The Melchizedek Priesthood

.....We as Christians today are called to the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood, in Hebrews 7. A Kingdom consisting of Righteousness, (right standing with God) and Peace, (reconciliation with God). We have been born again, having no father, mother, earthly heritage, or genealogy. A new birth in Christ, having no beginning of days nor end of life. No longer based on the Law of fleshly or carnal commandments, but according to the power of an endless life, Eternal Life. This is accomplished by an anulling of the former commandments through a supreme sacrifice, and a bringing in of a better hope, which is Christ. He alone is the surety of a better Covenant made by the Finished Work of the Cross, establishing better promises, through which we draw near to God. This hope (Christ) is set before us and is an anchor of the soul which allows us the presence behind the veil. Jesus is the forerunner to which more will follow through His appearing in us. This is the true tabernacle, or dwelling place which God originally erected, through His Son. The New Jerusalem will be raised and manifest itself in a people, not a place today.

.....Some of the characteristics of the Royal Priesthood manifesting itself are listed below...

They bear God's mark.

They hear what God is saying and pursue it.

They don't praise their praise.

They don't revel in their Revelation.

They are not possessed by their possessions.

Their speech is different.

They are more interested in Christ and in God, than a move of God.

When God moves, they don't just see the move, they are in it because they are in Him.

Their wrestling with God becomes realization through the Wisdom, Revelation, and Knowledge of the Finished Work of the Cross, and the result is rest as they realize their place in Him.

.....This ultimately gives us a true understanding through a relationship with our Heavenly Father, and leads to a freedom to walk in the Spirit, producing an alternative way of thinking, and a clear sounding word, by a renewing of the mind. We need to realize that we are Ambassadors for Christ, representing His Kingdom being established on this earth, through the Power and Authority given to us in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names.

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Water Turned To Wine

.....I would like to reveal some spiritual truths from this physical picture that is represented in this passage of scripture in John 2: 1 - 11. On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing 20 or 30 gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, "Fill the water-pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

.....All throughout scripture, Christ is either concealed or revealed in pictures, shadows, or types. Let's first note that Jesus was at a wedding. A celebration of a covenant ceremony being established between a bride and a groom. The two becoming one before God, an example of man's soul in union with man's spirit. It was not His wedding, for He says, "My time has not yet come."

.....Jesus spoke to His mother as a woman and referring in type to the soul -- mind, will, and emotions. When the soul decides to accept whatever Jesus (the Truth) has to say and do in faith and obedience, to the Word of God, (which is the water), the miracle then takes place. This is represented by the water being poured into the 6 stone vessels, ( 6 being the number of man, stone represents man under the Law, and the vessels which represents the place of which the treasure is to be stored). The miracle is the wine, (which is the joy), that is produced from the revelation of what is true of it.

.....Jesus could have supplied more wine in any number of ways, but it was done this way for the spiritual lessons to be drawn out of this passage of scriptures. He also could just as easily filled the pots Himself, yet He chose servants to share in the work and also share in the blessing of this miracle. The same way He used to disciples back then, and the same way He uses us today. What a great God we serve! The servants, those that were under the direction and submission of Jesus, were in a unique place of blessing for this miracle. Jesus is always looking for the cooperation of men to work His miracles through.

.....The miracle came about because of the servant's obedience to Jesus, obeying the Word without question or dought. They filled the pots to the brim, and by doing so the miracle was fullfilled in the greatest measure possible. The servants then placed their faith in Jesus by drawing some of the contents out of the pots and presenting it to the master of the feast, who would represent God for us today.

.....This passage is actually a spiritual lesson revealing the miracle of conversion, from the old ways under the of Law, ceremony, and purification to a new life with Jesus. We can draw 3 spiritual truths from this passage...

Wine came after the water, just as the new covenant came after the old covenant.

Wine was from water, just as the new covenant is from the old covenant.

The wine was better than the previous wine, just as the new covenant is better than the old covenant.

.....In closing, we were given a hint from John that Jesus' glory would show forth on the third day, (the Resurrection of Christ). And His disciples would believe in Him when they had seen His glory. The disciples of course believed before, but after the Resurrection, their belief would be deepened. This is also true in our own lives, every time God does something great in our lives, we believe in Him all over again and our relationship and beliefs are deepened through the Revelation, Wisdom, and Knowledge of Christ.

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PROJECT: F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

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.....The primary objective of Freedom In Christ Ministries, Inc. is to create a Faith-based program that is specifically designed to support exceptionally innovative, original and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new or challenge existing scientific paradigms. The Ministry’s goal is to create a National, and then an International program, using this one as the model to pilot others by which to impact the Nation and the World in its unique approaches.

.....Our Ministry clearly articulates all of these issues:

(1) The fundamental issues of behavioral change and its overarching importance to the biomedical/behavioral enterprise.

(2) The development of this program will either establish new or disrupt existing paradigms.

(3) Propose rationale approaches that significantly differ from state of the art in the field.

.....This Christian Discipleship Program is designed to provide a more flexible and engaging avenue for support of investigators, proving this concept, and implementing truly transformative ideas, creating a Complete Program, consisting of True Behavioral Change.

.....The Christian Discipleship Program will reflect ideas substantially different from mainstream concepts being pursued in the investigator’s laboratory or elsewhere.

Project: F.R.E.E.D.O.M. – Fully Renouncing Every Dominion Over Man


Understanding and Facilitating Human Behavior Change

.....Behavior change is critical to the prevention, management, and treatment of many important health conditions. However, the initiation and maintenance of behavior change can be very difficult, and even those interventions that succeed in controlled clinical trials do not always scale well. Transformative advances in the science of behavior change, especially those that can unify disease-specific efforts, are urgently needed. In response to this challenge, Freedom In Christ Ministries, Inc. proposes a complete program and working model in the understanding of basic mechanisms of behavior change at the biological, behavioral and social levels and developing innovative approaches to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of some major societal problems,- drugs, alcohol, crime, prostitution, depression, homelessness, and poverty. To date, the ministry has taken the time to develop from the gathering of research, and the collection of data over the years to create a new and innovative way to deal with these issues. This Faith-based ministry has gone to great lengths to assess the project, mission, and goals of addressing Life-controlling issues, and also develop a forward an exciting way to reach out to our community at-large through our services.
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OUR GLORIOUS BODY!

.....Our natural body was dead spiritually. Sown in it was corruption, dishonor, and weakness. We were made of dust, and under it a force of sin, in which the result or penalty was death. No life was able to be produced from this seed planted within us, through the separation between us and God. The seed of death produced death, that of its own kind. But through the perfect death, The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, we have another seed planted within us, today. A seed containing Incorruption, Glory, and Power. A spiritual seed, producing a spiritual body from a Life-giving Spirit. The nature of this seed is to bear the image of the heavenly man, Christ in us. This is not task, although we labor in the Word of God, tending to the seed, watering, weeding, pruning it as it produces a life that it was designed to do. Seeing that in the Seed's Death, Christ Life is produced and the harvest of the fruit is inevitable for which the seed was designed, producing good fruit. Opening up our minds by Faith to see who we really are and what we are, maturing, and growing up to be. The whole process starts from the inside out. First the spirit, then the soul, and then the body, each part giving itself up to a death process to produce the Resurrection Life of which the seed was designed to do. Forming the Body of Christ. Eventually the corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality, resulting in the destruction of physical death itself. A true picture and manifestation of the Transfiguration. Seeing ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ through a Revelation of the Finished Work of the Cross.

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WHY DID JESUS WEEP?

.....The passage of scripture in John 11: 1-44, is the story about Lazarus being raised from the dead. It also contains the shortest verse in the whole Bible, John 11: 35, "Jesus wept." May I share with you today a little bit of Revelation received from God through my personal studies about why Jesus wept.

.....One of Jesus' best friends, Lazarus, was sick. Mary and Martha sent someone to go and find Jesus. Yet when Jesus heard the news, He remained where he was for two extra days before coming. He told his disciples, (John 11: 4) "This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God, that the Son of God maybe Glorified through it." The story was an example of God's Divine Sovereignty in the midst of human suffering demonstrating His Purpose and Grace through His Son Jesus. Jesus explained in John 11: 9 - 10 that His orders came from His Father and His relationship with His Father determined His actions. He went on to explain to the disciples in John 11: 11, that Lazarus, His friend, was only asleep and He would go and wake him. Lazarus represents the Church today, not dead but asleep, needing a Revelation of Jesus to awaken them today. Jesus finally arrived in Bethany and Lazarus had now been inthe tomb for 4 days. At this point, Martha and Mary both confronted Him when He showed up and each said, "Lord, if You had only been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus told them that their brother would rise again, but they did not understand what He meant by this. So He tried to explain to them further in John 11: 25 - 26, saying, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die." Then He asked Martha if she believed this, and she said in John 11: 27, "Yes, Lord, I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. Jesus then groaned in the Spirit and was troubled when He saw Mary and the Jews that were with her crying. He asked them where they had laid him. And then He wept.

.....My question today is why did Jesus weep and who did He weep for?

.....He could not have been weeping for Lazarus, for three reasons:

.....1. Lazarus was asleep.

.....2. This sickness was not unto death, but for the Glory of God, so that the Son of God maybe Glorified through it.

.....3. Whoever believes in Me shall never die, he shall live.

.....You see at this point it struck me why He wept, and who He wept for. Jesus was weeping for Mary, Martha, and all the Jews (the people), not for Lazarus. Follow me back in time for moment.

.....In 2 Peter 3: 8 its says, "One day with the Lord is as 1000 years, and 1000 years is as one day." From the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden and their fall, to the fulfillment of all the Prophecies of the Messiah coming was 4000 years. Hence, the reason Jesus waited 4 days to go and see Lazarus. Lazarus in a way represented all of Mankind, God's creation that was in a fallen state, sick, dying under the curse, and separated from God, because of the force of Sin being released upon the Earth.

.....So here was the Messiah, the Christ, who came into this world to make things right again, and reconcile man back to God, fulfilling the Law, standing there before them and yet they still doubted and could not believe. This is truly why He wept. Jesus had been with Mary, Martha, the Disciples, and the Jews at this point for a few years, doing many miracles before them and shared many things with them and yet they still could not understand. You see, in the presence of the Messiah the Law is fulfilled, the curse is reversed, and death had no power or right to hold Lazarus in the tomb. Jesus was trying to show them it was only temporal and not eternal upon the completion of the Finished Work of the Cross.

.....In John 11: 38 Jesus went to the tomb and a stone was laying against it. The stone represented an obstacle, the bondage, those things that stand in our way to believing in the Word of God. Jesus told them to remove the stone. Yet they questioned Jesus saying, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for Lazarus has been dead for 4 days." Jesus then asked them about their Faith in John 11: 40 when He said, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see Glory of God? (Life in Christ- F.R.E.E.D.O.M.-Fully Renouncing Every Evil Dominion Over Man.) They then removed the stone. Jesus then lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing here before Me, I have said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Jesus then cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" Showing that the Messiah, and the Word of God spoken, brings forth Life. Lazarus then came out, bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. (Walking toward the Light, The Truth, Taking little steps.) Jesus said to those around him, "Loose him, and let him go." Signifying that those around him, now believers from seeing the Miracle, had a part in helping to set the captives free. This is the responsibility of the Church today. The Body of Christ.
.......................Whom the Son Sets Free, is Free Indeed!

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The Three "Wise" Men

.....With Christmas coming, we are all going to hear the story about of the three wise men. I asked God to show me why he called the men "Wise". So I wish to share it with you this Christmas as we celebrate the true meaning of the Holiday, and that is the birth of Jesus.

.....Matthew 2: 2-12..." Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So then they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determine from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: (Caspar gave) Gold, (Melchior gave) Frankincense, and (Balthasar gave) Myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way."

.....From this passage I would like you to notice that there are three different groups or types of men to be found in regard to Jesus. There are the Herod's, they are the ones of hatred and hostility and would forever be interfering with His life. There are the chief priests and scribes, the ones whose reaction would be of complete indifference, engrossed in their rituals, legalistic ways and discussions, completely disregarding Jesus. And there are the wise men, those whose reaction would be of adoring and worshiping, having a true and pure desire to lay their noble gifts at the feet of Jesus.

.....Let's concentrate on why God called the three men wise. First of all, these men were Astrologers and able to interpret through the Holy Spirit the star which was a sign to the birth of the "King of the Jews," Jesus. Melchior meant "Treasurer", Caspar meant "Visitor from the East", and Balthasar meant " All Praise." Imagine, visitors from the East bringing treasures and praise to a new king. The unique thing about these men is that they were continually looking up to the heavens, and God revealed Himself to them. (A message of that in itself could mean alot to us in our own lives. If we would just quit looking around ourselves at all of our circumstances and just look up and focus on Him, and the Joy that it would bring.) They then set aside everything in their life to go and pay homage to this great and joyous occasion. So they followed the star which led them to the New and True King, bringing with them each a unique gift, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

.....The gifts the wise men laid at the cradle of Christ fortold that who He was to be, and each represented something very special about Jesus' life. Gold was the gift for a king. King of metals and fit for a king, a gift that men presented to kings. Jesus was to reign, not by force, but by love. He was to rule over men's hearts, not from a throne, but from a Cross. The King of kings. Frankincense was the gift for a priest. It was used in the temple and at the temple sacrifices. Jesus was to be the priest or go-between between God and men, opening the way to God for men. The last gift was Myrrh, which was a burial spice used to embalm the bodies of the dead, and was given for one that was to die. So in a way prophetically speaking, the gifts each represented the true callings on Jesus' life. The True King. the Perfect High Priest, and in the end, the Supreme Sacrifice and Savior of men.

.....And that's why the three men were called wise in God's eyes. Jesus came into the world to live for men and also to die for men. These wise men had received a Revelation of the Christ from God through the Holy Spirit, through a relationship with the Lord. May you share this with others this Holiday Season, and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Paul's Thorn

.....Have you ever wondered what Paul's thorn was, or why he had it. I've been meditating on this in my personal studies and would like to share it with you today. Let's start by looking at the Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 12:7 says "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of Revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me (an assault of the enemy). Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in the infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

.....The communication Paul had with God in this instance was an expression denoting fear. An intense wearying, difficulty, or affliction that bothered him enough to ask God for help. God was overseeing the entire process. So that Paul would forever rely on God and not think of himself as a god from the Revelations he was receiving. The thorn represented the curse noted in Genesis 3:18. This is also revealed in Isaiah 55:12-13 and says "For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace, (God's Joy and Peace). The mountains and the hills ( those things that stand in your way, obstacles), shall break forth into singing (the Joy of the Lord) before you, and all the trees (men) of the field (where the Harvest is) shall clapped their hands (Praise God). Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree (strong men of God, out of the curse, bearing good fruit); and it shall be to the Lord for a name (Jesus), an everlasting sign it shall not be cut off." This symbolically depicts creations (man's) joy at God's redemptive work, the reign of Christ, in Luke 2:13-14, and creation itself being delivered from the bondage of corruption in Romans 8:21.

.....The thorn ultimately served a good purpose, teaching Paul of the overcoming grace, (unmerited favor), of God which was always enough in his own weakness. Note that God did not remove the thorn or indicate that He was upset at Paul for asking and pleading for its removal. God actually responded differently than that in which Paul prayed and expected. Paul ultimately realized that whenever Satan buffets him, either directly as a destructive adversary or indirectly as God's controlled agent, (as with Job) it was always to bring about character development. God's character. That is why all things work for the good of God.

.....So Paul boasted in his infirmities because of the grace in which he received through the understanding of the Finished Work of the Cross, (Christ). God's strength was sufficient enough to enable him to continue in his Apostolic ministry and calling. Nothing could or would stop him to cease serving God. And that is why he was able to take pleasure when he felt personally weak. He had a Revelation that he was strong in Christ.

.....Proverbs 22:5 says "Thorns and snares are in a way of the perverse; but he who guards his soul (mind, will, and emotions,) will be far from them." Life is always in inner battle within the soul. A constant conflict between the demands of passion and the control of reason. I am dead but Christ lives in me. I must renew my mind through the Word of God to the Truth. Bringing about inner perfection, (Salvation of the Soul) and victory. This must be done by relationship not religion.

.....In John 19:2 its says "The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His (Jesus') head." We know from earlier Scriptures that the thorns represented the curse. And it being placed on his head represents the war that encompasses the mind (the battle within). Jesus took those things that we war against in our minds to the Cross and replaced it with Peace. In John 14:27 its says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as a world gives (a false sense) do I give you. Let your heart be not troubled, neither let it be afraid." This is the peace that surpasses all understanding. For He himself is our Peace. ( Ephesians 2:14)

.....We must see ourselves Crucified with Christ and Him living in us. He alone can enable us to rise to the standard which He himself has set before us. This is the peace we have by Faith. (Romans 5:1) No matter what thorns, (physical, mental, or spiritual) trials or tribulations we may have in our own lives.
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