THE LIVING GOD: Our Eternal Home

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”  (2Cor. 5:1)

Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

To better understand these verses of Scripture, it will help if we know what the Greek words are that are translated “house” (my Father’s house), “mansion” (many mansions), and “place” (prepare a place) and what they literally mean.

The word translated “house” is the Greek word oiakia which means “the family home”.

The word translated “mansion” is the Greek word mone which means “a staying place or a residence”.

The word translated “place” is the Greek word topos which means “a spot, such as a spot to occupy”.

So John 14:2 is actually telling us that in the Heavenly Father’s family home are many residences and Jesus has gone to prepare a spot for us.

The “place” or spot that He has prepared for us is two-fold.

The Bible teaches us that the first “place” or “spot” that He has prepared for us is a “body”, a heavenly house as it were for our eternal soul and spirit.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2Cor. 5:1)

“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.” (2Cor. 5:2-3)

“For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” (2Cor. 5:4)

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:” (1Cor. 15:42-43)

“It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1Cor. 15:44)

The Apostle Paul was stoned at Lystra and left for dead but the Lord raised him up so that he could continue to preach the Gospel. Fourteen years later he tells of this incident.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” (2Cor. 12:2)

When the Apostle Paul’s spirit was caught up to heaven he inhabited his spiritual body that the Lord had prepared for him and he indwelled that body for the short time that he was there.

He had the same physical feelings as an earthly body, only with no pain or discomfort. He couldn’t tell the difference.

The Bible tells us several things about this spiritual body that we shall have.

It will be a body like unto Christ’s resurrected body.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Php. 3:20-21)

This body will have authority over and able to subdue “things”.

Time and distance will not constrain our spiritual body.

Jesus rose from the grave and told the women at the tomb, “Touch me not for I have not yet ascended to our Heavenly Father.”

However, a few hours later He appeared behind closed doors to the disciples and said, “Touch me and see that I am not a Spirit.”

During that short period of time, Jesus had ascended unto the third Heaven (which is above all the heavens, above space and the galaxies and the universe), appeared before the throne of the Heavenly Father, had the sins of all mankind removed from Him, received His royal garments and the crown of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and returned to earth to appear to His disciples.

We will be able to recognize and know each other in our spiritual bodies.

“And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4)

Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John with Him to a high mountain and He was transfigured before them.

When Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, Peter recognized them and knew who they were even though he had never seen them before.

Moses was in his spiritual body because he had previously died but Elijah had been translated alive to heaven and had never known death.

Lastly, our spiritual bodies shall never know death, sorrow, or pain.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)

The second “place” or “spot” that the Lord has gone to prepare for us is our actual residence in the family home, the City of New Jerusalem.

“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2)

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Rev. 21:3)

The Bible says that the family home, the city of New Jerusalem, is fifteen hundred miles wide, fifteen hundred miles tall, and fifteen hundred miles long.

And somewhere in there is a “mansion”, a residence, for every born again believer that shall make heaven their home.

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;” (Rev. 21:10-11)

“And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” (Rev. 21:12-13)

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.” (Rev. 21:14-15)

“And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.” (Rev. 21:16)

“And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” (Rev. 21:17-18)

“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;” (Rev. 21:19)

“The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” (Rev. 21:20-21)

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Rev. 21:22-23)

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Rev. 21:24-25)

“And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:26-27)

The Bible tells us that,

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1Cor. 2:9-10)

When we are born again, God sends His Holy Spirit to live in us and reveal unto us the wonderful and glorious things pertaining to our new life in Christ and God our Heavenly Father.

The born again experience is not just being forgiven for our sins and having a place to go to when we die.

The born again experience is a new life with a new beginning, powerful and wonderful experiences, and a hope for a glorious eternal life ruling and reining as kings and priests with Christ.

That is why the Apostle Paul said towards the end of his life, after a lifetime of knowing God and experiencing the miracles, power, signs, and wonders of his miraculous ministry,

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Php. 3:8)

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Php. 3:9)

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Php. 3:10-11)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: Joy

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: The Abundant Life

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

What is the “life” this Scripture pertains to, and what does “more abundantly” mean?

The word “life” in this verse is the Greek word “Zoe” which means “vitality” or “to live”, referring to the life which we are living on this earth right now.

“More abundantly” means “super abundant in quantity and superior in quality.”

God is not only concerned about your eternal life and your home in heaven, but He is just as concerned about your life in the “right here and now”.

The Bible says,

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Heb. 4:14)

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

Jesus came and experienced life as we know it.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” (Php. 2:5-6)

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php. 2:7-8)

Although the Bible says that Jesus was in the form of God and was God, He took upon Himself the form of flesh in order to experience all the feelings and adversities of life.

He knows what it is to experience pain, sorrow, sickness, grief, and betrayal.

He knows what it is to experience a broken heart when all forsook Him, and He knows the emptiness, loneliness, and desperation that being separated from God feels like when He took upon Himself the sin of the world.

But He also knows the gladness, laughter, restoration, and ecstasy that victory over all of these adversities can produce.

Jesus Christ is truly the only One who can honestly say “been there, done that” when it comes to understanding what all this life, both good and bad, has to offer.

That is why the Bible says that He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”.

The Bible says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities”. In other words, no matter what we are going through, Jesus knows and understands exactly what it is like and how we are feeling.

And because of this, He knows exactly what we need to overcome it and be delivered from it.

That is why the Bible says to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Here the word “boldly” means “with assurance.”

We can be assured that Jesus knows what we have need of before we even ask, and we can be assured that before we even ask, He has already provided.

It is God’s will that we be delivered from every evil work and out of every temptation.

It is God’s will that we endure, overcome, and pass through every adversity to receive the abundance that God has already provided for us in advance.

It is God’s will and desire that we have life “super abundant in quantity and superior in quality.” This is one of the reasons that Jesus came, lived, and died, to save us from our sins and deliver us from this “present evil world.”

“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Gal 1:3-5)

This “abundant life” that Jesus has purchased for us with His own blood includes healing.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:5)

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1Peter 2:24)

The “abundant life” also includes health and prosperity, not “wealth and riches”, but health and prosperity.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3John 1:2)

“Life more abundantly” also includes mental health and a sound mind.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2Tim. 1:7)

The disciples asked Jesus one day about their having left all to follow Him,

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,” (Mark 10:29)

“But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:30)

If your delight is in the Lord, and you are willing to do whatever it takes to follow Him, don’t be afraid to believe God for the desires of your heart.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and while He is gone He has sent back the Holy Spirit to live in us, to walk in us, to give us the victory, to cause all things to work together for our good, and to deliver us from every evil work.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:4)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2Tim. 4:18)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: Our Eternal Home

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: The Everlasting Spirit

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:24)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Eph. 5:18-19)

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Eph. 5:20-21)

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)

In this day and time, how can we live filled with the Holy Ghost and walking in the Spirit?

The answer is faith, the faith of the Son of God that comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

The Bible teaches us that to be Baptized with the Holy Ghost is to be totally immersed in the Spirit of God.

The Greek word that is translated “filled” in Ephesians 5:18 literally means to “cram” or to be “filled to the overflowing”.

This can best be understood by imagining a glass so filled with water that the water actually rises up above the rim of the glass in a rounded outward or “convex” shape.

Any movement whatsoever would cause the water to spill over the rim and splash upon any surrounding objects getting them wet.

This is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

“Walking in the Spirit” is to take this overflowing condition with you on a daily basis and let it “spill” out upon the others in your life.

The Bible calls the Holy Spirit that indwells us the “Comforter”.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” (John 14:16)

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (John 15:26)

“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.” (John 16:7)

The word “Comforter” comes from the Greek word “parakletos” meaning “intercessor, consoler” or “advocate”, but it can also mean “a “helper called to one’s side”.

The “helper called to one’s side” refers to someone who would keep pace and run alongside the participant in a race until they were refreshed with the cooling water that their paraclete had brought.

He is our “intercessor” when we do not know how to pray,

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)

He is our “consoler” when He brings to our remembrance the Word of God and “opens to us” the Scriptures.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

He is our “advocate” when we do not know what to say but He gives us the anointing and speaks through us with authority.

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 13:11)

He is the “Helper called to our side” when He refreshes us, anoints us, and strengthens us to continue to run the race that is set before us.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isa. 10:27)

“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isa. 28:11-12)

The Holy Spirit is our strength, He is our comfort, He is our confidence, He is our Wisdom, He is our best Friend, He is the lover and keeper of our soul, He is the earnest (the proof) of our inheritance, and He is the One who will never leave us nor forsake us.

He is also the One who will quicken, make alive, and change our mortal body so that we can arise and meet the Lord in the air.

And He will fill us to the overflowing and walk in us every day if we will only ask Him to.

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 11:9)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: Abundant Life

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: One Name

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Php. 2:9-11)

After God revealed to Moses that His eternal Name and memorial was Jehovah, everything Moses did thereafter was done in the Name of the Lord, except for one time.

The one time he did not, he disobeyed God and it kept him from being able to enter the Promised Land.

God tells Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy,

“Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.” (Deu. 32:51)

“Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.” (Deu. 32:52)

The people of Israel soon realized the sanctity of God’s Holy Name.

Although Israel knew that the Name Jehovah meant The Self-existent One and God had told Moses that He was the “I AM that I AM”, this still did not reveal to them “Who” God is.

The Name “Jehovah” revealed to them the ability and sovereignty of God.

The Self-existent One and “I AM that I AM” means that God exists because He causes Himself to exist.

There is no one that created Him or that He has to depend upon. There is no one that is above Him, or beside Him, or before Him. He is before all things and by Him all things consist.

There is nothing that God depends upon in order “to be.” No water, no air, no food, nothing.

The only thing that the Lord God Jehovah depends upon to exist is Himself. “I AM that I AM”. He is all power. He is all life. He is all wisdom. He is all authority.

But this does not tell us anything about Him. It does not tell us “Who” He is.

As God would meet with people in their lives and manifest Himself to them, they began to know God in certain aspects. They would add this aspect to His Name in order to express this new found quality of the Lord.

In the 22^nd Chapter of Genesis, we read of the time that God tested the obedience of Abraham by telling Abraham to offer up his only son Isaac as a sacrifice.

Abraham knew that this was a test from God because God would never require a human sacrifice. Abraham told his servants,

“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and (we will) come again to you.” (Gen. 22:5)

Abraham took his son, the wood, the knife, and the fire but no lamb for an offering. When Isaac asked his father of it, Abraham said,

“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” (Gen. 22:8)

When Abraham bound his son upon the wood and raised the knife to make the sacrifice, the angel of the Lord stopped him.

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” (Gen. 22:13)

“And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Gen. 22:14)

“Jehovah-Jireh” means “the Lord will provide” or “the Lord will see to it”. Abraham discovered Jehovah as the Lord who will see to it, or the Lord who will provide whatever is needed.

In the 15^th Chapter of Exodus, the Israelites came to a place in the wilderness where the water was bitter and undrinkable. Moses sought the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree to cut down and throw into the waters.

When the tree touched the waters, they were healed and the people were able to drink. There God told the people through Moses,

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exo. 15:26)

Just as God healed the waters, the Lord said that if the people obeyed Him then He would be their Healer, “for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Jehovah-Rapha)”. They came to know God as their Healer.

In the 17^th Chapter of Exodus, Amalek came down to fight against the Israelites in the wilderness.

Moses went up to the top of a hill as the Israelites fought and held up the rod of God above his head like a banner. As long as Moses held the rod above his head, the Israelites would win but when his arms grew tired and the rod began to fall, the Israelites would lose.

Aaron and Hur set Moses down on a rock while they stood on either side of Moses to hold up his arms and the Israelites defeated the Amalekites.

The Bible says,

“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:” (Exo. 17:15)

There the Israelites came to know God as “Jehovah-Nissi” which means “the Lord our Banner.” They realized that if they would lift up the Lord’s Name in Praise and Worship the Lord would fight for them and they would be victorious.

In Psalm 23, David came to know the Lord as his Shepherd (Jehovah-Rohi) and realized that the Lord would watch over and guide His people.

In the 6^th Chapter of Judges, Gideon realized that he had met an angel of the Lord but his life was spared,

“And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (Judges 6:23-24)

“Jehovah-Shalom” means “the Lord is Peace” and the people began to realize that the Lord was for them and not against them.

In the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 23 verses five and six, the Lord reveals His Name as “Jehovah-Tsidkenu” which means “the Lord our Righteousness”.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” (Jer. 23:5)

“In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jer. 23:6)

In all of these instances, the Lord revealed a portion of His character or nature, but none of these Names could adequately describe the total character or nature of God.

However, the Bible says that there would come a time when God’s Name would be one and the people would know it. In that day, the people of God would know through His Name the character and nature of God.

“Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.” (Isa. 52:6)

“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zec. 14:9)

They would come to know “Who” God is and what they could expect from Him by knowing His “One” Name.

That day came when the angel Gabriel made an announcement to a carpenter by the name of Joseph concerning his virgin wife-to-be by the name of Mary.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Mat. 1:20)

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mat. 1:21)

Jesus in Hebrew means “The Lord (Jehovah) is Salvation”.

Jesus is the complete Name of God.

John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to ask of Jesus “Are you the One that should come or look we for another?”

“And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:” (Mat. 11:3-4)

“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Mat. 11:5-6)

In other words, Jesus responded to their question by saying, “There is no other One. I AM the fulfillment of the prophecies. I AM the One that God has sent.”

There is no other Messiah, there is no other One coming, there is no other Name.

Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is the One, Jesus is the Name, and the Bible says we are “complete” in Him.

“For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Col. 2:9-10)

There are those today that believe they can attain some deeper degree of spirituality by calling upon God using one or all of the ancient names for God instead of Jesus.

Whether Jehovah, or Yahweh, or El Shadday, it shouldn’t matter how it makes us “feel”. If we are coming to God the Father in prayer, worship, or praise by any name other than Jesus Christ then we are not approaching Him through faith and according to His Word.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” (Acts 4:10)

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)

The Name of Jesus is the Name given by God. It means “salvation” and we are complete in Him.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” (Php. 2:9)

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php. 2:10-11)

We need to be careful. The Name of Jesus means “Jehovah is Salvation”. To approach God through any other is going backwards and not giving the proper honor to the Name sent from God and the salvation that Jesus purchased with His own blood.

“Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:” (Psalm 78:21-22)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: The Everlasting Spirit

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: Our Heavenly Father

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  (1Cor. 8:6)

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)

In the Book of Genesis chapter one and verse one, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Moses gives the very first mention of God in the Bible.

He didn’t use the ancient Hebrew word “El” for God which is singular, nor did he use the word “Eloi” which has a more dual meaning.

“Eloi” is the word for God that Jesus used from the cross when He cried, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) referring to the Father and the Holy Ghost.

But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses used the Hebrew word “Elohiym” for God, which is plural.

This is in reference to what the Bible calls the Godhead but many Biblical scholars call “the Trinity”, which is the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Ghost.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1John 5:7)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Col. 2:8-10)

This is why God says of Himself in Genesis chapter one and verse 26,

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)

Whether the words “El”, Eloi”, or “Elohiym” are used, they are all words used to describe the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Most High God, and God Almighty (El Shadday).

It wasn’t until God met Moses in the burning bush that He revealed His eternal name and memorial to His chosen people.

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?” (Exo. 3:13)

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exo. 3:14)

“And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” (Exo. 3:15)

“And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty (El Shadday), but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” (Exo. 6:2-3)

Knowing the name of God was important to the people of Israel because an individual’s name in Biblical times gave an indication of their character, ability, or heritage.

The Hebrew word for “the Lord” is the word “Jehovah” which means “the self-existent one”. We shall talk more about the name Jehovah and how it pertains to Christ in the next chapter.

Before Moses, all of the various names for God were used to signify the Supreme Being, the Creator of all mankind and of all that exists.

It wasn’t until God revealed Himself to Moses as the Lord (Jehovah) that He began to have a specific relationship with a certain group of people in a special way.

Now no longer was He the far away God of all mankind, or the Friend of a certain few, such as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

But now He was Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel. He was the Lord over a certain people whom He separated from the rest of the world in order that He might show Himself mighty on their behalf and they would be special in His eyes.

Then God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

God sent His Son into the world so that the world would know Him as not only the Creator of all mankind, or even as the Lord of a certain group or nation of people, but He sent Jesus Christ into the world so that through Christ every man, woman, boy, or girl could know God as their Heavenly Father.

Jesus said of Himself that He is the only way to know God as the Father.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

When we are born again, we are adopted into the family of God and God becomes our Father.

“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.” (Rom. 8:15)

And as your Heavenly Father, He loves you, cares for you, and watches over you.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Mat 10:29-31)

Jesus said that when we pray, we should pray in this manner,

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Mat. 6:9)

God has promised that since He is our Father, He desires to give us all things that we need for life and godliness.

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

All He asks is that even as it is with a son that loves and admires his earthly father and wants to be like him, that we would want to be like our Heavenly Father also.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mat. 5:48)

Here the Greek word for “perfect” is the word that means “complete”, as in “full growth, complete stature”.

If we want to be as perfect or complete as our Heavenly Father, then we need to strive to be like Christ, for Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.”

Jesus Christ is our example.

How can we be like Christ?

We can become like Christ by getting to know and understand Him through the written Word of God, asking ourselves in every situation “What would Jesus do?”, submitting every area of our life to the power of the Holy Spirit, and then making the right choice and doing it.

If we will do this, we will pass from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord, being conformed into His image, and we shall intimately know God as our Heavenly Father.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: One Name

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: We are Born to Serve

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  (Heb. 9:14)

If you have asked Christ into your heart and confessed Him as Lord of your life, then you no doubt feel a great joy and thankfulness to the Lord for washing away all of your sins, saving your soul, and giving you a new life in Christ.

I’m sure that you are feeling a great love for God because of His mercy and grace that He has bestowed upon you.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19)

You have been, as Jesus said, “born again”, and as such you are like a new born infant in the eyes of God.

And just like a new born baby, you have been washed (in the cleansing blood of Christ), swaddled (in the fresh linen of the righteousness of God in Christ), and all God asks of you for now is to be nurtured by Him (through prayer and reading His word), grow, and DO AS HE ASKS.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The first step in growing spiritually is to obey and serve the Lord, and the first thing that the Lord asks of us after being born again is to be baptized, both in water and in the Holy Ghost.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.” (Acts 1:4)

“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:5)

The Bible makes a clear distinction between water baptism and being baptized with the Holy Ghost.

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:” (Acts 8:14)

“Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:” (Acts 8:15)

“(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” (Acts 8:16)

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:17)

By water baptism we are immersed in water and by being baptized with the Holy Ghost we are immersed in His Spirit.

“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38)

“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)

In the same way that confessing with our mouth is the outward manifestation of the belief in our heart and we are saved,

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom. 10:9)

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:10)

Water baptism is the outward manifestation of our inward belief that through Christ we are dead and buried to our old life of sin and we are raised up out of the water to a new life in Christ.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4)

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is the empowerment to live that new life.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

In the same way that water baptism was not just for the early church but was a commandment to all believers for all time, the promise of the Holy Ghost is a promise to all believers for all time.

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)

The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

If these Scriptures that we have shared have caused the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and give you the faith that baptism is for you, then you might ask, “How can I be baptized?”

Water baptism is simple. Any other believer in Christ can baptize you in water. Phillip was a deacon in the early church and he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in the Book of Acts. Paul was an Apostle and he baptized very few choosing to allow others the blessing of doing it.

I was baptized in a swimming pool, my daughter was baptized in a lake, and I baptized my son in a bathtub. My wife was baptized in a Church Baptistery.

The type of water is not important. What is important is having the faith as to what it means and making a public expression of your faith. The Bible says that we are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Being baptized with the Holy Ghost is just as simple. Jesus said all we have to do is ask the Heavenly Father and believe.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)

If your Heavenly Father said that He would do it, then He will. It is impossible for God to lie.

The Holy Spirit will guide you in serving Him, such as what Scriptures to read (He had me begin in the Gospel of John), what Church to attend (one that believes in the whole Word of God), and changing your life so that it is pleasing to God.

After these steps have been taken, then it will be time to go on into the deeper things of God, learning more about God your Heavenly Father, your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and your Comforter the Holy Spirit, Who will then lead you into the exact manner by which God would have you to serve Him.

As you learn of Him and fellowship God in prayer, He will direct you into the purpose for which He has called and chosen you.

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” (Heb. 6:1)

“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal for judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Heb. 6:2-3)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: Our Heavenly Father

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

THE LIVING GOD: Created to become His Child

“And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”  (Rom. 9:26)

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” (John 3:1-2)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4)

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6)

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8)

Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he shall not see the Kingdom of God”, and again He said, “Ye must be born again.”

When Nicodemus was confused about how a person could physically be born a second time Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

In other words, the “born again” experience is a spiritual birth. Jesus compared it to the wind, which although it is invisible, the effects can be seen, felt, and heard. So it is with being born again.

Jesus told Peter, “When thou art converted (changed), strengthen the brethren.”

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32)

There is a change that takes place when a person is born again.

It is a moment, a place, a point in time when the Spirit of Christ comes to live inside of an individual and that person is not the same ever again. It is not gradual. It is an experience that can be marked on a calendar.

The Bible says that if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ then he is none of His.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom. 8:9)

How does one become “born again”?

First of all, it is not just a matter of believing in God or even believing in Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that the devils believe, and they even fear and tremble, but they can never be saved or “born again”.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)

Believing in Jesus Christ, who He is and what He has done is a starting point.

We must believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.

We must believe that He was born of the Virgin Mary after that the Holy Ghost had come upon her and placed within her the seed of God.

We must believe that He lived a sinless life in complete obedience to the will of God, and that He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)

We must believe that He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins and was crucified at the hands of wicked men.

We must believe that He was buried in a borrowed tomb and that after three days He rose physically from the grave and is alive forevermore.

We must believe that He ascended into Heaven and is set down in His Father’s throne, at the Heavenly Father’s own right hand, and has sent back the Holy Spirit to come and live inside of everyone that has been saved and born again.

And we must believe that we become born again when we believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and we confess with our mouth that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom. 10:9)

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:10)

When we confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord we are not only confessing that He is Lord over all, but we are confessing that He is Lord over us, our life, and that we are giving and committing our life unto Him both now and forever.

If we are ever going to know Christ, be forgiven of our sins, and make Heaven our home, then we are going to have to be born again.

It doesn’t matter whether we were brought up in Church or never stepped through a church door in our entire life. It doesn’t matter what Church or denomination we were born into or have joined.

It doesn’t matter whether we are a “sinner” or what some might call a “saint”, whether a “goody-two-shoes” or a not so nice person.

We all must be born again.

The Bible says that all of our good deeds are like filthy rags before the Lord and that there is none righteous, no not one.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa. 64:6)

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:10-12)

Ever since the Lord saved me and called me to preach, He has given me a wonderful gift, the ability, or you might say an anointing, to lead people to Christ and be born again.

I have seen many believers preach or share personally God’s plan of salvation and what it takes to be born again. I have even seen them pray with individuals and ask God to help them make the right decision only to see that individual leave that time of prayer still in need and unfulfilled.

For some unknown reason, God has given me the anointing to share the Scriptures that will not only cause someone to believe in Jesus Christ and come to the edge of commitment, but also to step over that precipice in that moment, invite Christ into their heart, and be born again.

The Bible says in First Corinthians chapter three,

“So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1Cor. 3:7)

I remember attending a service where the minister had preached a wonderful message on God’s mercy, repentance, and salvation. Afterwards, the minister asked that if anyone needed prayer would they come down to the front of the auditorium.

I saw a young man get up out of his seat and go down to the front. The minister prayed for him and he returned to his seat with his head still bowed.

The Lord spoke with me to go and talk to the young man after the service had ended. I felt out of place but I decided to obey the Lord.

I sat next to the young man and asked him if he had gone down to accept Christ or did he just feel sorry for his sins and want God to forgive him.

He said that he had just felt sorry for sinning against God. I asked him if God forgave him and he said that he didn’t know.

I asked him if he had ever been born again and he said “no”.

I shared with him that Jesus loved him and would forgive and save him but he had to believe in Christ and ask Jesus to come into his heart.

I shared briefly the Scriptures about being born again and confessing Jesus as Lord and he prayed out loud repenting, asking God to forgive him, confessing Jesus as Lord of his life, and inviting Jesus to come into his heart to save him and set him free.

Afterwards he grinned from ear to ear saying that now he knew that he had been forgiven, that he had been saved and born again, and that Jesus had written his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

How about you?

Do you know that Jesus loves you?

Have you been born again?

It is my prayer that if you are not, that by the time you are finished reading this little message you will be.

And it is my prayer that if you are born again then God will anoint you with the same anointing that He has given me.

That you will be able to lead people to Jesus Christ so that they might believe in Him, confess Him as Lord with their mouth, accept Him into their heart as their Savior, and be born again.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Prov. 11:30)

Next- THE LIVING GOD: Born to Serve

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Enduring the Fire

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”  (1Peter 4:12)

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Prov. 24:3-4)

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)

The Bible teaches us that we as individuals, as well as the church body as a whole, are a building built by God, the temple of the Holy Ghost.

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” (1Cor. 3:9-10)

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1Cor. 3:11-13)

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Cor. 3:14-16)

When God allows us to have the mind of Christ and He reveals unto us the deeper things of God, He does it for a purpose.

First and foremost, He does it so that we might take these deeper revelations of God and apply them in our life. In other words, so that we can be:

“…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:20-22)

The things that we hear and accept, believe and stand upon, become building blocks that make up our life.

During our life as Christians, we will go through many things that will try and test us.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1Peter 4:12-13)

Those revelations which we have received through the Holy Spirit and from the mind of Christ are compared to building blocks made from “gold, silver, and precious stones”.

Upon the house that is built with these the fiery trial has no effect, but only purifies and refines them to make them stronger.

However, the ideas and philosophies of man and the world are compared to “wood, hay, and stubble”. When these are mixed with the building blocks from God and used to build our temple, they will be consumed by the fiery trial and our building will “suffer loss”.

With the stakes so high, we cannot afford to settle for anything less than the revelations that come through the Holy Spirit and from the mind of Christ.

Although altruistic teachings and thoughts not based upon the Word of God may seem inspirational, moral, and idealistic, they are actually vain and idle words that will only lead to destruction.

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (1Cor. 3:19-20)

“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2Tim. 2:16)

Only the written and revealed Word of God will endure and never fail.

Only that which is authored by God will last forever.

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” (Psalm 119:160)

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (1Peter 1:24-25)

To build our life based upon the revealed Word of God and the mind of Christ is not all that God requires.

We are also called to be our “brother’s keeper”. (Gen. 4:9)

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” (Ezek. 3:18)

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2Tim. 2:24-26)

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2Tim. 4:2)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2Tim. 2:2)

When we have decided to shun the vain babblings of the world and seek the wisdom from above,

When we have humbled ourselves before God and determined to settle for nothing less than the mind of Christ as revealed by the Holy Spirit,

When we have taken the revelations from God and applied them in our lives first and then humbly shared them with others second,

Then we have begun to walk in the mind of Christ and bring forth fruit that will remain.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” (Mat. 6:19)

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matt. 6:20)

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21)

Next- THE LIVING GOD

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Understanding Wisdom

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”  (Pro. 4:7)

The mind of Christ is not only knowing the “deeper things” of God but understanding what they mean and how they apply.

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Pro 24:3-4)

If knowledge is knowing the deeper things of God, then understanding is realizing their meaning and wisdom is discerning how they apply to us and others.

There is only one source for all three:

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)

No amount of Scripture memorization, writings of great theologians, or modern translations of the Bible can take the place of the Holy Spirit.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor. 2:14)

A very wise old Pastor once told me, “If the Holy Spirit can’t teach you the King James Version, then He can’t teach you any other version.”

The Apostle Paul was on the backside of a Syrian desert when the Lord supernaturally revealed unto Him the same truths that He had spent three years teaching the other disciples.

The Apostle John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos when the Holy Spirit revealed unto him The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul talks about a man who was “…caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2Cor. 12:4)

The only way to have the mind of Christ and receive the deeper revelations of the things of God is to first seek after the Holy Spirit. And the only way to receive the Holy Spirit is to ask.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

The revelation of the mind of Christ is sometimes manifested in the Church as a gift of the Holy Spirit so that the whole Body can receive edification.

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;” (1Cor. 12:8)

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1Cor. 12:11)

However, every individual who has been born again and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is a candidate to have the manifestation of the Spirit and the mind of Christ; whether in the Church, during their personal time alone with God, or manifested in ministry to others.

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry…until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1Cor. 12:7)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim. 2:15)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1John 2:27)

How do we know when we have received the revelation knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that is from the Holy Spirit and of the mind of Christ?

First, our born again spirit will bear witness with His Spirit much as the babe leaped in the womb of Martha when she met Mary.

“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:44)

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Rom. 8:16)

Secondly, the wisdom from above will always bear the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

And thirdly, when we have the mind of Christ there is a boldness and an authority which we possess that is not our own. We know that we know that we know.

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1)

“The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” (John 7:46)

“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mat. 7:29)

There will be a clarity and understanding that was not possessed before.

It will seem as if the Word of God, its meaning, and its application will “open up” and can be declared with utmost and unwavering certainty.

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

We will know within our heart of hearts that we have heard from God and have the mind of Christ.

Next- CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Enduring the Fire

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY: The Mind of Christ

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  (1Cor. 2:16)

What does it mean to “…have the mind of Christ”?

The word “have” in the Greek means to access, and the word “mind” in the Greek means the intellect or the understanding.

In other words, to say that we “have the mind of Christ” means that we are able to access the intellect or understanding that Christ has.

We have this access through the Holy Spirit.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1Cor. 2:11)

Jesus Christ said that He is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 2:9)

The Bible says that He is the image of the invisible God. (Col. 1:15)

Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) and Jesus said, “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34)

Even though Christ is the fullness of the Godhead, even though He and the Father are one, even though He is the image of the invisible God and has the full measure of the Spirit, there are still even some things that the Father has not revealed to Him.

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

In the same way that there are still some things that the Father has not revealed to the Son, there are some things that the Son will not yet reveal unto us.

But those things that He will reveal, those things of which the Bible says “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man…” He will make us to know and understand completely “…by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

This is done by us having (accessing) the mind of Christ.

But what exactly is the mind of Christ?

First of all, the mind of Christ is an attitude.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phillip. 2:5)

The word for “mind” in this verse of Scripture is the Greek word meaning “to be mentally disposed” or “attitude”.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phillip. 2:6-8)

Before we can ever access the intellect or knowing of Christ, we must first have the attitude of Christ.

The Bible says,

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” (1Cor. 8:1)

The Bible teaches that having knowledge has the potential to make one proud, and that “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

Before God will reveal the “deep things” unto us, we must make a decision to do whatever is necessary to be humble before God and man.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1Peter 5:5)

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Being humble is not something that God will do for us. God will not make us humble, but He will help us to be humble when we “humble ourselves” and set our hearts to walk in humility.

It is not something that will happen automatically. Humility will only happen when we crucify the flesh daily and strive to walk in it, especially when the devil begins to tell us how “smart” we are as God begins to reveal His “deeper things” unto us.

Once we have set our heart to walk in humility and having knowledge does not “puff” us up or make us proud, then God will entrust to us the “deeper things”.

We will give God, and not ourselves, all the glory for the revelation of the knowledge of His Word.

Next- CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Wisdom

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices