THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalms 92:12-15 KJV

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
The Hebrew word “flourish” used here means: to bloom or blossom; to spread or grow; to fly (as extending the wings); to break forth; to break out; to spring up. Palm trees are known for their long life. To “flourish like a palm tree” means to stand tall and to live long. The AMP says that the righteous will be: long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful.

Palm trees have been important to humans throughout much of history. They are mentioned nearly 40 times in the Bible. Palm trees are among the best known and most widely cultivated plant families in the world. Palms can be found in every type of habitat, from rainforests to deserts – which means that they can grow almost anywhere. In barren soil palm trees are watered deep at the roots. They are not just functional in providing shade, but practically all the parts of the palm have a useful purpose. The fruit of the palm provided a great part of the diet of the East. Various palms also provide a great variety of usable materials – both in Bible days and now. The various parts of the palm tree produce highly nutritious foods, fruits, oils and syrups, waxes, dyes, medicines, varnish, raffia and palm woods. From the products of the palm tree, you can make furniture, baskets, doormats, brushes, mattresses, ropes, thatching and clothing. In many historical cultures, palms were symbols for victory, fertility, peace and plenty. Palms were laid before Jesus at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The uncompromisingly righteous will be like a palm tree – long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful! They can grow, flourish and produce fruit anywhere in any conditions!

The righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon:
The Hebrew word, “grow” means: to enlarge – especially upward; to grow; to grow up; to increase. The AMP says that the righteous: shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon – majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible! Cedar trees were very important in Bible days. They have strong, beautiful wood and they were used to build very important and stately buildings, such as temples and palaces. The words cedar, cedars or cedar wood are found nearly 80 times in the Bible.

Cedar trees are large, evergreen trees, which live a very long time and grow very tall. The cedars of Lebanon were particularly large and of the best quality. Cedar trees are common in forest areas that have a good deal of annual rainfall. Cedar trees can live a long time, because the moist habitat they enjoy is relatively free of fire. Their wood is also very resistant to disease. The wood of cedar trees has a very pleasant smell, which comes from natural oils in the wood that are toxic to insects and fungus. These oils do not develop in the younger cedar trees, which often leads to the rotting of their heartwood, resulting in mature trees that have hollow trunks. Cedar trees have been very important to humans for thousands of years. Their wood was used to build buildings, canoes and boats, and other useful items. Their bark was used to make blankets and coverings. Cedar wood is also an excellent source of fuel.

They usually grow to a height of 50 feet, but some grow 80 to 100 or 120 feet tall and can be 30-40 feet around the trunk, thus, they were solid, strong, and immovable. Some are supposed to be 1,000 years old! Cedars express the ideas of majesty, durability, incorruptibility, and stability. The older they get, the better they get!

The uncompromisingly righteous shall grow up like a cedar in Lebanon – majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible. Even though they may face challenges, they keep on going and keep on growing. They are honorable; they are incorruptible; they are solid, stable and immovable; they endure through the years and through the seasons of life; they have withstood the onslaught of sin, devils and demons; they have withstood sickness and disease; they only improve with age; they are clothed with strength and dignity; they will stand before kings; they will be held in honor. The righteous are upright, strong, and unmoved by the winds of circumstance. If you place your faith firmly in God, then you too can have and enjoy this strength and vitality and you will only get better with age!

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing:
The Hebrew word for “bring forth fruit” means: to germinate; to cause to flourish; to bring forth fruit; to make cheerful; to increase. The word for “fat” means: fat; rich: fertile. The word translated “flourish” here, means: to be green; verdant; new; prosperous; flourishing.

The AMP says that the righteous are: growing in grace – they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall continue to be full of the sap of spiritual vitality and rich in the verdure of trust, love, and contentment. Psalms 1:3 says that the man who trusts in the Lord and delights in His word is, “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” So if you honor the Lord, you will not grow old and weak and sickly and lose your faculties, like the rest of the world. Instead, you can expect to grow stronger; to increase, not decrease; to continue to bring forth fruit; to be fertile and productive and prosperous; and full of joy.

We – the righteous – are living memorials to the goodness of God. Our blessed lives show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises and also show that He is our Rock, and that there is no unrighteousness in Him!

THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:1-11 NKJV

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV

We – the believers – are to be imitators of our Father God. Jesus saved us from the world – from sin and from death. He justified us. We are not saved to continue in sin – we are saved FROM sin, to sin no more. Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself for us – an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. We belong to Him and we owe it to Him and ourselves to follow Him and stay true to Him. Those who have clean hands and a pure heart will see God – they will know Him here on earth and go to heaven when they die – but those who are unrighteous and who practice the works of the flesh and the works of darkness will not see God. The unrighteous and the sinner – the children of disobedience – will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Now we must walk as children of light and we must expose the works of darkness for what they are.

These classes of people will not inherit the Kingdom of God:

1. Whoremongers or Fornicators (the immoral)
Greek: pornois – Fornicator; whoremonger; male prostitutes; libertines – persons who are morally or sexually unrestrained

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8 NKJV

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV

2. Unclean persons
Greek: akathartos – homosexual; pervert; impure; foul; unclean; immoral; lewd; or demonic. This word is used 23 times of demon spirits and only twice in reference to people.

Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. Luke 4:33a NKJV

3. Effeminate (catamites)
Greek: ?malakos: of uncertain affinity; soft to the touch; effeminate; figuratively, a catamite. A catamite is a young man who submits his body to unnatural lewdness; a boy or youth who is in a sexual relationship with a man. “Soft to the touch” refers to men who have feminine traits to an inappropriate degree; lacking in manly strength or aggressiveness; especially marked with weakness, softness, and love of ease; excessively affected in his emotions.

4. Abusers of themselves with mankind
Greek: ?arsenokoites – sodomites; homosexuals; pederasts (lover of boys); lesbians; one guilty of unnatural offenses; sexual pervert

5. Adulterers (the unfaithful)
Greek: ?moichos – a (male) paramour; illicit lover; figuratively, apostate (a person who forsakes his religion or his cause)

6. Covetous men
Greek: pleonektes – holding or desiring more; eager for gain; avaricious, hence a defrauder.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NKJV

7. Thieves (robbers)
Greek: kleptes – a thief; a stealer (literally or figuratively).

8. Idolaters (false worshippers)
Greek: eidololatres – servant or worshipper (literally or figuratively) of an image or an idol.

9. Drunkards (drinkers of intoxicants)
Greek: methusos – a person who is habitually or frequently drunk.

10. Revilers (abusers of others)
Greek: loidoros – mischief; abusive, railer: reviler; verbally abusive; to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious (outrageously disgraceful or shameful) language; address or speak of abusively.

11. Extortioners (those who obtain by violence or threats)
Greek: harpax – rapacious; extortion: ravening.

12. Deceivers
Greek: apatao – to cheat; delude; deceive.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 NKJV

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. Titus 3:3 NKJV

13. Children (sons) of disobedience
Greek: apeitheia – disbelief; obstinate and rebellious; disobedience; unbelief.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Colossians 3:5-6 NKJV

The Door of the Sheep

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. John 10:1-6 NKJV

When Jesus spoke to the people and told them, “He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep,” He was referring to Himself. Jesus is the Shepherd of the sheep, who came through the door. He did not try to sneak in any other way, but He came in the honest, open, right and legal way.

The “door” of the sheepfold that He is speaking of here is natural birth. The Son of God came down from heaven and was born a man child; born of a virgin; and became one of us in order to save us. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

“Water” represents natural birth – specifically amniotic fluid – we are conceived, grow and develop in our mother’s womb for 9 months, then we are born into this world as we are pushed out of the womb and take our first breath. Every one of us is born into this earth through the process of natural birth – including Jesus. The difference between us and Jesus was that He didn’t have a natural father – He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and His Father is Almighty God.

In order to save us from our sins and be able to legally represent us in His death, burial and resurrection, God had to come down and actually become one of us. Jesus, the Son of God, was the Father’s legal representative – born to die – taking our sin and death and exchanging it for His eternal life! That is why there is salvation ONLY through Him! Anyone else, or any other gods, who claim to be the Way to Almighty God are only thieves, robbers and liars.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:7-10 NKJV

Jesus came through the natural “door” of birth so that He could become the Door through which all men must go in order to be saved from sin and enter into eternal life. He didn’t come to “take” – He came to “give”! When you believe on Jesus, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, you walk through the Door – leaving sin and death behind you as you enter into a new life in Christ! Jesus said in John 3:13-15, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the ONLY Door to the Father, the only Doorway into heaven, eternal life, and the presence of the Father. The good news is that ANYONE who believes in Him is able to come through this door and experience God’s eternal life!

Arriving there, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom we obtain salvation in the kingdom of God].
Acts 14:27 AMP

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. John 14:6 AMP

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 NKJV

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 NKJV

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:30-31 NKJV

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 NKJV

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:9-13 NKJV

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. John 10:1-6 NKJV

When Jesus spoke to the people and told them, “He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep,” He was referring to Himself. Jesus is the Shepherd of the sheep, who came through the door. He did not try to sneak in any other way, but He came in the honest, open, right and legal way.

The “door” of the sheepfold that He is speaking of here is natural birth. The Son of God came down from heaven and was born a man child; born of a virgin; and became one of us in order to save us. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

“Water” represents natural birth – specifically amniotic fluid – we are conceived, grow and develop in our mother’s womb for 9 months, then we are born into this world as we are pushed out of the womb and take our first breath. Every one of us is born into this earth through the process of natural birth – including Jesus. The difference between us and Jesus was that He didn’t have a natural father – He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and His Father is Almighty God.

In order to save us from our sins and be able to legally represent us in His death, burial and resurrection, God had to come down and actually become one of us. Jesus, the Son of God, was the Father’s legal representative – born to die – taking our sin and death and exchanging it for His eternal life! That is why there is salvation ONLY through Him! Anyone else, or any other gods, who claim to be the Way to Almighty God are only thieves, robbers and liars.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:7-10 NKJV

Jesus came through the natural “door” of birth so that He could become the Door through which all men must go in order to be saved from sin and enter into eternal life. He didn’t come to “take” – He came to “give”! When you believe on Jesus, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, you walk through the Door – leaving sin and death behind you as you enter into a new life in Christ! Jesus said in John 3:13-15, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the ONLY Door to the Father, the only Doorway into heaven, eternal life, and the presence of the Father. The good news is that ANYONE who believes in Him is able to come through this door and experience God’s eternal life!

Arriving there, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom we obtain salvation in the kingdom of God]. Acts 14:27 AMP

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. John 14:6 AMP

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 NKJV

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 NKJV

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 NKJV

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 NKJV

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:9-13 NKJV

The Spirit of the Lord

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because be hath anointed

me to preach the gospel to the poor; he bath sent me to

heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,

and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty

them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

LUKE 4:18-19

 

This is the message Jesus declared all during His earthly

ministry. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel…, and the Gospel is Good

News! There are too many bad news preachers in the earth today.

 

All they want to do is bring doom and gloom. Some people seem

to think they’re Old Testament prophets, called to rail out against

sin. But thank God we’re under a new covenant. The message of

this new covenant is the same message that Jesus proclaimed: the

Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and He has anointed me to preach

the Gospel, the Good News.

 

The Gospel is Good News, my dear friend. Good News! I

bring you Good News! I bring you glad tidings. I bring you Good

News! Hallelujah! I get happy just thinking about the Good

News!

 

We all know the world is full of bad news. You can turn on

television news and all you hear is bad news. The last thing you

need is a preacher bringing you more bad news. We need to hear

the Good News of the Gospel: that Jesus still saves, Jesus still

heals, Jesus still sets free, and that Jesus is coming again. That’s

the Gospel!

 

The problem is that many Christians are confused. They

have a little bit of the old covenant, a little bit of the new

covenant, and they’ve made up their own covenant. Their own

covenant brings them under condemnation and bondage one

minute, and it sets them free the next.

 

In their confusion, they think God is blessing them one moment and the next moment He is saying, “I’m going to kill you.” They walk around waiting for God to beat them and hurt them for reasons known only to Him.

 

That’s not the Good News! The Good News is the same as it was when

Jesus walked the earth. Do you know why it’s still the same? Because

Jesus is still the same. Jesus has not changed!

 

The question I pose to you is, “What happens when Jesus shows up?” What happens when Jesus walks in the door? I want you to know that when Jesus walks in the door, the very atmosphere of the room changes. When Jesus walks in the door, sickness and death and poverty and the curse of hell go out the back door, saying, “It’s time for us to the leave.”

 

When Jesus walks in the door, you will know that He is there. You can see His nature and His character in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What happens when He shows up? Jesus answered that Himself.

 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it

more abundantly.

JOHN 10:10

 

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from

the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 JOHN 3:8

Who Is Jesus?

I had to go to the Gospels to see Jesus and then to know Him. I

used to spend a lot of time, as I was growing up, thinking about

His conception and His birth, His life as a baby, as a child, as a

boy, a teenager, and then a man.

 

Although Jesus’ life and ministry fulfilled all the Old Testament

prophecies for the first coming of the Messiah, the details are

always astounding and unpredictable. The prophecy said the

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), but no one

could have guessed exactly the King of kings would arrive on the

scene.

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:

When as his mother Mary was espoused to

Joseph, before they came together, she was found

with child of the Holy Ghost

 

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and

not willing to make her a public example, was

minded to put her away privily.

 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the

angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,

saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take

unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived

in her is of the Holy Ghost.

MATTHEW 1:18-20

 

Something really hit me when I first read this. How would you

like to be Joseph or Mary?

 

“Joseph, I’m pregnant, okay? Now listen, I know this is going to

sound crazy; and I love you with all my heart, but I have not

allowed another man to touch me. I’m a virgin, but I’m pregnant.

Oh, and the angel of the Lord told me that God was the father.”

Joseph’s not married and his lady, Mary, is pregnant. Talk about

embarrassing! How in the world do you explain to your family

 

The Man Behind the Myth

 

and friends how your girlfriend got pregnant if you say you

haven’t done anything? “Mary’s pregnant, and I know we’re

not married yet, but this is different. This is not what you think

it is.”

 

“You’re not even married, you haven’t had marital relations,

and she’s pregnant? Yeah, right. Don’t lie to us, Joseph.”

 

Do you understand what we’re dealing with here? These are

not saints; they are normal, everyday people. So Joseph came

to the only conclusion he could. He was going to have to break

off his engagement to Mary. I mean, who’s going to believe he

didn’t touch her — and just forget that crazy story about the

angel of the Lord? But then the angel of the Lord spoke to

Joseph in a dream and said, “Don’t break off your engagement

with Mary?

 

This whole thing is of God.” Now Joseph can say

for sure, “No, I am not lying! I’m telling you the truth? I never

touched Mary and neither has anyone else. An angel came to

me and said that the baby was conceived by the power of the

Holy Spirit.” But can you imagine the frustration? This has

never happened before. This is a unique, one-of-a-kind event.

Who will believe him? What will family and friends say about

this?

 

Thank God for the Word of the Lord that came to Joseph

through the angel. Knowing that this was done by the hand of

God was the only reason he and Mary could endure the shame

and reproach. I guarantee you, there were family members,

close friends, and neighbors who said, “Yeah, we know what

Joseph and Mary have been doing!”

 

“But we didn’t do it! The Holy Ghost did it? The angel of the

Lord spoke the Word and that’s it. We promise you, before

God, we did not do anything.

 

For me, this is where it all begins: Jesus’ supernatural conception.

He was born of a virgin. Jesus entered humanity in controversy,

as the rock of offense, the stumbling block —

because the whole thing was supernatural.

The Goodness Of God – Part 5 by Rodney Howard Browne

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8 KJV

God is good and He is good all the time. You could not call Him good if He was sometimes good and sometimes not. Goodness is not just about being good and doing good; it’s about being constant and consistent; being predictably good. Because God is good, He is consistently merciful and benevolent, kind, generous and forgiving.

“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.” Psalms 34:8 AMP

“Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 AMP

The word “taste” represents an experience. We can personally experience God’s goodness. It is our choice. The goodness and the kindness of the Lord were manifested in the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on our behalf. God has done everything He can do to show us His goodness; now it is up to each one of us to choose to personally experience – taste – that goodness for ourselves! We taste God’s goodness when we trust and take refuge in Him.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 AMP

“God passed in front of him and called out, ‘God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient — so much love, so deeply true — 7 loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Still, he doesn’t ignore sin. He holds sons and grandsons responsible for a father’s sins to the third and even fourth generation.’” Exodus 34:6-7 TMB

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”  Psalms 86:5 NKJV

God’s goodness, mercy and kindness never run out. He displays His goodness by showing His mercy. If you sin without repentance, God will have to hold you accountable – you will not get away with it. However, if you sincerely repent and ask God to forgive you, He will do so immediately. The Lord always forgives and shows mercy to those who call on Him, but those who rebel against Him, never have the privilege of experiencing His goodness.

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NKJV

It’s God’s good pleasure to fulfill His goodness in you, through you, and for you! We must desire and strive to be worthy of what He has called us to do. When we have faith in God, He will work in and through and for us in power! God’s plan is that Jesus Christ will be glorified in you and you in Him.

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You choose and cause to come near, that he may dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.” Psalms 65:4 AMP

“Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the Lord — For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all.Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:12-14 NKJV

People are drawn to and attracted to God’s goodness. God’s goodness is in His house, in His presence, and is freely available to those who are full of Him and who stay close to Him. God’s goodness is all we need. God will cause His loyal people to always be satiated and satisfied with His goodness.

“Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:5 NKJV

“Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.” Jeremiah 33:6-9 NKJV

God’s will for us is that we should experience His goodness and His prosperity. God’s people must never take His goodness for granted, but it is very important that we respect and appreciate the goodness of God and how good He is to us. God says that when the nations of the earth see and hear about His abundant goodness toward His children it will be a mighty testimony – they will fear and tremble – they will be in awe of God. Give thanks to God for His goodness!

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”  Psalms 107:8-9 NKJV

Being Nice

Jesus explained the foundation for strong relations : he claimed that in everything, we should treat other people the way we wish to be dealt with. When you concentrate on your chums, kin, and associates, do you see any of the following traits of a powerful relationship? – Pleasure and satisfaction.

– Loyalty. – Real concern for the other person’s welfare. – Truth . – Prayer support. – A want for the best for the other person. – Protection of one another from emotional, physical, or non secular harm. – Forgiveness. – Support . – Support. – Openhandedness .

– Respect and respect. – Acceptance of the other person for who he is. Many of us would need to say we do not have all these traits in each relationship. But is there a single quality that you wouldn’t need somebody to display toward you? Do you have relationship issues in your marriage? With your children? With your employer or employees? At church or in your neighborhood? Jesus made the solution clear. It is a command that we treat other people as we wish to be dealt with.

It needs work and prayer, but God always gives us the resources to be obedient. Are you ready to work at building robust relationships? Remember that Jesus commanded it, and so obedience isn’t optional. Ask God to offer you the patience and knowledge you will need to fix or brace the relationships in your life. One more thing.

Meditation is a critical

Meditation is a critical part of a healthy, growing relationship with God. However, it is something that’s regularly left out of many believers’ lives. , we must inspect a basic, key query : how can we meditate? First, we must devote ourselves to the reading of God’s Word.

If we’d like to hear His message, then we must dig deep into Scripture. This isn’t mere book, but is instead the message of God to His folks. We have Scripture to know God better ; as loyal stewards of that present, we must make it an integral part of our lives. 2nd , we must learn how to pray Scripture back to God. That is, when we read a passage, whatever what the material is, we should lift that Word back up to heaven, showing that we are in harmony with what the Lord has spoken. This is how we attest the message of Scripture. 3rd , we must apply the Word. The Bible is not here for straightforward info ; rather, it was given for obedience.

If we don’t permit the Word of God to modify our life, then how much value do we actually place on it? 4th , we must submit to God’s will. As we spend time actively listening to God, he is going to share His plans for us. As we apply what we have heard, meditation will become more instinctive for us. Then, we’re going to find that we hear His voice thru each moment. God has a special message for you. Make the effort critical to hear what your heavenly Father is announcing. One thing more.

Soul Patrol

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Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

NH Older lady-rededicated her life-reached up pulled soul winner down kissed him on the cheek-that was from Jesus. I have been on the website a few times and decided to join Soul Patrol at my home church. We out to win souls for the Lord and that Saturday a Catholic was born again! Two others souls were saved that day as well.I never thought I would be bold enough to go out and preach the Gospel but I did through Jesus Christ who strenghtens me in all areas that I lack in.Praise God!

Jackie S
Fort Pierce Florida United States

Taking Risks

God is calling us as Christ followers to take risks—to stop playing it safe and to step out in obedience. While risk-taking creates uncertainty in our lives, there are some things of which we can be certain.


We will be challenged. Whether it’s because of hard work, complex relationships, or situations requiring greater faith, God will stretch us. As we take risks, we may feel doubt, indecision, and fear. Or, we might think we’re incapable or inadequate. These aren’t reasons to refuse God’s assignment; they are opportunities to trust the Lord.

We can count on God’s presence. It is impossible for believers to live a single day without the presence of God. (Hebrews 13:5) Our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ our Savior is a permanent one. His love for us is deep and abiding, and His promises are sure. When God calls us to risk being outside our “comfort zone,” we can obey because He’s there at our side.

The enabling power of the Holy Spirit is ours. The Spirit of God gives us the divine strength to be victorious. When we falter, He strengthens us. When we stumble, He steadies us. When we fall, He picks us up.


What is God asking of you that poses a challenge? Remember that when God asks us to step out amidst uncertainty and take risks, we can rely on His presence and His power to equip us. If you’ve said yes to the challenge, then you’ve become a Risk Taker for God! Feel free to add the initials R.T.G. after your name.

 

  • 1.
  • At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
  • 2.
  • And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
  • 3.
  • For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
  • 4.
  • For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
  • 5.
  • And when he would have put him to death , he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
  • 6.
  • But when Herod’s birthday was kept , the daughter of Herodias danced before them , and pleased Herod.
  • 7.
  • Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask .
  • 8.
  • And she, being before instructed of her mother, said , Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
  • 9.
  • And the king was sorry : nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat , he commanded it to be given her.
  • 10.
  • And he sent , and beheaded John in the prison.
  • 11.
  • And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
  • 12.
  • And his disciples came , and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
  • 13.
  • When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart : and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
  • 14.
  • And Jesus went forth , and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
  • 15.
  • And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying , This is a desert place, and the time is now past ; send the multitude away , that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
  • 16.
  • But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart ; give ye them to eat .
  • 17.
  • And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
  • 18.
  • He said , Bring them hither to me.
  • 19.
  • And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed , and brake , and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • 20.
  • And they did all eat , and were filled : and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
  • 21.
  • And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
  • 22.
  • And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away .
  • 23.
  • And when he had sent the multitudes away , he went up into a mountain apart to pray : and when the evening was come , he was there alone.
  • 24.
  • But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
  • 25.
  • And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
  • 26.
  • And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled , saying , It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
  • 27.
  • But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying , Be of good cheer ; it is I; be not afraid .
  • 28.
  • And Peter answered him and said , Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
  • 29.
  • And he said , Come . And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
  • 30.
  • But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid ; and beginning to sink , he cried , saying , Lord, save me.
  • 31.
  • And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?
  • 32.
  • And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased .
  • 33.
  • Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying , Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
  • 34.
  • And when they were gone over , they came into the land of Gennesaret.
  • 35.
  • And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
  • 36.
  • And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole .

Revival in Jacksonville

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