Living Epistles

The Measurement of Love!

2015-04-29T18:57:00.003-05:00

Is there a measurement of love? You know a scale or a guide to measure against. Something to measure the length and the depth? Most people just figure love is love. They figure love is an emotion. Well maybe, or maybe that's just a half truth or a quarter truth (if we are measuring tongue emoticon ). Think of it this way, whether you want to call it an emotion or what, your love for friends is different than your love for a spouse. A dog receives a different measurement of love than your child does.

Is there a measurement of Gods Love? Can it be measured?

Ephesians 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Yes Love has a measurement. If I were poor and poorly clothed and I asked you to give me a jacket, would your love be measured by your response? Yes it would. If you just told me to be blessed, be warmed and go in the blessing of Christ without giving me the warmth of a jacket, where is the Love? I know we can't give to everyone realistically but the point I'm trying to make is the that our love is measured upon our actions.

I was studying (drinking coffee) and waiting for a friend to show up at Starbucks earlier. I read 2 Corinthians 8:8 which reads, "I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others." The Greek meaning of sincerity in this verse means 'legitimate'. The measurement Paul was using was a black and white scale that said either its love or it isn't love. its either legitimate or is illegitimate . I'd go so far to say that inner love that never comes out is more empathy than love. Yes you have the strong feeling of this and that toward someone or something but love is having both the inner and the outward: the action following the inner.

After meditating on this scripture my buddy shows up and begins to talk about a friend of his in Dallas Texas. This friend loves God and used to be a stand up church goer. Then a tragic moment happened

in his marriage that caused divorce. He went through so much, and nobody from the Church reached out to him. After a while his heart grew cold for his Church and the members that he thought he knew so well. He hasn't been to Church since. This made me think hard about this verse while my friend was mentioning all this. You see I'm sure they loved him (without action). They most likely empathized with his suffering but nobody pasted the test of the 'sincerity of love by the diligence of others' in which Paul spoke of. For God to just tell us He loves us is much different then Him showing us He loves us.

John 15:13 (NKJ) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Continuously throughout the entire bible God backs up His love with many actions. Yes I agree, love can be in your heart, but I disagree with love never coming out of your heart. If you truly love, according to Paul's measurement, then it will come out. Sometimes there is true love but we miss the opportunity to pass the test by standing by and missing the mark. Lets love one another in deed and not just words. That man my friend spoke of, things may be different if he just had a weekly phone call. Just one call a week. God bless and I hope this inspires you to not miss the opportunity to prove the sincerity of your love this week!

~Rich Cohrs

More Than!

2015-04-27T13:20:00.002-05:00

So often we pray in our times of need. We are desperate. We need God to help us. We are a defeated and tempted race of creation. HUH? We like to pray and say, "God you are more than able to get me out of this junk" Look at the following verse.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

In this verse is God "able"? No He is FAITHFUL!!! Yes He is!! Look closer, now who is "ABLE"? YEP, We are!!!! Praise the Lord. Every temptation that befalls us, God has given us the status and honor to be called "ABLE". No temptation will be able to take this status away from us. God will not allow it. He is faithful to only allow temptations that we are able to defeat. In every one of them if we just hold still, turn around, look closely, and walk in the direction of light, we'll find that door, that way of escape that God has supernaturally placed before us. We are ABLE to walk through it. We don't need a key, a secret password, a secret handshake, a paid ticket, or anything of the such. We have the name of Jesus, we have His righteousness, we have His sanctification, we have His wisdom, and we have His Spirit that crucifies our flesh. So we are ABLE by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh and every temptation that comes our way, His power is made perfect in our weaknesses.

We are able, but what else are we. According to John the apostle, we don't know what we are to be in the future but we know we will be just like Him, the Lord Jesus. So that's in the future, but what are we right now. According to Paul the apostle we are born of the Spirit, a new creation, the seed of Abraham, the righteousness of God, and we are NO LONGER DARKNESS, but we are LIGHT IN THE LORD! And last but not least, we are not just ABLE but we are also MORE THAN CONQUERS in Christ Jesus who loves us. That's right, Paul said MORE THAN conquers. So not just conquers, but MORE THAN. Wow,

that's powerful! Its one thing to be a conquer, but we've been given the honor and status of being MORE THAN a conquer. Do you believe it? Do you want to believe it? Believe it or not, its MORE THAN JUST FACT Its golden. Its set in stone. You are in Christ now and you are so much more than what you think. So if you are feeling defeated, remember your defeat is simply a deception. You've been lied to. You've been told you can't do it. Rubbish! Believe the truth. Get up and walk in the name of Jesus. Those legs aren't crippled, those eyes aren't blind, you've been touched by a Holy God and He has made you ABLE! Now get up and do what you are able to do. Conquer what you are more than able to conquer. God who loves you has made you this way. Blessing to you in Jesus name!

Father of MERCIES!

2015-04-19T13:27:00.002-05:00

I love how the Word of God is rich in the food from Heaven. You can't even get through the introduction of 2 Corinthians without understanding God in a more profound way. Most have preconceived ideas of God being a God of wrath and hatred. Some have the ideas that He is a good Father but if you cross Him you better run and hide. The latter is actually not to far from the first idea conceived of God after sin. Adam and Eve hid themselves from a Loving God. A God who'd rather suffer the repercussions of our sin upon His own shoulders.

(1 Corinthians 1-3-4) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I love the names of God. I believe they were put in place for us to better understand His virtue and character. To better know who He is. There was a time in history where man didn't know what to call God. As people began to experience the Lord they'd question like Moses, "What is His Name?' what shall I say to them?" (Ex 3:13) God responded in a non-threatening way. He said "I AM WHO I AM". Our first impression of this response is not being dumbfounded or amazed but yet clueless. You see in those times there were many Gods, with many names. God was simply stating that HE IS THE ONE. The one and only I believe. Anyway, you know I could write for hours about different names God called Himself or names Holy Spirit inspired prophets or Holy people called Him.

Look at the verse in 2 Corinthians. I ask you, "Who is this Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?" Can you answer that? I'm sure you could give me a little bit of your understanding. If we all calibrated we could have a bigger understanding but the truth is we know very very little of our God. But one thing we do know is His names. Here He is the Father of MERCIES!!! Wow, hope that one knocked you out on the ground of your thinking. Let me say it again. The Father of MERCIES!!! Again,

why run? Why hide? Why tarry and tarry and tarry until you feel right? The Father of Mercies not the Father of Hatred. Not the Father of Wrath. THE FATHER OF MERCIES!! If you believe otherwise you didn't learn it from the Father of Mercies, yet you learned it from the 'father of lies'. You've been lied too!

Like Adam and Eve God draws us back to himself in His Loving Mercies instead of acting like the god we perceive Him to be as we run and hide. God SACRIFICED and hid (clothed) Adam and Eve in that sacrificed skin. His Sacrifice drew them back near. He was drawing them closer. Like that first sacrifice, now God in His Loving Mercies has Sacrificed His own Son and clothed us in His righteousness. Hiding the treachery of our sin, in the past, and now removing the sin in His righteousness in this present age. We are blessed and comforted by God in this. Not just hidden but literally changed. Why would we ever run from a God like that? Why would we run from the Father of MERCIES? When we sin, who is judge? Who dares to accuse you? Is it not God who is the judge. The judge who instead of judging you called you the 'elect', 'THE CHOSEN OF GOD'? In His awesome mercies He has justified me and you. Christ has been given the authority to condemn yet it is He who has chosen to die, and furthermore is RISEN and instead of
bringing your failures to God He sits enthroned next to the Father of Mercies making intercession for the both of us. NOTHING can separate you from the Love of God because He is the Father of Mercies. Read Romans 8:31-39 and see for yourself!

Last but not least, God isn't the one bringing you the tribulations, He is the one in His Loving Mercies comforting you in your tribulations. I hope this helps you be free from your guilt, and able to venture out in the courts of God's Love and experience His Kingdom in a new way. Bless you all, chosen Generation of the Father of Mercies. God Bless you!

Living Epistles, Writing Ministry of Rich Cohrs

FREEDOM! HAPPY FREEDOM DAY!!

2014-07-04T13:38:00.002-05:00

I know we can all appreciate the pleasures of freedom whether it be our Nations Freedom or that particular day of spiritual freedom. We know that as our nation is free that there is an underlining truth that we aren't really free. We have deception that keep us from being a free country.We have levels of freedom that give us certain pleasures that other countries may not get to appreciate but all in all without Christ in ULTIMATE rule there isn't real freedom. Thank God that Jesus, the Son of God, is our Lord, King, Savior, Brother and Friend. Thank God that "whom the Son sets free is free indeed"! Thank God that His Anointing doesn't just set free, break or just remove, but instead DESTROYS the yoke of BONDAGE that enslaves.

When God delivered Israel from the hands of their oppressors in Egypt what happened? Like going through a baptism they walked right through the red sea. Behind them were all the oppressors, Pharaoh himself, and the government that enslaved them. The sea was like walls of water on the left and on the right side as they walked on dry ground. As they reach the other side all that enslaved them were destroyed as those walls came crashing and gushing down and consumed Pharaoh and his army of oppressors. Not even the horses of their chariots survived. And then there was a gap of sea between their old lives of slavery and the new life that was before them,

separating, sanctifying, setting them apart, unto the one that was in the midst of the Cloud. There was no turning back. And from then on God himself was leading them. What and awesome testimony of the power of God in their lives. I couldn't imagine being in their shoes during those times, but knowing now what they went through afterward I'm glad I wasn't.

Although they were free, they never mixed their faith with the truth of what God had and was doing in their lives. Not one of those free folks walked into the promise. Even Moses himself didn't make it. They struggled in their new lives with wanting the pleasures of their old lives. What was behind them, they wanted instead of what was promised before them. They cried out with murmurings of unrighteousness that indicated they'd rather be back in bondage and under the power of oppressors just for certain pleasures.

In our "Christ Independence Day", our salvation, we experience a similar breakthrough from our old life to our new life in Christ. Instead of the Red Sea, we are buried, immersed into the death of Jesus Christ, and then we are raised in resurrection with our Resurrected King, coming up out of this spiritual water. Christ the Anointed King destroyed the yoke of slavery that was in our lives so that we could now become slaves of righteousness. Bond servants of Christ. We go through wilderness times of struggles, where darkness blinds us and even though God's Glory cloud is before us leading us, all we see is what we want and what we think we need, and not what we truly need. God, who is in the midst of that glory, is all Israel needed. He proved it over and over and over. He provided over and over and over. Not one person got sick, not one piece of clothing became rotten. They even had more than they asked for. They, by the hand of God took plunder of gold and riches from the Egyptians. When they were thirsty God would do the impossible and cause streams of water to flow freely from a Rock. OH Christ

is the refreshing rock of our salvation. What more could they ask for. They kept asking for what they could obtain back in their bondage. They wanted the meat, and the experience they had in Egypt. They had holy marriage but wanted unholy pleasures of immorality. Would God not have given them better and in abundance in the promise land?

What took Israel 40 years to achieve took Jesus 40 days. With all the temptation in the wilderness men fail, but Jesus is a victor in His wilderness. With no sin, yet tempted beyond measure, Christ goes before us. He is the GLORY! He is our leader! He knows the best solution in all our problems. He being tempted also has much much compassion on us who are tempted. We may still have this old man lingering around but we also have this NEW MAN in Christ that is resurrected and lives forever. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on Lord Jesus whom cloths us in freedom. Israel had Moses who was faithful in leading the house of Israel, but we have Jesus who is the BUILDER of this spiritual house whom we are, being fitted and built together in love.

Israel just needed to follow that Glory to the finish line to see the promise. They didn't want it. I know we do. They failed, we shall succeed. They'd rather enjoy the old life they were delivered from but I know we want more. They didn't have the faith to add to the mixture of the message that God was cooking up for them but I know we are pouring our faith in the mixing bowl of God's presence and grace. Hold fast, don't give up, put your hand over your ears and quit listening to the devil. Your promise is on its way. Like Jesus said to the tempter in His own recorded temptations, "GET THE BEHIND ME SATAN", you also say, "GET behind me!" to all that holds you in bondage. Whether spiritual wickedness itself or simply you are being drawn away by your own lust that is in your flesh, just proclaim the Lord of your life and that you are brand new. Walk in the Spirit in whom has sealed you

for the day of your redemption, the day our Lord perfects us with immortality, with incorruptibility, as we all are greeted by Him together in the clouds. Until that day, be free! Until you are gathered together in the those clouds chose faith in the Son whom sets free indeed. Remember Christ is the glory of God, and don't turn your face from Him as Israel turned their face from Moses when the brightness of the glory of God was shinning from his face, instead look upon the face of Jesus Christ who changes you from Glory to Glory, with every new revelation of Jesus Christ. And don't forget that righteous baptism that Jesus entered before His leading into His wilderness. What happened? As He came out of the water the Holy Spirit, like a dove, descended upon Him. If Christ who was perfect, still needed the Holy Spirit, don't you think us, who are being groomed for perfection need Him much much more. The Spirit descended upon Jesus before His wilderness, don't you think we need Gods Spirit in our desert and wilderness experiences. Don't forget the Comforter was sent to you for a reason. Power has been released on you to be the witness of Jesus Christ. Power to walk in freedom, to give others freedom.

Bless you today on 4th of July!

Rich

For They Are Ever With Me, OWN IT!

2014-06-21T15:14:00.001-05:00

I've been studying about ancient Hebrew meditation all morning after my scripture reading took me on a rabbit trail (June 6, 2014). I was reading about Issac and how he went to the open field to meditate right before he saw Rebecca for the very first time (Gen 24:63). This struck my curiosity and wanted some details since this was way before the bible was written and way before the law (400 years prior) itself was written. In a nutshell, this type of meditation was most likely the ancient form of meditation in which man cleaved unto God. They were giving themselves over in silence and deep thought toward the Creator, Usually resulting in prophetic knowledge and wisdom, possibly even falling into trances and receiving revelation.

Other forms of Hebrew meditation have been taught since then but all involve knowledge Issac never had. Some meditated on the first 5 books of the bible, some on the names of God, and some on the precepts of God, some on prayers in a book, etc. I could imagine that Issac may have had circulated writings about creation, maybe even Enoch's writings about creation and prophetic insight of the end and destruction of all creation. I'm just speculating at this point, however the truth is that Issac indeed got away from everything to be alone with God and to meditate. I've got a gut feeling this wasn't just a religious practice but instead a relationship discipline. A tool he most likely learned from his father Abraham that was successful in SEEKING God and finding Him as well. This reminds me so much of the times when Jesus just needed to be alone with His Father. Where He withdrew Himself and went up unto a hill and just spent time, even much time, sometimes all night long. I believe Jesus wasn't coming back empty handed from those times and I believe the "Friend of God", Abraham, didn't either. Just as God Himself said "Shall I hide from Abraham what i am doing" (Gen 18:17).

Anyway, this is a very cool verse from the Psalms, (down below Psalm 119:97-100). It seems the author was focused more on the law, precepts of God. I like how it says "For they are ever with me". It is like he was declaring ownership of the commandments of God. The way it was written wasn't like the author was bragging about his religious status of being a victorious doer of the law like many others fell short of: the majority. It was more like the hidden meanings of the law and the commandments had produced wisdom and knowledge within himself which gave him power to overcome even his enemies. One form of ancient Hebrew meditation was literally just this. It was prophecy and wisdom becoming one during mediation. Many ancient Hebrew writings were written through this type of meditation.

Psalm 119:97-100 (NKJV)

97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.

I can't help but think of the Words of Christ being so powerful right now. The words in RED, the words before Christ ever shed His blood on the cross. How important meditation on these Words must be. As the famous apostle John wrote, "For the LAW was given through Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17). And previously he wrote, "The WORD become flesh...dwelt among us.....full of GRACE and TRUTH" (vs 14). If Issac's mediation was to give himself over to the God of Abraham his Father (closeness: cleaving unto God) then I think it is a model we could draw from to grow the inner man that is being formed into Christ. A tool to be established and strengthened in grace in our innermost being. Paul (whom I believe was the author of Hebrews) spoke of having our hearts 'established in grace' (Hebrews 13:9). He also spoke to the people of Colosse and said, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." and again "Your Word have I hid in my heart" (vs 11), written in the same Psalm I referred to early about meditation.

It is safe to say that our hearts must be establish or strengthened by grace. That the Words of Christ must dwell in us richly. That the Words of Christ will deliver us from the fiery darts of our enemies. That the meditation of our hearts should always be on the Lord, His Word, His Character, His miracles and wonders. It is safe to say that it is a great thing to have knowledge of scriptures, and it is an even greater thing to take that knowledge to an alone place, a place of solitude, and in the quietness of our hearts lay it all before the Lord with curiosity, praise, and childlike faith to allow God to strengthen our innermost beings with His Grace and fill us with His wisdom and power. Go forth in solitude with the Lord expecting that you will not return home empty handed! "FOR THEY ARE EVER WITH ME"!! Let His Word be forever with you.

And finally brethren:

"whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Written by: Rich Cohrs

A Stirring of Love

2013-10-17T01:09:00.002-05:00

People from all different denominations and non-denom make a practice of telling people to "Not forsake the assembling of the saints" (leaving out the rest of this verse). They do this almost like it is a sin to not go to Church and that if you go to Church you have not partaken of that sin. If the context of this statement, if the entire verse and the previous verse is read, you will see that much more indeed was said. Why would simply showing up to Church be righteous? Why not just stay home and watch Church on television? The purpose of gathering was not simply to hear the Word and give a little praise during a few songs. Read this statement with the verse and the one right before it.

Heb 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Do you see that yet? More action was required when read in context. First the author says to consider one another to STIR up love and good works. If you just show up, worship, sit down, listen to the message, then shake a quick hand and go home, what was the difference really in going verses watching on the internet or on TV? Not much. The purpose of gathering is clearly having a type of interaction with others that makes them go home STIRRED UP. They leave with more passion to LOVE and to do GOOD WORKS! How does a handshake do that? Ummm you're exactly right, it doesn't. I'm not always faithful in stirring someone up when we gather, but I do make a point to look for someone I know, or someone I haven't yet met, that I can stir. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes it is me that gets stirred. The working of the body of Christ is so unique that it takes each others love for our growth.

Ephesians 4:16
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Do you see that, look at the word "Itself". Let me ask you this, does the word "itself" just mean YOU? Well you can build yourself up, yes, but the scripture says that we are held together, supporting ligaments (members of the body), and then we are built up. We give each other the correct support when we are together. How is it done? According to this scripture it is done in love. Love is powerful, but it is impossible to put love into practice at home watching Church happen instead of being at Church. It is also impossible to actively love, which causes growth and a stirring of love and good works, just simply by showing up. Church isn't just Sunday Church. How about bible studies, Life groups, fellowships or just simply meeting up with believers somewhere to love on each other.

So taking both of these verses and holding them up to the light side by side we can come to the truth that it is a GREAT thing to be part of the body of Christ. It is an even greater thing to be a part of a body of believes that LOVE. Holding these verses up to the light together will also bring us to the conclusion that gathering as a Church has the purpose of sending people out STIRRED to both love and to do good works. But it also should tell us that in order to send them out they must also be built up by nothing other than LOVE itself. Now God is Love, so in the Spirit we build each other up. We are led by the Father Himself to Love on our brothers. Love is the most powerful action men can do. Love is what we were created for. Love is what saved us. Love is what builds us up. Love is what stirs us. And love is what we gather for.

Hebrews 10:25.....and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

As the day is approaching, as the end is nearer, the scripture is saying that this kind of stirring is needed even more than in the days of the author. If he was saying that way back then, then what could you say about our time as we are so so so much nearer to that approaching Day? I say this, it makes no sense to just show up any more. If you are not changed and have not changed someone else, then nothing was productive. Nothing had virtue. We must become a strengthened body of ligaments knitted and held together in the strength of Christ as it is so important for the coming days ahead.

In order to grow, as Ephesians 4:16 says "...each part does its work", you are part of that. You are required in this work of the Lord, first to be stirred then to stir others, by love and good works, to do love and good works. A cycle of love and good works, exhorting each other in the love of God. Amen!!

Insight into Real Sight! Let Him heal your Vision!

2013-10-14T16:13:00.001-05:00

How have you been treated all your life? Have you been spit on and dust kicked in your face? Were you an outcast? Spiritually do you still see yourself that same way? There was a man who was blind and a beggar long long time ago. Years ago, when people viewed the lame and blind that were on the streets begging, they viewed them as outcast. They were considered the scum, the left over matter of humans: not worthy to be in the house of God. They were looked upon as outcast, the outcast of God. Learned by the religious leaders of that day, it was a doctrine that was well know, that if you had these problems you were sick in your sins. Also if your family stopped caring for you and put you out to the streets you were the lowest of the low. You were an outcast. They treated them very poorly. Some people gave to them, mostly out of duty to law, also out of shame and to get them to stop begging (I'm sure there were kind hearted people who gave out of mercy). Some were simply just disgusted with them. They would kick dirt in their faces as they sat at the edge of the road begging, pure cruelty. Some would even spit in their faces in disgust.

Has this happened to you spiritually or even naturally? Well, this blind man I began to speak about had an encounter with God. Never has he seen anything, he was born blind. I wonder after a while of hearing the norm if this man began to believe the LIE spoken to him through the whispers, yells, and the actions of the people (friends, family, strangers, religious leaders); and became emotionally blind because of the lies. Did he believe he was scum? Did he believe he was born in sins from birth and God could care less about him? Did he believe he was as disgusting as the cruelty portrayed him to be? I'm sure he knew within himself that he didn't do sins worse than others. From birth he suffered blindness. I'm sure he may have even resented his mother and father for passing that terrible sin down that made him hated and blind by the hand of God (as they believed). I'm sure he resented them for casting him out as an outcast into the streets. This is just speculation I am stirring up within you that could be the very truth of this mans heart. Honestly his parents could have loved him very much but couldn't afford to take care of him. Who knows, but I'm sure this man hated his condition and felt the insecurity of being at the bottom of mankind as a blind beggar. It's funny, people may have indeed spit on him, kicked dirt in face, but the Father sent Jesus to that man that day. Not to spit in his eyes with shame, not to kick dirt into his face with disgust, but to restore the mans sight of the Fathers loves toward him. Jesus SPIT in the DIRT, made mud with it, and LOVINGLY ANOINTED the mans eyes with it. The very tool that brought insecurity to the mans emotion now is becoming the tool of Gods healing for that mans inner reflection. God was showing this man how to SEE the Fathers love toward him. This man saw God as someone that didn't care about him. That day the mans sight toward God had changed. God didn't see him as someone that was born in sin. He saw him as a testimony to the GRACE of Gods wonderful kindness.

John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Could this special word (written above) spoken right before this mans healing continue to resignate though the remainder of this mans life as the tool that set him free to SEE? The healing of his eyes were a plus, how wonderful, but the healing of his soul was much more powerful! He just heard the opposite of what he always heard. It wasn't his sins that made him sick. In fact he probably realizes now that it was a call of God on his life. He was called to be healed and sent! To SEE spiritually what the world around him couldn't see. God must have wanted this message to get out considering the world couldn't contain the books written of the works that Jesus did in those 3 years but God wanted this particular account to be written for a reason (John 21:25).

Emotionally destroyed men almost always lacks boldness. That same day he was brought into the very house of his destruction, the reason for his insecurities, set before the ones that taught the very doctrine that put this man into bondage of his self worthlessness inner view. He was brought before the Pharisees, the true blind of that day.

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind.

Wow talk about a test of the very truth you just received. This was like being set free then thrown right into the lions den after the lions hadn't eaten for weeks. All the same doctrine was discussed here. Sin was the center of the conversation. You see how prevalent it was in those days, even the disciples fell into the same hypocritical thinking as they asked Jesus if it was the man's sin or the sins of his parents that made him blind.

How did the man respond? Did he respond in a timid way which would be normal fruit from this mans insecurity? No, not at all, this man responded with the anointing that Jesus anointed his eyes with! He spoke out of the freedom that he received that day. He spoke as one that was no longer in bondage to believing the widespread lie that God hated him. No longer did he believe he was the lowest of low, the scum, the outcast, but instead as one that God chose not to spit on, not to kick dust on. One that God chose to SEND.

7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.

He didn't just come back seeing physically!! He was seeing for the first time how God viewed him. The anointing broke the yoke of lies from his soul that day. He was now seeing and instructing the true blind (Pharisees) on what real truth was. He began to rebuke the Pharisees with powerful inSIGHT (caps intended) in a way that a timid person could not do. His boldness was due to the healing of his soul. God that day anointed his eyes to see truth!

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he ANOINTED the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

And now this timid man made bold, who was sent by God to proclaim the miracle of truth, spoke with a mighty rebuke to the Pharisees.

28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

Ahem ..... OHHH YEAH he was teaching them! The unworthy timid outcast who now SEES the truth was SENT (Siloam) to speak the truth to the blind!

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”36 He

answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him? 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also? (if I were one of the disciples this is where I'd YELL at the top of my lungs "You better believe dat!") ”41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

Child of God, you are free! You are not the outcast of God. He has not cast you out of His fold because of sins you commit. He will not spit in your face nor kick dust in your eyes, but instead wants you to be healed. Don't believe the lie of your insecurities. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Be free Bride! You are washed, you are clean, you are being groomed for the wedding night to the one that CHOSE you! Yes you were Chosen! You are His Bride. You are the Fathers Child. Side note, just speculating, but I bet that this guys family was restored too. If this man held resentment to his mother and father for the sins that were passed down to him making him blind or how they put him on the streets, then I'm sure that the WORD right before he was physically healed, also healed this relationship (see below).

“It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

How awesome that God sent this man to the very destruction (teaching of the pharisees) that caused him all his problems and in the midst he was reunited with his family. I believe God is in the business of setting you free, yes, but also setting you free to SEE your family the way He sees them. Don't be BLINDsided! See them with the eyes of God.

I hope this blesses you. This is a longer than usual letter. Thank you for taking the time. God bless! Now “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”! Amen!

Written by Rich Cohrs

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Her heart is much more attractive! Whoa!

2013-09-23T22:34:00.001-05:00

I had a conversation with some guys today where I shared how I view attractive women. I agree looks matter. But looks are also deceiving. People may or may not believe me when I say that a super model is not attractive to me. OK, pause right there. Yes she may be beautiful, but I've spent so much time with Jesus that if I don't sense the same spirit of faith on a lady all attraction goes out the window (all that may be left would be lust). Lust is an attraction, and I'm not perfect, I fall, I sin, I REPENT! I SAID I REPENT! The hidden man of the heart is truly what I'm looking for. Do I need the physical attraction, yes I do. I'd like to be so humble as to say that doesn't really matter to me, but then I'd be lying to bring some sort of glory to my fake holiness. Yes physical attraction is needed but I'll be obedient to the Lord's will in marriage. I want to say another thing too, If God called me to marry a girl that wasn't that attractive to me, I know that my love would cover the imperfections and what isn't seen as perfection before has become much much more beautiful. I'd rather be blinded by my own love then deceived by my own sinful lust. When you grow old, you don't usually grow more beautiful, but somehow those who are greatly joined together with love and with God in the middle, infuse a bond together in holiness that can't be broken. I am just going to let you know that the bond had very little to do with the looks of your mate. That bond isn't skin deep. It comes from much deeper within. If your love and attraction is based purely on the body of the other then it is based solely on the lust of the eyes. It is worldly and is impure. And I'm afraid for that person because in the years to come if they never have that infusion of love bonding them together then when the body begins to wrinkle and age, the love (lust) will also begin to fade away.

King Solomon who was more than a master instructor in this subject due to his mighty experience and adulterous actions, spoke on the very subject. (Proverbs 5) A man having over a 1000 partners instructs by the wisdom of God to stay in love with the wife of your youth. With much regret I'm sure he wrote this. He instructs the young man to "always" be captivated by her love (to the end folks). Do you think looks alone can do this? Passion can be one night, or it can last months, or it can be on "PURPOSE" for a lifetime. Being captivated with her love, would be an action for the man to proactively STAY in love. Without being to graphic the King says to let her breast "SATISFY" you always. Do you really think an old ladies breast are going to be very visually captivating or do you think you have to choose to be in love? It would be better to just give yourself to someone that isn't just a nice catch or a pretty face. The love must be much deeper within. Much more he says but one more thing I want to mention from this passage is the warning of having a heart that goes after the flesh alone. Instead of being captive with real love he mentions that you will be captive by your own sins. And if it isn't taken care of, he explains that it will be much like ropes that catch you and hold on to you. You will be bound by lust, your wonderful looking girlfriend won't be the end, she will just be the beginning. It is better to fall to your knees for

help to crucify your flesh then to fall in the arms of what will simply not satisfy you for life but in the long run bind you to worldliness.

Proverbs 5:22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him...

Perfect for each other!

2013-09-23T20:45:00.001-05:00

Eph 4:16 (NKJV) .. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The edifying of itself (Church) in love! We as a body are knit together. The word knit has a wonderful meaning in the Greek. It means to "organize compactly" or to be fitly framed (joined) together. God has organized us in such a way in the body of Christ that we are perfect for one another. Everyone wants the perfect spouse right? So did Jesus, He is perfecting us together. He has organized us in such a way that we are perfect for each other for the purpose of growth. We edify each other, build each other. We grow together as one. Edifying of ITSELF in LOVE. That word love in the Greek means love feast. We in love feed each other what is good for nourishment to cause growth. We commune with each other joined fitly together perfectly as Christ wants us at a Love Feast having a meal together, His blood, His flesh, His life His Words. The Covenant of His blood was meant to be shared in love with one another. Never think you don't have anything to give. Purposely and perfectly God has joined you to other believers so that we will build each other up. You have a purpose. Step into it.

We as body are never to do this on our own. In His Spirit we minister to each other, in His Word we give to each other. In the communion of the Lord and His body we grow. But again, we never do this without the Lord, even when the whole body has forsaken you, when you are all alone as Paul was in prison. When nobody came to minister to his needs, or his spirit, the Lord Himself strengthened him, gave him the ability to not be in chains while he was chained, for the Word of God to press on. If you are chained, He has the keys.

2 Tim 4:16-17 (NKJV) 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Even by yourself, just you and that lion, that Lion has nothing on the Lord who never leaves you nor forsakes you.

When they all scatter and no one is with you, He is still there. He strengthens you, delivers you, and is your banner, Your victory!

Just because you have the knowledge that the Lord is with you, doesn't mean you forsake the assembling of the saints. They are God's plan to build you up. Get with them and begin to build.

Humility and the Hand of God!

2013-02-22T20:38:00.003-06:00

There is a difference between humility of the mind and humility of spirit. God wants us to have both. Some pray and pray and pray, but think way to highly of themselves. Some are humbly on their knees yet in public are high on their thrones. The Greek word for humility in 1 Peter 5:5 is "tapeinophrosynē". It says to be clothed with "tapeinophrosynē". This literally means to not think to highly of yourselves or to have a humble opinion of yourself; lowliness of mind. The very next verse it says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God". The word "Humble" in this verse is actually a different Greek word which means to be both humble in mind and in spirit. The word is "tapeinoō", which means practically the same but with more intensity. It actually comes from the root Greek word, "tapeinos". This word actually means to be "humbly LOW in spirit". Where I am going with this here, is that it is great to be humble but without both you can't expect for the hand of God to be upon your life to minister to others. The word Humble in verse six means to be both humble in mind and in spirit. The scripture tells us to do this under the mighty hand of God. Many people want God's hand to be upon them yet they can't handle the glory of His power. They think to highly of themselves. God will not anoint a man with His MIGHTY power if that man can't resist the pride of stealing His Glory.

It takes time to build character. Power may come quick in a new believers life yet it also leaves quickly as that new believer gets high on his own throne. It is imperative that we seek God's righteousness while we are humble in spirit; on our knees in prayer. We must WALK out of the Holy of Holies CHANGED also in mind. It is great to have intense and dedicated prayer times yet if it never builds or grows the fruit of "clothing ourselves with humility" then maybe we aren't really humble in spirit either. The meaning for "be clothed" in humility, in the original Greek actually means to put humility on, then to bind a band upon yourself to secure it from coming off. Like putting a belt on so your pants don't fall off. To bind humility to yourself. From this you can draw the conclusion that Peter was literally saying that when you become humble in spirit, don't stop there but instead walk out of your prayer times and stay humble; to bind yourself with humility, to stay lowly. To walk in humility and resist pride. After all God resist the proud and draws near to the HUMBLE.

There is so much more I can say about this passage of scripture, but I will finish with this. Why would you want to be under the mighty hand of God? Well if you study the Word of God you will find that every time in the old testament that it mentions a man or woman of God that God's hand was upon you see them demonstrating God's power in miraculous ways that is beyond human ability. If you see a man in today's times producing that kind of power yet he lacks this type of humility it is very possible that it isn't God's power at all. Not to be the judge but honestly it would be wise not to follow that man, because one day he will fall. Pride always goes before the fall. But here's the deal, if you purposely humble yourself in prayer just for this kind of power then your mind is not being humble. God loves a cheerful giver. He wants you to cheerful give yourself to Him in prayer without wanting to receive anything in return. So we must reprogram ourselves to just love God's presence in general, to be lowly in mind, and to stay Humble, not because we want God's hand upon our lives for POWER but instead for the closeness of His Presence. To walk with God like Enoch. To truly have 24/7 Divine fellowship all throughout the day as if we were in the Garden of God. This should be our intimacy goal with God. To become more and more intimate and to grow and grow more and more just like HIM. When you spend time in His glory, according to 2 Corinthians you begin to be changed into His very likeness from glory to glory. As He reveals Himself over and over to you it changes you each and every time. It soon becomes absolutely impossible to turn away. It become more and more impossible to contain doubt. It will soon become more and more impossible to not contain His power. HIS HAND WILL REST UPON YOU!.

"Wake up God!"

2013-01-07T21:11:00.001-06:00

Does God ever take naps?
If God is sleeping is that the reason we don't receive certain answers so quickly?

Great question. Most would probably answer no. I wonder if God does sleep sometimes. I'm curious if we just have to "NEED" Him so much and be persistent and zealous about waking Him up. In a place of dependence on God. Where we persistently and zealous plea for the answer and even perhaps that miracle that is truly needed.

Psalm 35:1-28
O LORD, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

In the above Psalm the word "rise" and the phrase "wake up" have more or less the same meaning in the Hebrew language. They both would be categorized as someone yelling in a panic. For example if a storm was coming that was so deadly you had to take cover in order to save your lives and someone nearby was sleeping. You would YELL, "WAKE UP!" "RISE". David was in need. David thought of God in a deep slumber. David was serious about God waking up and taking up his case.

Another example, in the flesh Jesus Himself took a mid afternoon solid deep deep sleep in the midst of a deadly storm. Really? I mean who sleeps in the middle of hurricane? Better yet, who "can sleep" in the middle of a deadly storm? I imagine there was no roof on that boat. Very little fishing boats had roofs on them back then. It was open air and probably even had water splashing all over our Lord, in fact the next passage below states that "waves swept over the boat". However, the future RISEN savior was not saving anyone at the moment, instead He was enjoying a much needed catnap. Waves of water nailing the skin of our Savior and yet He still wouldn't wake up. That must have been a mighty supernatural sleep He was having there, or perhaps He just wanted to teach us all a phenomenal lesson. The need arose for the salvation of the Lord but Jesus just slept. HE JUST SLEPT! The waves couldn't wake Him. I wonder what He was dreaming at that very moment.

Matthew 8:24-27 (NIV)
24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

So the waves indeed couldn't wake Him, but the disciples could. The waves didn't need Jesus, they were doing just what they wanted to do. It was the disciples that "NEEDED" Him. I just wonder how hard they must have wanted Him awake. How hard did they try to wake him? We won't know that until we are finally are face to face with the Lord, but take a look at this next set of scriptures.

Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Above there is a clear scenario of two "FRIENDS", one of which, "NEEDS" help from the other. You know many people say God will do this or that because He is my "best friend". Or I am a friend of God so I don't need to pray over and over to receive something, He loves me. All of that is true. He is our Friend, He is the one that loves us. Indeed He is our source of victory and helper in time of "NEED". But look again at this passage, it clearly is indicating that the friend who is in reference to the Lord Himself, has laid down with His children and obviously is going to sleep. It literally says the door was closed. He only answered from within. It was a clear refusal. How often do we feel that way? How often do we hear someone say or ourselves declare, "the door is just shut"? Oh really, now did the Lord say the door has to "stay" shut? Did we just give up? Like the apostles in the storm, many of us suffer in "NEEDS". They needed God in a desperate way. This man simply just needed God for a loaf of bread to feed his traveling friend, that is it, just 3 loaves of bread. I think the majority of us in the body of Christ would literally back away from asking God again on a matter if we heard God respond with, "Do not trouble me; the door is now shut" (verse 7). Would you? I am guilty. You see Jesus declared in many verses that He only did and says what the Father is doing or saying, yet Jesus napped deeply on the boat. This makes me laugh. I mean wouldn't the Father wake Him up through a dream or something and say, "SAVE YOUR BOYS!" LOL This hysterically makes my want to laugh. I think it is funny to me because it just has the Fathers fingerprints all over it. I mean waves of water landing all over you and you don't wake. He was doing what the Father wanted Him to do, SLEEP. Sometimes, we like David, have to frantically say to God, "Wake up!! Rise to my defense!!". It isn't good enough for us to just be friends with the Lord and expect the best. God wants us to use our faith and persistently ask. To pray without ceasing. To be fervent in prayer. He enjoys our faith. He is pleased by our faith. He wants to see our faith. I don't agree with ugly demanding at all. I don't agree with arrogant demands to God as if He is our genie. What I mean is that God wants us to want Him. He wants us to need Him. He wants us to believe that in Him we have all things. That He will indeed supply all our needs, but, indeed we have to put some muscle into it. We have to be patient and endure. We have to continue in prayer. We have to breakthrough for our breakthrough, as if the door was indeed shut. We have to diligently SEEK Him, as the rewarded of our faith. Bless you all. Stick in there! Be fervent! We all need the hand of God to work on our behalf. We are nothing without Him. We need him. As we pray without ceasing, pray not just for your own needs, but also of those around you. A selfless prayer is very pleasing to the God Almighty. Those types of prayers indeed move mountains.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Do I still think God sleeps or slumbers? This is what I do know, He is all knowing, He hears everything we pray. The eyes of the Lord go to and fro all over the earth. He is always watching. We can't hid from His Spirit, no matter weather someone ascends to the deepest parts of the earth or as far out in the universe as possible, you can't get away from God's spirit. So does He slumber, well yes in His human form He sure did, but as God He will never leave your side. At times it seems He is sleeping but that is because He is pushing you further, stretching you, preparing you, and quite frankly enjoying you. He enjoys your faith and the fellowship that is birth with perseverance. In the same way that the bible speaks of God in slumber it also speaks of Him never bating an eye. I do believe God is supernatural focused upon all His creation and more importantly centered around us.

Psalm 121 (NIV)
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Written by: Rich Cohrs
www.RichCohrs.BlogSpot.com

"The Inquiring Prophet of God"

2013-01-04T19:45:00.004-06:00

David was man after God's own heart. Why? Because he loved God's presence? What does that mean?

David sought Gods "face" people. He wanted direction in everything he did. HE WANTED TO KNOW GODS HEART IN EVERY SITUATION! He was known as a King that continually "inquired" of the Lord. So much that he was also know as a shadow type of priest. Like high priest of God. His hands were clean and although He didn't continually go behind the veil of this earthly tabernacle he did indeed go behind the Veil continually. HE INQUIRED OF THE LORD! He entered the Holiest of Holies and God gave him grace and wisdom. He sought the the will of God. He was after God's heart. Yes David wasn't perfect, yes David sinned, yes David even murdered and committed adultery, however, spending time behind the Veil he understood God's grace was for him and not against him. He knew he needed to repent and he did!! God was gracious and merciful to Restore David back to a right relationship with Himself.

As a result for actions of the "Inquiring Prophet of God", as far as I know he didn't loose any battle. He was prepared beforehand almost always. He had insight that other Kings would only dream of. He wrote scripture and was known as the "man after God's own heart", He subdued Kingdoms and was trusted to protect Gods people. He was a perfect example for us Christians. Oh and not to mention his position of a "Giant Killer Mentor". That's right, not only dd he himself kill many giants beginning with Goliath but, those underneath him went on to kill so many as well.

How does this relate to us, well so many awesome ways. For you single people who are warriors of God in the making, wouldn't it be awesome to inquire of God about your warring partner in life. The one to love and cherish. We are in battle everyday, all day, WE ARE WARRIORS AND KINGS! The best of Warrior Kings continually "inquire of the Lord". Are you looking to buy a new house, oh well would you rather have the house of dreams or the the house in the perfect location to help fulfill your God dreams. The place of battle position that you could be used for the Glory of the Lord. He cares, He listens, He gives wisdom for the future for those that will "GO AFTER HIS HEART", and inquire of His treasure wisdom. He pearls are perfect and free to those who trust in Him. He loves you. He LOVES YOU.

Supernatural Response to Guilt

2012-09-30T15:04:00.001-05:00

Yes sin separates us from God. As a Christian the wall of separation has been torn down in Christ, yet the condemnation of sin still keeps us at arms length. Condemnation you say, not condemnation from God but from you and the enemy. For in Christ there is no more condemnation. It is "natural" for you to feel condemned yet God wants you to be "supernatural". Does this mean that you shouldn't feel condemned or even feel bad for your sins? NO! Feelings of guilt is a natural response mankind has for doing something they know is wrong. That will always be there and always be a tool to keep you on the right path. If you had no conscience then you wouldn't be a living being. Even dogs have a conscience and their tails curl under when their masters come home.

Just as guilt is a response to what you have done wrong, you need to have a "changed" response to guilt. The first response Christians usually have toward guilt is to hide from God like a puppy that did something wrong. BUT we are in Christ now. The proper response to the guilt of sin should change, you have the righteousness of Christ upon you now that allows you to go beyond the veil and receive an undeserved Grace. You see Christians often think that if we just stay away from God for a little while that His anger will subside and He will soon forget after a while, which then we can come back into His presence. NONSENSE, a righteous judge never forgets and will execute judgement as due. God is a righteous judge, but what happens when a righteous judge takes upon himself all the judgement that He should have executed upon you? YOU ARE FREE FROM JUDGEMENT!! He is not trying to punish you for your sins. Many teaching out there still say this but be aware of them. God will still discipline you but not judge you. He is not going to send a lighting rod of a staff down on your head. He has given you the righteousness of His Son as a tool for you to come back into His presence immediately to receive the grace of God.

The trick of the enemy is to blind you of your stance in Christ. He deceptively makes you think that nothing important happened when you were born again. That nothing significant happened to free you of sin. That you are still the same and that you should feel just as condemned as he is. You see the enemy is jealous of your redemption in Christ. He is jealous of the Love that Christ has for you. God stole you away as a thief in the night from the god of this world and the devil wants you back in darkness. Only problem is you are NO LONGER DARKNESS but instead you're a child of the day and a heir to God. Joint heirs with Christ. You see satan is all around jealous, for you are receiving a position similar to the one that he tried to steal in the time of his fall. No wonder he works so hard at getting you to believe you are not who God has transformed you to be. He wants you to take the guilt of your conscience and respond by feeling self condemned and punish yourself by banishing yourself away from God's presence. He is jealous that he was banished and you are being drawn nearer. If God won't banish you he will deceive you to do it yourself. The underlying trick is this though, as you think you are doing right by staying away from God for a while, you become more vulnerable to continue in that same sin and sin will also increase. Your misconception of your identity in Christ becomes so skewed that you literal start believe you are darkness and choose to live in the wrong Kingdom. Indeed you are a child of light but you will be destroyed in the darkness. That is his plan, his plan for you is destruction. GOD wins. You keep your faith in Christ and God wins. Although you are being destroyed your spirit shall be saved in the day of judgment. That is how much God loves you. He had a wonderful strategy. His strategy was to impute the righteousness of His Son upon you by grace, that way you don't have to earn it.

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

And whose sins are covered;

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” Romans 4:7-8

You have received the Spirit as a guarantee The blessing of Abraham. The Promise of the Father. A first fruits of your inheritance you may say. An assurance that you are an heir with Christ. The first deposit of your calling in the Son of Righteousness. You are literally sitting at the right hand of the Father right now through the Spirit. You are one as the Father and the Son are one. The Spirit that joins them together has been deposited within you and has made you unified with the Father and the Son. We are one in Christ, we are in the Father and the Father is in us. A child of God according to 1 John actually can not sin. The seed of God remains within you. GOD HAS WON, unless indeed you have believed in vain. Every sin that is done is committed outside the body of Christ. In the flesh, but not in the Spirit.

So what shall we say, shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound? Absolutely not, but here is the deal, you will continue to sin if you are constantly away from God's presence. If you never realize that you have an immediate opportunity to come back into His presence. So as I said before, you need a "change" in the response to your guilty conscience. Your response to guilt shouldn't be condemnation anymore, but instead should be a constant reminder of a continuous grace from above. Where sin abounds grace much more abounds. If you believe this then you have no reason to believe you need to banish yourself from His presence but instead run after His Grace boldly. Your response should be a bent knee at the throne of Grace. Not with condemnation as a beggar but with boldness as a son of Righteousness. As an heir. As a son. As a loved sheep. As you spend time in the communion of the Holy Spirit in prayer with the Father you begin to be transformed more and more from faith to faith and from grace to grace and from glory to glory. The more transformed you become the less you sin. Do you see the importance of the Grace of God now. If you don't run to His presence you can't be transformed You will continue in sin. You will walk in darkness. Your response is to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness above all things. When you sin, run to Him to receive His grace and to receive the power from His grace to walk in righteousness. As you are naturally feeling condemned you need to supernaturally get back up an into His changing presence and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Walk in the newness of life. Wake up out of sleep and Walk in the Spirit. Your response to sin and condemnation is crucial in your growth and maturing in Christ. Many never run after His grace yet still through bad discipleship work really hard at doing good and consciously and pridefully feel they have conquered. Jesus is the conqueror don't ever think that you had any part in this victory. He did it all, so that every mouth could be stopped and all will be found guilty and all would need His Grace. It is the Spirit that crucifies the deeds of the flesh. This is sign of a child of God. The continuous crucifying of the flesh by the Spirit and not by the flesh. If you are of God then you will continue in the Spirit. If you strive in the flesh to do good then you will fail because even after you become victorious over the sins, you are the one responsible for the change and not the Spirit of God who has been given for this very reason. If you are the one changing yourself then you are due a reward. Let Grace be on your mind at all times. Let His Spirit conform you at all times. Your response is to be a Son!! Remember who you are in Christ. Remember why you have received the Spirit of adoption. Cry out Abba daily!!

By: Rich Cohrs

www.RichCohrs.BlogSpot.com

The God of Restoration

2012-08-11T09:07:00.002-05:00

So last night I roamed around downtown till about 9pm talking to people and sharing Christ. Before I left to come home there was a man that was hanging around us. A young homeless man. He attends the Waco Church Under the Bridge. He was curious about why we believe so strongly in God and wanted to know why. He began to talk about the terrible things he has done in the past. He wouldn't even tell us what they were just claiming we would have never heard of such bad stuff before. Claiming that he deserved all the punishment that he was receiving at that moment.

I told him the story of David. David is kind of the role model of Kings. In all of history David was the greatest and most powerful King. God's choice example of how a King should be. I spoke in this manner showing how pleasing David was to God. And although pleasing, David was far from perfect. When he was older, yet not to old, he spent less time out at war and more time at home taking care of those affairs. From what I glean from the scriptures David's castle must have either been up on a hill or have been a very tall building. David was able to look out his window and see throughout the town. While he was home and men were out on battle he noticed a woman in her backyard taking a bath.

David was a holy man, a righteous man who always did right in the eyes of the Lord. Always inquired of God's wisdom even before battle. He trusted in God and knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was the one that always brought him victory, yet although He knew God and loved God David was not a god, David was like us, a man of like passions. David sinned. He hit rock bottom. David called for this bathing woman and his servants brought her near and he lied down and had his ways with her. As a result she became pregnant. WOW! Guilt sunk in, his image was also in danger. One sin led to another. Now that he sinned he tried to find the leaves to cover up his naked inward unrighteousness that he had committed. The lady was the wife of one of his greatest warriors. He called for him and tried to convince him to go lay with his wife and take a vacation. The man would not leave Davids site but vowed to protect the King. David schemed, His pride was devouring him and humility was found not. David had to cover it up. No one could find out about this raunchy act of unholiness. HE MURDERED THE HUSBAND OF THIS WOMAN. Then he took her for his wife. This was his plan to cover up the pregnancy.

David was now a lying, prideful, adulterous murder. The sin was spreading like cancer. But David soon woke up. His guilt was strong but his knowledge of God was deeper. He knew God, he knew of His deep loving kindness and how quick He is to forgive and how slow He is to anger. David prayed this and later he wrote this Psalm.

Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Needless to say, God indeed answered his prayer and restored him. David continued to be God's anointed. In fact David continued to prophesy of God's great mercies and to share the knowledge of the future and the coming Messiah. David even drew up the plans for the new temple of God in which his son Solomon would later build. God is the God of restoration. This story touch this mans heart last night. He claims he will be at Church on Sunday as well. There is no sin to big that God can not heal or refuse to clean. Trust completely in the God of Grace. He has always been graceful and His throne is open 24/7 for those of His fold. Go to God, pray to Him, tell him you want this restoration. Tell him to renew a steadfast spirit within you. God will answer your prayers.

He will touch your mouth!

2012-07-07T04:04:00.001-05:00

"Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words." ~ St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Fransis, God bless his soul, I am sure he has a good heart. Although this famous statement rings true to most believers it is statements like this that cause lethargy in the Christian body. The body of Christ is suffering from a type of Atrophy from not functioning right for many years. Evangelism is a huge part of Christianity and is very dormant for a huge part of the body. Some people live almost perfect lives, doing good, smiling, full joy and compassionate, but never knew Jesus, almost identical to a matured Christians walk. I am not dismantling this quote completely because it is true, our lives should be a living testimony, but biblical you are called to "speak". One man told me recently that people don't care what you have to say until they know how much you care for them. Again that sounds true, but it is the GOSPEL that is the power of God unto salvation. Your good works don't tell the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is powerful enough to divide their soul from their spirit in order for them to make a decision to follow Jesus from the heart. It is living and sharper than a two edged sword. Last week I read a pastors blog that said he Literally "Hated" Evangelism. He said we are called to make disciples and not to evangelize. Contextually in the way he was interpreting it was false. Mark 16 says we are to preach the gospel with power. Mathew spoke the latter end of that conversation with Jesus by saying, "Make disciples" (quoted by the evangelism hating pastor). You have to have a converted heart first in order to make a disciple out of them. So let me quote the Apostle Paul for a second.

Romans 10:14

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

There must be a mouth and there must be Words that are proclaimed out of it in order for people to believe on Jesus, there must be a preacher. Paul didn't live a life before man that was spotless and soooo compassionate that people just got born again watching him do his good works. Paul went into villages and immediately found doors of opportunity to SPEAK of the wonder working power of Jesus Christ. He preached the Word then demonstrated the power of God through the Holy Spirit with many miracles and signs and wonders. People believed and just like today some people didn't believe. Don't let someones man made wisdom become an excuse to grieve the Holy Spirit when He is promoting you to speak to your neighbor. You would be surprised at the anointing that flows from your heart while you obey. Check out this famous quote by one of the wisest authors known to mankind.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ~A Carpenter (A sacrifice, The Lamb)

Who is in your circle of influence right now that doesn't know Jesus? Are you afraid they won't listen, they won't receive what you have to say, or you won't have the right words. Look, if you feel a burden in your heart then obey. It is not your problem if they don't receive the light that you are shining upon their sinful souls. Check out this other famous quote from the same previous Carpenter.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light... ~ A Nazarene (can anything good come from Nazareth)

Although Paul was originally Saul and was a murder of Christians he later had no blood on his hands, for he proclaimed the gospel everywhere Christ called him to go. There is an empowering grace to win souls. Pray for great grace in your sphere of influence today. Pray for empowerment and that the Gospel runs swiftly like rivers of living water. Don't be afraid to ask brothers and sisters to pray for you as well, Paul did.

2 Thessalonians 3:1(NKJV)

3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,

Do not fear but trust God. God will be with your mouth.

Quoted conversation from God & Jeremiah:

6 Then said I:

“Ah, Lord God!

Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

7 But the Lord said to me:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:

“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,

Lord I pray that everyone who reads this, that you will touch their mouths. That you would put your WORDS in them. That you will place your anointed rivers within them. Flow God, flow through them all. Break the dam in their hearts and let them flood the nations with your light. Let them flood their work places with your grace. Lord I pray that great grace will be upon the places their feet tread. Bless them God. Make their feet to be beautiful. Send them to speak in Jesus Name!

Isaiah 52:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

written by Rich Cohrs

www.RichCohrs.Blogspot.com

Speed of Light!

2012-06-22T17:29:00.000-05:00

Trust?? Why Trust God?? Why seek Him above all else? Because He has proved Himself Trustworthy time after time. People often give up on God for many different reasons, but the root is usually that they lost trust in God. Maybe God knew you would be much better off without answering your request. Maybe it was to build character or possible even to try you and purify your soul.

Why Trust? Well, people often say time is their worst enemy. "If I only had some more time!". My question to them is this, "Did not God create the body to wake and to sleep? The stars for night and sun for day? Did He not create time?". Look at this verse for a second. This was God's response to Moses when Moses was making excuses to not obey God and be His prophet.

The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

What God was saying to Moses is, "Look, it is I who creates, It is I who can heal your stammering lips, I created your mouth so why wouldn't I be able to fix it, have some faith Moses". In the same way, time is not really your enemy, doubt is! Yes doubt is your enemy. Anything is possible to him who believes just as the scriptures promised. In the same way that God responded to Moses he responds to our excuses. He is the one that created us. He even created day and night. We may have a limited time here on earth but it was God who can fix what we have left. He can consume our obstacles. God literally stopped time for Joshua during battle. So do you think that time is to much for God? I don't think so, better yet I know so, nothing is impossible for God.

So you say God is far away, and that is why things take so long. It takes forever for Him to hear my prayers. Wrong, sometimes we are not asking in faith, sometimes it is just better for us not to receive an answer and sometimes He just has a master-plan which we don't seem to see yet. So maybe you are right, maybe God is light years away, but should we forget the fact that God is LIGHT? Can he not travel as fast as light. Time can not bind God as a servant. In Acts chapter 8, God confounded all scientific impossibilities by defying time itself and breaking all laws of gravity and speed when He translated the evangelist Philip from one location to miles and miles away instantly. So do you still think God can become a slave to time. Do you still think you should believe that you are a slave to time. Believe the impossible is possible.

In prayer, no distance and no time barriers are a problem. Don't think God can't and will not do it. Don't think it will take too long for God to answer. Several times Jesus just spoke a word from where He was at, which was a very time sensitive situation and a long distance to travel. The moment Jesus spoke people were healed. Are you seeing this? Believe He can and will do anything.

OK so hopefully we have established this truth that time really isn't your enemy and if God created it then God can stop it or defy its very scientific properties. If you still are not convinced take a look at the life of King Hezekiah. This King did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He was precious to our Creator. In His later years he fell deeply ill with a sickness that even God declared was unto death. God sent a prophet to let him know to put his house in order because he would surely die. But Hezekiah turned over in his bed and cried out to the Lord and made a petition, asking God to extend his life. God immediately answer the mans prayer, he even sent Isaiah the prophet back into the chambers of the King and told him that his life will be extending and he will no longer die. Do you see that.??? It was IMMEDIATELY!!! The prophet hadn't even made it out of the the Kings castle yet. Please don't take my word for this, go to His Word, it is all there, Isaiah chapter 38 is where you will find it.

You know God loves to do above and beyond what we could hope or ask for. You see God could have just healed Hezekiah and not sent word back to him that his life was extending. You know if God wouldn't have done that I could almost guarantee you that it would have been on the Kings mind all the time. He would have been bound by time. He would have been waiting for the moment when he would fall back into a deathly situation and die without much notice. God is so faithful to just speak so clearly to us and to confirm His Words by others and by whatever means possible. To remove the fear of the Kings enemy, time, God did even more than encourage him through Isaiah but indeed God did something that blows all the rest out of the water. Men dream, and envision, and imagine about time travel. It is one of the most interesting subjects and has created a desire for people to write movies and novels about it. People love the idea, but above all that men can possible believe this they will not believe (only in Christ), God indeed turned back the hands of time just to set this King free from the idea that time was running out. God told him to look at the shadow from the sun on the stairs. God moved the direction of the sun in order for the sick King to be encouraged to LIVE a life without worry!!! No more anxieties for that King!!!! He defied all of science by proving that He indeed created the sun and the stars and creation itself. He created you so don't you think He can do anything. Have you thought lately how you don't have to tell every cell in your body to work together to bring about the decisions that your mind makes. He is in control, he intricately made you with a very good dose of IMPOSSIBLE. You indeed are a miracle that is blind to most humans minds. From making babies to healing itself, the body is in God's control and proves God is a powerful being that can do anything.

So now, think about that obstacle. That body of water that is between you and your destiny. The time it would take to cross that ocean. Did God not create that ocean? Trust that God can translate you to the other side or choose to be like Peter and ask God to command you to come out on the water with Him. The Lord is not afraid of drowning. He is not afraid you will drown in your problems either. You know what, I bet Jesus was walking straight to that boat the disciples were in and was just going to jump in and do as He did before and just command the winds to be still. But Peter wanted to be like His Master, His Teacher. Lets be like Peter, lets pray constantly, "Lord let me be like you, drive my fears and doubts far from me, call me out on the waters of life with you." Peter walked on water, so I know that is possible now, but I want to dance on water one day. I want to laugh at death because it has no hold on me. It is indeed His Spirit that can bring me back to life. So the enemy of time has no more power in our lives, but guess what? Our greatest enemy doesn't either. DEATH!! He died so we may have life. If you believe that, truly believe that, then nothing can make you doubt anymore. Meditate on the Life of Jesus within you. You have greatness within you. You are not bound by death nor by time. No more Fear, just Trust!! Bless you all today, Hope this was encouraging. Remember you are the Church and upon this Rock the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against!! No demon in hell can stop you from reaching your full potential in Christ. You will succeed. Bless you again in Jesus Name!!

Rich Cohrs

www.RichCohrs.BlogSpot.com

Timing Is Everything!

2012-06-19T11:40:00.002-05:00

Timing is Everything. Did you know that with the right time and the right Faith you can stop the schedule of God? Many times Jesus stopped in the middle of traveling because of the faith of men. At times He even proclaimed He had never seen that much faith among men. OK, so Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father so how does this now pertain to me? Well, God still touches His people and there is no distance between us and God in prayer. Once there was a man commended by Jesus about his faith because the man knew the Words of Jesus had so much authority that He could just speak the Word from where He was instead of traveling back to the man's sick servant. Also, besides that God has placed authority in lives of His Faithful children. You will never know when you are in the midst of one of these children. You may see them everyday.

The one that will change the course of your life may be an acquaintance that passes by you all the time. Like the lame man that was set before the temple gate called Beautiful everyday. He was passed by Peter and John while their daily schedule was to pray there. Everyday the man was placed before the temple and everyday Peter and John passed him up to go pray. So what was different this time. The mans Faith and the Power of God all met at the same time. This day the man had faith to be healed and God sees that, he may have only had a little faith, but he was expecting to receive something that day. God made a point to let Peter see that. God made a point to let it happen in the right timing. The man may not have had the faith all those other days when Peter passed by (we don't know), but God was going to make sure that Peter saw that mans faith today. I suppose God illuminated this mans faith to Peter.

Your faith may be invisible but it is not invisible to God. Not to the Invisible God. God exist and so does faith. Faith is a real thing. It is an object. Not an object that you can touch or smell or see but it is real enough for God to stop the Schedule of prayer in order to heal this man. This man expected to receive something from Peter and John that day. He may not have known it was the heavenly silver and gold but he did expect something. Another lame man that Paul encountered, the scriptures actually say that his faith was visible to Paul the Apostle. Paul saw it, and commanded the man to stand to his feet. The man was healed.

So whatever your circumstances are and however impossible they may seem remember whether God Himself speaks a Word from wherever He is at the moment or whether He sends one of His Faithful Children, remember to walk by faith. Don't stop believing that God can and will do for you what you desire to be done (make sure they are holy and right before God). You are the righteousness of God according to the scripture and the scriptures also says that the righteous walk by faith and not by sight. If you walk by faith continuously and stop doubting you may just find that timing ends up on your side. You may be met by God in the midst of a grocery store when a brother in Christ has the perfect words for you that propel you to your destiny. You may get prayed for and that dysfunctional liver may be healed. You may even get to be the faithful child that God sends to another. Sanctify the Lord Jesus in your heart daily with grace and faith and you will be a carrier of Jesus Christ everywhere you go. Let the Words of Christ dwell in you richly. Be expecting to both to meet your destiny changer and also to be somebodies destiny changer. Do this!!! Keep the faith!! Remove doubt!! Love on Jesus and love on people!! NOW IS THE TIMING. The timing is now. Now is the perfect time to walk by faith. Continually walk by faith. Remember God can speak a Word from anywhere, His Words have the authority to create the worlds so why couldn't they change your situation forever right NOW. Be sensitive because the timing for someone else may be when God is telling you to go to the mall. That might be your opportunity to be a destiny changer. Don't be late, be on Time! Walk by faith!

Acts 14:8-10

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Acts 3:3-8 (NKJV)

A Lame Man Healed

3 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

"I believe in Science"

2012-06-12T14:01:00.002-05:00

I love to say the quote from the movie, "Nacho Libre", that says, "I believe in Science". (I laugh every time) Truth is you would have to be ignorant to not believe in Science. What is there not to believe about science, science exist. Not all of it is true but it does exist and there are truths within it as well. But some believe in science while others believe in both science and the Scientist who created it. There is a Creator and He has revealed Himself throughout the ages. He has also done this through science.

Scientist who dig deep are digging blind if they don't see it. It is impossible to seek for an answer and not find it while researching it. If you truly question if there is a God Creator and you search through nature you will see that nature speaks louder than words and indelibly, undoubtedly has to be created. God has left His mark on all things. The intense complexity of matter itself is not possible to be evolved from nothing. If you took the entire created universe and tried to calculate the probability of it existing, you would find that mathematicians teamed up with scientist would not be able to ever give a correct answer. At this point the numbers would keep racking up higher and higher. The probability increases moment by moment. The more new information discovered increases the percentage.

You could take the worlds greatest mathematicians and the worlds greatest scientist from the beginning of time till now, and put them all in one laboratory and ask them to figure it out and I am telling you they will never figure it out. What would happen then, is that there would be a spike in the numbers. They would rise higher and higher at every new discovered scientific truth. If you want to create a new thread of math just to calculated it, you would be creating it in vain because it would never be able to be figured out. There is one mathematician and scientist that has the ability to figure it out and that is the One that created all things. Elohim, God the creator has the answer and the proof. The answer is that everything you see, taste, touch, breathe: everything that exist is impossible. The answer is only found in the truth, in Jesus. One day He will come back for those who put their trust in Him and we will all know even as we are know by Him. We will all know the intricate details of creation that people spend their lifetimes trying to discover here on earth. It is the impossible creation that was created by the Creator who creates impossible.

Just choose to believe in what God says, believe His Son was here on earth born into this world for the purpose of redeeming mankind who was destined for death. Believe He died and Resurrection 3 days later so that death could be reversed and man could have eternal life by the washing away of there sins by the blood this Scientist shed on the cross. Believe that He was seen afterwards by hundreds of people and even 500 all at the same time, by his disciples and even by Paul the Apostle himself. Believe that God has a purpose for you and choose to seek after Him. If you are looking for discovery then choose to discover God Himself. Let existence be and wait for the answers when He comes. Put your trust in Him, remove your doubts and choose to believe. He will save you, deliver you and one day come back for you.

Exhausted Hope

2012-06-10T15:15:00.002-05:00

(Unedited Version. Please excuse grammatical mistakes and just read the Word given.)

There is something I have learned along the way in my walk of Faith. I was thinking about all this before Church today. When you truly seek to be in the will of God and truly begin to position yourself to do great things for the Lord there is a season you will cross and go through. This season is a season that will also come and go. It is a season that gets you focused on the truths of God. As new Christians and in a passionate pursuit for God we get all kinds of feelings and even inspiration from God about our future that brings such a intense hope. But here is the deal, God gives you a vision and sometimes you have more hope in that vision than you do trusting in God.

I have found that the Lord will allow us to be hope-exhausted at certain times. If you never have your faith and hope tested then I am going to tell you right now you need to reevaluate your faith and makes sure that it really is faith or that you really are passionately pursuing Jesus. It is 110% biblical that your faith will be tested. It is one of the processes of growing in God; maturing in Christ. You see without this season you won't last long on the front line of His army. That is what we are here for. We are here for battle. When someone is enlisted in the military they are continually stretched to their limits and pushed to the depths of exhaustion in order to produce a strength that will make sure they can stand and not fall in battle. This strength is called endurance. It is the power to not give up. The ability to press in further and further until you see the task at hand accomplished: the mission not failed but successful. Without this quality you are not trusted to go into battle. You may be put in small scrimmages to help with the process but when it comes down to the real deal, those with Endurance are the ones that God will entrust to do great things.

So when I say hope-exhaustion, that is exactly what I am talking about. All of it exhausted so that you will learn to rely completed on Jesus who is your strength and power for victory instead of trusting in yourself and your vision and your own passion. This is a strength building exercise for faith that the Lord allows us to engage in. In my life I have literally and I am not exaggerating, but I have literally had my hope completely exhausted. Everything I believed in, everything I lived for, all my vision and goals and desires completely exhausted in my life with no more hope. The only one I could trust in was Jesus: not myself, not my friends, not my pastor, not my parents, not my vision, or my desires, but learned to trust that everything that has been brought to death in my life, God is more than able to resurrect by the same power that raised our Savior from the Grave. I am now strengthened but I will admit, just when you think it is over, just when you think you have gleaned so much from the fields in the Kingdom of God, brace yourself because when you pass this test God will then train you for special forces. He will impart to you His wisdom but at the same time you may feel powerless and weakened to the point again that you need Jesus to lift you up. It is there that you learn that everything you need to get the task done is in the the person of Jesus Christ. His Grace is no longer a wash cloth for your sin but it is now become everything you rely on. If you died it would be Grace that raised you back up from the grave.

In this dead state of life, cross bearing season of agony is where you learn that nothing in your power has the ability to get Kingdom work done. It is the Grace of God that empowers you to truly do His Works and to speak His Words. When you do it, there is pride, but when brought to the threshing floors of humility more Grace is given. If you do the works you have a right to brag of your own accomplishments and the works are no longer the works of Christ but instead yours. MORE MORE MORE MORE Grace is needed to get the job done. Paul went through this season I believe because at the end of His ministry He declared that He did more W O R K than all the other apostles but then he proclaimed that it truly wasn't even him but it was the Grace of God that was on Him. You see we all know we don't deserve His love and the salvation that can't be earned, but somehow in our thinking we begin to think that we can earn everything else. WE can't earn a seat in heaven and you can't earn a powerful ministry. You can't earn your strength. You can't earn a metal like you can in a natural army. This army is supernatural and is fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is His works you are doing and not yours. You are just obeying to be the vessel or the temple in which He delivers them. There is no place for pride in this season, it is where the mirror of God is placed before you and you see yourself for who you are. You are nothing good without Jesus. It is a place that sends a reflecting power onto your very being and begins to form the person of Christ within you. People learn to imitate the characteristics of the fruits of the Spirit but this is the process in which you are truly pruned and trimmed painfully in order to bear true fruit and eventually in abundance. Like I said before if you believe you have faith and it has never been tested and you think you are bearing the fruit of God, you better take a few steps back and reevaluate again, because fruit doesn't grow on trees without a process. The tree has to receive from the earth and the rain and the sun in order to grow. So there is a receiving season that gives the tree strength to produce fruit. The tree doesn't grow overnight, it grows in seasons. Every year it is strengthen and enlarged and capable of producing more and more fruit. Gardeners prune it to grow faster and stronger. God is your husbandman and He is the one that does this process in your life. So if you are in this season, and you have lost all forms of hope, then go back to your first love. Forget about the former things you trusted in, the things you thought you were going to accomplish and just simply trust in God. You could be wrong about everything but you still have Jesus. I promise you when this season is over there will be an abundance of anointing oils flowing throughout your branches and producing all types of fruit in your life. The works of God will begin, you will have the strength to endure till the end.

Miraculous healing and Angel caught on video

2012-05-14T00:36:00.001-05:00

Miracle and Angel caught on a Camera!! Awesome story!

It's time to EMBRACE!

2012-05-03T18:42:00.001-05:00

There is a time for everything under the sun (Eccl. 3). A season: a trial; a blessing; a valley; a victorious mountain top. Even so there is a time for judgment and a time to embrace. Like the man that was considered to be sinning worse than the pagans in the time of Paul the apostle; that a man should have (intimately) his fathers wife (1 Cor. 5:1).

Paul told the Church they were puffed up and full of pride for not dealing with this man. This was considered sharing in the mans sins. It was like saying it is righteous and OK. Because of this it could spread to others. Their convictions would be severed and they would feel that this sin was OK or at least not put a strong value on godliness. He mentioned that it is like making bread, and when you put leaven(yeast) in bread it makes the entire dough rise. They were unitedly puffed up like leavened bread, with pride(1 Cor. 5:6-8) together as one loaf. So Paul commanded them to deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of his "flesh", that his "spirit" would be "saved" in the Day of the Lord (1 Cor. 5:5).

The Corinthian Church obeyed the request of the apostle. For this man, it was a time of judgment: well deserved judgment; although, this mans life was not over. Notice the quotations I put above: flesh; spirit; and "saved". I put emphasis on these words for a purpose. It said the destruction was for the "flesh", but not for the "spirit": for the "spirit" would still be "saved" on the Day of the Lord. This is not a teaching on the End Times per say, but you have know what the Day of the Lord is in order to understand what I am teaching. Read: Isaiah 13:6; 2 Peter 3:10; Joel 2:30-31; Matt 21:29-30; Rev 12:7-9, 12. All these verses declared that there will be a visit form the Lord that will bring destruction to all the earth and it's inhabitants. Almost like saying the end all of all: the final judgment perhaps.

Well we know that the Day of the Lord indeed has not happened yet, but God allowed this man's testimony to be written in the Holy Scriptures thousands of years ago. So before the Lord's final Judgment we know that the spirit of the righteous both dead and alive will rise to glory and be saved from all this unspeakable wrath. So why did Paul say this man who was sinning worse than the pagans of those days would still be saved in the Day of the Lord? The reason is because the man gave his life over to Jesus to be saved. God's grace is protecting him; however, at this time it was better for the man to be exiled from the Church. This served two purposes. The Church could be pure again and this man could come to his senses. Even if the man continued to allow sin to abound in his life and never returned to the Church but instead died, Paul was making it clear that at the rising of the saints this man too could very well be in Glory with the rest of us; changed into a new image, with a spiritual body. Paul held judgment against the sin of this man and the sin of the Church but not on the individual as being a non-christian or false believer. He was simply bringing a rod of correction to drive the leaven right out of the Church so there would be a purity reigning again: so people would see, hear, and learn from this mans experience.

You may be wondering the outcome of Paul's decision. Well like I said there is a time for everything under the sun. There was a time for this man to be reprimanded and also a time for the man to be embraced. I also mentioned there was a two-fold purpose and that the Church indeed would learn and change as well. This very thing was happening. Paul heard rumors of the grief and sorrow of both the man and the Church. As Paul planned to make his journey again to Corinth, he wrote another letter which we call 2 Corinthians. 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 Paul revisits this issue with sadness in his heart declaring that the ones (Corinth Christians) that give him joy are grieved at heart. His tactics were working within the Church. They were repentant: they were grieved as if their Father was upset with them. But Paul knew the danger of to much sorrow and how the devil could get a foothold. He embraced the Corinth Christians telling them to have joy, and that the reason he wrote the first letter was out of a pure love for them. He applauded them for their obedience and was thankful that they passed this test. Although Paul couldn't be there in person he knew the Church itself would feel the love he had for them while they were embracing and showing this man caught in sin the same love. Paul said that to much sorrow could swallow up a man and that it was time to embrace him. In verse 8 he "URGES" them to reaffirm their love for the reprimanded individual. Godly sorrow produces repentance as does the love and the kindness of God. Both are active ingredients to real repentance. Sorrow in the heart and the manifestation of the kindness of God will bring the biggest of men to their knees.

This teaching doesn't excuse the harsh judgment of many in the Church that believe they have to become the Holy Spirit to every member they see sinning. Nobody is without sin including themselves. There is a form in which judgment should be used. First and foremost God must be in the center of it. Paul told the Church that when they deliver the man unto Satan that the Power of God should be present. It is impossible for God's power to be present and His will to not be manifested in the action. Paul was being led by the Spirit, he already knew of the sin of this man and had prayerful prayed and declared that God's power was waiting for them to obey in this. If this was not the case there would have not been much fruit. I know people that just can't keep their mouths shut. They feel it is there duty as a Christian to pass judgment and to speak up every time they see a Christian doing something wrong. This man went through a season of both destruction, and embrace. Sometimes people need your embrace. Maybe their hearts are already sorrowful because of their own convictions but need the embrace to bring about the fruit of repentance; like the icing on the cake. Christians have the heart of God within them, they have the a covenant with God and God has placed his statutes within the new heart. We know what is wrong, and often walk through a time of bondage and addiction, all the while having a sorrowful heart for what we are doing. The embrace is what is lacking. Christians are so easy to send the rebuke, but then label the man as "GUILTY" for the remainder of their relationships. This brings nothing and no power is present and the person usually feels so unloved by their own brothers and sisters that they purposely "orphan" themselves away from the Church. Paul urged them to reaffirm their love. This is lacking in the Church. Many brothers are walking the new life in destruction already and are just sorrowful and "PRAYING" that God will help them. God wants to send you to "EMBRACE", a season of "REAFFIRMING" the Love of God to people who are deep in the filth this world has to offer. Satan is already destroying their lives, God is wanting to bring about repentance but we to often forget that there is a balance. This man that was caught in sin, was living his life openly in the Church acting as if it was right. Trying to walk justly, he needed the strong hand of God and the rebuke before he received the embrace. Many are out there needing the embrace. They never felt the love from their own fathers who are not quick to forgive, so they need to sense and feel the EMBRACE of the Lord through the body of Christ.

Remember that God is a compassionate God. The entire city of Nineveh was in much sin and it angered the Lord. People read the old testament and automatically think that God was always about wrath, but if Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He displays the image of the Father then what can you say about Father God of the old testament? Numbers 14:18 and Psalm 103:8 both declare that God is SLOW to anger, but QUICK to love, forgive and show mercy. We see accounts of rebelliousness that forced the hand of God to bring judgment in the old testament and we take that as His entire persona. This is far from the characteristics of God. If that is how you perceive God then you have perceived wrong. Why do you think that God sent His Son in the place of all mankind? So they could escape like Noah did. So they could be saved within the ark during passing judgments coming upon mankind. Take it from Jonah. Jonah was a prophet that served the Lord and saw first hand of what God is capable of and seen His actions and personality up close. The reason Jonah had fled from the Lord makes no sense to all that see God as a angry hammer down judge. It seems as if Jonah didn't want the people of Nineveh to be harmed, but it is quite the opposite. Jonah was the judgmental man of today that was pointing the finger wanting to see the wrath of God. He felt that the uncircumcised non-Jewish people of that city didn't deserve the "EMBRACE" of the Lord, after all they were not Gods chosen people; the elect (sarcasm). Don't ever think it is prophetic to judge, it is prophetic to interpret the entire message of the Lord. Jonah knew that bringing the message of judgement to Nineveh would bring much sorrow and they would show works of repentance then God would EMBRACE them and show them kindness and mercy. One of the jobs and duties of the prophets back then was to teach the men and women of the Kindness and mercies of God and how he would forgive if they turned to the Lord. If you feel you are a prophet and are spiritual then you better learn the love of the Father or else you will see the hand of the Lord too. You can't be a judge in God's Kingdom without the Love of God. It is impossible and ungodly. Ungodly? Yes, for God is LOVE!

Galatians 6:1

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brethren, even if ^[a]anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

I tell you this, the prodigal son was not expecting the EMBRACE of the Father, but was begging to just simply be a servant. It says that the prodigal had come to his senses. That is the purpose in the destruction of the flesh; to come to your senses. When he did, he begged to be treated like a servant because he knew his father treated his servants well and they lived better than he was. He felt so unworthy and no longer of the same bloodline of his father. He was not expecting to be a SON again. But the Father embraced him. What do you think will happen when people feel that EMBRACE? Many will learn to live as sons and daughters instead of servants and peasants. You are a child of the most high, not a servant in His Kingdom, but a child of His, destined to reign. Now lets Go and a be bringers of light, which brings both the sorrow and the kindness, bringing forth fruit to true holiness. Lets EMBRACE the world for Jesus.

By: Rich Cohrs

www.richcohrs.blogspot.com

The Void x Impossible = Created

2012-05-02T04:57:00.000-05:00

People constantly say God is about multiplication but I tell you this: God's math is much different from ours. For instance 0 x (any number) Automatically equals Zero on our times tables because you have to have something to multiply, yet with God He took Zero or nothing and created everything. He took Void and created All. With a Word He heals. With a Word He creates. With a Word He speaks to your condition. With a Word He silences storms. You see His math is different because He creates. He is the Creator. He doesn't need something to multiply to get a result from nothing. He Speaks to dry bones and creates flesh. With His very breathe man received life. No equation makes sense according to His Math. It is in the realm of Impossible and our knowledge only sees and works with what is possible. Everything He speaks will happen, it is His Creative Nature. Therefore you have to have faith to believe in both God and what He has created. Scientist keep digging up and digging up new info on how something was formed but they could give up all their endeavors if they just chose to believe it all was once "Zero" and then multiplied by "Impossible" to get the result of "Creation". If you want to talk Math. You will find that the probability is greater that there is a Creator that created everything then the belief that everything just existed and evolved. The complexity and Intricacy of what is created is to finite to just evolve on its on. Every portion of your body plays a part within itself and it would take more than all the genius minds every born on this earth to even pioneer the idea, yet molecules were smart enough to turn themselves into what we are now (sarcasm). Takes much much more faith to believe in the absence of God. Logically there is no other explanation and it is only in ignorance that the suggestion is even entertained. It took so many thousands of years for man to even figure out how to clone what the Sun produces, light bulb, and they will never figure out how to create creation like the Son did. Scientist can only use the creations resources to recreate something. They can't take "Zero" (nothing) and create something. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of. Man may build the house but God created the man that built the house.

By: Rich Cohrs

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He is in the CENTER of the Road!!

2012-04-27T05:52:00.000-05:00

The Church today is somewhat like drunk men walking down the "right" path. With all the doctrines and interpretations that create division they're no longer walking in the center of the road, but like drunk men end up in the ditch. Still going forward in the right path, they all walk in the same direction but on opposites sides of the road. Neither in the center, neither aware of their location in the ditches, and both stumbling in the dark unaware of the truth. One is calling out to the other across the road to the opposite ditch saying, "my way is the right way". The other, vice versus.

Take for example the grace teaching compared to the good works teaching. One says it is all about good works, the other says it is all about faith and grace. What if the Holy Spirit was speaking while the others were yelling at the other declaring their ways? What if the Holy Spirit was telling both the individuals that they were both equally wrong but equally right? What if the Holy Spirit was in the center of the road saying "you are suppose to be walking with me, let me lead you"?

What do I mean by this? Well take both doctrines into consideration. Good works is right, because we were created in Christ "for good works" (Ephesians 2:10). And grace is right because we were saved by grace through faith and not by works otherwise you will have a reason to boast and also grace would no longer be grace but instead a debt owed to a worthy worker (Ephesians 2). Both doctrines, if not balanced "Spiritually"(by the Holy Spirit), are in danger. Danger of what? The works of the flesh! Good works could easily, so easily, be more of a campaign of trying to get God's attention through the flesh; "Look at me God, look at everything I've been doing", very much like the faithful brother of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). On the other hand the Grace teaching could be so out of balance that holiness is no longer preserved. A lack of repentance, or lack of fear can easily be obtained and God's statutes easily forgotten. Grace is so important and it the foundation in which we stand in Christ, but it is not a "get out of trouble Scot free" card. The Grace of God teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12 NIV).

I am not talking about a compromise of integrity and trying to find a happy medium somewhere in the middle that we can all agree on, I am actually saying there needs to be an adjustment of mindsets, humility (defined) and a "CHANGE" of belief. What is the adjustment? The adjustment is in the middle of the road, He is crying out for you to be led by Him. You see we can do good works all day long but the Holy Spirit is in the center of the road asking you to obey Him, because He has strategically placed the works in the center for you next to His side where you belong. And Grace is needed but it is found in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Grace isn't a teacher yet the letter to Titus says that it teaches us what is right and how to live our lives, so who do you think teaches the truths about Grace? The "One" in the middle of the road, the One that Jesus said will guide (teach) us into all truth.

So the scripture gives us the answer when it says to be led by the Spirit. It declares that if you are led by God's Spirit you will not fall in anyway, you will not do the works of the flesh at all, you will not gratify the sinful nature within. You are not under the obligations of the law, in which most work based theology is focused. The good works have become an added man-made Christian law within itself. But instead the Holy Spirit will produce the good works (good fruit), the fruit of the Spirit within your lives (Galatians 5), and what will happen is that they will flow freely. Remember Ephesians states that you are "HIS WORKMANSHIP" created to good works, "which he has prepared in advance" (Eph 2:10). Being led by God's Spirit you will see and hear the unction of God as He prompts you to do the "WORK" of the Kingdom. Kingdom fruit is everlasting fruit. When burned it survives untouched and un-ruined; pure. It is important that we don't spend our lives building the house made of hay and stubble but instead build with pure gold and silver and precious stones that are eternal. Build what stands against the storm, build what endures through the fire.

Also it is impossible to be stuck on true Grace and not be led by God's Spirit. It is the Grace of God that empowers you to do good works. It is the Grace of God the empowers you with gifting to be used properly in the Kingdom of God. God's grace is not just the washing over of sins but indeed has many wonderful facets to it. It is manifold (1 Peter 4:10) and is diversified. Even the correct and accurate meaning of "gifts" of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor 12 is defined as "graces". Yes indeed, you are right, it certainly does justify you (Romans 3:24). But...it also teaches you to live righteously (Titus 2:12, Acts 20:32, 2 Timothy 2:1). And to end the good works argument, it is the Grace of God that is fruit producing; in its fruit-producing role: "and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:6). It is time to know the Grace of God in Truth. And to end the argument from the other side of the ditch, the Grace of God is the empowering and working element in a Christians life for laboring in the Kingdom according to Paul at the ending of his career. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). First Paul declared that he labor (good works) more than all the other workers in the field but then he humbled himself before the Corinthians in letter and said that he takes none of the credit but instead it was the Grace of God working in him and through him to produce the good works of the Kingdom. Many other scriptures could I lay out before you showing a more accurate balance of both good works and Grace and how they were never meant to be on opposite sides of the road in a drunken state stumbling in the dark but I will trust that this is enough and it stirs you to know more of the truth.

So what if... what if the Holy Spirit is in the center of the road crying out for you to be led by Him? What if He is trying to illuminate the path through truth? What if the Holy Spirit is lighting a path where a stranger, a neighbor, that is badly beaten and and bruised and in need of healing, right there in the center of the road strategically positions by God Himself? What if this man was recently attacked by robbers, clothes stolen, beaten and left half-dead in the center of the road? What if the Holy Spirit is saying to you priestly Good works opinionated man to leave your own agenda of good works, law abiding self, to be in the center helping this man? What if the Holy Spirit was calling out to you, Grace declaring lazy Levite, to get off the dark stumbling path of unrighteousness to help this poor man in need. What if...what if the Holy Spirit is trying to get both your attention to come together and be one NEW MAN, a SAMARITAN who doesn't pass the naked left for dead man, on either side of the road, but instead produces a graceful good work led by the Spirit in the center of the Road.

Luke 10:29-37

New International Version (NIV)

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

What if in the midst of the theological debate and drunken state of stumbling out of the Truth of God into the ditch, you not only became both the Levite and the Priest, but indeed became this man that sought to justify himself asking Jesus, "And who is my neighbor"? Both doctrines are looking to justify themselves either by Grace, or by good works, trying to prove the other wrong. What if it was really Jesus that you were arguing with? Both claim to be experts, both claim to be correct, but in the end it is Christ the leads us into the truth. This man Jesus was telling this parable too, finally understood. Verse 17 says the "EXPERT" replied to Jesus about who the neighbor truly was, "The one who had MERCY on him". What if we have not only become the two on either side of the road but also the one that seeks to justify his own self as an "EXPERT"? What did Jesus say? He said, "GO and do likewise". If the expert was already doing the good works gracefully by faith, then Jesus would have had no reason to give him the command to "GO". All three are two busy, to arrogant, and not walking soberly in the DAY, but walking in the dark. It is during the DAY that the Children of light have the path illuminated to walk correctly in the middle, to see the broken and naked man. It is those who are awake that no longer find time to debate because they are busy doing the WORKS of God in the Kingdom. Lets build the House of God together. Lets build and not drink of our own opinion in a drunken sleep state. Lets be one NEW MAN, united and stand in the Grace of God doing His work. Lets let the Holy Spirit guide us into the light, into the truth, for He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13)

Colossians 4:5-6 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-21

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Written by: Rich Cohrs

www.richcohrs.blogspot.com

Fathers we should follow

2012-04-20T22:33:00.001-05:00

People always say walk by faith. Sometimes they say they are walking by faith to excuse a lack of humility. You may ask them, "Have you heard from God", "Have you prayed and asked God?", and they may reply, "I have free will", "God is not concerned, I walk by faith". Well, I do believe that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. There are somethings that are scriptural and we just walk by faith believing them, there are other things that pertain to our personal walk with the Lord that we need a WORD from God first. James said to the business not to "say" I will go in do this or that but instead, "I will, if the Lord WILLS". Abraham was the father of Faith and it says that we are his children if we walk in the same faith of Abraham. Lets see, so did Abraham just conjure up an idea to go find the promise land or did God reveal Himself to Abraham and tell Him there was a Promise Land, and then did God give him a command to depart and go find it? To often we conjure up ideas and just tell ourselves to walk by faith. We say, "well God wants to give us the desires of our own hearts". All that is in the world is the Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the eyes, and the pride of Life, be careful that these desires that are deep within don't deceive you. You have no need for a 80,000 dollar car or a 2 million dollar house when you are single or have no kids. Even beyond that, if you make these things your goal then you have missed the mark.

Father Abraham, if he is your father, understood we are just pilgrims and sojourners here on earth, he seeked a heavenly homeland although he was searching here on earth. He found no place to make/build a house. No dwelling place here on earth was meant for him. He spent all his days in tents and moving around on the earth from one place to the other (nomadic). He had money(lots of money), he had servants, he was wealthy and was like one of the Kings, but he didn't live his life in pleasure. He continually searched for the Promise, dwelling in tents only. He was not of this world and declared to be a pilgrim and a sojourner. He died in faith; not living as if he obtained the promise. So remember God is not concerned about making every Christian the next Bill Gates, which is on the mind of tons of Christians. Wealth is Ok, but it shouldn't be seeked as a number one calling in life. We are to seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and everything else falls into place, if you happen to be the next Bill Gates then you are blessed of the Lord. If you seek His Kingdom before everything else and you happen to be the next Paul you are blessed of the Lord, who was condemned to death, made a spectacle to the world, a fool for Christ's sake, weak while you were strong, dishonored, hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, beaten and homeless, laboring and working with his own hands, reviled and persecuted and was made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now (1 Corinthians 4). This is all in Chapter 4 of 1 Corinthians, first Paul tells the Corinthians that they are rich and that they are "already" living as kings, yet he declares that they are not truly reigning because if they were Paul would be too, but instead Paul decided to tell them how he lives which I listed above briefly. Verse 14 Paul says he didn't write any of those things, which I listed above, to make them feel bad about there life but as a father in faith he was "Warning" them. And then in verse 16, Paul urges them after his warning to instead live like him, to "Imitate" him (as he listed in detail). Paul understood that even if God had blessed him above and beyond with earthly wealth as He did to Abraham, that he should still live a life seeking God's Kingdom above all else and to not live with worldly pleasures. Not to make a kingdom here on earth when there is a Kingdom ready for us to reign in the heavens as Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you".

I am not saying this in a impure religious way condemning the prosperity gospel as if Gods principals are not true, but I am saying that if you are sowing for the purpose of being rich and that is your earthly focus then you have truly missed the mark. God didn't put seed time and harvest here on earth to make you a King but to bring forth a harvest. He is the King. In Israel, the tribes were led by God and the judges that God gave the oracles too. There was no King until man rejected God as King and Saul was given in His place; with a "warning" I might add. Then God choose David as the next King and it wasn't because God was saying OK to having a King but instead David was a man after God's own heart. God warned man what Kings would do to them. God gave them the choice and the warning. They suffered the consequences, even till this day they are reaping what they sowed. We don't need to be ex-halted by our own measures but in Humility brought low until the time is right for God to to let us reign. Anyone who temps you to make a Kingdom for yourself here on earth is not speaking with the Words that come from God. We are to seek His Kingdom above all else. Don't worry about making one for yourself. Why would you, when it is promised that Jesus Himself is preparing yours already. Your mansion is already being prepared. You will have it in the right timing. This life is but a vapor why spend that vapor building your pleasures when you can't take them with you. But instead spend that vapor seeking God's Kingdom, making Christ known. Let that be your number one goal. If you happen to be the Next Bill Gates then don't live like Bill, but instead live like Abraham, and with your wealth take care of the less fortunate, sow into the mission field, give, give, give. You will be happier in the end when you realize none was worth it. The car, the house, the fancy this and fancy that, none is eternal but what was built in the Kingdom of God. Don't let people speak into your lives that take your focus off of God's Kingdom and make it a self-gospel. If they make your focus withing yourself than how could it be based on LOVE. If you become a Bill, I suggest you spend the majority of your money on clothing and then give it all away to those who are naked. Spend it all on food and then what you can't eat, give it all away to the hungry. Spend it all on houses that you can't live in, then give them all away to the homeless. You will be blessed on earth and in heaven. Live like a servant and not a King. Rich or not, leave your pleasures far behind you so they don't hinder your Kingdom WALK here on earth. Abraham never stopped his search, never stopped to build his kingdom, never stopped to indulge in many pleasures. He was focused on finding the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Now it is here in our days, we have God's grace, we have His Spirit to empower us, His Kingdom is all around us. Focus on it, live in it, not your own. Expand it, pray for more of it on earth.

You can't walk by faith and only be building a place for you to Reign when it is not time for you to Reign. If you do you will be very unhappy in the end, because you would have only reigned for a vapor, it will all be gone in no time and you would not have had time to enjoy it. None will pass through fire and remain, but those who endure till the end as bond-servants will reign for eternity. Servants are not kings, but they serve their Master and obey His word. Abraham is the model of our faith. God sent him blessings but he was faithful and felt no need to be the first Hebrew King but instead the father of the Hebrew/Christian faith. Walk in His footsteps. If God tells you to be a King then by all means make yourself a kingdom and live your life in pleasure like the Rich Corinthians were doing. God blessed them and they began to reign before their time according to Paul. Instead I suggest you get a vision from God, a true vision from God, and when you have it, run with it. Keep focused on it, walk by faith with it. Don't be afraid of wealth but don't make it your focus either. Remember Abraham was given a promise and i am sure that he had temptations with all the wealth he had to be a the first King of the Hebrews but instead he was called to be the first Father of the Hebrews. He focused and focused and never stopped believing, He was made righteous because of this.

Free to Slave!

2012-04-18T22:38:00.000-05:00

Paul says, "I am a bond-servant of Jesus Christ", and the scripture also says that "we have been bought with a price". Even so in Ephesians chapter 3 the Word states that we have been "saved unto good works". First what does it mean to be a bond-servant? In Old Testament Law it was permitted that slaves be set free at certain times as a Jewish tradition set in order by God Himself. When a good master had slaves every so often when it was time for them to be set free the servant would choose to remain with his master. Usually this was due to his years of wonderful kindness (there were other reasons too but this was the main reason). The servant loved him and chose to stay. This was how you became a bond-servant. Then the servant would be put up against the wall and take his masters mark. His ear would be pierced with a certain instrument of those days indicating that he is no longer a slave but one that was aloud to sit and eat at the table of the master like a child in the master house.

As Jesus paid the price with His blood and set us free from the slave bonds of Darkness and the sin that had us bound, we are now free. As a bond-servant we choose not to use our freedom to do wrong but instead do good; righteously serving the Lord as a son in the Masters House. Not choosing our old master (sin) but a new Master, a worthy and kind Master, Jesus. As we are born again we are truly children of God and freed from the power of darkness. Now we are left with a choice to serve God. Some choose to live out their Christian life doing "little" works here and there and that is great, and the Master Loves you, but we were created unto good works Ephesians 3 says. So in our freedom, lets choose to not just be a son at the Masters table and enjoy the benefits, but in righteousness lets choose to be bond-servants dedicating our lives to serving and doing the Works of the Father here on earth. Paul was sold out to God and that is why he used the term "bond-servant", indicating that he is free now, but choosing to do all that he can to further the Kingdom of His Master. If you haven't already dedicated your life to doing good and to serve King Jesus there is no better time than now. He Loves you, He paid the price for you, the least you can do is just choose to be available. God gives His grace to empower you to do all the works that He has called you to do. Let your talents and the giftings hidden deep within you be free as well. Use them to further the Kingdom of our Master.

As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the [manifold] grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

Bless you again today. My the Lord pour out a blessing on you so large it can't even be contained. Pour it out on others today!!

By: Rich Cohrs