One of the most powerful truths in the New Testament is locked up in this phrase of the Lord's prayer. You can't have forgiveness without forgiving. Jesus goes on in the next verse to tell us, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive NOT men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt 6:14. His forgiveness to us is contingent on our forgiving others. Consider the parable of the unforgiving servant: "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. "The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' "And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. "So, when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' "And his lord was wroth, and delievered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Matt 18:23-35 Notice, the servant asked for an extention on his loan, but instead, the master completely forgave the debt. God has promised that if we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrightesouness." I John 1:9 Not only that, He casts our sins in the sea of forgetfulness, as far as the East is from the West, never to be remembered against us. But we so often, hold a grudge or expectation against our fellow Christian that they somehow OWE us an apology.
God puts such a high premium on forgiveness. In Mark 11:22-26, Jesus is talking about the power of having faith when we pray. But in that context He alludes to us that if we don't forgive, God is not obligated even to hear our prayer. The Apostle Peter, in instructing husbands and wives, tells the husband to cherish and love his wife, "that your prayers be not hindered." I Peter 3:7 I wonder if that is one of the reasons why we don't see more miracles in the church, today. Paul tells us in I Cor 13:5 that love "Thinketh no evil." One translation interprets this as, "Love keeps no records of wrong doing."
I believe that God loves us so incredibly much, that if we sinned against him 490 times in one day and truly repented each time, He would forgive us 490 times. But if our brother sins against us 2 times in one day, we often say, "Well, I'll forgive you, but I won't forget." In other words, "I might forgive you, but I'll never trust you again." If we love our brother and sister as we love ourselves, we will forgive them EVERY time. But Jesus took this a step further. He said to love our enemies. Even the heathen and barbaric peoples love their own family and clan, but a true follower of the Messiah will "LOVE your enemies, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and PRAY for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matt 5:44 Paul further explained this in Romans 12:20-21 "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." As the Jesus told the disciples when they questioned their ability to follow His teachings, "With men this is impossible; but with God ALL things are possible." Matt 19:26 We can't do this in ourselves. But if our faith is in Jesus and His work, and we have the Holy Ghost inside of us living His life through us, then we recognize, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil 4:13 Why? Because it's not by human power or might, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Give Us This Day our Daily Bread
Now, I want to take this in two different directions. The most obvious would be the physical side of things. In Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers that "our God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory." Phil 4:19 When I pray this part of the prayer, I often think of the children of Israel wandering through the wilderness. Everyday, God gave them enough Manna to get them through that day. He also commanded them not to gather more than they needed for that day. Why would He have done that? He was teaching them to daily trust Him, daily for their needs.
Jesus taught us in the sermon on the mount, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will put on. Is not the life more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do the reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature? And why take you thought for clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith?
"Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'Wherewithal will we be clothed?' (For after all these things do the nations seek;) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. But you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt 6:25-33)
Need I say more? Paul said to Timothy: "When we have food and clothing, we shall be satisfied with these." (I Tim 6:8) Again, to the Philippian church, he said, "Not that I speak in respect of need, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil 4:11)
I could give countless Biblical examples - The widow and her son who's barrel never went empty. The widow who obeyed Elisha and filled the vessels with oil until she had enough to pay her debts. But I can think of examples in my own life - how I watched my mother pray and God send someone with groceries to our house or someone to give her money to pay a bill. God is always faithful to take care of our physical needs, if we serve Him in the greater things.
Now, the greater things I'm talking about are found in John chapter six. Jesus had just performed a great miracle before the people by multiplying the loaves and fishes which fed five thousand. The next day, the people come to Him asking for a sign. They reminded Him that Moses had given the people Manna. He reminded them that they also all died in the wilderness. But He promised to give them bread from heaven - Himself.
To a Jew, who's been taught all their life that eating human flesh and drinking any form of blood is a sin, this had to be a complete shock every part of their system! But He told them plainly that that was the only way to have eternal life. He said, "He that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, dwells in Me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live forever." John 6:56-58
So, was He commanding us to be cannibals? Many mistaken people take this to mean that when they eat communion bread and drink the wine it is His literal flesh and blood. But in verse 63, He explains Himself: "It is the Spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life." Take John 1 for another reference: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God. The same was in the beginning with God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-2, 14
Leviticus 17:11 tells us, "The life of the flesh is in the blood" and what is the life? It is the Spirit. Jesus was the Word. When the Word and the Spirit come together, It is a creative force.
So, now, when you pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" remember, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Deut 8:3. You are asking God to take care of your physical needs, as well as be "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." Ephs 3:16
Jesus taught us in the sermon on the mount, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will put on. Is not the life more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do the reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature? And why take you thought for clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith?
"Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'Wherewithal will we be clothed?' (For after all these things do the nations seek;) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. But you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt 6:25-33)
Need I say more? Paul said to Timothy: "When we have food and clothing, we shall be satisfied with these." (I Tim 6:8) Again, to the Philippian church, he said, "Not that I speak in respect of need, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil 4:11)
I could give countless Biblical examples - The widow and her son who's barrel never went empty. The widow who obeyed Elisha and filled the vessels with oil until she had enough to pay her debts. But I can think of examples in my own life - how I watched my mother pray and God send someone with groceries to our house or someone to give her money to pay a bill. God is always faithful to take care of our physical needs, if we serve Him in the greater things.
Now, the greater things I'm talking about are found in John chapter six. Jesus had just performed a great miracle before the people by multiplying the loaves and fishes which fed five thousand. The next day, the people come to Him asking for a sign. They reminded Him that Moses had given the people Manna. He reminded them that they also all died in the wilderness. But He promised to give them bread from heaven - Himself.
To a Jew, who's been taught all their life that eating human flesh and drinking any form of blood is a sin, this had to be a complete shock every part of their system! But He told them plainly that that was the only way to have eternal life. He said, "He that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, dwells in Me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live forever." John 6:56-58
So, was He commanding us to be cannibals? Many mistaken people take this to mean that when they eat communion bread and drink the wine it is His literal flesh and blood. But in verse 63, He explains Himself: "It is the Spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life." Take John 1 for another reference: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God. The same was in the beginning with God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-2, 14
Leviticus 17:11 tells us, "The life of the flesh is in the blood" and what is the life? It is the Spirit. Jesus was the Word. When the Word and the Spirit come together, It is a creative force.
So, now, when you pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" remember, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Deut 8:3. You are asking God to take care of your physical needs, as well as be "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." Ephs 3:16
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Thy Will be Done...
Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."
When Peter declared who Jesus was, He told Peter, "Whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you loose on the earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19. He was teaching the disciples about forgiveness and prayer, in Matthew 18:18 and repeated this same phrase adding: "Again, I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on the earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them."
The Apostle John told us, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us; and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." I John 5:14-15 So, how we know what to pray? Well, sometimes we don't. The Apostle Paul explained, "Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be understood. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27 The Father knows what we have need of even before we ask. And sometimes, we just can't find the words to express it, so He comes by the Spirit and prays through us.
James, the Lord's brother, told us: "You lust (desire) and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, the you may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:2-3
Now, we established in the post, 'Our Father' that God is a Spirit and lives in that heavenly realm. Everything that will ever be accomplished, has already been thought in the mind of God and according to Solomon, "There is nothing new under the sun." But we have a Divine mandate from God to reach up into that realm and bring it down to earth, through the Spirit. When we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" we are prophesying the will of God. Whether we're praying for our city, nation, brothers and sisters in Christ, family, or for the peace of Jerusalem, if we are praying in the Spirit and not after our on will, nothing can stop that prayer and God will honor it.
May God help you to understand what the will of God is and do it.
When Peter declared who Jesus was, He told Peter, "Whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you loose on the earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19. He was teaching the disciples about forgiveness and prayer, in Matthew 18:18 and repeated this same phrase adding: "Again, I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on the earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them."
The Apostle John told us, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us; and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." I John 5:14-15 So, how we know what to pray? Well, sometimes we don't. The Apostle Paul explained, "Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be understood. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27 The Father knows what we have need of even before we ask. And sometimes, we just can't find the words to express it, so He comes by the Spirit and prays through us.
James, the Lord's brother, told us: "You lust (desire) and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, the you may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:2-3
Now, we established in the post, 'Our Father' that God is a Spirit and lives in that heavenly realm. Everything that will ever be accomplished, has already been thought in the mind of God and according to Solomon, "There is nothing new under the sun." But we have a Divine mandate from God to reach up into that realm and bring it down to earth, through the Spirit. When we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" we are prophesying the will of God. Whether we're praying for our city, nation, brothers and sisters in Christ, family, or for the peace of Jerusalem, if we are praying in the Spirit and not after our on will, nothing can stop that prayer and God will honor it.
May God help you to understand what the will of God is and do it.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thy Kingdom Come
Jesus stood before Pilate and declared, "My Kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not for here." John 18:36 He explained to His disciples: "The Kingdom of God cometh not with [outward sign] observation. Neither shall they say, lo here! or lo there! For behold the Kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21 So, then it's obvious that the Kingdom of God is not on our plain of existence. Jesus told us in the Lord's Prayer, though, to pray: "Thy Kingdom Come" and with great parables, He taught us about the Kingdom. "And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see; and hearing they might not understand." Luke 8:10 giving us the right to understand the Kingdom.
Kingdom speaks of Authority. When Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they lost the dominion and Kingdom right to govern the Earth, as they once had. However, according to Psalm 8, the Son of Man came to restore that back to the believer. The only way we can gain that authority is by seeking the Kingdom of God with all our hearts: "But seek ye first the Kngdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 5:33 Jesus said this during the Sermon on the Mount, just after telling us not to seek after clothes and food - giving us the example of the lillies of the field and the sparrows.
But, how, you ask? Jesus never promised that getting into the Kingdom would be an easy task. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matt 11:12 Luke also records this, but the wording is a little different: "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it." Luke 16:16 And in Acts, we find Paul and Barnabas teaching the discpiles: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." Acts 14:22 Jesus told the rich man, if he wanted to enter into the Kingdom of God, he would have to sell all of his possession and give to the poor. Why? Because he trusted in his riches and possessions.
So far, we know the Kingdom of God is not of this earth, it is about Authority and that getting into the Kingdom comes with a price. But what is the Kingdom? When you repent of your sins and are baptized in His Name, are you in the Kingdom, then? Not according to the apostles - who are our foundation, mind you.
We find Paul saying, "For the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom 14:17 He had just got through telling the Gentile believers not to trust in the works of eating Kosher foods, but also, if someone was weak in the faith and felt they must do those things, not to condemn them or argue the point, so that their good would not be evil spoken of. It is not hypocrisy to do a thing or refrain from doing a thing if it means not offending your brother or sister. Finally, we find him telling us, "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." I Cor 4:20 Who's power? "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor 2:4-5
Then we find Peter telling the church, "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Peter 1:11 He spoke this just after telling us about the divine power that we are given to have the divine nature that was in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is the Holy Spirit ruling in our lives, having leadership to direct our words, path, actions, etc. He is the divine nature that was also in Christ Jesus.
So, when you are praying, "Thy Kingdom Come" you are in essence, asking that the Holy Ghost have full authority in your life. For, it is only by the Spirit of Jesus Christ that we can have power over all the powers of the enemy. It is only through Him that we can work the works of Christ. And His promise to us is, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, the works that I do shall you do also; and greater works than these shall you do; because I go unto My Father." John 14:12
Kingdom speaks of Authority. When Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they lost the dominion and Kingdom right to govern the Earth, as they once had. However, according to Psalm 8, the Son of Man came to restore that back to the believer. The only way we can gain that authority is by seeking the Kingdom of God with all our hearts: "But seek ye first the Kngdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 5:33 Jesus said this during the Sermon on the Mount, just after telling us not to seek after clothes and food - giving us the example of the lillies of the field and the sparrows.
But, how, you ask? Jesus never promised that getting into the Kingdom would be an easy task. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matt 11:12 Luke also records this, but the wording is a little different: "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it." Luke 16:16 And in Acts, we find Paul and Barnabas teaching the discpiles: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." Acts 14:22 Jesus told the rich man, if he wanted to enter into the Kingdom of God, he would have to sell all of his possession and give to the poor. Why? Because he trusted in his riches and possessions.
So far, we know the Kingdom of God is not of this earth, it is about Authority and that getting into the Kingdom comes with a price. But what is the Kingdom? When you repent of your sins and are baptized in His Name, are you in the Kingdom, then? Not according to the apostles - who are our foundation, mind you.
We find Paul saying, "For the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom 14:17 He had just got through telling the Gentile believers not to trust in the works of eating Kosher foods, but also, if someone was weak in the faith and felt they must do those things, not to condemn them or argue the point, so that their good would not be evil spoken of. It is not hypocrisy to do a thing or refrain from doing a thing if it means not offending your brother or sister. Finally, we find him telling us, "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." I Cor 4:20 Who's power? "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor 2:4-5
Then we find Peter telling the church, "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Peter 1:11 He spoke this just after telling us about the divine power that we are given to have the divine nature that was in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is the Holy Spirit ruling in our lives, having leadership to direct our words, path, actions, etc. He is the divine nature that was also in Christ Jesus.
So, when you are praying, "Thy Kingdom Come" you are in essence, asking that the Holy Ghost have full authority in your life. For, it is only by the Spirit of Jesus Christ that we can have power over all the powers of the enemy. It is only through Him that we can work the works of Christ. And His promise to us is, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, the works that I do shall you do also; and greater works than these shall you do; because I go unto My Father." John 14:12
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Hallowed is an old English word meaning Holy. The word in Hebrew for holy is KADOSH which means sanctified or "set apart". God's Name is so high and holy, that it is separate from all other names. Psalms 8:1 tells us: Oh YHVH, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth! Who hast set Thy glory ABOVE the heavens. In Psalm 113, David exhorts us to Praise the Name of the Lord... Who is like unto YHVH our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! God is so great that He has to bow down even to see the things that are in the heavens.
Paul tells us in II Corinthians 12 that their are multiple levels to the "Heavens". He teaches us that there are three heavens. We know that God dwells in the Heavens of heavens. In Ephesians, Paul calls Satan the "prince of the power of the air". He rules the second heaven and finally their is the first heaven - our own spirit dwells in this heaven.
Paul tells us how Jesus is exalted and His Name above all others: Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23 If you read the entirety of Psalm 8, you will clearly see the parallel.
This shows a distinction in Principalities, Powers, Might and Dominion. Satan is called prince of the power of the air, Michael is also called a prince in the book of Daniel. Powers are referred to as certain angels in throughout the old testament referred to as elohim and malakhim - Elohim means "mighty or powerful ones" and Malakhim means Kings or messengers". Might are also a classification of angels - maybe the warring angels. And finally, dominion referring specifically to man who was given dominion over the earth. Psalm 104:4 states, Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. The Hebrew word for angels in this verse is Malakh and the word for minsters is Shar - the root for prince.
Now, lets take Philippians 2:6-11: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made of Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him THE Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So, through this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus humbled Himself to the nature, not of angels, but even lower than the angels - man. But when He ascended on high, He ascended up FAR above everything (Eph. 1:20-23) His Name is sanctified, set-apart.
But what's in a name? Is it the sound we make when we identify someone? Is it the word that's place on a child when they are born to identify them? The idea of a name goes back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:7 reads in Hebrew translation - And YHVH Elohim formed Adam of the adamah [dust of the earth]. Do you see? Adam's name means Man and comes from the root for dust of the earth. Eve named Cain saying, I have "acquired" a man from YHVH. She named Seth saying meaning "appointed". These names have meanings and the meanings are the destiny of the child. Reading the book of Genesis will help you see the importance of naming a child. It gives them their destiny.
The Name Jesus, in Hebrew, means Salvation. It is the same as the Name of Joshua. He came from the tribe of Judah, meaning praise. Acts 4:12, Peter tells the council, "Neither is the salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaveen given among men, whereby we must be saved."
In light of all this, Paul tells us, "And whatsover ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Col. 5:17. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 "In My Name - shall they cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Some Bible students say that this verse is not inspired, but I beg to defer. It has inspired many to do just what it says "In His Name" and it achieved the same results He promised.
Finally, remember the commandment - Thou shalt not take the Name of YHVH thy God in vain for YHVH will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain." There are many other Scriptures that show us how to Hallow or Sanctify God's Name, but hopefully these will help you along in your understanding and prayer life until you discover other treasures in His Word.
Paul tells us in II Corinthians 12 that their are multiple levels to the "Heavens". He teaches us that there are three heavens. We know that God dwells in the Heavens of heavens. In Ephesians, Paul calls Satan the "prince of the power of the air". He rules the second heaven and finally their is the first heaven - our own spirit dwells in this heaven.
Paul tells us how Jesus is exalted and His Name above all others: Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23 If you read the entirety of Psalm 8, you will clearly see the parallel.
This shows a distinction in Principalities, Powers, Might and Dominion. Satan is called prince of the power of the air, Michael is also called a prince in the book of Daniel. Powers are referred to as certain angels in throughout the old testament referred to as elohim and malakhim - Elohim means "mighty or powerful ones" and Malakhim means Kings or messengers". Might are also a classification of angels - maybe the warring angels. And finally, dominion referring specifically to man who was given dominion over the earth. Psalm 104:4 states, Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. The Hebrew word for angels in this verse is Malakh and the word for minsters is Shar - the root for prince.
Now, lets take Philippians 2:6-11: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made of Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him THE Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So, through this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus humbled Himself to the nature, not of angels, but even lower than the angels - man. But when He ascended on high, He ascended up FAR above everything (Eph. 1:20-23) His Name is sanctified, set-apart.
But what's in a name? Is it the sound we make when we identify someone? Is it the word that's place on a child when they are born to identify them? The idea of a name goes back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:7 reads in Hebrew translation - And YHVH Elohim formed Adam of the adamah [dust of the earth]. Do you see? Adam's name means Man and comes from the root for dust of the earth. Eve named Cain saying, I have "acquired" a man from YHVH. She named Seth saying meaning "appointed". These names have meanings and the meanings are the destiny of the child. Reading the book of Genesis will help you see the importance of naming a child. It gives them their destiny.
The Name Jesus, in Hebrew, means Salvation. It is the same as the Name of Joshua. He came from the tribe of Judah, meaning praise. Acts 4:12, Peter tells the council, "Neither is the salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaveen given among men, whereby we must be saved."
In light of all this, Paul tells us, "And whatsover ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Col. 5:17. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 "In My Name - shall they cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Some Bible students say that this verse is not inspired, but I beg to defer. It has inspired many to do just what it says "In His Name" and it achieved the same results He promised.
Finally, remember the commandment - Thou shalt not take the Name of YHVH thy God in vain for YHVH will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain." There are many other Scriptures that show us how to Hallow or Sanctify God's Name, but hopefully these will help you along in your understanding and prayer life until you discover other treasures in His Word.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Lord's Prayer - Our Father
Our Father who art in Heaven -
The Great Rabbi taught us that if a son asked his father for bread, the father wouldn't give him a stone or if he asked an egg, the father wouldn't give him scorpion or instead of a fish, a serpent. How much more our Father in Heaven will give us what we have need of. James said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights." "Our Father" denotes relationship.
Many people never had a good relationship with their father. Although my father was a great man, he passed on when I was only 10 years old, so I can't really relate. Because of circumstances, these people often have difficulty with relationships. However, our Heavenly Father is the most patient Father of all.
Although, it often seems like He is angry with us for a season, it's really just that He is trying to teach us a better way. He never "chastens" us out of anger. Hebrews 12:7-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
David described it this way, "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." It's a reminder to the sheep that the Shepherd is still leading and in control of every situation.
How do we get this relationship, you ask?
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye shall see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judah saith unto him, not Iscariot, 'Lord, how is it that thou with manifest thyelf unto us, and not unto the world?' Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:18-23)
WOW! Can you see that? Jesus was telling us that we have a Divine right to Fellowship and Relationship with the Father. So, if God is a Spirit, and He is our Father, then how can we have fellowship? The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:15, "But ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." It's having His Spirit come and live inside of us.
Now, I guess it goes without saying, that when Jesus says, "in heaven" He's not referring to the sky, or outer space, the stars, etc. He's referring to the spirit realm.
So, lets sum it up. Our Father is a Spirit, He wants us to have a relationship with Him, but in order to do so, we have to have a connection - adoption by the Holy Ghost, and we can only access Him by the Spirit... Eph 2:18 "For through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father."
The Great Rabbi taught us that if a son asked his father for bread, the father wouldn't give him a stone or if he asked an egg, the father wouldn't give him scorpion or instead of a fish, a serpent. How much more our Father in Heaven will give us what we have need of. James said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights." "Our Father" denotes relationship.
Many people never had a good relationship with their father. Although my father was a great man, he passed on when I was only 10 years old, so I can't really relate. Because of circumstances, these people often have difficulty with relationships. However, our Heavenly Father is the most patient Father of all.
Although, it often seems like He is angry with us for a season, it's really just that He is trying to teach us a better way. He never "chastens" us out of anger. Hebrews 12:7-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
David described it this way, "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." It's a reminder to the sheep that the Shepherd is still leading and in control of every situation.
How do we get this relationship, you ask?
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye shall see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judah saith unto him, not Iscariot, 'Lord, how is it that thou with manifest thyelf unto us, and not unto the world?' Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:18-23)
WOW! Can you see that? Jesus was telling us that we have a Divine right to Fellowship and Relationship with the Father. So, if God is a Spirit, and He is our Father, then how can we have fellowship? The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:15, "But ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." It's having His Spirit come and live inside of us.
Now, I guess it goes without saying, that when Jesus says, "in heaven" He's not referring to the sky, or outer space, the stars, etc. He's referring to the spirit realm.
So, lets sum it up. Our Father is a Spirit, He wants us to have a relationship with Him, but in order to do so, we have to have a connection - adoption by the Holy Ghost, and we can only access Him by the Spirit... Eph 2:18 "For through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father."
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Lord's Prayer as a vehicle
Yeshua (Jesus) taught us to pray - Our Father Who art in Heaven...
You will notice from my previous post on Spiritual Warfare that each line of the Lord's prayer is like a heading. I believe Jesus wasn't teaching us to use this prayer as a mantra. He already told us in the preceding verses against vain repetition. I believe the Lord's prayer is like a vehicle that transports us into the very throne room of God. It takes us out of the realm of the body and soul and places us into the realm of the spirit.
Paul teaches us in I Thess. 5:23 that we are a triune being made up of Body, Soul and Spirit. Yeshua and the Sh'ma both teach that as well - Love God with all your Heart, soul, mind and strength. We are very familiar with our Body - the earthly tabernacle. We don't realize it, but we're even more familiar with our Soul - intellect, mind, psych, emotions, etc. But what we are least familiar with is our Spirit.
Now, Genesis 1 and 2 teach us that man was created in the image of God. This is the first place God teaches us about His Godhead. The Apostle John showed us this in I John 5:7-8 "There are three that bear record in Heaven - The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in the earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." So, God is a triune Being, as well. This so often confuses people, as they try to decide who they should direct their prayers to - God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Ghost. Yeshua clarified that for us, "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth."
It's not enough to move our lips and repeat a simple prayer. We have to continually "cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every THOUGHT (soul) into obedience to Yeshua the Messiah. When our Body, Soul and Spirit all three line up with the Word of God, then we are truly worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. Otherwise, we are out of line. and only the Word of God is powerful enough to know what comes out of our spirit and what comes out of our soul. (Heb 4:12)
Now, God likes 3's. He's not superstitious like we are, but He usually works in 3's and 7's. So, we have 3 manifestations of the Godhead; 3 parts to the human being - body, soul and spirit; and then He showed Moses to make 3 levels to the tabernacle - Outer Court, Holy Place and Holiest of Holies. God did not dwell in the Outer Court, neither did He dwell in the Holy Place. His Shekinah Glory rested in the Holiest of Holies. That's where the Lord's prayer leads us - Through repentance, forgiveness, physical needs, consecration - all reflected in the tabernacle of Moses (tent of Meeting).
The next time you can't get through to God in prayer, try using The Lord's Prayer as a guideline. It's your spiritual vehicle into the Heavenlies.
You will notice from my previous post on Spiritual Warfare that each line of the Lord's prayer is like a heading. I believe Jesus wasn't teaching us to use this prayer as a mantra. He already told us in the preceding verses against vain repetition. I believe the Lord's prayer is like a vehicle that transports us into the very throne room of God. It takes us out of the realm of the body and soul and places us into the realm of the spirit.
Paul teaches us in I Thess. 5:23 that we are a triune being made up of Body, Soul and Spirit. Yeshua and the Sh'ma both teach that as well - Love God with all your Heart, soul, mind and strength. We are very familiar with our Body - the earthly tabernacle. We don't realize it, but we're even more familiar with our Soul - intellect, mind, psych, emotions, etc. But what we are least familiar with is our Spirit.
Now, Genesis 1 and 2 teach us that man was created in the image of God. This is the first place God teaches us about His Godhead. The Apostle John showed us this in I John 5:7-8 "There are three that bear record in Heaven - The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in the earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." So, God is a triune Being, as well. This so often confuses people, as they try to decide who they should direct their prayers to - God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Ghost. Yeshua clarified that for us, "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth."
It's not enough to move our lips and repeat a simple prayer. We have to continually "cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every THOUGHT (soul) into obedience to Yeshua the Messiah. When our Body, Soul and Spirit all three line up with the Word of God, then we are truly worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. Otherwise, we are out of line. and only the Word of God is powerful enough to know what comes out of our spirit and what comes out of our soul. (Heb 4:12)
Now, God likes 3's. He's not superstitious like we are, but He usually works in 3's and 7's. So, we have 3 manifestations of the Godhead; 3 parts to the human being - body, soul and spirit; and then He showed Moses to make 3 levels to the tabernacle - Outer Court, Holy Place and Holiest of Holies. God did not dwell in the Outer Court, neither did He dwell in the Holy Place. His Shekinah Glory rested in the Holiest of Holies. That's where the Lord's prayer leads us - Through repentance, forgiveness, physical needs, consecration - all reflected in the tabernacle of Moses (tent of Meeting).
The next time you can't get through to God in prayer, try using The Lord's Prayer as a guideline. It's your spiritual vehicle into the Heavenlies.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Spiritual Warfare - Prayer
And when you pray, you will not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Certainly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your secret place, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret will reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, don't be like them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, even before you ask Him.
After this manner therefore pray you:
Our Father which is in Heaven,
Sanctified is Your Name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your Will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matt 6:5-13 - Authors translation)
I exhort therefore, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, & giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings,& for those in authority. (I Tim 2:1-2) Praying always with all prayers & supplication in the Spirit, & watching thereunto with all supplication for all saints.(Eph 6:18) Pray without ceasing.(I Thes 5:17) Continue in prayer, & watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col4:2) Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:6)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God & the Father by Him.(Col 5:17) Whether therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (I Cor 10:31) Giving thanks always for all things unto God & the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:20) In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thes 5:18)
Likewise the Spirit helps our weaknesses: for we don't know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be understood. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the Will of God. (Roms 8:26-27) For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)
Wherefore, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will also pray with understanding. (I Cor 14:13-17)
So, in all these Scriptures, we see how #1, prayer must me made in the Spirit, #2, it is a way of communication with God, #3, it is an effective weapon against the enemy - James 5:16 - the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
After this manner therefore pray you:
Our Father which is in Heaven,
Sanctified is Your Name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your Will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matt 6:5-13 - Authors translation)
I exhort therefore, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, & giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings,& for those in authority. (I Tim 2:1-2) Praying always with all prayers & supplication in the Spirit, & watching thereunto with all supplication for all saints.(Eph 6:18) Pray without ceasing.(I Thes 5:17) Continue in prayer, & watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col4:2) Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:6)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God & the Father by Him.(Col 5:17) Whether therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (I Cor 10:31) Giving thanks always for all things unto God & the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:20) In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thes 5:18)
Likewise the Spirit helps our weaknesses: for we don't know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be understood. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the Will of God. (Roms 8:26-27) For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)
Wherefore, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will also pray with understanding. (I Cor 14:13-17)
So, in all these Scriptures, we see how #1, prayer must me made in the Spirit, #2, it is a way of communication with God, #3, it is an effective weapon against the enemy - James 5:16 - the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
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