In today’s message Bro. Leo continues a series on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by again looking at what the Resurrection means and proves.

The Resurrection means that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for all our sins, so that we are no longer under the bondage of sin and death.

The Resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God and He has the power to accomplish everything He promised to us, because He is the source, power and author of eternal life (Rom.1:3-4, John 11:21-27, Matt. 28:5-6).

The reality that the Resurrection proves should change us, motivate us and inspire us into taking action.  This reality should motivate us to die to self, so that we can live in Christ.

Bro. Leo does an excellent job in this message of comparing the evil motivation of jihadist Muslims and the religion of Islam  to the righteous motivations of Christians and or the lack there of.  Please take some time today to listen to this message and consider if the Resurrection is truly motivating you seek the life of Christ to be lived in you.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mat 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Mat 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Mat 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Mat 26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Mat 26:61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Mat 26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Joh 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
Joh 19:2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
Joh 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
Joh 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead

Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Joh 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

oh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues a series on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by again looking at the Biblical definition of being crucified with Christ/dying to self.

Part of the process of “dying to self” has to be the realization that Jesus commented His life, death and resurrection to each of us individually.  This realization will produce gratitude,  loyalty and commitment within us.  Paul explains, in Gal.2:20, his commitment to Jesus is a result of Jesus commitment to him.

In Gal.2:20 Paul also explains that it was Jesus’ love for us that produced His commitment to us.  John 15:13 explains that there is no greater love than the love it takes to die for someone else.  It is that great love that Jesus has for us that draws us to Him, John 12:32.  Therefore Jesus’ love for us is the basis of our relationship with Him and that love should be the basis for everything that we do.

Understanding those points will help us be more determined to die in our old ways, leaving room for Jesus to renew us in His ways (2Cor. 5:18-21, Gal.5:24-25).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2Co 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues a series on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by looking at the Biblical definition of being crucified with Christ/dying to self.

One of the things we should see when we look at the Cross is our own death to self.  Before there can be a “renewing” the old self must die (2Co 5:17 Joh 12:24).    We must not only die to self-worth (thought of being able to save ourselves Gal 6:14), but we must also die to worldly pull, attractions and pleasure (Col 3:5).

Our self-worth dies immediately when we believe in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for our salvation(Eph 2:8,9).  The other aspects of self die a more slow anguishing death much like the death that Jesus experienced on the cross.  We will struggle with these other aspects for long periods of our lives and we will have to continue to ask God to convict us of them and help us die to them.

When we die to self the worldly things have 1) no appeal to us 2) no affect on us 3) no power to draw us 4) no importance to us.  At that point we will only be drawn to things of God (Col 3:1-3).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

In today’s message Bro. Leo starts a series on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by asking a simple question, “What is the first thing you see when you look at the cross?”.

God’s great love for each and every individual is the first thing we should see when we look at the cross.  The cross is individual and unique to each one of us.  In Gal. 2:20-21 notice how many times Paul uses the word I.   Jesus’ love for me and you is so great that He sacrificed His life to pay my and your debt for us ( Joh 15:13).

Over the next few weeks as we draw our attention to Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, let us meditate on how great a love God has for us as personally.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Mat 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Mat 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking how exactly God “transforms” a Christian after He saves them.

Rom. 12:2 tells us “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”, which is the influence of God’s Holy Spirit on our minds.  God does not force His influence on us, we must desire, seek and expect this from God.   Hab. 2:1-3 tells us how to do this in 5 simple steps, 1) stillness-we must become still by shutting out all distractions, 2) expectancy-we must expect God to communicate with us, 3 and 4) communication, we speak to God and He speaks to us, 5) God reproves us-He corrects our thoughts.

In Luke 10:38:42 Jesus tells us the “one needful thing” that we need is to hear Him speak to us (Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.).  All of the good works that may do mean nothing unless we hear God tell us to do them (  Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.).

God desires to give/tell us ways of receiving many good gifts from Him, all we have to do is desire, seek and expect a “transformed” mind from God.  (Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?)
We receive those gifts by being filled with the attributes of His Holy Spirit.  (Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Isa 12:1 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Psa 142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at what is required of a Christian in order to receive God’s power, knowledge, counsel and plan that He has for us.

1)  We have to seek and ask for it (John 4:10, James1:5).

2) In order to do this we must realize our need for everything God desires to bless us with, He wants to give us “zoe” the highest state of blessedness in this life (John4:10,14).  The scriptures tell us not to do anything before we receive from the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).  Religion today has a tendency to over emphasize the output of a Christian and rarely even talk about the input, but it is very important that we have the input of God’s Holy Spirit first so that our output agrees with God’s will for us.

3) Once we decide that we do indeed need the counsel of God (2Cor. 10:5), we can begin to distinguish between the worldly influences in our life and the righteous ones from God (Rom. 12:1-2).

Conclusion:  To receive God’s power, knowledge, counsel and plan that He has for us through His Holy Spirit, we must not only seek it but also allow Him to change our thoughts from our nature to spiritual (!Cor. 2:11-14,16).  To hear from God we the scriptures say to present ourselves quietly, relaxed and open before Him (Psa. 46:10, Hab. 2:1).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Luk 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
Luk 18:36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
Luk 18:37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Luk 18:38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Luk 18:39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Luk 18:40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Luk 18:41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
Luk 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
Luk 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

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

Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

-Written by Benjamin Greuter

Jesus Christ cried out, “If anyone who thirsts, let him come unto me and drink.” Brother Leo continues out study of the Living Water today with the 3rd of the 4 conditions which need be met for Christians to achieve our goal: Live a Spirit filled/affected/led/energized life. After recalling for us the first two conditions, that we must recognize our need of Him, that is to thirst, and that we need to come unto him, that is to set time with Him, for Him, Brother Leo takes us deep into the third condition, that is to drink, or to receive within us the flowing rivers of Living Waters directly from Him, their Source.

In Galations chapter 3, verses one through nine, we are addressed for the very foolishness with which we’ve allowed the world to blind us; if we neither received salvation nor the Holy Spirit by good works in this world and life, then neither can we sustain ourselves or become matured through any good works in this life or world, and how foolish we are to even entertain the thought that we could earn by work either salvation or Spiritual maturation and energy in this world! Rather, It was by faith that we were saved; it was by faith that we received the Spirit who dwells in us; and so much more so is it that we by faith are grown, matured, sustained, and filled with energy and joy.
We have been taught and are taught so consistently that who we are and our value is based solely upon output and production. This deception has capped and quenched the Spirit in us. We so often gauge our own identities or success by our output or level of productivity. We work by our own strength, by the sweat of our own brows, and the strengths of our own backs. We achieve new heights by our own persistence and intellect. As Brother Leo reminds us, God does not need our strength. God does not need our intellect. In Jeremiah chapter 2 verse 13, the Lord spells out our problem: His people forsake Him and the rivers of Holy Water He offers, and instead, build their own cisterns which cannot even hold the waters we so desperately need and which He freely offers!

Turning then to Isaiah, Brother Leo leads us to understand what this third step, drinking of Him, really looks like. In chapter 12, Isaiah expresses how this time of rest and communion works, and explains the benefits therein promised to us. In verses 2 and 3, we are taught that God alone is our salvation, we will trust and not fear. He is our strength and our song. So in joy, we shall come to the wells of Living Water. In our time set apart for Him and for communion with Him, we are not to fill that time with petition and intercession, as we are so accustomed, because those are output. Rather, we are to firstly trust more and fear less. Psalm 46:9-11 celebrate this aspect of our relationship with God, as the Lord commands us to be still and know that He am God, our refuge. So just as if into a refuge, we are to enter into this time alone with Him, seeking shelter from the storms and circumstances of life, asking Him to still our minds and give us rest from our struggles. Having done this, we receive then strength, not from ourselves, but from Him who protects us. In Mark chapter one, verses 29-34, Jesus Himself puts out, healing and teaching so many, but then in verse 35, as in many other places in the Gospel, we see Him get alone with his Father, to drink and be filled just as we are to here, and in that time He was filled with the strength and power to continue on with His mission. So much more do we need to drink Him and His strength in daily to ‘do far greater things than these.’
And finally, just as Isaiah concluded above, there will be joy. Joy in Him, joy in His strength, in His refuge, and in His presence. Brother Leo reminds us that this is necessary in our Christian lives, that we not only fight the good fight, but that we receive from Christ the strength AND joy He wishes us to have, to find joy in Him. Psalm 63 shows us again just what resting in Him looks like, and we are encouraged to speak Pslam 63 and 104 out loud to Him, as we ponder the depth and breadth that is our God the Creator of all things in our time alone with Him, as well as Isaiah 40:25-31.

As brother Leo concludes, he reminds us once more of the significance of this, recalling Jesus final, concluding message to us in the Holy Word of God itself, and therefore SO significant is this: That we thirst for Jesus, that we come unto Jesus, and that we drink in the waters of Life from their Source! (Revelation 22:17)

God Bless

–Today’s synopsis is written by Benjamin Greuter–

Scriptural Focal Point: John 7:37-39.
Today in our pursuit of “a state of life in the highest level of blessedness,” Brother Leo offers us the first two of four steps, or conditions, which according to Christ Himself need to be met such that the waters of life/the Holy Spirit may flow into, through, and out of our “bellies.”

Jesus lays out 4 conditions which, IF met, lead to a life filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit’s influence, affection, and energy. The daily goal of a Christian’s life ought to be just this; the infilling and out-flowing of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives. Jesus expresses four conditions;
1)we must thirst for Him, realizing our need;
2)we must come to Jesus Himself, allotting time for spiritual meditation and focus on Him, His works, and His identity;
3)we must drink in, or internalize communion with Him;
4)we must believe about, in, and on Him, not only accepting His factual reality, but trusting, placing our confidence in, and expecting Divine action of Him.

Brother Leo helps us through fully understanding and realizing the first two conditions. Personal realization of our need for Him, His grace, and His DAILY input and guidance is often hard-fought, as the world spews and engenders self-reliance and self-sufficiency as virtues through self-justification. In John 4:7, Jesus offers one Truth not easy for many to take in; “If you only knew [who I am,]” you would ask Him for everything in your life, rather than Him asking you for some time, some effort, and/or some attention. If we only knew “the gift of God,” we’d spend all our time begging on our knees for it. This ignorance and arrogance that we unknowingly hold in ideals of self-reliance makes us blind to our own need for His wisdom, power, or grace in all things. Scripture can help you to open your eyes. Brother Leo suggests spending time in Psalm 139 and praying on some of those verses, asking Jesus to open our eyes to see our need, and for Him to create in us a desire for Him alone.

Brother Leo goes on to offer us understanding of the second condition, that is, coming to Jesus with that need, and allowing it to be filled through meditation on Who Jesus is, as well as what Jesus has done in our lives. 1Corinthians 10:21-22 expresses the reality that we cannot partake of two cups at once, one being the cup of demons and the other the cup of Christ, and that when we aren’t partaking of Christ’s offered cup, we partake of that of demons, provoking the Lord to jealousy as if we were greater than Him. Here, Brother Leo sends us to Psalm 63:6 and 7 to give us the image of meditation, and how its on Who He is and what He’s done for you. For many of us, the greatest challenge here is self-induced; we are of the mindset or mentality that we must find time to give to meditation or such prayer, or ask ourselves when is it possible, while the Biblical, God-given reality is that we should ask what is it that we are making time for? 1Timonthy 4:8, 12-15 expresses this quite clearly when we are given the contrast between one example of what people ‘make time for,’ namely exercise, and what is infinitely more profitable, namely, spending time in godliness.

So in Conclusion this week, Brother Leo, committing to continue offering us deeper insight into the second two conditions next week, challenges us first this week to spend time on at least 4 days this week, 30 to 40 minutes per day, following just these two steps. To spend half and hour in His presence, seeking his intimacy, asking for the thirst and awareness of our own need for Him, and at least ten minutes in biblical meditation on(the putting together in one’s mind of, the pondering upon, or the sighing or speaking softly of) who He is and what He’s done for each of us.

This will certainly take us closer and closer to His will for us, that “highest state of blessedness,” which He calls each of us to from the moment we bury our old selves with Him in baptism and rise again as new men and women in His Identity and purpose.

God bless.

Today Bro. Leo was led by the Holy Spirit to review last weeks message and emphasize the importance of understanding the terms “grieving the Holy Spirit” and “quenching the Holy Spirit”.  This message will help prepare you to better understand next weeks message, so please carefully listen to this message.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at how most Christians are not operating under the power, strength, guidance and knowledge of His Holy Spirit because we neglect our relationship with God.

The Bible teaches that there are three results caused by neglecting our relationship with God:
1) We grieve His Holy Spirit, Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  The word “grieve” is translated from the Greek word “lupeō” and it means to cause sorrow, to distress, to offend.  Remember God is a jealous God,
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
The reason we neglect our relationship with God is because we place some other area of our life (other god’s) above our relationship with Him.
2) We quench God’s Holy Spirit by routinely neglecting our relationship with Him, 1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
The word “quench” is translated from the Greek word “sbennumi”  and means to extinguish a fire-no light, no warmth, no movement.
We literally become numb to the influence of His Holy Spirit.
3) If we neglect our relationship with God long enough, we will begin to doubt our faith and salvation, 2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

In order to prevent this from happening we need to give our relationship with God our highest priority and be constantly evaluating our relationship with Him, 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Joh 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.