Partnership for Life
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.’.John 15:16 (AMP)
Jesus taught that His grace has the ability to save and empower us; and our remaining in union with Him sets us up to stay Kingdom focused, obtain good success, and bear fruit that will last. He also taught the way to live in this empowering grace is by loving Him, and staying in constant fellowship with Him. Prioritizing time to hear His heart, receive His love, and exchange our contaminated thoughts for His Own becomes our life source. That's because His thoughts are filled with life and peace from His written Word. Our fruitfulness comes from the intimate working together with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus showed us how to live in complete unity with Him, as a man. He had the same limitations, restrictions, temptations and emotions we have. It was His yielded life that produced such joy, peace, and power to live each moment representing His Father well. He demonstrated how man really does live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Determine to study the life of Jesus from His Word; take note of every aspect of His life as your own personal model; and enjoy the privilege of being in a most fruitful partnership with the Holy Spirit - for life.
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.’.John 15:16 (AMP)
Jesus taught that His grace has the ability to save and empower us; and our remaining in union with Him sets us up to stay Kingdom focused, obtain good success, and bear fruit that will last. He also taught the way to live in this empowering grace is by loving Him, and staying in constant fellowship with Him. Prioritizing time to hear His heart, receive His love, and exchange our contaminated thoughts for His Own becomes our life source. That's because His thoughts are filled with life and peace from His written Word. Our fruitfulness comes from the intimate working together with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus showed us how to live in complete unity with Him, as a man. He had the same limitations, restrictions, temptations and emotions we have. It was His yielded life that produced such joy, peace, and power to live each moment representing His Father well. He demonstrated how man really does live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Determine to study the life of Jesus from His Word; take note of every aspect of His life as your own personal model; and enjoy the privilege of being in a most fruitful partnership with the Holy Spirit - for life.
Where your tressure is.
"...What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? And they weighed out for and paid to him thirty pieces of silver [about twenty-one dollars and sixty cents]."Matthew 26:15 (AMPC)
Judas went to the chief priests to determine how much money they would be willing to pay him, to betray Jesus. At this time, the rulers and Pharisees were already plotting to kill Jesus with stealth, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself. Around that time, another event occurred, and according to Luke 7:38, a woman came to Jesus and fell at his feet. Her tears of affection and deep gratitude washed His feet, and she dried them with her hair. Then she broke her alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume and poured it over His feet. This perfume signified her all, including her stained past and the income she received as a result of it. Her sacrifice poured out was an expression of her heart overflowing with adoration. The One Who showed such grace and mercy, where it was not deserved, became the recipient of her treasure. Her act of love made such an impression on Jesus that He declared her story would be told forever. In stark contrast, due to the condition of his heart, Judas was willing to betray Jesus for a few coins. May we never undervalue our Saviour! May He always be the recipient of our treasure, for there our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:21).
"...What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? And they weighed out for and paid to him thirty pieces of silver [about twenty-one dollars and sixty cents]."Matthew 26:15 (AMPC)
Judas went to the chief priests to determine how much money they would be willing to pay him, to betray Jesus. At this time, the rulers and Pharisees were already plotting to kill Jesus with stealth, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself. Around that time, another event occurred, and according to Luke 7:38, a woman came to Jesus and fell at his feet. Her tears of affection and deep gratitude washed His feet, and she dried them with her hair. Then she broke her alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume and poured it over His feet. This perfume signified her all, including her stained past and the income she received as a result of it. Her sacrifice poured out was an expression of her heart overflowing with adoration. The One Who showed such grace and mercy, where it was not deserved, became the recipient of her treasure. Her act of love made such an impression on Jesus that He declared her story would be told forever. In stark contrast, due to the condition of his heart, Judas was willing to betray Jesus for a few coins. May we never undervalue our Saviour! May He always be the recipient of our treasure, for there our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:21).
Effective Prayer
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss..."James 4:3 (NKJV)
From the moment we became born again, we became part of a very powerful kingdom - the Kingdom of God. This kingdom operates entirely differently to the one we belonged to before. It's a kingdom where we have the power and authority to bring things that exist in God's unseen kingdom into our seen, natural world. We do this through faith-filled prayer! If we don't pray the way God teaches us in His Word, then no matter how noble they may sound, our prayers are ineffective. In Matthew 6:9 Jesus taught us to always begin our prayers acknowledging His Father, seeing Him as the source of all we will ever need. In verse 33, He says the key to receiving from the Father is to seek Him and His kingdom as our first priority - above all else. And when we do come to Him, we must come in confident faith, knowing He is able, willing, and faithful to hear us; and that He will always deliver on what He has promised (Hebrews 11:6). When our hearts are set on knowing God and His ways, making Him the object of our affection and adoration, there is no good thing He will withhold from us (Psalm 84:11).
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss..."James 4:3 (NKJV)
From the moment we became born again, we became part of a very powerful kingdom - the Kingdom of God. This kingdom operates entirely differently to the one we belonged to before. It's a kingdom where we have the power and authority to bring things that exist in God's unseen kingdom into our seen, natural world. We do this through faith-filled prayer! If we don't pray the way God teaches us in His Word, then no matter how noble they may sound, our prayers are ineffective. In Matthew 6:9 Jesus taught us to always begin our prayers acknowledging His Father, seeing Him as the source of all we will ever need. In verse 33, He says the key to receiving from the Father is to seek Him and His kingdom as our first priority - above all else. And when we do come to Him, we must come in confident faith, knowing He is able, willing, and faithful to hear us; and that He will always deliver on what He has promised (Hebrews 11:6). When our hearts are set on knowing God and His ways, making Him the object of our affection and adoration, there is no good thing He will withhold from us (Psalm 84:11).
A Wonderful Partnership!
“They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed, saying, “He has done everything well! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”Mark 7:37 (AMP)
As children of God, with the Holy Spirit alive in us, we are called to have the same reputation Jesus had when He walked the earth. How does this happen? Well, 1 John 4:17 says, "In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world." When we encounter the Lord, His love does a brilliant work in us. It perfects our character so that we become more and more like Jesus. When He came to this earth He lived out His purpose which was to represent His Father well, and to destroy the work of the enemy (the devil). That is the ministry of Jesus we inherited, along with the authority to carry it out. But unless we pursue encountering His Presence, we simply won't be equipped to do it. The more time we spend yielding to the Presence of God, the more His love and power transform and perfect us so we can live out what He has done on the inside of us, with great confidence and joy. The life of Jesus was marked by wonderful acts, bringing others to know the true character of the Father and breaking off the devil's control over their lives. Jesus is our perfect example. Follow in His footsteps and enjoy the wonderful partnership of the Holy Spirit!
“They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed, saying, “He has done everything well! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”Mark 7:37 (AMP)
As children of God, with the Holy Spirit alive in us, we are called to have the same reputation Jesus had when He walked the earth. How does this happen? Well, 1 John 4:17 says, "In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world." When we encounter the Lord, His love does a brilliant work in us. It perfects our character so that we become more and more like Jesus. When He came to this earth He lived out His purpose which was to represent His Father well, and to destroy the work of the enemy (the devil). That is the ministry of Jesus we inherited, along with the authority to carry it out. But unless we pursue encountering His Presence, we simply won't be equipped to do it. The more time we spend yielding to the Presence of God, the more His love and power transform and perfect us so we can live out what He has done on the inside of us, with great confidence and joy. The life of Jesus was marked by wonderful acts, bringing others to know the true character of the Father and breaking off the devil's control over their lives. Jesus is our perfect example. Follow in His footsteps and enjoy the wonderful partnership of the Holy Spirit!
56 Said he heard that the famous evangelist, Billy Graham, was just one state over from him, holding a meeting, said he went over to that meeting, thought he’d talk it over with Mr. Graham. And said, “Mr. Graham had a notable message that night, and he said, ‘All that wants to receive Jesus Christ, stand up and raise up your hand.’”
57 Said, “I stood up, raised up my hand.” Said, “They took me in the room, and told me, ‘Did I believe that He was the Son of God?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I do.’ And they told me, upon my faith, that made me a Christian, and said, ‘It’s all over now.’”
He said, “Brother Branham, but it wasn’t all over.”
58 And he said, “I went out, and then I went to another place, and the people was called the Free Methodists.” And said, “They told me I had to get sanctified, and get happy and shout, then it would be all over.” And said, “They stayed with me,” and said, “I got happy, sanctified, and shouted, and it was…” But said, “They told me, ‘It’s all over.’ But,” said, “it wasn’t.”
59 And said, “Then I went to a famous Pentecostal brother, who crosses the nation back and forth,” one of the largest Pentecostal group, and said, “he said, ‘Have you ever spoke in tongues?’ ‘No.’ Said, ‘Then you haven’t received the Holy Ghost.’ Said, ‘Then go back in the other tent, and receive the Holy Ghost.’”
60 Said, “They were very nice to me, worked with me, and everything.” And said, “I stayed in there, there was some of them stayed with me way in the night.” Said, “Finally, the power fell on me, and I spoke in tongues.” And said, “And I come out,” said, “the evangelist, I went to see him the next day, he said, ‘It’s all over.’” And said, “Brother Branham, it wasn’t all over.”
61 And he said, “Then I—I went from there down to the, from there,” he said, “I—I went to the Voice of Healing.” And said, “When I got to the Voice of Healing,” said, “I got with all those brethren there,” and said, “they told me that I had crossed over the separating line in my life, that there was no place for me. Said, ‘The only one straighten you out,’ said, ‘go see Brother Branham, he’s a prophet.’” Now, that’s wrong, but, “They said, ‘He—he’s a prophet, he will be able to look down and see where you crossed the line, and maybe you go back and do something, there’s something that you haven’t done, or, you better go see him.’”
He said, “Brother Branham, here I am.”
62 And I said, “Well, Brother,” I said, “I’m not a prophet.” I said, “But the Lord lets me discern things to help out the people, a little, humble gift.” I said, “But I—I don’t call myself a prophet.” I said, “But—but you don’t need a prophet for that, you just need to get straightened out, that’s all. You don’t…”
63 I said, “Now, I want to ask you something.” I said, “What Billy Graham told you was the truth,” and I said, “and what the Methodists told you was the truth, and what the Pentecostals told you was the truth, but it wasn’t all the truth.” See? I said, “It was truth, but not all of it.”
64 I said, “I believe in accepting Christ as personal Saviour, I believe that; I believe in sanctification, and cleaning up a life, and getting happy and shouting, I believe that; I believe in speaking in tongues, in the baptism of the Spirit, and I believe in all that,” but I said, “that’s not exactly what we’re talking about.”
I said, “I want to ask you something.” I said, “Now, remember, you said for forty years of your life you did not do anything.”
65 He said, “Brother Branham, I’ve sold every car I’ve got and give it to preachers and evangelists. I’ve done everything that I know how to do, make reconciliations for what I’ve done in my life.”
66 I said, “That wasn’t necessary, you didn’t have to do that.” See? I said, “God never required you to do that.” I said, “You can’t pay your way in, that’s not the idea.” But I said, “His grace is taking you in.”
He said, “Well, what must I do?”
57 Said, “I stood up, raised up my hand.” Said, “They took me in the room, and told me, ‘Did I believe that He was the Son of God?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I do.’ And they told me, upon my faith, that made me a Christian, and said, ‘It’s all over now.’”
He said, “Brother Branham, but it wasn’t all over.”
58 And he said, “I went out, and then I went to another place, and the people was called the Free Methodists.” And said, “They told me I had to get sanctified, and get happy and shout, then it would be all over.” And said, “They stayed with me,” and said, “I got happy, sanctified, and shouted, and it was…” But said, “They told me, ‘It’s all over.’ But,” said, “it wasn’t.”
59 And said, “Then I went to a famous Pentecostal brother, who crosses the nation back and forth,” one of the largest Pentecostal group, and said, “he said, ‘Have you ever spoke in tongues?’ ‘No.’ Said, ‘Then you haven’t received the Holy Ghost.’ Said, ‘Then go back in the other tent, and receive the Holy Ghost.’”
60 Said, “They were very nice to me, worked with me, and everything.” And said, “I stayed in there, there was some of them stayed with me way in the night.” Said, “Finally, the power fell on me, and I spoke in tongues.” And said, “And I come out,” said, “the evangelist, I went to see him the next day, he said, ‘It’s all over.’” And said, “Brother Branham, it wasn’t all over.”
61 And he said, “Then I—I went from there down to the, from there,” he said, “I—I went to the Voice of Healing.” And said, “When I got to the Voice of Healing,” said, “I got with all those brethren there,” and said, “they told me that I had crossed over the separating line in my life, that there was no place for me. Said, ‘The only one straighten you out,’ said, ‘go see Brother Branham, he’s a prophet.’” Now, that’s wrong, but, “They said, ‘He—he’s a prophet, he will be able to look down and see where you crossed the line, and maybe you go back and do something, there’s something that you haven’t done, or, you better go see him.’”
He said, “Brother Branham, here I am.”
62 And I said, “Well, Brother,” I said, “I’m not a prophet.” I said, “But the Lord lets me discern things to help out the people, a little, humble gift.” I said, “But I—I don’t call myself a prophet.” I said, “But—but you don’t need a prophet for that, you just need to get straightened out, that’s all. You don’t…”
63 I said, “Now, I want to ask you something.” I said, “What Billy Graham told you was the truth,” and I said, “and what the Methodists told you was the truth, and what the Pentecostals told you was the truth, but it wasn’t all the truth.” See? I said, “It was truth, but not all of it.”
64 I said, “I believe in accepting Christ as personal Saviour, I believe that; I believe in sanctification, and cleaning up a life, and getting happy and shouting, I believe that; I believe in speaking in tongues, in the baptism of the Spirit, and I believe in all that,” but I said, “that’s not exactly what we’re talking about.”
I said, “I want to ask you something.” I said, “Now, remember, you said for forty years of your life you did not do anything.”
65 He said, “Brother Branham, I’ve sold every car I’ve got and give it to preachers and evangelists. I’ve done everything that I know how to do, make reconciliations for what I’ve done in my life.”
66 I said, “That wasn’t necessary, you didn’t have to do that.” See? I said, “God never required you to do that.” I said, “You can’t pay your way in, that’s not the idea.” But I said, “His grace is taking you in.”
He said, “Well, what must I do?”
67 I said, “There’s not a thing, nothing you can do.” I said, “You told me for the first forty years of your life, that you didn’t care about God, but you picked up a little piece of paper that said, ‘Where will you spend Eternity?’ and Something said, ‘That’s got to be settled,’ you couldn’t get over it. Now, you were going down a road this way, and all at once you started back this way. You didn’t care for God, you started back hunting for Him.” I said, “Right there, where you made your turn, that’s exactly what changed you, right there.”
He said, “Then I’ve had it all the time?”
I said, “Certainly.”
He said, “Well, praise be to God!” See?
68 Not upon some sensation, but did you believe it? See? That’s where you got—you got…See, now no matter how many sensations of sanctification…It is a sensation to be sanctified, it is a sensation to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but when you receive Christ as your Saviour, that turns you around. No man…
61-0211 - Abraham
Rev. William Marrion Branham
He said, “Then I’ve had it all the time?”
I said, “Certainly.”
He said, “Well, praise be to God!” See?
68 Not upon some sensation, but did you believe it? See? That’s where you got—you got…See, now no matter how many sensations of sanctification…It is a sensation to be sanctified, it is a sensation to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but when you receive Christ as your Saviour, that turns you around. No man…
61-0211 - Abraham
Rev. William Marrion Branham
More than Enough!
"Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am."Philippians 4:11 (AMPC)
The literal translation for the word content in this verse is self-sufficient. Paul was thanking the believers for contributing financially into his ministry. As grateful as he was, he wanted them to understand that he didn't see them as his source, but rather an extension of God's hand of provision in his life. Paul knew God to be more than enough for him in every situation he faced. Even when things looked dismal, he had the inner strength to remain in faith and push on, knowing His God would take care of his every need and pull him through triumphantly. He had learnt how to hide himself in Christ and draw from His Spirit. In ever circumstance Paul found he had more than he could think or imagine because he knew how to yield to God's presence and power that was alive and at work inside him. In verse 13 he says, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." Never see man as your source, but learn to yield to and draw from the Spirit of God Who has promised to be more than enough for you.
"Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am."Philippians 4:11 (AMPC)
The literal translation for the word content in this verse is self-sufficient. Paul was thanking the believers for contributing financially into his ministry. As grateful as he was, he wanted them to understand that he didn't see them as his source, but rather an extension of God's hand of provision in his life. Paul knew God to be more than enough for him in every situation he faced. Even when things looked dismal, he had the inner strength to remain in faith and push on, knowing His God would take care of his every need and pull him through triumphantly. He had learnt how to hide himself in Christ and draw from His Spirit. In ever circumstance Paul found he had more than he could think or imagine because he knew how to yield to God's presence and power that was alive and at work inside him. In verse 13 he says, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." Never see man as your source, but learn to yield to and draw from the Spirit of God Who has promised to be more than enough for you.
Wash Your Face and Don't Look Back
“ But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.”Luke 9:62 (AMP)
In the book of Ruth, Ruth was instructed to wash her face, in preparing to meet her future husband, Boaz. She was still mourning the death of her husband; but for her to enter into a new covenant relationship, she had to wash away the layers of her past. She couldn't encounter her destiny while being bound by what happened in her past. In the very same way, we can't move forward in faith in our new covenant relationship with Jesus, while refusing to let go of the mindsets we had before we met Him. Jesus told us that once we make the decision to seek Him and His kingdom way of life as our first choice; there will be no reason to ever look back, longing for the things of this world again. It's time to exchange fear for God's perfect love, and confusion and anxiety for His perfect peace. You have no business with darkness any more, when you are walking in the light. Poverty is not yours when you can enjoy God's blessing. Ephesians 5:26 tells us we can be cleansed from the incorrect mindsets of our past by the washing of the word. Spend time with the Holy Spirit in the word of God. Let it's truth wash away the wrong thinking of the past and set you free to live the new life of freedom you have in Him.
“ But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.”Luke 9:62 (AMP)
In the book of Ruth, Ruth was instructed to wash her face, in preparing to meet her future husband, Boaz. She was still mourning the death of her husband; but for her to enter into a new covenant relationship, she had to wash away the layers of her past. She couldn't encounter her destiny while being bound by what happened in her past. In the very same way, we can't move forward in faith in our new covenant relationship with Jesus, while refusing to let go of the mindsets we had before we met Him. Jesus told us that once we make the decision to seek Him and His kingdom way of life as our first choice; there will be no reason to ever look back, longing for the things of this world again. It's time to exchange fear for God's perfect love, and confusion and anxiety for His perfect peace. You have no business with darkness any more, when you are walking in the light. Poverty is not yours when you can enjoy God's blessing. Ephesians 5:26 tells us we can be cleansed from the incorrect mindsets of our past by the washing of the word. Spend time with the Holy Spirit in the word of God. Let it's truth wash away the wrong thinking of the past and set you free to live the new life of freedom you have in Him.
What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)?
Jesus said, “Do not cast your pearls before swine” in the Sermon on the Mount. Christ had just finished instructing the crowd on judgment and reproof: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1–2), and “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Then in verse 6, Christ tempers these admonitions and shows us the difference between “judgment” and “discernment.” We are not to be hypocritical judges, yet we must be able to discern the swine, lest we cast our pearls before them.
Before Jesus says, “Do not cast your pearls before swine,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred.” An analogy mentioning dogs is also used in Proverbs: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11). A dual reference to swine and dogs is also found in 2 Peter 2:22, “Of [false teachers] the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” In His sermon, Jesus uses dogs and pigs as representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it is presented to them. We are not to expose the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have no other purpose than to trample it and return to their own evil ways. Repeatedly sharing the gospel with someone who continually scoffs and ridicules Christ is like casting pearls before swine. We can identify such people through discernment, which is given in some measure to all Christians (1 Corinthians 2:15–16).
The command not to cast your pearls before swine does not mean we refrain from preaching the gospel. Jesus Himself ate with and taught sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10). In essence, the instruction in Matthew 7:6 is the same that Jesus gave to His apostles when He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14). We are to share the gospel, but, when it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on. We are responsible to share the good news; we are not responsible for people’s response to the good news. Pigs don’t appreciate pearls, and some people don’t appreciate what Christ has done for them. Our job is not to force conversions or cram the gospel down people’s throats; there’s no sense in preaching the value of pearls to swine. Jesus’ instruction to His apostles on how to handle rejection was to simply go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it.
Jesus said, “Do not cast your pearls before swine” in the Sermon on the Mount. Christ had just finished instructing the crowd on judgment and reproof: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1–2), and “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Then in verse 6, Christ tempers these admonitions and shows us the difference between “judgment” and “discernment.” We are not to be hypocritical judges, yet we must be able to discern the swine, lest we cast our pearls before them.
Before Jesus says, “Do not cast your pearls before swine,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred.” An analogy mentioning dogs is also used in Proverbs: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11). A dual reference to swine and dogs is also found in 2 Peter 2:22, “Of [false teachers] the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” In His sermon, Jesus uses dogs and pigs as representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it is presented to them. We are not to expose the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have no other purpose than to trample it and return to their own evil ways. Repeatedly sharing the gospel with someone who continually scoffs and ridicules Christ is like casting pearls before swine. We can identify such people through discernment, which is given in some measure to all Christians (1 Corinthians 2:15–16).
The command not to cast your pearls before swine does not mean we refrain from preaching the gospel. Jesus Himself ate with and taught sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10). In essence, the instruction in Matthew 7:6 is the same that Jesus gave to His apostles when He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14). We are to share the gospel, but, when it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on. We are responsible to share the good news; we are not responsible for people’s response to the good news. Pigs don’t appreciate pearls, and some people don’t appreciate what Christ has done for them. Our job is not to force conversions or cram the gospel down people’s throats; there’s no sense in preaching the value of pearls to swine. Jesus’ instruction to His apostles on how to handle rejection was to simply go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it.
Innocence Restored
“Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach (derision, ridicule) of Egypt from you.” So the name of that place is called Gilgal (rolling) to this day.”.Joshua 5:9 (AMP)
After years of wandering in the wilderness, Joshua and the people of Israel were finally ready to enter their long-awaited promised land. It was time for them to step into the fulness of the blessing and conquer every enemy that opposed them. God, in His love and wisdom, knew that in order to secure their success, there first had to be a change of how they saw themselves. So He told them the shame of slavery that had robbed them of dignity and self-worth to dare to believe in Him, was being removed from them. Like a giant boulder keeping them bound in a tomb of hopelessness; He rolled their shame that was linked to centuries of slavery away that day. Shame keeps people bound to emotions caused by the consciousness of guilt and humiliation. These same feelings of shame fed and fueled the insecurity in the ten spies who initially scouted the land with Joshua and Caleb. They saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to their enemies, instead of seeing the One who was with them. Today, let the blood of Jesus wash away the shame of your past. Don’t allow it to keep you living in a defeated mindset. Instead, see yourself hidden in Him, and settle in your heart the truth that He has made you righteous. Because of Jesus, your shame has been rolled away and you are free to walk into the fullness of blessing with your innocence completely restored!
“Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach (derision, ridicule) of Egypt from you.” So the name of that place is called Gilgal (rolling) to this day.”.Joshua 5:9 (AMP)
After years of wandering in the wilderness, Joshua and the people of Israel were finally ready to enter their long-awaited promised land. It was time for them to step into the fulness of the blessing and conquer every enemy that opposed them. God, in His love and wisdom, knew that in order to secure their success, there first had to be a change of how they saw themselves. So He told them the shame of slavery that had robbed them of dignity and self-worth to dare to believe in Him, was being removed from them. Like a giant boulder keeping them bound in a tomb of hopelessness; He rolled their shame that was linked to centuries of slavery away that day. Shame keeps people bound to emotions caused by the consciousness of guilt and humiliation. These same feelings of shame fed and fueled the insecurity in the ten spies who initially scouted the land with Joshua and Caleb. They saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to their enemies, instead of seeing the One who was with them. Today, let the blood of Jesus wash away the shame of your past. Don’t allow it to keep you living in a defeated mindset. Instead, see yourself hidden in Him, and settle in your heart the truth that He has made you righteous. Because of Jesus, your shame has been rolled away and you are free to walk into the fullness of blessing with your innocence completely restored!
Fear Not
“The fear of man brings a snare,But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.”. Proverbs 29:25 (AMP)
The nature of a trap is to ensnare and keep an object bound. This is what the fear of man will do. As children of God, we are called to live a life of faith, where there is only progression and increase in knowing Him and living out His divine purpose for our lives. He has equipped us with His presence and power to live out what is impossible in the natural. He has given us the mind of Christ - to think renewed, creative, faith filled thoughts that are His own! And He has given us a constant, full measure of His supernatural love that conquers all and never fails! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom - it opens up for us a life of divine protection and provision, while we carry out His purpose. The moment we begin to listen to the opinions of people who don't live in this revelation - we enter dangerous territory. That's because their perspective will always be bound to the limitations of a natural reality that prevents them from experiencing the supernatural. We were never created to live subject to circumstances that are always subject to change, or spiritually short-sighted opinions that will keep us from living out God's purpose for us. So put an end to fearing man, and live to please God!
“The fear of man brings a snare,But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.”. Proverbs 29:25 (AMP)
The nature of a trap is to ensnare and keep an object bound. This is what the fear of man will do. As children of God, we are called to live a life of faith, where there is only progression and increase in knowing Him and living out His divine purpose for our lives. He has equipped us with His presence and power to live out what is impossible in the natural. He has given us the mind of Christ - to think renewed, creative, faith filled thoughts that are His own! And He has given us a constant, full measure of His supernatural love that conquers all and never fails! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom - it opens up for us a life of divine protection and provision, while we carry out His purpose. The moment we begin to listen to the opinions of people who don't live in this revelation - we enter dangerous territory. That's because their perspective will always be bound to the limitations of a natural reality that prevents them from experiencing the supernatural. We were never created to live subject to circumstances that are always subject to change, or spiritually short-sighted opinions that will keep us from living out God's purpose for us. So put an end to fearing man, and live to please God!