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
I’m posting about the different kinds of soil that Jesus said was contained in our hearts. Today’s is about someone with very good soil. It produced bountifully. The problem was that it wasn’t producing fruit.
Instead, it raised a great crop of thorns and thistles. Then the few good plants that sprung up were choked out before they produced anything.
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19
These believers get further along than the other groups. They believe the Word and actually let it take root in their lives. Their problem is that they let other things grow right along next to it.
The first plant Jesus mentions is the distractions of this age, in the original Greek. What a description of the modern Christian – DISTRACTED! It’s not that we’ve turned our backs on God. On the contrary, we want God’s best – His Word and His grace. The trouble is that we want the world’s best right along with it. We’re getting distracted by the things of the world.
Right along with that is the delusion of wealth. When we think of wealth, it tricks us into believing that it can supply all of our needs. The truth is that wealth can only obtain material possessions.
Wealth can never satisfy the longing of our souls. If it could, you would never hear of a wealthy person committing suicide. The thing we need to put into perspective is that only the things that come from the Word of God are truly able to fulfill our lives.
The third plant that grows next to the Word is simply desires. What the verse implies is that this is a desire for the things that were given up in order to follow after God. When we start looking back at these things with longing in our hearts, it’s a sure road to failure.
Please understand that it’s not doing the former things that causes the trouble, it’s the desire to do it.
The biggest thing that the Christians of this generation need to realize is that you can’t have it all, no matter what any televangelist will tell you. You can’t have the power of God manifest in you, as well as everything your flesh desires.
It’s a well-known principle of farming. When weeds and valuable crops are allowed to grow in the same space, it’s the weeds that will win out every time.
We’re so quick to blame God.
“Oh God, I planted the Word. Why is there no harvest? Why have you failed me?”
I’m here to inform you, it wasn’t God who failed. Everything grew as God ordained it to. It was the weeds in your life that choked out the Word before it was able to produce fruit in you. That’s why there was no harvest.
Question: How are you keeping your heart free from weeds?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: are you distracted, Christ, delusion, desires, distracted, distractions, flesh, good soil, harvest, heart, Jesus, parable, power of God, thistles, thorns, unfruitful, wealth, weeds, word of God
The Gospel message hinges upon the giving and receiving of the Word. How this takes place is of great importance. We must understand the mechanics involved in the use of the seed of the Word. If you want to be a successful farmer, then you must study the most excellent techniques.
The Lord told a parable about four different soil types. He was talking about the human heart. We must examine our hearts to see if they are conducive to an abundant harvest of the Word.
The first type of ground that Jesus talks about is the soil right by the road. It’s the worst place to try and grow anything, whether you’re talking about the spiritual or physical garden.
“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.”
Matthew 13:19
You will notice that this ground is by the road. This is the busiest place. All of the dirt and debris from the road is blown onto this soil. It’s hard and lifeless. The way Jesus puts it in the original is that these people hear the Word of the kingdom and do not put it together. It doesn’t mean to understand in the traditional sense.
These are not people who don’t know the meaning of what’s being said. On the contrary, they understand what the Word is saying; they just don’t want to see how it applies to their lives. They don’t want to put it all together.
Then, because there is no root of application, it’s very easy for the enemy to come and remove the Word permanently from the person’s life. It’s as if they had never heard it.
This means that if I want an abundant harvest, I need to do just the opposite. Whenever I hear a Word from God, I need to assume that it applies to me. I need to guard the Word that’s placed within my heart. It must be precious to me.
It also tells me that I can’t live too close to the road. The more I look at the world, and how it operates, the more I disagree with how the Word functions in me. I must let the Word work on me and change me as the Lord wills.
That’s why Jesus told us of the importance of knowing our audience. We have to be careful where we’re planting.
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
Matthew 7:6
There will always be those who have no regard for the Word of God. They will hear, yet never apply it to their lives. They allow the devil to steal it and it will never bear fruit in them.
Question: What is something that you have recently heard and applied from the Word of God?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: abundant harvest, along the path, application, apply, busy, gospel, Gospel message, harvest, heart, put it together, seed, seed of the word, soil, soil of your heart, understand the word of God, understanding, word of God
Today I want to start a new series of posts about how Jesus walked in the power of God. But, before I do, I want to share a personal testimony about a trial I had to go through in order to receive this truth from the Lord.
Years ago, the church I pastored was running over a hundred on Sunday morning. The ministry was flourishing and my family was able to obtain a mortgage on our own house. It was a nice, little home on a quiet street – just what we always wanted.
Suddenly, the bottom dropped out. My wife lost her job. The mortgage payments doubled. Through a series of moves and other events, the congregation went down to about 30 people. To make a long story short, we went through a bankruptcy, lost the house, and now live in an apartment owned by my parents.
I don’t say all of this so you will feel bad for me. I don’t regret it. Many good things came out of it. One of them was a Word from God.
This was one of the lowest times of my life. On many occasions I cried out to God asking Him why this was happening to me. One day, while I was in this state, I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. He asked me what my problem was.
As I started asking Him why He allowed my finances to dry up, the Lord asked another question.
“Why should I provide for your finances?”
I was a little taken back by the question, but I was ready with my answers. I went through all the Scriptures I knew about the promises that God would supply my need. Malachi 3:10-12, II Corinthians 8-9, Philippians 4:19, and many others. These Scriptures were why I expected Him to bless my finances.
What the Holy Spirit asked next totally floored me.
“So you’re standing on the law to receive your financial blessing?”
I was speechless. I sat in silence for over an hour. I refused to believe that I was legalistic. But I had no other explanation.
I trusted the Scripture instead of the God of the Scripture. I was like the Pharisees that Jesus got upset at.
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 5:39-40
The Lord started showing me, on that day, that I had fallen victim to an epidemic in the church. Many believers are doing everything they can to fulfill the promises. They’re trying to work for the blessings of God. If you use the promises in this way, then you’re running on the power of the law. You’ll never reach the full potential God has for you.
In this new series I want to show how Christ operated – as one submitted to God and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Question: What is your view on the promises of God?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: bankruptcy, Christ, church, financial blessing, God, heart, Holy Spirit speaking, Jesus, legalism, opened eyes to legalism, pastor, personal testimony, power, power of God, power of the Holy Spirit, promises, promises of God, Scriptures, standing
Ungodly. The word usually makes us think of the unsaved. The problem is that there are many ungodly Christians that are totally unaware of their condition. Are you one of them? Check out what the Bible says about it.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5
Paul tells us that we are to examine our lives. This word literally means to scrutinize how we live.
Do you know Christ is in you? Most Christians understand this concept. They realize that Christ is in them. When they asked Him to be the Lord of their lives, Christ made their heart His home. Most believers will pass this test.
Does it matter to you? This is where the test starts to get tough. It’s surprising that many who belong to Christ really don’t give Him a second thought. They go throughout the day without ever acknowledging Him.
It seems that they’re oblivious to the fact that Jesus is accompanying them wherever they go. He’s a silent listener of every conversation. If this was a reality to us, we would probably behave much differently.
Do you want to know God’s will? Not only is Christ with us at all times, but He has a plan for our lives. The question really comes down to; whose will is more important – mine or the Lord’s? Many don’t want to know God’s will for their lives because they’re afraid it will interfere with their plans.
Do you want to accomplish God’s will? Knowing God’s will is not the end of it. What we really need to do is accomplish it. Not only is Christ with us wherever we go, He expects us to represent him and His kingdom to the world. What many don’t realize is that unless we answer “yes” to this question, God will not reveal His will to us.
Are you seeking God’s approval? This is the final and greatest test of godliness. Who are we seeking to please? Are we after our own pleasure? That of our friends or family? The Bible is clear that unless we’re “God-pleasers” our lives will be worthless – there will be no reward at the end.
How do these questions play out in your life? A “no” to any of the highlighted questions should be a warning that you’re in danger of ungodliness. If so, then repent of it and move on with the Lord.
It’s time for God’s people to live like they truly understand the Lord’s presence in their lives.
Question: What signs of godliness do you see in your life?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: accomplish God's will, acknowledging Christ, Bible, Christ, Christ in you, danger, examine, God's approval, God-pleaser, godliness, heart, Jesus, kingdom, know God's will, presence, presence of God, repent, repentance, represent, reward, scrutinize, test, the Lord's presence, ungodliness, ungodly, ungodly Christians, unsaved, warning, warning signs of ungodliness
I’ve been posting for a while on the Word of God and its relation to Scripture. In my last post I showed that the power of the early church was based upon their hearing from God. God spoke to them, they obeyed, and God confirmed His Word.
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Mark 16:20
Scripture says that the Lord confirms His Word with the signs – healings and miracles – that accompanied it. What’s our problem? Do we serve a different God? Of course not. Is He still on the throne? That’s a dumb question.
We serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Then what’s the problem? It should be clear to us. We’re trying to get God to confirm the Bible verses that we’re preaching, when all along He wants to confirm the Word that He speaks to us.
He never told us to go out and read the Scripture to people for them to be saved – He tells us to proclaim His Word. I submit to you that our society has heard enough Scripture – it’s everywhere.
They’re sick of hearing Scripture. Many unbelievers can quote as much of the Bible as some Christians. What the world is desperate for is a Word from God. That’s what’s going to change their lives. They can argue with the Scripture, but the Word of God will cut straight to their heart.
In our exuberance over the enormous availability of Scripture, we have taken it too far. It doesn’t seem to matter what anyone says. As long as there’s a Scripture verse attached to it, we call it the Word of God.
It doesn’t take much listening to Christian radio or cable channels to see that many preachers are using Scripture to support their own teachings and philosophies. Hear me well. They may be preaching Scripture, but they are NOT proclaiming the Word of God.
In these cases, God is under no obligation to confirm what they’re preaching. God doesn’t have to confirm a quote from the Scripture; He only endorses His Word – what He wants said at that particular time and place.
Please don’t think, based upon what I said, that I have no respect for the Scripture. I cannot live without it. Daily, I read, memorize, study, and meditate on the Scripture. I use it prayerfully. I expect and seek God to speak to me through the pages of my Bible.
The difference is that now I’m also listening for God to use other means as well. I want to hear God’s voice – however He wants to speak to me. I believe that this was the basis for the power in the life of Christ and in the early church. One of my goals in this blog is to share how this works in a practical way.
Question: Is it your desire to hear a Word from God?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Bible, confirming the Word, desperate, early church, God's voice, God's word, healings, hearing from God, heart, how God confirms his word, life of Christ, listening, miracles, power, proclaim his word, Scripture, signs following, word, word of God
In my last two posts I’ve been talking about the power of God at work in us. We have seen that spiritual power relates very closely to natural power. Just as power in the physical universe produces change, God expects His power to change us and those around us.
We also saw that the first component of this power is love. This relates to voltage in the realm of science. Love is the spiritual pressure placed upon us to produce change. It was what compelled Christ to minister the way He did.
Actually, I can’t think of any more powerful force in all of life other than love. For the love of God, or another person, we will do things that we might never have done under ordinary circumstances. Love is a driving force in many of the things we do.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:5-6
Here is the source of our spiritual power. The same love that drove Christ forward is now placed within us. When we had no power, God saved us by the death and resurrection of Christ. He has plugged us into His power source. The very love that pressures Him can now drive us forward to bless others.
As I said before, our power can be measured. Let’s use our spiritual volt-meter. Do you feel a pressure that drives you to reach out to the lost? Does love compel you to be a blessing to those around you even when you don’t feel like it? Do you have a compassion for those who are in need? If not, then you haven’t tapped into the love of Christ.
It’s so easy to say, “I love the lost and I want to see them saved.” But if there is little or no pressure to do something about it, then that’s a sign that there’s little or no love voltage. The verdict is simple, no love, no power.
If you want to see this principle in action, just look to the early church in the book of Acts. Spiritually speaking, they should’ve had a sign over their door which read “Danger High Voltage”! They felt the pressure of God’s love to the point where they were willing to die, if necessary, to bring salvation to those around them. We must do what it takes to live in intimacy with the Lord. Only in this way will His love increase in our hearts.
Question: Do you ever feel the pressure of Christ’s love within you?
© Nick Zaccardi 2012
Tags: change, God's power, heart, hearts, high voltage christian, love, love of Christ, love of God, love the lost, measured, natural power, porducing change, power, power of God, power source, powerful force, pressure of love, produce change, spiritual, spiritual power, volt meter, voltage
Spending time in God’s presence is not an option, if we want to hear from God. As we quiet ourselves in His presence we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit more clearly.
The question is, what happens when you leave the place of prayer? Do you remember what you heard in the Lord’s presence a week later? How about a month or even a year later? How can you thank God for fulfilling His word to you, if you don’t remember what He’s said?
As you seek the Lord’s presence, you’ll find more and more that He wants to speak to you. He wants us to be a people who hear His voice.
Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
Habakkuk 2:2
It’s God’s desire to reveal Himself to all believers. If you’re listening, you may receive a word from Him concerning your personal walk, your home life, your ministry, or your career. The Holy Spirit may speak to you about new ventures to launch or old things to cut out of your life. The point is, whenever you hear from God for your life, write it down!
It doesn’t matter if you’re sure it was God’s voice, or if it was only a slight impression. Maybe your heart was stirred over a certain passage of Scripture. Perhaps you feel a leading to do something new for God. It doesn’t matter how weak or strong the feeling is – it needs to be recorded.
So often we miss out on God’s best because we forget what we heard, or we alter it along the way. It’s good to be able to look back in a journal and see the conversations we’ve had with the Lord. Make it a point to bring a journal along with you in your prayer times – and use it to record what you’ve learned.
Very often, I look back through my journals. It gives me encouragement as well as insight onto the path God has me on. I need to review the things I’ve learned in the presence of God.
Keep your eyes and ears open. God will speak to someone who is prepared to listen. Keeping a journal shows that you value the voice of the Lord. Begin today recording what you learn in your private times with Him.
Question: Do you keep a spiritual journal? How has it helped you?
© Nick Zaccardi 2012
Tags: diary, God's best, heart, Holy Spirit, intimacy with God, journal, keep a spiritual journal, leading, look back, Lord's presence, revealed word, spiritual diary, spiritual journal, word from God, write it down
Hebrews 12:22-25
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
In the pages of Scripture, Mount Zion was called the Mountain of God. It was a place where the presence of God was felt very powerfully.
I’m so glad that the presence of the Lord is no longer confined to a specific place. That being said, there have been times in my life when I have encountered the Holy Spirit in a powerful way. Other times He spoke with a “still, small voice.” When we come to Him in an attitude of expectation, He will speak to our hearts.
There is one thing I have learned in these encounters. When I hear His voice I must be quick to say, “Yes, Lord!” Sometimes He speaks a hard word – a word that calls for change – as He did many times in Israel’s history. Change is never easy, but when ordained by God, it’s for the best.
Seek to spend quality time in the presence of the Lord. But more than that; when He speaks to you, be the one who is ready and willing to agree with His plan for your life.
Tags: change, expectation, glory, God's plan, God's will, heart, Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Mount Zion, mountain, mountain of God, mountaintop, presence of the lord, still small voice, testimony
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
About a year ago, I bought my wife a GPS unit to help her get around. It is amazing to think that there are satellites circling the earth that can pinpoint your location to within a couple of feet.
She used to always call me when she was lost and needing directions. Now, by using the unit, she always knows where she is and how to get where she is going to. She even knows how long it will take to get there.
It is comforting to know that thousands of years before this technology was developed, God was already guiding His people. The Holy Spirit is more accurate than any GPS unit. He can keep us on track throughout all the twists and turns of life.
There is one requirement, however. With a GPS unit, you have to look at it from time to time if it is going to benefit you. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. He wants to be your guide. But if you never spend time with Him, you will never hear the words of direction you need to navigate through life.
Spend some time today with the best guide in existence. Quiet your heart in the Lord’s presence. Let His voice become plain to you. Listen for the guidance you need for the road ahead. Then rejoice in Him for the Holy Spirit who is always with you.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, faith, God's voice, God's will, GPS, guidance, heart, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, lost, path, prayer, presence of the lord
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?
The Spirit and the Word 