Tuesday, January 25, 2011

God Calls us Clothed in His Glory

God Calls us Clothed in His Glory and Power through the putting on of Christ, Genesis 3:21, Luke 24:49, Gal 3:27
In Genesis 3:7 it says, Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apron like girdles. AMP
In Gen 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. NASU

Prior to this they were covered with the Glory of God because they were made in His likeness and were therefore sinless. When they chose to believe Lucifer and not God the likeness of God was removed and they saw themselves as naked or they saw themselves without the likeness or glory of God and with the nakedness of sin. Because of this they sought to cover themselves with fig leaves. God covered them with the skins of slain animals to show them that He not only cared about their natural lives that would need more than leaves but that He was making a way through the shedding of blood to restore their relationship with Him and would restore the covering of His glory.

When Jesus was praying for the disciples in John 17:22 he said that He had given them the Glory that the father had given Him which is referred to in John 1:14.
John 17:22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;  John 1:14-15 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. NASB

God created us to be clothed in His Glory and to be like Him. In the New covenant we can once again be clothed in His Glory and Power by being clothed with Christ. We see these truths in Luke 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." and Gal 3:27. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NASU

Today ask yourself, “Am I putting on Christ and walking in God’s glory so that my sinfulness is swallowed up in His power and glory?” Remember, that Jesus died and was raised from the dead so that you might live the life God has always intended for you, in His glory and power as you put on Christ.

© Copywrite 2011, Wayne Newcomb

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Like God

Like God or In God’s Image, Gen 1:26-27
Names of the Believer part 3
 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. NASU
This is an awesome passage and truth. God said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. There are many wonderful qualities that we have because we are made in His image. We have free will, we are a three part being, we can create and pro-create. More than all of these we are in His image and likeness. We can look hard to discover the many ways we are like Him, but the easiest is look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith Hebrews 12:2.
In Heb 1:3 we see Jesus as the, ‘He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature.’
3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. AMP
What does it mean to be in His image? The starting place may be Gen 1:26 but the practical starting place to see that truth in the flesh is Jesus.
Some people say that because of sin the image of God has been marred in us, and while that may be true Rom 8:29-30 and Col 3:10 tell us that we are renewed and restored or molded into His image.
29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. AMP
  Col 3:10:  And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.  [Gen 1: AMP
Today begin to be transformed as you bring your life into alignment with these truths so that the image and likeness of God revealed in Jesus who lives in you will be made real in all you do and think and are to the people around you.
(c)Copywrite 2011 wayne Newcomb

Friday, January 21, 2011

God Proclaims You Very Good

God Proclaims You Very Good, Gen 1:26-31

26 God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3.]

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col 3:9,10; James 3:8,9.]

28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

29 And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.

30 And to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the ground — to everything in which there is the breath of life — I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.

31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. AMP

This passage of scripture is so full of what God says about you that we will spend a few weeks examining it. Within this passage God says you are, created in His likeness and Image, you were given dominion over the rest of the creation on earth, and that God was completely satisfied that you were completely approved of by God.

The Actual Hebrew in verse 31 says that God looked on His creation which now included man and woman and said it was Very Good. This week meditate on the wording used by God to pronounce you very good. In fact all of creation was good, but you were proclaimed very good.

Some will say that this was before Adam and Eve sinned and therefore does not count today, but Jesus redeemed you or purchased you back to God and made you justified through His blood, which was shed on your behalf so that you are ‘just as if you never sinned.’

Now when God says He looked at you and found you to be, VERY GOOD, it is worth taking to heart. Remind yourself that when God who created all things looks at you and declares that you are very good you have a reason to smile and a reason to rejoice.

(c) Copywrite 2011, Wayne Newcomb

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Receiving the Prophetic Word

Receiving the Prophetic Word
During any fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit and period of New Wine outpouring the gifts of the Spirit and the Five-fold ministry are given fresh to God’s people. It is necessary for those in leadership to train God’s people Biblical principles and practices for receiving and processing Prophetic words given them by those who operate in the gifts of the Spirit. Below are listed several principles which should bring forth God’s intended purpose and fruit from the application of the word given through the prophet or the gift of prophecy. Our goal should be to clearly hear, understand and apply the word to our lives as seen in these three words, Revelation, Interpretation, and Application.
1.       What was the prophetic Word (Revelation)
2.       What does it mean (Interpretation)
3.       How should I apply it? (Application)
What was the word spoken or demonstrated or pictured? It is so important to get this part right. This is where a tape recording, detailed notes, a picture or video come in handy. How shall they run unless the message is clear?
 Hab 2:2-3 Then the LORD answered me and said, Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.3 "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. NASU
If the person receiving the message does not get a clear understanding of what the message is then they cannot ‘run’ with it. They cannot gain a true understanding nor can they apply it as God would have them to. If the word is not recorded in some way the intended target of the word should seek out the speaker or giver of the word. If that is not possible they should seek out these who were nearby when it was given. If none of these are possible they must seek God carefully before proceeding any further.
There are two examples in scripture I would like to point out of principles regarding a message or word given to God’s people. In Luke 2:19, Mary carefully hid the words of the angel in her heart. In Acts 17:11, It says ‘The believers in Berea gladly received Paul’s preaching and then carefully read the scriptures to see if the things he said were true.’
 What does the prophetic word or message mean? To determine the meaning of a prophetic message or word from the Lord we should first seek to see if the scriptures agree with that which were spoken when the messages was given. Looking at several translations, looking up the Greek or Hebrew word meanings is also useful. Examining the Biblical context of the original message is also useful. Sometime the prophetic massager may be sought out to see if they have additional insight into the meaning. Seeking out experienced and mature leaders or believers who move in the Spirit may also help. Here is where we want to include those we are in covenant with and that we trust. Our spouses, mature believing friends and other wise spiritual leaders should be included. We should be asking how the word or message fits with what God is already doing or the direction He has already given us in the past. In Luke 24:32 the disciples talked with each other about the effect of Jesus speaking to them on the road to Emmaus.
How do I apply this word? Application of the word or message is the final part of the equation or process of receiving a prophetic Word. If we seek to apply a Prophetic word without a clear understanding of it and then do not seek the Biblical Interpretation of it we will be unable to accurately apply it. Often people receive a word and immediately seek to act on it. THIS IS DANGEROUS.
One part of the process of applying a prophetic word is the examination of our own heart. A clean heart and right motive are necessary. This along with seeking wise council and understanding the Biblical truth related to the word helps to insure that the word is applied wisely.
There are additional elements of applying a prophetic word. This is the when, where, how etc. Every phase of this process must be bathed in prayer and soaked in the presence of God. A Word from God never contradicts the Bible. God is not a God of confusion and therefore does not contradict Himself. We do not need to kneel and pray about committing a sin or doing something we know is wrong as we already have God’s Word, the Bible, to tell us what is right and wrong. God would not have us violate one covenant He has given us to obey another.
If we are not willing to go through this process the enemy can use what God intended to be a blessing, encouragement and His leading into a detour away from what God would desire for us. Our own motives must be examined and we must continually be humble before God as we seek Him at these times.
There is however no need to fear, or anxious. If we are willing to hear and willing to wait on God’s timing and direction at each step then the prophetic word or message can be a part of God’s working in our lives.
This is not an exhaustive examination of the process of Receiving of a Prophetic Word but should help you as you seek to understand the process of Receiving a Prophetic Word.
Arsenal Books also has: Receiving the Word of the Lord: Bringing Life to Your Prophetic Word at http://www.arsenalbooks.com/ along with many other good books on the prophetic such as Prophets and Personal Prophecy: God's Prophetic Voice Today by Dr Bill Hamon.

(c) copywrite: Wayne Newcomb 2011, http://www.abbasglory.com/