Jesus was very purposeful in everything He said and did. There was nothing done by happenstance. No action was taken, no word was spoken, without there being careful thought given it first.

A look at the book of Mark will give the casual reader a sense of excitement and purpose. Words like “immediately,” “straightway,” and  “forthwith,” relate the sense of urgency and the purpose of each word and act of the Master.

He was a Man with a mission. He had but a short time to gather, train, and send those who would cause the Church to grow and prosper. The future of the ministry was in the balance. His brief time on earth would be fruitful, or unfruitful, depending upon how well He did His job.

After His Baptism He was “immediately” driven into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He vanquished the Devil with the Word of God and came out and began His ministry saying, “. . . repent ye, and believe my gospel.”

He then began gathering those that He would train. One by one He called them to follow Him and “straightway” they left what they were doing and obeyed.

We see Him teaching “as one that had authority” and He demonstrated His authority as “commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”

He taught by example as He went about teaching, healing, delivering and setting the captives free. Those who followed Him learned by what they saw, as much as they learned by what they heard; perhaps even more.

Then He sent out those who had been taught to do the works that He did. They were to demonstrate what they had seen him do. This was the graduation exercise. This was the Church being propagated.

Send One!

Jesus is very purposeful in everything He says to us and does in us. Nothing is done by happenstance. No action is taken, no word spoken, without there being careful thought given it first.

A look at the book of Mark should give us a fresh sense of excitement and purpose. Our lives should begin to be filled with the “immediately,” or “suddenly” of God. We should take on a sense of urgency and purpose as we respond to the Master.

We are men and women with a mission. We, too, have a short time to gather, train, and send those who will cause the Church to grow and prosper. The future of this ministry is in the balance. Our brief time on earth will only be fruitful as we do our job with the same zeal He did His.

We should not be surprised if, after our salvation, and after our baptism, that we are confronted by Satan. “The servant is not above his master.” We can emerge from the fray in victory because we have the same Word of God that Jesus had; and more.

We should begin gathering those that we will train. One by one we should invite others to follow us in our quest to know Him and to expand His kingdom. Some will follow “straightway” and some will not.

Now, others should see us teaching “as one that had authority” and we should demonstrate our authority as we command unclean spirits, and they obey.

We teach by example, as we have been taught by His example. We go about teaching, healing, delivering, and setting the captives free. Others will learn about Jesus by following along with us, watching what we do and listening to what we say.

Then, we too, send out those who have been taught to do the works of God. As we demonstrate His resurrection power, so will those we send. This is what we are called for.

Every Joint Supplying ...

    Ephes. 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

There isn't one believer or preacher anywhere who, by themselves, can be all that God has created  him or her to be, or do all that the Lord has called him or her to do. It takes each and every last one of us working together.

Every joint bringing their supply of the Spirit to the body and its members in particular is what causes the body to be strong and every joint, or part, to function properly.

What must be supplied? Love, Faith, Anointing, Money, Prayer - Everything! God has given us all things to get Kingdom business finished.

    2 Cor. 8:14 ... that now at this time your abundance may be a supply ... that their abundance also may be a supply ... that there may be equality:

Each and everyone is as important as another. No one has everything to offer, nor is there anyone who has nothing to offer. All have an important supply of the Spirit for the building up of the body of Christ.

    1 Cor. 12:20-21  But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Take Your Place !

You can not, must not, ever think of yourself as unwanted, useless, unfit or unqualified to serve the Lord in His church. God has put within you everything that the Body of Christ needs at this time. You have gifts and talents that you are not aware of just waiting to be activated and energized by the Holy Spirit. You are a member of the body in particular.

Take your place! You fit somewhere. Let your pastors help you find that unique, special place that you alone are designed to fill. No one is drawn into the family of God to just sit in a pew. We are all called to be co-laborers with the Holy Spirit and ambassadors of the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. You and I are called to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of His dear Son. We are called not as servants, but as sons and daughters of the King.

   1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; ...

Take your place. Beloved, You were born for just such a time as this.

    Esther 4:14  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise ... from another place; ... and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Faith to Faith
           Development of a Leader

Luke 16:10-11  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is
unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the
unrighteous mammon [wealth; deified avarice (greed)]; , who will commit to your trust the true riches?

     1.   Mammon: Things, possessions, wealth are god
     2.   True Riches: The hidden mysteries: Things of God that are only understood by revelation.
     This is the “blessing” that comes through the open windows of heaven [Malachi 3].
          a.   Matthew 13:11 (KJV) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
          b.   Luke 8:10 (KJV)  And he said, Unto you 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.
          c.   1 Cor. 4:1 (KJV)  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
          d.   1 Cor. 2:7 (KJV)  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
          e.   This includes prosperity: Philip. 4:19 (KJV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
          f.   This also includes the wealth of the sinner [Pro. 13:22]
                i.   Isaiah 45:3 (KJV)  And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel],
     3.   If we are not faithful in the things Gods word tells us to do; that He asks us to do; in what He has given us to work with [talents, giftings, graces, abilities (both natural and supernatural)] - we will not be drawn into the relationship that God desires and that releases revelation, health & prosperity.
          a.   3 John 1:2 (KJV)  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in  health, even as thy soul prospereth.
                 i.   The condition is: as your soul continually prospers.
                       (1)  Prosper: to help on the road, i.e. (passive) succeed in reaching; figurative to  succeed in business affairs :- (have a) prosper (-ous journey). As your soul continually succeeds in its journey [faith to faith] in The Anointed One and His anointing.
                  ii.  An example of not being faithful in the things of God can be seen in Proverbs 28:24 (KJV)  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
                       (1)  Each of us has a “spiritual father” or “mother.” If we do not take care of them we become an ally of a demon. I'm not saying that we have a demon, but that we would be working toward the same end.
                       (2)  What would be considered "robbing” them?
                              (a)  Withholding financial support.
                              (b)  Stealing their reputation with slander and gossip.
                              (c)  Withdrawing your graces (gifts) from the work God called them and you to.

     4.   Faith is displayed as an action in faithfulness.
           a.   Faithful: pistos, trustworthy; trustful :- believing, believer), faithful (faithfully), sure, true.
                 i.    This is someone who can be counted upon to do the job in an honest, timely and consistent manner.
                 ii.  If you have not been faithful in small tasks, how can God reveal true riches to you?
                 iii. If you have not been faithful in small amounts of money, how can He trust you with large amounts of money?
                 iv.  If you have not been faithful in the small amount of revelation that He has given, how can you expect to get more?
                         v.   No faithfulness - No relationship - No revelation.
               b.   James 2:20 (KJV) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
                     i.   James 2:20 (Msg)  Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
               c.   James 2:26 (KJV)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
                     i.   James 2:26 (Msg)  The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.
               d.   Faith, without demonstrated acts of faith is not faith. It is a dead, impotent, counterfeit, useless.
Luke 12:48 .... For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to
whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
     5.   Faith is exercised by increased responsibility.
     6.   As you overcome in one level of faith you are thrust into a new level of faith.
               a.   It is “Faith to Faith.”
Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
The just shall live by faith.
     7.   This is where the “righteousness of God is revealed:
           a.   Faith to Faith - Revelation to Greater Revelation
                 i.   Of what?  The revelation of Gods righteousness through the gospel.
     8.   This is where those of faith live. “The just shall live by their faith.”
           a.   This kind of living, this faith lifestyle, was prophesied by Habbakuk when he said,
[Habakkuk 2:1-4 (KJV)]  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. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 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. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
     9.   Also - The unjust shall die by their faith. - Fear is faith in the Devil's ability to bring loss, death and destruction.
           a.   John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: ...
           b.   1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
     10.  The people of faith receive the object of their faith - “life [Jesus is the Life, and only in Him do we have life] ... and life more abundantly.”
Luke 19:26  For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him
that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
     11.  One who is unfaithful in the little faith he has, will have the faith he has taken away.
     12.  One who is faithful in the little (faith) that he has, he will be given much (faith).
            a.   There are different levels of faith.
                   i.   No faith (Deut. 32:20; Mark 4:40; )
                   ii.  First faith (1 Tim. 5:12;)
                   iii. Measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
                   iv.  Little faith (Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:26; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; Luke 12:28;)
                   v.   Weak faith (Romans 4:19;)
                   vi.  Mustard seed faith (Matthew 17:20;)
                   vii. Proportion of faith (Romans 12:6;)
                   viii.     Mutual faith (agreement, unity) (Ephes. 4:13; )
                   ix.  Unfeigned faith (2 Tim. 1:5;)
                   x.   Great faith (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9)
                   xi.  The God kind of faith, or Gods faith (Mark 11:22; 1 Cor. 12:9;)
Our faithfulness in one level allows us to move to the next level.
     13.  There are also Four Basic Realms of Faith:
             a.   Philip. 3:10 (KJV)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
             b.   These Four Realms of Faith are entered into after “no faith” and are as follows:
                    i.   That I may know Him.
                    ii.  The Power of His Resurrection
                    iii. The Fellowship of His Sufferings
                    iv.  Being Made Conformable Unto His Death
              c.   The different Levels of Faith fit into the Four Realms of Faith as follows. This is what is meant by the “proportion of faith”:
                    i.   That I may know Him
                          (1)  First faith (1 Tim. 5:12;)
After “No Faith” there comes the “hearing of the word” which brings “First Faith.”
We then begin to realize that the Resurrection of Christ Jesus was for us and that we participated in that resurrection through faith.
                   ii.  The Power of His Resurrection
We then become aware of the “Power of His Resurrection” and develop our faith to express it's effect in our lives and the lives of others. We have received the “measure of faith” and are beginning to see it develop in our lives. Our focus is on “Power.” The flesh can begin to bask in the power and try to settle down here.
                        (1)  Measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
The Holy Spirit helps us to move from faith to faith. Our journey accelerates from here on if our heart is fixed upon the things of God. Putting off the pride of the flesh, we now move through this realm from “little faith” to “weak faith” to "mustard seed faith.”
                        (2)  Little faith (Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:26; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; Luke 12:28;)
                        (3)  Weak faith (Romans 4:19;)
                        (4)  Mustard seed faith (Matthew 17:20;)
            iii. The Fellowship of His Sufferings
As our will aligns with His will we are able to enter the fellowship realm (the realm of “mutual faith.” We are now in agreement with Him and are able to operate with “unfeigned faith.”
                        (1)  Mutual faith (agreement, unity) (Ephes. 4:13; )
                        (2)  Unfeigned faith (2 Tim. 1:5;)
            iv.   Being Made Conformable Unto His Death 
Having moved into unfeigned agreement with our Lord we now are called to exercise “great faith.” This demands understanding the absolute authority of God in Christ and must draw on the same “God kind of faith” that was needed to send the Son of God and release the gospel and the ensuing anointing into the care of man. Here the disciple yields his very existence into the hand of God. This is the - Galatians 2:20 (KJV) 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. - life that demands nothing for itself, but is totally living to minister to the Lord and satisfy His purpose.
                    (1)  Great faith (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9;)
                    (2)  The God kind of faith, or Gods faith (Mark 11:22; 1 Cor. 12:9;)
     14.  Faith pleases God. Will He not give you what you need to please Him?
            a.   Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
            b.   Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
            c.   Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
     15.  God will cause you (allow you) to step up to the next level so that He can bless you with
more.
           a.   Galatians 4:1-7  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons,  God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
                 i.   Adoption = being put in the place of the first born with all of it’s rights and privileges.
                     (1)  This is why it can be said: Romans 8:17 (KJV) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
                            (a)  Note here that it is in the realm of the “fellowship of His sufferings” that adoption takes place.
     16.  We need to grow up in order to receive our inheritance.
            a.   Because, Having more demands more responsibility.
     17.  A faith filled heart, speaks faith filled words, and expects the answer of faith:
            a.   1JO 5:14 KJV And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; 1JO 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
            b.   1JO 5:14 NIV This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1JO 5:15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of him.
            c.   1JO 5:14 AMP And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 1JO 5:15  And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
                   i.   This is the confidence. (We possess towards Him)
                   ii.  CONFIDENCE: the speaking all one thinks, free-spokenness (as characteristic of a frank and fearless mind), boldness, openness, frankness, freedom in speaking, cheerful courage, fearless confidence.
                   iii. CONFIDENCE: gk # 3954 parrhesia (par-rhay-see'-ah) FEARLESSLY  SPEAKING ALL ONE THINKS FROM THE HEART.
                   iv.  Your faith is evident in your speech.  You have great boldness in what you say because you believe.  Your speech conveys great assurance because your heart is convinced.

Forsake Him Not ...

In Second Chronicles 12:1-8 we can learn some valuable lessons: 

Forsake the Lord and you will be forsaken by Him. Too often we who call ourselves Christians forsake the living God for the lure of the world. We act as though He is unable to keep and care for us. We go looking other places and to other sources for our answers to life's questions.

     2 Chron. 12:5  Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

What is the answer for one who finds them self in such an attitude and condition? Verse seven gives us the answer. Humble self. The key to returning to right standing with God is the right regard of self and the right estimation of God. When we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord we find that which we truly desire.

    2 Chron. 12:6-7  Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous. And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Nevertheless ...

This brings us to the next phase of our development. Nevertheless - Often, when we realize we have come out from under the protective hand of God we will feign repentance and act humble even though it is nothing more than an attempt to make things better. Therefore - the Nevertheless!

    2 Chron. 12:8  Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

Unprecedented prosperity is already sweeping the world. The greatest transfer of wealth in the history of planet earth is taking place and will continue for the next seven years. Nevertheless -

If we don't serve God in the midst of this time of prosperity with joyfulness and gladness of heart for the abundance He has given, curses come.

     Deut. 28:45, 47 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, ...  Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

We are servants to whom we obey [Rom. 6:16]. Let's guard our hearts and serve and obey the Lord, and Him alone. If we do we will prosper and enjoy Him, His goodness and His provision in this, the greatest hour the Church has ever experienced!

     Job 36:11  If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Light = God life manifest, shown forth.

Genesis 1 speaks of God's creation. God created four kinds of life:
     1.   Plant life: flowering plants, shrubs, trees, herbs, etc.
     2.   Animal life: higher than plant life and includes (generally speaking) insects, livestock, wild animals, fish and birds.
     3.   Human life: higher yet than animal life.

Man does not belong to the same kind as the other creatures of creation; he is created in the image and likeness of God. Hence:  Man is of Gods kind.

So, from the lowest form of creation to the highest we have, plant life; next animal life; then human life. Yet, human life, as high a form of life as it is, is not the highest.

In Genesis 2 we see another kind of life, which is found in the tree of life. This is the uncreated life of God and the highest kind of life. This is Superior life - It is God's kind: Zoe Life.

The Gospel of John is a book that deals specifically with life.  Not plant life, nor animal life, nor human life. Rather, it is on God coming to be man's life. God gives us His life when we receive Jesus Who is the life of God. He enters into us and becomes our life:

   Galatians 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.

   Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Good and Evil ...

Let's look at the Genesis account again:

   Genesis 2:9  And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

   Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Satan made the knowledge of good and evil a thing to be desired. He intimated that it was good; to know good and evil:

   Genesis 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

In actuality, the knowledge of good and evil is death! When we make determinations about what is good, or what is evil, outside of the life of God it is sin. It is operating outside of the life of God and, therefore, below the level that God intended for man to live. It is making determinations based upon soulish values that are  not flowing from the Christ life within.

For example: Would you say that it is good to go into the wilderness? Are you able to rejoice in what ever circumstance you find yourself? Are you able to have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost when, after abounding, you are abased? How do you act when things aren't going your way? Consider this:

    Luke 4:1  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Why was Jesus being led into the wilderness? Wasn't it to be set upon by the devil himself? If that was you, would you think it was good or evil?

The Light of Life ...

Only the light of life within can give us joy and peace when we are going through any wilderness experience.

Look at another example:

   Acts 20:22-23  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Here we see Paul knowing that he was being led into a very uncomfortable situation. He is willing, but those who know and love him have a different view of what he should do. Who is right? Should he heed their warnings or should he follow the light of life within? What would you do if several prophets told you that where you were going was going to cause you to be bound and afflicted? Is this good or evil?

He was warned by those with revelation; those with a valid word of Wisdom. Look at one of the warnings:

   Acts 21:10-12  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

The reaction of those who loved him was that he should not go. But he heard another voice. He had life within and that life told him something other than what the soulish knowledge of good and evil said. He said, I know nothing of myself:

    1 Cor. 4:3-4  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that  judgeth me is the Lord.

Beloved, you and I must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. We must learn to walk in the high places of the Spirit.  Obedience to the voice of the Life within is our only duty.

    2 Cor. 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Let us, therefore, put on Christ and life the higher life of our inheritance:

    Galatians 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

We, like Paul, must learn to walk in the fulness of the great truth that we are crucified with Christ, and though we live, yet it is not we, but Christ Who lives in us. The life we now live, in the flesh, is by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave Himself for us. We are those who must learn to be led by the Spirit of God, because we are the sons of God. [Gal. 2:22; Rom. 8:14]