"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain...and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
(Hebrews 10:19-23)
In the Old Testament times, priests had to go to the temple and make sacrifices for the sins of the people. A curtain seperated the people from God's presence for God could not be in the presence of sin. In God's great love and mercy, He made a way, through the cross for us to be reconciled with Him. Through faith in Jesus we would now be able to approach God with freedom and confidence. ( Eph 3:12) God longed to live among us. To shower us with His love and blessings. He who had no sin became sin for us so that we might be pure and clean and righteous in God's sight. Jesus sits at the Father's right hand as our great priest. He is our hope, our key that unlocks the door to enter into the Most Holy Place, the place where God dwells. Our faith gives us confidence and assurance. No longer does a curtain seperate us from divine love. No longer do we need to live in darkness! "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness.." (John 1:4-5) No longer do we need to be comformed to the world! (Romans 12:2) Reconciliation with God brings us the peace and freedom that we long for.
You are faithful, O God. You have provided a "new way" to enter into your Holy Kingdom. Your kingdom has come for those who trust in the finished work of Jesus. When Jesus breathed His last breath and gave up His Spirit, the curtian was torn. Your light flooded the temple and the doors were open for any who would desire freedom from this world. "Come all who are weary and I will give you rest.... When the world overwhelms us, from the Lord comes deliverance. When stress and anxiety stalk us, you lead us beside quiet waters that will restore our soul. You show us the wonder of your great love and hide us in the shadow of your wings from the enemies who desire to destroy us. When darkness looms around us, you shine your light in and upon us. Washed with your pure water, we are new creations created to walk in the light of your love. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful...We are forgiven, righteous and perfect in your sight. You shower us with grace, mercy and compassion. The veil has been torn. The door is open and the light of your face is shining upon us! Let us draw near to you, O God, with a heart full of assurance. We put our hope in your unfailing love.
"One you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, establihed and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." (Colossians 1:23)
"such is a generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." (Psalm 24:6)
"Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:17-18)
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December 31, 2011
December 29, 2011
The Good News
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
"the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Do not be afraid. There is good news for all the people! Jesus has come! God, in His great love and mercy has sent us a Savior! This Savior would show us God. We would not have to live in darkness any longer. The light has come. He is the way, the truth and light and ANYONE who would come to him would inherit eternal life and be given forgiveness of his sins of living in darkness. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy...He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (2 Sam 22:17-20)
He is the head of the body, the church and He holds all things together (Col 1:18) We were once alienated from God but because of Jesus, we are reconciled to the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. This is the gospel and it is being proclaimed to every creature under heaven. We are servants of this wonderful Good News! Hallelujah!
God has chosen us to make know the glorious riches of this mystery which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col 1:27)
As a child of the living God you are promised an inheritance. You have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of light. Jesus is the light for our path. He has rescued us from darkness and in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 1:13)
As children of the light, just as we received Christ by faith, we have been given power and authority to continue to live in him, to be rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the our faith and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6)
Father God,
Thank you for sending your Son to earth to turn our darkness into light. We desire the full riches of complete understanding. We desire to know in our hearts, your mystery, namely Jesus Christ in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge abide. Open the eyes of our hearts to see your light. Shine the light of your glory on us! Set our hearts and minds on things above. Clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col 3:12)Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Fill us with your love. Love came down on Christmas Day. It is the indescribable gift. Open our hearts to receive our inheritance. Then, open doors that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. He is our hope, our Savior, our reconciliation to you. Amen
"And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:10)
And because of this I rejoice and I will continue to rejoice.....
"the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Do not be afraid. There is good news for all the people! Jesus has come! God, in His great love and mercy has sent us a Savior! This Savior would show us God. We would not have to live in darkness any longer. The light has come. He is the way, the truth and light and ANYONE who would come to him would inherit eternal life and be given forgiveness of his sins of living in darkness. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy...He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (2 Sam 22:17-20)
He is the head of the body, the church and He holds all things together (Col 1:18) We were once alienated from God but because of Jesus, we are reconciled to the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. This is the gospel and it is being proclaimed to every creature under heaven. We are servants of this wonderful Good News! Hallelujah!
God has chosen us to make know the glorious riches of this mystery which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col 1:27)
As a child of the living God you are promised an inheritance. You have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of light. Jesus is the light for our path. He has rescued us from darkness and in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 1:13)
As children of the light, just as we received Christ by faith, we have been given power and authority to continue to live in him, to be rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the our faith and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6)
Father God,
Thank you for sending your Son to earth to turn our darkness into light. We desire the full riches of complete understanding. We desire to know in our hearts, your mystery, namely Jesus Christ in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge abide. Open the eyes of our hearts to see your light. Shine the light of your glory on us! Set our hearts and minds on things above. Clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col 3:12)Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Fill us with your love. Love came down on Christmas Day. It is the indescribable gift. Open our hearts to receive our inheritance. Then, open doors that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. He is our hope, our Savior, our reconciliation to you. Amen
"And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:10)
And because of this I rejoice and I will continue to rejoice.....
December 06, 2011
Blessed are the Pure in Heart
In his book, Healing, Francis MacNutt, a Catholic priest, says that "the healing ministry should be an ordinary, normal part of the life of every Christian community. The sick need healing, just as much as they did in Christ's day. The larger issues of injustice will be helped when individuals in society are themselves made whole-when they are healed emotionally so that they can enter into healthy relationships, so that they are not acting out of prejudices or ancient hurts."
Luke tells us that Jesus stood up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah "the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
Healing is still needed in the church today and Jesus is still healing. He is freeing us from sin, from ignorance, weakness, disoriented emotions and physical sickness in order to give us new life, a new relationship of love and union with his Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
Tonight I will be commissioned to minister at a faith based counseling center to women in need. I've been trained, prayed up, battered by the enemy, and lifted again by God. I am truly honored and humbled to be a part of God's work here on earth. Yes, we have been chosen to be a part of God's amazing ministry of healing and reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18) It's hard to believe but God has set us apart, filled us with his Spirit and showered us with his grace. We are vessels of the Holy Spirit. We have all that we need through Him that loved us to help "bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and comfort all who mourn." (Isaiah 61:1-2)
2 Cor 1:3 tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor 1:3) He desires to use us as vessels of His love and healing power to those who are afflicted and brokenhearted. We feel so incapable yet His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient. (2 Cor 12:9) It is our heavenly Father's desire that His sons and daughters "receive a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed….(Psalm 10:17-18a)
You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
You will deliver your children in times of trouble. You will protect and preserve their life. (Psalm 41:1-2)
You send forth your word and heal and rescue them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20)
God promises to restore all that is lost for His dearly loved children. He invades our darkness and calls us to "Be free!" He has compassion on us and guides and leads us besides springs of water. (Isaiah 49:10) We are a chosen people who belong to God that we may declare His praises for calling us out of darkness into the wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Father,
Thank you for choosing me and each of the woman that will attend the service this evening. I pray that each woman being commissioned tonight would know and grow in your abundant love, grace and mercy. That she believe in and trust on your power that is at work within her as your living water flows from her to a broken and hurting world. Strengthen her through your Spirit. Root and establish each women in love that they will know how to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your magnificent love. Fill them with your fullness. You are faithful and will continue the work that you began , healing us in body, mind and spirit so that we can comfort those with the comfort you have given us. May your great name be glorified and the whole earth be filled with your glory! (Psalm 72:19) Amen
Luke tells us that Jesus stood up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah "the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
Healing is still needed in the church today and Jesus is still healing. He is freeing us from sin, from ignorance, weakness, disoriented emotions and physical sickness in order to give us new life, a new relationship of love and union with his Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
Tonight I will be commissioned to minister at a faith based counseling center to women in need. I've been trained, prayed up, battered by the enemy, and lifted again by God. I am truly honored and humbled to be a part of God's work here on earth. Yes, we have been chosen to be a part of God's amazing ministry of healing and reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18) It's hard to believe but God has set us apart, filled us with his Spirit and showered us with his grace. We are vessels of the Holy Spirit. We have all that we need through Him that loved us to help "bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and comfort all who mourn." (Isaiah 61:1-2)
2 Cor 1:3 tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor 1:3) He desires to use us as vessels of His love and healing power to those who are afflicted and brokenhearted. We feel so incapable yet His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient. (2 Cor 12:9) It is our heavenly Father's desire that His sons and daughters "receive a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed….(Psalm 10:17-18a)
You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
You will deliver your children in times of trouble. You will protect and preserve their life. (Psalm 41:1-2)
You send forth your word and heal and rescue them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20)
God promises to restore all that is lost for His dearly loved children. He invades our darkness and calls us to "Be free!" He has compassion on us and guides and leads us besides springs of water. (Isaiah 49:10) We are a chosen people who belong to God that we may declare His praises for calling us out of darkness into the wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Father,
Thank you for choosing me and each of the woman that will attend the service this evening. I pray that each woman being commissioned tonight would know and grow in your abundant love, grace and mercy. That she believe in and trust on your power that is at work within her as your living water flows from her to a broken and hurting world. Strengthen her through your Spirit. Root and establish each women in love that they will know how to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your magnificent love. Fill them with your fullness. You are faithful and will continue the work that you began , healing us in body, mind and spirit so that we can comfort those with the comfort you have given us. May your great name be glorified and the whole earth be filled with your glory! (Psalm 72:19) Amen
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