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Author Archives: Revzacc

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About Revzacc

I pastor a church in Watertown, Massachusetts. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, and enjoying new places and experiences.

From Death to Glory

15 Jan
From Death to Glory

We’re going through the book of Colossians. Paul is writing to them about their walk with Christ. It’s a relationship that changes everything about them…and us.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:4 NIV

In my last post, I talked about having an upward attitude. That’s because we know how it will all end. We win! In Christ there is the expectation of the final victory.

But what about here and now. Paul tells us how to live with this knowledge.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:5-6 NIV

This is an important truth. Please read this carefully. Paul did NOT tell these people to stop doing these things. I know from experience that you can’t just make a New Year’s resolution and live perfectly forever after.

It’s not as easy as simply making a decision to live right. We need to draw on supernatural power. That’s what Paul is referring to here. He wrote about it to the Roman church.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…

Romans 8:13 NIV

This is a very interesting verse. That’s because it contains the word, “if”. This verse is telling us something we either could do, or we could choose to ignore.

There’s a battle that rages in my being. Even though I’m saved, my flesh is still subject to its sin nature. I find that even though I’m dead to sin in Christ, I continue to fall to the temptations that come before me. Paul wrote about this struggle that we all face. How do I overcome this dilemma?

Many people try differing methods to bring about the victory. Some try to live right in their own strength. I’ve found that if I live trying to use my flesh to overcome my flesh, by shear will power, I’ll fail miserably. The above verse tells us that if I use my flesh, then death will reign in me. The problem is, to use a computer term, there’s a virus in the software.

The good news is that I can use the power of God’s Spirit. I can use my spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the flesh. This is a truth that we’ve missed in the modern church. You can use your spirit to change your flesh.

In simple terms, as you pray in the spirit, you place a demand on the Holy Spirit and it will change the way you live. This is a powerful change because you’re allowing God to change you from the inside out.

I’ve to come to the understanding that I can take authority over the flesh by the power of the spirit. This is the key to a whole new level of living.

This work is only accomplished in the spirit. The misdeeds of my body will never be put to death by any decision that I make – no matter how much I desire it. I can try and try in my own strength. The work is a spiritual breakthrough and only comes as I yield my spirit to the Holy Spirit.

The church needs to once again learn this truth. We need to submit to the Holy Spirit to perform the change in our hearts. Only then will the world see the difference that will draw them to the cross of Christ. Only then will we experience the revival that we so desperately hunger for.

Question: How often do you pray in the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 15, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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An Upward Attitude

12 Jan
An Upward Attitude

We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last couple of posts, the apostle has been dealing with following rules to get closer to God.

He shows that this approach doesn’t work. It’s all about relationship. He closed chapter two by reminding them that they died with Christ. Now, the world’s system doesn’t work for them.

Now he continues with that thought.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Because we died with Christ, we’ve also been raised with Him. That’s the basis of an overcoming life. Sin doesn’t have the hold on us that it used to have.

Abraham learned this lesson.

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Hebrews 11:12 NIV

That phrase; as good as dead, means to deaden. In the natural, Abraham saw himself as becoming deader and deader.

We all must acknowledge that the power of God will change us. Our walk, attitudes, habits, likes & dislikes, friends, etc. are all affected. This is all a part of the deadening process.

We desire to put to death the things of the flesh because we now have a higher calling. We kill off the desires of the world in order to seek the eternal.

That’s where we need to focus our attention. Paul says this in two ways. He tells us, set your hearts and set your minds on things above. Those phrases literally mean to diligently seek and obsess on things above, respectively. Our attitude should reflect an upward vision.

This is a very important truth. We receive from God when we seek the eternal. The writer of the book of Hebrews understood this.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:14-15 NIV

Eternally minded people search for, crave, demand a home town. That’s why Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We’re not looking for the temporary high that the world offers us.

Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 NIV

The final result of this attitude is that God is not ashamed to be called their God. That’s interesting. Are there times when God is ashamed to be called someone’s God? I think this verse implies that He could be.

Before we pick up this eternally minded attitude, we’re only accomplishing what a man can do. Is God satisfied with what is merely possible – even without His help? Of course not. He expects us to do a God sized work.

When that happens; the world can see His glory. God’s people need to stop chasing the temporary pleasures of the world and focus in on the eternal glory of God. Let Him accomplish what He desires in you.

Question: How do you stay eternally focused?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 12, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Rules vs. Relationship

10 Jan
Rules vs. Relationship

As we go through Colossians, Paul is now dealing with the subject of legalism. When the rules of life become more important than relationship with the Father, there’s something wrong.

Paul continues with this thought.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

Colossians 2:20-21 NIV

Paul brings us to the heart of the matter. We died with Christ. We’re a new creation. We don’t live according to the old way of life.

The world system has a way of doing things. It establishes rules for everything. Some of these rules are good and beneficial.

Go to work every day. Brush your teeth. Clean your room.

But then, there are other rules that society tries to place on us. Rules about what’s right and wrong. Rules about how to treat people. (“I can be mean to them if they’re mean to me.”)

Of course, there are religious rules. Read your Bible, pray, tithe, go to church. While all of these are good things, they don’t define a deep spiritual walk.

Paul talks about the rules of don’t handle, taste, or touch. None of that is relationship.

For instance, in the book of Genesis, God created Adam and Eve and told them not to eat of the certain tree. When Eve explained it to the serpent, she said they weren’t supposed to touch the tree (Genesis 3:3).

That change may have sounded good to her, but it didn’t stop her from eating it. That’s because the focus went to the tree, instead of her relationship with God. Paul tells us that this happens the same way with us.

These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians 2:22-23 NIV

Setting up rules for ourselves sounds like the logical thing to do. The problem is that they don’t change behavior.

I can tell you this from my own experience. I’ve gone on a lot of diets over the years. They all promised great results if you follow their eating rules. However, they all fell short of changing my behavior.

I do notice something else. The more I hang out with my friends, the more I become like them. I start to speak and think like they do. The truth is that relationships change who you are.

That’s the key. The more time you spend with the Lord through the Holy Spirit, the more you’ll see your life change for the better. Relationship with God always wins out over rules.

Question: How strong is your relationship with the Lord?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 10, 2024 in Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

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Cult-Like Christians

08 Jan
Cult-Like Christians

We’ve been going through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. He’s dealing with believers who have been infiltrated by those of the Gnostic cult.

Here’s the problem we face, even in our generation. There are many Christians who, even though they don’t leave and join a cult, they start acting very cult-like. They seem to make our walk with God more about actions and less about relationship with the Father.

Paul explains.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

Colossians 2:18 NIV

I’m sure you’ve been around believers who make their walk more about their experiences than their intimacy with Christ and His Word. The phrase, false humility, means putting yourself down without thinking about what you’re doing.

But, the biggest problem for many Christians is the second part. Paul talks about the worship of angels. I don’t believe that he’s talking about the spiritual beings that we call angels.

That word, angel, is actually the word, messenger, in the Greek language. We should only use it for the celestial beings when it’s obvious – like when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Elsewhere in Scripture, this word refers to messengers of the Word of God. I’m talking about pastors and evangelists. (Notice that the word “angel” is part of this word.)

Too often I see the worship of man in the body of Christ. We follow a person’s teaching without ever questioning whether it agrees with the Word of God or not. It’s very healthy to fact-check what you’re listening to.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11 NIV

These Berean Christians were called, noble. They even fact-checked Paul to make sure he was speaking the truth of God’s Word.

The unfortunate thing is that cult-like believers will follow a man closer than they are following Christ. The result can be catastrophic to your spiritual walk.

He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Colossians 2:19 NIV

Paul says that this type of man-worship can cause you to lose connection with the Head – Christ. But it’s our connection with Christ that causes our growth. If you’re simply following a man’s teaching, then your spiritual growth will be stunted. That’s where many find themselves in this generation.

We need to take inventory of our spiritual lives. What am I doing to maintain growth in the spirit? Am I developing more intimacy with Christ? Am I getting more of His Word in my heart?

My answer to these questions will make all the difference. Don’t get caught-up in a cult-like Christian experience.

Question: How do you maintain your spiritual growth?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 8, 2024 in Leadership, Legalism, Ministry, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Relationship is Better Than Rules

05 Jan
Relationship is Better Than Rules

We’re looking at the book of Colossians. In my last post I talked about the power of the cross of Christ. It was there that He won the victory for our salvation. Today, I want to write about another aspect of those verses.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 NIV

This passage makes it abundantly clear that on the cross, Christ canceled – obliterated, blotted out – the rule book. God no longer wants us to follow Him by rule, but by the Spirit.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56 NIV

This verse tells me that all of Satan’s so-called power comes from the law. His only mode of attack is to enforce the law. That’s the power of his weaponry.

This verse also shows the basis of how Christ could disarm the demonic forces. On the cross, Christ obliterated the power source of the enemy. Satan’s kingdom is now an army of unloaded guns.

The only power they have is the power we give them, by subjecting ourselves, once again, to the law. That’s the trouble with our human nature. We all want rules. We’d rather someone tell us, “Do this.”, than to spend time with the Father and seek His will.

In the past, I’ve shared about how following the apostles teaching as a rule opens us up to the sin of pride.

Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

Here, Paul tells us that this is why many speak arrogantly against one another. Pride is the sin that caused the devil to fall from the place he was created for.

Don’t let subjection to the law ruin your walk with God. The tendency of using the Bible as a rule-book causes many divisions and problems in the Body of Christ.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17 NIV

Using the Bible as a rule book causes most of the arguments we see between believers. We get so passionate about our own pet rules. It’s all talked about in this verse.

Believers argue about what Christians can or cannot eat and drink. There are controversies over whether or not to celebrate Christmas; or whether to worship God on Saturday or Sunday. None of these issues have any place under the New Covenant.

The reality is that God wants a relationship with His children. He’s not looking for robots. The Lord wants us to seek time with Him so that He can teach us to follow Him.

I realize that I’ve had to deal with this subject very quickly here. But I’m sure I’ll get back to it again in future posts.

Question: What divisions have you seen in the church over what the “rules” are?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 5, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

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The Victorious Cross

03 Jan
The Victorious Cross

I’m continuing my study through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post, we looked at God’s act of forgiveness through Christ. Now I want to take this a step further. I’ll start with the verses from last time and add one more.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15

Now Paul brings it all back to the cross. This is one of the most important truths in Christianity. Sometimes we overlook it. Let’s see exactly what happened on the cross.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13

The Messiah had to go to the cross – it was a law hidden in the mind of God from eternity past. It was also a law that whoever hung on a cross was under a curse. So, Jesus had to take a curse with Him to the cross.

One of the greatest truths I can think of is this – He had no curse of His own, so Christ took our curse to the cross with Him that day. On top of all that, He took our transgressions with Him as well. What a glorious day that was! The devil had no clue what was about to be unleashed in that hour when Christ declared, “It is finished.”

We are now restored to right fellowship with God, because of the work done on the cross. I only need to accept it by faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t need to work for it or do anything to make up for my past. It has all been washed clean by the blood of the Perfect Sacrifice.

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:14

The Lord didn’t only provide forgiveness and restoration for His people, the Jews. He provided a way of salvation for the entire human race. Even though I was born a Gentile – apart from the promises of God – I can now enter into the covenant of Abraham. Now, because of the cross I can stand as a child of God, washed clean by His blood.

Along with our transgressions, the Lord took the entire law of Moses, that had blocked the way to God for so long. Christ, Himself, fulfilled all the terms of it and left it hanging on the cross for all of Heaven and hell to see.

The Bible is clear that the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). That’s the only foothold that the enemy can use against us. It was now done away with. There is now no basis for a charge of any kind against those who are in Christ. The entire kingdom of the enemy now stands powerless against those who know what was accomplished by Christ on the cross.

So many powerful events surrounded the crucifixion of Christ. The sun went dark as earthquakes rumbled throughout the earth. The veil that sealed off the Holy Place of the temple ripped completely in half. The ground opened up and many saints who had died were seen walking about during the next few days. We cannot even fathom the power that was released when Messiah was killed according to the plan of God.

We need a deeper revelation of the cross. Rather than a place of pain and weakness, it has become, to us, a monumental victory. If only we could understand and embrace the power that was released that day.

Question: How has the cross changed your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2024 in Encouragement, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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New Year 2024 – A Psalm for Israel

01 Jan
New Year 2024 – A Psalm for Israel

Today is the first day of a new year. As God’s people, we should understand the times we live in. That will help us to make sense of where we’re headed. I want to take this post give you some thoughts to pray on.

For many years, I’ve had a tradition when it comes to the New Year. I’ve only posted about it a few times.

A long time ago, I noticed that since 1901, the Psalms have pretty much lined up with what was happening in world events. For at least 20 years, I’ve been using them to prepare me, and those under my ministry, for the year ahead.

This year, Psalm 124, is absolutely on point. There’s no denying that God has His hand on world events. More than that, He’s still on His throne and in control. We just need to trust the Lord for the outcome.

First, let me say that this Psalm is specifically for the nation of Israel. It says that right in the first verse. But we can see right away that it applies here and now. It starts with a look back.

If the Lord had not been on our side — let Israel say — if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive…

Psalm 124:1-3 NIV

Wow! I couldn’t have put it better myself describing the events in Israel in 2023. King David saw a clear picture, in the spirit, of what was to unfold. He gets even more exact.

…the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.

Psalm 124:4-5 NIV

That was obviously the intent of Hamas. Of course, the devil wants to see Israel destroyed. But God will never let that happen.

Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

Psalm 124:6-7 NIV

Based upon this Scripture, I’m looking for a full restoration of the nation of Israel this year. They’ll be able to put this attack behind them and move forward.

But that’s not enough. They need to be evangelized. They need to see Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.

As believers, we should be praying for the peace of Israel. We should be interceding for their salvation. They must accept the Messianic message to fully enjoy the blessings of their God.

Then they can truly embrace the final statement of this beautiful Psalm.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8 NIV

My prayer for Israel and all God’s people is for a blessed and prosperous New Year!

Question: How often do you pray for Israel?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 1, 2024 in Israel, Prayer, The Gospel

 

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Forgiveness and Restoration

29 Dec
Forgiveness and Restoration

We’re continuing through the book of Colossians. In my last post, I talked about the putting off of the old man. Now Paul talks about another aspect of this.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14

We were dead – the penalty of our sin was looming over us. But now, because of grace, if we’re in Christ and there’s no more penalty. I can look to becoming clean without worrying about the mistakes.

God has forgiven us. Let that sink in. The forgiveness of God is much deeper than we could ever imagine. One of the definitions that I found in Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary reads, “To grant freedom from the penalty.”

That means that forgiveness cancels the penalty. But wait a minute. Isn’t ceasing to demand the penalty and freedom from the penalty the same thing?

NO!!! The first stops the demand. Freedom is needed when you’re reaping the penalty. Forgiveness stops the penalty in its tracks.

The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
1 Timothy 5:24

The problem is that not all sin has the same effect on our lives. Sometimes you reap the penalty here. Other sins will not bring a penalty until the judgment seat.

For example, the penalties associated with alcoholism can destroy your life right here and right now. The way is open for anyone to come to Christ as an alcoholic. But if all we had was the first definition – they would be on their way to Heaven, but their life would remain in shambles.

Our God is bigger than that. Because He grants freedom from the penalty, their life can be restored by the power of God.

We need to lay hold of this. Many times, we find ourselves walking in penalties that we think we deserve. The forgiveness of the Lord stops the penalty. We don’t have to walk in guilt anymore. The blood of Christ removes the guilt.

…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

The writer makes a statement here that our hearts are sprinkled. Sprinkled with what? The blood of Christ that forgives us of our sin.

So the reality is that we’ve been forgiven by Christ on the cross. Now, in Christ, there’s no more penalty. We can have a clean conscience.

Unfortunately, as we look at the world around us, it seems that this forgiveness has very little effect in our society. That’s because there’s one more truth associated with forgiveness. This wonderful forgiveness needs to be accepted.

That’s what our message should be all about. We should be telling the world the Good News of the forgiveness and restoration of the Lord. That’s what will make all the difference.

Question: In what ways has the forgiveness of God restored your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 29, 2023 in Encouragement, Power of God, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Our Spiritual Surgeon

27 Dec
Our Spiritual Surgeon

As we’ve been going through the book of Colossians, we see a picture of who Christ is in all of His glory. We also see our relationship to Him.

Now, there’s something that Paul is hoping you’ll move into by faith. Paul describes this step to the Colossian church.

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12 NIV

This is what we want to concentrate on – the putting off of the sinful nature. According to Paul, this is a surgical procedure that can only be done by Christ.

It isn’t a work I can perform. It doesn’t matter how much will-power I put forth. Only Christ, Himself, can bring it to pass in my life. I must submit under the blade of the divine Surgeon.

There are two prerequisites to this surgery. The first is baptism and the second is faith in the power of God. This means that I can’t look to myself and how well I can obey God. It’s all about how much I trust His power working in my life. How much am I willing to surrender to Him?

It’s the same as in the natural world. If I don’t trust the surgeon in a medical procedure, then I will not allow them to put me under the anesthesia. I’ll only let someone I trust have that much power over my body. Do we trust Christ enough to consent to His life changing work in us?

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 2:29 NIV

There’s another key point to this work of Christ in us. It can only be done in the spirit. It’s not something that I can physically accomplish. Neither is it a choice that I make in my mind.

The change is required in my heart. The old self has to be removed. How can my sin nature remove itself? It would never willingly choose to do that.

To get the old sin nature out of our heart requires outside assistance. That’s why it’s a work that only Christ can do, and it must be a spiritual work.

It’s for this reason that an understanding of the Word of God as a sword is so important.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

The sword of the spirit is the scalpel that performs the work in our heart. In the past I’ve emphasized that the things of the spirit can only be received through prayer in the spirit. This is the work that needs to be done in us. It’s a work that must be done in the spirit. Only prayer in the spirit will accomplish the change that’s necessary in our hearts.

In order for God to do this work in us, we must yield ourselves to Him. As in any surgery, we must willingly go under the knife if our healing is to take place. This is true for our spiritual surgery as well.

Question: How has prayer in the spirit changed your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2023 in Faith, Legalism, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

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The Signs at Christ’s Birth

25 Dec
The Signs at Christ’s Birth

It’s Christmas Morning. Our thoughts turn to the Child born in a stable in Bethlehem.

This is the day that everything changed. Christ was born. God made flesh.

And yet, many people miss the significance of the events that occurred that day. Sometimes the smallest detail can make a world of difference.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 NIV

At night, in Bethlehem, everyone was asleep in their beds. Well, not everyone. There was a group of people who couldn’t sleep. They had a job to accomplish. They were shepherds watching over a flock of sheep.

That’s our calling. As the world gets darker and darker, we should be the ones who are spiritually awake.

But for those shepherds, suddenly the unexpected occurred. They had a supernatural encounter. An angel showed up with an important message for them. The Christ was born.

But more than that – there was a sign. That means there was a special thing they were to look for to prove they were in the right place. They would find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.

This sign to the shepherds was more than just proof for them. It was a sign of things to come. This baby was placed in a manger – not a crib or cradle.

A manger is a fancy way of saying a feeding trough for livestock. It’s a place for animal food, not babies.

Yet this was the “Bread of Heaven” who came down to give us life. So for Christ, this was an appropriate resting place for Him. The Bread of Life lying in a feeding trough.

The strips of cloth were another sign. It wasn’t the normal kind of baby clothes of that day. Strips of cloth were used to clothe the dead, not the living. This baby was dressed as a corpse. Again – it was a sign of things to come.

Here was the Lamb of God. He has come to take our place on the cross. Even as a baby, His calling was revealed. Death, burial, resurrection and ascension – all for our sake.

On this great day, amid all the activities and excitement you may find around you, don’t lose sight of the signs. This child we celebrate is no longer a baby. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our Life and Light. This season is all about Him.

Have a Blessed and Wondrous Christmas!

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 25, 2023 in Encouragement, Faith, The Gospel

 

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