The First Cup Devotional | Power In the Blood Assembly

PARTNERING WITH EACH OTHER

Power In the Blood Assembly
Aug 10
3 min read

Selfishness and myopic behaviors are not Christian values but are much more related to sinful or fleshly manifested behaviors.

In order to fully understand this concept of partnering we must return to the beginning.

Genesis 1:26 KJVS And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

The introductory thought to the creation of man was in the community that we call the trinity. The pronouns used are all plural in number and indicates sameness of purpose and not sameness of persons.

The assignment is transferred in the same manner and spirit in which it was conceived.

Dr Tony Evans “Unity is oneness of purpose, not sameness of persons”

It speaks to a collaborative endeavour.
It speaks to a common desire.
It speaks to a contributive environment.
It speaks to a connected entity

The foundation of every effective partnership is purpose.
The road map for every effective partnership is a clear vision
Agreement is the ability to establish and maintain singular focus pursuing the common goal and rejecting personal interests.

We were created for community.

Community is not an option but it is the only platform on which the kingdom is built.

The first need identified after the creation of man reflects the nature God intended for human existence.

Genesis 2:18 KJVS And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Partnering and The Blessing of companionship

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 KJVS Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. [10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. [11] Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? [12] And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Productivity increased
Protection and support
Potential for comfort
Power to win

Partnering and The Blessing of Commonality

Genesis 11:1-7 KJVS And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. [2] And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. [3] And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. [4] And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. [5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. [6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

Our communication is evidence of the effectiveness of our partnership.
Our direction is proof of our commitment to our partnership.
Our collaboration is the exercise and demonstration of our partnership.
Our vision is the purpose of our partnership
The presence proves the impact of our partnership

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Where is your mind set?

Judges 6:11-15 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak (terebinth) at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage. 13 And Gideon said to him, O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian. 14 The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you? 15 Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

1: Spiritual Attack on the Mind - Towards God

Question God’s Providence: Why do bad things happen?
Question God’s Power: Where are your miracles?
Question God’s Plan: Is this God’s plan?
Question God’s Presence: The Lord has forsaken us.

2: Spiritual Attack on the Mind – Towards Yourself

Self-Concept: I am from a family of poor people.
Self Esteem: I am the least valuable of all of them.

3: Spiritual Attack With God

Ephesians 6:10-18 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa_52:7] 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

Listen to the sermon podcast here:

PITBA | The First Cup Podcast | Where is your mind set

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Counterfeit Christianity

Power In the Blood Assembly
Jul 27
4 min read

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: [2] Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; [4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. [5] But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The times that we are living in must not catch us by surprise, as the Lord took the time in His word to inform us of the various types of issues we will be faced with, so that we can be prepared.

Paul’s address of perilous times in our introductory text would have been thought of just the season of human existence will be impacted by a particular age or time. But he qualifies it and makes it specific that the perilous nature of the times is because of the wickedness of men.

The challenges he listed are not weather patterns, political issues or economic challenges but they are completely a human issue.

The disturbing aspect of this global phenomenon is the fact that there will be a perceived spirituality accompanying such wickedness.

Paul describes the godliness that prevails as a form.

The Greek word speaks to the shape or semblance of but lacking the capacity to function as.

... denying the power.

It speaks to having an objection to the energy, influence or life that will empower the thing.

There is a power that is inherent to a godly life there is an absence of it, rendering the form dead.

It speaks to

a desire to associate but not assimilate. A desire to identify with but not be inducted into.

These characteristics are untenable for any Bible believing, blood washed, spirit filled child of God to condone or tolerate.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJVS Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Paul was warning against what is called Syncretism.

Definition of Syncretism

The blending of religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation of other beliefs into an existing religious tradition.

Example is the blending of:

Christians with African religious practices and beliefs creating a hybrid.
Christians involved in palm reading
Christians involved in horoscopes
Christians involved in secret societies and fraternities
Christians using mediums like garlic in purses
Christians having faith in oils

In effect we practice counterfeit Christianity. Looks like it but lacks the power needed to make it effective.

The only source of life and power in the church is Christ through His representative Holy Spirit in the earth.

1. Counterfeit Christianity: Abuse Gifts. 1 Corinthians 12

The focus on gifts and not character
The attraction of persons to manifestations rather than relationship
The adoption of a dependence on personalities

Counterfeit Christianity: Abuse Grace

The removal or destruction of long held standards and parameters.

Proverbs 22:28 NKJV “Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.”

The rejection of the fathers of the faith
The reliance on forgiveness and mercy rather than the desire to refrain from sin. Romans 6:1&2

Counterfeit Christianity: Abuse Giving

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 NKJV “For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; [14] but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack-that there may be equality. [15] As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."