Five-Fold Today For Those In Warfare - Heaven Our New Home - You Must Not Get Caught Up In the Things Of the World - Winds of Change - Stop and Regain Focus and Purpose - Problem: A Powerless Church! Solution: Change! - To This One Will I Look - Submission
For Those In Warfare
Thomas Bramhall
Don't ask me to take away the opposition of the enemy. Ask me for grace and
power to address it and I will pour out My Spirit. Well, you confess being a
warrior and victorious. Don't you want to be what you confess? I will
multiply your power and authority so that the opposition will seem to go
away, but it will actually be much worse than when you were complaining. The
attacks will come fast and furious but you will rejoice in victory through
the fire.
Tom Bramhall
Heaven Our New Home
Rev. Robert Yssennagger
As the cancer is spreading throughout my body I realize more and more that perhaps my earthly journey will soon come to an end. This has prompted me not only to study God’s Word on God’s precious promises for His children for the life after this life, but moreover to preach a series of messages on “Heaven our New Home” to two senior homes.
It seems that just about everything in life in North America is about instant gratification and the search for the best place under the sun and for bigger, better, bolder and more beautiful things or for more pleasure, power and control.
The Lord Jesus warned us not to make these things the main focus of our life because they keep us away from God’s calling for us, of living a life of service to God and fellowman and preparation for our eternal destiny of living in God’s presence in heaven.
In Lu 12:15-21 He illustrates this with the man who builds bigger barns in order to store up all his grain and goods and then plans to live on easy street for many years to come. Our Lord concludes by saying: ”But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores things up for himself/herself and is not rich toward God.”
The Word of God is spells it out so clearly how we may “…receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord….”, 2 Pe 1:11. How? See verse 4: by… “escaping the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
That God is far more concerned with our growth in Christ-like character then He is with our doing good works to further His kingdom, is clearly seen when He exhorts us in 2 Pe 1:5 -7: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness,… knowledge,… self-control,… perseverance,… godliness,… brotherly kindness and… love.”
God does not leave us in the dark about our preparation for heaven because He shows us the process how to go about it: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts (affections) on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds (thought life) on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Col 3:1-4.
The correct translation for verse one is: “IF you have been co-raised with Christ”. Dear friend is this “IF” true for you? Then this exhortation of the apostle Paul is for you and me.
In Col 2:12,13 he already had explained that: “In baptism you were buried with Him and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, Who raised Him from the dead”. Our water baptism by immersion symbolizes the burial of the old way of life, the old person we were before we came to Christ. As we rose up again from the water, we rose up to the new way of life in Christ, Ro 6:1-5.
Our total identification and shared experience with Christ was made possible by the gracious power of God, Who though we “…were dead in (y)our sins and in the uncircumcision of (y)our sinful nature, God made us (you) alive with Christ”, Col 2:13. This is God’s supernatural work in us.
So then, since Christ went after His resurrection to heaven, we too must after our spiritual resurrection pursue the things which belong to His heavenly realm. Our focus and ambitions should not be earthbound as if that is all there is, but from then, (or now) on, we live and work for Christ’s cause (not for our own anymore) and we see the things of life from His heavenly and eternal perspective.
We are to live as “….those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away”, 1 Co 7:31.
In my late teens I left my parental home with hatred in my heart. In the years that followed I tried to boost my self-esteem with running 100 and 200 meter races on the track. My whole life revolved about training and living for running faster.
I did not believe in God, but He got a hold of me anyway when I saw the movie “The 10 Commandments” in 1957 and by bringing a Christian friend in my life to who I am much indebted. Furthermore God brought a wonderful Christian girl in my life that thawed my cold heart. The proof is in the pudding: after having been away from home for 4 years I reconciled with my parents and quit running races cold turkey a the age of 23! God is so good and can change any heart! Now, I admit that it took a period of transition from walking with my head in the clouds and being of little use to anyone, to becoming a more “balanced Christian” as I started to open up to the people around me.
See how wonderful God’s counsel and design for Christian living is: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator”, Col 3:9,10. The tense of the verbs “taken off” and “put-on” means: “once and for all with the result continuing in the present”, it is a radical decision by an act of the will!
This is our position in Christ with which we start every morning again and again. However our condition is that we still have the old self with us, that is why the apostle Paul calls himself “a wretched man” (not: “an evil man”) in Ro 7:24. Our part in the solution to this problem is given by the Lord Jesus when He said: “If any one would come after Me, he (she) must deny himself (herself) and take up his (her) cross and follow Me”, Mt 16:24. The apostle Paul instructs us to: “.…work out our own salvation with fear and trembling”, Phi 2:12. We are personally involved!
The other part to the solution of the sin problem is: “…God Who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure”, Phi 2:13 and Ro 8:5-10 and 12:2. This is the gracious super-natural work of the Holy Spirit in us! God is personally involved and that is our assurance! “He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Phi 1:6.
The purpose of this 15 part series “Heaven Our New Home” is to literally “….set (y)our hearts (affection) on the things that are above, where Christ is…”, Col 3:1. Dear friend what do you understand of the heavenly things? The apostle Paul was: “… caught up to the third heaven…was caught up to Paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell”, 2 Co 12:2-4.
Fortunately, both the Lord Jesus and the John the Seer have seen and revealed much more about heaven, more then what many Christians know or believe. So I invite you to come along with me and discover more about the heavenly things! It is my prayer that God may be glorified and you may be edified in your faith and that you will be strengthened in your hope for your final home in heaven, based on God’s Word.
Robert Yssennagger
You Must Not Get Caught Up In the Things Of the World
Stephen Hanson
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. HEB 5:11-14
"But these things will not always continue. I have said in my word that these things will "come forth" in the last days. But as they come forth to even greater intensity, my
light in you will be shed abroad. I have said that many will follow deceitful spirits in this hour. Many will follow them and many will be "caught-up" in them. But remember
that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. I will tear down the altars of wickedness. There comes a point when the stench of it has grown too much."
"I say, to intercede for your nation, my people. Judgment is on the horizon. It has been held back but only for a time. Many of you preach a doctrine that is not the whole
counsel of God. I cannot tolerate sin. You preach many things but you ignore some of the main things. My people need a complete diet of my word. You need to hear
about your destinies in my Son. You need to hear about love and forgiveness. You need to hear about my grace. But the whole diet also includes your sin. It does not omit
the whole world and the sins that they are caught-up in. It does not turn its head when you see that this world is slowly going down to the grave. It preaches hope for all
mankind, but it also does not ignore my judgments."
"I have said through many of my servants that specific judgments are coming. They will come and you will see them happen. I will continue to warn you about these things."
(The Lord showed me our statue of liberty. I watched as this huge sculpture with its arm raised in freedom slowly came crashing to the ground. I watched as ropes were
tied around it and criss-crossed, so that it was bound. The entire thing was lying on the ground.)
"You people of America, you have known of your freedom. You have had freedom in many forms and ways. But the time may come when you may very well lose your
freedom. Remember who gives you the freedom that you enjoy all the time."
Stephen Hanson
Winds of Change
Shirley Lise
Do not lean on the wisdom of men, for many will mock the hour of the coming of the Son of Man. The remnant, those who have been refined by fire, are ready for their Bridegroom. They are as the wise
virgins and have filled their lamps, not as the unwise who are unable to understand the times and whose hearts are seared so that their wickedness increases. These are not able to enter in with the
Bride. Do not be deceived. Be on guard against those who slumber, for as yeast affects the whole lump, the poison of their teaching leads many to destruction. Do not be as the unwise virgins, but be as
the wise who prepared themselves for the Bridegroom, that they might be ready to meet Him when He comes.
Put your trust in the Lord, and when the winds blow, you will stand through the storm. I am increasing the velocity of the wind and this wind will blow away the dross. As the speed increases, so will the
shaking. Everything that is not of Me will be shaken away. Those who refuse the winds of change will struggle greatly. No one will be able to cling to the old, for the old is being cut off and blown away.
Those who willingly let go will enter a fresh stream of the waters of My Spirit. They will go down into the waters in death to self, and come up into newness of life.
The winds of My Spirit are increasing and the cutting away of the old is taking place. Limbs are being pruned off. The cuts are painful, but with time new life will bud forth. Pull down the walls of hostility by
the power of My Spirit, says the Lord. Take up the sword of the Spirit and swing it to lop off the branches. Every branch that does not bear fruit must come off, for this is the time of pruning. When all the
dead and dry branches are removed and when the weak growth is pruned back, new growth will shoot forth. Take the sword of the Spirit and apply it to the entanglements, to those things that dog your
feet to keep you back from running the race.
I am turning the eyes and hearts of My people outward, says the Lord. No more will they live in their boxes of comfort, for in this day, every box will be blown apart. Every hold that confines My people to
themselves will be removed, and they will be free to do My will, to go to the lost, the lonely, the poor, to those without hope. I am coming to release My fullness into those who are obedient and they shall go
forth and they shall take possession of the land.
In this day, My people are being stretched beyond their realm of comfort in preparation for the fullness that will give victory over the enemy. I am challenging you, My people to go to the lost, the poor, the
wanderer. I will change your heart and take down your guards and the walls you have put up between yourself and those around you. As these walls come down, you will be set free to walk out in the
power of the Lord to take ground back from the enemy. Everywhere your feet tread, you will take the land. Press in to Me. Put your trust in Me. Let go of the walls that you have erected. Let them come
down, and go forth in the Father’s love to a lost and hurting world. This is the acceptable fast, chosen of the Father.
http://users.sgci.com/~riverpub
Stop and Regain Focus and Purpose
Marsha Burns
"Beloved, watch for and avoid the diversion that the enemy has loosed against you. He is bringing distraction by way of trivial matters that will create confusion. The aim is to take you off into the realm of micro-managing things that have no real substance or relevance to your life and no pertinence to the course I have set you on. These things will be time consumers and energy wasters and will only result in dissipation. Refuse to be drawn away a position of spiritual vitality. Be especially watchful of circumstances that draw you in emotionally and that are really none of your business. If you feel your spiritual life slowly ebbing, you must stop and regain focus and purpose
"I tell you that this is a time of both gathering and scattering, a time of re-arrangement. There are facets of your life that must be challenged and purged and other aspects of your existence that need to be solidified and secured. You will find this process evident in every phase of your existence. I desire to move in your midst with mighty power and great manifestation of My presence. Your hearts seek the Shekinah glory, My abiding presence in your midst, but you will not experience the fullness of My power until you come together as one. And, I am inviting you to the Upper Room where you will wait in spirit for a visitation from on high. But first, you must unite and be of one mind. I cannot manifest where there is division, strife or contention. I am knitting hearts together in unity, peace and one accord
"I say to you that even though you have had personal issues and challenges to work through, you have been in a calm before the storm. There is a great deluge about to be released upon the earth. You are about to experience a very great outpouring of My Spirit, which will produce varied results. In some places it will produce new life and revival, but in other places it will produce destruction and judgment. For, it will be a flood of justice being poured out to cleanse the land and restore My purposes. Many have been straddling the fence, trying to live in the world and still serve Me, but this is a time when you will find yourselves in the valley of decision, and you must choose life or death, blessings or curses. You cannot feast at My table and continue to drink of the cup of demons."
"Hold your peace. Beloved, keep yourself from fear and frustration and move into the realm of thanksgiving, for I am the God of peace, and I will guard your heart and mind if you will only yield to Me. Refuse to allow the enemy to steal your strength and peace through circumstances that jangle your nerves and bring discord to your heart. Stand firmly in the truth of My word, and lean on Me for guidance, for surely I will lead you through this time and give you wisdom, understanding and direction.
Matthew 6:28-34: "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
ft111@ft111.
Problem - A Powerless Church!
By Clay Sikes
For many in the Church today there is knowledge that something is wrong. “What is it?” we
ask. “Is it me?” “Is it my Church?” “Is it my Pastor?” The knowledge that something is wrong
pervades the Church from Savannah to Siberia, the Internet and many prophetic lists confirm
and link us to this truth. Be comforted that your situation is neither unique nor unusual, but of
greater significance, be aware that God is signaling CHANGE. A new Davidic order is rising up
and out of the existing Church, replacing the order of Saul.
Recently a friend of mine was heard to say, “Don’t tell me that something is wrong – I already
know that, give me solutions!” As I pondered and prayed as to why this remark sparked such
an unsettling in my spirit, clarity began to emerge from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord
grants us a sense of the problem, then provides His solutions: It is important to note here that
our solutions are not necessarily His solutions, and our ways are not necessarily His ways.
The era in which we now live has introduced problems in the Church and now is the time for
God’s solution, God’s way. Has the Church realized yet that man’s way will work no longer?
Perhaps we should continue another two or three hundred years playing church!
The key to solving a myriad of problems in the Church is found in solving the main problem.
When the main problem is dealt with, in an almost cataclysmic fashion, things will begin to
dramatically change as God’s people begin to walk in God’s power. The problem that glares at
us constantly is a powerless Church; a Church taunted by Satan on a daily basis much the
same as Goliath taunted the Armies of God. Financial hardship, defeat, sickness, sin, divorce,
jealousy, vain ambition, hype, programs, formulas, and relational failures permeate the Church
from the pulpit to the pew. Since we know this is true, let us examine accurate, word filled,
Holy Ghost inspired prophetic revelation for our solution.
Step one in resolving the problem is recognizing and accepting that anyone who has accepted
Jesus as Lord must also understand that they have a destiny to fulfill, a part to play in this
move of God. Any activity short of God’s plan for our lives (destiny) will not fulfill us, will not
produce the continuing joy of the Lord in us, and will not sustain us financially or relationally or
any other way. It is important to note that outside of our destiny, we can have some degree of
happiness (without the continuing joy of the Lord), we can have relationships and we can
make money; however, a called man or woman will know the difference in their heart of
hearts. Said differently, you cannot be holy in Dallas, if you are called to be righteous in
Cleveland. A well known lecturer once said that he had traveled Christian circles for years
and seen thousands upon thousands of miserable Christians, yet never had he seen anyone
pursuing and walking out their destiny, who was not filled to the brim with vitality, life, and
enthusiasm – “Jesus came to give us an abundant life” John 10:10.
In facing the powerless Church question, understand that the human resources are now in
place to release this great power, but the old system (Saul’s armor) under which these human
resources operate will not permit them the freedom to be used. Just as Saul’s armor
constrained David, so too has the old order constrained those who are called to demolish
Satan’s strongholds, strapped with the heavy cumbersome equipment of Saul. I feel the
solution is prophetically answered in I Samuel 17. As you may recall from these verses, David
was appalled that Goliath so freely taunted God’s people. With confidence he prepared to face
Goliath, yet quickly recognized that the old order (armor) would not work. Similarly, as we
recognize that the old order will not work for the Church, we too must seek the new Davidic
order that God is raising up in this hour. To have what we have never had, we must do what
we have never done. Much prophetic revelation is found in the meaty verses of I Samuel 17.
“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet
on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he
was not used to them. I cannot go in these, he said to Saul, because I am not used to them. So
he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the
stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand,
approached the Philistine” (I Samuel 17:38-40).
As with David, we must recognize that God is doing a new thing to bring victory to a less than
victorious Church. Let us examine further the prophetic implications of these scriptures – “ I
cannot go in these, he said to Saul, because I am not used to them. So he took them off. Then
he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream…”
The order of Saul was built upon a one-man system, the direct results of men directing God.
This one-man system of Saul had more to do with man’s leadership than God’s. As a
downward spiraling parallel, we see the Church dissolving from the powerful First Century
Church, utilizing the entire five-fold ministry, to the one fold Pastor led system of today.
Through the traditions of men, we have systematically eliminated four folds of ministry to the
Body of Christ and of equal importance, knocked countless thousands out of attaining their
destiny and purpose in the earth. Many powerful, destiny filled ministries sit idle in pews,
bound and constrained by an order that does not recognize any calling except Pastor (See
Ephesians 4:11,12).
David realized, as we must, that victory would not come through the way battles were
typically fought. David dared to look to a different non-traditional manner to attain victory
against Goliath, so too must the Church. In more than a twist of irony, let us look again to the
word – “Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream…” I
submit to you that as the Davidic order replaces the order of Saul that a true victorious Church
will emerge as the five-fold ministry begins to find its way back into the Body of Christ. As
David reached into the stream he pulled five smooth stones to the surface. Symbolically, many
of those who are being raised up in this hour will be those that have been hidden from the
Body, submerged for years, yet washed by the water of the word until all rough edges have
been smoothed. Any stone that David chose was enough to bring Goliath to the ground.
Destiny releases the power and purpose of God in us, in the earth, and in the heavenlies.
When we touch destiny and purpose, we know it – it witnesses in our spirit; a surge of
power is felt in our mind, body, and spirit. Many apostolic and prophetic anointings lay dormant
as do other callings within the Body, but soon will awaken as the emerging Davidic order
brings change to the Church. The Church cries out for solutions to its problems, BUT IS IT
READY FOR REAL ANSWERS? Much of the solution will require change from those in the old
order of Saul, and many like those in Saul’s company will be ever so reluctant to join David the
anointed and called King. Any change that has ever affected this world began in the hearts of
men, so too will this move of God begin in the hearts of men.
All change must begin within each of us seeking change. At the risk of sounding redundant, let
me state again THAT THOSE DESIRING TO SEE CHANGE MUST REALIZE THAT IN ORDER TO
BRING CHANGE, WE MUST BE WILLING TO CHANGE. The willing and obedient eat the good of
the land and fulfill their predestined call. Just prior to David’s Kingship he held up in the cave at
Addulum (I Samuel 22). What a choice his followers had to make – a cave with David or a
Palace with Saul. The palace represents a close parallel to decisions faced today: Saul
offered comfort, stability, safety, prominence, position, power, influence and acclaim. David
offered a cave, actually a hole in the side of a mountain, but deep in the hole was a dream.
The order of Saul deals in the seen; the order of David in the unseen.
Those with an affinity for the external will likely stick with Saul, while those with the eye of the
Spirit will follow David to the death. “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented
gathered around him, and he became their leader” (I Samuel 22:2). The Davidic Order WILL
NOT attract those who are happy with things just the way they are. We now live in the age of
the Laodicean Church – “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of
the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that
you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are
lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I
have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched,
pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:14-17). In summary, the spiritually contented will
stay with Saul, while the spiritually discontented will hold up with David.
Several years ago the Lord spoke to me over a period of time and said several things that
changed my life. First he said, “Anything growing will change – be open, be flexible, be willing
to change.” This phenomenon is true in both the natural and the spiritual world. GROWTH
REQUIRES CHANGE. Though all change isn’t a sign of growth, all growth is a sign of change!
Our growth will require change, but even more importantly and initially, our willingness to
change. He then said, “Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition.” With those words,
when combined, I realized that traditional thinking is dangerous in dealing with spiritual matters.
I had hindered my own spiritual growth by my own preconceived traditions, much of which
emanated from my soul. He then said a final word that has changed my life forever. “The sin
of presumption often hides itself in noble purposes.” As with Sarah, I have been guilty of
trying to help God by assuming roles that God had not assigned me (See Genesis 16:3), but
because the purpose appeared noble and good, I presumed it to be God. This incredibly
dangerous error, in my opinion, has stopped more people from fulfilling their destiny and
walking in the real power of God than any other aspect of Christianity; evangelist acting as
pastors, businessmen in ministry, ministers in business, teachers acting as prophets,
programs in place of prayer, organizations in place of an organism, etc.,
Much of the modern day Church is a result of works of the flesh (Ishmael). Said differently,
presumptive decisions based on noble purposes run most churches today. IT IS HERE THAT
WE IDENTIFY WHY WE HAVE A POWERLESS CHURCH – IT IS RUN FOR THE MOST PART BY
WORKS OF THE FLESH. That which is a work of the Spirit will produce Spiritual results. That
which is a work of the flesh will produce the results of the flesh – Works of God produce
Godly results while works of men produce human results. Judge for yourself the state of the
Church.
Before leaving the subject of presumption, let us look deeper into why it reigns in the Church
today. God’s word is filled with scriptural assurances that if we seek him for answers, he will
provide them. His Word also gives us many scriptural assurances that God will guide and lead
us beyond our need for critical answers, even to the extent of telling us in Romans “those that
are led by the Spirit of God are called the sons and daughters of God.”
Despite these assurances, we still operate in presumption in many areas of our lives. Self-rule
is a product of trusting self more than God. As one Pastor put, “Why do you think I went to the
Seminary?” A major characteristic of the Davidic order rest in the fact that God does the
leading. David always sought God for specific direction after learning that he was not only to
get the direction of the Lord, but also the ‘how to’ within the confines of that direction (See II
Samuel 6:1-13). Saul took matters into his own hands and lost his kingdom, not only for
himself, but his heirs as well. Sadly, Jonathan stayed with his father, Saul and met an untimely
death. How many who linger in the house of Saul will birth spiritual death for themselves and
their families? During a recent time of praying in the Holy Spirit for several hours, I heard the
Lord say that He is raising up a victorious Church, a warrior like David who operates in the
true power and strength of the Lord. As I asked the Lord about the initial steps that we must
take in arriving at this victorious place, He spoke the following to me:
Make no mistake about it; the Body of Christ is made up of people, not buildings, not
denominations, not ministries. It will be through unifying and joining of those called to be joined
that God’s power will be released in this hour. Two parts (though only two in the world’s
system) when joined, equal 10 parts in the Kingdom – “One can put a thousand to flight, two
can put ten thousand to flight.” Proper joining results in proper sharpening – “A man sharpens
his brother as iron sharpens iron.” Body parts when properly joined will have the strength
they are designed to have and perform the functions they are designed to perform. Just as a
finger apart from the hand has no functioning power, so too are the parts of the Body of
Christ apart from those to whom they are called. Praying in the Holy Spirit will release the
knowledge, the enabling, and the joining that God desires in this hour.
The Army of God is now beginning to make strategy for VICTORY; the primary focus of this
strategy involves unifying the Body and joining the parts that are suppose to be JOINED. We
must pray to properly discern and join the Body properly…This is not a joining for the sake of
joining, but rather a fitting of the parts that are called to be JOINED.
Begin to look for the Davidic Order – it is soon coming to a town near you!
clay@coastalnow.net
To This One Will I Look
Pastor Francis Frangipane
Transcendent, Liberating Humility
Of all virtues, Jesus elevated meekness above the others. Why?
Humility is the door opener to grace: no virtue enters our lives except
that humility requests it come. Without humility, we have no sense or
attachment to our personal need; we see no reason to change or
appropriate future grace.
Yet, humility is not only host to the other virtues, it is also the
life essence that sustains them. It is humility that recognizes when love
is growing cold and humility that confesses our need for greater faith.
Without humility, our virtues harden into lifeless statues within the
sanctuary of our hearts. Thus, humility sustains the unfolding of true
spiritual nobility. It provides increasing wholeness, life and growth to
all other virtues.
Consider: when asked by His disciples "Who then is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus put a child in their midst. He said,
"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven" (Matt 18:1,4).
What a sublime wonder that, in heaven, the height of greatness is
measured by the depth of one's humility. Listen to Wuest's Expanded
Translation of this verse: "Therefore, he who is of such a nature as to
humble himself like this little child, esteeming himself small inasmuch as
he is so, thus thinking truly, and because truly, therefore humbly of
himself, this person is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus came not only to bring us to heaven when we die; He came to
establish heaven where we live. Thus, He introduces the realm of God to
His disciples with the words,
Beloved, there are no proud beings in heaven. Here on earth we see
the strutting pride of leaders and celebrities; we behold pride again in
our racial and cultural identities. We see unrepentant pride in divorces
and church divisions; and the offspring of pride - envy and jealousy - in
the inordinate desire of the soul to be glorified before men. In heaven,
praise to God fills the atmosphere, not pride in human achievement.
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit! Not
the perfect, but the poor -- those who know they are spiritually needy --
these will find a welcomed home in the kingdom of God. But there dwells
not one proud soul in all of heaven.
Hear again the promise of the Lord:
Only the humble take refuge in the Lord. Do you defend yourself? Do
you seek retaliation or vengeance for life's injustices? Or, instead, do
you take refuge in God? If so, then humility is growing within you.
Remember, neither the proud nor the self-righteous look to God; only the
lowly trust in the Almighty.
To the humble He gives grace. Grace is not just unmerited favor, it
is God's promise to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. When we
confess our sins, when we openly reveal our flaws and our ongoing need of
divine help, we find the Almighty a ready companion to transform our lives
and meet our needs.
Listen again to the promise of our God:
Revival cannot be conjured up by man; it doesn't come just because
we put a sign outside our churches and advertise. No, true revival only
comes from God. Yes, and of all types of people upon earth, God chooses to
bring revival to the humble. Indeed, He gives even a greater
encouragement: He promises to dwell with the contrite and lowly.
Humility, the door that welcomes virtue, is the catalyst to all
things spiritual. God resists the proud, but gives help to, and dwells
with, the humble.
Beloved, there is nothing God desires from us except a humble heart.
Listen well to this final great promise of our Creator:
Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My
footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a
place that I may rest?"
The great King, the Eternal One, sifts the nations in search of a
certain type of person: he who is humble, contrite of spirit, and who
trembles at His word. He says, "To this one I will look."
"Lord, I humble myself of my pride and innate tendencies to exalt
myself. I long for the secret courts of the Most High and to dwell in the
secret place with You. I humble myself before You, O God. Let this day be
the beginning of lowliness in me."
http://www.inchristsimage.org
Submission
Ras Robinson
Bitterness is preventing you from humble submission
to one another. It is my will that you walk in mutual submission in my
kingdom. There can never be the unity that I intend without humility of
heart and of action. Without humility you will never live in submission
to others. Therefore the world will never see that Jesus is lord of the
church until this is fixed. Consider my apostle Paul and how he
submitted all of his teaching to my leadership before he got fully
established as my teacher. He did this at my instruction. Are you
better than Paul that you do not follow his example? Much damage is
being done in the church and in families because of unresolved
bitterness. Bitterness is the root of the independent spirit among
you. The root of bitterness springs up and produces the fruit of the
wild donkey, living independently apart from my will and intention. And
this fruit will flourish for a season. But there is coming a day when I
will exact mutual submission among my children. I have my ways and they
are not yours. Therefore humble yourself today and ask for my axe to
cut out that root and fully destroy it. You have been hurt in the past
by those in authority and those close to you. Turn it loose.
Forgive. Let me heal. Bitterness is preventing you from humble
submission to one another.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep
watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do
this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for
you.
Galatians 2:2 And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I
submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I
did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might
be running, or had run, in vain.
We love you, Ras and Bev
Ras and Bev Robinson
September 4, 2001
Madison, AL
tommyb@arttech1.com
Herbert, Saskatchewan, CanadaBut mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2TI 3:1-5
"There have been other forces at work on this earth for a number of years. You see these things in your cities and you see these things in a number of ways:
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth
inhistruthprophet@earthlink.net
riverpub@sgci.com Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You
Many of you sense change on the horizon, I tell you that indeed change is coming, and I hear your cries for direction and guidance. You will not be disappointed, for surely I will lead you by the hand and direct your every step when the time is right and you are ready to move ahead. For now, you must take one day at a time and fulfill the assignments and tasks before you. Have I ever failed you? I tell you I will not fail you now. Refuse to allow a spirit of fear to cause you to worry or get into anxiety about the future.
Solution - Change! Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven (Matt 5:3).
In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by
which you have rebelled against Me; for then I will remove from your midst
your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy
mountain. But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they
will take refuge in the name of the LORD (Zeph 3:11-12).
For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose
name is Holy, "I dwell {on} a high and holy place, and {also} with the
contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15).
For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into
being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, to him who is
humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. (Isaiah
66:1-2).
Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that not one of you will fail
to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root
among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in
their spiritual lives.
Fullness in Christ Church Ministries
http://www.fullnessonline.org
rasrobinson@fullnessonline.orgFive-Fold Today Archives
The Lord has given us the grace to reconcile the children to their Fathers
As One Body
Issue Oriented Discussion Newsletter
Index | Search This Site | Aristide.Org | The Latter Rain | Babylon the Great | The Kingdom | The Nicolaitans | Jezebel
The Baptism With the Holy Ghost | The Grand Delusion | World Trade Org | Liberation Theology | Jay Atkinson | Alphabetical Index