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How are you Justified?

A man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16

Some people today are justifying their own actions. Even Christians can fall right back into working for their justification and leaving Christ behind. I pray that this does not happen to you, but when we read the Word of God, there are warnings about the subject of justification and how it is applied. The apostle Paul, in his writings to the Galatians, gave warnings about mixing the purity of doctrine with conduct and distorting the Gospel of Christ. The cleverness of some who exhort their authority to teach a different doctrine will, in part, go along with salvation is from Christ, but then insist that one should also work for their own salvation as well. It is like saying, “let’s cover all our bases just in case. ” Just in case of what? That our salvation is assured at any cost by what we do. No, this is not true. First of all, salvation is the gift of God to humanity.

Even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:6

The apostle Paul tells the Galatians that the works of the law shall no flesh[man] be justified. We must consider how the law is established. The do and don’t rules have been designated by God, starting with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. The Jewish people followed the “torah,” which is the law of God, providing instruction on behavior and conduct for everyday living. Tradition is the discipline in how we live and treat each other that is handed down from generation to generation. The customs that each nation has are derived from its indigenous population. For the Jewish population, it is the establishment and the correct practice and interpretation of the “Torah.” The Jewish rule may become common law, even though it may seem codified. In essence, it is a matter of interpretation and what is happening at that specific time. Historians are at times baffled and continue to argue to this day on the understanding of the meaning of the Torah. If we get down to the root of the problem in God’s eye, it will always be a matter of the human heart.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Proverbs 4:23-24

Have you ever wondered why you should guard and keep your heart? Because your heart will direct your course in life. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh,” [see Matthew 15:6]. This is the root of the problem, it is our heart. We speak what is in our heart, what is in our mind as we personally perceived it to be. In Proverbs 23:7, it is said “as he thinked in his heart, so is he.” What are you thinking about? Are you what you think? Today, it may be hard to determine what direction a person is moving towards, for their speech does not match the direction they are going. This is why Jesus said;

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8

This is known as lip service, because they have already made up their mind to go a different way. We should give this some more thought, for many desire to follow their own way or another individual’s way. How we are being taught may put us back into legalistic ways. By adhering to a standard of rules, we believe God will accept us. This is done without acknowledging God’s son, Jesus, who died for all our sins.

The Hebrew root word for salvation is “Yeshua,” which means the Lord is Salvation, and its meaning is freedom from that which binds or restricts an individual. Now, if we look at the Hebrew word for justifies “sadaq, it means that of condemnation that brings judgment. We are not justified by the works of the law. The law reveals our sinfulness.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:23-24

Jesus is the only way that we can have freedom from that which binds or restricts us. Jesus is the answer for sin, where we will not be condemned [see Romans 8:1]. Our freedom from condemnation is only through Jesus Christ because He is the final sacrifice for all our sins. We cannot earn God’s favor by keeping certain traditions or by any laws that man has made. This is not God’s method for reconciliation, no matter how good it may sound. We receive God’s favor through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We receive salvation through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and not by any efforts of our own.

If justification were by our works, then why did Jesus die for our sins? Justification by our works nullifies what Jesus has done on the cross. It also nullifies the ministry of reconciliation towards God and each other. Did you know that nullify means to remove the force? Would we deny the force of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to save us from the oppression of the evil one? Be careful to what you subject yourself to [such as any social movement], it could bring you under bondage. Legalism within the church lacks joy, because they feel they deserve something from God by doing good works. Legalism in the church compares itself with others. Those within the church claim they are more righteous and justified than other people. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known,” said Jesus to his disciples in Luke 12:1-2. Pharisees followed strict observance of the traditional and the written law, claiming that they were more righteous than other people. The truth was that they could not even follow their own traditions and the written law themselves.

That is why Paul stated that the law is our schoolmaster to bring us back to Christ. Did you know that there is power in the blood of Christ? That power gave us His righteousness, His faith, and His love. He gives us the victory over the evil one and even death. He also gives us eternal life. Let us come to Jesus and place our faith in Him alone and not in ourselves. Let us ask Jesus to keep us free from that which binds or restricts us in any way from His power and from who Jesus is, the Son of God, who came in the flesh, and arose to sit on the right hand of God, ever making intercession for us. Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Let us not nullify who He is or His power to save us all from the evil one, our sins, and our pride. Jesus truly is our justification, and it is by our faith in him alone, not by anything we can do ourselves, that we are justified. Let us praise God for providing us with the way to justification and reconciliation.

Joy Fulfilled

“And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

Is your joy fulfilled? What does it mean to have Jesus’ joy be fulfilled within us? Jesus said to continue in my love and abide in my love [see John 15:8-10]. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified.” The Father is glorified when we stay in the love of Jesus. As we remain in the love of Jesus, we will bear fruit. We will see beyond what we were or how we have begun in Christ. This is to bring the joy of the Lord within our hearts.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalms 28:7

Many will go their own selfish ways, but the Lord will be the strength and shield to those who trust in Him. Those who trust in His help every day. Is your heart rejoicing in the Lord every day? You may be going through a dry spell or a purging of your ways, but the Lord is preparing you for a better way to walk in this world. This is what Jesus prayed for in John chapter 17. Take note of the seven petitions that Jesus prayed.

That we may have joy.
To keep us from evil.
Sanctify us through the word of truth.
We are sent into the world.
As Jesus was sanctified, so are we sanctified through the truth.
That we would be one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The glory that the Father gave to Jesus, Jesus offers to us that we may be one.

This prayer was not only for the twelve disciples, but for all whom the Father gave unto His Son. Those who believed in Jesus as the Son of God, the gift of salvation for all men and women. What about the following verse?

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk 3:18-19

Habakkuk was a man with spiritual character who fulfilled God’s calling upon his life. Habakkuk had a great love for his people, but he could not understand why God used Babylon as a rod of correction. Habakkuk questions God about what is happening to his people. The afflictions they are receiving from the ungodly. What was the reason for the rod? The answer is given in Habakkuk 2:4-5. It is man’s soul that is lifted up when he is not righteous before the Lord. These are men who are proud, who drink too much wine, and who do not come home. A man who goes after his own desires and is not satisfied. A man who has lots of people under him to rule. If you are perplexed at what you are witnessing in the world today, you are not alone.

Despite the significant challenges we may face every day, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,” [James 1:2]. God wants us to grow and mature as followers of Jesus. Our faith must stand on the foundation of Jesus and nothing else. Through faith comes spiritual life. Without faith, it brings spiritual death. The key factor we may miss is Habakkuk’s relationship with God. They had an open dialogue with each other. Plus, God answered Habakkuk’s questions. We do not see any doubt within Habakkuk’s character. Yet, Habakkuk stated, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation,” [see Habakkuk 3:18].

Habakkuk had a relationship with the Lord God. He was one with God. The prayer petitions of Jesus are for believers’ lives to stay in fellowship and be one with Him and the Father. Circumstances are not to take them away from the love of the Lord God. We are to have joy no matter what conditions we find ourselves in. We are to resist evil and follow the path of Jesus. We are sanctified through the word of truth. The Holy Spirit will guide us into the truth of our own ways, if they are different from God’s ways. We must repent of our own ways to walk the spiritual life in Christ. If you are standing in faith, rejoice in the Lord. Some Christians are barely making it today. Hold unto faith with a good conscience.

Let us rejoice in the Lord, for “He will make our feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make us walk in high places,” [see Habakkuk 3:19]. Rejoice in the Lord, for you will overcome all obstacles. Joy will be fulfilled as the Lord will enlarge the steps of your feet so you will not fall [see Psalms 18:36]. Do not allow circumstances to take your joy away. Bring out the stringed instrument and sing unto the Lord God. Remember His words and fellowship daily with the Lord God. Your Joy will be fulfilled.

A person stands with arms raised in a victory pose on a mountain peak, overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains in the background. The image includes a biblical verse from Habakkuk 3:19.

All Things Were Created By Him

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Colossians 1:16

All things visible and invisible was created by Him. Can we imagine that any thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers were created by Him and for Him. It pleased the Father God that all fullness be in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must believe that through the resurrection power, God has provided the way towards peace and reconciliation. The apostle Paul was giving those in Colosse the good news about Christ’s pre-eminence. Do we have abundant life in Christ Jesus? The answer is yes. What is your position in Christ?

We must know our position in Christ. Through Christ we are delivered from the power of darkness. He has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son [see Colossians 1:13]. How wonderful this is, to be moved from one place to another in Christ. This is what translated means. When we believe in Christ death and resurrection, we have been moved to another place into the kingdom of the Son of God. We are raised up together with Him and He has made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus [see Ephesians 2:6].

Our position has changed when we believed in Jesus as the son of God.

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

Christ is the head of the body. It is through Christ that we become the head and not the tail through the obedience of the word of God. Christ is the standard to a higher status, for all things was created by Him and for Him. Christ is the mystery of God because of the redemption and reconciliation for all humanity. Christ is the wisdom of God. All Christians have the spirit of Christ within them, and this is the hope of their glory.

Once we were alienated and enemies in our mind to do wicked works, but now we have been reconciled through Christ [see Colossians 1:21]. Through faith we walk in Christ and not in the way of the wicked. Anything that would take us away from Christ must be taken to the cross of Christ in prayer and renounced. Give up, refused, and resigned to have any connection with any form of evil. Be cleansed from all forms of wickedness.

We must believe this is so, in the name of Jesus. We may struggle with this for a time, but victory is in Jesus as we yield our bodies to the Lord and our mind from thinking evil things. Cleansed from evil in that we may be presented to God through the blood of Christ as unblameable.

“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” Colossians 1:22

We are to continue in faith knowing that we belong to Christ instead of this world. We should be grounded and settled in the hope of the gospel of Christ. That all things belong to Christ. That we are knitted together through His love and given the assurances of understanding that He will work out for good every aspect of our life. Every day we can see the glory of God in our lives. Christ has given us a new position, and our prayers should reflect that position we have in Christ. Remember every day we are victorious for all thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers are in God’s hand.

Behold the Love of God

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the father has given unto us. Have you beheld and observed the love of God? The love of God came upon us as a wonderful gift. God gave us His only begotten son Jesus Christ as a gift. If we receive that gift we become the children of God. How amazing that we should be called the children of God. Behold and observe the person Jesus Christ, who died for you, and arose from the grave. You do not need to be alienated from the life of God anymore, for the sacrifice was made on our behalf.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

You who were far off in your own sins, has been made nigh that is made near in place, time, and relationship with God. Our sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus. It is by the blood of Christ that He became our peace. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. The curtain torn in the middle to allow us to come into the Holy of Holies. We can now walk in His love every day if only we would surrender our will to His will and ask for His divine grace to help us in our walk. He is merciful.

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:13

How grateful we should be that He will not remember our sins anymore. We have a new Covenant through Jesus Christ. Through that Covenant man is no longer responsible for the burning sacrifice. A new Covenant has been made that the first is now old and is vanishing away. [see Hebrews 8:13]. Behold/observe the love of God. God gave His only son for our sins. He gave so that we do not have to do it ourselves. No more rejection, for He called everyone to behold and observe what love can do.

Every single person has this living hope in their life when they have surrendered their will to God’s will. Through Christ we are made pure.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Christ has taken our sins away. We stand in faith knowing His love for us is real and not a fantasy. Through the power of His Son and the Holy Spirit, we will know Him and experience the wonder of His love for us. Whoever abides in Him will sin no more. Christ came that He might destroy the works of the devil [see 1John 3:8]. Sin is linked to the devil because the devil has sinned from the beginning of the world. If you are born of God there will be no sin, for you carry the seed of God within you. Sin separates you from God while Christ blood brings you to God.

“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11

There is no room for hatred. If a person has hated that person will not have eternal life [see 1 John 3:15]. The hardest thing to understand, is how to love those within the body of Christ. We must realize that we have passed from death to life. Do we understand the meaning of laying down our life for another? Behold/observe the love of God and how John tells us that we should lay down our lives for the brethren. If a brother has a need, do not ignore him, but through love help him. We must walk in deeds and truth and not just by spoken words that have no real meaning.

We receive from God because we have confidence in God, for our heart will not condemn us if we are walking in His love. If we do not have love, we ask in prayer for His help to teach us to love. His Spirit will come and help us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Are you free from the law of sin and death? Through Christ we have the victory of being free from the law of sin and death. We have the assurance through faith in Jesus. Let His love reign in your hearts by surrendering to the love of God. Ask for a change within your own heart to that of Christ, thus you will fulfill the law by loving one another. Behold/observe the love of God that has been given as a gift to all humanity. Let us ever walk daily in His love.

Take the following scripture with you every day.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Sanctification Through Christ

“We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

Sanctification is through the body of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ on the cross is the final sacrifice for the remission of all sin. There is no other sacrifice but Christ, and He sat down on the right hand of God, [see Hebrews 10:12]. The death of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. We cannot within our own self achieve justification, sanctification, or glorification. These three processes are worked through the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. This can only be achieved through the body of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and won the victory over death. Jesus said, “it is finished.” Sin and disease are finished in the name of Jesus.

Back in the 1980’s, I had written in my Bible the definition for sanctification. I did not fully understand what it meant, and I wondered how many Christians or Believers truly understand its meaning. I feel that somehow the meaning has been lost through the years of watering down what it means to be Holy before the Lord.

Sanctification is to separate from the world and consecrate oneself unto God.  To sanctify means that it belongs to God.  Sanctification is through the redemptive work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.  From Inge's Bible notes.

Sanctification is the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. In otherwards, we cannot accomplish this in our own self-will. The work is done through faith in Christ Jesus. To be Holy is to be separated unto God. Thus, sanctification is separation from the world to dedication unto God. Through faith, a person becomes partakers of the divine nature of God. In 1 Thessalonians chapter four verse three we read the following:

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is the will of God, and we should know how to hold ourselves in the process of becoming a vessel of honor for God. A vessel of honor is one who is pure in their mind and heart. They do not withhold any imperfections of sin before the Lord. They communicate and surrender all weaknesses to God through prayer daily. All is open before the Lord and nothing is withheld. Thus, they are clean before the Lord. Myer Pearlman stated, “cleanliness is a condition of holiness.” Israel as a nation was sanctified by the blood covenant sacrifice through the priesthood of Aaron’s sons.

“And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.” Leviticus 8:12

The sons of Aaron who were chosen had to go through a washing, sprinkling of blood, and be anointed with oil before taking the office of a priest, [see Leviticus chapter 8]. Today, through the blood of Jesus we are made clean in order to have fellowship with God. As believers in Christ, we are also sanctified. We are washed clean of all sin, and this is where many stop in their consecration to God. Many do not move ahead in surrendering their all to God. However, God wants us to follow Christ and be sanctified. To be a clean person and have an open dialogue with God.

An open dialogue is talking to God on a daily basis. This is what prayer is all about. It is not a ritual or law; it is the freedom of an open dialogue with God. It is open communication with God. It is being consecrated to the service of God. Brother Lawrence, a French monk, practiced this daily and one can read about it in his book titled, “The Practice of the Presence of God. God has called us unto holiness and not uncleanness, [see 1 Thessalonians 4:7].

Sanctification involves possession by God, for we were bought with a price through the blood of Christ. Sanctification changes our position to being a child of God whereby we can cry “Abba” father. Sanctification is progressive in that we follow Christ and are in the process of taking on the divine character into the image of Christ. Sanctification is practical in righteous living every day for the glory of God.

Sanctification is the work of Grace to be free from sinful habits. What you cannot do God through the Holy Spirit is able to make the change within you. How wonderful this is to be free and holy before our Lord God. We must believe that it is finished. It is finished, because Christ died on the cross and has given us the victory over sin and death. We are sanctified through the word of God, and we are one in the Lord. Just meditate on this and read what Jesus said in John 17:16-22.

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Obedience unto Righteousness

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Romans 6:16

Obedience to the divine commandments or instructions of God. Most human beings do not adhere to God’s commandments. We do not want to hear about the consequences for our actions, or the result that it could cause death. The apostle Paul asked the question “do we know to whom we yield ourselves to?” The old man through Adam is unrenewed because of sin, but Christ through His death has given us the new man in righteousness. As Christians we now walk in newness of life through what Jesus did on the cross.

If we go back to verse 13 of Romans chapter six, Paul is stating that we do not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but instead yield our members unto God. Sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are no longer under the law but under grace. We became servants of righteousness and not sin. There is no good fruit in serving sin or our lusts. Every man “is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” [see James 1:14]. We are to put to death through prayer the deeds of sin such as covertness, hatred, strive, envying’s, murders, and drunkenness. [See Galatians 5:19-21].

Obedience is to be fulfilled when we are ready to punish every act of disobedience. [see 2 Corinthians 10:6]. Obedience is linked to faith and rightly so for Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus himself learned obedience through what He suffered.

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Hebrews 5:9

All of them that obey Jesus. Jesus was “called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” [see Hebrews 5:10]. Faith is believed in Jesus. He is our salvation. He is the one that has overcome sin and death. It is Jesus who can help our weakness through the Holy Spirit. We come to Jesus to lay our burden down and our sins. Obedience and faith demand that we repent and surrender in order to receive His righteousness. That we cast down all “imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:5]

Have we done this? Repent and receive His righteousness. Casting down all evil imaginations. Let us have an encounter with God to the full assurance He will perform and restore our soul.

He will lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Can we say like David that God’s rod and staff comfort us. David who repented and obeyed. Can we all dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Yes, do not allow sin to hold you captive any longer.

We cannot establish our own righteousness. We have obtained righteousness through Jesus Christ. Righteousness that is of faith and not of works. Righteousness that is by obedience and faith in Christ Jesus. He will restore the Joy of our salvation. Obedience to the point of friendship, for a servant does not know what his master is doing. [see John 15:15]. Listen to the words of Jesus.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

John 15:10

Jesus spoke these things that our joy might be full. Is your joy full? Press in deeper and obey and stay within the love of God. We are to grow and become more than just servants. We are to be friends that know what the will of God is. He has chosen us and ordained us to bear good fruit. [see John 15:16]. Let us continue in His love by keeping and obeying His word. As we repent and obey, we have His righteousness along with the fullness of joy, love, and peace.

The Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

The light of the knowledge of the Glory of God is through Jesus Christ. It is in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the light that shines in darkness. Light came into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil [John 3:19]. John, the son of Zebedee said that Jesus is the true Light who lights everyone that is born into this world [Gospel of John 1:9]. God commanded the light to shine out of darkness in order that we may see the face of Jesus Christ. Light is divided from the darkness.

All things are reproved by the light of the Lord [see Ephesians 5:13]. A Christian does not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and they do not reward evil for good. Proverbs 17:13 states “whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” It is the light of the glorious gospel of Christ that saves us from the darkness of this world. As Christians we no longer continue in the unfruitful works of darkness. We walk in the light as He is in the Light, for Christ is the image of God.

Inge Schultz

October 9, 2024

Have You Entered into His Rest?

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9

Have we entered into God’s rest? What is the meaning of rest in chapter four of Hebrews. How do you define rest? The Oxford dictionary defines it as ceasing work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. When a person becomes weary from work, household tasks, finances, taking care of others and projects, then it’s time to stop all activity. Somehow, we become obsessed, and so busy that we forgot the meaning of resting. I have been accused of this myself, so stopping to refocus can help us find the reason for not entering His rest.

Entering His rest is abiding in the vine. Who is the vine? The vine is Jesus. Let us look at the following verse.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Jesus said to come unto him and He will give you rest. Rest from your labor, rest from your burden, rest from what ails you, and even rest for you soul. Jesus is the one who will give us rest. Jesus ministry as the High Priest will give us rest and service to all who need His help. Jesus is meek and lowly in heart, and we shall find rest unto our souls, [see Matthew 11:29]. The son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day, [Matthew 12:8]. Wow! Who would have thought that He is Lord of the sabbath day. The sabbath day is a day of rest. Resting from work and remembering The Lord and worshipping Him. This is important to do in order to stay connected with God.

Staying connected with God gives us His peace and rest. Let’s look at the tenth verse of Hebrews chapter four.

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Hebrews 4:10

Have you ceased from your own works like God? Who would have thought that God had to rest from his own works. However, this verse is given as an example of being at rest and do nothing. Just think about the gardeners who work at creating an oasis or place to rest and never taking that rest to sit and enjoy it. How about that rest stop when traveling on vacation? Some of us truly need that rest stop. That rest is to be a blessing for all of us and not just the few of us. Some of us find it hard to rest and be at peace. Rest gives us time to restore and revive the body, mind, and soul form various tasks. It is taking a break from normal activates such as having a pizza night and giving mom a break from cooking.

Failure to enter His rest is due to unbelief, a hardened heart, and disobedience to His will. Let us not fall short of entering His rest. Let us not just hear or listen to the word only but believe in it. Just listening to it will not profit us if we do not believe in the word.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:2-3

Faith must be active when reading the word of God. This means one must believe in order to enter into God’s rest. We do not have to work for our salvation or healing, yet healing is seldom sought after even though it is provided for under the blood of Christ. I have heard God’s voice to rest and let him do the work in regard to a difficult situation or healing. We must get to that place of rest where we cease from our works and let God do the work in Jesus’ name. We need to put to rest our work and let God do the work in our own hearts. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of the Lord, [see Hebrew 4:13].

We have nothing to lose but our own self-will. Let us labor to enter His rest unless we fall into unbelieve. Christ is our perfect work of redemption and therefore we either believe it or not. If Jesus is our profession, then let us believe the word and enter into His rest. Let us enter our physical, social, and spiritual rest in the Lord. Our physical rest by believing He will heal us. Our social rest for He will give us rest from all our enemies. And our spiritual rest which is the promised rest here on earth and in heaven as children of God.

You can enter the sabbath day every day by taking time out to read His word and pray. This is how we stay connected in the vine and learn about Jesus.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

We have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was tempted like us but without sin [see Hebrews 4:15]. We can boldly come in prayer and lay our petitions before Him. Keep your fellowship open with the Lord and you will be resting in the grace of the Lord.

The Lord is my Light

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my light, my strength, and my salvation. God created light and is himself clothed with light. The importance of light is the key to our own happiness. So many people are walking in darkness with no hope because the light of the Lord has been dimmed. Even Christians have lost the light of the Lord. I hear some Christians say that it is too hard to walk in the path of the Lord. Nothing I do seems to be of any worth. I want an easier way of life, or I want out of this situation. Is there an easier way of Life when evil is present in the world?

Some of us have been in the mire way too long. The state of difficulty, distress, or embarrassment has broken into the limelight as the focus of attention. This is opposite of having the Lord as our light. It is a dangerous position to be in when the light of the Lord has gone out. It may be that we are no longer confident in the Lord God; therefore, we sit and mourn in our own sorrowful condition. Have we prayed about it? Have we sought the face of God? Do you remember the parable of the lighted lamp in the Gospel of Luke chapter 11 verses 33 to 36? Have you looked at verse 34?

The light of the body is the eye: therefore, when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”

LUKE 11:34

The lamp of the body is the eye. What does your eye see? If your eye is witnessing something that is dark within your own soul, you will have the countenance of darkness rather than the light reflected out your countenance. If your eye is pure than your whole body will be full of light. Light as in vitamin D taking affect within our body. We are to have no part in any form of darkness. Are we not the children of light? The answer is yes.

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knows not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.“

JOHN 12:35-36

If your walk is not in the light then darkness comes upon you, and you do not know what to do, or where you are going. So many times, when we are in distress, we either fight, rebel, or give up our position. This brings anger and contention. We ignore the fact that we have a Lord who is full of light and wants us to carry His light within our own body. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” [see John 8:12]. Oh, but look at the rest of that verse which states, “he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Wow! If you follow Jesus, you shall not walk in darkness. You shall not walk in darkness. I only repeat this because if we have Jesus, we have light. Our victory is in Jesus who dispels all darkness.

We must have the word as the lamp for our feet. The lamp lights the way for our feet to walk on the path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

PSALMS 119:105

This should be our profession as it was with King David, who was a man after God’s own heart. David was surrounded with darkness, yet He cried out unto the Lord for help. David had confidence in the Lord God. Listen to what David said.

Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

PSALMS 27:3-4

In this will I be confident, for I will not fear. My desire is to seek after the Lord that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. Are you seeking the Lord? Are you reading His words? Are you praying or having a conversation with the Lord? We must have faith, for all things are possible with God. Just listen to what the prophet Micah said, “when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me,” [see Micah 7:8]. I can remember sitting in darkness while a madman said, “They are coming, they are coming after me.” This man was having a flashback from World War II, and to him, it was a reality even though it happened many years ago. By the grace of God, I stood calm and collected and was able to talk to him and bring him back into the present time period.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6

God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness, and this light has shone within our hearts. Each step we take is a step towards the light of God. We are tested, and the trials we go through form within us the image of Christ. These trials are stepping stones into the character of Christ. We learn to have patience, endurance, and faith. Make your profession of faith stand strong in whatever circumstances you are in. Come to God in prayer and allow His Spirit to come and minister to your own heart and soul. He will become your strength and life. He will be the light of your path forever.

Born of Water and Spirit

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.”
John 3:5

Are you born of water and spirit? Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born of water and spirit. If he is not born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the rule of the sovereign God over all creatures and things. Many do not accept this rulership of God. Some do not even think about the rulership of God over their own life even though the new birth brings them eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world [see John 18:36]. The Kingdom of God is God’s sovereign rule and authority. Do we believe in His rule and authority over our own life?

The Kingdom of God is like a woman with leaven who took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened [see Luke 13:21]. This means that the leaven uses an agent to make the dough rise. That agent is yeast, which is the Holy Spirit in the Bible. We must have the Holy Spirit in our life in order to grow and expand. This growth will produce fruit into our life. The fruit comes when we follow God’s will and not our own. The Holy Spirit will always point to Christ for He is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is also our foundation in which we stand [see 1 Corinthians 3:11]. Are you standing on a firm foundation?

The only foundation that is a sure one is when we have Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. We believe that Jesus came in the flesh and that He is the son of God. We are assured that with Jesus as our foundation, we cannot go astray. It is Jesus who opens the door into heaven. It is Jesus who atones for our sins. It is Jesus who saves us from Satan. It is Jesus who gives us the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus who was baptized in the Jordan river.

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22

Baptism is full immersion in water. Baptism in water speaks to conversion from heathenism to God. Conversion of the old nature with its lusts to walking in the character of Christ. It is the washing away the dirt of sin and the selfish life to the life of Christ. It is the washing of regeneration as stated in Titus chapter 3, verse 5. John the Baptist preached for people to repent and be baptized. He also exclaimed that one would come after him who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, [see Luke 3:16]. If we have been baptized into Christ by water, we have in faith put on the character of Christ.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Galatians 3:27

Born of water and spirit is to follow Jesus through baptism in water and in the Holy Spirit. This is the condition to which we can enter into the Kingdom of God. A person asked Jesus the question if there are few that are saved? Jesus answered and said, “strive to enter in at the narrow gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,” [Luke 13:24]. In Matthew chapter 7, verse 13 explains that the gate is wide that leads to destruction, and many are going in that way. Many are going in a different way instead of following Jesus.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.”
John 14:6

There is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul told the Corinthains that he preached Christ crucified. It is Christ crucified who became the power of God [see 1st Corinthians 1:23-24]. If we can see this truth, we will be standing on a firm foundation. The power comes from Jesus being crucified on the cross for all mankind. Being born of the water and spirit means that we have become a new creation in Christ Jesus and the old things that we have been, are now passed away. Jesus became sin who knew no sin for our sakes. The father was pleased that Christ became the final sacrifice for all mankind’s sins. This is why we have the word and the ministry of reconciliation.

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
2nd Corinthians 5:19

Pray that you enter in through Christ. Pray for the Spirit to come and fill you with living water so that you may not thirst any longer.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38

Do you have rivers of living water flowing in your life? Now is the time for the living waters to flow into your life. Jesus prayed to the Father to give you the Holy Spirit of comfort. Ask for the Holy Spirit of comfort to come. Pray for the love of Jesus to flow into your heart and soul. Remember that Jesus said, “the wind blows, and we may hear it and not know where it comes from, or where it goes,” [John 3:8]. This is everyone that is born of the Spirit. Remember also that the Spirit will testify of Jesus [see John 15:26]. Without Jesus we can do nothing on our own, but with Jesus we can say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me,” [Philippians 4:13]. To follow Jesus, we first must be born of water and spirit. Be baptized in the water and in the Holy Spirit.

Behold I Stand and Knock on the Door

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20

Behold I stand at the door and knock. Who is knocking at the door? It is Jesus knocking at the door. What does He want? He wants to talk to you. He wants to talk to you about your soul and heart. Last September there was several prophesies about “the door.” Whenever there is a prophesy, it is to be tested with what the word of God has already stated in the bible. Last September I wrote about “The Door and the Word” in context of the word of God which converts the soul of man.

It is Jesus who is knocking at the door. It is Jesus who is calling out to those who would hear His voice and open the door. Now I would like to address the end of this verse, where the door is open, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me. This is talking about relationship. What kind of relationship shall man have with God? This relationship is based upon the love of God. For God so loved the world that He gave us His Son [see John 3:16]. God sent us his Son that we might be saved. To be saved from an enemy [Satan], troubles, or illness. To build our faith up to be strong in the Lord.

We must believe in the word of God that He will truly save us from death and the evil one. Our soul needs deliverance but we must have faith in God for that deliverance. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith [see Hebrew 12:2]. All man should honor the Son as they honor God [see John 5:23]. Jesus said that he and the Father are one [see John 14:20]. As Jesus had a relationship with the Father, so shall we have a relationship with Jesus and the Father. Are we ready to come and dine with the Lord? Remember from where you have fallen and repent. God is looking upon those who know the Lord and are able to testify of Him. Do you have a testimony of Christ?

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:10

The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Whatever is prophesied must have the testimony of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will always point to Jesus [see John 15:26]. We are saved through Jesus who gives us the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit. Love flows through the Holy Spirit through the human body. This is an experience due to the relationship we have through Christ. Do you have this relationship of love through Christ? Is it burning within your heart.

If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
John 14:23

Do you love Him and are you keeping His words? We must have the love of God living within our spirit and soul in order to keep His words. We must love others, for He has loved us. This is relationship. This is of the character of Christ. The image of Christ love works through us by the Holy Spirit. We are able to ask, seek and knock at His door and know that He will answer us.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
Matthew 7:7

If we do not have love in our hearts, then we must ask in order that it shall be given unto us. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. First it is Jesus knocking and now you are knocking at his door. This is relationship. The door swings both way in order to gain insight and wisdom to the truth of what He is teaching us. We must get to the point of being overcomers in this world and not be defeated, brought down in fear and torment. ”There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear,” [see 1 John 4:18]. We must have the communion of the Holy Spirit whereby we can worship God in spirit and in truth. As we pray in the spirit and ask Him to give us what we lack, it will be opened unto us. Let us come into Him and sup with him and he with me. Let us read daily His word to gain revelation of who He is and how He will stand strong on our behalf. As we become a testimony for Jesus, He will set before us an open door that no man can shut, for we have kept His word and have not denied His name [see Revelation 3:8].

God knows the works you have done in His name. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. He will humble you when you get above yourself.

Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21

Relationship with Him will allow you to overcome evil with good. Relationship is being filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter two, verse 38 states, “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.” Have you received the gift of the Holy Ghost? This is relationship. For if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Are you hearing his voice? Are you reading His Word? Have you opened the door where rivers of living water shall flow out of your belly, [see John 7:38]. The river of living water is the Holy Spirit. Every believer should receive the Holy Spirit.

This gift is for you today. Open the door today and allow Him to come in and sup with you. Let go of the hate, bitterness, and selfishness. Whatever is holding you back let it go in the name of Jesus. Let the blood of Jesus cleanse you from all evil and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

He will come and make you whole. He will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you in your relationship with him. What joy you will have when you open your heart to Jesus and believe that He is the son of God who died for us because He first loved us. Remember Jesus is saying, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.”

Oil for Light

Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute forever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.”
Exodus 25:6-7

He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the Lord continually. The light is to shine continually before the Lord. Do you have enough oil in your lamp? Is your lamp continuously burning so that the light can shine in the darkness around you. Where does the oil come from? What about the golden lampstand that Zechariah saw in a vision? Think about it! Is it possible to keep the light burning? Yes, it is possible, for all things are possible with God. In the book of Revelation there is a warning to the church in Ephesus that the lampstand can be removed, [see Revelation 2:5]. The importance to believer’s everywhere is to remember where we have fallen and repent, so we do not lose our own candlestick. How can we keep the oil burning in our own life so that we will be ready for the coming of the Lord. We must not lose our first love that we witnessed within our own heart. It was through Jesus Christ that we have first seen the light of his love and the forgiveness for our sins.

The love of Jesus for humanity in his sacrifice on the cross has brought us back from sin into the light of God. This is so amazing, but the reality of it seems to have dissipated within the Christian church. It is so easy to make up excuses such as it was only for the early church. Yet, this lamp is to burn continuously, for generations. No one can change the truth of the word of God. The word is God’s will and testament to all humanity. Jews and Gentiles. It does not matter of what race you are, for God’s word will stand forever throughout eternity. You will either chose to believe it or not. For believer’s the warning is given to Ephesus, the church at the end of the apostolic age. Not all believers were walking in the truth of Christ. Remember that the vail or curtain at the entrance to the Holy of Holies was torn in two after the death of Jesus on the cross. At that time, no one could have imagined what his death would mean to those who believed in the son of God. The apostle Paul reveals this in First Timothy, chapter 2. Let’s look at verse 5 of chapter 2.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5

One mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus. Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Under the Aaronic priesthood, nothing could be made perfect. Aaron even paid tithes to Melchizedek who was a type of Christ, [see Hebrews chapter 7]. Christ being the Priestly-King brought the earlier law that was a carnal commandment into the power of God that now is an endless ever living life. How amazing is this that we would have now an everlasting priesthood through Christ where the light will ever shine for all generations. We must remember what Jesus said about himself, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life, [ see John 8:12].” The light of life is in Jesus. Jesus is the light that shines in a dark place to reveal the truth about men’s sins. Jesus had the anointing oil that burned strong in shining the light of God. In Luke 4, verse 18, it stated he was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and to recover the sight of the blind.

Jesus is our example for the continued burning of the oil in the lamp, for shining light in those darken areas of our life. It is this anointing oil, which is the Holy Spirit that burns the light through Jesus, and this is carried on through those who believe in the Son of God.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

In Matthew chapter 5, we are given the reason why we are to let our light shine before men. It is so men may see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. Our light is on a lampstand, and it is fed by the oil that is poured forth from the Holy Spirit. Are we missing the oil of the Holy Spirit? Are we hiding the light so no one can, see? What about the foolish virgins who asked for oil? It is up to each individual to carry their own oil in their lamps. It is the measure of faith in receiving that oil in order for His light to burn through us.

For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Luke 11:10

Are you asking for the oil. The father will not deny you when you ask for it. Look at verse 13 of Luke chapter 11, “how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” How much more shall the Father give the Holy Spirit to you who asked him for it? Just remember that you must be blameless as you stand before God before you can receive the Holy Spirit. That is why we should pray daily for anything that our own conscience would bring before us as sin. Sometimes we may find ourselves just wandering around not sure where we are going because we have not prayed about it or asked God about it. You cannot get it from another person or demand it. You must ask God through Jesus for the oil.

Do all things without murmurings and disputing’s, that ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”
Philippians 2:15

We must not hide the light under a bushel but on a lampstand where it can shine the light in the house, [see Matthew 5:15]. We need the Holy Spirit who is the oil for our lampstand. Oil is the symbol for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit forms the church. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. This is the Church Age that we are living in at the moment. However, in the future after the rapture of the church, God will maintain a witness in the world through the two olive trees where the oil will burn in the lampstand. The two olive trees represent Joshua and Zerubbabel who fulfill Zechariah’s vision in chapter three and four of Zechariah. You can read about these two amazing men that God uses during the tribulation period at the end of this age, as a witness to those on earth, [see chapter 11 of Revelation]. These two prophets represent the tribe of Israel and Judah.

Joshua and Zerubbabel will have 3 and a half years to witness upon the earth. You too, are a witness upon the earth if you are a believer. The importance of your testimony is not to be taken lightly. Each person who is a believer, has a testimony of Jesus. If your testimony is not based on Jesus, then it is vanity. In Revelation chapter 19, at the end of verse 10, it states, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” That oil of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness to Jesus in who He is and what he has done for us on the cross. The oil keeps the fire burning for our daily walk and fellowship with God and each other. The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and point us to Jesus who has reconciled us back to the Father God. This oil of the Holy Spirit will give us the victory over the flesh and will guide us towards service to each other and those around us. It is the oil that sheds the love of Christ within our hearts. The oil we have today is from the Father and Jesus prayed to the Father to give us the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth that will dwell within each of us.

This oil will continue to burn the light as you yield yourself to Him and not hinder His power in your life. Let the oil abide in you forever.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”
John 14:16