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Matthew 13:1-11,18-23
[1] The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. [2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. [3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. [10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

There are four types of ground that the seed of the Word of God can fall on every time it comes forth. Our heart is the ground. Meaning , there are four conditions our heart can be in. What determines the harvest of your life is the condition of your heart.

The wayside: The side of the road. The wayside is a neglected catchall. Everything can go there and theres no discernment about whats planted. The seed cannot get into this ground because it is hard. In life, we may get a hard heart because we’ve had so much trash thrown at us. When hard times come, ask the Lord to help you from a hard heart. Nothing can be sown into a hard heart.

Stony ground: No roots can grow deep in stony ground because theres not a lot of life-giving soil. If our heart is shallow, or maybe in the process of getting hardened from something difficult we’ve endured, nothing can flourish. If we receive the Word with joy, but quit easily, thats a stony heart.

Thorny ground: When we receive the Word, but there’s so many other weeds and thorns, they will choke out the Word. We don’t even have to plant weeds. All you have to do is look away for a day and they pop up. If you don’t tend your garden carefully, the weeds will take over and choke out everting else.

Matthew 13:10-11
[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

When you have an understanding of the seed of the Word it can produce fruit.

1 Kings 3:5-14
[5] In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

Matthew 13:5,20-21
[5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Matthew 13:7,22
[7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Tradition of man has caused the Word to have no effect.

Good ground produces the fruit of the Spirit.

Good ground doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by hearing God’s Word and give it weight.

Pay attention to what you speak.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 13:8-9,23
[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Gods word will soften a hard heart.

Plant the good seed of God’s Word in your heart.

Revelation 3:20-22
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Galatians 5:16-17
[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Amos 3:3– Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

To “walk in the Spirit” is to walk in agreement with The Spirit and the Word of God.

John 6:63
1 John 5:7
God is in rhythm with His Spirit and His Word.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 describes true biblical peace- where one is whole spiritually, mentally and physically.

Psalm 46:10
[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Exodus 14:10-14
[10] And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord . [11] And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? [12] Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. [13] And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. [14] The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Be still. Don’t make decisions based on emotions.

The plot of the enemy should drive you to the presence of God!

When you are in touch with your problem, you will get out of step and rhythm God.

Whatever you allow to be the number one priority in your life will control everything else that follows. Make getting in rhythm with God your number one priority.

2 Chronicles 20:15-18 & 21
[15] And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. [16] To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. [17] Ye shall not need to fight in this battle : set yourselves, stand ye still , and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.[18] And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord , worshipping the Lord . [21] And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord , and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord ; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

It’s not our job to fight. We don’t need to try and make God right or His Word good. It is our job to know what He said and rest it that! The enemy should never phase your praise.

2 Chronicles 20:27-30
[27] Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. [28] And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord . [29] And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. [30] So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

Matthew 13:3-9
[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:18-19
[18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Genesis 3- the enemy’s objective is to challenge the Word of God and make you doubt it so that it isn’t sown in your heart.

Gods Word will not return void.

Death will separate your soul from the will and opinion of others.

Its good to study God’s Word keeping in mind three things:
Creation
The fall of man
Redemption

Genesis 2:16-17
[16] And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: [17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:1-5
[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Our enemy is very stealthy and he will try to convince you that something is your own thought, desire or your own idea.

2 Corinthians 4:4

The way the enemy keeps us in the darkness is by convincing us that we are not in the darkness.

Isaiah 5:13
[13] Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Isaiah 14:12-20
[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. [16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; [17] That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? [18] All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. [19] But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. [20] Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

Luke 22:31-32
[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Job 1:7-8
[7] And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord , and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. [8] And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Psalm 84:4
[4] Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

Selah – means to pause and to think about what was just said.

Some of us are not healthy because we do not have a pause in our lives.

Matthew 14:23
[23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Jesus, the Son of God, needed a time away meditate and pray. If He needed it, so do we.

Mark 1:12-13,35,45
[12] And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. [13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. [35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. [45] But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Mark 6:31,45-47
[31] And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. [45] And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. [46] And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. [47] And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

Mark 9:2
[2] And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

You can’t have peace with God if you don’t spend time with Him.

Jesus was effective in His public ministry because of His discipline in His private time with God.

Luke 5:15-16
[15] But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. [16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Psalm 46:10
[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

If you are constantly going, and never pause to rest, you’ll experience chaos. Its the pause that creates the rhythm. There can be no rhythm in your life when there is not withdraw.

John 6:63

John 3:6-8
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Jesus equates the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives to the wind. You can’t physically see the wind, but you can see the affects of where it has been. When the trees rustle, you can tell the wind is moving. In the same way, you may not physically see the Holy Spirit, but the effects of Him moving in our lives should be evident.

Always enquire of the Lord, even if you know something is a good thing. Rhythm is about not only doing the right thing, but doing it at the right time.

God has many different ways of doing something. Sometimes we tend to put Him in a box, and expect that He will accomplish something the same way He did it in the past. Just because God did something one way last time doesn’t mean He will do it the same way this time.

2 Samuel 5:17-19,22-25 
[17] But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it , and went down to the hold. [18] The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [19] And David enquired of the Lord , saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. [22] And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [23] And when David enquired of the Lord , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. [24] And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. [25] And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

David asked the Lord if he should go down to battle the Philistines. God told him to go. David defeated the Philistines. When they gathered together again in the valley, David asked God again if he should go. This time, God gave a different response. He told David to come at the Philistines from a different angle. David was instructed to wait and whenever he would hear the trees moving, then he could go boldly, knowing that God was with him.  Both the first and the second time David was victorious, but God used two different approaches.

It is important that we don’t limit God in thinking He will accomplish something only one way. Don’t have your eyes so fixed on the door that you miss the God of the open window. We must have regular times to rest so that we can stay in rhythm with God and know how He wants us to move in the moment.

 

Matthew 13:37-40
[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one ; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Culture is based on what is being sown. We should look like a culture of the Kingdom of God.

Ask yourself whose culture you will represent.  What seed is being sown in your life?

God wants the harvest (culture) that He gave to be celebrated.

James 5:7-8
[7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. [8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 John 2:14-17
[14] I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The enemy seeks to sow an ungodly seed that will yield a culture that celebrates satan and the world. It is the opposite of God’s Kingdom.

Revelation 22:17
[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Three questions to ask yourself:
Am I in harmony with God?
Am I at peace within?
Am I at peace with man?

Mark 4:9-13
[9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. [10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. [11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: [12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. [13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

You can do the right thing, but do it at the wrong time, and not get the right result.

You can know God told you to do something, but did he tell you when to do it?  Be sure to stay in tune and rhythm with God. Knowing when He wants you to do something is just as important and knowing what He wants you to do.

You have to be in God’s presence to walk in rhythm with Him.

The quality of your life will never go beyond the quality of your relationships. This is just as true as it applies to your relationship with God.

You can’t expect to walk in rhythm with God if you never take the time to pause and listen to His cadence (or His beat and rhythm).

John 6:38
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

If we allow it, man, and the demands of life,  will get us out of rhythm with God.

John 12:49-50
[49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 7:3-6,8-10
[3] His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. [4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. [5] For neither did his brethren believe in him. [6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. [8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. [9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. [10] But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Be in rhythm with God- not the World.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
[23] And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Romans 5:1
Isaiah 57

If we are walking in God’s Rhythm, and in His will, we will have:

Peace with God
Peace within
Peace with Man

True peace with God will affect you spiritually, mentally and physically.

Romans 12:2
1 Corinthians 6

You don’t have a rhythm without rest. The pause, or the rest, sets the rhythm. Without it, its just noise.

Revelation 22:17
[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The Holy Spirit is setting the rhythm. The church is meant to get in rhythm with the Spirit so that others can get in rhythm with the Spirit as the church echoes Him.

Amos 3:3
[3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Galatians 5:16-17…walk in the Spirit

Amos 3:8
[8] The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

Everything God created has a rhythm. You cannot and will not find true peace and wholeness in your life if you are not in Rhythm with God.

Who is setting the rhythm and pace of your life?  Do you have time set aside to have a relationship with God?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Don’t get in any covenant that hinders you from walking in rhythm with God.

John 6:38
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

**Some things cannot come into your life until you get a Rhythm.

If we aren’t in rhythm with God, we will not be at peace within. If we aren’t at peace within, we wont be whole, and will be trying to get from man what only God can give us. Therefore we wont be at peace with man.

John 12:49-50
[49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

If I am walking in Rhythm with God, I will be at:
Peace with God
Peace within
Peace with Man

Ephesians 2:1-3

[1] And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Verses 1-3 portray us before salvation.

John 17:1-3
[1] These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: [2] As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. [3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Ephesians 2:7

Eternal life begins the moment you are saved…not when we die. Thats just the transition point between here and heaven.

Eternal life is to know God, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. (John 17:3)

John 17:8-21
[8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them , and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. [9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. [10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. [11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are . [12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. [13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. [14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. [20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Daniel 6…example of being in the world but not of it.

John 7:4-7
[4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. [5] For neither did his brethren believe in him. [6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. [7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

John 3:19-21
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Isaiah 5:20-21
[20] Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [21] Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Malachi 2:17
[17] Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him ? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord , and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Hebrews 11:1-3
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report. [3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

John 1:3
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary uses scripture to define words. It defines the word “universe” as all that God has created. It is made of two words, “uni” meaning one, and “verse” meaning word.  God used the power of faith, contained in His Word,  to frame, or put together, the universe.  Romans 1 tells us that God reveals himself through His creation.

God is glorified in His finished work.

God is glorified in the manifestation of His Word.

Hebrews 1:1-3
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Take time to pause, to cease and celebrate all the ways that God has manifested His Word in your life. Take inventory of your life and give God Glory!!!

There is enough faith in God’s Word to bring itself to manifestation.

Romans 10:17
Romans 10:8
Isaiah 55:11

Joshua 6:1-3
[1] Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went tout, and none came in. [2] And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. [3] And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

See and envision what God has said.

Joshua 6:4-10
[4] And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. [5] And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. [6] And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord . [7] And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord . [8] And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord , and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. [9] And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. [10] And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

Joshua 6:14-16
[14] And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days. [15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. [16] And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.

You will see what God said!!!

Matthew 17:1-4
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, [2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. [3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. [4] Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Jesus took them apart and was transfigured. They saw Jesus in a way they had never seen Him before, because they were willing to take time away to spend with Him. Jesus wants to  reveal Himself to us in a way we’ve never seen Him before, but we have to be willing to set time apart for Him.

Ephesians 2:1-4
[1] And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Romans 5:8

Romans 6:7

Ephesians 2:5-22
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. [11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us ; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: [17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. [18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Many believers know what they have been saved from, but do they know what they have been saved to?

Acts 26:14-18
[14] And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [15] And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. [16] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; [17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4,6
[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Darkness has no power. It is the absence of light.
Ignorance has no power because it is the absence of knowledge.
Hate has no power. It is the absence of love.

If you leave the light of your life turned off, you allow the enemy to have his way in darkness.

When you walk in darkness you susceptible to the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy.

Synonyms to ‘darkness’:
Confusion
Ignorance

John 1:4-5
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 3:16-21
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 8:12
[12] Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5
[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 11:9-10
[9] Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. [10] But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 12:35-36
[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. [36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:46
[46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Are there areas of our lives where we are not allowing the light of God’s Word and the light of Jesus to shine?