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Thought For The Day (July 18, 2011) – Choose To Put On The New Self

Operating in the flesh is death. So, put on the new self – always!

The flesh is everything that operates in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the self-denominated legacy of fallen man.

Romans 8:5-14 (NASB) reads:
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 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.
10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11 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.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh–
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Be therefore renewed in the spirit of your mind; putting on the new self that has been created in YHWH.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB) reads
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Be blessed to be a blessing.

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Thought For The Day (July 17, 2012): Overcoming The Flesh

Walk by the SPIRIT; put on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and overcome the flesh …

Romans 13:12-14 (NASB) reads:
12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Galatians 5:16-25 (NASB) reads:
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Choose to live and function by the SPIRIT, in CHRIST JESUS (see 1 John 5:10a, 7-10) which is the prophetic reality in which GOD has predestined freedom from the Law of Sin and Death (Romans 8:2). Amen!

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Personal Spiritual Warfare

The Basis Of Personal Spiritual Warfare:

(1) Understanding The Victory Of YESHUA.

o Colossians 2:13-15 declares: < When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. >

(2) The Witness of YESHUA is alive in us in Spirit, Water & Blood. This is the Witness of the Cross in YESHUA’s Victory.

o 1 John 5:10a, 7-8 (NKJV) reads: < He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself … . For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. >

o Revelation 3:14b (NASB) describes YESHUA’s Witness as: < … The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God … >

(3) Functioning in the Authority of YESHUA through His Witness in us.

o Matthew 28:18 reads: < And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” >

Functioning In Personal Spiritual Warfare:

(1) Praying by the HOLY SPIRIT through the Witness of YESHUA.

o Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV) reads: < There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. >

(2) Binding the strongman through YESHUA’s Witness, by the HOLY SPIRIT, unveils the Finger of GOD from our inward parts

o In Matthew 12:28 YESHUA declares: < … I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. >

o In Luke 11:20 YESHUA declares: < … I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. >

o In Matthew 12:29 YESHUA explains: < … How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. >

(3) In the Shabbat-Shalom of YESHUA (see John 17:6a), actualized by the SPIRIT, in our heart, we ascertain that the stronghold(s) is (are) either partially or wholly broken (or, destroyed). [Every time we actualize peace its as if one aspect of satan’s hold over a person (or, an entity) is broken.]

o Hebrews 5:13-14 (NASB) reads: < For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their (inward spiritual) senses trained to discern good and evil. >

o Romans 16:20 (NASB) reads: <The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. >

o 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB) reads: < For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. >

Always remember that YESHUA came to destroy the works of the devil. Have a persevering faith because the victory has been won. GBU.

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Thought For The Day (July 16, 2012): Praying By The SPIRIT To Put On CHRIST

Pray by the SPIRIT to be clothed by the Spirit of CHRIST for all things – in thought, word, deed and relationship.

As YESHUA declared in John 16:14b (NASB), < He (the HOLY SPIRIT) will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. >

The Spirit of CHRIST communicates the anointing that brings the capacities of CHRIST into the fabric of our being – for all things.

A born-again Christian should clearly understand that he/she should pray by the SPIRIT to actualize the potential of doing all things through the capacities of the Spirit of CHRIST, the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST (1 Cor 15:45 + Phil 1:19c).

1 John 2:20 (NASB) reads: < But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. >

1 John 2:27 (NASB) reads: < As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. >

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) reads: < I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. >

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Growing In The Fear Of The LORD (YHWH)

To fear GOD is to revere Him or, to reverence Him.

Scripture declares that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of Knowledge (Prov 1:7a) and the beginning of Wisdom (Prov 9:10a).

Psalm 103:11-18 declares, that the LORD opens His Heart to those who fear Him:
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.

What does it mean to fear GOD?
o Deut 6:13 reads: < “You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. >
o Deut 10:12-13 reads: < “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? >
o Deut 10:20 reads: < “You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. >
o Psalm 115:11 reads: < You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD …. >
o 2 Corinthians 7:1 reads: < Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. >

The Spirit of the fear of the LORD is an ingredient of the anointing that YESHUA perfected.

Isaiah 11:2-3a reads: < The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him (YESHUA), The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And He (YESHUA) will delight in the fear of the LORD ..>

Proverbs 9:1 reads: < Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars (this verse is talking about the seven pillars of the anointing). >

Seven prophetically symbolizes perfection, and the reality of us being perfected in the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST (1 Cor 15:45 + Phil 1:19c). We must pray by the SPIRIT that GOD will perfect us in the Spirit of the fear of the LORD. Amen!

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Thought For The Day (July 15, 2012): Live Right & Be Victorious

Philippians 4:4-8
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Romans 16:20 reads:
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

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Entering And Operating In The Kingdom Of GOD

Prayer: HOLY FATHER, in a world falling apart, we need Thee to invade our realities, our every situation and circumstance, our homes, our families, our work and business situations, our ministries. Dear LORD open the reality of Your Kingdom and its resources to our inward parts and, enable us to access your abundant provision by the HOLY SPIRIT. Give to us a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, that we may actualize the fullness of JESUS CHRIST in Whom are hidden all the treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge. Amen.

Scripture references: Eph 1:17-19; Col 2:2-3.

We who are born of Water and the SPIRIT (John 3:5) can actually enter the Kingdom of GOD through the Witness of JESUS CHRIST alive in us (1 John 5:10a). We enter by faith – exercised in prayer – knowing that we are justified by the atoning power of the Blood of the LAMB (Rom 5:9). Understand that the Kingdom of GOD is within us (Luke 17:20-21, KJV).

As Deuteronomy 30:11-15 (NKJV) reads:
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil

Understand that the Word of the Kingdom (Matt 13:19a) is in our mouth and in our heart through the Witness of JESUS CHRIST. We can activate this Witness by praying in the SPIRIT (Rom 8:2) and unveil the Mysteries of the Kingdom of GOD (Matt 13:11a, 16-17) from our inward parts.

Matthew 13:11a, 16-17 (NKJV) reads:
11 He answered and said to them, “… it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven …
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Hebrews 12:22-24 (NASB) reads:
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Genesis 22:14 (NKJV) reads:
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

Genesis 22:14 (KJV) reads:
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

May the resources of the Kingdom be opened through each one of us in the peculiar situations and circumstances of our personal lives, our families, our work places, our businesses and, in our ministries. Amen. GBU!

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Thought For The Day (July 13, 2012): YHWH’s Provision Involves Our Heart

We need to take care of our heart because receiving YHWH’s provision involves our heart.

Genesis 22:14 (NKJV) reads:
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide (YHWH-Jireh); as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

Psalm 24:3-4 (NKJV) reads:
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Psalm 15:1-2 (NKJV) reads:
1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart …

Hebrews 12:22-24 (NKJV) reads:
22 But you have come to Mount Zion [the Mount of YHWH] and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

We have an appointed place in the MOST HIGH GOD, positioned under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY.

Psalm 91:1 (NKJV) reads:
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

We access this position by faith in GOD through His SON, the WORD of GOD. The Witness of YESHUA alive in us, by the HOLY SPIRIT, qualifies us to operate in this position (see Romans 8:2).

1 John 5:10, 7-8 (NKJV) reads:
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. …
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

This reality is part and parcel of the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Genesis 28:10-13, 16-17 reads:
10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.
12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. [See also John 1:51, 47-51.]
13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. ……
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”
17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”

We are the house of GOD and the gate to heaven is the Witness of JESUS CHRIST in us. This Witness arises from a circumcised heart of flesh. Amen!

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Thought For The Day (July 12, 2012): Watch Over Your Heart

Watch over your heart.

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NASB) reads:
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Matthew 5:8 (NASB) reads:
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

How do we develop a pure heart?

1 John 3:3 reads:
3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him (JESUS CHRIST) purifies himself, just as He (JESUS CHRIST) is pure.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) reads:
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NASB) reads:
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants (ministers) of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

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An Insight Into Grace:

The GOD of the OT is exactly the same as the GOD of the NT. GOD is Immutable, He is Unchanging. GOD is also Holy.

And sin in all its forms is abhorrent to Him.

GOD is Jealous not in the sense of humans being jealous; but, GOD is Jealous in and for His Name that expresses WHO HE IS and all THAT HE IS.

In my article on Understanding Lawlessness And Its Consequences I speak of the origin and reality of sin – in the Mystery of Lawlessness. The evil that flows from sin and the death that manifests as a consequence of evil, is an expression of a spirituality called Lawlessness.

The history of man throughout the world is a blood bath of pain and suffering because of lawlessness: as a consequence of what we inflict on each other in every field of human endeavor.

GOD gave the Law to Moses to try and control the ‘progress of evil’ in the context of Israel. And, GOD did this because Adam had chosen to do his own thing: live as a law unto himself.

The Law GOD gave to Moses worked to some extent but Israel was unable to adhere to GOD’s Law on a sustainable basis.

In the NT GOD sends HIS WORD in human form (as JESUS CHRIST) to produce a Testament that is in fulfillment of the Law through the Cross.

JESUS overcame sin, evil and death testimonially.

In John 3:16-17 JESUS CHRIST declares the essential reality of grace: < “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” >

On the Cross we actually see the Nature and Character and Witness Of GOD, the reality of “I AM” devoid of His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience and His Glory.

In Philippians 3:7 we read that the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the WORD of GOD emptied Himself (Greek: kenosis) to take human form and pay the price for our sin through the actual fulfillment of the Law.

GOD vindicated JESUS CHRIST by raising Him from the dead clearly demonstrating that the consequences of sin, evil and death had been overcome testimonially.

JESUS CHRIST is the spiritual blueprint for a new man for anyone willing to accept Him as LORD and Saviour.

As 2 Cor 5:17-18a reads: < Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ … >

Ephesians 2:10 reads: < For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. >

What GOD intended from the Beginning with Adam has been restored – by Promise, that we enter into by grace, through faith.

2 Cor 1:20 reads: < For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (in JESUS CHRIST) they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. >

There are many in todays world who say that GOD in the OT destroyed ‘innocent’ people. Through Law we understand that all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.

Many years ago while writing one of my books the HOLY SPIRIT asked me how much I know. Having spent much time in my studies, in engineering and international finance, and in the pursuit of my career goals, I said LORD I know a little bit.

The HOLY SPIRIT then asked me: Can you make me a ‘little’ mustard seed? I said no LORD, I can’t!

The HOLY SPIRIT continued: Assuming I can make a mustard seed for you, My son would you know how to make it grow and live? I said: No LORD, I cant.

The HOLY SPIRIT then continued: Now my son how much do you know? I replied: I know nothing LORD.

Why did I say this? Because GOD was talking of a knowledge form that no man has or knows. Our knowledge forms do not give life.

GOD is entirely unlike us and I am grateful that HE IS WHO HE IS and ALL THAT HE IS, entirely unlike us, so that I actually can have a future through Him.

Just as we would treat cancer by destroying it entirely, the cancer of sin has to be likewise treated. But GOD has opened an infallible treatment for the cancer of sin through the LORD JESUS CHRIST, by His grace and mercy, through the actual communication of the Testimony of JESUS – in the communicative medium of JESUS CHRIST’s Spirit and Life (see John 6:63) – into us.

Through the Testimony of JESUS, GOD subordinately and derivatively, communicates His Nature, His Character, His faith, His love, His Righteousness, His Holiness etc into us; and, this is salvation. It is not a philosophical cop-out; it is tried and tested reality of the Word of GOD that will stand forever.

In Jeremiah 1:12, YHWH (GOD) declares that HE is watching over His Word to perform it. May GOD bless us all by opening us to His Word with an understanding that derives wholly from Him. Amen.