“Go and sin no more”

When the new testament commands things like “go and sin no more” (John 8:11), this is actually a challenge to draw us closer to Jesus, because as we try and sin no more, we come to realise how inadequate our efforts are, and how much we need Jesus.  I believe such statements exist, similar to the old testament law which was put in place to show how far from God His people were, that we need Jesus.

In otherwords, for those who take God’s Word seriously and try to put in to practise such a command, they soon discover that they can’t and it leads them straight in to the arms of Jesus.

Once we truely surrender to Him in His Grace towards us, He sets us free.  Amen!

Warning!  Beware of the deception that sins in your life (e.g. 1 Cor 6:9-10) don’t matter because we are saved by Grace.  Grace is the power to overcome those sins, and you need to believe that you will overcome them and that involves faith that He will complete His work in you.  On the flip side, we mustn’t give sin strength by trying to “earn” our salvation through obedience to the law.

Real faith

The greatest step of faith may be to push on in our relationship with Jesus even though we know that there are unresolved sin areas in our lives, knowing that God hates sin.  (This is where Judas went wrong – he thought there was no way forward and killed himself.)

For although there are all the warnings in 1 Cor 6:9-10, we praise Him that He has given us faith that He who started this work in us is faithful to complete it.  Amen!

Keys to finding the Joy of the Lord, our strength (notes from a sermon)

Isaiah 58:6-13.

Keys to finding the joy of the Lord:
1. Remove the sinful chains
2. Tear the yoke away to set the captives free
3. Share food with the hungry, clothe the naked (be active in this)
4. Observe the sabath

Our decisions come from the heart

Recently, I sought the Lord on some big decisions I needed to make.  In seeking His direction, He showed me that ultimately the decision that I would make would come from the heart.  (God showed me Ex 28:15-29 which talks about Aaron’s brestplate of decison, which was worn over the heart.)

The trouble is however, that the heart is very deceptive, and sometimes the decision we think we are making for the right reasons, is actually for a hidden motive or heart desire  Jer 17:9.

God will allow us to make wrong decisions to flush out our hidden desires and motives that are not of Him, so that they can be dealt with.  Although it is often very unpleasant and costly, we will always reap a harvest down the track, once the hidden sin is dealt with.

Jewish festivals

What relevance do these have for believers today?  I mean, isn’t it all just cermonial stuff that means nothing to a gentile believer in the 21st century?

That’s what I used to think, until God rebuked me last Yom Kippur.

You see, Jewish festivals are a shadow of the things to come, and a shadow of God’s nature.  Although these festivals won’t make us holy, or righteous, if we look deeper, I believe we can get closer to Jesus through them.

Food for thought.

What will it take for the West to know Jesus?

In realising the huge contrast between Africa – whose people seem to understand spirtual matters (although, not all good), but don’t seem to know how to use the resources God has given them to provide and care for their people naturally – and the West, which seems to understand natural matters very well (i.e. how to manage natural resources to produce a result), but fail to acknowledge anything other than what can be seen with natural eyes – I asked God how the West could become more spiritual – to understand God – rather than just human logic, and He said “They need to lay down their earthly crowns and then they will find Me”.  Then He gave 1 Cor 2: 6-16 – (God’s Wisdon Revealed by the Spirit.)

Romans 8. We are limited if we operate in the natural. If we operate in the spirit we are unlimited through Holy Spirit.

God again reiterated to me – the way the west is going to experience and start moving in the spirit is to lay down the earthly crowns.

John Bevere teaches that there is no power without sacrifice (Bait of Satan).

Also consider:
– when Jesus sent them out in 2s He told them to take nothing with them
– silver and gold I have none but I give you what I do have
– Paul
– The Acts church had great spiritual power and gifts and increased greatly (they layed down their earthly crowns)
– Why is it that Gods Spirit seems to move in disasters? Because there is trust (out of desperation)
– They have a form of godliness but are missing it’s power (2Tim3:5)
– We must decrease so that He may increase

Challenge for the church: what are you holding on to that is your “plan b”?  What is God asking you to lay down.  Lay down your Earthly treasures and I will pour out my spirit in you.  This is the 3rd thing I am telling the church.

Do it voluntarily now so that when trials come you will not be shaken beyond what you can handle.

Prophecy (not from me, but from a friend of mine): God is gathering His vessels now and training them. He is about to pour out His Spirit. The level at which they are filled will determine at what level we can operate in later.

Do not delay in seeking Him.  He will reveal Himself and fill you with His Spirit to give you the strength to do the work He has called you to do.

Grace and Deliverance

I enquired of the Lord: “how do Grace and Deliverance fit together”?  He replied: “They are both valid”.  Then I asked: “what is the right mix?”.  He replied: “be led by my Spirit”.