John, 

I enjoyed reading this list of the good things that are “in Christ”.  One can barely take them all in.  It is taking me a lifetime “in Christ” to fully understand what true life is. Every experience  I have in the spirit adds to that reality. 

Thank you for taking the time to put this list together. 

The scripture below is one of my favorite verses and it came to mind after I read what you have written. 

Acts 17:28:

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being….” 

Tom

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The phrase “in Christ” is used seventy-seven times in the New Testament.  Seventy-four of those times are found in Paul’s letters.  Luke, who traveled with Paul, used it once (Acts 24:24), and late in Peter’s life, he used it a couple of times (1Pet. 3:16;5:14).

I had the thought tonight, “What things does the Bible say are in Christ?”  And so, I looked up what the Bible says about that.  Here is what I found:

Redemption

Romans 3:24 KJV

[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Believers

Romans 3:24 KJV

[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 12:5 KJV

[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The Law of the Spirit of Life:

Romans 8:2 KJV

[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

The Love of God

Romans 8:39 KJV

[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Resurrection Life

1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV

[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Understanding

2 Corinthians 3:14 KJV

[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

God

2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Simplicity

2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV

[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Liberty

Galatians 2:4 KJV

[4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

No Human Differences

Galatians 3:28 KJV

[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 6:15 KJV

[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

All Spiritual Blessings

Ephesians 1:3 KJV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Access to God

Ephesians 2:13 KJV

[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

The Promise of God (the Spirit)

Ephesians 3:6 KJV

[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Spiritual Comfort

Philippians 2:1 KJV

[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

The Attitude of a Servant

Philippians 2:4-5 KJV

[4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The Calling of God

Philippians 3:14 KJV

[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The Will of God

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Faith and Love

1 Timothy 1:14 KJV

[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:13 KJV

[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

The Faith

1 Timothy 3:13 KJV

[13] For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

God’s Promise of Eternal Life

2 Timothy 1:1 KJV

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

The Grace of God

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV

[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2 Timothy 2:1 KJV

[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Salvation

2 Timothy 2:10 KJV

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

There are many good things in us who are in Christ.  May we find out what they all are!

Philemon 1:6 KJV

[6] That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Pastor John

 

Oh, Pastor John, 

I heard the best thing from a 2006 CD today.  You said “Every time we speak in tongues, God is getting us past something, past our minds, our wrong ideas, our misconceptions, our history.  God wants to give us a new history.”

That is so good to me! Lately, Jesus just keeps talking to me about his purpose for me, and for his body. I feel like I am where I was made to be, at the right time and the right way for his purpose. I feel like I fit. That is so big for me! It is one thing to hear it, but to really feel it is everything. Jesus has done something inside of me. I feel light. I feel pliable. Sometimes in the meetings, I have felt Jesus so strong!

Hearing this message today from 2006 is so good!

I am so overwhelmed with the love of God.  

Beth

Pastor John. 

I was listening to a CD today and you were telling us, “Be happy, choose to live!”

You don’t have to worry about getting closer to God, if He wants you closer He’ll let you know about it!  All you have to do is live! Whew… I never would have dreamed you could just live, be happy and not worry!  I love the sweet feelings the truth brings!  Spoke in tongues all the way to Graham today…. feeling happy…. like thank you Jesus for every breath happy! 

Thank you Pastor John!  Thank you for showing me how to live!

 

Pastor John, 

I was listening to a CD from 2010 while driving home from work today. On it Lou was giving a testimony of times Jesus has healed her and of all the sickness Jesus has brought her through, then she said, “Jesus wants us healed” and then Uncle Earl said, “Yeah, he wants us to feel just like he does!” That was so good!  

I don’t think I’ve thought of healing like that.  I know Jesus wants us to be happy like him, satisfied like him, contented like him, but I’ve never thought he wants us healed like him!

I love that! It stirs up faith!

Michelle

Pastor John, 

I had the sweetest night last night!  I re-watched the meetings from this weekend and loved every minute of it!  There were so many “highlights” I can’t even name them all!  Watching different ones dance in the spirit and just watching all the “happy” just blessed me so much all over again!

I fell asleep praying for different one’s and fell asleep speaking in tongues, how sweet!  I felt like Jesus just had me cradled in his arms.  When I woke up I was singing Gary’s song, “You don’t have a problem when there’s faith in God”! Then when I got in my car that song was playing!  Jesus is the lifter of burdens!  Jesus is our healer!  Jesus is our encourager!

I just feel so blessed, so taken care of!  I’m so thankful for this precious life that Jesus has given to us!  I want to treasure every moment!

PS 

Jesus cradling me in his arms feels so good, I looked up the word cradled [hold gently and protectively].  I love that and that’s exactly how I feel!

Love you!

Michelle 

 

I really loved this!*

Those Old Testament verses take on a whole new meaning when you plug them into these future events where they belong.  Even a verse as simple as, “The meek will inherit the earth”, means so much more when you apply it to these precious chosen third of Israel who have been so utterly crushed.  I have read this verse in Deuteronomy, “The LORD will certainly judge His people, but He will have pity on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone” (Dt. 32:36), but it comes to life when you insert it into this touching story about God’s chosen people who are so desperate and completely broken, and Jesus comes to rescue them.

There are several things in this reading that really touched me:

The thought of Jesus having pity on the Jews and praying for them when they are at the end of their rope and can no longer pray for themselves really touched me.  After you’ve explained how the abased and humbled Israel will be begging God from the ground, squeaking from the dirt for heaven’s intervention, you write,  “But Jesus will be praying for them”.  Then, the verse from Isaiah 26:16 fits so perfectly there.

And this is so good, “The end of Israel’s strength is the place where God will meet them”.  The first time I read that I had to stop reading and I just cried because I have experienced that kind of love from Jesus first hand.  Not that I can ever imagine the kind of desperation and heart ache this poor Jewish remnant will be experiencing, but I have been to my own place where I felt my strength was gone and Jesus was there to meet me.  You wrote, “in that place is nothing but God’s mercy in which to hope”  I love God’s mercy!   I also loved reading this,  “And in that place, “They will call on my Name, and I will answer them.  I will say, ‘This is my people!’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God!’”  My heart was saying, “Yes!”  when I read that!

Reading this has shined a whole new light on what coming back with Jesus will really mean.  I have always thought how much I would love being in that army of saints who gets to come back with Jesus one day, but I never thought about who would be waiting for us and what we will see when we get here.  What an honor it will be to have a part in rescuing this precious chosen remnant of Israel!  We will get to witness that whole touching scene when these desperate and humbled-down people; God’s chosen people, finally realize that Jesus is their Messiah!   I can’t even imagine how wonderful that will be!  (will it be so holy and precious that I have to cover my eyes?!)

When I finished reading this at my kitchen table yesterday, all I could say was, “Wow!”   This is so good.  Period.  Thank you for all of the many hours you have put into writing this.  It really blessed me reading just this small section today.

Lee Ann

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Wow!

This is an incredible read. 

I felt spent when I was finished, emotions pulled from one extreme end, to the other.

It took me someplace.

“Humbled to the dirt /voices a squeak from the dirt / will be like one with a familiar spirit from the ground” (Isaiah 29:2a, 3-4).  Wow! This part went down to the bone in the Spirit.

Wonderful.

Jerry D.

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Wow John!!

How terrifying and humbling it is to think of being a Jew at that time!  I am speechless and amazed at what we have been learning from you and what the Lord has opened up to you for us these past few years.  From studying the book of Revelation, to the Council in Jerusalem, and the Father and Son book, I feel like I am being made new by every revelation he opens up to us!!  It is molding my heart and mind more each day, and I love it.

There is a settleness and a soberness that comes with each thing we learn from him, and it becomes life for us and brings a realness to what is happening to us all at this time.  I know I do not understand the magnitude of why and what he is doing with us in this present era – but he does!!  And that is all that matters.  I just want to be found doing what he wants, and be well-pleasing in his eyes wherever we are and no matter what is going on in this world. He has a place for us and that is where I want to be.

Thank you John!

Stuart

*These comments were written in response to a segment of Pastor John’s latest book called, The Chosen Third Are Humbled.  His book titled, Revelation is being produced and should be ready for review in the near future.  

 

 

Pastor John,

I wanted to share something that I heard from the Lord.

I love the feelings that came with it.

The point of religion is not to “have religion,” it’s to have God.

Jerry

 

Pastor John,

I have been sitting here thinking about the Council meeting in Jerusalem, and what things it might have entailed. 

Onlookers to the meeting that day might have described it as something akin to, “judging between perfection”.

I have been trying to determine what the burden was that had been placed on the Jews that day?  What was it that God was requiring of them, exactly.  And what would He hold them accountable for?  How did God see it?

After giving it some thought, it seems to me that the entire burden that the Jews in that room were facing, on that day, was the same burden that God’s people face everyday – that is, they were responsible for being in a condition (spiritually) to recognize the word of the Lord when it came.  In this case, it was coming through Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus.

God wasn’t asking them to “do” anything that day, nor was He asking them to change anything, not physically.  They would have left there that day worshiping God the exact same way they always had, and God would have accepted it as much as He ever did.  But what they did have to do was recognize the word of the Lord that had come to the Apostle Paul.  And since they were not present on the day that the Lord spoke to Paul, and they themselves had no such revelation from God, their only hope, and their responsibility, was to be in such a spiritual condition as to recognize God in such a radical circumstance as the unveiling of Paul’s Gospel for the uncircumcised.  But that would have been impossible for faithful Jews to do, unless they were subdued by the Holy Spirit that God had poured out on them at Pentecost. 

Everybody in that room was right. They were the best of the best among all people on Earth.  None of them were fabricating their testimony.  Both sides had witnessed Jesus’ judgment on the Gentiles (Peter and many other Jews heard Jesus call them “dogs” and refuse to minister to them, citing that He was “ONLY sent to the lost sheep in Israel”.  (The apostle Paul had heard Jesus speak of mercy and love toward the Gentiles, and forgiveness of sins.)  And both sides knew God’s Law and the scriptures better than anyone on the planet.  The only question was, “Had God done something new with Paul?” 

Wow!  I am looking forward to the new version of the “Council.” Your description of this new work makes the first writing sound like a piece of fiction, it being more of a reflection of the religion of Christianity.

It also sounds very difficult.  There is no right or wrong anymore – only Jesus!

Thanks,

Jerry

 

John,

I went back tonight and listened to part of Sunday’s meeting.  I wanted to hear the part again about catching up with God’s feelings and thoughts.  It was so good, and it just continued from one wonderful thought to the next.  I wanted to pass along what I heard because it’s worth hearing again!

This is what you said:

“I don’t think we’ve comprehended all together what God has done for us.  I feel myself trying to take it in sometimes.  God showed me many decades ago that what He’s after is to get us to catch up to Him.  That’s where Jesus was.  He had caught up with God.  He knew what God was doing that day.  He knew what God was thinking that moment.  He saw things as God saw them, and he felt things that God was feeling right then.  He wasn’t living looking backwards.”

“We’ve always had to look backwards to find out what God has done for us, but He wants His children to grow up in Him so we know what He’s feeling now so that we can say, ‘God‘s going to do this’ because we know that’s what God’s thinking right then.  That’s what He wants for us, to live in the grace and the full measure of Christ.  Amen!  No longer moved by various winds of doctrine because we’ve caught up with our Father, and we’re walking with Him.”

“John said, ‘Our fellowship is with the Father and the Son’ because He had caught up with Jesus.  He knew the Lord.  That’s why he wasn’t against Paul’s Gospel.  He had caught up with God, and he said Amen to it.”

“You can’t even say, Amen to the truth unless it’s already in your heart somewhere, unless God stuck it in sometime when you weren’t looking. You were studying the Bible or doing something else.  Amen!  He just gets it in there.  That’s why David said, ‘Oh God, incline my heart to Your testimonies.  God do something in me that I can’t do.’”

“And God has done something to you that you can’t do if you hear that ‘still, small voice’ of the Spirit guiding you.  He’s done something to you if you love the truth.  He loved you first, and He put love for Him in your heart before you knew it was there.  And then, when you heard His voice, you loved it.  And you’ll be surprised and say, ‘I love this!  What happened to me?’”

“I said a long time ago the truth is a good cancer.  It will eat you up, but that’s a good way to die – to be eaten up with the cancer of the truth. It eats up that old man and his opinions, and catches you up with Jesus and where he is now.”

“Where he is now!  That’s getting to know yourself.  You get to know yourself when you come to know him.  It’s the only time you know the body and who’s who in the body, the only time you know who is in the body and where in the body ‘who’ is.  You don’t know anything until you know him.  All knowledge is hidden in the Son, including the knowledge of yourself and each other.  We know each other in the Lord, but knowing God is the way we came to know each other.  The rest have got secrets here and there, secret opinions, secret feelings.  We get in the Lord together, then I know you. Amen!”

“God, let us catch up with our Father!  Amen!  Because He’s doing things right now.  He’s doing things!  He’s putting things in you right now.  Oh God, put Your will deep in our hearts!  Put Your ways in our mind.  Stabilize our thoughts and feelings!”

John, I’m so thankful that I love the truth.  That he put it in there!  He’s letting it grow and grow.  I want to fully catch up with him and his ways. That’s truly walking with him!

Carrie