There are seven keys that unlock a deeper walk with God.
1. Worship: Private versus Corporate
Click here to access a recorded worship session from Thursday night Bible study.
Click here to access a recorded worship session from Thursday night Bible study.
2. Confession of God's Word
3. Assimilation and Meditation of God's Word
4. Tongues for Personal Edification
5. Fasting
6. Waiting on God
7. Co-laboring with the Holy Spirit
Never Give Up!
Worship: See the face of God, first! Then, you will see the hand of God. (Deut 28:1)
Word: Let the Word be the final authority in your life. (Prov 4:20-22)
Will: Be willing and obedient, and you shall eat the good of the land. (Is. 1:19)
Weapons: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Eph 6:10)
Warfare: ...and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore,... (Eph 6:13-14)
Work: Keep your spirit built up so you can believe God. You lose only if you give up. Keep praying! (Josh 1:7)
Winning Attitude: You are a mountain REMOVER, not a mountain climber. (Mark 11:23)
March 21, 2020
I want encourage you to STAND in these trying times.
DON'T LET YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES OF TODAY'S PANDEMIC TALK YOU OUT OF THE WORD OF GOD!
WHEN FEAR STARTS TALKING, FAITH HAS TO START TALKING BACK.
GOD'S WORD IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR VICTORY. HE HAS GIVEN YOU HIS WORD TO USE. SO, SPEAK WHAT GOD SAID. SAY WHAT GOD SAID. GOD CANNOT PUT HIS WORD IN YOUR MOUTH FOR YOU.
GET HIS WORD IN YOUR SPIRIT UNTIL IT BECOMES A PART OF YOU AND IN TURN YOUR CONFESSION BECAUSE CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION.
FAITH IS WHEN THE WORD OF GOD ABIDES IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR MOUTH. JOHN 15:7.
WHEN YOU SPEAK WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT THE VIRUS, YOU WILL HAVE WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT THE VIRUS.
YOU WILL HAVE WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT THE VIRUS BECAUSE GOD DOES NOT TAKE HIS WORD LIGHTLY. HE DID NOT LIE WHEN HE SPOKE IT.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE GOD'S WORD, HE HAS NO RECOURSE - HE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE- BUT TO FULFILL WHAT HE SAID.
GOD WORKS THROUGH WORDS! HE WORKS THROUGH HIS WORD COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. WHEN HIS WORD BECOMES YOUR WORD, YOU GIVE HIM WHAT HE NEEDS TO BRING IT TO PASS IN YOUR LIFE.
1 Corinthians 11:29-30 says, "For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep."
Notice that it says "many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep" for "not discerning the Lord's body", not blood!
There is salvation in the blood of Jesus because it washes away our sins. But salvation is not limited to the remission of our sins.
There is also salvation for our bodies as well.
The reason why many Christians are weak and sick is because they discern the Lord's blood, but not His body.
They have accepted and received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, but they have not discerned His body and accepted Him as their Healer.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Healer and not just your Saviour?
Take the time during this hiatus from your normal routine because of the corona virus and meditate on 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:16 and Isaiah 53:4-6.
Do all to stand by getting those scriptures into your spirit so that they become a part of you and in turn your confession.
GOD DOES NOT BLESS LAZY CHRISTIANS!
Once you have done all to stand, STAND!!
SPEAK TO THE VIRUS AND CURSE IT! COMMAND IT TO DIE AND GO FROM YOUR BODY.
SPEAK TO YOUR BODY AND CALL IT WHOLE, NORMAL AND HEALTHY BECAUSE BY HIS STRIPES IT IS HEALED!
The devil is defeated! He is the one behind the virus. He is using the virus as a weapon against you, trying to steal your health and your life.
RESIST HIM according to James 4:7 by saying, "NOOOOOOO, YOU DON'T, DEVIL! NOT TO ME YOU DON'T! I BIND YOU UP AND COMMAND YOU TO GO FROM ME. EVERY WEAPON YOU HAVE FORMED AGAINST MY HEALTH INCLUDING THIS VIRUS SHALL NOT PROSPER. CORONA VIRUS, I AM TALKING TO YOU. YOU CAN'T STEAL MY HEALTH. I AM NOT GOING TO LET YOU. GO FROM ME. ARE YOU DEAF? I SAID, GO FROM ME. DEVIL, YOU FLEE FROM ME.
You have to get angry at the devil and the virus, not afraid. DON'T LET FEAR TALK YOU OUT OF YOUR FAITH! START TALKING BACK!
All you hear and read now is about the virus. That's why it has produced so much fear.
GOD HAS MADE YOU A KING AND PRIEST. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO RULE IN LIFE BY CHRIST JESUS.
LIVE HOW GOD CREATED YOU TO LIVE.
JESUS HAS EXCHANGED HIS STANDING WITH THE FATHER, WITH THE DEVIL, WITH THE FLESH AND WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS WORLD SUCH AS THE VIRUS FOR YOURS.
You can cry "Abba, Father", now. You can resist the devil and he has to flee from you. You can keep your body under subjection and walk after the spirit and not after the flesh. And you can change your circumstances by speaking to your mountains such as this virus and calling things that be not, such as your body, as though they were healthy, whole and normal and functioning properly based on 1 P 2:24.
So, I want to encourage you. Even if we are not having a church service, TAKE THE TIME TO STAND UP TO THE DEVIL AND TO THE VIRUS. YOU ARE THE HEAD NOT THE TAIL. LET THE WORD OF GOD COME OUT YOUR MOUTH. IT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR VICTORY. GOD GAVE HIS WORD TO YOU TO USE IT.
ARE YOU USING IT?
Pastor Ronnie
1 Peter 2:24- Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Matthew 8:16- When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Isaiah 53:4-6- 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
March 24, 2020
Dear New Life Bible Church Family,
In my last e-mail to you, I encouraged you to not run and hide from the coronavirus and the devil. Rather, I encouraged you to stand against the coronavirus and the devil.
I reminded you of what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, which is that many are weak and sick among you and many sleep from not discerning the Lord's body.
Christians are saved because they have accepted and received Jesus as their Saviour by discerning the Lord's blood. However, many are weak and sick and sleep because they have not accepted and received Jesus as their Healer by not discerning the Lord's body, even though at the same time He shed His blood for our sins, He bore our sicknesses and diseases in His body.
For those of you who have not, receiving and accepting Jesus as your Healer works the same way as receiving and accepting Him as your Saviour. In both cases, He was our substitute. In other words, just as He bore our sins to make it possible for us to be saved, He bore in His body our sicknesses and diseases so we might be whole, well and healed. Once you receive and accept Jesus as your Healer, you will be just as free from sicknesses and diseases such as the coronavirus as you are free from sin. In the case of sin, all you have to do is repent and ask God to forgive you of your sin. In the case of sicknesses and diseases, all you have to do is say "No!" to sicknesses and diseases such as the coronavirus even before any symptoms appear.
1 John 3:8 tells us, "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." (emphasis added)
And He did. Jesus destroyed, or nullified (as the Greek word translated "destroyed" is also translated) the works of the devil.
What works?
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (emphasis added) Acts 10:38
Sicknesses and diseases such as the coronavirus are the works of the devil. He uses sicknesses and diseases such as the coronavirus to oppress people, especially Chrisians who do not discern the Lord's body.
And then, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (emphasis added) Matthew 8:17.
Whose infirmities?
Our infirmities.
Whose sicknesses?
Our sicknesses.
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36.
As Christians, we are free from sin and free from sicknesses and diseases.
Always remember, UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU REALIZE THAT WHAT IS AROUND YOU DOES NOT CONTROL YOU, YOU WILL NEVER BE FREE.
And that includes sicknesses and diseases such as the coronavirus!
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases." (emphasis added) Luke 9:1.
Jesus called His disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases.
Well, if they had power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, then who was in control?
Were they in control? Or, were all devils and diseases?
Did you ever think about that?
If you had power and authority to cure diseases, wouldn't you be in control?
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick , and they shall recover." (emphasis added) Mark 16:17-18
Assuming you are a "believer", and you lay hands on the sick, who has authority and power over sickness?
Here is the bottom line.
Jesus exchanged His standing with the Father, His standing over the devil, His standing over the flesh and His standing over the circumstances of this world for yours! So, now you can cry "Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:6), you can resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7), you can keep your body under subjection and walk after the spirit and not after the flesh (1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 5;16 and Romans 8:1) and you can speak to your mountains and remove them out of your life (Mark 11:23).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12.
Jesus went about doing good and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. You can do that too.
SO, DON'T RUN AND HIDE FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE DEVIL. SAY, "NO, YOU DON'T! NOT TO ME YOU DON'T!"
"IN JESUS NAME, CORONAVIRUS, YOU BOW YOUR KNEE TO THE NAME OF JESUS AND OBEY ME!" I REFUSE TO ACCEPT YOU!.
DEVIL, NO YOU DON'T! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PUT THAT VIRUS ON ME! EVERY WEAPON THAT YOU HAVE FORMED AGAINST MY HEALTH, INCLUDING THAT VIRUS, SHALL NOT PROSPER.
DEVIL, ARE YOU DEAF? I RESIST YOU. FLEE FROM ME. CORONAVIRUS, YOU FLEE FROM ME.
You have to keep God's Word in your mouth! Say what God said. Speak what God said. Always speak in agreement with what God said.
GOD WORKS THROUGH WORDS, HIS WORD! THROUGH FAITH, GOD'S WORD BECOMES YOUR WORD AND SO WHEN YOU SPEAK, YOU WILL SPEAK WHAT HE SAID. YOU HAVE TO GIVE GOD WHAT HE NEEDS TO PERFORM HIS WORD IN YOUR LIFE.
HE DOES NOT WORK AUTOMATICALLY. HE REQUIRES YOUR COOPERATION.
"And the people spoke against God and against Moses: 'Why have you bought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and not water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.' So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died." Numbers 21:5-6.
The fiery serpents were in the wilderness - all of the wilderness where they traveled. But they didn't bite the people until they began to say they were going to die in the wilderness.
Then, they got what they said.
So did the 10 of the 12 spies who spied out the Promise Land in Numbers 13 and 14.
"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:11.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21.
So, speak life! God's Word is life to you and health to all your flesh.
Keep it in your mouth all the time.
Now, one last thing and I will let you go.
When 10 of the 12 spies returned from searching out the land, they said, "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:33.
So much of the coronavirus is being spoken that it is producing fear. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. Fear also comes the same way. If people were speaking as much about the Word of God as they are about the coronavirus, there would be faith, not fear.
The reason why the 10 spies came back with the report that they did was because they were comparing themselves to their circumstances. Let me say that again. They were comparing themselves to their circumstances.
You have the time now to read your Bible and above all to spend time worshiping God. The more you spend time with God and in His Word and especially worshiping Him, He becomes magnified in your life.
When you magnify God in your life, He will become bigger than your circumstances - in this case, the coronavirus.
Instead of comparing yourself with the virus, compare the virus with God. Then guess what? He's all you have but He is all you need.
Same with the coronavirus.
DON'T GET CAUGHT UP WITH THE CORONAVIRUS IN COMPARISON TO YOU. THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD IS DOING.
SEE THE CORONAVIRUS IN COMPARISON TO GOD!
DON'T LET THE DEVIL AND THE CORONAVIRUS TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO YOU.
YOU TELL THE DEVIL AND THE CORONAVIRUS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO THEM.
REMEMBER, WHEN FEAR STARTS TALKING, FAITH HAS TO START TALKING BACK.
FAITH IS IN TWO PLACES, NOT ONE. IT IS IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR MOUTH.
OPEN UP YOUR MOUTH AND SPEAK WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT THE DEVIL AND ABOUT SICKNESSES AND DISEASES SUCH AS THE CORONAVIRUS.
YOU ARE THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL.
DON'T GIVE THE DEVIL AND EVERYTHING OF THE DEVIL SUCH AS THE CORONAVIRUS ANY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE AND BODY.
YOU HAVE POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL AND OVER SICKNESSES AND DISEASES SUCH AS THE CORONAVIRUS.
WALK IN THE REALITY OF WHOM GOD CREATED YOU. AUTHORITY IS EXERCISED THROUGH YOUR WORDS. SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND EXERCISE THE AUTHORITY THAT BELONGS TO YOU.
FAITH IN GOD AND IN HIS WORD ALWAYS CAUSES YOU TO RISE UP AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE WORLD DOES. SAY, "NO!" TO THE DEVIL. SAY, "NO!" TO THE CORONAVIRUS. "NOT TO ME YOU DON'T!"
Pastor Ronnie
March 28, 2020
Greetings, New Life Bible Church Family,
Romans 4:16 tells us, "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham: who is the father of us all;"
Romans 4:17-21 then goes on to say, "(As it is written, I have made theea father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being NOT WEAK IN FAITH, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was STRONG IN FAITH giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Notice that Abraham was NOT WEAK IN FAITH, but was STRONG IN FAITH.
GOD'S POWER WORKS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE STRONG IN FAITH!
Abraham had a choice. He chose not to be weak in faith but to be strong in faith. As a result, he became the father of many nations according as it is written.
You have a choice as well.
If you want to be weak in faith, you can. It is your choice.
If you want to be strong in faith, you can, too.
GOD'S AVENUE INTO OUR LIFE IS THROUGH OUR FAITH.
It is through our faith that we access God's grace.
If you want to be strong in faith, you have to feed your faith continuously. That is what is happening to the world right now. By
constantly feeding on what the coronavirus is doing, it is building up their fear (which is faith in reverse).
So, I want to encourage you, since we cannot have church tomorrow, to spend your time feeding your faith by getting into the Word of God so that it gets into you. Pray in tongues as well so that you build up yourselves on your most holy faith. Jude 20.
GOD'S POWER WORKS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE STRONG IN FAITH!
Consider only the Word of God, not your circumstances.
YOU HAVE TO GET INTO THE WORD OF GOD AND BELIEVE IT FOR YOURSELF!
The devil wants to keep the blessings of God from you such as health. He wants to oppress you with sickness and disease like the coronavirus.
Tomorrow (or today if you are just reading it), don't let him cut off the power of God from you by separating you from the Word of God.
A house divided cannot stand and will fall. Refuse to allow him to separate you from the Word of God.
GOD'S POWER FOLLOWS HIS WORD.
If you allow him to separate you from the Word of God, God's power will not work for you.
GOD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYERS FOR WEAK PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT THEMSELVES.
GOD IS A SHOW ME GOD.
IF YOU WILL SHOW GOD THAT HE IS YOUR GOD, HE WILL SHOW YOU THAT HE IS YOUR GOD.
BE STRONG IN FAITH!!!
It does not matter what the situation is. It does not matter what the doctors say. It does not matter what your body is telling you. All you need is one Word from God. That's all it takes.
Just because you may need something in your life right now, it does not mean that God has not already provided it for you. The truth is, He already has. If you choose to be strong in faith, you will give Him what He needs to manifest in your life what you need that He has already provided for you.
BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO THAT ONE SCRIPTURE THAT YOU NEED.
IF YOU OBEY THE HOLY GHOST, HE WILL DO MIGHTY THINGS FOR YOU.
So, tomorrow, seek God in worship, in His Word and in prayer.
AS LONG AS YOU SEEK THE LORD, HE WILL MAKE YOU TO PROSPER. 2 Chronicles 26:5.
IN THE AREA OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL MAKE YOU TO PROSPER.
So, take inventory of the areas in your life that you are not prospering.
ON THE LEVEL THAT YOU SEEK HIM IN THAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE, HE WILL PROSPER YOU IN THAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE.
God does not bless lazy Christians.
Pastor Ronnie
April 5, 2020
Aloha, New Life Bible Church family!
I want to continue to reach out to all of you and to exhort, edify and comfort you.
First, until we can resume our services and Bible studies, please call me on my cell at 226-9600 if you want me to pray with you.
Second, your attitude determines your altitude. So, I want to encourage each and every one of you to see the glass 1/2 full, NOT 1/2 empty. In other words, take this time and use it to your advantage. See it as an opportunity to spend the time doing what you have always wanted to do, but never could because of your busy schedules.
Remember, the keys of:
Worship,
Meditation and Assimilation of the Word,
Confession of the Word,
Praying in Tongues
Fasting
Waiting on God
Co-Laboring with the Holy Spirit.
Now that you have the time to implement these keys, develop a routine of regularly spending time with God and employing these keys.
IF EACH OF US WILL TAKE THIS TIME AND USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WE WILL COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER AND WALKING MORE IN THE REALITY OF WHOM GOD MADE US.
Third, Matthew 8:5-10 says,
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth;and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
What did the centurion say that caused Jesus to marvel at the centurion's faith?
Let me paraphrase what he said.
He said, "Speak the Word only! I am a man under authority and so I understand authority. It works through words. Jesus, you have authority over sickness and disease. All you have to do is speak the Word only and my servant shall be healed."
Did you know that you have the same authority over sickness and disease that Jesus had?
Did you know that all you have to do is exercise your authority by speaking the Word only?
All you have to do is speak and sickness and disease will obey you.
Mark 11:22 says,
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Do you have faith in God?
He does not take His Word lightly. He cannot lie.
Mark 11:23 then goes on to say,
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.
The mountains in your life include sickness and disease. Just say to the covid-19 virus, 'Be removed from my body!' And it shall obey you.
Remember when Jesus and His disciples were crossing the lake and a great tempest arose? His disciples awoke Him and Matthew 8:26 tells us, "Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."
Matthew 8:27 goes on to say, "But the men marvelled saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him."
When they were crossing the lake, that tempest was their mountain. When Jesus arose....remember, faith causes you to rise up and do something different... He rebuked the winds and the sea.
How many people including Christians do you know that are standing against the covid-19 virus by making it obey them?
How many fingers did you say you have on your right hand?
According to the Book of Mark's version of when Jesus arose and rebuked the wind, it says in Mark 4:39,
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
The word "say" in Mark 11:23 and "said" in Mark 4:39 are translated from the same Greek word, which is also translated "command" and "commanded".
When you speak to the covid-19 virus, you have to "command" it to be removed from your body. You can't be nice to it and beg it to go or ask it to go. You have to "command" it to go.
In Mark 11:23, Jesus is telling you in no uncertain fashion that you have authority over your mountains. In other words, if you command them to be removed, they have to obey you.
The reason why very few Christians command sickness and disease (ie. their mountains) to be removed from their bodies is because they do not have Mark 11:23 in their hearts such that it has become a part of them. Oh, they may know in their heads what it says, but it is not written upon the tablet of their heart.
YOU BELIEVE GOD WITH YOUR HEART, NOT YOUR HEAD. Romans 10:10.
That means you have to take the logos that is in your head and turn it into rhema in your heart by sowing it into the soil of your heart until it takes root there and becomes a part of you.
Once it becomes a part of you, it is in your heart and in your mouth.
FAITH IS IN TWO PLACES, NOT ONE. IT IS IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR MOUTH!
Jesus said in Mark 11:22 to, "Have faith...". Then, He explains why in verse 23. "For,...", or in other words, "because", if you "say"....
Got it?
It's the "saying" part that's important.
Why?
Because you exercise your authority through words.
YOU ARE JUST ONE SCRIPTURE AWAY FROM YOUR MIRACLE.
ALL IT TAKES IS ONE SCRIPTURE FOR GOD TO MANIFEST HIMSELF TO YOU.
So, put first things first by getting Mark 11:23 down into your spirit where all you do is open your mouth without looking at the Bible and, "There it is!"
IT IS A WAY OF LIFE, FOLKS.
ALWAYS REMEMBER, YOU ARE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD.
THAT MEANS THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO AFFECT YOU.
YOU ARE FREE FROM SICKNESS AND DISEASE BECAUSE BY HIS STRIPES, JESUS WAS YOUR SUBSTITUTE. HE TOOK YOUR INFIRMITIES AND BORE YOUR SICKNESSES SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SICK.
Pastor Ronnie
April 11, 2020
Grace and Peace to all the faithful at New Life Bible Church!
I pray that you are taking advantage of the time you now have because of the stay-at-home/shelter-in-place directives due to the covid-19 virus pandemic.
I trust that, instead of "climbing-the-walls" for something to do, you are drawing closer to God, getting to know him more and strengthening your relationship with Him by praising and worshiping Him, meditating on the Word, confessing the Word, praying in tongues, fasting, waiting on Him and co-laboring with the Holy Spirit.
There are areas in our lives we do not want to be accountable for. When it comes to falling out of prayer, not praising and worshiping God and not reading the Bible, it is easier for us to make excuses such as we do not have the time rather than face responsibility for change. But, God uses our impossible circumstances, such as this covid-19 virus pandemic that is going on right now, as a platform to demonstrate His grace.
Grace is God doing something for us that we could not do for ourselves. Suddenly, we all have a lot of time on our hands because of the stay-at-home/shelter-in-place directives. All that time becoming available is God's grace because now we do not have the excuse of not having the time to pray, to praise and worship Him, to meditate on His Word, and so on and must face our responsibility to change.
Now, please do not misunderstand me. This pandemic is NOT God's will. It is the result of living in this fallen world. In John 4:34, John 5:30 and John 6:38, Jesus said that He came to do the will of Him, the Father, who sent Him and to finish His work. And Acts 10:38 tells us that He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. So, being healthy is God's will, not being sick.
So, what I am saying is use this pandemic, which is of the devil, for the glory of God by breaking the negative patterns of the past in our life, such as not praying regularly or not praising and worshiping God and not reading the Bible, and using it as a pathway to a higher place in God.
The same applies to Easter this year. We are not geared to live streaming, but there is no reason why each of you cannot celebrate Easter at home.
Personally coming together to celebrate Jesus' death, resurrection, burial, descent, resurrection, ascension and seating at the right hand of the Father is crucial and vital to our Christian faith. Read the last three chapters of Matthew's Gospel (chapters 26, 27 and 28) and then take communion. The elements (unleavened bread and grape juice is fine)
are readily available at Down-to-Earth or even Safeway. When taking communion, read 1 Corinthians 11:23-31.
God is faithful, and if you will take this opportunity to still celebrate Easter individually by families, God's grace will be sufficient for you.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for sparing not Your only Begotten Son and with Him freely giving us all things. Jesus, thank You for coming down from heaven and doing the will of the Father and finishing His work by giving Yourself for our sins, taking our sicknesses and diseases, becoming poor that through Your poverty we might become rich, being forsaken so that we would not be forsaken, ascending to the Father and sending us another Comforter, the Holy Ghost, and ever making intercession for us. Thank You, Jesus, that through the shedding of Your Blood, we have remission of our sins. Thank you that by the stripes You bore on Your Body and by Your Body being
broken for us, we are healed. And if we are healed, then we are healthy. You are our Lord and Saviour, our Redeemer, our Righteousness, our Healer, our Provider, our Shepherd and our Peace. In your Name we pray, Amen.
May God continue to bless all of you above all that you could ask or think.
Pastor Ronnie
April 12, 2020: Easter Message!
New Life Bible Church Family,
I wanted to follow up on our having Easter celebration in our own homes with more of the Word and with more of the wisdom of God.
John 1:1 tells us that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Then, John 1:14 tells us, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Easter is about Christ crucified and then His resurrection.
The preaching of Christ crucified and His resurrection is, to us and to others who believe, the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation. Had the princes of this world known that through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection God was going to save the world, they would not have crucified Him. The preaching of the Cross was foolishness to them and to the world.
I want you to notice that John 1:14 tells us that Jesus was "...full of grace and truth."
I just mentioned God's grace in my last exhortation to you.
Grace is God doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. On his own, man could not save himself from eternal death. Only God could save man. And so, He spared not His only Begotten Son that through Him the world might be saved.
But the celebration of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is not limited to just being able to go to heaven. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came that we might have life AND life more abundantly. So, there is more to salvation than just going to heaven. Salvation includes enjoying heaven here on earth now. Psalm 103:2 tells us not to forget all of the benefits of God. Notice that "benefits" is plural. Going to heaven is just ONE benefit. Because "benefits" is plural, there are additional benefits we have from God. Psalm 103 goes on after verse 2 to tell us what those benefits are. He has not only forgiven all our sins but has healed all our diseases. Diseases include the covid-19 virus. That''s good news! We should not be afraid of the virus because we have already been healed of it. That's where faith comes in. Faith has nothing to do with what God is going to do. Faith has to do with what God has already done. It is through our faith that it might be by God's grace (Romans 4:16). It is only through our faith that we not only appropriate what God has done for us but keep what belongs to us such as our health.
God is not going to heal you. He already has. But, what He has already provided for us is available to you and I in the realm of the spirit (Remember, God is a Spirit. John 4:24). And if we choose to have faith in what He has already done for us, then that benefit will become a reality in this physical world.
FAITH BEGINS IN THE SPIRIT NOT IN THE PHYSICAL.
If you just get that one truth, it will make you free.
Christians who are believing God is going to heal them are starting in the physical. That's the wrong place. You have to begin in the spirit where God has already provided you with benefits (spiritual blessings in heavenly places). What is in the spirit will override what is in the natural. For example, God, who is a Spirit, created the heavens and the earth. This physical world is subject to the spirit world where God is at.
IF WE ARE GOING TO WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS NOT SEEN.
So, when you celebrate Easter this year, LOOK AT THE THINGS NOT SEEN! Look at all of God's benefits and thank Him for them.
Now, let's get back to John 1:14. Jesus was "....full of grace and truth."
As I said, "grace" is something only God has done that we could not do for ourselves.
Jesus was so "...full of grace and truth" that He became what we were that we might become what He is.
Please don't miss that.
JESUS BECAME WHAT WE WERE SO WE MIGHT BECOME WHAT HE IS.
Just as He was in the world but not of the world, so are we in the world but not of the world.
As He was in the world, so are we.
Being in the world but not of the world means that even though we are in this physical world, we are not subject to it in the same way He was not.
In other words, Jesus exchanged His standing with the Father for ours so that we can now cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15) and whatsoever we ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, He will give us. (John 16:23)
He exchanged His standing with the devil so that we can resist the devil AND EVERYTHING OF THE DEVIL. Therefore, the devil AND EVERYTHING OF THE DEVIL will flee from us such sickness and disease. (James 4:7)
He exchanged His standing with the flesh so that we can walk after the spirit like He did and say "no" to our flesh. (Romans 8:1, Galatians 5:16)
He exchanged His standing with our circumstances so that we can remove the mountains in our lives and cause things that be not to become how we call them to be. (Mark 11:23, Romans 4:17)
So, Easter is about Jesus being our substitute and paying the price for our sins and at the same time bearing all the sicknesses and diseases (as well as poverty) for us that is in the world so that we could become like Him in this world. In other words, He has set us free from not only sin, but sickness and disease and poverty. All we have to do is to have faith that it is so and to stand in that grace.
GOD'S GRACE IS WHAT MADE US A PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE SO WE COULD GET TO KNOW HIM THROUGH OUR NEW NATURE.
GOD'S GRACE IS AN EMPOWERMENT, NOT AN EXCUSE. IT DOES NOT COVER US WHILE WE LIVE IN SIN. IT FREES US TO LIVE FREE FROM SIN.
GOD'S GRACE IS HIS FAVOR BASED ON HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US.
GOD'S GRACE IS THE UNMERITED, UNEARNED FAVOR OF GOD THAT WAS BESTOWED ON US THROUGH SALVATION.
GOD'S GRACE IS WHAT ENABLES US TO WALK OUT OF EVERYTHING JESUS SET US FREE FROM, WHICH INCLUDES OUR IMPOSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THIS PANDEMIC, AND INTO EVERYTHING HE SAID WE HAVE.
GOD'S GRACE IS SOMETHING ONLY GOD HAS DONE THAT WE COULD NOT DO FOR OURSELVES.
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS NOT BASED ON WHAT WE DO FOR GOD BUT RATHER ON WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US, WHICH IS HIS GRACE.
Makes you want to thank Him for His Grace, right?
WORSHIP ACTIVATES GOD'S GRACE IN OUR LIVES. WORSHIP FACILITATES OUR DEPENDENCY ON HIS GRACE AND OFF OUR ABILITY. MAKE ROOM FOR WORSHIP IN YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE.
WORSHIP IS OFFERING OURSELVES TO THE LORD.
WORSHIP IS EMPTYING OURSELVES OUT BEFORE GOD.
WORSHIP IS POURING OUT OUR HEART BEFORE GOD WITH STATEMENTS OF ADORATION.
WORSHIP CHANGES THE WAY WE RECEIVE FROM GOD.
WORSHIP ENABLES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PERMEATE OUR SPIRIT WITH HIS PRESENCE.
WORSHIP SEDATES AND QUIETS OUR NATURAL SENSES AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONS. WE ARE IN CONTINUAL CONTACT WITH A NEGATIVE WORLD BY HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT EVERY DAY. THE NEGATIVE INPUT OF THE WORLD RISES UP AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD.
WORSHIP CAUSES THE OPERATION OF GOD'S KINGDOM TO BECOME MORE REAL THAN THE OPERATION OF THIS WORLD.
WORSHIP BRINGS US TO THE PLACE WHERE WE BELIEVE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IS REAL AND FINAL.
THE GOSPEL IS NOT JUST SALVATION. IT IS ABOUT TRANSFORMATION (IE. CHANGE). IT IS ABOUT BEING CONFORMED TO THE MATURE IMAGE OF HIS DEAR SON AND DOING THE WORKS HE DID, AND GREATER WORKS BECAUSE JESUS WENT TO THE FATHER.
WHEN JESUS WENT TO THE FATHER, HE SENT US ANOTHER COMFORTER - THE HOLY GHOST! THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY GHOST INCLUDES TRAINING AND CONFORMING US TO THE MATURE IMAGE OF CHRIST.
OUR JOURNEY FROM MILK TO MEAT IS MEASURED BY WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH GOD'S WORD TO CHANGE.
SO, BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND (IE. REPLACING YOUR WORLDLY THOUGHTS WITH GOD'S THOUGHTS) SO THAT YOU CAN WALK IN HIS WAYS.
HAVE A GREAT EASTER CELEBRATION.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING IN THE BIBLE AS LIVING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE ON SOMEONE ELSE'S FAITH.
Selah!
Pastor Ronnie
April 25, 2020
Aloha, New Life Bible Church Family,
Have you been putting first things first?
Always remember, God is a show-me God!
What kind of God?
A show-me God.
If you want victory, you have to show God first that He is your God.
And how do I do that?
By worshiping Him.
There was a ruler of the synagogue whose name was Jairus. His daughter lay at home at the point of death, and he needed a miracle.
Do you need a miracle?
If you want victory, you have to show God first that he is your God.
He came to Jesus, and when he saw Him, the Bible tells us that the very first thing he did, not the second thing, but the first thing he did was to what?
To worship Jesus. Matthew 9:18
Mark 5:22 tells us that he fell at Jesus' feet.
When was the last time you worshiped God by falling at His feet?
You put first things first by showing God that He is your God.
When you show Him that He is your God, He will show you that He is your God.
That's what happened to Jairus. He worshiped Jesus first and then Jesus raised his daughter from the dead.
Victory!
If you want victory, you have to show God first that he is your God.
When you put first things first by worshiping God, you are recognizing that He is our God.
Hebrews 11:6 says that when we come to God, the first thing we must do is believe that He is. Well, that's what worship is, isn't it?
Now, please pay attention. Here is the key.
Make worship a HABIT!
When something you do becomes a HABIT, you just do it, almost without thinking about it.
Why is that important?
Because your flesh will fight you all the way.
And the world, too.
Notice that when Jairus came to Jesus, Jesus was sitting at meat in the house with many publicans and sinners and even Pharisees were there. Matthew 8:10-11.
Are you afraid to worship God in front of other people.
The number one way to worship God is when you are alone, in private.
But it is also important to not be embarrassed to worship God in front of other people.
That is why I absolutely love New Life Bible Church. During the praise and worship, everyone is lost in terms of where they are and who is around. They are just worshiping God totally in the spirit. Who cares who is around? Who cares if you are on your knees and raising your hands?
When you make it a habit to worship God, it is like taking a drink of water. You just do it! Your flesh and your circumstances cannot convince you otherwise.
Another thing. Make it part of your daily routine. It does not matter whether it is in the morning or at night before you go to bed or even during the day.
Make it part of your daily routine.
God blesses me so much in my law practice. Do you want to know why? Besides worshiping Him first thing in the morning at home, when I get into my office, the first thing I do is to worship Him. Most people may not be able to do that at their place of employment. But I am very fortunate to be able to do that. And it has made all the difference between just getting along on the one hand and prospering on the other hand.
Worship also helps you to keep your spirit built up so you can fight the devil and everything that is from the devil like this covid-19 virus.
The devil is the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4. So, he wants to keep you operating in the natural. God is a Spirit. John 4:24. He created man in His image. Genesis 1:26-28. The real you is a spirit. Because God is a spirit and the real you is a spirit, God communicates to you through your spirit, not through your head. Well, worship enables you to be in the spirit, to hear from God and to obey His voice.
Now, don't miss this.
James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Because the devil is the god of this world, you have to resist the devil. You have to fight the devil and sickness and disease such as this virus that's going around. But, notice that before James 4:7 says to resist the devil, it says, "Submit yourselves to God." If you are not submitted to God, the devil will not listen to you because you will be doing your own thing and out of God's will.
YOU CAN'T DO YOUR OWN THING AND EXPECT GOD TO BLESS YOU.
YOU CAN'T LIVE YOUR LIFE ONE WAY AND BELIEVE GOD ANOTHER.
So, when you worship God, guess what you are doing?
You got it!
You are submitting yourself to Him.
You are showing Him that He is your God. And then "whatsoever we ask, we receive of him."
Why?
Because we are doing what He has asked us to do and are pleasing in His sight!
See 1 John 3:22. Hebrews 11:6. Genesis 17:1-8.
When you know you are doing what God wants you to do and are pleasing Him, you will have a righteous consciousness and not a sin consciousness. See 1 John 3:21. It makes all the difference in the world because, instead of being separated from God because of sin, you are right with God and walking with Him (and with God, all things are possible).
So. let me continue to encourage you. You are a child of God. Show Him that He is your Father so that He can show you that He is your Father. Remember the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. That is what he did.
WALK IN THE REALITY OF WHOM GOD HAS MADE YOU!
Grace and peace but unto all of you!
Pastor Ronnie
April 25, 2020
New Life Bible Church Family,
Joshua 1:5 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success."
What is "meditation and assimilation" of the Word and why is it so vital to make it a habit and incorporating it into our daily routine?
Meditation and assimilation of the Word is saying something over and over again. It is vital to our Christian walk because by making it a habit and incorporating it into our daily routine, what we say over and over again becomes a part of us.
WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IT EVENTUALLY BECOMES A PART OF YOU.
Although we do not realize it, all of us are doing it to a certain extent in our lives. For example, when we tell someone that is very dear to us, "I love you." "I love you." and "I love you" over and over again. Eventually our reaffirmation becomes a part of us. No matter what situation arises, we love that person. That's how God's Word works as well.
When you worship God, just tell Him, "I love you." and "I love you" and you will find that out. And when you do, did you know that you were fulfilling the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."? (Exodus 20:3)
And, Luke 10:27 that tells us to "... love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and they neighbour as thyself."?
Then begin to include in your worship, "Father, you are great and greatly to be praised!" (Psalm 145:3)
And, "You are gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger and of great mercy. You are good to all and Your tender mercies are over all Your works." (Psalm 145: 8-9)
"You are nigh unto all them that call upon you in truth, including me." Psalm 145:18
EVERY TIME YOU WORSHIP HIM, WORSHIP HIM SCRIPTURALLY.
Then, see what happens.
GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW GREAT HE IS AND HOW GOOD HE IS!
YOU SEE, GOD BECOMES TO YOU WHOM YOU SAY HE IS!
Remember, He is a show-me God.
That's what you are doing when you continually worship Him with words of adoration. You are showing Him that He is God! And not just God, but your God!
And that is faith....coming to Him just for who He is and not for what He can do for you.
That is the very reason Hebrews 11:6 tells to come to Him first for who He is and after that for what He can do for us.
With your mouth, confession is made unto salvation! Romans 10:10
Hallelujah!
May 20, 2020
To all our moms at New Life Bible Church, be blessed on this Mother's Day!
And to the rest of the New Life Bible Church family, let us be thankful for our mom's and God's blessings as well.
Beginning in verse 8 of Chapter 4 of 2 Kings, there is this wonderful account of a Shunammite woman.
"And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread." 2 Kings 4:8
The Bible refers to her as a "great woman". Apparently, she was a great cook as well!
"And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually." 2 Kings 4:9
And did you notice that she was the one who perceived that Elisha was "an holy man of God", not her husband?
Her husband may have been the head of the family, but she was the neck that turned the head.
"Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither." 2 Kings 4:10
And how many times have our moms been the first one to suggest doing something that brings God's blessings.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20
TO RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM GOD, YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO HIM.
That is what she did by having a room made for Elisha with a bed and a table and a stool and a candlestick.
"And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say not unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? and Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her according to the time of life." 2 Kings 4:11-17
Did you notice also that, when Elisha told her that she would have a son, she referred to herself as his "handmaid"?
Who else do we know referred to us as a "handmaid" of the Lord?
"And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." Luke 1:38.
And she conceived a son also, didn't she?
GOD WORKS IN YOU SO HE CAN WORK THROUGH YOU SO HE CAN WORK FOR YOU.
Here, the Shunammite woman's husband was old and Mary had not been with a man. But by being a handmaid of the Lord, God was able to work through both of them to overcome the challenge to have a child.
"And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died." 2 Kings 4: 18-20
Here comes trouble.
"And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him and went out." 2 Kings 4:21
Is that what you would have done?
Then what did she do?
"And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again." 2 Kings 4:22
Remember, now, the Shunammite woman perceived that Elisha was a man of God. In other words, she perceived who he was spiritually. That is, she saw him through the eyes of faith.
ALWAYS REMEMBER, THE DEVIL WANTS TO KEEP YOU IN THE NATURAL. HE WANTS TO CUT YOU OFF FROM THE SUPERNATURAL. GOD, ON THE OTHER HAND, WANTS YOU TO OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT BECAUSE HE IS A SPIRIT.
Now, don't miss this.
WHEN YOU LEAN TOWARD THE NATURAL, YOU CUT YOURSELF OFF FROM THE SUPERNATURAL. YOU CUT YOURSELF OFF FROM GOD, AND HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU ANY MORE.
So, what did the Shunammite woman do?
She called upon her husband to help her so she could run to the man of God.
WHEN THE STORMS OF LIFE COME ALONG, RUN TO GOD.
But you will not as long as you stay in the natural. You will be in "panic mode" and be like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed about.
"And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well." 2 Kings 4:23
By not leaning toward the natural, she kept herself in the supernatural.
"NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
FAITH HAS TO DO WITH THE THINGS NOT SEEN! (ie. the supernatural)
By not cutting herself off from the supernatural, the Shunammite woman reacted to her son's death by faith.
How do we know that?
By what she said.
What did she say?
"And she said, it shall be well."
ALWAYS REMEMBER, GOD WROTE THE BIBLE FOR YOU.
ONCE YOU ARE BORN AGAIN, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE BIBLE.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY.
"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
YOU BRING LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY INTO EXISTENCE IN YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE WORDS YOU SPEAK.
GOD GAVE YOU HIS WORD TO USE.
THROUGH FAITH, GOD'S WORD BECOMES YOUR WORD.
WHEN YOU SAY WHAT GOD SAID, THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKES OVER AND PERFORMS IT.
YOU APPLY GOD'S WORD TO YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR MOUTH.
GOD WANTS YOU TO SAY WHAT HE SAID SO HE CAN PERFORM IT FOR YOU.
THE BIBLE WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU IF YOU DO NOT WATCH YOUR MOUTH!
The Shunammite woman said, "...it shall be well."
"Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite; Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well." 2 Kings 4:24-26
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM, YOU HAVE TO HOLD FAST TO WHAT GOD SAID.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" Hebrews 10:23
And "...without wavering;..."
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" Hebrews 10:23
That means stick to saying what God said and what God said ONLY!
"And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way, if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up. and lay upon the child,and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then her returned , and walked in the house to an fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out." 2 Kings 4:27-37
It has been over a month now since the shelter-in-place directive was put into effect. Have you been holding fast to the profession of your faith?
THE HOLY SPIRIT ONLY WORKS IN LINE WITH THE BIBLE.
HAVE YOU BEEN SAYING WHAT GOD SAID WITHOUT WAVERING?
IF YOU WANT VICTORY, YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR WORDS IN ORDER.
THE BIBLE WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T WATCH YOUR MOUTH.
FEAR AND FAITH DO NOT MIX.
KEEP SAYING WHAT GOD SAID AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKE OVER FROM THERE.
YOU HAVE TO STAND IN THE FACE OF DEFEAT AND CALL IT VICTORY!
God bless you all, and we will see you in church soon.
Pastor Ronnie
May 17, 2020
Greetings, New Life Bible Church Family!
You know, it used to be if, in the natural, we were healthy, we went outdoors, while, if we were not feeling well or sick, we stayed home.
Now, it does not matter whether, in the natural, we are healthy or sick. Even if we are healthy, we are ordered to stay home.
And why? All because of fear.
It makes utterly no sense. But, that is just the way the world and the devil work. The devil wants to use our physical circumstances and hem us in, much like he tried to do to the Children of Israel. When they made their journey out of Egypt, he tried to hem them in with the Red Sea in front, the mountains on either side and Pharaoh and his army behind. The devil comes for only one reason – to steal, kill and destroy. He wants us to be in a situation where seemingly we have no way out and then paralyzed us with fear. Once fear sets in, despair and depression dive in like crows and vultures swooping down on roadkill.
God, on the other hand, has not given us a spirit of fear but a Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. He never wanted us to be robots, so He created us with a free will choice. He wanted us to freely love Him. He wanted us to come to Him by faith. (Remember, faith is a choice. See Mark 11:22). And He wanted us to always have a way out.
A way out?
Yes, Him!
Starting in 2 Kings 6:24, there was a similar situation to what all of us are experiencing right now because of the covid-19 virus.
“And it came to pass after this, that Ben-haddad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.”
We are being besieged by the covid-19 virus.
“And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate; and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die. If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we will die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. Now, therefore come, and let us fall into the host of the Syrians; if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kills us, we shall but die.” 2 Kings 7:3-4
There they were with no way out, at least so it seemed like it.
On the one hand, they and the city of Samaria were surrounded by the enemy (ie. Ben-haddad and all his host).
While on the other hand, there was a great famine in the city of Samaria. It was so great that one woman said unto another, “Give thy son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hat hid her son.” 2 Kings 6:27-28
Let me ask you, is there any difference between dying of the covid-19 virus or dying economically?
Either way is death.
Now, notice what the four leprous men did.
“And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians; and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host; and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.” 2 Kings 7: 5-8.
The four leprous men saw that they needed to do something different because they were not going to get a breakthrough by sitting there.
IF WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS NOT WORKING, YOU CANNOT KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND EXPECT SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO HAPPEN.
Sometimes Christians are not as smart as cows. When the grass runs out in one place, cows go to another place where there is grass.
IF YOU WANT VICTORY, YOU HAVE TO GO WHERE VICTORY IS AT!
YOU CANNOT CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO CONFRONT!
YOU HAVE TO RISE UP AND QUIT BEING DEFEATED!
It seems that when the four leprous men rose up in the twilight to go unto the camp of the Syrians, that was all God was waiting on. He was waiting for someone to make a move towards the enemy’s camp.
Let me ask you a question, what are you doing?
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Ephesians 6:13-14.
Have you been taking the time to “do all to stand” such as by “having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
Have you been keeping the Word of God in your mouth to the point that it gets into your spirit and becomes a part of you? (ie. girting our loins about with truth)
Have you been hearkening to all that God commands you to do, walking in His ways and doing that which is right in His sight? (ie. putting on the breastplate of righteousness).
As I encouraged all of you, use the time you have now wisely.
Then, every day rise up and stand against the enemy and the covid-19 virus he is using to instill fear in you and everyone else.
“Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” 2 Kings 7:1
All you need is one word from God to change your situation.
Someone called me the other day about standing on a scripture and if there were some other scriptures to stand on.
No matter what you are going through…no matter what we are going through…all it takes is one scripture. When God comes on the scene and says what you are going through is coming to an end, it does not matter what the CDC is saying. It does not matter what the Governor is saying. It does not matter what the Mayor is saying.
IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE ….IS SAYING. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE WORD FROM GOD TO CHANGE WHAT YOU…WHAT WE….ARE GOING THROUGH.
OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN THE PROBLEM!
When the four leprous men rose up in the twilight to go unto the camp of the Syrians, that was all God was waiting on. He was waiting for someone to make a move towards the enemy’s camp.
Have you risen up and made your move towards the covid-19 virus?
Have you risen up and made your move towards your provision during this time of famine?
If God could sustain Elijah in a famine with water from the brook Cherith and with food that ravens brought him, He can sustain you during this time of shelter-in-place famine. But, you have to rise up and do something different than what the most of all the other people in Hawaii are doing. You have read your Bible, follow what God instructs you to do in the Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOD DOES NOT BLESS.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE?
IGNORANCE AND LAZINESS.
HE WORKS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND DILIGENCE.
“And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.” 2 Kings 7:16
IF I COULD JUST GET YOU TO SAY WHAT GOD SAID AND TO KEEP SAYING WHAT GOD SAID ONLY, THE HOLY GHOST WILL HAVE WHAT HE NEEDS TO CHANGE OUR SITUATION.
We are all in this same shelter-in-place famine, but our individual situations may not be identical in terms of being exempt and able to continue working to put food on the table. So, each of us needs to continue to pray scripturally by praying the Word.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS GOD CANNOT DO FOR US THAT WE NEED TO DO FOR OURSELVES.
SO, DON’T SIT THERE AND BE TOSSED ABOUT BY EVERY WAVE OF THIS VIRUS AND WHEN THINGS WILL BE COMPLETELY REOPENED.
GOD IS BIGGER THAN ALL THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON NOW.
I thought by now we would be back in church. But, it seems that with the reopening of the economy being politicized, the devil is not giving up with a fight.
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36
Just keep standing fast with patience and telling the devil, “IT IS WRITTEN!”
We have the victory!!!!!!