The Foundation Part 2

 

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2 )

Today we are continuing to talk about The Foundation. I would like you to turn with me to Matthew chapter 7, verses 24-27, Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. 

Let's turn to Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1&2, Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. I want you to notice here in verse 1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, that's what we are talking about when we talk about the foundation: it's being established in the principles of the doctrine of Christ. We need to be firmly established as Christians in the truth that Jesus taught. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Doing the Words of Jesus is like building your house on a rock. We must be established in the whole, true foundation as described in Heb 6:1&2 in order to be able to do the Words of Jesus, to do the Sermon on the Mount. When the foundation is built on the rock; established on the rock, then the building will be able to withstand the storm that is coming. And the storm is surely coming. Not many people build houses upon the sand now a days. Everybody knows that the house will fall if it's built on the sand. So what they do is, they build it on some kind of a concrete foundation. There are different types of foundations that can be built, but the only ones that really stand the test of time, and the movement of the Earth, and the storms that come; the only ones that really stand are the ones that are founded upon the rock. What they do for a really good foundation is they drill piers all the way down to bedrock; it may be only a few feet, or it may be as much as 15 or 20 feet deep; they drill a pier and it's founded on the rock. And they pour concrete, reinforced with steel. And they pour a certain number of piers in certain locations, and the foundation is built on those piers which are established on the bedrock. That way you have a solid foundation, and you can build whatever building has been designed for that foundation. 

But many houses are built on inadequate foundations. They may only pour a concrete slab without piers. In order to cut costs on building a house, many people compromise the foundation, and they build a lesser quality foundation. The result is that they always end up having problems with the house. There is settling; there is cracking; there are all kinds of problems that happen with an inadequate foundation. However, this foundation that we are talking about is a very costly foundation. It was purchased with the precious Blood of the Lamb of God. It was purchased and established through His sacrifice on the cross. The lamb of God, the Son of God became a man; Jesus became a man, and He lived as a man, and He was tempted in every way as we are, yet He never sinned, and He offered Himself a living sacrifice for our sins to establish us in His righteousness, through His grace. And He rose from the dead on the third day to bring us into eternal life with Him; to overcome all the powers of darkness, all sin and unrighteousness, and to live with Him forever in His glory. This is a precious, costly foundation, founded on the Rock. So, as a Christian, we must be established in all that the Lord has built for us.

Last week we talked about Repentance from Dead Works, Faith toward God, and the Doctrine of Baptisms. Today we are going to talk about the fourth part of The Foundation, in Hebrews chapter 6, The Laying on of Hands. Let's turn to Acts 9:10-12, Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.   And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." And, as we read on, Ananias obeyed the Lord, in verse 17&18,  And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. In Acts 9, Ananias ministered healing and the Holy Spirit to Saul, as he was sent by Jesus to do so, through the laying on of hands. 

Let's turn to Acts 13:2-4, As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. We see here that the Holy Spirit is sending out Barnabas and Saul for the work that He had called them to do. The disciples fasted and prayed and then they laid their hands on them and they sent them away. So they were sent out through the disciples, by the Holy Spirit.  The laying on of hands has to do with commissioning disciples for the work that the Lord has called them to. They prayed, they fasted, and then they laid hands on them and they sent them out by the Holy Spirit. When a man is sent by the Lord he has authority to do whatever He sent him to do. The laying on of hands in Acts 13 was to send out Saul and Barnabas, giving them authority by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work He was sending them to do.

Let's go to Acts 6. This is talking about when the Apostles appointed deacons: verses 1-6; Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.   Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. This was the appointing, or commissioning of the deacons, including Stephen and Phillip, by the Apostles. It was done through prayer, and then the laying on of hands.

In Acts chapter 8, let's go there; this is talking about when Phillip went down to Samaria and preached the Gospel, with many signs and wonders, and many people were saved. Verse 12, But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Verses 14-17, Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. So we see here a pattern: they prayed for them first, and then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. So here we have a second purpose for the laying on of hands, which is the giving of the Holy Spirit. 

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. So again we see Paul laying hands on the new disciples, and the Holy Spirit was given.

Another purpose for the laying on of hands is to minister healing, as we see in Acts 28: In Acts 28 Paul and those that were with him experienced a shipwreck and they landed on an island call Melita. Verses 7-10,  In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.   And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. So here we see the same pattern: Paul entered in, he prayed for the man, and then he laid his hands on him and he was healed. 

Luke 13:10-13, Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. So we see Jesus ministering healing through the laying on of hands. Luke 4:40&41, When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Jesus was sent by the Father, and He was obeying the Father. Remember He said, “I only do what I see my Father doing, and I only say what I hear my Father saying.” He was a man under authority. 

We also see in Mark 16:15-18, in Jesus' commission to the disciples, And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

The purpose for the laying on of hands, to conclude, is for healing, for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, for commissioning and sending out. Most of the time they prayed and then they laid hands. They did not lay hands and pray at the same time, as we usually do in the contemporary church. Also it is done only through the authority of God, the command of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit; the will of the Father at the direction of the Lord, not when we feel like laying hands on someone and praying for them, or when someone asks us to do so. Things happened because it was by the direction and authority of God. He initiated it. People believed, and prayed, and obeyed, and laid hands, and God moved. First, a man must be sent by God, doing the will of God, led by the Holy Spirit to pray and lay hands, and then, because we are in His authority and obedience and faith and love, it will happen. By the way; just a reminder: all of this works through love. Jesus said, If you love me, keep my Words; if you love me, you will do my Words, you will do my will. So, as we love the Lord, we are seeking to follow Him. We don't have an agenda to be going around laying hands on people. We don't have an agenda to see people healed. Our purpose is to serve the Lord because we love Him and He directs our lives.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com .May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

 The Foundation Part 1

 

Greetings in the name of Jesus. This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

I want to bless you in the name of Jesus, all you who are reading, I thank God for you; all you that are reading this message in your own language around the world, God bless you. Thank God for you. Today we are going to talk about Foundation Repair. I am somewhat qualified to do so, as I've been in construction since the 1970's; just recently retired, by the grace of God. Here in Texas there are many houses that are built upon faulty foundations. If you have a bad foundation it creates problems for the house. We have the same problem in the Body of Christ. There is a great need for foundation repair in the Body of Christ. Let's go to 1 Cor 3:10&11, According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Let's go to Heb 6:1&2, Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Here in Hebrews, chapter six, in these first couple of verses, the Apostle Paul describes the foundation. How is your foundation? What is your foundation? Is it Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, and all that He provided us in the Gospel? We must partake of all the true foundation, in order to be truly established in Christ, and to bring forth fruit in Him.

The first part of the foundation is repentance. If you look in the Book of Jonah, I don't have time to go there, you read about how Jonah preached to the city of Nineveh, and the whole city, from the King, unto the poorest person, turned from their sin in true repentance, and they humbled themselves with fasting. They put on sack cloth and sat in ashes, and they cried out to God in true repentance, turning from their sin. True repentance produces true change, there's a real change, there's a real turning. It starts with Godly sorrow. The Bible says Godly sorrow worketh repentance; the Holy Spirit convincing a person of their sin, and then Godly sorrow regarding that sin. Repentance is not just a changing of the mind, as many people teach. Definitely there is a change in the mind, but it starts with Godly sorrow in the heart, being truly sorry for your sin. 

Next we're going to talk about faith toward God, let's go to Rom 4:1-3, What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Let's go to verses 13-16, For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. And we go down to verse 20-25, He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. 

Chapter 5, verse 1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We believe in the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the gift of God, the gift of righteousness through faith. If we believe that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, that is imputed to us for righteousness. It's the gift of righteousness. Our sins are washed away through His sacrifice. By faith in His shed blood we are righteous. Our sins are cleansed by His blood, white as snow. The Bible says, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. All of this starts with repentance, and then faith; faith toward God; faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

The next thing is the doctrine of baptisms. Let's go to Rom 6:1-6, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Do we know this? Do we know that our old man is crucified with Christ; that when we were baptized in water we were baptized into Jesus' death? The scripture says, in Gal 2:20, I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. If we are in faith when we go into the water, we are crucified with Christ. When we come up out of the water, we are raised with Him. If we understand Romans 6, if we understand what happens when we are baptized in water: by faith we are baptized into His death, and burial, and resurrection. Our old man is dead, therefore sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are no longer under the law, but under grace; we have been raised in newness of life to serve Jesus with our spirit in the Gospel.

Then we have the second baptism which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. As Peter said in Acts chapter 2, repent and be baptized and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, after water baptism, in some cases even preceding water baptism, we have the third part of the foundation, actually the second part of the third part, the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the apostles, in Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth." Also, in verse 5 He said, “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." And notice, in verse 8, He talked about the Holy Spirit coming upon you. So the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not the same as baptism in water. Many of you understand that, but many people do not understand that. They believe that they received the Holy Spirit when they were baptized in water. 

If we look in Romans 7, let's look at verses 4-6, Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.  Now we serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. That's why we need to receive the Holy Spirit, so we can learn to walk in the Holy Spirit. The Bible says they that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. So, a very important part of the foundation is being baptized in the Holy Spirit: the Holy Spirit coming upon you; being filled with the Holy Spirit; then learning to yield to the Holy Spirit. The first thing you yield to the Holy Spirit is your tongue, to speak in tongues and prophecy. If you look through the New Testament, in the book of Acts, every time a person received the Holy Spirit they spoke in tongues or they prophesied. We need to learn to yield to the Holy Spirit, and then to be led by the Holy Spirit.

As you read through Romans 7, let's go to verse 18-25, For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Remember, in verse 5 of chapter 7, Paul wrote, For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. So, Romans 7 is talking about, in the flesh. Verse 18, For I know that in me that is, in my flesh... So, Romans 7 is talking about a man in the flesh. 

But then verses 1-4 of chapter 8: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Verse 8, So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Verses 13 & 14, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

In the church, for many years, many false doctrines have been given by Satan, and taught by false prophets and teachers, to convince Christians not to receive the Holy Spirit, yet believe that they have, and to live under some kind of law, never overcoming sin, thus preparing them to receive false grace, false justification, turning the grace of God, in some cases, into lasciviousness: All is covered, once saved, always saved, all your sins are already forgiven, past, present, and future, not confessing their sins, never learning to walk in the Holy Spirit; to be led by the Spirit. As it says in verse 4 of Romans 8, the righteousness of the law is only fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 7:4, Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  Jesus rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we are married to Him, as we receive the Holy Spirit, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we will bring forth fruit unto God. You cannot do that without the Holy Spirit. You cannot just say you have the Holy Spirit when you don't have the Holy Spirit. That won't work. You have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. 

The only way to overcome the flesh and sin is to receive all that God has given us; the atonement for our past sins, through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, but also faith in His resurrection; He lives by the power of God. He was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are baptized into His death and resurrection to live by the power of God; to walk in the Holy Spirit and not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, but to fulfil the righteousness of the law, by the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The key to all this is the love of God, Romans 5:8, shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If we love God, we will seek after righteousness with all our heart, and He will fill us. We will yield ourselves to Him, and to His Spirit, to walk in the Spirit.

Rom 8:31-39,  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

 When The Hedge Comes Down

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or more are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Today’s program is called, When The Hedge Comes Down. Let’s turn to Job 1:1-22,  There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus Job did regularly. 

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, From where do you come? So Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro on the Earth, and from walking back and forth on it. Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the Earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? So Satan answered the Lord and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face! And the Lord said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; and a messenger came to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you! While he was still speaking, another also came and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you! While he was still speaking, another also came and said, The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you! While he was still speaking, another also came and said, Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you! Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. 

Of course we know, after this, that Satan came again and the Lord gave him permission to strike his body, and he struck him with sore boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet, yet He did not allow him to take his life. And so Job suffered greatly, and his three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, and each one came from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; for they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. And Job had a long conversation with his three friends. Why did God let this happen to Job? We find out in Chapter 32, verse 1. So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.  Job 33:8&9, Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Verse 12, Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. So we see clearly that Job was righteous in his own eyes. KJV, Behold, in this you are not just; I will answer you, that God is greater than man. 

Do we understand this, after all that has been happening here in America and around the world since September 11, 2001?; That God is greater than man, or do we still trust in our own way, saying how great and proud we are? Job 38:1-7, Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 40:1-14,  Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said: Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the Lord and said: Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like his? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you. 

God always has a purpose in letting His hedge of protection to come down; with a person, with a family, with a city, or with a nation. There is a purpose. It is founded in his love. In his judgement He remembers his mercy, as it is written in Habakkuk 3:2, O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O Lord-, revive your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. And if we will humble ourselves, as it is written in 2 Chron 7:14, we will receive his correction. his purpose is not to destroy us, but to correct us, that He might bless us in the days to come. God has prepared great judgements which are prophesied in his Word, which are coming forth even now in our lifetime. He has prepared great salvation for us all in the gift of his Son Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins on the Cross at Calvary; that we might be saved from our sins, and changed into his image from faith to faith and glory to glory; that we might some day enter into his glorious Kingdom to dwell with Him forever. He has also prepared his wrath for the day of wrath which will come upon and destroy all those who reject the great gift of his Son who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. It is not his will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. If we will repent and turn to Him with all our hearts, He will forgive us and cleanse us and change us, and give unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Why did God let the hedge come down on Job? It was because of his self righteousness. God dealt with him in a very severe way, and he was brought to true repentance. Then the Lord blessed him twice as much as before: Job 42:10-17,  And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. 

Why did God let the hedge come down on America on September 11, 2001? He had a purpose, founded in his love, to deal with our pride and our wickedness. And, as many have testified that were there that day in New York City, He had mercy on many people and saved many people’s lives. Yet the pain and the loss and the anguish is still there in many hearts. Many hearts and lives have been changed; many have been corrected and brought to repentance, but many have returned to their pride and rebellion against God and have not been changed. What about our nation? How have we changed? Did we turn back to God after 911?, or have we continued on as a nation in our wicked, corrupt ways. Many other judgements have come since 2001. Have we listened? Have we changed?  We must understand that, according to the Words of the Prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ, there is much more shaking yet to come in the Earth. Do we understand this; that God is greater than man? 

Why did God let the hedge down in 2020 with the CoronaVirus  pandemic? Never in the history of the world has the whole world been forced to stay in their houses. When the plague began the Father told me, I put this plague in the Earth, and I am watching my people to see if they will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. In 2 Chron 13&14, God said, that if we will do so, then He will hear from Heaven and He will heal our land. This is the answer people! We must humble ourselves when the hedge comes down, and turn to God with all our hearts. If we will do that, we will find grace in his sight, and He will have mercy in the midst of his judgement. Turn to Him Church! Turn to Him America! Consider the times we are living in, and understand the days that are coming, according to the Words of Jesus and the Prophets. God has promised that before Jesus returns He is going to shake all things, that only those things that cannot be shaken will remain: all creatures, all the hills and mountains, all the seas, all the towers and great buildings, and all the economies, and all the great men of the Earth, and all nations. The only thing that will not be shaken is the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all those who are truly trusting in Him, and walking with Him in obedience to his Word. 

Let’s turn to Mat 7:24-27, Jesus said, Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. Let’s turn to Heb 12:22-29, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, YET ONCE MORE I SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO HEAVEN. 

Now this, YET ONCE MORE, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. 

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

 The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2) 

God bless every one of you that is reading this. I am thankful for you. Let’s turn to John 2:1-11, On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no wine. Jesus said to her, Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast. And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from but the servants who had drawn the water knew, the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now! This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 

The first miracle that Jesus did was at this wedding, and He turned water into good wine- You have kept the good wine until now. When Jesus took the cup, at the Last Supper, He said, This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Then He said, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom.  The good wine is the New Covenant in Jesus’ Blood. The Son of God came and died on the Cross to take away our sins. Because He lived as a man, tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin, He became the spotless Lamb of God to be offered on the Cross at the Passover, to take away our sins; the sins of the whole world, that whoever lives and believes in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. For the Son of God did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. It is the New Covenant in His Blood that saves us, through repentance and faith in His sacrifice for us on the Cross. His Blood cleanses us of all sin and unrighteousness. Through water baptism we are baptized into Jesus; baptized into His death; our old sinful nature is crucified with Him; buried with Him in the water, and we are raised with Him, in newness of life, to receive His Holy Spirit, and serve Him in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. By His gift of Himself we are saved, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God- the grace of God: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever lives and believes in Him should not perish, but inherit eternal life. 

Let’s turn to Mat 22:1-14,  And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 

and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding. But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.  

The Father is preparing a marriage for His Son; He is preparing a spotless bride for His Son, who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood, to purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. We are the Bride of Christ, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when we see Him, we shall be like Him, and whoever has this hope in him purifies himself even as He is pure.  Are you purifying yourself?  Are you continuing to wash yourself in the water of His Word? Are there things in your life that you need to confess to Him? Are you walking in the light, with the Blood of Jesus cleansing you from all sin?  Are you walking in fellowship with the Father and with His Son?  Are you keeping His Words? Ask yourself: If the answer to most of these questions is no, then humble yourself and come to Jesus in repentance. He will receive you if you are sincere. His grace is sufficient for you. He will make a way for you.  But if you refuse; if you are scoffing at these words and justifying your sins through your own deceit and the lies of the false prophets that fill the Earth, you will not be able to stand in the Day of Judgement. If you do not have on His robe of righteousness; if you are not keeping your wedding garment, you will not be accepted at the marriage supper of the Lamb; you will be cast out into outer darkness, and you will have weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

This is not a fairy tale. This is the truth of God’s Word. Jesus did not speak false things. Jesus Christ said of Himself, I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life. All of you who can hear my voice; all of you who are hearing this, or reading this, you would do well to consider the Words of the Lamb of God; the Words of Jesus Christ. For He is coming again; He’s coming in the clouds; He promised.  Remember that all the scriptures; all the prophecies that were spoken about Him in the Old Testament: most of them have already been fulfilled through His life on the Earth, His crucifixion, and His resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven. Therefore, the things that yet remain to be fulfilled will surely be fulfilled! He’s coming again in the clouds with great power and glory and He will establish His throne in Jerusalem, and there will be a marriage supper; a marriage supper of the Lamb, and those who are worthy will be there. The only way we can be worthy is to believe His sacrifice; to receive His righteousness through faith. Hallelujah! Many are called but few are chosen.

God is preparing a marriage for His Son, and He has put all things under His feet. He has prepared for Him a Kingdom, and Jesus will be returning to Earth in the not too distant future to establish His throne in Jerusalem and to reign as King over all the Earth. Because He humbled Himself to the death of the Cross, the Father has given Him a name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow: in Heaven, on the Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So let this mind be also in you that was in Christ Jesus, 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. He said, Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from  me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

If you are going to be with Jesus, you will need to deny yourself and take up your cross every day and follow Him. Paul said, I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Because Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us, therefore we ought to love Him. We love Him, the Bible says, because He first loved us. God so loved us that He gave His Son. So our response is to love Him; to live for Him; to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him every day; to lay down our lives. Jesus said, Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. He laid down His life for us. If we are His friends, we will lay down our lives for Him. Amen! So love the one that loved you: Jesus loved you; He gave Himself for you. Love Him. Follow Him. You will be so happy in that day that you came to Him with all your heart and laid down your life and followed Him! You will be rewarded throughout eternity: the things that God has prepared for those that love Him, they haven’t even entered into the mind of man!

Prophecy:

I am the God of all flesh. Those of you who are listening to my servant Rob this day, humble yourselves before Me. Come to Me. Come to Me, the author and the finisher of your faith. I love you! I gave Myself for you. Look to Me. Look unto Me, says the Lord. Look up, for I am coming soon! If you will do these things, if you will humble yourself and purify yourself, I will receive you to Myself when I come. But if you refuse, if you will love this world, and walk after the things of this world, you will be sadly disappointed when I come. You will be ashamed when I come. I am God Almighty. Do not be ashamed of My Son. Do not be ashamed of His sacrifice for you. Receive it! Receive my love, says the Lord! 

Thank you Heavenly Father! Thank you Lord! Let’s turn to Rev 19:6-9,  And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God. Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Remember what we just read in Revelation,...for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. God is purifying for Himself His own special people, and we, as the people of God, need to yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead us. We need to be zealous to be led by the Spirit of God to do the works that He wants us to do, not our own works, but to do the righteous deeds that He is leading us to do.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com .

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen (2 Cor 13:14)

 The Lord Is On My Side

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied.

Today’s program is called, The Lord Is On My Side. Let’s turn to Psalm 118:1-29, 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, His mercy endures forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, His mercy endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord now say, His mercy endures forever. I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns; for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 

The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

Verse 6, The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Is the Lord on your side? The Lord is on your side if you are truly trusting in Him. Psalm 11:1, In the Lord put I my trust. How do you say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? Psalm 118:8&9, It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.  Where is your confidence? Are you trusting in a man?; your favorite preacher, or political leader? Who do you go to in your time of need? Do you have a working relationship with Jesus?: the one who loved you and gave Himself for you on the Cross of Calvary to suffer and die and pay the full penalty for your sins, so that you might be saved out of your destructions and be born from above; that He might dwell in your heart by faith; that you might be made righteous through His Blood that was shed for you? Is your trust truly in Him? Psalm 118:22&23, The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 

Jesus is the Cornerstone that was rejected by the builders: the religious leaders of His day, and they crucified Him. But on the third day, the Father raised Him from the dead, and made Him the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus said to them, in Mat 21: 42-46, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the Corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.  Verse 44, And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.

Let’s turn to 1 Peter 2:1-12, Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a Chief Cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes in Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone, and a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, (you who trust in the Lord), a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the Stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone, and a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense.

Do you love Jesus? He said, If you love me, keep my Words. The Apostle John said, This is the love of God: that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous. Have you fallen upon the Stone? Are you being broken, giving yourself wholly to Jesus to keep His Words, being conformed more and more to His image; serving Him with all your heart who gave Himself for you with all His heart on that brutal Cross, for you? Or are you stumbling on that Stone, being disobedient? If you are truly trusting in Jesus; denying yourself every day, and taking up your cross: His will for your life, and following Him: being led by the Holy Spirit to do your Father’s will, you have nothing to fear.  If you are not trusting fully in Jesus: if you are disobedient, you will stumble, and you will fear, because you are so vulnerable to what man can do unto you. 

Let’s turn to Psalm 18:1-3, I will love You, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; My Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold; my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. In Romans 10 it is written, Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, His name is Jesus, shall be delivered. How shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? Jesus said, in Rev 1:17&18, …Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 

In the book Jesus Christ, Who Is He?, written by Paul Hallock Merkle, in chapter 2, on page 21, Paul wrote, 

The world needs Jesus. You and I need Jesus, and Jesus says to us, “Don’t be afraid…I have the keys of Death and of Hades.” We have nothing to fear. Life is in His hands, why should we fear life? Death is in His hands, why should we fear death? What comes after death is in His hands, why should we fear what comes after death? That is, when our life is hid with Christ in God. (Col 3:3).  

The world needs Jesus. Without Him we are nothing spiritually. In Him the Holy Spirit witnesses to us and through us that Jesus Christ is Lord. How are you witnessing concerning Jesus?  Can others see Him in your life? Are you keeping your eyes upon Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of His promise for your life?

Keep your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His

wonderful face. And the things of Earth

will grow strangely dim, in the light

of His glory and grace.

Receive everything that Jesus has for you, and share everything that He gives you.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and the Living one…” says the Lord. “I hold you in My hand and no one can pluck you out…” This is His love for you and me. Live for Him! Let His Spirit possess you and let the miracle of His life fill you and flow through you to all the earth, for He holds you in His hand, and you cannot pass beyond His love and care.

O Lord, there’s nothing more that we could ask. You’ve given us everything, even to your very life, so that we truly might be the sons and daughters of God. We yield ourselves again to you and to the ministry of your Holy Spirit. Use us for your glory, we pray in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com .

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth. Amen.

 My Grace Is Sufficient For You

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes with Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Thank you Heavenly Father. We thank you Lord; we bless your Holy Name: blessed be God Almighty! Today’s program is called, My Grace Is Sufficient For You. The other day I was coming through something very difficult in my life; I had been struggling for several days, and Jesus spoke to my heart, “My grace is sufficient for you.” At the same time He ministered to me by the power of His Holy Spirit and delivered me out of the affliction. I was overwhelmed with the goodness of My Lord. When the Apostle Paul was being afflicted because of the abundance of his revelations he had received, he sought the Lord three times to be delivered and the Lord spoke to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul wrote, Therefore I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and that is the Throne of Grace. 1Pe 5:5, Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Let us therefore come boldly… Humility and boldness go together, because of Heb 10:19, Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. We have boldness with humility because of the Blood of Jesus, and we will find grace to help in the time of need. His grace is sufficient for us, even in our suffering. Because His grace is sufficient, I can rejoice, even as I suffer: His grace will bring me through. Prov 15:15, All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. When you are in faith, through His grace, you are always rejoicing, because you know you have the victory. When you take your eyes off of Jesus and look at the waves, you begin to doubt and you begin to sink and let go of your victory. 

Mat 14:22, Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." When you repent and believe, you rejoice again, and you’re on top again; you are the head and not the tail. If you continue to believe in Jesus and keep your eyes on Him, you will overcome Satan, and the world and your own stubborn flesh, and you will have a continual feast. You already have the victory; you already have the overcoming, you just need to stay there until the end: till you get back to the boat, and then, till you are standing on the shore.

The scripture says, you have been crucified with Christ, if you have been baptized, and you have been raised with Him and you are seated in Him in the heavenly places at the Father’s right hand, far above all principalities, powers, and dominions, far above all: you are on top! God put them all under your feet, that’s why they have to bow when they see you, if you are walking in faith. You are like Joseph. He was in prison, in shackles and in pain, and in one day, God made him the ruler of the whole land of Egypt, and everyone had to bow and give him honor, second only to Pharaoh, in one day! In one day God made you a ruler in His Kingdom, under Him and subject to your brethren, and in Him you are at the Father's right hand! Is there something you need? Is there something He can’t do if you believe? If it is His will for you to continue to suffer, His grace is sufficient for you; His grace will get you through to the victory. His grace is His great strong hand and arm reaching out to lift you back up on the top of the water, and get you back to the boat; His grace will uphold you until you reach the shore. 

My grace is sufficient for you.

My grace is sufficient to bring you through;

Bring you through to victory,

And bring you safely to Me.

Though waves be high,

And valleys be low,

My grace is sufficient for you.

Though you are weak, 

I am strong;

My grace is sufficient for you;

My grace is sufficient for you.

Eph 2:4, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. The Father loved us and He gave His Son; Jesus loved us and He gave His life. His grace is the gift of God.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 

Heb 12:14  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. 

People sell their birthright to have their wicked pleasures; to continue in their fornications; they accept false grace. When you accept false grace and live accordingly, you fail of the true grace of God. Heb 12:28, Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. 

See how the grace of God is coupled with the fear of God. God is greatly to be feared; He is a consuming fire, and yet He, in His great love wherewith He loved us, has granted us grace through the gift of His beloved Son. The grace of God enables us to serve Him acceptably, which is with reverence and Godly fear.

1 Pet 1:13, Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever. 1 Pet 5:12, By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 

My Grace is sufficient for you.

Though you are weak, 

I am strong.

My Grace is sufficient for you

On a previous message about grace, the Lord spoke at the end of the program, and He said, “My Grace is sufficient for you. I love you. If you are willing, I will help you; if you will call upon Me, you will find grace in your time of temptation. Call upon Me; I will help you to overcome. I already made the way for you through My death, burial, and resurrection. I am with you, says the Lord. Come unto Me; call upon My Name and see My salvation, says the Lord.

Thank you for listening to 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)