Yesuus

KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL

This is a problem that bothers most of God's people: how to know the will of the Father.
The will of the Father is wrapped up in the Word. Jesus said, "I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.", Jesus knew what the Father's will was. He said, "I always do the things that are pleasing in His sight."

Paul said in 2 Cor. 5: that he made it his business to be well pleasing to the Father.
If Jesus could please the Father and do His will, if Paul could please the Father, know His will and do it, then it is possible for us to do it. What are the grounds for assurance? In the first place we have His mind and His will in the Word.

If we search the Word diligently, allowing the Spirit to guide us in it, we will arrive in spiritual growth and development through constant meditations in the Word so that His will will be an unconscious consciousness in us. He said, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, admonishing you, building you up."

Paul said to the Ephesian church when he bade them goodbye, "I commend you to the Word of His Grace which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among them that are sanctified." Col. 1:9, "For this cause also since the day we heard, do not cease to pray and make a request for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."'

The word "knowledge" comes from the Greek word "epignosis" which means correct knowledge, full, complete knowledge. We are to be filled with correct knowledge and then He gives us wisdom to use this perfect knowledge. Someone says, "It does not seem credible that we could have perfect knowledge." Why shouldn't we? We have a perfect Revelation of His will.

The Bible is a perfect book. The Holy Spirit is a perfect teacher. We are perfect New Creations, created in Christ Jesus. We have perfect Righteousness. We have a perfect relationship. He says that we have become partakers of the very fullness of Christ.
"Of His fulness have we all received, and grace upon grace."

Our Redemption is perfect, completed Redemption that meets every need of the human and answers every challenge of divine fulness. If this is true, I don't know why we cannot have complete knowledge. I want you to notice in Jn. 3:3-38 we are born "from Above.
The New Birth is not a work of psychology or of human philosophy or of human ability.
We are born "not of corruptible things but of incorruptible of the Word of God which liveth and abideth."

James tells us of His Own will He begat us. Jn. 1:13, "We are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." The New Creation is the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word. It is a perfect work. It makes us complete in Him. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." If you who read this can accept the Word, you will begin to blossom and bear fruit of joy and peace that you never knew.

We have been preached at so many years that we are poor, miserable creatures, that we are unworthy and unfit and the scriptures that were written to the Jews when they were in apostasy are applied to the church-also the scriptures to the unregenerate are applied to the church till the church has an inferiority complex in regard to sin.

It has lived in the realm of sin consciousness, and sense of unworthiness so long that the Word has little effect upon it. We want to bring this to you today. ï The Word is a perfect message. You may have perfect knowledge of the Father's will. It would be interesting to look up these scriptures. Eph. 1:17, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him."
It is not the knowledge of the Senses, but is the Knowledge of Him and the Spirit is going to guide your heart into this.

Eph. 4:13, "Till we all attain unto the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." There is a complete and full knowledge to which we are going to grow.

This expression occurs 12 or 14 times in the New Testament, especially in the Epistles.
It has driven me to believe that the Father expects us to know His will. Col. 1:12 (Rotherham's translation), "Giving thanks unto the Father who has given us the ability to enjoy our share of the inheritance of the saints in light."

The Greek word "dunamas" translated "power" means ability. God has given us His ability to know His will to know what our share is in the inheritance of the saints in light.
We have the ability. It is God-given ability. We have the Holy Spirit whom Jesus said should guide us into all truth.

He is our teacher, our guide, our indwelling instructor. I cannot see where there is any ground for us to live in weakness and failure and ignorance of the Father's will and of our place and standing in Christ and of our rights and privileges.

We have no more right to dishonor the Father and dishonor Jesus than Jesus had when He walked here on earth. We are the Sons and daughters of God. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have privileges and rights in the family. The first privilege is to make the heart of the Father glad.

Identification - E. W Kenyon

The Family Fact

Christianity is not a religion; it is a family, a Father and His children.
It differs from all the religions in the world in this respect. It is not a creed, nor a set of Doctrines, nor a body of Ethics. Creeds have been made out of it. Laws have been made out of it. Doctrines have been formulated from its teachings, and the world's best Ethics have been its products. They are all parts of it, segments of the great Family Fact.

The genius of Christianity is that its God is the great Family God of the Universe.

Christianity is not a science any more than your family is a Science, but it is based upon scientific facts.

Christianity is not a Philosophy, but it is the Revelation of the divine-human relationships.

Christianity is not a Theology; it is the reality of man's Redemption and union with God.

The Father and His Family

What will you do with Jesus?

“What then shall I do with Jesus?” Mt 27:22 NKJV



When it comes to Jesus, we have three choices. Let’s look at them:

(1) Him.
That’s what the Pharisees did. “Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (v. 22 NKJV). Why? Because His grace and power exposed their lack of both. His truth exposed their error. And when you don’t like the message, you reject the messenger.

(2) Him.
That’s what Pilate’s wife did: “His wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him’” (Mt 27:19 NKJV). Why do people avoid Jesus? Because He forces a reaction in our hearts. He calls you to make a choice between living for self or living for Him. The chief priests said, “He stirs up the people” (Lk 23:5 NKJV). And they were right! Before Jesus delivers you, He will disturb you. And some of us don’t want to be disturbed.

(3) Him.
That’s what Paul did: “Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20 NKJV).

Pilate tried to wash his hands of the whole thing and avoid making a decision about Jesus. But it can’t be done.

Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Mt 12:30 NKJV).

So if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, here is the question you must answer: “What then shall I do with Jesus?”

Never be part of a clique

“You are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:28 NKJV



In order to have a clique, you must exclude certain people. And to feel excluded hurts deeply. David experienced it: “The one who shared my food, has turned against me” (Ps 41:9 NLT). Cliques are made up of weak people who are afraid to be different. They believe that as long as they’re with others who think and act like they do, they won’t be surprised or required to change. It may be human nature to crave this kind of consistency, but it’s dangerous. Cliques in the workplace create dissension, resulting in a miserable atmosphere for others. People are no longer regarded as individuals but as being “on this person’s side” or “in that person’s corner.” Such cliques become nothing more than centers for gossip, backstabbing, affairs, and every imaginable mess people can create. Satan tempts us with the security of “the group” to prevent us from discovering our individual gifts and purposes and from doing God’s will. If you’re in a clique, break free as quickly as you can! Reject the pressure to conform to groupthink. This mentality can have you unexpectedly doing things you never thought you would do—whether it’s lowering your principles or remaining quiet while the group criticizes someone. You may even fear being turned against by group members if you stand up for what’s right. Cliques facilitate racism and sexism, age discrimination, and the biased behavior accompanying them. They gain their strength from excluding those who are different. And no matter how you slice it, that’s prejudice! You are God’s child—as are your colleagues and other church members—and you should treat them right.

Conquering bad habits

“You shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.” Dt 7:2 NKJV



American author Henry Van D**e says, “As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.” Habits are like machines; they consistently turn out the same product. They can’t do anything else; they’re designed to produce that specific result. Change requires new behaviors, thoughts, relationships, and a willingness to do battle with old ways of thinking. And that calls for a strong relationship with God! Upon entering the Promised Land, God told His people to “utterly destroy” their enemies; otherwise, their enemies would live to eventually destroy them. So when God tells you it’s time to declare war on your bad habits, don’t say, “Everybody’s doing it,” or “It’s no big deal.” Anything that keeps you enslaved and prevents you from enjoying the freedom Jesus purchased for you at Calvary is a very big deal. Instead of resisting and making excuses, pray, “Lord, show me the root of this problem and how to deal with it. I’m ready for positive change in my life today.” Have you ever noticed that whenever you have had a mountaintop experience with God, the Enemy is always waiting for you at the foot of the mountain? After their experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus’ disciples were approached by a man whose son was caught in a cycle of self-destruction where “frequently he [fell] into the fire and…water” (Mt 17:15 AMPC). Anytime you keep falling into the same traps, making the same mistakes, jumping into the same relationships, getting hooked on the same habits, it’s time to take your problem to Jesus and ask Him to help you. And He will!

Set your mind

“Set your minds on things above.” Col 3:2 NIV



Setting your mind is similar to setting a thermostat; it determines the climate you live in. So, set your mind on God’s Word!

Instead of trying to stop thinking wrong thoughts—which immediately brings to mind the very thoughts you’re supposed to stop thinking—fill your mind with God’s Word.

Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would remind them of what He had taught them (See Jn 14:26). So when you file the Scriptures in your memory bank, God’s Spirit will pull those files when you need them.

Picture an amateur pilot navigating through his first storm. He can’t see any landmarks around which to fly because they’re locked in a fog. But then a voice comes from the controller in the tower saying, “Just listen to me, and I’ll guide you.”

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33 NIV).

Paul writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:6-7 NIV).

For example, what should you do when the economy is bad? Recognize that neither Wall Street nor Main Street decide your security—God does. What should you do when someone criticizes you? Take what’s good and let no one but God determine your worth.

By keeping your mind on God’s Word, you’re at peace in any situation.

The need for connectedness (2)

“Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 1Jn 3:14 NIV



There is a direct link between your health and your relationships. When you’re disconnected and isolated from others, you’re two to five times more likely to die than people with close ties! Even people with bad habits like smoking, overeating, and physical inactivity—but who remain socially connected—live longer than people with great health habits but who are isolated. We see the physical, life-giving power of connection in the life of Winston Churchill. He had a wonderful marriage, was deeply connected to his family, his friends, his nation, and his work. But his health habits were terrible. His diet was awful, and he constantly smoked ci**rs. He drank too much, had weird sleep habits, and was completely sedentary—yet he lived to ninety years old. That reminds me of the newspaper reporter questioning an old man about his longevity: “I suppose it’s because you take systematic exercise.” The man quipped, “The only exercise I take is acting as a pallbearer to my friends who have indulged in strenuous exercise!” (Note: We’re not condoning bad habits!) God said, “It is not good…to be alone” (Ge 2:18 NIV), because when you’re alone, you’re more likely to succumb to temptation and discouragement, become self-absorbed, and spend money in selfish ways. Not only do you suffer, the people God put in your life get cheated out of the love He intended you to share with them. You say, “But I’ve been hurt by people.” We all have. But just as the answer to a snakebite is snake venom, the answer to bad relationships is good relationships. And God has some in store for you—so talk to Him about it today.

The need for connectedness (1)

“It is not good…to be alone.” Ge 2:18 NIV



At creation, God looked at everything He had made and said, “That’s good.” Then there came a time when He realized man was lonely, unfulfilled, and incomplete. That’s when He said, “It is not good…to be alone,” and He made Eve, the first woman. The fact is, none of us can develop to our highest potential unless we’re plugged in to nurturing, life-giving relationships. Here is an example: In twelve-step recovery programs, the counselor only does 10 percent of the work by offering guidance. Ninety percent of the recovery process takes place because the people in the group challenge, comfort, and strengthen one another. The truth is—we’re shaped by people! The right people help you to become the best version of yourself, and you get to do the same for them. They see a “you” you can’t see at times, they cheer you on as you move toward it, and they “get in your face” when you move away from it. The highest and best form of this relationship is referred to in Scripture as the “fellowship of the Spirit” (Php 2:1; See 2Co 13:14 NIV and 1Jn 1:6 NIV). It’s not just a social, relational, or intellectual connection, but a deep spiritual link that causes us to thrive. It’s like the difference between bees and butterflies. Butterflies cover more territory, but bees gather more honey. Why? Because they don’t just land on a flower briefly, they stay there and extract the life-giving nectar. God gave David the gift of a Jonathan, and Naomi the gift of a Ruth. And He has people He would like you to meet. So talk to Him today about it.

How to keep a good attitude

“I will praise you seven times a day.” Ps 119:164 TLB



A bad attitude is like a flat tire; you won’t get anywhere until you change it.

Few things in life are more important than your attitude, and here are four ways you can keep a good one:

(1) Realize your attitude needs to be constantly adjusted. Anything you don’t maintain eventually deteriorates. The stronger your natural inclination is toward doubt and negativity, the more you will have to work at it. So begin each day with an attitude check, and throughout the day, look for red flags signaling that you’re not doing so well.

(2) Pray because you will need God’s help to maintain a good attitude. The Bible says: “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper…delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord…and he will help you” (Ps 37:3-5 NLT).

(3) Look for what’s good, and you will find it. Mother Teresa required two things from those who worked with her in the Calcutta slums: a desire to work, and a joyful attitude. Think: If she could be joyful amongst the dying and destitute, surely you can too!

(4) Look for people with faith and spend time with them. Where are they? You will find them soaring above the doubters like eagles. If you’re having a bad day, get close and “draft” behind them the way racers do. If they’re having difficulty, you be the one to get out in front and make things easier.

Seven times a day David paused to praise God. Can you imagine what that would do for your attitude?

All the charges are dismissed

“He canceled the record of the charges against us.” Col 2:14 NLT



When someone is arrested for a crime and brought into court, the prosecutor will say, “The charges against you are…” At that point, they hope their attorney can get the charges dismissed. Well, God has a record of every sin you have committed from the womb to the tomb. It details all the bad decisions you have made, the hateful acts, the unforgiving attitudes, the prejudice, the greed, the lust, the lies; He has recorded them all. But you have never seen that record, nor has anyone else. That’s because “he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (vv. 13-14 NLT). Knowing full well that the price for our sins was death, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time…he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (1Pe 3:18 NLT). Notice the words “forgave” and “canceled the record” of the sins you have committed. The cross is like a trading post. There, at the point of believing faith, God takes all your sins and puts them on Christ’s account, while at the same time taking all Christ’s righteousness and putting it on your account. Is there a limit to God’s love? If there is, David the adulterer never found it. Nor Paul the persecutor of Christians. Nor Peter the liar. Nor the thief on the cross. And you won’t find it either. When Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished,” God wrote “Paid in full” over every sin you would ever commit. The word “justified” simply means “just-if-I’d-never-sinned.” How good is that?

Build your life on God’s Word

“The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 1Sa 16:10 NLT



David had seven brothers. When it came time to pick a king to replace Saul, Samuel thought any one of them would make a better king than David. But God rejected all seven.
Why? Because:

(1) They had the looks but not the spiritual core. God explained to Samuel, “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7 NLT). David’s spiritual core was formed by years spent with God. His heart’s cry was, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Ps 42:1 NKJV).

(2) They had no personal experiences with God to fall back on. The lion and the bear were big, and Goliath was bigger yet. But David wasn’t intimidated. “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and…the bear…will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1Sa 17:37 NKJV). There are no insignificant battles. The little ones equip you for the big ones that shape your destiny, so stand on your “God experiences.” How you respond in a crisis is determined by the experiences you have had with God.

(3) They were easily influenced by others. David’s brothers allowed the fears of those around them to erode their faith. Fear is contagious; if you listen to it long enough, you will get infected. No, you shouldn’t be isolated from the world, but you must be insulated against its negative influences. Listening to Goliath frightened David’s brothers, but it didn’t frighten David.

So who are you listening to today? Get God’s opinion and build your life upon it; allow His Word to settle every issue.