We are of the Second Man

When Jesus went to the cross, His reason was to atone for our sins.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: KJV

Jesus is known as the Last Adam. In that, He took all that was of Adam, our fallen nature, to judgment and death on the cross. “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh.” Adam's flesh was weak, he succumbed to the voice of the enemy. And when we walk after the flesh, we are weak because we aren't doing what our Father has commanded us, but we do as we like, following the voice of the enemy.

So the law could not succeed because we are weak. We are weak when we walk after the flesh, because our attention is easily captured by the pretty things of the world and we are led astray. But when we walk after the Spirit, we are mighty by the Power of God through the Holy Spirit. There was a time for the law and it served it's purpose, but now, when we walk after the Spirit, we live in the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Let me use myself as an example;

When I smoke a cigarette, I'm walking after the flesh. Smoking, in no way, glorifies God. Smoking is one of the pretty things of the world and the only glory is mine and self glory is pride and God resists the proud. When I look at a pretty girl or express my anger through curses, God is not glorified, but I am. Again, God resists the proud.

James 3:10b My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

But when I'm speaking Spiritual Truth with a brother or sister, God totally digs that, then, He is Glorified. Or when I speak truth to someone at work, God is Glorified, because I'm doing what I, we, were commanded to do. I'm sharing the Gospel.

So whether we're “in Christ” or “in Adam” is a moment by moment decision. I pray our choices put us in Christ.

Christ died as the last Adam, but was arisen as the Second Man. We are born in Adam, but we are reborn in Christ, the Second Man, Who is the Head of a new race.

We died in Him as the last Adam, we also, live in Him as the Second Man.

servant21

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Technorati Tags: Romans 8:3,James 3:10b,In Adam,In Christ,The Second Man,The Last Adam,Atonement,Spirit

From Adam to Christ

I'm reading a book called “A Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. This book is a study, by Watchman Nee, on the book of Romans and there's a important point I'd like to share with you. And I'm only on page 45. This is a really good book and I'm really excited to see what's next.

To begin with, I want to talk about who we are, as opposed to what we do.

We are sinners because we are “in Adam.” We are his descendants. Adam sinned and so our nature, our fallen nature, is sinful. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. When Adam chose to follow his own will, when he chose to do what satan said, instead of what God said, he sinned. Because we were born in Adam, in his lineage, we were born into his sin. When Adam sinned, we all sinned with him. So, we are sinners from birth, not by anything we did, but by what Adam did. We are his descendants, so our heritage is sin.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (Christ) shall many be made righteous. KJV (emphasis added)

Father, forgive us for we know not what we do. So, we are born sinners, what can we do about this?

Well, our Father, has already taken care of this. Jesus, being obedient to His Father's Will, sacrificed His Life, taking our sins to the cross. And, on the third day was raised by God, His Father, our Father. So, if you are saved, you died with Jesus on the cross and you were raised with Him on the third day. Jesus was speaking about this when He said in

Matthew 16:24, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV

I believe this is what salvation is, but to continue in Christ we must do this everyday. This is what the Bible says, and the Bible is the Word of God written to us. Also, Jesus is our example, so everything He did, we should do.

So, we are now “in Jesus”. We are His descendants. This means everything He did or went through, we did or went through with Him. Here's the thing, reading the Words and getting excited isn't enough. We've got to start doing what we're told. The main thing Jesus preaches during His 3 1/2 years of ministry, is to seek first the Kingdom of God. This seems like a tall order, but it can be done, if we ask God for direction and guidance and follow His Lead. We can do all things by the power of Christ Who strengthens us.

Do you believe;

In God?

That the Bible is the Word of God spoken to us by His Holy prophets?

That Jesus His Son or do you believe He's just a prophet or neither?

That the Holy Spirit is an active Part of the Trinity?

That the Gifts of the Spirit are real and for today?

In the fivefold ministry and that they are for today? (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers)

That the baptism in the Holy Spirit is real, or do you believe it was just for the people in Bible times or is that for now, too?

If you believe in God and you believe the Bible is His Word, how can you only believe in part of the Bible?

If you only believe in part of the Bible, God's Word, does that make you half of a Christian? Does this mean only half of you will be saved? Will only half of you go to Heaven? How do you choose which parts of the Bible are true and which are false? Wouldn't that be man's religion instead of God's Truth?

If you read the Bible, you can see where everything that has happened and is happening now was prophesied by Jesus and the prophets of God. God actually said He wouldn't do anything without telling us through His holy prophets. But, if you don't believe He talks to us, then you don't believe the Bible, His Word.

Matt 7:21-27

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV

God bless

servant21

I BELIEVE

I believe in God. I believe He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because the Bible says so. (I also believe the Bible is His inerrant Word spoken to us, by His Holy prophets, so we will know His Will and what He expects from us.) I believe He is One and I believe He is Three. He is a Threefold God. This is spoken throughout the entire Bible. Why do people in the church believe in the Trinity, but not the actual working of the Holy Spirit or Spiritual Gifts?

Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" KJV

Why would He say baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, if He wasn't a threefold God? (Spirit and ghost are the same Greek word, pneuma, pronounced pnyoo'-mah.)

Genesis 1:26 says “...Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness..." KJV

This verse uses the words Us and Our, these words imply more than one. Why then, does most of the body of Christ not believe He is Three? I'll tell you why. Actually, I'll quote scripture.

1 Tim.4:1 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." KJV

Read the entire chapter to see what He's talking about.

God is a Triune Being, that means three. He is the Father, He is our Father, as spoken in

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. KJV

We are adopted by Him, He is our Father, our Dad, our Daddy. Also, He is the Son, God in human form, our Saviour, our Example, the One we seek to emulate or be like. Also, He is the Holy Spirit and He has many Names and parts to play in our lives. He is the Comforter, He is an Intercessor, He is also a Tutor, as spoken in

John 16:7-13

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. KJV

I pray our Father will open your eyes and ears and let you receive Spiritual Truth. I pray He will let you receive the Truth spoken in this blog. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ.

God bless

servant21

God's Word is Reliable

The other day, I was reading Jim Martin's blog, A Place for the God Hungry. The article I read was titled "Your Concerns About Money". I enjoyed reading the article and the comments. My first thought was Luke 12:22-31, where Jesus tells His disciples, don't worry about what you'll wear or eat, because the body is more than clothing and food. God takes care of the birds and the flowers, how much more valuable are you to Him?

Ok, to begin with I don't think I should've responded. I certainly don't have a handle on money management. I've since realized I did it self righteously. I believe in God and His Word, which He spoke through His Son and the prophets. I'm just not walking as I should. I believe God has everything we will ever need, but first we must obey His Word.

I have a hunger for God and His Word, His Spiritual Truth. I hunger for His Knowledge, His Wisdom, and His Understanding. But my hunger is too often superceded by my own selfish desires.

But, with that said, here are two verses that I count on:

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. KJV

Since God loves us and wants and has the very best for us, this is comforting. Typically the last thing we remember about ourselves is our last failure, the last thing we did wrong. Well, just knowing that God has begun a good work in us and will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, Php 1:6, gives us hope, something to count on.

I believe my intentions in responding to Jim's blog were good. I was speaking God's Word and as said in Isaiah 55:11, His Word doesn't return unto Him void. This means God's Word goes where it's needed, and it touches someone's heart, whether they have a big life changing experience, or just some encouragement for the moment. His Word always succeeds.

Thank You Father for Your Truth.

God bless servant21

Can I Pray for You part 2

I want to share what I experienced tonight. I got off work about 22:00. I stopped by a convenient store to get some gas.

While walking in, I saw a woman sitting on the curb off to the side and she called me over. I went in and paid for the gas. When I came out I went and spoke to her. She asked for $6.00 so she could get something to eat at a fish place next door. I gave her $2.00 because I'm broke.

So, I went and pumped my gas, and I couldn't get her off of my mind. I believe the Lord told me to go and pray for her, so I did. I walked up to her and asked if I could pray for her and she said yes.

I squatted right in front of her and she held out her hands. This shocked me, because most people don't know or understand that laying on of hands is fundamental doctrine. It says so in Hebrews 6:2. Also, I've had the Lord put people on my heart to pray for before, and I'm always attacked by fear and sometimes I don't pray for them. I was greatly excited because this time I didn't succumb to fear. I did what our Father said.

So, I took her hands and started praying. I began by praising the Lord and asking for His direction. The whole time I was praying, she was loosening and tightening her grip on my hands. I felt like she was hungry for the Lord. Also, to know about laying on of hands, she must know God, at least some.

When I left, I couldn't stop thinking about her and my friend said something about how I get back what I gave. Yea God. I hadn't even thought about the fact that this was an offering.

Actually Jesus said in Matthew 25:36-40, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

How cool is that? The Lord was hungry and I gave Him money to by some food, because I did it for one of the least of these. Thank You Father. This was truly an exciting night because I got to experience a victory in the Lord.

I prayed for her and that's all I was asked to do. So, I can continue to pray for her if the Lord puts her on my heart. But the rest is up to her.

God bless servant21

Can I pray for you?

I was thinking about this girl I work with, she came to work the other day and looked really sad and alone. I asked her if she was ok and she said no, so I asked if I could pray for her and she said it wouldn't help.

Well, there was nothing more I could've done,so I let it go. She'd already decided that prayer wouldn't help. I guess if you don't know God or only know Him in a small measure, you don't know or understand how great He is or what He can and will do.

I hope I'll offer to pray for her again and I hope this time she'll let me, cause I know God would love to have her as His.

See, I sometimes have a problem doing what our Father says. Like when I get an understanding from the Holy Spirit to pray for someone, I'll immediately freeze up, I get scared. Sometimes I overcome fear and sometimes I don't. So, sometimes I do what my Father tells me to and sometimes I don't. This is not acceptable.

2 Tim 1:7 says, " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. So, when I'm told to do something by our Father, I need to recognize who my Father is, by not allowing the spirit of fear to quench the Holy Spirit in me. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I still mess up.

As it says in Isaiah 55:8-9, His ways are not our ways and His ways are higher than our ways. I'm thankful for this, because every time I mess up, I can count on my Father. He's in control and knows what needs to be done and how much testing it'll take for me to overcome this present evil in my face.

So, all I can do is trust our Father, so when He wants me to pray for someone, I will. I'll simply rebuke the enemy and walk in the doonamis,and exooseah, power and authority, He's given me and speak to the mountain of fear and cast it into the sea, Matt 21:21. Amen.

God bless, servant21

I'm posting a journal entry

5.5.08

I haven't written in my journal in a couple of weeks. I guess I've let things get on my mind and I've dismissed writing. I believe it's good to write things down, at least to get rid of them.

Right now and for the last few days, I've had a lot of anger on me. Why? It's not any one thing, it's a collage of events, cool word. Right now I feel totally discombobulated, another cool word. And the reason for this, in my opinion, is because God isn't letting me have my way. Why does He have to be that way?

Well, this is a big question and I believe it could have many answers, though, there's only one righteous answer. If I choose to follow Him, I must sacrifice ALL of my ways, my desires, and my will, and choose to live by and follow His Will.

I've recently learned again, well actually I got a revelation. Jesus said in Mark 8:34, “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” I have chosen and am choosing to follow Christ, but so many times I don't want to deny myself, I don't want to take up my cross, I just want to get the blessings without any sacrifice.

I am so very greatly attacked with self righteousness, I get mad and angry because something doesn't happen the way I want. I'm upset because God isn't letting me have my way, and then rewarding me by saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Who do I think I am? But this is, at times, my mindset, whether I'm aware of it or not. I'm aware of it now and I don't want it. I want to be righteous, I want to do what my Father says.

The revelation I got, that I just mentioned is, it's not what I can do, even when I do what He says, it's what God is doing in me. I can't do anything unless allowed by my Father. It's what He is doing, He has begun a good work in me and will perform until the day of Jesus Christ, Php 1:6.

Ok, after saying all of that, I've been wanting and trying to write something, to post in my blog, but I haven't been able to keep my head. The smallest things set me off. I have anger problems, which I've mentioned before, and this causes me to not think right and to shut down.

As much as I've written here, I don't know how much of it goes together or actually makes any since, but I've finally written something and I'm gonna post it the way it is. Also, I have this thing about being perfect, I'm a perfectionist, so everything I write has to be perfect, even though I make mistakes all of the time, look at my other posts. I'm gonna try and just write regardless of how it sounds or looks. I like writing and I have a lot of good stuff to write. I hope and trust you can look past the mistakes and enjoy what I write and, God willing, learn something.

I think I've written enough, I feel such an incredible release. Thank You Father. If I can get my computer to let me post this, I will.

God bless y'all.
Servant21

PS This started out being a journal entry, merely to release. How cool is our Father. He let me write just to write and it turned out to be something I can post.