Is Christianity Losing Its Power?

As I mentioned in a recent Facebook post, Daddy God has been talking to me a lot about the difference between receiving the Holy Spirit, and getting baptised in the Holy Spirit. This is in response to me crying out,"Lord, why are people in the Church struggling so much with sin and purity? How do I help them?"
I'm so excited to share His response with all of you today!

We'll start in John chapter 20. Here we see the remaining disciples locked away in a room, gripped by fear. This is precisely the state of the world we live in today! People have locked themselves away in so many different fashions, out of fear. Whether it be addiction from the fear of their current reality, crime from the fear of a lack of provision, promiscuity from the fear of being unwanted and unloved, etc.
Jesus appears to each and every one of us, just as He did them (although not always bodily), repeatedly telling us to have peace.
"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.' When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (Verse 22)
When the we decide to take Jesus at His word, and receive His forgiveness, which includes receiving His Spirit, this is called being born again. This is done through faith AND water baptism. The modern day church has turned water baptism into "an outward demonstration of our inward faith" and thus robbing it of its power. First of all, our FAITH should NEVER be "inward"! It should always be lived out loud for the entire world to see, AND be transformed by! Secondly, water baptism has NOTHING to do with showing anyone anything, and has EVERYTHING to do with partaking in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
Romans 6 in the Passion Translation, eloquently puts it this way...
"Sharing in HIS death by OUR baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed WITH Him, so that when the Father's glory raised Christ from the dead, we were ALSO raised with Him. We have been co-resurrected WITH Him so that we could be empowered to express an ENTIRELY NEW LIFE. For if we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a death like His, then we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a resurrection like His AND the new life that it imparts. Could it be any clearer that our former identity is NOW AND FOREVER deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with Him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would NOT continue to live ONE MOMENT LONGER submitted to sin's power. Obviously, a dead person is incapable of sinning. And if we were co-crucified with the Anointed One, we know that we will also share in the FULLNESS of His life." (Verses 4-8)
People can argue this fact all that they want..."So you're saying that our works are what save us?" Jesus said it! Not me!  Here's the thing, if Jesus said "repent AND be baptized", is it not by faith that we get baptized and are thus born again?  Jesus is even recorded in Mark 16:16 saying,"Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved..." So it is faith in Jesus that allows us to receive His Spirit AND partake in His death, burial, and resurrection through water baptism.
BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE!!!
Jesus told His disciples to stay in a particular place, a prayer room of sorts, until He finished what He intended to do in them! Why is the Church stopping at a sinner's prayer (that isn't even biblical by the way), when Jesus has clearly shown that there is so much more!?!  He never intended for someone to pray a random prayer in a church building, conference hall, or street corner, and then go on with life as usual! Jesus said stay put until you're clothed with power from on high! (Luke 24:49)
Don't stop at acceptance!
Don't stop at death!
Don't even stop at resurrection!
You MUST be clothed with power!
You MUST be baptised in the Holy Spirit!
What does that look like, you ask?
Check out Acts Chapter 2.
"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Verses 2-4)
The disciples didn't stop at being filled! They pressed in, fervently praying, believing what Jesus told them...
they would receive POWER from on high!
It may not LOOK the same for all of us. It didn't LOOK like Acts 2 for me, but there IS one thing that remains constant in EVERY experience...
IMMEDIATE 100% TOTAL TRANSFORMATION!
The Apostle Peter went from angry and afraid, to determined and bold.
The Apostle Paul went from murderous pride to loving humility.
I went from a selfish and suicidal addict to a generous and joyful world changer!
IN AN INSTANT!
Once you've given yourself FULLY to this gospel, and received what He wants to give you, there is no lengthy painful process! There is only instantaneous transformation! Sure, we move from glory to glory, as we get to know Him more and more deeply, but it BEGINS at glory!!!

Friends, many of us have been duped into believing a "gospel" that is really no gospel at all! The word gospel means good news! Where is the good news in believing that we are all sinners, destined to sin, because we live in a fallen world of which we're prisoners until we die? Where is the good news in believing that we will all struggle through this life, trying to resist temptation, but we're expected to have good cheer while doing it, so that we can bring glory to a distant God, who puts bad things in our lives, to test and strengthen us, and allows horrific things to happen, because He's in control? Where is the good news in believing that any power that the gospel held died with the original apostles?
What is the point?
Where is the hope?
Why even give yourself to a "gospel" that is dead and depressing?
The Truth is, that ISN'T the gospel!

This is...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation. THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY; behold, THE NEW HAS COME ."
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW person. The old life is GONE; a new life has BEGUN!
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV & NLT

"And these signs WILL accompany those who believe: in My name they WILL cast out demons; they WILL speak in new tongues;  they WILL pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it WILL NOT hurt them; they WILL lay their hands on the sick, and they WILL recover." Mark 16:17-18

This, my friends, is the WILL of God, in Christ Jesus!
Don't stop at "letting Jesus in your heart"!
Give Him your life!
Press in,
fervently praying,
KNOWING
you WILL receive
POWER from on high!

Run with me Church!
Www.purusamor.com

Everything's coming up rainbows!

Seems like about half of Facebook is posting rainbows to their profiles.  Awesome!  May we all be covered with markers of our Dad's lavish grace!  May we walk the earth, covered in God's promises to "remember [our] sins and [our] lawless deeds no more!" (Heb 10:17) May His blood be upon us! (Matt. 27:25).

Christian, take heart! His grace is so much bigger than any sin, any policy, any nation, any government, any movement, any political party, any tragedy, and ANY WORK OF THE ENEMY in your life!  Place your hope in that.  Rest in His power, and marinate in His goodness.  He delights in you not because you are good, but because He is good, and it's not your burden to reform (by law or otherwise) the behavior of those around you.  He will do that when they're ready.

Your only task is to rest in His love for you, and let it fill you, overflow, and bring the Kingdom wherever you go.  When that happens, you'll rejoice in every rainbow you see, for you know its creator, and that depth of HIS GOODNESS!

Wishful Thinking

What if the Jesus story was really more about what He did than what we do?

What if we had a God who replaced our flaws with His perfection and became for us everything we couldn't be?

What if the great deception isn't about doubting God so much as it's about doubting His GOODNESS?

What if His goodness was so thorough, so complete, so unmitigated, and there was never even a hint of darkness in it?

What if Jesus finished all the work for us on the cross and we rested in that?

What if the only act of obedience to the faith was to be content in HIS righteousness, HIS provision, and HIS acceptance of us?

What if the "good" news, was really the GREAT-AWESOME-AMAZING news that actually changed people's lives, freed them from the curse, and allowed them to rest from their efforts and enjoy the gifts of freedom and grace?

What if the Church was a group of people who were so immersed in the Father's unqualified lovingkindess of them, that they couldn't help but love each other and the people around them?

What if witnessing was something we did all the time to everyone, believers and non-believers alike, because we just couldn't contain the truths within us?

What if confession wasn't about talking about our sin as much as it is about proclaiming the truths about a good God and his power over that and every other evil in this world?

What if Jesus actually meant it when he said we would do even greater things than him?

What if we could actually tell people that suffering wasn't God's will for them?

What if we replaced "what if" with "I believe"...

Believers Can Do Anything With Their Freedom

Believers are the most free and loved people in the entire galaxy.  God himself lives inside us.  We call him Dad; or friend, or brother.  His love for us is very powerful and very real.  Spending time with him, being held, is a relaxing and real sensation; unmatched by anything else.  We were made to live in his warm, intoxicating love…staring at him while he smiles back at us.  

The enemy hates how we feel when Dad smiles at us (which is 24/7).  We feel safe, desired, and loved.  The enemy can’t stand this.  So he accuses us; night and day.  And sometimes we hear the accusations.  These cause us to turn back within ourselves and away from that beautiful face that never stops gazing at us with love and approval.

So, let’s look at a few verses which give us permission to rest; allowing us to do what we really want: snuggle up with Dad as he holds us in his brilliant love.

A.D. 55.  Paul writes a letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians).  These people had the pure message of grace from Paul for a year and a half.  After he leaves, however, the church condones sex with prostitutes, incest with mothers, court trials against each other, consummation of food sacrificed to idols…and its leaders do nothing.  How does Paul begin his letter to them?

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way…you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that YOU WILL BE BLAMELESS on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor. 4-8)

(Of course, Paul goes on to tell the church their behaviors are not consistent with children who know they are dearly loved…however, they still are and will forever be blameless!)

A.D. 62.  Paul writes a letter to the church in Colosse (Colossians).  Essentially, the church was beginning to stray from the truth that Jesus Christ did everything for everyone.  What does Paul say?

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds, doing evil deeds.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, WITHOUT BLEMISH and free from accusation.  (Col. 1:21-22).

A.D. 75.  Jude (the brother of Jesus) also finishes his one-chapter book with the words:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence WITHOUT FAULT and with great joy… (Jude 1:24)

So, what’s the point of all this?  The point is you have permission to keep staring at Dad and never leave his presence (like we even could anyways).  We are allowed to continue soaking in his warm light.  We get to hear him defend us while we feel that unconditional love, acceptance and happiness towards us.  We get to have long conversations with him every day and feel his kisses on our necks.

Without this knowledge, the enemy would have you focus on a much more boring issue: sin.  You will spend your days thinking about sin; constantly looking at yourself while you try to rid yourself of that filth so that you can be clean enough to enjoy God’s presence.  Well, here is the truth that most people are afraid to say out loud: You do have a license to sin!  You have a license to do anything you want!  If you get saved, but then live a sinful life…nothing will happen to you!  You will get to heaven and be presented to God without fault.  You WILL be blameless! But why would you choose sin? 

I know why. 

You would choose sin because you think it delivers.  You think God doesn’t want you to be happy like that.  You think God only gives lame gifts, but sin has much more enticing things to offer.  You think God won’t give you ice cream.  Ice cream would be too dangerous for you.  God only gives vegetables that taste nasty, but are nevertheless good for you.  If you want ice cream, you have to get it yourself.  God will have no part in that.  Satan has ice cream, but God just has sugar-free, dairy-free popsicles sticks that are good for you. 

Here’s a news flash: sin never delivers. 

The enemy is a liar. 

Dad loves you very much! 

Dad has given, and will continue to give, all of your heart’s desires (Mat 21:22, Mark 11: 24, Luke 11:9, John 14:13, 15:7, 15:16, 16:23).  Everything you want comes from Jesus: Love, peace, acceptance, happiness, pleasure, power and freedom. 

You are the disciple who Jesus loves!  But you won’t fully experience this until you tell your mind how free you truly are!  You can do anything in this life (good or bad) and nothing will stop Dad from holding you every minute of every day; all the while smiling at you.  It matters not what the enemy tells you, or the preacher, or your spouse, or yourself…you will always be blameless! 

So why not chase the person who actually delivers?  The guy who doesn’t give just ice cream, but a double-fudge brownie covered with ice cream topped with cherries and whipped cream…made with an ingredient that prevents stomach aches and weight gain.  Why not spend time with an amazing Dad who is madly in love with you and will give you anything you want! 

“And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more!” (2 Samuel 12:8). 

(Dad talking to King David during the height of his reign). 

Inherit All Things: Now (or Later)?

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Rev 21:7

Who is it that overcomes? Is it the people with a lot of faith? 

What time period is this promise for? Is it only for the future in heaven? 

Lets ask the man who wrote the book cited above (John). If we go back to a smaller one of his books, in 1 John; in 5:5, John asks this question and then immediately answers: “Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 

Simple question, simple answer. You, believer. You are the one who overcomes... (Yes, even the world). 

Jesus was faithful FOR you. Jesus was faithful AS you. You inherit all things BECAUSE OF JESUS who finished God's work at The Cross and now lives IN you. 

This makes God your God, and you HIS Beloved Son. 

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What about the "all things?" Well, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone be in Christ he IS a New Creation—old things have passed away (past tense). He then excitedly tells believers to BEHOLD "all things" that have already become new (in Christ)! 

Look at the “all things!” This is how displaying Jesus on earth works. We look at Him and the "all things" God has brought to us through Him, and we become like Him (2 Cor 3:18, 1 Jn 3:2-3).

This is the New Creation. In the center of the New Creation lies the New Man. With The New Man comes The Son's inheritance. It is laid up in heaven, and God desires to bring it to earth through Jesus' Body. Believers. His Bride. His children. All who live IN His Son. 

He desires to do this because He actually loves the people of this world and passionately desires to restore them all back to Life WITH Him (Jn 3:16, 17:3). 

Jesus is a present reality. He lives. If you are a believer, He lives in You NOW. He is EAGERLY waiting  to reveal Himself to you so that He can display Himself through you. This is how His Kingdom gets established on earth like it is in heaven. 

For this to be accomplished, we need His inheritance. Thankfully we have the best gift Jesus had to give; Holy Spirit. One of Holy Spirit's main roles is to teach us (His beloved children) about the things God has FREELY given to us in His Son (1 Cor 2:12).

This does NOT begin in heaven. (Once we are there, we will already be experiencing ALL of the "all things" without any hindrance.) This begins NOW! Receiving His inheritance starts the moment we become a believer and Jesus begins to make His home in us. How much He is able to do this TOGETHER WITH US and IN US depends on how much we receive and submit to His goodness (Rom 11:22). 

In the present time, we have A LOT to look forward to as the Sons of God (Gal 3:28)—we get to manifest (Rom 8:19)! Manifesting as a Son of God means displaying the glory of God in us (Christ). It means showing His goodness in this dark and dying world by bringing life and light where there is death and darkness--just like Jesus did when he walked this earth in the flesh.

Christ in you IS THE hope of glory (Col 1:27). The knowledge of the glory of God (Jesus living in His children) will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14). This will happen as the Sons of God awaken to the fact that Jesus is very much alive IN them.

The world is waiting for Jesus to be revealed IN and THROUGH us. Let's show them!