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| #inspirational gospel quote |
Beloved, I have always said that what was once a
REQUEST in the Old Testament is now a REALITY in
the New Testament because of JESUS!
UNDERSTANDING was a supreme NEED under the
Old Covenant; even Kings and Priests and Prophets
sort after it passionately and continuously without
actually achieving their passionate expectations.
Understanding was a RARE VIRTUE, and an
UNUSUAL ABILITY that makes a person outstanding
amongst their peers and contemporaries; thus, it
was something worth their PERSISTENT
PURSUANCE.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
therefore get wisdom: and WITH ALL THY GETTING
GET UNDERSTANDING.
Only few SELECTED and ANOINTED men were
privileged to come into understanding, even then,
that understanding was a LIMITED understanding.
It was a:
90% understanding of physical things and
10% understanding of spiritual realities.
But Glory be to Abba Father, JESUS came and His
coming was the END OF ALL SEARCH. JESUS didn't
come to earth empty handed; He came with
PACKAGES OF ETERNAL VERITIES, part of which
was UNDERSTANDING.
1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God
is come, and HATH GIVEN us an
UNDERSTANDING..."
What qualified JESUS to give Understanding?
First, you cannot give what you don't have.
1 Corinthians 15:3 "For I DELIVERED unto you
FIRST of all that which I also RECEIVED..."
JESUS: The DOMICILE (House) Of The SPIRIT
Of UNDERSTANDING!
Isaiah 11:2 And the SPIRIT of the LORD shall
REST UPON HIM, THE SPIRIT OF wisdom and
UNDERSTANDING, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
JESUS: Made Of QUICK UNDERSTANDING!
Concerning JESUS, the prophecy of Isaiah stated
that:
Isaiah 11:3 And shall MAKE HIM (JESUS) OF
QUICK UNDERSTANDING in the fear of the LORD:
and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears
JESUS: The EMBODIMENT of UNDERSTANDING
Understanding is more than a virtue that JESUS has;
it is WHO HE IS! He epitomizes understanding.
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound
wisdom: I AM UNDERSTANDING; I have strength.
As a result of these detailed explanation, JESUS
being LORD has both the SOVEREIGN
QUALIFICATION and SUPREME AUTHORIZATION to
give Understanding to whomsoever He chooses.
Proverbs 2:6 For THE LORD (JESUS, Acts 10:36)
GIVETH wisdom: out of his mouth cometh
knowledge and UNDERSTANDING.
Understanding is therefore a GIFT and not a
comprehension of acquired information gained from
an institution.
Understanding, to the New Creation, is am
INHERITANCE.
Luke 8:10 And he said, UNTO YOU (God's
Chosen People) IT IS GIVEN TO KNOW the
mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in
parables; that seeing they might not see, and
hearing they might not understand.
Right now, each and every New Creation person can
boldly speak like Apostle Luke:
Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, HAVING
HAD PERFECT UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THINGS
from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most
excellent Theophilus,
Activating Understanding
By GRACE and GROWTH I have come to realize that
one of the major ways to activate understanding is
by/through a CONSCIOUS DECISION. In other words,
you can choose to understand and the devil can't
stop you.
What Type Of "Conscious Decision"?
The Conscious Decision to BELIEVE what you are
taught through the Preaching and Teaching of the
Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Once you BELIEVE,
understanding will open up to you.
RELIGION wants to Understand FIRST before IT
Believes but REVELATION says BELIEVE, and you'll
Understand! Why? Because God's Greatest
"Obsession" is to be BELIEVED!
Hebrews 11:3 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.
Let's Talk About Responsibility
With that being said, let's talk about
RESPONSIBILITY. By responsibility, I am not talking
about the WORKS of the LAW, practices that
generates more burdens. But we shall discuss it in
the light of the New Testament and in the Face of
JESUS CHRIST because JESUS is the True and Only
Message of the entire Bible!
Though JESUS fulfilled ALL Old Testament
responsibilities on our behalf ( Matt 5:17), there
are responsibilities in the New Testament as well.
You can call it NEW LAWS or NEW
COMMANDMENTS (See John 13:34 for
example). But there's a great deal of difference
between the Responsibilities under the Old
Testament and those under the New Testament.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we
KEEP his commandments: and HIS
COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT GRIEVOUS.
In other words, the Responsibilities (the DUTIES and
OBLIGATIONS that GOD expect for us to carry out)
under the New Testament are not DIRE or
DANGEROUS, as those under the Old Testament.
Please don't get it twisted, you have to understand
that you are CALLED to be responsible. To carry out
certain duties and obligations for the purpose of
advancing God's Kingdom on the earth.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship,
CREATED in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS
(Godly responsibilities, duties and obligations),
which God hath before ordained that we should walk
in them.
Why?
Romans 14:12 So then EVERY ONE of us shall
GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF to God.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly;
and my REWARD is with me, to give every man
ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE.
Examples Of Responsibility...
EVANGELISM (preaching the message of God's
Love demonstrated through JESUS to the nations of
the world) is our Christian Responsibility.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, GO ye into
all the world, and PREACH THE GOSPEL to every
creature.
Apostle Paul called evangelism a WORK (duty,
obligation, responsibility) worth doing well:
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things,
endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN
EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry.
Living The Lifestyle Of PRAYER
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 4:2 CONTINUE IN PRAYER, and
watch in the same with thanksgiving
Praying for the Body of Christ
Ephesians 6:18 PRAYING ALWAYS with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
FOR ALL SAINTS
Praying For Nations And Their Leaders
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men;
2:2 For KINGS, and for ALL that are IN AUTHORITY;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.
2:3 For THIS IS GOOD and ACCEPTABLE in the
sight of God our Saviour
Praying For The Lost (The Unsaved)
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and
prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be
SAVED.
Praying For Your Spiritual Parents
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, PRAY FOR US.
Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for
the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the
Spirit, that ye STRIVE together with me IN YOUR
PRAYERS to God FOR ME;
Prayerfully And Financially Supporting The
Advancement Of The Gospel
Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that
God would open unto us a door of utterance, to
speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in
bonds
Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine
for you all making request with joy,
1:5 For your FELLOWSHIP (participation and
partnership) in the gospel from the first day until
now
Meeting The Needs Of Your Spiritual Parents
Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me
as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and
again unto my necessity.
4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit
that may abound to your account.
4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent
from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
4:19 But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Ministering Materially and Financially To The
Needs Of Less Privileged Believers
2 Cor 8:1-4
Verse 4: Praying us with much intreaty that we
would receive the gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity,
let us DO GOOD unto all men, ESPECIALLY UNTO
them who are of THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.
What "REST" Truly Means
REST is what a person RECEIVES when He or
She MEETS with JESUS. Matt 11:28
REST is what a person ENJOYS as he or she
LEARNS MORE about JESUS. Matt 11:29
However, Most Christians have a misconception
that REST (which is no more WORKS) means being
slothful and lazy, doing absolutely nothing that
needs to be done.
Apostle Paul wrote more about this New Found
Rest in Christ Jesus and there was a massive
misconception among the brethren. So he wrote an
Epistle to deal with this issue before it got out of
hand.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were
with you, this WE COMMANDED YOU, that IF any
(not minding his position or title) would not WORK,
neither should he EAT.
3:11 For WE HEAR that there are SOME which
WALK among you DISORDERLY, WORKING NOT AT
ALL, but are BUSYBODIES.
3:12 Now them that are SUCH we COMMAND and
exhort BY our Lord JESUS Christ, that WITH
QUIETNESS THEY WORK, and EAT THEIR OWN
BREAD.
Are you seeing it? All these happened because there
was a wrong conception about what REST IN
CHRIST truly means.
REST simply means FREEDOM FROM ANXIETY,
DEPRESSION, DISCOURAGEMENT AND HASTINESS.
Phillipians 4:6
AMP: DO NOT FRET OR HAVE ANY ANXIETY
ABOUT ANYTHING, but in every circumstance and in
everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests),
with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants
known to God.
Isaiah 28:16
AMP: Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I
am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested
Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation;
HE WHO BELIEVES (trusts in, relies on, and adheres
to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or
HASTEN AWAY [IN SUDDEN PANIC].
Hebrews 4:3 "For we which have BELIEVED do
enter into REST..."
Do you know why HASTINESS is RESTLESSNESS
and restlessness is DANGEROUS?
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with
blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich
SHALL NOT BE INNOCENT.
Why won't the hasty be INNOCENT? Because he
will, under desperation, do ANYTHING to make
money, not minding the source or process or
consequence.
See what Apostle Paul said about this:
1 Timothy 6:10 For the LOVE OF MONEY is the
root of all evil: which while SOME COVETED AFTER,
they have ERRED FROM THE FAITH, and PIERCED
THEMSELVES through with MANY SORROWS.
So, REST is not freedom from ESSENTIAL DUTIES
that enables a man to provide for his family.
It was obvious that most Saints in Ephesus
misunderstood this too and many of them went into
stealing and involving themselves in dirty dealings
just to SURVIVE. They had forgotten what it meant
to TRUST JESUS for SUPPLY.
To this Apostle Paul admonished and warned:
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole STEAL NO
MORE: but rather LET HIM LABOUR, working with
his hands the thing which is good, THAT HE MAY
HAVE TO GIVE to him that needeth.
SO, What Does RESPONSIBILITY Signify?
I could list many things but time won't permit me...
However I will do well to give you THREE.
Responsibility Is RESPONSE TO ABILITY!
Never say you CAN'T, always say you CAN. Why?
Because ALL of God's Abilities are resident IN you.
Let ME explain something to you about JESUS. The
Epistles of Paul speaking about Him said:
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in
him (JESUS CHRIST) should all fulness dwell
Colossians 2:3 In whom (JESUS CHRIST) are hid
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:9 For in him (JESUS CHRIST)
dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
So you can see that JESUS is the CONTAINER Of
ALL DIVINE CONTENTS. He houses ALL OF GOD!
What do I mean by "ALL OF GOD"?
It means:
All That GOD Is
All That GOD Has
All That GOD Can Do
EVERYTHING IS IN CHRIST JESUS!
NOW, GUESS WHERE THE PRESENT LOCATION OF
THIS CHRIST IS? You guessed right
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make
known what is the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN
YOU, the hope of glory
In other words, if CHRIST (Who houses ALL Of GOD)
dwells IN ME, then, ALL OF GOD is IN ME!
Therefore, Responsibility here means Responding to
that Ability of God inside you.
For example:
If JESUS said YOU CAN, In HIS NAME, cast out
devils and lay hands on the sick and have them
recovered ( Mark 16:17-18), Responsibility here
is responding to these abilities by actually DOING
THEM as occasion serve you and as the need
arises.
Apostle Paul understanding this said:
Philippians 4:13 I CAN DO ALL THINGS through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
Take what JESUS commanded as an example:
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him
his twelve disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.
10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the
dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely
give.
Beloved, this is the WHOLESOME WORD... Respond
this God's Ability in you and step out with
BOLDNESS. Part of OUR CONFIDENCE is that if we
couldn't do it JESUS would never have commanded
us to do so. The Holy Ghost In us won't force us
but He will move mightily if we would decide to
respond to God's ability in us.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest EXPECTATION of
the creature WAITETH for the MANIFESTATION of
the SONS of God.
Responsibility Is A Sign Of MATURITY!
Naturally speaking, no man would commit great
responsibility to his immature child. He won't be
able to handle it, plus, it could hurt him, being too
heavy for him to bear.
Apostle Paul describing a life under the LAW said:
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long
as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant,
though he be lord of all; 4:2 But is under tutors and
governors until the time appointed of the father.
So if JESUS has commanded you to do anything,
it's because He knows that you are MATURED and
CAPABLE enough to carry it out.
IMMATURITY is simply the INABILITY to handle
RESPONSIBILITY.
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time YE OUGHT
TO BE TEACHERS, ye have need that one TEACH
YOU AGAIN which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need
of milk, and not of strong meat.
5:13 For every one that useth milk is UNSKILFUL in
the word of righteousness: for (because) HE IS A
BABE.
5:14 But STRONG MEAT belongeth to them that are
of FULL AGE, even those who BY REASON OF USE
have their SENSES EXERCISED to DISCERN both
good and evil.
Responsibility Is OPPORTUNITY!
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore
OPPORTUNITY, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of
faith.
RESPONSIBILITY is an OPPORTUNITY to bring out
the POTENTIALITIES of GOD which is IN YOU in
CHRIST JESUS. ( Philemon 1:6)
Ever time you are given a responsibility (either to
give, pray, teach, sing, or carry out any of the
JESUS-DRIVEN Christian activities, it is an
opportunity to showcase ALL that GOD Is, Has and
Can Do!
Every time you turn down any JESUS-Driven
responsibility, you deny both yourself and others the
opportunity to experience ALL OF GOD.
Such refusal is what I call "DELIBERATE
NEGLIGENCE"! It is Born out of the Ignorance of the
fact that GOD is giving you a PLATFORM to EXHIBIT
His RESIDENT ETERNAL ABILITIES IN you.
Matthew 5:14 YE are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it
UNDER A BUSHEL, but ON A CANDLESTICK; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. 5:16 LET
YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may
SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, and GLORIFY YOUR
FATHER which is in heaven.
BELOVED, I challenge you to:
Accept Every JESUS-Driven Responsibility
Appreciate Every JESUS-Driven Responsibility
Accomplish Every JESUS-Driven Responsibility
GOD BLESS YOU BY ALL MEANS IN JESUS NAME!
Apostle Dr. ROCKSON AWESOME STEPHENS
# TheSpecialMessengerOfJESUS #BestInTheWorld
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Thank you Jesus.