We Have Power and Authority!

Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. Mark 6:7 NIV

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Ephesians 3:7 NIV

While the religious are working to undermine the Spirit of The Word of God, we who have received Jesus into our hearts and live to please Him, know we have power by Holy Spirit to accomplish all things–loving all unconditionally–and in doing The Word, not just spouting The Word.

The power and authority are not just given to us to preach the Gospel, but to live the Gospel and to carry over into our everyday lives. We have the power within to receive all the visions and gifts Holy Spirit has for us in order to accomplish all we need to do here on earth.

Unfortunately, there are some who are acting as if the power we have through Holy Spirit is intended to have power over people to control them. God never intended for people–especially not Christians–to control others, but to share the Gospel with them so they, too could receive Holy Spirit and allow Him to control what we do. That’s the Power that needs to control, not the rich who think they are all “powerful” and have a right to dictate to others. The evangelical movement has forgotten what “evangelism” means. It is not about forcing others to share a viewpoint, but to spread the love of Christ and the Gospel message which is “love” not dictatorship. The power we have is not about being religious, but to keep us in Relationship with Christ.

When we love, we do so without hesitation or confrontation, but with acceptance that we are all one race–the human race–and we are all entitled to the same fair, equitable treatment by all. This is not a question of loyalty to a party, but it’s about loving other human beings, not controlling them. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, “God allows us to CHOOSE our paths” and no one else should intervene, knowing there are consequences for whichever path we take in life. That’s God’s way; it is not the way of evangelicals who think they need to control others–especially women.

For the rest of the Believers–we must choose to exercise the power and authority given to us through Holy Spirit so we can promote love, integrity and honor in every arena and event in which we participate. GOD IS LOVE! He loves us in spite of our imperfections and He never told us to put political party views over the care of one another. The least we can do is to love others as He loves us and “defend the rights” of the poor and needy. That’s what He expects us to do–not control people.

I can’t speak for others, but my only desire in running for President in 2020 will be to serve the needs of the people, not to beat people into submission to my will or the will of a political party. Hope you’ll stand with me–exercising the power and authority given us to care for all. Check me out on facebook.com/YesIam2020 and watch for updates.

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For All Who Believe!

“He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.” (Acts 10:43,45 NLT)

For all those who “think” Believers do not need to understand Jewish history, think again. I am always amazed at the foolish remarks I have often heard some people make–especially as it pertains to the Jewish faith. What many have forgotten–in their quest to speculate about the ethnic background of Jesus–is that He was raised in the Jewish faith, in the culture, and the first converts to “Christianity” were Jews! How could we forget that?

People who simply want to debate “issues” never consider the source–The Word–to either validate or inform their decisions. When we know The Word–we know Jesus–we understand His purpose in coming and the cultural environment in which He was raised. He–Jesus–is the one all the prophets testified about saying “everyone who believes in Him” will have their sins forgiven.

All the prophets would include any prophet who spoke what God said.

Everyone would include anyone who chooses to believe in Jesus, the work on the cross and accepts Him as their personal Savior.

So why are there so many people out there who want to dictate or determine who is saved or not or who can be saved or not? From any walk of life, from any cultural environment, from any denominational situation, none are denied Salvation through Jesus Christ or from being filled with Holy Spirit. Therefore, since the invitation is open to all, none can be superior to anyone else.

No matter what  religion is practiced or what denomination a person practices, the only real criteria for being saved and filled with Holy Spirit is that one believes in Him. For with the belief in Jesus Christ, comes the development of a relationship with God and people will know that a relationship with God is not a religion–and no denomination or religious affiliation is superior to another.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

So, let’s stop nitpicking, thinking any one of us is superior to another. We are not! If we believe in Him who came to save us from ourselves, we are family and we should act like we are in the family of love, to His glory!

Know His Voice and Follow!

“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” (John 10:26-28 NKJV).

What would happen to children if they did not know their parent’s voice in the midst of chaos–in a crowd? What usually happens when children hear their parent’s voice and they recognize what’s about to happen because they know the “tone”of that voice?

In response to questions by the religious leaders of the day, who kept trying to determine who Jesus was, He told them–and basically what He was saying was this–“because I did not give you the answer you wanted to hear, you do not believe me.” But then He continues by letting them know–they did not really know or understand God by being in relationship with Him; if they did,they would have recognized that Jesus was only doing what the Father had instructed Him to do.

We cannot hear God or understand clearly what scripture is saying to us today, unless we have a relationship with God and know His voice above all the mindless, godless chatter that we hear. Not everyone who professes to believe in God–knows His voice. But those who have a relationship with Him–can commune with Him–and know His voice and follow the Great Shepherd.

The shepherd’s role in the natural is to take care of the sheep–feed, protect, and guide. The role of the Great Shepherd is the same–provide for us, protect us and guide us and we are protected from the enemy when we “hear His voice” and “follow” His instructions and directions.”

The enemy (sometimes in sheep’s clothing) deceives and masquerades as a ministering angel, but is role is to steal, kill, and destroy. He is a master of deception and the father of liars. The enemy today, attempts to thwart the Word of God by twisting and curling God’s Word into so many knots of deception that they really make themselves look foolish. Anyone who has a relationship with God is not deceived or fooled by the machinations of the enemy and God will not allow those who know Him to become fuel for the fodder that the enemy spreads.

If greatness for any nation is going to abound–it will be because of those who “know God’s voice and follow Him,” not the latest trends of treachery and political correctness. God is yet speaking, but many are  not hearing or believing because they do not know His voice.

Know the voice of God by comprehending clearly His Written Word and communing with Him on a daily basis. When we lack wisdom–we seek Him, not those who do not know the voice of God and we know them because of their lack of understanding God. Don’t put yourself in the position to be plucked out of God’s hand because of the enemy’s deceptive practices.  Remember–he wants to destroy every chance of happiness and joy that God has promised. The enemy will lie at every turn and try to use God’s Word to support his lie. When we know the Word, we cannot be deceived by those who manipulate the Word for their advantage. God knows who belongs to Him and He knows who the enemy is and those who are cloaked in deceptive practices.

Know God’s voice and do not follow the others who attempt to mimic Him!

Truth Causes Divisions?

“Thus the people were divided because of Jesus” (John 7:43 NIV). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE CHAPTER FOR CONTEXT!

Whenever there is misunderstanding of history, usually because of the varied lenses by which all view history, there is of necessity a difference of opinion. In this passage of scripture we see several things happening that are worth deep thought (beyond surface level).

First of all, the Pharisees and the chief priests (the church leadership) were not really thrilled with the reaction of the people (they felt their authority was being threatened) when they heard Jesus speaking. They all knew about the promise of the Messiah from “the scriptures” (scrolls about the prophets), but because they were looking for someone to lead them into “battle” in order to obtain freedom, they overlooked “The Truth” and what Truth was saying.

Because they could not agree about who Jesus was (murmuring to themselves), especially after He told them about the Holy Spirit, they became divided factions of “religious” folks; not knowing that The Truth was standing among them. The leaders became so incensed with Jesus teaching truth and not trying to fleece people or to bind them to traditional rules and regulations that they planned to arrest Him (they could not stand the competition). They thought their knowledge of “The Prophets” was so superior to anyone else that they rejected the idea that Jesus could be anything other than a deceiver of the people.

Now, if our relationship with God is right, we can look at this passage of scripture and understand that the enemy had already influenced the leadership into believing a lie. Because they believed the lie (arrogance will lead to being deceived), they lost an opportunity to have a relationship with Truth. Then the people, because of their varied expectations, became divided because they did not recognize Truth speaking when they heard Him.

Jesus is The Truth, and The Light, The Lamb, Bright Morning Star, Our Deliverer, Our Savior, Our Lord, The Way into the presence of The Father. If we understand John’s relationship with Jesus–that they were very close since they were related biologically, we can see how John’s insight should bring us all into relationship with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. We cannot have a right relationship with one, without all.

Perhaps, we can grasp this line of thought better when we look at all of the various denominations and factions of Christians who all believe they know the truth. But if they all know The Truth, would there be a need for the divisions of Christianity? If all believers had a relationship with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, wouldn’t we be united by the relationship with them?  If we all had the same type of relationship with Them (Trinity) that we have with close family members, would we need different denominations proclaiming to be Christian in nature?

We are where we are because those in leadership positions, choose to maintain barriers and obstacles that divide rather than unite. Arrogance and superiority (influenced by the enemy) has led to the great divide of those who say they Believe in Jesus. Until we can see Truth for who He is and develop a right relationship with Him, we will remain a divided body of believers who are more concerned with promoting religion than relationship with God. The verse of scripture referenced at the beginning would provide greater clarity if it had continued with--they were divided because of Jesus and their perception of who He was.

Sin Still With Us!

“Sin-any act regarded as a transgression; especially a willful or deliberate violation of a religious or moral principle” (Webster). [hamartia: violation of God’s law]

1 John 1:8 NIV  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

From this verse, John reminds us that even though the sacrifice/atonement for sin was completed on the cross (thereby needing no more physical sacrificial acts of atonement), people are still subject to sin–because they have free will and can make their own choices; some which are not always the right choices.  If the world was without sin, there would be no need for us to have laws that govern the land. But since there is sin–and we do have laws–there are also consequences for violating the laws.

I John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Since we are not perfect and capable of straying from the path upon which God set us, when we do commit an act of sin, deliberately, if we confess it (own it, take responsibility for it), He will forgive us and when repentance is made (turning completely away from the act, not practicing to do it again–surrendering our hearts), He will cleanse us and purify us from all unrighteousness.  However, God’s forgiveness of our sins does not negate the consequences of our actions. This is a mis-teaching that has people believing that when God forgives–that is the end of the matter.  It is not. When we violate a principle or law there are consequences to be paid. If we kill, we either spend time in prison or will be killed. If we steal–we go to jail. If we abuse children–we suffer the consequences. Whatever it is we do, we will reap the consequences of our actions. God forgives–but consequences are never negated.  

1 John 1:10  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Paul reminds us that we have all fallen short of the mark of perfection and committed some act of sin at some time or another.  If we say we haven’t sinned; we lie  and we are actually saying that God has lied, indicating we do not know or understand His Word.  We know that Satan is the father of liars and if Satan is our father, God cannot be. But having sinned in  the past, does not mean we should continue to sin.  Once we know The Truth and make a decision to allow Him to be the Lord of our lives, we should not deliberately, plan or practice to commit acts that we know God would not like.

The work on the cross–the sacrifice made for all mankind–the atonement for sin, means no more sacrifices (as prescribed under The Law of Moses) are necessary, but if we do go astray, we have an advocate–who is interceding on our behalves to The Father. Sin was not eliminated on the cross–the need for a sacrifice to atone for sin was eliminated on the cross.

Lord Jesus, thank You for making the ultimate sacrifice for us to atone for our sins. Thank You for being our advocate, always interceding for us.  Thank You for giving us understanding of Your Word through Your Spirit when we are willing to receive instruction from Holy Spirit. Thank You for loving us enough to die for us, now create in us a heart that is willing to be obedient to Your Word as a demonstration of our love for You. Thank You for revealing to us that relationship with You is better than religious affiliation since You reveal all truth to us, not religions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Godless, Sinner or Saved?

In spite of the many different ideologies about religion and who is right, when I read the Bible I see what God has indicated in The Word.

As a people—we fall into one of three categories.  We are either Godless –having no relationship with God; Sinner—thinking we have a relationship with God, but still practicing sin; or saved—having surrendered our lives in total submission to the will of God in relationship with Him.

These are the conclusions I have drawn from all that is said in the Bible.

• God created man to be in relationship with Him and we failed— and some were Godless for a season
• Man trying to live without God is pointless and hazardous for our health.
• God came to earth in the person of Jesus to restore/reconcile our relationship with God—saving us from ourselves.
• Religious people—practice a form of religion, but have not come to the truth about how God wants us to live and treat others.
• If we are saved, we should not practice sin and if we think practicing sin is okay with God; then we are religious, but have no right relationship with Him because we do not understand Him, will not listen to Him, and are not open to His correction.
• People in right relationship with God, do not practice sin, but know they have an advocate if they fall short; are quick to repent and repair the breach in the relationship, and live according to God’s Word, not man’s word.
• People in right relationship with God receive correction and know how to love all.
• People in religions know how to recite The Word, but do not live according to it.

My conclusions are not based on any assumptions or personal opinions, but on The Word that arises in me, when I am tempted to sin.  James tells us that when we are tempted, we are drawn away from God by our own desires—the things we want to do because they feel good, but we should not do. God does not tempt us.  He has no need to do so since He knows exactly what we will do and when we will do it. He knows which of us are Godless, Sinner or Saved and we cannot hide who we are from Him.

I do not profess perfection, but I profess to love God so much that I only want to please Him. And when I am about to do something that would not please Him, I hear the Holy Spirit, gently remind me that there are things I cannot do because of who I am and to whom I belong. My love for Him settles it.