January 2016 Spirit Food

This month, let’s focus on God being for us!

Romans 8:31 - What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

The apostle Paul was writing to the church in Rome providing them with encouragement, pointing out that they were more than conquerors through Jesus their Redeemer.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

The word “so” in the above speaks of intensity. God loves his man/mankind so much that he gave His only Son (the Son that He loved) to Redeem His man!

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Jesus died on the cross paying the price for all of mankinds sin – past, present and future! When Jesus stated “finished” on the cross, all of mankind’s sins were paid for, forever!

John 3:17- For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

There are many people in this world that do not have a good opinion of God. Why? Most of it is a result of bad spiritual teaching. People have been told various things over the years; but the fact is: God is Love!

1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.

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

Jesus came to earth as a man, born of a virgin, without blood tainted by sin. Jesus lived on this earth as a man free of sin. This is why Jesus was able to withstand the punishment He took from God, upon Himself, after He accepted all of mankind’s sin by faith. Understand that God is a just God, and according to His Word in Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The blood (untainted blood) of a man on this earth had to be shed; .to pay for the wages of sin for all mankind.

Mankind’s part is to accept and receive by faith that this happened. When a person believes this, and understands that the Creator of the Universe desires to have a personal relationship with each individual on this earth, it enables God to richly bless each individual!

Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Did you ever imagine what two birds sitting on a branch or overhead line might be thinking? Maybe two birds observing human passers-by, rushing from one place to another and observing the looks on their human faces – might communicate, one bird asking the other, “Why is mankind so full of worries and cares?” The other bird responding, “Maybe they don’t have a Heavenly Father like we do.”

Perhaps one of the reasons the Lord made birds is to show us that we are of more value than many birds put together. In Matthew 10:29, Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?” Then, in Luke 12:6, He said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?” If you do the math, you will realize that these sparrows are so cheap that you can buy four of them for two copper coins, and you get one thrown in for free!

Sparrows are common creatures. Yet, not even one of these cheap birds falls to the ground without the Father’s knowledge. (Matthew 10:29) Not one of them is forgotten before Him. (Luke 12:6) So will He forget you who are of more value than all these birds put together?

We need to comprehend that in Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, and the riches of God's grace. We need to change our thoughts to having a good opinion of God. Enable the eyes of our heart to be enlightened to know His plan for the life to which he has called you; and the riches of his glorious inheritance! This isn’t just a one time decision; this is a daily ongoing conscious lifestyle mindset. Right believing results in right living.

God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you—“like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalms 1:3). So see yourself like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in your season. See yourself as one who will not wither, whose health will not fail. See whatever you do prospering!

Have the vision of the Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, being for you and not against you. That He is constantly looking for opportunities to bless you! That you are a joint heir with Jesus and through Him, you have access to all God has! Not just your temporal needs while you’re on this earth, but your desires also! When you are believing right, you won’t be desiring things inappropriate because you’ll be walking daily in a relationship with Him; and He’ll just be looking for ways to bless you! That vision is always a good vision. Our Heavenly Father is so full of love for us that He will even bless you when you “miss the mark”. Romans 2:4 indicates: His kindness, tolerance and patience, leads you to repentance (not to act with such pretentious behavior, attempting to depend on your own “self righteousness” and believe the good news, by the changing of your mind), and to build a closer relationship with Him. Whenever you see your situation through God’s eyes, you will find that your situation will change because when you see as He sees, you allow Him to work as the Almighty in your life!

Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When you focus on your negative circumstances, the bad things that are happening in the world, and the carnal nature of mankind; the possibility exists for you to become “earth-sick” in your “earth-suit”, because of the stress such focus can induce upon your body’s system. Instead, acknowledge what is happening and let the Holy Spirit lead and/or direct you. If you are to have a part in the circumstance (for possible corrective action) God will supply the resources. Follow His leading, and roll the care/worry of the circumstance over onto Jesus. Keep your focus on the unshakable, eternal Word of God. Your heart will become stable and you will see God supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!

As we move forward into 2016, focus daily on your relationship with your Heavenly Father, and believe He is a Giver and a Restorer. Receive the blessings that He has made freely available to you out of the riches of His grace, and through the cross of Christ Jesus. As you do this by faith (right believing that God is a Good God, and He is for you), may you experience greater joy, hope, restoration, healing, and provision than you have ever experienced before!