Relationship with GOD through Jesus
Please also see: ‘Jesus – & His purpose.’ ‘Eternal life.’ ‘Light of the world.’ ‘Making Jesus Lord of your life.’ ‘Prayer for various reasons.’ ‘Spiritual fruit.’ ‘Trust.’
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Relationship with GOD is the best and most important relationship possible for one to have in this world.
If anyone rejects relationship with GOD and disbelieves HIS existence, and they turn out to be right; then they, and every GOD loving person are headed for the same outcome of permanent non-existence. However, if they are wrong, and every GOD loving person is right; the outcome could not be more different. They are headed for permanent non-existence, and every GOD loving person is headed for eternal life in perfection, in GOD’s magnificent kingdom.
Knowing GOD intimately through Jesus, allows Jesus and you to be within each other.
Are you prepared to do whatever is necessary to please and follow GOD - which might include surrendering things and giving away possessions.
When GOD refers to our knowing HIM, HE is referring to closeness, and personal intimacy, far deeper than just knowing of HIM or knowing about HIM.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.’
What GOD wants to do with your life, is far greater; in fact infinitely greater, and far more exciting than anything this world can offer; HE offers the privilege of Divine relationship.
HE loves every single person on Earth and will do everything HE can to lovingly draw them to HIM. GOD does not force, HE invites, the rest is up to you.
Every person on Earth is equal in GOD’s eyes; and when we are in relationship with GOD through Jesus, we are all equal in HIS eyes.
Humans tend to see people in terms of ‘the greatest to the least - the most worthy to the least worthy - the wealthiest to the poorest - the superior to the inferior;’ such evaluations or opinions do not exist for GOD.
If you accept Jesus as your Saviour; and believe His sacrificial death, and regaining life after three days, you are forgiven through His blood and cleansed with His Living Water - The Holy Spirit. Then you have crossed into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle where only priests were allowed to enter. This was opened up to you when the large thick curtain which separated the Holy of Holies was torn from the top downwards, at the very moment of Jesus dying on the cross.
This allowed every person who chose to, to enter into relationship with GOD through Jesus; and this leads to you seeing that you are only passing through this world on your way to your perfect eternal home in heaven.
You are now a walking Tabernacle - a true disciple of Messiah Yeshua - Jesus - who carries GOD’s Presence within Him as He abides in us.
We can walk and talk with HIM just as HE did with Adam in the Garden of Eden.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour GOD with your bodies.’
John 14:10-27 Jesus said to His close, devoted supporters - believers - the apostles: “Don’t you believe that I am in the FATHER, and that the FATHER is in Me? The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather it is the FATHER living in Me, WHO is doing HIS work. Believe Me when I say that I am in the FATHER and the FATHER is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the FATHER. And I will do whatever you ask on My Name, so that the FATHER may be glorified by the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it.
If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the FATHER; and HE will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows HIM. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in My FATHER; and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My FATHER; and I too will love them and show Myself to them.
Then Judas; (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But Lord why do You intend to show Yourself to us and not be in the world?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My FATHER will love them, and WE will come to them and make OUR home with them. Anyone who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the FATHER WHO sent Me.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the FATHER will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live at peace. And the GOD of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All GOD’s people here send their greetings.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of GOD, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.’
Until probation closes, every person on Earth is still able to turn to GOD by opening their heart and confessing to GOD, their wrong doings, their sinful ways, and wicked involvements, no matter how bad they are or were. (You do not need to confess to another human being, irrespective of what they say or claim.) As long as they are truly repentant and genuinely desire to be cleansed and to be in relationship with GOD, through Jesus, and to inherit eternal life in GOD’s kingdom of blissful perfection, beyond their imagination.
Galatians 3:26-29 ‘So in Christ Jesus you are all children of GOD through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.’
Jesus was from the line of Abraham’s seed on His mother’s side; and through Jesus we can inherit eternal life in GOD’s kingdom.
GOD gave everyone freedom of choice, and HE is not going to interfere with that. HE will even love those who do terrible things, and who totally reject HIM and use Jesus’ Name as a swear word. Even though HE continues to love them, their own actions and choices separate them from GOD and all HIS promises, including heaven and eternal life.
This is just like most parents who always have a love for their children even if their children do terrible things and even reject their parents. In extreme cases some parents might stop loving their children, but even GOD does not. HE is an eternally loving GOD.
Freedom of choice allows every human to determine, or at least influence, their destiny.
Our passion decides our focus, and our focus decides our passion.
True Christians take on a new identity which is born into us by The Holy Spirit, we become who GOD leads us to be, through HIS fullness within us.
True Christians become known as the children of GOD, brothers and sisters to Jesus, and to each other. Welcome to a world of adventure in GOD’s family.
One can say: “I am who the ‘Great I AM’ leads me to be.”
Colossians 1:13 ‘For HE (GOD) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son HE loves.’
Live and walk in the power and might of Jesus.
Don’t walk in religion when it is just religiosity and man-made tradition.
Nothing is more meaningful, valuable, important, significant, and magnificent, than the Word of GOD, leading to relationship with HIM, and assurance of eternal life.
We are to be GOD’s light on earth, being HIS light to others. (Please see ‘Light of the world.’)
Whatever we gain in this life, whatever we accomplish, whatever we make for ourselves; is all temporary, it will not last, it will eventually vanish forever. Instead of transitory worldly pleasures, which fill us up without really satisfying us; the abundant life of inexhaustible satisfaction and abundance which Christ offers, includes our whole being.
On the other hand what we gain through Jesus; which is eternal life in a new heaven and a new earth; is worth infinitely more than everything this world could ever offer us.
Material possessions are so temporary, where-as relationship with GOD is permanent, and ultimately is all that really lasts and matters. Pride and selfishness cannot flourish in anyone who beholds the Saviour’s matchless love, and they will be elevated, purified, and transformed in thought and character. The more we contemplate this, the more we will go forth to be a light in and to the world.
Most people want to be right with GOD and to have some certainty of heaven and eternal life. GOD wants and requires real relationship, not just a form of religiosity or appearing to be doing the 'right thing.' Do not follow human-made tradition and ritual. GOD wants to know you as HIS child, not only as someone running around being involved in doing good things. GOD does not need religious formalism or even church windows to tell HIS story; HE uses born-again, tuned-in, turned-on believers to reveal HIM. The more time we spend with, and talking to Jesus, meditating on HIS word, and basking in HIS presence, the more people will notice the difference in us.
Become passionate about the truth and dimensions of life and eternal life beyond this mortal, temporary, compromised existence, that is so easy to get preoccupied with, thinking that religion is restrictive and boring; thus closing the door to the greatest opportunity possible. Religion and relationship with GOD is really all about a future beyond this life, that is magnificent beyond description, and which I passionately want people to know about. However everything is a choice, and my heartfelt desire is for people to understand the choices available to them, and the consequences of those choices. Heaven and eternal life are not a default state of affairs that just happen without a conscious, genuinely sincere relationship with GOD.
Jesus came to enable us to have such access. He came here to do, and go through what He did, for the most significant reason and purpose that this world has, and ever will, see. The significance of Jesus’ 33 years of life on Earth, who He is, and what He did, is far beyond anything that has ever happened in this world.
True Christians have buried their old nature; the lust of the flesh (bodily, physical desires); the lust of the eyes, and selfish, egotistical pride. True Christians are building GOD’s own character within themselves, they have allowed Jesus Christ to live within them. The Holy Spirit helps prepare them for their coming transformation, at the coming resurrection, into the Kingdom of GOD, when Jesus returns. For true Christians, this is why we are here; this is the true purpose for our existence on earth. Anything else is vanity and futility.
GOD calls on every human to come into relationship with HIM and to co-operate with HIM in HIS plan; however GOD does not force anyone. HE has placed each person’s destiny in their own hands, therefore their ultimate future depends on their own choices.
Seek richer and richer relationship with GOD, richer in all respects of depth, meaning, closeness, and in being acceptable and pleasing to HIM; glorifying HIM in and with your life.
Quiet moments with GOD transcend time, accomplishing more than you can imagine. When you sacrifice time to GOD, you will see how abundantly HE blesses you.
Many people might think they are Christians, but they have not given (surrendered) their heart to Christ. They may be almost Christian, but not fully. To be almost but not fully saved, is actually to be still fully lost. You must be fully Christian, or you are not a Christian at all.
Similar to the Bible saying: Whoever breaks just one of the ten commandments, has actually broken them all.
We must come into a rich, intimate, meaningful, loving relationship with Jesus, and through Him, with GOD our Almighty Father in heaven.
Everything in this world that we are overly attached to, such as a hobby, sport, money, work, cars, anything or anyone at all who is an idol to us, we must detach from and attach ourselves to Jesus and GOD; if we want to inherit eternal life. Pride, selfishness, greed, vanity, envy and every kind and form of sin and evil must be overcome.
When GOD’s people meet together and are of one mind, GOD’s power moves.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will stay in His will and miracles, do not focus on carnality, or compromise, or any departure from Jesus.
Do not be diverted by obstacles and distractions; be unchangeably committed to your relationship with Jesus and GOD, with non-negotiable and irrevocable conviction.
Our relationship with Jesus and GOD our Father should similarly consist of the same qualities that Jesus had with The FATHER; with Whom He was in an intimate ‘one-ness’ of connection and relationship.
GOD designed us to live in union with HIM; which does not negate who we are, it actually makes us more fully ourselves. When we try to live independently of HIM, we experience emptiness and dissatisfaction. We may gain the whole world and yet lose everything that really counts. If we trust and follow GOD wholeheartedly we will discover facets of ourselves that were previously hidden. HE knows us intimately, far better than we know ourselves. In close union with GOD we are transformed more and more into the one HE designed us to be.
Let GOD’s love enfold you. Sit still in the light of HIS presence and receive HIS Peace. These quiet moments with GOD transcend time, and accomplish far more then you can imagine. Give HIM he sacrifice of your time, and HE will abundantly bless you and your loved ones. Through such intimacy, God will transform you from the inside out.
When you commune with GOD in the garden of your heart, you and HE are blessed. This is GOD’s way of living in the world through us, to be with us, which is HIS replacement for HIS original enjoyment of walking in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, before the evil one, Satan, deceived them and spoilt it all. GOD is the Light of the world, and this is HIS way of pushing through the darkness to be with HIS loving children; until we are eventually restored to being together in HIS Family.
Just as Adam and Eve walked with GOD in the Garden of Eden, before their sin-caused expulsion, GOD now wants us to walk with HIM in the garden of our hearts, where HE has taken up permanent residence.
Genesis 3:8 ‘Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD GOD as HE was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD GOD among the trees of the garden.’
There is an extra dimension available to us, which is openness to GOD’s presence.
We also need to live in transparency, humility, dependency and authenticity, and exhibit a foundation of sincerity and integrity. A certain character can usually be seen in people who walk uprightly and act in obedience to GOD.
When we see our own nothingness, we are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. The less we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we see to esteem and exalt in the infinite purity of our Saviour, who rests His power on us.
Your neediness builds trust-bonds between you and GOD. Looking back you will be able to see that days of extreme weakness have been precious times interwoven with strands of GOD’s presence.
When your energy fails you, do not look inward and lament the lack you observe there; look to GOD and HIS sufficiency, rejoice in HIS riches that are abundantly available to help you.
Rejoice in what HE is doing in you life, even though it is beyond your understanding.
In GOD you have everything you need for this life and for the life yet to come. Keep fixing your eyes on Jesus and GOD, no matter what is going on around you.
It does not matter how bad (or how good) your situation might be; if you turn to GOD with your whole heart, everything is going to be all right.
The more prepared and focussed you are on GOD, the more GOD will open doors of opportunity for you.
When you are in relationship with GOD, you should have a healthy self-esteem; not driven by or based on human values and self-ego, but on your security in GOD and the individual worth HE has given us through Jesus.
GOD knows what HE has invested in you and HE calls and equips you to fulfill a purpose in this world. Christ taught that some of us are five-talent people, some are two talent-people and some are one-talent people (Matthew 25:15). It is a mistake to jump to conclusions; it is not what you have that determines your reward, but what you do with what you do have. Do not bury your talent. GOD’s gifts and call are irrevocable, HE expects a return on what HE has invested in you. When you reach the end of your life, what will you have to show for it? GOD has given you time, talent, and treasure; are you using them selfishly, or selflessly to serve HIM and bless others?
Be like sheep; look to, trust in, be directed , and led, by the shepherd. The Shepherd in our case, is our Creator, The LORD GOD Almighty.
Psalms 14:1 & 53:1 ‘The fool says in his heart “There is no GOD.”
Psalm 25:14 ‘The LORD confides in those who love HIM; HE make HIS covenant known to them.’
Psalm 32:8 ‘I (GOD) will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.’
Psalm 33:18 ‘But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear HIM, on those whose hope is in HIS unfailing love.’
Psalm 34:5 ‘Those who look to HIM are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.’
Psalm 50:14-15 “Sacrifice thank offerings to GOD, fulfil your vows to the Most High, and call on ME in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour ME.”
A wonderful Psalm for daily, affirmative prayer; re-worded in the first person tense for personal use.
Psalm 91:1-16 ‘I dwell in YOUR shelter LORD GOD MOST HIGH, and rest in YOUR shadow ALMIGHTY GOD. I will say of YOU LORD, “YOU are my refuge and my fortress, my GOD, in WHOM I trust.” Surely YOU will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. YOU will cover me with YOUR feathers, and under YOUR wings I will find refuge; YOUR faithfulness will be my shield and rampart.
I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. I say, “YOU LORD are my refuge,” and I make YOU, the MOST HIGH, my dwelling, no harm will overtake me, no disaster will come near my tent.
For YOU FATHER, will command YOUR angels concerning me, to guard me in all my ways; they will lift me up in their hands, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread on the lion and the cobra; I will trample the great lion and the serpent. Because I love YOU LORD, YOU will rescue me; YOU will protect me, for I acknowledge YOUR NAME. I call on YOU, and YOU will answer me; YOU will be with me in trouble, YOU deliver me and honour me. With long life YOU will satisfy me and show me YOUR salvation.’
Psalm 139:13-16 ‘For YOU created my inmost being; YOU knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; YOUR works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from YOU when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the Earth, YOUR eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in YOUR book before one of them came to be.’
Psalm 141:8-10 ‘But my eyes are fixed on YOU, SOVEREIGN LORD; in YOU I take refuge; do not give me over to death.
Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.'
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart (sanctified you;) I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
John 12:26 ‘Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, My servant also will be. My FATHER will honour the one who serves Me.’
Covenant with GOD is everything. People who are without it are trapped in a failure-ridden, ‘un-GOD-ly,’ world system.
Wait quietly in GOD’s presence while HIS thoughts silently form in the depths of your being. Do not try to rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound.
HE is continually speaking words of Life, Peace, and Love. Let the light of GOD’s Presence so fully fill your mind that you view the world through HIM.
GOD works according to HIS own timetable. When you accept that, you’ll be able to enjoy where you are right now; and get to where HE wants you to be, however HE may not answer all your questions and requests, or at least in the way you are hoping.
Be assured that GOD is always at work on behalf of humanity, and because HE knows what is best HE may be working on something bigger and better. HE remains silent until the time is right; trust HIM.
2 Corinthians 5:10 ‘For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to them for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’
John 15:4-5 “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If anyone remains in Me and I in him, they will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Romans 11:11-24 These verses speak of believers and followers of Jesus Christ being ‘grafted into Christ.’ We must allow ourselves to become fully and effectively a part of who He is unlike a graft in nature, which retains its own characteristics independent of the root stock. We who are grafted into Christ, take on the characteristics and qualities of Christ, and turn away from earthly (worldly) things and influences.
Those who choose relationship with GOD and Jesus as Lord of their life, can look forward to an eternal future of the ultimate perfection and fulfilment, consisting of more than we can possibly imagine in our present existence.
Revelation 14:12 ‘This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints (Christians) who obey GOD’S commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.’
Those who embrace loving relationship with GOD through Jesus, will inherit, by way of regaining what Adam and Eve had before their fall, which changed every aspect of life on earth. Jesus paid the penalty of death for us, defeated death, and regained the life that Adam and Eve lost. Through Jesus we can regain that eternal life, after this temporary life (temporary existence). We will then have truly eternal physical and spiritual life. Just the same as Jesus is able to, we will be able to travel at the speed of thought, which is instantaneous, anywhere in the universe, and just as Jesus did, to appear instantaneously wherever He chose, not having to pass through a wall. In GOD’s realm there is no time as we know it; a decision is fulfilled instantly.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 ‘However as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what GOD has prepared for those who love Him (also in Isaiah 64:4;) but GOD has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of GOD. For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the person’s spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from GOD, that we may understand what GOD has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The person without the spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of GOD, for they are foolishness to them, and they cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person makes judgements about all things, but they themselves are not subject to any person’s judgement. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that they may instruct Him?” But we understand, for we have the mind of Christ.’ This is a magnificent scripture which reveals that GOD has magnificent things in store for believers, and therefore HE is able to reveal, and they are able to understand, this aspect of HIS promises.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “This is what the LORD says: “Let not he wise boast of their wisdom or the strong of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know ME, that I am the LORD, WHO exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on Earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.’
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Galatians 4:3-7 ‘So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, GOD sent HIS Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are HIS sons, GOD sent the Spirit of HIS Son into our hearts, the Spirit Who calls out, “ABBA, FATHER.” So you are no longer a slave, but GOD’s child; and since you are HIS child, GOD has made you also an heir.’
Many Christians say : “We serve a mighty GOD,” however if you are a born again devoted Christian, you are a son, a child, a friend, and heir of GOD; you are no longer a servant. Ref. John 15:15-17 About seven scriptures below.
Ephesians 4:3-5 ‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit; just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all, WHO is over all, and through all, and in all.’
Hebrews 11:6 ‘Without faith it is impossible to please GOD’ And prayer shows that we have faith that GOD exists, and that HE is who HE is. “I am who I am.”
Zechariah 4:1-3 & 6b ‘Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a person is wakened from their sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty.’
The bowl with its bountiful supply of oil, symbolizes the fullness of GOD’s power through HIS Spirit. The seven lamps shine with abundant light, a symbol of GOD’s abiding presence, which dispels all darkness. Just as the olive oil is conducted directly from the trees to the bowl of oil at the top of the lampstand without any human help or device, so the power which comes from GOD is constant and sufficient, without any need of human help. This means that no-one needs any other human between them and GOD. Your relationship with GOD is directly between you and HIM. Jesus said, “In My Name go direct to the FATHER.” Human contribution can only be as interim teachers.
Exodus 34:6-7 “And HE passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The LORD, The LORD, the compassionate and gracious GOD, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet HE does not leave the guilty unpunished; HE punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” This generational punishment was because GOD knew that the rebellious nature would remain in the following three or four generations.
Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Nahum 1:7 ‘The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. HE cares for those who trust in HIM.’
John 15:15-17 Jesus said “I no longer call you servants (=avadim in Hebrew), because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends (=y’didim in Hebrew), for everything that I learned from My FATHER (GOD) I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit --- fruit that will last. Then the FATHER will give you whatever you ask in My name. This is My command: Love each other.”
Romans 8:14 & 15b “Those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are children of GOD. By HIM we cry Abba, FATHER.”
(Abba via Greek from Aramaic - 'abbā = ‘father’; also from Hindi - abbā. The singing group negotiated for the rights to the name ‘ABBA’ which is an acronym formed from the first letters of each group member's first name: Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid.)
Romans 8:14-17 ‘Those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons (children) of GOD. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba FATHER.” (Abba is Hebrew for ‘Dad’) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are GOD’S children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of GOD and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.’
Romans 12:1-2 ‘Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of GOD’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD; this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD’S will is; HIS good, pleasing and perfect will.’
Romans 15:13 ‘May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIM, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
Philippians 2:5-11 ‘In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature GOD, did not consider equality with GOD something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross.
Therefore GOD exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.’
1 John 1:6 ‘Whoever claims to walk in Him must walk as Jesus did.’
Philippians 4:13 & 19 ‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.’
‘And my GOD will meet all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’
1 John 2:3-6 ‘We know that we have come to know HIM if we obey HIS commands. The person who says, “I know HIM,” but does not do what HE commands is a liar, and the truth is not in them. But if anyone obeys HIS word, GOD’s love is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.’
1 John 3:21-24 ‘Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before GOD and receive from HIM anything we ask, because we keep HIS commands and do what pleases HIM. And this is HIS command: to believe in the Name of HIS Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps GOD’s commands lives in HIM, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.’
1 John 4:12-13 ‘No one has ever seen GOD; but if we love one another, GOD lives in us and HIS love is made complete in us. We know that we live in HIM and HE in us, because HE has given us of HIS Spirit.’
1 John 5:21 ‘Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.’
Romans 10:9-13 ‘If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are GOD’s temple and that GOD’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys GOD’s temple, GOD will destroy him; for GOD’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.’
Micah 6:8 ‘GOD has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your GOD.’
1 Corinthians 15:2 & 3b-8 ‘By the gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word (GOD’s Bible truth.) Otherwise you have believed in vain. Christ died for our sins according to (in keeping with) the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to (in keeping with) the scriptures, (All recorded prophetically in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament.) and that He appeared to Peter, the twelve, and to more than five hundred, then to James, then to all the apostles and last of all to Paul, as one abnormally born (in an unusual way).’ This could be said to be the first ‘born again’ experience. For Paul it was a dramatic experience which changed his whole belief, nature, conviction and behaviour. A 180 degrees change.
Christ changes your heart and lives in your heart by your faith which you maintain with continual surrender of your will to Him. Jesus will lead your will to do according to His good purpose. With Christ you will live out His same spirit and do the same good works of righteousness and obedience.
Our consistent ways of life and living, our holy conversation, our unswerving integrity, our benevolent spirit, will be a GOD-ly example conveying GOD’s light to the world. (see ‘Light of the world.’)
James 4:4b ‘Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of GOD.’
This means being focussed on and preferentially involved in worldly things and ways, especially wrong things, leaving GOD as incidental or non-existent. Some versions say ‘to hate the world’ which means to put second or to like less than you do GOD.
James 4:6-10 ‘But HE gives us more grace. That is why the Scripture says: “GOD opposes the proud but shows grace to the humble.”
Submit yourselves, then, to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to GOD and HE will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.’
1 John 4:8 ‘Whoever does not love, does not know GOD, because GOD is Love.’
1 John 4:15-21 ‘If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of GOD, GOD lives in them and they in GOD. And so we know and rely on the love GOD has for us. GOD is love. Whoever lives in love lives in GOD, and GOD in them. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because HE first loved us. If anyone says, “I love GOD,” yet hates their Christian brother and sister, whom they have not seen, cannot love GOD, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves GOD must also love their Christian brother and sister.’
The following four scriptures show how GOD wants to bless HIS people (HIS children) marvellously.
Numbers 6:24-26 ‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.’
Romans 15:13 ‘May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIM, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
1 Samuel 2:30b ‘Those who honour ME I will honour, but those who despise ME will be disdained.’ (Honour = to highly esteem, promote, exalt, lift up.)
1 Peter 2:9-10 ‘But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to GOD, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into HIS wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of GOD; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.’
You become GOD’s precious, treasured possession.
1 Peter 5:1-10 ‘To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who will also share in the glory to be revealed. Be shepherds of GOD’s flock that is under your care, watching over them; not because you must, but because you are willing, as GOD wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, “GOD opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under GOD’s mighty hand, that HE may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.’
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the GOD of all grace, WHO called you to HIS eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, and firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.’
1 John 2:15-17 ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. For everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and the boasting of what they have and do -- does not come from the FATHER but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the person who does the will of GOD lives forever.’
1 John 3:1-3 ‘How great is the love the FATHER has lavished on us, that we should be called children of GOD. And that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know HIM. Dear friends, now we are children of GOD, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in them purifies themselves, just as He is pure.’
1 John 4:16 ‘And so we know and rely on the love GOD has for us. GOD is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in GOD, and GOD in them.’
1 John 5:3 ‘For this is the love of GOD, that we keep HIS commandments. And HIS commandments are not burdensome.”
Joshua 1:5b ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’
Joshua 1:9b ‘Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your GOD will be with you wherever you go.’
1 Corinthians 3:23 ‘You are of Christ and Christ is of GOD.’
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 ‘But whoever unites themselves with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside their body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; but were bought at a price. Therefore honour GOD with your body.’ (Otherwise you would be involving the Lord in sin, which He turns away from, so therefore your actions are rejecting Him.)
Ephesians 1:4-5 ‘For HE (GOD) chose us in HIM before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in HIS sight. In love HE predestined us to be adopted as HIS children. This scripture shows us that GOD knows everything, and that ‘time,’ a limiting factor to us, does not exist to Him. HE knows and can determine outcomes before anything even begins.
Ephesians 4:1-3 ‘As a prisoner (devoted) for the Lord, then , I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’
2 Peter 1:5-11 ‘For this very reason, (GOD’s great and precious promises,) make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self- control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, they are near-sighted and blind, and have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore my brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’
Ephesians 2:6 ‘GOD raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’
This is one of the many amazing privileges that can be ours through Jesus, with Whom we can eventually dwell in full reality.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.’
2 Thessalonians 2:13 ‘But we ought always to thank GOD for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning GOD chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.’
Hebrews 13:5 ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because GOD has said: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The words below were said for those who refuse to see or understand the truth of GOD who so very much wants everyone to turn to HIM so they may enjoy HIS blessings.
Acts 28:26-27 ‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes, so their eyes cannot see, and they cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.’
They are repeated in: Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15, 35; John 12:40.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ‘And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The ‘god’ (Satan) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of GOD.’
Worship Christ as Lord of your life; whether your path is rough or smooth, your attitude should be one of ‘worship.’ Joseph’s slavery led to the saving of his family, Daniel’s experience in the lions’ den led to him attaining a senior government position, Christ entered the world (was born) by a surprise pregnancy, and then redeemed the world through His suffering of being mistreated and violently killed – murdered - at the age of 33. The magnificent eternal outcome is that He then defeated death, a condition that we can inherit.
Keep seeking ever closer relationship, do not seek riches for their own sake, do not fear poverty, do not shrink from death.
Ephesians 1:17-23 ‘I (Paul) keep asking that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, (Saints are GOD-loving Christians) and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And GOD placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.’
Our connection to GOD has to be positive and sure or we may find ourselves ‘rudderless,’ and not knowing where we are, who we are, or where we are going. GOD says:
Isaiah 30:21 ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
GOD deals with and directs every aspect of the lives of those who love HIM, who are under HIS wings.
Psalm 91:4 ‘He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.’
Psalm 139:23-24 ‘Search me, GOD, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’
Psalm 26:2-3 ‘Test me O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth.’
Read all 12 verses of chapter 26, for a fuller picture.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will direct your paths.’
Proverbs 20:24 ‘A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way.’
John 3:17 ‘For GOD did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.’
Psalm 149:4 ‘For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.’
Romans 3:22-24 ‘Righteousness from GOD comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.’
Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.’
Romans 8:35 ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.’
Romans 8:38-39 ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation, will be able to separate us from the love of GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Ephesians 5:1-2 ‘Follow GOD’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD.’
GOD can ONLY see us as perfect when we fully submit our heart, mind, will and thoughts to Christ Jesus; which means to be clothed with His ‘garment’ of righteousness. It is only in this way that we are truly enabled to obey, keep, and be true to GOD’s commandments.
Ephesians 5:27 ‘To present her (the Church – the true Christians) to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.’
Ephesians 6:10 ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.’
2 John 1:9 ‘Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have GOD; whoever continues in the teaching has both the FATHER and the Son.’
Revelation 19:8 ‘Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her (the church) to wear.’ (‘Fine linen’ stands for the righteous acts of the saints. Saints are Christians.)
Open your life to GOD and His blessings are able to flow freely into every area of your life. If you are closed off to GOD, even in just a few little ways, you are blocking or limiting the flow of His blessings, and your own ability to receive them. If we allow human ego to get in the way of relationship with GOD, we are limiting or blocking that relationship. A relationship with GOD, means that GOD must have first priority in every area of our life; and we must have absolute joy in such a relationship.
You have far more to gain by serving the Lord than you could ever imagine. He will bless and reward you in this life, however, it is nothing compared to what awaits you in the next life. GOD’s light shines on everyone but we each need to open our hearts to invite and let Him in.
When we develop relationship with Jesus and GOD, it is like walking into an ocean of pure water. First we get wet feet and progressively more of our body gets wet until we are fully saturated, and become aware that the ocean of GOD is unlimited in all directions and magnificent beyond description. We cannot comprehend this with our finite minds, but we are very blessed to be part of it.
We must behold Christ; when we see and contemplate His purity, excellence and perfection, we shall see our own imperfection. It is people’s ignorance of Jesus Christ that allows them to be self-righteous. We can ONLY be saved into eternal life if we are in Jesus and He is in us, and He is Lord of our life, so that GOD sees us through Jesus. Standing on our own, we can never be seen as perfect.
Jesus was GOD in human form, so there IS NO OTHER WAY to heaven and eternal life.
Keep your life’s purpose before you at all times and evaluate each decision in the light of it.
So many people struggle to find purpose and meaning in their lives, without realizing that what GOD is offering through Jesus, would give them the hope of something far greater than anything this world could ever offer.
Do not miss opportunities to glorify GOD; through the righteous use of even one tiny talent, we may link ourselves by a golden thread to the higher world. Even in the most basic things, think of doing it as obedience to GOD. Many people wait for some great purposeful duty to be brought to them, and in doing so, they overlook the simple things in which to show their faithfulness to GOD. While waiting for some great work to do, they allow life to slip away with unfulfilled purpose and unaccomplished things they could have done.
Matthew 25:21 & 23 ‘Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’
We all want to hear GOD say this.
Job 36:11 ‘If they obey and serve HIM, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.’
Psalm 37:4 ‘Delight yourself in the LORD and HE will give you the desires of your heart.’
Psalm 42:1-2 ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for YOU, O GOD. My soul thirsts for GOD, for the living GOD. When can I go and meet with GOD?’
Psalms 106:1. 107:1. 118:1. 136:1, 2, 3, 26. All contain the following words:---
“Give thanks to the LORD for HE is good and HIS mercy endures forever.”
(In Hebrew: “Hodu l’Adonai Ki tov, Ki l’olam chasdoh.”)
Proverbs 9:10 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding.’
Matthew 3:2 ‘John the Baptist preached “Repent for the Kingdom of GOD is near.”
Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness, and all these things (your basic needs) will be given to you as well.”
As believers we have a Father who can and will provide everything we could ever need or desire. We just have to keep the door open for GOD to do it, by seeking HIM first and putting HIS word first place in our lives. Unbelievers are left to their own devices to fend for them-selves in a dog eat dog world, because they do not have a heavenly FATHER to take care of them.
Mark 8:34-37 ‘Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone would come after Me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their own soul?’ Or what can a person give in exchange for their soul?”
Mark 9:23 ‘Jesus said “Everything is possible to those who believe.”
John 6:35 ‘Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:37-38 “Jesus said “All that the FATHER gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of HIM WHO sent Me.”
2 Corinthians 5:14a & 17 & 20 ‘Christ’s love compels us. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though GOD were making HIS appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to GOD.’
2 Chronicles 16:9a ‘The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to HIM.’
Hebrews 4:13 ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.’
Hebrews 13:5 ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because GOD has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
(Not free of money, just free from the LOVE of money.)
Revelation 11:1b-2a “Go and measure the temple of GOD and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court, do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.” This reference to The Temple can be taken as being representative of the importance of making sure that you are ‘in the inner court,’ because this represents real relationship with GOD; not in the outer court where the Gentiles are (those not in relationship.)
Isaiah 66:2b GOD said: “I esteem and bless those who are humble and contrite in spirit and heart, and tremble at MY word.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will direct your paths.’
Micah 6:8 ‘GOD has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your GOD.’
John 6:47-48 50-51 ‘Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, whoever believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a person may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, they will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Romans 8:1-9 ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, GOD did by sending HIS own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so HE condemned sin in sinful people, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful people is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to GOD. It does not submit to GOD’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please GOD. You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of GOD lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.’
Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.’
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by a renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:5 ‘So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’
Romans 13:14 ‘Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.’
2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.’
2 Corinthians 12:10b In Christ: ‘When I am weak, then I am strong.’
Galatians 5:19-21 ‘The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as often as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of GOD.’
Ephesians 1:3-4 ‘Praise be to the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For HE chose us in HIM before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in HIS sight.’
Hebrews 4:12 ‘For the Word of GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.’
Hebrews 4:14-16 ‘Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of GOD, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are --- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’
John 5:19 ‘So Yeshua (Jesus) explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the FATHER doing. Whatever the FATHER does, the Son also does.”
1 Corinthians 3:23 --- ‘and you are of Christ, and Christ is of GOD.’ This is Jesus speaking to the people of GOD, and it highlights the magnificent relationship of those who are true lovers of GOD.
We can also have everything that Christ received from GOD.
Ask and receive; claim everything that GOD has promised.
John 14:13-17 ‘And I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the FATHER may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the FATHER, and HE will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever; the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”
John 14:20-21, & 23 “On that day you will realize that I am in my FATHER, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commands and obeys them, is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My FATHER, and I too will love them and show Myself to them.”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My FATHER will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them.”
Revelation 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them and dine with them, and they with me.”
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you (set you apart); I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”GOD always knew us; and now we need to acknowledge GOD and seek all HE has for us.
Philippians 2:10-11 ‘At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.’
Philippians 1:21 ‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’
This statement of Paul’s means that while we are living, our whole life is to bring glory to GOD and Christ. Paul knew that his death would bring glory to GOD as well, and would also be the time when his faith would come to fruition and he would live with our Saviour forever. In verse 23 Paul said that he longed for the day when death would bring him face to face with Jesus. (There may be a sleep in between.)
All Christians feel the pull of heaven and yearn for an eternity with Christ. Heaven will be far better than our Earthly life, for we will be present with our Saviour in a place devoid of eternal perfection, without sin, sickness, and death.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 ‘Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident , I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please HIM, whether we are at home in the body or away from it, We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’
What we lose in life we will gain in heaven. Our purpose on Earth is to live as a light of hope in the darkness of sin and death. Christians live a life of sacrifice so we may be assured, as Paul was, that even our death will glorify Christ Jesus. We live in appreciation of who we have become and what we now have in our relationship with GOD and Jesus.
Matthew 5:16 ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your FATHER in heaven.’
Isaiah 40:29-31 ‘HE gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
1 John 2:20, 23, 27. ‘You have an anointing from the Holy One (Jesus), and all of you know the truth. No one who denies the Son has the FATHER; whoever acknowledges the Son has the FATHER also. The anointing you received from Him remains (abides) in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; but His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit, just as it has taught you, you remain (abide) in Him.’
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Emotions.
GOD made us in HIS image and likeness, and that includes emotions. Without emotions in our life, we would be unemotional, non-compassionate robots. We consist of mind, will, and emotions, and our relationship with GOD must be a real relationship which involves emotions. We do not want a human relationship without emotions, and we do not want a relationship with GOD that is without any emotion, otherwise it would be dry, cold, mechanical religion.
However emotions should not dominate us and over-ride our reasoning, they should serve us and complement our relationship by being balanced together with wisdom, reasoning, discernment, sincerity, and dignity. Any relationship of value consists of a number of elements, of which emotions are one.
A quality relationship with GOD will be a full and complete experience including emotions; but those emotions should be deeply meaningful, not froth and bubble type emotions. Every aspect of any relationship should be genuine and sincere, especially our relationship with GOD.
Love for Jesus and GOD must over- ride everything else.
The one and all-absorbing motive and passion of a true Christian is to live and express the goodness and love of Christ. ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look fully into His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.’
The following scriptures emphasize how we need to be in genuine ‘heart’ relationship with GOD, not just going through religious processes.
Jeremiah 31:3 ‘The LORD (GOD) appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Isaiah 29:13-14 ‘The Lord says: “These people come near to ME with their mouth and honour ME with their lips, but their hearts are far from ME. Their worship of ME is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
There is extreme danger in being just lukewarm. There is no room for compromise.
Love, law, and obedience go together in a true relationship.
A loving relationship needs to be expressed in certain ways, and GOD expects certain obedience and certain obligations to be honoured, otherwise our relationship is not genuine or serious, which leaves GOD with maybe no option but to reject such people as shown in the following:
Matthew 7:19-23 ‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does the will of my FATHER who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from Me you evildoers.”
Luke 13:27 But He will reply “I do not know you or where you are from. Away from Me, all you evildoers.”
Revelations 3:16 "So then because you are lukewarm - neither cold nor hot - I will spew you out of my mouth."
Matthew 10:37-38 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take their ‘cross’ and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”
Hebrews 10:29 ‘How much more severely do you think a someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of GOD under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace.’
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1 John 2:2 ‘He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.’
James 1:12 ‘Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that GOD has promised to those who love Him.’
John 1;12-13 ‘Yet to all who received Him (Jesus,) to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of GOD; children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of GOD.’
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
John 6:47 “I tell you the truth, whoever believes has everlasting life.”
John 7:38 ‘Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of their heart will flow rivers of living water.’
John 10:10 “The thief (Satan the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Kill can also mean to kill your faith, kill your belief, kill your relationship, etc.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 14:15 “If you love me you will obey what I command.”
John 14:23 Jesus replied “If anyone loves Me, they will obey My teaching. My FATHER will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them.”
Romans 2:7-8 ‘To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.’
We need to become Christ-like through having Christ in us and we being in Christ. Being in deep - sincere - relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ; NOT just participating in religion and religiosity.
1 John 2:6 ‘Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.’
1 John 2:15 ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in them.’ (Meaning to avoid all immoral and compromised ways of the world.)
Romans 8:35-39 ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Romans 15:13 ‘May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIM, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
This is incredibly reassuring; to be filled with joy and peace and to overflow with hope of eternal life spending 1000 years in heaven, then living eternally in a perfect world (beyond our imagination) on the new Earth under a new heaven.
Romans 12:2 ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.’
Romans 12:9-10 ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.’
Romans 2:4 ‘Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that GOD’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
(Repentance means a complete 180 degree change in your life.)
Hebrews 2:11 ‘Both the One who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.’
John 3:36 ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for GOD’s wrath remains on them.’
1 John 5:11-13 ‘And this is the testimony: GOD has given us eternal life, and this life is in HIS Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of GOD does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of GOD so that you may know that you have eternal life.’
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look into His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
Some scriptures which wonderfully reflect the love and care GOD has for all who love Him:
Psalm 91:1-2 ‘He who dwells in the secret place of the MOST HIGH shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “HE is my refuge and my fortress; My GOD, in HIM I will trust.”
Psalm 121:7-8 ‘The LORD will keep you from all harm --- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.’
Psalm 55:22 ‘Cast all your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.’
1 Peter 5:7 ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.’
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 ‘But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.’ ______________________________________________________________________________
Matthew 18:3-4 ‘And Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14 ‘Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
John 11:40 ‘Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of GOD.”
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the FATHER WHO sent Me draws them; and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 14:6 ‘Jesus answered “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through Me.”
John 8:31-32 ‘Jesus said; “If you continue in My word (hold to My teaching), then you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
John 10:27-30 ‘Jesus said “My sheep (followers) listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My FATHER, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of My FATHER’s hand. I and My FATHER are one.”
John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the FATHER except through Me.”
John 14:9 ‘Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the FATHER. How can you say, “Show us the FATHER?’
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, I chose you.”
John 16:15 ‘All that belongs to the FATHER is mine. That is why I said the spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.’
Romans 8:14 ‘Because those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons (children) of GOD.’
Romans 8:28-31 ‘And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose. For those GOD foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of HIS Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those HE predestined, HE also called; those HE called, HE also justified; those HE justified, HE also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If GOD is for us, who can be against us?’
Titus 2:11-15 ‘For the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men (people). It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great GOD and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. These, then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.’
1 John 1:3b & 4 ‘And our fellowship is with the FATHER and with HIS Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.’ (‘Fellowship’ in the original language means ‘equal partnership’.)
1 John 5:20 ‘We know also that the Son of GOD has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true - even in HIS Son Jesus Christ. He is the true GOD and eternal life.’
To live a consecrated life, we need the following:
Consecrated ears that are attentive to GOD:
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Consecrated hands that are ready to do His will and the good works He has pre-appointed for us to perform:
Colossians 1:10 -‘so that you may live a life worthy of the LORD and please HIM in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of GOD,’-
Consecrated feet that continually walk in His holy ways:
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”
Isaiah 30:21 ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
2 Timothy 2:11-13 ‘Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.’
2 Timothy 2:15 ‘Do your best to present yourself to GOD as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’
2 Timothy 3:12-17 ‘In fact, everyone who wants to live a GOD-ly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is GOD breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of GOD may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all those who have longed for His appearing.’
Hebrews 13:6 ‘So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?’
GOD’s Love, Grace and Mercy & our inheritance of eternal life:
You cannot take hold of the things that GOD has provided for you if you do not know what they are, or that they belong to you. You need to fully understand the benefits of salvation, that GOD has offered you, and that you need to do something about receiving them.
It is amazing that the Lord GOD Almighty, who rules the immense universe, allows us, a race of sinful people in a decaying fallen world, a tiny planet floating in space amongst billions of galaxies, to call Him FATHER. HE loves us, even though we have become far less than what HE created, and fallen way short of what HE planned for us. Humans are a very sobering example of what happens from having been given our own freedom of choice, and then making the wrong choices.
Ephesians 2:4-10 Describes the reality of GOD’s love, grace and mercy. It is NOT our own works or perceived goodness which earn our way into GOD’s family or qualify us for heaven. The whole of chapter 2 describes our relationship with GOD through HIS love, grace and mercy.
The whole of Romans chapter 8 also describes the blessings of relationship with GOD, only possible through His love, grace, and mercy. If we continue to live according to our own lusts and selfishness we cannot enter GOD’s kingdom and inherit eternal life.
2 Timothy 1:7 ‘For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.’
1 Corinthians 1:18 ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of GOD.’
Those who are part of GOD’s family are known as the ‘Bride of Christ’.
Abraham knew that before he died, he must find a suitable bride for his son, Isaac. He therefore sent his servant on a mission to find her from amongst his relatives. This whole story of finding a bride for Isaac is incredibly interesting and of absolutely major significance in its deeper, prophetic implications.
Abraham made his servant swear by the Lord GOD of heaven and earth
that he would not take a bride for Isaac from among the daughters of the Canaanites.
So too, we know that the Bride of Messiah must be chosen from amongst the seed of Abraham, being those who are of faith and love in Jesus the Messiah.
Colossians 1:27 ‘To them GOD has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’
GOD’s promise to Abraham, of which we also can be inheritors.
Galatians 3:9 & 29 ‘So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. And if you belong to the Messiah, then you are Abraham's descendants indeed, and heirs according to the promise.’
*NOTE that GOD said the ‘seed’ (not ‘seeds’ plural) of Abraham. Jesus is that seed, and GOD’s family are those who are in relationship with Jesus. This alone qualifies one as being of Abraham’s seed, and therefore an inheritor, through Jesus, of the promise to Abraham.
So the gift of eternal life is only through Jesus!
Now, Abraham is clearly a ‘type’ (symbol) of GOD the FATHER, Isaac is a type of Christ, hence the symbolism when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, whose birth also was the result of a miracle. Isaac's wife Rebekah, in like fashion, is obviously a symbol of the Church, (A shadow of things to come.) Christ is to marry His Church; Revelation 19:7-9. The true church = Christians = Saints = The bride. Then, as Paul makes clear, Hagar (the maid-servant who Abraham slept with) is symbolic of the Old Covenant, and Sarah is a symbol of the New Covenant. These two Covenants cannot co-exist since much of the Old is replaced by the NEW, thus the enmity between the two women. Moreover Abraham dismisses the ‘old woman' in order to bring in the ‘new woman.' Galatians 4:21-31 and Hebrews 8:13 state that the Old Covenant is now obsolete; although we still continue to derive much learning and understanding from the old testament. This does not remove the Ten Commandments; it only removed the ceremonial laws which pointed forward to Jesus and what He fulfilled.
We see therefore that while a partial fulfilment of these promises was enjoyed by the Jews, their true and ultimate fulfilment can only be expected among Christians. We also see how both Israel and the Church (Spiritual Israel) are stamped with the name of Abraham. It should also be clear to everyone that all those who are part of GOD’s family on earth are only blessed through Christ and the process of salvation, as the Scriptures clearly show: John 3:16-17; Luke 16:16; Revelation 7:9-10; etc.
A true heart and mind relationship with Jesus and GOD, is the only worth while way to live in this world, there is no other way. Any other way would be condemning oneself to the random chance of ‘whatever ’ and to be destined for the automatic (default) setting, which is HELL, that is on this planet. That is why GOD sent Himself in the form of Jesus, to open the door for people to be able to choose relationship with Him and to make JESUS Lord of their lives and thereby step into Kingdom relationship now, which qualifies them for eternal life in Heaven, and eventually GOD’s Kingdom of eternal perfection and life in the new Heaven and the new Earth. If GOD had not done this through Jesus, every person on Earth would have been destined for HELL.
That is why GOD talks, in the Bible, about the Kingdom of GOD already being within those who are truly HIS children. Once we step into that relationship and into HIS Kingdom, it is the beginning of eternal life. This body still needs to die, but on the other side of death is sleep, until Jesus resurrects all of His children into new, perfect, eternal, immortal bodies. The next thing we will know is perfection in every way, and it will be as if we have been asleep for just a short time.
GOD wants true devoted relationship, not ‘traditional’ religion, forms of religiosity or man-made doctrine, traditions and rituals.
Those who keep Christ out of their lives here on earth, have rejected GOD’s invitation to eternal life, and cannot be accepted as a member of His family and dwell with Him in heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 ‘So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.’
Galatians 2:20 ‘I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave himself for me.’
Galatians 6:7-10 “Do not be deceived; GOD cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
True happiness, contentment, peace, prosperity and spiritual fulfilment can only come by giving our life to GOD.
GOD Almighty our Father, the Supreme Being, has a definite plan for all who ever have or ever will be born. It is a royal plan of a level far greater than any human being can imagine. It is the very inheritance that a supreme, universal governing FATHER has gifted to HIS Son, the Saviour of mankind, to share with all who will willingly give and surrender themselves to relationship with Him, and to His rule and loving authority. It is not only obedience that matters, but also the state of your heart, and perseverance.
GOD loves everyone un-conditionally, however entry to heaven is clearly conditional. Heaven is and always will be a place of perfection and therefore all those who qualify to enter heaven must be seen in terms of perfection, and this can only be so if GOD sees us through Jesus, and that can only be so if Jesus is Lord of our lives and that He is in us and we are in Him. As Paul said in the following two scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.’
Colossians 3:1- 4 ‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of GOD. Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died (See ‘Born Again,’) and your life is now hidden with Christ in GOD. When Christ, who is in your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.’
Colossians 3:12-14 ‘Therefore, as GOD’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.’
Colossians 3:17 ‘Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to GOD the FATHER through Him.’
John 3:3 ‘Jesus declared, ”I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of GOD unless they are born again.”
John 3:5-7 ‘Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of GOD unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at My saying, ‘You must be born again.”
John 14:20 “On that day you will realize that I am in My FATHER, and you are in Me, and I am in you.”
John 17:13-24 ‘Jesus said: “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. I have given them YOUR word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that YOU take them out of the world, but that YOU protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth, YOUR word is truth. As YOU sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, FATHER, just as YOU are in Me and I am in YOU. May they also be in US so that the world may believe that YOU have sent Me. I have given them the glory that YOU gave Me, that they may be one as we are ONE. I in them and YOU in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that YOU sent Me and have loved them even as YOU have loved Me.”
The following is Jesus talking (praying) to GOD, (His and our FATHER), about His disciples (followers). GOD desires us to enjoy everything that will make noble, expand, and elevate our characters.
John 17:13-26 “I am coming to YOU now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. I have given them YOUR Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of this world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that YOU take them out of the world but that YOU protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; YOUR Word is truth. As YOU sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, FATHER, just as YOU are in Me and I am in YOU. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that YOU have sent Me. I have given them the glory that YOU gave me, that they may be one as We are One; I in them and YOU in Me; so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that YOU sent Me and have loved them even as YOU have loved Me.”
“FATHER, I want those YOU have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory YOU have given Me because YOU loved Me before the creation of the world.”
“Righteous FATHER, though the world does not know YOU, I know YOU, and they know that YOU have sent Me. I have made YOU known to them, ad will continue to make YOU known in order that the love YOU have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honour GOD with your body.’
There are many more scriptures that tell of the wonderful relationship that Jesus opened the way for us to have with Him and the FATHER.
No one who is carnal can enter GOD’s kingdom. Each individual person must be born again of the Sprit, and become spiritually separated from this world, with their mind becoming focussed on things above, not on things below, (meaning this world), so that spiritually they enter into GOD’s kingdom.
GOD loves all people, just like parents love their children, irrespective of what kind of lives their children live, even if they reject their parents. So the children have freedom of choice and the consequences of their choices may mean completely missing out on what their parents have planned for them, or desire for them.
GOD does not force anything, it is all open to freedom of choice. My passion is for people to be aware of all the options they have, and what the consequences can be of their choices; and to only then make a decision.
GOD cannot compromise HIS standards and values. Those who love and follow HIM have a magnificent eternal future beyond imagination. Those who reject HIM have the unimaginable horror of the judgement and eternal non-existence.
Families should pray together, but also praying to GOD alone keeps our spiritual lives alive, vital and personal. Alone in private we should open our hearts to GOD in prayer, heard only by HIM. Free from other influences we can reach out quietly to HIM, and a sweet influence will flow from HIM who sees and hears in secret. GOD sends a spiritual presence to help us in whatever we need and earnestly seek HIM for.
We should lift our hearts to GOD continuously during whatever we are doing. This is how Enoch walked with GOD. Silent prayers rise to GOD like smoke from the burning of sweet incense. Satan cannot overcome a person who keeps hold of GOD in prayer. By lifting our hearts and minds to GOD in prayer we keep our thoughts occupied only in what is pure and holy. We may be surrounded by so much wickedness that we feel even the air is poisoned; but we may breathe the pure air of Heaven. When our hearts and minds stay in touch with GOD, our consciousness will be continually immersed in thoughts of heavenly things and the values of eternal life; and we will feel close to GOD all the time. Christian hearts should be filled with the beauty of holiness. Our hearts and minds should stay in touch with GOD and we will breathe the air of Heaven. If we stay close to GOD, no matter what happens, our thoughts turn to HIM in all situations, as easily as a flower turns to the sun.
The wonderful relationship between GOD and us is highlighted in the following eleven verses. GOD knows us far better than we realize.
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD “plans to prosper you and not to harm you , plans to give you a hope and a future, then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
Ephesians 1:4-10 ‘For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of GOD’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment – to bring all things in heaven and on Earth together under one head, even Christ.’
The Uniqueness of Jesus & the magnificent relationship between Jesus and the FATHER.
No person, entity, or system apart from Jesus, has ever caused the dating system to begin again from year one.
No one else has ever said the following:
John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are one.”
John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the FATHER except through Me.”
John 14:9 “--- Anyone who has seen Me has seen the FATHER ---“
John 5:19 ‘Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His FATHER doing, because whatever the FATHER does the Son also does.”
The following two scriptures show the magnificently intertwined and interdependent relationship between GOD and Jesus = Father and Son = GOD on earth as Jesus.
John 6:44 ‘Jesus said "No one can come to Me unless the FATHER who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 14:6 ‘Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through Me.”
John 14:9-14 ‘Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the FATHER. How can you say, ‘Show us the FATHER’? Don’t you believe that I am in the FATHER, and that the FATHER is in Me? The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the FATHER, living in Me, who is doing his work. Believe Me when I say that I am in the FATHER and the FATHER is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the FATHER. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the FATHER may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it.’
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Revelation 3:20 ‘Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.’
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ‘Thanks to GOD, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads every-where the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to GOD the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To one we are the smell of death, to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task.’
Let us hold on to our faith in GOD, let us have a hope that is stronger than ever.
A beautiful heavenly home is ready and waiting for the redeemed, those who love Jesus and GOD and are truly His children. There is joy in heaven over every redeemed person, which leads the angels to sing songs of victorious celebration.
Jesus takes us home to heaven.
Jesus comes to take GOD’s children (those who love Him) home to Heaven, which He promised He will do:
Matthew 25:34 ‘Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by My Father. Come and possess the Kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.’
John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in GOD; trust also in Me. In My FATHER’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.”
The redeemed will be welcomed to the home (mansion) that Jesus has prepared for them in heaven, where there will not be any sin or wicked people. There will only be those who have been washed clean through Jesus’ sacrificial blood, and having chosen relationship with GOD through Him; and also having overcome Satan and the sin of the world, and formed ‘perfect’ characters.
The redeemed will shine with Christ’s glory, brighter than the sun, with His character shining through them, standing without fault before GOD, having the same blessings as the angels.
Job 28:28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom. To shun evil is understanding.’
Matthew 23:39 ‘Jesus said “For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”
(In Hebrew: Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai.) Jesus (Yeshua) will not return until the people of Israel say this.
Acts 4:12 ‘Salvation is found in no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’
Acts 17:26-28 ‘From one man (Adam) HE (GOD) made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole Earth; and HE marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. GOD did this so that they would seek HIM and perhaps reach out for HIM and find HIM, though HE is not far from any one of us. For in HIM we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, “We are HIS offspring.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ‘Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind. For GOD will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it be good or evil.’
Trust in GOD, not in people.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in HIM. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’
Matthew 5:48 ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Luke 1:37 ‘For nothing is impossible with GOD.’
Matthew 19:26 ‘Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
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Psalm 42:1 ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for YOU, O GOD.’
Psalm 63:1 ‘O GOD, YOU are my GOD, earnestly I seek YOU; my soul thirsts for YOU, my body longs for YOU, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.’
2 Chronicles 15:2 --- ‘The LORD is with you when you are with HIM. If you seek HIM, HE will be found by you, but if you forsake HIM, HE will forsake you.’
James 4:8 ‘Come near to GOD and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.’
Romans 15:13 ‘Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
Philippians 4:7-9 ‘And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the GOD of peace will be with you.’
Right Priorities:
Matthew 6:19-21 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for your selves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
Let your heart be filled with things of GOD and eternity, Do not allow yourself to be attached to temporary things such as acquiring, collecting or amassing possessions, property, valuables and investments in this life. These allow a cord of attachment to bind your heart to earth. By all means have whatever enables a decent, healthy, debt free life, but keep it in perspective. Let your heart be filled with relationship with Jesus and GOD, and staying focussed on His eternal kingdom and your future eternal life in heaven, followed by life on the new earth.
Philippians 2:13 ‘For it is GOD who works in you to will and to act according to HIS good
purpose.’
Philippians 3:8 ‘I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.’
Philippians 3:14 ‘I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which GOD has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Verses 20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.’
GOD has given us His Word that He will bless us. Through our union with Jesus, everything He promised to Abraham is ours in full, because GOD has entered into covenant relationship with us, and guaranteed that every promise in the Bible, all of which were directed toward Jesus, belongs to us through Jesus being our Lord and brother.
We must decide that from this moment forward, instead of adjusting GOD’s Word to fit our lifestyle, we must adjust our lifestyle to fit His Word. Our preferences and opinions are irrelevant; GOD’s Word is our absolute point of reference, and we need to accept it and live according to it unconditionally.
Luke 21:36 ‘Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen (in the world), and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (Jesus.)’
1 Peter 3:15-17 ‘But In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is GOD’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.’
Giving such answers is known as ‘apologetics’ = giving the reason for one’s belief.
Revelation 21 This chapter describes the ‘New Jerusalem.’ We cannot even imagine how wonderful it will be.
We need to hold on to our relationship with Jesus and GOD at any cost. NEVER, EVER, LET GO OF GOD, irrespective of what the cost is, including death. Our reward is not in this life, it is in the future Kingdom of GOD, after Jesus has raised up the true Christians and given us immortal perfect bodies. NEVER, EVER, LET GO OF JESUS.
Many have argued that the New Covenant abolishes or replaces the Mosaic Covenant, but Jesus (Yeshua) said this was not so:
Matthew 5:17-18 & 20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The above shows that keeping the law, just to be doing the right thing, is insufficient and inadequate. It must be part of a real relationship with GOD. A relationship is not complete or genuine without law and love.
Let your heart be filled with things of GOD and eternity, Do not allow yourself to be attached to temporary things such as acquiring, collecting or amassing possessions, property, valuables and investments in this life. These allow a cord of attachment to bind your heart to earth. By all means have whatever decently enables a healthy income and life, but keep it in perspective. Let your heart be filled with relationship with Jesus and GOD and everything associated with HIS eternal kingdom and your future eternal life in heaven and on the new Earth.
The Armour of GOD.
When you are a Christian, you need to keep yourself continually protected from evil attacks, all of which are instigated by Satan, the devil, and his demons (the fallen angels) to keep or pull you away from relationship with GOD. GOD has given us the way of doing this.
Pray this earnestly in belief and faith.
Ephesians 6:10-18 ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with al kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.’ (= all Christians.)
We should, by faith, belief, and understanding, keep ourselves covered continually by this protective passage, as well as Psalm 91 quoted earlier. They should become an integral part of your life. Do not allow any aspect of your life to become vulnerable to the enemy.