HE IS RISEN!
...He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen... - Matthew 28:6, NLT
We have a reason to celebrate every day of the year because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power into every single area of your life today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, to pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack, but it looks like it’s impossible. Business is slow. The economy is down. You’ve gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, “I’m not limited by those things. I’ve got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn’t know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you.”
Your part is to keep believing today, knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in every area of your life!
WORSHIP IS WARFARE :
Mark 5:6, "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him."
The word "worshipped" is taken from the Greek word "proskuneo" which means "to prostrate oneself in homage to; do reverence to; adore." The fact that this tormented man ran to Jesus, and not away from Him, indicates that even "demon-possessed" people have a free will and Satan cannot control an individual without his consent.
Many battles have been fought over whether or not a Christian can be demon possessed. The Greek word for "possessed" literally means "to be demonized." The Bible makes no clear distinction between degrees of demon activity (such as oppressed, depressed, possessed, etc.), but simply refers to people as being "demonized." All Christians are fighting against spiritual powers. If we don't put on the whole armor of God, Satan can certainly affect us or even control us.
The best way to administer deliverance is through God's Word. As a person receives the Word, it will set him free and also help guard against this situation when the demon tries to come back in with seven other spirits. In severe cases of being demonized, the individual clearly needs the help of a believer, and that's the reason why Jesus equipped all believers with authority over evil spirits.
Anointed praise and worship will also drive off evil spirits. One thing reserved for God alone is worship, and the devil has always sought that. If he can't be the one to receive worship, then he seeks to turn others away from giving true worship to the most High God. Praise and worship to the Lord is such a powerful tool against Satan. He can't stand to see God worshipped. Worship God today in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks those who will worship Him this way. He's waiting for you.
THE WONDER OF EASTER :
'...Like a lamb to the slaughter...' Isaiah 53:7 NIV
Journalist–missionary Pierre van Paassen tells how prior to World War II, Nazi soldiers arrested an aging rabbi, stripped him naked, and demanded that he preach the sermon he’d prepared for the following Sabbath. With great dignity the old man asked if he could wear his yarmulke and his captors agreed, thinking it added greatly to the joke. Then, while they jeered and prodded him, the elderly rabbi talked about what it means to walk humbly before God.
Phil Yancey writes: ‘When I read of the torture and execution of Jesus, I think of that naked rabbi standing humiliated in a police station. And I can’t fathom the indignity and shame endured by God’s Son…the bullying game of Blind Man’s Bluff in the high priest’s courtyard…the professional thuggery of Pilate’s and Herod’s guards…the catcalls of spectators up the long road to Calvary, and finally the cross itself…I marvel at the self–restraint God showed throughout history, allowing the Genghis Khans, the Hitlers, and the Stalins to have their way. But nothing compares to the self–restraint shown that dark Friday in Jerusalem… Legions of angels awaited His command. One word and the ordeal would end.’
Isaiah said, ‘He was “led like a lamb to the slaughter, and…He did not open his mouth.”’ Jesus could have appealed to His Father, and He would have provided ‘more than 80,000 angels.’ (Matthew 26:53 AMP) Instead He chose to endure the cross and its shame to save you. That’s the wonder of Easter!
NOT JUST FORGIVEN, BUT MADE RIGHTEOUS TOO
2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
At the cross, Jesus did not just take away your sins, but He also gave you His righteousness! A divine exchange took place—your sins for His righteousness. This means that, today, you are as righteous as Christ Himself, not because of your good works, but because of His finished work!
So place your hand over your heart right now and boldly declare:
I, (state your name), AM the righteousness of God in Christ!
Come on, say it out loud at least three times and believe it in your heart. Learn to speak this powerful truth to and over yourself every day. If the enemy tells you, “You’re a bad Christian and that’s why you’re sick,” just declare, “I AM RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST! By His stripes I am healed!”
Beloved, when you meditate on and honor the work of the Son that has made you righteous, you’ll see His healing for every weakness, distress and pain! You’ll see Him usher you into every blessing that belongs to the righteous!
THE SPOTLIGHT
We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:11
I’ll never forget the Easter Sunday in 1993 when Bernhard Langer won the Masters golf tournament. As he stepped off the 18th green to receive the green jacket—one of golf’s most coveted prizes—a reporter said, “This must be the greatest day of your life!” Without missing a beat, Langer replied: “It’s wonderful to win the greatest tournament in the world, but it means more to win on Easter Sunday—to celebrate the resurrection of my Lord and Savior.”
Langer had an opportunity to boast about himself, but instead he turned the spotlight on Jesus Christ. It’s exactly what Paul was talking about when he said, “We also rejoice [boast] in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Rom. 5:11).
It’s easy to look for ways to draw attention to our own accomplishments, making mental lists of things that are “cool” about ourselves. Even Paul admitted that he had a lot to brag about—but he considered all of it “rubbish” for the sake of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). We would do well to follow his example.
So, if you really want something to boast about, boast about Jesus and what He’s done for you. Look for opportunities to turn the spotlight on Him.
Naught have I gotten but what I received,
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase—
I’m only a sinner saved by grace!
You can’t boast in Jesus while you’re preoccupied with yourself.
...He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen... - Matthew 28:6, NLT
We have a reason to celebrate every day of the year because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power into every single area of your life today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, to pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack, but it looks like it’s impossible. Business is slow. The economy is down. You’ve gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, “I’m not limited by those things. I’ve got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn’t know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you.”
Your part is to keep believing today, knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in every area of your life!
WORSHIP IS WARFARE :
Mark 5:6, "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him."
The word "worshipped" is taken from the Greek word "proskuneo" which means "to prostrate oneself in homage to; do reverence to; adore." The fact that this tormented man ran to Jesus, and not away from Him, indicates that even "demon-possessed" people have a free will and Satan cannot control an individual without his consent.
Many battles have been fought over whether or not a Christian can be demon possessed. The Greek word for "possessed" literally means "to be demonized." The Bible makes no clear distinction between degrees of demon activity (such as oppressed, depressed, possessed, etc.), but simply refers to people as being "demonized." All Christians are fighting against spiritual powers. If we don't put on the whole armor of God, Satan can certainly affect us or even control us.
The best way to administer deliverance is through God's Word. As a person receives the Word, it will set him free and also help guard against this situation when the demon tries to come back in with seven other spirits. In severe cases of being demonized, the individual clearly needs the help of a believer, and that's the reason why Jesus equipped all believers with authority over evil spirits.
Anointed praise and worship will also drive off evil spirits. One thing reserved for God alone is worship, and the devil has always sought that. If he can't be the one to receive worship, then he seeks to turn others away from giving true worship to the most High God. Praise and worship to the Lord is such a powerful tool against Satan. He can't stand to see God worshipped. Worship God today in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks those who will worship Him this way. He's waiting for you.
THE WONDER OF EASTER :
'...Like a lamb to the slaughter...' Isaiah 53:7 NIV
Journalist–missionary Pierre van Paassen tells how prior to World War II, Nazi soldiers arrested an aging rabbi, stripped him naked, and demanded that he preach the sermon he’d prepared for the following Sabbath. With great dignity the old man asked if he could wear his yarmulke and his captors agreed, thinking it added greatly to the joke. Then, while they jeered and prodded him, the elderly rabbi talked about what it means to walk humbly before God.
Phil Yancey writes: ‘When I read of the torture and execution of Jesus, I think of that naked rabbi standing humiliated in a police station. And I can’t fathom the indignity and shame endured by God’s Son…the bullying game of Blind Man’s Bluff in the high priest’s courtyard…the professional thuggery of Pilate’s and Herod’s guards…the catcalls of spectators up the long road to Calvary, and finally the cross itself…I marvel at the self–restraint God showed throughout history, allowing the Genghis Khans, the Hitlers, and the Stalins to have their way. But nothing compares to the self–restraint shown that dark Friday in Jerusalem… Legions of angels awaited His command. One word and the ordeal would end.’
Isaiah said, ‘He was “led like a lamb to the slaughter, and…He did not open his mouth.”’ Jesus could have appealed to His Father, and He would have provided ‘more than 80,000 angels.’ (Matthew 26:53 AMP) Instead He chose to endure the cross and its shame to save you. That’s the wonder of Easter!
NOT JUST FORGIVEN, BUT MADE RIGHTEOUS TOO
2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
At the cross, Jesus did not just take away your sins, but He also gave you His righteousness! A divine exchange took place—your sins for His righteousness. This means that, today, you are as righteous as Christ Himself, not because of your good works, but because of His finished work!
So place your hand over your heart right now and boldly declare:
I, (state your name), AM the righteousness of God in Christ!
Come on, say it out loud at least three times and believe it in your heart. Learn to speak this powerful truth to and over yourself every day. If the enemy tells you, “You’re a bad Christian and that’s why you’re sick,” just declare, “I AM RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST! By His stripes I am healed!”
Beloved, when you meditate on and honor the work of the Son that has made you righteous, you’ll see His healing for every weakness, distress and pain! You’ll see Him usher you into every blessing that belongs to the righteous!
THE SPOTLIGHT
We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:11
I’ll never forget the Easter Sunday in 1993 when Bernhard Langer won the Masters golf tournament. As he stepped off the 18th green to receive the green jacket—one of golf’s most coveted prizes—a reporter said, “This must be the greatest day of your life!” Without missing a beat, Langer replied: “It’s wonderful to win the greatest tournament in the world, but it means more to win on Easter Sunday—to celebrate the resurrection of my Lord and Savior.”
Langer had an opportunity to boast about himself, but instead he turned the spotlight on Jesus Christ. It’s exactly what Paul was talking about when he said, “We also rejoice [boast] in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Rom. 5:11).
It’s easy to look for ways to draw attention to our own accomplishments, making mental lists of things that are “cool” about ourselves. Even Paul admitted that he had a lot to brag about—but he considered all of it “rubbish” for the sake of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). We would do well to follow his example.
So, if you really want something to boast about, boast about Jesus and what He’s done for you. Look for opportunities to turn the spotlight on Him.
Naught have I gotten but what I received,
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase—
I’m only a sinner saved by grace!
You can’t boast in Jesus while you’re preoccupied with yourself.
HE WON!
'...He made a public spectacle of them...' Colossians 2:15 NIV
The cross is universally recognized as symbolizing the Christian faith. We’ve all seen jewellery stores selling gold crosses…and bakers celebrating Easter with hot cross buns.
One author says: ‘Christianity has become a religion of the cross—the gallows, the electric chair, the gas chamber, in modern terms. Normally we think of someone who dies a criminal’s death as a failure. Yet Paul would later reflect that “Christ…forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code…that was against us… He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” On one level I think of individuals in our own time who disarmed the powers. Racist sheriffs who imprisoned Martin Luther King Jr… the Soviets who deported Solzhenitsyn… the authorities who imprisoned Nelson Mandela… all thought they were solving a problem. Instead they ended up unmasking their own violence and injustice… When Jesus died, even a gruff Roman soldier was moved to exclaim, “…Surely He was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54 NIV) He saw the contrast between his brutish colleagues and their victim Who forgave them in His dying gasp. The pale figure nailed to a crossbeam revealed the ruling powers as false gods who broke their own lofty promises of piety and justice.
'...He made a public spectacle of them...' Colossians 2:15 NIV
The cross is universally recognized as symbolizing the Christian faith. We’ve all seen jewellery stores selling gold crosses…and bakers celebrating Easter with hot cross buns.
One author says: ‘Christianity has become a religion of the cross—the gallows, the electric chair, the gas chamber, in modern terms. Normally we think of someone who dies a criminal’s death as a failure. Yet Paul would later reflect that “Christ…forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code…that was against us… He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” On one level I think of individuals in our own time who disarmed the powers. Racist sheriffs who imprisoned Martin Luther King Jr… the Soviets who deported Solzhenitsyn… the authorities who imprisoned Nelson Mandela… all thought they were solving a problem. Instead they ended up unmasking their own violence and injustice… When Jesus died, even a gruff Roman soldier was moved to exclaim, “…Surely He was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54 NIV) He saw the contrast between his brutish colleagues and their victim Who forgave them in His dying gasp. The pale figure nailed to a crossbeam revealed the ruling powers as false gods who broke their own lofty promises of piety and justice.
Religion, not irreligion, accused Jesus; the law, not lawlessness, had him executed. By their rigged trials…scourging…and violent opposition to Jesus, the political and religious authorities exposed themselves for what they were… Each assault…laid bare their illegitimacy, yet in the end—He won!’
WITHOUT JESUS WE CANNOT, WITHOUT US HE WILL NOT
JOHN 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
In more than two decades of ministry, I have learned this from the Lord: Without Him, we cannot. Without us, He will not. What this simply means is that we need to recognize the fact that if we do not depend on Jesus, there can be no real, long-lasting and abiding success—without Him, we cannot. Believers who want to experience His success need to recognize this truth and begin to depend on Jesus and Jesus alone.
So what do I mean when I say, “Without us, He will not”? Well, Jesus is a gentleman. He will not force His unmerited favor and success down your throat. He needs you to allow Him to work in your life. He waits patiently for you to trust Him. He waits patiently for you to depend on His unmerited favor.
Beloved, God’s unmerited favor is ever-flowing toward us and Jesus is waiting for us to come to the end of ourselves. He is waiting for you to stop struggling in your own attempts to somehow “deserve” His favor, and just depend on Him. So in the areas that you are still depending on your own efforts to succeed, start resting in Jesus’ unmerited favor and begin experiencing His manifested presence and glory upon everything you touch!
PREACHING LIES http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-1jM
MINISTERING GOD AND HIS GIFTS http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-GZ
ENJOY THE VICTORY http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-Zg
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