Bethel Church LJ Podcast

7 Letters To 7 Churches Part 2

The tree of life and the paradise of God are featured in the Genesis creation account. In the middle of the Garden, the earthly paradise, was the Tree of Life, which Adam and Eve were free to eat from. This tree granted eternal life, so when Adam and Eve sinned, they lost access to the garden and the tree.

But, when Jesus came and restored humanity’s relationship with the Heavenly Father, He also restored access to the Tree of Life for all who believe in Him. We see this at the end of Revelation, where the tree of life is in the midst of the paradise of God and available to those who receive salvation from Christ.

This is the meaning of Jesus’ promise to the believers of the right to eat from the tree of life. It symbolizes a restored relationship with God and eternal life.

The Fruit Of The Spirit Part 5

One day when we meet him face-to-face we will not be judged on our success, our educational achievements, or even on all that we may have given. We will be judged on how faithful we were to all that God asked us to do. You and I want to hear the beautiful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! God Himself is Faithful. This is at the very core of God’s nature. If this unchanging, constant, stable, unwavering behavior is the nature of God Himself, it shouldn’t surprise us that when His Spirit is allowed to freely work in our lives, He makes us faithful and steadfast, just like God. God is faithful; therefore, we should expect faithfulness to grow in our lives as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

In the end, the reward for faithfulness is knowing that you have been obedient and understanding that one day God will say, “Welcome home, my faithful servant! ”

7 Letters To 7 Churches

If we succumb to the devil’s attacks in our Church — allowing Him to trample on the lamp, drain the oil, and put out the fire of the Spirit — it will snuff out God’s light in our world! That is why the devil hates the Church and wants to extinguish its flame!  As we blaze with the Spirit’s fire and preach the uncompromising Word of God, a piercing light shines forth into the darkness that surrounds us

By burning with the oil of the Spirit and shining light in the world, we can hinder the work of Satan in this world and cause men who are blinded by darkness to see the light that can set them free! The Church is the “oil-burning lamp” of God in the world. Therefore, don’t let the devil extinguish your light or talk you into giving up on the Church! Satan is terrified of the Body of Christ because he knows it is his greatest enemy in the world.

And remember — you are a member of the Body, and the devil is terrified of you cause Christ lives in you! So make the decision today to let the Holy Spirit set your heart afire. Then guard that flame and don’t let anything snuff it out, so that you and the local body of believers God has placed you in can keep shining the light of the Gospel to those who are lost in darkness!

The Fruit Of The Spirit Part 4

Many people view kindness as a weakness. Those who demonstrate kindness swim against the stream of cold-heartedness and insensitivity. They stop to investigate when they see a need, even though most others would walk on by. When Paul wrote to Timothy about the characteristics of godly leaders, he said, “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone” (2 Tim. 2:24).
Kind people are sensitive to others’ needs. Philippians 2:4 tells us we “should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Sensitivity is a tremendous strength that we can develop.

Although the good Samaritan probably had a schedule and plans like those who passed by the injured man, he didn’t do what they did. He let his schedule be interrupted. Most likely, kindness was a regular part of his life. This kind act was probably not the exception but the rule. The Holy Spirit wants each of us to make a habit of being kind.

Empowering Grace

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

"The Spirit of the living God comes on your life, are you going to do what God is calling you to do based on what you see with your eyes, cause God does not see as mans sees."

The Fruit Of The Spirit Part 3

Because we belong to the one who created peace and we live a life of peace, we can become a peacemaker. Perhaps you’re the voice that can bring peace to a troubled friend. You may be the one who can speak a peaceful solution to a situation that is tearing apart a marriage or a relationship between loved ones. You may hold the peaceful answer to a competitive, territorial, jealous force within your company or community.If you know the Peacemaker, he will produce within you the fruit of the Spirit called peace. Not only will that peace keep you, but you can supernaturally give that peace to those who are around you

Luke 10:5 (TPT) Once you enter a house, speak to the people there and say, ‘God’s blessing of peace be upon this house!

 

Sorrow Versus Repentance

Repentance is another thing entirely. Repentance is a quality decision to change — and when genuine repentance occurs in a person’s heart and mind, you can be sure the HolySpirit will release His power to effect change in that person’s life and lead him to freedom!

 

More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus began His earthly ministry by preaching, “...Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Today, He is still speaking to people’s hearts, telling them to turn from wrong ways that are detrimental to living a holy and pleasing life to God. And this message is sounding forth to you.

Romans 10:13  For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

The Fruit Of The Spirit Part 2

Jesus looked at the crowds and felt compassion for them. He looked beyond all the activity, noise, and distractions and saw their tremendous need. They were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). Jesus loved as no human was able to love, he sacrificed as no one ever could, and he forgives beyond our comprehension. There is no way you can love this way unless the Spirit of God helps you. He and he alone will enable you to grow in Christlike love. The fruit of there spirit is love.

"He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. What does His work look like, it looks like Him it looks like love."

The Invisible Realm

We are all subject to someone. If we are not submitted in relationship to the Lord, we are submitted in relationship, or we are captive to the enemy of our souls. The only way to truly be free is by tying yourself and submitting yourself to the Lord. The kingdom of God is a little different than the way we work. Servitude to the Lord is freedom in the natural realm, freedom without the Lord is servitude in the natural realm but your serving the devil. Jesus used a parable to describe what we are talking about.

Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV) Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

God Can't Be Outside My Box

Revelation 3:14-22(ESV

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

¹⁵ “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”