Pressed

Around 1000 years after the rededication of the temple, Jesus went to the temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah).

As Jesus stood in the temple looking at the lamp and at the oil in it, what was He thinking? The oil represented the first pressing of the olives. It was clean, pure and a golden color. In essence, the oil represented Him – He was pure, deity, and He would be pressed. Jesus knew that He was set apart for a specific purpose and that God had a plan for Him and for all mankind.

John 10:22-39 NKJV

^“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.”

Olives were picked in September-November, then taken to a mill. After the pits were removed from the olives, they were placed in large basin, and were pressed – separating the oil and the pulp. Only the oil from the first pressing was used for lamps (menorah) in the temple and holy anointing oil, because it was the purest, cleanest, brightest-burning, longest-lasting of all oils. The oil from the second pressing was used for medicine, and the oil from the third pressing was used for soap and other things.

Jesus was pressed by the Jewish leaders as He stood in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. They surrounded Him and kept pressing Him for answers. They wanted to know if He was the Christ or not. Jesus told them that He had already told them, however they had not believed Him. Then Jesus went on to tell they that they did not believe Him because they were not His sheep, which made the Jewish leaders very angry. So angry that they wanted to stone Him to death, but He was able to escape.

Matthew 26:36-46 NKJV

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Jesus was pressed in prayer prior to His crucifixion. After Jesus’ final Passover meal, He and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane in Hebrew means oil press. The garden of Gethsemane was not a flower garden, but an olive grove. It was in this grove that the olives were pressed for oil that was used in the temple. It was here that Jesus was pressed in prayer.

Luke 22:39-46 NKJV

“Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

As Jesus prayed to His Father, He was in great agony. The dictionary describes agony as extreme physical or mental suffering, or the final stages of a difficult or painful death. The agony Jesus experienced while praying was so great that His sweat became like great drops of blood. The amount of suffering Jesus experienced while praying for God’s perfect will in His life is beyond our comprehension.

Just as Jesus stood gazing into the light of the menorah reflecting upon His life, we too must gaze into the Word of God as we reflect upon our lives.

Just as God had a specific plan and purpose for Jesus’ life, God has a specific plan and purpose our lives.

Just as Jesus pressed into God through prayer for direction and strength, we too must press into God though prayer for direction and strength.

Do You Love Me?

Revelation 2:1-7 NKJV

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write ,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands” ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nethertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place – unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’”

The church in Ephesus had its good points (strong areas) and its bad points (weak areas). They were instructed what to do to correct the bad points (weak areas).

I. Strong Areas

The church in Ephesus was praised for rejecting evil, their perseverance, and their patience.

A. Reject Evil

The church would not accept immoral and wrong thoughts or behaviors.

B. Perseverance

The people had faithfully labored for the Lord’s name.

They were determined to continue in their labor for the Lord and in their belief in Him despite the many difficulties they faced.

C. Patience

The church exhibited the ability to endure waiting and delay without becoming annoyed or upset. They behaved calmly when faced with difficulties.

D. Hate Immorality

The church had a strong distaste and aversion for things that were contrary to accepted moral principles.

E. Hate Idolatry

The church had a strong distaste for the worship of idols or false gods.

II. Weak Areas

The church in Ephesus was lacking in their love for God. Their love for Christ was no longer fervent. The church had experienced a considerable drop-off of love to the Lord. Many within the church had begun to love the world and the things of the world more than God. Their lifestyle reflected their love for God.

III. Instruction

The church in Ephesus was instructed to admit, repent, and do the first works again. They should once again do the things that they had done before their love for God had dimmed.

Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV

“Nethertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place – unless you repent.”

A. Admit

They had to admit that they had grown cold in their love for God, that they had left their first love (They had left the love feast-intimate communion with God).

No matter what the situation is, you will never get anywhere in finding a solution until you first admit that there is a problem. Problems will not go away by sticking our heads in the ground and pretending that nothing is wrong.

Like the church in Ephesus, we must remember where we have been and look at where we are now. Is our love for God stronger now than it has ever been? Or have we too grown cold and turned away from our love of the Lord? Do we love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind.

Matthew 22:37-38 NKJV

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”

B. Repent

The church at Ephesus was told to repent. They church at Ephesus knew that they were to have vibrant (throbbing with vitality and enthusiasm), intimate communion with God, however they no longer did. They had become lukewarm and complacent in their worship and communication with God. They had become pleased with themselves and what they had. They were self-satisfied.

James 4:17 NKJV

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

True repentance is turning from your sin and going the opposite way, to make a conscience decision to turn away from sin. True repentance is to ‘Go and sin no more.’ The people were to ask God to forgive them of their sins, including lukewarmness and, complacency.

C. Do

After they repented for leaving their first love (the love feast – intimate communion with God), they were instructed to do the first works again. They were to enter into a time of intimate communion and worship with God once again.

Zechariah 1:3 NKJV

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Return to Me,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts.’”

Conclusion

If the church in Ephesus would listen to and obey the instructions given to them, they would be allowed to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. The same is true for us today – both the church and the individual believer. Our lifestyle WILL reflect our love for God.

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Dear Father,

We thank-you for Your Word, which gives both correction and promises. By the power of the Holy Spirit, show us our weak (bad) points and may we be quick to repent. May our love for You be fervent. Keep our eyes on You and not on the world. May we seek Your will and eternal riches – not the pleasures and enticements of this world. Don’t allow us to let our love for You to grow cold. Remove lukewarmness and complacency. Release the spirit of conviction within Your body – may we repent and do the first works again. Cause each believer to evaluate their life – let them remember where they have been and look at where they are now. May Your body not become pleased with themselves or self-satisfied. Open our ears to hear what the Holy Spirit says to us and may we act upon His instructions. Let us truly see that our lifestyle will reflect our love for You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

You Are What You See

 

What are you allowing to enter into your mind and heart through your eyes?

Luke 11:34-36 NKJV

“The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

You must be careful what you set before your eyes. In other words, you must be very careful what you allow into your mind and heart through your eyes.

Psalm 101:3-4 NKJV

“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.”

Like David, we must hate what God hates and love what God loves. One definition of hate is to have a strong distaste for something. God does not like or approve of wickedness (evil), nor should we.

A person cannot be intimate with God and intimate with wickedness at the same time. If we want a close relationship with God we must have a clean heart.

Dear Father,

By the power of the Holy Spirit help me to set nothing wicked before my eyes. Keep me from a perverse heart and remove all wickedness from me. Cause me to hate what You hate and to love what You love. May I not embrace evil or evil people. Help me to be full of light and to have no part in darkness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Godly Wisdom

God will give us wisdom in every area of our lives. This wisdom helps us use facts that we know and truths that we understand to make right decisions in our daily lives. God desires for each one of us to have spiritual understanding.

Ephesians 1:17 NKJV

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…”

I. God Gave Solomon Wisdom

1 Kings 3: 12 NKJV

“…behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.”

When Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice burnt offerings, the Lord appeared to him in a dream. In the dream the Lord asked Solomon what He should give him. Solomon told the Lord that He had been so good to him already. The Lord had shown Solomon great kindness because of David, his father. Then Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart so that he could discern between good and evil as he judged the people.

The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request. Solomon had not asked the Lord for wealth, riches, long life, nor help in defeating his enemies. Instead Solomon had asked the Lord for a wise and understanding heart.

Because the request pleased the Lord, He not only gave Solomon what he asked for, but He gave Solomon wealth, riches and honor also.

The Lord had answered Solomon’s request in an abundant measure. The abilities that were given to Solomon were exceptional. Solomon is known to have been the wisest man that ever lived, and that wisdom was given to him by the Lord.

II. God Gave Daniel Wisdom

Daniel 2:19 NKJV

“Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

King Nebuchadnezzar’s army overthrew Jerusalem and took the strong, healthy, and intelligent young men captive. One of these young men was Daniel. The king wanted these young men to forsake their God, and to work for him and serve his gods. However, Daniel and his three friends did not forsake their God. They stayed loyal and obedient to God no matter what happened.

God gave Daniel and his three friends knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. God also gave Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams.

One night King Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him so much he could not sleep. He called the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to come to him and tell him his dream. The Chaldeans told the king to tell them the dream and they would give him the interpretation.

The king told them that he would not tell them the dream, and that they were to make known to him the dream and the interpretation. If they could not tell the king what he had dreamed about and the interpretation of the dream then they would be killed. If they could tell the king what he had dreamed about and the interpretation of the dream then they would be rewarded and receive great honor.

The Chaldeans told the king that there was not a man on earth that could do both- know what the king had dreamed and know the interpretation of the dream. The king became very angry and he ordered all the wise men killed. When the king’s order was being carried out they sought Daniel and his friends to kill them. When they came to Daniel he ask why the wise men were being killed. The captain of the king’s army told Daniel all that had happened concerning the king and his dream. Upon learning what had happened, Daniel went in to see the king. He asked the king for a little time, that he might be able to tell the king the dream and the interpretation. The king agreed and Daniel went to his three friend to tell them. The four of them prayed and sought God for the dream and the interpretation.

God revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel in a night vision. Daniel was very thankful to God so he blessed Him, thanked Him, and gave Him praise.

Daniel went to the captain of the king’s army and asked him to take him to the king so he could tell the king what he wanted to know. When Daniel approached the king he told him that the God in heaven had made known to him the dream and the interpretation.

After Daniel told the king what God had revealed to him, he received favor, great gifts and honor.

III. God Gave Joseph Wisdom

Genesis 41:39 NKJV

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.”

Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob, because he was the son of his favorite wife, Rachel. This favoritism caused Joseph’s brothers to be jealous. One day Joseph was sent out into the fields where his brothers were taking care of the flocks of sheep, to check on them.

Joseph’s brothers saw him coming and they plotted to kill him. One of his brothers, Reuben, told the other brothers not to kill Joseph but to throw him into an empty water hole and leave him there. Later on while Joseph was in the empty water hole a group of Ishmaelites came by and the brothers sold Joseph to them.

Acts 7:9-10 NKJV

“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”

Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold as a slave to Potiphar, who was the captain of the guard in the army of the Pharaoh. While at the house of Potiphar, Joseph found favor and he was placed in charge of everything at Potiphar’s house. Later on when the wife of Potiphar lied about Joseph he was thrown into prison.

While in prison Joseph found favor in the sight of the prison keeper. He placed Joseph in charge over the prison. While in prison God continued to fill Joseph with wisdom and understanding. Joseph was given the ability to interpret dreams.

After a long period of time Joseph was called upon to interpret a dream for the king. God gave Joseph the interpretation to the dream. When Joseph interpreted the dream for the king he acknowledged that God had given Joseph discernment and wisdom. The king placed Joseph over his house and the country. There was no one greater than Joseph except the king.

Genesis 41:37-41 NKJV

“So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Because of the wisdom that God had given Joseph he found favor in the sight of the king.

IV. True Wisdom Comes From The Fear Of The Lord

Proverbs 2:6 NKJV

“For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding”

The dictionary describes wisdom as knowledge (information) and good judgment, wise conduct, wise words. Wisdom can also mean abiding success or victory. It describes understanding as the power or ability to know; intellect; intelligence; comprehension.

When we have wisdom we use the facts that we know and the truths that we understand to make right decisions in our daily lives.

Real (true) wisdom comes from God and it begins when we place our faith in Him. Fear of the Lord is a deep respect and reverence for God and unto God. When we fear God the thought of Him fills us with awe and wonder. The fear of the Lord is very important in receiving wisdom. Our wisdom depends on our knowledge of God and our submission to His will. To gain true wisdom we must place a high regard on, and honor God and His will for our lives in every situation and circumstance.

Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Job 28:28 NKJV

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

There is no use in knowing “things” if you do not know God and reverence Him. Not fearing (reverencing) God is the same as rejecting wisdom. True wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

　

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

V. Ask God For Wisdom

James 1:5 NKJV

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

As a believer in Christ Jesus if we lack wisdom we should pray ask God for it. God will answer our prayer. He will freely and generously give to us an abundant and plentiful supply. When we have to ask for wisdom God will not be disappointed in us. He desires for us to ask Him for anything that we lack, and that includes wisdom and understanding.

Dear Father,

Thank-you for the wisdom that You give me in every area of my life. True wisdom comes from You alone. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may I use the wisdom that You give me to make right decisions in my daily life. Help me to submit to You and Your will. May I trust in You with all my heart, and may I lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways let me acknowledge You and follow Your directions for my path.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

The Blessings of God

Isaiah 58:11 NKJV

“the Lord will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

God will bless us spiritually, emotionally, physically and materially. A blessing is receiving something that brings comfort and joy. When we are blessed we are favored by God.

When We Have An Intimate Relationship With God He Will Bless Us

Psalm 91:14 NKJV

“Because he has set his love upon Me,

Therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.”

God will bless those that He knows and those who have an intimate relationship with Him. When we set our love upon God He will show us His favor and bless us by delivering us and setting us in a place of protection.

Because of our relationship with Him God will answer us when we call upon Him. In times of trouble He will deliver us and He will honor us. Our intimate relationship with God will also cause us to be blessed with a long life, and God will show us His salvation.

　

Psalm 91:14-19 NKJV

“Because he has set his love upon Me,

Therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

The blessings, favor, and benefits that we receive from God because of our relationship with Him are endless. He will provide for us in every area of our lives.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 NKJV

“And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.”

The Beautitudes

Luke 6:20-22 NKJV

“Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you…”

　

Matthew 5:1-12 NKJV

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

A beatitude is a pronouncement of some blessing that we will receive when we follow Jesus’ example and allow God to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. It should bring joy to us when we know that God is pleased with us.

The world would have us to believe that we are blessed if we are happy and have a lot of things. But God says that we are blessed if we relinquish our pride, have a mindset characterized by meekness, and look to Him for spiritual significance. True blessings come from being like Jesus – gentle and humble.

1. God will bless those who are poor in spirit. When a person is poor they are lacking or in need. When we realize that we are poor in spirit and that we are dependent on God, His mighty power is available to us, and we find favor with Him! God desires that we realize that we are dependant upon Him

2. God will bless those who mourn. When we mourn we feel or express sorrow or grief.

Isaiah 57:15 NKJV

“For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity,

Whose name is Holy:

‘I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To receive the spirit of the humble.

And to receive the heart of the contrite ones’ ”

Contrite means that we are broken in spirit by a sense of guilt. It also means showing deep regret and sorrow. When we are truly sorry that we have sinned against a holy God, God will receive us, comfort us, and forgive us.

When we receive salvation the Holy Spirit (the comforter) comes to live in us. He will be our companion and help us in times of trials and troubles.

3. God will bless those who are meek. When a person is meek they are not easily angered, are patient and are yielding. We must not get being meek mixed up with being weak. They are two totally different things.

When we see ourselves the way that God sees us it will cause us to be meek. We will no longer focus on ourselves, instead we will focus on God and others. God will bless us when we put Him first.

Psalm 37:11 NKJV

“But the meek shall inherit the earth,

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

4. God will bless those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Righteousness means always thinking and acting in a way that is just, right, and good. When we have a very strong desire (need) to live in such a way that pleases God and brings glory to Him we will be filled. When we are filled with God and the things of God there will not be room for anything else.

When we hunger and thirst for righteousness we will want more of God. This desire will cause us to spend more time in prayer, reading the Bible and in worship.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1 John 2:29 NKJV

“If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive His righteousness, and with it comes the power to live right (to think and act in a way that is just, right, and good).

5. God will bless those who are merciful. Mercy means not to punish someone when they deserve it.

The dictionary describes mercy as more kindness than justice requires; kindness beyond what can be claimed or expected; kindly treatment; pity; something to be thankful for.

Merciful means having, showing, or feeling mercy; full of compassion. When we forgive others and show them kindness when they don’t deserve it we are being merciful.

God has been merciful to us by giving His Son Jesus to take our punishment for our sin. Because of the great mercy that was shown to us we must also be merciful to others, even when they disappoint us or hurt us.

A person that is merciful will also reach out to help others in need. When we show mercy to others we will be blessed with God and others being merciful to us.

2 Samuel 22:26 NKJV
“With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;

With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless.”

6. God will bless those who are pure in heart. Pure means not mixed with anything else, genuine, perfectible clean, spotless, without defects, correct, with no evil, without sin, or, chaste (virtuous, decent, or modest).

God wants us to be pure in heart. We cannot be pure in heart if we try to mix the things of God (and our relationship with Him) with evil or sinful things of the world. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord we become the temple of God. God will not share His house with evil, therefore we must be pure in heart.

It is more important to be clean on the inside (pure heart) than it is to be clean on the outside.

Matthew 23:25-26 NKJV

“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees, first cleanse the inside of the cup and the dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

People can only see us our outside, but God see us on the inside. Being clean inside where God sees and being clean outside where people see are both important to God. He wants us to take good care of ourselves, but being clean on the inside where only God sees is most important to Him.

No matter how good we try to be on the outside, without God’s forgiveness we are still dirty and impure on the inside.

1 John 1:9-10 NKJV

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

The first thing we need to do to become pure at heart is to realize and admit that we are not. After we realize that we need to be pure at heart, all we have to do is ask God to forgive us ) and cleanse us. The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. God will give a pure heart if we ask Him to.

Psalm 51:10 NKJV

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

7. God will bless those who are peacemakers. A peacemaker is a person who makes peace. The dictionary describes peace as freedom from strife of any kind; condition of quiet, calm, order, and security. Peace is also described as an agreement between contending parties.

John 14:27 NKJV

“Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

We have peace with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we receive a special type of peace that only God can give and we become a child of God. We will put on a spirit of calmness and tranquility because Jesus’ peace removes dread and fear from our heart.

As a child of God we can tell others how they can receive the same peace that we have. When we tell others that they can have peace with God through His Son, Jesus, we are being a peacemaker.

Psalm 34:14 NKJV

“Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.”

Hebrews 12:14

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Not only does God desire for us to live at peace with Him, He desires for us to live at peace with others. When a person is at peace with God and other people it will bring blessings.

8. God will bless those who are persecuted falsely because of Him. Persecuted means to suffer repeatedly because of what you believe or because of your principles. There are people all over the world that are caused to suffer repeatedly, harmed, oppressed, annoyed and harassed for righteousness sake. When people oppress a child of God because of the stand that they take for God, He will bless them.

1 Peter 2:21 NKJV

“For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example , that you should follow His steps.”

When we begin to feel like we are persecuted for righteousness sake we must remember that it (the persecution) will not last forever. We must also remember to follow Jesus’ example of handling persecution. The persecution and troubles that we face here on earth are nothing compared to our time in eternity with God.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present times are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Give Thanks To God For His Blessings

A thankful heart opens up even more blessings from God.

　

Luke 17:15-16 NKJV

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.”

 

One day as Jesus was traveling through the middle of Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem He was met by a group of ten lepers. The lepers cried out to Jesus asking Him to have mercy on them.

Because of Jesus’ compassion, He did have mercy on them. He instructed them to go to the priest so that he could declare them clean. As they were walking to show themselves to the priest they were healed of their leprosy.

When one of the ten men looked down and saw that his skin was well he turned to go back to thank Jesus for this wonderful blessing. He returned to Jesus and immediately began giving God glory for his healing. The blessing gave the leper comfort and joy.

Jesus asked him where the other nine men who were healed were at. When Jesus realized that only the one man, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him, He gave the man another blessing. Jesus made him well – he was made whole.

All the men were blessed with being cleansed (healed), however the one leper that thanked Jesus for His blessing received an even greater blessing. Instead of just being cleansed, he was made well (whole).

Psalm 34:1 NKJV

“I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

All believers are to give thanks to God for His blessings. When we truly thank God for His favor and His blessings, He will bless us even more. The Bible tells us that we are to give thanks for everything, and that includes the blessings of God.

Ephesians 5:20 NKJV

“…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Dear Father,

Thank-you for blessing me spiritually, emotionally, physically and materially. Thank-you for the favor that You shower upon me. I am most grateful that I am Your child and I have an intimate relationship with You. You are my heart’s desire and I love You with all my heart and soul. You have set Your love upon me and You deliver and protect me in every circumstance. You give rain in due season and I never lack for anything. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to follow Your ways and obey Your commands. May I not focus on myself, instead focus on You and others. Fill me with an increased desire to spend more time in prayer and reading Your Word. And may my entire life be worship unto You. May I be an extension of Your mercy and compassion. Give me a pure heart and clean hands. Purify me from all unrighteousness and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Let peace surround me in every relationship and situation.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Love Begins With God

1 John 4:19 NKJV

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

Love must begin somewhere and it began with God. God loves you because He chooses to love you. It is a decision He has made. None of us deserve God’s love, still He chooses to love us. Because of God’s love for us, we can love Him. Love can be described as a feeling of great affection that causes us to give to and do things for another person. God showed His love for us in a wonderful way. He gave the most precious gift that He could give – His own Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died to take away our punishment for sin forever. Believing and acting upon this truth about Jesus allows us to become part of God‘s family. When we believe on Jesus, He changes our hearts. God pours His love into our hearts and that love overflows to others. It is through the power of His love that we can love Him and others.

 

I. Love Of God

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

“The Lord has appeared of old to me , saying:

‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you…’ ”

God’s love for us goes on and on. It has no end and it will never stop. His love is everlasting and it will continue throughout eternity. There is nothing that we can do or say that would make God love us more or less. He loves us with an unconditional love. God is like a loving parent who speaks with fatherly affection to his children, even when they are disobedient. God loves us just like we are but He loves us too much to leave us the way that we are. His desire is that everyone will be saved. However, the choice is ours and ours alone to make. Since God’s love for us is everlasting, if we turn away from Him He longs for us to return. We must always remember that God loves the sinner, but He hates their sin. His desire for the person that has backslidden to repent and to return to Him.

 

Jeremiah 3:14 NKJV

“Return, O backsliding children,’ says the Lord; ‘for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.’ ”

II. Love For God

Matthew 22:37 NKJV

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

One day the Pharisees gathered around Jesus to ask Him some questions. They had hoped to catch Jesus in a lie or untruth in some way. They did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God and they wanted to prove it to all the people. One of the Pharisees, a lawyer, asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. He was testing Jesus to see how much He really knew about the Law of Moses. Jesus answered him by quoting the greatest Jewish confession of faith called the Shema. It means that we are to love the Lord with our whole being – our heart, our soul, and our mind.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NKJV

“Hear, O Israel: ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Require means to have need for, need, want, command, order, or demand. God requires for each one of us to love Him.

 

Deuteronomy 10:12 NKJV

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Loving God is not something that we have to “work at”. God Himself will work in our hearts so that we will love Him. He will cause us to be totally devoted to Him. The more we get to know God the more we love Him. Also, the more we know God, the more we will want to know Him.

 

Deuteronomy 30:6 NKJV

“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”

III. Love For Others

John 13:34 NKJV

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

We are to choose to love others – not because of who they are or how they act. Rather, we are to choose to love them because of God’s love for us. People naturally love themselves. Since we love ourselves we are concerned about our welfare and we want the best for ourselves. According to the commandment in Lev 19:18 we are to love others the same way that we love ourselves. We should also be concerned about their welfare and we should also want the best for them.

 

Matthew 22:39 NKJV

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

When we love others the way that God wants us to others will know that we are disciples of Christ. God’s love for us is unconditional and our love for others should also be unconditional.

John 13:34-35 NKJV

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Leviticus 19:18 NKJV

“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudges against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Our love for others will flow out of our love for God. They go hand in hand. If we don’t love others we really don’t love God. God has commanded us to love others.

 

1 John 4:20-21 NKJV

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.’ ”

1 John 5:1-2 NKJV

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandment.”

IV. Our Obedience Shows Our Love

John 14:15 NKJV

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Our obedience to God shows our love for God. If we truly love God we will obey Him and His commandments. When we love God we will personally know God. When a person does not obey God it shows a lack of personal knowledge of God therefore, it also shows a lack of love for and to God.

 

1 John 5:3 NKJV

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

God’s love demands obedience. However, God’s commandments are not hard to bear, heavy, or oppressive. In reality God’s commandments bring freedom, liberty, and privileges to the believer. As we obey God’s commandments we reflect the image of God.

Dear Father,

Thank-you for first loving me and for giving me the most precious gift that You could give. Thank-you for changing my heart and filling me with Your love. May I love You with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. May I know You more and more. By the power of the Holy Spirit, fill me with a love for others. Cause me to desire to obey You and Your commandments.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Don’t Be Fearful

We need to present all our worries and problems to God so that He can calm our fear and help us. As we pray our worries are replaced with God’s peace.

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

“…casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

When we have God’s peace we are filled with a calmness and quietness. We have freedom from struggles in our mind and heart.

 

Psalm 85:8 NKJV

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak,

For He will speak peace

To His people and to His saints;

But let them not turn back to folly.”

As we pray to God about our worries and problems we must listen for His voice. As God speaks peace to us concerning our situation we must keep our eyes on Him.

 

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

“You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.”

Psalm 29:11 NKJV

“The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.”

The peace that God gives us is not the same as the peace that the world has to offer. God’s peace is superior in every way, in every situation. It drives away fear, terror, and uneasiness because God is in control of every situation and circumstance.

 

John 14:27 NKJV

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

God doesn’t want His people to be fearful or full of worry. He wants us to come to Him, our Father, in prayer about any and every circumstance that we face. He doesn’t want us to worry or fret over them. Instead He wants us to commit them ( or to hand them over) to Him, believing that He will provide our rescue (our deliverance or release). When we do this God will give us a peace that we never knew existed.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I. Jesus Speaks Peace To The Storm

Matthew 8:23-27 NKJV

“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

One evening, after ministering to a large crowd, Jesus told His disciples that He wanted to go to the other side of the lake. After they began to cross the lake Jesus laid down on the bottom of the boat and went to sleep. While asleep, a big storm came up and the boats were tossed to and fro. Large waves began to come into the boat that Jesus and His disciples were in.

The disciples were afraid and they woke Jesus up. When they told Jesus that they were about to die He asked they why they were afraid.

Jesus arose and rebuked the wind. As soon as Jesus said ,“Peace, be still,” everything was calm, the storm was over. The disciples were amazed at the power of Jesus.

 

II. A Mother Has Peace Through Trials

2 Kings 4:18-37 NKJV

“And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. And he said to his father, “My head, my head!” So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.” So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.”
Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” And so she departed, and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. So it was, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, the Shunammite woman! Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.” Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” Then he said to Gehazi, “Get yourself ready, and take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; and if anyone greets you, do not answer him; but lay my staff on the face of the child.” And the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.” When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.”

As a gift of gratitude for making him a place to stay (a room on the top of their house), the prophet Elisha gave a Shunamite woman a promise that she and her husband would have a son. Within a year his prophesy came true – she had a baby boy. One day, years later, while the boy was out in the field with his father his head began to hurt. The father told one of the servants to carry the boy to his mom. When the servant brought the boy to his mom she held him in her lap. Around noon the little boy dies in her arms.

The woman knew that God had promised her a son so she did not accept the boy’s death a final. She got up out of her chair and carried her son and laid him on Elisha’s bed and closed the door. Then she went to tell her husband that she was going to see the prophet Elisha. He was surprised that she wanted to see Elisha right away. When he asked her why she responded to him, “All is well.”

When the woman found Elisha she told him what had happened to her son. Elisha returned with her to her house. He went into his room where the dead boy ay on his bed. Elisha prayed and through the power of the Holy Spirit he breathed life back into the boy. During this time the mother had peace given to her by God.

 

III. Paul Has Peace During A Storm

Acts 27:13-26 NKJV

“When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. And running under the shelter of an island called Clyde, we secured the skiff with difficulty. When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

Paul had been arrested and he was to appear in court in Rome, so King Agrippa sent Paul to Rome by ship along with many other prisoners. It was just before winter which was not a good time for sailing. During the winter the winds were very strong and they made it difficult and dangerous to travel by ship.

After they had traveled for 130 miles the weather began to change. The wind was so strong that they could not land (dock) where they wanted to. They were forced to sail further southward. Finally they were able to dock at a small town.

Because of his experience with sailing and boats, Paul knew that they should stay where they were and not travel any further until winter was over. He told the owner of the ship and the sailors, however they did not listen. They wanted to go on so that they could stop for the winter at a larger town about 60 miles away. Several times Paul tried to tell them that it was too dangerous, but each time his advice was rejected.

The next morning the sea was calm and a slight breeze was blowing so the ship set sail, staying close to the shoreline for protection. Suddenly a violent storm hit the ship. The wind pushed the ship south of a small island. The sailors were afraid and they began to take measures to try to save the ship. They attached ropes around the ship in order to try to hold it together and let down the anchor. They hoped that the anchor would slow them own some so when it didn’t they let down the life boats. Paul told them that if they didn’t stay on the ship they would die. Finally they listened to Paul and they cut the ropes to the life boats.

The next morning Paul told them that they needed to eat some food. They had been in the storm for about 2 weeks and during this time they had not eaten properly. God had assured Paul that not one of them would die. As Paul broke bread he gave thanks to God for His hand of protection.

After everyone ate they lightened the ship by throwing the cargo overboard. They could see a small island not far away so they let go of the anchors and raised the sail. As they approached a the island the ship got stuck on a sandbar and the waves crashed violently against them.

The soldier’s were afraid that the ship was going to break apart. Their thought was to kill the prisoners then try to swim to safety. However, the commander liked Paul and he did not want them to kill him. He told everyone that could swim to jump overboard and swim to the island. Those that could not swim were to float to the island on a board or some other part of the ship. Just like God had promised no one died -they all were saved. Throughout the entire time Paul had peace given to him by God.

 

IV. Believers Should Live In Peace

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 NKJV

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

Peace means the absence of hostility, strife, and disorder. It is also the condition and sense of being safe and secure. Peace describes a state of physical and/or spiritual well-being. As a believer, our peace come through Jesus.

In his writing to the Corinthians, Paul encouraged the believers to live in peace. In order for them to do that they need God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They need grace from Jesus, the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. When believers have grace from Jesus, the love of God and communion with the Holy Spirit they will live in peace – peace will rule their lives. Instead of fighting and living in conflict they will walk in love, harmony, unity, and encouragement.

 

V. God’s Peace Should Rule The Believer’s Heart And Mind

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God’s peace can guard our hearts and minds. It (the peace of God) protects the mind and heart from untruthful, bad, evil, and wicked influences and it keeps us focused on God’s truth.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

God’s peace should guide and rule the actions of the believer. When it doesn’t we should pray to God and ask Him to fill us with His peace.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Before Jesus returned to heaven He gave a farewell to His followers. He told them that He was giving them His peace. His peace would be different than that of the world. The peace that Jesus gave them, and us, banishes fear and dread from the heart because He is in control of everything – all situations and all circumstances.

 

John 14:27 NKJV

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

VI. When Jesus Is Our Shepherd

We should not fear when Jesus is our Shepherd. Sheep can trust their shepherd in every situation. When the sheep are hungry, the shepherd takes them to pastures where they have plenty to eat. When the sheep are thirsty, he leads them to a quiet stream where they can drink. When the sheep are in danger of being eaten by wild animals, the shepherd is their protector. The sheep can trust the shepherd in every situation.

 

Psalm 23 NKJV

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sakes.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surley goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.”

Jesus is our shepherd and we can trust Him in every situation. We must cast our cares on Him because He truly cares for us and He is in control of all our situations and circumstances.

Dear Father,

Thank-you for calming my fear and helping me. You replace my worries with Your peace. You, O Lord, are in control of every situation and circumstance. The peace that You give surpasses all understanding. Your peace gives me freedom from struggles in my mind and heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to listen for Your voice and to follow Your leading.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

By My Spirit

Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

“So he answered and said to me:

‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.’ ”

After the temple was destroyed the people were instructed to rebuild it. After a period of time the rebuilding slowed down and eventually stopped. God moved upon His prophets, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to instruct the people to start the rebuilding process again. The Holy Spirit also moved upon the people to obey.

God revived the rebuilding process through the work and the power of the Holy Spirit, not by human strength and resources. If it had been done with human strength the people would have stopped again when they were faced with opposition. However through the power from the Holy Spirit the work was accomplished.

 

Psalm 68:35 NKJV

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!”

God has always given strength and power to His people. To those that believe in Him, Jesus will give them rivers of living water that will fill them with power. This power will give the believer the ability to act or to do something with force or strength.

 

John 7:37-39 NKJV

“On the last day, the great day of the feast,

Jesus stood and cried out, saying,

‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

During the Feast of Tabernacles, while only a small amount of water was being poured out during the ceremony in the temple, Jesus told the people that if they believed in Him rivers of living water would flow from them. These rivers of living water would be more than enough water to satisfy them and others.

The Holy Spirit satisfies the believer’s thirst and produces a fountain within them for others. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit the river within us will naturally flow out onto others.

This rivers of living water given by the Holy Spirit will give us power to speak for God, power to do wonders and signs, and power to be a witness for God.

 

I. Speaking For God By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Micah 3:8 NKJV

“But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,

And of justice and might,

To declare to Jacob his transgression

And to Israel his sin.”

The prophet, Micah, was empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak for God. With boldness he confronted the religious leaders about their false ideas of God, and the impending wrath of God because of their sin.

Not only did Micah warn the Israelites of coming judgment, but he also spoke of salvation.

 

Micah 7:18-19 NKJV

“Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

He will again have compassion on us,

And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins

Into the depth of the sea.”

God still empowers people today with the Holy Spirit to speak for Him. We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can speak for Him, not just about Him. We are to tell the people that we come in contact with about God’s judgment and His mercy.

 

II. Doing Wonders And Signs By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 6:8-10 NKJV

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

The leaders in the early church were instructed by the apostles to pick out seven men full of the Holy Spirit to serve in the area of administration.

 

Acts 6:5-7 NKJV

“And this saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. This overflowing of the Holy Spirit gave Stephen great wisdom, faith and power. Because of the Holy Spirit within him, Stephen did many great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8-10 NKJV

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

Signs and wonders were, and still are, given by God to confirm His Word. They give credibility to what God says and they cause the people hearing or seeing to respond to God. Signs and wonders validate (support or confirm) the truthfulness of what is being said.

 

Acts 2:42-43 NKJV

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Acts 5:12 NKJV

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.”

We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can do great wonders and signs which point people to God.

III. Witnessing By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 NKJV

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Before Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after His resurrection, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit would fill the believers with power. This power would help them to be a witness for God and it would help them spread the gospel, the Good News, all over the world. After the Holy Spirit filled the believers with power, Peter stood up and spoke to the crowed that had gathered around. After Peter’s sermon many people were saved and baptized.

Acts 2:40-41 NKJV

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

The same power is available to us today. We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can testify of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the power of the Holy Spirit we can be a witness and spread the Good News everywhere we go. When we receive salvation through Jesus it opens up the well of power to us.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, while only a small amount of water was being poured out during the ceremony in the temple, Jesus told the people that if they believed in Him rivers of living water would flow from them. These rivers of living water would be more than enough water to satisfy them and others.

 

John 7:37-39 NKJV

“On the last day, the great day of the feast,

Jesus stood and cried out, saying,

‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

The Holy Spirit satisfies the believer’s thirst and produces a fountain within them for others. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit the river within us will naturally flow out onto others.

Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

“So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.’ ”

As a child of God, He will give us (through the Holy Spirit) power to live for Him, power to speak for Him, power to do wonders and signs, power to work for Him, and power to be a witness for Him. We cannot do any of these things without Him. In order to access this power we must first have a relationship with God. That relationship starts with accepting Jesus as our Savior and making Him the Lord of our life.

Dear Father,

Thank-you for the strength and power that You give me. May the power that You give me bring glory to You and point others to You. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I can speak for You, not just about You. Empower me to tell the people that I come in contact with about Your judgment and mercy. With the power of the Holy Spirit may I be a witness for You and spread the Good News everywhere I go.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Satisfy Your Thirst

 

Jesus Declares That He Will Give Living Water

John 7:37 NKJV

“On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’ ”

Shemini Atzert, is the eighth day that was added to the Feast of Tabernacles during the time of Ezar. This day became known as “The Great Day of the Feast.” On this day the High Priest would pour water from the pool of Siloam into a basin at the foot of the alter. The water was a symbol of God’s Spirit. During the temple times the custom was to draw from the Siloam springs a “libation” to accompany the offerings. This was done with great rejoicing and expressions of thanksgiving.

It was on the eighth day that Jesus told the people if they were thirsty to come to Him and drink. Jesus declared Himself to be the source of the spring, that He was the source of living water.

John 7:37-38 NKJV

“On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

Jesus told the people that were gathered, as the High Priest poured water from the pool of Siloam into the basin, that if they believed in Him, rivers of living water would flow out of them. By this Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit. The water the High Priest would pour out was just a symbol of God’s Spirit but Jesus offered them the real thing, the Holy Spirit (rivers of living water). In the natural realm when a person is thirsty they have a desire or need for a drink. They have a strong desire to quench their thirst. The same is true in the spiritual realm. When we are spiritually thirsty we have a need for living water. Jesus invites every person that is thirsty to go to Him, the only One that can truly satisfy their thirst.

Water Satisfies

Nothing tastes as good as a big drink of cold water when a person is thirsty. The water will only satisfy you for a while. Soon you will need another drink of water. The Bible tells us that Jesus can give us a drink of water that will last forever. Not water that comes out of a faucet or a bottle, but a special kind of water. Jesus can give us the water of everlasting life. The life that Jesus offers constantly satisfies. We can have this “living water” by believing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

The Woman At The Well

Jesus and His disciples visited a city in Samaria. Jesus was a Jew and usually Jews and Samaritans did not like each other. Many Jews would travel far out of their way to avoid going through Samaria. But Jesus loved the Samaritans, so He took His disciples to visit them. Just outside the city, Jesus sat down to rest near a well while His disciples went into the town to get something to eat. While resting, Jesus met a woman who needed “living water.” This woman, a Samaritan woman, came to the well and Jesus asked her to give Him a drink.

John 4:1-9 NKJV

“Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John
(though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
But He needed to go through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”

The woman was surprised that Jesus had spoken to her. The customs of the area prohibited public conversations between men and women who were strangers. The woman asked Him why He asked her, a Samaritan to give Him a drink. Jesus responded to her question by telling her that if she knew who He was she would have asked Him for a drink. Jesus continued to talk to the woman about living water.

 

John 4:10-15 NKJV

“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

After a period of time the woman asked Jesus to give her the water that He was talking about. At this point Jesus began to tell her about her life. Jesus challenged the woman to consider her own sinful condition by telling her to bring her husband to Him. Before the woman could believe in Jesus as the One who could give her living water she had to recognize that she was a sinner.

John 4:16-17 NKJV

“Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

Thinking that Jesus was just a prophet she began to discuss worship to God with Him. As Jesus talked to her about God the woman realized who Jesus really was and she believed Him.

John 4:19-26 NKJV

“The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

She ran back to the city and began to tell everyone about Jesus. She asked them to come with her and she would show them the “man who knew everything I did.” Because the woman told people about Jesus, many of the people of the city went out to meet Jesus for themselves. When the people had listened to Jesus, they also believed Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

John 4: 28-30 NKJV

“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.”

John 4: 39-41 NKJV

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.”

Jesus Gives Living Water

When we receive salvation through Jesus it opens up the well of satisfaction to us.

 

Romans 3:23 NKJV

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Everyone has sinned and is separated from God because of it. This separation causes us to have a “spiritual thirst” that only God can satisfy. We cannot change ourselves or satisfy our own thirst. We must be willing to admit that we are a sinner and that we need Jesus to give us “living water” (eternal life). Just like the Samaritan woman had to admit her sin in order to receive “living water”, so must we.

 

Romans 6:23 NKJV

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:16 NKJV

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

　

Dear Father,

Thank-you for Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is the source of living water.  Only You can quench my spiritual thirst. Only You can truly satisfy. Holy Spirit, search me and convict me of sin and bad habits, and help me to be quick to repent. Cause me to worship You, O Lord, in spirit and in truth. May my entire life ascribe worth to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

From The Wells Of Salvation

Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJV

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.”

Isaiah 55:1 NKJKV

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.”

During the Bible times, the provision of springs and wells was regarded as a gift from God, or a divine gift. As a child of God we can draw from any of the many wells that God offers. In the above verse, thirsts is a metaphor for desiring what satisfies a person’s spirit. An invitation is given for everyone who is “thirsty” to come to the waters to receive what satisfies.

Isaiah 44:3 NKJV

“For I will pour water on him who is thirst,

And floods on the dry ground;

I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,

And My blessing on your offspring”

Psalm 42:1 NKJV

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.”

Our salvation through Jesus Christ not only restores us to a right relationship with God, but it does a whole lot more. It also supplies what is necessary for life and provides what brings us joy. In Isaiah 55:1, the words “wine and milk” are symbols of complete satisfaction. Our salvation truly brings us complete and abundant satisfaction.

Isaiah 55:1-2 NKJKV

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come o the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.’ ”

Through our salvation we can enjoy many other benefits, favors, and, gifts from God. We can receive anything which is for our good or advantage. Christians may drink from any of the many wells that God provides. A few of them are spiritual satisfaction, belief/faith, power, peace, love, blessings, and healing, and wisdom.

 

Psalm 68:19 NKJV

“Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation.”

Psalm 116:12 NKJV

“What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?”

Psalm 103:2 NKJV

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits”

As we drink from the wells that God provides to us we must never forget to give Him the thanks that He deserves. It would have been enough for God to just save us from eternal separation from Him, however He did not stop there. Through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we can receive much, much, more. The benefits that we are provided with are endless. We can joyfully draw water from whatever well we thirst for.

Isaiah 12:3 NKJV

“Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.”

Dear Father,

Thank-you for my salvation through Jesus Christ. I will trust and not be afraid, for You are my strength and song. You are my salvation and my joy. Thank-you, that as Your child I can draw from any of the many wells that You offer. The benefits that You shower upon me are endless. Only You bring complete and abundant satisfaction. By the power of the Holy Spirit, fill me fresh and anew again and cause my soul to delight in You. May I never forget all Your benefits and may I never forget to give You the thanks that You deserve.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.