RECEIVING FROM GOD AND WHY SOME DON'T

The Spiritual Law of Seed-time and Harvest and Why Some Don’t Receive

WE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIS FULLNESS

John 1:12-17¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.....¹⁶ And^[a] of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Many have no problem believing Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected but their pursuit of the knowledge of God and the riches found in his word stops there. All Christians receive Christ’s sacrifice and RECEIVE him into their hearts, receiving the sacrifice he offered and the promise of eternal life as reward.  Does the Kingdom of God stop at salvation?  No! There is love, joy, peace, blessing, finances, healing, success, answered prayer and so many promises.  There is the promise of a future, a plan, gifting, spiritual growth and more! There is wisdom beyond measure for the one who is willing to seek.

REASONS FOR NOT RECEIVING

• Many don’t know how to receive.  The good news is the bible teaches there is a way
• Lack of knowledge- The bible says people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)
• Lack of faith- they don’t believe!  Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by  the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) We must read it, know what it says, believe what it says and receive the truth into our heart.  The truth we have in our heart is what we act on. The bible says even the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart. 
• Wrong perceptions of God- what we’ve been taught from wrong sources or even false teachings can hinder us from receiving.
• Mindset: We must change our mind. We must believe God doesn’t want us poor, sick, disgusted, depressed or in despair.  
• Many don’t receive increase because they believe money is evil.  It is the love of money; not money that is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10.)  God wants you to have the resources you need to get by and enjoy life. 
• The Word- interprets itself. We need to seek it out as the apostles did and people of early church did. They searched the scriptures to see if what the apostles said was true. (Acts 17:11)
• Religious establishment teachings-  The religious establishment was challenged by Martin Luther’s 99 point thesis- They had received wrong teaching!  From that point the bible began to be distributed among common folks, not just priests.
• Traditions that are contrary to the Word of God.  If tradition stands in the way of truth, it is tradition that must be thrown out, not the truth of the Word of God.

GOD TOLD MY PASTOR  OF 13 YEARS TO “GET MY PEOPLE FREE IN AREA OF FINANCES” 

Oppression is seen mainly in three or four of lives most important areas- finances, relationships and health! God is often blamed for the oppression but it is God that frees from depression and evil and it is the evils of the world and their source that both induce it and exacerbate it.

Learning what the bible says about finances, depression and all the things that cause depression sets one free.  If you seek out the Word of God, you will find truth!

John 8:31,32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

As teachers of the Word of God, we must teach truth! It is the truth that brings freedom and it is for the purpose of bringing freedom to people’s lives, we are called to teach!

Luke 4: 18 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.

ONE WAY TO RECEIVE:  SEEDTIME & HARVEST

Seed-time and harvest is a spiritual law.  The bible says as long as the earth remains, that law will stay in force.  This is good news since we are constantly threatened with climate change but this law will be in force as long as the earth remains and as long as God leaves the law in force.  Since the earth remains forever, so will seedtime and harvest.  Throughout the bible, this law applies to not just seed for vegetation such as flowers, vegetables and trees but it applies to whatever is sown or whatever is planted.  The heart of man is a planting ground.  Whatever is sown into the hearts of men will be reaped.  There will be a harvest of some sort.  I will just insert that is why certain laws such as gun control won’t stop evil from happening. Evil happens because evil is sown into hearts.  It’s not the lack of weapons that will stop evil but the lack of evil.  When God’s goodness is sown into the hearts of people, there will be lasting fruit.  It’s up to you to choose what you allow to make entrance into the soil of your heart.  In addition whatever you as a farmer of life’s seeds sow, you will reap! Remember! This is a law as long as earth remains!

Galatians 6: 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

• Many lack the knowledge of the truth in knowing how to receive from God.
• Many know how to give but don’t realize it’s ok to expect to receive from God.
• The knowledge of the truth sets people free.
• Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
• The bible teaches us clearly HOW to receive from God and the bible teaches us that it’s perfectly ok and right to expect to receive from God!
• We are truly a blessed people with answers right under our noses!
  
  

So remember, one way to receive from God is to sow.  Sow good seed and you will reap a good harvest.  If you need to increase in the area of finances, if you’re already sowing seed on a regular basis, keep sowing.  If you haven’t been sowing seed, start sowing today!  In addition to obeying God in the area of sowing and reaping for finances, start sowing other good things as well. Sow God’s goodness into your life, the life of your children (if you have them,) and the lives of others.   In due season you will reap!  The bible tells us so and the bible tells us to sow!  Amen!

A CALL TO REPENTANCE & A PROMISE TO RESTORE

A CALL TO REPENTANCE, A PROMISE TO RESTORE

Joel 2:25

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.

What do I hear the Lord saying?  We live in a nation in turmoil. We’ve gone the way of ungodliness.  What started as a nation built on godly principles of freedom to pursue happiness and dependency on God has turned into a nation of dependency on man, man’s systems and man’s government. Every time the nation of Israel turned away from God and to their own fleshly desires & pursuits, they suffered great consequences.

Now I know people will say this is archaic thought- that it was about a nation existing thousands of years ago that was a theocracy and it doesn’t apply to us today, here, and in the natural.  I say God cared about nations then and he cared about nations now.  If you know anything about bible history, you would understand Israel was God’s chosen people.  It wasn’t that they were favored but it was the nation he would bring to the world, his Son Jesus Christ and his Word through.  Through his Son and the truth of his Word, the entire World would have the opportunity to become his chosen people. I can’t go into depth to teach that but it is true that through Christ we are grafted into the Olive Tree of God’s people.

America is a nation made of people who love freedom and was also a nation that was large in part Christian.  The founders left places primarily in Europe because they were forced to be a part of specific churches.  They wanted the freedom to worship at the place of their choice.  Until Christ returns there will always be various sects of Christianity.  While God would rather us all be united into one body (as we are in the Spirit,) we are mere humans and will gather according to our likenesses until Christ returns.  Until then we come together around the central theme of salvation through the sacrificial & substitution  offering of Christ on the cross.  Yes, I know there are those that say America wasn’t founded on biblical principles but I’m not here to argue that point. Our nation was founded upon recognizing the one true God and his ways.  He was welcome in our public places and meetings were opened in prayer. Preachers cried out for righteousness not only to their members but also to their nation and its laws. Our founding documents open with God and reference dependency upon him.  Most accepted the bible as the teachings of God and careful search of our initial laws were formed upon principles that were right and in agreement with biblical teachings.

No matter the outcome of a debate of that argument, non-Christians have always been welcome here and indeed some of the founders were not Christian. Most still recognized there was one true God.  They still made laws that were based upon what was right!

No matter the outcome of that debate, there is a God and he only cares about truth. He doesn’t care what the outcome of the debate is. He will one day judge the nations based on righteousness.  When he returns he will divide the nations based on right and wrong. This has nothing to do with individual choices of whether to serve Christ or not.

To the Christians, I believe God is calling out. He’s calling us to repentance.  Based on the scripture below, God cries out to his people who have slipped away from him to return with repentant hearts.  There are many in this nation who name the name of Christ but their ways are far from him.  There is a clarion call by the Spirit of God going out for all to come home! If every person who names the name of Christ in this nation alone returned to him with repentant hearts, bowed on their knees in prayer for forgiveness and determined to walk in his ways, this nation would experience a great turnaround in righteousness. 

Those that understand this scripture know that it applies to both Israel and Christians.  Later in the chapter the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room on The Day of Pentecost is prophesied (not included here.)  This passage is a prophetic passage having to do with that and with an end times revival in which God’s people return to him in repentance.

Yesterday was a day of prayer and I hope millions of Americans bowed their heads in prayer for this nation.  Let’s as a nation begin to examine our own ways, read our bibles, searching out the scriptures to see if our lives are lining up with righteousness.  Let’s return to God with all of our hearts, minds, soul and strength.  If that happens, as Christians turn back to God in their own hearts, there will be a great revival in this nation and a return to righteousness.  With over 70% of our people claiming to be Christian, can you imagine if each one began to put God and his Word first in their lives. Can you imagine if all of their own personal decisions were based on what is right in the eyes of God and how that alone would reflect in this nation? It would have far reaching effects!

When true repentance happens restoration takes place.  This scripture addresses a people who had fallen away but encourages with a promise of restoration to those that will humble themselves, pray, seek the face of God and repent of their ways.

I believe God wants to restore this nation- to make her “a city on a hill,” for all to see with respect and admiration.  I believe God wants our nation to be the example of what can happen when people are free to choose him and they do!  I hear the Lord calling out to his people in every land to come home! Come back to God! 

I’ve included this passage containing a call to repentance and a promise of restoration. This is a passage applying to the nation of Israel and Christians.  I’ve included two versions.  Please read both and let’s not make prayer a one day event but let’s all together commit to pray often for our nation and to reform our own lives to reflect his ways! Amen and God bless!

Joyreaper

Joel 2:12-25 New King James Version (NKJV) A Call to Repentance 12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. 14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— A grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; 16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. 17 Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” The Land Refreshed 18 Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. 19 The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. 20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.” 21 Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things! 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully,[a] And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. 24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust,[b] My great army which I sent among you.

Joel 2:12-25 New Living Translation (NLT) A Call to Repentance 12 That is why the Lord says,     “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts.     Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,     but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God,     for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.     He is eager to relent and not punish. 14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,     sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine     to the Lord your God as before. 15 Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem!     Announce a time of fasting; call the people together     for a solemn meeting. 16 Gather all the people—     the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters     and the bride from her private room. 17 Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence,     stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord!     Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say,     ‘Has the God of Israel left them?’” The Lord’s Promise of Restoration 18 Then the Lord will pity his people     and jealously guard the honor of his land. 19 The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil,     enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery     among the surrounding nations. 20 I will drive away these armies from the north.     I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea,     and those at the rear into the Mediterranean.[a] The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things! 21     Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice,     for the Lord has done great things. 22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,     for the wilderness pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with fruit;     fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more. 23 Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!     Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.     Once more the autumn rains will come,     as well as the rains of spring. 24 The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,     and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil. 25 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost     to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.[b]     It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.

Scripture references from: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel%202:12-25&version=NKJV;NLT

CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT THAT REMAINS

John 15:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

You may think you woke up one day and just decided to start drawing nearer to God but that's not the case. The bible says he chose us not that we chose him and that no person can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Holy Spirit. It is God that decides to draw you. You simply respond to the call of him. If you're thinking about him and if your mind is constantly considering drawing near to him, it is because he is calling and wooing you to draw near. He's gently encouraging you to yield your steps and walk in his direction.

We also need to know we are chosen by him to be fruitful. That means increasing in every area of our lives; whether finances, emotions or growing in him in spiritual maturity. Fruit is also described as the characteristics of God, i.e., joy, love, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, & patience. Fruit is also described as being growing in the knowledge and likeness of God; growing in your relationship with him as well. Remaining fruit means his Word takes root in your heart and produces fruit that will grow outwardly and last. In addition, you bear fruit by adding people to his kingdom through both your life and your outspoken witness (testimony) of him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is something that spreads. It's not a fairy tale or a figment of imagination but a true story that is alive and carries great promises. The bible is the world's top seller and the story & life of Jesus that many tried to squash and put down is the greatest story of all time! It's the gospel message that is not only true but has the power to change lives and give eternal life. It sounds to good to be true but the truth is it's beyond and better than our minds can imagine.

The scripture says it is his desire that you bear fruit that remains. God doesn't want us to come to him, believe him, accept Christ and stop there. He doesn't want his work in our lives to be temporary but he wants our fruit to remain. This means he wants to do both an enduring work in us and an enduring work through us. He doesn't want us to be fruitful for just a moment in time. Just as Jesus expected to see fruit on the fig tree as he was passing by, he wants to see fruit in us; fruit that remains throughout our lifetime and is also effectual in the lives of others.

Many come to Jesus but then fall away at the slightest trial but true increase only comes over the long haul. Let's not fall away at trials but let's through our trials grow stronger and even more fruitful!

For those that have slipped into complacency and barrenness, it's a new day. It's never too late to make a new commitment to him.

Know for certain that you were chosen to be born, chosen to be in relationship with him and chosen to bear fruit! He's chosen you for purpose and as we walk in relationship we grow! He's called you for a purpose which is highly valuable!

Let's make a commitment to be fruitful! Amen!

Sanctification- God Making Himself Known

GOD WILL MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN PRIOR TO THE RETURN OF CHRIST

Joel 2:16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”


Many of us know about the Revelation of Christ as the Bridegroom and the Body of Christ as the Bride.  As it pertains to the doctrine of the return of Christ, we know that this is described as the bridegroom returning for his bride. That's not my subject so I won't post those scriptures at this time.  As we await the return of the bridegroom, he is making himself known, gathering and drawing those that "will be" his.

1 Peter1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,  To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is gathering, sanctifying, & assembling- prior to the bridegroom coming. Did you know Jesus is married to you? He's married to you whether you are walking close or whether you are a backslider. He is the groom that takes back a wife that has fallen away. He is the groom that will not turn you away if you want to be with him. Run into his arms today! He is anxiously awaiting you to be gathered into his arms.

Sanctification is the act of God separating his people, both those that know him and those that don't yet know him. If you are feeling drawn by his Spirit, then you are being drawn by his Spirit. If your mind is wandering to a place of wonder, God himself is causing you to think about him. Your part of sanctification is yielding and allowing him to make changes in your life, whether that change is a fresh commitment to him or a commitment to walk away from some type of behavior that is dishonoring him! Your part is to draw near and move closer. The time is now! It's time to surrender to God. Turn around, look and listen! God is moving and speaking by his Spirit and he's moving toward us with great compassion and longing!

The time is now to let God sanctify himself in your eyes and you in his! Sanctification by God and for God- himself & you together forever! Amen!