The Burning City - Cheryl McGrath

Let those of you who have been called as forerunners listen and sharpen your senses once again for the movement of the Spirit in your midst. To those who have grown comfortable I say arise and do not be lulled again into sleep for the Spirit is always moving, always stirring, always revealing. Beware comfort, beware the murmuring of your own flesh and the desire to be accepted by the world. Do you not understand yet that the world and all that is in it is condemned to destruction?

Many of you were called as forerunners many years ago and even that which was new has become now a place of ease and comfort for you. I am sending out a new sound to you. I want you to hear the trumpet call but many ears have grown dull with the waiting. Hear now what the Spirit says to you. Arise and look to the state of your dwelling place. Wash your faces and gird your loins again. For there is a new place for you, a place of knitting, a place of joining, a place of "us" and not "I". It will not look like that which you have observed and rejected, it will not feel like it either. But you have been given the Spirit for this very purpose so that which is Mine will be known and recognised by that anointing that rises up in you, and in those of the same Spirit. Have you not been learning to trust My Spirit in this way? You must do so if you are to stand in the days ahead. Have you not been learning from My Spirit how to wield My Word as His Sword? You must learn the ways of the Spirit and My Word together if you are to be a warrior for My Kingdom.

I am raising you up now as a company of overcomers. Where you have run so often alone, tracing out paths for others to follow, I will now merge you together as a company upon the face of the earth. You will be knit to others by My Spirit and so I will have a true representative Body upon the earth. The freedom you have gained in the Spirit will not be restricted or hindered, but rather will be completed as the Spirit joins and knits and weaves as a Master Craftsman. Your part will be to follow closely and learn His ways in this new terrain.

I told you I would not leave you orphans on the earth. I told you nothing in Heaven or earth would ever separate us, not persecution, nor trials, not death, nor all the forces of hell. I told you I would build My church. I told you the gates of hell will not prevail against you, My church. The living stones must now be brought together for my dwelling place in the Spirit. This is the word you will hear in the days ahead, this is the clear trumpet sound going forth from Heaven. Let the living stones now begin to find their places, each fire merging with others, each bringing their own light and illumination to the whole, a city set on a hill and a place of refuge for the hungry and thirsty. Let my company of overcoming forerunners arise and lead the way, no longer isolated and separated, but a company riding.

The Burning City

Continuity Tester

Continuity Tester...

We are blessed in that our Heavenly Father uses the little things in our daily lives to teach us His ways. Yesterday in a visit to the local Home Depot, I was fortunate enough to be helped by a gentleman who was a retired Master Electrician. He was a veritable storehouse of information and more than answered all of my questions. One of the things he pulled out of his pocket with which to test the electrical switch I was seeking to replace was a little tool called a 'continuity tester.' An explanation of how it works is as follows: 'The continuity tester sends electricity from an internal battery through one cord prong and down the wires. If the light gets electrical current from the other prong it lights up, meaning that the path is good. Otherwise, something is stopping it.' After getting home, I was so struck with this little tool. For one thing, it saved us the wasted time and effort of trying to figure out the problem. We could immediately determine that the problem was the exhaust fan and not the switch. I couldn't help but think, wouldn't it be something if we had such a tool for testing our 'spiritual continuity'...to determine whether or not what was flowing through a person was from God, their flesh or a false spirit?

Well, know that we do have such a tool in our arsenal... the Holy Spirit... HE is our continuity tester. How did Jesus do all the miracles he performed? How did he always know the right words to speak, or when to be silent? "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works" John 14:10. "I and my Father are one" John 10:30. He did not live according to his intellect or natural talents. He functioned solely by the spirit of God... and He has charged us to do no less than follow his example.

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Restored

This post bears repeating....

Restored

The message is for the BORN AGAIN people of God. Are most of you falling short of the life that God your Father has prepared for you?

We need to have our thinking restored into the way our Lord has desired for us to think; placing what we believe in the truth the Holy Spirit leads us into. Many have experienced internal life, without going on to experience the abundant life. Jesus said in John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, (and) that they might have it more abundantly." This Word translated into the word 'abundantly' comes from a Greek word 4012 which means - in the sense of beyond, super abundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality).

He also said in Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." In other words (strait) means there are many obstacles around the door seeking to keep you out by attracting you elsewhere. Many of these are people who are sitting in the pews or preaching behind pulpits. They have not entered themselves and they will seek to keep you that want to enter... out.

They have no knowledge that there is anything more. Many, like me, who experienced the call of the Lord to go further, received opposition from these types of people. As for me, I experienced something very much like the Philadelphia church. I was with others when I saw a door open in heaven and received a call, to come up to it and enter. I told the others about it and asked them to pray with me that I might be able to enter in, because at that time I didn't know what it was about. I just had a strong desire to get through that door. I had no idea what the cost of walking down that road would be. No wonder many wanted to go back to Egypt in the days of Moses.

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Luke Warm & Loving It.... Francis Chan

GOD and Dog - Music video by Wendy Francisco

I hope that this little musical number, God & Dog, blesses you as much as it did us.
We need to be reminded sometimes that God is in the little, everday things as much as the momentous ones.

Click here to view video

Inevitable Conflict

Inevitable Conflict…

This world is full of conflict; chaos and confusion are now the new ‘norm.’ It just occurred to me why I still hear so many believers spouting off about all the ills of society and the Church. It is because we see in-part and know in-part, mistakenly assuming that we are in possession of understanding the whole purpose of God, when in reality we still have only bits and pieces. It is one thing to have ‘come-out’ of the organized religions of men. Conformity and peer-pressure being what they are today, that in itself is no small accomplishment. But just because we ‘come-out’… let us not assume that we have now made it. We are on the path, but we still have a long way to go. We have not ‘arrived’ yet. It usually takes as many years to get the ‘church’ out of us, as we spent being indoctrinated in it. By that I mean, that even though we may physically separate ourselves from organized religion we cannot help but take an incredible amount of baggage with us in our exodus. This becomes evident as time goes by, revealed by our speech, our attitudes, and our conduct. Judging others is one prime example. Just because the Spirit moved you to come out, does not mean that He has placed the same desire and longing in everyone else. We are all in varying stages of spiritual development, and we err when we mistakenly project our ‘vision’ on others in a critical, judgmental way, condemning them for not seeing what we see, or believing the way we believe. How many of us are actually walking in what we see and believe we know? We are trying to… which either results in our developing self-righteousness, where we succeed in convincing ourselves that we are doing all that God requires; or brings us to the full realization that we are incapable of keeping the commandments in our own strength.

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Liturgy, BC & AD - B.K. Chadwell

Liturgy, BC & AD - B.K. Chadwell

This article is right on the mark.
We are so totally engulfed by 'man's ways' and 'man's wisdom'... held captive to our traditions, our cultures, our religious mindsets, that we are blind to the reality that we are totally failing to obtain the 'new life in Christ' that we so loudly declare we have found. We may 'talk the talk,' but fall short when it comes to 'walking the walk.' And all the while the world is watching. When we compare ourselves with others who are likewise falling short, we may seem to stand tall. But they are not our measuring rod, the Lord Jesus Christ is our example. He alone is the one we should be striving to measure up to, the only one whose approval we should be seeking. For the last few months, I have not been led to write or post much. I have often thought that we always are seeking for more knowledge, more teachings, based on the false belief that we can be changed by accumulating the right information. We are changed... from within, by the power of the Holy Spirit actively working in our hearts, renewing our minds. Our flesh will never accept that it cannot participate in the renewal of our being, that all of its contributions to our spiritual growth are nothing more than hindrances to the working of the Spirit. And so the battle within rages on. The Lord has been quiet for months it seems... except for two verses that keep rolling through my being:

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

These two commandments pretty much hold the answers to all of our questionings. If we can follow these two directives, we will find that peace that all the world is clamoring for. We will not need to talk all the time anymore. Instead, we will desire to listen and hear what the Spirit is quickening within our hearts. The Spirit does not require our understanding... only our obedience. Right now is a good time to examine where we are, what we are doing, and whose power we are moving in.....

Whose Servant Are You?

SERVANTHOOD

When they look at the Church today… what does the ‘world’ see? Now that is a scary thought. Like many of you, I grew up in a Church, convinced that we had the truth and were in the way.

Having been deeply involved… both on the inside and then on the outside… I am genuinely appalled at what is being passed off as ‘Christianity’ today. People, who call themselves ‘believers,’ yet have no firsthand understanding of the Gospel of Christ, which in essence is inseparable from the Gospel of the Kingdom. Being steeped in the doctrines and traditions of men is not the same thing, as being Known by God, and walking in the Holy Spirit.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

“Will any man of you who has a servant plowing or tending sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, Come at once and take your place at the table? Will he not instead tell him, Get my supper ready and gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; then afterward you yourself shall eat and drink? Is he grateful and does he praise the servant because he did what he was ordered to do? Even so on your part, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants [possessing no merit, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have [merely] done what was our duty to do” Luke 17:7-10.

Who today is willing to embrace the role of being a servant?

Modern man’s thinking has somehow managed to completely circumvent the entire process set forth by God. Paul gives us insight throughout his writings; one example being found in Galatians 4:1, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.” We are quick to embrace the fact that we are all ‘heirs,’ destined to ‘rule and reign,’ but are not nearly as enthusiastic about any form of suffering or self-denial. We don’t want to ‘grow up in Christ,’ as we have been charged to do. We prefer to assume that we are already mature and full of knowledge, capable of making sound decisions and passing righteous judgment… especially upon those who are of a different persuasion. No, servanthood is a concept that is completely foreign to the modern believer. I say this to our shame.

Truth be known, we behave more like spoiled children than joint heirs of Christ. We squabble and bicker over just about everything. We are puffed up with our own importance, while looking down on those not yet as enlightened as we are. When it comes to serving others, we are willing to do so only as long as we get the proper recognition for our efforts. No, we have a long way to go before we learn what it takes to be a servant of the Most High God. Yet the Lord will not be denied, in spite of how things appear. He will have His remnant; His Bride; His Church. As we bemoan the conditions in the world today we might do well to bear in mind, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” Matthew 19:30. “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” Matthew 20:26-27. Talk is cheap, while actions speak volumes. Jesus said… “when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants [possessing no merit, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have [merely] done what was our duty to do.” We need to ask ourselves, ‘are we doing everything that we have been assigned and commanded to do?’ We must achieve that status, before we can even begin to contemplate going beyond our obligation. This is worthy of serious consideration people. What are we doing, or not doing, and why? What motivates us? Are we servants of self… or servants of God? Time is slipping by, we need to examine our own hearts now, and seek the Spirit of God for help. Our world is full of good-deeds that are self-serving, not God-serving, and people cannot tell the difference between the two. Whose servant are you?

Amen & Amen


Cathy Morris
8/30/2009

Letter to a hungry heart -

Jan. 1, 1995
Dear _______,

It is difficult to understand what God is doing when He begins His work of returning us to the form of man that He had originally intended for His creation. Scripture describes how Christ "made himself nothing" and thereby was "made in human likeness." (Phil. 2:7-8) In other words, Christ, as the Second Adam, came to show mankind how we were created to be nothing more than an instrument of God's life and work. We were designed to live in His spiritual image through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord said, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself." (John 5:19) The sons of God were never intended to do anything through their own strength. Like Jesus, we perfect the power of God in our life through an utter weakness in self. (2 Cor. 12:9) When the self-sufficient nature of the carnal man comes to the end of itself, then God can begin to do His supernatural work through our lives – and not before. God, in a way that we cannot comprehend according to human wisdom, must bring an end to all of our self-sufficiency and self-will.

Your letter seems to indicate that you think there should be more love coming from your life and that this is something that you should be working on. This is a false assumption. While the command of God goes out through His written word to love others, He is not asking us to perform the work in our own strength. If He did, God would still be teaching an Old Testament type of religion.

This thought process, where we assume that we need to merely read the command and then obey it, was the same problem that Paul was having with the Galatians. There is a big difference between the outcomes of a works based religion and a Spirit-produced life.

While we must become Christ-like and manifest the written word as Jesus did when He walked in a mortal body as the Living Word, we do not have any more ability to do this than Jesus did when He walked as a man. Jesus had to depend upon the power of the Spirit to manifest the life of the Father through Him. We must enter into the same childlike dependence.
The problem is that the "spirit of the world" (1 Cor. 2:12) has had us in his school for so many years that it is hard for God to break our natural tendency toward self-sufficiency. This is why the breaking process often takes so long. We do not even recognize when we are trying to be like God by producing the Christian life through our own strength. In truth, we must become "nothing" to become like the Second Adam and manifest the life of God. The true life "in Christ," where we are enabled to participate with Him in His divine nature, is intended to naturally well up from within our inner being as a fruit of the Spirit. Christ has promised to produce this life through us once we have died to self-effort. (John 15:1-8)

Take for example your need to be able to love your family through a more dedicated effort. Before God can lift you up into His supernatural life, He must make you aware of how you do not have the ability to do this work through human effort. This concept will begin to make more sense when you realize how the agape love we must express is beyond human understanding. If it cannot be understand by human wisdom, then it cannot be taught to Christians. It must be supernaturally produced as a fruit of the Spirit. Listen carefully to how this agape love comes from God's power after He exalts us into His life.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ {in His divine nature} may dwell in your hearts by faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the {supernatural agape} love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us... (Eph. 3:16-20)

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known {by the fruit of the Spirit} in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. (John 17:26NIV)

While we have been provided with a work to do in the six days of man, it is not our job to produce the love, joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. We have been called to prepare the temple of our body so that God may take us into His Sabbath-rest where we cease from our own works and He fills us with His heavenly life.

This involves a consecration to Him without reserve. He has complete rights to use us where and when and how He so desires. We give up all of our rights to Him for now and all eternity. We are His creation to be instruments of His life and work. And He will gift us for whatever it is He plans to do through our life.

This also brings us back to the matter of who God is going to love through our body. While we are to be instruments who are available to love as God so chooses, He will bring the people across our path when He wants us to pour our life of love into their lives. The type of love I refer to is that of being a living sacrifice. God's agape is a selfless giving. It is not related to the kind we often find taught through human psychology.

Be imitators of God {by submission to the Spirit, which is how Jesus walked while on this earth}, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:1-2)

We have been called out from the self-sufficient ways of the world in order to manifest the first-fruits of Christ's eternal life. We are here to manifest the light of His life and draw others out of their carnal darkness. And since we do not know the hearts of others, God must work out the connections with each of the people that He is now attempting to reach. They will be recognized by a broken and contrite heart. They will also have a tendency to want to know about the ways of God. These people, who will be brought across our path by God, are the ones we are to pour our lives into until God directs us otherwise.

Remember, we have been asked to empty ourselves of everything that comes from the ways of the world. The Spirit is the one who has the responsibility for pointing these things out as we are led ever deeper into the ways of God. You are simply to rest in God's work and praise Him for doing this supernatural work in you – regardless of how painful the process may be. God knows what He is doing. "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (Jam. 1:4,12) You will have the opportunity to eat from the tree of Christ's divine life while you remain in this world. "To him who overcomes {the flesh-life}, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7)

In God's Sabbath-rest there is a perfect rest of soul. I have included some Scriptures [not a part of this copy for the website, but we would encourage you to read the Bible study on the website entitled The Purpose of Suffering located under the Bible Studies banner] describing how suffering and a death to the self-life is what leads into a union with Christ's resurrection life. When you read them, notice how the satisfied soul always comes after death. Of course, only God has the power to circumcise the flesh-life. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Pet. 5:6-7)

However, the old self-life must be offered up as a burnt offering on the altar of sacrifice. And remember, God can come down and consume your flesh in a moment. Then He can enter the temple of your body with His divine life and glory.

Your responsibility is to continue seeking this life with all of your heart until He does give you a complete rest of soul. There is no work on our part in God's Sabbath-rest because Christ manifests His life naturally through our body. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord...with all of their heart and soul... All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn to it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. (2 Chron. 15:12-15)

I would like you to write out a description of what you are going through in this night of darkness. I have enclosed [it is not a part of this copy for the website] a similar statement from another lady who is going through this same process right now. The similarity of these descriptions about this mysterious work of God is surprisingly close. And everyone who wants to enter into the reality of Christ's life can expect to take the same path. It will be helpful if these seekers can hear what others have had to go through in their own pilgrimage. And it will be easier for you to explain it while you are in the middle of the emptying out process.

_____, the Lord says that He always grants the prayers of a righteous man. This applies to people who are living in Christ's righteousness and are seeking to know the Lord's will. In this harmony with the Son, we can expect to have all of our prayers granted. There have not been many things the Lord has assured me will be granted, but one has been His plan to complete this supernatural work in you. It is only a matter of God's "due time." Let Him empty you of all self-sufficiency and He will soon fill the temple of your body with His life of glory. Be patient with Him because He does know what He is doing concerning this matter of your eternal life.

Note: The above letter was written by Steve Bray. You can find more of his writings by using the Authentic Christianity link on the sidebar. Even though this was written to a specific individual, what he shared here can be applied to every sincere believer. There is little information available to those who are being drawn to 'get out of the boat and walk on water'... because there have been very few followers who were willing to pay the price and follow the Lord to such an extreme. We can listen to those who would assure us that this is not necessary, that we are all going to rule and reign, etc. etc. or... we can be true to the things that the Spirit is telling us, and seek Him and Him alone, no matter what the cost. C. Morris

Description of our day and age...

Isa 2:6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
Isa 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:
Isa 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
Isa 2:9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
Isa 2:10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
Isa 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
Isa 2:13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,
Isa 2:14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,
Isa 2:15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,
Isa 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
Isa 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
Isa 2:18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
Isa 2:19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Isa 2:20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
Isa 2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Isa 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

Misguided Zeal...

Misguided Zeal


In Luke 10:1-16, we are given the account of the seventy that Jesus sent out. They were sent by Him, in HIS power and authority. Notice that among His instructions to them, He stipulated: “Carry no purse, no provisions bag, no [change of] sandals; refrain from [retarding your journey by] saluting and wishing anyone well along the way.”

Our modern day ‘ministries’ would have a hard time being sent by the Lord today. No purse (no money, you’ve got to be kidding)?! No hitting up the people to give, give, give? No 5-star accommodations? No entourage or designer wardrobes? How could they possibly be expected to accomplish anything for the Kingdom of God? It makes one wonder, just what does God require of us? Hmmm, seems there was something about living by the power of the Spirit…. Oh yeah, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” Romans 8:14. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” Philippians 3:3.

We miss the mark and fail to comprehend what it means to ‘do the work of the Lord,’ when we operate from our own understanding, doing what ‘seems right in our own eyes’ and following the ‘way of the world.’

We pass judgments on one-another, rather than ‘loving our neighbor as ourselves.’ We diligently study the scriptures, and the writings of theologians down through the centuries in search of answers to all the questions that arise in our hearts and minds… How do we know God? What is pleasing in His sight? What is going to happen, and when and where and how?

We are presented with a veritable smorgasbord of opinions and interpretations pertaining to all things spiritual. Modern man shops around for the ‘right’ Church, the one that will fill ‘his needs; make him comfortable.’ In the competitive rush to be ‘original’… the Christian Church has lost all originality. Following the leading of current leaders like Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and yes, even Joel Osteen, it is nearly impossible to tell one Church from another. They all are using the same ‘new and improved’ script; following the same slick seeker-friendly strategies, and pointing to their huge numbers as validation that this shift in the way that we ‘do Church’ is working. Entertainment is now called ‘worship.’

We have lost the understanding of what it means to “…worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” We are like dumb sheep who have left off following after our True Shepherd, and are being led astray by the hirelings who are looking out for their own interests, no matter how well versed they may appear to be in their doctrines, or how eloquently they may present their material. Even the world acknowledges that we have lost our way as a nation. Generation Me, a new book recently published says we're in a narcissism epidemic, consumed with our own lust and greed. The church world is in no way exempt from this condition. How shocked might we be to learn that the very things we admire and applaud as signs of God’s approval and blessing to His people, are in fact the very evidence of our defilement and rebellion against Him?

“For to be carnally minded is death…” speaks of a spiritual reality!

For a generation or more the church has been slowly turning our focus from seeking to please God, focusing instead on how to keep the people happy. How well are your very real spiritual needs being met, as compared with the continuous stream of ‘new building projects?’ What man cannot do in and by the power of the spirit, he can now imitate with our technological advancements. There are actually pastors who project holograms of themselves preaching to multiple locations at once. Man can now perform mighty works, without any assistance whatever from the Holy Spirit. Guess what this is people? It’s Apostasy!

The Church has compromised herself right into a lifeless imitation of what she was called to be. It has nothing to do with what society thinks about it, or committees or conferences conclude. It has everything to do with whether or not the Holy Spirit is in control of what is happening. In most instances today, the Holy Spirit is not even present. But does anyone seem to notice such a critical absence? No, they don’t miss a beat. They have the words, the music, the lights and cameras to go on without Him. How sad is that for those hungry souls who are looking for something more than they can find in themselves? For the reality of a touch from the only one who can fill the void within us, meeting every need abundantly.

Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” And Paul spells out the purpose of the Church in Ephesians 3:10-21, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” We ‘lost our way’ when we accepted the lie that our greatest calling was to cater to mankind’s material needs, in our own power and strength, according to our own judgments and understanding.

We may be sincere, devoted, committed, all of these things, and still be operating from our flesh. Our mistake is that we think we know what the needs are, and come up with strategies for how to meet them. And when we do so, we are guilty of being sincerely wrong. We become prisoners of our own volition, slaves to our own errors, and enemies of the cross of Christ. We try to force our way, rather than submitting to His way. This is a battle that we can never win. There can only be ONE LORD and ONE MASTER that sits enthroned in our hearts. For the majority of those who call themselves ‘christian’ in the world today, that ONE is self, not the LORD JESUS CHRIST. If this is offensive to you, at least you are hearing the distinction. Now ask yourself, why am I offended? Might it be because I love my works, more than I love the God in whose name I claim to be doing the works? Isn’t that what the Pharisee’s and Sadducees did to Christ when he was in their midst?

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. Whose image are we bearing? And don’t delude yourself for one moment that others perceive you as you perceive yourself. Truly is it stated….“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. We would do well to examine our motives. Better yet, to submit all of our thoughts to the keeping of the Holy Spirit, Who alone is able to lead us into all Truth, for He IS the Spirit of Truth. Judge all things according to the Scriptures. We can only do this as we are submitted to the Spirit of God. Man is very adept at quoting scripture to his own ends, just as the serpent misquoted what God said in the Garden when he tempted Eve.

Jesus states in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

We are given an example of misusing truth in the exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees in Matthew 22:15-21 “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”

They were not disrespectful. They did not attack Jesus, they were ‘slick and cunning’ in their cleverly worded question, attempting to ensnare Him with His own words. This is commonly practiced all the time. Clever manipulation of words ensnares more unwary souls than all the blatant heresies combined. We have all been taken in by cunningly devised arguments. We would do well to listen closely whenever we hear something being presented, orally or in print. Just what does this evoke in my inner man? On what level does it reach me? Is it purely emotional, playing upon my fleshly understanding, or does it penetrate to stir my spirit? Does it draw me to seek the face of the Lord, to examine my own heart in the light of His Glory? Who is being exalted? A person… or God? Are my sympathies being moved in support of an individual or situation? What advantage will I gain if I heed these words? Will I grow spiritually? Will I become more dependant upon the Holy Spirit, or will this promote ‘self’ in all of its myriad forms?

“I, I, I”,… “me, me, me”… are most comfortable when getting attention, being recognized, validated, acknowledged as important. They cannot survive long however, when placed on the cross of Christ. There is no place in the Kingdom of God for anything that is in competition with God. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men.

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's” 1 Corinthians 3:19-23.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” 1 John 2:15.

These are some pretty basic guidelines for us to consider along with examining our zeal. Are we genuinely zealous for the things that God desires, or are is our zeal being misguided? We all will stand before a Holy God, and give an accounting, let’s examine our hearts and our endeavors now, while there is still time to make changes if they are called for.

Amen & Amen

Cathy Morris
7/05/2009

SALT

SALT

This word is to you that have experienced a birth into the family of our Lord. Your life has been changed because of Jesus Christ, but the leaders of today have lost the vision of how the children of our Fathers kingdom grow up.

The purpose the Lord has is to stir up your thinking; to think… asking yourself where you are and what message are you hearing? What direction are you going? Are you on the milk of the Word? Is the milk healthy? Have you ever tasted meat that comes from the Lord? We need to ask ourselves if we know what salt is. Have we ever really tasted the flavor of the saltiness of the Word of God? Are we really carrying the cross that Jesus has asked us to carry following Him all the way or is it only a cross attached to a pretty chain around our neck?

The scripture the Lord has chosen for this letter comes from 2nd Kings 2:19-20, 21 and the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

A cruse is a container or vessel that is used for different things. Some are used to hold water, salt, seed or other things for the household. In this case it is a vessel that holds salt.

The city the Lord is referring to are a people who call themselves the bride of Christ or the Jerusalem of God, the brethren or perhaps they prefer to just plainly be a Christian church. At any rate I spent the first 42 years in these churches of different names and doctrines before the Lord called me out.

It is a divided city which is so full of different names and teachings that we almost lose count of how many there are.

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