SPEAK THE WORD ONLY!
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
IT IS FINISHED!
There are some things that happened during the Crucifixion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, that are only mentioned in the Gospel of John. One reason for this is that he was the only one of the Twelve Disciples who actually witnessed the Crucifixion. This is attested to in John 19: 25 - 26
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’
We know that John was the disciple that Jesus loved by reviewing John 21: 20 – 24. In that passage, occurring after Christ’s resurrection, John reveals that Peter expressed a certain level of jealousy towards John about Jesus’ apparent closer relationship with John. Jesus explained to Peter how he would die to glorify God, then told him, “Follow Me.” Jesus then asked Peter that if he willed something for John, what was that to Peter? His job was to follow Jesus;
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Peter,..., said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?’" Jesus said to him If I will (desire) that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’
John refers to himself outright in verse 24;
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
We know why Jesus came into the world;
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3: 16
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3: 8
When Jesus, on the cross, released his spirit and his human body died, he did so because his work on the earth as a man was completed. We have the report of the eyewitness, Apostle John.
Then He said to the disciple,”Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “IT IS FINISHED!” (Emphasis mine.) And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19: 27 – 30
John goes on to report that the “Jews” (the members of the Sanhedrin and others who hated Jesus,) requested that the legs of Jesus and the two who were crucified with him be broken and they be removed from the crosses before the official beginning of the Sabbath. The legs were broken during
crucifixion to prevent prisoners from supporting themselves and avoiding suffocation.
The two had their legs broken and they suffocated. Jesus’ legs were not broken, because he was already dead. His side was pierced, spewing forth blood and water. The eyewitness continued;
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, (Psalm 34:20) "Not one of His bones shall be broken.”(Psalm 34: 20) And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
John further reports that two other disciples of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, redeemed Jesus’ body from Pilate. They prepared and placed His body in a new, unused tomb. On the first day of the week, (Sunday-which is why many of us gather to worship the Lord on this day,) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb before anyone else and found the covering stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone.
She hurried to inform Peter and John, who both went to the tomb with her and found the burial clothing and the tomb empty. The men went away to their homes, but Mary stayed, weeping. Two angels appeared to her, questioning her sorrow. When she turned around, Jesus was standing there beside her, but she did not recognize him through her sorrow. He spoke her name and she then knew who it was. He assigned her to go and tell the disciples that he was risen. Thus began the first of many sightings and interactions with the Risen King.
Jesus appeared, Immauel-God with us (Matthew 1: 23), that same evening to the disciples as they were gathered behind closed doors where he breathed on them and imparted the Holy Spirit upon them; eight days later he appeared to them in the same place and demonstrated his holiness to Thomas. (John 20: 19 – 29) John tells us that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that were not written.
Jesus appeared to them again, preparing breakfast for them at the Sea of Tiberias. (John 21) It is written in the Gospel of Luke (24: 13 - 36) that Jesus appeared to two of his disciples on their travel to the village of Emmaeus. They recognized him not until later in the evening when he broke bread for them, blessed it and then vanished.
When they returned to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples about the Risen King, he appeared in the midst of them and ate food with them. (Luke 24: 42)
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day...”and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you: but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Luke 24: 44, 46 – 51
Jesus came into the world to redeem us from sin, to destroy the power of the devil, to empower us to tread upon Satan and his helpers by healing, restoring and setting free people from oppression by Satan, and to spread the Good News of his victory over Satan, hell and death for all who would believe.
The ball is in our court! We don’t need to ask him for things, we only need to do as he did, speak God’s word, in Jesus’ name, into our lives and the lives of others, and believe. He has done all he came here to do, the rest is up to us. As for Jesus’ work on earth--
“IT IS FINISHED!”
Surely I am coming quickly. Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all (with all the saints.) Amen.
Revelation 22: 20 - 21
All Scripture from New King James Version of the Bible
Minister Ronnie Stricklin
A version of this feature appears in the Gospel publication "Just Good News," Milwaukee, WI
IT IS FINISHED!
There are some things that happened during the Crucifixion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, that are only mentioned in the Gospel of John. One reason for this is that he was the only one of the Twelve Disciples who actually witnessed the Crucifixion. This is attested to in John 19: 25 - 26
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’
We know that John was the disciple that Jesus loved by reviewing John 21: 20 – 24. In that passage, occurring after Christ’s resurrection, John reveals that Peter expressed a certain level of jealousy towards John about Jesus’ apparent closer relationship with John. Jesus explained to Peter how he would die to glorify God, then told him, “Follow Me.” Jesus then asked Peter that if he willed something for John, what was that to Peter? His job was to follow Jesus;
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Peter,..., said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?’" Jesus said to him If I will (desire) that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’
John refers to himself outright in verse 24;
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
We know why Jesus came into the world;
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3: 16
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3: 8
When Jesus, on the cross, released his spirit and his human body died, he did so because his work on the earth as a man was completed. We have the report of the eyewitness, Apostle John.
Then He said to the disciple,”Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “IT IS FINISHED!” (Emphasis mine.) And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19: 27 – 30
John goes on to report that the “Jews” (the members of the Sanhedrin and others who hated Jesus,) requested that the legs of Jesus and the two who were crucified with him be broken and they be removed from the crosses before the official beginning of the Sabbath. The legs were broken during
crucifixion to prevent prisoners from supporting themselves and avoiding suffocation.
The two had their legs broken and they suffocated. Jesus’ legs were not broken, because he was already dead. His side was pierced, spewing forth blood and water. The eyewitness continued;
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, (Psalm 34:20) "Not one of His bones shall be broken.”(Psalm 34: 20) And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
John further reports that two other disciples of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, redeemed Jesus’ body from Pilate. They prepared and placed His body in a new, unused tomb. On the first day of the week, (Sunday-which is why many of us gather to worship the Lord on this day,) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb before anyone else and found the covering stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone.
She hurried to inform Peter and John, who both went to the tomb with her and found the burial clothing and the tomb empty. The men went away to their homes, but Mary stayed, weeping. Two angels appeared to her, questioning her sorrow. When she turned around, Jesus was standing there beside her, but she did not recognize him through her sorrow. He spoke her name and she then knew who it was. He assigned her to go and tell the disciples that he was risen. Thus began the first of many sightings and interactions with the Risen King.
Jesus appeared, Immauel-God with us (Matthew 1: 23), that same evening to the disciples as they were gathered behind closed doors where he breathed on them and imparted the Holy Spirit upon them; eight days later he appeared to them in the same place and demonstrated his holiness to Thomas. (John 20: 19 – 29) John tells us that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that were not written.
Jesus appeared to them again, preparing breakfast for them at the Sea of Tiberias. (John 21) It is written in the Gospel of Luke (24: 13 - 36) that Jesus appeared to two of his disciples on their travel to the village of Emmaeus. They recognized him not until later in the evening when he broke bread for them, blessed it and then vanished.
When they returned to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples about the Risen King, he appeared in the midst of them and ate food with them. (Luke 24: 42)
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day...”and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you: but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Luke 24: 44, 46 – 51
Jesus came into the world to redeem us from sin, to destroy the power of the devil, to empower us to tread upon Satan and his helpers by healing, restoring and setting free people from oppression by Satan, and to spread the Good News of his victory over Satan, hell and death for all who would believe.
The ball is in our court! We don’t need to ask him for things, we only need to do as he did, speak God’s word, in Jesus’ name, into our lives and the lives of others, and believe. He has done all he came here to do, the rest is up to us. As for Jesus’ work on earth--
“IT IS FINISHED!”
Surely I am coming quickly. Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all (with all the saints.) Amen.
Revelation 22: 20 - 21
All Scripture from New King James Version of the Bible
Minister Ronnie Stricklin
A version of this feature appears in the Gospel publication "Just Good News," Milwaukee, WI
God Sees You a Certain Way!
Something always in my spirit—many of us impede our spiritual development in favor of appeasing our intellect, reasoning, imaginations, will, and five senses. This we do because we don't have/understand the correct image of ourselves as God intended.
Several writers and others have put forth ideas of how to move forward in life by developing “positive self-images.” Sadly, the more popular “experts” today are secular in nature and can never adequately address many core issues people face in determining who they are and what they should be about.
They have been “trained” by the world system, the Babylon system of man's reasoning, influenced by the enemy of mankind, Satan. This system seeks for man to make it through life on his own, without the necessary guidance of the One, the Great I AM THAT I AM, who created all that ever was, is, or will be, Jehovah-God-Elohim.
To be sure, several ideas do come from Christian writers and ministers. One such giant was Charles Capps. Like many, he used the Word of God to help all see how we are to live, to see ourselves, and to develop our faith.
Of his many publications, video and audio recordings, his book, God's Image Of You, CAPPS PUBLISHING, England, AR, 24th Edition, 2015 is most helpful in understanding what God intended for mankind's self-image.
In studying this text, it stood out to me that here lies many answers for believers and potential believers to clear their heads from the self-image thoughts, ideas and suggestions inserted into our thinking by Satan.
Surrounded and hounded by images of his making from movies, television, music, wrong teaching, wrong believing and wrong thinking, people are “comfortable” projecting themselves as whatever may be popular, “trending,” or “hip” at the moment.
Trapped by human reasoning, “how I feel,” and other thoughts corrupted by our enemy, we embrace the very things that keep us from the Blessing of God. It doesn't always help that those of us who heed the call of the Lord to spread His Gospel of Grace and Reconciliation between God and man sometimes use words and terms that some believers and potential believers may not understand.
We encourage you to get and study this book (http://www.charlescapps.com or 1-877-396-9400.)
To help you, we have taken several words and terms from the eight chapters in this book and, using the Holy Bible, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the American Language, and Capps' book, and offered definitions and explanations to help believers and potential believers “get their arms around” Minister Capps' message.
This is from the Word of God, “...the word of faith, which we preach.” Romans 10: 8b
GOD'S IMAGE OF YOU
Charles Capps – 24th Printing 2015 – CAPPS PUBLISHING
Terms
(In order of appearance—using the Holy Bible, Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language and Capps' book)
Chapter 1---"Seeing Yourself as God Sees You"
God, Pg. 7
The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the creator, and the sovereign of the universe.
Man, Pg. 7
Mankind (male or female); the human race; the whole species of human beings...distinguished from all other animals by the powers of reason and speech, as well as...shape and dignified aspect...an individual of the human species.
Self-Image, Pg. 7
Self-personal pronoun/pronominal (belong to or of the nature of a pronoun) adjective used to express emphasis or distinction, e.g., myself, herself, itself.
Image-a representation or similitude of any person or thing.
Believes, Pg. 7
To have a firm persuasion of anything. In theology, to believe sometimes expresses mere assent of the understanding to the truths of the gospel...(e.g., Simon, Acts 8...a yielding of the will and affections, accompanied with a humble reliance on Christ for salvation, e.g., John 1:12 and 3:15-16)
Condemnation, Pg. 8
The act of being pronounced utterly wrong/guilty.
Knowledge, Pg. 8
A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; learning; skill; cognizance; information.
Truth, Pg. 8
Comes from "True"-Genuine; pure; not counterfeit, adulterated or false; Faithful; honest; exact. The highest form of reality (vs. fact and opinion.)
Kingdom, Pg. 12
The government or universal dominion of God; power of supreme administration; Heaven; The reign of the Messiah.
Flesh, Pg. 13
The body, as distinguished from the soul (that part of man which enables him to think and reason; mankind; human nature/corrupt nature; carnality; state of existence in this world; sinful lusts and inclinations, Romans 8.
Righteousness, Pg. 15
Purity of heart gained by the active and passive obedience of Christ, by which the law of God is fulfilled.
Chapter 2 "Created To Have Dominion"
Dominion. Pg. 17
Supreme Authority; the power of governing and controlling; Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure.
Kind, Pg. 17
Race, genus, generic class; particular nature; manner/way.
Likeness, Pg. 20
Resemblance in form
Create, Pg. 21
To bring into being from nothing; to make or form; to bring forth; to form anew.
Religious, Pg.22
...Appropriated to...performance; (systematic) observance of vows or promises.
Manifestation, Pg. 23
Disclosing what is secret, unseen, or obscure; discovery to the eye or to the understanding; exhibition of any thing by clear evidence.
Chapter 3 "In The Image of God"
Fruitful, Pg. 25
Very productive; prolific/bearing children/not barren; plenteous/abounding in any thing; fertile; producing in abundance.
Multiply, Pg. 25
Grow or increase in number; to spread.
Replenish, Pg. 25
To fill; to stock with numbers or abundance; to recover former fullness.
Subdue, Pg. 25
To conquer by superior power, and bring into permanent subjection.
Dominion, Pg. 25
See Chapter 2 Terms
Father, Pg. 25
God, the Creator of all men, who creates, invents, makes or composes any thing.
Son, Pg. 25
Christ, the Son of God, as being conceived by the Holy Spirit, or in consequence of his relation to the Father.
Holy Spirit, Pg. 25
The sanctifier of souls.
Three-fold being, Pg. 25
Thrice (three times) repeated.
Spirit (of man), Pg. 25
...the intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of human beings. The spirit of man relates to God, who is a Spirit. Pg. 26
Soul (of man), Pg. 25
...rational and immortal substance in man, which distinguishes him from brutes; which enables him to think and reason, and which renders him a subject of moral government. The soulish realm of man, composed of his will, mind, emotions, imagination, and intellect. relates to the Holy Spirit, Who is our guide. It makes man do what he does.
Body, Pg. 25
Frame; Matter, as opposed to spirit; person. The physical body relates to Jesus, --the physical manifestation of God on the earth. Pg. 26 The earthly body is a vehicle of authority. (Legal power, or a right to command or act. Government.) Pg. 29
Breath of life, Pg. 27
...vapor; Life; a single respiration.
Living (soul), Pg. 27
Power of continuing life. (In the Chumash of the Hebrew translation, "..a speaking spirit.")
Satan, Pg. 29
The grand adversary of man; the devil or prince of darkness; the chief of the fallen angels. Adam surrendered his power and authority as "god" of the earth to this enemy by his disobedience to God's command. Jesus came to take back the power and authority for believers. Luke 4:5-6 and 1John 3:8 Jesus delegates authority over "serpents and scorpions," (Satan and his minions, 2 Corinthians 4:4) to believers. Luke 10:17-18, and Luke 10:19-20.
Kingdom, Pg. 32
In scripture, the government or universal dominion of God.
"god of the earth," Pg. 33
The LORD tells us in Psalms 82:6, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
Lord Jesus answered the 'Jews" (Pharisees and Sadducees, the Sanhedrin) in John 10:34, "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" One Hebrew translation of the word for the one true "God" is Elohim (upper case letters.) When used to describe those he gives authority and power to, the translation is "gods," or elohim (both lower case letters.) Jehovah is God of the universe, He intended mankind to be "god" of the earth: to have dominion over everything in, under, on and around it, to be fruitful, multiply, and to replenish the earth.
Genesis 1:26-28 God delegated authority over the earth to mankind. This is "The Blessing" God intended for His children, believing mankind.
Religion, Religious, Pg. 35
From Latin-to bind anew-originally signified an oath or vow to the gods...held sacred by the Romans; Any system of... worship.
One sees oneself either as God sees you or as Religion sees you. God does not require Religion, but does require Faith. He has given us the right and free will to choose, just as He did for Adam.
Chapter 4 "Man and the Angels"
Lucifer, Pg. 44
A created by God, anointed cherub who disobeyed God and was cast out as Satan/enemy/accuser. Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:13-19, Revelation 12
Chapter 5 "Speaking the Image"
Bind, Pg. 52
To confine or restrain; to constrain; to form a border...
Confessing (God's Word), Pg. 53
Owning; avowing; declaring to be true or real.
Chapter 6 "Doers of the Word are Winners in Life"
Bridle (your tongue), Pg. 57
Restrain, curb, guide or govern.
Harvest, Pg. 57
Reap or collect. Part of God's economic system law of Sowing and Reaping.
Anointed, Pg. 61
Set apart; consecrated (made sacred.)
Principality (...ties), Pgs. 62, 67
Territory; royal state; supreme power
Quickened, Pg. 63
Made alive; revived; accelerated; stimulated.
Grace, Pg. 65
Favor; reconciliation to God; mercy; pardon; spiritual instruction. This all points to Jesus Christ!
Chapter 7 "Above Principalities and Powers"
Workmanship (we are...of God), Pg. 68
Something made; the execution or manner of making anything.
Chapter 8 "God's Hope of Glory"
Mystery, Pg. 71
Anything of God that is not revealed to man.
Righteousness, Pg. 73
The nature of God; obedience of Christ...the cause of our justification.
Faith
Understanding and acceptance to the truth that God has revealed.
All of these terms come from scripture. We encourage you to purchase this book (also available in some bookstores,) and to meditate on God's and Charles Capps' words and meanings. We also encourage you to get a free Bible app for your mobile device.
God left messages for all of us. Among them, “Study to show thyself approved unto God...,” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV, and “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..., Matthew 28:19a NIV. Get into God's Word and "mine" to for discernment and for revelation knowledge. God gives it all to those who seek!
“...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matthew 28:20 KJV
"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar....
Romans 3:3-4a KJV
*************************************************************************************************************************************
Hello again.
We know that many people are "going through" illness, financial, marital, depression/oppression and other disruptions. Here is something that we recently shared with a friend and the Holy Spirit moved us to share it with you.
Jesus was about to go to a centurion's home to heal his servant who was deathly sick. The centurion told Jesus that he was a man under authority and his people under him were under his authority-he tells one to go here and he goes, he tells another to do this and he does it.
He told Jesus that he was not worthy of Jesus making the trip to his home, but, understanding authority, he knew that Jesus had to "SPEAK THE WORD ONLY...," and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled that He had never seen such faith among His own people (in a Gentile at that.) That same hour, as the centurion was traveling home, other servants met him on the way and told him that his servant was healed. From Matthew 8: 8.
All of you, "SPEAK THE WORD ONLY!" It will make a difference in your life.
Romans 4: 17...(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, Genesis 17: 5) before him whom he believed even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
You were made in His image, after His likeness-you were made to look like He looks and to do like He does.
Gen 1:26. You are His child,"...and if children, then we are heirs also: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ..."
Romans 8: 16, 17 (also 18 - 39).
Throughout Genesis 1, "God said...," and it was! You "Say" and believe in your heart and do not doubt, and you shall have what you say. Mark 11: 23. Have the God kind of faith. ("Have faith in God.") Mark 11: 22. And Mark 11: 24 - 26
(You got me preaching, but you need to know this in your heart/spirit.)
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: :15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
What is His will for us? Here are two; "For I know the thoughts that I have for you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 and "The thief (Satan) comes not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (To the full; to overflowing.) John 10: 10
Read the Word of God, meditate it, read it again, ask God to reveal its true meaning to you, read it again. That is a lot different from "I read the Bible." That is studying God's word to learn to apply it to our lives and to cash in on the thousands of promises He made for those who love Him and accept Hi Son as Lord and Savior. Sharon and I were once sarcastically called "...bible scholars." Whether we are or are not is not the point. The point is God calls upon all of us to know His word, speak His word and reap His promise. Just "I read the bible" won't get it.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." Joshua 1: 8. Jesus said, "...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (From Deut. 6: 5) This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ( From Lev. 19: 18) These two commandments sum up, and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22: 37-40.
Stay on the "Love line, and Keep Walking By Faith!" (From Dr. Bill Winston)
We love you and are praying for you!
Ministers Ronnie and Sharon
Something always in my spirit—many of us impede our spiritual development in favor of appeasing our intellect, reasoning, imaginations, will, and five senses. This we do because we don't have/understand the correct image of ourselves as God intended.
Several writers and others have put forth ideas of how to move forward in life by developing “positive self-images.” Sadly, the more popular “experts” today are secular in nature and can never adequately address many core issues people face in determining who they are and what they should be about.
They have been “trained” by the world system, the Babylon system of man's reasoning, influenced by the enemy of mankind, Satan. This system seeks for man to make it through life on his own, without the necessary guidance of the One, the Great I AM THAT I AM, who created all that ever was, is, or will be, Jehovah-God-Elohim.
To be sure, several ideas do come from Christian writers and ministers. One such giant was Charles Capps. Like many, he used the Word of God to help all see how we are to live, to see ourselves, and to develop our faith.
Of his many publications, video and audio recordings, his book, God's Image Of You, CAPPS PUBLISHING, England, AR, 24th Edition, 2015 is most helpful in understanding what God intended for mankind's self-image.
In studying this text, it stood out to me that here lies many answers for believers and potential believers to clear their heads from the self-image thoughts, ideas and suggestions inserted into our thinking by Satan.
Surrounded and hounded by images of his making from movies, television, music, wrong teaching, wrong believing and wrong thinking, people are “comfortable” projecting themselves as whatever may be popular, “trending,” or “hip” at the moment.
Trapped by human reasoning, “how I feel,” and other thoughts corrupted by our enemy, we embrace the very things that keep us from the Blessing of God. It doesn't always help that those of us who heed the call of the Lord to spread His Gospel of Grace and Reconciliation between God and man sometimes use words and terms that some believers and potential believers may not understand.
We encourage you to get and study this book (http://www.charlescapps.com or 1-877-396-9400.)
To help you, we have taken several words and terms from the eight chapters in this book and, using the Holy Bible, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the American Language, and Capps' book, and offered definitions and explanations to help believers and potential believers “get their arms around” Minister Capps' message.
This is from the Word of God, “...the word of faith, which we preach.” Romans 10: 8b
GOD'S IMAGE OF YOU
Charles Capps – 24th Printing 2015 – CAPPS PUBLISHING
Terms
(In order of appearance—using the Holy Bible, Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language and Capps' book)
Chapter 1---"Seeing Yourself as God Sees You"
God, Pg. 7
The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the creator, and the sovereign of the universe.
Man, Pg. 7
Mankind (male or female); the human race; the whole species of human beings...distinguished from all other animals by the powers of reason and speech, as well as...shape and dignified aspect...an individual of the human species.
Self-Image, Pg. 7
Self-personal pronoun/pronominal (belong to or of the nature of a pronoun) adjective used to express emphasis or distinction, e.g., myself, herself, itself.
Image-a representation or similitude of any person or thing.
Believes, Pg. 7
To have a firm persuasion of anything. In theology, to believe sometimes expresses mere assent of the understanding to the truths of the gospel...(e.g., Simon, Acts 8...a yielding of the will and affections, accompanied with a humble reliance on Christ for salvation, e.g., John 1:12 and 3:15-16)
Condemnation, Pg. 8
The act of being pronounced utterly wrong/guilty.
Knowledge, Pg. 8
A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; learning; skill; cognizance; information.
Truth, Pg. 8
Comes from "True"-Genuine; pure; not counterfeit, adulterated or false; Faithful; honest; exact. The highest form of reality (vs. fact and opinion.)
Kingdom, Pg. 12
The government or universal dominion of God; power of supreme administration; Heaven; The reign of the Messiah.
Flesh, Pg. 13
The body, as distinguished from the soul (that part of man which enables him to think and reason; mankind; human nature/corrupt nature; carnality; state of existence in this world; sinful lusts and inclinations, Romans 8.
Righteousness, Pg. 15
Purity of heart gained by the active and passive obedience of Christ, by which the law of God is fulfilled.
Chapter 2 "Created To Have Dominion"
Dominion. Pg. 17
Supreme Authority; the power of governing and controlling; Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure.
Kind, Pg. 17
Race, genus, generic class; particular nature; manner/way.
Likeness, Pg. 20
Resemblance in form
Create, Pg. 21
To bring into being from nothing; to make or form; to bring forth; to form anew.
Religious, Pg.22
...Appropriated to...performance; (systematic) observance of vows or promises.
Manifestation, Pg. 23
Disclosing what is secret, unseen, or obscure; discovery to the eye or to the understanding; exhibition of any thing by clear evidence.
Chapter 3 "In The Image of God"
Fruitful, Pg. 25
Very productive; prolific/bearing children/not barren; plenteous/abounding in any thing; fertile; producing in abundance.
Multiply, Pg. 25
Grow or increase in number; to spread.
Replenish, Pg. 25
To fill; to stock with numbers or abundance; to recover former fullness.
Subdue, Pg. 25
To conquer by superior power, and bring into permanent subjection.
Dominion, Pg. 25
See Chapter 2 Terms
Father, Pg. 25
God, the Creator of all men, who creates, invents, makes or composes any thing.
Son, Pg. 25
Christ, the Son of God, as being conceived by the Holy Spirit, or in consequence of his relation to the Father.
Holy Spirit, Pg. 25
The sanctifier of souls.
Three-fold being, Pg. 25
Thrice (three times) repeated.
Spirit (of man), Pg. 25
...the intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of human beings. The spirit of man relates to God, who is a Spirit. Pg. 26
Soul (of man), Pg. 25
...rational and immortal substance in man, which distinguishes him from brutes; which enables him to think and reason, and which renders him a subject of moral government. The soulish realm of man, composed of his will, mind, emotions, imagination, and intellect. relates to the Holy Spirit, Who is our guide. It makes man do what he does.
Body, Pg. 25
Frame; Matter, as opposed to spirit; person. The physical body relates to Jesus, --the physical manifestation of God on the earth. Pg. 26 The earthly body is a vehicle of authority. (Legal power, or a right to command or act. Government.) Pg. 29
Breath of life, Pg. 27
...vapor; Life; a single respiration.
Living (soul), Pg. 27
Power of continuing life. (In the Chumash of the Hebrew translation, "..a speaking spirit.")
Satan, Pg. 29
The grand adversary of man; the devil or prince of darkness; the chief of the fallen angels. Adam surrendered his power and authority as "god" of the earth to this enemy by his disobedience to God's command. Jesus came to take back the power and authority for believers. Luke 4:5-6 and 1John 3:8 Jesus delegates authority over "serpents and scorpions," (Satan and his minions, 2 Corinthians 4:4) to believers. Luke 10:17-18, and Luke 10:19-20.
Kingdom, Pg. 32
In scripture, the government or universal dominion of God.
"god of the earth," Pg. 33
The LORD tells us in Psalms 82:6, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
Lord Jesus answered the 'Jews" (Pharisees and Sadducees, the Sanhedrin) in John 10:34, "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" One Hebrew translation of the word for the one true "God" is Elohim (upper case letters.) When used to describe those he gives authority and power to, the translation is "gods," or elohim (both lower case letters.) Jehovah is God of the universe, He intended mankind to be "god" of the earth: to have dominion over everything in, under, on and around it, to be fruitful, multiply, and to replenish the earth.
Genesis 1:26-28 God delegated authority over the earth to mankind. This is "The Blessing" God intended for His children, believing mankind.
Religion, Religious, Pg. 35
From Latin-to bind anew-originally signified an oath or vow to the gods...held sacred by the Romans; Any system of... worship.
One sees oneself either as God sees you or as Religion sees you. God does not require Religion, but does require Faith. He has given us the right and free will to choose, just as He did for Adam.
Chapter 4 "Man and the Angels"
Lucifer, Pg. 44
A created by God, anointed cherub who disobeyed God and was cast out as Satan/enemy/accuser. Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:13-19, Revelation 12
Chapter 5 "Speaking the Image"
Bind, Pg. 52
To confine or restrain; to constrain; to form a border...
Confessing (God's Word), Pg. 53
Owning; avowing; declaring to be true or real.
Chapter 6 "Doers of the Word are Winners in Life"
Bridle (your tongue), Pg. 57
Restrain, curb, guide or govern.
Harvest, Pg. 57
Reap or collect. Part of God's economic system law of Sowing and Reaping.
Anointed, Pg. 61
Set apart; consecrated (made sacred.)
Principality (...ties), Pgs. 62, 67
Territory; royal state; supreme power
Quickened, Pg. 63
Made alive; revived; accelerated; stimulated.
Grace, Pg. 65
Favor; reconciliation to God; mercy; pardon; spiritual instruction. This all points to Jesus Christ!
Chapter 7 "Above Principalities and Powers"
Workmanship (we are...of God), Pg. 68
Something made; the execution or manner of making anything.
Chapter 8 "God's Hope of Glory"
Mystery, Pg. 71
Anything of God that is not revealed to man.
Righteousness, Pg. 73
The nature of God; obedience of Christ...the cause of our justification.
Faith
Understanding and acceptance to the truth that God has revealed.
All of these terms come from scripture. We encourage you to purchase this book (also available in some bookstores,) and to meditate on God's and Charles Capps' words and meanings. We also encourage you to get a free Bible app for your mobile device.
God left messages for all of us. Among them, “Study to show thyself approved unto God...,” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV, and “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..., Matthew 28:19a NIV. Get into God's Word and "mine" to for discernment and for revelation knowledge. God gives it all to those who seek!
“...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matthew 28:20 KJV
"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar....
Romans 3:3-4a KJV
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Hello again.
We know that many people are "going through" illness, financial, marital, depression/oppression and other disruptions. Here is something that we recently shared with a friend and the Holy Spirit moved us to share it with you.
Jesus was about to go to a centurion's home to heal his servant who was deathly sick. The centurion told Jesus that he was a man under authority and his people under him were under his authority-he tells one to go here and he goes, he tells another to do this and he does it.
He told Jesus that he was not worthy of Jesus making the trip to his home, but, understanding authority, he knew that Jesus had to "SPEAK THE WORD ONLY...," and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled that He had never seen such faith among His own people (in a Gentile at that.) That same hour, as the centurion was traveling home, other servants met him on the way and told him that his servant was healed. From Matthew 8: 8.
All of you, "SPEAK THE WORD ONLY!" It will make a difference in your life.
Romans 4: 17...(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, Genesis 17: 5) before him whom he believed even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
You were made in His image, after His likeness-you were made to look like He looks and to do like He does.
Gen 1:26. You are His child,"...and if children, then we are heirs also: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ..."
Romans 8: 16, 17 (also 18 - 39).
Throughout Genesis 1, "God said...," and it was! You "Say" and believe in your heart and do not doubt, and you shall have what you say. Mark 11: 23. Have the God kind of faith. ("Have faith in God.") Mark 11: 22. And Mark 11: 24 - 26
(You got me preaching, but you need to know this in your heart/spirit.)
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: :15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
What is His will for us? Here are two; "For I know the thoughts that I have for you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 and "The thief (Satan) comes not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (To the full; to overflowing.) John 10: 10
Read the Word of God, meditate it, read it again, ask God to reveal its true meaning to you, read it again. That is a lot different from "I read the Bible." That is studying God's word to learn to apply it to our lives and to cash in on the thousands of promises He made for those who love Him and accept Hi Son as Lord and Savior. Sharon and I were once sarcastically called "...bible scholars." Whether we are or are not is not the point. The point is God calls upon all of us to know His word, speak His word and reap His promise. Just "I read the bible" won't get it.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." Joshua 1: 8. Jesus said, "...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (From Deut. 6: 5) This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ( From Lev. 19: 18) These two commandments sum up, and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22: 37-40.
Stay on the "Love line, and Keep Walking By Faith!" (From Dr. Bill Winston)
We love you and are praying for you!
Ministers Ronnie and Sharon