OBEDIENCE

JESUS VERSES THE PHARISEES

June 7, 2025/in APOSTLES & PROPHETS, BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, DISCIPLESHIP, DIVISION, FAITH, JESUS, LAWLESSNESS, OBEDIENCE, REBELLION /by Glen Garrity Sr.

JESUS VERSES THE PHARISEES

Today I would like to share what the Lord put on my heart. When you read Matthew 23:13-36 read slowly and really meditate on what Jesus is speaking to this group of Pharisees. Scripture does not tell us who was included or present but that they were Pharisees so it would apply to the “title” Pharisees.

My initial intention was to put comments in between the scriptures to save time but I really think you need to read these scriptures without me stopping the flow of revelations within these scriptures. So I will include my comments after you read the scriptures. I have placed some of the key words in bold and underlined some also for you to see. Let’s get started, please read the scriptures then I will share what the Lord has placed on my heart for you to understand and get insight.

Matthew 23:13–39 (NKJV)

Jesus Condemns the Pharisees

¹³“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

¹⁵“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

¹⁶“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. ²¹He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. ²²And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

²³“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

²⁵“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ²⁶Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

³¹“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³²Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem

³⁷“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

The first point I would like you to notice is the Jesus repeatedly called the Pharisees hypocrites. In fact Jesus stated this seven times! Seven is NOT a random number and surely shows significance towards the Pharisees. Seven is the number of completion, fullness or perfection! So what Jesus was inferring was that the Pharisees were turned over in completeness to their own wickedness and evil and there was no redemption or salvation for them. I will expound more a little later by using other scriptures to bring clarity and truth. When you look up the biblical meaning of the word “hypocrite” you get the meaning “godless”. This reinforces the Word of Jesus telling them seven times they were hypocrites thus “godless” and there would be no salvation for them because they say they can see but they are blind and their sin remains.

ὑποκριτής

hypokritēs, n.c.¹, hypocrite. 2× +NT² +AF³

Hebrew Alignment

חָנֵף—godless (2): Job 34:30; 36:13⁴

Job 34:30 (NKJV)

³⁰ That the hypocrite should not reign,

Lest the people be ensnared.

34:26–30 Elihu argues that God judges the wicked publicly because of their wickedness in turning away from God and oppressing the poor. God also judges the wicked to prevent them from being in positions of power where they can influence people.⁵

Job 36:13 (NKJV)

¹³ “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath;

They do not cry for help when He binds them.

36:13 cherish anger Elihu continues to describe those who do not respond to God’s discipline. Instead of crying for help, they become angry.⁶

Romans 2:5 (NKJV)

⁵But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

Romans 1:18 (NKJV)

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

1:18 the wrath of God Refers to God’s righteous judgment upon evil. In this context, the evil in view is immorality and the suppression of the truth about God. God reveals His wrath by giving people over to their sin, thereby allowing them to morally decline even further (Rom 1:24–28). This foreshadows His final judgment (see 2 Thess 2:9–12).⁷

Romans 1:24–25 (NKJV)

²⁴Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

1:24 God gave them over God allowed for people to do as they desired, even when it meant opposing his will for their lives. This is part of the judgment related to God’s wrath (see note on Rom 1:18). Paul uses the Greek word paradidōmi (often translated “gave over” or “gave up”) three times in this passage (vv. 24, 26, 28) to emphasize God’s deliberate response to humanity’s wicked ways: He allows people to continue to live a life of increasing sin.⁸

Now that you have read the scriptures above you can see how the Pharisees were given over to their own wickedness as judgment upon themselves. When Jesus said to them because you say you can see you are blind and your sin remains Jesus implied there was NO salvation for them! While this sounds contrary to the purposes of why Jesus came it is also truth none the less! When you deny Christ Jesus you deny salvation! Let us also take notice of the Pharisees traveled land and sea to win a proselyte/convert and make them twice the child of hell as themselves.

While Jesus does not mention Saul of Tarsus in the scriptures above this who came to my mind by the spirit. You see Saul of Tarsus was commissioned by the Pharisees as Saul had papers of authority from the high priest who was a Pharisee. Even though it was Saul who requested these papers the high priest could have refused. So I believe Saul was deceived but the high priest was not deceived. How many people attend false churches because they are deceived! The Pharisees wanted to appear to have “clean hands and a clean heart” but Jesus exposed their hearts to them in this face to face confrontation. “Fools and blind” are mentioned twice and shortly we will cover this with Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Five times Jesus called them blind. Then Jesus tells them that they killed and crucified the prophets, scourged the prophets and persecuted the prophets and that ALL of the righteous blood shed on earth going all the way back to Abel they would be accountable for. Jesus calls them Serpents and Vipers! Who else was known as a serpent back in the garden?

Notice everything Jesus states they did to the prophets is exactly what they would eventually do to Jesus! They still wanted to appear to have “clean hands” so they used the “political” system to impose the sentencing of crucifying Jesus. We know that the Antichrist will be a “political” and “spiritual” figure when he is revealed! When you go back to Cain and Abel making offerings to the Lord you must realize these are two “religious” actions of worship. Thus two types of “churches” one being the true church and the other church of the Antichrist who is a murderer. Two types of “churches” for two types of “kingdoms”. The Lord’s Spirit will not always strive with man so let me make it clear, today is the day of salvation!

Acts 9:1–9 (NKJV)

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

⁶So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

We are all familiar with Saul’s encounter but what I want to emphasis is Jesus blinding Saul. You see Jesus told the Pharisees that they were blind. While they had their natural sight they were spiritually blind. If you remember the story of the blind man with no sin who Jesus spit in the dirt and made a paste/clay and put it on his eyes you don’t need to blind a man that is already naturally blind so what was the purpose of putting paste on his eyes? By Jesus putting paste on the man’s eyes Jesus was making a statement of spiritual blindness. Jesus then told the blind man to go and wash at the pool of Siloam which means “sent one”. This is direct correlation to Jesus being “sent” from the Father. The man was doubly blind both naturally and spiritually. So Saul had natural eyes but not spiritual eyes so thus Jesus did the same to Saul as Jesus did for the blind man. What did the blind man from birth tell the Pharisees who continuously asked him about Jesus. The man said this one thing I know, I was blind but now I see! He gave a testimony of Jesus! He not only had physical eyes but he had a revelation of Christ Jesus. This is what Jesus was doing for Saul. Saul encountered the resurrected Christ and called Jesus Lord. Now if you read the scriptures of Saul’s encounter Saul asked Jesus what do You want me to do? As I have said many times there is always a requirement to obtain the blessings and promises of the Lord. You can’t even be “saved” without believing in faith which is a requirement!

Acts 9:10–19 (NKJV)

Ananias Baptizes Saul

¹⁰Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹²And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

¹³Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

¹⁷And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

¹⁹So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

I have underlined line 12 to make reference that the Lord will always gift you insight on His will if you seek him. Saul was praying and the Lord revealed to Saul who was blind a vision of Ananias laying hands on him. True prophetic ministry/prophecy confirms the will of God that has been revealed to you by the Lord it does not contradict what the Lord has given you. Ananias would fulfill the vision of the Lord for Paul. Imagine Paul putting trust in a minister/priest for the Lord knowing Paul’s history! Also notice Paul fasted and prayed for three days. Three day’s references dying to yourself and being resurrected in Christ Jesus.

Now let me share some thoughts. First I’d like to say that the five fold ministry of Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor and Evangelist are ALL IN CHRIST JESUS and Jesus has these offices today for the edification of the saints and to build up a spiritual priesthood in Christ Jesus. For now I’d like to focus on the office of a prophet. Many times throughout the New Testament Jesus is referred to as a prophet. Jesus as a prophet revealed a person’s heart condition to them and that is what a TRUE prophet today will do so that you may be in proper standing and holiness with the Lord. What has happened today is Satan calls this judgment when you point out sin so Satan takes what is of the Lord Jesus and makes it appear as “the accuser of the brethren” but it is NOT! This is how Satan twists and manipulates scriptures! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus WHO WALK ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT! Emphasis on Spirit!

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

There is much confusion over the office of a prophet and prophesying. Anyone who claims to be speaking The Word of God is prophesying but that does NOT MAKE them a prophet as in the office of a Prophet! This is because prophecy is the testimony of Christ Jesus according to Revelation 19:10.

As I mentioned in an earlier posting the need/requirement for the five fold ministry within the body of Christ as five represents the number and fullness of grace. So when the true five fold ministry is present the proper equiping of the saints may be fulfilled. When you eliminate one you eliminate a part of Christ Jesus. Now perhaps you can see why many do not embrace true prophets because a true prophet will discern the motives, intents and spirits at work. How do you expect to be in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus when you deny that Jesus was the embodied fullness of the five fold ministry! You can’t be restored to what you deny! Hearing this about the five fold ministry look at all those well know preachers today who deny the five fold ministry! If you truly examine all of the things Jesus did and spoke you will see all five fold offices at work throughout the testimony/Word of Christ Jesus. In conclusion a saint who is mature and in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus can operate and function in all five fold offices! Jesus said a kingdom divided will not stand so if you divide or eliminate the five fold ministry you divide the kingdom of God.

This reminds me of my initial prayer when I became born again. “Lord help me to be whatever you need me to be when you need me to be it.” It’s not about the title or office it’s about the will of the Father and true representation of the Lord Jesus.

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

I hope this posting has brought revelations and truth to you enabling you to grow in Christ Jesus in Spirit and Truth. Blessings, grace and peace to you from our Lord Christ Jesus.

1 n.c. common noun

2 +NT Also occurs in the New Testament

3 +AF Also occurs in the Apostolic Fathers

4 (2012). In The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Septuagint. Lexham Press.

5 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 (Job 34:26–30). Lexham Press.

6 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 (Job 36:13). Lexham Press.

7 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 1:18). Lexham Press.

8 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 1:24). Lexham Press.

UNEATEN BREAD

June 4, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, DISCIPLESHIP, FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, GOSPEL, JESUS, MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB, OBEDIENCE, REBELLION, SALVATION, SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT, THE RAPTURE /by Glen Garrity Sr.

UNEATEN BREAD

The Lord is having me expand on some previous postings by describing in context of Spirit and Truth of the Word of God about uneaten bread. If you have read some of my postings I often mention that the devil attempts to remove the Spirit of God from the Word of God. The devil doesn’t care if you can recite the bible forwards or backwards, the devil doesn’t want you “born again” in Spirit and Truth or to grow in revelations of Spirit and Truth of God’s Word. Keep this principle in mind throughout this posting. Additionally keep in mind the scriptures of feeding the 5000 where Jesus preached to the multitude as this will conclude spiritual revelations which I will get to as we proceed. Pay attention to the emphasis of the bold words as those scriptures will come together with the feeding the 5000, the five foolish virgins, book of revelation and the body of Christ.

Ezekiel 3 (NKJV)

3 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” ²So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.

³And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.

⁴Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. ⁵For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, ⁶not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. ⁷But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. ⁸Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. ⁹Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.”

¹⁰Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. ¹¹And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”

¹²Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!” ¹³I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. ¹⁴So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. ¹⁵Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

Let me make some comments here and then we can continue with Ezekiel. The very first line the prophet is called the Son of man and we are to be Son’s of God. Eating the scroll is direct reference to the Word of God and speaking to Israel was God’s chosen people which represents the church or corporate body as the gentiles are included. When your heart desires the fullness of the Word of God the Word of God is like honey and sweetness to your heart/soul. Ezekiel was sent to “his own people” but Israel would not listen because they are impudent and hard-hearted. The Spirit of God fortified Ezekiel because Israel was a rebellious house. Now we look at line 10 and scripture clearly tells us that Ezekiel was to receive ALL of the Word of the Lord by eating/consuming the Word of the Lord. We are to speak Spirit and Truth regardless if people hear or refuse to hear the Word of God. The Holy Spirit lifted/took Ezekiel in bitterness in the heat of his spirit but the Lord was strong upon him. The bitterness and heat was not negative but positive as the bitterness was the “strong face and strong forehead” the Lord had given him to stand firm against the opposition of a “rebellious house”. There is a form of godly stubbornness rooted in the righteousness of Christ. How else would you “stand firm” in Ephesians six? Okay now lets continue with the remainder of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel is a Watchman

¹⁶Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ¹⁷“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: ¹⁸When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. ¹⁹Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

²⁰“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. ²¹Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”

²²Then the hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, “Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you.”

²³So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. ²⁴Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. ²⁵And you, O son of man, surely they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them. ²⁶I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. ²⁷But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

Let’s finish up with Ezekiel. Notice “seven days” and remember the number seven signifies divine perfection and completeness. Ezekiel stayed for seven days before releasing the Word of God. This is imperative for every one of us. Even though we “know” we must wait upon the Lord to speak by the power and unction of His Spirit. Once the Word became perfected in Ezekiel he would be commissioned to speak the Word of the Lord. Knowledge without Wisdom is destructive. We must have Wisdom and Revelation together so the application will be of the Lord and not of ourselves. Notice it is the Lord who opens and shuts the mouth of His prophets speaking ONLY the Word of the Lord and NOTHING of himself. This is why you hear me often say to walk with the Lord and prophecy or minister for the Lord we MUST surrender the outcome to the Lord. If you can’t surrender the outcome it is the “pride of life” in you which seeks glory and notoriety just as the devil. You have made everything about you and not of the Lord. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega we are not. Now we can go to the book of Revelations and how John eats the book.

Revelation 10 (NKJV)

The Mighty Angel with the Little Book

10 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. ²He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. ⁴Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

⁵The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven ⁶and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, ⁷but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

John Eats the Little Book

⁸Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

⁹So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”

And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

¹⁰Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. ¹¹And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

John eats the book given to him by the Lord Jesus we get both bitter in the stomach and yet sweet as honey in your mouth. Just because the Word of God may be “bitter in your stomach” doesn’t mean it should be rejected, despised or not spoken. Think of it this way the Word was like honey in taste going in, but bitter towards it’s outcome. Doesn’t this sound like the Israelites complaining to Moses about “bitter water” in the wilderness. The bitterness was a reflection of their own heart and water represents the Word of God! What I wanted to emphasis so far is how we receive the Word of God is a reflection of “what is in us” that is not of the Lord Jesus. The Word and Spirit are one, so the Holy Spirit in us would and should not have a problem with the Word of God. The Apostle John did not have a personal problem with bitterness himself what he was to speak was the consequences of bitterness he was about to speak to the Israelites. Now let’s broaden our scope of understanding by going to Jesus feeding the five thousand. I have touched on this before in regards to the disciples becoming Apostles but now I want to reflect on the meaning and implications of the “body of Christ”. When you read the scriptures below reflect on the church/body of Christ. I will expound after you read the scriptures.

Matthew 14:13–21 (NKJV)

Jesus Feeds 5,000

Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:11–17; John 6:1–13

¹³When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

¹⁶But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

¹⁸He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Now things get more interesting as I expound on the scriptures above. When Jesus went out He went alone but when the multitude heard of this they followed Him. Jesus did NOT ask or command people to follow Him so why did they pursue Him? Let’s reflect on scripture of who these people represent by referring to more scripture.

John 6:44–45 (NKJV)

⁴⁴No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

We must make this connection that it was the Father who drew the multitude to “come to Jesus”. It was Jesus preaching the Word of God to the multitude because the Father drew them. No one goes to the Father except through Christ Jesus! This is symbolic of the church/body of Christ as Israel was a chosen people.

John 14:6–7 (NKJV)

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

⁷“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

What is the significance of Jesus giving a COMMANDMENT to sit on the grass! The grass thus has an imperative meaning. The grass is a “feeding place” of provision and Jesus wasn’t feeding them regular bread. Jesus was feeding them the Word of God the very Bread of Life! Here is another point to mention concerning the bread. Jesus lifted the bread toward heaven which reflects it was the Father who drew them to Jesus to be fed with the Word of God. It was the Father who multiplied the bread. Everything Jesus did was to reveal the Father and the kingdom of God.

John 6:35 (NKJV)

³⁵And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Now let us consider the uneaten Bread, which is the Word of God. I mentioned in an earlier posting that the twelve disciples picked up the twelve full baskets of the Bread/Word of God that was NOT eaten. The disciples were to be the Apostles full of the Bread of Life which is the Word of God.

So let us address the uneaten bread. If you reflect on the Ezekiel and the Apostle John when told to “eat” the Word of God some was sweet to the mouth while some was bitter to the stomach. The uneaten bread was a reflection of their HEART CONDITION TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD. Do we not see this today in the body of Christ? Picking and choosing what we desire or don’t desire from the Word of God! This is carnality and the “pride of life” from uncrucified flesh/soul. LET ME SAY THIS BOLDLY AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES THE “WORD & SPIRIT OF GOD” ARE ONE! What you refuse in the Word you refuse in the Spirit! So whatever you refuse in the Written Word you will not grow in the Spirit of God! The Lord is coming back for a mature bride and not merely a virgin. You must be filled with the Word of God which is also the Spirit of God. So now lets go back to the parable of sowing seed in soil which is a “heart condition”. Notice the multitudes again which reflects the body of Christ as the Father drew the people to the Son/Jesus. I will add my comments between the scriptures below so you won’t have to scroll the page and hopefully make it easier for you.

Matthew 13:1–23 (NKJV)

Parable of the Soils

Mark 4:1–20; Luke 8:4–15

13 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. ²And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Remember the multitude was drawn by the Father. Also take notice the Jesus was in the boat which was on Water which Water and Word are one of the same. The multitude was on dry land.

Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

¹ O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

³Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. ⁶But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. ⁷And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. ⁸But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Stony places is in direct reference to the human heart. Scripture tells us that we have a heart of stone and need a heart of flesh. This is why the ten commandments was written on tablets of stone, it symbolized the condition of the human heart! Jesus said in the gospels that He would write His Word upon our hearts! When the sun is mentioned the seed withered away because the Word of God did not take root, it was superficial and NOT DIGESTED as Ezekiel and John had eaten and digested the Word of God. The thorns refers to disobedience, sin, hardship or in essence “false Christians/brethren” as the wheat and tares (good and evil) are sown together until the “harvest”. The false preachers and Christians/brethren can choke the Word of God within the assembling of the saints and thus Jesus says come out from among them. Mystery Babylon is the Harlot Church. This may sound contrary to what is preached today but take it back to Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as they were assembled in ONE ACCORD. This is why we must not be deceived. Judas was among the other disciples just as there are many who are not of the Lord in the house of the Lord. It’s bad enough there are wolves in sheep’s clothing in the pulpits but there are also thorns and thistles, wheat and tares in the pews.

¹⁰And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

¹¹He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹²For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ¹⁴And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

When you read line thirteen reflect on what Jesus spoke to the Pharisees that because they said they see their sin remained! Later Jesus would warn the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,

And seeing you will see and not perceive;

¹⁵ For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed,

Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.’

Closed eyes and ears will NOT be healed!

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; ¹⁷for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

¹⁸“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: ¹⁹When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. ²⁰But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. ²²Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. ²³But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

We have established that the Word and Spirit of God are ONE so we can now continue to the story of the ten virgins. I had posted on this a few years ago but now I want to you see how UNEATEN BREAD was the problem with the foolish virgins as BREAD/WORD AND SPIRIT ARE ONE!

I have heard much foolishness about the five foolish virgins not being born again and this is totally untrue. How would they be virgins without being born again and secondly how would they come to the wedding ceremony if the Father didn’t draw them to the Son. The Holy Spirit is the invitation and you must be born again to attend the wedding ceremony. You must be filled with the Word, Spirit and love of God to be the bride.

Matthew 25:1–13 (NKJV)

Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ²Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹²But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Notice that the foolish had no oil which is the Holy Spirit while the wise took oil in their VESSELS with their lamps. Also notice what the wise virgins answered to go to “those who sell”. This reflects “worldliness” as the Holy Spirit can not be marketed or purchased! The foolish even went out to purchase oil.

Now if you reflect on this posting from beginning to end and realize that the Word of God and Spirit of God are ONE you will understand that uneaten bread will not get you to everlasting life. You must be filled with the Word and Spirit of the Lord Jesus. This is why I repeatedly state the devil doesn’t care if you can recite the Word of God forward and backwards. The devil doesn’t want you born again and being filled with the Word of God. Whatever you refuse from what is “WRITTEN” you eliminate in your life in the Holy Spirit.

Taking this back to the garden of Eden and the fall of Adam let’s reflect on a couple of points from a previous posting of mine. Adam was told NOT to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil or he would die. So, “what is death where there was no death” and “what is a flood where there is no rain”. The problem is that you must have faith and belief in ALL OF THE WORD OF GOD. When you refuse to believe the truth of ALL of God’s Word you are not conforming to Spirit and Truth. When you believe the lies of wolves in sheep’s clothing you are not conforming to Christ Jesus and worshiping in Spirit and Truth. It only took ONE lie for humanity to fall and when you listen to lies perceived as truth without a witness from the Holy Spirit you have already fallen into deception. Jesus warned over and over do NOT be deceived.

I hope you have received spiritual revelations and will be enlightened and understand that when anyone twist, distorts or outwardly denies the Word of God do NOT listen or follow them. There is only ONE source of Spirit and Truth, Christ Jesus.

John 14:6–7 (NKJV)

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

⁷“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

In closing I want to remind you that Water and Word are the same and rivers of living Water in you is the Word and Spirit of God. What the wise virgins had was rivers of Living Water which is the Word and Spirit of God. I also want you to reflect on the warning in Revelations about adding or subtracting from the Word of God. What you refuse to “eat/digest” and let take root is subtracting from the Word of God! How is it people claim to have faith unto salvation but at the same time do not have faith to believe that all of the Word of God is true? This the same principle when Adam stopped having faith and belief in the Word of God and believed Eve who was deceived. What/who you follow you worship! This is why Jesus said the day has come that His people will worship Him in Spirit and Truth as this needed to be restored through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Adam did not know what “death” really was but he needed to believe that EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE! This is exactly what Jesus stated to Satan in the wilderness!

Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

⁴But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Revelation 22:18–19 (NKJV)

A Warning

¹⁸For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

When you add any false scripture/beliefs or lies you add the plagues that are Written in the Word of God upon you. When you take away from the Word of God your name will be taken out of the book of life. These are serious warnings and Truth.

When you believe and support a pre-tribulation rapture you condemn yourself to the plagues of the Written Word! This is what I call a “spiritual paradox” just as Satan telling Eve she surely would not die. The pre-tribulation is a lie and deceives you into thinking you are saving your life when you will lose your life suffering the plagues because you added to the Word of God. You are not preparing yourself spiritually to overcome without spot or wrinkle.

Don’t be deceived believing that when corruption puts on incorruption, and mortal puts on immortality that you receive more of the Holy Spirit. You should have already been fully prepared and filled with the Holy Spirit. NOWHERE in those verses does it mention more of the Holy Spirit. It relates to a heavenly body because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:50–54 (NKJV)

Our Final Victory

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Salvation is all or nothing just as Jesus is Lord of all of your life or none of your life. If you discard the Bread of Life you will be discarded from the Father. If you deny Jesus which is the WORD IN FULLNESS Jesus will deny you before the Father.

Colossians 2:1–10 (NKJV)

Not Philosophy But Christ

2 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. ⁵For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

⁶As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

⁸Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

SOWING AND REAPING

May 30, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, DISCIPLESHIP, FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, JESUS, OBEDIENCE /by Glen Garrity Sr.

SOWING AND REAPING

Galatians 6:7–10 (NKJV)

⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I am writing this post with a heavy heart and burden from the countless messages I get and postings I read online. Many of the saints struggle with faith and unbelief. So how does sowing and reaping apply? Are you sowing in faith or unbelief? You have a choice to sow in faith rendering greater faith or sowing unbelief rendering greater unbelief!

Sowing in Spirit and Truth renders greater revelations of Spirit and Truth. Sowing in faith renders greater faith. Sowing in false doctrine renders greater deception and false belief. What I have witnessed is the “picking and choosing” of scriptures by many professing Christians and not embracing EVERY WORD OF GOD AS SPIRIT AND TRUTH. I don’t understand why someone can not openly say they don’t understand a mater of scripture. Do you have to prove yourself worthy or be acknowledged. Why did the disciples ask Jesus so many questions, they wanted to know exactly what Jesus meant in Truth and Jesus was not hesitant to reply. Stop taking your questions to people and bring them to the Lord for revelations of Truth!

Every lie that is spoken or false belief of doctrine that is spoken into people can take root and I personally don’t want to be accountable for that. One of the devils snares is to get into a “debate” because the devil tries to wear you out. Truth is not to be debated as Truth stands alone regardless of belief. Normally when someone tries to debate or “politicize” scripture with me I ask them what has the Lord revealed or spoken to them about this matter and the conversation usually ends at that point. To politicize is based on the majority of what people speak or believe is not necessarily true as WIDE is the path to destruction! Jesus addresses this by asking the disciples “who do people say I am”. Should you believe and trust people or Jesus?

Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

⁴But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Jesus often said: Your faith has made you well. Your faith has made you whole. Why do you not believe? Remember the Centurion in Matthew 8 who asked Jesus to heal his servant. He then spoke to Jesus: you don’t need to come but just say the Word! The Centurion had faith in Jesus and Jesus was marveled. The Centurion recognized the authority of Jesus. Please notice I highlighted the word servant! Are we not servants of the Most High God? Then why do you doubt the Word of God? Does Jesus abandon His servants?

Matthew 8:5–13 (NKJV)

The Centurion’s Servant is Healed

Luke 7:1–10

⁵Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, ⁶saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

⁷And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

⁸The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! ¹¹And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹²But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

⁶But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The carnal/human mindset is based upon “works” of our flesh, our own belief and understanding and even our own self sufficiency. This troublesome matter gets caught up in our ability to demonstrate goodness instead of revealing the goodness of God, our Lord Jesus. If we are not cautious people will put their faith and trust in us and NOT in Christ Jesus. When you put your faith and trust in a person other than the Lord Jesus when something happens to that person, what happens to your faith and trust? I would rather put my trust and faith in the Lord Jesus who is eternal, Spirit and Truth and the only means of sustaining my physical and spiritual life. Why do you think the Prophets always started by saying THUS SAITH THE LORD, you needed to have faith in the Lord to receive the Word from the prophet. The prophets didn’t come in their own name or words they came with the Word of the Lord. Your faith was to be in the Lord and the prophet was judged by the fulfillment of the Word that he spoke. Jesus fulfilled the Words of the Prophets because it was Jesus’ Word spoken through them!

If the Lord Jesus has entrusted and commissioned you to something then have faith in HIS ability and not your own ability. When you rely on your ability and expectations you embrace a measure of failure of “performance”. With any human expectation there is the possibility of falling short or failure of the desired expectation. This is because we base it upon OUR ability and not the ability and sovereignty of the Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ 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.

Here we have the prophet Isaiah speaking the Word of God in faith knowing that it will not return void because Isaiah has faith through relationship with God knowing that God is True to His Word. So the Word was spoken in Spirit and Truth and in faith of who God is. Have we as believers reached this point in faith that EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE AND AVAILABLE TO THE SAINTS IN CHRIST JESUS? Notice that the word “My” is capitalized which makes direct reference to the Lord Jesus and not the prophet.

Luke 1:37–38 (NKJV)

³⁷For with God nothing will be impossible.”

³⁸Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

I want to put emphasis on the word “whatever” from Galatians 6:7. The word whatever is a very broad and encompassing word meaning many things such as if you do good deeds you will reap good deeds. If you do bad deeds you will reap bad deeds and yes this is correct.

Mary stated that she was a “servant” are we not ambassadors and servants of the Most High and shouldn’t we believe according to the Word of God. I believe deep in my heart that too many Christians are not hearing the voice of God because they approach the written word with an earthly mindset of learning rather then experiencing the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 the Word is living, so we should be experiencing the Living Word Christ Jesus.

When Mary stated her reply she heard the voice of God through the angel the Lord sent. Moses not only had an encounter with the Lord, Moses spoke to the Lord and was commissioned and empowered by the Lord!

If you teach a child basic principles such as the value of a dollar and they purchase something for fifty cents that child anticipates getting fifty cents back. Now this is not theory or knowledge but experienced REALITY! This same principle applies to sowing in faith and reaping in faith! How do you give the Lord the ability to reveal Himself to people if you don’t have faith to stand on the Truth, promises, and Word of God? Foolish belief would be that everyone who went through the seven year famine in Egypt would rely on Joseph when Joseph through all of His hardships revealed the Lord by trusting, believing and having faith and inspiration from the Lord. People only see people but we are no longer just human people we are of a divine nature and people should not only hear our testimony of continued growing faith but get revelations of Christ being the author and finisher of our faith.

So let us expand this principles of sowing and reaping in “the spiritual man”. What you sow in faith you will reap in faith. This is one of the greatest travesties of the Christian journey and getting tossed to and fro in the journey and walk of a saint. This leads someone to call upon another person’s faith because they lack faith themselves. How will you ever grow in faith and see the hand of the Lord in your life when you refuse to believe in ALL of the Word of God in Spirit and Truth believing in faith in Christ Jesus? Put yourself in the shoes of Christ Jesus telling people He was the Resurrection and the Life, can you boldly proclaim the Truth of God’s Word with unbelief? It’s time to die to “what if” and live to “Spirit and Truth”. “What if” comes from your sole and not from the Lord Jesus.

As I told a Jewish lawyer in a legal matter he was handling for me. The Jewish lawyer said this will likely happen and probably this will happen. I told the Jewish lawyer: The Word of the Lord came to me and spoke to me that the victory was the Lord’s and the favor and blessings were mine. I said I do not operate or function on likelihood or probability I operate in Spirit and Truth and I don’t care what “man’s” court determines because ALL of humanity must answer to a higher court which is Christ Jesus. My case was denied two times and we had up to three appeals. The third appeal was approved and the settlement went in my favor. The Jewish lawyer said to me that he never witnessed anyone with my tenacity. I said to him it is not tenacity it is the righteousness of Christ Jesus and I stood in faith that Jesus was true to His Word. When the matter came to a closure after four years of litigation the lawyer gave me his income of $10,000 dollars and he did not accept any income! This unbelieving Jewish lawyer had witnessed the hand of the Lord and sowed into my ministry blessing the Lord Jesus. This Jewish lawyer was a lawyer for many years and thus his knowledge was based on his experiences of court proceedings and potential outcomes so his mind was on what he knew but mine was based on WHO I KNEW, CHRIST JESUS. I believe this Jewish lawyer experienced revelations of Christ and is likely now a believer in Christ. I may have been uneducated in the legal system but this Jewish Lawyer experienced that I was educated in Christ Jesus which witnessed to him. In all of these proceedings the opposing attorney said he would bury me in court as I had not worked in five years of my traveling for the Lord Jesus because I was lazy and looking for easy money. I was standing for truth just as Jesus stood in man’s court revealing TRUTH. Foolish man, WHO CAN STAND AGAINST THE LORD!

Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

¹³Now 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.

The Lord has now asked me to share more testimony concerning this legal matter and the victory of the Lord. When my human rights case started there was an attorney at the commission of human rights which attended and over saw the “fact finding” presentation of facts for substantiation of my case. Both parties stated their facts for considerations. My attorney said that it went well and was optimistic. We however were denied and subsequently asked for another attorney from the commission of human rights to hear our case and were denied. So the original attorney from the commission of human rights simply reviewed his notes and denied us a second time. My attorney then asked if I wanted him to appeal the third and final time and ask again for a different attorney to hear our case. Unfortunately the letter of request was received one day to late even though the emailed request was received on time. I had to wait 3 months for the whole commission to assemble to come to a unanimous decision to continue and reopen my case. They reached a unanimous decision to reopen my case and to assign a new attorney to review my case. This new attorney whom I had not met in person reviewed the case notes and said there was probable cause for discrimination. This open the possibility of having a jury hear my case.

My attorney called me and notified me of this and we set up a meeting with the attorney from the commission of human rights. After driving 1200 miles to attend we gathered in the meeting. The attorney from the commission of human rights was a lesbian. I immediately sought the Lord and said Lord she is from the adversary and of the wrong spirit what should I do as I know you will prevail. Lord what should I do as that spirit opposes your kingdom. The Lord spoke to me, “do not cast out that demon she is fighting for you just as she fights for her own human rights of equality as a lesbian”. So I had peace and trust that the Lord was using this spirit for His Glory! Romans 8:28! After reviewing the findings another session would be scheduled to meet with the opposing attorney to seek settlement outside of a formal court trial.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The opposing lawyer told me that he had no intentions of caving in so my attorney asked him to step out of the meeting for a few moments so we could talk. My lawyer said that the opposing lawyer would likely only give me a small offering for comfort. I said no, it’s all or nothing. Here is what I want according to the Word of the Lord. I want what is owed to me not a penny more or a penny less and I want reimbursement for attorney fees which totaled thirty thousand dollars which I did not have. The opposing lawyer returned and within about 15 minutes we settled that all monies owed would be restored and that they would pay my thirty thousand dollars of legal fees accrued. My Jewish attorney then requested two separate checks one to his Jewish Legal Firm and a second which would be his own income made payable to me in the amount of ten thousand dollars!

Now here are points to consider. If I had won the first time how would that have it revealed the hand of God in significance as this lawyer might have believed it was his knowledge and power in victory. The case had to be appealed three times and then the victory of the Lord came. Also, what if I didn’t seek the Lord about the lesbian lawyer and cast out a demon that the Lord was using for HIS GLORY unknowingly to the lesbian lawyer? I only do what I see my Father doing, thus I only do what the Lord tells me to do. Always seek the Lord before doing anything for His ways are not our ways. His wisdom is not our wisdom. His power and might is not our power and might.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

⁶So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

What my attorney didn’t know is that the Lord was going to have me move cross country again and those monies my attorney gave me provided for me to move and purchase a home with NO recent credit or work history as I hadn’t worked in over five years traveling for the Lord. I didn’t want to purchase a home and be in debt as I really enjoyed traveling for the Lord. Through prayer and sharing my concerns with the Lord I received peace and clarity that it was the Lord’s will.

I have never shared this testimony of ten years ago but today the Lord has me sharing it with you. Some of you may receive insight and revelation from this testimony.

Deuteronomy 11:25 (NKJV)

²⁵No man shall be able to stand against you; the Lord your God will put the dread of you and the fear of you upon all the land where you tread, just as He has said to you.

Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

¹³Now 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.

What the Jewish lawyer called tenacity was really boldness in the righteousness of Christ Jesus! God said it, I believed it and I contended in faith and Jesus gave me the victory. I once had a ministry school call me to leadership for reprimand which was not reprimand but a spiritual attack. The leaders said that I was prideful and arrogant and that I needed the Lord to deal with me and repent. This ministry school was operated by a Jezebel Spirit and principality of Jezebel (ruling authority) and I replied to them that what they called arrogance was confidence in Jesus. I did not come into agreement with the evil and demonic nature of my accusers which were of the devil. The devil will accuse you of what is IN HIM. You must understand that it is not “your identity in Christ” it is “Christ in you” because you are not standing on your own ability! We were created in His Image not our Image in Him. Stop saying our identity, as a dead man has no identity of his own, he is dead! You can’t call upon “your name” you must call upon the “name of the Lord” so who’s identity. The devil knows who Christ is in you! That is why the demon spoke, Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you? Notice the demon makes a comparison between Jesus and Paul. Jesus was mentioned FIRST because the demon recognized and acknowledged Jesus in Paul!

Acts 19:15 (NKJV)

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

Galatians 2:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰I 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. ²¹I 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)

¹⁴But 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. ¹⁵For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

We have two ditches I mention earlier and one ditch is ONLY relying on the faith of salvation and not growing in faith in the Lord Jesus. Now before you go ballistic hear me out as I am rejoicing in the faith of salvation and I know that we overcome by the Word of our testimony, etc. This ditch I am referring to is in reference to growing in faith. If your only testimony is your salvation how have you grown in faith and in revelations of Christ who is Faithful and True? Faithfulness in salvation is wonderful but do you have faith to reach maturity of son-ship not being tossed to and fro? Those of us who have children should desire their children to mature in understanding and wisdom to mature and become moral adults. This would require us to set the principles and them to grow in faith and belief of those principles.

The requirement and necessity of the 12 disciples was the principle of baring witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. By having 12 disciples it fulfilled the requirement from a judicial/legal standpoint of being undisputed testimony. The courts in America are set up with the same principle format. A jury of 12 needs to render a unanimous decision in other words bearing witness to the factual events presented rendering a decision or verdict. Once a matter has been established and witnessed in this manner such as the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus the matter is settled. Each saint can walk in the power of the resurrection you don’t need 12 witnesses as you are called to be a witness for Christ Jesus. I am not stating this to say there are no more Apostles I am saying just as Jesus would say. “IT IS FINISHED”.

The second ditch is leaning on your own interpretation, knowledge or self will. The written Word of God is the authority of God and the problem often is application. No where in the Written Word was this legal matter written that I was a part of. No where in the instructions given to Moses prior to his commission to deliver the Israelite’s was there mention of parting the Red Sea to Moses. I make these points to establish that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God not only the written Word. You can’t fulfill the written Word without the Spirit of the Written Word.

I never preached the gospel to my attorney as I was not led to do that but through the actions and the sovereign hand of the Lord, Jesus revealed Himself to this attorney by the power of my testimony “The Lord spoke to me and said the victory was the Lord’s and the favor and blessing were mine”. The Lord revealed himself. Why else would this attorney work for free by giving me his earnings so the works of the Lord may continue in my ministry on behalf of the Lord.

I hope you have been encouraged and inspired to sow in faith so you may reap in faith as this allows a true witness to all those around you when the Hand of the Lord comes forth. Christ Jesus is to witnessed and demonstrated to be true to His Word!

Revelation 19:11 (NKJV)

Christ on a White Horse

¹¹Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

WALKING ON WATER

May 13, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, GOSPEL, JESUS, OBEDIENCE, SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT /by Glen Garrity Sr.

WALKING ON WATER

Many years ago the Lord had me to respond to a Facebook post regarding Peter lacking faith to walk on water. When the Lord told me to respond to the post I asked the Lord if I should send it in a private message because of the unbelief of many as they would not receive what I was going to reveal. I suppose looking back today I would likely quote what Paul said that he fed them milk because they were not ready for solid food. I did as the Lord asked of me and wrote my reply needless to say I came under attack as totally absurd and was accused of stating that Jesus was a “shape-shifter”. I only received one response that was positive. Never the less the Lord is having me write this post regardless of the opinions of others.

So today the Lord has put it on my heart to write about this publicly so people can see what really was happening and get spiritual insight. If you have read some of my other articles I emphasized that it was the Son of God by the Spirit of God that discipled the disciples. Not the son of Man. Let’s begin by reading the walking on water event then I will provide my commentary. I have highlighted some key verses to reflect on.

Matthew 14:22–33 (NKJV)

Jesus Walks on Water

Mark 6:45–52; John 6:14–21

²²Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. ²³And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. ²⁴But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

²⁵Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

³¹And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³²And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

³³Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Looking at verse 24 you can see what the conditions were that the boat was going through. The fourth watch is the hours between 3 am and 6 am in the morning. This is likely why people have dreams or prayers of intercession during these hours of the day. Notice that when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water they were troubled saying “IT IS A GHOST”! What they saw was Jesus in the Spirit not in the flesh. It would be foolish to say otherwise because they had been with the incarnate Christ for some time now.

What Jesus was revealing to them was what was written in the Torah, book of Genesis! Jesus was revealing Himself as the God of creation as in Genesis 2. Hallelujah! Glory to God! Jesus replies to them not to be afraid! Notice Peter had not yet stepped out of the boat but all of the disciples cried out for fear. Now pay attention to the interaction between Peter and Jesus.

Peter speaks out “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus replied COME. What happened here was Peter was “testing the spirit” of “ A GHOST/SPIRIT” which is required of all of us! (1 John 4:1) Jesus appeared in the Spirit not as a man. When Jesus replied COME (Revelation 22:17) Peter responded in faith and stepped out onto the water. Jesus told us that His sheep hear His voice so Peter was testing the spirit and heard the voice of the Lord. Let’s read a few scriptures and then I will continue commenting.

Genesis 1:1–2 (NKJV)

The History of Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ²The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

1 John 4:1–3 (NKJV)

4 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. ²By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

When Peter took his eyes and attention OFF from Jesus who was revealing Himself in the Spirit and focused his attention to the waves of the storms, winds and conditions he began to sink. Jesus stretched out His hand and grabbed Peter stating “you of little faith, why did you doubt”. Peter originally stepped out in faith but when he took his focus off the Lord he put his confidence in his own ability and not that of Jesus. Paul writes in his epistle to have NO confidence in the flesh! Please remember Peter is a disciple and learning to grow in faith. Faith is always tested so that we may grow in faith, trust and love in Christ Jesus as all are 3 in 1 of equal measure. Where you lack in one you lack in all of them. If you truly want to grow in faith, love and trust in the Lord Jesus the Lord will help you to release the burdens of this world so that you can grow in revelations of Christ Jesus and witness the supernatural provisions and loving care of our Lord Jesus.

Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

²⁵“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

This next point is one of my own but I believe it bares mentioning. Originally Jesus appeared as a Ghost but then Jesus hand reached out. While the scriptures do not state this what I believe happened is Jesus went from The Holy Ghost/Spirit back to the incarnate Christ physical human body. I believe as Jesus approached the boat in the Spirit of God He went back to the Son of Man as the incarnate Christ as Jesus stretched out His hand to Peter. So I pose this question could Peter having seen the Spirit of God “hovering over the face of the waters” witnessed the Lord transforming back to the incarnate Christ and thus lost faith in the human/flesh as the divine was not manifest any longer? Just a thought to pose.

When I stated this on the Facebook post years ago I was laughed at and asked to back it up with scripture. Immediately I thought of the transfiguration! The disciples were told on the Mount of Transfiguration NOT to tell anyone until after Jesus was resurrected, however they saw once again Jesus as the Spirit of God. In Isaiah 43:2 reflects on the “faith” of Jesus being with us when we pass through the waters, rivers or even the sea for that matter that these waters will NOT overflow you because Jesus is with us.

Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Matthew 17:1–13 (NKJV)

The Transfiguration

Mark 9:2–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Pet. 1:17, 18

17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ²and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” ⁶And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” ⁸When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

⁹Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

¹⁰And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. ¹²But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Philippians 3:3 (NKJV)

³For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Now take a moment to reflect on these scriptures and ask yourself why do people falsely believe today that they can not encounter the resurrected Christ when the disciples witnessed the transfiguration of Christ BEFORE they received the Holy Spirit? Why do people say you would have to have been alive and witnessed the incarnate Christ to be an Apostle when Paul encountered the resurrected Christ.

I truly believe with all of these false teachings such as preaching cessationism has stripped the power of God from the saints. These false pastors are preaching “unbelief” by denying the Spirit and Truth of God’s Word! The doctrines of men, demons and many religious organizations have stripped the power of God from the LIVING WORD. I have said this in many of my postings that the devil doesn’t care if you read your bible or can recite your bible. The devil does NOT want you to be born again and operate in the Power of God because when you do you are a threat to the devil’s kingdom. Every born again saint is removed/delivered from the kingdom of darkness and the clutches/hands of the devil! Very few teach or preach on gifts of the spirit, how to walk by the spirit, discern the spirit and be empowered by the spirit of God. We need to build a “spiritual house” not an earthly house with the knowledge of men but with revelations of Christ Jesus. Without the five fold ministry the church has become powerless and filled with unbelief and this blocks and restricts the power of God. Because of unbelief many will not operate in the power of God.

It wasn’t that Peter had NO faith or Peter would not have gotten out of the boat! Peter’s faith was challenged so Peter could grow in faith and revelations of Christ Jesus! I will give you a key point to remember when you “step out in faith”. You must surrender the outcome to the Lord, we do not hold the outcome only the Lord holds the outcome! Otherwise you will receive the “sign of Jonah” spending 3 days in darkness which means dying to yourself and repenting.

I hope this posting has helped you to reflect upon these scriptures and maybe view these events a little differently. Let us trust in Christ Jesus with ALL of our hearts and lean not upon our own understanding.

NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

April 18, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, DISCIPLESHIP, FAITH, GOSPEL, JESUS, OBEDIENCE, Uncategorized /by Glen Garrity Sr.

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.

TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

April 13, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, DISCIPLESHIP, FAITH, JESUS, OBEDIENCE /by Glen Garrity Sr.

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)

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

April 13, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, JESUS, OBEDIENCE, REVELATIONS, SALVATION /by Glen Garrity Sr.

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.

PERVERTING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

April 8, 2025/in BODY OF CHRIST, CHURCH, FAITH, JESUS, OBEDIENCE, SPIRITUAL GIFTS /by Glen Garrity Sr.

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.

JESUS VERSES THE PHARISEES

UNEATEN BREAD

SOWING AND REAPING

WALKING ON WATER

NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

A WARNING FROM THE LORD – IMMINENT AND SUDDEN DEATH COMING

PERVERTING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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