Thanks Jesus!

Thank you Jesus for your provision! We delight in your presence, your majesty and grace!

The Power to See, Understand or Perceive Correctly (revised)

What’s Your World View?
Maybe that is a question you never thought about or even realized was a question. Our world view is the set of lenses through which we comprehend the world in which we live and move and have our being.

Acts 17:28
8' For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' NIV

It used be said that there were three types of world views;
The Eastern world view
The Western world view
The Biblical world view

These were defined as follows:
The Eastern world view was understood to be that world view that included the spiritual world as a part of every day life. This view would also be seen as spiritualistic as it understood the spirit world to be involved in every aspect of life. Some would say that it was superstitious or filled with myth and legend.

The Western world view was thought to be the world view that embraced knowledge and the scientific method. This world view had eliminated the need for spirits and superstitions. This was the world we could measure and understand with our five senses.

The Biblical World view is the correct understanding of the world in which we live and move and have our being. It comprehends both the spirit world and the world of our senses revealed by the One true God who created it and all that exist. It understands the proper order and nature of all that exist.

You may be wondering why the first two world views are wrong and the third one correct. The answer is that those people who see things according to the first two have had there understanding darkened by sin which in turn has separated them from God.

Rom 1:18-23
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. NASU

Those people with the Biblical world view have accepted Christ and the mind of Christ. Their understanding is no longer foolish or darkened.

1 Cor 2:14-3:1
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. NIV

Col 1:12-14
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV

We who have received Christ as our savior or Messiah no longer have our minds darkened and therefore may begin to understand the true order and workings of God’s creations, both natural and spiritual. It is His light and His Spirit that brings us into all truth and allows us to see as he sees this world in which we live and move and have our being!

This is a primary teaching on the road to understanding the spiritual realm and in exercising our authority as people of the Way, as believers are called in Acts before they were called Christians or followers of Christ.
Note: In recent history 'the way' was indeed a sect or group of people who have used this Biblical term in an unhealthy manner, and who have not accepted a complete understanding of Biblical Christianity.

Acts 24:14-16
14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. NIV
Acts 11:26
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. NIV
Artwork "Alpha & Omega." On page three at the link below.
http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=1592821654&c=c&search=14071

The Jesus Connection

The Jesus Connection gives us the Power to Turn the World Upside Down

When we examine the New Testament we find a world very much like our own. There was a mixture of cultures, values, religions and beliefs. The demonic spirits which had lied to each culture were at war to gain dominance as the peoples of the world mixed with each other.

Demonic principalities and powers did all they could to stop the spread of the Good News. The demonic powers used fear, magic, politics and racial hatred to stop the Gospel and all who were apart of the Way. (John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

When we study the NT we also find the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit’s power allowed the believers in the Early Church to transform their world despite all of these elements which were aligned against them and the Good News they carried. It is obvious that the Gospel or Good News which Jesus brought engaged every level of society, culture and spirituality. Many see the message of Jesus as a weak and useless outdated philosophy; others see it as a threat to their chosen path, beliefs or culture. It is however God’s Good News to all people groups and has the power to transform lives, families, and nations!

Word Study Note: When you look up the word power in a concordance you will find that it occurs 250 times in NT

UNDERSTANDING THE SETTING
We can see the priority Jesus gave the receiving of the Holy Spirits power which would be necessary if the believers were to continue ‘to do and teach all that Jesus began to do and teach, Acts 1:1-8.’ To gain a good comprehension of the world into which the Gospel (Good News) came after the death and resurrection of Jesus we can read Romans 1:1-32. We also see that for the Jew who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Christians or the people of the Way, were seen as turning their world upside down, Acts 17:1-10. The Gospel was Good news for all who would believe, but for those who made their living from the demonically inspired religions of the day it caused a great disturbance, Acts 19:1-20:1!
It is important that you read the entire Biblical text referenced so I have provided links to online Bible sites. http://www.biblegateway.com

You Shall Receive Power
Acts 1:1-8 There are two related and key truths in this passage.
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NIV
Mankind takes a rebellious path from which the Gospel alone has the power to deliver.

Power for Those Who Believe
Rom 1:1-32
16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV

Power to Turn the World Upside Down
Acts 17:1-10
6: These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; KJV
The Gospel (the Way of Christ) causes a great disturbance to the world’s way of thinking and doing things!

Power to Cause a Great Disturbance
Acts 19:1-20:1
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. NIV

No where in the NT is this battle more clear than in area known as Asia Minor
It was a land bridge between Asia and Europe which was often the battle ground for those seeking to impose their way. politically, spiritually or morally on others.

"A peninsula, also called Anatolia, situated in the extreme western part of the continent of Asia. Asia Minor was bounded on the north by the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles; the Aegean Sea on the west; and Syria and the Mediterranean Sea on the south.
Roughly identical with the modern nation of Turkey, Asia Minor was a high plateau crossed by mountains, especially the Taurus Mountains near the southern coast. In the New Testament, the term Asia is ambiguous, sometimes referring to the peninsula of Asia Minor as a whole (Acts 19:26-27), but more often referring to proconsular Asia, situated in the western part of the peninsula (Acts 2:9; 6:9). The writer of Acts appears to use the term Asia to describe the region of the province of Asia around Ephesus. He refers to other regions of the province as Phrygia and Mysia (Acts 2:9-10; 16:6-7). "(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Truths with Power
In this study we will learn the powerful truths that are provided in Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians to help us win our battles against evil and turn or world upside down. We will also learn what magic is, who the powers are, and why is it important for us to know about them? What is Spiritual Warfare, is it important in scripture, do we all need to fight spiritual battles, what are our weapons, and from whom do we have authority to win any spiritual battle?

Check back each week for the next article in this study. Or if your in the Denver area, hear it in person on Sunday Mornings 9:15 a.m. at Calvary Temple on University Blvd in the
' Connections Class'. Ministry Center room 1.

Artwork by Manifold Majesty by William hallmark at http://www.majesticartworks.com/GB%20228.htm

Dying to Self by Ray Beeson

The brief article below comes from Ray Beeson at
Overcomers Ministries http://www.overcomersministries.org/

Dying to Self
It’s an ancient term—forgotten, neglected, and even annoying to some. At the same time it is one of the most valuable truths in Scripture when understood properly.

An unknown writer penned the idea well:
1. When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.
2. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advise disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.
3. When you are content with any food, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.
4. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.
5. When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy or question God, though your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.
6. When you can receive correction and reproof from someone of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no resentment or rebellion rising up in your heart, that is dying to self.

Just a Thought,

Ray Beeson
Overcomers Ministries
7357 Wolverine St.
Ventura, CA 93003

Ray's Ministry Schedule is below and check out his site for other great resources!
http://www.overcomersministries.org/

Ministry Schedule:
June 4: Valley Community Four Square Church. Santa Paula, CA Morning and Evening.
June 11-14: Calvary Christian Center. Hanford, CA. Prayer Conference.
June 18-21: Church of the Nazarene. Newberg, OR. Prayer Conference.
June 25: Rogue Valley Fellowship. Medford, OR. Morning Only.
June 28: Bethel Church. Medford, OR. Wednesday evening only.
July 2-5: Church of the Nazarene. Hood River, OR. Prayer conference.

Artwork: It is Finished by William Hallmark http://www.majesticartworks.com/detail.aspx?ID=2597