In my last post I started talking about the relationship between the power of God and righteousness. There are so many believers bound in the notion that if we can just be righteous enough, we can walk in the power of the Spirit.
They spend their lives frustrated trying to live up to the righteous rules set out by their teachers. Many give up on ever obtaining a walk in the power of the Spirit. Little do they know that their quest is in vain.
And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
2 Corinthians 3:11
It’s the power of the law which, like batteries, eventually fades away. Not so the power of the Spirit. This verse literally says that it lasts, remains, stays perpetually. What kind of power are you looking for? A temporary boost that fades as your strength declines? Or do you seek a power that comes from the Spirit of the living God?
The righteous life can only come from a walk of power. Jesus not only walked in power, but also in the righteousness of the Father. This means it’s possible for me as well. I just need apply the truth of Scripture to my life.
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 1:17
Righteousness is not a function of my strength or my will power. It comes from God through His Holy Spirit. The key is that this truth is revealed in the Gospel – the Good News. Truly, to many believers righteousness from God is Good News.
As I’ve said before, so many live their lives constantly failing to live up to the standards set by Christ in the Word. The Good News is that you don’t have to. But wait a minute! Maybe you think I’m talking about the imparted righteousness that God gives to us when we’re saved. I’m not.
The Bible teaches about two different kinds of righteousness under the New Covenant. First, there’s imparted righteousness. This is the righteousness that Christ places within you when you’re saved.
This means that when God the Father looks at you, He sees you in Christ. This gives you access to God at all times so that your sin will not keep you from approaching the throne for forgiveness, praise, worship, or any other purpose. We need this righteousness to establish a relationship with the Lord as we grow in our faith.
There is also another kind of righteousness that the New Testament talks about. That’s the walk of righteousness.
This is the application of the righteousness of God to our daily lives. This means that I live correctly before God. This one is harder to see manifest in my life. That’s especially true if I try to accomplish it in my own power, as so many Christians endeavor to do.
I believe that in the above verse, Paul is talking about the walk of righteousness. It’s this righteousness from God that allows us to live righteously. We can never hope to walk rightly before God in our own strength. It’s going to require us to walk in the ability of the Lord in order to please Him.
Question: Why is it so tempting to please God in our own strength?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Christ, frustration, Holy Spirit, imparted, Jesus, power, power of God, power of the spirit, relationship, righteousness, rules, Scripture, the Father, the law, two kinds of righteousness, walk
The Christmas season is in full swing! The stores are full of shoppers. The TV is all about buying presents for people. With all the hype going on around us; do we really understand giving?
I’m talking about what we give to God. No, I’m not going to ask for an offering. I’m thinking about how willing we are to give.
There are some things that we’re more willing to give than others. Many are willing to give some time to the Lord on Sundays as well as a couple of hours during the week. There are a lot of believers who give ten percent of their income to the work of God.
Here’s the problem. Am I giving what God is asking for? If not, then all my works count for nothing.
Is it any different than our Christmas experience? We all get presents that we don’t want. Check out the exchange lines the day after Christmas and you’ll see exactly what I mean. No one wants to give a gift that gets returned.
How much more important is it to you, that God doesn’t return your gift? We need to know what He’s looking for in a gift.
Actually, we can get some insight from the enemy. Satan made an interesting statement while he was accusing Job before God.
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life.”
Job 2:4
If anyone knows us well, it’s the devil. After centuries of watching us, he came to this conclusion.
That’s how we know the value of the greatest gift God asks of us.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:25-26
Jesus taught the same thing. A man will sell everything he has to save his life. It’s the most precious possession we own.
That’s why it’s also the greatest gift we can give to God. In reality, God doesn’t want your time or money if it’s just a replacement for you. The Lord wants you.
This season, while we think about all the things we’re getting for others, don’t forget the highest name on the list. Make it your first priority to give yourself fully to Christ. Then, everything else will fall into place.
Question: How far are you willing to go for the Lord?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Christ, Christmas, gift, gift to God returned, give yourself, giving, God, Jesus, life, present, shopping, the Lord
We understand the principle that the Word of God is like seed. I want to discuss how this seed is received into our hearts. If the Word is my life, then it’s important that I know how to handle it correctly.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
It’s the Word that gives us life – the essence of life, the abundant life. That’s what we desperately need as believers in this generation.
How do we receive this life? To answer that we’ll go to the beginning of the Gospel of John.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 1:4
We see in this verse that life is only found in Christ, the Living Word. Not only is He life, but this life is the light of men. If we’re truly going to be the light of the world, then we need this life – the life that only comes from Christ.
If Christ is the life, then how is that life transferred to us?
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.
John 6:47-48
This is vital to our understanding of how to receive life. Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life. That’s the theme of the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. The Lord sums it up in this way.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
John 6:63
We’ve now come to the bottom line. In order to walk in the abundant life we must live by every Word of God. Christ is the Living Word – the personification of the Word of God. His Word is Spirit and life. It’s a life that can only be received by the spirit. This is the foundation of understanding how the Word works in us. Now we must apply it in our everyday situations.
Over the next few posts, I’ll talk about how the Word of God relates to us. How I receive the Word is important because without it, I’m powerless.
Too many believers are trying to live for God without placing the Living Word at the center of their being. This is a sure recipe for disaster. We need the understanding of Scripture to bring us to the place where we operate out of an overflow of God’s Word.
Question: How important is the Living Word of God to you?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: bread of life, Christ, flesh, Jesus, life, light, living by the word, living word, overflow, seed, spirit, word of God
In my last post I used Christ as our example for preparing ourselves for the anointing. I talked about being driven in the spirit. How far are we willing to go to see God work through us?
…and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:22
Think about the Father’s testimony of the Son. We’re all sons and daughters of God. We’ve been adopted into His family. Beyond that, we’re all loved.
I believe that the key term here is well pleased. We have to come to this understanding. We don’t just want God to be pleased, but well pleased.
Sometimes we learn more by negative examples. Israel had a problem in this area.
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
1 Corinthians 10:5-6
They did not make it their goal to be pleasing to God. If we’re going to go beyond their failure, then we must set our hearts on securing the anointing. Whatever you set your heart on is what you are driven to do.
Have you set your heart on things? Some people are driven to make money. What’s the driving force of your life? Some want position or fame. Have you set your heart on power with God?
What you’ve set your heart upon determines what you’re driven to do. Your heart is the driving force in your life.
Paul was driven.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Paul literally says that I will give my body a black eye, if I have to, in order to obtain the prize. The prize is the anointing of power.
Peter understood the power of being driven.
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:17-18
All around us are those who are driven for self. It looks very tempting. Their rewards are instantaneous.
The blessings of a heart after God are long-term.
Drive yourself to grow in grace. Increase your knowledge of the Lord. That’s the road to the anointing of power. Drive yourself down that path.
Question: How do you seek to be well pleasing to God?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anointed, anointing, Christ, driven, father God, God's love, heart, Jesus, obtain the prize, power, power of God, set your heart, well pleased, where is your heart pointing
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22
In the past, I have posted about the anointing of God upon our lives. We receive God’s anointing when we are chosen by God for a specific task. We’re then anointed to complete it.
What we see from Scripture is that the Spirit follows the anointing. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him in power. That was His anointing for ministry.
At the same time there was a voice from heaven (The Father) confirming this calling. My question is; how did He get to this point? The answer will help me in my walk with God.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2:52
Wisdom is the application of what you’ve learned. Stature speaks of physical growth. The word favor is the grace of God. These are very important points for us to learn.
Have you ever thought about it in these terms before? Jesus had to grow in grace. But the key word is grew. That Greek word literally means to drive forward as if by beating.
Jesus was driven to grow in grace and wisdom. Of course He did have an advantage over us. He was perfect and He had a photographic memory. The Lord only had to hear the Scripture once and He remembered it.
The key is that when He heard Scripture He was driven to enter into the grace of it. This should be the same for us.
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
1 Timothy 4:14-15
Paul tells Timothy, a young pastor, to be diligent and give himself totally the callings that were placed upon his life. Paul explains to Timothy the reason for this. It literally says, so that your driving forward may be a light to all.
We must drive ourselves to secure the anointing. To walk in our callings will take drive and determination. It will not just happen by accident. It’s a spiritual battle. But, through the power of God, we will be victorious.
Question: What does it mean to drive yourself forward in grace?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anointed, anointing, anointing of God, battle, calling, Christ, driven, favor, grace, growing in grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, position, positioned for the anointing, power, spiritual, victory, wisdom
This is the second of two posts about how to receive answered prayers. The Scriptures say that we can ask anything from God. But few people know the requirements to these passages.
In my last post I talked about the first 4 requirements.
5. Your asking must be in the name of Jesus.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:13-14
Too often we think of this in terms of a spiritual formula. We pray whatever we want, then say “In Jesus’ name” at the end. Nothing can be further from the truth. We’re representatives of Christ. This means that we’re asking on behalf of Christ. We are praying what He would be praying in the same situation.
6. You must remain in Christ.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
John 15:7
This one is all about relationship. Many want to know how to get all their prayers answered while living for themselves. That will never happen. The closer my relationship with Christ is, the more I pray according to His will. Then I see the answers because they’re in His will.
7. You must be bearing spiritual fruit.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
John 15:16
Spiritual fruit are a sign of maturity. The more of the Word of God we plant in our life, the greater the harvest. It’s the same in the natural. I don’t know any children who get everything they ask for. Maturity breeds answered prayer.
8. Your asking must be with a clear conscience.
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:21-22
Too often we know what God is calling us to do, but we ignore it. When our conscience is not clear before God, we are open to the enemy’s accusations. It’s hard to trust God when we are under the cloud of a guilty conscience. That’s why a repentant life is so important.
When we operate in the calling of God it’s His good pleasure to supply what is needed to complete our destiny. That’s the true secret to seeing our prayers answered.
Question: What’s the relationship between the will of God and answered prayer?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: answered prayer, ask anything, bear fruit, calling, Christ, clear conscience, destiny, fruit of the Spirit, keys to receiving answers from God, maturity, name of Jesus, prayer, praying, relationship, remain, remain in Christ, spiritual fruit
I’ve been posting about our end-time ministry as the “John the Baptist Generation”. There were some interesting prophecies about John that I believe can be applied to us.
“…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79
Our generation must be a light in the darkness. There has never been a darker time in the modern world. Unless you’re living with your head in the sand, this is an undeniable truth.
We need to understand what being the light entails. It’s obvious that light gets the attention in the dark. There’s no getting around that. We’re not called to just blend into the background.
This is because a light stands in direct opposition to the darkness. There cannot be any two kingdoms that are more opposite than us and the world.
We are not a part of this society. We live here, work here, and have to interact with those around us. We need to be loving, productive, and contributing to the welfare of our community. But the fact is we don’t BELONG here.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
1Thessalonians 5:5-6
The word night speaks of a segment of time – but we are eternal. Because we live in the eternal realm, we are of the day.
Dark speaks of a place – but we are seated with Christ in heavenly places; that’s the kingdom of light. This is not our time and place.
We need to be what we’re called to be. It’s not our destiny to blend in and become part of the whole. It’s our calling to show there’s a different way to live.
John the Baptist is an example to us of how to minister to the world while living in the Kingdom of God. It’s time for us to live up to this calling. The world is desperate to hear the message that has been entrusted to us. We need to stop chasing their dreams and live for Christ with an urgency that reflects the times we live in.
This generation of the church must grow up so that we can function as we must at this time in history. Be equipped with the spiritual weaponry. Be listening and hearing a Word from God. Then continue to walk in that word. Finally, if we do these things we will be the light that will draw people to Christ. We are the John the Baptist Generation.
Questions: How much light is the church producing right now? How can that light be increased?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: blending in, calling, Christ, darkness, day, destiny, Jesus, John the Baptist, John the Baptist generation, kingdom of God, light, light in the darkness, live for Christ, message, night, opposition, return of Christ, second coming, spiritual weapons, the world, urgency
As I was meditating on the life of John the Baptist in Scripture, it occurred to me that his calling was a lot like ours. He was positioned to minister before the coming of Christ. In the same way, we find ourselves very close to the return of the Lord.
How should we be living, knowing the age that God has placed us in? The calling of John the Baptist should speak to us about it.
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous– to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:17
I’ve come to the realization that he was a man ahead of his time. Scripture tells us that he spent a great amount of time in the wilderness seeking God. When God said go, John became a man on a mission.
As I studied his life and message I came to a startling conclusion. John saw forward not only to the first appearing of Christ, but to the second coming as well.
Do you believe that Jesus is coming soon? If so, then we are the “John the Baptist Generation.” I want to look at John for a few posts to get some insight into who we are and who we must become to fulfill our calling.
The above verse was told to Zechariah by the angel Gabriel. This message foretold who John was to be. His calling was to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. He was to provide a people thoroughly equipped for Christ’s coming.
Our generation must be equipped.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
This verse literally says that we must be fully equipped to do any good work. If we want to do the work of God, then we must be equipped for it.
It’s important to realize that equipping relies upon purpose. How you’re equipped depends upon what your purpose is. So in the discussion about preparing us for the return of the Lord, we’re also talking about purpose.
What is your purpose? Why are you doing what you’re doing? John had a clear purpose; to prepare God’s people.
We have no choice in the matter. We’ve been born in the last-days before the coming of Christ. The question is; will we live up to that calling?
Question: Do you believe that Christ is coming soon? In what way does that affect how you live?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: calling, Christ, coming soon, endtime generation, equipped, Jesus, John the Baptist, mission, prepared, purpose, return, return of Christ, return of the Lord, second coming, second coming of Christ, seeking God, work of God
We call Satan “the enemy.” But in many cases, it looks like regular church people have accepted payment from him to ignore the work of God. Are you one of these individuals?
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
Romans 1:9-10
In this verse, the word serve literally means to serve as a hired menial. So Paul is saying that he considers himself hired by God for a purpose. He understands that there’s a payment, a reward that he will receive from God for a job well done.
How do we handle this? In our modern American culture there’s not a lot of job loyalty anymore. People are constantly keeping their resumes tuned up in case a better position opens up in another company. It’s unfortunate, but this same mindset has spilled over into the church.
Satan tries to capitalize on this thinking.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Matthew 4:8-10
In this verse we see Satan trying to give Christ a better offer. It was promised that the Messiah would one day rule over all the kingdoms of the world. But by God’s way, the Lord would have to suffer and die in agony to receive it.
Satan is giving Christ the chance to bypass all the pain. By a simple act of devotion, He could receive the reward without the pain of the cross. I’m so glad that Jesus saw through the deception, and carried out God’s plan as it was meant to be done.
Satan tries to buy us off all the time. He holds out to us all the pleasures, entertainments, and activities of the world. He tells us to just play with these toys for a little while.
“They’re not sinful, and nobody will be hurt by them.”
But there’s a price that’s being paid. The work of the kingdom is being ignored by a large segment of believers. There are souls not being saved, prisoners not being set free, and lives not being healed. There’s a calling that only you can fulfill.
If you’re looking for a better offer, Satan will give it to you; he just won’t follow through with it. It’s time for the church of Christ to rise to its feet. We must throw off the distractions of the world and complete the assignments that we were call to do.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12:28
Our wages from the Lord are well worth what we are called to do. We are hired by God for a purpose. Let’s give all and do great things for God!
Questions: How has the enemy tried to buy your time? How have you answered his offer?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: better offer, better position, bought off, Christ, church people, deception, destiny, have you been bought off, hired by God, ignore, Jesus, loyalty, Messiah, payment, purpose, Satan, serve, serving God, the enemy, work of God
I’ve been talking about the connection between revival, repentance, and forgiveness. I believe that’s what’s necessary to usher in a revival in our nation.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Is this verse true? Can evil be overcome with good? The answer is a resounding YES! The principles of forgiveness bring victory over evil. Look at the example of Scripture.
In the early church of Jerusalem thousands of people a month were being saved. Jesus was being preached. Also during this time the apostles were arrested and brought before the religious leaders for questioning.
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:18
This was the outcome of their meeting. Does it sound familiar to you? It should. This is the attitude of society in the United States today. They tell us that we can do whatever we want – just don’t mention Jesus.
What was the response of the church in Jerusalem to this kind of attitude? Did they go out and preach some more? Hold a Jesus concert? Put a referendum on the ballot? Absolutely not.
They called a prayer meeting. This is what they brought before the Lord at that time.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30
Considering that they were told not to use the name of Jesus, here’s their request. First, they asked for boldness. Then they asked for healings, miraculous signs and wonders. But the important point was that they wanted them accomplished in the name of Jesus.
They didn’t just want to preach in His name, they wanted the world to see the power of the name of Jesus. This is the forgiveness principle at work – it’s the power to arrest and destroy sin. It’s all done by the power of the Spirit.
That brings me back to the verse I first started with at the beginning of this series.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Do we want our land healed? Then sin must be forgiven – removed – arrested and destroyed. The only way this will happen is for the church to get on our knees. There needs to be intercession made for our nation.
Not praying for a better president or leaders. Not praying for new laws. We must cry out God to give us the boldness to speak His Word. We must intercede for the Lord to send miracles, healings, signs and wonders. All of this so that the name of Jesus can break sin.
After all, it’s so much easier to win the lost if the battle is won first in the heavens.
Questions: Why is it so hard to get people to intercede for our nation? Are you willing to pay the price for revival?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: boldness, Christ, forgiveness, healing, Holy Spirit, intercession, Jesus, miracles, name of Jesus, overcome evil with good, power, power of God, power of the spirit, pray for revival, repentance, revival, revival in America, victory
In my last post I started talking about the relationship between the power of God and righteousness. There are so many believers bound in the notion that if we can just be righteous enough, we can walk in the power of the Spirit.
The Spirit and the Word 