Seizing the moment

Mark 10:46-52

Jericho was a place of battle - First battle of children of Israel 

Jericho was a place of stronghold

Jericho was a place of curse

Jericho was a place of immorality

Jesus went in and came out... There was nothing of significant done by Jesus recorded in Jericho

Bartimaeus was sitting on the highway side. 

He was a blind beggar. He had two evident problem.

Blind : No light. No direction. Darkness. Confusion. Frustration. No VISION 

He was born with a problem...this was not by accident or coincidence

The one problem brought another problem

Beggar : Depending on others. On someone's hand. A low-class.

He was in the place of battle, stronghold & curse. He wanted to get out of his circumstances.

He didn't have an identity. He was known as the "son of Timaeus"

They knew him because of his dual problem

They labeled him

He heard of Jesus. Rom. 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God."

He cried out. Faith demands the spoken words. It demands declaration & confession.

Faith : Believe with your heart & speak out of your mouth

He cried out for mercy to the Son of David (Messiah, Son of God)

Mercy: Don't give me what I deserve, give me what I need. Give me what I don't deserve.

They charged him to be quiet...he called out even more 

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER & LOUDER THAN THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION & PEOPLE'S OPINION.

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE VOICE OF CRITICISM.

I won't let you go until I get your attention and get what I need

And Jesus stood still...

Your voice of faith attracts the attention of Jesus.

Your life goes & grows to the level of your faith in God!

Jesus commanded him to be called...

GOD will cause the very people who are criticizing, your opposition, those who put you down, to pick you up to "ARISE" - To take you to the next level...

He casts off his garment - his old identity 

He believed that if Jesus is calling me, then my life, my identity and my circumstances will change.

No more in the dark, blind, no direction, confusion, beggar...

Cast off by faith your old identity 

Cast off what people are saying about you

FAITH DEMANDS ACTIONS

" You may have done what people said you have done but you are not who people say you are! YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE."

He knew what he wanted... He was focus. 

He had a desire and nothing would distract him from his destiny. 

He was physically blind but spirituality he had a vision... 

Prov. 29:18 "People perish without vision (revelation)"

FAITH is focus...perseveres...tenacity

FAITH has a vision

FAITH COMMANDS VICTORY

FAITH IS NOW... Now Faith!!! Heb. 11:1

Today is the day of salvation.

MY FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE 

Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole (complete)

He followed Jesus in the way.

Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham's footsteps

It was an honor to be ministering at Christian Family Church International, South Africa for Drs. Theo and Beverley Wolmarans. 
People were blessed by the teaching and some emailed me and asked for the notes.
This is Sunday evening service message: "Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham"

Gal. 3:26-29, Gal. 3:7-9

Those of faith are children of Abraham

The same blessing of Abraham is duplicated on those that walk by faith

Gen. 12:1-4, 7-8

Abram believed God - God said: "Follow me...trust in me..."

Gen. 12:1-3 : If you do what God says then He "shows" (vision) and He will "make" (provision)...

1. Abram acted on what he believed - He did what God asked :  Abram operated in FAITH

Faith requires "confession" and "action"

Abram walked by faith and not by sight

2. Abram built altars - Gen. 12:7-8, Gen. 13:4, 18

Gen. 13:2 - Abram built altars before and after he became very rich 

Altars are place of worship, sacrifice, communion, covenants, spiritual gates - the place where man and spirits meet

Make your house an altar - a place of worship, serving and covenant

3. Abram refused to quarrel and strife - Gen. 13:5-17

Quarrel and strife brings confusion and every evil work - Js. 3:16

Confusion = no decision or direction - you are lost!

*THOSE WHO QUARREL WILL BE INFLUENCE BY THEIR NATURAL EYES - Gen. 13: 10

*PEOPLE OF FAITH WHO DONT QUARREL WILL BE DIRECTED & INFLUENCE BY SPIRITUAL EYES - Gen. 13:14-17

4. Abram was humble - he was Lot's senior spiritually and physically yet he gave Lot first choice. (1 Pet. 5:5)

5. Abram refused offense and vengeance - he went out to rescue Lot his nephew (Gen. 14)

Offense leads to vengeance

Forgiveness leads to grace

God is a God of grace and mercy - as children of God, we must become people of grace and mercy.

6. Abram trusted God. He met Melchisedek: bread and wine and then gave TITHES of all.

Abram was a TITHER

7. Abram refused to depend on the hand of corrupt and perverse king of Sodom - Gen. 14:23

Melchisedek - King of justice and King of peace

He depended on justice and peace

8. Abram covenanted with God and broke the curse of barrenness - Gen. 15: 8-18 & Gen. 17, Gen. 21:5

9.  Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorah - Gen. 18:22-33

He did not accused, judge or condemn others, he stood in the gap and prayed for them

10. Abraham put God first (offered Isaac) - Gen. 22, Ps. 126:5-6, Heb. 11:4

We must develop faith to receive and to GIVE

God blessed Abraham in ALL things - Gen. 24:1 

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Email us: soteriamauritius@intnet.mu

 

Don't give up!

Don't give up.
(excerpt from the new book "7 Dimensions of the anointing"
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Jairus...Mark 5:22-43

Jairus had a family problem. His daughter was ill to the point of death. We are not told how many children Jairus had but we know he had a very sick daughter! My wife and I have only one daughter and I can tell you that twice she has had life-threatening situations. So I can just imagine his anxiety as he goes searching for solution and ends at meeting with Jesus.

As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was well known in the community. He was a man in leadership. It took courage and humility to come and fall at the feet of Jesus publicly. He did not come in his official capacity but as a man desperately looking for a solution. His action was totally against Jewish custom, tradition and culture. Jews don't worship man! Jairus must have recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. When he bowed before Jesus, he recognized higher authority. His action proclaimed Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the son of David sent to save the world.

As I have mentioned before, in Mark chapter five, we see the supernatural power of God at work through Jesus as he delivers a young man possessed by demons name legions, healing a woman suffering from blood disease for twelve years and then miraculously resurrecting Jairus daughter. Jesus delivers, heals and operates miracles. But all three of these had an attitude in common. They all fell at His feet. Falling at the feet of Jesus shows humility and worship. Their worship was not a private affair. They did this openly. People saw them coming and worshipping Jesus.

After the deliverance of the man of Gadara, Jesus crossed the lake and went to the other side of the country. A crowd followed Him and Jairus approached him with a request: "Master my daughter is about to die, come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed and live." That was faith speaking out of his heart. Although he left her at the point of death, he approached Him with faith in his request believing that he can do something for his daughter. His prayer was coupled with faith. Jesus agreed and followed him. An attitude of worship and faith always attracts the presence of God. They begun to walk towards the house. In the process, a woman also having faith approached Jesus and seized her healing. Suddenly Jesus stopped! He asked: "Who touched me?" Imagine what is going through Jairus' mind at this point. Time was against them and he approached Jesus first, yet here comes a woman testifying how His power healed her.

As she testified and told Jesus and the people how many doctors she has seen and the amount of money she has spent, Jairus grew the more impatient! When all of a sudden a messenger arrived on a horse and announced the dreaded news that his daughter is dead. The thing that he didn't expect has occurred. Sadness and tears begun to seize Jairus. He didn't want to hear that and the messenger told him that there was no need to bother the Master. Right there Jairus could have given up. He could have abandoned his dream of seeing his daughter healed. In his mind, he can only imagine how she was happy and played with daddy but now all hope has gone as she has moved into the point of no return. But Jesus having heard the news reassured Jairus and said:"don't be afraid, just keep on believing and trusting."

At this point, many of us would have given up and would have been offended. It seemed Jesus took his time. He wanted to know who touched him even though He was crowded and then hear this lady give her testimony. "I was here first" could have echoed in Jairus' mind as he begins to contemplate the situation. He could have been offended at Jesus and then the woman with the issue of blood. He could have moved into anger when the messenger told him to not bother the Master. No one was in his shoes! No one knew how he really felt inside. The pain, the anger, the offense and the sadness all pumping inside affecting his mind and emotions. This is precisely why many Christians give up. These negative emotions and thoughts pushes us to abandon our prayer and dreams.

In this situation, Jairus is learning self-control and patience. Two important factors that keeps us strong and persevering until we receive what was promised by God. It was a test of his character. We may face trials, difficulties, persecutions, accusations and disasters but it may be a test to see where we go and what we do! Will we still depend on the Word and rely on His presence and promises? Will trouble make us walk out and go away from God or bring us closer to God? Will we be influenced by the opinions of others or do we maintain our focus in Christ? Do we allow offense to suffocate our faith? Will fear torment our mind and annul our faith? Jairus' faith has been under attack since he first went to Jesus. But the Word of God says: "Our faith overcomes the world".

If Jairus gives up, he accepts the death of his twelve year old daughter. If he gives up, he has wasted his time. If he gives up, he has showed others that they control his emotions and destiny. Many times you and I, we are "Jairus" faced with a tough decision. Either we abandon our dream, the desire of our heart and destiny or we stay strong and trust the anointed one and His yoke destroying, burden removing, unlimited power to transform our lives and circumstances. It was indeed his continual faith in the anointing of Jesus that made his dream come true. It was his attitude in a difficult situation that made him hold once again in his loving arms his daughter full of life. It was his persevering spirit that turn impossibility to possibility. I want the words "Never give up" to echo in your mind and emotions. I want your heart to fully believe that God can turn your situations around. I want you to be fully persuaded that He that has begun a good work in you will bring it to pass.

We must do what Jesus did and yield to His words of encouragement as he said: Do not fear, only believe". Simply put: "Keep on believing. Keep on keeping on". He wasn't influenced by the messenger's word and opinion. He didn't permit the crowd to follow him. He only took three of his disciples to the house of Jairus. He didn't allow an atmosphere of fear and unbelief to roam. He threw out the mockers. He cast out the death spirit! It is something that you and I must do in order to see our miracles. Chose our friends and the voices that influence and affect us. Refuse discouragement! Don't lose hope! Jesus is still here and willing. Rise up and pursue your dream. Don't let go of God's hands. The manifested presence operates in an atmosphere of faith. Faith expects to see results. It puts a demand on the anointing. The anointing never disappoints.

You must reach a point in your life where nothing and no one will stop you achieving your God-given dream and destiny. We may face delays but we will not be denied! Rise above the reproach of people. They may laugh and ridicule us, but with God we will have the last laugh! We possess the spirit of an overcomer. As an overcomer, we refuse to grow weary and lose heart or be discouraged. As an overcomer, we hold on to our due season knowing He makes all things beautiful in His time. We know that a quitter will never win!

Many men of God in the bible could have given up. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David even Jesus could have given up when faced opposition, persecution and even offense. Yet they persevered and pursued their dream. Noah built the ark that saved his family irrespective of the mocking and laughter of others. Abraham held his promised son at the age of a hundred years old. Moses had the strength and courage to face Pharaoh and led the children of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt. Job stayed strong even though he lost his business, workers, children and friends. David fell in sin, lost a son but still became the king of Israel and birth the generation that brought forth the Christ. Jesus came to His own and they refused Him, beat Him, insulted Him, crucified Him yet he rose up again and conquered the grave and hell. Today, you have the same ability in the Holy Spirit and His anointing! You may be tempted to give up... But don't give up!

The grace of God

Paul the writer also received the revelation of grace.
Once known as Saul, a well-known persecutor to Christians, met our Lord on the road to Damascus and had a total life transformation.
 
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" - Eph. 2:8

Grace carries the power of God to set us free.
Grace is God's transforming power.
Paul personally experienced God's grace.

Grace is God's attitude towards us and Faith is our attitude towards God!
Grace is the attitude which God provides Salvation - Faith is how we obtain it.
Grace brings healing, deliverance and peace of mind.


"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." - Gen. 1:26
 
God creates man in His own image & likeness - like no other creation 
 
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. - Gen. 2:7
 
All other creation came as a result of God's spoken word but man had something else...
God forms man out of the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life.
Man had the breath of God - the personal & intimate contact with God.
God invested into man personally.

It's the communion with God that gives man dominion on other creation.

Grace has the power to sanctify and purify the condemned soul.
It has the ability to cleanse even the guilty conscience.
Grace penetrates the spirit, soul and body of man.

Grace grants us the ability to enjoy forgiveness & restoration to communion with God.
Grace takes us from shame to honour.

Grace gives Salvation three components : 
1. Justification - Forgiveness of sin, revocation of curse and right standing with God!
2. Sanctification - set apart from the world and kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and the ability to be "holy". 
The process of becoming like Christ! 
Sanctification has power to make us 'saints'.
3. Glorification - in two parts (a) in our spirit (b) for our eternity.

Grace strengthen us and produce perseverance and endurance.

Grace is not only a miracle worker but it is a comfort, strength and perseverance when miracles are delayed!

Ask, seek and knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

 Matt. 7: 7-8 

Ask, seek & knock - These are the words of Jesus. I believe that he is revealing a deeper and higher level of prayer. There is within this verse a suggested progression in prayer. As believers, we are to grow with God. 

The Amplified Version translate these verses as:

^"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened."

This is in the present imperative which is a command not only to do something but to keep on doing it indefinitely. All three verbs in verse seven, Ask, Seek, Knock are not only imperatives (commands) but they are present tense imperatives. We are told to ask and keep on asking, we are to seek and keep on seeking and we are to knock and keep on knocking.

These very words; Ask, Seek and Knock seems to suggest an ever increasing intensity in prayer. 

1.Asking: There are some things that the need is so clear that we merely ask for them. We are told to ask in faith. Believe by faith that you shall receive your request.

But then we move to another level in relationship and prayer when we seek:

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Ps. 27:8

2. Seeking is a deeper level of prayer than just asking. Seeking His presence, His will and the principle of the Kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Intimacy with God begins when we radically pursue Him with our whole heart. 

God invites us in James 4:8 to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

This is where your prayer turns to: "God, I want more of You. Lord I want more of Your Presence. I desire more of your fullness in my life. Fill me with more of You."

Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us the right to enter into God's presence. Worshiping God is a key to intimacy with God. Congregational and personal worship are both important. Intimacy with God will bring radical changes in you!

3.Knocking. The knocking here denotes seeking entrance. Entering another arena and dimension. It opens  the gateway to the supernatural realm - The access to living in the miraculous.This level is where we overcome limitations and walk in our God-given destiny and purpose in life. This level produce revelations, visions and impartations from God. The Holy Spirit becomes the leader of your life. 

It's time for you to experience the supernatural...living with joy and saying:  “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Luke 10:17-20]

I encourage you to grow in prayer. 

Increase our faith! Lesson 3

In our 3rd lesson on this subject "Increase our faith", we will discover why Jesus likens offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. Remember that offense is a trap to make you trip and to cause wounds!
Offense comes because of what people do or do not do!

³ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

⁴ And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

⁵ And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Luke 17:3-6

Jesus said: "Take heed to yourselves."
You can't always change the other person but you can change yourself. Watch over yourself! Get your eyes off your offender and get your eyes on yourself.

Why the Sycamine tree and not other trees:

There is a reason why Jesus compared offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. 
The Sycamine tree grew in the Middle East and had the deepest root structure. It was known as the tree of poor people. It looked like a fig tree and the fruit looked like figs. The poor people couldn't afford figs so they ate the fruit of the Sycamine but it had a very bitter taste. Sycamine was so durable that it was the preferred wood for building casket.

Unforgiveness and offense have deep roots. Offense can also have deep roots and become generational. For example, your father is offended with his brother - your uncle. They don't speak anymore and because of his offense, YOU also don't talk to him and even to your cousins! Nothing happened between the cousins, yet there is no relationship because of an old offense that has kept families apart!

Offense and unforgiveness will make you spiritually poor. It will hinder your spiritual growth. It will stop you from walking in love. Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). The Holy Spirit who is our teacher and comforter (Jn. 14:26) pours the love of God in our hearts (Rom. 5:5)

Offense and unforgiveness will take away your joy and slowly kill you spiritually.
It will make you bitter. 

Anybody can forgive! All you need is a small amount of faith - the mustard seed size!

Characteristics of sons and daughters of God:

1. They are led by the Spirit of God.
2. They have manifestations of the Word in their lives.
3. They operate like Jesus.
4. They overcome temptation.
5. They are God-conscious not self-conscious.
6. They seek revelation and understanding.
7. They do not get offended.
8. They are not envious, jealous, unforgiving, or in strife.
9. They walk in the God-kind of love, especially toward those who have wronged them.
10. They have signs and wonders to follow them (Ex: answered prayers and results)
11. They have put away childish things.
12. They cultivate understanding.
13. They love change, and are always progressing to a higher level.

Take a heart decision to forgive those that have offended and hurt you today...

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Increase our Faith! Lesson 2

In today's lesson, we will look at the importance to forgive.

Our foundational scripture of this lesson is Luke 17:1-6 where the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. We learned in lesson 1 that they were not asking for an increase of faith in order to perform miracles, signs and wonders but it was when Jesus told them to constantly forgive those that sin against them.

The level of your faith is at the level of your forgiveness.

You will need faith in order to forgive. To forgive means to exhale, to release, to let it go.

Forgiveness is an important subject in the ministry of Jesus. He taught parables on forgiveness (Matt. 18:23-35). When teaching on the subject of prayer, he also mention that forgiving and to be forgiven should be part of our prayer life (Matt. 6: 9-15). AND when on the cross of Calvary He went through the toughest and most challenging part of His life and ministry, suffering physically, emotionally and perhaps even spiritually, He freely offered forgiveness even though nobody asked!  (Lk. 23:34)

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

A prayer life with unforgiveness in the heart will not see results! 

Offense will keep you in bondage.

It is time for you to forgive and let go. Make a decision today to depend upon the grace of God and forgive those that have hurt, abuse, offended and rejected you. Faith comes by hearing the Word, now apply your faith and stop saying "I can't!" 

Pray this with faith out loud:

"In the name of Jesus, I can forgive. I choose to forgive and not be offended! Lord, give me the strength and the grace to forgive. Today, I choose to forgive those that have hurt, abuse, offended and rejected me. I refuse to hold grudges. Thank you for your strength Lord. In Jesus' name...AMEN!"

Coming soon Lesson 3 - Why the Sycamore tree?