WHEN TROUBLE SHOWS UP

WHEN TROUBLE SHOWS UP

  

John 14:1King James Version (KJV)

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

When trouble shows up, be patient. Don’t go to your natural way of thinking. Go to the Lord and let him walk with you through the trouble.

In every situation in life there is always a promise and a provision for it in Gods word.

John 14:13-14King James Version (KJV)

¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

The very reason people don’t receive is they don’t ask. When they do ask, a lot of the time it is not in line with Gods Word.

Matthew 6:33King James Version (KJV)

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Believe in your heart that you are the righteousness of God. Confess with your mouth. Then you have the right to what to the thing you have asked for and what you say.

A lot of people don’t what to grow and develop in the word, but they want the blessing of the word.

We are to love God with all our heart and soul leaning on Him. Especially when we are in trouble and need Him, we should be leaning in closer to him.

God still hears our prayers and still answers prayers.

We need to have assurance in God that if we ask anything according to his will (which is his word) He will hear us.

Start seeing your self as God sees you. You will be amazed at how much different you will see yourself.

If you are a born again believer, then you are a child and heir in the Kingdom of God. You are not of this world: you are just passing through on your way to heaven.

The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. Gods grace is sufficient to handle all of your troubles.

If your trouble is depression, let God comfort you.

John 14:6King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

God is the way; he will walk you through what ever it takes to provide for you.

His word is the truth; you can be assured God is always on your side.

Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you. He said I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

We have a loving and compassionate heavenly Father, who gives us comfort in our time of need.

He comforts us in all our suffering and tribulation. He does this so when other people suffer we are able to comfort them as he comforted us.

Let not your heart be troubled, it will only lead you to thinking in the natural. Wrong thinking leads to wrong living

Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken your spirit, that you can rise above the natural and ask him to take you to Gods supernatural realm of thinking.

All of the answers for the problems of this world can be answered by leaning on God and his Word.

Stay in the word.

brother Andy.

The Evidence of Faith

The Evidence of Faith

Hebrews 11:6   ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We know from this what pleases God, but what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith in God’s word, creates a substance in you that is hoped for. This substance in you is a real thing. That is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us.

Even if we cannot see it up ahead, faith is the full assurance of Gods holy word. Faith is real, faith creates substance created by faith.

In other words, it is conformation or the proof of things we do not see.

We can’t see the air we breathe but your breathing is conformation or proof that it is there. It is confidence in Gods word that He will do all that He says He will.

Faith will sanctify you, faith will make you whole.

2 Corinthians 5:7    ⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Let’s say a friend called me and said, “I have a car I want to sell you”. “it looks good, runs good and is a good deal.”

I have not seen the car, even though I have not seen it I have confidence in my friend’s word. That is faith.

I have confidence that he would not lie to me.

Hebrews 10:38   ³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

If you are born again you are the Just that this verse is talking about. Faith is the word of God, you cannot separate faith and the word.

Faith is not based on your feelings, it is based on the inspired word of God. Your feelings are not going to move God, you can fall down, kick and squall, it will not move God.

The only things that will move God is faith in his word, obedience to his word and praying in confidence.

It is impossible to claim faith by a blessing that we are not certain that God offers. If you don’t know Gods will, you don’t have any basis for faith to work on.

Faith is expecting God to do what we know it is his will to do.

How do you know faith works? You can’t see faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7   ⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

You know faith works because God word says it does.

You will never have faith in God or his word until you make up your mind to trust him. You need to build a relationship with him. He wants to fellowship with you.

God never changes, his word never changes. Real faith says, if Gods word says it then it is true.

God’s word says it is mine, then it is mine. I have it now. If it is not now it is not faith.

I have it now even though I can’t see it.

I have it now because God cannot lie.

God has told us without faith it is impossible to please Him.

God has provided the way where everyone can have faith.

Real faith is built on and grows out of the word of God.

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy.

SPEAKING THE POWER OF PRAYER

SPEAKING THE POWER OF PRAYER

Words are the most powerful thing in the universe, especially when you are praying.

When God created heaven and earth, he did it by speaking it into existence with words.

It worked by using the spoken word or because of words.

When we pray, God always hears our prayers. Does God always answer prayers? I pray he does.

If you said no to that, we are going to have some exciting word today on this very subject.

John 16: 23-24   ²³ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

²⁴ Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

What day was He talking about? The day he ascends and is seated at the right hand of the father.

Jesus said to ask the Father in His name. there is not any other way. This gives glory to God the Father.

However, we are to tell Jesus how much we love Him and appreciate Him. But when it comes to praying and asking we must ask the Father, through the Lord Jesus, or in his name.

We as believers have the name of Jesus to access everything in Heaven and on earth that God has made available for us.

Ephesians 3:14-16   ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

It is not so important to what church you belong. But it is important to whose family you belong.

People know about praying to God, but they know nothing of praying to the Father. Many don’t sound as if they really know Him.

He is God to the world, but heavenly father to the believer. There is real joy in knowing that the father will answer our prayers.

John 16:24   ²⁴ Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Have you asked nothing in my name? That is a question.

Ask and ye shall receive that your Joy may be full.

Nehemiah 8:10   ¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Joy has to be maintained even before the manifestation comes, (before you receive what you ask for.)

Ephesians 5:20   ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Paul is telling us that it is to the father and not to Jesus that we give thanks. The name of Jesus is the access to the heart of the Father.

Using the name of Jesus at the end of your prayer is the same as giving an attorney authority to use your name, it is called a power of attorney. That is what the name of Jesus does for us.

We have the name of Jesus to unlock the power over the devil, sickness and disease as well as poverty. We use it over our household and our children.

If a person was going to his car to unlock the door, he would say that he unlocked the door. But he really didn’t the key actually did the unlocking.

The key does the work. The key starts the ignition, the key is the whole power in the actions taken.

The point I am making is the name of Jesus is the key to the possible. Nothing is impossible in the name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus belongs to you the believer. You must use it according to the word.

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy.

THE EVIL SPIRITS OF MAMMON

THE EVIL SPIRITS OF MAMMON

Luke 16: 10   ¹⁰ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Jesus is absolutely talking about money, Jesus is saying, how you handle yourself with money is how you will handle everything else.

We are to be wise with the financial opportunities we have, heavens riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. If we are not trustworthy with our money here, we will be unfit to handle the vast riches in Gods kingdom.

Luke 16:13   ¹³ No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Money has the power to take Gods place in your life, it can become your master. So, how can you tell if you are a slave to money? Do you think and worry about it a lot, is it hard for you to give money away, do you tithe what belongs to God?

Money is a hard master and a deceptive one. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Great fortunes can be made and lost overnight.

No amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life. So then how much better it is to let God be your master.

Money is the least of life. Money by itself has no influence, money is not a problem, it can be a blessing to your life. It is all about the choice you make. But to some, something about life changes when money shows up.

When life changes because of money, it becomes worldly. Then money becomes a problem. So, what classifies the things as worldly and what is worldly based on?

1 John 2:15-16   ¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes (or choices).

Lust for physical pleasure, lust for everything we see, bowing to the god of materialism (Satan). This is called mammon, the evil spirit that wants to control your entire life, and deceive you into thinking that you don’t need God.

Satan is worldly, mammon is worldly and they are the three spirits; greed, lust of the flesh and pride of life. This is the spirit of the world system.

None of the three spirits submit to God. They are anti-god. Lust of the flesh is a sinful habit of the devil; pride of life goes right before destruction, also it is arrogant and wicked; greed another spirit of the world simply doesn’t care.

It is impossible to serve the God of heaven and the god of this world. The spirit of mammon will even get you to lie. As the word says you will love one and hate the other.

Mammon wants to stop Gods manifestation from working on earth. This evil spirit has even got over into the church.           You might ask how? Tithes and offerings. The church is hurting for money to pay their bills, and people are stealing Gods tithes every week.

Malachi 3: 8-10   ⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

⁹ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Everything we have is from God, so when we refuse to return to him a part of what he has given, we rob him.

God will remember those whom remain faithful to him and those who love, honor and respect Him. This fulfils the promise he made in the covenant to His people.

The spirit of mammon seeks to steal from God. The spirit of God sows and reaps. Totally opposite.

Do you really believe that money is the American dream and you don’t need God? That is called the spirit of mammon and is indirect opposition to Gods will.

The American dream is the blessed hope that we have in Christ Jesus and his finished work at the cross which has already been done.

1 Timothy 6:10   ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Like I said previously, money is not evil. It is the coveting of money and the purpose in how you use it. If it was evil, God wouldn’t want you to give at church.

1 timothy 6:17   ¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Stop chasing world riches, but trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Matthew 6:33   ³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

You can’t go wrong seeking God first…

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy

SPIRIT OF FEAR

SPIRIT OF FEAR

2 Timothy 1:7   ⁷      for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

These three characteristics mentioned here; power, love and sound mind, (self-discipline) are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

The evil spirit of fear will cancel out your faith. Fear and faith are like hot and cold, belief and unbelief. The grip of fear is like being chained down. Only our faith in God can break the chains of fear.

Luke 12:32   ³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jesus is saying don’t be afraid, for it gives your Father great pleasure (or happiness) to give you the kingdom.

Making the Kingdom of God your primary concern means making Jesus the Lord and King of your life. He must control every area: your work, your plans, relationship is the kingdom of many concerns central to all you do.

As the Lord and Creator, he wants to help provide what you need, as well as guide you how to use what he has already provided.

Jesus says I have not given you the evil spirit of fear, this is a direct evil, seducing, controlling spirit of Satan himself. He is using fear to cancel out the faith you have through the word of God.

Romans 8:5-7   ⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

You can see here that the bible divides people into two categories: those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful nature and those who follow after the Holy Spirit.

All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue to follow him as born-again Christians.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to walk our Christian life, he helps us to control our sinful nature, rather than being controlled by sin.

Jesus lives within us, even though our bodies will die, our spirit will live on with the Lord. Our choice to accept Jesus as Lord has made us right with God.

This spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. He will give you the same life to your mortal body. That same spirit Jesus had lives within you.

Take authority over the spirit of fear and trust God regardless of how you feel. Keep faith in the Lord, he will not leave you or forsake you.

Now let us talk on the sound mind. A sound mind is a person’s way of thinking; guided by the Holy Spirit, not being led or dictated to by your natural mind.

Since your soul is made up of your mind, your will, and your emotions; spiritual guidance from God must be the center of our thinking.

Luke 12:29-32     ²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Don’t have a doubting mind. When God says he will do something, he will. Why? One reason is God can’t lie. Another is His word to us is a covenant that He will not break.

A sound mind is a worry-free mind. It can’t fill any of our needs, God loves us and knows our needs, he even promises to meet all our needs. 

Philippians 4:19      ¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

A sound mind must be a disciplined mind. Start by letting the word of God be the final authority. Not what you are thinking in the natural or what everyone else thinks. Let the Spirit of God give you the discerning of what is correct.

Daily we must consciously choose to center our life on God, he gives us guidelines in his Word for every situation. The Holy Spirit will point out what is right.

 We have talked about the spirit of fear (which is straight from the devil) and the sound mind. Now let us talk about Gods love, which conquers all fear.

Ephesians 5:2   ² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

We are to live a life filled with love for others. Following the example of Christ Jesus who loved us so much that he gave himself as a sacrifice to take away all of our sins.

He did this and God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like a sweet perfume to Him.

Romans 8:37-39   ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms and sometimes it has caused them to fear thinking that they have been abandon by the Lord.

But the word exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ Jesus. Nothing can separate us from his presence. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in Him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.

We are super conquerors through Christ Jesus, and His love will protect us from any evil forces.

John 3:16   ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God loves us so much that he sent his beloved Son that through Him we could receive eternal life. Eternal life is God’s life embodied in Christ Jesus, given to all believers as a guarantee that they will live forever in eternal life, where there is no death.

While we were still sinners God shared His love toward us. Whenever you feel uncertain about Gods love for you remember that he loved you even before you turned to Him.

Now we will talk about the power you got when you made Jesus the Lord of your life.

When Timothy said God did not give us the evil spirit of fear, that fear came from somewhere, it came from Satan

Thanks be to God he gave us power and authority to be an overcomer of this spirit called Satan.

Ephesians 6: 10-11   ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Be strong in the Lord. Put on the whole armor of God, so we can stand against this spirit of fear; Satan the devil.

If Satan can keep you in fear, it will cast down your faith, and in your faith, is where your power is.

Ephesians 6:12   ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

For we fight not against flesh and blood, we are talking about spirit. Satan is a spirit, God is spirit. This is not a natural battle in the flesh.

This is why we can’t fight a spiritual battle with natural weapons. We are kept by the power of God through faith. Fear will put doubt in our minds, and doubt in God will cause you to lose your supernatural battle.

Proverbs 18:21   ²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Your God given power and authority over the enemy (who is the devil) totally relies on your faith; The strength of your faith and the power in the words that you say.

If you say I am sick, Satan will be happy to oblige you with sickness. If you confess you are well and made whole, God can sustain your health.

First, he puts a thought in your mind and you let this thought dominate your thinking, it goes down into your heart and you speak it out of the abundance of your heart. Your word can manifest either good things or bad things…

Either way God and Satan are both willing to use your words, the choice is yours… choose Gods way.

Matthew 12:34   ³⁴ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Stay in the word. Learn about your power and authority through Christ Jesus. 

Brother Andy.

Keep on Trying

                                                                         Keep on Trying

I had a very interesting dream. I dreamed my dad had let me drive the family car. We were all going out to eat. It seems I had a terrible time turning the car around, then I drove it into the yard and started telling my father. Dad I just can’t do this, I am no good, I can’t do anything right. Just let me stay home and you guys go ahead without me.

My dad got in the car and drove it back into the driveway and motioned for me to come to him. I did. He said looking all over me, I’m looking for the tag that says where you originated from. Can you tell me where you came from? I thought about it at great lengths. I looked into his loving eyes and said I originated from the Father. He smiled a loving smile and put me in the drivers seat and said, continue on my daughter.

When I awoke I understood, my dad was the Heavenly father, He didn’t want me to feel sad or inadequate. He just wanted me to keep trying… Thank you Father for loving me and watching over me.

Our heavenly Father is watching over us all. He's right there with our every move. Trust in Him and just keep on trying...

Stay in the word.

Sister Gloria

A new home church

With a heavy heart we left our home church when we made our move to Arizona. With a little searching we have found a new home church. We are getting to know the people and volunteering to help. The people at our new home church are amazing. You can feel the love and support they freely offer.

If you have been displaced from your church, don't give up. Keep looking until you find one that feels like home to you.

I am looking forward to the friendships I know will come with time at our new home church.

God has been good to us. He is faithful and longsuffering. If you're having difficulties connecting with a church, ask Him for his help.

Stay in the word.

Sister Gloria.

THE LAW AND THE NEW COVENANT

THE LAW AND THE NEW COVENANT

2 Timothy 2:1   As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah^[a] Jesus.

The Grace that Timothy is speaking of is a special favor through what Jesus did at Calvary for believers

That’s what it means when it speaks of hope in glory through Christ Jesus.

Under the Law, before the cross, if you did good, you were blessed; if you did wrong, you were cursed.

Deuteronomy 28:15   ¹⁵ “But if you don’t obey the Lord your God and faithfully carry out all his commands and statutes that I’m giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you and overwhelm you:

Deuteronomy 28: 1-2   “Indeed, if you diligently obey^[a] the Lord your God to carry out all his commands that I’m giving you today, then the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. ² Moreover, all these blessings will come upon you in abundance,^[b] if you obey the Lord your God:

Now when you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and savior and make him Lord of your life, it is a whole different covenant. No more curses because Jesus took our curse on himself at the cross.

For this new covenant to work in your life you need to understand when you are reading Gods word, was it written before the cross under the law or was it written after the cross and under grace.

When Jesus walked the earth, the old covenant called the Law was still in force, still valid.

The new covenant did not start in the book of Matthew. The new covenant started when Jesus shed his blood at Calvary, when He said, “it is finished”

So to understand the old covenant and the new covenant you must ask yourself, was this before the cross?

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John was written after the cross but taught about things he did before the cross.

Jesus was born a Jew, taught only to the Jews, the Law he taught was old covenant law until the cross.

Most Christians and people still live under the old Law. They want to be blessed, but don’t understand the requirements of how to receive blessings.

2 Timothy 2:15    Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision.

We must rightfully divide the word of the truth, we must correctly analyze the time the word you are reading; is it pre-cross or post cross.

In the old covenant of law, first you had to obey the commandments, then you received your blessings.

Galatians 3: 10-14   ¹⁰ Certainly all who depend on the actions of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, “A curse on everyone who does not obey everything that is written in the Book of the Law!”^{[a] 11} Now it is obvious that no one is justified in the sight of God by the Law, because “The righteous will live by faith.”^{[b] 12} But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, “The person who keeps the commandments^[c] will have life in them.”^{[d] 13} The Messiah^[e] redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, “A curse on everyone who is hung on a tree!”^{[f] 14} This happened^[g] in order that the blessing promised to^[h] Abraham would come to the gentiles through the Messiah^[i] Jesus, so that we might receive the promised Spirit^[j] through faith.

This is new covenant, we are saved by grace through faith, by Christ Jesus our Lord and savior. Not by our works… Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb, that shed His blood to redeem us.

Curses are done with words. You can’t curse what God has blessed. Jesus took the curse on himself at the cross.

Obedience has its place in our lives, not a requirement to be blessed. God can bless or not bless.

Romans 5:19   ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience many people were made sinners, so also through one man’s obedience many people will be made righteous.

One mans disobedience (Adam) caused all persons born before the cross to be made sinners. So, one man’s obedience (Jesus) has caused us to be made righteous by accepting Him and what he finished at the cross.

Righteousness is a gift from God. We need to respond to what has been done for us.

You became righteous by accepting the one who made you righteous under the new covenant of grace.

You can wrongly divide the Word by wrong thinking. There is so much difference between old covenant teaching and new covenant teaching.

The old covenant under the law is invalid under the covenant of grace. It is like using a credit card that has expired. If you are living under requirements in the Law; It won’t work if you are claiming salvation under the new covenant.

If what you want requires you to do something first in order to get something from God, it’s the pattern of the old covenant.

Matthew 19:16-17   ¹⁶ Just then a man came up to Jesus.^[a] “Teacher,”^[b] he asked, “what good deed should I do to have eternal life?”

¹⁷ Jesus^[c] asked him, “Why ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.^[d] If you want to get into that life, you must keep the commandments.”

Acts 16:30-31   ³⁰ he took them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹ They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved.”

Same question, one requirement under the Law of the old covenant, one under grace of the new covenant.

Before the cross you had to keep the commandments. After the cross you had to believe in Jesus. That is how you rightly divide the truth.

Under the Law, to be forgiven of sins they had to shed the blood of animals for the remission of those sins, even though the animal blood only covered the sin.

At the cross when Jesus was sacrificed by the shedding of his blood, His blood blotted out and removed all sin. Our sin is forgiven; past, present and future by accepting Jesus as Lord and savior.

Forgiveness is very important.

Mark ll:25-26   ²⁵ “Whenever you stand up to pray, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”^[q]

Colossians 3:13   ¹³ Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord^[a] has forgiven you, you also should forgive

This is based on the covenant of grace. The order has changed, we are empowered to forgive as an act of love through faith.

Galatians 2:16   ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified by doing what the Law requires,^[a] but rather by the faithfulness of Jesus^[b] the Messiah.^[c] We, too, have believed in the Messiah^[d] Jesus so that we might be justified by the faithfulness of^[e] the Messiah^[f] and not by doing what the Law requires, for no human being^[g] will be justified by doing what the Law requires.

We are declared righteous, not by the law, we are not justified by the works of the Law, only by the faith of Jesus Christ. No one, by the works of the flesh is justified.

Being justified is as if you had never sinned. Not by self-effort, saved means born again only.

Stop taking things out of context. Learn the truth about dividing the word rightfully. Most people, yes even believers, believe they are saved, but believe they have to work for everything else. Instead be a partaker of everything Jesus made available for you at the cross.

When Jesus said it is finished, He had done everything he needed to do for mankind.

Be blessed, stay in the word.

Bro Andy

Fruit of the Spirit- Goodness… A deeper look

Fruit of the Spirit- Goodness… A deeper look

pt. 6 of 9

At this point in our study on "the fruit of the Spirit", we are     examining those graces which relate especially to how we relate with    our fellow man…

    ​Longsuffering ​is defined as "that quality of self-restraint in the       face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish." in essence, patients. ​Kindness ​is defined as "the sympathetic sweetness of  temper which puts others at their ease, and  avoids causing pain”   And now we come to Goodness  

This particular fruit is perhaps the most difficult to define, because it is so general in nature. We may say things like “he's a good guy/gal” or “we had a good time today” But good in what way? Exactly what does that mean? The context you use it in defines the tense .The problem with its use in Galatians 5, is that there is little in       the context to guide us. 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. * 

Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It's a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. The Greek word translated “goodness,” agathosune, (Uh-gath-o-soon) is defined as "uprightness of heart and life." Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous. 

Someone with agathosune will selflessly act on behalf of others. Confronting someone about a sin in their life demonstrates goodness. So, do giving to the poor, providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up after a disaster, and praying for an enemy. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative...And He ​does ​get creative!!

 Remember, Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. 

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. *

  This certainly includes a life characterized by goodness. In letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness. As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in heaven.  

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. * 

Goodness is the fruit that virtue and the rest of characters combine to produce endearment. It is the character that makes people liked and even lovable by others. It is what is attractive and luring, that catches people's attention and respect. This is the main element that attracts people to you and finds and keeps friends. It builds marriages and shows God's love to others around us. It is virtue in action; it is being a role model and putting into practice excellence in all that we do to God and others. Goodness enables us to be liked and enjoyed, even if an enemy comes against us. 

Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. * 

It is the taste of what is to come, the way we are to be to one another at all times. 

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! *  Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! * 

 This is our expression of worship and gratitude to Christ played out in our lives, so we can enjoy Him and He can enjoy us, and so that life can be more enjoyable for all. 

Why are we to be good? Because God is good to us!! 

Psalm 86:5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 

Psalm 145:4-13 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will 

meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] *   Goodness is the application of love to others, whereas in the opposite of pride is a love... the only love we have and we often use it for only ourselves! 

Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 

Proverbs 29:23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. * Being good will help us be patient, kind, understanding and forgiving to others. It will be the fruit that helps us build each other up, build His Church, reach His community and restore relationships and seek the best in all we do. It is excellence in action! It is what builds great societies and its absence causes those same societies to collapse into the dust!! 

Remember; the fruits and character cost dearly, they are not cheap by and from the One who bought them for us, for our betterment and for His glory. We must not take for granted what Cost Him so much!

 Prayer:

Almighty God, every good thing comes from you. Fill our hearts with love for You, and for others! increase our faith, and by Your constant care protect the good you have given us. Help it to grow and flourish, help us to be the example you gave! AMEN