Where Do Your Faith Stand!!

TEXT:  James 2:14-26

This epistle shows Christ as our pattern.  It’s a guide to every day Christian life and conduct.  He tells us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

We’re going to talk about three kinds of faith.  Here in chapter two of James, we find that James is discussing the different kinds of faith with emphasis upon that faith which works to the saving of the soul.

Faith is an essential element in our Christian life. 

First of all, we know that “Without Faith it is impossible to please God:  for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Secondly, we are saved by faith.  Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God”.

Thirdly, we are to walk by faith:  2^nd Corinthians 5:7: For we walk by faith, and not by sight.

Fourthly, whatever we do apart from faith is sin:  Romans 14:23: He that doubts is damned if he eats because he eats not of faith:  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

So it’s important for us to realize that there are different kinds of faith, mentioned in scripture:  saving faith (Ephesians 2:8) “For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God”:  and also dead faith (James 2:17): Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  But there is only one truly “saving faith”.

I’ve been asked the question, “What faith are you”?  Ephesians 4:4: There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling:  vs 5: One Lord, one faith, one baptism.  Vs 6: One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  This is sustaining faith in God that no matter what, I will trust God!!

What is faith?  It’s from the Greek root word pis’tis, meaning, persuasion, in relation to credence; moral conviction (of truth, or the truthfulness of God); reliance upon Christ for salvation, constancy in such profession; assurance; belief; fidelity.

Faith enables the believer to persevere and remain steadfastly loyal to God and His Word at all times.  Faith believes in spiritual realities, seeks God, and believes in His goodness.  Faith perseveres while one is going through tests.   Faith obeys  God's commands, has confidence in His Word, performs mighty acts of righteousness and endures persecution. 

So as we look at the three kinds of faith we will see which category we fit in.  Let’s take a look at James 2 in relation to the first kind of faith he speaks of:

·        Dead faith:  vs 14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he  hath faith, and have not works?  Can faith save him?  Vs 15: If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food:  vs 16: And one of you say unto them, “Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled”:  notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?  Vs 17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

This kind of faith substitutes words for deeds.  “Yes Sister Sue we are coming by and have prayer with you and your family”.  Months have passed and you still haven’t made it to Sister Sue’s house yet.  “Yes, we’re going to get together and visit the sick and shut in”.  Days and months, even years pass and we haven’t accomplished a thing.

How can we substitute words for deeds?  (1) People with “dead faith”:  Know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine:  they can even quote scripture and use the right verses from the Word of God.  (2) But their “walk” does not measure up to their “talk”!

Dead faith is only an intellectual faith.  Well, “How is that”?  I’m glad you asked.  Because in one’s mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation, yet, have never really submitted their self to God, nor trusted in Jesus for salvation.  They know the right words but don’t back up their words with their works.

So the question is “Can this kind of faith save me”?  The answer is NO!!

James puts emphasis on the truth three times in this second chapter that “Faith without works is dead”:  Verse 17, Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.  Vs 20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Vs 26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith, without works is dead also.

Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration, “a dead faith”!

Dead faith is counterfeit and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life.

Let’s ask ourselves, “Do we have this kind of faith”?  We do, if our walk does not measure up to our talk.  We do, if our works do not measure up to our words.  So let us beware of intellectual faith. Remember, the essential nature of true faith will express itself in righteous deeds.  So faith and works can never be separated.

·        James 2:18: Yea, a man may say, “Thou hast faith, and I have works”:  show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works”.

The latter (works), flows naturally from the former (faith).  After all, no man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, because there will be evidence of his faith by his works.

The next kind of faith found in James 2 is:

·        Demonic faith: vs 18: Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works:  show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.  Vs 19: Thou believe that there is one God, thou do well:  the devils also believe, and tremble.

Even devils have a kind of faith. 

·        Mark 3:7-12 (A multitude follows Jesus by the sea):  vs 11: And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, “Thou art the Son of God”. 

Even they believe in God (Acts 16:16-40) [Paul and Silas imprisoned]:

·        Vs 16: And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:  vs 17: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation”.

Demons even believe in the Deity of Christ (Mark 3:7-12) [A multitude follows Jesus by the Sea]: 

·        Vs 11: And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, “Thou art the Son of God”.  Vs 12: And he straitly charged them (the multitude) that they should not make him known.                   

·        Acts 19:11-16 [The Sons of Sceva beaten by a man with the evil spirit]:  vs 15: And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you”?

Even devils believe in the existence of a place of condemnation (Luke 8:26-39) [Jesus heals the demoniac of the Gadarenes]:

·        Vs 30: And Jesus asked him, saying “What is thy name”? And he said, “Legion”:  because many devils were entered into him.  Vs 31: And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.  Vs 32: And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain:  and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.  Vs 33: Then went the devils out of the man and entered into the swine, and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked. (Also Matthew 8:28-34).

Devils know that Jesus is real and know that God is Lord with all power.

·        Acts 19:11-20 (the sons of Sceva):  Vs 13: Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches”.  Vs 14: And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  Vs 15: And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you”?  Vs 16: And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

What kind of faith do “demons” have?  We saw how the man with “dead faith” was touched only in his intellect.  Remember, in one’s mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation, yet, have never really submitted their self to God, nor trusted in Jesus for salvation.  They know the right words to say, but don’t back up their words with their works.

The “demons” are touched in their emotions and intellect, making it one step above a “dead faith”.  Keep in mind, James said in chapter 2:19, “The devils also believe and tremble” (bristle; shudder; fear).

Believe here is pisteu’o, meaning to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing); to entrust (one’s spiritual well-being to Christ; commit to trust; put in trust with).

I’m asking the same question again, “Can this kind of faith save”?  No it can’t!

·        A person can be enlightened in his/her mind and even stirred in their heart and still be lost.

When Paul was tried before King Agrippa, all the words Paul spoke concerning Moses and the prophets and even of his own conversion, King Agrippa was touched in his mind and heart, but did not receive Christ into his heart.  King Agrippa said to Paul, Acts 26:28, “Almost thou persuaded me to be a Christian”.

True saving faith involves something more or something that can be seen and recognized.  In this chapter, St. John 2, Jesus performs His first miracle; and speaks of a changed life.  

·        Vs 18: Then answered the Jews and said unto him, “What sign show thou unto us, seeing that thou do these things”?

·        Vs 19: Jesus answered and said unto them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”.

The Temple Jesus was saying that He would raise up, was not that physical Temple, they were in, but it would be His very own body, which was the dwelling place, or Temple of the Living God, that would be raised from the dead.

In John chapter 12, take a look at what Jesus said:  vs 31: Now is the judgment of this world:  now shall the prince of this world be cast out.  Vs 32: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  Vs 33: This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Jesus knew that the only way men (humanity) could be saved, would be through and by His death, burial, and resurrection!! 

·        Romans 10:9: If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  Vs 10: For with the heart man believes unto righteousness:  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

·        Hebrews 9:22b: For without shedding of blood is no remission.

Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for Him.  We first receive the life:  (Jesus said):  John 10:10: The thief comes 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.  But, to receive this life, we must do what Romans 10:9 states:  If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

 Then we reveal the life.  How do we reveal the life?  We reveal the life by manifesting Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  We therefore must manifest the fruit of God’s Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).  We must also let the light of Christ shine through us. While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world (John 8:12), but we, true believers now are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).   So we must let His light shine through us! 

Do we have this kind of faith (saving faith)?

We do if we just believe the right things and feel the right things. 

·        Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report:  if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We do if our service to God does not go beyond what He has told us to do:

·        John 13:34: A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another:  as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  Vs 35: By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love, one to another.

·        1^st Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Intellectually, adhering to the right doctrines, and living of our emotional experiences:  these two kinds of faith can never save dead faith.  Involving the intellect alone and demonic faith involves emotions and intellect, and it stops right there.  Thank God for the third faith James describes in verses 20-26:

·        James 2:20: But will thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Vs 21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Vs22: See thou how faith wrought with his works and by works, was faith made perfect?  Vs 23: And the scripture was fulfilled which said, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God”.  Vs 24: You see then how that by works man is justified, and not by faith only.  Vs 25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  Vs 26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  This is DYNAMIC faith!

What kind of faith is this?  We already know from other passages of scripture that such faith is based upon the Word of God.

·        Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

·        1^st Corinthians 2:5: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

·        Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are you saved though faith:  and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.

·        Ephesians 6:16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

·        Colossians 1:23: If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven:  whereof I Paul am made a minister.

·        Hebrews 10:38: Now the just shall live by faith:  but, if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 

·        Hebrew 11:6: But without faith it impossible to please God:  for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Matter of fact, read the whole of Hebrews chapter 11, and there are many more scriptures to use.  This is just a few.

Dynamic faith involves the WHOLE MAN.  Dead faith involves the intellect.  Demonic faith involves the mind and emotions.  Dynamic faith involves the intellect, emotions, and the will.

The mind understands the truth.  The heart desires and rejoices in the truth.  The will acts upon the truth.  I will exalt Him.  I will praise Him.  I will be a doer and not a hearer only.  I will obey His Word. 

True saving faith then leads to action.  It is not intellectual contemplation.  It is not emotionalism.  But it is that which leads to obedience in doing the will of God.

Let’s look at Abraham and Rahab, two totally different people.  Abraham was the father of the Jews.  Rahab was a Gentile.  Abraham was a godly man!  Rahab was a harlot!  Abraham was a friend of God.  Rahab belonged to the enemies of God.  They were very different but they both had a common denominator.  Both had saving faith in God.  Abraham demonstrated his saving faith by his works.  Rahab demonstrated her saving faith by her works.

Faith without works is a dead faith.  This faith only, cannot justify anyone.  That perfect faith, that dynamic faith necessitates works. 

It is very important that we examine our own heart and life and make sure we possess true saving faith which is a dynamic faith.  Remember Satan is the great deceiver and one of his devices is imitation.  If he can convince a person that counterfeit faith is true faith, he already has that person in his power.

·        John 10:10: The thief comes not but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy:  but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection destroyed the works of the devil.  1^st John 3:8: He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

·        Revelation 20:1: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  Vs 2: And he laid hold on the dragon (the systems of government), that old serpent (not a snake, but a type of sly cunning, malicious person), which is the devil (diab’olos [traducer; false accuser; slanderer]), and Satan (the accuser; an opponent; the arch-enemy of good; adversary; withstand], and bound him a thousand years:  vs 3: And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:  and after that he must be loosed a little season.

The devil is already loosed.  But the power that Jesus had, He has given unto us to defeat the enemy that comes against us.

·        Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”.

This word power in Greek is exousi’a, meaning, in the sense of ability:  privilege; force; capacity; competency; freedom; mastery; superhuman; potentate; token of control; delegated influence; authority; jurisdiction; liberty; power; right; strength.  Now we have this same power!!!

·        Luke 10:19: Behold (look; see), I give unto you power (exousi’a) to tread (pate’o) [trample; tread down under foot] on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:  and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

This is all by faith!  Let’s thank God for dynamic faith that lets us step out on nothing believing God that something’s there!!!  This is the kind of faith that rises up on the inside of someone and causes them to launch out into the deep, because God told them to do so.  That dynamic faith that says, “I’m going if I have to go by myself”.  That dynamic faith that stands and say, “I must be about my Father’s business”.  That dynamic faith that won’t allow you to look at your finances, but to trust God, knowing that the same God that brought you through that, will bring you through this!!  Same God THEN, is the same God NOW!!!

Launch out in your faith, because, “You are of God, little children (darlings), and have overcome them:  because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1^st John 4:4).

Evangelist Mary Perry

TRUE WORSHIP!! Part 2:

Text:  St. John 4:24: God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.  

In the last message on “true worship”, we know that it is God that is worshiped and we must worship Him in spirit [which is a “divine inhalation” of God’s breath that mentally and emotionally stimulates one to creative thought or action or having a spiritual mind]:  and in truth [by speaking not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches:  comparing spiritual things with spiritual].  Truth is, knowing that God is not out beyond the blue but He resides within you and me and that we are all one with the Father through Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The purpose of “worship” is to establish (begin; initiate; create) or give expression (utterance; declaration; proclamation) to a relationship between God and man.

Today we’re going to talk about “where true worship” takes place!

We know that this Samaritan woman was questioning Jesus about where “worship” should take place, whether in Samaria or Jerusalem, and Jesus’ response to her was this:

·        John 4:21: “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father”.  Vs 22: You worship you know not what:  we know what we worship:  for salvation is of the Jews.  Vs 23: But the hour cometh and now is, when the “true worshippers” shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeks such to worship him.

We know that when we come together as a body, we can go into true worship, but still true worship has to begin within us individually by the Spirit!!

That was one of the reasons for the lay out of the tabernacle, because this is the place where God meets man! 

·        Exodus 25:8: And let them make me a sanctuary (miqdah’) [a consecrated place] that I may dwell among them.

This tabernacle was made by hand, but the tabernacle that God would eventually and permanently move into that was not made by hand, would be “man” (male/female).

Didn’t God put on flesh and manifest Himself to the world in Jesus the Christ?

·        St. John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God:  vs 14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

Now His tabernacle is us!

·        1^st Corinthians 6:19: What!  Know you not that your body is the temple (sanctuary) of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?  Vs 20: For you are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

·        2^nd Corinthians 6:16: What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  You are the temple, of the living God:  as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

·        Revelation 21:3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle (skene’) [tent or cloth hut; habitation] of God is with (sun –soon) [denoting union (united as one); with or together; by association; companionship; accompaniment] men, and he will dwell (reside; live; settle; lodge; stay) with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God”.

***BY DESIGN (plan; intention; representation; diagram; pattern; purpose) God created us to praise and worship Him! 

·        Revelation 4:11: Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created!

The tabernacle is the place where God meets man!  (God met Moses within the tabernacle – “the most holy place” – behind the veil)!

·        Exodus 25:22: There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

1^st Kings 6:20: (Solomon built the temple):

The oracle room was the inner-most part of the sanctuary.  This is the place from which God spoke.  It was 20 cubits in length; 20 cubits in breadth; 20 cubits in height.  A cubit was 18 inches.  When you multiply eighteen time twenty (18 x 20), it equals three hundred sixty (360), which is equivalent to perfection.   A perfect circle is 360 degrees.  In whatever length, breadth, or height God speaks, it’s spoken in perfection!  We serve a “perfect” God in all He does and says!!

Worship takes place “from within” one’s “inner most being”!  It takes place in “the spirit”!   Within the tabernacle is where God met Moses with instructions for Israel (the inner most part of the tabernacle)!  It was there that God met Aaron the high priest once a year to give him instructions for the people of God!  This is where you and I individually have to enter, into the most holy place, to worship God in spirit and in truth.

So  where does worship truly take place? It takes place in the Presence (face) of God!!

How does one get into God's face (Presence)?  Let’s take a walk through the tabernacle!

The tabernacle was the perfect picture of Christ hanging on the cross!  You come in bowing at His feet and end up victorious within His Head [coming to the fullness of the stature of CHRIST] (Ephesians 4:13)!

But to get into God’s Presence:  Psalm 100:1-3: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness:  come before his presence (face) with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he is God:  it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

·        Vs 4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless his name.  

When we enter into His gates we must come in with "thanksgiving" [Todah]: 

[This is where the nail went into Jesus’ feet].

·        Philippians 2:10-11: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We come in with TODAH:  extended hands (a sign of surrender). Thanksgiving, meaning to be grateful - to express gratitude (toward).  This “thanksgiving” (attitude of gratitude) will excite, stir, rouse, spur, and invigorate one's consciousness (awareness), that in Him (God), all things are possible! 

This is where we bow before God or to God.  This bowing means a bending of the head or body in respect or agreement and also to submit or yield!  This bowing can also take place in one’s spirit, when and wherever they are willing to surrender their all to God.

We will become like Jesus when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane: Luke 22:42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done”.

Then TOWDAH (thanksgiving) will carry you into TEHILLAH (praise)!  [This is where we must get on the altar of sacrifice]:

The altar of sacrifice:  This altar was out in the courtyard.  One had to bring a male without blemish, and offer it at the door of the tabernacle before the LORD.  And he shall put his hand upon the head of the animal transferring his sin upon the innocent animal to make atonement for himself.  He shall kill the bullock before the LORD:  and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  And the animal had to be cut into pieces and burned on the altar by fire (Leviticus 1:1-8).  This is where the fire of purification is put to us. This is where God wants to burn out of us everything that is not like Him, that which pertains to flesh or carnality!

·        Romans 12:1: I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

This is where we must give our all to God: 

·        Matthew 10:37-38: He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.  And he that takes not his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

• Mark 12:30: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength (body).

Remember, God said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)! Your gods could be your job, house, money, car, other people, etc.  It can be anything that you allow to stand between God and you.  If we do, God has a way of dealing with us, and God will win!!

Also in the “courtyard” is where the “brazen laver” is: [This is where the spear went into Jesus’ side]:   

It was in this laver with the water in it, where the priests had to wash their hands that had the blood of the sacrifice on them, and wash their feet thereat, before entering the holy place (Exodus 30:17-21).  

This is where the “water” (the Word of God) for sanctification and the “blood” for redemption is, where the washing and cleansing takes place, before we enter into the “holy place”. 

Ephesians 5:25-33 [speaking of husbands and wives:  but it’s a revelation of Christ and His wife the church]:

·        Vs 26: That he might sanctify (hagia’zo) [make holy; purify; consecrate; mentally venerate (greatly respect)] / (hag’ios) [make pure; morally blameless] and cleanse (kathari’zo) [make clean; purge; purify] it with the washing of water by the word:  vs 27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

·        Hebrews 9:22: Without shedding of blood is no remission.

1st John 5:7: There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost:  and these three are one.  Vs 8: And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood:  and these three agree in one.

TEHILLAH (praise) says, “I will bless the Lord at all times, and his PRAISE shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

 Tehillah (praise) says, “Regardless of what my situation looks like, Father I praise you anyway, because I know that all things are working together for my good because I love you and I’m one of the called, according to your purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Praise is the quality (standard) of mind that eulogizes (compliment; celebrate; glorify; extol) that which is good.  It’s the avenue through which spirituality expresses (exudes; represents; symbolizes; shows; reveals; enunciates; expounds).

The purpose of praise is to awaken in us a higher realization (revelation; unveiling) of the Omnipresence (ever presence) and Omnipotence (power) of the Living God!!                              

Prayer and praise changes man, not God!  Through an inherent (innate; inbred) law of mind action, we give increase to whatever we praise.

The whole creation responds to praise and is glad.  Animals respond to praise and children or people respond to praise.  Through praise our bodies can be totally healed (Luke 17 11-19) [Jesus cleanses ten lepers]: 

·        Vs 14: And when he saw them, he said unto them, "Go show yourselves unto the priest".  And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.  Vs 15: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud voice glorified God.  Vs 16: And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks:  and he was a Samaritan.  Vs 17-19: And Jesus answering said, “Were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine"?  There are not found that returned to give glory (honor; praise; worship) to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, “Arise, go thy way:  thy faith hath made thee whole”!!

God can and will deliver us from attacks of the enemy and give us total victory through our thanks giving, praise, and worship.

2^nd Chronicles 20:1-30:  [Moab and Ammon came against Jehoshaphat & Judah]:

·        Vs 18: And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground:  and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.  Vs 19: And the Levites of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.  Vs 21: He appointed singers that should praise the beauty of holiness as they went before the army, and to say “Praise the LORD, for his mercy endures forever”.  Vs 22: And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set an ambush against Moab, Ammon, and Mt. Seir, and they were smitten!!

·        Vs 24: And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude and behold, they were dead bodies, fallen to the earth and none escaped.

Whatever you’re going through, keep and use your PRAISE!  This is the key to lock the door to the works of the devil, and open the door to your victory!!  Keep a “hymn” in your heart!

·        Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. 

There may be times when we have to be like David, sometimes you have to encourage yourself, and that’s by praising God while you’re going through!

Now TEHILLAH (praise) is the avenue that will take you into the “holy place” where there is “YADAH” (thankfulness).

We are still talking about where TRUE WORSHIP takes place!

YADAH (thankfulness) is being grateful and appreciative.  With “yadah”, you are reverencing God; honoring Him; loving Him!!

·        1^st Thessalonians 5:18: In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This is where the table of showbread is:  [this is where the nail went into Jesus’ left hand].  This is where we must eat of the Bread, which is the Word of God, Jesus’ flesh, and drink His blood, and we must ingest (take in) and digest (study and rightly divide truth with understanding) it so that we can live! 

·        John 6:48 (Jesus said) “I am that bread of life”!  Vs 51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever:  and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  Vs 53: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you!

Also in the holy place is the golden candlestick (the church):  [this is where the nail went into Jesus’ right hand] so that the oil, the anointing (in the candle stick) can be placed upon our lives and flow through us.  It is the anointing that removes burdens and destroys yokes!

·        Isaiah 10:27: 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.

·        Luke 4:18: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, vs 19: To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

In the holy place also where the altar of incense is, is where we pray and intercede for others by taking on that Melchisedec priesthood anointing.

·        1^st Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing.

·        James 5:14-15: Is any among you afflicted?  Let him pray.  Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.  Is any sick among you?  Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

·        1^st Peter 2:9: You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Last but not least, we’re going beyond the veil into the “most holy” place, the place of   BARAK (true worship)!! [This is where the crown of thorns was placed on Jesus’ head]:

BARAK is in the most holy place. Once you get through the veil of the flesh, now you’re ready for “true worship” of the Living GOD, or “blessing” His Holy name!

 “BARAK”:  this is where you’re prostrate before God [adoring Him; saluting Him; congratulating Him; making spiritual love to Him]!!!

TRUE WORSHIP ushers us into God’s Presence!!   Worship is where God communes with us.  This is where God converses, share or exchange thoughts or feelings with us, behind the veil!

·        Exodus 25:22: “There I will meet with thee and commune (speak; converse) with thee above the mercy seat, in relation to Israel”.

Remember this is where God spoke with Moses and with Aaron the high priest of Israel!

It is in God’s Presence that miracles happen!!

When we WORSHIP (Barak), we win (conquer; triumph)!

2^nd Chronicles 20:1-13:  [again, when the Moabites, Ammonites, and other enemies of Judah were coming down against the people of God]:

·        vs 14: The Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel, son of Zechariah , and encouraged the King Jehoshaphat and the people to not be afraid, because the battle was not theirs:

·        vs 18: Jehoshaphat and Judah began to bow with their face to the ground and worship God!!                

·        Vs 21: He appointed singers that should praise the beauty of holiness as they went before the army.  And the LORD set ambushes against Moab, Ammon, and Mt. Seir, and they were smitten!!

2^nd Chronicles 20, when Jehoshaphat and Judah fasted; prayed; praised and worshiped God, they came out with the victory!!! 

We must starve the flesh and feed our faith, so that no matter what trap the devil set against us, God will give us the victory!

WORSHIP shifts (changes) things!!  It rearranges the atmosphere, and causes things to work in our favor!!  Talking about TRUE WORSHIP!!!

TRUE WORSHIP will resurrect any dead situation in your life, when it has been brought into God’s Presence!!

Numbers 16 [the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram who were upset about not being positioned in the priesthood]) – (they took men (two hundred fifty princes) of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown and they gathered themselves against Moses and Aaron].

Numbers 17: [The “budding of Aaron’s rod”] (These weren’t just any kind of rods, they were special and specific) [the names of heads of households (respected men) were written on these rods]!!   God told Moses:

• Vs 4-5: And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the Testimony, where I will meet with you.  And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom (parach’) [to break forth as a bud; bloom; to spread; flourish; grow; spring; break forth; spring up]:  and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.                                                                                                 

It was Aaron’s rod that budded!  Aaron’s name means illumined; enlightener, and it was written on the rod of Levi (denoting the priesthood).   It was Aaron’s rod that brought forth buds (pe’rach) [flourished; grew; sprung up] and bloomed blossoms (tsiyts) [glistening (to shine; glitter], and yielded almonds over night!!   

I believe this “rod that budded and bloomed blossoms” , is typifying, those of the Melchisedec priesthood, shining, glistening with the light of God’s glory, coming forth with the twelve manner of fruit and the leaves for the healing of the nations, spoken of in Revelation 22:2.

The yielding of the almond is an awakening.  It comes from the root word shaqed’, defined as the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom).   It goes to another word shaqad’, meaning to be alert; sleepless; to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); watch; wake; remain; hasten.  This is the awakening of God’s people from the sleep of death into the light of life!

·        Colossians 1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Look at what Daniel said even in the Old Testament:

·        Daniel 12:2: Many of them that sleep (yashen’) [be slack or languid; sleep (to die); grow old, stale or inveterate] in the dust [same state of death Adam was in before the LORD God raised him up] of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

When someone has a particular habit, activity, or interest, that is long established and unlikely to change, they have become inveterate, and this is what philosophy,  vain deceit, traditions of men, and rudiments of the world, has done to many of God’s people that Paul warned us about in Colossians 2:8.

·        Ephesians 5:14: Awake (egei’ro) (to collect one’s faculties) [to waken,  rouse (from sleep; sitting or lying; disease; death; obscurity; inactivity; ruins; nonexistence)]:  thou that sleep, and arise (anis’temi) [to stand up; rise (up); raise up (again); lift up; stand upright], and Christ shall give thee light (knowledge).

·        1^st Thessalonians 5:5: You are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Vs 6: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others:  but let us watch and be sober.  Vs 7: For they that sleep, sleep in the night:  and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  Vs 8: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

·        1^st Peter 4:7: But the end (fulfilling; completion) of all things is at hand:  be ye therefore sober (sophrone’o) [to be of sound mind; sane; moderate:  be in right mind], and watch (keep sober) unto prayer.

·        1^st Peter 5:8: Be sober (ne’pho) [to abstain from wine (keep sober); be discreet]; (to be free from the influence of intoxicants):  be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.

May I add that intoxicants are not all the time alcoholic beverages, because in the middle of that word is the word “toxic” meaning poisonous; or to be very harmful.  That’s what religion has done to God’s people for years, feeding them “toxic” (poisonous; harmful) “one of these days” messages of death with no life in them.  When we can have all God has put in place for us RIGHT NOW, while we’re alive, not out beyond the blue via a grave. 

·        Colossians 2:8: Beware, lest any man spoil (damage; impair) you through philosophy and vain (empty) deceit (fraudulence; deception), after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Back to Numbers 17 (Aaron’s rod that budded):

In the natural if you cut a limb from a tree, it will not survive on its own, because it has been disconnected from its true source!                           

But Aaron’s rod budded overnight!!  Why?  Because it was in GOD’S PRESENCE or BEFORE HIS FACE!!

True worship brings us into God’s Presence and there’s miracle working power in God’s Presence!!  Miracles take place in His Presence!!

TRUE WORSHIP confounds (confuses; bewilders; overcomes; overthrows) the enemy!! 

True worship will open doors that no man can close!  True worship closes doors that no man can open!!

When we come into “true worship”:  OPPRESSION cannot stay in God’s Presence!  DEPRESSION cannot stay in the Presence of God!  SICKNESS cannot stay in God’s Presence!!

TRUE WORSHIP touches the heart of God and causes Him to do exploits (cause miracles to happen)!!

When we TRULY WORSHIP God, He will seek us!!!  John 4:23: The hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeks such to worship him.

TRUE WORSHIP will bring peace, health, restoration, deliverance, joy, and total victory in every area of one’s life, inclusive of one's heart, soul, mind and body, spiritually and naturally!

Know with certainty that your victory is in your “TRUE WORSHIP”!!  So continually WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!

Pastor Gracie Perry