SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS OF WIND AND BREATH

SPIRITUAL MANIFESTIONS OF WIND AND BREATH

I would like to take some time to help people understand the manifestations of spirits and give some insight to assist with your discernment. Jesus spoke to me about the storm and the winds which also gave me further understanding of why when someone reads the bible or preaches the bible/Word I do not get a “living witness” in my spirit.

Many years ago when I got first saved I would be at a bible study or hearing a sermon preached and I knew they were reading from the bible but I did not receive an inner witness in my spirit. I immediately went to the Lord in question and concern. I said Lord I have the indwelling Spirit of Jesus in me why is your Word not witnessing to me as I should be rejoicing in hearing your Word. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, he is not one of mine and does not belong to me.

I immediately reflected on Apostle Peter saying to Jesus where should we go as you have the WORDS OF LIFE! I will elaborate more on this but for now lets start on what prompted me in the Spirit as the Lord revealed to me. Let’s read from Matthew.

Matthew 8:23–34 (ESV)

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

I have heard it preached and spoken many times that the disiples feared the storm even though they were experienced fishermen and I even heard they were fearful of the Lord which is not absolute truth. If they feared the Lord why get into the boat to begin with! Let me explain and reveal to you that they were not afraid of the storm what they were afraid of that they did not understand was the spirit that sent the storm! You must remember the disciples had NOT received the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection of Christ Jesus. They had no power of their own just as a saint with the Holy Spirit has no power of their own/flesh but only by the Spirit of the Lord! This is why we do not see miracles, demons cast out and the like. You must be led AND empowered by the Holy Spirit and do and speak only what the Holy Spirit instructs you to do! Otherwise you will operate in the power of the flesh and not the Holy Spirit.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NKJV)

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,

So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

As you read fear is a spirit! The fear of the wind and waves in the storm was spirit! Experienced fishermen have experience in storms so the source of fear was spiritual NOT natural.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

So he answered and said to me:

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

What I am about to reveal to you is that spirits manifest in wind and in breath! Every word spoken has spirit thus the tongue both blesses and curses! Life and death are in the power of the tongue!

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Matthew 12:36–37 (NKJV)

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 13:3 (NKJV)

3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Every word you “read” has spirit and that is why our minds are under constant spiritual attack! When you read you speak the words to your mind! The spirit that those words were inspired/written are attached spiritually to what you read! Your ears do the same thing! Everything you hear has spirit behind it!

What happened in the boat was that the spirit of Satan came against the will of Jesus and the disciples as they were headed to the county of the Gaderenes. Now that was in the land of Bashan where Mt. Hermon was located. Mt. Hermon is where the fallen angels made their “pack of agreement” to infiltrate the daughters of men. This is where Jesus transfigured and said I will build my church upon this rock, it was where the fallen angels had made their pack to infiltrate the daughters of men. So it was a principality and stronghold! Remember the gentiles had NOT received the law yet.

NOTES: Bashan. Region east and northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The exact boundaries of Bashan are difficult to determine, but it extended approximately 35 to 40 miles from the foot of Mt Hermon in the north to the Yarmuk River in the south, and stretched some 60 to 70 miles eastward from the Sea of Galilee.

According to the apocryphal Book of Enoch, the fallen angels (known as the Watchers) descended on the summit of Mount Hermon. It is a massive 9,232-foot mountain cluster located along the border of Syria and Lebanon. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Genesis 6:1–4 (NKJV)

The Wickedness and Judgment of Man

6 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

There has been some debate on which mountain Jesus transfigured as some say Mt. Tabor and other Mt. Hermon. I believe it was Mt Hermon and that is where Jesus transfigured and said the “gates of hell” would not prevail! Jesus was there to redeem everything, absolutely everything and declared this by His transfiguration that the “Watchers/Fallen angels” answered and submitted to Him the One True God and that they would be defeated and Jesus would take back ALL dominion and authority.

Matthew 17:1–13 (NKJV)

The Transfiguration

Mark 9:2–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Pet. 1:17, 18

17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Revelation of the Church

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Now you need to understand wind and breath are both spirit! When Jesus spoke and rebuked the winds and waves Jesus rebuked the spirit Satan had sent causing the wind and waves. Notice wind is spirit and breath is spirit! Here is a great example of discerning the wind/spirit.

1 Kings 19:11–14 (NKJV)

God’s Revelation to Elijah

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.

John 4:24 (NKJV)

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Acts 2:1–4 (NKJV)

Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It was the wind/spirit of Satan rebuked by the breath/wind/spirit of Jesus, spirit against spirit! Jesus didn’t create a “natural wind” when Jesus spoke Jesus released His spirit and rebuked the spirit of Satan in and of the wind! So when the disciples marveled and said what MAN is He that can rebuke the wind it was not the Son of Man but the Son of God who rebuked the spiritual winds of Satan.

Let me continue on with wind and breath being spirit. If you go back all the way to Genesis and creation you will see when God spoke/breathed and spirit created! A person does not speak on the inhale only on the exhale! When you speak you exhale breath and spirit. If you are NOT a new creation born again in Christ Jesus you still release spirit and it’s NOT of the Lord! If I had to preach a sermon today about this it would be on the following scripture.

Luke 9:54–56 (NKJV)

54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

You will never read that Jesus yelled our shouted when healing the sick or casting out demons. Spirit/breath with the Word and will of God is what is needed. You can’t scream a demon out of someone! Think about this. Demons do not respond to the love of Christ Jesus only the authority of Christ Jesus. There is no redemption for demons so they do not respond to the love of Jesus. Believing that you can “hug or counsel” someone free is not the same as taking spiritual authority over the demon(s).

Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

I was talking with a brother in Christ and I was talking about so many scriptures that pastors use to manipulate so they will become and idol to the church and lord over them.

The one I mentioned with ephasis was faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Many leaders/pastors use this to validate “THEIR MINISTRY” and not exalt Christ Jesus. Tossing around the name of Jesus making you think they belong to Jesus when they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Would you be surprised if I told you Jesus did not have a ministry? Jesus ONLY did what He saw the Father doing and the Words Jesus spoke were not of His own. If you have seen Jesus you have seen the Father. We are to walk by the Spirit of God not doing our own will, works or speaking our own words but only do what Jesus is doing and speak what Jesus is speaking! You must have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying!

Philippians 2:7–12 (NKJV)

but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 2:29 (NKJV)

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

John 5:19–21 (NKJV)

Equality with God in Power

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

John 14:10–12 (NKJV)

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

You may know something that the Lord has given you revelation on but you are not to speak it until prompted by the Holy Spirit. Words spoken without the Holy Spirit are easily twisted, manipulated and used by Satan for deception. Words spoken without the Holy Spirit are powerless against the spirit realm without the unction of the Holy Spirit! Beware of those who claim to teach healing and deliverance “methods”, as a method is not being led by the Holy Spirit. No Holy Spirit no power to heal or deliver. That is why psycotherapy is so prevelant in the church and SOZO is demonic in it’s methods. The Holy Spirit works by divine revelation not a probing spirit! Jesus will tell you what HE wants to do for a person do not rely on your own understanding or the teachings of men! Seek the Lord for HIS will and desires for that person so Jesus can set the captives free!

Acts 19:13–17 (NKJV)

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Ok, back to faith comes by hearing the Word of God used out of context. We know the bible was God Breathed and Jesus said my sheep hear my voice. So are you hearing the Holy Spirit speak to you and getting an inner witness in the Holy Spirit when someone preaches or teaches? The Written Word is from the mouth of God and are you hearing the Holy Spirit talk to you and witness within you? Are the words spoken “Living Word” or just merely spoken recital of literal reading/teaching of men? There are many parrots in the pulpits but very few pastors called by the Holy Spirit and born of the Holy Spirit. If the man in the pulpit is not born again ask yourself which kingdom he represents? He may call himself a Christain but he is not a Christian.

2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Now let’s go back to when Adam was created and God breathed into Adams notrils the Spirit of God! So here you have the Holy Spirit as breath which is another manifestion of spirit which needs to be discerned. What creates a “spiritual atmosphere”? It is not just physical presence it is also spiritual presence! Every breath exhaled is spirit. Every inhalation of air is also spirit. Here is what is needed. All of our five natural senses must be submitted to the Holy Spirit to discern the spirits. Smell is a discerning of spirits as the prayers of the saints is incense to the Lord. Incense are inhaled in the nostrils. So every spiritual assignment against you can affect your sense of smell even to the point of chronic sinusitis! When one of your natural sense is under attack it can affect the whole body. Even cigarrete smoke can be used as a form of incense to a pagan deity! Smoke rises and the enchantments of assignments rises with the smoke! The Lord revealed this to me as a Jezebel was releasing curses against me while smoking. She would smoke while looking at me with eyes of hatred and murder releasing her assignments to pagan deities against me.

Why do you think Jezebel killed the prophets? If Satan can’t kill you spiritually Satan will try to kill you physically! What Satan and Jezebel did was silence the spirit/breath of the prophets! Satan and Jezebel want to kill Christ Jesus in you thus you are a personal target of the adversary! Both your physical and spiritual afflictions are spiritually released against you. That being said will you still be a true witness for Christ when you are persecuted, ridiculed, slandered, imprisoned, physically and spiritually attacked?

Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

When you pray for someone you speak the words over them and the words have spirit from your breath, what spirit are you speaking? Were your words inspired by the Holy Spirit? Were they spoken by faith in the Holy Spirit? I was once at a leadership prayer meeting that I was invited to. We all took a turn at praying and when it was my turn I prayed using scriptures. I was shocked at the end of the prayer session when I was approached by many who said they never heard anyone pray using scriptures! I said how else can you pray but according to the will and Word of God! What did the virgin Mary say? Be it according to your Word that I would be considered worthy! If you are not praying the will of God your prayers will not be answered or fulfilled. God is NOT contrary to His Word. You must discern spiritually by seeking the Lord how and what to pray. Too many pray against the will of God believing they are doing the will of God! Some people have to go through things to turn them back to Christ Jesus and you can’t pray them out of something Jesus has placed them into. You can however edify them by knowing the will of God and speaking to them. I have not been able to tell people they are “being tested” when they come to me for prayer trying to get out of a situation the Lord has allowed to happen. If you tell them their being tested the test is no longer valid. Abraham was test even to the point of sacrificing his own son. No one else was involved just Abraham and the Lord! If you give them the answer there was no real test! Abraham didn’t seek answers from people or his own wife about sacrifcying his own son as the Lord instructed him. Yes that is very profound indeed! Moses didn’t seek answers from others when faced with the Red Sea, he sought the Lord knowing he had not returned to the mountain to worship the Lord! His assignment/mission had not been completed thus Moses knew nothing could stop the will of God! You might be called to do something from the Lord that NO ONE will understand so don’t be discouraged!

Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

John 1:1 (NKJV)

The Deity of Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Let’s get back to wind and breath being spirit. Let’s read Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 37:9 (NKJV)

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”

In Ezekiel you have both breath and wind as the Spirit of the Lord! This is a great example! When Jesus was confronting the pharisees as in John 3:8 Jesus was referring to the Spirit of God! They did not know the Spirit of God and denied Christ as their Messiah.

John 3:6–12 (NKJV)

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Psalm 135:7 (NKJV)

7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;

He makes lightning for the rain;

He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

1 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)

11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

While I love all of the Word of God I am deeply inspired by Paul’s Epistles as Paul is a representation of the Church post resurrection. Paul was not discipled by Jesus personally but rather encountered Jesus and was taught by the Holy Spirit. Everything Paul was taught was by the Holy Spirit. I might also add that NONE of the disciples became Apostles until receiving the Holy Spirit after the resurrection. That is how Saul became Paul, post resurrection. Jesus revealed Himself to everyone that He discipled and I believe that is the same today! Jesus as the Son of God and NOT the son of man discipled the disciples. It was the Spirit of God that discipled them! That is why Jesus told them it was best if He left so the Holy Spirit could come. In fact they would not even remember what they were taught without the Holy Spirit and there were still things for them to learn that the Holy Spirit would reveal.

John 14:25–27 (NKJV)

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

So when the great commission was given to the disciples after the resurrection of Christ Jesus and Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit they were NO LONGER speaking the teachings of men or the understanding of men but as they spoke revelations of Christ Jesus. This is why Paul said he had to give them milk because they were not ready for the meat of the Word!

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (NKJV)

Sectarianism is Carnal

3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NKJV)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 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.

Now that we have establish the wind and breath as spirit let me expound on Paul’s writtings. In Corinthias Paul talks about someone preaching another Jesus and a different spirit. Read below.

2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV)

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

When you read more of Paul’s writings you will see that Paul talks about “wind of doctrine” which is spirit! That is why Paul says you can receive a different Jesus and a different spirit! This is rampant in the assembly of the congregations! Remember the demon spoke out, Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you!!

Ephesians 4:14–16 (NKJV)

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 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.

I hope you are getting revelations of discernment and why the Written Word and Living Word Christ Jesus are ONE not seperate! When you read Isaiah you will see how the “eagle” soars in the wind of the Spirit of the Lord! They don’t flap their own wings they soar in the wind of the Spirit! Isaiah is not just writing the Word of God as he is discribing his own personal experience! Every single Written Word of God is experienced life in Christ Jesus!

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

31 But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

John 15:5 (NKJV)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

So he answered and said to me:

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matthew 16:13–20 (NKJV)

Revelation of the Person of the King

Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–21

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Each of us should be increasing in revelations of Christ which is the person of Christ and not just merely from the Written Word. Just as Paul wrote. Only the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit can bear witness as to who is of the Lord Jesus and who is not. Do not be deceived! Seek the Lord. Just as the Father revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah let Jesus reveal to you who is of the Lord Jesus!

Philippians 3:1–21 (NKJV)

All for Christ

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

I want to briefly say having read Paul’s writing above do not be taken by cliche’s and slogans many repeat that are NOT biblical in meaning and intent! Just as Eve presented the apple to Adam do not be deceived. The cliché of “having a relationship with Jesus” is NOT biblical at all! We are not called to a relationship. Judas had a relationship, the Pharisees had a relationship, Pilot had a relationship and even Satan has a relationship. We were NOT CREATED FOR A MERE RELATIONSHIP WE WERE CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF OUR CREATOR! An athiest has a relationship as they deny Christ and that is their choice do not fall for cliche’s.

We do not need to know our identity in Christ as a dead man/woman has no identity of their own. I am not found in Christ the way they use this metaphor. Christ IN you the hope of glory not me in Christ! The cliché “my identity” exalts self it does not lift up Christ and exalt Christ Jesus. Satan’s trinity as I like to refer to is “me, myself, and I”.

Galatians 6:14–15 (NKJV)

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Romans 6:1–11 (NKJV)

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In closing I want you to reflect on the beginning of this writing regarding the disciples in the boat with Jesus in the wind and waves and why they were in fear. They were not in fear of the wind or the waves but the spirit of the wind and waves which was Satan! I hope you can see this more clearly as I personally have NEVER heard this preached. All the preaching I heard was carnal in mind and not spiritual revelations. Now I will conclude and close with scriptures from Job. Reflect on all that happened to Job was the works of Satan while the Lord God still protected the life of Job.

Job 1:18–22 (NKJV)

18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

If you were blessed and encouraged please feel free to share this posting for the edification and strengthen of the true body of Christ Jesus.

God bless you!