Apprehending the Magnitude of God's Love

Praying the Word of God is one way to pray in the Spirit, because the Word of God is Spirit (Eph. 6:17) and It is Truth (John 17:17). When we know not how to pray, we can rest assured that we are praying God's will when we pray His Word, at the same time knowing that we have from Him what we've asked (1John 5: 14-15). Such "knowing" requires faith, and faith is produced by hearing the Word of God (Ro. 10:17).

The Word of God affects us in ways that nothing else can (Heb. 4:12-13). It is key to the faith we need in order to apprehend the revelation of the magnitude of the love God has for us, and empowers us to remain rooted in that love. It is vital that we understand the concept of God's love for ourselves and others while we were in our ungodly and helpless state, and that we enter into the realization that it was while we were yet sinners and enemies of God that Christ died for us (John 3:16; Ro.5:5-10). Failure to understand this Truth prevents Christ from abiding in our wounded heart/soul (mind, will, and emotions), rendering us incapable of receiving the transforming power that is God's love.

We are admonished to renew our mind with the Word of God, which cleanses all aspects of our wounded heart, that it may be healed and transformed into the image of Christ (Eph. 5:26; 2Cor. 3:18). As we study and meditate on God's Word, His Spirit will reveal to us how desperately sick and wicked our heart is (Jer. 17:9-10, Is. 64:6) and how desperately we need a Redeemer and Deliverer. This revelation will lead us to Calvary and to the cross of the Lamb of God, Who paid the ultimate price for our sins and reconciled us to our Heavenly Father.

It's the Word of God that shows us that it's our wicked heart that produces the "works of the flesh" (Gal. 5:19-21, 24). It is for these works of the flesh that we must take personal responsibility and from which we must repent and turn to the loving God, that we may ask for and receive the forgiveness and healing needed in order for our soul to grow to become in tandem with our inner man...the new creation...and thereby enter into agreement with God's Truth and His will. As this spirit/heart union progresses, we become more of a reflection of God's character and the members of our physical body line up in loving obedience to God.

It takes God's power to strengthen our inner man (the new creation), enabling our born-again spirit to rise above our wounded and unbelieving heart that lacks the faith needed to apprehend the revelation of how much God loves us...that Christ may abide in our heart through faith. The words of Eph. 3:16-21 are some verses we can confidently pray to that end.

Can A Believer Be Cursed?

Yesterday a message was left on my answering machine by a friend who's been experiencing much ongoing affliction in her life for a number of years. Her life has been difficult from childhood and as a result... though she has been a believer for years and loves the Lord... her wounded soul has been very resistant to sound biblical councelling. She is now alone and disabled, due to suffering from several chronic physical conditions, and she is on pain-killers, which makes it difficult for her to focus. My heart goes out to her. Throughout the years I've prayed with her, ministered to her with the Word, been there for her as a friend...trying not to be like one of Job's "comforters..." all to no avail. This time, as has been the case on other occasions, she wanted prayer because she believes that someone is cursing her. My first inclination was to call her and once again pray and loose (shatter, destroy) the power and effects of any curse that may have been spoken against her. However, this time, as I was about to once again come to her rescue, I was stopped in my tracks as Proverbs 26:2 was brought to my remembrance:

"Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not alight."

I put the phone down and asked Father to give me His insight into this scripture. First He revealed that a curse can't take hold unless there's a place for it to light...a cause. He showed me that it does no good to loose the power and effects of a curse unless the cause is first dealt with.

The terms "blessing" and "curse" are covenant terms. In order to be able to relate to these terms we must have a basic understanding of covenant. It would behoove every Christian to do a study on covenant, as the subject is too extensive to cover here. Briefly though, in biblical terms a covenant is a contract between God and His people, with conditions laid out to which both parties agree. Biblical covenant is where each party agrees to completely give their whole being to the other...name, possessions, reputation, protection, provision...for life, then the covenant is sealed in blood. There are advantages (blessings) to upholding these conditions, and consequences (curses) for failing to do so. One can familiarize themselves with covenant blessings and curses in Deut. 28. The foundational conditions of covenant are based upon the Ten Commandments, and are summed up by Jesus in two requirements...to love (resulting in obedience) the Lord your God with your whole being, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Because mankind, in his fallen state, is incapable in himself of keeping the conditions of the covenant in all of its intricacies, it was necessary for God to make provision for us by coming to earth as the Son of Man...Jesus Christ...to perfectly fulfill the conditions of covenant on our behalf. Then the perfect, innocent One shed His blood as the ultimate sacrifice... the Lamb of God. He became our substitute and representative by taking upon Himself the sin of all mankind, along with all of the curses for breaking covenant, paying the ultimate price...death on the cross, once for all. We were "in"Him (joined with Him) as He suffered on the cross. In Him we died and were buried. We were in Him when He was resurrected as the Son of God with power, in Him we were reconciled to Father God, and in Him we ascended on high and are seated with Him in heavenly places. As He is, so are we in this world! These are all covenant concepts we must grasp in order to fully realize what Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf.

Understanding and having faith in the work of the cross of Jesus Christ and applying it daily and consistantly to our lives is what prevents the curse from alighting on us. However, first of all we must see our need for a Redeemer, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Ro. 3:23). We must understand that the heart of man is desperately sick and wicked (Jer. 17:9), acknowledge that in God's sight our human righteousness is as filthy rags (Is.64:6), and repent from the heart for our sins. We must realize that Jesus died for the ungodly (Ro. 5:6)... all of mankind, while we were sinners (Ro. 5:8)...and while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Ro. 5:10).

We must be able to receive forgiveness for our sins and we must forgive those who sin against us. No sin, no matter how horrific, is too great to be atoned for by the blood of Jesus and forgiven; no sickness, disease, or wound of soul or body is beyond the healing power of the cross of Jesus; no torment is beyond the chastisement that Jesus bore on our behalf so that we could receive the peace that passes all understanding...unless, of course, we refuse to forgive ourselves or others (Mk. 11:25-26; Matt. 18:21-35).

Some causes that allow curses to alight:

• Practicing sin and corruption (Heb. 10:20)


• Lack of knowledge and understanding of covenant concepts


• Failure to know and understand covenant provisions and apply them to one's life


• Failure to understand the affects and consequences of the fall of Adam on mankind


• Unwillingness to acknowledge one's sin (your own sins against God, yourself, and others... and your wrong reactions to those who sin against you)


• Victim mentality, the constant replaying of painful memories with the unwillingness to release them and forgive those who were involved...and justifying that unforgiveness...or deny that you haven't forgiven.


• Failure to repent of sins


• Failure to consecrate oneself to God


• Unbelief (without faith it's impossible to please God)


• Disobedience and rebellion


• Idolatry (putting people and things before God)


• Murmurring


• Ignorance of the Word


• Double-mindedness (can receive nothing from God)


• Unforgiveness toward self and/or others (Failure to walk in love)


• Failure to ask for and receive healing for wounds in the soul once forgiveness has been applied to a situation, making one more vulnerable to repeat offenses


• Fear (placing faith in the circumstances and negative reports rather than in God's promises of deliverance)


• Placing trust in mankind or one's own strength rather than in the power of God (Jer. 17:5-10)


• Failure to have faith in God's transforming power to be accomplished in you and in others


• Misconceptions of God


• Belief systems contrary to the Word of God (Truth)


• Failure to renew the mind with the Word of God


• Wrong expectations


• Failure to guard one's heart from ungodly influences


• Meditating more on world events than on things of God

If after examining our hearts for a "cause" we find none, then we need to put on the full armor of God, finding applicable truths in God's Word to meditate on. Counter the circumstances with Truth and stand in agreement with Truth. Then, "having done all to stand, stand firm, therefore..." (Eph. 6:13-14), "considering it all joy that the testing (proving) of your faith produces endurance..." (James 1:2-4) rejoicing in the fact that all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Ro. 8:28) and glorifying God as He demonstrates His faithfulness to His Word and His willingness to act on your behalf...delivering you out of all of your afflictions (Ps. 34:19).

Psalm 27:1-3

v-1 The Lord (and all He is...the Most High, Creator of the Universe, King of the Universe)

is my Light (The Truth and the Revealer of Truth, Teacher)

and my Salvation (Deliverer from all affliction...physical, emotional, spiritual; Provider of all of my needs...physical, emotional, spiritual).

Whom then shall I fear? (No one, no thing...whether spiritual entities, humans, or beasts)

The Lord is the defense of my life (He's the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Lord of Hosts...angelic or demonic...,the Captain of my salvation, my Advocate and Judge, my Redeemer...the Lamb of God..., the Author and Finisher of my faith);

Whom shall I dread? (No one, no thing...whether spiritual entities, humans, or beasts...for all of the above reasons)

v-2 When evildoers (the wicked under demonic or soulical influences) come upon me to destroy me (physically, mentally, or emotionally), my adversaries and my enemies (those who oppose me and those who would attempt to destroy me) stumbled (were confounded, confused) and fell (were conquered, destroyed).

v-3 Though a host (multitudes of evildoers, wicked) encamp against me (stand against me by argument, opposition, contradiction), my heart (soul...mind, will, emotions) will not fear.
Though war (destruction, attack) arise against me (threaten me), in spite of this I shall be confident (established in the intimate, experiential knowledge and understanding of Who God is and His covenant with me).
**********
Fear is foolishness to God, for He has provided everything for us. Faith is absolute trust in Who God is, what He says, and His willingness and ability to do what He says He will do; whereas, fear is misplaced faith. It is trusting in any circumstances, reports, and outcomes that are contrary to God's Word and that misrepresent Who He is and how He works. Fear is unbelief in Who God is and what He says, and is evil in God's sight.

It takes faith to please God. Our Father expects us to walk in absolute trust towards Him at all times, rejoicing in the opportunity to glorify Him by standing firm in His covenant with us, and watching as He uses opposing circumstances to demonstrate His power and His faithfulness to fulfill His Word on our behalf.

The Plundering of the Strong Man's Household

Today I would like to return to Matt.12 to share some additional insights from verses 28-30. The Pharisees are jealous and fearful because Jesus is drawing people away from their religious traditions of man. In an effort to undermine the faith of those whom Jesus is gathering to Himself, the Pharisees are attempting to discredit Him by attributing to the devil the messianic signs and wonders Jesus is demonstrating by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One of the messianic signs is that Messiah will cast out demons by the Spirit of God, which Jesus declares is an indication that "the kingdom of God has come upon you." He then instructs them using a parable as an example. In this parable, the "strong man" is satan, and the property being plundered is the authority he usurped when Adam fell. Mankind... who became captives of the kingdom of darkness (satan's household), being dead in our transgressions...is who is being "carried off." Jesus is the plunderer of the strong man's household Who, while on earth,
"went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38).

It was for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil that the Son of God was made manifest (1John 3:8). Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus preached about and demonstrated the Kingdom of God, setting people free from the "works" of the devil; but it was upon His death, burial, and resurrection, that He preached to the spirits in prison (1Pet.3:19-20) and led captivity captive (Eph.4:8-10; Luke 4:18-19).

According to Luke 4:11:21, it's someone stronger and more powerful that attacks the strong man and "takes away from him all the armor on which he has relied." The armor upon which satan relied was the authority that he usurped from mankind, as a result of Adam's fall. It was upon His death, burial and resurrection that Jesus completed the plundering of satan's household by disarming the rulers and authorities by making a public display of them, triumphing over them. He fulfilled the decrees (the Law) that were hostile to us and, because of our inability to obey them, kept us in bondage to the devil. Jesus perfectly fulfilled those decrees and paid the penalty of death for our transgression of them, which had kept mankind enslaved to the devil (Col.2:15). Through Christ, the Father delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Col.1:12-14).

In verse 30, Jesus continues to teach that those who are not with Him are against Him; and those who don't gather with Him scatter. After His resurrection, In Matt. 28:18-20 and in Mark 16:15-18, He gives His followers the power and authority to continue His ministry throughout all the earth. We are to continue to "gather" with Him by bringing the Kingdom of God upon a lost and dying world...standing in and enforcing the victory He won for mankind when he plundered the kingdom of darkness.

The False Watchmen

During my quiet times, the Lord many times speaks a strong word about things that are happening in these troubled times in which we live. I wrestled with Him about posting this, but felt that I was to do it. After all, how can I commit to sharing from my quiet time, yet omit notes from from any given day because the teaching is a strong one. Though this message could be a tough pill to swallow for some, it is nonetheless another facet of the many-faceted diamond that is Truth.

Today's study is in Jeremiah 23. The question to be asked here is to whom is this message directed and what is God saying through it? I believe that this message is a warning to God's people Israel against their "spiritual leaders" who misrepresent Him.

Something I've noticed during my studies of the Scriptures over the years is that God referred to His people as "Jacob" and as "Israel." As you know, the man Israel (meaning "He will rule as God") was called Jacob (meaning to supplant...to displace by force, scheming, strategy, etc) until he had an encounter with God and experienced a life-change. From then on, God referred to Jacob and his descendants as "Israel" when they were walking in obedience (in the spirit) to Him, but He referred to them as "Jacob" when they were walking in disobedience (in the flesh) and in sych with the world. God also referred to His people as "Israel" whenever He prophesied about them as He saw them, in their future redeemed and restored spiritual state...calling things that were not as though they were.

The term "Israel" refers to and always has referred to God's spiritual children who are walking in faith and obedience to His Word. Now it is only those who enter into the redemption and work of the sacrificial atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ (Yeshua ha Mashiach) on the cross at Calvary, who are now included in the spiritual house of Israel. This includes gentiles who in ancient times were not God's people but now, upon their acceptance of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God at Calvary, have been grafted as a wild olive branch into the Olive Tree known as "Israel." On the other hand, those of the Jewish race.. the natural branches, who were originally of the house of Israel...who do not honor the sacrifice by their own Mashiach, have consequentially been broken off... once again to be grafted back in only upon their acceptance of that final Sacrifice offered...One for all. (Ro.2:25-29; 5:12-19; 9:6-8; 11:17-24; Gal.3:26-29)

Now that the spiritual identity of Israel has been Scripturally established, let's move on to our study in Jer. 23, which is is a message for spiritual Israel today, for in verse 20 God tells us that in the last days this message will clearly be understood. Here God is expressing through His prophet, Jeremiah, His severe displeasure at shepherds who are destroying and scattering the flocks they are to tend, and the watchmen (prophets) who, instead of living holy lives and directing God's people in the way of salvation through repentance, were themselves joined to the world and walking in deception. By their fruits they are known...they were preaching a polluted message from polluted hearts. They were speaking a message of peace and safety to an apostate, rebellious people.

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sin (Heb.9:22). The gospel message is about the gift of a blood-sealed covenant between a Holy God and mankind, all of whom have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ro.8:23). It's about the reconciliation of man to God through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God (Col.1:19-23).
Until one enters into the redemptive provisions of the covenant and is walking in love, faith, and forgiveness toward others, the more "tangible" blessings can't be realized. Yet, the leaders of many of today's churches preach another gospel.

This chapter of Jeremiah is a picture of the shepherds and prophets in many churches today. Unfortunately, rather than going "into all the world," today's church leaders bring the world into the church, using the world's PR methodologies to do so. As was the case in Israel past, today's "seeker-friendly", ego-centric, prosperity-focused gospel assures lukewarm "believers" that no calamity will come upon them because today God is all about "grace." The lost are assured that God loves them "just the way they are," with little or no emphasis upon walking with God in holiness. New believers are told that all that they have to do is "ask Jesus to come into their heart" and they'll be guaranteed a place in heaven for eternity.

The compromised social gospel of today is strong on reconciliation but is void of the message of repentance, and carries with it no power to convict people of their sin. Unless one is made aware of his/her need for a Redeemer, how can they embrace the message of the cross of Jesus? If they don't embrace the message of the work of the cross, how then can they be saved?

In this scripture God is warning His people not to listen to the words of these prophets because the prophets were speaking out of their own imaginations rather than from the mouth of God, and their words were leading the people into futility. He went on to tell them that any word that He would have His prophets speak to His people would be a word that would turn them back from their evil way and from their evil deeds.

When we hear a message from one who declares that He speaks in the Name of the Lord we must remember that the message of the gospel has been and always will be first and foremost about repentance, reconciliation to God through the cross of Jesus, the Lamb of God, His resurrection and His ongoing work of salvation and transformation within us. In addition, we must make sure that all that is being spoken is in agreement with the Scriptures, because God will never contradict what He's said. And, we must not forget to observe the lives of those who maintain that they speak for God...for it's by their fruit that you will know them.

Focus On the Kingdom

Matt.6:19-34 admonishes us... we who are in covenant with Him... to focus upon things of the Kingdom of God rather than upon things of the earth. When we place our focus on gathering earthly riches in order to secure our needs, it clouds our spiritual perception because it trains our heart to perceive things through the natural realm. This "darkens" our perception of the things of the spirit...especially our concept of God and our devotion to and our dependence upon Him...rendering us unable to receive from God, Who is the Source of our provision. The earthly riches in and of themselves are not evil, it's our unbelief in God's faithfulness to uphold His covenant promises (His Word) to us that's evil.

In verses 22-23 the word for darkness means "opaque." The eye speaks of our spiritual perception. Our spiritual perception must be clear and transparent in order for the Light to enter our heart. If we fix our gaze (focus) mostly upon the ways of the world (shade or darkness) and less upon the ways of the Kingdom of God (Light), we are blinded by the Light...our perception becomes opaque (clouded, foggy) and the the Light can't penetrate our heart, so it continues to operate in unbelief. This gross form of darkness is greater because Light scatters pure darkness, but Light bounces off of fog.

The unregenerate depend on worldly methods to meet their basic needs, for they know no other Source. But God expects faith (trust) from those that call themselves His own; and He promises those of us who seek Him and the spiritual things of His Kingdom first and foremost, that He will supply our every physical need.

As His children, we need to fix our gaze upon the Kingdom of God, learn of Him as we let our thought processes, will, and emotions (aka: heart) become renewed and transformed by His Word, and rest in His ability and willingness to fulfill our every need.

The Armor of God

Today's meditation is on Eph. 6:10-18 (NAS) and begins with an admonishment to us to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. We are to rely on God's strength in the midst of trials. The Word is the source of our faith in God's strength, for it is the revelation of Who He is, His will, His power, and His faithfulness to fulfill His Word.

Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but it is against the spiritual realm that influences the soul of man. God's Word is Spirit and It is Truth; satan and his demons are spirit and lies. Only spirit can battle spirit, and Truth conquers lies as Light conquers darkness.

People play a part in the devil's schemes. He uses people against other people, and he uses people against themselves, especially where there are places in man's wounded heart that harbor pride, jealousy, hatred, etc...all of which lead to the deadly sin of unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is an affront to the cross of Jesus, Who forgave all mankind for all sin (no matter how horrible the sin), and He did so in the midst of all the pain he was suffering. (Luke 23:34) In order to honor Christ's sacrifice on the cross, a man must apply that atonement to his life through repentance and by receiving forgiveness for his own sins, as well as forgiving others for sinning against him. Jesus tells us that if we won't forgive others, He won't forgive us. (Matt.6:12-15) He also tells us that if we don't forgive from the heart, we will be turned over to the tormentors. (Matt.18:23-35) In other words, when we reject the provision of forgiveness...one of the works of the cross...we can't receive the other works of the cross; ie: peace and healing.

In order to stand in the face of battle, we must put on the full Armor of God...the Word of God, Jesus Christ and all that He is. We were crucified, buried, and resurrected in Him. He is Truth, He is our Righteousness, the Prince of Peace, our Salvation, He's the Author and Finisher of our faith. We've received His Holy Spirit of Promise. We stand complete in Him and He is in us by His Holy Spirit.

Deliverance is the result of a mind that's being renewed by the Word of God. The helmet of salvation protects the mind that agrees with the Truth. Faith in the Truth...the "water" of the Word...extinguishes the flames of deception, while the Truth destroys the lies themselves. With these divinely powerful weapons we can destroy fortresses (strongholds that have been set up in our heart), speculations (wrong thoughts), and every lofty thing (false concepts about God and His Word) raised up against the knowledge of God. We are to take every thought captive (before it comes out of our mouth) to the obedience of Christ. We are to use the Word of God against such things...Truth against the lies of the devil. (2 Cor.10:3-5)

We are to bring all petitions for ourselves and for others before our Father, praying always in the spirit. When we pray the Word of God we are praying in the spirit, because the Word is spirit; and we are praying in Truth, because the Word is Truth. When we pray the Word (in the spirit) we are praying God's Will, so we can firmly stand by faith, persevering in earnest anticipation that whatever we've asked of God He will do. (1John 5:14-15)