Devotion: Sprinkle The Blood

There is power in the blood of Jesus.

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building (creation); neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place (Most Holy Place), having obtained eternal redemption for us.  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth (sets apart) to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot (blemish) to God, purge (cleanse) your conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:11-14)?

His death rescued mankind from the penalty of sin.  He came as the High Priest of the new covenant, a covenant that would come later, having better promises and a better system than the one of old.  Because he now has a more perfect tabernacle, one not made of hand nor made by men nor being a part of this world, but one resurrected, he was able to bypass the restrictions of the old tabernacle and go straight into the Holy of Holies to once and for all obtain eternal redemption for us.  Using his own blood as the payment and not the blood of goats and calves, he entered into that inner room in the holy place and secured our eternal salvation.  He set us free.  For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of young cows could cleanse those under the old covenant from sin, how much more should his blood, he who came with a new covenant, cleanse us inside and out and transform our lives and our hearts.  With help from the eternal Holy Spirit, he, who being perfect and without a single sin or fault offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice.  He willingly gave himself to God to die for our sins so that we could be free from the concerns of having to follow and obey the rules of the old covenant and live all out for God.  That’s right, it was Jesus Christ who did all of these things for us and that’s why “there is power in the blood of Jesus.”

“And almost all things are by the law purged (cleansed) with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified (cleansed) with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures (copies) of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place (Most Holy Place) every year with blood of others; for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world (ages) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look (eagerly wait) for him shall he appear the second time without (apart from) sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:22-28).

Under the old agreement, almost everything was cleansed by blood.  We see that without the shedding of blood, there was no forgiveness of sins.  Moses, after giving the people all the laws of God, dedicated the first covenant by sprinkling the blood of calves and goats over the book of the law and over all the people.  Scripture tells us that it was necessary for Moses to make the things down here on earth, all copied from the things in heaven, pure with these offerings, but the real things themselves in heaven, were to be made pure with a far more precious offering.  So, Christ, who did not enter into the earthly holy place, which was a copy of the one above, entered directly into the real temple in heaven itself and appeared before the mercy seat of God.  However, unlike the high priest down here on earth, who offered the blood of animals year after year as atonement for our sins, Christ went before the face of God, once, to make an offering of himself on our behalf.  By dying, Christ was able to put away the power of sin for all times as the ultimate sacrifice, unblemished and without a single sin or fault.  Again, it was Jesus Christ who did all of these things for us and that’s why “there is power in the blood of Jesus.”

We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God Has A Plan

Most people have no idea that God has a plan for their life much less know what that plan is.  Often, we look back at our past, be it the things that we have done or the things that have happened and see only failures.  Some have even held God responsible for these things.  Regardless of what may have or have not happened in your life, no matter what your current situation is, or what the future appears to hold, God did not create you for failure.  The truth of the matter is, God wants you to succeed and not fail.  God wants to prosper you.  God wants to give you hope and a future.  Scripture tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).  God knows the plans that he has for you.

“It is in this hope that we are saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24-25 NIV).  “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12 NIV).  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 NASB).

God has a plan for your life, even though you may not know the plan or be following the plan yet.  You should never lose hope, for there is always hope, no matter the situation.  If you do not have hope, then you have nothing, for no one hopes for what he or she already has.  As you look forward with this hope, you must wait patiently and with confidence for things to manifest.  Jesus warns that there will be tests, trials, and tribulations, but you are to rejoice in hope because “hope is an anchor unto the soul” (Hebrews 6:19) during these times.  Regardless, you are to be of good courage and not allow your heart to be troubled because he who has promised is faithful and will deliver.  There is no greater example of this than the story of Joseph, who faced many challenges yet God prospered him in everything he went through and everything that he did.  God has a plan for your life, one to prosper you as well as to give you hope and a future.  You just need to find out what that plan is.

We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Jesus Paid For Your Prosperity

In reading the scriptures, we find that there is a thief that “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).”  We also find in that same passage, Jesus telling us “he has come that we might have life and have that life more abundantly.”  Jesus, who was manifested to destroy the works of the thief (I John 3:8), came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  Many believe that Jesus’ main purpose for coming was to save individual lost souls, but truth be told, saving lost souls was just the by-product of what he actually did.

There were many things lost because of the disobedient actions of the first man.  It was the obedience of the second man (I Corinthians 15:47) that restored all that the first man lost (Romans 5:19).  Because of obedience, the second man became the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).  Because of obedience, the second man rose from the dead as the firstfruits of them who have died or slept (I Corinthians 15:20).  Because of obedience, the second man became the first to come back from the dead, who will die no more (Revelation 1:5).  The second man is the firstfruits of the first resurrection.  The second man is the firstborn or first in rank of or over every creature and has preeminence in all things.  Because of obedience, the second man was made ruler over all of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).  Scripture after scripture, we see a comparison between the first man and the second man, also known as “the last Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45).

Among the many things that the last Adam restored, was our right standing with God (Romans 5:16-17).  This was by far the most important of all things restored.  This meant that our relationship with God was as it was at the very beginning with the first Adam.  It was like starting over, if you will.  The last Adam was able to get back the authority or dominion (Matthew 28:18) that the first Adam had lost (Luke 4:6) in the garden when he ate of the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7).  Because of the obedience of the last Adam, we have been redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13) and given the privilege to become a child of God (John 1:12-13), so that all could share in the blessings of Abraham and receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14).  As a child of God, we now have the right to the inheritance of the new covenant, a better covenant, built with better promises (Hebrews 8:6-13), the right to a divine inheritance to the best in life, deserving all the Father has to offer (Romans 8:14-17), which includes the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity (III John 1:2).  We have all of this, because of the obedience of the second man, the last Adam, He paid for our prosperity.

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: The Message Of Revelation

Many believers, as well as many non-believers, have a fascination with what is popularly referred to as “the end-times.”  We have all kinds of individuals across the globe foretelling, predicting, and/or trying to give insight into what will happen in “the so-called end-times.”  This has created much unrest amongst believers and led to some incredible actions by those who appear to be concerned about and consumed by the events of the last days.  While sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked him questions about “the end-times” (Matthew 24:3-14).

Despite sternly warning us not to let the many that will come claiming to be “the Messiah” fool us, Jesus also shares the frightening fact that “they will lead many astray.”  Jesus would go on to tell of the many things to come, while assuring that “those who endure to the end would be saved.”  Though Jesus was able to describe the events to come and those surrounding his second coming, he also warned us “to be prepared” because no one knows, not the angels in heaven nor he himself, the date and hour of his return and when the end would come.  The only one that knows this information is God himself (Matthew 24:36).

Today, we see all sorts of bad things happening in the world, but we also know that the days of evil, suffering, and persecution will come to an end.  In the book of Revelation, we find “the revelation” that God gave to Jesus Christ for him to show his servants those things that must shortly come to pass.  John, who testified to God`s word, of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and about everything that he saw, recorded and shared these things.  According to the scripture, God is to bless those who read the words of this prophecy and all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near (Revelation 1:1-3).

“Then I saw a new earth (with no oceans) and a new sky, for the present earth and sky had disappeared.  And I, John, saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.  It was a glorious sight, beautiful as a bride at her wedding.  I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, ‘Look, the home of God is now among men, and he will live with them and they will be his people; yes, God himself will be among them.  He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.  All of that has gone forever.’  And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new!’  And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true: It is finished!  I am the A and the Z—the Beginning and the End.  I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life—as a gift!  Everyone who conquers will inherit all these blessings, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  But cowards who turn back from following me, and those who are unfaithful to me, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars—their doom is in the Lake that burns with fire and sulphur.  This is the Second Death’” (Revelation 21:1-8 TLB).

We now have knowledge of the many signs signifying the “end-times” and the events that take place, but what should we do with this information?  While these signs have their significance, it would appear that being prepared and obeying those things revealed to us in “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” by John are more important than actually trying to foretell or predict the last days, especially since only God knows the exact day and hour it will take place.  Let us point out the fact that when Jesus was asked about “the end-times,” his first response was to warn us not to be fooled by those who would come claiming to be the Messiah because they would lead many astray.  We also want to point out that those led astray are “so-called believers.”  So let us be prepared because “those who endure to the end will be saved and everyone who conquers will inherit the many blessings” when all evil, suffering, and persecution comes to an end.

We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: You Are Now A Giver

Man has twisted just about every godly message in the Bible, usually for his own purpose or gain.  The prosperity message is not immune to the unscrupulous twisting actions of man either.  We have discussed varying opinions as to the interpretation of prosperity and no matter the path or the road taken, we have continually been directed back to the same passage, “for it is he (God) that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant” (Deuteronomy 8:18).  And yet again, we are saying that it appears that the power to get wealth is of God and that there is a reason for this prosperity.

Recently, we discussed “the giving of alms,” where we basically “give money or goods to those in need of charity.”  We previously asked the question, “Do you serve money or does money serve you?”  Hopefully, you were able to perform an honest self-evaluation and truthfully answer the question.  But for those of you who know how to give alms and whose money serves you and for those of you who have an ear to hear, this message is for you; know that “you are now a giver.”

“But remember this—if you give little, you will get little.  A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.  Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give.  Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes.  God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.  It is as the Scriptures say: “The godly man gives generously to the poor. His good deeds will be an honor to him forever.”  For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.

Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help.  So two good things happen as a result of your gifts—those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God.  Those you help will be glad not only because of your generous gifts to themselves and to others, but they will praise God for this proof that your deeds are as good as your doctrine.  And they will pray for you with deep fervor and feeling because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.  Thank God for his Son—his Gift too wonderful for words” (II Corinthians 9:6-15 TLB).

We know that blessed is the person who gives to the poor in their time of need, because it shows that the love of God resides inside of that individual.  We know that God loves a cheerful giver and every man should give as it is purposed in his or her heart to give.  And though God want you to freely give and not grudgingly, or of necessity, know that if you give little, you will get little.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38 KJV)”

“You are now a giver.”  Today’s inspirational message is just another example of why the children of God are supposed to prosper in this life.  It would be hard to do as God has commanded and it would be totally unfair of him, if he does not make previsions for us to do what he commanded, since “we are workers together with God” (I Corinthians 3:9) “helping to establish his covenant” (Deuteronomy 8:18).  As always, we pray that this message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: What Are Alms?

We have had several discussions about prosperity, and we keep coming back to this passage, “for it is he (God) that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant” (Deuteronomy 8:18) as we have tried to answer the question, “Prosperity, is it truly of God or is it of the devil?”  We have discussed varying opinions as to the interpretation of prosperity; however, we continually mention that from this passage, it appears that the power to get wealth is of God and that there is a reason for this prosperity.

One of the purposes for the wealth is for us to be a blessing to others through the giving of “alms.”  The giving of “alms” is when we basically “give money or goods to those in need of charity.”

“He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need” (Proverbs 21:13 TLB).  “Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them.  To help the poor is to honor God” (Proverbs 14:31 TLB).  “When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan (Proverbs 19:17 TLB)!  “Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor” (Proverbs 22:9 TLB).  “The good man knows the poor man’s rights; the godless don’t care” (Proverbs 29:7 TLB).  “But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him” (I John 3:17 TLB)?

Blessed is he who gives to the poor in their time of need.  He who ignores the calling to help the poor, insults God.  To help the poor is to honor God.  Think of this way, when you give to the poor, you are lending to the Lord, who pays interest on what you give.  When you help the poor, God smiles down upon you, because you show that you have the love of God inside of you.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 KJV).

But be warned, do not make a public showing of your giving as some do.  When you do, you lose the reward from Father God, for your public acknowledgement will be your only reward.  When you give, give secretly, not telling your left hand what you right hand is doing.  When you give as instructed, God will reward you as he promises in his word.

And as we have previously mentioned and say yet once again, we know that today’s message will not settle the debate, but it just might help us “to better understand the purpose for the prosperity.”  As always, we pray that our message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If this message was a blessing to you, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Divorce

What if we told you God was married?  As you read the scriptures, you will find,

“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt (wing) over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea I sware (swore an oath) unto thee, and entered into covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.  Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.  I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.  I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.  And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.  And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:8-14).

Some of you have been blessed and have received a new revelation from the passage.  Some of you are trying to figure out who it is that God entered into a marriage covenant with.  Some of you have a totally different interpretation of the passage and have not received the same revelation.  Some of you are still in denial even after you have been presented with the biblical proof, still saying, “I don’t believe this.”  For many of you, it would do no good for us to tell you that God was also divorced.  As you read these scriptures, you will see,

“The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done?  she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.  And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me.  But she returned not.  And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.  And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill (certificate) of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also” (Jeremiah 3:6-8).

While this is not in any way a traditional marriage, when God entered into covenant with Israel, he considered it worthy to be called a marriage and he treated it as such.  Now for you who are still trying to accept the fact that God was married note this; you can only give “a bill (certificate) of divorce” to someone that you were married to.  For those who have an ear to hear, the fact that God was married and divorced may open a whole new level of exploration as you seek spiritual truth and the revelation knowledge hidden in God’s word.  Please bear in mind that we do not point these passages out to advocate for or against divorce, for this is neither our intent nor our purpose.  We know this commentary does not contain any definitive answers.  However, seeing that things, as they pertain to God and his ways, are not always how we understand them to be and not always as we have been led to believe, this just might cause you to revisit the “marriage-divorce thing” that is debated in many religious circles today.

We forever pray that this inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW