Monday, March 9, 2020

Applying Jesus' Blood - The Recipe For Protection & Peace

I was recently reminded about the Children of Israel when they were delivered from bondage to Egypt. God began to fulfill His promise to them of a land of their own, flowing with milk and honey. He performed a miraculous feat for Israel, as He would do many times after that. Not only did God protect His people in the midst of the plagues He put on Egypt, but God demonstrated the power of protection and deliverance by the blood of the sacrificed lamb applied during the very first Passover.

God instructed Moses to have each family in Israel sacrifice a lamb and apply the blood of the lamb to the doorposts and lintel of each household. When the destroyer came to kill each first born, he passed over each and every home to which the blood had been applied. What a beautiful picture of how the blood of Jesus, the final sacrifice Lamb of God, covers and protects us when it is applied. Remember, the blood of the lamb was applied only by those who were God's people. In the very same way, only those who are purchased by the blood of the Lamb can apply His blood to themselves and their families for deliverance, healing, and protection.

In our current time there is mounting fear over the things happening in the world. From terrorism to politics to the Corona virus, fear is being planted in the hearts and minds of folks due the panicky reporting of the news media and through social media. I'm not saying that today's issues are not serious. Certainly we must be vigilant to take common sense precautions. We cannot ignore today's happenings. But listen to me carefully: Nothing, absolutely nothing is more powerful than the blood of Jesus poured out on the cross! Nothing! It's time that believers start believing that! Israel's experience is a keen example of applying the blood of the lamb to every single area of our lives.

As a result of applying the blood of the sacrificed lamb, God protected and delivered the Children of Israel from over 400 years of brutal bondage to Egypt. The destroyer could not touch them. But where the blood was not applied, death came and took each and every first born of man and beast.

Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world was offered up over 2,000 years ago. (John 1:29) Not only did the blood He poured out take away our sins, but it has  provided deliverance and victory; victory over the one who prowls about like a roaring lion seeking anyone he can devour. We who are purchased by this blood overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loves us! (Romans 8:37) But just like Israel, the blood must be applied!

Jesus, has died and shed His blood for all mankind. Those who believe and receive this enter into eternal salvation. And from that point forward the precious blood of Jesus is applied to every aspect of our lives. But again this blood must be applied.

What does it mean to apply the blood of Jesus? It's so simple many followers of Jesus miss it. To apply the blood takes faith. Simply stated, you deeply believe God's Word is the truth, and that it is more powerful that any situation, any force, any feeling, or any other thought patterns contrary to it. To believe God's Word is to believe that what God says takes precedence over anything else. But faith alone is not enough. You must confess what you believe. Confession is the evidence of genuine trust. This is the very spiritual principle by which we become saved. We believe in our heart and we confess with our mouth. "For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:10)

Confession of what we believe is not just what we say to ourselves and others. Of course, it is what we pray to God. God's Word is activated in our lives and in our circumstances when we confess it back to Him. I love this passage from Isaiah 55:10-11: "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." God's Word comes from God! And much of what He says is fulfilled as we confess it in our prayers and when we speak it in our conversations. This is what makes our prayers and confession powerful.

When we look deeper into that first Passover over 3,000 years ago, we see that in order for Israel to be protected from the destroyer, the lamb had to die, and his blood shed. His blood had to be applied to the entrance to each home. This provided supernatural protection from death. In addition, this same blood had to be applied in order for Israel to be delivered out of more than 400 years of bondage. This blood protected Israel and freed them from bondage.

When I apply the blood of Jesus, I simply remind the enemy that I am covered in Jesus' blood, and thus delivered from ALL sin. As a result, I am covered and protected from ALL that came about as the result of sin. When I apply the blood, I also direct my my conversation to God. I thank Him that His blood has cleansed me, and that His blood (just like Moses, and Israel) protects me and my family from the attacks and ploys of the enemy. As I apply the blood, I ALWAYS use Scripture that pertains to my particular situation (not only verses about the blood). Remember, applying the blood of Jesus involves faith, and application/confession of God's Word.

You don't have to be rattled by all the political drama happening currently in our country. You don't have to be shaken by the panic-riddled news media. The blood of Jesus is more powerful than any and everything the world can throw out...at any point in time! You are a child of God, covered in the blood. I encourage you, apply the blood to every area of your life. Then, walk in the incomprehensible peace of God, not the fear of the enemy.

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