Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Lying Eyes



Do our eyes deceive us? The Pharisees and  Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. In John 11:48 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50 "nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.

The Lord tells us to have hearing ears and seeing eyes. But we must be the spiritual in God! These people saw the signs Jesus did, but with those eyes, they desired that nationalistic line. They desired Him to become King and run the Romans out of Jerusalem. This was Judas' thinking.  That vain imaginations is of the devil and the human thought of the “Me” syndrome! But God made us in His image to be of His likeness and to be morally right before Him. God desires us to see Him, be led by His Son the Good Shepherd and allow Holy Spirit space for today and the future! He has given us Holy Spirit with power, love and a sound mind!

He is expecting us to know we are those with intelligence, perception, and self-determination to far exceed any other living creature on the face of the earth!  We are spiritual who not only have a body, but soul and spirit. God desires us to come higher to His ways and thoughts of being.  And we are not to be animalistic in behavior seeking only fleshly gratification.

Where is the flow of the Spirit?....Human nature says: look at my body, I need food, feed me, my muscles feel weak ..The spiritual man speaks 1 Corinthians 2:13…NKJV…13 these things we speak not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches,  comparing spiritual things with spiritual.    We have people today who desire someone else to feed them and their children. They refuse to work.

 So when Jesus appeared, how many  appeared in the spiritual to recognize Him?

One who knew Him, came to Him at night:    John 3:1-8  NKJV  There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (2) This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (4) Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (5) Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

The teaching on the born-again doctrine—found primarily in John 3 but expanded by Paul, Peter, and John in later writings—has been prone to misunderstanding. Jesus Christ spoke to Nicodemus about it nearly two thousand years ago and in that meeting, it was Nicodemus who immediately misconstrued what Christ meant.  Nicodemus was on a purely physical level, as another literal birth. And he was not alone in this thinking! In that study of Jesus' discourses throughout the book of John shows that people frequently interpreted His entirely spiritual instruction in a physical manner, and thus failed to grasp the truth He taught. ( would consider they missed Jesus entirely in their reading and understanding) What is interesting is how people want to rely on their own thoughts and plans!

I will feed people but do not show up with nails all done up and tell me your child needs food. I know what those nails cost and the time to decorate them in that manner.

We really need Holy Spirit in our lives!                                                                                                       

Our prayer life is comprised of knowing His written word; to live by it …and speak it..……so that John 17:3 And this is eternal life:[ it means] to know ( to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the]Christ ( the anointed One, the Messiah, Whom You have sent … and .is revealed in and through our lives.

Is the spiritual, the eternal life recognized by us?

We are to be understanding of our Father. We are to exalt Him in His truth and faithfulness.  We are to   exalt Him in His greatness and authority.  And then in those quiet, secret place times with HIM,  we cast down those thoughts that are contrary to God's heart and Spirit.  Many people say they love God, but is it equally true that they hate evil? Truly loving God is demonstrated in and by our character when we will not tolerate evil in our own hearts. 

Honor the Lord: Highly esteem Him and make His Name distinct in Your speaking.  We stop speaking about us, and speak  about Him! WE Humble ourselves under His mighty Hand. As we are yielded to the Holy Spirit, planting His Word within us, we will have seeing eyes to recognize evil.

Many times it comes in a form that is pleasant or seems acceptable. ( like Halloween) Some evil is obvious, while other times it does take Holy Spirit discernment to see it. God will help you as you lean into Him. Let His praise continually be in your mouth and have a joyful, peaceful and glorious day with God! ( Do you know to whom you invite in your home in participating in the Halloween event?)

Matthew 10:32-34….Amplified Bible…32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven and confess [ that I am abiding in] Him. 33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown.

Jesus does not attack the family relationship. BUT He points to that earthly distraction one might take on where loyalty is for the thing called IDOL and not on Him who set us free in Him! Even today many shun Jesus, their focus is on sin. They have lying eyes. Still we are to confess Jesus before men. Some will like you and others will hate you. Just look at Charlie Kirk who was killed because of his faith in Jesus. But what about living for Christ when Halloween is upon you?  Halloween was taken as the radical of a group where darkness is worshiped. Did you know that witches today outnumber actual Christians? They have faith in something dark, yet we have the Light in Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Amplified Bible………12. Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to ] the world but the Holy Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. 14 But the natural, non-spiritual man does not welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly ( meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. 16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts ( feelings and purposes ) of His heart.  (Isaiah 40:11)

Spirit always answers to spirit. We are spirit beings, and we have a body and soul! So of the three spiritual categories you have what is the natural man, unregenerate and devoid of the spirit who has no appreciation for the Gospel. Another is the spiritual man, regenerated and possessing spiritual maturity and are seen as those free from sectarian strife!  Titus 3:4-11  Amplified Bible 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing bath of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And he did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [ that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought and action].

8 This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on,) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such  themselves are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves,] but [they] are good and profitable for the people.  9 But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissentions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. 10 [As for] a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions] , after admonishing him a first and second time, reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him],  11 Well aware that such a person has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted); he goes on sinning [though he] is convicted of guilt and self-condemned.

 

1.   From verses 8-11 Paul tells us to shun strife and factions.

2.    We are to have a transformed life that is that response to the grace of mercy revealed by God through His Son Jesus.  So in context, the meaning of verse 10 has to do with sectarian…he who causes divisions….

3.   Is one of having a spirit toward or a devotion to a particular religion or sect. it is toward having dogmatic limits of bigotry regarding something specific as to the outward appearance. REMEMBER :The Lord looks on the heart!

4.   Adhering to specific opinions in regard to intolerance with doctrine or belief as opinion and not authoritatively approved  is contrary to the Word of God. With God’s Word as the standard, anything outside of that is departing from truth.

 Being made new by the Holy Spirit we are activated in the Kingdom of heaven.. We are to seek unity within God’s church or body of believer’s. And it is by the Holy Spirit we can see deceptive doctrine displayed as well as seen in divisive behavior.

The last spiritual type category is the “carnal” man:  He is regenerate but living much like an unregenerate, is a believer but is childish in his ways, has the spirit of a jealousy and divisiveness ! This is one that will live more for human opinion than for Christ! They love the "me" concept! I am Me and you give Me more free stuff!

Taking the Stand over Vain Imaginings….The person who truly loves Christ is the one who’s going to stand up for Christ no matter if they lose friends, family, life, or if the world hates them. The person who truly loves Christ will expose the deeds of darkness!  Charlie Kirk did. And today many are giving a display of hate toward that man who died for Christ!                                                                                          

Ephesians 5:8-12   NKJV ……8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as His children of light. 9 ( for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever makes manifest is Light.

The faithful believers do more than abstain from evil; they denounce the deeds of darkness as the unfruitful, shameful and not worthwhile. We prepare for our day or week by going to prayer and the word of God. We have conversation with Him and ask what to say to give His plan to others.  And in that prayer time we are not guessing about what is going on but we pray from the authority that has been given us through Jesus..And within God & His purpose, we  stay in His authority & speak & pray from that authority.

We will not adulterate our souls to live in confusion…we will live in clarity…We will not be tormented with impure, evil, negative or sinful thoughts but transformed by the renewing of our minds. We will see heaven, enjoy life with Jesus and find peace in that home He has prepared for us who believe!


    Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 


Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching


Now Posting to Rumble 
Voice of Prayer
And
Life Giving Wells
    Life Giving Wells now on Spotify Podcast!

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/xashcfy9ez 

Friday, March 10, 2023

Opens Their Understanding

 

Am in awe of Jesus and how He opened eyes to see, to hear and understand Scripture, by going through the breaking of the bread and taking the wine in remembrance of what was shed for us. He did this in Luke 24:29-31. And yet, He opens their understanding here in John 16.

Holy Spirit Opens our Understanding to Know Truth: John 16:12-15 NKJV 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 “However, when he, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak and he will tell you things to come. 14”He will glorify Me, for he will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

1.   You are relaying the ministry of Jesus Christ right where you live: we know He was speaking to His disciples and apostles….still we are en-grafted into the family of God and the Jews and are to tell others

2.   Teach others as Jesus did and stay in tune with the Father

3.   Jesus treated people with dignity: as the woman at the well, He addressed her present condition  John 4:1-42….Truth was given of her present condition and what would she do with it

4.   In truth we deal with accuracy, integrity and being sincere with dependability in our lives

5.   Jesus had transparency of heart: he was not after titles, nor after a position: He came to save!

6.   He was after people’s souls

 

In relaying the ministry of Jesus; we find His was the kingdom comprised of the Beatitudes. As seen in Matthew 5:1- Matthew 7:29. Matthew 5:20  stands out since it the kingdom of God is by a righteousness of heart not by a hypocritical or eternal legalism. Only is this through the Messiah’s personal reign. Does He reign in our lives?

 

In the New Birth, we begin to see the kingdom of God. His word becomes clear. And within this it is the Holy Spirit’s works and wonders are believed and experienced. Faith is ALIVE!

 

In Our Walk of Faith: Humbly Call to the Lord to Perform Signs, Wonders and Miracles: Acts 14:3-7 NKJV  3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided; part sided with the Jews, and part with apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

 

Trouble was brewing from what we read hear in Acts 14. Preachers preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. Signs and wonders to represent an awe and a lesson given. You have apostles and have unbelieving Gentiles. But the preaching continued. Paul and Barnabas were threatened and they fled when stoning was mentioned.  Why would they escape at some junctures and stand their ground at others places? Holy Spirit is the controlling principle God placed. In that close and intimate communion with the Lord, they received marvelous communications of the divine mind and will.

 

Enduring persecution with Faith and Patience : 2 Thessalonians 1:3-8  NKJV 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulation that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. (this suffer is from without: a treatment that threatens violence against you)

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1.   Vengeance on those who do not know God

2.   Vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

 In the passage above, Paul is writing a letter of thanksgiving. His heart beats as that of a true servant of the Christ. He rejoices over his spiritual children. The faith walk was making great strides, and their love was expressed without exception. These men and women stood against persecution. They endured and proved the worthy of the kingdom of God. The only merits came through Christ Jesus.

In verses 6-10 the righteous action of God is seen. There was punishment for the persecutors and rest for the persecuted. Obeying the Gospel is obeying Jesus Christ.

 

Allow the Holy Spirit to Make Demonstration of His Power when You Speak or Preach: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  NKJV And I, brethren which I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling . 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.   

We should expect manifestations of the Holy Spirit, not for show or sensation, but as means for God to validate the glory of the Gospel.

The apostle Paul wrote about his preaching was to glorify God and not himself. He came to them proclaiming the testimony of God, not with excellence of speech or of wisdom. He was neither an orator nor a philosopher. Paul’s message: Jesus Christ and him crucified ( found in verse 2)

In weakness, in fear and in much trembling: Paul was the earthen vessel, and the treasure the Gospel; that the excellence of the power might be of God and not of Paul. His preaching was always in demonstration of the Spirit and Power.

                                                                                    

 We are to be the Committed to Give God’s Word Whether Convenient or Inconvenient. We are to Proclaim…and expect to Patiently Instruct : 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort , with all longsuffering and teaching.

 

Live in Purpose: Respond to Anxiety and Worry with Joy and Much Prayer: Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men, “The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Our conversations should be permeated with and in Christ Jesus.

1.   We should allow the Lord to show us that which needs His purpose to prevail.

2.   Understand that to pray is equal to finding the peace of God.

3.   In coming to His plan: His conduct and actions show clearly that we are to be one heart with Him.

4.   Allow God to reveal through your prayer time that which you must know either within the church body or within that where you work

5.   All is important to God: He desires us to know the mind and the disposition of Christ Jesus…3 John 3 I have not greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 2 says: Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

6.   We are to be sound, that is hygienic…that is taking of the word of God daily in and praying to prosper in sound faith. Balance is required in our bodies, in our lives and within the body of Christ.

 

Finding balance in God is by the Holy Spirit and will progress in all areas of our being: spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally and yes socially! Spiritually motivated people reside in truth, are unified with other believer’s of their faith in God through the shed blood of Jesus. These are those who walk in truth and give other’s the God kind of love always! We must have balance for within this we walk by faith, have joy in our hearts, and bring encouragement and much love to others!

Our bodies may wear out but our spiritual man should always be strong. May our physical health correspond to our spiritual vigor. Sad but true, many people take better care of their bodies than their spiritual man. Let’s allow Holy Spirit His way in our lives so that we too can go from grace to grace and glory to glory.

  

                                           New teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Seasoned

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Unbelief and Wrong Thinking

Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

Now Posting to Rumble 
Voice of Prayer
And
Life Giving Wells

Monday, June 13, 2022

Speed Bumps Ahead

 

Speed Bump up ahead!
Ever been on a superhighway for a length of time and then find warning signs of a narrow road ahead….and it becomes one lane and traffic stacks up behind you. Yeah, that beautiful ribbon of highway cannot be seen for all the construction signs, all the construction barriers and possible men working on the side of the road. 

Now where we live, we use an interstate on the Oregon side and for many months out of the year, a least some portion has areas covered with these barriers, signs and possibly men working. It can cover two-five miles depending on the area they have placed these articles for use. 

And we should be happy about it indeed, because most of it is shoring up the high sloping ridge of hills that line I-84 from about Multnomah Falls to Hood River, Oregon. There have been instances where  big rocks and boulders alike have chosen to come down to block said highway. In the last few years, one boulder brought some close associates down with him to cause a small V.W. to be blocked. I remember the picture in paper and how the man survived that big boulder that landed so close to his little car in the early dark hours of a winter morning! Talk about a scary moment for him, we do not received these kinds of suddenlies.

But we find these barriers sometimes to us as troublesome, in the truth you have varied drivers around you, whether long or short lengths of driving distances: those qualifying for the Indy 500, the texting addict who cannot watch the road, the Semi-driver reaching for his big Mac on the seat next to him, and the couple with white hair who refuse to do the speed limit, even though it is 50 miles per hour.

 But I really like to watch those who see the construction area end and break a run, a neck and neck , side by side race, a glancing back and forth of drivers who seem radical behind the wheel and speed is no problem.

 If you have not seen this, come to I-84 and see who can make it to Portland in record time. I promise this: you will not be bored, your knuckles will be white gripping the door handle, and your prayers will be loud as you continue to say Lord, can you hear me? 

When people have been locked up for a long time, you know those who were to shelter in place are the same folks who are really be excited to move outdoors. Just ask anyone who has been an invalid confined to a bed or wheelchair, a person in hospital for injuries from an accident he did not commit, and one who has an illness that caused them to be home-bound. These when made well come out to breath fresh air, and take in as much sun as they can. Yes, all examples, and that is what I think of these drivers when I see them, they are likes those who did not get to someplace on time where they were needed, did not get the opportunity to enjoy a last meal with that parent before their passing, or get to hold that sweet baby because they moved away and now the silence booms in their hearing. They long to be in life, loving the sunshine, and enjoying hearing the voice of their loved ones. Alas, some are on the other side, they have left this earth for the better in God! But you continue, thanking God you are alive unto him and not to some violence, sickness or people's agenda.

In the life of Paul the apostle, he started out as Saul committing treacherous acts on The Way: that is the people who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul would get letters from Caiphas to go and breath out cruelties on others!

Foundational Scripture:   Acts 9:1-27   Amplified Bible………Meanwhile Saul, still drawing his breath hard from threatening & murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord went to the high priest   2 & requested of him a letter to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

Religion will persecute, it harasses, it can kill, is bent on one path of what one would consider religious freedom, but is the way that follows into destruction/ death.

 3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, 4 & he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul,” Why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]?” 5 And Saul said, Who are YOU, Lord? And He said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [ to offer vain and perilous resistance].

Goad: an instrument that was used in guiding or leading the ox….is a considered a weapon…..is a rod of about 8 feet in length. Has a really sharp point ( ice pick point) and is sometimes encased with iron . It was the pointed stick to urge the team of oxen. To steer as with sheep.  Kicking against correction ….so if the correction is not regarded and done, then He will stop you, by sending someone to speak to you.. and He the Lord will stop what you are doing that  which is not in alignment with HIM!

So too Saul was being pricked for his threatening and murderous desires that he had against those who were disciples of Jesus Christ. With letter in hand from the High Priest and with intent to stop the followers of Jesus,   Saul was initially operating as an unbeliever.  So while unbelievers may pray, they do not have the basis for a rewarding fellowship with God. They have not met the conditions laid down in the Bible for effectiveness in prayer. They have no salvation!

Saul served his own righteous behavior……..  6  Trembling & astonished he asked, “Lord , what do You desire me to do? The Lord said to him, “but arise and go into the city, & you will be told what you must do.   

7 The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank anything.

                                                                                                          

Saul was FORCED TO STOP IN his own endeavors as the Lord prompted him to go to the city of Damascus.       AND prayer was  called ……not letters of authority…but.humility was called for         

10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. & he answered, ‘Here am I, Lord.’

11 & the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold he is praying [there]. 12 And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.

13 But Ananias answered, Lord I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;  14 Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name. 

15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear MY Name before the Gentiles and kings and descendants of Israel; 16 For I will make it clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.

*****17 So Ananias left and went into the house. & he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here has sent me that you may recover your sight & be filled with the Holy Spirit.  18 Instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, & he recovered his sight. Then he arose & was baptized. 19 & after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples at Damascus. 20 & immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God!

Ananias obeyed. In the love and grace of God, he expressed fellowship with Saul.

21 And all WHO heard  him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them & bringing them in chains before the chief priests.  22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing & examining evidence & proving that Jesus is the Christ the Messiah.  He was growing in the Lord…but those who rejected Jesus remained in confusion

23 After considerable time had elapsed the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him. 24 But [the knowledge of] their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the city’s gates day & night to kill him.      25 But his disciples took him at night & let him down through the city’s wall, lowering him in a basket or hamper. 26 And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate himself with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he really was a disciple.    27     However Barnabas took him & brought him to the apostles, & he explained to them how along the way he had seen the Lord, Who spoke to him & how at Damascus he had preached freely & confidently & courageously in the name of Jesus.

In summing up this passage:  Verses 4-6 detail how Saul met Jesus. He heard His voice.  Verse 11 he began to pray and received visions…humility opens doors, Verse 18 he was baptized, Verse 19 he became united in fellowship with those people of God, and Verse 20 he began to testify in power of the Holy Spirit

Saul lacked God’s presence. In Saul’s belief system…he was the zealous Pharisee for God.

He was shown his sinful state, who was, yes, a zealous Pharisee who was against Jesus. He awakened: immediately went to prayer to God :humility! God spoke to him in a vision while he was in Damascus!

In his suddenly, the great light of the Lord stopped Saul from proceeding further into persecution… in his quickness to take out other believers in Christ Jesus, Saul; endured days of physical blindness: darkness revealed his life. In His journey to rid those of the Way, those who had faith in Jesus, was now a struggle for him. This had been his life…and it was stopped. The hard and harsh was to removed from him and required the Holy Spirit to break those things off his life….

Romans 8:1-2, 5-8…NKJV 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin & death.. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Abiding in God is abiding in the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Saul was believing his own way was the right way and all others were wrong and should die, if need be! His belief system was wrong thinking! He had a belief system that is and was contrary to things of Jesus of Nazareth.

The meaning of Contrariness......going in opposite direction of being favorable, an order of evil against another that presents conflict, is one of disobedience & contempt….what Saul did was  ugly & violent against others.. What Saul had done zealously for the persecution of those who followed Jesus in the Way, proved to be an advantage when he began to serve the Lord. When salvation came, his life changed……….  Having the Holy Spirit, Saul could NOW uncover, cultivate as to build and plant, and support capacity for justice and kindness, rather than harping  on people’s failures.  Prayer is vital, communication with God reveals areas that need to change, or be altered to align to His thinking, His ways……….and not ours.

 

If you have been on the road a longtime and it seems like barriers, construction signs and the road narrows, it must be the time to slow time, commit to a change, for this one will keep you alive unto life and to God and not to a loss of your life due to changes you refused. We do not serve a limited God, but we do serve a mighty God who provides, who protects and guides us with His eye. Listen, He can hear for He is not deaf. Up ahead, flashing warning signs, take your foot off the gas, break for the slower speed and take time to hear Him. And He will guide you, take you over, and place you on the other side of what lies ahead on your pathway or roadway. Amen!

 

                                           New teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Perfection

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Satisfied from Above

Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

Now Posting to Rumble 
Voice of Prayer
And
Life Giving Wells

The Traditions of Men

  Arriving at 1 Thessalonians 5 In this the apostle Paul urges the saints to reorganize those who labored among them. Dealing with   “proble...