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Daily Bread

Ivey Rorie On July 20, 2017 / Word of the Day / 1 Comment

John 6: 48

I am the bread of life.

I have just one question for you. Are you going to eat tomorrow? Well, in truth it’s a bit of a trick question because I am wondering whether we all will feed ourselves both spiritually and physically.

Most likely all of us will consume food tomorrow, and we need to. There is nothing unholy in feeding your body. I just had the sense today that many of us are not where we want to be in life or with Jesus because we fail to feed ourselves spiritual food daily. Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6: 11). Do you think when he began speaking about himself as the bread of life he changed his mind about bread being a daily necessity?

This is such a simple teaching, there is nothing truly profound here. We all know we need Jesus daily but we get caught up in life and forget that he is the bread of life. The result is that we begin to starve, literally. Many of us are starving and we are not even aware of the deprivation.

Your spirit feeds your entire being. By that I mean to say that a healthy spirit feeds and supports a healthy body and a healthy mind. Our spirits are our central being so as they hunger, nutrition is lost throughout.

Jesus is the life and he is the bread of life. That has to say a lot about our ability to have fullness of life. We need a daily intake of Jesus. We always seem to find the time to eat food. Maybe we can find the time to feed too. Have some bread of Life.

Anointed

Ivey Rorie On July 19, 2017 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Psalm 20: 6

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed.

Who is the anointed of the Lord? Is it you? In Isaiah 61: 1 the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus. He prophesied about the anointing that would be on Jesus. The first of Jesus’ anointed duties was to bring good news to the afflicted. When Jesus began his public ministry, he went into the synagogue in Nazareth. When the book of the prophet was handed to Him, He opened it to Isaiah and reading the passage in Isaiah 61 declared that the scripture had been, that day, fulfilled in those people’s presence. Jesus was anointed with power and the Holy Spirit so that He could fulfill His commission as enumerated in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4: 18. Then in Matthew 28: 16 – 20 we read about Jesus passing this commission on to those who follow Him. We are still to go to the world bringing the good news of the gospel to all. We don’t do this in our might though. We do it in the strength of the Lord and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s anointing on us and in us that empowers us to do His bidding. If you have received God’s commission to you and you have received his blessing of the anointing to do His will, then you are His anointed and you, therefore, are protected under His anointing. And while the enemy will do everything he can to thwart you, you are covered by the grace and anointing of God. Jesus said that persecution would come but for us to have no fear because He, Jesus, has overcome the world. Rely on Jesus. Rely on your anointing for they have great power to save you.

Dirty Hands

Ivey Rorie On July 18, 2017 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Matthew 15: 17 -18

“Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.”

This is Jesus’ teaching. He was attempting to bring His followers into enlightenment about attending the law out of ritualistic habit versus living to God. He wanted them to understand that ritualistic adherence to the law was not true service to the Lord, especially when it is just used to judge and condemn others.

You see, the Pharisees were concerned about Jesus’ disciples not washing their hands before they ate bread. Now no one is trying to teach not washing our hands but these folks were ready to condemn the disciples to hell. Jesus is so clear here. He says don’t worry so much about what you are putting in your mouth. Be concerned about what is coming out of your mouth because that really will condemn you to hell. Are the words coming out of your mouth more likely to tear people down or build them up? Are you encouraging and edifying others or are you condemning and criticizing? You Pharisee! Clean up your language. Your words can be building blocks or daggers. Which will God prefer? And really…which of us adheres so closely to the Word of God that we should disparage others? You better pray for those folks and pray for yourself while you are there. Ask God to guard your heart, mind and mouth. Ask Him to cause every word which proceeds from your mouth to be acceptable in His sight (Psalm 19: 14).

Jesus said what comes out of our mouths is indicative of what is in our hearts and that is what defiles a man. God is interested in the condition of your heart. He does not judge your acts but rather your heart. You can put on a good show to others but God knows the intent of the heart. Surrender your whole heart to God. Let Him fill you with His goodness. Then the overflow of your heart will bless all you come contact with.

Miracle Worker

Ivey Rorie On July 17, 2017 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

2 Kings 5: 14 God’s Word translation

So he went to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. His skin became healthy again like a little child’s skin.

This is from the story of Naaman. He was a captain in the army of Aram. Naaman had a skin disease and heard of the prophet in Israel. So, he asked his king, Aram, to send him to Israel that he might be healed of his disease. Elisha told him to go wash seven times in the Jordan river. He rebuffed the advice at first but his servants convinced him to do as Elisha directed. Once he dipped in the Jordan river seven times, he came out cleansed of his skin disorder.

This a really good story with many messages in it when you read the whole story but what caught my eye was the heading. In the God’s Word translation the heading reads, “Elisha Heals Naaman.” After the last couple of weeks of thinking about who works miracles in the earth, this caption was significant. What is interesting is that the editors didn’t caption this passage as “God heals Naaman.” Even though this is Old Testament, the same operation of partnership with God for the effecting of miracles was in operation. Obviously, Elisha did not heal Naaman in his own power nor did Moses turn back the sea apart from God. However, God didn’t perform any of these wonders without a person.

As you read through the story of Naaman’s healing, and indeed other accounts of Elisha’s ministry and life, you will perceive Elisha’s relationship with God. He lived in a space where he fully accepted his ability to move in the power of our God without having to beg God to show up. He spent his everyday life, communing with God so that when the time came to employ God’s power, he knew how to move. This is where God is leading us.

We can live in and through Jesus every minute of every day. We are led by John’s gospel to abide in Christ. That means we live in him, not that we visit him on Sunday and Wednesday. Living in him means that every breath is part of of our life with Christ. As we learn to abide in him, we will move in the earth the way Jesus did, the way Elisha did and others. There are no miracles apart from God but there is no miracle without you either. God has given you power and authority in the earth. He has given you his Holy Spirit, His power. He has given us His name. Now it up to us as to what we will do with these gifts.

Flip the Switch

Ivey Rorie On July 14, 2017 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Acts 1: 8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Like yesterday, we are talking about being witnesses to the whole world. Our lives become the testimony of God’s greatness and His absolute devotion to His people. How, though, do we let Jesus’ victory shine through our lives? We have seen verses over the last couple of weeks that indicate that we must be agents of God’s power in the earth. In today’s verse Jesus tells us, rather plainly, that God’s power comes to us through the Holy Spirit. He is the power of God. It is not a difficult proposition to believe because we have seen the truth of it since Genesis chapter one. The challenge has been embracing our role in God’s moves in the earth.

Last week we saw Moses parting the Red Sea. How did he do it? Miracles are performed through a partnership with God. He provides the power but we are His hands, feet and mouth in the earth. Here is some key language from the Bible which helps us to understand this partnership, “The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the earth He has given to the sons of men” (Psalm 115: 16). God has given us authority in the earth. He will not violate our authority. Jesus told the disciples to feed the multitude. He expected them to perform the miracle but we are powerless in ourselves. Jesus knew how to perform miracles, he did it all of the time. So, how do we perform miracles when we haven’t any power ourselves? I can show you how.

Do you have electricity in your house? Where does the power come from to power your lights and appliances? You don’t produce it, do you? There is probably a power company nearby that has run lines from their power source to your house. The effect is that you have electric power though you did nothing to produce it. Okay, so go home tonight and do not flip on any switches. You can sit in your living room and pray to God to turn on the light. You can pray to the power company to turn on the lights. My guess is that neither is going to accomplish much. Alternatively, you can flip the switch on yourself and take advantage of the power that has already been delivered to your house.

That is exactly how it works with God. He has given us the power but it is we who must flip the switch. What good does it do to have electricity wired into our homes if we never plug into it or turn on the switches? We will end up sitting in the dark all night. In just the same way, God has given us His power. Our prayer should be, “Father, how do I flip on the switch in this situation?” That is what we do when we inquire of the Lord in every situation. It’s not about getting Him to do something. It is about receiving instruction from Him as to what we should do. He has already given us everything we need to live the victorious life. He has given us miracle working power. We just need to plug into it and flip on the switch.

Let’s Live

Ivey Rorie On July 13, 2017 / Word of the Day / 2 Comments

Isaiah 49: 28

All flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

This verse, more than any other, defines the ambition of my ministry. I strongly desire the church of the Lord Jesus to be so strong and successful, living in the miracles and victory of our blessed Lord that all nations, all people will look upon us and know that we are the children of the Mighty One. Everywhere we go, our lives, words and countenance should reflect the glory that is our Lord.

Too often the lives of Christians demonstrate lack and defeat. I remember when I was young, believing in Jesus and his resurrection, but wanting little to do with most Christians I met. Then I moved to San Diego and there I met people who loved the Lord with all their heart but who did not seem to be dragged down by a ministry of poverty. They were happy, successful and as they talked about the Lord, their zeal could not be contained. It blessed me right down to my socks and I went on a hunt for what they knew that I did not. I challenged their premises and they showed me Jesus. I became a student of the Bible because I wanted what they had. I have never looked back and I am grateful, to this day, for the men and women who had the courage to live their convictions. I saw miracles happen. I even saw miracles occur when I prayed. I want that back.

I don’t know what has happened but I see less of the miracle working power in my life and in my associations these days. So, this I resolve. I will be the instigator. I will shake up my own life and challenge myself to live what I believe. I will challenge God, if I must, to show me how to part seas or walk on them. Every miracle that has ever happened is as viable today as ever because God has not, and will not, change. He is just looking for someone who will believe Him. Moses believed Him and led an entire nation into liberty. What can we do if we will band together in radical belief and radical trust?

Will you reach out to me and let me know that mine is not a solitary voice in the wilderness? It is as simple as replying to this email or posting to the site. Are you, likewise, sick and tired of being sick and tired? Do you believe that your Lord means better for you than what you are currently living? Does He want to touch your body and instill health? Strength? What can the Lord do in our lives if we will, with humble and honest hearts, lay aside all that has kept us bound and throw ourselves fully into His arms?

We have a right and, dare I say, even a duty to live up to the victorious, overcoming, overflowing life which Jesus poured out for us. The world is lost. People are dying without ever meeting the beautiful Jesus. With all that is within me I implore you to reach beyond where you are and grasp all that Jesus offers. We can all live higher in the light of his glory. It’s not all just about us, though. It is about the witness each of us will be in the earth. The world will look at Christians and say, as I did all those years ago, “I want what they have.” We can absolutely demonstrate to the whole world that our God, our Father, is great, mighty and a lover of all people. Let this be our rallying point! Let’s live; let’s live as Jesus meant us to. In his blessed name, Amen.

Taking Notes

Ivey Rorie On July 12, 2017 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Habakkuk 2: 2

Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.

Some of you are familiar with journaling or have at least heard me discuss it. Because I am a student, I think of it as taking notes. That is perhaps the most accurate description available for this process. One simply writes down what they hear God say, or even what they think they hear. Just write it all down. Then, like any good student, review your notes after class. When you review what you have written down, you will likely be able to tell if it was God speaking or if it was you. If you are not sure, send it to someone proficient who can help.

Today I would like to feature the Born of the Spirit website and share with you some of my scripture journaling. Scripture journaling is where I choose a scripture and ask Father to speak to me about it. This sample has been chosen from the Born of the Spirit website where I post a journaled verse each week. I also pose a couple of questions which you may want to ask the Father. Click Here to visit the Born of the Spirit site.

If you need a counselor to whom you can send your journaling, go to Communion with God Ministries. There are trained counselors waiting to assist you through this free but limited time program. Both the Communion with God and the Born of the Spirit websites are from our friends Mark and Patty Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe.

I hope you enjoy the journal entry below.

Proverb 16: 7

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Father, what would you like to show me about this verse?

My child, haven’t you noticed that when you are living in me and through me, life seems to flow more smoothly. The life you live, the life you choose to live is what gives energy and power to every situation you experience. When you live in and through me, there is an empowerment of peace because I am peace, I am the Lord of peace and my peace I left with you. Though this is an Old Testament verse, can’t you see the New Testament implications of it? It is not solely that your ways are pleasing to my Father but more that your ways are increasingly becoming my ways. You are adopting my ways and that brings peace into your environment. The more of me you absorb, the more your world will mirror mine. I have overcome the trouble of the world. Rest, therefore, in my peace and allow it to overflow onto all you do.

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