Index:
Part 1
Christian Character
1. Wilderness
1.1 Importance of digit ‘40’
1.2 Why does God take us through all seasons?
1.3 ‘40’ w.r.t Preparation, change and judgment
1.4 Changes in Character / Changed Character
2. Testing
2.2 Testing is essential for
3. Suffering, Trials and temptations
4. Obedience
5. Sins within our Character
I. Immorality
II. Hypocrisy (riyakari)
III. Idolatry
IV. Witchcraft/ Occult
V. Hatred
VI. Strife
VII. Contentiousness
VIII. Gossips
IX. Wrong Teaching
X. Jealousy
XI. Envy
XII. Revelry
XIII. Idleness
XIV. Malice
XV. Anxiety
XVI. Pride
XVII. Criticism
XVIII. Disobedience
XIX. Rebellion
XX. Lying
XXI. Fear & Inconsistency
6. Positive Attributes of Character
I. Love
· 4 types of Love in the Bible
· Reasons for lack of Love
· Love for others
II. Joy
· Practical Points for Existence of Joy
· Factors reducing joy in our lives
· Joy produces…
III. Peace
· Shalom
· Shalom as God’s Vision For Humanity
· The Gospel of a Kingdom Of Peace
· Shalom further defined
IV. Grace
V. Faith
· Faith and Practice - How faith works in life?
· Faith equals God
· Hearing
· Types of faith
VI. Gentleness
VII. Long Suffering
VIII. Holiness
IX. Courage
X. Self Control
XI. Confession
XII. Mercy
XIII. Forgiveness
· WHY forgive ?
XIV. Compassion
XV. Seasoned Speech
XVI. Patience
XVII. Meekness & Humility
Part 2
7. Discipleship, Fellowship, Freedom, Commitment and Action
8. Guidance, Direction and Calling
9. Prosperity and Poverty
9.1 Principles of Giving and Receiving
10. Spiritual Discipline Principles
· Self Denial
Part 3
Changing Heavens – Changing Doors; Opening Heavens – Opening Doors
· How doors are released (opened)?
Part 1.
Christian Character
The Word and actions of God are the same. He never gives His word to immature people. The Word of God leads to authority.
God uses checks and balances in the Ministry that stops us from exalting ourselves. 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians 12:07.
We are ‘made’ to begin with and later after our transformation God starts our ministry. This implies that our character is developed according to our calling.
1. Wilderness:
Everyone faces wilderness in life. Struggle and pressure in life keeps our attention away from God. Peter’s attention was distorted since he feared that he might drown, but Jesus walked on the surface of water with His authority and command. All of us pass through different seasons in life. There are times of struggle and that is our period of faith test. Make sure that the journey of 40 days is not delayed till 40 years.
1.1 Importance of digit ‘40’:
This number represents:
i) The test of Human Life
ii) Depicts a prominent change in life
Israelites took 40 years to enter Canaan, although the geographical journey was 40 days. Their slave mentality and Egyptian Life style kept them away from the Promised Land for 40 years. Had they forsaken their sin attitude and old habits, this period would have been reduced. Therefore the significance of 40 is ‘change’.
1.2 Why does God take us through all seasons?
God wants to change us. We must leave our existing habits, attitude and luxuries of life so as to receive the Salvation Experience. Lord shows us various seasons, so that a positive change can enter our life.
1.3 ‘40’ w.r.t Preparation, change and judgment:
Noah prepared the Ark for a period of 120 years (40+40+40). God kept them in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. God lets the period of judgment enter our lives and in the mean time He is preparing a different strategy for our life. When the entire human race was being punished, God was preparing His family.
1.4 Changes in Character / Changed Character:
“God graduates gradually”.
Holiness in life changes character. Therefore we must discard all such habits and actions that take away holiness from our lives. We must allow the transitional phase in our lives to change us according to God’s standards. Scientific word for process of change is Metamorphosis. It means transformation. Man is a triune being:
Soul (Mind & Emotions) (Jaan)
Flesh (Badan)
Spirit (Rooh)
In order to reach our promised land we must learn to march ahead with:
Love & Friendship
Health
Success
Wisdom
Boldness
Prosperity
Qualifications
Respect
Peace of Mind
Serenity
Sharpness
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Magnetic Personality
Faith
Confidence
Evaluation
Self-Analysis
Organized Personality
Forgiveness
Victory over the devil
Walk with Jesus
Clear Direction.
2. Testing:
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 02:10
PEIRASMOS: Burning or refining (trials)
KAKAPATHEO: Hardships, suffering, affliction.
We expand in our relationship with Jesus through testing. It is a phase of brokenness and test of our faith. It changes us to be more like Jesus. It is similar to refining of gold in fire for purity. After the refining process we receive the prophetic vision and revelation for a new work/ purpose for Jesus.
Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus is a living example of transformation for God’s work.
3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 09:03-16
9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:09
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. Acts 16:22
21After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." 22He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
23About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."
28When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's travelling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theatre. 30Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theatre.
32The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defence before the people. 34But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
35The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus doesn't all the world knows that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. Acts 19:21-41
God’s principal is that He gives us a revelation and then allows us to be tested, i.e. revelation before tribulation. Testing enables us to be stable. The revelation that He gives is the assurance that Jesus is in-charge and shall use His people for His own glory and Honour. Prophets enjoy that tremendous privilege. Revelation and Tribulation encourage them. Jesus does not desire weak leaders for His work. The more we know Jesus, a clearer channel we will become to speak for Him.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:07
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Romans 12:06
The Lord has everything as per His Divine plan and nothing in His Kingdom happens as an accident. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 05:03-04. Suffering gives us a hope and helps us to recognize the ‘end’. We fall in self-pity like Elijah. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 04:07-10 and 17. ‘We never give up in trials for he polishes us and refines us like a beautiful precious stone. The mind of Christ is in us, we need to allow Him to work in us; through us. In Christ we are more than conquers.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 09:24-27
Elijah Flees to Horeb
1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
The LORD Appears to Elijah
And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 1 Kings 19:01-15
We must run our race that God has set for us.
Testing is done in a limelight, not where everyone can see us. Job passed through testing but the end result of his life was better than before. There is something within us which stops us from being tested. We must bear in mind that we are the clay and Jesus is our potter. He will re-shape us for His work and never to leave us alone again. God takes us through various stages to break us and mould us, so that He may work within us and through us. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." 1 Corinthians 01:11-12. Arguing does not please Jesus. We need to be grateful to Jesus for the testing and trials because that moulding process is vital to bring the character of God inside us. We can do our work and His work simultaneously. Our fruitfulness depends upon our behaviour and actions and our dependence on His Word. He opens new doors for us after testing us, gives us the opportunities that we need to fulfill the desires of our hearts.
2.2 Testing is essential for:
· Removing Character flaws
· Moulding our personality
· Improving our integrity
· Having identity in Jesus.
· We learn to live according to the standards of God because the World around us falls apart because of morality.
· Testing reveals our strengths and weaknesses. It also reveals them to other people as well. When we admit our weaknesses, Jesus makes us strong in His Mighty Power. He gives us His Liberty, which has its own boundaries. We understand His set limits for us.
· It helps us to evaluate our capabilities and gifting. It helps us to identify our unique gifting which are tailor-made. For He has a purpose in every single thing that He does.
· We no longer live in counterfeit life, rather we learn to live in a real world (realistically).
· Testing brings us the understanding of the capacity that God can use us. He wants to use us wherever we go.
· Testing helps us to improve our relationships with one another so that we integrate with the Body of Christ.
· It makes us submissive to Jesus’ authority. It imparts servant-hood.
· Jesus prefers Continual Growth in our life-style so He does not want us to carry ourselves along. He wants balance in our lives because He was never unbalanced. 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 05:18.
· We will get adversity because it is a part of testing. We need to be thankful to God in all our situations and circumstances. There is no giving up in Christian Lives. Adversity highlights the actual problems in our lives.
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 02:03
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrew 12:07-11.
This pressure turns us to Jesus otherwise we will follow our own way.
· Testing brings a sharper focus to our spiritual growth.
· Testing develops empathy in our lives. (Put us in other’s shoes). We become sensitive to the heart and voice of Jesus.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Trials and Testing click Oswald Chamber - Trials and Testing from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
3. Suffering, Trials and temptations:
· Trials and temptations are linked. Satan comes to kill and destroy the work of God. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10. He challenges everything that God says.
· Gumnaso means Spiritual workout. It is a spiritual warfare with the enemy. Satan brings his own thoughts and attitudes in our character to harm us. But Jesus wants to build us up in His Holy spirit to refine us and build our character.
· Trials lead toward patience. Patience and endurance give strength in trial and tribulation. We sign up for patience and endurance / perseverance (keep on going).
· STANDING means position of strength. When temptations come they knock us off our position of standing. We need patience while standing. Isaiah 53 for the suffering of Jesus.
· They lead us towards completion and maturity. With maturity we learn to make proper use of the power given by God.
· Out of sufferings comes exaltation. 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.1 Peter 04:01-02. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” This means that suffering is part of Christian Life. "No pain; no gain.” “We make up the sufferings which are lacking in Christ.” “Take your cross and follow Me.” “Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it cannot produce much fruit.” Jesus was rejected for He broke all the norms.
· Testing produces wholeness and perfection so that we become fully developed, with nothing missing in us. He wants us to get fully mature and not dependant upon the spirituality of others.
· We do not understand what happens to us in trials and temptations. Every thing in flesh says to leave and give up. But we need wisdom to understand the Will of God. Satan tries to stop wisdom because wisdom brings encouragement. Blessed is the man who stands firm.
· We should never blame God for temptation. Satan is allowed in the testing of Saints but only as far as God allows. Joy and pain are working together in testing. It is a part of Christian Life. The Rhema Word is always tested. Satan tests it in all ways.
· God builds stability in testing.
· Luke 04:01-13 & 15. Satan tempted Jesus to misuse His power. It was the establishment of His calling. It was the test of “Who am I?” In every attempt Satan said, “If you are the Son of Man…” It was a place of transition from a carpenter to His Ministry. After the period of test was the beginning of His Ministry.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Temptation, click below.
4. Obedience:
· Romans 08:12 Learning to obey in the place of trial is the key. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 03:06. At the time of Jesus, obedience to Jews meant to give their tithes, eat, and work according to set rules. Their actions seemed worthless for they lacked the basic element of love. We can keep the rules but in order to keep God happy we have to break the norms and follow God’s command of love and peace with men.
· Jesus does not want rules obedience, He wants heart’s obedience. “If you love me you will obey my commands.” It is promising, not demanding. Obedience comes out of love. Jesus wants our love reserved for Him.
· Love is the fulfillment of the laws. The Ten Commandments.
· We cannot mix legalism and free will. 21"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." Mark 02:21-22. We cannot please God with old rules. We need to move into direct relationship with God. These are the reasons that the dynamic Spirit is missing in the Churches. We need a flexible container to move with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
We introduce people to the fact that God loves them. They need assurance of His everlasting love. They are held in the arms of Jesus at hard-times. His love, joy and peace emphasizes His power and majesty that is outside the boundaries of our thought. He works in super-natural ways. Do not put God in a box. We must have higher expectations from Him in order to receive His blessings. He is the Almighty God and can do exceedingly more than we can ask or seek. He became nothing so that we can have everything. His blood has the Victory. People in the Church need to recognize that Jesus is far greater than our thoughts.
5. Sins within our Character:
Character is totality of a personality. There are 20 major sins in mankind as per Bible Scholar’s Research.
I. Immorality:
It is derived from a Greek word pornea. It means sexual thoughts and lust and all such images that enhance sexual desires.
II. Hypocrisy (riyakari):
Hypocrisy means not concentrating on your own deeds and lifting up weaknesses of others. A hypocrite does not measure himself with the same scale that he uses for others. Since satanic influence works in the character, a person does not look into his own character, but always blames the other person for being wrong and indulged in a sinful life style. A hypocrite is like a person who does not want to show what his actual nature, but always remains under cover. He wants people to see his hidden character, which is not real and does not exist in reality. The root cause is lies.
21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? Romans 02:21-22
III. Idolatry:
Every single image that comes between man and God is included in this sin of idolatry. Black Magic and Witchcraft are included in idolatry. God the Father is Jehovah. He does not allow His people to worship another god and if they do, He passes a strict judgment on them. There are two types of sins; direct and Indirect sin. Rejecting the oneness of God and worshiping another idol is direct sin. Whereas telling lies, anger and hatred are indirect sins. In the past history, God has always demolished direct sin. In Noah’s time because of direct sin of people, the entire generation was demolished. Idolatry represents dependency on worldly items. Following money as an idol is also a sin.
25 The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 07:25
8 "I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:08
IV. Witchcraft/ Occult:
Witchcraft means using evil spirits for evil purposes, i.e. to foresee the future or using satanic forces against people.
2 The idols speak deceit,
diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Zechariah 10:02
9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.' Jeremiah 27:09
11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts. Exodus 07:11
19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 08:19
Secret Arts, Necromancy, Magic & Astrology are all branches of witchcraft. Necromancy is to foresee the future happenings. Palmistry is also part of it. Astrology is using dead spirits for the same purpose.
2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king. Daniel 02:02
7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Daniel 04:07
6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. 2 Kings 21:06
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10
V. Hatred:
Hatred is the unforgiving aspect in the character. It is associated with anger and bitterness for others. On exposure hatred can further cause murders of one’s ambitions, motives or visions. Therefore wrath is also inter-linked with it. The same happened in past history at the time of Ester. We should be careful not to hurt people internally and externally. Think before hating people. Because we become the carbon copies of the ones we hate.
16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." Exodus 01:16 (Pharaoh’s hatred)
16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Mathew 02:16 (Herod’s hatred)
There are three branches of hatred:
· Wrath
· Unforgiving
· Jealousy.
VI. Strife:
An individual possessing this sin has the tendency to get into undue conflicts, quarrels and creates fuss in his conversation. There are certain elements which give rise to undue conflicts.
· Pride.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
· Anger.
an angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 26:21
Person with strife in life has wrong hidden intentions and there are three basic reasons for their occurrence in his character.
· He wants to gain attention of others.
· He wants to take revenge.
· He wants to reveal his importance.
VII. Contentiousness:
Quarrels, disputes and fighting attitude are all part of it. People with such a behavior tend to disturb peace in their and lives of other people. They fuel quarrels in others lives.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18
1 Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
protect me from men of violence,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's;
the poison of vipers is on their lips. Psalm 140:01-03
VIII. Gossips:
This includes filthy talk and undue conversations. This leads to criticism and curses and makes us merely faultfinders.
2 if you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth. Proverbs 06:02
Our Christian integrity is to have a silent and a calm attitude, so as to save us from this attack of others. In the Spiritual realm such people make false prophecies since they have an impatient spirit. Those who lack patience can never become good leaders.
IX. Wrong Teaching:
Faith takes us into eternity whereas people who have their faith on debts live in debts. This includes occult, yoga, shakti and all types of false teaching. Wrong faith takes us into wrong directions till eternity.
15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets:
"I will make them eat bitter food
and drink poisoned water,
because from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land." Jeremiah 23:15
24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 02:24
9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." Galatians 05:09
X. Jealousy:
Jealousy is the fear of loosing something one deserves to have. This shows insecurity in life and results in leg pulling of others. Jealousy also gives rise to hatred and which further gives raise to murder. In Genesis 37:04 brothers of Joseph were jealous of him and thus sold him.
4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
XI. Envy:
This means to keep strong desires for material goods of others. This leads to greed. Aaron and Mary gave jealous remarks for Moses.
19 Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Joshua 24:19
We create mountains in our lives with our own words and actions. In 1 Samuel 18:08 Soul envied David’s success to the extent that he wanted to kill him.
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"
XII. Revelry:
Developing undue eating habits, spending alot on parties, merry making are all included in this. Person who cannot control his eating habits fails to control his sexual habits and desires. In Israelites the Egyptian life-style and luscious food depicts this tendency.
6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. Exodus 32:06
16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 1 Samuel 30:16
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 05:19-21
XIII. Idleness
XIV. Malice
XV. Anxiety
XVI. Pride
Pride exists when we do not have Brokenness in life. People close themselves to Jesus for they think that the know everything.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 04:06.
XVII. Criticism
XVIII. Disobedience
XXI. Rebellion
XX. Lies
XXI. Fear & Inconsistency:
Fear comes in a lot of shapes. Fear of man, what other person thinks and fear of making mistakes.
In Leadership we come across people that are not easy to love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Our relationship should be strong so that fear cannot enter. Comparing ourselves with other people is not a positive sign of a Christian Character. We must never worry about what other people think about us. We need input from others to improve our ministry. It is healthy for people to mentor us.
Inconsistency means not continually spending time with God; lack of prayer, reading the Word, manners, changing direction and carelessness.
Fear sets us apart from the Will of God for our life.
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mathew 10:28
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 08:38-39
3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:03-04
Fear keeps us away from lone wolf syndrome – I can do all by myself.
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 08:15
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 01:07
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 02:12-13.
6. Positive Attributes of Character:
God wants to Change our Character completely. He wants to remove the negative elements from our lives and re-shape us. New being must move ahead with new changes and things.
I. Love:
There are four basic words used for love in the Bible.
· EROS – Sexual Love
· FILEO – brotherly Love amongst family
· STORGE - Love in Friendships, relations.
· AGAPE – Love of God. Unconditional Love for mankind.
AGAPE: That quality of mind which compels a Christian, never to feel bitter, having no desire for revenge, but seeking the best from others, no matter what they are like. The love of God is free for us and is unlimited and unconditional. This loves motivates us and has to be expressed among His people and needs to overflow within and through us. Without the love of God we will not be effective. It is a continuous relationship with God. The more we give the more we can receive. Love is an attribute of the nature of God. All that God does is founded/based on love.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
True love is a commitment to one another and includes constant forgiveness. A lot of problems in the Church are because of lack of forgiveness. For a unified Church, forgiveness is a part of the Church. Confrontations and reconciliation are important in the Church.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet:
“Love is not love which alters when alteration it finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove,
Oh No! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.”
Christian Love has the power to connect the world. The chapter of love in the Bible is Hebrews 13. Love one another and in Galatians 05:13, love one another in a brotherly way and do not let sin enter lives. Love gives covering and shelter.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love.
Once we learn to love one another, we ignore the weaknesses and mistakes of others. The love of God the Father covered the sins of the entire world, when He gave His only begotten Son on the cross.
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 04:08
Love has the power to ignore weak areas of others. Sin causes a person to be self-centered and therefore without the presence of love relationships are broken. Love is a commandment and not an option in Christian Life.
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 04:08
There are two reasons for lack of love for one another:
· Selfishness: Causes us to love ourselves more than the neighbor.
· Self-Centeredness: In our dealings we only think of ourselves and of our image in the world. In the last days
Jesus declares that love will become inactive. When fire is lost, cold is left behind. Love of God is unconditional. It has a giving attitude. There are no conditions in the love of God. We should learn to love people as they are and not as per our own standards. Balanced Christian Life is one in which the Nine fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit are balanced. Love has an eternal effect. The relationships, which have traces of love of God, don’t ever break.
· Love of God releases us from the fear of the unknown. Jesus is our guide and in control.
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:05
For Oswald Chamber's view about Love click Oswald Chamber - Love from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
II. Joy:
The presence of God in our lives and in our spirit brings joy in our lives. This is the Heavenly joy that dwells in our lives, once we learn to incline ourselves with Jesus. Discipline in life produces joy. Happiness on the other hand is concerned with the presence of worldly or physical objects of desire. Joy is not based on physical circumstances; for it is beyond them. Life of Christ depicts joy, although He had to pass through crucifixion.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:02
Practical Points for Existence of Joy:
· We experience joy after Salvation and after being transformed into a new being in Christ. Changes and transition produces joy in life.
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 02:10
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:07
· When lost things are found we experience joy in lives.
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:08-10
· Only the people of God who love Him with all their existence receive joy in their lives.
· Resurrection in Ministry, jobs and lives give joy.
· Joy is a sign of Kingdom of God. Any situation, which adds joy in life, is from God.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
· Joy is a Heavenly attribute.
Following are the factors that reduce or do not allow joy to enter our lives.
These factors drive out joy from lives. Negativism should be crushed from life. God does not think negatively. His attribute is positivism.
Joy produces:
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Joy expresses itself like “Holy Laughter”. Christians with joy have a peaceful smile on their faces. Joy is a sign of Healing Community.
III. Peace:
Peace is presence of wholeness and wellbeing not just the absence of conflict or war. It includes wholeness and holiness.
It depicts “State of Rest” or a “Position of Rest”. Peace that surpasses human understanding is from God. We receive Heavenly peace, once we understand and realize our position in Christ. Fears and doubts come to an end. Jesus calmed the sea and peace was released from Heaven. Peace of God helps us to pass through tough times victoriously. Without peace we feel delay in our lives. With peace there will be no more delays than 40 days. It helps us to carry the promises of God in future. It helps us to manifest our faith. With peace of God, we know how to tackle a given situation or a problem. The presence of God is within me. This is what peace is all about.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
SHALOM is the secret of the universe.
Definition: wholeness-integratedness –everything fitting together perfectly. Salvation-in the most complete sense. The Greek word for Shalom is Sozo which means saved/healed/delivered/made whole.
Three things must be present for shalom to exist:
· Individual material needs are met-
· Social justice in all relationships-positive life enhancing involvements
· Personal integrity in human character-moral and spiritual uprightness that makes people honest and blameless
Shalom as God’s Vision For Humanity:
Worshipping communities in harmonious creation/ war abolished and sin removed/all accomplished by God’s messianic ruler who establishes this dynamic peace.
The Gospel of a Kingdom Of Peace:
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14
Angels announce Glory to God in the highest and on earth – PEACE.
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace. Luke 2:29
Symeon says when he looks at Jesus as a baby -I have seen salvation (shalom) with my own eyes.
John the Baptist’s father said that John would prepare the way for one who would “guide our feet into the way of peace” Luke 1:79.
Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace – whose authority brings endless peace
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
God gives His gifts to me-GRACE
I respond with thanks-FAITH
We share JOY together, like sharing a meal-PEACE
IV. Grace:
· It is God’s love which we do not deserve
· God’s activity at work in our life to bring ourselves in His presence.
· God’s Gifts for us - friends/preachers/animals/scripture/enemies/the church/work/marriage/ sex/children etc.
· and to a place of wholeness and integration
· Events and circumstances which offer us a way forward spiritually
· Events and circumstances which challenge us and promote our spiritual growth
· Gifts from God which demand a response. “Consider Abraham-he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” Galatians 3:6
· Galatians (believers in Galatia) were born again –but were undecided as to whether they should be circumcised-like the Jews. This means that they would have to do something in order to make themselves right with God
· They would have to do something external-a show of righteousness-in order to prove their inner change
· Paul-wanted them to see this didn’t make any difference to God at all- God was looking at the hearts
· This was because they had already been made right with God-by believing in Jesus –as dead, risen and coming again
· Paul –was speaking about God’s grace-His unmerited favour
If we do not understand God’s grace we will remain defeated, downtrodden, guilty Christians. Most Christians live self righteously before God-trying to prove their righteousness. Paul says –our attempts to please God are excrement!-like a baby that offers his potty to his father –and says look what I’ve done! Jeremiah says-“all our righteousness is like filthy rags”.
V. Faith:
1 Corinthians 13:13 “faith, hope and love remain” – Hebrews 11: 6 “without faith it is impossible to please God”
Biblical writers use the word faith as trust/confidence.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
20 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD. Hosea 2:20
§ Faith provides the framework of Christian teaching.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
It is a confident hope as yet not realized - Romans 4:18-22
18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."
The primary way it is used is practical-into which all the other dimensions and concepts blend.
Faith is not a future word but more of a Now word.
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hypostasis-faith is to do with the substance and real essence. It is used about Jesus in Hebrews 1:3, where it is said that he is the “very image of God’s substance”. By the exercise of faith things which in themselves have no existence become REAL and SUBSTANTIAL.
Eleuchos-faith is to do with CONVICTION and PROOF. The eye is the organ of the body which enables us to be convinced by providing evidence of visible things. Faith responds to reality in the same way that the eye does-giving evidence of the INVISIBLE ORDER.
Faith is the function of bringing into PRESENT reality the things the human heart longs for and which God’s heart longs to give.
In simple terms the best definition is:
Faith is making happen what God wants to happen
Faith is the means by which God’s Will becomes reality.
To live in faith is to live where the barrier between heaven and earth is non existent. It is to see the world not as a place where God is not present or active or at work, but as a place which is alive with god’s activity everywhere. John 5:19 “the son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees His Father doing; for whatever He does, the Son does likewise”
To have faith is to see every aspect of the created order as miraculous; as an expression of god’s activity. “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it”
The cosmos (the world system) is in the hands of the evil one-it is the expression of man and is given energy by Satan-the God of this cosmos (world system).
Created Order is the expression of God. In this we are called to discern, acknowledge, recognize and make known how God is revealing himself.
The Bible speaks of God doing mighty deeds. Greek word dunamis & semeon expresses it as showing signs.
Faith sees god’s activity as reality of heaven breaking into earth’s unreality. A demonstration of the real world of the kingdom of heaven.
Faith and Practice-how faith works in life
Step one –demonstrating you are faithful
Step Two-Declaring the Invisible
Step Three-Developing Spiritual Muscle
Faith equals God
God speaks
God’s Word
Hearing
Faith is:
Types of faith:
For Oswald Chamber's view about Faith click Oswald Chambers - Faith from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
VIII. Gentleness:
Holy Spirit has a gentle personality. In Jesus this quality was manifested towards children. Jesus had authority and gentleness at the same time. We should be careful with words we use in daily lives; for they should not crush and hurt others. Forgiveness is the key to gentleness. Abrupt expressions are weak areas of our character. Give a gentle answer to ones who are in anger and they shall change.
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 04:32
IX. Long Suffering:
Delays in life are caused due to our own failures. Sin slows down our pace to reach our final destination. God wants us to move ahead for He loves us. With sin in our lives so much of time is wasted. It blocks the doors of Heaven in our lives. But the promises of God take us to Canaan. Difficult times help to drive out the deep attributes of the character and re-shape it in a new way.
15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Hebrews 06:15
11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 05:11
2 O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:02
X. Holiness:
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people:
" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isaiah 06:01-09
· Old Testament (Torah) is Instruction. It is the way of life. It is a guide towards holiness. According to Torah, the purpose of our life is to worship God. All the sacrifices, ritual, cleansing or following the Ten Commandments are for His worship.
· As we become more like Christ, we become holy. In the New Testament holiness is about a ‘person’. God is beyond our experience. Our flesh cannot stand His majesty.
· Words for Holiness – wholeness or salvation (sozo), sanctification, awe, other, Glory.
· Holiness is associated with integration. (Honesty/ truth).
· The encounter of God changed Isaiah. There is before and after effect from Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul. The encounter with God makes us holy.
· All our attempts to be holy are to develop a transforming relationship; a realization that God is ‘ Utterly Other’.
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21
2 "There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 02:02
· Yoke is the burden that God gives in lives. If we do not have His yoke, we will plough everywhere. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. My being alive is Christ, to be where I am is as per His will, I am the extension of Christ. But how available am I? Are we available? When God tells us to go, are we available for Him?
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
· In Brokenness Satan comes with a lot of false accusations, people do not understand why? We receive difficulty and criticism from people. That transforms us from Saul to Paul. There are times in our lives where we have to take courageous stands.
XI. Courage:
XII. Self Control:
XIII. Confession:
”Confess your sins to one another that you may be healed” - James 5
Confession is a form Healing:
· The healing of our relationship with God
· the healing of our relationship with others people
· the healing of our relationship with ourselves
XIV. Mercy:
The Church – Ekklesia (called out ones) is a place where MERCY triumphs over judgement.
XV. Forgiveness:
· Forgive and you shall be forgiven. Forgiveness releases our links and soul ties of the past and help us to enter our new beginning; ending the past in peace and not in pain. Forgive us our sins, even as we forgive those who sin against us.
· Forgiveness is dependent on our right relationship with others.
· He who is forgiven much-loves much.
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:36-50
·
Because God has forgiven us.
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
· Because unforgiveness leads to sin/anger/bitterness/hatred/revenge.
· Forgiveness restores the present and releases us from the past.
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18
· Forgiveness helps us empty our heart of hatred and open it to love.
· Forgiveness helps us act like Jesus.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
· Forgiveness opens us up to healing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
· Revenge is not ours, it belongs to God.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19
· God withholds his forgiveness from us when we withhold it from others.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18: 21-35
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, even as Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
XVI. Compassion:
· Compassion and forgiveness results in healing and releases the Kingdom of God.
· Compassion means to feel as though my insides are spilling out. It is a strong emotion, which feels deeply with the pain or suffering of another and wants to change it.
· Compassion is mentioned a lot in association with the ministry of Jesus.
· Jesus feels compassion for Jerusalem – when He wants to gather it like a mother hen and it will not respond to Him.
· Jesus feels compassion for the multitudes because they are distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
· Forgiveness and compassion are communicated in words and actions.
XVII. Seasoned Speech:
Jesus said “Let your speech be seasoned with salt”
• In Proverbs, Solomon says, "Life and death is in the power of the tongue”
• In the beginning God created all by his Word.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1.1-5
• Our words guide our life and what we say is self fulfilling prophesy
• The use of the tongue.
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:1-12
• The tongue is a fire and evil no man can tame.
• If you can tame your tongue you can control your whole body.
• 10 commandments-do not bear false witness
XVIII. Patience:
By nature we are impatient with people. It is very difficult in a Church situation because it is irritating when things are done in an improper way in a Church. We become intolerant to the characteristics of people. We see our faults in others very clearly as well. Patience is a virtue that grows with time. Learning to be patient is time consuming but it rewards with answered prayers and fulfilling the Will of God.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Patience click Oswald Chamber - Patience from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
XIX. Meekness & Humility:
When we have the power to take revenge and yet we do not; we are humble in Jesus. This is humility. Quietness in life also brings in humility. But false humility is a sin.
Humility leads to the power of the Lord. Humility is a product of Brokenness and Holiness. It is a non-retaliation act. It makes us flexible and obedient. We become useful for we do as we are told to do so. We do not react to difficult situations. Humility is our strength.
Humility - Power - Maturity - Servant-hood.
But the emphasis is on ‘change’. The very nature of being God’s agent is to be changed. The question is that does humility bring forth change in our lives? Humility leads to submission. Opposite to humility is to argue, rebel, conflict, self-righteousness and pride. Pride takes us away from the Lord. It is our independence from the Lord.
There are four standards of humility:
· Holiness
· Day and Night prayers
· Costly/ extravagant giving
· Unwavering faith. Faith that does not move a bit.
It is such a life-style that exposes itself.
XX. Meekness:
Always being angry at the right time and never being angry at the wrong time. For example Jesus was angry at the sellers outside the Temple. It is also related to self-control because getting angry at the wrong times can damage relationships. This word was originally used for domestic trained animals.
Moses was the meekest man on the face of the Earth. Gentleness is a mark of leadership.
7. Discipleship, Fellowship, Freedom, Commitment and Action:
Mathew 10:01-25
Discipleship is about ‘doing’ – Acting.
‘ The journey from the head to the heart is the longest journey in the world.’ Knowing God and meeting Him has a real difference. We suffer from knowledge (skills/facts). We know too much and do not do too much.
Mathetes in Greek means a ‘Learner’. To be a learner of skills and learning what to do. We learn by watching, seeing, hearing and practising. Imitations are the most powerful way of learning. Copying and correction is also a way of learning. Assimilation is also another word for learning. We become a disciple by learning. Jesus had personal relationship with His disciples. “Teaching is not the example; Example is the teaching." Jesus had authority and His disciples practically saw its manifestation.
“Christianity is caught better than taught.” Charles Swindell.
Jesus was referred as the Master, Raboni and Teacher. Rabbi’s were interested in formation of their disciples, rather than education. The whole idea of education was that of Greeks and Romans. They considered ‘knowledge’ important while Hebrews considered the ’doing’ important. Discipleship takes formation and not education. Disciples were put into difficult situations where they were prepared to fail as well. For example they could not cast out a demon. They were learning in a rabonic way. It is a method where the rabbi teaches practically and at the same time keeps the disciples involved practically. The rabonic method is to look into the hearts of the disciples. He needed to check their response. He wanted to capture the heart of His disciples. Paul says,” that Christ may be formed into you. This is the goal of discipleship. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Paul said, “Imitate Me.” This is the most important thing about discipleship. Discipleship is the real bit missing in the Church. There are converts in the Church; rather than disciples. Discipleship involves fellowship and a relationship.
There is an invitation not a command to become a disciple.
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mathew 19:16-22.
This was an invitation for freedom. He was not free because things were holding him back. He is a good man and obeys the Ten Commandments. He had reached a point where Jesus was asking him to take a step further. In order to carry on with things in life.
Freedom:
Truth sets us free. EPAGGELIA in Greek means to make a free and voluntarily offer. Truth speaks about the promises of God in the Old Testament. The Word of God is the truth and truth sets us free. The freedom is in the Word that God gives us. God has a Word of truth for all of us.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 04:07
The truth reveals the promises of God in the Bible for us. His promises are founded on His attributes (Nature), mercy, grace, forgiveness and patience. They do not represent the actions of God but show what God is like. Therefore He is merciful, patient, gracious and understanding. The generosity of God inside us is not because of our own merits.
20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.2 Corinthians 01:20.
12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 06:12.
The Word of truth needs to be acted upon. We need to be obedient to the Word of truth so that we are ready and working in harmony with the Lord and living in a place where Jesus wants us to live. Faith means obedience in action. His means putting the Word of God in action. The Word and the action are the same.
God brings us into impossible places to know the truth, so that we may trust Him implicitly.
There are 359 prophecies in the Bible concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. 19 percent of these prophecies have been fulfilled. Every prophetic utterance about Jesus in the Old Testament was being fulfilled. Prophecies regarding the end times are being fulfilled as well.
We are living in the freedom of the Spirit. The Spirit binds up together.
He came to restore the relationship that Adam had lost in the past. He came to set us free from the bondage of the enemy and to give us abundant life.
He has given us a place to live and operate. This is all part of the freedom that He has given us; to participate and express the Kingdom of God where we live and serve. In Hebrews 04 we enter into His place of rest which God has prepared for us.
Jesus knew His freedom. He said that He has freedom and does not need to pay the Temple tax; yet He did not want to offend anyone, therefore He paid that.
26"From others," Peter answered.
"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Mathew 17:26-27
8. Guidance, Direction and Calling:
“It is easy to talk the talk and not walk the walk.”
Our guidance, direction and calling are in the form of a triangle. These should not be diverted in any way. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” We need to follow His ideas and not man’s ideas.
We have to agree with Jesus in our walk. “How can the two walk together if they do not agree.” So we “Look at” and follow Jesus.
· Diversion takes us away from the Lord. We need to keep yielding to the Word of God, obedience and remain attentive to His presence.
9 This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 06:09
Our walk with Jesus keeps us secure.” On Christ the solid rock I stand; all the other ground is sinking sand. We can take steps in faith for we are faithful to Him. Peter walked on the water with faith. Noah made the ark having faith on God. Paul says Jesus is our anchor. We are anchors in Jesus.
We receive peace that passes all human understanding. Peace and security from the Lord helps us to face the difficult times and situations.
Jesus wants us to change, which is not that easy. Jesus digs into us to dig the hardness like hard pieces of clay in the clay-pot. He knows about our plans and ambitions. He will not be subject to our plans.
John 02:06 refers to the glory of God and our obedience. The seed of the fruit is within us. The Spirit of the God guides us. We have to respond to the call of the Lord. Some are called for leadership. If a man desires for leadership, it is only for himself. True Leader is a servant. A Leader needs to have the CHARISMA (strength, power, and ability). Otherwise they are like empty vessels. God wants to give us His own ability and strength. Then the Lord changes our charisma to His charisma.
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. John 02:06
Sometimes the call of the Lord is very small. Once it is seeded and grows, we reach the place where God wants us to be.
We are cut, shaped and polished like a jewel for His Glory.
Timing of our Lord is perfect. All the objects in the world move in a perfect time. We need to wait and move according to our calling and with anointing. “We have to be prepared, to be prepared”. There is no ministry without preparation.
Three steps in the Ministry:
A) we have to be alone with the Lord.
B) We have to be involved with the Church.
C) We have to move out of the Church to people whom God has called out for.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit is important, otherwise it is a waste of time. He gives anointing for service and not for help. God does not use us without any ability.
A) He confirms the call.
B) He provides for the need to fulfill our call.
C) He confirms it from the Scripture.
God gives us contentment at a place where he wants to take us.
Lord enables and makes our call effective.
We must always remain teachable at this stage.
We must remain true to our calling. Remaining in the Lord has a primary principle that Jesus does not reveal everything that is going to happen for us.
We need to get our priorities right. God’s priorities are not the world’s priorities.
Our inner life should be in order. We should not walk faster or slower than the Lord. We should learn to walk with Him.
Focus has to be to defeat the enemy; for Jesus is victorious.
God reveals His revelations in trials and tribulations. Job 42:05. We must lay aside time for it is very precious. The person who waits for the Lord shines at the right time.
All the distractions and concerns should be set aside for the Lord. Most Christians cast their burdens on the Lord with elastic. They give it to Him and it comes back.
Learn to say ‘No’ to anxiety, self-pity; do not listen to what Satan says.
We have to be strong enough to fulfill our call. Jesus wants us to be attentive and have strength in Him. We must not get tired and weak.
· In the Old Testament, anointing was the oil poured down on the head to the feet. When the Holy Spirit comes down it anoints us. Initiation comes from the Lord and then we receive the blessings or the anointing. We must renew our anointing.
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.Ephesians 05:18
This implies being filled with the Holy Spirit. Always be filled with the fresh anointing. “Lord give me the character on which your anointing can rest, but do not destroy me.”
We must never allow our Christian Life to be boring or in a state of being unhappy. As the people of God we should never be boring for He lives inside us. If we lack the enthusiasm and the excitement that means we are not at the right place. Our enthusiasm shows our purpose for being with the Lord.
We can pray for the Lord to give us His abundance blessings. Always remain moving, learning and live like living water.
Every grain of sand in Sahara Desert has water inside it. Scientist have discovered that it needs a nuclear explosion to separate the grain and water. Similarly in trials and tribulations, God gives us His Holy Spirit and our deep relation brings forth the springs in the desert in our lives.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Calling and Direction click Oswald Chamber - Calling and Direction from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
9. Principles of Giving and Receiving
“Give and it will be given to you” –
“Pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Mathew 07:07
Keep: It is a self-contained System
Flow: Spend the talents and gifts that Jesus gives to flow out to the deserving ones.
9.1 Prosperity and Poverty:
Prosperity means contentment given by God.
Redemption and Life: “When a community becomes Christian they work hard and thus become better-off than others.” “What you sow is what you will reap.”
When we learn to give to the deserving, He gives us back in return as a process. In the Kingdom of God there is a flow. Consume the blessing and let others benefit from them as well. We must make best use of our talents for Jesus, so that they may be a source of blessings for others and ourselves as well. They should not remain attached or accumulated.
· Money gives the status and superiority. It gives us the sense of security and satisfaction.
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Mathew 06:19-24.
It should not consume our life – idolatry.
Money creates an artificial barrier between God and us.
Jesus talks about independence and interdependence (utilizing the strength of others). We should not depend upon money to fulfill the Word of God.
Money limits our thinking and creates a difference in our emphasis.
Poverty means the state of deprivation. Part of the Kingdom of God is to care for the poor.
Constantine a Roman Emperor saw the Cross in a Vision and used it as a symbol to make Rome a Christian State. He abused the power of the Religion and forced people to convert to Christianity. Whereas within the Kingdom of God we do not need strength, power and money to preach the Gospel.
COSMOS (Greek) means the World System. It includes economics, politics and religion. The Bible says, “Love not the World…” This means to restrict us from loving the COSMOS System. This means to avoid the impact of the economic and political system. Cosmos begins with the Tower of Babel i.e. building in opposition/apart/independent of God. This system hated Jesus for He broke its norms. They rejected Jesus and crucified Him. This system cannot bring love, joy and happiness for this is under the influence of Satan.
It is the dominant system of the world that has power. This implies that knowledge and money has power. “Money is power.” “Knowledge is power.” Man has become slave to this dominant system. Slavery means that the weakest are dominant by the strongest. For example building up of pyramids.
The Kingdom of God does not operate on this system. It disconnects Christians from it. Christians believe on the immortal, invisible, omnipotent and omniscient God.
The Roman Empire contained economic, political and religious system. Romans worshiped idols and false gods. PANTHEON was a huge place in Rome where all the gods of the Romans were kept. This word means “many gods.” It was a dogmatic belief (Dogma = strictly held belief; extreme form of belief). The Christians of those times were considered as atheist for they did not believe on Pantheon.
ANTHROPOCENTRIC: Man made beliefs – man centred i.e. when man pretends to make God in his image. In this modern time period Christianity contains it. For example English Tradition mixed with Christianity in Great Britain – wearing suits at the Church. This system originates from Cosmos as well.
Roman Empire was a domination system. The most suitable example is that of Constantine.
Part 2.
Spiritual Discipline Principles
Self Denial:
Understanding calling as a responsibility
Take responsibilities and avoid positions
Checking your motives. Why?
Checking your relationships
Trusting God to your fullest
Making quality decisions
Being open / transparent / real
Being humble / submit to one another
Taking low and back seats
Having self control / emotional control
Having accountability for money, time, sex, spiritual power
Taking ownership
Giving best / first opportunity to others
Don’t carry low expectations
Don’t exercise your rights, but understand your responsibilities
Don’t treat others as they treat you
Don’t fight / argue / misbehave / rude with others
Don’t waste time / money / things
Don’t judge or misjudge others
Don’t be selfish or greedy
Don’t react or take revenge
Don’t cheat / copy others / manipulate
Don’t be proud / boast / hate
Don’t lust for material possessions
Refuse to reduce spirituality
Success lies in your spiritual fruitfulness
ALLOS PARAKLETOS: Another of the same kind – Holy Spirit
Part 3.
Changing Heavens – Changing Doors
Opening Heavens – Opening Doors
Psalm 24
1. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6. This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Changing heavens (doors) means if we are living under closed heavens (doors) then move towards heavens (doors) that are open.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelations 19: 11
We need to live under prophetic activation so that we may enter the heavens (doors) according to the Will of God.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. Revelations 19 : 11
Open heaven and doors are the need of every Christian. We need some openings and closings in life to move on.
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16: 09
With open doors spiritual, physical and financial blessings are released. Following the divine Will of God releases perfect doors in life. The doors are widened up as JEHOVAH enters with us.
How doors are released (opened)?
Prophets open the heavens. For example the Ministry of Moses released the heavens (doors) for the Israelites
Apostles take them through open doors. Apostolic Ministry gives birth to new leadership and ministries. They emphasise in converting people from Saul to Paul. The ministry of Paul is the best suitable example. Apostles are men of deep character in prayer and commitment, so as to restore Churches and impart the image of Christ among people. They remain committed in times of trials and tribulations.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4 : 7-18
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2 Corinthians 11 : 22-23
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Galatians 4 : 19-20
When we are converted into seeds, we undergo the process of dirt and darkness. This gives birth to new life and following the Will of God, we are transformed into a new being. Just as seeds bear stem and leaves in required seasons, we need to wait for the right season in our life for God to open new doors in life. The germinating seeds bear fruit at the right season and so does a new born Christian bear fruit in his required season.
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16. For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17 : 8 -16
These verses from Exodus represent transfer of Anointing into Leadership. The hands of a leader need to be supported by his co-helpers.
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 7. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 01 : 10
We need Apostolic Anointing to take the people ahead. Prophets open new doors and close the previous ones for us. Apostles help us to move into the Promised Land. Their calling is like a burning passion. They cannot quit it.
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 15. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 16. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 17. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. Exodus 04 : 10-17
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4. And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 14. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16. And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 12 : 01-16
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Acts 07 : 22
Part 1
Christian Character
1. Wilderness
1.1 Importance of digit ‘40’
1.2 Why does God take us through all seasons?
1.3 ‘40’ w.r.t Preparation, change and judgment
1.4 Changes in Character / Changed Character
2. Testing
2.2 Testing is essential for
3. Suffering, Trials and temptations
4. Obedience
5. Sins within our Character
I. Immorality
II. Hypocrisy (riyakari)
III. Idolatry
IV. Witchcraft/ Occult
V. Hatred
VI. Strife
VII. Contentiousness
VIII. Gossips
IX. Wrong Teaching
X. Jealousy
XI. Envy
XII. Revelry
XIII. Idleness
XIV. Malice
XV. Anxiety
XVI. Pride
XVII. Criticism
XVIII. Disobedience
XIX. Rebellion
XX. Lying
XXI. Fear & Inconsistency
6. Positive Attributes of Character
I. Love
· 4 types of Love in the Bible
· Reasons for lack of Love
· Love for others
II. Joy
· Practical Points for Existence of Joy
· Factors reducing joy in our lives
· Joy produces…
III. Peace
· Shalom
· Shalom as God’s Vision For Humanity
· The Gospel of a Kingdom Of Peace
· Shalom further defined
IV. Grace
V. Faith
· Faith and Practice - How faith works in life?
· Faith equals God
· Hearing
· Types of faith
VI. Gentleness
VII. Long Suffering
VIII. Holiness
IX. Courage
X. Self Control
XI. Confession
XII. Mercy
XIII. Forgiveness
· WHY forgive ?
XIV. Compassion
XV. Seasoned Speech
XVI. Patience
XVII. Meekness & Humility
Part 2
7. Discipleship, Fellowship, Freedom, Commitment and Action
8. Guidance, Direction and Calling
9. Prosperity and Poverty
9.1 Principles of Giving and Receiving
10. Spiritual Discipline Principles
· Self Denial
Part 3
Changing Heavens – Changing Doors; Opening Heavens – Opening Doors
· How doors are released (opened)?
Part 1.
Christian Character
The Word and actions of God are the same. He never gives His word to immature people. The Word of God leads to authority.
God uses checks and balances in the Ministry that stops us from exalting ourselves. 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians 12:07.
We are ‘made’ to begin with and later after our transformation God starts our ministry. This implies that our character is developed according to our calling.
1. Wilderness:
Everyone faces wilderness in life. Struggle and pressure in life keeps our attention away from God. Peter’s attention was distorted since he feared that he might drown, but Jesus walked on the surface of water with His authority and command. All of us pass through different seasons in life. There are times of struggle and that is our period of faith test. Make sure that the journey of 40 days is not delayed till 40 years.
1.1 Importance of digit ‘40’:
This number represents:
i) The test of Human Life
ii) Depicts a prominent change in life
Israelites took 40 years to enter Canaan, although the geographical journey was 40 days. Their slave mentality and Egyptian Life style kept them away from the Promised Land for 40 years. Had they forsaken their sin attitude and old habits, this period would have been reduced. Therefore the significance of 40 is ‘change’.
1.2 Why does God take us through all seasons?
God wants to change us. We must leave our existing habits, attitude and luxuries of life so as to receive the Salvation Experience. Lord shows us various seasons, so that a positive change can enter our life.
1.3 ‘40’ w.r.t Preparation, change and judgment:
Noah prepared the Ark for a period of 120 years (40+40+40). God kept them in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. God lets the period of judgment enter our lives and in the mean time He is preparing a different strategy for our life. When the entire human race was being punished, God was preparing His family.
1.4 Changes in Character / Changed Character:
“God graduates gradually”.
Holiness in life changes character. Therefore we must discard all such habits and actions that take away holiness from our lives. We must allow the transitional phase in our lives to change us according to God’s standards. Scientific word for process of change is Metamorphosis. It means transformation. Man is a triune being:
Soul (Mind & Emotions) (Jaan)
Flesh (Badan)
Spirit (Rooh)
In order to reach our promised land we must learn to march ahead with:
Love & Friendship
Health
Success
Wisdom
Boldness
Prosperity
Qualifications
Respect
Peace of Mind
Serenity
Sharpness
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Magnetic Personality
Faith
Confidence
Evaluation
Self-Analysis
Organized Personality
Forgiveness
Victory over the devil
Walk with Jesus
Clear Direction.
2. Testing:
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 02:10
PEIRASMOS: Burning or refining (trials)
KAKAPATHEO: Hardships, suffering, affliction.
We expand in our relationship with Jesus through testing. It is a phase of brokenness and test of our faith. It changes us to be more like Jesus. It is similar to refining of gold in fire for purity. After the refining process we receive the prophetic vision and revelation for a new work/ purpose for Jesus.
Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus is a living example of transformation for God’s work.
3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 09:03-16
9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:09
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. Acts 16:22
21After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." 22He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
23About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."
28When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's travelling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theatre. 30Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theatre.
32The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defence before the people. 34But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
35The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus doesn't all the world knows that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. Acts 19:21-41
God’s principal is that He gives us a revelation and then allows us to be tested, i.e. revelation before tribulation. Testing enables us to be stable. The revelation that He gives is the assurance that Jesus is in-charge and shall use His people for His own glory and Honour. Prophets enjoy that tremendous privilege. Revelation and Tribulation encourage them. Jesus does not desire weak leaders for His work. The more we know Jesus, a clearer channel we will become to speak for Him.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:07
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Romans 12:06
The Lord has everything as per His Divine plan and nothing in His Kingdom happens as an accident. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 05:03-04. Suffering gives us a hope and helps us to recognize the ‘end’. We fall in self-pity like Elijah. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 04:07-10 and 17. ‘We never give up in trials for he polishes us and refines us like a beautiful precious stone. The mind of Christ is in us, we need to allow Him to work in us; through us. In Christ we are more than conquers.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 09:24-27
Elijah Flees to Horeb
1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
The LORD Appears to Elijah
And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 1 Kings 19:01-15
We must run our race that God has set for us.
Testing is done in a limelight, not where everyone can see us. Job passed through testing but the end result of his life was better than before. There is something within us which stops us from being tested. We must bear in mind that we are the clay and Jesus is our potter. He will re-shape us for His work and never to leave us alone again. God takes us through various stages to break us and mould us, so that He may work within us and through us. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." 1 Corinthians 01:11-12. Arguing does not please Jesus. We need to be grateful to Jesus for the testing and trials because that moulding process is vital to bring the character of God inside us. We can do our work and His work simultaneously. Our fruitfulness depends upon our behaviour and actions and our dependence on His Word. He opens new doors for us after testing us, gives us the opportunities that we need to fulfill the desires of our hearts.
2.2 Testing is essential for:
· Removing Character flaws
· Moulding our personality
· Improving our integrity
· Having identity in Jesus.
· We learn to live according to the standards of God because the World around us falls apart because of morality.
· Testing reveals our strengths and weaknesses. It also reveals them to other people as well. When we admit our weaknesses, Jesus makes us strong in His Mighty Power. He gives us His Liberty, which has its own boundaries. We understand His set limits for us.
· It helps us to evaluate our capabilities and gifting. It helps us to identify our unique gifting which are tailor-made. For He has a purpose in every single thing that He does.
· We no longer live in counterfeit life, rather we learn to live in a real world (realistically).
· Testing brings us the understanding of the capacity that God can use us. He wants to use us wherever we go.
· Testing helps us to improve our relationships with one another so that we integrate with the Body of Christ.
· It makes us submissive to Jesus’ authority. It imparts servant-hood.
· Jesus prefers Continual Growth in our life-style so He does not want us to carry ourselves along. He wants balance in our lives because He was never unbalanced. 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 05:18.
· We will get adversity because it is a part of testing. We need to be thankful to God in all our situations and circumstances. There is no giving up in Christian Lives. Adversity highlights the actual problems in our lives.
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 02:03
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrew 12:07-11.
This pressure turns us to Jesus otherwise we will follow our own way.
· Testing brings a sharper focus to our spiritual growth.
· Testing develops empathy in our lives. (Put us in other’s shoes). We become sensitive to the heart and voice of Jesus.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Trials and Testing click Oswald Chamber - Trials and Testing from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
3. Suffering, Trials and temptations:
· Trials and temptations are linked. Satan comes to kill and destroy the work of God. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10. He challenges everything that God says.
· Gumnaso means Spiritual workout. It is a spiritual warfare with the enemy. Satan brings his own thoughts and attitudes in our character to harm us. But Jesus wants to build us up in His Holy spirit to refine us and build our character.
· Trials lead toward patience. Patience and endurance give strength in trial and tribulation. We sign up for patience and endurance / perseverance (keep on going).
· STANDING means position of strength. When temptations come they knock us off our position of standing. We need patience while standing. Isaiah 53 for the suffering of Jesus.
· They lead us towards completion and maturity. With maturity we learn to make proper use of the power given by God.
· Out of sufferings comes exaltation. 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.1 Peter 04:01-02. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” This means that suffering is part of Christian Life. "No pain; no gain.” “We make up the sufferings which are lacking in Christ.” “Take your cross and follow Me.” “Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it cannot produce much fruit.” Jesus was rejected for He broke all the norms.
· Testing produces wholeness and perfection so that we become fully developed, with nothing missing in us. He wants us to get fully mature and not dependant upon the spirituality of others.
· We do not understand what happens to us in trials and temptations. Every thing in flesh says to leave and give up. But we need wisdom to understand the Will of God. Satan tries to stop wisdom because wisdom brings encouragement. Blessed is the man who stands firm.
· We should never blame God for temptation. Satan is allowed in the testing of Saints but only as far as God allows. Joy and pain are working together in testing. It is a part of Christian Life. The Rhema Word is always tested. Satan tests it in all ways.
· God builds stability in testing.
· Luke 04:01-13 & 15. Satan tempted Jesus to misuse His power. It was the establishment of His calling. It was the test of “Who am I?” In every attempt Satan said, “If you are the Son of Man…” It was a place of transition from a carpenter to His Ministry. After the period of test was the beginning of His Ministry.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Temptation, click below.
4. Obedience:
· Romans 08:12 Learning to obey in the place of trial is the key. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 03:06. At the time of Jesus, obedience to Jews meant to give their tithes, eat, and work according to set rules. Their actions seemed worthless for they lacked the basic element of love. We can keep the rules but in order to keep God happy we have to break the norms and follow God’s command of love and peace with men.
· Jesus does not want rules obedience, He wants heart’s obedience. “If you love me you will obey my commands.” It is promising, not demanding. Obedience comes out of love. Jesus wants our love reserved for Him.
· Love is the fulfillment of the laws. The Ten Commandments.
· We cannot mix legalism and free will. 21"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." Mark 02:21-22. We cannot please God with old rules. We need to move into direct relationship with God. These are the reasons that the dynamic Spirit is missing in the Churches. We need a flexible container to move with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
We introduce people to the fact that God loves them. They need assurance of His everlasting love. They are held in the arms of Jesus at hard-times. His love, joy and peace emphasizes His power and majesty that is outside the boundaries of our thought. He works in super-natural ways. Do not put God in a box. We must have higher expectations from Him in order to receive His blessings. He is the Almighty God and can do exceedingly more than we can ask or seek. He became nothing so that we can have everything. His blood has the Victory. People in the Church need to recognize that Jesus is far greater than our thoughts.
5. Sins within our Character:
Character is totality of a personality. There are 20 major sins in mankind as per Bible Scholar’s Research.
I. Immorality:
It is derived from a Greek word pornea. It means sexual thoughts and lust and all such images that enhance sexual desires.
II. Hypocrisy (riyakari):
Hypocrisy means not concentrating on your own deeds and lifting up weaknesses of others. A hypocrite does not measure himself with the same scale that he uses for others. Since satanic influence works in the character, a person does not look into his own character, but always blames the other person for being wrong and indulged in a sinful life style. A hypocrite is like a person who does not want to show what his actual nature, but always remains under cover. He wants people to see his hidden character, which is not real and does not exist in reality. The root cause is lies.
21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? Romans 02:21-22
III. Idolatry:
Every single image that comes between man and God is included in this sin of idolatry. Black Magic and Witchcraft are included in idolatry. God the Father is Jehovah. He does not allow His people to worship another god and if they do, He passes a strict judgment on them. There are two types of sins; direct and Indirect sin. Rejecting the oneness of God and worshiping another idol is direct sin. Whereas telling lies, anger and hatred are indirect sins. In the past history, God has always demolished direct sin. In Noah’s time because of direct sin of people, the entire generation was demolished. Idolatry represents dependency on worldly items. Following money as an idol is also a sin.
25 The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 07:25
8 "I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:08
IV. Witchcraft/ Occult:
Witchcraft means using evil spirits for evil purposes, i.e. to foresee the future or using satanic forces against people.
2 The idols speak deceit,
diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Zechariah 10:02
9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.' Jeremiah 27:09
11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts. Exodus 07:11
19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 08:19
Secret Arts, Necromancy, Magic & Astrology are all branches of witchcraft. Necromancy is to foresee the future happenings. Palmistry is also part of it. Astrology is using dead spirits for the same purpose.
2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king. Daniel 02:02
7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Daniel 04:07
6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. 2 Kings 21:06
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10
V. Hatred:
Hatred is the unforgiving aspect in the character. It is associated with anger and bitterness for others. On exposure hatred can further cause murders of one’s ambitions, motives or visions. Therefore wrath is also inter-linked with it. The same happened in past history at the time of Ester. We should be careful not to hurt people internally and externally. Think before hating people. Because we become the carbon copies of the ones we hate.
16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." Exodus 01:16 (Pharaoh’s hatred)
16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Mathew 02:16 (Herod’s hatred)
There are three branches of hatred:
· Wrath
· Unforgiving
· Jealousy.
VI. Strife:
An individual possessing this sin has the tendency to get into undue conflicts, quarrels and creates fuss in his conversation. There are certain elements which give rise to undue conflicts.
· Pride.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
· Anger.
an angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 26:21
Person with strife in life has wrong hidden intentions and there are three basic reasons for their occurrence in his character.
· He wants to gain attention of others.
· He wants to take revenge.
· He wants to reveal his importance.
VII. Contentiousness:
Quarrels, disputes and fighting attitude are all part of it. People with such a behavior tend to disturb peace in their and lives of other people. They fuel quarrels in others lives.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18
1 Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
protect me from men of violence,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's;
the poison of vipers is on their lips. Psalm 140:01-03
VIII. Gossips:
This includes filthy talk and undue conversations. This leads to criticism and curses and makes us merely faultfinders.
2 if you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth. Proverbs 06:02
Our Christian integrity is to have a silent and a calm attitude, so as to save us from this attack of others. In the Spiritual realm such people make false prophecies since they have an impatient spirit. Those who lack patience can never become good leaders.
IX. Wrong Teaching:
Faith takes us into eternity whereas people who have their faith on debts live in debts. This includes occult, yoga, shakti and all types of false teaching. Wrong faith takes us into wrong directions till eternity.
15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets:
"I will make them eat bitter food
and drink poisoned water,
because from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land." Jeremiah 23:15
24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 02:24
9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." Galatians 05:09
X. Jealousy:
Jealousy is the fear of loosing something one deserves to have. This shows insecurity in life and results in leg pulling of others. Jealousy also gives rise to hatred and which further gives raise to murder. In Genesis 37:04 brothers of Joseph were jealous of him and thus sold him.
4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
XI. Envy:
This means to keep strong desires for material goods of others. This leads to greed. Aaron and Mary gave jealous remarks for Moses.
19 Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Joshua 24:19
We create mountains in our lives with our own words and actions. In 1 Samuel 18:08 Soul envied David’s success to the extent that he wanted to kill him.
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"
XII. Revelry:
Developing undue eating habits, spending alot on parties, merry making are all included in this. Person who cannot control his eating habits fails to control his sexual habits and desires. In Israelites the Egyptian life-style and luscious food depicts this tendency.
6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. Exodus 32:06
16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 1 Samuel 30:16
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 05:19-21
XIII. Idleness
XIV. Malice
XV. Anxiety
XVI. Pride
Pride exists when we do not have Brokenness in life. People close themselves to Jesus for they think that the know everything.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 04:06.
XVII. Criticism
XVIII. Disobedience
XXI. Rebellion
XX. Lies
XXI. Fear & Inconsistency:
Fear comes in a lot of shapes. Fear of man, what other person thinks and fear of making mistakes.
In Leadership we come across people that are not easy to love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Our relationship should be strong so that fear cannot enter. Comparing ourselves with other people is not a positive sign of a Christian Character. We must never worry about what other people think about us. We need input from others to improve our ministry. It is healthy for people to mentor us.
Inconsistency means not continually spending time with God; lack of prayer, reading the Word, manners, changing direction and carelessness.
Fear sets us apart from the Will of God for our life.
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mathew 10:28
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 08:38-39
3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:03-04
Fear keeps us away from lone wolf syndrome – I can do all by myself.
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 08:15
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 01:07
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 02:12-13.
6. Positive Attributes of Character:
God wants to Change our Character completely. He wants to remove the negative elements from our lives and re-shape us. New being must move ahead with new changes and things.
I. Love:
There are four basic words used for love in the Bible.
· EROS – Sexual Love
· FILEO – brotherly Love amongst family
· STORGE - Love in Friendships, relations.
· AGAPE – Love of God. Unconditional Love for mankind.
AGAPE: That quality of mind which compels a Christian, never to feel bitter, having no desire for revenge, but seeking the best from others, no matter what they are like. The love of God is free for us and is unlimited and unconditional. This loves motivates us and has to be expressed among His people and needs to overflow within and through us. Without the love of God we will not be effective. It is a continuous relationship with God. The more we give the more we can receive. Love is an attribute of the nature of God. All that God does is founded/based on love.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
True love is a commitment to one another and includes constant forgiveness. A lot of problems in the Church are because of lack of forgiveness. For a unified Church, forgiveness is a part of the Church. Confrontations and reconciliation are important in the Church.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet:
“Love is not love which alters when alteration it finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove,
Oh No! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.”
Christian Love has the power to connect the world. The chapter of love in the Bible is Hebrews 13. Love one another and in Galatians 05:13, love one another in a brotherly way and do not let sin enter lives. Love gives covering and shelter.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love.
Once we learn to love one another, we ignore the weaknesses and mistakes of others. The love of God the Father covered the sins of the entire world, when He gave His only begotten Son on the cross.
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 04:08
Love has the power to ignore weak areas of others. Sin causes a person to be self-centered and therefore without the presence of love relationships are broken. Love is a commandment and not an option in Christian Life.
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 04:08
There are two reasons for lack of love for one another:
· Selfishness: Causes us to love ourselves more than the neighbor.
· Self-Centeredness: In our dealings we only think of ourselves and of our image in the world. In the last days
Jesus declares that love will become inactive. When fire is lost, cold is left behind. Love of God is unconditional. It has a giving attitude. There are no conditions in the love of God. We should learn to love people as they are and not as per our own standards. Balanced Christian Life is one in which the Nine fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit are balanced. Love has an eternal effect. The relationships, which have traces of love of God, don’t ever break.
· Love of God releases us from the fear of the unknown. Jesus is our guide and in control.
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:05
For Oswald Chamber's view about Love click Oswald Chamber - Love from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
II. Joy:
The presence of God in our lives and in our spirit brings joy in our lives. This is the Heavenly joy that dwells in our lives, once we learn to incline ourselves with Jesus. Discipline in life produces joy. Happiness on the other hand is concerned with the presence of worldly or physical objects of desire. Joy is not based on physical circumstances; for it is beyond them. Life of Christ depicts joy, although He had to pass through crucifixion.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:02
Practical Points for Existence of Joy:
· We experience joy after Salvation and after being transformed into a new being in Christ. Changes and transition produces joy in life.
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 02:10
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:07
· When lost things are found we experience joy in lives.
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:08-10
· Only the people of God who love Him with all their existence receive joy in their lives.
· Resurrection in Ministry, jobs and lives give joy.
· Joy is a sign of Kingdom of God. Any situation, which adds joy in life, is from God.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
· Joy is a Heavenly attribute.
Following are the factors that reduce or do not allow joy to enter our lives.
- Worries
- Sin
- Bad Dealings
- Bad Language
- Bad Company
- Bad thought life.
These factors drive out joy from lives. Negativism should be crushed from life. God does not think negatively. His attribute is positivism.
Joy produces:
- Worship in lives
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
- Thankful Attitude
Joy expresses itself like “Holy Laughter”. Christians with joy have a peaceful smile on their faces. Joy is a sign of Healing Community.
III. Peace:
Peace is presence of wholeness and wellbeing not just the absence of conflict or war. It includes wholeness and holiness.
It depicts “State of Rest” or a “Position of Rest”. Peace that surpasses human understanding is from God. We receive Heavenly peace, once we understand and realize our position in Christ. Fears and doubts come to an end. Jesus calmed the sea and peace was released from Heaven. Peace of God helps us to pass through tough times victoriously. Without peace we feel delay in our lives. With peace there will be no more delays than 40 days. It helps us to carry the promises of God in future. It helps us to manifest our faith. With peace of God, we know how to tackle a given situation or a problem. The presence of God is within me. This is what peace is all about.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
SHALOM is the secret of the universe.
Definition: wholeness-integratedness –everything fitting together perfectly. Salvation-in the most complete sense. The Greek word for Shalom is Sozo which means saved/healed/delivered/made whole.
Three things must be present for shalom to exist:
· Individual material needs are met-
· Social justice in all relationships-positive life enhancing involvements
· Personal integrity in human character-moral and spiritual uprightness that makes people honest and blameless
Shalom as God’s Vision For Humanity:
Worshipping communities in harmonious creation/ war abolished and sin removed/all accomplished by God’s messianic ruler who establishes this dynamic peace.
The Gospel of a Kingdom Of Peace:
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14
Angels announce Glory to God in the highest and on earth – PEACE.
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace. Luke 2:29
Symeon says when he looks at Jesus as a baby -I have seen salvation (shalom) with my own eyes.
John the Baptist’s father said that John would prepare the way for one who would “guide our feet into the way of peace” Luke 1:79.
Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace – whose authority brings endless peace
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
- Shalom-is the Gospel. When Jesus sends out the disciples Luke 10:1-12-“Let your first words be SHALOM to this house”. The offer of SHALOM is seen throughout Jesus’ public ministry
- Shalom and healing-the woman with the hemorrhage-“your faith has healed you, go in peace”-Mark5: 34
- Shalom and forgiveness-the prostitute washing Jesus’ feet –“your faith saves you-go in shalom”-Luke 7:50
- Shalom and generosity-Zacheaus giving away his money “today has shalom (salvation) come to this house” Luke 19: 9
- Shalom and freedom-Jesus casting out demons, “Shalom! Come out of him!” Mark 1:25
- Shalom and nature-Jesus calms the storm, “Shalom! Be still” Mark4: 39
- Shalom and confidence-Jesus comforting the disciples: “It is my shalom I give you” John 14:7
- Shalom and power - Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit: “Shalom be with you!” John 20: 21-22
- There is Shalom by justification – Romans 5: 1 “Now that we have been justified with God through faith, we have peace/shalom with God through our LORD Jesus Christ”
- There is peace by reconciliation- Colossians 1:20 – “God made peace/shalom through his son’s sacrificial death on the cross and so brought to himself all things both on earth and in heaven”
- When Paul the Apostle speaks of the Kingdom of God he describes it as “righteousness , joy and peace in the Holy Spirit” Romans 14:17
God gives His gifts to me-GRACE
I respond with thanks-FAITH
We share JOY together, like sharing a meal-PEACE
IV. Grace:
· It is God’s love which we do not deserve
· God’s activity at work in our life to bring ourselves in His presence.
· God’s Gifts for us - friends/preachers/animals/scripture/enemies/the church/work/marriage/ sex/children etc.
· and to a place of wholeness and integration
· Events and circumstances which offer us a way forward spiritually
· Events and circumstances which challenge us and promote our spiritual growth
· Gifts from God which demand a response. “Consider Abraham-he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” Galatians 3:6
· Galatians (believers in Galatia) were born again –but were undecided as to whether they should be circumcised-like the Jews. This means that they would have to do something in order to make themselves right with God
· They would have to do something external-a show of righteousness-in order to prove their inner change
· Paul-wanted them to see this didn’t make any difference to God at all- God was looking at the hearts
· This was because they had already been made right with God-by believing in Jesus –as dead, risen and coming again
· Paul –was speaking about God’s grace-His unmerited favour
If we do not understand God’s grace we will remain defeated, downtrodden, guilty Christians. Most Christians live self righteously before God-trying to prove their righteousness. Paul says –our attempts to please God are excrement!-like a baby that offers his potty to his father –and says look what I’ve done! Jeremiah says-“all our righteousness is like filthy rags”.
V. Faith:
1 Corinthians 13:13 “faith, hope and love remain” – Hebrews 11: 6 “without faith it is impossible to please God”
Biblical writers use the word faith as trust/confidence.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
20 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD. Hosea 2:20
§ Faith provides the framework of Christian teaching.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
It is a confident hope as yet not realized - Romans 4:18-22
18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."
The primary way it is used is practical-into which all the other dimensions and concepts blend.
Faith is not a future word but more of a Now word.
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hypostasis-faith is to do with the substance and real essence. It is used about Jesus in Hebrews 1:3, where it is said that he is the “very image of God’s substance”. By the exercise of faith things which in themselves have no existence become REAL and SUBSTANTIAL.
Eleuchos-faith is to do with CONVICTION and PROOF. The eye is the organ of the body which enables us to be convinced by providing evidence of visible things. Faith responds to reality in the same way that the eye does-giving evidence of the INVISIBLE ORDER.
Faith is the function of bringing into PRESENT reality the things the human heart longs for and which God’s heart longs to give.
In simple terms the best definition is:
Faith is making happen what God wants to happen
Faith is the means by which God’s Will becomes reality.
To live in faith is to live where the barrier between heaven and earth is non existent. It is to see the world not as a place where God is not present or active or at work, but as a place which is alive with god’s activity everywhere. John 5:19 “the son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees His Father doing; for whatever He does, the Son does likewise”
To have faith is to see every aspect of the created order as miraculous; as an expression of god’s activity. “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it”
The cosmos (the world system) is in the hands of the evil one-it is the expression of man and is given energy by Satan-the God of this cosmos (world system).
Created Order is the expression of God. In this we are called to discern, acknowledge, recognize and make known how God is revealing himself.
The Bible speaks of God doing mighty deeds. Greek word dunamis & semeon expresses it as showing signs.
Faith sees god’s activity as reality of heaven breaking into earth’s unreality. A demonstration of the real world of the kingdom of heaven.
Faith and Practice-how faith works in life
Step one –demonstrating you are faithful
- Habakkuk 2:4-the righteous shall live by faith-or by their faithfulness.
- To live obediently in the ordinary issues of life.
- Our will becomes the expression of God’s will.
- God can only use people who display His Character and make happen what he wants to happen.
Step Two-Declaring the Invisible
- Bring into reality the things which as yet are unseen in heaven, but that God wants released upon the earth.
- God has chosen the things that are “to shame the wise… 1 Corinthians.
Step Three-Developing Spiritual Muscle
- It builds on the previous two.
- There are things which are beyond our reach at the moment, but when we see them excitement, hope and fear rise in our hearts.
- We quicken our pace and strain to achieve what God is calling us to do or be.
- We are always moving further and further into the invisible.
- Paul says “not that I have already been made perfect, but for the hope that is within me I press on to win the prize”.
Faith equals God
- All faith is rooted in God
- All faith is initiated by God
- All faith originates with God-never with us
- We move into the realm of faith by our relationship with God
- We simply move in response to grace, which he has already started in our lives. (God’s work)
- Scripture speaks of the “Faith of God”
God speaks
- Faith is born out of the stirrings of God’s heart
- Faith begins to be active as God voices his heart-in speech
God’s Word
- God’s word is the agent of his activity, an extension of himself.
- Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
- Creation is faith in action; it is brought about by God’s word. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3
- Upholding the universe by the word of his power. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. Hebrews 1:3
- God’s word will bring everything to its final conclusion. “I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows, but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of Heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh, He has His name written.” Revelation 19:11-16
Hearing
- This is the first place we become actively involved with faith.
- This is where breakdown can occur in faith activity.
- Our spirits must be tuned to be active at God’s voice and at the same frequency.
- If we are not progressing in faith perhaps we are not hearing clearly.
- We cannot “do what the Father tells us” – unless we hear him.
- We need to be trained to hear God.
Faith is:
- my response to the grace of God at work in my life
- my recognition
- my acknowledgement
- my belief that God is at work
- Paul-on the road of Damascus
Types of faith:
- Christian Faith. (Apostles Creed)
- Gift of faith to do miracles.
- God given faith for everyone.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Faith click Oswald Chambers - Faith from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
VIII. Gentleness:
Holy Spirit has a gentle personality. In Jesus this quality was manifested towards children. Jesus had authority and gentleness at the same time. We should be careful with words we use in daily lives; for they should not crush and hurt others. Forgiveness is the key to gentleness. Abrupt expressions are weak areas of our character. Give a gentle answer to ones who are in anger and they shall change.
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 04:32
IX. Long Suffering:
Delays in life are caused due to our own failures. Sin slows down our pace to reach our final destination. God wants us to move ahead for He loves us. With sin in our lives so much of time is wasted. It blocks the doors of Heaven in our lives. But the promises of God take us to Canaan. Difficult times help to drive out the deep attributes of the character and re-shape it in a new way.
15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Hebrews 06:15
11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 05:11
2 O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:02
X. Holiness:
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people:
" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isaiah 06:01-09
· Old Testament (Torah) is Instruction. It is the way of life. It is a guide towards holiness. According to Torah, the purpose of our life is to worship God. All the sacrifices, ritual, cleansing or following the Ten Commandments are for His worship.
· As we become more like Christ, we become holy. In the New Testament holiness is about a ‘person’. God is beyond our experience. Our flesh cannot stand His majesty.
· Words for Holiness – wholeness or salvation (sozo), sanctification, awe, other, Glory.
· Holiness is associated with integration. (Honesty/ truth).
· The encounter of God changed Isaiah. There is before and after effect from Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul. The encounter with God makes us holy.
· All our attempts to be holy are to develop a transforming relationship; a realization that God is ‘ Utterly Other’.
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21
2 "There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 02:02
· Yoke is the burden that God gives in lives. If we do not have His yoke, we will plough everywhere. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. My being alive is Christ, to be where I am is as per His will, I am the extension of Christ. But how available am I? Are we available? When God tells us to go, are we available for Him?
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
· In Brokenness Satan comes with a lot of false accusations, people do not understand why? We receive difficulty and criticism from people. That transforms us from Saul to Paul. There are times in our lives where we have to take courageous stands.
XI. Courage:
XII. Self Control:
XIII. Confession:
”Confess your sins to one another that you may be healed” - James 5
Confession is a form Healing:
· The healing of our relationship with God
· the healing of our relationship with others people
· the healing of our relationship with ourselves
XIV. Mercy:
The Church – Ekklesia (called out ones) is a place where MERCY triumphs over judgement.
XV. Forgiveness:
· Forgive and you shall be forgiven. Forgiveness releases our links and soul ties of the past and help us to enter our new beginning; ending the past in peace and not in pain. Forgive us our sins, even as we forgive those who sin against us.
· Forgiveness is dependent on our right relationship with others.
· He who is forgiven much-loves much.
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:36-50
·
Because God has forgiven us.
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
· Because unforgiveness leads to sin/anger/bitterness/hatred/revenge.
· Forgiveness restores the present and releases us from the past.
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18
· Forgiveness helps us empty our heart of hatred and open it to love.
· Forgiveness helps us act like Jesus.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
· Forgiveness opens us up to healing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
· Revenge is not ours, it belongs to God.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19
· God withholds his forgiveness from us when we withhold it from others.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18: 21-35
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, even as Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
XVI. Compassion:
· Compassion and forgiveness results in healing and releases the Kingdom of God.
· Compassion means to feel as though my insides are spilling out. It is a strong emotion, which feels deeply with the pain or suffering of another and wants to change it.
· Compassion is mentioned a lot in association with the ministry of Jesus.
· Jesus feels compassion for Jerusalem – when He wants to gather it like a mother hen and it will not respond to Him.
· Jesus feels compassion for the multitudes because they are distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
· Forgiveness and compassion are communicated in words and actions.
XVII. Seasoned Speech:
Jesus said “Let your speech be seasoned with salt”
• In Proverbs, Solomon says, "Life and death is in the power of the tongue”
• In the beginning God created all by his Word.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1.1-5
• Our words guide our life and what we say is self fulfilling prophesy
• The use of the tongue.
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:1-12
• The tongue is a fire and evil no man can tame.
• If you can tame your tongue you can control your whole body.
• 10 commandments-do not bear false witness
XVIII. Patience:
By nature we are impatient with people. It is very difficult in a Church situation because it is irritating when things are done in an improper way in a Church. We become intolerant to the characteristics of people. We see our faults in others very clearly as well. Patience is a virtue that grows with time. Learning to be patient is time consuming but it rewards with answered prayers and fulfilling the Will of God.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Patience click Oswald Chamber - Patience from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
XIX. Meekness & Humility:
When we have the power to take revenge and yet we do not; we are humble in Jesus. This is humility. Quietness in life also brings in humility. But false humility is a sin.
Humility leads to the power of the Lord. Humility is a product of Brokenness and Holiness. It is a non-retaliation act. It makes us flexible and obedient. We become useful for we do as we are told to do so. We do not react to difficult situations. Humility is our strength.
Humility - Power - Maturity - Servant-hood.
But the emphasis is on ‘change’. The very nature of being God’s agent is to be changed. The question is that does humility bring forth change in our lives? Humility leads to submission. Opposite to humility is to argue, rebel, conflict, self-righteousness and pride. Pride takes us away from the Lord. It is our independence from the Lord.
There are four standards of humility:
· Holiness
· Day and Night prayers
· Costly/ extravagant giving
· Unwavering faith. Faith that does not move a bit.
It is such a life-style that exposes itself.
XX. Meekness:
Always being angry at the right time and never being angry at the wrong time. For example Jesus was angry at the sellers outside the Temple. It is also related to self-control because getting angry at the wrong times can damage relationships. This word was originally used for domestic trained animals.
Moses was the meekest man on the face of the Earth. Gentleness is a mark of leadership.
7. Discipleship, Fellowship, Freedom, Commitment and Action:
Mathew 10:01-25
Discipleship is about ‘doing’ – Acting.
‘ The journey from the head to the heart is the longest journey in the world.’ Knowing God and meeting Him has a real difference. We suffer from knowledge (skills/facts). We know too much and do not do too much.
Mathetes in Greek means a ‘Learner’. To be a learner of skills and learning what to do. We learn by watching, seeing, hearing and practising. Imitations are the most powerful way of learning. Copying and correction is also a way of learning. Assimilation is also another word for learning. We become a disciple by learning. Jesus had personal relationship with His disciples. “Teaching is not the example; Example is the teaching." Jesus had authority and His disciples practically saw its manifestation.
“Christianity is caught better than taught.” Charles Swindell.
Jesus was referred as the Master, Raboni and Teacher. Rabbi’s were interested in formation of their disciples, rather than education. The whole idea of education was that of Greeks and Romans. They considered ‘knowledge’ important while Hebrews considered the ’doing’ important. Discipleship takes formation and not education. Disciples were put into difficult situations where they were prepared to fail as well. For example they could not cast out a demon. They were learning in a rabonic way. It is a method where the rabbi teaches practically and at the same time keeps the disciples involved practically. The rabonic method is to look into the hearts of the disciples. He needed to check their response. He wanted to capture the heart of His disciples. Paul says,” that Christ may be formed into you. This is the goal of discipleship. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Paul said, “Imitate Me.” This is the most important thing about discipleship. Discipleship is the real bit missing in the Church. There are converts in the Church; rather than disciples. Discipleship involves fellowship and a relationship.
There is an invitation not a command to become a disciple.
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mathew 19:16-22.
This was an invitation for freedom. He was not free because things were holding him back. He is a good man and obeys the Ten Commandments. He had reached a point where Jesus was asking him to take a step further. In order to carry on with things in life.
Freedom:
Truth sets us free. EPAGGELIA in Greek means to make a free and voluntarily offer. Truth speaks about the promises of God in the Old Testament. The Word of God is the truth and truth sets us free. The freedom is in the Word that God gives us. God has a Word of truth for all of us.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 04:07
The truth reveals the promises of God in the Bible for us. His promises are founded on His attributes (Nature), mercy, grace, forgiveness and patience. They do not represent the actions of God but show what God is like. Therefore He is merciful, patient, gracious and understanding. The generosity of God inside us is not because of our own merits.
20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.2 Corinthians 01:20.
12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 06:12.
The Word of truth needs to be acted upon. We need to be obedient to the Word of truth so that we are ready and working in harmony with the Lord and living in a place where Jesus wants us to live. Faith means obedience in action. His means putting the Word of God in action. The Word and the action are the same.
God brings us into impossible places to know the truth, so that we may trust Him implicitly.
There are 359 prophecies in the Bible concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. 19 percent of these prophecies have been fulfilled. Every prophetic utterance about Jesus in the Old Testament was being fulfilled. Prophecies regarding the end times are being fulfilled as well.
We are living in the freedom of the Spirit. The Spirit binds up together.
He came to restore the relationship that Adam had lost in the past. He came to set us free from the bondage of the enemy and to give us abundant life.
He has given us a place to live and operate. This is all part of the freedom that He has given us; to participate and express the Kingdom of God where we live and serve. In Hebrews 04 we enter into His place of rest which God has prepared for us.
Jesus knew His freedom. He said that He has freedom and does not need to pay the Temple tax; yet He did not want to offend anyone, therefore He paid that.
26"From others," Peter answered.
"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Mathew 17:26-27
8. Guidance, Direction and Calling:
“It is easy to talk the talk and not walk the walk.”
Our guidance, direction and calling are in the form of a triangle. These should not be diverted in any way. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” We need to follow His ideas and not man’s ideas.
We have to agree with Jesus in our walk. “How can the two walk together if they do not agree.” So we “Look at” and follow Jesus.
· Diversion takes us away from the Lord. We need to keep yielding to the Word of God, obedience and remain attentive to His presence.
9 This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 06:09
Our walk with Jesus keeps us secure.” On Christ the solid rock I stand; all the other ground is sinking sand. We can take steps in faith for we are faithful to Him. Peter walked on the water with faith. Noah made the ark having faith on God. Paul says Jesus is our anchor. We are anchors in Jesus.
We receive peace that passes all human understanding. Peace and security from the Lord helps us to face the difficult times and situations.
Jesus wants us to change, which is not that easy. Jesus digs into us to dig the hardness like hard pieces of clay in the clay-pot. He knows about our plans and ambitions. He will not be subject to our plans.
John 02:06 refers to the glory of God and our obedience. The seed of the fruit is within us. The Spirit of the God guides us. We have to respond to the call of the Lord. Some are called for leadership. If a man desires for leadership, it is only for himself. True Leader is a servant. A Leader needs to have the CHARISMA (strength, power, and ability). Otherwise they are like empty vessels. God wants to give us His own ability and strength. Then the Lord changes our charisma to His charisma.
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. John 02:06
Sometimes the call of the Lord is very small. Once it is seeded and grows, we reach the place where God wants us to be.
We are cut, shaped and polished like a jewel for His Glory.
Timing of our Lord is perfect. All the objects in the world move in a perfect time. We need to wait and move according to our calling and with anointing. “We have to be prepared, to be prepared”. There is no ministry without preparation.
Three steps in the Ministry:
A) we have to be alone with the Lord.
B) We have to be involved with the Church.
C) We have to move out of the Church to people whom God has called out for.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit is important, otherwise it is a waste of time. He gives anointing for service and not for help. God does not use us without any ability.
A) He confirms the call.
B) He provides for the need to fulfill our call.
C) He confirms it from the Scripture.
God gives us contentment at a place where he wants to take us.
Lord enables and makes our call effective.
We must always remain teachable at this stage.
We must remain true to our calling. Remaining in the Lord has a primary principle that Jesus does not reveal everything that is going to happen for us.
We need to get our priorities right. God’s priorities are not the world’s priorities.
Our inner life should be in order. We should not walk faster or slower than the Lord. We should learn to walk with Him.
Focus has to be to defeat the enemy; for Jesus is victorious.
God reveals His revelations in trials and tribulations. Job 42:05. We must lay aside time for it is very precious. The person who waits for the Lord shines at the right time.
All the distractions and concerns should be set aside for the Lord. Most Christians cast their burdens on the Lord with elastic. They give it to Him and it comes back.
Learn to say ‘No’ to anxiety, self-pity; do not listen to what Satan says.
We have to be strong enough to fulfill our call. Jesus wants us to be attentive and have strength in Him. We must not get tired and weak.
· In the Old Testament, anointing was the oil poured down on the head to the feet. When the Holy Spirit comes down it anoints us. Initiation comes from the Lord and then we receive the blessings or the anointing. We must renew our anointing.
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.Ephesians 05:18
This implies being filled with the Holy Spirit. Always be filled with the fresh anointing. “Lord give me the character on which your anointing can rest, but do not destroy me.”
We must never allow our Christian Life to be boring or in a state of being unhappy. As the people of God we should never be boring for He lives inside us. If we lack the enthusiasm and the excitement that means we are not at the right place. Our enthusiasm shows our purpose for being with the Lord.
We can pray for the Lord to give us His abundance blessings. Always remain moving, learning and live like living water.
Every grain of sand in Sahara Desert has water inside it. Scientist have discovered that it needs a nuclear explosion to separate the grain and water. Similarly in trials and tribulations, God gives us His Holy Spirit and our deep relation brings forth the springs in the desert in our lives.
For Oswald Chamber's view about Calling and Direction click Oswald Chamber - Calling and Direction from the Menu ( Top Right hand side)
9. Principles of Giving and Receiving
“Give and it will be given to you” –
“Pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Mathew 07:07
Keep: It is a self-contained System
Flow: Spend the talents and gifts that Jesus gives to flow out to the deserving ones.
9.1 Prosperity and Poverty:
Prosperity means contentment given by God.
Redemption and Life: “When a community becomes Christian they work hard and thus become better-off than others.” “What you sow is what you will reap.”
When we learn to give to the deserving, He gives us back in return as a process. In the Kingdom of God there is a flow. Consume the blessing and let others benefit from them as well. We must make best use of our talents for Jesus, so that they may be a source of blessings for others and ourselves as well. They should not remain attached or accumulated.
· Money gives the status and superiority. It gives us the sense of security and satisfaction.
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Mathew 06:19-24.
It should not consume our life – idolatry.
Money creates an artificial barrier between God and us.
Jesus talks about independence and interdependence (utilizing the strength of others). We should not depend upon money to fulfill the Word of God.
Money limits our thinking and creates a difference in our emphasis.
Poverty means the state of deprivation. Part of the Kingdom of God is to care for the poor.
Constantine a Roman Emperor saw the Cross in a Vision and used it as a symbol to make Rome a Christian State. He abused the power of the Religion and forced people to convert to Christianity. Whereas within the Kingdom of God we do not need strength, power and money to preach the Gospel.
COSMOS (Greek) means the World System. It includes economics, politics and religion. The Bible says, “Love not the World…” This means to restrict us from loving the COSMOS System. This means to avoid the impact of the economic and political system. Cosmos begins with the Tower of Babel i.e. building in opposition/apart/independent of God. This system hated Jesus for He broke its norms. They rejected Jesus and crucified Him. This system cannot bring love, joy and happiness for this is under the influence of Satan.
It is the dominant system of the world that has power. This implies that knowledge and money has power. “Money is power.” “Knowledge is power.” Man has become slave to this dominant system. Slavery means that the weakest are dominant by the strongest. For example building up of pyramids.
The Kingdom of God does not operate on this system. It disconnects Christians from it. Christians believe on the immortal, invisible, omnipotent and omniscient God.
The Roman Empire contained economic, political and religious system. Romans worshiped idols and false gods. PANTHEON was a huge place in Rome where all the gods of the Romans were kept. This word means “many gods.” It was a dogmatic belief (Dogma = strictly held belief; extreme form of belief). The Christians of those times were considered as atheist for they did not believe on Pantheon.
ANTHROPOCENTRIC: Man made beliefs – man centred i.e. when man pretends to make God in his image. In this modern time period Christianity contains it. For example English Tradition mixed with Christianity in Great Britain – wearing suits at the Church. This system originates from Cosmos as well.
Roman Empire was a domination system. The most suitable example is that of Constantine.
Part 2.
Spiritual Discipline Principles
Self Denial:
Understanding calling as a responsibility
Take responsibilities and avoid positions
Checking your motives. Why?
Checking your relationships
Trusting God to your fullest
Making quality decisions
Being open / transparent / real
Being humble / submit to one another
Taking low and back seats
Having self control / emotional control
Having accountability for money, time, sex, spiritual power
Taking ownership
Giving best / first opportunity to others
Don’t carry low expectations
Don’t exercise your rights, but understand your responsibilities
Don’t treat others as they treat you
Don’t fight / argue / misbehave / rude with others
Don’t waste time / money / things
Don’t judge or misjudge others
Don’t be selfish or greedy
Don’t react or take revenge
Don’t cheat / copy others / manipulate
Don’t be proud / boast / hate
Don’t lust for material possessions
Refuse to reduce spirituality
Success lies in your spiritual fruitfulness
ALLOS PARAKLETOS: Another of the same kind – Holy Spirit
Part 3.
Changing Heavens – Changing Doors
Opening Heavens – Opening Doors
Psalm 24
1. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6. This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Changing heavens (doors) means if we are living under closed heavens (doors) then move towards heavens (doors) that are open.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelations 19: 11
We need to live under prophetic activation so that we may enter the heavens (doors) according to the Will of God.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. Revelations 19 : 11
Open heaven and doors are the need of every Christian. We need some openings and closings in life to move on.
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16: 09
With open doors spiritual, physical and financial blessings are released. Following the divine Will of God releases perfect doors in life. The doors are widened up as JEHOVAH enters with us.
How doors are released (opened)?
Prophets open the heavens. For example the Ministry of Moses released the heavens (doors) for the Israelites
Apostles take them through open doors. Apostolic Ministry gives birth to new leadership and ministries. They emphasise in converting people from Saul to Paul. The ministry of Paul is the best suitable example. Apostles are men of deep character in prayer and commitment, so as to restore Churches and impart the image of Christ among people. They remain committed in times of trials and tribulations.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4 : 7-18
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2 Corinthians 11 : 22-23
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Galatians 4 : 19-20
When we are converted into seeds, we undergo the process of dirt and darkness. This gives birth to new life and following the Will of God, we are transformed into a new being. Just as seeds bear stem and leaves in required seasons, we need to wait for the right season in our life for God to open new doors in life. The germinating seeds bear fruit at the right season and so does a new born Christian bear fruit in his required season.
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16. For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17 : 8 -16
These verses from Exodus represent transfer of Anointing into Leadership. The hands of a leader need to be supported by his co-helpers.
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 7. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 01 : 10
We need Apostolic Anointing to take the people ahead. Prophets open new doors and close the previous ones for us. Apostles help us to move into the Promised Land. Their calling is like a burning passion. They cannot quit it.
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 15. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 16. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 17. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. Exodus 04 : 10-17
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4. And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 14. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16. And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 12 : 01-16
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Acts 07 : 22
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