How much do you believe what you read?

So we read the word of God and we listen to preachers and teachers, but how much do we understand? How much truth do you believe? There are so many that are lost in confusion and according to Wikipedia there are 41, 000 Christian denominations! Now that’s what I can unity of the brethren! Honestly ask yourself why you think there are so many denominations with roughly 50 versions of the English bible? Pride and laziness! What better way to cause all this division than by masking the truth with subtle variations of the truth leaving one to ask, “Well, which version is the right one?” I say, only the originals, but even the Greeks have a hard time with Biblical Greek, the same with the Jews, so it would be a miracle for me to absolutely know what is truth. However, it is my firm believe, steadfast and true, that God’s word is so powerful that enough truth is retained to get you to where you need to go. There are really only two verses that are important – no I’m not cheapening the word, or dismissing the work of the Holy Spirit. With the first verse you will get to the second verse which states God Himself will teach you of all things in truth!

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 2:27 (KJV) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

My point is, no matter what version you get, just start reading. The Holy Spirit will teach you and let you know what’s true or false. I grew up with the King James (KJV) but even it has “lost in translation” truths. One example is the conversation between Jesus and Peter when Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved Him. The word translated as “love” came from two separate distinctive meanings. One means all-encompassing complete love, a love to die for another and the other meaning is “love ya like a brother.” How the conversation progresses reveals wonderful truths. But I won’t get into that one in this study.

The English speaking world has no excuse because we have several great translations, but do we yet believe what we read, or do we just gloss over it as meaningless? I learned something the other day that just blew me away. I’ve been taught all my life to beware of mystics. I never once looked up the meaning of the word. It means: Of or relating to religious mysteries; Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder. Funny, just like the meaning for the word “gay” meaning “happiness,” the word “mystic” has come to mean “New Age, Astrology & Self-help / Alternative Belief Systems”. Another hijacked word. So how does this affect us? Well, if you are skeptical of “mystery” information, then you won’t believe Jesus’ words:

Mark 4:11-12 (KJV) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.

Or Paul’s:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

So then, what is mysticism? It is:

a. Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God.
b. The experience of such communion as described by mystics.

Hmmm… Are we not in Christ and He in us? Are we not to have communion with Him? It’s so sad how these truths are packaged up, twisted and sold as falsehood. This leads me into another hijacked word: meditate. This has also become a dirty word in the Church, since the “mystics” use it with their legs crossed with their thumb and index finger pressed together with their hands on their knees chanting. It’s truly sad that this amazing, life-altering truth has been robbed by the devil. But God commands Joshua:

Joshua 1:8 (KJV) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy 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.

The word “meditate” here is the Hebrew word “haga” and it means “to mutter” as in to speak under your breath. What are we to “mutter”? The Word of God! The word “law” is the Hebrew word “Torah” meaning “teachings.” Why mutter though? So we can build up our faith because faith comes by hearing the Word of God!

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

This is one of the reasons I strongly dislike labels. They put you into a box so people can immediately judge without knowing the truth.  So I said all this to come to this very important issue:

How much do you believe when you read the word of God?

Let’s examine this thought, no Greek, no Hebrew, just English:

We are in Christ and He is in us and we are in the Father. 

John 10:28-30 (KJV) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand. I and [my] Father are one.

See, we are in Jesus’ hand and He is in the Father’s hand. We are one with Jesus and Jesus is one with the Father, so we are one with the Father too. Grasp this. Hold onto this awesome truth.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Romans 6:3-6 (KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1 Corinthians 6:15-17 (KJV) Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

If these verses are to be taken figuratively, they hold no meaning whatsoever. So literally, we are nailed on the cross with Christ, buried with Christ, raised from the dead with Christ and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ ALREADY, and perfect through His finished work!

1 John 4:17 (KJV) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

This isn’t a promise after we die, but now here on earth. We are new creatures:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

People always say “what is God’s will for my life?” Simple, spread this truth:

We are ministers of reconciliation!

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV) And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So understand this reasoning: If we are ambassadors, we will lack nothing to do our job as representatives of God. That’s a lot of responsibilities in a sense. Will the president choose a homeless, un-kept, unlearned individual without a penny to their name to represent the United States of America to England? Never! So why do Christians believe it’s their lot in life to be miserable because it must be “God’s will”?! Catholic workers take on a “vow of poverty” as if it means something to God. All OUR righteousness is “filthy rags” – and in the Hebrew that means menstrual cloths! Yea, that’s OUR righteousness in the eyes of God. However, if that homeless man comes to Jesus, He will in no wise cast him out, but put a robe or righteousness on him and bless him. So today, I was hit by this verse by two different preachers and so here’s what I’ve learned.

Isaiah 22:20-24 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him [as] a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

This is clearly Jesus because later He tells John:

Revelation 3:7-8 (KJV) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Here it is again, the key of David. What did Jesus do with this key? He gave it to the Church!

Matthew 16:19 (KJV) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What are these keys that David is attributed to? They are keys to spiritual doors. Paul opened the door of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:27 (KJV) And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Another door is utterances:

Colossians 4:3-4 (KJV) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

See, we cannot prepare what we are to say to people, we must allow the Holy Spirit to use us and let His words flow through you. Here’s another door: the womb.

Genesis 30:22 (KJV) And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Here’s proof that’s it’s a spiritual event. In his grief, Job wondered why his mother’s womb hadn’t been closed:

Job 3:10 (KJV) Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother’s] womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

Acts 16:6 (KJV) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

The Spirit closed the door for Paul to go to Asia and preach the Gospel.

So these are the doors. They are whatever blocks us from stepping through to the otherside, or protects us from what’s on the other side. If I need healing, God will open the door. If I want to go through a door and God says no for whatever reason, it’s for my protection. So what are the keys?

Rachel prayed for a child. Paul prayed for utterances. Prayer is a key! And prayer is the expression of Grace, knowing that we cannot do it, but God can and will!

Now here is another key.

Acts 16:25-26 (KJV) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Key number one was used: they prayed in prison. Then they pulled out key number two: they worshipped! Then SUDDENLY! God moved! David’s praise psalms are Psalms 111 – 117, and these are the ones sung at the Passover or Day of Atonement; the Hallelujah Psalms! And so having prayed and worshiped in songs, ALL THE DOORS OF THE PRISON WERE OPEN AND EVERYONE’S BAND WERE LOOSED! Don’t miss this: whatever door you need open, Jesus will open for you. Whatever door you need closed Jesus will close it. And what Jesus opens no man can close and what Jesus closes no man can open! Look at the reset of the story:

Acts 16:27 (KJV) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

The keeper didn’t care the bands were loosed, only that the doors were open, supposing the prisoners were escaped and he would have been held responsible for HE LOCKED THE DOORS!

Here’s a little Hebrew to drive home this point:

Hosea 2:15 (KJV) And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

The word for Achor in Hebrew means “trouble” and in the “valley of trouble” God will present a “door of hope”! One last thing: looking back at our verse in Isaiah it reads:

Isaiah 22:20 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

If you translate the names given, the sentence reads:

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant, God lifted up (John 3:14-16), the son of God’s inheritance!”

Ephesians 1:18-19 (KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Romans 8:17 (KJV) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

We are part of that inheritance! We are joint-heirs!

Isaiah 22:23-24 (KJV) And I will fasten him [as] a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

What is the throne of Jesus? What is the “thing” we look to? The Cross – the “fasten him as a nail in a sure place”! Everything was completed and finished on the Cross. And we are there too. The vessels are hung there, and we are those vessels:

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (KJV) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.

Seeing all that I’ve written, understand, to have the Spirit move in your life, you need to pray and worship, letting the Holy Spirit move in and through you. You are His ambassador to this fallen world, a light on a hill. And no matter how dark the darkness is, a small lit candle can be seen miles away! There is no darkness that can keep you hidden! Let your light shine! Call on Jesus for your needs. Fellowship with Him and you will move in the supernatural. This is the real mystery: you are a spirit being, sitting there reading this AND at the same time, you are seated in the heavelies NOW! How so? We are in Jesus and Jesus is in us. Where is Jesus? Seated on the right hand of the Father! Do you believe? God is outside of time. This is why He knows the beginning and the ending. Therefore, we too are outside of time, saved since the foundation of the world! So if we’re physical and spiritual just like Jesus, He said we would do more than He did!

Do  you believe these verses?

Matthew 7:11 (KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

John 16:25 (KJV) These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

Romans 8:37 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 Corinthians 6:3 (KJV) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Do you believe!?

John 14:12 (KJV) 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.

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