From: Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, and something he said early in his first epistle caught my attention. "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." He decided not to see, not to consider or make any effort to be aware of anything among these Corinthians except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. That word for crucified is 'stauroo' in the Greek. It means to subdue or extinguish passion or selfishness. It's the method by which the power of the natural desires of human flesh are destroyed.

The people in this church had been influenced by Greek philosophy, Greek and Roman pagan culture of idolatry as well as sensuality. They had been influenced by the thirst for worldly wisdom and knowledge these cultures promoted, as well as eloquent speaking, highly educated speakers. Throw in the mix Judaizers who were man centered, preferring certain speakers, and forming their own little cliques in the church, listening only to the speaker that most gratified their carnal ideas of how a speaker should speak. Being used to the sophisticated speakers and philosophers of Greece and Rome, these simple and plain disciples, such as Peter did not appeal to some of the Corinthians' educated minds. Some preferred Apollos because he was an eloquent speaker, well educated in Alexandria, (Act_18:24)but they did not care for the simple message of the cross. Flesh always wants to do something to help God, amen? The cross says flesh can do nothing, it has no part in the spiritual kingdom of God. Apollos was very educated, and had extensive knowledge of the Old Testament, and was instructed as far as John the Baptist's ministry but at Ephesus was taught the deeper Christian life and the baptism of the Holy Spirit by Priscilla and Aquila. People come into the church and bring their likes and dislikes with them. Many loved to hear Apollos speak because he was very educated, and spoke very well. But in so doing, they were relying on human words and presentation of the Gospel message, and flinched from the message of the cross.

There were divisions in the church, rejecting authority, especially Paul's, because he was not a direct eye witness of Christ as were the other apostles. All the division in this church led to confusion, and questions. Who is right? Who should be listened to? Did Paul really know what he was talking about? He hadn't been with Jesus as had Cephas, or Peter as he was known.

Paul challenges their divisions, explaining to them Christ is not divided, and neither should they be. They should all speak and have the same mind. Paul said "I wasn't sent to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words, for then the cross of Christ would be made to appear of none of effect." The message of the cross would be neutralized in their minds. Human nature is to focus on other humans which are seen, and to elevate certain of them who seem to be more accomplished than others. It's one of our most basic flaws. But Paul was trying to tell them, it's the preaching of the cross that is important. The preaching of the cross is to those who are dying in their sins, foolish, but to us who are redeemed, it's the miraculous power of God. He calls them out. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where are those who think they are so sophisticated they would rather dispute? God has made foolish the wisdom of this world. Everybody is seeking a sign, they want to see miracles, signs and wonders. But we proclaim Christ, crucified, and to the Jews that is a snare, an offensive truth they stumble over. Unto the Greeks who consider themselves so intelligent and sophisticated, it's absurd.

God has chosen to select the foolish things of the world to shame and dishonor the wise. He has chosen that which is without strength, impotent, feeble, to shame those who are strong in the flesh. That which the world despises and least esteems God has selected. He picks the nothings and nobodys to do away with things that are something in the eyes of the world. No flesh, no human nature, no human wisdom or strength will have anything to boast about in His Presence. It's because of Him we are secure in Christ, who because of God's will is made unto us our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and redemption. We have nothing of our own. We can't say we did anything to accomplish this. HE did it all. If you want to boast in something, boast in HIM.
Paul reminds them when he came to the Corinthians before, he did not come with fancy words, or wisdom when he told them evidence given as the testimony of God. He decided not to be aware of anything among them but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. There was so much wrong with this church, so much flesh and carnality in this church. Yes, they had the spiritual gifts, which they were abusing, not understanding their errors. But what does the message of the cross really mean? That which is carnal, natural must be put to death because flesh cannot inherit and neither can it build up the spiritual kingdom of God. That which is had by natural means, accomplished in human strength, without the leadership and governing of the Holy Spirit is useless to God. He will accept nothing spotted by the flesh.

Paul was living the example of Christ crucified among them. He came in weakness, his body sick and frail, which inspired disdain and contempt among many of the people, betraying a heart that admired human strength. Remember the disciples, upon seeing a display of the power of Jesus wanted to know when He was going to put down the Roman rule over the Jews? Human nature admires such displays. It leads to pride and arrogance. But Paul stands before them weak, sick, afraid. Afraid of what? He knew and understood the wickedness of the human heart in the sight of God. He distrusted his own ability to get the message across to these people, instead depending not on attractive words or speech patterns, not on men's wisdom, but in the manifestation of the Spirit of God and HIS miraculous power to work the works of God in and through the people. He so trusted the Word and the Spirit of God that he got up and spoke the Word and did not harangue the people with stories, did not accuse or condemn them for their failures, he merely pointed them in the right direction, preaching the truth, writing them the Epistle, trusting the Holy Spirit would deal with their hearts, knowing the issues of each heart much better than Paul.

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Spritiually Dressed UP

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Did you see that? Adam was not deceived. Adam had union with God. He was so close to God, He had the mind of God. He knew what to call each animal God had brought him, and whatever he called it was right, and that was what it was. He had no education, no growing up process, GOD was his wisdom. He walked with God who came down to him in the cool of the evening, everyday. When he saw she had transgressed the commandment of God, instantly Adam knew she would now be separated from God. There must have been an initial rush of horror in his mind when he saw what she had done. The serpent didn't try to tempt Adam himself, for a reason. He knew Adam would not listen to the lie. He went after that which was near and dear to Adam's heart and deceived her. He put Adam in a terrible place. There was a choice to be made here. Adam could refuse her and lose her, or he could join her in her disobedience and lose out with God. Sadly, we know, Adam chose flesh over the Spirit of God. THAT was the terribleness of the sin of Adam. He was not deceived, he knew what he was doing when he took that fruit from her hand and ate of it. Similarly, when we are born again, as we grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are faced with the same decision. Will we let His Holy Spirit rule in us or will we choose not to deny our flesh?

We must understand that Adam lost the divine, holy nature and likeness of God when he fell, and the light went out in his spirit, which died toward God. That left a vacuum, and Satan was quick to rush in and remake man in his own image. Satan reproduced what he was in man. Darkness, envy, pride, covetousness, anger. Those last four things were what cost him his place in heaven. Do we think we can have them in us and make it? To live this overcoming Christian life in this dark world successfully, we have to be dressed up SPIRITUALLY. Eph 6:10-18 tells us what we are to have on:

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

To be strong, or able, in the Lord, we must have be brought to the place we have no confidence in the flesh-in ourselves, our own human strength. (Php_3:3) We must have a relationship, with Him. We trust Him because we are familiar with Him. We spend time with Him, so we know Him. We cannot trust someone we do not know personally. We must trust His power is well able to do whatever is required, to meet whatever need confronts us, and not we ourselves. That word for power in the Greek is kratos, and it means dominion, force, great mighty power. We know He has dominion over all. Nothing is out of His control. He grants humanity free will, but ultimately, He is over all. He is and has all the ability needed. We must put on the complete armour of God. Why?

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Do you hear what verse 12 is saying? How many years have we spent struggling with ourselves, wanting to be holy, trying to be holy and always falling short? Paul said we wrestle not-so if we aren't to wrestle with flesh, the only other alternative is to present that flesh of ours to God for Him to deal with. Paul is talking to a people here that he presumes are dead and dying daily to self. The word wrestle means a contest in which one endeavors to overthrow the other. If we aren't to wrestle with flesh-that means we must trust it to God who is able to subdue all things to Himself. (Php_3:21) Oh, Father, I'm preaching to myself here. He also said in Psa_46:10 to be still, and know He is God. He will be exalted in the earth above all. That includes all that is in us if we will still ourselves before Him and tarry in His Presence. Are we not made of earth? Did He not just say He will be exalted in the earth? If we spend all our time struggling with self, the real battle never gets fought. We lose. The real battle is with those who from the beginning (Gen_1:1) have been agents of darkness, in this world. They have power, meaning influence, authority, on the grounds of flesh and blood, to wreak havoc and destruction. Flesh they can manipulate and operate in and through. This is why it cannot be used in the kingdom of God.

There is spiritual wickedness in heavenly or high places-a war being fought above our heads, in the very sky above us. These spiritual powers of darkness can use and manipulate men and women who are not born again, as well. This is why you have leaders in this world today set on destroying the nation of Israel. This is the dragon, Rev 12 refers to persecuting the woman who bore the seed (Son). This is to be the focus of the battle-spiritual wickedness-demonic powers, and beings and their manipulation of that which is carnal, and even religious. Only the Holy Spirit knows how to successfully fight these things-and is He not our Teacher, our Comforter, our Protector, Guide? There is danger in this fight.

Because of this, you need the full array of weapons, defensive measures, and protections God has provided for you. Quickly, these include your shield, your helmet, your breastplate, your sword, your belt. These are required for you to be able to stand against and resist whatever the enemy throws or puts in your way. When you have done all you know to do, and you are covered in the armour, you stand. Don't back down.

Stand with your loins secured with TRUTH. (Joh_14:6) This is the belt that holds everything else in place. The loins is a term used to refer to the place where the seed of the human resides. In other words, teach your children truth. Secure them with the knowledge of the truth. Loins also refers to your own mind. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. That means an intimate knowing. Personal not second hand knowledge. Experiential.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

So we cover our children, and our own minds with truth. Have on the breastplate of righteousness. Know you do not stand in your own righteousness which is filthy rags in the sight of God, but you, we all stand in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness. The devil will come against us all and try to beat us down in defeat reminding us of our unworthiness. None of us are. But He made provision for us anyway. He loves us anyway. So that is not an issue. Settle it in your mind.

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

We have our feet bound to walk in the truth revealed to us, fully prepared to share that truth of the availability of peace with God to all humanity. But above all these things, you must have that shield of faith. Faith in the knowledge of the truth you know will put out the inflammatory lies the wicked ones around you will launch at you-both physical and spiritual. Take the helmet of salvation-you must know you are born again. You must know you've not just repeated some little sinner's prayer and took your salvation as a given, for granted. No. You must KNOW that you know you have been born again from above, a work of the Holy Spirit, birthing the life of the Son of God in your spirit. This will change your desires, your purpose in life, your behavior, it will change everything. If you are not changed, if you have not changed, if you do not hunger to know God, you are not born again. You may be religious, but not born again.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The helmet of salvation, implies a defense, to protect the head, but also the hope of being saved from eternal darkness and damnation. Take also the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Heb_4:12) and never stop praying with earnest communication with God, and making your requests to God, not only for yourself, but for others in need. Watching, that means don't go to sleep, stay awake, spiritually. Persevere, don't give up, be steadfast. Immovable from your position and understanding that you are a child of God, accepted in the Beloved Son of God, with access, help, weapons, and truth on your side. Make petitions for all saints, not just a few. This must require Holy Spirit leadership in our prayers, for we know not how or for whom we ought to pray. Consider carefully each piece of defense God has provided in this armour. We must understand each piece is vitally important, and each piece protects and guards against a specific area of attack.

One last thing I would add, concerning the boundaries, and separations from the presence of God. When Jesus Christ died on that cross, having shed innocent, pure and holy blood, for our sins, God ripped the temple veil apart from the top to the bottom. He made the way for us to come in before His Presence, boldly.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Two things will separate us from Him now-deliberate sin and unbelief. HE is well able to deal with both if we come honestly, humbly and come knowing there is nowhere else we can go.

Prepare Yourself For God

I wrote this back in 2006. But it has been on my heart for the last few days. I felt like sharing it with you. I cannot stress how important it is that we be prepared. The Fire of the Holy Ghost, the move of God will NOT fall on an empty altar, on people who cannot get over themselves enough to set aside their time and seek God. Church, we've tried everything. But for the most part, not much has changed. Not many have a burden to pray. Not many are concerned even though they have loved ones on their way to hell. We must repent of our own wickedness, complacency, and unconcern, our UNBELIEF which is the driving force behind all other sins, and let God break us. Ask Him to help us see ourselves as He does. We must prepare ourselves, we must do it now. There is so little time left.

Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

We are all very familiar with the word "repent" but what exactly does that word mean? How do these scriptures in Matthew 3 apply to me and you? When you consider the Word of God says the Lord changes not, he's the same yesterday, today, and forever. I must believe it and understand how it applies to my life. On Judgment Day He won't be calling witnesses forward to testify of any good or bad deeds I have done. This word is what I will face. He will look at me and by his grace and through the faith he has given me, and by the power of his Holy Spirit, I intend for him to see HIMSELF in me. Then he can't say I don't know you, depart. If I spend time with him now, seeking his face, and learning his voice, he'll never be able to deny me.

What is real and true repentance? There are three Greek words (two as verbs) used in the New Testament in regard to repentance. First, "metamelomai" (Mat_27:3). It means to change your mind, with regret and remorse for sin, but not necessarily a change of heart or behavior. You've done wrong, and you see it, and regret it. One example of this type of repentance is Judas Iscariot. Then there is the second, "metanoeo" meaning to change one's mind and purpose as the result of repentance after knowledge of sin. I see what I did hurt you and determine not to do it again. But, third, "Metanoia" (noun) is true repentance. The parable of the Prodigal Son is a good example of this kind of repentance. (Luk_15:11-32) He goes the wrong way, loses everything good his father gave him, gets used and abused by the world. He hits rock bottom and realizes his error, remembers his father's love and provision, and goes home, terribly sorry, ready to assume the position of servant, knowing he has sinned grievously against his father and God. Knowing he is unworthy of being the son anymore. But his father is such a picture of the heart of God when he saves someone. He doesn't condemn or criticize, he welcomes with open arms and restores his son.

In Verse 2, John is saying repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He goes on to say prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight! What does all that mean?

First we have to realize God is sending His Word, He's about to do something never before done. His Son is about to come into this world, to this people enslaved in darkness. They live all their lives in fear and bondage, dreading death. God's about to change everything. Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, the messenger says. Folks, what you've been doing isn't working so well. Look around you, see the destruction, see the misery, the bondage, the hopelessness, the famine in the land for the true Word of God. He had been silent for 400 years. There had to be preparation. To prepare means to adapt or qualify something or someone for a particular purpose, service or use. To make ready, provide something for someone's use, to establish, or appoint something or someone for a particular service, or reason. To make all things ready, taking the necessary measures to be ready for service when called upon. You know the call is going to come, you don't know when, but you know you must be ready.

The army is trained and prepared for war. They didn't get that way sitting on their hands. When you plant a garden, you prepare the ground to receive the seed. You take a tiller and turn and break up the ground, you get the rocks out, the weeds out, you rake it and smooth it and fertilize it. This is what we have to do to our hearts to prepare them for God's word and will if we expect to grow and bear fruit. Else the seed of His Word will die under the clods of hardness in our hearts. We have to recognize if there's any area of resistance in our hearts to obedience to his word, whether it's a habit we don't want to stop, or a change we don't want to make, or are having trouble making, He can give us all the help we need. But we must cooperate with him and let him have his way. Frequently and regularly and prayerfully expose our hearts to his word, because he said whoever falls on his word will be broken. (Luk_20:18)

Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

His word, when you yield to it, and pray for understanding of it, has an amazing effect on the heart. We are prepared for the service God wants us to do by knowledge and understanding of him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives, who reveals to us his word. His word is still crying in the wilderness of sin this world is to us, prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. He won't send his presence, and his holy word to a bunch of self absorbed, selfish people who aren't willing to receive and yield to it. He sends the call out for mercy. He gives everyone a chance. Grace is here and now, but not forever. That's why he says "Today if you can hear his voice, harden not your heart." That's why he warned his disciples not to cast their pearls before swine. The word of God is precious. His presence is so needed among his people. Pigs are selfish animals who are also happy wallowing in filth. That sounds like the sinner I used to be. Content with sin. Thank God for mercy and for not leaving me in the dark.

There is a nightclub behind my house. My back yard runs up against the wall of this club. On the weekends, when I come in from and church and come back here in my room, my little sanctuary, to get on the computer and study my Father's word and pray, I can hear the thump thump of the music. I have been praying for him to shut that place down. There are fights in the parking lot, and in the building. People get out in the parking lot cursing and talking ugly and my children playing in the back yard can hear in the warm weather when they are outside. Last weekend, someone fired a gun in the parking lot. When I go by there on my way home, it grieves my heart to see the parking lot nearly always full on the weekends. Packed like sardines. And then I go to the house of the Lord and see so many empty seats. So many vacant parking spots. It literally pains my heart.

We need God's fiery presence in our churches, in our vessels. In our homes. In our lives. In our hearts. We need to prepare ourselves, sanctify ourselves, wake up and realize the Lord is coming soon, and there is still so much to be done. We need to be fasting and praying and calling on God, drawing his attention to us, saying, Lord, I'll be willing, send me. I'll do what I can to prepare myself, I'll shut the TV off, I'll quit surfing the internet, I'll open your word and get on my knees and pray. I'll be willing to share the grief in your heart over the sins of the people, I will repent of not caring enough for the lost around me, pour your compassion for them in my heart. It's not naturally in me to care. Help me see. I'll be willing to suffer my flesh to hunger. I'll turn off the music and get alone and pray. God, help us as his people to look around and get disgusted with the complacency and the empty seats. I get jealous for the House of God when I see the malls are full, the clubs are full, and God's house is neglected and so many seats need souls to be in them.

Something I wonder about is this: we say we as God's people want his presence among us, we want his anointing on our lives. I've never seen a lot I have read in the Word of God in action. I've not seen the signs following the believer-this one included, that the word says there are to be. I WANT TO. I'm tired of it, I'm not content to sit still and do nothing about it. I want to see the glory of God fill his house like I've heard it has. I want this vessel of mine which is his temple to be filled with the glory of God. (The glory of God is his Son Jesus Christ, manifested and reigning unchallenged in my body)

Heb 1:1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

He holds me up by the word of his power. He can guide me and change me by the word of his power. If I pray and seek his face and sanctify myself as much as I can, he will do what I can't. I can't baptize me with the Holy Ghost. He can. He promised. If I'll prepare the way. If I'll make his path straight and get down to business with him and cleanse myself from all that I can and bring the rest to him and say Lord, help me. Here it is. Take it. I repent. God, you're coming soon, there's so many lost and hurting souls. Help me care more. I want the single eye, focused on the kingdom of God. The desires of God's heart.

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

Joh 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

How much whiter are the fields now? Has there ever been a time when his presence and glory in the House are more needed? Wouldn't it be awesome to walk in his house when it was time for church and see people praying at the altar pleading with God to send the fire, and send in lost souls, rather than standing around talking and chit chatting until the service starts? Where are we as God's people focusing our time and energy and assets? What are we doing with what God has given us? Isn't it time to look in his word and see he says "these signs will follow him who believes" and look behind us and say "Oh Lord, where is the problem? They're not there." Help me fix the problem. Change me, Oh Lord. Start with me. I want people to honor and revere God first and foremost in his house, I want his presence so real no sinner can sit in his house unmoved. I want to see the carnality smashed to smithereens. I want to see his people presenting their vessels, their time, their lives to his altar for his use, however he sees fit. I want to hear our Pastors and preachers broken and anointed more than ever by what they have heard and learned of our Magnificent Lord for he will give the sower seed to sow. But why should he give good seed to the sower if the field is not prepared to receive? If it's only going to be neglected and wasted? Oh, God, forgive me for I have been guilty of these things....but you are opening my eyes, and it's for a reason. What a gift.

Saints, there is a grief in my heart, and I know it is from God's heart. It's time for a change. I'm sick of where I've been, tired of where I am, and excited about where he's taking me. It's time to stop dragging my feet and being afraid. God give me more of Jesus. Form Him in Me, for he is my wisdom, my compassion, my light, my love, my backbone. Boldness. Power. Grace. Kindness. Gentleness. Holiness............Righteousness. Lord, how great thou art-be great in me. You said greater things than these shall ye do because I go to my Father. Here I am Lord. Teach me how to minister to your heart. To wait in your presence, to hunger ever more for your presence and instruction are my life. That's where he's taking me. That's where I want to go.

If the house is filled with his presence, and led by His Spirit, and the people are obedient, souls will be saved. He can trust us enough to draw them in. Just like he drew the animals to the ark so Noah could care for them with the provision he had gathered to sustain them all during the flood, if we fill up on his word, seek his face, and fast and pray, and are prepared for his service, he will send them in who have need of him. Our husbands, our sons, our daughters, neighbors. Co-workers. We don't have to leave them here. We can be used of God to make a difference! I know I am not the only one he is dealing with about these things! But I'm so glad he's dealing....it's an answered prayer. Let us teach our children. Let us present ourselves daily to the Lord as we are instructed in Rom_12:1-2. I am striving to do just that. I thank him for the ever increasing hunger for his word. He is such a good God. Let us as his people prepare ourselves for his visitation. Let us hunger after him and seek after him, and be ready so he can send his glory and souls will be added to his kingdom. If we have the life of Christ flowing unhindered through us, the natural result of his life will be new sons and daughters born unto the King! But we have to be prepared, and ready for his use. Sanctified. Set apart for his service. Bright shining lights with plenty of oil in our lamps and our vessels.

Eze 38:7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

Amo 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

Amo 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

When he looks at me, I him to see his own reflection..........................inside and out....

Be Still and Know

I'd just like to encourage everyone today and share something God has comforted my heart with this day. I opened my Bible this morning and I went to Psalm 46, longing for comfort and consolation. I carefully read the whole chapter. This verse stood out to me:

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Sit still before the Lord, quiet your mind, your thoughts, ignore your feelings, and anything else bothering you. Be quiet, be still and understand He is God, He knows it all, He has it all under control, and no matter how dark things look, how much darker things will get, He WILL BE EXALTED. And that's all that really matters-for He alone is the answer to every problem and every need.

As I read that verse, a cry rose up inside me, Oh, Lord, be exalted in me, above all that I am or that is in me that is not like You. Be exalted above and in me, Lord.

I'd never looked at that verse in that manner before. But I know, He meant what He said, and He will be exalted, not only among the heathen, but in and above us, His people. Our greatest need is to tarry in His presence, until we are infused with His life, which is the light of men. To come daily before Him, and dive into His Word, seeking the leadership of our Teacher, the Holy Spirit and eat His Word. It's time to seek the Lord, church, like we never have before.

Why Flesh Must Be Crucified

Complete Notes Here

In these times we desperately long for hope, and comfort, and help as we see things in our world, in our country spiral out of control. Gross darkness covers the land, covers the minds and eyes of men and women. How desperately we need the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ to shine through His people, through chosen, sanctified vessels.

Gen 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Gen 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

There is an important distinction here. The men referred to in verse 1 is human beings. But in verse 2, the word for sons means a builder of the family name. The men, descendants of the line of Cain, had wives, and had daughters. But there was another family, the sons of God. They were descendants from the godly line of Seth. This verse implies up to this point, there had been a separation. The sons of God turned from marriage to godly women, daughters of Seth's lineage, to the daughters of the world. Why? Because they saw the daughters of the world were beautiful, pleasing to the eye. Just as Eve, when tempted to disobey God, saw the fruit of the forbidden tree was pleasing to the eye, and would make one wise, according to the serpent, so now, the sons of God were distracted by the beauty of the daughters of men. They took for themselves wives which they chose. God was left out of this decision. Key words here: they took for self. They were drifting away from God, drawn away by their own lust. The word fair also means they were pleasant, and agreeable. How that plays on the desire of self for that which is pleasing, stimulating, entertaining, and yet not demanding. Look at verse 2 again, carefully-that which was OF GOD got its eyes on that which was OF MEN. It went downhill from there.

Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

I have heard people preach this as fallen angels mating with the daughters of men and producing a line of giants. That is simply not true. First of all, you have to understand at this time, as is now, there is two families on this earth, two lines of descendants. One was the godly line of Seth, the sons of God. The other was the descendants of Cain, whom Scripture warns us was of that wicked one. So you basically have the family of God and the family of Satan on this earth. Now, Jesus said in the Gospels the angels neither marry, nor are given in marriage. I know Scripture mentions in Job how the sons of God came before the throne and Satan came with them. This Scripture has been misunderstood. This is an illustration of how the enemy tries to fight us when we come before God's throne in prayer. He comes with accusation, looking to defeat our prayers before they get prayed. Thank GOD for the blood of Jesus! It's simply not true that angels cohabited with women. God said everything would produce after its own kind.

Luk 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

Luk 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Luk 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

And if you still need more proof, consider this nail in the coffin of that lie:

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Answer? NONE. Never have the angels been called sons of God. Period. Only Christ and those in whom He lives. So back to verse 4.. there were giants in the earth in those days. In the Hebrew, (H5303) the word is nephiyl, where the word "nephilim" comes from. In the KJV it's translated as "giants" but a better translation would be "bully" or "tyrant". My interlinear Bible translates this as 'distinguished ones'.

Consider that we are talking about the mixture of a godly, or spiritual line of people with a rebellious, carnal line of people. The flesh will always try to bully and rule over the Spirit. Remember Jacob and Esau, struggling in Rebekah's womb? Remember David and Saul? These are two prime examples of the struggle with the flesh and Spirit. Remember Ishmael and Isaac? What did Paul say?

Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

When you mix the spiritual with the flesh you get a tyrant, a bully, who wants to rule over that which is Godly. It's an abomination to God.

Just like in the millennium when Christ will rule on the earth for a thousand years, and the lion will lay down with the lamb, on this ark, the predators, subdued by the presence of the Holy Spirit will not prey on the other animals or Noah's family. He is able to subdue all things to Himself (Php 3:21).

Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

The call came, an invitation, a command, spoken by God. "Come in here." The Holy Spirit was already in there, waiting on Noah and his family. His abiding presence would maintain order in that ark for the duration of this voyage. There was a door on the side of that ark. It was so big that it also served as a ramp for the animals and the people to walk up to enter in the ark itself. That door had to be huge, big enough that Noah and his family could not open or close it. It was a prepared place of safety. We have to understand, when the Lord said, Come, and Noah went, as he walked up that Door to get into that ark, he was now dead to the world as it was and alive to God. He knew everything on the outside of that ark would be destroyed. Why?

Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

This is all that is left when truth and light are finally and forever rejected. This is where darkness will lead you. On the outside, and ultimately, with no way back in. The Holy Spirit knew where everything went in that ark. He kept everything in order. He went out and gathered the animals and led them in to safety. Only one man was found righteous in the earth and his family was spared as well. While that ark was being constructed, many animals played on it. Many people came to see it. Noah warned the people of the judgment to come. Flesh is governed by sight and feelings. They saw no judgment, year after year. Those who might have considered his gospel, who might have at first believed it, grew skeptical and would not listen. When the rain came, the animals that had played on the ark ran for cover in the wrong direction.

God waited, after all this time of preparation, He still waited seven more days. Anyone could have come and been saved. No one did, because no one else was saved. God shut that door. (Joh_10:9) Jesus is the Way in for us. Many are playing games in church, with God now. When the rain started, I'm sure it was destructive. It wasn't just some normal rain that started and kept raining until the waters began to rise. No, the Bible said the fountains, the source of the water, in the abyss, the same abyss mentioned in Gen_1:2, were broken up and the windows of heaven were open. The water was pouring down from the sky, it was being forced up from the earth, there was massive cracking of the earth's crust, water flowing like a raging river of massive proportions, washing away everything. Tsunamis must have been unimaginably high as the fountains of the deep were broken up and opened, shoving this water up and out. I believe people had time to see it coming, to know they should have listened to Noah, but it was too late to repent. Their babies perished, they perished, everything perished that was outside that ark.

Since then, God has been preparing and gathering a people and placing them in the family of God where they will be preserved in Christ, our Ark of safety. Many are called, but few are chosen. The Holy Spirit is in this world, gathering out a people, as the call goes out. The message is being carried world wide. He's drawing, convicting, reproving, comforting, instructing, preparing people, placing those who yield to His call, and work, in this body of Christ, our Ark. These are the blood bought, blood washed, Spirit filled vessels. He is instructing them, you are no longer of this world. This world is not your home. You are not your own. You have been bought, purchased with the blood of the King, and you must say goodbye to this world and its ways. You must live the life of Another, now, and you must separate yourself from the ways and influences of this world. You must not partake of that which is unclean. You were in darkness, but I have brought you into the light, and shown you Truth. I am your Life. I am the only Way. Follow Me. You must die to everything you were, and everything you thought you wanted. Let My life be your life.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

These who are in the Ark of safety now must be as dead to the world as Noah was when he took his family and went on that ark. Flesh, the carnal desires of self to rule and make its own way, do its own thing, must be crucified. This is the ground of the enemy, he exploits and operates in that ground of the natural man. It must be cut off. All that holds us to this world must be cut off. There must be a separation. Only what is hid in Christ will survive. Just as God's Holy Spirit subdued the predators in that ark to preserve the life of Noah and his family, and the other animals, so when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when He lives in us, He can subdue our carnal nature, our flesh, that would prey on the life of the Spirit in us. Nothing of this world, or self will be allowed in this ark. We have to make the choice to let it go.