Life in Christ

The Word for today is found in Matthew 6:13-15

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

In Chapter 1, verses 13 and 14, James writes: “13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
God delivers you from evil when your mind is renewed to the Word of God and so controls your flesh. You must put your flesh under the authority of the Word, and then you will not fall into evil. Satan is the tempter, but God is the deliver.

V 14 and 15 of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 (above) run together as one teaching. Forgiveness of others is not an option for the believer.

In Mark 11: 26, Jesus said “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Jesus is talking about getting our prayers answered in the above verses, and the stipulation is forgiveness. It does not matter how much faith you have; if you cannot forgive others it will not work.

Ask the Holy Spirit to shine his light in your spirit and be sure you are updated to 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Be bless of the Lord,

Pastor Louise

Saturday , February 12, 2011

The Word for today is found in Matthew 6:11-12

11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (KJV)

11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NIV)

We are taking the Lord’s Prayer and studying it to see how God wants us to pray.

Verse 11 tells us that God wants us to ask him each day for our food and the daily needs that we have. Yes, he said he would meet all our needs according to Christ’s “riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19) , but he wants us each day to acknowledge that he is the giver. If we do not, then we begin to forget who gives us these things and think that they have come by our own hand. We need to have a total reliance on God every day.

V12 tells us that if we are unwilling to forgive others who have wronged us, or hurt us, then God will not forgive us our sins.

Jesus addresses this in Mark 11:26 where he says that if you are not willing to forgive others then your prayers will be to no avail.

Forgiveness is not an option but a command, and often causes Christians not to get their prayers answered. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to shine his light in your spirit and show you if there is any unforgiveness.

We will continue with the Lord’s Prayer tomorrow. Be blessed. Pastor Louise

The Word for today is found in Matthew 6:9-15

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer was never meant to be anything but a template for how to pray. We have taken it where God did not intend. We have made it into a religious ritual that we say without really putting any faith or real understanding behind it.

Verse 9 tells us that we should always begin acknowledging the holiness of God, and that he is the one and only God. His name is to be honored here as it is in heaven. Worship is the best way to enter into the presence of God. Don’t just rush in to state your needs and then give him but a second of your time.

Verse 10 says that we should pray God’s will here on earth just as it is in heaven.

Is there lack in heaven financially? Is their sickness in heaven? Is Satan not defeated in heaven? Is it not God’s will in heaven for all to be saved?

The kingdom of God came to earth at the day of Pentecost and God wants us to live as such.

Too many people are waiting for God’s kingdom to come when it has already come.

We just need to use the authority given to us in the name of Jesus and walk in it.

Tune in tomorrow and I will continue with verses 11 -13.

Love in Christ, Pastor Louise

The Word for today is found in Genesis 22:2-3 and 16-17

2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; (KJV)

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, (NIV)

God does not do human sacrifice; what he wanted was Abraham’s heart.

God had a covenant with Abraham which says that all that I have is yours and all that you have is mine.

God later offered his only Son on the cross for our sins, and he wanted to see if Abraham would be willing to fulfill his part of the covenant. God will sometimes ask us to do things so he can see where our real heart is.

Are you holding anything back from God that you need to give to him? It will cause the blessing that God has planned for your life not to come to pass.

Yes, God will and has blessed us despite our lack of willingness to give our all, but you are still staying the hand of God from giving you his best.

Pastor Louise

The Word for today is found in Romans 5: 3-5

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 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. (KJV)

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (NIV)

There are three words that I want you to take note of in these three verses.

1) Hope
2) Patience
3) Love.

Faith has three cooperating powers that help your faith work more effectively.

Hope is the goal that you use your faith toward. God said without a vision (spiritual hope) my people will perish. You need to find out what God has planned for you to do and use your faith toward accomplishing it.

Next is patience, the one so many of us fall short of today. We are such a microwave generation that we want it now. God’s plan is for you to mature in the fruit of the spirit and the fruit must grow. Patience has to have a chance to develop in your life.

Then there is love. I am talking about the God-kind of love that was shed abroad in your heart by Christ Jesus. This is the agape-kind of God love. The love that says I will do for you with out any expectation of a return.

God gave Jesus even if few accepted him as their savior, not expecting anything in return.

We will return to the fruit of the spirit in another Scripture lesson, but love is the fruit of the spirit. Check it out and see how you’re growing, and what area you need to work on. It is found in Galatians 5: 22-23.

When you begin to develop in these areas then your faith will start to produce for you.

Be blessed today,

Pastor Louise

Word for today is found in Genesis 12:1

1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you. (NKJV)

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (NIV)

Jamie Buckingham, senior pastor, Tabernacle Church, Melbourne, Fla., has a great commentary on Leadership Traits.

“Abraham’s ability to lead was tested in three areas of faith:

l) Faith to risk (Genesis 12:1-5). A wealthy man, Abraham risked all to follow God. The godly leader is willing to risk everything on God’s faithfulness, and venture into the unknown.

2) Faith to trust (Genesis 17:1-27). Abraham and Sarah were long past the age of child-bearing. The godly leader does not rely on facts alone, but goes beyond facts to faith.

3) Faith to surrender (Genesis 22:1-19). Abraham knew the sacrifice of his son would destroy any hope of fulfilling God’s promise that he would father many nations. The godly leader is willing to sacrifice all things precious in order to please God. (Matt. 16:13-20; James 3:1)

When God called me into the ministry it was right before my mother had gone on to be with the Lord. He wanted me to leave a safe place– at a time I felt most vulnerable—and travel to a place hundreds of miles away, where I knew no one.

It was a really big step of faith and I was just a babe in the Lord. I went, stepped out on the water, and God came through as he always has.

God will ask you to get out of your comfort zone to see how much you are willing to obey him. It could be a new church across town where you know no one, or half way across the country.

To hold back will cause you to falter and not move up with God.

The Word for today is found in 1Peter 2:5

5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (KJV)

5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (NIV)

The two parts of this scripture that resonate with me are “spiritual house” and “spiritual sacrifices”.

When Jesus went into the temple and found it turned into a house of thieves he went ballistic and tore the place apart. If–and he was–that angry with what they were doing to the house of worship, then what does he think when he sees how we treat his house today?

I am the temple of the Lord and the Holy Spirit lives in me and it is important that I treat God’s temple as he would have me. If I abuse it then he will take note.

For example, when you have sex outside of marriage, or steal, or lie, or abuse your body, then you are doing it to the Holy Temple of God.

Would you do that in church? No, certainly not! Then why would you do it to your own temple?

We make such a big deal about the natural church we attend– how big, grand, etc. it is–yet take no note that we are the church. The church is not a building; it is us the people of God. So, take note how you treat God’s house.

Spiritual sacrifice can be measured on how committed to the Lord you are.

Is he really the Lord of you life, or just something that you tacked on to all the other things you do daily?

Paul said he was a bond servant to Christ. A bond servant is one who was set free and then chose to come back to serve at his free will. He chose to be a servant.

When my housekeeper comes in the morning, the first thing she does is ask what I want done that day. She does whatever I ask, and has a really sweet attitude about what I ask her to do. She does not do it begrudgingly but as one who wants to please. There are times she will go out of her way to do something extra just to please me.

We should be so sold out to Christ that we have such a servant’s heart!

As a minister when I go into the jail I do not take the attitude that the ladies imprisoned are below me or should be beholden to me. I come as a servant to help and serve them in whatever way I can to further their spiritual growth.

Spiritual ministry is not about conviction, but about sacrifice. It is putting the needs of others first, even when it is not convenient to our wants.

The Word for today is found in 1 Peter 4:12-13

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (KJV)
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV)

Having studied in the Faith movement for the last thirty five years one thing I have learned is that there will be trials for those who walk with the Lord. Practically, if you are stepping out in faith on the Word of God, Satan will try to steal the Word from you.

God did not say we would not have trouble. What he did say was that he would see us to the other side. He will not leave you in the boat to drown in the storm.

He wants us to learn how to persevere, press forward, and use our faith. What good is faith if you do not have something to us it against?

Character, the God-kind of character, is developed when we have to use patience in hard times. Patience is a fruit of the spirit that must be used to grow. We do not always want to hear this, but Peter said “that we are to be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:13)

Why? Because we always will win if we do not throw in the towel. Stay in the Word and stay the course.

The Word for the day is found in I Corinthians 1:25-31

25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV)

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (NIV)

I love this Scripture because it makes me feel right at home. See, I am one of those foolish things who God chose.

Did you know that out all the people that followed Jesus only a few were by the world’s standards intellectuals? Jesus chose twelve out of about 200 that followed him closely to be the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Not a one of them had a college degree. They were working class stiffs who only wanted to follow Christ. Paul said he had to work hard to undo all the great learning he had acquired. He called it all dung.

Where am I going with this?

The girls I minister to in the jail are so quick to latch onto the Word of God that it really blows me away. They have no pride that gets in the way and they only want to learn all they can about Jesus and his Word.

God can take what the world would throw away and make it into something great.

There is never a day that I am not aware that what I do, I do by the grace of God.

There is nothing in the natural that prepared me for what God has me doing today. All the glory goes to him, for I know who I am and where I came from. Yes, he has made me acceptable in the finished works of Jesus, but what I do in the ministry is all God.

The first time at Rhema Bible School that I was asked to preach I knew I had come to a crossroads in my walk with the Lord. In the natural I could not stand up there and preach, but with God all things are possible.

I was just simple enough to believe God, and I made an A in that class.

He will never call you to do something that he has not already made a way for, or give you a job that he has not prepared you to do. Just walk in the spirit and do not lean on the arm of the flesh.

God is so good.