The Birth of Jesus Christ is Good News That Should Cause Great Joy For All The People

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS THAT WILL CAUSE GREAT JOY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11, emphasis mine).

 Many people find it difficult to embrace the Good News (of grace) because they don’t understand the bad news that we are all guilty before God and deserve to die. The Bible says, "where there's no law, there's no transgression" (Romans 4:15). In other words, no one would be guilty of sin if there were no law, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (see Romans 3:20). "To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law." (see Romans 5:13 NIV). In Romans 1:22-32, the apostle Paul lists over 23 different kinds of sin including idolatry, murder, envy, gossip, disobedience to parents, lack of understanding, pride, and deceit, and then declares that "all who do such things DESERVE DEATH." In Romans 14:23, Paul expands the list of sins to include anything that is not of faith (which will include our doubts or worries). James also expands the list of sins further to include anything we know is good but fail to do. (see James 4:17). Such all-encompassing definition of sin makes Paul's pronouncement in Romans 3:23 that "ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God" all the more compelling. It also makes the declaration in Romans 6:23 that "the wages of sin is death" all the more scary.

The truth remains, my dear friend, that no man can stand before God on Judgment Day and claim they’re without sin. We are all guilty as charged. We are all guilty before God, and we all deserve to be punished with the full measure of God's wrath. We all deserve to perish in hell. And we can't redeem ourselves from this punishment just by "doing good." Our "good deeds" cannot atone for our sins. And no matter how much "good" we do, we will always fall short (see Romans 3:23). So how do we get out of this guilty verdict and its consequence? Since we can’t save ourselves, we just need to be humble and admit that we need a Savior! And the good news is that “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” (see Luke 2:11). Jesus Christ, the Son of God is our Savior. This is why Romans 3:24 says, “ALL ARE JUSTIFIED FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that CAME BY CHRIST JESUS.” We who believe in Jesus Christ have transitioned from being guilty in Romans 3:23 to being justified freely in Romans 3:24. Hallelujah! We are acquitted of all charges! “For as IN ADAM all die, even so IN CHRIST all shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22, NKJV). As in Adam all were made sinners, even so in Christ all are made righteous. (see Romans 5:19, with 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Isn't this Good News? Doesn’t this make you want to scream "thank you Jesus?" Doesn’t this call for celebration?

Beloved, this is the amazing grace we often sing about. We have all been FREELY JUSTIFIED by His grace. We did not work for our justification. Our right standing with God is “without works” (Romans 4:6), “without the deeds of the Law” (Romans 3:28), “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9), “It is the Gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). The Bible also says in Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” This certainly leaves no room for boasting. Thus Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST." 

Jesus has borne the full punishment for our sins, and all we have to do to be saved is BELIEVE in His atonement for our sins. This is the Good News Paul and all the other apostles preached. Paul affirms this good news when he declares: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS: "And by him ALL THAT BELIEVE are JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39 KJV, emphasis mine). John also declares that Jesus Christ is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). What this means is that Jesus has paid the penalty for everyone's sins. That is called grace (unmerited, undeserved favor). But you have to put faith in what Jesus has already accomplished; you have to believe it in order to be saved (see Ephesians 2:8). Jesus bore the full extent of God's wrath against sin, as He who knew no sin became sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21) and was forsaken by God (see Matthew 27:46), so that you and I will be reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:19). Thus Peter proclaims: “For Christ also hath ONCE suffered for sins, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, that He might BRING US TO GOD …” (1 Peter 3:18, emphasis mine). And Paul adds, "In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE.” (Ephesians 1:7, brackets and emphasis mine). This, my dear friend, is the good news! This is the gospel! It sounds nearly too good to be true. But that is why it is called the "Gospel." And it is the good news we celebrate this and every day.

 May you accept this gospel of grace and put your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who alone can save you. Be blessed.

 I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

Be Strong and Courageous in the Lord

Beloved, throughout the Bible, believers or the saints are urged to be strong and courageous in the Lord. Before his death Moses said to all the children of Israel, “BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes WITH YOU. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses called JOSHUA and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; DO NOT FEAR NOR BE DISMAYED.” (Deuteronomy 31:6‭-‬8 NKJV). Then when the Lord God Almighty Himself also spoke to JOSHUA after the death of Moses, He said, "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I WILL BE WITH YOU. I will not leave you nor forsake you. BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ONLY BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE; DO NOT BE AFRAID, NOR BE DISMAYED, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5‭-‬9 NKJV).

Now, in this short passage quoted above, notice how many times God Himself told Joshua to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, and to be VERY COURAGEOUS. It just shows how important it is to God that His children and servants are strong and courageous. In this passage also, God tells Joshua why he must be strong and courageous. One of the reasons is that he was to divide as an inheritance the promised land among the children of Israel. God also promised Joshua that no man shall be able to stand before him all the days of his life, because God would be with him as He was with Moses, and would never leave nor forsake him. God knew that it would take strength and courage for Joshua (and all believers for that matter) to lay hold on the promises from God. Joshua’s strength and courage was to be drawn from the Lord, from knowing and being conscious that He the Lord God almighty was with him, just as He was with Moses, and would never leave nor forsake him. Another reason Joshua was admonished to be strong and courageous is that it takes strength and courage to observe to do according to all the law (or the Word of God) which Moses commanded, and to prosper as a result and have good success. It takes strength and courage to be a DOER of the Word of God, and not just a hearer. And again, this strength and courage comes from the Lord, from knowing and being conscious that the Lord is with you. Therefore God made sure to point out to Joshua that He would be with him, AS HE WAS WITH MOSES, and would never leave nor forsake him. Joshua knew how God was with Moses; he knew the great signs and wonders God performed through the hands of Moses. And so God was basically reminding Joshua that Moses prospered and was successful in all He did, because He the Lord was with him. Moses delivered the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt because the Lord was with him; Moses divided the Red sea for the children of Israel to pass through it on dry land because the Lord was with him; Moses fed the children of Israel with manna from Heaven because the Lord was with him; Moses struck the rock with his rod for water to come out and quench the thirst of the children of Israel and their livestock because the Lord was with him; Moses received quail (meat) for all the children of Israel to eat in the wilderness because the Lord was with him. And so when God said to Joshua that “As I was with Moses, so will I be with you,” Joshua could rest assured, he could call to remembrance how God was with Moses, and use it as a basis to be strong and courageous.

Beloved, to be strong and courageous in the Lord today, we also have to remember how God was with our Lord Jesus Christ, and with all the saints who were before us, and how He kept His promises to them and did mighty signs and wonders among them. In the Old Testament, the prophet Habakkuk, calling to remembrance the marvelous works of God, prayed, "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2 NIV). In the New Testament, Peter also, while preaching to Cornelius’ household, called to remembrance “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, FOR GOD WAS WITH Him.” (Acts 10:38 NKJV). We can be strong and courageous and accomplish great and marvelous deeds when we believe and are conscious of the truth that the Lord our God is with us, just as He was with Jesus of Nazareth, and just as He was with the early disciples, and that He will keep His promises to us, just as He kept His promises to them; for the Lord Himself has said, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (see Matthew 28:20 NKJV). He has also said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (see Hebrews 13:5). “So we may boldly say: “The Lord  is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 NKJV). Thus, our level of consciousness about the Lord’s presence with us at all times will make all the difference as to whether we will be afraid and dismayed, or strong and courageous. Indeed the Lord our God is with us always, He will never leave nor forsake us; and He will repeat His awesome deeds in our day, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hallelujah! “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those  who  have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28‭-‬31 NKJV). Praise be to God!


Now, the Bible records how strong and courageous the young man David was when he faced the giant Philistine of Gath, Goliath, and defeated him. Why was David so strong and courageous, one may ask? It's because David knew, believed, and was conscious that the Lord God Almighty was with him, and that the Lord would never leave nor forsake him. Thus while approaching Goliath, David said to him, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, whom you have defied. This day THE LORD WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HAND, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands.” (I Samuel 17:45‭-‬47 NKJV). Clearly, the source of David’s strength and courage (as revealed in this passage) was the Lord, whom he knew was always present with him and would never leave nor forsake him. David said, “THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S,” and beloved I don’t know what battle you are facing today, but if you would believe with David that THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S, then I can assure you that THE VICTORY IS YOURS. Glory to God!

In First Samuel chapter 30, there is another record of a terrible situation David faced and how once again he triumphed over the situation in the strength of the Lord. David and his men came to Ziklag, where they had left their wives and children, only to find out that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and everyone who was there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So here David and his men stood in the wreckage of the city burned with fire, and their wives, their sons and daughters taken captive; then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. (see 1 Samuel 30:1-4). What a tragic sight this was! The Bible says, “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters...” (see 1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV). And so David’s condition was made worse by his own people threatening to kill him, to stone him. But here is the point I want us to focus on: the Bible says that in the midst of all this, “David STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD.” (see 1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV). Another translation (the NIV) says, “But David FOUND STRENGTH in the Lord his God.” Hallelujah! Beloved, where do you look for strength in times of trouble? I hope that your strength is in the Lord your God. David knew the source of his strength was outside of his flesh; he knew that the source of his strength was God — and so he relied on God, strengthening himself in the Lord his God. Thus, in the Psalms David writes, "THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him." (Psalms 28:7 NKJV). Every believer has to have the same consciousness and confidence David had, that the Lord is our strength. Our hearts must trust in the Lord, and we will be helped and filled with joy to sing to Him songs of praise in every situation. David, armed with the Lord as his strength, pursued the Amalekites, attacked them, and recovered all that they had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. (see 1 Samuel 30:18). “And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.” (1 Samuel 30:19 NKJV). Glory to God!

When we face battles in our own lives and are at our weakest and are unable to fight in our own strength, we must “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). The Bible says that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (see Isaiah 40:29). Again, “the God of Israel gives POWER and STRENGTH to His people. Praise be to God!” (see Psalm 68:35 NIV). Indeed, God's grace is sufficient for us in every situation, and His strength is made perfect in weakness. (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). David’s victory presents us a classic example of God’s strength made perfect in weakness. Paul said, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, THEN I AM STRONG." (II Corinthians 12:10 NKJV). Truly, when you are conscious that the Lord is your strength, then you will always be strong and courageous regardless of your circumstances. Hence, Paul again said, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS through CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” (Philippians 4:13). Paul was conscious of Christ in him, Christ was his strength. Beloved in Christ, we must also be conscious that Christ who is the wisdom of God and the power of God dwells in us and strengthens us, and so we can do all things through Him. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (see Romans 8:28). Whatever situation you’re in today, rest assured that all things will work together for your good. Therefore, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 NIV). “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (see 2 Timothy 2:1 NIV). For “If God is for us, who can be against us?" (see Romans 8:31). Nobody! Truly, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (see Romans 8:37). We need to have an overcomer's attitude or a victory mentality whenever we encounter trials or adverse circumstances. We need to understand that it is only by faith in Jesus' finished work that we can keep our hearts from being troubled. Paul, walking in faith, said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (see Philippians 4:11). Then he added, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT  in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12 NIV). And that secret is to set your mind on things above, set your mind on Jesus Christ who is your strength and your life, and know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (see Philippians 4:13, with Colossians 3:2-4). Glory to God! Remain blessed.

There is Power in the Name of Jesus

Beloved, there is saving power in the Name of Jesus; there is healing power in the Name of Jesus; there is miracle-working power in the Name of Jesus. And this power is activated through FAITH in the NAME. The apostle Paul said by the Spirit that God exalted Jesus “to the highest place and GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, that at the NAME of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (see Philippians 2:9‭-‬11 NIV). No wonder the spirits are subject to us in the Name of Jesus  (see Luke 10:17, 20). I rejoice because (in the Name of Jesus) my name is written in heaven, in the Book of Life (see Luke 10:20), for whoever calls on the NAME of Jesus shall be saved (see Romans 10:13). Jesus is “able to SAVE to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (see Hebrews 7:25 NKJV). The apostle Peter says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be SAVED.” (Acts 4:12 NIV).And the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in commanding His apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, said, “He WHO BELIEVES and is baptized WILL BE SAVED; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: IN MY NAME they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:16‭-‬18 NKJV).

In the Acts of the Apostles we see evidence of the power in the Name of Jesus. And for today's discussion I want us to focus on the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. (see Acts 3). The Bible says that Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer (that is, the 9th hour or 3pm). It would be fair to assume that Peter and John were not expecting the encounter that they had with the lame man at the gate of the temple; nonetheless, they were READY or PREPARED for it. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy said, “Preach the word! BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON…”  (II Timothy 4:2 NKJV). This is an exhortation to us also to be ALWAYS ready or prepared to give witness to the resurrection of Jesus, and to do so with great power. Peter and John were ready when the opportunity came, when A CERTAIN MAN asked them for alms, a man who was lame from birth (a complete stranger whose name they didn't even know) who was ALWAYS CARRIED and LAID DAILY at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ASK FOR ALMS from those who entered the temple. This lame man was not asking for healing, he was only asking for money. Perhaps he didn't think anyone could give him healing, for he had been in that condition from birth, and he was over 40 years old. Besides, these mostly legalistic Jews from whom he always asked for alms had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (see Romans 10:2), and so they had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof. Thus the lame man seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple ASKED them for money only, not healing.

Beloved, when someone asks you for money, you can only give what you have; Peter didn't have any money at all (on him), and of course, you can't give what you don't have. But Peter had something that he knew the lame man needed even more; he had HEALING in the Name of Jesus. Peter knew he had it. Jesus had given all His disciples the authority to ask ANYTHING in His Name, and He WILL DO IT (see John 14:14). Peter took Jesus seriously and laid hold on His promises. Peter knew, as every believer needs to know today, that Jesus did not lie, Jesus meant what He said; no deceit was found in His mouth (see 1 Peter 2:22). Jesus had also promised that in His NAME His disciples (those who believe the gospel) will lay hands on the sick, and the sick WILL RECOVER (see Mark 16:18). Peter believed all of these promises. And so Peter, though he didn't have any money on him, HAD SOMETHING, and he was aware of what he had. Hence the Bible says that Peter and John both fixed their eyes on the lame man, they stared at him intently, and Peter said, “Look on us.” (see Acts 3:4). Beloved, let us not ignore people who ask us for alms, for we always have something we can give them, even when we don't have money. And when trying to administer healing in the NAME of Jesus, let us also be mindful to make eye contact with the sick person, and try to get the sick person to give us their attention or consent, so that they are expectant. The lame man in this story gave Peter and John his attention, EXPECTING to receive SOMETHING from them (see Acts 3:5). In this context he was expecting to RECEIVE MONEY from them, for that was what he was asking for. The lame man certainly didn't expect what was coming next. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I DO NOT HAVE …” (see Acts 3:6). In fact, if Peter had stopped at this statement, the lame man would've been utterly disappointed. Thankfully Peter didn't stop there; Peter HAD SOMETHING he wanted the lame man to know about and to RECEIVE from him. So Peter continued, “But WHAT I DO HAVE I give you:” (see Acts 3:6). Now, what did Peter have that he was so generous with? Peter had the HEALING POWER in Jesus’ Name. And Jesus had said, “Freely you have received, FREELY GIVE” (see Matthew 10:8). Therefore Peter gave it freely to the lame man. Peter said, “IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, rise up and walk.” (see Acts 3:6). Hallelujah!

Beloved, Peter knew, indeed Peter believed, and he was aware that the NAME of Jesus had power to accomplish what he (Peter) had commanded; and so Peter wasn't going to accept any other outcome, he wasn't expecting any other outcome but to see the lame man rise up and walk in the NAME of Jesus, just like he had commanded. Therefore, Peter TOOK HIM (the lame man) by the right hand and LIFTED HIM UP (see Acts 3:7). Peter followed up his faith-filled command with the ACTION of lifting up the the lame man by the right hand, because Peter believed that what he had commanded in the NAME of Jesus MUST HAPPEN, it had to be fulfilled. The Bible says, and IMMEDIATELY the lame man’s feet and ankle bones RECEIVED STRENGTH (see Acts 3:7). So the lame man, leaping up (or jumping to his feet), STOOD and WALKED and entered the temple with them -- WALKING, JUMPING, and PRAISING GOD (see Acts 3:8). Glory to God! “And ALL THE PEOPLE SAW HIM WALKING and PRAISING GOD.” (Acts 3:9 NKJV). My dear reader, there is awesome power in the Name of Jesus! What a testimony the lame man now had! And he didn't hide his testimony, he didn't hide his miracle, he didn’t hide his joy; he walked and praised God for all the people to see. He praised God publicly, grateful, and joyful.

Indeed, Peter’s FAITH in the Name of Jesus was strong and unwavering. It was FAITH that would not be denied. It was FAITH that worked. Peter wouldn't take No for an answer. The Name of Jesus works, it cannot fail. And Peter understood it, he believed it. Now, how did the people who saw the lame man walking and praising God respond? The Bible says that they were filled with WONDER and AMAZEMENT at what had happened to the lame man (see Acts 3:10); they were GREATLY AMAZED (see Acts 3:11). But contrast their response with Peter’s response; Peter was not amazed, nor did Peter marvel, because he knew, he understood, and he believed that the Name of Jesus has POWER to accomplish ANYTHING. Those of us who believe in the Name of Jesus need not marvel at the mighty miracles, signs and wonders that are performed in the Name of Jesus; it should be normal to us. As believers, the supernatural is natural to us (in the Name of Jesus). Hence, our response is always to give the glory to God. Thus, when Peter saw the people's reaction, “he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, WHY DO YOU MARVEL AT THIS? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:12 NKJV). Peter gave the glory to God. He basically said “You marvel at this because you have the wrong perspective; you think it is by our own (human) power or (human) godliness that we made this man walk.” What Peter meant was that these people shouldn't have marveled if they knew that the healing was performed by the power of God, for with God nothing is impossible. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Beloved, Peter was echoing the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:”‘Not by (human) might nor by (human) power, but by My Spirit’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (see Zechariah 4:6 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). The power in the Name of Jesus is the POWER of God, and we should not think it incredible that it accomplishes the seemingly impossible, like healing a man lame from his mother's womb, who is over 40 years old. As Paul said to king Agrippa, “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8 NKJV). Nothing is impossible with God. If you’re sick, receive your healing now in the Name of Jesus!

Beloved, Peter gave the glory to God when he revealed that the power that had healed the lame man is in the NAME of Jesus. He said that this Jesus is the Prince or Author of life, He is the glorified Servant of God whom you (men of Israel) denied in the presence of Pilate, when Pilate was determined to let Him go; this Jesus is the Holy One, the Just whom God RAISED FROM THE DEAD, of which we (His disciples) are witnesses (see Acts 3:13-15). “And His NAME, through FAITH IN His NAME, HAS MADE THIS MAN STRONG, whom you see and know. Yes, THE FAITH WHICH COMES THROUGH HIM has given him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16 NKJV). Now, note carefully what Peter said here. He said that it was Jesus’ NAME that healed the lame man; through FAITH in Jesus’ NAME, the lame man was healed and made strong; the FAITH which comes through Jesus (for Jesus is the Author and finisher of our faith -- see Hebrews 12:2) gave the lame man PERFECT SOUNDNESS. Truly, Jesus’ NAME and the FAITH that comes through Him doesn't heal partially, it gives PERFECT SOUNDNESS. Jesus indeed is able to SAVE (redeem, deliver, heal, prosper, bless) to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (see Hebrews 7:25).

In the next post, we will discuss the response of the Jewish rulers to the healing of the lame man in the Name of Jesus, and what we can learn from the apostles with regards to responding to the threats that we face today from some government authorities, religious authorities and other opposing groups in carrying out our priestly duty of preaching the gospel to every creature. May you receive whatever you ask for in the Name of Jesus. Remain blessed. #UnveilingMysteries #SpiritLife #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog

How To Respond When We are Severely Threatened and Commanded to Stop Preaching the Gospel of Christ? (PART 2)

Beloved, we’re concluding our discussion on how to respond to severe threats and strict laws against the preaching of the gospel, and as we mentioned earlier in Part One, we are drawing inspiration from chapters 3 through 5 of the Acts of the Apostles. We have already pointed out from the example of the early apostles that one important way to respond when we are threatened severely and commanded by governing/religious authorities and opposing groups to stop preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ is to OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. We also learned that another important way to respond is to PRAY. And of course these two responses are to be employed TOGETHER or SIMULTANEOUSLY, and not as alternatives. We learned in Part One that when the disciples were severely threatened and commanded to stop speaking and teaching in the Name of Jesus, they not only decided to obey God rather than men, but they also prayed, and God answered them. God empowered or emboldened the disciples by the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of power, the Spirit of prophecy) to do that which the enemy had severely threatened them and commanded them not to do, as the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit, and they SPOKE the Word of God with BOLDNESS. The Bible says (as a result of the prayer) that the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and they did it with GREAT POWER. (see Acts 4:33). And GREAT GRACE was upon them all. (see Acts 4:33). Oh, thank God for answered prayers! What could we do without the grace of God? “And through the hands of the apostles MANY SIGNS and WONDERS WERE DONE among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.” (Acts‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). “And BELIEVERS were increasingly ADDED to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and THEY WERE ALL HEALED.” (‭Acts‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Indeed this was a great period of progress for the disciples and for the gospel. But it didn’t stop the Rulers of the people and elders of Israel (or the Council) from coming after the apostles again.

The  Jewish Religious Rulers (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), seeing the progress the apostles made in spreading the gospel and performing miracles, healings, signs and wonders in the Name of Jesus, were filled with indignation (anger, resentment, jealousy). The Bible says, “Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” (Acts‬ ‭5:17-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). They ARRESTED the apostles and put them in the public PRISON. But God was obviously pleased with the work the apostles were doing for the Kingdom, so He intervened; God didn’t allow the apostles to spend the night in prison. God wanted the apostles to keep the momentum going, to continue with the good work of preaching the words (or message) of this (eternal) life. So the Bible says, “But AT NIGHT an ANGEL of the Lord OPENED THE PRISON DOORS and BROUGHT THEM OUT, and said, “Go, STAND IN THE TEMPLE and SPEAK to the people all the words of this life.”” (‭Acts‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). It is quite interesting to me that throughout the Acts of the Apostles God often sent help DURING THE NIGHT (see Acts 5:19; Acts 16: 25-28; Acts 12:6-10; Acts 27:23-24); I believe this is significant, for “NIGHT” also connotes that God will always send help in our DARK moments, and so we should not be afraid. Praise God! Beloved, when you OBEY God rather than men and do the will of God, God will be with you every step of the way and He will deliver you from all your afflictions.

It is also worth noting that God didn’t release the apostles from prison for them to go into hiding. Rather, He told them to go back into the temple (into the full glare of their persecutors) and speak (that is, preach or teach) the words of this eternal life (which is in Christ Jesus). And as always, the apostles OBEYED GOD. The Bible says, “THEY ENTERED THE TEMPLE EARLY IN THE MORNING and TAUGHT” (see Acts 5:21). Hallelujah!

The Bible says that when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard that the apostles were missing from the prison, with the prison doors still locked securely and the guards still standing outside in front of the doors, they were greatly perplexed (confused), wondering what would come of this (see Acts 5:23-24). Then someone came and told them that the missing prisoners (that is, the apostles) were STANDING in the temple and TEACHING the people (see Acts 5:25). The apostles were doing exactly what the angel of the Lord had told them to go and do (see again Acts 5:20). Beloved, you will never go wrong obeying God, you will never go wrong doing what God tells you to do. Even if you get in trouble with the government/religious authorities for doing it, don’t be afraid; we have the example of the early apostles to encourage us. The Bible says that they ARRESTED the apostles again, without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned (see Acts 5:26); they arrested the apostles for doing exactly what God had commanded them to do. “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not STRICTLY COMMAND you NOT to TEACH in this NAME? And look, you have FILLED Jerusalem with YOUR DOCTRINE, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”” (Acts‬ ‭5:27-28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). In other words, the Council was accusing the apostles of violating their command (their law, or instruction), and FILLING JERUSALEM WITH THEIR DOCTRINE. And thankfully, the apostles were guilty as charged. Oh, how pleasing it would be to God if all Christians will fill our neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, nations and the whole world with the doctrine of Christ, with the doctrine of the apostles, with this glorious gospel of peace!

Now, it is fascinating how Peter and the other apostles responded to these charges with such holy boldness. They said, “WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD, rather than men.” (see Acts 5:29). Then they also pressed counter-charges against the rulers and elders of Israel, saying, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom YOU MURDERED by hanging on a tree.” (see Acts 5:30). The apostles were basically calling the Jewish leaders MURDERERS, for they charged that they were the ones who murdered Jesus. And then the apostles testified that God RAISED UP Jesus and has EXALTED Jesus to His RIGHT HAND to be Prince (or Ruler) and Savior, to give REPENTANCE to Israel and FORGIVENESS OF SINS. (see Acts 5:31). They concluded by identifying themselves as Jesus’ WITNESSES to these things (these truths), adding that “so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (see Acts‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

The Bible says that when the members of the Council heard what the apostles said, “they were FURIOUS, and PLOTTED TO KILL THEM” (see Acts 5:33); they wanted to prove themselves as the murderers the apostles charged them to be. But one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and he advised the Council (in private consultation), that they shouldn’t kill the apostles but leave them alone, for if this plan or this work (the apostles were doing) is of men, it will come to nothing (for, after all, their Leader Jesus Christ is dead), but if it is of God, no man can overthrow it, lest they even be found to fight against God. (see Acts 5:34-39). Gamaliel buttressed his point with examples of uprisings or movements in the history of Israel that came to nothing after the ringleaders’ death (see Acts 5:35-37). And so the other members of the Council agreed with Gamaliel (see Acts 5:40), and they did not kill the apostles. Rather, they called for the apostles and BEAT THEM (see Acts 5:40). The apostles were beaten for obeying God and following God’s command. Then they were commanded (once again) by the Council that they SHOULD NOT SPEAK IN THE NAME OF JESUS. (see Acts 5:40). After that, the apostles were released; THEY (the Council) LET THEM GO. (see Acts 5:40). Praise God! The Bible says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME for His NAME. And DAILY in the temple, and in every house, THEY DID NOT CEASE TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS as the Christ.” (Acts‬ ‭5:41-42‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). The apostles truly won! They could not be stopped. They (in the words of the unbelieving Jews) turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Oh, what boldness and zeal they had for the preaching and teaching of the gospel! They even REJOICED that they were counted worthy to SUFFER SHAME FOR JESUS’ NAME. And DAILY in the temple (in the full glare of their persecutors) and in EVERY HOUSE, they DID NOT STOP TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS AS THE CHRIST. (see Acts 5:42). They OBEYED God rather than men. And buoyed by PRAYER and sustained by the power of God through faith, they pressed on, they pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Beloved, may you also OBEY GOD rather than men whenever you are confronted with severe threats and laws against the preaching and teaching of the gospel; and may you not forget to PRAY. May you be bold and unstoppable as you preach and teach the gospel of Christ, and even in the face of severe persecution, may you rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ Name. Amen. #SpiritLife #UnveilingMysteries #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog

How To Respond When We are Severely Threatened and Commanded to Stop Preaching the Gospel of Christ? (PART 1)

Beloved, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said that “REPENTANCE and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached in His NAME to ALL NATIONS” (see Luke 24:47). Then He commanded that we (His disciples) are the ones to preach it (see Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus also wanted us to preach the gospel, not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, just like the apostle Paul did (see 1 Corinthians 2:4-5), so that the faith of our hearers should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. This is also why Jesus commanded that every believer waits and be baptized in the Holy Spirit and thus receive power before we go out into the world as witnesses to Him (see Luke 24:49, with Acts 1:8). Beloved, the gospel of Christ was never meant to be preached with words only, but with power. Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Church, said that “the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (see 1 Corinthians 4:20). Then in his letter to the church of God in Thessalonica, he said, "For our gospel DID NOT come to you IN WORD ONLY, BUT ALSO IN POWER, and IN THE Holy Spirit and in MUCH ASSURANCE, as you know WHAT KIND OF MEN WE WERE among you for your sake." (1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV). Paul was not the only apostle of Christ who preached the gospel in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. All the early apostles did.

In the Acts of the Apostles we see evidence of the gospel of Christ being preached in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. We also see the evidence that when the gospel of Christ is preached in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, it triggers persecution and severe threats against the preaching of the gospel. It seems that our adversary (the devil) does not mind people preaching the gospel, as long as they preach it WITHOUT THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER. The devil does not mind an empty gospel, he doesn’t mind when a church has religious zeal and a form of godliness but denies the power thereof. Indeed it is the manifested power in the gospel that the devil is afraid of and thus hates, not the intellectual or philosophical preaching of it. Hence, those of us who are willing to lay hold on the power in the gospel and to preach it, not only in word but in power, should expect opposition from the devil and his minions or human proxies, we should expect threats, we should expect laws carefully crafted by government and religious authorities to try to stop the preaching of the true gospel of Christ, indeed we should expect arrests and imprisonments, especially in these last days. The focus of our discussion today is on how we are to respond to the persecution and the threats from government/religious authorities and other opposing groups against the preaching of the gospel in these last days. We will draw our inspiration from Acts chapters 3 through 5, which narrate the story of the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, the gospel crusade that was triggered by the healing, and the ensuing persecution and threats against the preaching of the gospel that the apostles received from the governing/religious authorities.

Now, when Peter and John healed the lame man (in the Name of Jesus) at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, they did not stop at the healing, the healing provided an opportunity for them to preach Jesus Christ (in whose name the healing was wrought), calling on the people to repent and be converted for the remission of sins in the Name of Jesus (see Acts 3:17-26). And the Bible says that “MANY OF THOSE WHO HEARD THE WORD BELIEVED; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” (see Acts 4:4 NKJV). However, not everybody who heard the Word believed. In fact, this has always been the case since the beginning of the world: whenever the gospel is preached, there are some who believe the Word and others who don’t. The Bible says of the children of Israel in the wilderness that the gospel that was preached to them did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (see Hebrews 4:2). Among those also who DID NOT BELIEVE the Word that Peter and John preached in the temple were the Sadducees, the priests, and the captain of the temple; these men spurned the gospel, they didn’t even allow Peter and John to finish speaking, but came up to them while they were still speaking, and arrested them, for they were greatly disturbed that Peter and John preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (see Acts 4:1-3). Obviously, the reason these men were greatly disturbed is because they felt Peter and John were destroying their theology or their doctrine, for “the Sadducees say there is no resurrection from the dead, and that there are neither angels nor spirits” (see Acts 23:8; with Mark 12:18; Matthew 22:23). Indeed it is sad that these men preferred to hold on to their man-made doctrines and traditions rather than accept the truth of God’s Word which was being proclaimed to them by these great apostles of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that they arrested Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening (see Acts 4:3). And so Peter and John spent the night in custody; they were kept in custody till the next day (see Acts 4:5). Their only offense was that they had preached in the Name of Jesus Christ, and they had done a good deed to a helpless man (see Acts 4:9). Beloved, what are you willing to suffer for the Name of Christ? Peter and John spent the night in custody, suffering shame for the Name of Christ, suffering for doing a good deed to a helpless man.

The Bible says, “And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them (that is, Peter and John) in the midst, they asked, “BY WHAT POWER or BY WHAT NAME have you done this?” Then Peter, FILLED WITH THE Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for A GOOD DEED DONE to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, BY HIM THIS MAN STANDS HERE BEFORE YOU WHOLE. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5‭-‬12 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Oh, the boldness of Peter! Thank God for the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that “Peter, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT” answered the rulers and elders this way (see Acts 4:8). It was the Holy Spirit who gave Peter the utterance when he spoke these words. The Lord Jesus promised all His disciples, saying, “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for IT IS NOT YOU WHO SPEAK, but the Spirit of your Father who SPEAKS IN YOU.” (Matthew‬ ‭10:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). This promise was fulfilled in Peter and John in this story. When  you are also filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will give you the utterance to speak. Indeed when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will speak with BOLDNESS, and people will SEE that boldness. The people SAW the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, and perceiving that Peter and John were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and attributed their boldness to the fact that they had been with Jesus (see Acts 4:13). And how right they were! As believers, the Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of POWER, and of love, and of a sound mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7). The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of POWER, He is a Spirit of BOLDNESS. And He makes us bold and powerful witnesses to Jesus Christ.

When Peter spoke boldly about Jesus in response to the Council (that is, the gathering of the rulers of the people and elders of Israel), they could not dispute Peter’s claims about Jesus because they could see the man who had been healed (BY THE NAME OF JESUS) standing with them (see Acts 4:14). The proof was infallible and irrefutable, and so the gospel could not be denied. This is also why God wants us to always preach the gospel in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The Lord wants to work with us and confirm His Word with signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (see Mark 16:20). We just have to be filled with His Spirit, and yield to Him. You need the POWER of the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give you miracles, signs and wonders as evidence of the truth of the gospel of Christ, so that people cannot deny it. Indeed the Council couldn’t challenge the fact that a NOTABLE MIRACLE had been done in the Name of Jesus through Peter and John, for it was EVIDENT to all who dwelt in Jerusalem, and they couldn’t deny it (see Acts 4:16). Therefore, the Council set a goal to STOP what later came to be known as CHRISTIANITY FROM SPREADING FURTHER AMONG THE PEOPLE (see Acts 4:17). And the STRATEGY that they employed in their effort to achieve this goal was SEVERE THREATS against the apostles to stop them from speaking to anyone in the name of Jesus. The Bible says, “So they called them and COMMANDED THEM NOT TO SPEAK AT ALL NOR TEACH IN THE NAME OF JESUS.” (Acts‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NKJV). Beloved, the goal and strategy of the enemy has not changed. The devil (through his human proxies) today still has the same goal of stopping true Christianity from spreading further among the people, and he uses the same strategy of severe threats against the preachers of the gospel, and antagonistic laws designed to stop us.

Thus the Council commanded Peter and John to not SPEAK at all nor TEACH in the Name of Jesus (see Acts 4:18). They passed a strict law against preaching the gospel of Christ among the people. But what was the response of the apostles? Did they budge? Did they say, “Oh God, as You can see, the new law of the land is that we are not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus, so we are not going to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus?” A thousand times No! Rather, “Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”” (see Acts‬ ‭4:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Peter and John were basically saying to the Council, “You judge for yourself whether it is right IN THE SIGHT OF GOD (not in your own sight, but in the sight of God) to listen to you (mere men) more than to God (who has commanded us to preach and teach in the Name of Jesus.” And so, here we learn from Peter and John that one important way to respond to the severe threats and laws made by human authorities and institutions against the preaching of the gospel is to simply OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. This was what Peter and John intended to do, and so they continued their response to the Council by basically saying, “If we are ever going to open our mouth to speak again, we cannot but speak the things which we have SEEN and HEARD, and of course, the things which we have seen and heard concern the Word of Life, which we preach” (see Acts 4:20, with 1 John 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:16-18).

Not quite unexpectedly, this response from Peter and John was greeted with MORE THREATS from the Council, after which they released them, finding no way of punishing them because of the people, since they ALL glorified God for the miracle that had been done (see Acts 4:21). For the man who was healed was over 40 years old, and he had been lame from birth. (see Acts 4:22). Beloved, the miracles God performs by our hands should always bring glory to God, they should cause people to glorify God, and not us. Christ must be at the center of all we do; He must be  lifted by our witness, yes, Christ must be exalted and glorified by our works.

Now, after Peter and John were released from the custody of the Council, having been threatened severely and commanded to neither speak nor teach in the Name of Jesus, the Bible says that “they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them” (Acts‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Let us pay careful attention to what follows next, because it will teach us another valuable lesson about how we are also to respond to severe threats and antagonistic laws against the preaching of the gospel. The Bible says that when the brethren heard from Peter and John about the severe threats against them by the Council, and learned that the Council had commanded them to STOP preaching or teaching to anyone in the Name of Jesus, they (the brethren) also set a goal and devised a strategy: the goal was to PREACH and TEACH the gospel WITH ALL BOLDNESS, and the strategy was to PRAY. (see Acts 4:24-31). And so they raised their voice to God in prayer, they PRAYED LOUDLY (see Acts 4:24); indeed this was no time for silence. For the apostles knew that they were at war, and they also knew that they were not warring against men, they were not wrestling against flesh and blood, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (see Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬). Hence they did not war according to the flesh, they understood that the weapons of their warfare are not carnal. Therefore, they employed a spiritual strategy: the strategy of PRAYER. And they prayed LOUDLY. You see, some people criticize loud prayers, because they don’t understand that although it is not the loudness of the prayer that brings the answer, there are times and situations in which we can’t help but pray LOUDLY. And this was exactly one of such times and situations where the disciples couldn’t help but pray loudly. The disciples did not only pray loudly but they also prayed IN AGREEMENT or WITH ONE ACCORD. (see Acts 4:24). Jesus had promised His disciples that “if two of you AGREE on earth CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT THEY ASK, IT WILL BE DONE FOR THEM by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew‬ ‭18:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Therefore, the disciples AGREED concerning what to ask for in prayer. Then they asked. They said, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all BOLDNESS they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to HEAL, and that SIGNS and WONDERS may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts‬ ‭4:29-30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

Beloved, if the events surrounding the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful hadn’t taught the disciples anything else, it had taught them that miracles performed in the Name of Jesus bring BOLDNESS  to them for the preaching of the gospel of Christ. And so, in their prayer of agreement, they asked the Lord to look on the threats of the Council (and because of those threats) grant to them that WITH ALL BOLDNESS they may SPEAK GOD’s Word; they added that they CAN SPEAK WITH ALL BOLDNESS if God will give them MORE  HEALINGS, and SIGNS AND WONDERS, if God will stretch forth His hand to HEAL and that SIGNS AND WONDERS may be done IN THE NAME OF JESUS, in the Name that the Council had forbidden them from speaking and teaching in. (see Acts 4:29-30). Oh, what noble request these disciples made in their prayer! They asked for more healings, signs and wonders to be done in the Name of Jesus, so as to give them BOLDNESS to preach and teach the Word of God. They asked for notable healings and miracles to be performed in the Name of Jesus, such that they can’t be denied, just like before. The disciples basically believed that more miracles performed in the Name of Jesus will give them more boldness to preach in the Name of Jesus. And they were right. Thus God answered their prayer. The Bible says, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with BOLDNESS.” (Acts‬ ‭4:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

Truly, God answers prayers. God’s response to the disciples’ prayer was awesome: He empowered or emboldened the disciples by the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of power, the Spirit of prophecy) to do that which the enemy had severely threatened them and commanded them not to do, as the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit, and they SPOKE the Word of God with BOLDNESS. The Bible says (as a result of the prayer) that the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and they did it with GREAT POWER. (see Acts 4:33). And GREAT GRACE was upon them all. (see Acts 4:33). Oh, thank God for answered prayers! What could we do without the grace of God? “And through the hands of the apostles MANY SIGNS and WONDERS WERE DONE among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.” (Acts‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). “And BELIEVERS were increasingly ADDED to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and THEY WERE ALL HEALED.” (‭Acts‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Indeed this was a great period of progress for the disciples and for the gospel. But did it stop the Rulers of the people and elders of Israel (or the Council) from coming after the apostles again? We will discuss this and more in the next post (or Part 2 of this series). Please return to this Page in two days to read the conclusion of this topic. And may you stand steadfast in the faith and rejoice always when you suffer shame for Jesus’ Name. Amen. #SpiritLife #UnveilingMysteries #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog

Know Your Enemy: The Three Major Areas Satan Tempts Man

Beloved, we’re continuing our discussion on Satan’s temptation of man in the garden of Eden that caused man to sin, and today we’re going to focus on the three major areas Satan tempts man, because Satan has not changed, he is very predictable, he still operates in the same manner. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that, as believers, we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (or schemes). Satan, in his temptations of man always appeals to man's sensibilities regarding three major things:
1. The lust of the flesh
2. The lust of the eyes
3. The pride of life

The Bible sums up ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD into these three things mentioned above (see 1 John 2:16), and then admonishes us that these things are NOT of the Father but are of the world, and so we are not to love them, we are not to love the world or the things of the world (see 1 John 2:15-16). When Satan tempted Eve in the garden of Eden, he appealed to her sensibilities regarding these three things which are not of the Father but are of the world. And the Bible says that “when the woman SAW that the tree was GOOD FOR FOOD (that is, the lust of the flesh), that it was PLEASANT TO THE EYES (that is, the lust of the eyes), and a tree DESIRABLE TO MAKE ONE WISE (that is, the pride of life), she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Thus, man fell to the temptations of Satan in the garden of Eden because MAN LOVED THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. Man succumbed to Satan’s temptation because man was drawn away by his own DESIRES and enticed by the things of the world (see James 1:14-15); man was enticed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; man loved and desired the things of this world more than the things of God.

Beloved, Satan’s goal in every temptation is always to draw man’s love and man’s desire away from the things of God to the world or the things in the world, and unfortunately, Satan often succeeds, but he only succeeds when man gives place to him or submits to him. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, mentioned that Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world and had departed for Thessalonica (see 2 Timothy 4:10). It is my hope that you will not love this present world, because this present world and all its lusts is passing away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (see 1 John 2:17). I pray that Satan will not succeed with you in any temptation, and I hope you are reading this message because you don’t want to give place to Satan, and you don’t want Satan to successfully tempt you. Yes, Satan will tempt you, but he must not succeed. The Bible says that no man is immune to temptation, nor is there any temptation that is beyond man’s ability to resist. (see 1 Corinthians 10:12-13). If it is your goal to resist every temptation Satan throws at you, then be assured that God shares that goal and He will help you. The Bible says that “God is faithful, who WILL NOT ALLOW YOU to be tempted beyond what you are able (to resist), but with the temptation will also MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, that YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT.” (see 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). God has ordained that you are able to bear every temptation that comes your way; indeed God will always make the way of escape for you when you are tempted, but it is ultimately your responsibility to take the way of escape or walk through the way of escape that God makes for you. Beloved, the guaranteed way of escape in every temptation is always the WORD (RHEMA) of God. You will always resist the devil and his temptations if you will simply submit to the truth of God’s Word, if you will simply lay hold on the Word of God for the moment (that is, the now Word regarding the area of temptation). What is God’s Word regarding your current circumstance? For instance, what is God’s word for this moment when you’re being tempted to steal or covet or fornicate or commit adultery? What is God’s Word regarding this moment when you’re feeling sick in your body or feeling oppressed by the enemy? What is God’s Word regarding lack, suffering or hardship? Regardless of the temptation Satan brings, if you will only stand steadfast in the faith, trusting God and submitting or holding on to the truth of the Word of God, the temptation will not succeed, for Satan will flee from you as you resist him (see James 4:7); the Bible says that Satan does not stand in the truth (see John 8:44). Imagine what would’ve happened in the garden of Eden if Eve had responded to Satan’s temptation by submitting to the Word of God and confessing the truth of God’s Word, if she had responded with the simple words “It is said,” “It is written,” or “Thus says the Lord.” She would’ve resisted Satan and Satan would’ve fled, just as Jesus resisted him in the temptations in the wilderness and he fled (see Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus showed us THE WAY OF ESCAPE the Bible promises that God will make for us with every temptation. And Jesus also showed us how to take the way of escape and successfully resist every temptation. The Way of Escape, my dear friends, is submission to the truth of the Word of God and confession of the Word of God, the Rhema of God.

Now, as we analyze Satan’s temptation of Jesus Christ in the wilderness further, we will notice that, just like he did with Eve in the garden of Eden, Satan, in his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness appealed to Jesus’ sensibilities regarding three major things: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

1. THE LUST OF THE FLESH: (Satan basically said to Jesus, “Look, You are hungry, and God has not provided, so IF You are the Son of God, why don’t You exploit the power of God to satisfy this hunger, to satisfy this lust of your flesh by commanding that these stones become bread?” (a paraphrase of Matthew 4:1-3). We can also perceive (even from the response Jesus gave to Satan) that Jesus, after His long period of fasting, was in the Spirit, loving and desiring the things of God. Hence, Satan’s goal here was to try to cause Jesus to be drawn away from His love or desire for the things of God or things of the Spirit, and drawn toward the love or desire for the things of this world, and in this context the lust of the flesh. Now, this was a bonafide temptation, because Jesus was truly hungry, and He being the Son of God had power which He could’ve exploited to satisfy the lust of His flesh if He desired to. But Jesus didn’t desire to do that. God had made the Way of Escape for Jesus, and Jesus took that way of escape. Jesus confessed the Word of God (suitable) for that moment. He answered Satan and said, “IT IS WRITTEN, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (see Matthew 4:4). And thus with this, Jesus resisted that first temptation regarding the lust of the flesh. Jesus obviously had set His mind on things above, not on things on the earth, which is what the Bible commands us also to do (see Colossians 3:2). Jesus valued spiritual food (the Word of God) above natural food that can only satisfy the lust of the flesh. And the Bible says that Jesus has left us an example, that we should follow His steps.

2. THE LUST OF THE EYES: (“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, SHOWED Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and THEIR GLORY; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” (Luke 4:5-7 NKJV). Here, Satan was obviously appealing to the lust of the eyes by SHOWING Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan was basically saying, “See how beautiful and pleasant to the eyes these kingdoms of the world are; they are mine, and I will give all these kingdoms to you, together with their glory if you will fall down and worship me.”) Oh, how many men have fallen for the lust of the eyes! But not Jesus. Jesus took the way of escape God made with this temptation for Him; He answered Satan and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Luke 4:8 NKJV). Again, the way of escape for Jesus was submission to the Word of God and confession of it. The Psalmist says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalms 119:11 NKJV).

3. THE PRIDE OF LIFE: (“Then he (Satan) brought Him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” (Luke 4:9-11 NKJV). Here, Satan was obviously appealing to the pride of life by arousing Jesus’ ego to try to cause Him to prove Himself the Son of God, or show what He is capable of doing with the power and authority He has as the Son of God, and to do it not for the glory of God but for His own glory or to boost His own ego. Also notice the cunningness of Satan, he had the nerve to quote Scripture (the Psalms) to back what he was asking Jesus to do. You see, beloved, Satan can quote Scripture but because he has no revelation or understanding of it, he often quotes out of context. We as believers have understanding, we have revelation of the fullness of the gospel, so we should not allow just anyone (including Satan himself) to quote Scriptures they don’t understand to try to convince us to do stupid things. We don’t need to prove to anyone that we are the sons of God or that we believe the Word of God, we just have to be secure in our identity as sons of God, confident of the inner witness that the Spirit of God who is in us bears with our spirit that we are the sons of God. Even when we have to perform miracles, the motive behind it must be pure and just. We shouldn’t perform miracles out of pride, or to tempt God, or to boost our own ego or prestige in the eyes of men. We are only to perform miracles where there is a genuine need, and we are to do it out of faith, out of love, and for the glory of God. We should not try to do anything from a position of doubt or to tempt God to see if He will really do what His Word says He will do. Indeed, we cannot just pick a passage from Scripture and try to tempt God with it to see if it is true or not, for instance by drinking something deadly just to see if it is true that it will by no means harm us, as Jesus promised in Mark 16:18. Whenever we are challenged or tempted along these lines, we should learn from what Jesus did. Jesus answered and said to Satan, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:12-13 NKJV).

Beloved, just as the Lord Jesus Christ resisted each one of Satan’s temptations, we can also resist all of Satan’s temptations today because Christ is in us, and God is always making the way of escape for us with every temptation we face. May you take the way of escape in every temptation by submitting to the Word of God and resisting the devil till he flees from you. Remain blessed. #UnveilingMysteries #SpiritLife #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog

Know Your Enemy: Satan is a Liar and the Father of It

During His earth ministry, Jesus spoke a profound truth about Satan, our enemy. Jesus said that Satan “was a MURDERER from the beginning, and DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, because there is no truth in him. When HE SPEAKS A LIE, he speaks from his own resources, for HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF IT.” (see John 8:44 NKJV). Every believer needs to know and be always CONSCIOUS of this truth about Satan: he is a MURDERER and a LIAR. In fact, the WEAPON Satan used to commit his notorious murder of mankind in the garden of Eden was LIES or DECEPTION. Satan’s LIES led Adam and Eve to DEATH, by causing them to disobey God and to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded them (under penalty of death) not to eat (see Genesis 3:1-7). The Bible says that Satan (the serpent) is cunning, crafty, or subtle (see Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3), which also means that Satan’s lies are often subtle (that is, they’re not so obvious). So, let us analyze the lies Satan told Eve in the garden of Eden.

First, Satan told Eve that she and her husband “will not surely die” if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded them not to eat (see Genesis 3:4). This was a lie because Adam and Eve were surely going to die if they ate of the (forbidden) tree of the knowledge of good and evil, just as God had warned them (see Genesis 2:17). On that same day that they ate of the (forbidden) tree, they died (spiritually); they were separated or alienated from the life of God; they were driven out of the garden of Eden and banished from the presence of God. (see Genesis 3:23-24; with Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 1:21). Today Satan is telling many people that they will not surely perish or be condemned if they do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. But that is a lie, my dear friends. The Bible says that whoever does not believe in Jesus Christ “is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (see John 3:18).  Truly, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” (see Mark 16:16).

Second, Satan subtly told Eve that God is a liar and an evil person. By saying that Adam and Eve “will not surely die,” Satan was opposing God’s word and painting God, not only as a liar, but as an evil person who was withholding something good from Adam and Eve. Satan said “God knows that in the day you eat of it YOUR EYES WILL BE OPENED, and YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.” Here, Satan was basically saying that knowing good and evil will be beneficial to man, and God doesn’t want man to have something this beneficial. This was a lie. God didn’t want man to have a knowledge or consciousness of (good and) EVIL, because it wasn’t going to be good for us, as I explained in my previous post. And so God is neither a liar nor an evil person (as we can see from even this story and how it ended); it is Satan who is obviously the liar and the evil one.

Third, Satan said that Adam and Eve will be like God, knowing good and evil, if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded them not to eat. This was a half-truth, which is essentially a lie. Yes, man was going to be like God alright (in the sense or context of) knowing good and evil (see Genesis 3:22), but in another sense, a rather tragic sense, man was going to be like Satan himself if he disobeyed God (and thus sinned) by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God had commanded man not to eat. Man was going to become evil or a sinner by committing that act of evil, and worse of all, man’s knowledge of good and evil was going to condemn him and cause him to feel naked (that is, exposed, ashamed, guilty) and afraid in the presence of the Holy and Righteous God, because of man’s sin. (see Genesis 3:7-10).

Fourth, Satan told Eve that if she and her husband ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes will be opened. In other words, they would see the light. This was a lie because, disobeying or rebelling against God by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a sin that was only going to open man’s eyes to his own sin and nakedness (or shame, condemnation and guilt) and cause man to be afraid of the presence of God (see Genesis 3:7-10). It was a sin that was going to rather cause man’s way to be like darkness (see Proverbs 4:19); it was going to cause man’s eyes to be blinded, so that though seeing, he may not see (see Ezekiel 12:2; Isaiah 44:18; Matthew 13:13; John 9:39-41). It was a sin that was going to blind the minds of men, who do not believe God, lest the light of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God should shine on them. (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). Today, Satan is pointing men to all kinds of vain religions that he claims will open their eyes and give them light, but the Bible says that Jesus alone gives light and opens the eyes of the blind, because He is the Light of the world, and anyone who follows Him shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life (see Luke 4:18; with John 9:39, John 8:12).

Beloved, it is unfortunate that Adam and Eve fell for the lies of Satan. Many people often ask the question, “Where was Adam when Eve was being deceived? Maybe he could’ve stopped it; but where in the world did Adam go?” I’ve even heard many renowned preachers ask this question. But the Bible answers this question plainly. Adam didn’t go anywhere. Adam was with Eve the whole time Satan was talking to Eve. And so the Bible says that “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto HER HUSBAND WITH HER; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6 KJV). The NLT translation makes it even clearer: “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS WITH HER, and he ate it, too.” (Genesis 3:6 NLT). And so when God came into the garden of Eden, He addressed all three of them (Adam, Eve, and Satan the serpent), because they were all still together (see Genesis 3:8-15). Thus, the Bible says that Eve being deceived, fell into transgression (see Genesis 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:14; 2 Corinthians 11:3), but Adam was not deceived. (see 1 Timothy 2:14). Whereas Eve only obeyed Satan because she was deceived to do so, Adam made a conscious choice to obey Satan over God. Hence both Adam and Eve sinned, and they both surely died. The Bible says that “through one man SIN entered the world, and DEATH through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (see Romans 5:12 NKJV). Also, “through one man’s offense JUDGMENT came to all men, resulting in CONDEMNATION” (see Romans 5:18 NKJV). This is why we preach Jesus Christ, persuading all men to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the GIFT of eternal life (see John 3:16; Romans 6:23). The Bible says, “And the GIFT is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in CONDEMNATION, but the FREE GIFT which came from many offenses resulted in JUSTIFICATION. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the GIFT of righteousness will reign in life THROUGH the One, JESUS CHRIST.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:16‭-‬19 NKJV). This one Man whose obedience, whose righteous act has made and will make many righteous is Jesus Christ. For God made Jesus “who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).

In the next post, we will discuss further Satan’s temptation of man in the garden of Eden that caused man to sin, and we will point out and explain the three major areas where Satan tempts man, because Satan has not changed, he is very predictable, he still operates in the same manner. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that, as believers, we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (or schemes). May you never give place to Satan. Remain blessed.  #UnveilingMysteries #SpiritLife #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog

Why God Didn't Want Man to Eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

In the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve ate of the (forbidden) tree of the knowledge of good and evil (see Genesis 3:1-7), the Bible says that they became like God (in the sense or context of) KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL (see Genesis 3:22). This was bad for man, because it put a heavy burden on man to consistently choose or make a judgment between GOOD and EVIL -- a judgment only God can make justly or righteously. The knowledge of good and evil is indeed a heavy burden God did not intend for man to bear. God intended for man to have a knowledge of good only. The Bible says, "Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil." (see 1 Corinthians 14:20 NLT). And so God originally created Adam and Eve to know only good. Adam and Eve knew to do good, to eat freely of every tree in the garden of Eden, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (see Genesis 2:16-17). And the Bible says, "To him who knows to do good and DOES NOT DO IT, to him IT IS SIN." (see James 4:17 NKJV ).

Thus Adam and Eve had no knowledge or consciousness of SIN, they had no knowledge or consciousness of EVIL, until they rejected God's plan for them, chose to obey Satan and thus chose to NOT DO GOOD but to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded them not to eat. The moment they ate of the (forbidden) tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve received knowledge or consciousness of (not just good, but) EVIL also; hence they immediately became CONSCIOUS that they had sinned or committed EVIL by disobeying God. They felt NAKED or exposed, they felt guilty. Having knowledge of good and evil implies that whenever you commit an act of evil, you will feel naked, exposed, or guilty and condemned before the Holy God and Creator of the universe. No wonder Jesus said that those who do not believe in Him are condemned already (see John 3:18). The natural man is condemned already. God asked Adam, “WHO TOLD YOU that you were naked? HAVE YOU EATEN from the tree of which I COMMANDED you that YOU SHOULD NOT EAT?” (Genesis 3:11 NKJV). God was basically saying to Adam that, "If you have eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which I commanded you not to eat, then it is YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL that is telling you that you're naked. You were not supposed to have this knowledge, Adam; it will ruin you. This is why I warned you that on the day that you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall surely die."

Beloved, the knowledge of good and evil Adam and Eve received from eating of the (forbidden) tree, and the resulting knowledge and consciousness that they had COMMITTED an act of EVIL by disobeying God was what caused Adam and Eve to feel naked and afraid and to hide themselves from the presence of God (see Genesis 3:8). Their knowledge or consciousness of sin made them feel guilty, condemned and afraid in the presence of the Holy and Righteous God. And thus their sin separated or alienated them from God. (see Genesis 3:22-24; with Isaiah 59:2 and Colossians 1:21).

The good news today, my dear friend, is that even though all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, if any man BELIEVES in Jesus Christ or comes into Christ, such a man is A NEW CREATION, a new species of man, a son of God, who is righteous and has NO MORE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN (see Romans 3:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17, with
Hebrews 10:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:1, 9). Hallelujah! This is why we persuade all men to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and be saved, so that you can join us (believers) to come BOLDLY (without any sense of fear, guilt, condemnation or inferiority) to the throne of grace, TO THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (see Hebrews 4:16). We believers are truly the sons of God, and we are partakers of the divine (or God) nature. Glory to God! #UnveilingMysteries #SpiritLife #shareTheWord

Keep the Word of God in Your Heart, and Bear Fruit with Patience (Part 4)

“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard THE WORD with a noble and good heart, KEEP IT AND BEAR FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.” (Luke 8:15 NKJV).

Beloved, we are concluding our series on the Parable of the Sower, and in this fourth and final part of the series we will discuss the seed that “fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” (see Luke 8:8 NKJV). Jesus said, “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having HEARD THE WORD with a noble and good heart, KEEP IT AND BEAR FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.” (Luke 8:15 NKJV). Thus it is in HEARING THE WORD with a NOBLE AND GOOD HEART (a heart that is open or sincere and receptive to the truth of God's Word), UNDERSTANDING THE WORD (see Matthew 13:23), ACCEPTING or BELIEVING THE WORD or keeping the Word in the midst of our heart (see Mark 4:20; with Proverbs 4:20-22), MEDITATING on the Word, and putting the Word into practice or DOING THE WORD consistently (see Joshua 1:8; with James 1:22-25, Luke 6:46-49), that we can bear a hundredfold fruit. In this parable also, Jesus gives us two keys that are necessary to our ability to bear fruit when we hear the Word of the Kingdom with a noble and good heart, and these two keys are FAITH (believing the Word and keeping it in our heart), and PATIENCE (being steadfast in believing, confessing and putting the Word into practice, regardless of what temptation, persecution or tribulation the Word might bring). Likewise, the Book of Hebrews implores us to IMITATE those who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit the promises of God (see Hebrews 6:12). It is indeed through FAITH and PATIENCE that we inherit the promises of God, and bear fruit a hundredfold. Bearing fruit in the Kingdom of God then is synonymous with inheriting (or laying hold on) the promises of God, or walking in the good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (see Ephesians 2:10). The apostle Peter wrote that it is through (laying hold on) the exceedingly great and precious promises of God that we become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (see 2 Peter 1:4).

Beloved, it is very important to our Lord Jesus Christ that we (His disciples) lay hold on all the promises of God, walk in good works, or bear fruit a hundredfold. Thus, Jesus Himself emphasized that He has chosen us and ordained us to the end that we will BEAR FRUIT, and that our fruit should REMAIN. He said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ORDAINED YOU, THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT, and that your FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you.” (John 15:16 KJV). Then He added that, “Every branch in Me that DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT He (The Father) takes away; and every branch that BEARS FRUIT He (The Father) prunes, THAT IT MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT.” (John 15:2 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Beloved, the ultimate goal of our Christian walk here on earth is for each disciple of Christ to bear a hundredfold fruit; and this can only be attained through FAITH and PATIENCE. Therefore, so long as you are bearing fruit, you shouldn't worry that others are bearing a hundredfold and you are only bearing, say thirtyfold, or sixty; you should be patient, because the Father prunes those who are bearing fruit so that they may bear more fruit. You should thus continue patiently to abide in Christ as He abides in you and His words abide in you, and you will be pruned by the Father to bear more fruit, up to a hundredfold.

Truly, there is no other way to bear fruit but to ABIDE (or remain) in Jesus Christ and allow His words to ABIDE (or remain) in us. (see John 15:1-8). Abiding in Jesus is the same as abiding (or remaining) in the Word of God, because Jesus and the Word are one (see John 1:1,14). Therefore if you abide in the Word or make your home in the Word of God -- give yourself entirely to the Word, read it always, meditate on it and confess it continually -- and get the Word to also abide (or make its home) in you, and then put the Word into practice with patience, you will definitely bear fruit, and yes, you will bear fruit a hundredfold. The Bible says that the fruits of righteousness are BY Jesus Christ  (see Philippians 1:11). This also means that we do not bear the fruits of righteousness by self-effort under the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. For we walk by faith. (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). You will bear the fruits of righteousness if you will simply remain in Jesus and allow His words to remain in you, in the same way as the branch of a vine bears fruit by simply remaining in the vine. Jesus Himself said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, NEITHER CAN YOU, UNLESS YOU ABIDE IN Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who ABIDES IN Me, and I IN him, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NKJV). Indeed we have to abide in Jesus (the Word of God) and allow Jesus (the Word of God) to abide in us in order for us to bear much fruit. The apostle Paul was walking in the knowledge and consciousness of this truth when he said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Again, Paul said that he labored, striving according to CHRIST’S WORKING WHICH WORKED IN HIM MIGHTILY. (Colossians 1:29). Paul was evidently fruitful in his ministry because he was always conscious of Christ who was in him, and who was his strength, and he also remained in Christ. Paul knew, like the apostle John, that Christ the greater One was in him. (see 1 John 4:4; with Colossians 1:27). He even made the famous declaration, “I have been crucified with Christ; IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY FAITH in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV). Indeed Paul was fruitful in his Christian walk, so fruitful that at the end of his ministry he boldly declared: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7‭-‬8 NKJV). Glory to God!

Beloved, we will also bear much fruit with patience if we abide in Christ and His words abide in us. And the evidence that we are bearing much fruit is that others see our GOOD WORKS -- the unconditional love we have for others, our joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (see Galatians 5:22), our testimony about Jesus Christ, the good news of salvation that we preach and minister to others, as well as other great miraculous works that we perform in the name of Jesus (see Mark 16:16-18; John 14:12) -- and give glory to our Father in Heaven (see Matthew 5:16). As we also noted earlier, the Bible says that God prepared these good works beforehand for us to walk in them. (see Ephesians 2:10). What this means is that although the fruits we bear or the good works we do are “our good works,” they are actually produced by God in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the days of His flesh, testified of this truth when He said concerning the words that He spoke and the works that He did, that it was the Father in Him who did the works (see John 14:10). Therefore, dearly beloved, as long as we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, as long as we walk in the light (or walk according to the Word of God), as long as we walk by faith or walk in the Spirit, these fruits or good works will manifest in our lives a hundredfold to the glory of God. This is also why the Bible says we are the ones that have to maintain the good works. You cannot maintain what you don’t already have, and so we have the good works already, and we are commanded to maintain them or keep producing them, by remaining in Christ and allowing His words to remain in us. Paul in his letter to Titus wrote: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD SHOULD BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable to men.” (Titus 3:8). We are all to learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that we may NOT BE UNFRUITFUL. (see Titus 3:14). Again, we maintain good works by abiding in Christ (the Vine) and allowing Him and His words to abide in us (see John 15:4-8), just as the branches of any vine maintain their production of fruits simply by abiding in the vine. Truly, when you hear and receive THE WORD OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL with a noble and good heart and keep it in the midst of your heart, it will BRING FORTH FRUIT in you, as it did among the saints in colosse (see Colossians 1:3‭-‬10); you will WALK WORTHY of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, BEING FRUITFUL in EVERY GOOD WORK and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Therefore, desire the sincere milk of the Word, study the Word, believe the Word, meditate on the Word of God for it to abide in you or fill your heart, your mind, your soul, your whole being so abundantly that it would be like a burning fire within you that you can’t help but manifest. The prophet Jeremiah said, “Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.”But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, AND I COULD NOT.” (Jeremiah 20:9). Again, Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS.” (Luke 6:45). If you are a true believer (or sincere Christian), you are a good man; you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). And so your words (which are spoken out of the abundance of your heart should bear testimony of Christ. You have to choose to sanctify yourself (or set yourself apart to God) by speaking the truth, which is the Word of God (see John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2), rather than defile yourself with the words of this world that are contrary to the Word of God. (see Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:15). You have to let others see Christ in you wherever you go, and in everything you do. Beloved, I can't emphasize this enough: you need to study and understand the Word of God, and always speak or confess the Word and practice the Word. The Bible says that we are to hold fast our confession (see Hebrews 4:14). In other words, we are to continually confess what the Bible says about us, and what we want to see happen in our lives (in the light of the revelation of the Word of God). We are to confess with our mouth unto salvation (see Romans 10:10) —salvation from diseases, poverty, and every power of darkness or negative circumstance. Begin to use your mouth today to chart the course of your life. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21). Every word you speak is a seed you’re sowing that will bear fruit unto life or unto death, so always speak words of life, always speak in agreement with the Word of God.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus told a parable in which “He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, HE HIMSELF DOES NOT KNOW HOW. For THE EARTH YIELDS CROPS BY ITSELF: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(Mark 4:26-29). The seed in this context is the Word of God, and the ground (or the earth) is your heart. Purpose today to always sow (or study, meditate on, and confess) the Word of God in/from your heart, and NEVER GIVE UP IF YOU DON’T SEE THE FRUIT (or the evident progress) JUST YET; be steadfast in keeping the Word in your heart, and hold fast your confession, for as you sleep by night and rise by day, the Word is definitely working in you —it is sprouting and growing, even though you don’t know how —and you will eventually see the fruit, for the heart yields fruit by itself; the Word that you have kept in your heart will eventually manifest its power in you for a great harvest of good and miraculous works to the glory of God. So hold on to the Word of God, keep it in your heart, and bear fruit with patience. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

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Keep the Word of God in Your Heart, and Bear Fruit with Patience (Part 3)

“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard THE WORD with a noble and good heart, KEEP IT AND BEAR FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.” (Luke 8:15 NKJV).

Beloved, we are continuing our series on the Parable of the Sower, and in this third part of the series we will unveil the revelation in the seed that “fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.” (Luke 8:7 NKJV). Jesus explained that “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who HEARS THE WORD, and THE CARES OF THIS WORLD and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES choke the word, and HE BECOMES UNFRUITFUL.” (Matthew 13:22 NKJV). It is implied in this verse that this category of hearers also hear the Word alright, they understand the Word alright, and even believe the Word alright, but the Word does not bear fruit in them because the CARES (or worries) OF THIS WORLD, the DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, PLEASURES OF LIFE (see Luke 8:14), and THE DESIRES FOR OTHER THINGS (see Mark 4:19) enter in and CHOKE THE WORD or make the Word of no effect. It is also implied here that this category of hearers become so preoccupied with the things of this life and the desires for other things (including not only material things, but the traditions, opinions and philosophies of men, and the praise of men), that they neglect the Word of the Kingdom and refuse to consistently put the Word into practice, and so they BECOME UNFRUITFUL; they, in the words of the apostle Peter, FORSAKE the right way and GO ASTRAY, “following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, WHO LOVED THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (see 2 Peter 2:15). Jude says,  "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run GREEDILY in the error of Balaam FOR PROFIT, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." (Jude 1:11 NKJV). He says, “These are grumblers, complainers, WALKING ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN LUSTS...” (Jude 1:16 NKJV). And Jesus says of such people that, “Every branch in Me that DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT He (God) takes away…” (see John 15:2 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine).

Indeed the Bible has many examples of such people who HEAR THE WORD, and THE CARES OF THIS WORLD and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, PLEASURES OF LIFE, and THE DESIRES FOR OTHER THINGS enter in and CHOKE THE WORD, and they BECOME UNFRUITFUL. The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy, mentioned Demas, who he said had forsaken him, “HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD, and has departed for Thessalonica” (see 2 Timothy 4:9‭-‬10). Then, of course, there is the example of Balaam whom we mentioned earlier, “who LOVED THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (see 2 Peter 2:15). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke against Balaam, that he “taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality." (Revelation 2:14 NIV). Thus Balaam, having heard THE WORD OF GOD, allowed the Word to be choked by THE CARES OF THIS WORLD and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, PLEASURES OF LIFE, and THE DESIRES FOR OTHER THINGS, so he became UNFRUITFUL; he cunningly went against the Word of God by coveting the prize Balak was offering him to curse the children of Israel. The Bible says that Balaam was GREEDY FOR PROFIT (see Jude 1:11), and LOVED THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (see 2 Peter 2:15). How tragic!

JUDAS ISCARIOT is yet another example in the Bible, of a man who heard the Word of the Kingdom, and THE CARES OF THIS WORLD and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, PLEASURES OF LIFE, and THE DESIRES FOR OTHER THINGS, entered in and choked the Word, so that he BECAME UNFRUITFUL. Judas (the son of perdition) betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ FOR MONEY, for THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER. Oh, what ruin the deceitfulness of riches brought upon Judas! Peter said that Judas “became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Now THIS MAN PURCHASED A FIELD WITH THE WAGES OF INIQUITY; and FALLING HEADLONG, HE BURST OPEN IN THE MIDDLE AND ALL HIS ENTRAILS GUSHED OUT. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)” (see Acts 1:16-19).

The apostle Paul says of those who HEAR THE WORD, and THE CARES OF THIS WORLD and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, PLEASURES OF LIFE, and THE DESIRES FOR OTHER THINGS choke the word, and THEY BECOME UNFRUITFUL, that they “are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is  their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who SET THEIR MIND ON EARTHLY THINGS.” (see Philippians 3:17‭-‬19 NKJV). Thus, the root of the problem such hearers of the Word have is that THEY SET THEIR MIND ON EARTHLY THINGS; they love the things of this present world. And so the apostle Paul offers a preventive measure for this condition; he says, “If then you were raised with Christ, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.” (Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 NKJV). Then he adds, “Now GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. For WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THIS WORLD, and IT IS CERTAIN WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT. And having FOOD and CLOTHING, with these WE SHALL BE CONTENT. But THOSE WHO DESIRE TO BE RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION AND A SNARE, and into many foolish and harmful lusts WHICH DROWN MEN IN DESTRUCTION AND PERDITION. For THE LOVE OF MONEY IS A ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL, for which SOME HAVE STRAYED FROM THE FAITH in their GREEDINESS, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:6‭-‬10 NKJV).

Indeed, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and therein lies the deceitfulness of riches, which chokes the Word of God in some hearers and they become unfruitful. Therefore beloved, examine yourself and determine where your love and loyalty is; is your love and loyalty toward God and His Word, or toward the world and the things in the world? Paul said, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are IN THE FAITH. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified." (II Corinthians 13:5 NKJV). Truly, “if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.” (see I Corinthians 8:3 NKJV). Jesus said, “NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS; for either HE WILL HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER, or else HE WILL BE LOYAL TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER. You CANNOT SERVE GOD and MAMMON (money). “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND His RIGHTEOUSNESS, and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:24‭-‬34 NKJV,  brackets and emphasis mine). In other words, Jesus wants us to set our mind on things above, and not on the things of the earth, just as the apostle Paul said.

In the same vein, the apostle John also says: “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. If anyone LOVES THE WORLD, the love of the Father IS NOT IN HIM. For ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD —the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—IS NOT OF THE FATHER but is of the world. And THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY, AND THE LUST OF IT; but HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.” (I John 2:15‭-‬17 NKJV). Therefore, let us set our mind on things above; let us set our mind on the Word of God and continually DO THE WILL OF GOD by putting the Word of God into practice, and never departing from it. For God says, “My son, GIVE ATTENTION to my words; INCLINE YOUR EAR to my sayings. DO NOT LET THEM DEPART from your eyes; KEEP THEM in the midst of your heart; For THEY ARE LIFE to those who find them, AND HEALTH to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20‭-‬22 NKJV). Indeed it is only by keeping the Word of God in the midst of our heart, and being doers of the Word that we can bear fruit a hundredfold. Let us also turn away from those in our assembly who are “LOVERS OF THEMSELVES, LOVERS OF MONEY, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, LOVERS OF PLEASURE RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (see II Timothy 3:2‭-‬5 NKJV).

In the concluding part of this series, we will discuss the seed that “fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” (see Luke 8:8 NKJV). Please return to this Page in two days to read Part 4, for I am confident that by the end of this series you will fully understand how having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, you can keep it and BEAR FRUIT WITH PATIENCE. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"