Set Fire To The Rain

So we're going to Set Fire To the Rain....or, to the old records. Lets go:

We all have our shortcomings and stuff that we are not proud of. Thats just the simple reality. However, we don't have to host a 'pity party' so to speak.

So I'm here to declare to you, that "there's a side to you" that no one knows. You may not be aware of it yourself. You are very valuble in the eyes of God. You literally caught His attention and took His breathe away. It caused Him to send Jesus to die for you, so that you won't have to perish. Maybe in your eyes, or in the eyes of others, you're nothing but a liar. Thats what they may know about you. But I'm here to set those records on fire. In reality, they've already been set on fire 2000 years ago by Christ. I'm only declaring what took place. It's not about religion; or what you must do; or about judging others and comparing yourself to them. Its about what He has done for you: he destroyed your records:

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:13,14 KJV

The Message Version says the following:

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. Col 2:13-15 The Message

As you can see, Christ erased everything. Now you are joined with God as one. You can almost close your eyes and feel him here - forever. This opportunity is offered to everyone. The Heavens had rain down righteousness, and it has filled the earth.

“Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, God, generate all this. Isaiah 45:8 The Message

God has set fire to our record - he threw Christ into the fire of his wrath and He was pleased to see Christ suffer:

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 KJV

When Christ died, we were in Him - for Christ represented us. We died. He died once. By his death he perfected us forever (Hebrews 10:14) It was a one time sacrifice that was good for all times. This sacrifice cost alot. It was a very expensive sacrifice that it cannot be attained or maintained by our efforts. Set your works on fire (Christ already did that, receive His work) and let the rain (His righteousness) be yours!

Job Well Done!

Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself” Franklin D Roosevelt.

When we are driven by fear, we tend to adopt habits and sometimes religious rituals that we think will protect us. In every society there exists superstitions and rituals that gives a "cloak of protection from evil". I'm not disputing the existence of evil by any means. However, its easy for the church to find itself mired in these superstitions.

Job in the Old Testament was fearful that his children may be involved in sin, so he often found himself offering sacrifices, 'just in case".

If you would read with me Job 1:5 (KJV)

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Thus did Job continually! Hmmm! Now, from the surface it looks like Job is a great "man of God" who's doing his part to make sure his family is in line with God. However, Job was simply occupied with fear. He was fearful that his children "may have" cursed God; even though there's nothing to indicate that they did. What motivates you? Are you like Job motivated by fear? Don't get me wrong, Job was indeed a man of God. But the fact is, he was also driven by fear. If you proceed to chapter 3 you'll see what was going on in Job's mind.

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. Job 3:25-26 NKJV

Ah! Job finally spoke out his heart. It was fear that was driving his "seeming devotion". Again, I'm sure there were other times where fear wasn't the factor. So why did God hand him over to Satan? Did God really do that? I'm sure you've heard many sermons where "God handed over Job for his glory" was the theme. But a quick look at Job 2:6 should clarify the facts:

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but spare his life. KJV

The scripture says "he is in your hand". God is simply stating the fact. He doesn't say "I hand him over to you, or I give him into your hand". That is just a declaration of fact. But it is so obvious that Job has placed himself in Satan's hands by the fear in his heart. Job had fear. If Job had faith, there would be no room for fear. Faith comes by hearing - and so does fear. If you occupied yourself with bad news, you won't need lessons in fear; FEAR COMETH! So Job couldn't rest secure in God's ability and protection. He didn't allow his knowledge of God to stand in the way of his fear. Instead, he engaged himself in rituals and ceremonies to suppress his fear. I wonder how many christians go to church, conferences, pray and give offerings motivated by fear! Let love be your motivation. When we allow God's love to flood our hearts, He will set us free from all "religious cloaks and rituals", and set us free. And if the Son sets you free, you are free from any burdens (burdens of self-righteousness and religion). God is saying to you "well done my faithful son" because you are in Christ. Ephesians 1:6 KJV says:

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The Greek word translated "accepted" is the same word in Luke 1:28 (KJV) "highly favored", where the Angel spoke to Mary. You are highly favored my friend. Its not your prayer, or sacrifices that made that possible. God's perception of you is exactly how He sees Christ. And therefore, he says this:

You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11 AKJV

When I Move You Move, or Something Like That!

"When I move you move, or something along those lines....."

I'm not going to try and explain anything about the title above that I borrowed from Ludacris. I felt like writing about "learning from sufferings", even though I've written about it in the past. But I'm going to focus on a different angle: our attitude and response! How we react determines whether we will be bitter or better. I believe that God has already moved on our behalf. He has already completed and provided for EVERYTHING that we need. But come with me and lets examine some scriptures: Psalm 43:3 (KJV) says:

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.

David knew the heart of God. God said that David was a man after my own heart. However, you as a Christian are in a much better position than David. You are a Son of God; born of God in the image of Christ. Jesus said this:

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;[d] but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 KJV

Among those born of women (that includes David, Elijah, Moses, Abraham etc..) there is no greater than John the Baptist; and yet, the least in the kingdom of God (those that are in Christ) is greater than John. This is major! I hope you are able to wrap your mind around this truth. When you are in Christ, you are not just a sinner saved by Grace. You don't stand on the same footing as the prophets in the Old Testament. You are a regenerated man. You are no longer a man after Adam. When you are in Christ, you have "the life of God". You share or partake in the God-head, regardless of what you think of yourself. But I digress. Lets go back to Psalm 43:3(KJV) David prayed

"send your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your tabernacle".

We are drawn to God by His truth and His light. Now David knew that, way before Christ came. David didn't pray "bring me trials and tribulations so that I can be drawn to you". He knew God's heart. He knew God in His majesty draws men to Him. As I said earlier, God has already moved on our behalf. He spoke in Christ saying:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV

&

Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realising that God's kindness leads you towards repentance? Romans 2:4 - NKJV

God has sent His Light and His truth, as David prayed, to bring us to Himself. Jesus is the Light that came into the world. He is the Truth. He came to lead the way and bring us into the truth. Not only that, but to make us into His image.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 KJV

We don't need sufferings to draw us to God. It's our response and attitude to God in the midst of suffering that matters. We have been ushered into the VIP section, because God moved on our behalf. When He moved, we automatically have been moved with Him. We don't need to move on our own. We need to rest in Him. Or as the scriptures put it:

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11 KJV

Lets make every effort to allow His light to flood our understanding; for by doing that, we will be ushered into His rest not by our efforts, but by the virtue of who He is. When He moved, you were already in Him and therefore, you moved.

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:28 KJV

We are his offspring; His sons. We are who He is. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. He produces the fruit in us. He lives and....... "When I move you move, just like that!" James Akot

Discerning the body and the blood

Discerning the body and the blood: Understand what communion is really all about. This teaching will help you to understand the power of the death of Jesus when you can apply it to your own life.

True Rest And Comfort!

Let's enjoy our fellowship in the trinity this day. The concept of being ONE with God is what it is all about. No distance, no guilt, no fear just true union and freedom wherein we are fully at rest at the fact that God is at rest in our union and perfection with Him created in Jesus.

Bertie Brits

www.dynamicministries.com

A Good Meal And A Glass of Wine! hmmmm!

When was the last time you had a good meal and wine that brought healing to your body? There is a great story about a supper that made that possible.

Breaking bread and drinking wine brings healing to our bodies!

What will you do if you are laying in your death bed and you want to give your last advise to your loved ones? What will you tell them? Please read with me the scripture below from 1 Corinthians 11:20 -31:

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

God want us to be healthy. And he made sure the provision for our healing was paid for by Christ on the cross. In a symbolical image of our fellowship with him, Christ had a supper the night before he was betrayed. In that evening, Christ wanted to share with his disciples a great message, since his life on earth was about to end. He gave them a glimpse of life in Christ. If we live conscious of him, of his life, death and resurrection, His life will be transplanted in us. We will no longer live, but Christ in us. And with the many sicknesses and diseases today, we need to be more conscious of Christ and the healing that is through his broken body. There are many scriptrues that speak of our healing:

By his stripes we were healed. Isaiah 53:5

How do we partake in a worthy manner? The Corinthians, per the passage above, were partaking in the Lord's supper in an unworthy manner: they got drunk with the wine; they don't wait on each other; and they seem to take large portions to get filled. However, to partake in a worthy manner simply means to do this in remembrance of Jesus; we acknowledge that His body was broken for us; for our healing; and acknowledge that His blood was shed for our sins. When we are conscious and aware of that, we are partaking in a worthy manner. It all boils down to knowing who we are in Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection changes the dynamics of our relationship with God. The old man that is created after the first Adam is dead. That man was broken in the body of Christ. He died. His blood was shed for our sins, past present and future. When Christ was dead and was burried, the whole of humanity didn't owe anything to the Law. Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to cover all of our iniquities and sins. He represented the human race that was created in the image of the first Adam. So by his wounds, and crucifixion, he paid the ransom, and we were set free. But God has something greater in mind. When Christ rose from the dead, He rose as a new man. He didn't rise as Christ the Jew. Because Christ the Jew was a man under the law. And that man's body was broken and offered as a sacrificed. When we believe, we become born of God unto this New Creation.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17

When we believe in Christ, we become one with God and partake in the trinity. We

become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)

And we are made one with the Lord:

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Let us break bread and drink wine today with that in mind. If you are personally sick, or a loved one, read this scripture together and acknowledge Christs' sacrifice; his body and blood that was shed for us. And receive his healing power.

What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You. Really?

We don't need more of God! We need the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know what God already gave us! Ephesians 1:17-19. Thats simply what God says.

Today we hear a lot of cries for more outpouring of the spirit of God. We beg God to come down once again. We say things like "just like the days of Pentecost". This seems to stem from a desire to please God. We want to prove ourselve worthy. We have gunuine desire to serve and see people delivered. However, by doing that, we ignore completely what God has done. We become blinded and forget who we really are. Ephesians 1: 17-19 says this:

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Again in Ephesians 3:14-19:

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[c] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

I hope you read that scripture carefully. Paul was simply praying that the Ephesians would receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the KNOWLEDGE of God. Why wisdom and revelation? Why not pray for supernatural outpouring, signs and miracles? In verse 18, the Greek word that is translated to "enlightened" is (photizo: fwtiðzw). Thats where we get the english word Photo. It means to be flooded with light; or to give light. God wants "the eyes of your understanding" to be "flooded with light" so that you may KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING; and not only that, but also the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. So in simple layman english: God wants you to know his Love for you. His unconditional love. Knowing His love will usher you into the fullness of God. Thats what Ephesians 3:19 says. God declared his ministry to us: the ministry of reconciliation. In the Gospel of Luke 2:14, the Angels declared

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men

Peace and goodwill toward men. God raise a banner of peace and love for all of mankind. Some would like you to believe for the Church only. However, there was no Church by then. He leveled the playing field, and gave every man a shot into His kingdom. In the past, the road was dependent on your works, your fast, your ability to keep the law etc. Something which no man can attain says the scriptures. But now, its about who you know! So while the opportunity is given to all, not all will participate. The knowledge of God brings with it salvation. Jesus defined eternal life in John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent

Faith is not blind. Faith is about knowledge. In fact, you cannot pray for faith, or have someone lay hands. Faith will come when you have the right knowledge. Lets say you're in your house, and you hear gun fight right outside your door; how will you react? I bet you won't need anyone to teach you how to fear. Fear will come. With the right information, your heart will produce fear. And in the same manner, with the right information, your heart will believe. Romans 10:17 says this:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Knowing who you are will save you. You are righteous in Christ independent from your fasting, praying and your desire to do good. May you have the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know that. Don't reject what God has done by trying to force Him down again with your prayers and begging. 2 Peter 1:3 says

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

God's divine power has given to us EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR life and godliness, how? Through THE KNOWLEDGE of him who called us to glory.

Ease My Troubles That's What You Do

Ease my troubles that's what you do

Trouble spares nobody. We all have our share. Like time, where we all get the same quota. However, others may go through much more than the average. When we are in pain, we don't want to listen to some lecture. We want someone who can ease our pain. Someone who can assure us that all will be fine. I believe that God is far more understanding than the average human. So while you're down, He's not going to be condemning you; or saying "I told you". In fact, His arms are open and He wants us to find rest, peace and solace. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" says Jesus. Jesus said this about His words: "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life". John 6:63

The title above is a song performed by Rod Stewart, and lyrics by Scott Wiseman. God is the only one who can truly ease your troubles. Like the parable of the prodigal son in the Bible, He will not meet you with 3 lessons of how to come back to him; or 10 points to avoid pain. No. He will embrace you. In fact, He has already slaughtered the best lamb (Jesus) and there is a feast going on. He will robe you with the Righteousness of God which is in Christ. If you are already in Christ, He is not going to treat you different. You are already a son. He will convict you of your righteousness. He will affirm your standing. Thats what Jesus said of the Holy Spirit in John 16. The Holy Spirit is one of the same kind as Jesus. He is not going to contradict Jesus' work on the cross by putting blame on you. He will guide you to the truth; Jesus is the truth. His life, death and resurrection is your truth. You are the righteousness of God in Christ.

Come boldly today. He will ease you trouble, thats what He does. If you are feeling guilt, thats not the Holy Spirit. Thats your own consciense. Once you've been purged (through Christ), God doesn't want you to be sin conscious - Hebrews 10:2. He wants you to be Christ conscious. All that means is, you are conscious of who you are in Christ at all times. That doesn't happen by your own efforts. It's born in you by the Holy Spirit. When things go wrong around you, you have this inexplicable peace within. When things go wrong and the first thing that comes to mind is "Lord is this a punishment for what I've done; or Lord I'm sorry for my unconfessed sins", then you are not Christ conscious. You are self-conscious, or sin conscious. Thats just a simple illustration. However, whatever happens, rest your mind in the simple truth that God has your back. Rest your mind in this truth; God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He has made perfect forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

He has already ease your troubles in Christ. Receive what is already yours.

Taskmaster or Friend!

Let's not mistreat God by dealing with Him as a taskmaster, when He introduced Himself to us as FATHER and FRIEND...

Bertie Brits