Archive for the ‘Love’ Category

Crucified With Christ

Friday, April 13th, 2018

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 2:

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

We have received the greatest of blessings from Our Heavenly Father because Our Lord Jesus Christ first Loved us and gave Himself for each of us individually.  Our challenge is to be fully crucified with Christ and live by faith in the fullness of His redemptive work.  Paul further wrote in Romans chapter 6:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

We are no longer slaves to sin thus we should walk accordingly.  Our flesh would attempt to challenge this reality but we are no longer subject to the lust of the flesh.  If my flesh tries to challenge this Truth, then I will remind it that I am redeemed and my old man no longer rules me.  I speak the Word over myself and because of my faith IN HIM, I know this resolves the issue with the flesh.  The adversary will come forth with temptations but we should do as Jesus did and quote FATHER’S Word.  Ultimately, the temptation will depart.

By faith, we walk in the newness of life.  As we build up ourselves in faith we will accept this newness of life as our standard and no longer accept the ways of the old man.  We must embrace the death of Jesus and be associated with it by crucifying our flesh just as we have embraced His resurrection and our acceptance of becoming a new man, old things are passed away.  Our body of sin must be done away with and we must accept the reality of our newness of life.

In Galatians chapter 5, Paul wrote:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Once we have crucified our flesh, we are able to live in THE SPIRIT and walk in THE SPIRIT.  When this occurs, we will produce the fruit of THE SPIRIT which will testify of our true walk.  Since Love is the first fruit mentioned, it will surely be a barometer of our dying to the flesh.

Our Purpose

Thursday, April 12th, 2018

As we mature in Christ and take on our responsibilities of Sons and Daughters of GOD, our purpose in life becomes aligned with Jesus’ purpose.  As we become increasingly led by THE SPIRIT, our priorities change.  Our old worldly desires and priorities become distant memories and the “stuff” we possess have lost their luster.  We now look at ways to minister life to others and become more compassionate to those who are blinded by the adversary.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 3:

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on destroying the works of the devil by preaching the Good News of redemption and healing all who were possessed or oppressed by the devil.  Not once did Jesus turn people away who were in need of healing.  Only once did anyone question His will concerning healing and Jesus immediately responded “I will”.

In order for us to become fully mature, we must have the revelation of Agape Love and walk in it toward our fellow man:

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another

If we do not grasp the reality of walking in Love toward our brother, then we cannot fulfill our calling given to us by FATHER.  This is one of the great commandments given to us by Jesus and it does not allow for exceptions.  If FATHER Loved us while we were yet in sin, then we should Love others while they are yet in sin.  We must watch over our words and thoughts toward the ungodly and allow our unconditional Love to minister life to them.  The Holy Spirit will draw people to us when we walk according to Love.

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

One test of maturity is whether we will lay down our life for others.  Another test is whether we will joyfully give to those in need.  Our acts are a greater testimony than words only and our Love toward others is fully expressed by corresponding action. 

In recent months, FATHER has had me focus on the ministry of healing which is part of the two-fold redemptive work of Christ.  I know that many who read these writings may be uncomfortable in ministering in this area for fear of failure.  We must not allow fear to overtake us but instead allow Love to overcome any fear that arises.  Besides salvation, what better gift of Love can we give than to minister healing to those in desperate need.  Virtually every family has a member who needs healing in some manner.  Life threatening diseases are becoming more commonplace in the young like never before.  What better way to minister to those in need by ministering life and health to their loved ones!

What does it take to fulfill our purpose?  Much prayer and fasting.  As my friend Kemper mentioned the other night, fasting the flesh is dying to self.  Let us embrace this reality and die to self once and for all.  As Jesus said in John 6:38: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

Prepared For Good Works

Wednesday, April 11th, 2018

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 2:

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up together (with HIM), and made us sit together (with HIM) in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

One of Jesus’ redemptive acts was to bring us into FATHER’S presence.  As we reside in HIS presence, we become like HIM and take on HIS traits centered around HIS great Love.  To what purpose?

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

It is important that we become aware of this reality- we have been raised up to be in FATHER’S presence and reside with HIM through Christ Jesus.  We now have access to the presence of FATHER and can come boldly to HIS throne and ask according to HIS Will.  The Amplified Version further describes verse 10:  For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Because we have been fully restored to be in HIS presence, we are now able to walk in the path HE has set before us.  This path is called “The Way”.  Jesus was the manifested Divine Intent of FATHER as He carried out His physical ministry of good works.  Jesus provided many Spiritual and physical blessings to the people.  Salvation, healing, feeding the multitudes, and provisions for His disciples are all examples of good works.  His expressions of Love changed people’s lives for the better and we are to follow in His footsteps because we are the workmanship of FATHER.  The mere fact you are reading this is an indication that FATHER ordained you and prepared you to walk according to HIS Divine Intent and are meant to bring forth good works directed toward others.

Because we have been raised up to sit in Heavenly places, we can and should expect to hear FATHER.  If you are having trouble hearing FATHER, continue to dwell in this passage and ask HIM to improve your ability to hear HIM.  It is HIS desire to commune constantly with us and direct our steps on a daily basis. As we press in and remove the noise of the world, we are able to be led by HIS Spirit in a greater manner.  Let us embrace the Truth that we have been raised up to sit by HIS side just as Jesus sits at HIS right hand.  This reality allows us to hear and do HIS Will rather than our own.  Jesus made us worthy and we must not allow the accuser to convince us otherwise.

FATHER’S Love for us motivated HIM to bring us into HIS presence.  It is HIS gift to us for none of us could come into HIS presence on our accord.  Jesus shed HIS blood so that we could be reconciled and remain in FATHER’S presence.  We are now able to receive instructions to carry out on this earth in order that we be fruitful in good works toward others.  Let us be conscious of this reality as we minister FATHER’S Love to a world in desperate need.

Love In Action

Tuesday, April 10th, 2018

When was the last time there was great joy in your city, a joy announced on the radio and TV as well as presented on the front page of the local newspaper?  I dare say we have not seen an event of this nature in recent memory yet it became commonplace in the Book of Acts after Jesus’ ascension.

It is written by THE SPIRT in Acts chapter 8:

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Philip embraced the Great Commission given to the disciples by Jesus before His ascension.  The Great Commission is what I call “Love in action.”  Why did the people heed the words spoken by Philip?  First they heard the Word and then they saw the miracles.  The result was great joy in the city.

What is the point of studying and meditating on The Word if there is no corresponding action as a result?  There are hundreds if not thousands of denominations in the U.S. yet how many cities or towns do we hear of great joy coming forth because of the Gospel?  Isn’t it time for us to go before FATHER in an act of pure Love and seek HIS Face concerning the lack of great joy across the country where we reside?

Before Philip ministered in such a notable fashion, he was called to serve tables as recorded in Acts chapter 6:

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (of serving tables);

4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Philip embraced the call to serve tables as an act of Love.  The requirements were: a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.  There is no indication that Philip was an expert in the Law and very little is mentioned about him except when he asked Jesus the question in John chapter 14:

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”

Philip was no different than you or me.  He was not a scholar nor was he particularly singled out as being in the inner circle who were closest to Christ.  We must not discount ourselves when it comes to being used by FATHER.  Now is the time for us to press in and seek FATHER concerning the Great Commission.  Some will be called to preach and some will be called to support those who preach.  Some will be called to intercede from a foundation of Love.  Some may be asked to serve tables.  Whatever the calling, it should be identified as Love in action.  Any other endeavor is simply biding time and is temporary in nature.

Rejoice In Our Gift

Monday, April 9th, 2018

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us! (Living Bible)

21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. (Amplified Version)

When FATHER sees you and me, HE sees HIS Beloved Son.  This act of Love was a gift to us and was not given to us according to our works but was provided by Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our works could never be sufficient to earn our salvation thus FATHER’S manifested expression of Love provided The Way for us to be reconciled to HIM.  This foundation of Love should be ever present in our consciousness as we proceed in our daily lives.  This is why we should give thanks unto FATHER as we start our day.  Paul also wrote by THE SPIRIT in Roman chapter 4:

5 But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). (Amplified Version)

How can we show our appreciation to OUR LORD?  We should pursue greater maturity in Christ on a daily basis as well as express Love to others as a testimony to the free gift of redemption we received through Christ.  What better way to rejoice in our gift than to be a blessing to others and show them the same Love that FATHER expressed to us by redeeming us from death and destruction.

We can be sure that we will be challenged by the adversary who will try to dilute or divert our attention by pointing out our past failures.  Our past is gone and FATHER sees us today through the Blood of Christ thus HE no longer holds us accountable for our past.  Jesus once and for all dealt with our past sins so we should not let them prevent us from moving forward into full maturity.  Jesus did not take on a small portion of our sins, He took on all of them.  His work of Love on the cross is the foundation of our life so we should always keep a fresh awareness of this foundation of Love as we go about our day.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus spoke:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What better was to rejoice in our gift than to be a light to others.  FATHER has enabled us to do good works so we should become HIS expression of Love to the world.  Don’t allow time to cause you to lose the excitement of the gift of Love received from FATHER.  Don’t grow cold and become a hearer only.  James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 1:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Some walk as though they have forgotten the gift of salvation bestowed on them by FATHER through Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Only after a life changing event do they receive their wake up call.  Let us not become lethargic in our daily walk but let us rejoice in our gift of Love and express our gratitude by walking in HIS Love toward others and sharing the blessings bestowed on us.  Let our walk testify of the Good News.

Walk As He Walked

Sunday, April 8th, 2018

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep (obey) His commandments.

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep (obey) His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Why would FATHER expect us to walk as Jesus walked if we were unequipped to do so?  In order to walk as Jesus walked we must keep His commandments which center around the revelation of Love.  Keeping His commandments is not drudgery but instead is joyfully embraced when we see others through the eyes of Jesus.  As we walk in Love, we are able to walk in the same manner as our Elder Brother Jesus Christ.  The question is “Will we?”  Do I dare walk with the same expectation as Jesus?  Should I expect people to receive salvation and healing through the words I speak?  Absolutely!  Our problem in the past is centered around our perceived unworthiness to accept the fullness of our redemption but we have been given the gift of righteousness with full restoration with Our Heavenly Father.  Peter wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Peter chapter 3:

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

FATHER is not willing that any should perish so who is going to carry out HIS Divine Intent?  The mature Sons and Daughters are meant to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of FATHER having paved the way for us to become empowered in the same manner as He was when He walked out His earthly ministry.  He commanded us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  We are told to obey His commandments so we should do our part in spreading the Gospel into all the world.  This commandment is directed to those of us who are willing to take Him at His Word.  We are expected to develop our faith into “great” faith by immersing ourselves daily in FATHER’S Word.

Faith is believing what GOD says is true. Faith is believing GOD will do what HE says HE’LL do. Faith comes by hearing the Word. You must know what GOD will do before you can expect HIM to do it. You become so convinced HIS Word is true, you act on it in spite of contrary evidence.  We are exposed to the world’s contrary evidence everyday thus we must limit this exposure as we immerse ourselves in The Word.  Jesus isolated Himself from the people in order to commune with FATHER and hear HIS directives.  In 1 John chapter 2:

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

In order to be a light to the world, we must Love our brothers and sisters as well as the ungodly.  This means everyone!  If we are still critical and judgmental toward others, then our Love has not yet been perfected and we are still in the maturing process.  Love is the basis to walk as Jesus walked and in order to be fully effective in ministering to others, we must fully embrace the revelation of Love.  As we fully mature in the revelation of Love and develop our great faith, we will truly walk as Jesus walked.  We will be able to embrace the revelation given in chapter 4:

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

Put GOD First

Saturday, April 7th, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxY_eJLBflk

Salvation Then Healing

Saturday, April 7th, 2018

In Exodus chapter 23, FATHER spoke:

25 “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.”

FATHER established the order of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and it remains the same to this very day.  In order for us to be blessed and receive healing, we must first turn from our wicked ways and serve Our Heavenly Father.  Otherwise, we remain subject to the wiles of the devil.  In Luke chapter 5, Jesus was teaching The Word:

17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.

19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

This particular passage encapsulates the two-fold redemptive work of Christ.  First, we find Jesus is preaching The Word and because of that, the power of THE LORD was present to heal.  We must understand that faith for salvation and healing comes by hearing The Word.  This is why we must saturate our souls with The Word.  It must be planted in our hearts and minds so that our faith will grow strong.  As we dwell on The Word day and night, It produces fruit to heal our bodies and minister two-fold redemption to others.  As our bodies are made whole, we then have a testimony to share with those in need.  We must keep FATHER’S Word before us so that our harvest of The Word is continuous.  We may know verses in our head but the heart is where the life of the Word flows.  We can be void of FATHER’S Word even though we can quote healing Scriptures.  I am painfully aware of this reality in my life but have repented as FATHER made me aware of this Truth.

As Jesus taught The Word, people’s faith increased to the point where the four men brought the paralyzed man to hear The Word.  Jesus responded first by forgiving the man’s sins.  Only then did Jesus heal the man and instruct him to “arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  FATHER has given us the template for ministering to those in need.  Jesus manifested FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love and illustrated the proper order of His redemptive work.  As we become fully mature in Christ, we should expect to spread the Good News in the same fashion to a hurting world.

Why?

Friday, April 6th, 2018

Why does FATHER have me write to you daily?  It is all about Love.  For Our Heavenly Father so loved you and me that HE gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that we would believe in Him and not perish but have everlasting life.  Who else did HE Love?  All of mankind.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 5:

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Did Jesus only address our reconciliation?  No, He also addressed our physical bodies as well when He received the stripes prior to the cross.  Peter expressed both aspects of His Love for us when he wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Peter chapter 2:

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

We must never forget the importance of FATHER’S intended two-fold purpose given to HIS Son- restoration and healing.  Many have readily accepted redemption unto righteousness but there has been less taught concerning the area of healing.  Jesus clearly stated that it was no more difficult to minister healing as it was to minister salvation when He responded in Matthew 9:5 saying “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?”  Both aspects of ministry should be preached in order to be embraced by those with ears to hear.

Why are believers having difficulty with sickness and disease?  We have all been saturated with information concerning the world’s acceptable methods of treatment in the area of sickness and disease.  It seems like foolishness to the world for us to pray for healing and expect complete restoration.  However, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 1:

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: ​​​“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, ​​And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

​20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Are we seeking signs or trusting in the world’s wisdom?  Why?  The world’s methods have not eradicated disease and sickness for they admit they only treat symptoms.  They never seem to find the root of the problem… because it is spiritual in nature.  The Way of Jesus Christ, the full expression of FATHER’S Love, is the only complete solution for mankind.  Christ is where the power and wisdom of FATHER resides, not some technological advancement.  Man’s wisdom is but foolishness thus we should pursue true wisdom from FATHER in all of our affairs and situations.  We should pursue the healing power through Christ’s work at Calvary and expect His miracle-working power to come forth.  Faith based on Love is the answer.  Why pursue anything less?

Sent Forth

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

An apostle is one who is a delegate (authorized to represent Christ), messenger, one sent forth with orders.  Man has somewhat restricted the meaning in order to exalt certain ones above the rest of the believers in order to maintain a higher status.  Jesus intended to send those who were willing to serve all of mankind, a striking difference to what has evolved in the church over time.  In Mark chapter 16, Jesus spoke:

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

This mandate was not restricted to the eleven remaining disciples but was given to all who would become disciples of Jesus Christ.  Paul is a great example of one who was not among the eleven but was later converted and took on the Great Commission.  Jesus had earlier sent out seventy who were a precursor to this Great Commission as well.  Only those who mature in Christ are equipped to go forth in His Name.  The mature Sons of GOD are among those who are to spread the Gospel with signs following.  We must build up our faith so that we have the confidence to go forth in HIS power.

In Acts chapter 5, it is written by THE SPIRIT:

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Peter is the same one who denied Christ before Calvary but now is walking in the same power and authority as Jesus Christ.  This must encourage us as we continue walking in The Way and moving toward a greater maturity as FATHER’S Sons and Daughters.  We must not allow discouragement to come forth and dissuade us from our path.  The adversary wants to move our focus away from our individual callings just as he tempted Christ at the onset of His earthly ministry.

James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

An elder is one who is known to be mature in faith by Love and walks in wisdom.  Isn’t this what each of us is seeking to attain in our own walk?  As we mature and become equipped, we position ourselves to be used in a greater manner by FATHER.  The trappings of the world are no longer important to us as we direct our gaze on those who are lost and in need of healing.  Let us prepare ourselves to be one of the “sent ones”.