"That is called the Church militant, which in this life is still fighting, under the banner of Christ, against Satan, the world, and the flesh."

Likewise, "That is called the Church triumphant, which, being transferred to heavenly rest, and relieved from the labor of fighting, and the danger of being overcome in heaven against all contending powers."

Daily Devotional

December 17

13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. (Mark 11:13-14 KJV)

Some people wonder why Jesus cursed this fig tree for not having figs, but only leaves; because it says that it was not time for figs. It is my understanding that the fig tree is supposed to bear figs at the same time that it has leaves, so this tree was not acting normal, and since Jesus is Creator of all the trees, He knew that it was not normal, and so He killed it. This shows how the words that are spoken, not only by Jesus but all of us, are powerful, and do affect the plant and animal life on earth, as well as the spiritual world. If we just knew how powerful our words were, we would not be saying a lot of the things we do say, as Jesus said we would be held accountable for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). The scriptures teach that we will have what we say, so we need to be sure and say what we want, and not anything negative (Proverbs 18:20). If we could just control our words, or tongue, as it says in the book of James, we would be able to bridal our whole bodies (James 3:2). What we say often gets us into big trouble, and you need to be very careful to speak only life, and not death out of your mouth. All words we speak are either life, or death, nothing else (Proverbs 18:21).

The disciples heard Jesus speak to this tree, and when they came the same way the next day, Peter saw that the tree was dead, and commented on it. Jesus then was able to explain how powerful our words of faith are. If we say things, and have faith in what we say to come to pass, and do not doubt in our hearts, we can have whatever we say (Mark 11:24), as long as it does not conflict with the Word of God. This principal is used for our healing, prosperity, deliverance, etc., and if we put faith in our spoken word, speak to our problem, and doubt not, we can see miracles come to pass. We are made in the image of God Almighty, and He spoke the whole universe into existence with His words (Genesis 1). This shows just how powerful our words are, and they have both creative and destructive power in them. Be very careful what you say, as the very world responds to your words. Thank you Lord for providing us with such power.

Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.Infinite-Faith.com

Daily Devotional

December 24

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17 KJV)

The bible makes it very clear that the Old Testament rules about what to eat and drink, as well as the Sabbath days, were only shadows of what was to come under the New Testament. We should not try to follow the many rules from the Old Testament, so why is the church still teaching that you must observe the Sabbath and many of the other rules? We need to realize that Jesus nailed the Law, and ordinances, to the cross with Himself (Colossians 2:14), and none of those rules apply to the born again Christian, yet many of them believe you still must observe the old law. If a Christian wants to still set aside a day, like the Sabbath, to spend in worship to God, then there is nothing wrong with that. But if you feel that you have to observe a certain day, or perform a certain act, to be pleasing to God, then that is works of the law, and is now actually sin for the born again Christian (Romans 14:23). If what you do is done because you love Jesus and the Father, then that is a work of faith, but if you do it to try and please God, it is a work of the law.

Jesus fulfilled the Law given through Moses by God, and because He fulfilled all of it (Matthew 5:17), we are not under the Law anymore. By fulfilling the law completely, Jesus earned righteousness with God, and then He gave it to us when we get born again. Does this mean we should throw away the Old Testament out of the bible? No, because it is still useful to show us what pleases God, and what He considers sin. It also convicts an unbeliever of his sins, and need for salvation. We need to live holy, for He is holy (1 Peter 1:16), but not under the Law. We need to live holy because we want to, as our nature was changed when we were born again, and we should no longer have a desire to sin. Jesus taught love, not works, and we need to love Him and serve Him because we love Him, as He is pleased with us without our actions and works, but we must obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). A person who wants to go live in sin because he has been forgiven, needs to get born again, because if your “want to” hasn’t been changed, then you can’t have the love of God living in your heart. Praise God for our wonderful salvation!

Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.Infinite-Faith.com

Daily Devotional

November 20

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:11 KJV)

It is amazing that God knew before the world was formed, that He would have to send His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Many scriptures make it clear that Jesus was foreordained before the world was formed (1 Peter 1:20) to come save us. How many of us would go ahead and create the world, if we knew that it would cost us the life of our son? Not many, I bet. This illustrates just how much our Heavenly Father loves us, and shows us that God is truly love (1 John 4:8). As the Word says, He created us, for His pleasure, and we still exist for that same purpose (Revelation 4:11). It is amazing that God still loves us, and that He still gets pleasure from His creation. God thinks that you and I are worth the death of His Son Jesus, just so that we can have fellowship with Him (John 17:3) – Wow!

God knew that some of us would accept His Son as our Savior and He thought it worth it to go ahead and make this world. Think just how much God loves us, to create us, when He knew it would cost the life of Jesus. Anyone that can understand the love of God for us will never doubt His willingness to bless us with all blessings (Ephesians 1:3). The people that teach that God puts sickness and troubles in our lives do not understand this great love that God has for us. They are teaching false doctrine, as the bible says that God does not put trials upon us, and that all good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1:17). It is the devil that puts sickness, depression, and all kinds of problems on us, and never God (John 10:10). If it is good it is from God, and if it is bad it is from the devil. Also it is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost to blame God for the works of the devil, and it can send a born again Christian to hell. All Christians need to be aware that Jesus taught that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was not a sin that can be pardoned (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10). Wow!

Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.Infinite-Faith.com