Newsletter #394 - August 2011 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

God teaches us in a manner that makes His Word simple to understand, to those who are willing to invite Him into your life. As Jesus Taught in Rev. 3:30, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me". Note that action is required on your part. We must be willing to open the door and hear His voice with understanding. To "sup" means to share deeper truths. Let's begin our study concerning the hand of God in the great Book of John.

John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him.

These are the words of John the Baptist. Some were trying to stir up jealousy between John the Baptist and Jesus. John wouldn't fall into that trap. He was humble.

John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

John was happy the Word of God was born in the flesh. Prophecy of Messiah had been fulfilled.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He That cometh from heaven is above all.

He that is above all is the One knocking at the door. Open the door of your heart and let Him in. He will feed you. You won't want for knowledge or wisdom.

John 3:32 And what He hath seen and heard, that He testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony.

If you think earthy and refuse to open the door, you won't receive His knowledge and wisdom. It's that simple.

John 3:33 He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

The seal of God is the truth set in your mind.

John 3:34 For He Whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.

God didn't give Jesus part of the Holy Spirit. He gave all things unto His hand. That is the reason that when Jesus touched someone, they were changed.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Those who don't believe on the Son, will not have eternal life. Open the door to your heart, and let Him in. He loves you. He died on the cross so that you would have the option to open the door. Turn to Mark with me.

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God"

The unclean spirit recognized Jesus and His power.

Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Why did the unclean spirit have to come out? Because God placed all His power in the hand of Jesus Christ. Jesus placed the same power in your hand in His name (Luke 10:17-19).

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him."

They had no choice but to obey Him, because of the power of the hand of God.

Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

They went to Simon Peter's house to get some rest.

Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. 31 And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Jesus touch her hand with His hand. When Jesus touches someone, they are changed. The power of the hand of God can drive out evil spirits and heal the sick. Let's continue our study in the Book of Luke. Some Kenites accused Jesus of casting out demons in the name and power of Beezebub, that is to say Satin.

Luke 11:17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

If Jesus called on Satan to cast out demons, Satan wouldn't be interested in helping Jesus cast out his own friends. Jesus called on the power of God to cast the demons out.

Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

Their son's couldn't cast out devils.

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

God placed all power and authority in the hands of Jesus.

Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Based on you own powers, Satan is stronger than you. But Jesus Christ is able to crush Satan. In the name of Jesus Christ, you can crush San, as well. He gave you power. With the hand of God, you are stronger than Satan.

Luke 11:23 He that is not with Me is against Me: and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.

Beloved, the antichrist is coming. You will make a stand against him with the power and authority of the hand of God. Let's turn to the Old Testament.

Isaiah 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, "Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

This is your Father. He is the Creator of all and Father of all. In His hands is the power to create the universe. Skip to verse seventeen with me.

Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God Himself That formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

Don't overlook this verse. God created earth to be inhabited. It only became void and without form (Gen. 1:2) at Satan's rebellion and resulting overthrow. God's hand is strong. He created you for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11). Make sure you pleasure Him by doing His will.

Isaiah 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, 'Seek ye me in vain:' I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

God doesn't keep dark secrets. He has made known the salvation available by His hand and Jesus Christ. That salvation is availabe to all who will believe on Him.

Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. 22 Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Don't waste your time praying to a stick that can not save. Worship your Father, believe on His Son and be saved. In conclusion, let's turn to the prophecy of Chapter 11.

Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Jesse was the father of David. Through that seed line would come the Branch, that is to say Messiah.

Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Are you lacking any of these things? The ways of the world will lead you astray. But the Lord will never lead you astray. Ask Him for wisdom.

Isaiah 11:3 And shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears:

The Lord knows you heart and mind. He judges according to what He finds in your mind and heart.

Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth: with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.

This is prophecy of the second advent. Jesus is going to straighten things out. The power of God's hand is in His hand. The righteous have nothing to fear.

Isaiah 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

This is future. When Jesus returns, all will be in spiritual bodies.There will be no flesh to offend.

Isaiah 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

This means there is nothing that can hurt them.

Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.

God's salvation is available to all who will believe.

Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

The power of the hand of God will gather His children from the four corners of the earth. All Israel will be restored.

In His service,
Arnold Murray