SHILOH MESSENGER - July 2018
















Our Influential Life Source

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life,” John 10:10

 

As a born-again believer have you ever felt dis-connected from your Life Source (God the Father)? I have. Even though I know that I am secure in my true identity as a son of God, I am still affected by another source that contends for my affections. Of course I’m speaking of the devil being identified by the Apostle Paul as the god of this world (2Cor. 4:4). He is the dark and negative source of influence on this present culture.

What is culture anyway? Culture is defined as; “the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age groups.” Our Society is made up of many different idiosyncrasy’s (*mannerism or costumes). It is here where satan exploits and devises a scheme to manipulate (*to influence skillfully in an unfair manner) society. What does the fruit of his manipulation produce? Galatians 5:20-21 describes it as this: idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, and wild parties.

As a diverse society, we become to whatever or whomever has influence (*a compelling force) over us. Humanity however is designed by God to have His influence in and over our lives for the good. We are designed by Him to have structure (*excellence in alignment) and be carriers of His Glory (We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves,’ 2Cor. 4:7). With this said, we are also designed by God with free will to choose what or who has influence in our lives.

As a Good Father, God has provided The Holy Spirit to empower (Acts 1:8) society or a community for Divine influence. In Galatians 5: 22-23 The Holy Spirit produces a life manifesting these characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Every man and woman has the opportunity for transformation into a vessel of honor for Divine Influence to transform a fallen world. The Holy Spirit has been sent by The Father thru the finished work of Jesus Christ to convict the world of sin and give Grace (empowerment) to the righteous to live a victorious life (Jn.16:8, Rom.5:17).

Jesus Christ has made the believer the righteousness of God in Christ. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ,” 2Cor. 5:21. What Jesus has finalized is called reconciliation. We are reconciled so our relationship as children of God can be restored, because of the fall from Glory in the Garden of God (Gen.2:7-3:1-24). The devil is a thief and he has robbed humanity of their inheritance through an identity crisis. The devil is a Taskmaster. He convinces humanity to strive and work for fame and fortune. The devil knows full well he is condemned to hell’s fire, so he manipulates humanity into self-preservation so “The Righteous Judge” will condemn the sinner as well. The Apostle Paul says the god of this world has blinded humanities mind in order for them not to see how Glorious The Gospel is.

The Apostle Paul says, “But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15. Jesus said that The Word of God is Spirit and gives life to those who hear it and respond, (John 6:63). In verse 17 of Chapter 10 of Romans its says, “faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.” Prov. 20:27 says, “the spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord.” Man’s spirit is awakened when the Prophetic Word of God is preached. Then the Holy Spirit examines mans heart and then reveals to the hearer salvation is now! (2Cor. 6:2). When man submits himself to Christ Lordship, The Holy Spirit then places him in Christ to become a new creation for Divine Influence (2Cor. 5:17, Eph. 4:11-16).

You may be thinking, I am born again, but I do not feel influential. How do I impact this lost world for The Kingdom of God?

Here is a progressive plan of God for you: (1) Keep yourself in the Love of God. Create an atmosphere by daily communing with Him by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). (2) Abide in The Holy Spirit so that meditating on The Word of God becomes daily bread for God’s Wisdom to be your Sustenance to fight the good fight of faith (2Tim. 3:15-16, John 6:35-58) (3). Worship Him in songs of adoration, gratitude & thanksgiving. This is a place where you are armed with strength for battle to contend against the enemies attacks (Ps.18). (3) Be discipled by Leaders in the Church for influence (Eph. 4:11). You are here to be a member in His Body (1Cor. 12:12-48). (4) Allow The Holy Spirit to be your influence to love, to heal, to cast out demons and raise the dead (Matt. 10:8). (5) Encourage yourself, it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you The Kingdom of God (Lk.12:32-34)

 



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