Healing Notes

Psalm 107:20 Sent His word.

Isaiah 53:5 By Jesus stripes.

1 Peter 2:24 Already established.
All the promises are established and are for us. Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:20

Ephesians 2:7 God is eager to show us the surpassing riches of His grace.

Acts 10:38 Jesus always heals, He heals all.

Healed because of our faith. Mark 5:34; Acts 14:9-10

(Woman with issue of blood) Heard, believed, spoke, acted and received. Mark 5:25-34

Mark 11:23 Believe when you command you will receive.

Mark 11:24 Believe when you pray you will receive.

Job 22:28-29 Believed with confidence even when you are knocked down you will receive.

Salvation and healing go together. - Jesus forgave sins to heal. Matthew 9:2

Didn't take no for an answer or be offended. Syrophonician woman. Mark 7:24-30

Psalms 84:11 God does not withhold grace and glory and good things.

We are effective when we know God. Daniel 11:32; Acts 4:13

Romans 8:11  Recognize the Holy Spirit is within.

Obey God's direction. Naaman the leper. 2 Kings 5:1-14; Acts 5:32

Blind Bartimaeus did not stop crying out to Jesus. Mark 10:46-52

Don't let others failure detour your devotion and faith. Psalm 91:7 Psalm 3:2

Our Inheritance in Christ

What does the inheritance consist of?
The promised land, (the promises of God), are our inheritance.
Ps 105:11; Heb 6:12 the promises.
Heb 1:14 Salvation
Isa 54:17 No word or weapon will prosper against us.
Matt 25:34 the Kingdom.
2 Cor. 1:20 All promises are ours in Christ.
Matt 19:29; Titus 3:7 Eternal Life
Matt 5:5 Meek will inherit earth.

How do we qualify for inheritance?
Gal 3:29; Col 1:12 Rom 8:17 We qualify if we belong to Christ. If we belong to Christ we are of Abraham's family and heirs according to the promise. And suffer with Jesus.

How do we come to believe we have the inheritance?
Eph 1:18 The Holy Spirit will enlighten us of the things we have in Christ.
Acts 20:32 God's word of grace.

How to see in the spirit to acquire this inheritance?
Acts 26:18 Our spiritual eyes can be opened to see what we have in the spirit. Preaching and teaching of Scripture will open peoples eyes.

Is inheritance promised to us?
Zech 8:12, Isa 49:8  it is promised to us.

Who inherits the Kingdom?
Matt 25:34 The Kingdom is inherited by sheep.
Rom 8:17 Children of God.
Rev 21:7-8 He who overcomes inherits.

Who gives us the inheritance?
Col 3:24 God gives it to us.

When is the inheritance available to us?
Heb 9:15-17 When Jesus died, the inheritance became available.


What makes it easier to gain the inheritance?
James 2:5 Being poor. Matt 5:3 The poor in spirit gain access to the inheritance. Taking an attitude that we are not sufficient in ourselves and Jesus is our source.


How do we receive the inheritance?
Acts 20:32 Word of His grace.
Psalm 2:8 Ask for it.
1 Treat your wife right. 1 Peter 3:7-9
2 Be harmonious
3 Sympathetic
4 Brotherly
5 Kindhearted,
6 Humble in spirit.
7 Give a blessing for evil or insult. 1 Peter 1:7-9
Suffer with Christ. Rom 8:17
To not do these things will keep us from the inheritance.
Matt 19:29 Leave all for Jesus.
Matt 5:5 Gentle, meek

How could we lose our inheritance?
Heb 12:14-17
Not spiritually minded.
Not pursuing peace.
Root of bitterness
Being immoral or godless
Having no place for repentance.
Not being the kind of person that God can bless.

Eph 5:5 immoral, impure, idolater, covetous.
Gal 5:19-21 Deeds of the flesh.
Rev 21:8  Lists those who won't inherit.
1 Cor 6:9,10 Unrighteous won't inherit.

God's grace does not fail. But we can fail to depend on God's grace.

Why are we worthy for this inheritance?
Titus 3:7 Grace makes us heirs of eternal life.

What is required to receive the inheritance?
Rom 8:17 suffering with Christ. If you are not willing to lay down your life you won't succeed. Gal 2:20

2 Corinthians 1:20
In Jesus.
When we believe.
When it is to the glory of God.
As we work the promise in faith.

Be Aware you have the Inheritance.
The older brother had received the inheritance, at the same time as the of prodigal son, but didn't realize it and didn't use it. Luke 15:11-12

Romans 8:15 From Slavery to Family

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!”

What would hinder us from being led by the Spirit of God? Slavery to sin and fear. We are not slaves (For sin will not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace Romans 6:14)   Romans 7:24-8:2 shows the way out of slavery to sin.
-We are now in the family of God. 2 Cor 5:17 We are born again into God's family. Rom. 8:29
-We are sons and fellow heirs with Christ. What Jesus gets we get! Not to consume it on our lusts but to live in God's kingdom. Col 1:13 and to accomplish what God has for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Abba Father
What the passage is trying to convey is that we can have a close relationship with our Daddy Father.
John 14:23  “Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.” Amplifed Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 6:19

2 Cor 6:16 “Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

We are now not a servant or slave, We are sons and have the right to speak to God using the term Abba.

Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again.

The spirit of slavery speaks to our inability to do what we want. Romans 7 talked of this. The spirit of slavery dominates, by keeping our mind on the flesh. Making provision for the flesh Rom 13:14. We are not to make provision for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

The flesh is a task master, not joy. Many do not turn to the Lord because they want to enjoy the flesh. Yes there is pleasure in sin for a season Hebrews 11:25 but in the end it turns bitter. Why not look beyond the present hour and be involved in things that will provide life healing and joy for the future.

Where is life? Is it from having fun, or serving Jesus? Jesus allows us to live. His words are life and guide us.

Fear comes from slavery. We don't need to fear if Jesus lives in us. There is nothing that will separate us from the love of God. With God we have all we need. He supplies all our needs. Philippians 4:19

Verse 14 talks of being led of the Spirit. It is this leading that brings us life. Fear comes from lack. The Spirit gives life and in this life there is no lack. John 10:10

Does that mean we can serve the flesh, repent and God will gives us whatever we ask? You can't serve God and your own desires at the same time. Make a decision to serve God and deny yourself. This leading of the Spirit allows us to live in the realm of the spirit and act in our position as sons of God. Yes God will forgive, but victory comes from faith not manipulating God. God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7 Instead yield to God and let His love fulfill your needs.

Then with this new understanding of living as sons of God, we can live free from fear and have that close relationship with our Daddy.

Being led of the Spirit and serving the flesh are opposed to each other. Which will you choose. Fear or life? Putting it that way is simple. Look beyond the moment to Jesus. Heb 12:2 just as Jesus looked beyond the cross to the joy set before Him after the resurrection.

Where the Spirit is there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Where fear is the flesh dominates. Decide, by setting your mind to move away from the flesh and into God's kingdom. The anxious thoughts will dominate as long as the flesh is served. Freedom comes from a mind set on the things of the Spirit.  So what should be the confession of a person who has his mind on the spirit? The Word of God. The hope that God promises. The life coming from the Word of God. Respond to your fears with the word of God. Praise God for His answer when fear comes. Praise in faith, that the answer will come, even when you don't see it now. Live in confidence that God will provide, even with a bad report. Psalm 112:7

2 Tim 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and discipline. Power love and discipline are contrasted with timidity/fear. Power, love and discipline come from a mind set on the Spirit. So a mind set on the flesh is weakness, inability, anemic, apathy and undisciplined life.

2 Tim 1:8 Therefore join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God. It is the power of God that flows from a mind set on the Spirit that will draw us to work that seems to bring suffering. Yet this suffering itself will bring power. It says in 2 Cor 12:9 Power is perfected in weakness. A mind set on the Spirit of God will draw us to work,(from a mind set on the flesh point of view), that is not in itself wonderful. But because of the Spirit of God, things will change. God will come into the situation and bring life to sickness, success to failure, hope to the hopeless, love to the unlovable.

We receive the spirit of adoption as sons. We cry Daddy Father. A father provides for his sons. God the Father will provide for us. And the best provision is God's love will keep us.

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Romans 8:14 Leading and Sonship

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

You can't be led by the Spirit of God if you don't do anything. It is not knowing but doing that shows sonship.

Does being led by the Spirit of God mean we don't do anything if we don't sense God leading us? One thing I have as a guide is the Holy Scriptures. I use these as a general guideline. God leads us by these. I don't have to have God tell me to have devotions. I know that by the Bible telling me to have devotions. It is a basic leading of Scripture. When I stop and have devotions I am being led of the Spirit because the Bible says to have devotions. John 6:63 says it is the words of God in the Bible that are of The Spirit and are God's leading generally. Then as I have devotions I will get a leading more directly from the Spirit of God. If I don't get a more specific leading, I still go by the general leading of the Scriptures.

I knew a guy who skipped work to have devotions. This is not the leading of the Lord. We need to fulfill our responsibilities.

Being led by the Spirit is being led by the word of God sensitive to further leading specifically by the Holy Spirit. We don't always need a specific word from God to do what He is calling us to do. Paul was led to go as a missionary in Acts 13 and as he was going the Spirit directed him more directly by a dream.

It also says in Isaiah 30:21 we will hear a word behind us saying go this way as we are moving.

It is important to be moving in obedience to the direction we have and it is by this obedience we will receive more direction of the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:32 Obedience brings direction. First wait and understand the will of the Lord. Then act on the will and the Holy Spirit will give us more direction as we are going in the light we have. If we wait for specific before we go we may never get started.

Link to my articles on God's will.


Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” Notice it is a path that grows brighter and brighter not our understanding while we are sitting in a chair. It is our going in obedience that brings more light.

God leads His sons. When we become Christ's followers we are His sons.  God's sons are known by being led by the Spirit of God.  A person that is not being led by God, would not be known as a son of God. They could be God's son but they are not walking in it. They would be drifting away from God's leading. Hebrews 2:1

Lord, I ask for your leading and willingness to be led by you. Let us be effective in your kingdom. In Jesus name this will happen.

How can we tell the difference of our own desires and the Lord's desires for us? Walk in the light you have. 1 John 1:7 As you share your faith walk with others and they with you, encouragement will come. Philemon 6 The more you are in the light the more your light or direction will come. Stay in the word and relationship with the Lord and fellowship with others and direction will come.

Does the direction you think is from God, bring you closer to the Lord or further away? Do you want to share it or do you want to hide it. What is of God will bring eagerness to share it. John 3:19-21

Are you walking as a son of God? If you are you will be led. Live as a son. Talk to God as a son. Expect God to meet your needs and spiritual desires as a son. Learn what is your inheritance as a son and use this for His kingdom. What has God put on your heart to do for the Kingdom? Use the storehouse of your inheritance to accomplish and help you accomplish what God is leading you to do.

Notice that in verse 13 the context is to put away the deeds of the flesh. We are led in how to walk with God by hearing from His word.

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Key Points of Daily Christian Life

Salvation / Kingdom Living – We can live above the world. Isaiah 40:31; Galatians 3:13; John 10:10

We are a friend of God. David, Abraham, Daniel were friends of God and Jesus is our friend as we devour the Bible to live it. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 119:148, 165

Love people – Our purpose is not to have a good set of doctrines, but to love others. Yes we need to rightly divide the word of God. And guide others that are straying. It is the Bible that reveals Christ to us and guides us in loving others.

Zeal – Zeal of the Lord is what accomplishes things. Isaiah 9:7 Be excited in what you are doing. If you are not excited about it, why are you still doing it? If we have responsibilities, then we will have the anointing to accomplish what God has given us to do. With anointing there is the Holy Spirit and with the Holy Spirit there is joy and power.

Living by faith – God is pleased with faith. Hebrews 11:6 All that we do should be of faith . We have faith 2 Peter 1:1 Faith is available for us to use. Mark 11:22 Do what you believe is of God and don't do what you doubt is of God! Romans 14:22-23

Purpose – Ephesians 2:10 Without a vision the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 Find God's purpose for your life and do it with gusto, zeal, joy and in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

People of prayer – We can't function if we don't stay in touch with our King. Jesus was always slipping away to pray. Luke 5:16 If you are not getting an answer, ask why.  James 1:5; Isaiah 30:21

Tongues – Vitality flows from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will teach us all things. John 14:26 All things, which is more than just doctrine. He will teach us all things. Pray in tongues to learn. 1 Corinthians 14:14,18 Jude 1:20

Fellowship – Go to church and get encouraged. Hebrews 10:25 Walk in the light and have the fellowship of God. 1 John 1:7

Share the gospel – Shoes are part of the armor of God. Ephesians 6:15 They are related to sharing the gospel. Without shoes, a solider would be ineffective. If we don't share the gospel there is a weakness in our armor and we can be knocked out.

Give – It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35 Ephesians 4:28 Where you put your money, is where your heart is.

Pray and Go – Go about your work and shout victory. If you can't, pray till you can. Luke 18:1

Romans 8:12 Not Living According to the Flesh

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—

If we live according to the flesh we must die.

Is this physical death or spiritual death.  The death is a loss of our place in Christ. It is a sleep, so to speak where we become unaware of Spiritual things.

The power of death is overcome in Jesus. Romans 8:2 When we turn back to the ways of the flesh we give up this freedom and fall back again into  the slavery of the flesh.  We don't take advantage of what we have and revert to the natural.

Christian life is a life of faith. If we live in the flesh and our mind on the things of the flesh, we ignore our rights and grace offered to us. The natural fleshly desires will dominate our life. God offers spiritual health and life, but if we ignore our position in Christ we will sink into death.

I have found it is easy to reject a sickness that comes against me at the beginning, but if I let it continue, it will take more work of belief to get rid of the problem. It is the same in the spirit. If we reject sin quickly, we return to living for Jesus. If we let sin continue, we can fall into slavery to sin easily. 

Look at our conscience and be at peace with God. If there is something that is bothering us confess it. If there are people that you are holding grudges against forgive them. If someone holds something against us, make it right. We are not held accountable for our past, because we are under the blood of Jesus. Note: there are consequences for our sin against others and we will live with these consequences. Christ has forgiven us and we can live as Paul lived with a clear conscience because he believed in the saving work of Christ and the provision that was provided.  You can't walk in faith without a clear conscience. Live at peace with everyone as much as you can.

Fearing God will keep us from sin. When I recognize that Jesus is right with me I turn away from sin. When I ignore the fact that Jesus is right with me I am more likely to let my mind return to the things of the flesh. When I am about the things of the spirit, the things of the flesh fall away.

Planning on sinning and holding a grudge will cause us not to be in the spirit but instead the flesh. This insistence to remain in the flesh will do damage to our body, soul and spirit hurting our ability to continue in the spirit.

Hebrews 12:6-8 There is a chastening from the Lord among His children. For He treats them as sons and brings them to a repentant state. When we stay in the mindset of the flesh God will have to chasten us to bring us back. Usually for me, it is a word of Scripture that humbles me.

We live by faith in the Son of God, as we die to our fleshly life. Galatians 2:20 This means to set aside the desires of our flesh and live for the purposes of Christ. We have the Spirit living within and He gives life to our spirit and body. We are not under obligation to live any more according to the flesh. We can live according to the Spirit of God.  We can choose life instead of death. Prov 18:21

Samson lived a life according to his fleshly lusts. Judges 13 - 16 His life turned out bad and was blinded and lost his strength because of his inattention to live for the Lord. He was still a judge, but lost his power until his death. Christians can lose their ability for effectiveness by not being attentive to the things of the Spirit. Let us not be sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12

Don't neglect what God has given you. Meditate on God's promises and how to use them.

We don't owe, have an obligation or are trapped to be ruled by our flesh in anything. We are not under obligation, have a debt, or owe anything because of our sin. We are free in Jesus! We do have to pay our debts to others, but Jesus has forgiven us and set us free in the spirit.

Our freedom from this obligation or debt allows us to use our life for other things. Just as a mortgage free house frees up your budget to use your money for other things. A mortgage free house makes life easier. One is not under the weight of paying the the mortgage but has freedom to live more as they would like.  We are free to live in the Spirit of God. Romans 8:1 talks of this freedom from condemnation. Then we are free to live for the Spirit by putting our minds on the things of the Spirit. This is what we are made for. Freedom is to live as we were made to live. Bondage keeps us from living as we were made. With the freedom is the joy of the Lord.

We are free from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13

We are now free to life for Christ. We don't have to pay the flesh its desires. We are free to live as our heart desires, because we are new creatures in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Go to the next verse Romans 8:13

God Always Answers Prayer.

Luke 11:9-11 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?”

Matthew 7:7-8  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

1 John 3:22 “ and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.”

John 9:31 “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.”

John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

John 16:24,27 “24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”

John 15:7 “ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:16 “ You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

James 1:2-8 “2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Psalm 10:17 “O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear”

Psalm 102:17 “He has regarded the prayer of the destitute
And has not despised their prayer.”

Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Making Truth Effective - 12 - Importation of Truth

There comes a time when you are in the Word and and in  relationship with God that truth just flows. 

Grace allows the word to flow to us. And we have this grace as we are walking in the light. Stay in the light and continue to seek more of God and His grace.

Making Truth Effective 11 Revolution of Truth

As we follow the new truth we become an example for others to follow. We let our light shine before men. We spur others to love and good deeds. We bring the standard of living further by living the life we have received from Jesus. We become the living epistle. We move from just following what others say to being a cutting edge minister. We don't just talk about it, we pattern it.

Our speech shows God's truth. The promises start to manifest through us.

Having this new insight and living it does not mean we are perfect. It is the same with us as we listen to others. We should not reject what others say about the Bible, if what they are saying is true. If what they are saying is true we should pay attention to them,even when there are other parts of their life that is not Godly. Don't take the attitude of pride and reject other teachers because of their short comings.  Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Accept people and gently encourage them where it is needed.

Look at David. He followed God with his whole heart. At the same time there were things in his life that were not right. He was a murderer and adulterer. David did repent when he was confronted.

Have a heart for truth and seek God with all your heart.

Making Truth Effective - 10 - Transformation of Truth

These last 3 stages move quickly. There is a clarity of truth in our lives now.

When it is worked into our lifestyle, we have a boldness and confidence in what we are saying. Our conscience testifies with the Holy Spirit that it is truth. Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,” We have access to the things promised to God's sons. What Jesus, the first born Son of God has, we have access also. This brings confidence as we live as sons and not as unworthy intruders. When we take our place in Christ, what is offered to us is available to us. We can bring what is God's will, from heaven to earth. Matthew 6:10

People will call you prideful, deceived, fanatical etc. to discredit you. Time will prove all things and the fruit of Biblical truth will show the wisdom of making this truth part of our lives. Our conscience will support us and shield us from peoples negative reactions.

Our mind has been transformed by the truth of the Scriptures and we are not walking by sight but by faith.

We can agree with Spiritual truth but not believe it. We can know truth but not live it. When we believe God's truth, that truth will hold us and be powerful in our lives. We will express boldness and confidence in God's truth in our lives. If we are tentative about the truth, we are not there yet. Faith and belief are bold and confident.

When truth has transformed us there is a change in our soul. Instead of looking at the truth from the outside we look at the truth on the inside. We have this truth because we have Jesus living within. We draw from Him when we need His strength. We are in Christ and have this overflowing fountain of the Holy Spirit within sustaining us.

Making Truth Effective - 9 - Assimilation of Truth

Ch 9 the
In this chapter the game plan of having a habit

From this website https://liveboldandbloom.com/12/habits/how-to-make-good-habits-stick

Start ridiculously small.
Get hooked on your habit.
Have clear intentions.
Schedule
Celebrate small wins.
Design your environment.
Make it easier to do your desired activity.
Surround yourself with Supporters.
Pre-commit to your habit.
Announce what you are doing.
Have discipline for failure.
Change your mindset.
Don't break the chain of success.

Making Truth Effective - 8 - Application of Truth

Continue to seek action steps to apply what we are learning. Something new like this does not come naturally. We need to focus and be creative on ways to bring new truths into our life.

With meditation on applying new strategies, bringing this new truth into our life, will get easier. Remember, trying and uncomfortable work will be required. Food that we have eaten and is in our stomach, has not become effective for our strength. It is after it has passed to our bloodstream that food becomes effective.

People will respond to a teaching saying how good it was. This is only half way into a change in our life. It is necessary to apply the teaching to our daily lives for it to be effective. Remaining in God's work John 8:31 means we will not give up on it when life is hard. It is our responsibility to utilize God's truth in our life.

The Spirit of truth lives within us. John 14:16-17 “ I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”

With the Spirit we have help to live as we should. He will help our prayers. Romans 8:26 And when our prayers are of faith, we will receive answers because of God's promise of an answer. 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14-15

As the spark of God's word reaches us we won't have to be goaded to follow God, but instead we will do it with joy and peace.

Isaiah 55:11-12 “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,”

Making Truth Effective - 7 - Commitment to Truth

Now that a new truth is found and understood. The encouragement by others may fall away and all we have is our own will to follow this truth. Discipline and Devotion to the Lord and His leading us, will be what propels us.

We
can be tested with this truth by an inward struggle. This struggle involves old habits, old emotions and old thoughts. In Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.  . . . “ it says that what you think about is what you become. If we want to change to use the truth we have learned we need to corral our thoughts to line up with the truth we are learning. If we need praise and encouragement to continue we won't last. Let us set our heart to follow the Lord in the good times and the rough times.

The second test comes from our friends, family, people we run across and our culture. Will we continue when they ridicule and question our intelligence? What will we do then?

Develop a good culture where we can be encouraged by our friends and peers. When we stay verbally and mentally committed to the truth we are able to grow in the knowledge and faith.

John 8:31-32 “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Many know a bunch of Bible principles, but haven't experienced freedom in Christ. It is not just the learning but the continuing that brings us the knowledge and freedom.

Making Truth Effective - 6 - Confirmation of Truth

At this stage, a choice is made willingly. For truth to be confirmed, some action should be taken, even if it's just a baby step. Thinking of plants, truth is like a blade of grass breaking through the top of the soil. Seeds germinate, and our understanding of truth will take effect in our actions. God's word brings a spark of life and this life will give rise to a statement of our intent.

Romans 10:8 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,”

We will speak from what is in our heart, the things we are learning from the Lord. Faith requires speaking. Learning will express what is within.

A new lesson needs nurture to grow just as a baby needs to be nurtured. Our speaking and meditating on the new truth protects it and builds confidence with us within.

Prayer, thankfulness and speaking God's promise are what I use as I process new things.

The lesson of the lady with an issue of blood is an example of how we can put truth to work. (Mark 5:25-28) This passage shows how God's faith laws (Romans 3:27) work when we learn new truths in the Bible.

The first 6 steps of the 12 are listed here. She heard, she thought, believed, spoke, and acted.

When we learn something from the Bible, the promise will make a change in our life, if we believe it.

Another example from Scripture is Jehu riding to deal with Jezebel. (2 Kings 9) He came up to Jezebel and said, “Who is on my side?” The officials who looked down at Jehu were under the authority of Jezebel. Jehu told them to throw down Jezebel. They did and killed her. We can do the same thing with things that afflict us.

We can be set free from what is attacking us as we learn to apply God's truth effectively. The truth will set us free. Meditation of these two passages will teach us:  Mark 5:25-34 and 2 Kings 9

Don't consider past ways of dealing with problems. Let the Bible teach truth for freedom. Review the steps of the “Process of Truth”.
Learn from the woman with the issue of blood. She heard, she thought, believed, spoke and acted.

The next 6 steps further explain how to reach even higher levels of victory.

Making Truth Effective -5 - Conclusion of Truth

With the understanding of new truth, there will a change in the way we think. Our mind rejects the old thinking and embraces the new.

Take for example, Santa Clause. When we were little kids most of us believed in Santa Clause. Then as time passed, his supernatural ability seemed impossible and we accepted this fact as our friends told us that he was not real.

Christians see truth when they accept Christ as their savior. It is a total mind change but it takes a while for thought processes to change. Truth is thought of as an idea, but in fact truth at its core is not an idea but is Jesus Himself. John 14:6 “... I am the truth...”

The way truth wins out in our mind is through humility, meekness, and humbleness. With pride we reject our being wrong. With humbleness we are willing to change directions. We are able to let go of old ideas and embrace the new. It is the excitement of the new that allows us to let go of the old. As we see this new truth we don't want to side step the truth but instead we embrace it.

Many will say I tried to follow things I learned in the Bible in the past but it didn't work. When we embrace what is true these objections fall away. If they don't fall away we really have not come to believe this new truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8 “For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.”

Truth works in us as a process. If someone has not worked in years. They can't expect to be offered a job without preparing themselves for the change in their life. There is a process and as we apply ourselves change will come.

When we see the opportunity a new truth offers we will be anxious to grow into this new reality. It will be on the forefront of our mind.

Take God's word that is speaking to you and meditate on it and see it happening for you.

Making Truth Effective - 4 - Resolution of Truth

Once an idea has been learned, there is a war within our minds. Two sides are being formed. The question is being bantered back and forth. Is this idea true or not?

(There are many people who have dismissed the Bible as not true or not livable. A vibrant Christian can't stay in this mindset. A vibrant Christian will look to Scriptural teachings as they really are, the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is not a liar or a deceiver. Numbers 23:19)

Something has to give with the dichotomy of these conflicting ideas. The old way of looking at things and doing things will have to change if we accept new truth. This old way will have to go. How will we respond to God's truth when we hear it? Our life is like soil. The way we receive God's words will show what kind of soil we are made of.

When seed is sown among weeds, it won't have a chance to grow because of competition. To accept God's teachings, the weeds in our life will have to be pulled out, but how? It is possible to renew our minds. Romans 12:1-2 We renew our minds by going over and over the Scriptures we are learning. Pondering and considering them, stating they are true. Emphasize each phrase and let the ideas seep in.

(Note: without laying down our life for Christ and denying our fleshly desires, we won't be able to accept God's words. They will be foolish to us. Romans 12:1)

Our life will move to where our mind dwells. The more we saturate our minds with the truth of God's word, the less we will be thinking that truth is not effective.

Making Truth Effective - 3 - Revelation of Truth

Receiving Revelation from the Lord.

Revelation 1 John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and received the book of Revelation. It is putting our minds on the spirit of God that opens us to receive from God. When we allow our minds to stay on the things of the flesh that we miss out.

Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.”
John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

When God's light comes to us with understanding it sparks life within. Often I would read the Bible as if in a race to get through it. It is when I read the Bible to prayerfully ponder its meaning over and over that I receive light. Bible memory helps me in pondering Scriptural truths as I go throughout the day. Some say they can't memorize. Can you memorize your phone #? If you can, you can memorize.

What enables us to see this light of the Spirit? John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is being born again that enables us to see. What has happened to me is I go to sleep spiritually and don't act and use what I have.

John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. It was a day dedicated to serve and worship God. It is when I live for  God that I am able to see what the Lord has. When I live for myself nothing happens.

Matthew 18:3 “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” When I am able to not argue or debate Scripture, but instead accept it, then I am on the road to revelation.

There is a difference to saying you agree with an idea and believe it. I move from agreeing with Scripture to believing it by mediation and following.

Making Truth Effective - 2 - Perception of Truth

What how and whom
What are you hearing?
How are you hearing it?
Who is tell it to you?

There is much that comes across our life and takes our attention. Be careful what you pay attention to. Also guard the time spent in listening to things that are not productive to your life. That is not to say there can be no idle or recreational times. But guard those times that they are not counterproductive to what is your purpose.

The first thing is to decide to seek the Lord. When we hear we also need to know who is talking. How are they explaining the idea. And what are they saying.

It doesn't matter who says it or how they say it or what they say. We will make a decision on the validity of the message. It makes it easier to accept what someone is saying if they say it in a way that is pleasing to us. Don't reject teaching out of hand. On the other hand there is a filter we use to accept when to listen and when to not listen. Be humble and consider what others say. Sometimes we realize that a teaching is good but the teacher is not worth following. Matthew 23:3

My experience is that I am inundated in teaching and ideas. Where should I spend my efforts? Prayerfully read the Bible each day and let that set the tone for all the other things you hear.

What we hear can be life giving or bring death. Seek to perceive when you are hearing words of life.

John 6:63 NASB “ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

Return to Chapter 1.
Go to the next chapter.

Making Truth Effective

John 8:31-32 “ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

I have been meditating on this scripture off and on for the past few months. I came across a booklet by Timothy Jorgensen called the “Process of Truth”

There are 12 chapters and I am expecting this study to help me in my understanding of John 8:31-32

The Reception of Truth
The Perception of Truth
The Revelation of Truth
The Conclusion of Truth
The confirmation of Truth
The commitment of Truth
The Application of Truth
The Assimilation of Truth
The Transformation of Truth
The Revolution of Truth
The Impartation of Truth

Each day I will comment on the next chapter. Today is chapter one.

The reception of truth takes a commitment of our attention. In the Sower parable there are 4 soils listed. Roadside soil, rocky soil, thorny soil and good soil. The roadside soil are the people that reject the seed of Jesus' teachings out of hand. They don't spend time considering it. Rocky soil are those who accept the teaching but give up on it when problems arise. Thorny soil are the people that are consumed with the worries and pleasures of life. Good soil are the people that receive the word and let it bear fruit in their life.

Note: The Sower parable is recorded in Matthew 13; Mark 4; and Luke 8.

To give a teaching from the Bible a chance to impact our lives, we need to get rid of the distractions that come our way.

Radio, TV, internet, social media, people, problems, other interest. All of these may be valid and useful but should be put aside to give the idea being presented in the Bible or from a teaching at church or a book or a mp3 message or a youtube message a chance. The messenger is presenting a message from the Bible and to allow God's truth to effect our lives, distractions need to be dealt with so we can let the message take effect.

Don't multi-task but instead give the idea your full attention.

Psalm 62 Trust

My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Making God our refuge in times of trouble. People start with this and are troubled by men of evil. With this trial their faith will grow or be destroyed.


3 How long will you assail a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4 They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;
They delight in falsehood;
They bless with their mouth,
But inwardly they curse. Selah.

In verse 5 - 8 the statement of God being our source and strength is repeated. But this time, there is no greatly being troubled but instead there is victory.

5 My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Silence and hope bring salvation, rest, rock, refuge, trust. These are things we should wait for God and gain strength. Our soul will be strengthened and we will not be shaken. Use God's Scriptures and meditate on them. Especially the promises that speak to you.

Verses 9 & 10 talk of what man will do to find an answer. But if we turn to the Lord our refuge is in Him and He will answer according to His word and reward those who trust in Him.

9 Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than breath.
10 Do not trust in oppression
And do not vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

Our trust in God should not start when the problem starts but way before there is a problem. The trial will show where our trust is. If we have not built our house on the rock we will be destroyed. Matthew 7:24-25 If our trust is in Him we will stand through the trial.

Don't live willy nilly. Live with purpose of serving God and trusting Him for your needs. When you find your faith is lacking. Use the trials of life to build faith. Then the next time you will stand strong on the rock who is Jesus Christ.

Sureness of God's Word

Numbers 11:23 “The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not."

God will back up His word. God said to Moses that He would see if His word is true. Remaining in God's word is to continue to believe in it. When we believe we will see. It is like a seed. If you watch over the word, water it, weed it, and protect it, the seed will grow to maturity.

Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

God will fulfill His promise, but will we believe? If we believe, we will stand on the promise until harvest time and then receive what is promised.

Joshua 21:45 “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”

There is a sureness to what God promises. The problem lies in our actions before the time of fulfillment. Will we give up on what was promised to us, or will we act in faith according to what the promise is? The children of Israel were promised the land of Israel. They feared the giants and their own lack of fighting ability to take the land. Because of this fear they were not permitted to enter. Fear will keep us from receiving what God has promised. Let us not shrink back but press on to what God is promising.

 2 Kings 13:21 “As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.”
Elisha was promised so many miracles. He was supposed to get a double portion of what his mentor Elijah had. When he died, he was lacking one miracle. Many would say that God failed His promise to Elisha, but that was not the case. God had one more for Elisha which was not apparent. Do we look at God and say He failed us? No it is our misunderstanding of God that is the problem. God does not fail.

Joshua 6:26 “Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.”

After Israel had defeated Jericho and took all they wanted for the Lord's treasury, they made this oath and curse. It came to pass when people rebuilt the city. This curse remained for 500 years. God will watch over His word to preform it. Jeremiah 1:12 He will not miss one promise.

1 Kings 16:34 “In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.”

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” NASB

This is one of my favorite verses. God is looking for people of faith. He will support those who have faith. When we turn only to others for help, we will have trouble in life. Don't give up on God.

Psalm 19:7-10 The Law of the Lord is:
Perfect restoring the soul.
Sure,, making wise the simple.
Right, rejoicing the heart.
Pure, enlightening the eyes.
Clean, enduring forever.
True, they are righteous altogether.
More desirable than fine gold, sweeter than honey.

When we understand the Word of God with our spiritual eyes, we have the answer to life.


Psalm 111:7-8 “The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.”

Psalm 118:89 NASB “Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.”

God's word is settled in heaven and the promise is there for us to use it on earth for the benefit of others to come to Christ and serve Him.

Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.“

Don't just take one Scripture without being open to other Scriptures clarifying it. As we come to know more and more of the Scripture, we come to a fuller and fuller understanding of God's direction. On the other hand. Don't live hog tied because you don't know everything. When you get revelation, live according to that revelation. When you receive more adjust your life to that added revelation. Isaiah 30:15

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

People mock the Bible. In the end they will receive the results of their foolishness.

Isaiah42:9 "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."

Isaiah 48:3 "I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

Isaiah 55:11 God's word will accomplish what it was sent for.

Jeremiah 1:12 “Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."

Ezekiel 12:45 "For I the LORD will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it," declares the Lord GOD.'"

2 Tim 3:16 all Scripture is profitable for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness.

Paul's writings are Scripture according to Peter. “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16

John 8:32 the truth will set you free.

The problem is not God's failure to act. It is our unbelief. We can live by God's word.

Blessing and Faith

Be Attitudes Matt 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-23
Blessing guidelines Deuteronomy 28

Blessings are based on our actions from these passages.

God is not the source of your trouble. God is your deliverer. Faith with obedience are needed. Stand against the devil.

Faith and obedience are needed for the answer of blessing. James 1:22 Some would say it is by grace and not works. Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is by grace through faith. Grace is offered and we take the grace by faith. Faith is expressed by our actions. Some would say, it is God who gives us faith. Yes, God gives faith to all. Romans 12:3 We all have faith, just as the disciples had. 2 Peter 1:1 It is given to us to grow our faith and use our faith. We are not saved with no action. Action is the result of faith and not the other way of action giving rise to faith. Philippians 3 shows Paul  seeking God with zeal. He doesn't trust in his zeal but in the work of Christ. Philippians 3:9 Zeal will follow, when faith is there.

If you have faith and no zeal, your faith is dead. James 2:17 What do you do when your faith is dead? Let God arise. Ps 68:1; Revelation 3:20; Isaiah 40:31-41:1a; Romans 10:17  With God, faith is activated. And when faith is activated zeal is there. Without the zeal we will question the idea that Bible hope is producing. The hope of the Bible brings God and faith. The hope of the Bible without God brings arrogance and/or frustration. The hope of the Bible without God is powerless. It is faith that overcomes. If we are not overcoming something is missing. 1 John 5:4

What do we do when something is missing? Seek God! Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 6:33; Isaiah 40:31-41:1a And continue seeking Him till we understand what is going on. James 1:5; Matthew 7:8 With God and His direction we will overcome. 1 John 5:4 Some would say, “but I haven't overcome. This faith stuff doesn't work.” We don't try faith for a while to see if it works. We live by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Faith doesn't quit in hard times. Faith rejoices in hard times! Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4 It is the hard times that brings the power. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Remember:
Understanding Scripture is not for self indulgence. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give us an abundant life. It also says in Luke 12:15 we are not to be greedy. Even when we have an abundance our life does not consist of our possessions. So, our abundant life is not talking about possessions. We can't believe in godly faith for our own pleasure. James 4:3 Yes, there is prosperity. Proverbs 10:22 The purpose of prosperity is the advancement of God's kingdom. Deuteronomy 8:18

Jesus is our life and light. Every day is an adventure with Jesus.

Trust God

We can always trust God because his word is sure. Psalm 119:89

We can trust God because he answers and hears our prayers. 1 John 5:14-15

We can always trust God because he watches over his word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12 and every one of his promises are yes as we live in him. 2 Corinthians 1:20

God will never leave us or forsake us God lives with us. Hebrews 13:5 We are his Temple.  1 Corinthians 3:16

God has a work for us to do Ephesians 2:10. What God has begun to do he will complete Philippians 1:6

We are blessed with all the blessings God has for us, we have them already. Ephesians 1:3 There is more power living in us then there is in any opposition against us.  1 John 4:4

If God is for us what kind of opposition is there. Romans 8:31 Whatever comes against us will fail Isaiah 54:17 we are the head and not the tail Deuteronomy 28:13 we have the keys of the Kingdom Matthew 16:19 we rule in this life. Romans 5:17

We can walk in faith and whatever we are doing for Jesus there is victory in Jesus.  Psalm 1:3

Sickness can't touch us.  Colossians 3:3; Psalm 91:10 We have God's light within and sickness is darkness and light casts out darkness John 1:5 perfect love casts out fear 1 John 4:18 Jesus cast out the work of Satan Hebrews 2:14 we have God's promise that what He's giving will work when we believe.  Romans 10:11

Go to God in Prayer Philippians 4:6-9 believe God John 6:29 and rejoice in the answer. Romans 4:17-21 Mark 11:22-24 If you can't minister pray and rejoice, then when you can minister do it shouting victory.  Zechariah 4:6-7

God is our Refuge. Ps 46:1

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

God is our present help. Not just our future help. We can count on Him now. God asks us to respond to the word of God now. God wants obedience. He will not ask from us what He is not like. God is like what He teaches us to do. We are to be like God. Eph 5:1

Jesus said that Lazarus would rise again. There is a requirement of belief for it says in John 11:40 "Did I not say to you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?"

Belief flows in part in our willingness to follow God as we receive His direction. If we are not really ready to obey His direction, we aren't truly His disciple and we don't have the attitude of a disciple.

Believe God is a help today. Don't look at your circumstances, give glory to God.

Det 4:7 God is near to us when we call on Him. What does it mean to be near? It means God hears. And if God hears we have the answer. 1 John 5:14,15.

Psalm 34:17-18 "The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit."


People have said, "I asked and I didn't get an answer." Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. For he who asks receives and he who seeks will find and he who knocks it will be opened to him. Matthew 7:7-8

It is our persistence that show our belief. Faith wouldn't quit. Faith pushes forward. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called. 1 Timothy 6:12 What were you called for? Ephesians 2:10 Fight for that and keep fighting. Knowing the truth but giving up on it is not knowing. It is remaining in the word that brings freedom. John 8:31-32; James 1:22

Romans 8:11 Healing

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Verse 11 is a power verse. The Spirit of God the Spirit of power will give life to us.

We have established that the Spirit lives in us. Especially if we are awake in the spirit and have put our minds on the things of the Spirit and removed the things of the flesh from our mind.

Remember that we don't remove things from our mind by saying I won't think or do bad things. We put away the things of the flesh by instead putting our minds on the things of the Spirit and then doing them.

The work that the Spirit does in our spirit, will also be done in our body. Do we believe that? Like all promises, they are effective when we believe. John 11:40 “ … Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

This belief is not done by keeping rules. 2 Cor 3:6 the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. We have the life giving Spirit within us. The letter speaks of rules. We don't live by rules, but by God's Spirit, as it moves us by the word of faith and love. Romans 10:8

Instead of rules we yield our minds to the life giving Spirit. John 5:21 The Son gives life to whom He wishes. John 5:24 When we hear and believe the words of the Son we have this life. The sower parable teaches us to hear God's words and do them.  Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:4-15; Matthew 13:3-23  Our work is to believe God's words. John 6:29 To believe is not saying we understand the Scriptures. It is a mindset of relying on them. I rely on my car to get me to work.  In the same way I rely on God to guide me and show me the path of life. Life flows from belief. Why work for belief? There are many voices vying for our attention. Shut out the voices that speak against God's directions. And listen to what God is saying. Listen to the Holy Spirit within.

We listen to God when we read the Bible with expectation of Him speaking to us. John 6:63 The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. God's words bring life. And we have the teacher of God's words living within us. The Holly Spirit brings life as we act on His leading. Romans 8:14

Romans 4:17 Believe and call into existence, what God has promised. We don't look at death within, but we look at the promise that the Holy Spirit brings to us. When we believe God we can speak with power and call into being what God has ordered.

As I have been meditating on this verse, giving life to your body means your body has to be dead first. I always thought of my fleshly body as being under a curse and the Spirit brings health to us. And this is true. The promise of health is there. But also we need to die to ourselves that life from God may grow within. The dying to our wants is needed if we are to be free to live for the purpose we were made for. Galatians 2:20

Giving life to our mortal bodies speaks to our ability to do what we were called to do. Ephesians 2:10 We can believe God to do what we have been called to do. We can believe God for healing so we can do the work God has called us to.

Now what is this life? Is it spiritual life or physical health? It is both. Just as we are saved and healed at the cross we walk in salvation and healing today. We are not saved to go to heaven only. We are saved for a new life to be lived for Jesus.

How are we to walk today? By the word of God. It is the Word Of Life. Romans 10:8 word of faith. Confession comes with faith Romans 10:8-10 If the word is in our mouth  and in our heart it is active. If it is not in our mouth and in our heart it is not active and just produces arrogance. Arrogance comes from knowledge without action in love. 1 Corinthians 8:1 For if we know but have not the experience of action we don't realize our need of the Spirit to walk it out. With the knowledge of our need we remain humble. So action keeps us humble, and this humbleness brings more grace. James 4:6 Grace gives us the ability to do what we are called for. It starts with obedience to God's word.

Now there can be action without faith. How do we know the difference?  Is there peace? Is there a motive of love? Is there joy? Fear will destroy faith. Perfect love casts out fear for there is no fear in love. Fear deflates faith. How do we handle a doubt or fear? 1 John 4:18 It is by quoting the word of God and deciding to live by the word and not by our fears. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 So faith is moving in peace in love and casting out the thought of fear.

Romans 8:11 can also talk about the promise of resurrection. We have the hope of resurrection from the Scriptures. Scriptures on resurrection – Phil 3:21; 1 Thes 4:14; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:20-23; 2 Cor 4:14 Notice it is the mortal body that is being brought to life. In our resurrection the mortal is replace with the immortal. “For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:53 People that say this verse does not refer to physical healing never bring this point up  of mortal putting on the immortality. The resurrection brings the immortality. Healing beings the mortal to life to function. So the Spirit within us will bring healing to our physical bodies as we believe.

Where is the contrast of Romans 8:11 “But if”?

Our responding to God in righteousness allows God's Spirit to live and be active within us.  When the Spirit is within, He will give life to all three parts of our being when we respond in faith.  Verse 10 talks of life to our spirit. Verse 11 speaks of life to our mortal bodies. Our salvation has provided for a spiritual salvation, John 3:16 a change of our soul, Romans 12:1,2 and the promise of physical healing Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24.

The chapter talks of all three parts of our being. Our soul, our spirit and our body. We are reborn at salvation making all things new. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 43:18-19; Revelation 21:5

We are anointed by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a pledge at Salvation
Ephesians 1:13, and from the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This passage is a prophecy of the Christ. (in Hebrew the Christ is the Messiah).

The Holy Spirit within illuminates the Scriptures, making them highlighted in our spirits. As we have this light of God within us, the darkness that comes against us will be destroyed. It is belief in the light that will chase the darkness away. Darkness is the absence of light. When God's light shines within darkness is gone. The works of Satan are darkness. John 3:20 The works of God are light and Satan can't stand the light.  When we have God's light Satan can't touch us. 1 John 5:18; Psalm 91:10 Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. Acts 10:38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

We are sent as Jesus was sent. So the ability that Jesus had, we have now in the present.  John 20:21 We can pray for people to be healed. Mark 11:24 We can command the sickness to leave. Mark 11:23 And we can live in the blessing and sickness won't touch us. Psalm 91:10; 1 John 5:18


AREAS TO CONSIDER IN HEALING.
Healing is promised in the atonement. Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 8:17; 1 Pt 2:24
Healing is for all today. 2 Corinthians 1:20;  Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3
Faith is required. Mark 11:22; Hebrews 11:1
Authority in Jesus name. We live in God's kingdom. We have the right of inheritance. We are God's sons. Mark 16:17-18
Agreement and unity in prayer. Matthew 18:19
God's word living in you. John 6:63; John 15:7; John 8:31-32
Misunderstandings of Scripture. Hosea 4:6; John 8;31-32; James 1:22
Sowing with your words. Proverbs 18:20-21
Healing in communion. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30
Spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Free from the curse of the law. Deuteronomy 28; Galatians 3:13
How to deal with worry, fear and doubt. Philippians 4:6-9
Understanding Paul's thorn. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Numbers 33:55
Suffering for righteousness does not include sickness, or if it did we should not go to the doctor for help in getting out of what we thought God had put on us. 2 Timothy 3:12
Conquerors and over comers Romans 8:37; Revelation 12:11
Growing in faith. Isaiah 41:15; Romans 1:17
Growing in God's grace. 2 Peter 3:18
Living in God's glory.  Colossians 1:27
God's light defeats darkness. John 1:5

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Romans 8:10 When Christ Is In Us We Have Life

Romans 8:10 

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

If Christ is in you refers to salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17;  1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 If we are saved, we have Christ.

v 10 the spirit is alive because of righteousness. What is righteousness? Habakkuk 2:4 says the just or righteousness will live by faith. Righteousness is living by faith. Paul said that he was seeking the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Phil 3 This is in contrast with self righteous. Which is based on our good works. OUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. OUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE BECAUSE OF FAITH. We live by faith. Faith is possible when we die to ourselves. Gal 2:20 we live by faith and we die to our self. This is to be done daily, Luke 9:23

Romans 4 teaches righteous by faith.

Amplified says righteousness that God imputes to us. V10 We live by pointing back to what Jesus did for us at the cross. It is a past work. It is not a work we need to be doing now. Our confidence is not in ourselves but in what has already been done for us. Faith is in the word of God and we act on it. If we don't act on it there really is no faith for faith with out works is dead.

The Spirit is alive within us because of belief, faith and action in what God is saying to us. We turn from having our minds set on worldly things and put our mind on heavenly things. Life then starts to flow. When we again put our mind on the things of the flesh life spiritual life stops. Our body is dead because of the curse and our sin. But it we trust in the Spirit of God there can be life for our body as well as our soul by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

It is not our righteousness that causes the Spirit to be alive in us. For it says in Phil 3:9 “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Our righteousness comes from God, not from our works that would have been considered as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 We rest in God because of His free gift of grace. Our righteousness is a gift. We can accept this gift of faith and rest in the knowledge of God's goodness to us.

In verse 32 again it says God will freely give us all things along with Jesus. This righteousness is freely given to us. We don't earn it. 2 Cor 1:20 In Jesus are all the promises. We have this righteousness in Jesus. Set your mind on Jesus. And the Spirit is freed to be active in us.

As we set our mind on God we realize what we have. We have this righteousness in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:30. 1 Corinthians 1:31 So let us boast in the Lord.

It is the Spirit of God that gives us life. It is the Spirit that will bring life to our body. Not our works. Not our good deeds. But our faith! Let us be people of this faith.

Receiving from God's promises is not because our works. It is because of our righteousness. Our righteousness is a result of our faith in God. God's work is complete and we rest in this complete work.

We are in right relationship with God not because of our good works but our faith in God's work. We receive the promises not by our works but by God's work. We receive by resting. “Then where is prayer in this? It is to move from worry to rest. Many times the Scriptures say to not fear. The way to move from fear to rest is to pray the Phil 4:6-9 example. This shows you how to get into rest.

In verse 10 it says the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Then in verse 11 it says our body can also receive life by the Holy Spirit that lives in us. There is a growth taught here. First we can have life in our spirits. Second we can have life in our bodies. Why is this important to grow to have life in our bodies? It is by our bodies that we are able to serve God. If we remain sick we are a drain on others and not able to minister as we have been called to do.

Verse 11 is one of the great healing verses of the Bible. By the Spirit we can have this healing. And how does that happen? The verses before show that we put our mind on the things of the Spirit. And for healing that would be the promises of the Bible. We meditate, pray over, state to our mountain that God will bring the finishing touches and have victory in healing. Zechariah 4:7 with shouts of grace. And grace is God's ability that comes to us through the Bible. So shout God's ability to the mountain that is stopping us.

Healing can be a higher level of faith. First we can live for God but be attacked in our body. As our faith grows we can also gain health by the Spirit of God that is living in us. There are many reasons for sickness. A love for others will not judge others but instead shine the light of God to encourage them to reach higher.  And why healing? To minister for Christ.

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Romans 8:9 If we Belong to Jesus we have the Holy Spirit

Rocky Mountain Juniper

 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

Verses 5-8 talk of the difference of being in the flesh and the Spirit. It is  a mindset. At salvation we get the seal of the spirit. Ephesians 1:13.  A mind set on the flesh will pursue the things that would gratify fleshly desires.  With the Spirit we have other purposes.

Does the Holy Spirit dwell in us? We receive the Spirit at salvation as a seal. The Spirit came when Jesus was caught up to heaven. In Acts 2:4 the baptism of the Holy Spirit came to the believers. This was a second experience. But this second  experience is not what Rom. 8:9 is talking about. All Christians have the Holy Spirit. Not all have the baptism of the Spirit, but He is available to all, as they believe.

Does sin cause the Holy Spirit to leave? Jesus said He would be with us always. Matthew 28:20 In another place He said that He would never leave us or forsake us.  Hebrews 13:5 We are born again as a new creation at salvation. To lose the Holy Spirit is to lose our salvation.  So yes we have the Holy Spirit.

So what happens when we are walking in the flesh for a time? In verses 5-8 it talks of death as separation from God because of our inattention. It is like being asleep in the spirit. We have the Holy Spirit but are not aware of Him because of our spiritual sleep walking. When we wake up and return to walking with the Spirit, we can make use of Him who dwells within.

The idea of sleeping is brought out in a couple of places. Ephesians 5:14 “... Awake sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.” When we are asleep we are just flowing with the ways of the world. We may not actively be involved in the works of the devil.  Nevertheless, we are carried down stream by our lack of opposition to the evil in the world. And by opposition I am talking of standing in faith for the light of God to be brought to people in darkness.

In Revelation 3:2 “Wake up and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.” When we are asleep our spiritual strength saps away. It is just like in the physical. If you don't exercise you loose your edge. If we don't drink water we become weak. If we don't read the Bible our spirit weakens and falls asleep. Wake up and strengthen what God has given you. Wake up and let the light of the word of God bring life to your body. When we are awake we will speak God's word in faith.

Our union with God is flowing and operating when we keep God's words. When we don't keep them, we quench the Spirit and cease to live in eternal principals. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 It is easy to open the flow. Just repent and start living in God's word.

Where it says if we don't have the spirit of Christ. It is referring to the fact that our inattention to spiritual things quenches the Spirit of God working in our life. He is still there but can't operate by our lack of attention. Or direct repression of the things of the Spirit when we indulge the flesh.

Romans 8 is showing contrasts throughout the chapter. Before in verses five through eight there is a contrast between the flesh and the spirit. Here I think the passage is refering to the difference between a person that has accepted Christ and one who doesn't. We are saved and we have the Spirit of God living within. If we weren't saved we wouldn't have God's Spirit within. We have the Spirit within already, so live accordingly.

To walk in the Spirit is to keep the words of Jesus as we live. Or to say it another way, to keep the words of Jesus in mind as we live. To wake up, requires just a simple word of repentance to God and then step into our place of abiding. We are free from condemnation and can be about Christ's business as we live by faith not works.

Lord, I thank you for Your Spirit that lives within me. Give me the words of life for each day to live for you. Thanks Jesus.

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Romans 8:8 What Pleases God?

                                                 
Romans 8:8 “and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

If those in the flesh can't please God? What pleases God?

God is pleased when we worship Him and bless Him with our life of service. Be still and know that God is God. Psalm 46:10 Remember what He has done for you in the past and know that he doesn't change. He will do for you, the same as He has done for others. He will do for you again as He has in the past done for you.

Here is a list I have found, on what pleases God.
Hope in God's mercy. Psalm 147:11
Faith Hebrews 11:6
Mind set on the Spirit. Romans 8:5-8
Walk with God. Genesis 5:24
Fear the Lord. Psalm 147:11: Proverbs 2:1-5
Follow the example of Jesus. Matthew 17:5; Philippians 2:5-11
God takes pleasure in obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 6:6
Offer a sacrifice of praise to God,  Hebrews 13:15-16
Doing good and sharing. Hebrews 13:15-16
Do God's will. Hebrews 13:20-21
Go beyond God's will/commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
Matthew 3:17 The Father was well pleased with Jesus.
John 8:29 Jesus always does things that are pleasing to the Father.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”
John 12:42-43 Confessing Christ will gain the praise and favor of God. Many would rather gain mans' favor which would not be pleasing to God.
Proverbs 16:7 “When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
John 15:8 The Father is glorified by us bearing much fruit!
Ezekiel 33:11 God takes pleasure in the wicked repenting and living. Ezekiel 18:23

Hope
Hope in God's mercy Psalm 147:11 This passage is what God wants us to do. To hope in His lovingkindness or mercy. Verse 10 says that God does not take pleasure in man's strength or that of horses. Horses can refer to the technology man has used to make a more powerful military. God is not impressed in our military might or our physical strength. We can gain strength by waiting on God in the secret place. Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 91:1

Faith
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Faith comes from hearing God's word. We hear, not just with our physical ears, but also in the spirit with our spiritual ears. Hearing with spiritual ears is having the attitude of taking God's word to heart and using it to produce fruit with perseverance.

Our belief and faith in God is our basis of life in Christ. I have written often on faith. See these articles here.

Mind set on the Spirit 
Mind set on the Spirit instead of the flesh is what is being taught here in the first part of Romans 8. Romans 12:1-2 presents a way that renews and directs our mind correctly.

Walk with God
Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” What does it mean to walk with God? It is to walk in communion with God and in the ways of God.
Genesis 6:9 Noah was righteous, blameless,  and he walked with God. He wound favor with God.
In Malachi 2:6, priests did not listen and did not take God's word to heart.
And what is the purpose of listening and taking God's word to heart?
To give honor to God's name.

Therefore your blessing will turn to a curse. When we listen and take heed, the blessing that is our is available for us to use.
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God's covenant is one of life and peace.
When we hear God, we have life. John 6:63 And when we hear God we have peace. John 16:33 In Isaiah 55:12 it says, we are to go out with joy and be led forth with peace. When we have God speaking to us through the Bible, in our mind, by our conscience and dreams and visions, through others and the still small voice. There is peace when we hear God. We have strength when we have joy. Nehemiah 8:10 If we lack joy from the Lord there is no strength. Isaiah 40:31 says we will gain strength when we wait on the Lord. When we wait on the Lord we gain joy of the Lord. So wait at least as long till the joy of the Lord comes.

When joy and peace leave return to the Lord. We should not wait for the joy to leave. Instead, return to the Lord often to maintain the joy and peace.

Our walk with God brings relationship, and this relationship will bring joy and peace. Don't let the problems of the world and the concern that this brings take away the joy and peace of Jesus. Without the strength of the Lord you  can't do any good. Effectiveness comes from moving in the Spirit of God. Present your requests to the Lord in the evening and rise with God's blessing each morning.

Revelation 3:4 We can walk with God, because we are worthy. Sin will cause us to not be able to be at peace with God or ourselves. We cleanse ourselves by reading the word and believing it. John 15:3 It is not our good works that cleanse us. It is believing the blood of Jesus has in the past cleansed us. Our conscience will be renewed in Scripture. John 15:3 Walk in the Scripture with confidence.

Fear the Lord
Some say reverence instead of fear. These two words are two sides of the same coin.  If we live in disobedience there should be fear to get right with God. If we are walking in the Spirit there is reverence. Proverbs 2:1-5 gives a definition of the fear of God and how it works.

Receive God's words. Take them to heart and believe them and follow them. Treasure God's commands by meditating, memorizing and praying them. Make your ear attentive to wisdom and understanding, by taking time to learn God's precepts and listing to the Lord in how to put them into practice. Cry for discernment, by not just reading the Bible but cry out to God for better ways to use of what you are learning. Lifting your voice in prayer to God and asking others for how to follow God. Seeking and searching the Scriptures for God's answers, the hidden treasures in the Scriptures.

Follow the example of Jesus.
For years I thought that was impossible and never heard anyone teach this. Then I read that Jesus was the first born among all creation. Colossians 1:15 We are a new creation at salvation. Something changes within, at salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Jesus was the first and we are his brothers and sisters.

We are to walk as Jesus walked .1 John 2:6 We are called to follow Jesus. Matthew 4:19 How does this work out? It happens as the promises become alive in us. It is not just knowing what the Bible promises. It is believing that all the the promises in the Bible are yes as we believe them with the faith coming from God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Follow the example of Jesus.
Have the attitude that Jesus had. Philippians 2:5-11

Turn away from what you have, to be free to serve as you are led. Sometimes we can use what we have for Christ. Other times God calls us to a work where we need to get rid of things that are in the way.

When we die to our wants and give our life to Jesus, he replaces our desires with His. Our wants change.

God takes pleasure in obedience. 
Deuteronomy 26:16 Accept God's direction and do them with all your heart and mind. See also Deuteronomy 32:46
Joshua 1:8 When we meditate on Scripture it becomes part of us. We then are able to do it with the leading of God's Spirit through the Bible. God wants us to keep the commands of Jesus, which is loving God and others. John 15:10,12

Offer a sacrifice of praise to God,  Hebrews 13:15-16
Why a sacrifice? It is not a sacrifice of giving things up, but devotion to God.
And we are to to it continually. Look at the study I made on the things we are to do always.
We love God and the way to love others is to do good for them. V16 These things please God.

Do God's will. Hebrews 13:20-21
As we work for God in the things we were made to do, it pleases Him. Ephesians 2:10 We work to give glory to God. Deflect the glory others want to give you and give that glory to God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”
We all have been entrusted with the gospel. Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 4:19 Don't seek the pleasure of men but of God in what you do. Galatians 1:10 A mind set on the Spirit will not worry about the recognition of man. John 5:44

John 12:42-43 Confessing Christ will gain the praise and favor of God. Many would rather gain mans' favor which would not be pleasing to God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”

Acknowledge the Lord in all you do! He is the one who will make your way of life effective. A good synonym of acknowledge is to declare. Declare God is with you and helping you in all you do. In all your ways declare God is working. If the results are being ostracized by others, be glad and leap for joy. Your reward will be great in heaven. Luke 6:22-23

If we go to John 12:24 we see there is no fruit if we don't die to our fleshly wants. When we confess Christ in our life, we are declaring He is active not only in us but also others as they rely on Him. We die to our hope of worldly gain by doing this. But there is a hope of spiritual gain by influencing others.

The Father is glorified by us bearing much fruit! John 15:8
John 15 discusses our relationship to God as a vine and branches. We produce fruit as we abide with Christ. So God is glorified as we abide in Christ. You can't abide in Christ and ignore what He says. When we make Christ our source we follow His teachings.

God takes pleasure in the wicked turning from death to life. Ezekiel 33:11; Ezekiel 18:23
If God takes pleasure in the wicked turning to Christ. He will take pleasure as we take His instructions of going to sharing the Gospel with others.

You can't do any of the things written here effectively without your mind set on the Spirit of God. It is my experience that sharing the gospel is hard.  And I find that as I die to myself and live for God I am able to go and the love of God comes to me to help other people. This dying is not just a short prayer but a meditation of Scriptures and letting them change my mindset.

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