Thursday, August 3, 2017

BOOK: Exhortations

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Volume 8 ... #14
God confirms HIS WORD with signs following


Mk. 1 ... We see many confirmations of Jesus ...

When Jesus was baptized in water, there was a sign from God in form of "a voice" from heaven saying:  Thou art MY beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (verse 11)

When Jesus was driven into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, a sign followed in this form:
... and the angels ministered unto HIM.   (verse 13) 

 16 Now as HE walked by the sea of Galilee, HE saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after ME, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed HIM.


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In this case, they obeyed THE WORD.

Sometimes after THE WORD is spoken, they flee.

Both are signs following THE WORD.

19 And when HE had gone a little further thence, HE saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway HE called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after HIM. 

(Signs following the Word)

 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day HE entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at HIS doctrine: for HE taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.


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In 2016, I received email from a young woman in Africa.  She had found one of our blogs and was saying how much it helped her.  Then she said, "HE (God) will reward you in heaven."  I don't think she knew she had spoken a prophecy, but I knew it!  Since that time, that WORD has returned to my mind several times to encourage me.   (Signs following the WORD)


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 Mk. 1 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with THEE, THOU Jesus of Nazareth? art THOU come to destroy us? I know thee WHO thou art, the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. (signs following the Word)

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth HE even the unclean spirits, and they do obey HIM.  



(Again, signs following ... for the people saw the authority of God)

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The WORD itself is the power when we are called to speak it ... It accomplishes God's purpose.  Some see, others do not see.  But either way it does the work of God and signs follow.  When I speak, I do not in any way try to impress humans with my "credentials" to speak.  The Word itself is my credentials.  The authority is in The Word.

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Mk. 1   29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon (Peter) and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's (Peter's) wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell HIM of her. 31 And HE came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. (Sign following The Word)

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto HIM all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And HE healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew HIM. 

 39 And HE preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 

40 And there came a leper to HIM, beseeching HIM, and kneeling down to HIM, and saying unto HIM, If THOU wilt, THOU canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth HIS hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as HE had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.



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All through Mk. 1, we see "signs following" The Word.

And the same is true with us.  Signs follow when we speak and when we do things when God has commissioned us.  God confirms us and HIS Word with "signs following".  They believe the Word.  They flee from the Word.  Either way the Word shows God's power and confirmation


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