Tag: Evangelism

Come Away to Rest Awhile

And He sent them out to announce the kingdom of God and to bring healing (Luke 9). They were the first missionaries commissioned to announce the Kingdom of God. These Apostles were very privileged missionaries under the authority of God Himself. For them there were no worry of any king. Every need was supplied. They were empowered with God’s Spirit to heal and to exercise power over Satan and all demons. The will of YAHSHUA was going to be accomplished while they were announcing His kingdom. The purpose why they were chosen was for that purpose. Three years YAHSHUA trained them to do what He did, in the same power. It has never been God’s purpose that men should be lost because of ignorance; His purpose was for their salvation. This was the reason why He came down to earth, sacrifice His life through rejection and ultimately His death. A price we could never pay for our humanity and sinful life. So, YAHSHUA called together the twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and diseases (Luke 9:1). I am sure that the trip was hard and tiring since they did not have the conveniences we do enjoy in our days. Dusty roads for one. YAHSHUA commanded them not to take supplies for the road for they were already supplied with all they needed. There would be plenty of dust for them to shake out of their feet at the rejection of the message, as YAHSHUA told them to do.

Under the authority of God Himself, although He wasn’t there with them humanely speaking, the disciples took His authority and ran with it. Departing, they went about from village to village, preaching the Gospel and restoring the afflicted to health everywhere. Seeing the miracles, they became excited and reported to YAHSHUA all that they had done upon their return. However, YAHSHUA took them (along with Him) and withdrew into privacy near a town called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). The disciples hadn’t witnessed YAHSHUA’S action behind the scenes of their spiritual warfare, as they confronted the enemies directed, they were not aware that YAHSHUA knew what was happening. His power was with them as well as His authority. Otherwise, they couldn’t have been successful.

As a matter of fact, we live in a world of spiritual warfare. Every day we must face temptations without being aware of it and often falling into it. The Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians, brought to them the awareness of the need to be dressed with the complete armor of God at all times (Eph. 6) in order for us to wrestle against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly sphere. The disciples had YAHSHUA Himself, Who is the Word of God to fight with the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God (Eph.6:17). It is good to remember while we are serving the Lord what we have available to us. We have authority, power and the full armor of God. YAHSHUA well knew the extent of the spiritual warfare they had fought and recommended them to take time in a secluded place to rest in His presence. As a good Shepherd, He offers us rest in green pastures: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Sanctification is available to us in the quiet time in His presence. There, we are blessed with “His goodness and mercy and love; they shall follow all the days of my life, and through the length of my life the house of the Lord shall be my dwelling place” (Ps. 23). YAHSHUA’S presence was promised to be with us all the days of our live. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28). Our Lord offers spiritual rest, free from religious demands. Our Lord offers us a life of love and a life of grace. We will experience Him this way when we take the first step to rest in His presence. His Word becomes reality to our heart and soul, permeating our being with peace. Peace is a restorer and an elevator of our soul to Him.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Shake the Dust Off Your Feet

YAHSHUA was met with criticism and doubt, when He went to His town of Nazareth to teach in the synagogue. The people were astonished at His teaching, questioning His knowledge and wisdom and where did He come from. They knew Him to be the son of Mary, brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and a carpenter, but nothing else. While He was teaching, the people kept rejecting His knowledge and what He was saying. They didn’t know that there in their midst stood the SON OF GOD, the Author and Creator of all living things, including themselves. Their minds were plugged with doubt unable to see and understand Whom He was through many miracles. They missed all together that theirs was the privilege of having God incarnated living among them. As a result, they remained in their own estate of mind, missing the opportune time when God’s Son had come to bring peace, but that was now hidden from them. Their lack of faith did not allow YAHSHUA to perform one work of power, except laying of hands on a few sick people. Israel didn’t know Whom was that man among them for a while performing miracles. Their eyes were closed and their ears locked to YAHSHUA’S messages. The kingdom of God was near them, but they didn’t want it. So it was that when YAHSHUA sent His disciples to the missionary field, He warning them saying, … “As you going into the house, give you greetings and wish it well; then if indeed that house is deserving, let come upon it your peace. But if it is not deserving, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive and accept and welcome you nor listen to your message, you leave that house or town, shake the dust from your feet” (Matt. 10:12-13). Israel’s attitude of rejection toward the Savior continued to the end of His earthly life. The disciples were to shake the dust of their feet in response to the Israel’s rejection of YAHSHUA’S message.

Many years previously, the Prophet Isaiah asked the question, “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been disclosed?” (Isa. 53) John confirms in John 1:11-12: “He came to that which belonged to Him, and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in His name.” The disciples were sent out with the Gospel message being instructed to go nowhere among the Gentiles and do not go into any town of the Samaritans; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. “And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give; take no gold nor silver nor copper money in your purses and do not take a provision bag or a wallet for a collection bag for your journey, nor two undergarments, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the workman deserves his support…And whoever will not receive and accept and welcome you nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or town, shake the dust from your feet. Truly I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town” (Matt. 10). This is a testimony against those who would not accept the message, with judgment coming against them. This act of shaking the dust from the feet is an expression of finality. Rejecting the truth is a way to perdition. Israel didn’t recognize their favorable time when YAHSHUA was on earth, rejecting His message and He Himself; many missed their salvation. Perls are not to be thrown to pigs, neither that which is holy to the dogs (Matt.7:6).

“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 10:7) was the message given to the disciples to pass it on. The kingdom of heaven is YAHSHUA Himself, Who came from heaven, bringing salvation; it is the spiritual nature of God, not political or earthly kingdom; it is YAHSHUA fulfilling the law in its completion and given us eternal life with forgiven. A great number of Israelites were left behind in the desert, for not listening to the message of the Law. They were judged and never saw the Promised Land. It is the same idea today as yesterday. If we do not listen to the message of salvation, the dust of someone’s feet will be shaken out of their feet. The opportunity will not return for that person, ending up in hell.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Silver and Gold I Do not Have

Those were days of miracles, days of power and revival. The ministry of YAHSHUA on earth had finished after His redeeming work for humanity. The twelve disciples minus one were instructed to carry on the work He had left behind for them to do. He set the foundation for His church and entrusted the disciples to continue the work until He returns to fetch His bride. His church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ YAHSHUA himself the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together harmoniously, and it continues to rise into a holy temple in the Lord (Eph. 2:20-21). The church had its beginning at Pentecost. It was forty days later after His resurrection that He sent His Spirit to earth to bring about a revival in the beginning of the disciples’ ministry the world had never experienced. So, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place; when suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting  and there appeared to them  tongues resembling fire, which were separated ad distributed and which settled on each one of them … when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect. (Acts 2:1-3,6). So, the church of YAHSHUA had its beginning in a most unique way. Unliky today’s many churches with its gods of many colors, and lifeless. Churches with doctrines contrary to God’s standards. Lifeless, their gods can only sit where they put them to be; some with their arms opened ready to receive children for a sacrifice.

The beautiful love of our Lord YAHSHUA has no measure. He gave all His life to redeem the world. And when He left the earth, He still stayed in the form of His Holy Spirit, to counsel, to guide, to teach, to convict and sanctify those to be according to the image of YAHSHUA, so that we might walk in holiness, as He is holy, until that day when we are taken from this world and are glorified. As He is, so we will be. Meanwhile, YAHSHUA gave the responsibility to the disciples to build His church. In those days of great revival, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and wonders, as a sign of His presence on earth. Those days were filled with wonders and people from all around witnessed and some participated in that movement. There were about three thousand souls saved during those days. Day after day the disciples regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose… constantly praising God and being in favor and good will with all the people; and the Lord kept adding daily those who were being saved. (Acts2). That was the time to be alive to experience first-hand the message of Gospel of YAHSHUA in its pure form. No denominations with their doctrinal differences; just the pure and fresh gospel straight from those who walked with YAHSHUA for three years, learning from Him and being trained for the purpose to carry on the ministry of the church. And here we have, the apostles in action! In Luke ten, we have the report of the seventy disciples after they return from their mission; they said, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! Amazing what YAHSHUA answered them: He said, I saw Satan falling like a lightening from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power that the enemy [possesses] and nothing shall in any way harm you. (Luke 10:17-19). Before YAHSHUA ascended to heaven He commanded the disciples to go into all he nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you and behold, I am with you all the days to the close and consummation of the age. (Matt.28:19-20).

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

They Went About from Village to Village…

(Luke 9: 9-10, 13-17, 18, 23-26)

YAHSHUA well knew that His days on the earth were approaching when He was to fulfill His Father’s will. Soon or later He was to take His position as the Lamb of God Who was to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. He had accomplished much in a short time of His ministry which was to last three years. Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to see Him sometime in the past, said, “No one can do the things that You do unless God is with him”. The disciples had witnessed, but they had never experienced the power of God to do the miracles YAHSHUA had performed until He called them apart and gave them power, authority over all demons and (power) to cure disease (Luke 9:1).  Power and authority must be given together for the work of God to be done successfully. No, they did not need to spend years in seminary studying, but just a few hours being taught and directed by the Son of God. At that time, they were sent to the house of Israel, announcing, preaching the kingdom of God, and bringing healing to those in need of.  YAHSHUA instructed them not to take anything extra for their journey. Nothing was to interfere with God’s provision while on the mission. No walking stick, nor wallet, no food, no money, no more than one garment or tunic, not even moving from place to place. God’s faithfulness and power were to be witnessed through His provision, even in the necessities of life.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

I Send You Like Lambs in the Midst of Wolves

(Luke 10:1-21)

Now, after this, the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit) (verse 1). Seventy others disciples YAHSHUA chose for a specific task- that of preparing the way ahead of Him. He warned them of danger ahead by saying, I send you like lambs in the midst of wolves. He specifically told them the manner in which they were to behave on their way: Carry no provisions bag, no sandals; refrain from saluting and whishing anyone well along the way (redeem the time), whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! Stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, do not keep moving from house to house; heal the sick and say to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you (verses 3-5,7, 9).  That was the beginning of the church era. These are what were they to say and do: Shalom- a salutation that brings calmness to the heart of people. So, they brought peace, they healed the sick and announced that the kingdom had come near them. When YAHSHUA sent them away, He provided them with everything needed to accomplish the task. They did not need money, extra clothes or sandals, shelter and food were provided. Their physical needs were met; and for the spiritual battle field they were to enter, YAHSHUA provided them with authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions over all the power that the enemy possesses and nothing shall in any way harm them (verse 18). When YAHSHUA sent them out, He knew what they were going to encounter, even though they did not. He sent them dressed with God’s full armor, for they were not going to wrestle with flesh and blood (human), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly sphere (Eph. 6:12).

When they returned, they were excited and joyous with all they had accomplished in the way of victory over demons. They said, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! YAHSHUA then answered them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning from heaven. (Verses 17-18).  Satan couldn’t withstand the power given to those disciples. That was a good beginning of the ministry of YAHSHUA’S church. Powerful, courageous, determined against the evil one. That’s how we His church should be. So powerful that Satan will flee from us, since YAHSHUA is the cornerstone, the foundation of His church. As Paul said, His church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Messiah YAHSHUA the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together harmoniously into a holy temple in the Lord. (Eph. 2:20-21). In another day, when YAHSHUA entered the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples a question, a very important question: Who do you say that I am? He had only forty days left on earth before His departure from this world and wanted them to know Whom He was. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of living God. To Peter YAHSHUA said, And I tell to you, you are Peter- [Greek, Petros which is a large piece of rock] and on this rock [Greek petra, which is a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it (Matt. 16:18). We see here that the difference between petros and petra indicated that YAHSHUA was talking about Himself as the rock where His church was to be built, not Peter, as many think. When Satan could not withstand the power coming from the seventy disciples, that was the prophetic picture of the power YAHSHUA was giving to His church.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2