Setting People Free - The Truth

“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. -- Martin Luther

 In America, over a million babies are murdered every year, pornography is a billion-dollar industry and books like 50 Shades of Grey, are on the bestseller list. The government hands out birth control to children and people can now decide what gender they want to be.  We live in a world in which many laugh at morality and reject reality. The Christian community should not be surprised by the times we are living in. We live in a post-modern culture where many Americans say they don’t believe in any absolute standards of right and wrong and that truth claims and moral -judgments are relative. Many people do not like that Christians claim to know the Truth but…… we do! 

 The church is one of the largest organizations in the world and was, at one time, a powerful entity in regard to law and morality.  Christianity was based on a Biblical worldview which believes that Truth is objective - it is independent of a person’s opinion or personal experience.  Truth must be absolute because if there are no standards, then there can be no Truth. Truth is knowable and revealed by our Creator God. God is a God of truth.  To reject God is to believe a lie. As Christians, we must be people of Truth.  We are the Body of Christ and as such are called to the Truth. We must believe it, live it and proclaim it.  The world is in desperate need of a church that stands strong on Truth. To know God is know Truth.

The TRUTH is:  Marriage is between one man and one woman and anything outside of that is morally wrong. The Bible says that homosexuality is sin.  Abortion is murder and God made them man and woman.  God has a standard of right and wrong, moral and immoral.  Anything that is not in line with the Will of God is Sin.  One can be forgiven of Sin because forgiveness is available as a free gift of God when one chooses to receive the gift given through the sacrifice of the Son of God; Jesus, the Christ. Repentance and healing are available and God gives generously and abundantly when we turn to Him.
  
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.  As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20)

Satan would like nothing more than for us to accept the world’s view of truth. Mainly that it doesn’t exist. For the time being, satan rules the world (those who are not under the authority of the living God), and the Bible tells us that his main objective is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Make no mistake, the devil is working in those who are living in darkness (Ephesians 2:1-2, see also Daniel 9:26). 

Christians are called to fight against and expel the darkness.  As children of the living God, we follow and are to teach others to follow, the Truth that is found in God’s Word.  We have the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads us into all Truth.  Those who love the Lord, hate evil (Psalm 97:10).  We have been welcomed into God’s family and set apart for His purposes.  Paul tells us in Romans (12:2) that we are to offer ourselves to God and allow Him to transform all worldly beliefs and unholy desires (Also: Titus 2:12-14). Then, we are to shine the light of truth into a world that is filled with darkness.

We live in a very dark world, yet, we are children of the light!  We may be the only light many will see.  We cannot put our light under a bushel.  It must shine bright.  A time is coming and is fast approaching when the King will return.  We long for that day but until that time, Christians live in this world expelling the darkness, preaching and teaching God’s absolute truth and morality. 

Be strong and courageous! (Joshua 1:6) Like the Apostle Paul, fight the good fight of faith.  God will call some of you into the public arena – Fear not!  He will call others to put on the armor (Ephesians 6) and go into their prayer closets to weep and repent of the sins of our nation.  You have been given gifts and power.  You are anointed and called to serve the Holy One! Until Jesus comes again, may you be filled and led by the power of His love, grace and mercy through His Holy Spirit who dwells in you.  Amen 

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).

Was Jesus the Son of God?

The most important question of the Christian faith -- "Is Jesus the Son of God?"

"the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?". I AM, said Jesus and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:61-62)
Jesus called Himself many things, all of which would point to the fact that, Yes, indeed He was the Son of God. In the book of John, He clearly stated who he was. "What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, "I AM GOD'S SON?" (John 10:36)

Jesus claimed to have existed before Abraham's day when he identified himself with the words "I AM." He claimed to come from heaven. (John 6:31-38) He said that He was completely united with God the Father and that if you've seen him, you've seen the Father. He claimed to be the truth (John 14:6), the way, the door to salvation, the Word, the bread of life and He told the woman at the well that He was the Messiah. He told the pharisees that He and the Father were one and that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. (28:18) He told the Jewish leader, Nicodemus that He must be lifted up (on a cross) so everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. This life is in the Son. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn but whoever does not believe stands condemned already."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made. In him was life. The light and the life shine in the darkness, but the darkness does not understand it. The world does not understand him but those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, those who say "yes" to receiving the precious gift Jesus came to give, those who accept his sacrifice of death so that they could move from the darkness of the world to the light of his love, they understand. God's love and forgiveness are real and Jesus is proof of that. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

The Jews insisted, "We have a law and according to that law, he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." (John 19:7) And that is exactly what He did. He died for you and for me for the forgiveness of our sins. "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life...Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:1-5)

Jesus' primary purpose in coming into the world was to die as the Perfect Lamb of God to heal humanity's broken relationship with God and to rise from the dead to bring eternal life to mankind. Only Jesus truly knows the Father. (Matthew 11:27) Anyone coming to God must come through Jesus (John 14:6) Only those who love the Son are loved by the Father for the Father lives and expresses himself in his Son. (John 14:10-23)
"this is the will of God, that you believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:29)

Standing in Holy Places

"Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5)

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart who does not lift up his soul to an idol… He will receive blessings from the Lord…" (Ps 24:3-5)

What does it mean to be on Holy Ground? First it means that I must take off my sandals. I don't like to take off my sandals. Actually I don't even like sandals because I like to wear socks! I don't want to be so exposed. When I wear socks and shoes, I feel protected from anything that might harm me or make me uncomfortable.

But God tells me that its time to take off my sandals. In order to stand on Holy Ground, we must be willing to be "uncomfortable". I am learning this as I spend my days with the dying as a Hospice Volunteer. It's uncomfortable. I wonder what to say. What does one say to someone who may die any day? I don't really know, but God does. I find that when I walk into the room, God's Spirit goes with me. He leads me to offer a cold drink or a cup of coffee to the patient or a family member. He provides beautiful, sacred moments which compel me to touch a hand or speak a word of comfort or encouragement. With my "sandals off", I can walk on Holy Ground because I have to trust in God for my protection, my equipping, my confidence. It is only when I surrender and walk in humility that the "Christ in me" can reveal himself to those He places in my path.

"As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…" (1 Peter 2:4-5)

We are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12). Through our faith in Christ, we receive the righteousness that comes from God. God will lead us to do "right" unto others. Psalms 85:8-13 tells us "listen to what God the Lord says. He promises peace to his people….Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other... Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way…"

Walking on Holy Ground starts out as uncomfortable but turns to exhilaration. There is nothing like the joy that comes from being used as a vessel of God's love. He is love. He is forgiveness. He is mercy and justice. He created us so that we might be loved by Him and be equipped to pour His love into others.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalm 87:11) An "undivided heart" is a heart solely directed toward God and the things that touch His heart. This is the place of the sacred and the Holy.

Lord,
Help me to take off the false protection of my sandals and trust in your everlasting love. Le me have clean hands and a pure heart. Lord, I want to stand on Holy Ground. I want to be present with you in your temple. Build me into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. I want my heart to beat for the things your heart beats for. It is a sacred place where Your Spirit dwells, where your love flows. "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep….How priceless is your unfailing love! Men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." (Psalm 36:6-9) As I stand on holy ground, I am aware of your presence. In it there is joy and peace. There is wisdom and knowledge. There is love and mercy for me and through me, for others. Standing on holy ground perfects my love. On Holy Ground, I am one with you . May heaven and earth be filled with your glory! Amen
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells." (Psalm 46:4)

Does Grace mean "no works"?

"for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9)

Grace is God-given, made possible only by Jesus Christ and none other. The Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy that God gave to us by sending his son to die on a cross to give us eternal salvation. Strong's Concordance defines Grace as the state of kindness and favor towards someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to that object.

"are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24)
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

I could give you verse after verse on the Grace of God. Romans is a fascinating book outlining sin and righteousness, grace and law, flesh and Spirit. God's grace is a mystery indeed! That God would love us that much while we are yet sinners in almost unbelievable. How easy is it for us to love those we consider "sinners"? But God did. He sent His Son to die for our sins. He wants a relationship with us. Like a father or mother with their children, God wants to be with us and shower us with His blessings. Thank you Jesus for reconciling us to the Father! I whole heartedly believe that we are saved (put back into relationship with an all perfect God and going to heaven) by God's amazing Grace.

In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites "the law". Jesus' death fulfilled the law so we wouldn't have to. "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do… God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:2-3) Praise God! The righteous requirements of the law have been fully met for us. No more "working our way to heaven" by following the law! Jesus did that for us.

But……
Does that mean that we do nothing? That we no longer have to obey or work? I'm here to tell you that I have not found that to be the way of the Christian life. If God reveals differently to me in the future, I will humbly repent and let you know but I have found that if I want to truly be in relationship with God and receive His blessings, healing, joy and peace - I have to "do" things. I have to read my Bible and get to know God. I have to say "yes God". I have to repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15) Sometimes I have to say, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

I've been seeing a lot of web pages with "the Grace message". I am frustrated though because they seem to say that we do not have a part in "working out our salvation" (Phil 2:12). From what I've read in the Bible, God worked for six days before He rested. And he told Adam and Eve to "work" the garden, fill the earth and please, no, do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! (Gen 2) Adam was expected to work and obey. Sin had not entered the world at the time of this instruction from God. They already had a relationship and favor (Grace) from God.

By God's grace, given through the gift of His Son, we also can have a relationship with God, our heavenly Father. We must receive it. "For whosoever believes…" (John 3:16). With our sin out of the way, we can now again walk with Him in the garden. We can hear His voice. It is the voice of love, faithfulness and forgiveness. It is the voice of protection and strength. It is the voice of wisdom and of knowledge. God's voice will direct our path, turn our heart toward his and away from selfish gain and worthless things. It is the voice that tells us we are free from sin and filled with His Spirit. It is the voice we need to hear and submit to in order to live the abundant life he died to give us. His answers are sweeter than honey, more precious than silver and gold. David tells us in Psalm 119 "Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (vs 129-130)

I want all of the blessings God wants to give me. I want to know this awesome, all-powerful, ever loving God who loved me so much that He gracefully did what needed to be done to be with me! His Word contains the words of life. I want to know them! So, I will read my Bible. (could be called "works"). I want my heart to yearn for the things His heart yearns for and see friends and family members come to know him, so I pray. I want to live in the abundance He promises - I want to "ask anything in His name" and get it!!

He is transforming me into His very image. I can't always believe this or understand this but I know it brings me joy and gives me freedom. I am willing to do all that I can to see with my spiritual eyes, all that God has for me.

Call it what you will, if its "works" then its works. It's worth it. Amen

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…" (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Freedom and Confidence

"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)

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.....

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