There was a colossal party Sunday of Heavenly Proportions. Mike got born again!
There is one thing that catches the interest of God's angels, like nothing else, and that is when someone confesses Jesus as Lord and believes that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).
Luke 15:10:
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
It is quite an experience to see someone not too sure what they want in life, turn to the Heavenly Father and join the family of God. Mike was visiting San Diego, troubled about his life and not sure what he was going to do next. What made the difference? The love of God manifested by all the saints and the truth of God's Word.
I Peter 1:23:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Ephesians 2:19:
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
One of the most glorious acts of man is to help someone get born again. Helping them from death unto eternal life. There is nothing quite like it. In this situation with Mike, everyone made an impression. From Michael, Mary Ruth, Jeanie, Frank, Barney, Al, the Victory House crew and many others, they exhibited and shared the incredible love of God. It is the miracle of all miracles - the New Birth!
As we live our lives and go through this Holiday season, let's remember the reason for the season. And not only remember Christ's birth, but our new birth in Him. Let's look forward to celebrating with the angels as others we come in contact with, make the glorious decision to get born again of God's spirit!
I John 5:20:
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Agape,
Bob
Your thoughts play an important role in how you walk with God. Our thoughts lead to believing action either positively or negatively. It determines what kind of faith we exhibit, be it fearful or with confidence and trust.
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.
What feeds our thoughts are words, be they spoken or written. We are the gatekeepers of our mind. As a born again one, we take the Word of God in our mind to overcome negative, devilish temptation.
We all get negative thoughts that are temptations. Remember that temptations in themselves are not sin. Jesus said He was tempted in all things but without sin. Temptations become sin when we act on them and let them build a home in our thinking or in our mind.
Do you remember how Eve handled the temptations she was dealt with from the devil? She tried to debate the adversary and justify her errors. She obviously did not handle the temptations with God's Word.
How did Jesus Christ handle temptation? As we read in Matthew, Chapter 4 we discover that Jesus handled the temptations with "It is written." He replaced the temptation with a more powerful thought: the Word of God.
That is the key: Use the Word of God to replace the temptation. Many times we take on the temptation and exert great effort to throw it off or get rid of it. The key is to replace it with God's Word. For example when you have the devilish thoughts of being in self condemnation, we replace it with God's Word by saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). If we are tempted with fear, we replace it with God's Word: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7). This technique works every time, if we allow God's Word to have preeminence in our lives.
It is amazing how much our thoughts control how we feel. God invented our minds and its process. He has given us His Word to plant in our minds and to believe. There is nothing the devil can throw at us that we do not have His Word to overcome it.
What we need to do is fill our minds with God's Word so that we can take on any pitch the adversary may throw at us. We can slug it out of our mind and replace it with the truth of God's Word.
Agape,
Bob
PS: What reminded me of this technique, that I had been taught in the past, but in different ways, is a wonderful YouTube segment by Jimmy Evans, a minister who teaches this. It is a 30 minute YouTube called “A Mind Set Free” – Jimmy Evans. Do a search on YouTube to find it.
Many seek success for their ultimate badge of accomplishment. But, even more fulfilling in a person’s life is how significant they are.
Being successful can mean many things and for the most part reflects on personal achievements. Significance on the other hand portrays your life affecting others in a meaningful way. The Book of Acts lays out the history of Christianity. Not only was there great success on the very first day, but what would close it out was declared of great significance in the lives of mankind.
Before the first day of Christianity, two angels declared, “...This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The new Christians would be able to move out with great confidence knowing their hope of Christ return.
Some ten days later on the day of Pentecost the apostles received the gift of holy spirit and spoke in tongues. They were quite the opposite of being men behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, becoming men of God demonstrating His power. On that first day there were “about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41) added to the Church.
The early Church boldly taught God’s Word and demonstrated the power of the gift of holy spirit. It was not hampered by the heavy persecution laid upon them. The pinnacle of this awesome outreach and display of power is recorded in Acts:
Acts 5:12-16:
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
All this success was not without its challenges. The enemy, the devil, is doing all that he can to thwart the believers efforts. His tactics in the past has been to get them fearful of the high priests, that would throw them in jail.
Acts 5:17-19:
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
After bringing them out of prison, the angels encouraged them with a simple but proven formula:
Acts 5:20:
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
GO: The key to “going” is not where you go. It is having the mind set to love on
people with the agape love of God when you go. In the book of Acts you see the believers going out with the goal of blessing people. Instead of just living their lives within themselves, they purposefully were looking to touch hearts. For us in our times, what helps us do this is to get out of our “comfort zone” and reach out to those in
need. As Mary Ruth says, as we purposely spend time to reach out, we are doing it to
“love on people.” In the early church they went where there was a need. We too should go to where there is need. The one place we have been going to is Old Town, where there are all kinds of people. Because we have been doing it for a while, the newness of it has now become a comfort zone. Every time we go, we reach many people with the love of God, prayer, and inviting them to fellowship, making a significant effect on their lives.
STAND: Taking a stand for our Heavenly Father is the easy part. He stood for us giving us His Son. Now we stand for Him in our everyday life. As we go, we take the stand to share and “love on people.”
SPEAKING THE WORDS OF LIFE: Speaking the Words of Life is one of life’s paramount privileges. We might not want to drown people with Scriptures, but we do want to rescue them with the Words of Life.
Our Heavenly Father has made us so we can live a life of significance. Our lives matter and what we do for Him now, touching people with the loving truth, will have significance for eternity.
We got together, before going to our favorite place to love on people and bless them, and Paula prayed and said something like this: "Heavenly Father may we go forth with the same kind of joy our Lord and Savior had when the Bible says, "For the joy that was set before Him, he endured the cross."
That just blew my heart, when she prayed that. What a wonderful attitude to have when we go out to purposely love on people and bless them with the love of God. It is a great joy to share our lives with people. Sometimes we look at our spiritual task as a burden. Jesus' ultimate task of giving His life over for you and me was a JOY! Again, that just touches my heart.
By the way, what happen in the next two hours was some of the most exciting times I have ever had. The four of us who went, prayed for some 20 people (It seemed like they were lining up waiting for us to finish with one person so we could pray for them). One was praying to get off the streets and off his meth habit and was so grateful to be taken to a Christian disciple ranch. One guy, was a Christian rapper and he sang to us and then hung out with us and actually help pray for people. He was so blown away with what we were doing he could not leave. Matthew, who we met at this same place two weeks ago and was so blessed with our fellowship (He has been attending all the fellowships he could get to and has grown tremendously) came later and was blessing people and ministering to them as well!
It would take several pages to write all the great Godly things that happened. What a joy it is to work in the Family Business!
Agape,
Bob
A smile, a thank you and a genuine gratitude is what I see in the eyes of this man whose name I do not know. He is grateful not only for my prayer, but the fact that I noticed, that I took the time to recognize him and speak well of him. All I do is reflect on what my Heavenly Father has told me many times, that He loves me and really cares for me. I am at a location near the train and bus depot where all walks of life are moving from one place to another. People are on the go and trying to do what it takes to survive. The fact that I recognized them as a person, rather than one without value getting in the way of those who are busy living life, makes them feel good. I feel joy.
God invented this feeling of joy that for some reason makes us soar in our minds with fulfillment and a sense of significance. Our Heavenly Father has engaged our minds to be overwhelmed with satisfaction because of actions we have taken that have affected others in a way they feel loved. There is nothing like it. To have joy, to feel joy. It only comes by selfless helping of others.
In the Bible, the disciples of Jesus Christ returned from being out witnessing and ministering to people, helping them get delivered and set free from the bonds of the devil, and it says: "the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "...Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name!" (Luke 10:17). They were doing the will of God and setting them free.
Virtually all service to others done with the love of God results in joy. There might not be a specific Chapter and Verse on this, but this comes close: "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." (Philippians 2:17). Even when Jesus took on the ugly task of the cross, He endured it for the "joy that was set before Him." (Hebrews 12:2). When born again believers recognize who they are in Christ and lovingly walk out on it and serve others, this combination produces joy. To see people respond to the love of God in manifestation is so thrilling and heart satisfying.
Let's bless each others and especially those who may be down and out or not being recognized by our society. When they respond by a smile, realize you have touched a heart for God.
"...But are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:24).
Agape,
Bob