John 8:32
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Consider the following cold, hard facts that these three people faced: The aunt of a lady in our church saw her X-ray which showed that one of her kidneys was cancerous. A couple in our church read their medical reports which said that they would never be able to produce a child. A lady in our church who acted as a guarantor ended up being asked by the finance company to pay it $34 million.
When such situation hit us and we allow the facts to settle in our hearts, we will end up feeling greatly troubled. But when we let the truth of God's Word settle it all, we will sense the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the truth that we are believing. He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He is not the Spirit of facts and does not bear witness to facts.
It may be a fact that you are sick. The medical experts say that you are sick. The X-ray reports show that you are sick. But God's Word says that by His stripes you are healed! (Isaiah 53:5). That is the truth about your situation. What is the difference between facts and truth? Facts change but God's Word remains!
When God's people choose to defy the facts and walk instead in His truths regarding their situations, the Holy Spirit in them will bear witness to the truths that they are believing. The lady with cancerous kidney underwent an operation to remove the organ. But she received supernatural restoration as later X-rays showed two kidneys instead of one!
The childless couple received their miracle bundle of joy after seven years. Today, they are proud parents of not one, but four children! The church member with the $34 million debt told the finance company that it was not being fair to her and that God would protect her. The management miraculously decided to cancel her debt!
The next time you are hit by some disturbing facts, let God's Word settle the truth about your situation. And as the Holy Spirit bears witness to the truths that you are believing, the facts will change and you will receive your miracle!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Forgiveness
John 8:32
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Consider the following cold, hard facts that these three people faced: The aunt of a lady in our church saw her X-ray which showed that one of her kidneys was cancerous. A couple in our church read their medical reports which said that they would never be able to produce a child. A lady in our church who acted as a guarantor ended up being asked by the finance company to pay it $34 million.
When such situation hit us and we allow the facts to settle in our hearts, we will end up feeling greatly troubled. But when we let the truth of God's Word settle it all, we will sense the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the truth that we are believing. He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He is not the Spirit of facts and does not bear witness to facts.
It may be a fact that you are sick. The medical experts say that you are sick. The X-ray reports show that you are sick. But God's Word says that by His stripes you are healed! (Isaiah 53:5). That is the truth about your situation. What is the difference between facts and truth? Facts change but God's Word remains!
When God's people choose to defy the facts and walk instead in His truths regarding their situations, the Holy Spirit in them will bear witness to the truths that they are believing. The lady with cancerous kidney underwent an operation to remove the organ. But she received supernatural restoration as later X-rays showed two kidneys instead of one!
The childless couple received their miracle bundle of joy after seven years. Today, they are proud parents of not one, but four children! The church member with the $34 million debt told the finance company that it was not being fair to her and that God would protect her. The management miraculously decided to cancel her debt!
The next time you are hit by some disturbing facts, let God's Word settle the truth about your situation. And as the Holy Spirit bears witness to the truths that you are believing, the facts will change and you will receive your miracle!
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Consider the following cold, hard facts that these three people faced: The aunt of a lady in our church saw her X-ray which showed that one of her kidneys was cancerous. A couple in our church read their medical reports which said that they would never be able to produce a child. A lady in our church who acted as a guarantor ended up being asked by the finance company to pay it $34 million.
When such situation hit us and we allow the facts to settle in our hearts, we will end up feeling greatly troubled. But when we let the truth of God's Word settle it all, we will sense the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the truth that we are believing. He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He is not the Spirit of facts and does not bear witness to facts.
It may be a fact that you are sick. The medical experts say that you are sick. The X-ray reports show that you are sick. But God's Word says that by His stripes you are healed! (Isaiah 53:5). That is the truth about your situation. What is the difference between facts and truth? Facts change but God's Word remains!
When God's people choose to defy the facts and walk instead in His truths regarding their situations, the Holy Spirit in them will bear witness to the truths that they are believing. The lady with cancerous kidney underwent an operation to remove the organ. But she received supernatural restoration as later X-rays showed two kidneys instead of one!
The childless couple received their miracle bundle of joy after seven years. Today, they are proud parents of not one, but four children! The church member with the $34 million debt told the finance company that it was not being fair to her and that God would protect her. The management miraculously decided to cancel her debt!
The next time you are hit by some disturbing facts, let God's Word settle the truth about your situation. And as the Holy Spirit bears witness to the truths that you are believing, the facts will change and you will receive your miracle!
Superabundant Supply In Your Area Of Lack!
Philippians 4:19
19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Are you facing a lack in any area of your life be it finances, health, or relationship? Know that in that very same area, God has already prepared His superabundant supply which will abound towards you, and on top of that, His grace and more of His grace.
In John 6:1-13, Jesus was with a large crowd of people who were hungry. The problem then was a lack of food. But Jesus knew that where there is a lack, there is a superabundant supply in His Father's kingdom in that same area.
His disciples did not. They did not think the same way as Jesus did. They told Jesus that there was a boy with five loaves and two small fish, but they did not think that that would amount of anything. They said, "What are the five loaves and two fish among so many?" (John 6:9).
They saw only the problem and the lack. But Jesus took their little, lifted it up as He looked to heaven and gave thanks to His Father, whose supply is so much more than we can ever ask for.
When Jesus started distributing the little that was in His hands, a miracle happened. Five thousand men, not counting women and children, ate as much as they wanted and for as long as they were hungry!
The supply kept flowing as long as the need was there. And after they were so filled, there were 12 basketful of leftovers! That is God's superabundant supply. In the Father's kingdom, there is no such thing as a child of God suffering lack and getting no supply from God.
God wants us to always be conscious of His grace abounding towards us and enveloping us. So let us, like Jesus, acknowledge God's superabundant supply by thanking Him for it and whatever is in our hands. Let us believe that His superabundant supply will flow and multiply the little we have, and fill us up to overflowing!
19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Are you facing a lack in any area of your life be it finances, health, or relationship? Know that in that very same area, God has already prepared His superabundant supply which will abound towards you, and on top of that, His grace and more of His grace.
In John 6:1-13, Jesus was with a large crowd of people who were hungry. The problem then was a lack of food. But Jesus knew that where there is a lack, there is a superabundant supply in His Father's kingdom in that same area.
His disciples did not. They did not think the same way as Jesus did. They told Jesus that there was a boy with five loaves and two small fish, but they did not think that that would amount of anything. They said, "What are the five loaves and two fish among so many?" (John 6:9).
They saw only the problem and the lack. But Jesus took their little, lifted it up as He looked to heaven and gave thanks to His Father, whose supply is so much more than we can ever ask for.
When Jesus started distributing the little that was in His hands, a miracle happened. Five thousand men, not counting women and children, ate as much as they wanted and for as long as they were hungry!
The supply kept flowing as long as the need was there. And after they were so filled, there were 12 basketful of leftovers! That is God's superabundant supply. In the Father's kingdom, there is no such thing as a child of God suffering lack and getting no supply from God.
God wants us to always be conscious of His grace abounding towards us and enveloping us. So let us, like Jesus, acknowledge God's superabundant supply by thanking Him for it and whatever is in our hands. Let us believe that His superabundant supply will flow and multiply the little we have, and fill us up to overflowing!
Your Angel!
Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born.
The child asked God, "They tell me You are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one. Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you everyday. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to You?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"I've heard that on Earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see You anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and teach you the way to come back to me even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
"Her name is not important. You will simply call her 'MOM'".
The child asked God, "They tell me You are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one. Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you everyday. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to You?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"I've heard that on Earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see You anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and teach you the way to come back to me even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
"Her name is not important. You will simply call her 'MOM'".
Grandma's Hand!
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down, staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her, she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled, "Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here starring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands?," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and them palms down.
No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and said, "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
"As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
"They have been decorated with my wedding band they showed me the world that I was married and loved someone special.
"They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.
"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
"They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and my spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbours, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
"And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when He leads me home.
"And with my hands, He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again.
I remembered when God reach out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband, I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
When I sat down beside her, she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled, "Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here starring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands?," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and them palms down.
No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and said, "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
"As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
"They have been decorated with my wedding band they showed me the world that I was married and loved someone special.
"They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.
"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
"They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and my spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbours, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
"And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when He leads me home.
"And with my hands, He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again.
I remembered when God reach out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband, I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Time To Use Your Authority
Exodus 14:15-16
15And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward . 16But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
The problem with the body of Christ today is not that we are not praying. We are praying. But many of us are praying desperate prayers. We are praying, "God, help.. God, please... God, do something about the devil..."
If you are smiling a little by now, most likely, you know about such prayers and might have prayed a couple yourself. God does not want you to pray pleading prayers all the time. He wants you to use the authority He has given you to pray powerful prayers, to boldly command and to "stretch out your hand" to perform miracles.
When Moses stood before the Red Sea with Pharaoh's armies in hot pursuit, the Bible tells us that he cried out to God. But God told him, "Why do you cry to Me?"
There is a time for you to cry out to God and there is a time for you to use your authority. God told Moses, "Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it."
The rod you have is the name of Jesus. As you command in Jesus' name, your "sea" will open and you will go on dry ground through the midst of your problem.
Do you realise that Jesus did not say, "Go and pray for the sick?" (Matthew 10:8). So stop pleading and asking, and start using the authority you have in Christ.
Jesus told the church, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore.." (Matthew 28:18-19). God wants you to go and use the authority that He has given you. And as you go, miracles will flow!
15And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward . 16But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
The problem with the body of Christ today is not that we are not praying. We are praying. But many of us are praying desperate prayers. We are praying, "God, help.. God, please... God, do something about the devil..."
If you are smiling a little by now, most likely, you know about such prayers and might have prayed a couple yourself. God does not want you to pray pleading prayers all the time. He wants you to use the authority He has given you to pray powerful prayers, to boldly command and to "stretch out your hand" to perform miracles.
When Moses stood before the Red Sea with Pharaoh's armies in hot pursuit, the Bible tells us that he cried out to God. But God told him, "Why do you cry to Me?"
There is a time for you to cry out to God and there is a time for you to use your authority. God told Moses, "Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it."
The rod you have is the name of Jesus. As you command in Jesus' name, your "sea" will open and you will go on dry ground through the midst of your problem.
Do you realise that Jesus did not say, "Go and pray for the sick?" (Matthew 10:8). So stop pleading and asking, and start using the authority you have in Christ.
Jesus told the church, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore.." (Matthew 28:18-19). God wants you to go and use the authority that He has given you. And as you go, miracles will flow!
Come As You Are
Ephesians 5:27
27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Have you been to a worship service where you stood with your hands raised, ready to worship God, only to hear the worship leader say, "Before we worship God, let's all search your hearts"? Then, as you search your heart, before long, you dig up something you don't like. The next thing you know, your hands are no longer raised and soon, you find yourself sitting down - you don't feel good worshipping God anymore!
My friend, I have good news for you. Come and worship Him as you are! Come into God's presence Jesus-conscious, forgiveness-conscious, grace-conscious. Come into God's presence bringing only Jesus the spotless Lamb of God as your offering.
Your worshipping God time is like the times God's people in the Old Testament brought their offerings to the priest. The priest examined the animal sacrifice to ensure that it was without blemish, God accepted the animal sacrifice as well as the offerer who brought the animal.
So when you come into God's presence, don't do any self-examination and be discouraged when you find sins in your discouraged when you find sins in your life. God does not examine you. Know that God sees you through the full value, and all the loveliness and acceptance of His Son. God sees you holy and without blemish!
Remember the woman who was referred to as a sinner, possibly a prostitute, who went to the house of the Pharisee who was hosting Jesus? (Luke 7:36-50). She wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. That was her act of worship.
She came to Him as she was. Yes, she knew that she had sinned, but she worshiped Jesus first because of who He was. She was Jesus-conscious. Then, she heard Jesus say, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48). She received the forgiveness she needed from Him.
Whatever you need from the Saviour, come to Him as you are. Worship Him for who He is and then you will hear Him say, "Go your way. Your restoration has come. Your prosperity. is here. You are healed. You have been made whole!"
27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Have you been to a worship service where you stood with your hands raised, ready to worship God, only to hear the worship leader say, "Before we worship God, let's all search your hearts"? Then, as you search your heart, before long, you dig up something you don't like. The next thing you know, your hands are no longer raised and soon, you find yourself sitting down - you don't feel good worshipping God anymore!
My friend, I have good news for you. Come and worship Him as you are! Come into God's presence Jesus-conscious, forgiveness-conscious, grace-conscious. Come into God's presence bringing only Jesus the spotless Lamb of God as your offering.
Your worshipping God time is like the times God's people in the Old Testament brought their offerings to the priest. The priest examined the animal sacrifice to ensure that it was without blemish, God accepted the animal sacrifice as well as the offerer who brought the animal.
So when you come into God's presence, don't do any self-examination and be discouraged when you find sins in your discouraged when you find sins in your life. God does not examine you. Know that God sees you through the full value, and all the loveliness and acceptance of His Son. God sees you holy and without blemish!
Remember the woman who was referred to as a sinner, possibly a prostitute, who went to the house of the Pharisee who was hosting Jesus? (Luke 7:36-50). She wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. That was her act of worship.
She came to Him as she was. Yes, she knew that she had sinned, but she worshiped Jesus first because of who He was. She was Jesus-conscious. Then, she heard Jesus say, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48). She received the forgiveness she needed from Him.
Whatever you need from the Saviour, come to Him as you are. Worship Him for who He is and then you will hear Him say, "Go your way. Your restoration has come. Your prosperity. is here. You are healed. You have been made whole!"
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