LIFE BEGINS FROM WITHIN

IF AN EGG IS BROKEN BY AN OUTSIDE FORCE..
A LIFE ENDS.
IF AN EGG BREAKS FROM WITHIN......
LIFE BEGINS.
GREAT THINGS ALWAYS BEGIN FROM WITHIN.

“In him we live and move and have our being, even as some of your poets have said, we are His offspring” (Acts 17:28)


2 Cor. 5:14-17 14For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

The Power of becoming New is in us!!! WE are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

HOW TO SHOW FORTH THE GRACE OF GOD

Let us look at First Timothy Chapter 1:11-16
Why so many Christians become tired with church life, and why many people in the world are not interested in church at all. It is because so many of them do not enter into the place of whereby they can show forth the grace of God to the world.

In First Timothy, Paul said God had given to him the gospel and he is committed to the Lord Jesus and has enabled him and counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry. And it is the grace of the Lord that was exceeding abundant to him that he was able to show forth that grace to the world to save sinners.

THE GOD THAT ENABLED US.
Paul did not say he worked so hard and have done so much for the Lord and I am proud of myself. No he said, “I thank God, because He enabled me.” The word “enable” in the Greek text means “to empower, to increase strength, or to make strong.” How to be strong in the inner man? Acts 1:8 – mentioned the power from above the Holy Spirit came upon them and the same power is the same root word translated enabled.

GOD EMPOWER US - GOD ENABLES US - GOD GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DO

He makes us able to do the things that we set out to do in fulfillment of His plan for us. The Word of God here is full of encouragement and enabling knowledge that are real in the Bible.

Firstly, God enable us to be Overcomers – I John. 4:4 - God enable us to overcome. He enables us by living in us and giving us greater strength and ability than any devil could ever stop. We can only be overcomes because of Jesus is in us – than he that is in the world. Not because of what we do, but because of what He did. If the devil can get our mind focused on works, then every time we miss it, he puts us under condemnation. The devil says “You are a failure, you have problems and difficulties and you will never be successful and able to do much for Him. You are a looser. But the Bible says you are an overcomer.

Secondly, God enable us to be Living vessels to flow to others - John. 7:38. Out of your inner man glorious grace flows to minister to the needs of people around you. God is saying “Be a hose. Just let Living water flow out of you. Just let my Spirit flow through you. Be a Living vessel for Me.”

2 Corinthians 3:4, 5 – Paul says, “our sufficiency is of God.” Paul was a very educated man. He had years and years of religious training. He was the highest rank of leaders in the Jewish religion of Jesus’ day. He had experiences beyond measure. He could say he is the most successful man on earth in ministry ….but “My sufficiency is not in myself, it is of God. In myself, I can do nothing, but in Christ, I can do all things.”

What about us? Look at 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who made Paul an able minister? Likewise, God has made me an able minister but not of the letter, but of the spirit that will giveth life.
The New Testament is not about Jesus is the Way and Truth but Life also. Life from Holy Spirit and life in Christ.

God is looking for someone who He can use as vessels He can flow through. This age is called the Age of “Grace Mystery”. – Colossians 1:25-27
What is this Mystery? Christ grace in you as your hope of glory, your hope of success, your hope of victory, your hope of overcoming power and your hope of being successful in life. Christ in us the hope – of doing the job for us and in us. We are supposed to lead in this planet, to lead in the government sector, the business world and lead the people to health, peace, and joy. God wants us to be in charge.

Remember religions around the world have not been able to see this mystery.
How could God live in human flesh? Christ in us and we are the temple of God! We are perfect in Christ – a mystery. – Colossians 1:28

May this Grace age Mystery unveil more and more to you! May Christ power be exploded in our lives and people will see and hear it.

SERVING WITH THE GRACE OF GOD

The book of Acts 13:36-43 says “For David after he has served his own generation by the will of God, …. Vs. 43 but when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

Someone says the “grace of God” is basic others say is deeper truths. Grace is not the foundation only, it is the entire new covenant. We begun in the Spirit but could end up in the flesh like the Galatians church. Walking in the flesh is not only walking in adultery, fornication, rebellion, etc - these are the works of the flesh. But walking in the flesh are trusting your own effort to perform all God’s commandment even to serve and obey Him. God can only live that life through you and me in the Spirit. And we can reign in life through the abundance of Grace (Roman 5:17). So walking in the Spirit is actually walking in the abundance of God’s grace.

In book of Acts 13 – Let me give you a summary of what is in here:

1. David served his generation in the will of God (counsel) vs. 36
2. Jesus freed us from the Law of Moses vs. 39
3. There were opposition to the message of Grace vs. 41
(scoffers who never believes even if one declares to them)
4. They were those who are hungry for God’s grace to be told vs. 42
(they kept begging Paul and Barnabas)
5. A division was happening between those who wanted the law and grace. Vs.43
6. Many converted to Judaism (Moses) was set free when Paul and Barnabas spoken the
Word of Grace to them vs. 43
7. The grace believers were urged to continue in the Grace of God vs. 43
(not to fall back to religion/Judaism again)
8. Nearly the whole city assembled to hear the Word of Grace vs. 44

Here Paul and Barnabas called into the ministry from Antioch were preaching concerning the Grace of God. They were actually preaching the “gospel” of Grace. Paul said there would be false teachers who taught performance in Christianity. It comes after taking your eyes off Jesus and relying on your own performance and law.

I respect God’s law for the reason because it was given. It was not given to bring holiness but given to expose the lack of it. The bible says, “Law was given that the offense might abound”. Man thought they can keep all of it. God knew men cannot keep all the law of God. The point is we increased the power of sin by keeping the law. You can keep the law and still not be holy.
Paul was not coming against God’s law, for God’s law was limited. The Law kills but the Spirit gives life. Life is in the grace of God. That is why Paul had to preach grace and why the Grace Message was so important as it was a revelation from God to Apostle Paul during his missionary trip. Those who were hungry and thirsty were begging or persuading Paul and Barnabas continued to share more to them about this WORD OF GRACE. They focused on the grace of God and start focusing on Jesus.

Paul and Barnabas grew bold and shared the gospel of grace and even stirred up some devout Jews who persecuted them and expelled them from their region. But in the last verse 52 says, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Religion and rituals never give us that only grace can do that. Walking in the abundance of grace and they were filled with joy in the Holy Spirit.

May we serve God with this tremendous transforming grace of God. Amen!

HUNGRY FOR GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

The story in Luke 14:17-24 tell us something good is coming our way. The best is coming!
Today God is looking for hungry people? Bible says “Blessed are they which do hungry and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” For Matthew 5:6 seems to tell us only hungry people eats and thirsty people drinks. What are you hungry about?

As Christmas is approaching many would prepare good meals during this season. Various cooks and helpers were in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches of a perfect meal. And a big family is coming home from overseas. They are coming back for Christmas this year.
God has prepared a big meal for His Kingdom. And in vs. 15 says “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” vs. 16 says “A certain man made a great supper and bade many to come.”

GOD HAS PREPARED A FEAST FOR US.
Are you coming? God has prepared something far better: a feast that isn’t limited to special days and isn’t restricted to an exclusive guest list. He extends his invitation to anyone and everyone who will come, and His table is set with only the very best: not with a meal that fills us up for a while, only to leave us hungry again; He offers us Living water and Living bread. He offers us Himself. He that eats of me in the last days will never die. He is not offering you His blessings but His Life, His Grace and Face & Kingdom and God Himself. Come and partake of Me for I am humble and meek.

Nothing can truly satisfy, no one else can provide it, and He offers it freely! Who could refuse such an invitation? Taste and see that the Lord is good.

As the story goes, sadly, many of his own refuse God’s invitation. The one He knows and invited making excuses. How would you feel first? How would God feels now? Some refuse God’s invitation to an ever-deepening relationship with Him. They are people who responded but they are some who do not. You often ask:

What will it take to get you/them to respond?
What does the preacher have to say?
What does the worship team have to sing?
What are you waiting for?

If the sinners who hold back – they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They are not the ones holding back. The people who seem to have the most trouble are those who have filled up on “blessings” just enough so that they’re no longer desperate for Him. They pursue the “sweet blessings of God” and bypass the Blesser. The hunger for God for HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS seems so small! We fill up on “good stuff” and it ruins our appetite for the very best.

So in Luke 14:18-21 Jesus tells the parable of the Great Banquet. “They all alike began to make excuses” Look at the responses from the invited first person who had caught up with his land and property – no time. Another said “I have just bought five yoke of oxen and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. The third person said “I just got married, so I can’t come”

Notice about these excuses: they are all had to do with the “good things” in life and blessings. Did you realize that you could be so busy with ‘your blessings’ that they become a hindrance between you and God? Today they are many sons, who want cookies, or some quick fun, enjoy life first lifestyle. Don’t let the blessings keep you from the great banquet (Marriage Supper of the Lamb) in heaven. Be Hungry for His Coming!

TRUSTING IN THE GRACIOUS GOD OF LOVE

I HAVE BEEN YOUNG AND NOW AM OLD; YET HAVE I NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING BREAD - PSALMS 37:25

I like the word “the righteous will not be forsaken and our seed begging bread”. You serve a Loving God who supplies before there is a need. You don’t have to wait for a blessing. He has already anointed your head with blessings. Your cup will always overflow. You will not have an empty cup. God will fill it every time because he will not forsake you or fail you. God will never disappoint you.

The world will try to make you go to the back of the bus, but God owns the bus company, and you can sit where you please. Sometimes we thought we need to please God in order to get His blessings. But God is far bigger than your ability to please Him because He loves you for who you are first.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:3

The opposite of trust is worry. In fact, worry is an insult to God. It says you don’t believe He is going to take care of you. It says you don’t believe God is God and not a man that He should lie.
No matter how much you and I worry today, we are not able to change any of our circumstances. We are not going to put any more finances in our bank account. So instead of doing what won’t work find out what work – trusting His Word and delight in Him will work.
Remember the devil would like you to settle for less than God’s best. He would like you to have a consolation prize but you have won the first prize. God wants to turn your trial into a mighty manifested miracle. He wants to turn your problem into a project.

Quote: What is happening in you is greater than what is happening to you!
May the Good Lord Bless you all greatly through His Gracious Grace! Amen.

THE MIGHTY FORGIVING GOD

THE WATERFALL OF FORGIVENESS
Psalms 103:3 - “He forgiveth me of all my sins”

1. The Revelation of Forgiveness
What is the revelation of forgiveness? Knowing that you are completely forgiven destroys the power of sin in your life. This revelation has changed and transformed lives. Jesus Himself said that those who are forgiven much will love Him much. Those who are forgiven little (they do not exist because all of us have been forgiven much), will love Him only a little.

Woman with an Alabaster oil - Lk. 7:44-47
Do you remember the woman who brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil and anointed Jesus’ feet? Jesus said to Simon, a Pharisee, “I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears sand wiped them with the hair of her head… Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

The revelation is the more you realize that you have been forgiven much, all your sins as in Ps. 103:3 , the more you will love the Lord Jesus. Forgiveness does not lead to a lifestyle of sin. It leads to a life of glorifying the Lord Jesus. What do you think the woman’s response would have been after she had departed from Jesus? Who would have desired to continue living a life of sin? She has been forgiven much by God’s grace, and knowing that she will be strengthened to live a life that honored and glorified Jesus.

All of us have been forgiven much – All of us have broken the Ten Commandments many times over. We have done so in action and all of us have been forgiven much and there is no reason for us not to love Jesus much. The only reason people don’t love Him much is that they don’t understand just how much they have been forgiven.

2. The Secret To Godliness
Many preachers are telling believers that they have to exhibit more Christian character, more self-control, more godliness and more brotherly kindness. But the question is how do we develop them? How do we exhibit more Christian character? When asked for the solution, most people would say, “Discipline! We need to focus more on the Ten Commandments and develop discipline and then these things will come automatically. While all that sounds very good to the flesh, that is not what the Word of God says.

2 Peter 1:5-9- “… add to your faith virtue, …. vs.9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even blind and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

What has he forgotten? The main clause of the new covenant! He has forgotten that the blood of Jesus has purchased for him the forgiveness of all his sins. So when you remind yourself daily that you have been cleansed from all your sins, you will exhibit more and more of these Christian character qualities. Your heart will overflow with self-control, godliness, perseverance, brotherly kindness and love.

Pray and enjoy your forgiveness: Dear Father I thank You for the cross of Jesus. I thank You that today because of Jesus blood, I have been forgiven of all my sins, past, present and future. Today, You are merciful to all my sins and lawless deeds. You will remember no more. You see me completely righteous, not because of what I have done, but because of Jesus. I am greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved by You. Amen.

(SUMMARY QUOTED FROM JOSEPH PRINCE BOOK “DESTINY TO REIGN” Pg. 99)

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

The power of the Cross and Grace empowers you to live holy lives apart from your good works and good behavior.

Because holiness depends on Jesus first not on our performance.

Holiness is already imparted into us and the nature of it causes it to manifest and produce practical holiness.

2 Peter 1:2 - "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His Divine Power has given to us all things pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, vs. 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

The more you realize who you are, the more you start living out who you are. But if you are forced into holy behavior by threats of hell and disapproval from God or the Church then holiness that you go into is false and is based on control and of darkness.

"We don't preach obedience, we don't preach holiness, we don't preach performance - we preach position in Christ because as you have a revelation of that righteousness will flow from your spirit, obedience will flow from your spirit, holiness will flow from your spirit." - Ryan Rufus

Holiness has to do with where you are seated. That is what holiness is - where you are seated in Christ. Living holy is simply living from the place where you are seated in Him. When you know where you are seated and its where the throne of grace is. Then grace will empower you to live holy lives. Sin cannot stop God's grace. In fact, holiness is a privilege we manifest from the divine nature of God.