1 Timothy 3:15, "...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
Author:skuntzman
Jesus Christ is my Savior and I have been born again (John 3:1-6; Acts 2:38). He gifted me with the love of my life, Anita. She blessed me with 2 awesome children, a brilliant daughter-in-law, and the 5 best grandkids in the world. Together, Anita and I are striving to introduce and bring people to a victorious life through the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
I am interested in the spirit of renewal and expectancy that has entered into the Body of Christ, and I’m thankful for the people who are rising up to say, “I see the Hand of God at work among us and want to be part of this end-time revival.”
To be renewed simply means to retrace our steps to the beginning of our walk with God making new those precious commitments we either let slip from us or that we forgot.
Paul wrote to us to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph 4:23).
Tonight, I am fighting for your minds in order to re-establish a principle there, which if grasped will lead you to a fruitful life in Christ Jesus.
My subject:
“The Forgotten Commitment”
-OR-
“The Forgotten Message of Pentecost”
The first word that Jesus preached was not about the gifts of the Spirit, or how to receive your miracle, or seven steps to a prosperous life.
The first word of the Gospel preached by our Lord Jesus Christ is found in Mark 1:15 where He said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
This is the first commitment our Lord requires of us – REPENT.
Repent = “to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider,”[1] and “to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.”[2]
When we initially came to repent we wept, or at least we should have had some sort of sorrow. We sorrowed for the pain we had caused ourselves, others, and Jesus because of our sinful nature.
We were through with living lives of recklessness, and selfishness, and we abhorred the ways that we had treated others, and were appalled by the way our lifestyle had effected those around us.
We repented, we knelt, and we grieved.
Snot, sweat, and tears mixed at the altar as we searched our hearts for every sin and wrong deed we’d ever committed.
Then we made promises, and new commitments. We said, “Lord, I’ll never do that again.”
I look at this altar here in this church house.
I’ve come to ask you, “How many knees have bent at these altars to repent? How many tears have been shed in sincere grief and guilt for sin here on this floor? How many people have stood up and felt the overwhelming sense of joy that a clean conscience gives the repentant child of God?
John the Baptist preached loudly a message of repentance. He said, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
The Apostle Paul gave his testimony to Agrippa and said, “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:19-20).
Repentance is accompanied by a certain conduct that people all around you can observe. That is the fruit, that change of action and behavior is the “works meet for repentance” Paul was speaking about.
When you repented you changed. Your friends noticed it, your spouse noticed, your kids, parents, siblings, co-workers, employees, employers, and acquaintances all noticed the new you.
You didn’t talk like you use to talk, or go where you use to go, or do what you use to do.
You were modest in speech and in dress.
And sin, the very presence of it, sickened you to your stomach.
So, I look at these altars and thank God for the many conversions and repentant hearts that have knelt here over the years that this church has been in this city. They’ve knelt by the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands.
What happened to them, where did they go? Why aren’t they here anymore?
Some have gone to their eternal reward and have become for us a great cloud of witnesses – Heroes of the Faith.
Others have walked away, fallen, died, or turned back to their former lives of sin.
It takes time for a person to walk away from God. Sometimes they become cold and indifferent to His Presence. So much so that they are even unaware that they’re drifting away from Jesus and turning back to the world of sin and carnality.
How many times did those same knees bend at the same place to repent of the same sin at these very altars?
Repentance is not a one-time thing. You cannot expect to live your entire life without living a lifestyle of repentance.
When you repented you made commitments. Every time you are tempted that commitment is tested. Your response to that testing determines how much your commitment to God really means to you.
Some here have repented & sinned, repented & sinned, repented & sinned for so long over the same things that you don’t even think you can be delivered.
You’ve gotten yourself into a cycle of behavior that is difficult to break.
BUT—you can overcome this trap that you’ve fallen into.
You’ve got remember:
Repentance is not saying, “I’m sorry.” That’s an apology.
Repentance is not feeling bad that you got caught. That’s guilt.
Repentance is not feeling sorry for yourself. That’s egotistical; and self-absorbed.
Repentance is a grief that comes from God, which helps you to confess your sins, forsake your sins, and then commit to never sinning again. It’s a lifestyle.
Repentance becomes “The Forgotten Commitment” when we fail to keep our word.
Repentance becomes “The Forgotten Message of Pentecost” when we rush people through it just to pad our evangelistic numbers of souls filled with the Holy Ghost.
It is time we stop leading people through some sort of Spiritless prayer where no conviction resides and allow God Almighty to once again convict the heart and lead people to repentance.
I long to see bent knees and bodies draped across altars racked with the heaving great sighs of tears, grief, and repentance.
You, sitting there thinking, “This message isn’t for me, you’re preaching to the choir.”
There’s an old Indian Proverb that says, “Whatever you are overflowing with will spill out when you’re bumped.”
What bumps produce incorrect responses from you?
Listen to Romans 2:1-11 tonight:
(1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
Jesus is calling us tonight to renew our commitments of repentance we made at our conversion.
Remember what you told Him as you repented. You cried out for mercy and He granted it. You made promises and vows that you need to keep…that you must keep.
Some of you have been living a repented life for 20, 30, 40, & 50 years. I’m reminded of a prayer I read about a couple weeks ago: “Lord, let me not today ruin in anything what you have taken all these years to do in my heart and provide for my life”[3]
The late Apostolic preacher and Bible teacher, Bishop Morris E. Golder once said, “The badge of discipleship is a cross.”
This is a daily thing—this life of repentance. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31).
So, how can we make it? There are so many temptations and influences bombarding us from without and within. How can I keep my commitment of repentance when I’m attacked externally and internally?
Grace is the answer. Grace has always been the answer for the Body of Christ.
Repentance is a daily commitment one works at to maintain. Grace is the teacher helping us to maintain that commitment:
“(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
ESV, “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”:
“(8) For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. (9) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
(13) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
(14) Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
(15) And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
(16) For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
(17) Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
(18) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
(19) Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
(20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hope, in the New Testament, is generally defined as “anticipation, expectation, confidence, faith.”[1]
However, in this passage it is best defined as that which we “have, hold, own, or possess.”[2]
Another way to view hope in our text today is “to hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to.”[3]
George Beverly Shea wrote “In Times Like These,” and it contains these words:
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One
This Rock is Jesus, the only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
With all the uncertainty of our day, it is abundantly clear that we need something, or someone to hold on to.
Something, or someone, to cling to.
That Rock is Jesus, He is the one we anchor our hope upon.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
At some point everyone will have a testing of their faith.
When those tribulations come, you need to be anchored in Jesus.
You need to anchor into Jesus from several points.
Six anchor points are suggested when you moor a boat.[4]
We need multiple mooring/anchor points in our lives.
Approach truth from every angle.
You have scripture and an experience to match the Word of God.
Anchor points that help you to hold on to your faith.
Truth comes by revelation from the Word of God.
Reason is not the final authority, but God is the final authority.
Postmodernism = the idea that there is no absolute truth and what works for me “in the moment” is my truth, but it’s relative and may change at any time.
When you don’t have a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ all you have is theology.
Always choose the side of truth, righteousness, & holiness.
How we choose to obey and follow Jesus in our relationship with Him is key to a life of holiness.
When we don’t have a long term goal we often fall short ofour potential.
Live with an awareness of eternity.
What if Jesus were coming today.
Live for today and live for that Day when He comes for us.
Six Anchor Points
Hebrews 6:1-3, “(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit.”
Six Anchor Points:
We must believe there is a God.
Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Jesus is the one true God manifest in the flesh to be our Savior.
The Bible is the Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
We must believe, obey, and experience the New Birth.
Faith, Repentance, Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Infilling of the Holy Ghost Speaking in Tongues.John 3:5-8, “(5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Life in the Spirit.
Laying on of Hands = Operation of the Spirit and its Fruit and Gifts.
Romans 8:12-15, “(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Life of Holiness.
Acts 2:40, “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
How? Living a life of holiness.
1 Peter 1:13-16, “(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
The Life to Come.
Jesus is coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
If you feel adrift today then you need to go back and secure the lines of your hope and reattach your anchor on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock.
When you have made sure these six anchor points are secure, then you can weather any storm.
(16) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
(17) And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
(18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
(19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
(20) And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
(21) And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
The Spirit of the Lord…
Ezekiel 47:1-5
(1) Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
(2) Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
(3) And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
(4) Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
(5) Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Ezekiel’s vision was of waters to swim in, but these waters began flowing from under the threshold…then they deepened every 1,750 feet.
According to Albert Barnes:
The deepening of the waters in their course shows the continual deepening of spiritual life and multiplication of spiritual blessings in the growth of the kingdom of God. So long as the stream is confined to the temple-courts, it is merely a small rill, for the most part unseen, but when it issues from the courts it begins at once to deepen and to widen. So on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the company of believers, little then but presently to develop into the infant Church in Jerusalem.[1]
This small stream steadily deepens to ankle depth, knee depth, waster deep, and then
Waters to Swim In
How many times have we been the beneficiaries of such waters.
We find ourselves overcome in the presence of the Lord.
His Spirit is so manifest that we just swim in the current of His power.
The Church, born on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, is a Spirit-filled body of believers.
We have enjoyed the deepening of those waters and we can frolic, swim, rejoice, and celebrate in them.
But – There’s more to this river than the satisfaction of our own spiritual highs
These waters carry with them a purpose for the anointed of God.
Ezekiel 47:6-12
(6) And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river [The Dead Sea / The Salt Sea].
(7) Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
(8) Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
(9) And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
(10) And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
(11) But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
(12) And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
The Temple
Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost
Every Spirit-filled believer has an anointing resting on them.
Psalms 1:1-6
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
(6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Wherever this river flows there is healing, growth, bounty, and all manner of fish are caught…where once the waters were polluted
Now the Spirit of God moving from and through the Church brings life
Let the River Flow
Let the River Flow
So, Jesus goes to church one day, as His custom was…
He’d just finished a 40 day fast following his baptism in the River Jordan…
He was full of the Holy Ghost…
He was handed the scroll of Isaiah and begins read these words…
Luke 4:18-21, “(18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (20) And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (21) And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to do something for somebody else.
I am not a receiver of spiritual experiences whose only purpose is to keep them all to myself.
The anointing flows through me and I become a tributary, a river, a bridge between God and man.
“…He hath anointed me…” = The anointing is from God, it is not a result of my own merit, but of His pleasure.
He hath anointed me – “…To preach the gospel to the poor…”
To share the Good News of the Gospel to the “…spiritual zeros—the spiritually bankrupt, deprived and deficient, the spiritual beggars, those without a wisp of religion.”[2]
To tell them that Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save all that are lost – including them.
Jesus did not go to the fashionable and the rich, but to the poor.
Those who exclusively pursue the rich and the so-called elite of society are doing so to “get something” from them.
Jesus went to the poor to “give something” to them.
It was a ministry for their benefit, not His benefit.
He hath anointed me – “To set at liberty them that are bruised…”
2 Cor. 3:17, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Not only is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, but He is also the Giver of that Spirit.
John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
It is a mistake to think that because you’ve been “anointed” that you’ll automatically be lead of God to the highest peaks of ministerial power.
Jesus was anointed and then driven or led into the wilderness.
If you are presently in a wilderness experience then it is a sign that you are being prepped by God to be a vessel of His anointing.
Any time we read about a demonstration of anointing it was and is preceded by a trying and a crushing and a preparing of the vessel for the Holy Ghost flow.
It is not the plan, will, or divine intent of God for us to hoard to ourselves these ecstatic experiences of the Holy Ghost, the shouts of joy, the running and dancing and victory parades, but…
He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted.
Not just to look at them
Not just to weep and mourn with them
Not just to feel sorry for them – – to pity them
He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted.
He has not me sent to folks who already have it made, or that think they do, but…
But to preach deliverance to the captive.
To preach recovering of sight to the blind
To set at liberty them that are bruised.
This is what He has filled me with His Spirit to do…
Out of your belly flows living water…
It is the Holy Ghost in you…
He has given you the power, delegated His authority to you and through you…like a flowing river…
Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Anointed Preaching and Anointed Deeds
Acts 2:22, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you…”
Anointed preaching is common among us
What we are in short supply of is anointed deeds
Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
We need, in 2023, a powerful ministry of God-directed anointing that delivers people
Not self-anointing, but God-anointed.
Quit guarding the Holy Ghost
Let it flow……..
[1]Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Ezekiel 47:1.
(23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
(24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Hebrews 12:1-2
(1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
(2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In Luke 15 we have the account of three men – a father and two brothers.
Prodigal son was met by his father, and the older son was met by his father.
The father met both because he loved them both equally.
However, the prodigal son had a son mentality, but was willing to be a servant – Luke 15:17-20, “(17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (19) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (KJV).
The elder brother had a slave mentality longing to be a son – “All these years I’ve worked like a slave for you” (ISV).
We need a revelation of the Father’s love.
“Jesus, give me a revelation of Your love for me.”
Without a revelation of the Father’s love we will try to somehow earn our place in His family,
Children don’t earn a place in the family – they are born into the family, and we are born into the family of God.
The new birth puts you in the family of God.
What does it mean to be a bastard and not a son?
What does it mean to be illegitimate in the eyes of God?
The church is a family.
When Jesus says I go to prepare a place for you, He is preparing a place for His Bride, His Church, His family.
Why?
So that where He is there we will be also.
Relationship
Relationship demands proximity, it demands closeness.
It’s that “where I am there you may be also” intimacy found in healthy relationships.
The devil’s tool for destruction is isolation.
To put a gap between you and God.
Sin will surely do that, but so will your inability to see yourself as a son.
You need to be confident in your identity = I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
To be unaware of your true identity and all that comes with it — the benefits of sonship is – detrimental to you.
Know the benefits of carrying His name
Ephesians 3:14-21
(14) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
(15) Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
(17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
(18) May be able to comprehend [to understand] with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
(19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
(20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
(21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Verse 18-19
You are the temple of the Holy Ghost
The Church of God is a building: a heavenly house, a habitation for God to dwell in through the Holy Spirit
The Love of God for His Church is wide and long and deep and tall.
Length = Love is eternal.
Breadth = All people have access to His Love in every place, age or nation.
Depth = His love will find people at their lowest point.
Height = His love will take people to the highest state of glory in Christ.
I remember laying in the top bunk at the age of 11 or 12 with my Walkman cassette player on listening to the Imperials and crying as I told God
I’d do whatever He wanted me to do,
go wherever He wanted me to go,
and be whomever He called me to be.
I can still feel the wetness of the tears as they pooled in my ears.
I don’t remember the exact song, but I remember the moment of calling, response, and commitment I made on that top bunk with my pillow wet with salty tears.
It was there I took up my cross to follow Jesus.
After that night, the devil worked to destroy my young heart, innocence and pure desire.
You may think that devil ain’t worried about a child’s commitment, future, destiny, or ordination.
You would be wrong
The Antichrist Spirit in Herod tried to kill the Christ, and did indeed kill many children in the process.
Abortion is a satanic tool to destroy the hope and future of our next generation.
All the OT youth: David (lion, bear, giant), young Joseph betrayed, Josiah barely escaping Athaliah’s treachery.
Moses in the bulrush escaping death.
New Converts – young babes in Christ – fighting for their spiritual lives against an enemy who seeks to kill, steal and destroy.
The devil will sift because he wants to destroy, but what he sees as victory is actually God blowing away the chaff that hinders you from fulfilling your purpose.
“The 3D Strategy of Satan: Detour, Distract, Delay.”
-Ken Gurley ?
The devil will try to put a false cross on you if you let him.
This weight might be a legitimate concern that the devil inflates into an illegitimate cross.
The burden he wants to saddle you with doe not lead to victory and resurrection power,
But it leads to hopelessness and despair.
He seeks to get you isolated in order to plague you and burden you down the inner struggles and secret parts of your life,[1]
There – Alone – feelings of depression, desolation and inadequacy overwhelm us.
We then keep the struggle of this False Cross to ourselves and tell ourselves the lie, “This is just my cross to bear.”
That’s a lie.
You have a cross to bare, but this ain’t it.
If you carry this illegitimate cross you’ll be worn away.
Your true cross will lead to full and complete deliverance, power and victory.
The true cross will lead to death, yes, but also to true resurrection:
Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
Take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Stop carrying the false cross of weights and sins.
Quit listening to the voice of the serpent whispering in your ear.
The devil is a LIAR, and the father of all lies.
Because of this, whatever he tells you is a lie and an attempt to get you to believe what he knows is untrue.
So, anytime the devil tells you something just ask yourself, “what is the exact opposite?”
When you find out what that opposite is, it’s a good indication of where the Lord is likely taking you.
Also, if the devil tells you he’s going to kill, destroy, ruin, harm, rob, etc.
You can be certain that he will not do that because he doesn’t have the permission to do it.
If he did then he would have already done it and wouldn’t warn you.
When he speaks it is a play to intimidate and a sign that you are safely in the protection of God.
When you’re up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fears
Don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seems to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Now Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think
That we are paupers when he knows himself we’re children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ has risen so the work’s already done
2 Corinthians 2:11
Four Attacks of Satan
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Obsession
Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.[3]
Oppression
The act of oppressing; arbitrary and cruel exercise of power:
“There can be no really pervasive system of oppression… without the consent of the oppressed.” -Florynce R. Kennedy
The state of being oppressed.
Something that oppresses.
A feeling of being heavily weighed down in mind or body.[4]
Depression
A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity.
Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy.
A state of depression and anhedonia (the absence of pleasure or the ability to experience it) so severe as to require clinical intervention.[5]
Possession
The state of being dominated by or as if by evil spirits or by an obsession.[6]
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
The Blood of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Exodus 12:13, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”
Our Testimony.
Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
The Name of Jesus.
Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
The Written Word of God.
Matthew 4:1-10, “1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Prayer and Praise.
Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Angels of the LORD.
Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
The Holy Ghost.
John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
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.”
Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
[1] Kenneth V. Reeves. The Angels, Demons & People (Vol. 1). p. 20
(11) And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
(12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 3:15
(15) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Galatians 3:16-29
(16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (18) For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (19) Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (20) Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (21) Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1 Peter 1:22-23
(22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
(23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Romans 9:7, “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
Luke 8:11-15
(11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
(12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
(13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
(14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
(15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Psalm 20:7-8, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.”
There are some who have traded their trust in God for that which they’ve made with their own hands. They trust in chariots and are more confident in human talent, philosophy, and ability than in the provision and strength of the Lord.
They trust in human sufficiency and abort God’s will by their doubt and forgetfulness. They trust in their own ideas and manufacture scenarios thinking their finite understanding is better than the infinite wisdom of the LORD.
They use the policies of the world to obtain that which can only come by the proven principles of the Word of God. They invent strategies without prayer and forget (or ignore) to call upon God. They’ve forgotten His name, fame, and reputation. What He’s done and what He wants takes a backseat to what these purveyors of self foist onto the good and trusting flock of God.
Lack of trust is evident by their preoccupation with what they can form, cultivate, or influence. Afraid to show faith in something outside of themselves they resist what they don’t understand and grasp onto that which is temporal, known, and comfortable.
Isaiah 31:1, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”
Some have forgotten the freedom and liberty that comes with trust in God and have traded that assurance for the illusion of control. They’ve trusted in horses. They trust in what they think they can direct. Their attempt at control and manipulation is a mirage. The only control they have is the choice to trust in God, or to trust in their own frail human ways.
I was with Pastor Edwin S. Harper for a few days this week. He asked me this question (once asked of him), “How do you spell faith?” My first thought was the predictable one, “F-A-I-T-H,” but he said, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.”
RISK! You get nowhere in life without taking a risk. The four bearers of the Ark of the Covenant took a risk by stepping out into the Jordan, but their risk was rewarded with the miraculous parting of the waters, and, as I heard Buddy Buie say recently, “When they stepped into the Jordan their feet kicked up the dust in the dry riverbed.” God doesn’t just answer prayer, He goes the extra mile in displaying His majesty as He works on your behalf.
It is easy to sometimes be paralyzed by the need to know for sure what a decision will bring to pass before we do something, but this is not faith. Faith is taking God at His Word and risking everything of comfort for uncertainty.
The wonderful thing about taking a risk on God is that it’s not really a risk. Remember and trust in His reputation, fame, and power. Recall the authority resident in His name, the name of Jesus.
Next time you are thinking of taking a risk remember the true Riskbreaker and personalize these words: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deut. 31:6).
Vagrant Story
Shout out to my good friend, Stewart A. Bertram: Happy Birthday!
Esther experienced a time of preparation (purification) before she was introduced to the king and subsequently gained his love and was made queen:
Esther 2:2-18 (KJV), “(1) Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: (3) And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: (4) And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. (5) Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; (6) Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. (7) And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (8) So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. (9) And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. (10) Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. (11) And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. (12) Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) (13) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. (14) In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. (15) Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. (16) So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. (17) And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (18) Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.”
Apostolic Life Cathedral | 2/12/2023
This time of purification was a time of instruction and examining for these young ladies. They learned what their role was to be and how to act and please the king. It was more than just cleaning and preparing the body, but also the decorum and grace of the maiden.
Hadassah? Well, she excelled and her time of preparation resulted in great success.
The psalmist David wrote, “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”[1]
In this passage, when we read that God “trieth” it simply means that this is God’s way of “examining, scrutinizing, proving, and testing” the hearts of those who are His people.[2] These tests are for the sole purpose of preparing us for greater responsibility and spiritual growth.
The apostle Paul makes it quite clear that the process of being approved by God follows a particular process: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”[3]
As this process takes place we witness the varying degrees of preparation God places us in as they accomplish. Work out, and achieve God’s purpose for our lives.
So, what we think of as pressure, stress, or trial God uses as a means to bring about a patient, enduring, sustaining, perseverant, and steadfast quality to our Christian character. These times of preparation are purifying our motives and actions through the teaching of grace in our lives.
When this quality is part of our spiritual nature we have become God proven because our character has been tried and found worthy. This experience results in the establishment of hope in our lives, which is the “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation” and the understanding that because I came through previous trials intact then I’ll make it through this one as well because God is with me.”[4]
This is why, when Esther, as queen, had to go before the King to deal with the threat of genocide her people faced because of Haman’s jealous treachery, she did to with complete faith and hope.
Esther was prepared beforehand “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:4). It likely never crossed her mind in her time of purification that she was actually being prepared to be more than a queen, she was being readied for a role of mediation and deliverance.
Right now you are being prepared through trial and tests and difficulties for a greater work than you can imagine. Let those tribulations purify and prepare you for your own God designed moment.
Apostolic Life Cathedral | More Than A Song | 5/11/2021
Text: Song of Solomon 2:12-13
“(12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (13) The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
Psalms 104:10, 12
“He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills….By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (You will be judged by the type of speech that comes from your mouth).
Spring has come, and with it the beautiful melody of birds singing. I particularly love to sit on my porch, or in my home office with the windows open, and listen to peaceful songs delivered by the birds.
We even have a rooster here in the Hills of Guyandotte that crows all day long: morning, noon & night.
We tend to equate the singing of birds to the praise of the saints, and while we can agree with that we also see that their singing teaches us a far greater lesson.
They need to have proper space and conditions to raise their offspring.
They will do many things to raise their families.
I understand that there can be a danger in people being too territorial when it comes to trying to reach the world and not allowing others the opportunity to do a work for Jesus, but tonight I am focusing on your families.
You need to guard your family.
Birds will choose their territory based on the availability of food, water, shelter and nesting locations, and then they seek to attract a mate.
Well, the Church is the perfect location for you to begin nesting, and you already have a mate:
Isaiah 54:5, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”
Paul wrote:
(11) Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. (2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:1-3).
Birds also claim territory to renew bonds and to let other fowl know that this area is taken.
Birds claim territory through several behaviors, including:[2]
Nest building: Some birds, such as different types of wrens, will claim territory by taking advantage of the nesting sites it offers. The males will build multiple nests in suitable locations throughout their territory. The females will then investigate those nests and choose the one they prefer, even if they eventually rebuild the male’s construction to suit their preferences.
The Lord Jesus Christ is preparing a place for us, as we prepare ourselves for Him:
John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Drumming: Woodpeckers and several types of game birds claim territory by drumming as an alternative to singing. These low-pitched, rhythmic sounds, whether made by pounding on a hollow tree or by using air sacs, will carry great distances. This alerts competing birds that the territory is not available, as well as lets potential mates know that a strong, healthy bird has claimed the location.
“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psalm 47:1).
Clapping, like drumming, shows an encroaching enemy that we are strong and victorious
And to our Lord, it is offered as an expression of praise, worship and thanksgiving for who He is and what He has done.
Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.”
Visual displays: Visual displays such as puffing up colored feather patches, tail flicking or fanning, wing spreading, and other behaviors are all part of claiming territory. These postures and actions also show off a bird’s strength and health to a potential mate. These behaviors are commonly a part of courtship rituals between opposite sexes as well as territorial displays between two male birds.
We lift our hands as a visual display of praise and worship:
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63:4)
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. (Psalm 134:2)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1Timothy 2:8)
Worship is closely tied to a life of holiness.
Everyone can praise the Lord, but not everyone can worship Him.
We dance before the Lord as a visual demonstration of praise:
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. (Psalm 149:1-3)
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. (Psalm 150:4)
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)
Chasing: As a last resort, aggressive birds may directly chase intruders or competitors out of their territory. This is frequent in areas where many birds are seeking to claim the same space, or when a dominant male is discouraging younger males that are struggling to claim their first territory. In bird species where family groups remain together in the winter, the male parent may chase away his mature offspring the following spring so they do not infringe on his territory.
In this day, you better be aggressive about protecting your home, your nest, your territory.
The devil is trespassing on your home and in your mind with all the competing distractions. Why is he so set on distracting you, because he wants your most precious possession:
Your relationship with God.
Your family’s soul.
That old serpent will slip near your nest just to consume your future hope.
Singing: Singing is one of the most common ways birds advertise that territory belongs to them. Songs will carry quite far, and birds will perch near the edge of their territory to broadcast their claim to the maximum range. At the same time, a strong, vibrant song will help attract a mate. For some species, such as the northern mockingbird, a more complex song will help birds defend a larger territory and are more attractive to females.
Singing is so important that the largest book of the Bible is a songbook – Psalms
Psalms 66:1-4, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: (2) Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. (3) Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. (4) All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.”
We are told to “be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Psalms 150:1-6, “(1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (2) Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. (3) Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. (4) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. (5) Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. (6) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Your Song is More Than A Song.
Your Song is A War Cry.
You are conducting Holy Warfare
Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Psalms 149:1-9
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Faith is a conviction or belief that one holds. To be convicted of something is to be convinced, and to have a belief is the “mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another.”[1]
Rahab showed her complete faith in the God of the Hebrews by her statement, “The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”[2] This is why she could hide the two spies and then put out the red cord.
She did it in faith and because of this the scripture states, “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”[3]
The action on Rahab’s part was a response to the fact that she was convinced of the omnipresence and complete deity of God because she believed that He was the only God of heaven and earth. This is why James wrote, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”[4]
When we have faith, we will also have a response to that faith. Rahab’s response to her complete faith in Jehovah was in helping the spies. Thus, “…faith without works is dead.”[5]
