Continuous Progressive Growth

“They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem” - Psalm 84:7 NLT)

Growing strong in God’s Presence is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness even more deeply. According to Proverbs the way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines even brighter until the full light of day. This means spiritual growth, increasing clarity in understanding the action of obedience  and a life of success. Remember God promises us a life of abundance.

With Yeshua as our pattern of godly living and the model of divine Love, should not we seek to imitate His Goodness and Grace? NOT in our own strength, but in the supernatural strength that He supplies, through the Power of the indwelling Holy Spirit: "Without me, You can do nothing." Without ME, You cannot love as I have loved. BUT: "I can do all through CHRIST, Who strengthens me, in the Power of His Holy Spirit."

The work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is to bring us into the likeness of the Lord Himself. The Law in the Old Testament was designed to point us to Yeshua, but the Spirit's Ministry of Grace is intended to make us like Yeshua.

We can grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord; walking in a manner worthy of the Lord; above all we become mature in Yeshua. Growing in Yeshua, growing from strength to strength, from glory to Glory. May we continue to be changed into the image and likeness of our Lord with every passing day, and show forth His Goodness and Grace, not only in our lips but in our lives, by giving ourselves up to His praise and Glory.

We are growing stronger in You. Being transformed by the renewal of our mind. Selah!

The Great Commission

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. - Mark 16:15 KJV

Are we as followers of Yeshua doing what He called us to do? Or are we about our own business in the name of God? I know there are many who are doing conferences, gatherings, life coach etc.; but can we truly say that we are about the Father’s business?

One of the last conversations Yeshua had with the disciples was that He gave them an assignment, the great commission. He said, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. What are we to preach? We are to go and tell every creature, every human being about Yeshua and what He did for them. What He did was, He gave His life for them so that they may have eternal life. He gave His life as a sacrifice, He paid for their sins with His life. Why, because God so loved the world that God gave His only Son, Yeshua who knew no sin, to die in the place of sinful man. That is the gospel.

What I see today is that many are teaching or preaching as if earth is our final destination. Many are preaching about riches and wealth of this world. Do not misunderstand me, God blesses His children, but we must not lose sight of the true essence of the gospel. It’s about telling others of the goodness of God, which should lead them to repentance. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (NKJV).

The gospel is about telling people the truth, that if they reject what Yeshua did for them, there are eternal consequences. There is a place call hell, but they do not have to go there. Provision was made for them to be a child of God and to go with Yeshua when He returns. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also – John 14:3 KJV.

The goodness of God and “the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, is shown in all he has done for us” (Ephesians 2:7, NLT). God is not a heartless dictator but a merciful, forgiving, loving God (Psalm 25:6; Daniel 9:9; Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3). He is patient with sinners who deserve judgment because He “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4, NLT; see also Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). This is the gospel that we must preach!

What Manner of Love is This?

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: - 1 John 3:1a KJV

When God created man, it was so that we can have fellowship with Him. Like with Adam and Eve, He communed with them, but when they sinned, it brought about a separation from God. As it was always God’s intention to fellowship with mankind, God made provision to reconcile mankind back to Himself.

Think about it, mankind sinned against God, rebelled against God and disobeyed God, yet He chose to send His Son to die to redeem us. He sent His Son to die for us because He so love us. How can He still love us, when what we really deserve is punishment? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: (1 John 3:16a KJV).

God did not stop there. Not only does He love us, but He calls us His children. He calls us sons and daughters. He acknowledges us as His very own. When someone wrongs us and really hurt us, the last thing on our minds is loving that person. We may even have thoughts of avenging ourselves and do the same to the person as was done to us. Our heavenly Father though is not like that. He still loves us. His love remains consistent.

Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much He loves us. We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So, through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger, (Romans 5:7-9 ESV).

As sons of God, we are privileged to be given and enjoy the promises of God. As sons of God, we are led by His Spirit and we call Him Father. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16).

Dear friends, now we are children of God. We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him. We will see Him just as He is. He is pure, and everyone who has this hope in Him keeps themselves pure like Christ, (1 John 3:2-3 ESV).