Celebration of the Father

“Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke‬ ‭24:13-18, 25-27, 32-34‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Did you ever wonder why out of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, only one of them was named while the other remained anonymous?

Therefore, I believe that the name “Cleopas” is crucial to understanding the significance of this passage.

Cleopas is an abbreviated form of the name Cleopatros, made of the two Greek words “kleos” (to celebrate) and pater (father). Cleopas means “celebration of the father”.

Let us see what Jesus did in the passage. He told the two discouraged disciples all about the things concerning Himself in the Old Testament Scriptures, and how He fulfilled them all at the cross.

It was a celebration of the Father, praising Him for His glorious plan of salvation that was once hidden and is now revealed through the prophets, apostles, and the other writers of the Scriptures.

When Jesus celebrated the Father with the two disciples, their hearts “burned”, likely with faith, hope, and love in response to the love and grace of God. They experienced an “Emmaus” (meaning: hot springs) in their hearts, washing away the unbelief and refreshing their spirits.

They were no longer depressed and despondent. Instead, they were filled with hope, and energized in their bodies and souls. Having just walked a long way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they immediately set off on a journey back to announce the good news they had seen and heard.

This world needs “Cleopas”—a celebration of the Father. They need to hear about a Father God who is gracious and full of love, who freely offers salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. They need to hear that He wants to be a Father near to them and not a Judge far off; that He is reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus, welcoming them home.

“But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-21‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Anytime you are feeling down, you can initiate a celebration of the Father. It will cleanse you from unbelief, refresh your spirit, fill your heart with hope, and energize your body and soul!

If you are new to reading the four gospels for yourself, or you have some questions about difficult passages in there, I would like to recommend you read my four-ebook bundle called “Understand the Four Gospels Through the Lens of Grace”.

As you read it, many confusing pieces of Scripture will be unlocked to you, and things that used to scare you will be read in the right light. Order the bundle and you can download and read it right away:
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Enjoy Happiness Now

“Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Don’t postpone your happiness to the future.

“When I am rich, I will be happy.” Really? King Solomon is by today’s standards a trillionaire and he was not happy. Read about it in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He indulged in every worldly comfort and pleasure possible, and yet he concluded that it was all vanity of vanities, grasping after the wind.

Happiness is not about being rich or poor. It is about having Christ in you and with you.

“This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

As a believer, you know God not as a distant person, but a good Father who loves you and is on your side. To the world who does not know Him, He is still the Judge who punishes the wicked. They do not have the kind of relationship that we enjoy with Him.

Start enjoying your relationship with Abba God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit today. You can pray, and God will show you amazing truths, advice for the future, and help you with whatever you need.

A life without God is an empty life, like always eating but never being able to satisfy that hunger.

When you have Jesus as Lord, you have the Bread of Life, the living bread from Heaven to feed on. His words in the Scriptures, the Lord’s Supper, are true food that nourish you in many ways.

Perhaps happiness is having an unlimited supply of this heavenly food, so that your spiritual hunger is satisfied!

If you want to know God’s heart for you, you can study the 37 recorded miracles of Jesus Christ in “Messiah’s Miracles”. As we look at each of the miracles that were recorded in the four gospels, you will know Abba God better by seeing what Jesus does. Jesus did nothing without first seeing His Father do it—they have the same nature and work perfectly in sync. This is a read that I’m sure you will enjoy: https://bit.ly/messiahs-miracles

How to Have God’s Faith

“Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done.” (Mark‬ ‭11:22-23‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

In the passage above, Jesus said the “faith of God” and not “faith in God”. If we want to perform mighty miracles like casting a mountain into the sea, we will need to receive God’s own faith.

“For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.” (Romans‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

You see, there is the measure of faith that God already gave to us in the past, and also God’s own faith that He gives to believers at appointed timings.

The former is the one that we keep free from unbelief through daily renewing of the mind, while the latter is more powerful because it is pure and guaranteed to mightily prosper in its intended purpose.

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-11‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Faith is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. He distributes this “faith of God” at times. Every believer can receive this.

To understand when this God-faith comes, we have to know the delivery system:

“Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One.” (Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

Many English Bible translations do a poor job of translating the verse above. They stray from the original Greek meaning. However, I like the translation I quoted above.

The words translated as “anointed utterance” in Greek is “rhematos” which means “a spoken word”. “The Anointed One” is Christou, which is Christ.

“Rhematos Christou” is not referring to God’s written Scriptures in general. That one would be the logos word, or “what God has said before”. The rhema word is talking about what Christ is currently actively saying to you through His Spirit inside you.

When Jesus speaks a rhema word to you, it carries God’s authority. When you hear and act upon that word, the “faith of God” is imparted to you for mighty power to be released. This is when miracles and breakthroughs flow.

Let us see this in action:

“Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.” (Matthew‬ ‭14:28-29‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Jesus said “Come,” and this rhema word carried the authority for Peter to transcend the natural laws of nature. When Peter heard the command and acted upon it, the “faith of God” was imparted to him, empowering him to walk on the waters.

You may be surprised by this, but even Jesus depended on the rhema word from His Father during His earthly ministry.

“Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Before doing any miracle, Jesus first received the rhema word from the Father, and He simply obeyed, acting upon what the Father showed Him.

When Jesus acted upon the rhema word, God’s power flows because the authority, faith, and will of God are working in perfect synergy.

It is therefore most crucial that we ask the Lord to give us the rhema word for our situation. To receive it, you can calm your emotions and pray about your situation, listening in silence to see what the Holy Spirit brings to your attention.

Other than that, sometimes He uses your pastor or Christian friend to speak divinely inspired words to you. The Holy Spirit is the source of the rhema word. The way He delivers it isn’t the most important thing, so be open to however He chooses to convey the rhema word to you.

When it comes, grab hold of it in your heart, and act upon it, for it is the key to unlock God’s supernatural provision in your situation!

The 37 recorded miracles of Jesus Christ in the four gospels show us God’s heart of love and Grace towards us. As you explore them in “Messiah’s Miracles”, faith will arise in your heart to receive miraculous breakthroughs in your own life: https://bit.ly/messiahs-miracles

This excerpt is from: The Healing Power Of A Joyful Heart (6 Aug 2017)
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Grasp the secret to happiness and find out how you can close the door to sickness as you discover the healing power of a merry heart! Joseph Prince shows you from the Scriptures what triggers sickness and what triggers healing and health.

• Discover how worry and sorrow can wear your body down, while being joyful in the Lord releases His healing and health.
• See also the price our Lord Jesus paid for you to walk free from sickness and disease.
• Learn how living righteousness-conscious opens the gate for His divine health to come flooding in!

Hear this revelatory message and receive your blood-bought healing today!

Chapters:
0:00 A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like Medicine!
2:07 The Secret To Happiness
3:46 A Broken Spirit Dries Your Bones
5:37 Why You Should Smile More
7:53 Partake Of The Lord's Supper With This In Mind
9:40 Rejoice! Jesus Went To The Cross For YOU!

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This excerpt is from: Prophetic Hope For The Future (28 Feb 2021)
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Would you like to gain insight into what God is doing behind the scenes in these dark times? Join Joseph Prince as he expounds on Bible prophecy to show you why you can have robust hope and strength to press on in these last days! Discover how God is working mightily and how you can be a part of His glorious revival in the end-times. Learn how you can:

• Have a confident expectation of good for the future when you interpret world events and Bible prophecy accurately.
• Experience the abundant life of joy and peace when you build your life on the foundation of the new covenant of grace.
• Behold the beauty and glory of Jesus in the Scriptures and receive fresh vision, strength, healing, and vitality.
• See revival and the salvation of souls happen like never before in these last days.

Begin to understand what’s really happening at this crucial moment in time, and start walking in God’s plans, purposes, and provisions for you and your family!

Chapters:
0:00 Are We Living In The End-Times?
2:35 Signs Pointing To The Coming Of Jesus
5:04 Is The Rapture For All Believers?
6:54 What Happens To Us During The Rapture?
9:07 We Have A Wonderful Future To Look Forward To!

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This excerpt is from: Five Words To Live By—The Battle Is The Lord’s (10 Jan 2016)
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What do you do when faced with a daunting challenge? Get the keys to winning the battle and possessing your blessings in this powerful message by Joseph Prince. See from the Scriptures how your battle belongs to the Lord, while your part is simply to feed on and rest in His Word and His love. Discover how to walk in your blood-bought victory and blessings, how easy God’s grace has made it for you, and how to have a spirit of faith in the midst of your trial that will cause you to win and come out stronger than ever!

Chapters:
0:00 Keys To Winning Any Battle: David And Goliath's Story
3:34 How To Fight The Good Fight Of Faith
5:55 Keys To Winning Any Battle: King Jehoshaphat's Story
8:09 When You Complain, You Remain
9:39 Testimony: Delivered From 50-Year Smoking Addiction
12:22 When You Hold Your Peace, God Fights For You!

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