Martha or Mary

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Here what do you see? The first picture... Do you see a Martha laboring to serve Jesus the Lord? Do you think Martha is serving out of willingness or obligation? Do you think Martha is wrong to blame Jesus and her sister for not helping her? Do you think Martha loves Jesus more than Mary? Do you think Martha is wrong to serve Jesus?

If you have been in a Church for sometimes, you've probably seen many Marthas around and if you are not one yet, you'd probably being asked by one to some sort of ministry works. You probably being asked by one to go out and save the lost. You probably being told by one that it's your duty to serve the Lord and His people. You probably heard one saying Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. You'll probably be a Martha soon.

My answers to the first picture... I'm sure you'd agree with me that Martha is laboring to serve Jesus out of her own effort. And she served willingly and also with obligation. If I were Martha I would also blame Jesus and Mary for not helping. I believe Martha loves Jesus as much as Mary. Martha is definitely not wrong to serve Jesus but there is something more important than serving.

The second picture... Do you see a resting Mary enjoying Jesus' companion or a lazy Mary avoiding the works of serving? Do you think Mary is right for not helping Martha? Do you think Mary loves Jesus less? Do you think Jesus loves Mary more? What do you think is the "One thing needed" said by Jesus?

My answers to the second picture are... I'm sure you would agree that Mary is resting to receive from Jesus. Helping Martha is good but resting to receive from Jesus is the priority here. I've said Martha and Mary both loves Jesus the same and likewise Jesus loves both of them the same. Mary has done the "One thing needed" by sitting at Jesus' feet to hear His word.

How many Martha have seen left the ministry or the Church after devotedly serving the Lord? Either due to strife with other members or stress from the overwhelmed works. Burnt out is natural term used to describe a Martha. If you were one, you'd know what it is. From the two pictures we learnt that Jesus wants us to be like Mary and not Martha because He wants us to sit at His feet and receive from Him rather than worrying and troubled of the ministry works in serving Him.

You may ask who then would do those works? How to run a Church without the workers? How to praise and worship without the musicians? How can the people be saved without a preacher? How? How?... Hold on a minute! who is running the Church? You or Christ? But only if we receive from Him, we then can grow strong and bear good fruits and so shall be the ministries and the Church too. When the fruits come forth you wouldn't be able to content it even if you want to. From the surface it might look like Mary is selfish for not helping but not according to Jesus because she has chosen the good part doing that "one thing needed". Later we see Mary was found doing the right thing at the right time anointing the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair preparing Him for His final moment. (John 11:2)

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't serve the Lord but do that one thing needed first and you shall serve Him well and never burn out like Martha. All ministries must be run by the fruits of the Spirit and not the works of men and from the results would easily tell if it is by the fruits of the Spirit or by effort of men. So why worried and troubled about many things? The Lord is in control. Rest in Him first and you shall serve Him well. Always hear Him first!

Men's rebellions against God

Heb 9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat...

Ever wonder why God covered up these three things (the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod and the ten commandments) in the ark of the covenant? It is because they are the rebellions (sin) of men and God does not want to see them anymore but only the blood of His Son that cleansed away all the sin of men on the mercy seat.

1) The golden pot of manna placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's provision.

Exo 16:1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

By works or by faith

Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's provision? Do you see men's trust in their own works to provide for themselves? Or do you see the Bread of heaven and believe that He shall continue to provide for tomorrow? Are you of works in yourself or of faith in God? At a time like the Israelites in the desert, do you still believe that He shall continue to provide for you? Or do you feel that you must do something to solve the problem? That's the test of God... by works or by faith? The answer is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).

2) Aaron's rod that budded placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's choice.

Num 16:1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; 2 and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" 4 So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.

By works or by faith

Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's choice? Do you see men's trust in their own way to direct themselves? Or do you see the God's way to delivery them into the promise land. Do you see Salvation by works in men or by faith in the One whom He chooses? The answer again is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).

3) The two tablets of the covenant placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's word.

Exo 19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." 7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

Exo 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

By works or by faith

Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's Word? Do you see men's pride saying "All that the LORD has spoken we will do"? Do you see God's voice as His law of the ten commandments that you boast you can obey just like the children of Israel in the wilderness or do you see God's voice as His Word (John 1:14) whom He sent to bring us into the promised land. Do you see God's covenant as the covenant of law or the covenant of Grace that He made with Abraham (Gen 15:18)? In Exo 19, the law has not been given yet. The answer again is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. And in Mat 26:28 Jesus said: For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Now you know why God locked up these three items and covered it by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ we are completed! Hear Him only!

You Hold Me Now

1Jn 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Do you have the Son? Do you have life? Remember it is only the Son and nothing else matter. Hear Him!

The power from on high

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:45-48)

The disciples without the power from on high:

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED.' But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." (Mat 26:31-34)

Jesus instruction to His disciples:

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) and you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:5) ... and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (John 16:7)

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (John 14:16 -20) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

When the Holy Spirit comes:

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

Now the disciples are empowered with the Holy Spirit:

Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. (Acts 4:1-4)

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:5-7)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. (Acts 4:8-10) ... Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Let us equip with the same power from on high and be as bold:

Apostle Paul: I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; (1Co 14:18) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1Co 14:2) Pray in tongues draws us near and abide in Him with a true heart in full assurance of our faith and out of our heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5) For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17)

The great commission

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Mat 28:18) Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (Mark 16:15-17) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mark 16:18-20)

Enter into the promises of God. It is your inheritance. You will do more in one year with the power from on high than you could do in fifty years apart from Him. Hear Him!

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit By Andrew Wommack

There are few things more controversial in the body of Christ than the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying gifts.

Much of modern-day Christianity sees the born-again experience as all there is to salvation. Many Christians oppose the belief that there is a separate experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and they especially oppose the validity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for today’s believers.

That type of belief puts them in conflict with the book of Acts and the very teaching of Jesus. Those who experience the power of the Holy Spirit today are labeled as fanatics or heretics. But what does the Bible have to say? What did Jesus say about this?

On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He made one of the most astounding statements of His whole ministry. John 16:7 records these words:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Grasp what Jesus is saying! Jesus said it is more beneficial for us to have the ministry of the Holy Spirit than it was to have Jesus present with us in His physical body!

Most Christians are totally shocked by this. They would give anything to have Jesus present in His physical body. How could anything be better than to physically see, hear, and touch Him?

Jesus knew His disciples would be shocked by His statement, so He prefaced it with the words, “I tell you the truth.” As hard as it may be to understand, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is better than the earthly ministry of Jesus.

This is not to take anything away from His ministry on this earth. Without Jesus coming to the earth and accomplishing what He did, there could be no ministry of the Holy Spirit. The whole plan of God hinges on the redemptive work of Christ.

But, once His work was done, it was actually to our advantage to have Jesus return to His Father and send the Holy Spirit to take His place. Therefore, we shouldn’t lessen the preeminence of Jesus, but we should increase the importance of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

Most Christians don’t realize how involved the Holy Spirit is in everything that the Lord does. They do not ascribe nearly enough importance to the Holy Spirit and what He is doing in the earth today. In Genesis 1:1-2, the Bible says,

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

In the beginning, God created all the elements needed for His creation. Then, everything else was formed from what had already been created. All the essential ingredients were in place. But nothing happened without the Spirit of God.

Notice specifically that the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) moved upon the face of the waters. The English word moved was translated from the Hebrew word “rachaph.” It literally means “to brood.” This is describing the manner of a hen sitting on her eggs to hatch them.

The Holy Spirit was brooding over the creation of God just waiting to bring forth whatever God the Father said. When the Lord said “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3), then the power of the Holy Spirit brought that light into being. Likewise, with everything the Lord created and made, it was the power of the Holy Spirit that brought it all into existence.

God the Father conceived it. Jesus spoke it. And the Holy Spirit was the power that performed it. Everything God did in His creation was accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. When God the Father was ready to bring Jesus into the earth, He took the spoken Word (Jesus), the Holy Spirit brooded over Mary (a virgin), and she conceived Jesus’ physical body.

This perfectly illustrates the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are one. In fact, they are so much one that they can’t operate independent of each other. They are a team. Jesus didn’t do any miracles or start His public ministry until after He had been anointed with the Holy Spirit.

If Jesus couldn’t, or wouldn’t, operate independently of the Holy Spirit, neither should we. No one can have an effective life or ministry without the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in him or her. This fact can’t be argued by anyone who truly believes the Bible is God’s Word. The Scriptures are replete with proof that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).

So, why is there so much debate over this issue? The sad truth is that denial of the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit is a convenient theology. Believing that miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit don’t operate today excuses powerless living. If it’s true that the Holy Spirit is still willing to move as in biblical times (and it is true), then there is no excuse for living lives so far removed from the victory portrayed in God’s Word.

The number one reason people resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit is because it exposes the lack of power in their lives. And once exposed, it demands a change. In an attempt to avoid responsibility for change, they change the Scriptures instead of themselves. Of course, it’s not that blatant, but there is a predisposition against the ministry of the Holy Spirit, so the Scripture is twisted to support their views.

It’s now politically correct to say that alcoholics are not responsible for their actions, depression is a chemical imbalance, and homosexuality is genetic. We’ve even had lawsuits where overweight people sue fast-food chains for their obesity. No one wants to admit that their lives are the result of their choices and actions. It’s appealing to think that someone else is at fault for their messed up lives. Sadly, the lack of personal responsibility in our society has crept into the attitudes of the church.

But, the ultimate attempt to avoid responsibility is when we place the blame on God. This goes all the way back to Adam when he said, “It’s that woman that YOU gave me” (Gen. 3). He passed the “buck” to the woman and then ultimately blamed God. But God’s judgment shows that He held Adam responsible for his own actions.

Another group of Christians willingly accept a limited ministry of the Holy Spirit as their comforter and consoler, but they still deny His miraculous power. That’s convenient, the benefits without the responsibility. These are usually the ones who also believe there isn’t a second experience with the Holy Spirit beyond being born again. They may be sincere in their beliefs, but they are sincerely wrong.

There are many clear examples in Scripture where a miraculous encounter with the Holy Spirit enabled believers to live supernatural lives. Jesus taught about two separate experiences in the believer’s life.

In John 20:28, Thomas confessed Jesus as his Lord and God. That made him “saved” according to Romans 10:9-10. Yet, the Lord told Thomas and all the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The reason Jesus told them to wait on the baptism of the Holy Spirit was because they didn’t have it yet. Look what happened to the disciples once they received that power. They were changed men.

Jesus said it this way in Acts 1:8,

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

After the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples, they were powerful. They faced persecution and death fearlessly. What made the difference? By Jesus’ own words, it was the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 8, Philip preached to the Samaritans, and the whole city believed on Jesus and was baptized in water. They were saved. But Acts 8:15-16 says,

“Who, when they [the apostles] were come down, prayed for them [the Samaritans], that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)” (brackets mine).

This is a very clear example of people being born again but still needing to receive the Holy Spirit. This can also be witnessed in Acts 19:2. Paul found disciples who were not baptized in the Holy Spirit. He prayed for them, and they spoke with tongues.

Spirit filled, but no tongues!

There are other believers who acknowledge a second experience with the Holy Spirit which releases power, but they refuse the part of speaking in tongues, or at least say it’s not for everyone. But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is like a pair of tennis shoes: It always comes with tongues.

I guess it’s possible to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues, but why wouldn’t you want to? If you’re afraid, don’t be! There’s no reason to fear; you’re in full control. I’m not speaking in tongues as I write this, because it’s up to me to decide when I speak in tongues. It’s the same for you. You’ll control when you speak in tongues.

Maybe there’s something else that is holding you back. I know from experience that a person whose understanding of this gift isn’t right can stifle it. I did. In my case, a denomination had instilled such fear in me that I was afraid I would get something from the devil. It wasn’t until later that I learned the Lord wouldn’t let that happen (Luke 11:13).

Whether you’re not sure or just having a problem receiving, my teaching entitled The Holy Spirit will answer your questions and set you free to receive this powerful gift. My life was completely changed when I received the Holy Spirit. If it were not for that, you would never have heard of Andrew Wommack.

Here is a little of my personal story; it may help you. In 1957 I was born again at the age of eight. I loved God and served Him to a degree, but was basically powerless. I prayed six months for my Dad to be healed, but he died when I was only twelve years old. As a young man, I was introverted, timid, and so shy I couldn’t look people in the face when talking to them.

There wasn’t any difference between me and an unbeliever in terms of visible results. If I would have been arrested for being a Christian, there wouldn’t have been enough evidence to convict me.

Then, on March 23, 1968, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My life was transformed instantly. Before the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I was in fear; afterward, I was as bold as a lion (Prov. 28:1). My love for the Lord went through the roof. It wasn’t me living anymore, but Christ was living through me.

My life wasn’t perfect then and still isn’t now. But receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit opened up a whole new, dynamic relationship with the Lord. You would never have heard of me if I hadn’t received the second work of the Holy Spirit, which the Bible calls the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It’s my desire to see you experience that same power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that come with it.

My teaching, The Holy Spirit, is now available in book form, as well as in a CD or tape album. This is the same material I give to those who receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at our Gospel Truth Seminars. It takes them from “A” to “Z” in the doctrine of this experience and shares very practical steps on how to receive the gift of speaking in tongues. Hundreds of people who were having trouble speaking in tongues were able to receive after reading the book or listening to this teaching. Every one of you knows people who haven’t received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and this teaching could forever change their lives.

By Andrew Wommack

Visit Andrew Wommack's website

Deny ourselves and take up our cross daily

I don't know about you but I wonder why I don't see much power from on high manifested in the church these days than I read of the early church in the book of Acts? Why? Are we missing something? Read on and see if you agree with me?

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:6) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom 8:7) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom 8:8)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1Jn 2:15-16) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2) A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and will not receive anything from the Lord (Jas 1:7-8) Who is a double-minded man?

What then are the meaning of after the flesh, carnally minded and the world? They are indeed of the same meaning. (1 Jn 2:16) states it clearly... they are the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. And it all summed up in one word... "SELF" ... our self-conscious, self-desire, self-will, self-righteousness, selfishness, jealousy, envy and so on... On the other hand, what is after the Spirit and spiritually minded? It is simply the opposite of SELF, it is Christ-conscious, Christ-minded, Christ-righteousness and having the same mind (thinking and belief) as the Scripture said of us the church. The world is system of this age, whatsoever is not super naturally created by God is of this world such as our education system or the stock market.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Rom 8:9-10) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Rom 8:14)

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal 5:16-17)

So now the real question is... Are you after the flesh or after the Spirit? Think about it. If you are not in the flesh then why are you after the flesh? If you are in the Spirit then why are you not walking in the Spirit? I believe that is why Jesus said we must deny ourselves and carry our own cross daily and follow Him. Deny ourselves is not after the flesh and carry our own cross daily is where we die to self. Many believers know of what Christ has accomplished on the cross for us but few are truly willing to let Him use us to accomplish His will on earth. It is very common to see a relatively holy church going, tongue speaking, ministering christian yet is very selfish and self minded. This is stated in (2Ti 3:5) - having a form of godliness but denying its power. And that's a double minded man. Also many actually think that it is a very painful and difficult process to deny ourselves and carry our own cross. Which is absolutely not true for Jesus said "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mat 11:30) and you can never out give God because He said "...whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:24)

If you lack wisdom, ask of God (Jas 1:5) and it shall be given you. The truth is in Christ and in your flesh you can never deny yourself and carry your cross on your own. You need Him for without Him you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). All He wanted is a willing heart. Let go and let Him renew your mind and see this statement comes to life... "As He is, so are we in the world"(1 Jn 4:17). Hear Him!

Please read related blog: "Are you truly for Him or for yourself?". Shalom!

Are you truly for Him or for yourself?

Often we prayed for more blessing, bigger car, bigger house, bigger holidays. And we asked for more income, higher position, better job and we said it is for His Kingdom, for His glory. We said: "Lord, bless me so that I can bless the others", "Make me wealthy so that I can be the heir of the world", "Make me rich so I can reign as king"... But the question is are we truly for Him or for ourselves?

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Mat 13:44-46)

Who is the hidden treasure and who is the man that found it? Also who is the fine pearl and who is the merchant that bought it? Is it Christ that gave up everything for us or we to give up everything for Christ?

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24-25)

Again who is the fallen wheat that died? Is it Christ who died and so produced much grain or we are to die in order to produce much grain?

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Mat 16:24-25, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 9:23 -24)

Now who is the one to deny himself and take up his cross? Is it Christ or us or both? Or should we say Christ has denied Himself, and took up the cross for us, and that we no longer need to deny ourselves and take up our own cross? Or we say that's the divine exchange and it is a gift and not of ourselves and so justified us to continue to live our own flesh? Don't you think it is important that this same scripture appeared three times in the Bible? Is denying ourselves a sacrifice to us?

I am not saying that we do not want blessing. Indeed we are already blessed. We are already the heir of the world. We are already reigned as kings if we are in Christ. Denying ourselves is never our sacrifice but His love. Because He loves us so and denied His own righteousness and took our sins on the cross so that we can deny our sinful nature and become the righteousness of God in Christ. Because of His love, His sacrifice, His death on the cross and His resurrection, we now can receive His righteousness and become the new creation in Christ. It is not of ourselves. It is certainly not a sacrifice to give up the things which are rubbish to us in exchange to receive the things which are heaven best. Why then are we still holding on to ourselves, holding on to our own desires, holding on to our flesh?

If only we truly know who we are in Christ, we won't be able to deny ourselves even if we want to. Our selves denial is of the flesh, is of work, is of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It'll never accomplish anything. But with Christ's revelation knowing how much He and the Father love us and made us in Christ, we can't wait to let go ourselves and to let Christ lives for us because for in Him is our Victory, our Healing, our Prosperity, our everything pertaining to life.

The truth is within us. Ask, and it will be given to you... (Mat 7:7) Pray: "Lord, I'm willing, use me" and He shall open your eyes to see His way, know His truth and live His life. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Set our eyes only on Christ and Christ only... we shall truly live His LIFE. Only then we shall produce much grain. Only then the world can see our true blessing.

Apostle Paul: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20) Do you think Apostle Paul denied himself? Hear Him!

Do we need more faith?

I believe that there is only one way to all the treasures of God, and that is the way of faith. By faith and faith alone do we enter into a knowledge of the attributes and become partakers of the beatitudes, and participate in the glories of our ascended Lord. All His promises are Yea and Amen to them that believe. God would have us come to Him by His own way. That is through the open door of grace. A way has been made. It is a beautiful way, and all His saints can enter in by this way and find rest. God has prescribed that the just shall live by faith. I find that all is failure that has not its base on the rock Christ Jesus. He is the only way, the truth and the life. The way of faith is the Christ way, receiving Him in His fulness and walking in Him; receiving His quickening life that filleth, moveth and changeth us, bringing us to a place where there is always an Amen in our hearts to all the will of God. [Smith Wigglesworth]

There are two kinds of faith. There is the natural faith. But the supernatural faith is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). That's the faith the Holy Ghost is giving. It is the faith that He brings to us as we press in and on with God. I want to put before you this difference between our faith and the faith of Jesus. Our faith comes to an end. Most people in this place have come to where they have said, “Lord, I can go no further. I have gone so far and I can go no further. I have used all the faith I have, and I have just to stop now and wait.”

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6) The question is... how then since I have so little faith? I need more faith. How can I get more faith???

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:23-24)

Hallelujah! There is always an answer: If you are in Christ, you don't need more faith, you have all the faith in you... simply looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... (Heb 12:2) But if you doubted then say "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!". Your prayer is still answered. Hear Him!

Who then is a faithful and wise servant

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Mat 24:45 and Luk 12:42

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:21-22, Mat 19:21-22 and Luk 18:22-23.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Mat 19:23-24

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Luk 16:13 and also in Mat 6:24

Do you truly believe that God provides everything for you? If God said "Give all that you have and I will provide everything for you". Can you do it? If God said "If I give you a new house, are you willing to give it away?" My point is... Is your trust truly on God or still on your money? If you find it hard to give, you haven't known Him yet. If you truly know Him, you can give away anything... even your own life (Mat 16:25). Then you are the faithful and wise servant. Hear Him!

The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine

"For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. (Hag 2:6-8)

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. (Isa 60:1-2) The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. (Isa 60:3-4) Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. (Isa 60:5)

Do you agree with me that the shaking is already happening? ...the heaven and earth, the sea and dry land as well are now shaken. Do you also agree that your light has come? ...the gospel of Grace that shines from within you is now happening. Do you agree with me that what belongs to Daddy, also belong to me? Do you agree that the silver and the gold that Daddy said is His, also is mine? ... everything I have is yours (Luk 15:31). 

Again, do you also agree with me that the transfer of wealth is already in process? ... a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Prov 13:22) Who then is the righteous? ...by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2Co 5:21) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26) And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:29) Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. (Gen 13:2) and so are you. Sow a seed into the silver and gold by faith to see the thirty, sixty and hundred folds return. Hear Him!

Are you the lost son or the brother?

Luk 15:11  Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.

Which son are you?

Luk 15:12  The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

Much like the younger son, I was born-again in my teen but wasn't interested in the Father and His kingdom, thinking that there was better world outside...

Luk 15:13  "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

It was kind of exciting in the beginning... worked in a corporate, made some money, bought a car, got a wife... as desire increases, soon enough left the job and started my own, business seem good, so bought a new house, trying to live a flashing life style and show off the world... "I can do it". But that didn't last too long.

Luk 15:14  After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

Yes... soon there was a famine in the land, the stock market clashed, projects cancelled, payment delayed and some even turned into bad debt. So business began to go under...

Luk 15:15  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

Business couldn't go on, no choice but to get a job... changed to a smaller car and sold the house finally...

Luk 15:16  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

Market was slow and sales were tough. But life goes on... so turned to quick money scam, multi-level, gambling, even worship idols hoping that things to turn around soon... but it didn't.

Luk 15:17  "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

One night, my dear sister said to me that she got a good friend who is so kind and helpful and he would like to help me with a new car and a new house. It so happened at that time my car was in major repair and I needed one quick. Also I was still renting a house... 

Luk 15:18  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I knew she meant Jesus cos where on earth you find such a person? So I asked what's the catch? And she replied... "Nothing but to believe in Him".

Luk 15:19  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

So I said to myself... I'll be the biggest fool if I don't accept. May be she meant to buy me the new car and the new house herself.

Luk 15:20  So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

So I accepted and came home to my Father... for the new car and the new house. But Daddy said "I've waited more than twenty years for you to come home".

Luk 15:21  "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

I said "Daddy, I'm so sorry. Now I realised how much I missed You".

Luk 15:22  "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

And Daddy said "Welcome home and I missed you since the day you left...

Luk 15:23  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

Now let us forget the sorrow and let's celebrate!".

Luk 15:24  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

I'm so glad that I've come home, to be alive again... and I realised how good my Daddy is and how stupid of me to leave Him... He gave me the new car in the same month and the new house is BIG, though it is still in construction but it is already mine. 

Luk 15:25  "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

A long lost friend of my teenage years found out that I've come home to Daddy. 

Luk 15:26  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

He was happy for me at first but then...

Luk 15:27  "Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

He realised that I've come to a church that preaches the gospel of Grace, a church that believes only in the finished work of Christ and His resurrection. And worst... this church does not preach the law at all...

Luk 15:28  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

He started to warn me of false teaching and that I've joined a wrong church...

Luk 15:29  But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

That I must join a traditional church that teaches repentance of sin and the work of the law... 

Luk 15:30  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

and that Grace alone isn't enough, that Jesus alone can't save me. That "Jesus + nothing = everything" is not true...

Luk 15:31  "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

but my Daddy said... whatever is Mine is yours... "As He is so are you now in this world". 

Luk 15:32  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

It is finished! (John 19:30) Jesus has done it all by the cross! Sins have been cleansed and no need of repentance anymore. The law's been fulfilled so now we live by His righteousness and not ours. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 Jn 5:12) Hear Him!

The power in the word

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Prov 4:20-23) 

...they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, (Mat 8:16) ...the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. (Luk 5:15) And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases. (Luk 6:17) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Christ). (Rom 10:17 NIV) Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal 3:5) Christ the power is in the word. Hear Him!

Blessing through the seed

God said: I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (Gen 12:2) Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. (Gen 22:17) The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. (Prov 10:22)

For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom 4:13) For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "SURELY BLESSING I WILL BLESS YOU, AND MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY YOU." And so, after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (Heb 6:13-15) and Christ redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to us through Him (the seed), so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3:14) Whatsoever God had promised to Abraham are also true to us because by faith in Christ we are the sons of Abraham, we are the heirs of the world through the seed Jesus Christ. Do you believe that? Are you blessed? Now is not the time to give up... because Abraham patiently endured and obtained the promise. Hear Him.

Enter by the narrow gate

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat 7:13-14)

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:6-9) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Behold unto Jesus for in Him is our peace, our salvation. Blessed are you who have not seen and yet have believed. Hear Him!

Christ conscious or self conscious

(Mark 8:11) Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." 13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." 17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? (NKJV)

In Mark chapter 8, we read that Jesus just fed the multitude of four thousand with seven loaves of bread yet the His disciples were concerned with not bringing enough bread. It is indeed very strange. Why? If your father just gave generously to everyone all that they can eat and take, will you be worried that you forgot to bring enough cash with you?

It has something to do with verse 15: Then Jesus charged them, saying... In the NIV it states: "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." Who are the Pharisees and Herod and what is leaven/yeast referred here? The Bible tells us very clearly that the Pharisees are the teachers of the law, Herod is an unbeliever. Another word these are people do not accept the Grace of God, people without faith. And leaven/yeast is their self-righteousness, their works of the law, their dependence of self effort, another word their unbelief which had influenced the disciples subtly diluted their faith, blocked them from perceiving or understanding and even hardened of their heart toward Christ (Grace) without them knowing it.

Don't be deceived, if it is not important Jesus won't have warned us... That's the power of the dark side, the devil will tell you of your self-righteousness, your self-ability, your self-desires, all about yourself. As long as your eyes are on yourself, you are being deceived, you have become like the disciples losing the ability to perceive and understand, you heart is hardened from hearing God. But fear not for He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1Jn 4:4), for He said "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5), for He said "be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Remember only when our eyes are on Christ, only when we are Christ conscious, then our self consciousness disappeared. Then come His peace, His wisdom, His health, His prosperity, His victory, His everything in our life. In Him we are everything but without Him we are nothing! (John 15:5) Behold unto His glory always. Hear Him!

I desire mercy, not sacrifice

After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hos 6:1-3) For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hos 6:6)

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mat 9:11-13) If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. (Mat 12:7)

For by one sacrifice He has perfected forever those (who believed in Him) who are being sanctified. (Heb 10:14) It is not what you do for Him but what He has done for you... let us acknowledge His mercy (His grace) and not our sacrifice (our dead works). The two days have passed and now it is the third day... the day the stone is rolled away, the day of His mercy and grace, the day of our final restoration! Praise be our Father for His mercy and grace to us through our Lord Jesus Christ! Hear Him!

Lift up Jesus

"Haven't you read this scripture: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" (Mark 12:10-11)

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. (Jos 3:5-7)

Interpretation: Joshua is a picture of Jesus Christ of the Old Testament, so is the ark of the covenant. The priests are the church, the believers in Christ of the New Testament. In the last day which is today... Jesus said to the church, "Lift Me up and pass on ahead of the people." And the LORD said to Jesus, "Today I will exalt You in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses". Let us all lift up Jesus and exalt Him, let His light so shined before all Israel that they may know He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world... the One they rejected and that God is and was with Him as was with Moses. Jesus is the Christ! Hear Him!

Do not worry

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Mat 6:25-30)

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Mat 6:31-34)

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Mat 7:7-8) And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Mat 21:22) "... For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Mat 6:8)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Mat 16:24-25) He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Mat 10:39)

Do you still worry about tomorrow? Do you still seek your own life? You are truly blessed if this is what you said: "I do not worry about tomorrow for Daddy in heaven shall take care everything because He is my Father and He loves me. All I want now is to love Him too by seeking His kingdom and His righteousness and not my own things. For now I know only in Him I find all things!". Thank you Daddy for Jesus! Hear Him!

The will of the Father

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat 3:10) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!' (Mat 7:19-23) The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1Jn 2:17)

What then is the will of the Father? ...The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. (Acts 22:14) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's Grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ. (Eph 1:7-9) He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the who is and who was and who is to come (Rev 1:8) and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Col 1:17) In Him is the will of the Father. Only Hear Him!

In His secret place

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. (Psa 27:5-6)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." (Psa 91:1-2)

Where is His secret place? At a time of crisis like now... diseases, financial famine, disasters, terrorism, wars and death and many more. This is the time we must find His secret place for protection. But where and how?

The answer is the mercy seat which is overshadowed by the wings of the two cherubim on the ark in His tabernacle. But this is only the shadow of the real thing. Jesus Christ is our mercy seat and in Christ we are in His secret place. In Christ we are in His absolute protection. In Christ we found peace. So let us offer sacrifices of joy and sing praises in His name in the time of trouble, in time of crisis for He said: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world give, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) In Christ we have been delivered! Hear Him!

The third day

The Old Testament prophecy of the third day:
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. (Hos 6:1-3)

Jesus own prophecy of the third day:
[1] From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. (Mat 16:21) [2] "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!" (Mat 20:18-19) [3] "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." (Luk 24:7) [4] He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. (Luk 24:46) and many more...

Now... at dawn on the third day: The Wedding Day
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2Pe 3:8) Two thousand years have come and passed since the day Christ resurrected, therefore now it is after the two days, indeed at dawn on the third day. Just like Christ was resurrected at dawn on the third day so we shall be also in Christ. It is about to happen now, It is the day we're all been looking forward to... our wedding day. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee (at great zeal in accomplishment)... (John 2:1). This is the day of great joy, a day of turning water into wine, a day of heaven on earth, a day that never end. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7) Behold the Bridegroom, He who makes your love completed. Hear Him!

The power in the gospel

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isa 61:1)

Jesus preached the gospel... He went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Mat 4:23)

And the disciples... "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18)

And Apostle Paul... I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (Rom 1:16-17)

Now our turn... And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. (Mark 13:10) May the Lord grant us with all boldness that we may speak Your word, and by laying of hand to heal, and signs and wonders follow through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:29-30) Behold unto Him, labor into His rest... in it we proclaim the gospel of Grace with signs and wonders follow. Hear Him!

Do not limit God

Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, And they lied to Him with their tongue; For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath; For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. (Psa 78:36-41)

For Jesus said, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Mat 17:20) "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) God is all powerful and but man is not. Man has very little strength to believe and that limited God. But now things have changed. The old is gone and the new has come... You may say: I want to stop my unbelief but how? The question is not how but who? Seek Him first and all that you asked in His name, will come to pass (Mat 6:33) for He said "it is finished" on the cross. If you set your eyes on yourself, you see your flesh, you see your weaknesses, you see unbelief, you limit Him. If you set your eyes on Him, you see His finished work, you see His victory, you see your mountain removed. Only in Him you can believe, only in Him all things are possible, only in Him you are who you are... see yourself in Him. Hear Him!

The mystery of His will

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:9-10) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." (Mat 26:42)

So what is the will of God? Jesus said, 'Here I am—it is written about Me in the scroll— I have come to do Your will, O God.'" (Heb 10:7) And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ. (Eph 1:9 NIV) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1Jn 5:14) The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1Jn 2:17) "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus came to do the Father's will which He purposed in Christ, anything we ask according to His will (in Christ) be done, any man who does His will (believes in Christ) lives forever, anyone who believes in Christ shall be called the son of God. That is the mystery of His will... to bring us back to Him through Christ. Hear Him!

It is written

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)

1) Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Mat 4:4)

2) Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Mat 4:7)

3) Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Mat 4:10)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mat 24:35) Whenever you face trials of many kinds, or tempted in the flesh, remember... Jesus always referred back to the Scripture saying "It is written...". So whenever you face sickness, just say "It is written, by His stripe I am healed". If your pocket is empty, just say "It is written, throught His poverty I am rich". If you don't know what to say, just remember this one... "It is written, as He is so am I in this world". Isn't it simple? Just believe and say it out loud. Trust me, it works! Hear Him!

No one but Me

His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Mat 3:12)

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:5-6)

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) Abide in Him, rest in His love, trust in Him... completely for He has done it all, He has finished it perfectly. Nothing you must do, nothing you can do to make it better, nothing... don't even try. Don't mess it up by your own work. It is not about you, it is all about Him! Just abide in Him and let Him prune you to bear much fruit. How great is our God! Hear Him!

Neither cold nor hot

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:20-22)

Why is Jesus not inside the church but outside knocking at the door? Jesus said: "No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Mat 9:16-17) "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Rev 3:15-16) "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, The old is better." (Luk 5:39) So you are neither cold nor hot, neither Old nor New, you will not be accepted in Christ for the Old and the New can not mixed. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Rev 3:19) Hear Him!

Love your enemies

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (Mat 5:44-46)

How to love one who murdered your family? How to bless one who cheated you of a big sum? How to be good to those who hate you? How to pray for those who persecuted you? It is surely impossible. It is already hard enough to forgive, what to say love. But God showed us how: In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1Jn 4:10) with His own blood and gave us His righteousness, took upon Himself all our transgression and iniquities and gave us all that He has... wisdom and knowledge, riches and honor, health and long life. He suffered the cross so that we can become the sons to the Father.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1Jn 4:16) We love because He first loved us. Not that we love but that He loves us and everyone else. Therefore only in Christ, through Him and by Him we love another by His love, not our love. Behold unto the cross and let His love dwell in you... you will give to your brothers in need. Always remember, all that is His is yours and all that is yours is also His. So... you are not giving yours away but His. And He wants you to give and more shall given back to you. Hear Him!

This is My beloved Son

For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (2Pe 1:17)

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (2Pe 1:3) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Pe 1:5-8)

In Christ, all that He is, is in you. It is not your faith anymore but His faith, His goodness, His knowledge, His self-control, His perseverance, His godliness, His brotherly kindness and His love... as He is so are you now. Behold unto Him, the beloved Son of God who has fulfilled the Father's will by the cross and gave the greatest gift of all to whom believed. Together with Him, we have become the beloved sons of the Father, in whom He is well pleased too! Hallelujah! Blessed be my Daddy, the God most high who loves me. Hear Him!

Lack of knowledge

Then God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like." (2Ch 1:11-12)

God said My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hos 4:6) The knowledge of what? Information? Technology? Education?... No, that's the knowledge of the world. But God is referring to... Grace - the knowledge of Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (2Pe 1:2-3) In Christ is all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:3) Seek Him first, for in Him is the wisdom and the knowledge, the riches and the honor and also the long life. You have a better deal than Solomon. Hear Him!

The son of God in Christ

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1Pe 4:1-2)

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Rom 8:12-14) Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin [to the flesh], but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord [in the Spirit]. (Rom 6:11) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law [in the flesh] but under grace [in the Spirit]. (Rom 6:14) Even if you failed... by the grace of God there is now no condemnation. (Rom 8:1)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) Say "I am dead in the flesh, so I live only by the Spirit. I regard nothing in the flesh but all things by the Spirit. By the grace of God I am what I am... (1Co 15:10) the son of God in Christ". Amen!

Noah found Grace

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. (Luk 17:26-27)

The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (Gen 6:5) But Noah (rest) found Grace (Christ) in the eyes of the LORD. (Gen 6:8) And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant (the covenant of Grace) with you; and you shall go into the ark (Jesus) ... (Gen 6:17-18) The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark (in Christ), you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous (the righteousness of God in Christ) in this generation. (Gen 7:1)

As the days of the Son of Man approaching... Are you in His Ark already? As Noah found Grace so must you in order to enter His Ark. Only by rest you find Grace. So what is rest? Jesus said "It is finished!", no more to do but trust in Him by entering into His rest. He has finished, not you have finished. Only you rest in Him you'll find Grace. Only by Grace you enter His ark by His covenant and His righteousness. Have you found Grace? You found Grace, you found everything. Hear Him!