Zoe Life
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The Greek word for life in this verse is Zoe. This is the life we lead when we follow the Spirit. This life, which we want, is in Jesus. Actually, it is Jesus and we're to be like Jesus. He's our example and we're to follow our example. Jesus said in Matt 16:24, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. The phrase, follow me, occurs seventeen times in the gospels. I think this signifies the importance of our following Christ.
Zoe - G2222 - 1. life-above and 2. epithet of Jesus
{literally or figuratively. used in a mortal, temporal sense and in an eternal sense. The act of genuine, neighborly kindness is living above mere bodily, flesh-driven existence.}
Epithet is an interesting word and one I didn't know, so I looked it up online. Here's what Wikipedia says:
An epithet or byname is a descriptive term (word or phrase) accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and binomial nomenclature. It is also a descriptive title.
Jesus is the way, Jesus is the truth, and Jesus is the life. When you think of the way you think of Jesus, when you think of the truth you think of Jesus and when you think of the life you think of Jesus. Each word in it's truest form is Jesus.
2Cor gives us a better understanding of what Zoe life is. The life we are or should be seeking in Christ.
2Cor 5:1-5 ESV
1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.
4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened-not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
We’ve Been Hypnotized
Where do we go from here, how do ya disappear
It's hard to see with our old eyes these times, we've been hypnotized
Where do we go from here, how do ya disappear
It's hard to see with our old eyes these lies, we've been hypnotized
I was listening to "Hypnotized", a song by Pillar, they're singing about the majority of the church. People that believe in God, but not the power of God, they call themselves saved. Are they? The verse below gives reason to doubt the salvation of many.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (ESV)
A phrase I heard as a child, referring to Spiritual things, "Oh, they don't do that anymore". Says who? The things I'm talking about are Spiritual gifts, hearing the Lord's voice, or anything involving the Holy Spirit, like healing, casting out devils, raising the dead, miracles, and more.
How can people, that believe in God and read the Bible, believing it's His infallible Word, not believe everything in it? God spoke Truth in His Word, but man comes along, changes His Word, and teach the lies they've created, and people believe the spoken word of man, over what was spoken by God. Of course, everything God said in the Bible, He said by the mouth of His holy prophets, but if you believe it's His Word, then you need to believe all of it.
The second line in the above lyrics, says, "we've been hypnotized". The majority of the church has been hypnotized, believing lies handed down by the devil himself. People do what everyone else does, thinking, it's OK. They're family and friends do it, and they're good people. People, please wake up and pay attention to what the Word of God says.
Please read His Word and ask the Lord for understanding, so you want be misled, because 1Tim 4:1 says, "Some will depart from the faith, following deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (ESV)
Read the New Testament and then look at church today, there are way too many differences. Jesus Christ is our example, the first century church should be our example of how to worship and minister to people. What we've got today is far from what the Lord wants us to have. What He wants from us is like what the first century believer had, for us to live our walk like they did.
Heb 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus is God and the verse above says They don't change, this means His Word won't change?
Everything that's in God's Word is true and is for today.
Part of My Journey
Six and a half years ago, Sept 03, I became a child of God. Everything in the world was the same, but my life began to change. Not to say that things got easier, but my outlook on life and everything in it, changed. I learned that what we do is based on the spirits we allow in our lives, which create the thoughts in our minds. Like it says in Gal 6, if we sow to the flesh, we'll reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, we'll reap eternal Life.
I thank God for what I've experienced, though I didn't enjoy it all, especially being homeless, a door was opened for me to move into a house owned by High Point Church, this is part of their ministry. I realize being homeless was my fault, I reaped what I'd sowed. I sowed to my flesh and my flesh left me out in the cold, without a place to live.
On a typical day in my life, this was BC, before Christ, I'd go to work and when I got home, I'd get high and this happened almost every day. Sundays and Wednesdays I'd go to church, but when I got home, I'd get high. Do you see a pattern here? I thought I was loving God and I thought I was saved, but I put getting high way ahead of God. I could love God, as long as I could still get high. Sundays and Wednesdays were for God, until I got home from church, then I'd get high. Check the verse below, it's about me, thank You Father God. By Your grace and Your Sons sacrifice, I am saved from death. Hallelujah!!!
Rom 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (ESV)
When I moved into the High Point house, I quit getting high. How big is our God? At first, this was because I was in a house full of guys seeking the Lord and there was no opportune time to get high, but after a short time, my desire to get high was no more. Again I'll say it, how big is our GOD? I was being filled with the Spirit and learning Spiritual Truths.
There are a couple of times in my life that I thought I was saved. Both were previous to me living at the High Point house and attending the High Point Church. Speaking with a brother the other day, I realized, at salvation, when my spirit was awakened to new life by the Holy Spirit, there should've been a noticeable change in my life, I mean, I should have started reading the Bible and praying, at least. Of course this didn't happen until I started going to High Point Church and began learning Spiritual Truth. I've since realized, I had a pretty big experience at my salvation. I remember having such a hunger for the Word of God and for His Spiritual Truth, so much so, that I got rid of my CD's, my books, and several of my t-shirts.
I love the Lord today, but I've realized the more you learn, the more your eyes are opened and the more your eyes are opened, the more sin you see in your life. Also, the enemy will attack you with so much condemnation, you'll think you deserve all of the pain you've experienced.
Also, I have a greater understanding of what Paul was talking about in Rom 7:15. I want to do what God says, but I'm still sinning, how can this be? Thank You Father for Your grace, mercy, and love, and thank You for Your Son.
Rom 7:15 And I have no clear knowledge of what I am doing, for that which I have a mind to do, I do not, but what I have hate for, that I do. (BBE)
I hope this helps someone.
If this witnesses to you, then please share.
If you have questions, then please ask.
If I said something wrong or incorrect, please bring it to my attention.
Thanks and God bless.
He’s My Father
I was saved in 1990-91. I didn't start going to church until the middle of 2001 . I went to a church for a year and a few months, where I learned little or no Spiritual Truth.
In September of 2003 I attended a different church. I now know and understand that this was a move of God and I'm grateful for it. As soon as I moved to this church, I started hearing things that I didn't know or understand. I was taught Spiritual Truths, my Spiritual eyes and ears were opened and I was allowed some understanding. Thank You Father. Since I've been at this church, I've learned so much that proves everything in the Bible is for today. Not only do I have book knowledge, I also have a good bit of experiential knowledge. I've seen and done what most people in the church, say and believe is impossible or was for another day.
I also know now, that God is my Father. This isn't because I heard it or read it, but because He showed me and He told me and He let me understand and feel how much He loves me and cares for me. I call God Father, He is both my God and my Father, but right now He's my Father and that's what I need Him to be.
What I want and one day will have, is to be in total surrender to Father and to have a level of intimacy with Him that is so intense and pure. I want to be in total surrender to Father. A relationship this close to Father, is something I've only dreamed of, when I get there, maybe then I'll call Him Dad, but now is not the time. I was told several years ago, that I was calling God Dad for the wrong reason. Maybe that's true, but I'm in a better Spiritual place now, than I was then. Maybe my intentions were selfish and I was looking out for my own gain. That's just one of the bumps in the road of my past, that are apart of me.
How close are you to God? Is He your Father? Would you like Him to be? Are you afraid of Him? Think about it. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'd love to pray with you or for you.
God bless
Be Still
Living life day by day is hard enough. Trying to obey the Word of God makes it that much more difficult. I read the Word and it's difficult to understand, but when He gives me understanding, then it becomes exciting. His Word comes alive and He opens my eyes to the deeper meanings of what's written in His Word. I believe this is what the following verse means.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Father, wants us to sit and listen. He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to love Him and adore Him; just by sitting and waiting on Him. He wants this more than anything.
Here's an incredible example. When Jesus healed someone, He didn't say; “Father, if it be Thy will, would you heal this person?” He spoke and it was so. He walked in the Power and Authority of the Holy Spirit. He had an incredible relationship with God. Often, He prayed through the night. Do you see? This is what He wants from us.
God bless
By Their Word
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; KJV
I'm reading “Placebo”, a book by Howard Pittman. In it, he uses the phrase “mouth-professing Christians” and this got me to thinking. Mouth-professing are those that believe in God and Christ, but not the Holy Spirit. They don't believe in the Power and Authority of God being given to us through the Holy Spirit in this day. We are warned to stay away from such people.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV
How can we read the Bible, God's Word, and dismiss what He tells us to do, actually, what He commands us to do . In the Word are directions from God on how we should live, what we should and shouldn't do. We see this, though we're already believing a lie from the enemy. So we justify our choices, saying, “That's just for them. God doesn't do that anymore.” Says who? I've thought this my entire life, because someone who loved me and who I loved told me this. But guess what I learned almost five years ago? Everything in the Bible is for today. God does today what He did then. The Holy Spirit is very much alive today as He was yesterday. Through Him comes great Power and Authority, in which we should be walking. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and do what Jesus said in Matt 16:24, then we'll see and experience the Power and Authority of God. It is for us and it is for today.
Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV
Ok, who do you think Paul was referring to in 2 Timothy 3:5? This verse speaks of people who believe in God by the word of their mouth. But they don't believe in God's Power and Authority through the Holy Spirit. They think what was done in the Bible, by Jesus and His disciples, was for that time only. They believe that healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead aren't viable today.
Jesus told us what to do in the Gospels and He even showed us by being our example.
Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV
We are in the latter days spoken of in the Bible and the Church is far from ready because there are too many spots and blemishes and wrinkles.
I'd love to hear what you think.
From Adam to Christ
I'm reading a book called “A Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. This book is a study on the book of Romans and there's a important point I'd like to share with you. And I'm only on page 45. This is a really good book and I'm really excited to see what's next.
To begin with, I want to talk about who we are, as opposed to what we do.
We are sinners because we are “in Adam.” We are his descendants. Adam sinned and so our nature, our fallen nature, is sinful. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. When Adam chose to follow his own will, when he chose to do what satan said, instead of what God said, he sinned. Because we were born in Adam, in his lineage, we were born into his sin. When Adam sinned, we all sinned with him. So, we are sinners from birth, not by anything we did, but by what Adam did. We are his descendants, so our heritage is sin.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (Christ) shall many be made righteous. KJV (emphasis added)
Father, forgive us for we know not what we do. So, we are born sinners, what can we do about this?
Well, our Father, has already taken care of this. Jesus, being obedient to His Father's Will, sacrificed His Life, taking our sins to the cross. And, on the third day was raised by God, His Father, our Father. So, if you are saved, you died with Jesus on the cross and you were raised with Him on the third day. Jesus was speaking about this when He said in
Matthew 16:24, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV
I believe this is what salvation is, but to continue in Christ we must do this everyday. This is what the Bible says, and the Bible is the Word of God written to us. Also, Jesus is our example, so everything He did, we should do.
So, we are now “in Jesus”. We are His descendants. This means everything He did or went through, we did or went through with Him. Here's the thing, reading the Words and getting excited isn't enough. We've got to start doing what we're told. The main thing Jesus preaches during His 3 1/2 years of ministry, is to seek first the Kingdom of God. This seems like a tall order, but it can be done, if we ask God for direction and guidance and follow His Lead. We can do all things by the power of Christ Who strengthens us.
Do you believe;
In God?
That the Bible is the Word of God spoken to us by His Holy prophets?
That Jesus His Son or do you believe He's just a prophet or neither?
That the Holy Spirit is an active Part of the Trinity?
That the Gifts of the Spirit are real and for today?
In the fivefold ministry and that they are for today? (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers)
That the baptism in the Holy Spirit is real, or do you believe it was just for the people in Bible times or is that for now, too?
If you believe in God and you believe the Bible is His Word, how can you only believe in part of the Bible?
If you only believe in part of the Bible, God's Word, does that make you half of a Christian? Does this mean only half of you will be saved? Will only half of you go to Heaven? How do you choose which parts of the Bible are true and which are false? Wouldn't that be man's religion instead of God's Truth?
If you read the Bible, you can see where everything that has happened and is happening now was prophesied by Jesus and the prophets of God. God actually said He wouldn't do anything without telling us through His holy prophets. But, if you don't believe He talks to us, then you don't believe the Bible, His Word.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV
God bless
I BELIEVE
I believe in God. I believe He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because the Bible says so. (I also believe the Bible is His inerrant Word spoken to us, by His Holy prophets, so we will know His Will and what He expects from us.) I believe He is One and I believe He is Three. He is a Threefold God. This is spoken throughout the entire Bible. Why do people in the church believe in the Trinity, but not the actual working of the Holy Spirit or Spiritual Gifts?
Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" KJV
Why would He say baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, if He wasn't a threefold God? (Spirit and ghost are the same Greek word, pneuma, pronounced pnyoo'-mah.)
Genesis 1:26 says “...Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness..." KJV
This verse uses the words Us and Our, these words imply more than one. Why then, does most of the body of Christ not believe He is Three? I'll tell you why. Actually, I'll quote scripture.
1 Tim.4:1 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." KJV
Read the entire chapter to see what He's talking about.
God is a Triune Being, that means three. He is the Father, He is our Father, as spoken in
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. KJV
We are adopted by Him, He is our Father, our Dad, our Daddy. Also, He is the Son, God in human form, our Saviour, our Example, the One we seek to emulate or be like. Also, He is the Holy Spirit and He has many Names and parts to play in our lives. He is the Comforter, He is an Intercessor, He is also a Tutor, as spoken in
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. KJV
I pray our Father will open your eyes and ears and let you receive Spiritual Truth. I pray He will let you receive the Truth spoken in this blog. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ.
God bless
Can I Pray For You?
I was thinking about this girl I work with, she came to work the other day and looked really sad and alone. I asked her if she was ok and she said no, so I asked if I could pray for her and she said it wouldn't help.
Well, there was nothing more I could've done,so I let it go. She'd already decided that prayer wouldn't help. I guess if you don't know God or only know Him in a small measure, you don't know or understand how great He is or what He can and will do.
I hope I'll offer to pray for her again and I hope this time she'll let me, cause I know God would love to have her as His.
See, I sometimes have a problem doing what our Father says. Like when I get an understanding from the Holy Spirit to pray for someone, I'll immediately freeze up, I get scared. Sometimes I overcome fear and sometimes I don't. So, sometimes I do what my Father tells me to and sometimes I don't. This is not acceptable.
2 Tim 1:7 says, " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. So, when I'm told to do something by our Father, I need to recognize who my Father is, by not allowing the spirit of fear to quench the Holy Spirit in me. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I still mess up.
As it says in Isaiah 55:8-9, His ways are not our ways and His ways are higher than our ways. I'm thankful for this, because every time I mess up, I can count on my Father. He's in control and knows what needs to be done and how much testing it'll take for me to overcome this present evil in my face.
So, all I can do is trust our Father, so when He wants me to pray for someone, I will. I'll simply rebuke the enemy and walk in the doonamis,and exooseah, power and authority, He's given me and speak to the mountain of fear and cast it into the sea, Matt 21:21. Amen.
God bless
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