Tag Archive for: Jesus

A Letter to Fear By Joyce Meyer

Dear Fear,

I only refer to you as “dear” because of our long-term intimate relationship and certainly not because you are dear to me in any way. In fact, you've been a tormenting influence from start to finish. You have told me lies and prevented me from doing the things I wanted to do and should have done. You are indeed a miserable, wretched companion, and one that I am no longer willing to be involved with.

I'm writing you this letter to let you know that from this point forward, I will not fear. Although I may feel your presence, I will not bow down to your demands. I have a friend whose name is Jesus, and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, but to be with me always. He is indeed a powerful friend, and although you do have some power, His is by far much greater than yours. You can come against me, but Jesus lives in me, and the power of the One who is in me is greater than you are.

Now, although I cannot prevent you from coming to visit, I do want to give you notice that you will be ignored from now on. I'm far too busy now fellowshipping with my new friend Jesus and developing an intimate relationship with Him to give any of my time to you. The more time I spend with Jesus, the more courageous I become. He's teaching me a new way to live, one that's exciting and adventurous, one that is fearless.

I also want to inform you that since I have so much experience with you now and know how self-defeating it is to listen to you, I intend to tell as many people as I can what a thief and a liar you are. The years I have wasted with you will be redeemed, and I will bear much good fruit. Thank you, dear fear, for driving me to Jesus. You see, you made me so miserable that I sought a way to be free from you, and Jesus met me where I was and set me free.

Now, should you decide to waste your time and try to visit me even after my letter, I'm letting you know ahead of time that you will be met by faith in God and determination that I will not fear.

Sincerely and determined,

[Your Name]

“Letter to Fear” is taken from Joyce Meyer's Living Courageously book.

Let us know in the comments below if you are struggling with fear now or had and how you overcame it. Also if you need a prayer for this, readers here can pray for each other, and as a ministry, we will pray for you! 

How To Obtain Real Faith? A Powerful Teaching by Kathryn Kuhlman

 

Volumes have been written and spoken about faith, yet we understand so little about it. Each of us desires faith, but it's not something we can work up or carry around like a handkerchief. It's a gift from God, a fruit of the Spirit.

When will the world stop its foolish struggles and simply believe? If you've been trying to manufacture faith, just stop. Faith doesn't come from our mental and intellectual gymnastics; it must come from God.

We are capable of belief but incapable of exercising biblical faith. This is why many mistakenly think belief is faith. Belief is cold, intellectual, and mental. The devil believes, but that doesn't save him. We need to understand this clearly: belief and faith are not the same.

Faith is living, moving, operating, and sweeping away the enemy of our souls. You only need faith the size of a mustard seed if it's God's faith. If you sincerely want faith, He will impart it to you.

The Jericho Road without Jesus is just a road. With Jesus, it becomes a shining highway of salvation and healing. It takes the presence of Jesus to transform our lives.

The blind man didn't sit and say, “I believe I can see.” He cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus asked him, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” The blind man wanted to see, and Jesus granted his request through faith.

Where did the blind man get this faith? Jesus gave it to him. Just like a watch given as a gift, the faith belonged to Jesus before He imparted it to the blind man.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. It's His matchless grace and love. We are like tiny seeds that can grow into something noble and beautiful for God.

Once, a tiny acorn shed its overcoat and grew through the winter with Mother Nature's care. But a man placed a heavy rock over it, hindering its growth. The little tree didn't struggle to move the rock; it simply grew until one day the rock was lifted.

You and I are like that little seed. We can grow through the challenges of life. The power of faith can be manifested in us until men and angels wonder.

When the battle is over and victory is won, don't boast of your own accomplishments. Kneel at Jesus' feet and say, “Is it not wonderful that His grace and faith should be manifested in me?”

Beloved, I have no faith of my own. It's not something I can manufacture or send to you. Faith is a gift from God. It comes from Him and is a gift He gives to you and me.

By Kathryn Kuhlman

You can listen to Miss Kuhlman's original message “The Real Faith” on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ShaU6Jqk8

Open Heaven & Breakthrough

Breakthroughs have timing; you may not know the hour sometimes, but you can discern the season. A pregnant woman, for example, can't believe for her baby's delivery breakthrough before the 9th month, or she will be delusional and may tap into hurt on all levels. No matter how hard her pregnancy is or how anticipating, she can't skip the growth and the process of her most precious child.

“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.” Isaiah 66:9.

It is the same God who gives you strength to be productive and the SAME GOD who gives you pushing power. God wants to complete the cycle of your blessing; he is for you! No pregnant woman knows the day or the hour of her delivery, but she knows the season and lives all around that breakthrough moment she is awaiting and laboring for a long time.

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Zechariah 10:1.

Ask for rain in the time of rain! You can't ask for rain when it is not the right time for an outpouring. Whatever this outpouring you are waiting for, a breakthrough in your business, finances, relationships, health, ministry, etc., God will reveal to you the season of your breakthrough. I know that because he wants you to be aware and alert so you won't miss the day of your visitation and have everything go in vain. He wants you to be fruitful; he is your helper, comforter, guide, and strength.

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.'” Luke 19: 41-44.

The Lord is so good; he will always announce your breakthrough season. The pregnant woman shows signs of a mature pregnancy and approaching delivery: Lightening, braxton hicks contractions, cervical changes, bloody show, nesting instinct, increased vaginal discharge, water breaking, stronger, more regular contractions, backache, loss of mucus plug, dilation of the cervix.

You can't ignore those expressions and signs unless you are spiritually numb, depressed, or prayerless. I am talking here of course about your spiritual signs for your breakthrough. Has the Lord shown you signs that it is your season of breakthrough and delivery? Ask him, position yourself, and prepare because joy comes in the morning.

It's your moment of great breakthrough and it is NOW in Jesus' name. Amen! I know for myself it is my time; the Lord has been speaking to me A LOT about it. The blessings of the Lord shall transform me from one state to another, elevate me from pit to palace, from hiddenness to glory, and at that time, I will have to reveal to you it is me because you won't recognize me because the Lord has done great and magnificent deeds for me.

By sowing into Healed Nations Ministries, you are sowing into a breakthrough ground. Make a donation!

God bless you
Tony Francis

Let's keep the conversation going, share your precious opinion in the comment section below.

Powers of Christ Death and Resurrection

Christ’s death has spiritual significance as well as physical significance. Christ’s death and resurrection is being celebrated across the world, especially in Christendom, in the name of Easter, but very few really understood the meaning of His death and resurrection, and it physical and spiritual impart.
Let’s really look at it, is it not absurd to tell a man ‘Christ died for you’, Christ who died by crucifixion more than two thousand years ago and the man probably his lineage has never been born by then. Pray, tell, how do you think it sound? Ridiculous, I suppose!

True, Christ death is for all human beings, living by then and by now, being born into the world by then and by now, and yet to be born. It was not just death on the cross, great power of God was released at his death, powers that completely put to destruction ‘special forces of Satan that were holding them world against God; serving as barriers between Him and man, subjecting the world into occult, sin and death. The Bible said, “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land … And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people,” (27:45-53, NIV).

Closely observe this passage, “…he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” If the death of Christ wrought such physical events, then think of what transpired in the spiritual realm at His death. Each of these has meaning, for people with understanding mind to comprehend. At His death, or the power of God that was released at his death, wrought great destruction to the powers of darkness in the celestial realms. Special forces (demons and evil spirits) of Satan the devil that enslaved the world (even though the world was ignorant of this, for this transcended far beyond the physical and natural world), serving as barriers between God Almighty and human being living by then and being born into the world by then, fell to destructive power of Christ death; as the barriers were broken. The temple curtain torn, a spiritual significant that the door to God Almighty is now open widely for every human being to come to Him with no barrier (except barriers made by humans themselves who loves sin and its vain pleasure than God and Christ). Hades and Death (the most dreadful and one of the most powerful plane in the kingdom of forces of darkness on earth and in heavenly places) lost their overwhelming powers as Christ death freed the dead that has fallen to their powers (few saints actually, with spiritual significant that death has no more hold on the saints of God, those redeemed by Christ through their willingness to come to God through Christ the only True Way). From the time of Christ death onward to our presence days and far into the future, every human beings living in the world and being born in the world is no longer under the powers of these ‘special evil forces’ (except through human-created medium through sins and evil practices) – this is part of the source of the saying that ‘Christ died for you and I’ even after more than two thousand years his crucifixion took place.

Christ Himself did not remained dead for ever, he resurrected from the dead. The scripture accounted that, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me,” Matthew 28:1-10. Glory be to God in the Highest, Christ Himself, whose death freed the dead saints from the powers of Hades and Death, did not remained dead for ever – He broke the power of death over him!

His resurrection completed the total defeat of Satan and his forces of darkness, now there is no other name than that of Jesus Christ that one can be saved from the wrath of God Almighty coming furiously upon the sinful world. Christ Jesus is the True Way, a burden bearer and a friend of all sinners who is ever ready to share in our sorrows, problems, pains and affliction. May God the Father be praised forever for giving His only Son Jesus Christ, who has redeemed mankind back to Him; reconciling the gap sin and its powers had wrought between Him and humankind.

Samuel Akinola

April 8th, 2024: Great Days Are Coming For America, Canada and Mexico!

“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:9.

On Monday, April 8th, 2024, God will reveal and announce the authority of his Church through the solar eclipse to the nations of America, Mexico, and Canada. It is a very exciting day to live in! Let me unpack it for you…

Biblical prophecy, especially New Testament prophecy, should always be seen through the eyes and the spirit of redemption. In my opinion, if it is not approached with this perspective, it will not be read in a purely divine way. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, and the meaning of the name Jesus is GOD SAVES! So not only should prophetic words bring redemption and salvation, but also anything else God brings to the table, such as the heavenly SIGN of this solar eclipse!

The sun is often referred to or seen as the Lord who is the light of the world and the moon as his Church/the Bride of Jesus Christ, with any person positioned under him reflecting his glory. “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” John 1:8

In a solar eclipse, the moon blocks or aligns with the sun and the earth, and the moon is seen as the Church, as I already mentioned to you. The Church doesn’t block God at all; she lives to reveal him to the nations. The heavenly event tomorrow in the skies will show the moon being embraced by the majesty of the SUN/SON, endorsing her and pushing her forth to the nations of the earth, specifically America, Canada, & Mexico as his ambassador.

What is going on here prophetically?

Of course, I highly encourage you to watch the videos going viral online and the many prophetic intakes and insights; it's beautiful if we take the good from those prophecies and reject what is bad. But we prophesy in part, so here is my part that I believe will add more blessing and weight to this.

But before, I want to interject a truth and a revelation here that is very important and always saves me from pride. Every time you hear an anointed preacher or prophet canceling others or belittling them to convey a message to his audience and you that he is the only one speaking the truth, raise your red flags because there is a spirit of pride here, and when there is pride, purity is compromised.

I watched a famous prophet yesterday saying this on his YouTube video “with a strong tone and manner,” so I rebuked him in a comment, telling him, “You are operating in the ELIJAH SYNDROME MINDSET.” What is that? IT IS WHEN ELIJAH, IN PRIDE, CANCELED EVERY OTHER MOUTHPIECE, TELLING THE LORD RUDELY, “I AM THE ONLY LEFT FOR YOU. NO ONE IS WORSHIPING YOU ANYMORE AND SPEAKING THE TRUTH, AS I DO.” Really Elijah? God replied. I have kept 7000 for me. Let's always remember this story.

Every time we operate in this mindset, we are definitely in pride, and we should cry over it for repentance. Pride is so ugly, man! The thought that I am the most important, the one and only, and all those garbage terms is gross. We are nothing! Just sinners saved by grace and lavished by his mercy forever and it is a humbling privilege to be used of the Lord. Always remember you prophesy in part; THIS KEEPS YOU HUMBLE! You don’t and can’t see it all. We need each other, we are family, one glorious body of Christ!

I just wanted to say all this. Wow, now I feel good and relieved having said it. I HATE PRIDE!

So back to the heavenly sign on April 8th, 2024, what is going on prophetically?

I believe the Lord is announcing a new weighty season of promotion for his Church, letting every eye see her authority and importance and that she is being embraced, endorsed, and placed in the bosom of the divine and pushed forth to the nations of America, Mexico, and Canada! The sign tomorrow is for those nations; it is God’s prophetic word and heavenly marker to them, in those big regions, the voice of the Church will be louder, higher, and seen like never before! Amen.

From the year 2023 until this moment, all around the globe, including myself, we have been discerning from the Holy Spirit that it is time for the Church to transition to the Kingdom age and take over the mountains of influence. You are part of THIS! You are for such a time as THIS! The world is not ending; Jesus is coming through his Church first.

Tomorrow, we start the Kingdom Age where the Church starts to rule over the nations and mobilize them for the glory of God.

Check those below related important featured resources:
– Prophetic word 2023
– Prophetic word 2024
– New video course: “As You Go Up, Glory Comes Down”

God bless you
Tony Francis

Fill The Space

By Francisco Arboleda

Recently, while completing some tasks at home, I suddenly felt the presence of the Lord. It came so quickly and heavily that I had to stop and lean into His presence. I heard the Lord say, “Fill the space.”

Immediately, I put down what I was doing and went into a private room where I could begin to pray.

The Lord continued, “My mandates are not optional, they are my orders for my people; if you don’t fill the space someone else will.”

That word provoked me and brought the fear of the Lord with it. The thought of the enemy filling spaces that the children of the Lord leave open is troubling, to say the least.

I believe the Lord is bringing His people into a revelation of His authority like we have not seen before, and through this word, and others like it in the days to come, the Body of Christ will have an opportunity to engage with the Holy Spirit to activate the Lord’s mandates across the earth.

We are in challenging times in our nations. But as we choose to seek God above all else, the Bible promises that the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

In this hour, it is of critical importance to remember the authority we have in Him… AND how to use that authority. It’s not for selfish gain. Remember, what the Lord gives, He gives for the benefit of all people.

I want to share some key insights so that you can engage with this word today.

“Fill The Earth”

In Genesis 1:28, we are told that “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it….’” Fill the earth is another way to say fill the space that He has entrusted to us.

A key word in this text is “be.” He wants us to “be”-come what He has mandated. We do this through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord will help us to “be” a multiplier of Kingdom authority on the earth.

So here is your question to ponder with Him this month: Where can you partner with the Holy Spirit to become a Kingdom multiplier and fill the space(s) He has entrusted to you?

Ask the Holy Spirit where you may have the opportunity to increase.

Part of understanding authority is to realize that, as believers, we are to steward the blessings of the Lord. Can the Lord trust you with the blessings of heaven?

When the Lord told “man” (male and female) to fill the earth and subdue it (i.e., rule and reign on His behalf), Adam and Eve had not done a thing to earn that authority, but they did have the opportunity within their relationship with God to grow in their ability to steward all He had blessed them with.

It is the same for us today.

You do not need to “earn” the authority God has given to you in the spaces (realms, spheres, territories, and assignments) to which He has called and entrusted you. But it is time for us to steward the things He has given us so that we can begin to see the increase.

Hint: It’s more about your willingness to learn than what you already know.

We are Set Under the Authority of Jesus

In Luke 7:8-9 the Roman officer says, “For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed Him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Can you imagine Jesus saying this about you? I believe He wants to. According to the Bible, God’s entire plan is to use those who believe in Him to show others how it should be.

We are to be an example to the world around us and in this story, we see Jesus pointing out exactly that.

I love what the centurion says, “For I too am a man set under authority.” There are a lot of places we can go in the area of authority, according to this teaching. But what I see on display here is the humility shown by this man. With Kingdom authority, a Christ-like humility is required. Remember, Jesus came to serve and not be served and yet was given all authority. He came down from heaven to display the mercy of our heavenly Father, and in obedience, took our place on the cross so that we might be saved.

In the case of the centurion, others responded to his authority, which was given to him by a superior authority. He also obeyed his superiors and carried out their orders. This earned him promotion within the ranks.

Similarly, Jesus is our Superior Authority, and the more we submit to Him, the more authority we carry into the world for the benefit of others.

Fill Your Space

Lastly, in the story of David and Goliath, the enemy is viciously taunting God’s people through Goliath, who is filling the space with mocking and taunts of defeat. The enemy was filling the space intended for the army of the Lord… God’s people cowered on the sidelines instead of defending their territory (space).

But all it took was one “David” to arise on behalf of God’s plans and purposes! Just one, who was willing to fill the space with truth, boldness, and confidence in the Lord. Just one, who was willing to step out into the “impossible” to take back the space and see the enemy defeated.

David learned to “fill the space” in the pastures and as an errand boy and worshipper. He came to know, love, and trust God in all things.

When you love God above everything – His ways, His commandments, His statutes – you discover how to let Him fill the space of your heart and mind. From there, we can then partner with Him to fill any space, realm, or territory on the earth.

It’s time to see an increase in the authority of the Lord in His people.

Are you ready to fill the space?

Are you ready to be a David? Are you willing to trust the Lord in all your ways? Are you willing to allow the authority of the Lord to grow in you as you move in obedience toward His mandates?

If so, join me in this prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your promises… and that since creation, it was always part of Your plan that we would walk in the Kingdom authority You have given to us. Lord, help me to fill the spaces of my life with Your presence. I look to Your promises to follow You and lead others in the way we should go. I look to Your Word as orders for my life; I know You love me, and You’ll lead me where I should go. In Jesus’ name, help me to walk in Your authority and fill the spaces. Amen!

Francisco Arboleda

Francisco Arboleda is a key member of the Patricia King Ministries family.  He was hand-picked by Patricia to serve as the Pastor of Shiloh Fellowship – a church with both a global and local outreach. He has the heart of a true shepherd, caring for and covering every member of the congregation.  He is walking in his calling, and living his dream. His passion is to help others do the same.

What is the Holy Spirit Saying For April 2024?

It is always exciting for me to share with you the word of the Lord for every month. We desire God's voice and will to fill and permeate every single day of April 2024. Jesus is Lord over our timeline, this I know, and we desire for him to remain so.

As I was praying and positioning myself to receive the heart of the Father for us for April 2024, I was in the spirit, and the Father pointed his finger somewhere and told me to look. As I turned my head in the spirit to see where our heavenly Father was pointing, I saw a green field, and I noticed one cow looking at me.

The scene was peaceful and captivating. Then I saw our Lord and Savior Yeshua appearing in this scene, as though he was approaching the cow, and I kept watching. To my amazement, I saw the Lord sitting to milk this one cow in the field, with sleeves rolled up. I felt the Lord was enjoying it and was delighted as he did this!

Then I felt an invitation from him (YOU included as well) to approach and take the fresh milk cup he had milked for me. I didn't expect he was doing it for me. Now I understand why I felt his delight over milking the cow; it is because I am the object of his love. It was not about the activity itself but beyond that. I drank this special cup of milk, BY JESUS, haha, and I never had an experience like it before. Then Jesus stood up from the little wooden chair he was sitting on to milk the cow, and suddenly I saw the field filled with many cows alike.

The Lord then told me it was my welcome drink only, a foretaste of an ongoing multiplied nonstop experience of being blessed. It is like when you tease your child with one candy, and he loves it so much, and then you surprise him or her with a hidden box full of alike candies, or even better, maybe giving him the key to a candy factory that you bought just for him.

I feel we are now in an established realm of blessings, and God will give you the desires of your heart … ONGOING!

Tap into your established ABUNDANCE in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

God bless you
Tony Francis

Thank you for partnering with Healed Nations Ministries and for your generous sowing beginning of this month. Tell your friends about it!

Prophetic Word For Purim 5784

Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday commemorating the survival of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a plot devised by the evil Haman to destroy them. The story, found in the Book of Esther, centers around Queen Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus. Purim in 2024 will be celebrated from the evening of Saturday, March 23rd, to the evening of Sunday, March 24th.

I encourage you to read the story of Esther and how God intervened because His people in high places partnered with Him. The reason we read it now is not only to refresh our memories with the story, but mainly because God is releasing the same blessings again. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, and when we read a testimony, we position ourselves to receive the same authority of those blessings because there is no time in the spirit!

As I was praying for this holiday and connecting with the Holy Spirit to release His word for us, I believe He highlighted to me significantly the release of His favor FOR salvation. We know that Esther was highly favored for a reason, and not for the sake of the favor itself, or it becomes idolatry if it is not purpose-driven for the glory of God. God is preparing His table of favor for you right now to smear you with it, and you can expect doors of salvation to open up for the King of Glory to enter mightily.

Are you ready for some favor and to leap into salvation? I sense God is giving me here a word of knowledge for someone going through cancer, and God is about to bring this to an end for you. You are a minister of the Gospel, and you will live and not die in Jesus' name. He loves you, and never forgot about you, and it is your time for salvation because cancer is God's enemy, and it will be hanged on its gallows. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it for good! You're coming out in power. You're just getting started! Amen. (Feel free to email us back or leave a comment below if this word resonates with you, whether about the word of knowledge or the entire word here).

I also want to remind you that in moments like this, it is a significant time in the spirit, and sowing seeds is especially fruitful now. If the Lord is leading you to sow $500, that's your confirmation right here! (I don't usually do this, but I felt compelled to mention it). However, you can give any amount that the Spirit leads you to sow.

Special Seed

God bless you
Tony Francis

5 Life Lessons From Colossians

Lesson 1: Chapter 1 – Christ is everything.

Colossians 1:17-20, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

It's easy to get overwhelmed in this world with which we live. It seems like there are competing philosophies and views about almost everything. But the words in the above passage hold amazing and transforming words. Jesus Christ means everything and as his followers we need to reflect that.

Lesson 2: Chapter 2 – Live in Christ.

Colossians 2:6-10 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Being a Christian means more than just assenting to a creed, or a particular moment in faith, or a public confession. We are to live in Christ.

Our lives are established and experienced in a daily commitment to follow the way of Jesus. He alone is the authority of our lives and he directs our path. Worldly “religion” and philosophy have no place in the lives of believers.

Lesson 3: Chapter 3 – Set your mind on Christ.

Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

I don't want to be misinformed or uninformed so I try to keep up with the news reports of what's going on around me. However, in today's world that can still happen if you watch the news. We can get overwhelmed, confused, and at times thrown in despair. Too much of this world's information can take our minds off of things from above. Focusing on Christ, his mission, his priorities and his values helps us get things right.

Lesson 4: Chapter 4 – Walk wisely as witnesses for Christ.

Colossians 4:2-6, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

I’ve seen two extremes in witnessing. Many say, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism and I’m not good at talking with people, so I’ll just live the Christian life, be an example.” That's a good start, but if that's all you do you’re going to have to live the Christian life better than Jesus because he not only lived the life (perfectly), he also spoke to sinners about salvation.

On the other hand, some Christians come across as what I call “throat crammers for Jesus.” These are the types who work in telemarketing and love it or just stand on a street corner screaming that everyone's going to hell. They have no problem accosting total strangers and shoving their message down the person's throat. And then the person who gets accosted makes sure they never go near another religious fanatic again. And unfortunately, those who are “silent” witnesses gain another excuse for why they don’t talk to others about Christ: They don’t want to be like those rude, insensitive “throat crammers for Jesus.”

There are two things here: First, there is the content of the gospel itself; then, there is how we share and discuss that content.

The Lord doesn’t want us to be “silent witnesses” or “throat crammers for Jesus.” He wants us to be wise witnesses who live godly lives and who take advantage of every opportunity to talk graciously to lost people about the Savior.

When Paul says that we are to walk with wisdom toward outsiders, he means that we are to live in line with God’s Word so that those who are not Christians will see the beauty of our lives and relationships that reflect Jesus Christ. They ought to be able to see the fruit of the Spirit in us, which should draw them to the Savior.

It should be noted that Paul asked for prayer so that when God opened the door, he would SPEAK the gospel. He was confined in prison, but he was still looking for ways to both live as an example of the gospel AND speak the gospel. That should be our mindset as well.

Jeff Hagan

Journey to Immortality: Accessing the Secret Room Where Every Wrong is Made Right!!!

It doesn't exist!

There are places where you will look for certain things and never find them, like viruses and bacteria in an ICU, for example. Heaven is a place where only good things exist. You won't find sickness, poverty, sadness, depression, lack, death, or loss in Heaven. Have I piqued your interest in going to Heaven? You will go there if you have accepted the redemption of Yeshua in your heart and believed in his name! Matthew 6 gives us a glimpse of Heaven, a very exciting place where there are no headaches, robberies, thefts, drainage issues, insecurity, or danger:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

On Earth, moths and vermin will destroy your treasures, and there are thieves who will break in to kill, steal, and destroy. Your health, joy, provision, peace of mind, and security are your treasures. In Heaven, all these are secured and more!

But what is Heaven? Where is Heaven? When is Heaven?

Yes, I believe there is an abode, a realm where Heaven exists, but Heaven is the realm of God's abode where he rules and reigns! It is because of his presence and reign that it is Heaven. I always tell others, “Hell is hell not because the devil is there, but because Jesus is not there.” Jesus makes Heaven; he is our Heaven!

Isn't it strange and mysteriously weird that God provides this kind of place for the citizens of Heaven, yet he doesn't provide it for us here on Earth as born-again believers? In fact, NO! God is the same God for everyone who believes in him through Christ Jesus! It is not from his side but from ours that we are not living and matching to this abundant life, the ZOE life of God. Jesus reveals to us in Mark 11 the key to living Heaven on Earth, even while you are still breathing in this messed up world:

“And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of thieves.’”

If you are not a house of prayer, you are a den of thieves. You are putting yourself in a vulnerable place that doesn't resemble Heaven. You blame God for your health, provision, joy, etc., but God provided another aspect of Heaven for us through the righteousness of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who lives in YOU by the Holy Spirit. Righteousness means “it is made right.” It is your secret room where you will look for certain things and never find them. You won't find sickness in the righteousness of God; it doesn't exist! You won't find worry in the righteousness of God; it doesn't exist! You name it…

“For our sake, he made him who knew no sin to be sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

You are the righteousness of God, here on earth!

What do you do when a war breaks out in your city? You run to the shelter. God's righteousness is your hidden shelter, your secret room that lives INSIDE your spirit man:

“Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

Whatever comes against you that is not righteous, because it will come or may come, drag it to the secret room of righteousness with you, where it annihilates. In there, unrighteousness doesn't exist, can't stand. And remember, the devil was thrown out of Heaven, and it is a place of no access for him anymore!

“In the same way, CONSIDER yourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God with Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)

Sin is not dead in this world, but YOU are dead to it in Christ Jesus IF you believe this truth, consider it, and enforce it. I've never liked cigarettes; thus, the feeling or experience of addiction to cigarettes is not alive to me. I don't know what it feels like. I CONSIDER sin, what I've gone through, or what may come my way as the same because of what Jesus purchased for me. Hallelujah! I am dead to lust, fornication, pride, perversion, poverty, sadness, sickness, fear, etc.

Journey to immortality by accessing the secret room where every wrong is made right!!!

God bless you,
Tony Francis

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