Five-Fold Today - The Corporate - Freedom, a New Revolution - Revelation to start a Revolution! - Death Comes Before Blessing - Your Faithfulness Will Be Rewarded - Going In and Out Before Me - Faith - Ever So Close - Come
The Corporate
One of the most fundamental and essential aspects of the christian life is
the believer's participation in the 'corporate'. Throughout the history of
both Israel and the Church, the corporate aspect of life has been set at
the forefront. Every individual Jew was aware that his nation, as a
collective people, had a unique destiny and that his individual destiny
was entwined with it. Every Christian who has had a fuller revelation of
God's purposes knows that the greatest and grandest of all God's workings
will take place through His many-membered Church. A very powerful and
far-reaching statement came from the mouth of Jesus in Matthew 16:18,
"...upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it." This shows that the ongoing conflict is between two
collective entities, the Church (inherently corporate) and the gates of
hell, composed of the devil and his subordinates. Without question, Christ
and His Church will emerge victorious. Let us consider 4 major pictures of
the Church as they are presented to us in the New Testament scriptures.
May every believer and seeker of truth seriously consider how he relates
to and participates in each picture.
The Flock
The main scriptures giving us this picture of the Church are Psalm 23 and
John 10. In this picture, Jesus is seen as the Good Shepherd, who gives
His life for the sheep and faithfully provides and cares for them. In both
these passages, promises are given to address every need of spirit, soul
and body. In Psalm 23, the Shepherd's provision is such that each member
of the flock is left with 'no want'. Among the Lord's gracious blessings
are peace and rest, comfort, guidance and protection from evil. The
shepherd's presence is constant. As a member of the flock, the life is
constantly graced by goodness and mercy. The abundant overflow of all
God's blessings and provision is summed up in the words, "my cup runneth
over."
In John 10, a similar picture unfolds, with the focus kept on Him (Jesus)
who is the source of all good things which touch the life of each
individual sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for the
sheep (salvation), guides them to find pasture (provision), calls His
sheep by name (personal relationship), holds each in His hand (protection)
and generally provides abundant life for all.
This first picture of the Church is vital and precious to every believer,
young and old. None of us can continue in life without the constant
oversight and care of our Good Shepherd.
The Building
It is sad to observe that a majority of Christians choose to live in the
first picture without a conscious awareness of anything further in their
calling. Their lives tend to remain self-centered and unfulfilled. The
prevailing mentality of many is that Christianity starts and stops with
blessings. Very little regard is given as to whether God's heart is
satisfied or whether some responsibility may accompany salvation. Our
second picture, that of the Building, introduces a different focus and
begins to challenge each of us with a dimension of responsibility. In 1
Corinthians 3:9, it is declared, "...ye are God's building." And again in
verse 16, "Know ye not that ye (collectively) are the temple of God...?"
In Ephesians 2:19-22, the picture of 'the Building' is further drawn,
showing that believers are to be built together to become a (corporate)
habitation for God.
Christians are not to live a life of self-centered isolation, but rather
to interact with other believers until spiritual joining and unity are
achieved. In our first picture, believers are seen as sheep in a flock,
recipients of the manifold blessings of God. Here, they are seen as
'living stones', built together by a unique operation of the Spirit to
become the very habitation of God.
Let us consider some steps of responsibility which now begin to fall on
the true Christian believer:
The Body
The picture of the Body is one of ministry, i.e., the function of its many
and diverse parts to produce a fullness of life. Whereas the picture of
the Flock gives us a focus on receiving, the picture of the Body gives us
a focus on giving. Throughout the domain of God's creation, we see
entities composed of both head and body. Although our head, the Lord
Jesus, may be perfect in every way, He is incomplete without a body. In
Ephesians 1:23, the church is declared to be, "...His body, the fullness
of Him that filleth all in all."
When Jesus was on earth as a man, the fullness of God dwelt in Him and was
manifest. No other single human being can ever hope to be indwelt by that
fullness, for the fullness of God is meant to reside in a many-membered
body. Each believer is gifted and graced in a certain manner to give
expression to a portion of that fullness. The scripture basis for this
concept is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.
Let us consider several concise summarizing statements related to this
picture of the Church:
The Bride
The concept of the Bride is the fourth major picture of the Church given
in scripture. If we are awakened to and truly serious about this concept,
it will require a depth of commitment previously unknown. The picture of
the Bride calls for intimacy of relationship with Jesus, the Bridegroom,
and preparation for participation with Him in both the end of this age and
the coming Kingdom. The popular and shallow teaching of a rapture followed
by some type of 'honeymoon' in heaven falls far short of God's intended
purpose for His Church.Let us note some very profound and important
aspects of the Church as the Bride of Christ:
Author Unknown
Freedom, a New Revolution
by Michael Danforth
When we speak of knowing our place in the "BODY", the idea is
much larger than the organism that is formed within the four
walls of some building. The body of Christ is destined to fill
the entire earth. So when we speak of people finding their place,
we are not just speaking of some building that stands on the
corner of third and Franklin. We are referring to a living organism
that is growing, destined to effect every kingdom, within every
culture, throughout the world. Therefore finding our place in
the body of Christ is much broader than finding some position
within our
limited understanding of what the "LOCAL CHURCH" is really all
about.
Why do we find ourselves often times, referring to the people
and the church as if they're two different parts? The people
are the church and the church is the people. Once this really
takes hold, we are on the edge of discovering a whole new kind
of freedom, possibly even a "New Revolution". There are certain
basic principles such as these that are vital to the edification
and maturation of the people of God. It's time for leaders in
the Christian world to address barriers that have been warring
against the growth of the church for last hundred years or so.
Not just the ones that always seem agreeable with the majority,
but the ones that have the potential of dimming our own popularity
amongst other Christian leaders in our own communities. I mean
God forbid, that it slow "OUR MINISTRY" down.
If our highest call is to build up, "TO EDIFY" the body of Christ
in love,then shouldn't that involve a response to those who appear
to be hindering that process of edification? There’s a lot of
wrong thinking in the minds of many Christian leaders today,
but yet we seem to be so reluctant to address it. Isn't that
a part of our responsibility, as leaders in the church? We have
become so concerned about being marked, as dividers of the unity
of faith, that our very lack of response has become
a major hindrance to the maturation of the body of Christ?
Are we not mature enough to allow others within the body to question
our leadership? And if we are questioned by one of those who
seem to be "MUCH LESS QUALIFIED" than ourselves, do we feel the
need to put them in their place or maybe even show them the
door? After all, how dare they question our authority! I'm not
referring to those who like to question leadership just for the
sake of disagreeing. No, I'm speaking of those who believe they
have the ability to hear God's voice, or maybe even interpret
scripture almost as good as a "PROPHET OR APOSTLE" can. What
is our attitude toward them?
As leaders, what are we telling "THE SHEEP" when they have a
desire to go across the street to another building and have a
little interaction with the rest of the "BODY OF CHRIST?" Do
we encourage them to do so, or do we caution them to be careful
and not get to close? After all, there is a danger of him or
her being edified by someone else other than "US". And what if
they do leave and go so somewhere else? Do you bless them and
send them on their way? Or do you tell them how they are out
of God's will and that they're certain to pay a high price for
their disobedience?
I'm not saying that you don't offer them wise counsel concerning
their decision, after all they could be making a bad choice.
Nonetheless, let's make sure that our counsel is for their benefit
and not just our own. It doesn’t mean it's wrong to want them
to stay, for whatever the reason, but it’s wrong to sacrifice
them for the sake of our "MINISTRY."
Are we really amazed when they finally escape our systematic
prison of thinking, to find their reluctant to ever want to come
back again, to anything that might remotely remind them, of you
and me?
How do we justify this kind of manipulation, control…witchcraft?
We say that it's our responsibility to care for "THE SHEEP" is
this really our main concern? I'm sure they are overwhelmed by
our deep concern to keep them all together in one nice neat pin,
but have you noticed their resistance in the last few years?
It's almost as if they are unappreciative of all our hard work
and commitment toward their future. I'm not really sure what
initially caused many of the revolutions before us but I know
they all had one thing in common, THE LACK OF LIBERTY!.
You know that scripture we have used so often, again and again,
over the last decade, the one that says, "where the spirit of
the Lord is, there is liberty, well, its been lacking in most
of the people that are a part of the "Local Church." The freedom
that most people are accustomed to is best defined as, "Manipulative
Freedom." This is the kind of freedom that manipulates you into
doing something you really don't want to do but you do it anyhow,
because you either feel guilty or fear the consequences if you
don't. I'm sure that’s the kind of freedom Jesus gave His life
for.
Have you've ever wondered how many people "Tithe" into the kingdom
of God because of this kind of liberty? I'm sure there would
be no pressure on our part or condemnation if they decided to
do other wise.
Did I mention a "Revolution" oh yea, I did. Well get ready, because
"A REVOLUTION" is coming to a city near you! I'm sure we will
be quick to call them rebels and declare them enemies of the
"LOCAL CHURCH" rebellious against the government that God has
ordained. But nonetheless, "GET READY" cause where the spirit
of the Lord is, THERE IS LIBERTY!
You're destined to make a difference,
Revelation to start a Revolution!
Debra Westbrook
This morning as I awoke, I heard those words rising in my spirit. Revelation should start a revolution! The government of the
Kingdom, the Lordship of Christ, seeks to begin a revolution in each of us. Ruling and reigning from the throne of our lives,
Jesus is the center of our beings. His divine authority and power flows through submitted lives on bended knee. Any attempt by
our flesh to rise up to take control must be silenced in His glory!
The revolution must first take place in us before it can flow through us to touch those around us. Isn't that what Christianity
is.....to be blasted with the reality of revelation to start a revolution! He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light so
that we may proclaim His praises with a violence to change the spiritual atmosphere everywhere we go! We must see the
evidence of a revolution in us through changed lives around us!
In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) Any revelation from the throne of God produces lives of divine
revolution- rotating, transfixed, in awe of the glorious reality of the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the center of our lives. The
revelation of Jesus, unveiled in greater depth in each of our lives, (Christ in us, the hope of glory- Colossians 1:27) produces a
radical violence within us before that is ever manifested through us. For what revolutionary ever attempted to start a revolution
that did not first start as a passion and a fire burning within them first? The order is simple- revelation to start a revolution.
Those violent in spirit possessed by an increasing revelation of the Son will want to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him
crucified. It is all about Jesus- the ultimate revolutionary who left heaven and emptied Himself of glory to redeem mankind back
unto the Father! So let the revolution begin.....in each of us!
Violent times call for violent measures - the Kingdom of Heaven (within us) suffers violence (as our flesh rises up to take
control, unsubmitted to His Lordship) and the violent (those willingly submitted to the cross of Christ) take it by force. The
revelation from God's throne must start a revolution or we will all fade into obscurity as a people who brought forth word after
word after word with little if any manifestation of these words being evidenced in revolutionary lives sold out for Jesus. The
evidence of true spiritual revolution is in lives transformed by the power of the cross.
I long to be a revolutionary in God's Kingdom. There are many like me and in reality, we know not what we are asking but
where are we to go? We are so hungry that revolution stirs in our hearts to know Him more. We await a divine release from
heaven to sound forth a revolutionary war cry. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death..." Philippians 3:10. We will allow the cross to be the standard in our
lives. It will be worked through us so that we may die to our interests and come alive to His desires for these times in which we
live.
God's divine strategy has been revealed to us in the wilderness to flow through us as we step forth in power and authority.
Remember God's revolutionaries will be known not for their violent actions nor their fiery rhetoric. That will happen but God is
looking for those who will bear the resemblance and be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. So lead on King
Jesus........bring on the revelation that will start a revolution!
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to
shrink from death!" Revelation 12:11
Rivers of Eden
Death Comes Before Blessing
Doug Morrell
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changed everything; past, present, and future.
"That I may know him" is not about acquiring facts about Christ but, rather, is an intimate, deep-down, personal relationship
with Jesus, which is best described as a union in His death, burial, and resurrection. "I have been crucified with Christ," Paul
says in Galatians, "nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
When we are united with Christ by trusting in Him, we experience the power that raised him from the dead. That same mighty
power will help us live morally renewed and regenerated lives. But before we can walk in newness of life, we must also die to
sin; death comes before blessing. Just as the resurrection gives us Christ's power to live for Him, His crucifixion marks the
death of our old sinful nature. In truth, we can't know the power and blessing of His resurrection without personally
applying the pain and suffering of His crucifixion.
From his book, Body Life, Ray Stedman wrote:
Resurrection power is also irresistible. It cannot be thwarted or turned aside. It takes absolutely no
account of any obstacles thrown in its path, except to use them for further opportunities to advance its
cause. When Jesus came bursting from the grave, he paid not the slightest attention to the obstacles man
had placed in his way. There was a large stone in front of his tomb; he passed through it. He himself was
wrapped in yard after yard of linen cloth; he left the graveclothes undisturbed behind him. There were
Roman guards in front of his tomb; he ignored them. He took not the slightest notice of the decrees of
Caesar, or the orders of Pilate or the fulminations of the Jewish priests.
Furthermore, resurrection power makes no noise. Other kinds of power that we know usually make some
kind of sound: they pound, pulsate, throb, hum, buzz, explode, or roar. But resurrection power is quite
silent. Without any display or ostentation it quietly accomplishes its purpose though there is nothing
audible or visible to mark it. When a Christian is living by resurrection power he does not advertise it or
seek to dazzle others by its display. His effect upon others is quiet and unobserved at first, but soon there
are evident changes that mark the inevitable effect of resurrection power at work: the return of life,
vitality, excitement and joy to an individual or situation.
The good news of the Easter message is that Jesus can open your eyes to spiritual reality. He can forgive your sinful rebellion,
eliminate your fear of what happens to you after you die, and He can give you life to the fullest right now. All you need to do is
turn to Him as Savior and Lord. The Bible makes it clear that you don't have to have your life all in order or have to give up
bad habits or anything of the sort. The Bible clearly says that "...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes,
resulting in righteousness [being made right with God], and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
What better way to celebrate Easter than to accept the new life Jesus offers today? If you have not done so already, or if you
are not sure, today you can trust Him as your Savior by surrendering your will to Him as Lord. Then you will know the thrill,
the joy, and the security of the resurrected Christ Jesus living inside of you.
May you grow in grace and truth....
doug morrell
--
Live Christ Deliberately!
Your Faithfulness Will Be Rewarded
Bill Hardaway
My child come to me and I will bless you beyond your wildest dreams. Come to
Me now and I will release an even greater presence in your life. I desire for
you to walk in the fulness of My Spirit and experience my presence
continually. Know that I am drawing you ever closer to me. Do not strive to
enter in, allow me to continually draw you. Like a person laying in a row
boat without ores. (I see God having a rope attached to this boat, slowly
pulling you towards Him) You will be a blessing to others and be a vessel for
Me to pour out my blessing and love to others. Know that everything you have
gone through have been for a reason, nothing has been left to chance in your
life. You have suffered for Me, now I shall raise you up into Heavenly places
and place you right by My side. Rejoice.......your deliverance from
yourself, that you have prayed for so hard and long, is at hand.
WHard1954@aol.com
Going In and Out Before Me
Ras Robinson
I have called you to go in and out before Me all the days of your life. There are so
many things I have to say to you. Many are the things I want to
show you. The work I have done in you already has been in
preparation for this hour. I am making you holy even as I am
holy. You are learning obedience through your suffering. There
has always been purpose for you. You were called with a destiny
that can only be fulfilled by your going in and out before me.
This is My method of your training. You have come into a trusted
position with Me. It is through your obedience that My will will
be done in all the earth. Consider yourself my ambassador or
statesman and that you are an extension of Me. I have already
given you full and complete authority to go and accomplish many
things in My name. The more faithfully you obey My instructions,
the more assignments you shall receive. And greater still will
become your reward in both Heaven and earth. Now, go in and out
before Me.
Ras Robinson to Strengthen, Encourage and Comfort
Fullness in Christ Church, Pastor
Faith
Martin Sayers
Tell My people that I love them in spite of
their difficulties. That I indeed loved them while they
were yet sinners and knew me not. During this time of
great discoveries of your weaknesses and inabilities I
have not left you or forsaken you, but I wait on you to
call upon the name of the Lord from a position of faith.
Then My strength will be made manifest in you. There is
no good work that you can do that will be pleasing unto
the Lord; it is faith that I am looking for. It is your
faith that has been challenged by these winds, not your
ability to perform good works for the sake of God. There
is nothing you can do to make Me love you any more that I
already do. I see your willingness to work and do good
work yet where is you faith? These times of testing are
about the strengthening of your faith.
Heb. 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it (faith)
the elders obtained a good report. Have faith in God. It
is by faith that the door will be opened not by any good
thing that you can do. Where ever you think you are
strong I will let you become weak until you humble your
self and call upon the Lord that My strength may be
manifested within you. Then will the Father of your Lord
Jesus be glorified.
Marty@spiritofprophecy.com
Ever So Close
Luz Cintron
Hide me in the secret chambers of Your heart, Oh Faithful One!
There is no beauty in me to be desired.
Oh Y'shua Adonai!
You are my all in all, Lovely One
Soothe the longings in my heart!
For You are all that I want
Your servant in His love;
Revelation 19:7
luceliscintron@msn.com
Come
Tim Plett
This word is for those who being called to step out, in obedience, into a
new place of service but the temptation to fear is strong. You feel the
Lord is asking you to crawl out onto a limb. And as you look out on that
limb it seems nothing but dry, barren and fragile, utterly incapable of
holding your weight. A fall seems inevitable.
The Lord asks:
How much do you trust Me? Do you trust Me enough to leave your place
of safety and security by the trunk and crawl out toward Me? Do you
trust Me enough to allow Me to be your Security--your Strength--your
Support?
I have set you in that present place of safety. You have been protected,
nurtured, fed and strengthened there. You have grown there. It is a good
place.
But I am calling you from the good to the better. Are you willing to come?
Come and I will be your Strength. Come and I will be your Security. As
you step out onto that limb, you will find that My hands are beneath you,
supporting you, protecting you, offering security.
As you come that limb--which seems so dry--will begin to flow with
new life. You will find it strong and supple. It will bud and blossom
and bear fruit.
Come. I will be there.
tplett1@mb.sympatico.ca
April 13, 2001
From: MForest585@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To prophetic@revival.gen.nz
Michael Danforth
Mountain Top Ministries
http://www.mticenter.com
Debra Westbrook
http://www.riversofeden.com
d.westbrook@att.net
May these words bring glory to Jesus! That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death... (Phil. 3:10)
We must understand that resurrection power is like no other power on earth. It is unique, and has no
possible rival. For one thing, it is the kind of power that operates in the midst of death. It works when
everything around it is dull, dead and barren. It works best in the midst of a cemetery, for that is where it
was first demonstrated. When Jesus Christ was resurrected he came out from among the dead. Therefore,
if you learn to live by resurrection power you can be alive and vital when everything and everyone around
you is dead and lifeless.
christian outfitters
outfitters@christianoutfitters.com
http://www.christianoutfitters.com
Fort Worth, TX
http://www.fullnessonline.org
E-mail: fullness@airmail.net
Keep me under the shadows of the golden wings
Deep in the center where all Your mercy sits
Covered by Your glory, hidden from my weakness and my faults,
There where they can not find me,
There where there is no room they can have,
Because You fill it all!
Oh how I need You Holy One!
To make me Holy unto You
Oh How I need You lovely One
To teach me love as love endures in You.
What can I do but surrender?
In the rags of my pride it is my spirit who cries
Open my eyes and my heart
to Your truth and Your guidance.
Y'shua El Shaddai
My heart longs for You and You alone.
In You I am quieted and still
None of us know who we are
Until You reveal it to us,
At your embrace, Oh Y'shua El Shaddai,
Let me go down to rest from the strive of my pride and my flesh.
Let death surrender its sting and become in Your hands
A tool for perfection.
You are all that I want
In my weakness You are there to sustain me.
You are my stronghold
Hold me close to Your heart
And there, bind me with the cords of Your love
Ever close, ever yours, and forever surrendered.
How long and how dry seems the life that refrains me from Youv
Compared to Your kisses of love
and the fragrance that rise from Your smile and Your hands
How I long to be present to You
My Y'shua El Shaddai
Draw me closer still in the golden center beneath the wings
Of Your mercy and Truth
While You purge my iniquities
While you teach me the fear of You
in the rest of Your arms
While Your heart sings Your love
When its beat is all I hear
In the worshipping silence of trust.
Here I am, here I am
Have Your way in my life,
Help me trust You through all...
You are the love of my life
Y'shua El Shaddai
Hold me tight and forever in Your arms!
Luz Cintrón
www.thepearlsofwisdom.net
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife
hath made herself ready."Five-Fold Today Archives
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