Holding The Past Against Others

"So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
(John 210:21-23)

I call you forgiven, healed, blessed, loved, and restored! This should be our declaration over every believer's life. Yet without knowing it we come into agreement with what we see happening in their lives, and not what God says in His Word! Without knowing it, we speak against God's will by speaking over their circumstances, and speaking our unbelief by that things won't change. This is not right. If God's Word says they are healed why do we contradict that, and speak to the contrary? If God says they are delivered why do we call them bound? If God says they are blessed why do we call them cursed? If God says they are restored why do we call them broken? If God says they are forgiven why do we hold their past against them?

"Jesus said, "If we forgive any sins they will be forgiven." What we don't realize is that we can keep people stuck by retaining or holding their sins against them. Accusation is the work of the devil.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." (Revelation 12:10)

When we retain people's sins (or past) against them we bring them under condemnation, and shame. The bible says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) Once a person has repented, God's Word says that they are no longer condemned or sentenced to live under anyone's judgment. Why then do we judge? "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4)

Sadly judging others, being critical, condemning, and accusatory is a widespread problem in the church. There is a reason people don't feel safe about being transparent so they continue to live in shame, bound by the opinions of men, and hoping to be free from sin but feeling they can never achieve it. If the people in church don't feel safe why would anyone outside of the church feel comfortable enough to go in? We can't reach the people we judge. Don't get me wrong God has called us to judge or discern people's fruit but he did not call us to retain or hold people's past against them or their struggle with sin against them. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

The compassionate ministry of reconciliation, and restoration of family members is what is really missing in the church. Many times we act like the older brother of the prodigal son. We become angry that God welcomes His son, and daughter home. God immediately showers them with gifts, gives them their authority back, clothes them in righteousness, and throws them a party! Some of us would like to bring the prodigal home, and require that he would earn his way back home instead of just walking in grace again. We say we earn salvation by grace but turn around, and require people to work for the mercy of God. "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"  (Galatians 3:2-3)

Question: Are we requiring people who need to be restored to work their way back into our good graces? Yes, people need to prove themselves. They need to show forth their fruits of repentance. However, are we going to now require that they perfect themselves by the works of the flesh? Do they now need to work on their salvation or receive it by faith again? I don't see the Father meeting the prodigal, and giving him a plan whereby he can become a son again. He has always been a son or she has always been a daughter. The moment someone goes to the cross Jesus declares it is finished! You know when someone has been to the cross because their life becomes consecrated again. They bear fruits of repentance.

The most famous of prodigals was Peter. He was in Jesus' ministry for three years plus. He was the first one to get the revelation of who Jesus' was, and also the first one to tempt Jesus to take a shortcut by tempting him not to go to the cross. Either way Peter was part of Jesus' inner circle. Even though he walked with Jesus the day came that the stress of the ministry became too great, and he abandoned his post. He left Jesus, and even denied he knew him. In today's world Peter would have been considered a fallen leader, a prodigal son, and a minister that morally failed his Savior. Yet, Jesus did not retain or hold his sins against him. He simply called his son home, and made him affirm his love for him. "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” (John 21:15)

The restoration process for Peter began with his declaration for his love for Christ, and confessing him before all men but continued in that upper room as he waiting on God for the Holy Spirit to fill him. In that upper room God transformed those fearful disciples, who had abandoned their posts, and made them the leaders of the greatest outpouring known to mankind. Jesus never once made them work to be in his ministry again or judged them for walking away. He did not retain their sins against them. It is time the church stop putting shame on people who have fallen away or are struggling in their relationship with God. It is God's love and kindness that led men to repentance. Look at what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, "Go and sin no more." If they sin no more, and continue to walk blameless before the Father who are we to condemn? If they get up, and you throw a stone at them then the love of the Father is not in you. "Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless." Matthew 12:6-7

It is time we stop condemning the guiltless. If they have gone to the court room of heaven, then Jesus has already declared them "Not guilty." Who Jesus declares is forgiven is forgiven. Let us start agreeing with heaven, and God's Word.

Father, I pray for whoever is reading this that would receive the love of the Father, that all guilt, condemnation, and shame give way to your loving presence. That they would realize that you are a Good, Good Father it's who you are, who you are and that they are loved by you; it's who they are, who they are! Amen!

If you find this article helpful or would like to donate to our ministry please do so on our home page by visiting our website:

Jaziz Gutierrez

Official Website: http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxASZLjwhGePvTG27ZRKAg

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Apostolic and Prophetic Foundation

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, Ephesians 2:19-21

A foundation is a set of instructions, biblical truths, revelation, and or government that gives the body of Christ stability in their walk with God. Without divine order, structure, or proper church government believers can be persuaded or led away into deception. False teaching, prophetic divination, and gross sin is fostered in environments where there is a lack of Apostolic authority, and Prophetic accountability. It is important to find those who will care or watch over your soul.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

On the other hand it is important to remember that Jesus is our cornerstone, and we must always look to Him first before man. We can never allow men to direct us by prophecy without the inner witness in our spirit. We must never allow ourselves to rely more on the instruction of an Apostle than the Word of God. Those who lack accountability in the body must be noted. They are either people who are wounded, and need to be loved back into the body of Christ or wolves who will seek to devour other sheep in their rebellion. This is why shepherds are necessary; to protect the sheep.

The five fold office was never meant to replace our own personal walk with God. It was set up to help them mature in love, and walk in unity. Also, to equip believers so that they may do the work of the ministry. It was never God's intention to have the five-fold ministry do all the work while everyone sits on the pew. That is like having the coach playing the game while the football team sits in the bench.

It is my exhortation today that you look carefully to see that you are not in rebellion by being outside of God's authority structure that he established or being led away by those who would seek to deceive you. You are ultimately responsible for your walk with God, and knowing what God's Word says. Hearing the Spirit for yourself is essential.

One more thing, if indeed God has put someone over you understand that they will give account for your soul. Make sure not to grieve them by being disobedient, and rebellious as a child would be to a parent. Be a joy to their hearts, helpful, submissive, and you will see your walk with God grow. Remember a solider that is AWOL (absent from your post) or MIA (missing in action) will become POW (a prisoner of war) It is time for some of you to report to your commanding officers to receive your assignment for your next season. ATTENTION! ABOUT FACE!
Jaziz Gutierrez

http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

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My Redeemer Lives

Vision: I had a vision at church while they were playing the song My Redeemer Lives. During the song I saw a street full of litter. Jesus was picking it up. I heard the Lord say there are some of you that may feel like discarded trash, like you aren't worth anything anymore and like you have been kicked to the curb. I want you to understand that God has a recycling program. Everyone one of us has a redemption value. We are priceless. He put his value on each of us when he traded the riches of heaven for our ransom. The cross speaks better things of us. It says, "I believe in you, you are worth it, I accept you, and I love you unconditionally!"

He is the Redeemer because he has reclaimed our lives and has paid the compensation necessary to make up for our faults and mistakes. He has taken us back when nobody wanted us. He never gives up because His love is unfailing, undeterred, and always hoping. Do you know that excitement that you feel when you haven't seen an old friend for awhile and you anticipate them coming over? That's how God feels when we have been away and we return home. Home. The Father awaits every son and daughter to return home. He anxiously awaits to embrace us and even runs to greet us. Oh, the excitement of heaven as everyone prepares a feast in our honor. He can't wait to put you back in the position that you left as a son and daughter. To clothe you with the best and put back the ring on your finger again as token of His love.

I'm married to you the Lord says, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I have made an everlasting covenant. To be there for you no matter what!

OUR LIFE HAS BEEN REDEEMED FROM DESTRUCTION!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-5

https://youtu.be/6QvX4CwSmwY

Jaziz Gutierrez

http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

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Lessons from Jesus: Overcoming

When you are in a place of tormenting fear and can't seem to see your way out. There are two things that you must do: First, you must speak the word of God and second you must lay your will down. These are the two things that Jesus did. In the wilderness He declared God's Word to the enemy. What does your wilderness look like? What is the devil telling you about your future? Remember he is the father of lies. Don't allow fear to dictate your future begin to declare God's Word and promises. When being tempted to take shortcuts resist it by telling the devil how a real Christian should live. We do not live by bread alone...but by every word. If God didn't say it, I'm not doing it. Refuse to be intimidated by your storm instead start declaring God's Word over it.

When you are faced with difficult trials or tests remember what Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane or the valley of decision Jesus declared, "Not my will but thy will be done." What is His will in your situation? Is He asking you to give something up? Is He asking you to let go of someone? Is He asking you to relinquish control over to Him and let Him handle it? As Christians we can never get around he mandate to pick up our cross to follow Him. What is this cross? It is the cross of denying self or saying no to what we want so we can say yes to what He wants.

How do we follow Him? By doing what he did to overcome. We need to handle the devil, temptation and suffering in the same way He did to be successful in our walk with Christ. If today you are reading this and feel like you can't go another day being buffeted by the devil read: Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Understand He was already afflicted, oppressed, sick, tempted, mentally and emotionally tormented so you wouldn't be. Receive today what Jesus did on that cross by faith. He loves you and already made a way out. Blessings.

#lessonsfromJesus

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Offense

Nothing can kill intimacy between you and God more quickly than offense. Offense is defined by: annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles. It's not unforgiveness because that means we won't let go of the person's debt or perceived crime against us. Offense is more like being hurt and staying that way. Just plain old resentful. Carrying around the pain because someone hurt you is more like offense. You let go of their transgression but you still are holding on to the pain. Guess what? The longer you let it fester the more chances it will turn into resentment and unforgiveness. The next thing you know you are far from feeling the presence of God. The pain and hurt you feel takes over. Soon you are angry all of the time taking things out on others because you can't stuff it down. You start thinking about what that person did all of the time and your thoughts are far from God. YOU CANNOT stay on the narrow road and allow that kind of anger to dominate you. That is walking in the way of Cain. "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." Jude v 11 Cain killed his brother. That's where the spirit of offense leads. You will have so much anger that you will kill righteous Abel just because you hate his relationship with God. You wish you were there but can't because of the anger and offense in your heart. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:6,7

That kind of anger turns into a spirit of murder. We need to rule over our feelings not the other way around. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." Proverbs 16:32 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:21-24

Anger leads to calling people names, cursing them, false accusation, gossip and slander. This is the sin of reviling. God's word says we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven if we are revilers. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 The worse consequence however is what it ultimately leads to: "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:15 Unforgiveness always leads to separation from God! You become like the person with the stone in their hand when God is asking you to drop it. NO ONE is without sin. An offended heart is a heart that is separated from God. I can't tell you the countless people that have walked away from God or cannot seem to stay in fellowship with God because of this. Just this week I was there too! I had to name each person that hurt me and forgive each action they offended or hurt me with. Father, I forgive so and so for.....and I loose the offense from my heart. Ahhhhh, such freedom. Like Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Not easy but if you pray for those who hurt you and despitefully use you God will give you the grace to move forward. Love does not keep a record of wrong doing! Amen!

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Broken Together?

Imagine a glass that you are trying to drink out of but can't because there is a crack in it, and the water is slowly leaking out. You keep refilling it but the water does not stay in it. This is the plight of every relationship that tries to drink out of a vessel that can't hold water. It leaves the other person thirsty, and frustrated. What if instead of being broken together we were filled, and whole? How wonderful it would be to drink out of the overflow of each other's life!

There is a beautiful song by Casting Crowns called "Broken Together." As I was pondering the meaning of what it meant to be broken together I realized that to be broken in a relationship is a very dangerous thing to be. In our brokenness, we often hurt the ones we love from a place of woundedness. We don't mean to but our hearts and souls can be so damaged that we find ourselves protecting ourselves from any perceived attack. Without even thinking about it we can use the most vicious weapons to fight off the threat. Suddenly the person we love becomes the ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, mother or father that hurt us. We take out the weapons of intimidation, fear, rejection, silence, running, and anything else that will stop the pain from reoccurring. Before we know it we are reacting, and not responding anymore. We get caught up in a vicious cycle of defending and attacking. It soon becomes an all-out war. What happened to love?

The devil wastes no time in capitalizing on the lies, and injuries of both parties. The devil delights that the warriors who were meant to take him down are now focused on each other instead of him. The bible warns us, "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" Galatians 5:15 Before you know it both parties are so injured that now the devil can take them out. 

What can we do?

You need to heal. Don't rush God's work. Take time with the Father to go into the deepest hurts of your heart. Don't be afraid. He's gentle but you need to be brave. As human beings, we run from going to the dentist or doctor for fear of pain. Yet it is the very thing we need to do so we can get better. Any injury or wound that becomes infected can take us out. This is true spiritually. Delays in treating symptoms, and flare-ups can take you out. I've had dear friends go to be with Jesus early because they did not check out the symptoms they were experiencing and died an early death as a result.

Be humble: The church is filled with hurting Christians who refuse to be authentic and transparent about the things they are experiencing. They hide behind God. Trying to make everyone think they are okay or they get so preoccupied with the ministry that the problem just grows worse. I've done it. God wants a healthy person more than he wants you to minister for him. The world will be okay if you take the time to take care of yourself.

Time to detox: The best way to detox spiritually is forgiveness, and releasing others that have offended you. Jesus warned us that offense would be the number one thing that would take Christians out in the last days. "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:10-13   

Put the past behind you: We all do this. We obsess about the "what ifs." We can't change what has happened and we can't allow an event to define us. We can't allow our behavior to cause us to believe that we are beyond redemption. What we believe about ourselves determines our behavior. Our identity is in Christ. We have his DNA, and we don't have to succumb to patterns or habits that we were raised with. 

Embrace truth: Lies are all the devil has to defeat us with. Spend time in God's Word. Embrace what he says about you, and your situation. Stop listening to the lies in your head. Here's the truth: There is no hole too deep or too dark where the love of God and His light can't reach you. 

Walk in love: In everyone's life, we must make a decision to love even if it is at a distance. Love must dominate our words and actions. It is not a feeling. It is a command! Your feelings will catch up. Grace enables us. Remember you become like the person you hang out with the most. Love is the work of the Holy Spirit being poured into our hearts. We must spend time in His presence to become like love itself. If we walk in the spirit, the oil of his presence will make it impossible for the enemy to get a grip on us. It is an essential oil.

Finally, understand that we are all undergoing the process of sanctification. None of us can become like Jesus overnight. This takes much time, and if you feel like you are beyond help, please realize that with God all things are possible. He loves you. He is in the business of restoration, and reconciliation. There are many times that we will fail but that does not make us failures. There are many times that we will sin but that does not make us sinners. For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. Proverbs 24:16 Just get up and Jesus will dust you off. He's waiting.    

If you find this article helpful or would like to donate to our ministry please do so on our home page by visiting our website:

Jaziz Gutierrez

Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxASZLjwhGePvTG27ZRKAg

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War Over The Word

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (Mark 4:17)

While sitting in church today I heard voices from the depths of hell discussing how they would bring down the church. "We must not let them take root because they'll bear fruit. We cannot let them water the Word because they will take root and bear fruit. We need to choke them with cares because if they take root they will bear fruit." The discussion was clear. Persecution comes to those who receive the Word. Trouble comes the minute we receive a prophetic word. As soon as God's Word comes forth to call forth destiny spiritual warfare begins. Jesus said, "As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." (Mark 4:15) There will be a war over the Word God has spoken to you. There is always a battle to replace the seed of God's Truth with lies and deception. This is the battle we see in God's church. The devil is good at getting his message of half truths into the ears of those who are poor students of God's Word. Jesus wants us to contend for Truth. He is the Spirit of Truth. He is the Word. As soon as Jesus steps into the atmosphere of a church it is impregnated for miracles, healing, signs and wonders but most importantly Truth because it is what brings freedom to every captive. It is Truth that opens the prison door and releases keys to the kingdom. It is this message that this war is really about. "Because of the Word persecution comes..."

For years I heard the parable of the sower as a lesson in prosperity. How foolish! Jesus specifically told us. “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you." (Mark 4:11) What is this secret? It is the secret of how we must protect God's Word when it is sown in our hearts and in the hearts of others. The seed brings multiplication into God's kingdom. Unfortunately, the greed and covetousness in men's hearts have twisted this scripture to get people to sow more money into their ministries. The irony of this parable is that it warns against these two things..."the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:19) The very thing that Jesus warned about is the very trap that ministers are falling into. The Truth in this parable has been choked out of their hearts and they have fallen into deception. Please understand that God does multiply provision thus the fish and loaves. However, this parable is not about that, "Because of the Word." It doesn't say money. It says "Word!" I heard this from some dear Pastors I know, "We impart who we are not what we know." This is a true saying. God wants us to multiply who we are.

Dear brothers and sisters, above all else we must contend for Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) We cannot even enter the Kingdom of God without Truth! Hell is bent on stealing the Word from our hearts. We must water the seeds of God's Word in His presence. We must also put on the shoes of the gospel of peace. Before I got up and gave this word to the church my husband saw the altar full of shoes They were shoes of peace. If we don't walk in peace, the cares of life will choke out the Word. If we chase after the riches of this world and lust after the things of the flesh; God's Word will be choked out of our hearts. If we don't stay put and allow God's Word to take root, we will not bear fruit. We become fruitless trees. There is a quality control room in heaven. God will inspect the fruit in our lives! 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory,that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:5-8) Jesus teaches us how we can become fruitful. Remaining in His presence is key to bearing fruit. We cannot unplug ourselves from God when we leave church and plug back in whenever we feel like it. We should always walk in the Spirit. 

We must meditate on what God reveals to us.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Not only should we meditate on His Word but delight in his laws. We become like a tree that is always bearing fruit in whatever season we are in. A person planted in God's Word is someone who will always yield fruit. He tells us not to walk with the wicked or stand with sinners or sit in the company of mockers. Do you notice the progression? We cannot walk with those who aren't walking with God. If you notice the true key to prosperity is in obeying God's Word! You cannot give your money and expect prosperity if you aren't walking in obedience!

The Word of God cannot bear fruit if we become like James says, "Hearers only and not doers." If we hear the Word of God and leave church without practicing what we hear, we will not take root or bear fruit. It is NOT ENOUGH to go to church only. God expects us to be good stewards of what He gives us. Honestly, some of us don't even crack our bibles all week let alone contend for the Word of God in our hearts. Watching your favorite preacher or YouTube video does not qualify for bible reading. Reading someone else's devotional also does not qualify. God wants to speak to us! 

We must become intercessors over the prophecies declared over us, the promises in God's Word, and the rhema spoken to our hearts. Church is NOT a place to learn bible stories. It is a place where we should receive truth for transformation. We must contend for this truth, "Revival always will lead us back to God's Word." We must protect the SEED! We cannot allow others to modify it to suit their needs and selfish desires or use it to manipulate others. This is WRONG. God is looking for a harvest and those will bring multiplication to His kingdom. Truth equals freedom! Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

I declare freedom over all those who receive this message. May you contend for God's Word and war over the Word God has given you. May it take root and bear fruit. May you multiply and become a fruit bearing tree! In Jesus name!

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The Great Exchange

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
 and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25

Many have made some incredulous claims from the pulpit about what it is to follow Christ. Some claim that their life will become effortless through a simple prayer. Others claim that a mere whisper of His name will give them life eternal and that everything that they need has been freely given in the sacrifice of Christ…but is it really true? Rarely do we speak of the cost or the Great Exchange that heaven made on our behalf. Was the cross really just a free gift with no effort on our part? With no expectation on this side of heaven many converts make waste of this wonderful gift believing that obedience is arbitrary and optional. The masses leave the altars of evangelistic outreach believing they have now completed their prerequisite to get to heaven just to go back into the vomit of their former sin. Little do they know that their simple prayer was really an enlistment to become part of God’s great army of warriors who now have made a commitment to establish His kingdom here on earth. What was Jesus really saying when He said, “Whoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it?” What do we find? I propose that Jesus was calling all His disciples to make an exchange: My life for yours, my bloody body for your health, peace and salvation. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
 

We have grossly overlooked this passage and have found ways to keep our lives, not really realizing we cannot have His life while keeping ours. I have seen many Christians still keeping their old ways, their old habits, old friends, way of thinking and talking with little or no evidence of being that new creation the bible talks about. I believe that we should become so like Him that the life we now live would have no trace of who we were before. Sadly, the world and culture has crept into the church. The church has used the lure of entertainment and worldly tactics to keep congregations content but they are far from looking like the Savior they claim to serve or know. Their lives remain complacent with no respect to the sacrifice or life that was given in exchange for theirs. We still want the tangible instead of the intangible. We have made back pocket deal with God with a back door option just in case things don’t work out. We keep our pet sins in our back pocket all the while keep the back door open for us to go MIA (Missing in Action) just in case things get hard or we get offended. We insult the Spirit of grace with our lack of reverence in the name of being relevant to a culture who believes that real love is keeping quiet about the things of Christ. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Let me ask you this, “Are you God’s friend?” We all see this in light of Jesus laying His life down for us but I believe this goes both ways. What are you willing to give up for this Great Exchange? Have you really given up your old life in exchange for His or are you still holding on to your old life? If you are to be a disciple of Christ and want to partake of that resurrected life you must lose your life and leave this life for His. 
Jaziz Gutierrez

http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

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