The Will and Nature of God is Revealed in Jesus

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God's Glory and the exact representation of His Being...

Many people are confused at God's nature and His will.  They battle to reconcile a seemingly vengeful and wrathful God of the Old Testament with a God who is revealed as good, kind and loving in the New Testament.  Which one is it?

Well, nowhere else in Scripture are we given a clue as to what the exact representation of God's nature is.  Hebrews 1:3 is the only reference.  The exact blueprint of God and His nature is revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Anything else reveals aspects and parts of His nature, locked up in mystery waiting to be revealed.  But Jesus presents the clearest picture of all of what God is like, revealing a full and gloriously clear picture of our Father in Heaven!

Think about it...  nowhere in the Old Testament is God revealed as a Father.  Only Jesus introduces God as our Father.  This is revolutionary!  And that is why we must study the nature and being of Jesus carefully, because when we see what Jesus is like, we know what God is like.

From the writings of the apostles, we know that Jesus...

-  Is full of Grace and Truth  (John 1:14)
-  Loved first and never accused the fallen  (John 8:11)
-  Is a friend of sinners  (Matthew 9:10 - 12)
-  Healed all who were sick  (Matthew 8:16 and Acts 10:38)
-  Revealed God as a passionate, dancing, running Father  (Luke 15:20)
-  Came to bring more than just life, but Life Abundant!  (John 10:10)
-  Etc. etc. etc.

Friends, we all know the exploits and amazing works of Jesus.  It is absolutely imperative that we transfer that knowledge of what He did to a revelation of what God is like.  God is way better than we could ever imagine!

If you find yourself getting caught up over seeming discrepancies in Scripture, don't get stressed or anxious.  Ask Holy Spirit to help you in understanding them.  Ask friends or leaders for their perspective.  And rest in the Truth that it is the Person of Jesus who gives us the clearest picture of what God our Father is like.

Jesus came to reveal that God is in a good mood, all the time!

You Change The Atmosphere!

Luke 11:20
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.

By saying this, Jesus was highlighting what the work of God was about and why He came.  The Earth for too long has been riddled with demonic influence causing depression, hatred and poverty.  And He came to push that demonic influence right back, and begin the establishment of a New Order.  His Order, the Order of the Kingdom.

When Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples were convinced that He was going to restore the Earth back to its former glory and establish God's Kingdom once and for all.  After all, He was the very Son of God!  The Messiah!  Surely He had accomplished what was now required?  But Jesus had other plans...

He left them.

He said to the disciples that they were now to carry on the Work He started and extend the Kingdom of God wherever they went, and He would send them the Holy Spirit to empower and help them in this supernatural task.

You see friends, many Christians today have similar mindsets to the disciples before His ascension (Acts 1:6).  They expect and hope that when Jesus returns He will sort everything out, thereby absolving any responsibility.  But what they don't realise is that He came to redeem mankind back to their position of authority on the planet so that they could continue His work of establishing His Kingdom.

Friends, you have been commissioned and empowered to change the atmosphere around you!  You have the Kingdom of God inside you (Luke 17:21), and that is a very different kingdom to the kingdom of this world that is still suffering from the influence of satan.  Your objective is to change the atmosphere around you, and be part of God's priesthood that establishes His Kingdom here on Earth.

Maybe it is at home, where there are hurts, disappointments, anger?  Maybe it is in the work place, where there is jealousy, corruption and pride?  Maybe it is at school.  Even at a restaurant!  Maybe one of your friends are sick?  Declare with your mouth (Proverbs 18:21) the Life of God into those situations.  Release the anointing of God's Presence over them, and command the darkness to leave and submit to the Light and Kingdom of God.  You will be surprised what you will begin to see happen in and around your life.

We need to live this life with the awareness of who we are and what we have been commissioned with, and when our mindsets change to such an outlook, the Kingdom will grow at an exponential rate!

Try it, it's much easier than you think!  You have been qualified!  (Colossians 1:12)

The Good Shepherd

John 10:4 - 10 
When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice....  I tell you the Truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

We are so privileged to be tended to and looked after by so good, kind and loving a Shepherd as Jesus.  He truly is more beautiful than we could ever conceive.  I once read a testimony of someone who encountered the very Person of Jesus and their description was that if everyone had to encounter Jesus in this way they would automatically surrender their lives to Him, because He is simply irresistible.

And like most passages in the Gospel of John, this one quoted above paints another stunningly glorious portrait of Jesus our Saviour and Shepherd.  A King and close friend who wants to lead His people into abundant pasture, saves His people from the thief, and give abundant life to them.

I wanted to encourage and remind you this week that this is Jesus' objective:  to impart Life to you.  But while reading the context of the famous verse 10, a couple of other things jumped out at me...

1.  Jesus walks ahead of His people, and His sheep follow Him because they want to

I am sure most of you have heard the comparison between a traditional Hebrew shepherd and shepherds of other cultures.  Hebrew shepherds walk ahead of their sheep while other cultures walk behind their flocks with a stick making sure they are all in line.  Jesus compares Himself to the former.  He is a shepherd who is secure, and He wants people following Him who are hungry for more.  If you want more of Jesus, His Word and His Presence, He is not going to force you.

But this means that we need to get to a place where we are so consumed by the beauty of who He is, we wouldn't be found anywhere else but in His Presence.  This is more than just "saying a prayer to be saved from hell".  This is a recognition that Jesus is the only True Source of Life, and to experience that True Life; His Presence is the best place to be!

Jesus wants us to recognise that for ourselves, from experience.

Jesus is secure.  He doesn't want people "following Him" out of duty, He wants people following Him because there's nothing else in this life that satisfies like His Love.

2.  Jesus ensures His people find pasture

Jesus wants His people to be looked after and cared for...  well.  Psalm 37:25 says the righteous will never be forsaken or will their seed ever beg for bread.  You are righteous!  That means you will never be forsaken, and even your children's children will be blessed.

Jesus wants to lead you into pastures of abundance.  Abundant, luscious green pastures meant that the sheep could feed till their heart's content, and thus they were healthy and strong.  Jesus wants you healthy and strong!  He wants you to be in a place of abundance where all your worries are cared for by Him.  After all, He is the one who will find those green pastures for you!

3.  Jesus draws a clear distinction between what comes from the devil and what comes from Him

Anything that goes into the box of "Stolen, killed and destroyed" was put there by the devil.  Not Jesus.  Anything that goes into the box of "Full and Abundant Life" was put there by Jesus.

This is one of the most important verses in the Bible for our understanding of the character of God and the origin and place of evil in our world.  Jesus doesn't will for evil to take place; but there is one who does, and his name is satan.  I have heard it said that this verse is not referring to satan but to greedy men.  That is untrue, because "men (and women)" in this verse are compared to sheep, and therefore the shepherds and hired hands are spiritual authorities.  Jesus being the Good Spiritual Authority, satan being the evil one.  It's quite simple.

My friend, Jesus wants to give you abundant life.  A life filled with health, wholeness, provision, fun and joy!  This should be the experience of the Christian!  The child of God.

Don't lose touch of His Voice.  It is sweet and always Loving.  Pursue Him, and follow His leading with reckless abandon.  There is nothing more satisfying in the Universe!  Your soul will not be disappointed.  Neither will you.

Jesus is our most Glorious Lover and Friend.  The more we see Him, the more we are transformed forever.

The Glory of Provision

Exodus 16:10
While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the Glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

Most of us know the story of the Glory of the Lord appearing to the Israelites in a cloud in the desert, even if it is vaguely.  Many of us would remember that the Lord led the Israelites by a cloud by day and by a pillar of Fire by night (Exodus 13:21).  But in this context of Exodus 16 the Lord's Glory appears in a specific context.  It is the context of provision.

The Israelites were grumbling against the Lord that they were going to starve to death.  And God, in His Grace, Mercy, Compassion and Goodness, simply offered a solution to their complaints (not prayers).  He said that He would provide Bread from Heaven in the morning, and quail meat in the evening.  It was when He made this announcement to the Israelites through Aaron that His Glory appeared out in the desert in a cloud.

Now, Exodus 13 tells us that the cloud of the Glory stayed in front of the Israelites every single day and never left their sight.  And in this verse (Exodus 16:10) we see it "appear" again.  I don't believe it disappeared.  I believe the cloud appeared in a different position to where it was.  You see, the Glory Cloud was always in front of the Israelites, but in this instance, It appears out in the desert.  And God was about to provide life-giving food to the Israelites which would manifest in the desert.  So it would seem that as He was announcing this form of provision to His people, He was also showing them it was His Manifest Presence that was going to produce this life-giving food.

Friends, do you know that this incident was a picture pointing to Jesus!?  Have a look at what Jesus tells His followers in John 6...

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”

35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Once we have Jesus, there is nothing else we need.  He meets our every desire, from the inside out.  He starts with the biggest desire of all; the deep longing within each man for Love, identity, acceptance and purpose.  And then He begins to provide for everything else.  He promises to take care of us!  (Matthew 6:33)

Do you know that you hold the very Presence of God Himself within you?  You are the Holy tabernacle where God's Presence dwells (1 Cor. 6:19 and Colossians 1:27)!  My friend, the very same Presence of God that provided for the Israelites in the desert when they had nothing now dwells within you!  What an incredible truth!

I want you to believe this Glorious truth, and release it into your atmosphere around you.  Speak Life into each and every situation around you, and don't stop!  Release what is in you.  Release the supernatural provision of God into every situation around you.  Declare it as a Righteous, Royal Prince or Princess of the King.  Declare with authority!

You may say "but James I have!  I have declared so much and nothing is happening."  Well, I don't buy that.  Just stop and look around you.  How much can you be thankful for?  God knows what you need before you ask it.  When we focus on what He has provided for us and not on what He hasn't, it builds faith and thankfulness in our hearts and inspires to continue declaring with joyful authority!

Now, I have based this week's devotional on the Glory Cloud because I watched a video this week of a Glory Cloud manifesting at a meeting in Bethel Church in Redding, California.  As I watched I was deeply inspired by God's promise of His Presence and His Provision.  Because where His Presence is, there too is His Provision.

Just watch this video by clicking on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VqbVH6SNP4

You will notice the cloud appears above the right-hand corner of the room like a small mist.  Most notably between 1 minute and 1:45.  You will also notice how the cloud shimmers with golden and silver sparkles.  Incredibly, a number of people standing in that very corner received Gold teeth supernaturally!

I watched this video and I felt so strongly God saying that we can see the same miracles that the Israelites saw and even more!  We have the very Presence of God dwelling within us.  The more we believe this Truth the more we will act on it, and the more we will see its effects in our lives.  Just like this group of people who believed this Truth came together and saw a manifestation of God's Presence in the atmosphere where they were worshipping!  I am pretty sure they will have faith that God will provide for all their needs in their daily lives as well!

Nothing Separates You From God's Love!!

Do you feel condemned? Maybe you feel like you aren't worthy enough to come to God?

If you are feeling that... then you have been lied to!!!

Check out what the Scripture says:

Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Do you see that? NO CONDEMNATION!! If you have been born again, then you are in Christ Jesus. And if you are in Christ Jesus, then there is NO CONDEMNATION that can come against you! Any condemnation or guilt you feel is from the devil, and it is illegal!

That means that you can come boldly before God your Father, and allow Him to hold you, and love you, and satisfy every deepest desire of your heart. My friend, when you feel His Love wash over you, everything else in life pales into insignificance.

And NOTHING can separate you from God's Love! NOTHING! It is freely available, all you need to do is come as you are.

Look at what the end of this passage says:

Romans 8:38 - 39
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Vs 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is holding you back? NOTHING! Come boldly today. Sit at His feet and let Him speak words of Life to your spirit. Let that Love set your heart on Fire once again.

I firmly believe that God's Presence is directly related to His Love. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:16 that God IS Love. That means when His Presence washes over you, you will have a supernatural revelation of His overwhelming, undying, unconditional love for you! And that Love will change who you are forever!

It's one thing to KNOW in your mind that God loves you, it's another thing altogether to actually EXPERIENCE that Love. God wants you to EXPERIENCE His Love for you.

If you are longing for more of God's Presence over you, and a deeper revelation of His Love, then why don't you pray this right now, right where you are? Maybe aloud? Maybe in your heart. And then go find a quiet place, and let Him Love you...

Father,

I come to You as I am. You know me inside out. And yet You Love me perfectly.
Reveal to me Your Love for me. I don't just want to know it in my head, I want to FEEL it in my heart. Let me FEEL Your Love. Reveal to me Your Love. The Love that You displayed at the Cross of Jesus. I want to know You deeply, Father. And I ask that you take me deeper and deeper into Your Love. Wash it all over me like a river. Please Father.

Thank You that You have revealed Your Love to us by sacrificing Your very own Son Jesus. Your Love is the Most Amazing Force in the Universe! Reveal it to me Lord!

In the Amazing, Holy Name of Jesus!

Amen!

A New Covenant of Grace & Love

Jeremiah 31:31 says:
"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."

God is a God of promises! He makes promises regularly! Why? Because He is a God of Hope! A Covenant is like a very serious promise. And He made covenants with His chosen people a few times. (His chosen people being the Jews; Israel). One of the "big" covenants that He made with His people was the covenant He made through Moses. We call it the Mosaic Law.

But do you know that as Christians we are not under that covenant God made with Moses? We are under a "better Covenant"! We are living at the best time in all of history! We are living under the best Covenant of all the covenants God ever made!

Look at what Hebrews 8:6 says:
"But the Covenant of Jesus is superior to the old one, because it is based on better promises!"

Why is this Covenant better? Well, let's have a look at what God says He will do in this New Covenant:

Jeremiah 31:33
Vs 33: "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel...
I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God and they will be my people."
Vs 34 "No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

This is one of the most important passages in the Bible! Jesus confirmed this was the New Covenant that He established in Matthew 26:28, Luke 22:20, and Hebrews confirms it in chapters 8, 9 and 10. And Jeremiah goes on to say in chapter 32:40 that this Covenant is an "EVERLASTING COVENANT"! It will never cease! So we know, this is a big deal!

OK, so let's just have a look what some of the awesome promises are in this New Covenant:

1. God will put the law in our hearts and minds
Elsewhere in the Bible God promises that when we are born again, He takes out our old heart and gives us a brand new one! And God's ways are written on that new heart. Do you see that it is God who puts the law inside of us? Not us! We don't do anything, we simply live by the Holy Spirit, and He will lead us into all truth! When we got saved we became new people! New people that could only but do good things! Like love our family, love our friends, even if they are nasty to us. This is the work of God!

2. We are God's People!
We are sons and daughters of God! We are mighty princes and princesses whom God will fight for! We are royal people, chosen by Him! We are accepted by the Creator of the Universe! Everyone of us as believers has this privilege!

3. God has forgiven us, and remembers our sins no more!
Wow! Does it really say that? That God will forgive our wickedness and will remember our sins no more!? Yes it does my friend! That is amazing! God hates sin, and so He had to pay for it, and so all His Righteous Anger was poured out on Jesus at the Cross (Romans 3:21-31) so that if you believe in Jesus, He cannot get angry with you again! Isn't that amazing!? OH YES!

And because of that amazing promise, you as a new person with a new heart can enter BOLDLY into His Glorious Presence! Any time we like! (Hebrews 10:19)

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So there you go. What a way to start off the Fuzion Blog. With the reminder that we are living under a New Covenant. The best Covenant of all! Why have I started with this one? Because I want you all to remember this whenever you live as a Christian, whenever you hear a preach, whenever you read the Bible. Everything you do you must remember that you are under a New and Better Covenant, and God is your Father and He loves you, and He will NEVER be angry with you again, He NEVER remembers your sins, and He wants you to walk in intimate relationship with Him! WOW! GOD IS SO GOOD!!

If you feel amazed right now, why don't you pray this in you heart...

Holy Father of all creation,
thank you so much for this amazing promise you have made with me. How can I not love you? I stand amazed at your love. Thank you for this love that you showed when you sent Jesus to this Earth to die on a Cross. Please help me live with this foundation of your love and grace toward me, so that I can live a life that can reflect your glory. Teach me your ways. Show me more of who you are. I want to know you, and I know that under this promise, I can.
I love you forever!
Amen