The power of Joy!

                                                  Shout your way to Victory!


                                Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.(Hab 3:17-18) 

                    There is a tendency of a que sera, sera attitude in the body of Christ. We attribute everything including destruction as an excuse to praise God. God is sovereign and everything that happens is God's will---Allow me to, respectfully differ. The word says to give to Cesar what is Cesar and to God what is God's. Jesus said that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy but I (Jesus) come to give life abundantly. ( John 10:10) Jesus wants us to have life in our health, finances, relationships, etc. 
                   The key word to see in Hab 3:18 is joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit. Joy can be expressed in a shout, dance or even laughter among other things. (PS 126:1-2/Ps 149:3/Ps 32:11) Joy is a powerful weapon. Even Job in the midst of suffering knew about this power. He said that in the midst of corruption and famine to laugh. ( Job 5:22) Why? If you read the end of the book of Job, you will find that God restored unto him double for his trouble.(Job 42:10) Joy is a powerful weapon. 
                   So powerful is joy that God released it to set his people free from Egyptian captivity. (Ps 105:42-43) I, personally, believed that there were a remnant of Jews bringing into God's remembrance his covenant with his people. As God heard the words of his covenant being lifted up in prayer, he unleashed his force of joy upon his people and made them free. The best part is that none of them came out of the land broke or sick. (Ps 105:37) The word feeble is translated from the Hebrew as sick. 
               What about you, friend? Are you in captivity? Have you been frustrated regarding your prayers? Unleash the power of joy in your life. You are in covenant with God. God is laughing at your enemies, so it is time to laugh along with him and see his power at work! (Ps 2:4)

Verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

                                     

Salvation is a gift---

                 

                               --Assembly required! 

                    

                                             Are you ready to assemble your gift?  (1)

                   
            As I pondered upon the joy of Salvation and its benefits, the Lord pointed out a couple of things that are essential to the body of Christ. Years ago, while driving along a country road, I passed by a church marquee that read "Salvation is a gift--Assembly required." It brought me back years to my childhood when my father brought me my first bike. 
                I used to walk by the store and see all those beautiful bikes on display so, naturally, I got excited when my dad told me that he was buying a bike for me. That day, he came home and brought a box. Then, I saw him take out his toolbox and, patiently, assembled the bike for me. When the finished product was done--Viola, I had a brand new bike to enjoy! 
               You may ask what is the point?  The point is in order to make proper use of your salvation, you need to open the package. Next, assembly is required. In the natural, my Dad helped me to assemble my gift, which was a bike. In the spiritual, the assembling of your gift comes through the church. Heb 10:25 says not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together. 
               If you accepted Jesus but are not going to church, your gift is not properly assembled. That is why people are pulling out their hairs and questioning God when He is saying assembly required. I thank God for Christian TV. It is a great side tool to have especially for the sick and shut ins but while you are healthy and strong, you need to find a good church. 
             Eph 4:8-16  is the key. A good church is one in which the five-fold ministries are in operation. Through the Holy Spirit, he assembles what is lacking in your gift so that you can enjoy your salvation and then tell others about it. As you do, you will find your place in Christ and be able to do exploits for him. Then, when you are fully matured, you can be a gift unto others as well. Amen. 

                                               (1) http://public.fotki.com/kelvinkay/collection_of_beaut/xmasparty061.html
       

A mass exodus?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

                                           

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isa 11: 12)

                       Friends, there is a mass exodus coming.  One notable area will be from the United States. God is calling for his people to come back to the land of Israel. It is, already, happening from nations like Ethiopia and even China itself. Recently, Prime minster Netanyahu extended an invitation for the French Jews to immigrate to Israel after some attacks on the Jews and their synagogues.

                        One thing that will call tremendous attention will be on the Latino side. Why? After doing an intense study, I found out that about 90% of Hispanics have Jewish blood. Spain had a large community of Jews and when they got persecuted, they were faced with two alternatives---Convert to Catholicism or be exiled. Some compromised their faith in order to stay and became Catholics mixing in with the general population. These groups of Jews were called Sephardic Jews.  

                          Here is where the plot thickens, If you are Hispanic and have a last name ending in EZ, most likely you have Jewish blood. I have enclosed a link in which you can read about this and trace your name. (1) I, personally, believe that this move will call attention because of the Latino population joining in that exodus. I may be laughed at but that's OK. I rather be laughed at and be right than wrong. 

                              If you study history, the German Jews were very patriotic especially during the 30's. They refused to move even when the Lord sent some prophets to warn them to get out of the land.  We, all, know what happened. Adolph Hitler took over and there was a holocaust that, nearly, wiped them out. Friends, the Lord will have his way whether you like it or not. If you are Jewish or have Jewish blood, you have two choices--- You can go the fisherman's way while the door is open or you can chose the hunter's way when the door is closed---Your choice. 

              Let's look at the following verses----

                 " Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. " (2) (Jer 16:14-16)

                 Time is winding down. To all my Hispanic friends and family members, seek the Lord concerning this. Get prepared and ask for God's guidance. Time is winding down and I believe that God is up to something. A Pastor friend of mine once said--I would rather be in a dangerous place in God's will then to be in a safe place and out of God's will. Pray for this next great event in America. God bless.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sephardi_Jews

(2) Verses courtesy of Biblegateway. 

                             

Pastor's notes---04/06/2015

                           
                                                                         
                                              A look at the blood of Christ. 

 

Image courtesy of pixtawan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

                                             

                                     What is your reaction to the word Blood? Sometimes, we feel uncomfortable. We associate it with some type of tragic event but in this past season of Easter, the blood of Jesus is a beautiful thing. It washes us from all our sins. In the law, the blood of bulls and lambs, only, served as a covering. It was so because there had to be a demand for a man to fulfill the law and be sin for us at the same time. That is why Christ was called the second and last Adam. (I Cor 15:45-47)     
                        His blood was not polluted by sin and it came from above. That is why the Virgin birth is, so, much under attack. If man can prove that there was no virgin birth, then Christ died in vain. In life, the blood is a way to prove a paternity test, so it is the same with Christ. His blood contains the heavenly DNA from our heavenly Father to free us from sin, sickness and poverty. When Jesus spilled his blood, it was fulfilling the penalty of sin in our lives. 
                        Many in the body debate the pleading of the blood. 
The pleading of the blood is scriptural. It is a powerful tool because it is speaking. It is saying something to the devil and to all of heaven.  When Cain killed Abel, something terrible happened. Abel's blood was speaking to the heavenly Father and calling for vengeance. (Gen 4:10) That is why abortion is a deadly sin and needs to be confronted because the blood of millions of babies are crying out for vengeance. 
                        Man in his foolish reasoning would say it is just a fetus. A woman has a right to her body and other nonsense but follow the money. As you do, you will see that abortion is BIG BUSINESS. This, truly, fulfills the scripture of the love of money being the root of all evil. Recently, some are waking up to this fact and are exposing the dark side of abortion clinics. (1) This, in turn, have brought on more lawsuits and forced them to closed their doors for good. While this is good news, more needs to be done in this area. 
                 Friends, this in itself, is not a flesh and blood battle but a spiritual one. The good news is that the blood of Christ cries for mercy and it is available to all who receives it. When a nation repents of its sins, the sacrifice of Christ can wipe the slate clean and save it. God has a vision for this nation and it has been prophesied that a third awakening is around the corner. Pray for the church and our leaders. Friends, your prayers are not in vain. God is moving behind the scenes and revival will hit the land with signs and wonders following. 
                  So, let's prepare ourselves, taking advantage of what belongs to us in Christ. The blood of Christ can be used to renew your mind, bring better health and protect your family. The blood elements in communion is a powerful way to be covenant-minded and receive his promises. To end on a positive note---the blood can be used to break generational curses and bring health to your body. 
             Medical science has found that sickness travels through the bloodline but when you take his blood, it can drive out any germs and infirmities. When you get God inside-minded, there is no such thing as race or ethnicity, but one nation under God. (Acts 17:26, I Peter 2:9) So, when you take the elements of communion,  put God in remembrance and plead together ( Isa 43:26) When you plead the blood, Its voice is pleading together with you to bring you victory in whatever area you are battling in. (Rev 12:11) So, make use of the blood and see what God will do. It's power to save and deliver is always available for you and this nation 24/7. God bless.

Helpful links...

(1) http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/07/29/abortion-clinics-continue-to-close/

(2) http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/03/more-thoughts-about-communion.html

                     

Pastor's post---03/19/2015

                                             More thoughts about communion.

          In our past studies, we dug into the concept of communion. There is a lot that we can gleam from this subject. We, mostly, studied on the bread elements of it. In this study, we will look at its symbolic meaning. Some churches do not celebrate communion because it is symbolic. While they are half-right, Jesus himself said to do this in remembrance of me. ( Luke 22:19) This speaks of action, not just symbolic. 
             Proverbs shows us how communion can be in a symbolic sense. When you read the whole chapter of Proverbs 9, you will see two comparisons. A communion of wisdom and a communion of the foolish woman. A foolish woman is compared to a seducing spirit. While some compare this to adultery, this goes deeper than that. It talks about having communion with the devil.
               Anytime you sin, you are having communion with the devil. You are bowing your knee to the enemy and placing yourself in enemy territory whether you realize it or not. Seducing spirits are compared, also, with idolatry and behind it is a demon.(Lev.17:7) 
 When you commune with the enemy, the bread turns into wickedness and the water turns to wine. The wine is compared with violence. (Prov 4:17) What kind of violence does this speaks of? You fill in the blanks and, as you do, you will get an idea of what Satan has planned for you and your family. It is wise to see what the word says in not giving place to the enemy. 
              The good news is that God has his own communion for you. When you confess your sins, you are eating his bread in a symbolic sense and getting cleansed with his blood, making you the righteousness of God in Christ. (I John 1:9) So, friend, make it a point to fellowship with God. When you sin, don't run from God. Run to God and get it right. He is waiting to break bread with you and drink the wine of redemption. In fact, the root Greek word for communion is fellowship. Choose in this day to eat the bread of life and drink the wine of his redemption today.

                 Some final thoughts to consider. When Christians in the New Testament had communion, they would celebrate it in a two fold sense----
                 1- Having the elements of bread and wine and remembering his promises. 
                 2- In a symbolic sense, with fellowship celebrating it with a meal.
                 That is why the Apostle Paul had to set some things in order because they were bringing in alcoholic wine (getting drunk) and engaging in overeating.(I Cor 11:20-34)When fellow shipping with others, let's honor God and one another. This, in turn, will please God and bless us in the long run. God bless. 

For more on communion, check out this link...

http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/03/pastors-post-03112015.html

Pastor's Post---03/11/2015

                           

                      

                         

            http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FD_1.jpg

                             A look at Communion--Part V

               "Give us this day, our daily bread"(Matt 6:11)

               When we think of bread, the first thing that comes to our minds is food, but when Jesus used the word "bread", he compared it to a host of things. There are a couple of things to remember when reviewing past thoughts of communion---

• It was compared to his body, creating a stir among the Jews.
• It was compared to healing. One scripture that stands out is when Jesus compares healing to the children's bread. To all who doubt or say that it's pending his will, I, respectfully, disagree. What father would not feed his child with bread(Food)? (Matt 15:25-32) There is a lot that we need to know about healing. One book that I recommend reading is Christ the healer(1). That book is a real eye-opener.
• It is compared to wisdom.
• Discernment against mixture or false doctrines.

           For further reading on past studies of communion, I have posted my links (2) below for your information. As the picture above shows that as there are different types of bread in the natural, so are there different types of bread available when celebrating communion in a spiritual sensc. As I conclude my studies on the bread elements of communion, I want to leave you with a series of final thoughts.

             Ecc 11:1 says to cast your bread upon the waters. That talks of giving. Giving is, not, a popular theme within the churches but the Bible speaks a lot about giving. It is, actually, a way to worship the Lord. When you give of your tithes and offering, you honor God and open a wave a blessings in your life. Think about this, who would, not, want to live under an open heaven? (Mal 3:10) 

          When you have an open window from heaven, you get God's best. People would equate it with money and that's part of it. An open window will create favor with others, open doors of opportunities and even bring about answered prayers. Many would say that I am implying that you have to buy God's blessing. Truth of the matter is that God has given us all things that pertain to life.(II Peter 1:3) Jesus brought it for us through his blood. 

                  Giving is a kingdom principle. It waters the fruit on your garden. It allows the blessing to bring forth his promises for your life. It is the principle of sowing and reaping. So, friend, when celebrating communion, it might be a good idea to speak God's covenant promises concerning your finances. Put your checkbook and bills on the table. As you do this with a heart of faith, you will see God move on your life regarding finances. In my next post, we will explore the elements of the blood. God bless. 

(1)http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Healer-F-Bosworth/dp/0800794575

(2) http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/03/king-solomon-discussing-plans-for-temple.html

                    

A special Guest....

From my good friend and Pastor Jim Blanchard. If you like his teachings, check out his website...http://www.riversvb.org/