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Holy Spirit – I want to know You MORE

By Pastor Marie Esposito

I AM THE VOICE OF GOD. 

Galatians 5:25- “We must live in the Holy Spirit and follow after Him”

Self-control [temperance] as a fruit of the Spirit actually means lordship or spirit-strength.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is LIMITLESS.

Romans 8:11

So who are you following in your life? Holy Spirit or yourself, or others?

PLEASE SIGNAL YOUR DIRECTION

YOU CAN BE SWIMMING IN HIS VERY HEARTBEAT.

So What is Holy Spirit’s intention towards us? What is His purpose?

Psalm 51:6 reads “ I know that You delight to set Your truth deep in my spirit so come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom Holy Spirit.”

And when the day of Pentecost had fully come…they were all together in one place Acts 2:1

Waiting for the Promise of the Father… Who is the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus said : John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. that Holy Spirit would teach us all things.”

When we wait on God, Holy Spirit comes and renews our minds, refreshes our souls, restores our bodies, and fills our spirits.

Isaiah 40:31-

The outer court is where we walk, the Holy Place is where we run, and we soar like eagles [ascending]  [into the heavenly realm] in the HOLY OF HOLIES Heb 10:19

ASCEND

Those who wait for Yahwen’s grace… shall ascend to the high place under His Shadow, hearing the Voice of God, Holy Spirit Himself, and walk in victory. [ Word to me.]

The Word in Isaiah 11 prophesies the truth that Jesus as the Messiah would have the sevenfold Spirit of God resting on HIm. 

Jesus our Christ, our Messiah, fulfilled every prophetic Word spoken about Him in the Old Testament as Holy Spirit rested on Him.

This portion of Scripture in Isaiah 11:2-3-identifies Who Holy Spirit is and what He has given us, even as He rested on Jesus, HE RESTS ON US AND IN US.

The Spirit of Yahweh- the spirit of prophecy, the manifest Presence of God resting on the Lord Jesus. See John 1:32-33

  1. The Spirit of the Lord- the outpouring
  2. The spirit of Extraordinary Wisdom Eph 1:17-18
  3. The spirit of  Perfect Understanding . Dan 1:17
  4. The spirit of Wise Strategy
  5. The spirit of Mighty Power
  6. The Spirit of Revelation
  7. The spirit of the Fear of Yahweh

These seven spirits are also in Rev 1:4-6- “May the kindness of God’s grace and peace overflow to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are in front of His throne, and from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness the Firstborn from among the dead and the ruling King, who rules over the kings of the earth! Now to the ONE who constantly loves us and has loosed us from our sins by His own blood and to the ONE who has made us to rule as a kingly priesthood to serve his God and Father- to him be glory and dominion throughout the eternity of eternities! Amen!” 

Rev 5:6

THE SEVENFOLD SPIRIT OF GOD IS THE ILLUMINATING INFLUENCE OVER GOD’S PEOPLE

“ Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the HOLY SPIRIT among you in the bonds of peace, being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.” Ephesians 4:3

JESUS- Isaiah 11:4-5-”with righteousness He will uphold justice for the poor and defend the lowly of the earth. His words will be like a scepter of power that conquers the world, and with His breath He will slay the lawless one. Righteousness will be His warriors’ sash and faithfulness His belt.”

It’s His Breath in our lungs. His EMPOWERING PRESENCE that glorifies our God. Our Friend, Holy Spirit is that BREATH OF GOD.

We are His resting place. Is 11:10 –  [glory or kabod]…the bride of Christ is His resting place. Song 1:16-17 

Psalm 23:2 he offers a resting place for me.. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace.

ARISE in the fullness of your union with Your Lord. Phil 4:1IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

I will say to you to COME FORTH!

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Counting The Cost: Gaining Clarity Of The Bargain By Pastor Roy Esposito

Discipleship to Christ is not so much WHAT  we do but HOW we do whatever it is we do.  –  PR

The Kingdom of God becomes REALIZED and REVEALED in us through all the actions we take and the intentions we have toward the goodness of God that we CHOOSE to embrace. – PR

Colossians 1:26-27 (Passion)

John 13:36 – 14:6

Follow (Aramaic) — to be in union with along the same roadway; to go along with at the same time.

The Way — LOVE  — Not an emotion but a decision.Jesus never meant that we should feel lovingly toward everyone but to choose the most loving and most life-giving thing in every situation we find ourselves in.  — PR

The Truth  — To act and speak in a way that rings true at the core of our being. To do the “right thing just because it’s “the right thing.”The Life — The Kingdom of God fully realized and manifested in a person.

Matthew 13:52 (AMP)

Matthew 13:44-46 (Passion)

Luke 14:28  — “Count the cost—“

Luke 9:62 (Passion)  — Don’t look back!”

If we understand the opportunity being afforded us we will never bemoan the cost!”  —  PR

Luke 14:26-27,33 (Passion) “Hate!”  —  Aramaic – SNA  — to “put aside and make secondary

“Counting the Cost — Not a threat of being forbidden to move ahead if you don’t “pay-up” but a “coming to see” where the real value is and paying the price joyfully.

Vision brings clarity  — clarity enables decisiveness through sure assessment.

Acts 5:41

Philippians 1:29

Ephesians 1:17-19a  (Passion)

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Jesus In My Actual Life

Jesus In My Actual Life

by Pastor Roy Esposito

Judges 6:6

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

  1. Justified by Faith – get “saved/born again” – just as a baby is born
  2. Sanctified – Learn how to be a Christian – like “potty training”
  3. Signs and Wonders Stage – Begin to become profitable to the Kingdom. – “Hit and Miss”
  4. 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

  1. Don’t be the “moral police” – no nagging
  2. Be gentle but firm in non-cooperation with things everyone considers wrong.
  3. Work to develop an inward attitude of prayer for the activities of the job.
  4. Develop a genuine love for the people you interact with.
  5. Employ specific points of Jesus’ teachings as circumstances dictate (i.e. – non-retaliation; no gossiping).
  6. Be watchful and prepared to meet any obvious spiritual need with words of comfort, encouragement, and acts of kindness.

Questions to consider this week:

  1. Why am I a Christian?
  2. Where am I headed going forward?
  3. What’s my intention?
  4. What actual decision did I make to follow Jesus?
  5. Did I even make one?

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Relax Your Grip, Open Your Hand

 Relax Your Grip, Open Your Hand

by Pastor Roy Esposito

2 Chronicles 20:12-17 – Jehosaphat
John 5:19
Judges 6:1-16 – Gideon
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 – Vessels of clay get broken so the treasure of Light can breakthrough.

2 Chronicles 20:17-30 – God gives the specifics for victory:

  1. Position yourselves to listen
  2. Stand still
  3. See
  4. Don’t fear or be anxious
  5. It’s coming down tomorrow at the Ascent of Ziz.

Verse 18 – Jehoshaphat bows his head: “Worried” king to “Worshipping” king
Hallel Praise – to rave; to boast; to be clamorously foolish; to act madly before God.
Verse 20 – Prophetic/ Apostolic mantle
Verse 21 – Tehellah Praise – a spontaneous, prophetic song that speaks what is on God’s heart.

Psalm 22:8 – God came in their midst and set ambushes against the enemy.

John 4:23-24 (Passion)

  1. Truth -clear sight and discernment
  2. Spirit — The graces of divine empowerment

Ekklesia – The “called”
Matthew 22:14 – “Many are called but few are chosen…”
Passion – “For everyone is invited to enter in, but few respond in excellence.”
Chosen – Eklektoi – worthy, pure, excellent
Excellence – done passionately and to the best of one’s ability.

The ” New Song” –

  1. the sound of God’s unquestioned authority sung-through His people.
  2. Accompanied by a “Death-knell” Selah over the enemy.
  3. Declares, “God is present” in Zion

Revelations 14:5 (Passion) – a song “…whose words are always true and flawless.”

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Grace to Listen, Grace to See

Grace to Listen, Grace to See

by Pastor Roy Esposito

Romans 12:3

Romans 12:6

Rev 21:15

Eph 4:7

Jer 29:13, Prov 8:17 — Seek/Find

Heb 4:16  —   “Find” grace  — implies seeking it.

New Grace —  More than a deeper understanding of God’s unmerited favor.

                       A fresh infusion of Divine Power to fulfill our destiny.

                                 David’s Qualification for Kingdom Leadership:

                  1. Loved God  2. Respected family  3. Did the daily tasks set before him

                                                    Psalms of David:

A vocabulary of God’s desires written on David’s heart and prophetically uttered through spontaneous worship which ushered in the Presence of God to the hearers.

2Chron 20:1-5

                                                 All Enemies Seek 5 things:

     1. The Land  2. The Harvest  3. To break the generational covenant  4.The worship  5. The Destiny

Molech –“To ascend to the throne.”

Lucifer “The anointed cherub that covers the throne.”  —   Ezk 28:14

Ezk 28:16 – Lucifer, cast down by God — left the throne uncovered.

Ps 22:3  – God enthroned on the praises of His people.

                                           3 Enemy Armies

Ammonites — Represent sexual perversion and perversion of the Truth.

Moabites —    Represent xenophobia: suspicion, rejection, and hatred of people of different cultures

Mt Seir   —    Represent an Erosion of faith

2Chron 20: 5-15  — Jahaziel  — “God will cause to see”  —   “Listen!”  —  ” See!”

“There is a grace coming available that will allow us to see into the realm of the Spirit (Heaven) where there is no debate about God’s authority.”  — PR

                     Jesus didn’t think logically, He thought optically.  —  Jn 5:19

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The Prayer of Groaning Honesty

The Prayer of Groaning Honesty

“Everything happening, great or small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.” – Malcolm Muggeridge

“Our path toward God should grow from questions rather than certainty, discovery rather than doctrine, and the experience of living rather than academic study.”  — Margret Silf

Belief Systems — a desire for certainty

Faith – “mystery” discovered

“Faith is the journey of discovery that draws me constantly beyond my certainties and toward the “mystery” that will always be beyond my understanding.” – PR

The “Dance of Creation” – Discovering God within the paradox of:
Light/ Darkness — Action/Rest  — Sorrow/Joy  — Life/Death
Jeremiah 29:13, Proverbs 8:17  – An open and passionate heart will find God
Romans 12:2 (Passion)

  1. Process of Time
  2. Prayer of Distress
  3. The pursuit of His Presence

Exodus —  Chronicles 2-5 – Moses – “To draw out”
Matthew 4:8
Elohim – The “Sublime” One — The God in the liminality
Exodus 3:3-4 – Turns to look

“If we live our lives faithfully, trusting God, we will without ever noticing it, grow into the answers to our questions.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

PR’s translation:  “If we give ourselves to God’s process, the answers become revealed through what we become.”

Isaiah 28:10 – Precept upon precept
Exodus 2:23-25 – “Died – Cried – Sighed” – GROANED
Luke 11:38 – Jesus groaned at Lazarus death and resurrection was the result!
Romans 8:26 – Spirit makes intercession with groaning 
Matthew 7: 22-23 – giftings and anointings are not enough!
Psalm 12:1 – “Help, Lord !!”

Exodus 2:24-25

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Praise

PRAISE

by Pastor Marie Esposito

Give God permission to change your life right now. Worship is my warfare- my praise is a weapon
I WILL bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth Psalm 34
PRAISE elevates us – PRAISE lifts us up
PRAISE raises us up – PRAISE aligns us
PRAISE OPENS A PORTAL TO AN OPEN HEAVEN
PRAISE causes us to ascend to where He lives in the kingdom of the Most HIGH GOD
PRAISE lifts our vision to SEE HIM
PRAISE is a place we live with an
ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING- He inhabits our praise
We need to be filled with Praise to Him
so we are filled WITH HIM
AT THE READY…
AT THE READY…
AT THE READY…
All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
ALL FOR HIS PURPOSE
TO DISPLAY HIS MAJESTY
THROUGH US

Holy Spirit is The Resident in my heart, in the inner court, expressing His love to me and through me.
He is not a visitor.

Let the high praises of God be in my mouth and a two edged sword in my Hand. why? To execute vengeance on the nations, to bind their kings with chains, their nobles with iron fetters.
This is our honor as the saints of the Lord. Psalm 149

HE GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER AND THE ENEMY GETS SMALLER AND SMALLER UNTIL THE ENEMY DISAPPEARS FROM VIEW AND ALL WE SEE IS HIS HEART OF BEAUTY.

Psalm 119:165- 7 times a day and all day long I praise YOU because of your righteous decrees.
Great peace have they who love your law and nothing shall by any means offend them or make them stumble.
STAY BEYOND OFFENSE. GO HIGHER.
Offenses hinder our advancement

FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE

Release the offense and the offender as well. REST IN HIS ARMS [God] AND SEE THE OFFENDER IN HIS ARMS AS WELL. – Matt 11:6
Are you sharing the true gospel?
Have you been persecuted for righteousness sake? Offended because you are a Christian?
Mocked? Rejected? Misunderstood? Pushed aside? Disrespected? Accused? Cast Aside?
Whipped? Beaten? Spit on? Stoned? Crucified?
Hebrews 12: 3 – We have not yet resisted unto blood.

Do not hold grudges. Keep short accounts.
Philippians 4:8 – Whatsoever is true and honest and just and pure, and lovely, virtuous or praiseworthy; think on these things.
Let heaven fill your thoughts. Colossians 3:2

Forgive forgive forgive

We say: ABBA WE BELONG TO YOU, YOU ARE OUR DELIGHT AND OUR DESIRE.
KEEP GOING. DON’T QUIT.

We praise Him because we value Him!
Praise is the element of celebration that can transport us into the throne room of God right in the midst of the place we find ourselves in.

God is looking for true worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
YADAH- means to praise with extended, lifted up hands. SURRENDERED TO HIM

JUDAH – means praise- it also means to throw or shoot a stone or arrow at your enemy.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP ARE OUR STRONGEST WEAPONS OF WARFARE.

Resting in His victory in the midst of praises brings His Presence in peace. Then we SEE HIM.
Satan hates it. He wants us to worship him

We give thanks for each and every aspect of God’s nature and character. Right where we are now.

As we worship with our hands outstretched our daily provision is released.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING ARE THE OPPOSITE OF WORRY AND ANXIETY.

THERE IS A FOUNTAIN AND A WELL
DEEP INSIDE YOU.

Embrace the cost and experience the real fruit of praise all the time.

Psalm 134 a song to bring you higher… All his loving priests who serve and sing, come and sing your song of blessing to God. Come and stand before him in the house of God throughout the night watch, lifting up your hands in holy worship; come and bless the Lord! May the Lord, whom you worship, the mighty Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion’s glory!

BE RENEWED AND STRENGTHENED AND FORTIFIED in your personal relationships, in your personal trusts, and in your personal victories through ALMIGHTY GOD WHO IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!!!

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Yes! We Will!

Yes! We Will!

by Pastor Roy Esposito

Matthew 10:7-8(Passion
Romans 12:6 – Use the proportion of faith you have to prophesy
John 6:63 – Jesus’ words à àà Spirit and Life
Matthew 10:11-14(Passion) – Vs. 13(AMP)
Matthew 28:20
Genesis 8:8-9
John 14: 27 – Jesus gives His peace
Acts 5:15-16(Passion) – Peter’s shadow heals the sick

“Your shadow will always release whatever overshadows you.”

Luke 9:1 – Power and authority given to 12 disciples
Power – The ability or capacity to act or perform effectively.
Authority – The capacity to command, enforce and exact obedience over any opposing force.
Romans 8: 14 – mature children are Spirit-led
1 John 3:2 – Christ revealed
Revealed (Greek) – phaneroo – in true character

“The spiritual fuel of transformation is a combination of our zeal for God and His Grace.” – PR

Luke 5:17 – Power for a specific purpose.
Next step in spiritual maturity – “Lord, what is it you want done in this circumstance?”
Human Prophesying – Deducing what God wants and commands from a natural perspective.
Spirit generated Faith Prophesying – Speaking a word that releases a solution:
Aggressive intercession instead of condemning hostility. – Redemptive, not destructive.
Isaiah 6:8 – “Who will go for us? Here we are, Lord. send us!”

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Intercession: The Ministry of Reconciliation

Intercession: The Ministry of Reconciliation

by Pastor Roy Esposito

Immature prayer – we try to change God’s mind

Mature prayer – we ask God to help change us and cede control to Him believing in His goodness and love.

Mark 9:23 – All things now become possible!

Three Goals of Mature Prayer

  1. To help reconcile ourselves with the human condition of life.
  2. For courage and humility to repent of sin.
  3. To recover a sense of awe of the intricacies of God’s creation and our part in it.

Thirst

It doesn’t have to be a blue iris
it could be weeds in a vacant lot
Or a few small stones
Just pay attention, then try to patch a few words together
Don’t make them elaborate
This isn’t a contest but a doorway to thanks!
It’s an entrance into a silence in which another’s voice may speak.
– Mary Oliver

John 14:13 – The works Jesus did and greater!

Romans 10:17 – “Faith come by hearing the Word…” – Spirit to spirit hearing

Belief systems – experiences, perceptions, and deductions

Faith – a gift of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 5:18 – Ministers of Reconciliation

Reconcile – to someone or something consistent and compatible with another – GOD

Intercession – Paga (Greek) – encounter – a place of meeting.

Jesus interceded and became the “meeting place” where humanity met God. – PR

1 Corinthians 15:55(Passion)

Psalm 5:3 “…every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on Your altar and wait for Your fire to fall on my heart.” – King David

Romans 6:4-9

Romans 8:10-11(Passion)

“Ministers of Reconciliation are dispersal units of the life-force of Jesus Christ.” – PR

Colossians 1:21-27(Passion)

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Faith

Faith

by Pastor Marie Esposito

Faith is what you hope for, what you cannot see, faith is the conviction that what He says will be.

Faith is action – perseverance – expectation

Like a runner who starts with ½ mile slowly and increases every day until they are able to run 4 miles quickly.

Take faith as your Wrap around shield… Ephesians 6

Faith- Hebrews 11 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen 

Faith is based on trust in something

With God it is:

the character of God, 

the wisdom of God 

and the ways of God.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 

Where will your faith take you? 

Ephesians 3:14-21 TPT – Paul prays for love to overflow.

14 So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, 15 the perfect Father of every father and child[a] in heaven and on the earth. 16 And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.
17 Then, by CONSTANTLY USING YOUR FAITH, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.
18–19 Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
20 Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
21 Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!

It starts with prayer and It ends up in praise and worship!

FAITH IS  …

  • An action 
  • A gift
  • A fruit
  • Something to use

Take it… wrap around shield  Ephesians 6
Every breath, every heartbeat, is immersed in His grace through faith
Grace alone empowers…Ephesians 3:8

Faith simply means believing that something is true, and then committing our lives to it. In the Bible, “faith” means believing in God, and in what Christ has done for us to make our salvation possible–and then committing ourselves to Him.  Faith isn’t a vague hope that God might exist; it is a definite belief that what the Bible says about Him is true. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). 

( Matthew 8:13 )
( Matthew 9:2 )
( Mark 5:34 )
( Mark 5:36 )
( Luke 18:42 )

“Your faith has healed you.”
Ephesians 1:19 – CHRIST’S FAITHFULNESS.
GOD’S PLAN all from the book of Ephesians.

His perfect plan,
His unfolding plan,
His detailed plan
the plans of His heart.
God’s plan was completely fulfilled in Christ. 
Ephesians 4:4
Ephesians 4:13
Ephesians 4:15-… ALL OUR DIRECTION AND MINISTRIES WILL FLOW FROM CHRIST AND LEAD US DEEPER INTO HIM, THE ANOINTED HEAD OF HIS BODY, THE CHURCH.

God sees us:
Ephesians 3:17 CONSTANTLY USING YOUR FAITH, THE LIFE OF CHRIST WILL BE RELEASED DEEP INSIDE YOU AND THE RESTING PLACE OF HIS LOVE WILL BECOME THE VERY SOURCE AND ROOT OF YOUR LIFE
Ephesians 4:21- THE ULTIMATE REALITY IS EMBODIED IN JESUS!
Ephesians 5:1- WALK SURRENDERED TO THE EXTRAVAGANT LOVE OF CHRIST…
Ephesians 6:10
Ephesians 6:16