Daily Bread
1 Peter 1:2 "According to Father God's foreknowledge in sanctification of Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace be multiplied."
The Greek word 'hagiasmo' means to be made holy. We were made holy by the Spirit because it was through the Holy Spirit that we were born of God. God made us holy through the new birth so that we could agree with Him and be obedient to His ways. God made us holy and this is far better than if he had made us kings. We should delight in holiness and feel fortunate that we are allowed to participate in the ways of the Almighty. He made us holy by giving us a divine nature and filling us with His Holy Spirit. When we were made a new creation we were renewed in righteousness and true holiness after the image of God (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). God wants us to be renewed in the Spirit of our minds. He wants us to think differently about ourselves. The renewed thoughts or the new way that you are supposed to think about what God has done for you through Jesus Christ is that you are a holy man or woman (Ephesians 4:23; Acts 10:15).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/18
Daily Bread
Acts 1:2 "Until the day He was taken up, having given commandments by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen."
Those things which Jesus did He did through complete submission to the Holy Spirit who empowered Him with the divine ability to do the works. Everything that Jesus did and said He attributed to the Father who was doing the work. Jesus came not to do His own will but the will of the Father who had sentHim. He never said anything unless He heard the Father say it. The Father showed Him what works He was supposed to do and He did them in total submission and obedience. The commands that Jesus gave to the disciples hinged upon their being empowered with the same divine power that He had received (Acts 10:38). His commandments to them demanded that they have the same obedience and submission that He had. Before Jesus began His ministry it was necessary for Him to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was therefore essential that those who would represent Him be endued with the same power. The commandments that Jesus gave to His apostles focused on their responsibility to represent Him and to advance the Kingdom of God after His departure. He said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18). "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. You shall go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:18-20). In summation, Luke writes an overview of the commandments that Jesus gave underscoring their need to "wait" until they were empowered with the same divine ability, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:46-49).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Acts 1:2 "Until the day He was taken up, having given commandments by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen."
Those things which Jesus did He did through complete submission to the Holy Spirit who empowered Him with the divine ability to do the works. Everything that Jesus did and said He attributed to the Father who was doing the work. Jesus came not to do His own will but the will of the Father who had sentHim. He never said anything unless He heard the Father say it. The Father showed Him what works He was supposed to do and He did them in total submission and obedience. The commands that Jesus gave to the disciples hinged upon their being empowered with the same divine power that He had received (Acts 10:38). His commandments to them demanded that they have the same obedience and submission that He had. Before Jesus began His ministry it was necessary for Him to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was therefore essential that those who would represent Him be endued with the same power. The commandments that Jesus gave to His apostles focused on their responsibility to represent Him and to advance the Kingdom of God after His departure. He said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18). "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. You shall go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:18-20). In summation, Luke writes an overview of the commandments that Jesus gave underscoring their need to "wait" until they were empowered with the same divine ability, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:46-49).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/17
Daily Bread
Ephesians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the holy ones, which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus;"
Those who have been born of God are called saints in the New Testament 60 times and are only referred to as Christians three times. Therefore, it is more proper to refer to a New Testament child of God as a saint. Many think of this as an earned status but in reality it is part of God's unspeakable gift to us. The Greek adjective 'hagios' may be translated 'sacred, holy or saint.' It is used of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, of angels, and of men who are consecrated to God. Its meaning implies that which is made pure, perfect, worthy of God, and that which is set apart unto the service of God. This word is used 233 times in the New Testament and 831 times in the Septuagint. It first occurs in the Old Testament in Exodus 3:5, when God commanded Moses to remove his shoes because he stood upon holy ground. The Greek word 'hagios' is translated from the Hebrew word 'kodesh.' The first occurrence in the New Testament of 'hagios' is in Matthew 1:18 "and she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." Those who are holy or saints are those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus (Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 2;11; 10:10; 13:12). Holiness or purity is supplied to us through the purification that is in the blood of Jesus. The blood purifies by absorbing all sin and transmitting it into the offering, which in this case is not a goat or calf but the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. Jesus took all sin and bore it in his body and carried it away to Calvary where it was justly put to death. Our sanctification is found in the fact that we were crucified with Christ, we were buried by baptism into His death, we were raised up together with Him, and we are now placed in a position of authority with Him in the Heavens. Our life of sin, the old nature, was crucified with Christ insomuch that Christ is not only our representative but we were also crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed (Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:11-12). As new creatures begotten of the Father being born by the Spirit we are holy and pure (1 Timothy 1;5; 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 1:15; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 3:1; Matthew 5:8).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Ephesians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the holy ones, which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus;"
Those who have been born of God are called saints in the New Testament 60 times and are only referred to as Christians three times. Therefore, it is more proper to refer to a New Testament child of God as a saint. Many think of this as an earned status but in reality it is part of God's unspeakable gift to us. The Greek adjective 'hagios' may be translated 'sacred, holy or saint.' It is used of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, of angels, and of men who are consecrated to God. Its meaning implies that which is made pure, perfect, worthy of God, and that which is set apart unto the service of God. This word is used 233 times in the New Testament and 831 times in the Septuagint. It first occurs in the Old Testament in Exodus 3:5, when God commanded Moses to remove his shoes because he stood upon holy ground. The Greek word 'hagios' is translated from the Hebrew word 'kodesh.' The first occurrence in the New Testament of 'hagios' is in Matthew 1:18 "and she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." Those who are holy or saints are those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus (Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 2;11; 10:10; 13:12). Holiness or purity is supplied to us through the purification that is in the blood of Jesus. The blood purifies by absorbing all sin and transmitting it into the offering, which in this case is not a goat or calf but the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. Jesus took all sin and bore it in his body and carried it away to Calvary where it was justly put to death. Our sanctification is found in the fact that we were crucified with Christ, we were buried by baptism into His death, we were raised up together with Him, and we are now placed in a position of authority with Him in the Heavens. Our life of sin, the old nature, was crucified with Christ insomuch that Christ is not only our representative but we were also crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed (Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:11-12). As new creatures begotten of the Father being born by the Spirit we are holy and pure (1 Timothy 1;5; 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 1:15; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 3:1; Matthew 5:8).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/16
Daily Bread
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we possess redemption through his blood, the release of trespasses according to the riches of his grace."
Have you ever wondered just how forgiven you are? Has forgiveness just excused your debt or has it removed it? When you forgive others is the debt excused or is it totally released and forever canceled? When God forgives you does He restore you to the inheritance and position that you previously had with Him? Are you able to restore others to the position that they had with you before they trespassed against you? The answer to these questions is realized in the meaning of forgiveness! Sometimes the meaning of words such as forgiveness can be confused by misapplication and improper context. However, when we take a moment to remind ourselves of the definition we get a fresh look at the meaning. Forgiveness plays a crucial role in our walk with God because it is the means by which we have been restored to a place of relationship with Him. Forgiveness is also a responsibility that God has placed upon us. If we are unwilling to forgive then we will not be forgiven. However, if we will forgive those who trespass against us our Father in heaven will forgive us 490 times in a day if we need it. The fact is that forgiveness literally means 'release'. The Greek word 'aphesis' comes from the word 'aphiemi' which means 'sent away.' It also translates the Hebrew words 'shalch' and 'deror' in the Septuagint as in Isaiah 61:1 it mean 'sent away' and 'released' respectively. The Greek word 'aphesis' appears 50 times in the Septuagint. It translates the Hebrew word 'Jubile' in Numbers 36:4 and 'release' in Deuteronomy 15:2 which describes God's release of debts at the end of every seven years or the release and complete restoration at the end of every 50 years. Forgiveness completely erases the offense so that there are no future repercussions of the wrongdoing. Forgiveness also restores everything to the offender so that they may enjoy the position that they held prior to the trespass. When we forgive others from our heart then we can never allow ourselves to treat that individual on the basis of their offense. We must look at their debt as paid in full and the relationship totally restored to the place of a perfect friend. This is the kind of forgiveness that our Heavenly Father has provided for us so long as we will provide the same to those who trespass against us.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we possess redemption through his blood, the release of trespasses according to the riches of his grace."
Have you ever wondered just how forgiven you are? Has forgiveness just excused your debt or has it removed it? When you forgive others is the debt excused or is it totally released and forever canceled? When God forgives you does He restore you to the inheritance and position that you previously had with Him? Are you able to restore others to the position that they had with you before they trespassed against you? The answer to these questions is realized in the meaning of forgiveness! Sometimes the meaning of words such as forgiveness can be confused by misapplication and improper context. However, when we take a moment to remind ourselves of the definition we get a fresh look at the meaning. Forgiveness plays a crucial role in our walk with God because it is the means by which we have been restored to a place of relationship with Him. Forgiveness is also a responsibility that God has placed upon us. If we are unwilling to forgive then we will not be forgiven. However, if we will forgive those who trespass against us our Father in heaven will forgive us 490 times in a day if we need it. The fact is that forgiveness literally means 'release'. The Greek word 'aphesis' comes from the word 'aphiemi' which means 'sent away.' It also translates the Hebrew words 'shalch' and 'deror' in the Septuagint as in Isaiah 61:1 it mean 'sent away' and 'released' respectively. The Greek word 'aphesis' appears 50 times in the Septuagint. It translates the Hebrew word 'Jubile' in Numbers 36:4 and 'release' in Deuteronomy 15:2 which describes God's release of debts at the end of every seven years or the release and complete restoration at the end of every 50 years. Forgiveness completely erases the offense so that there are no future repercussions of the wrongdoing. Forgiveness also restores everything to the offender so that they may enjoy the position that they held prior to the trespass. When we forgive others from our heart then we can never allow ourselves to treat that individual on the basis of their offense. We must look at their debt as paid in full and the relationship totally restored to the place of a perfect friend. This is the kind of forgiveness that our Heavenly Father has provided for us so long as we will provide the same to those who trespass against us.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Monday, May 15, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/15
Romans 8:29- Who knowing beforehand and having predestined us to beconformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The calling and purpose for which God has predestined all who will believe is to be in every way just like Jesus (Isaiah 60:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 1:15-16; John 17:22; 1:16). Jesus is the express image of the Father and we were created in Christ Jesus to be conformed to His image (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the pattern Son. He is God's example that is set before us and we are called to live and to overcome even as He did (1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; 4:17; Revelation 3:21). It is the Spirit of the Son that has come into our hearts that imparts the divine power and authority to walk in the image of the only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. God desires absolute conformity. Will you participate? All we must do is yield to the Spirit of Grace who will do the work.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.com
Note: If you would like to start receiving these emails daily in your Inbox, go to http://www.abidingplace.org/. You can start receiving these daily morsels one of 2 ways: either click on "Email the Pastor" and send an email or simply provide your email address at the bottom of the home page in the box where it says, "Join Our Mailing List."
The calling and purpose for which God has predestined all who will believe is to be in every way just like Jesus (Isaiah 60:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 1:15-16; John 17:22; 1:16). Jesus is the express image of the Father and we were created in Christ Jesus to be conformed to His image (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the pattern Son. He is God's example that is set before us and we are called to live and to overcome even as He did (1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; 4:17; Revelation 3:21). It is the Spirit of the Son that has come into our hearts that imparts the divine power and authority to walk in the image of the only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. God desires absolute conformity. Will you participate? All we must do is yield to the Spirit of Grace who will do the work.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.com
Note: If you would like to start receiving these emails daily in your Inbox, go to http://www.abidingplace.org/. You can start receiving these daily morsels one of 2 ways: either click on "Email the Pastor" and send an email or simply provide your email address at the bottom of the home page in the box where it says, "Join Our Mailing List."
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Daily Bread
1 Peter 4:21 - “Which also corresponds now to our salvation; baptism not the putting away of a filthy flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
The Greek word used here for 'corresponds' is 'antitupon' which may be understood to literally mean 'anti-type.' However, its usage in Classical Greek is defined as 'echoing, representing, prototype.' This Greek word is only found here and in Hebrews 9:24, "For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, corresponding to the true, but into heaven..." The Greek word 'tupos' from which the second part of this compound word is derived is found about 16 times in the New Testament. One example of its usage is in Hebrew 8:5, where it may be translated “image or pattern”. The first occurrence of this word in the New Testament is in John 20:25 where it is translated 'print;' “...unless I see in his hands the print of the nails...” The disobedient during the time of Noah were all destroyed through water baptism, whereas, now the anti-type or the anti-pattern of water baptism saves us. Paul causes us to understand that we were buried with Christ by baptism into His death - a miracle event of salvation wherein we are crucified with Christ. The blood of Jesus and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, “puts away the filth of the flesh” not baptism in water. However, Peter equates this anti-type of baptism to the inquiry of a good conscience towards God. In that water baptism is symbolic of resurrection as brought out by Paul in Romans 6:2-6, we are able to discern that Peter is bringing together several types. However, he is definitely denying remission of sins (filth of the flesh) by water baptism.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
1 Peter 4:21 - “Which also corresponds now to our salvation; baptism not the putting away of a filthy flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
The Greek word used here for 'corresponds' is 'antitupon' which may be understood to literally mean 'anti-type.' However, its usage in Classical Greek is defined as 'echoing, representing, prototype.' This Greek word is only found here and in Hebrews 9:24, "For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, corresponding to the true, but into heaven..." The Greek word 'tupos' from which the second part of this compound word is derived is found about 16 times in the New Testament. One example of its usage is in Hebrew 8:5, where it may be translated “image or pattern”. The first occurrence of this word in the New Testament is in John 20:25 where it is translated 'print;' “...unless I see in his hands the print of the nails...” The disobedient during the time of Noah were all destroyed through water baptism, whereas, now the anti-type or the anti-pattern of water baptism saves us. Paul causes us to understand that we were buried with Christ by baptism into His death - a miracle event of salvation wherein we are crucified with Christ. The blood of Jesus and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, “puts away the filth of the flesh” not baptism in water. However, Peter equates this anti-type of baptism to the inquiry of a good conscience towards God. In that water baptism is symbolic of resurrection as brought out by Paul in Romans 6:2-6, we are able to discern that Peter is bringing together several types. However, he is definitely denying remission of sins (filth of the flesh) by water baptism.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Friday, May 12, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/12
Daily Bread
Ephesians 2:3 - “In this we also all conducted ourselves in the desire of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the imagination and were by nature children of wrath even as others.”
Flesh often is communicated in a positive sense as Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered for us in the flesh (John 1; 1 Peter 4:2). Flesh also describes the muscles of the body, meat used for sacrifice or food, human ability, and also the complete man (including the soul and spirit). However, in this case it is used in connection with the nature of sin and the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience. When flesh is used in contrast to the activity of the Holy Spirit it usually has a demonic connotation, such as in Romans 8:2-13 and 5:16-23. Now because of the grace of God that has brought salvation we are no longer in the flesh (Romans 8:9).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Ephesians 2:3 - “In this we also all conducted ourselves in the desire of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the imagination and were by nature children of wrath even as others.”
Flesh often is communicated in a positive sense as Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered for us in the flesh (John 1; 1 Peter 4:2). Flesh also describes the muscles of the body, meat used for sacrifice or food, human ability, and also the complete man (including the soul and spirit). However, in this case it is used in connection with the nature of sin and the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience. When flesh is used in contrast to the activity of the Holy Spirit it usually has a demonic connotation, such as in Romans 8:2-13 and 5:16-23. Now because of the grace of God that has brought salvation we are no longer in the flesh (Romans 8:9).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/11
Daily Bread
Romans 8:3 - “For the Law was powerless in that it was weak through the flesh. God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin condemned sin in the flesh.”
Although the Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh He did not become sinful flesh (John 1:14; 1 Peter 2:22; 4:1-2). The flesh of Jesus Christ was absolutely sinless. He never one time sinned and thus condemned or pronounced sentence against sin being in the flesh. It is important to distinguish between the flesh of human ability and natural limitation and the flesh of sinful flesh. Sinful flesh refers to the depraved and wicked nature, a condition of man because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12-21). It is the same as the spirit of the world that works in the children of disobedience, which is also all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 2:). The sinful flesh is the Old Man, that was put to death by the death of Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:4-6). It is a realm belonging wholly to the god of this world, the prince and power of the air, the realm of the nature of wrath (Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 5:19). Sinful flesh is the state of mankind dominated by the sinful nature or fleshly lust and the works of the devil (1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16; 3:8).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Romans 8:3 - “For the Law was powerless in that it was weak through the flesh. God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin condemned sin in the flesh.”
Although the Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh He did not become sinful flesh (John 1:14; 1 Peter 2:22; 4:1-2). The flesh of Jesus Christ was absolutely sinless. He never one time sinned and thus condemned or pronounced sentence against sin being in the flesh. It is important to distinguish between the flesh of human ability and natural limitation and the flesh of sinful flesh. Sinful flesh refers to the depraved and wicked nature, a condition of man because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12-21). It is the same as the spirit of the world that works in the children of disobedience, which is also all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 2:). The sinful flesh is the Old Man, that was put to death by the death of Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:4-6). It is a realm belonging wholly to the god of this world, the prince and power of the air, the realm of the nature of wrath (Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 5:19). Sinful flesh is the state of mankind dominated by the sinful nature or fleshly lust and the works of the devil (1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16; 3:8).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Daily Bread
1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have towards him that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
Jesus modeled a very simple method for receiving whatever we need from the Father, He simply said ask. There are two Greek words are used for ask in verses 14 through 16, ‘aitein’ and ‘erotan’. John does not use the more common word for prayer, ‘proseuchomai’ in any of his writings. John’s direction to us from the Holy Spirit is to simply ask the Father in faith in the name of Jesus, John 14:13, 26; 15:16; 16:23,26. There is really no difference in these two Greek words but one may make an argument that ‘aitein’ could be understood to mean, ‘ask for oneself’. However, both of these words are used in John 16:24 and 26 with no perceptible difference. It is God’s desire that we represent Him on the earth. Therefore, He has made it very easy for us to receive those things that we need in order to represent Him. Just come to the Father in the simple childlike faith that He has supplied and ask Him for whatever you have need of. For it is indeed His will to supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have towards him that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
Jesus modeled a very simple method for receiving whatever we need from the Father, He simply said ask. There are two Greek words are used for ask in verses 14 through 16, ‘aitein’ and ‘erotan’. John does not use the more common word for prayer, ‘proseuchomai’ in any of his writings. John’s direction to us from the Holy Spirit is to simply ask the Father in faith in the name of Jesus, John 14:13, 26; 15:16; 16:23,26. There is really no difference in these two Greek words but one may make an argument that ‘aitein’ could be understood to mean, ‘ask for oneself’. However, both of these words are used in John 16:24 and 26 with no perceptible difference. It is God’s desire that we represent Him on the earth. Therefore, He has made it very easy for us to receive those things that we need in order to represent Him. Just come to the Father in the simple childlike faith that He has supplied and ask Him for whatever you have need of. For it is indeed His will to supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Daily Bread
1 John 5:15 - And if we know that He hears us then if we ask we know that we possess whatever we requested when we asked it of Him.
John is speaking primarily about the relationship that he observed first hand between Jesus and the Father. When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead John reports that he lifted His eyes towards heaven and said, “I thank you Father that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me” (John 11:41-42). This kind of confidence and faith is ours today if we are willing to enter into this kind of relationship. The joy and wonder of this kind of relationship with the Father will result in our receiving whatever we ask! We will not wonder if Father will answer rather we will know that we possess what we asked for. If your heart hungers for this kind of relationship with the Father then surely He will supply it.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
1 John 5:15 - And if we know that He hears us then if we ask we know that we possess whatever we requested when we asked it of Him.
John is speaking primarily about the relationship that he observed first hand between Jesus and the Father. When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead John reports that he lifted His eyes towards heaven and said, “I thank you Father that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me” (John 11:41-42). This kind of confidence and faith is ours today if we are willing to enter into this kind of relationship. The joy and wonder of this kind of relationship with the Father will result in our receiving whatever we ask! We will not wonder if Father will answer rather we will know that we possess what we asked for. If your heart hungers for this kind of relationship with the Father then surely He will supply it.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Monday, May 08, 2006
Daily Bread
John 15:7 - If you dwell in me and my words dwell in you then you may ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.
Jesus reveals how easy it is to receive the answer to your request; He simply tells us to ask. Jesus tells us 7 times in John chapters 14 through 16 to ‘ask.’ The kind of prayer that we are to pray is an asking prayer; one that expects God to do the impossible. Elijah prayed asking God to stop the rain and it did not rain for 3.5 years; then when he asked God to cause it to rain it was so (James 5:17-18). James said, “you have not because you ask not.” Jesus said, “everyone who asks shall receive” and “all things whatsoever you ask in prayer believing you shall receive (Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 11:22). How simple can it be? Jesus reduces the impossible to nothing more than a basic request.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
John 15:7 - If you dwell in me and my words dwell in you then you may ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.
Jesus reveals how easy it is to receive the answer to your request; He simply tells us to ask. Jesus tells us 7 times in John chapters 14 through 16 to ‘ask.’ The kind of prayer that we are to pray is an asking prayer; one that expects God to do the impossible. Elijah prayed asking God to stop the rain and it did not rain for 3.5 years; then when he asked God to cause it to rain it was so (James 5:17-18). James said, “you have not because you ask not.” Jesus said, “everyone who asks shall receive” and “all things whatsoever you ask in prayer believing you shall receive (Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 11:22). How simple can it be? Jesus reduces the impossible to nothing more than a basic request.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Daily Bread
John 11:41-42 - Therefore, they took away the stone where the dead one was laid. And Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, Father I thank you that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me but for the sake of the multitude standing here I have said this so that they might believe that you have sent me.
The way Jesus prayed was much different than many of us pray today. When Jesus prayed, He raised His head towards heaven instead of bowing His head (Luke 28:13). Before He commanded the dead to live again He first talked to the Father. The first thing that Jesus did was to give thanks or bless the Father just as He did before the miracle of feeding the multitude (John 6:11). His prayer is one of absolute confidence that centers on the relationship that He had with His Father. He was certain that His Father heard His prayer which is one of the keys to prayer being answered as John brings to light later in his First Epistle, “And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him” (1 John 5:15).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
John 11:41-42 - Therefore, they took away the stone where the dead one was laid. And Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, Father I thank you that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me but for the sake of the multitude standing here I have said this so that they might believe that you have sent me.
The way Jesus prayed was much different than many of us pray today. When Jesus prayed, He raised His head towards heaven instead of bowing His head (Luke 28:13). Before He commanded the dead to live again He first talked to the Father. The first thing that Jesus did was to give thanks or bless the Father just as He did before the miracle of feeding the multitude (John 6:11). His prayer is one of absolute confidence that centers on the relationship that He had with His Father. He was certain that His Father heard His prayer which is one of the keys to prayer being answered as John brings to light later in his First Epistle, “And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him” (1 John 5:15).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Fresh Bread 4/6 - Double Portion Day
Daily Bread
Romans 8:26 - And in like manner also the Spirit helps our frailty; for we do not know what we need to pray for but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
The intercession of the Spirit is described as inexpressible groanings. The expressions of the Spirit were first manifested in the Bible as prophecy, God speaking His word through man’s mouth under the inspiration of the Spirit. In the New Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon the believer other languages came forth as rivers of living water (Acts 2:3; John 7:38-39). The necessity of praying in the Spirit is repeated often throughout the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the One who has come to lead us and guide us into all truth. He is the one who is making things known to us that Jesus was unable to communicate (John 16:12-15). His coming and subsequent intercession was the sound of other languages or the languages of men and angels (Acts 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:1). The command to pray in the Spirit extends from 1 Corinthians to Jude 20. Although, praying in the Spirit may extend to speaking by the Spirit or prophesying it certainly excludes much of what Christians today would have us believe is prayer, which, in fact, is little more than their own minds expressing frustration, anxiety, and remorse. The prayer of the Spirit has a sound and an inspiration that is produced by the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; Acts 19:6; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1,14; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Romans 8:26 - And in like manner also the Spirit helps our frailty; for we do not know what we need to pray for but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
The intercession of the Spirit is described as inexpressible groanings. The expressions of the Spirit were first manifested in the Bible as prophecy, God speaking His word through man’s mouth under the inspiration of the Spirit. In the New Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon the believer other languages came forth as rivers of living water (Acts 2:3; John 7:38-39). The necessity of praying in the Spirit is repeated often throughout the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the One who has come to lead us and guide us into all truth. He is the one who is making things known to us that Jesus was unable to communicate (John 16:12-15). His coming and subsequent intercession was the sound of other languages or the languages of men and angels (Acts 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:1). The command to pray in the Spirit extends from 1 Corinthians to Jude 20. Although, praying in the Spirit may extend to speaking by the Spirit or prophesying it certainly excludes much of what Christians today would have us believe is prayer, which, in fact, is little more than their own minds expressing frustration, anxiety, and remorse. The prayer of the Spirit has a sound and an inspiration that is produced by the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; Acts 19:6; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1,14; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Friday, May 05, 2006
Daily Bread
John 6:11 - Jesus took the cakes and having given thanks He distributed them to the disciples and the disciples to those seated, also the fish in the same way, as much as they desired.
In both Koine and Classical Greek “eucharistein” has the same meaning “gave thanks.” The Greek word “eulogein” means to bless. However, there is an interchange in these two words in Mark 8:6-7. We may conclude that there was not much of a difference in their ancient meaning. In fact the Hebrew tradition had a common blessing for bread which is still practiced in the feast tradition today, “Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” The most important point that we should take note of is the importance of giving thanks and blessing the Lord when we pray. We can expect that the giving of thanks will result in the miracle that we need.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
email: revivalnews@abidingplace.org
Abiding Place http://www.abidingplace.org
John 6:11 - Jesus took the cakes and having given thanks He distributed them to the disciples and the disciples to those seated, also the fish in the same way, as much as they desired.
In both Koine and Classical Greek “eucharistein” has the same meaning “gave thanks.” The Greek word “eulogein” means to bless. However, there is an interchange in these two words in Mark 8:6-7. We may conclude that there was not much of a difference in their ancient meaning. In fact the Hebrew tradition had a common blessing for bread which is still practiced in the feast tradition today, “Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” The most important point that we should take note of is the importance of giving thanks and blessing the Lord when we pray. We can expect that the giving of thanks will result in the miracle that we need.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
email: revivalnews@abidingplace.org
Abiding Place http://www.abidingplace.org
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Fresh Bread 4/4
Daily Bread
Acts 4:31- And they having prayed the place was shaken in which they were assembled and they were all Holy Spirit filled and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Jesus told His disciples on the night before His death that “in that day you shall ask nothing of me” but that they would make their request to the Father in His name (John 16:23). This is an example of their obedience to the instructions of Jesus. When they were in need of divine assistance they prayed for power and divine, instead of just a specific need. The results of their prayers were that they were filled once again with the divine power to glorify the name of Jesus through signs and wonders. The immediate result that they experienced from the infilling of the Holy Spirit was the ability to speak the word with boldness. Paul asked the church to pray for him so that he too would speak the word with boldness (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
email: revivalnews@abidingplace.org
Abiding Place http://www.abidingplace.org
Acts 4:31- And they having prayed the place was shaken in which they were assembled and they were all Holy Spirit filled and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Jesus told His disciples on the night before His death that “in that day you shall ask nothing of me” but that they would make their request to the Father in His name (John 16:23). This is an example of their obedience to the instructions of Jesus. When they were in need of divine assistance they prayed for power and divine, instead of just a specific need. The results of their prayers were that they were filled once again with the divine power to glorify the name of Jesus through signs and wonders. The immediate result that they experienced from the infilling of the Holy Spirit was the ability to speak the word with boldness. Paul asked the church to pray for him so that he too would speak the word with boldness (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
email: revivalnews@abidingplace.org
Abiding Place http://www.abidingplace.org
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Daily Bread
Ephesians 6:18-20 Through every prayer and plea, praying on every occasion in the Spirit also being on watch, totally alert. And on my behalf that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth by boldly making known the mystery of the gospel. On behalf of which I am an ambassador in bonds that in it I may speak boldly even as I ought to speak.
Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus was that they should pray on every occasion in the Spirit. They were to be totally alert as the army of God, and every need that presented itself was to be taken to God in prayer. Among those urgent needs was Paul’s own ministry of the word. He desired the church to pray for him that he would both be given the word and that he would speak the word of God with boldness. Unfortunately, if we are not careful we will pray after our own human concern and understanding and be completely ineffective. It is only the prayer of the Spirit that is the effectual and effective prayer. When we pray in the Spirit we will also receive the prayer of revelation or prophetic prayer that we can understand and receive instruction and edification by. Many times we also make the mistake of praying in the Spirit just short of the prayer that everyone can understand.
love ya
Mark
Ephesians 6:18-20 Through every prayer and plea, praying on every occasion in the Spirit also being on watch, totally alert. And on my behalf that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth by boldly making known the mystery of the gospel. On behalf of which I am an ambassador in bonds that in it I may speak boldly even as I ought to speak.
Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus was that they should pray on every occasion in the Spirit. They were to be totally alert as the army of God, and every need that presented itself was to be taken to God in prayer. Among those urgent needs was Paul’s own ministry of the word. He desired the church to pray for him that he would both be given the word and that he would speak the word of God with boldness. Unfortunately, if we are not careful we will pray after our own human concern and understanding and be completely ineffective. It is only the prayer of the Spirit that is the effectual and effective prayer. When we pray in the Spirit we will also receive the prayer of revelation or prophetic prayer that we can understand and receive instruction and edification by. Many times we also make the mistake of praying in the Spirit just short of the prayer that everyone can understand.
love ya
Mark
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Fresh Bread - 4/29 - Double Portion Day!
Daily Bread
Romans 8:1- There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Romans chapter 7 outlined the condemnation that existed under the Law revealing a powerless and guilty condition against sin. The condemnation, or death sentence, came as a result of the disobedience and rebellion of Adam (Gen 2:17; 3:7, 24; Romans 5:12-21). This condemnation has come upon all mankind whether they are Jew or Gentile (John 3:18). The only possibility of being set free from the condemnation is to be made a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old man that possessed the death sentence and was subject to the rule of sin and death is destroyed, and the new creation is raised up in Christ Jesus so that we may walk in the nature and dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:4-6). Those who would desperately hang on to any dimension of the Law for justification were foolish because the Law was powerless to set anyone free from Adam's transgression and the rule of sin and death that passed to all mankind. In Christ Jesus we have so radically been changed and accepted in Christ Jesus that condemnation has no place for those who live the life of the Spirit.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Note: If you would like to start receiving these emails daily in your Inbox, go to http://www.abidingplace.org/. You can start receiving these daily morsels one of 2 ways: either click on "Email the Pastor" and send an email or simply provide your email address at the bottom of the home page in the box where it says, "Join Our Mailing List."
Romans 8:1- There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Romans chapter 7 outlined the condemnation that existed under the Law revealing a powerless and guilty condition against sin. The condemnation, or death sentence, came as a result of the disobedience and rebellion of Adam (Gen 2:17; 3:7, 24; Romans 5:12-21). This condemnation has come upon all mankind whether they are Jew or Gentile (John 3:18). The only possibility of being set free from the condemnation is to be made a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old man that possessed the death sentence and was subject to the rule of sin and death is destroyed, and the new creation is raised up in Christ Jesus so that we may walk in the nature and dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:4-6). Those who would desperately hang on to any dimension of the Law for justification were foolish because the Law was powerless to set anyone free from Adam's transgression and the rule of sin and death that passed to all mankind. In Christ Jesus we have so radically been changed and accepted in Christ Jesus that condemnation has no place for those who live the life of the Spirit.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Note: If you would like to start receiving these emails daily in your Inbox, go to http://www.abidingplace.org/. You can start receiving these daily morsels one of 2 ways: either click on "Email the Pastor" and send an email or simply provide your email address at the bottom of the home page in the box where it says, "Join Our Mailing List."
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Miracles, Signs, and Wonders
Around same the time that my spine - which was deformed due to a hip dislocation which occurred at birth - was miraculously healed, Pastor Mark was out of the country preaching the Gospel in Papua New Guinea, and God was stretching forth His hand performing mighty signs and wonders in the name of His holy child, Jesus. It was reported that around the same time I received a mighty miracle whereby God, by His mighty power, rearranged my mutilated and twisted up spine, God was also doing a unique thing in Papua New Guinea of miraculously healing backs.
Since Pastor Mark's return, we've seen film clips from the missions trip which included footage of an out-of-control demoniac child miraculously and gloriously set free from captivity, a young man born deaf hearing and speaking for the first time in his life, swelling in a gland from tuberculosis going down right before the eyes of all viewing. We saw people going out under the power of God as they were led into the waters of baptism right after giving their lives to Christ and coming up out of the water under the power of God as well. It was reported that many awakened and rose up speaking with the glorious language of heaven by the power of the Holy Ghost being uttered from their lips for the very first time.
When asked why the miracles are not happening in the United States like they are in other countries - especially those less developed - Pastor Mark replied, "They are! What are you doing?"
Perhaps the miracles are not happening on the same scale as in other countries where people aren't predesposed by doctrines of man and of devils to resisting the Holy Ghost, but they are happening nonetheless. It is suggested that if more people were believing the Gospel and being doers of the Word of God and not merely hearers only, the miracles would be happening on the same scale - if not on a larger scale.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
A Jog Through the Blogs...
Occasionally, after I check my friends' posts who maintain logs here at Blogspot, I'll click on the option to go to the next blog the system chooses to bring up.
And, blog after blog, I find so much pain, so much anguish from a generation lost, a generation who does not know God, who does not know this hope that we have in Christ alone!
And it's no wonder.
The church, herself, especially here in the USA, thinks that she's got it going on, that she's got this thing down - almost as if she doesn't need God because she is able to feed and clothe herself and has this thing called salvation all figured out, yet she has not even the power to cure a headache. Oh, but she has this thing she relies on called deductive reasoning, philosophies, and ideologies to explain away her lack of power. And, if we funnel, filter, and melt it all down it essentially boils down to this: God retired and went on vacation to some unknown place like the Bahamas and told us to have a nice time trying to figure out what He expects of us and to leave a message on the machine so He can be sure and get back with us in the next millenium.
Not so!!! God has not changed!!! God's Word has not changed!!! He is still near to anyone and everyone who draws near to Him! Jesus said He would not leave us here like orphans to try and fight our way through this thing on our own! No! He said He would go to the Father - and He did! And He said that in going to the Father He would send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who would lead us and guide us into all truth! He is here! He is still doing everything He's been doing in the church since the day of Pentecost! It is we, the church, who have backed away and changed not God! Jesus said He would be with us always - even to the end of the world!
And, yes, The Holy Spirit is every bit as much God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus Christ is God!
This is a Laodicean age if ever there was one and a Laodicean generation if ever there was one. Jesus said to the church of the Laodiceans:
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God,
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot.
So, then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spew you out of My mouth.
Because you say, "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,
I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire that you may be rich, and white raiment that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear, and anoint your eyes with eyesalve that you may see!
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me.
To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne even as I also overcame and am sitting down with My Father in His throne.
He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:14-22
Church, we'd better get it right! We'd best wake up from our sleep and our slumber and quit thinking we're "all that" and sitting on our "Blessed Assurance" thinking the laurels are all ours and sitting on them too while an entire generation groans and writhes in pain, groping through the darkness, looking for a ray of light of the manifestation of the sons of God!
WAKE UP!!! WAKE UP NOW BEFORE THE BLOOD OF THIS GENERATION IS REQUIRED AT OUR HANDS!!! Our life is not our own!!! We have been bought with a price!!! This is God's salvation purchased for us in Christ Jesus' own blood! He is King!!! He is Lord!!! We don't get to make this thing up as we go! There is a pattern set before us in His Word, and this is the pattern we must follow - and not by our own strength, our own might, our own ability or understanding but by the power of the Holy Spirit of God! If we're not following this pattern, we do not have it right! We'd best not think that we do!
And, blog after blog, I find so much pain, so much anguish from a generation lost, a generation who does not know God, who does not know this hope that we have in Christ alone!
And it's no wonder.
The church, herself, especially here in the USA, thinks that she's got it going on, that she's got this thing down - almost as if she doesn't need God because she is able to feed and clothe herself and has this thing called salvation all figured out, yet she has not even the power to cure a headache. Oh, but she has this thing she relies on called deductive reasoning, philosophies, and ideologies to explain away her lack of power. And, if we funnel, filter, and melt it all down it essentially boils down to this: God retired and went on vacation to some unknown place like the Bahamas and told us to have a nice time trying to figure out what He expects of us and to leave a message on the machine so He can be sure and get back with us in the next millenium.
Not so!!! God has not changed!!! God's Word has not changed!!! He is still near to anyone and everyone who draws near to Him! Jesus said He would not leave us here like orphans to try and fight our way through this thing on our own! No! He said He would go to the Father - and He did! And He said that in going to the Father He would send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who would lead us and guide us into all truth! He is here! He is still doing everything He's been doing in the church since the day of Pentecost! It is we, the church, who have backed away and changed not God! Jesus said He would be with us always - even to the end of the world!
And, yes, The Holy Spirit is every bit as much God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus Christ is God!
This is a Laodicean age if ever there was one and a Laodicean generation if ever there was one. Jesus said to the church of the Laodiceans:
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God,
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot.
So, then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spew you out of My mouth.
Because you say, "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,
I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire that you may be rich, and white raiment that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear, and anoint your eyes with eyesalve that you may see!
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me.
To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne even as I also overcame and am sitting down with My Father in His throne.
He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:14-22
Church, we'd better get it right! We'd best wake up from our sleep and our slumber and quit thinking we're "all that" and sitting on our "Blessed Assurance" thinking the laurels are all ours and sitting on them too while an entire generation groans and writhes in pain, groping through the darkness, looking for a ray of light of the manifestation of the sons of God!
WAKE UP!!! WAKE UP NOW BEFORE THE BLOOD OF THIS GENERATION IS REQUIRED AT OUR HANDS!!! Our life is not our own!!! We have been bought with a price!!! This is God's salvation purchased for us in Christ Jesus' own blood! He is King!!! He is Lord!!! We don't get to make this thing up as we go! There is a pattern set before us in His Word, and this is the pattern we must follow - and not by our own strength, our own might, our own ability or understanding but by the power of the Holy Spirit of God! If we're not following this pattern, we do not have it right! We'd best not think that we do!
Monday, July 11, 2005
A Miracle!!!
I have received a miracle - a true miracle from the Lord!
Last night in church, Geneva preached the Gospel with all boldness and with passion and began to endeavor to provoke us to have a move of God in our own lives - not just in church but during the rest of the week as well! After she preached the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, she called those up for prayer who needed healing. I went up for what I thought was a healing of a spot in the middle of my lower back that had been suffering pain from an injury over 2 years ago.
But as I was standing in the prayer line, it occurred to me that I actually needed a miracle in my spine as my whole back had been messed up, basically, my whole life. I was born with a hip dislocation, and it messed up my spine. I had a s-curve in my spine, but I guess it wasn't the kind of s-curve that they could diagnose as scoliosis. By the time Geneva got to me to ask what I needed healing for, I told her that I was pressing in for a creative miracle in my spine. She spoke the Word of the Lord to me. She said that when the children of Israel left Egypt, and there was not one feeble one among them. Why? Because they were covered in the blood (of the Passover lamb). She asked me, "Are you covered in the blood (of Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world)?" I responded with all boldness, 'I'm covered in the blood!'
As I was lying on the floor under the power of God, I eventually realized that I wasn't in pain. For the first time in my whole life, I was lying on my back, and it didn't hurt! I'd never been able to lie flat on my back without extreme discomfort. After I got up, I told Geneva that I was without pain for the first time I could remember in my whole life. And I went back down under the power of God. When I got up again, I sat down in a chair, and I noticed that I was sitting up straight, just like they told us to in school. I noticed that my spine was touching the back of the chair, and I was able to sit up perfectly straight, with both feet firmly on the floor - without pain for the first time ever! I had such a deep sway in my back before that I could only get my spine against the back of a chair by slumping or by concentrated effort with pain.
Whenever they would tell us to sit up straight at our desks in school, I would just sit there, suffering in silence thinking, 'But it hurts to do that.' I didn't know that wasn't normal. I just thought they were trying to add one more bit of torture to the daily routine (my school years were such that I thought that shool was nothing more than a glorified torture chamber where they torture little kids like little kids torture bugs and other little kids, but that's a whole, 'nother long story in itself for another time perhaps).
I was always told that the way I was sitting was going to cause me to have back problems later on in life. And, sure enough, over the years - and especially in the last 2 years - my back has progressively gotten worse. After the Lord did what only He could do, every moment I was discovering something new that I couldn't do before - some little thing that most people can do so effortlessly that they take it for granted. I was doing neck rolls - to the glory of God - and nothing was crunching. The rolls were smooth, not interrupted by some painful kink here, or there, or everywhere my neck would turn. I could do things with my arms that I couldn't do before without pain or discomfort. When I stood up it felt differently standing on my own two feet. Both feet were firmly planted on the floor, and I was standing up straight. Walking was different. Everything was different! I literally left an old decrepit body behind, and everything was made new!
I didn't even know how crippled I was until after I was healed. Had not a clue. I thought that what I was living with in every day life was normal! But now I know that pain is not normal! Limited mobility is not normal! I have muscles that have perhaps never been activated before. When I told my mom this morning about what happened, and how I could sit up straight in a chair without pain or lie flat on my back without extreme discomfort, she said she never knew that I lived like that even as a kid. I told her I didn't know that there was anything to tell. I didn't think anything of it; it's what I'd lived with from the time I was born. How could I tell anyone? I mean, you don't tell someone about something that's just part of "normal" everyday life anymore than you'd tell someone that you're breathing, right?
When I was driving home from church, with a brand new back, a brand new spine, the memory of all the little kinks that used to be were still fresh enough in my mind that I could see where it was all leading. It was leading to my trying to walk around as a little old lady all twisted up and knotted up, all hunched and bent over. But God had another plan. Jesus said to a bunch of Pharisees who were all bent out of shape because He healed a hunched over woman on the Sabbath, “You hypocrites! Which of you won’t untie your animals and lead them to water to drink on the Sabbath? Ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound for these past 18 years, be loosed from her bondage?”
I don’t know if you can fully comprehend what it’s like to know nothing but pain in your back and hips from the time of your birth to suddenly be free from pain. I can tell you for sure by experience what I didn’t know before. PAIN IS NOT NORMAL! I now have a taste, for the first time in my life, that not being able to have full functionality of your body or to have to operate around pain is NOT NORMAL!
This is what is normal and right to expect: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing (not kinked up, crunched down, and bent over!) to show that the Lord is upright (in all that He does). He alone is my Rock, and in Him is no unrighteousness whatsoever!!!
Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endures forever! Thank You so much for setting me free!!! Jesus, there's nothing about You that isn't wonderful! And I need You more today than I did yesterday. And I love You more than I did 2 seconds ago! :)
You're so good!!! I want to be with You forever! Thank You for making a way. :) I love You!
Last night in church, Geneva preached the Gospel with all boldness and with passion and began to endeavor to provoke us to have a move of God in our own lives - not just in church but during the rest of the week as well! After she preached the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, she called those up for prayer who needed healing. I went up for what I thought was a healing of a spot in the middle of my lower back that had been suffering pain from an injury over 2 years ago.
But as I was standing in the prayer line, it occurred to me that I actually needed a miracle in my spine as my whole back had been messed up, basically, my whole life. I was born with a hip dislocation, and it messed up my spine. I had a s-curve in my spine, but I guess it wasn't the kind of s-curve that they could diagnose as scoliosis. By the time Geneva got to me to ask what I needed healing for, I told her that I was pressing in for a creative miracle in my spine. She spoke the Word of the Lord to me. She said that when the children of Israel left Egypt, and there was not one feeble one among them. Why? Because they were covered in the blood (of the Passover lamb). She asked me, "Are you covered in the blood (of Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world)?" I responded with all boldness, 'I'm covered in the blood!'
As I was lying on the floor under the power of God, I eventually realized that I wasn't in pain. For the first time in my whole life, I was lying on my back, and it didn't hurt! I'd never been able to lie flat on my back without extreme discomfort. After I got up, I told Geneva that I was without pain for the first time I could remember in my whole life. And I went back down under the power of God. When I got up again, I sat down in a chair, and I noticed that I was sitting up straight, just like they told us to in school. I noticed that my spine was touching the back of the chair, and I was able to sit up perfectly straight, with both feet firmly on the floor - without pain for the first time ever! I had such a deep sway in my back before that I could only get my spine against the back of a chair by slumping or by concentrated effort with pain.
Whenever they would tell us to sit up straight at our desks in school, I would just sit there, suffering in silence thinking, 'But it hurts to do that.' I didn't know that wasn't normal. I just thought they were trying to add one more bit of torture to the daily routine (my school years were such that I thought that shool was nothing more than a glorified torture chamber where they torture little kids like little kids torture bugs and other little kids, but that's a whole, 'nother long story in itself for another time perhaps).
I was always told that the way I was sitting was going to cause me to have back problems later on in life. And, sure enough, over the years - and especially in the last 2 years - my back has progressively gotten worse. After the Lord did what only He could do, every moment I was discovering something new that I couldn't do before - some little thing that most people can do so effortlessly that they take it for granted. I was doing neck rolls - to the glory of God - and nothing was crunching. The rolls were smooth, not interrupted by some painful kink here, or there, or everywhere my neck would turn. I could do things with my arms that I couldn't do before without pain or discomfort. When I stood up it felt differently standing on my own two feet. Both feet were firmly planted on the floor, and I was standing up straight. Walking was different. Everything was different! I literally left an old decrepit body behind, and everything was made new!
I didn't even know how crippled I was until after I was healed. Had not a clue. I thought that what I was living with in every day life was normal! But now I know that pain is not normal! Limited mobility is not normal! I have muscles that have perhaps never been activated before. When I told my mom this morning about what happened, and how I could sit up straight in a chair without pain or lie flat on my back without extreme discomfort, she said she never knew that I lived like that even as a kid. I told her I didn't know that there was anything to tell. I didn't think anything of it; it's what I'd lived with from the time I was born. How could I tell anyone? I mean, you don't tell someone about something that's just part of "normal" everyday life anymore than you'd tell someone that you're breathing, right?
When I was driving home from church, with a brand new back, a brand new spine, the memory of all the little kinks that used to be were still fresh enough in my mind that I could see where it was all leading. It was leading to my trying to walk around as a little old lady all twisted up and knotted up, all hunched and bent over. But God had another plan. Jesus said to a bunch of Pharisees who were all bent out of shape because He healed a hunched over woman on the Sabbath, “You hypocrites! Which of you won’t untie your animals and lead them to water to drink on the Sabbath? Ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound for these past 18 years, be loosed from her bondage?”
I don’t know if you can fully comprehend what it’s like to know nothing but pain in your back and hips from the time of your birth to suddenly be free from pain. I can tell you for sure by experience what I didn’t know before. PAIN IS NOT NORMAL! I now have a taste, for the first time in my life, that not being able to have full functionality of your body or to have to operate around pain is NOT NORMAL!
This is what is normal and right to expect: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing (not kinked up, crunched down, and bent over!) to show that the Lord is upright (in all that He does). He alone is my Rock, and in Him is no unrighteousness whatsoever!!!
Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endures forever! Thank You so much for setting me free!!! Jesus, there's nothing about You that isn't wonderful! And I need You more today than I did yesterday. And I love You more than I did 2 seconds ago! :)
You're so good!!! I want to be with You forever! Thank You for making a way. :) I love You!
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