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Thursday – August 29, 2019, Av 28, 5779
Greetings my dear partners and friends of this Ministry and this blog and welcome back to our Bible Study of the Book of John. If you are reading this on Facebook, please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to provide feedback to us and to further the spread of the Truth. God is so good, and He is nothing but good. The featured picture is of herding cats. Remember this is what God is doing and remember this is what our Pastors are doing as well, and we are among the cats. Let us all be mindful of the following Scripture as we think and talk about our Church and the leadership of that Church.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
We can clearly see that God is not pleased with rebellion against those with authority over us. This is not unrighteous authority like the decree of Pharaoh to destroy the male children or for Daniel to kneel to a statue of the King. Let us determine within ourselves to honor, highly value, the ministry leaders of our respective Churches. Now let’s each of us turn our attention to our primary Bible text reading it aloud for the purpose of understanding every word and implementing every word in our lives.
John 12:23-26 (KJV)
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Jesus as He nears the Cross is teaching us that only when we die to self can we truly bear fruit in the Kingdom of God according to our potential. Before I move to another Scripture to demonstrate this Truth let me remind us all that selflessness is a prime component of love, the God kind of love (agape). We do not truly love God until we walk in agape (love) and we are not full participants in the Covenant of Blood until we are dead to self. Let me tell you, at least for me, being dead to self is an all-day job. It is however worthwhile to discharge that responsibility for the benefits far exceed the obligation. This is a Truth for all of the Kingdom of God. The devil lies and tells us it is so hard and not worth the effort but that is not the case at all. Obedience, selflessness, and observing Blood Covenant in the Kingdom has eternal benefits that start at the point of our walk right up close to the Master. Contrary to a popular Christian song He does not walk with us, we walk with Him. Now let’s listen to what the Apostle Paul has to say about the selfless life.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
He is saying and we must say, I no longer am living for me, according to worldly understanding and purposes but for His. I surrender all. As I finish for today let’s take another look at verse twenty-six.
John 12:26 (KJV)
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
The word “serve” has to do with being attentive to with regard to work that is to be done. In this case we are talking Kingdom of God work, which is exactly the same work Jesus did in His earthly ministry. Jesus goes on to say that when we take all of this serious His Father, our Heavenly Father, will honor us. To honor us means to highly value us, can you imagine what that means here and there? In case we have forgotten let’s remind ourselves we are to do the things Jesus did and we are to be doing the greater things as well. Now, let’s review the following Scripture passage to refresh our mind to what He did and a portion of the greater things to which we are called and fully furnished to accomplish.
Isaiah 61:1-4 (KJV)
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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