Have You Been With Jesus

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

This is a surprising statement by the Jewish religious leaders. The ones who had fought so hard against Christ and had him tried and crucified now recognize something bold and courageous about these "unlearned" Galilean lower class fishermen. These Galileans who had seen many miracles and wonders performed by Jesus but could not tarry and pray with Him in the garden. Further, had denied Him at His trial and abandoned Him at the cross (John did come back). Now in spite of threats, persecution, imprisonment and pending death they courageously and boldly proclaim their Messiah, Jesus Christ. What was the difference maker?

Let me share the difference maker. Jesus had told them on several ocassions that He would be tried, crucified and would die for all people. But there was something more and these disciples did not fully grasp the thrust of it until after it happened. That's right - HE AROSE FROM THE TOMB!!! You see there is something powerful in the words of these religious leaders that are powerful today. Though these religious leaders may not have known fully what they were saying, they realized these lowly Galileans had a boldness which was from Jesus and it was not the crucified body, it was the RESURRECTED Christ in His resurrected body. Thomas had felt the scars in His hands and had put his hands in His speared side. Thomas cried, "My Lord, and my God!" YES, they had surely been with the RESURRECTED CHRIST!

Have you been with the resurrected Jesus? The resurrected authority and power of Christ is real and available to all His disciples. The courage and boldness quickens is today to be powerful witnesses in our daily lives. HE IS ALIVE! He is sitting at the right hand of His Father making intercession for His Children. He continually says, "All power is given unto me in heaven and earth, go ye, therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all people and, lo, I am with into the ends of the earth and always." (paraphrase mine) Have you been with Jesus? Get with the resurrected Jesus Christ!! HE IS ALIVE FOREVER MORE AND HAS THE KEYS TO DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE!! HALLELUJAH!! HOSANNAH!! KING OF KINGS!!

The Explicit Command of Jesus Christ

In ministry circles and among church groups much is being written about missiology or being a missional church. The Garden of Eden is where the first man Adam fell into sin. The Garden of Gethsemene is where the second man, Jesus Christ, sought and surrendered completely to the will of God. The first Adam succumbed to temptation. The second man Adam resisted temptation and surrendered to His Father's will. He fulfilled ALL that the Father sent Him to do. The Father's love for people, His special creation, has been in His heart ever since the first Adam fell. His plan for saving man culminated in the brutal trial, beating, and crucifixion of His only begotten Son. Jesus cried on the cross, "It is finished." He finished his work as the Son of Man, laying His divinity aside, being tempted, suffering and finalizing His Father's plan. His tortured body lay in the tomb until the Holy Spirit came in and quickened that mortal body in the borrowed tomb. HE AROSE!! HallELUJAH!!

No wonder He declared to His disciples, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."(Matthew 28:18 KJV) "ALL POWER, He said. O the wonder and glorious mystery of our Father's plan of Salvation. Jesus has given us, His disciples, the command and commission to GO TELL. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19, 20 KJV) Our Captain's command and commission is buttressed with the promise, as we go He will be with us always. The Holy Spirit will anoint and empower those involved in His command and commission.

Passing of Bishop Allen Davis

Bishop Allen Davis, former General Appointee and State Overseer and Father of Londa Richardson, CFO and TN State Women's Ministries Director, went home to be with the Lord yesterday. We offer sincere condolences and are praying for the family.

For further information go to our TN Presiding Bishop's site.

Season of Seeking Day 21

These 21 days of intensely seeking God is almost completed. This evening will be the prayer simulcast at the International Offices, Peerless Road Church auditorium. If anyone is interested in joining in the Internet streaming of this simulcast you can join here.

The fruit of this season of seeking will follow for a long time to come. Daniel prayed about Jeremiah's prophecy that there would be a return back to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity. Daniel was a young man when he was taken captivity. He did not get bitter bot got better by seeking God and His plan. He was protected and blessed throughout the years of captivity. God used him and his three cohorts in mighty ways in a strange land.

We are strangers and pilgrims in this land. Our final home is not here. It is where Jesus has gone to prepare. Let us continue seeking Him and may we stand strong for truth and holiness in a land that is so terribly "strange" and distant from what the Creator created in the Garden of Eden. Seeking Him is a joyous, sometimes rough and rocky, journey.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, I lean hard on Your grace and ask for more to continue seeking You all the days of my life. I ask for more power for service to witness to those who need salvation. All praise and glory to the blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN!!!

Season of Seeking Day 20

Worship is a natural response to the Creator. The Psalmist proclaimed, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 150:6 KJV) I have noticed those who came to Jesus with needs often worshipped Him or acknowledged Him as Master in one way or another. He is worthy of all praise. Others who went away from Him without their need met was due to their lack of faith and worshipping Him. The one leper out of the ten who came back to thank Him and praise Him makes one wonder how people can often be so lacking in worshipping Him. Wonder how many rocks are crying out in worship to Him today?

PRAYER: HALLELUJAH!! I worship YOU O mighty God today. What an awesome privilege and joy to give YOU all honor, adoration and thanksgiving. HOSANNAH! HOLY! ALL GLORIOUS!! Make me one of YOUR worshippers more and more and more!! AMEN!!

Season of Seeking Day 19

Today I tried a link that did not work to get free tickets from Southwest Airlines. The link seemed legit but did not work for me. How often do we want things from God and simply say "He will provide." This is true but the Scripture teaches us to ask. What we ask is the key. I've heard some say, "Ask whatever," as if God is a genie to give whatever we want. I know of just one person who was given an open invitation to ask whatever he wanted and he ask for wisdom to govern God's people. The prosperity gospel imposes on people's emotions to get offerings for their cause - or is it pockets.

Scriptures such as, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8 KJV) are ignored or skirted over and other Scriptures that emphasize their godless pursuits are emphasized. Contentment is not a state of mind or a sense of security with money, it a settled peace and satisfaction in the Lord that is completed by having "godliness with contentment [which] is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6 KJV) The Apostle Paul had plenty at times and plenty of times he did without. Much of what he received he gave to the poor saints who were in need.
Don't get caught up in the prosperity gospel. Yes God blesses but He blesses us to be a blessing to others.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, I pray for wisdom in dealing with those would deceive me. Open my eyes to those in need around me. Bless me so that I can bless others. May I be completed daily in the goodness and godliness of God. AMEN!

Season of Seeking Day 18

It is very early in the morning and mostly quiet with very little movement outside. Jesus often rose early to pray and seek His Father's presence. The Scripture records, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35 KJV)

Distractions often hinder communion with God. Jesus chose the best time and place to pray. When is your best and quietest place to pray? It is there that we meet the Father and receive strength and encouragement in our spiritual walk with Him.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, thank you and praise you for the special time and place in seeking you. You are my strength! You are my life! I love you! Break me, mould me,and use me as your vessel for Your glory! AMEN!!