Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.“ John 12:47-50 (MSG)

Caleb had to predicate his statement with the verb “if” when he stated: “But if the LORD is with me . . .” Joshua 14:12c (NLT) because he was under the Old Testament/Covenant (between GOD and man); partakers whose sins were atoned by the blood of certain animals that had to be sacrificed over and over again; they were considered servants of Yahweh/Jehovah – God Most High, who were in great anticipation of the coming Messiah – the Christ. Absolutely no supposition or condition is necessary for those who receive the Good News/the Gospel of Christ Jesus. In other words, when referring to being in the presence of the LORD “if” is negated because the New Testament/Covenant (between GOD and man) was ratified by the blood of Jesus, which obliterated the sins of mankind once for all who receive Him. We have a more better covenant because partakers are reconciled unto the Family of God as sons & daughters of Yahweh/Jehovah – God Most High, who serve toward establishing God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven in great anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. (see Romans 6:10; Colossians 1:12-22; 2Co 5:17-21; John 1:12-14; 1Jn 3:1-2; Luke 11:2; Revelation 22:12.)

We are in Him; we are the Church which is the Body of Christ, and He is the universal and supreme Head; we are seated with Him (Ephesians 2:6) who God the Father has exalted above all rule an authority and power and dominion (Ephesians 1:21-23), and has given Him the Name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Therefore, the need to cry in song as ‘though it were possible for Him to “pass us by” serves no viable purpose because the Head doesn’t operate sans the Body and vice versa. The power of God is within; that we may allow His power to flow through us in every circumstance. Therefore, we are to do and speak in the way of our Lord Jesus who only did and spoke as He heard of the Father (John 5:19, 8:26b,28 & 38, 12:49-50, 14:10). Praying amiss involves praying opposite of what GOD has said which is akin to praying sans belief. (This is one reason why I take care about entering into a “prayer of agreement” as well as relying on the prayers of others sans clarity as to whether speak is consistent with what God says.) As it is written, that which GOD speaks never returns void; it accomplishes everything for which it was sent (Isaiah 45:23 & 55:11). Therefore, we may stand in full confidence that GOD will never leave nor forsake us because He said it and the finished work of Christ Jesus sealed it on our behalf.

Speak the promise . . . Harriet