All Spiritual Blessings

Ephesians 1:3..Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Paul said Praise be to God, why? Because he has blessed us. With what? Spiritual blessings. Where? In heavenly places in Christ.

What are these spiritual blessings? You will need to read Ephesians 1:1-14, to get full understanding of this. The first Spiritual blessing is in verse 4. We have been chosen in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. 1Peter 2:9 says we are a chosen generation, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We were chosen that we should be Holy!

Second Spiritual blessing in v.5-6..Because He chose us, He also adopted us into the family of God. Romans 8:15..For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. We have the right to call him our Father, because by His grace, we have been accepted in the beloved,(Jesus). Third Spiritual blessing v.7..According to the abundance of Gods grace, In this Beloved Son, we have been redeemed and forgiven through his blood. Hebrews 9:12- Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Fourth Spiritual blessing in v.8-10.. Through this same grace, God has multiplied wisdom and understanding to us, and through this wisdom and understanding, God has made us to know the mystery (hidden things) of his will towards us. And that will towards us is this, that at the appointed time, He will gather together in one All things in Christ,,, those in heaven, those in earth, the Old Testament Saints, the New Testament Saints, The Saints from past generations, even the Saints in this generation, and the generations to come, (if the Lord tarry)! All together as one in Christ Jesus!

Jesus told his disciples, It is given unto you to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, now Paul says we who are born again Spiritually, have that same blessing because we are his children.

Fifth Spiritual blessing v.11-12..We will be gathered together in Christ because we have obtained an inheritance, being chosen by the will of God, that we should glorify him because we trust in Jesus. 1 Peter 1:4..To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefined, and that fade’s not away, reserved in heaven for you. Sixth Spiritual blessing, v.13-14..After hearing the word of truth, and the saving of our souls, believing in Jesus Christ, we are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,which is the Holy Ghost! The promise of the Father, which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance, the Holy Ghost secures our inheritance, which is in heaven, until the purchased possession (the Saints), are redeemed from this life into eternal life!

All Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ! Praises be to the Lord Jesus Christ! God bless

Fame Is In His Name

Matthew 4:24..And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with different diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy, and he healed them. Fame definition- report concerning anyone, widespread reputation.

How did his fame end up in Syria? Because somebody spread the word that there was a man named Jesus that was working miracles among the people!

Mark1:28..And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee, v.32.. and at evening when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased and possessed with devils. And All the city was gathered together at the door.

What happened to cause all this ruckus? Jesus had been to church and cast a demon out of a man, and the congregation wondered, What new doctrine is this?

And it caused his fame to spread throughout Galilee!

Isn’t it time we proclaimed the Name of Jesus once again outside the church house, in the streets, in the mountains, in the valleys! Everywhere we go, make his Name famous to this generation!

Mark 1:40..And there came a leper to him, beseeching him and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him if thou will, thou can make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, I will, be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Jesus told this former leper, don’t tell anyone, but go to the priest, and take a cleansing offering.

V.45.. But he went out, and began to Publish it much, and to Blaze abroad the matter so that Jesus had to resort to the desert, and was was surrounded on every side by people!

Are we Blazing that precious Name to others! Are we Publishing it much to this lost world!

His fame went through All Syria, All Galilee, All Judaea, All Jerusalem!!

Make his name famous once again to your family, friends, co-workers, enemies, anyone who will listen! Neither is there salvation in any other, for There is NONE other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved!

The Church has been too quiet concerning this Great Name...we want to keep this Name in the four walls of our congregation! We know there is persecution associated with this name, that this name bears a reproach, that there’s a certain stigma attached to this name!

In the church house we are loud, but on the streets we are silent, and this generation, who is seeking for someone to show compassion is slowly slipping into Hell!

In Capernaum, so many years ago, it was noised that he was in the house...Let’s make some noise! Let’s tell someone, anyone, everyone that Jesus still sets men free!

Make his name famous amongst the people!

Shout Jesus from the mountains..Jesus in the streets..Jesus in the darkness..over every enemy..Jesus for my family..I speak the Holy Name—JESUS..Your Name is Power..Your Name is Healing..Your Name is Life..Break Every stronghold..shine through the shadows..burn like a fire!

God bless.

Nothing Hid

Luke 12:1-3..In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, in so much that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, beware ye of the leaven (teaching) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light, and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed up on the house tops.

In Numbers 32, Moses warned the Israelites, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Jesus warned to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and he explains that the leaven is hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy?

The Greek word is dissimulation, pretender, actor.

Beware of their teaching, they appear righteous, but within they are full of iniquity.

Jesus didn’t have a problem dealing with sinners and publicans, he could be found eating with them at times. He didn’t partake of their sin, but said “Those that are whole don’t need a physician, but they that are sick.”

Sin is a disease of the soul, heart and mind, that lies at the door of mankind, ready to snare and bring into bondage.

Jesus knew he was their way out of sin, their deliverer, their healer, the Great Physician!

And he still is today!! Him that comes unto me, I will in no wise cast out!

The sinner woman in Luke 7 anointed Jesus’ feet, washed them with her tears, and it didn’t offend Jesus, but he had a problem with the Pharisee who asked him to lunch, and gave him no kiss, no oil to anoint his head, no water for his feet, no hospitality, and showed no compassion to the woman.

The woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus, probably only had a cloth covering her, and it didn’t throw Jesus in a panic, but he had to reveal the hearts of the accusers that wanted to stone her.

It didn’t seem to bother Jesus that the demon possessed man in the tombs running towards him was naked, dirty, scarred, and maybe bloody from cutting himself, but it grieved Jesus that the religious crowd in the synagogue wanted to throw him over the cliff!

Jesus had no problem with sinners, for he proclaimed himself that “I came to call sinners to repentance.” And “ I come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had no problem dealing with devils, he knew he had all power and authority over them. All he had to say was “Go.”

But hypocrites bothered him, those who looked righteous, but were full of iniquity. Those who taught one way and did another. Those who showed no mercy, no compassion on the lost, the needy, the hurting and bruised. Those who tried to snare him in his words to bring accusations against him.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, for nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, and nothing hid that shall not be made known.

God bless

I Will Take Your Word For It

We all know someone that we cannot believe anything they say, and there are others we take what they say with a grain of salt, but there are some we know that when they say something, we can take their word to be true.

The Bible falls into this last category...God, falls into this last category...

Jesus said his words are Spirit and they are Life. We know that everything the Lord said, to be the Truth, because he is the Truth..we know that we can rely upon his word without needing any more evidence. We simply take God at his word. We take His word for it, because it is impossible for Him to lie.

God told Abram, in Gen. 12, to get out of his country, and away from his kindred, and go to a land that I will show you. V.2-3, God tells him why. V.4 says So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken. Abram dared to believe the word of the Lord, and left his country, as God had said.

Gen. 6..God told Noah that he would destroy men off the earth, to make an ark, then he tells Noah how to build the ark. And thus did Noah, according to all that God commanded, and he seen the flood come to pass.

1 Kings 17:9..God tells Elijah to go dwell in Zaraphath, and tells him why. V.10 And he arose and went to Zaraphath and was sustained by the widow woman just as God said.

After a night of fishing, and not a nibble, Jesus told Peter to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find, and in doing so, the net became overloaded with fish.

A centurion in Capernaum, which had a very sick servant, on the verge of death, sent elders to Jesus, saying, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but just say in a word, and my servant will be healed! And it came to pass! Just speak it, and I will take your word for it!

In the same city, a nobleman had a son also near death, approached Jesus, come heal my son before he dies. And Jesus said unto him, go thy way, thy son lives, and the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Not only did the nobleman believe, but when the son was healed, his whole household also believed!

Taking God at his word means that you trust him with your whole heart, and you don’t waver in your faith, even when it seems like the opposite of what he said is happening. But you stand strong in the word of God, in faith believing, and faith increasing! Take God at his word, for thy Word is Truth, O Lord!

God bless

Meet Jesus at the Well

St. John 4..We are familiar with the story of the Samaritan woman who came to draw water and found a Jew sitting on the well. Jesus asked her for a drink, and she responded by saying..

V. 9..How is it that thou, being a Jew, asks a drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. V.10..Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

If you only knew who I am, and what I can do in your life, you would be asking me for a drink!

If you could only realize how deep this Well goes, how abundantly this water flows, and who is speaking to you, you would run to the Well!

If you could only understand that this Gift of God, was given for you, you would run to the altar! This Gift that can change your life! This Gift of living water that can cleanse every stain of sin, that can destroy every yoke of bondage, that can make you whole! That can heal every sickness and disease!

Will you meet Jesus at the Well?

But Lord, you don’t understand, my marriage is falling apart!

Meet me at the Well….But you don’t know all I’ve been through!

Meet me at the Well….But the Dr.’s report isn’t good!…Meet me at the Well… I’ve had five husbands, and living in adultery…Meet me at the Well…I’m so discouraged and sinking into depression…Meet me at the Well…I’m bruised and broken…Meet me at the Well…My children are going down the wrong path…Meet me at the Well…I’ve lost my job, and have no income..Meet me at the Well…I’m addicted to drugs and alcohol…Meet me at the Well!

If you knew the Gift of God, sitting right here in your presence! Will you meet with me?

I must needs go through Samaria, there is someone who needs this living water. There is someone who needs a healing touch! There is someone who needs salvation! There is someone who is broken, lost, overwhelmed, discouraged, in pain! There is someone who needs the strength of the Lord! It is necessary that I come sit at the Well, will you meet me there? Will you ask of me living water, that can make you whole? Will you come?

God bless.

Faith in Your Trials and Tests

Shellie Drayton

As long as we are in this world, we will be tested. We tell the Lord that we just want to do what he wants us do, but it will come with a price. Our flesh don’t want to suffer, we want to be comfortable at all times. But sometimes the Lord has to put thorns in our nest to get us out of our comfort zone.

Test- something that will manifest a persons real or true character.

A test will manifest who we really are. Sometimes the Lord will put us in a situation to reveal what is in our heart. We will think we have gotten rid of certain parts of our flesh, until it manifests again. Sometimes we deny that there are things in our heart that isn’t right, and it takes the Spirit of the Lord to reveal it.

When David faced Goliath, it seemed like everyone else was running away. And sometimes we want to run away from our testings.

In Exodus 3, God called to Moses out of the burning bush and commissioned him to go stand before Pharaoh, but Moses began making excuses on why he couldn’t do the job.

God will test us to see if we will be obedient.

A great test came to the three Hebrew boys when they refused to bow before the idol, and they were cast into the furnace, but once again, God was with them.

God will test us to see if we will learn his will. He is looking for someone that will be in obedience to him.

James 1:3-Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works (produces) patience.

James 1:12- Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

God does not tempt with evil, but he will try us to reveal our character.

1 Peter 1:7-That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-13-Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ suffering, that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Psalm 66:10- For thou, oh God, has proved us, Thou has tried us, as silver is tried.

We need to make up our mind that whatever the Lord puts us through, that we will come through without complaint, knowing that it is his will concerning me.

Our question to God is always “Why me”, but if the Lord brings us to it, we know that he will bring us through it.

If we come through with greater faith, more patience, and a heart of thanksgiving, then we have learned what was needed. If we come through letting God do the work in our heart, then we will be pleasing to him.

Job 23:10- But he knows the way that I take, when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Truth Don’t Change

In Luke 19; Jesus gives the parable of the nobleman who went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. V.13- And he called his ten servants, and delivered them tenpounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us.

Two thousand years after Jesus spoke this parable, the “citizens” of this world are still sending a message that they will not have this man, Jesus, rule over them. But because the citizens sent a message, it didn’t stop the nobleman from returning like he said he would. And it didn’t stop him from reigning over them when he did return. It didn’t change the fact that he went, he received, he returned. 

Because some say that Jesus is not their Savior, doesn’t change the TRUTH that he is the Savior of the world. Because many of his day, and even now, believe that he was not the promised Messiah that should come, doesn’t change the TRUTH that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! Because he was called a devil, didn’t change the TRUTH that he was Holy, Righteous, and there was no deceit found in him! 

Because the Sadducees didn’t  believe in the resurrection, angels, or spirits, will never change the TRUTH that Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week, and came forth out of the tomb! No matter what man believes, the real TRUTH will never change!

God’s TRUTH reigns supreme, because God’s TRUTH isn’t an idea, or a philosophy, or a matter of opinion, real TRUTH is JESUS CHRIST! He said I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE! 

Because atheist say there is no god, or Devine being, doesn’t change the TRUTH that God exists, or that he is God, the creator of heaven and earth! This worlds view of God, doesn’t cause Him to stumble, or walk the floor in worry. It doesn’t make Him question himself on whether He really is God! For his Word proclaims who he is!

Isaiah 45:5.. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God besides me, I girded thee,

though thou has not known me.

Malachi 3:6a,, For I am the LORD, I change not.

Citizens of this world, your opinion of God, will not change the TRUTH!

He is Mighty, Holy, Righteous, Victorious, Pure, Everlasting, Love, Peace, Joy!

Man can’t change him!

Man can’t do away with him!

Man can’t destroy him!

Man can’t kill him!

The TRUTH will never change!

God bless.

This Same Jesus

Jesus took the apostles, headed for the Mt. of Olives, and commanded them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father.

Acts 1:9-11. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld , he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as he went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, you men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This Same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This same Jesus, who ascended up to heaven, is the same Jesus who is returning back to this earth. Apostle Peter said in Acts 3:21, Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

This is why Jesus warned his disciples, “If they say to you, behold, he is in the desert, go not forth. He is in the secret chambers, believe it not,” why? because he is not here, he has ascended to the Father. “But many false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and do great signs and wonders, and deceive many.”

This same Jesus, who walked this earth two thousand years ago, and reached and pulled Peter out of the water, is able to save and deliver you out of the sea of sin today.

This same Jesus who turned water into wine, raised Lazarus from the dead, and said “I came to give life and that (life) more abundantly,” is the same Jesus who can change your heart and  make all things new.

This same Jesus, who said “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” is the same Jesus who is still seeking such as should be saved. 

This Jesus, who cast devils out of the demoniac bound with chains in the graveyard, is the same Jesus who can break every chain in your life, every addiction, and set you free.

This same Jesus who prayed for Peter that his faith don’t fail, sets at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for his children.

This same Jesus, who walked on the water, who spoke to the wind, who didn’t condemn the woman caught in adultery, is the same Jesus who is able to bring you peace, and comfort.

This Jesus, who, in the synagogue, read out of the book of Isaiah (61:1-2), and told them, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

And that scripture is still being fulfilled in lives today! What is that scripture?

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18.

THIS SAME JESUS!! Will you call on that great Name!

God bless.

Warning!

Warning!

Have you ever had a warning light come on in your car to let you know there’s something going on with it? Has a Dr. told you in the past that if you didn’t change some things in your lifestyle that you are headed for more sickness or disease? Has your parent ever told you that if you didn’t get up and get ready, that you are going to be late for school? Warnings!

Warning- A statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or unpleasant situation. An alert, admonition, alarm.

The Bible gives us many examples of such warnings. God warned through dreams, through prophets, preachers, apostles.

He warned of the days ahead, of trouble that was coming, of the enemy that was about to attack.

He warned of things in this life that would draw hearts away from him.

Jesus warned that false Christs would rise up and deceive many, that nations would rise against each other, famines, earthquakes, and pestilences shall take place. He spoke in Matthew 24; But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

What powerful words spoken by the Lord!

Eating, getting married, having babies, going to school, college, having a career, etc..was not the problem. That is what we call Life. The problem was They Knew Not!!!

They were not taking heed to the warning of Noah, the preacher of Righteousness for that day. They wasn’t watching, wasn’t turning back to God, wasn’t interested in what Noah had to say, and That Day came upon them unaware!

Luke 21:34- Jesus was warning: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (weighed down in over indulgence), and drunkenness, and cares (distractions) of this life, and so that day come upon you unaware.

Apostle Paul warned the Saints in Ephesians 5:15-16- See then that you walk circumspectly (watch how you live), not as fools, (don’t live like a fool), but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Ephesians 6:10-11, Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Paul warned them again at Ephesus, Take heed! After my departure (death), wolves will enter in among you, speaking perverse things to draw you away! Watch and remember that for three years I warned you day and night! The church at Ephesus was blessed to have Paul with them for so long, but years later, Jesus tells the apostle John, write this to the church at Ephesus, you have left your first love! Remember where you fell from, and Repent!

Warning! There is an enemy desiring your soul! Watch and pray, that you do not fall into his snare!

God bless.

The Cost of Love

It is estimated that $19.6 Billion was spent on Valentine's Day in 2018 so we could show someone we love them.

Do we think about how much God loves us?

His unconditional love that we are so unworthy of?

We all know the scripture John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

And Romans 5:8 God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

In Romans 8:38 Paul said that he was persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin in our life will separate us from God's presence, but not from his love.

That is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be a sacrifice for sin, that we may be reconciled back to the Father.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

1 John 4:8-10 He that loves not, knows not God, for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son, to be a propitiation for our sins.

There's many scriptures on the love of God.

For God is love, and he that dwells in love, dwells in God, and he in him.

Eph. 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, length,and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God..

The old hymn written decades ago declares it...

Oh love of God, how rich, and pure, how measureless and strong. 
It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song!

Jere. 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee..

The cost of our love?
$19 Billion

The cost of God’s love?
Priceless.

God bless,

Pastor Sue