NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

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NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

I have been seeing many online postings on social media with statements that obedience is NOT necessary for salvation so the Lord has me writing this post to expose this lie. Let me start by saying that you can be saved by grace through faith but you will not be born again without obedience which is denying yourself, picking up your cross and follow Christ Jesus. Salvation and being born again are supposed to be together not separate. Salvation through repentance is not merely admitting of your sin but also your rebellion to follow Christ Jesus according to His Word and commands. In order to do that we must be born again!  What we have in much of the church is likely just “white washed tombs” and without the Holy Spirit you have not be delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.  See other post that expounds on this:  https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/15/salvation-unto-being-born-again/

To fully understand this we must go back to the “Father of Faith”, Abraham. We must also understand what TRUE repentance is because that is not preached much these days. Without obedience the crucifixtion of Christ is made into a mockery and there would be NO salvation without the obedience of Christ Jesus!

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

Phillipians 2:5-11 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How was faith and righteousness imputed/accredited to Abraham? Secondly is sacrifice better than obedience? Third, what is true repentance?

Let us read scripture to understand how Abraham became the “Father of Faith” and how it was imputed/accounted to him. You should understand that obedience is the prerequisite to faith, repentance and righteousness. Even Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient to the point of death! No one could take Jesus’ life but He freely laid it down in obience to the Father’s will. If Jesus was NOT obedient there would have been NO Propitiation for sin and thus NO SALVATION without His death and resurrection! Are we to believe obedience is NOT necessary for salvation but Jesus had to be obedient unto death/crucifixtion for the propitiation for our sins so that we may obtain salvation through Christ?

Jude 2: 14-26 NKJV

Faith Without Works is Dead

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

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

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

So in the book of Jude we see very plainly that obedience is required to have faith! Jesus’s ways and truths are to be applied and established in every TRUE believer. Without obedience there is NO true faith.

Here is another principle and fact that is not preached today. Whenever the Word of God or the Holy Spirit reveals/speaks to you, you are at the place of decision to be obedient or deny the Holy Spirit/Word of God. This is a form of judgement through either obedience or disobedience in that your free will is being tested whether to apply, conform and obey the Word/Voice of God.

1 Samual 15: 22-23 NKJV

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.”

True repentance is not only acknowledging your sins but also FULLY submitting to the Lord Jesus in Spirit and Truth. You acknowledge your need to submit, obey, adhere, and turn away from your sinful life and follow the Lord Jesus and the Word of God. You must allow the Lord Jesus to guide you, lead you, correct you and teach you by dying to “self” as well as your beliefs on what is right and wrong by submitting and following Jesus as LORD and Savior. Many preachers purposely omit LORD!

Matthew 16: 24-26 NKJV

24 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?

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

Romans 6:15-23 NKJV

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were 5delivered.

18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I hope this has provided insight and truth to you and that you seek the Lord for His Spirit and truth. I could litteraly spend hours adding more scripture from Psalms, Proverbs, Hebrews and more but I will leave that to you. Let us remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and let us seek the Lord Jesus in ALL of our ways and let the Lord’s Word be lamp unto our feet and keep us on His path of righteousness. May the Lord bless you.

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

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THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

When I was a youth and I would be at a funeral I would hear Psalm 23 spoken and I would imagine as it was recited that it reflected the after death journey from this earth to heaven because it was spoken after people died and at their funeral. Mind you I was young and not a born again Christian The religious affiliation I had only heard Psalm 23 spoken at a grave site and I had never actually heard it elsewhere and it was not even mentioned in church growing up other than for funerals. Thus my perception although wrong was what I believed. If you will continue to read further you will understand that the valley of the shadow of death is not some far distant land of the days of old.

While the Lord inspired me to write this I believe it relates to a recent YouTube video I saw about tours of the Holy Land where a man stood up on a hill and pointed to a valley between two hills and said this is the valley of the shadow of death were David walked. I thought no that isn’t the valley of the shadow of death because of the revelation the Lord gave me. This is why the Lord prompted me to write this post. When you understand that the whole earth is the valley of the shadow of death you will understand the great commission to preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus throughout the earth. Under the curse of sin and the consequence of death from sin the whole earth groans for the sons of God to come forth.

Romans 8:19–22 (NKJV)

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

8:22 groans together and suffers agony The created order is in turmoil. Like God’s people, it is longing for Christ’s return, when He will liberate the world from death and decay (see Rev 21:1 and note). This restoration is a prominent theme of the ot1 prophets2 (compare Isa 35:1–10).3

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The true spiritual battle is based on the great commission and Ephesians 6 tells us about our opposition to fulfilling the great commission. The objective is by preaching the good news of the gospel which will deliver people from the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus. This can only be done by preaching the gospel in power through the Holy Spirit. In short people need to believe in the whole gospel, repent and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Not a sinners prayer. Too many are deceived believing in the prayer and not the finished work of Calvary which includes the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NKJV)

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Sadly I was visiting a church in Florida during one of my ministry travels. At the end of the sermon the pastor asked everyone to close their eyes and then asked those in attendance who wanted to be saved to raise their hand and he said no peaking. He then said you can put your hands down and everyone can open their eyes. He said I will lead “everyone” in a prayer for salvation. First of all I was already saved and filled with the Holy Spirit by saying this prayer the enemy would likely laugh at me as in the form of a question. “Look he doesn’t know if he is saved or not”. In addition the Word of God clearly states that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel. So why was everyone told to close their eyes! The deceptions of Satan!

Matthew 10:33 (NKJV)

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

While we battle with spiritual hosts, principalities, rulers of this world the gospel must be preached. In any type of warfare you must know your adversary along with your “equipment” and plan of action. In spiritual warfare we need the equipment listed in Ephesians 6 and plan of engagement being LED by the Spirit of God. Take for instance Moses conversing with the Lord about delivering the Israelites (Exodus 3) Moses was raised in Egypt in the Egyptian palace and their traditions. Who better to be commissioned as Moses knew the enemy of the Israelites personally.

Romans 5:17 (NKJV)

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at Psalm 23

Psalm 23 NKJV

The Lord The Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

One day about three years ago, give or take, I was walking with the Lord in a remote area by a river praising the Lord and meditating on scriptures. This was only about 4 or 5 years after my born again experience. As I was meditating the Lord spoke to me and asked me a question which really opened my eyes to Psalm 23. The Lord asked me “where was David when he wrote Psalm 23”? I said Lord David was in Israel but Lord, that answer does not witness in your spirit with me to be the correct answer. So I kept talking with the Lord as He listened I said Lord in the beginning (Genesis) of creation you make no mention of creating Israel. You created the heavens and the earth. Lord the earth is the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I said Lord even though they recite Psalm 23 at funerals David was alive when He wrote Psalm 23. The Lord said yes, that is correct and confirmed that the earth is the valley of the shadow of death.

I never doubted or had any misconceptions that evil spirits existed as the Lord has had me come against demons in people and command them to come out. I guess in my mind I just did as the Lord led me each day but I never really thought of the bigger picture. I was focused on what was in my immediate area in my daily walk and the spiritual realm that would come against me and the will of God that I didn’t see the bigger picture. For me it was natural to share Christ Jesus with people and I never really saw the bigger picture and to me each day no matter where I was there was the great commission.

I said Lord, now everything come into proper understanding of the spiritual realm and why the battle is so real. I am alive in Christ, but I am surrounded by people who are physically alive, but spiritual dead to the Lord. If they are dead to you Lord then the devil uses those people who are not of you Lord (born again) to come against us because their father is the Devil and they are influenced and blinded by the spirit of this world the Devil. Now Ephesians six took on a whole new perspective so did the great commission to go throughout the world and preach the gospel.

Rather than put an overwhelming amount of scripture I thought I would just list them as a timeline as most of us know about the Garden’s provisions, the tree of Life, etc.

Let’s go back and read Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

The History of Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

When the Lord God created the earth He saw that it was good.

Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Man was created from the dust of the earth which God saw that the earth was good. In Genesis the serpent was cast to his belly to eat the dust of the earth. Wasn’t humanity/man created from the dust of the earth. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy!

Genesis 3:14 (NKJV)

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,

You are cursed more than all cattle,

And more than every beast of the field;

On your belly you shall go,

And you shall eat dust

All the days of your life.

Genesis 2:15–17 (NKJV)

15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:22–24 (NKJV)

22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Garden of Eden. Location east of Eden (Gn 2:8) in the Tigris-Euphrates area of Mesopotamia, referred to 14 times in the OT4. The data in Genesis 2:8–10 show that it was in the Shinar Plain area, and that four “heads” were formed from the one river flowing through Eden to water the garden. The heads were the Tigris and Euphrates (both of which are familiar modern rivers), and two rivers which have disappeared—the Pishon and Gihon. The latter were most probably irrigation canals, since in cuneiform there is no separate word for “river” and “irrigation canal.” Thus the Eden area was irrigated after the Sumerian manner, making for a highly fertile garden. If Pishon and Gihon were in fact irrigation canals, the narrative places Adamic man firmly in a historic high culture, and takes him out of the realm of myth and legend. If the above identification is correct, Cush referred to the land of the ancient Kassites, while Havilah may have indicated Arabia.

The notions that the rivers were the four encircling the earth and that Eden is to be identified with the Sumerian Dilmun are based on inadequate geographical information.

Eden was the testing ground of man’s fidelity to God’s commands, and through disobedience, the garden was lost. It will be regained in the form of the new paradise (Rv 22:14).5

So as you see the whole earth is the valley of the shadow of death. Now lets look at some of the verses from Psalm 23.

Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

This passage reflects the Lord’s care and protection.

Psalm 23:2 (NKJV)

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

Sheep graze in pastures so this reflects the Lord’s provisions and nourishment for us.

Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

This would reflect being led by the Spirit of God as the Lord orders our steps and those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of god. (Proverbs 16:9 & Romans 8:14)

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

This symbolizes that life will not always be characterized by green pastures and that we will walk through darkness and gloom.

Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

While my study bible does not specifically state this, I see this as a prophesy of the last supper as well as David uses the term “table” and yet it also refers to David’s daily walk with the Lord. The holy Spirit revealed this to me and as I continue you will see it more clearly. Seeing how it prophesies of the “table in the presence of enemies” it is telling us that even surrounded by darkness and enemies we can partake of the Bread of Life Christ Jesus. See how this ties in the last supper. Hallelujah, praise the Lord. The anointing of oil symbolized constant refreshing of the Lord. (Psalm 92:10)

Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

This statement refers to being led and guided by the Lord through the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s unfailing convenantal love. I also see Psalm 91:1 even though it is not mentioned in my study bible. So when you meditate on God’s Word you will see the last supper and Psalm 91 in Psalm 23.

I would also like to make this statement because to many speak Psalm 91 like they are entitled to this. The rest of the Psalm 91 will not apply to you unless you yourselves fulfill line one. This is also stated in John 15 as I always like to provide more than one scripture.

Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

So know I hope you see the greater picture and revelation of the spiritual battle and significance of the valley of the shadow of death how it relates to the great commission. I would also like to state while I have been invited in the past to travel to other nations the whole world is our mission field and a saint must be sent by the Lord and in the Lord’s timing. It is not that I do not want to go so please do not take it personal or feel offended or left out.

We must be led by the Spirit, this is just the plain truth. You can see in the book of Acts for yourselves that Jesus sent the Apostles out to different areas they did not chose where they were sent and commissioned. While I know there are many afflictions of the righteous and many degrees of affliction globally I also know that suffering is not local it is global. That being said my mission field is always before me and not confined in a region as the whole world is the valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Perhaps now you can see why when the second coming of the Lord arrives the Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth as the corruptible and evil ways of this world will be no more.

Numbers 6:24–27 (NKJV)

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

1ot The biblical books produced by the “writing” prophets, including the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

2 prophets The biblical books produced by the “writing” prophets, including the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

3 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ro 8:22). Lexham Press.

4OT Old Testament

5 Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Garden of Eden. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 839). Baker Book House.

TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

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TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

Today the church has a total misconception of what a disciple is and has totally taken the word disciple out of biblical context and meaning. I will start with a simple question. Who discipled the disciples? It was the “incarnate” Christ Jesus. Nothing has changed, even today it is Jesus who disciples every born again follower of Christ Jesus.

Yes we can have bible studies to edify one another and share in activities but you are not actually building spiritual disciples. I also believe in the five fold ministry offices and the gifts of the Holy Spirit working together in edifying the saints, however spiritual discipleship is from the Holy Spirit and true discipleship comes from the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit bares witness to Jesus and Spirit and Truth.

The incarnate Christ Jesus “chose his disciples” but how and what did he say to them upon meeting them.

Matthew 4:18–20 (NKJV)

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV)

24 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?

The biblical definition of a disciple is someone who follows Jesus. It is not a church program, some other book, small group or even bible study. Bible study is great but that is not TRUE SPIRITUAL discipleship.

Disciple. Someone who follows another person or another way of life and who submits himself to the discipline (teaching) of that leader or way1

You can’t teach someone to follow Christ Jesus they have to want to. Just as all of the disciples did in the Word of God.

Be careful who you listen too and only submit to the Lord Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith! Just as the incarnate Christ Jesus discipled HIS disciples every true born again believer is also discipled by Jesus. The Word of God tells us this very clearly!

A man or woman can’t disciple you in things of the Holy Spirit they must be received directly from the Lord by the Holy Spirit. That is why whatever they teach or preach must bear witness with the Holy Spirit in you! It is also why people are led astray and don’t grow or mature in Christ Jesus. There are to many voices and you should be listening to the Lord’s voice.

This may sound strange to some of you but when someone comes to me and speaks things regarding the Lord or needs for prayer I hear two voices simultaneously. I hear theirs and I hear the Lord’s.

Now before you call me crazy and that’s okay because it is the norm. I want you to think about this simple principle. When someone is speaking to you and you are listening through your human ears which is external but the Lord speaks to us internally by the indwelling Holy Spirit so you can hear two conversations simultaneously. This is why when scripture has been spoken out of context, twisted or manipulated the Holy Spirit automatically speaks to us from within and contradicts what was spoken by the full counsel of God’s Word utilizing other scriptures. Scriptures do NOT contradict other Scriptures!

This is also why so many people are led astray! Jesus makes it very clear! My people hear MY VOICE and follow me!

John 10:27 (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Just as sanctification is a work in process so is discipleship from the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself said to His disciples it is better if he went so the comforter would come.

John 16:7–15 (NKJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Look at the power of those statements. Look at the items in bold text and underlined. So the disciples still had things to learn but at that time could not bear them until The Holy Spirit would come. The Holy Spirit will guide us in ALL TRUTH, tell you things to come, glorify the Lord Jesus, He will take what is of Jesus and declare it to us!

It is Jesus and only Jesus who makes disciples! No man can teach the things of the Spirit of God! Let’s see how the Apostle Paul speaks on this.

2 Corinthians 5:16 (NKJV)

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

1 Corinthians 2:11–16 (NKJV)

11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Today’s church has lost the true understanding of discipleship. I am not against bible studies or small groups but let us remember God is Spirit and those who are His worship in Spirit and Truth! Don’t settle for someone merely reading the bible from the pulpit and assume they are of the Lord Jesus. Their preaching must bare witness with the Spirit of God in you! Mixing lies with truths or taking scriptures out of context is not of God and I don’t care what seminary you go to it can not make you a preacher only the Spirit of God can make a man a preacher.

For those of you who are cessationist and do not believe in spiritual gifts or the office of Apostle or Prophet I ask you this one very simple question. When did the disciples become Apostles and why did Jesus say it would be better if He left so the Holy Spirit could come. The simple answer is they were not Apostles until Pentecost and they themselves received the Holy Spirit. They needed the Holy Spirit. Let me be clear! Just as many will come falsely in the name of Christ so it is with all five offices of Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist. There are very few but that doesn’t mean they do not exist no more than to say Christ Jesus doesn’t exist because there are false christ.

Ephesians 4:7–16 (NKJV)

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Why would Paul mention line 14 if this were not possible. Why would Paul later in his epistles talk about the great apostasy if it was not possible.

Matthew 24:4–5 (NKJV)

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Paul met the resurrected Christ and became an Apostle after the resurrection and Pentecost! See my article on the New Testament Church by The Life of the Apostle Paul. (https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/10/the-new-testament-church-through-the-life-of-apostle-paul/)

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

The Just Live by Faith
Romans 1:16–17 (NKJV) — 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Let me be clear I am not against fellowship and bible study but each of us is accountable for our spiritual growth and not just head knowledge. I have said this time and again. You can not and must not separate the Spirit of God from the Word of God and that is exactly what Satan is doing in a lot of these discipleship structures within the church structure.

Shepherd the Flock

1 Peter 5:1–4 (NKJV)

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

1 Helm, P. (1988). Disciple. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 629). Baker Book House.

A WARNING FROM THE LORD – IMMINENT AND SUDDEN DEATH COMING

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A WARNING FROM THE LORD – IMMINENT AND SUDDEN DEATH COMING

This is a Word From The Lord Jesus: My Spirit will once again be as it was in the days of Ananias and Sapphira when they were struck dead and also as it was in the days of Moses when the earth opened and swallowed them up and sent them to the pit. Take heed, for it is I says the Lord who gives life and takes life!

The Lord Jesus has a warning to those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing and masquerade as angels of light. He has a warning for all those who oppose the Lord Jesus in Spirit and Truth. Soon, my tolerance will come to an end and I will no longer allow these wicked people to defile my sanctuaries and lead my sheep astray! I will bring imminent and sudden death upon them!

LYING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 5:1–11 (NKJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Numbers 16:25–40 (NKJV)

25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” 27 So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. 28 And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. 29 If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.” 31 Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. 33 So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” 35 And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. 36 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 37 “Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to pick up the censers out of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the fire some distance away. 38 The censers of these men who sinned against their own souls, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar. Because they presented them before the Lord, therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.” 39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned up had presented, and they were hammered out as a covering on the altar, 40 to be a memorial to the children of Israel that no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord, that he might not become like Korah and his companions, just as the Lord had said to him through Moses.

The Lord Jesus is telling His people to “come out of the sanctuary/synagogue of Satan” for it shall be for them as it was with Sodom and Gomorrah. Do not look back when the Lord calls you out!

Revelation 2:9 (NKJV)

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:9 (NKJV)

9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Please notice that Revelation 3:9 states they will come to you! This means you are not a part of them or have fellowship with them!

2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1 (NKJV)

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Come out and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God. You have defiled not only your flesh but also the Spirit by being under the teachings of false prophets. Get out from among them and have no fellowship with them as you repent ask for forgiveness from the Lord and ask the Lord to lead you in HIS righteousness and Truth.

THE TWO WITNESSES

Revelation 11:1–6 (NKJV)

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

I pray you hear, understand and obey the Words of the Lord in this post and come out of Babylon and worship the Lord in Spirit and TRUTH!

The Fall of Babylon the Great

Revelation 18:1–8 (NKJV)

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

THE GREATEST PERVERTED VIRTUE OF CHRIST JESUS

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THE GREATEST PERVERTED VIRTUE OF CHRIST JESUS

I know that what I am about to state might be shocking to many of you. As there are many Virtues of Christ Jesus. That being said there is one Virtue that is MOST mentioned in the Holy Scriptures.

The most perverted Virtue of Christ Jesus is LOVE. Stop to think a moment about this statement and I will follow up with clarifications as the other VIRTUE’S FLOW FROM THE HEART OF GOD. I am NOT disputing, putting aside or downplaying ANY of the other Virtues or the need for ALL OF THE VIRTUES. I am merely expounding on how the devil operates and distorts the Virtue of Love above all else. I would like to tell you that while I was hopeful to limit this post to a few pages it is impossible to do so as the love of Christ Jesus is larger than life itself!

The Truth of God and God’s Word will always STAND above all but it is the LOVE of God, Christ Jesus that NEVER fails.

Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (NKJV)

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

1 John 4:18–19 (NKJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

John 3:16–21 (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. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Hate is the opposite of God’s love yet hate comes from a perverted and defiled love as “men loved darkness”.

 

John 14:15 (NKJV)

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Matthew 22:37–40 (NKJV)

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Not everyone desires or seeks out TRUTH, but what every does seek out is LOVE. In the above passage you CANNOT put the second commandment BEFORE the first commandment. Note the statement: this is the “first commandment” but what is mostly preached today is the second commandment. This is understandable as a tactic of the devil! What people need is a true living encounter and revelation of the Love of God through us but not the love of self! See when you put yourself before God you exalt self and that is the works of the devil and a ministry of works!

I once had someone tell me they felt called to preach but had not yet done so yet, but the desire was there. I said well praise the Lord you feel called, blessed are you that you have not yet preached. This opened up that person’s thought to ask me why they were blessed by not preaching yet. I said in order for true preaching to be done the fullness of Christ’s love must be manifest in you in order to be revealed through you and the Lord Jesus is still working within your heart to bring your calling to completion before you actually preach. Perverted love is not a VIRTUE OF CHRIST! I am not calling that saint perverted what I am implying is they were not fully prepared for ministry and fully sanctified.

Matthew 6:23 (NKJV)

23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

I believe what Matthew 6:23 describes that if even one part of your body, mind, soul is not right there is still darkness. I believe the Apostle Paul statements apply that he died daily and also how the flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit wars against the flesh. I am hoping the Lord will have me write a separate post about that subject. Our whole being of mind, soul/will, heart must be totally submitted to the Lord and John 15 the vine dresser states this very well. Are you letting the Father prune you to purge away what is not of Him so that the Father can place more of Him in you! Just look at the journey/spiritual walk of Apostle Paul all the way from salvation/born again to boldly proclaim He was crucified with Christ Gal 2:20 and that even the world was crucified unto him Gal 6:14.

1 John 2:15–17 (NKJV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust (perverted love) of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Sanctification is NOT imputed it is a working process of the Holy Spirit. God’s love must be revealed and only God’s love that is why David’s cry was for a pure heart so divine love may be revealed and not the love of this world or the lust of the flesh! I for one WOULD NOT want, desire or to be held accountable for people led astray by a false or perverted reflection of the Love of Christ as The Love of Christ Jesus is the foundation for all other Virtues of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 139:23–24 (NKJV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 51:6 (AMP)

6 Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

David’s cry was to be searched in his inner depths and that if anything was not of the Lord Jesus that the Lord would reveal it so David could deal with it, repent of it and be totally and completely restored in Spirit and Truth!

This is why people confuse their testimony with preaching in the bible. I often hear, well the bible says we can do it but has the Lord prepared you and asked you to do it? A testimony is not preaching! Many are called but few are chosen. At least the person that asked me about preaching knew enough to wait upon the Lord to be commissioned! Sanctification is a process, not imputed. This person was going through the process of sanctification in preparation for preaching. Didn’t the Apostle Paul mentor and prepare Timothy before Paul commissioned Timothy. Today preaching is like get saved and immediately operate in the gifts and start preaching! That is not discipleship OF/OR by the Holy Spirit! Your pastor can not commission you only the Lord can commission you as it is the HOLY SPIRIT operating through you that ministers not a human being. That is precisely what the Lord did in the book of ACTS! I have often pondered this profound thought. This is why Jesus said to His disciples if they have heard you they have heard me. Jesus said this because it was Jesus in them there was nothing of themselves.

Luke 10:16 (NKJV)

16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

How is it that the demons know who Christ is in us, but professing Christians do not know who Christ is in us?

Acts 19:15 (NKJV)

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

2 Corinthians 5:16 (NKJV)

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Romans 8:16–17 (NKJV)

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

1 Corinthians 2:15–16 (KJV 1900)

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Discernment 101, look for Christ Jesus in all things! First and foremost discern by the Holy Spirit for God is a Spirit. If you still struggle with discernment the Holy Scriptures are your source. “Be it according to your Word”, “It is Written”. The goal is to be led by the Spirit! An example of discerning by the Holy Spirit would be Elizabeth and Mary when they were pregnant and John the Baptist “leaped” in the womb in recognition of Jesus in the womb of Mary! Same principle, Spirit to Spirit.

It takes the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the Holy Spirit as Jesus said when the comforter came it would bear witness and testify of HIM, only HIM.

Romans 8:16 (NKJV)

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

So either they don’t have the Holy Spirit or are not relying/listening for the Holy Spirit and that is why they don’t know us by the Spirit. The greatest tragedy and deception is believing that anyone who calls themselves a Christian is a true born again Christian.

Matthew 24:5 (NKJV)

5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Let’s get back to the topic of God’s love and how the virtue of God’s love is perverted by the devil. I mentioned earlier about the necessity for sanctification to be a preacher but this applies to all of the five fold ministry offices. Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist. The Heart and Love of God needs to be manifested by the power of the Holy Spirit having nothing of the flesh or fallen nature. If any of the flesh is intermingled the message or Word of the Lord is not pure. This would include any thing that is NOT SPIRIT AND TRUTH! So man’s wisdom, false beliefs, opinions, metaphors, psychology and all things pertaining to this WORLD and not the Kingdom of Heaven is perverted love! We must be lovers of TRUTH and nothing short of the TRUTH. I will add this brief comment for anyone that may feel anxious about what I have stated so far. If you are truly led by the Holy Spirit do not worry about what you will speak because it will be revealed to you at the time it is needed.

Mark 13:11 (KJV 1900)

11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

This is total obedience and dependency in the Holy Spirit. I wish preachers that prepared sermons were more open to the Holy Spirit while preaching so when the Lord wishes to give a word of knowledge or prophecy for someone who might be in attendance they would stop the message and deliver that word or prophecy. As I proof read that last sentence I need to add that if they are truly preaching under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit they would have been open to hear any word of knowledge or prophecy. They can always go back to the message but we must all remember it is the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit that ministers and we should always be open to hearing the voice of the Lord at all times, even if it comes through a donkey!

1 Peter 2:4–6 (NKJV)

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

So you see how the Virtue of God’s Love gets perverted! That person that said they had a calling but didn’t understand why they were not already preaching and the Lord spoke to me to tell them you have done well as the Lord is preparing your heart for the ministry but not yet commissioned you! He was being built up to be a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, A HOLY PRIESTHOOD to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ! Anyone who has not gone COMPLETELY through this process is not TRULY revealing Jesus Christ and not ready to be preaching!

1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV)

16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Hebrews 12:15 (NKJV)

15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

In Hebrews 12:14 ask yourself this question. If we ourselves do not have holiness we will not see the Lord, so how will others see the Lord in us without holiness? Now do you understand how the Virtue of Love is perverted. When ANY VIRTUES OF CHRIST JESUS are perverted, twisted, or not present the TRUE CHRIST JESUS is not being revealed. Now do you understand that PERFECT LOVE casts out all fear! Do you understand what Paul says if I do all these things without love. It was NOT Paul’s love it was Christ’s love in him!

Here is another scripture to emphasize what I have been saying.

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 (NKJV)

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

If a partaker of Christ should examine themselves shouldn’t an Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist and every saint. If you are unworthy to partake you are unworthy to represent the TRUE JESUS CHRIST.

THE GREATEST GIFT

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NKJV)

— 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 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. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

This leads me to another point concerning ministry and being led by the Holy Spirit. I once had someone tell me that they “took authority” over demons in a person. So I asked, did the Holy Spirit tell you to do that? They said no but the bible tells us we can. I said to them all you did was stir up a hornets nest you do nothing good at all for that person! That is nothing more than Simon the sorcerer in action. Luckily you were not harmed! While I would like to only put one or two scriptures about Simon the sorcerer I believe the whole context is necessary as you will see Simon’s confession of faith but how twist, manipulated and ungodly it really was and how people thought it was from God! This happens much more today, false manifestations and demonic spirits performing signs and wonders fooling people. Even the spiritual gifts can be perverted! Read Exodus and the magicians at work. I use this analogy at times. If I am a police officer and I put you in hand cuffs, do I not have the power to remove those handcuffs? If Satan afflicts you cannot Satan stop the affliction in front of people to appear to be God? TEST THE SPIRITS!

Acts 8:9–25 (NKJV)

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

1 John 4:7–11 (NKJV)

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 (NKJV)

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When a preacher or Christian tells a sinner God loves them where they are at, this is a lie from the Pit of Hell. If you love God you love the things God loves and hate the things God hates. When you preach a statement like that the devil uses it! Think about that statement: God loves me in my sin! I must be okay with God! THE LAMB WAS SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. THIS WAS BEFORE MAN WAS EVEN CREATED AND THUS BEFORE SIN, NOT WHILE IN SIN. Let’s look at how the Apostle Paul address sin.

Romans 5:8–11 (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Where does it say that God loves you where you are at in sin? When you say such a statement, is the Crucifixion, death, resurrection and glorification of Christ even need if God love’s me in my sin. Why did the Father “turn away” from His Son Jesus when sin was placed upon Him. Light has no fellowship with darkness. Why were Adam and Eve removed from the Garden? While you are in sin you are separated from God and the wages of sin is death. You are DEAD to Christ. To say that Jesus loves you where you are at is like saying there is redemption for the devil. Please chose your words carefully and do NOT repeat slogans or traditional phrases from modern day seminary slogans or the teachings of men. PREACH THE WORD AS IT IS WRITTEN. Our Heavenly Father does NOT embrace sin he detests it!

Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Psalm 22:1 (NKJV)

1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?

So you may wonder what I stated and how it applies to Jesus saying He is the Way, The Truth and The Life and doesn’t mention love in this statement and how it applies to my statement of love being the most perverted Virtue.

Here it is: Not everyone desires truth but everyone desires to be loved! Meditate on that for a moment and while meditating on that ponder the thoughts that the devil uses to pervert the love of Christ Jesus.

Why is there LGBTQ+ and transgenderism? Why are their abortions? It is all because of perverted love! I am not saying they don’t believe in love or actually love someone of the same sex. I am saying the love they have and believe is perverted love and not Godly love in Christ Jesus. I am not putting down anyone I am trying to lift them up by revealing truth. Putting yourself above an unborn fetus is love of self and that is of the devil.

The woman at the well was married five times and living with a man. She was looking for human love when she needed Divine and Holy Love in Christ Jesus. That is what Jesus offered her at the well! Deep inside every human is a place in their heart meant for Jesus to occupy and dwell but through the fall of humanity that spot is empty and void. Satan through the fall utilizes that void in the heart and corrupts it even further and further until a person finally repents and asks Jesus for forgiveness, cleansing, deliverance and they acknowledge and believe that Jesus came in the flesh and has paid the price for our salvation by the atonement through His death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven. Upon full conversion through this repentance the Lord Jesus will give them a heart of flesh and a new Spirit in Him, The Holy Spirit. A true born again follower of Christ and a new creation in Christ Jesus!

Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NKJV)

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Christ’s love was slain before the foundation of the world before sin even entered the world. Christ freely gave His life for us as there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. It is the love of Christ that strengthens and renews our inner being as we are called to be lovers of TRUTH.

I hope this writing has blessed you. Once again I know it was lengthy but in all honesty I could write a book on this but I believe the foundation has been set. I will likely continue on in another post about worship and love.

May the Lord bless you, encourage you, strengthen you keep you in His love! Please remember love that is not reciprocated is not Covenant relationship or commitment.

1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

2 Timothy 3:1–9 (NKJV)

1 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! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH THROUGH THE LIFE OF APOSTLE PAUL

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THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH THROUGH THE LIFE OF APOSTLE PAUL

If you read and follow the Apostle Paul’s life all the way from the book of Acts through all of his epistles with the open minded view, you will see that Paul is the example of the NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. Paul was NOT discipled by the incarnate Christ but he encountered the Resurrected Christ Jesus and was discipled by Jesus through The Holy Spirit!

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

I have often posed this question to people and I believe it will help you to understand the principle of examining Paul’s conversion and how Paul walked out his calling with Christ Jesus. So here is my question: “Who discipled the disciples and who disciples the saints today? If you answer is Jesus to the first part of the question I have good news. Nothing has changed! Jesus still disciples today through the Holy Spirit which Jesus proclaimed would come. That is why Paul states who knows the things of God but the Spirit of God, who knows the things of man but the spirit of a man! The great commission is about preaching the Gospel so that they may be born again so the Holy Spirit can disciple them! Satan twists the real meaning and purpose. I’ll tell you if you try to disciple someone who is NOT born again you will get worn out quickly! Do you honestly think even with a hammer you could beat the Holy Spirit into them? Did not they torture Christ trying to beat the Holy Spirit out of Him! You can’t beat the Holy Spirit into someone or out of someone!

Note that Paul fasted 3 days after his encounter and was led into the wilderness after receiving the Holy Spirit. He fasted 3 days symbolic of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ “dying to himself”. He had no outside influences teaching him as Paul went in the wilderness. John the Baptist had no outside influences because he was in the wilderness. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness. Yes, Jesus also went into the wilderness after John the Baptist baptized Him.

There are no excuses ANY truly born again Christian can make about growing and maturing in Christ if they believe in the crucifixion, death and the resurrection of Christ Jesus and are TRULY born again.

Oh, I hear it quoted all the time but hardly ever witness any true spiritual or physical signs or spiritual fruit:

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV)

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

2 Peter 1:2–4 (NKJV)

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Let each of us be honest with ourselves in our spiritual progress. It grieves the Lord and the Holy Spirit in me when a Christian tells me “I have been doing this for 30 years” and there is little evidence of spiritual fruit, holiness, discernment and true revelations of Christ Jesus. They make it sound as if there is age discrimination in the Kingdom of God! If your last revelation of the Lord is your salvation there is a problem. Jesus doesn’t just “clean you up”, He builds you up in HIS Spirit and Power growing deeper in Him so that you may REVEAL CHRIST and not just talk about Christ.

We all need to be ready for the Lord’s return without spot or wrinkle for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God. I don’t know any person that can say they are a Christian and yet not know the Lord Jesus. So why is it Jesus can say depart from me you worker of iniquity “I never knew you”. Well lets reflect on an earlier statement. I’ve been doing this for 30 years! The “I’s” have it! We can do nothing of ourselves as that is what the Word of God tells us. (John 15:5) People are busy building their ministry, being “noticed” and in the spotlight. First, if they even have a ministry it is NOT theirs it is Jesus’ ministry. Second, they are not revealing Christ they are building and revealing themselves using the name of Christ so that makes them false prophets.

Back in 2011 the Lord spoke to me while I was in my quite time with Him as I recently left a well known international school of ministry because they worshiped false gods and did not even know the true Living God. I was grieving in the Holy Spirit regarding the poor spiritual condition of the church assembly from all of my travels and personal witness as the Lord revealed. The Lord then spoke to me and said of all of the people who went to church only three percent at that time were truly His. If that was in 2011 what is the condition today! I don’t question there is revival but the BIGGER question is what is the spirit behind the revival? The world is being prepared for the coming of the Antichrist so are these revivals of the Antichrist or of the TRUE LIVING GOD CHRIST JESUS. Don’t be deceived as the Word of God clearly states about a great apostasy and falling away! I believe that much of what is called revival is the Antichrist spirit. I won’t speak more on that because you yourselves need a revelation from the Lord and truthfully should always be seeking revelations of Spirit and Truth.

Philippians 3:1–11 (NKJV)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Now that you have read this far let us reflect on how the Holy Spirit operated through Paul’s life and what requirements it took Paul by the Grace and Power of the Lord through the Holy Spirit to life this life which we are ALL called to live. Even though we are not all called to be Apostles the Lord is no respecter of person and that is why I want you to read, study and think of Paul’s life in Christ Jesus.

Scriptures that come to mind are Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:14; Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 just to name a few scriptures. Paul was able to bring correction to the church, discern unclean spirits, overcome principalities and powers of darkness and much more. Yet Paul did all this while overcoming whippings, beatings, imprisonment, hunger and the like. Paul wrote much of the Epistles from being imprisoned because as he states in Galatians 6:14 he was crucified WITH Christ and EVEN the world was crucified to Paul. This leads to something each us should consider. Is the world crucified to you? If we are “in the world but not of the world” should not the world hate us as it hated Jesus. A better way to describe this would be to think about this statement: I am imprisoned by this world because I don’t belong in this world. I belong with my Creator, Lord and Savior. The WORLD is persecuting TRUE CHRISTIANS because they do NOT LOVE THIS WORLD, THEY LOVE THE FATHER! So while Paul was in prison who put Paul in prison? Who cried out and yelled CRUCIFY HIM when Jesus was on trial.

You know I hear so much Christian “shop talk” about God has a plan for you and it sounds really encouraging as if to puff up ones ego/pride. Yes God has a plan for you and Jesus states it clearly and then Paul states it clearly also.

John 17:14–19 (NKJV)

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

In verse 15 you find the plan of God for you. The rest of the scripture describes the reasons, preparations and plan of God. Let’s add some more scripture that continues on from verse 19.

John 17:20–26 (NKJV)

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

We see in verse 20 that the purpose Jesus spoke about in verse 15 is so that there will always be a remnant on earth bearing witness to incarnate Christ and His death and resurrection and ascension!

Now let us see how Paul and Peter state the same thing.

Philippians 1:23–26 (NKJV)

23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

1 Corinthians 14:1–5 (NKJV)

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Before moving on with more scriptures I would like to emphasize the importance of what Paul is TRULY saying as it states in Revelations 19:10. Paul is saying he wishes “even more” or as other translations “above all” that you would prophesy. What is TRUE PROPHECY, this is where the body of Christ misses it! It is not merely giving words of edification or encouragement it is to BEAR TRUE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST! This is why so many are deceived because most of today’s prophecy is FALSE and not a true testimony or witness of the Lord Jesus.

In addition because our adversary has blinded the eyes and closed the ears of so many they do not hear true prophecy because they are likely already deceived believing doctrines of men, doctrines of devils, man’s theology and are NOT led, seeking, listening or bearing witness by the Holy Spirit of what is being said!

I don’t care who claims to be speaking, preaching, or giving prophecy if it DOES NOT BEAR WITNESS WITH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT REJECT IT! The spirit that is talking through them is NOT the Holy Spirit. Immediately take it to the Lord! All truth and nothing but the truth as confirmed and witness by the Power of the Holy Spirit! I will back this up with the following scriptures:

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

When we read Hebrews 4:12 you will understand why when you do not get a witness from the Holy Spirit it is NOT from the Lord Jesus. His Word is living and you should have the indwelling Holy Spirit which is living so when something is preached, prophecied, or any spoken words pertaining the the LIVING WORD you must have an internal witness from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 16:13–17 (NKJV)

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

In Matthew as stated above you masterfully see the Lord asking them about who do people say I am. This includes what religious leaders say as well as the general population. So if it includes religious leaders it includes your pastors or anyone that proclaims to speak of Jesus. In essence forget what you are hearing or being taught and tell me who am I too you! Simon Peter reveals what the Father revealed to him! This was before Pentecost so why is before Peter had the indwelling Holy Spirit Peter received this knowledge and a professing “Born Again Believer” is unable to bear witness in the Holy Spirit? So how do people get TRULY SAVED? It is by the power and conviction being preached by the Power of The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit convicts and the Holy Spirit adds to the TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 15:45–49 (NKJV)

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

These scriptures clearly emphasis the difference between human and divine. Jesus is the Second Adam and Jesus is a life-giving spirit! Does your preacher, pastor and any person you listen to bare witness in the Holy Spirit or are you just listening to a bible recital?

I’ll say it again. The devil doesn’t care if anyone can read or preach the bible what the devil doesn’t want is for you to have the resurrected life in Christ Jesus. So the devil tries to REMOVE the Spirit of God from the Written Word and that leave image of the man of dust not the image of the heavenly Man!

When you sit under this type of preaching satan is attempting to drain you of the Holy Spirit getting you into a fallen nature because satan himself is fallen. Also you saints be on alert as you may have many false friends and even your false pastor may be a friend or appear friendly do not be deceived. They are likely attempting to use you because you are following Christ so that it increased the delusion because you sit under this false preacher. The object is for you to bring more Saints so they can be led to the slaughter also. It’s the frog in the pot once again where gradual deceptions lead you astray! When Jesus said His sheep are led to the slaughter He is referring to who you follow and obviously Jesus is not leading you to the slaughter!

A half truth is a lie, a truth told with ungodly purpose is deception and many won’t like this but where there is one lie how many more lies are there? The Holy Spirit is INCAPABLE of lying! There is NO darkness in Christ Jesus! Twisting a lie by stating “that is your interpretation” is deception. There is only one Truth not variations of what is truth. When a leader or anyone will not tolerate correction by the Living and Written Word it is because they are not of the Lord. I say this because the fruit of the Spirit includes meekness and the love of God is not self boastful or prideful.

I don’t care if ANYONE mentions the name of Jesus, God or Father! More importantly, who is your Jesus, God or Father? You see that is why Paul says IF ANYONE COMES WITH A DIFFERENT GOSPEL LET THEM BE ACCURSED!

Galatians 1:8 (NKJV)

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.

2 Corinthians 11:1–4 (NKJV)

1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

1 Peter 2:4–10 (NKJV)

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

So how is it today there is so little discernment, so little growth in the Lord so little fruit of the Spirit? Are we to believe there is no power in the Holy Spirit and that Jesus is not able? Lord help us! Each and every day each of us, yes including me should examine ourselves and question ourselves. Am I complacent, am I hungry for righteousness, am I closer to the Lord, as well as other concerns and reflection. Let us read the scripture below in closing and in personal reflection.

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 (NKJV)

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Well what was intended to be a short one page posting has lead to a lengthy one and I thank you for patience and attention to this posting. As usual when the Holy Spirit inspires me to write the Lord keeps expounding and giving more to write. I don’t mind as I enjoy it and it brings me closer to the Lord. The main thing is I try to convey exactly what the Lord wants me to convey and very often is goes against modern day belief and preaching. That alone should say something to you. Stay encourage in the Lord and if this posting has blessed you please feel free to share as the Lord leads you.

I utilize my blog as many forums will delete my postings, commentary and remarks to postings. At least this way if you are familiar with my blog you can always go there.

God bless you all and may the riches of Christ dwell deeply and firmly within you!

PERVERTING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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PERVERTING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Let me begin by sharing a few words regarding a statement I made in a small group setting years ago so that it will open up your thoughts and self reflection.

Meditation and Self Reflection

I once asked a small group to meditate on this and it goes for all of the saints and even church leaders.

I asked them to reflect on this statement and I told them: “If I never preach, never prophecy, never lay hands on the sick, never have a ministry Jesus is enough for me and Jesus is my portion”. When they heard this the room went silent because it was something never mentioned to them before and they had never contemplated this before.

I proceeded to expound. If Jesus is not enough and your “portion” your spiritual gifting will never be enough for you. The focus of your heart will be based on your gifting as the measurement of spiritual success and not your relationship with Jesus! Your heart will be misaligned and the enemy will pull you away from Christ Jesus and personal pride will become your motivation not the Holy Spirit. The gifting and calling is irrevocable so a person may be gifted but that doesn’t make them Christ like. All of the spiritual gifts of Jesus must operate out of HOLINESS, nothing of us and ALL OF JESUS.

When Jesus was on the cross what was spoken to Jesus through the inspiration of the devil through a man: “If you are the King of the Jews remove yourself from that cross”. He wanted a demonstration of power AND it went against the will of the Father for Jesus to remove Himself from the Cross! What happened to Jesus in the wilderness when Satan tried to get Jesus to demonstrate His power and divinity? Did Satan not use Psalm 91 provoking Jesus to demonstrate His power, what about turning the rock into bread? We must not associate power or gifting with Spirit and Truth of Christ Jesus! Jesus spoke to the Devil “IT IS WRITTEN” for what is true godly power without The Holy Spirit and Truth! What did Jesus say to Peter when Peter said he would not let Jesus be taken captive? Jesus said get behind me Satan! It was contrary to the will of the Father.

I mention this because of what the Lord showed me and spoke to me about spiritual gifting as the Lord was revealing HIS gifting in me just after my salvation. I can not over emphasize that this was so liberating and almost as powerful as the gift of salvation! Spiritual gifts are not about performing or performance, it’s about revealing Christ Jesus! I don’t want you to deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit in fact I wish everyone would operate in the fullness of the gifts as when you allow Christ Jesus to operate through you, you grow in the knowledge, faith, trust and intimacy with Jesus. What I can’t stress enough is following the will of Jesus as stated above with Jesus on the cross, in the wilderness and Jesus rebuking Peter. I DO NOT QUESTION THE MOTIVE OF PETERS HEART as we ourselves would lay down our lives for loved ones and Christ Jesus. We must know the will of the Lord in all things before we act and only act or respond as the Holy Spirit leads us.

As I proof read this the Lord prompts me to write more. For those of you who are becoming aware of your spiritual gifts the Lord has prompted me to tell you DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THE LORD QUESTIONS REGARDING WHAT HE HAS SPOKEN OR PROMPTED YOU TO DO OR SPEAK. The Lord is not offended by your desire to be obedient! He will answer you, so if you don’t fully understand just ask the Lord Jesus. Also remember that the words of knowledge or prophecy are not about you they are about the person receiving them and this may lead to your uncertainty. Using your “head knowledge” can taint, block and limit what the Lord wants spoken. When these situations arise just ask the Lord, how do you want me to speak this or apply this, what is my responsibility. Lastly and very vital, surrender the outcome! We are only responsible to do or speak what the Lord asks us. The Lord holds the outcome! That is why Jonah went through what he did. It is liberating and very freeing to surrender the outcome. We are not the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is!

We must not seek to perform or demonstrate the gifts but rather be led by the Holy Spirit to manifest and reveal Christ Jesus by letting Jesus work through us. It is by the power of The Holy Spirit that reveals Christ Jesus.

Gifting without the HOLY ONE is not operating in HOLINESS and the gifting is then corrupted and not of the Lord Jesus. This reminds me of what Isaiah spoke:

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

“My” is capitalized as it means the word of God inspired by the Lord.

Jesus will not share His Glory with humanity and when the spiritual gifts have become perverted, twisted and quite frankly demonic in nature and characteristics. They do not reveal Christ Jesus. The divine purpose of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Christ Jesus and bare witness and testify of Christ Jesus. When we operate in the gifts without the prompting or leading of the Holy Spirit we do not reveal Jesus!

John 15:26 (NKJV)

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Do not be misled by what people speak or claim they need such as prayer, healing or other needs. Stop and seek the Lord and ask the Lord, what do you say they need Lord, what would you like to do for them. This principle also applies when someone comes to you and says brother so and so, or sister so and so needs prayer because of this or because of that. DO NOT PRAY WITHOUT SEEKING THE LORD. If you are uncertain what to pray simply pray that the Lord’s will would be done and that the Lord would be glorified by His will being done. If you follow the words of what others say you might very well be cursing that person in the form of a prayer! Yes many prayers are actually witchcraft in disguise! I know first hand of this by personal experiences.

These are the words Jesus spoke to me about using spiritual gifts.

John 5:19–21 (NKJV)

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

If we are to reveal Christ Jesus it MUST be Jesus doing the work through us, not us “performing” the gifts. There is a HUGE difference. This is Satan attempting to get us into PRIDE thinking it is us doing the work! As I refer to Satan’s trinity of ME, MYSELF and I. It is a snare as pride comes before the fall!

What I have written applies to ALL of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is another point I would like to mention regarding the gifts especially the gift of prophecy and words of knowledge. Just because the Lord gives you a prophetic word or word of knowledge does not mean that is the time to speak it or share it. You may be called to intercession verses speaking the prophetic word or word of knowledge. If there is no unction from the Holy Spirit to speak do NOT speak the prophetic word or word of knowledge as it is the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that fulfills that prophetic word or word of knowledge. Therefore it must be spoken only by the unction and prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT that leads you to speak, otherwise the adversary can easily twist and manipulate what is spoken or prophesied. Another example would be praying for an individual. For example, I love to read my bible in public while having coffee and quite often the Lord will have me pray for people. If the Lord puts it on your heart to pray for someone that doesn’t always mean you go to the person unless the Holy Spirit gives you the unction. You can pray for them from your seat. I have done this in public many times as well as approach the person as led by the Holy Spirit. What matters is that you prayed! Praise the Lord. You see quite often the delay is because the Lord is preparing them to receive the word of knowledge, prophecy or prayer that is why we must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us on how we approach these matters.

I hope this helps some of you to stop striving and just let the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you. Don’t fall snare to the enemies schemes. I know I was blessed and thankful that the Lord spoke and revealed this to me early on in my walk with the Lord. Jesus kept me from the pitfalls of this. Don’t use the spiritual gifts because you can, do it because it is the will of God under the unction and prompting of the Holy Spirit. This will allow you to walk in greater spiritual peace, faith, trust, revelation and intimacy with Christ Jesus.

As I was talking with the Lord about writing this article He placed it upon my heart that this writing is critical be able to have spiritual discernment in these last days as the TWO WITNESSES will be coming forth in the near future. We must discern what miracles are of Jesus and what miracles are of the Antichrist. Oh, how the body of Christ needs spiritual discernment.

John 4:24 (NKJV)

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

1 John 4:1 (NKJV)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

If you have been blessed by this writing please feel free to share as the Lord Jesus leads you. Grace to you from our Lord Jesus and may you walk in peace and revelations of Christ Jesus.

PREACHING VERSES MINISTERING

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PREACHING VERSES MINISTERING

I believe that if when people read in the bible where Jesus ministered one on one and examine how Jesus ministered and focus on the interaction between Jesus and the person receiving ministry from Jesus, they would have greater understanding of ministry verses preaching. Truthfully speaking both should be together not singular in nature. It’s called Spirit and Truth together and it is the Spirit and fruit of the Spirit that bears witness on a heart of flesh and a new Spirit which ONLY comes from Christ Jesus.

Too often we look at the outcome which is important but NOT the requirements for that outcome! With this being said look at what was required of the individual to receive the ministry, Word, healing or revelation that Jesus was the Christ! Ask yourself, who, what, when, where, why, and how. What might have been different if they had not responded as they did.

Don’t confuse preaching the Word with ministering to the HEART! The main reasons there is no true transformation with many people is because there is no true honesty of the condition of their heart AND/OR there was no Fruit of The Holy Spirit. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage! (Isaiah 61)

I think if you start with the woman at the well you will see what ministry is verses preaching is. Preaching is the “call to Christ”, a call to repentance while ministering is revealing the heart of Christ to someone.

The objective is not ONLY TRUTH but TRANSFORMATION!  A new heart and a new Spirit!  Preaching is only half of the equation as the anointing is what breaks the yoke of bondage and in that anointing is the Fruit of the Spirit. Isaiah 61 clearly reveals that preaching without ministering does NOT heal the brokenhearted.

 

John 4:1–26 (NKJV)

1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” 19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Isaiah 61:1–11 (NKJV)

— 1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” 4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. 8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.” 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

SPIRITUAL FALSE IDENTITY

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SPIRITUAL FALSE IDENTITY

I have often said and will say it again if you change ONE WORD of the Written Word of God you remove the power of the Word because the Spirit it is spoken in is not of God! God is the same yesterday, today and forever. HE changes NOT.

This being said the Lord is leading me to bring clarity and correction to the following statement often said by people serving the Lord or by the church in general and I pray they will repent once they understand the spiritual consequences of speaking this phrase as it perverts the truth of God’s Word.

“Knowing your identity in Christ Jesus”

I see this statement over and over online as well as being preached and spoken by people who are church goers. Just because it is a modern day quote does NOT make it scriptural or truth!

I ask you to look at this statement a few moments and carefully read and understand it like you are “dissecting” a sentence in English class from school.

Okay, now that you have done that who is the first person mentioned? Who is the second person mentioned? So who’s identity is being magnified. Satan’s trinity is “me, myself and I” so this phrase while sounding good is of the flesh/devil and I can prove this through scripture.

Let me start out by using this scripture to illustrate how the twisting of words or scripture changes the whole meaning. As knowing “your identity” is glorifying you/flesh and not Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Here we clearly read that it is CHRIST IN YOU and not you in Christ! It has nothing to do with your identity it is all in Christ’s identity! When you change this you inadvertently make your self god. Jesus didn’t come so you could be found in Him, He came so He could be found in you! He created man in His likeness and image! The problem with this statement about identity is that it gets you focused on “self” and not Jesus.

Ephesians 5:27 NKJV

27 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.

Acts 19:15-20 NKJV

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Jesus did NOT send the Holy Spirit/Comforter to conform to our identity, but conform His identity in us! When we read above Acts 19:15-20 who’s identity was the evil spirit comparing Paul with? Paul had been conformed to the identity of Christ not of the “old man”. You see it has nothing to do with us personally but it is ALL about Christ in us, not us in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Romans 6:4-14 NKJV

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

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

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

So if the “old man” died and a new creation was resurrected in you that means your identity is not of yourself but of Christ. It’s not my identity in Christ it is Christ identity in me/us. This means by yielding your will/soul to the Holy Spirit the process of sanctification begins purging you from all things contrary to the Spirit of the Living God Christ Jesus. This is why Paul mentions that he died daily and later on Paul gives us that wonderful scripture of Galatians 2:20 and Galatians 6:14-15.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 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.

21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Galatians 6:14-15 NKJV

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

So let me pose these questions. If you no longer live who’s identity is revealed? If you no longer live who’s righteousness do you have? If you no longer live where is your worthiness found? If you no longer live where is the hope of glory found in you? If you no longer live who are you called to reveal to a lost world? If you no longer live who’s testimony and truth do you reveal? (This sentence should also let you know truth from error and lies from truth.) If you no longer live who’s truth do you live by or strive for?

Acts 4:13-22 NKJV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

I hope this article has brought some clarity and reveals that all of us should carefully chose our words and not to alter ONE WRITTEN WORD of God’s Word or the works and testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. The evil spirit mentioned above in Acts 19 didn’t acknowledge the person of Paul but rather Christ in Paul.

The people in Acts 4 perceived Peter and John to have been with Jesus and please note the comment that they appeared uneducated and untrained in man’s teachings and beliefs but however they were trained by Jesus and had the indwelling power of the Living God Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! Glory to God!

So in closing I ask that you chose your words wisely so that the enemy of our souls is unable to get a foothold. I ask that you do NOT change one word of the Written Word and that if you do not understand a scripture ask the Lord in your quiet time. If the motive of your heart is pure the Lord will not hold back from revealing truth. It might take some time in prayer but that is NOT because He is not willing to answer He could be using that situation to draw you deeper in Him! Hallelujah!

It is my hope that this has helped you to understand that we are called to reveal Christ Jesus not ourselves, our identity or even our ministry NOTHING but Christ in us the hope of glory! My identity is Christ in ME NOT me in Christ. The more Christ is established in me the more I am one with Christ and the Father! John 15th chapter.

Some may laugh this off and say it is trivial but I tell you just try to confront the forces of evil or cast out a demon saying or believing “greater is me in Christ” verses the truth of “greater is He in me” and see how that works out for you.

1 John 4:4-5 NKJV

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

In closing I hope this offers some insight as all of us should be seeking complete sanctification in and by Christ Jesus. It is my personal prayer from the very beginning of my born again experience that I could stand before the forces of darkness and quote just as Jesus did to Satan in the wilderness, “YOU HAVE NOTHING IN ME”. This should be the cry of all who profess Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! God bless you.