Five-Fold Today - The Power of His Resurrection - Random Thoughts - In the Midst of The Desert - Ravenous Wolves Among You - Come Into My Light - Recall Notice

August 26, 2002

The Power of His Resurrection

Timothy Glendenning

Phil. 3:10.---'That I may know him and the power of his resurrection.'

It was the risen Christ who appeared to St. Paul; the ascended, glorified Lord. It was the risen Christ he desired to know. Other apostles had seen the wonders of His earthly life, but this was history to the Apostle, as it is to us. There is no word of regret in all his Epistles that he had not walked with Him in Galilee, or listened to His inspiring words, or stood beneath His cross. Christ as He is---this is his search and his study: 'that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection.' Christ in himself, and himself in Christ: this is more than Christ at his side, or Christ crucified before his eyes. Not a memory, but a life, is what he craves for: not a pattern, but a power. To have the risen Christ in him, to know that He is there, to know what He is doing there---that is to 'know him, and the power of his resurrection.' It was not the historical fact of the physical resurrection of Christ that he desired to be convinced of, although of that fact he had no shadow of doubt. To accept a historical fact when it is proved to you is not faith, nor is it knowledge, in the religious sense of those words. Faith is concerned with the unseen: and to have seen a person is not the same as to know him.

Probably no human testimony would have convinced Saul of Tarsus that Jesus of Nazareth had truly risen from the dead. And, if he had been convinced of the fact, we cannot say that it would have changed his attitude of hostility. But, to use his own words, 'it pleased God to reveal his son in me.' It was no mere external appearance: the risen, living Christ had laid hold of him and possessed him; His touch had reached into his inmost being.

From that moment all the testimony that others offered fitted in with what he knew of Christ. He delighted to collect it and weld it into an impregnable argument, to meet the questionings of the Greeks of Corinth who were puzzling over the possibility of any resurrection and the nature of resurrection bodies. But his faith rested not on testimonies. He was permeated with the living Presence of Christ: he had taken Him as the Master of his life---'Christ Jesus my Lord': he carried the witness in himself. Yet he seems to speak as if it were still his goal, not his attainment---to 'know him, and the power of his resurrection'---'if by any means I may attain.'

The power of the resurrection is no far-off promise, but a present gift. The anticipations of the future are in the New Testament quite subordinate to the assurance that eternal life is, after all, not primarily a hope to be cherished for the future, but an acquisition to be attained in this present life. The time to enter eternity is now. Immortality is not a matter of duration, but a matter of vitality; not a physical transition, but a moral awakening; not a matter of quantity, but a matter of quality. 'This is life eternal.' says the gospel, 'that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.' 'To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life'; 'We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren'; such are the promises and warnings which mark the New Testament teaching. Christ speaks of Eternal Life not in the present or future, but "the mystic tense." People can live it here and now. 'If you would enter into life,' said Christ to that youth to whom His heart went forth, 'keep the commandments.'

As at the Renaissance men's minds were entirely changed by the astronomical discovery that the earth is not alone, with the heavens revolving far above it, but that it is in heaven, a part of it, so in the Testament men found that Time is an illusion and that this that we know now is a part of Eternity. And grasping that, they learned to live their life in a new way, the heavenly, the eternal way.

We have a wholly different way of approach to the problem of immortality from that which engages speculative minds in their guesses about the future. It is a way which starts, not from anticipation, but from experience; not with Christ risen in one's creed, but with Christ risen in one's life; not with immortality as a future gift, but with immortality as a present acquisition. In short, the sublime but dimly recognized teaching of the New Testament is this, that the spiritual order of this world is set over against the sensuous order as a literal contrast between life and death. One may fancy himself, that is to say, alive and well, in the fullness of physical health, and yet, according to this teaching, he may be sick, even unto death. 'This my son,' said the father of the prodigal, not in a figure of speech but in literal truth, 'was dead and is alive again.' Eternal life, in other words, is not a matter of creed but a matter of character.

It must be admitted that something of a wrench of mind is necessary to turn from the thought of immortality as a cosmic problem to the thought of immortality as a way of life. It is exhilarating to look back across the centuries and sing, 'Christ is risen'; but it strikes a much less jubilant note to ask, 'Am I risen with Christ? have I attained unto the resurrection?' Yet this is in fact the question of importance, and this personal and momentous transition is not so strange or remote as it at first may appear.

From the discovery of the meaning of life there follow two consequences of the most momentous and immediate importance.

The recognition of eternal life as now and here opens the straight road to assurance of its continuity and perpetuation. One rational conviction sustains and directs our faith. It is the assurance that what is excellent, as God lives, is permanent; that a life which is not of the body is not involved in the fate of the body; that those who have attained to the resurrection here are the best witnesses of its continuity hereafter. In other words, the most convincing reason for one's faith in immortality comes of acquaintance with lives which do not seem likely to die. 'Death,' it was said of Jesus, 'had no dominion over him.' The life of the Master had become in the mind of His followers so completely dissociated from the changes of the body that its continuance was the result of its character. As His word in the flesh had been with power, so, when that word was silenced, they lived by the power of His resurrection. Eternal life as a problem had been answered for them by eternal life as a fact. And that, ever since, has been the convincing demonstration of the survival of the human soul. Through some experience of affection or reminiscence one has had intimacy with lives which had in them the quality of timelessness.

If the best evidence of eternal life is knowledge of it as a fact; if, as we know what love is by loving, and what sight is by seeing, so we know what immortality is by seeing and loving a soul that is immortal---then there follows a second consequence which is not less reassuring. For this kind of life, resurrection, not yet wholly attained but already laid hold of, is what makes eternal life in the future not only real but worth the having. When one contemplates a future life which is a sheer duration, it is by no means certain whether it should be anticipated with hope or with fear. Immortality as duration, with all its perplexing problems of sin and its penalty, of punishment and retribution, has not much to recommend it to tired mortals; and there is nothing in it of the New Testament note of vitality and power. But immortality as opportunity, eternal life to be first attained and then maintained---that transfers one to a wholly different view.

To believe that the purposes and desires which have so often been unfulfilled may have their chance of realization; to believe that the blunders and follies which cloud one's memory may be somehow, even if it be with suffering, redeemed; to believe that the shining witnesses of the spirit which have sustained one's courage in this life are gathered into the timeless service of a loving God---this is to reach at last the New Testament way of approach to the mystery of the future. Not all at once is this assurance to be attained among the perplexities and discords of ordinary life. The things which are seen seem visionary. But by the teachings of experience, by companionship with lives unspotted from the world, by the dedication of our own life to the discipleship of Christ our Lord---the proportions of truth grow clearer, and realities emerge from illusion, and the sense of timelessness supplants the sense of temporariness.

In Christ, timothy.
Maranatha

Random Thoughts On Some Not So Random Scriptures

Larry R. Taylor

Isa 26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

What Isaiah is describing is a woman who is going through hard labor--birth pains--and only produces wind for the effort. A vivid picture of much of the activity of the typical North American charismatic church. One major reason for this ineffectiveness is an undue emphasis on talk and symbolism rather than power and results. While the rhetoric heats up little happens. High sounding, important words with grave ominous delivery followed by acts of the boldest imaginable shadow boxing. I think it’s time for those paradigms to stop shift’n (for some they are already whirling like a windmill in a hurricane). Hey, here’s a strategic strategy: receive and release the power of God to change men’s lives. In the “na-na land” of the hypothetical theoretical church the harvest of words is filling every available silo, while the harvest of men’s souls remains untouched in the fields.

Ecc 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." Ecc 5:3 "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc 5:7 "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

Jam 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

goinmin@aol.com

A Word for Those Who Have Been Pursuing God In the Midst of The Desert

Armando Morales

Ps. 63:1 O God, You are my God, early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

My child I have seen your moments of brokenness before me. Through the times where you felt poor in spirit and weak in heart, you obeyed the yearning of your flesh to cry out to me. You dropped every routine and agenda to spend time with me...it was there my child where I was waiting for you. Through the moments of supplication when you cried "Lord I need Your presence", I was there enveloping you in my peace. Through the moments of desperation when you longed to see and touch my glory I was holding you tightly in my arms. Because of your weakness and dependence upon Me, I am drawing you closer in our intimacy. You WILL hear my still small voice my child with greater consistency...all I ask is that you maintain your heart of humility before Me and I will use you as the chosen vessel you have longed to be. In the midst of the desert every test you are facing will become a testimony for my children that I will send for you to demonstrate My greatness. Continue to run to Me in humility and I will uphold you my child..for I am Greater in the midst of your circumstances. Most importantly, know that I love you unconditionally!

ib4gzus@juno.com

Ravenous Wolves Among You

Marsha Burns

There are ravenous wolves among you. They have crept in unnoticed and without warning. My sheep are being scattered. Arise, My shepherds, and gather them in; bring them back into the safety of My sheepfold. Gather My little ones who have wandered and been chased away. The enemy of your souls has crept in under cover of darkness and deception and carried some into captivity. Have I not called you for this time to set My people at liberty? I have called you to do this and more. Use what I have given you to do the work of the Kingdom. Do you hear My voice calling to your heart today? Rise up and do the work; you are My body, My hands, My feet, My eyes, My ears, My mouth. I have given you a shepherd's anointing; rescue the perishing.

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

Faith Tabernacle
Kremmling, Colorado
http://ft111.com

Come Into My Light

Laurie Stone

Differences are arising in My sheep! Some will appear to have more than others and some not as much. Look to Me for all increase. If you allow yourself to fall into self-pity, My love falls from you. Keep your eyes on Me. Do not look to others for more of Me look to Me to completely overflow you.

It is not the sheep that will fill you with the love of My heart, it is I. Do not allow this to take away from that which you are called for. Many will seem to have a bigger blessing of anointing but it is not as it appears. Continue to seek Me for the in filling of the Spirit and I will keep cleaning , removing and filling.

I show favoritism to no one! Hear Me this day, I show favoritism to no one! Continue as you are and do not allow yourself to fall into deceit. I am the one that you must look to. Will you allow yourself to be beat up by the bat of manipulation because the flesh wants glory to move bigger in the gifts? Do not do this children for it hinders your growth in the Higher calling that I call you into.

The devourer is being released more everyday continue to resist him and you will grow aware of his schemes. Continue to seek Me the One that completes you and no one will inherit what I have ordinated as yours. Continue to open up to Me for I have the ways that you need, want, and have been asking for.

Do not look at others and compare yourselves to them. Many are flames with a purpose and the battles they must overcome are not yours. Do not look ahead of the line and see what they have that you do not, for this allows deception to manipulate the truth by thievery.

I call all people to walk in My glory and My light. Will you walk as I direct you or as you choose to walk which is after the image of man's expressions. Turn desires into prayers. Ask and I will put you in the place you are called to be in. Nothing is too hard for Me . Continue to seek My face. I will provide that which you have asked for. Do you not realize that My dreams fulfill your dreams when completion to our desires come to pass? Do not take your eyes off of the important things that touch the lives of so many. I am the truth the light and always the way. Seek Me the giver of all that is good and fruitful.

The choice is to allow Me complete access or receive timid returns.

stone@swpc.net

Recall Notice

Ken Austin

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed, "Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality," or more commonly known as SIN, as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms:

  • Loss of direction
  • Foul vocal emissions
  • Amnesia of origin
  • Lack of peace and joy
  • Selfish, or violent behavior
  • Depression or confusion in the mental component
  • Fearfulness
  • Idolatry
  • Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect.

The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The toll free number to call for repair in all areas is:

P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Faithfulness
  • Gentleness
  • Self-control

Please see the operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details on the use of these fixes.

As an added upgrade, the Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from a resident Maintenance Technician, His holy spirit.

Repaired units need only make Him welcome, and He will take up permanent residence on the premises!

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids the Manufacturer's warranty, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

For free emergency service, call on JESUS.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention.

Ken A . . . . . . . . . . . . - KAustin5@Juno.Com

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