Winning the War
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Today’s Key Scripture “Do not give the devil a foothold.” — Ephesians 4:27,
NIV I have met individuals who have allowed the Enemy to keep them in a
perpe...
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MAINTAIN AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. - Always maintain an eternal perspective….,, Colosians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. kjv. Maintaining an eternal perspe...
Saturday 29 August 2015
Tuesday 11 August 2015
FAITHFULLNESS IN GOD
FAITHFULNESS IS GREATER THAN POSSIBILITY
↓
God told Moses to speak to the Rock and the Water will come out of the Rock, but Moses spoke out of unbelief before the people at the Rock and struck the Rock twice; Yet water still came out of the Rock (Numbers 20:7-13).
.
In the process of performing that miracle Moses, the
miracle worker, sinned a sin unto death; yet the miracle happened and
people were blessed that day. You would soon realize that miracle
happening is not a sign that God approves a man or a process all the
time. God allowed the miracle to happen because God remains faithful
even when His ministers walk in unfaithfulness or in sin. A pastor can
commit fornication, speak lies or do an act of wickedness in secret, and
yet come out performing signs and wonders in the public. It shows that
God is only being faithful to His own name and covenant, not endorsing
that man who sins unto death.
↓
That miracle of water out of the Rock which Moses did was not done out of faith, but out of unbelief by Moses and a sin by which he had the sentence of death passed on him immediately.
.
I stand for Judgment, not for Miracles: There are pastors who are called for miracles and I need them, but God called me for Judgment. There is nothing to be boastful or ashamed about, for no man can receive anything except he is given by God.
.
1.] It is the duty of Miracles to do the works, but it is the duty of Judgment to judge the works and their doers.
.
2.] Miracles do the impossible works, but Judgment subjects all works to truth.
↓
Jesus already had the faith to make all things possible, but it costs Him more to make all things subject to truth, which is to subject all works to the will of His Father in heaven. In the last day, it is not all who call Him Lord or did many wonderful (miraculous) works that will enter the kingdom, but rather those who do the will of His Father in heaven - for a man can be a miracle worker and still be a worker of iniquities at the same time – working both miracles and iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).
.
Therefore, do not rejoice that through faith all things are possible to him that believes; rather rejoice that through faith the will of God and the works of God are possible through him that believes. He has not called us to gain possibility through faith, rather He called us to fulfill His will and works through faith.
.
Stop being a doer of all things; rather be faithful in all things.
↓
………………….
↓
SEEK THE WORKS OF GOD
↓
It is not every wonderful work that is the works of God, neither are all miracles the will of the Father in heaven. The opposers of God and the Antichrists can still do many wonderful works and miracles without having to do the works of God or His will (2 Thessalonians 2:2-9, Revelation 13:13-15). Every work of God is a miracle, but not every miracle is a work of God: And every work of God is the will of God.
.
Those who seek miracles, signs and wonders, should define what they seek. For purpose of safety, I now advise you, “Do not just seek after miracles, but seek the works of God.” They promise you that you will receive your miracles and you agreed with a loud Amen; and they gave you miracle as they promised you, but not necessarily the works of God.
.
The works of God are after the will of the Father. Men still confuse “Wonderful works” for “Will of God” or “Work of God.” Men will say to Him “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, and in your name did many wonderful works etc.” But He will say to them, “I never knew you, depart from me you workers of iniquity” – for though they did many wonderful works, those works were neither the works of God nor the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).
.
Assuming they will say to Him, “Lord in your name we did many works of God”, Jesus will not have responded to them in that way; but they said, “Lord in your name we did many wonderful works”.
↓
Collation of few points from “Matthew 7:21-23:”
.
1]... There is difference between “wonderful works” which were done in the name of Jesus and the “will of the Father in heaven.” Doing a wonderful work in the name of Jesus (the Lord) and in the midst of his church does not qualify that wonderful work to mean the will of God or the works of God. Being a church worker does not mean you are doing the will of God, and doing a work in the name of Jesus does not mean you are doing the will of God: But God has called us unto good works. The will of God works according to the calling of God.
.
2]... The name of Jesus attached to a wonderful work cannot make that wonderful work the will of God. It is not the name of Jesus that turns a work into the work of God. Do not have the notion that demons are scared of mentioning the name of Jesus or calling that holy name around them – Remember that demons mentioned the name of Jesus when they said “Jesus I know, Paul I know…” (Acts 19:15). Demons also confessed to Jesus, saying, “We know you, the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). Judas Iscariot was still being possessed with Satan when he kissed Jesus in betrayal or he was a son of perdition.
.
3]... Casting out demons in the name of Jesus (the Lord) is a wonderful works, but that also does not mean it is doing the will of God. Casting out demons in the name of Jesus is a sign that follows those that believe. It reveals what is following you because of your faith, not what you are following by your faith. The devils also believe and tremble (James 2:19).
.
Casting out demons in the name of the Lord, speaking in new tongues, taking up serpents, remaining harmless in the midst of deadly poison or sickness, laying hands on the sick and having them recover through it etc. are signs following those that believe in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18). They are not signs that one is doing the will of the Father, but signs that one believes in the name of His Son.
.
Therefore, do not rejoice that spirits
(including demons, poisons, serpents and venoms, sicknesses etc.) are
subject to you in the name of Jesus, rather rejoice that your name is
written in the book of Life (Luke 10:20). These spirits listed above
could still be subject to a man, and yet the man is not written in the
book of life or doing the will of the Father in heaven (Matthew
7:21-23).
.
4]... The house of God in which the wonderful works were done cannot convert those works into the will of God or the works of God. It is not the house of God that turns a work into the will of God
↓
Now here is the difference between wonderful works and the will of God:
.
Wonderful works are miracles, signs and wonders; but the works of God are the will of God or the calling of God.
.
• [•] They used God’s ways or used God’s name or used God’s things or used God’s words or used God’s house or used God’s faith etc. to do works for God – These are still wonderful works.
•
• [•] They did what God called them to do or did what Jesus told them to do or simply walked in obedience to God – These are called the works of God (Will of the Father).
.
Have you ever being with a person who was busy doing his or her own thing just to please you – the motive or goal is to please you, but the person is doing it his or her own way, assuming you will like this or that etc. At the end, the person would have engaged in lots of activities, but you are not well pleased, that is even if you are pleased at all. That would be frustrating of efforts and waste of energy, because the person did not come to you to find out what you really wanted him or her to do for you. Martha was busy with house activities trying to entertain the members of her home cell or house fellowship, but Mary was wise to have sat down under the feet of the Lord to learn what the Will of God was through Him and know how and what to obey (Luke 10:38-42).
↓
All those who did many wonderful works in “Matthew 7:21-23,” only had things obeying them in the name of the Lord, but they did not obey the Lord. Things did what they said or things obeyed what they commanded in the name of the Lord or in prayer; but they themselves did not do what the Lord said. They had authority over things, but they were not under authority to the will of the Father.
.
Do not rejoice because demons or things are subject to you in the name of the Lord, rather rejoice that you are subject to the Lord and His will. In the kingdom of heaven, a man is not honoured because he has so many servants or things that obey him; rather a man is honoured because he is a servant who obeys the will of God in so many things. It is not being the Lord of all, but in being the servant of all – therefore it is not in exercising authority or exercising dominion, rather it is in exercising love and humility in service (Luke 22:25-27).
.
They did works, but they did not serve in the Will of God through obedience. God is not interested in how authoritative you can be with your dominion; rather God is interested in how obedient you can be. I tag myself in this (I need this myself).
↓
It is better to be servant of the calling and will of God than to be a mere servant of God. Move from being a servant of God to becoming the servant of the Will of God. There are some people who were called to be servants of God, but everyone one is called to be servant of the Will of God. I tell you, at the entrance into the kingdom of God, not every servant of God will enter, but every servant of the will of God will surely enter.
↓
…………………..
↓
I KNOW YOUR WORKS
↓
ROSELYN:
.
He will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me you workers of iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). What I don't understand with this statement is this: If He never knew them, how comes He knew they were workers of iniquity? He must have known them to judge them as workers of iniquity, right?
↓
RHODA:
.
He never knew them, but He knew their works. There are two distinct ways the Lord uses to know people:
.
1]… The Selective way - Knowing by name or by covenant.
.
2]… The General way - Knowing by Works.
.
God uses the general way to know every man by works, but uses the selective way to know His own people by name and covenant. He does not know the wicked, but He certainly knows their works and thoughts: As it is written, "Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed "(Job 34:25).
.
It is even a woe for any man to try to hide his works from the Lord in secret or in darkness. As it is written, "Woe to them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, "Who sees us? And who knows us?" (Isaiah 29:15).
↓
ROSELYN:
.
Maybe it was because their works were done in the dark or hidden from His presence. Was it the absence of His presence with them that resulted in Him not knowing them? I mean, if they had related with Him and familiarize with His presence, the chances would be that He would have known them; what do you say?
↓
RHODA:
.
Not really, for they could still eat and drink in His presence like Judas Iscariot did and yet He would not know them even in knowing their works to be of iniquity; and they could partake in Holy Communion, yet He would not know them. As it is written, "Then shall you begin to say, "We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets." But He shall say, "I tell you, I don't know you out there; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity." (Luke 13:26-27)
.
Ofcourse, the Bible says we should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them. Reproving means to bring those works to light and light means whatever makes manifest or exposes (according to Ephesians 5:11-13). However, a man is not known by the Lord just because he dwelt in His presence; rather a man is known by the Lord because the man had departed from iniquity and he does his works on the foundation of Christ. As it is written, "Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows those that are His. And, Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19).
↓
ROSELYN:
.
I would have preferred the Lord to know His people by their faith instead of by their works.
↓
RHODA:
.
Faith without works is dead. As it is written, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16).
.
The seven churches in the book of Revelation were known by their works. When the Lord dictated the words of the letters to the seven churches in Asia, which John was writing as the Lord dictated. The Lord first addressed to the angel of each of the churches, then He introduced Himself; and then instead of greetings or opening the letters with salutation, rather the Lord began each letter with "I know your works". (Revelation 2, 3).
.
"I know your works" was the Lord's way of greeting the angels of the seven churches.
.
1.) He will first tell you "I know your works", before He tells you "I know your name".
.
2.) A man's works must first be searched out and judged according to books, before the man's name will be searched in the book of life. Therefore, the first books that shall be opened in the last day of Judgment are the books of works before the book of life (Names) is opened (Revelation 20:12-15).
Adapted from https://m.facebook.com/groups/556097071162831?view=permalink&id=740569102715626&_rdr
here you can watch a wonderfull message by Pastor Benny Hinn..
↓
God told Moses to speak to the Rock and the Water will come out of the Rock, but Moses spoke out of unbelief before the people at the Rock and struck the Rock twice; Yet water still came out of the Rock (Numbers 20:7-13).
.
In the process of performing that miracle Moses, the
miracle worker, sinned a sin unto death; yet the miracle happened and
people were blessed that day. You would soon realize that miracle
happening is not a sign that God approves a man or a process all the
time. God allowed the miracle to happen because God remains faithful
even when His ministers walk in unfaithfulness or in sin. A pastor can
commit fornication, speak lies or do an act of wickedness in secret, and
yet come out performing signs and wonders in the public. It shows that
God is only being faithful to His own name and covenant, not endorsing
that man who sins unto death.↓
That miracle of water out of the Rock which Moses did was not done out of faith, but out of unbelief by Moses and a sin by which he had the sentence of death passed on him immediately.
.
I stand for Judgment, not for Miracles: There are pastors who are called for miracles and I need them, but God called me for Judgment. There is nothing to be boastful or ashamed about, for no man can receive anything except he is given by God.
.
1.] It is the duty of Miracles to do the works, but it is the duty of Judgment to judge the works and their doers.
.
2.] Miracles do the impossible works, but Judgment subjects all works to truth.
↓
Jesus already had the faith to make all things possible, but it costs Him more to make all things subject to truth, which is to subject all works to the will of His Father in heaven. In the last day, it is not all who call Him Lord or did many wonderful (miraculous) works that will enter the kingdom, but rather those who do the will of His Father in heaven - for a man can be a miracle worker and still be a worker of iniquities at the same time – working both miracles and iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).
.
Therefore, do not rejoice that through faith all things are possible to him that believes; rather rejoice that through faith the will of God and the works of God are possible through him that believes. He has not called us to gain possibility through faith, rather He called us to fulfill His will and works through faith.
.
Stop being a doer of all things; rather be faithful in all things.
↓
………………….
↓
SEEK THE WORKS OF GOD
↓
It is not every wonderful work that is the works of God, neither are all miracles the will of the Father in heaven. The opposers of God and the Antichrists can still do many wonderful works and miracles without having to do the works of God or His will (2 Thessalonians 2:2-9, Revelation 13:13-15). Every work of God is a miracle, but not every miracle is a work of God: And every work of God is the will of God.
.
Those who seek miracles, signs and wonders, should define what they seek. For purpose of safety, I now advise you, “Do not just seek after miracles, but seek the works of God.” They promise you that you will receive your miracles and you agreed with a loud Amen; and they gave you miracle as they promised you, but not necessarily the works of God.
.
The works of God are after the will of the Father. Men still confuse “Wonderful works” for “Will of God” or “Work of God.” Men will say to Him “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, and in your name did many wonderful works etc.” But He will say to them, “I never knew you, depart from me you workers of iniquity” – for though they did many wonderful works, those works were neither the works of God nor the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).
.
Assuming they will say to Him, “Lord in your name we did many works of God”, Jesus will not have responded to them in that way; but they said, “Lord in your name we did many wonderful works”.
↓
Collation of few points from “Matthew 7:21-23:”
.
1]... There is difference between “wonderful works” which were done in the name of Jesus and the “will of the Father in heaven.” Doing a wonderful work in the name of Jesus (the Lord) and in the midst of his church does not qualify that wonderful work to mean the will of God or the works of God. Being a church worker does not mean you are doing the will of God, and doing a work in the name of Jesus does not mean you are doing the will of God: But God has called us unto good works. The will of God works according to the calling of God.
.
2]... The name of Jesus attached to a wonderful work cannot make that wonderful work the will of God. It is not the name of Jesus that turns a work into the work of God. Do not have the notion that demons are scared of mentioning the name of Jesus or calling that holy name around them – Remember that demons mentioned the name of Jesus when they said “Jesus I know, Paul I know…” (Acts 19:15). Demons also confessed to Jesus, saying, “We know you, the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). Judas Iscariot was still being possessed with Satan when he kissed Jesus in betrayal or he was a son of perdition.
.
3]... Casting out demons in the name of Jesus (the Lord) is a wonderful works, but that also does not mean it is doing the will of God. Casting out demons in the name of Jesus is a sign that follows those that believe. It reveals what is following you because of your faith, not what you are following by your faith. The devils also believe and tremble (James 2:19).
.
Casting out demons in the name of the Lord, speaking in new tongues, taking up serpents, remaining harmless in the midst of deadly poison or sickness, laying hands on the sick and having them recover through it etc. are signs following those that believe in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18). They are not signs that one is doing the will of the Father, but signs that one believes in the name of His Son.
.
Therefore, do not rejoice that spirits
(including demons, poisons, serpents and venoms, sicknesses etc.) are
subject to you in the name of Jesus, rather rejoice that your name is
written in the book of Life (Luke 10:20). These spirits listed above
could still be subject to a man, and yet the man is not written in the
book of life or doing the will of the Father in heaven (Matthew
7:21-23)..
4]... The house of God in which the wonderful works were done cannot convert those works into the will of God or the works of God. It is not the house of God that turns a work into the will of God
↓
Now here is the difference between wonderful works and the will of God:
.
Wonderful works are miracles, signs and wonders; but the works of God are the will of God or the calling of God.
.
• [•] They used God’s ways or used God’s name or used God’s things or used God’s words or used God’s house or used God’s faith etc. to do works for God – These are still wonderful works.
•
• [•] They did what God called them to do or did what Jesus told them to do or simply walked in obedience to God – These are called the works of God (Will of the Father).
.
Have you ever being with a person who was busy doing his or her own thing just to please you – the motive or goal is to please you, but the person is doing it his or her own way, assuming you will like this or that etc. At the end, the person would have engaged in lots of activities, but you are not well pleased, that is even if you are pleased at all. That would be frustrating of efforts and waste of energy, because the person did not come to you to find out what you really wanted him or her to do for you. Martha was busy with house activities trying to entertain the members of her home cell or house fellowship, but Mary was wise to have sat down under the feet of the Lord to learn what the Will of God was through Him and know how and what to obey (Luke 10:38-42).
↓
All those who did many wonderful works in “Matthew 7:21-23,” only had things obeying them in the name of the Lord, but they did not obey the Lord. Things did what they said or things obeyed what they commanded in the name of the Lord or in prayer; but they themselves did not do what the Lord said. They had authority over things, but they were not under authority to the will of the Father.
.
Do not rejoice because demons or things are subject to you in the name of the Lord, rather rejoice that you are subject to the Lord and His will. In the kingdom of heaven, a man is not honoured because he has so many servants or things that obey him; rather a man is honoured because he is a servant who obeys the will of God in so many things. It is not being the Lord of all, but in being the servant of all – therefore it is not in exercising authority or exercising dominion, rather it is in exercising love and humility in service (Luke 22:25-27).
.
They did works, but they did not serve in the Will of God through obedience. God is not interested in how authoritative you can be with your dominion; rather God is interested in how obedient you can be. I tag myself in this (I need this myself).
↓
It is better to be servant of the calling and will of God than to be a mere servant of God. Move from being a servant of God to becoming the servant of the Will of God. There are some people who were called to be servants of God, but everyone one is called to be servant of the Will of God. I tell you, at the entrance into the kingdom of God, not every servant of God will enter, but every servant of the will of God will surely enter.
↓
…………………..
↓
I KNOW YOUR WORKS
↓
ROSELYN:
.
He will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me you workers of iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). What I don't understand with this statement is this: If He never knew them, how comes He knew they were workers of iniquity? He must have known them to judge them as workers of iniquity, right?
↓
RHODA:
.
He never knew them, but He knew their works. There are two distinct ways the Lord uses to know people:
.
1]… The Selective way - Knowing by name or by covenant.
.
2]… The General way - Knowing by Works.
.
God uses the general way to know every man by works, but uses the selective way to know His own people by name and covenant. He does not know the wicked, but He certainly knows their works and thoughts: As it is written, "Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed "(Job 34:25).
.
It is even a woe for any man to try to hide his works from the Lord in secret or in darkness. As it is written, "Woe to them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, "Who sees us? And who knows us?" (Isaiah 29:15).
↓
ROSELYN:
.
Maybe it was because their works were done in the dark or hidden from His presence. Was it the absence of His presence with them that resulted in Him not knowing them? I mean, if they had related with Him and familiarize with His presence, the chances would be that He would have known them; what do you say?
↓
RHODA:
.
Not really, for they could still eat and drink in His presence like Judas Iscariot did and yet He would not know them even in knowing their works to be of iniquity; and they could partake in Holy Communion, yet He would not know them. As it is written, "Then shall you begin to say, "We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets." But He shall say, "I tell you, I don't know you out there; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity." (Luke 13:26-27)
.
Ofcourse, the Bible says we should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them. Reproving means to bring those works to light and light means whatever makes manifest or exposes (according to Ephesians 5:11-13). However, a man is not known by the Lord just because he dwelt in His presence; rather a man is known by the Lord because the man had departed from iniquity and he does his works on the foundation of Christ. As it is written, "Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows those that are His. And, Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19).
↓
ROSELYN:
.
I would have preferred the Lord to know His people by their faith instead of by their works.
↓
RHODA:
.
Faith without works is dead. As it is written, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16).
.
The seven churches in the book of Revelation were known by their works. When the Lord dictated the words of the letters to the seven churches in Asia, which John was writing as the Lord dictated. The Lord first addressed to the angel of each of the churches, then He introduced Himself; and then instead of greetings or opening the letters with salutation, rather the Lord began each letter with "I know your works". (Revelation 2, 3).
.
"I know your works" was the Lord's way of greeting the angels of the seven churches.
.
1.) He will first tell you "I know your works", before He tells you "I know your name".
.
2.) A man's works must first be searched out and judged according to books, before the man's name will be searched in the book of life. Therefore, the first books that shall be opened in the last day of Judgment are the books of works before the book of life (Names) is opened (Revelation 20:12-15).
Adapted from https://m.facebook.com/groups/556097071162831?view=permalink&id=740569102715626&_rdr
here you can watch a wonderfull message by Pastor Benny Hinn..
Sunday 9 August 2015
BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST
ANCIENT TIMES: "Joseph Prince Ministries BE CONSCIOUS ...: "Joseph Prince Ministries BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches....
BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST
ANCIENT TIMES: "Joseph Prince Ministries BE CONSCIOUS ...: "Joseph Prince Ministries BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches....
"Joseph Prince Ministries
BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 
In this verse, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, try to be the branches.” In other words, He wants us to realize that we are already the branches. We do not have to struggle to become the branches.
As His branches, we only have to abide or remain in Christ our vine. How do we do that? We do that by simply being conscious every day of our position in Christ. Because we have received Christ, we are in Christ and are accepted in the Beloved. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:6) God accepts us because we are in the Beloved and He is in us. And that is how God sees us today when we come into His presence.
What the devil wants to do then is to get you to focus on your condition instead of your position in Christ. The condition you are facing could be financial lack or deteriorating health. The devil wants you to focus on your condition and forget your position—that you are the righteousness of God in Christ and that you are seated with Him in heavenly places at the Father’s right hand. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:6) He wants you to forget that you are an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
The devil knows that once you focus on your position in Christ, it will give you the power to change your condition and circumstances. John 15:5 says that you will bear “much fruit”. This means that when you pray against any lack, abundant supply will flow. When you pray for healing, sickness will leave.
My friend, none of these things can happen by your own doing, but by His life which flows through you. Just as sap flowing through the branches of a vine will cause them to bring forth fruit, His life flowing through you will bring forth a bountiful harvest of provision, healing and miracles. You only need to remain conscious of who you are in Christ!
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Friday 7 August 2015
WILL YOU WALK ON THOSE PATHS
the lions whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed it.
that place , its the presence of GOD.
Tuesday 4 August 2015
Monday 3 August 2015
GOD CAN TAKE THE UNQUALIFIED
| GOD CAN QUALIFY THE DISQUALIFIED Psalm 103:4 who [the Lord] redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, |
||
 | ||
|
Four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1–16)
Interestingly, they are not Sarah, Rebekah, Leah or Rachel, wives of the
patriarchs of the Old Testament. Instead, they are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth
and Bathsheba, women who had morally questionable backgrounds. Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father-in-law. Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah came. (Genesis 38) Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute in Jericho, who became a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua 2:1–21) She also became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. (Ruth 4:13) Ruth was morally upright. But as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore considered unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13–17), whom the Jews regard as their greatest king. Bathsheba committed adultery with David. (2 Samuel 11:4) Later, she gave birth to King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24), from whose royal line Jesus descended. So what is God saying to us here? He is saying that He is greater than our sins—where sin abounds, His grace abounds much more. (Romans 5:20) His grace is greater than our sins, so that even when the world disqualifies us, He can qualify us to receive His blessings! God is also saying that He is a God of many chances. These women’s stories show us that even when our troubles are of our own making, they are neither final nor fatal. When we turn to Him, He will turn our situations around until we see His glory upon us! Finally, God is saying that He is a God of supernatural positioning. Even when all our earthly connections are gone, the moment we turn to Him, He will find ways to turn our captivity into blessings. My friend, don’t look at your natural circumstances and be discouraged. Trust the One “who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies”. Trust Him who qualifies the disqualified! Adapted fom Joseph Prince Ministries. | ||
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