The story of Abraham is a story of how God can change a person's history of failure and sin into one of His mercy and grace.
Abraham was a great man of God, a hero of faith as we can read in Hebrews 11:8-19. However, he did not do everything right in the process.
When God called Abraham and made a covenant of promise that his descendants would be as the number of stars in the heavens (Genesis 15:5; also Genesis 12:1-3), he made a blunder by going ahead of the Lord, before His perfect timing. This resulted in Ishmael, a product of the mind and the flesh.
Sometimes, when a word of the Lord or a prophecy is released to an individual or a church, we can get impatient in trying to help God fulfill it by moving before its proper season and time. This often cause jealousy, strife and conflict. Ishmael is an example or a type of what happens when Abraham's wife, Sarah, asked him to go to her maid Hagar in order to bear them a child. This was a wrong move.
However, as God sees Abraham's heart of dedication, He has not forgotten His promises made to him. This resulted in the birth of Isaac, the child of promise and destiny, against all odds in the natural.
The key is:
Impatience gives birth to illegitimate work of the flesh (as represented by Ishmael); but
Intercession and intimacy with the Lord gives birth to inheritance in the Spirit (in the case of Isaac).
Today, God is calling us to be destiny setters for Him. Yet, mistakes in the past can often cripple us from being all that we can be in Christ Jesus. Like Abraham, what do we do when we fail God?
Continue to STAND before the Lord (and see His salvation) -
Genesis 18:22: "Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD" (a picture of intercession);
Genesis 18:33: "So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place" (we need to identify with people in our society and bring them to the Lord - an example of evangelization).
The key is:
The believer's primary commission is Intercession and Evangelization.
Intercession is the key to giving birth to inheriting the promises of God. Just as Abraham had to wait for the appointed time, when his wife Sarah was too old to conceive in the natural, God wants to move in the supernatural. It is like He is saying, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14).
Likewise, when God calls us for a task in the Kingdom, He will require maturity and obedience before the actual fulfillment of a word. Sometimes, it takes months and even years before we see the complete picture of His promises. In the case of Abraham, it was Isaac, the promise child, who was born in spite of his wife's barrenness and old age.
What are the "Isaacs" in our lives?
Could it be our career, material blessings, ministry and salvation of a loved one?
Some of us will have to press in and press on in prayer, faith and the Word before we see our fullest potential and destiny in Christ realized.
James 1:2-3 says: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing";
Luke 8:15: "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience"
The key is:
Faith is essential, but it is hope and patience with confession that brings forth possession.
Before possessing the promises of God, we need to know and love the Promiser Himself intimately. Intimacy and love for the Lord will result in a life of obedience, sacrifice and worship. Even after we have received our "Isaacs", we need to surrender them to the Lord as a living sacrifice. When we think we have produced some results in a particular career, calling, ministry or gifting, God may require us to lay it down on the altar.
Are we willing to relinquish our position and possessions in order to follow God wholeheartedly?
The lesson is:
Multiplication (follows and) comes through sacrifice.
And loving God precedes the fulfillment of visions and goals in ministry.
From History To His Story (Hebrews 11:8-18)
We Are The Temple Of The Holy Spirit
November 3, 2024
Hosting Pastor: Bishop Mike Berdin, Charismatic Revival Center Fellowship In the Old Testament, King Solomon, who was a type of Christ as the Prince of Peace, was chosen to build the temple. The temple portrayed God’s grace and glory. It was a picture of the coming kingdom of God. The various furnishings in the temple have their significance. Whether it is the pillars, table of shewbread, candlestick, altar of incense, or any other vessels, they reflect the presence and worship of God. Then, the Israelites would travel to the temple to meet and commune with God. No priest could enter the Holy of holies without first being cleansed. Today, we are the temple, the residence, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Thank God, we can now enter into the inner sanctuary, the throne of grace through the blood of Christ. We are living epistle of Christ, the salt of the earth, the light of the world and a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. As the temple of the Holy Spirit: · We are being built together for a habitation of God · We are to be a pure maiden to Christ · We are stamped with His seal · We have this treasure in earthen vessels · We are to cultivate the fear of the Lord · We are to defeat the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life · We are not to quench or grieve Him · We are a living sacrifice Do we hunger for God’s Word? How much time do we spend in seeking Him in prayer? Or have our careers and even hobbies draw our time and hearts away from God? As temple of the Holy Spirit, we need His manifest Presence. We desire to be filled with the Spirit, walking and living in the Spirit, having the fruit and gifts of the Spirit.
Come Into The Ark [English and Bahasa Indonesian]
June 22, 2024
Bahasa Indonesian Interpretation by Henok Hariyanto Hosting Pastor: Henok Hariyanto, Macedonia Ministry Jesus said that before He comes back to earth again, our world will be just like it was in the days of Noah. People are eating, drinking and partying. Many are consumed with pursuing money, power and sex. Now, there is nothing wrong with having the legitimate things in life, such as having food and sleep. But life is not just about fulfilling our physical needs. It is also to follow the Lord and seek His Kingdom. Today, we see all kinds of perversion and depravity. People are not only openly living sinful lifestyles, but want others to accept their behaviours. We are living in a day and age where evil is called good, and good is called evil. We have all kinds of blasphemers, mockers and scoffers of Jesus Christ. There is a spirit of violence that is persecuting those who believe God’s Word and walk in His way. The ark was a type of Christ. He calls us to come into the ark of His presence, protection, safety, shelter, refuge and rest. A storm is coming upon our world. It is a storm of judgment. Society will not get better and better, but rather worse and worse. We are a generation of vipers – sin has increased rampantly. Do we weep over lost souls? Do we warn people to flee from the wrath to come? We are close to the midnight hour, where the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is coming soon! Are we ready to meet Him? Now is the day of salvation. Some of us are religious. We may even attend church regularly, have a form of godliness but denying its power. We do many good works, but are not resting in the cross and the blood of Jesus for our salvation. Today, we must make our calling and election sure! The door of the ark is still opened right now. But it won't be long before the door will be closed.
Come Into The Ark [English and Hiligaynon / Ilonggo]
March 3, 2024
Hiligaynon / Ilonggo Interpretation by Mark Winston Gabutero Hosting Pastor: Johann Bernajo, Promisecity Church Victorias City Jesus said that before He comes back to earth again, our world will be just like it was in the days of Noah. People are eating, drinking and partying. Many are consumed with pursuing money, power and sex. Now, there is nothing wrong with having the legitimate things in life, such as having food and sleep. But life is not just about fulfilling our physical needs. It is also to follow the Lord and seek His Kingdom. Today, we see all kinds of perversion and depravity. People are not only openly living sinful lifestyles, but want others to accept their behaviours. We are living in a day and age where evil is called good, and good is called evil. We have all kinds of blasphemers, mockers and scoffers of Jesus Christ. There is a spirit of violence that is persecuting those who believe God’s Word and walk in His way. The ark was a type of Christ. He calls us to come into the ark of His presence, protection, safety, shelter, refuge and rest. A storm is coming upon our world. It is a storm of judgment. Society will not get better and better, but rather worse and worse. We are a generation of vipers – sin has increased rampantly. Do we weep over lost souls? Do we warn people to flee from the wrath to come? We are close to the midnight hour, where the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is coming soon! Are we ready to meet Him? Now is the day of salvation. Some of us are religious. We may even attend church regularly, have a form of godliness but denying its power. We do many good works, but are not resting in the cross and the blood of Jesus for our salvation. Today, we must make our calling and election sure! The door of the ark is still opened right now. But it won't be long before the door will be closed.