The Great Exchange

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

This could possibly be the most powerful Scripture in the Bible. It certainly is my favourite! Jesus was the only perfect human being to walk this planet. He met God's standard to the tee. No one could ever have walked a more righteous life than Him, His life was the most righteous anyone could ever have lived. Because He was God in the flesh.

He knew God's standards, He knew God's requirements, He knew what righteousness was, because He was God. But then something radical happened. After only 33 years of walking this Earth, in the prime of His life, He walked into a trap condemning Him to be crucified, and He didn't even put up a fight. He was given the worst death sentence possible; death by crucifixion on a cross.

He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, being shouted at and beaten as He went like He were a thug; while only days earlier the same people were cheering Him into the city. He was then nailed to a cross and left to hang there and die. The only perfect, sinless human being to ever live, crucified like He were a murderer. 6 hours later, the clouds became so thick it was like night-time. And Jesus, God in the flesh, died.

To most this doesn't make sense at all. Why would God come to Earth, live a very humble life, and then die at the hands of the very people He created?

Today's verse gives us a clear indication. Throughout the Bible, we know that mankind was corrupted by sin. Ever since Adam & Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, mankind had a corrupt nature of sin passed down through his DNA, and the planet was inhabited and being taken over by a species of sinful, selfish human beings.

Enter Jesus. God never forsook us. He could have wiped Adam and Eve out and started again. But He wanted to show off the Power of His Love. He came to Earth in the form of a human being, conceived in His mother's womb by the Holy Spirit, and the only Perfect human being to ever walk this planet was born. We call it Christmas.

By being brutally beaten and murdered 33 years later, He fulfilled God's justice, and paid for all man's sin once and for all. At the Cross, Jesus became sin itself. The sin of the world. Every sin ever committed, everything that was ever wrong with this corrupt world, Jesus took upon Himself. The most Perfect human being to ever live, became the most disgusting thing to ever die. He embodied sin.

Why? So that you and I can become the very Righteousness of God! It does not seem fair. It's not. That's why it's called the Gospel of Grace. Because in God's Grace and Love, He took all the sins of the world upon Himself, and in exchange made us 100% righteous!

You may say, “but I don't deserve to be righteous. You don't know what I've done.” Well, my friend, Jesus didn't deserve to become sin, but He did, for you. God loves you so much, that He destroyed the very thing that separated you and Him; sin. The Bible tells us that sin was dealt with and paid for once and for all! This means that once you come to Christ, you are made completely, 100% righteous! Because He became sin in a moment, in a moment you become the righteousness of God!

You may still find yourself making mistakes along the way, but my friend, the Good News is that Jesus paid for all your sins! Past, present, and future! No matter what you do, no matter what you've done, you can stand before your Loving Father in Heaven with confidence. You can enjoy His Presence forever because no matter what happens, you stand 100% righteous. You have “right-standing” with God. Forever.

This is the Gospel! This is the Good News! This is what changes lives forever! When we realise that we have been made 100% righteous, no matter what, it sets us free to live a life of passionate worship to Him! And if we make mistakes, we just pick ourselves right back up, fall into the loving arms of our Father, and receive His eternal Love and Grace for us.

My friend, may this Truth liberate you. May it settle in your heart that God so loves you that He dealt with your sin in the most radical way possible.

The verse tells us that “in Him” we become the righteousness of God. This means that when we are placed in Christ, we are made forever righteous. And being placed in Christ is very easy. All you need to do is accept Him as the Saviour of the world, the Son of God, and the One who paid for your sins on the Cross. The moment you do that, you are placed in Him, and nothing can separate you from His Love. If you don't know if you have been placed in Christ, I encourage you to go the back of this book and pray the prayer of salvation. So that you too can share in this amazing Grace. It is for everyone.

Today, may you walk confidently that you are righteous. When you believe that you are righteous, you will naturally find yourself living righteous. It is a process, but it is His Grace at work within you. Let His Grace drive you on today. Let His Grace permeate every part of your being, and may the Truth of this Great Exchange make you fall more in love with Jesus, your Saviour.

A Letter From James

Hey Fuzionites!

In case you're wondering, a Fuzionite is like an Israelite. In the same the people of Israel were called "Israelites", the people of Fuzion are called "Fuzionites". You see? Because we are the new people of God! Zion is the new Mountain of God, and we are the future of Zion. The future of God's people is in our hands, we are Fuzion!

Now, I am sorry that we haven't done anything on the blog for a very, very long time. But I think its time we started getting back into it... what do you say? (Please place your comments at the bottom and let me know)

So, our big project right now for Fuzion is trying to raise as much money as possible to get to Singapore and visit Joseph Prince's church and youth group. We plan on going in the first week of December, this year.

Now, I am aware that there are some people who say it is unfair that we are doing so much work but only 20 people are going on this trip to Singapore. I just want you all to know that I sincerely wish I could take you all, but practically, it is just downright impossible. Firstly, we wouldn't fit you all on the plane! And secondly, we believe God has set it up that the right people are going at the right time.

There will be many other opportunities like this in the future for each and every one of you to be part, that others might not be part of. Trust me!

And this is where I ask you... Trust me. Sometimes, that is all a leader needs, the trust of his people. Do you trust Corinne and I? Because of you don't, then you're going to get upset with us when we make certain decisions and other things. But if you do, then you can be part of building a significant ministry (Fuzion) that is going to impact the entire world with this Awesome Gospel!! But you need to make the decision to trust Corinne and I.

So, if you are not one of the people going on the trip to Singapore, then just trust us. Corinne and I have prayed and we believe that the right people need to come. As it stands, our target is for the Fuzion Shepherd team, and the Fuzion band to join us on the trip to Singapore. There are one or two other people who have approached us, but they are trusting God for their own ticket and finances.

It is really hard for us, to say "OK, we're paying for you, but not for you." Because, actually, right now, we don't have enough money to pay for 10 people to go! But the truth is, we had to make these tough decisions. All I ask is that you, as a Fuzionite, would trust Corinne and I. Please.

This trip is going to benefit you in a big, big way. Whether you go to Singapore or not. Because the people that come back will be so inspired, so full of dreams, that Fuzion is truly going to go to a whole different level in 2011! And you will get to be part of that.

So just trust us right now. Corinne and I both love you all so much. Like you have no idea. Corinne and I count ourselves privileged to lead you guys. There isn't anything else we would want to be doing right now, but seeing you all enter the fullness of God's purposes for your lives! And they are big purposes! All of you!

Pray for us. Help us. In whatever way you can. And do it for the bigger picture. Not to just get recognition, or hope you might get to Singapore. Just do it for God's purpose. Do it for Fuzion. We so super appreciate it. Right now, we need all the help we can get.

You guys are awesome, and we so look forward to miracles in 2011.

Lots and lots of love,

James

The LORD is Your Righteousness

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

When you stop focusing on yourself, and your own efforts, and how much you can do for God, and instead look at Jesus and what He has done for you, you will be amazed at how doors open!

It is amazing how the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness are linked together. When you find the Righteousness of God as your very own, you are aligning yourself with the Kingdom of God. You are naturally making Him first by saying I can't be righteous by my own self-effort, I can only be righteous because of Jesus' free gift that He paid for on the Cross! God delights in that, my friend. Because it brings Him Glory!

And when you align yourself with the Kingdom of God like that, you will be amazed at the doors of opportunity that will fling wide open. You will find yourself preaching in amazing places, you will find yourself getting that perfect job you needed for the holidays, you will find yourself getting good marks at school, you will find strong friendships with quality people will open up... and SO MUCH MORE!

Why?

Because when you find the Righteousness of God, you find His Kingdom. And when you find His Kingdom, God will provide for you everything you need and more! God is not the God of enough. He is the God of the "more than enough"!! When the disciples went out fishing, He told them to cast their nets on the side of the boat and they caught so much fish their nets couldn't hold them all!! That's our God! He wants to meet your every need and more!

But stop trying in your own effort. Yes, you do need to be righteous. But stop trying so hard to BE righteous, when in fact Jesus has already made you righteous! It is unbelievable!!

Have a look at this awesome Scripture in Jeremiah 33:16...

And this is the name by which He will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'

Do you see that? The LORD (Jesus) IS your righteousness!! WOW!! He will establish you! He has finished it in the Cross!! It is finished! It is done! Now live in this liberating Truth! And watch how He will guide your life in every step as you seek Him more and more!

----------------------------------------

I want to pray for you right now...

Oh Father,

thank you so much for sending Jesus, your Son. What a gift. What grace! Oh wow! Thank you that by His sacrifice we CAN be righteous before You!

And I pray right now that every person reading this would have a supernatural revelation of their righteousness imparted by you oh God! Holy Spirit, reveal the work of Jesus to your people!

That they may live lives reflecting your Glory!

In Jesus Mighty, Holy Name!

Amen!

How Do You Become Righteous?

Romans 3:21-23

²¹But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²²This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

I often have people come to me and ask how they can become more righteous. They want to know if there is some special method that they can apply that will help them become better people. I don't have that method. But I can offer you something better... a cure!

I just want to remind you that by putting your faith in Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, you are made 100% righteous!

Righteousness is not a word that can be measured.

It's like when you wash a car; when is it clean? It may be cleaner than what it was, but when it does it officially become clean? If you search and look hard enough, you will always find dirt somewhere, be it on the inside or the outside. There is no definition of "clean".

It's the same with righteousness. You can't be a little bit righteous. It's either you are or you aren't. Because if you think that you are righteous by how much good you do, I guarantee you there will be something somewhere inside you that isn't. No matter how small.

Jesus was the only human to ever walk this planet to be righteous. 100%. Inside out. Not an ounce of dirt anywhere.

He then went to the Cross, and took upon Himself EVERY sin ever committed, and ever to be committed!!

What happened on the Cross was a divine, supernatural exchange.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5 that Jesus, who had NO SIN, BECAME SIN ITSELF, so that you and I, and everyone else who accepts His free gift of Life, can become RIGHTEOUS. In fact, we become RIGHTEOUSNESS ITSELF. We become like Jesus from the inside out.

That's Grace my friend!! That's why it's called Grace!! Because we don't deserve such a gift! It is the greatest gift of all time!

If you are trying to BE more righteous, I want to tell you right now that if you have received Jesus as your Saviour, you have already been made 100% RIGHTEOUS!!

You have been justified freely!! You have been redeemed!! Nothing you can do can ever make you UNRIGHTEOUS EVER AGAIN!! You are RIGHTEOUS!! You are the righteousness of God!! WOW!! No matter who you are!!

Don't try. Just stop a while, thanking God for His incredible gift in making you righteous that allows you to enter His Presence, and come into His Presence, and draw from His Strength that will empower you to be all that He has called you to be in this world!

Go for it! And don't let anyone hold you back!! God has great things for you!

Fear Is NOT From God!

1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in Love. But perfect Love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment."

Do you ever feel like you're not worthy enough to come to God? Do you feel like you might not make it as a Christan, because you could make too many mistakes? Or maybe you feel like you'll never reach God's purposes for you? Or! Maybe you're afraid that God knows all your sins and they're all going to be revealed one day in Heaven!?

I want to tell you that ALL these fears are NOT of God!

God IS Love! And there is NO fear in God! Why? Because His Perfect Love drives out any fears you may have.

The devil wants you to believe you might be punished in whatever small or big way, because when you believe you're going to be punished, you'll become afraid. And when you're afraid, you'll withdraw from God.

But when you realise that God is Love, you won't fear at all! Fear is from the devil!

Let's just deal with those questions I have listed above...

Do you ever feel like you're not worthy enough to come to God?
God tells you that He has made you worthy by the Sacrifice of His Son! You can come BOLDLY to His Loving arms because He has made you worthy. Not by your effort, but by His Grace!

Do you feel like you might not make it as a Christan, because you could make too many mistakes?
This is a lie from the devil! ALL your sins have been forgiven! Past. Present. AND FUTURE! All have been forgiven! Sure, you're going to make mistakes along the way. But who cares!? How does that affect your relationship with God? IT DOESN'T! You can come BOLDLY to Him no matter what! Just lift yourself up from those mistakes, come into His Presence, and be transformed in that place to become an ever better person reflecting His Glory!

Do you feel like you'll never reach God's purposes for you?
The Bible says to "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). When you realise God's unconditional Love for you, it will delight your inner most being. Your spirit. It will be the reason you live. And when you live from that revelation, God will ordain what He has planned and purposed for you. He WILL do it. Don't you worry!

Maybe you're afraid that God knows all your sins and they're all going to be revealed one day in Heaven!?
This is one of the biggest fears Christians have today! For some reason, people think that when we get to Heaven, there is going to be a "big screen" showing everything we ever did in our lives, including our sins. But that goes against Scripture! The Bibles tells us (regularly) that under the New Covenant, GOD REMEMBERS OUR SINS NO MORE!! How often? NO MORE! NONE! FINISHED!

So if God will NEVER remember our sins, why would He show them again when we get to Heaven? It contradicts His Promise!

I want to tell you my friend, ALL your sins have been dealt with at the Cross! And because of that, you can live confidently knowing that God Loves you no matter what! And now you can live boldly, knowing that God is pleased with you all the time! And when you live with that revelation, you can't help but live a life reflecting His Glory!

-----

So don't you worry about a thing! Any fears you have are NOT of God!

The only fear we have in God is a reverential fear of worship. But this is a POSITIVE fear. And a different subject altogether! Basically it means that when you see how big God is, and what He has done for us, and how much He Loves us, you will stand in awe! That is reverential fear. It's a positive fear.

Any negative fear is of the devil. Because God is Love, and there is NO Fear in Perfect Love!

Live confidently today under the smile of Heaven. It will change your life, my friend.

Don't Give Up!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Life can get tough some times! And it can be so easy to look around us, and see the weight of our circumstances, and let those circumstances get us down!

But that's why this passage was written! For those tough times!

The point of this passage of Scripture is to not look at your circumstances, but to look to Jesus! When you see Jesus, you will be deeply encouraged. Your weary heart will be renewed and you He will lift you up.

Why? Because Jesus is the True Source of Peace and Joy. Not circumstances! Not what is going in life! Sure, when things are going great for you, it's easy to be happy. But what about when things are going tough? How do you stay happy in those times?

Paul said that he had learnt to become content (satisfied) in ALL circumstances. At ALL times! Do you know why? Because he set his sights on Jesus! The one who PERFECTED our faith!

So I encourage you today... don't lost heart! Don't grow weary! And the only way you're going to do that is by looking to Jesus!

As the famous old song says...
"Look FULL into His wonderful face! And the things of this world will grow strangely dim."

As this Scripture says; throw off everything that so easily hinders and entangles. It is so easy to get caught amongst the tough times of this life, and become discouraged. But my friend, when you look to Jesus, your heart will be set on fire, and you will be joyful no matter what your circumstances are!

So take some time out today to just sit at His feet. Come into His Presence. His arms are open wide, and He longs to satisfy your deepest desire.

Nothing Separates You From God's Love!!

Do you feel condemned? Maybe you feel like you aren't worthy enough to come to God?

If you are feeling that... then you have been lied to!!!

Check out what the Scripture says:

Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Do you see that? NO CONDEMNATION!! If you have been born again, then you are in Christ Jesus. And if you are in Christ Jesus, then there is NO CONDEMNATION that can come against you! Any condemnation or guilt you feel is from the devil, and it is illegal!

That means that you can come boldly before God your Father, and allow Him to hold you, and love you, and satisfy every deepest desire of your heart. My friend, when you feel His Love wash over you, everything else in life pales into insignificance.

And NOTHING can separate you from God's Love! NOTHING! It is freely available, all you need to do is come as you are.

Look at what the end of this passage says:

Romans 8:38 - 39
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Vs 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is holding you back? NOTHING! Come boldly today. Sit at His feet and let Him speak words of Life to your spirit. Let that Love set your heart on Fire once again.

I firmly believe that God's Presence is directly related to His Love. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:16 that God IS Love. That means when His Presence washes over you, you will have a supernatural revelation of His overwhelming, undying, unconditional love for you! And that Love will change who you are forever!

It's one thing to KNOW in your mind that God loves you, it's another thing altogether to actually EXPERIENCE that Love. God wants you to EXPERIENCE His Love for you.

If you are longing for more of God's Presence over you, and a deeper revelation of His Love, then why don't you pray this right now, right where you are? Maybe aloud? Maybe in your heart. And then go find a quiet place, and let Him Love you...

Father,

I come to You as I am. You know me inside out. And yet You Love me perfectly.
Reveal to me Your Love for me. I don't just want to know it in my head, I want to FEEL it in my heart. Let me FEEL Your Love. Reveal to me Your Love. The Love that You displayed at the Cross of Jesus. I want to know You deeply, Father. And I ask that you take me deeper and deeper into Your Love. Wash it all over me like a river. Please Father.

Thank You that You have revealed Your Love to us by sacrificing Your very own Son Jesus. Your Love is the Most Amazing Force in the Universe! Reveal it to me Lord!

In the Amazing, Holy Name of Jesus!

Amen!