Have you come to “WHEN” yet?

"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job WHEN he prayed for his friends." (Job 42:10)

The plaintive, self-centred, morbid kind of prayer, a dead-set that I want to be right, is never found in the New Testament. The fact that I am trying to be right with God is a sign that I am rebelling against the Atonement. ‘Lord, I will purify my heart if You will answer my prayer; I will walk rightly if You will help me.’ I cannot make myself right with God, I cannot make my life perfect; I can only be right with God if I accept the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift. Am I humble enough to accept it? I have to resign every kind of claim and cease from every effort, and leave myself entirely alone in His hands, and then begin to pour out in the priestly work of intercession. There is much prayer that arises from real disbelief in the Atonement. Jesus is not beginning to save us, He has saved us, the thing is done, and it is an insult to ask Him to do it.

If you are not getting the hundredfold more, not getting insight into God’s word, then start praying for your friends, enter into the ministry of the interior. “The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends.” The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer. Wherever God puts you in circumstances, pray immediately, pray that His Atonement may be realized in other lives as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now; pray for those with whom you come in contact now.

Source: Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Cursed is the Man who trusts in Man

Thus says the Lord:

Notice closely the reflection of this man's gaze.
He is looking unto the cross of Christ.
His HOPE is the LORD!

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

(Jeremiah 17:5-8 NKJV)

If you put your hope in anything other than the Lord, you will be let down. For example, if you put your hope in your husband ... he will let you down. If you put your hope in your wife ... she will let you down. If you put your hope in yourself ... you will let yourself down. If you put your hope in your family (or even your church family) ... they will let you down ... REMEMBER ... Jesus was destined to the cross. None of his followers were meant to stop Him from fulfilling His purpose there. But LOOK, one of his faithful (Peter) tried to stop Him ... To which, Jesus spoke: "Get behind me Satan."

Furthermore, if you put your hope in your organization (even your church organization) ... it will let you down. If you put your hope in your country (even if your country appears to be the best) ... it will let you down ... REMEMBER ... The battle of Ai (Canaan) in the Bible ... In the Book of Joshua, chapters 7 and 8 ... The Israelites were only the best when their men were completely obedient to God ... If you put your hope in your leaders (even if your leaders appear to be the best) ... they will let you down ... REMEMBER ... Uriah the Hittite and David ... David was one of the best leaders of all time ... But David betrayed Uriah and his entire nation ... Men are unfaithful ... But God is faithful ... Put your trust in God and serve men through Christ ... Then, like Uriah the Hittite and Stephen the Martyr, even in death ... You shall be found faithful.

Does your theology violate the will and intention of God?

For example:  Some believe theologically that God picks and chooses the people that He saves.

One of the problems with this theological belief is that it opens the door for a person to believe that they are not chosen for salvation.  Or, in other words, it opens the door for one to believe that they are actually chosen for destruction.  It allows room for someone to think that they are unsaveable ... "So why try to place my faith in God? He has already chosen to hate me. I'm already disqualified. Look at what I have done.  I'm a mess. Oh well, I might as well enjoy myself and partake in as much sin as possible before I die." ... This is the kind of path that a person can follow when the idea of "election" is mishandled.  It opens the door to doubt and leaves room for lies to remain.  This leads to destruction. Doubt, lies, and destruction are not fruit of The Holy Spirit.

The truth about God's actual will and intention...

"The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 AMP)

"[For; Indeed] God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty [condemn the world], but to save the world through him." (John 3:17 EXB)

Our proper response to his will and intention...

"Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2 NLT)

This is what the Scripture says:

“Today listen to what he says [if you hear his voice…].  Do not be stubborn [do not harden your hearts] as in the past when you turned against God [as in the rebellion; Ps. 95:7–8; referring to Ex. 17:1–7].”  (Hebrews 3:15 EXB)

"But you, dear friends, must continue to build your most holy faith for your own benefit. Furthermore, continue to pray in the Holy Spirit. Remain in God’s love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, which brings eternal life. Show mercy to those who have doubts. Save others by snatching them from the fire. To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their sinful lives. Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand joyful and faultless in his glorious presence, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time and for all eternity! Amen." (Jude 1:20-25 ISV)

God bless you!

More on the subject of the will of God...  10 Facts About the Will of God

Reconciled Theology

ENMITY

The carnal mind remembers doubt.

"Because the carnal mind is ENMITY against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7 KJV)

Webster's definition of ENMITY: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will.

What is ENMITY against God?

Look at Romans 8:7 again: ENMITY against God is the carnal mind.

The carnal mind = ENMITY against God = active hatred against God.

The carnal mind will remember all the possible reasons it has encountered that might cause you to doubt. It, being an active enemy of God, will remind you of these reasons. Some of these reasons it can quickly find in the Bible. It will cause you to imagine that you are an amazing Bible scholar in coming up with all the reasons why God won't do what He says He will do by faith.

This is why, almost miraculously, even some of the most novice Bible readers can recall so many of the few reasons in the Bible that can be used to cast doubt. It is the nature of the carnal mind to doubt. Faith pleases God. The enemy of faith is doubt.

The carnal mind remembers doubt.

The carnal mind cannot remember faith.

This is why so many quickly remember things such as Paul's thorn and yet can't seem to understand that the nature of Paul's thorn is not clearly stated in the Bible. This is the work of the carnal mind. It grabs hold of vagueness and builds castles of doubt with its imaginations. And from these strongholds it wages war against God and against His body of Christ.

Remember: The carnal mind = ENMITY against God = active hatred against God.

Paul dealt with this very thing in the body of believers at Corinth when he wrote to them: "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV)

What is said of envy and strife?

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16 KJV)

The carnal mind is the reason why so many remember that Jesus couldn't do many mighty miracles in His home town and yet can't seem to remember that He healed sick people in His home town AND that He was in His home town before the cross AND that He healed ALL that came to Him. And yet it also can't remember the reason for the hindrance ... unbelief (doubt).

It's not the church's fault that people doubt.

It is the carnal mind.

Believer in Christ: Stop being mad at the church. The carnal mind is the enemy of the church ... Not you. For you have the mind of Christ.

Believer in Christ: Stop blaming the members of the church for everything that goes wrong in the world. The church is not the problem of the world.

The members of the church (the members of the body of Christ) are not your enemy.

Your enemy is God's enemy.

God's enemy is the carnal mind.

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
(Romans 8:6 KJV)

Beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21 KJV)

God bless you.

HOPE CREATES THE PLAN!

Believer in Christ:  Our hope IS the creator.

"...our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, WHICH IS our hope..."  (1 Timothy 1:1 KJV)

Our hope is a person:  Christ Jesus

Jesus Christ is the creator of all things.

"For by him [Christ Jesus] 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: And he is before all things, and BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST. 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. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

(Colossians 1:16-20 KJV)

Christ lives in us and we live in Him.

HOPE CREATES THE PLAN!

Different Kinds of Faith In Christ

Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?
~ Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 5:23 NKJV)

Then Peter said...
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
(Acts 3:6)

Well, which is it?

I say it is easier to say "Your sins are forgiven you."

Why?

Because that saying demands no immediate proof that it is a true statement. In other words, anyone can say it. Even a liar could say it. No one can confirm either way without a doubt if it is a true statement in a given situation.

However, only someone with the backing of power from heaven can say "rise up and walk."

In this case, Jesus continued...

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (Luke 5:24-26 NKJV)

Jesus said to the man "arise, take up your bed" to demonstrate that He also has power on earth to forgive sins.

The power of healing proves the truth that Jesus also has power on earth to forgive sins.

This goes right to the heart of faith in Christ.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)

Right now, which is easier to believe?

1. HISTORICAL FAITH:  Is it easier to believe that Jesus lived in the past and healed a man and that He had the power to forgive sins?
2. PAST AND FUTURE FAITH:  Or, is it easier to believe that Jesus lived in the past and healed a man and that He has the power to forgive sins in the future?
3. NOW FAITH (depersonalized):  Or, is it easier to believe that Jesus lives now, and heals now, and that He has the power to forgive sins now?
4. NOW FAITH (personal - with doubt):  Or, is it easier to believe that Jesus lives in you now, and heals through you now, and that He has the power to forgive sins through you now?
5. NOW FAITH (personal - without doubt - COMPLETE):  Or, is it easier to believe that Jesus lives in you now, and desires to heal through you now, and that He desires to forgive sins through you now?

I say that option five is the hardest to believe.

Why?

Option five is the hardest to believe because this kind of faith demands the demonstration of the truth - right now. The first three can be said without demonstration. The first four allow room for excuses and delays.

Now, pressing further, which of the above options are actually true?

Further study... I pray that this builds the faith of anyone who encounters it.

Believer in Christ: Jesus is alive in you now!

8 Verses that Show Jesus Christ Lives in You

Work in Progress: DOCTRINE

Related Audio: The Reality of Healing in Christ Jesus - by Dan Mohler

Related Video: John Mellor Healing Seminar Teaching 'How to receive healing' with demonstration of healing

Related Video:  Pete Cabrera Jr. "Teaching on laying of hands"

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-25 NKJV)

In depth ... Into The Full Gospel ... Reality in Christ ... The True Gospel is Reality Now in Christ.

GOT IT?

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore GET WISDOM: and with all thy getting GET UNDERSTANDING." (Proverbs 4:7 KJV)

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'VE GOT IT?

"BY THIS ALL MEN SHALL KNOW that ye are my disciples, IF YE HAVE LOVE one to another." (John 13:35 KJV)

It is WISE to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Disciples of Jesus are marked (ARE KNOWN) by LOVE.

Disciples of Jesus UNDERSTAND that JESUS is GOD and that GOD is LOVE. (ref. 1 Timothy 2:5 and 1 John 4:8)

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. (1 John 5:20 KJV)

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE of his will in ALL spiritual WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the KNOWLEDGE of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:9-14 ESV)

THE WAY OF LOVE

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not LOVE, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not LOVE , I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not LOVE, I gain nothing.

LOVE is patient and kind; LOVE does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

LOVE never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and LOVE abide, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE." (1 Corinthians 13 ESV)

"Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another..." (Romans 13:8 KJV)

GOT IT?