TRANSFORMING LOVE, (HE BECOMES YOUR LORD, PART 3)

CHAPTER 7
PART 3

He becomes your Lord

 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord…”(2 Corinthians 4:5).         

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40 YEARS

Forty years seems like a long time to be in the wilderness, but sometimes it takes people a long time to see their own sinful condition in the holy light of God’s truth. Some of you have walked with God for years and still participate in a life of secret sin.

Many who lay claim to being God’s people have not truly turned from their wicked ways. “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). God loves you and died to free you from sin, not to pacify them. God accepts you as you are, but his acceptance does include or mollycoddle your ongoing sinful lifestyle.

JESUS IS LORD, NOT YOU

Lordship encourages you to humble yourself under God’s commands and put away pride and rebellion from your heart. Lordship exalts God and demotes self when you are obedient to his commands. Lordship clearly exposes what is in your heart to others, and to God and to yourself.

When trials come, if the heart is not right, along comes unbelief, adultery, rebellion, pride, stubbornness, selfishness and other sins. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies...” (Matthew 15:19 KJV). You gave your heart to God, but you won’t keep all his commandments (Deuteronomy 5:27). We are to “count it all joy…” when we go through things, because when Jesus is Lord we know the “… trying of [our]… faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-6 KJV).

When Jesus is Lord, “…he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 KJV). Because of the Lordship of Jesus “….the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 ASV).

We all go through things that make no sense and often feel God has abandoned us in our situations and circumstances of life.  “…In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ASV). We pray, believe, depend on Jesus just like the bible says and the situation seems to get worse, not better.

Satan would have you believe trusting God makes things worse. It’s not true. Sometimes our tribulations tempt us to believe the distress and suffering means God is not with you, but no matter what, remember God said, “..I have overcome…” (John 6:33 KJV).  If Jesus said “I have overcome” then you have too! You win!!!

ROMANS 11:33-34

In addition, remember you can’t always understand God’s supernatural, loving, and divine ways “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).

God does things from a holy perspective and not human one. Many things God does makes no sense to you, me, or others.  In the story of Lazarus and the little girl in John 11 and Mark 5, respectively, it seems Jesus didn’t come to the situation “on time.”

ON TIME

At least that was the opinion of those in the biblical context. We feel that way too when someone dies anyway, gets sick anyway, leaves anyway, or a marriage breaks up anyway and especially after all we did to stand in faith! What is the point of trusting Jesus if the situation or circumstance ends badly or gets worst ANYWAY?

Even as we read these two biblical stories, it boggles the mind that Jesus did not come visually to these situations until death had occurred. It’s over  and the situation is a bust, so why is Jesus showing up now? Jesus did this for a reason. However, this is the place many “give up” or accuse Jesus of not working things out the way they wanted them to work out.

 One of Lazarus’ sisters said, “… as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died… ” (John 11:20-22 KJV). Don’t GIVE UP. Martha accused Jesus of not being there and implied it was TOO LATE, so she told him “… Lord, by this time, he stinketh: for he hath been dead for four days …”(John 11:39 KJV). In the other story they thought he was TOO LATE too and “…they laughed him to scorn… “ (Mark 5:40 KJV).  Who is your Lord and Savior? JESUS.

The same Jesus in these two stories showed up on the scene, in his timing, with the purpose of giving them a GREATER outcome!!! While Martha and Mary were being comforted about Lazarus and weeping and wailing was going on over the little girl Jesus had something better in mind. (John 11:17-22, Mark 5:38-39).  

Even when the situation looks dead, “…only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). Jesus is not limited to ANYTHING!! “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go..” (John 11:43-44 KJV). And in the other story, “And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41 KJV).

Let go of your limitations and trust in God’s unlimited abilities. Jesus goes BEYOND what you can see or comprehend. Nothing is dead until Jesus says it’s dead!!

A relationship with God will always take you BEYOND human understanding. God does not want his relationship with you to be limited by human, finite abilities. The bible says, “ Trust  in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

EPHESIANS 3:20

When God makes no “human” sense Jesus says, “….. be not  afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). When God answers you, often your human understanding or ability will limit or hinder you from moving beyond where you are.  Praise God who is able “… to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). “…Only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). And accept “…his ways[are]… past finding out…” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV). 

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER 

"HE BECOMES YOUR LORD" FROM THE

BOOK TRANSFORMING LOVE

BY PENSACOLA H JEFFERSON
BUY IT HERE NOW!!

TRANSFORMING LOVE (HE BECOMES YOUR LORD, PART 4)

CHAPTER 7
PART 4

He becomes your Lord

 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord…”(2 Corinthians 4:5).\           

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1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

You won’t always understand his holy ways or what he may have prepared for you. “But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).

We will end this chapter with a brief glance at King Hezekiah and how God tested his heart. “… God left him, to try him  that he might know all that was in his heart…” (2 Chronicles 32:31 KJV). At first glance it appears Hezekiah did a lot of good things, especially when he restored the temple and its worship practices.

HEZEKIAH'S HEART WAS FULL OF PRIDE

However, his own heart was not right before God and God knew it. “In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 32:24-25 NIV).

He fooled man, but he didn’t fool God; God is all-knowing. He had a rebellious, selfish, and prideful side that God knew was lurking in his heart. “But Hezekiah’s heart was proud…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV). God put Hezekiah in a situation where he had to look at what was truly in his own desperately wicked heart and he learned about his many sins (Jeremiah 17:9).

1 CHRONICLES 32:25

Only then could Hezekiah see the darkness that lurked in his heart as well as his many weaknesses. All that God had done for Hezekiah and yet his behavior reflected a blatant ingratitude. “But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV). Hezekiah’s attitude and behaviors did not give God the glory for the great things he had done (Isaiah 12:4-5).

Eventually Hezekiah “… repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them… (1 Chronicles 32:26 NIV). God wants you to live right and have a clean heart.

The trials we go through for hours, days, weeks, months, or years are the events God uses as a way to encourage the Lordship of Jesus. In the stories of Lazarus and the little girl when the people were humbled by the situation; Jesus showed up as Lord!!! Things happen for “…the glory God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby…” (John 11:4 KJV).

JOHN 11:4

The enemy of Lordship is sin and rebellion and self-will. It is the most difficult trials and tribulations that exposes the sins of your heart and reveal the absence of Lordship of Christ in your life. Sin is always in conflict with Jesus’ Lordship, but tribulation often comes to bring about a change of heart.

 Like in the case of Hezekiah, certain trials bring about repentance and humility to help believers walk in the Lordship of Jesus. God allows certain trials and tribulations to intervene in our lives to bring about righteous or holy changes and solve personal sin problems.

IS JESUS BOTH YOUR "LORD" & SAVIOR?

God chooses you, draws you, gives you a “measure of faith”, loves you, changes your identity, speaks to you, and becomes Lord. Lordship means Jesus rightfully has sovereignty over your life. God, “….hath made …Jesus, whom [was] …crucified, both Lord and Christ…. (Acts 2:36 KJV).  Is Jesus your Lord?

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER 

"HE BECOMES YOUR LORD" FROM THE

BOOK TRANSFORMING LOVE

BY PENSACOLA H JEFFERSON
BUY IT HERE!!

TRANSFORMING LOVE (HE BECOMES YOUR LORD, PART 2).

CHAPTER 7
PART 2

He becomes your Lord

 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord…”(2 Corinthians 4:5).\           

*

JESUS CAME TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SERVED

Lordship says to God I am here to serve you God. The bible clearly tells us Jesus did “…not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV).

According to Strong’s, the Hebrew word for serve is abad and one of the definitions is to work. Jesus said, “…for the works which the Father has given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36 KJV). “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him who thatt me” (John 6:38 KJV).

JOHN 6;38

Jesus was fulfilled from serving God in his purpose.  “Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work” (John 4:34 NLT).

Jesus was not just “doing” God’s will through mere service, but he literally “became” God’s personal servant from his heart. According to Strong’s, another Hebrew word for serve is sharath and means to “minister to or become a personal servant to.”

Again, Jesus did “…not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 KJV).  Jesus submitted to God’s will and served him wholeheartedly. Jesus confidently said, “…the ... works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36 KJV).

GOD'S PERSONAL SERVANT

Jesus is telling us he was God’s personal servant while on earth. God was his King and we witnessed God’s kingship in Jesus’ life through the works he did. Jesus worked by serving God in obedience and by becoming  “…a ransom for many...” The bible boasts that Jesus “…humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8 KJV). He gave it all!!

Jesus is the ultimate example of how and why Lordship is important in the relationship with God. Every child of God is to “become” a personal servant to God through Christ. Christ is both your Savior and Lord. Jesus was God’s “beloved Son” and he was really pleased with him (Matthew 3:17).

GIVE YOUR ALL!!!!

It is God’s will that every child of his “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). God tells his children to  “….work out your own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).  Give it all (your whole life).

God is saying “serve” and “become” my personal servant just like Jesus did. God’s work is for you to do his will and become his personal servant by believing and trusting in Jesus who is the forerunner of obedience.  ^"Jesus answered, and said…This is the work of God: that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29 KJV). 

Jesus became a personal servant of God first and sent the Holy Spirit to help you do the SAME thing.

Jesus became God’s personal servant on earth and submitted to God’s kingship through obedience. Jesus had struggles too because he took on “the likeness of sinful flesh…,” (Romans 8:3 KJV).

Jesus took on the “likeness” of human flesh, but it did not change his holy nature. Jesus had two different natures for a while and it is the reason Jesus can “…be touched with the feeling of our infirmities...” (Hebrews 4:15 KJV). Jesus experienced temptation too just like we do, “…yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 KJV).

HE SUFFERED IN THE BODY

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin…” (1 Peter 4:1 NIV).

Living in human flesh was challenging to Jesus too. “… He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them and knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).

JOHN 3;6

Jesus also made it clear that flesh and spirit are born of distinctly different means even if they co-exist together. Jesus was the living proof of that. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6 KJV).

Jesus had a real human body and demonstrated to mankind the power he had over sin. It wasn’t easy for Jesus, but he did it for God, as his personal, loving servant and for you, the object of his love. Aren’t you glad Jesus submitted to the kingship of God? “…And being made perfect, he became author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 J+KJV).

Hallelujah!! Jesus suffered through obedience out of his deep love for God and for You.

Jesus’ submission, humility, and obedience revolutionized the whole world. Jesus is now “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at .the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV).

Our suffering in our struggle to overcome sin is not necessarily a negative condition. If we follow after the Spirit, Jesus said “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”(John 14:1 KJV).  

We go through many different trials and tribulations in life that last for hours, days, weeks, months, or years and get caught up with the details of what is happening in the situation or circumstance. However, when God allows a season of suffering it usually is not about what is actually happening TO you as much as it is about what is happening IN you. God cares about your heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

WHATS IN YOUR HEART?

God wants the “…hidden man of the heart…” to be revealed through trails and test (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God took Israel through the wilderness (trials) for forty years to humble them, test them, to see if they would keep his commandments or not, and to “….know what was in [their]…heart…” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV). 

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER 

"HE BECOMES YOUR LORD" FROM THE

BOOK TRANSFORMING LOVE

BY PENSACOLA H JEFFERSON
BUY IT HERE!!