She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21 ESV) Redemption from the curse and bondage of sin is the first New Testament revelation of Gods will for all. This redemption is designed to restore humanity to the position Adam had before disobeying the commandment of God and partaking of the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. It is also Gods attempt to bring back an unfettered relationship between Himself and humanity. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11, 12 ESV) Baptism in the Holy Spirit prepares one to continue the ministry of Jesus. To accomplish this Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit will remove the dross from the lives of believers. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8 ESV) Jesus is the one who send the Holy Spirit to baptize His body for power and service. This promise would not be fulfilled until after Jesus ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Many say Pentecost was the birth of the Church. This is inaccurate. The Church was existent in the mind of God throughout eternity. Pentecost was the activation of the power of Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of Jesus and to continue His works in the world until He returns. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. (Acts 1:8-11 ESV) And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19 ESV) Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18 ESV) It is the purpose of the call and work of Jesus to transform normal, everyday people into instruments of supernatural message, methods and power to reach people who do not currently accept Jesus as their redeemer. A fisherman is one who prepares their equipment and bait before going out to either cast their lines or their nets. Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV) The prayer Jesus taught the disciples reveals several aspects of Gods will for believers. 1. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Everything in Gods kingdom is expected to shared in earth. For those who acknowledge and accept His sovereignty there is no dichotomy between the spiritual realm and the physical realm. Gods kingdom is meant to be experienced in the present as a reality not something which must be received after death when believers enter the physical and spiritual presence of Jesus. 2. Physical sustenance - Jesus knew it is difficult to listen to a message of hope and deliverance when you have no food. Humanity is composed of physical beings relating to a physical world with physical needs. These must be taken into consideration and addressed if one expects others to hear the message of God. God knows! Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34 ESV) Rather than focus on personal needs God desires believers focus on Him, His Kingdom and His provision. It is when our focus is inward rather than upward that our daily needs are not met because we are attempting to be self reliant rather than trusting God to fulfill His promise and provision in our lives! Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7, 8 ESV) It is the will of God believers receive that which is asked of God. It is the will of God to provide direction and guidance in all endeavors. It is the will of God to provide and open to believers opportunities whereby He can sustain and provide for their needs. Jesus expressed these ideas as absolute truths. This means when one asks, seeks or knocks according to Biblical patterns and standards God will always answer and God will always provide! When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:1-3 ESV) Disease and sickness are the result of spiritual contamination. Jesus came to remove not only the spiritual contamination of sin but he also came to remove the physical contaminations of sickness and disease. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4, 5 ESV) When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. (Matthew 10:19 ESV) In this passage Jesus was informing the disciples there will be persecutions coming for their belief in Him as the Messiah coming into the world. Here He is telling them first, this is to their opportunity to testify of Jesus before these persecutors. Second and most importantly, they are to rely on the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to provide the answer for this situation. They were not to try to prepare an answer ahead of time for that would be an inadequate response. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV) The Holy Spirit will revitalize the Word of God in the mind and spirit of believers when His inspiration and unction is most needed. The Book of Acts gives an example of this shortly after Jesus ascension and after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Peter and John were used by God to heal the beggar at the Gate Beautiful. As a result, they were brought before the religious council. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power or by what name did you do this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:5-13 ESV) There are four very significant statements about Peter and John in these verses. 1. Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit SAID... 2. And when they saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John... 3. Perceived they were UNEDUCATED, COMMON MEN, they were astonished... 4. And they RECOGNIZED that they had been with JESUS. The saturation, immersion and baptism received at Pentecost prepared them first for service to continue the ministry started by Jesus and then provided the response to those who opposed Jesus and His Gospel! But it all started because THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS! Knowing the words of your preacher or pastor will bring no power or prepare one for opposition and persecution. Knowing the Word of The Lord and receiving the power of Holy Spirit will bring power and preparation. Knowing the Word of the Lord gives the Holy Spirit a starting point that will produce a powerful testimony of Jesus being manifested through the lives of believers. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV) Every age has its stresses and turmoils of life. It is the will and mission of Jesus to provide rest from the stresses of life. However this relief only comes by allowing the character of Jesus to be a transformational force. Jesus, the Son of God, was gentle and lowly, yet He knew His place in society, as well as in Gods plan. When one adapts gentleness and lowliness or humility as part of their lifestyle the stresses of everyday events diminish because everything is put into the perspective of Jesus eternal values. Seen in this manner worry, distress, anxiety and all other aspects of fear lose their influence and power. But he replied to the man who told him, Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. (Matthew 12:48-50 ESV) Knowing, doing and living according to the revealed will of God establishes the believers relationship with Jesus. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18, 19 ESV) It is the will of Jesus for the Body of Christ to function in power and authority. To bind and to loose was a reference to mystical forces being subjected to the authority of another. Jesus realized spiritual warfare would be one of the areas in which the Church must be equipped for battle against the forces of Hell and Satan. And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him. And Jesus answered, O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me. And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, Why could we not cast it out? He said to them, Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:14-20 ESV) It is the will of God for believers to be able to encounter situations normally thought to be impossible and to overcome those situations by the power of faith. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:18, 19 ESV) Binding and loosing are terms related to spiritual authority. To bind is to limit or overcome the authority of the forces of Satan and his minions by invoking and releasing the power of God and the Name of Jesus to meet and overcome the forces of hell. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:7, 8 KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 KJV) [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. (1 John 3:8 AMP) Jesus came to bring utter and complete victory over the forces of the devil! He came to DESTROY, LOOSEN, and DISSOLVE Satans works and to overcome his influence. It is the will of God for believers to live live in the victory Jesus has already won! Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, Pay what you owe. So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. (Matthew 18:21-35 ESV) Gods will has positive and negative consequences regarding forgiveness. In Matthew 25 Jesus give the parables of the 10 virgins, the talents and the sheep and the goats. The first deals with anticipation and preparedness. All the virgins knew the bridegroom was to come but did not know the time or date. Five came with sufficient supplies for their bridegrooms arrival. The other five were in insufficiently prepared and missed the arrival of the bridegroom because they had to leave for more supplies. Jesus will is for the Church to be ever vigilant, looking for His return. He will not be coming back for a Church that goes back into their old lifestyle, who are unwilling and unable to wait for His return. The second parable concerns Gods will regarding His gifts. These gifts are meant to be invested in the lives of others. To not use the gifts God has provided is to refuse to invest in the mission and ministry to which Jesus has called the Church! The third parable concerns fulfilling the ministry of a servant to those within ones spheres of influence. Each Christians response to the needs of those within their spheres of influence is a direct response to the person of Jesus! To neglect to use the gifts and prosperity God has provided for those in need is to neglect Jesus personally. Jesus does not care how often one goes to church, tithes, or reads or studies the Bible if those things do not lead one into service and servanthood. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, Then who can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Peter began to say to him, See, we have left everything and followed you. Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Mark 10:23-31 ESV) Jesus had just encountered the rich young ruler and told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor. The ruler choose to retain his riches rather than invest his life on the Kingdom of God. Jesus then told His disciples it is difficult for those who put their trust in their own sufficiency and riches to enter heaven. Having been men of some success themselves they were immediately concerned about their own salvation. After all Peter and Andrew had a fleet of ships, Matthew was a tax collector, Simon the Zealot was a mercenary. These were men who knew they way around the world of business! Jesus assuaged their concerns by first reminding them of the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. Second, He informed them, because of their dedication to fulfilling the call and ministry given by God, through Jesus, their resources would be virtually unlimited. They would receive a 100 fold return of their investment into Gods Kingdom. This return was not necessarily personal wealth or riches but the wealth of an endless supply of believers who would be prepared to meet their every need, especially during times of tribulation and persecution. Therefore, it is the will of God that believers share what they possess with other believers to provide support in times of need. And Jesus answered them, Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:22-24 ESV) It IS the will of God for believers to ALWAYS receive that which is petitioned of God. However, there are 3 spiritual laws that must be followed for this to occur. 1. No doubt - EVER! 2. No unforgiveness. 3. It must be declared aloud. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. (Mark 13:30-37 ESV) Gods will is that His word is eternal. This means it is consistent, fulfilling and accountable. It is also Gods will for believers to be aware of His return and to do those things He has commanded them to do until His return. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17, 18 ESV) All believers are to have these accompanying signs in their lives. These are the manifested works of Jesus being performed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue and enhance the ministry began by Jesus. For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37 ESV) Mary, shocked and surprised by the angelic announcement she would give birth to the Son of God, asked how this would be possible. Above is the angelic reply. It is the will of God for believers to remember, realize and comprehend the sovereignty of God over all His creations. With Him there is no such thing as an impossibility! Once the angel declared the Word of The Lord to Mary she said, And Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 ESV) Mary understood acceptance of the Word of the Lord brings the supernatural, transformation which begins the work of the Lord. Gods will is for believers to experience the transformational power of God so they can move forward to fulfilling His call in their daily spheres of influence. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:37, 38 ESV) The law of reciprocity has been in existence from the beginning. This deals with morality, forgiveness and prosperity. The giver (provider) receives exponentially more than that which they give. Look at the adjectives used in this verse as the blessing one receives by providing for another. Good measure - it is upright and honest. Pressed down - pressure is exerted to go beyond that which is expected. Shaken together - a vibrant action which fills in any gaps missed during pressing. Running over - an overflowing abundance, that which is significantly greater than expected. Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:47-49 ESV) Gods will for believers is that obedience prepares for victory. And he said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26 ESV) It is Gods will for believers to maintain Jesus as their #1 priority in life. The maintenance of this requires self denial for service to Jesus. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. To another he said, Follow me. But he said, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. And Jesus said to him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Yet another said, I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home. Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:57-62 ESV) Along with establishing Jesus as the # 1 priority of life, it is the will of God that those who enter into relationship with Him do so with full awareness of the cost of discipleship. If a person is seeking a life of ease and comfort with fewer problems, that is not found in Jesus. Jesus did not own His own house in which to sleep! Ministry and service takes precedence over anything or anyone else to whom one has in their life unless they need the ministry of Jesus brought into their lives. The lifestyle of the true believer is to move forward constantly from one person to another! NEVER stop serving. The only person qualified to live in the blessings of Gods Kingdom is one who approaches everyone in their spheres of influence with a servants heart filled with the love of God which will always be accompanied by the power of God. And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live. But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said, The one who showed him mercy. And Jesus said to him, You go, and do likewise. (Luke 10:27-37 ESV) Responsiveness based on compassion. Self-denial. Giving. Provision for current and future needs. Two religious leaders passed by the beaten man. They may have been concerned about ritualistic impurity or maybe they just did not want to get involved. Maybe they were going to even contact others better trained or equipped to respond to this mans circumstances. Whatever their reason, they passed by without doing anything to assist the man on the side of the road. Then there came a Samaritan. A person not accepted in Jewish society because of their mixed blood origins. This Samaritan, riding an unidentified animal, does not concern himself with letting someone else do it, or ritualistic impurities, sees this person through eyes of compassion and tends this persons wound, puts them on his mount, takes him to the nearest hotel, takes out an open line of credit and tells the hotel manager, anything he needs is to be charged to my account. He is not to be charged for anything! Ill pay his bill when I return! Gods will is to use the outcasts of society to meet the needs of others. Gods will is to be demonstrated by action and investment in the lives of others. And he said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within, Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:5-13 ESV) To receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit He must be asked for! Every believer has the Holy Spirit abiding in them at the time of their new birth but to receive the empowerment to continue the works and ministry of Jesus with power, one must come and ask for that endowment! God is always prepared to equip His Church but they must ask to be able to receive what God is ready to provide! And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. (Luke 12:11, 12 ESV) It is the will of God that believers receive personal power and revelation to testify if Jesus during difficult times. And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. (Luke 12:42-44 ESV) Gods will is for believers to be active in accomplishing what He has delegated them to accomplish in His absence. By doing that which He has delegated Jesus gives access to EVERYTHING He possesses and owns! Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, Woman, you are freed from your disability. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. Then the Lord answered him, You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. (Luke 13:10-17 ESV) It is the will of Jesus people be released from their disabilities! Jesus lived a life on earth only limited by time and physical space - there was NEVER a limitation of His power and authority unless it was limited by the faith of those He was ministering to. Once their faith joined with the faith of Jesus NOTHING was impossible! True Christianity is living according to the power and faith of Jesus to bring forth deliverance. He said also to the man who had invited him, When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God! But he said to him, A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for everything is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. And the servant said, Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room. And the master said to the servant, Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. (Luke 14:12-24 ESV) This passage reveals several aspects of Gods will for believers: 1. God s service has its own reward. Do not expect repayment from those you minister to. 2. Believers are to take the message of the Gospel to all. 3. The so called self sufficient person will be too involved with either their personal commitments or their personal possessions to respond. 4. Find the members of society searching for hope and bring them the message Jesus has for them. He is their Savior, their Savior and their Deliverer. It is God s will that the needs of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the disabled are met through the efforts of the Body of Jesus! God NEVER intended for this to be the role of government! It is time for the Body of Christ to combine all their resources to meet needs of these people as well as to bring them the love of Jesus, the power and authority of Jesus and the hope which leads to a circumstance changing faith. When the Church begins to truly manifest this aspect of Gods will becoming a reality there will be no more need for welfare, food stamps, social security, or other socially engineered programs because those who need the the fullness of Jesus more than any other will have EVERY need met through the complete and full operation of the Body of Christ. Jesus took a young boys lunch and fed over 5000! With millions of believers functioning in the fullness of His power there is no reason this miracle cannot be duplicated MILLIONS of times daily. Jesus went fishing to pay His taxes! God is our supply! God is sustainer! God is provider! It is time to demonstrate this same thing today as Jesus did during His ministry! There is one prayer which is to be brought before God continually - the prayer for justice against the enemies of God and His people! This is the only petition brought before God believers are to continually pray for. All other prayer is answered at the moment of the request! Mark 11:22-24. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my names sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my names sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:12-19 ESV) Gods will is that believers be so yielded to the Spirit of God that they are prepared to give testimony of Jesus in the midst of persecutions. As a matter of fact, in this passage Jesus said, THIS will be your opportunity to bear witness. Persecutions are part of the lives of believers. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV) From the time of the formation of Israel, the people of God have always suffered opposition. Part of this opposition was because, society, as envisioned by God, challenges conventional thought. Part of this opposition is due to the special relationship between those with whom He has an established covenant. Another part is because many refuse to acknowledge there is someone greater than themselves or greater than humanity in general. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12, 13 ESV) Gods will is that all who believe in Him and who receive His name become a part of the family of God! Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:13, 14 ESV) It is Jesus will that life has continual refreshing! He is the Source of eternal life received into the lives of believers that has a never ending supply! Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:21-24 ESV) It is Gods will that praise and worship is born from a sincerity of spirit and not a ritualistic formality. He is to be worshipped in spirit and truth. This can only occur when the Holy Spirit activates the spirit of believers to bring forth adoration to God for Who He is, what He has accomplished, and for the fellowship of believers which brings encouragement and empowerment. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:35-40 ESV) The will of God revealed through Jesus the Christ is 1) fellowship with Jesus, 2) eternal life and 3) experiencing the resurrection power of Jesus so believers will dwell with Him throughout eternity. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31, 32 ESV) Jesus will is that believers have an intimate relationship with Him through His Word. It is only by having this relationship that truth can be revealed. The revelation of Jesus and His Word brings about the only true freedom that humans can experience. This revelation brings forth freedom from: 1. The curse of sin 2. The sting of death 3. Condemnation This freedom, while uncovered by Scripture, is delivered and made a reality in believers by the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Godhead. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV) A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:5-11 ESV) Gods will for believers is intimacy and recognition of His voice. By engaging in an intimate understanding of Who Jesus is, what He has done and following His direction and guidance believers are protected from loss, lack and destruction. But ever more than that they are promised a life of overflowing supply and abundance. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10 AMP) If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26 ESV) It is Gods will for believers to receive honor because of their service to the mission of Christ. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. (John 13:20 ESV) It is Gods will for believers to operate in the progressive and delegated authority granted the through Jesus, the Son and God the Father. In this passage, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. As part of this preparation He informs them that, when they, as His disciples spread the message of the Gospel, it would be just as if He had delivered the message Himself, in person! He said, whoever receives the one I send, receives me! Believers of Jesus the Christ are the physical manifestations of Jesus in the world today! Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14 ESV) First, for those who think this applies only to the disciples, I say, read carefully! Jesu addressed this to WHOEVER believes in me will do the works that I do; and greater than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. This promise is to all believers throughout eternity! Second, greater means greater in kind as well as quantity. Third, He has given all believers the right to His name! Fourth, it is His will for every need of life to me met by the Name so the Father is glorified and others can experience the power, provision, prosperity and providence of God actively in their lives! To not live according to these standards is to voluntarily abdicate ones rights or to not understand ones rights! Either results in a Church not abiding in the revealed will of God! If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15 ESV) The love of Jesus manifested through the lives of believers, drives one to service to others and obedience to Gods commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16, 17 ESV) Gods will is that believers develop a progressive relationship with the Holy Spirit. During their time with Jesus the disciples experienced the withness of the the Holy Spirit. Just like the prophets of old, the Holy Spirit would come upon them for a specific purpose at a given time. They did not have the Holy Spirit abiding in them so they could be powerfully equipped to perform the miraculous at any given moment. This would change when they would experience a third progressive relationship with the Holy Spirit: baptism with power to be witnesses for Jesus with signs following. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:20 ESV) Gods will is for believers to experience unification of essence with Jesus the Christ. The identification of believers is Jesus the Christ. Believers are to united to Jesus to same exact proportion as Jesus is united to the Father and Jesus is to His disciples! Read that scripture again - In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:20 ESV) Believers are to understand the oneness and unity of God and Christ. (I am in my Father), the oneness and unity of the believer to Christ, (you in me) and the indwelling of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (I in you). But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV) It is Gods will the Holy Spirit provides believers wisdom and knowledge in all things! With the Holy Spirit as the instructor ignorance is no excuse because ignorance is a voluntary choice either through disbelief or refusal to accept the knowledge and wisdom God has ready for believers to manifest in their lives. Believers should ALWAYS be the top of their field because they have access to all the knowledge and wisdom of God through the Holy Spirit! For those who believe this applies only to spiritual knowledge and wisdom there are scriptural examples which prove otherwise. And in EVERY MATTER of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them TEN TIMES better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:20 ESV) Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord , she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered ALL her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. (1 Kings 10:1-3 ESV) The man GAVE NAMES to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. (Genesis 2:20 ESV) Daniel and the other Hebrew youth were the most knowledgeable of all those who served the king of Babylon; Solomon answered all the hard questions of the Queen of Sheba. I have no doubt she consulted her advisors for their most difficult questions so she could try to disprove his vaunted knowledge and wisdom. Instead, he answered EVERY question completely and accurately! Adam named EVERY animal! At this point Adam had not entered into disobedience and sin. He had perfect knowledge similar that of what is be experienced by believers today. He had knowledge enough to know how every creature should be known! If these persons, who could not live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, had the knowledge to surpass trained persons in areas of academics, science and government, why should believers, who have the fullness of the Holy Spirit available to them do any less? Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. (John 14:21 ESV) It is the will of Jesus to manifest Himself in the lives of those who follow His commandments in obedience. Look at the definition of manifest from Strongs. Emphanizo - from emphanes (STRONG_G1717); to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words):--appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify. Jesus will is for Him to declare Himself plainly to believers so they can operate in His stead throughout the world to accomplish His mission! Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV) Jesus will is that those who follow and obey Him have the overwhelming peace that can only come through a supernatural source. This is a peace that maintains calm in the most turbulent of times. It is that sense of understanding God is in control and that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1-11 ESV) It is the will of Jesus that believers are so assimilated with Jesus that they have the same unity as a branch to the vine. One can only be distinguished from the other when separated. Remember, it is the branches that bring forth the fruit for the harvest. Jesus is the vine or conduit by which the nutrients are sent to the branches so the Kingdom will experience growth and prosperity. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:27 ESV) It is the will of Jesus that the more intimately one gets to know Jesus, the greater their witness of Him. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13 ESV) It is the will of Jesus that believers receive special revelation of Jesus and His Word through the person of the Holy Spirit I interacting with them. Scripture tells, the Holy Spirit reveals and enlightens! He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:14 ESV) It is the will of Jesus though that believers move beyond revelation to possession! The Holy Spirit takes everything possessed by Jesus and gives it to those who have entered into covenant with Him. Revelation without action = inadequacy! Jesus wants believers first to know Him and His Words, submit to the teaching and revelation of who He is and the move out to take hold and act on the possessions of Jesus the Christ. This means believers are to go forth in the love and power to the same degree as Jesus during His ministry. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (John 16:23 ESV) It is the will of Jesus that believers have complete power of attorney to use His name when petitioning God the Father. This means, believers have the same right and responsibility as Jesus Himself to use His name. Whenever believers use this name, without doubting, they WILL receive whatever they ask of God! Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24 ESV) It is the will of Jesus one receives their answer to prayer for the purpose of receiving and living in fullness of joy. Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is the result of happenstance. It is based on circumstances and as such can be extremely fickle. Joy is that inner quality of peace that regardless of circumstances God is in control and there in nothing external to my life that can dominion. Joy understands that even in the midst of disaster God has a plan and will work everything to good and to His glory. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 ESV) Hard times are coming. They always do! It is His will for believers to experience the confidence of Gods power especially when facing oppositional spiritual forces. Jesus has already defeated these foes! Therefore, peace should belong to all believers because any opposition or foes to be faced have already been defeated by Jesus! They only have the power ceded to them by believers not receiving that which Jesus has delegated them to walk in! And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:11, 20-23 ESV) It is the will of Jesus all believers have the same unity and anointing with Him as did the Apostles! He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (John 21:6 ESV) It is the will of Jesus believers receive the reality of His promise through obedience!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 01:09:50 +0000
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