God of the Second Wind Heroes of Faith Jonah's Story (Part 3)

Wow, we are on part three now of the series “God of the Second Wind.” We have looked at the stories of Rahab and Ruth, and now we are going to be looking at Jonah’s life. Every time I read through the book of Jonah God always shows me something new; I am excited to write and share with my readers the lessons we can learn from Jonah. In my previous post, we looked at Ruth’s life seeing how God choose Ruth by giving her a second chance when she married into the family of Naomi this was the beginning then after she moves back with Naomi to Israel God blesses Ruth with favor and protection under Boaz. Ruth moves in the obedience of what Naomi tells her to do by going and laying at the feet of Boaz telling us that to experience God’s “Second Wind” in our lives we must act in doing works of faith because faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). The book of Ruth ends with Chapter 4 revealing God’s “Second Wind” by having Ruth marry Boaz and being a part of the family line that brings forth King David and Jesus Christ. Now let’s feel and experience the refreshment from God’s “Second Wind” in Jonah’s life.

Jonah is also a short book like Ruth only four chapters long, but in these four chapters right from the beginning to the ending verses we see God being the “God of the Second Wind.” The first three verses show that the wind is already blowing. Jonah 1:1-3 NLT says “The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.” 1. God does not want us to be disobedient to His calling and actions He wants us to do, but if we choose the opposite direction, then God will use the opposite direction to be the direction that God uses to bring His “Second Wind” of Grace and Mercy into our lives. In verse four we see God is already moving with His wind because this violent wind that occurs while they are on the sea puts Jonah in a position to be carried away by God’s “Second Wind.” The storm comes the sailors on the ship are praying to their gods to deliver them, but they realize they are not answering them so they call for Jonah and tell him to pray to his God to see if He will deliver them. After the sailors had cast lots, it is discovered that Jonah is the guilty party that caused this storm. Verse twelve tells us something interesting it says “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault” (Jonah 1:12 NLT).  Jonah admits to his fault he knows that his disobedience has caused this storm and put these sailors lives and his life in danger, but because he confessed his sin God’s Grace enters in and saves Jonah and the lives of the sailors. 2. When a person confesses their sins to Christ, it gives access to the power of Grace to operate in that person’s life and in lives of others around that person. Because of Jonah’s confession and the power, the Lord displayed it made the sailors realize that they needed to serve the God of Israel, and that is what happened. Verse sixteen says “16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.” Verse seventeen displays Grace in action it says “17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.” “This is obvious a miracle, the precise details of which are not stated. We do not know if the fish was a specially created one or a modified whale; nor do we know how Jonah breathed for 72 hours” (Hayford, 2013, p.1112) this action of grace is a miracle and gift from God into Jonah’s life. God took care of Jonah because God loved Jonah, He saw the potential in Jonah, and God wanted Jonah to have a second chance. 3. Grace is a miracle and a gift. Grace happens because God wants a relationship with you and because He wants you to fulfill your potential. Wow, grace at work let’s continue to see how it flows into Chapter two.

Chapter two opens with the prayer Jonah prays while in the belly of the fish, and it reveals to the reader the epochal of God’s Grace at work. Jonah 2:1-2 NLT Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 2 He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!” Jonah prays to the Lord and in his great trouble, the Lord answered him from the land of the dead He heard Jonah’s prayer. What a picture of Grace! These words show that no matter where you are you can pray, and God hears your words. This prayer by Jonah has the essence of a prayer of thanksgiving. Jonah is thanking the Lord for protecting him from drowning (Life Application Study Bible, 2004, p.1460). The reader knows this because as you read the rest of the chapter Jonah gives detail information on his experience in the sea, and from it the reader can see that Jonah could have easily drowned. Verse 4, 6, and 7 tell us something “4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ 6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! 7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. I find Jonah’s words interesting because His words are expressing that he knew about the power of God’s Grace. He knew it was for him, and he reached out for it and received it. He was not ashamed to grab hold of what he knew was his, but some Christians don’t immediately grab or receive God’s Grace as fast as Jonah did. No, instead these Christians feel they need to earn His Grace some way or mope and complain about their sin for a certain amount of time before asking God for forgiveness and receiving His grace. I know because I am one of those Christians. Christian as your brother in the Lord I warn you dearly don’t fall into that trap because it starts to produce a working mentality inside your mind. You will start to have a work mentality in your Christian walk with God instead of a Grace mindset which is what our Christian walk is founded on. I know because I have lived that way for many years, but God has revealed to me that Grace is the way to have a relationship with Him, and not by works. Verses nine, and ten says “9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone. 10 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” After experiencing God’s Grace inside the fish, the Lord orders the fish to spit him out, and gives Jonah “His Second Wind.” 4. An encounter with Grace happens to you so that you know that a second chance a fresh start is always there for you!

I have decided to break up this blog about Jonah into two parts because there is so much good information to share with you that I don’t want to cheat you out of all the information I will give you for chapters three and four. Stay tune part two is next! Thank you all for checking out my blog and following it! If you would like to meet God’s Grace that I have been writing about that Jonah experienced, then pray Jesus I ask you to come into my life I repent of my sins of my failures to you. Thank you for your Grace and giving me a fresh second wind I receive and live for you now in Jesus name we pray amen! If you said that prayer for the first time you are now a Christian and I celebrate with you! Now go start reading your Bible I recommend you start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John to know Jesus more than go from there, stay connected with other Christians, and find a church where you can learn and serve those around you.

Godspeed,

Robbie

References

Hayford, J. W. (2013). New Spirit Filled Life Bible. Thomas Nelson.

Life Application Study Bible. (2004). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

There is Freedom at the Cross

The 4th of July is a holiday celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776. The United States of America (USA) gives thanks unto God for the freedom they received that day and they rejoice in the freedom they have. At the beginning of this month, you could sense and see that the atmosphere has changed in America. Religion, Family, Arts and Entertainment, Media, Government, Education, and Business all start to focus on the liberty and freedom that this day brings for America. As the atmosphere is still present and the bells of liberty, freedom, and independence are still ringing in our ears, I believe that our God wants to put you in remembrance and celebration of the liberty, freedom, and independence that you have received at the Cross. Just like the Declaration of Independence declares independence from Great Britain. The Cross is our Declaration of Independence from sin.


“We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought and dignity of self-direction which He bestowed on them. From the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come!” ~ Samuel Adams after signing the Declaration of Independence. Samuel Adams is American statesman, political philosopher, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This blog is called "There is Freedom at the Cross!" Now before we can see, experience, and receive the Freedom that the Cross offers you must take a voyage that leads you through the seas to discover that there is Freedom at the Cross. You will see what pain has to do with liberty, how it connects to liberty, where liberty is found at, and then you will see where to receive the freedom God has for you at the Cross.

Before you can celebrate liberty, freedom, and independence in your life, you have to be somewhere else first either in a place of pain or bondage or both. The definition of liberty is: “1. The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. 2. a. The condition of being free from oppressive restriction or control by a government or other power." The definition of freedom is "The condition of not being in prison or captivity: The condition of not being constrained or restricted in a specific aspect of life by a government or other power. Dictionaries define Independence as the time when a country or region gains political freedom from outside control, freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others and freedom from control or influence of another or others.” These definitions reveal that you have to be in bondage before experiencing freedom or liberty.

Because “doesn’t pain have a way of just neutralizing us? You can pull one little muscle in your back, and your entire body wants to just sit down and avoid feeling that pain with every move. Not only that but also every time you do move, and that sharp pain shoots across your back; you’re reminded of that weird move you made that caused the injury in the first place. That pain serves to take you right back to that place where you were hurt” (Jentezen Franklin The Spirit of Python, 2013, p. 98-99).  The same thing happens to us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. All of us have or will experience some pain in all of these areas and what the enemy does is he keeps jabbing at that pain to keep you limited. He also connects that pain to memory to neutralize you. It seems that anytime you make progress in your life from that pain he locks you with the reminder of the pain and connects it with your past. “As long as the pain is there, you are still trapped by the memory. The enemy wants to keep you hurt over some situation, because as long as he has the pain that’s still there, he can take you right back to the place even if it happened years ago. (Jentezen Franklin The Spirit of Python, 2013, p. 98-99)

Luke 13:10-17 NASB 10 "And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit, and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, Woman, you are freed from your sickness. 13 And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. 14 But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? 16 And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day? 17 As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

Jesus spoke to the bondage and pain that this daughter of Abraham was experiencing the same with you, you must speak to the pain and bondage in your life and declare pain and bondage you have no hold over me because I have received the freedom that the Cross has given me to walk in liberty every day of my life. Tell the Devil as Jesus did that his prison cells can't hold you anymore you are free!

“Freedom can exist only in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights, and where learning is confined to a few people, liberty can be neither equal nor universal.” ~ Benjamin Rush is part of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is a Physician, writer, educator, and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Rush is telling people that to have freedom in your country; society must have knowledge, learning, and knowing your rights as citizens of that country. American citizens must educate themselves on the freedoms they have been given through the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. It's the same for Christians to walk in the freedom that the Cross gives them, they must become knowledgeable of its power and the authority Christ provides them with in His name. Christians always have to be learning about His Word knowing His promises so that when Satan tries to infect Christians with pain and bondage Christians can say No, I am not bound to that pain or bondage you can't hurt me anymore because of the Cross because of God’s promise to me. If Christians don’t read God’s Word, do not know His promises, and the power of the Cross, then the liberty He wants to give you is confined and then it cannot be equal or universal because it is limited. Our duty as Christians is to spread the news that there is Freedom at the Cross!

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (Voice) "12 In light of this hope that we have, we act with great confidence and speak with great courage. 13 We do not act like Moses who covered his face with a veil so the children of Israel would not stare as the glory of God faded from his face. 14 Their minds became as hard as stones; for up to this day when they read the old covenant, the same veil continues to hide that glory; this veil is lifted only through the Anointed One. 15 Even today a veil covers their hearts when the words of Moses are read; 16 but in the moment when one turns toward the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 By “the Lord” what I mean is the Spirit, and in any heart where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is liberty. 18 Now all of us, with our faces unveiled, reflect the glory of the Lord as if we are mirrors; and so we are being transformed, metamorphosed, into His same image from one radiance of glory to another, just as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it." The word liberty or also translate freedom is the Greek word Eleutheria and it comes from the root word Eleutheros which means “freeborn in a civil sense, one who is not a slave of one who ceases to be a slave, freed, manumitted free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by an obligation in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic Law.” If you have Christ living inside of you then the Spirit of the Lord is in your heart and liberty is in you all you have to do is claim it. You are rich in freedom now claim your inheritance at the Cross! Live every day with the liberty that is given to you from the Cross do not stay bound when you are free! Know from verse 18 that becoming free is a process sometimes it happens quickly, but other times it is step by step, but the great thing is that you will receive it one day "just as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it."

Luke 4:18 KJV "18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath 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." Freedom and liberty in the Greek are Aphesis it means “release from bondage or imprisonment forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty.” Bruised also can be translated oppressed in the Greek  it is Thrauo it means “to break, break in pieces, shatter, smite through.” The Same Spirit that Christ had and worked through to fulfill this scripture is in you to free you.

 “It is crucial to speak in faith to your mountain in order to break the permanence and break the pain and say, In the name of Jesus I’m trading my sorrows in for the joy of the Lord. Jesus can heal the pain and cut through the cords of yesterday’s painful memories. It has been long enough. It is time to break out of the devil’s prison. Jesus has given you victory, and if you are bound, you need liberty. If the enemy has wrapped himself around your life, encircling you in your pain, you need the healing of the Lord. Do not allow the enemy to wrap around your future, your freedom, or your success (Jentezen Franklin The Spirit of Python, 2013, p. 98-99).

John 19:30 NASB 30 "Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." It is finished bondage and pain cannot hold you all you have to do is receive the Freedom the Cross gives you.

“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” ~ George Washington is the first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

"The best road to progress is freedom’s road" ~ President John F. Kennedy is the 35th President of the United States of America.

These two quotes tell that liberty starts when you take action or make progress. Today is that day for you! I encourage you to write your pain or bondage or both on a notecard or piece of paper and then if you have a cross in your home or picture the cross in your mind and lay it down at the Cross then stand up and shout for the Lord has given you the victory (Joshua 6:16)! If you don't know Christ, and you want this Freedom I speak about then just say Jesus I receive you as my Lord and Savior I repent of my sins I believe in You and I believe that today I have this freedom that is given at the Cross in Jesus name we pray amen! Now read The Bible read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, get connected in a church, and find other Christ followers and invest your time with them. Then watch what God does for you! Remember that becoming free is a process and today starts that process for you!

God of the Second Wind Heroes of Faith Ruth's Story (Part 2)

This post is part two of the Summer Series “God of the Second Wind Heroes of Faith” today’s blog is focusing on Ruth. This Summer series is about seeing the characteristic of how God is the “God of the Second Wind.” In part one we looked at Rahab and how God saved her from the destruction of Jericho, leading her to become part of Israel, marrying Salmon, being part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, and having her name placed in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). Ruth’s life also reveals to the reader that God is the “God of the Second Wind.”

Ruth’s story is in the Book of Ruth. The Book of Ruth is a short book in the Bible only four chapters, but inside these chapters is a story filled with God’s Second Wind. As you will see a little bit later in this post-God’s Grace, Mercy, and Favor is upon Ruth’s life, but how did it begin? Ruth 1:1-5 NASB tells the reader how “1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4 They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.”  By marrying one of Naomi’s sons, it gives Ruth entrance to know the God of Israel. Do not underestimate the relationships you have with people they are in your life for a reason you have an opportunity each time you are with them to let them know God personally for themselves. In verses eight thru thirteen Naomi tells Orpah and Ruth to return to their homeland, but the girls say no we want to go with you, Naomi insists that they leave and return to Moab because if they go with her they will not be able to marry again and that would be putting Orpah and Ruth in bondage. Orpah does return, but Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi. Ruth 1:16-17 NASB  But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me." While Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons, she experiences something she sees something in Naomi’s family, and she wants it for herself. These words by Ruth are powerful, and they speak of a desire for the God of Israel to be her God, which opens up the door for God’s “Second Wind” to come into her life.

In Chapter 2 God starts to blow the “Second Wind” of His character over Ruth by blessing and protecting her under the watchful eye of Boaz. Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi rushes in the “Second Wind of God” by giving her a place to glean in the fields, water to drink, food to eat, giving her extra grain, and protecting her from others (Ruth 2:8-17).

 In Chapter 3 Naomi tells Ruth to present herself to Boaz to claim him as her kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3:1-5) because of Ruth’s obedience to the advice that Naomi gives her “God’s Second Wind” breathes on her again. Ruth teaches the reader that to experience “God’s Second Wind” in your life you must live by faith and let your faith produce works because faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).

Chapter 4 brings the beginning to the end Boaz redeems Naomi’s family line by buying all that belong to Elimelech and his sons Mahlon and Chilion including marrying Ruth (Ruth 4:1-17). God uses the kinsman-redeemer Boaz to release His “Second Wind” into Ruth’s life not only blessing her greatly in the fields or marrying Boaz, but God as well adds her to the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Ruth 4:18-22 “18 Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, 19 and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, 20 and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon, 21 and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, 22 and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.” I want you as the reader of this blog to know that none of this would have happened if Ruth did not marry into Naomi’s family. Why do I bring that up? Because your actions and the decisions you make each day gives God the opportunity to blow His “Second Wind” upon you and those who come into your life each day. The Book of Ruth also teaches the reader that God can use you to be the initiator of His “Second Wind” to help others experience the refreshing wind of His Grace and Mercy just like Boaz did for Ruth.

Ruth’s story has God’s hands in it from the beginning even before anything happens in Ruth’s life God was moving. God used the move Elimelech made with his family to Moab to bring His “Second Wind” upon Ruth. I want you to search your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is your “Elimelech move?” Why has God placed you here at this time in your life? It is for you to find your Ruth so that your Ruth can experience the rushing “Second Wind of God!” It is for your Ruth to have the same experience that the Ruth in the Bible has and that is knowing, living, and experiencing God’s grace, mercy, and favor in her life. Go ask the Holy Spirit to help you find your “Elimelech move” and “your Ruth.”

If you do not know this God, and you want what Ruth has then say this prayer: Jesus, I want you just like Ruth has you, I make you my God I repent of my sins. I receive the forgiveness you give me at the Cross I am yours, and you are mine forevermore in Jesus name we pray amen! Find a church that teaches the Bible truthfully with power and read your Bible each day start anywhere let God lead you. If you find yourself in a church or when reading your Bible that you are being comforted, convicted, and challenged to be like Christ on regular basis’s you are in the good soil, and you will grow.    

God of the Second Wind Heroes of Faith Rahab's Story (Part 1)

 These last couple of weeks The Holy Spirit has given Robbie a phrase to chew on the phrase is “God of the Second Wind.” One day he was thinking and meditating on a previous message that he heard a couple of years ago the message is called “God of the Second Wind” by Pastor Rick Wilkerson Jr. Robbie heard that message at the Forward Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in 2013.

“God of the Second Wind” as he ponders that phrase Robbie reminds himself of the Heroes of Faith that readers read about in the Bible that has experienced the “God of the Second Wind.” Every story in the Bible reveals to the reader this characteristic of God, but there is not enough time to look at every story, but in this series, four heroes will be looked at Rahab, Ruth, Jonah, and Samson. This series will be done in four parts part one on Rahab, part two on Ruth, part three on Jonah, and part four on Samson. Before these heroes’ stories are spoken about you as the reader first must know what does the phrase the “God of the Second Wind” mean? Simply its meaning, its action is Grace and Mercy and through the actions of Grace and Mercy God gives a second chance.

Rahab’s story is in Joshua 2 and 6, but she also is in Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 11:31, and James 2:25. Rahab’s story speaks of Grace and Mercy here is a prostitute, but yet because she feared God because she knew that the God of Israel is more powerful than any other god (Joshua 2:8-11) and because she protected the spies those actions opened the door for “God’s Second Wind” to come into her life. “God’s Second Wind” for Rahab’s life is amazing God rescues her and her family. God makes them part of Israel that enough would have expressed that God is the “God of the Second Wind” However, the great thing about Grace and Mercy is that it always holds surprises that he or she never sees coming. God decides to do something that no one sees coming He adds Rahab to the genealogy of Jesus Christ Matthew 1:5 NLT says “Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.”

“God’s Second Wind” for Rahab consists of Salvation for her and her family, being a part Israel, marrying Salmon, and having her name listed in the family line that would bring Jesus into the world! Don’t you feel the weight of that? Wow! It does not end there either Furthermore, she is in Hebrews 11:31 NLT “31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

Christians know this Chapter in the Bible as the “Hall of Faith” people believe that this terminology comes from the Hall of Fame that all professional sports, collegiate sports, and the entertainment world have for those who are the best of the best. Is it not true that when fans hear who is in the Hall of Fame or who just got inducted into this year’s class questions, and comments are made about if he or she should be a part of the Hall of Fame. Questions like “Did they do enough to deserve it?” or “Why did they choose him or her?”  Sometimes the fans agree with the committee and then other sometimes the fans disagree with the committee. Opinions on why or why not he or she should or should not be part of the Hall of Fame come out or conversations about how another athlete or entertainer deserved to be inducted into the Hall of Fame more than the athlete or entertainer that got in.

This question can be asked and is asked about Rahab “Does she deserve the induction into the Hall of Faith?” To answer that question we must see what God’s qualifications are for induction into the Hall of Faith. The qualifications are 1. God’s Grace and Mercy in the individual’s life, 2. Faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 3. Having a fear of God, and 4. Having a BIG YES is his or her heart to honor God in their lives.  All four of these qualifications are in one action of Faith, and that action is Faith in what Jesus did on the Cross. By taking the punishment for everyone’s sin, and those who believe He did this for them they will have eternal life and receive an induction into the Hall of Faith. Rahab lived by faith; she did works by faith (James 2:25-26 NLT 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.), and she lived in the abundance of Grace and Mercy that God gave her in her life! In every Hall of Fame definitely inside the Hall of Faith, fans and observers will find inductees who at first may not seem that he or she should be there, but they are there because of Grace and Mercy because God gave them a second wind.

The Biblical Meaning of the Number 16

God is the Creator of all things, and everything He creates has significance's, purpose, and meaning. As you read through the Bible, you see that numbers are made known and highlighted by its writers that the Holy Spirit has put an emphasis's on the meaning of numbers such as the number seven meaning “completion and perfection” or the number eight signifying “new beginnings”. I believe that Christians should study biblical numerology because I believe that when you consider them, a Christian will grow more in the knowledge, wisdom, and stature of Christ. Christians will discover more revelation of the Father’s love for them as they participate in the study of biblical numerology. Having an understanding of biblical numerology will help Christians understand certain passages in the Bible. Since taking this journey of exploring the biblical meaning of numbers I have discovered that their meaning has helped me understand what God is saying in the Scriptures at times and what is happening in my life. I have written this post to help you understand the importance’s that God puts on numbers and how they can benefit you as a Christ-follower. I have chosen the number 16 to write about because the year is 2016 and its meaning fascinates me! Its purpose brings an understanding of the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love for you and I (Ephesians 3:18-19).

From my research and study, I have concluded that the number 16 associates itself throughout the Bible with love, covenant, and marriage. Through this blog I will explain where my support comes from, the Hebrews write out the number 16 with the Hebrew letters Yod-Yav when these letters are written out they signify “the hand (outworking) of the nail, which joins the hearts of two people as one” (Jones, p.10).

If you look at I Corinthians 13:4-8 Apostle Paul lead by the Holy Spirit lists 16 attributes of love. I Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT “4 Love is patient (1) and kind (2). Love is not jealous (3) or boastful (4) or proud (5) 5 or rude (6). It does not demand its own way (7). It is not irritable (8), and it keeps no record of being wronged (9). 6 It does not rejoice about injustice (10) but rejoices whenever the truth wins out (11). 7 Love never gives up (12), never loses faith (13), is always hopeful (14), and endures through every circumstance (15). 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever (16)! Amazing!

In Exodus 26:25 NLT “25 So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases two bases under each frame.” What do eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle set in sixteen silver bases under each frame have in common with love? Great question let's find out! This instruction was given to Moses by God specifically for how the Tabernacle is to be built. The Tabernacle became the place for where God's presence dwelt amongst His people, but it also became the place where God could have communion with His people to display His love for them, and in return, the Israelites would go to the Tabernacle to display their love for Him! The Tabernacle also represents the Covenant that God has made with Israel.

The sockets held the boards in place and gave the tabernacle stability, but today God indwells in us we are His temple or tabernacle. Paul alludes to this in Eph. 3:17-19 (Jones, p.12). Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT “17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (these are the sixteen silver bases). 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Now the Covenant is no longer in the Tabernacle as a building, but now the Covenant resides in each person’s heart who chooses to believe in Christ.

Another scripture that points to 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage is in Genesis 7:7-9 NLT “7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.” This passage reveals the 16th time Noah’s name is mentioned in Genesis (Jones, p.12). With the 16th mention of Noah’s name, it comes with the declaration of God’s plan for reproduction through a husband and wife and between male and female creatures. (Genesis 1:28). “Does this not speak of love and marriage? Even all the animals went in by twos, male and female” (Jones, p.12, 2008).    
If you look closely and count the number of times the Greek word “agape” (divine love) is used throughout the Gospel of John, it adds ups to sixteen times (John, p.12, 2008).

Also, again in I John the 16th time that word “love” is used is in I John 4:18 (The Bible Study Site, p.3, n.d.). I John 4:18 NLT “18 Such love (16th time) has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” This passage is important because the Apostle John is telling us that “agape” love has no fear agape love expels all fear from a Christian. Christian, you are no longer a slave to fear you are a child of God! You are a Son or Daughter of the King and if you allow His love to equip your spirit, soul, and body and if you put on His love each day by being strong and courageous then His perfect love will expel all fear from you! Why? Because you now know the authority, and power that His love possesses over fear!

These are just some of the examples I have chosen to display my support for the number 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage there are much more throughout the Bible, but I hope that this study has been helpful to you. I hope that it makes you come to realize that numbers are influential throughout the Scriptures, and you will benefit from examining their meanings because biblical numerology is part of the key to receiving and understanding a deeper revelation of God’s Word.

I challenge you this year to have faith that God’s love and the love of human companionship either through your family, friends, fellowship with other believers, or marriage will come upon you and lead you to a more profound love of Christ and also a deeper love for yourself. I will leave you with two things: 1. Jesus loves you and is always ready and willing to give you His love. 2. A statement from Jesus “37 Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT). Check out the link I have posted at the end of this blog. The link will lead you to a song by Bethel Music called No Longer Slaves enjoy :)!

If you have never accepted Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, and you would like to do so just say Lord Jesus come into my heart, I believe You died for my sins. I believe that God raised You from the dead on the third day I am Yours, and You are mine forevermore in Jesus name we pray amen! What now? Pick up a Bible starting reading the Gospel of John, find a church that teaches God's Word, grow in Christ, and begin to Serve Him!  

References

Jones, S. E. (2008). The Biblical Meaning of Numbers from One to Forty. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizonscomchurch.net/uploads/2/3/1/9/23197588/meaning_of_numbers.pdf

The Bible Study Site. (n.d.). Meaning of the Number 16 in the Bible. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/16.html

Break and Trample

Isaiah 14:24-25 NLT 24 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: “It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided. 25 I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel; I will trample them on my mountains. My people will no longer be their slaves nor bow down under their heavy loads.

The Lord is declaring that He will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel. These words used by the Lord are interesting because He says that He will break Assyria when they are in Israel not outside the walls of Israel but inside the walls of Israel. How does this relate to us today? Good question let's find out! Just like Israel had an enemy with Assyria you have an enemy and that enemy may seem like he is winning and going to defeat you, but look at what the Lord says. In the previous verse, He declares that His plan will happen and what He has decided will come to pass. God’s plan for Israel was to defeat the enemy when they arrived in Israel not outside, but inside. The word Assyrians in Hebrew is defined as “step in” the enemy may have "step in" to your life, but God is going to break the enemy while the enemy is in your land. The Hebrew word for break is “Shabar” it is defined as “break, break in pieces (Qal) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench to break, rupture (fig) (Niphal) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked to be broken, be crushed (fig) (Piel) to shatter, break (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered”(Bible Study Tools, 2014, p.1)  The Lord is sharbaring the enemy in your life!

The Lord is going trample the enemy that is attacking you. Your enemy is a not other people your enemy is “evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy may be attacking you spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. I want you to hold on to the truth of God’s Word that He will break and trample the enemy out of your life. The word for trampled used here is "Buwc" and it is defined as "to tread down, reject, trample down (Qal) to tread down, trample (of warriors) of rejection (fig.) (Polel) to tread down (in bad sense) to desecrate (Hithpolel) to tread to kick out 1c of infants' blind movements 1c of Jerusalem (fig.) (Hophal) to be trodden down" (Bible Study Tools, 2014, p.1). That is powerful! The Lord is going to remove the enemy on your behalf He is going to kick out the enemy just like He did when the Assyrians were in Israel! Verse 25 says “I will trample them on my mountains” God just wanted to beat the Assyrians on His home turf God wanted to have home field advantage and that is exactly what He had!

Will it be tough battle for you? Yes, because the enemy is on your land I would think that when Israel was fighting the Assyrians, it was a tough fight, but why did God want to destroy Assyria once they were in the land of Israel? I am not sure why, but I believe it could be for the Lord to display His full strength and power to Israel and Assyria. It makes a huge difference when your enemy is outside your territory instead of being inside your territory. When your adversary is outside your territory, you have the high ground, and it is easier for you to win because you have more strength and confidence that you can defeat them. But when the adversary is inside your home it’s a different story because you don’t have that high ground instead the enemy is closer to you which means you have limited ground now because the enemy is taking up more space. It’s like in American Football when your opponent is inside your territory 20 yards away from getting into your end zone it is harder to stop them from scoring. It is much easier to stop them when they are own their own 20-yard line because they have to go 80 yards instead of 20 yards to get a touchdown I hope you can see the analogy in what I am saying. I want you to get this I believe Israel was weak inside because they were at home they let their guard down when Assyria “stepped in” Assyria gained more spaced over Israel and exposed Israel’s weaknesses, but God intervenes and says as He did to Apostle Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  I believe that one of the reasons why God allowed the Assyrians to be broken and trampled in Israel instead of outside the walls was so that God would get the glory saying because you were in a weak position I am made strong My Spirit did this act of defeating your enemy. Get this you can never overcome the works of your enemy only God can utterly defeat your enemy, and He did that here for Israel, and He did it for everyone through the Cross, and He did it so that Israel, Assyria, and you would know that there is a God in Israel!

I leave you with this have hope and faith today if the enemy has "stepped in" to your life don't focus on how the enemy got there instead focus on the promise of God. God has the home field advantage! Because the enemy has "stepped in" to your land, I believe and have faith God will do the same thing He did for Israel He will do for you, and that is to break and trample the enemy in your land!  I believe that outcome will be as it is at the end of verse 25 “My people will no longer be their slaves nor bow down under their heavy loads.” God has done this your enemy is defeated and you are no longer their slave nor do you have to bow down to their heavy loads because Christ has broken and trampled the enemy at the Cross and now you have freedom spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically!

 References

Bible Study Tools. (2014). Shabar - Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - New American Standard. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/shabar.html

Bible Study Tools. (2014). Buwc - Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - New American Standard. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/buwc.html

The Power of the Resurrection

Happy Easter everyone! Happy Resurrection Sunday! Have you ever wonder why this day is so important to the world and why we Christians hold it so dear to our hearts? What does the Resurrection do for us? Today you will discover the Power of the Resurrection! So come and let’s look at this for awhile.

Let's take quick look at Luke 23:50-56 to gain a background of what occurred before the Resurrection Luke 23:50-56 NLT 50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Luke 24:1-2 NLT But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

Verse two declares that death and sin could not hold the stone closed because He lived a sinless life the power of sin and death could not hold Him. When you let the message of the Resurrection come into your life, and you choose to believe in your heart and confess it with your mouth, then life comes to you, and you are made new! You yourself will see that the stone of death and sin has been rolled away from the entrance to your tomb.

Apokulio is the Greek word used here for rolled away it means: “to roll off or away”

1. The Power of the Resurrection has the power to roll away the stone that keeps you in your grave.

Luke 24:3-4 NLT So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The stone was rolled away, and the women saw that Jesus’ body was no longer in the grave, and they were puzzled. When you receive Christ into your life, the stone that covered your tomb has been rolled away, and you are now able to walk out as a new person. You walk out as a person who can live now because you are free from the bondage of sin and death.

You see when Christ is in your life people, family, and friends will be puzzled to see that the stone to your tomb is rolled away. They will be puzzled that you are not there because they know you as the old you the one who was bounded by death and sin, not as a person who has been resurrected from death to life! You are no longer a person who is bound to the grave of sin and death, but you are a person who has been changed by the Power of the Resurrection! Receiving Christ into your life is your first step to letting others know that your stone is rolled away and it is an invitation for them to receive the Power of Resurrection just like you did!

2. The Power of the Resurrection has the power to bring life to you and to let others know that Jesus Christ does change lives!

When Jesus came out of the tomb, He is declaring that death and sin no longer have the power to sting and shackle you.  Apostle Paul explains The Power of the Resurrection in this way:
I Corinthians 15:54-57 NLT 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Resurrection Sunday declares that God has given anyone who chooses to become a disciple of Christ the victory over sin and death because of the Resurrection!

Victory is ours because of the Resurrection!  That word victory that is used here in I Corinthians 15 is the Greek word Nikos it means: “victory to utterly vanquish.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines vanquish as: “to defeat (someone) completely in a war, battle, etc. to overcome in battle: subdue completely to defeat in a conflict or contest to gain mastery over (an emotion, passion, or temptation) <vanquish your fear>.”

This is why THIS DAY is the most important day of our Faith because without it there is no victory there is no vanquish of the power of sin and death if the Resurrection does not occur then Christians are still bound to sin and death.

3. The Power of the Resurrection gives you the power of Nikos it utterly vanquishes the power of sin and death over your life!

I Corinthians 15:58 NLT 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Because the Resurrection did occur your life now can be strong and immovable, and whatever your work is you can now work enthusiastically for the Lord because you are reminded of the Power of the Resurrection! And the last thing you need to remember is that because of the Resurrection nothing you do for the Lord is useless because each thing you do for the Lord spreads The Resurrection Power into the world bringing life into all things!

4. The Power of the Resurrection gives you the ability to be strong, immovable, to work enthusiastically for the Lord, and reminds you that nothing you do for the Lord is useless because the Power of the Resurrection gives you the power to bring life to this world into all things!

If you never received Jesus into your life and this blog about Easter has stirred your heart to desire Christ to be in your life, then come and say this prayer with me, and you will have the Power of the Resurrection living inside of you, and you will never be the same again!

Say Jesus I ask you to come into my heart I believe you died on the cross and rose from the dead for me. I ask you to forgive me of my sins, and I repent of them. Thank you for coming into my life I make you my Lord and Savior in Jesus name we pray amen! Go to church this Sunday go ahead get plugged in and let Him start to change your life completely!