Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, brethren, having boldnessto enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Isn’t it interesting the connection between entering God’s Presence through the Blood of Jesus and holding fast your confession? In the Greek the phrase hold fast is actually one word that means: keep secure, keep firm possession of, keep in memory. This is how we enter the Presence of God, or His Throne room. Your profession or confession comes from a root word which means to give assent, or agreement to. When you profess or confess you are declaring it openly; speaking out freely. It is something that you are convinced is true.
Polycarp was a 2nd-century Christian bishop of Smyrna. He died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. When it came to holding fast his confession it is recorded that he said before his death: “Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.” Polycarp’s crime? He refused to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. On his farewell, he said: “I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ.”
Now that is standing on your confession! Are you standing on your profession or confession in Christ? Are you declaring who you are, and whose you are through the Blood of Jesus?
Declaration 17: Holy Father I draw near to You through the Precious Blood of Jesus. I praise and thank You that You have made a new and living way. Thank You that the veil has been torn away and I can now enter boldly into Your Throne Room. Thank You that my heart has been sprinkled by the Blood, cleansing my conscience, and washing me clean. Thank You that I no have something to stand on and proclaim. By Your Blood I rise, even when I fall and fail You. I rise through the Blood Of Jesus and conquer the enemy. I rise up declaring my confession boldly: I am Washed in the Blood Of Jesus! I belong to the Lamb! I am a child of the Most High! I am ransomed, washed, cleaned, and purified! I stand and I proclaim! I rise because You rose and defeated death, hell and the grave! Hallelujah I praise You with the Heavenly Hosts. I praise You with the saints who have gone on before me. Thank You Jesus!
You’ve come a long ways in your confessions and declarations. Yet, I will say, I am getting so much out of this study. It has been such a blessing. But my hope is that God’s Spirit is using these truths to transform your thinking. May they change the way you relate to our Lord.
Today we discover how our covenant with the Godhead has been put into effect through Jesus’ shed Blood. Which reminds me of a story: A man was in the hospital, near death and couldn’t talk, so the family sent for his pastor. As the pastor stood beside the bed, the elderly man’s frail and pale condition grew worse, and he motioned frantically for something to write with. Lovingly, his pastor, handed him a pen and piece of paper. Old Fred, the elderly church member, worked up his last ounce of strength to scribble a note, placing it in his pastors hand before breathing his final breath. His family was visibly moved by Old Fred’s expression of endearment for his pastor. Heads bowed in reverence, they wept silently, shuffling nervously around the room. Not wanting to appear insensitive, the pastor discreetly slipped the sacred note into his jacket pocket promptly forgetting about it. Several days later, at Fred’s funeral, the pastor began delivering his eulogy describing the man’s journey through life, his accomplishments, and the sweetness of having pastored and known him. Half way through the eulogy he remembered that he was wearing the same jacket he had worn the day the Fred had passed. Digging into his pocket he retrieved the folded note and continued, “You know Old Fred handed me a note just before he died. I haven’t read it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration there for us all.” As the pastor unfolded the note he read aloud the sacred notes contents, “You dummy you’re standing on my oxygen tube!!”
When it comes to overcoming the accuser of the brothers quite often we are not allowing it’s truths to flow freely thus cutting off the life those truths provide. Let’s delve deeper into the Testimony of the Blood of the Lamb: Hebrews 9:15-20:[Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance—since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement. 16 For where there is a [last] will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established, 17 For a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive.18 So even the [old] first covenant (God’s will) was not inaugurated and ratified and put in force without the shedding of blood. 19 For when every command of the Law had been read out by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of slain calves and goats, together with water and scarlet wool and with a bunch of hyssop, and sprinkled both the Book (the roll of the Law and covenant) itself and all the people, 20 Saying these words: This is the blood that seals and ratifies the agreement (the testament, the covenant) which God commanded [me to deliver to] you.
When a person dies many times they will have a written will describing the earthly possessions they wish to leave with their loved ones. Officially the will is known as the “last will and testament.” Our Bibles are divided between Old and New Testaments. God’s Last Will and Testament for His people. In the Old Will and Testament the lives of animals were sacrificed to insure forgiveness of sin. Yet, in our New Will and Testament, Jesus became our sacrifice, securing for us more than forgiveness but eternal life. Freely surrendering His life so that we could come to life. Yet, as we are discovering, Jesus’ Blood did more than wash away our sins. His Blood ratified the covenant. In other words, His Blood sealed the contract, or more correctly, the covenant. A contract is a legal document which in many ways is similar to a covenant. Yet there are big differences.
Chris and Lisa Cree, bloggers for New Creations, wrote: “With a contract, if one agreeing party does something in violation of the contract then it is considered broken. The whole contract becomes null and void. With a covenant, both parties agree to hold up their ends regardless of whether the other party keeps their part of the agreement or not. A violation of a covenant by one party doesn’t matter.”
One of history’s more recent covenants has been the Declaration of Independence. The Cree’s continue to blog when they write: The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men who all understood they were committing high treason against the British government when they signed the document. Benjamin Franklin famously highlighted that reality at the time, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”The concluding sentence of the Declaration states, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” To the signers it didn’t matter if any one of their confederates broke or switched sides. They were still committed to their course of action regardless, even if it cost them their lives.“
But the question remains, What are the differences between a contract and a covenant?
A contract is an agreement between parties while a covenant is a pledge.
A covenant is an agreement you can break while a covenant is a perpetual promise.
You seal a covenant while you sign a contract.
A contract is a mutually beneficial relationship while a covenant is something you fulfill.
A contract exchanges one good for another, while a covenant is giving oneself to the other.
You can opt out of a contract while a covenant is about having the strength to hold up your part of the promise.
One can stop paying in a contract when one party is not fulling their part in a deal. However, in a covenant, the party not getting their needs met supports the failing party so that they can meet their obligations.
Obviously the weight of our covenant with Jesus is on Jesus. We are simply recipients of its benefits. There’s an account in the Old Testament of when God cut covenant with Abram. The narrative describes what was involved in the ancient custom. Genesis 15:8-10 states: But he [Abram] said, Lord God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And He said to him, Bring to Me a heifer three years old, a she-goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.10 And he brought Him all these and cut them down the middle [into halves] and laid each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not divide.
In the ancient middle eastern custom of “cutting” covenant, participants would dig a trench, preferably on a hill, allowing the blood of the sacrificed animals to flow freely down its middle. The covenant was sealed when both parties would walk through the trench barefooted allowing the blood to soak their feet. Participating in this practice was with the solemn understanding that if anyone broke covenant a similar fate would be visited upon the covenant breaker. What’s powerful about Abram’s covenant with God is that Abram never walked through. His was not the sacrifice to make. That would come through the Father who Promised His Son – Jesus, our Messiah to seal the deal.
Even more sobering than this is the fact that 2 Corinthians 5:17 states that we are new creations, and 2 Corinthians 3:3 defines what kind of new creation we are when it states: You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. In other words, you’ve become Jesus’ living scroll, the written covenant, written by the ink of the Spirit, and sealed by Jesus’ Precious Blood. You’ve done more than enter into a Covenant you can’t keep, with an Eternal God, you can never equal in a thousand lifetimes. You are being transformed into His Living Scroll – sealed by His Blood. Thats powerful. Are you ready to overcome the accuser through declaring Jesus’ Truth and Praise?
Declaration 16: Precious Father, when I draw near to You to declare Your covenant Truths, I am humbled to tears. Abba, all I can bring to our covenant is my life, my heart, and my all. I freely, and willingly surrender it at the Feet of My Lamb Who filled the trench with His Blood to seal our agreement. You have made me a new creation, a living scroll, sealed by Your Blood. I could never in a thousand lifetimes qualify as a second party. Yet You embraced me, bringing me to the Family Table, making me Yours. Thank You for surrendering Your Life so that I could come to life. Thank You that You have brought me to life, raised me from sin, flooding me with Light. Praise Your Name for Your Glorious Light! For in it I see. I can see, and hear the sweetness of Who You are, and whose You’ve made me to be. Embraced by Your Light, and Grace, I stretch forth to embrace You in return. Thank You for the day to come, when my feet find themselves before You, my legs fail me for the weight of Your Glory, and You lift me into Your embrace. My heart aches for the day. Thank You, thank You, Jesus!
Hebrews 9:14How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own preexistent divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God?
Conscience is defined as an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. The Greek goes a little deeper in its definition describing it as the the soul that distinguishes between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other.Conscience in the Greek is defined as a consciousness of right and wrong. Before a person is born-again of the Spirit the conscience could be defined as the battle between two egos in opposition to one another. One ego values goodness, truth, beauty, etc. and is affirmed and is to be affirmed. It contains within itself the “I should do this or that.” The opposing ego destroys the good order by falsehood, evil, and disorder. Ultimately both stem from the soul – mind, will, emotions and personality – and are powerless to rid you of the growing weight of guilt and wrongdoing. A conscience has the power to carry you only as far as the will is able to stay strong. Once the will has been weakened the body of our sin nature collapses under the force and weight of the temptations.
Through the Blood of Jesus this load of guilt, shame and condemnation is washed away. Jesus lifts it from us and continues to do so. As often as we ask He cleanses our conscience from the dead works of attempting to make ourself right before Him. He washes us from the need to obtain His approval through our performance, dead works, and religious legalism. He frees us to obtain the righteousness of Christ through simple faith, child-like obedience, fueled by His Spirit and Grace.
His Blood frees me from the lies of the enemy that I must meet certain standards, or have the approval of certain others in order to feel good about myself. Now that my conscience is clean I no longer have to fear punishment nor punish others. I am now free from blaming others and myself for personal failures. The drive to succeed to avoid punishment has now been replaced by gratitude. My drive to obey is empowered now by a desire to say, Thank You, through my actions. This freedom of a cleansed conscience has released me from the bondage of withdrawing from God and others. My conscience freed can now serve the Living God not religious externalism or legalism.
David, the Psalmist, sums up our position before the Father when he writes: Lord, how they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.2 Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.(Psalm 3:1-3 AMPC)
With the weight of shame, guilt and condemnation gone I can now experience the Lord lifting my head. I am in the Eternal Now. I am washed in the Blood of Jesus – made perfectly clean in His Presence.
Declaration 14: Lord many memories, have I, of my guilt, and shame. Many witnesses have seen and heard of my wickedness. Yet, my Lord and my Savior, though they increase to trouble, and rise up against me; though they proudfully assert, There is no help for him in God. I can rise up through Your Blood. I can stand. For You are my Shield, my Glory and the One who lifts my head. You have cleansed, are cleansing, and will cleanse my conscience from the weight, and stain of sin. You have washed me, lifted my head, and ushered me into Your Presence. You have freed me from the lies that I must meet certain standards, or have the approval of certain others in order to feel good about myself. Through Your cleansing Blood I no longer have to fear punishment nor punish others – because my conscience has been cleansed. You have freed me from blaming others and myself for my personal failures. Through Your Blood I can even accept the choices I made which led to their consequences. The drive to succeed to avoid punishment has now been replaced by gratitude.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Jesus! Let all heaven and earth join in the Praise. Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain before the foundations of the world! Worthy is my God and King to receive all Glory, Honor, Power, and Riches! Praise Him sun, moon, stars and planets! Praise Him all you His angels. Let everything that has breath praise the Living God and Supreme Master of all things.
Freedom has cleansed my conscience releasing me from the bondage of withdrawing from God and others. Freedom has a Name and His Name is Jesus! Praise You Jesus, I have been freed from religious externalism, legalism, and the approval of man. I have all the approval I need through You and by Your Precious Blood. I weep before Your Feet in joy and gratitude at the excellence of Your Sacrifice. I had no idea what a wondrous treasure it is. Now, by Your Grace, I can see and receive the Good News of Your Gospel! Hallelujah!
Colossians 1:20And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.
The implications of this statement by Paul is similar to the ones made regarding Declaration 13 yet there is a subtle, often overlooked message found in the use of the word peace. The Greek meaning for peace simply means “to make peace, and establish harmony.” That is powerful enough by itself and I will return to it in a few minutes but first I want you to see something else. In John 20:19 Jesus appears to His Disciples: Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
When I read that passage I usually end up chuckling. The reason for my humor is that I am typically reminded of an old translation of the New Testament known as the Cotton Patch Version of the Bible. The “Cotton Patch” Gospel is a colloquial translation of most of the New Testament by Southern Baptist minister Clarence Jordan. Jordan’s goal was to communicate the New Testament in the idiom of the South so that “plain folks” could better understand it. To do this, Jordan, who worked from Greek texts, changed both the setting and the language of the New Testament. For example, John the Baptist conducts baptisms in the Chattahoochee River, and Jesus is born in Gainesville. Also, Jesus makes such statements as “Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest” (as opposed to the Matthew 11:28 verse, traditionally translated from the Greek as “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”). All of that to say when I read this passage I typically imagine Jesus saying, Shalom ya’ll! Shalom being the Hebrew word for Peace and a much richer word in meaning than that which we have in Greek. The Hebrew meaning for peace means: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; completeness (in number); safety, soundness (in body); welfare, health, prosperity; peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment; peace, friendship of human relationships with God especially in covenant relationship; peace (from war). The popular Scripture Jeremiah 29:11 states: For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. This popular passage utilizes the idea of Shalom. This is why Hebrews 4:11 states: Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. Thus we are to strive to enter the fullness of His Peace (Shalom) – while knowing it has already been accomplished through the blood of Jesus.
Now let’s return to the other aspect of the Greek meaning for Peace: “to establish harmony.”Zephaniah 3:17 states: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
When Jesus brought us into His Peace – He brought us into His Song. The Hebrew word for “rejoice” means to leap, spin, to be joyful. I love this picture of Jesus. He brought us into His Peace with singing, leaping, spinning, and joy. You are His Joy! You make Him sing! How powerful is that? If that won’t get your praise on I don’t know what will.
Declaration 14: I praise You Lord Jesus that You have brought me into Your Peace with singing, and dancing. I am humbled and filled with joy because I am Your Song. I cause You to dance. Today and forever, I say to You – You are my song! You cause me to dance and sing your praises. You cause me to rejoice with You as You bring me to life. Thank You for singing bringing me into harmony with You. Thank You for Your Shalom that has and is making me complete, and sound. Thank You Jesus that Your Shalom brings for me welfare, safety, and soundness in mind, body and spirit. Thank You Jesus that through Your Shalom You have healed and are healing me. Thank You that through Your Shalom I am to prosper and succeed. Thank You that Your Shalom has brought me into a covenant of friendship with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thank You that the battles are Yours and I am just called to enforce the Victory. Hallelujah! I worship and glorify You. I love You. Give me ears to hear the Singer’s Song. Give me feet to dance in Your Peace – to Dance through Your Peace!
Ephesians 2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The Greek word for “brought near” comes from a root word which implies to “take into the arms and embrace.” But the fullness of the verse and what Christ actually did doesn’t really share the depths of what He actually did. You have to back up and begin in verse 10 and proceed through verse 16. Check this out. It’s really amazing: Ephesians 2:10-16For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. 11 Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. 12 [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near. 14 For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us, 15 By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace. 16 And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end.
When Jesus brought us near – the moment we trusted in the shed blood of Jesus – several things were activated at once: you were recreated to do the works Jesus does; brought into the rights of Israel’s covenant promises; we came into His Peace – Shalom; the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile was torn down – the separation was ended; He annulled the affects of the consequences of breaking the Law; one new man was created; we were reconciled in relationship with God; He destroyed the enmity between us; and He brought the feud to an end.
This act is powerfully demonstrated in an Old Testament prophecy found in Ezekiel 37:16-24Son of man, take a stick and write on it, For Judah and the children of Israel his companions; then take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel his companions; 17 And join them together into one stick that they may become one in your hand.18 And when your people say to you, Will you not show us what you mean by these? 19 Say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph—which is in the hand of Ephraim—and the tribes of Israel his associates, and will join with it the stick of Judah and make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand.20 When the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes, 21 Then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations to which they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land.22 And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and one King shall be King over them all; and they shall be no longer two nations, neither be divided into two kingdoms any more.23 They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things or with any of their transgressions, but I will save them out of all their dwelling places and from all their backslidings in which they have sinned, and I will cleanse them. So shall they be My people, and I will be their God. 24 And David My Servant shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Shepherd. They shall also walk in My ordinances and heed My statutes and do them.
Remember Joseph is a prophetic symbol of Gentiles or nations, and Ephraim was his son, whereas Judah is a symbol of Israel and the Jewish people. In essence the prophecy is stating that the two sticks will become one stick. This prophecy is even more powerful when you recall that Jesus is referred to as the Branch, or Rod, and then Jesus refers to us as branches. Jesus is the Nazarene (the Branch). In the Ephesians passage Paul states that through the Cross of Jesus the two houses have become one. Now we need to stop and ask, How many trees were in the Garden? You could say there were two sticks in the Garden – could you not? But it get’s better than that. The cross was made up of how many “sticks?” Jesus has taken the horizontal bar and the vertical bar and brought peace between man’s horizontal relationships with man and his vertical relationship with God. Even more profound is that the two sticks were designated with some names: Israel which means “God is Upright!” Jesus was upright on the cross drawing us to Himself. Judah means “Let Him Be Praised!”Joseph means “increase, or may He add.” And lastly there is Ephraim, which means, “two-fold increase, doubly fruitful.” The two sticks have been brought together to make One New Man. From the Jews the Nations or Gentiles have been born, and from the Gentiles, the Jewish people will be provoked to jealousy to embrace Yeshua (Jesus) as their Mashiach or Messiah. How powerful is that? We have been brought near – embraced by the Godhead to be covenant sons and daughters.
Now if that’s not something to marvel in amazement at I don’t know what is. Let’s get our praise on and begin declaring His Truth for the universe to hear.
Declaration 13: My Almighty, Mysterious Savior and Lord, I praise and worship You. Thank You that through Your precious Blood You brought me near. Not until now have I paused long enough to see the wonders of Your Love and the Power of Your Word. Through Your Blood I’ve been recreated to do the works Jesus does. Through Your Blood I’ve been brought into the rights of Israel’s covenant promises. Through Your Blood I have been embraced by Peace, and brought into the Fullness of Your Shalom. Through Your Blood You have torn down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and that separation was ended. Through Your Blood You annulled the affects and consequences of my breaking the Law. Through Your Blood I’ve been made into one new man. Through Your Blood I’ve been reconciled in my relationship with Father God. Through Your Blood the enmity, hatred and hostility that existed between us has been abolished. Through Your Blood the feud has been brought to an end. Yet the sweetest thing of all is how on the Cross You stretched out Your Arms in an Eternal Hug revealing the answer to the question the world’s been asking for centuries: God do You love me and if so, How much? And You stretched out Your Arms, took me into Your Embrace, using the two trees from the Garden. Through two sticks You brought that which was horizontal in me to live again vertically. Hallelujah! Lamb of God You are Worthy of My Praise! I exalt and lift You high! I run into Your Embrace. I love You My Precious Savior, Lord and God. You are Matchless and Worthy of all my Praises!
Ephesians 1:7In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,
Thus far we have covered 5 aspects of how the Blood of Jesus empowers us to overcome the accuser of the brothers. Those 5 ways are: cleansing, propitiation, justification, redemption, and communion. Now that’s pretty impressive but there’s more. In fact we are jut getting warmed up. Ephesians 1:7 points out that through the Blood of Jesus we have remission, or forgiveness of sins. What does that mean? It means release from bondage, or imprisonment; forgiveness, remission, and pardon – as if they had never been committed. Literally it means “letting them go.” For example when I forgive someone I now have the understanding that I am “releasing them from the debt that I think they owe me.” The Godhead did that with ALL our sins. He released us from the “debt we owed Him.” In other words, He “let us go.” Before Jesus breathed His last breath the Bible records 2 things that made that final breath. One Gospel writer records that He simply said, “It is finished.” Another records, He shouted. In my personal opinion those were two of the same event. I believe that at Jesus’ last breath, He pushed up on HIs nail pierced feet, took in a deep breath, and shouted, “It is finished!” Now in the Greek that phrase is simply one word, Tetelestai.Tetelestai is an accounting, or banking term, which means, “the debt has been paid in full.” Jesus took the record of our sins, wrongdoings, transgression, trespasses, intentional, and unintentional sins and closed our account. He remitted the payment. Now when someone has a debt they can’t pay and its cancelled or remitted, someone still has to absorb that debt. Someone has to pay what hasn’t been repaid. That’s what Jesus did for us. He absorbed our debt, taking it upon Himself; transferring it to His account. That’s a sobering truth. The root word for remission or forgiveness is even better. It literally means “to send it away.” Not only has Jesus absorbed our debt, forgiven, pardoned and remitted it – He has sent it away. Now it would be really tempting at this point to say,Well Robert that takes care of my past sins – but what about the sins afterwards? Remember yesterdays confession and declaration? Remember 1 John 1:7? Your salvation and mine are continually abiding in the Eternal Now. Jesus’ Blood is continually washing away my sins – in the present. In Jesus, there is no past or future, just Now. He has adopted you and I into Him. For example if you were able to take a sheet of paper and record all of your sins on it, and then take a larger sheet of paper writing, “Jesus,” on it. Take that larger sheet of paper (Jesus) fold it down the middle, and place your smaller sheet of paper (a record of all your sins) – in the middle of “Jesus.” What would you see? Only Jesus. We have been enfolded into Jesus. That’s powerful. Let’s tell Him so and let us be transformed by the truths of Jesus. Let us forsake the lies the enemy has spoken about us. Let us embrace who He has made us to be. This is the Gospel!
Declaration 12: Heavenly Father I humbly bow before You slowly beginning to make sense of what You did for me at the cross. Yet I still cannot fathom the depths of Your Love and Mercy. I never will be able to. Thank You. Forever and ever I will thank You! You have forgiven, remitted, and pardoned my sins. You have closed my account of sins’ debt. You have released me from that debt and You have sent it away – forever away. Thank you for absorbing my debt and enfolding me into You. Thank You that all the Father sees is You. I have been hidden in You! Thank You Lord that my salvation is always in the present – in Your Eternal Now. I am always hidden in You. Hidden in Your Blood, forgiveness, washing, cleansing, healing, and freeing. I love You and I thank You for the Great Price You paid to secure my salvation. With You I shout, tetelestai! My debt has been cancelled, paid in full, and sent away! Thank You Jesus!
1 Corinthians 10:16The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing, does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)? The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ?
Just so you know – we are on Friday, January 17, confessions and declarations. Fellowship is a word that has devolved over the years especially in the church. As a child I had a peripheral involvement with the local church at best. Yet, whenever a fellowship was announced, it was always understood to mean, food and mostly meaningless conversation. Now don’t get me wrong. I love connecting with people, and lite conversation, but this is not what the New Testament word meant at all. It was, nor has it ever been, the intention of the New Testament writers to minimize the word or its multiple concepts. On the surface, the only similarities that our popular definition has with the original meaning, is that of joy and celebration. What the Bible means by the word fellowship is a co-sharing of Jesus. Now when I was loosely involved in the life of the church, I would have dumbed down this definition with a reinterpretation. My new definition would be that “fellowship” is a sharing of information you had learned, or read about, regarding Jesus, or the Bible. Yet my definition was still information or knowledge based. But that is not what the Greek word for “fellowship” means. Its very similar to the “food and fun” aspect of the word but it’s missing the depth and richness of the meaning. The Greek meaning of the word “fellowship” means that there is a mutual sharing of experiences that you were having or had. Obviously the Bible is the best place to look for understanding and when it comes to the term “fellowship” we needn’t look any further than in 1 John 1:3 for insight and understanding. It states: What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Fellowship as used in this verse, and throughout the New Testament, references experiences that the Apostles had, and might add – were having, with Jesus. What we have seen and [ourselves] heard,… This fellowship was experiential. A casual reading of this passage would lead one to conclude that the fellowship of experience was based on previous memories of Jesus. But pay attention to what John says next: And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians]…It’s an ongoing and active thing. The experiential knowledge is not of something in the past, though that is part of it, but it’s ongoing. One must also conclude from this verse that this experience is not restricted to the Apostles only. It was to be a distinguishing characteristics of all Christians. The average Christian was to have this experience also. Interestingly enough this fellowship is specific and unique. Christian fellowship with the Godhead involved a knowing that there were, and are, times when there was an awareness that the individual was communing with the Father, or at other times, with the Son. Now that is a mind blower. The Godhead is “Three In One” but separate and distinct. And just to put your mind at ease, the fellowship is not everyday, but at particular moments in time. It has been my personal experience, yours may be different, that most of my relations with the Godhead have been with the Holy Spirit. Not to appear as if I am boasting, but that is pretty much an everyday thing. Why? Because of God’s Grace and Mercy, and my desperate need for Him. Next in line, in my relational context, will be Jesus, followed by the Father. That kind of fellowship – co-sharing – is made possible through the Blood of Jesus. Again, my personal opinion and my experience has been, that the encounters I have with the Father or Jesus are typically related to God-sized assignments that He has for me. For example Moses’ burning bush encounter with the Godhead had to be so dramatic and profound in order to match the challenges he was going about to experience. In other words, the experience was so undeniable, that later, when the going got tough, he wouldn’t chalk it up to his imagination – and flee in the opposite direction.
What’s really powerful is that this “rabbit hole” goes deeper. Several days ago, on Day 9, I had you declare what justification has and is doing for you. Embedded in that mediation was something so profound Im just now beginning to glimpse the depths of its meanings. It was a quote from The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. The quote was: “The eternal character of the justifying event of salvation prevents any severing of past and present. The act of salvation is a continuing present.” Pay attention to that last sentence: The act of salvation is a continuing present.” Our salvation through the Blood of Jesus isn’t a past or future event. It’s always in the preset tense. I believe that the Lord gave me a phrase by which to label this concept. I believe that He called it, The Eternal Now. It only stands to reason that the Godhead is outside of time. His proper Name is Yahweh: “I AM! It’s not I was or I will be – it IS…I AM. Thus, through the Blood of Jesus, I have been brought into the Presence of I AM. This means my salvation is in the present tense. Which means that I have access to fellowship, or experiential relationship, NOW! I have been positioned in the NOW. More specifically, in the Eternal Now. Now that is not only mind blowing, but quite exciting. You see we overcome the accuser of the brothers through abiding in His Blood which transfers us into the Eternal Now. This is only activated through faith, and a constant turning of our consciousness towards the Eternal Now. This is how we live from the Eternal Now: Faith, Obedience, and Setting Our minds. Now remember that our minds are one aspect of our souls. Thus what you are doing is shifting the reign of your spiritual life from a soulish perspective to one that is spiritual. You are bringing all aspects of your person into alignment with the way God intended: Spirit, Soul, Body. Our salvation (Greek word is sozo) involves our entire person: Spirit, Soul, and Body. It’s the Divine Alignment. Our mind, properly related to our spirit, acts as the translator, or the decoder, for all that God’s Spirit is whispering into our spirit. The mind, in submission to the Spirit, is able to act in accordance with the Words of the Spirit. Why? Because we are in the Eternal Now – through the activation of the Blood of Jesus. This activation is only made possible through trust and obedience. As we trust and obey (for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus) – we experience Fellowship with the Godhead, and with the Blood of Jesus. (And science fiction thinks it has something on Christians).
So let’s activate the Blood of Jesus towards communion, and fellowship with the Godhead. Are you ready? Remember do this aloud.
Declaration 11: My Precious Treasure, my Beloved, Your ways astound and amaze me. I bless Your Name for such a marvelous, awe-inspiring, salvation. Thank You Jesus for the invitation to walk with You and Know You. I thank You for such a great, and treasured gift, as my salvation. Thank You Jesus that now I have been invited into the Eternal Now. I turn my heart, mind, soul, and personality to You. I worship You. I am before the Great I AM continually. Continually I am saved. Continually I am forever knowing You. Continually I am forever washed clean, justified, and all my sin is gone. Thank You, thank You Jesus. I love You so much for loving me. I love You so much for inviting me into the Eternal Now. I praise You for Your Blood! Oh Father, I praise You for giving me Your Son. I praise You Jesus for clothing me in Your Holy Spirit. I praise You Holy Spirit for revealing to me Jesus. I praise You Holy Spirit for all the many things You do: leading me into all Truth, giving me revelation from the Word, speaking to me, whispering to me what Heaven’s thoughts are. Thank You, thank You, thank You!! You are my God and I am Your child. I’m blown away and captivated by your Great Love! Simply grant me Your Grace and revelation to continually abide in the Eternal Now.
Don’t forget “Who’s Your One – Day 5″ – Scripture Reading = Rom. 6:16-18
Ephesians 1:7In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,
The Greek word for redemption means a liberation or release from imprisonment that has been affected by payment of a ransom; a deliverance from the penalty of transgressions has been enacted; and to buy back with the purpose of restoring – breaking off the enslaving yoke of the enemy.
In the book titled The Prodigal God, its author Timothy Keller expounds on the extravagance of our God: “The word “prodigal” does not mean “wayward” but, according to Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, “recklessly spendthrift.” It means to spend until you have nothing left. This term is therefore as appropriate for describing the father in the story as his younger son. The father’s welcome to the repentant son was literally reckless, because he refused to “reckon” or count his sin against him or demand repayment. This response offended the elder brother and most likely the local community. In this story the father represents the Heavenly Father Jesus knew so well. St. Paul writes: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses.”(2 Cor. 5:19 – ASV) Jesus is showing us the God of Great Expenditure, Who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, His children. God’s reckless grace is our greatest hope, a life-changing experience…”
Jesus gave His all to ransom you and I so that we could be restored to whom He made us to be. Even better than that is to imagine you and I being ransomed from the demons that used to torment us. It reminds me of a song that was popular back in the 70’s titled The Victor. Here are the lyrics: Swallowed into earth’s dark womb, And death has triumphed, That’s what they say, But tried to hold Him in the tomb, The Son of Life rose on the third day.
Chorus:Just look the gates of hell they’re falling, Crumbling from the inside out, He’s bursting through the walls with laughter (Hah!) Listen to the Angels shout: It is finished, He has done it, Life conquered death, Jesus Christ has won it.
His plan of battle, You know it, He fooled them all. They led Him off to prison to die. But as He entered Hades Hall He broke those hellish chains with a cry. Just listen to those demons screaming. See Him bruise the serpent’s head. The prisoners of Hell He’s redeeming (Oh!) All the power of death is dead. It is finished. He has done it. Life conquered death Jesus Christ has won it!
Just look the gates of hell they’re falling crumbling from the inside out. He’s bursting through the walls with laughter (Hah!) Listen to the Angels shout! (Listen, oh, listen)
It is finished. He has done it. Life conquered death. Jesus Christ Has won it!
Jesus has redeemed you -with laughter and delight! He paid your ransom, restoring you back to who He made you to be. He has purchased you from satan, death, and hell and you are no longer their possession. You belong to Jesus. You are His Prized Treasure.
Declaration 9: Mighty Campion of God – Lord Jesus Christ – I praise and worship You. I declare that You have won it. You have conquered satan, hell and death ransoming me for You. Jesus I am Your treasured possession. I am Your Pearl of Great Price. You have paid for my release through the extravagance of Your Life and Love. You have broken me free from the enslaving yoke, restoring me back to life and Destinies Image. I belong to Jesus. I belong to the Father’s Kingdom. I am no longer my own but my Beloveds. He is mine and I am His. Hallelujah He has paid my dowry, and my ransom, making me His Bride forever. Hallelujah He has brought me into His Father’s House to be a member of His Forever Family. Thank You Jesus I have been redeemed by Your Precious Blood! Thank You Jesus for the riches of Your Mercy!
Revelation 20:11-15Then I saw a great white throne and the One Who was seated upon it, from Whose presence and from the sight of Whose face earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. 13 And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works]. 14 Then death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.15 And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.
Imagine having to stand before God to be judged on the merits of your entire life. All the ways you thought, felt, and acted were put on parade before God. Your motives, aims, and works were brought out into the open to be exposed by God, before Him, His Saints, and His Holy angels. The event becomes even more terrifying as you consider that you will be judged for ALL your sins. Sin being defined as anything that doesn’t please God or is a transgression of His Law. Sin being the things I know I should do, like loving God with ALL my heart, soul, mind and strength or loving my neighbor as I love myself. Things I failed to obey, like witnessing, making disciples, going to the nations, caring for the poor, or visiting those in prison. The things I know I shouldn’t do like criticizing others, being self-centered, prideful, taking God’s Name in Vain, lying, or not obeying the authorities and their laws (like speeding). Even more terrifying is the fact that you are being held responsible for the things you weren’t even conscious or aware of doing – like causing other people to stumble away from God because of your actions or inactivity. What a terrifying thought: you are being held responsible for the things you were ignorant of. With that definition in mind imagine standing before a Holy, Righteous, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful God. How many books would have to be opened to account for all of your sins, failures, short-comings, rebellions, and stubborn rejections of commands you chose to disregard, ignore or dismiss? You wouldn’t just be sentenced to hell – you would deserve to go. In fact you would deserve to go below hell. You are guilty in the Courtroom of Heaven and God is the Judge. Far more terrifying is the fact that you are not being judged by the opinions of others but on your very thought life, feelings, motives, aims, goals, and actions. Add to this terrifying scene, satan, as the prosecuting attorney. He not only knows what you did he remembers and recalls all the ways he lied, seduced and enticed you to be this way. He knows you better than yourself.
There it all stands: a perfect record, account, and eyewitness testimony of all of your sins. You are guilty deserving of the harshest of penalties. You have wasted the life God had given you living it for yourself and your self-centered pursuits. What can you do? What chance of hope do you have in this life or the life to come? There is none unless God makes provision for your acquittal. But what can He do? He is honor bound by His Righteous Law to prosecute and punish you to the fullest extent of Heaven’s Holy Law. He is in a quandary. He loves you as your Heavenly Father. You were made in His image, but you’ve marred that image. His heart has broken for you as He watched you dismiss His Truth, and reject His Grace. He is Holy and he is Loving. How can Almighty God save you? Who Can Save you?
Jesus! That’s the Answer.He’s your Provision! – Romans 5:9 states: Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
What does this word “Justified” mean? It means to make righteous; to become sinless; to be pronounced as righteous, and sinless. Not only are you acquitted of sin, you are made as if you never did anything wrong, and you are freed from the power of having to serve sin. Along with that is the fact that you have now been restored back into a right relationship with God. Even more powerful is the fact that it’s always in the present tense! The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament states it this way: “The eternal character of the justifying event of salvation prevents any severing of past and present. The act of salvation is a continuing present.”
In other words, as you stand before God Almighty, the Holy and Righteous Judge of the Universe, you are in a constant state of justification; a constant state of being not guilty. Do you get this? Because of your trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins – you are always being declared, Innocent. You are always being seen as innocent. Why is the Gospel called the Good News? Figure it out. Why do Christians fall on the ground in defeat, condemnation, and shame – when the Price has already been paid. The verdict has already been pronounced. To believe anything to the contrary is to confess that Jesus’ Life, Suffering, Crucifixion and Death – were not enough. If you believe that you need to participate in this declaration. Say it out loud to all who are listening – seen and unseen.
Declaration 9: Oh Holy God, I weep as I think of all the times I have believed more in the lies of the devil than in the Truths of Your Word. I weep as I think about what I’ve done with the life and grace you have freely bestowed upon me. You are so Good. You are Good, Righteous and Holy in all of Your ways. I have been an undeserving, wretched, wicked sinner. But Papa, Praise Your Holy Name, that one day You came and found me. You washed me clean, and stood me up. With Love in Your eyes You – the Righteous, and Holy Judge of the Universe – sent Your Holy Son Jesus to stand up in the Courtroom of Heaven and state, I will take their place. I will receive the punishment they deserve.” Thank You that He overcame so that I can overcome. I now pronounce and proclaim that I have overcome the accuser of the brothers, the prosecuting attorney of Heaven, by the Blood of Jesus. By Jesus’ Blood I have been declared justified, righteous, and sinless, as if I’ve never done anything wrong. Holy Lord I praise You that through the Blood I no longer have to serve sin. The power of sin has been broken off of my life. Thank You Holy One, My Precious Father, Savior, and Lover of my soul that You see me in the Present Tense – because You are Timeless, living in the Present Tense. You see me not as someone who has been saved but as someone who is saved. I am someone who is innocent before God by the Blood of Jesus. I choose to live in the Present – in His Presence – where I am justified, clean, righteous, holy, and free. By the Blood of Jesus I am justified. I declare it to the Heavens. I am justified and not guilty by the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God!
Scripture Reading for Who’s Your One? – Don’t forget your reading for the day:
Day 3 – Matthew 11:28-30
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Romans 3:25Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.
We overcome the accuser of the brothers through the Blood of Jesus. Yet many of us do not understand the full implications and ramifications of the great gift Jesus has given unto us. Often this simply is the result of ignorance on our part, and poor teaching on the part of us pastor’s. The word “propitiation” is a case in point. What is propitiation?
The word was used concretely to refer to the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. Why is this significant? Once a year the High Priest would come before God to make atonement for the sins of Israel through sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat 7 times. Also the Mercy Seat was to be the place where God promised that He would meet with whomever was the High Priest: Exodus 30:6You shall put the altar [of incense] in front and outside of the veil that screens the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony (the Law, the tables of stone), where I will meet with you. Thus we can draw the conclusion that through Jesus’ Blood we are brought near to the Throne of God’s mercy in order to meet with God. But there’s more. Propitiation in English simply means to ease the anger or disturbance of; changing resentment, anger or bitterness to good will; ending an estrangement and settling the differences. Thus Jesus’ Blood accomplishes all of these things and more.
Another word used to describe propitiation is expiate. Expiate implies extinguishing the guilt incurred. Scripture records: “Disaster shall fall upon you, which you will not be able to expiate. That ominous biblical prophecy (Isaiah 47:11, RSV) shows that expiate was once involved in confronting the forces of evil as well as in assuaging guilt. The word derives from expiare, Latin for to atone for, a root that in turn traces to the Latin term for “pious.” Expiate originally referred to warding off evil by using sacred rites or to using sacred rites to cleanse or purify something. So we can also conclude that the Blood confronts the forces of evil, and renders us pious.
The Greek derivative for “propitiation” means to make reconciliation for. Another Greek word, hilasmos, is used for Christ as our propitiation in 1 John 2:2; 4:10; and in the Septuagint (Leviticus 25:9; Numbers 5:8; Amos 8:14). The thought in the OT sacrifices and in the NT fulfillment, is that Christ completely satisfied the just demands of the Holy Father for judgment on sin, by his death at Calvary. Did you catch that last part?Christ completely satisfied the just demands of the Holy Father for judgment on sin, by his death at Calvary. Christ completely satisfied! Let that sink in when you doubt God’s willingness to forgive. When you believe that you hadn’t said, “I’m sorry enough. When the enemy helps you to recall the seemingly unforgivable things you have done. Jesus completely satisfied the Father’s demands.
Jesus’ Blood is the Mercy Seat for overcoming the accuser of the brothers. Do you get that? Ready to begin declaring and making confession?
Declaration 8: Merciful Father I come before Your Throne of Mercy by the Precious Blood of Your Son. What a great and precious gift You have bestowed upon me. How can I thank you enough? Your Love and Mercy has no bounds. You are worthy of all my praises. You are worthy to receive every breath I breathe as a token of thanks and praise to You. Thank You my Jesus that You have become for me the Mercy Seat of God. I now can enter boldly the Father’s Throne Room not because of my performance but because of Your Great Gift and Sacrifice. I Praise You that through Your Precious Blood you have eased the Holy and Righteous Anger of the Father. You have reconciled us back together. I no longer have to see the Father as punishing me or angry with me – because now I come standing on You – my Mercy Seat. You have extinguished my guilt – past, present and future. You have warded off the evil one, and replaced my guilt with your piety – making me pious. Hallelujah! You have purified me doing it perfectly and completely! I love You Jesus for loving me even when I was still Your enemy. Thank you again and again. And for a thousand life times I will thank You again and again!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/mercy-seat.jpg772731Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-13 21:31:372020-01-13 21:31:42Confession and Declaration 8
Yesterday you were challenged to clear your spiritual vision, and break up the fallow ground of your heart through asking, “Who’s your one?” In addition, the confessions and declarations you’ve been participating in should be renewing, and transforming your mind by the Truth of God’s Word. Revelation 12: 11 states that “they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony…” The question is what is their testimony, and how do you overcome the enemy through it?
One of the ways that we overcome the enemy through our testimony is through declaring what Jesus’ Blood has accomplished for us. Let’s begin with 1 John 1:7: But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
In the last part of that verse the Amplified translation does a great job of bringing out the original language’s nuances of the word “”cleanses.” It is removing us from all sin and guilt. It has removed, is removing and will continue to remove us from all sin and guilt. There’s a couple of things going on through the Blood that’s very powerful. Jesus often referred to Himself as “I AM.” This is the formal Name of God. Jesus’ use of this Name indicates His identification with God, as God. In one passage of Scripture He brings out a powerful implication behind the name of God when He states: Before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58) Jesus is indicating that He exists outside of time. Yet He came as a man into our time. The God Who is limitless, and infinite, and exists outside of time chose to limit Himself to time to save me. That’s pretty powerful. But it gets even better than that. Since God is outside of time then He see’s all events at the same time – all the time. Revelation 13:8 brings this out when it states: And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the foundation of the world. What this means for you and I is that the Father sees the event of His Son crucified as fresh, and new as He sees the day you and I trusted in Jesus’ Blood to wash away our sins, be born-again, and come to life. The day you trusted in Jesus’ Blood to save you is the day that His Blood was activated in your life to wash and cleanse you from all sin. I say activated because His sacrifice was made for all mankind as a free gift. All we have to do is receive the gift activating it on our behalf through trust. Thus Jesus’ crucifixion never get’s old to God, but neither does the day you and I trusted in Jesus. That’s why our trust is to be timeless. It’s not something we did in the past – it’s something always in the present. It’s an active ongoing exercise in trust. That’s powerful. Not only that. The day you activated the Blood is the day that Jesus’ Blood began washing over you – cleansing, freeing, healing and transforming you. Now that’ some declaration.
Declaration 7: My Holy, Precious and Loving Father, I bow down to Your Mysteries. In Your great Love You saw me and drew me to Jesus to Know You, and to be joined to Your Forever Family. I praise, worship and declare my undying love and gratitude. I thank You that I overcome the accuser of the brethren through the Precious Blood of the Lamb. I praise and worship You with the angels in Heaven for Your Great and Mighty Gift of Love and Salvation. I thank You Father that the Blood of Jesus is cleansing, removing all sin and guilt, and that it is keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations. Hallelujah! I praise and worship Your Holy Name that the horrific event of Jesus’ crucifixion is still as fresh to You now as it was the day it occurred. But precious Father thank You that my trusting His sacrifice is just as fresh to You today as it was the day I first began to believe. “Thank you’s” are not enough. By Your Grace and Holy Spirit my “thank You” will be a life of gratitude that seeks to live a life of obedience to Your Spirit and Word. Thank You that Jesus’ Blood is always washing, and cleansing me from sin empowering me to move forward in obedience to You. I overcome the accuser, and conquer sin, because Your Blood is constantly washing me. Thank You for the Gospel. It really is the Good News I’ve never heard. I love You and Praise You for giving me Yourself. In return I give You myself. Hallelujah praise Him all creation! Hallelujah praise Him all you saints and angels! He is worthy of all praise, glory and honor. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! What a precious thought: I am washed in the Blood of the Lamb! I have a testimony, and my testimony is that all my sins are being covered by the Blood Of Jesus. I have a testimony, and my testimony is that all my sins are being washed away, forgiven and forgotten forever. Thank you Jesus for the Testimony of Your Blood. I have a testimony, and through that testimony I have, and will continue to overcome the accuser of the saints by the Precious Blood of Jesus!
Don’t forget your Bible reading from your bookmark: John 14:6. Please don’t forget to pray through the devotion for your “one” – their salvation, and the day you present the Gospel to them. Have a great day!
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Revelation 12:9And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
Up till this present declaration we have explored 5 of the titles for satan. Today the sixth is the seducer or deceiver. The Amplified translation has it right. The original word implies both seduction, and deceit that begins in the mind causing you and I to wander astray.
Interestingly Jesus tells a parable about soil conditions in Matthew 13:22As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit. Riches defined here refers to an abundance of external possessions. I have said for years that you don’t have to be Bill Gates for this parable to apply to you. By default you are an American, incidentally one of the richest nations on earth. You and I are the rich man. The question is, What do we do with our riches and wealth? Wealth isn’t a bad thing as long as it doesn’t control you. Wealth isn’t a bad thing as long as it doesn’t come between you and your relationship with God. But if your possessions keep you from obeying, pursuing, and living for God – then you have a problem. If they come before God – you have a problem. Adjustments must be made in your lifestyle to conform to the standards set by Jesus.
The good news is that we have some promises given by Jesus regarding truth. First of all Truth is not simply an abstract concept of ideas. Truth is a Person and His Name is Jesus. Thus if you have a relationship with Jesus then you will constantly be living for the Truth adjusting your life to Him. The second thing we see is found in John 15:26But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me. Therefore since we have have received the Holy Spirit at salvation He is the Spirit of Truth Who testifies about Who Jesus is.
John 16:13 gives us another promise: But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. Thus the promise is that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth, and will tell us what will happen in the future. As believers we can rejoice that we do not have to live in fear as long as we are abiding In Jesus and the Spirit. As long as we are involved in a personal relationship with Jesus – ongoing, experiential and interactive – we will know the truth. Many Christians live in fear that they will be deceived by a teacher, or teaching that runs contrary to the Word. The Good News is that if you seek to abide in Jesus’ Presence that He will let you know if you are in the truth or not.
Once I was at a messianic conference in Estes Park, Colorado and a messianic believer began to teach on Abram’s sacrifice of Isaac. He was very impressive looking the part of a wise sage and people were soaking in his every word. But then he took a “wrong turn” and began teaching that Abram actually killed Isaac but that God had raised him from the dead. It’s an enticing thought but not at all Scriptural. The implications are heretical suggesting that Isaac defeated death and he was our savior. Which there is obviously nothing farther from the truth. I was astonished to look around the room at other believers nodding their heads in approval. I couldn’t believe it. I began a dialogue with the Lord inquiring about this teacher and the Lord’s reply angered me. He used one word: Kabalism. After the session I was inadvertently used to confront this individual in his heresy. You see Kabalism is Jewish witchcraft. A few years ago you may have observed actors, actresses, and pop singers wearing these braided bracelets around their wrists. This practice derived from Kabalism.
As believers in Jesus we have Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the Word of God as our guides to Truth. Thus we can boldly declare Declaration 6:Truth of the Living God, Jesus, we praise and worship You that You have led me out of the darkness of lies into the light of Your Truth. Thank You that You came and found me drawing me into more Truth – into More of You Jesus. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, Who testifies to Jesus, leads me to know Him, and leads me into the Truth. Thank You Jesus I have overcome the deceiver, and seducer through Your Light in Me, through Your Holy Spirit and Your Precious Word. Thank You Jesus for hurling the lies out of me and casting them to the ground. Thank You that everything the Light shines on can be seen and everything the Light shines on becomes Light. Thank You for shining Your Light in Me. Flood me with Your Light – Your Glory. Thank You that in the Light of Your Glory are riches hidden for me In Christ Jesus! Thank You Jesus that I am becoming fully filled and flooded with Your Light and Glory! Hallelujah!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Truth.jpg172292Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-10 15:34:552020-01-10 15:35:00Confession and Declaration 6
Revelation 12:7-9Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. 8 But they were defeated, and there was no room found for them in heaven any longer. 9 And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
A war broke out in Heaven because Jesus crucified, resurrected and ascended had entered Heaven’s Courts with His sacrificial blood. That is such a powerful statement. Once Jesus enters into take dominion – war breaks out. Jesus told His disciples: Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].Luke 17:21
If the Kingdom of God, or Heaven is inside of you, and war broke out in God’s Heaven, then you can rest assured a war has broke out in you also. The Good News? Satan is defeated – cast down and out! He is forced out and flung to the earth! Satan the adversary, who opposes, withstands, “lying in ambush” to attack.Yet, Jesus has turned the ambush of the cross, into a weapon of war to bludgeon our enemy into submission through the shout of His resurrection. This is no ordinary child, nor Son of Man. No, He is a conquering Warrior King dressed for battle.
Joshua 5:13-15 states: When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a Man stood near him with His drawn sword in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? 14 And He said, No [neither], but as Prince of the Lord’s host have I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What says my Lord to His servant? 15 And the Prince of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, Loose your shoes from off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.
Most scholars recognize this Prince of the Lord’s Host as none other than the pre-incarnate Jesus. When Joshua asks, Are you for us or for our adversaries? Jesus redirects Joshua’s attention away from the battle to God. How did Joshua respond? He worshipped! Worship in the midst of battle? That’s the Kingdom way.
Another encouraging picture is discovered in Isaiah 59:16-20And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him. 17 For [the Lord] put on righteousness as a breastplate or coat of mail, and salvation as a helmet upon His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal [and furious divine jealousy] as a cloak. 18 According as their deeds deserve, so will He repay wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; on the foreign islands and coastlands He will make compensation.19 So [as the result of the Messiah’s intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. 20 He shall come as a Redeemer to Zion and to those in Jacob (Israel) who turn from transgression, says the Lord.
Our Lord is known as the Lord of Hosts. I remember there was a time I simply read right over that phrase assuming that I understood its meaning. I was completely surprised to learn it means, Lord of Angelic Armies. Our Savior, and God is a Warrior. Don’t forget it.Yet, if He’s a Warrior, then we are children of war. Unfortunately, most believers resemble the eagle who was raised in captivity. The story goes that when the eagle was very small, he fell from the safety of his nest. A chicken farmer found discovered the hatchling taking him to his farm to raise him among his many chickens. The eagle matured doing what chickens do. Living as a chicken, he eventually accepted the idea that he was a chicken. A park ranger came to the chicken farm to see if the story of the eagle turned chicken was actually true. He knew that an eagle is king of the sky. But to his surprise and astonishment he saw the eagle strutting around the coop, pecking at the ground, as if it were a chicken. The farmer explained to the ranger that the bird was no longer an eagle but a chicken. The ranger knew there was more to this great bird than his actions showed. He was born with the heart of an eagle and nothing could change that. Taking the eagle out of the coop, the ranger gently lifted him to the edge of the fence. The ranger spoke: “Eagle, stretch forth your wings and fly.” The eagle moved slightly, only to glance at the ranger and peer back at the chicken coop. With one leap he jumped from the fence to resume pecking and scratching at the ground. The farmer remarked, “I told you it was a chicken.” But the ranger would not be deterred. Returning the next day he convinced the farmer to allow him another attempt. Taking the eagle to the top of the farmhouse he said: “Eagle, you belong in the sky and not the earth. Stretch forth your wings and fly!” This time the eagle jumped from the man’s arm onto the roof of the farmhouse refusing to go any farther.
Exasperated the ranger convinced the farmer to allow him to return for a final attempt. Returning the next morning he carried the eagle to the foot of a high mountain. Here the eagle could not see the farm, nor the chicken coop. Holding the eagle aloft on his arm the ranger directed the eagle’s gaze towards the sky, and the bright sun beckoning above. And he said: “Eagle, you belong in the sky. Stretch forth your wings and fly.” This time the eagle stared skyward into the bright sun, as something within his heart stirred. Something wild and wonderful tugged on his heart. It was as if he were awakening from a dream. Oddly he felt the urge to begin flapping his wings, hopping up and down on the rangers arm. Just then a steady breeze blew into his face the fresh smell of the meadow below, and the rocky crags above, causing him to stretch forth his massive wings. Never had he felt so alive, wild and free. As his heart began to pump faster with exhilaration his wings moved in unison. Slowly at first, then surely and powerfully, his wings flapped in the breeze. Suddenly, a surprising and unexpected, urge bubbled up from deep inside calling out from the depths of his being screeching to the sun above and the valley below. A longing rose from deep within his being to reach for the heavens and he did. With one mighty swoop he sprung from the rangers arm, screeching and calling, rising higher and higher into the warmth of the suns ray. His heart leapt with delight as he felt the updraft of a heated thermal carry him higher and higher. Soaring, circling and ascending he flew until he appeared to be only a speck to the ranger on the ground. Shedding the barnyard below, the heart of the chicken had now been replaced with that of an eagle.
The moral of this story? You were made a warrior, with an eagle’s heart. Rise up and catch the wave of God’s Spirit as you declare His Triumph and Victory!
Day 5, Declaration 5: Lord of Angelic Armies, Prince of the Armies of Heaven, I report for duty. Dressed in robes of righteousness I begin my day centering myself in Jesus, the Truth. Grant me grace, placing around the center of my life your truth, honesty and integrity. Lift the breastplate of righteousness in place over my heart, and soul. Touch my feet with the Gospel of Peace, calling me to ascend the Hill of the Lord. The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk – not standing still in terror, but walking onward, and ascending higher. I progress upon the high places of my trouble, suffering, and responsibility as Jesus places them under my feet! I lift the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. I pick up the helmet of salvation, strapping it firmly in place. I lift high the Sword of God’s Spirit and Word as I proclaim, Jesus Is Lord of All! Hallelujah, satan, my adversary is defeated. Jesus has won the Victory. I worship at Your feet in the midst of the fray for the battle is Your’s. Thank You Jesus – this warrior is Your child.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/eagle.jpg262640Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-09 16:11:052020-01-09 16:11:10Confession and Declaration 5
Revelation 12:9And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
It’s interesting when you study the Bible topically. For in your search you discover nuances regarding those topics that were totally unexpected. Take the topic of serpents, and what the Bible has to say. You soon discover that there’s more than one way of looking at this negative topic that’s extremely encouraging. Typically when you see the symbol of the snake your mind reverts back to the Garden of Eden and the fall of man. Yet imbedded in that awful failure is a message of hope.In Genesis 3:15 God the Father utters a prophecy intended for more than just the reptile. The Berean Study Bible brings out the nuances when it states: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Notice two things:First, it prophesies a woman having seed. No where in the Bible is it said that a woman has seed except here. In this context, humanly speaking, the only one who has seed is a man. Thus God is prophesying the virgin birth. Second, it states that the serpent is going to strike the heel of this male child – BUT…He (Jesus) will crush its head!
Next we move forward topically to discover Moses’ serpent and the sorcerers of Egypts serpents. What happens?Exodus 7:8-12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 When Pharaoh says to you, Prove [your authority] by a miracle, then tell Aaron, Throw your rod down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent. 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had commanded; Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh called for the wise men [skilled in magic and divination] and the sorcerers (wizards and jugglers). And they also, these magicians of Egypt, did similar things with their enchantments and secret arts. 12 For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
Did you catch that last part? Aaron’s rod, or serpent, swallowed up their serpents. Now that’s an interesting point. For we know that Jesus the Nazarene is the Branch, and the Rod of Jesse, and Moses and Aaron. The Servant Branch, has swallowed up the rods and serpents of satans’ sorcerers. But as the topic progresses it get’s even better: Numbers 21:7-9 Then the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died. 7 And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that He may take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole, and if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of bronze [attentively, expectantly, with a steady and absorbing gaze], he lived.
Why is this significant?John 3:14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],…
John 12:31-32Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled). 32 And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw andattract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself.
Jesus was lifted up, as the Serpent in the wilderness, so that all who would look to Him would be healed. Jesus, became the bronze serpent on the pole to neutralize the poisonous lies of the serpent – satan, and free us from the judgment of death.
The topic progresses with Jesus promising His Disciples power and authority over the powers of the evil one when He says in Luke 10:19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
In Romans 16:20 the Apostle Paul promises the believers in Rome: And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you.
When I was a young man I was the demon buster (in my mind). After accepting an invitation to pastor my first church I began tackling any and everything demonic. My approach only exacerbated the situation making my problems doubly worse. During this time Jackie had a dream in which the men of the church were attempting to kill poisonous snakes that were coming on to the property. As the men and I proceeded to chop the heads off the snakes they would become two snakes. Making the situation go from bad to worse. During the siege a snake began making its way into our fray. As the men pressed into to chop its head off Jackie stopped us, shouting, Stop! Its a good snake. It’s a king snake! We watched in amazement as the King snake swallowed up all the other snakes.
During the days of the serpents poisonous lies, deceit and deception, it’s time we get our vision back through declaring the Truth of God’s Word.
Day 4, Declaration 4: Today we thank You Jesus that the deceiver, the lier, who has injected his death into our hearts has been defeated. Thank You Jesus, that although he struck Your heel – that You crushed His head. Thank You Jesus, that You are the Rod of God, Who was lifted up so that I could be drawn to You and be saved! Thank You Jesus, that I am a part of Your Body and that through Your Body I too have been granted to crush satan under my feet. Thank You Jesus that lies no longer have a hold on me. Thank You Jesus that satan can run but He cannot hide from the Light of Your Presence. Thank You that the Fire of Your Holy Spirit dwells in me, and that I can pick up the serpent, and shake him off in Your Fiery Brilliance. Thank You Jesus, that the God of Peace – of Shalom – has crushed, and will continue to crush satan under my feet. His lies, deception, deceit, death, malice, and temptations are under my feet. Now loose my feet to dance, and my heart to sing of Your Victory and Triumph. Hallelu – JAH! Hallelujah-JAH! Thank You Jesus!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Romans-16.jpg682594Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-08 23:02:102020-01-08 23:02:16Confession and Declaration 4
Revelation 12:9-11And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.10 Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come—the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out! 11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
Satan, the dragon symbolizes many things: ultimately he is a large serpent who represents the power of chaos that opposes God. He symbolizes fascination, and irresistible temptation that draws people in. He is dominating, and extraordinarily large. The dragon symbolizes those things that oppose us, creating chaos, confusion, and disorder in our lives. He symbolizes those problems, temptations, and fears that dominate, intimidate, and appear overwhelmingly large. He is the hidden monster that clutches our hearts in terror with its claws. He is that overwhelming sense of dread of impending doom. He is despair that causes hope to ebb away into shadows of circumstances which loom larger and larger.
This dragon also symbolizes geo-political rulers, and powers that dominate a region influencing its citizens, and political leaders. He exerts his influence over political, economic, and religious beliefs of the region. He is the political upheaval we feel tightening its grip leaving people anxious, fearful, uncertain, hopeless, and angry.
But the real question, what Power forced this ominous, overpowering, and immense dragon out of Heaven? Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a male Child, One Who is destined to shepherd (rule) all the nations with an iron staff (scepter), and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.The Answer to the question above? A Baby! But not just any baby. This Baby was the Lord Jesus Christ! The Lord Almighty! Our conquering King! In fact Scripture states a powerful result which came through our conquering Kings’ Resurrection and Ascension: Colossians 2:13-15And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions,14 Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. 15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
Jesus has defeated the dragon raising us to life, and forgiving us of all of our transgressions – past, present, and future. Jesus has nailed hostility to the cross. Jesus has disarmed the dragon! Our Conquering King and God holds the stars of the universe in His hands. What’s a little dragon going to do? Our Jesus has triumphed over this dragon through the weakness and foolishness of the cross. Not only has our Jesus triumphed but He has led us out of our graves into triumph – to fear no more. Jesus has led us out to stand up and rise up and advance the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the time of our getting up – no more snooze buttons, no more covers over our head. It’s time for a full on awakening to who we are, and to whom we belong. You and I are washed in the Blood of Jesus, clothed in His Righteousness, overcoming the shadows of the dragons’ fury. Why the confidence? Why the boldness? The answer? The Battle is the Lord’s!
Get Up!It’s time we start believing it, declaring, and proclaiming it.
Day 3, Declaration 3: Thank You Jesus, My conquering King, that in the midst of global chaos, hopelessness, upheaval, dread, despair, and uncertainty – that the Lamb of God has overcome. Thank Jesus, that You are our roaring Lion who places the dragon under our feet. Thank You, Soon and Coming King, that when circumstances come to oppose me, and chaos swirls disorder and confusion around me – that the Prince of Peace comes and walks me through the storms. Thank You my Almighty Warrior that this is Your battle. This is Your Fight and I have been made more than an overcomer. Thank You, Blazing and Brilliant Light of Glory – the Glorious One – that the Fire of Your gaze consumes my fears, dominates the intimidator, throttles the tempter, breaking the back of this dragon who dares to oppose the Living God. Thank you Jesus that in Your Glorious Light everything – and I mean everything becomes light – what can the shadows do to You in me? Thank You that the blazing Fire of Your Words burns away the dragons grip causing Living Hope to abound in me. What is my Confidence? What is my Hope? Jesus, Who has raised me from the dead, and forgiven all my transgressions. Jesus, Who has cancelled, blotted out, and wiped clean the decrees spoken against me. Jesus, Who has disarmed the principalities and powers arrayed against me. Jesus, Who has made a public display, and example, triumphing over them through His Cross. I get up, stand up, rise up – putting my trust in the One Who Rose Up – placing my feet solidly on the Rock! Greater is He Who is in me than he that is in the world! Hallelujah!
“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!”
This famous quote is spoken by, who else, Inigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin in The Princess Bride (directed by Rob Reiner, 1987). It’s also a line from the original book by William Goldman. It may seem inconceivable, but this wordy, not particularly zippy quote is one of the most famous lines in the classic book turned cult classic film The Princess Bride. It may be the most straightforward and self-explanatory quote ever. Inigo Montoya‘s father was killed by Count Rugen, and he has waited his entire life to find the man, say these words, and exact his revenge. When he finds Count Rugen, he plainly introduces himself and his mission: “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”
Why do I bring up this famous scene from the movie Princess Bride? It demonstrates the power of declaration. Even though Inigo’s motives are not Christ-like, they do demonstrate the type of tenacity, and emotional intensity required to truly have a powerful, prophetic declaration. When Inigo finally encounters the six-fingered man who killed his father, he spouts off his declaration. When they square off to fight the smug villain appears to have the upper hand spearing Inigo with his rapier. The audience hearts sink as it appears evil has triumphed. But Inigo struggles to stand and face his attacker, again and again. Lunge after lunge Inigo’s resolve only strengthens till he powerfully overcomes his enemy with a flurry of slashes, parries, and lunges. Montoya forces his opponent to flee his advances overcome by his resolve. So we too have an enemy of our souls – the devil. This title for satan refers to his slandering who we are to God with false accusations. He is a traducer – one who exposes us to shame and blame by falsehood and misrepresentation. What’s interesting about this title is that it has at it’s root the Greek word “ballo.” “Ballo” means to smite one with slaps; to buffet; to prostrate or be prostrated with and through sickness; to apprehend or lay hands on suddenly, or violently in order to cast out or throw one into prison. Have you ever experienced any of these things on a spiritual or physical level? When I discovered this meaning I immediately thought of that line from the old hymn, “It Is Well.” Some of the lines still ring true and powerful in me today:
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
Why does this hymn still resonate with us today? It is a prophetic declaration – a confession – that declares the Truth of God’s Word to spite the howling winds of opposition. Even the circumstances that birthed this powerful declaration were birthed through tragedy at the writers expense. This hymn was written after traumatic events occurred in Horatio Spafford’s life. Wikipedia records that: The first two were the death of his two-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone …”. Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.[2] Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
With that in mind may we accompany the likes of Inigo Montoya, and Horatio Spafford in making our second declaration of transformation:
Day 2, Declaration 2: Thank You Father for the buffeting that Jesus endured to secure my soul’s salvation! Thank you that when trials come my way that in my helpless estate Christ Jesus has shed His own blood for my soul. Thank You that my sin, not in part, but the whole, has been nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Oh, my soul! It is well, it is well with my soul!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Bride2.jpg165305Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-06 17:36:012020-01-06 17:36:10Confession and Declaration - Day Two
One of the keys to restoring spiritual vision is through the transformation that comes through declaration. Revelation 19:11 states that the “Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of all prophecy.” When we make declaration we are “prophesying” to ourselves. What is prophecy? Prophecy in its essence is the spoken words of God made manifest in reality. Prophetic dreams, visions, or words become manifested realities. Thus when you speak aloud the declarations of God’s Truths you are “prophesying” to yourself, to others and the atmosphere around you. You are speaking for a shift to occur. In these exercises you are seeking for a shift to occur in your spirit and a transformation in your thinking. You are moving beyond your soul man (mind, will, emotions, and personality) addressing your spirit man. As you call to it you cause your soul man to come into alignment. As David spoke to his soul in Psalm 103:1-3Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name…” If all this is weird, and out of the norm for you, consider the prophets who were to speak to a valley of dry bones to come to life, or for trees to clap their hands.
Revelation 12:11 is our first declaration: And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
The Greek word for “testimony” is “martyria.” It essentially means to testify and is used specifically in Scripture regarding the office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events; or what one testifies, or gives a testimony before a judge. (You did’t realize you were called to be a prophet did you?) In this declaration they are overcoming “him” by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony. So who is “him?” Read the rest of the prophecy in Revelation 12:5-11 below:
Revelation 12: 5-11And she brought forth a male Child, One Who is destined to shepherd (rule) all the nations with an iron staff (scepter), and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. And the woman [herself] fled into the desert (wilderness), where she has a retreat prepared [for her] by God, in which she is to be fed and kept safe for 1,260 days (42 months; three and one-half years). Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. But they were defeated, and there was no room found for them in heaven any longer. And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him. Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come—the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out! And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
What’s real interesting about this prophecy is that it uses 6 words to describe the devil: dragon, serpent, devil, satan, seducer, and accuser. The title that we want to zero our focus on (we are trying to improve our spiritual vision) is that of satan the accuser. This word in the Greek means that you have become a judge, or plaintiff with an offense. Because of the offenses he makes accusations before the judge. You see this being played out in the book of Job in which satan comes before God’s Throne to accuse Job. For us to be restored to God’s Vision we must overcome the accusations that the devil screams at us, and God. How do you overcome the accusations? By the Blood of Jesus. What has Jesus’ blood done for us? What is it doing for us even as we speak? That is the “Word” of your testimony. Thus our first declaration is to declare our thanks for the awesome victory this has obtained for us:
Day One, Declaration 1: Father God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, I thank and praise you for the precious Blood of Jesus, My Savior, the Lamb of God! I thank you Father that today I stand before Your throne, and before angels, demons, and saints as an overcomer. Jesus has overcome satan, death, hell and sin to make me an overcomer. I stand today overcoming the accusations of your enemy, and mine, by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of my testimony. And my testimony is what Jesus’ Blood has done for me. Thank you Jesus that through Your Blood I have have been washed clean and I am being cleansed. Thank you Jesus that Your blood cleanses away every sin, failure, condemnation, accusation, transgression, iniquity, trespass, and weakness. Thank you Jesus that I have overcome the accuser of the brothers by having Your Blood wash away my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins. I rise up because He rose up. I get back up, even after falling down, because I am washed and I am being washed in the Blood of the Precious, Spotless, Lamb of God. Hallelujah and thank you Jesus! I am Your overcomer! Amen.
Remember don’t just read the confession. Declare it out loud like you mean it. Repeat it throughout the day. Use it when you are reminded of some sin, or failure from your past. Use it when you don’t “feel” like praying or doing right. Prophesy to your obstacles. Prophesy to your pains, or trials. Prophesy to your fears, or doubts. Overcome!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/overcomers.jpg323456Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2020-01-06 08:43:042020-01-06 08:43:11Confession and Declaration - Day One
All of the staff here at Bethany: John David and Charlotte, Teresa, Deanna, Jerry, Mary, Alma and Jackie and myself want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May this Christmas be a blessing for you and your loved ones.
I also wanted to let you know that we have exceeded our goal for foreign missions. Our total giving towards the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering now stands at $1,160! Yeaaaaa!
If you still haven’t had a chance to give towards our foreign missions goal this Sunday will be the last Sunday. Also it’s not too late to sign up for our mission trip to Nicaragua.
One more thing: Please be in prayer for which affinity group you will commit to pray, give, and go too. What’s an affinity group? The International Mission board has divided up the globe into 9 sections: American Peoples, Central Asian Peoples, East Asian Peoples, European Peoples, Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples, South Asian Peoples, Southeast Asian Peoples, Deaf Peoples, and the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. This year alone we have reached four of the nine affinity groups. Who has the Lord called you to go to specifically? We know that we are commanded to go to our Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria – but let us not forget the ends of the world. Be in prayer about who you are to be on mission too and may we not forget our neighbors.
Christmas is a reminder that Jesus came on a “mission trip” to our world leaving a perfect Heaven in order to raise up other missionaries like Himself. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year! We love you all!
Just wanted to let you know that we have received $685 towards our goal of $1000! Yeaaa!!! Would you please pray about what you can give this Christmas towards spreading the Gospel around the world? As I’ve stated earlier, if 10 people gave $100 each – we would reach our goal of $1000. Or if 20 people gave $50 each we would reach our goal of $1000. Let’s exceed our goal!!!
Also would you consider praying for 1 of 2 things during your morning quiet time: a) Prayers for the Persecuted Church (b) Prayers for the 9 Affinity Groups.
How do you know what to pray? I have a poster in my office that I use to remind me how to pray for the persecuted church that I received through Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com). The title of the poster is called “10 Ways to Pray for the Persecuted Church.” Option “b” is found through the International Mission Board for Southern Baptists (https://www.imb.org>pray)
What 10 Ways are we encouraged to pray for those persecuted for their faith in Jesus? (1) Pray that they will sense God’s Presence (2) Know we are praying for them (3) Experience God’s comfort (4) See God open doors to evangelism (5) Boldly share the Gospel (6) Mature in their faith (7) Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (8) Remain joyful amid suffering (9) Forgive and love their persecutors (10) Be rooted in God’s Word.
Where are they being persecuted? I have another map for that from Voice of the Martyrs: Mauritania, Cuba, Columbia, Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and North Korea.
Have a great day and remember that your prayers are as incense to the Lord: a sweet smelling sacrifice. What’s really amazing is that He keeps them near Him at His Throne. Your prayers and mine are a treasure to Him.
Read the following carefully: “GODISNOWHERE.” What did you see first: “God Is No Where” or “God Is Now Here?” If I were to arrange it in the following way what do you see: “NOwhere” or “NOWhere?” In Spanish there are three words to distinguish proximity: aqui (pronounced a-kee) = “here;” alli’ (pronounced a-yee)= “over there;” and “alla'” (pronounced a-yah) = “way over there.” Here, there, or way over there.
When I used to pray to God I imagined Him far removed – in outer space somewhere. He was distant, angry, and ready to pounce on anything I did wrong. I believed that He was swift in delivering punishment. Anything I was suffering was attributed towards something I had done wrong. I would try to recall what I had done to cause my suffering. When I met Him it was as if someone removed a veil, or pulled back layers of dark, insulated shades. In a flash of a moment I realized, “He is here.” As I experienced His Presence and Love I realized that He had already taken my punishment on the cross and wanted me to be with Him. It was quite the surprise when I realized that one of His Names is “Immanuel” = “the God Who is with us.” It was also a mystery to ponder the meaning to the formal Name of the Godhead: “Yahveh” = “I am, what I am.” (Or as Popeye would say, “I yam, what I yam.”) It wasn’t until later I realized God exists outside of the constraints of time. He is not limited by past, present or future. He simply is.
Much later in my walk I discovered the experiences of the prophets going to Heaven. I would imagine gathering around His Throne, often use the imagery when praying. Over time Immanuel, the God with us, returned to being the God out there, or way over there. But in His mercy brought me back to where He has always been through the apostle of prayer, T.W. Hunt. He recalled a time in his life when he had become disappointed with God regarding God’s call to teach missionaries rather than be a missionary. Adding injury to insult, they were struggling to pay their daughters’ tuition for school. The more they prayed the worse their finances got. Their daughter got into a minor accident in which their insurance was not able to cover all the hospital and doctor bills. Next she had to have a root canal which cost them more money than they had. Matters got much worse when the university began sending second notices regarding the overdue tuition. As the debts got heavier, their prayers became more fervent. T.W. became broken, not over his inability to pay the bills, but the strange delay in the answer to their prayers. He began reexamining every aspect of his relationship with the Lord and with others. One day when speaking to his wife he asked, “Why do you suppose God won’t let me be a missionary?” She answered, “Have you talked to Him lately about it?” T.W. responded that he didn’t want to talk to God about his being rebellious. She responded with something very profound, “Then maybe you should quit teaching in your seminars that He is a Friend, because you can talk to a friend!” He entered their prayer room that day and spoke to his Friend about why he found mission work so exciting. After an hour Jesus, his Friend, revealed why He needed teachers to equip the missionaries and that they were His helpers too. Following his prayer time, he received a letter from his daughter’s university stating, “This is to inform you that a friend [!] who wishes to remain anonymous has paid your daughter’s tuition for this semester.”
From T.W.’s example and many more I learned that I needed to practice Jesus being here – in the now. He challenged me with an exercise in practicing His Presence. In the exercise you set up a chair across from the one you plan to sit and pray. You prepare your favorite beverage or food, and place it in His chair. Then sitting across from Him, you imagine He is there, while you simply share the time with Him as your friend.
Throughout this week I have become conscious of my need to practice this throughout the day. I imagine Him sitting in the truck with me as I drive to church. I imagine Him being there when I am ministering to another. I imagine Him when I am praying, and meditating in the Word – and I talk with Him – as if He is right there. For you see – He is.
I read a gripping story of a godly old man whose days were coming to an end. A minister went to visit him in his hospital room and noticed an empty chair beside the man’s bed. He asked, “Have you had a visitor?” The man replied, “No, I haven’t had a visitor. But when I became a Christian as a youth, someone told me that praying was like talking to your very best friend. When I heard that, I decided to pull up an empty chair beside me every day and invite Christ to sit and talk with me. And I just finished my conversation with the Lord.”
After the man passed away, his daughter wrote of her visit to the hospital room. She said of her father:
“He seemed content, so I left him for a few hours. When I returned, I knew that he had gone to be with the Lord. But the interesting thing was that his head was not resting on his pillow. His body had turned and his head was resting on the seat of an empty hair that had been pulled up close to his bed.”
Eerily barren, the tiny uninhabited island of Hart Island sits in the shadows of Manhattan’s looming skyscrapers – a short distance but a far cry from the bright lights of New York City.
Initially named after the human heart by British cartographers because of its shape, the 131-acre island, only a mile long and 0.25 miles wide, has seen a series of incarnations since its birth; from serving as a psychiatric institution and hospital for tuberculosis patients, to an American Civil War prisoner camp. But perhaps its most fascinating legacy has been its function as America’s largest mass burial site (and the largest tax-funded cemetery in the world), where more than a million unclaimed and unidentified bodies have been buried since 1868, when the island was first purchased by the city.
The island – still used as a burial site to this day – is located at the eastern tip of the Bronx, just off the west coast of Long Island Sound, and became a part of New York City even before its present day boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
The first reported burial took place here in 1881 and around half of those buried there are thought to be identified children under the age of five who died in the city’s hospitals. No burial ceremonies have been held since the 1950s and there are no unique markers for each plot, with one exception – the grave site of the first child to have died of AIDS in New York City, who was buried in isolation. The island is also a disposal ground for amputated body parts which are kept in boxes labelled ‘limbs’.
It’s still used today. Bodies are transported by ferry from the morgue at Manhattan’s Bellevue Hospital on weekday mornings, amounting to around 1,500 a year, and buried by prison inmates from the Riker’s Island jail complex in the Bronx.
What’s even more sobering than this mass grave is that 155, 252 people every day are dying without Jesus. That’s 56,666, 980 people each year. That’s 4,657,560 people each month. Why do these numbers matter? Because these numbers represent people who – as far as anyone knows – have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Certainly Everyone Has Heard?
One sometimes hears the comment “Certainly most everyone has heard of Jesus by now. Surely missionaries have been sent to every country. Haven’t we just about completed the Great Commission?” While the spread of Christianity has been nothing short of supernatural, there are still huge segments of the world’s population that have never heard the name of Jesus let alone a clear presentation of the message of salvation.
Countries or Nations?
While the Gospel has gone to every political country in the world, when Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all the nations” in Matthew 28:18-20, He was not referring to political nations such as Canada, Kenya, Russia, etc. Many of these, such as the United States, did not exist as entities when Jesus gave the command. The word Jesus used for nations in Greek is “ethne” from which we get the English word “ethnic”. “Ethne” can simply mean any non-Jew i.e. Gentile or it can mean a collection of individuals with a common identity. The definition used by mission strategist for people group is “a significantly large grouping of individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affinity for one another because of their shared language, religion, ethnicity, residence, occupation, class or caste, situation, etc., or combinations of these.” For evangelistic purposes it is “the largest group within which the gospel can spread as a church planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance.” Current data suggests there are about 17,000 distinct people groups when country boundaries are considered.
Reached vs Unreached?
An unreached people group is “a people group within which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians able to evangelize this people group.” In the middle 1990’s mission strategists sought to quantify this definition. They settled on the criteria for unreached as less than 2% true Christ-followers and less than 5% Professing Christian (this includes all forms of Christianity i.e. anyone that would call themselves a “Christian.”) While these percentage figures are somewhat arbitrary, “we should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a whole culture may be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision.” – Robert Bellah, Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, originally quote in Psychology Today in the 1970s, currently quoted in Christianity Today Oct 2011: 42.
So how many of the approximately 17,000 ethnic people groups are considered unreached i.e. less than 2% Christ-follower and less than 5% Professing Christian? The latest estimates suggest that approximately 7,000 people groups are considered unreached. That means over 40% of the world’s people groups have no indigenous community of believing Christians able to evangelize the rest of their people group. Over 42% of the world’s population live in these over 7,000 people groups.
44 of these 50 unreached people groups are in the 10/40 Window, 47 are in sensitive countries.
It is important to note that this does not mean every individual within an unreached people group has never heard of Jesus or the message of salvation. There is often a small percentage (less than 2%) Christ-followers in these groups, but the vast majority of the group has minimal, if any, exposure to the person of Jesus Christ and the Good News of God’s free gift of salvation.
For arguments sake, suppose for every true believer there are ten who have heard of Jesus but not embraced Him. That would mean that in an unreached people group 20% had heard of Jesus and 80% had not. In other words, possibly 4 out of 5 individuals in an unreached group are totally unaware of the Messiah.
Consider for example the 136,000,000 unreached Shaikh of Bangladesh, the 61,000,000 unreached Brahman of India, 62,000,000 unreached Yadav of India or the 37,000,000 unreached Java Pesisir Lor of Indonesia, most of the individuals in these groups and thousands of other unreached people groups are completely ignorant of the King of Kings.
Unengaged People Groups
Data from the International Mission Board (IMB)of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest denominational mission board in the world, suggests that there are possibly over 3,000 ethnic people groups that are not only unreached, but also completely unengaged meaning there is no known active on-site church planting effort underway and few if any know believers. The Finishing the Task initiative suggests this number may be significantly lower.
It is a great injustice to think that 2,000 years after Jesus gave the Great Commission that many people groups have no witness in their midst. To say that a people group is unengaged means there are definitely no missionaries, in all likelihood no outreach, no church or fellowship of believers, no Christian materials, and few if any Bibles in these people groups.
While it is certainly possible the Lord has been supernaturally at work among an unengaged group without outside involvement, this would not be the typical way He has ordained for the spread of the Gospel. He commanded the Church to go. There are millions of individuals in these unengaged people groups that have never heard of Jesus or His work of redemption.
Bible Translation Need
To make, not just a convert, but a disciple of Jesus requires the Scriptures to be available in the mother tongue. Wycliffe Bible Translators reports that approximately About 1,600 languages have definite translation need.
That means for mother-tongue speakers of those 1,600 languages no Scripture exists at all. They may have limited access to the Scriptures in trade or major languages, but no access in their heart language. Of course the languages with the larger number of speakers have been translated but many millions still do not have the Scriptures in their mother-tongue.
Limited Access
Even if the Scriptures are translated and news media available, an estimated 1 billion adults are considered illiterate. Much of this is concentrated in only eight countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan) all countries with very high concentrations of unreached people groups.
Extremely low literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, the Arab states, South and West Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, again highly unreached regions. World Factbook.
In addition 60% of the world’s population is considered oral learners meaning their preferred learning mode is oral, not written. Some estimates suggest that up to 70% of the unreached peoples of the world are oral-preferenced communicators. For those that are either illiterate or oral learners, newspapers, books, printed matter, internet text, even a physical Bible will have minimal impact. International Orality Network
A little over half of the world’s population has internet access. So a little less than half the world’s population does not have online access to spiritual information and the message of the Messiah. The situation is worse in areas where the Gospel has least spread.
For example, internet penetration is only 45% in Asia and 27% in Africa. The 10/40 Window region, where most unreached peoples reside, has some of the lowest internet penetration. These regions are also some of the poorest, thus further limiting internet usage even where it is available. Internet World Statistics
Only about 10% of Muslims in Asia personally know a Christian, whereas about 70% of Muslims in North America know a Christian.
Possibly only about 15% of all Muslims worldwide personally know a Christian.
Asia is the most isolated continent with less than 20% of the more than 4.5 billion people claiming to know a Christian.
81% of all Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists do not know a Christian.
Summary from Respected Sources
Operation World presents data suggesting that after peaking in the mid-1990s the growth rate of both Christianity in general and Evangelicals (an approximation of true Christ-followers) has slowed significantly.
After describing numerous advances of the Gospel, Operation World states “The sobering fact is that, even with all this activity, probably 24-27% of the world’s population have not had the good news presented to them in a way they could appreciate and meaningfully respond to.” (Operation World p. 10) That translates to very close to two billion individuals, one in four individuals, without any knowledge of the Savior!
The recently released Future of the Global Church has a section on the unevangelized. While the percentage of the world who are unevangelized has decreased, the absolute number of unevangelized has increased. The text on page 161 says “The disturbing truth is that there may still be nearly 2 billion individuals who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel.”
The Atlas of Global Christianity based on the World Christian Database defines an “evangelized person” as “An individual who has had adequate opportunity or opportunities to hear the Gospel and respond to it, whether he responds positively or negatively”. Using this definition the Atlas breaks the globe into World A, B, C where World A is considered the unevangelized. The Atlas suggests there are over 2,000,000,000 (2 billion) individuals in World A. Atlas p. 312-313
As Ralph Winter aptly stated “The task of identifying and penetrating the remaining unreached peoples — the great challenge of “discipling all the nations” — still lies before us. But we are assured in Scripture that God will be worshipped by “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” We are within range of penetrating every people group on the planet with the light of the gospel with more momentum than ever before in history. Be a part of it — find a place of historic significance in declaring “His glory among the nations!”
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/grave.jpg456640Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-12-16 08:31:572019-12-16 08:32:03They're Just a Number
This morning I was praying asking the Lord what our goal should be for our Christmas offering to missions. The number I came up with was $1000. An hour or so later I received an email from Sherlyn Medlin, who is our church’s representative for this offering. She stated that after praying she felt that our church’s goal should be $1000. God speaks!
While I was praying I thought that surely there are 10 people from our church who can give $100 towards foreign missions. I thought of others who are having a tough year financially and I thought they can at least afford $50. If 20 people from our church gave $50 we would meet our goal in one swoop. Would you please pray about giving towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission and send out our monies as little soldiers in the fight towards making disciples of the world? As I’ve mentioned earlier we have brothers and sisters around the world, many are Americans, who are laying their lives down in some hostile and remote areas. They are the unsung heroes who are courageously taking the fight to the enemy of men’s souls. Please support their efforts and let’s see the Kingdom of God advance to the ends of the world.
In my last blog I asked, “What does it mean to be human?” We typically excuse our mistakes with a shrug of the shoulders and the statement, “I’m only human.” Songs have been sung attempting to rectify mistakes, or remove ourselves from taking responsibility for our actions. Yet what I’m discovering as I meditate on this question is that our answer and God’s answer are world’s apart. In fact we have typically learned from personal experience that our attempts at being good, godly, or great are often thwarted by our human, sinful nature. Thus we have learned to define this question from the fall of man forwards. In other words, We have allowed our sin nature to define us. What born-again believers in Jesus have failed to realize is that the sum total of what it means to be human is exemplified in Jesus. Lately I have realized why unforgiveness, judgments, and criticism are so abhorrent to God. These choices that we make actually dehumanize people. They make individuals, made in the image of God, less than who God made them. In fact when we participate in those actions we are dehumanizing who God made us to be. For years I have puzzled over the command, You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;…Exodus 20:4
The Hebrew word translated “graven image” literally means “an idol.” A graven image is an image carved out of stone, wood, or metal. It could be a statue of a person or animal, or a relief carving in a wall or pole. It is differentiated from a molten image, which is melted metal poured into a cast. Abstract Asherah Poles, carved wooden Baal’s covered in gold leaf, and etchings of gods accompanying Egyptian hieroglyphics are all graven images.
Thus a graven image could be a photograph, or video. Why would something so simple be considered sinful? My opinion is that ultimately, like unforgiveness, the graven image either deifies, or dehumanizes humanity reducing the person to an object. How often have we watched people murdered, accosted, or beaten on television, movies, or video games for our entertainment? The violence becomes less real and in the process we become desensitized to it. Could it be that this dehumanizing has led to increased acts of violence? Could it be that that this is why our society no longer values celibacy, marriage, children, and family? Could it be that we are being absorbed into the mechanization, and sterilization of humanity? We’re being absorbed, and assimilated into our technology, our idol. We are becoming what we behold.
The good news is that Jesus provided an escape from our inhumanity. His goal being to restore the original image. The Kingdom of God has come and is advancing. His Garden is in our midst. This is why the Great Commission is so important. His command, which provides us a vision, God’s vision, for all people to the ends of the earth, serves multiple purposes. First it spreads the Message that we truly are made for so much more in our redeemed humanity. Secondly, it humanizes a world that is foreign to us. May I add, a world that is easy to dehumanize, and demonize? A Christian lacking God’s vision is blind to the proportions of God’s Love – “how high, and wide, and long and deep.” Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, the Commission enlarges our hearts, increasing our capacity to love and see others. The most common greeting in the Zulu tribe is “Sawubona.” It literally means “I see you, you are important to me and I value you.” It’s a way to make the other person visible and to accept them as they are with their virtues, nuances, and flaws. In response to this greeting, people usually say with “Shiboka,” which means “I exist for you.” Jesus exists for us, and as Christians – literally “little Christs’ – we exist for the world.
With that in mind please be in prayer for what your family should be giving to foreign missions this Christmas. In the past our church’s goal was $745. Surely by God’s Grace and Spirit we can surpass this goal. Let’s be a part of the prayers offered around the world being a source of encouragement to those who have given so much. Our brothers and sisters around the world are laying down their lives, often literally, for God’s vision. Please seek to be an answer to their prayers.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sawubona.jpg294500Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-12-12 16:00:592019-12-12 13:52:01I'm Only Human
There was a time in my life when I was embittered, angry, and unforgiving towards another when the Lord revealed to me that I should release them from the expectations that I had placed upon them. When I did this it empowered me to see them as another human being. This paved the way to understanding and forgiveness. Recently I realized that when I am unforgiving, demeaning, critical, and judgmental of another I am simply de-humanizing that person, and that this is the root of many of the sins we commit against one another. When I call some one a derogatory name, or measure them according to the yardstick of self – myself being God, judge, and jury – I am in turn defacing the one who bears the fingerprints of God. In the past 30 years or so it seems that the march to dehumanization has quickened its pace as we become more like the technology that is our idol of choice. Instead of evolving as popular science suggests we digress downhill in becoming more like the animals we’ve been taught that we evolved from. Sexual immorality, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, child molestation, pornography, abortion on demand all become symptoms of our animalistic lust. In other words we become less than human. We turn other human beings into commodities to be traded, used, abused and tossed on the garbage heap after their value has been extinguished by our self-centered whims. It’s time to awaken to the Imago Dei, or the Image of God, and embrace once again what it means to be human. This cannot be fully realized apart from Jesus Who provides us with not only the Model, but the empowerment of the Law of His Spirit and Grace to attain it.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/imago-dei.jpg168300Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-12-08 08:00:242019-12-08 08:00:28What Does It Mean to Be Human?
This morning I woke up around 2 A.M. to brush my teeth, get dressed and make the drive over to Waxhaw to pick up John David, and his friend James. They are flying to Uganda for a short term mission trip to save lives – physically and eternally. After dropping them off at the airport terminal – which is nearly deserted at 3:30 in the morning – I had a time of prayer for them and thanksgiving to the Lord. Driving along, praying, and giving thanks I began to think of the ways that we need to be in prayer for them. Having traveled on many a mission trip several things come to mind in regard to prayer needs: that their luggage and mosquito nets make the many transfers from Charlotte, to New York, to Kenya and to Uganda. Pray for their protection, and their families protection while they’re traveling to and from the country. Pray specifically for the protection of Charlotte, Reagan, Stella and Linda. Pray that lives would be touched, hearts changed, and souls saved as a result of the gift of the mosquito nets. Pray that a door and doors would be opened for partnerships between our church and the local missionaries, pastors and churches in that region. Pray that God would call and raise up missionary laborers from our church who would be willing to go to Uganda and make disciples for Jesus. Pray for their protection from the internal bugs, and parasites that can be obtained from mosquitoes, eating the food or drinking the water. Pray that John David and James’ lives would be changed forever by the things they experience while there. And pray that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit overflowing Jesus’ love to all they meet and encounter. On a practical note pray that they will make the transition to a new time zone and being able to sleep when it’s time, and stay awake when it’s time. On a more somber note pray for the people of Uganda. For example, were you aware that Uganda is the epicenter of the AIDS crisis that swept Africa years ago and is still wreaking havoc today? Were you aware that witchcraft is practiced and is believed in so strongly that child sacrifice is on the rise to insure the “gods” (demonic spirits) respond to their prayers, and spells?
There’s a reason Jesus said to Go! It’s a command empowered by grateful hearts compelled to share the Love Jesus has shared with us. A Love so great that a million lifetimes of “thank you’s” would never suffice. Jesus’ strategy was quite simple and clear cut. In Acts 1:8 He stated: “But you will receive Power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
We owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Israel and Lord willing one day we will visit those lands with the Gospel, but on a more practical note we need to be asking: What is our Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Before Thanksgiving I was grateful for all who drove out in the pouring rain and delivered thanksgiving meals to needy families in Union County. I was encouraged as I listened to Mary Quinn, and Kristy Whittington share how they went to Common Heart to go through the Literacy Orientation and training to help those who can’t read – right here in our own backyard. They reminded me of the desire I had to participate in this same program. So last night I attended orientation from 6:30 – 8:15. All of this came as a result of one family – the Pooveys – who have faithfully served alongside the ministry of Common Heart for years delivering food to needy families and sharing Jesus’ love. Their example paved the way for the Wagenmaker’s to participate in the delivery of food and the annual food drive which opened the door to invite the leadership of Common Heart to speak at our church and present their challenge.
Many of our people are actively involved on the front lines of the cultural battle to save the lives of the unborn. Lisa Drogan, Sam Nunemaker, and others are sacrificing their Saturday mornings to go out to the largest abortion center in the southeast to pray, to serve, and to offer parents of unborn children alternative options away from our culture of death.
Our church’s purpose is to glorify Jesus through a wedding of the Spirit and the Word; watching and learning how to be students of Jesus; walking it out in love to the ends of the earth. If there has been a wedding of the Spirit and the Word then there will be a desire to watch and learn how to be students of Jesus – to join Jesus where He is working. When you see what Jesus has done and is doing, and you are His student, you are going to walk it out in love to the very ends of the earth.
God has given us a task to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s every student of Jesus’ job. There are no excuses. Our church’s goal is to reach the nine major affinity groups of the world with the Gospel, developing partnerships with missionaries, pastors, and churches. In one year we have already been to four of those affinity groups: the American Peoples – in Nicaragua, Central America; the Northern Africa and Middle Eastern Peoples – in Ethiopia; the Sub-Saharan African peoples – in Tanzania, and Uganda; and the Southeast Asian Peoples – in Indonesia. How powerful and amazing is that?
Jesus gave us a mission and we are a people on mission with Him. Praise and thank the Lord for what He has done in 2019 with our little church. Pray for John David, James, and their families. And please pray about which affinity group God would call you to be a missionary to, partner with, pray for, and give too. God bless you precious people of God!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Uganda-Pray.jpg239211Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-12-04 05:55:462019-12-04 05:55:51Pray for John David and Uganda
English writer, Christian Philosopher, and Apologist, G.K. Chesteron wrote: “Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live, taking the form of a readiness to die.”
“No holiday says “America” the way Veterans Day does. On this day we celebrate not just our freedom, our independence, our democracy, but the sacrifices made to achieve them. We honor those who fought on our behalf, in our defense, for our freedom. We thank those who sacrificed their time, their health, their lives. We pray for those who now serve at home, overseas, and in harm’s way. Freedom isn’t free, independence isn’t forever, and democracy isn’t for the faint of heart.”
God has blessed us with many a great warrior who has served our country with a willingness to sacrifice there all so that we could live free. Never, ever forget that freedom has never been free, and that our veterans – past and present – remind us of the sacrifice that Jesus gave so that we could all be free. Take time today, and this week to thank God for all those who have served, and are serving our country. Say a prayer for our service men and women everywhere who place themselves in harms way to serve and protect our freedoms.
Recall, and remember the oath they took: I, _, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
The following story of a former Vietnam Vet reminds us of the courage it requires to put on that uniform taking that oath of service.
In January 1993, Bill Clinton was inaugurated as our 42nd president. On that very day, he welcomed countless numbers of people into the White House. Many of them were active duty military. His first words to each member in uniform were: “Thank you for your service.” He shook hands and looked them in the eye as he uttered those words. I watched very closely with great interest. There was no doubt in my mind that this was an act of sincerity being played over and over as I could see the welling in the eyes of the president and felt the same in my own. Those words seem to have become some kind of a cliché and will be repeated many times with the coming of another Veterans Day.
It wasn’t like that at all when I returned home from Vietnam in 1971. I wasn’t expecting any kind of welcome home, especially since we had been briefed about possibly encountering war protesters which we were told to ignore. What I looked forward to as we deplaned at the SEA-TAC Airport in Washington was simply stepping on American soil after surviving the most challenging year of my life in the war-torn country of Vietnam. Many of our troops got down on their hands and knees and kissed the ground as they were so happy to be home. After putting my foot down, I looked for some smiling American faces I could talk to. All of our initial happiness was quickly put on hold as we did encounter a group of so called “peace marchers.” We did all we could to ignore their remarks. I even heard the words “baby killers” and “get back on that plane” directed to us. I was told by a security officer that they had a right to say whatever they wanted as long as they didn’t cross a certain line.How could these people be so naïve? I soon learned this was not an isolated incident. There were people throughout the country actually burning the American flag. I began to wonder: What is happening to our country? I can certainly understand their frustrations to our involvement in Vietnam, but we as individuals should not be known the brunt of or for that matter, any part of, their frustration. They probably didn’t know that Americans were dying every day for their freedom. Further they didn’t realize that we as individuals had no choice as to our involvement in Vietnam. Those decisions were made in Washington, D.C. That is where those peace marchers should be and not allowed elsewhere.
Most everyone who served in Vietnam saw, felt and lived the war firsthand and probably became more antiwar than the loudest of any of those peace marchers. Some saw their friends suffer and die. I saw much more than my share of death and destruction, which included the maimed and mutilated bodies of children from villages that were destroyed.
I have come to believe that any act of war is totally insane. There has to be another way. Too many innocent people are killed. Now to put my stamp on that insanity statement: Probably 25 percent of the troops going to and from Vietnam were draftees. A draftee is a person who was forced to play a lottery game. Every 18-year-old American male was required to play this game. If they refused to play, they would either leave the country or they may have been jailed. When they did sign up, they were issued a card. On this card was a number. This number became their draft status. Every month or so, numbers were drawn and winners and losers were notified. If your number was chosen and you weren’t attending college, it really didn’t matter in some instances if you were married or not, or if you had a well paying job or not, if your health was good, you would soon become a member of the United States Army. You would be sent to basic training for eight weeks and after another eight weeks of advanced training, you would be sent thousands of miles from home to fight in a war in a country you may never even knew existed. Many thousands of you will be killed in that war. How insane is that?
Now for what may be the ultimate of insanity. This is something that does happen during wartime. Any of-age man could very well been one of those draftees. He was on a mission and somehow make a wrong turn and was separated from his unit. It wasn’t even six months ago that his number came up. He had just turned 20 years. He said goodbye to his girlfriend and left the well paying job he had worked so hard to secure. In those days, a college education was not always a requirement to land a decent job. Now here he is, lost in Vietnam, thousands of miles from home. He soon comes face to face with a North Vietnamese soldier who himself is barely 20 years old and was forced into this war. Neither of them knew why they were where they were. The only knowing they both had was they must take the other’s life or their own would be taken. It was kill or be killed. The height of insanity.
I retired from the Army in 1982 after 21 years of service — two of which were in Vietnam. Since then, I kept my Army care to myself and rarely talked about it because of the unpleasant memories of Vietnam. I am sure many of you have heard the term PTSD — Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, otherwise known as a delayed reaction to severe stress. This is something that affects many veterans of foreign wars.
In my case, we had to suppress our feelings. There was no time for mourning. This was especially so during mass casualties. The problem is the suppression will not last forever. Someday and quite possibly many years later, they would come out in a variety of physical and or emotional ways. Here is an example: My wife and I attended a Michigan State football game. Prior to the kickoff, the marching band performed one of the most beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” I had ever heard. I stood at attention and saluted the flag. During this performance, they paused for a few seconds. It didn’t take more than those few seconds to take my thoughts back in time. Tears were streaming down my face. I cringed as I approached this 22-year-old soldier who didn’t appear to be a day past 17. What could possibly be pleasant about placing death tags on his left toe and right thumb?
Veterans Day is a special day in honor of all those who have served in our nation’s military, past or present. This very year, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month will mark the signing of the armistice that ended World War I and became the seed to what today is known as Armistice Day.
If you should spot someone in uniform, regardless if you know the person or not, the uniform they are wearing represents your freedom. Reach out to them and thank them for their service. Finally never forget: “Freedom isn’t free.” — David Dyer, Vietnam Veteran.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Vets-Day.jpg194259Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-11-10 21:12:002019-11-10 21:12:09Veteran's Day Thank You!
One day, a man was lost in a desert without water, but he saw an old makeshift structure. He knew he couldn’t make it much longer, so he got to the covering as fast as his worn-out legs could carry him. To his surprise, inside he found a jar of pure looking water. This jar was on the floor next to a pump.
As he reached down to pick up the jar of water, though, he noticed a sign.
Filled with relief, he walked over to the jar to quench his overbearing thirst. As he reached down to pick up the jar of water, though, he noticed a sign. The sign read, “Use this water to prime the pump. When you have gotten as much water as you need, refill the jar, and leave it for the next person who will pass this way.”
This man suddenly found himself on the horns of a dilemma because he was so thirsty that he was close to dehydration. What if he followed the directions on the sign and there was no water in the well? What if he poured out all of the water he now held in his hand and got nothing in return? Was that worth the risk to even try? The man had to make a decision to either fill himself now, or pour out what he had and take the chance that deep down there was so much more. The man made the choice to prime the pump. It was a good choice because the water flowed freely. He drank to his delight and collected enough water to take him on his journey. Before he left, he filled the jar and placed it next to the note. Under the words of the note, he wrote, “Trust me. It works!”
Thanksgiving and Christmas are soon approaching. As a result people are becoming mindful of what they are thankful for and who they want to share their love with. As you are being distracted by all of these different things let me gently remind you of what the Apostle Paul stated was true of all those born-again of the Spirit: As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)
One of the fundamentals of being a Christian is thanksgiving. In a culture that has become vehemently self-centered, and obsessed it is imperative that we focus our attention on thanksgiving. In fact I learned many years ago that I have to incorporate it in my life as a daily discipline. I’ve also discovered that thanksgiving actually aids in priming my spiritual pump. Each day many of us will begin feeding on God’s Word and having our quiet time with Him. Others will focus on their priestly responsibilities of praying for the needs of others. But it has been my experience that when I simply focus on me and others that often miss the very ONE I live for. He is the Reason for my existence.The very first thing, I and others, need is to “re-center” ourselves in Him. Consider ministering to Him through thanksgiving. Note that the word thanksgiving is made up of two words: “thanks” and “give.” Psalm 100:4 reminds us that we are to “Enter His Gates With Thanks- Giving.“ We enter into His Presence with the giving of thanks. This is an aspect of our sacrifice of praise. So I challenge you to create a thanksgiving journal and come up with 10 things a day that you are thankful for.
Lastly, note that Colossians 2:6-7 assumes that if someone has received Jesus as Savior, Lord, and Baptizer (Christ) they will be rooted, built up, and established in the faith as they overflow with thanksgiving. Build up your spirit man through overflowing with thanks. Prime that inward pump by exercising the will of your soul engaging in what’s already occurring in Heaven and in all creation – the giving of thanks.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Pump2.jpg159318Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-11-05 08:12:442019-11-05 08:12:53Prime the Pump
I’ve just gotten signed up for delivering four thanksgiving meals on Saturday, November 23. I’ve noticed that only four of us are on the list. They still have plenty of time slots available but they are filling up fast. Would you please consider going online and signing up to deliver a Thanksgiving meal?
Consider that this year our church sent out missionaries to four different countries, but we have yet to make a considerable impact here in Union County. Would you please pray about signing up and participating in being Jesus’ hands and feet? And just a side note: I’ve passed the word along to Bethany Academy. They already have 2 of their workers signed up. So get online and give to those who aren’t able to give. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Yesterday’s service was a reminder of all the many blessings that God gives us usually when we least expect them. They come upon us suddenly. In Psalm 40:1 David writes, “I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.”Psalm 23 has David walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Yet repeatedly circumstances will be turned for the better as the one who placed their trust in God is delivered. Psalm 23: 4-6 continues with: Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
In spite of the threat of the SHADOWS of death Jesus, His Shepherd, is with him. You may be tempted to say, Now hold on a second Robert. David didn’t know about Jesus. I beg to differ. For in Psalm 22 he saw His crucifixion and in Psalm 110:1 he wrote: The LORD said to my Lord sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool. David, the “sheep,” knows to look for the Table the Lord had prepared for him in the midst of his enemies. (Just a thought but in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is slain by the witch on a stone table) David realizes goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are following him and have his back. For Jesus, His Shepherd is Goodness, Mercy, and Unfailing Love. Psalm 40 goes on to say: I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.
The surprise of Psalm 40?Psalm 40:7-10Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly [tidings of uprightness and right standing with God]. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord.10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly.
The Surprise is Jesus. The One Who came in the Volume of the Book. How “loud” was that Volume? Isaiah 48:3I have declared from the beginning the former things [which happened in times past to Israel]; they went forth from My mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass [says the Lord].
Malachi 3:1“Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.
Luke 2:13Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,..
Even Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was described as a suddenly:Acts 9:3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,…
The Volume from that Book came loudly and suddenly. The month of November should be a month of Thanksgiving for all of the “suddenly-s” the Lord has brought our way and all the “suddenly-s” that are yet to come. Our church has been so blessed by the Lord with “suddenly-s” in growth, in financial provision, healings, miracles, salvations and answered prayers. Take special time this month to remember the blessings and provision of God. There are so many that they far outweigh the bad. And remember the warning in Mark 13:35-37Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning—36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!
Be alert, watching for the suddenly-s.” May He find us watching and thankful – always.
