MEDITATION AND PRAYERS From the Letter to The Colossians

INTRODUCTION

WRITTEN LETTER FROM PAUL IN PRISON BETWEEN 60-61 AD GIVEN TO EPAPHRAS FROM COLOSSE

• Epaphras converted through Paul’s preaching and took the gospel to his home town and planted a church there.

• Paul wrote to this church to strengthen their faith, hope and the love to God and to each other. He urged the Colossians to keep their eyes focused on Christ and to live a life pleasing to God. He addressed that Jesus is the only Head of the Church and that Christ is transcendent (both far above, but also near to us) more than enough. Paul pointed out the danger of mingling Christian faith with other faiths, falling into foolish arguments. The believers needed not only to come to Christ, but to be rooted and built up in Him, established in Him. Definitely same truths for today!

THEMES

• CHRIST IS THE CENTER
• THE CHURCH IDENTITY
• THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL
• CHRISTIAN LIFE

Amp Bible version

——————————————————-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX——————————————————-

CHAPTER 1

“Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

WHO WAS PAUL?WHO CALLED PAUL AND TO DO WHAT?UNDER WHOSE WILL AND AUTHORITY WAS PAUL SENT?
PAUL – LEADER – AN APOSTLE , ONE WHO IS SENT FORTH – EMISSARY – MESSENGER – AMBASSADOR – REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD

HE WAS NOT SENT OFF BY HIS OWN WILL OR AUTHORITY

SOMEONE WITH THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY CHOSE HIM AND SENT HIM OFF TO A MISSION UNDER SUCH AUTHORITY

• HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH –

• SENT OFF BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD + AUTHORITY FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD = MISSION HEAVENLY EMPOWERED TO ACCOMPLISH NEVER ALONE BUT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
• WHEN GOD CALLS, HE SENDS HE ALSO PROVIDES, EQUIPS AND GUIDES

UNDER GODS LEADERSHIP , SERVANTS GO BY GODS WILL AND AUTHORITY – NOT BY SELF PROMOTION OR SELF AGENDA OR AMBITION

“To the saints and faithful believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father. “

PAUL DECLARES THE TRUTH – BY THE BLOOD AND FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS OF JESUS, THE CHURCH IN COLOSSUS IS MADE OF SAINTS FAITHFUL BELIEVERS OF CHRIST
THERE IS NOT A LIST OF CHURCHES, BUT ONLY ONE CHURCH IN TOWN
PAUL CAN ONLY GIVE WHAT HE HAS RECEIVED – HE DECLARED GRACE AND PEACE FROM THE SOURCE OF HEAVEN – GOD THE FATHER WHO GIVES

NO ONE CAN GIVE WHAT HE OR SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED

****************************
FATHER, IN JESUS NAME THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND PEACE YOU POUR IN ME,THANK YOU FOR FILLING ME WITH YOUR GRACE TO WALK VICTORIOUS IN YOUR SIGHT.THANK YOU FOR FILLING ME WITH SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING THAT LEAD ME TO DISCERN AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS EVERYDAY – AMEM
***************************

“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray always for you, “

• PRAYERS START WITH THANKSGIVING FIRST TO THE FATHER WHO IS THE GIVER OF ALL
• HOW CAN ANYONE NOT GIVE THANKS OR BLESS GOD FIRST WHO DID ALL THINGS THROUGH HIS SON THE CHRIST?

PAUL WROTE OF 3 PILARS OF LIFE AND THEIR PURPOSE AND POWER

• FAITH
• LOVE
• HOPE

“for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, lwisdom, and goodness], “

WHY IS FAITH IMPORTANT HERE?WHAT DOES FAITH LEANING IN CHRIST MEAN ACCORDING TO PAUL? WHAT IS TRUE FAITH IN JESUS?

• AS FOR FAITH

– THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 ABSOLUTE KEYS OF TRUTH

• CONFIDENCE IN HIS POWER – (MY PROTECTION AND STRENGTH )
• CONFIDENCE IN HIS WISDOM – (MY GUIDE ON WHAT TO THINK AND TO FOLLOW)
• CONFIDENCE IN HIS GOODNESS – (MY TRUST ON WHO LOVES AND CARES FOR ME)

“and of the [unselfish] love which you have for all the saints (God’s people); “

• AS FOR LOVE

– AGAPE (GREEK) UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

• UNCONDITIONAL LOVE NOT ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE FRIENDLY TO ME, BUT TO ALL THE SAINTS EVEN IN HIS OR HER WEAKNESSES IN CHARACTER

“because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven. “

• AS FOR HOPE

• expectation of what is sure (certain)
• Trust – Confidence

WHAT IS FAITH WITHOUT HOPE?

• NOTHING

WHAT IS KEY FOR CONFIDENT FAITH?

• CONFIDENT HOPE WITH EXPECTATION TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IS RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND TRUST IN JESUS

ESSENTIAL 3 PILARS FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN LIFE

FAITH
LOVE
HOPE

NONE OF THESE CAN BE MISSED IN LIFE GOING INTO ETERNITY

“You previously heard of this hope in the message of truth, the gospel [regarding salvation] “

WHERE DOES HOPE COME FROM?

• FROM BELIEVING AND RECEIVING THE MESSAGE OF THE TRUTH – THE GOSPEL

“which has come to you. Indeed, just as in the whole world the gospel is constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just as it has been doing among you ever since the day you first heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it]. “

***************************
FATHER, IN JESUS NAMETHANK YOU FOR THE FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE YOU GAVE ME.
LET FAITH IN ME GROW IN TOTAL CONFIDENCE OF THE POWER, WISDOM AND GOODNESS OF GOD.
LET MY HEART BE ROOTED AND FILLED WITH YOUR LOVE AGAPE TOWARDS YOU AND FOR ALL AROUND ME
LET HOPE FLOURISH AS I EMBRACE MORE AND MORE THE MESSAGE OF THE TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL AND CONFIDENT WAITING FOR YOUR PROMISES
MAKE ME FRUITFUL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, BEARING AND SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF RIGHTEOUS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST – AMEM

*******************************
WHAT DOES THE CONSTANT BEARING FRUIT AND THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL REQUIRE?
THEY REQUIRE:

• HEAR OF IT – OPEN HEART
• BELIEVE,RECEIVE AND UNDERSTAND THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH
• DEEPLY GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE GOSPEL – WORD OF GOD AND ITS POWER

“You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf “

WHERE DOES THE LEARNING OF THE TRUE GOSPEL COME FROM?

• FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH FAITHFUL MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (NOT PERFECT) – NOT FROM SELF PROMOTERS
• FROM BOND-FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD

“Also he has informed us of your love in the [Holy] Spirit.”

WHAT IS VITAL FOR EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER TO LIVE BY?

• LIVE A FULL LIFE OF LOVE WELL GROUNDED AND NURTURED IN THE WORD OF GOD AND IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
• THERE IS NO GROWTH IN THE LOVE OF GOD WITHOUT THE WORD OF GOD AND DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO REVEALS THE TRUTH OF GODS WORD – NURTURES THE SOULSWHO ARE HUMBLED AND YIELDED TO HIM

“For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, “

WHAT IS THIS PRAYER ABOUT AND FOR WHAT REASON?

• TO CONTINUE GROUNDING AND NURTURING GODS LOVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT DEEP IN THE SOUL

HOW LONG DOES THIS PRAYER TAKE?

• NEVER STOPS

HOW CAN GODS LOVE CONTINUE TO GROW ?
“asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], “

• START BY ASKING

ASKING FOR WHAT?
WHAT SHOULD EVERY CHILD OF GOD ASK FOR?

• TO BE FILLED

(From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.)
FILLED WITH WHAT?

• BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GODS WILL IN ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

KNOWLEDGE

• ἐπίγνωσιν (epignōsin); recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgement.

WISDOM

• σοφίᾳ (sophia) Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. (SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE)

UNDERSTANDING

• συνέσει (synesei) mental putting together, i.e. Intelligence or the intellect (SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE)

TO BE FILLED – FOR WHAT PURPOSE OR REASON?
AT LEAST 4 REASONS

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], “

“to [fully] please Him in all things, “

“bearing fruit in every good work “

“and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; “

SO WHAT DOES BEING FULL OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’s WILL IN ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING CAN PRODUCE?

4 RESULTS:

• WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD
• PLEASE HIM IN ALL THINGS
• BEAR FRUIT IN EVERY WORK
• GROW CONSISTENTLY IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (KNOW GODS CHARACTER)

************************************
FATHER IN JESUS NAME THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME PERSEVERANCE ON ASKING AND RECEIVING. THAK YOU FOR FILLING ME WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GODS WILL IN ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
I ASK HOLY SPIRIT TO TEACH ME TO WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, PLEASING HIM IN ALL THINGS, BEARING FRUITS IN EVERY WORK AND GROWING CONSISTENTLY IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (KNOW GODS CHARACTER AND GLORY) AMEM
********************************
“we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; “

WHAT IS PAULS PRAYER TO THE SAINTS TO ATTAIN EVERY KIND OF ENDURANCE?

WHAT IS EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS PRAYER?

• BE STRENGTHENED AND INVIGORATED WITH ALL POWER ACCORDING TO THE MIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWELLS IN US

ACCORDING TO WHAT? HOW?

• ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS MIGHT – POWER OF JESUS
• ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT OPERATES IN THE SAINTS
• NOT BASED ON FIRST HEAVEN WISDOM OR UNDERSTANDING, BUT FROM THIRD HEAVEN REVELATION, WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

TO WHAT PURPOSE?
TO ATTAIN – ACHIEVE WHAT?

• TO ACHIEVE ALL KIND OF ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE WITH JOY (IN ALL SEASONS OF LIFE)

ENDURANCE

• the ability to withstand hardship or adversity – especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity

• the act or an instance of enduring or suffering

• : PERMANENCE, DURATION

HOW CAN JOY BE PART OF A LIFE OF ENDURANCE AND PEACE?
WHY IS JOY IMPORTANT IN LIFE?

JOY IS NOT AS THE SAME AS HAPPY – TRUE HAPPINESS IS A RESULT FIRST FROM TRUE JOY THAT COMES FROM THE SOURCE – THE HOLY SPIRIT

• BE ONE WITH JESUS WHO ENDURED WITH PATIENCE AND HAD GREAT JOY UNTIL THE END AT THE CROSS – HE SAW THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR SO HE REJOICED GREATLY –
• OUR JOY AND THANKSGIVING INCREASE AS WE SEEK AND RECEIVE GREATER REVELATION OF THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST AT THE CROSS – AMAZING LOVE
• JESUS IS STILL FULL OF JOY TO THIS DAY SO WHOEVER FOLLOWS HIM IS ALSO FULL OF JOY FOR HE CONQUERED SIN AND DEATH
• HIS FOLLOWERS ARE A FAMILY OF JOYFUL PEOPLE – HOW COULD IT NOT BE IF THE LORD JESUS CONQUERED ALL THINGS AND GAVE US HIS KINGDOM?

“giving thanks to the Father, “

• ENDURANCE PATIENCE AND JOY FLOW FROM A HEART OF THANKSGIVING TO THE FATHER
• THANKFUL HEART KEEPS HOPE GROWING AND RESISTS MURMURING AND COMPLAINT FROM MANIFESTING EVEN IN TROUBLING SEASONS

“who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light. “

WHAT DID JESUS DO ? WHO QUALIFIED US AND FOR WHAT?

• HE QUALIFIED AS HIS CHILDREN BY HIS BLOOD
• MADE US WORTHY
• CERTIFIED US

TO WHAT?

• TO RECEIVE AND JOIN FREELY WITH HIM IN HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE
• IN THE LIGHT
• THE FATHER IS THE LIGHT AND IN HIM WE STAND CERTIFIED

HOW?

• LIVING IN THE LIGHT BY FAITH – ONLY IN BY AND FROM HIM

Luke 12:33 “ Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

INCOMPARABLE CHRIST

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, HOW GREAT YOU ARE!!! I BLESS AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME STRENGTH AND INVIGORATE ME WITH ALL POWER ACCORDING TO THE MIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWELLS IN ME. THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT FOR TEACHING ME TO ACHIEVE ALL KIND OF ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE WITH JOY (IN ALL SEASONS OF LIFE). THANK YOU FOR I RECEIVE AND I JOIN FREELY WITH YOUR GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN THE LIGHT OF THE FATHER WHO IS THE LIGHT. IN HIM WE STAND CERTIFIED FOR ETERNITY. AMEM
*****************************

“For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]. “

WHAT HAS JESUS DONE FOR ALL ETERNITY?

• RESCUED US
• DRAW US TO HIM TO BE WITH HIM
• TRANSFERRED US TO HIS KINGDOM

WHY DID HE RECUE US?

• HE MADE US FOR HIM AND FOR HIM ALONE – HIS FAMILY
• WE ARE BOUGHT BY HIS BLOOD – LOVES US SO MUCH
• TO DRAW US TO HIMSELF
• NEVER ORPHANS OR ALONE AFTER BEING RESCUED
• GREAT JOY OF KNOWING HE IS ALWAYS WITH US
• WE ARE NOW IN ANOTHER KINGDOM AS HE TRANSFERRED US TO HIS KINGDOM

WHAT DID HE RESCUE US FROM?

• FROM THE DOMINION OF DARKNESS
• FROM THIS KINGDOM OF FALLEN WORLD
• FROM THE POWER OF THE ENEMY OF THIS WORLD
• FROM A LIFE OF SIN AND DEATH

WHERE DID JESUS TAKE US AFTER WE WERE RESCUED?

TO WHICH CITIZENSHIP DO WE BELONG TO NOW?

TRANSFER:(MEANING)

• conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
• removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
• an act, process, or instance
• the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
• TRANSFERRED US TO HIS KINGDOM OF LIGHT
• KINGDOM OF HIS BELOVED SON
• UNDER NEW DOMINION AND AUTHORITY
• BONDSERVANT OF LOVE
• CITIZENSHIP OF GODS KINGDOM – GATES OF JUSTICE AND WALLS OF PRAISE
• CITIZENSHIP OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

“The Lord will count, when He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah. The singers as well as the players of flutes will say, “All my springs and sources of joy are in you [Jerusalem, city of God].””‭‭Psalms‬ ‭87:6-7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

HOW DID HE REDEEM US TO HIMSELF?

WHAT DID HE DO?

• BY THE POWER OF HIS LOVE
• POWER OF FORGIVENESS
• DUE TO THE FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS – HIS SACRIFICE AND BLOOD, HE FORGAVE MY SINS AND CANCELED THE PENALTY OF SIN AND DEATH
• MY SINS HE DOES NOT REMEMBER MORE – HE THREW IT IN THE LAKE OF NO REMEMBRANCE – IT IS LIKE I NEVER SINNED BEFORE
• IN CHRIST GOD DOES NOT SEE MY SINS – THE SON ADVOCATE FOR US ETERNITY BEFORE THE FATHER

DOES THIS MEAN WE CAN SIN SINCE GOD DOES NOT SEE US MORE AS SINNERS, BUT JUSTIFIED, SANCTIFIED, GLORIFIED IN JESUS? (ROM 6:15)
SAVED (JUSTIFIED)BEING SAVED (SANCTIFIED)WILL BE SAVED (GLORIFIED)

• NO – WHY?
• “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” (ROM 6:18)
• WE HAVE THE LORD AS OUR MASTER, FRIEND AND KING OVER OUR LIVES
• WE ARE HIS AND HIS ALONE

SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

“He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

WHO IS JESUS?

• PERFECT VISIBLE REPRESENTATION OF GOD THE FATHER WHO IS SPIRIT
• THE WORD OF GOD WHO BECAME FLESH
• FULL OF GRACE AND FULL OF TRUTH
• EXACT EXPRESSION OF GODS GLORY AND PERFECT DISPLAY OF HIS CHARACTER
• FIRST OF ALL THINGS BEFORE ALL CREATION -THE SEEN AND UNSEEN

“For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities;

• HE IS THE WORD OF GOD- ETERNAL SOUND – FREQUENCY FROM WHICH ALL CREATION CAME ABOUT

“all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. “

• ALL THINGS WERE CREATED THROUGH AND TO HIM

“And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] “

• HE HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR HE IS THE ETERNAL WORD OF GOD

“He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; “

JESUS ALONE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH FOR THE CHURCH IS HIS

“and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, “

OTHERS WERE RAISED FROM THE DEAD BEFORE LIKE LAZARUS, BUT HE IS THE BEGINNING AND FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD WITH GLORIFIED BODY
WHO CAME TO THE FATHER AS A LIVING SACRIFICE FOR ALL ?

AT THE END ALL BORN AGAIN WILL BE BEFORE THE FATHER WITH THEIR BODIES GLORIFIED INTRODUCED BY JESUS (NOT ONLY WITH THEIR SPIRIT)

“so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. “

JESUS IS SUPREME ABOVE ALL

“For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), “

WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN?

WHAT PLEASES HIM THE MOST?

• TO DWELL AND FILL THEM WITH ALL OF HIS FULLNESS DEITY – FIRST WAS JESUS THE HEAD AND NOW HIS BODY – ALL GODS ESSENCE, PERFECTION, POWER AND ATRIBUTES

• AS HE DID WITH JESUS NOW HE DWELLS IN ME ALL OF HIM FOR HIM TO HIM THROUGH HIM BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven. “

ALL THIS PEACE IS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE SON – RECONCILES ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF – BE ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN

“And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things, “

WHERE WAS THE FALLEN HUMANITY?

• AT KRONOS TIME, ESTRANGED AND HOSTILE MINDED DOOMED TO HELL PARTICIPATING IN ALL EVIL THINGS

“yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, “

YET SOMETHING CHANGED IT ALL

HOW DID CHRIST RECONCILE HUMANITY TO GOD?

• HE OFFERED HIMSELF IN HIS HUMAN BODY AS THE PERFECT LIVING SACRIFICE
• AS THE SON OF MAN – IN HUMAN BODY – SECOND ADAM
• DEATH TO HIS PHYSICAL BODY AS THE PAYMENT TO SIN AND DEATH – WE ARE REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD FOR HE BECAME HUMAN – WORD OF GOD BECAME FLESH TO RECONCILE ALL WHO BELIEVES IN HIM BY HIS BLOOD

“in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach— [and He will do this] “

• ALL HUMANITY WILL BE BEFORE GOD ONE DAY
• THERE WILL BE THE HOLY AND BLAMELESS ONES BEING PRESENTED TO THE FATHER BY JESUS HIMSELF BOUGHT BY HIS BLOOD
• IT IS JESUS JOY AND PLEASURE TO PRESENT US BEFORE THE FATHER

PRESENT US HOW?

• HOLY
• BLAMELESS
• BEYOND REPROACH BY HIS SACRIFICE AND BLOOD

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS , YOUR LOVE IS AMAZING! THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN EXPRESS LORD JESUS OF WHAT YOU DID AT THE CROSS IN OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER. BY YOUR BLOOD YOU RESCUED MY SOUL. LORD JESUS THANK YOU FOR TRANSPORTING ME FROM DARKNESS INTO YOUR LIGHT. AS YOU GAVE YOUR ALL BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT TO RECONCILE ME TO THE FATHER GOD, I GIVE MY ALL TO YOU TO LOVE, WORSHIP AND SERVE YOU ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU FOR PREPARING ME TO BE BEFORE THE FATHER THAT DAY HOLY, BLAMELESS AND BEYOND APPROACH. I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE. AMEM
*****************************

WHAT IS THE CONDITION OR NEED OF EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER FOR JESUS TO PRESENT HIS BELOVED ONES BEFORE THE FATHER BLAMELESS AND HOLY?
THERE IS THE “IF”

IF THERE IS A “IF” THERE IS A CONDITION TO FOLLOW THE FAITH IN CHRIST.

IF SOMEONE DECIDES TO SHIFT AWAY , HOW CAN THERE BE SALVATION OF HIS OR HER SOUL IF THERE IS NO REPENTANCE OF THE WRONG DECISION OF SHIFTING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH ?

IF (CONDITION OF THE HEART TO ALLOW OR TO YIELD )

: in the event that: allowing that: on the assumption that: on condition that
“if you continue in the faith,well-grounded and steadfast,and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, “

3 CONDITIONS FOR MY LIFE

1 – NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN THE TRUTH OF JESUS, WHO HE IS IN ME AND WHO I AM IN HIM – BELOVED GROWING ALWAYS IN THE FAITH

• THE REACTION OF SOMEONE REVEALS THE CURRENT PERSONAL BELIEF OF TRUTH AND VALUES
• DO WE REACT IN FAITH OR IN FEAR?
• DO WE REACT WITH THANKSGIVING OR MURMURING ?
• IN FACE OF TRIBULATION, DO WE REACT WITH JOY OR WITH DEPRESSION?

2 – HAVE STRONG FOUNDATION AND DEEP CONVICTION OF THE TRUTH AND DEEP ROOTS IN THE LOVE OF GOD

• NEVER SHIFT AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL – THERE IS POWER OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL

• WHAT IS THE TRUTH OF GOD AND WHERE CAN IT BE FOUND THAT SETS US FREE?

• THERE IS NO SOLID FOUNDATION OR DETERMINATION WITHOUT BEING ROOTED IN GODS PERFECT LOVE

• KNOW AND BE ALIGNED WITH HIS WORD

WELL-GROUNDED – having a firm foundation

STEADFAST – : firmly fixed in place : not subject to change, firm in belief, determination, or adherence

3 – NEVER CHANGE FROM THE CONFIDENT HOPE THAT COMES FROM RECEIVING THE GOSPEL

THE TRUE OF SOMETHING DOES NOT SET US FREE BUT ONLY THE TRUTH OF THE WORD

TRUE OF SOMETHING IS NOT THE FINAL WORD OF THE TRUTH

I CAN BE SICK WHICH IT CAN BE A TRUE REALITY, BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED , I AM RICH, I AM SAVED

• THE TRUTH IS A PERSON AND HIS WORD IS THE WORD OF GOD – TO MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT TO OBEY, TO PROSPER AND TO SUCCEED PLEASING GOD

“which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister. “

• PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL WAS FOR ALL CREATION UNDER HEAVEN

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church. “

WHY DOES PAUL REJOICE IN HIS SUFFERINGS?

ON BEHALF OF WHO?

THE CHURCH – GODS PEOPLE

WHY THE CHURCH?

“In this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me for your sake, “

IT CAME FROM GOD THIS ORDINANCE AND NOT FROM MEN – IT WAS IN GODS HEART TO ENTRUST THE CHURCH TO PAUL TO MINISTER AND TO BE THE STEWARD OF THE SAME – PAUL WAS A BONDSERVANT IN FIRST PLACE TO GOD AND HE WOULD BY THE GRACE AND PEACE OF GOD FULFILL HIS ASSIGNMENT

FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

“so that I might make the word of God fully known [among you]— “

IT WAS ENTRUSTED TO PAUL TO BRING FORTH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF GOD FULLY TO THE CHURCH

• PAULS COMMITMENT IS TO SPREAD THE WORD OF GOD TO BE KNOWN BY THE CHURCH FULLY – NOT SOME OF IT – FULL GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM NOT THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION ALONE
• GOSPEL OF SALVATION FOCUS ON BEING SAVED AND TO GO TO HEAVEN
• GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM IS FOCUSED ON BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH AS JESUS TAUGHT THE DISCIPLES ABOUT PRAYING TO THE FATHER – JESUS PREACHED THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO COME TO EARTH AND NOT THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION

“that is, the mystery which was hidden [from angels and mankind] for ages and generations, “

PAUL RECEIVED THE REVELATION OF THE WORD AND MYSTERY THAT WAS HIDDEN FROM MEN AND ANGELS FOR CENTURIES UNTIL THE RIGHT TIME TO REVEAL IT

WHAT WAS THE MYSTERY?

JESUS THE HOPE OF GLORY

REVEALED TO WHOM?

“but has now been revealed to His saints (God’s people). “

WHAT DID GOD CHOOSE TO DO WITH THIS MYTERY IN HIS ETERNAL PLAN?

“God [in His eternal plan] chose to make known to them how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, “

GOD CHOSE TO MAKE KNOWN – AWARE

MAKE KNOWN WHAT?

WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY

“which is Christ in and among you, the hope and guarantee of [realizing the] glory. “

JESUS IS THE MYSTERY – THE WORD OF GOD IN AND AMONG HIS CHILDREN – THE HOPE GUARANTEE OF TRUE GLORY

• HOPE AND GLORY IS CHRIST
• IN US
• AMONG US
• NOT FAR AWAY, BUT EMMANUEL

“We proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom [that is, with comprehensive insight into the word and purposes of God], so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, and perfect in Him—the Anointed]. “

WHAT DID PAUL PROCLAIM?
WHAT AND WHY DID HE INSTRUCT WITH COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHT INTO THE WORD AND PURPOSE OF GOD?

BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER AS A BONDSERVANT TO PRESENT EVERYONE BY THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL AND THE WORD OF GOD COMPLETE/WHOLE SPIRIT ,SOUL AND BODY IN CHRIST -MATURE , FULLY TRAINED, AND PERFECT IN HIM – THE ANOINTED

“For this I labor [often to the point of exhaustion], striving with His power and energy, which so greatly works within me.”

THIS IS PAUL’s ASSIGNMENT WHICH HE DOES AT A POINT OF EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE LOVE AND IMPORTANCE

HOW DOES HE FULFILL HIS ASSIGNMENT?
ALL COMES FROM THE DYNAMOS POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WORKS WITHIN HIM – INSIDE OUT FROM HEAVEN PERSPECTIVE AND INFLUENCE

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:1-29‬ ‭AMP‬‬
*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS , THANK YOU FOR IN CHRIST I HAVE HOPE , DWELL AND CARRY YOUR GLORY. TEACH ME TO LIVE AND PREACH THE FULL GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEALED SOUL THAT NEVER STOPS BELIEVING IN THE TRUTH OF GOD OF WHO I AM IN JESUS AND JESUS IN ME – BELOVED GROWING ALWAYS IN THE FAITH. THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT FOR BUILDING IN ME STRONG FOUNDATION OF THE TRUTH WITH DEEP ROOTS OF YOUR LOVE – AMEM
——————————————————-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX——————————————————-

CHAPTER 2

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face. “

WHAT DOES PAUL WANT THE BRETHREN TO KNOW?
WHAT WAS HE CONCERNED ABOUT?
THE STRUGGLES AND CRY OF HIS HEART – PAUL HAD THE HEART OF THE FATHER

“For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish] love,”

WHAT WAS PAUL’s HOPE? WHY?

• IT IS ALL ABOUT THE HEART OF MEN THAT CAN BECOME DISCOURAGED IN FAITH OR DULL AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TO EACH OTHER

WHAT DOES THE HEART/ SOUL OF THE BELIEVERS NEED?

• IT NEEDS HEALING, ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

• IT ONLY HAPPENS THROUGH RELATIONSHIP BEING KNITTED -UNITY IN FAITH AND IN THE SPIRIT WITH UNSELFISH LOVE

• IT COMES FIRST THROUGH DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

• THEN WITHIN THE BODY UNITED EXPRESSED BY LOVE ACTION – NOT SELFISH OR SELF INTEREST OR AMBITION OR PROMOTION
• HEALING ALSO COMES BEING UNITED WITH EACH OTHER

PAUL POINTS OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BIDDING ONE TO ANOTHER IN UNSELFISH LOVE OF GOD – UNITY IN LOVE IS THE CHANNEL FOR BLESSING

• UNITY IN LOVE AND AGREEMENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD ARE KEY AGAINST DIVISION, UNBELIEF, HOPELESSNESS AND DISCOURAGEMENT

• THERE IS NO ENCOURAGEMENT OR HEALING OF THE HEART OR SOUL OF THE BODY OF CHRIST WITHOUT KNITTING – BEING UNITED IN FAITH AND IN THE SPIRIT WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TO ONE ANOTHER ALL WITH THE LOVE OF GOD

“so that they may have all the riches that come from the full assurance of understanding [the joy of salvation], resulting in a true [and more intimate] knowledge of the mystery of God, that is, Christ, “

WHY IS BIDDING SO IMPORTANT?

WHAT DOES PAUL WANT THE BELOVED ONES TO HAVE?

WHAT CAN BELIEVERS MISS OR NOT UNDERSTAND CASE THERE IS LACK OF UNITY (BUT DIVISION, PRIDE, STRIVE)?

WHAT CAN IT HAPPEN IF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT ACCEPTED AND HONORED (WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE HEAD) AND THERE IS NO UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS IN LOVE?

• LOSE ALL THE RICHES OF HEAVEN WITHOUT UNITY WITH THE HEAD AND WITH THE BODY
• NOT A FEW, BUT WE ARE TO RECEIVE ALL THE RICHES OF BLESSINGS IN CHRIST
• ALL GODS PROMISES COME FROM THE ASSURANCE BY RECEIVING THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE JOY OF SALVATION WHICH IS THE TRUE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD – HIS SON JESUS THE ANOINTED ONE
• THERE IS NO ACCESS TO SUCH RICHES OF HEAVEN WITHOUT RECEIVING FIRST
• PEOPLE CAN BE THIRSTY FOR GOD, BUT IF ONLY THIRST EXISTS AND THEY DO NOT RECEIVE OR DO NOT KNOW HOW TO RECEIVE OR TO SHARE IT, NO TRANSFORMATION WILL TAKE PLACE
• IT IS A GIFT TO SEARCH AND IT AVAILABLE TO LEARN AND TO RECEIVE

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS UNITY WITH THE HEAD JESUS AND ALSO WITH THE BODY (BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST) ?

“How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? “ Deut 32:30

WHAT DO UNDERSTANDING THE POWER AND PURPOSE OF UNITY AS WELL AS THE JOY OF THE SALVATION IN CHRIST RESULT IN ?

“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God]. “

• ALL TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
• JESUS HOLDS IN HIMSELF ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD AND PURPOSES OF GOD – BEING ONE WITH HIM AND WITH HIS FAMILY MEAN ALSO TO HOLD AND TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL SUCH TREASURES

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS , YOU ARE THE ONE WHO KNIT YOUR CHILDREN AS ONE WITH YOU AND EACH OTHER. IN YOU I FIND ALL THE RICHES OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHO YOU ARE – FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.THANKS FOR THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ME THAT BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT AND PATIENCE ENDURANCE IN THE RACE OF FAITH. I PRAISE YOUR LORD JESUS – THE WORD – MYSTERY OF GOD. THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL THE RICHES I HAVE IN YOU AS YOUR LOVE DRAWS ME CLOSER TO THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD – YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY. AMEM
*****************************

“I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive [but thoroughly deceptive] arguments. “
(OTHER VERSION)
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

WHY DID PAUL CLEARLY SPEAK THE TRUTH EVEN WITH STRUGGLES IN HIS HEART FOR THE NEED OF THE BRETHREN TO BE KNITTED IN LOVE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ALL THE TREASURES IN JESUS ?

WHAT IS THE DANGER AND HOW CAN THIS WORLD ROB THE TREASURE OF WISDOM, REJECT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND LEAD MANY ASTRAY WITH SELFISH AMBITIOUS AND DESIRES ?

• WITHOUT BEING UNITED AND ENCOURAGED WITH THE LORD FIRST AND WITH EACH OTHER, GREATER IS THE DANGER OF FALLING INTO PERSUASIVE AND DECEIVING ARGUMENTS – IDEAS – HUMAN /DEVIL THOUGHTS

• ARGUMENTS – a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

• PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT ACCORDING TO TRADITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD AND NOT OF GOD

WHAT KILLS SUCH HUMANISTIC EARTHLY FIRST HEAVEN (NOT 3rd HEAVEN) PRINCIPLES AND ARGUMENTS ?

• ALIGNMENT WITH THE HEAD OF ALL WISDOM AND POWER

• ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRUTH AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT COME FROM THE HEAD – THIRD HEAVEN

• BE UNITED WITH THE HEAD CHRIST AND WITH HIS BODY (BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST)

• THERE IS NO UNITY ONLY WITH THE HEAD WITHOUT BEING UNITED ALSO WITH CHRIST BODY AND VISE-VERSA

• THERE IS NO LOVE TO GOD WITHOUT LOVING OTHERS

• LACK OF UNITY OPENS DOOR AS EASY PREY TO THE SPIRIT OF LIES AND DECEPTION

“For even though I am absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] “

and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].”
‭

• PAUL COULD SEE THE BRETHREN IN SPIRIT UNITED SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AS FORMING A SOLID FRONT -REMINDS OF ROMAN ARMY WITH HIGH SHIELDS SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

“As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.”
‭‭
WHAT KIND OF FAITH IS PAUL MENTIONING HERE?

STABILITY FAITH – STRONG WITH ENDURANCE – RESIST AGAINST CHANGE TO GIVE IN

• the quality, state, or degree of being stable

• the strength to stand or endure : FIRMNESS

• the property of a body that causes it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition

• resistance to chemical change or to physical disintegration

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—“
WHAT ARE ALL THE BRETHREN CALLED TO DO AFTER RECEIVING JESUS?

• CONTINUE WALKING , SPEAKING OR BEHAVING AS BEFORE RECEIVING JESUS? NEVER
• WALK HOW? IN UNITY WITH JESUS – FOLLOW HIS LEAD – LEANING ON HIM – PROGRESS FAITH IN HIM

WALK – TO REFLECT SAME CHARACTER, DEEDS AND WORDS AS HE DID

HOW?
BEING IN AGREEMENT WITH HIM – SAME FREQUENCY OF LOVE CONNECTED LIKE GLUE – BRANCH CONNECTED TO THE VINE TO PRODUCE WHAT COMES FROM THE VINE ALONE

• To behave; to pursue a course of life; to conduct oneself

“living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, “
HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS BORN AGAIN LIVE THEIR LIVES?

• LIVE A LIFE THAT LEADS OTHERS AWAY FROM SIN

HOW CAN THE CHILDREN OF GOD LEAD OTHERS AWAY FROM SIN?

• BEING DEEPLY ROOTED IN HIM IN LOVE
• ALLOW JESUS TO LOVE AND TOUCH ME FIRST SO THAT HE CAN LOVE AND TOUCH OTHERS THROUGH ME
• ALLOWING HIS WORD TO GO DEEP AND LIVE IT OUT NOT ONLY HEARER BUT DOERS OF THE WORD BY FAITH
• BEING BUILD UP IN HIM – BE INFUSED WITH STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT
• BEING ESTABLISHED CONTINUOUSLY IN THE FAITH IN DEVOTION TO HIM PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

HOW CAN CHILDREN OF GOD BE ESTABLISHED MORE AND MORE IN THEIR FAITH?

• FAITH IS PERSONAL
• FAITH TAKES COURAGE
• FAITH REQUIRES TO TAKE RISK
• FAITH REQUIRES TO STEP OUT OF THE BOAT AS PETER DID
• FAITH COMES FROM THE SOURCE – TO LISTEN AND EXPERIENCE THE WORD AND GOODNESS OF GOD

“just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude. “

• KEY TO HAVE TEACHABLE HEART
• KEY TO OVERFLOW WITH IT IN WITH GRATITUDE
• OVERFLOW WITH ALL THAT WAS LEARNED WALKS TOGETHER HAND AT HAND WITH GRATITUDE
• THERE IS NO LEARNING OR OVERFLOW WITHOUT GRATITUDE

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ. “

DIFFERENT VERSIONS
“Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

WHAT IS THE DANGER?

WHAT MUST EVERY BELIEVER BE AWARE OF?

• HUMAN CARNAL MIND FROM FIRST HEAVEN MENTALITY COMBINED WITH EVIL FORCES WITH ATTEMPT TO
• DISTRACTION TO PLEASE THE FLESH
• TAKE CAPTIVE,
• LEAD AWAY
• STEAL FAITH AND HOPE
• REMOVE LOVE
• ATTRACT CHILDREN OF GOD AWAY FROM CHRIST AND ALL THE FULNESS ABUNDANT LIFE HE GIVES FREELY

HOW DOES THE ENEMY TRY TO ATTRACT AND MISLEAD?

• PERSUASIVE THOUGHTS AND WORDS

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God].

WHAT IS JESUS FULL OF IN HIS BODY? WHAT DWELLS IN HIM?

WHAT ARE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS FULL OF AND DWELLS IN THEM THROUGH JESUS?

• THE FULNESS OF DIETY TO EXPRESS DIVINE ESSENCE OF GOD HEAD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWEELS IN ME

FULNESS -> STATE – INTENSITY – RICHNESS

• the quality or state of being filled completely or to utmost capacity:
• Music. the quality of possessing a richness or intensity of sound:
• (especially in wine, beer, or coffee) richness of body and flavor:

“And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], “

IN WHOM CAN LIVES BE MADE COMPLETE?

ONLY IN JESUS

COMPLETE DEFINITION

1. To finish; to make done; to reach the end. To make whole or entire.

• With all parts included; with nothing missing; full.
• Finished; ended; concluded; completed.
• (mathematical analysis, of a metric space) In which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point within the space.
• (algebra, of a lattice) In which every set with a lower bound has a greatest lower bound.
• (mathematics, of a category) In which all small limits exist.
• (logic, of a proof system of a formal system with respect to a given semantics) In which every semantically valid well-formed formula is provable.

“and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power]. “

WHO IS THE HEAD OVER ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY BE IN HEAVEN OR EARTH?

• JESUS IS THE ONE AND UNDER HIS PERFECT LEADERSHIP HE REIGNS SUPREME – RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HIS THRONE

“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], “

• JESUS CIRCUMCISION IS SPIRITUAL NOT PHYSICAL.
• IT IS OF THE HEART (SOUL) OF MAN AND ONLY BY HIS POWER HE CAN STRIPP AWAY ALL SINFUL CARNAL NATURE

“having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead. “

WHAT IS THE SIGN OF BEING WITH CHRIST?

• BURIED WITH HIM (BAPTISM OF WATER)
• RAISED WITH HIM

BURIED TO WHAT?
RAISED TO WHAT – TO WHOM?

• BURIED TO SUNFUL NATURE
• RAISED TO LIVE THE NATURE OF CHRIST IN HIM (NEW CREATION IN GOD)

HOW? THROUGH WHAT?

• THROUGH FAITH ( LOVE AND HOPE EMERGES FROM FAITH)
• BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE ARE SAVED

FAITH IN WHAT?

• FAITH IN THE WORKING OF GOD
• FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST AT THE CROSS
• WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE HEART

WHAT WAS GOD’ s DISPLAY OF WORKING IN FAITH?

• JESUS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD – SO ARE THOSE UNITED WITH HIM – THERE IS NO FAITH OF GODS WORKING WITHOUT GOD RAISING HIS SON FROM THE DEAD

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), “

WHERE IS GODS CREATION – HUMANITY WITHOUT CHRIST?

• DEAD SPIRITUALLY IN OUR SINS
• UNCIRCUMCISED IN THE FLESH WALKING NOT IN FAITH BUT ACCORDING TO THE VALUES AND MANNER OF LIFE OF THIS WORLD

“God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins, “

WHAT DID THE FATHER DO?

• TOGETHER UNITED WITH JESUS HE MADE US ALIVE

HOW DID HE ACCOMPLISH THIS?

• BY HIS LOVE AND MERCY, THE FATHER FORGAVE US ALL OF OUR SINS THROUGH HIS SON
• IN CHRIST WE FIND LIFE

“having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. “

WHAT ELSE DID JESUS DO AT THE FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS FOR ALL ETERNITY?

• JESUS CANCELLED ALL THE CERTIFICATE OF DEBT HOSTILE AGAINST HIS CHILDREN

“And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. “

HOW DID HE REMOVE THE CERTIFICATE OF DEBT?

• BY HIM THE TRUE WORD BEING NAILED TO THE CROSS
• AS HE WAS NAILED, HIS BLOOD WAS DISPLAYED AS SIGNATURE OF BEING BOUGHT BY HIM COMPLETING CERTIFICATE OF DEATH AND SIN DEMANDS

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us],

BY JESUS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WHAT DID HAPPEN TO THE RULERS AND AUTHORITIES OF 2 HEAVEN AND EARTH AS HE WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE CROSS?

• JESUS DISARMED THEM

DISARMED

• to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile
• to win over
• to divest of arms
• to deprive of a means of attack or defense
• to make harmless
• to lay aside arms
• to give up or reduce armed force

“He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession],”

• JESUS DID NOT HIDE HIS VICTORY, BUT HE EXPOSED ALL DARKNESS
• TO EVERYONE TO KNOW AND FREELY BE TO DECIDE TO BE WITH HIM OR NOT
• NO ONE HAS EXCUSE OF NOT SEEING WHAT HE DID FOR ALL EYERNITY

“having triumphed over them through the cross. “

• IT WAS THROUGH THE FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS – NOTHING ELSE COULD GIVE SUCH POWER AND THE RIGHT FOR JESUS TRIUMPHED OVER THE ENEMY OF SIN AND DEATH

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS , THANK YOU FOR IN CHRIST I AM CIRCUMCISED AS A NEW CREATION. I DECLARE I AM FREE AS YOU HAVE SET ME FREE OF ALL EVIL AND DECEITFUL SPIRITS. THANK YOU FOR I WAS BURIED TO MY SINFUL NATURE WITH YOU AT THE CROSS AND NOW I WAS RAISED WITH YOU, MADE COMPLETE AND ALIVE THROUGH YOU. BY YOUR POWER YOU DISARMED THE ENEMY AND I AM FREE TO LIVE FOR YOU ALONE. YOU GAVE ME SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT NOT TO FALL INTO FOOLISH AUGMENTS OF THIS WORD. I ASK YOU TO CONTINUE ROOTING MY HEART AND SOUL DEEPER IN YOUR LOVE. LET MY FAITH GROW STRONG AND BE STABLED IN YOUR WORD. AMEM

*******************************
“Therefore let no one judge you in regard to food and drink or in regard to [the observance of] a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. “

• PEOPLE JUDGE OTHERS UNDER SPIRIT OF SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS , PRIDE AND GUILT
• PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE TRUTH SO JUDGE ACCORDING TO TRADITIONS OF MAN
• PAUL ALERTS NOT TO FALL INTO FALSE WORDS OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ZELOUS OR SPIRIT SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS
• FALLING INTO RELIGIOUS SPIRIT JUDGEMENTS ENDS INTO CONDEMNATION AND GUILT
• RELIGIOUS ACTS ARE AGAINST THE FINISH WORK OF THE CROSS. IT IS NOT A SAFETY NET FOR A CLEAR CONSCIOUS
• DUE TO THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS, THERE IS NO MORE RULING, TRADITIONS OR JUDGEMENT OF THE FIRST COVENANT OF THE LAWS OF MOSES, BUT NOW HUMANITY ARE JUDGED AND RULED BY THE SECOND COVENANT OF GRACE AND TRUTH THOUGH CHRIST

“Such things are only a shadow of what is to come and they have only symbolic value; “

• SYMBOLIC VALUE ARE NOW ONLY UNDER THE NEW COVENANT
• FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS IS RECEIVED BY GRACE NOT BY WORKS OF THE FLESH OR TRADITIONS OF MAN

“but the substance [the reality of what is foreshadowed] belongs to Christ. “

• THE TRUTH AND REAL SUBSTANCE OF TOTAL DELIVERANCE AND FREEDOM FROM SIN AND DEATH ARE ONLY FOUND IN CHRIST AND IN WHAT HE DID AT THE FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS

“Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind, and not holding fast to the head [of the body, Jesus Christ], “

• THERE ARE THE ONES UNDER RELIGIOUS SPIRIT PUFFED UP FULL OF SELF PRIDE WITH UNSPIRITUAL MIND (1 & 2 HEAVEN MENTALITY) NOT YELLED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT READY TO MOCK AND HUMILIATE OTHERS
• BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN BE DEFRAUDED AND CORRUPTED IF LISTEN TO SUCH PEOPLE

• DEFRAUD
• to deprive of something by deception or fraud
• Synonyms
• beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, fleece, flimflam, gaff, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize

“from whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth [that can come only] from God. “

HOW DOES THE BODY OF CHRIST GROW?
HOW CAN EACH BELIEVER DEVELOP IN ITS OWN DESIGN AND CALLING?

• THE SOURCE AND SUPPLY COME ALIGNED AND UNITED WITH THE HEAD. CONSEQUENTLY ALSO CONNECTED JOUNED TOGETHER WITH THE PARTS OF THE BODY
• BEING CONNECTED WITH THE HEAD ALSO RESULTS BEING CONNECTED WITH THE BODY
• THE GROWTH COMES FROM UNITY ALIGNED FIRST WITH THE HEAD AND THEN WITH THE BODY
• THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL (HEAD) AND THEN EACH OTHER (BODY)
• THERE IS NO UNITY WITHOUT LOVING EACH OTHER AND LOVE HAS EXPRESSION NOT ONLY WORDS

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were still living in the world, do you submit to rules and regulations, such as, “Do not handle [this], do not taste [that], do not [even] touch!”? (these things all perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men. “

WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THOSE IN CHRIST?

• IT IS PAST TENSE OF SOMETHING THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST

• IN CHRIST AS HE DIED SO DID I

WHAT DID A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER DIE TO? WHAT DOES BEING DEAD IN CHRIST MEAN?

• ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD
• MATERIAL WAYS OF LOOKING AT THINGS
• RUDIMENTS OF THIS WORKD
• RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS AND POWER OF THIS WORLD

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT HERE?

“These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body asceticism(), “

• ACTIONS AND PRACTICES OF SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS – RELIGIOUS SPIRIT

• 3 PRACTICES

• FALSE APPEARANCE – SEEK SELF WISDOM IN SELF MODE RELIGION – NO NEED OF GODS GRACE AND HOLY SPIRIT
• MOCK HUMILITY – FULL OF SELF PRIDE – SELF INTEREST – ATITUDES OF MOCKING

• to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively.
• to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit.
• to use ridicule or derision; scoff; jeer (often followed by at).

• ABUSE OF BODY AS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS – SELF PITY

asceticism

• the practice of strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline : the condition, practice, or mode of life of an ascetic : rigorous abstention from self-indulgence

“but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God].”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:1-23‬ ‭AMP‬‬

• SUCH PRACTICES HAVE NO VALUE OR POWER AGAINST SELF INDULGENCE OF SIN – THERE IS NO POWER TO CHANGE HEART
• ONLY THRU BELIEVING AND ACCEPTING THE TRUTH OF THE FINISHED WORK AT CROSS AND BLOOD OF JESUS THAT THERE IS POWER TO BREAK THE POWER OF SIN AND CHANGE HEARTS

INDULGENCE

• willing to allow excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration : indulging or characterized by indulgence
• done or enjoyed as a special treat or pleasure

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS , MY HEART IS YOURS – MY OLD NATURE HAS DIED WITH YOU AT THE CROSS. I LOOSE FROM MY SOUL (EMOTION, MIND , WILL) ALL FLESH DESIRES FOR SIN, CORRUPTION, LUST, FEAR OF MAN, SELF CENTER, SELF INTEREST, ALL THAT IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE WILL AND PURPOSES OF GOD FOR MY LIFE.
I DECLARE THAT I BIND MY SOUL TO THE LIFE OF GOD. THE LOVE OF GOD , HIS WAYS ,HIS THOUGHTS, HIS WILL AND PURPOSES FOR MY LIFE. I DECLARE THAT MY SOUL IS HEALED AND STRONG IN YOU NOT TO FALL IN THE INDULGENCE OF SINFUL NATURR OR PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD THAT ARE AGAINST YOUR WORD WITH THE APPEARANCE OF FALSE HUMILITY AND RELIGION OF MAN. AMEM

——————————————————-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX——————————————————-

CHAPTER 3

“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ALL BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS?IS THERE A SHARING OF LIFE WITH CHRIST DEATH AND RESURRECTION?

IF THERE IS A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE TO CONTINUE SEEKING?

WHAT IS LEFT TO SEEK AND PURSUIT?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS FROM ABOVE TO SEEK?

• FOR ALL BELIEVERS, NEW LIFE IN CHRIST MEANS ALSO BEING RAISED. WITH HIM-NO MORE DEBT TO PAY NO MORE GUILT OR CONDEMNATION!
• WITH THE NEW LIFE – KEEP SEEKING WHAT IS ETERNAL FOR THE NEW LIFE – SEEK WHAT IS FOUND IN THE 3RD HEAVEN
• WHAT CAN IT BE FOUND IN 3RD. HEAVEN ?

• REVELATION OF THE ONE WHO GIVES NEW LIFE – WORD WHO BECAME FLESH
• NOW WE IN THE FLESH BECOME FORMED AS THE WORD OF GOD
• REVELATION OF THE THRONE AND MAJESTY OF THE CREATOR
• SECRETS AND MYSTERIES OF GOD TO THOSE WHO SEEK
• NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE

“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. “

WHAT MUST WE DO TO KEEP SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN FIRST PLACE?

• SET THE MIND (The faculty of a human or other animal by which it thinks, perceives, feels, remembers, or desires)

MIND – SET OR POSITION THE THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, PERCEPTION, MEMORIES AND DESIRES

• CREATE NEW PATHWAYS OF THOUGHT IN THE HUMAN MIND BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD- THOUGHTS OF PURITY, GOOD,OF PRAISE OF PEACE, JUSTICE AND JOY
• BY MEDIATING DAY AND NIGHT IN GODS WORD AND IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM CREATING NEW SOLID PATHWAYS IN THE MIND

To pay attention toTo be careful aboutTo heed in order to obeyTo take care or charge of; look afterTo be concerned or annoyed by; careTo object toTo remember.To become aware of; notice.To take notice; give heedTo behave obedientlyTo be cautious or careful

HOW CAN WE SET OUT MINDS AND CONSTANTLY KEEP FOCUSED AT HEAVENLY THINGS?

“For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. “

PAUL HERE EMPHASIZES 2 VITAL TRUTHS THAT NEEDS TO BE DECLARED, RECEIVED AND BELIEVED!

• EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER IS DEAD TO THIS WORLD
• EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER HAS HIS OR HER LIFE HIDDEN IN CHRIST

BUT HOW ?

• BE FULL WITH THE WORD OF GOD AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – SEEK AND ASK TO BE FULL
• BE CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT IS IN MY SPIRIT
• CREATE NEW PATHWAY OF THOUGHTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
• EAT FROM HIM AND DRINK FROM HIM NO STOP – FROMHIS WORD AND FRIM THE HOLY SPIRIT

THERE IS NO PLACE OF REFUGE AND TO BE HIDDEN FROM THE DECEITFUL PASSIONS OF THIS WORLD WITHOUT BEING DEAD FIRST TO THE WORLD AND ALIVE IN CHRIST

HUMAN SOUL NEEDS ITS MIND TO BE RENEWED ALWAYS WITH THESE TRUTHS.

RENEW – RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL IDEA (MYLES MUNROE)

IF NOT, HE OR SHE WILL NOT GRASP THE PURPOSE AND DESTINY GOD HAS FOR THEM. IT IS A LIE AND TRAP OF SATAN OF RELIGIOUS SPIRIT – TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ON HIS OWN TO SAVE OR HELP GOD FREE HIS OR HER SOUL FROM GUILT, PAIN AND HELL .

IT IS BELIEVING AND TRUSTING IN THE POWER OF THE NAME AND BLOOD OF JESUS AND HIS WORD

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A LIFE HIDDEN IN CHRIST?

• to conceal (properly, by covering) — hide (self), keep secret, secret(-ly).

“My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely. Young Women of Jerusalem” Song of Songs 2:14

• PLACE TO STAND PROTECTED – REFUGE – SECURED AGAINST THE STORMS OF LIFE
• PLACE WHERE FIRE CAN BE SET UP TO WARM KEEP DRY AND SHINE FOREVER
• PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE
• PLACE OF REVELATION OF SECRETS
• PLACE TO SEE HIS FACE AND HEAR HIS VOICE
• PLACE TO SHINE MY FACE AND SPEAK MY VOICE TO JESUS

“When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. “

• APPEARANCE WITH CHRIST STARTS FROM A PLACE OF BEING HIDDEN IN HIM FIRST
• HE IS THE ONE WHO CALLS AND BRINGS HIS CHILDREN INTO APPEARANCE ACCORDING TO THE FATHERS PLAN
• APPEARANCE IN GLORY ONLY COMES FROM HIS LIFE WHICH IS OUR LIFE
• NOTHING HAPPENS APART FROM JESUS WHO IS OUR LIFE
• THERE IS NO AFFECT OR POWER TRYING TO APPEAR AND MANIFEST THE GLORY OF GOD WITHOUT FIRST CAPTURING AND BEING WITH JESUS FILLED OF HIS GLORY FROM THE HIDDEN PLACE OR SECRET PLACE

JESUS KNEW FROM WHERE THE POWER TO OBEY AND SERVE THE FATHER CAME FROM AND HOW TO OBTAIN IT

IT WAS FROM THE HIDDEN PLACES ALONE WITH THE FATHER (SECRET PLACE)

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” Luke 5:16
“So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God]. “

• IN CHRIST EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER IS DEAD TO SIN
• WHY IS PAUL DECLARING TO PUT TO DEATH EVIL LONGINGS OF THE BODY?
• HE DOES NOT REFERENCE THE SOUL, BUT OF THE BODY
• ALTHOUGH WE ARE NEW CREATION IN GOD, WE ARE STILL IN THIS CORRUPTIBLE EARTHLY VESSEL WITH EVIL DESIRES
• ON THE SAME TOKEN AS NEW CREATION IN GOD, EVERY BELIEVER IS NOT SLAVE TO EVIL AND DESIRES OF THE FLESH, BUT CONQUERER BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND LIVE IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

PAUL WRITES ABOUT HUMAN NATURE

“What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? 25 I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord! @ Rom 7:24-25

• BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS SET THEIR MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT

“For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], “

PAUL WRITES THE RESULT OF BEING ALIGNED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

“but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. “

• THE SOUL IS HEALED TO SET ITS MIND IN THE WILL AND PURPOSES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever];” Romans‬ ‭8:5-6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

WHAT IS THE RESULT OF LIVING ALIGNED TO THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH – THINKING CONTROLLED – DOMINATED BY SINFUL SELF?

ANOTHER VERSION
“If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.” Rom 8:6

• DEATH FOR THINKING OF THE SOUL MIND CONTROLLED RULED BY SINFUL SELF
• THE DEEDS WILL FOLLOW THE CONTROLLED SINFUL SELF THINKING

THOUGHT

• the action of using one’s mind to produce thoughts
• reasoning power
• the power to imagine

: OPINION, JUDGMENT

• thought that is characteristic (as of a period, group, or person)

SATAN FELL WITH SINFUL THOUGHT AND FROM A THOUGHT HE SPOKE INTO HIS OWN SOUL FOR DESTRUCTION
HE THOUGHT HE COULD BE AS THE MOST HIGH SEATED ABOVE ALL THE OTHER ANGELS *STAR* – AND HE SAID IN HIS HEART. MAYBE NOT AUDIBLE VOICE, BUT FROM HIS INNER BEING – AND GOD SEES IT ALL – NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM HIM
SATANS PATTERN

• IT STARTED AS A THOUGH
• IT BECAME A WORD
• IT BECAME AN ACTION
• IT BECAME WHO HE IS
• IT BECAME HIS FATE

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High”’ (Isaiah 14:12-14).

TO WHOM IT COME THE WRATH OF GOD?

“Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts], “

WHAT IS THE FRUIT OR RESULT OF CONFORMING WITH SIN?

GOD DOES NOT MAKE EXCEPTIONS – AS HE DID WITH SATAN HE DOES WITH THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE

• GOD BRINGS JUDGEMENT ON THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN CHRIST – THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE AND RECEIVE CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR
• AS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST, JESUS HAS ALREADY AT THE FINISHED WORK AT THE CROSS PAID AND RESCUED HIS OWN BEFORE THE FATHER.
• JESUS HAS ALREADY JUSTIFIED, SANCTIFIED AND GLORIFIED HIS BELOVED ONES.
• AMAZING NEWS!!!! GODS JUDGEMENTS AND WRATH ARE GONE ALREADY FOREVER TO THOSE WHO ARE IN FOR THEIR SINS ARE THROWN AWAY INTO THE LAKE OF NO REMEMBRANCES

WHO ARE THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE ?
WHO IS THE FATHER OF THE DISOBEDIENCE ONES?

• SATAN TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN CHRIST AND DO NOT BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM
• THOSE WHO ALTHOUGH LISTEN STILL RESIST TO OBEY THE PRECEPTS OF GOD
• THOSE WHO ROUTINELY – SINFUL HABITS REJECT – OBSTINATELY DISREGARDS GODS PRECEPTS

OBSTINATELY

• stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
• obstinate resistance to change

not easily subdued, remedied, orremoved obstinate fever

PRECEPTS

• a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action
• an order issued by legally constituted authority to a subordinate official

“and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ]. “

• KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS AND WHAT HE DID AT THE CROSS – OLD NATURE CRUCIFIED AT THE CROSS
• IGNORANCE OF THE TRUTH RESULTS IN WALKING IN SUNFUL LIVING

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS – I DECLARE AND DECREE I HAVE THE MIND AND LIFE OF CHRIST IN ME AND THAT MY THOUGHTS ARE FROM ABOVE NOT OF THIS EARTH . I DECLARE THAT MY SOUL WILL ONLY SEEK WHAT IS FROM ABOVE. MY WALK IS WITH CHRIST IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. I DECLARE MY LIFE IS ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT AND THAT MY MIND, WILL AND EMOTIONS ARE SET ON THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT -HIS WILL AND PURPOSES. AMEM

*****************************
“But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth. “

• PERSONAL DECISION IN FAITH TO ELIMINATE EVIL THOUGHTS AND PRACTICES
• GET HID OF EVIL BEHAVIOR ROOTED IN A HEART OF OLD ADAM OF SELF INDULGENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE AGAINST GOD
• VULGAR LANGUAGE FROM THE MOUTH REVEALS CONDITION OF THE HEART STILL ATTACHED TO THE OLD SELF

“Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, “

• IN CHRIST THE OLD SELF IS GONE WITH ITS LIES AND EVIL PRACTICES
• WHO EVER LIVES LYING IS A SON OF THE DEVIL AND NOT OF GOD
• THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE PRACTICE OF EVIL DO NOT KNOW GOD AND NEED CONTINUOUS RENEWAL OF THE MIND THROUGH THE MEDITATION OF THE WORD OF GOD AND A DEVOTIONAL LIFE PRAYER FOR COMPLETE DELIVERANCE AND HEALING OF THE SOUL

OLD SELF NATURE

• the way that you normally were in the past, before something happened

“and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— “

IF THE OLD SELF IS GONE, WHAT IS LEFT?

• THERE IS THE NEW SELF IN CHRIST
• NEW NATURE – NEW CREATION

PUT ON

• to dress oneself in
• to make part of one’s appearance or behavior
• put a saintly manner on
• to cause to act or operate

HOW TO PUT ON THE NEW?

• NOT ONLY ONE TIME, BUT CONTINUAL RENEWAL
• REMOVE THE OLD BY THE WORD AND POWER OF GOD

RENEWAL OF WHAT?

• OF THE MIND OF THE SOUL

RENEWAL WITH WHAT?

• WITH THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS
• IN THE IMAGE OF JESUS WHO CREATED AND IT IS THE SOURCE OF THE NEW SELF – NATURE AND CREATION

STARTS WITH ETERNITY WHICH IT IS BASED ON :

“Eternal life means to know and experience you as the only true God, and to know and experience Jesus Christ, as the Son whom you have sent.” John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

WHERE DOES THE RENEWAL START?

“a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

FIRST FOUNDATION – PERSONAL ATITUTE IS KEY

• SEE AS GOD SEES AND THINK
• THERE IS NO SOCIAL CLASS DIFFERENCE OR STATUS
• CHRIST IS IN ALL WHO BELIEVE AND TRUST HIM AND ALL ARE FREE AS CHILDREN OF GOD EQUAL WITHOUT DISTINCTION

“So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself],

SECOND FOUNDATION – PERSONAL CONVICTION

• CHILDREN OF GOD ARE LOVED AND DIVINE CHOSEN BY HIM
• HE CHOSE US FIRST BEFORE WE CHOSE HIM

TO BE WHAT????

• TO BE HOLY
• SET SPART
• SANCTIFIED TO HIS PURPOSE

“put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; “

TO PUT ON WHAT? WHEN?

• HEART OF COMPASSION
• KINDNESS
• HUMILITY
• GENTLENESS
• PATIENCE THAT ENDURES INJUSTICE – GOOD TEMPER

PUT ON
to dress oneself into make part of one’s appearance or behaviorput a saintly manner onto cause to act or operate

• I PUT ON AFTER SURRENDERING MYSELF COMING TO THE FATHER THROUGH HIS SON RECOGNIZING AND REPENTING FROM MY OWN SIN, PRIDE ,WRONG MOTIVES
• I PUT ON AFTER RECEIVING AND GIVING FORGIVENESS
• I PUT ON BELIEVING AND TRUSTING ON JESUS AND NOT ON MY RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS NOTHING, BUT IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ME

“bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. “

THIRD FOUNDATION – RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER

HOW MUST RELATIONSHIP BE WITH ONE ANOTHERAND HOW TO GROW IT?

• SUPPORT – BEAR EACH OTHER WITH GRACE
• WILLINGLY TO FORGIVE AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN
• LOVE AS GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN

“Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].

• HOW. CAN SUCH FOUNDATION FLOURISH?
• LOVE IS THE ANSWER
• UNSELFISH LOVE
• FORGIVE AND DO NOT JUDGE
• LEAVE IT TO THE LORD AND TRUST HIM

• UNITY IS KEY FOR MATURITY AND IT ONLY COMES THROUGH LOVE THAT BOUNDS- SEEK THE BEST OF OTHERS
• UNITY ONLY IS PRESERVED WITH FORGIVENESS AND LETTING GO ANY PAIN

TPT VERSION
“For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭TPT‬‬
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]”

• ALLOW PEACE OF CHRIST TO REIGN – INNER CALM IN THOSE WHO WALK WITH HIM DAILY
• PEACE OF CHRIST IS WHAT GUIDES AND DO NOT LEAN ON SELF UNDERSTANDING OR ARGUMENTS THINKING
• PEACE WHEN ALLOWED HAS THE POWER TO CONTROL THE HEARTS DECISIONS
• PEACE IS THE UMPIRE OF THE MIND

• IT IS THE PEACE OF CHRIST THAT BINDS ALL IN ONE BODY

IS THERE UNGRATEFUL TEMPTATION NOT TO BIND TO EACH OTHER?

WHAT IT TAKES TO BIND TO EACH OTHER WHICH WILL REQUIRE SACRIFICE OF UNSELFISH LOVE?

• BE GRATEFUL TO AVOID LOOSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
• BE GRATEFUL TO STOP ANY MURMURING AND COMPLAINING WHICH HINDER PEACE OF CHRIST TO REIGN IN THE HEARTS

“Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. “

• WHAT SHOULD EVERY CHILD OF GOD BE FILLED WITH IF NOT WITH THE WORD OF GOD
• LET HIS WORD DWELL – NOT OCCASIONALLY, BUT PERMEATE EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE – LET JESUS WHO IS THE WORD FLOOD THE SOUL AND MIND

HOW CAN THE WORD OF GOD GROW AND FLOURISH IN THE HEART AND MIND?

WHAT IS THE PATH TO FOLLOW TO BE FULL OF THE WORD?

• BE FULL OF THE SCRIPTURES AND WITH THE POWER OF GOD
• YIELD TO STEP OUT AND SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
• RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AND GROW
• TEACH AND SPEAK THE WORD TO EACH OTHER
• PROPHECY TO EACH OTHER
• ADMONISH EACH OTHER
• TRAIN EACH OTHER WITH ALL WISDOM OF HEAVEN

ADMONISH

• to indicate duties or obligations to
• to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
• to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to
• to say (something) as advice or a warning

WHAT IS THE MECHANISM TO APPLY, TEACH AND TRAIN OTHERS WITH THE WORD OF GOD?

• ONLY GIVE WHAT I HAVE RECEIVED
• TO RECEIVE FIRST THE GRACE AND THE TRUTH OF GOD
• BE FILLED THROUGH:

WHAT ARE THE CHANNELS TO RECEIVE MORE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT? WHAT OPENS HEAVENS TO GIVE AND RECEIVE?

• LEARN THE FREQUENCY AND MELODY OF THE HEART THAT LOVES GOD
• SING THE WORD – PSALMS HYMMS -FOUNDATION
• SING THE WORD REQUIRES TO KNOW THE WORD
• SING PROPHETICALLY – SPONTANEOUS
• SING IN THE SPIRIT
• ALWAYS GRATEFUL IN WORSHIP AND PRAISE
• PRAISE AND WORSHIP (EXPRESSION OF LOVE, HOPE AND FAITH – TRUST) OPEN GATES TO HEAVEN TO RECEIVE

POWER AND PURPOSE OF MUSIC

• CREATION CAME INTO EXISTENCE THROUGH SOUND – MELODY – MUSIC – FREQUENCIES OF GOD’s CREATION
• REVELATION COMES FROM HEAVEN SOUNDS AND DIVINE FREQUENCIES BEING RELEASED
• FOLLOW FREQUENCIES OF HEAVEN TO RELEASE HEAVEN OVER THE EARTH
• SATAN WAS CREATED WITH PIPES – MUSIC WITHIN HIM TO RELEASE THE SOUNDS OF REVELATION OVER THE EARTH, BUT PRIDE AND JEALOUSY CORRUPTED HIS HEART – JESUS WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR HIM
• SATAN LOST HIS POSITION OF RELEASING SOUND OF REVELATION OVER THE EARTH
• NOW GODS CHILDREN WERE CREATED TO CARRY GODS GLORY AND TO RELEASE NEW FREQUENCIES OF REVELATION OF HEAVEN OVER THE EARTH

“Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. “

• EVERY THOUGHT , DEEDS , MANNERS AND WORDS ARE NOTED AND PUT IN BALANCE BEFORE GOD RECORDED IN THE BOOKS OF HEAVEN

HOW SHOULD SUCH DEEDS AND WORDS COME FROM?

WHAT MUST BE THE SOURCE AND UNDER WHICH AUTHORITY SHOULD DEEDS AND WORDS COME FORTH?

• DO ALL THINGS IS JESUS NAME – UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, DEPENDENCY AND AUTHORITY

• DO ALL IN THANKSGIVING HEART UNTO THE FATHER – THERE IS NO CONDITION OR STATUS –
• THANKSGIVING IS NOT MOTIVATED BY FEELINGS OR EMOTIONS – IT COMES FROM THE SOIRIT REALM AND NOT FROM THE SOULS REALM –
• THANKSGIVING IS MOTIVATED BY FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD AND DECISION

• EVERY OTHER THOUGHT OR DEED OR WORD WITHOUT JESUS IS TEMPORARY AND IT WILL BURN IN ETERNITY

**** BELOW FOLLOWING VERSES ABOUT AUTHORITY IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ******

WIFE – WOMAN POSITION TO BE PROTECTED AND TO BE SUBJECT TO

“Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord. “
FIRST COMES TO THE WIVES

• FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION, TO RECEIVE BLESSING AND TO RESIST AGAINST EVIL

• BE SUBJECT – SUBMISSION TO BE UNDER AUTHORITY – BRINGS COVERING AND PROTECTION IN THE SPIRIT AND IN THE NATURAL

BE SUBJECT – one that is placed under authority

• To be guided, controlled, or ruled by something.
• To be required to receive, incur, or experience something.
• To be prone or susceptible to something; to be likely o
• having a tendency for something
• conditional upon

IT DOES NOT SAY FOR WIVES TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS – SO HOW DO WIVES FIND LOVE TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS?

WHILE THE WIVES NEED TO BE UNDER AUTHORITY OF MAN , WHAT ABOUT THE MAN?

UNDER WHOSE AUTHORITY IS MAN?

• HIGHER AUTHORITY FROM HEAVEN WHO REQUIRES TOTAL SURRENDER TO HIS WILL, WAYS AND PURPOSES

WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO TO BE PROTECTED, BE BLESSED AND RESISTANT AGAINST EVIL?

HUSBAND POSITION TO LOVE – THERE IS NO AUTHORITY FROM HEAVEN WITHOUT LOVING THE WIVES – SOW LOVE TO HEAP LOVE

• THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP AT HOME WITHOUT HIM BEING ON THE THRONE FIRST
• REQUIRES FIRST LOVE TO THE ONE WHO IS AUTHORITY OVER ALL

“Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage].

• LOVE THE WIVES AS JESUS LOVES THE CHURCH
• JESUS NEVER IMPOSED OVER HIS BRIDE
• JESUS CONQUERED HIS BRIDE WITH LOVE AND SACRIFICE
• DO NOT BE RESENTFUL TOWARDS WIVES

WHERE DO MEN FIND LOVE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES?

HOW WILL WIVES LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS SINCE IT IS ONLY REQUIRED ON THIS VERSE TO BE SUBJECT TO MAN AUTHORITY IN LOVE?

• HUSBAND CAN ONLY FIND LOVE TO LOVE THE WIFE BY BEING CONNECTED WITH THE HEAD AND WITH THE BODY
• THERE IS NO LOVE WITHOUT THE HEAD
• THERE IS NO LOVE BEING CONNECTED WITH THE BODY
• BY SOWING SEEDS OF LOVE FROM HUSBAND – HARVEST WILL COME FROM THE WIFE WHO RECEIVES THE SEEDS OF LOVE AND GIVES IT BACK IN LOVE TO THE HUSBAND

“Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings]. “

HOW DO CHILDREN RECEIVE GODS PROMISES AND BLESSINGS?

WHAT PLEASES GOD BY BEING A CHILD?

• OBEDIENCE IS KEY TO AUTHORITY STARTING FROM HOME
• OBEDIENCE AND RESPECT IN ALL

HOW CAN A CHILD RESPECT GODS AUTHORITY IF HE OR SHE DOES NOT RESPECT AND OBEY THE PARENTS?

HOW DO PARENTS GIVE EXAMPLE TO THEIR CHILDREN IF FIRST THEY ARE NOT UNDER AUTHORITY AND DO NOT FEAR OR RESPECT GOD FIRST AND HIS PRESETS

“Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken]. “

• FOOLISHNESS ABUSE FROM THOSE IN AUTHORITY WILL FAIL AND PROVOKE WRONG REACTION

HOW CAN CHILDREN – PEOPLE UNDER AUTHORITY LOOSE HEART (SPIRIT BROKEN) AND BECOME DISCOURAGED AND UNMOTIVATED?

• NOT BEING LOVED AND CARED FOR
• WITH ABUSIVE DISHONEST HUMILIATING INDIFFERENCE AUTHORITY!!!
• PRIDE FOOLISH BEHAVIOR

HOW TO CORRECT?

• BE HUMBLE, AND WISE
• TREAT PEOPLE UNDER AUTHORITY WITH TENDER HEART AND LOVINGKINDNESS

“Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. “
HOW CAN SERVANTS OBEY IN EVERYTHING TO THEIR MASTER?

HOW CAN GOD’S CHILDREN OBEY HIM IN ALL THINGS?

• WITH SINCERE HEART IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD

“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, “

WHERE DOES THE MOTIVATION OF THE SOUL COME FROM TO DO ALL THINGS AS FOR THE LORD AND NOT FOR MEN?

• Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit / acknowledge to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• Psalm 32:8 “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
• Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. “

• RECOGNIZE AND LEARN TO KNOW THAT GOD SEES ALL

FROM WHOM DOES THE REWARD OF SERVING COME FROM?WHAT WILL THE CHILDREN OF GOD RECEIVE?

WHAT IS THE GREATEST REWARD?WHO DO WE REALLY SERVE?

• THE LORD IS THE ONE WHO GIVES
• TO RECEIVE INHERITANCE OF THE LORD – BIRTH RIGHT
• BEING BORN IN HIM GIVES HIS CHILDREN BIRTH RIGHT BY HIS MERCY AND GOODNESS TO RECEIVE ALL INHERITANCE OF CHRIST – WHAT IS HIS IS OURS
• BELIEVE/RECEIVE THE REWARDS THAT COME FROM HIM TO THOSE WHO OBEY AND BELIEVE
• SERVE THE LORD NOT FOR OWN PRIDE OR EGO OR SELF INTEREST OR AMBITION

INHERITANCE – BIRTHRIGHT

• bequest, birthright, heritage, legacy, patrimony

• INHERITANCE IS WHAT YOU WERE BORN WITH, NOT SOMETHING YOU DO TO ACHIEVE OR FIGHT FOR EXCEPT TO RECEIVE, CHERISH AND TO HONOR THE ONE FROM WHOM THE INHERITANCE COME FROM!

“For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-25‬ ‭AMP‬‬

• WRONG ACTIONS KNOWING OR NOT HAVE NO EXCEPTION FOR PUNISHMENT
• GOD DOES NOT TREAT HUMANITY BASE ON POSITION SINCE ALL ARE THE SAME CLASS IN SOCIETY BEFORE HIM
• NO PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE IN CHRIST FOR HE TOOK ALL OUR WRONG DOING AND GAVE US AN INHERITANCE IN HIM WITH A NEW NAME FOR ALL ETERNITY

*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THANK YOU FOR I AM CHOSEN BY YOU, I AM LOVED BY YOU AND I AM SET APART TO BE HOLY IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT FLOW FROM MY HEART. I DECLARE THAT I LOOSE FROM MY SOUL ALL MY OLD-SELF NATURE AND I BIND TO MY SOUL THE LIFE OF GOD, A HEART OF COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE THAT ENDURES INJUSTICE AND GOOD TEMPER . I SEEK AND GIVE PERMISSION FOR YOUR WORD TO GROW IN ME AND TO PERMEATE EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE. I DECLARE I AM UNDER YOUR AUTHORITY TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AND THOSE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHRIST LOVES HIS BRIDE. TEACH ME HOLY SPIRIT TO LOVE AND TO BE HUMBLE IN ALL TIMES AS BEING UNDER YOUR AUTHORITY AND TO BE IN AUTHORITY OVER OTHERS.AMEM

——————————————————-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX——————————————————-

CHAPTER 4

“Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
HOW SHOULD THOSE IN AUTHORITY ACT WITH THE SERVANT OR SLAVES?

WHAT IS THE CORRECT ATITUDE WITH THOSE IN AUTHORITY?

• GOD SEES WATCHES ALL – DEAL – TREAT ALL JUSTLY AND FAIRLY
• GOD IS THE MASTER OF ALL – RESPECT AND HONOR ARE KEY
• FORGIVE ALWAYS AND BE JUST IN EVERY LEADERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE

“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. “

• WHAT IS PAUL POINTING OUT HERE ABOUT PRAYER ?
• WHAT KIND OF PRAYER OF LIFE IS HE CALLING OUT?

• BE PERSISTENT
• BE DEVOTED
• BE ALERTED
• BE FOCUSED
• ALL WITH THANKSGIVING

PERSISTENT PRAYER – NOT STOPPING FOR DISTRACTION OR RESISTANCE

• retained beyond the usual period a persistent leaf
• continuing without change in function or structure
• remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
• continuing or inclined to persist in a course
• continuing to exist despite interference or treatment

DEVOTED PRAYER – ADORATION

• adoring, affectionate, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted

ALERTED LIFE PRAYER – QUICK TO DISCERN OPPORTUNITIES AND OPPOSITION

• the state of being watchful for possible danger:
• vigilance, watchfulness, carefulness, attentiveness, guardedness,
• warn (someone) of a danger, threat, or problem, typically with the intention of having it avoided or dealt with
• quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances; vigilant:

FOCUSED LIFE UNDIVIDED ATTENTION

• directing a great deal of attention, interest, or activity towards a particular aim

Synonyms

ALL UNDER A LIFE OF THANKSGIVING – RECOGNIZATION – ACKNOWLEDGE THE GRACE AND GOODNESS OF GOD

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. “ Prov 3:6

THANKSGIVING

• the expression of gratitude, especially to God
• the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat ha’tov, which literally translates to: “recognizing the good.” As we begin to “recognize the good” even in small ways, it will undoubtedly lead us to noticing the good in other areas of our lives

In Biblical terms means to respond to God’s goodness and grace with gratitude. The word for giving thanks in the Old Testament means to raise hands to God in gratitude. The New Testament word for thanks has the root idea of grace.

• WITHOUT THANKSGIVING THERE IS NO FULLNESS OF BEING PERSISTENT, BEING DEVOTED, BEING ALERT OR FOCUSED.

“At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should. “
*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I CHOOSE AND DECLARE I HAVE APERSISTENT, DEVOTED, ALERTED, FOCUSED, WITH THANKSGIVING PRAYER LIFE. HELP ME HOLY SPIRIT TO LVE A LIFE OF PRAYER AS YOU HAVE CALLED ME TO LIVE AND PRAY. AMEM
************^*^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

• WHAT IS PAUL ASKING?
• WHAT SHOULD EACH ONE PRAY FOR EACH OTHER?

• PRAYER FOR OPPORTUNITY

FOR WHAT?

• TO PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
• TO SPEAK CLEARLY WITH BOLDNESS

PAUL INITIALLY WRITES THE INNER MATTER – FIRST NNER MAN OF A LIFE OF PRAYER
THEN HE WRITES THE OUTER MATTER – THE EXTERNAL ACTION THAT FLOWS FIRST FROM THE SPIRIT TO THE SOUL – LIFE OF PRAYER

“Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), “
FIRST ACTION – THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDE OF LIFE

• HOW SHOLD EACH CHILD OF GOD CONDUCT WITH OTHERS?
• HOW SHOULD EACH BELIEVERS INTERACT WITH UNBELIEVERS?

• ACT WITH WISDOM

“make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. “

• WHAT SHOULD EACH ONE DO ABOUT TIME AND OPPORTUNITY ?
• RECOGNIZE – WAKE UP FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
• DO YOUT DUTY TO SHINE AND GLORIFY THE FATHER

SECOND ACTION – WORDS AFTER THOUGHTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED

“Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, “

• HOW SHOULD THE WORDS AND SPEECH BE ?
• WHEN? SOMETIMES?
• FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
• TEMPER WITH WHAT?
• WHY SALT?
• HOW CAN IT BE SEASON WITH SALT?
• ALL TIMES ALLOW WORDS OF GRACE, TRUTH AND FAITH PLEASANT FLOW
• WORDS OF COMPASSION
• WORDS FRIENDLY, CLEAR AND MAKE OTHERS THIRSTY FOR THE TRUTH
• WORDS THAT MAKES DIFFERENCE
• WORDS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THE WORDS OF JESUS

WHY DOES PAUL USE THE SALT AS A REFERENCE?
WHAT DOES SALT DO TO THE BODY? (NOT TOO MUCH SALT ,BUT BALANCED SEASONED SALT)

• Helps you stay hydrated. To stay better hydrated your body needs a delicate balance of sodium and potassium. …
• Promotes good vascular health. …
• Balances electrolytes and prevents muscle cramping. …
• Supports a healthy nervous system. …
• Improves sleep.

WHO CAN HELP AND TEACH US ALL THIS?

• LIFE OF PRAYER THAT GIVES HOLY SPIRIT ACCESS TO TEACH HOW TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE WITH SEASONED SALT – BEING FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD IN ORDER TO BE FULL WITH THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

“so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. “

• WHEN SEASON WITH SALT, GODS PROMISES SAY THAT I WILL KNOW WHAT TO ANSWER AND SPEAK ABOUT MY DECISION – POSITION

“As to all my affairs, Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information. “
“I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts; “

• PAUL SENT A BOND-SERVANT TO TESTIFY OF THE TRUTH
• WITH WHAT PURPOSE?
• FOR HEARTS TO BE ENCOURAGED WITH THE TRUTH OF GODS WILL AND ABOUT THE SITUATION IN ROME

“and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome]. “

“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); “

• REFERENCE OF MARK – COUSIN OF BARNABAS
• LOVE AND RECONCILIATION WITH MARK AFTER EARLY YEARS OF CONFLICT TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER EVEN WITH BARNABAS
• LEADERSHIP FORGIVES AND LEADS BY EXAMPLE

“and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. “

• PAUL MAKES ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL AND HAVE GIVEN PROVEN TO BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMFORT TO HIM

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, “
“praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. “

WHAT IS PAUL PLEADING BEFORE GOD IN PRAYER?
3 POINTS

• TO STAND FIRM – PEOPLE OF CHARACTER AND COURAGE
• BE SPIRITUALLY MATURE
• BE FULLY ASSURED IN THE WILL OF GOD

“For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. “
“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. “
“Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. “

“When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; “
and also that you in turn read my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea.

And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”
“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:1-18‬ ‭AMP‬‬
*****************************
FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT WHO TEACHES ME OUT OF LIFE OF PRAYER TO CONDUCT MYSELF WITH WISDOM IN MY INTERACTION WITH OUTSIDES . YES TEACH ME HOLY SPIRIT AND MAKE MY THOUGHTS, DEEDS AND WORDS BE FULL OF SALT BALANCED. THANK YOU FOR BUILDING ME TO STAND FIRM – IN CHARACTER AND COURAGE. I PRAY YOU MAKE ME SPIRITUALLY MATURE AND FULLY ASSURED IN THE WILL OF GOD. MAY THE GRACE OF GOD BE WITH ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE BEFORE YOU – AMEM
BLESSINGS!!!