God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Amazing Miracle in a River

This isn't the river, but looks almost exactly like the one we walked
Walking with my wife along a bridge over a river, I looked down the 30-foot drop and saw a couple of fish lazily swimming in the water. Getting some inspiration from the discovery, I talked her into going to the end of the bridge and walking down near the river, in hopes of catching a glimpse of another fish or two.

Knowing fish spook easily, we gingerly and softly walked about 10 feet from the edge of the river.

As we went further up the river, without seeing any fish, suddenly I spotted a big one not far away; seeming to float on the top of the water. It didn't take long to see that we were in for an extraordinary experience.

After just another step, we saw more fish, and as we continued to walk, we saw fish after fish - hundreds of them - scattered along the river, from bank to bank. Never had I seen such a sight, and as a matter of fact, after enjoying that scene for about a three-block area, we went home and didnt' think much about it.

But once there, it seemed a nudge from the Holy Spirit caused me to understand this wasn't just any ordinary event we had been engaged in, but one that was extraordinary.

When thinking on it, I realized all the fish were spaced at exact intervals along the river, and when looking at one, it rolled on its side as if giving a salute.

The scripture in Romans 8:18-20 came to mind afterwards, as I was reminded that the creation eagerly waits for the manifestation or revealing of the sons of God.

To the day I die I'll believe the fish were paying homage to the Lord Jesus Christ within us.

Romans 8:18-20 (NASB)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.

The New Creation is Now

Jesus established a principle when He said He was the resurrection. While there will be a final
resurrection, resurrection life is flowing from within us right now.

This is new creation; a life that has come down from heaven to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, and that which is in heaven, is breaking forth into the earth, seeking to permeate the earth and the people dwelling on it with Christ.

We aren't simply to wait around biding our time while we wait for history to end, Jesus Christ is now inserting Himself into history in the spirits of those who have been born from above.

We believers must have a revelation of that, as it will change everything.

It is extraordinary thing Jesus Christ has done in making us a new creation in Him, and those that walk in Him will find He will be revealed in this earth and touch all areas of life to His glory. The new creation is happening now!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain

Revelation 5:11-13

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

If you want to see a major key to understanding the book of Revelation in the Bible, take your concordance and look up the word lamb. You'll see that everything that happens in the book is the result of the Lamb that was slain.

Based upon Jesus Christ laying down His life on our behalf, He is declared to have essentially received all things.

Philippians says something similar, when Paul admonishes them have a mind like Christ's, which resulted in making Himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a servant, humbling Himself, and finally becoming obedient unto the death of the cross. Paul declares the end result was God the Father highly exalted Him, giving Him a name above all other names, whereby every knee shall bow down to Him, in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth.

God can commit Himself to those taking on this same mind as Christ did. This isn't about thinking processes, but rather an entire way of life. We must embrace our humble Lord and allow that to become part of who we are. This is why Paul said "Let this mind be in you," it's something we must open ourselves up to.

It's not easy because it goes against the grain of the old man. What is declared to have made Christ worthy is the fact that He was the Lamb that was slain. That principle needs to be deeply embedded in our being. We must ask Christ to work and live that in us, as it's impossible on our own.