An Old Dog a Leopard and a Monkey

A wealthy old gentleman decides to go on a hunting safari in Africa, taking his faithful, elderly dog named Killer, along for the company.

One day the old dog starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old dog thinks, "Oh, ho! I'm in deep trouble now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the old dog exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old dog nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So, off he goes, but the old dog sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up.

The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.

The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!

Now, the old dog sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old dog says...

"Where's that monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!

If you'd like to learn about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

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The Ever Enduring Kingdom

by Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.  Please click here to watch the video.  Click here to listen to the podcast.

Daniel 2:44
God’s Kingdom will Fill the Whole Earth

Daniel 2:35b But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

Earthly Kingdoms of Men
Golden Head - the Babylonians
Silver Chest and Arms the – Medo-Persians
Bronze thighs and belly - the Grecians
Iron legs - the Romans
Some civilization that occurs after the Roman Empire.


God’s Kingdom
Daniel 2:44
"In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Chaff
On the roads in South India, threshing rice. Some wind is necessary for the chaff to blow away.

Daniel 2:35a Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace.

All the kingdoms of men are going to be destroyed and will come to nothing. The kingdom of God will however continue and will eventually take over the entire Earth.

Understanding this reality will cause a person to evaluate their priorities and place the majority of their time energy and effort into spending time with the Lord, sharing their faith, winning souls, helping the needy, loving their family, loving the unlovable, etc. in an effort to express the Kingdom of God.

There aren’t any hearses with trailer hitches.

The Davidic Covenant

2 Samuel 7:12-16
12"When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13"He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14"I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16"Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."'"

Jesus is the Rightful Heir of the Davidic Covenant

Luke 1:31-33
31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Studying the genealogies of Jesus Christ we find that Mary is in the blood line of David making Jesus a literal descendent of David.

The Rock is The Kingdom of Jesus Christ
The subjects of Christ’s Kingdom are people who have the law of God written on their heart. People who are saved and redeemed from the world and Satan. People who walk in obedience to the word and voice of God.

I believe the Kingdom of God is here and now and the subjects of the Kingdom are you and I
Luke 17:21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

I don’t believe we’ve become all that God’s destined us for yet however.

Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The whole measure of the fullness of Christ

1. Kingdom Expression
1. Holy Spirit Manifestations
2. Character

I believe that before Jesus comes back there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that empowers believers just like you and I to imitate the ministry of Jesus in the way described in Ephesians 4:13

Jesus is Coming Back for a Glorious Church
Ephesians 5:27 and to present her (the church) to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

The Rock Not Made with Hands
Acts 17:24 " The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

The law was also not made with hands. God wrote the law on the tablets in Exodus 34
He dwells in us.
I’m not sitting around waiting for Jesus to come back. I believe we, as a church are supposed to be radiant, glorious, powerful and effective at transforming our culture to the culture of the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.

Ever Increasing Glory
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Jesus Describing the Kingdom of God
Mark 4:30-32
30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."

Fire is the symbol of the Glory of God

1. Tabernacle
2. Temple
3. People

1.  Tabernacle
Exodus 40:34-38
34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.

2.  Temple
2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

3.  People
Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

We Need God’s Glory
I don’t want to miss the time of God’s visitation. (Luke 19:44) I don’t want to have my head down or focused on something else and miss the wave of his spirit.
Let’s pray for a fresh out pouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives for personal holiness, and boldness.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

Bible Study Humor

LOT 'S WIFE

The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?' A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'

DID NOAH FISH?

A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ? ''No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'

HIGHER POWER

A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is? One child blurted out, ' Aces!'

MOSES AND THE RED SEA

Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.'

'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his Mother asked.

'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER

During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?'
Tommy answered soberly, 'I asked God to teach me how to whistle, and He did!'

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS

When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, 'And all girls.' This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, 'Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?'
Her response, 'Because everybody else always finishes their prayers by saying 'All Men'!'

SAY A PRAYER

Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother.
'I don't need to,' the boy replied.
'Of course, you do.' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.'
'That's at our house.' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!'
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
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Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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Giving and Receiving Honor

by Tony Hammack
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video of the message. Please feel free to click here to listen to the audio (podcast) or click here to watch the video.

Being a Church of honor means we’re going to be people of honor.

I’m talking more about giving and extending honor than I am receiving it here, however people that give honor often experience that coming back to them as they sow seed in that way.

Definition of Honor
honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a source of credit or distinction, high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: such respect manifested:

Let’s take some time today to look at the different attributes having to do with honor.


I.  Jesus is our example on how to be honorable

Jesus Christ is our perfect example in the subject of honor in at least 2 ways.

1. The way He is to be honored now and in the future.
2. The way He honored his Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is Honored Now and in the Future
Philippians 2:7,8,10,11
7but (Jesus) made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!  10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What Brought Jesus Honor?

The Honor to the Father
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  Obedience honors the one giving the instructions. Disobedience dishonors the one giving the instructions.

II.  Honor Keys

1. Humility
2. The fear of the Lord
3. Wisdom
4. Obedience

This "Honor Keys" chart is a bit complicated but it illustrates the way our character qualities interrelate bringing about honor on an individual level and also on a national level. 

1. Humility
Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

   A. Humility is one Key to National Revival
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

   B. Humility in the Life of Moses
Numbers 12:3
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

   C. Humility is an Act of the Will
Daniel 10:12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

   D. Humility is Akin to Kingdom Greatness
Matthew 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

   E.  Humility in Conclusion
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

2. The Fear of the Lord
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

   A. The Fear of the Lord Leads to Wisdom and Knowledge
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

   B. Fear of the Lord Lengthens Life
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

   C. The Fear of the Lord Causes a Man to Avoid Evil
Proverbs 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

See Ananias and Sapphira in Acts Chapter 5 and imagine what it would be like to be in that early congregation.  How would the fear of the Lord affect you?

3. Wisdom Leads to Honor
2 Chronicles 1:11,12  God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

   A. Humility Leads to Wisdom
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Wisdom, being appliable knowledge, has to come before a person can do something worthy of honor.
Humility leads to wisdom and wisdom can lead to honor.

   B. A Little Folly can Outweigh Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

4. Obedience
Jesus honored his Heavenly Father by being obedient to Him. We read about this in John 5:19. We also give honor by being obedient to those over us in authority.

   A. Disobedience creates “no advantage to you”
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

   B. Obedience Leads to National Honor
Deuteronomy 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

   C. A Mocking Disobedient Eye
Proverbs 30:17  "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

Joe McGee a noted Bible teacher and marriage specialist says that the #1 desire of men is to be honored.

III.  Conclusion

Proverbs 22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

If you don't get anything else from this message on honor remember to honor Jesus

John 5:22-24 22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
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Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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From Bud Avants

Dear Christian Family,

This letter from Bud Avants, our missionary to Burma Thailand, I thought would be best to pass on to you electronically. This way I can get it to as many people as possible quickly. I want to thank you for your continued support of Bud through our foreign missions giving. Through your giving, countless thousands have heard the gospel, been saved and been rescued from a life of despair and prostitution. Bud’s work is amazing and I’m so glad we can partner with him to extend the Kingdom of God into Thailand. Everything below is from Bud.

World Missions Overflowing

wmo99@suddenlink.net

Greetings in the love of Jesus,

The year 2009 has frightened many people. We have never seen so much change in our land in such a short time.

HOWEVER, we know that God is in control, and that the time of the end is at hand. There are great things happening in the spiritual realm, and the harvest is coming in.

WMO has experienced a great year in 2009. Beginning at the first part of the year when the great cyclone hit Burma, and to the last of the year, we are seeing an abundance of rescue of children, and an abundance of souls saved. During the cyclone aftermath, our meeting places became the center place of the areas, because we were able to get funds to our people through our underground connections, even when the Billy Graham team could not enter. Even though untold thousands were killed, none of our people were injured.

We have opened another rescue home this year.

You provided the funds for this. Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost. You are doing the work of Jesus through your giving. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Yours in Christ's love,

Bud Avants


If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
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Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

Healing is the Nature of God

by Tony Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the podcast or the video of this message.  Please click here to listen to the audio, or click here to watch the video.

Jehovah Rapha is one of the Old Testament names for God.  It means the Lord our Healer.  Very often in scripture a person's name indicates something about their personality.  Because one of God's names is "The Lord our Healer" I believe from the context of scripture it indicates that His nature is to heal.

Introduction
Exodus 15
26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Rapha – To heal
Rapha conveys the idea of restoring something to its "normal" or useful state.


Listen and Do What the Word Says
James 1:22-25
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

How can we Obey the Word?
Titus 2:11-13
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

What Brings Grace?
James 4:6-10
6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:    "God opposes the proud       but gives grace to the humble."  7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

When we listen carefully to the Lord and do what he says according to His Word He Heals us.

By his Wounds
Isaiah gives preview of a clear prophecy that by Messiah's "scourging we are healed" (Isa 53:4,5)
Isaiah 53:4,5
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Peter reaffirms this great truth
1 Peter 2:21-24
21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

One conclusion from the passage in Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter is Jehovah Rapha is not only our healer but is also our Lord Jesus Christ.

The following video from You Tube is very powerful but I would consider it rated "R" for violence. Please don't watch it unless you are old enough.









The bitterness caused by sin can be healed by the Cross of Christ Who became a curse for us on the tree and made available the Tree of Life forever.

Healing Keys

1. Sickness Can Be Related to Personal Sin
Psalm 38:3
 3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

Proverbs 28:13,14
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

The Healing at the Pool
John 5:14
14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

2. Not all Disease is from Personal Sin
John 9:1-3
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

3. Not all Accidents are a Result of Personal Sin 
Luke 13:4,5
4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

4. Not Taking Communion Properly can Bring Sickness and Premature Death
1 Corinthians 11:29-30
29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

When we think about rightly recognizing the body of the Lord I think it's right to think about his body that was broken for us, His blood that was shed for us.  I however also think it's correct to consider the people that make up the current body of Christ.  Mistreating people who make up Christ's body can cause illness and even physical death to come upon people.

5. Confession and Prayer
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

6. The Word of God Heals
Psalm 107:19-20
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.


7. The Fear of the Lord Brings Healing
Proverbs 3:7-8
 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

8. Faith Brings Healing
Mark 11:22-24
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

9. Sōzō
1a: to save b: to heal c: to deliver
2: to save a suffering one, to make well, heal, to deliver from penalties of judgment.

The best way to understand Sōzō is by using the “English word” savedhealeddelivered.

A.  Saved
Romans 8:24
24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
...for in this hope we are sōzō.

Sōzō translated Saved
Acts 2:47, Acts 16:31, Rom 8:24, Eph 2:5,8: 1 Tim 2:4, 2 Tim 1:9, Titus 3:5, Rom 11:14, 1 Cor 7:16, 1 Cor 9:22. 

B.  Healed
Mark 5:23
23and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.“
...so that she will be Sōzō and live.

Sōzō translated Healed
Matt 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48, James 5:15.

C.  Delivered
Luke 8:36
36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.
...had been Sōzō.

Sōzō translated Delivered
Matt 1:21, Rom 5:10, 1 Cor 15:2, Heb 7:25, James 1:21, 1 Pet 3:21, 1 Tim 4:16

From the Heart of Jesus
Mark 2:9-12
9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Please take some time to take authority over disease for yourself or for someone you know who need to be healed. Jesus Christ is Jehovah Rapah, The Lord our Healer.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
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The Manifest Presence of God

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.   

What is the manifest presence of God?

We know that God is everywhere so in one sense of the word we’re always in God’s presence.

God is Omnipresent
Psalm 139:8
 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Jeremiah 23:23-24
23 "Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away?   24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD.  "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.

We also know there are certain external things we can do to usher in the presence of Jesus.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

The manifest presence of God is a collision of Heaven and Earth where the Heaven’s are opened and change begins to happen on Earth as a result.

Jesus taught us to pray for this collision.
Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Presence of God is literally a tangible interaction of people or a person with the “intangible” presence of God.   We reach into the presence of God with faith. If you’re waiting for the presence of God to visit, you may be waiting a long time.  This is the only way to deal with root issues. Bible knowledge will help but the presence of God will adjust the core issues of your life.

The first step in experiencing the manifest presence of God is having a relationship with Christ. We must be in right standing with God by grace, through faith, if we’re to experience this presence.

Romans 3:23 tells us that everyone has sinned and as a consequence of that sin no one is able to make it to heaven. God demands perfect holiness.

The Wages of Sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  If we accept the substitutionary sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins we have eternal life.

Romans 10:9,10
 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Paul had Assurance
2 Timothy 1:12 Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
We can too

Steps to Experience the Manifest Presence of God

A.  Discipline
B.  Desire
C.  Delight

Discipline
The first way you get into the presence of God is through Discipline.
You, with your will, focus your time energy and effort on seeking the Lord. You can do this through a combination of

1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Worship
4. Bible meditation
5. Fellowship
6. Service
7. Holiness

God Responds to Our Faith

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1. Prayer
Talking with God honestly
It’s easy to slip into the formula prayers and pray the same thing the same way all the time.
It’s also easy to slip into the fake prayers. Praying the right things but having a heart disconnection.
We must pray honestly

The Prayer of agreement can kick our prayer life into exponential levels when we have someone agree with us.
Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
Prayer of Faith
James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

2. Fasting
Fasting throughout the Bible has been an act of humility that in order to be effective must be accompanied with a heart change. Isaiah 58 is a good place to start if you want to learn more about the attitude of the heart during a fast.
In the new testament the instructions we have about fasting deal with attitude. Not doing it to appear spiritual but doing it secretly for God.

Matthew 6:16-18
16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

3. Worship
Expressing Love, gratitude, appreciation and revelation back to the Lord helps to usher in His presence as well. The song must be from the heart not just the head.

The tabernacle as a pattern. When we come in we’re in the outer court. There are songs that can catch our minds and hearts even if we’re not focused on the Lord. I consider these outer court songs. They have a fast tempo and usually sing about the Lord.
The Inner Court
Inner court songs are a little slower and use the name of Jesus.
Holy Place Songs are even slower and not only use the name of Jesus but begin to use the word You also as the worshipper sings directly to God.
Most Holy Place Songs are very intimate.
A New Song
Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
This admonition appears 6 times in the Bible throughout the book of psalms.
That’s not a new one from the box it’s “your song”. An honest and sincere expression to the Lord of what He means to you.

4. Bible Meditation
Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Notice I didn’t say Bible reading although that can very often lead to Bible meditation.

Meditation means to wrap your mind around the truths of scripture often reading it over and over again trying to extract every drop of meaning from a passage.
And specifically what these verses mean to you personally.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If you do it’s because it speaks to you. Meditating on these verses will usher in God’s presence.

5. Fellowship/Koinonia
Acts 2:42-43
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
The essential meaning of the koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in the English terms fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.

Intimacy with the body means in-to-me-see. Life groups are a great place for this to happen. Sharing personal things with the body can create a structure where the presence of God is free to flow and manifest.

6. Service
1 Timothy 3:13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Excellent Standing-People will recognize you and esteem you.
Assurance-Knowing that you know that you are a heaven bound child of God.

Colossians 3:23,24
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

7. Holiness
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:20,21
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Holiness is..
separation to God,
conduct befitting those so separated, their actions don’t misrepresent Jesus.
separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.

When God’s presence is manifest we experience great joy.
Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

In His Presence
Perspective changes
True repentance comes
Reality is brought to light on situations where previously there may have been confusion or darkness.
In His Presence
Your needs are met, emotionally, spiritually, and now you have something to give.
Very often peace comes when you gain God’s perspective on human issues. God says, “I’ve got it under control”.

My experience has been that when I discipline myself to seek the Lord that his presence is better than anything else on this Earth and I desire and ultimately delight in Him.
Everything pales in comparison to his Presence.

Let’s take some time to pray and seek the Lord. We need his presence!

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124

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Ten Questions to Ask...

...at the Start of a New Year

Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.
1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack