Month: February 2012

Hello everyone! Rejoice today, for you are priceless to God! Did you know that?

John 6:28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we DO, that we may WORK the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Jesus was asked “what must we do to work…” religion is always looking for something to do to validate their value with God. Yet Jesus simply says we are to believe! Too easy? Apparently not Christians are still trying to figure out what they must do, yet Jesus obedience at the cross made it so easy!

John 14:9 Jesus said “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” so even as Jesus is full of grace and truth, so is the Father. Let’s look at what Jesus said in Vs 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the things that I do he will do also; and greater than these will He do because I go to My Father.” If you believe. The greater things will be done because Jesus went to His Father after He finished our redemption. Now that our redemption is completely complete,and perfectly perfect, we can do the greater things, but you must believe what God says about you after Jesus finished the work.

Christians have trouble receiving from God because their value of themselves is based on how they “feel” about themselves. What they drive, where they live, their job, bank account balance and their past. Please hit the delete button, erase the history on the hard drive of your brain, and re-program it. (Romans 12:2)

The definition of “value” according to dictionary.com is: worth or importance. You must believe Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, His blood was poured out for you. Past, present, and future, you can not earn your value in this new birth!

God loves you! He has made you a new creature, paid for by the blood of Jesus. You can’t put a monetary price on it, Judas tried and hung himself.

So why is it we keep hanging ourselves by devalueing ourselves? One person looks at a beautiful couch and says “wow its only $900.00,” another person looks at it and says “I wouldn’t pay $200.00 for it.” In a painting one sees a masterpiece , another sees a mess. Are you a masterpiece or a mess?

God looked at us long before we were ever born and He offered up His Son, Jesus, and said “priceless!”. (priceless means: too valuable to set a price on.) He paid for us with the priceless blood of His Son, which makes us a priceless masterpiece to Him, and yet we go about devalueing ourselves, by condemning ourselves, judging ourselves not good enough. We go about trying to be good and earn value with God. A priceless masterpiece doesn’t have to try to earn anything, it is priceless!

Many people base their faith on what they “do” not in what Jesus has already done. Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith, He authored and finished it, you just need to believe. I have taught before that doubt (from the Greek) is actually self condemnation. Think about it when you condemn yourself, you are questioning (doubting) the masterpiece God has made you through Christ. You are questioning the priceless value God has placed on you! Therefore questioning God.

If you don’t think God loves you, then you believe God is angry with you. If you see little or no value, in yourself, then how can you receive all God has for you, let alone do “greater things”.

Recognize today, what Jesus has done for you, and how valuable you are to Him. Believe and do greater things. Now go reign in life today!

This righteousness, the gift given to us in Romans 5:17 is very very important to your success as a believer. Righteousness from the Greek means to be made innocent, guiltless, faultless, and holy. This is the free gift of righteousness given to us. Jesus paid the price for all our sin, and gave us His righteousness. His innocence.

Today we want to look at how vitally important righteousness is to us, and how religion has twisted the scripture to get us to devalue the precious gift of rightousness given to us through the cross.

Romans 3:28 tells us: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared righteous) by faith apart from the deeds (works) of the law.” No works righteousness here only righteousness by faith.

Religion has taught most of us that the Holy Spirit was sent to convict us of our sin, or point out our sins to us. That statement alone contradicts what Jesus finished at the cross. If He forever forgave us all our sins, and Hebrews tells us that our sins and iniquities He remembers no more, then How could the Holy Spirit remind us of What God has forgiven and forgotten?

Let’s look at what that verse actually says in John 16:8 “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin because THEY do not believe in me; (THEY is referring to the world or non-believer) of righteousness because I go to my father and YOU see me no more; (YOU is referencing the disciple or the believer) of judgement because the ruler of this world is judged.” Did you see that? The Holy Spirit convinces you of righteousness not sin. That makes all the difference between you being sin consciousness or righteousness consciousness. The sacrifices of the old testament, Hebrews 10 tells us, could not make us perfect vs 2 “For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshippers, once purified would have had no more consciousness of sins.” The only way our conscious could be clear from sin according to Hebrews is if there were a perfect once for all sacrifice for all of mans sin. Jesus is that perfect sacrifice.

Notice the Holy Spirit doesn’t convince you of healing, He doesn’t convince you of prosperity, and those are good things but unless you are convinced of righteousness you will struggle with the rest. Your righteousness describes your new identity with Christ, what He has done for you. Can you see just how important this is to you?

So instead of trying to have faith for everything, understand and have faith for your righteousness and He will add all things to you (Mat 6:33). Your righteousness will cause you to reign in life through Christ (Rom 5:17).

The notes from “Why The Mirror Translation Bible” states it beautifully this way: “Your belief in God does not define him; His faith in what He knows to be true about you defines you. In Mark 11:22. Jesus says, ‘have the faith of God’. Unfortunately most translations say, ‘have faith in God’; there is a vast difference. God’s belief in you gives substance to your faith. Jesus is what God believes about you!”

Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to free the world. Religion has majored on guilt and will-power driven sentiment which engaged man in futile efforts to save and improve himself. Jesus gives you His free gift of righteousness (innocence) and there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. That stain of guilt you’ve carried has been removed by His gift of righteousness, now you can be more conscience of your right standing with God in Christ, than your sin. Because Jesus has removed the guilty stain! Now go reign in life!

Is there anything you need from God today, do you need a favor?

Back in August 2011 just before our grandson was born my wife attended a baby shower for him. The hostess of the baby shower offered up a prayer for our grandson and while she was praying, the Lord spoke to my wife saying “do you know why I always say yes? Because Jesus paid it all!”

2 Cor 1:20 “For ALL the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen, to the glory of God through us.” Does that sound too good to be true? Well it is too good, and it is true! He paid for whatever you need. When that verse says “in Him” it is referencing what Jesus paid for at the cross. The amazing thing is, Jesus took care of everything at the cross, complete redemption. He overpaid the full price with His blood, completely and perfectly finished restoring our innocence. It is His desire that you live the abundant life. Health, provision, safety, peace, happiness, favor and His rest. That is the abundant life He paid for! Believe it, receive it, rest in His finished work for you!

Jesus said “all things are possible to him who believes.” Do you believe? What is it that you believe? Do you believe that if you try really really hard God will recognize your efforts and help, save you? Do you believe if you pray long enough, hard enough, study the bible enough that that is the answer to get God to do something for you? Do you believe that if you’ve done something bad, God will punish you? Jesus took all your punishment for you, He loves you. My friends that describes a lot of self effort, which actually produces self righteousness. Romans 3:21 & 22 “But the righteousness of God APART from the law is revealed… Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe…” His righteousness doesn’t consist of your self efforts, as we just read it is “to all and on all who believe!” Romans 4 tells us in verse 5 “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness…” All you have to do is believe what Jesus finished for you at Calvary! Believing what He has done is all that is required, your self efforts will only void your faith. “For if those who are of the law (works righteousness) are heirs, faith is made VOID and the promise made of NO effect.” Romans 4:14.

Today just believe and receive what Jesus has done for you, and begin to rejoice in the yes and amen’s for you concerning all the promises of God. He loves you, Jesus paid for everything, so don’t try to repay by your self efforts, that will only void your faith, enjoy what was done for you. He loves you and His answer is: “in Him yes, and in Him amen.” Reign in life today!

Blessed day to everyone today! Remember today how much God loves you, with a love that is only good for you not harmful, He loves you with no strings attached and wants to bless you today! You are righteous today (innocent, guiltless, faultless, and have right standing with God) because of what Jesus has done for you.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of THE gospel of Christ, for it is THE power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” NKJV vs 17 Herein lies the secret of the gospel; there is no good news until the righteousness of God is revealed! (The good news is the fact that the cross of Christ was a success. God rescued the life of our design, He redeemed our innocence. Man would never again be judged righteous or unrighteous by his own ability to obey moral laws! It is not about what man must or must not do but about what Jesus has done!) God now persuades everyone to believe what He knows to be true about them. (It is from faith to faith) The prophets wrote in advance about the fact that God believes that righteousness defines the life that He always had in mind for us. “Righteousness by His (God’s) faith gives meaning to life.” (Mirror Translation)

Notice that the gospel (good news) of Christ is THE power of God! This statement from verse 17 tells us where the power of God is; …the righteousness of God is revealed… The power of God comes from His revealing His righteousness in our lives! The good news is that through the cross, Jesus cleared you of all charges, declared you innocent by His blood, and gave you the gift of righteousness! This is awesome! You are free! On top of that He has given you His grace, endless supply of whatever you need. All you have to do is believe, believe what He has done for you, believe that you are righteous! It is His gift to you, receive it and enjoy effortless success today!

Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, MUCH more those who receive abundance of grace (unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor) and the gift of righteousness will REIGN IN LIFE through the one Jesus Christ. Now go reign in life!

Good morning, you are God’s beloved. Remember today that God thinks about you ALL the time. How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand…Psalm 139:17-18. He loves you so much He is thinking about you all the time, yes YOU!

Have you ever tried to count the sand? You don’t have to, just know He is thinking about you all the time. You want to know what He is thinking, that would be kinda cool to know. Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:11 and see: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and hope.” Now that’s a lot of positive thinking about you by the one who loves you, created you, and redeemed you! Meditate on that today, it will empower you to effortless success.

God said in Jeremiah “to give you a future and hope.” The bible definition of hope: To give you a confident expectation of good in your future. There is nothing more exciting than knowing that your Father in heaven is on your side, and because of the finished work of the cross, your beautiful savior has secured your blessed and successful future for you! All you have to do is believe.

Now enter His rest which He spoke of in Hebrews. God did the planning for your future, Jesus paid the price for you at the cross, and all you have to do is rest in the finished work, by beholding Jesus and be more conscience of what He has done than your shortcomings today. He did it all, now enjoy the good life.

Good morning everyone. Monday night service was exciting, our lives are being forever changed by the Good News.

We have journeyed deeper into the fact that we are completely forgiven of all sins. Now with the problem of sin dealt with, we are now positioned to receive every blessing.

Some of the promises given to us in Isaiah 54 where He tells us: “… So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you.” God will never be angry with you, because Jesus absorbed all Gods anger in His body at the cross for us. He continues: “…And my covenant of peace shall not be removed.” And “in righteousness you shall be established.” God promised to establish us in righteousness, which means He establishes us in an eternal right standing with Him. Under the Old Covenant, one had to establish one’s own righteousness through obedience to the law. Under the New Covenant, we are established in righteousness through Jesus’ perfect obedience on our behalf. Wow, that is breathtaking! These three promises from Isaiah 54 show us just how complete the plan of salvation through Jesus is at restoring our innocence. And if you are forever innocent/forgiven then that makes you innocent before God! He has made ALL things new in Him! In Hebrews 8:12 He says “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins NO MORE.”

Let us not forget Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” When you accepted the Lord, you were were placed in Christ, so this is for you! Don’t condemn yourself for you are in Christ and innocent because of Jesus your beautiful savior. Do not call unclean, what God has called clean (Acts 10).

Because of the cross, God is for you. Not against you. Romans 8:32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things. This is amazing!

God can never be angry with you, condemn you, or count you sins against you in any way, because He is a faithful God, faithful to His Covenant in Christ!

Now, receive His super abundance of Grace, and free gift of righteousness, and go reign in life today!

Hello to everyone! You know God loves YOU with great intensity, in His joy of observing your beauty to Himself, He has numbered the hairs of your head.

He cares about every single detail of your life. He has not left anything out. He has prepared many pleasant and wonderful surprises along the way of your life, after all Eph 2:10 (Amp) says “…taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them living THE GOOD LIFE which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.”

These paths by the way are not on “Barely-get-along” street. No you are His and He has lavished His love on you, He even demonstrated His love for you according to Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for US.

Get to know Him more daily, His salvation He provided for you through Jesus is proof positive that He loves you and thinks about you all the time! As you grasp this good news daily it will become clearer and clearer that He has left no stones unturned in your behalf. Translated: whatever you need in life or desire He will provide, so don’t worry of become anxious for this only strangles the Word in your life and makes it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).

Remember Paul’s words in Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also FREELY give us ALL things.”

Mark 4:20 “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

He made it so easy for us in Christ. Hear the gospel of His grace, believe (receive) it and bear fruit. Wow once again I am truly amazed by His grace! May you be filled with the fullness of His love today!

Good morning everyone, it is Saturday! Everyone can start to think about resting since it is the weekend.

Actually God wants us to rest everyday. Live a life of rest. Resting in the completed finished work of the cross.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

In the context of that scripture, Jesus was referring to the burden of religion, always laboring to try to live up to the law and religious rules, to please God, or qualify for His blessings. Jesus came to remove all that so that entering His rest is no longer just a weekend thing, but a daily lifestyle of freedom.

We don’t enter His rest according to Hebrews because of unbelief. Wow, we miss out on Gods best because we don’t believe Jesus fully and completely finished the work.

You know that it is Gods passion for you to fully and completely enter into His rest. It Is, you can cease now from your labors and self efforts and rest. He has so completely restored, redeemed and forgiven man through Jesus, that there is nothing left for you to do.

Let’s look at His passion for us to enter His rest. Psalm 95:11 says “O that they would enter my rest.” now that verse was referred to in Hebrews 4:3 (Mirror Translation) Faith secures our entrance into Gods Rest (into the result of His completed work). Hear the echo of God’s cry throught the ages, “Oh! If only they would enter into my rest.” His rest celebrates perfection. The sufficiency of His rest is founded upon the fact that His work is complete…

Hebrews 4:3 in the King James Version uses the word “wrath” which actually means something different than what we think. The word wrath is orge which means passionate desire, and strong outburst of emotion.

It is and always has been God’s passionate desire for us to cease from our efforts and works and enter into His rest. He prepared everything for you in Christ, He prepared, what Eph 2:10 (Amp) says “…taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them living THE GOOD LIFE which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.”

Praise The Lord! Jesus finished the work, now stop struggling, enter His rest and enjoy the GOOD LIFE!