The Nature of Being First

 Generally speaking there is dynamic of firstness to break new ground.

John the Baptist was different he stood uniquely out from all of his predecessors. He stood with so much power and wisdom but he served a purpose that would out pace his life.

John said...I AM the voice of the one crying in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord.

This is my desire...to have such exactness about my place in this world to know that I am not the main event I am just the path layer.

A closer examination of that person in particular lets us know that there was frame work around his birth that lets me know there is something happening here.

The Role of Father and Mother had alot to do with John being who he was....and it began with there obedience.

I love how all of this just keeps coming back to simple obedience....not some mystical manifestation but a simple response to call made by God.

PRAYER

So Lord I bend my knee and i come with contrition and I ask what is your call.... I laydown my judgements of this moment. Forgive me for any of the sin that I have committed. The efoor t

James - The Manifesto

 James - The Guidebook of Practical Faith Applications

James 1

- Don't avoid the pressure life creates, it is on assignment from God to prove your faith in him concerning you situation(S).

- Use your faith when you talk to God, Remember what he has said and speak to him accordingly. ( It may change your prayer).

- Esteem the values of what it means to live rightly before God , above for living for yourself.

- Remember there is still something to gain in God, in this life and the next.

- Temptation comes from within, there is nothing special about what you are looking at or dealing with.

- Temptation is used as test to reveal our hearts disposition before God.

- Everything good that God has from you come from Him does not reflect the world in anyway.

- Lead with your ear. allow our actions to do the talking.

- Make actions to be consistent what his word has revealed...this is acting in faith.

 James 2

- Hold your faith untainted by the values of this world.

- Allow your faith to drive you to action.

- Faith is a process that produces an action (cause) ( belief > faith > works)

- Faith is can only be identified by the works it produces.

James 3

- One call teacher of the law receives a greater condemnation, the cost of knowledge plus inaction.

- The tongue a unruly beast if controlled and tamed you can bridle the body.

- The principle thing on truth being in you is that is should flow from your mouth and if it directs your path and mind can set the course to peace.

- Measure your conversation against the consistency from which you have received of the lord.

Living Under Lordship

 Introduction

We may not be under the law but that do not mean we are not under authority. Paul the one who made this statement later says

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:2

This is not to be understand that we free from one law to obey no laws...neither are we to assume that the law only goes into affect because of the prior but rather that the laws as we understand them are affirmation of a truth that we can partake in.

Speeding Law not equal to Law of Gravity....We abide by both but one dictates how action is performed another dictate how we should behave.

The LORD Jesus gave me a specific command this morning while I was repenting.

" Go back to James and extrapolate(my word) the tenants for living and business these will guide your actions." "The place you have arrived at in your frustration and lack is perfect and this is from where I wish you to live and speak. With only the understanding that only word you have is the I gave, the only peace is what I have given....this is the lack the emptiness I desire." " Now everything begins to change...as your transform and conform to my word I will change your appetite, you will think differently, you will see differently you will hear differently."

And he continues

Yea, you will speak and I will cause your spirit to give utterance of my word and of my truth. Yea , a word of fire will proceed forth from your mouth and I will allow the place of famine to fuel your progress. I will turn the nothing into abundance...You sacrifice of tears into laughter in victory. I will cause my spirit to come upon and through to bring about my word and my holy judgement. Yea, I have selected you in this season and for this time. If you look with your eyes instead of through them you will not see, but should you look through your eyes with my eyes you will see deliverance, healing and breakthrough... not only for you but for your childrens children.

To this Lord I said in the dark and speak the word of your truth. I will speak your word and do you will. I will set my feet on the path you have laid. I will use the faith you have granted me to live this life you have given. I declare and decree that this body, mind , spirit belongs to you. Oh that you would heal my hear and cleanse me as I go. I will not make this a precondition, I live to do your will.  

What is Love? Week 2 Script

 Review

We talked about the need to ensure that we as disciples seek out a functional definitions of every aspect of our lives...even our love. What is principally important is that as disciple we see to make our minds acquiesce to the truth of God's word rather than attempt to fit God into our own experience. When we do this we unleash the transformative power of God into being to make us to meet His standard.

" Don't lower the standard of His word to meet your expectations, Raise your level of discipline to meet His Standard."

Agenda

Today the agenda is to examine a few passage of scriptures to get very basic understanding of how the world love is being used and is defined in the scriptures. ( Two Scriptures Per Slide/ Demo the Interlinear)

Tool of Interlinear allow us to do a literal translation between the original word in the manuscript and the chosen word in the English translation. This helpful because it allows us to grasp more closely the context of the passage.

Discovery

The only word used in these selected passages of scripture is AGAPE. God's kind of love. We are COMMANDED in the scripture to give this kind of love on every level. If it were apart of our natural inclination to love in this manner then Jesus would not need to command it.

" It is NOT natural for us to LOVE for us in this manner."

What is natural is for us to love the way we want to....as disciple we then have decision to make. I dont care about the world because they dont have God's spirit and therefore His mandate to live like he said. 

Jesus in not so many word says that our INTENTIONAL EXPRESSION OF LOVE in the same way we received it in our salvation we are to OFFER to one another. At point this done the world will know(experience) that we are of Him.

The Move

Its time to repent. If this has landed on you the way it did for me its time to repent. The standard set forth by Jesus our Savior and Lord has not been met. 

If you are on the fence allow me to ask some questions.

Can you say have real love and connection with other people who share the faith you share without concern for denomination or creed?

Can you point to someone who has demonstrated this kind of love toward you outside of your family or spouse?

Has anyone said, I am astounded that you are able to love people like that?

If there is even a hesitation any of these questions then you have missed the mark. But thanks be to God that he is faithful and loving. Luckily the path way to redemption from this sin is found in the same cross that saved.

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Another translation says - In this love consists ( or is made up of). I encourage you give a holy attention to how it is that God loves YOU. Its personal look at how treats you , look at what his word declares about you .... Look at Him and as you look your heart will be touched and your mind will be changed.

Appeal

This is the message of the kingdom that if we turn him he will change us and use as a instrument of change in the world. Consider the light of the word today and take that first step and do what you see out of this text. I would that you share this and start up a dialogue with those closest to you and look to intentionally express this love that you have been given. Thank you for your time.

No New Commands

 This morning the Lord spake to me and said " I want you to do intermittent fasting this month I really want you to get in my face. I want to help establish something in your life so that you begin the work."

The cool thing is this is not new. I have been embarking on completing a fast for about year now. I have learned the value of fasting but I have not completed one before so by faith I am going to start with this basic form of fasting and prayer.

• The course of Joseph’s life was entirely redirected by God, and yet he reacted with grace and obedience. How difficult would it be for you to make massive life changes like Joseph? Why?
• I would argue it would be difficult but then again not. When man approaches his God moment where it before Him and the Lord he is usually aware of it. If i in his position I am pretty sure I would have followed the same path. T
• God entrusted the care of his Son Jesus to a man without much in the way of monetary resources. What does this show about God’s view of wealth? Of parenting?
• I never considered that as full thought. The provision that God gave for parent Jesus was needful as it fit in the the prophetic vision of Christ. But he didnt leave them with money but did pick them with skill as Joseph was a carpenter. I would assume that God places the highest value on what we can impart to our children rather than pay for what our children can have. The main difference between awareness and experience.
• Joseph was a man of faith. What have you learned from Joseph’s life that has strengthened your own faith?
• After short examination of Joseph I find myself in a very similar place. The energy to take what it is that has been placed before me and make it work. Recognize full that what I have is what I have been given and to ultimately trust God to do what need be done in my life.

Taste and See Policy

 Introduction

As minister I am learning to focus very heavily on applying the truths of God word to my life and talking about the benefits of his word from experience rather than speaking in platitudes. A heavy weight lies on the life of leader because he is often required to do things daily the some people may never do once. So alas this my intention to dine on what I intend to serve.

Hebrews Beyond the Veil - The Best Help - Kingdom Key (pp26-27)

Be Free Indeed

John 8:35-36
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Ephesians 1:5 - 2:17

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

What things of this world hold you bound? 

The lusts of eye , flesh and the pride of life. I have learned why it is called lust, those things have certain appeal and if one is captured with these things on can easily be enamored with them. This becomes perfect ground for the enemy to work because he looks to use the things that have allure, appeal and appeasement in the immediate. I am attracted to those things that draw me away from God and health and peace....I bound in my own flesh.

How might these Scripture passages lead you to find freedom? 

By believing on the word of God specifically in those areas it create the same dynamic of possibility. Whereas the enemy is empowered to use those things I have fed. The Lord Jesus can empower me to overcome those desires that exalt themselves against Him. The reception of God's word in that deep place would not only open the inside but it would from inside teach me to overcome.

What does it mean to be in Jesus? 

I have both a theological and philosophical answer to that question. On the one hand being in Christ is a position afford to us by WORK of Jesus, namely Calvary. One hunt through various scriptures in the new testament and switch out Calvary for Christ. The obvious caveat in the instances where it takes about Him specifically." And He is the head of church...." " He was in the beginning...". His person and his work. John stays closer the person while Paul seems to deal more with the work and rightly so. I think the one passage of scripture that clearly says what I am trying to say is Rom3:21-26 in the explanation of Christ and both the propiation(process) and proitatory ( sacrifice). One is typically done by a differ person but Paul they are done by the same...His Body is the sacrifice.

In much short phrasing to be in Christ is to be in communion with Him, to be connected on the deepest level possible. To stand before God as his own without consciousness of mine own past and or saturated in the blood of the Holy One. To share in the eternal perpetual communion of YAHWEH

What effect should this have on your daily walk of faith?

Centered properly the daily awareness of the fact that we stand before God in Christ should keep our faith robust and strong.

Taste and See Day Two

 Kingdom Extra - pp27 - 28

James 1:2-4, 12-16

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a]whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

Sermonette ( James 1:12) - Something to Gain - Our walk with God is not without reward for our faithfulness , neither is without recourse for our disobedience. Be found like Peter says Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: - 2 Peter 1:10. Don’t make his sacrifice for no reason.  Heb 6:1-6.

What temptation do you most struggle with in your walk of faith?

Porn.

How has this struggle affected your life?

In many cases the it has stole times, intimacy and spiritual vitality. The constant back and forth this brings is demoralizing and painful.

How can the insights offered in the above article help you withstand temptation?

It’ll take some digging to full explain how i can experience what the writer is talking about. But if i use my understand of the moment. I have to identify when my heard is led to the place of sinning against God. Learning to turn into the resources God has given in my relationship with life and depending upon relationship who are uppward facing is teaching me the value of fellowship, prayer and doctrine and communion.

Temptation exposes us in areas often in space that are the weakest and the honest response before God as it pertains to this area or any area and bolster our faith in God.