Let God Out
Paul reveals God’s mystery to us (Colossians 1:25-27) which says “whereof I am
made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for
you to fulfill the word of God. Even the mystery which has been hid from ages
and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints. To whom God
would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
We have this treasure in earthen vessels (II Corinthians 4:6-7) “for God who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shinned in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power be of
God and not of us”.
Jesus came to show us what God is like, and what we can be like if we let Him
work within us (Philippians 2:13) says “for it is God which works in you both to
will and to do of His good pleasure”. Obedience is the key. We are told to put
on Christ (Romans 13:14) “but put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof”. Galatians says “for you are all
the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ”.
Jesus says “you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me and he
that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
Myself to him” (John 14:20-21). We have to seek the manifest presence of God
in our midst, so that the glory cloud stay and we can dwell in it.
As we submit ourselves to God, He empowers us to resist the devil (James 4:7-
8) “submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”. We do this by presenting
our bodies as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2) “I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”.
The Bible tells us to “be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and
supplication which thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And
the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens
me” (Philippians 4:6-7,13). We are also told to “walk in the Spirit, and you will
not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Romans 8 and Galatians 5). As you start
thinking like this, it will change the way you act, what you do; verse 8 tells us to
think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good. Remember
that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Ephesians 3:20 says “now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. Ask yourself,
what you have been asking and thinking about? Psalms 68:11 says “the Lord
gave the word, great was the company of those that proclaim it”. God tells us to
“put Me in remembrance, let us plead together, declare you, that you may be
justified” (Isaiah 43:26). Remember that the word of God won’t return to Him
void (Isaiah 55:11) says “so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth, it
shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I send it”. We have to speak His words, that’s what
sends it back to Him. Also in Psalms 103 the angels respond to His words, verse
20 says “bless the Lord Yahweh, you His angels that excel in strength, that do
His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word”.
Revelation 12:11 says “and they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the
death”. Our testimony is very important, it builds us up, like David, it lets us see
what God can do with us, and it edifies others of what God can do for them also.
In the Old Testament, God would come upon people to accomplish great things,
yet, in the New Testament, God dwells in us. Jesus says in John 14:17 as He
was explaining that He was sending another Comforter, He said “even the Spirit
of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows
Him, but you know Him, for He dwells with you, and shall be in you”. And in I
Corinthians 3:16 which says “know you not that you are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwells in you”?
In the early church, they went out in the power of God. Peter and John spoke to
the man lame at the gate Beautiful and “then Peter said, silver and gold have I
none, but such as I have give I you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise
up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up, and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up
stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping
and praising God” (Acts 3:5-8). And after being questioned about what
authority they did this, and was forbidden to speak any more in that name, but
being not afraid, they continued to heal many, and it was said about them “now
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived hat they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
The Bible tells us how to accomplish this boldness, praying in the Spirit edifies
you (I Corinthians 14:2,4) says “for he that speaks in an unknown tongue,
speaks not to men, but to God; for no man understands him, however in the
spirit he speaks mysteries. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies
himself”. Paul says in verse 18 “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than
you all”. And we know that Paul was able to do mighty works. He said “I am
crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the
life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Jude says in verse 20-21“but you beloved, building up yourselves on you most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life”. We pray in the Spirit,
because we don’t always know how to pray (Romans 8:26-27) “likewise the Spirit
also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit,
because He makes intercession for the saints, according to the will of God”.
Jesus explains it this way “but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him,
shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14) and also in John 7:38 which says
“he that believes on Me, as the scriptures has said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water”.
We are told to “desire spiritual gifts” (I Corinthians 14:1). The problem is that
people focus on the earthly gifts, not realizing that the heavenly gifts are of
greater value. In fact it is the heavenly gifts that brings forth other things
(Hebrews 11:1-3) says “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”.
We have to practice hearing the voice of God. Jesus said “My sheep hears My
voice, and a stranger they will not follow (John 14:27).
Paul tells Timothy “wherefore I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift
of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not you
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but be
you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Who
has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose, and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel”.
So let us let God out of our box, by believing who He says we are and acting out
on His word. Remember that God calls things that be not as they were (Romans
4:17) “as it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before Him
whom he believed, even God, who makes alive the dead, and calls those things
which be not as though they were”. Remember we are to be followers of God
and dear children.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: December 23, 2008
Paul reveals God’s mystery to us (Colossians 1:25-27) which says “whereof I am
made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for
you to fulfill the word of God. Even the mystery which has been hid from ages
and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints. To whom God
would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
We have this treasure in earthen vessels (II Corinthians 4:6-7) “for God who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shinned in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power be of
God and not of us”.
Jesus came to show us what God is like, and what we can be like if we let Him
work within us (Philippians 2:13) says “for it is God which works in you both to
will and to do of His good pleasure”. Obedience is the key. We are told to put
on Christ (Romans 13:14) “but put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof”. Galatians says “for you are all
the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ”.
Jesus says “you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me and he
that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
Myself to him” (John 14:20-21). We have to seek the manifest presence of God
in our midst, so that the glory cloud stay and we can dwell in it.
As we submit ourselves to God, He empowers us to resist the devil (James 4:7-
8) “submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”. We do this by presenting
our bodies as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2) “I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”.
The Bible tells us to “be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and
supplication which thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And
the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens
me” (Philippians 4:6-7,13). We are also told to “walk in the Spirit, and you will
not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Romans 8 and Galatians 5). As you start
thinking like this, it will change the way you act, what you do; verse 8 tells us to
think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good. Remember
that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Ephesians 3:20 says “now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. Ask yourself,
what you have been asking and thinking about? Psalms 68:11 says “the Lord
gave the word, great was the company of those that proclaim it”. God tells us to
“put Me in remembrance, let us plead together, declare you, that you may be
justified” (Isaiah 43:26). Remember that the word of God won’t return to Him
void (Isaiah 55:11) says “so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth, it
shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I send it”. We have to speak His words, that’s what
sends it back to Him. Also in Psalms 103 the angels respond to His words, verse
20 says “bless the Lord Yahweh, you His angels that excel in strength, that do
His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word”.
Revelation 12:11 says “and they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the
death”. Our testimony is very important, it builds us up, like David, it lets us see
what God can do with us, and it edifies others of what God can do for them also.
In the Old Testament, God would come upon people to accomplish great things,
yet, in the New Testament, God dwells in us. Jesus says in John 14:17 as He
was explaining that He was sending another Comforter, He said “even the Spirit
of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows
Him, but you know Him, for He dwells with you, and shall be in you”. And in I
Corinthians 3:16 which says “know you not that you are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwells in you”?
In the early church, they went out in the power of God. Peter and John spoke to
the man lame at the gate Beautiful and “then Peter said, silver and gold have I
none, but such as I have give I you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise
up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up, and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up
stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping
and praising God” (Acts 3:5-8). And after being questioned about what
authority they did this, and was forbidden to speak any more in that name, but
being not afraid, they continued to heal many, and it was said about them “now
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived hat they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
The Bible tells us how to accomplish this boldness, praying in the Spirit edifies
you (I Corinthians 14:2,4) says “for he that speaks in an unknown tongue,
speaks not to men, but to God; for no man understands him, however in the
spirit he speaks mysteries. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies
himself”. Paul says in verse 18 “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than
you all”. And we know that Paul was able to do mighty works. He said “I am
crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the
life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Jude says in verse 20-21“but you beloved, building up yourselves on you most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life”. We pray in the Spirit,
because we don’t always know how to pray (Romans 8:26-27) “likewise the Spirit
also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit,
because He makes intercession for the saints, according to the will of God”.
Jesus explains it this way “but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him,
shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14) and also in John 7:38 which says
“he that believes on Me, as the scriptures has said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water”.
We are told to “desire spiritual gifts” (I Corinthians 14:1). The problem is that
people focus on the earthly gifts, not realizing that the heavenly gifts are of
greater value. In fact it is the heavenly gifts that brings forth other things
(Hebrews 11:1-3) says “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”.
We have to practice hearing the voice of God. Jesus said “My sheep hears My
voice, and a stranger they will not follow (John 14:27).
Paul tells Timothy “wherefore I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift
of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not you
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but be
you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Who
has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose, and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel”.
So let us let God out of our box, by believing who He says we are and acting out
on His word. Remember that God calls things that be not as they were (Romans
4:17) “as it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before Him
whom he believed, even God, who makes alive the dead, and calls those things
which be not as though they were”. Remember we are to be followers of God
and dear children.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: December 23, 2008
