A few excerpts from George Warnock’s Beauty For Ashes, The Family of God, that really spoke to my heart this morning…
How dare we dilute the Truth concerning the Body of Christ to the level of human emotion, and settle for this sentimental idea of everybody getting together, patting one another on the back, and learning to love them and get along!
Only by the Spirit of God are we going to see in some faint measure the burden of God's heart for His people, and the yearning that overwhelmed the heart of the apostle, as he contemplated the glory that God had in store for His family. And how clearly he revealed to us the step-by-step process that God would lead His family in, that they might explore and appropriate and be lost in this boundless realm of Divine LOVE! Oceans and fathomless depths of LOVE! Heights and depths of LOVE beyond all human ability to understand and comprehend! And the revelation of it all is couched in deep yearnings from the heart of God, and from the heart of the apostle, in a prayer that is born of the Spirit. For only God could enable a man to pray this way... that His Family on earth might be able to "apprehend" this glorious revelation and experience; for the word is much stronger than "comprehend." It means to RECEIVE and to RECEIVE FULLY the revelation of it until we are FILLED UNTO ALL THE FULLNESS OF God... until in and through God's precious Family in the earth we might see, and the world might see, the full expression, the completion, the full display of the LOVE OF GOD.
Keep The Vision High!
Keep the Vision high; and as you do, do not yield to the temptation that it just must mean less than God says, otherwise we could never attain to it. For we are not talking about human achievement. something you just try to do... we are talking about Divine enablement... And still more, we are talking about New Creation life and what God is able and willing to do with earthen vessels. We are talking about the might of the Potter, and the futility of the clay. You have a part, I know. But your part and mine is to be the CLAY in the hands of the POTTER. Your part and mine is to let Him mould, and form, and plan... as we simply yield, and let, and allow, and permit, and seek Him, and yearn after Him until He does it!
And God forbid that the pressing needs of mankind should deter us from the pathway we pursue, as we follow this Light; for may we recognize that this, and this alone, is God's provision for every human need. And furthermore, as we walk in this pathway, and as we embrace this Vision, let us be assured that the needs of men are being met along the way according to the degree in which we are being conformed to the image of Christ, and not according to the degree in which we are conformed to the programs and the outreaches of religious zeal and enthusiasm. For it is only in the pursuit of the calling that God sets before us that we will become those channels of His grace and blessing that He desires us to be.
We are coming into a new phase of life and ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ, wherein the Holy Spirit will be recognized by the people of God and by the ministry as the Lord of the Church in the midst of His people. Christ at God's right hand is the Lord of the Church; and the Holy Spirit living and abiding in His Church, is the LORD IN THE MIDST OF HIS PEOPLE. And He will yet exercise that Lordship in our midst.
Of course, this is the Holy of Holies realm, and we know that all of God's people will not walk in this realm. But some will--some must enter in. The Holy Place is the realm of gift and ministry, and is essential for the nourishing of the Body of Christ. And we certainly must go THROUGH this realm to enter into the HOLIEST of all. There is no back door to the HOLIEST OF ALL!
Beloved, there is coming forth a revelation of Christ in the midst of His people that we can only faintly visualize at this moment. The world will not see this "revelation of Christ." It is an unveiling of Christ in the midst of His brethren... brethren who have come to devastation, to perplexity, to bewilderment, to frustration... and because of all this, to genuine heart-felt repentance and brokenness of heart.
I am confident that this is what God is looking for in this hour... and I know it will not come until the people of God become disillusioned with the emptiness and the futility of religious entertainment... the snappy music... the giddy laughter and the empty joy of a religious show that has ruled Christ out of their midst, and they know it not. Laughter and joy has become the trademark in our churches, as it is in the theaters. If a minister knows how to make people laugh, he has it made. If he can't, he is considered to be dull and boring. Let me tell you, the commitment of PRAISE is going to produce weeping and brokenness of heart in the people of God. The people of God have become estranged from their Lord. But the captivity of Babylon, and the famine that is coming, is going to change all that:
"In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten" (Jer. 50:4, 5).
What about returning to Zion with singing and everlasting joy upon their heads? Yes, that's coming too. But first the people of God must "ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward." They must be committed to "join themselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."
Do we wonder why it seems so difficult to minister real repentance to the people of God? Many are crying, "Repent! Repent!" And this we must do. But beloved it is going to take a prophetic anointing such as Joseph had, and such as John the Baptist had, if the hearts of God's erring ones are going to be unveiled. And it is going to take the Lordship of God's Spirit in our midst, if the cleansing Stream of repentance is going to be released.
How shall we minister repentance, and brokenness of heart to others, if we have not experienced it in our own lives? How helpless we are, Lord, unless you continue to search us out, and gaze upon us with those penetrating, searching eyes of your Spirit! Look upon us, we pray, as You looked at Peter, as You looked at Moses, as You looked at John on Patmos, as You looked at Isaiah, as You looked at Saul of Tarsus... that we too might know the transforming work of the Spirit of God in our lives!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I'm Just A Suit Of Clothes That Jesus Wears
I’M JUST A SUIT OF CLOTHES THAT JESUS WEARS
When Jesus died for me on Calvary
He paid the penalty for all my sins
He suffered all pain
my simple heart to gain
my simple heart to gain
And now His Spirit witnesses within
I’m just a suit of clothes that Jesus wears
My body is the house in which He lives
My voice is His to talk
My feet are His to walk
I’m just a suit of clothes that Jesus wears
He rose again to bring abundant life
To justify before His Father’s face
I live no more
But He lives out His life
through me
through me
I’m just a vessel
fashioned by His grace
fashioned by His grace
As life goes on I fear not
come what may
come what may
He carries all my burdens and my cares
For me the battles done
For He’s the victory won
I’m just a suit of clothes that Jesus wears
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Seven Lamps Of Fire - George Warnock
Seven Lamps of Fire
by George Warnock
During the past year or so, we have been introduced to innumerable voices from both the past and present, proclaiming the necessity for us as believers to die to our flesh and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Having come to grips with this unpopular spiritual reality, there was still the great question of ‘how to accomplish this death?’ How does the man of God walk in the Spirit in this dark world?
Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” John 5:30. We are charged to live in exactly the same way. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1. Not going our own way or doing our own thing or speaking our own words. I have been greatly encouraged by the spiritual insights shared in this little book by Brother George Warnock. Here are some excerpts:
The Apostles Judged with Inner Light
It is not difficult for us to recognize that Jesus walked with this inner Light abiding in His heart and mind. But it is thought to be unscriptural to teach that God wants His people to walk in the same Light, that we might be as He is in this world (see 1 Jn. 4:17). How else will He be glorified, except it be the same glory that was on Jesus, resting on His people? "And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one". Let us be assured of this: our Lord Jesus wants to share His glory with His people -- for it is this, and nothing short of this, that will cause the world to know that "Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me" (Jn. 17:22, 23).
The early church walked and shone in the world about them with this inner Light. They were nothing in themselves. But Peter was able to say, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk". Stephen shone with that Light .. and they saw his face as the face of an angel. As the false leaders of religion stoned Stephen to death, the heavens were opened: and those Seven Lamps of Fire before the throne shone upon him, with the Light of the Lamb of God. Saul of Tarsus saw this martyr fall at the feet of those who slew him, and held their garments -- indicating that he was giving his consent.
Relentlessly this zealous Pharisee pressed forward in his cause, which was to wipe the church off the face of the earth. Then one day the same Light that shone from the face of Stephen, burst forth upon this enraged man and smote him to the ground. He saw the Light that was brighter than the noonday sun .. and so brilliant a Light that it blinded his eyes. But that Light penetrated deeply into his heart and soul .. and gave him a deep inner vision, and he was born anew by the same Light that had blinded him. Eventually the Light he carried made a mighty impact on nations who sat in darkness. We are not going to make an impact on nations by telling them about the Light that visited planet Earth and who is now up there in Heaven. We must see the Light for ourselves, and walk in that Light, if we are going to sweep away the darkness that overwhelms the world in which we live. [Seven Lamps of Fire – George Warnock, Chapter 7]
O, that we might be so ‘in the Spirit’… that our judgment have no measure of self involved, but be the righteous judgment of a Holy God. Religion is very good at separating the things pertaining to God from God, as if the gifts of God were able to somehow stand on their own merit. This is carnal. Another excerpt concerning the prophetic:
…People continue to cry out: "We need another Elijah! We need another John the Baptist!" But God has something even better in mind…
…for the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (see Rev. 9:10; 22:9). Is he not reminding us, who are often captivated by the charisma of some great prophet -- that the Testimony of Jesus in the earth is something better than having a great prophet?
It is a corporate Testimony, a people moving in such union with Christ that they speak as one voice, and shine as one Light, in this world of darkness. They do not come to this mutual Light by ecumenical dialogue, but by coming under the Lordship of Christ who walks among the lampstands, following the Lamb wherever He goes, and loving not their lives even unto the death.... [Seven Lamps of Fire – George Warnock, Chapter 5]
As I read this, I was reminded of what Paul said in 1 Co 14:5, "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." This sheds a whole new light on what Paul is saying here. Talk about edifying! Forget all these self-proclaimed or man-ordained so called prophets of today, tickling the ears of the people. No wonder Paul wished that ye all prophesied, he knew that true prophecy is nothing short of Christ Himself in the believer.
If these words strike a responsive chord in your spirit and you would like to read this book, it is available in PDF format here, or can also be found with all of his other writings at The Official Site of the Writings of George Warnock.
by George Warnock
During the past year or so, we have been introduced to innumerable voices from both the past and present, proclaiming the necessity for us as believers to die to our flesh and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Having come to grips with this unpopular spiritual reality, there was still the great question of ‘how to accomplish this death?’ How does the man of God walk in the Spirit in this dark world?
Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” John 5:30. We are charged to live in exactly the same way. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1. Not going our own way or doing our own thing or speaking our own words. I have been greatly encouraged by the spiritual insights shared in this little book by Brother George Warnock. Here are some excerpts:
The Apostles Judged with Inner Light
It is not difficult for us to recognize that Jesus walked with this inner Light abiding in His heart and mind. But it is thought to be unscriptural to teach that God wants His people to walk in the same Light, that we might be as He is in this world (see 1 Jn. 4:17). How else will He be glorified, except it be the same glory that was on Jesus, resting on His people? "And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one". Let us be assured of this: our Lord Jesus wants to share His glory with His people -- for it is this, and nothing short of this, that will cause the world to know that "Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me" (Jn. 17:22, 23).
The early church walked and shone in the world about them with this inner Light. They were nothing in themselves. But Peter was able to say, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk". Stephen shone with that Light .. and they saw his face as the face of an angel. As the false leaders of religion stoned Stephen to death, the heavens were opened: and those Seven Lamps of Fire before the throne shone upon him, with the Light of the Lamb of God. Saul of Tarsus saw this martyr fall at the feet of those who slew him, and held their garments -- indicating that he was giving his consent.
Relentlessly this zealous Pharisee pressed forward in his cause, which was to wipe the church off the face of the earth. Then one day the same Light that shone from the face of Stephen, burst forth upon this enraged man and smote him to the ground. He saw the Light that was brighter than the noonday sun .. and so brilliant a Light that it blinded his eyes. But that Light penetrated deeply into his heart and soul .. and gave him a deep inner vision, and he was born anew by the same Light that had blinded him. Eventually the Light he carried made a mighty impact on nations who sat in darkness. We are not going to make an impact on nations by telling them about the Light that visited planet Earth and who is now up there in Heaven. We must see the Light for ourselves, and walk in that Light, if we are going to sweep away the darkness that overwhelms the world in which we live. [Seven Lamps of Fire – George Warnock, Chapter 7]
O, that we might be so ‘in the Spirit’… that our judgment have no measure of self involved, but be the righteous judgment of a Holy God. Religion is very good at separating the things pertaining to God from God, as if the gifts of God were able to somehow stand on their own merit. This is carnal. Another excerpt concerning the prophetic:
…People continue to cry out: "We need another Elijah! We need another John the Baptist!" But God has something even better in mind…
…for the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (see Rev. 9:10; 22:9). Is he not reminding us, who are often captivated by the charisma of some great prophet -- that the Testimony of Jesus in the earth is something better than having a great prophet?
It is a corporate Testimony, a people moving in such union with Christ that they speak as one voice, and shine as one Light, in this world of darkness. They do not come to this mutual Light by ecumenical dialogue, but by coming under the Lordship of Christ who walks among the lampstands, following the Lamb wherever He goes, and loving not their lives even unto the death.... [Seven Lamps of Fire – George Warnock, Chapter 5]
As I read this, I was reminded of what Paul said in 1 Co 14:5, "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." This sheds a whole new light on what Paul is saying here. Talk about edifying! Forget all these self-proclaimed or man-ordained so called prophets of today, tickling the ears of the people. No wonder Paul wished that ye all prophesied, he knew that true prophecy is nothing short of Christ Himself in the believer.
If these words strike a responsive chord in your spirit and you would like to read this book, it is available in PDF format here, or can also be found with all of his other writings at The Official Site of the Writings of George Warnock.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Saint Must Walk Alone - A. W. Tozer
Very pertinent message for this hour....
...The truly spiritual man is indeed something of an oddity. He lives not for himself but to promote the interests of Another. He seeks to persuade people to give all to his Lord and asks no portion or share for himself. He delights not to be honored but to see his Saviour glorified in the eyes of men. His joy is to see his Lord promoted and himself neglected. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart....
...The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world. In their effort to achieve restful "adjustment" to unregenerate society they have lost their pilgrim character and become an essential part of the very moral order against which they are sent to protest. The world recognizes them and accepts them for what they are. And this is the saddest thing that can be said about them. They are not lonely, but neither are they saints....
...The truly spiritual man is indeed something of an oddity. He lives not for himself but to promote the interests of Another. He seeks to persuade people to give all to his Lord and asks no portion or share for himself. He delights not to be honored but to see his Saviour glorified in the eyes of men. His joy is to see his Lord promoted and himself neglected. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart....
...The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world. In their effort to achieve restful "adjustment" to unregenerate society they have lost their pilgrim character and become an essential part of the very moral order against which they are sent to protest. The world recognizes them and accepts them for what they are. And this is the saddest thing that can be said about them. They are not lonely, but neither are they saints....
Sunday, May 16, 2010
But The Fruit Of The Spirit Is...
But The Fruit Of The Spirit Is…
"But the fruit of the Spirit is..." The apostle is about to name many kinds of fruit, but it is all ONE FRUIT, and so he uses the singular verb ...
"The fruit of the Spirit IS:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness,
Faith[-fulness], Meekness, Temperance...
(Gal. 5:22-23).
All this is first and foremost for the delight and joy of the heart of the Husbandman; but as it delights His heart, so will He long to share the fruit He has found with others.
God has always desired the "firstfruits" for Himself. God was consistent in this in His relationship with Israel. The "firstborn" was to be His. The "firstfruits" were to be His. "My soul desired the firstripe fruit" (Mic. 7:1).
If we truly love God, then we will show our love to others; but God desires that we give Him the firstfruits. He must have His portion before all others. Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (John 14:23). We cannot say, "Lord, I love you so much... I must go forth in ministry... I love you so much .. I must preach, I must build churches, I must be a missionary... I will give you my money..." These and many more acts of service that we may come up with could proceed from the longing of our own heart for some kind of gratification, some kind of fulfillment. True love will say, "Lord, I love you so much I give you myself." And this could lead to many different areas of outreach. But it could also lead to a life that is very unobtrusive, insignificant, self-effacing, unrecognized in the affairs of men or of the Church. You may never become "known" and "recognized" as having any worth to God or to the world about you, but you will be known in heavenly places. Your work may be considered of little or no value in the eyes of men, and oftentimes in your own eyes, but it is something you must do because of your love-relationship with the Lord, and it is of great value in His sight. Your love for Him may bring you into areas of reproach and criticism that may be difficult for you to bear. But if it is because you "love HIM" and are "keeping His Word," then that fruit that you are bringing forth unto Him is not the fruit of an empty vine, but a special kind of "firstfruits" that brings great delight to His heart. In God's sight it is far more precious than the "fruit" you endeavor to produce as you do your own thing, go your own way, initiate your own plans, and bring forth some kind of a product that is acceptable and pleasing to men, but disapproved of God.
Only those who themselves have learned the ways of God will approve of the ways of those who walk in relationship with Him. We need to be delivered from the inherent desire that is in all of us to be "approved of men".
Then as we are planted "by the Well," and confined within the Wall of His Will, God in His own time and way will see to it that our branches "run over the wall." These are the branches that bring forth fruit unto others. Others will then eat of the fruit and rejoice in the strength and the life and the joy that it brings to their hearts. Perhaps they do not know... perhaps they shall never discover... that it is from the vine of Joseph they are eating, "whose feet were hurt with fetters... whose soul was laid in iron." But God knows that it was He who caused that wall to be built, and that He did it in order to shut the man Joseph in unto Himself. And God Himself was the first to partake of the pleasant fruit from the vine of Joseph. The fruit inside the wall was for God alone. God delighted Himself in the fruit of Joseph's love, his patience, his longsuffering, his faithfulness, his meekness, his gentleness, his goodness, his self-control. And because these virtues caused His heart to rejoice He said, "I must share this fruit with others... I must share this fruit with the people of Egypt... I must share this fruit with the children of Israel."
But how can mortal man bring forth fruit to delight the heart of God? Only if that fruit is from the Seed that came forth out of the heart of God Himself. Only if it is the reproduction of the nature and likeness of God Himself. For then it is not the work of Man but the "fruit of the Spirit." Mortal man is merely the garden plot, only the dust of the ground, out of which God is able to bring forth "Fruit after His kind."
Words borrowed from George Warnock
"But the fruit of the Spirit is..." The apostle is about to name many kinds of fruit, but it is all ONE FRUIT, and so he uses the singular verb ...
"The fruit of the Spirit IS:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness,
Faith[-fulness], Meekness, Temperance...
(Gal. 5:22-23).
All this is first and foremost for the delight and joy of the heart of the Husbandman; but as it delights His heart, so will He long to share the fruit He has found with others.
God has always desired the "firstfruits" for Himself. God was consistent in this in His relationship with Israel. The "firstborn" was to be His. The "firstfruits" were to be His. "My soul desired the firstripe fruit" (Mic. 7:1).
If we truly love God, then we will show our love to others; but God desires that we give Him the firstfruits. He must have His portion before all others. Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (John 14:23). We cannot say, "Lord, I love you so much... I must go forth in ministry... I love you so much .. I must preach, I must build churches, I must be a missionary... I will give you my money..." These and many more acts of service that we may come up with could proceed from the longing of our own heart for some kind of gratification, some kind of fulfillment. True love will say, "Lord, I love you so much I give you myself." And this could lead to many different areas of outreach. But it could also lead to a life that is very unobtrusive, insignificant, self-effacing, unrecognized in the affairs of men or of the Church. You may never become "known" and "recognized" as having any worth to God or to the world about you, but you will be known in heavenly places. Your work may be considered of little or no value in the eyes of men, and oftentimes in your own eyes, but it is something you must do because of your love-relationship with the Lord, and it is of great value in His sight. Your love for Him may bring you into areas of reproach and criticism that may be difficult for you to bear. But if it is because you "love HIM" and are "keeping His Word," then that fruit that you are bringing forth unto Him is not the fruit of an empty vine, but a special kind of "firstfruits" that brings great delight to His heart. In God's sight it is far more precious than the "fruit" you endeavor to produce as you do your own thing, go your own way, initiate your own plans, and bring forth some kind of a product that is acceptable and pleasing to men, but disapproved of God.
Only those who themselves have learned the ways of God will approve of the ways of those who walk in relationship with Him. We need to be delivered from the inherent desire that is in all of us to be "approved of men".
Then as we are planted "by the Well," and confined within the Wall of His Will, God in His own time and way will see to it that our branches "run over the wall." These are the branches that bring forth fruit unto others. Others will then eat of the fruit and rejoice in the strength and the life and the joy that it brings to their hearts. Perhaps they do not know... perhaps they shall never discover... that it is from the vine of Joseph they are eating, "whose feet were hurt with fetters... whose soul was laid in iron." But God knows that it was He who caused that wall to be built, and that He did it in order to shut the man Joseph in unto Himself. And God Himself was the first to partake of the pleasant fruit from the vine of Joseph. The fruit inside the wall was for God alone. God delighted Himself in the fruit of Joseph's love, his patience, his longsuffering, his faithfulness, his meekness, his gentleness, his goodness, his self-control. And because these virtues caused His heart to rejoice He said, "I must share this fruit with others... I must share this fruit with the people of Egypt... I must share this fruit with the children of Israel."
But how can mortal man bring forth fruit to delight the heart of God? Only if that fruit is from the Seed that came forth out of the heart of God Himself. Only if it is the reproduction of the nature and likeness of God Himself. For then it is not the work of Man but the "fruit of the Spirit." Mortal man is merely the garden plot, only the dust of the ground, out of which God is able to bring forth "Fruit after His kind."
Words borrowed from George Warnock
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Morning Commute...
Morning Commute…
Driving between patients this morning, these verses came to me. I pulled some paper out of my bag and jotted them down so I could remember them when I got home. This evening I sought the Lord for understanding. Our God is stirring us, drawing us to Himself in a new way. We are consciously aware of the necessity that our ‘flesh’ must die, that we may ‘live’ by the power of the Holy Spirit. This death is not an instantaneous event, but a long drawn-out process which we must walk out daily. We win in one area only to discover our gross lack in another. Thankfully it is written, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The first verse was found in Isaiah 26:9.
“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Several things came to me in succession as I meditated on this verse. Initially, what stood out to me was the last part… for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
I don’t know about you, but part of me has been looking forward to God’s judgment on this world. Sadly, my old flesh has always been able to relate with James and John when they wanted to call fire down. Recently, a sister in the Lord shared something that I never heard growing up in the Church. The Lord showed her that the tribulation in Revelation is not for the world… but for the Church. (Small wonder I never heard it, the Church I grew up in believed in the pre-trib rapture, so no Christians were supposed to be here). This puts an entirely different light on things.
As I looked up the meanings in the concordance I was struck by the significance of the opening line. Another way of stating this might be, With my whole body and mind have I greatly longed for, even coveted thee in the dark night of adversity;
This implies that we must desire God above all else. And it is the darkness which fuels our desire… continuing:
the spirit (life) within me will rise up early and with painstaking diligence seek for thee: for when thy verdict (judgments, favorable or unfavorable) are in the land, the people dwelling in the earth will be cleansed and turn to righteousness.
It is hard to miss the fact that apostasy is rampant and the darkness is increasing in the hearts and minds of people, unable to discern between darkness and light, good and evil. [Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!] I think we can safely state that we recognize how desperately we need God’s guidance every single day, as we behold the things that are happening all around us. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” Isaiah 55:6, is certainly appropriate for this hour.
The next verse that came to me in quick succession is found in 2 Peter 3:9, followed by 1 John 1:7.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7.
As individual members of Christ’s body in the earth today, it is incumbent upon us to seek Him with our whole heart and soul and mind… to patiently endure the trials and tribulations that we must experience, knowing that God has allowed them to come in order to do a work in us. It is very encouraging to fully realize… “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” Php 1:6. There is nothing we can or cannot do to change ourselves. The work is all the Lord’s. He is the Master Potter, we are the clay.
Perhaps the condition of the Church today is much more like unto that of the Jewish nation when Jesus came in the form of a man, than we would like to believe. They had their religion. They had all of the prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah. They also had their own ideas of what these prophesies meant, and were looking for something else, something more in line with pleasing their flesh. When HE walked in their midst, they refused to accept HIM. For years the Lord has been telling believers today to prepare. Today we also have all of the prophesies concerning the Lord’s second coming… but will we know Him when He comes again, or like the Jews of old, will we fail to recognize Him… because His coming doesn’t happen in the manner we have been taught to look for and expect? Are we too, looking for something else?
What did Paul tell us that we as believers must be doing? “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” Php 2:12-13. Yet multitudes of believers today have chosen to accept ‘another gospel’… one that is man-centered rather than God-centered. Attempting to have all that the world has to offer this flesh and still lay claim to salvation.
God’s grace and long-suffering toward us is truly amazing. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise”… Nor is He willing that any should perish. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” Isaiah 43:7. Are you willing to let God mold you into what HE desires that you should be, by whatever means He sees fit to use?
Christ will have a perfectly prepared Bride, without spot or blemish, above reproach. Peter declared in 1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” According to scripture, we are the house of God. He inhabits the praises of His people. Jesus said, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” John 14:23. Our flesh might prefer to think of God’s judgment first and foremost as falling on the ungodly, but scripture clearly states otherwise.
Which brings us back to the three verses the Lord gave me …. What is it that we desire above all else? Are we willing to come to repentance? Do we love God more than anything this world has to offer? Are we walking in the light? The darkness and evil are only going to increase, as are God’s judgments. Do we even recognize His judgments in this world? Now is the time to seek Him with our whole heart and mind and soul.
Amen & Amen
Cathy Morris
5/15/2010
Driving between patients this morning, these verses came to me. I pulled some paper out of my bag and jotted them down so I could remember them when I got home. This evening I sought the Lord for understanding. Our God is stirring us, drawing us to Himself in a new way. We are consciously aware of the necessity that our ‘flesh’ must die, that we may ‘live’ by the power of the Holy Spirit. This death is not an instantaneous event, but a long drawn-out process which we must walk out daily. We win in one area only to discover our gross lack in another. Thankfully it is written, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The first verse was found in Isaiah 26:9.
“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Several things came to me in succession as I meditated on this verse. Initially, what stood out to me was the last part… for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
I don’t know about you, but part of me has been looking forward to God’s judgment on this world. Sadly, my old flesh has always been able to relate with James and John when they wanted to call fire down. Recently, a sister in the Lord shared something that I never heard growing up in the Church. The Lord showed her that the tribulation in Revelation is not for the world… but for the Church. (Small wonder I never heard it, the Church I grew up in believed in the pre-trib rapture, so no Christians were supposed to be here). This puts an entirely different light on things.
As I looked up the meanings in the concordance I was struck by the significance of the opening line. Another way of stating this might be, With my whole body and mind have I greatly longed for, even coveted thee in the dark night of adversity;
This implies that we must desire God above all else. And it is the darkness which fuels our desire… continuing:
the spirit (life) within me will rise up early and with painstaking diligence seek for thee: for when thy verdict (judgments, favorable or unfavorable) are in the land, the people dwelling in the earth will be cleansed and turn to righteousness.
It is hard to miss the fact that apostasy is rampant and the darkness is increasing in the hearts and minds of people, unable to discern between darkness and light, good and evil. [Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!] I think we can safely state that we recognize how desperately we need God’s guidance every single day, as we behold the things that are happening all around us. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” Isaiah 55:6, is certainly appropriate for this hour.
The next verse that came to me in quick succession is found in 2 Peter 3:9, followed by 1 John 1:7.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7.
As individual members of Christ’s body in the earth today, it is incumbent upon us to seek Him with our whole heart and soul and mind… to patiently endure the trials and tribulations that we must experience, knowing that God has allowed them to come in order to do a work in us. It is very encouraging to fully realize… “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” Php 1:6. There is nothing we can or cannot do to change ourselves. The work is all the Lord’s. He is the Master Potter, we are the clay.
Perhaps the condition of the Church today is much more like unto that of the Jewish nation when Jesus came in the form of a man, than we would like to believe. They had their religion. They had all of the prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah. They also had their own ideas of what these prophesies meant, and were looking for something else, something more in line with pleasing their flesh. When HE walked in their midst, they refused to accept HIM. For years the Lord has been telling believers today to prepare. Today we also have all of the prophesies concerning the Lord’s second coming… but will we know Him when He comes again, or like the Jews of old, will we fail to recognize Him… because His coming doesn’t happen in the manner we have been taught to look for and expect? Are we too, looking for something else?
What did Paul tell us that we as believers must be doing? “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” Php 2:12-13. Yet multitudes of believers today have chosen to accept ‘another gospel’… one that is man-centered rather than God-centered. Attempting to have all that the world has to offer this flesh and still lay claim to salvation.
God’s grace and long-suffering toward us is truly amazing. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise”… Nor is He willing that any should perish. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” Isaiah 43:7. Are you willing to let God mold you into what HE desires that you should be, by whatever means He sees fit to use?
Christ will have a perfectly prepared Bride, without spot or blemish, above reproach. Peter declared in 1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” According to scripture, we are the house of God. He inhabits the praises of His people. Jesus said, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” John 14:23. Our flesh might prefer to think of God’s judgment first and foremost as falling on the ungodly, but scripture clearly states otherwise.
Which brings us back to the three verses the Lord gave me …. What is it that we desire above all else? Are we willing to come to repentance? Do we love God more than anything this world has to offer? Are we walking in the light? The darkness and evil are only going to increase, as are God’s judgments. Do we even recognize His judgments in this world? Now is the time to seek Him with our whole heart and mind and soul.
Amen & Amen
Cathy Morris
5/15/2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Backward Christianity
BACKWARD CHRISTIANITY
There are some observations that I would like to share...things that the Lord has quickened to me...things I once embraced and practiced, thinking I was doing what was pleasing to God.
External vs. Internal:
God is a Spirit, those that Worship HIM must do so in spirit and in truth. Not man's truth...but God's. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, for us to have knowledge/understanding of truth, to move/act from true motivations, we must be moving by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not the flesh. The Word clearly tells us that the "flesh profiteth nothing." When it comes to spiritual things, in the natural we attempt to outwardly put on an appearance of holiness or spirituality. We can monitor and modify our dress, our speech, our conduct; all these outward actions can be brought under control to have the appearance of spirituality. Some people can put an appearance of holiness on and off at will, dependent upon their situation and surroundings, who is around? To all outward appearances...they look and sound genuine. But in reality they are counterfeits, chameleons that adapt to outward stimuli. In truth, they have no real substance, no life. They are operating outside of a crucified life, imitating what they perceive as pious living. This is so widespread and common, that it is entirely acceptable in most religious arenas. No one dares to call these masqueraders to account, "that would be being judgmental." Do we really believe that God is God? Do we believe that He sees and knows all that we say, do and think? When we purposely deceive others, just who are getting one over on? What are we really getting away with? Do we realize that we will stand before a HOLY God and have to give an account for our life? Do we believe what Jesus said?
Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Our Focus:
In this technological age of instant everything, there are many things to distract us. Daily we are bombarded with events transpiring across the globe, seeing immediate pictures of news events that once took months to reach around the world. Thanks to communication satellites they now can be viewed in real time, as they occur. Terrorism, wars, racial unrest, economic instability, domestic turmoil, crime, dissidents, protests, school shootings, you name it, and it's happening and in our faces. Fear is one of the greatest motivating factors being used in today's world. Uncertainty is rampant in all areas of life, from health to weather to national and world concerns, there is seemingly no control. The stresses of trying to accommodate and please others ranks high for a majority of mankind, from within the home to the workplace to the Church or school, there seems to be a never ending call for our time and energies; to contribute, to participate, to support, to fund, on and on it goes. Just where in all of these demands does the believer find a balance? How does God fit into this complicated equation? What does God require of us? After meeting our obligations to family and work, what is left for God? Could it be possible that we have been mislead? Isn't it enough that we try to attend services as often as our hectic schedule will allow? What does God want from us...after all?
Well, first of all, Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. It all starts with what we believe. That is our foundation. If we believe in error, then we will be sorely disappointed. We have a free-will. We can choose what we will believe and reject what we don't want to believe. It's that simple. Jesus commanded us throughout His earthly ministry, "Follow ME." No other conditions, no exemptions for circumstances, simply follow in His footsteps. Secondly, we must decide whether or not we will commit to following Christ. Once committed, there can be no turning back. We cannot try it out and see if we like it or not. There are no refunds, no exchanges. There is nothing easy or free in this life. That includes knowing God. There is nothing we can do to merit God's favor; there is nothing we can materially possess with which to purchase HIS acceptance. For that reason, God paid the price for our redemption for us. All that we have, all that we possess, all that we can offer Him is our heart. All that God requires of us is our obedience.
What started this whole train of thought was a little thing, driving down the street, noticing the bumper stickers on the cars ahead of me. I remembered a time when one of the most popular bumper stickers among the 'church set' was
"GOD IS MY CO-PILOT"
We thought that was just grand, and that we were making a statement to all the others travelers on the roadways. Well, we were, but little did we consider that it was the wrong statement. I didn't comprehend it at that time, but that bumper sticker stated exactly what is wrong with man's approach to becoming Christ-like. The order of things is entirely backwards. We will never do anything for God if we relegate Him to the passenger seat. What that statement infers, is that we can handle most of the driving, but if we get into a jam that we can't handle, we have a back-up, a second-in-command that can take over. And we wonder why we aren't seeing greater manifestations of God in our lives, is it any wonder? We need to adjust our focus, we need to come to understanding of just who is in command here. We certainly are not qualified or competent to be in the pilot seat, while relegating the Creator of all life to an inferior, subordinate position. There is literally a sea of 'self' promotion in our modern world. "Be the best that you can be" is touted from platforms, as if there were actually any innate goodness in man to begin with. Most people are quite happy and satisfied with just a measure of religion, just enough to give them an air of concerned caring for the 'have-not's' of the world, but not enough to be perceived as fanatical, over the top religious nuts. There is an unspoken separation in many people's minds between Church and State. Religious things are for religious settings, and the rest of life is carried out in other arenas [i.e. you don't take your religion to work or school or the office party, etc.]. Because this mindset is predominate and totally socially accepted, even preferred, it is never questioned. One does not seriously consider that God may not be as socially liberated as our peers.
We can have the best of intentions and yet be dead wrong. In this chaotic world, when man is overwhelmed with things he has no control over, do we really want to put our faith and trust in a God that we can manipulate and control? Is that really comforting, to believe in a God that is only love? Man has been creating his own gods since the beginning of time. We all worship something, even atheists believe in something... be it self, or money, or power, everyone has formed their own beliefs. So how does all this apply to the one who believes in Jesus Christ? Who believes in the God of the Bible... the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob? It should help to shake us out of our complacency. It should alert us to the fact that appearances can be deceiving. It should stir in us a hunger to diligently seek the One, True, God, to bring our thoughts, our priorities, our ambitions into alignment with the desires of God's heart.
We can never do this outside of a personal, intimate relationship with HIM. Nothing in this world is an impediment, and can hold us back and prevent us from knowing God, personally. Not our age or gender, not our education or nationality. Not our physical prowess or handicap, nothing can prevent us from coming into right standing with God. Nothing except the exercising of our own free will...our refusal to believe and obey God's commandments... our failure to follow Jesus Christ, not only as our Savior, but as our LORD. So we all choose, whether we will believe and obey God, whether we will come to know Him as He truly is, or whether we will outright reject God, and trust that the things of this physical world are all there is. Or even worse, if possible, that we have the freedom to create a God more suitable to our tastes and desires in our own imagination. Personally, I can't think of a more depressing thought... that this corrupt fallen world should be all there is to life. If that were the case, then exactly what would be the point?
Perhaps you are already of the opinion that this piece is too critical, too harsh, too unloving to possibly be from God...? Do you know what God has said? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We will have no excuse when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We have the written Word of God... we have the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit to open our understanding of the scriptures. If we are not thoroughly furnished it will not be God's fault, it will be our own. There are more translations of the Holy Bible today than at any time in all of history. Why do you suppose this is? With each translation what God said, becomes a little less demanding, a little less convicting, a little further from God's intent. If you come across a passage of scripture that stings a little, that fails to support a pet doctrine, then all you have to do is to seek out a watered down translation in which the meaning and intent of God has been altered or entirely removed. We will never unravel the mysteries contained in God's Word, by employing multiple translations. The only way to gain understanding is by the active power of the Spirit of Truth.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. We have ample opportunity to decide. God is either God of everything, or nothing. Either HIS Word is true, and cannot fail or it is all in vain. Isaiah 42:22-23 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who will hear indeed!
Our focus must be on the Perfect Lamb... the first begotten... Jesus Christ. If we will keep Christ as our hearts desire, we will find the peace that passeth understanding. If we will keep our mind centered on Jesus, we will find the strength to follow Him. In our own strength and wisdom we can never approach a HOLY God. The only way we can be made acceptable to God is by the blood of the perfect lamb. No unclean thing can enter HIS Presence and live. Our primary concern should be that we be found pleasing in HIS sight.
All of our 'good works' have no value, if they are simply done in our carnal strength and understanding.
1Corinthians 3:11-20 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 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.
We have the choice before us... what will we choose? I was forcibly struck with the importance of pleasing God. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And again on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
In the Old Testament we have the testimony of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. His requirements of man have not changed. As long as we choose to walk in the power of the flesh, we will fall short and fail in all of our attempts to reach God. If nothing else, I pray that you will see the futility of striving to attain spirituality... by that I mean righteousness, right standing with God... by any means other than the cleansing blood of Christ. We cannot make God our co-pilot and expect to reach our destination. We cannot contrive "works" and "ministries" that God has not charged us to. What is flesh is flesh, and what is spirit is spirit. First, we must diligently seek to know Him, to be found pleasing in His sight. All that we say and do must be under the unction of the Spirit of God. Put away all the backward attempts of religion. We have not been called to be religious; we have been called to be sons of the Most High God. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the imagination of man those things that God has prepared for them that love Him, that keep His commandments and walk in His statutes."
Isaiah 28:12-13 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Will we hear? Will we believe? Will we obey?
If we choose to go our own way, to make our own gods, then we can rest assured that we will fall backward, we will be broken, we will be snared, and we will be taken, but not where we would want to go. The way of man has always been to go backward, not forward. When we are obeying the commandments of men, we are walking backward. When we place our trust in anything other than our relationship with God, we can only go backward. When we cleave to our traditions we are looking backward, not forward. When we labor to build material kingdoms, we are working in opposition to God, and shall be judged by God accordingly. Will we hear? Or will we harden our hearts and stiffen our necks and choose our own way? Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
What does the world see today when they look at what is called the Church? Some 33,000 denominations? Divisions? Conflicting beliefs and practices? Religious empires? Self-righteousness, hypocrisy? Is it any wonder that much of the world hates us? Does it surprise us that in many places to call yourself Christian is to invoke a death sentence? Can we comprehend that in attempting to win the world, we have become just like the world? Has it occurred to us that the seven churches Jesus addresses in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, are "our Churches?" The Churches that are operating on the earth when the Lord returns? Do we even believe in the second coming? Have we said with David, Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Is our hearts desire to be found pleasing in God's sight? The Apostle Peter plainly tells us in 1Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
And the Apostle Paul admonishes us...Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
We must seek to know God for ourselves. Christ alone is our sure foundation.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
We are living in the darkest of days. Gross spiritual darkness covers this world. Now is the time to keep our eyes on Jesus. Only by walking in the spirit will we be lights in the darkness. These are the days that the prophets of old spoke of. Many longed to see and be part of the work God is doing in this generation. If we don't believe, we will not be able to see the hand of God. If we do believe, we will stand in awe and amazement. Our God is a consuming fire. May we submit to the purging work of the Spirit in our lives... may our hearts cry be to please God... and not man. That all glory, and honor, and praise be unto God alone. May we press in to know Him, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His image.
Amen (so be it)
Cathy Morris
11/30/05
There are some observations that I would like to share...things that the Lord has quickened to me...things I once embraced and practiced, thinking I was doing what was pleasing to God.
External vs. Internal:
God is a Spirit, those that Worship HIM must do so in spirit and in truth. Not man's truth...but God's. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, for us to have knowledge/understanding of truth, to move/act from true motivations, we must be moving by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not the flesh. The Word clearly tells us that the "flesh profiteth nothing." When it comes to spiritual things, in the natural we attempt to outwardly put on an appearance of holiness or spirituality. We can monitor and modify our dress, our speech, our conduct; all these outward actions can be brought under control to have the appearance of spirituality. Some people can put an appearance of holiness on and off at will, dependent upon their situation and surroundings, who is around? To all outward appearances...they look and sound genuine. But in reality they are counterfeits, chameleons that adapt to outward stimuli. In truth, they have no real substance, no life. They are operating outside of a crucified life, imitating what they perceive as pious living. This is so widespread and common, that it is entirely acceptable in most religious arenas. No one dares to call these masqueraders to account, "that would be being judgmental." Do we really believe that God is God? Do we believe that He sees and knows all that we say, do and think? When we purposely deceive others, just who are getting one over on? What are we really getting away with? Do we realize that we will stand before a HOLY God and have to give an account for our life? Do we believe what Jesus said?
Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Our Focus:
In this technological age of instant everything, there are many things to distract us. Daily we are bombarded with events transpiring across the globe, seeing immediate pictures of news events that once took months to reach around the world. Thanks to communication satellites they now can be viewed in real time, as they occur. Terrorism, wars, racial unrest, economic instability, domestic turmoil, crime, dissidents, protests, school shootings, you name it, and it's happening and in our faces. Fear is one of the greatest motivating factors being used in today's world. Uncertainty is rampant in all areas of life, from health to weather to national and world concerns, there is seemingly no control. The stresses of trying to accommodate and please others ranks high for a majority of mankind, from within the home to the workplace to the Church or school, there seems to be a never ending call for our time and energies; to contribute, to participate, to support, to fund, on and on it goes. Just where in all of these demands does the believer find a balance? How does God fit into this complicated equation? What does God require of us? After meeting our obligations to family and work, what is left for God? Could it be possible that we have been mislead? Isn't it enough that we try to attend services as often as our hectic schedule will allow? What does God want from us...after all?
Well, first of all, Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. It all starts with what we believe. That is our foundation. If we believe in error, then we will be sorely disappointed. We have a free-will. We can choose what we will believe and reject what we don't want to believe. It's that simple. Jesus commanded us throughout His earthly ministry, "Follow ME." No other conditions, no exemptions for circumstances, simply follow in His footsteps. Secondly, we must decide whether or not we will commit to following Christ. Once committed, there can be no turning back. We cannot try it out and see if we like it or not. There are no refunds, no exchanges. There is nothing easy or free in this life. That includes knowing God. There is nothing we can do to merit God's favor; there is nothing we can materially possess with which to purchase HIS acceptance. For that reason, God paid the price for our redemption for us. All that we have, all that we possess, all that we can offer Him is our heart. All that God requires of us is our obedience.
What started this whole train of thought was a little thing, driving down the street, noticing the bumper stickers on the cars ahead of me. I remembered a time when one of the most popular bumper stickers among the 'church set' was
"GOD IS MY CO-PILOT"
We thought that was just grand, and that we were making a statement to all the others travelers on the roadways. Well, we were, but little did we consider that it was the wrong statement. I didn't comprehend it at that time, but that bumper sticker stated exactly what is wrong with man's approach to becoming Christ-like. The order of things is entirely backwards. We will never do anything for God if we relegate Him to the passenger seat. What that statement infers, is that we can handle most of the driving, but if we get into a jam that we can't handle, we have a back-up, a second-in-command that can take over. And we wonder why we aren't seeing greater manifestations of God in our lives, is it any wonder? We need to adjust our focus, we need to come to understanding of just who is in command here. We certainly are not qualified or competent to be in the pilot seat, while relegating the Creator of all life to an inferior, subordinate position. There is literally a sea of 'self' promotion in our modern world. "Be the best that you can be" is touted from platforms, as if there were actually any innate goodness in man to begin with. Most people are quite happy and satisfied with just a measure of religion, just enough to give them an air of concerned caring for the 'have-not's' of the world, but not enough to be perceived as fanatical, over the top religious nuts. There is an unspoken separation in many people's minds between Church and State. Religious things are for religious settings, and the rest of life is carried out in other arenas [i.e. you don't take your religion to work or school or the office party, etc.]. Because this mindset is predominate and totally socially accepted, even preferred, it is never questioned. One does not seriously consider that God may not be as socially liberated as our peers.
We can have the best of intentions and yet be dead wrong. In this chaotic world, when man is overwhelmed with things he has no control over, do we really want to put our faith and trust in a God that we can manipulate and control? Is that really comforting, to believe in a God that is only love? Man has been creating his own gods since the beginning of time. We all worship something, even atheists believe in something... be it self, or money, or power, everyone has formed their own beliefs. So how does all this apply to the one who believes in Jesus Christ? Who believes in the God of the Bible... the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob? It should help to shake us out of our complacency. It should alert us to the fact that appearances can be deceiving. It should stir in us a hunger to diligently seek the One, True, God, to bring our thoughts, our priorities, our ambitions into alignment with the desires of God's heart.
We can never do this outside of a personal, intimate relationship with HIM. Nothing in this world is an impediment, and can hold us back and prevent us from knowing God, personally. Not our age or gender, not our education or nationality. Not our physical prowess or handicap, nothing can prevent us from coming into right standing with God. Nothing except the exercising of our own free will...our refusal to believe and obey God's commandments... our failure to follow Jesus Christ, not only as our Savior, but as our LORD. So we all choose, whether we will believe and obey God, whether we will come to know Him as He truly is, or whether we will outright reject God, and trust that the things of this physical world are all there is. Or even worse, if possible, that we have the freedom to create a God more suitable to our tastes and desires in our own imagination. Personally, I can't think of a more depressing thought... that this corrupt fallen world should be all there is to life. If that were the case, then exactly what would be the point?
Perhaps you are already of the opinion that this piece is too critical, too harsh, too unloving to possibly be from God...? Do you know what God has said? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We will have no excuse when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We have the written Word of God... we have the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit to open our understanding of the scriptures. If we are not thoroughly furnished it will not be God's fault, it will be our own. There are more translations of the Holy Bible today than at any time in all of history. Why do you suppose this is? With each translation what God said, becomes a little less demanding, a little less convicting, a little further from God's intent. If you come across a passage of scripture that stings a little, that fails to support a pet doctrine, then all you have to do is to seek out a watered down translation in which the meaning and intent of God has been altered or entirely removed. We will never unravel the mysteries contained in God's Word, by employing multiple translations. The only way to gain understanding is by the active power of the Spirit of Truth.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. We have ample opportunity to decide. God is either God of everything, or nothing. Either HIS Word is true, and cannot fail or it is all in vain. Isaiah 42:22-23 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who will hear indeed!
Our focus must be on the Perfect Lamb... the first begotten... Jesus Christ. If we will keep Christ as our hearts desire, we will find the peace that passeth understanding. If we will keep our mind centered on Jesus, we will find the strength to follow Him. In our own strength and wisdom we can never approach a HOLY God. The only way we can be made acceptable to God is by the blood of the perfect lamb. No unclean thing can enter HIS Presence and live. Our primary concern should be that we be found pleasing in HIS sight.
All of our 'good works' have no value, if they are simply done in our carnal strength and understanding.
1Corinthians 3:11-20 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 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.
We have the choice before us... what will we choose? I was forcibly struck with the importance of pleasing God. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And again on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
In the Old Testament we have the testimony of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. His requirements of man have not changed. As long as we choose to walk in the power of the flesh, we will fall short and fail in all of our attempts to reach God. If nothing else, I pray that you will see the futility of striving to attain spirituality... by that I mean righteousness, right standing with God... by any means other than the cleansing blood of Christ. We cannot make God our co-pilot and expect to reach our destination. We cannot contrive "works" and "ministries" that God has not charged us to. What is flesh is flesh, and what is spirit is spirit. First, we must diligently seek to know Him, to be found pleasing in His sight. All that we say and do must be under the unction of the Spirit of God. Put away all the backward attempts of religion. We have not been called to be religious; we have been called to be sons of the Most High God. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the imagination of man those things that God has prepared for them that love Him, that keep His commandments and walk in His statutes."
Isaiah 28:12-13 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Will we hear? Will we believe? Will we obey?
If we choose to go our own way, to make our own gods, then we can rest assured that we will fall backward, we will be broken, we will be snared, and we will be taken, but not where we would want to go. The way of man has always been to go backward, not forward. When we are obeying the commandments of men, we are walking backward. When we place our trust in anything other than our relationship with God, we can only go backward. When we cleave to our traditions we are looking backward, not forward. When we labor to build material kingdoms, we are working in opposition to God, and shall be judged by God accordingly. Will we hear? Or will we harden our hearts and stiffen our necks and choose our own way? Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
What does the world see today when they look at what is called the Church? Some 33,000 denominations? Divisions? Conflicting beliefs and practices? Religious empires? Self-righteousness, hypocrisy? Is it any wonder that much of the world hates us? Does it surprise us that in many places to call yourself Christian is to invoke a death sentence? Can we comprehend that in attempting to win the world, we have become just like the world? Has it occurred to us that the seven churches Jesus addresses in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, are "our Churches?" The Churches that are operating on the earth when the Lord returns? Do we even believe in the second coming? Have we said with David, Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Is our hearts desire to be found pleasing in God's sight? The Apostle Peter plainly tells us in 1Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
And the Apostle Paul admonishes us...Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
We must seek to know God for ourselves. Christ alone is our sure foundation.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
We are living in the darkest of days. Gross spiritual darkness covers this world. Now is the time to keep our eyes on Jesus. Only by walking in the spirit will we be lights in the darkness. These are the days that the prophets of old spoke of. Many longed to see and be part of the work God is doing in this generation. If we don't believe, we will not be able to see the hand of God. If we do believe, we will stand in awe and amazement. Our God is a consuming fire. May we submit to the purging work of the Spirit in our lives... may our hearts cry be to please God... and not man. That all glory, and honor, and praise be unto God alone. May we press in to know Him, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His image.
Amen (so be it)
Cathy Morris
11/30/05
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Way Through The Wilderness - George Warnock
This is for today...
Here is a timely excerpt from George Warnock's - Beauty For Ashes - Part II, Chapter 5:
Here is a timely excerpt from George Warnock's - Beauty For Ashes - Part II, Chapter 5:
Certainly God wants His people to walk in love, to walk in harmony, to walk in unity. But when God speaks, and some say YES and others say NO, there is no virtue in siding with those who say "NO" for the sake of UNITY. As surely as there is a people who refuse to go on with God we are going to have confrontation and strife in the congregation of His people. Do you hear Caleb and Joshua saying, "All right brethren, we must have no division here... Let's just forget that far-away Land, those far-out things... Let's just walk together here in the Wilderness of Paran, and somehow hope that when we die we will all go to the same place."
Truth, living Truth, brings contention and strife to people with divided hearts, as truly as it brings peace and harmony to the people whose hearts are set aright, and bent upon doing His will.
And so there was weeping, and striving, and confrontation, and rebellion: the one side saying, "We can't go in . it is too much to expect of our children"; the other side saying, "We are well able... for God's delight is in us, and we can take the land." And the side who said, "We can't go in," won out.
And God turned them back into the wilderness, to wander about another 38 years until the older generation, represented by the ten spies, had completely perished in the wilderness.
God was ready to destroy the whole nation, and if He had done so, He would not have abrogated His promise. He promised Moses that He would fulfill the promise in Moses' own family, and make them even greater and mightier than the generation that he was even then seeking to bring into the Land.
But Moses was not an opportunist. He had a true priestly heart; and he literally warned God that if He were to take any such drastic action as that, He would end up with a very bad name, and His enemies who had heard of His fame would be able to mock and to say, "The LORD was NOT ABLE to bring the people in" (Num. 14:16).
God rid us all of "opportunism." If it may seem that God is bringing us into some kind of favor with Him or with the people of God, God search our hearts lest unknowingly we begin to delight in the downfall of others, and to take advantage of their downfall for our own enlargement. It might even seem that the Lord is leading that way. It could be a very severe test that the Lord is subjecting us to.
God search our hearts lest we be deceived by our ambitious hearts, and then seek to give God the glory for our lack of mercy and our lack of priestly character and concern for His people. Moses said, "Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people... And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word" (Num. 14:19-20).
But God said something else very significant; for God is a righteous God, and no respecter of persons or nations. If He is going to pardon such an undeserving people as this perverse generation, then He declares...
"BUT AS TRULY AS I LIVE, ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD" (Num. 14:21).
God will yet arise and judge the whole world for their iniquity. But in view of the fact that He has been so patient and gracious and longsuffering with His people in the so-called "Christianized" nations, THIS IS GOD'S GUARANTEE THAT HE WILL FILL THE WHOLE WORLD WITH HIS GLORY! As long as God continues to extend grace and mercy toward a disobedient people who are called by His Name, then the righteous God swears with an oath: "AS I LIVE, ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD"! His righteous judgments require it. It is not that the other nations of the earth deserve it. But when those who were bidden to the marriage feast of His Son spurned the invitation (as church people are doing today), the Master said, "Go out into the highways and the byways and compel them to come in... whether they be good or bad... that My House might be full."
In this day and hour when the call to come into total abiding union with His Son is being spurned, we can expect that God will begin to reach out and embrace the poor, and the needy, and the despised, and the rejected here in our own land... and especially in those nations of the earth that have not known too great an impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the past. God's righteous judgments demand that this be so.
The True Power Of Christianity - William Arthur, 1856
What has happened to the Church over the past 100 or so years? How have we managed to stray so far from the Gospel of Christ, replacing it with 'another gospel' that gives precedence to the created over the CREATOR? As I discover these old books I continue to be amazed at the enormous difference between commonly held Christian understanding then and now. Here is an excerpt, followed by a link to the book in PDF format. Judge for yourselves...
...It is God’s plan to rule His people from a throne within their hearts. The Messiah, once He was resurrected and glorified, would use His Spirit to establish His kingdom-life within the hearts of men. He would manifest Himself within the temple of their bodies so they could share with Him in His life of true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes… I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws… I will save you from all your uncleanness. (Ezk. 36:23, 27, 29 NIV)
In other words, the Messiah did not intend to set up a physical kingdom in this world. However, He would enable people to participate with Him in His divine nature if they would surrender the temple of their body to Him so He could set up His throne of power within their heart. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)
This has always been God’s ultimate plan for redeeming fallen man. Jesus confirmed this interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies when He said, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20)
The Lord would come to immerse God’s called-out people into His own spiritual life through a baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. Through this purification and infilling, He would establish His Kingdom-life of love within their hearts and enable them to fulfill all the righteous requirements of the law. (Rom. 8:3-4)
John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord to His temple. The Messiah, when He came to each of His consecrated disciples in power, would enable them to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil. These people who had been called out by God through repentance, would then be able to “serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of {their} life. (Luke 1:74-75)
God had been sending this message to His people through the prophets for centuries. But when John the Baptist came on the scene, the age of fulfillment was finally at hand. Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me {by calling the people to repentance}. And {a little later} the Lord, whom you seek {wholeheartedly}, Will suddenly come to His temple… He is like a refiner’s fire… He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Mal. 3:1-3)
The sons of Levi represent consecrated believers in this age of fulfillment. This long awaited “Promise of the Father” that purifies the heart and fills the temple of the body with God’s life of love – His glory – is only offered to those who have previously repented and have fully consecrated their lives to the Lord. They would become the true priests of God as they “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)
...It is God’s plan to rule His people from a throne within their hearts. The Messiah, once He was resurrected and glorified, would use His Spirit to establish His kingdom-life within the hearts of men. He would manifest Himself within the temple of their bodies so they could share with Him in His life of true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes… I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws… I will save you from all your uncleanness. (Ezk. 36:23, 27, 29 NIV)
In other words, the Messiah did not intend to set up a physical kingdom in this world. However, He would enable people to participate with Him in His divine nature if they would surrender the temple of their body to Him so He could set up His throne of power within their heart. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)
This has always been God’s ultimate plan for redeeming fallen man. Jesus confirmed this interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies when He said, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20)
The Lord would come to immerse God’s called-out people into His own spiritual life through a baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. Through this purification and infilling, He would establish His Kingdom-life of love within their hearts and enable them to fulfill all the righteous requirements of the law. (Rom. 8:3-4)
John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord to His temple. The Messiah, when He came to each of His consecrated disciples in power, would enable them to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil. These people who had been called out by God through repentance, would then be able to “serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of {their} life. (Luke 1:74-75)
God had been sending this message to His people through the prophets for centuries. But when John the Baptist came on the scene, the age of fulfillment was finally at hand. Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me {by calling the people to repentance}. And {a little later} the Lord, whom you seek {wholeheartedly}, Will suddenly come to His temple… He is like a refiner’s fire… He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Mal. 3:1-3)
The sons of Levi represent consecrated believers in this age of fulfillment. This long awaited “Promise of the Father” that purifies the heart and fills the temple of the body with God’s life of love – His glory – is only offered to those who have previously repented and have fully consecrated their lives to the Lord. They would become the true priests of God as they “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Glorious Mystery: God Within Us
The Glorious Mystery: God Within Us
Clair Collinger
Clair Collinger
Colossians 1:27
Jesus desires to be even closer to us than a brother or a friend. He is not only the God who is above us and the God who has come among us; he is also the God who desires to dwell within us. This is the fact that the apostle Paul described in Colossians 1:27 as "the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." It is the wonder he describes in Galatians 2:20 when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
This is the mystery we were made to contain: the very life of Jesus. He means to live out the reality of who he is right here within the reality of who we are. He means to be our lives - the breath in our lungs, the thoughts in our heads, the energy and creativity in our jobs, the love in our hearts. He means to take on the stress and unravel the inner complications so that we can move through our lives just as he did, in gentleness and simplicity and harmony.
We were never intended to be more than containers: temples to contain his glory (1Corinthians 3:16-17), branches to contain the sap of his life (John 15:1-8), vessels to contain the new wine of his Spirit (Romans 9:20-21). We are the glove; he is the hand. We are the cup; he is the coffee. We are the lamp; he is the light.
This is what we were made for. This is the intended purpose of the human person and personality; not to be gods, but to contain God. This is the kind of unity that was present in the garden but that is sadly missing in this world. It is the sheer simplicity of God's design that was shattered by humanity's sin. And it is the reason that Jesus came and cared and was tortured and killed and laid in a tomb and raised to life again .. so that he could give us another shot at being what we were intended to be.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
In A Day & At An Hour...
In A Day & At An Hour…
Have you considered what an exciting time today is to be living in?
As followers of Christ, there has never been a time like this in all of the history of mankind. We are in the end of days, and are witness to the fulfillment of all things prophesied from the beginning. Not only witnesses, but active participants… “if Christ be in you!”
Men’s hearts the world over are already failing them for fear, and it is only going to get worse. If our trust and confidence is placed in anything other than our relationship with Jesus Christ, we are in for a rude awakening. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and yes…all of our works will be tried by fire.
Yet in the midst of the evil and darkness that is manifest all around us we can still have total ‘rest’… knowing that our steps are ordered of the Lord, and HE is our provider.
We must be prepared to drop whatever we are doing at a moments notice when the Master calls. This Pastor is one of the few today who love the Lord more than their status and comforts. The Lord is dealing with him about walking away from all he has built and much like Abraham, going into the unknown. We all need to ask ourselves, when the Lord calls me, how will I respond?
If you are fearful and confused, I encourage you to listen to the following audio message. Following Christ is simple, unlike adhering to the religious requirements of men.
Faith To Leave The Gas Station - Major Ian Thomas
We don’t have to have all the answers and figure it all out… we just have to walk in a vital union with Christ, led by His Holy Spirit in all things.
“The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” Luke 12:46.
“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” Romans 8:10.
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing” Jeremiah 10:23-24.
“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee” Psalms 91:7 .
“Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” Luke 21:26.
“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” Hebrews12:27.
“For our God is a consuming fire” Hebrews 12:29.
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” Luke 22:42.
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” Matthew 6:8.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” Luke 21:28.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
Amen & Amen
Cathy Morris
Have you considered what an exciting time today is to be living in?
As followers of Christ, there has never been a time like this in all of the history of mankind. We are in the end of days, and are witness to the fulfillment of all things prophesied from the beginning. Not only witnesses, but active participants… “if Christ be in you!”
Men’s hearts the world over are already failing them for fear, and it is only going to get worse. If our trust and confidence is placed in anything other than our relationship with Jesus Christ, we are in for a rude awakening. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and yes…all of our works will be tried by fire.
Yet in the midst of the evil and darkness that is manifest all around us we can still have total ‘rest’… knowing that our steps are ordered of the Lord, and HE is our provider.
We must be prepared to drop whatever we are doing at a moments notice when the Master calls. This Pastor is one of the few today who love the Lord more than their status and comforts. The Lord is dealing with him about walking away from all he has built and much like Abraham, going into the unknown. We all need to ask ourselves, when the Lord calls me, how will I respond?
If you are fearful and confused, I encourage you to listen to the following audio message. Following Christ is simple, unlike adhering to the religious requirements of men.
Faith To Leave The Gas Station - Major Ian Thomas
We don’t have to have all the answers and figure it all out… we just have to walk in a vital union with Christ, led by His Holy Spirit in all things.
“The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” Luke 12:46.
“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” Romans 8:10.
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing” Jeremiah 10:23-24.
“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee” Psalms 91:7 .
“Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” Luke 21:26.
“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” Hebrews12:27.
“For our God is a consuming fire” Hebrews 12:29.
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” Luke 22:42.
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” Matthew 6:8.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” Luke 21:28.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
Amen & Amen
Cathy Morris
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