Gospel Goodies

GOSPEL GOODIES

Part six of seven in Warrior Saints series

1 Corinthians 15:3-5

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve.”

             What does the word “Gospel” mean to you?  Sometimes it’s in lower case, gospel.  People often qualify truth by adding the word gospel, as though what they’re saying must be true!  Maybe one day someone will ask you what is the Gospel.  How would you respond, Warrior Saint?

            Christianity is different from other religions.  Without Buddha, the basic elements of Buddhism remain.  Without Muhammad, Islamic principles stay intact.  But without Christ, Christianity is … well, nothing.

            That’s because Christianity isn’t faith in a system.  Christianity is faith in a person.

            The Gospel is Jesus Christ.

            Christianity is not a code, it’s a cause.

            Christianity is not a creed, it’s a church.

            Christianity is not merely following rules, it’s developing a relationship.

            The Gospel is a person. 

            Saints pay attention to how Christ’s Spirit—living within us—leads.  He’s our buddy, our conscience, our counselor.  He’s our Gospel truth!  We allow Him to determine our steps.  As we press into Him, our lives transform.  Our thoughts and actions take on odd-yet familiar holiness and righteousness.  Our relationship with Jesus becomes more important every day.

            We bubble up with joy unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before!

            Check it out:  twelve year olds Jeremy and Brad play football.  They certainly wouldn’t call themselves saints.  But they are both saved-for-eternal-life Christians.  A fight broke out during the last summer scrimmage.  Jeremy plays offense and Brad plays defense.   

            The defense squad attacked the offense squad aggressively.  Coach blew his whistle to stop all play.  Defense guys continued brawling.  Offense guys returned blows.  Coach ran toward the scuffle blowing his whistle nonstop, watching Brad separate the squads.  Jeremy stopped his teammates from pursuing Brad. 

            Coach yelled, “What are you doing?  This is football, not wrestling or boxing entertainment!  These are your teammates!”

            Everyone stood still, quiet.  Coach said, “Scrimmage is over.  Maybe it’s just too hot.  Take cold showers to cool down and go home.  First game is Friday, September 9^th.”  Coach threw his arms around Brad and Jeremy’s shoulders on the way to the locker room.  “Good work, guys.  You’re team leaders.”   
                                  

Take Home Nugget

            Gospel goodies are how saints are transformed into Christlikeness.  (See the lesson linked below for more Gospel goodies).  Jesus is our Gospel.  We believe in Him and allow Him to live His life through us. 

           

Jesus lives in you; will you live for Him?

Adapted from “What is the Gospel?”  Dr. Jack Graham.  May 25, 2016.  PowerPoint Ministries.  www.jackgraham.org

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One with Christ

ONE WITH CHRIST

Part five of seven in Warrior Saints series

Colossians 1:18

“And He is the head of the body, the church: He is the beginning of the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”

            “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.”  (Colossians 1:21-23). 

            Apostle Paul wrote divinely-inspired letters to the many churches he began.  These epistles [e-PISS-les] make up many books in the Bible’s New Testament.  Paul met people, established a church, then left to spread the gospel further.  In his absence, churches began to drift.  His letters intended to strengthen and encourage people in their faith.     

            Faith is tricky.  “When the cat is away, mice will play” is an idiom that is often true of people.  What do you do when no one’s watching?  Do you think that you’ve truly gotten away with doing something bad?

            The thing is…God is always watching. 

            Paul reminded people in Colosse that Jesus is always watching.  Jesus is supreme.  Jesus is the head of the body.  His body is the church.  Churches consist of people.  Believers make up the body of Christ.  Every person in Christ’s body was once evil, an enemy of God.  After believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, His body (you and me) are presented holy before the Father.  Papa sees us without defect.  Papa sees us as perfect. 

            Papa doesn’t blame you for the bad things you do—IF you hold onto your faith in Jesus.  If you don’t drift away from faith in Jesus, then the hope—(resurrection from the dead to eternal life)—is assured.  

             

Take Home Nugget

            Just like the head and the body are one person, Jesus is the head to the body of people who follow Him.  Individually, Christ is our head.  How Papa accepts Jesus, He accepts you!   Today Papa wants you to see yourself as one with Christ, His beloved Son.  How can a body be sick or poor if the head is not?  As Jesus is, so are you in this world!  (See the lesson linked below).

            When individual saints realize that we are Christ’s perfection, we can believe that Papa delights in us.  We can believe that whatever we lack is coming. 

            You can never be separated from Christ when you are one with Him!  All His power, wisdom, provision and health are yours.

I proclaim, “As He is, so am I in this world!”

Adapted from “The Head and Body Are One.”  Rev. Joseph Prince.  June 16, 2016.  www.josephprince.org

J.D. Griffith

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Proclaim

PROCLAIM

Part four of seven in Warrior Saints series

Luke 13:12

“When Jesus saw her, He called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free [loosed] from your infirmity.’”

            Jesus proclaimed from authority—(same authority He gave Peter with the keys-of-the-kingdom-of-heaven)—and released God’s power when He spoke healing for this woman.  Jesus didn’t get on His knees and beg the Father for her healing. 

            Prayers that plead and beg God suggest that our heavenly Father isn’t willing, and can be persuaded to do our bidding.  He’s way more gracious than that!  Ephesians 3:20 says that He’s wants to give us more that we ask for, think or imagine!  3 John 1:2 says that God desires—above all things—that we prosper, be healthy and our souls prosper.

            Proclaiming is speaking that God’s will be done.  God’s power is released by the spoken word.  God’s love is so tender and compassionate that He sent Jesus to Earth even before His kids admitted that we needed salvation! 

            Naturally, God wanted this woman set free from this humiliating illness. 
  

            Jesus brought the Father’s will down from heaven to Earth that day.  That’s what Believers pray in the Lord’s Prayer, isn’t it?  “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” isn’t some magical incantation.  It’s a battle cry!  Saints release God’s power proclaiming a wrong be made right using the keys-of-the-kingdom-of-heaven authority Jesus gave us.

            The word combination “bind and loose” that Jesus used in Matthew 16:19 confuses many.  That’s why “loosed” was added behind “set free” in the opening Scripture.  Whatever Believers want to correct on Earth can be accomplished using   “bind” or “loose” for regular words like “hold” or “heal”.  What we proclaim on earth, God agrees in heaven.

            What would saints want to bind, restrain or hold on Earth?

            Should a dog growl and bark threateningly, saints might pray for the dog to be bound—or restrained supernaturally from injuring anyone.

            Proclamation prayers assume the prayer knows God’s will.  Jesus knew the father wanted that woman healed.  But there may be times when a saint proclaims something, and then that doesn’t work out the way saints prayed.  No harm done.  God’s will WILL be done, anyway.  God knows the prayer’s heart—and what’s best for the pray recipient.  The point is that we love others.  We proclaim our best intention.

            Your pastor probably proclaims before dismissing the congregation from church service, “The Lord bless and keep you.  The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you.  The Lord grant you His peace!

Take Home Nugget

            Saints are authorized to proclaim healing, protection and provision because our Father’s heart overflows with love for us. 

Proclaim.  God sanctions.  Declare.  God establishes!

Adapted from “Prayers that Proclaim.”  Rev. Joseph Prince.  April 18, 2016.  www.josephprince.org

J.D. Griffith

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Releasing God's Power

RELEASING GOD’S POWER

Part three of seven devotions in Warrior Saint series

Ephesians 3:20-21a:  “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or can imagine, according to His power that is working within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,”  Emphasis mine.

            Accepting that Believers-in-Christ are saints is hard (we know our faults).  After one gets over being called “saint”—(see Saints Call Upon God devotion)—then, being challenged to do wonders makes us wonder if we’re in the wrong class. 

            God’s indwelling Spirit is smiling.  “Keep reading,” He urges.  “You’re in the correct class!  I can’t wait to transform you into the image of Christ, AND into a saint hero!” He says.  “It is My power that works within you.”

            This tremendous power comes directly from the throne of God! 

            Releasing God’s power is vital because God’s will comes to Earth when we pray.  When Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 16:19, He said, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  Saints’ job is to learn and accomplish what we’re authorized to do.  What does “bind” and “loose” mean?

            Jesus means that what we permit to happen, heaven will allow.  But what we don’t permit, heaven will disallow! 

            Releasing God’s power is accomplished through speech.  God spoke the world and the universe into existence.  He made humans in His image.  One way to release God’s power is to pray in tongues.  Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” 

            Not every Believer is gifted the same way by God’s Spirit.

            Other Believers can pray for allowing or forbidding things aloud in our own language.  Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” 

            When God leads His saints to pray—using the keys of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus authorizes us to use—His Spirit releases His power to accomplish wonders! 

Take Home Nugget

            Fellow saints, you too can release the power of God when praying aloud.  He is waiting for you to release His power to bring His will to Earth. 

            Saints Call Upon God devotion said Peter was authorized to announce guilt or innocence using the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  The lesson linked below tells specifically what Jesus teaches, and Peter’s obedience.

Effective praying for family and friends is raised to a whole new level when we use the keys of the kingdom of heaven!

              

Adapted from “Release the Power in You” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  June 8, 2016. www.josephprince.org.

J.D. Griffith

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Saints Call Upon God

SAINTS CALL UPON GOD

Part two of seven devotions in Warrior Saint series

Isaiah 7:11:  “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or the highest heights.”

             Believers-in-Christ are saints.  Saints are positioned in Christ.  He is our righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).  We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).  He is our salvation (Acts 4:12).

            Modern saints have the same privileges that Biblical saints had.  We have license to accomplish similar wonders for God!   We just need to understand what opportunities and authority we have, and how to use them. 

            Jesus gave Peter keys to the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 16:19 (authority to announce guilt or innocence, as in Mathew 18:18, and Acts 5:3 and 9).  Peter used these keys on Pentecost in Acts 2, urging fellow Jews into the kingdom. … Then, Gentiles in Acts 10! 

            Saints continue growing into disciples—faithfully lifting up to the Father seemingly impossible petitions, never doubting—developing courage to wait patiently, reverently, after calling upon God.  We continue on our paths doing whatever is within our power and authority (2 Corinthians 13;10, 1 Thessalonians 4:2).

“Make thy petition deep, O heart of mine,

Thy God can do much more

Than thou canst ask;

Launch out on the Divine,

Draw from His love-filled store.

Trust Him with everything;

Begin today,

And find the joy that comes

When Jesus has His way!”

--Selected

            Setting our sails to catch the wind that we can’t create; placing ourselves before the Lord to obey His Spirit’s command, which we cannot control; these are things He bids us to do so that we come under the power and influence of His mighty breath.—paraphrased Selected

            “Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old?  Where is the God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him!”  —Dr. Goulburn, Dean of Norwich 

Take Home Nugget

            Fellow saints, we are on the exact level as the greatest Biblical saints we read about!  The same unseen forces in the spiritual world that were at their command—which made them spiritual super heroes—are readily available to us today! 

            May we ask for the same faith, the same hope and the same love they showed in order to achieve great wonders.

            May prayers spoken from our mouths be as powerful to rain down grace from God’s Spirit as the rain and fire Elijah’s mouth spoke (1 Kings 18)!

Heavenly Father, May Your will be carried down from heaven to Earth through Your kids’ prayers.  We lift up to You this petition asking for faith enough to speak Your Words with compete confidence that we’re accomplishing Your will—in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

              

Adapted from “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman.  June 5, 2016. www.Crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert

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Spiritual Fragrance

SPIRITUAL FRAGRANCE

Part one of seven devotions in Warrior Saint series

Deuteronomy 28:7:  “The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you.  They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.”

            Twelve year old Missy watched kids splashing each other in the pool’s shallow end.  Then she confided to her best friend, Cassie, “Every morning I wake up thanking God for His love.” 

            Cassie sprayed sun block on herself before lying down on her towel beside Missy.  She responded, “God’s love is awesome!  Being God’s kid gives me confidence.”

            “I feel Jesus hugging me when I wake up. … Why confidence?”

            Cassie explained, “There is sooo much wrong in the world!  I hear my parents talk.  Mom wrings her hands, wanting to help people.  Dad wants to change stuff.  When I wake up, I thank God for the confidence to even get out of bed!”

            Missy said, “Life doesn’t scare me.  Of course, I don’t hear horror stories, either.”

            “Unseen evil surrounds people every day.” Cassie commented.  (See the lesson linked, below). 

            “Okay.” Missy relented.  “But what’s unseen doesn’t scare me.  Do you think demons and evil angels pick fights with good angels—in a different realm?”

            “Nonstop!” Cassie said, giggling.  “Let’s not ruin our fun day with spooky unseen evil lurking.”  Cassie wiggled her fingers at Missy saying eerily, “Whhhhoo!”  

            “Stop!”  Missy laughed.

            Jesus knew where unseen evil lurked as He walked on earth with His disciples.  Once, landing on the far shore across the lake from Galilee, a demon-possessed man from town greeted Jesus.   Wearing tatters of cloth over his bony skeleton, he fell at Jesus’ feet.

            “What do You want, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  Please don’t torture me!” he screeched.

            “What is your name?” Jesus asked.

            “Legion,” the man answered.  “Many demons live here.  Please don’t order us into the Abyss!” they pleaded with Jesus, sounding like many voices coming out of one man.  “We prefer entering the herd of pigs eating on the hillside,” he (they) asked, hopefully.

            “I give you permission to do so.” Jesus said.

            Immediately, the demons poured out of the man and entered the pigs.  The entire herd rushed down the steep embankment into the lake and drowned. 

             When word spread to the town what happened, people came to investigate.  Jesus sat with the man sitting at His feet—washed, dressed, calm and talking in his right mind.  

            The crowd was afraid of what power Jesus possessed to cure this man.  “Leave us,” they asked Jesus.

            Jesus prepared to get into the boat.  The man grabbed Jesus’ arm, “Take me with You,” he pleaded.

            Jesus took his hand into His own, saying, “Go back to your town.  Tell what God has done for you.”  (Luke 8:26-39).

Take Home Nugget

            Whenever the devil or his demons encounter Jesus, they flee.  Cassie is correct to rise from sleep with confidence.  She will be unharmed throughout the day because Jesus lives in her. 

            Cassie oozes a spiritual fragrance which evil spirits detect and which causes them to tremble.  Remember Believers, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4).  No curse, accusation, threat or destruction planned against you can succeed.

Thank You, Father, for radiating a spiritual fragrance from me that causes evil to flee from me seven ways!  Amen. 

              

Adapted from “See Your Enemies Flee Because of Jesus” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  June 6, 2016. www.josephprince.org.

J.D. Griffith

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