Being Light

Our Bible Study Teacher had prepared a lesson about LIGHT.  I took notes and present an edited message.

 

The Lamp-stand in the tent tabernacle allowed light in the darkness.  It burned continually, as the Priests tended to add oil and trim the wicks. 

Jesus the Son of Man, yet He is God and is called the Light of the world.

The church is the Light – and we are the church, we are the Light to our world.

Revelation 1:6 And has made us to be a kingdom and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As priests we are to care for our light and keep it trimmed.  Those things that hinder our walk with God, must be put away and removed so that our light will remain bright and shinning.  We are to be like onto a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.  Our light effects others.

The Egyptians worshiped the Sun God, because of it’s great light.  While the Children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, many forgot the true God and took up the religion of their Masters.  At times it is easy to take up the belief of society in our day and forget to study God’s word and follow the Holy Spirit to be our guiding light. 

 

There is darkness in the world even in "Religion" and a need for truth with a personal Relationship with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

God anointed talented people who were Gifted to carve and decorate the furniture in the tent tabernacle.  This revealed a pattern of Heaven.

John on the Island of Patmos had an encounter with the Lord and heard the voice of Jesus saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. 

 

One of the gentlemen in our class commented that Alpha is to breathe in, and Omega is to breathe out.  God is our very breath.  Jesus is in the midst of the church, revealing who He is. 

Revelation 1:12-18 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a white garment down to the foot. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shine in his strength.  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

God has set in the Church Gifts.  1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, administrators, various kinds of tongues.

We are worshipping God Almighty the LIGHT who has provided our magnificent salvation.
Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe onto them who call evil good, and put darkness for light.

In the darkness we will stumble.  God's Word is Light as we read it daily.

Luke 11:35  Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness.

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

We are a three part person; We are a Spirit, we have soul and live in a body.  Our spirit reaches out to God, our body to the world and our soul is our will, emotions and our choices.

Allow the Light of Christ to shine through you onto the world.

 

Go and Make Disciples

 

Pastor Allan was ministering as I took notes and present an edited message.

We are entering the season of Harvest, and it is interesting to observe the rice farmers bring in their bounty.  Soon it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas, and we are reminded of the ONE who should be included in the celebrations.

In the Spiritual world we are in a harvest where many before us have labored.  We have prayed for Revival, and Revival is here.  The Holy Spirit is claiming Revival and it is up to us to respond to His wooing.  It is so important to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 9:9 And Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Matthew immediately stopped what he was doing and followed Jesus.  When we hear Jesus say, “Follow Me,” we must stop and put all nonsense aside and follow Him.  We are so often guilty of not listening to the Holy Spirit, and wanting to do it “MY WAY.”

Little children learn to walk and they fall, we smile and know they are learning.  We must have patience and pray for those who are new believers and are learning to follow Christ. 

Jesus said, “I am come to call the Lost to repentance.  It may be out of season for us, we are so busy and occupied with things, but if Jesus says, put it down and follow, we must listen and do as He says.

Matthew 9:35  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.

What did Jesus do?  He taught, preached, and healed, because He had compassion on the people, and saw their need.  Because He is God, He took care of it.  He was ministering to a people who were tired, worn out and weary of “religion.”  He was looking after the Jews at this time and not the Gentiles, yet.  He gave them relief physically and spiritually.

Moving to a time ahead, when Jesus told his disciples:  Matthew 28:18-19  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

If a leader has no one following him, he is only going for a walk.  True followers of Christ will make disciples.  Pastor made an illustration by asking Larry to follow him, and others to follow Larry - - soon almost the entire congregation was in the aisles and the demonstration was vivid.

Many are afraid of the moving of the Holy Spirit.  They are scared of what they actually need to empower them to live uprightly.

Some are in certain programs with steps and certain progression.  There comes a time to learn to walk the walk.  Although it is good to have our dinner prepared and handed to us, there comes a time we need to learn to cook and feed our self.  It takes preparation, and decisions to learn a trade, take classes for a career to work and be ready to support your-self.

It is the same thing when you come to church to get filled, feel the presence of the Lord, but we must learn to feed yourself spiritually at home.  Then go out and make disciples.

We have our ideas, our plans, but what does God want?

I can talk to you about all the moral ways to live, but the Holy Spirit is already dealing with you.  The question is simple.  Are you willing to submit?  Are you willing to put aside those things that hinder your walk with Christ?  Do it for God, not for someone else. 

 

You must retain your responsibility where God has placed you.  Where has God placed you?  Then stay and fulfill what He has called you to do.  All must carry the burden and take up your position.  Do your job or others must take up the slack.  Just do it.

Do not be afraid to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Transformation is coming to this body, but the first step is; to come and follow Christ. - - Then to go out and bring others in. 

 

LIGHT in the Tomb of Jesus ? ?

Resurrection - - Light of Life

LIGHT  in the Tomb of Jesus ? ?

Our Bible Study at Open Door Church, began with another look at the Lamp Stand, and the light it brings into the dark places.  I took notes as our teacher brought to our attention an item of interest about the Shroud of Turin.

History and tradition tell us that before Jewish burial, a cloth was used to wipe the face, and other cloths were placed on the head and face, with a separate cloth wrapping the body.  For Jesus this was all done in haste as the Sabbath was approaching.  An anointing with precious ointment and herbs would follow later.

We know from the Scriptures that on the first day of the week, something spectacular happened inside the tomb to raise Christ from the dead. 

Outside of the tomb there is the biblical accounting of an earthquake, angels appearing with faces and white robes shining so brightly. 

We know when God appeared to Moses, there was bright light, thunder, lightening and electricity so strong that anyone else approaching would be struck dead. 

We understand there are many kinds of light.  Chandra Harvard Education -X-Ray says:  When we think of light, we think of sunshine or the colors of the rainbow. But colors, like sounds, are limited by the range of our senses. Just as there are sounds that we cannot hear because the pitch is too high or low for our ears to detect, so there are colors whose color pitch is too high or low for our eyes to detect. We think of light as the colors of the rainbow, which really is just a tiny part of a much broader spectrum that our eyes cannot see. We call this broader spectrum the Electromagnetic Spectrum. When sound is too high-pitched to be heard, it is called ultrasonic. The Electromagnetic Spectrum outside the visible is subdivided into several parts that also have special names: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays. Despite the variety of names, they are all forms of light. 

Laser lights have become common in the field of Medical practice.  They are cool lights able to cut and heal.   

About the Shroud:  What Christians want to know and National Review 2016 says:   Perhaps it is a coincidence, but clearly seen on the body of the crucified man in the Shroud are gruesome markings consistent with the Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion. You can count over 100 whip marks, possibly from scourging by Roman flagra, and identify on his wrists and feet obvious wounds that could have been from large spikes. Other markings are compatible with what could have been a crown of thorns. On closer examination, you can spot bruises (from beatings?) on his face, knees (from falling?), and the back of his shoulders (from carrying a heavy cross?), and a large bloody mark (from a spear?) in his side. Like the crucified Jesus in Gospel accounts, the man in the Shroud had no broken bones.

The Sudarium was a cloth used to wipe the face prior to burial and is thought to be the one used for Jesus.  Both linens show bloodstains on the head, in approximately the same position, that were formed by sharp objects, similar to what thorns would produce. Jesus was the only person in recorded history to have been crowned with thorns before crucifixion. Bennett explains as well that the Shroud and the Sudarium are consistent with Jewish burial customs of Jesus’ day:

The Sudarium contains male blood of type AB, however, which matches the blood on the Shroud. Moreover, the patterns of blood flow on the Sudarium are consistent with those of a crucified man.

Although we understand we are NOT to worship artifacts, and while some are skeptical that the Shroud is authentic, it seems practical to consider that there is a reason this particular Shroud has the imprint likened onto a camera with a flash bulb taking a photo for all to view. 

 

I am reminded of Thomas who declared, unless I see – I will not believe.  Perhaps this Shroud is for those who are like Thomas and not for us who believe because we know that we know.

When Christ rose from the dead, the LIGHT of God’s Glory burst upon his dead body, changing Him into a resurrected being that was now eternal and everlasting.

Light is much bigger than we understand and as we have been studying the Lamp Stand in the Tabernacle, we consider the Lamp Stand, with its oil and Light, to represent Jesus the Light of the World.

We have the reality of a risen Christ because by the Holy Spirit, Jesus now dwells within the spirit of all believers. 

Numbers 6:23-27  The priests were given a blessing to proclaim over the people:  “The Lord Make His Face to Shine upon you to be gracious unto you and give  you peace.”

Jesus is that LIGHT and he radiates out to us  creating in us light so that we may be that city set on a hill letting our light so shine. 

(Adding my own thoughts:) I am not a skeptical person, and I believe strongly in the Supernatural.  I accept as truth, from articles and books I have read of persons having encounters with God that included Angel visits and visits to heaven to worship and talk with Jesus.

Personally, I would desire to witness more of God showing up with signs and wonders being performed – but sadly they are few and far between.

It behooves us all to spend some time fasting and seeking the face of Jesus and being ready to believe when the glory of HIS LIGHT appears to us as individuals.

Lord, resurrect in me that Light of Lights that energizes and makes us a different person.

 

 

 

Humble Yourself

Humble Yourself

 

Pastor Allan was speaking as I took notes and present his digested message for you.

“Open up the door of your heart.  The Holy Spirit is here but it up to you to say, “Come in Lord Jesus.”  Restore, renew, revive and make me after your will.

Allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in you.  We always want to make sure we allow room for the Holy Spirit in our services.  God desires to fill us to overflowing, where we simply can’t contain it all; so the Spirit will flow out from us.

Last week the Scripture was to work out your own Salvation.  This does not mean we earn salvation by our works, but that we have a part to work on our relationship with our Lord.  We want to serve God when no one is watching.  God picks us up and then He lifts us up.  

In Psalms 51, David cried out:  Oh Lord have mercy on me, blot out my transgressions, give me a clean heart and draw me closer to you.

David was a man after God’s heart, and yet he was humble to repent and make sure his heart was right.

Repentance is not a one time deal.  We need to remain tender to the Holy Spirit and repent daily.

David continued to pray: I will open my lips to praise you and may my spirit be broken and contrite, as a sacrifice to you, for that is your desire.

The Word of God says to forgive and to pray for those who despitefully use you.  We must repent if we are holding grudges, bitterness and resentment toward anyone.

We must be like Jesus, and walk as He would walk, and act as He would do; We want others to desire Jesus as they observe our example.   Our hearts must be right and holy and our will and desire to be like Christ.  This is our part – to be humble before God.

Isaiah 66:2  - - I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, poor in spirit, with a contrite heart, and trembles at my word.

We need a ready and willing mind – a teachable spirit and to humble our self by allowing the Holy Spirit to Correct us.  We should be willing for God to take us to the “wood shed,” when we are stubborn and rebellious.  The Holy Spirit desires to guide us gently but we must cooperate with Him and remain humble.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.  Allow Him to break down the walls of your heart.  Harden not your heart, but be willing to surrender and to humble yourself.

The Farmer cultivates the land, removing the rocks and digging up the hard places. He removes the garbage found there, before he can plant the seed.

Our hearts should be prepared to receive the good seed of God’s Word. 

Often we hang on to things and we hate to let go - - refusing to release those very things that are hurting us.

God wants to work in you, as you submit to His voice and allow Him to dig around in your heart and remove all the rubbish and nonsense.  God is ready to manifest Himself, but you have a part to allow the sharp cultivator to dredge up the shallow ground and to dig deep into the dark hiding places of your heart.

It is time to focus on what God desires to do in your heart.  It is not worth it to hold on to the dross, so let it go. 

God desires to do a new thing, to take the old and replace it with that which is new and fresh. 

 

All it takes is to humble yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to have His way with you.

 

 

 

 

Paul at Mars Hill and the Altar to the Unknown God

 

Paul Preaching at Mars Hill

 

For Our Wednesday morning prayer meeting I prepared a lesson about Paul and what we can expect in our city as we share with others. 

On his missionary journey Paul found himself in ancient Greece in the city of Athens.

He knew the citizens worshiped many other gods, but rather than preach against them, he spoke with those interested about Jesus, his death, resurrection, and his return to heaven. 

The Bible warns us not to be taken captive by philosophy. Actually, it was the Apostle Paul who warned of the dangers of thinking outside of Christ.  Colossians 3:2  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 

Acts 17:16-17 Now when Paul saw the city of Athens was wholly given to idolatry, his spirit was stirred within him. Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Some of his audience thought he should come to Mars Hill where the religious philosophers met to discuss any new thing.

(For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Acts 17:22-23 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious and superstitions.  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD; Whom you ignorantly worship.  It is Him declare I unto you.

Paul declared to the interested men, that this God is KNOWN and He is the God of Heaven who made the world, and dwells not in temples made with hands.  Neither is he worshiped with things made with men’s hands. 

Acts 17:28-29 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Therefore then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Paul continued that at times God overlooked this ignorance of graven images, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent:

God has appointed a day to judge the world, and of this He has given assurance unto all men, in that he has raised Jesus from the dead.

Acts 17:32  When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.  Other’s believe on Jesus at Paul’s words.

The Roman Empire and Greece had many gods, and mythology of their interaction with humans.

In the ancient world of Greece, building an altar to the “unknown god” was just another attempt of playing it safe, lest they missed an important god.

Those Greeks who were not satisfied by the public gods could turn to various mystery religions which operated as cults into which members had to be initiated in order to learn their secrets.  Today a common parallel would be our Lodges and Unions. 

There are many “Causes” and projects that a person can get caught up in.  Not all are bad, but they keep you occupied in other things instead of things eternal.  Many are involved in anti-abortion, conservation, or “Save this or that animal or tree.” The Greeks believed in gods of pleasure, and not to take anything to its extreme, but to practice temperance. 

If we are not careful we can see good in many Projects. Philosophies, Programs and teachings and mix them into our Christian Walk and talk. 

What this will do is dilute and water down our faith in Jesus.

When you are thirsty – even muddy water will quench your thirst.  Jesus offers us Living water that is pure and clean.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and Read your Bible because it contains food and drink for your Spirit and your Soul.

Paul knew it was important to zero in on Christ Jesus and eliminate all the falseness of other religious celebrations.

It is so easy to get caught up in the study of the culture of other nations, not realizing that in many instances culture is just another name for “religious practices,” that can take our eyes off of Jesus.

Paul Preached Jesus to the Religious Philosophers on Mar’s hill and while some scoffed, a few took him seriously and believed on Jesus.

What can we learn from this:  As we pray over our city and our nation, understand that many are caught up in various religions and practices that do not include Christ Jesus of the Bible.

We must pray that the blinders of our citizens will be removed, deaf spiritual ears opened, and hearts made tender to receive the truth about Jesus.

 

God Is Still Speaking

 

 

Our Bible Class on Sunday was privileged to have Mary as our teacher, and I took notes and present an edited message.

In the beginning God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth and the animals.  He told them to eat of any tree except one; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  We are reminded that Eve listened to the lies of the serpent and yielded to temptation, also giving to her husband of the forbidden fruit. 

 

Eve knew better, but she rationalized in her mind that perhaps God was not being fair and she was missing out.  After all, being like God was something to be desired.  This random act of rebellion caused them to lose everything resulting in the human race to also suffer the loss of Paradise.

Knowing they were naked, they hid from the presence of God, but a person can run from God, but they can never hide.

To cloth them, God slew an animal and made the first sacrifice for sin.  To prevent them from partaking of the tree of Life, it was necessary to remove them from the garden and pronounce upon them the curse of toil and hard work in order to make a living.

A Cherubim with flaming swords was stationed at the garden entrance to prevent anyone from re entering the garden of Eden and to guard the tree of life.

God created man with a Free Will and the ability to make choices; and desired that we would worship Him freely because He loves us.

God spoke directly to Adam and Eve and continues to speak today.

Genesis 12:1-2  Abraham was another one God spoke directly to, giving him a promise that He would make of him a great nation.

Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren and began to consider how to help God fulfill His promise.  She talked her husband into taking her handmaiden and having a child.  Foolish Abraham listened to his wife and from that child has come nothing but trouble to this world.  Hagar was a servant and she knew she had to obey her mistress, so we cannot blame Hagar.

Because man has a free will, it did not take long for everyone to do what seemed right in their own eyes and wickedness became common place.  Men began to make onto themselves idols to worship and they became vile and evil.

God repented that he had made man but Noah found grace in His sight.  God instructed Noah to build an ark to save his family from a flood of destruction coming soon over the earth..

Christ is our shelter in the floods of life.  He preserves us and our household.

We must know personally that God is real and that He desires to walk and talk with us as individuals. 

God made man in His own image and we are to be conformed into the image of Christ.

At Jerusalem the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Jews.  Peter went to the house of Cornelius a Gentile and while there the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles.

Peter knew that all believers Jews and Gentiles can also have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:8-9 (KJV)  And God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

God The Holy Spirit dwells in us when we receive Jesus.  He is the one who speaks to us with a still small voice, and we can directly communicate with Him daily.

 

God’s Work and Your Work

God’s Work and Your Work

 

Pastor Allan was reading from Philippians as I took notes and offer his digested sermon.

Philippians 2:12-13  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Paul is speaking in these verses urging the Christians to obey God, even when no one is watching.  He is reminding the believers that although they are saved by the blood of Jesus, that they have a part to do in walking free.  Jesus did a work in their hearts and now they have a part in the work of their salvation. 

There are some lifestyle changes that need to be made, and often some house cleaning in the cupboards, closets and hiding places.
The Word of God will work in us as we begin to daily read our Bible.  There is a washing of the Word that occurs as our thoughts are centered on what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. 

Our greatest enemy is our own fleshly desires that try to pull us back into slavery.  The Holy Spirit is faithful to convict you, and it is important to understand that He is not there to make your life miserable but to help you to live a Holy life. 

Face up – or Face down, however the Holy Spirit manifests himself for he is our teacher. 

Our work is to have a teachable spirit instead of a prideful and rebellious attitude. 

At times we do stupid things.  The wisest man in the world did some stupid things.  He took women as wives who were not believers and who served other gods.  These ungodly women became the teachers of his rebellious children. 

Everything we have are blessings from the Father God. 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning. 

We must become a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.  It is up to us to put aside the things that are weighing us down, and allow God’s Word to wash us clean.

James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and extreme wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Verse 26 says: If you seem religious but can’t control your tongue, your testimony is worthless. 

Our Christian walk must be a walk in the Holy Spirit, and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  The flesh lusts against the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus is watch and praying for you that you don’t fall short, but that you will yield to the Holy Spirit.  His desire is that you stand fast in the liberty that you have been set free and to not to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

You have a responsibility to keep moving forward; to keep clean by the Word and by seeking the face of Jesus.  Always seek a higher level in God.  Don’t be satisfied with status quo, but to the best of your ability keep your relationship with Jesus up to date. 

Keep plugged in God's Word, The Holy spirit and your local church; to grow, to mature and to be able to encourage others. 

The Holy Spirit is so important in our lives.  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but love Him and the attention He is giving to you.  The Holy Spirit is here to assist and to guide you in your daily walk. 

Allow The Holy Spirit to be your closest friend.

 

What can we learn from the life of Elijah?

 

What can we learn from the life of Elijah?

 

For our Wednesday Prayer meeting, I prepared a lesson to consider what we can learn from The Prophet Elijah.  At times he was bold and at other times fearful and uncertain, we have much to gain by observing him.  God uses imperfect people and He can use YOU.

From the histories revealed in the Bible we find principles that demonstrate the victory in the life of a believer as well as defeat and recovery.

We first meet Elijah in 1 Kings chapter 17, as he makes a declaration to the Evil King Ahab.  “Because of your wicked ways, God is sending a famine and no rain on the land.  Immediately there was a draught in the land, and Ahab sought to kill Elijah because he blamed the prophet and did not take responsibility for his own sins.

God warned and protected Elijah, hiding him by a brook for many days where he was fed by ravens bringing him bread and meat every morning and night. 

After a time, the brook dried up, but God told him to go to a certain place and he would find a widow woman.  Elijah spoke to the widow boldly and declared for her to make him a biscuit. She replied she only had enough meal and oil for one cake for her and her son and then they would die. 

You might think Elijah had no pity, because he told her to make him a biscuit first.  When the woman obeyed what Elijah asked of her, a miracle happened and the barrel of meal and the jar of oil did not run out and the three of them were able to eat for many months.

Know that God is in control even when things look bleak.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and hold fast to God’s Word.

We next see Elijah as the central character in a face-off with the prophets of the false god Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40.)

 

 

Elijah boldly tells the false prophets to build an altar, slay a sacrifice and the God who answers by fire is the True God.”  The prophets of Baal do  this, and call upon their god Baal, dancing and shouting all day long but nothing happens.  Elijah makes fun of them, saying perhaps your god is asleep or on a journey !!  Finally they give up.

 

Then Elijah builds an altar of stones, digs a ditch around it, puts the sacrifice on the top of wood and calls for water to be poured over his sacrifice three times to fill the trench.

Elijah calls upon Jehovah God, and immediately God sends fire down from heaven, burns the sacrifice, the wood, and licks up the water in the ditch. God proved He was more powerful than any false god.

 

It was then that God instructed Elijah and his followers to kill all of the false prophets of Baal.

Elijah is an illustration that it is not the vessel but God IN the vessel that demonstrates power.

After the great victory over the false prophets, Elijah prays and God sends rain once again to fall on the land (1 Kings 18:41-46). However, Elijah hears that Ahab’s wife Jezebel has made a vow to kill him; now Elijah feels sorry for him-self, hides in a cave, is depressed, and even comes to believe that he was the only one left of the prophets of God.

 

He took his eyes off God and looked at the situation.

When Elijah stopped focusing on the fear of what men could do and his feelings of being the only one left, He heard God’s voice, and soon after, Elijah went on to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.  (2 Kings 2:1-22)

Just as Elijah did, when the believer focuses on the noise and the tumult of life in this world, we may get our eyes off of Jesus.  However, if we listen for His still, small voice and walk in obedience to His Word, we find victory and reward. Elijah was filled with human frailties yet he was used mightily of God. 

 

You too can be used by God as you allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you.

God has not changed and today we have access to the same power by the Holy Spirit for God to work through us. (2 Corinthians 4:7).

As Elijah did, you can prophesy, make decrees, and expect answers as you pray over your city, over your family and loved ones.

 

The Golden Lampstand Provided Light

 

The High Priest Kept the Lamp Burning

 

 

Our Bible Study teacher was digging deeper into the Meanings and how The Golden Lampstand relates to us in our day.  I took notes and present a digested message.

Exodus 37:17 reveals the Pure Golden Lampstand, in the tabernacle which provided light for the Holy Place.  It also speaks of symbolism and is a picture of Christ Jesus our Eternal Light, and of us as the burning lights to the world. 

 

The Holy Spirit is the oil that keep us burning and Jesus is the High Priest who trims the wicks (those things that smudge our testimony) so our light is kept bright.

While all the elements inside the tabernacle tent were made of gold, the lampstand alone was constructed of solid gold.  The gold for this sacred furniture was given to the Israelites by the Egyptians, when the Jews fled Egypt (Exodus 12:35).

God told Moses to make the lampstand from one piece, hammering in its details.  No dimensions are given for this object, but its total weight was one talent, or about 75 pounds of solid gold. The lampstand had a center column with six branches extending from it on each side.  These arms resembled the branches of an almond tree, with ornamental knobs, ending in a crafted flower at the top.

Although this object is sometimes referred to as a candlestick, it was actually an oil lamp.  Each of the flower-shaped cups held a measure of olive oil and a flax or linen wick, its wick became saturated with oil, was lit, and gave off a small flame.   Aaron and his sons, the designated priests, were to keep the lamps burning continually.

Because this Holy Place had no windows, the lampstand was the only source of light.

 

Zechariah 3:8  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.   This was a prophesy about God sending forth the Messiah. 

 

The Prophet Zechariah saw an angel. Zechariah 3:4  So the angel continued to tell those who were standing in his presence, "Remove his filthy clothes." And he told Joshua, "Look how I've removed your iniquity. Now I'm clothing you with fine garments."

 

As we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord, He removes our sin and gives us rest.

This is a supernatural inward change in our hearts and it is entirely from God our Father; not of works should we boast.

 

Zechariah 4:6 Then the angel answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the LORD, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts.

The Holy Spirit gently convicts us as He searches our inward heart.
Proverbs 20:27  The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Revelations chapter 4:5 And from the throne proceeded lightning, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (God's attributes are revealed truths of who he is and are shown in scripture through his words and actions.)

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they might see your good works and glorify our father which is in heaven.

Living Under Authority

Living Under Authority

 

Pastor Rodney was ministering today as I took notes and present his digested sermon.

Some people are happy with what they have, but it is nothing.  They don’t realize there is more available to them.

We come to church to be encouraged, and equipped to go out.  What is it that keeps us steady?  My question for you is “What authority are you living under and ministering in?”

The world wants to shape you into their image.  Things are being turned and twisted toward the world’s system.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

We must know our God and know what authority you are under.  Jesus knew His authority and walked in it.

Jesus has authority over demons.  

Matthew 8:28  And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two men possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

Jesus has authority over the storm.

Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus has authority over sickness.  Peter’s mother-in-law was sick, but - - -

Matthew 8:15 Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.

Jesus has authority to forgive sins, and He made Religious leaders angry.

Luke 7:48 And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven.

Jesus has authority over water, demons, sickness, sin and even over death.

He gives us this same authority. 

Matthew 10:7-8  And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Jesus asks us to follow Him.  It is time to consider making that choice.  Don’t fool around thinking you have plenty of time.  Today is the day of Salvation, not later or when it seems more convenient.

Being a Christian does not mean that you never have a problem.  Yes, there are storms in life, but Jesus gives us his authority to navigate the storm.

What are you afraid of; water, demons, or disease?  Jesus had authority over all.

It is so much better to follow Jesus.  There are only two choices.  Eternal Life or eternal death.  Which authority are you living under?

When I came to Jesus, I repented of my sins, and received Jesus into my life.  I received His authority.

Some of you are struggling and need deliverance.  We have the authority to lay aside all those things that bind us.  His authority is in us.

Don’t be comfortable sitting in the ash heap.  God says to get up and walk uprightly.

Look into God’s Word for your strength.  Your children are watching you.  Be for them an example of righteousness.

People don’t like to be told what to do, but today I am challenging you to walk in the authority that has been given to you.  You all have a part in God’s Kingdom.

We need to be hungry and thirsty after God.  Desire a Spiritual change and not just a mind-set of rules and steps. 

I agree that the programs out there are helpful, but it is a change of the heart that will change you.  Jesus has the authority to change you into a different person. 

 

It is important to get under authority of a body of believers and to get into a good Bible study. 

 

The living Word of God is active and alive. Jesus is alive on the pages and we also become alive on the pages.   

Don’t be afraid to use God’s word and share it with others.  Pick up your responsibility to follow Jesus and He will tear down the walls that are in your path.

Be faithful to attend church and support it.  Be ready to step up, to be refueled and to use your authority.