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Is the “sinner’s prayer” “superstitious.”

Posted: April 5, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching, wilderness
Tags: david platt, Doctrines, Kingdom teaching, radical christianity

It was a three-minute video clip that was shared across the evangelical community. In it, Pastor David Platt famously called the “sinner’s prayer” “superstitious.” A few months later, he still finds himself explaining the heart behind that message.

“I believe we simply need to be as biblical as possible (2 Timothy 2:15). Do I believe it is ‘wrong’ for someone to pray a ‘prayer of salvation’? Certainly not,” Platt maintained in a blog post this week.

The 33-year-old pastor, who leads The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala., sparked debate earlier this year when he told attendees at the Verge Conference that there is “no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament,” referring to the popular “sinner’s prayer.”

“I’m convinced many people in our churches are just simply missing the life of Christ and a lot of it has to do with what we’ve sold them as the Gospel, i.e. ‘pray this prayer, accept Jesus into your heart, invite Christ into your life,'” he said. “It’s modern evangelism built on sinking sand and it runs the risk of disillusioning millions of souls.”

While some agreed with him, others couldn’t avoid what they saw as the underpinnings of his remarks – Calvinism. Some thought Platt voiced opposition to the “sinner’s prayer” because as a Calvinist, he didn’t want the hopeless unelect to think they are saved through a simple prayer.

He pushed back in his recent blog post, stating that “nothing could be further from the truth.”
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“Any cautions I have expressed with a ‘sinner’s prayer’ have absolutely nothing directly to do with the doctrine of election, and I definitively don’t believe that certain people ‘actually have no chance for life in Christ,'” the Southern Baptist pastor clarified. “Instead, my comments about the ‘sinner’s prayer’ have been deeply motivated by a concern for authentic conversion and regenerate church membership – doctrines which many Calvinists and non-Calvinists, as well as a variety of Christians in between, would rightly value.”

Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, came to Platt’s defense on Thursday. While noting that Platt could have chosen a better word other than “superstitious” in his talk, Akin said he shared his concern about poor gospel presentations and false professions.
But that doesn’t mean he’s against the “sinner’s prayer.”

“I want it to be known that I shepherded all of my sons in praying a ‘sinner’s prayer’ as an expression of the work of God in their hearts as they repented of their sin and placed their trust in Christ alone for salvation,” Akin stated. “I have also preached more than a dozen graduation messages and in each and every one I have shared the gospel, invited people to receive Christ, and even helped them as they surrender their lives to Christ by leading them in a ‘sinner’s prayer.’

“Handled carefully and wisely, I gladly invite people to repent of sin, trust in Christ, and surrender their lives to Him. David and I, I am quite certain, are in 100% agreement with one another on the issue.”
Platt addressed his controversial statements during the Southern Baptist Convention’s Pastors Conference in New Orleans last week.

“In my youth, I know that I am prone not to be careful with my words (particularly when they can become three-minute youtube clips!), so I want to be very careful with my words today,” he said in his introduction.
He went to the New Testament book of John to show evidence of devout followers of Jesus who were not born-again.
John 2:23-24 states: “Many trusted in his name … Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them.”
“Clearly, from the beginning of the gospel of John – this gospel that revolves around the necessity and centrality of belief in Christ – John makes clear to us that there is a kind of belief, a kind of faith, that does not save,” Platt explained.

“Is it possible for people to say they believe in Jesus, to say they have accepted Jesus, to say that they have received Jesus, but they are not saved and will not enter the kingdom of heaven? Is that possible? Absolutely, it’s possible. It’s not just possible; it is probable.”

Platt, who has a passion for global missions, expressed concern that there are millions of people who are being deceived to thinking they’re saved when they’re not because of a prayer they prayed or decision they made years ago.
At the same time, he made it clear that praying a prayer or making a decision aren’t in themselves bad. In fact, that’s how many believers called out to Christ and became “justified” through faith in Jesus.
But the question, he said, is: “What kind of faith are we calling people to?”

“In a day of rampant easy-believism that creates cultural Christians who do not know Christ, who have never counted the cost of following Christ, we must be biblically clear about saving faith, lest any of us lead people down a very dangerous and potentially damning road of spiritual deception.”

True, saving faith, the Alabama pastor explained, requires first understanding man’s condition before God – that they are dead in sin.

“We cannot dumb it down,” he stressed. “We are morally evil.”
To be born-again, one must repent – turn from sin and self – and believe – “trust in Jesus as the Savior who died for us and the Lord who rules over us.”

“We tell men and women, boys and girls everywhere: repent and believe in Christ. Whether we say, ‘Pray this prayer after me,’ is not the issue,” Platt highlighted. “The issue is that together we say, ‘By the grace of God in the cross of Christ, turn from yourself and trust in Jesus. Come from darkness to light. Come from death to life.’
“Now we can debate all day long how these words are used in what senses, but the testimony of Scripture is absolutely, fundamentally clear: God loves the world, and everyone in the world who trusts in Him will be saved.”
And those who are truly saved, he added, will be compelled to boldly preach the Gospel. They don’t have to be cajoled to do it.

Amid debate on the “sinner’s prayer,” Southern Baptists chose to adopt a resolution this month affirming the prayer as “a biblical expression of repentance and faith.”
Notably, Platt voted for the resolution.

“It was encouraging to see pastors and leaders together say that we need to be wise in the way we lead people to Christ, but such wisdom doesn’t necessarily warrant that everyone must throw out a ‘sinner’s prayer’ altogether,” he stated.

By Lillian Kwon , Christian Post Reporter

” Obedience is not a dirty word – it is a key to Kingdom living”

Posted: June 28, 2012 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching, wilderness
Tags: Bride of Christ, Christian life, disciples, discipleship, Doctrines, obedience, radical disciples, sacrifice, sin, the Word

This is by far my longest post – yet I find it one of the most important post – as obedience is one of the major foundational stones laid in a young disciples life that they will balance their walk on for years to come.

” Obedience is not a dirty word – it is a key to Kingdom living”

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)

And again Jesus says;
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

And again…..
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10)

We see this message repeated by the one who was next to the Lord throughout His earthly ministry and even referred to himself as the one whom the Lord loved; We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. (1 John 2:3) This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:3) And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6)

We read these passages in the Word yet if we preach in a way that resembles these teachings we are called legalistic. While at the same time we have a generation that longs for the presence of the Father. But we must ask the question is His presence not present possible because we have rejected His teachings and sought our own. For the Master and His students make clear what ushers in the presence of the Father yet we reject it as “too religious”.

But there are so many promises connected to this teaching by our Lord in John 14, just look at verse 26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

What an awesome promise – “He will teach you all things” — Necessary for you to know. Here is a clear promise to the apostles, and their successors in the faith, that the Holy Ghost will teach them all that truth which is needful for their salvation.

One thing I find funny and sad at the same time is that one can quote a scripture and just a scripture and people will ask you to defend your stance – O, you’re a Calvinist or a non-Calvinist, you’re a Lutheran or a Baptist and the list goes on. I find it funny because I see God’s truth woven within each Christian denomination while at the same time it saddens me because I see men twisting His truth’s to suite their understanding rather than aligning their understanding up to His truths.

We live in a day when denominational teachings often attempt to dislodge (though prayerfully unknowingly) the very core teachings that Christ has given us especially when they (Denominational teachings) bring disunity rather than a witness to the power of God’s truth. Yes the sinner who refuses to bow His knee to Christ will always be at odds with the Truth. What I am talking about is how men can take the very power of Gods Holy Word and dirty it with an infusion of worldly wisdom and call that which is Holy unholy and that which is unholy, holy.

But for the appreciation of time to my readers and listeners I will stay on topic here in this message and not run down any rabbit trails today. Now the message here is foundational especially for those who consider themselves radical disciples who have made that 100% commitment required by radical King who commands radical allegiance tied directly to radical obedience and radical sacrifice.

If we were to lightly study the past few decades we would come to see how the onslaught of false gospel ordinances that have been infused into the Church, which has left a spiritual battle field filled with the carcasses of innocent lives lost- a horrific scene of a battle field that is filled with land mines and smoke clouds of false doctrines, false signs, wonders & miracles.

These deceptive doctrines and religious practices have birthed a generation which is content on eating their own young and torturing their wounded. In many ways the enemy has succeeded in wounding and slowing down a supernatural army that could conquer the world of darkness, pushing it leaders and Satan himself right back to the very gates of Hell. Instead we find an army that has pockets of resister, those who refuse to give up and will not bow to any other save their King alone. They can not be bought, they can not be held in prison, they will die fighting for the Kingdom and it’s truth. But for the most part we have an army of spiritual warriors that are untrained, unprepared and have total lack any commitment to the King at all, most not even realizing they are serving an imposter King, they know not the True Christ. They want to comforts and rewards of service without having to serve themselves.

The spiritual warfare we are dealing with today is no different than what the King & apostles warned us of the Word in regard to this warfare. In the natural the strategies of the enemy can be compared that style of warfare which started in Vietnam and is even more prevalent in today’s war against terrorist, we have an enemy who has learned to blend in with civilians so keenly that even some of the best at discerning can be fooled, if it were possible.

We’ve seen these pawns of the enemy everywhere from Evangelistic TV shows to those leading modern day movements, even revivals. Blindly many have missed one of the biggest weapons the enemy has brought and placed right in the middle of the camp – a “Trojan Horse” if you will – a watered down version of the gospel. Like a “Trojan horse” it comes into the camp in the form of a gift, a blessing yet in the end, when it is opened up and the vile and unholy message is released it brings forth not life, but death and destruction and spreads like a cancerous plague. Take for example the Word judgment, the enemy has created a doctrine that says any and all judgment is wrong even though we find this is not actually what was taught by Jesus. For we are called in the Word to judge the fruit and to ask Holy Ghost to guide that we may discern between those who are false teachers and those who are not.

Is Obedience better than sacrifice?

This is the vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
The LORD Accuses Israel of Sin
Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth!

The LORD has spoken, “I raised my children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled against me. Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn’t know its owner. My people don’t understand who feeds them. “How horrible it will be for a nation that sins.

Its people are loaded down with guilt. They are descendants of evildoers and destructive children. They have abandoned the LORD.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned their backs on him. “Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is failing.

From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head
there is no healthy spot left on your body—only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.“Your country is devastated. Your cities are burned down. Your fields are destroyed right before your eyes by foreigners. Your fields are devastated and taken over by foreigners. My people Zion are left like a hut in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city under attack.”

If the LORD of Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Israel’s Corrupt Religion
Listen to the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom!Pay attention to the teachings from our God, you people of Gomorrah!The LORD asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves.I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. (Isaiah 1:1-11)

Isaiah was what we would call today an intellectual. He was not royalty, but he held favor with several kings, until the time he started making everyone uncomfortable with his prophecies and forewarning s about the coming of God and the nation of Israel.

Today we find the same conditions in the Church – there are those who are the favorite of denominations as long as they speak good things, but when they get down to talking about giving things up and living our lives as obedient children unto the Lord, well now they are just crossing the line and we will replace them with another who speaks only good things – we want to hear the bless me Lord, not the surrender all unto the Lord comments.

Often times we mix the words obedience and sacrifice up thinking our sacrificial actions prove our obedience. We think we are justified in our actions because we give up certain things for God. Just because we make one or two sacrifices for God, we somehow think that those sacrifices atone for our other sins. But God tells us in these verses, what good are sacrifices to Him? Do the sacrifices that we make really mean anything to God? After all, he has everything we have because he created it all in the first place. Granted, the sacrifices that we make signify a commitment to the word of God and represent our appreciation for what he has done for us, but that is not a sure way to gain favor in the sight of God. There are people who everyday sacrifice and give of their time and make allowances for God, but they do it with a begrudging spirit. They do it as if it is something that they don’t really want to do, or something that they think will get them a little closer to God in the end.

To sacrifice means to give up. In order to sacrifice, you must relieve yourself of something, be it money, possessions, or maybe even a part of yourself. But when you make a sacrifice to God, you are just returning to Him what was His in the first place. And not to say that sacrifices are not important, because they are. However, sacrifices only represent that you acknowledge God, not that you are necessarily following what God is telling you to do.

But obedience is another thing all together. Until a little over a year ago, I did not like the statement “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” And mostly it was because I did not fully understand the concept. I did not truly understand what the difference was. I thought that if you sacrificed what you had for the good of the Lord, then you were fulfilling your commitment to God and fulfilling His commandments. It seems that while I was not entirely wrong, I was not entirely wrong.

I think part of the problem comes in with our interpretation of the word obey. We seem to have a lot of problems with that word. In the New International Version’s translation of the Bible, the word obey is mentioned 165 times, and this does not count all of the variations of the word. It would appear that since this word does appear so often in scripture that is something that is important to God.

When most people think of the word obey, they think of something close to slavery, something negative and something evil. Somehow, to obey someone or something is wrong, a barbaric notion whose time has come and passed.

According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, the definition of obey is as follows: 1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of; 2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by; 3. To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.

So we see, that obey has meaning meanings, several of which we have problems with. According to the definition I just read, a synonym of obey is submit. And we all have a problem with the whole act of submission. Somehow the notion of submission is something that we just can’t accept. Sure, racially and historically speaking, there is reason to get uncomfortable with the act of submission and that’s fine. But when we inject gender issues into the word of God, then we have problems.

It has always amazed me why we actually have such a problem with these words. I do not know of one woman who has gotten married in recent years who has allowed the word obey to be used in her wedding vows, they believe it is too chauvinistic. Which is amazing to me in how we give so much power to one little word. Never mind the fact that biblically wives are to submit and obey their husbands, and never mind the fact that if a woman married a power hungry fool, he will be that fool with or without the word obey in the wedding vows. What gets me is how we say we are willing to follow the word of God, as long as it does not upset our comfort level. But the word of God is the word of God, and we must be consistent in that. The act of submission is not something we can get away from.

Another problem with the word obey and the act of obeying someone is that is has to deal with power. We often don’t like to admit that there is someone or something else that has power over us, that has the ability to control our lives. Sure, we can say all we want that God is an all-powerful and all-knowing being, but there is a part of us that wants us to believe that we have the ultimate power and control over our own lives. That we, somehow, control our destinies.

Now, I am a big believer in free will, and believe that God has given us the free will so that we may come to Him on our own without force and provocation, but with that free will, I also acknowledge that my life is in God’s hands. That my wife and son’s life is in the hands of God. That God’s will, no matter what I say, think or pray, supersedes that of my own. That I acknowledge that God has the power, and that I am but a mere servant of that power.

Many professing Christians play children’s games with each other, hugging the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ to ourselves, going to church and listening to the Pastor each week, without getting out of our comfort zones, without putting behind us the fear of the hardship that we shall suffer as a result of doing something to alleviate the suffering of someone else, of thinking of others above ourselves; we are not hallowing the name of God. We are not taking the Sacrifice seriously enough, we are offering an animal to God that is not unblemished.

Someone once stated to me that it was too difficult to be a disciple, with his work load and responsibilities of bringing up a family, he just didn’t have the time. What he was actually saying was that God was not important enough in his life, he could give God the sacrifice of an imperfect animal, God wouldn’t notice, God would accept what he was giving; namely his tithes and his work in the organization in the church.

Friends, please realize that we are not playing a game of football here; worshiping and being obedient is a serious business. Once we admit that Jesus is the Christ we have come into Covenant with the Living God. He will honor his side of the agreement as laid out in His word, but if we treat His rules lightly, playing a dirty game, the Holy Spirit will continually blow the whistle against us as we mock God and count the greatest gift that we can obtain as of no worth. On that day, God’s mighty day of judgment, He who has honored the Covenant with each of us will judge whether we have been honorable.

In World Cup soccer terms, it is a great honor to be chosen to represent your country to compete against other countries. If on the field of play, you continually break the rules of the game, fouling and injuring others, you will eventually receive a red card and might even be sent home in disgrace, dishonoring the country that you represented.

Disobeying God’s rules, which are unchanged from the beginning of time, will cause you or I to suffer the second death, we will burn forever.

We can read throughout scripture many complex issues that we must lean onto Holy Ghost for understanding – The Word also clarifies issues for us and when something is of great importance it will show up throughout out the Word. In the case of obedience it does just that. I will leave this message with a number of verses that relate too and speak of obedience.

Our walk is to be filled with fruit and one of the ways to ensure that we are producing the fruit of the Kingdom is to be obedient unto His teachings, that we remain obedient to His commands –Of course being obedient and or following all of His commands shall not save us but they will help keep us on that narrow path.

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (Romans 1:5)

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:19)

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(Romans 16:26)

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (1 Corinthians 14:34)

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. (2 Corinthians 7:15)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5)

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
(2 Corinthians 10:6)

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. (Philemon 1:21)

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8)

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2)

And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. (Exodus 24:7)

And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. (Numbers 27:20)

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (Deuteronomy 4:30)

As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 8:20)

Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me. (2 Samuel 22:45)

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
(Proverbs 25:12)

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (Isaiah 1:19)

Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
(Isaiah 42:24)

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (Romans 15:18)

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. (2 Corinthians 2:9)

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (Ephesians 6:5)

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5)

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; (Titus 2:9)

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(1 Peter 1:14)

Let us shread the garments of DEAD-RELIGION!

Posted: November 5, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching, wilderness

You know – my beloved brothers. Then let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. Therefore, getting rid of all moral filth and the wickedness that is so abundant, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. And be doers of the word and not only hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for he looked at himself and has gone away and immediately forgot what kind of man he was. But the man who looked carefully into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continued to do so, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the deed, this man will be blessed in his performing it. (James 1:19-25)

A characteristic common to all of us is the loss of our initial enthusiasm. This is because our sinful nature quickly tires of what we have in the present and desires what we do not have. So we lose the excitement we had at first. In other words, the novelty wears off.

All of us have seen the children’s excitement at Christmas. Their eyes light up when they see their gifts. They play with their new toys for hours at a time. But after a few days, or a week, the novelty wears off. They lose interest in those new toys, dolls, and games, which end up lying in a corner of the closet untouched, and desire something else.

We adults are no different. I once talked with a neighbor who told me that some years before he had purchased a new boat. The first year, he said, his family went to the lake nearly every week. The following year they used the boat only a few times. After that the boat sat in their back yard unused. He then sold it. What had happened to him and his family? Their initial enthusiasm wore off and they lost interest in the boat.

Something like this has probably happened to us as well. When we purchased a new car, or computer, or whatever it was, we were quite excited about it. After a time, however, the novelty wore off and we lost our initial interest in it.

Unless we are careful, such loss of interest and enthusiasm can carry over into our Christianity as well. The initial joy of the gospel and our love for Christ, who saved us and gave us eternal life, can wear off. The message of Christ and the promise of salvation can become “old hat.” We can slip into coming to church where we hear the good news of God’s grace in Christ and yawn, like someone who is bored, “So what else is new?” In time Christianity can become a mere outward habit of going to church. Christianity can become a matter of the head but the heart is not in it, as it was with the Jews, about whom the Lord said in Matthew 15:8: “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.” This happened to the Christians in ancient Ephesus, to whom Christ wrote in Revelation 2:4, 5: “But I have against you that you have abandoned your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; but if not, I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand out of its place – unless you repent.”

The Lord in his graciousness has opened our ears to hear and our eyes to see his gospel of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. This sermon text encourages us to continue in the faith to which we were brought and warns us against losing our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Word. We are encouraged: “Guard Against A Dead Christianity. Humbly Accept The Word Planted In You. Do What The Word Says.”

James wrote for our learning: “Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. Therefore, getting rid of all moral filth and the wickedness that is so abundant, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Heeding this word of our Lord, let us put away the sin in our life and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been planted in our hearts for our salvation. Our Lord urges us to get rid of all the moral filth and evil that is so commonplace in the world around us: the greed; the drunkenness; the sexually explicit magazines and videos; the internet pornography; the filthy language; the immorality; the dishonesty and cheating; the squabbling and fighting; and whatever else might be mentioned. This text specifically mentions the sin of unwarranted anger and the loss of one’s temper. Such abusive anger and temper tantrums do not bring about the righteous life that God wants to see in us.

Frequently sinful anger flares up in our Christian homes over the least little things. Someone in the family says or does something that ignites a sharp response from another family member. A simple misunderstanding of what was said, or someone’s not listening closely to what was said, sets off a family squabble that escalates into the banging of pots in the kitchen sink and the slamming of doors that rattles the whole house. Someone’s bad day that has brought one frustration after another erupts like a fiery volcano into an unleashing of red-hot anger and burning wrath that spews ashen words over everyone and everything in the house. Even the dog runs for cover and cowers under a chair. Such heated anger and unleashed tempers do not bring about the righteous life we are supposed to live as the Lord’s redeemed children who are righteous by faith.

Surely no one enjoys having their home ripped apart by bitterness, arguments, and fights. These things happen, however, when anger gains the upper hand so that the family communication breaks down. Family communication cannot exist where, because of anger, no one is listening to anyone else, and everyone is interrupting everyone else, and everyone is jumping to conclusions before the other person can finish what he is saying, and everyone is talking and yelling and arguing at the same time. Such a situation is chaos, not communication.

Our Lord has the solution for preserving our family communication that will maintain the peace and harmony we desire in our homes and the righteousness our Lord desires in us. He says that we all should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We should be quick to listen, that is, quick to bite our tongues and say nothing, in order to hear the other person out. Rather than jump to conclusions and interrupt, we should hear what the other person has to say and think it through before responding. As the Lord says, we should be slow to speak. When we are slow to speak, we take the time to think through what we will say before we say it, rather than just blurt out whatever comes to mind. When we blurt out whatever comes to mind, we run off at the mouth before engaging our brain and put our foot in our mouth.

We know these things. If we would only remember to do them when we need to do them. But we don’t. Our sinful nature has a hair trigger. Before we realize it, we have already opened our mouths and added fuel to the fires of anger, fanning the simple misunderstanding or disagreement into a heated argument. Spiritually we are weak and impatient. Let’s repent of our sinful behavior and pray for the patience and self-control that will enable us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Being the sinners that we are, let’s humble ourselves before God and accept his Word, which has been planted in us, for it can save us. His saving Word tells us in 1 John 2:1, 2: “My little children, I write these things so that you may not sin. And if anyone should sin, we have one who pleads our case with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. And he is the reconciling sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world.”

We have sinned. But Jesus Christ, who was without sin himself and who gave his innocent life into death as the price for our sins, now sits at the right hand of God pleading our case as our defense attorney. As our advocate and high priest he pleads, “Father, forgive them, for I fulfilled the law as their substitute and suffered the punishment of their sins. Forgive their sins for my sake and do not hold their sins against them.”

This gospel of Jesus’ paying for our sins and reconciling us to God has been planted in our hearts in the past. Do we believe it today as we did when we first heard it? Do we still rejoice in it now as we once did? Or, has the novelty worn off, so that now it is only a head knowledge that is not heart felt? Our Christianity has not become a dead Christianity, has it? Do we know what the Word says but we do not take it to heart by putting our trust in it and finding comfort in it? Let us guard ourselves against a dead Christianity by humbly believing the gospel of salvation that has been planted in us and then doing what the Word says.

We read here in the passage, that the Lord thru James is telling us: “And be doers of the word and not only hearers who deceive themselves.” We are not to merely listen to God’s Word, and in the process deceive ourselves by thinking that merely listening to God’s Word makes us the kind of Christian we should be. No, the Lord tells us to do what it says. Merely listening to the Word without taking it to heart and doing what it says profits us nothing. The devil himself has heard the Word and can even quote it. Yet it does him no good. Likewise, the Pharisees heard the Word Jesus preached, but it profited them nothing, for they did not do what it said, namely repent of their self-righteous ways and sinful pride and believe in Jesus to be saved. If like them, we merely listen to the Word but fail to do what it says, thinking that in itself is enough for a God-pleasing Christianity, we are deceiving ourselves.

God’s Word says: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for he looked at himself and has gone away and immediately forgot what kind of man he was.” We probably looked at ourselves in a mirror today. When we walked away, we forgot about the image of ourselves to concentrate on something else. Let’s not allow our Christianity to become like our looking in a mirror. Let’s guard ourselves against hearing his Word one moment and forgetting it the next. Let’s be careful that our hearing the Word does not become like an air duct with God’s Word going in one ear and immediately out the other, at no time sinking down into our heart to take root there. Let us ask ourselves: “Do I love the Lord’s Word and do what it says as I first did,” or, “have I lost that initial attachment and commitment to it?”

The last verse says: “But the man who looked carefully into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continued to do so, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the deed, this man will be blessed in his performing it.” The law of God when we follow it by faith frees us from the devil’s temptations and sin to serve our Savior God in the righteous living that he desires. When we hear that Word, not forgetting it but actually doing it, we are blessed in what we do. The Lord’s blessing rests on us and we find blessedness in doing what the Lord says.

So beginning now let us look intently into the Word of God that gives us freedom. In doing so, we will be taking the path to preserve our living faith for our salvation and to guard ourselves against a dead Christianity. We will be humbly accepting the Word planted in us and then doing what it says. Amen.

Honoring God above all – Even our family and church.

Posted: September 8, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness

Honoring God above all – Even our family and church.
By Russ Welch

Hophni and Phinehas were sons of Eli, the high priest, and were priests themselves. However, they were wicked. When Israelites came to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle, Hophni and Phinehas forcibly took the flesh of the sacrificial animals before the fat portions had been burned on the altar. They also took some of the flesh that the offerer was boiling for the sacrificial meal (1 Samuel 2:12–17). These were serious transgressions of God’s laws, equivalent to robbing God. Eli’s sons also committed the extremely serious sin of seducing women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22).

When we read this story we see two main things that stand out:

#1 The son’s of Eli honored themselves and their position above the Lord.

#2. Eli honored his son’s above the Lord and His commands.

Some may read this and think “I am glad I am not like Eli or his son’s” But let us ask this question – Are we? What about when our children outwardly do that which is contrary to the teachings of the Lord. Do we respond with, well they just aren’t matured yet. Or they’ve had a rough life so give them some grace.

Do we honor the Lord and bring correct, holy discipline into their lives?

Or how about, well they’ve been hurt by the church. All these things are honoring them and their actions above that which the Lord declares, we offer up justification prayers rather than Holy prayers asking our Father in Heaven to have His will invade their lives regardless of the cost. Otherwise we are honoring our children or possibly a family member above the Lord.

In reality Eli and his son’s honored their own desire and even their positions in ministry above the Lord God!

We must as well ask the question in regard to the church we attend or shepherd – Do we see things that are contrary to the Will of the Father yet we justify them because we love them so much? Guess what – In reality we are honoring the church above the Lord.

We go on to read in this Biblical account of how because of Eli’s refusal to deal with this situation according to the will of the Lord, the Lord brings Samuel into the picture, a man who honored the Lord above all. Has the Lord brought a Samuel into your life?

I see how many today will honor a church or a shepherd or even their own ministry position above the Lord. I myself have been guilty of this very thing and the Lord has had to correct me as well as rebuke on this. Even in regard to my own understanding of the church – Holy Ghost has brought conviction into my life.

Now, there are churches and ministries today that do honor the Lord, who teach His Word in purity and truth.

As well, there are many churches and ministries out there that are doing things that simply do not weigh up to what the Lord desires and so many will put the church and their doctrines above the Lord’s Word.

In America we have a multitude of churches to choose from, some may appear to be vacant of what we personally are looking for, and they may not have the worship style that we believe should be heard in this day.

They may have pews or stain glassed window. While others have the type worship that sends thrill up our spine, they may have comfortable chairs and all the modern technological gadgets.

Maybe their speaker is very charismatic in his delivery of the message whereas the other churches pastor is often times dry. The question is – which church is holding to the doctrines of Christ, teaching God’s Word with reverence and in purity, whereas the other church steps outside the bounds of holiness and is more into performance than truth, a center for entertainment and feeding selfish ambitions, watering down the Word because its about the numbers and the applause of men..

Do we choose a church because we want our children entertained or do we want them taught the Word of God?

Do we want to part of the in group or do we want to part of remnant?

Many today chose a church based on its popularity, in such a case very few would be attending the church that Jesus would be shepherding or that of the apostle Paul if they were to start a church in our City for theirs would surely not be a message that made everyone feel good, in fact theirs would be one that would bring conviction and challenge each of us up to a higher level of honoring the Lord God. It surely wouldn’t allow the detestable life styles to continue that many do because of the leaders fears of losing financial support.

I can guarantee divorce would not be dealt with the way it is in today’s modern church – You surely wouldn’t having leaders prophesying to a man who is set divorced that God is bring him a new wife!

Does our life style, choice of profession, the house and neighborhood we have chosen to live in, school our children attend, cars we drive really honor the Lord, or do these things honor our own desires above the Will of God for our lives?

Here is a tough question – Do we honor the Lord in the way that treat our parents – or because they are an inconvenience do we stick them in an old folks home so that we can live our lives with greater freedom and ease?

What does the Word of God command of us:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God”. (1 Cor 10:31)

Wow, this verse is all inclusive to every area of our lives for it states in big bold letters “Whatever you do”

Do we honor the Lord above all in the matters of family affairs, the way we treat and discipline our children, our wives and even our neighbors leave alone the strangers and those we work with.

Do we honor the Lord in our business practices or do we cheat people to get ahead in the game of life – In reality to the Lord, for to Him our life is anything but a game.

Colossians 3:17 declares “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.

1 Peter 4:11 declares “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen”.

So the question today brothers and sisters is – Do we really honor the Lord above all. Are our lives so radically sold out to Him that nothing even comes close too or can compare with our hearts desire to Honor God above all.

If not, are we radical enough to ask Holy Ghost to come into our lives, point out everything that does not honor the Lord, every idol that is set up above the Lord and take it to the alter of the Lord that His Holy Fire can consume it.

For we must remember that we serve a Radical King, who is radically in love with us and will stop at nothing until He gets our whole heart and life. For indeed we serve a righteous and Holy God who calls His children to come out from amongst the heathen, to be separated from the ways of the World and to Honor Him above any and everything else.

Are you up for the challenge – If so invite Holy Ghost into the most private area of your life today – the very center of your hearts desire and ask Him to bring forth the Will of God into your life not matter the cost!!!!!

For His Word shouts out at us “”The Lord says, Those who honor Me I will honor.”–1 Sam. 2:30

Joy Comes in the Morning

Posted: June 12, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching, wilderness

Joy Comes in the Morning

By Ron McGatlin

The world is now experiencing a beginning of sorrows as spoken of by the Lord in Matthew 24. A time of great sorrows or tribulations coincides with the proclamation of the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God.

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” ~ Paul

This is not religious theological talk. This is practical real life and death experience of this generation of called-out kingdom sons breaking through the thick crust of darkness that is upon the world with the powerful lightning strike message of the kingdom of God now coming forth on earth.

In this historical season of the manifesting of the kingdom of Christ from heaven on earth, the sons of God are again proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus and the first century apostles preached and demonstrated.

Sons of the kingdom have endured the pain of personal suffering maturing them into full sonship as elders to help lead others through the glorious and sometimes painful transition of God’s people.

Our light personal suffering begins with the breaking away of our own past lifestyle that was adjusted to self-focused worldly practices and false religious beliefs. Our growth continues as Christ manifests His life in us. We become a part of His sufferings as the world rejects and persecutes Christ in us.

1 Pet 2:19-21: For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

1 Pet 4:12-14: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Death always precedes resurrection and the dark night of suffering is always followed by the glory that comes in the morning. The day of the dawning of His glorious government (kingdom) filling the earth is beyond the season of worldwide suffering of cleansing judgment. The pure and holy sons of God are arising from their dark night to thoroughly plant the seed of the kingdom in every heart of good soil and every nation and tribe that will receive and grow the Word of the Kingdom.

Sons are bonding together as brothers in a love that endures beyond differences. Natural ethnicity is overcome by the Spirit bonding us in the DNA of God. We are all of one Father and one Family in the glorious love of the kingdom.

On the other hand those of a different family with a different DNA cannot remain connected as one with Christ and one with the Family of God. The tares and the wheat have grown up together and were indistinguishable until the fruit began to manifest in the good grain. The fruitless look-alike tares will not abide with the maturing grain of God’s kingdom of pure holy sons. After the removal of the tares, the sons of the kingdom will shine forth as the sun lighting the world with the glorious kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Mat 13:41-43: “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit are the living reality of the kingdom within the maturing sons of God now, and will become the characteristics of the worldwide kingdom of God on earth. The supernatural strength of the maturing sons emanates from the righteousness, peace and joy of the Lord abiding within the sons of God. A popular snippet of scripture is the proclamation that “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

We may momentarily experience a lack of joy that results in a lack of strength when personal adversities tear at our lives and especially as we see the demise of the contaminated systems of the old world. Many activities, works and things that we had thought of as good and natural will be passing away. Many people who continue to deny the Lord’s kingdom will be passing away with the fallen systems of the world.

However, the maturing sons of God will arise from the ashes of the momentary lack of strength with hearts filled with the strength of the joy of the Lord. Rivers of living waters flowing from them will refresh the earth with righteousness, peace and joy of life everlasting. Abundance of powerful life-giving strength will fill our hearts to overflowing with the life of God reclaiming and renewing the world to the kingdom of heaven on earth.

Isa 9:6-7: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Keep on pursuing love. It never fails
and His kingdom never ends.

Ron McGatlin

http://www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net

A Radical transformation of discipleship needed in our day!

Posted: May 18, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching
Tags: Bride of Christ, disciples, Doctrines, God's love, kingdom growth, Kingdom living, Kingdom teaching, radical christianity, Spirit led life

I believe that if we are to truly lead people to Christ and then disciple into maturity, we need to be more Christ-like in our leadership style. In order for this to happen we need to have a radical transformation in the manner for which we disciple new believers in our day!

Too often I find leaders getting depressed when other are not at their same maturity and the depression opens the door to bitterness and the door of bitterness open yet into another room of those classified as cold hearted burnouts. They may still confess that they love the Lord, yet the most important Spiritual fruit in ones life which testifies to having Christ in our hearts is vacant in their lives – the fruit of Love!

I have been in “church” for 30 plus years and involved in ministry for a little over ten years, six of which has been in nursing homes. At first I felt as though everyone should be involved in the nursing home ministry, if you were not you lacked compassion.

It didn’t take long for Holy Ghost to kick that horse of pride out from underneath me. It had gotten to the point where I had even made a comfortable spiritual saddle lined with scriptures to back up my point.

None of which offered much comfort when I fell on my spiritual backside – that fall was just hard enough to jar loose all the religious garbage that I had been feeding myself on.

Holy Ghost then took me on a journey thru the scriptures and pointed out how everyone is not (thankfully) called to the same task. We are each designed in the image of God, yes, and we should all strive to have the character of God within our make up, yes. But there is no way one individual can be like God, yet when we see the Body as a whole, operating in each called gift, we get a glimpse of the very nature of God.

As leaders we can not allow the thought that “everyone needs to be like me and walk in the same calling that I have or else they simply are not a good Christian” take root in our hearts. In fact I know some brothers and sisters who try so hard to walk in the calling of the leaders around them they are actually living in rebellion because they are not walking in the calling of the Father on their lives. I don’t know about anyone else but as for myself I never want to be in a position where I cause another believer to rebel against the Fathers call on their lives.

It is so easy to get caught up in the false religious leadership functioning style that is out there today – which is why we need to stay in the Word and most definitely stay in communion with the Father. Our prayer life should consume the majority of our time. When we are so saturated in the presence of the Father, that His glory is so strong we need not speak but a few words, for just the shadow of His presence on our lives heals the sick, set’s the captives free and raises the dead – then we will know we’ve indeed been in the presence of the Father in quality time, even as was the life of Christ pour Lord!

We need more men and women in leadership today who are motivated by the unction of Holy Ghost and not being stirred by the emotions of their hearts, motivated by the very situations and conditions around them.

We need more preachers in the pulpit who know the Word so intimately that they can teach it to those whom the Lord puts before them not only thru spoken words but thru their life actions being lived out before the people – then we will see the opening of spiritual prison doors and the captives coming out in true freedom!

We need to put an end to cookie cutter ministries who seek to turn out perfect little Christians molded in the image of the doctrinal understanding we have and instead allow Holy Ghost to be able to impart the very gifts and calling of God according to that which the Father desires for each individual.

We need to go back to the basics of true discipleship according to the teachings of Christ that we will see the Johns and Peters, the Nathanael’s and James’s. the Matthew’s and Bartholomew’s. the Thomas’s and Andrew’s and the Simon’s and Philip’s rising up (Not only men but women as well). Each one was called of God, yet each one had a ministry gift that they operated in which was singularly different, yet when brought together made up the whole group’s character.

God’s ultimate goal for each individual’s life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants each of us to grow up spiritually. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing ones personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created each of us with an individual uniqueness, so he certainly doesn’t want to destroy it. Christ-likeness is all about transforming our character, not our personality.

We need to stop judging people as to whether they hold up to our calling and instead help them get positioned to where they are exhibiting the fruit of their individual calling. We are called to be Christ like, we were never called to look like and act like one another – other than the true unified display of our love for one another.

If we are to be true leaders in regard to maturing the babes in Christ we need to take a step back from the prideful reflection of ourselves, stepping into the very potion of where we can see with spiritual eyes open, the prophetic reflection of Christ in others lives – not who they are right now in the natural, rather who they are in Christ according to the Father’s calling on their lives.

Until we model the discipleship style that Jesus laid out for us, we will never see those before us maturing into true disciples of Jesus Christ.

If we desire to see radical disciples of Christ sold out radically to live as He has called us to live, then we must radically change the way we do church and the way we disciple, returning back to the style we find rooted in the gospels and the book of Acts.

I will end this with the writing’s of the Apostle Paul:

And he gave some apostles, some prophets, others evangelists, others shepherds and teachers, to the full ending of saints, into the work of ministry, into [the] edification of Christ’s body, till we run all, into unity of faith and of knowing of God’s Son, into a perfect man, after the measure of the age of the plenty of Christ; [till we run all, in unity of faith and of knowing of God’s Son, into a perfect man, into the measure of age of the plenty of Christ;] that we be not now little children, moving as waves, and be not borne about with each wind of teaching [and be borne about with all wind of teaching], in the waywardness of men, in subtle wit, to the deceiving of error.

But do we truth in charity, and wax in him by all things, that is Christ our head; [Forsooth we doing truth in charity, wax in him by all things, that is Christ the head;] of whom all the body set together, and bound together by each jointure of under-serving, by working into the measure of each member [after working into the measure of each member], maketh increasing of the body, into [the] edification of itself in charity.

Therefore I say and witness this thing in the Lord [Therefore this thing I say, and witness in the Lord], that ye walk not now, as heathen men walk, in the vanity of their wit; that have understanding darkened with darknesses [having their understanding darkened], and be aliened from the life of God, by ignorance that is in them, for the blindness of their heart.

Which despairing betook themselves to unchastity, into the working of all uncleanness in covetousness.

But ye have not so learned Christ, if nevertheless ye heard him, and be taught in him, as is truth in Jesus.

Do ye away by the old living the old man, that is corrupt by the desires of error; [Do ye away after the first living the old man, that is corrupt after the desires of error;] and be ye renewed in the spirit of your soul; and clothe ye the new man, which is made after God in rightwiseness and holiness of truth. [and clothe ye the new man, which after God is made of nought in rightwiseness and holiness of truth.] (Eph 4:11-24 Wycliff New Testament)

The highest calling is that of servant-hood,

Russ Welch

The Battle of Controlling our Tongue!

Posted: May 16, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching
Tags: Bride of Christ, Christian life, discipleship, God's love, kingdom growth, Kingdom living

Don’t say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. (Eph 4:29)

When we accepted Christ as our Lord, did we not surrender our right in regard to how we speak to others. Especially when we desire our “right” to voice our opinion when it is nothing more than tearing down another?

I have often heard others make the statement and even had Holy Ghost convict me of such behavior that we have the right to voice our opinion at the cost of hurting another, after all it is our right!

This is so far from the Kingdom culture that we must submit this to the power of the cross to broken off from our lives. If we have been wronged by another we are to forgive them even as Jesus taught us rather than letting our carnal mind be expressed when it is in the state of fleshly thinking.

The opening scripture defines how we should respond even when others may be rubbing us the wrong way. There are several scriptures which reference this and we must put them into our hearts, allowing Holy Ghost to write them there as a weight against the way in which we deal with others. Scriptures such as Eph 4:29 mentioned above as well as Col 4:6 should be our compass when we are faced with a situation that we need to respond.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col 4:6)

For we can have a powerful testimony of God’s grace in our lives be torn apart in moment just because we believe we have a right to respond harshly in the face of being wronged.

I’m not sure about you but I often find myself saying the wrong thing. I’m often much more comfortable expressing myself through the written word so that I have an opportunity to take some time and be thoughtful concerning the points I would like to make. Unfortunately, we don’t always have that luxury in real-time conversation, and our emotions often take over.

James 3:3 states Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. When I was growing up I worked at a horse stable for a summer and I would watch as the trainer would place the bridle over his trail horse and then insert the bit into the animal’s mouth. I thought it was cruel, but in the end I saw how the bit could turn the horse on a dime. Just as we place a bit in the mouth of a horse to control it we should have a bit….of sorts…..to control our tongue so that when we are engaged in conversation we say the right things.

The tongue is a mighty weapon. We often use it to destroy someone else on purpose or unintentionally. What we think of as small little comment can actually wreak a bit of havoc with someone else……So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites (James 3:5).

James 3:6-7 continues the thought….And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man. Our tongue can destroy what we love. Our tongue can get us into mischief. Our tongue can embarrass us greatly. Our tongue shapes our character and provides a method for others to view us. Unfortunately very few men learn to control their tongues even though we have learned to control many things of this world including various animals.

Many people live their lives by excelling as verbal arsonists setting fires everywhere they go. They berate their kids, their spouse, and their friends. They intimidate others with their arrogance and some even turn folks off by their constant comments of doom and gloom.

We must remember our tongues display who we are…..the true us….not that fake one we put on for company. Our words shape who we are.

The tongue is inconsistent……The words we utter often don’t make sense. James 3: 9 explains…With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness. How can this be?

How many people did you judge today? Curse today? Belittle today? Perhaps you are like me and you have explained your actions away because you didn’t speak your words….you just thought them. Perhaps you voiced your opinion to someone else and not to the person your words could destroy.

It doesn’t matter. Your words….spoken or unspoken…..delivered to the person they are about or to someone else are YOUR words from YOUR tongue. By allowing your tongue to flap in that manner you are belittling something…cursing something made in God’s image.

The true condition of your heart comes out through your tongue. Many, many years prior to Freud explaining why we have so many hang-ups Jesus had the answer as He said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

It would seem then that the solution to control the tongue is not a bridle and bit…..not a rudder….., but a new heart. Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:31), and we need to continually ask God for help everyday…..Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).

I know in my own life, Holy Ghost has been teaching me to respond with the same Grace, Mercy and Love that the Father has used in my life. Above all things we must act in Love – for we can operate in many of the gifts of the Spirit, preach or sing before huge crowds, win hundreds of soul’s to the Kingdom, yet in our personal dealing’s with others if we allow what we consider to be our “right” to respond anyway we please and do not respond I n Love all the other thing matter not.

I’ll be asking Holy Ghost for His help everyday in my own walk…..will you?

HIS,
Russ Welch

UNIVERSAL LAWS

Posted: April 18, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, teaching
Tags: God's love, kingdom growth, Kingdom teaching, radical disciples, Spirit led life, The Kingdom of God, worldly kingdom

GOD HAS ESTABLISHED UNCHANGING LAWS THAT GOVERN ALL OF HIS CREATION.

THE EFFECTS OF THESE LAWS ARE PREDICTABLE, DO NOT VARY, AND ARE THE SAME FOR EVERYONE.

ONLY GOD WHO MADE THE UNIVERSAL LAWS CAN CHANGE OR OVERRULE THEM.

Alignment with God’s Universal Laws causes an easy flow of successful life as we flow with the order and empowerment of God.

Misalignment with God’s Universal Laws causes a stressful, difficult fight as one attempts to succeed while hindered by much disorder and destruction apart from the flow of God.

Moving in the same direction as the flow of God’s universal design produces good life. Moving across or against the lines of God’s flow brings great disorder as strong forces of God’s universal laws attempt to realign us with the direction of His flow of life.

Men study the effects of the universal laws and refer to them as laws of science or nature. Laws less understood by man, and not definable as science or nature may be referred to as mysteries or mystery laws.

Secular education is the study of the effects of the universal laws. We call these studies physics, biology, botany, chemistry, psychology, etc. Men combine and arrange this knowledge into logical systems of study to accomplish specific goals or works. These systems of study may be called engineering, agriculture, medicine, electronics, etc.

If we are to succeed in life and walk in the kingdom of God lifestyle, we must with the universal laws of God. Our every endeavor must be aligned with and in accord with these laws of creation or it will result in failure. Being aligned with universal laws and in accord with God’s plan assures good success in our life experience.

Natural man seeks to achieve success by using his intellect to devise systems for working with the universal laws of God. To the degree that he is able to understand and align with these universal laws, he succeeds. However, because natural man’s understanding of the universal laws is always incomplete, especially the “mystery” laws, he never totally succeeds and is always searching.

The effects of universal laws are obvious; but, the laws, themselves, are spirit and cannot be seen. They originate in God, Who is Spirit, and emanate from Him as spiritual energy. In John 3:8, Jesus compares spiritual things to wind. You can hear and see its effects, but you cannot see the wind or tell where it comes from or where it goes. All true science researched to its deepest origin disappears into the spiritual and can be investigated no further by natural means. It becomes a mystery and can only be understood only by spiritual revelation from God. Things that appear supernatural may be very natural according to the mystery or spiritual laws.

An example of one of these mysteries is the seed. How the living pattern of an oak tree, with all its limbs, life systems, bark and leaf definitions and majestic shape, is stored up in the simple light-brown matter of an acorn, is more than intellect can fathom. Another example is found in the basic function of cell multiplication. A biology textbook might say something like, “The cells decide to divide and do so,” which simply means, “we don’t have the foggiest idea why cells divide and multiply”. Let’s look at the atom as another example. Energy somehow changes form and becomes matter. How does energy get changed into electrons, protons, and neutrons? Where did the energy come from and who gave the command for it to change its form?

Universal laws were spoken forth by and continue to emanate from the Spirit, Almighty God. All creation came into being and continues to exist by the intelligent design and released power of the one Spirit, triune God.

Hebrews 11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Colossians 1:16-19: For by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.

Hebrews 1:2-3: …has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power…

Jesus fully understands the universal laws, including the mystery laws, and has complete power over them. We have potential access to Jesus, His understanding and power through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus lives in us and we are led by His Spirit, we can live as Christ lives in the world. Jesus demonstrated His authority over universal law as He raised the dead, healed the deformed, the sick and the blind with a word or a touch. How many laws of science and nature bowed to the Master as He walked on the churning sea, or with a word quieted the raging storm?

Jesus demonstrated His understanding of all things as He spoke forth fathomless, kingdom wisdom and the unraveling of mysteries in simple stories about ordinary things. The riches and the depths of wisdom are yet being revealed from these simple parables. Unlocking this wisdom and applying it in our lives can be very productive.

God, unlike natural man, has perfect understanding of all His universal laws. In Christ we have the potential to hear and obey the Spirit of God. Walking in the Spirit produces a life fully in alignment with the universal laws.

Universal laws are universal scientific realities of creation. For our understanding, they must be distinguished from the directive, instructional, behavioral laws given to man by the written or spoken Word of God. The instructional rules or laws are given to help us align with the universal laws of creation.

Rules or Instructional Law

If obeyed the instructional law will cause people to be aligned with His universal laws of creation, even if they don’t understand about the universal laws. Specific rules are for people who may not understand the greater principles of the universal laws. In the Old Testament, rules or instructional laws were given, which, if obeyed, caused the people to live more successfully.

For example, the Old Testament people of God were told not to eat the fat of the meat. They knew nothing of cholesterol or any of the other potential health hazards of eating fat. However, if they obeyed the instruction, they prospered. They were also told to rest the land every seventh year, which allowed it to replenish itself. Again, they may not have understood fully about fertilizers, etc. But, if they adhered to the instructional law, they were more prosperous. They were also instructed not to closely intermarry. They did not understand genetics, but God did.

Joshua 1:7: “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”

The instructions from God are not for the purpose of limiting His children’s fun or to prevent us from gaining wealth. On the contrary, His rules are keys for our success in life. They will bring us into alignment with the universal laws and enable us to really enjoy life. A life of obedience to God is a very exciting and prosperous adventure and is characterized by inner peace, real joy, and the fruits of righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus explains the instructions more clearly. He gives more in-depth understanding of the intent of the rules. He teaches principles which, if understood and obeyed, will bring us to real success and prosperity in all areas of life. He speaks of purity and righteousness that exceeds rule keeping, and flows naturally from a power source of inner love for God and man. He speaks clearly of a self-sacrificing lifestyle and a deeper level of commitment, which leads to abundant life. He also speaks clearly specifically commanding us to love one another, love our enemies and love God with all our heart. However, He also speaks plainly of the hatred of the world coming against us. He speaks these things plainly and directly.

Yet, the deep and great mysteries regarding the rule and dominion of earth are spoken figuratively and in parables that can only be received by spiritual revelation. The great understanding of how to flow and work with God’s universal laws, some of the most valuable instructions of the kingdom of God are veiled in symbolic language and appear as foolishness to the natural man.

By the gifts and leadership of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual man can receive the revelation of Christ Jesus and His kingdom principles, which will align him with universal laws and produce good success in his life.

Ephesians 1:17-19: ….that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the workings of His mighty power.

Receiving Jesus’ revelation of the kingdom of God can bring us practical keys of spiritual wisdom. These keys and principles can help us determine every situation in such a way that it will bring us into alignment with universal law that leads to an abundant, victorious, overcoming life. Few men, if any, have fully tapped into the revelation of kingdom living. However, all who have come close discover that all things are becoming possible to them and that victory is their normal way of life. They also become aware that they are misunderstood and misjudged by those who are not yet hearing and applying kingdom wisdom.

We are about to attempt to reach into and touch the ancient wisdom of God, the deeper, hidden mysteries of the kingdom of God. It is the knowledge of this wisdom that makes the difference between the extraordinary and the ordinary. Probably most of us have wondered at some time why some men achieve greater levels of accomplishment than we can even think while others, with equal or perhaps even greater natural ability, struggle desperately for very meager achievements. Not everyone will hear the kingdom wisdom that can transform their lives from the ordinary to the extraordinary and can bring them to levels of life they have not even dreamed of.

“He, who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Keep on Pursuing Love
It Will Never Fail,

Ron McGatlin

http://www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net

FORGIVENESS & BEYOND

Posted: April 17, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
Tags: broken hearted, discipleship, emotionally wounded, God's love, kingdom growth, Kingdom living, Kingdom teaching, radical christianity

Our source of forgiveness is Jesus. If He had not forgiven us, we would not have the potential to forgive. We have the potential to forgive any and all wrongs no matter how severe or how terrible. We must, for our own good, choose from the heart to forgive. It is a choice, an act of the will, which we can choose over our feelings. Forgiving is a decision. We make the decision to forgive or not to forgive. Making no decision is actually a decision to remain in unforgiveness.

Not only must we forgive every person, but we must also forgive ourselves for anything that we have done to hurt others or ourselves. We must also forgive God for anytime that we feel that He let us down. We also may need to forgive organizations or institutions, as we would a person. The tormentors do not care who or what the unforgiveness is against because any unforgiveness gives them the license to do their deadly, painful work.

Matthew 18: 21-35: Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

“Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Matthew 6: 9-15: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Mark 11:22-26: So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

We may not feel like forgiving. On the contrary, our flesh may be screaming for vengeance. In the heat of the situation, everything in us may desire to do great harm to the offender. Our natural, fleshly drive to destroy the offending person is there for our protection in the natural world. If an offender is attempting to rape or murder my child, I will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. The fatherly rage that would cause me to do great harm to the offender to stop or prevent the attack is natural. The problem develops after the offense is committed and my rage can do nothing to stop or prevent it. That natural desire now becomes a desire to become like God and do His work by taking vengeance on the offender.

Hebrews 10: 30-31: For we know Him Who said, “Vengeance is Mine: I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

God wants to convert the pain of the offense into love–that wonderful, peaceful “love-flow” of God Himself moving upon our heart. The more painful the offense, the sweeter the love will be that results from the act of forgiveness. Personally, I am not sure we can ever really know the overwhelming, pure, sweet love of God apart from experiencing deep pain and the beautiful love that forgiving produces.

The choice is ours. Because Jesus forgave us while we were yet sinners, we have the potential, by His power, to forgive. Are you ready to be set free from the torment of unforgiveness and forgive no matter what? Jesus said, “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him”. When you are ready to make the decision to forgive, pray something like the following prayer from your heart.

I repent of all unforgiveness in my life. In the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as an act of my will, I choose to forgive from my heart anyone and everyone who has ever hurt me or harmed me in any way, in my entire life. I specifically choose to forgive _____________, __________, and _________.

I release them in Jesus’ name. I say it is all right if they never make it right. I hold nothing against them, and, in the name of Jesus, I ask You, Father, to bless them, to meet their needs in all areas of their lives.

Father, I forgive myself for all I have done to hurt or harm myself and others; and, Father, I forgive You for any time I felt that You let me down. I say that You are good, God, and I trust You with my life. Father, I thank You that I am forgiven and that I have forgiven.

In the name of Jesus, I command all powers of darkness, you may never again use any of this unforgiveness to bring torment or stress of any form into my life.

Father, I thank You that I have forgiven and that I am forgiven. Thank You Father, in the name of Jesus.

HEALING THE HEART BEYOND FORGIVING

Painful experiences of our lives are locked into the permanent memory section of our minds. Painful memories, whether conscious or subconscious, have affected our spirit and may have wounded it. These painful memories may also have crushed our will and shattered our emotions. These negative, painful experiences stored in our heart cause us to see and understand life according to our experiences. They serve to control us by affecting our behavior. We are bound into negative patterns by the stored pains of the past. These detrimental patterns must be changed for us to walk in kingdom freedom.

The ministry of Christ Jesus includes healing the brokenhearted. God has provided all that we need in Jesus to heal our wounded spirit and soul. We need only to appropriate the ministry of Jesus to heal our broken heart and to be set free from the bondage of our wounds. When negative experiences stored in our memory are healed, they will no longer cause bitterness to return.

Psalm 25: 17-19: The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Oh, bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

Psalm 147: 9-3: The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 6l: 1-4: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.”

Luke 4:18-1 9a: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (bruised), to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Next, the heavy hammer smashes the windshield and windows. The car windows are like our emotions; the blows of stressful experiences shatter them. Finally, the big hammer begins to repeatedly smash into the motor, until that which makes the car go is destroyed; just like the repeated blows of negative wounding experiences crush our will. Our inner man becomes a battered and shattered wreck with no power or motivation to drive down the road of life.

cover our dents and broken parts. We must also defend ourselves against any more painful blows; therefore, we often defend ourselves by attacking others.

Not only can our past wounds cause us to have a poor self-image, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation, they can also cause unreasonable fear that cripples us. This irrational fear causes us to avoid relationships and life situations that God desires for us. Fear can cause us to act and react in such a way that we may miss entering into some of the good things God desires for us.

We may often think we are reacting to circumstances, but we may actually be reacting from an attitude created by our past hurting memories.

The man screamed out in pain and fear. He began running limping and screaming toward his house. In his haste, he tripped and fell headlong onto the rough driveway, injuring his knees and hands. The mail was scattered and left as the man scrambled to his feet again and continued his hysterical run to his house limping and bleeding.

Well, after many months of not going to the mailbox, there came a time when he really needed to go. He was quite sure the check that he was waiting for was in the box, and he needed to get it in the bank. He had gained confidence as he had observed others safely getting their mail; so, he decided to try it. He carried a gun, a big stick and a mace protection device. And, just in case all else might fail, he wore heavy, tall leather boots and two pairs of heavy pants. (Do some of us ever walk around emotionally “armed and ready” to defend ourselves like this man?)

One day, several months later, as the man was getting his mail, a very friendly, little black puppy came toward the man. The puppy was happily bouncing along, wagging his tail, hoping to make a new friend and maybe get a few loving pats.

This man was not reacting to the reality of the situation, but was reacting from past wounds stored in his memory. Hurting memories caused him to be unable to receive affection from the puppy or to be able to give affection. He hurt the little puppy, and may have planted seeds in the puppy that someday could cause it to bite him, just as he feared.

THE PROCESS OF HEALING

The ministry of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, flowing through other people, can bring

unconditional love, acceptance, mercy, grace, and forgiveness are supplied. However, if something other than these attitudes exist within the people involved, more wounding can occur as we begin to let down our defenses and open ourselves to others.

Only healed people can help heal people. Hurting people always hurt people.

For some of us with severe experiences in our past it may be helpful to pray specifically for healing of our wounded hearts. It may also be very helpful to pray with another godly person.

James 5:16: Confess your trespasses (faults) to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed …

release the memories to God for healing. Holding on to a negative past can hinder a godly future. Attaining the resurrection life of Christ involves forgetting those things, which are behind and reaching forward to those things, which are ahead (Philippians 3:11-14). By an act of our will, we must choose to stop relating to stress from past memories. Although it is our decision, it is Christ who does the work.

James 4:2 KJV, says, “Ye have not because ye ask not”. Asking specifically is an important principle of prayer. If we ask God to heal our hurting memories now, and believe in our heart that we have what we ask, it is done. We must confess with our mouth it is done and thank Him for healing the memory now (Mark 11:23). We must not continue to meditate the memory and pray for God to heal us someday. We are not asking for Jesus to provide healing for us. It is already fully provided. We are coming into agreement with what Jesus has provided and appropriating it into our lives.

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I release to You for healing all the wounded, hurting, or negative memories of my entire life, whether conscious or subconscious, from my conception through my birth, the first few years of my life, my childhood, all my adult life, and to this present moment. I specifically release to You for healing the memory of______________, _____________, _____________, and______________—-

I release all these memories to You. Heal me now. Give me release of all the stress. I choose by an act of my will never again to receive stress from these memories. Thank You for healing me. I say that I am healed of all these memories, in Jesus’ name. Thank You, Father, for healing me.

I command all powers of darkness, in the name of Jesus, you may never again use any of these memories to bring stress into my life or affect my life in any negative way, in Jesus’ name.

We must daily walk in the process of repentance, forgiveness, and healing–repentance for every adulterated motive, as we recognize them, forgiveness for every offense as they occur, and healing for every painful experience. If we are wounded during the course of the day, we can be completely healed before bedtime.

peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

(Ephesians 1:17-19).

Keep on Pursuing Love
It Will Never Fail,

http://www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net

BEYOND REPENTANCE

Posted: April 16, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Parents
Tags: Bride of Christ, Christian life, kingdom growth, Kingdom teaching, radical christianity, Spirit first

Beauty for ashes. One thing is certain; if you have ashes, you have had a fire. We cannot build anything back from ashes. If the structure had been blown down by a storm, we might have been able to have gathered up some fragments and rebuilt something of the ruins. But when a fire has totally destroyed the building, man cannot rebuild from the pieces. If your life seems to be ablaze and is being destroyed, take hope. God will truly give you beauty for the ashes, if you continue to move toward the kingdom of God life.

Before we turned and started moving, we were not meeting the enemy head on. We unknowingly were going the same way. Now that the turn around is made, we will meet the enemy head on and overcome him in the strength of our Lord, the Victorious One.

Now, he can be successful in preventing them from standing up and fighting. If he can keep Christians focusing all their hopes in heaven someday, he will keep them from fighting now.

God gives the victory, but we must fight the war.

The kingdom of heaven does suffer violence and the violent do take it by force.

Spiritual warfare is fought with faith in God and His Word, hearing and believing the Word of God by the Spirit of God, praying the fulfillment of the Word of God, speaking the Word of God by the Spirit of God, proclaiming what God has said by the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus, walking in the Spirit and not in the lust of the flesh, believing what God says above any other word, standing in the Spirit and Word of God, speaking the truth of the Word in love at all times, using the authority of Christ flowing through love by the Holy Spirit within us to rule and reign with Christ, and doing the will of God by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God.

Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:17b-18a: …and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

APPROPRIATING GOD’S PROVISION
(THE MINISTRY OF JESUS)
Our battle is for faith–knowing and believing the words of God. The ministry of Jesus, the Anointed One, provides complete salvation including redemption of our spirit, soul and body. The ministry of Jesus is for the healing of our broken spirit, mind, will, and emotions; deliverance from spiritual captivity; recovery of spiritual sight to the spiritually blind; liberty from downtrodden bondage of wounding oppression; and the favor or spiritual prosperity of God, if we have faith. The provisions of God are activated in our own life when we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.

Luke 4:18-19: (And Jesus said), The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (bruised), to preach the acceptable (favorable) year of the Lord.”

Romans 10:8-10: But what does it say? “The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” believe in their heart and confess with their mouth are saved. He has provided kingdom of God freedom for all believers to walk in now.

However, not all believers are walking in kingdom freedom now. The provision of Christ must be appropriated into the individual’s life by believing in the heart and speaking with the mouth.

Jesus is the “life-changer”. The ministry of Jesus, the Anointed One, by the Holy Spirit can make deep, permanent, inner changes in the person’s life-structure. Jesus will, without discrimination, change anyone who will meet the necessary conditions of believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth the resurrected Christ.
James 5:16: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

“Pray for one another”

Intercessory prayer may be required to release the anointing of Christ to break through the canopy of spiritual blindness, deception, and delusion of the enemy before the light of God can enter to expose sin. Once the enemy is pushed back and the light enters by the hearing of the Word by the Spirit, the person can and must decide to repent of exposed sin and not continue to justify or defend it. He must agree with God that sin is sin and be willing to turn from it toward Jesus as Lord.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” appropriated by faith and executed by prayer, can tear down the old life-structure and create a new heart. The work of enemy spirits and negative character qualities can be eliminated and the true victory of overcoming can be established in the life. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The story in Mark chapter two, of a man carried by others to Jesus can help to kindle or renew hope in the person who feels hopeless because he does not yet have faith to make it to Jesus for his freedom on his own. Jesus did not just look at the faith of the man on the cot. He was perhaps too weak, too far gone to have much faith. But Jesus saw the faith of those letting him down through the roof, as well as the lame man’s faith.

Mark 2:5-12: When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven you, or to say, arise, take up your bed and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”— He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go your way to your house.” And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Say in faith, in accordance with the Word of God, particularly with two in agreement, has great impact in the spiritual realm to bring forth the will of God into the natural realm. Principalities and powers of darkness in the spiritual realm must respond to what we believe and say when we speak in the name of Jesus. The conditions and character qualities of our own heart will also respond to the Word of God as we speak to ourselves in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One.

Mark 11:23-24: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Matthew 17:20: So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 18:16b: “… by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Matthew 8:8: The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”

Matthew 8:16: When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.

Matthew 18:18-20: “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

How do we bind or loose according to the word of God? Binding and loosing might be compared respectively to either tying up a subject with ropes or cutting the ropes and letting that subject go free. We bind or loose with our words. As we ask (speak) in agreement on earth, the power of God in the spiritual realm is activated to restrain or to set free. What we say and pray has a restraining or a releasing effect in the spiritual realm. It is as if our words are the ropes that go out from our mouth and wrap around something to bind it and stop its activity. Conversely, our words are the power that cuts the ropes off the subject and allows it to become active.

When we pray for a person in severe need, we may need to bind the powers of darkness that are keeping the light out. Until their power and work is stopped, the person’s spiritual sight is impaired. Binding is the releasing of spiritual power by prayer that can temporarily stop the enemy’s activity. We may also need to loose spiritual enlightenment, so the Word can flow into the person’s heart leading to repentance, cleansing, and strengthening. When the works of the spirits are bound, the Word of God can and must then be built into the life. Then, Jesus can and must truly become Lord of the life. It is always important to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in effective prayer ministry. The

Holy Spirit can lead an individual or a group in this prayer ministry.

Once the works of the spirits of spiritual blindness, darkness, deception, and delusion are temporarily bound, the person will be able to hear the truth without hindrance. Then the individual must make a decision to receive the word of truth or to reject it. Until the spirits of darkness have been stopped the person may not be able to hear the word of kingdom truth in his heart; and, therefore is not free to make a decision.

(Matthew 6:10-15), He showed us how to pray and taught us to forgive others. According to these Scriptures, forgiving is an important factor in seeking the kingdom of God.

Unforgiveness can be a serious hindrance to the kingdom of God coming on earth in our lives. One of the most important aspects of being restored by Christ to the kingdom of God lifestyle is forgiving.

Keep on Pursuing Love
It Will Never Fail,
Ron McGatlin
http://www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net

Radical Disciples – A Remnant Revolution

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Archive for the ‘Parents’ Category

Is the “sinner’s prayer” “superstitious.”

” Obedience is not a dirty word – it is a key to Kingdom living”

Let us shread the garments of DEAD-RELIGION!

Honoring God above all – Even our family and church.

Joy Comes in the Morning

A Radical transformation of discipleship needed in our day!

The Battle of Controlling our Tongue!

UNIVERSAL LAWS

FORGIVENESS & BEYOND

BEYOND REPENTANCE