Prov.29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
       Spiritual vision is a topic which will probably leave you with more questions than answers.  This article is intended to raise the bar of what’s possible through Christ in your life – a subtle nudge to jar you out of your comfort zones and present a fresh revelation of purpose and destiny.
       Spiritual vision is power in a believer’s life. Vision authored by Holy Spirit is a detailed portrait of your future in Christ. Visions often begin with a dream. Once the dream is interpreted and meditated upon, Holy Spirit aids in initiating a plan of action to cause the dream to become a reality. This Spirit-inspired plan of action becomes your dream with wings – a vision. The prophet Habakkuk states, ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab.2:2-3). When your vision becomes your focus for life, everything you do prepares, equips and brings you closer to its fulfillment.
       To truly understand spiritual vision, one must gain an understanding of God’s kingdom and sense of time – eternity. Our finite understanding of vision is a promise we have that will be fulfilled in a future time. From God’s perspective, eternity contains the past, present and future. Heb.13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Lord Jesus Christ is the very Presence of the Future!  In Rev.1:11, Lord Jesus Christ says, ‘I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.” He’s the Eternal One who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which are not yet done (Isa.46:10). Every word God has spoken (rhema) has been established in the eternal, spiritual realm: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb.11:3). This rhema comes as a revelation directly to you by Holy Spirit, and is often confirmed through others in prophecy. You may not be able to “see’ the result of a “word” initially; but as you voice your clearly articulated vision, the vibrations of the voice of God come through you stirring up and unleashing Holy Spirit who through the force of faith secures the object of your spoken word and causes it to be manifested in your present reality. Faith goes forth and secures your vision of the future and pulls it back into your present! In Holy Spirit, we have the secrets of God in our spirits and we have the revelation of a pre-existent plan (an image of our futures) that carries us towards our intended end. Eternity lives within us through Holy Spirit – past, present and future. Paul wrote, “For whom He foreknew, He also pre-destined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren, moreover whom He pre-destined, these He called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He glorified” (Rom.8:29-30). Holy Spirit’s revelation gifts are ours to know the past, present and what the future holds (1 Cor.12:4-11).  
       The NKJV of Pv.29:18 states, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” I believe this perfectly describes a large percentage of the church today, existing without a vision of purpose. I need to say this right now – the church’s vision is not to hang on until Jesus comes back to snatch us out! That’s not a vision – it’s a pathetic excuse for languishing in self-pity with a victim’s mentality assuming a defensive posture in a religious redoubt. Without a clearly written and rehearsed vision of our future, we are in effect handing our futures over to the god of this world – satan. No vision equates to no glory for our futures. Our lack of knowledge (ignorance) about the importance of vision has permitted the enemy to usurp our futures and diminish our present circumstances. Today, without vision, the enemy has us going in circles from one crisis to another, in a constant state of crisis management with no anticipation for the future other than more crises to manage. No one can thrive in crisis; in fact, it’s very hard to survive in a constant state of crisis. Pastors and church leaders may feel good about helping people cope with their problems, but that’s not what we’re called to do. We’re to equip believers for the work of the ministry (Eph.4:11-16); we’re to be growing them up spiritually by teaching them how to overcome their challenges in the power of Holy Spirit, and to live by faith and not by feelings; not allowing every problem the enemy directs their way to cause a state of panic. Constantly dealing with crises in people’s lives; trying to fix every problem that comes to them; and never releasing those problems to Holy Spirit are the major causes of burn-out in ministry. Why? I believe the single dominant cause is lack of vision for both ministry and people.
       Jesus said, “However when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (Jn.16:13). Why? For what reason will Holy Spirit tell us of future things? Obviously, He wants us to know what the future holds! Why, again? Paul explains, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor.6:1). We are co-laborers, in partnership with God through Holy Spirit. We are God’s agents of change to bring about His plans on earth. Without constant communication with Holy Spirit; without understanding God’s plan and how He intends to accomplish it, how can we effectively minister and expand the kingdom?
       1 Kings 17:8-23 provides a prophetic picture of much of the church today with no vision. In this section of scripture, Elijah had been told by God to go from Brook Cherith, which had dried up from the drought to Zarephath where He had prepared a widow who would provide for him. When Elijah arrived, the widow was gathering sticks to prepare a last meal for her son and herself. Elijah told her to take what she had – a little oil and meal and bake him a cake first; then she would have provision until the end of the drought. The widow complied, and as the prophet had said, her bin of meal and jar of oil never ran out through the drought. Later, the widow’s son became sick and died. Elijah told her to give him her son, Elijah stretched himself out on top of the boy three times, cried out to the Lord and the boy revived. I believe this is an accurate depiction of much of the church today in a drought-ridden condition – water is a type of Holy Spirit. The widow (church) had a death-oriented vision (she was about to make a last meal and die). The prophet came with a word of hope for her future – vision. The widow obeyed the prophet who spoke the vision and her needs were provided. But because of her lack of vision and her initial death oriented outlook, which I’m certain her words agreed with, her son died as that death-talk manifested in his life. Elijah, who was responsible for speaking the vision of life and future into the widow, demonstrated the resurrection power of vision. Without a vision, one lives a death-oriented lifestyle, having no plan, no destiny, going from one mess to another hoping for Jesus to come and rapture them out of trouble.
       Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph.5:15-16). The word we usually understand for time in the Greek is chronos, which has to do with natural time (tick tock). That’s not the word used in the above scripture. Time here is kairos, meaning God’s appointed time, or the fullness of time. Paul is admonishing believers to redeem the kairos – God’s appointed time when He desires us, as His partners, to be operating diligently in the power of Holy Spirit bringing about his will on earth. Without a vision, we’ll continue to remain ignorant of God’s timing and the principalities and powers of hell will impede and thwart us from advancing the kingdom. Without a vision, we’ll remain on the defensive, handling one crisis after another, never becoming any challenge to the gates of hell as they continue to take over our nation.
       Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet.5:8). The enemy’s plan is to distract us and put to death our dreams and visions. In so doing, the enemy has been successful far too long. It’s time for a change! It’s time for seek the Lord for His vision to be released into our lives. Amen.  

Gen. 18: 1-5 provides the scriptural reference for the kingdom principle of impossibility. Here, the Lord with two angels visited Abraham on His way to destroy Sodom. Abraham provided hospitality to his visitors and the Lord asked about Sarah, Abraham's wife: "Then they said to him, 'Where is your wife?' So he said, 'Here, in the tent.' And He said, 'I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.' (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing, therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, 'After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?' And the Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bare a child, since I am old?' 'Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."  Impossible! A woman 90 years old and a man nearly 100 having a son!
The principle of impossibility is prevalent throughout scripture. God is a God of the impossible! In fact, if it's not in the realm of impossible, it's not of God! Holy Spirit, God's Agent on earth operates in the impossible through believers. 1 Cor. 12:4-11 lists the abilities and gifts of Holy Spirit to bring about impossible results. Words of knowledge, words of wisdom and discernment of spirits provide information about past, present and future of people, situations and events that are impossible to be known through the natural mind. The gift of tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy provides impossible ability to speak forth God's word in power to edify, exhort and give comfort. The gift of faith, gifts of healings and working of miracles releases impossible ability to do acts of power. Holy Spirit also brings the very character of Jesus Christ into believers' lives so they can contend with the enemy and confront him and his work in the opposite Spirit in which he operates. The fruit of Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). In the flesh, these supernatural traits are impossible!
The principle of impossibility goes well beyond anything we can use to compare spiritual reality to natural experience on earth. Jesus said, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things" (Jn. 3:12)? The principle of impossibility begins with revelation. Jesus said, "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." Here, Jesus was saying that His disciples need to have a superior revelation, not limited by natural seasons and boundaries because in His dimension everyday was "harvest day"! In the kingdom realm, waiting for the right season was not necessary.
In Mk. 11:11-13, Jesus demonstrated this principle of impossibility; "Now the next day, when they had come out of Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it." Later, when they traveled back by the fig tree they saw it dried up from the roots. What's this all about? Jesus, it wasn't the season for figs - why were You so mean to the poor fig tree? Jesus demonstrated and displayed the kingdom principle of impossibility. Jesus is the Tree of Life, not limited by earthly seasons, but bearing twelve fruit every month, regardless of seasons  (Rev.22:2)! Jesus Christ has the right to expect "impossible fruit" from us! Normal Christianity requires us to bear impossible fruit through power of Holy Spirit.
 Amos 9:13 states, "Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it." This is the principle of impossibility. We must “lift up our eyes" to see from His perspective. The kingdom principle of impossibility requires a greater revelation to defy this earth's cursed environment. The principle of impossibility is clearly stated by Jesus in Jn.14:12, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father." Today, most preachers and teachers steer away from this scripture; they would rather use Mk.10:27, "But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.'" When taken out of context, this scripture sounds very wise, pious, and safe for the faithless, but the truth is what Jesus said in Mk.9:23, "Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'" Jesus also said, "If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe Me" (Jn.10:37). I welcome the day when believers can declare, "If I don't do the works of Jesus Christ, then don't believe what I say!" The kingdom principle of impossibility is available for all to embrace by faith. Amen.
 

Eph. 4:1-3 – “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
In ministry, who we are rather than what we know is more important to inspire change in other’s lives. Who we are speaks of our character and integrity. All too often I have seen those with incredible spiritual potential who have talent, anointing and awesome gifts of Holy Spirit – but lack godly character and moral integrity. This lack of character always brings disheartening, tragic results!
I call this the Samson Syndrome. Just like Samson, many have great charisma and anointing, but their moral deficiencies will eventually bring about a fall. When ministers have gifts and exposure that is greater than their character – a fall is eminent.
Those with the Samson Syndrome have the need to perform to succeed in order to maintain their reputations through their own strength and abilities, rather than allowing Holy Spirit to do the work of advancement and promotion. They rush ahead of God in self-promotion seeking exposure, recognition and acclaim before being matured through God’s plan.
FOUR COMPONENTS are essential for godly character:
LOVE; INTEGRITY; MATURITY; HUMILITY
LOVE – the gifts of Holy Spirit – the anointing – all true ministry originates through God’s AGAPE love. Without love we are “gifted nothings”. Matt. 7:21-23 describes those who have talent without the proper motivation – love. Without the motivation of love – lawlessness results.
INTEGRITY – Webster’s – “The quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness; honesty; and sincerity. Integrity means no hidden agendas exist and everything is out in the open. Integrity requires that our actions match out words – that we practice what we preach – this goes double for those of us in ministry!
MATURITY – involves sound biblical reasoning, a Spirit-led decision making. Maturity is developed from passing through life’s fiery trials. Isa. 48:10 – “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” It’s the private testing that solidifies and matures our character. A mature person walks in meekness and esteems others above themselves. Maturity also allows us to see through the chaos of the natural, temporary realm into the eternal purposes of God.
HUMILITY – is the kingdom mentality that declares Jesus Christ is Lord – not us! Humility imparts a desire within us to bless others and their gifts rather than our own. Humility is a divine magnet for God’s blessing to be attracted into one’s life – Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5-7.
Godly character is developed as we walk through adversity, pain and difficulty. Our responses to these tests when no one sees us creates “hidden victories” that add up to godly character upon which Holy Spirit can use to demonstrate His glory (kabod -weightiness). 
Let’s examine the lives of 2 kings – Saul and David
Saul had more potential and blessing on his life than David, yet his responses and actions causes his downfall. I believe we can learn some lessons and avoid the same temptations that caused Saul’s demise.
Saul – looked ideal as a leader
·       Humble, generous, loving
·       No symptoms of pride or vanity
·       Courageous and considerate of his father
·       Hated evil
·       Handsome man – head and shoulders above his brethren
·       Considerable stature and commanded honor and respect
·       Ideally cut out for the job!
1st major mistake – disrespect and presumption (1 Sam 13)
·       Saul was to wait for Samuel before going up against the Philistines at Gilgal. Saul violated the priesthood by offering sacrifices himself because of fear and impatience in waiting for Samuel – “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”
·       Presumption, impatience and anxiety robbed Saul of blessing – How about you?
Next mistake:
·       Impulsiveness and willful pride. 1 Sam. 13 – Jonathan and his armor bearer initiated a rout of the Philistines. Saul called for a priest to ask for God’s guidance, but before they could bring God’s wisdom, Saul panicked and impulsively sent his men into battle with a rashly imposed death sentence on any man who would eart food that day (1 Sam.14:24). This order caused many to sin and nearly cost Jonathan his life.
Final mistake:
·       Disobedience and deceitfulness. Battling against the Amalekites, Saul captured Agag, their king – sparing his life as well as the livestock when told by God to utterly destroy them. When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied about his reasons for doing so.
·       1 Sam. 22-23
·       1 Sam. 16:14
Saul went from respected king to a man with jealous rage and hatred towards David. All from rejecting the word of God in his own life. Saul – once a man given a new heart by God, found himself with murder in his heart for David. He became so bitter and deceived that he sought for wisdom from the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:6-25). Saul’s tragedy finally ends with his own suicide on the battlefield against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:4).
Saul started out with much more potential than David. Yes, both were susceptible to sin – David had his fleshly lusts, pride, deceit and the murder of Uriah to account for – BUT the difference between Saul and David was in their responses to their sin. When wrong – Saul would make excuses; David would repent. Saul would try to hide his wicked actions; David would confess. Saul would act impulsively; David would wait on a word from the Lord. Saul became jealous over his position; David supplied all that was needed for his successor to fulfill his destiny!
LESSON – we all face situations where contention, strife, pride, jealousy, envy, impatience, presumption and fear confront our lives. Our response to these situations becomes a test of our character and integrity. Will we respond like Saul or David?
David in his lament over Saul’s and Jonathan’s death was “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” Will you succumb to this same tragedy through lack of integrity; or will you “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may be able to exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6)? ​Selah.
 

 
I have been impressed by Holy Spirit to provide this brief overview of the gift of suffering as an all important weapon in the ministry of intercession.  I need to give a warning right here – that this is for mature, Spirit-filled believers desiring to go deeper into ministry of Holy Spirit. This is not for spiritual babies! 
Holy Spirit has placed urgency in my heart that now is the time to prepare for His coming tsunami move. I believe His move will come in two phases; the first being a harvest of harvesters – those who will become intercessors, evangelists, and teachers which will be needed for the final harvest. My part is prepare Spiritual Warriors who know their mission, know their weapons and enter the battle in triumph and victory enforcing the victory that has already been won through the Finished Work of Lord Jesus Christ. This requires pulling down demonic, religious strongholds of ignorance, fear, doubt and defeat.
The following are scriptural references regarding the gift of suffering:
Rom. 8:16-17 – “The Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Gal. 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Phil. 1:29 – “For to you it has been granted in behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Phil. 3:10 – “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being conformed to His death”
Col. 1:24 – “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake.”
Intercession means “to live on behalf of others.” Heb. 7:24-25 describes intercession as the present day ministry of Lord Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest. We believers have been given this same ministry (1 Jn.4:17; Rev. 1:6). Our most effective intercession is praying through Holy Spirit, allowing Him to release His words through our physical facilities causing kingdom reality to manifest in earth (Rom. 8:26-28). In fact, as we pray in Holy Spirit, we are in partnership the Lord Jesus Christ in His present day ministry bringing His will to earth. Should there be any wonder why so much controversy exists today over tongues – praying in the Spirit? It is one of the most powerful intercessory weapons available to us. Satan has no defense against it – other than releasing some religious spirit to say that it’s of the devil! Imagine that – Satan himself taking credit for the most powerful weapon we can use against him. Talk about ignorance in the church!
2 Cor. 1:20 confirms that all God’s covenant promises have been answered “Yes” in the Spirit realm and that they must be transferred to earth ‘through us”. That is where intercession comes in as the bridge which connects the Spirit realm with the natural. Faith then transports God’s promises from the invisible, eternal realm to the natural. Suffering is the cost of intercession as heaven’s reality invades this natural realm.
Once again, this topic of suffering is for grown-up, big boys and girls; not spiritual babes! The gift of suffering is an intercessory weapon like none other. This has nothing to do with a demon bringing disease or sickness and attacking your body and you calling that the will of God that you have to suffer through – that’s simply your basic covenant promise to command that thing to go from your body. You don’t have to put up with it! No! Again this gift is for those mature enough in the faith to understand the difference between an attack of Satan and an intercessory assignment.
In Gal. 6:2 above, the scripture calls for us to bear one another’s burdens.” The original word for “bear” is “bastazo” meaning to carry that burden away and dispose of it! The gift of suffering often puts a physical demand on those called to this ministry. I’ve suffered through heart attacks, kidney stones, severe depression, and many other physical and mental ailments which were not mine, but for others. I was used by Holy Spirit to intercede and use the spiritual authority I have as a believer to cause those demonic attacks to cease their operation, not just in me but for whoever else was suffering at that time!
Here’s how it works for me. Whenever I experience an attack, I pray in the Spirit and the symptoms leave; when I stop praying in Holy Spirit, symptoms return. It is then that I know I have a divine assignment to intercede for someone. At times, Holy Spirit reveals the person I’m to intercede for; but, most times I have no idea. When I first began this ministry, I would often have to battle it all night long. Over a short timeframe, I’ve learned to push through to victory in a matter of minutes. I simply intercede until a release comes, then I know I’ve done my part. Although a physical toll is involved in the intercession, Holy Spirit brings a supernatural refreshing after the victory has been enforced. Some call the gift of suffering – travail, as in childbirth. Pain and suffering is involved in birthing God’s purpose into the earth just as a mother giving birth to her child. These gifts are spiritual brother and sister.
I’m certain many reading this have no idea this type ministry existed. On the other hand, when I’ve taught on this gift, many have come and thanked me for explaining exactly what was going on in their lives. They say that they were experiencing strange pain and other symptoms and had no idea what was going on in their bodies. They had been praying for Holy Spirit to lead them into a deeper walk in Him – yet they had no idea He was bringing His answer to their prayers in these manifestations! Now, they felt armed and dangerous, ready to go on the offensive against Satan’s attacks. My hope is that some reading this right now will feel that very same way. Amen. 

      Matt. 16:6: – “Then Jesus said to them,”, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” .”
               
All four of the gospel writers are consistent in describing Jesus in direct opposition to the religion of His day; namely, the religion of the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. Often Matthew, Mark and Luke would record Jesus’ ministry in a similar manner, while John would take a different approach. However, in the case of religion, all were consistent in their portrayal of the confrontation between Jesus and religion. One could have described Jesus as being opposed to pagan idols, Greek philosophy, or even the works of the flesh, but these were hardly mentioned. Jesus simply dismissed demons with a word, and took great delight in associating with society’s outcasts; tax-collectors, lepers, and even women of ill repute. Instead, Jesus railed against the religious leaders calling them hypocrites, blind fools, whited tombs full of dead men’s bones, serpents, and generation of vipers! This doesn’t seem like the gentle Jesus, meek and mild that is so often preached. In fact, Jesus went out of His way to challenge and confront these religious leaders. Many of Jesus miracle healings and nearly all of His teaching was in direct contradiction to the traditions and rules prescribed by these men. Jesus fully intended His disciples to understand that God the Father was totally opposite than how these leaders represented Him. 
       Why was Jesus so opposed to these religious leaders? These men boasted that they had Abraham as their father, Moses and the scriptures, prophets, priesthood, temple, feasts, covenants, and sacrifices, but in all this unveiling of truth they had elevated themselves as God and perverted the very character of God so that anyone who was truly seeking to find God would instead be introduced to this perversion, bondage, fear, and hopelessness. There is no greater power in earth than such a religion that has had an unveiling of truth, yet has perverted it for selfish reasons and now drives people away  from God. Atheism, paganism, and communism actually drive people to God once they discover the futility of these beliefs, but the religion of the Sadducees and Pharisees drive men away from God.
       Who were these religious leaders and how had they so distorted truth?
       Approximately 600 years before Jesus, the Torah was rediscovered and a great revival and rededication to God occurred. The remnant learned that obedience to God’s word brought prosperity and disobedience brought curses and captivity. A religious society was formed called the ”“Hasidim”. ” was formed. These men were devoted to God and the scriptures. Ezra was one such man. The Greek invasion brought severe persecution to the Jews. The Greek emperor was intent on destroying the worship of God and issued an edict that no one was to pray. The Hasidim defied this edict and many were martyred for their faith. The Hasidim became national heroes and gained great prominence. During the succeeding years the persecution stopped and the Hasidim lost much of their fervor, yet their opinion of themselves remained inflated. In 135 B.C. a split in the Hasidim occurred and two factions were formed. One was the Sadducees and the other called themselves Separatists. The Separatists gained the nickname of Pharisees.
       Sadducees were the very wealthy ruling class of Israel. They were the chief priests and engaged in political intrigue with the Romans. Caiaphas was high priest and Annas, his father-in-law was the “godfather” of Israel. Both were Sadducees. The “Bazaar of the Sons of Annas” was the area of the temple which Jesus cleared out with a whip. Annas grew rich buying and selling in the temple. Sadducees believed only in the first 5 books of the bible. They had only an intellectual belief, not faith-based. They did not believe in the resurrection, judgment, angels, or demons. They were only interested in gaining and protecting their wealth and positions.
       Scribes were ordained rabbis. Most scribes were Pharisees who believed the entirety of the scriptures as well as the interpretations of their learned rabbinical scholars. In fact, they gave these interpretations equal standing with the scriptures. Scribes were the real influence among the common people. They were highly esteemed and given great honor. Scribes were full of pride and arrogance. They despised the commoners and called them “sinners”. They actually believed that they alone were a divine aristocracy which was highly esteemed by both angels and even God Himself. They had a real ego problem!
       Pharisees were businessmen who had separated themselves from the commoners. They, too, looked with contempt upon “sinners”, yet loved to demonstrate their holiness in front of them. They referred to this as “witnessing”. There were only 6,000 Pharisees in Israel, yet they seemed to be everywhere. They were easily identified. They wore blue robes with long tassels on the hem. Around their wrists and foreheads they wore boxes containing scriptures called phylacteries. This was to demonstrate that the scriptures were always in their minds and work. The Pharisees believed the scriptures and the prophets. They also  gave equal weight to the teachings of their learned rabbis who interpreted the scriptures. Pharisees loved to discuss and argue the scriptures. Their intent was not in keeping the Law of God, but in how not to break it. They invented 2,000 additional laws called “fence laws” which were designed to protect them from breaking the Ten Commandments. They considered their own laws to be equal with God’s. Anyone not adhering to their manmade rules would be condemned. It was this religion that Jesus confronted. The Pharisees had over 600 Sabbath laws alone. For example, no one could move a chair on the Sabbath for fear that the legs of the chair might drag stirring up dust. That would constitute “plowing.” Also, a woman could not look in a mirror on Sabbath for fear she would see a gray hair and pluck it out. That would be operating a beauty parlor on the Sabbath! Imagine how many Sabbath laws Jesus and His disciples broke as they walked through a wheat field, plucked the heads of wheat, rolled them in their hands, blew the chaff away and ate (Matt. 12:1-1).  Jesus looked for opportunities to challenge these ridiculous laws. He performed many of His miraculous healings right in  front of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to demonstrate God’s love compared to their own evil hearts.
         Each morning a Pharisee would repeat, “I thank Thee, O God, that I am not a dog; I thank Thee I am not a Gentile; and I thank Thee I am not a woman.” Jesus used part of their own words in the parable of the Pharisee and the repentant publican in Lk. 17: 9-14. Pharisees hated Gentiles and though they would not intentionally put a Gentile in harm, if they found a Gentile in trouble, even a child, they would do nothing to save them. They felt that it was better for a Gentile to die than live. The Pharisees had a saying, “There is joy in the presence of God when a sinner dies.” Jesus turned their saying around as He gave the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son. In Lk. 15: 10, Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The Pharisees loved to make converts . They said you must take on the yoke of the Law to be saved. To this Jesus replied, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). Jesus used the Pharisees as negative examples of how to pray (Matt.: 5-7), give alms (Matt. 6: 1-4), and fast (Matt. : 16-18). Had it not been for the negative example of the Pharisees, we would have had much less of Jesus’ teaching recorded in the gospels!
       I have a test I apply to my teaching. I call it the “So what” test. So what does this leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees have to do with life today? I believe there are many times more Sadducees and Pharisees today than in Jesus’ day. If Holy Spirit were to leave many churches I truly doubt they would notice any difference in their meetings. Just like the Sadducees, they believe intellectually in part of the scriptures, but have no regard for faith and working of Holy Spirit. I believe the religion of the Pharisees is the spirit of anti-Christ at work in the church today. To be anti is not necessarily to be against something, but rather to be over and against, or to be a substitute for, or a counterfeit of the real thing. There is grave danger today in false conversions to something other than Jesus Christ. Some are led to a personality, others to a doctrine or denomination without ever encountering Christ. Such a counterfeit conversion leads tp a false sense of security and a very real danger of the individual never truly coming to a relationship with Jesus Christ. through Holy Spirit. Just as the religion that Jesus was opposed to, modern scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees have the Holy Bible, hymnbooks, and their form of godliness. They too have an outward pious appearance and strict adherence to traditions and manmade rules. All this appeals to man’s natural instincts and carnal mind, but in reality are in opposition to God. Issuing a religious rule may cause outward compliance for a time, but it has no inward power to transform. Much like muzzling a dog who loves to bite mail carriers’ legs, the biting will stop, but the dog will continue to lust after legs!  Just as in Jesus’ day, there are religious leaders who look pure and holy on the outside, but inside is greed, covetousness, pride, arrogance, and spite for others. In Matt. 23, Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees with a series of blistering “Woe to you” comments which openly exposed their hearts. Jesus ends this rebuke with a deep lament over Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often  I wanted to gather your children together, as asa hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate” (Matt. 23: 37-38). Outward religion without inward change of heart by entrance of Holy Spirit will never result in lasting change of behavior. Life in Christ is not conformity to a rigid list of rules, but living by the inward witness of Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ  came to usher in a new freedom to live by the power of Holy Spirit in Father’s Law of love. Amen. 

Jn. 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)
Jn. 17:3 – “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
1 Jn. 5:20 – “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
Most believers have the understanding that eternal life begins once their lives on earth have ended. They also believe that eternal life is merely time without end. The scriptures above provide a different understanding of eternal life.
To better understand eternal life we need to distinguish time from eternity. Eternal life is in a completely different dimension outside the limitations of natural time. Eternal life existed before time began and will exist after time ceases; it exists independent of time. God dwells in the dimension of eternal life, and though we live in this time, and thus death, dominated realm; He has called us to walk with Him in eternal life right here, right now through Holy Spirit.
Eph. 2:5-6 – “even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The “heavenly places” exist in eternity – the spiritual realm immediately surrounding and blanketing men’s consciousness. For us to walk in the Spirit and experience the fullness of our salvation, we must truly become “new creations” (2 Cor. 5:17) capable of living beyond the natural realm which is time and death oriented; and, enter eternal life in Christ. Jn. 10:10 explains that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus Christ came that we might have life more abundantly. The word for “abundantly” in this scripture means “beyond, exceedingly above, or excessive” - this is a beautiful description of eternal life in Holy Spirit – not when we die, but right here and now!
One way that Satan attempts to steal, kill and destroy is to cause a separation between God and us. If he can divert our focus from the Lord, he can then limit our access to this supernatural life that is ours in Christ. An over-emphasis on either the past or the future distracts us from the present – which is our only time to truly live “in Him”. So long as we are dwelling in this natural time dimension, subject to carnal influences and the temporary, illusionary realm controlled by the ruler of this world, we cannot walk in the fullness of life, light and love that Jesus Christ died and rose again to make available to us. I thank the Lord for what He has done in the past and what He will do in the future; I also thank Him that I am not bound by either, but through the power of Holy Spirit to press on to the high calling of God in this present time to walk in eternal life in Christ here and now. Amen.
 
 

 Lk. 15: 1-2, “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’” 
The best and worst spoken about Jesus Christ was that He ate with sinners and tax collectors. Jesus said, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10). Jesus’ ministry toward the lowest and least in society angered the Pharisees who represented the religious system of their day. Jesus declared war on the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, hatred, pride, contempt, disdain and despising of others who did not live up to their self-imposed standards. His war on the religious system that misrepresented God’s heart kept people in bondage. The Latin root meaning of “religion” is “a return to bondage.” Jesus challenged the Pharisees with His radical statement in Matt. 11: 28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” This was a declaration of war on the Pharisee religious system.
Pharisees bragged about coming under the burden of “the yoke of the law” and their man-made merit system. Jesus declared His yoke was to rest in Him. 1 Jn. 4:8 states “God is love.” Contempt for others cannot exist in love. Unfortunately, the Pharisee religion is alive and well today - best portrayed with the attitude, “I have a revelation of God no one else has.” Soon the religious folk begin looking down their noses at others, even displaying disgust and contempt since they alone are superior and special to God. Soon they are standing like the Pharisee of Jesus’ parable of the tax collector and Pharisee who went to the temple to pray in Lk. 18:9-14.  Religion produces prejudice which excludes others, even to the extreme of “I’ll kill you for the glory of God!”  This religious attitude was demonstrated by Saul of Tarsus, crusades of the Middle Ages, and currently exists in Islam extremists and apostate Christianity. The only difference in apostate Christianity is that they don’t physically kill; they just ex-communicate and set up legalistic rules that must be kept or else you’re out! Jesus’ love for the least and the Pharisee religious attitude is best portrayed by three particular groups mentioned in scriptures: 1) Tax collectors 2) Sinners, and 3) Samaritans.
 
Tax collectors - During the Roman occupation, tax franchises were sold to favored, influential Roman businessmen. They, in turn, would hire a chief tax collector over a region. Under the chief tax collector were a series of sub-tax collectors. The Romans had very little success collecting taxes themselves, so they determined that only a Jew could catch a Jew and they hired all Jews as collectors. Tax collectors were considered to be traitors to the other Jews. They were especially hated by Pharisees who were successful businessmen, loved money, and had the most to lose. Tax collectors were known as “sewer rats” and “pariah dogs,” less than human. Pharisees set up “laws” concerning tax collectors:
·       They were not permitted to testify in court because they could never tell the truth.
·       They could never hold any public office.
·       They were not permitted to give alms in the temple.
·       They could never enter heaven.
·       They were considered to be unclean.
Now, here comes Jesus into this environment of hatred in Matt. 9:9-13. Jesus passed Matthew, a tax collector, and said, “Follow Me.” Matthew left his tax table and immediately followed. Afterward, Jesus entertained tax collectors and sinners. Imagine being with Peter, James, John, and the rest of Jesus’ disciples who were raised in this culture and now were being interrogated by Pharisees, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus’ action was not only shocking; it was scandalous! I’m sure His disciples thought, “We’ll be ex-communicated from the temple!” Jesus’ compassion and love was greater than public opinion. Jesus loved people but did not condone their sin. He loved them where they were! Then the greatest public relations nightmare of all occurred. Lk. 19: 1-10 details Jesus at a great celebration in Jericho when He passed by the “chief tax collector,” Zacchaeus, who was rich from taxes collected from fellow Jews. He was the greatest traitor of all to his fellow Jews — the mafia godfather of his day!  What was Jesus’ reaction to such a man? “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Repentance immediately followed for Zacchaeus and caused Jesus to declare, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he is also a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
 
Sinners -The term “sinner” was used exclusively by the Pharisees in describing those who were not like themselves and did not meet their standards. Jesus used the term “sinner” only when He was quoting or upbraiding the Pharisees. How often do we hear the term “sinner” today?  Just the sound of the word “S-i-n-n-e-r” gives off a sense of contempt and despising. Jesus used the term “lost” when describing people bound by sin. The entire 15th chapter of Luke’s gospel is devoted to the “lost.” Jesus gives parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and finally the lost son to the scribes and Pharisees who had accused Him of receiving and eating with sinners. The Pharisees had a popular saying, “There is joy in heaven when a sinner dies and enters hell.” Jesus responded, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk. 15:7). The parable of the lost son demonstrated the heart of Father God toward the lost and also displayed the Pharisaical attitude of the elder brother who was angry at his father’s love and reconciliation toward his younger brother (Lk. 15: 11-32).  
 
Samaritans – Jews, especially Pharisees, vehemently hated Samaritans because of their mixed religion which was a result of Israel’s history of disobedience and subsequent captivity by the Assyrians. The Assyrians removed the ten northern tribes of Israel and replaced them with people from all the other conquered countries who did not fear the Lord. When these people came into the land, they were attacked by lions. These people asked the king of Assyria to send them a priest who would teach them the rituals of the Lord so they would not be attacked by lions. 2 Kgs. 17: 33 states they feared the Lord yet served their own gods. A mixed religion of Judaism and paganism resulted. Tax collectors were hated; however, Samaritans were hated even more! If a Jew wanted to travel from Jerusalem to Galilee, the direct route was through Samaria. A Jew, especially a Pharisee, would travel 100 miles around Samaria rather than the direct route to avoid contact or even the sight of a Samaritan. Each week in synagogue, Pharisees would publicly curse all Samaritans. If a Pharisee found a Samaritan child in trouble, he would not harm the child, but he would not help either because it was better for that child to die rather than grow up to adulthood as a Samaritan. Of course, Pharisees declared Samaritans could never have eternal life. Early in Jesus’ ministry when Pharisees were comparing the number of baptisms His disciples were doing versus the disciples of John the Baptist, Jesus left Judea and departed to Galilee. Jn. 4:4 states, “But He needed to go through Samaria.” That shouldn’t happen, no one went through Samaria!
Jesus had a divine assignment with a wayward woman at Jacob’s well. Not only would this woman be considered to be a “sinner”; she was also a Samaritan! This incident resulted in many Samaritans believing in Jesus Christ. The parable of parables is recorded in Lk. 10: 25-37. We know this parable as the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus gave this parable to a scribe who asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Pharisees believed that only other Pharisees were worthy enough to be considered a neighbor. They considered the commandment “to love your neighbor as yourself” to apply only to other Pharisees, certainly not the common people, let alone the hated Samaritans. Jesus began His parable with a situation that occurred quite frequently; a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was mugged and left for dead. Everyone knew how dangerous this road was and no one traveled it alone for fear of thieves. The scribe also understood why the priest and the Levite avoided the wounded man in the ditch. The man may have died and their religious ritual forbade them from touching a dead man because they would be considered “unclean.” So they avoided the man in case he was dead and basically left him for dead. When Jesus told that a certain Samaritan came by, I’m sure that the scribe thought that would certainly be the end of the wounded man’s life for Samaritans were always the “bad guys” in similar stories told by Jews. However, when Jesus said that the Samaritan had compassion on the wounded man, tending to his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, setting him on his own animal and carrying him to an inn where he paid for the care of the man and guaranteed any future payment for care beyond what his money would cover, the scribe would have been totally shocked, nearly speechless, so much so that when Jesus asked the scribe, “So which of these do you think was the neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”, the scribe could not even say the word “Samaritan”, so he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Jesus simply ended the scribe’s interrogation with, “Go and do likewise.”
 
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and in doing so He destroyed the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8). Jesus loved the lowest and the least in society – those who were in Satan’s clutches living under the curse of the law. I have had to examine my own pharisaical attitudes and areas of my hardened heart and repent of them. I know that I am not alone. Oh, how our world needs Jesus’ kind of love to go in the ditches of life and pour oil (healing power of Holy Spirit), and wine (joy of Holy Spirit) on the victims of Satan’s schemes. Paul gives us the perfect prescription in Phil. 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” So, brothers and sisters – “Go and do likewise.” Amen.
 

Ps. 27: 1-3 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.”
              In the face of negative pressures from warring enemy armies, David issued a banner statement of triumph – “The Lord is my light and salvation; Whom shall I fear?” David’s faith and unique relationship with the Lord displays a deep intimacy rarely seen in the Old Covenant. 
Ps. 3: 1-3 - “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
David lamented that his situation looked dark and they all were talking about his demise; but “the Lord is my shield and the lifter of my head!”
Ps. 18: 1-3 - “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”
What an explosion of boldness and delight in the Lord! This is one of the greatest declarations of union with the Lord in scripture. This subject of no separation, intimacy, and union with God fills the entire Bible.
Ps. 23: 1 –“The Lord is my shepherd[WU1] ; I shall not want.”
The Lord’s name in Hebrew is YAHWEH meaning I AM THAT I AM. This name is one of the greatest revelations of the heart of the Father demonstrating fullness of life, love unbounded and His ever-present nature. The eternal NOW GOD is difficult for many to understand. As human beings, we have only known a death-oriented earth environment; we live in a timeline with fleeting moments which are here then gone forever. It’s hard to imagine an unchangeable, forever NOW, ever-present God who is totally dependable – the I AM THAT I AM. David used the analogy of the Lord as his Rock in Psalms 18 which perfectly described the vivid imagery of His unchangeable nature.   
David’s declaration in time of trouble was, “The I AM THAT I AM  is my _________!“ (Fill in the blank because He is whatever you need when you need it)! In this statement of faith, IS speaks of what is real; it speaks of substance; only God is unseen, yet so much bigger than what can be seen. He is TRUTH – REAL TRUTH. “IS” is the opposite of hope, wish, wavering, unstable. God is REAL HERE and NOW!    
David realized that life’s situations come and go; yet, I AM THAT I AM is my Rock – immovable, solid, totally reliable and dependable! David obviously was aware of the situations he faced in life, but he didn’t debate of even deal with those temporary circumstances. Instead, he strengthened himself in the I AM THAT I AM. David didn’t resort to faith formulas or appeal to the flesh for his answer. He didn’t whine or demonstrate ambivalence with a faithless statement like, “If it be thy will…” David made his declaration of union with God! The I AM THAT I AM is MY _______!
MY – MINE – in union with God so much so that who God is becomes demonstrated in ME! This type union is the last thought of many believers. It is too big for many to even contemplate; yet this is exactly the gospel of the kingdom that is ours through the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ. The I AM THAT I AM is MY _______! This truth releases us to abandon ourselves into carefree trust and super expectancy in Him! This is not just knowing about God; it is knowing Him intimately because He lives in you. You are united with God in eternal life here and now!
Jn. 17: 3 – “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
David, with his eyes fixed on the Lord – The I AM THAT I AM - turned away from all his desperate situations. This is ultimate spiritual warfare ensuring victory! David’s intimate relationship with God was 1,000 years before Jesus Christ demonstrated union with Father. Jesus is YAHWEH – the I AM THAT I AM –becoming One with us as a human. One Man worth the entire creation redeemed fallen creatures by becoming sin and the curse for us. At the resurrection and ascension, our Representative brought forth the new creation life force – Holy Spirit so that by faith we enter union “in Christ”. Now, the I AM THAT I AM is MY LIFE, is not heresy but God’s ultimate purpose for His creation.
No more separation because of sin; no more curses bringing condemnation, guilt and shame. Love Himself has taken residence within us to live His life in, through and as us! This is the good news – the gospel of grace that transforms lives, communities and nations. This is the gospel which will result in revival, renewal and reformation we desperately need for the world in which we live. This is who you really are – here and now!  
THE LORD IS MY ________________ (You fill in the blank)! Make this your declaration of faith today! Amen.
 

 [WU1]I sha

The power of God demonstrated through men comes from character developed in secret. Only a “crucified life” (Gal. 2:20) qualifies one to be a member of the “society of redeemers” – those who have lain their lives down and pay the price of intercession and ministry to others.
Three keys exist for living a “crucified life”:
The first is to identify and pull down the spirit of self pity. This spirit deceives many and is one of the biggest enemies of our soul. Self pity is epidemic in the church today as it keeps old wounds infected. Beelzebub (lord of the flies) is one of satan’s names. Just as flies carry bacteria and cause infections so also Beelzebub keeps the pain of past offenses and contention alive and working its destructive force in lives. Often, this spirit becomes so predominant that it creates a devious, deceptive comfort zone of failure and victimization making one’s life a series of crises. Self pity is a test that we must pass to have God’s character of holiness living within us. We only overcome this spirit as we escape into Christ and allow His Word and Life to be lived through us.
The second key to living a “crucified life” is to know our cross.  The cross is not what kills us – it’s the price we pay for redemption. The power and purpose of the cross is forgiveness. Failure to understand the cross is failure to understand forgiveness. The cross is where the wounded get healed, and also become an offering to those who wounded them. The cross perfects love in your life – if slapped on the cheek, turn the other; if forced to go one mile, journey two; when cursed, bless; when persecuted, pray for your persecutor. You cannot be perfected in love in a world where no one wounds you! Maturity only occurs in a realm where injustice forces us to climb to the nature of Christ, by dying to self-pity and revenge. We either retreat into Christ or into empty, powerless religion. Christianity is conformity to Christ and His death – this releases the power of a “resurrected life” in the natural realm. To the degree that our “old nature” is crucified with Christ – we become the living body of Christ in this world.
The third key to living a “crucified life” is being conformed to the image of Christ – and this often means being cut-off from your worldly support system. In Matt 27:46, Jesus cried out - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Like Jesus Christ we will find ourselves in a time when nothing spiritual seems to work; our closest friends are sleeping when they promised to be praying with and for us; you’ve been betrayed by a close friend; you feel weak and vulnerable; you have been relegated to no worldly help or relief from the stress and anxiety of circumstances. Jesus suffered this – and subjectively, we also may suffer similarly. Jesus response in Lk. 23:34 - “Father forgive them…” This is the character of Christ that releases His Glory.
Jesus’ destiny included the cross, but did not conclude at the cross. There was a subsequent resurrection, ascension, and release of Holy Spirit to birth the New Covenant church.
Likewise, the cross is a part of our destiny – not our end! God’s pre-determined plan is to conform us to the image of His Son, through His death, resurrection, and ascension to His character, power and glory! Amen.  
 
 
 

 
        Mk. 10:27: “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”
        Most agree that with God all things are possible. Natural minds agree the impossible is out of reach of man but not for the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God Who is sovereign over heaven and earth. What is difficult, if not altogether impossible for the natural mind (I Cor. 2:14), is that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk. 9:23).
        Not many Christians truly believe this scripture because if they did, we would be seeing and hearing more miracles. Many Christians acquiesce with head agreement but don’t believe in their hearts that we are to do works Jesus did (Jn. 14:12). It’s as though they don’t want the responsibility of obedience to the Word and believing God for the impossible but rather desire to lie back in the comfortable cocoon of religious fatalism—“if it’s God’s will for me to have a miracle, then He’ll make it happen.”  This may sound pious and religious, but it’s not true. The Lord does not respond to your need but to your faith (Heb. 11:6).
        Now is the time to see the impossible become reality. God has impressed this is the time for uncommon miracles and rivers of favor flowing into believers’ lives; however, this will not happen automatically. The Lord’s promises are available only through active, aggressive faith in Him. We have a vital part in our destiny in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians never attain the full measure of God’s will because they don’t know His will for their lives. Some seek all their lives for God’s will and never obtain it because of doubt and unbelief. God’s will is not an ethereal mystery floating above our reach. His will is His word and is available to whoever reads the Bible, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to his heart.
        Peter summarized this in 2 Pet. 1:2-4. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these, you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  The knowledge of the Word, Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1-4, 14), multiplies both peace and grace in your life.
        Grace is a vital aspect of knowing God’s will and doing the impossible. It is a current, active force imparted from God based upon Jesus’ past redemptive work, resurrection, and ascension. Another way to explain grace is God’s willingness to commit every heavenly resource to meet your need which He has already accomplished through Christ Jesus. Man’s response to grace is faith, believing what God promised is ours. He has given all things that pertain to life and godliness. Through his “exceedingly great and precious promises” we may be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3-4).
        We will never be a partaker of the divine nature until we embrace his righteousness being ours through faith. Paul explained, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Only a believer walking in God’s righteousness will do the impossible. Christians with a sin-conscious nature—that is, “I’m just an old sinner saved by grace”—will never attain to the full measure of God’s will because of the sin-conscious mindset.
        The works Jesus did must be accomplished through a believer who has the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16), not a carnal, sin-conscious mind which is diametrically opposed to the mind controlled and led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4-7). The believer who receives God’s love through Jesus (Jn. 3:16-17) embraces the truth of the word (Jn. 14:6); receives transforming grace of God (Rom. 5:1-2); becomes the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5;21); is qualified through the power of the Holy Spirit to impart life, “zoe”—God’s eternal, abundant life—to the needy. Love embracing truth transfers grace, creating righteousness, enabling life to be released by the anointing of the Spirit, resulting in impossibilities becoming reality.
        The anointing of the Holy Spirit is ordained to accomplish the impossible. Jesus lived in the realm of the impossible through the anointing. Jesus’ anointing preached the good news of the kingdom of God to the poor—transforming them so they would be poor no more. The anointing (Christ) healed broken-hearted, proclaimed deliverance to captives, brought sight to the blind, set free oppressed, and proclaimed supernatural restoration in His name (Lk. 4:18-19).
        Jesus expected his disciples to do works he did (Jn. 14:12). Jesus’ character (the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23); and his ability (tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, discernment of spirits, faith, gifts of healing, and working of miracles—(I Cor. 12:7-11) are ours through the anointing of the Holy Spirit to do His works. In Jn. 17:18 and 20:21, Jesus said that as the Father sent Him into the world, so he sends His disciples. John wrote that, “as He is, so are we in this world” (I Jn. 4:7).
        Since God’s will is His word, it is obvious Jesus is to be our example of living a life of faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Life, without the miraculous, is something less than true Christianity. It is living far beneath God’s will for our lives. Kingdom living requires a walk of faith. In order to walk in faith, we must live by the Word. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Faith comes by hearing the Word. The word of God is indispensable if we’re to walk in the realm of the miraculous. Also, love is a requirement as well, for Gal. 5:6 states that faith works by love. Faith comes by the word and works by love. The impossible will be accomplished only by faith.
        The barometer of our faith level is found in 1 Jn. 3:20-22. “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask, we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”  I don’t think this is dealing with sin life but with faith. When we pray for things we don’t really believe will happen and our heart condemns us, then we lack confidence (faith); the things we have asked of God are above our faith level to obtain. We’ve suffered a faith attack in our hearts!  This lack of faith is a result of low word level in our lives (Rom. 10:17).  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word.
        An indication of spiritual hardening of the heart is through lack of love (Gal. 5:6). True Christianity is a life of miracles and requires both God’s love and Word in our lives. Only through active, aggressive faith can we do the words of Jesus and carry out His great commission. Matt. 28:18-20: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Therefore, “Mission Impossible” with natural man is “Mission Possible” with God and those who believe (Mk. 9:23; 10:27). AMEN.