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Team Tuesday - September 24, 2013

9/24/2013

"Immanuel, God with us."
Matthew 1:23
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This is Part 4 of a study in Hebrews.

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

“who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

“For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.”
Hebrews 3:1-4

CHRIST JESUS: Apostle and High Priest of our Confession

So much could be written here about what Jesus was sent to do for mankind. The scripture exhorts us to consider His glorious assignment as The Apostle.

Apostle: Sent one; set apart; to send out on a mission; a delegate; a messenger; denotes separation for service

We know Jesus was sent to give all men the right to choose eternal life. He became a curse for us so that Abraham’s blessing might come upon the nations, the Gentiles.

“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:24—See also Isaiah 53:4-5.

Freedom from Fear, Bondage and the Works of the Devil
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Jesus Christ
Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Christ means--The Anointed One—Messiah.

The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew, “anointed one.” Its Greek counterpart is “Christos” from which the word Christ comes.

When you study the New Covenant and read Jesus Christ, stop, translate and meditate His name. Scripture example: Jesus Christ, (the Anointed One and His anointing,) the same yesterday, today and forever. Meditation brings further depth to the scripture.

In Old Testament times, part of the ritual of commissioning a person for service to God was to anoint, or rub oil upon him, representing the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the highest form of power on earth!

Isaiah 10:27 describes the power of the anointing when it is released:
“It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

"…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

The anointing is the burden removing, yoke destroying power of God to deliver man.

Jesus Reveals His Mission:
"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 brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

“Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

“And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’”
Luke 4:18-21

The Anointed One and His anointing were placed within you and me when we asked Jesus to come into our hearts. As we made Him Lord, His Spirit took up residence in us and we became a new creation in Christ Jesus. “Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” Corinthians 5:17

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach us all things.
John 14:26

As a Believer you have The Teacher within you.
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27

Whether in private times of study or hearing our Ministers instruct and direct us, it is The Teacher within who is bringing understanding of Kingdom ways and knowledge to us.
Praise God!

Jesus Blood—This changes everything!

Old Testament—New Testament

The Jews worshiped Jehovah in The Temple.
The New Creation is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

A new way of thinking is a requirement for The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
See Romans 12:2. When you read the Old Testament scriptures, they must be read in light of what the New Testament says.

Example: Some writers of the Psalms asked God to consume their enemies and their children. Since our Savior’s Blood has been shed for all mankind, Christians are to love and pray for their enemies, knowing that our true enemy is not flesh and blood, but principalities, powers… Ephesians 6:12

When Moses consecrated and anointed Aaron and his sons to be priests, they were to be mediators between God and man for the children of Israel. But the New Covenant declares:

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6

The Law was given to the children of Israel, Abraham’s seed, as a tutor; a precursor of things to come. Jesus Christ came and fulfilled the Law.
New Creation children, Abraham’s seed, are the sons of God. The old “tutor” is replaced with the life giving Teacher: the Holy Spirit.

It is vitally important that you and I receive what the New Covenant says about who we are and what we have been given. Our mind must be renewed to the scriptures to think differently from old ways and from the ways of the world. To remain ignorant and double minded will keep us stuck in the “traditions of men,” and Jesus said the tradition of men will make the word of God of no effect. Wow! That’s not good. See Mark 7:8-16

Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt but could not get Egypt out of them. Selah

There is much more to learn on the subject of who we are in Christ…the Anointed One and His anointing. As we learn and mature, more will be revealed to The Church.

Solid food belongs to those who are of full age. Hebrews 5:14

Partakers of the Heavenly Calling
Through the knowledge of Him and receiving His great and precious promises we partake of the divine nature, having escaped the depravity that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

Ephesians Chapter 1 reveals who we are in Christ:

Blessed with every spiritual blessing
Chosen before the foundation of the world
Holy and without blame before Him
Predestined to adoption as sons
Accepted in the Beloved
Redemption through His Blood
Forgiveness of sins
Riches of His grace
Wisdom and understanding
Have obtained an inheritance
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

The Temple—His Body
“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.'

“Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46
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“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’

“Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’

“But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

“Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.”
John 2:19-22
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“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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Life Applications: To whom much is given much is required.

Not only was Jesus sent on a mission, but so are we. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Invite someone to church this week.

Go to the Who I Am scriptures and read them out loud in light of what The Apostle, Jesus Christ did and accomplished for you.

Have your read the Book of Hebrews lately?

Next Week: The High Priest of Our Confession
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Praying for Your State: The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders

Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” The One who resides within us knows how to pray effectively. Rely on His direction rather than traditions you may have learned in the past concerning prayer. As we all grow, we receive more light-knowledge!

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Team Tuesday - September 17, 2013

9/17/2013

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"You will show me the path of life ..." Psalm 16:11
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This is part 3 of a study on Hebrews Chapter 3 & 4.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7

FAITH BRINGS REST
Hearing, Believing, & Doing God’s Written Word
Most of God’s instruction and direction will be during our times of reading and studying the Word of God, privately or by hearing our ministers. Sometimes we hear His voice speak to us in our heart, but that voice must always be in perfect agreement with the written Word of God. They never, ever disagree. Why? Because God’s written Word is God’s will.

Faith begins where the will of God is known.

Faith comes during those times when we are hearing (receiving Kingdom knowledge) not only with our physical ears, but also hearing and receiving in our spirit.

Inner hearing is amplified to those who “hear with the intent to obey.” This is why some seem to be “just blessed with more faith,” but the truth is God wants every one of His children functioning in the full capacity of His promises. This pleases Father greatly for He loves to reward His children! Hebrews 11:6

Faith is the connector between God and man.

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25

The Wickedness of Unbelief: Grasshopper Mentality
Why does the Holy Spirit warn The Church to beware of an evil heart of unbelief?

Because even though we are born from above, we can fall into the same trap of being deceived by lies, just like the ten leaders who led 2-3 million children of Israel down the road of unbelief, cancelled dreams and cancelled destinies. This does NOT please our good Father!

The influence of unbelief that operates in the world around us today is on the increase. Sin is blatantly arrogant, not regarding the righteousness of our Father’s ways. Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let us be bold and confident examples of purity and light!

ABRAHAM: The Father of Faith
You know our history: God called Abram to leave his country and follow God to a new land that He would show him. There God would make of him a great nation and bless him.

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:3

“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” is the gospel. See Galatians 3:8

God brought Abram outside to look at the night sky and the multitude of stars... “So shall your descendants be.” Abram believed the Lord and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Twenty-five years later, through perseverance and faith, Abraham and Sarah gave birth to the son of the promise.

…“who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, 'So shall your descendants be.'

“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

“That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God.) AMP

“Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed [granted and credited] to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead…" Romans 4:18-24

When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior we were born again and immediately given right standing with God. Our justification is not by our deeds but by our faith in Christ Jesus.

“Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?; just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

“Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:5-7

ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN
Back to the Wilderness: Faith vs. Unbelief
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.

“But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.’ And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, ‘The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.’”

“So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.”
Numbers 13:30-14:1

Of course they cried all night. They believed a lie. All hope and excitement for a new life was stolen from them. God was removed from the vision. What was left?

Hopelessness will always lead its victim back to Egypt…back to the ways of man trying to supply his own needs apart from God. It is a place of darkness, despair, depression and loneliness.

Possessing the Land
What would have happened if the children of Israel had chosen to believe the faith statements of Caleb and Joshua? They would have gone from slavery to landowners in just a few short weeks. Really? What about all those people, fortified cities that were so large, and those mighty giants, the descendants of Anak?

The Rewards of Faith in God: Caleb and Joshua Inherit The Land!
Let’s jump ahead 40 years. This time, new leader Joshua sends out only two spies.
Hear what Rahab the harlot said:

“I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.

"For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.

"And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” Joshua 2:9-11

I Told You So!
Like Joshua and Caleb said 40 years before:
"The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.

"Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." Numbers 14:7-9
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“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness…” Hebrews 3:7-8

“So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” Hebrews 3:19 & 4:1

What is the word of the Lord to His Church in our day?

“Fear Not! Do not fear the people of the land. Their protection has departed from them. God is with you!”
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Life Applications
Don’t follow those who don’t follow Jesus in faith. Be like Caleb and Joshua.
They knew their God; they believed and trusted what He said He was well able to perform, just like their father, Abraham. Remember Saints, we have been grafted into that same tree. Read Romans 11:16-18.

Follow the faith of Abraham who was fully convinced that what God had promised He was able to perform.

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.

“Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.

“For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

"Listen to Me, My people; and give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait upon Me, and on My arm they will trust.

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.

"Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation."

Isaiah 51:1- 8. You’ll enjoy the rest of this chapter too.
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PRAY FOR YOUR CITIES
The Church—The Lost—Elected Officials

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Team Tuesday - September 10, 2013

9/10/2013

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Make sure your leaders are following The Leader.

Let’s continue in our study of Hebrews Chapter 3 & 4.

When I was seven years old, my grandparents threw a big party in celebration of my Aunt’s 16th Birthday. All the preparations were made: invitations, cleaning, decorations, good food and lots of rock-n-roll records. Finally, the day arrived and my aunt looked beautiful in her new dress. Every detail was perfect. The hours ticked by slowly as she waited and waited for the other kids to show up. Only one person came to her party that day and his uncomfortable stay was short. Sorrow and disappointment spread through the house and to me and my family gathered in the kitchen.

What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned out to be one my Aunt’s saddest days of her youth. Could it be that one of the popular kids at school said they weren’t going and influenced all the others not to go?

In answer to the prayers of the children of Israel, God had made some magnificent plans for their deliverance and for their future. God also had a commitment to fulfill the promise He swore to their forefathers that the children would inhabit the good land of Canaan. God planned to have close fellowship with His children as He would be their God and their King.

Rejection
Can you imagine the sorrow and disappointment that our loving Father experienced as His goodness would have to be postponed to the next generation? Kind of like preparing for a party and having only one person show up.

My aunt suffered rejection from her friends, but God’s rejection was considerably worse. He saw His children turn away from Him to put their trust in the words of ten evil-hearted men. As the fear of imminent death expanded and spread throughout the camp, accusations climaxed into cries of terror that God’s only plans of deliverance were to bring them into the wilderness to kill them all. What a terrible, terrible lie! The exact opposite was true! All things were already prepared and ready for their wonderful future.

God’s Sovereign Will: Man has the divine right to choose!

Good Report—Bad Report
Who would you have followed?

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.’

Forty days later, the twelve leaders of each tribe returned with their reports:

"We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.

“But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.

“And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, ‘The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.

"There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Numbers 13:27-33

The Power of Projecting a Poor Self Image
And so the opinion of the ten leaders brought the entire nation into fear and chaos demanding that Moses, God’s chosen leader, be replaced and that they return back to Egypt. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the entire assembly. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and said:

"The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey.

“Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.

“And all the congregation said to stone them with stones.” Numbers 14:7-10

Unbelief can be vicious. After all, it did put Jesus on the cross. In our day it is called persecution and this is one reason why our intercession for the lost in our cities is so very important.

Ten of the leaders saw themselves fighting the giants on their own ability. They did not allow God’s plan to transform their self image. As a man thinketh, so is he.

UNBELIEF REVEALED: The Soul of the Natural Man
Unbelief separates people from God’s provision.

Unbelief boldly declares: “I don’t believe that.”

It is a mindset that is:

Self-assured
Self-centered
Self-confident
Self-conscious
Self-reliant
Self-righteous

Definition of Autonomous: not controlled by other outside forces; independent of the laws of another; self-governed; self-ruled and self-determined; self-liberation; self-sufficient and independent of God.

The sin of the world is rebellion and is defiantly self-satisfied without God. The building of the Tower of Babel is an example of that same worldly system.
See Genesis 11:1-9

Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb did not agree because they did not think the same way. They had the spirit of faith and out of the abundance of their heart they spoke words of faith. See Matthew 12:34-35 and 2 Corinthians 4:13

They knew they were not like other nations. They believed in God’s love and faithfulness. They knew God was with them and He was well able to accomplish what He had planned.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?’

“But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

Romans 8:5-8 reveals:
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Choosing Godly Leadership to Follow
“And He Himself gave some to be: apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…”

Why?

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16

The five-fold ministers that you and I listen to have a great influence in our lives and walk of faith. The only way we can determine if they are speaking the truth is to know God’s Word. Always put the study of God’s Word first place in your life.

Don’t expect to live by faith without God’s Word. His word is the seed that germinates in your heart to produce faith. No word…No faith.

Words of faith are words of destiny!

Read 1 John 5:18-21.
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Life Applications
Good Report—Bad Report. What are you following?

God never meant for Israel to take the land of Canaan alone, just like He doesn’t expect you and I to handle our assignments on our own ability. Jesus is Head of His Church and He is directly involved with our success as we hear and obey. Depend on God!

The walk of faith is founded within a close relationship with our Father and the Lord Jesus. His Holy Spirit is in us for the purpose of helping us in every situation.

The Word of God has been given to us as a more sure foundation than anything else for “He is upholding all things with the word of His power.”

We are in the world but we are not of this world, nor are we to be conformed to how this world thinks. We have been sent to change the world! Be very choosy who you allow to lead you in spiritual matters. Not all are of purity and faith.

Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Follow Him in the written word and live by faith...in God.
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PRAY FOR YOUR STATE
The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders

Our prayers are very effective. Your words will not fall to the ground!

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Team Tuesday - September 3, 2013

9/3/2013

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There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9
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“Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God.’” (One Mindedness.)

Saying
"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Praying
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:22-24

Faith and Doubt Cannot Mix

Doubt holds up a STOP sign to your faith.

Last week’s teaching was on the reasons for and the effects of being double-minded. Being double-minded means we found God’s good promise, we believed God’s good promise, and then, for one reason or another, decided to let God’s good promise go. “It just isn’t working for me, Lord.”

All of us have had experiences like this. But God has provided help for us: Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! See Hebrews 12:2

Just because we didn’t achieve desired results in the past doesn’t mean that we should give up on the life of faith. No! We persevere because:

“The just shall live by faith. But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38

Uh oh!

Although God will never leave us, living this life fully depending on the natural world system to meet all of our needs will cause an inward conviction that we are not fully pleasing our Father. And if we’re not depending on Him we’re depending on a system that is far below Heaven’s rights and benefits. Psalm 103:1-5

Leaving faith on the shelf doesn’t bring us into the realm of perfect rest and contentment.

Why? God will not allow those who doubt His good word to enter His rest.

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.

“Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'they always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.'

“So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

“For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence (faith) steadfast to the end, while it is said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
Hebrews 3:7-15

Doubt and Unbelief are evil.

Doubt says: I really have a problem with that; I’m just not really sure about it.
Unbelief says: I absolutely do not believe that is true!

I can still remember the awful feeling I had as a child telling my mother the truth and she not believing me. I’m sure you have experienced this as well. It leaves you devastated because what else can you say? You have spoken the truth. What else is there?

How much more should our heavenly Father, who is the creator of all life and holds our next breath in His hand, how much more should He be trusted and believed?

TRUST IN THE WRITTEN WORD: THE PREREQUISITE TO FAITH

“God has magnified His Word above His name” Psalm 138:2

“These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

“The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life. “ John 6:63

Seeing Miracles Does Not Guarantee Lasting Faith

The children of Abraham were led out of Egypt after seeing and experiencing protection from the ten plagues of judgment on that nation of wickedness and idolatry. They saw a sea open for them. They walked on dry ground and looked at the waters: a wall of water on their right and on a wall of water on their left. Imagine that! And they saw God crush and defeat all of Pharaoh’s mighty army as Moses stretched out his hand and the waters returned.
See Exodus 14:21-31

Wow! Surely they would never doubt God’s willingness and absolute power to deliver them.

So Moses and the children of Israel rejoiced in the Lord and sang and danced, that is until just three days later out in the wilderness looking for water and finding none they began a pattern of complaints that proved their lack of trust until the final transgression:

“So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.

“And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them,

‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!’

“Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims?

“Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt…? (or the world’s system for our provision)?

“So they said to one another, ‘Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.’" Numbers 14:1-3

Did you notice they called God a liar and a murderer?

Ten wicked unbelieving men led 2-3 million people down the wrong path. There’s a price to pay for close associations with those who doubt God’s Word.

What started as complaining and doubting escalated into unrestricted unbelief and accusations against the God of all that is good. God had better plans for them than being slaves to an evil system.

God’s plans for us always provide deliverance from slavery and bondage.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Unbelief’s goal is to produce a hardened heart against God. A hardened heart is the devil’s playpen.

So we can see that God’s patience and miracles of provision for the Israelites did not produce real and lasting faith.

“Then the LORD said (to Moses): ‘I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD;

"because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times,

“and have not heeded My voice,

"they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.’” Numbers 14:20-23

And so God gave them what they spoke; they died in the wilderness.

Read Hebrews Chapter 4
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest…”

“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
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Life Application Suggestions
We should always have specific faith projects in our lives. Make a list of what you are believing God for and the promise from His Word that you are standing on.

Since faith comes by hearing and hearing by God’s good word—Romans 10:17—read the word out loud when you are studying. Also, make sure the teachers who preach the word to you are spirit-led people of faith themselves.

Meditate on the scriptures that promise what you desire. Last week’s lesson talked about your imagination. Use your imagination to see yourself with the outcome promised. David saw himself triumph over the giant before he slung the first stone. See your Father answering your prayers.

Monitor what you let in your ears…it will eventually get into your heart.

“Jesus said, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

"For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.’" Mark 4:24-25

Your faith is progressive, Saints. Use it or lose it.
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Pray for Your State.
The Church—The Lost—Elected Officials

Jesus says, "Have faith in My Father. Begin to do the greater works!"

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