LISTEN TO THE SOUND

Thanks to Allison Sylvester-Conliffe for this article

Some sounds can be pleasant and other sounds can be discordant.

There is a sound that emanates from Heaven … a distinct sound … a sound of worship unto God, night and day!  The Bible says that the elders and the angels make a continuous sound of worship as they cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy!!”  This sound is as many waters.  It is a beautiful and infectious sound … but there is another sound that emanates from Heaven.  It is the Voice of God! 

Sometimes it thunders and sometimes it is as a still, small voice.  However, when the Voice of God speaks a sound, that sound is directed to His creation, His children.  Therefore after He sounds that sound, He looks for a response from us.  His sound is sometimes one of rejoicing or it may be a sound of lamentation and woe.  How do we know what sound He is speaking to us at any given hour?  The sound that comes from God is always the sound of His Heart.  We must be tuned in 24/7 to hear and identify what His sound is speaking. 

You know that sound speaks don’t you?  Take music for an example.  The sound of music can create an atmosphere of joy or it can speak sounds of lamentation.  Some music can project an awareness of danger and others project fear.  A typical example of this is evident in the sound effects that are created for the movies.

We must be able to identify the sound that we hear from Heaven.  If this is not so, then how would we know when the sound from Heaven is speaking to let us know it is time to intercede?  How would we know when the sound from Heaven is telling us to be militant in warfare?  How would we know when the sound is telling us to be silent? 

The sound from Heaven will usually give us instructions and direction.  There is a sound that emanates from God’s Throne that is speaking to us by the minute.  God speaks to us either audibly or through His Spirit to our spirit. However as we read in John 15, we must abide in Him, so that we will be one with Him and thus be attuned to His Voice … His Sound! 

As God’s children we are His image and likeness in the earth. Therefore we are to echo the exact sound from heaven as the Father dictates to us, so that His will can be done here on His earth. This requires our intimacy with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As you quiet your spirit and tune in to the sound from heaven, what do you hear?

Love to All!

FRUIT OF THE VINE

 
 “I am the vine, you are the branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing. 

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; 

so you will be My disciples. – John 15:5, 8

When a branch on a grapevine produces fruit the grapes are harvested and used for various purposes. The fruit is proof of how good the branch on the vine is. If the branch is healthy and well connected to the vine it will yield bountiful healthy fruit. If the branch is not receiving enough sustenance from the vine the fruit will be inferior in quality.

Once the harvesting is done the grapes are either used for eating or for making juice, jelly, jam or wine. In each instance it requires that the grapes be crushed in order for the goodness that is inside to be enjoyed. In other words, a grape has to “give itself in sacrifice” so that others can benefit from its goodness.

The life of a Christian is a life of giving of oneself. It is a life of sacrifice. Jesus said that as long as we abide (remain intimately connected) in Him we will bear fruit, and it is by the fruit that we bear the Father is glorified.

In the same way that grapes are crushed, squeezed, chewed, and subjected to intense heat we are tested to see what the quality of our fruit is. It is by our fruit that men will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good!- Psalm 34:8

 But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love,

 joy, 

peace, 

 kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness, 

self-control. 

– Galatians 5:22

How well do you stand up to the sometimes intense testing? 
What does your fruit taste like? 
Do you yield “sour grapes” or fruit that brings honor to the Father?

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PT. 10

THE HOLY OF HOLIES

God often works in three’s, and your journey of intimacy through Moses’ Tabernacle reflects this.

You enter through three portals

1. The Gate to the Tabernacle shows that Jesus is the only Way to the Father
2. The Door to the Holy Place leads you into the Truth of who Jesus is and who you are in Him
3. The Veil that once separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies is now open for you to have true divine Life in Christ.

You have three different experiences

1. In the outer court you present your body as a living sacrifice
2. In the Holy Place your soul communes with Christ, and you learn of Him and grow in intimacy with Him.
3. In the Holy of Holies it is no longer you who live, but your spirit is alive in Christ.

Three Lights

1. In the outer court there was the light of the sun – signifying the emphasis on things that are natural
2. In the Holy Place there is the light from the Lampstand – here your inner light is ignited by Jesus who is the Light of the world
3. In the Holy of Holies the only light is the glory of the Father Himself

Your journey through Moses’ Tabernacle also symbolizes

1. Death to self – outer court
2. Burial in Christ. Your life, your thoughts exchanged for His – Holy Place
3. Resurrection to new life in Christ– Holy of Holies

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

The Ark was the only piece of furniture in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. It was made of that now familiar acacia wood and overlaid with gold – signifying humanity overshadowed with Divinity.

Today many search for the Ark of old, not realizing that we are now the spiritual Ark of the Lord, carrying His presence and power in us as we rest, remain and abide in that secret place in Him.

Inside the Ark of old were three items. Each is symbolic of your life of intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each shows an attribute of Jesus the Christ.

1. The Ten Commandments. The law is now written on your heart.

– For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death – Romans 8:2
– And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us – John 1:14a

2. The Pot of Manna. God is your ever present Source and Supply

– “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you – Matthew 6:31, 33
– Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world – John 6:32

3. Aaron’s rod that budded. In a place of intimacy with Him the Father can resurrect the dead areas of your life.

– Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life – Romans 6:4
– Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” – John 11:25

The Mercy Seat
The Mercy Seat formed the cover of the Ark. Two cherubim of gold stood on each end, wings outstretched and touching and faces looking down toward the Mercy Seat.

It was there that God manifested Himself to Moses.
– And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony – Exodus 25:22

When the high priest came into the Holy of Holies he would cover the Mercy Seat with a cloud of incense. Incense, as we discussed earlier, represents your prayer and praise. So when you come into that secret place in the Lord, when you offer praise and worship to Him in spirit and in truth, He manifests Himself!

What a glorious picture of intimacy Moses’ Tabernacle is!

I pray that you will go deeper and higher as you continue on this exciting journey,

and that you will be determined to remain one with 

The Father, Jesus the Son and The Precious Holy Spirit.

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 7

THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND

You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; 

the lampstand shall be of hammered work. 

Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. 

Exodus 25:31

You are now in the Holy Place in the Tent of Meeting. There are three pieces of furniture here – The Golden Lampstand, The Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense. Walk with me to the left side of the Holy Place where the Lampstand is.

This is an awesome structure made of one piece of solid gold and weighing one talent – about 75 pounds! This gold had been beaten and hammered over and over again before passing through intense fire in order to be purified and shaped. This is a picture of our Beloved Christ who endured severe beatings and fiery persecution for our sake.

Notice that the Lampstand has a central shaft with six branches attached to it – three branches on one side and three on the other. Jesus said, “I AM The Vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5.  The Lampstand depicts the intimate relationship between the Lord and the Body of Christ – His Bride. We are joined to Him as one.

God, being the ultimate Strategist, chose to have six branches on the Lampstand, not five or eight. Six is His number for man. Without the main shaft of the Lampstand we, the branches, would be inoperable and ineffective. Jesus Himself emphasized that point when He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

On the Lampstand were ornamentations of almonds, knobs and flowers. The word “almond” means to wake, watch or be alert. Almonds are symbolic of resurrection. What a beautiful depiction of the risen Christ, and of us coming alive again in Him!

At the top of the shaft and on each of the six branches was a bowl which held oil and a wick. The oil came from olives, and was extracted from the fruit by crushing. Again we are reminded of our Lord’s suffering. Oil is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Here it shows you that when you are “crushed” and allow the Holy Spirit to fill and use you, that brings out the best in you.

The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place. The Lord had commanded Moses to make it so that the lamps would point toward the Table of Showbread.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

He also said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

In making these two statements Jesus was confirming that when you abide in Him and you have the empowering and anointing oil of the Holy Spirit filling you, then you yourself become a light in this dark world, leading men and women to Jesus who is The Bread of Life – Our Showbread.

In Moses’ day the priests were to tend to the Lampstand twice daily, morning and evening, to make sure that the lamps remained lit and never went out. Here too, you are reminded that sweet intimate communion with the Lord daily is vital if you are to effectively reveal the true light of Christ in this world.

As you go through the Lampstand experience keep these Scriptures in mind:

Job 23:10 – But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

1 Peter 4: 12, 13 – Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Matthew 25:1-4 – Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

John 1:4,5 (Amplified Version) – In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

To be continued…

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Filled with His Joy

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 

John 15:11

The word “joy” comes from a root word meaning to rejoice exceedingly, be well, to thrive.

Think about this…even though Jesus was “despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” He talked about His joy more than His sorrow. It is because He knew that any sorrow He felt was short-lived compared to the everlasting joy that He had within. Moreover, His sorrow was not a self-pitying one, but rather was for those who were still lost and without a Savior.

In the world today joy and happiness are used interchangeably. The truth is that the world can only offer you happiness which is a temporary feeling of euphoria brought on by some external factor – a raise in salary or a good time out with friends, for example, or some other pleasant event that appeals to your senses.

Joy, on the other hand, is not dependent on external influences or your sense realm. It originates within. It is understandable, then, that Jesus, even though He was hated and reviled by so many, maintained His joy. Not only that……..He wants you to have His joy.

Jesus’ joy originated from the intensely intimate relationship that He shared with the Father. Because of this, He was able to maintain His joy even in the face of terrible persecution and rejection. He did not allow temporary situations to permanently affect Him. He remained focused on His mission and His continuous communion with His Father.

For Him to be moved with such compassion for those who were afflicted, Jesus had to know the joy they were missing. When He saw that they were like sheep without a shepherd, He knew they were missing the joy of having the love of the Great Shepherd to guide them. He knew the joy they were missing when their bodies were afflicted with disease or the minds were tormented. He also knows the joy you miss when you don’t abide in Him completely.

John chapter 15 details Jesus’ final commands to His disciples before His crucifixion. The last words that are spoken are usually the ones that you remember most vividly. This is why I believe He took the time to expound clearly in this chapter on His two commandments – love God by abiding in Him (verses 1-8); love your neighbor as Jesus loves you (verses 9-17).

Jesus described the joy that awaits a good servant. When you are a faithful steward over the things that the Father has assigned to you, you can be assured of the right to enter into the joy of the Lord.

• His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:21

Joy and peace go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.

• These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
• “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Everything on this earth – interpersonal relationships, challenges, triumphs – comes to pass. The only thing that is permanent in your life is your relationship (or lack of it) with the Lord, which determines where you will spend eternity. Therefore…

• …lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1,2

The following Scripture summarizes what you do to maintain your joy…

• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, (insert your name here), whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:4-8

Friends will disappoint you; family will fail you, but the joy of your intimate relationship the Lord will always continue to be your strength. Abide in Him and enter into the joy of the Lord!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – All Things

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

Perfect, intimate love is a love that shares everything. This is the kind of love that is demonstrated between the Father and His Son, Jesus the Christ. Everything that the Father is, and everything that the Father has, is also the Son’s. The Father, in His love, gave all things to His Son with nothing lacking.

In the beginning of time God had said, “Let Us make man in Our own image, and let them have dominion over….all the earth” Genesis 1:26. The first Adam had all things on earth, just as the Father had all things in heaven. The only exception was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When Adam disobeyed God’s command, the consequences were loss of intimate communion with the Father, and dispossession of all things that the Father had so freely given to him. However, Jesus, the Last Adam, came to earth and regained for us all that was destroyed and lost when the first Adam sinned.

• The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. John 3:35
• The Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does… John 5: 20a
• All things have been delivered to Me by My Father… Matthew 11:27a
• And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…Ephesians 1:22

THE SON LOVES YOU

1. Everything that is in a vine flows freely into its abiding branch so that the branch has the same DNA – and therefore the same attributes – as the vine. The vine gives the branch everything that it needs to sustain its life. In the same way Jesus, the True Vine, gives you all things when you abide in Him…

• He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
• If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

2. Jesus has made provision to take care of all your essential daily needs.

• Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:25, 33

3. The Father, through Jesus, gives you everything you need for your spiritual, emotional and material success throughout your entire life.

• Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue… 2 Peter 1:2-3

4. Before Jesus left the earth He made sure that you would have access to everything that you need to know.

• But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
• 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. John 16:13
• All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:15

Pause for a few moments and take inventory of your life. Are there areas in which you are not experiencing the “all things” that Jesus promises? Could it be that you have not yet fully accepted the love of Jesus in those areas? For example, is there dis-ease that has been plaguing your body for some time? Are there ongoing problems with interpersonal relationships? Are you experiencing continued lack in a particular area?

If a branch is not completely embedded in its vine source it won’t receive all things. Similarly, if there is a crimp or a disconnect in your soul caused by fear, unbelief, indifference or disobedience, then you will not receive all things that Jesus wants to give you out of His overwhelming love! There can be nothing blocking the flow of the Lord’s love to you – a love which comes in myriads of ways….healing, protection, reconciliation, provision….the list goes on and on. 

Receive all things the Lord desires to give you. Abide in His love!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Continuous Communion

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; 

abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

The Father was in constant communication with Jesus. He showed His beloved Son all the things that He, the Father, was doing in heaven, so that Jesus could manifest those things in the earth.

Remember that Jesus had to learn how to live as a human being. He grew in wisdom, and He learned obedience through the things that He suffered. The earth life was completely different from what He knew in heaven.

As such, Jesus dared not start His day without first seeking the Father’s will concerning it. He would not go out on a mission unless it was directed by the Father. He would only heal those whom the Father directed Him to, and He would only speak the words that the Father gave Him to speak. He didn’t do things just because He felt like it, or because He was moved by His emotions. Since He was in constant communion with the Father, Jesus manifested the Father’s will perfectly.

• Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” John 5: 19,20
• But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”  John 5:17
• I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30
• Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34

THE SON LOVES YOU

Jesus is in constant communication with you. He sent His Holy Spirit to show you what the Father is doing in heaven, so that you could manifest those things in the earth. That is why He taught us to pray that God’s Kingdom would come, and that His will would be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Without the Father Jesus could do nothing; without Jesus you can do nothing.

• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

David knew the importance of God’s word. In Psalm 138:2 he declared, “You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” ‘Word’ here is translated as ‘utterance, speech, saying, promise or command’.

It stands to reason, then, that when satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted the Word of God.

It is imperative that you know what God says to you personally through the Scriptures, so that with every temptation you face you will give an appropriate response from the Word of God.

• But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh. When you abide in Him, and He in you, then He, the Living Word, gives you all that you need. Jesus Himself is your daily Bread.

• And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35
• Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

It is also imperative that you know how to discern the voice of God as He speaks directly to you, Spirit to spirit. He also speaks through you, spirit to Spirit.

• But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
• Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Jesus never had a bad day and He never experienced failure. I believe it is because He remained in constant communication with the Father who was His closest Friend. The Lord, in His love, desires that you have that same kind of success each day. He sees the big picture and He also knows the intimate details, so He has a specific plan and strategy for you to follow every day. 

Learn to discern when He is prompting you to come to Him. It is different for each person. Don’t get stuck in repetitious prayer! You wouldn’t want someone saying the same thing over and over to you would you? Why, then, should Jesus accept it from you? He wants intimate relationship, not routine.
 
Observe how young children communicate. They are constantly asking questions, talking about what they observe and how they feel. Jesus wants you to come to Him with that same kind of innocence and openness. 

Too many believers commune with the Lord when they awake in the morning, but leave Him out of the rest of their day. Best friends are in constant communication, and Jesus wants to be your best friend. I believe that He also wants you to be His best friend. We’ll discuss this further in an upcoming article.

At the beginning of your day ask Him what He would have you think, say and do. I even make it a habit of asking the Lord what He wants us to wear when I’m preparing to go out. I am aware that He is in me, and I am in Him, and that everything should be a reflection of who He is, including my apparel.

During the day be sure to keep tuned in to the Spirit’s frequency so that you can discern what He is saying to you moment by moment. He will guide you into all truth, and will show you what you need to know. Talk to Him, even about seemingly unimportant things. Practice communing with Him while you are going through your day. Tell Him what you are thinking about. Tell Him when you are anxious or angry or excited. Learn to thank Him promptly. Ask for His help when you’re uncertain. (When I’m doing a sudoku puzzle and can’t find the answer, guess Who I ask!) He is interested in every aspect of your life. You aren’t required to assume a religious posture and close your eyes. You can be in a crowd and still commune with the Lord intimately. I enjoy having silent, secret conversations with the Lord when others are around. That’s what best friends do!

Before you go to bed commune with the Lord again. Thank Him for being with you, and be specific about the things that He did for you on that day. Evaluate your day with Him. Practice open, honest sharing with Him……….after all, He already knows! Talk with Him about the successes you had, the challenges you faced, and the changes that still need to be realized. He loves this kind of interaction and it will build greater intimacy between you.

Practice continuous communion with the Lord and you will abide in His love!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Filled with His Spirit

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and 
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

     Immediately after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Father began to demonstrate openly His love for His Son. Before His voice thundered from heaven that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased, the Father sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove to rest upon and fill Jesus. In His great love for His Son the Father knew that Jesus, who was fully human, could not fulfill His mission on earth without the Holy Spirit. So Jesus came up out of the Jordan empowered to handle anything and everything because the Holy Spirit was with Him and in Him. 

• Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. Luke 4:1
• Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. Luke 4: 14, 15

The Holy Spirit never left Jesus during His time here on earth.

• …God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38   

After Jesus’ mission was complete, and His lifeless body lay in the tomb the Father, in His love, sent His Holy Spirit to raise His Son from the dead.

• But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Romans 8:11

THE SON’S LOVE FOR YOU

1. Before He sends you out to fulfill your unique mission here on earth Jesus, like the Father, does not send you alone. He makes sure that His Holy Spirit is with you and in you.

• But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

• In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise… Ephesians 1:13

2. Just as the Father showed Jesus all things, Jesus in another demonstration of His love, sent the Holy Spirit to teach you everything you need to know.

• But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
• …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. John 16:13

3. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will not leave you. He is with you always.

• If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever… John 14:15, 16

4. Wherever the Holy Spirit is, Jesus and the Father are there also. They are One in you.

• I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
• If anyone loves Me he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our home with him. John 14: 23

5. It is the Holy Spirit who transforms your thoughts so that your words and actions reflect the character of Jesus the Christ.

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5: 22, 23

6. When you are tempted to worry Jesus assures you of His love by saying…

• God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

7. Jesus knows the limitations of our human language so the Holy Spirit is there when you don’t know what to say.

• Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

8. The Holy Spirit empowers you to do what is beyond your natural ability

• But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

9. Jesus, in His love, gives you life by His Holy Spirit.

• But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

What love Jesus shows you and me in imparting His Holy Spirit!!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Predestined for Love

 

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus and
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

     The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are inseparable. They are One. The Father is a God of love. Everything that He is, the Son and the Holy Spirit are also. What a perfect picture of love flowing freely from the Father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; from the Son to the Father and to the Holy Spirit and from the Holy Spirit to the Father and to the Son! It is a flawless, complete love that never wanes in its intensity – a love that existed before time began and will continue for all eternity!

• Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

Like Father, like Son…

THE SON LOVES YOU

     Jesus loved you before the foundation of the world! Imagine that! Before anything existed – the trees, the animals, the stars and all of the rest of creation – Jesus knew you intimately and chose to love you with the same perfect love that the Father has for Him.

• Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, Ephesians 1:3-5

• For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

• Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38, 39

Rejoice in the fact that Jesus has been loving you since before the world came into being….and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it! You were predestined to be loved by Him!

Abide in His love!

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE – Love on Display

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

John 15:9

Before you can abide fully in the love of Jesus Christ you first have to understand

1. how the Father loves Jesus, and 
2. how Jesus, in like manner, loves you.

THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

One way that the Father showed His love for Jesus was by publicly affirming Him…

Crowds of people had come from Jerusalem, Judea and surrounding areas, and were being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Pharisees and Sadducees were there at the riverside also. Here comes Jesus, and John baptizes Him in the presence of all those witnesses. Suddenly the Holy Spirit descends on Him bodily like a dove, and they all hear the Father’s voice declare, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

On another occasion when Jesus was with Peter, James and John and was transfigured on the mountain, the Father affirmed His Son, saying to the disciples, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Luke 9:35

No one who heard these awesome words coming from on high could possibly deny the love that the Father had for His Son! Like Father, Like Son…

THE SON’S LOVE FOR YOU

In the same manner, Jesus shows His love for you openly and publicly. He doesn’t keep it a secret.

• He took the blame for every single thing you have ever done, are doing or will ever do, just so that you could experience the intimate relationship with the Father that He enjoys.  Jesus’ love superceded His own human desires, and His public crucifixion was the ultimate demonstration of His unreserved love for you.    
• “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
• “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

• Jesus also causes people to witness the blessings He bestows on you. Scripture proves this.  
• ‘But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:  “ When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”’ Ephesians 4:7,8
• “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:3,4
• “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6
• “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:17,18
• “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-13
• “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” Luke 6:35
• ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.’ Colossians 3: 23,24

What an awesome, conspicuous,  public love Jesus Christ has for you!! 

Abide in His love!