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ROOT OF BITTERNESS

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– WARNING FROM THE LORD –

BEWARE OF THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

 

Hebrews 12:15 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (AMP)

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

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

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

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

 

Blessings in Christ, rejoice as our salvation draws near!

 

Luke 21:28 (AMP)

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

God is “Not Trying”

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This article was written by a friend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

HEART & BLOOD

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HEART & BLOOD

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

 

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

 

John 6:53 (NKJV)

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

 

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

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

 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

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

 

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

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

 

 

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

 

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)

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

 

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

 

Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

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

 

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

23Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

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

 

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

 

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

 

John 16:13 (NKJV)

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

 

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

 

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

 

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

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NKJV)

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

 

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

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

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

 

COMPROMISE

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COMPROMISE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Matthew 10:14 (NKJV)

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

 

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

 

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

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

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

 

 

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 (NKJV)

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

 

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

 

Galatians 1:6–9 (NKJV)

Only One Gospel

 

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

 

James 4:8 (NKJV)

 

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

 

Isaiah 30:1–2 (NKJV)

Futile Confidence in Egypt

 

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

“Who take counsel, but not of Me,

And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,

That they may add sin to sin;

2      Who walk to go down to Egypt,

And have not asked My advice,

To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,

And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

 

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

 

John 4:24 (NKJV)

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

 

The Power Of One

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THE POWER OF ONE

 

I remember when I first decided to attend ministry school.  One man I worked with said to me:  “Glen, what can one man do and accomplish when the world is in darkness and subject to doom”.  I said Jesus Christ was only one man and how many lives has He saved?  I never got a response.  If God is not a respecter of persons then there is not one person that Jesus wants to perish.  Jesus wants all of us to have everlasting life, eternal life!

John 3:16 (NKJV)

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

Never underestimate the power of “The One” as there is only one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We all long for fellowship, companionship and intimacy and this being said we often feel alone in our burdens, trials and tribulations.  However, those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior are never alone.  Jesus is interceding for us!

We must fully understand that those “in Christ” are never alone in Spirit.  Satan loves to inflict feelings of loneliness and unworthiness in our minds and hearts.  Satan would like nothing more than to keep us bound in these strongholds but have you ever considered that perhaps you might be in a  wilderness season of transformation?  Is the Lord separating you from the influences of man, society, family or friends?  Those of us who have persevered and endured through Christ Jesus know first hand about wilderness experiences.  Some of the greatest personal encounters with The Lord come from wilderness experiences.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:34-37 KJV)

How incredible is this, Jesus intercedes for us and makes intercession for us to the Father!  Now this is good news.  So let’s think about the power of one for a moment.  If ministry happens through us and not because of us then the power isn’t ours it’s from the abiding presence of The Holy Spirit.

We may often feel like we are alone in this world but the Truth is that God is omnipresent and The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf.

I have often walked alone “witnessing” in public as no one from church would want to come along.  The fact is that the world is starving spiritually for the presence of Jesus and many people need an encounter with the Lord and a revelation of The Father’s Heart.

Jesus said to preach the Gospel and Signs & Wonders will follow.  I have been in groups where people would focus on power, signs & wonders and when I would state that this was unhealthy, deceptive and Jesus spoke against this in the Bible I would be attacked.  No surprise, the greatest Sign & Wonder was Jesus Christ in the flesh and look what His people did to Him!

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. (Matthew 16:4 KJV)

I am not against Signs & Wonders nor denying the sovereignty of The Lord.  I personally have seen and witnessed the supernatural while ministering but my heart and focus is always on the heart of The Father and what The Lord wants to do for the person receiving ministry.  Before I even attempt to minister I give thanks to The Lord for what He is doing for/in that person and thank Him for trusting me to minister on His behalf.  This is communion with The Lord, it is about Him NOT me!  The supernatural happens because of Jesus not because of me and my focus is on what The Lord is doing and not the miracle.  We are to preach the true gospel and signs and wonders will follow.

When the flesh focuses on the miracle we normally minister by symptoms verses the root of the problem.  If we only focus on the symptom is the person being redeemed and totally restored being made whole?  Symptoms should lead to a diagnosis.  Does and alcoholic drink because he is an alcohol or is there a spiritual root that the alcohol is masking, suppressing, hiding, etc.  Treat the root and the symptoms leave!  If you only treat the symptoms  a person is not necessarily made whole.  Jesus didn’t say take two aspirins and come back in two weeks because he treated the root not merely the symptoms.  We should be seeking the Lord while listening to someones feelings, hurts or illnesses.  Revelations of truth break lies and strongholds. I could give countless testimonies of people asking for prayer because of their symptoms and when the Lord would reveal the root cause to me I would minister the revelations The Lord revealed to me and they would be set free and healed.  All honor and glory are The Lord’s not mine.

If satan is the master of deception and we are warned about false apostles, prophets and signs and wonders how can we discern what is of God?  Satan can never duplicate the Heart of Jesus.  In fact satan hates humility, repentance, mercy and grace.  If you want to grow in discernment you must focus on the heart and persona of Jesus Christ.  The crucifixion and resurrection of the Cross of Jesus must be embraced daily from a heart of thanksgiving, praise and worship.  We must never forget our personal testimony or what The Lord delivered us from and continues to deliver us from. (Gal 2:20)

Jesus stood in front of Satan tempted after coming out of the wilderness.  Satan used scripture and every means he knew to tempt Jesus yet Jesus remained humble.  Satan even wanted a demonstration of power from Jesus but Jesus did not have to prove anything.  This also happened when Jesus was on the cross when they said to Jesus if you are the King of the Jews surely you can remove yourself from that cross!  Pride is feed by power but humility stands in the face of pride and accusation because humility has nothing to prove.

Your greatest strength is quite often the very first thing attacked by Satan and your weakest trait is usually the one that The Lord  edifies to become your strongest.  Ponder this, if Satan can make you question your greatest strength/attribute everything else will crumble under it.  Satan attacks leadership and personal strengths because if he can deceive leadership or our strengths everything beneath easily crumbles.  If he can get leadership off track it is likely that those under leadership will be off track.  If your heart is hurting then you are capable of love but the enemy tells you that you will never be loved.  If you didn’t love or were not capable of love you wouldn’t feel the pain in the first place!  See how deceptive Satan is!  All the lies he speaks to you questioning your love and ability to be loved.

Only the Truth will set you free and those who have truly been set free by Jesus will be a lovers of His Truth!  This is real love, to love the Truth of His Word, Persona and Attributes of Jesus.  The Love of Christ Jesus is redeeming, restoring and embraceable, it doesn’t leave you in bondage, hurt and deception.  To be an overcomer we must stand on His Truth as well as our testimony and the “blood of the Lamb”.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11 KJV)

I have witnessed to many people and even performed  deliverances as led by the Spirit.  Some of these people tell me they have gone to many churches, received countless prayers and I tell them it’s not about the building it’s about The Lord.  The Lord is omnipresent and He is not confined to a building.   There is a stronghold and mindset which needs to be broken and that is that no man or church sets anyone free.  It is The Lord Jesus and only Jesus.  I am often asked about what church I attend and I tell people it is Jesus that sets them free and to Glorify Jesus.  Church is not my savior, Jesus Christ is my savior.  I love the church but not above Jesus Christ.  I don’t worship the temple above The Lord Of The Temple.  Jesus is to be the cornerstone of the Church and Lord of His Church.  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord.

If you read the Psalms of David you will notice that his focus was on The Lord not man.  David gave all his thanks, praise, worship and repentance to The Lord.  He was never alone on the battle field because he knew his strength was in The Lord.

In Ephesians Chapter Six we read in verses 10 through 12 about the armor of God and warring against darkness, principalities and strongholds.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV)

We are in a battle and at war! We are not to be complacent!  The complacency of the church and Christians has caused us to be reactive vs. proactive.

I can’t over emphasize enough the importance of The Father’s heart and the persona and character of Jesus in building strong spiritual discernment.  Many will tell you that we are not to discern the motives or hearts of the people and this is false.  We are not to condemn people but we are called to judge/discern.  Jesus is after our hearts and The Lord knows the motives and intentions of our hearts.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

As born again Christians we have the Living God The Holy Spirit and we are able to discern the hearts and motives of people by submitting everything to The Lord and our Spirit.  Quiet often statements that are true will be spoken to us but the motive and intentions are NOT truth!  They are deceptive, manipulative and meant to lead us astray.  

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:for they are foolishness unto him:neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV)

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.(1 Corinthians 2:15 KJV)

We are living in the end days and the second coming of the Lord is drawing near.  We must draw near and call upon the Lord with purity of heart, motive and sincerity.  We must submit fully to The Lord so He that began a good work can complete it.

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6 KJV)

 

Father I thank you that you will complete the good work within me, strengthening me, edifying me, sanctifying me into the likeness and image of your son Jesus Christ.  Father I thank you that your Word never returns null and void but is shaper than a double edge sword separating soul from spirit.  Father I submit my will and spirit to you, create in me a clean heart through the renewing of my mind in Jesus name I pray.

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

 

Let us not forget about the Noah’s, Abraham’s, Moses and David’s or Mary who saw Jesus in the tomb!

 

LOVE BEARS ALL

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LOVE BEARS ALL

 

Many of us have often wondered why is love so painful at times?  Why am I not worthy of love, why am I not accepted?  Are you feeling heartfelt pain, dealing with rejection, feeling unworthy or dealing with brokenness?  Are you feeling abandoned or all alone? Have others made you feel this way? 

 

This may sound shocking to you but the very fact that you are able to feel hurt is because you desire love, seek love and are able to love.  Talk about a paradox and a roller coaster of emotions that flood our hearts and minds.  A hardened heart is unable to put the thoughts, hearts and intentions of others first and is often self-centered operating in a mode or method of “self protection” which inflicts and causes pain to others.  The simple fact that you desire love from your family, siblings, friends and others is because of your ability to love and desire to feel loved.  Oh how the human heart desires love, intimacy and spiritual awakening and nourishment.  The bible tells us to guard our hearts above all.  So how do you love those that hurt you and guard your heart at the same time? Isn’t this what all of us believe we were actually doing; yet the pain continues and our hearts are filled with unhealthy thoughts and emotions.  Don’t confuse what is true with the TRUTH.  It is true that you feel hurt but the TRUTH is you need not feel that way.  To guard your heart you must abide in Christ Jesus and He must abide in you.  Jesus must become your primary source for love, truth and intimacy.  You must learn to walk in the Spirit of The Lord.  

 

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

The heart is the very “treasure chest” that feelings, emotions, pain, suffering and passion flows from.  The very hurts, wounds, scars and emotions that this world and daily life create can corrupt, distort, pervert and attempt to block the purity, sovereignty, glory, intimacy and healing power of real love only found through Christ Jesus and the Father.  The simple truth is that man is inherently evil and that the world (earth) is of spiritual darkness.  To overcome we must focus and stand on the Living Word and Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  The love of Christ never fails for He never changes.  We are truly blessed that in a world that constantly changes that the Lord never changes and His word will not return null and void.  He is the “Rock” and “Cornerstone” and when we abide in Christ Jesus we will be able to stand in His Truth, His Righteousness, His Holiness and walk in the fruits of the Spirit.

 

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

 

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

Mark 7:21 (NKJV)

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

 

 

 

 

Oh how a child so wants to feel love from their parents, siblings and friends yet we can only obtain pure uncorrupted and Godly love from Christ Jesus and the Father.  We often feel persecuted by the very people we seek love from.  We so want to be accepted, embraced and loved from those we hold dear to our heart but the very people we are seeking love from may very well be suffering from their own burdens and feelings of inadequacies of perfect love.  We can only obtain perfect love from He who is perfected, He who redeems us and reconciles us and through His grace sanctifies us in His grace, mercy and love.  

 

Oh how humanity longs for perfect love yet seeks it in a dying and corrupt world never to feel fulfilled, complete or embraced in the measure or divine love that only Christ Jesus can give us.

 

I often reflect on the proclamations Jesus made in Isaiah 61 that He was here to set the captives free and exchange mourning for gladness, mending the brokenhearted and open the hearts of the imprisoned.

 

Isaiah 61 (NKJV)

The Good News of Salvation

 

61      “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

Because the LORD has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2      To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

3      To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

 

4      And they shall rebuild the old ruins,

They shall raise up the former desolations,

And they shall repair the ruined cities,

The desolations of many generations.

5      Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,

And the sons of the foreigner

Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6      But you shall be named the priests of the LORD,

They shall call you the servants of our God.

You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,

And in their glory you shall boast.

7      Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.

Therefore in their land they shall possess double;

Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

 

8      “For I, the LORD, love justice;

I hate robbery for burnt offering;

I will direct their work in truth,

And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

9      Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,

And their offspring among the people.

All who see them shall acknowledge them,

That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”

 

10      I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11      For as the earth brings forth its bud,

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever stopped to realize that humanity crucified Jesus Christ Who IS perfect love?  We didn’t recognize, embrace or appreciate the perfect love of Christ Jesus even when He stood before us as God in the flesh.  Jesus bore the sins of the world and the wrath of the Father for our behalf.  Jesus endured persecution, rejection, chastising, beatings and abuse unto death on our behalf.  (Isaiah 53)

 

 

Romans 3:24–26 (NKJV)

 

24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

Oh how the hearts and souls of mankind yearn for perfect love yet we seek it from the wrong places, from a dying and dark fallen world of hurting and troubled people.  We seek earthly pleasures to compensate for genuine undefiled love yet we are left feeling incomplete, inadequate often still feeling unloved. The simple truth is that only Christ Jesus can fulfill the love, intimacy, soul and spirit that our hearts long for.  Earthly possessions will never fulfill the essence of our original created state of being, the very image of God and Spirit.

 

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

I have traveled across this nation witnessing the pains, hurts and troubled hearts of humanity that is longing for a love that will edify, sustain and complete the essence of our original created being, the image and likeness of God who is perfect love. I have ministered to the hearts of hurting people longing for uncorrupted and undefiled love, a love that is true, genuine, sustaining and beyond earthly perception.  There is only “One” that is perfect love and that is Christ Jesus.

 

While counseling is often helpful it may still leave us with feelings of emptiness, still feeling a void and yearning for acceptance, genuine undefiled and pure love that is only found in Christ Jesus. Humanity embraces programs and methodology over biblical principles, truths and Jesus Christ.  We unknowingly and unintentionally, often out of desperations seek the wisdom and counsel of men/women when we truly need the Godly undefiled counsel, truth and life through Christ Jesus.  The worldly methods often leave us constantly coping rather than overcoming.  Jesus overcame the world and through Christ Jesus we too can overcome the world.

 

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

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

 

 

 

The soul (self-will/flesh) of humanity will always battle with the Spirit until the soul (self-will/flesh) becomes surrendered or overcome by the Spirit of The Lord.  We must not let emotions or feelings rule our thought or actions.  We must focus on the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  We must be “born again” living in the Spirit of the Lord giving our hearts to the Living God Jesus Christ, truly make Him Lord of our lives leading us into conviction, repentance, redeeming and restoring us through His grace and mercy.

 

Romans 8:7 (NKJV)

 

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

 

I’d like you to take a moment to reflect on John 2:19 and Mark 14:58 to seek revelation and insight from the Lord.

 

John 2:19 (NKJV)

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

 

Mark 14:58 (NKJV)

58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ”

 

Here we have Jesus Christ, God in the flesh crucified and resurrected.  Even God in the flesh had to be crucified as man and resurrected, why are we any different that Jesus?  Have you ever considered that we too must fully die to the flesh and that the very trials, tribulations, hardships and emotional scars must die fully to be resurrected fully, being transformed into a new creation through Christ?  Have you ever considered that the measure of pain and suffering that Jesus suffered is a direct correlation to the very depth of His love for us?  Now let us reflect on our own hurting hearts bearing the inflicted pains from others and realize that the very fact that we feel pain is a direct correlation to our ability to love and desire love.  Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit which many do not teach upon, but it is the very spiritual strength/substance of Love that embraces and desires undefiled genuine love, seeks/stands in righteousness through a hurting and spiritually dying world. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a brother or sister, love bears all and forgives a multitude of sins.  This can only be accomplished through abiding in Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

John 15:13 (NKJV)

 

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

 

John 15:5 (NKJV)

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

 

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

 

May the Lord bless you with revelations of His love, grace and mercy and may you embrace your imperfections so that you may surrender them in humility to Christ Jesus.  Share the depths of your heart; surrender the hurts, pains, and brokenness with a full barren and open heart so that The Lord may bring healing, fullness and restoration.  

 

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)

 

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

 

6      For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Imagine how people desire to be loved perfectly yet these very people torture, crucify and persecute perfect love.  We seek love through imperfect people who are also processing their own shortcomings, hurts and the pressures of earthly influences.  The only way to overcome is with a life surrendered and abiding in Christ Jesus.  A life of abiding in Christ transforms you into His very essence and persona. God is love, God loved us first and God desires us to love Him.  Give yourself the greatest gift of all to yourself, the gift of eternal and everlasting life only obtained through abiding in Christ Jesus, make Jesus the Lord of your life by abiding in the Lord so Jesus can abide in you.  

 

1 John 4:7–10 (NKJV)

 

 

Knowing God Through Love

 

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

WORTHINESS vs. ENTITLEMENT

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WORTHINESS vs. ENTITLEMENT

 

In a lawless society many confuse, twist and pervert “free-will” with personal liberty.  Liberties come with a cost that most are not willing to pay and one’s actions have consequences to self and others.  Ask a veteran the cost of liberty/freedom as they freely and willingly serve(d) to protect the very liberties you proclaim and desire.  Everything comes with a cost, the problem remains when others pay the cost for your “free-will”. 

 

We are all worthy to receive Christ Jesus. We must embrace that worthiness in Christ Jesus, however the truth is many will not embrace Christ Jesus.  Society has twisted, manipulated and perverted “worthiness” into “entitlement”. I am all for helping people truly in need, down and out and in need of assistance but we must also assist them in becoming self sufficient and empowered.  So many people are struggling with severe issues of rejection, abuse and trauma which inhibit their sense of worthiness to become self sufficient.  These people may very well need counseling and spiritual assistance along with provisional assistance until they can become self sufficient.  My focus is on those which are healthy and able to work and not those people that become unemployed, physically/medically challenged, etc.  

 

We must remember what is witnessed/manifested in the natural is first birthed in the Spirit.  A short time ago the Lord spoke to me and said to me just as society has perverted worthiness with entitlement so have many whom preach, teach and proclaim to follow Christ Jesus.  

 

Our passion, motivation and free will to advance the Kingdom of God and the salvation of Jesus Christ must be birthed, manifested and maintained abiding in the genuine reciprocated love of Christ.  The love of Christ is compelling, motivating, passionate and pure energy motivating us to share the love of Christ with others.  The Agape love of Christ is moving, alive and sustaining and His grace and mercy is sufficient.

 

While it is true that Jesus desires all of mankind to have salvation our worthiness is not entitlement.  True salvation comes at a cost and Christ Jesus paid the price.  Baptism reflects a death and resurrection.  Have you truly died to self to be fully resurrected in Christ?  Attempting to obtain salvation without making Jesus Lord renders no real conversion or sanctification.  

 

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.

 

We must remember salvation is a confession of the heart and not to be reduced to words without commitment, action and perseverance.  

 

 

Salvation through Christ Jesus if a “free gift” and not by the works of the flesh because Jesus paid the price, yet each of us must work out our own salvation.

 

Philippians 2:12–16 (AMP)

12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.

 

It’s the Christmas season and people buy and exchange gifts with family, friends and loved ones.  Why overlook the real meaning of Christmas and the birth of the Messiah by distorting/eliminating the Cross on Calvary to merely focus on the gift of salvation and redemption overlooking the price Jesus paid for our redemption?   Every gift comes with a price that others have paid; don’t let the death of Christ be in vain.

 

John 3:16–17 (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.

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

 

 

This Christmas even if people do not give you a gift or send you a greeting card let us remember the greater gift is the love you hold for them within your very own heart.  Just as Jesus, we can love them first.  

 

1 John 4:10 (AMP)

10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

 

1 John 4:19 (AMP)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us.


Knowing Him and Trusting in His Love and Goodness

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Yesterday my niece and her husband lost their 10 month old baby girl.  In our grieving the Lord impressed upon me the words He spoke to me several years ago; “Your kingdom walk is in your knows and what you speculate about I will bring to your knowing when you need to know it.”  We cannot understand why we suffer such tragic loss in our life, but we know our Lord and that He is with us and we must rest in what we know in Him.  My wife Sherry felt impressed to write the following concerning the loss of little sweet Cate. I am posting these words because I believe they may be a salve to open wounds and a heavenly perspective for those suffering their own loss. This is the Facebook post she made:

“I by no means have been appointed official spokesperson by my wonderful family.  No one even knew I would post, nor did I know I would be posting anything on Facebook today.  The Lord has been dealing with my heart as Scott and I have been praying for sweet Brittany, Lane, Olivia and Ava, Kenny, Rhonda, Hayley (the most amazing Aunt in the world) and the entire Thompson, Baker and Roberts families.  I would first like to say that we love and appreciate everyone so much for your prayers and words of encouragement.  Where would we be without the Lord, and where would we be without all of you rallying around us so lovingly and prayerfully at the sorrowful passing of our beloved Baby Cate.  Cate was truly a precious gift from the Lord, as are all of our children.  As James says in scripture, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”  Baby Cate is a perfect gift that we have been so blessed to love and cherish and will continue to love and cherish as we remember her sweetness and beautiful face full of smiles.  Can anyone explain why things like this happen?  I sure cannot, and I will not try.  What the Lord has been dealing with me about is to trust who He is and know that there is no variation or shadow of turning with Him.  He is good all the time, His mercies are new every morning, His love and faithfulness is great and everlasting,  and there is nowhere we can go nor any pain we can go through that He does not cherish us and hold us in the palm of His hand.  We do mourn, as right now, Brittany and Lane would love nothing more than to have their little family together again, but we do not mourn as those who have no hope.  Our hope is in you Lord and the promise that we will see you, Cate and all of our loved ones in you again.  As you tell us in Isaiah, it is you, Lord, who gives us a crown of beauty instead of ashes and the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  We will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  If you do not know this wonderful loving Jesus we serve, you can.  Please seek Him today with your whole heart, and He will meet you right where you are.  We love you all.”

God Bless you, and thank you Lord for allowing us to have each other and the precious gift of our time with baby Cate. We are grateful she is with you and we will be with her again because of you Lord.

 

PERU MISSIONARY TRIP

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PERU MISSIONARY TRIP

The Peru Missionary has been extremely blessed by the presence of The Lord.  We have received many testimonies of tumors disappearing, scoliosis spinal problems healed, heart problems, kidney problems, hearing restored, etc.

I have visited many local churches and home groups throughout Lima and Arequipa.  We have been blessed to spend time here at an orphanage in Arequipa Peru.  

The schedule has been busy and the hearts of the people here in Peru are hungry for the Word and Presence of the Lord Jesus.  The hospitality has been so genuine and sincere.  The people in Peru always say hello and great you with a hug or handshake.

Below is a picture of the girls from the orphanage here in Arequipa.  We took them out for the day touring and also to lunch and out for ice-cream.  I have been blessed to love on these wonderful young girls and young adults.  They have truly touched my heart.  

IMG 4520

I will be writing more in the days ahead as my schedule permits.  

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Glen 

Living In Faith

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LIVING IN FAITH

“As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord.” — Colossians 2:6

 

The life of faith is represented as receiving—an act which implies the very opposite of anything like merit. It is simply the acceptance of a gift. As the earth drinks in the rain, as the sea receives the streams, as night accepts light from the stars, so we, giving nothing, partake freely of the grace of God. The saints are not, by nature, wells, or streams, they are but cisterns into which the living water flows; they are empty vessels into which God pours his salvation. The idea of receiving implies a sense of realization, making the matter a reality. One cannot very well receive a shadow; we receive that which is substantial: so is it in the life of faith, Christ becomes real to us. While we are without faith, Jesus is a mere name to us—a person who lived a long while ago, so long ago that his life is only a history to us now! By an act of faith Jesus becomes a real person in the consciousness of our heart. But receiving also means grasping or getting possession of. The thing which I receive becomes my own: I appropriate to myself that which is given. When I receive Jesus, he becomes my Saviour, so mine that neither life nor death shall be able to rob me of him. All this is to receive Christ—to take him as God’s free gift; to realize him in my heart, and to appropriate him as mine. 

 

Salvation may be described as the blind receiving sight, the deaf receiving hearing, the dead receiving life; but we have not only received these blessings, we have received Christ Jesus himself. It is true that he gave us life from the dead. He gave us pardon of sin; he gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself. The Son of God has been poured into us, and we have received him, and appropriated him. What a heartful Jesus must be, for heaven itself cannot contain him! 

 

 Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.