My friend of Lauren and Mathew have been ministering to and caring for abandoned children in India. Every month they update the community on the needs of these children and the homeless. Please take time to view their story and if the Lord leads you, pray heaven’s favor for this ministry and donate to the cause. Christine Tyler
The Potter’s Hands is caring for the needs of the poor, widows, and orphans in North India while equipping front-line workers to share the gospel where there is no access to it.
“Jehovah Rapha and your Double Edged Sword!” – Deborah Waldron Fry
I totally was going another way today for my post, but the Holy Spirit interrupted me. There is someone tonight who has been praying for a healing. Either for yourself or another in your life. God is coming to you as Jehovah Rapha, or in the Hebrew: “Yahweh Rapha,” the LORD your Healer. As I researched the Hebrew, it is truly amazing. And this verse was shown to me Proverbs 4:21-22:
“My sons, My daughters, attend to My WORDS; incline your ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are LIFE unto those that find them, and HEALTH to all your flesh!”
Pray the Word over yourself and others. Both the written and the Rhema Word. A Rhema word is a prophetic utterance from the Holy Spirit. And the Lord spoke this, His Word is a DOUBLE EDGE SWORD in your mouth to defeat the powers of darkness!
One edge of this sword came into existence when the Word initially proceeded out of God’s mouth. The second edge of this sword was added when the Word of God proceeded out of YOUR mouth! When it comes out of your mouth, it becomes a sharp, “two-edged” or literally, a “two-mouthed” sword.
Sickness and disease come from the enemy. Your Sword cuts it in two and destroys it! Keep swinging, Child of God. Keep speaking the Word over yourself others and do not give up. Declare that “By Jesus stripes, I am healed!” Proclaim it today and watch the Two-edged Sword do miracles! Yahweh Rapha has promised to heal every grievous wound as you believe and so speak!
Today, let the high praises of God be in your mouth, and a two-edged sword in your hand!
(I just looked out my window and it literally looks like swords crossed! Do you know that two swords crossed forms a Cross! Isn’t our Father amazing! See pic in first comment. Our God can even use chem trails to confirm things to us! LOL. And two hours later, I was outside and it is dark but the moon is illuminating those swords still! 😀 )
“Beloved. I am the Way Maker, the Miracle Worker, the promise Keeper. My Word is the same yesterday today and forever! You are My Warrior Bride with a DOUBLE EDGED SWORD in your mouth and in your hand! I shall speak a quickened word to your spirit and then you shall proclaim it through your mouth!
“This is your offensive weapon. My Word is LIFE and HEALTH to every part of you, body, soul, and spirit. Persevere, My Warrior! Take up your Sword! The weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty through your God for the pulling down of strongholds! I have made your MOUTH LIKE A SHARP SWORD; I have hidden you in the Shadow of My Hand. I make you like a polished ARROW; I hide you in My Quiver.
“Now I am releasing you, My Warrior. Yahweh Rapha thunders from Heaven, the Voice of the Most High resounds; sending hailstones and coals of Holy Fire to defeat the enemy. I shoot My Arrows and scatter the foes; I hurl Lightning and rout them! Speak My Word, send My Word like a TWO EDGED SWORD, no sickness, no disease can stand against My Name, YAHWEH RAPHA!
“In My Name, you SHALL heal the sick, for this is who you are! Declare who is Your Healer today! I am the God who heals you! The Son bore your sorrows, wounds, sicknesses, diseases and suffering, and by His stripes, you are healed! Wield your double edged Sword, Mighty One! Behold, I give you AUTHORITY to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over ALL the power of the enemy, and NOTHING shall by means harm you!”
NIV Version.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
We can learn a lot about how to live our lives based on Bible Scripture. In Isaiah 11, Isaiah prophesied the coming of Jesus and what he would look like. It said “the spirit of the lord will rest on him” and “he will delight in obeying the the Lord”. When we delight in God, in his word, and practice right living, we too will have the Spirit of the Lord rest on us (yes we supercharge are Holy Spirit). That is a peaceful feeling to know we have God’s Spirit resting comfortably on us, or in us, since Jesus died to give us the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11 also says that the “earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked”. You can be confident by learning the Bible and using it’s word to fight the wicked forces which perpetually come your way. When you wear the righteousness of God and know the truth, you will truly be set free from the heaviness of the world.
Scripture. “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.”
Prayer: Thank you Heavenly Father for your word to keep us safe, we love and worship you, we wish to know your word more, to help us live right and to protect us from that which is both seen and unseen. In Jesus Name, Amen.
How we Become Healed through Jesus. Psalm 107 teaches us to give thanks to the Lord for his healing power, and to call upon him in times of sickness or affliction. Mark 15 tells us about the healing of a man possessed by an unclean spirit, who was restored to health by the power of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says that to each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, including the gift of healing. When people believe in Jesus, they can have faith in his power to heal them, both physically and spiritually. By trusting in his love and asking for his help, they can receive the blessings of healing and restoration.
Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving and a call to praise God for his various acts of deliverance and mercy, including healing. The psalm highlights how God hears the cries of those in trouble and rescues them from their afflictions, whether physical or spiritual. The psalm encourages the reader to give thanks to the Lord for his loving-kindness and to sing his praises among the nations, for his marvelous works in our lives, including healing. The psalm ends with a call to all who are saved by God to come and give thanks to him, recognizing that all blessings, including healing, come from his hand.
““Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.”
Mark 1 21-28 tells the story of Jesus healing a man possessed by an unclean spirit. The man was brought to Jesus and the unclean spirit immediately recognized Jesus as the “Holy One of God.” The unclean spirit caused the man to cry out, but Jesus rebuked the spirit and cast it out of the man. The people who saw the healing were amazed and they spread the news throughout the region, bringing many to Jesus to be healed. This event shows Jesus’ power over unclean spirits and physical afflictions, and highlights his compassionate heart for those who suffer. The healing of this man demonstrated Jesus’ divine authority and his willingness to help those in need.
“The people were awestruck by his teaching, because he taught in a way that demonstrated God’s authority, which was quite unlike the religious scholars. Suddenly, during the meeting, a demon-possessed man screamed out, “Hey! Leave us alone! Jesus the victorious, I know who you are. You’re God’s Holy One and you have come to destroy us!” Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Silence! You are bound! Come out of him!” The man’s body shook violently in spasms, and the demon hurled him to the floor until it finally came out of him with a deafening shriek! The crowd was awestruck and kept saying among themselves, “What is this new teaching that comes with such authority? With merely a word he commands demons to come out and they obey him!””
1 Corinthians 12:7 says that to each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, including the gift of healing. In this chapter, the apostle Paul is emphasizing the importance of understanding the various gifts of the Spirit that have been given to the members of the church. To experience the fullness of these gifts, including the gift of healing, it is necessary to believe in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. This means having faith in the power and presence of the Spirit in our lives and in the church, and actively seeking to cultivate this relationship. When believers have this faith, they can expect to receive the blessings of the Spirit, including the gift of healing, which serves to encourage, strengthen, and bring comfort to the members of the church. By having faith in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, believers can experience the fullness of God’s grace and power in their lives.
“The Lord Yahweh is one, and he is the one who apportions to believers different varieties of ministries. The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them. Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all. For example: The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom. To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the word of revelation knowledge. And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith. And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing.”
Christine Tyler is an artist who has dedicated her talents to using her art as a means of encouraging people. It has been her dream of raising funds for the ministry of Helping Hands Christ for Everyone (HHCE). Through her art blog pages, Christine is able to showcase her work and provide a platform for others to purchase her pieces, with all proceeds going towards the important mission of HHCE. Her art is not only beautiful, but also serves a greater purpose in helping those in need through the ministry.
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The Bible doesn’t have explicit teachings about God’s love for pets, but it does have passages that speak to God’s care for all living creatures. One example is Psalm 104:24 which states “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” This verse suggests that God created all living creatures and continues to take care of them.
Another example is in Matthew 10:29, Jesus says “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” This verse teaches that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures are under God’s care and protection.
It’s not specified that God love pets, but it’s clear that God created all creatures and care for them, it’s also clear that God cares for all living things, including animals, and that they are not insignificant in his eyes.
Earth was perfectly positioned by God to have life forms.
The Earth is perfectly positioned in our solar system to carry life. if it were closer to the sun it would be too hot for us, and if it were farther away it’d be too freezing. it’s the perfect temperature to keep water in a liquid form, which we need to survive. the Earth’s stable rotation, the presence of the Moon and its distance, the protection Jupiter provides us, these are all unique specifically placed details. ( earth facts, jupiter facts )
Complexity of our Eyes are unmatched by any camera man has been able to make.
the human eye is a complex system of lenses and nerves that sees light, density, and depth. it adjusts to these constantly changing elements at a speed even our current cameras are unable to. not only does it work as a camera, but since its connected to the brain, it also works as an organic video camera recording and remembering what it’s seen. it’s an incredible work of design and “machinery” (and that’s not even getting into the complexities of the brain.) ( eye vs. camera )
there are patterns in nature. the human eye holds similarities to nebula, our lungs with their branching arms are similar to trees, our brains and their nerve links resemble galaxies in the observable universe, and there are many more example. these do not speak to me of random happenstance but intentional design.
Intentional design of the lungs similar to tree branches
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Rom 1:20
Heavenly Father above, your creation of our world, our bodies, and the power to resurrect and heal are miraculous wonders. I praise your power and love for us. In Jesus Name. Amen.
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER : CAN I GET A WITNESS AND AN AMEN SOMEBODY? ~ by JUBAL JOHNSON
Heavenly Father, as families gather together this week for Thanksgiving, we pray for Supernatural Breakthrough in the lives of family members across the United States of America and around the world. We speak RESTORATION to broken family relationships right now and speak LIFE and blessing this week as families come together for a breakthrough around the Thanksgiving table. Amen!
As you rejoice with praise to God during this Thanksgiving season, watch for situations and circumstances to be decided in your favor! I believe there is supernatural favor being poured out over you and your loved ones. Continue to give God praise no matter what it looks like. Giving to others and Kingdom minded groups that are impacting the earth releases uncommon favor.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. – Luke 6:38
“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
“For as your extremely generous offering meets the approval of those in Jerusalem, it will cause them to give glory to God—all because of your loyal support and allegiance to the gospel of Christ, as well as your generous-hearted partnership with them toward those in need. Because of this extraordinary grace, which God has lavished on you, they will affectionately remember you in their prayers. Praise God for his astonishing gift, which is far too great for words!”
Maintaining the new you written by Pastor Todd Boxely.of try Jesus Online Ministry
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank new members for joining “Try Jesus” from Atlanta, Illinois, Indiana and Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
What a day of rejoicing in the body of Christ. God is preparing his people for victory! This morning, I was thinking about God’s people walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. I also thought about the lyrics to a familiar song. Here are the lyrics.
🎵”We’re the people of God called by his name; called from the dark; and delivered from shame, one holy race, saints everyone; because of the blood of Christ, Jesus the son.”
“So hear us, o spirits of darkness, so you will know where we stand, we are his servants, purchased with scars; bought by the blood of the lamb, the blood of the lamb.”🎵
As this nation rages and sits in darkness, Christians stand on the firm, solid rock of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! We are indeed victorious over the plan of the enemy. We are one body called by his name.
Let’s welcome his presence this morning. “Heavenly Father, we thank you for being the captain of these vessels. As we gather here in the harbor of your safety, we thank you for fellowship and family. We ask that you strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love. We ask that our souls catch the wind of your spirit so that we would take your promises to all the earth. In Jesus name, amen.”
Last week was an awesome time of many realizing that they didn’t have to stay in that broken condition. I thank the Lord for those who reached out in prayer and have been set free. Today’s message is a continuation, if you will, from last week’s message. How come?
Because when something is new, it still needs to be maintained. How many of you have a new car? When you shake hands with the dealership, and drive that new vehicle off the lot, it has this pristine new look and smell. But after a while that new look and smell can wear off. The car may still have new looking parts, but as soon as you take it off the lot, depreciation sets in. The value on the blue book starts ticking.
Should you just except it and do nothing? I know individuals, (without mentioning names), who purchase a car and drive it into the ground. They never read the manual, never change the oil, never follow the maintenance schedule. Their car starts to look older than other cars on the road the same year as theirs.
With advanced technology in our smart phones, and inside the newer cars, we really have no excuses for not doing anything to keep our vehicles in good running condition. Some might say, “after I purchased my car, my financial status changed, and I couldn’t keep up with the maintenance schedule.”
I totally understand that circumstances can cause us to skip some vital details about our vehicle’s maintenance schedule. But if you’ve been made new from last week’s message, you have a spiritual mechanic who helps maintain everything in your life.
This is why God is so great at watching over those areas that we neglect. I recently purchased some new appliances to do laundry. The people who delivered the appliances had a quick install, let’s get out of here attitude. There were simple things like not plugging in the appliance, not having their own levels to make sure everything is balanced.
After they installed the appliances, they left. I couldn’t help to think how much life could be taking away from the function of those appliances if I had not corrected the errors the delivery people didn’t recognize. After I made sure the water inlet hoses were properly hooked up, I made sure each appliance was leveled correctly.
I also read both manuals to ensure that I would practice these maintenance schedules to get the best out of my appliances. This is what happens when God makes us new and improved (born again).
We all understand how easy it can be to have something break down in your home. We are no different. If we don’t live from the manual God has given us (The Bible), we too will begin to break down and the world will cost us to malfunction.
So, what does the Bible say about maintaining your Christian life? For those who haven’t read their Bible in a while, let’s give them the opportunity to search for the living word. Ok, let’s start by looking in your Bibles to (2 Corinthians 13:5). Here’s what it says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
How do you examine yourself? By measuring yourself according to God’s laws and commandments. Just as you would go to the doctor for a physical to see if you can play a particular sport, you can use the Bible to see if you are in the faith (born-again).
[The Corinthians were called to examine and test themselves to see if they really were Christians. Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual checkups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ’s presence and power in our lives. Only then will we know if we are true Christians or merely impostors.]
God wants us to be spiritually tuned up for the Christian life he has called us to walk in. When the Lord saves you, you become his workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 explains our lives in the hands of the Potter, and we being the clay. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). Also please read Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:21-23; 2:6-8).
From last week’s message until today, if you have excepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are embarking on a special relationship with the creator of the universe. God has come to not only fix your life, but to build on your life and maintain your relationship with him.
But just like maintaining your new car or maintaining those new appliances, God expects your involvement in maintaining your relationship with him. I recall a woman who came to me after one of our services and asked me to pray for her. She waited until people had begun to leave and caught me going downstairs in the church.
I asked her what her concerns were. It’s always good to allow people to express what’s in their heart. I just wanted to be quiet and listen. She told me she felt dry inside. She felt like she was in the desert. She was coming to church regularly but would leave without any spiritual nourishment.
I asked her how her personal time with Jesus was outside of church. She was doing all the right things at church but there were difficulties at home. When you’re in the desert your throat feels parched. Your words are brittle, and your strength fails rapidly. After explaining other details to me, I took hold of her hands and prayed for her to experience God’s outpouring fresh anointing on her life.
When someone has been out in the desert without water, after gaining access to it, you are told to sip and take in a little bit at a time. I suggested she and anyone in her household get together and invite Jesus into the discussion. I also suggested a reading time at home where she can be alone with God. That priority comes before anyone or anything in her life. It made me think of two individuals in the Bible who wanted more of God and not less of his presence after discussions with him.
Peter and Jesus. I remember the discussion Jesus had with Peter about washing his feet. In that scenario Jesus prepared to wash the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-10). But when he got to Peter, there was resistance on Peter’s part because he thought it was beneath Jesus to do such a thing.
[When Jesus responded, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me,” Peter would not have learned the lesson of servanthood. Peter eventually grasped the significance of Jesus’ words, for he then wanted to be bathed completely: “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”]
Moses and God. When Moses first met Almighty God, he was filled with inadequacies. He just needed time to see who God was and how he interacts with his creation. The more time Moses spent with God the less he resembled the Midian shepherd who earlier had taken someone’s life. The closer he got to God the more he wanted to know about him. I love the passage when Moses exclaimed “Show me your glory!” (Exodus 33:17-20).
Some might say, “Hey pastor, my life is filled with taking care of my wife and children, I don’t have time to spend forty days and nights with God.” Yes, God wants you to love the gifts he has provided for you. However, God still is a jealous God, he still takes first place in your life. He will open time for you to be alone with him. I know people who rise up at three or four o’clock in the morning just to spend that hour with God. God gives us no excuses for not making him our first love and priority of the day (Matthew 6:33).
[In Moses we see an outstanding personality shaped by God. But we must not misunderstand what God did. He did not change who or what Moses was; he did not give Moses new abilities and strengths. Instead, he took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes.]
[To “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to use his character as your life’s pattern, and to keep on implementing his Kingdom values on earth.]
In Jesus’ Kingdom, worrying about daily needs leaves us empty. But maintaining a good relationship with him and loving others give us all these benefits as by-products.
When the Israelites obeyed God through the law he gave to Moses, things went smoothly. But whenever they veered off course through sin and disobedience, they suffered greatly. They too had a manual to follow, the law of God. Read this example of what happen when they failed to follow the words of God (Exodus 16:15-20).
The Bible is our manual for living and maintaining our spiritual condition to function on a spiritual high level. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority.
When you don’t maintain your walk with God, it’s like letting your vehicle miss the inspection appointments year after year. Eventually, your car will break down and you’ll probably get pulled over by the police for a vehicle that may be unfit to be on the road.
In the exercise world, they say “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” The wonderful thing about God is, he’ll never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Should we take advantage of the Grace of God? “Absolutely not!” Many people failed in the Bible to maintain their relationships with God.
Your Sunday homework assignment is to see if you can find a person in the Bible who failed to maintain his/her relationship and suffered through it. “Pretty easy, right?” Sometimes it’s easier to see who else blew it besides placing ourselves underneath God’s spiritual microscope.
Here are passages of scripture you might be able to match with the person you are trying to find in your reading and study. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:5,6; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 1 John 5:11-13).
🗣📢 Last words: When you examine (bring yourself to God) how are your prayers to him?
1) Are your prayers usually filled with gimmes. (Not gummies). Smile.
2) Are your prayers spread apart by days, months, years? Or can’t you remember the last time you talked to God. “If your praying, you’re not fainting, if your fainting, you’re not praying.” Time to quickly reach for that spiritual oxygen for your heart. God wants to breathe his life in you.
3) Sometimes people tell God every little detail about their life but fail to listen to his loving instructions. It’s like telling someone how to fix something, they are communicating but minutes later their wanting you to fix the issue. Sometimes we forget who the authority figure is.
4) Have you told somebody the things they want to hear, instead of telling them the honest truth of what they need to hear? Many times we tell God things he already knows about us, but we don’t want to hear the plan laid out to be free.
Here’s some rock solid information to keep as your spiritual manual when you need to go back and refer to the owner.
A) Believe in salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:8-10,13; John 1:12-14).
B) Pray regularly to strengthen your relationship with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:8,9; Psalm 73:28).
C) Develop a habit of reading the word of God every day. (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11; 105; 1 Timothy 4:13; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 4:12; John 15:7; 1 Peter 2:2; John 1:1).
D) Engage in fellowship with other believers. God did not save us to isolate us. Some people will ask me if you can be Christian and not go to church. Well, you can be saved, but you’ll miss out on all the love of others that you’re going to spend eternity on heaven with. Why would you wait to get to heaven to be an inclusive person? That’s why the Bible commands us to gather together.
When we assemble as the Body of Christ, we are to stir each other up in love and encourage one other in our faith. The Bible says two is better than one. Jesus also told us that he is the vine, and we are the branches. If you stay away from where others are attached, you’ll start to whither and be vulnerable to outside attacks. There are no Islands in heaven where you can be alone by yourself. Please engage yourself with other believers and read these passages together (Hebrews 10:25; John 13:34,35; 15:4,5; Romans 12:10).
E) When we stay together it enables us to see those pesky wolves (devils) that try to attack the sheep. That’s why God gives us shepherds and those in ministry to look after one another. The closer we stay to God; the enemy can’t breech our spiritual wall. God can increase our strength to stay away from temptations that may lead to sin. He dresses us in his complete armor, that we never take off while on this earth (John 10:10; Ephesians 4:24-32; 6:10-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8,9).
“Something new has arrived, don’t throw away the manual!” Throwing the manual away, throws your life away.
🛐 Here’s a prayer manual to keep with you from the cradle to the grave. “Heavenly Father, you have complete authority over every life on this planet. You direct the steps of those who submit to you. Your open opportunities for those who follow you. Lord, cause us to seek you every day. Help us to maintain our relationship with you, guide us with your gentle nudges. Help me to work out your salvation today with fear (reverence) mental clarity. Do not allow the promises of material gain to cloud our thinking and put down your living manual (Bible) to collect dust.
Bless us with your wisdom, that we may have the discernment to determine what is questionable and what is reliable. Lord, you have triumphed over the devil. He can no longer touch our souls. We belong to you for all eternity. Free us when he tries to depress us. Make your joy our strength. Clothe us, O Lord, with your holy armor, that we may be able to stand against his schemes and resist his attacks. We thank you Lord, for your written, breathing, living word, in Jesus name, amen”
Maintaining the new you written by Pastor Todd Boxely.of try Jesus Online Ministry
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank new members for joining “Try Jesus” from Atlanta, Illinois, Indiana and Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
What a day of rejoicing in the body of Christ. God is preparing his people for victory! This morning, I was thinking about God’s people walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. I also thought about the lyrics to a familiar song. Here are the lyrics.
🎵”We’re the people of God called by his name; called from the dark; and delivered from shame, one holy race, saints everyone; because of the blood of Christ, Jesus the son.”
“So hear us, o spirits of darkness, so you will know where we stand, we are his servants, purchased with scars; bought by the blood of the lamb, the blood of the lamb.”🎵
As this nation rages and sits in darkness, Christians stand on the firm, solid rock of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! We are indeed victorious over the plan of the enemy. We are one body called by his name.
Let’s welcome his presence this morning. “Heavenly Father, we thank you for being the captain of these vessels. As we gather here in the harbor of your safety, we thank you for fellowship and family. We ask that you strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love. We ask that our souls catch the wind of your spirit so that we would take your promises to all the earth. In Jesus name, amen.”
Last week was an awesome time of many realizing that they didn’t have to stay in that broken condition. I thank the Lord for those who reached out in prayer and have been set free. Today’s message is a continuation, if you will, from last week’s message. How come?
Because when something is new, it still needs to be maintained. How many of you have a new car? When you shake hands with the dealership, and drive that new vehicle off the lot, it has this pristine new look and smell. But after a while that new look and smell can wear off. The car may still have new looking parts, but as soon as you take it off the lot, depreciation sets in. The value on the blue book starts ticking.
Should you just except it and do nothing? I know individuals, (without mentioning names), who purchase a car and drive it into the ground. They never read the manual, never change the oil, never follow the maintenance schedule. Their car starts to look older than other cars on the road the same year as theirs.
With advanced technology in our smart phones, and inside the newer cars, we really have no excuses for not doing anything to keep our vehicles in good running condition. Some might say, “after I purchased my car, my financial status changed, and I couldn’t keep up with the maintenance schedule.”
I totally understand that circumstances can cause us to skip some vital details about our vehicle’s maintenance schedule. But if you’ve been made new from last week’s message, you have a spiritual mechanic who helps maintain everything in your life.
This is why God is so great at watching over those areas that we neglect. I recently purchased some new appliances to do laundry. The people who delivered the appliances had a quick install, let’s get out of here attitude. There were simple things like not plugging in the appliance, not having their own levels to make sure everything is balanced.
After they installed the appliances, they left. I couldn’t help to think how much life could be taking away from the function of those appliances if I had not corrected the errors the delivery people didn’t recognize. After I made sure the water inlet hoses were properly hooked up, I made sure each appliance was leveled correctly.
I also read both manuals to ensure that I would practice these maintenance schedules to get the best out of my appliances. This is what happens when God makes us new and improved (born again).
We all understand how easy it can be to have something break down in your home. We are no different. If we don’t live from the manual God has given us (The Bible), we too will begin to break down and the world will cost us to malfunction.
So, what does the Bible say about maintaining your Christian life? For those who haven’t read their Bible in a while, let’s give them the opportunity to search for the living word. Ok, let’s start by looking in your Bibles to (2 Corinthians 13:5). Here’s what it says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
How do you examine yourself? By measuring yourself according to God’s laws and commandments. Just as you would go to the doctor for a physical to see if you can play a particular sport, you can use the Bible to see if you are in the faith (born-again).
[The Corinthians were called to examine and test themselves to see if they really were Christians. Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual checkups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ’s presence and power in our lives. Only then will we know if we are true Christians or merely impostors.]
God wants us to be spiritually tuned up for the Christian life he has called us to walk in. When the Lord saves you, you become his workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 explains our lives in the hands of the Potter, and we being the clay. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). Also please read Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:21-23; 2:6-8).
From last week’s message until today, if you have excepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are embarking on a special relationship with the creator of the universe. God has come to not only fix your life, but to build on your life and maintain your relationship with him.
But just like maintaining your new car or maintaining those new appliances, God expects your involvement in maintaining your relationship with him. I recall a woman who came to me after one of our services and asked me to pray for her. She waited until people had begun to leave and caught me going downstairs in the church.
I asked her what her concerns were. It’s always good to allow people to express what’s in their heart. I just wanted to be quiet and listen. She told me she felt dry inside. She felt like she was in the desert. She was coming to church regularly but would leave without any spiritual nourishment.
I asked her how her personal time with Jesus was outside of church. She was doing all the right things at church but there were difficulties at home. When you’re in the desert your throat feels parched. Your words are brittle, and your strength fails rapidly. After explaining other details to me, I took hold of her hands and prayed for her to experience God’s outpouring fresh anointing on her life.
When someone has been out in the desert without water, after gaining access to it, you are told to sip and take in a little bit at a time. I suggested she and anyone in her household get together and invite Jesus into the discussion. I also suggested a reading time at home where she can be alone with God. That priority comes before anyone or anything in her life. It made me think of two individuals in the Bible who wanted more of God and not less of his presence after discussions with him.
Peter and Jesus. I remember the discussion Jesus had with Peter about washing his feet. In that scenario Jesus prepared to wash the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-10). But when he got to Peter, there was resistance on Peter’s part because he thought it was beneath Jesus to do such a thing.
[When Jesus responded, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me,” Peter would not have learned the lesson of servanthood. Peter eventually grasped the significance of Jesus’ words, for he then wanted to be bathed completely: “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”]
Moses and God. When Moses first met Almighty God, he was filled with inadequacies. He just needed time to see who God was and how he interacts with his creation. The more time Moses spent with God the less he resembled the Midian shepherd who earlier had taken someone’s life. The closer he got to God the more he wanted to know about him. I love the passage when Moses exclaimed “Show me your glory!” (Exodus 33:17-20).
Some might say, “Hey pastor, my life is filled with taking care of my wife and children, I don’t have time to spend forty days and nights with God.” Yes, God wants you to love the gifts he has provided for you. However, God still is a jealous God, he still takes first place in your life. He will open time for you to be alone with him. I know people who rise up at three or four o’clock in the morning just to spend that hour with God. God gives us no excuses for not making him our first love and priority of the day (Matthew 6:33).
[In Moses we see an outstanding personality shaped by God. But we must not misunderstand what God did. He did not change who or what Moses was; he did not give Moses new abilities and strengths. Instead, he took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes.]
[To “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to use his character as your life’s pattern, and to keep on implementing his Kingdom values on earth.]
In Jesus’ Kingdom, worrying about daily needs leaves us empty. But maintaining a good relationship with him and loving others give us all these benefits as by-products.
When the Israelites obeyed God through the law he gave to Moses, things went smoothly. But whenever they veered off course through sin and disobedience, they suffered greatly. They too had a manual to follow, the law of God. Read this example of what happen when they failed to follow the words of God (Exodus 16:15-20).
The Bible is our manual for living and maintaining our spiritual condition to function on a spiritual high level. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority.
When you don’t maintain your walk with God, it’s like letting your vehicle miss the inspection appointments year after year. Eventually, your car will break down and you’ll probably get pulled over by the police for a vehicle that may be unfit to be on the road.
In the exercise world, they say “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” The wonderful thing about God is, he’ll never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Should we take advantage of the Grace of God? “Absolutely not!” Many people failed in the Bible to maintain their relationships with God.
Your Sunday homework assignment is to see if you can find a person in the Bible who failed to maintain his/her relationship and suffered through it. “Pretty easy, right?” Sometimes it’s easier to see who else blew it besides placing ourselves underneath God’s spiritual microscope.
Here are passages of scripture you might be able to match with the person you are trying to find in your reading and study. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:5,6; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 1 John 5:11-13).
🗣📢 Last words: When you examine (bring yourself to God) how are your prayers to him?
1) Are your prayers usually filled with gimmes. (Not gummies). Smile.
2) Are your prayers spread apart by days, months, years? Or can’t you remember the last time you talked to God. “If your praying, you’re not fainting, if your fainting, you’re not praying.” Time to quickly reach for that spiritual oxygen for your heart. God wants to breathe his life in you.
3) Sometimes people tell God every little detail about their life but fail to listen to his loving instructions. It’s like telling someone how to fix something, they are communicating but minutes later their wanting you to fix the issue. Sometimes we forget who the authority figure is.
4) Have you told somebody the things they want to hear, instead of telling them the honest truth of what they need to hear? Many times we tell God things he already knows about us, but we don’t want to hear the plan laid out to be free.
Here’s some rock solid information to keep as your spiritual manual when you need to go back and refer to the owner.
A) Believe in salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:8-10,13; John 1:12-14).
B) Pray regularly to strengthen your relationship with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:8,9; Psalm 73:28).
C) Develop a habit of reading the word of God every day. (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11; 105; 1 Timothy 4:13; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 4:12; John 15:7; 1 Peter 2:2; John 1:1).
D) Engage in fellowship with other believers. God did not save us to isolate us. Some people will ask me if you can be Christian and not go to church. Well, you can be saved, but you’ll miss out on all the love of others that you’re going to spend eternity on heaven with. Why would you wait to get to heaven to be an inclusive person? That’s why the Bible commands us to gather together.
When we assemble as the Body of Christ, we are to stir each other up in love and encourage one other in our faith. The Bible says two is better than one. Jesus also told us that he is the vine, and we are the branches. If you stay away from where others are attached, you’ll start to whither and be vulnerable to outside attacks. There are no Islands in heaven where you can be alone by yourself. Please engage yourself with other believers and read these passages together (Hebrews 10:25; John 13:34,35; 15:4,5; Romans 12:10).
E) When we stay together it enables us to see those pesky wolves (devils) that try to attack the sheep. That’s why God gives us shepherds and those in ministry to look after one another. The closer we stay to God; the enemy can’t breech our spiritual wall. God can increase our strength to stay away from temptations that may lead to sin. He dresses us in his complete armor, that we never take off while on this earth (John 10:10; Ephesians 4:24-32; 6:10-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8,9).
“Something new has arrived, don’t throw away the manual!” Throwing the manual away, throws your life away.
🛐 Here’s a prayer manual to keep with you from the cradle to the grave. “Heavenly Father, you have complete authority over every life on this planet. You direct the steps of those who submit to you. Your open opportunities for those who follow you. Lord, cause us to seek you every day. Help us to maintain our relationship with you, guide us with your gentle nudges. Help me to work out your salvation today with fear (reverence) mental clarity. Do not allow the promises of material gain to cloud our thinking and put down your living manual (Bible) to collect dust.
Bless us with your wisdom, that we may have the discernment to determine what is questionable and what is reliable. Lord, you have triumphed over the devil. He can no longer touch our souls. We belong to you for all eternity. Free us when he tries to depress us. Make your joy our strength. Clothe us, O Lord, with your holy armor, that we may be able to stand against his schemes and resist his attacks. We thank you Lord, for your written, breathing, living word, in Jesus name, amen”
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. — Matthew 7:13-14
We can enter this life through “the wide gate”, play god ourselves and live for our own selfish interests. It is a path filled with hollow, fleeting rewards, that leads to destruction. Or we can choose the narrow gate that leads upward to heaven. It is a steep climb and a rough road, but as we struggle, we find that Someone is walking beside us! Which gate have you chosen??
Prayer. Heavenly Father I thank you and I pray you lead me to the narrow gate and when I get there I choose that path that leads to a full and peaceful life. In Jesus Name Amen.
I personally have a hard time sticking to one thing at a time. My friends used to call me a “person who wears many hats”. As I look back, I was searching for something new or better when I already was living a good life. I would here God whisper encouragingly to “live life” or “focus on my daughter” but back then I just wasn’t content. I found this great article from
Rhema Trayner that describes me perfectly. It stopped me in my tracks and reminded me to live on Gods timing and not mine. I hope this article will help you.
Blessings my Friend,
Christine Tyler
THE WILDERNESS PREPARES US TO CARRY THE PROMISE – Rhema Trayner
It had been a year already of pruning, dealing with hard things, zero opportunity, no public ministry, just me and God dealing with my heart. At one point towards the end of the first year I could barely take it anymore. I wanted to be “useful”. I wanted to “do something”. I wanted “theme promise”.
I was considering shifting to another ministry where I knew I had the connections to “do something” important again… but it would have been completely outside of calling. It would have been purely out of desperation. God still had more to do in me, I wasn’t finished dealing with my idols. I wasn’t ready to carry what he wanted to hand me. Fear makes us force doors open outside of God’s timing, but doors we open with our gift have to remain held open in our own strength.
Thankfully God had mercy on me in my immaturity. As I was thinking about my plans God interrupted me and took me into a vision. First, I saw a rocket ascending into the atmosphere and looking down at the Earth from space. I had a foreknowledge that I was the rocket. Next, I was standing in an empty room with white walls. A projector was casting an image on the wall of the same scene I had just seen in person in the first part of the vision.
Then God said to me “If you make your own way you will have an ILLUSION of influencing the world, but if you wait for what I am going to give you, you’ll actually do it.” As I was processing what I saw I heard a song coming from my bedroom. My husband was singing a prophetic song by himself “you’re a rocket, you’re a rocket….”. This moment marked me for the rest of my life. I learned not to rush the process. It was 6 more months before God said anything else future related to us.
There is always a temptation to exit the wilderness before your time. I know how difficult it feels to remain in the hard places, but do it anyway. These seasons form us. Trust God’s timing!
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