The Righteous Shall Flourish

St. John 1:12-14 - 

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2 Corinthians 5:21- ²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Isaiah 3:10 - ¹⁰ Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
 
  2 Corinthians 5:13-14 - ¹³ For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constrained us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Psalm 92:12 -  ¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Notes: We are Gods children we can not disconnect our self from God or survive without Him. We should enjoy the life that God made for us. We are Gods Branches, He is our Father, and Jesus is our Righteousness & our gift from God that was given to us. We came to the presence of the lord to feed, to hear the word of God. God never want us to be sin conscious he want us to be righteousness conscious. Do not always see what the devil is doing to you, but see what Jesus has done for you, say by his strife's i' am healed, He was made poor so that  I will be made rich, He was rejected so that i would be accepted, He was made sin so that I would be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

The Christian & Temptations

                        "THE EPISTLE OF JThe Christian & Temptations (1:12-18)
                                
INTRODUCTION

1. One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing
   with "temptations"

2. This is especially true for new Christians:
   a. For it can be frustrating to know that your sins have been 
      forgiven...
   b. ...only to immediately find yourself bombarded by temptations to
      continue in your sins

3. In Jm 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian in the form
   of:
   a. A PROMISE to those who endure temptations
   b. A CAUTION not to wrongfully impugn the source of those
      temptations
   c. AN UNDERSTANDING of how sin develops

[As we begin with verse 12, we notice...]

I. THE PROMISE (12)

   A. THE MAN WHO ENDURES TEMPTATION WILL BE "BLESSED"...
      1. The Greek word for "blessed" is "makarios"
      2. Which means "happy, blessed"
      3. The nature of the happiness enjoyed is described as the verse
         continues...

   B. FOR AFTER HE HAS BEEN "PROVED" HE WILL RECEIVE "THE CROWN OF
      LIFE"...
      1. The promise is that of "eternal life"
      2. The promise is given by Him Who cannot lie - cf. Tit 1:2
      3. The promise is given to those who "demonstrate" (prove) their
         love for God by their endurance of the temptations

[And so, to Christians facing temptations, first we have an ENCOURAGING 
word.  As we read on, though, we notice a word of CAUTION...]

II. THE CAUTION (13, 16-18)

   A. LET NO ONE SAY THEY ARE TEMPTED BY GOD! (13)
      1. That is, to blame God for their temptations
      2. For God is so HOLY:
         a. He cannot be tempted by evil
         b. Nor does He tempt anyone to do evil

   B. SO DON'T BE DECEIVED INTO SUCH THINKING (16-18)
      1. God is the source of GOOD, not evil!
      2. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him!
      3. As an example, it was of His Own Will that He brought us forth
         a. Which He did by the "word of truth" (the gospel) - cf. 1 Pe
            1:22-23
         b. So we might be a kind of "firstfruits" (the "cream of the
            crop") of His creatures

[This being true, certainly God would not tempt us with evil!  In fact, 
through the words of James God gives us insight into the development of 
sin which can help us to overcome sin...]

III. THE UNDERSTANDING (14-15)

   A. HOW SIN DEVELOPS...
      1. The first stage is TEMPTATION (14)
         a. This stage involves two things:
            1) LUST (desires, NKJV) - a strong desire for something
            2) ENTICEMENT - an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy
               the desire
         b. Put into a mathematical formula:

                  Temptation = Desire + Opportunity

         c. E.g., a small boy is TEMPTED to steal some cookies when he
            WANTS them (desire) and has a good chance to get them and
            not be seen (opportunity)
         d. But remember, it is NOT a sin to be TEMPTED - cf. the example
            of Jesus, He 4:15
      2. The second stage in the development of sin is SIN ITSELF (15)
         a. Temptation leads to sin only when you yield and ACT upon it
         b. Sin therefore requires the added step of ACTION
         c. Putting it again in mathematical terms:

                  Sin = Desire + Opportunity + Action

      3. The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: DEATH
         (15)
         a. This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the
            "wages of sin" - Ro 6:23
         b. Ultimately such "death" involves eternal punishment - Re
            21:8
         c. Putting it once more in the form of an equation:

         Desire + Opportunity + Action + No Forgiveness = Punishment!

   [Sin and Satan will have overcome if we receive this final punishment.
   But with this understanding of how sin develops, we are in a better
   position to overcome sin...]

   B. HOW TO OVERCOME SIN...

      1. CHANGE OUR "DESIRES"
         a. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best
            place for us to begin
         b. Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change
            our desires - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:24
         c. How do we change our desires?
            1) Notice that the WORD OF GOD has always been instrumental
               in helping people overcome sin - Ps 119:11; Mt 4:3-10
            2) To see how the Word of God can change our desires...
               a) As we read of God's love, longsuffering and mercy, we
                  desire to serve Him - Ps 116:12-14
               b) As we read of sin and its damnable consequences, we
                  come to hate it! - Ps 119:104
         d. So the more we study God's Word, the less likely we will have
            the DESIRE to sin, thereby beginning to overcome sin by
            "nipping it in the bud"!

      [But changing our desires takes time; while engaged in the process
      of changing our desires, what else can we do?]

      2. LIMIT OUR "OPPORTUNITIES"
         a. Remember, we are tempted only when there is BOTH desire and
            opportunity
         b. So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the
            opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires
         c. This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as
            Jesus taught - Mt 6:13; 26:41
         d. We can cooperate with God by:
            1) Purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful
               desires
               a) Following the example of David - Ps 101:3-4
               b) And the example of Job - Job 31:1
            2) Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin
               with them
               a) Again, David sets a good example - Ps 101:6-7
               b) Paul also adds his warning - 1Co 15:33

      [But we will unlikely remove EVERY desire and opportunity to sin in
      this life, what then?]

      3. EXERCISE "SELF-CONTROL"
         a. Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to ACTION in
            fulfilling our sinful desires
         b. If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can
            overcome sin!
         c. How does the Christian exercise self-control?
            1) Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the
               Spirit" - Ga 5:22-23
            2) When we become Christians, we receive the gift of the Holy
               Spirit in our lives - Ac 2:38; 5:32
            3) The Spirit is God's instrumental agent by which He imparts
               strength to us - Ep 3:16
            4) Strengthened by the Spirit, we are able to "put to death
               the deeds of the body" - Ro 8:12-13
            5) As Paul said:  "I can do all things through Him who
               strengthens me." - Php 4:13
         d. It is through faith in God's Word that the Christian believes
            that he has this divine help - Ep 3:20
            1) It is certainly proper to pray for it, as Paul did in
               behalf of the Ephesians - Ep 3:16
            2) But equally important, to act upon it, trusting that you
               are not alone as you try to do God's will - Php 2:12-13
            3) As an exercise commercial once said:  JUST DO IT!
         e. The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to a
            temptation - 1Co 10:13

      [But there may be times when we don't take advantage of the
      strength God provides through His Spirit, and we sin; what then?]

      4. OBTAIN "FORGIVENESS"
         a. Remember that sin is victorious when it results in punishment
         b. But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we
            can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin!
            - 1Jn 2:1-2
         c. Yes, Christ is truly the "propitiation" for our sins!
            1) By His blood, we were forgiven of past sins when united
               with Him in BAPTISM - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Re 1:5
            2) By His blood, we can be forgiven of present sins when we
               REPENT, PRAY, and CONFESS our sins to God - Ac 8:22;
               1Jn 1:9
         d. At any time the Christian can overcome sins that were
            committed, by repenting and confessing them to God!

CONCLUSION

1. Indeed, we can overcome sin by stopping its development at ANY one
   of the four stages leading to the final punishment!

2. If you noticed carefully, you should have seen that at each of the
   four points in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help
   us overcome sin!
   a. God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to
      renew our minds
   b. God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE
      as we pray for such
   c. God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through
      His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man
   d. God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through THE BLOOD OF HIS SON
      as we repent and pray

3. So how could anyone say that God would tempt us to sin?
   a. Certainly He is the giver of every good and perfect gift! - Jm 1:17
   b. Even as Paul wrote, in 2Th 3:3; 1Co 10:13

4. Have you taken advantage of God's way of escape for the sins you have
   committed?

If not, why not do so by obeying the gospel, the Word of Truth, and
become one of the "firstfruits of His creatures"?

How to Apply the Blood of Jesus?

One reason why so many Christians are coming under such heavy attacks from both demons and  evil people in this world is because they do not have God’s full protection on them. And the reason they do not have God’s full protection on them is because they have never been taught how to spiritually defend themselves using actual spiritual warfare techniques!
Many believe that applying the blood of Jesus and pleading the blood of Jesus are one in the same. Some do not believe it is necessary to do either one. But as we seek revelation in His Word we will see that there is a difference and each has its relevance.
The Blood of Jesus represents forgiveness, atonement, protection, deliverance, and the love of Jesus. It represents a power that God gives to every believer for themselves, their families and their belongings.
Pleading the Blood of Jesus for your salvation
According to Webster’s dictionary the word “plead” means:

• To argue a case or cause in a court of law (usually a defense)
• To make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding
• To make a plea of a specified nature

Isaiah 3:13; Micah 7:9; Hebrews 9:14-15
When we plead the blood of Jesus, in the spiritual whelm it involves a legal proceeding.  Jesus stands on our behalf before God who judges all things. He reminds the Judge that He died and shed His blood for you.
Revelation 12:10-11
Pleading the Blood of Jesus is not begging, it is a legal term. The devil is your accuser bringing charges and even attacks against you. The only successful plea is the Blood of Jesus. It is only relying on the shed Blood of the Lamb of God, will we win our case before God the Judge.
Exodus 2:23-24
The blood of Jesus gives you rights over the devil and rights with God. You claim your rights by claiming the promises of God. Prayer is powerful when we remind God of His covenant with us and the promises of His Word.
Plead the blood of Jesus on behalf of our family.
Joshua 2:12-13, 18, 21; 6:23-25
Rahab asked for all her family, and all their possessions. This action evidently pleased God because Hebrews 11 commends her faith, and tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11: 6, 31).
Note that Rahab asked for a token, a sign. They told her to place a blood-colored cord in her window — representing her faith in God’s provision of blood under the Old Covenant. We should stand in faith just as Rahab did and ask for the lives of all our family members, and for all our possessions.  If a harlot’s faith (who had no covenant with God) received God’s protection for her family and possessions, surely as believers in the New Covenant established by Jesus’ Blood, our faith can do much more.
Pleading the blood of Jesus against our enemies
1 John 5:8
Pleading the blood causes the blood of Jesus to speak out on our behalf and stops the attacks of satan.
Proverbs 23:11
The tendency of the enemy is to take advantage of the helpless. The Lord will carry out His judgment against your enemies
Jeremiah 50:34
Our redeemer promises legal freedom from captivity.
Applying the Blood of Jesus
Lev 8:22-24; Hebrews 9: 13-14; Hebrews 10: 22-23; Revelation 12:11
Jesus has shed His blood and made it available for every believer to use. Applying the blood of Jesus is simply taking hold of the authority and power available to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Israelites applied blood to their door posts and were protected from the spirit of death (Exodus 12). This is a foreshadow of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. Our mouths play the same role as the bunch of hyssop the Israelites used to apply the blood. As we apply the blood of Jesus to our life and our circumstances we can overcome the works of the enemy. Christ’s death has the power to purify our body, mind, and soul.
What applying the blood brings to the life of a believer?
Hebrews 9:22 Salvation
Col 1:13-14, Rev 12:11 Deliverance
Hebrews 10:10 Sanctification
Heb 9:14 Clean Conscious
Ex 12:13 Protection
Lev 17:11 Life

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus, people are trying to know who he is, Jesus , also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity, whom the teachings of most Christian denominations hold to be the Son of God.^[6] Christians believe Jesus to be the awaited Messiah of the Old Testament and refer to him as Jesus Christ or simply Christ,^[7] a name that is also used by non-Christians.Virtually all modern scholars of antiquity agree that a historical Jesus existed,^[d] although there is little agreement on the reliability of the gospel narratives and their assertions of his divinity.^[18] Most scholars agree that Jesus was a Jewish preacher from Galilee, was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. Scholars have constructed various portraits of the historical Jesus, which often depict him as having one or more of the following roles: the leader of an apocalyptic movement, Messiah, a charismatic healer, a sage and philosopher, or an egalitarian social reformer. Scholars have correlated the New Testament accounts with non-Christian historical records to arrive at an estimated chronology of Jesus' life.
Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, performed miracles, founded the Church, died by crucifixion as a sacrifice to achieve atonement, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.^[19] The great majority of Christians worship Jesus as the incarnation of God the Son, the second of three Persons of a Divine Trinity. A few Christian groups reject Trinitarianism, wholly or partly, as non-scriptural.
In Islam, Jesus (commonly transliterated as Isa) is considered one of God's important prophets. To Muslims, Jesus is a bringer of scripture and the child of a virgin birth, but neither divine nor the victim of crucifixion. Judaism rejects the belief that Jesus was the awaited Messiah, arguing that he did not fulfill the Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh.

Picture of Jesus

                                                                      

Bible Scriptures Know by Heart

you need to know scriptures know by heart, like I did. these are the Scriptures i know by heart: John 3:16, for God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha, and Omega, The beginning and the end, the first, and the last. Philippians 4:19 - my God shall supply all your needs, according to riches glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 23:1 - 6 -The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want, he makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name sake. Even though I walk to the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil, for though are with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Armor of God

Go to the book of Ephesians 6:10 - 18. This book talks chapter/verse talks about the Armor of God and how to fight evil spirit like the devil/Satan, demons, witches, wizards, and more. This will protect you from any evil spirit. the book says  ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
this was the Armor of God were talking. Thank You.

The Holy Spirit

the Holy Spirit is our father named Jehovah, he born us in his own image and he love us very much. we got another chance to go to heaven, when incident happen with Adam and Eve.God love us just the way we are he will make us happy and give us anything we want by asking him in a prayer. in the Bible it said ask it shall be given unto you, seek it shall be found, knock it shall be open. God will bless us, and every living thing around here. the reason we can't see God face or he won't show us his face, is that his face is so pure, so perfect and filled with the holy spirit, if we look at his face we will die. Thank Ypu

New to Christian Blog

Hi, my name is Joseph Osayi, and this is my blog. i'm going to talk about Christ Jesus our father who we all love, and know. John 3:16 - for god so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe in him shall not perish but have ever lasting life. god gave us everlasting life. i have a church which i want to invite you in Dallas, Texas that is St. Joseph Chosen Church of God ( Since 1937 ). if you have any questions call this number (214)-779-1885. Thank you very much for reading my blog, and i will be posting more, on Sunday, and sometmes Wednesday.

Power in the Name of Jesus

Jesus is love, and he give us eternity for us to live for the rest of our life. We only have one God, it id god in Heaven which is so beautiful, and let me tell you about god, and i will tell you about my testimony, my testimony's that god gave me a 100% on my math exam. i was so happy, and i praised him, and i told my parents and my family, and i made a vow to be God faithful servant, and be praying until he give me a vision or a dream or somebody that God sent to tell me what to do. i prayed and prayed, and God answered my prayer, he is an awesome God. you should tell God what you want in a prayer and he will use his power and do it in the name of Jesus. God is Love. Thank You