Mission globe issue 5 by Darius Stevens

CCF Writers

Mission Globe December 2013

A Church of God Outreach Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 5

The Power of God John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” God wants you to have power over sin, power over the devil, power to live a life that is pleasing in His sight. This what Jesus was talking about when He made the invitation: Matthew 11:28 -30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This is the life Jesus advertised when He said: John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” The more abundant life is not necessarily the things a person accumulates, for, as Jesus said: Luke 12:15 “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” You may have great riches, you may have a high rank or great office in the realm of men, but it does nothing for your soul. The power of wealth and fame is limited, but the power of God can move situations that are beyond our ability to affect.

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The Power of God Acts 3:1-8 “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” It is probable that this man had been helped time and again by people giving him money or goods. The word of God lets us know that he looked for the same from Peter and John, but this day, by the power of God working through Peter and John, he received something far greater than he ever expected. Many men in high offices have great power and authority, but they can’t effect change like those who have the power of God in a real way. John 6:27 “Labour not for meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you …” Look at the account Jesus told in Luke the 12 t h chapter. Luke 12:16-20 “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?”

“Many men in high offices have great power and authority, but they can’t effect

This rich man was so busy, so captivated by his wealth and good fortune he had no time for God. He had no time to provide for his eternal welfare, not time to seek the deep things of God, no time to tap into the power of God in a real way.

change like those who have the power of God in a real way.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

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A Heavenly Language I have heard many people talk about a heavenly language: a language that they speak to God in so that the devil and his imps cannot understand what they are saying. In searching the scriptures, I didn’t find any scriptural reference of a strange language, however these passages seem to suggest a private communication between God and His people. John 10:16 “… them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice …” John 10:25-27 “… My sheep hear my voice … and they follow me.” John 8:42-47 “… He that is of God heareth God’s words ...” 1 John 4:1-6 “… he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us …” There is a language that is reserved for those who are saved. There are words, though not strange in and of themselves, that cannot be understood by those who are not truly saved or have not been enlightened by God in a certain way. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

“Let’s look closely at these passages and see if there is a private communication between God and His people.”

This is not another language, but a spiritual understanding that only those whose spirits are in communion with God can understand in its fullness. John 6:44-45 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise Him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” God must enlighten your mind, He must work with your understanding in a certain way before you can even perceive your condition before Him and your need of Him.

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Blessed are the Pure in Heart Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” God is concerned about what we do, but even more so about why we are doing it. Hebrews 4:12 -13 “Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Most people judge themselves by what they do. “I do this or I refrain from doing that,” but God judges you based on what you want to do or what you would do if given the right set of circumstances. In other words, God wants to know what’s in your heart. You can say with your mouth everything right and everything well-meaning, but all the while God is searching your heart to see what’s in there. Matthew 15:8 -9 “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Jesus here declares that these people’s worship was vain – meaningless; not acceptable in the eyes of God.

“You can say with your mouth everything right ... but all the while God is searching your heart to see what’s in there.”

That’s a serious thing. They were expending effort, putting in large sums of money, making huge sacrifices, perhaps in some cases endangering life and health, but as far as God was concerned they could have saved themselves the trouble. Now to others they seemed quite pious, quite sincere and honest. 1 Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” All the while you’re praising God, all the time you’re shouting hallelujah, God is studying the thoughts and intents of your heart.

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Blessed are the Pure In Heart Maybe you repented bitterly and shed tears on the altar, yet the word of God lets us know, God is looking past the outward performance straight down into the depths of your heart. Psalms 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” God might audibly hear you, but He’s not going to act in your behalf because He sees you’re not ready to change your ways. You’re not sincere in what you’re saying. You still have a desire to do the things you just said you were sorry over. Why is what’s in your heart so critical to God? Matthew 15:19 -20 “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man …” A defiled heart, an impure heart, a heart that yet harbors evil motives will produce evil actions sooner or later.

“A defiled heart, an

Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things.”

impure heart …

Why does the word of God say, “blessed are the pure in heart”? If a person is pure in heart they will bring forth pure actions. Their motivations, their intentions will be pure in the sight of God. They’ll do what’s right because there’s nothing in their heart to cause them or motivate them to do wrong.

later.”

will produce evil actions sooner or

This is not something reserved for a select few. This is available to all, for God is rich unto all that call upon Him (ref. Romans 10:12 -13). You can have your heart washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus Christ if you repent: turn away from your sin with the intention of never going back into them again.

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A Heavenly Language Is God partial? Is God therefore a respecter of persons? No, but God looks at the condition of a person’s heart: Psalms 34:18 “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” God wants to see something on your part. God is looking at your heart condition. He’s looking to see how you feel about the sin you’re in. Psalms 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” God also wants your time. He wants you to take time to seek after Him.

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“If you truly understood the word of God and what God is offering you, you would be converted.”

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” You have to put forth some effort and show some concern and God will help you. God is willing to help you, He’s willing to save you, His arms are already stretched out to you. Today He’s speaking to you in a certain way, but you have hear with your ears, and open your eyes, and seek to understand with your heart and God will give you understanding (ref. Matthew 13:15, 2 Timothy 2:7). Consider. When you read the word of God, when you read spiritual writings, when you hear a message from God, consider it. Take time to meditate on it in your heart. Don’t just dismiss it and go on about your day. God has something to say to you, God has some things to reveal to you personally in a language you can understand, but you must seek God, you must put forth some effort, you must desire to understand what God has to tell you. Not only that, but you must be willing to do what He tells you to do when He does speak to you.

MISSION GLOBE

Our Mission is to spread the truth of Christ’s Love to a lost and dying world. Our Goal is to encourage all to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call on Him while He is near. We want to let you know there is hope, there is help, there is an answer and His name is Jesus Christ. Visit us online www.missionglobe.org

For more information or to speak with someone about what you’ve read email us at: info@missionglobe.org Copyright Mission Globe 2013