, living under the law.
We find this same problem amongst others who love to listen to the Word of God, but are not ready to take the bitter with the sweet by applying it to their own lives. Likewise, they profess to believe in and love Jesus, who is The Word of God, but, they fail to let Him in and abide in Him, because they cannot bear His cross; taking the bitter with the sweet.
New, fermenting wine causes wineskin to expand. Old wineskin has lost its suppleness and flexibility and would only tear and burst, as a result of the fermentation forcing it to expand. This is why Jesus used the parable of old and new wineskin. Some people are like old wine skin, unable to hold new wine; unable to hold the new Word that they hear, so they pour out the new wine, to preserve themselves and continue to remain just as they are--unchanged.
Jesus is also telling us that you cannot mix old religious practices and rituals with new doctrine. This is one of the reasons why there is such division and confusion within churches. Many cannot hold the New Wine--the New Covenant through Jesus, who fulfilled all the law and prophecy. They cling to religion and rituals and have no flexibility or malleability to receive new wine. I have seen churches die off and permanently close their doors for this very reason.
Peter and John were sent to Samaria, because the people believed, but God's Holy Spirit had not fallen upon them. The new Believers would not bear good fruit if they were not attached to the Vine. They would not be able to hold new wine, or be able to take the bitter with the sweet, without the new Mind of Christ and guidance of God's Holy Spirit to enable them to hold and apply God's Word to their lives. This is the condition of most Believers, today.
We must ask ourselves, "Am I able to hold new wine? " This is vital to change within us and having realistic expectations of change within others.
God, The Holy Spirit, changed Jeremiah as a child, making him over from the inside out. Yet, He told him that in order for him to be successful, he must remember that, I am with you, I will deliver you. MyBrothers and Sisters, this is of the utmost importance, if we are to walk in Spirit and in Truth, with the power of God. God made Jeremiah accountable, saying if you don't obey me, this is what I will do to you.
God had to show Jeremiah tough love to prepare him for the harshness in the world and prevent him from living in fear of men.
God trained Jeremiah like a horse with blinders on, to keep his eyes ahead, focused on Him and trusting Him to guide him. He had to be prodded and made accountable for his behavior to become without fear of men, but to fear God.
Conditions in the world today show us why we can't go on without preparing the Saints, as we were instructed to do; teaching accountability and abiding in Christ to take the bitter with the sweet, without fear.
Through the process of rebirth, God gives us NEW WINE SKIN! --A NEW MIND, able to hold the Living Word, poured into it to give us NEW LIFE!
Now, we need only to abide in Him, having The Mind of Christ, with the heart of a child, trusting our Father to give us peace and courage to conquer that which comes against us in this world. Through Christ, we are made perfect in love. Perfect Love casts out fear!
Still, we cannot forget the lost and those not attached to the Vine to produce good fruit. It is so very sad to see people, worshipping and serving God for years, yet, remaining unchanged. Who is accountable for these souls my Brothers and Sisters, if we say we love our neighbor? What is a joyful noise, but the sound of Truth ringing throughout the rafters?!
Those stuck behind bars, like in any prison, learn to measure their fruit and the fruit of others by what they have and what they can give and do and not by the fruit born of abiding in God's Holy Spirit, attached to the Vine. The most tragic result is that, most often, the most vital fruit of discipleship--love for all of God's people, is not found within them.
If discipleship had not been replaced by membership, perhaps, more people would be accountable to the commandment of Christ Jesus to His Disciples, "Love one another, as I have loved you." Jesus is not saying, as you choose to love them, but as I have loved you, which is in Perfect, Agape Love. The Holy Spirit is God! If His Spirit be in us, then, He endows us with Agape love.
Change--Transformation--a renewing of the spirit (heart) and mind, is more than most people bargain for, because of their love of self, the world and lack of love for God and their brother. They cannot surrender all.
How, does this affect our assignment, as disciples? Do we give up on the lost? Do we only focus on those with new wine skin?
STEADFAST LOVE AND OBEDIENCE
Jeremiah delivered the Word of God for many years, under several Kings of God's people. They did not heed God's call to repent and change their ways. As a result, the prophecy was fulfilled and they were carried away into bondage by another people of foreign ways.
Nonetheless, Jeremiah never gave up, but obeyed God. Some might say, that Jeremiah's efforts were in vain. Why did God even bother to warn the people, if He knew they weren't going to listen? --Because, God is a God of promises, who keeps His promises. He is a teacher and a healer. He is everything we need.
God would not and could not give up on His people. He is the same today as yesterday. It is so wonderful to know that this is the character of the God we serve.
Our Father said that we should imitate Him and try to become like Him. This means that we too, cannot give up on others. We must continue being obedient to let others know His Will and that they, too, are accountable.
It may mean that we must watch others and some who are close to us, be carried off into bondage or fall deeper into darkness. God knows the end and the beginning. He will judge accordingly.
Why continue to use Jeremiah to warn the people? God knew that there would be some hearts changed; there would be other new wine skin; but, to God, ALL His sheep are important to Him.
Relationships require us to take the bitter with the sweet. God wants man to be a willing participant in our relationship with Him. He wants us to know that He is still with us and looking out for all of our best interests. He wants us to know that He loves us and we should have that same love for one another.
Then, with that love comes accountability to one another. These are the things we must continue to tell others, even when they are in bondage and as with everything, it must be done in love.
God was not giving up on His people, when He allowed them to be carried off into bondage. By enslaving their body, He was giving them a chance to have their mind freed. This is why we can't give up. God makes a way for His children to be freed.
As He taught Jeremiah to fear Him, so must He teach His other children to fear Him. He had a promise to keep, as well as a creation to save. Like any good father, He did not take delight in the punishment, but, it was time to correct His Children.
PRESSING TOWARD THE HEART
As disciples, helping Jesus make other disciples, how do we help them understand fear of God, without turning them against God? We press towards the heart.
We help them first come to know about God, worship and love Him. This is what churches have been doing RIGHT. We don't stop doing what is right, but, we realize that there is always another level God wants to take us to.
Worshipping God seems to be the mode or level in which most churches are stuck today. They have rejected the fire and brimstone preaching of yesteryear, which began to turn people away from churches, only to trade it in for God is love and prosperity and Jesus will fix anything, so let us worship Him.
However, to truly love God, is to obey God, which involves accountability--an area in which most people have been left to believe is their own "personal space."
As ambassadors of Christ, we must be that living example to show others how to be accountable, and how to be open to others, without fearing man. We want them to know that God looks beyond our faults and sees our need, but He doesn't stop there. Oh, no. He takes us out of our comfort zone, because He doesn't want us to keep those faults.
We can teach others about knowing God, but to know God they must become One with Him, through His Holy Spirit.
So we continue to press towards the heart, exposing lies and the weaknesses they will create within us. We teach them how to resist the enemy, rebuke him and cast him out of their lives. We bring them God's weapons and armor to wear and teach them how to wield His Sword.
Discipleship requires us to come out of our comfort zones. It exposes our weaknesses and uses our strengths and gifts and teaches us to work side-by-side with our brother. We, in turn, are able to better minister and witness to others and be used to help change lives.
This is a very fragile area for most people, especially leaders, because they don't want to be vulnerable or show weakness. So, they allow Satan to whisper in their ear, telling them to cover up their weaknesses and reject anything and anyone that might expose them.
They are unaware that their excluding anything and anyone who might expose them extends to include God. However, God wants to free us because He wants no one to live in constant fear, shame or ignorance. It separates us from Him. He will expose our pride and weaknesses because He knows that these things stir up strife, division, hatred and war.
Our fear affects everyone around us. People become afraid of change in the world, because they have no anchor to keep them from drifting out to sea and perishing. World change such as globalization brings drastic change to those who identify themselves in their nationality, culture and religion. It has brought FEAR into the hearts of nations. It is threatening to those who have no anchor. STILL, anywhere there is fear, we press towards the heart; for the mind follows the heart. As disciples, we continue to press toward the heart, as Jesus did with His parables and sermons.
Fear exposes weaknesses and one becomes vulnerable to the enemy by their own doing. That is why our faith must grip The Solid Rock, Jesus, so that the changing winds in the world cannot sway us or break us.
Yes, fear exposes what we are lacking. The adversary knows that at that point, the most crucial thing we are lacking is FAITH IN GOD! Is it no wonder that Darkness fights to keep others in the world from knowing and believing in Jesus and being made perfect in love? Jesus is our blessed assurance that we cannot be separated from God.
Those who cling to this world will find it forever changing, as the seasons. Those who place their faith in worldly leaders, will be disappointed. Those who place their faith in culture, race, nationality, religion, money, weapons and war will be disappointed. Their pathway has been blocked and they cannot see the road ahead, because God has allowed them to become blinded. --But those who cling to and put their faith in the Lamb of God cannot fail; for His Way is that of His Father, His Truth is Everlasting and He is our Peace.
God has all power in His hands and is a jealous God. Therefore, He will not have us worship things, people, ourselves, false doctrine and ideology or any other idol man creates.
The only thing that we can be sure of in this world, is that God is unchanging. He will be the same today and tomorrow as He was yesterday. He is faithful, my friends. He is always, faithful.
Fear of God is a good thing, in that it propels us toward holiness and righteousness and away from Darkness. Can we say that we fear God and run from Him as some do? No, it is not God, Whom they fear, but fear of surrendering their will and of losing the world, to which they cling; for to fear God is to know of His Wrath and Almighty Power, which can snuff you out like a candle.
Fearing God is knowing He can take His hand and favor from you. Fearing God is knowing there is no place you can go where God cannot reach. is all knowing and sees everything. There is no place to hide. God is not afraid to go into the darkness; for He created darkness. David wrote,
"[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
He is there. Even in the Darkness, He is there. When you continue to sin, Satan has lied to you. He cannot and has no desire to protect you. He surrounds you with others in sin and bondage, doing the same things, so that you become bold in your sin.
He wants to expose you and lead death to your door. Need you worry about people exposing you or your weaknesses, when you have given the enemy Carte Blanche, full unconditional authority, the key, to unlock your door; not only to expose you, but to steal, kill and destroy your life?
You, see, we must press toward the heart, my Brothers and Sisters; throwing out the lifeline to rescue the lost; dispelling lies; rooting out; tearing down; and beginning the process of building up, in preparation for the Transformation of new wineskin. Always in love, my Brothers and Sisters, always in love, to create a relationship, as Jesus did with His Disciples.
I hear that there is an echo from my heart that wants you to understand and grab on to these words for dear life. It is an echo of love for you and a desire for you to know the Truth, so that you will live in the fullness of God's Glory!
God bless you. May He give you steadfast love and keep you in obedience. May He give you strength, abundance and wisdom to aid those in need. May His arms embrace you, for me, also, and wipe away your tears. May His peace be upon you. May God keep you in Truth and protect you in Life, until you've Gone the Last Mile of the Way. Amen
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SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror
Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the following questions.
DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Romans 8 New International Version (NIV)
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the deadis living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 10 King James Version (KJV)
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Matthew 9King James Version (KJV)
9 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror
Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the following questions.
DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to:
- Do you believe? Why or why not? I have left out the object of belief, because I want it to be spontaneous to you. What is the first thing or person that came to your mind? Ask yourself why? What and who do you believe in?
- If you believe, did you come to believe on your own accord, that is, because you wanted to believe, or, because you were told or expected to believe?
- Did you feel pressured to believe by parents, family, friends or church members?
- If you don't believe or question your belief, do you want to believe? Why or why not?
- Some say, they believe in God, but not Jesus, as His only begotten Son. Some say, they believe in God, but not the Devil. What are your thoughts about these beliefs? Why?
- Do you believe in the Bible as the Word of God? Why or why not?
- Do you believe in Jesus as The Word of God? Why or why not?
- Do you understand why they are Both called The Word of God?
- Do you believe Jesus healed people? Why or why not? Do you believe Jesus has the power to heal people today? Why or why not?
- Do you believe Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, then rose on the third day and ascended into Heaven and now sits on the right hand of God? Why or why not?
- Have you asked God to help you believe? Why or why not?
- Are there barriers or obstacles keeping you from believing (lies, people, culture, tradition, religion, anger, disappointment, experiences, etc.)? List what they are.
- How do you feel about these barriers or obstacles? Write down your feelings. Talk to God about these feelings. Write down what you hear or feel.
- Talk to a mature Believer about your barriers and obstacles. Write down what you hear or feel.
- If you are a Believer, do you want to help others to believe? Why or why not?
- Have you tried to help others believe? Why or why not?
- If you have tried to help someone believe, what was the result of your efforts?
- If you're weren't successful, why do you think you failed?
- If you had the chance, what would you do differently?
- Do you live with or have a friend or family member who doesn't believe or has become lost? What kind of relationship do you have with them?
- Have you approached them about their belief? Why or why not?
- If you have approached them, what happened?
- If you had the chance, what would you do differently?
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REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Romans 8 New International Version (NIV)
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the deadis living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 10 King James Version (KJV)
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Matthew 9King James Version (KJV)
9 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
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