FALSE ARRIVAL RENDERS FALSE REVIVAL

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FALSE ARRIVAL RENDERS FASLE REVIVAL 

The moral/human compass or lack thereof verses full obedience and complete trust and submittance to the Spirit of The Lord in Spirit and Truth has many people deceived and believing they are in a revival in victory for the Lord when it is a revival of disobedience and lawlessness.  When we believe we “have arrived” as the Apostle Paul states we are in rebellion, pride, idolatry, witchcraft and self-reliant, self-trusting and believe we are more knowledgeable than the Lord Jesus.  We must remember that the “son’s of God are lead by the Spirit of the Lord”! 

Colossians 3:6 (AMP)

6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),

Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

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

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

And He delights in his way.

When we reflect on the inspired Word of God concerning king Saul we see a man who started out humble but fell into pride believing that his own merits obtained the position of king and that his personal knowledge, decisions, actions and the approval of others was above the Lord Jesus and the Word of The Lord.  Self-arrival is NOT self-denial!  A true humble servant of the Lord need not seek validation, vindication or approval of humanity for it is the Lord that vindicates not the servant.  Humility speaks truth, reveals truth and allows the Lord to reveal truth just as Agape love is not self-seeking humility is not self promoting, self-righteous.  Let us not confuse building a ministry with building the Kingdom of God they are not one in the same!   

John 16:13 (AMP)

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

Let us review the Word of God concerning king Saul.

1 Samuel 15:10–35 (NKJV)

Saul Rejected as King

10 Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”

15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”

16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.”

And he said to him, “Speak on.”

17 So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? 18 Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

20 And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.”

22 So Samuel said:

“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.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

27 And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”

30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.” 31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me.” So Agag came to him cautiously.

And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Saul allowed “worldliness” and the accolades, praises and his personal reputation became dependent on the approval of humanity and his personal followers. The joy of the Lord had been reduced to the praises of his peer’s verses having intimacy, grace and favor of being in right standing with the Lord.  If we read the books of Ezekiel we read that the church’s outside appearance might seem to be okay but the interior/spiritual attributes are wicked, deceitful and an abomination to the Lord.  Just as the Pharisee’s Saul wanted to appear right amongst people.

As if it were not bad enough Saul built a monument so he could be admonished and praised by humanity.  What is the difference between a monument and a building, ministry or calling?  Saul’s actions are totally opposite of the Words of Jesus in the Beatitudes in Mathew 5 where blessed is the man who is mocked, ridiculed, persecuted and despised for the Lord’s namesake.  All of Saul’s followers celebrated in their “false victory and revival” by offering the fatten calf as a burnt offering.  They celebrated a false victory and false revival and it was the prophet Samuel who then slayed Agag a false king who promoted sin, rebellion and created a childless woman!  We know the “woman” to be the church and a childless church is a spiritual dead church with FALSE conversions embracing, rejoicing and praising rebellion, idolatry and witchcraft!  To be very frank and candid much of this is apparent in the church today as the praises of rebellion, idolatry and witchcraft in the very temple that is to be holy and pure without spot or wrinkle. 

What people refuse to see is that when Truth is denied Jesus is denied and if you are denying Truth you likely will renounce your faith when the mark of the beast is enforced as you have already denied Jesus. 

Isaiah 66:2 (NKJV)

2      For all those things My hand has made,

And all those things exist,”

Says the LORD.

“But on this one will I look:

On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

And who trembles at My word.

Notice how Saul tore Samuel’s robe and how the Lord would not allow that which is unholy to touch that which is holy!  The kingdom of Israel was “torn” from Saul as darkness and lawlessness will not inherit the Kingdom of God!  Just as Adam and Eve were removed so it was with Saul.

Saul stated that he had fulfilled the Word of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:13) and demonstrated and believed that a servant is greater than his master and that he fulfilled the Word of the Lord!  Where is “picking up your cross and denying yourself and following Jesus”?

John 15:20 (NKJV)

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV)

Revelation of Jesus’ Reward

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?

Perhaps we need to reflect on what is a bride and to whom a bride is totally submitted to in covenant.  A bride belongs to the “Bridegroom” and not the bridal party, in-laws, family, the congregation or the world. 

Luke 14:25–27 (AMP)

25 Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them,

26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple.

27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.

Is fellowship above intimacy with Christ Jesus? Are we intimate with the congregation or Christ Jesus? Are we partakers of Christ or the assembly? 

1 John 1:7 (AMP)

7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 (AMP)

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Exod. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:1; Ezek. 37:27.]

17 So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, [Isa. 52:11.]

18 And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [Isa. 43:6; Hos. 1:10.]

 

Did Paul, Peter or John die for us? It is obvious that the church according the book of ACTS is not prevalent today as there is no true “oneness” in Spirit and Truth and there is little desire for Spirit and Truth as true worshippers.  Let us not confuse or distort truth for ridicule, as that is not my intent.  Truth is not slanderous or gossip, Truth is what we are called to conform to in Christ Jesus. 

 

1 John 2:15 (NKJV)

Do Not Love the World

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John 4:24 (NKJV)

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

The story of the prodigal son is a spiritual house not merely and earthly house and we tend to overlook the bigger picture only focusing on the sinful nature of the prodigal son.  We need to seek the big picture and ask questions seeking the Lord.  Where was the prodigal son before he left, what became of him and how did he return? 

The prodigal son was in “HIS FATHER’S HOUSE” and backslid by desiring the blessings of the Father but didn’t want or feel a need for his Father!  This is about the “son’s of God” in the Father’s House who have backslidden.  Knowing this we can now see the importance of 2 Chronicles 7:14! If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and repent of their wicked ways, lawlessness, rebellion, idolatry, spiritual adultery/fornication and return to their Father’s house He will heal their land and restore them back to blessings.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

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

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Is the bride ready for her Bridegroom?  Has the bride prepared herself in holiness without spot or wrinkle?  Whom are you totally committed and submitted too? 

While it is apparent even to the unsaved that we are in the “last hours” in this fallen and wicked world why is everyone so focused on the Rapture or “Catching away” rather than being prepared!  I am not here to debate pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post tribulation but rather propose a question.  Why are you not already raptured!  If you totally belong to Jesus you are in this world but not of this world!  You have already been raptured in the Spirit and the life you live now is not your own because you have died to self to live in Christ!  To be an ambassador for Christ means the earth is not your home and you are a pilgrim in a foreign land.  The world loves their own and because you are not of the world the world hates you just as it hates Christ Jesus.

John 15:18–25 (AMP)

18 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.

19 If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you.

20 Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.

21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father.

24 If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father.

25 But [this is so] that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause. [Ps. 35:19; 69:4.]

Luke 17:33 (NKJV)

33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

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

Why doesn’t the church address and expose sin and foster and promote holiness for without holiness no one will see God!  Is this not false arrival and false revival!  Have we arrived and are we in our glorified bodies?  We are surrounded by a fallen world surrounded by lawlessness, immorality and darkness and there is no contrast within much of the professing church but rather worldliness, sin, lies, deceit and wickedness.

When someone says that they won’t address sin because it is offensive are we to let that person and soul spend eternity in separation from God! We are called to be ministers of righteousness and speak in Spirit and Truth and allow the Holy Spirit to convict sin.

Matthew 23:15 (AMP)

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one [a proselyte], you make him doubly as much a child of hell (Gehenna) as you are.

John 16:8 (AMP)

8 And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:

The lack of spiritual discernment within the body of Christ is the direct correlation of worldliness within our own hearts. Deceit is a HEART CONDITION!

 

Luke 16:15 (AMP)

15 But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God. [I Sam. 16:7; Prov. 21:2.]

Jeremiah 17:9 (AMP)

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? [Matt. 13:15-17; Mark 7:21-23; Eph. 4:20-24.]

Does victory in Christ stop at salvation?  What is Jesus doing in your heart daily and how is Jesus helping you to overcome by the blood of the Lamb, your testimony and not loving your life unto death!  Are you putting to death the members of your flesh or resurrecting the “old nature”?

Colossians 3:5 (AMP)

5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

What is Communion? 

Is communion just a reflection and memory or is it continually life changing?  Partaking in the “Body & Blood” is a personal call to personal crucifixion dying to self and being resurrected in Christ as well as suffering for Christ to advance His Kingdom not our ministries, gifting or calling!  What is communion without covenant?  What is communion without intimacy, self-reflection and reflecting on John 3:16?  Why has the prosperity gospel/message corrupted communion with covetousness, idolatry and worldliness, do we not know that the abundant life is a spiritual life not a carnal or worldly life.  Communion is a lifestyle not just a formality!

Have we allowed the professing church to become a house of thieves, wolves, covetousness, idolatry and rebellion?  Are we praising king Saul or the King of kings and Lord of lords in church? Jesus didn’t preach to the religious leaders, as they were the ones who called for Jesus to be crucified not wanting themselves to be seen in their lustful, deceitful, rebellious and idolatrous ways.

Hebrews 6:6 (AMP)

6 If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.

The Lord has been sending messengers to the leaders of the church to bring correction and to choose this day whom they will serve but they will not head the Word of the Lord just as king Saul didn’t head the Word of the Lord. 

Jesus tells us why they are not heading the Word of the Lord in Spirit and Truth.

John 9:41 (NKJV)

41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

Mark 8:18 (NKJV)

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Matthew 23:13 (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.

The eight woes are upon the church as judgment begins in the house of the Lord.  Ichobod is prevelant within the church for the Lord’s Spirit will not dwell in temples made with human hands nor in rebellious hearts.  Rebellion is rampant within the church and rebellion is witchcraft and the Lord will have no part with it at all. 

The church of Christ is a church of Holiness, Holy Spirit, Truth, Love and obedience to the Lord Jesus and does NOT seek the accolades of humanity or the lust of the flesh as flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:50 (AMP)

50 But I tell you this, brethren, flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit or share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit or share in the imperishable (the immortal).

Romans 3:4 (AMP)

4 By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged [by sinful men]. [Ps. 51:4.]

Revelation 2:29 (AMP)

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

Ezekiel 2:7 (AMP)

7 And you shall speak My words to them whether they will hear or refuse to hear, for they are most rebellious. 

Jeremiah 7:27 (AMP)

27 Speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to and obey you; also call to them, but they will not answer you.

Luke 10:16 (AMP)

16 He who hears and heeds you [disciples] hears and heeds Me; and he who slights and rejects you slights and rejects Me; and he who slights and rejects Me slights and rejects Him who sent Me.

Deuteronomy 18:19 (AMP)

19 And whoever will not hearken to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. 

Isaiah 5:20 (AMP)

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Matthew 24:12 (AMP)

12 And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, 

Matthew 24:37–39 (AMP)

37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

38 For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark,

39 And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [Gen. 6:5-8; 7:6-24.]

Noah was a preacher of righteousness walking and submitted in obedience to the Lord.  In order to achieve the Covenant promises we must walk and submit to the Lord in His covenants.  Marriage is a covenant ordained by God and many will be invited but only a few will be allowed into the marriage ceremony. 

Matthew 7:21–23 (AMP)

21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?

23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [Ps. 6:8.]. 

1 Samuel 4:19–21 (AMP)

19 Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, about to be delivered. And when she heard that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.

20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, Fear not, for you have borne a son. But she did not answer or notice.

21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel!—because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 

Matthew 7:15–20 (AMP)

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. [Ezek. 22:27.]

16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.

18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. 

The Lord is calling His Bride to holiness, purity of heart with hearts of fire and passion towards His Truth.  We must be lovers of Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

John 14:6 (AMP)

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

Revelation 2:4 (AMP)

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

The Lord has prompted me to share my article about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which coincides with this article which can be read at this link:  http://abidingbread.com/2018/01/28/marriage-supper-of-the-lamb/

THE COST OF TRUE DICIPLESHIP

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THE COST OF TRUE DICIPLESHIP

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

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

James 2:19 (NKJV)

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

Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV)

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

John 14:15 (NKJV)

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.

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

Joshua 24:14–15 (NKJV)

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

Malachi 3:3 (NKJV)

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

He will purify the sons of Levi,

And purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the LORD

An offering in righteousness.

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

Acts 2:1 (NKJV)

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

Luke 14:26 (NKJV)

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

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

Daniel 3:14–18 (NKJV)

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

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

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

Romans 11:29 (NKJV)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NKJV)

True Way into the Kingdom

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

Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV)

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

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

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NKJV)

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

Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

 

Psalm 51 (NKJV)

PSALM 51

A Prayer of Repentance

 

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

 

1      Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

2      Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

 

3      For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

4      Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight—

That You may be found just when You speak,

And blameless when You judge.

 

5      Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

6      Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,

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

 

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

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8      Make me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

9      Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

 

10      Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11      Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

 

12      Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13      Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

 

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

The God of my salvation,

And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

15      O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

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

You do not delight in burnt offering.

17      The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise.

 

18      Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

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

With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;

Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

 

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

 

Ephesians 4:1–6 (NKJV)

Walk in Unity

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

 

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

Final Exhortations

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

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

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

 

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

CHRIST ABOVE ALL

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CHRIST ABOVE ALL

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

Proverbs 14:12 (AMP)

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

Proverbs 16:2 (AMP)

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

Paul states it well:

1 Corinthians 1:10–13 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP)

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

Isaiah 14:12–16 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hebrews 4:12–13 (AMP)

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

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

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

1 John 4:1–3 (AMP)

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

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

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

Matthew 22:37–38 (AMP)

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

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

1 John 2:27 (AMP)

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

John 16:13–15 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Malachi 3:3 (AMP)

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

 

Galatians 5:16–18 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

Revelation 12:11 (AMP)

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

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

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

 

Galatians 6:14 (AMP)

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

 

 

John 12:23–26 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

 

1 John 2:15–17 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

James 1:17 (AMP)

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

 

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

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

Luke 1:38 (AMP)

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

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

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

Matthew 24:4–5 (AMP)

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

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

 

 

Joshua 24:14–15 (AMP)

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

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

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

Matthew 16:1–4 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

Romans 14:11 (AMP)

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

UNITY VS. DIVISION

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UNITY VS. DIVISION

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

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

 Ephesians 4:1–16 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 John 3:16 (AMP)

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

John 15:13 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ephesians 5:27 (AMP)


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

 

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

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

John 15:5–7 (AMP)

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

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

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

Revelation 3:22 (AMP)

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

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

Matthew 5:13 (AMP)

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

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