Being Fully Engaged – brings Joy by Pastor Marie Esposito
Walk in fullness of joy
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Psalm 16:11 1 Peter 1:8-9
What brings you joy? God’s Presence brings me joy. The greatest weapon in spiritual warfare is His Presence. Psalm 27 This is what brings joy: to be with Him, to become like Him.
Joy is a spontaneous emotional response of the heart in the spirit. Joy unspeakable and full of glory is an explosion not a decision. Galatian 5:22 Christian joy is deep and firm. It is not superficial and flimsy. It is not natural; it is supernatural.
Deep beneath even turbulence in our lives, there is a strong current of confidence and joy that all is well in the hands of a sovereign God. Psalm 94:19 Romans 5:2-5
Out of our experience of God’s love poured out into us grows An unshakable hope in which we can rejoice. God’s Love and Hope produces joy. Rejoice! “When the Lion of Judah roars all else is silent. The roar of the kingdom and it’s governmental authority is in the spiritual airways. Roar and rise to demonstrate My power and authority over all things. Declare and decree Who I AM and What I Am doing. Arise and emerge with swords and mantles, kingdom Assignments. Hear the rise of measurable shifts in the atmosphere.”
This will be a year of acceleration and ascension. Rise up – rise up – and stay up – ascend – rise – be elevated. Peace is your resting place Worship and wait, discern wisdom Moment by moment I am calling you closer deeper higher transformed into my likeness distinguished by My holiness And truth. Be strong and of good courage…
It is time:the remnant is rising filled and prepared and dressed coming forth from a place of rest to contend with the enemies of God. It is a Turnaround year. BREAKOUT!!! walk with the CONQUEROR’S GAIT.
This is what God has in store for us now. “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” Phil 4: I remind you of one of two proverbs the Lord spoke to my heart for me to stand on in January for the new year: His instruction: Warrior Bride rise up hear the cry of My Heart.
Proverbs 21:22 Habakuk 2:1 Stand Stay entwined with the Lord. Don’t give up! This is our destiny. Stand and speak after me: I will: STAND STAND STAND with the Lion of Judah ALIGNED, IN UNISON, IN AGREEMENT, I WILL STAND AND DECLARE HIS TRUTH I WILL STAND AND DECREE THAT HIS WILL IS MY WILL I WILL STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HAS SET ME FREE AND I WILL NOT BE ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE YOKE OF BONDAGE! BREAKOUT!
Romans 15:13 I Peter 1:1-14 James 1:1,2 Romans 14:17,18
We choose God’s joy when we choose the higher path. It becomes available to us. We can walk in it Taking The Alijah Journey upward instead of the downward Spiral of defeat and despair brings joy. The Spirit’s way rather than following the laws of the flesh brings joy. The road of forgiveness received rather than guilt and regret brings joy. The gospel truth and the story of Jesus brings joy. Reading the Word of God brings joy. Praise and worship brings joy. Gratefulness brings joy. The Christmas story brings joy. The assurance that we are loved and that Jesus is always with us brings joy. His Presence brings joy. He is EMMANUEL.
Romans 15:13- Oh! May the God of your hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
“Rejoice, O favored one” Make more room for Jesus to come into your heart and you will find His joy unspeakable and full of glory!
Word of Wisdom – insight into the mind, purpose, and ways of God applied to specific situations
Word of Knowledge — reveals previously hidden info regarding people, events or circumstances: usually to help with an immediate need.
Jeremiah 6:16 (Combo — (Message and NKJV) Jeremiah 6:13-14 (NLT)
2 Kings 2:3,5 1 Kings 19:21
The “Ancient Paths” — seeking, learning about and choosing God’s way (as Jesus did).
Jesus’ Testimony — how He lived His life and what taught to others.
Revelation 19:21 — “The Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus”
“The Prophetic Church “testifies” in function that which Jesus taught.” — PR
Lords Prayer (in part) — PR translation
“Dearest Father, always near us- even in the air we breathe — You who fill all realms May You be honored in me May Your Name be loved, exalted and treasured in all the universe and May Your divine will and rule be executed on the Earth just as it is in heaven ….”
Luke 21: 25-26,36
Discernment — the ability to perceive something obscure or concealed.
Ephesians 1:17-18 (NKJV) Matthew 15:14 Matthew 13:16 Genesis 3:1 1 Chronicles 12:32 — The Sons of Issachar Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) a spiritual battle Philippians 1:9-10 (Passion)
Insight –(Grk — Aisthesis) a practical understanding linked to life.
“Walking out the truth that insight reveals; to experience the reality of something and apply it to life.”
Choose – (Grk — Dokimazo) — to examine, discern, then approve after testing
“When love, revelation, and insight overflow our discernment, we will always be looking for that which is excellent and pleasing in God’s eyes. We will choose what’s best, not by law or rules, but by loving discernment.” — Brian Simmons
Prayer Challenge for this week: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the state of your love.
Jeremiah 6:16 (Message Bible) –
” Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, the tried and true road — then TAKE IT! Discover the right route for your soul.”
The “Wilderness”
— Midbar (Hebrew) from root Davar — to speak
-“The place of His voice”
— “When God speaks, He creates stuff
and it becomes what He speaks!” – PR
Leviticus 19:2 — A
decree
Sa-tan -(Hebrew) the
inclination towards evil
John 10;10 —
“The thief”
John 19:30 —
“It’s finished!”
1 John 3:16 —
“Lust”
1 Corinthians 10:13
(Passion)
Worship — Our hearts changed,
and our minds renewed.
Numbers Chapters
9&10 — 1. deliverance from bondage 2. 10 plagues sent by
God 3. Released with treasures 4. The Red Sea parted 5. GPS Cloud /
Pillar of Fire 6. Going to the Promised Land
Sinai — “My
Thorns” ———– Paran
–“Beautifying”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Three Ways of Knowing
1. Perceptual
Knowledge — Observation and sense experience (Eye, Ear)
2. Conceptual
Knowledge — Reason and intellectual inquiry (Heart, Mind)
3. Spiritual
Knowledge — Through love and moral and personal
affinity — vs 10
Purpose For Wilderness Time
1. Develop trust,
faith, love, humility, and dependence on God
2. Become a habitation
for the Lord
3. To be separated
from our lusts.
2 Peter 1:3-4
(Passion)
2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)
The Goal of both the
Wilderness and Worship:
To restore us to an
“unbroken gaze” / unbroken fellowship with God.
I will restore to you the years the canker worm has eaten. Joel 2:25-27- the prophetic word about Pentecost- the receiving of Holy Spirit for restoration, empowering and purification. The Holy Fire, the Holy Wind.
Acts 3:21- “for He must remain in heaven [Jesus] until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through His holy prophets.”
Restoration – all creation returning to how it was before the fall relating to the intimacy Adam and Eve had with God walking in the garden with all their needs met by ONE Who loved them. And… going on from there
refers to the Davidic covenant being restored- the promise of an eternal lineage
Messianic kingdom without end.
Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses as Messiah and David was prophesying His coming.
This tabernacle of David marked a revolutionary change beyond the law of Moses as the Ark of the Covenant now rested in the middle of the people of God on Mt. Zion, in Jerusalem, rather than behind a closed curtain that only the high priest could enter into.
David encouraged the people to worship, give thanks, and praise the Holy God.
Restoration- [ apokatastasis] also [ in greek]
Luke’s use of this term in Acts 3:21 is the only place in the New Testament where the greek is used and the meaning is a medical term that means ‘restoration of perfect health’
“The work of the Cross begins the restoration of paradise within the hearts of Christ’s followers.” We can be free from condemnation, legalized religion, and bondage.
Galatians 5:13-16- 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; [to a life of freedom IN THE HOLY SPIRIT] Freedom means that we become so completely free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another, expressing love in all we do.14 For LOVE COMPLETES THE LAWS OF GOD. DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO YOUR NEIGHBOR! …16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. “ As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.
Repent, receive forgiveness and
RESTORATION will come.
Jesus is“The restorer of paths to dwell in…”Isaiah 58:12 as are we, after we have been restored to Him.
This is The foundation stone of truth that this church at RCF was established on.
Phil 1:6
Psalm 138:8
The FINAL RESTORATION
IS THE RESTORATION
OF THE TRUE CHURCH
Joel 2:12-29
Israel cried out and God answered.
He promised them the former and the latter rain and RESTORATION. Fullness, satisfaction and they were instructed to praise His Name: knowing that HE WAS IN THEIR MIDST
REFRESHING
Jesus told his disciples that everyone who left something to follow him would receive 100 times more. Mark 10:29,30
RESTORATION PLUS.
Adam and Eve
Noah
Job
Joseph
Joseph’s life is an example of restoration as well.
He was abandoned, falsely accused, forgotten, and then favored and restored to the role God assigned to him. Gen 41:40-45
GOD IS THE RESTORER
We try to restore ourselves to no avail.
We choose false gods instead of the Living God
We turn to listen to lies instead of His True Spirit
We try to find religious ways of redemption through rituals and works
In Isaiah 58 the Word says to Repent…. And lay aside our ritual fasting to return to practice TRUE FASTING. Let us listen.
Today, we have established the tabernacle of David here. Our worship here at RCF is based on the unconditional love of a Holy God. We discard condemnation, formality, and legalism to direct every soul to come to Him in repentance and receive His abundant Life.
The Restoration of the Father-son, daughter relationship
The restoration of the intimacy of God in personal relationship as Bride to Husband is clearly displayed through Jesus and His Church. He is purifying a spotless bride in the washing of the water by the word that WE be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle and that we would be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:25-27
We are to display more than what has been before. Remember biblical restoration means multiplication and addition.
The church is to display His love in reality.
John 13:34-36 we are to be known by our love.
The restoration of the church also means the restoration of His power displayed through us.
Eph 4:12-13-15
Col 1:27
I Peter 2:5- “Ye 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. Built on the Cornerstone.
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief CORNERSTONE, elect, precious, and He who believes in Him shall never be disappointed or put to shame.” Isaiah 28:16
Ephesians 1:17-19 (Passion) John 1: 4-5 – The Light will not only contain and constrict the darkness it will also outlast it.“The Light will illuminate the things we don’t understand so they are no longer fearful to us.” – PR – Midbar – (Hebrews) – the place where God will speak to us – a Holy place. John 11:1-44 – “The darkness of your present circumstances can be an opportunity for your “Light” to confront it and have you experience overcoming it.” – PR – “We don’tdeny the darkness of our circumstances – we just don’t agree with them or concede any ground to them.” – PR The “Glory” — the reflected purpose of Heaven to the Earth; an illumination that reveals what is hidden in darkness. Vs 41 – Jesus lifted His eyes and gave thanks! John 14:12 John 11: 43 — “Lazarus, come forth!”
A Prophetic Instruction
Call on the Lord and wait – his timing is perfect.
Look past your circumstances and belief systems not agreeing with their projected outcomes
Lift your eyes and “SEE” with the night vision (John 11:9) of His Spirit who lives within you.
Receive what you SEE – allow your heart to be illuminated by God
Give thanks to God and worship Him
Call others out of their “tomb” of darkness
Loose them from their grave clothes
Cover them with the holy garments of the Love of God
2 Chronicles 20:20 – “The battle is not mine but His!”
2 Chronicles 20:17 – “Position yourselves!”
Matthew 7:21-23 – It’s possible to move in the blessing and anointing of God and really not know Him.
Lawlessness – Self-deception
“Religion allows for self-deception as it substitutes itself for a true relationship with God.” – PR
Stages of Christian Maturity – Bob Jones
Justified by Faith – get “saved/born again” – just as a baby is born
Sanctified – Learn how to be a Christian – like “potty training”
Signs and Wonders Stage – Begin to become profitable to the Kingdom. – “Hit and Miss”
Maturity/Discipleship – Died to self enough that Kingdom authority can be released and the Lord is seen in you.
Disciple – One who has decided to be with another, under appropriate conditions, in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is. An apprentice.
Romans 15:1-2(Passion)
Becoming a Disciple of Jesus – is not a matter of learning to do everything He did but learning to do everything I do in the same manner in which He did all that He did.
It’s learning to live my WHOLE life, my ACTUAL life, as He would live it – if He were I.
“Discipleship to Christ is not a matter of WHAT I do but HOW I do whatever I do, considering the parameters of my abilities.” – PR
On the Job Discipleship
Don’t be the “moral police” – no nagging
Be gentle but firm in non-cooperation with things everyone considers wrong.
Work to develop an inward attitude of prayer for the activities of the job.
Develop a genuine love for the people you interact with.
Employ specific points of Jesus’ teachings as circumstances dictate (i.e. – non-retaliation; no gossiping).
Be watchful and prepared to meet any obvious spiritual need with words of comfort, encouragement, and acts of kindness.
