Tag Archive for: lamb of god

Blinded From the God Increase?

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17: 9

God gave the whole world his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from sin and eternal hell and reconcile us to him and his glory. This great salvation was given thousands of years ago. It is rich and great; nothing tops it or can be compared to it.

Everyone is forgiven because God’s justice was satisfied and met by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Therefore, everyone is forgiven, but not everyone is saved.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

You have been saved by grace BUT THROUGH FAITH. You need to know, believe, and receive it to secure eternal life.

Many don’t receive this God increase, this immense holy salvation, because they don’t SEE themselves fitting in the category of needing salvation.

Everyone has their demonic doctrine and reasoning that BLINDS them to the fact that they need salvation. This blind spot of not needing salvation robbed that one of receiving this God increase. It is available but was lost for them!

Do you have a blind spot? I know you are thinking, come on, Tony, it is a blind spot. How can I see it? The one who sees you sees it. You can search your heart in God’s presence. I know it is not easy because most of us resist the exposure of a blind spot for some reason, mostly pride, but if we want to break free and deal with it to be in the faith, we need to do this step. You will be incredibly blessed when you humble yourself and have your eyes open to that blind spot causing you not to see the divine abundance available to you by your heavenly Father in Christ in Jesus!

Prayer:

Father, I am so excited about this one! Please open my eyes by the anointing because Jesus, the anointed one, makes the blind see. I don’t want to be blinded anymore to your glory and goodness. Whatever it costs, do it unto me, touch my eyes, and expose the blind spot(s) today. Amen.

Decree:

God sees my blind spots and reveals them to me by his Spirit. Therefore, I will never walk blindly because the sun of righteousness rises for me with healing in its wings.

This chapter “Blind Spot” is taken from Tony Francis' new book “My Cup Overflows”- Devotional, Prayers & Decrees For Your Increase. Available in hardcover and digital formats. 

My Cup Overflows Book

Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3). He it is who revealed Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks, which are the seven churches. He was clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. In His right hand were seven stars, which are the angels of the seven churches, and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword; and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Says He, I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:11-20). This same God is He, of whom to Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, revealed Himself as the God of Israel: who had under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness (Exodus 24:9,10). In contrast, the Ancient of Days, whose garment is white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: whose throne is like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire, is the Father. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousands times ten thousand stood before Him: where the judgment was set, and the books were opened. The Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:9-14).

Christ the same is the image of the invisible God, and the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (Colossians 1:13-20). For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth; For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. … For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man (John 5:20-27). There is One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:5,6). Says He, I am in the Father, and the Father in me; I and my Father are one (John 10:30; 14:11).

The Son of God, prophesied through the seed of Abraham by the promise, was decreed: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee, and, a body hast Thou prepared Me (Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 10:5). Out of Jacob was brought forth a Star, and a Sceptre out of Israel, who would smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Says Jacob, Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. … The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be, who would wash His garments in wine, and His clothes in the blood of grapes (Genesis 49:9-11; Numbers 24:17). Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2).

He was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shone in darkness; but the darkness comprehended it not. … He was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, yet the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, born of God (John 1:4,5, 9-14). For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16,17). He is the Light of the world: He is the Bread of life: He is the Living Bread which came down from heaven, which if any man eat of, he shall live for ever. Whoso eateth His flesh, and drinketh His blood, hath eternal life: and He will raise him up at the last day. For His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (John 6:32-55).

Slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, prevailed. Says the Revelator, A Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb and sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. … Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. … Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever (Revelation 5:5-14).

He it is with whom the enmity between the woman’s seed and the serpent’s seed would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). The woman with child, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars, is the virgin who follows the Lamb whithersoever He goeth; redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. In their mouth is found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God (Revelation 12:1; 14:4,5). By faith have they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided something better for us [who remain], that they without us should not be made perfect (Hebrews 11:33-40).

Thenceforth did the dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, stand before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her Child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her Child was caught up unto God, and to His throne. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:4-12, 17).

The Lamb of God is the Lion of Judah, and the Son of God is the Son of man. Fear God and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (Revelation 14:6).

Blessed, Cursed then Blessed

From my book “Blessed in Christ” – How to live like a Christianaire! Purchase & download your digital copy today! Click here.

God called you blessed when he created you.

In Genesis chapter one, God made man in his image and likeness and commissioned him things to do. You are made in God's image and God is blessed, so you are blessed.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1: 26-28

But before God blessed them to DO, he already blessed them to BE. Man was blessed because he was made after the image and likeness of God, Selah. It can’t get any better! The greatest blessing you can have is to be like the one who brought you into existence, God Almighty.

Before doing things with him and for him, before possessing substances, before having titles, names, and positions, your ultimate blessing resides in being made in God's image.

Now the devil was at the corner to steal the blessings of man and to distort his blessed image, and he did.

Adam lost it all including us because we were “in Adam”, same nature of him, and because of Adam mankind was cursed including the land itself. Sin, curse, and death entered the world through yielding to the temptation of doing it all without God. The devil succeeded and distanced us from God. We never wanted God!

Many including me used to ask: “why would I receive someone else’s fault, sin, and consequence?” and we become angry with Adam, after all, he is the reason of all the pain and mess in our world. Then we try hard and make it our quest to reach heaven for one thing, to slap Adam and spill all our anger on him.

My friend, the reason you and I would have received and lived in the death loop of someone else’s fault simply is because if we were to replace Adam, we would have done the same thing he did. God is merciful to you and me that he didn't chose us to be public pioneers in messing it all from the dawn of creation. Thank God your name and mine is not listed on the first pages of the bible as a lesson to remember forever! How about that? (Yeah you can praise him here).

For all men have fallen short and needed the Glory of God.

“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth–men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air–for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Fast-forwarding to the good news. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the second and last Adam, the perfect man without a sin, wrinkle and blemish came and gave himself for our atonement and eternal sacrifice, redeemed us and cleansed us by his blood and reconciled us back to God.

THE Door was opened for us to come boldly before the throne of grace and mercy through Christ.

When God created man he said, “It is very good”. God will only put an “it is very good” stamp over what he makes. He will never say very good to our self-righteousness, failing religious attempts or to our “intelligent” strategies to build a tower to reach Heaven. It was so clear and LOUD when God said over Jesus Christ, the only Lamb of God, at the river of Jordan when John the Baptist baptized him “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”.

The person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is the only pleasing thing to God. Redeem your time and stop trying to look good for God. Just humble yourself, receive Jesus Christ in your heart and you will be stamped again “VERY GOOD”! Jesus is your righteousness. What a gift!

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

All the animal sacrifices made in the Old Testament although required by God himself didn’t please him. They were only a temporary covering and shadow for what was coming, for who already came, Jesus Christ!

Our blessed Lord died for all, one sacrifice, one salvation for eternity! It is the gift of grace and righteousness offered by God to us because he loves us and wants us back because though sinners are loved by God they can't live in the abode of his holiness. Hallelujah, the high cost of pride was paid by THE humble ONE. The Justice and Mercy of God were fulfilled in Jesus on the cross.

God is just and merciful. He knows we are sinners who can't redeem themselves by themselves, so he sent his son as THE sacrifice, paid the price of sin with a severe judgment and unleashes his mercy over everyone who receives Christ and what he accomplished for us. On the cross, the justice and mercy of God hugged each other!

In Christ, you are blessed!

This is what I am going to walk you through in this book that I pray will impart revelation, faith and awareness of who you are in him and to help you position yourself to receive every good gift God has in store for you. He knows what he has planned for you, it is thoughts of peace to give you hope and a future but do you know it?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

I can’t list all the blessings of Christ to you that’s why you have your bible that speaks volumes! I will share some of it here to get you started so you can sail deeper with the Spirit later.

I want to whet your appetite!

Remember you are blessed first when you are Christ like and blessed with a real inheritance as well that God longs for you to know about, possess, enjoy and glorify him with it.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Toni Francis

From my book “Blessed in Christ” – How to live like a Christianaire! Purchase & download your digital copy today! Click here.

She Was Caught In The Action

A Jewish woman was caught doing sex outside of marriage in the context of a prostitution lifestyle. I can’t imagine the emotions she went through when they caught her naked in a very intimate intercourse scenario. Maybe that woman went through her day as everyday feeling secure and safe that she will do her thing as usual, get paid and leave home. Little did she know that day was life-changing for her.

The reason she was caught in the action was to test Jesus Christ big time. Facing all the religious leaders and community back then, will Jesus contradict the laws of Moses by sparing her life or will he agree with them and kill the woman?

The case is so clear, she must die, according to them. Jesus, what do you say? They want to catch Jesus in the action too, this time if he breaks the laws, we will kill him too along with the woman!

Jesus was silent for a moment. Pressure and intensity filled the atmospheres. All eyes and ears were toward Jesus. Religion was beholding Jesus not to change into his image but to change Jesus into their image!

… The final verdict was released from Heaven. Jesus heard his Father! It was the same life-giving wisdom that king Solomon operated in to spare the life of a newborn baby and gave him back to his real mother. There was greater than Solomon, WISDOM himself Jesus Christ!

“But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

In this religious crowd, Jesus was the only one without sin among them. He could have stoned her to death easily after his statement to show them all that he is the righteous one, the lamb of God, it was his chance. But it was not about him, it was about saving and redeeming that precious struggling lady. If you had a big life chance opportunity to prove to others that you are so right versus promoting love and life, what do you choose? Knowledge kills but love builds.

“When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.” John 8:9

Wow, beginning with the older ones! It is a misconception to think that elders are holier than the youngsters. In this case, the older ones left the place of judgment. It is good that they were aware of being sinners but it is sad that they left quickly back to home with their sin. They too had the chance to repent, be forgiven and redeemed. Yet by holding to their sin, they stoned themselves out of God’s presence and mercy.

“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11

That day the Lord gave her another chance. Sinners will be the first to enter the kingdom as Jesus said. Not because they are sinners but because they met the Savior and responded to him. Jesus loves you and wants to redeem you and restore you to a beautiful everlasting relationship with him.  

Toni Francis

You can also watch this blog as a Vlog (Video Blog). Click here to watch it: She was caught in the action

The Bride of Christ

“And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.” Revelation 21:9

 What is the deep desire of a father? To see his son married! The wedding of Jesus the only begotten son of God was in the mind of his Father from eternity. This awesome dad of Jesus is obsessed with the idea of getting his son married! He has been thinking about it over and over, this glorious wedding was rolling like a tape in his mind and imagination! The wedding planners and organizations of our days are countless and they do their best to arrange weddings according to each couple’s budget. But if there is one in the universe who really knows how to plan for a wedding it is the heavenly FATHER, he is the expert and there is none like him! Abraham sent his faithful servant to look for a bride to his son Isaac and made him swear not to return empty hands because he so longed to see his son married and he found him one, Rebekah! The other spiritual facet of this story points to the heavenly Father who sent his faithful Holy Spirit to search for a Bride for his son Jesus and he found him one, YOU! “The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is trimmed with gold. She shall be brought to the king in clothing of needlework; the virgins, her companions after her, shall be brought to you. They shall be led with joy and gladness; they shall enter into the King's palace.” Psalms 45:13-15. Oh, how beautiful the bride of the lamb is (Song of Solomon 4:7), how beautiful and holy the perfecting of the saints that the Lord is doing in our hearts preparing us for the wedding!

 Read in Ezekiel 16: 7-14 God’s heart toward his wife, toward you, it will stir your heart with so much passion and love and will connect you to the heart beat of your heavenly groom: “I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel. Your breasts became full, and your body hair grew, but you were still naked. And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. “Then I bathed you and washed off your blood, and I rubbed fragrant oils into your skin. I gave you expensive clothing of fine linen and silk, beautifully embroidered, and sandals made of fine goatskin leather. I gave you lovely jewelry, bracelets, beautiful necklaces, a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears, and a lovely crown for your head. And so you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—choice flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were! Your fame soon spread throughout the world because of your beauty. I dressed you in my splendor and perfected your beauty, says the Sovereign LORD.”

 Jesus loves his church in a way we can’t fathom, you can just foretaste a little bit of his extravagant love for you through the revealed word of God. Song of Solomon is such a concentrated love letter between Jesus and his church. The time is approaching, the wedding preparations are coming to an end, and the church is getting ready to be raptured after being captured by his love … Jesus is coming soon!

 P.S: Don’t be among the attendants, become his bride! Receive Jesus now in your heart!