Tag:

righteousness

We Are United With Christ

by GOD TV December 28, 2022

written by GOD TV

If you know Jesus, you are seated in the heavenlies right now. Ephesians 2:6 tells us that God raised us from the dead, along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms, because we are united with Christ Jesus. In heaven, the sense of time and space isn’t the same as it is on earth. So you actually are in the spirit, seated in the heavenlies even while you’re watching this video. There’s no separation. You are in the spirit, in your spirit being, seated in the heavenlies with Jesus as a co-heir. And as an heir of God, you’re there in the spirit.

And that’s why in Ephesians 6, Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. The armor of God is mainly to help us walk as who we are in the heavenlies. So he says to put on the helmet of salvation, because our thoughts need to be aligned with who God says we are, who God has called us, and who we are in that pure, holy, blameless, righteous glory place where we are seated. So we put on the helmet of salvation to help us align with the thoughts of heaven.

And we put on the breastplate of righteousness because our hearts, our emotions, our feelings, our belief systems need to come into alignment with the fact that we are the righteousness of God in Jesus, in the heavenlies. So we put on that breastplate of righteousness, we put on the belt of truth, because as we declare the truth over ourselves, we rise up into that us instead of walking in the old patterns, the old habits, the old mindsets, the old belief systems. So we put on that belt of truth and we put on the shoes of peace that comes from the good news of God calling us and placing us in the heavenlies.

And we take up that shield of faith and we hold it out there and we declare what is true. And we take up that sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, what God has spoken over you. That you are the daughter of God, you are a king, you or a queen, you are a priest of God. These are who you are in the heavenlies. So we put on the armor in order to rise up into and walk on the earth as we are in heaven.

So let me pray for you because you are seated there, you just need to know it. God, thank you for this one who is watching this video. And I thank you that if they know you, they are in the heavenlies with you, Jesus, and they are seated right beside you in the spirit. And I thank you, Father, that they are next to you because Jesus is seated at your right hand. And so they are seated at your right hand. And I thank you that they are before you in the heavenlies. God, I pray that you would remove the hindrances that cause them to doubt that, and that you would help them to rise up into whom you have created them to be in the spirit. I ask your blessing over their lives and your help, all of heaven’s help to enable them to boldly be who they are in you. So I bless you in the name of Jesus to be holy blameless, pure, seated in the heavenlies.

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You Are A Saint

by GOD TV October 24, 2022

written by GOD TV

Did you know that you are a saint? You’ve heard of saints throughout history and in various places where there’s these people that are appointed to sainthood. Do you know that God actually appointed you to be a saint already through Christ? And in 1 Corinthians 1:30, it says, “But by his doing, you are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. ”

And in numerous other books, it’s addressed to the saints. That’s you. You’re a saint. You’re righteous, and you’re holy in Christ. And in Hebrews 10:10-14, it says, “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time, the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But he having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet. For by one offering, he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified today.”

I’m here to tell you, you’re not only blessed, you’re not only favored, you’re not only a saint, and you’re not only righteous, but you’re holy in Christ. You’re set apart. You are favored in Him, because of Christ. All your sins have been forgiven at the cross. He’s made you righteous just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, so you have believed God, you’re righteous and you’re holy. I want this to give confidence to you today to know that anytime you want to come into God’s presence, you don’t have to do it through another person, another priest, a religious organization, or by having to do all these rituals just to get into the the Lord’s presence. You can come before Him anytime, because Jesus once for all time, paid for all your sins, made you righteous, made you holy, made you His son or His daughter, and made you completely acceptable to Him.

Today, when you spend time with the Lord, go with confidence. Enjoy His presence. Whether you’re lying on the ground in your living room, on your bed, in a chair, or you’re driving in your car, the Lord is listening to you. He’s with you. You’re favored just like all the saints that you read about throughout the Bible. So you, too, have the same promises.

Father in heaven, I release revelation and hope and encouragement and confidence for your saints that Christ paid for. We know that the sacrifice that Jesus paid was more than enough to cover us so that nothing can hold us back from you, and nothing can hold you back from us. So we receive your favor and your blessing, your peace, and your happiness, and your joy in our lives as we get to know you more. In Jesus name, amen.

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More Than A Conqueror: Living A Victorious Life With Christ

by Lauren Koch October 17, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

Experiencing hopelessness

Hopelessness is a tactic the enemy uses to downplay your worth. In return, this skews the vision for your future, ability to hear from God, and robs you of heavenly inheritance that belongs to you in Christ. You were made to live victoriously. By doing so, you glorify God, shining brightly for the world around you. Your victory honors God, and demonstrates to the world what a life led by His spirit and redemption looks like. If you struggle to feel victorious, read on for scripture and encouragement. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!

At the root of hopelessness is a wrong belief in who God is and what He says about our lives. 1 Peter tells us that Jesus is our living hope. In His life is where we discover victory and all that we were made for. Partnering with hopeless thinking takes our eyes off Jesus, and puts them on ourselves, our shortcomings, and a life that forgets who God is.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3)

Times of difficulty

Shortly after giving birth, I began to notice hopeless thoughts showing up in my mind. Between the sleepless nights, constant care for my new baby, and taking care of myself, I was more vulnerable than ever. At the threshold of transition, the enemy loves to throw lies of doubt, despair, and fear. I realized the transition I was in required intentionally taking captive lies from the accuser and replacing them with God’s truth. Even more, I needed to remember the victory I had over despairing, that’s found in Jesus. I don’t know if you’ve ever found yourself in a similar place. Sometimes hopeless thoughts aren’t the result of some difficult life event, but merely the result of not intentionally partnering with a spirit of joy and expectation. Consider these signs and thoughts on hopelessness below…

Some signs that hopelessness has shown up in your life:

you dread the days in front of you
you seem to be surrounded by hopeless people
you are unable to dream for a reality beyond the day’s problems
you allow circumstances to dictate your future, not God’s word

Thoughts of hopelessness may sound like…

“Things are always going to be this way…”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay…”

“This circumstance, situation, etc is meaningless…”

“It doesn’t really matter…”

“I’ll never be okay from this…”

“I am alone and no one understands me…”

“There’s no point in even trying…”

Notice that several of these examples try to deceive us into believing God isn’t with us. We know this is untrue! The words of Jesus in Matthew tells us: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). I found that the enemy wanted me to believe that I was isolated first, attacking my identity, so that he could then attack my present and future. If any of these examples resonated with thinking in your own life, first remind your spirit the truth of Jesus’s words to the disciples: He is with you always.

You are a victorious one

If these phrases sound familiar to you, there is good news! Repentance can not only re-kindle your heart to the Lord, but take you into His truth! To repent means to turn away from sin. As we turn away from wrongful thinking, we joyfully get to run into the truth of God’s freedom for us in the cross. Jesus not only defeated death (2 Timothy), but freed us from the grip of sin (Galatians 5). In Christ, your identity is renewed to a heavenly one–you’re no longer seen as blemished, but you are righteous! Our faith in Jesus makes us righteous, establishing the pace for a victorious life (Romans 3). You’re victorious because your life is now in Christ.

^“but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10)

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22)

God’s truth sounds like…

“God is making a way for me, even if I cannot see it”

“I know God will equip me to face this”

“There is purpose in this beyond what I can see”

“Though I feel lonely, I know Holy Spirit, the comforter is always with me”

“This circumstance is teaching and growing my spirit and faith”

What is a victorious life with Jesus?

Life with Jesus is spirit-led. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, His fruits become evident. Through trial and hardship, we have the opportunity to develop self-control, patience, and even joy! These are evidence of God’s spirit at work in us. With Jesus, we continually partner our faith to His life and truth for us. When we receive His truth, after repenting from believing lies, Holy Spirit fills us with Himself, transforming what our lives look like. During those dark days I mentioned above, I realized that despite my pain, need to heal, and difficulty transitioning, I could still be victorious in Jesus! It’s not something that my circumstances–or even death–could take from me.

The hardest part of shifting a mindset or belief system can be simply starting. I want to encourage you today: your small steps matter. Change does not always happen overnight. Walking our your heavenly identity may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s crucial! If you start to notice your feelings are dictating your steps. Pause and ask Holy Spirit to lead you into God’s truth for your life. You got this!

Praying for you

Maybe you relate to having a pattern of hopelessness in your life. I want to pray that the God of all hope would fill you, even as you read these words. You, beloved son or daughter of God, have been redeemed through Christ’s death and resurrection. You are victorious! I pray that your heart would open to receive from the Father and know Him richly. In transition, I pray your spirit remembers what God says about who you are. I silence the enemy’s voice through your difficulty, and pray that God sends you the people meant to edify and uplift you in prayer and truth.

5 scriptures to declare for a victorious life

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5)
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31)
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

victorious

October 17, 2022 0 comment

Faith Today's Encouragement

Overcoming Temptation

by GOD TV September 27, 2022

written by GOD TV

Today, I want to talk to you a little bit about how I was able to feel more confident with the Lord and overcome temptation. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says, “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” That was a big breakthrough for me in my life. When I realized that just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited or gifted or reckoned to him as righteousness, so also, as it says in Romans, we have believed God and it’s given to us as righteousness. That to me was a huge breakthrough in the area of temptation.

Whenever the enemy would come at me before with temptation, because they’re everywhere in this world, I would always feel like I’m not allowed to do that. I would like to do that, sort of, but I don’t, I’m not allowed to, I just need to resist it, get rid of those thoughts. When I realized that I was righteous, it changed my heart in the very moment that I realized that I could sin and I would still be righteous. I realized that I didn’t want to do those things. And so it actually took totally the temptations of the enemy and deflated them. It was like popping a balloon. And in Romans 4:1-8 it says, “What then shall we say that Abraham our forefather, according to the flesh has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.” And then it goes on.

That was a huge breakthrough for me in my life. And I believe that the Lord has a breakthrough for you today. Where you’re struggling with temptation, where you’re struggling with confidence before the Lord, where you feel a little bit of guilt in your life, maybe a lot of guilt. Today is your day of breakthrough. So Father in heaven, I pray right now in the name of Jesus Christ, according to your will and by the power of your Holy Spirit, you’d reach out today and release that revelation, that breakthrough, that comfort, that confidence, and just complete victory in Jesus Christ. Father, we thank you for that. We agree for it, not only for ourselves, but for everybody else who’s watching. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

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The Difference Between Holiness and Righteousness

by Rabbi Eric Tokajer May 10, 2022

written by Rabbi Eric Tokajer

A few years ago, I was invited to go fishing with one of my friends. As we drove together to the lake, my friend told me the day before his wife had bought him a new lure. He held up the package and as he did he said with a smile, “Isn’t it pretty?” Now, he was not saying those words in the “Isn’t it pretty” of a sportsman looking at a new fishing pole, rifle, or boat. He was saying it because it was one of the most fru fru fishing lures he had ever seen.

As the day went on, we fished all over the lake while having a great conversation (something fishermen say takes place when they are not catching any fish). As we watched the sun cross mid afternoon on its route to setting, we decided we had had enough conversation and started heading towards the boat ramp. As we slowly motored on our way, I watched as my friend exchanged the bait we had been using all day for the lure his wife had purchased for him. When I asked him about this, he said, “She’s gonna ask if I used it, she bought it for me. I’ve got to at least honor her by using it once.”

So, we stopped the boat as he cast the new lure out into the water. Within seconds, for the first time all day, he got a hit on his line. After a short fight, he pulled a beautiful bass out of the water. I then spent the next hour watching him cast that lure into the water over and over catching one bass after another.

On the way home, our conversation was mostly about the amount of fish he caught on that fru fru lure and how much more we might have caught that day if he had tied that lure on his line from the outset of the day. You may be wondering what this fish story has to do with the difference between holiness or righteousness.

Many of us live our lives trying to be righteous, like my friend that day. He knew it was the righteous thing to do to use the lure his wife bought for him, but he only did it because he knew it was the righteous thing to do. Whereas, holiness is simply doing what G-D would have done in the same situation.

Let me explain further. If somehow my friend’s wife had watched as we fished all day just waiting for her husband to use the special lure she had bought for him, only to watch him tie it to his line while saying “She’s gonna ask,” would she have considered his actions righteous, loving, honoring? No, she would not. But, imagine how she would have felt had she been able to watch him arrive at the lake and share excitedly about the lure his wife had bought for him and then watched him tie the lure onto his line before the very first cast.

In other words, his actions should have been motivated by his love for his wife and not because “she was gonna ask.” That is the difference between holiness and righteousness. Holiness is not doing the right thing because it is righteousness. Holiness is being so affected by love that you don’t even consider doing the wrong things. G-D commanded His people to be holy as He is holy in Leviticus 19:1-2:

1 Adonai spoke to Moses saying: 2 “Speak to all the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael and tell them: You shall be kedoshim, for I, Adonai your God, am holy.

Many people believe that this is an impossible task for humans to achieve. However, it really isn’t impossible at all. But, it does require our truly allowing G-D to provide a new heart and new spirit, as we read in Jeremiah 36:26:

26 Moreover I will give you a new heart. I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the stony heart from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

With this new heart comes the kind of love for G-D that results in holiness. It is this holiness that makes it possible for us to obey the commandments to Love G-D and Love our neighbors. Holiness goes beyond a desire to be seen as righteous. This is what Yeshua was teaching about in Matthew 23:2-3 when He spoke of the Torah scholars and Pharisees saying:

2 saying, “The Torah scholars and Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses. 3 So whatever they tell you, do and observe. But don’t do what they do; for what they say, they do not do.

Notice that Yeshua didn’t speak against what they were teaching; He only spoke against what they were doing. Going further, He didn’t speak against what they were doing because what they were doing was wrong. No, Yeshua spoke against what they were doing because of their motivation. Yeshua’s words were “All their works they do to be noticed by men.”

You see, we can do righteous works without being holy. But, if you are holy, you will do righteous works.

May 10, 2022 0 comment

Faith

Christ Is My Righteousness

by Rene Lafaut August 8, 2021

written by Rene Lafaut

Jesus’ Righteousness is an attribute made possible for us through faith in and grace from Jesus. In Evangelical circles this usually means that Jesus’ Righteousness is attributed to us positionally and that our own righteousness is as filthy rags. In other words, God sees Jesus’ Righteousness when He looks at us instead of our filthy rags because of our faith in Jesus. There is truth in this interpretation. But there are more riches to be found in these words.

In John 15, Jesus says that He is the True Vine and that we His followers are the branches. And that when we abide in Him we will bear good fruit (His Righteousness). In other words we are hollow conduits that God fills with His grace: His empowering presence, that flows through us so our branches bear good fruit to the glory of God. We bear good fruit; we don’t produce it.

The good fruit is God’s Righteousness!

There many things that can impede the flow of Jesus’ grace through us! Things such as pride, judging, jealousy, condemning, criticizing, lies, hating, impatience, enjoying serious sins, etc. The key to ridding oneself of these blockages of sin is to fully repent God’s way. All these sins can be aimed at our neighbors and ourselves. But even if we properly get rid of such sin strongholds against our neighbors and ourselves. We can still miss someone very important! Namely: God! So, how do we know whether we are judging God or not? We can easily point to our loyalty to Jesus as evidence that we are innocent. Is this enough evidence though? No! Fact is we can easily believe and say “no we aren’t judging God” and yet be mistaken. The Old Testament says about the Israelites that they refused to believe in the goodness of God by murmuring against Him. And that is what kept them in the desert for forty-years. When we criticize and blame God and are negative and resentful towards Him, then we are judging Him. When we are full of self-pity and the belief that things are unfair, then we are sinfully murmuring and judging against God.

God is absolutely Good and fully Righteous. There is none higher! When we feel things are unfair we need to process our feelings and talk with God, getting in touch with Him who died for us and let Him clean us up with His blood and our faith. We need to see with the Light of the world: Jesus who is the only way to the Father.

If we are in the habit of judging God, then we are blocking the grace that enables us to love everyone supernaturally. If we are judging God and at the same time believe He is our Righteousness. Then in reality we are blocking God’s true Righteousness from flowing through us and are left only with our filthy rags: Things such as pride, judging, jealousy, condemning, criticizing, lies, hating, impatience, enjoying serious sins, etc.

No matter how we wish we didn’t we will visit these sins on all our neighbors. We will hurt a lot of people while thinking God is our Righteousness, but being in error. God isn’t hard on us. He is patient and loving. Waiting for us to come to Him in healthy humility to be taught to properly repent from our sins so His Righteousness shines through us with God getting the glory!

For advice on how to properly repent from sin strongholds and renew the dirty attitudes of our minds, see my book available on Amazon called: “Dismantling the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil Within So Love Can Thrive”. We don’t have to spend all our lives in the desert!

August 8, 2021 0 comment

Faith

Godly Grief Produces Lasting Repentance

by Theresa Harvard Johnson November 14, 2019

written by Theresa Harvard Johnson

close up side view portrait of black girl with lively faith. expiatoryfaith. mixed race girl is asking forgiveness because she has done a lot of mistakes and sins. copyspace. profileOne of the most profound aspects of our spiritual growth and develop as sons is learning to please the Lord.

Christ gave us the gift of Holy Spirit to help us with this part of the journey, and to push us toward conviction of sin (John 16:8). This gift helps us see that “conviction” is not something that merely happens to us. Rather, it helps us transform into the image and likeness of the Son.

Conviction Is A Powerful Force

The gift of conviction is forceful, painful and yet one of the most powerful forces of love we will ever experience. Paul describes it as an experience that caused him to rejoice.

In 1 Corinthians 7:9 he states: “As it is I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief…”

Paul understood conviction to be a sign of the inworking of Holy Spirit. Likewise, it stands as a critical identifier of heart-change.

Repentance Can Be Beautiful

Who could imagine that “godly grief” could be beautiful? Yet, it is!

Christ declared that Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin unto repentance (John 16:7-8). He accomplished this. Therefore, repentance ushers believers into the beauty of righteousness.

Godly Grief Produces Repentance

Conviction is painful! Yet its finished work produces loving sons. That’s beautiful.

In 1 Corinthians 7:10 the Apostle Paul states, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…”

So, repentance is produced as the soul mourns its misalignment with the Lord. Conviction says we recognize our misalignment, sees its consequences and desire to correct the wrong. Therefore, godly grief fuels daily salvation and accelerates spiritual growth.

As a result, transformation is not based on condemnation. Rather, the overcomers joy becomes the fruit of the Lord’s forgiveness.

What Real Repentance Looks Like

According to scripture, real repentance:

Has little to do with feeling sorry or guilty about sinning. First of all, it is about recognizing the need to change the inner-person and produce fruit that remains. Repentance recognizes that grief without change is not repentance.
Does not mean to live without consequences. Some choices have consequences that impact us and those affected forever. Similarly, we learn to live with those consequences or losses from our forgiven, restored place. Being repentant does not meant everything goes back to the way it was in the natural.
Is not just about changing behavior. Certainly, people can change behavior without having a heart change. As a result, conviction of sin unto righteousness must occur. This means that righteousness should be authentic and visible.
Is not a release of sorrowful words or confession alone. True repentance is inward revival! As a result, a change of heart and mind should occur. Consequently, the sin becomes what the person hates and the change becomes what the person desperately desires.
Comes with an appreciation and respect for accountability, and the humility to be taught and learn. Therefore, repentance often requires accountability in community or with a mentor/teacher who can provide guidance. Rejection of accountability, counsel and/or being taught can indicate that repentance has not fully occurred.
Real repentance is never frivolous. As a result, every earnest act of repentance is a serious action of the heart and a core foundation of one’s faith. Furthermore, it is the catalyst for “entrance” of the ministry of Holy Spirit in us to work the will of God for our lives- producing likeness and image.

Finally, repentance is our skeleton key to living a life of salt and light. It is the opening restoration needs to make our joy complete. Above all, we are to be like Him.

1 John 1:5-9 NIV, “5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

November 14, 2019 0 comment

Articles

The Great Enemy of Our Generation

by Daphne Delay July 22, 2019

written by Daphne Delay

Fear has become the great enemy of our generation.

I’ve seen it first-hand at home with one of my children and in the many lives of people God brings across my path. And in all honesty, it angers me. Fear can be a debilitating disease, hindering people’s growth and endangering their future. And in the famous words of the Apostle Paul: “These things ought not be so…”

I want to give you a scripture today and break it down in pieces so you and I can really meditate on its truths: “In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear…” (Isaiah 54:14).

Righteousness

By definition: Righteousness is the quality or state of being right; right-standing with God, including the ability to stand before Him without guilt or sin.

This is God’s design. It’s the major reason Jesus came to earth. He became what we were so we could become what He is. And as believers in Jesus Christ, this is how God sees you and I (regardless of how we see or feel about ourselves). In both the old and new testaments, righteousness is the keyword in scripture that ties believers to God and God to His children.

Established

By definition: Established means to bring into being on a firm or stable basis; to cause to be accepted or recognized; to ordain for permanence.

If righteousness is the end-result, then to be established is the goal. God doesn’t waver like man. He sets our feet upon a rock and establishes our steps (Psalm 40:1-2). When we grow in our understanding of the righteousness we’ve received through Jesus, it is hard to shake us. Trials and tribulations just don’t faze the believer who knows he or she is the righteousness of God in Christ. They are established in this truth and come hell or high water, they are immovable.

Oppression

By definition: Oppression is the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, or anxiety.

This is why I get mad. God’s people are strong and victorious! So when the devil deceives, manipulates, and burdens God’s people because of their lack of understanding or knowledge of His truth, it hurts my heart. Mainly because I’ve been there –and can be tempted to dance with the devil every day in this arena. BUT… I refuse. Not because of anything I am or can do in my own strength, but because of what Jesus has done for me –and my firm persuasion of it.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…” (Luke 4:18). The word poor here literally means those who are crouched and broken in spirit. This is the epitome of oppression.

But “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).

Fear: The Great Enemy

By definition: Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain; whether real or imagined, feelings of dread or apprehension. Denounce the great enemy today.

The mere mention of fear makes me want to kick the devil in the teeth. It is an awful evil and should never be associated with God’s children, yet I see them plagued by fear every day. Fear of man… fear of pain… fear of rejection… fear of fear!

God has NOT given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), so in reality fear is a choice. I realize it’s real, but we don’t have to accept it. We need to learn to hand that plate back to the devil and say NO THANK YOU.

Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow. -Unknown

“In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear…” (Isaiah 54:14).

Let this be your focus today. Quote it. Speak it. Memorize it. Meditate on its truths. THIS IS WHO YOU ARE and HOW GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE EACH DAY. For you are the righteousness of God in Christ!

July 22, 2019 0 comment

Faith

Jesus Didn’t Die Because You Have Sin

by Daphne Delay April 24, 2019

written by Daphne Delay

I was recently listening to a podcast with Dan Mohler, who came highly recommended because of his teachings on our identity in Christ. This is one of my favorite topics, so I was pretty excited as I listened to Dan explain this thought: Jesus didn’t die because you have sin. He died because you have destiny…!

Our Destiny

This intriguing thought got me thinking, so let’s look at it. 1 John 3:8-9 says, “When people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”

Sin separates you and I from God. And we know Jesus died to take away our sins. But SIN wasn’t His primary goal. “The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]…” God created humans with DESTINY and PURPOSE. But the devil, to get back at God, created a trap called sin.

The Message Bible sums up God’s view of this very well: “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity He put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:21-24)

Can you say “Hallelujah!“?

We’ve always had our eyes on the sin, but God always had His eye on the DESTINY of man. In other words, God wanted His creation to thrive with the potential, ability, capacity, and power He designed for them!

Can you say “That’s me!“?

Destiny & Righteous Conscious

So here’s a theological term that might make more sense: Quit running around with a SIN-consciousness. Instead, flip the whole sin-thing around and start having a DESTINY-consciousness! Or, as I’m always telling others, a RIGHTEOUSNESS-consciousness! Your destiny is wrapped up in God’s righteousness. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Did you catch that? It wasn’t only about sin. Jesus died to restore us to righteousness.

So meditate on these truths today. Get your eyes off of sin (past, present, or future) and begin to see yourself as God sees you – with destiny!

April 24, 2019 0 comment

Faith

Have we been fleeing from God to escape punishment, when all we’ve been doing is eluding His rescue?

by Dudley Anderson August 28, 2018

written by Dudley Anderson

A story is told of a Minnesota radio station that reported about a stolen car in California. Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver. On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison to be used as rat bait. The police and the owner of the car were now more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life rather than to recover the car.

For too long, many of us have been fleeing from God in an attempt to escape His punishment, when in fact all we are actually doing is eluding His rescue. We all need saving, we’re driving about like lunatics in stolen cars with death sitting on the seat next to us. Sin has poisoned the human race from the beginning, the consequence of which is eternal death. We need to be apprehended, not because we’re criminals but because we need to be rescued; we need salvation.

The Gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The pure Gospel message is this: “if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:10)

God calls us to Repent

By the Holy Spirit, the prophet Jeremiah, called God’s people to repentance. The people of Judah and Israel had abandoned the basics of God’s Law and embraced the worship of foreign gods. Through Jeremiah, God was calling His people to return to the fundamental truths of His Word. Sadly, they refused and suffered the consequences of their rebellion.

This Jewish rebellion was indicative of the rebellion of all mankind. Consequently, by His love and grace, more than 600 years after the Jews returned to Jerusalem, God sent His only begotten Son as Messiah, to reconcile all mankind to God’s glorious righteousness. Indeed, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

For God made Him who had no sin, to be sin for us so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. And thus the Church of Christ was born. His Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the gentile.

Sadly, through the ages, the fundamental purity of the Gospel has become distorted by popular opinion. In fact, right from the very end of the first century, man’s opinions and selfish ambition began to creep into the Church. Therefore, Jesus Himself, gave instructions to the main churches spread out in Asia Minor, via the last of His foundation apostles, John. To the Church in Sardis He instructed John to write:

“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.” (Revelation 3:2-3)

In this postmodern 21^st Century liberal society, Christian moral ethics and the Biblical absolutes have been so blurred by that same popular opinion that, even in the Church we have lost sight of the basics of our faith. Therefore, Body of Christ, we need to wake up, return to God and strengthen what remains.

Strengthen What Remains

We are seeking to strengthen our salvation today. Jesus is the source of our salvation. Therefore, let us return to Jesus. He is “the way, the truth and the life and there is no other path to the Father but by Him”. The result of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the Son of God and Son of Man, is God incarnate. That is to say, the man Jesus is the embodiment of the eternal holy and absolutely righteous God.

You see, Jesus needed to be man (Son of Man) so that He could suffer temptation and physical death on our part. But, because Jesus is also God (Son of God), after He bore the consequence of our sin on the Cross, He rose from the dead. God made Jesus a sin offering so that in Him, if we admit to our sin and put our faith in Him, we could become the righteousness of God. God loved you and me so much in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus did it! Jesus reconciled us to the glory of God. Jesus made the way for our salvation. Today, strengthen what remains: your appreciation of salvation!

Gratitude for Salvation

God is calling us to strengthen what remains. Do you know Jesus? Have you confessed your sin and put your faith in Christ’s death and resurrection? Do you call Jesus Lord and Saviour? Then strengthen your understanding of the fundamentals of your salvation with gratitude to our loving Heavenly Father for making the way back to Him, though Jesus. God loved you and me so much that He sent His one and only begotten Son, that if we believe in Him we will have eternal life.

None of us can earn our salvation, because none of is qualified to match the standards of God’s perfect goodness. Therefore, let’s fall back on Jesus! Church isn’t our salvation. Worship isn’t our salvation. Good works aren’t our salvation. Giving money isn’t our salvation. Serving God isn’t our salvation. Watching Christian TV or reading Christian literature isn’t our salvation. Only Jesus is our salvation. So, let’s wake up and strengthen what remains; strengthen our gratitude for salvation through Jesus.

Do It Now!

Jesus said, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

If you’ve never really given your heart to Jesus, do it now. If you’ve never really accepted your salvation by faith, come to Jesus now.

Pray with me…

Dear God, I’ve been driving around like a lunatic for too long, with death sitting on the seat right next to me. I realise today that I can’t do this in my own strength. Forgive me for clouding my walk with You by my own self-centred opinions and ambitions. Today, I humble myself and ask You to come into my life, dear Jesus. I confess and repent of all sin. I believe that You died and rose again so that I can be forgiven and cleansed. Today, Jesus, I put my faith in You; I give my life to You and declare You to be my personal Lord and saviour. Dear Lord, strengthen my appreciation of my salvation. Amen.

This article was written by Dudley Anderson of Sure Reality Media and pastor of Cornerstone Family Church. Dudley has a background in radio and is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope. He also writes a weekly GodTracker devotional.

August 28, 2018 0 comment

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