Workers of Inqiuity

This is an excerpt from some Bible Study notes posted on my main website,
It's About HIM

and you can download the entire file to read if you like : http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/2/727206/Its%20About%20Him%20pdf%20files/Works%20of%20Iniquity.pdf

Something I think we all should consider:

Jesus said this:

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Joh 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Eph 2:10 tells us we were ordained to good works. Eph 2:9 tells us we cannot boast in works because Eph 2:8 tells us works will not save us, but God's grace alone. This means whatever you labor in to do for Him, whatever task or deed, will not and cannot save you. Consider very carefully how these individuals will fare when they stand before Him on that day, trusting in what they have done:

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To trust in self and works means His sacrifice was meaningless, and unnecessary. It is to say God was wrong to send His Son to suffer like that. It's to exalt self above the knowledge of God. It's to reject the sacrifice of the Savior and say I can save myself because I dress like holiness people should. It's to say I can save myself because I fast and pray and others don't. I can save myself because I give to the poor and am nice to people and others aren't. This is why He condemned the Pharisees. We are ordained-meant to walk in good works but we must know that nothing saves us but faith in Him and His sacrifice-that finished work of Calvary that paid the price for our sins in the eyes of a HOLY GOD. Whatever else we do, we should always point away from self and to HIM as He always pointed to the Father. Of course, that kind of faith requires behavior and attitude adjustments in every area of our lives. Now, consider the emphasis I put on certain parts of the Scripture above and let's examine ourselves, as I also must do. I believe this will cut most of us to the quick. The things we do in His name, is it HIM in us doing it? Have we put self so completely out of the way that HE alone is seen and heard in what we do? Are we totally dependent, and seeking His mind, so He can reveal to us what He is doing and would have us do? In order to do His works, we must be in communion with Him and learn from Him in total dependence just as Jesus did, else we can do nothing but misrepresent Him. As Jesus said, the Father shows Him what He does. What has the Father showed us lately, in prayer? Is what we are doing for the Lord, in His Name, being done because He showed it to us and told us to do it or are we leaning to our own understanding?

Jesus said of His own self He could do nothing, as I hear, I judge, but He didn't seek His own will, but the Father's. He never said "Father I wish to do this or that" but always "Lord, what will THOU have ME to do?" And what self wanted was never a consideration. Without Him in us doing the works we can do nothing acceptable in His sight. If we try to do it in ourselves, He will call it iniquity. God help us. Oh, Lord God help us. We are born in self, raised in self, lived and walked in self so long it has to be a divine operation of God to deliver us from self. This is where the cross must be preached again in the House of God. It's a vital thing that believers understand the purpose and meaning of the cross in their own lives. That is what this believer is seeking to understand. For the next however long it takes, I want to study carefully the cross. Only the Holy Spirit can lead me there and help me understand. That is another reason the Lord sent Him to us. To open truth that is vital to us as we seek it. Thank you Jesus. Lead me to the cross, Holy Spirit, give me grace and courage to not draw back, in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Where are the Signs?

I wonder how many people sit on church pews, with a hunger for the reality of God that in their heart that is frustrated week after week, day after day by what they see and hear in what is supposed to be His House. How many are seeking and longing for the Word of God preached in power, compassion and purity, under the anointing? There's a difference between men getting up and talking, read a few Scriptures, and give their opinion on what they mean, often slamming the church with the Word. How many really break the Bread of Life and serve it up with fear and awe to the people? Would this not feed the sheep rather than discourage them?

I wonder how many people read the Word of God and know He said "These signs shall follow them who believe" and consider this, and look around and say "Lord, where are the signs?" How long has it been since you saw somebody so full of the Holy Ghost that the fear of the Lord was thick in the room? His Word is true, but I think His heart is grieved over the complacency of His people. How many are at ease in Zion? How many have traded the true power of God for an outward appearance of godliness that has no power? How very many people read the Holy Word of God without even understanding how it applies to them? How many have gotten their own ideas, handed down from mamaw or papaw, or the Pastor, about what salvation is? Holiness is not an outward behavior it's a PERSON. People might look and act holy, but have no real power. When was the last time there was a prayer meeting that followed a message from the pulpit so convicting that people were on their faces afraid to leave, wanting to draw nigh to Him, and be filled? Isn't that what "Tarry" means?

My heart absolutely aches inside with grief for what I see in the church world around me. So many of the sheep are weak and sickly. Malnourished. So many are being fed that which is an imitation of the real thing. I want to see HIM, I want to know Him in the fellowship of His suffering-and the power of His resurrection. I want to see a church burdened for the lost- and passionate about HIM not their religion or beliefs! I mean, people we say Jesus is coming, but why aren't we more burdened to pray for those who aren't ready to meet Him if we really believe that? Are we carefully examining ourselves? Our behavior reflects if we actually believe in the imminent return of Christ or have just made mental assent to the truth but aren't moved.

Noah was "moved with fear" to prepare an ark for his family to escape the wrath to come. What are we doing, people? Are we busy debating doctrine and theology? Are we busy online chatting with friends? Shopping? Working? Surfing the net? Too busy to pray and seek the face of God for mercy on a country that has storm clouds of judgment moving in swiftly overhead and has already started to fall? We need to be fortifying ourselves with the Word of God and praying through to His throne of mercy and filling ourselves up on HIM so we will be prepared at the midnight hour when panic stricken people are running everywhere looking for answers. He is coming. He isn't coming for those who are comfortable, and aren't longing for Him. He isn't coming for those who are too busy for Him. He isn't coming for those who are satisfied with their religion and trusting in it. HE alone is our hope of glory. His blood alone is our covering. Just as we couldn't stand in the core of a nuclear reactor without protective clothing, and gear, neither can we stand in the presence of THE HOLY Lord God Almighty without being covered by the blood of Jesus, trusting in HIS righteousness. If we know Him, we won't be living like the world, we won't be indulging the desires of our flesh and carnal mind, we will be seeking His grace and strength to overcome these things. This world is lost and on its way to hell and what are we doing? My heart grieves at the arrogance, and pride, and casual attitudes I see in the house of God. There is more to Christianity than what I see. He loves His Bride so very much. You know if you are part of Her. You know if your heart longs for His perfection, His presence, and an ever greater revelation and understanding of who He is. The Bride's heart aches for HIM not the things of this world. They so pale in comparison they do not satisfy her. She, like Abraham and Sarah, has her eyes on the unseen and eternal. God is looking and listening for the cry in the hearts of those who are desperate for HIM not religion.

Is there a cry in your heart or are you satisfied? He loves you so very much! He paid such a high price for us! We are precious in His sight. I'm not trying to bring anyone down, just expressing the grief in my heart. Shouldn't HE be the center and have pre-eminence in every service? In our hearts and lives?

Christian Celebrity?

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

He said you are so willing to be religious, but only when it is easy. They were envious of each other, arguing and debating over who is the best speaker, purely because certain speakers would appeal to their intellectual ideas and educated minds. Those who weren't as well educated as these former pagans, those who weren't as knowledgeable of the law, as were the Jewish converts, and those who had little philosophical understanding, as the Greek and Roman converts, well, you can begin to understand why they were having trouble getting along. There was so much quarreling and debating over ideas and man centered focus, when the main focus should have been the Word, and Christ Himself-not the minister. It's not the messenger that is to be glorified, and exalted, but the Message. The Christ, the Holy one of God who shed His blood for us that we might have life. This was all still desiring to please the flesh, certain speakers appealed to certain ideals and expectations they brought with them out of the world.

Paul said, you are acting like normal, earthly men, not sons and daughters of God who have eternal life living within them. You make too big of a deal about the things that don't really matter, in this temporary life. It's the world and day that is coming that matters. He reminded them, we are only ministers, teaching what we have learned from the Lord, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to you. We try to instill within you the seeds of truth, and doctrine, and we trust God to water what we've sowed, by building on it, truth, upon truth. But it's the life of God, the power of God that enlarges and causes the seed to grow.

1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

There should be no Christian celebrities. You might not like that statement, and you might not agree with it. Consider what the Word says. So much of the church copies the world. The world has their celebrities, so does Christianity. The movie stars and music stars are grossly overpaid, live in luxury, and have their award shows and pat each other on the back, and that is the world. The celebrity mentality is guilt over success and a need to feel like they are actually "making a difference" and they pass out awards to each other and praise each other. That is the way of the world, one can expect this kind of behavior. But, Christians are supposed to be different. Christ is supposed to be the focus and receive all the glory. It bothers me that the Christian singers and musicians have been tricked into following this same example. So much flesh being glorified, while God gets lip service. How much money is wasted to put on these 'awards shows' and hand out meaningless trophies for 'best song of the year' or best new vocalist, and how in the name of all that is holy does God get glory out of those who are supposed to be a separate, called out people, following the traditions of the world? If we are doing all we do for the glory and honor of God, as it is supposed to be, then why, oh why, do we give in to this need to be recognized, and honored by the public, for what we do? That need for self recognition must be crucified. People, those who walk this path have already received their reward in the public recognition and praise of men they have received. (See Matthew 6:2-5)

Can you imagine the Lord, and His disciples, the apostles, behaving in such a way? No. Flesh wants to stand in the spotlight, even if it's a religious spotlight and bask in adoration, compliments, and praise of men. Those who plant and sow the seed of the Word, the Gospel, whether in song, music, or ministry, should not think more highly of themselves than they should. Paul said I was with you, and I spoke to you the things of God, but I didn't use big fancy words, or flashy gimmicks, no, but there was a real demonstration of the Holy Spirit and the power of God because flesh did not try to touch the glory. Paul did not want to draw attention and build their faith up on the man speaking, but in the invisible, and almighty God. (1 Cor 2:3-5). That's the pattern, church. Self gets nothing and God gets everything. That's only fair, since HE alone brings life, deliverance, help and hope. He alone makes the difference. I love good Gospel music. I love Christian praise and worship music. But flesh is polluting so much of it. When the Holy Spirit is in charge, advertisement and marketing methods are not necessary. He draws, He provides, He moves, and Christ is glorified and people are truly delivered as HE breaks the yokes.

By His Own Power

1Co 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

That word ‘raised up’ in the original Greek, means to waken, rouse, literally from disease, death, lying down, or sitting. Figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, non-existence. To awake, lift up, raise again, or up, rear up, stand, take up. He’s not just talking about the resurrection or the rapture here. I think he’s also talking about raising us up from our failures, and despair over them. Remember, he’s addressing a people who had failed here. They could have been afraid of offending this one who was in sin, so they didn’t confront him. Or perhaps there was something of the world still holding their hearts and they thought nothing much about what he was doing-taking it lightly. But sin is sin, and if you condone it, you are guilty too by association. But he can raise us up from the dust of our failures, he can wake us up and lift us up and stand us on our feet and say “now, this is the way, walk ye in it!” Isa 30:21. He will also raise up us by his own power. Yes, he raised the Lord Jesus from the death of the grave. His flesh had to die. If we will let him through his Spirit help us die to our own ways, own wants and thoughts and take up his, and put on Jesus, let us take our self life to the cross and crucify it with Jesus, consider it dead, then he will raise us up in his power, to do his will. But we can’t lead and be in charge. Only the Head is in charge. He will do this by his own power. It will be a miracle, his force, his ability, his might, and he has an abundance of power and strength to do this.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

We aren’t to with forethought provide care or supply to please our flesh. We are not to do this because if we please our flesh we can’t please God. Our flesh doesn’t and can’t be agreeable to God. It’s two contrary natures. The one sinful and rebellious, the One Holy and pure. By “flesh” that word means (aside from the obvious) the body, human nature, with its frailties, and passions, and carnal thinking of self. In the world it’s “self first, self now, self always.”

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

To “walk” in him means to tread, walk , figuratively to live, follow, go and be occupied with. As I’ve already learned there are two ways he is received. One, is to associate with, know about, hear and learn about. Then there’s the other meaning-when you’ve heard it and reached out eagerly with force and laid hold on him, and drew him to you, embraced him, and took him in and made him welcome, and committed yourself to him and whatever he says is right. Oh, he is truly priceless. Matchless. He is more than a Masterpiece, more than a Treasure, he is EVERYTHING.

1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

One. United completely. Joined, as in marriage. In the Greek, that word ‘joined’ means to glue, to stick like glue, cleave, keep company. By implication this type of joining is very intimate, it’s the joining of spirits-two becoming one. United, fastened together. United in purpose, and all other ways. The only comparison I can think of is the joining of a man and his wife together in intimacy. Their two bodies become as one flesh. Joined. In complete agreement.

Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

Imagine-he’s not just content for me to walk with him, he comes to dwell IN me. There’s no greater intimacy, he knows me better than I do. Nothing is hidden from him. Yet, he still loves me. He doesn’t get fed up and walk out the door. He knows my anguished heart recognizes its own shortcomings and yearns in a way I can’t describe for his purity and holiness. When I looked up the word “holiness” I did not find anything that mentioned how I dress or look. There was nothing mentioned about how much I had or didn’t have. It said “pure, without mixture.” Pure. Without mixture at all. Can’t have God and the world. You’ll love one and hate the other. You’re either all his, or not. He won’t take half-way. He knows for new believers it’s a growing process and you don’t grow up into that or into him overnight. But there comes a time in our lives, when we have to make a decision. Am I going to sell out to God and give him everything I am or am I going to hold out on him? Am I going to give him part of me? No, I want to give it all to him. Anything I would hold back would be corrupted because he wouldn’t have no part in it. What good would that be? It has to be HIM.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

If you look at this complete chapter in context, of 1 Cor 6, you know that the Apostle Paul was dealing with a certain body of believers in the Corinthian Church who had tolerated sin in their midst, for one of their members was indulging in sexual immorality. He was having an affair with his stepmother, and people knew it, and accepted it, and still fellowshipped with him. Paul was explaining how that as believers we are placed in the Body of Christ, and as such we need to realize we are members-parts of the Body of Christ Jesus, the Lord of glory. He is the Head of the Body. The Body is to follow the Head, and should not defile the vessel of the Lord. If it does it cannot long remain joined to the Lord. Light has no fellowship with darkness. But then he gives a glorious word of hope, that God can by his own power raise us up, just as he raised Christ from the dead. Where there is repentance, and forsaking of sin, He can raise us up out of our failures, flaws, fears, and raise us above the drawing power of the world, he can fill us with himself as we are joined to him, as we determine to cleave to him. And the world will have no attraction to us any longer. We can see the world as it really is-a dark and desperate place-not a place to run to when the Christian life gets a little hard. Walking with God is a supernatural life full of wonder and excitement for those who will yield and let God have control of their lives. It’s a life of peace, and rest, and contentment. He can thrill my soul like no one ever has, or could. He brings joy-for as I realize and begin to understand his wonderful love for me and how far he’s went to secure me in himself, and the price he paid for me, it’s humbling, mind-numbing. Yes, there will be suffering, yes there will be hard times, but knowing we are in his hands at all times and nothing comes that he doesn’t allow, and knowing and trusting his love for us sustains us when we have to face trials. Knowing he goes through it with us and never leaves us strengthens us. God doesn’t have spoiled brats. He suffered greatly, and I should not listen to anyone who tells me being a Christian means I won’t have to. That is a false gospel. Am I better than the Son of God? No. The Bible even tells us that all who live godly in Christ will suffer. (1 Peter 2:21)

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

I found out something interesting in this verse. The first word “blessed” means “adorable, blessed” (bless-ed) . But the second word “blessed” means to speak well of, to bless, thank, or invoke a benediction upon, to prosper, or praise. This is from the Greek word “eulogeo” where we get our word “eulogy”. Let that settle in for a moment. This is saying when God blessed us with these spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, he has eulogized us. A eulogy, according to Webster’s is “praise; a speech or writing in commendation of a person, on account of his valuable qualities or services.” Now pause a moment and let THAT settle in before we go on here. A eulogy is given only of someone who has died!!! Remember when Jesus said he that follows me must deny himself and take up his cross?

You are not your own, you’ve been bought with a price, we’ve already read that. We need to understand and believe and accept it and begin to live and walk accordingly if we are not already. We need to take our plans, our ambitions, our desires, our thoughts, ways, and attitudes, and bring them to the cross and leave them there-reckoning ourselves, as Paul said, dead to the ways and wants of this world and our flesh. This is a hard saying. I know that. If you are not in love with Christ this will make you recoil in horror. But if you can hear what the Word is saying here, with those spiritual ears, and see it through the eyes of God-what Glory is waiting for those who do this! Oh, I’m not there yet, but I’m coming, Lord. He’s leading. And this time, by his grace, I’m not backing up or down. I’m going through. I’m going in. I’m going up!

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

If we serve him, we are to wait on him, minister to his need. What on earth could the Lord who is ruler of all, owns the universe, all of them, and all in them, need? And let me tell you, my mind has had so much difficulty wrapping itself around this truth-while my heart cries out for it. He died to reconcile us to the Father. Why? Because he loves us. Because he wants a personal, intimate relationship with us. Fellowship. This breaks me up. This God who is so holy he told Israel, don’t you bring me a sacrifice with a spot or blemish. Don’t you bring me your weak and sick and lame. Bring me your best. And I look at me, and the more I read his word, the more I see in his mirror everything I want but am not yet. The trials he has allowed in my life have revealed things in my heart I didn’t know were there and left me feeling ill. Sickened. Like a hypocrite. All I have to offer him is me. A human being with too much carnality, who despite her best intentions gets provoked to wrath at times, whose heart is not perfect, but rife with unclean things of bitterness and resentment. And fear. Insecurity. In short, polluted. And that is the best I can bring the God I love so much. Why does that make me cry? Why does that break me up inside? There is nothing good I can bring him in me, and I have finally began to see this in the Light of His Truth, and I feel broken. Desperate for him, but afraid to approach such pure Holiness with such a pathetic offering. But I can’t stay here. It’s not what I think that matters, it’s not what I see, it’s what HE SAYS that counts.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Oh, praise God for the blood! Hallelujah for the One who was willing to suffer and die so I could be free to love him and serve him and live with him forever! Without Fear! (Luk 1:74) I thank God our Pastor has been reminding us what God said to Joshua “Be strong and be of good courage, you’ve not been this way before. But God is going to bring you in to his promises!” Sheer faith in the God I love, in his desire to have me with him (as inconceivable as that is to my mind) is what I must have. Jesus Christ faced the death of his body on the cross. He had to trust that the love of God would not allow him to stay dead, that the power of God would raise him up again. He committed it all to his Father’s hands. He came not to do his own will, but the Father’s. As we was in the world, so must we be. The world we live in is a wilderness. We can’t do this ourselves. We can’t raise ourselves above it. But he can.

Son 8:5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bore thee.

Son 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Son 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

My Beloved is the Lord. His love for me was strong enough that he faced and conquered death. Nothing has changed his love for me. Oh, Father, open thou mine eyes that I may see and know. And understand. Only you can help me not be afraid because in my heart I want to die so I can see you. You told Moses no man can see my face and live. So crucify this flesh, destroy the carnal mind, burn up the chaff, consume the flesh, and be glorified in me and through me. Take this pathetic little offering and break it, bless it and multiply it that others can see you in this dark world. All I want is you Lord. Your way, your word, your life. Your heart for those around me. Take me higher. Take me deeper. Bring me in to your fullness. Nothing else is going to satisfy.

It can seem like such an unattainable prize. But with God, nothing is impossible. I was thinking on these things today, and the Holy Spirit brought something to my remembrance that made me want to squeal with delight. It relieved me over something I’d been fretting about for weeks now.

Remember Abraham and Sarah? Remember how God had promised them new life? They waited on the promise, tried to help it along by their flesh and Ishmael was the result. But God did not let their failures stop the promise. They didn’t give up hope that God would fulfill his word. Sarah’s womb was dead. In Luke 1 Elisabeth’s womb was dead. But God put this wonderful new life there. They longed for life, and they loved God, and they could not do it themselves. God deliberately waited until they were unable to do it, until it was humanly impossible for them to do it. We can’t have the life of God except he put it in us. And it is such a precious thing, such a treasure, not to be taken lightly. In 1 Sam 1, Hannah was hungry for new life but was barren. She cried out to God, just like Abraham did, just like Zechariah and Elisabeth did. God heard their prayers. He answered with new life. He took people who were too old and unable to give birth to new life, renewed their youth and gave them new life. Children. Children who loved and served him. Isaac, and John the Baptist. Samuel. I had been looking at my flaws, and failures, and felt like I’d missed it, and I want the life of Christ flowing through me. I hunger for more of him. I know I’m not worthy, in myself, but he is willing to work in me and help me be what I could never be. He can make me be what I can’t. He can raise me up in heavenly places and I could never raise myself up there with him.

Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Oh, that scripture gives me hope. He calls things which are not as though they are!!!!!!!!! He sees me as what I am in Christ, not in my own flesh.

Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

Think about it, saints! I don’t have to consider that I can’t do it in my flesh, that I am incapable of doing or having this-because without Him, I can do nothing. That is how he set it up! It was deliberate on his part. With God nothing is impossible. Nothing is too hard for him. He wants me to have Himself. He said it’s his good pleasure to give his children the kingdom. I can’t do it, but he can! And what blows my mind is he’s giving me the assurance he WANTS TO DO THIS, not just for me, but for all his children who lack this. For those who will yield to him and believe him. When you start believing what you read in his Word and applying it to yourself, it gets so exciting!

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Now, this is a little different meaning than in Eph 1:3. When he’s raised us up here, it means to rouse from death, to revive spiritually, rise with. (Christ). In order to attain this-and the seat has been saved for us, that is what it means when he says “he has made us sit together” literally in the Greek that means to give or take a seat in company with, make to sit down together. Oh, he’s given a seat to us in the heavenlies with Christ. He’s reserved us a seat. But in order to take that seat, we have to die to self. We have to fully surrender our selves to him. Nothing of flesh can inherit the kingdom of God. Nothing of flesh can stand in his presence. His presence would consume it. We have to be in the Spirit.

Into the Fire With God

King Nebuchadnezzar thought highly of himself. God exalted him and it went to his head just like it did to Lucifer's. (Isa 14, Eze 28). He made this huge golden image of himself, and commanded the people to bow. But God had 3 children, three young people, that knew the Word, that knew their God for themselves. They were captives in a strange land, they had been taken and educated in this strange land's idolatry and education system. But they did not eat the king's meat, they turned to God who was their Provision. He kept them in this land, and they remained pure. They saw and understood for themselves how vile it was to bow to man's image of himself, rather than the Creator who alone was worthy. They understood something that strengthened their resolve in the face of certain death. The Bible doesn't say this, but I think it was simply, they knew God for themselves and they loved Him more than their own lives.

Dan 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

His taunts and threats did not shake these boys. They were determined to be faithful to God, knowing He was able to deliver them, but regardless of whether He did or not. They knew their had been martyrs. They were fully prepared to die. They completely put their lives in the hands of God, faced with a roaring fiery furnace. Saints, you can't have that kind of faith unless you get it at His feet, alone with Him. You have got to know Him intimately to have that kind of faith. You have to be sure of Him and your position in His sight with Him, to successfully face this. Remember, Paul said if you give your body to be burned and don't have love it's not an acceptable sacrifice.

Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

This king was infuriated at their response. But the Lord was already on the scene. They bound these boys, and threw them in this fiery furnace, and they fell down, bound. The fire slew the men who threw them in because it was so hot. I imagine the king, not caring for his own servants, just like the devil, sat back with smug satisfaction, sure he showed them who was the boss. But then his eyes widened with astonishment. They were up walking around. And they weren't alone.

Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

The only thing that burnt up was the cords that bound them. The fire of the furnace had no power over them. The Lord kept them. The Lord preserved them. He walked in the fire with them. And even their enemy had to praise them.

Dan 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

They didn't yield and we don't have to either. When God shows us the image we have of ourselves, the things we think we must have, the way we think we must look, or be, it has to come down. He wants to conform us the image of HIS SON. No matter what the problem or trial is, we have to trust Him. We have to draw closer to Him and know Him for ourselves. We can't make it on what we think we know about Him. We have to KNOW HIM. Praise God for the opportunity. Know up front, the devil will conspire with and even use your own carnal mind to keep you from this. He will seek to manipulate your thoughts, and flesh to keep you away from entering into the presence of the Almighty. To really pray through to where He is. When I first got saved, at one point during those first few months, I was lying on my side in bed one night, in prayer, and I don't remember what I was saying, but I was just loving Him, longing for more, and all of a sudden, though the room I was in was dark, and my eyes were closed, and my prayer was inward, silent, I saw a vision. Everything began to light up and I saw this cloud that reminded me of the smoke off dry ice. I saw these two arm rests like of a chair, and there were hands on them, coming out of the smoke. I saw that someone was sitting there on this chair and realized it was God's throne. I remember seeing a ring on His finger, and feeling this amazing sense of 'where am I?' and I looked and suddenly realized if that's God's throne, those hands must be His, and fear gripped me and before I could stop myself I retreated, I opened my eyes, and the contact was broken. I regret letting that fear get the best of me. It hindered me from something I needed. In my spirit, I feel God drawing me to come. To go into the fire with Him. He's already there waiting. He wants to burn up the chaff, and take my life completely over. He wants yours, too. I keep getting a vision of a cup. A cup is a vessel. It's clean, and empty. Only the Master can fill it. And only the Master can distribute the contents of the vessel. It can't do anything but contain what the Master pours in. The cup has to have the Master pick it up and pour it out and refill it. It's like the lamp that must have oil in it to burn. But the lamp is not the source of the Light, the oil is. The oil is the Holy Spirit burning in us. We need Him. We can't do this for ourselves. He commanded us to be filled with the Spirit. It's not an option. It's a command. (Eph 5:18), not an option and we can't fill ourselves.

Heb 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

We haven't come to a physical mountain. If we are here, and if there is a witness in our spirit that He is drawing us to come out from among them and come up, be separated unto HIM, first and foremost, God give us grace and courage to go into the cloud, and face the fire of the refiner. He will temper us and prepare us to face whatever comes and we will not break or be shattered by what goes on around us.

Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Can you feel the shaking? It's already started. It will get worse. We have to have joy in our heart because we know in Whom we have believed, and are persuaded He is able to perform what He has promised. We have to have reverence, and serve God because we love Him and want Him more than anything, and serve Him with caution, to keep His Word, and ways closely hidden in our heart so we don't sin against Him or grow cold on Him or stray from Him.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

It really boils down to this: Do we want Him badly enough to go into the fire? Do we dare go in knowing we-our self will be consumed? In comparison with HIM what do we have that would be worth hanging on to? Nothing. We cannot save or keep ourselves or change or fill ourselves with the Spirit of God. He is the only One, and He is worth going into the fire for. But it will take complete trust in His love for us and His faithfulness to His Word. Just imagine.....stepping into the fire and seeing God. We will never be the same again. Remember, He told Moses no man can see His face and live...but oh, through the eyes of faith we can see and know Him and be dead to this world, ourselves, our old “live for myself” life, and new and resurrected in, through and by HIM. In my heart, and I may be wrong, but in my heart I truly believe that when we get that revelation of God that we can only get in the fire, in the hard place, when we begin to know Him like ths, nothing of this earth will satisfy us any longer. Neither will be be able to strive in our flesh to be holy. Seeing God, knowing God like this will kill the flesh. How could it not? I've heard Him preached. I've read about Him in the Word. I want to live with and in the reality of Him. Nothing else will satisfy. I am so dissatisfied with myself and where I am now. But to look to HIM and away from me-to trust HIM to do what He said He would...oh, Father, glorify thyself in me and my puny little life...just to know HIM, to be fully possessed by Him, filled with His fullness...that's what I was created for, wasn't it? So were you all. His grace is sufficient and His strength will carry us if we allow Him to, into the fire.

Dan 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

Isa 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.

When we begin to understand that giving in to our flesh and saying yes to self is saying no to God, will that change our behavior? Will it strengthen our resolve to yield fully to Him? Will love for Him drive us to our knees before Him seeking His strength and His promise to perfect us? Self can't be perfected-it's the life of His Son, the image of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who is to be perfected in us. Oh, Holy Spirit, breathe on us, strengthen us and draw us to Yourself...only You can do this. Bring us to the end of ourselves, and guide us to the Door of Heaven where our High Priest can slay the sacrifice and make it holy and acceptable to the Father...and then the fire will fall. Then we go into the fire. Pastor BH Clendennen says the fire of God never falls on an empty altar. Amen. Grant us dying grace, oh, Most High. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Into the Deep With God

Luk 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Luk 5:2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Luk 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luk 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luk 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luk 5:6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.
Luk 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luk 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luk 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

I don't think it's a coincidence that Gennesaret means a garden of riches. It was also called the Sea of Galilee, which means turning, revolution. And everywhere Jesus who contained the fullness of the godhead, went, didn't He turn things completely around? I know He revolutionized my whole life. The Son of God is here speaking and teaching the Word of God in the power of the Spirit. He had just endured the 40 day period in the wilderness, and being tempted by the devil. John the Baptist had just been thrown in prison. As Jesus is speaking, the people are so interested and so hungry, they are pressing upon Him, and that word implies an urgent pressure of the crowd for Him to continue speaking on these things. They wanted to know, they wanted to understand. According to Mark 1:15 He is preaching about the time they are living in and how the kingdom of God is at hand. They need to repent and believe the Gospel.

Peter is surely tired, and with his partners, James and John, are ready to go home after they finish cleaning their nets, I would think. If you had been up all night, fishing, and this was your livelihood, and you had caught nothing, you would probably be tired, frustrated, perhaps a little worried, and definitely ready for a shower and bed. But there was something about Jesus that commanded their attention, and obedience. His presence was different than that of other men. They heard what Jesus was saying, and it had affected them, for when Jesus finishes teaching, He turns to Peter and instructs him to lower the nets into the water that they had just cleaned, for a haul. The Word he had heard Jesus teaching had convicted Peter's heart. He automatically calls Him Master. He politely explains they have worked hard all night, and caught nothing, but because He said to do so they would let down the net. When Peter obeyed, the net was quickly filled to bursting with fish. Peter needed help from his partners to just get the net back up and it broke. They caught so many fish the weight of them began to sink the ship Peter was on, and James and John's ship, too. This wasn't natural and Peter knew it. Conviction hit his heart. He had been cleaning his equipment, tired, frustrated, having worked so hard and accomplished so little, and here comes this Man, and Peter heard Him speak the Word of God. He spoke with authority, and compassion. He addressed the regular people, the poor-whomever would come and listen, Jesus would talk to. How different from the Pharisees and the religious leaders of the day. Jesus went where the people were. He came to them. He had come into Peter's life, when he was tired, frustrated, and empty. Peter was awed. He fell down before the knees of Jesus, and he humbled himself, in spite of the fact that others were around, and I don't think his voice was strong and boisterous as he said, Get away from me, for I am a sinful man, oh, Lord. His words imply an honest, sincere, and very convicted heart. Remember, the Pharisees considered themselves unclean if one of the common folk happened to brush up against them-especially if they were dirty or poor or sick. After a night of fishing, I would say Peter didn't smell too good, and wasn't too clean. He was used to rigid Pharisees. But there was something convicted in his heart by Jesus. Jesus had just shown and given him more provision than he could ever have gotten on his own, with just a Word. He was so astonished at the great haul of fish they had caught; it was more than they could handle. They knew it was not natural. They knew they had never caught that many on their own. Something had happened, and fear gripped Peter's heart. He knew he was in the presence of the Lord. He recognized true authority. But Jesus tells them not to be afraid, that they would be catchers of men. They immediately forsook their boats and nets and followed Jesus. They left all. They did not stay and get sidetracked by the great amount of fish, they left it to Zebedee and his other helpers. They walked away.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in our lives, with our jobs, trying to make a living, and yet, we can get caught up in our religion, too, trying to be a witness for Jesus, sharing the Gospel with those who will allow us to do so, and inside, feel tired, frustrated at the lack of results, the lack of accomplishment. We can look around and wonder what are we doing, and why things are not more fruitful? Jesus said "launch out into the deep, and let down your nets."

That word "deep" in the Greek is 'bathos' and it means mystery, profound truth, the deep things of God. Perhaps we need to do more than get our feet wet. We need to dive into the depths of the Word, invite the Holy Spirit to transform us, and make ourselves regularly and readily available to Him. We need to deny our flesh its pleasure of sleeping in, and resting, and get up early and seek the truth and fellowship of God while things around us are still quiet and calm. We must realize if we cater to the demand of our flesh for comfort and ease, the spiritual life we have will die. If we do not feed it with the Word, and water it with prayer and communication with the Father, and invite the Holy Spirit to do in our lives what the Lord sent Him to do, we will die. The oil will leak out and we will be as foolish virgins, with the appearance of religion, but no power. No life of Christ transforming us into His image, and glory. No faith. If we are found in that position when the Lord comes to collect His Bride, we will be left.

If we will come to Jesus, and hear Him, with hearts that are determined to trust Him for the power to obey Him, He will fill us with His life, the Holy Spirit will reveal Him to our hearts, and make us what we were meant to be. He will fill our vessels with holy provision just as He filled the nets with fish. And that is another thing that caught my attention. When Jesus said launch out into the deep, and drop your net, the provision was already there. He caused the fish to fill the net to bursting. If we will seek Him, and His life, His kingdom, and let our own wills and wants die, we will not lack for provision-spiritual, physical, or financial. But we must be found faithful stewards of what He gives us. He will not trust spiritual riches to someone who is slack or unfaithful. Oh, Word of God, wash us clean, oh precious Comforter, deal with us in mercy and do not depart from us, guide us into all truth, and grant us Your strength to live it and walk it so that this desperate and dying world can see the Way, the Truth and the Life once more. Help us be a people of prayer, confident of being accepted by the Lord, because the Word says He has made us accepted in the Beloved. If we are accepted, let us not wait any longer. Let us cast off the weights that hinder and beset us so easily and cut off the distractions and set our face to seek God, and be determined to run right over that devil to get to the Lord.

The Presence of God In Our Lives

The Presence of God:

1. Brings rest (Ex. 33:14)
2. Sets us apart from the world (Ex. 33:15-16)
3. Brings the glory and honor of God, along with strength, and gladness into our lives.
(1 Chr. 16:7)
4. Our enemies, all the things that hinder or weigh us down, or would harm us, perish at his presence. (Ps. 9:3)
5. Spending time in his presence brings the fullness of joy and pleasure. (Ps. 16:11) and shows us the path of life.
6. Is a hiding place from the pride of man. Being in the presence of God is a sure fire way to remain humble. (Ps. 31:20)
7. Wickedness that might be plaguing us, or trying to defile our temple, will perish at his presence. (Ps. 68:2)
8. Be thankful and praise him for his presence, it's an awesome privilege to have. (Ps.95:2)
9. Hills melt like wax at his presence. Whatever difficulty in your circumstance or life that you think you can't overcome, he can. (Ps. 97:5)
10. Tremble before his presence with reverence and fear, awed by who he is. (Ps. 114:7, Jer. 5:22).
11. There is no way to hide from his presence, so be reminded he said he'd never leave you, nor forsake you in Heb. 13:5. (Ps. 139:7)
12. His presence is the dwelling place of the upright. (Ps. 140:13) (Can't get a better place to live than that-we can live in his presence, remember Paul said in him we move and have our being. It's possible, according to the scripture to walk in the spirit, and dwell in his presence. Who needs a mansion with that kind of dwelling place?)
13. Have a problem with your flesh, or idols that have been hard to let go of? His presence can move those things right out of your temple and out of your way. (Is. 19:1)
14. Got a seemingly insurmountable problem? A mountain of obstacles? At his presence, mountains melt and flow down like hot wax. (Is. 64:1)
15. His presence shakes men, makes the steep places fall, and knocks the walls to the ground of every stronghold. (Ezek. 38:20)
16. Need refreshing? The times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)
17. No flesh can glory in his presence. (1 Cor. 1:29)
18. Christ, our High Priest, is in God's presence as our intercessor. (Heb. 9:24)
19. He can present us faultless before his presence with exceeding great joy. (Jude 24)
But don't wait until he comes to be in his presence. Get in it now, for we have boldness, to enter into the holy of holies, through the blood. (Heb. 10:19-22) Get in his presence now and let him walk through the midst of your heart, shining his light and overthrowing the tables of the moneychangers, and casting out that which is unlike him and offends him.

Resisting God

There was a man, Hezekiah, king of Judah, who began his reign as a godly king. He had grown up with one messed up childhood, if you think about it. For many years, he followed after the Lord. However, in his later years, he made a serious mistake, inviting representatives of the Babylonians into his palace and showing them the treasures he had, which they would one day come after. When Hezekiah became ill to the point of death, he prayed for deliverance, and God had spared his life.

2Ki 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

He had been king for a while, several years, and had enjoyed victory under the leadership of the Lord. The Lord had wrought great deliverance for Israel from the Assyrian armies that came against them. He had given Hezekiah wisdom to lead this nation in the right path. But Hezekiah did not want to die. When God said it's time, Hezekiah said no, Lord, I've done right, what was good in your sight, and cried for the Word of the Lord to him was you must die. He had a boil on him that was infected, and poisoning his system. From what I've read researching this, a boil is like an infected ulcer, and back in the time of Hezekiah, could be complicated by leprosy, like it was in the case of Job. Ulcerated sores that show up on man's skin, full of infection. This is like the plague of boils God sent on Egypt. It reminds me of sin.

As I read this, it occurred to me that as a Christian, God says everything you are, everything you want, everything your carnal nature desires, it has to die so I can raise up the life of My Son in you. Hezekiah, if he'd died at this time, would have went out in the will of God. But he resisted this, and afterward gave life to something that would destroy many of God's people. A son, named Manasseh.

God heard Hezekiah's pleas and healed him, but there was something born of Hezekiah afterward that would not have been had he accepted the word of the Lord and not prayed against it. He fathered a son, Manasseh, who would later have the prophet Isaiah sawn in half and cause the nation of Judah to spiral out of control with sin, wickedness, and many of the saints would be slaughtered. Manasseh would be one of the most wicked kings to rule over Judah. Hezekiah also acted very unwisely in allowing these Babylonians access to the nation's treasures. Isaiah comes to Hezekiah with a word from the Lord.

Isa 39:6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

Isa 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Consider how Hezekiah responds to this warning. He is not repentant. He does not go to the Lord to intercede on behalf of his sons and grandsons. No. He says well, good is the Word of the Lord, at least I'll have peace in my time. How selfish. I ask you, will God allow someone with that spirit in heaven? Hezekiah has always been preached as a godly king, but listen to him at the end. Selfish. Makes me wonder. As I look at Hezekiah's life, and see how great a start he had with the Lord, I wonder about his end. I don't want to start great and end up lost and betraying the Lord. He was told that his sons, and that includes grandsons, would be castrated and taken captive and what does he say?

Isa 39:8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Well, the Lord's Word is good, it's fair, and at least there won't be trouble in my days. Did he have problems staring his sons in the face? What about Manasseh? This one grew up to do much evil to God's people. Perhaps he thought it was better than some of his siblings got. The Scripture tells us in 2 Kings 16:3 that his father, King Ahaz was an evil man who burnt his sons in the fire as a sacrifice to Canaanite gods.

Hezekiah had a boil, an infection in his body that was killing him and God said he had to die. Set his house in order. Much ado is made over God's mercy to this man, but I've heard very little about the tragedy that would come to Israel and his own house hold, including the prophet Isaiah, because this man lived 15 more years. Compare this with our carnal nature, and self will-surely an infection in us that has to be dealt with. Nothing good comes from self will, or carnal living-not in the kingdom of God. When God says that self will of ours has to die, we must listen to Him and agree with Him. Who knows what will be birthed in our lives and how it will affect others around us if we do not heed the Lord. Hezekiah prayed a prayer that clearly resisted God's will. When we get a clear word from the Lord and we don't like it, God help us remember Hezekiah and not try to pray our way out of it. Because he lived 15 more years, he sired a son who caused a bloodbath in Jerusalem. He had prophets of God killed, and many innocents. The Scripture says he shed innocent blood. That means little ones. He was a very vicious man, who ultimately ended up finding mercy from God. This is a very thought-provoking story and I pray we consider it carefully.

Don't Despair

Jesus ministered on this earth in human flesh for 3 1/2 years. He had 12 men following Him, listening and learning from what He showed them and told them. At times, He had many more following Him. The word "disciple" means pupil, or student. They saw Him work miracles, they saw Him calm violent storms out on the raging sea. They watched as He reached out and touched the lepers-which was unthinkable to the carnal mind. They saw Him embrace children, whom the religious establishment had no time for. They saw Him deliver people from life long bondage, from sickness of all kinds, and they saw Him speak the name of a dead man and watched him come forth out of the tomb, alive and well. They saw Him treat the people with kindness, and respond to the challenge of the religious with truth that cut so sharply they wanted to kill Him.

They heard Him pray and it so stirred them up, this intimacy they heard when He talked to His Father, they longed for this kind of relationship as well. They wanted to know how to pray that way. They saw Him challenged and baited and provoked again and again, and every single time He responded with wisdom, truth and an unmistakable authority. They watched demon spirits plead for mercy from Him. He commanded the winds and waves, the unclean spirits, and by the power of His Word, things happened. Miracles were wrought. Life was spoken into death. The life of God inside of Him lit up the world for those around to see the truth. His message was one of repentance, purity, compassion for others, loving others and loving God. He taught about mercy and justice, and truth and grace. He taught about forgiveness and kindness and warned against hypocrisy. He taught the people in parables to illustrate spiritual truths. It was soon evident to all who could see the God He taught about and revealed was not the same God the Pharisees spoke of. They totally misrepresented this great God.

In spite of the crowds pressing Him, He still had time to go out of His way to Samaria and wait to meet with a little woman who was looking for something meaningful, who had a longing in her heart for the reality of God in her life. She was considered less than a dog by His own people, but He made a trip special to see her and minister to the cry in her heart for Truth and a whole town came out to hear Him and believed on Him. They saw Him stop a funeral procession and raise a woman's only child from the dead. He ministered to the poor, the needy, the helpless, and never asked anything in return except to give God glory. He never tried to build a reputation, a ministry, or make a name for Himself. His agenda was God's. He prayed, He heard from Heaven, He walked in the Spirit, and by His own admission credited the miracles and works done by Him as done by the power and life of the Spirit of God in Him. They saw Him grant to them power to work miracles as well. He sent them out in pairs and instructed them to carry the message of the kingdom, and heal the sick. They came back rejoicing because the spirits were subject to them and He warned them pride caused Satan to fall from heaven. He gave them authority, and power over the enemy's power, but reminded them that is not where their joy should be. Their names were written in heaven-that is what they were to rejoice over.

They saw Him get angry and drive the covetous, the dishonest, those using the House of God to make a dishonest buck, out. They saw Him cleanse the temple of unclean things and people. They watched Him weep and grieve over the city of Jerusalem and the people.

The disciples saw and learned and heard a lot of things in the 3 1/2 years they were with Him, traveling in the ministry of the kingdom of God. With everything that happened, they could have built a large following, a rich treasury, and a famous ministry, with a great reputation of being able to do what the Pharisees and Scribes could not. The disciples recognized He had power, unmistakable, unimaginable power of God, and wanted Him to put down the Roman rule over them and liberate Israel from their control.

He was never caught unprepared, He never displayed frustration or unbelief. He never wounded someone with a thoughtless word or deed. He was always in control because He was always subject to the Father. He was born dead to this world and to His own self. They traveled in the company of this Man, and He became their security. He became everything to them. Time and time again He pointed all back to the Father, but they were focused on Him. They had Jesus with them, and He supplied all their needs. They had left their careers, jobs, families, to go with Him, to follow Him and He took care of them. They lacked nothing. They were constantly learning, for He was constantly teaching. They had a head knowledge of the Lord and He knew it had to get in their heart.

During our Christian life, we spend time from the beginning learning Him, loving Him, and of coursing falling down and making mistakes, and having to repent and be cleansed. We love the Word, we love the fellowship, we pray, God answers and we are thrilled. But there comes a time, after all these things, the message of the Gospel began to turn ominous to the disciples-not to the crowds. Jesus began to speak of three things that the disciples were unaware of before: He would have to suffer rejection, betrayal, and He would have to suffer death at the hands of wicked men. There was a cross involved in this Christian life, and there would be the Holy Spirit given to take us there.

He is a great and mighty God-and self doesn't want to accept that it has to die, that it has to be denied. This kind of Gospel will often cause those who love Him and are struggling to please Him and live right to fall in to despair. God says "Don't despair, I'm with you. Just trust Me. I'll get you there."

Consider this great God who through the power of His Spirit led wild animals to an ark, subdued their animal nature so the predators did not prey on the other animals or the family of Noah inside that ark for almost an year. Consider how His Spirit moved on a black, empty void out in space and called forth a planet-earth. Consider how this Great GOD lovingly molded a human being out of a pile of dirt. When He blew into Adam's nostrils the breath of life every member of his body began to function correctly. There was no war, no division, everything worked exactly as God intended and made it to. When we have received the Holy Ghost the Lord said He would send-and He did, when we receive Him and are filled with Him then we will function and walk and move and live like we are designed to by the divine nature within us-as overcomers. Jesus set the pattern and He said greater things shall you do because I go to my Father. Greater in quantity, not quality. He is able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we can ever ask or think.

The enemy would cause us to despair over our failures, our sins, our weakness. But God says don't look to yourself, look to ME. Look away from yourself, look higher! I'm here! I love you, I made you, and I can perfect you. Don't despair, just trust Me!!! He already knows our failures and weaknesses and HE doesn't despair over them. When He begins to show these to us, it is we who can start to fret and worry and become depressed over ourselves. We look at how Jesus walked and how He lived and ministered to others, never seeking for self, always pointing others to God, and we KNOW to have this life and this type of a heart it has to be God doing this in us for it is not naturally in us to be this way. No, it is the opposite of what we want to do. But praise the Lord, He knows, and HE saw it all along, from the time we first bowed our knees to Him, He knew us. He didn't despair over our failures and weakness, no, He just began to draw us to Himself, His Word, His presence, to prayer, and it's as we see and learn Him that we begin to see ourselves. He loves you, and He will not fail you. He is well able to bring you into this sacrificial life of Christ where yourself is emptied out and His divine life is flowing in and through you to those around you. Then, others will not see you, or me, but they will Jesus in us, our hope, and their hope of glory!

Unqualified Witnesses

This is an excerpt from "My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge" by Kathleen Maples

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/2/727206/Its%20About%20Him%20pdf%20files/My%20People%20Are%20Destroyed%20For%20Lack%20of%20Knowledge.pdf

2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Beloved, have you ever considered what the Lord means when He calls you Beloved? In the Greek, it is the word "Agapetos" and it means favorite, worthy of love, clearly and well loved and much loved, dear to the heart. May we pause a minute and meditate quietly in our hearts on that? In the New Testament this word is used to describe divine and Christian love toward each other and from God toward us. He is telling us something very important here, and I pray the Spirit of God will give us hearing ears to understand this. If you read all of Chapter 3 in 2 Peter, you understand that Peter has just described how the judgment of God will consume this earth with fire that will melt even the atmosphere and the planets.

He's described the unbelief that grips people's hearts, deceiving them into believing God will not judge their sin. This is the error of the wicked-they simply do not grasp or believe that God will judge them for their sin. This applies to us, as Christians as well. When I saw this, it was because HE showed it to me. I had to repent, too. People sit in churches for years, they amen the preacher, they sing the songs of praise, they lift their hands, they read their Bibles some, they pray some, they hear the Word of God taught, and that is the extent of their Christian experience. They are satisfied with that. Occasionally they will get convicted by a Word, weep and cry some at an altar for about 4 or 5 minutes, feel better about themselves, and are satisfied things are ok, and they would tell you if asked, that they keep the commandments of God as best they can. They would say they know it is wrong to disobey God and do not do so. But have we considered carefully and examined ourselves as we are exhorted to do? We aren't as obedient as we think we are.

God has been dealing with me about these things, and has sent me a solid confirmation of these things, through several messages preached by BH Clendennen. What I write here is the result of God dealing with me, personally. But I see the need in the church, as well. HE said in Luke 24:49 "Tarry until you be endued (clothed, infused with, covered with, filled with) power from on High." Acts 1:8 says we will receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon us to be witnesses to Him throughout the world. Witnesses. That word means someone who sees and knows something firsthand. They get their revelation from the Lord Himself, they do not depend on the preacher. They seek the Lord. They know Him, or they are learning to know Him, for there is so much to know about HIM we could never know it all. In the Greek this word for witnesses is "martus" and it means martyr. It is one who has given their life up for Him, literally or figuratively. They have exchanged their old life for His new one. They do not live for self-but have yielded themselves for Him, to Him, to live through them. How can we represent Him accurately if we don't know Him? I know I sound like a broken record. These are not suggestions, but commands. If this is not our walk, and our life with Him, we are not being obedient. We don't have the strength to reject ourselves and crucify ourselves, that's why we must have the Holy Ghost. God knows that, but we need to know it. Saying it is one thing, recognizing the need is another. But when will "Get around to it"? I have been guilty of this-knowing my lack, knowing my need, just struggling along, knowing that almost mythical "someday" God will get me there. But there comes a time, when He is dealing with us, we need to stop and consider carefully the consequences if we don't walk in the light He is shining-the only alternative is to be overtaken by darkness. We can't hem and haw and make excuses and expect Him to just wait on us forever to get our act together. We can't get it together without HIM.

The church world has come to re-define some of the terminology of the Bible, for we've come to believe the word "witness" means to share the Gospel with someone-but by definition, you can not accurately share what you do not personally know to be true-in this case, Jesus Christ. That requires a sacrifice of our time, alone with Him in the prayer closet, in His Word, learning Him, feeding on Him, being filled with His Spirit and THEN we can be true witnesses of Him. We've come to think of conviction as a bad feeling for having done something wrong. In reality, to be convicted is to be found guilty of violating God's law. Without repentance, there is only judgment left. Ephesians 5:18 says "Be filled with the Spirit" and the word implies a continual filling, not a one time thing. Stay filled with the Spirit is what He is telling us. If we are not tarrying, waiting, seeking and praying, and learning Him, and being filled with His Spirit, baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire, we are disobedient and unqualified witnesses.

Peter has reminded us how the Lord doesn't want anyone to perish but these things are coming and we see the signs of their approach happening all around us. The scoffers are scoffing, the ignorant are willfully ignorant, refusing to consider the truth, but the Word of the Lord is still forever settled in heaven and cannot change. Toward the end of chapter 3, Peter, knowing by the power of the Spirit that such thoughts and such knowledge of what will happen will be a tool of the enemy to incite fear in the heart of the believer, he reminds them to be alert, and remember they are beloved of God, and must grow in grace and follow on to know the Lord for themselves. It's in knowing HIM that we find this peace and security. To mature we need to eat the Word and pray for understanding. If we do not understand how this Word of God applies to us, we cannot profit from it as God intends. As we do this on a regular basis, we grow, we mature. The more we see and learn of HIM the more we will hunger for Him. As John said, I must decrease, and He must increase. Before there can be an increase of His life in me, I must empty myself of self-and to do that I need the help of the Holy Ghost. I cannot do this myself. It is vitally necessary that we KNOW HIM for ourselves.