THE COST OF TRUE DICIPLESHIP

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THE COST OF TRUE DICIPLESHIP

 As we celebration the birth of our Savior, Lord and King Jesus Christ this Christmas I was quiet before the Lord and thanking the Lord Jesus for the atonement and the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus when the Lord spoke to me about the season we are in and how it will get more profound and intensify.

We mustn’t confuse “believing” in Christ Jesus with “following” Christ Jesus.  After all even the demons believe, treble and fear at the name of Jesus.  We must be FULLY SUBMITTED, COMMITTED AND OBEDIENT TO BOTH THE WRITTEN WORD AND SPIRIT OF THE LORD JESUS.

James 2:19 (NKJV)

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

John 14:15 (NKJV)

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.

The season we are in and quickly progressing in is a season of “true discipleship” and the true cost of being a disciple of Christ Jesus.  We MUST be willing to go through the “refiners fire” of the Lord Jesus! We must reflect and ask ourselves what will it cost each of us to follow Christ Jesus to do the work of HIS Kingdom and the works of the Holy Spirit?  Everything that is not godly or of the Lord Jesus is about to be shaken and challenged! Our free will to cast down every idol as well as the repentance of sins for the purposes of the Lord Jesus will be challenged and must be forsaken as we put Jesus first as LORD AND SAVIOR.  As Joshua spoke, choose this day whom you will serve WITH FULLNESS OF HEART.  Each breath and every moment we draw closer to the return of the Lord Jesus and everything that is not of Jesus will be consumed in fire, thus the “heat” of the “refiners fire” is intensifying as evil is called good and good is called evil in an ungodly world.

Joshua 24:14–15 (NKJV)

14 “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” 

Malachi 3:3 (NKJV)

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi,

And purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the LORD

An offering in righteousness.

We must not confuse fellowships and friendships with being fully/truly submitted and committed with abiding and dwelling in ONE ACCORD with Christ Jesus.  Every relationship is being tested and refined as well as earthly possessions and every idol of the heart! We must put Jesus first and foremost in our lives and hearts.  We must return fully to our “First Love” Christ Jesus.

Acts 2:1 (NKJV)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Luke 14:26 (NKJV)

 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Abraham was called to sacrifice his only son, Job was tested to the point that even his own wife told him to curse the Lord and die.  Job’s friends accused him of sin, Job’s losses were many while trying to stay committed and devoted to the Lord.  His family, wealth, friends and health were test and tried.  We are going to go through much of the same to reach the fullness of Christ Jesus as the intensity and refiners fire is being turned up.  We must decide like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego if we are willing to give our lives unto death for the Lord Jesus.  We must choose the fire of refinement over the fires of eternal damnation and destruction.

Daniel 3:14–18 (NKJV)

14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” 

Much of today’s church is building up gifting and callings but omit Holiness and righteousness of Christ Jesus!  It would be wise to remember that the Lord is returning for a Bride without spot or wrinkle!  The callings and giftings are irrevocable and they are no true sign of holiness, righteousness or even the true Holy Spirit! 

Romans 11:29 (NKJV)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NKJV)

True Way into the Kingdom

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV)

that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

We must each examine ourselves before partaking of the bread and wine of our Lord Jesus.  We must come before the Lord with purity of heart.  We must repent and get right with the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NKJV)

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 

Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

 

Psalm 51 (NKJV)

PSALM 51

A Prayer of Repentance

 

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David When Nathan the Prophet Went to Him, After He Had Gone in to Bathsheba.

 

1      Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

2      Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

 

3      For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

4      Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight—

That You may be found just when You speak,

And blameless when You judge.

 

5      Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

6      Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,

And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

 

7      Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8      Make me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

9      Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

 

10      Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11      Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

 

12      Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13      Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

 

14      Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

The God of my salvation,

And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

15      O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

16      For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

You do not delight in burnt offering.

17      The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise.

 

18      Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19      Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,

With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;

Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

 

We are called to the LIFE OF CHIST not merely to believe in the existence of Christ Jesus.  It would be wise to read and reflect on all of the Pauline Epistles of Timothy.

 

Ephesians 4:1–6 (NKJV)

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

Final Exhortations

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

May the fullness of Christ be with you!  Blessing, peace and joy from our Lord Jesus.

ROOT OF BITTERNESS

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– WARNING FROM THE LORD –

BEWARE OF THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

 

Hebrews 12:15 (AMP)

15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it—

During my prayer time with the Lord the Lord spoke to me several times regarding the root of bitterness, which is trying to take root within His people.

 In a world full of slander, mockery, persecution as well as the hand of the Lord being removed with judgments coming forth the root of bitterness must not be embraced and in some cases must be rebuked and removed from the hearts of God’s people.

 In the past few weeks I have heard several personal accounts and ministered to people with various questions:  why this, why me, where is God, where are the promises of God, I am no longer sure of my calling from the Lord, etc.!

 Let us rebuke this root of bitterness, which is trying to hinder us with a “victim mindset” and stronghold!  The Bride of Christ needs to fortify their spiritual armor and be rooted and grounded in Christ as the Heavens are in a very intense spiritual battle and that battle is unfolding in the “natural” which is the world we live in.

 Heed the Word of The Lord as we each search our hearts before the Lord cleansing us of any bitterness, resentments, anger or strife which may defile our hearts before the Lord causing us to slip an fall from the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (AMP)

3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

6 Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.

 

Blessings in Christ, rejoice as our salvation draws near!

 

Luke 21:28 (AMP)

28 Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near.

SLAYING GIANTS

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SLAYING GIANTS

When DAVID killed Goliath He was an ambassador for Christ as Jesus and all of the Kingdom of Heaven were with DAVID.  No other Israelite stood against Goliath with DAVID!  The beginning of the mighty men requires true and complete submission, trust, faith, relationship and dependency upon Christ Jesus!

 Lessons of importance: 

  • DAVID was the youngest of his brothers as age or tenure doesn’t signify spiritual maturity.
  • DAVID stripped himself of anything that resembles earthly protection or dependency, there was NO potential for earthly glory/praise to man made protections or weaponry. 
  • DAVID proclaimed the Lord Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven and used a ROCK which is Christ Jesus to destroy the enemy!  Yes, the Rock Christ Jesus killed Goliath and all of the Glory went to the Lord! 
  • DAVID’S personal walk and relationship with the Lord was not dependent or subject to anyone other than Christ Jesus. 
  • Sometimes the least likely is called to glorify the Lord.
  • The promises of God are personal and not dependent upon human approval or acceptance. 
  • The name of Jesus is not just a name where 2 or more gather but gather in the nature, virtues, attributes in full submission to the Lord.  No one assembled with David as the Israelites didn’t stand with David to fight until after the giant was slain! 
  • Fear is crippling and mountains are moved by the power of the Lord!  There is no true fullness of faith where there is not total surrender to your personal life or desires even in the face of death.  (Abraham called to sacrifice his son). 
  • The Word without the Rock Jesus is use-less as you can’t copy a method as we are called to the life of Christ Jesus.  
  • David spent alone time with the Lord and as he was not found with his brothers or parents when Samuel arrived.  It is likely to believe that David spent much alone time with the Lord as His relationship with the Lord was personal and not dependent upon others or influenced by others.
  • We often look to others to kill the giants in our lives but we must rely on Christ Jesus first and foremost.

Acts 19:13–17 (AMP)

13 Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!

14 Seven sons of a certain Jewish chief priest named Sceva were doing this.

15 But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

17 This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and alarm and terror fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled and magnified.

 

1 Samuel 17:31–58 (AMP)

31 When David’s words were heard, they were repeated to Saul, and he sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine; your servant will go out and fight with him.

33 And Saul said to David, You are not able to go to fight against this Philistine. You are only an adolescent, and he has been a warrior from his youth.

34 And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father’s sheep. And when there came a lion or again a bear and took a lamb out of the flock,

35 I went out after it and smote it and delivered the lamb out of its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard and smote it and killed it.

36 Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God!

37 David said, The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you!

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail.

39 And David girded his sword over his armor. Then he tried to go, but could not, for he was not used to it. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I am not used to them. And David took them off.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in his shepherd’s [lunch] bag [a whole kid’s skin slung from his shoulder], in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand, and he drew near the Philistine.

41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David, the man who bore the shield going before him.

42 And when the Philistine looked around and saw David, he scorned and despised him, for he was but an adolescent, with a healthy reddish color and a fair face.

43 And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that you should come to me with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 The Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.

46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.

48 When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

49 David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine, sinking into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck down the Philistine and slew him. But no sword was in David’s hand.

51 So he ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their mighty champion was dead, they fled.

52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. So the wounded Philistines fell along the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

53 The Israelites returned from their pursuit of the Philistines and plundered their tents.

54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

55 When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell.

56 And the king said, Inquire whose son the stripling is.

57 When David returned from killing Goliath the Philistine, Abner brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

58 And Saul said to him, Whose son are you, young man? And David answered, I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.

PSALM 91 AMP

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, [Ps. 91:1, 14.]

10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. [Luke 4:10, 11; Heb. 1:14.]

13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. [Luke 10:19.]

14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

 

PREPARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

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URGENT CALL TO PREPARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

 

In a recent dream the Lord gave me I kept seeing a bride and the Lord kept giving me the number 40 with the vision of the bride and a wedding ceremony.  As I was dreaming I kept thinking and speaking to the Lord why the number 40, this can’t be personal and for me as I wouldn’t marry someone that much younger then myself.

 

As I awakened I kept thinking of the number 40 along with the dream the Lord gave me.  Through my quiet time, prayer and seeking the Lord He revealed that He was referring to His church and the “Bride of Christ”.   I called a friend and was telling them of the dream and as I was telling them the Spirit of the Lord hit me profoundly and I began to weep under the presence of the Lord as His burden for His bride became even more real, prevalent and urgent than ever!   We should take heed in the number 40 as it represents such things as the “wilderness” which is testing, refinement, separation, unthankfulness, unrepentant, etc towards the Lord.  The Lord revealed that much of his church believes they are already “bride” ready when in fact they are in the wilderness and don’t even know it because they are deceived and bound by pride, self-righteousness and a spirit of delusion and error.  The Lord is warning that His bride will soon have experiences and revelations that they are in the wilderness verses the inner court.  Wilderness can be for edification, sanctification and spiritual growth even if it is unpleasant but even gold must be purified as the dross must be removed and the Lord is about to allow the wilderness to remove the dross from the hearts of His people.   People will bow to the “potter” and realize that they are mere clay in the hands of their Lord and Master.

 

Proverbs 25:4 (AMP)

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. [II Tim. 2:21.]

 

My prayers have been very focused for the “remnant and bride” of Christ and to prepare the bride for the return of the Lord.  We all know the parable about the 10 virgins and the wedding ceremony in Matthew 25.  My spirit is grieving for the Lord as the bride is not ready and many are following the traditions and systematical organizations of men and religion verses the Spirit of the Lord.  Sin and ungodliness have been embraced in the hearts of people which is a mockery and perversion of the power of the Blood of Jesus and power of the Spirit of the Lord.  The hearts of many are failing them as they deny faith unto sanctification, holiness and the righteousness of Christ Jesus.  We are witnessing Jesus own words in Luke 18.

 

Luke 18:6–8 (AMP)

6 Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! 

7 And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? 

8 I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?

 

The bride is not willing to “pay the price” for the wedding ceremony which is the price of sacrifice such as laying down/dying to the worldliness, “old carnal nature” and seeking sanctification and holiness unto the Lord.  Too many are embracing the fallen nature instead of crucifying the “old man” and living the resurrected life of Christ as in Galatians 2:20!   Telling people you are “only human” is an excuse not to seek the Lord’s mercy and grace unto sanctification.  The same faith unto salvation is the same faith unto sanctification! While it is true that we are human isn’t it true Jesus was human also for Jesus had to come as a man to justify and redeem mankind.  None of us are exempt from temptation in this fallen world however are we to deny the finished work of Calvary and the Blood of Jesus because of the fallen nature we were/are redeemed from?

 

1 Corinthians 11:28 (AMP)

28 Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only when he has done] so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

 

1 Corinthians 15:21 (AMP)

21 For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].

 

Romans 5:17 (AMP)

17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

 

Romans 6:1–14 (AMP)

WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? 

2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 

3 Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

4 We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life. 

5 For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. 

6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. 

7 For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men]. 

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 

9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. 

10 For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. 

11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. 

12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. 

13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness. 

14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

People are following methods, other people and FALSE gods which are idols of their hearts.  While even “methods” may have a measure of success that success is often our own efforts and will of the flesh which is not surrendered to the Lord.  Just because methods have success doesn’t mean the Lord is in the method!  Much of the church/body will not acknowledge nor engage in the spiritual warfare to protect, deliver and uphold the sanctuary of the Lord and “popularity” and notoriety has replaced the Glory and presence of the Lord Jesus.  The lack of spiritual discernment and ungodly covenants/agreements has blinded many into following “charisma” verses Christ.

 

The Lord brought Ezekiel 8 to my attention of the abominations in the temple of the Lord!  The Lord is grieving for the purity and holiness of His bride and yet there is sin without repentance, spiritual adultery/fornication, idolatry and much more taking place in the sanctuary of the Lord.  We must remember that the Lord will NOT dwell in what human hands/works has made!  Hearts of professing believers (not followers) are not submitted to Christ nor do they exhibit evidence of spiritual fruit.  Talking the talk is not walking the walk. Just as the hearts of the religious leaders would not turn towards the Lord thus the Lord turned over the tables and ridded HIS church of what was not of the Lord so it will be again.  The Lord has brought people to speak correction, holiness and sanctification only to be mocked, ridiculed and persecuted by professing believers/followers of Christ.  We must not forget that judgment starts in the house of the Lord.

 

Acts 7:48 (AMP)

48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says, [Isa. 66:1, 2.]

 

Ezekiel 8:1–18 (AMP)

AND IN the sixth year [of the capitivity of King Jehoiachin], in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house [a captive of the Babylonians] with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me. 

2 Then I beheld, and lo, a likeness of a Man with the appearance of fire; from His waist downward He was like fire, and from His waist upward He had the appearance of brightness like gleaming bronze. 

3 And He put forth the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heavens and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the door of the inner [court] which faces toward the north, where was the seat of the idol (image) of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. [II Kings 16:10-16; 21:4, 5.]

4 And behold, there was the glory of the God of Israel [Who had loved and chosen them], like the vision I saw in the plain. [Ezek. 1:28; 3:22, 23.]

5 Then He [the Spirit] said to me, Son of man, now lift up your eyes toward the north. So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, on the north of the altar gate was that idol (image) of jealousy in the entrance. 

6 Furthermore, [the Spirit] said to me, Son of man, do you see what they are doing? The great abominations that the house of Israel is committing here to drive Me far from My sanctuary? But you shall again see greater abominations. 

7 And He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall. 

8 Then He said to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall. And when I had dug in the wall, behold, there was a door. 

9 And He said to me, Go in and see the wicked abominations that they do here. 

10 So I went in and saw there pictures of every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel, painted round about on the wall. 

11 And there stood before these [pictures] seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan [the scribe], with every man his censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense was going up [in prayer to these their gods]. 

12 Then said He to me, Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in his [secret] chambers of [idol] pictures? For they say, The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land. 

13 He also said to me, Yet again you shall see greater abominations which they are committing. 

14 Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz [a Babylonian god, who was supposed to die annually and subsequently be resurrected]. 

15 Then said [the Spirit] to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Yet again you shall see greater abominations that they are committing. 

16 And He brought me to the inner court of the Lord’s house; and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the bronze altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were bowing themselves toward the east and worshiping the sun. 

17 Then [the Spirit] said to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too slight a thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here, that they must fill the land with violence and turn back afresh to provoke Me to anger? And behold, they put the branch to their nose [actually, before their mouths, in superstitious worship]! 

18 Therefore I will deal in wrath; My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. [Prov. 1:28; Isa. 1:15; Jer. 11:11; 14:12; Mic. 3:4; Zech. 7:13.]

 

The number 40 biblically is of great significance and the Lord gave me the number 40 concerning the bride of Christ.  The Lord revealed that His bride is in the wilderness, self seeking their own ways and methods and not fully submitted to the Lord and that some are not submitted at all.

 

Life is but a vapor and time is of the utter importance and salvation is not to be taken lightly for all of eternity weighs in the balance.  The Word of the Lord was revealed that His bride believes they are bride ready but the Lord is about to expose much of the church’s true spiritual state and the “wilderness” will become reality very soon to those who falsely believe they are bride ready and prepared for the wedding ceremony!  We must choose without faulting whom we shall serve this day and every day as the testing of the bride through the wilderness is soon upon us.  I pray for a Damascus encounter for those who believe they are with Christ but are truly lost and that their wilderness encounter will include a “burning bush” of Glory.  I pray for the refinement, holiness and righteousness of Christ in His bride for the Lord is worthy of all Glory, Honor and Praise!

 

1 Chronicles 29:11 (AMP)

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all.

We must discern the times we are in and let us hear what the Lord is saying to His church!  This is not meant to be judgmental but rather an urgency in preparation for the bride to prepare for the wedding ceremony and for our Bride-Groom Christ Jesus!  Many falsely believe that remittance of sin excludes repentance of sin and this is a lie.  Both John the baptist and Jesus first spoke of repentance as the Kingdom of God was at hand.  There is little spoken today about repentance and if we compare King David with King Saul we see that Saul’s repentance was superficial and not from his heart like David’s repentance.  Saul wanted to appear right with people while David wanted to get right with the Lord!

 

Revelation 2:29 (AMP)

29 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).

 

Luke 12:56 (AMP)

You playactors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time?

 

Those who worship the Lord must worship in spirit and truth as they are both one in the same as Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life! The Lord has spoken and said much of His bride is in the wilderness and not seeking Him in Spirit and Truth!  We know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life so if you are not seeking the Truth are you truly seeking Jesus?

 

John 14:6 (AMP)

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

The Lord is sounding the trumpet of the true prophet and apostolic messengers, let our ears be open to what the Lord is saying as we prepare for the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

Matthew 23:34–36 (AMP)

34 Because of this, take notice: I am sending you prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes (men learned in the Mosaic Law and the Prophets); some of them you will kill, even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue and persecute from town to town, 

35 So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous (those who correspond to the divine standard of right) shed on earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering]. [Gen. 4:8; II Chron. 24:21.]

36 Truly I declare to you, all these [evil, calamitous times] will come upon this generation. [II Chron. 36:15, 16.]

 

Life is a vapor and the winds of destruction/judgment and the wind of life (Spirit of the Lord) are blowing yet many cannot discern the difference as sin, deception and worldliness has veiled their eyes, ears and hearts!  It is time to repent and turn back to your first love Christ Jesus and to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, body and soul.  Time waits for no man or woman, for today is the day of salvation.

 

1 Kings 19:11–18 (AMP)

11 And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. 

13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? 

14 He said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts, because the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, thrown down Your altars, and slain Your prophets with the sword. And I, I only, am left, and they seek my life, to destroy it. 

15 And the Lord said to him, Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

16 And anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place. 

17 And him who escapes from the sword of Hazael Jehu shall slay, and him who escapes the sword of Jehu Elisha shall slay. 

18 Yet I will leave Myself 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.

 

Revelation 2:4 (AMP)

4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

 

Matthew 22:37 (AMP)

37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut. 6:5.]

 

Let us each search our own hearts before the Lord seeking the Lord in Spirit and Truth.  We must have pure hearts before the Lord for nothing is hidden before the Lord and there is no “secret sin” or ungodly covenants that are hidden from the Lord. Let us be awakened to the urgency of the times we live in and seek Matthew 6:33 the righteousness of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom and His will not ours.  It is time for the fear of the Lord to be in the hearts of His chosen and to have no other love placed before the Love of the Lord Jesus.

 

Isaiah 26:9 (AMP)

9 My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the night, yes, my spirit within me seeks You earnestly; for [only] when Your judgments are in the earth will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God).

 

Psalm 19:9 (AMP)

9 The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

 

1 Peter 4:17 (AMP)

17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?

 

Mercy has already triumphed our personal judgment on the Cross of Calvary and redemption is through the Blood and Atonement of Christ Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.  Behold, the Lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah!

 

Awaken the Bride of Christ, repent and return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

 

Ephesians 5:14 (AMP)

14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. [Isa. 26:19; 60:1, 2.]

CODDLING vs. CUDDLING

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Coddling Vs. Cuddling

Do you coddle or cuddle?  They are not the same even though the motives may be genuine and heartfelt.

Coddle: coddle |ˈkädl|

verb [ with obj. ]

1 treat in an indulgent or overprotective way: I was coddled and cosseted.

Cuddle:  cuddle |ˈkədl|

verb [ with obj. ]

hold close in one’s arms as a way of showing love or affection: he cuddles the baby close | they were cuddling each other in the back seat | [ no obj. ] : the pairhave been spotted kissing and cuddling.

• [ no obj. ] lie or sit close and snug: I love cuddling upin front of a fire | they cuddled together to keep out the cold.

I have witnessed many times the devastation caused by coddling vs. cuddling and the destruction that it causes.  I’d like to share a couple of real testimonies to help address these problems.

 

Our human characteristics are geared toward coping mechanisms and this can be a slow painful experience for many people.  This coping or coddling is extremely unhealthy and I have found myself ministering to many people who unknowingly are coddlers believing they are cuddlers!  Coddling does not free people.  Coddling actually creates the very atmosphere of what you are attempting to safeguard others from.  It is based in fear feeding the need to protect.  Protecting someone doesn’t assist them in self protection it only makes you the protector!  When this coddling through control is present an increase in rebellion is built in the very people you wish to protect and strife, division and frustration are likely to increase.

 

When someone has a spiritual wound, scar or stronghold from a painful and emotional event or trauma and doesn’t get spiritual healing, they do as many others have done and learn to cope or manage with that problem falsely believing and even perceiving that they received potential healing or deliverance.  Surpressing and coping are not overcoming!   What inevitably happens is out of love to protect others from the same traumatic or painful event we have experienced we create the spiritual atmosphere of our own wounds by controlling, dominating or even manipulative in and effort of protection and/or love.  While the intent of the heart is genuine the spirit behind this is ungodly and quite frankly often witchcraft.

 

I can’t express enough the necessity to fully embrace Matthew 11 28-30.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

Let me share with you a couple of testimonies of ministry that might help you achieve revelations.

Last summer while returning to Northern New England I received an online message from a woman in her thirties who I met through a local church.  She sent me an online message and wanted to seek counsel.  I messaged her back and told her to pick a time to meet over the next couple of days and I would adjust to her schedule.  Two days later I received and online message that she was hospitalized with the symptoms of a heart attack.  I told her I would come to see in the hospital her after church.  When I arrived at the hospital I received another message that she was moved to another hospital with a better cardiac facility.

As I drove to the hospital I prayed and sought the Lord for His wisdom and counsel.  I asked the Lord what I was dealing with and the Lord spoke to me and said it was “broken heart syndrome”.  When I arrived I met her mother in the hallway prior to seeing her daughter.  I knew the mother from prior events.  I told her that her daughter wanted to see me and the mother was glad to see me and said she didn’t know I had returned to the area after traveling the country several times in ministry the previous year.

I told the mother that the Lord told me her daughter would be ok and that she would not need surgery as her heart would recover normally even though she had indeed damaged her heart.  I told her that the Lord said it was “broken heart syndrome”.  When we walked toward the ICU room the charge nurse approached us and said the test results returned.  He informed the mother that the daughter had a torn heart valve and that it would mend on it’s own in about 6 months and the cause of this was classified as “broken heart syndrome”.  The mother looked at me and was speechless.  I told the charge nurse that this is exactly what the Lord revealed to me on the way to the hospital and that I would pray for the young lady.

After the mother had left I ministered to the daughter a while and prayed for her.  We discussed some matters and then I let her rest and said I would return the following day.

When I returned the following day the young lady was having heart pain and pressure and was receiving nitro pills. Her younger sister was there.  I then ministered to them both and gave them the word of the Lord.  I said your symptoms are real and the effects are devastating to your health but the root of the problem is not yours.  I continued to tell them that the root was the condemnation their mother felt as a failed parent and that their mother needed to forgive herself.  I said your mom is feeling responsible for your bad decisions in life from when you were growing up and the enemy has her bound and she needs to forgive herself.  I said your mother is attempting to control your life in an attempt to safeguard you.  This controlling and overbearing nature was creating the extreme pressure and strife causing her heart problems.  The older sister told her younger sister to listen closely as this really witnessed to them.  I said your mom loves you and is trying to protect you but because she is bound by overwhelming guilt and condemnation (not from the Lord) that the enemy put on her she was in essence redeeming herself in a protective or coddling manner.  This witnessed to them both.  I said you need to forgive your mother and understand how the enemy is working.  I said you made wrong decisions growing up and your mom is feeling accountable and needs to forgive herself.  I told her she needed to discuss this with her mom and admit that she made wrong decisions growing up and that her mom wasn’t at fault and needed to forgive herself.

The following day I returned to the hospital and visited with her.  We were both laughing and rejoicing as she was feeling so much better and had a release of burdens as “light and truth” were spoken.  She was discharged the following day and returned home to her mothers house and I never heard again from her even after attempting to follow up.  I was hoping to minister to her mother but I never received any reply after attempting to contact her.

The other day I had a similar instance happen at a conference I was hosting.  I noticed a woman who was receiving prayer after the meeting from the guest speaker.  As she was receiving prayer I saw in the spirit a whirlwind like a sandstorm over her head and as it kept spinning it progressively got clearer in time.  I prayed into this and then went and sat with her and shared what the Lord revealed.  I told her about the whirlwind and I told her that I also saw her holding her head up and smiling from ear to ear.  She said she couldn’t imaging a smile as she was depressed.  I said well this is what the Lord spoke to me with the vision.

The Lord showed me your need for inner healing from a traumatic event which you have tried for quite sometime to cope with.  He said that He sees your heart’s intent and that is out of love to protect your children but you are controlling them because you are coddling them in a protective mode because of this inner healing need.  The Lord is going to heal this inner healing need but He wants you to release it to Him.  That is why the whirlwind/dust storm got clearer as it kept spinning in the vision and the dust began to disappear.  The dust was the confusion caused by the controlling spirit which is witchcraft and the Lord is going to break this, I declare it in Jesus name!  She then went from tears to a big smile as I felt the Lord touch her as I rested my hand on her shoulder.  I said see, that is the smile the Lord showed me and the Lord just touched you.  She said yes He did and then the Lord touched her again.  She then said why don’t we receive this type of ministry at church.  I said I can’t answer for your church but unfortunately the Lord is sadden by this also.  I told her to seek the Lord first as He is your redeemer.  She then asked me if she could contact me if necessary and I said yes.  I often receive calls from people later as they share their testimony of what the Lord is doing in their life and we rejoice in the goodness of the Lord.

I love evangelism and I often do this simply by just making myself available to be a servant to the Lord.  I will often do my computer work or journaling in public and let the Lord highlight people that I can intercede in prayer or witness to.

So I ask you once again are you a coddler or cuddler?  Is fear motiving your need to coddle?  Are people more rebellious around you? If so, seek and ask the Lord to reveal any inner healing needs, need for forgiveness (self or others) or fearful things that are causing this coddling nature.

If you believe you are a coddler I’d like to pray with you.

Father I thank you that you discern all things and that you know the motives and intentions of our hearts.  Father I submit myself to you and pray that you reveal, expose and heal me from any inner healing needs or spirits of trauma, abuse, bitterness, unforgiveness, controlling spirits and all things which are ungodly or against the will of God over my life.  Lord I thank you for your redemptive love and the joy of my salvation through finished work of the Cross of Christ Jesus.  Lord I thank you that your perfect love casts out all fear and that where the Spirit of The Lord is there is Freedom.  Lord thank you for never forsaking me, redeeming me and cleansing me with your blood.  I declare and proclaim that I am washed clean through the gift of repentance and the blood of Christ Jesus.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18 KJV)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV)

CHRIST ABOVE ALL

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CHRIST ABOVE ALL

When your human “teacher” becomes your standard of achievement, knowledge or growth then true spiritual discipleship is easily reduced to fellowship and the pearl of great price Christ Jesus and the Kingdom has been reduced to fellowship, friendship or the assembly of people above Christ. While we are called to edify and equip each other we are not to exalt people above Christ. Just as we worship in Spirit and Truth so should the assembly of true followers of Christ.

Proverbs 14:12 (AMP)

12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

Proverbs 16:2 (AMP)

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). [I Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:12.]

Paul states it well:

1 Corinthians 1:10–13 (AMP)

10 But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.

11 For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you.

12 What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollo’s, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ.

13 Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? 

1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP)

PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).

Isaiah 14:12–16 (AMP)

12 How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!]

13 And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north.

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol (Hades), to the innermost recesses of the pit (the region of the dead).

16 Those who see you will gaze at you and consider you, saying, Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?

The Scribes and Pharisees exalted Abraham, Moses and the written Word above the “Word in the Flesh” which was the very presence of Christ. You become what you embrace and submit to thus the first commandment Jesus spoke must be first!  If we love the Word of the Lord surely we should love the Lord of the Word!  The two are one, not separate!  The Word of God was written by the unction of the Spirit of God yet do we discern the spirit(s) that speak these Words?  Didn’t Satan use Psalm 91 against Jesus in the wilderness?  Satan spoke what was true but there is NO TRUTH in him as he is the father of lies!  Real truth knows the motive and intents of what is spoken or written just as Hebrews 4:12-13 states.

Hebrews 4:12–13 (AMP)

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

I often hear professing “believers”; which is a term I don’t like to use as even Satan believes in Christ but doesn’t follow Christ Jesus make statements like “only Jesus knows the hearts of people”.  My question would be to them exactly what are you ministering to the “heart” or the “head” and how does that statement apply to Romans 10 where we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord?  (1 John 4:1-3) Has the intimacy of the covenant of marriage and the bride of Christ now eliminated the heart only to be superseded by the mind or thoughts?  Have we reduced intimacy with Christ Jesus to a thought?

1 John 4:1–3 (AMP)

BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

2 By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source];

3 And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.

Matthew 22:37–38 (AMP)

37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut. 6:5.]

38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.

1 John 2:27 (AMP)

27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].

John 16:13–15 (AMP)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.

15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.

Just as Christ is the Head; He is the Head of all and Lord of all including relationships, marriages and Kingdom friendships. What you bow to and submit to is your Lord.  Every relationship should be Christ centered seeking the righteousness of Christ and his ways as according to Matthew 6:33.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego didn’t have others standing in support with them nor speaking on their behalf.

There was no congregation or assembly that would stand for Christ with them yet Christ delivered them!

It’s impossible to burn the dross where the “refiners fire” is side stepped or omitted.

The flesh is enmity to the Spirit.  I remember a recent conversation with a dear brother in Christ regarding the lack of discernment in the body of Christ and my comment was that one of the greatest inhibitors to spiritual discernment is un-crucified flesh!  The veil was torn yet many desire to remain behind the veil just as the Israelites didn’t want to climb the mountain with Moses to be in the glory of God.  They chose to remain below and make idols of their hearts instead and continue in sinful nature.  Moses risked his life for them and Christ would later give His life for them yet they chose to remain spiritually captive believing they were physically free!  Confusing physical freedom with spiritual freedom/captivity doesn’t necessarily equal true spiritual freedom!  To be imprisoned or tortured for Christ isn’t physical freedom yet can be spiritual freedom!  Christ was blameless and spotless yet he was crucified.  A person only needs to read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 to understand that if Jesus was persecuted we also will be persecuted.

Just because we use coping and managing skills doesn’t mean we’ve been delivered!  We can never outrun temptation while living on earth; we must overcome temptation and the sinful nature!  If you learned you were deceived hopefully you wouldn’t want to remain deceived.  The power of deception is spiritual and alluring and the lie becomes a false truth just as in the Garden with the Serpent and Eve.  What’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander!  Everyone else may be doing it but Christ might not be in it or backing it.  Even methods have a measure of success but that doesn’t mean Christ is in the method!  Are we walking by religion or in the Spirit?

Malachi 3:3 (AMP)

3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.

 

Galatians 5:16–18 (AMP)

16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

Just as there is the Trinity there are three requirements for overcoming this world and abiding/overcoming in Christ. Unfortunately many omit the third segment of this verse.  We are all called to the cross of Christ and the crucified life as so well spoken in Galatians 2:20.

Revelation 12:11 (AMP)

11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

Galatians 6:14 (AMP)

14 But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!

 

 

John 12:23–26 (AMP)

23 And Jesus answered them, The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted.

24 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.

25 Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.]

26 If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me [to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

 

1 John 2:15–17 (AMP)

15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].

17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

Anything that has preeminence above or before Christ is an idol of the heart. This includes gifting, calling, family, friends, jobs/careers, ministry, hobbies, etc.

James 1:17 (AMP)

17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

 

Sadly many exalt gifting, calling and ministry above the Creator and giver of these gifts and callings. Some people follow the gifts even when they are irrevocable and the Spirit of God is no longer working in or through the gifting. Christ verses Charisma.  I once had a person tell me that the Lord gifted them with a talent and they told me that if they could no longer perform that talent they would rather be dead, truthfully they already are dead as they worship the gift and not the giver of the gift which is Christ Jesus.  I was deeply saddened by this as their gift was now defining Christ rather than Christ defining the gift and being revealed through the gifting.  Pride and idolatry make it about us and not about Christ.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the patriarch of faith, Abraham.  When Sarah and Abraham were told by the angel of the Lord that Sarah would conceive a child they didn’t wait upon the Lord and thus the birth of Ishmael was the result.  Having learned from this lesson of lack of faith and disobedience; the Lord later spoke to Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering Abraham didn’t go to Sarah to confide in her as he followed the Word of the Lord.  Having once listened to Sarah resulting in the birth of Ishmael Abraham learned to trust in the Lord first and foremost through the testing of his faith.  Doesn’t this parallel with Adam and Eve in the Garden?  Eve was tempted and thus Adam fell just as Sarah was in disbelief and Ishmael was born!  Here we have the classic physical and spiritual realms in action.  Sarah was processing in the natural/physical when the Lord was building the spiritual generations and decendents of Abraham.  Sarah suggested Hagar to Abraham which was physical when the Lord was building the Spritual!  Should Abraham have slept with many women to become the father of many decendants?  Abraham learned from his mistakes and was growing in trust and faith in the Lord and the ways of the Lord and not the counsel of people or his very own wife.  Abraham would only again be tested by family when Lot left for Sodom and Gomorrah. I’m merely stating a fact and not suggesting that husbands and wives are not to be both Christ centered and focused but rather Abraham realized that Sarah wasn’t Christ focused to the level of God’s commandments.  We have the same with Joseph and Mary, as Joseph didn’t want to marry Mary until his dream and revelation from the Lord.  It was no longer about Joseph or how people perceived Joseph it was about will of the Lord.  Mary exemplifies this in her statement:

Luke 1:38 (AMP)

38 Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her.

If the servant is not greater than His master we must remain steadfast, focused and submitted to our Lord and exalt the Lord above everything and everyone.  We are told to honor our leaders not exalting them nor placing them above the preeminence of Christ Jesus.

Even the elect will be deceived thus many who follow the elect will also be deceived.  Let us return to our first love, Christ Jesus and seek His righteousness first and foremost.

Matthew 24:4–5 (AMP)

4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].

5 For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray.

 

 

Joshua 24:14–15 (AMP)

14 Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Just because the Red Sea was parted doesn’t mean that the Israelites were baptized and cleansed in the process of walking through the parted water.   We have the same story with the ten lepers as only one returned to the Lord and was made whole.  Sadly many follow signs, wonders, manifestations but not transformation, sanctification, righteousness and holiness of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 16:1–4 (AMP)

NOW THE Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].

2 He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,

3 And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

4 A wicked and morally unfaithful generation craves a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then He left them and went away. [Jonah 3:4, 5.]

Romans 14:11 (AMP)

11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. [Isa. 45:23.]

UNITY VS. DIVISION

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UNITY VS. DIVISION

 It’s amazing that the Apostle Paul once known as Saul who persecuted the church would write 1 Corinthians 12 &13.

 The number 12 represents God’s Government, power and divine authority that was freely given as “broken bread” to the Lord’s people in diversity of spiritual gifts and callings to make one body/loaf/church complete in Christ for the edification of the brethren.

 Ephesians 4:1–16 (AMP)

I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service,

2 Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.

3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

4 [There is] one body and one Spirit—just as there is also one hope [that belongs] to the calling you received—

5 [There is] one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.

7 Yet grace (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and bounteous] gift.

8 Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [Ps. 68:18.]

9 [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth?

10 He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest).

11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.

12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

The number 13 biblically represents rebellion and lawlessness against God. So why have we “the church” created and allowed the division of people/brethren/church by eliminating and creating the division of the spiritual gifts, callings and offices of the Government and divinity of God within the church and amongst ourselves? Thus Paul writes in the 13th Chapter about Love, without the love of Christ which brings unity none of the spiritual gifting, offices, callings matter if there is no love. If you truly love Christ wouldn’t you love Christ in others?

 2 Timothy 3:2 (AMP) 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.

 There is only one God that rules and if that same God isn’t ruling and reigning in the hearts of His people the results will be division and the loss of unity, humility and Agape Love.

So how do we preach or reveal the reality and revelation of John 3:16 and/or John 15:13 when we ourselves don’t walk in love? Could it be that we foolishly love ourselves above loving God, could it be that we idolize gifting, calling, power rather than being bondservants?

 John 3:16 (AMP)

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

John 15:13 (AMP)

13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

Have we reduced Godly love to “can’t we all just get along/co-exist”? Paul did not say that he himself could do all things, nor did Paul say that he lived for himself but for Christ. Perhaps the reason the world is so divided is a result of the division from within the true church and representation of Christ.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Philippians 4:12–13 (AMP) 12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Galatians 2:20 (AMP) 20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Luke 3:5–9 (AMP) 5 Every valley and ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be leveled; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough roads shall be made smooth; 6 And all mankind shall see (behold and understand and at last acknowledge) the salvation of God (the deliverance from eternal death decreed by God). [Isa. 40:3-5.] 7 So he said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, You offspring of vipers! Who secretly warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is, conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin]. And do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father; for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up descendants for Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees, so that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

1 Peter 4:17 (AMP) 17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?

Whether you believe or not that the Lord’s judgment and second coming is soon coming upon the earth let us not forget where this judgment originates first and foremost, in the house of the Lord.  The Lord is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle.

Ephesians 5:27 (AMP)


27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].

 

Division happened in heaven with Lucifer and his fallen angels and once again in the garden when Satan tempted Adam and Eve. There has always been division and there will always be division but that should NOT be happening within the Body and Church of Christ Jesus. If it is happening one must pray for the Lord’s guidance, wisdom and discernment as only Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy.  Let us not forget that even Satan masks himself as an angel of light able to deceive even the very elect.  Jesus must not be merely one’s savior but Jesus must also be one’s Lord just as it is written in Romans 10.  Jesus spoke himself that we are to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him.  It is the son’s/daughter’s of Christ that are lead by the Spirit of God and not the works of the flesh. 

Matthew 10:34–42 (AMP) 34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to part asunder a man from his father, and a daughter from her mother, and a newly married wife from her mother-in-law— 36 And a man’s foes will be they of his own household. [Mic. 7:6.] 37 He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; 38 And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life]. 40 He who receives and welcomes and accepts you receives and welcomes and accepts Me, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts Me receives and welcomes and accepts Him Who sent Me. 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

John 15:5–7 (AMP)

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Revelation 3:22 (AMP)

22 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).

Let us pray and submit to the Lord Jesus so that just as Christ glorified the Father that Christ in us the Hope of Glory shall be glorified through us and that the light of Christ shall not be restricted or dimmed by works of the flesh but manifested by the quickening of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:13 (AMP)

13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.

Blessings in Christ Jesus as every good gift comes from above, let us praise His Holy name!

 

God is “Not Trying”

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This article was written by a friend.

This morning God revealed to me some perception issues we have about Him and how we see and hear or rather don’t see and hear. In my conversation with my wife this morning, she stated “I think God is trying to help you do….…..” I responded “what if He is Not trying?” She said what do you mean? Are you saying God is not trying to help you?” I responded “say the same statement leaving out the word trying.” She said “I think God IS helping you do……” I was not trying to pick apart the obvious intention of my wife’s statement, but I discerned how our words reveal our mindset, in this case the outcome. I realized the Lord was revealing how many times I incorrectly use the word trying when I describe what He is doing, revealing my own mindset. The Lord many times will cause me to experience what He experiences from me, so I know what it feels like. Our clear perception of His truth makes it operational in our lives.

God has already overcome the world, He already finished His work. He is not unable to deliver what He promised. He is renewing our mind and He is leading us to truth. Despite my inability to perceive or receive does not change that He will bring His promises to pass. I believe that when we are using the word “trying” in our description of what God is doing, we reveal uncertainty in our mind about the outcome or finished result. If we have uncertainty in our mind we entertain the possibility of a different outcome than God’s promise.

Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 25:21 (NKJV) His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

God is not trying to make you, He is making you! It seems a subtle difference of words, but reveals a huge difference in mindset. Can we believe He will rather than He is trying? Does that difference change our expectation and confidence in the midst of tribulation and trial? Does that change our perception of the steps He ordered for us and why we are standing where we are standing? I realized how subtle wrong perceptions can hinder the peace and confidence in the way we walk, whether knowing or hoping. The Lord spoke to me clearly on one occasion saying “your kingdom walk is in your “knows”, and what you speculate about I will bring to your knowing when you need to know it.” God knows we cannot be shaken from what we know. We walk confidently in what we know. However knowing His truth and love is paramount in walking in His truth in love.

Consider that God is not trying to make you like Him; He is making you like Him.

HEART & BLOOD

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HEART & BLOOD

We are “cleansed by the Blood of Jesus” the “sacrificial love and heart of the Lamb”.  For what is the heart without “The Blood”?  It is the heart and Spirit of The Lord that is life giving!  The heart and blood of Jesus are inseparable.  “The Blood of Christ Jesus” is cleansing and “The Loving Heart of Christ” is what sustains us!  His love is enduring!

 

Love covers a multitude of sins, love from the heart where the “Blood of Christ” is flowing in righteousness, holiness and purity. The word became flesh and Jesus’ whole body was a living sacrifice.  

 

John 6:53 (NKJV)

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

 

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

 

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

 

The heart is the foundation where the “Blood of Jesus” is applied through a confession of faith by believing in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for us.  

 

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

The heart is the place of intimacy, relationship and passion.  Out of the heart of a man so he speaks.  The heart is the “birth place” of experiences. The Lord loves to give us experiences of His loving kindness, mercy and grace.  Through these encounters and experiences is the renewing of our heart and mind.  Jesus is the way, truth and life and when we experience the truth of who Jesus is in our hearts it breaks away the strongholds, hurts, pains and the earthly experiences we are subjected to.  The TRUTH IS TO BE EXPERIENCED for the truth shall set you free!   There is power in the blood, testimony and truth of Jesus Christ.  The power, presence and Spirit are in Truth for we worship The Lord in Spirit and Truth.  

 

Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

 

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

23Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

 

The love of Christ is to be embraced in the fullness of the persona of Christ Jesus.  Love WITHOUT righteousness, truth, holiness and purity of heart is not the “Heart of Christ”.  The love of Christ Jesus is the love of redemption and reconciliation not the love of bondage, hurt, illnesses and diseases, etc.  Jesus proclaimed Isaiah 61 the day of The Lord setting the captives free!  The love of Christ Jesus does not leave people in bondage, sin, and darkness. The love of Christ sets people free! 

 

The love and truth of Christ Jesus is always moving, seeking, restoring and delivering His children transforming them into sons and daughters, it is not passive in nature!  It is not complacent, defensive, manipulating, controlling or stagnant.  

 

We commonly hear statements such as:  “See people with the eyes of Jesus” and don’t judge them.  Statements like this make me reflect on Revelations 3:16 and leaving people hurting, wounded and in bondage.  Why is it so many desire the gift of discernment but deny the discernment of the Spirit from others?  Why do people preach the Gospel but deny the power of the Gospel?  (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Perhaps it is because of their complacency, tolerance and reluctance to minister truth setting people free through the heart, mercy and grace of The Lord.  

 

Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

 

“The walk and testimony” of Jesus is not complacent or stagnant in nature.  He is always moving about setting captives free, preaching the gospel.  Are we to believe that Jesus didn’t know the hurts, bondage, strongholds and the hearts of His people?  That is totally absurd.  In fact The Holy Spirit reveals ALL TRUTH and reveals the motives and intents of the heart.  

 

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). Proverbs 16:2 Amp Bible.

 

John 16:13 (NKJV)

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

 

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

 

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

 

The Blood and Heart of Jesus are inseparable just as we must be partakers of His Body and Blood.  The fullness of His love is the passion, purity, righteousness and holiness of the Blood of Jesus pumping through our hearts like the wellsprings of life as our hearts become one with the heart of the Lord!

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NKJV)

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

Heavenly Father we give you thanks and praise for giving us your “Beloved Son”, for everlasting life and for loving us first!  Thank you Father for seeing the innermost parts of our hearts and for the redemptive love and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. 

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

COMPROMISE

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COMPROMISE

 

For the last week I have been fasting and praying as my Spirit was grieving for the Body of Christ.  As I was interceding for the Body of Christ and felt The Lord’s grieving for His people He spoke to me about how His people willingly compromising their spiritual lives. 

 

The Lord brought to my attention how many believers will not compromise seeking The Lord for the supernatural when it comes to physical healings such as cancer, leukemia, etc. but are willing to compromise when it comes to their spiritual health.  I was truly grieved for The Lord, as I have witnessed this throughout my travels.   So many seek the Supernatural above the intimate relationship with The Father’s Heart.  Oh how many of us would love to be physically healed but yet still live a worldly life subjected to darkness, perversion and ungodliness.  I reflected on the ten lepers in the book of Luke (Luke 17: 15-19) and how only one gave thanks to Jesus after he was physically healed and then Jesus said that this man was make whole!  Yes, body, soul and Spirit!    

 

When our bodies are physically sick and our mortality, livelihood and way of daily living is in question we often seek another medical opinion or a specialist as second best just won’t do.  We wont’ compromise our physical life and we wont settle for “second best”!  After all, aren’t we worth the best of health?  Have we forgotten that before the fall of man in the Garden we were made in God’s image?  Are we willing to be deceived that Jesus or the Father need inner healing?  Why then do we compromise our inner healing and spiritual life?  Yes Jesus accepted us as sinners yet He said sin no more, be whole, your faith has made you well.  This faith wasn’t in man it was in God.  

 

Do blind people go to church to see the décor?  Do deaf people go to hear the worship music?  Do you go to church to feel accepted?  Did the Pharisees or the High Priest accept Jesus?  Shouldn’t we be going to church for the presence of God and worshiping God through thanksgiving and praise?  If the Father never changes yet our daily circumstances change shouldn’t we praise God and give thanksgiving for who He is and not simply because of our circumstances.  Do we only pray when we have needs or desires yet overlook our daily blessings?  

 

A few weeks ago I was at a prophetic healing conference where The Lord did miraculous healings.  It was so refreshing not only to witness the love, mercy and grace of the Lord but also to witness unrestricted ministry of inner healing and deliverance.  God moved unrestricted by the thoughts of men/women, fleshly beliefs or unwillingness of people to accept the reality of demonic spirits.  I grieved for many of these people as The Lord revealed their inner healing needs and at one point the Prophet stopped before praying and spoke in frustration.  He said that The Lord was grieved as one poor woman suffered for fifteen years captive to a demon because the Pastor at her church would not address it!  The Lord was not pleased with that pastor but the presence of The Lord delivered this woman right there in front of us!  Thank you Lord!

 

Many physical problems are directly related to spiritual problems.  Prolonged neglect on spiritual healing and deliverance only invites more spiritual problems to manifest compounding the physical healing needs and realms.  

 

We are called to cleanse the lepers, heal the sick, cast out demons and proclaim the Gospel.  We are called to be the light where there is darkness.  We are not called to sit under darkness or be subjected to darkness as we are called to be over comers.  

 

We are called to plant seeds.  This doesn’t necessarily mean standing watch day and night 24/7 waiting for the harvest.  Often we are called to speak and reveal Truth and plant seeds of Truth and let the Lord do the cultivating, weeding and fertilizing of those Truths.  The Gospel offends because it breaks strongholds, mindsets and darkness.  Jesus said we would be persecuted or even martyred.  

 

Matthew 10:14 (NKJV)

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

 

What defines imprisonment?  Is it a building with bars?  Real imprisonment is spiritual.  The Apostle Paul was imprisoned but not spiritually only naturally!  Was his revelations, beliefs or relationship with Jesus defined by an earthly establishment or building?  Didn’t an Angel release Peter from prison?  Is God limited to an earthly building or dwelling?  The Gospel and Testimony of Jesus Christ is what free prisoners just as Jesus proclaimed when He read Isaiah 61.

 

Jesus said just a little leaven ruins the whole loaf of bread.  The Bread of Life, the true Gospel will not tolerate a little leaven or sacrifice the way, Truth and Life!

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

 

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 (NKJV)

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

 

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

 

Galatians 1:6–9 (NKJV)

Only One Gospel

 

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 

James 4:8 (NKJV)

 

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded

 

Isaiah 30:1–2 (NKJV)

Futile Confidence in Egypt

 

30      “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD,

“Who take counsel, but not of Me,

And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,

That they may add sin to sin;

2      Who walk to go down to Egypt,

And have not asked My advice,

To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,

And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

 

Jesus gave His life to make us whole; body, soul and spirit.  Don’t settle for less than the full atonement of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  Lord I pray that the Spirit of Compromise and Complacency will no longer dwell in your people and that they will worship you in the fullness of Spirit and Truth.  Anything less than the Truth is likely idolatry, pride and rebellion.  

 

John 4:24 (NKJV)

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”