Come, Holy Spirit
Christ
God is Bigger Than My Rejection
You know the scene. It is in the middle of the day. The children are out to play on the playground. They choose team members to play the game. One by one everyone is picked until it comes down to the last person. By now this lonely person really doesn’t want to play because they were the last to be chosen. The reject! The one no one wants.
Rejection! We’ve all experienced it. Not getting that promotion we were anticipating. Or not getting the job you interviewed for and someone you know did. We all want to be valued and accepted. Being valued is a natural human desire. When we don’t feel valued we tend to draw back and isolate ourselves. Maybe you have been rejected from a friend, or relative. How about wanting to go out with somebody and they said, “No!”
The definition of rejection is: “Dismiss as inadequate, inappropriate, or not to one’s taste, or to satisfy one’s taste. To refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use. To refuse to hear, receive, or admit.”
I don’t know about you, but I have experienced many times the definition of rejection. When it happens, it’s easy to think you did something wrong or that there is something wrong with you. Most of the time this is not the case. But, the enemy will try and make us feel bad about ourselves, or bad about our life after we have been rejected.
Rejection hurts. God is bigger than the rejection we have received. I am here today to let you know there is hope after rejection. We can allow the “sting” of being rejected to torment and alienate us, or we can be determined to rise above those who rejected us and keep on keeping on with our life.
Jesus knew first hand what it felt like to be rejected. Many times the religious rulers of His day rejected what He had to say, or even rejected Who He was. They were unwilling and refused to accept His teachings because they liked being in control of the people. They didn’t think He was the “Messiah.” Jesus’ taught about mercy and grace and the religious rulers were legalistic.
How many times Jesus endured scrutiny from the Pharisees and Sadducees. They even tried to “trip” Jesus up with His answers, but again, Jesus knew what was in their hearts.
I wish I could say I acted or reacted in a godly manner after experiencing rejection in my own personal life. There were times I did, and times I didn’t. But I have learned several things about rejection, that I pray, will help you to deal with it and overcome any negative affects it brings.
We can learn so much on how to deal with rejection by watching Jesus’ reaction.
Dealing With Rejection
1. Keep walking boldly!
Luke 6:28 – 30 NKJV
“So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath (rage), and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.”
Jesus knew what was in the religious rulers heart’s. He spoke the truth with authority. They took Jesus out of the synagogue and out of the city to a high hill and wanted to push him over the edge. Jesus, turns, and walks boldly through the crowd and continues on with His ministry.
People will reject out of fear. It shows their insecurities within themselves when they reject you.
The religious leaders rejected Jesus because they were afraid. Afraid of losing their position. Afraid that the people will turn from their leadership and follow truth, which Jesus represented, and oozed out with. People already thronged Jesus. Fear makes people do crazy rejectful, brutal things.
Truth is power. The religious rulers saw truth in Jesus and they had to destroy Him.
2. Shake the dust off your feet!
Read Mark 6:1 – 13
Mark 6:11 NKJV
“And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.”
There have been times when I have had to shake the dust off my feet when I was rejected, and some of those places were in a Christian church, with Christian people.
There will be people who will be offended by the truth you represent. They will harden their hearts towards you and kick you out of their group or organization. I’ve heard it said, “Go where you are celebrated!” There is some truth to that because it is extremely hard to stay somewhere where the people are constantly rejecting you. Jesus said to shake the dust off of your sandals and to move on. Do what you can there, but move on and keep your head held high! People are not rejecting you, but rejecting God. To a degree, it is Christian persecution to have fellow Christians kick you out of their “club.” This is what happened to Jesus many times.
3. Don’t get offended!
Luke 17:1 (HCSB)
“Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one they come through!”
We have to get elephant skin when it comes to speaking the truth and not being received. People hurt people. As long as you are around people, you will have the chance to get offended.
Scriptures tell us “Offenses will come” (Luke 17:1). We will always be tempted to be offended. Our expectations weren’t met, or someone hurt us or rejected us. You might have said things like, “How can they treat me like this?” or “I was a part of them for years and look how they treat me!” They will call you names, slander you, and want you gone. They will ignore your true worth in Christ and reject you because of the truth you represent. This happened to Jesus. He was known as the “Carpenter’s Son.”
Mark 6:3 NKJV
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
They rejected Jesus because they only saw Him as the Carpenter’s Son. They put Jesus in a box in their minds. They knew His family. They saw Him grow up and become a man. God was raising Him up, but they refused to accept Who He was called to be.
When you have a heart for God you will be rejected. You might even be rejected by those close to you. Even if you are not a minister, you will experience rejection. But let me tell you; Once you meet Christ you are a minister! Your life is a sermon that everyone reads.
Jesus was rejected and even mocked while He was hanging on the cross. As if what they did to him was not enough. After being beaten and whipped, after the crown of thorns were pushed on His head and imbedded into his brow, after his hands and feet were nailed to the cross, after He was mutilated beyond recognition, they mocked Him.
Mark 15:29 – 32 (NKJV)
“And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.”
They were sarcastically mocking Christ while He was hanging on the cross. Who does that? Who kicks people when they are “already down?” Those who are full of themselves and think they are right. Those who want their way and arrogantly assume they deserve it. That’s who! They thought they were sitting in the driver seat. Little did they know God used them to bring forth Salvation to the world.
It was even prophesied in the Old Testament that Jesus would be despised and rejected.
Isaiah 53:3 – 5 KJV
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
I don’t think anyone of us have experienced all that Jesus experienced, in our entire lifetime, what he experienced in just a few hours. Still, when we experience rejection its sting hangs with us.
Like I said earlier, there is hope. Not only can you be healed from any sting of rejection, but there are other promises you can stand on when dealing with rejection.
Rejection rewards:
1. You will be vindicated!
Psalm 35:24 NKJV
“Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me.”
God hears our cry and sees all. God knows what is in a man’s heart. He knows what is in your heart. He knows everyone’s motives. If there is injustice, God will repay. He is a just God.
There are times we are rejected for walking justly. Again, God will vindicate you.
Psalm 26:1 NKJV
“Vindicate me, O LORD, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip.”
Psalm 43:1 NKJV
“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!”
If there is injustice, it will only last for a season and God will deliver you from the deceitful injustice.
Jesus was vindicated. He didn’t stay on the cross or in the tomb. He was resurrected. No man, no matter how much power they think they had, couldn’t keep Jesus from raising from the dead.
2. You will be promoted.
Psalm 23:5a NKJV
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
People will be surprised at your promotion. It will go against what they thought of you. They rejected you because they didn’t agree with who they thought you were. They will see you resurrected. They will see you doing things and walking in ways they never imagined. What are you going to do when this happens? Rejoice! It will happen!
3. You will be transformed.
Walking out of rejection and leaning on your beloved, you will be more like Him. We lean on Jesus and connect to His rejection immediately when we are rejected and treated unfairly.
To know Christ in His resurrection and suffering, we have to experience a death. When we die to ourselves and our flesh, we allow Christ to increase in us. It really is a win – win situation. We win when we lose. We lose our flesh and we gain a changed perspective. Treated unfairly is exactly what Christ went through.
All this said, God is keeping score and He will pay you back with heavenly blessings for the scourge you have received from your enemies. The rejection we have received from others simply open our hearts to receive more of the anointing into our lives. We will be eating a feast of His power and presence while our enemies look on, unable to understand why we have been chosen to receive such blessing. Little did they know it was their reproach against us that made us a target for God’s blessing. It was their betrayal that brought God’s best blessings to our doorstep!
Walk as Jesus walked and hold your head up high knowing you are God’s child and He has great plans for you.
Maybe you have experienced rejection and long to be healed of its sting. Bring this to the Lord and humbly ask God to heal you, and transform the way you think and act. Your perspective needs to change and view any rejection as being “set up” for greater things. You are being positioned for promotion and blessing!
Your sister,
Pastor Kris Belfils
The Holy Spirit – In The Life Of Christ
Last message we looked at the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, and how Jesus had to leave for the Promise of the Holy Spirit to come. We learned that the Holy Spirit “came on” or “filled” individuals in the Old Testament, but it was temporary until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is prominent right from the beginning. The activity of the Holy Spirt is evident at every phase of the life and ministry of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Life
1. Conceives.
In Matthew, after the genealogy list, the Holy Spirit was right there at the conception of Christ in Mary’s womb.
Matthew 1:18 NKJV
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
A clearer understanding of “she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” is found a little further in Scripture.
Matthew 1:20 NKJV
But while he (Joseph) thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Conceived means form, and another word for conceived is begotten. Begotten means to procreate or generate, to father, to produce (dictionary.com). The Holy Spirit literally was the producer and formed Jesus in Mary’s womb.
What a correlation between Genesis 1:2, and the Spirit hovering over the face of the waters and the conception of Jesus: Both incidences the Holy Spirit was present and very active.
Of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit really shows He is the “executive arm” (Notes on Genesis 1:2 in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible). He brings action. That is just awesome and amazing! He is active always.
2. Baptises.
The Holy Spirit descended and came to rest upon Jesus before His public ministry.
Matthew 3:16 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
The word baptized in the original Greek means; “To cover wholly with a fluid” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Definitions).
When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit was present, in fact so present that He came upon Jesus.
In the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Definitions the word, “lighting” upon Jesus literally means: “To come enter” (G2064).
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He was filled with the Spirit of God.
3. Leads.
Matthew 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
Luke 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”Mark 1:12 states, “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.”
The word drove doesn’t imply reluctance on Jesus’ part, rather it was the conviction or urge that Jesus had over how necessary He needed to go. Jesus had to go through the temptations of the devil and defeating them before He stepped out and helped others defeat the enemy in their lives.
How often do we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and we find ourselves right in the middle of a struggle or temptation? We can see this in Jesus’ life when the Spirit led Him into the wilderness after His baptism. For sure we will experience the same thing. The question is how do you respond when you are in the middle of it? In Jesus’ case He combated the enemy with scripture. This is powerful. The Word of God is powerful!
Jesus was full of the Spirit and overcame the enemy! Listening to the Holy Spirit and following His leading will bring VICTORY. You might say, “Pastor Kris, it’s too hard!” “I don’t like what I am going through!” Well neither do I at times, but that is not the time to give up. That is the time to press into the Holy Spirit and He will give you what you need to overcome. Without a hardship you will never experience a victory!
4. Empowers.
Following Jesus’ victory over temptation, Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the same Spirit.
Luke 4:14 NKJV
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to fulfill His ministry. He was now the Spirit-anointed Messiah. Jesus travels to the synagogues and when he comes to the synagogue in Nazareth He was handed the book of Isaiah and reads:
Luke 4:18 – 19 NKJV
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD. (see also Isaiah 61:1 – 2)
Being anointed by the Holy Spirit breaks the yoke of bondage. I have experienced first hand the anointing of God when I speak and I sense the Holy Spirit speaking through me. The words He brings cuts through the flesh right to the spirit of the listener.
I have also experienced when I have walked in my own strength. Walking in the Spirit, and His anointing makes ministry easy. Walking in my own abilities and power makes for one rough service.
The Holy Spirit is just that; Holy. Holy means: sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, separated, properly revered, worthy of veneration, Godlikeness, God’s innermost nature, set apart for God, reserved for God and His service. Since nothing that is polluted could be holy, purity becomes a big part of holiness. A holy God calls for a holy people (Holy, hagios (hag-ee-oss) Strong’s #40).
We have to understand that the Holy Spirit abides in us. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost.
1 Cor. 6:19 – 20 Amplified Bible
Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
Keep your temple clean and honor the Holy Spirit in all you do and say. You will have such an anointing on your life that will break bondages, empower you for Gods work, and bring favor in your life. Don’t abuse or take for granted what Jesus did on the cross for you.
Anything that Jesus did was lead and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
5. Joy.
The Holy Spirit spreads joy, both to Jesus, the disciples, and the new community.
Luke 10:17 NKJV
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your hame.”Luke 10:21 NKJV
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
The Spirit was moving in Jesus and the disciples and He gave them joy for the ministry. They rejoiced often seeing the work of the Lord being accomplished.
Luke 24:49 – 53 NKJV
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen
All this said, as we looked at many scriptures last week from the book of John, he speaks of the Holy Spirit as “Comforter” or “Helper.”
John 14:16 Amplified Bible
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—John 14:26 Amplified Bible
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
We need to understand that the Holy Spirit is our comforter, literally “one called alongside.” He is “another Helper,” namely, one of the same kind as Jesus, and thereby extending the ministry of Jesus to the end of this age.
The Holy Spirit is not necessarily for only predicaments we get ourselves into, but much more because He is there in every facet of life to help and comfort, and strengthen and guides us.
The Father sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus left the earth. The Holy Spirit never draws attention to Himself, nor does He speak in His own authority. Instead, His mission is to glorify Jesus and to declare Christ’s teachings.
John 16:13 – 15 NKJV
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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Spirit is with us today! He is available for all to receive as the Promised Gift that Jesus talked about when He left this earth. Are you hungry to receive the Holy Spirit’s infilling? We will look at that next!
Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Kris Belfils
http://www.KrisBelfils.com
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20 Things The Blood Of Jesus Does For Us!
We were born into a sinful world. Everyone of us. This world is corrupt, evil, fleshly, and worldly! Those terms all describe someone without God. This is you and I and what we were born into. The world will dive deeper and deeper into its own evil desires. It is human nature did you know that? Human nature is to look out for ourselves and to do what feels good to our flesh. Human nature doesn’t care about others as much as it cares for itself. All murder, rape, robbery, embezzlements come from our selfish human nature, not to mention the devil has his hand in all of that too. All unforgiveness, bitterness, grumbling and complaining, gossiping, and so much more stem from a fallen world. When God created it in the beginning, none of this was present until Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate from the fruit of good and evil. God knew it would happen and had a plan.
Jesus was crucified and paid the ultimate price for you and for me. His blood was shed on the cross for our salvation, but there is so much more that the blood of Jesus does for us. The blood of Jesus is powerful. Isn’t it any wonder that people try to get Jesus out of schools, politics, government, any institution and more. Truth can offend, and Jesus’ name offends many. But, if you embrace what He did for you and believe and receive it for your own life, it doesn’t offend, but saves you from God’s wrath and eternity in hell.
In this discussion we will look at twenty things the blood of Jesus does for us. This is powerful! I believe it will make you want to worship Jesus more and set you free from any evil that is trying to control you.
1. It remits sins.
The word remit means: to transmit or send (money, a check, etc.) to a person or place, usually in payment, to refrain from inflicting or enforcing, as a punishment, sentence, etc., to refrain from exacting, as a payment or service, to pardon or forgive (a sin, offense, etc.), to slacken; abate; relax: to remit watchfulness (Dictionary.com)
Matthew 26:28 Amp
For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus paid the price for our sins. His blood was shed. His blood had to be shed or there would be no remittence, or payment, or pardon for all the wrong the world has done. This is a done deal. Christ’s blood was spilt, therefore we have forgiveness if we receive this payment. We can refuse this powerful gift and not accept it. To me this would be crazy. It all comes down to believing. We either believe it happened or it didn’t. Your choice. But the prices was paid nevertheless and is available to all people.
2. It gives life to those who consume it.
John 6:53 Amp
And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood].
Whosoever by faith trusts in the death of Christ and spiritually partakes of the body and blood of Christ. So does he also who eats in loving remembrance of him the emblems that represent his body and blood. We take communion on a regular basis to remember what Christ did for us. We need His salvation for our spiritual lives. It is safe to say that If Christ is present, life is present, but when Christ is absent, then death is present.
We taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Jesus Christ, the true Bread, is that to the soul which bread is to the body, nourishing and supporting the spiritual life. Our bodies couldn’t live without food and our souls can not live without Christ. Those who have received this Bread are to be the distributors of it to other hungry souls.
I am sure you have heard the term, “I am hungry for the Lord!” This means that the one saying it wants more of God. They want to receive more of Him in their life. They have spent time in His presence and it brings a craving for more. They have depleted what spiritual nourishment they had and their spiritual bodies need more to maintain and continue.
When we consume, believe, receive Christ’s selfless act on the cross we have His resurrected life in us.
3. It causes us to dwell in Christ and He in us.
John 6:56 Amp
He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him.
Barnes Notes Commentary states: To dwell or abide in him is to remain in the belief of his doctrine, and in the participation of the benefits of his death. Jesus dwells in believers by his Spirit and doctrine. When his Spirit is given them to sanctify them; when his temper, his meekness, his humility, and his love pervade their hearts; when his doctrine is received by them and influences their life, and when they are supported by the consolations of the gospel, it may be said that he abides or dwells in them.
Jameson, Fasset, and Brown state: As our food becomes incorporated with ourselves, so Christ and those who eat His flesh and drink His blood become spiritually one life, though personally distinct.
Christ’s flesh is meat, food indeed; for the soul, partaken of by faith.
4. It is the means by which Jesus purchased the church.
Acts 20:28 NKJV
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Jesus purchased the church by His shed blood. He literally died so the church would be established. This is powerful. I hear people telling me that the church is not something God established but man created it. This is not true. Christ died for the church and you and I are that church. Yahoo God made all things new!
5. It is the means by which Jesus becomes our atonement through faith.
Romans 3:25 Amp
Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.
Jesus was our sacrifice and we receive this sacrifice through faith by His blood. We know in the Old Testament in order for you to be forgiven you had to offer a sacrifice on the altar. Blood had to be spilt. Something had to pay the price for your sin. Now, Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice. His blood was spilt for your sin.
Propitiation means: an atoning sacrifice (Webster’s Dictionary). It is a big word with a simple meaning: Jesus’ blood was shed for our sacrifice.
6. It justifies us and saves us from wrath.
Romans 5:9 NKJV
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.Romans 5:9 Amp
Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
We are justified which means to render just or innocent. We are innocent all because of the blood of Jesus. This means that God’s wrath will not come on us. Is God mad? No, but he is a just God and sin separates us from Him.
God hates sin and unrepentant sin receives His wrath (Romans 1:18-21). Sin is always an act of unbelief in that we choose to trust in ourselves although we have no excuse. God made a way for us to be rescued from His wrath. It is like having to take a test, but the teacher gives you all the answers. God has given us a way out from His wrath and eternal damnation and that is through His Son’s blood. We are justified (innocent) and saved all because of what Jesus did on the cross for you and I.
7. It redeems us.
Eph. 1:7 Amp
In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,
We all need a Savior. We all need forgiveness. Even if you don’t believe it, it is true. We need Someone to redeem us. Redemption means to “ransom in full” (Strongs Hebrew and Greek Definitions). We are delivered from sin and the evil consequences of sin because Jesus went and shed His blood.
1 Peter 1:18 – 19 Amp
You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.
Nothing can purchase, redeem, ransom, us from eternal damnation except for the blood of Jesus! People have denied its power. But it still is strong and mighty to save from generation to generation. Christ blood will never lose its power, ever! No matter what man says, no matter what our circumstances, no matter what we think, Christ’s blood redeems us from all evil. We can stand in that! We can function in that! We are over-comers because of that! Whoot Whoot!
8. It brings those who were far away from God near to Him.
Eph. 2:13 Amp
But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.
In the Old Covenant (Old Testament) common people were not permitted to approach the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. That is where God’s presence dwelt. It was a holy place. Only Priests were allowed to come and offer sacrifices for the people before God. This showed the distance from God to man was far away. But after Christ gave up His last breath, the veil of the curtain into the Holy of holies was ripped in two signifying an ultimate sacrifice was made and all mankind can now approach God through His Son. We are made close to God through the blood of Jesus.
The saints are a people near to God. Salvation is far from the wicked until they believe. Instantly, when we believe and receive what Christ did for us we are brought near to God. We owe Christ everything. We can commune with God daily. We have hope that God will not turn His wrath against us because He sees His Son when we approach His throne, and not our mistakes. Hallelujah!
9. It grants us the forgiveness of sins.
Col. 1:14 Amp
In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.
We are forgiven. Common sense tells us that we have messed up and there is no “un-doing” our mistakes. But the blood of Jesus changes everything. It makes all things new: you and I. We are new. The blood of Jesus redeems us and therefore we are forgiven. It is only grace that we are saved through faith. Not of our works so we won’t and can’t boast about it. Each one of us deserves punishment for the wrong we have done. Yet, Christ’s shed blood represents our ransom paid and we don’t owe for our mistakes. We humble receive this and walk daily in obedience to God and His word. We don’t go back to the way we use to be before His blood and presence came and changed us. We don’t want to! When one has tasted freedom they don’t want to go back to bondage. It is only when we are deceived that we think the bondage is better then our freedom. Be wise to this tool of the enemy. Satan makes the right look wrong and the wrong look right. The more you read the Bible, and stay close to Jesus, the more you will see it as black and white instead of gray.
10. It brings peace and reconciliation to God.
Col. 1:20 Amp
And God purposed that through ([a]by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled [b]back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.Col. 1:20 NKJV
And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Reconcile in the dictionary means: to restore to friendship or harmony. God reconciled mankind to himself, because of the fall, through the bloodshed of His Son’s blood. We are made right with God as born again believers.
Have you ever had a friendship that went sour and there was no peace. When you thought about what happened your peace was gone and all you experienced was torment and anguish? But when you were able to go and ask for forgiveness, or they came and asked for your forgiveness, your peace came back. True reconciliation will bring peace to every heart! This is healthy! Both parties need to give. In this case of Christ’s blood, God gave His Son, and we give our lives back to Him. It is a beautiful picture of reconciliation.
11. It has obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 9:12).
Heb. 9:12 Amp
Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Eternal, no one can take this redemption away from you. It is everlasting redemption. Christ’s blood removes transgressions from the soul eternally. It will continue forever. It is not a temporary deliverance leaving the redeemed in danger of falling into sin and ruin. We can fall away and choose to walk away from God, but His redemption is always available for every soul.
This is called an eternal redemption, because it extends to the saints in all ages; backwards and forwards; it includes eternal life and happiness; and such as are sharers in it shall never perish, but shall be saved with an everlasting salvation (John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible).
12. It cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Heb. 9:14 NKJV
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Cleanse your conscience… That is, purge, purify, or sanctify your conscience. Guilt is the main thing we harbor in our hearts after we have done something wrong. Offerings in the Old Testament gave external purification but never gave peace to a troubled conscience. It couldn’t remove the guilt when one would remember what they did. Guilt makes a us troubled when we think of death and the judgment; it is guilt only which alarms us when we think of a holy God; and it is nothing but guilt that makes the entrance into another world terrible and awful. If we had no guilt we would never dread our Maker, nor would the presence of our God be ever painful to us. If we had no guilt we would not fear to die – for what have the innocent to fear?
Christ’s blood removes our guilt from our conscience
Heb. 9:14 Amp
How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own preexistent divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God?
Dead works? The works of sin are dead works. Duties themselves, performed without faith and love, are dead works; nor can they procure life. Even the works of believers themselves are sometimes performed in a very lifeless manner and can be dead works. Dead works are those things we do to try and be perfect, or to gain approval of man. Dead works is a huge category with much involved. Bottom line is dead works do not please God and will never get you to heaven. But Christ’s blood cleanses us from all of that so we can serve a living God wholeheartedly, and without shame. When we truly grab ahold of our salvation from Christ, we are set free from dead works and we no longer have to strive to be good or right with God. Christ’s blood immediately takes care of all of that. Then, we can’t boast about what we have done, no, all glory goes to Christ and we are humbled and in awe of Christ’s power of His blood!
13. It is the means by which we enter the most holy place with boldness.
Heb. 10:19 Amp
Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus,
The word boldness can also be rendered liberty. We have full liberty to enter into the presence of God, and not only that, we have full liberty to enter into Heaven (The Holiest of holies) by Christ’s bloodshed. Before Christ died and entered into heaven, there was no such access to the throne of grace as man needed. Man had no offering which he could bring that would make him acceptable to God. But now the way was open. Access was free for all, and all might come with the utmost freedom.
This means we can boldly come to the throne of God with our praise and worship and with our petitions. We have access through the open door Christ made. How awesome is that?! We no longer have to go through a priest. Now, personally, we can enter into the presence of God 24/7 and will not be turned away. I love this. Truly I can’t imagine not being able to have this access. It is a beautiful thing. God’s presence changes everything. We get to access His presence when we pray. We get to come into the Holy of holies when we worship together. We get to boldly come to the throne of God with the boldness of Christ’s sufficiency and not our own! What wonderful communion and fellowship we now have all because of Christ’s shed blood.
14. It speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Heb. 12:24 NIV
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Cain killed Abel all because Abel’s sacrifice of the animal was received, but Cain’s sacrifice of the first fruits of the land was not. Why? Blood has to be shed for a true sacrifice in the Old Testament. Christ’s blood is a better sacrifice then Abel’s all the way around. Abel’s was received but he had to perform another sacrifice the next time he sinned. Today, Christ was the ultimate sacrifice and there will be no other. Christ willingly went to the cross where as Cain killed Abel and Abel’s blood was no sacrifice but was murder on Cain’s part.
A better word is that Christ’s blood covers it all; from when He first died, for past generations, present, to future generations, Christ sacrifice is complete and we don’t need another. God ordained this for all of us. We don’t have to wait for another divine sacrifice. Jesus was sacrificed and His blood speaks volumes.
15. It sanctifies us.
Heb. 13:12 NKJV
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Sanctify in the Webster’s Dictionary means: to make (something) holy, to give official acceptance or approval to (something). Jesus’ blood stamps God’s approval on your life. No matter what people think, or even what you think, God approves of you all because of Christ’s sacrifice. This sets us apart from the world. We have Christ’s mark or brand on us and we are His. We are fully loved and accepted by God through the blood of Christ.
16. It makes us complete for every good work.
Heb. 13:20 – 21 NKJV
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
By ourselves we are not complete, we are not perfect. But with Christ we are complete and perfect. I love the cross of Christ. I’ve written songs about the cross and what Jesus has done for me. One of my songs is entitled; “Cross of Grace.” It speaks of seeing all the wrong I have done and scared of what others may think of me. I remember writing the song out of my own struggles. One day God showed me this huge cross, bigger then my house, and said, “You can hide behind that!” The realization of hiding behind Christ’s cross makes people see what Christ did and not my own works. Christ’s blood completed me and changed my mistakes into a beautiful message of brokenness. Christ’s blood makes me complete for anything He has called me to do. If anyone questions me ministering for God I just hide behind Christ’s cross and they can’t question that, ever!
There will be times you will be promoted, not because of your merits, but because of Who you belong too. God’s favor, because of His Son’s blood, goes before us and makes a way where there seem to be noway. People have questioned what I do, but they can’t question what Christ has done in me!!! That is why the criminal in jail, who comes to know Jesus, gets a pardon, or transforms their life for God’s glory and speaks of His goodness. No one can argue with a testimony. What God did in you is truth, and you are complete for every good work He will have you do.
17. It cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
1 John 1:7 Amp
But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
Walking in the light may include the three following things: 1. Leading lives of holiness and purity, being a light in the world. 2. Walking in and embracing the Truth, even when someone opposes you. 3. Enjoying the comforts of your faith which includes the joy it gives.
Christ’s blood cleanses and removes all sin from our life. To any and every sin that we are aware of, there is power in that blood to remove it, and to make us wholly pure. There is no stain made by sin so deep that the blood of Christ cannot take it entirely away from us.
The Bible tells us that God casts all our sins into the depths of the sea, never to be seen again (Micah 7:19). As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). It is not a part of us any longer. It is removed from us. When God sees you He doesn’t see our mistakes, no, He sees His Son and what His Son has done for you. He sees a cleansed vessel who shines for His glory.
18. It bears witness in the earth along with the Spirit and the water.
1 John 5:8 KJV
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
How did water, blood, and spirit bear witness to the fact that “Jesus is the Son of God”? Water was a witness bearer because when Jesus was baptized in water, Jehovah himself expressed His approval of him as His Son. (Matt. 3:17) Jesus’ blood, or life, given as “a corresponding ransom for all,” also showed that Jesus is God’s Son. (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) And the holy spirit testified that Jesus is the Son of God when it descended upon him at his baptism, enabling him to go “through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil.”—John 1:29-34; Acts 10:38.
The blood is a witness along with the Spirit and the water that Jesus was the Son of God and takes away the sins of the world.
19. It is the means by which Jesus washes us.
Rev. 1:5 Amp
And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has [once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood,
How can blood wash away our sins? Christ has removed the pollution of sin from our souls by his blood; that is, his blood has been applied to cleanse us from sin. Blood can be represented as having a cleansing power only as it makes an atonement (Webster: the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ) for sin.
Christ’s blood does wash us white as snow. We are pure and holy all because of what Jesus did for us. When we receive His atonement our sins are washed away! I love this! We no longer have spots or blemishes, or wrinkles, we are pressed and cleaned through the blood of Jesus.
20. It is the means by which we overcome the accuser of the brethren.
Rev. 12:11 Amp
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The word, “They” in this passage represents the church. The blood of Jesus overcomes the devil! The enemy thought he conquered the church by killing Jesus, but he only set Jesus up to be resurrected in power and glory!!! That is why we can say, “By the power of Christ’s blood satan you are defeated. You have no power!” We can apply the blood of Christ with our words over our homes, children, church, finances, relationships, and anything that needs to be overcome from the accuser.
The accuser of the brethren is the devil himself. He will accuse you of your past and that you are not forgiven; which is a lie! Satan will feed you lies in your mind to try and deceive you into thinking there is no power in what Christ did on the cross. Be aware of this. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy. Don’t listen to the accusations either. Overcome the enemy by the power of Christ’s blood. It is finished and complete.
So much we can learn from the blood of Jesus. We will always have power when we stay connected to the power source! There is power in the blood of Jesus!
From one blood bought child of God to another,
Pastor Kris Belfils
http://www.KrisBelfils.com
http://www.HopeFellowshipSpokane.com
http://www.KrisBelfils.WordPress.com
Content written by Pastor Kris Belfils, the list was from:
Helmet of Salvation
Are you a strong person? Do you cringe and fall back under pressure? God wants to strengthen you and help you to be strong. God is strong and His character lives in us so we are strong.
We have been studying the Armor of God and this week we are looking at the “Helmet of Salvation.” Let’s look at what the Bible says about the battle we are in by reading Eph. 6:10 – 18 in the Message Bible.
Eph. 6:10 – 18 Message Bible
“10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
Eph. 6:17a NKJV
“And take the helmet of salvation…”
The Roman soldier helmet was designed obviously to protect the head. It was made of bronze, covered their head with a front piece coming down on the face to protect the eyes and nose. In using this illustration Paul is saying that salvation will protect the believer’s mind.
The helmet covers and protects the head. The helmet talks about your mind. YOUR MIND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN YOUR VICTORY!
The majority of soldiers today, and in the time of Paul, died most often from injuries to the head.
Some Statistics about brain injuries:
▶Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults from ages 1 to 44.
▶Brain injuries are most often caused by motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, or simple falls on the playground, at work or in the home.
▶Every year, approximately 52,000 deaths occur from traumatic brain injury.
▶An estimated 1.5 million head injuries occur every year in the United States emergency rooms.
▶An estimated 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports-related TBIs occur each year.
▶At least 5.3 million Americans, 2% of the U.S. population, currently live with disabilities resulting from TBI.
▶Moderate and severe head injury is associated with a 2.3 and 4.5 times increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
▶Males are about twice as likely as females to experience a TBI.
▶The leading causes of TBI are falls, motor vehicle crashes, ,struck by or against events, and assaults, respectively.
▶Exposures to blasts are a leading cause of TBI among active duty military personnel in war zones.
▶Veterans’ advocates believe that between 10 and 20% of Iraq veterans, or 150,000 and 300,000 service members have some level of TBI.
▶30% of soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been diagnosed as having had a TBI.
These stats are in the natural but we can apply them to our Spiritual life. Because our mind plays an important role in our victory, we have to be aware of what and how we think. We must have our mind renewed by that helmet of salvation to prevent any spiritual brain injury.
Spiritual Brain Injury prevention: Helmet of Salvation
1. Where the mind goes the man will follow.
Whatever you believe is what you are going to live. Whatever you are thinking is what you’re going to live. Know what you believe. Pay attention to what you are thinking. If you don’t learn to think differently, you will never live differently. Our mind needs to be saved. It needs to be renewed and made right with Jesus.
Romans 12:2 Amplified Bible
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
Whatever you put into your mind is inevitably going to come out in your behavior and your beliefs. It weakens you and it weakens your values because you’ve become accustomed to it. When things don’t bother you any more that is a warning light. You’ve already passed the threshold in your mind and are walking in a lie. We have to guard against this.
Proverbs 23:7a NKJV
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Be on guard and protect your mind by controlling your thoughts. Don’t dwell on wrong thoughts. Wrong throughs are worse then bad friends. They lead you astray and you don’t even know it.
Actions will follow what we think. If you start thinking you would like a donut, and keep thinking about it, inevitably you will go and get yourself a donut if you have one in your kitchen. If you don’t have one in your kitchen, you might think of it long and hard enough and you will go to the donut shop or grocery store to get yourself one.
The second leading cause of death in military personal, who have come back from a battle, is committing suicide. In civilian life this is a leading cause of death too. Suicide only happens first in our minds. You start to think how bad your life is or thoughts of despair can flood our minds and lead us down a dark, self-destructing road. But, it starts in our mind first.
Where the mind goes the man will follow. Don’t let your thoughts go down that road of destruction. Find help! Talk to a friend. Talk to a Pastor. Realize the enemy is trying to kill you. Wear your Helmet of Salvation and fill your mind with the Word of God and good thoughts. Find something constructive to do instead of isolating yourself from others. Realize who you are in Christ and get that in your “knower,” your mind, and stand on it. Stop the destructive thought before it grows into something unmanageable.
2. Have the mind of Christ.
If we think right we will live right! How do we think right? By having the mind of Christ.
Phil. 2:5 NKJV
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
He lives in us when we have asked Him in our hearts as Savior.
1 Cor. 2:16 Amplified Bible
“For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”
We have His knowledge, His thoughts, His purposes for our life. There are times I will walk around in my day and say, “I have the mind of Christ in this matter.” “I will respond with the mind of Christ.” Reality is we need His guidance in everything. I believe as we give ourselves to Him, He gives Himself to us. He guides us and gives us wisdom in our everyday life. As we call on Him for direction, He gives it freely to us.
Jesus wasn’t captivated by bad thoughts. He didn’t allow His thoughts to go down a destructive path. Jesus took authority over the devil and the lies the enemy was feeding Him. He didn’t give any place to what the enemy tried to taunt Him with.
Looking at Matthew 4:1 – 11 we can learn a lot about Jesus and His mind as He responded to the devil with each temptation the enemy brought Him too.
Matthew 4:1 NKJV
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
“To be tempted” – The word “tempt,” in the original, means to try, to endeavor, to attempt to do a thing; then, to try the nature of a thing, as metals by fire; then, to test moral qualities by trying them, to see how they will endure; then, to endeavor to draw people away from virtue by suggesting motives to evil.
Matthew 4:2 NKJV
“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”
Jesus was hungry. His body was weak without nourishment and the enemy knew it. Normal human response would be to feel down and depressed, maybe even be agitated. This is when the devil decided to tempt Jesus. He tempted Him with words or thoughts for Jesus to think about.
Matthew 4:3 NKJV
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
The first temptation had to do with how Jesus’ body was feeling. He was hungry. It was Christ’s immediate need. “If you are the Son of God… command the stones to turn into bread.” You can hear the mocking in the enemies voice. “If You are the Son of God.”
Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God. He knew Jesus had power. But that is how someone taunts us or even criticizes us; by questioning our very existence. Not only that, but the enemy knew Jesus was hungry and the temptation was real because it would satisfy Christ’s hunger immediately. But Jesus’ defense move was to quote the Word of God, “It is written…” Jesus didn’t fall for the words the enemy was trying to make Him think. He didn’t listen to the lies that were trying to make Him take action. This is what we should do when we are tempted by the words of the enemy in our minds. Quote the Word of God right back at him.
Matthew 4:5 – 6 NKJV
“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “it is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
The devil came at Jesus with scripture, twisted though it may be, and tried to tempt Jesus. We have to be wise to the words of the enemy. He will take the Word of God and twist it to fit his temptation. Don’t fall for this scheme.
Jesus didn’t allow the enemy’s words to confuse Him. He stood strong, even being extremely hungry and bodily week, and came back at the devil with the Word of God.
Jesus could have fallen for this temptation. He is God and He is also human. His human body and mind could have fallen in their weakness, just like we can get at times. But, this was not the case with Christ. He pressed through the accusations and didn’t give the enemy any ground.
Matthew 4:8 – 11 NKJV
“Again, the devil took Him upon an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
How many of you need angels to come an minister to you when you have been tempted to respond to what you are hearing and possibly thinking? Me too. Jesus didn’t fall for it. He knew Who He was, and knew who the devil was. Jesus knew who He was to worship and it wasn’t the devil. The devil wants to be worshipped. We worship him by falling into temptation. We worship him by listening to his lies. We worship the devil by walking in the flesh.
We need our minds renewed and made right by Jesus, Amen!
3. What you think; you are.
I want to revisit the verse in Proverbs.
Proverbs 23:7a NKJV
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
That’s why we have to think right. We can’t have a defeated mind and a victorious life. We can’t have a dirty mind and a clean life. It doesn’t work that way. If you think defeated thoughts you will have a defeated life because we act on our thoughts. If you think dirty, not pleasing to God thoughts, we will have a dirty, not pleasing to God life because what you think, your actions will follow.
If we start thinking victoriously, then our mind and our life is going to line up. When we start thinking clean thoughts, a clean life will follow.
We have to have this helmet of salvation. We need the Lord to protect our minds in this crazy world where so much is accessible, where so much tries to penetrate our minds. We need that helmet of salvation to protect our minds minute by minute of each day.
Not only what we think, but the thoughts of those we hang around with can influence our actions. Their beliefs, views, and thoughts can become ours if we are not careful. That is why it is so important to hang around godly people who have the mind of Christ. If you are easily influenced, don’t even think you can hang around non-believers and not be influenced by them.
Wrong voices lead to wrong choices. The wrong crowd, wrong people, leads to wrong information and you will soak in what they are pouring out.
Pastor Kris Belfils
What have you been thinking lately? Think about what you are thinking about.
It is time we take inventory of our thought life. What are you spending your time thinking about? Are your thoughts doom and gloom? If a negative thought comes in your mind do you dwell on it and give it a place to live? We are to think and dwell on good things.
Phil. 4:8 NKJV
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”
Meditate: “To reflect on: ponder, to plan or intend in the mind… to engage in contemplation, to care for, practice, attend to. (Webster and Vines Expository Dictionary).
The Bible presents a lot of detailed instruction on what kinds of things we are to think and meditate on. You can see from these various Scriptures that we are instructed to think on good things, things that will build us up and not tear us down.
Our thoughts certainly affect our attitudes and moods. Everything the Lord tells us is for our own good. He knows what will make us happy and what will make us miserable.
When a person is full of wrong thoughts he is miserable; when someone is miserable, he usually ends up making others miserable also.
You should take inventory of your thoughts on a regular basis and ask yourself, “What have I been thinking about?” Spend some time examining your thought life.
Thinking about what you’re thinking about is very valuable because Satan usually deceives people into thinking that the source of their misery or trouble is something other than what it really is. He wants them to think they are unhappy due to what is going on around them (their circumstances), but the misery is actually due to what is going on inside of them (their thoughts). The misery is usually his doing and our believing it.
You can try to ignore what is going on inside of you for so long and then it will either destroy you or push you to change.
Pastor Kris Belfils
Putting the helmet of Salvation on daily is our fail safe plan for success and victory! Decide now that you will think good thoughts about yourself, your life, and your future. Don’t be distracted by hanging around the wrong people who are saying the wrong things.
Be encouraged by the Word of God and thinking about all the good in your life. When the enemy attacks you will already be wearing your helmet of salvation, and having the mind of Christ which will protect your thoughts that affect your mind. Prevent Spiritual Brain Injury in advance then you are setting yourself up for success and victory. Amen!
Wear your helmet well,
Pastor Kris Belfils
Grow In Christ
If I were to ask you what God’s perfect will is for your life, what would be your answer? Monks have lived solitary lives to find out this answer. Theologians have searched and searched to find this answer. Have you ever wondered what God’s perfect will is for your life? I’m here to give you that answer! It is not complex or unattainable, but very simple. God’s perfect will for your life is that He wants you to grow in Him. He wants you to be a flourishing plant that gives off much fruit and fragrance.
2Pe 3:18 (ASV)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
The word “grow” is also translated: “enlarge, increase, become greater” (Dictionary.com) This is what Christ wants for our lives. He wants us to grow, increase, enlarge, and become greater in our love and knowledge for Him. Not for knowledge sake, but to have the tools to become a mature Christian. He also wants to increase and bless us.
Psalm 115:14 – 15 (NKJV)
“May the Lord give you increase more and more. You and your children.”
CEV
“I pray that the LORD will let your family and your descendants always grow strong.”
There are some things we need to know that will help us grow straight and strong. One thing we need to remember is that it is natural to grow and increase. We all do it, even Jesus grew and increased with God and man.
Luke 2:52 (KJV)
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man..”
It is natural to increase…
Karissa, my youngest daughter, is growing up to be a lovely young lady and in time will become a beautiful woman of God. She is increasing. If we could take the time to watch a movie of her life we would see her as a baby in diapers and eventually toddling around on all fours. We would see pictures of when she started to walk, with her shoes untied, and hear her learn to talk, and grow into a young child. She would have school pics and vacation pictures showing the many stages through elementary school and through junior high and high school. She might go to college or grad school and find a wonderful job, maybe get married and have a family of her own.
It is natural to grow. It is healthy. It is not something Karissa tries hard to do, it just comes naturally. But….. what if she was still in diapers and toddling around on all fours at the age of fourteen? What if she still had her shoes untied and couldn’t talk like a fourteen year old? We would think something was wrong. We would see she was not growing correctly. It wouldn’t be natural to see Karissa sucking her thumb at the age of 30 or 40 would it? No, we see her increasing and growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor.
Lets look at Luke 2:52 again:
Luke 2:52 (KJV)
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man..”
The word “Increased” is translated in the Greek as: “to drive forward, to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along): – increase, proceed, profit,
So to increase you are moving forward and advancing physically, spiritually, and emotionally in all areas of life. It literally means you are profiting by God’s mighty hand. He is bringing the increase.
Think for a moment at what God has given you. Think of how He has changed you from last year to this year. Think of all the changes you’ve gone through physically at the age you are now. It all came about naturally. You are not the same person you were last year at this time. You are different. If you are a Christian, and are growing in Christ, you will have matured since last year. If not, there is something wrong because it is natural to grow and increase. If not, you need to see what is causing your growth in Christ to be stunted.
1 Thess. 3:12 (Amplified Bible)
“And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,”
This verse is asking the Lord to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another. His kindness will help us grow in the areas we need it.
You might say; “Pastor Kris, how do I grow? How do I increase? How do I know I Am growing?” The Lord is kind and is always watching out for us. His kindness brings growth in our life. You will see clearer and understand things in life better. I always check my growth in Christ with my love level for Him and others. We will also look back and see we don’t think like we use to, or talk like we use to. We believe God will answer our prayers instead of giving up so quickly. If not, God, and His wonderful kindness, will help us to grow and become more like Him.
2 Pe 3:18
“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.”
It is the wonderful kindness and understanding of Jesus that helps us to grow. God knows what we need as individuals to bring about growth. He is constantly watching for weeds that might grow around the plant to make sure they are weeded out.
I like how the author from “A Friend’s Heart” wrote about character and growth: “Character is developed over time. It is an accumulation of choices. It’s like planting a garden. You decide what to put into it. You can plant seeds of patience, peace, love, and joy. You can tend the garden of your heart, uprooting the weeds of envy, anger, and fear. Whatever you cultivate will bear fruit. Whatever you weed out will make room for better things to grow. Character needs to be cultivated not only when the sun shines, but also in the rain. In all seasons, God is there to help you make the choices that build strong character; God is there to give you the strength to do your best no matter what the circumstances.”
“Character and gardens both reflect how much weeding was done in the growing season.”
(A Friend’s Heart,” Nelson Books Copyright © 2006)
In the process of growth we have to be aware of:
1. Growth blockers
a. Comparing yourself to others – Every plant grows at their own pace, that’s what makes it unique. You might think, “I should be further along than I am.” We don’t know the plan for our lives, only God does. Allow yourself to grow at the pace you are growing and not at someone else’s pace. Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy where you are in your growth. God will bring you through to be that wonderful creation He created.
b. Sin –This will stunt your growth and allow weeds (sin) to grow. When weeds grow they take away the nourishment from the soil around the flourishing plant and rob it of life. It literally chokes the life out of a plant. This is what sin does in our lives. It chokes any growth and dries up any nutrients, and leaves only dried up, brittle pieces that only God can restore.
c. Hanging around the wrong people – They will cause weeds to grow. The wrong people will influence you and stop you from growing. They will distract you from what God has called you to do. They will take away your destiny and stunt your growth. Hanging around with the wrong people, ungodly people, will change you to be more like them. If you want to be more like Jesus, you have to be strong in the people you choose to be close to you. You might think, “I can be a good influence on them!” But, if you are weak in character, and worried about what others think of you, you will be influenced by them instead. Be strong and cut off wrong relationships.
2. Keep Your Soil Healthy:
a. Forgiving others quickly – Unforgiveness will block growth! The more you think about what others have done to you, the more it grows in you like a weed. If you want to grow, you must forgive others.
b. Give Love often – Eph 4:15 (KJV) “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Learn to love people right where they are in their growth. Love always builds people up, it never tears down. Anger always tears down and nothing good comes from being angry. It only puts people in bondage, including yourself.
c. Be teachable – Remember that you don’t know everything, nor have you experienced everything. If you think and act like you know everything people will think you are arrogant and not want to be around you. Being teachable will allow you to learn and experience more in life. Being teachable will open the door for more. More of God’s favor! More opportunities! More open doors.
3. Allow growth to happen
a. Let go of the past and reach for the future – Holding onto our past never brings growth, only torment. Your past is just that; “past!” Your past does not dictate your future. Allow God to heal your past and prepare you for your future, all at the same time during the present.
b. Let God pull the weeds out – Weeds are gathered and burned and that is what happens to the sin in our lives when we ask forgiveness. Christ’s blood takes it all away. It can be a painful process, but well worth it as time goes by. Getting rid of the “junk” in our life will make room for new growth. Too much clutter will prevent growth. If God is pricking your heart to get rid of some “garbage” you have been holding onto like sin, un-forgiveness, past regrets, shame, pain and hurt from people, allow Him to rake all the weeds out to clear up the good soil for new growth! It is well worth any pain the process might bring.
4. Feed your spiritual body
We need to take care of ourselves.
a. Power Bars/Protein drinks – Body builders want to increase their muscle strength and growth. Muscles are made of protein and they need extra protein to grow bigger. A spiritual protein drink is spending time in prayer and Bible study. This will increase your spiritual muscle strength.
b. Eat right – Watch what you put into your spiritual body. Watch what you listen to, what you watch on TV, what you hear in conversations, and anything that will go into your body. Remember “Garbage in – Garbage out!” It is the same spiritually.
c. Get plenty of rest – Spend time resting in the Lord. Spend time fellowshipping with other Christians. Don’t get caught up in perfectionism, just relax and be. “Be still and know that I am God…” Be yourself and enjoy who you are. God did not create junk when He created you. He created potential and you have value.
d. Exercise often – Spend time worshipping the Lord. Listen to Praise and Worship music on a regular basis. The words will penetrate your spirit and you will benefit from it greatly. This allows your mind to focus on God and Who He is, and not your problems.
How to bear fruit
2 Peter gives us insight into what we are to add to our faith to bring fruitfulness from our growth.
2 Peter 1:5 – 8 (NKJV)
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Add to Faith:
- Virtue
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly kindness
- Love
It is not enough to just have faith to grow in Christ. Virtue means: “Moral excellence; goodness; righteousness” (Dictionary.com) and a Synonym is integrity. To produce good fruit in your life, be a person of virtue and add to virtue “knowledge” of Who God is and what His word says. Follow it. Obey it. Ask God for wisdom to live your life right and to make good choices in all that you do. Add to knowledge; Self-control. We can have all the wisdom and virtue but if we lack self-control, it is all for nothing. Being able to control your desires and what you say or feel is important. Overindulging in anything is not good. We have to have self-control in what we eat, drink, how we talk to others, what we buy and how we spend our money. If we don’t, we will end up being morbidly obese, a drunkard, a person with no friends because of freely talking smack to others, and being in great debt with no money to pay our bills. Self-control takes discipline. It is dying to our flesh and walking in the Spirit of God. Add to self-control; perseverance. If we can’t persevere in life, we will never experience the reward of endurance. We will bolt at any that looks hard or uncomfortable. We need to add to perseverance; godliness. Some synonyms of godliness is “Holy, righteous, good” (Dictionary.com) Seriously, just focus on being like Jesus. We are all imperfect people. But striving to me more like Christ is the best role model and example there is. Don’t be a hypocrite and act godly but in your heart, and when you are by yourself, you do what you please. Pursue good things. To godliness add; brotherly kindness. It is easy to pursue being good and lack in kindness to others. God loved the world (people) so much that He gave His only Son to save the world (John 3:16). If God put people as a high priority, we should too. Be kind to others, even when they are being mean to you. God sees your heart and their heart all at the same time. Kindness goes a long way over being mean and harsh with people. Stay at peace with people and show kindness. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and add to kindness; love. This is what the world will know us by; love. They will know we are Christians by our love. Loving people will give you a more peace-filled life. You will not be in strife. Allow the love God has loved you with to pour out and love others. You will grow and be fruitful if you add all these wonderful character traits to you life.
Let us be a people who take care of ourselves, who show love towards one another, and strive to live a godly life. Allow yourself to grow in Christ. Let him mature your character, even if it is painful.
This is God’s perfect will for your life; To Grow In Christ!
From one growing plant to another,
Pastor Kris Belfils
Pastor Kris Belfils 