People often misunderstand some things. Our belief system is foundational. What we really believe affects everything.
We aren't endorsing abuses that feed greed and carnal reasoning. You would be pretending to be, "what you are not"! From the book of wisdom, Proverbs 17:15, it says, " He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord ." Restoration & Identity If the truth be told, we now have a new nature. So we let the nature of God come out! We don't sin because it's NOT our nature. Just as, when ordering product online or booking a flight, we have to agree to the terms and conditions before finalizing the purchase! The same holds true to our "believing and trusting" in God. We need to not attempt to dictate the terms to God. We receive when we are operating on the terms and conditions of the new covenant! I want to see the reality of restoration come into hurting people's lives. In Galations 6:1-5, Paul taught us, " Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor. For each man shall bear his own burden." We need this priority as our mode of operation in relating to others in their difficult times and issues. Unlikely Candidates Isn't it really interesting that Jesus chose men who lived and worked in the world and were so rough around the edges? In Mark 3:16-17 it tells that " And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder " His discipleship techniques were on-the-job training, as he lived and taught them. They were in dire need of knowing the truths about the kingdom. The good thing is they didn't have to unlearn religious traditions that would have bound them and restricted their grasp on the new way of living that He introduced to them. They were able to receive the goodness of God that was touching their lives. Righteousness Revealed Since we want the truth to be told, square one would surely need to be; Knowing that we are all in need of a Savior, we cannot save ourselves. No polish, self-promotion and identification with success through outward performance can really make it true for us on the inside! It must start there...from the inside out! God makes us righteous through the free gift. Why do we manifest self-righteousness? Here are a few possibilities: 1. "I need to be right to feel good about myself and my own mouth running has led me to self-deception" (see James 1:26) 2. "I have fallen in to religions trap of keeping all the perceived duties of "being Christian" to receive from God- and I can't get out!" 3. Then there's, "One-upmanship" on you. Comparing and competition dictates, "I cannot be perfect, but I'm better than you." The self-righteous measuring stick as depicted in Luke 18:9 with the tax collector and the Pharisee. You'll need to read that amazing story... "I thank God I am not like that guy!" Prophetic Insights and Fulfillment I love this prophetic voice from the prophet, Isaiah 64:6 " But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness's are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. What is our own righteousness? Notice this didn't say all our unrighteousness is as filthy rags. This is saying that all our righteousness, our goodness, is as filthy rags. The Hebrew word "ED," which was translated "filthy" in this verse, means the menstrual cycle. (From Strongs) This is saying all our great works are as a menstrual cloth. This is speaking of our self-righteousness. All that we do on our own to obtain right standing with the Lord is grossly inadequate. But when we come to Jesus and receive His salvation, we are given His righteousness ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ). For us believers, it would be incorrect to say, that all our righteousness's are as filthy rags. Jesus has become our righteousness, Jesus is not a filthy rag. I'm not an old sinner, saved by grace. I WAS an old sinner, but I've been saved by grace and am now the righteousness of God in my spirit ( Eph 4:24 ). Because of Jesus, I am not just in the flesh, I am in the Spirit. I am in Christ. I might walk after the flesh at times, but I am in Christ Jesus and am now righteous in Him. Thank You, Jesus!-Andrew Wommack, Living Commentary. THE CHURCH~~~~the Woman We heard another ministry bring out this hidden gem share this impacting truth...The church is often TYPIFIED by a 'woman'. So very many truths are expressed in stories and symbolism! In Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah declared...chapter 64:6 "But we are all like an unclean thing and all our righteousness's are like filthy rags " - Sin wasn't the problem. Even from the Old Testament we see that our self-efforts are not what God is after. Our choices are important and determine what we are going to believe and put our trust in. Our general mode of operation has been behavior modification, proving ourselves righteous and holy. It's a total misrepresentation of the truth. We have been clothed with righteousness in Christ. In Isaiah 61:10, " I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; forHe has clothed me with the garments of salvation , He has covered me with the robe of righteousness," This is a prophetic voice speaking what was to come in Christ. Do you have a robe? If you believe in the simplicity of this good news and receive it- You are wearing it now. The Number Twelve and the WOMAN In these New Testament accounts of two healings, we get the symbolic and prophetic picture of the churches restoration to a truth that will bring liberty and revelation through its fulfillment in our time. The body of Christ has been on a journey through time in this church age. In these last days we are experiencing a restoration of the simple revelation of Gods enabling and empowering grace, apart from our performance but a believing for Gods demonstration and power to be revealed to a crying and dying world. In the gospel of Mark in chapter 5: 21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. Reaching this Generation Righteousness Revealed This story is mentioned simultaneously with the healing of Jairus' daughter. They are forever linked! A girl restored to life and a woman healed- THESE TWO WOMEN TYPIFY THE CHURCH. In this chapter the woman (older) bleeding is a picture of the CHURCH not being FRUITFUL. Do you see WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH REPRODUCTION? We have felt ineffective and we don't have the results we want to see. The church is bleeding because of SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS...not individual sin acts! Our sin is unbelief in what was accomplished through Jesus. The world needs a savior, not more religious trappings and strivings to prove who we are. Our true identity comes forth by believing who God says we are. See in this passage both the scope of the older generation and the younger generation. There is a fulfillment of a prophetic picture. The number twelve is a key in this chapter also. It represents 'governmental foundation' and Gods authority. The context of the story and the miracle in Mark 5 depicts the woman touching the hem of Jesus' garment with assurance of receiving healing and restoration. Jesus knew immediately power was released and said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (GO INTO PEACE and be healed) "While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" One miracle was interrupted by the other one! Then Mark 5:36 says, "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." He then told them, "The child is not dead, but sleeping." A few verses later it reads, "And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside.....Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. The symbolism here expresses the idea that until we are RESTORED and believe the truth about our righteousness we will not see the youth (next generation) rise from dead religion. Do you get the picture of THE OLDER WOMAN as 'the CHURCH' being HEALED and restored with a new assurance to then see new life rise up in the NEXT GENERATION to fulfill purpose and destiny!? This IS the greatest time to be alive! Church there is resurrection for YOUTH in the release from performance and self- salvation in Jesus healing love and power.
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