I live in central Texas now after relocating from southeast Louisiana sometime after hurricane Katrina. So I find myself in Cowboys country ( the Dallas Cowboys) surrounded on the eve of the Cowboys vs. the Saints in New Orleans. Unfortunately the Saints lost and I’m still flying my flags on the car. While sitting at a red light a thought crossed my mind. First of all, how many people are looking at me thinking; losers cause of the game or what a true fan cause of the game. Then something deeper hit my heart. For months I have been riding around the city of Austin flying these flags in the mist of people who oppose me. I have let it be know what side of the fence I stand. When everyone else will say that I was crazy I stood behind my choice. As Christians we are to stand boldly by Christ. We should stand by our cross and proclaim the Gospel even when all around us the opposition stands ready to kill us. But can we continue to stand even when we lose or seem to be defeated? Peter denied Christ three times when it seem that Jesus was defeated. Many Christians stood their ground and faced death. Would you or could you die for Christ. In the face of the enemy who will say; “were is your God now? ask Him to save you now?” could you say let the will of my God be done?

There are layers of meaning in the phrase bear witness. It includes 1) speaking the truth of God as no man ever spoke; 2) being the truth of God in his person; 3) dying to establish the truth about God; and 4) sending us as the Father sent him to bear witness to the truth, both in speaking and dying.

Here are layers 3 and 4:

3. Dying to Establish the Truth

Third, not only was the Son of God born to bear witness to the truth by speaking the truth and being the truth, but also by dying to establish the truth. The Greek word for witness (martus) became the word for martyr because dying for what you stand for is the ultimate witness to it. So in Revelation, Jesus is called “The Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). This witness is thought of in terms of his death, resurrection, and reign as King of kings. For example, look at the sequence in Revelation 1:4-5, “Grace to you and peace from . . . Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:4-5). Notice the order: first, death (faithful witness), then resurrection (firstborn from the dead), then rule over all kings. He was born to witness to truth in the greatness of the achievement of his death.

4. Sending Us to Witness to the Truth

Finally, he was born to bear witness to the truth, not just in the thirty-three years of his life on earth, but in all the time on earth till he comes again. That he is why he says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The church is called “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The message we bring to the world is called “the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). And when judgment comes, the condemned will be those who “did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

~Pastor John Piper

The thought of waving the blood stained banner proudly in the mist of adversity. When everyone around you see you as losing the battle but when the Saints of the Lord; knowing that the trumpet had not yet sounded because God is the author and finisher and for His glory do we fight on. Are you rooted in Christ enough to stand for Him when even family will talk about you? Do you wear and bear your cross not to be seen but for Him to be seen? Are you a fair weather fan and as long as the blessings are flowing in you are on team Jesus? Do you rejoice when things don’t look good? Can you rejoice in what has already been established; which is your eternal home in heaven? Think about it why do you do what you do? When your banner is beaten, wore out and battle scared do they still see Christ abiding in you?

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The apostle Paul prayed to God for the salvation of those who �have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God�s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God� (Romans 10:1-3).

The apostle Paul was making his plea to his own people who in their religious zeal had rejected God�s provision of His own perfect righteousness for their own self-righteousness. They were intensely religious in their own eyes, but not with the true knowledge of God. They were running well but in the wrong direction. They labored to do good deeds, but for the wrong goal. They were religious, sincere, dedicated, but in their anxiety, they would miss their eternal reward.

�They have a zeal for God.� I meet people like that every day. In their religious zeal, they knock on your door, too. Like the apostle Paul, I am not against religious zeal or enthusiasm. However, they are zealous in their religious ceremonies, prayers, observances, holy days, fasts, visitation, teaching, etc., �but not in accordance with knowledge.� There is no use being zealous if you are zealous for the wrong reason. It will not help you if you are going in the wrong direction spiritually.

The apostle Paul was writing from his own personal experience. He had been very zealous for the Law, and in that enthusiasm, he killed men and women who had a different �knowledge� than his. He had a mistaken zeal for God. He believed sincerely, but he was sincerely wrong. He had been zealous, but his zeal was focused on the wrong object.

Then there came a day when he gained true knowledge of the righteousness of God, and he counted all his self-righteousness as dung and received salvation by free grace alone.

Paul�s zeal became refocused �with knowledge� when he met the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. Knowledge of what? Before the encounter with Christ he did not know about God�s righteousness and sought to establish his own. In Philippians 3:4-6 he tells about that self-righteousness. He said, �I still count all things to be lost in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. . . that I may gain Christ� (v. 8). He gave up his zeal for self-righteousness by good works �that I may know Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith� (v. 9).

That is Paul�s �knowledge.� �For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes� (Rom. 10:4).

Spurgeon once said, �It is easier to get a sinner out of sin than a self-righteous man out of his self-righteousness.�

Have you tried to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone who thinks he can earn or merit a right relationship with God by his religious zeal?

What is the problem? In their zeal they �know nothing about God�s righteousness, and seek to establish their own, they do not subject themselves to the righteousness of God� (v. 3).

Any form of self-righteousness will never save you. In contrast, the Lord God has provided His own perfect righteousness by which He justifies the ungodly. Jesus Christ was obedient to the Law at every point, even to the point of death. God in His righteousness imputes the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to the believing sinner. He imputes to the believer what Jesus did for you on the cross. God will accept the believing sinner because of what Jesus is and what He did. Jesus Christ shall be your righteousness.

If you say, �No, I will not have His righteousness; I will have a righteousness of my own,� you are ignorant of God�s righteousness, and you shall perish.

God would never have sent His Son to the cross if you could be saved by our religious zeal. The death of Jesus on the cross was needless if you could be saved otherwise (Acts 4:12). If you are trying to have a righteousness of your own by being zealous for God, your church or denomination, baptism, church membership, emotional experiences, etc. then you are in competition with Jesus Christ.

Your eternal salvation lies absolutely outside of yourself, in the person and atoning work of Jesus Christ. Salvation is not in what you do in your religious zeal, but in what Christ Jesus has done on your behalf.

If you try to add anything to that finished work by your own thought, feeling, good works, baptism, church membership, etc, you have spoiled the work of Christ on your behalf. It shall never be Christ plus your _________, regardless of what you may fill in the blank. If you are to be saved, you must get out of the way and let God alone do it. The spiritual birth is all God�s doing, not yours or mine. Sinners saved by grace through faith will glorify Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is all by free grace of God in Jesus Christ.

�Going about to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.� The righteousness of God is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Sinners are saved by God�s grace. Salvation is through faith in Christ. It is based on grace, and free grace alone through faith alone which is in Jesus Christ alone! It is a gift from God freely received by the sinner.

Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you
Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
visit me at: http://anointedplace.wordpress.com

follow me at: http://twitter.com/refreshinDsaint

John Piper

Desiring God

The mile-long buffet of worldviews that I have in mind is the shelves of books at Barnes & Noble. But before I explain why that is relevant, first consider Jesus’ statement about why he was born, which he made when he was about to be executed.

Since Hebrews 2:14 says that the divine Son of God was born with a human nature so that “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death,” it is not surprising that in the hour of his death he would speak about his reason for being born. Pilate is questioning him about his kingship, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.”

There are layers of meaning in the phrase bear witness. It includes 1) speaking the truth of God as no man ever spoke; 2) being the truth of God in his person; 3) dying to establish the truth about God; and 4) sending us as the Father sent him to bear witness to the truth, both in speaking and dying.

1. Speaking the Truth
First, Jesus was born to speak the truth about God as no man every spoke. For example, he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). That is one of the most important truths in the universe: Jesus, the historical man, is the pre-existent God. Not only does he say he existed before Abraham (two thousand years before he was born), but he also called himself “I am,” the name God had given himself in Exodus 3:14.

Then to make plain the significance of God becoming man, Jesus bore witness to the great work of salvation he would do. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

2. Being the Truth
Second, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Paul said, “the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21), and “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in him (Colossians 2:3). This is why he was born—not only to speak the truth about God, but to embody the truth about God. We never know the truth aright when we do not know and love the Jesus Christ himself.

3. Dying to Establish the Truth

Third, not only was the Son of God born to bear witness to the truth by speaking the truth and being the truth, but also by dying to establish the truth. The Greek word for witness (martus) became the word for martyr because dying for what you stand for is the ultimate witness to it. So in Revelation, Jesus is called “The Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). This witness is thought of in terms of his death, resurrection, and reign as King of kings. For example, look at the sequence in Revelation 1:4-5, “Grace to you and peace from . . . Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:4-5). Notice the order: first, death (faithful witness), then resurrection (firstborn from the dead), then rule over all kings. He was born to witness to truth in the greatness of the achievement of his death.

4. Sending Us to Witness to the Truth
Finally, he was born to bear witness to the truth, not just in the thirty-three years of his life on earth, but in all the time on earth till he comes again. That he is why he says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The church is called “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The message we bring to the world is called “the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). And when judgment comes, the condemned will be those who “did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

So when Noël and I went to Barnes & Noble on Monday to buy a birthday present, I had my usual coldwater bath of awareness that there are thousands of voices competing to be heard by the world. Miles, it seems, of shelves with every imaginable worldview, all clamoring for the mind and the heart (and many other parts of the human body and soul). The God Delusion, You on a Diet, Jim Cramer’s Mad Money: Watch TV Get Rich, He-motions: Even Strong Men Struggle; The Machines of War—a tidal wave of titles.

So as we walked out, I said to Noël—as a kind of Christmas resolution—that makes me want to work around the clock for the rest of my life to spread the truth. Jesus was born for this. “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.” Let’s join him in it. Let’s make Bethlehem a living truth-spreading organism. And remember: We know no truth aright, if we do not know and love Christ himself as the ground of it and the goal of it and the way it looks in true life. So we exist to spread a passion for Christ, not just ideas about Christ. That’s more, not less.

He was born to bear witness to the truth. Let’s resolve this Christmas that we will live for this.

Devoted to spreading the Truth, with you,
Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you

Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
follow me at: http://twitter.com/refreshinDsaint

Coronary circulation is the circulation of blood in the blood vessels of the heart muscle. Although blood fills the chambers of the heart, the muscle tissue of the heart (the myocardium) is so thick that it requires coronary blood vessels to deliver blood deep into it. The vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as coronary veins.

The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack. (See also: circulatory system.) The coronary arteries that run deep within the myocardium are referred to as subendocardial.

I guess you are wondering what’s up with the definition for coronary circulation?  Well, I have some posts here titled “finding God” and “Know who you serve“.   I even posted a commentary by Matthew Henry on John 16:7-15. So what does all this have to do with coronary circulation you might ask… Well, if you think about how all that God does in our lives start within the heart and how true faith starts there and moves outwardly.  The openness and strength of these arteries help maintain the health of the heart.  To be drawn by God the heart needs to be open. For there to be life the blood has to flow freely.  The harder it is for the blood to flow and the more resistance the circulation has, the greater the negative effects on the heart.  If we are resisting God or hardering our hearts against the flow of the Holy Spirit; as God draws us and teaches us in other to give us the Christ?  How does it effects our lives and the fullness of our lives?  The effects can be negative for an eternity of damnation.  We will never experience of the fullness of God’s righteousness or all the God has for His elect; the children of the living God.  As long as our selfish hearts put our selfish desires ahead of God’s will; we will continue to go through whatever it is God is doing to soften our hearts.  As long as we desire to be rebels against God, as long as we revel in sin and desire sin, glorify sin in song and dance, as long as we dance around our idols and worship them we will suffer greatly.  Brokenness is not what I use to think it was.  To me brokenness is the process of God killing the idols, the lust, the pride and the devils in our hearts as we fight to hold onto our sinful flesh’s will.  At time I feel that we are the pagan god mammon; but we can’t serve two masters.  We will love one and hate the other.  Whether you know it or not you are a slave to something; Christ or Satan; Jesus or your flesh; sin or the Holy Spirit.  Some of us are dying cause we have chosen to cute off circulation to Christ; as we picked sin over righteousness.  Right now you say that you are just having fun and you have time to serve God when you are old….   You should really rethink that statement and understand what it is that you are really saying to God and about God’s will…..   I refuse to put words into your head because you need to think about it on your own with your own heart and examine the relationship with God that you have.

Some of us don’t like the idea of going to church. We have issues of coming to Christ, walking to the front of the church before everyone. You stand there thinking about what everyone else is thinking about you. You wonder if they are playing “guess the new person’s transgressions”. So our shame keeps us in the seat or just at home. Others feel that it is ridiculous that they need a Savior; cause they are not that bad. For them the whole notion of “sin” is hard for them. They feel that they do not need God or Christ to tell them to do the right thing. They usually have the problem of over simplifying Christianity. The previous person mention eventually because of their shame try to fix their life on their own.
The last type just don’t like all of the “dogma” and the entire orthodox ways to salvation. I just call them “intellectuals” or a vast majority of America’s educated and wealthy. They believe that there are many paths to God and even God is a state of mind and not a being or Spirit. They even marginalize Christ to just a prophet and don’t really see him as a Savior. If I’m wrong someone correct me on how you see Jesus Christ; second person in the trinity…

One of the main issues with some is:

1. Some Christians don’t seem human enough
2. Some have a major problem with pride
3. Some have a disbelief in God period ( they seek to be convinced)
4. Some just don’t know were to go (which goes back to the first statement)

Mature Christians need to stop being so spiritual in the sense we seem cold or above human struggle. As believers we have experienced some of the same things or currently going through things. There are no new situations and we can all learn from each other. This is a spiritual family a global community with the same Heavenly Father. If you can approach your cousin in the time of need, then you should be able to approach your brothers and sisters in Christ as well. This really hurts our Great Commission and the growth of young Christians. Even with Pastors; they can appear like a high priest that can’t be touched. We need to stop this in our churches. Of course we love the class status but its hurting the body of Christ. Plus it can reflect a bad image of God to the world. It makes people feel like if I can’t go to my pastor or a church member then I know I can’t go to God. This is so far from the truth; Christ came to remove that barrier and we wasted no time putting it back up.

I have debated whether or not to include the verse below because it can confuse some. But I will put it like this, if there is a longing in your heart about God or you have an empty feeling and desire more; this verse is probably talking about you. If you have a sense of being drawn to God, Paul is talking about you. If you want to believe but are unclear this verse is for you. God is speaking to your heart and He is drawing you to him.

Ephesians 1:3-5, 10-14

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

John 6:41-51

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Sermon from John Piper found on DesiringGod.org

Teaching Our Minds, Humbling Our Wills

John7:16-18 16 So Jesus answered them, j“My teaching is not mine, but his kwho sent me. 17 lIf anyone’s will is to do God’s5 will, mhe will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I nam speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority oseeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

See, those that are looking for truth you know where to find it but Satan has put a fear in you. Our rebellious will doesn’t want to lose a life in the world. Some will never understand how Christians love Christ and desire to do God’s will. Because we are born with a will to serve self. We continue to fight with this will or flesh or sin nature even as Christians. Our egos stand in the way of us seeing Christ clearly and it can even give us a false sense of God. And when we realize that its not all about us then do we see Christ. It as this moment I feel the following verse truly rings true in the heart of a Christian or in the heart of someone who is “seeking God”:

Mark 12:28-34

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

But some feel that they don’t have to go through Christ and that there are many ways to God. But they have made God a state of mind and not the Spiritual Being and Creator that He is. They feel that they can be “good” on their own. So they say that they don’t need Christ to be “good”.

Luke18:19-25

19″Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[b]” 21″All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, 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.”

See its not about being “good” to get into heaven and even if we were “good”; in the recesses of the heart lays evil intent or selfish desires. If you knew the reasons behind all of the “good” things people did you wouldn’t call them good anymore. If you could see all of the selfish reasons. Example: if people were so good then they wouldn’t worry about the tax breaks and PR they get from donations, non profits, community work, food drives, and etc. God is more concern about the state of your heart. When God has your heart; loving your neighbor in pure unconditional love becomes second nature. When you truly love God; His law is on your heart and it becomes natural to you.

John 10:1-6

1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

John 16

7Nevertheless 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. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The Truth that is harassing you and reproving you is the Holy Spirit. If you read anything that claims to be the “Truth” as it relates to God if it doesnt do this: “13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” Don’t trust it. The entire bible points to one Savior; Christ. Even with its many authors (all Holy Spirit inspired) and years in the making all hold true to this scripture. Some people will claim the Jesus got His ideas from elsewhere or some other group before Him. But ask them who can predate Christ if Jesus Christ is God? Who was before the Creator of the universe? What man can claim supreme knowledge over God? See its not that your are seeking or trying to find God but He has found you. There is only one way and no matter what all those that are drawn by God will go that way. We can try to make our experience special to stand out from others; that’s just your ego talking. But we all are humbled and submit to God’s will. And it is in your best interest to heed the call of the Spirit on your heart. Please find someone that can help you with the scriptures and who will pray for you as well as with you. Be careful of those who seek to take advantage of you. Christ is the Good Shepherd and He has laid His life down for you. He will put the person or people in your life to disciple you. If you can’t find someone to walk with you on this Christian journey just contact me.

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
follow me at: http://twitter.com/refreshinDsaint

email: revroymartin

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John 7
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

People these days will believe just about anything. False teachers don’t really stand up and say “I’m a false teacher and I preach a false doctrine that will lead you astray”. A lot of people are mesmerized by fancy words and charming speakers. Our lack of study makes us prone to fall into traps set by the enemy because we don’t even know the voice of the Lord we say that we love so much. I could tell you that the truth doesn’t contradict itself but you wouldn’t know it if you don’t read the bible. If you just do the two commandments Christ called the greatest, it would serve as a solid foundation on which to test the doctrines against the truth. What are the two? Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as your self. If a doctrine ask you to elevate yourself above God or to put yourself in front of others; its not of God. Christ calls us to deny thyself and pick up your cross. You can’t deny thyself and seek your personal wealth at the same time.

Like Jesus said : “17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. “

That speaks for itself, there is nothing I really need to add. Christ said it all

Amen

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you

Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
visit me at: http://anointedplace.wordpress.com
follow me at: http://twitter.com/refreshinDsaint
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As Christians we all come to that place in life were we truly can relate to Job and his ordeal. We have questioned God as to His motives for such heartache. At this point all hope seems to be lost. None of the scriptures and all of our friends words of encouragement just fall to the wayside. Its like the parable of the sower, the seeds of faith, trust, and hope are being choked out by the afflictions of Satan.

“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’” (Job 2:7-9).

Job 34:32 Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more?

We don’t always see what God is doing. We don’t always understand the things going on around us. There is just so much God has working for our good and how He accomplishes it is just to grand for our little minds to understand. Sometimes our self-righteous attitudes get in the way because we are “blessed and highly favored” we think we know all that we need to know. We feel that at this point in our lives that we have paid our dues and that God should now be bent to our will. When we get like this; we easily forget that our sins murdered a innocent man on Calvary. Even though it was planned by God from the foundation of creation doesn’t negate the fact that all of God’s wrath was turned on Jesus Christ for us. It is during these times of doubt and feelings of hopelessness as well as feelings of abandonment that I turn to my hail Mary pass to the corner of the end zone with 2 seconds left scriptures. These words of God reminds me of His purpose and the path that I’m on…

Romans 8:18-35 ESV
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because [1] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [2] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be [3] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [4] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you

Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.

visit me at: http://anointedplace.wordpress.com
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Jesus is on the Way!
Cinde Lucas
Overflow Ministries

Do you ever feel as though Jesus has forgotten you? Does at feel like time is running out and if He doesn’t hurry it up, it will be too late? There are times in our lives when as much as we try to hold on to our faith, the circumstances of life pull on us all the more to cause us to lose our hope and our joy.

Jairus, one of the synagogue rulers, faced a similar situation. His twelve year old daughter was very sick and at the point of death. Jairus risked his reputation and sought out the healing power of the Messiah. Jairus had decided to call upon Jesus and seek His hand of power to come upon this situation.

This was probably not easy for Jairus to do. He was a synagogue ruler. Going to Jesus meant going against his religion. Jairus was in fact putting himself in a dangerous position. There comes a time when we must be willing to turn aside from our old ways and seek God’s truth for our lives. Once we do this, we can expect to see the goodness of God brought forth in even the deadest of circumstances.

Jesus arose and followed him (Matthew 9:19). The word ‘follow’ here means to join someone on the road they are on. You see, when we come to Jesus in faith and believe in His power, then He will join you. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t encounter more trouble along the way. On their way back to Jairus’ house, Jesus encountered another person who had decided to do something different. The woman with the issue of blood was also at the point of death. She reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was immediately made well. But her healing delayed Jesus trip. While the woman was testifying of her healing, the word came that Jairus’ daughter had died and that there was no need for Jesus to come. I wonder how Jairus felt. Was he offended that Jesus didn’t hurry up and get there faster? Jesus wasted no time in reassuring Jairus that all was not lost. He encouraged Jairus to only BELIEVE and he would see the power of God manifested in this circumstance (Mark 5:35). And so they continued on.

When they arrived at Jairus’ house, there was a huge commotion going on (Mark 5:38-39). Everyone was wailing and crying and mourning the loss of this little girl. The word used for ‘noise’ in this passage actually means to throw into confusion. One of the enemy’s greatest weapons is confusion! I’m sure at this point it was difficult for Jairus and his wife to not get caught up in their emotions. But none of this deterred Jesus from His mission. He was determined to finish what He came to do. Faith had sought Him out and fear was not going to stop Him!

Jesus put all of them out, except for the girl’s parents and three of His disciples and proceeded on to the girl. Once He was at her side He commanded her to wake up and she did! Despite unbelievable circumstances, the resurrection power of God prevailed. At that moment, new life began. But it did not happen all at once.

Resurrection is not an instant process. Sometimes, things have to be good and dead, before Jesus arrives to resurrect them. But one thing we must never forget is that regardless of what the situation looks like, Jesus is on the way! He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. ONLY BELIEVE and you will see the goodness of the Lord. We must be willing to continue on with our faith and believe that with God all things are possible. We have to put all the negative, fearful, doubting thoughts out of our minds. We have to CHOOSE to think on good things (Phil 4:8) and hold fast to our confession of faith. When the noise of confusion is bellowing in our ears, we must remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness toward those who believe. Jesus is on the way and we must keep the door of faith open, because at any moment He will arrive on the scene of our circumstances.

So remember, whatever comes your way today, ask God’s hand of might and power to reach out and help you. The very moment you ask for His help, you can rest assured that He is on His way with everything you need. It may not be instant and it probably won’t come like you expect, but trust that God is at work. He works all things to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Put aside all doubt, fear, confusion and unbelief and hang on, because Jesus is on the way!

Dear Lord, I confess to you that I have allowed fear and confusion to cloud my vision. I call upon you right now and I ask You to put Your hand upon the “sick” circumstances in my life. I need You and I am choosing today to Trust that You are right now working on my behalf. You have a good plan for me and I am expecting to see Your power and Your deliverance in my life. Thank you that You are my ever present Help and that I can trust You in every area of my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

For further reading: Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Philippians 4:4-8

Cinde Lucas is an ordinary person, who happens to LOVE to encourage and motivate people! She has a passion to share the Love of God with people and to let them know that God is GOOD and He has an AWESOME plan for their lives! Cinde truly desires to lead people into a closer relationship with God through music; her prayer is that the ministry we share will uplift and encourage people to be all that God created them to be. Visit Overflow Ministries at www.CindeLucas.com.

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John 16:7-15 (New International Version)

7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12″I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 16:7-15 Christ’s departure was necessary to the Comforter’s coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ’s death, which was his going away. His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time, but his Spirit is every where, in all places, at all times, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name. See here the office of the Spirit, first to reprove, or to convince. Convincing work is the Spirit’s work; he can do it effectually, and none but he. It is the method the Holy Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort. The Spirit shall convince the world, of sin; not merely tell them of it. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin; of the fault of sin; of the folly of sin; of the filth of sin, that by it we are become hateful to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly, of the fruit of sin, that the end thereof is death. The Holy Spirit proves that all the world is guilty before God. He convinces the world of righteousness; that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous. Also, of Christ’s righteousness, imparted to us for justification and salvation. He will show them where it is to be had, and how they may be accepted as righteous in God’s sight. Christ’s ascension proves the ransom was accepted, and the righteousness finished, through which believers were to be justified. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. All will be well, when his power is broken, who made all the mischief. As Satan is subdued by Christ, this gives us confidence, for no other power can stand before him. And of the day of judgment. The coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not only to show us the way, but to go with us by continued aids and influences. To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads, but the relish, and savour, and power of it in our hearts. He shall teach all truth, and keep back nothing profitable, for he will show things to come. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit, all the preaching, and all the writing of the apostles, under the influence of the Spirit, all the tongues, and miracles, were to glorify Christ. It behoves every one to ask, whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in his heart? Without clear discovery of our guilt and danger, we never shall understand the value of Christ’s salvation; but when brought to know ourselves aright, we begin to see the value of the Redeemer. We should have fuller views of the Redeemer, and more lively affections to him, if we more prayed for, and depended on the Holy Spirit.

Q. What is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a Christ-centered and his ministry focuses on Christ. He changes us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. He is sent by the Father and the Son, to be a helper, counselor. (John 14:15) He baptizes the believer with Holy Spirit (into the universal body of Christ). He fills the believer with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18-21). It is not a once-for-all experience, it is a continuous process of sanctification. The commandment to be filled with the Spirit is dependent on the believer’s walk in obedience and dependance on God. (Eph 4:30, John 14:23) Holy Spirit enables the believer to overcome the sinful self (Gal 5:16-18) and empowers to act boldly to accomplish God’s purpose. (Acts 4:29-31) He gives evidence of His presence and working by producing good fruit in believer’s life. (Gal 5:22) He has given spiritual gifts to each believer as He wills, to be used in serving the body of Christ, the Church. (Rom 12:3-8, 1 Cor. 12:11, Eph. 4:7-12)

Holy Spirit is a person and not a force.
Characteristics of Holy Spirit:
Omniscient, Intelligence (1 Cor 2:10-11)
Omnipotent, creator (Gen 1:2)
Omnipresence (Ps 139:7)
Wisdom (Isa 40:13)

Holiness (Luke 11:13)
Feelings (Eph 4:30)
Will (1 Cor 12:11)

Works of Holy Spirit:
Teaches (John 14:26)
Guides (Rom 8:14)
Commissions (Acts 13:4)
Commands (Acts 8:29)

Restrains (Gen 6:3)
Intercedes (Rom 8:26)
Speaks (john 15:26, 2 Pet 1:21)
Man’s response to Holy Spirit:
Obeyed (Acts 10:19-21)
Lied to (Acts 5:3)
Resisted (Acts 7:51)
Revered (Ps 51:11)
Blasphemed (Matt 12:31)

Grieved (Eph. 4:30)
Outraged (Heb 10:29)

Holy Spirit is an equal in deity with the Father and the Son and not a subordinate.
Named with other persons of Trinity (Acts 5:3-4, Matt 28:19, 2 Cor 13,14)

All knowing, all powerful, eternal (see Characteristics above)
Begetting Christ (Luke 1:35)
Convicting men (John 16:8)
Regenerating men (John 3:5-6)
Comforting / helping (John 14:16)
Interceding (Rom 8:26-27)

Sanctifying (2 Thess 2:13)

What is the Holy Spirit: Bible Doctrine is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide