Father of Lights Vol II: The Good Shepherd Provides

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 Jesus declared Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Again this wasn't just some clever phrase or catchy saying. This was the Son revealing who He is and what He does.

 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 MEV

 We have seen two aspects of this Good Shepherd. First the Good Shepherd preserves the sheep. He dearly loves us so He sustains us. He began the work in the believer and He will see it through to the end.

 He who started the work will be faithful to complete it. He who started the work, doesn't expect you to complete it. Salvation isn't God starts it we finish it. He preserves us.

 This is where some that oppose Grace miss it. They erroneously label eternal security as Calvinism's fifth point, perseverance of the Saints. This is not a Grace view but in truth a works view. To persevere means to maintain and endure. That is man's doing. Preservation means God preserves us, not our works or performance. 

 The Good Shepherd preserves the sheep! He holds us and keeps us, we are not keeping ourselves. Next He is the Good Shepherd who protects the sheep. In our last study we saw how he protects us.

Today we want to see the third aspect of the Good Shepherd: He provides for His sheep. A good shepherd takes care of his flock. He doesn't allow his sheep to go hungry or remain sickly without care. He watches over them, tends to their needs, and provides what they need to flourish. So it is with our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. He cares for His flock, and He provides for them. 

 The Good Shepherd has provided peace. In a troubled world, anxiety and uncertainty attempt to assail our minds and cause many to stress and get over into worry. Jesus gave us His peace. Peace that surpasses understanding. Like a pressurized cabin in an airplane what we have inside insulates us from what is going on outside. Peace keeps us grounded in His Love and enables us to navigate through this world and any circumstance. 

 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1 MEV

The Good Shepherd also provides for our material and financial needs. He knows we have responsibilities in this natural life. He knows we need food, clothing, shelter, and the resources necessary to fulfill the things He has called us to do. There is no shame in acknowledging that God is our provider in these areas. There is no reason to retreat from the goodness of God because religious people have criticized the teaching of prosperity or provision. The answer to error is not to deny what the Word reveals. Our Father is not opposed to our needs being met. He is not glorified by our lack. He is our provider, and His goodness extends into every area of our lives.

Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication and want what is right for me; Let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27 AMP

But perhaps one of the greatest expressions of the Good Shepherd's provision is His provision of divine healing and health. Jesus did not merely tell us that God cares about us. He demonstrated it. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. He touched the leper. He opened blind eyes. He caused the lame to walk. He healed all those who came to Him, and He never turned away the sick who sought His help. 

 These were not cold religious demonstrations performed merely to establish His credentials as the Jewish Messiah. They were expressions of His compassion. He saw people suffering, and He cared. He saw their pain, and He moved toward them. He saw their need, and He provided.

The religious mind often tries to separate the compassion of Jesus from the healing ministry of Jesus. It assigns His healing to a limited purpose in the past, as though He healed merely to prove who He was and then withdrew that provision from His people. But Jesus is the exact image of the Father. He said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” 

 If we want to know what the Father is like, we look at Jesus. And when we look at Jesus, we see a Good Shepherd who cares for the sick, the suffering, and the afflicted. We see One who is moved with compassion. We see One who provides healing.

Healing is not merely something Jesus demonstrated during His earthly ministry. Healing is part of what He accomplished for us in the Finished Work. Isaiah declared that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and that with His stripes we are healed. Peter looked back at the cross and declared, “By whose stripes ye were healed.” The provision has been made. Jesus bore our sins, and He bore our sicknesses. He carried our pains. He did not merely provide forgiveness for our sins while leaving sickness as an unavoidable part of our inheritance. He provided redemption for the whole person.

The Good Shepherd does not provide healing because He is trying to prove something to us. He provided healing because He is Good. He provided healing because He cares for His sheep. He provided healing because He is moved with compassion. And He provides healing because the Finished Work has already made provision for it. Faith does not create the provision. Faith receives what Grace has provided. We do not have to persuade a reluctant Shepherd to care and provide for us. We come to the One who has already demonstrated His love, already made provision, and already declared His desire for us to walk in the fullness of His life.

The Good Shepherd provides peace. He provides for our needs. And He provides divine healing and health. He is not merely the Shepherd who watches over His sheep from a distance. He is the Shepherd who cares for them, provides for them, and gives His life for them. He is the Good Shepherd. And He is still Good.

Image by Karen .t from Pixabay

Father of Lights Vol II: The Good Shepherd's Protection

 

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 Jesus tells us in the Gospels that He is the Good Shepherd. This is one of His most powerful and revealing statements about Himself and our Good Father in Heaven. This is not just some cutesy phrase that is just spoken for poetic purposes.

 This powerful identification reveals the heart and character of Jesus. It reveals He cares about us and He cares for us. This tells us that God is interested in our lives not just the salvation of our spirit. 

 God our Good Father cares about our daily lives. He cares about our morning and our night. He cares about the things that matter to us. Traditional religion says God is only interested in us becoming holy, following His rules, and ensuring we get to heaven.

 They only see God as a God, a divine taskmaster whose sole focus is strict adherence to all He says and perfect obediance and submission. Relationship, communion, fellowship, none of that is the main purpose. Being a dutiful servant is all God cares about. 

 Jesus revealed to us a different view of Heaven. He showed us a Father who cares. He is the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. He preserves his flock. He protects his flock. He provides for His flock. This is what Jesus demonstrated. 

 The Good Shepherd protects His flock. He cares for us. What does this protection entail? His protection covers every area of our lives.

 The Good Shepherd protects us from false and misleading concepts, views and doctrines. The spirit of error comes to deceive the flock but the Good Shepherd protects His flock by revealing truth.

 The Good Shepherd protects us from loss, disappointment and heartache. How can this be so, you may ask, seeing we have all experienced loss and disappointment? The Good Shepherd leads us and guides us.

 True in a fallen and fractured creation we do see loss and disappointments. However, even in this fallen world, there are some loss and disappointment that can be avoided. How many times have you wanted to do something but suddenly sensed no peace about this situation, or decision? That is the Good Shepard protecting you from potential loss and disappoinment.

 He protects us in this arena of the soulish realm, our mind, will and emotions, through the umpire of peace. When we adhere to this simple leading we find we were protected from a bad business deal, a negative relationship, a unsafe investment. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…Colossians 3:15

 He can also protect us from "the good". This meaning something that isn't bad in and of itself but it's just good and not the best. I experienced this in a potential real estate sale. Had I been able to purchase this home, I would have moved from the place I was living, and would have missed finding this stray dog, that brought so much joy, happiness in my life that no price tag could match.

 The Good Shepherd also protects His flock from harm and danger. Psalm 91 shows in detail His protection for His flock. 

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91:9-16 KJV

 I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and became radiant, and their faces are not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:4-8 MEV

 The Good Shepherd protects His flock. There are countless testimonies of people being saved from near death situations, surviving serious auto accidents, protected during times of disaster and war. Don't object pointing to people who lost their lives. Or suffered loss in an accident. 

 We live in a fallen creation. There are many variable as to why something happened. Poor choices, distracted actions, and life in a fallen world. That said, there are countless times we have been protected and didn't even realize it. That red light that seemed to take forever, kept you from a potential traffic accident down the road.

 Begin to see life through the lens of the protection of the Good Shepherd. See Him guiding, leading, directing. He is the Good Shepherd. He protects His flock because He loves His flock and laid down His life for His flock. Taste and see He is always Good. 

Image by Uwe Dahlke from Pixabay

Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Praying for leaders?

 

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. 2 Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. 3 You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you. Romans 13:1-3 Voice (see commentary note)

 As Christians, we are instructed to live peaceably with all people. We are given guidance on how to conduct our lives practically. One arena where religious tradition and cultural influence abound is the relationship between Christians and government. There are two areas of relationship between Christianity and government,  the roles of prayer and giving honor. 

 Prayer for leaders comes from the words of Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. For years, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 has been used to promote the idea that Christians must pray for their national leaders' wisdom, success, and well-being—no matter how wicked they are. Many have taken this passage as a command to pray for presidents, kings, and rulers without question, assuming that such prayers must always be for their blessing and guidance.

But is that really what Paul was saying? Is this passage about supporting leaders, or is it about something else entirely? Let’s examine the text carefully, without religious tradition clouding our understanding.

I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; 2including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 WEY 

 First, this passage instructs us to offer prayers for all people, not just leaders. Then, he mentions kings and rulers, proving that this was not primarily the focus. Praying for rulers becomes a secondary issue, not the entire focal point of this passage. 

🔹 Tradition says: "This passage is about praying for political leaders."
🔹 The text actually says: "Pray for all men, and that includes kings too."

  What is the purpose of offering prayers for rulers and kings? Paul explicitly states what the purpose is; 
"in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity"

 🔹 The goal is not for leaders to become righteous, make wise decisions, or govern justly.
🔹 The goal is that believers can live in peace and practice their faith without persecution.

This means we are not required to pray for the prosperity, wisdom, or success of leaders—especially if they are pushing wicked agendas. Instead, our prayers should focus on ensuring that we can live in peace, free to serve God without interference. 

 What is the main theme of the Scripture? The Scarlett thread that is Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, is woven throughout every book in God's Word. The Gospel is the primary directive! Paul is exhorting prayers be made so the Gospel can flow unhindered no matter where Christians reside. 

 Is the Word of God a handbook of political affiliations? Is the Word telling believers to be champions and cheerleaders of all governmental leaders, with no exceptions? Is Paul saying to pray for the success, wisdom, and overall "administration" of Nero? This is what the commentaries, the majority of churches, ministries, and believers claim Paul was saying. 

 What About Believers Under Tyrants?
If Christians lived under Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or Pol Pot, were they supposed to pray for those dictators’ wisdom and success? Of course not.

🔹 They were to pray that they could live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.
🔹 They were NOT commanded to pray for the well-being of an evil ruler who was murdering millions.

Clearly, this passage was never meant to endorse praying for wicked leaders to thrive. But what about modern-day democracies? Does this command change when leaders are elected rather than ruling as dictators?

Many pastors have wrongly taught that 1 Timothy 2:1-2 means we must pray for a Prime minister/President’s success and wisdom—even if their policies oppose God’s Word.

But if a leader promotes abortion, sexual immorality, tyranny, and anti-Christian laws, should believers really be praying for their success? Absolutely not.
🔹 We should pray that their ability to push evil is restrained.
🔹 We should pray that righteousness prevails over their wicked agendas.
🔹 We should pray that God raises up leaders who will allow us to live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.

This is completely different from asking God to "bless" or "give wisdom to" a leader who has already rejected Him.

 For too long, American Christians have been the ones propagating this idea. They live comfortably in a Constitutional Republic and interpret passages concerning Christians and government with a Western mindset. A mindset of a citizen where religious freedom is woven into the fabric of the founding of the nation. 

  The problem with tradition, it creates inconsistencies in thinking and practice. For instance, if believers are praying that abortion would end, yet in the next breath they pray for a leader/president who advocates abortion without restrictions to succeed, to flourish, then their prayer is counterproductive.

  What should we be praying for then? Traditionally, some use this passage to claim we can't pray for unrighteous leaders to fail in their plans, to be removed from office legally through righteous means, and for their policies not to be implemented. 

 So What Should We Pray for Leaders?
Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-2, here’s what we should be praying:
✅ That governments would allow religious freedom and peace.
✅ That wicked rulers would be restrained from pushing evil.
✅ That believers can spread the Gospel without interference.
Nowhere does this passage command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or prosperity.

 The Early Church’s Perspective
🔹 The early Christians never prayed for Nero’s success.
🔹 Instead, they prayed for boldness to preach despite persecution (Acts 4:29).
🔹 They prayed for deliverance from evil men (2 Thessalonians 3:2).
🔹 They prayed that the Gospel would not be hindered (Colossians 4:3).

Conclusion: Time to Rethink This Tradition
🔥 1 Timothy 2:1-2 does NOT command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or moral behavior.
🔥 The focus is on creating conditions where believers can live in peace and serve God freely.
🔥 Paul wrote this under a brutal emperor, meaning this is NOT about supporting leaders or endorsing their actions.
🔥 Christians under oppressive regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, or Communist China) were NOT commanded to pray for their leaders’ success—only that they could live freely in faith.

It’s time to stop blindly accepting the traditional misinterpretation of this passage. The Bible never tells believers to pray for the success of wicked rulers. Instead, we pray for peaceful conditions so we can live godly lives.

That means we can pray for:
✅ Freedom to preach the Gospel.
✅ Righteous leaders to be raised up.
✅ Wicked rulers to be restrained.
But we do not have to pray for the success of leaders who oppose God.

It’s time to break free from religious traditions and stand on what the Bible actually teaches. The Church must stop praying passive, misguided prayers for wicked leaders to 'prosper.' Instead, we must pray with purpose: that the Gospel may run freely, that wicked rulers be restrained, and that righteousness would rise in every nation.

Image by AzamKamolov from Pixabay

Judgment and Wrath: Is God presently sending disasters and plagues and destruction upon earth to punish mankind's sins?

 

9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 MEV

We live in a fallen and fractured creation. When Adam bowed the knee to the enemy's deception, committing high treason against God, he turned over creation to the knowledge of cursing and calamity. That is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or blessing and calamity. Man has chosen to operate out of this tree and the enemy is more than happy to accommodate him.

 Jesus is the tree of life. We in Christ should desire to operate from this tree, not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life brings fullness of joy, Righteousness, and peace. Feed on this tree and not on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life is resurrection power, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil only supplies fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, and condemnation. 

 When addressing this issue of judgment and wrath and the Goodness and Love of God it is essential to understand what tree you're feeding on. The tree of life offers hope and a solution, the Lord Jesus Christ. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil only reveals problems and gives one the knowledge of the good and the bad. It only sees the wickedness and evil of man and how far they have fallen. It causes one to go on "crusades" to "right wrongs and injustices."    

 The truth is the only hope for true justice is found in receiving eternal life in Christ Jesus. To partake of the tree of life, to partake of Jesus and the Love and life and hope only He can supply. Christian leaders, ministers, and believers feeding primarily on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil can only see the evil conditions upon the earth. They see the sin and wickedness of man. They see the rampant immorality and the hearts sold out to satan and fleshly pleasures. 

 As a result, they look for "good." That is the opposite of evil. That is judgment and wrath upon the perpetrators of darkness, depravity, deviance, and degradation. They rejoice at the destruction of wickedness. 

 Now understand, that evil is still evil and God doesn't delight in wickedness. He is against sin. He is against depravity and immorality. Not because He is a joyless grump who doesn't like people having "fun". Sin and wickedness aren't fun. He is against these things because He knows the heavy toll they take and the heavy burden they bring. Sin is not really fun because it corrupts, robs, it steals, and it keeps people in depressing darkness. 

 Our Father hates sin so much that He actually did something about it. He sent His Son to die as the substitutionary sacrifice for sin and the sins of all mankind. God has dealt with the sin problem once and for all. Jesus became the Lamb of God. He bore all the judgment, the penalty, the punishment, and wrath in His body on that tree. The amazingly Good News is that the Work is Finished and God has fully accepted this work once and for all time.

 With this foundation laid, let's ask the question, is God presently, sending wrathful judgment upon earth to punish the rebellious, the wicked, the depraved, the disobedient? Is God sending disasters to punish man's sins? Is God executing harsh judgment on mankind? The answer is clear in the Word;

  And their sins and their Lawless deeds I will no longer remember. Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required. Hebrews 10:17-18 NASB

 The clear and uncompromised answer is no, God is not sending disasters on mankind to punish them. If God sends any plague or pestilence on earth to punish sins then that means God is not pleased with the sacrifice of Christ. For God to send tsunamis, tragedy and turbulent times on man as a result of their present sins then that is a statement that Jesus' work was incomplete, insufficient and inadequate in paying the complete price for all mankind's sin and wrongdoing. 

 We know from the Word, the victorious and triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His present moving among the Body of Christ in signs wonders and manifestations that Jesus is Lord. That He has won. That He perfectly procured our salvation and paid the price in full.

 Look, in a fallen and fractured creation, sadly catastrophes, cataclysm and calamity occur. Famine, floods, and fire can ravage lands and destroy homes and businesses. Don't become despaired or depressed at this realization. Jesus has not forgotten us. He can intervene, He can help restore, and He comforts in loss. Now He didn't ordain or cause the destruction but He can turn it for our good.

 In summation, God is a Good Father. He is satisfied with Jesus' once for all sacrifice. He is not sending doom and despair on man for their sins. He is also not speaking forth from the mouth of self proclaimed prophets that He is sending disasters because of sins in a particular country. 

 God is pleased with Jesus and He is pleased with you His Church. God is also reconciled the world through Christ. In other words, He isn't mad at them. He wants them to know the price has been paid and wants them to freely receive new life, a new nature, and eternity with Him. Let's share the Good News with a lost and dying world. 

Image by Felix-Mittermeier.de from Pixabay 

Still another mistaken idea: You will reap what you sow

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

In our last study, we examined our view of God. Asking the question if we have a positive expectation of mercy and goodness or a fearful expectation of God's anger and wrath and judgment. If we have a fearful expectation then we have to ask why that is?

 The negative traditions of man corrupt our view of God. Religion skews our image of our Good Father, into that of the harsh taskmaster. The despot on the throne poised to strike the moment, the exact instant we foul up or miss it. At the precise moment of sin, judgment falls and we suffer the due punishment for our actions. 

 Of course, this image conjured up by traditional religious-minded men is false. Does this even come close to describing Jesus? Of course not. These traditions of men rooted in our thinking are why we have a fearful expectation of judgment and wrath.

 We have already begun allaying these wrong thoughts in our previous study. Today, we need to see the last two religious concepts that bring fear and torment. The first is this idea of generational curses. 

 There is an entire study disproving this myth here. This mistaken idea uprooted brings us peace and a positive expectation of good. Recall, Jesus took the sour wine on the cross. He took the sour grapes if you will so there are no more generational curses.

 Finally, let's uproot this idea of reaping what we sow. You may be thinking, how is this a mistaken idea when it clearly states in the Word that we will reap what we sow? It is a mistaken idea because, as with many truths, man has distorted it and added to it and created a burdensome belief that brings bondage and not freedom.

 This passage must be seen and understood in its full context. What Paul is teaching is the support of ministry that has fed someone the Word of truth. The seed Paul refers to here is financial. 

Those who are taught the Word of God should help their teachers by paying them. Galatians 6:6 TLB

 Though the truth of giving money to support the work of God has been widely misused and abused and taken to extremes doesn't negate the foundational truth. The work of ministering the Gospel does require funding. In essence, that is all Paul is speaking of.

 That may be so, but why does Paul say he who sows to the flesh will reap corruption? That's not speaking of money or supporting ministry. Glad you asked, I also used to think this. The problem is we are taking the thought out of its context and setting.

 Paul was speaking of supporting ministry. He didn't stop and preach a whole new thought. He was saying if you don't support the ministry you are sowing your own works and performance and will reap corruption, the corrupting influence of man-made religion. 

 Think of it, if there are no ministers teaching the truth, then all you rely on is your own views, and that is how tradition is created. If we support the ministry we are sowing into the kingdom. We are reaping growth. To be clear, Paul isn't teaching if you give money you will get even more money. The harvest reaped is more lives transformed, and God's blessing on you to grant you the favor to be able to keep supporting God's work. 

 I said all that because what tradition has taught is that this passage is sharing with us what happens whenever we mess up or sin. That we will reap the negative consequences of our negative actions. In essence, do good get good, do bad and get bad.

 That mindset produces a fearful expectation of judgment and not a loving expectation of His mercy and goodness. We are under the New Covenant, not the Law. We who believed are now Righteous and redeemed. 

 The New Covenant doesn't teach a "Christian" form of karma. We aren't doing good simply so good things will come our way. We aren't avoiding wrongdoing just so we won't receive bad things coming our way. Because of Christ within us, we do good because we desire to be a blessing because Christ has loved us and blessed us already. We shun the bad simply because Christ is within us and leads us into all truth. We avoid the bad because He shows us its wrong. 

 This idea of reaping what we sow brings us to a place of expectancy of judgment and condemnation. This concept negates God's Love. It ignores His great mercy. It diminishes His Grace. In the Finished Work Christ reaped everything we've ever sowed negatively. He became a curse for us to redeem us from the curse.

 In summation, we who believe should have a positive expecation of goodness and mercy. Certainly, there are consequences in this life for choices. However, that is not reaping what you sow. That is not God punishing us for our sins, Jesus already paid for all our sins.

 Kicking over sacred cows, bringing religious thoughts captive to Christ, casting down the strongholds of man mad tradition in our thinking will cause us to have a positive expectation of mercy. Understanding God's blessings aren't a reward for good works, knowing we are forgiven of all our sins and isn't counting them against us, rejecting the concepts of generational curses, and the contrary view of Christian "karma" reaping what we sowed, will shatter the wrong images of God and bring with it the expectation of goodness from God not cursing or calamity. God is Good and loving and merciful.  

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Our Inheritance in Christ: No Separation

to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

We began a new study looking at our inheritance in Christ. In this New Covenant, child of God you have an inheritance in Christ. Some believers really don't know what belongs to them because of Christ. 

 In the Old Covenant, God cut a covenant with man. Mankind was consistent in only one aspect of this covenant. They could never uphold their part. In the New, Jesus represented mankind and cut the covenant with the Father on our behalf. So in essence this New Covenant was made between the Father and the Son and we who believe are the beneficiaries. 

 We have seen that our inheritance includes the gift of no condemnation. Today, I want to reveal another aspect of our inheritance. There is no more separation for the child of God. 

 Sisters and brothers, there is nothing you can do to be separated from the Father. You're eternally sealed with the Holy Spirit. You been given the Spirit as an earnest down payment on your complete redemption and once for all salvation. Good news for those who have been taught we can lose or forfeit our salvation. This makes it clear it is eternally secure.

 Our society, due to the fall, is conditioned on separation. What do we do with children who misbehave? We put them in a corner for a "time out". What about when they get older? We suspend them from school for a short duration. What about when they are adults? If it's really bad we separate them by placing them in Jail or prison. Even in prison if they can't behave with the rest of the inmates they are separated further by placing them in a disciplinary segregation unit. 

 My point is not to rail against these institutions. It's not to tell parents don't put their kids in time out. In a fallen fractured creation, we need some methods to control unruly behavior to instruct and even to protect others. That said let's stay focused on the main point I want to make. That separation is conditioned in our minds. 

 When we see actions or performance that isn't up to the standard of perfect righteousness and holiness, we default to separation. Let me explain further by illustration.

When Jesus used Peter's boat and blessed him with a boat sinking harvest, here, what was Peter's reaction to the blessing?

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Luke 5:8 NKJV

 Peter saw the power of God, the Goodness of God which revealed to himself his own insufficiency. That is his own imperfections and shortcomings. His first response? Separation. He wanted to be separated from Jesus. He felt so unworthy. 

 When we sin or blow it, what do we do? We run from God. We run from the local church. We stay away from ministry friends and those we see as committed believers.

 Why? Because we are going back to the default. Separate. I am wrong so I must separate. Or the idea comes from the religious. Oh brother or sister you've sinned your sins have separated you from God.

 Many ministers teach that our sins stop God's hands from healing or providing or delivering or protecting us. Yet when Jesus encountered the sinner lost in their sin His response was to go towards that person. Jesus said He must needs pass through Samaria, where He ministered to one woman who was living in adultery. Jesus is what qualifies us to receive from God not ourselves. Our behavior isn't our savior, or provider or healer or protector, Jesus is!

 Child of God there is nothing you've done, are doing, or will do that will cause you to be separated from God. Paul declared that there is nothing that can separate us from the Love of God. No action from the enemy or from ourselves can separate us from God. 

 Christ's perfect shed Blood perfectly purchased and procured complete and total redemption. New life and peace have been made available to whosoever will accept this free love gift. Upon reception, perfect redemption, total peace, complete acceptance approval, and right standing are theirs forever. Never to be disconnected, separated, or out of fellowship with the Father. All of this because of Jesus and His great Love.

 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 NKJV

 There is no more separation. There is no putting the leper out of the camp. God is not breaking away or disconnecting from you. 

 You may be thinking, brother this sounds too good to be true. What about 1 Corinthians 5 brother? It does appear on the surface I am contradicting Paul or that Paul is even contradicting himself. 

 Let's use context to understand what Paul is saying here. Paul is addressing a specific issue. Paul is speaking Apostolicaly and Pastorally concerning a brother whose behavior is hindering the work and testimony of the ministry. The reason for strong words is because the brother was unrepentant and rebellious. In other words, he knew his actions were wrong and he was apathetic to the results.  

 For a short season, Paul instructed the brethren to not go down the same path he was on. In truth, God was never separated from him, but he was separating himself from God and His ways. What were the results when people refused to go down the same path he was on? He had a sudden change of mind. What people seem to overlook in this event is that not one place did Paul suggest he had lost his salvation or was in "time out" and God wanted nothing to do with him. 

 Let's rejoice in our inheritance. In Christ, we have no separation or disconnection from the Father no matter what. God is never going to leave us or forsake us. God is always with us, even at our worst. God sees all of our faults and flaws and failures and still He embraces us as His own. God is a Good Father and will never separate us from Himself. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

The Prevailing Word: What are you saying?

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed Acts 19:20 KJV

....For I will hasten My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12b MEV




 We've been looking at the Word of God in this time of the current world crisis. We are looking at what God says versus what man says. We are looking at how to overcome and walk in triumphant victory by Grace through Faith.

 We've seen that God's Word is the prevailing Word. We are seeing again how powerful and effective Faith in God and His Word is. Before we continue, let me briefly explain, when we discuss Faith, we must understand what we are speaking of. So let's declare what Faith is not so we are on the same page if you will.

 Faith is not foolishness. Faith is not living above your means, and going in debt to appear to be materially blessed. Faith is not foolishly throwing away all your medicine when there is no complete confirmation and full manifestation of your healing. Faith is not, not having a job, not having insurance, not locking your door or wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle. 

 Grace is God's unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor that Finished the work completely, and once received produces an empowerment in our lives. Faith is more than mere believing. Faith is being fully persuaded that what God said is true and what Jesus accomplished in the Finished Work is in fact complete. Faith then acts on what we believe, which is God's Word and the Finished Work of Christ.

 We receive from God by Grace through Faith. Grace makes and Faith takes. Grace created it through the Finished Work of Christ. Faith reaches out and takes what Grace made available. 

 Today, it seemed good to speak about our words. In times of crisis, it's easy to panic. This is not the attitude, or thinking we want to adopt as believers. So let's look at words.

 Faith is released by our words. Jesus Himself established this and Paul the Apostle of Grace confirmed it in Romans and 2 Corinthians.   Paul declared we believed we therefore speak. Jesus stated this clearly in Mark's Gospel.

22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.  Mark 11:22-24 WEB

 Jesus here shows us the power of Faith and releasing our Faith by our words. I chose this translation because it brings out a truth many have not seen or understood.

 He declared here, he who doubts not in his heart but believes that what he says is happening he will have what he says. This is why we don't always receive when we believe. Let me explain.

 We pray for our loved one to get saved. We pray for our family member and their situation at work. We pray for wisdom about a situation. The issue is often we don't at that moment actually believe anything is actually happening.

 We at most hope someone is listening in heaven. At other times we aren't even really hoping in the Biblical sense. We are merely wishing, as a kid wishes upon a star or when they blow out birthday candles. Jesus' words here help us learn how to actually ask in Faith believing.

 Jesus tells us that when we speak and doubt not and believe it's happening we will have what we say. When we know what Jesus accomplished in the Finished Work, what Grace made when we speak in agreement with that we can know at that moment something IS in fact happening. Faith is being fully persuaded not a wishing and a hoping mindset. 

 What we must also understand is, even though we may not always feel like it, when we speak, something is happening. If we are praying in doubt, accepting the lie of the enemy that nothing is happening, we make that so with our words, agreeing with that lie. If we speak in agreement with God, not accepting the lies of the enemy then we will see His promises come to pass in our life.

What are you saying?

 So the question must be asked, what are you saying? Are you in agreement with the constant negative news? Are you adding your agreement with hysteria and panic? Are you speaking death, doom, dismay, and distress? 

 Or are you speaking what God says? God's Word doesn't take feelings, what it looks like, or the circumstance into account. His Word is above all these things. His Word is the higher truth over whatever may be factual. 

 The Word in 2 Kings records an account of what I am speaking of. You can read the full account here. In summation, the Prophet Elisha had spoken the word and a woman without a child bore a son. Later on, this child was working with his father and grew ill and not soon after died. The mother did not speak death or doom or despair or distress. 

 When asked by her husband she declared "it is well." When the Prophet asked is it well with you and your husband and your son, she responded: "it is well." What was she doing? She was trusting in the Good God of the universe to be there for her and her child. She was not denying the situation but rather putting her Faith and trust in what God said to her through the Prophet Elisha. Her Faith was not in vain, the man of God Elisha raised this child from the dead.

 The point is in a time of major crisis and death, this woman spoke words of life and not death. 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 MEV
See it in another paraphrased translation;
Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life,
and the talkative person will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 TPT

 When we know and understand God's Goodness and Love we can readily speak in agreement with Him and not speak the circumstance. We can speak life to dead situations. We can speak death to evil situations and events the enemy tries to bring to pass. We can trust that what we are saying in agreement with God's Word and what Grace made something is actually happening when we speak and we can, therefore, have whatever we say. 

 In summation, death and life are in our lips. We can speak God's Word and not the situation. We can speak the desired result not the worst-case scenario. We can add our agreement verbally with all Christ did in the Finished Work. So speak life in this time of worldwide crisis. Speak God's Word and not fear-filled words. Speak God's love into atmospheres of darkness and uncertainty. We are the light, let's be light by speaking light into the darkness. 

The Prevailing Word

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed Acts 19:20 KJV
....For I will hasten My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12b MEV
 For I the Lord will speak, and the word that I speak shall come to pass... Ezekial 12:25a MEV
...but the word which I have spoken shall be done, says the Lord God.  Ezekiel 12:28b MEV

 As of this writing, the world is in upheaval. Disruption, disturbance, and doom, these are the reports continually bombarding our minds from media and CDC and WHO reports. Life has been put on hold. Many communities have been given shelter in place orders. This pandemic has seemingly made the world stop. 

 The news reports, the CDC reports, the social restrictions, all the negatives, it's as if we are in a storm. These reports are hitting us like waves crashing into a ship. In the midst of this turmoil, is there relief? Is there hope? Is there peace available? Here is some good news, we can have hope in Christ. For there is an anchor for our souls amid the storm. The anchor for our souls is the promise of God's Word. 

18 So that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil. Hebrews 6:18-19 MEV

 God cannot lie. Two unchangeable things prove that. The New Covenant and Jesus' Finished Work. God's Word is the anchor that keeps us afloat, keeps us steady, keeps us in peace in the storms of life. God cannot lie.

 God's Word is the prevailing Word. What He has spoken shall come to pass. What He has promised will come to fruition. No scheme or suggestion or tactic from the enemy shall ever hinder or obstruct or impede the fulfillment of His Word. His Word is absolutely true no matter what the circumstances appear to be. His Word is truth, and we can trust in His Word unconditionally.

 When Jesus was tempted by the enemy in his earthly walk, Christ used the Word and prevailed against the scheming lies of the enemy. Each time the enemy came, Jesus declared "it is written!" When the enemy, when trials, when storms come we can also use the prevailing Word and proclaim it is written! 

 When Paul the apostle of Grace was facing a storm the Word of the Lord came to him through an angel. That Word prevailed against the storm and no one saw a loss of life. Paul trusted and rested in the promise of God. When storms come we can also rest, trusting in the Word of God.

 The Word is a prevailing Word. The Word of God prevails against all the plans and schemes of the enemy. The Word of God prevails against all the lies and plans of men who seek to impede or stop the work of God. The Word of God prevails against all the curse, sickness and disease and lack can't stand up to the prevailing Word. The Word of God prevails!

 Look at the Word Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 4. 

 35 That same day, when the evening came, He said to them, “Let us go cross to the other side.” Mark 4:35 MEV

 The disciples of Jesus heard the Word. This was the word that Christ spoke. Look at this entire account and see how we can also overcome in the storms and trials of life.

 36 When they had sent the crowd away, they took Him in the boat just as He was. There were also other little boats with Him. 37 A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat. 38 He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”

41 They feared greatly and said to one another, “What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:36-41 MEV

 First, the disciples had the Presence of God, Jesus was with them. Secondly, they had the Promise of God, Jesus declared we're going to the other side. Thirdly, they had the Provision of God, they had a ship to get to the other side.  Fourthly, they had the Protection of God, the wind and waves battered the ship, but they were afloat still. Sometimes in the storm, we don't recognize God's provision, the supply He has already given us and the protection we have in Him.

 Fifthly they had the Power of God. Jesus awoke from His rest and calmed the storm. The power of God was with them in the midst of the storm. And finally, they had the Peace of God. They had the peace of God realized as the storm calmed. Does God love us any less than His disciples? 

 God's Love is for us. He loves us unconditionally. He is with us. So in these perilous times, in this time of world upheaval and trial, we have God with us and for us. We have the prevailing Word. We have His Presence, His Promise, His protection, His Provision, His Power and His Peace. All are found in God's Word. Speak His Word, not the trouble. Believe His Word, more than the reports of doom and gloom. Trust and rest in His Word and don't embrace the fear and panic in the World.

 In summation, the Word prevails. We have been given His prevailing Word. His Word overcomes all the mess in this World. Some may say we are fantasyland or being foolish. Let the unlearned and true foolish ones mock and scoff, but those who have trusted in the Word have prevailed in life. 

 We who trust the Word, have peace in the middle of the storms of life. It wasn't a fantasy when we trusted in Christ and what He declared and received new life, perfect righteousness, acceptance and approval, and total forgiveness of our sins. If God can give us new life certainly He can carry us through this storm and bring us out on the other side stronger and bolder and resting in Him more and more. The Word is a prevailing word, it is our victory!

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay