This morning I awoke with a dream. I've been in prayer today and have recorded the dream and interpretation below. God bless! Helen
I was working in a yard where there were 4 square holes dug about 6 feet deep and wide. I was shoveling or sweeping a little. Then someone would pour cement and fill each one up. There was a drain hole in the bottom of the dirt, which was level, like a floor.
6 is the beginning of the number of man. This has to do with men’s works, for the holes were dug by men in times past and already existed when I became a Christian 41 years ago. These were God-appointed works, and faithful men dug them. However, some added to God’s works.
After I had swept the first hole clean it was filled up with cement and I began to work in the second. It had a level floor, but there was a rectangle part at one end that went a few feet deeper. I noticed a few leaves falling onto the part of the floor I was standing on so began sweeping. All of a sudden there was a “swoosh” and enough leaves fell into the lower part that it filled it up to the very top of the hole (maybe about 8 feet tall!) . I considered how to take them out, and couldn’t come up with a way. Then I got out of the hole cement was poured.
The woman we were working for called us to eat lunch and I knew that when she called, we had to come. While walking there I thought on the second hole and realized that, as the leaves decayed under the cement, the cement would crack because there was no solid ground under it. When seated at the table I told the lady cement had been poured for the 2 holes. I thought ahead to the next 2 holes, knowing there were leaves falling. I determined that no leaves should remain in the holes before pouring cement.
Interpretation;
The Lord is showing me four 20-year spans. I have lived in the 1st 2 and have been called to help pour the foundation.
Four represents government, or ruling. God has begun laying foundations for His people to rule and reign with him.
Six represents Man, or men’s works. We have pre-destined works we are called to do (Eph 2:10). Men had dug the holes for God’s foundations and in my life-time, the cement would be poured.
The 1st foundation was not difficult and occurred in my life after the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in Santa Rosa. The floor was even and level, signifying the unity of the Spirit back in the late 60s and early 70s. I did a little sweeping, and then the foundation was poured after the work was complete.
The next hole was more difficult because it was uneven, though the different areas were level. This shows a stratification, or hierarchy being part of the church structure. The leaves fell in the end of this season, showing that the Lord is shaking things. The dead leaves are the opposite of the leaves from the Tree of Life in Revelation (Rev 22:2). Instead of bringing healing for the nations, the dead leaves only occupy space and bring no substance upon which to build a foundation. The dead leaves are men’s written books and words that are of themselves but not of the Lord. These would include books and teachings that lead people into dead works, such as endless repentances to bring healing. The foundation that is poured over these works will crack, whereas the foundation Paul laid could have other’s works built upon it (1 Cor 3:10).
Lunch is the noon meal. It is a nourishing time. It is a time of rest and refreshing in the Lord that each laborer needs to heed. In Hebrews we read “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. . . . There remains then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” (Heb 4:7,9) From this rest God’s refreshing will bring forth the next two foundations, built by His people. His people will not compete with each other, and their hearts will carry the love of the brethren, which will once again work unity amongst them. However, those who do not heed His call to come aside and rest in Him will not be refreshed. Instead of warmth towards each other, their hearts will grow cold (Mt 24:12).
This interpretation ends here, for there is nothing more shown. The Lord knows the works He will call men into and the futures foundations He will pour. May we all be ready to serve Him. Amen.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Hearing from the Lord
Distinguishing between the Lord’s thoughts and our own is part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When Paul wrote about walking in the Spirit he contrasted how the natural mind wars against the thoughts of God (Rm 8:7). The problem isn’t that we don’t hear God’s thoughts; it’s that we haven’t learned the practice of discerning them.
Discernment is learned through preference. Just as a wine connoisseur develops a palate for good wine, God’s people can develop a preference for His thoughts. We learn that His wisdom is to be coveted for its great worth, and that His knowledge is a foundation which we can build on. God’s thoughts also reveal His point of view, and by listening to Him we learn more about His nature.
Discernment is developed by practice. If a man is ignorant of the source of his thoughts, he is like a small child learning his way. But as we grow into spiritual adulthood, we learn that God is the source of our inspiration and that He brings insight far beyond our personal experience. This causes the sincere to develop a seeking spirit, always listening for God’s input. But an insincere heart will prefer the Lord’s thoughts at one moment, and their own thoughts the next.
Sincerity nurtures practice. “”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 5:13-14). We find that practice is what develops discernment, and discernment develops our maturity, if we follow it.
Because we are born with a mind that is content to think its own thoughts, and in fact, we derive pleasure from our own thoughts, the Holy Spirit faces resistance in us until we yield ourselves over to Him. We can do this by disciplining ourselves to think upon scriptures, for they are written by God’s Spirit (2 Pet 1:20). Besides the discipline of thinking on scriptures, we can apply acceptable categories to what we allow ourselves to think. Paul writes that we should think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8). Early on in our Christian walk we learn the discipline of thinking good and scriptural thoughts, letting them form us more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture is not only written by the Word of God Himself, but that very Word is also the Holy Spirit. Because the Word of God is a person and a Spirit, He can speak to us through the scriptures, and personally in our own receiving center; our spirits. It brings glory to us when the Holy Spirit takes what is Jesus’ and makes it known to us (Jn 16:14). Therefore, the Christian is not limited to the scriptures as his only source for God’s thoughts.
God desires to speak to us all, bringing us glory and molding us into His image by the transformation of our minds. We are instructed to not be conformed to the way the world thinks (our old pattern of thinking) but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom 12:2) Testing, and distinguishing (from Heb 5:14) are what divides God’s thoughts from our own. If we truly and sincerely want to follow the Holy Spirit, our mind will become a tree of discernment, nourished by God’s Spirit and bearing the fruit of tested thoughts. If we are insincere, we will return to our own thoughts because we prefer them and do not love the discipline involved in separating out that which is of superior value.
Those who do not see God as that pearl of great value will eventually find that the natural hostility of their mind causes a rebellion against what is perceived as the intrusion of the thoughts of God. The man in this state has the same intellectual pride as the one who thought “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Is 14:13-14) Not only will he believe his thoughts are of superior value, but that he can, from his own knowledge and wisdom, counsel God and His angels in the “mount of assembly.”
God knows the power of the Holy Spirit to conform our way of thinking and thereby transform us, eventually, through discipline and practice, into His way of thinking. He also knows the potential of our natural mind, and the corrupting power of its pride. God’s Spirit works with us continually to present us with choices; His thoughts, or ours. Today, when we hear His excellent thoughts, may we prefer them, for He covets to walk with us. Amen
Discernment is learned through preference. Just as a wine connoisseur develops a palate for good wine, God’s people can develop a preference for His thoughts. We learn that His wisdom is to be coveted for its great worth, and that His knowledge is a foundation which we can build on. God’s thoughts also reveal His point of view, and by listening to Him we learn more about His nature.
Discernment is developed by practice. If a man is ignorant of the source of his thoughts, he is like a small child learning his way. But as we grow into spiritual adulthood, we learn that God is the source of our inspiration and that He brings insight far beyond our personal experience. This causes the sincere to develop a seeking spirit, always listening for God’s input. But an insincere heart will prefer the Lord’s thoughts at one moment, and their own thoughts the next.
Sincerity nurtures practice. “”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 5:13-14). We find that practice is what develops discernment, and discernment develops our maturity, if we follow it.
Because we are born with a mind that is content to think its own thoughts, and in fact, we derive pleasure from our own thoughts, the Holy Spirit faces resistance in us until we yield ourselves over to Him. We can do this by disciplining ourselves to think upon scriptures, for they are written by God’s Spirit (2 Pet 1:20). Besides the discipline of thinking on scriptures, we can apply acceptable categories to what we allow ourselves to think. Paul writes that we should think thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8). Early on in our Christian walk we learn the discipline of thinking good and scriptural thoughts, letting them form us more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture is not only written by the Word of God Himself, but that very Word is also the Holy Spirit. Because the Word of God is a person and a Spirit, He can speak to us through the scriptures, and personally in our own receiving center; our spirits. It brings glory to us when the Holy Spirit takes what is Jesus’ and makes it known to us (Jn 16:14). Therefore, the Christian is not limited to the scriptures as his only source for God’s thoughts.
God desires to speak to us all, bringing us glory and molding us into His image by the transformation of our minds. We are instructed to not be conformed to the way the world thinks (our old pattern of thinking) but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom 12:2) Testing, and distinguishing (from Heb 5:14) are what divides God’s thoughts from our own. If we truly and sincerely want to follow the Holy Spirit, our mind will become a tree of discernment, nourished by God’s Spirit and bearing the fruit of tested thoughts. If we are insincere, we will return to our own thoughts because we prefer them and do not love the discipline involved in separating out that which is of superior value.
Those who do not see God as that pearl of great value will eventually find that the natural hostility of their mind causes a rebellion against what is perceived as the intrusion of the thoughts of God. The man in this state has the same intellectual pride as the one who thought “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Is 14:13-14) Not only will he believe his thoughts are of superior value, but that he can, from his own knowledge and wisdom, counsel God and His angels in the “mount of assembly.”
God knows the power of the Holy Spirit to conform our way of thinking and thereby transform us, eventually, through discipline and practice, into His way of thinking. He also knows the potential of our natural mind, and the corrupting power of its pride. God’s Spirit works with us continually to present us with choices; His thoughts, or ours. Today, when we hear His excellent thoughts, may we prefer them, for He covets to walk with us. Amen
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Being Prepared
Have you ever wondered how, in the parable of the 10 bridesmaids, 5 of the virgins were not ready for the Lord? (Mt 25:1-13). Bridesmaids were the attendants of the bride; how could they not know what was about to happen? When the groom addressed them he said he didn’t know who they were (verse 12). Jesus’ last statement on this subject was “keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (verse 13).
Jesus wants us to be ready. He does not delight in catching His people unprepared. Just like the 5 prepared bridesmaids told the 5 unprepared bridesmaids to go out and buy oil for their lamps, Jesus also tells unprepared Christians to buy gold, clothes, and eye salve (Rev 3:18). Jesus wants us to be rich in Him, clothed so that we won’t be shamed by our nakedness, and to have good spiritual eyesight. We need these things in order to be ready for Him.
Jesus warned us that He may come at a time we aren’t expecting Him. He said “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Rev 16:15). Walking in our flesh is nakedness, and will cause us to war against the Spirit, to our shame. This is because our natural mind is “hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Rm 8:7) We need to be clothed by God’s Spirit, letting all that we do proceed from Him and not from our own desires.
Submitting to God’s will is a joy and the desire of those who love Him. Yet there is what Paul called “lawlessness” and “rebellion” seeping into our churches. It does not seem overt, but rather is an allowing of the blood-bought Christian to walk in the flesh and to seek his rewards from this world. The spirit of lawlessness was identified in the first churches. Paul wrote that the one behind this spirit is being held back until the time appointed for him to be revealed (2 Thess 2:6-7). God’s Spirit holds back the force of this spirit so that men will have the opportunity to choose to submit to Him, and have Life.
Interestingly, the spirit of lawlessness is prophesied to come with a “display of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” (2 Thess 2:9-10) Those who do not submit to the cleansing and leading of the Holy Spirit will find a fascination with the display of the lawless one. Those who have not learned to walk in faith will follow things their eyes can see, and be led astray because they lacked a love of the truth; that they must be cleansed (verse 12).
We would like to think that, in the end times God’s power would be displayed and we could see all His wonderful works. What we read is sobering. In Revelation the Holy Spirit is referred to as the “great river Euphrates” (Rev 9:14 & 16:12). One of the Holy Spirit’s functions is to hold back judgment until the appointed time. God’s Spirit labors amongst us to prepare us for His coming, if we will submit to Him. One day God will take His hand away from holding back the coming judgment. Just as God has been preparing His Son’s bride through submission to the Holy Spirit, so satan has been preparing people through resistance to the Holy Spirit, and rebellion. The enemy will prepare people to fall into deception and follow “demons performing miraculous signs.” (Rev 16:13-14). For this to take place, God will dry up the great river Euphrates, the Holy Spirit. In the end, instead of profuse out-pourings of the Holy Spirit, we will see a counterfeit movement of signs and wonders take place. Those who are not clothed with be shamefully naked, and they will follow the wrong spirit.
It is satan’s purpose to deceive whom he can into following lawlessness and rebellion. He will deceive the leaders of churches so that they will give their authority to his counterfeit movement in the churches which have not recognized him (Rev 17:12-13, 17). It is because the leaders give their allegiance to the false spirit that satan’s power grows in the churches, resulting in the people being left naked, and the Church herself being ruined.
Yet God will have a clothed people. Those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb wear white robes (Rev 7:9, 14). The counterfeit church has deceptions and miracles. Those dressed in white have a relationship with God. They are before the throne of God and serve Him. God spreads His tent over them. They won’t be hungry or thirsty again, nor will they be scorched by the sun. Jesus will be their shepherd and lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes (see Rev 7:13-17).
God prepares His people so that they can spend eternity with Him in a loving and nurturing relationship. We are foolish to prefer our flesh over walking in the Spirit with our Lord. God’s preparations, if we submit to them, will keep us from running after the wrong spirit. Today, let us be ready for Him, valuing our relationship with Him over all else. Amen.
Jesus wants us to be ready. He does not delight in catching His people unprepared. Just like the 5 prepared bridesmaids told the 5 unprepared bridesmaids to go out and buy oil for their lamps, Jesus also tells unprepared Christians to buy gold, clothes, and eye salve (Rev 3:18). Jesus wants us to be rich in Him, clothed so that we won’t be shamed by our nakedness, and to have good spiritual eyesight. We need these things in order to be ready for Him.
Jesus warned us that He may come at a time we aren’t expecting Him. He said “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Rev 16:15). Walking in our flesh is nakedness, and will cause us to war against the Spirit, to our shame. This is because our natural mind is “hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Rm 8:7) We need to be clothed by God’s Spirit, letting all that we do proceed from Him and not from our own desires.
Submitting to God’s will is a joy and the desire of those who love Him. Yet there is what Paul called “lawlessness” and “rebellion” seeping into our churches. It does not seem overt, but rather is an allowing of the blood-bought Christian to walk in the flesh and to seek his rewards from this world. The spirit of lawlessness was identified in the first churches. Paul wrote that the one behind this spirit is being held back until the time appointed for him to be revealed (2 Thess 2:6-7). God’s Spirit holds back the force of this spirit so that men will have the opportunity to choose to submit to Him, and have Life.
Interestingly, the spirit of lawlessness is prophesied to come with a “display of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” (2 Thess 2:9-10) Those who do not submit to the cleansing and leading of the Holy Spirit will find a fascination with the display of the lawless one. Those who have not learned to walk in faith will follow things their eyes can see, and be led astray because they lacked a love of the truth; that they must be cleansed (verse 12).
We would like to think that, in the end times God’s power would be displayed and we could see all His wonderful works. What we read is sobering. In Revelation the Holy Spirit is referred to as the “great river Euphrates” (Rev 9:14 & 16:12). One of the Holy Spirit’s functions is to hold back judgment until the appointed time. God’s Spirit labors amongst us to prepare us for His coming, if we will submit to Him. One day God will take His hand away from holding back the coming judgment. Just as God has been preparing His Son’s bride through submission to the Holy Spirit, so satan has been preparing people through resistance to the Holy Spirit, and rebellion. The enemy will prepare people to fall into deception and follow “demons performing miraculous signs.” (Rev 16:13-14). For this to take place, God will dry up the great river Euphrates, the Holy Spirit. In the end, instead of profuse out-pourings of the Holy Spirit, we will see a counterfeit movement of signs and wonders take place. Those who are not clothed with be shamefully naked, and they will follow the wrong spirit.
It is satan’s purpose to deceive whom he can into following lawlessness and rebellion. He will deceive the leaders of churches so that they will give their authority to his counterfeit movement in the churches which have not recognized him (Rev 17:12-13, 17). It is because the leaders give their allegiance to the false spirit that satan’s power grows in the churches, resulting in the people being left naked, and the Church herself being ruined.
Yet God will have a clothed people. Those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb wear white robes (Rev 7:9, 14). The counterfeit church has deceptions and miracles. Those dressed in white have a relationship with God. They are before the throne of God and serve Him. God spreads His tent over them. They won’t be hungry or thirsty again, nor will they be scorched by the sun. Jesus will be their shepherd and lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes (see Rev 7:13-17).
God prepares His people so that they can spend eternity with Him in a loving and nurturing relationship. We are foolish to prefer our flesh over walking in the Spirit with our Lord. God’s preparations, if we submit to them, will keep us from running after the wrong spirit. Today, let us be ready for Him, valuing our relationship with Him over all else. Amen.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Shepherds and sheep
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rm 15:1-2)
The example Christ left us was one of serving each other, regardless of popularity or personal strength. Rather than forming groups comprised of men and women who have similar interests and faith, the body of Christ was to be a mixture of weak and strong; people at different stages in their walk with the Lord, encouraging each other.
In Ezekiel 34 the Lord addresses the congregation as shepherds and sheep. The leaders (shepherds) were abusing their position and taking the best for themselves. The stronger sheep were following their example. The Lord said to the shepherds “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ez 34:4) Like the shepherds, some of the strong sheep began to despise fellow flock members. They would not share the substance of their faith, nor position in the flock with the weaker sheep. The Lord said to the strong sheep, “Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.” (Ez 34:21-22).
One of the take-home messages of Ezekiel’s prophecy is that submission to evil does not repair the religious system. The Lord would bring His justice, judging between those who were to serve Him, and those who were to be served. To resolve the self-centered system that was in place, the Lord would appoint a new shepherd; Himself (Ez 34:24)
In our 5-fold ministry we have a list of 5 types of leaders for the Church, one of whom is a pastor, or shepherd (Eph 4:11). His role is described in Ezekiel’s prophecy as being one of giving strength, and healing to the weak, and of bringing in strays and the lost. Indeed, because of his authority, the pastor can accomplish a great amount of good, along with the other members of the 5-fold ministry and the flock itself. And yet, we see the same message in the end of the Bible, of the Lord ruling over His people Himself: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:17)
We who rule are merely stewards of what belongs to God. Though we rule and reign with Christ here on the earth, we are His servants. The role of the servant is to present that which he is entrusted with to His master in good shape. Or in the case of people in a congregation, the servant is to care for and nurture them, presenting them to the Master in better shape than when he received them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, nurtured His sheep and in His prayer to the Father said “While I was with them I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the scripture would be fulfilled." (Jn 17:12). Again, we see the example set for us was one of nurturing, protecting, and bringing the weak into strength. This was the calling of the shepherd.
To walk as a leader in our churches is a position of both authority and servitude. For those focused on the power of this role, who place an emphasis on miracles and displays of splendor, their hearts will not be focused on bringing the flock up into their place. And because of the wrong focus, many sheep will stray. God is bringing His correction into congregations, judging between shepherds and sheep, and between the strong sheep and the weak. True leaders will bring this correction in order to present the Church as the Bride to her Christ. God is troubling the hearts of His people, for correction will not occur if men submit to evil. Jesus is coming in His Word to churches everywhere to turn the hearts towards the weak, that none be lost, for it is His glory to make the weak strong, the lost found, the sick healed, and to set the captives free. Amen.
The example Christ left us was one of serving each other, regardless of popularity or personal strength. Rather than forming groups comprised of men and women who have similar interests and faith, the body of Christ was to be a mixture of weak and strong; people at different stages in their walk with the Lord, encouraging each other.
In Ezekiel 34 the Lord addresses the congregation as shepherds and sheep. The leaders (shepherds) were abusing their position and taking the best for themselves. The stronger sheep were following their example. The Lord said to the shepherds “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ez 34:4) Like the shepherds, some of the strong sheep began to despise fellow flock members. They would not share the substance of their faith, nor position in the flock with the weaker sheep. The Lord said to the strong sheep, “Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.” (Ez 34:21-22).
One of the take-home messages of Ezekiel’s prophecy is that submission to evil does not repair the religious system. The Lord would bring His justice, judging between those who were to serve Him, and those who were to be served. To resolve the self-centered system that was in place, the Lord would appoint a new shepherd; Himself (Ez 34:24)
In our 5-fold ministry we have a list of 5 types of leaders for the Church, one of whom is a pastor, or shepherd (Eph 4:11). His role is described in Ezekiel’s prophecy as being one of giving strength, and healing to the weak, and of bringing in strays and the lost. Indeed, because of his authority, the pastor can accomplish a great amount of good, along with the other members of the 5-fold ministry and the flock itself. And yet, we see the same message in the end of the Bible, of the Lord ruling over His people Himself: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:17)
We who rule are merely stewards of what belongs to God. Though we rule and reign with Christ here on the earth, we are His servants. The role of the servant is to present that which he is entrusted with to His master in good shape. Or in the case of people in a congregation, the servant is to care for and nurture them, presenting them to the Master in better shape than when he received them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, nurtured His sheep and in His prayer to the Father said “While I was with them I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the scripture would be fulfilled." (Jn 17:12). Again, we see the example set for us was one of nurturing, protecting, and bringing the weak into strength. This was the calling of the shepherd.
To walk as a leader in our churches is a position of both authority and servitude. For those focused on the power of this role, who place an emphasis on miracles and displays of splendor, their hearts will not be focused on bringing the flock up into their place. And because of the wrong focus, many sheep will stray. God is bringing His correction into congregations, judging between shepherds and sheep, and between the strong sheep and the weak. True leaders will bring this correction in order to present the Church as the Bride to her Christ. God is troubling the hearts of His people, for correction will not occur if men submit to evil. Jesus is coming in His Word to churches everywhere to turn the hearts towards the weak, that none be lost, for it is His glory to make the weak strong, the lost found, the sick healed, and to set the captives free. Amen.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Love's parameters
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any long nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work, which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim 1:3-5)
Paul asked Timothy not only to correct false teachers, but disclosed that the goal of the correction was to have teacher’s whose works would come from love. He mentioned three guidelines for love: a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Today we will look into these three parameters by which our love, if it is guided correctly, will become fruitful.
For false teachers, failure to work in love caused controversies and hindered God’s work. All mankind has different beliefs about what love is. Rather than leave us to our own reasonings, the Lord cleanses our hearts daily by His Word and His Spirit (Eph 5:25-26). By submitting ourselves to the Lord’s cleansing, our heart becomes pure. Our self-interest gives way to His interests, and our service of Christ puts others first.
Because we are basically self-interested, Jesus patiently works with us, changing the motivation from which our works come. As we trust in God’s ways and let our own willful motivations die, our motivation then comes from God’s love joined with our own love. We then hold to the standard of pure love, from a pure heart, and leave behind the works of the flesh. There is an inner integrity built up in those who faithfully serve God from a pure heart, which develops a good conscience.
Though faith is intangible, it actually has substance. It not only reminds us of what we hope for and believe in, but causes us to take action. These actions become our works. Paul tells us that what counts is “faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:6) When our hearts are pure and we have a godly standard for our love to follow, our faith will produce good works. Our sincerity comes from the agreement of a purified heart with the standard set in place by the Word and the Spirit.
The false teachers that Paul asked Timothy to confront could have gotten mislead by not following any of the three parameters of love. If they wanted to be the center of their lives, benefiting from all that they did, then these false teachers would have resisted the cleansing of the Word and the Spirit, for it would not serve their interests. For those who did not want the discipline of having a standard by which to live by, the freedom to serve Christ could have been abused and distorted into permission to serve themselves. And for those who wanted to believe that anything was possible to them, their minds would not have become molded by the Word of God nor guided by His Spirit; in the end, their faith would contain magical thinking and vain bits of knowledge contrived into false doctrines.
Our works will proceed from love and glorify God when we have a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. All else hinders God’s work. He is looking at our willingness to be cleansed, our submission to the Word and the Spirit, and our sincere agreement that these steps should guide our works. When we do these things, our love will bear fruit for the Lord. Amen.
Paul asked Timothy not only to correct false teachers, but disclosed that the goal of the correction was to have teacher’s whose works would come from love. He mentioned three guidelines for love: a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Today we will look into these three parameters by which our love, if it is guided correctly, will become fruitful.
For false teachers, failure to work in love caused controversies and hindered God’s work. All mankind has different beliefs about what love is. Rather than leave us to our own reasonings, the Lord cleanses our hearts daily by His Word and His Spirit (Eph 5:25-26). By submitting ourselves to the Lord’s cleansing, our heart becomes pure. Our self-interest gives way to His interests, and our service of Christ puts others first.
Because we are basically self-interested, Jesus patiently works with us, changing the motivation from which our works come. As we trust in God’s ways and let our own willful motivations die, our motivation then comes from God’s love joined with our own love. We then hold to the standard of pure love, from a pure heart, and leave behind the works of the flesh. There is an inner integrity built up in those who faithfully serve God from a pure heart, which develops a good conscience.
Though faith is intangible, it actually has substance. It not only reminds us of what we hope for and believe in, but causes us to take action. These actions become our works. Paul tells us that what counts is “faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:6) When our hearts are pure and we have a godly standard for our love to follow, our faith will produce good works. Our sincerity comes from the agreement of a purified heart with the standard set in place by the Word and the Spirit.
The false teachers that Paul asked Timothy to confront could have gotten mislead by not following any of the three parameters of love. If they wanted to be the center of their lives, benefiting from all that they did, then these false teachers would have resisted the cleansing of the Word and the Spirit, for it would not serve their interests. For those who did not want the discipline of having a standard by which to live by, the freedom to serve Christ could have been abused and distorted into permission to serve themselves. And for those who wanted to believe that anything was possible to them, their minds would not have become molded by the Word of God nor guided by His Spirit; in the end, their faith would contain magical thinking and vain bits of knowledge contrived into false doctrines.
Our works will proceed from love and glorify God when we have a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. All else hinders God’s work. He is looking at our willingness to be cleansed, our submission to the Word and the Spirit, and our sincere agreement that these steps should guide our works. When we do these things, our love will bear fruit for the Lord. Amen.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Snow for the Harvest of Righteousness
There are times when the Lord gives us a glimpse of the seasons that are coming. Last night I had a dream about the season of winter that is coming. In the dream it was the cold of winter, and I went to look for snow. I just knew that God was bringing snow.
After having crossed a field I was at the foot of mountains. I saw misty clouds in patches. They were all at a certain elevation, known to me as” the snow line”. The clouds snowed where they were. The clouds were small and separated from one another, leaving bare areas where there was no snow. I was very glad to see that God had brought the snow.
After this dream I sought the Lord for meaning, and He led me to this verse;
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is 55:10-11)
I believe the Lord is sending His pure (snow white) word to us, for the purpose of a harvest. The above verse speaks not only about the Word coming down to us from heaven, as snow does, but it speaks about the purpose of the Word: producing plants that will bud, give seed, and be made into bread for us to eat. God wants to feed us from heaven.
For the last several weeks I have awoken at 1:49 in the morning. It was only yesterday that the Lord pointed out that it was His Spirit that was waking me up! My husband Dave looked up the meaning of 1:49, which is as follows;
1 means “God”
4 means “ruling over”
9 means “harvest”
Putting this together in the time of 1:49 indicates that God would cause a ruling over His harvest. Having the subsequent dream about the snow last night caused an excitement to rise in me. God is sending His word, not everywhere, but to certain locations that are at the right elevation. He wants to produce a harvest in us; a harvest of righteousness.
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." (2 Cor 9:10)
Amen. Let us rejoice at the snow, the pure driven word of God, that is coming down to us.
After having crossed a field I was at the foot of mountains. I saw misty clouds in patches. They were all at a certain elevation, known to me as” the snow line”. The clouds snowed where they were. The clouds were small and separated from one another, leaving bare areas where there was no snow. I was very glad to see that God had brought the snow.
After this dream I sought the Lord for meaning, and He led me to this verse;
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is 55:10-11)
I believe the Lord is sending His pure (snow white) word to us, for the purpose of a harvest. The above verse speaks not only about the Word coming down to us from heaven, as snow does, but it speaks about the purpose of the Word: producing plants that will bud, give seed, and be made into bread for us to eat. God wants to feed us from heaven.
For the last several weeks I have awoken at 1:49 in the morning. It was only yesterday that the Lord pointed out that it was His Spirit that was waking me up! My husband Dave looked up the meaning of 1:49, which is as follows;
1 means “God”
4 means “ruling over”
9 means “harvest”
Putting this together in the time of 1:49 indicates that God would cause a ruling over His harvest. Having the subsequent dream about the snow last night caused an excitement to rise in me. God is sending His word, not everywhere, but to certain locations that are at the right elevation. He wants to produce a harvest in us; a harvest of righteousness.
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." (2 Cor 9:10)
Amen. Let us rejoice at the snow, the pure driven word of God, that is coming down to us.
Friday, November 2, 2012
The Portion of the Priesthood of Believers
This is to answer the request for more on the topic of God being our portion. God bless, and have a nice day.
The Old Testament is a type of what was to come after Jesus’ death. When the New Testament was put into place, the disciples began unraveling the symbolism and parallels of what took place in the past, and what was now present. One of the startling parallels was that the believer became a member of the priesthood (1 Pet 1:5).
The Levitical priests were God’s intercessors and mediators for the people of Israel. They had no inheritance amongst the tribes whom they ministered to, for God was their portion. He made provision for his priests by designating the land they could live within the boarders of each tribe (see Numbers 35), and by having them set food aside from the offerings sacrificed in the temple (see Numbers 18). The priest was God’s servant and He made provision for him.
The portion for priests was different from the rest of the people. This corresponds to our portion from the Lord being different from the rest of the world. Those in the world are looking for the substance of their lives to come from their own efforts. They strive to better themselves so that they can have more and live an easier life. Though the priesthood of believers often work to provide for themselves and their families, the gain from work and any position they have is not used for their own benefit, but is for the Lord’s Kingdom. In this sense, the believer is God’s servant. Because the worldly take advantage of God’s goodness and blessings and use them for their own pleasure, they make God their servant.
The Apostle John addresses the temptation of the world in his first Epistle. We read that “everything in the world --- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does --- comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 Jn 2:16) Those who want gain from the world obtain it, and maintain it, by first craving for it, then lusting and going after it, and then bragging about it to impress their greatness upon those around them. John goes on to write that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the viewpoint of the world and the world listens to them.” (1 Jn 4:4-5)
God’s portion for the priesthood of believers is different because the goal for priests is markedly different from those in the world. The worldly listen to and act like each other. They admire those who are prosperous and famous. God’s servants listen to and act like God, honoring and emulating those with heroic faith. The worldly cannot represent God; the believers can.
God’s purposes for His people determines their portion. Though individually our lives are each unique, there is a common thread amongst us; we cannot serve the world and serve the Lord also. The world will pollute our hearts with cravings for gain and position and turn us away from serving the Lord. And this becomes a cross unto our flesh, carried through each believer’s life; laying down worldly gain and position for God’s purposes, yes, His portion, in our lives.
One day we can say, as Paul, that we are content in whatever we have (Phil 4:11-13). David said that the Lord satisfied Him (see Psalm 63). God does not slight His priests, for His portion is good and lasts forever. It is we, His believers, that choose to become His servants, trusting that the portion He gives us is more than enough. Amen.
The Old Testament is a type of what was to come after Jesus’ death. When the New Testament was put into place, the disciples began unraveling the symbolism and parallels of what took place in the past, and what was now present. One of the startling parallels was that the believer became a member of the priesthood (1 Pet 1:5).
The Levitical priests were God’s intercessors and mediators for the people of Israel. They had no inheritance amongst the tribes whom they ministered to, for God was their portion. He made provision for his priests by designating the land they could live within the boarders of each tribe (see Numbers 35), and by having them set food aside from the offerings sacrificed in the temple (see Numbers 18). The priest was God’s servant and He made provision for him.
The portion for priests was different from the rest of the people. This corresponds to our portion from the Lord being different from the rest of the world. Those in the world are looking for the substance of their lives to come from their own efforts. They strive to better themselves so that they can have more and live an easier life. Though the priesthood of believers often work to provide for themselves and their families, the gain from work and any position they have is not used for their own benefit, but is for the Lord’s Kingdom. In this sense, the believer is God’s servant. Because the worldly take advantage of God’s goodness and blessings and use them for their own pleasure, they make God their servant.
The Apostle John addresses the temptation of the world in his first Epistle. We read that “everything in the world --- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does --- comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 Jn 2:16) Those who want gain from the world obtain it, and maintain it, by first craving for it, then lusting and going after it, and then bragging about it to impress their greatness upon those around them. John goes on to write that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the viewpoint of the world and the world listens to them.” (1 Jn 4:4-5)
God’s portion for the priesthood of believers is different because the goal for priests is markedly different from those in the world. The worldly listen to and act like each other. They admire those who are prosperous and famous. God’s servants listen to and act like God, honoring and emulating those with heroic faith. The worldly cannot represent God; the believers can.
God’s purposes for His people determines their portion. Though individually our lives are each unique, there is a common thread amongst us; we cannot serve the world and serve the Lord also. The world will pollute our hearts with cravings for gain and position and turn us away from serving the Lord. And this becomes a cross unto our flesh, carried through each believer’s life; laying down worldly gain and position for God’s purposes, yes, His portion, in our lives.
One day we can say, as Paul, that we are content in whatever we have (Phil 4:11-13). David said that the Lord satisfied Him (see Psalm 63). God does not slight His priests, for His portion is good and lasts forever. It is we, His believers, that choose to become His servants, trusting that the portion He gives us is more than enough. Amen.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
God is our portion
Many people believe that Jesus suffered and we don’t have to; that He paid the price so that we could live an abundantly prosperous life. But when Jesus was on the cross He said “If men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Lk 23:31) Jesus was telling the on-lookers that their lives would also have a cross to bear.
It is plain from Jesus’ parables that a believer’s walk will have hardship and servitude. When we serve the Lord with all our hearts, it does not move us into a place of entitlement (Lk 17:10). If we want equal footing with God, we will have to serve another god.
In the wilderness satan tempted Jesus with all the world had to offer Him, in exchange for serving him, satan. He has blinded the eyes of the worldly with promises of prosperity and ease, entitlement and position. Though our brothers and sisters of faith are persecuted in other countries, we do not worry about our lives in America. It becomes easier and easier to believe that we can “have it all.”
In my previous entry on Sea of Glass I posted a prophecy wherein the Lord made reference to 2 Chronicles 16:9; “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen (show Himself mighty to) those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” Prosperity and position are a sifter, letting go of those who would serve the Lord despite the circumstances of their lives, and holding onto those who seek only after what the Lord has to give them. Prosperity and position test the true commitment of a believer’s heart.
King David “almost slipped” when he “envied the arrogant, when (he) saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to Man; they are not plagued by human ills.” (Ps 73:2-5). What David came to realize was that it was the prosperous who were on slippery ground (vs 18), and they were placed there by God. He then made true commitment to God, saying, “God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” (vs 26).
We will need God’s strength in our lives to face the trials, hardships, and temptations which come our way. We will only have that strength if we commit our lives to God despite the impact His ways have on our bank account, the ease with which we live our lives, or our reputations amongst men. Let us overcome all that hinders us in becoming sons and daughters of glory, knowing God’s portion is coupled with His mighty presence within our hearts. Amen.
It is plain from Jesus’ parables that a believer’s walk will have hardship and servitude. When we serve the Lord with all our hearts, it does not move us into a place of entitlement (Lk 17:10). If we want equal footing with God, we will have to serve another god.
In the wilderness satan tempted Jesus with all the world had to offer Him, in exchange for serving him, satan. He has blinded the eyes of the worldly with promises of prosperity and ease, entitlement and position. Though our brothers and sisters of faith are persecuted in other countries, we do not worry about our lives in America. It becomes easier and easier to believe that we can “have it all.”
In my previous entry on Sea of Glass I posted a prophecy wherein the Lord made reference to 2 Chronicles 16:9; “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen (show Himself mighty to) those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” Prosperity and position are a sifter, letting go of those who would serve the Lord despite the circumstances of their lives, and holding onto those who seek only after what the Lord has to give them. Prosperity and position test the true commitment of a believer’s heart.
King David “almost slipped” when he “envied the arrogant, when (he) saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to Man; they are not plagued by human ills.” (Ps 73:2-5). What David came to realize was that it was the prosperous who were on slippery ground (vs 18), and they were placed there by God. He then made true commitment to God, saying, “God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” (vs 26).
We will need God’s strength in our lives to face the trials, hardships, and temptations which come our way. We will only have that strength if we commit our lives to God despite the impact His ways have on our bank account, the ease with which we live our lives, or our reputations amongst men. Let us overcome all that hinders us in becoming sons and daughters of glory, knowing God’s portion is coupled with His mighty presence within our hearts. Amen.
A prophecy to the believers
A prophecy to the believers;
I’m not waiting for people to surrender their lives as a sacrifice to Me . . . in a meeting. People go to meetings to receive, not to give. The true sacrifices of My people are given daily, mostly unnoticed, because they are unglamorous. Sacrifice costs, and is often painful. Yet when one’s life is willingly yielded to My will, the sweet fragrance of My Son comes up into My nostrils.
Do I wait for your yielding in a meeting, where nothing is given up? Or do I abstain from drawing near when you are not in these meetings? Then what will happen to the weak and lonely outcasts who do not come, for whom no one cares? In truth, My eye is on the whole earth, looking for those to whom I can show Myself mighty (2 Chron 16:9).
Do not mistake excitement of the soul for My presence. See Me for who I am, that you may know Me. Be satisfied from My well, and you will never thirst (Rev 21:6). Amen.
I’m not waiting for people to surrender their lives as a sacrifice to Me . . . in a meeting. People go to meetings to receive, not to give. The true sacrifices of My people are given daily, mostly unnoticed, because they are unglamorous. Sacrifice costs, and is often painful. Yet when one’s life is willingly yielded to My will, the sweet fragrance of My Son comes up into My nostrils.
Do I wait for your yielding in a meeting, where nothing is given up? Or do I abstain from drawing near when you are not in these meetings? Then what will happen to the weak and lonely outcasts who do not come, for whom no one cares? In truth, My eye is on the whole earth, looking for those to whom I can show Myself mighty (2 Chron 16:9).
Do not mistake excitement of the soul for My presence. See Me for who I am, that you may know Me. Be satisfied from My well, and you will never thirst (Rev 21:6). Amen.
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