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THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matt 21:22 NKJV
Receiving from God brings, and increases, your freedom. Freedom enables you to fulfill the call of God upon your life. In any talk of freedom, we must always consider the truth that our lives are not our own, that we have been bought with a price to be the servants of Jesus Christ. So, freedom frees me from whatever would hinder my fulfilling the call of God upon my life.
Your health, or the lack thereof, can enslave you. Lack of money can definitely be enslavement. Ignorance can be enslavement. You’ll notice that these three things – lack of health, lack of finances and lack of wisdom or understanding – have no direct relationship to sin. In other words, you could be walking righteously and still not have health, the money you need, or the wisdom and understanding to carry out the call of God upon your life.
Give, and it will be given to you: Luke 6:38 NKJV
You need to learn to receive from God. Whether you are in the ministry, in business, a homemaker, a student, or even retired, developing your ability to receive from God will enhance the freedom that you need to fulfill the call of God upon your life. You have the ability to receive. You have received from God, as evidenced by the wonderful reality that you are born again of His Spirit. Nothing in life will ever exceed the greatness of that reality. You’ve received the greater…you can receive the lesser as well!
What hinders you from receiving? Let’s talk about three hindrances – unworthiness, lack of faith, and lack of love.
UNWORTHINESS – Unworthiness or inferiority has always been a part of the human condition, but something happened in Church history that institutionalized it in the Church.
The first three centuries of Christianity were characterized by continuous revival. The Church was a Hebraic church, marked by house churches, miraculous power, and joyful observance of the Jewish feasts. The early Church was a Messianic church, rejoicing in the accomplished work of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).
Gradually, as the church moved westward, Greco – Roman philosophy was brought into the fellowship by new converts. Finally, with the conversion of the Roman emperor Constantine, the Hebrew roots of the Church were overthrown, and pagan culture began to strangle the assemblies of believers. House churches were outlawed, and large cathedrals began to grow. Instead of the priesthood of all believers, a priest class arose (called clergy), and the light of the truth began to be lost. Monks and ascetics literally began to torture themselves to be closer to God. Priests took vows (curses) of poverty, chastity, and obedience (ostensibly to Go, but really to their superiors). By the sixth century, all observance of the Jewish feats was outlawed, and we entered the dark ages. Unworthiness had found a home in the Church.
Thanks to the Reformation, and the moves of God in the last five hundred years, much of what was lost has been regained. But the reality of the believer’s legal standing in Christ, of being made worthy by His work on our behalf, has not been fully taught and believed in the Church.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21 KJV
Dear one, you are worthy because He made you worthy. He became sin for you and me, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Nothing on our part can add to, or take from, what He worked out for us through His perfect redemption. You are worthy to receive from God.
LACK OF FAITH
“According to your faith let it be to you.” Matt 9:29 NKJV
Faith is mathematical. You receive according to your faith. Faith is not arbitrary, because God is not a respecter of persons. You may have great faith in certain areas of your life and receive greatly and have little or no faith in others, and receive accordingly. The encouraging thing is that your faith can grow in any category of life. By continually pursuing the process of building your faith, you can overcome anything.
You have a faith partner – Jesus. As you pray in tongues and meditate in the Word, listen as He speaks to you. Faith comes by hearing His voice, the RHEMA of God. He completely understands where you are, the circumstances of your situation. He will never leave you. Even when you turn from Him, all you have to do is look over your shoulder. He is there, ready to receive you again. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua.
LACK OF LOVE
Do you love yourself? What do you admire about yourself? Faith is energized by love. I have met many dear ones who have great faith for others but very little faith for themselves. Why? Because they love others, but they do not love themselves. Usually, this is an indication of an orphan curse. People who have not known love from their earthly fathers find it hard to believe in the love of a heavenly Father. A dear one who is loved of their heavenly Father will expect to receive all that the Father has for them, which is according to the riches of His glory.
If you feel bound by an orphan curse, and do not know the love of the Father, I have some follow up material that can help you. Just email me and let me know.
Learn to receive from God. Ask Him to teach you to receive from Him. Open up your hands right now and reach out to Him in your heart, and He will meet you. You can receive from God!
Remember, dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…