Gospel Mission Network

https://gospelmissionnetwork.org Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:24:30 +0000 Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:24:30 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com From "Oh No!" To "Well Done!” https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/11/07/from-oh-no-to-well-done Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/11/07/from-oh-no-to-well-done

Take a moment to reflect on your life. Are you truly satisfied with your current situation? Your achievements? Your use of time on this earth? What changes would you make? What would you revisit and correct? What would you approach differently? These are profound questions that we should regularly ask ourselves, fostering a sense of introspection and thoughtful consideration.

Just about everyone has said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!" at least once in their life. It usually comes after we've made a mistake or said something that came out completely wrong. These powerful words communicate the difference between what we intended to happen and what actually happened. This difference can easily be called the "Oh No!" factor! Sometimes, the "Oh No!" factor is not too big of a deal; other times, it is a really big "Oh No" with ever-lasting consequences.

These are powerful questions we should routinely ask ourselves. Unfortunately, we often ask them with only our current life in mind rather than our eternity in mind. We think with too narrow a focus in too narrow a time frame, leading to inaccurate assessments of our lives.
A Big "Oh No!" Moment.

In the Gospel of Luke 12:16-21, Jesus spoke a parable about a rich man whose ground produced a lot of crops. The man had so much that he didn't know what to do with them because he ran out space to store them. He reasoned that the way to solve the problem was to tear down his old barns and build bigger ones. He thought his "Oh No!" problem was that he ran out of storage space. He was so pleased with himself and his situation that he figured he was set for a relaxing retirement of eating, drinking, and good times. Then it happened. God spoke to him and the first thing God did was address him as "fool!". Then God told him he was going to die that night and that he would never enjoy his retirement. God went further to ask who would be enjoying all those riches because the rich man would not be around to enjoy them.

The biggest "Oh No!" moment is when we realize we lived with the wrong purpose and that it would cause us to suffer loss for eternity! Talk about a long-lasting consequence! We must avoid living like this rich ruler and reassess our goals to ensure they have God at the center of them. The rich man had what others would have called "success". He had money, financial security, a long-term plan laid out, etc. However, he never expected that he would talk with God that night and hear that he was never going to see the next morning. I can image this man was envied by many others. He was probably known as a successful businessman, a provider to his community, and someone younger farmers probably sought advice from. Nevertheless, the rich man was dead and suffered eternal loss because he built up treasure for himself and was not rich toward God. (See Luke 12:21).

The Call To Greatness

Probably one of the scariest aspects of this parable is that the man didn't have any warning. He planned for his future and then suddenly realized he could take none of his riches with him. He realized he was rich in crops and poor in God.

This parable does not teach us to be financially poor. It is teaching that we should seek to be rich with the fullness of God over and above everything else! To be rich with God and to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is the key! (See Matthew 6:33)
We are called to greatness and we are called to be filled with God's wisdom, power, righteousness, love, and purpose! Avoid the "Oh No!" factor at the end of your life at all costs.

Seek God, pursue Him! Live your life with His mission at the forefront of all you do!
Be filled with Him, and be ready to embrace a new level of greatness the Lord is calling you to! (See Ephesians 2:10) Then you will never have to say, "Oh No! I didn't mean that!"! Instead, you will hear," ‘...Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:23)

]]> https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/11/07/from-oh-no-to-well-done#comments 4 Yom Kippur & The Hill Of The Lord https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/yom-kippur-the-hill-of-the-lord Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:10:59 +0000 https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/yom-kippur-the-hill-of-the-lord

Throughout the holy Scriptures, God paints a picture of His children moving upward toward the glory of His presence. The picture is that the heavens are above, the throne of God is above, and God Himself is above. Even Jerusalem is situated on a high hill, and Jews would travel to Jerusalem for one of the three annual Jewish festivals to "ascend" the uphill road to the city. During their journey, they would sing the "Songs of Ascent," a special group of fifteen Psalms comprised of Psalms 120-134. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133), one to Solomon (127), while the other ten are anonymous. The picture is powerful as it conveys the idea of God's chosen people moving up the mountain of the Lord to be in His presence.

This imagery is also seen in Psalm 15 and Psalm 24, which both shed powerful light on the deeper meaning of mankind fellowshipping with God in His holy presence.

Psalm 24:3 asks, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place?" The answer is provided in Psalm 24:4: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully."

Psalm 15:1 asks, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” The answer is provided in Psalm 15:2-5: "He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”

The wonderful implication of these Psalms is that people can encounter God in His dwelling place. It is possible to experience the intimacy of His holiness. However, no one can claim they have "clean hands and a pure heart." No one can say they have not lifted their soul to an idol in some form or fashion. No one can say they have walked perfectly upright. Romans 3:23 declares that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Thus, no one can "ascend" the hill of the Lord and dwell with God based upon their own righteousness or good works.

Thus, we come to the meaning of Yom Kippur, known as the "Day of Atonement," the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar. It was an annual feast instituted by God to completely cover (pay the penalty) for all the sins of the people of Israel. On this day, the high priest would enter and offer the blood sacrifice to cover the people's sins. Thus, we see that the animal sacrifice suffered the judgment of death rather than the people.

The Bible teaches that this sacrificial system was put in place for only a certain time as a prophetic picture that pointed to the coming of the Messiah, who fully redeemed the whole world. Because the Messiah, revealed to be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, came, suffered, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so the whole world would be able to receive forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of God. There may have been an ascent up to the holy hill in the days of old, but we can now ascend into the presence of God through Jesus Christ and can be seated with Him in heavenly places.

Another big difference between the Old Testament and New Testament ascent concerns who provides the sacrifice and in what direction they move. In the Old Testament, mankind brought sacrifices and climbed the mountain to God’s presence. In the New Testament, the Father provided His own sacrifice and sent Him (Jesus) down to us in the wilderness.

This is why the Lord's Table, known as communion, is so powerful. We remember our sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ became the scapegoat as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. We no longer come into the presence of a holy God with our work or sacrifice but are brought to the Most Holy place of God's Shekinah glory by grace through faith in receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Let's appreciate the meaning of Yom Kippur and enter the Lord's presence through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

]]> https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/yom-kippur-the-hill-of-the-lord#comments 0 How To Live In God’s Love https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/how-to-live-in-god-s-love Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:59:01 +0000 https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/how-to-live-in-god-s-love

One of the most exciting shifts in a Christian’s life is understanding that God is love (see 1 John 4:8) and that His commands are motivated by love! This means all His commandments are for our blessing, protection, and well-being. Why is this significant? Because many think God’s commands are heavy, burdensome, and hard to follow rather than a pathway to peace and protection.

God‘s love is perfect and unconditional. No one can earn it, and we are called to abide in it continually. Amazingly, Jesus tells us exactly how to do this in the gospel of John 15:9-10.

““As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:9–10, NKJV)

Jesus taught that He kept the Father’s commandments, which caused Him to abide in the Father’s love! Jesus reveals that we also abide in His love when we keep God’s commandments!

This should change how we view God’s commandments. Instead of running from them, we should be running to them! Instead of seeing them as a burden, we should see them as a relief.

Listen to the Psalmist as he shares his view of God’s commands!

*“And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:47–48, NKJV)

Let’s shift and be determined to abide in God’s love by viewing His commands differently.

PRAYER
Father, help me to "see" Your commandments as a pathway to abide in Your love. Break all false ideas about Your commandments so I can abide in Your love fully for Your glory! Thank you Jesus!

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About Steve Hannett
Steve was miraculously healed of cancer during a supernatural encounter with God. This encounter with Jesus Christ forever changed the course of Steve's life and created a God-breathed passion for seeing the healing power of Jesus touch all. Steve hosts the Be Healed Podcast hosted by Charisma Media and The Miraculous Life, a TV program reaching more than 180 nations. Steve is the author of three books, the Founder of the Gospel Mission Network, and the Senior Pastor of Abundant Grace Church. He is a pastor of pastors, leads accredited training programs, and is married to Kate Hannett with three beautiful children.

]]> https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/10/09/how-to-live-in-god-s-love#comments 0 Don't Let the Devil Bind You https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/09/27/don-t-let-the-devil-bind-you Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:21:05 +0000 https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/09/27/don-t-let-the-devil-bind-you

"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."-2 Corinthians 4:3–4, NKJV

Imagine for a moment someone asked to blindfold you for the rest of your life. You would still have to take a shower, get dressed, drive to work, perform at your job, make dinner, parent your children, and everything else you normally do. Any volunteers? I didn't think so. Our sight, the ability to see the light, is too valuable to sacrifice.

As scary as this may be in the natural, it's even more so in the spirit. The apostle Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthian Church revealing the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus' victory over sin and death. He describes that it hasn't been hidden but has been manifested to all. He goes on to reveal that those who don't receive the Gospel have had their minds blinded by the devil preventing them from seeing the "...light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ".

What is this light? It's the "light of the Gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ"! Paul was saying the devil was working to prevent them from seeing the Person of Jesus! The devil twisted their minds so they could not perceive the image of God, Jesus Christ! (See Colossians 1:15)

Paul doesn't describe the Gospel as simply a nice story or philosophy. Through the Holy Spirit's power, he reveals that the Gospel is the actual release of the glory of the Messiah (Savior). The devil is violently against it because he knows that once a person "sees the light of the Gospel," they will understand the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and become free from his lies.

We desperately need to understand the Gospel is more than a story. It's the power of God! Paul said in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16, NKJV)

Those with unbelieving, hardened hearts are easily veiled by the enemy and wind up dying without Jesus' victory over sin. As a result, they die in their sins and spend eternity in hell with no hope of ever being released from the pain and agony of its torturous fire. Sounds too extreme? Not to Paul, who boldly declared that if you were veiled from the "light," you were perishing.

The Good News is that all who willfully receive God's Word can receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and simultaneously receive the glory and power of God! The devil can veil no one who comes to God with a willing heart. Refuse all attempts of the devil to twist and pollute your mind to rob you of the power and glory of God!

Receive God's Word. Receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which declares you forgiven, set free, and adopted as a true child of God, whose sin has been forever destroyed. Refuse all doubt and boldly declare and believe God's Word no matter what! Declare it from the rooftops! Shout it so all creation can hear you refuse to allow the devil to veil your mind!

Let's remember that the magi found Jesus, the Savior of the world, because they saw, or more accurately, believed, the heavenly light, the star of Bethlehem. Come to God with a committed heart to receive the fullness of the Gospel and allow nothing to keep you from it. It will bring you to an intimate relationship with Jesus, and your life will be filled with the "light of the glory of Christ." As the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, says, "I was blind, but now I see!"

PRAYER
Father, help me to "see" Your Gospel. I don't want anything to hold me back from receiving the purity of Your Word. I renounce agreement with every thought and scheme of the devil to keep me from You. I submit my heart and mind to You and pray that I will become a child before you. Remove any and every veil from my mind so I may receive and become overwhelmed by the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ! I receive You, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior and turn away from sins and choose to follow You all the days of my life. Thank you, Jesus!

]]> https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2024/09/27/don-t-let-the-devil-bind-you#comments 0 Healing Flows When You Know Your Identity https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2023/09/27/healing-flows-when-you-know-your-identity Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:24:30 +0000 https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2023/09/27/healing-flows-when-you-know-your-identity

The presence of God was strong in the healing conference. People were being healed on my left and right. Then I spotted her. She was a woman in her forties in the midst of worshipping. Though she worshipped with sincerity, there seemed to be a burden upon her. I went to her and gently asked if we could pray. She told me that she suffered from trismus or lock-jaw. She seemed desperate, and I assured her Jesus would hear and answer our prayer.

I asked her what her name was, but as she answered, I felt the HolySpirit prompt me to tell her, "Your name is 'daughter of God!'". She looked at me a bit strangely at first, but I encouraged her to declare that her name was "daughter of God". I could see the Spirit moving upon her as she began to say, "My name is "daughter of God". I told her to remember that she is a princess of the King and an heir of the riches of Christ. I helped her to remember that all the blessings promised through Christ are "Yes and Amen!" Her countenance changed, and I knew she was ready to receive!

I laid my hands upon her head as she raised her arms to the heavens. I commanded her physical ailment to leave in the Name of Jesus, and upon that prayer, she moved her jaw with no problem at all. The Lord had completely and instantaneously healed her!
Get ready to receive your healing by becoming knowing your identity! It will enable you to receive all God has died for you to receive! All the promises of God are "yes" and "amen" in Christ Jesus! Remember who you are and whose you are! You are rich in Jesus, and your cup runs over! You are not a rejected prodigal! You are an accepted child of God who is restored with a robe, a ring, sandals, and a fatted calf!

Listen to Episode 24 of the Be Healed Podcast with Steve Hannett to learn more!

]]> https://gospelmissionnetwork.org/blog/2023/09/27/healing-flows-when-you-know-your-identity#comments 0