The account of the first temptation on this planet does focus on the serpent and Eve. Correspondingly , we find the first prophecy pictures an ongoing battle the woman--who ultimately represents God’s church--and the serpent ( Genesis 3:14 ,15 ) . This prophecy promises the ultimate victory of the woman’s seed , the coming Savior , who would kill the serpent . In verse 15 , God speaking to the serpent , says , ‘’I will put enmity between you and the women , and between your seed and her Seed…

In Matthew

7:21 Jesus says. ‘’Not everyone who says to Me . ‘’Lord , Lord , shall enter the kingdom of heaven , but he who does the will of My Father in heaven . ‘’ Christ made it…

The life of the Transformed believer models love , trust , and obedience . Transformation  of a believer’s character will be evidenced by responding to the demands and events of life in the same character and manner as Jesus . ‘

’Whoever has my commands and obeys them , he is the one who loves me . He who loves me will be loved by my Father , and I too will love him and show myself to him ‘’ ( John 14:21 ) . AT the core of…

Spiritual transformation begins with a new identity in Christ . Salvation is a defining experience in which we literally become new persons . We take on the identity of Jesus . This is such a profound , definitive experience that it can be said God gives believers a new spiritual DNA , a new genetic origin , a new nature . Believers are set apart for God’s glory at the moment of new birth in Chris ( John 3:5-6 ) and they become part of the household of God- joint heirs with Christ (…

As a leader in your church , the most important thing to grasp about spiritual transformation is its source . Spiritual transformation is a God-thing . At its nucleus , spiritual transformation requires repentance and total trust in God to dramatically change what we could never change ourselves . Being in every worship service or taking every church class offered won’t make it happen . Participating in a multitude of ministries won’t bring it about . Fasting won’t cinch it . Realizing that…

Those chosen have the opportunity to accept their availability of service . This doctrine is called election , which is God’s plan to bring salvation to His people and His world . The Bible uses words like choose , predestinate , save , ordain , and call to indicate that God has entered into a special relationship with individuals and groups through whom He has decided to fulfill His purpose within the history of salvation . God’s providence allows Him to guide human history to accomplish…

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you , and ordained you , that ye should go and bring forth fruit , and that your fruit should remain :  that whatsoever ye shell ask of the Father in my name , he may give it you ( John 15:16 , KJV ) .  Jesus did not write a book and lay out all His instructions on how to build the kingdom of God . They became living books on which He had imprinted His love and message . Jesus wanted the world to see , touch , and feel His message-not just…

He has told us all that  we need to know the kingdom of God . We are His partners and He has shared His heart and His mind with us . We know His plans and His purpose in the world . We work  with Him as joint heirs to heaven . Paul says it well in Romans ( 8: 15-17 ) . For you did not receive a Spirit that makes you a slave again to fear , but you received the Spirit of sonship . And by him we cry ''Abba , Father .'' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's…

Jesus call us to friendship . Greater love hath on man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant

Knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have made known unto you ( John 15:13-15, KJV ). Up to this time Jesus had called His disciples servants or douloi. This is a title of honor. Moses was called the doulos of God or the…

When the Christian is abounding in good works the Lord is honored ,the church is strengthened , and the individual is blessed .Fruits show the power of the gospel over evil and the power to restore the Christian to

The divine image of Jesus . Paul described the fruitful life in Philippians 4:7 : And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . Finally , brothers , whatever is true , whatever is noble , whatever is right…

God’s fruit in us is general in it’s character , supernatural in its origin , gradual in its growth , and natural

In its development . Paul wrote in Philippians 1:11 that Christians are to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God .Paul prayed fro the Colossians in Colossians 1:9-10 , Asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual

Wisdom and understanding . And we pray this in order that…

The secret to the life of Jesus was His constant contact with the Father. Mark writes , very early in the morning , while it was still dark , Jesus got up , left the house and went off to a solitary place , where he prayed ( Mark 1:35 ) . He went up into a mountain apart to pray : and when the evening was come , he was there alone ( Matt . 14:23 , KJV ) He departed again into a mountain himself alone ( John 6:15 , KJV ) . These verses illustrate Jesus was abiding in God . We must follow the…

Abide has the idea of permanence of position , holding and maintaining unbroken communion and fellowship with Jesus . The Christian is to exercise absolute , unalterable dependence upon Jesus.

Jesus said that this is the way fruit comes into our life, and without this continuous connection there

Is no fruit . For without me ye can do nothing ( John 15:5 KJV ) . Andrew Murray say , ‘’ If I am

Something , then God is not everything ; but when I become nothing , God can…

If ye love me keep my commandment ( John 14:15 , KJV ) ‘ He that hath my commandments , and  keepth them ,…I will love him , and will manifest myself to him ‘’ ( John 14:21 ) . If a man love me , he will keep

My words : and my Father will love him , and we will come unto him and make our abode with him . He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings : and the word which ye hear is not mine , but the Father’s which sent me ( John 14: 23-24 , KJV ) . But that the world may know that I…

Jesus call us to love. Just as Jesus came to us with the call of God’s love , we are to take that call to the world . We are to love one another as the Father loves the Son and the Son loves us . We are to continue in this love and never let it grow cold . Jesus writes to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:4 , Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee , because thou hast left thy first love (KJV ) . We are to keep the love for God on the front burner of our heart and never allow the fire…

Jesus teaches us to pray , Our Father which art in heaven ( Matt .6:9 ,KJV ) . Jesus said in His great , priestly , prayer in John 9 17:20-21 ) . Neither pray I for these  alone , but for them also which shell believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou , Father , art in me , and I in thee , that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me ( KJV ) . After His resurrection Jesus said to Mary , Touch me not ; for I am not yet ascended…

Jesus says He is the true Vine . The word true refers to the ’’ genuine’’ or the ‘’ real ‘’ Vine . In the Old Testament Israel is picture as the vineyard that is a disappointment to God . Hosea described Israel as a luxuriant vine but without fruit ( Hos . 10:1 ) . Isaiah described God’s investment in Israel as a farmer who invested in a vineyard ; but when the fruit was produced , it was wild and bitter grapes ( Isa . 5: 1-7 ) . In Jeremiah , God said to the nation of Israel , Yet I had…

You were taught , with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self , which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires : to be made new in the attitude of your minds : and to put on the new self , created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness ( Eph , 4:22-24 ) . So what does that mean for believers today ? If we were to answer this question with one word , it would be to abide . Spiritual transformation is so beautifully demonstrated  in the word of Jesus in  John…

The answer is this…. Therefore , I urge you , brothers , in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship , Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mined . Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good , pleasing and perfect will ( Rom . 12: 1-2 ) . That means - make no excuses - the old way has to go….