Posts Tagged ‘faith’

The transformative power of knowing the Father’s love

Posted: December 27, 2023 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching
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The transformative power of the “Beloved Identity” in John’s Gospel. In reading the Gospel of John, we find ourselves, witnessing this disciple encounter Jesus’ love in a way that not only shapes their own journey but also offers us a powerful lens through which to experience that love ourselves.

Transformation Within the Beloved Disciple:

Reclining at the Last Supper: This intimate gesture speaks volumes about Jesus’ acceptance and affection. It likely transformed the disciple’s perception of himself, granting him confidence and fostering a deeper sense of belonging within Jesus’ inner circle.

Entrusted with Mary at the Crucifixion: This act not only highlighted the deep trust Jesus placed in the disciple but also entrusted him with a profound responsibility – caring for his mother in a moment of immense grief. This experience would undoubtedly have deepened the disciple’s understanding of Jesus’ compassion and sacrifice.

Receiving revelations after the resurrection: Witnessing Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and receiving special revelations likely solidified the disciple’s faith and ignited a burning desire to share the Gospel with the world.

Impact on Readers:

Witnessing the Beloved’s transformation: By observing the impact of Jesus’ love on the beloved disciple, we can imagine and hope for a similar transformation in our own lives. Their journey becomes a model for how Jesus’ love can heal, empower, and inspire us to live out his teachings.

Experiencing God’s love through the Beloved: The disciple’s close relationship with Jesus creates a bridge for us to connect with God’s love ourselves. Witnessing their intimacy can open our hearts to receiving and reflecting that same love in our own lives and relationships.

Embracing the Beloved Identity: Recognizing the symbolic potential of the disciple allows us to see ourselves reflected in their story. We can all aspire to become “beloved disciples” – individuals who actively seek a deeper understanding of Jesus, embody his love, and strive for closer intimacy with him.

Challenges and Considerations:

Avoiding an idealized image: It’s important to remember that the “beloved disciple” is presented in a highly idealized way in the Gospel. While we can strive for similar traits, it’s crucial to avoid comparing ourselves too harshly or feeling inadequate.

Focusing on our own journey: Ultimately, the transformative power of the “Beloved Identity” lies in its ability to inspire our own unique relationship with Jesus. Instead of solely focusing on the disciple, we should use their story as a springboard to explore our own paths of growth and deepen our personal connection with God.

Remember, the transformative power of the “Beloved Identity” lies not in achieving a perfect image but in embracing the ongoing journey of growth in Jesus’ love. As we open our hearts to his love, just like the disciple in John’s Gospel, we can experience healing, empowerment, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

In my own life over the past 8years of swimming in the revelation of the “Beloved Identity”, neatly wrapped in John’s Gospel my own life has been radically changed due to this revelation. And probably the most defining change has been that of the depth of intimacy that I now have with the Lord.

I believe that one of the core impacts of knowing our identity is the rest it brings to the individual who no longer questions how the God of the Universe looks and feels about them. Just knowing that the Father’s love for each one us is bigger than the largest ocean, and runs deeper than the depths of the deepest sea, will totally dismiss the voice of rejection, guilt, and condemnation.

Friend, if you do not know how much God loves you, Holy Spirit is inviting you to take a journey with Him that will bring you into the fullness of revelation as to how much the Father loves you. And once you settle into that revelation and it settles in you, your life will never be the same!!!!

And the Journey Continues………

~WindWalker

Holy Spirit who?

Posted: July 1, 2021 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, wilderness
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But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things. After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11, TPT)

I find it way to often when counseling people that they have no real relationship with Holy Spirit.

Now one needs but look out across the country to see the vacancy of Kingdom influeance. It is clearly evident that very few who call themselves followers of Jesus truly read & meditate on the Word and sadly even more evident that few engage in conversations with Holy Spirit.

How can you discern between your own hearts voice and that of the Father if you spend no time in conversation with Him?The majority of people that I meet who attend a “Church” are often very knowledgeable about the quotes of their favorite Pastor yet as to the actual words of Jesus, not so much other than the popular often quoted scriptures.

I find that many are far more reliant on getting answers from man then they are the spirit, and they wonder why they are not experiencing the abundant life.

The Father says in His Word: This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)

Now for years I beleived that God would put a curse on me for this, because having not spent time in His Word with the very One who He sent to guide me into all spiritual truth, Holy Spirit I found myself sitting under bewitching religious doctrinal opinions of the nature of the Father which were totally false. He is not a judge sitting on bench, eager to pour His wrath out on all who didn’t follow His way.

This isn’t a threat from the Father, rather a warning that if you trust in man, you walk in a limited place of wisdom & blessing, whereas if you trust in Him you are walking in the realm of inexhaustible blessings.

Basically it would be like trusting the repairs of your vehicle to your neighbor who has spent his entire life putting mere models of cars together rather than entrusting it to a skilled and professional mechanic.

Holy Ghost has become my best friend, we talk constantly throughout the day, when I read the Bible or open a book, I invite Him to join with me, to highlight the truth as well as any error that may be written (yes that is including the translations of scripture).

Here is an often quoted scripture but rarely is it put to use by the pew warming crowds who go to participate in the favorite religious performance once or twice a week.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

I personally have reached the place in my life where I am totally surrendered to the place of complete peace being at the mercy of the Lord’s guidance and provision. If He doesn’t give me wise advise, or show up and provide it could turn out to be a disaster, yet I have found that He is soever faithful in holding to His promises.

I will end with this eternal truth:

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. (Proverbs 3:5-6, TPT)

Russ Welch, Director Beaches Rescue & Recovery Mission

The sea of Father God’s love

Posted: May 4, 2019 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, wilderness
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To experience the transforming love of the Father is like stepping into a sea without end and with no bottom. One’s whole life is radically turned inside out, religion cannot survive in His love and a death of self takes place, the length of which depends upon ones embracing the love of the Father as in a total surrendered diving in with or slowing stepping in while hanging on to the part of the old nature that seems to be safe although in truth is filled with dangerous traps. In fact these traps are false images of what appears to be truth yet were never their true identity in the first place…..

As for me, I first waded in, allowing the wounds of the past which empowered fear & insecurities to attempt to speak louder than His Love…. and over the past 36 months His love has been erasing each, dis-empowering them and replacing them with truth as to how He views me, what He says about me and even to the heart of the matter as to what His desire and purpose for my life is. (Even though I had been saved at 15 yrs old…I never knew His true love. Only the false picture of His love religion paints of a judge in a court room).

Over these months, I’ve found His Love to be so overwhelmingly intoxicating that I have reached the point to where I feel as though Holy Spirit has led me up to the highest diving board and the time has arrived to dive off from it, going into such a depth that the old man will be completely drowned. In the Spirit I can see the new man, the true man, the Spirit man, the very son of God I have been purposed to be since the foundation of the world, coming up out of the sea of His love with such resurrection power that the very shadow of the past will be broken into so many tiny pieces and sink back to a such a depth that they shall never be found again, a place where even the enemy will never reach them.

It is almost surreal while at the same time heart breaking as I see friends, family and others merely looking at the sea of His love, some have dipped a toe in other may be ankle deep yet either religion, the voice of the past or lack of faith (in some cases all three are intertwined). And I feel at times if only I could push them in they’d be set free, yet I know that they like myself and many before me, they must make the choice to jump themselves. Many say, I know His love, yet I can discern the longing in the spirit for that to be true. I know that yearning for I was lived in it day and night.

But one thing He did tell me was to allow my own life to become such a picture of the Father’s Love that like let the Master, others will be drawn to dive in His sea of love, that they too may find the abundant life, surrendered in the sea of His love.

~Russ Welch

Addiction: Free or not free?

Posted: June 25, 2018 in Kingdom Teaching, teaching
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Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God. Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you! So then, beloved ones, the flesh has no claims on us at all, and we have no further obligation to live in obedience to it. For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life. (Romans 8:10-13, TPT)        

Not to cause a stir…merely my opinion as to the finished work of the cross….          

When I look at the resurrection power of the cross and what it did for me, to say I am a recovering addict is like saying I am a recovering sinner. I can not confess either for the powerful freedom that Jesus accomplished on the cross liberated me from the lifestyles of both..I once was bound yet Praise God, for I am now free..I took one step..one action and laid my burdens down..and He in His Great faithfulness, He took them away.          

I understand the merits of programs and the desire to get people free…Yet to recite time and time again that I am still an addict to whatever is not confessing freedom into the New Creation that Christ won for us on the cross, rather it is programing I am still hostage to the old nature.          

I know people who’ve attended these programs for short periods as well as others who have attended them for many years and some have experiencrd freedom to where they no longer drink, do drugs, watch porn ect. Yet, they are not truly free for they live within the confines of an addiction mentality. I have counseled many of these same people and they are so fearful of slipping up. It is like being free and looking at an open prison door yet never daring to step out of the prison cell to experience the freedom ones been given.

The power of the Blood of the Lamb is fully capable of severing the individual from the nature of addiction.        

I have witnessed the freedom that the true revelation of the cross and what Jesus did there fully set people free including myself. I don’t have to avoid the alcohol aisle in the store because of the fear of being tempted, I can freely stroll down the isle in compete freedom knowing that addiction no longer holds me captive.        

I opened with stating this is my opinion yet the witness of seeing the miracle in others lives as well, transfers it from opinion to truth..For whom the Son sets free is free indeed.            

I welcome any individual who has not found this freedom to come and talk with me and let us together, allow Holy Spirit bring you into the place, through the revelation of the finished work of the cross, where you too can experience the complete freedom that Jesus purchased for you on the cross.          

Dr. Russ Welch, Th.D. Miracle power of Biblical counseling

What does a Kingdom Gathering look like?

Posted: January 4, 2017 in Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching
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The New Testament out-lines what a gathering looks like and sadly many miss this. Either that or they are taught that the model of today is the true model.

Here is what I believe we find one looks like according to scripture;

Is it a Kingdom gathering if its in a large Cathedral or Mega Church setting?

No, not necessarily yet the Lord can still move within one.

Is it only in a house sitting?

No, not necessarily although because of persecution this is how they met in the New Testament. And I personally believe that in small groups, connected through out a town, city or even State can be far more productive and cost effective.

Does it have a pastor?

No, not in the manner for which most Churches operate today. The New Testament model shows a plurality of leaders (elders). But this by no means warrants that a group must not have a teacher or one who is matured as an elder who the Lord is using to disciple others into the elder’s role. (Acts 2:42-47) Much like what Jesus himself had taught them (Luke 9:1-6), (Matt 10:1-16)

Do they collect offering’s?

Yes, they should collect an offering to go into the StoreHouse of the Lord which can be used for many purposes with regard to those who gather together as well as fund missions from within the group. The storehouse can also assist the needs of those whom the Lord puts on the hearts of the group. This does not mean that the group needs to support a sole individual who wants to be their “Leader” which is a mark of many groups and Churches today. I am not saying that one who is called to ministry is not entitled to receive money to support them as there is a Biblical principle as well. That is a different story. I know of people who started a house group (Church) and then forces their bills upon the group in a manner for which the group is manipulated through guilt into supporting them. Paul set the high road about this subject and a diligent student will go study what I mean. The positive thing in regard to meeting in private homes is that no money is wasted on rent or mortgages.

Lessons from my personal study:

I’ve spent the better part of a decade and a half studying the Kingdom Model and I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Regretfully the good have been far in between. I attended groups that merely sit around and complain about the big Church and bring no Glory to the Lord and sadly they are generally are simply a smaller model of what they are complaining about.

I have witnessed some that morphed into a secluded group of believers who don’t evangelize and are totally scared of “Out-siders” coming in and contaminating their group. This is scary and cultish as they general end up with a single leader.

I have also witnessed a few that are onto something and this is generally found in persecuted nations but there are a few as well which are thinly spread out across America. These group are tapping into the Kingdom culture and the Lord is beginning to really move. Although, right now it may well be considered a remnant of sorts. I have heard from others and believe myself that in the coming months, especially here in America it will begin to swell in momentum as the “Mega-Churches” have been draining the Nations storehouse to support their personal kingdom agenda’s which require mega mortgages and salaried staff to keep the machine operating. The Spirit is opening the spiritual eyes of many. In these groups, we find that unlike the Mega type Church, these Kingdom gatherings have a plurality of leadership, taking turns teaching and all the gifts operating within the group.

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When we tap into the scriptures we read how the early Church gathered from house to house, how the Apostles planted (discipled) teachers, evangelist, prophets and pastors (elders) and then moved onto the next home to reproduce. You can visibly see the “Gifts” of the Spirit operating in each group. Were they perfect? No, yet today we have their mistakes to learn from and with a greater understanding of the Pauline revelations he received through Holy Spirit. One can see where there was Unity, the Glory of the Lord was present. Unity comes when a group of people are of one-mind and who are seeking to glorify the Lord and not worried about who is the leader, how they are going to pay the mortgage, who is going to do this and do that. In fact, they were not worried about the government of the world or the culture around them because they all knew that they were commissioned to represent the Kingdom government of Jesus and to release the culture of the Kingdom, being an influence of grace & love rather than being influenced by greed and immorality.

We know from scripture that when they gathered it was centered around Jesus, often with songs, praise and worship along with teaching. (Col 3:16). More than likely, upon a deep study of the scriptures and what scholars state, their meeting consisted of worship, practice of Spiritual gifts, teaching, prayer, fellowship, the Lord’s supper and Baptism.

We know based on historical facts that most homes were in fact apartments for the most part consisting of one or two rooms there were however a few that may have owned a single home structure yet this was not the norm in that day. Of course, back then a whole family lived there and often even sons with their wives. A custom unlike what we in America are accustomed to although in recent years because of economic hardships it is be coming a not so uncommon practice here. So more than likely these groups were not larger than 15 to 20 persons which then would break off to form another group, yet they were still connected in one form or other.

Upon images-10studying the house meeting structure of the New Testament, many are amazed at how fast Paul developed leaders. Of course, upon reading scripture we find than generally the person who opened their home were considered leaders and others blossomed around them.

Paul speaks of this in first Thessalonians 5:12-13, yet he does not attach “titles” to them. Again, we see that leadership pretty much developed organically.

Now, nowhere in the New Testament can one find a picture that closely resembles any of the fully developed systems at play in the main stream Church today. Back then “Church” government was not highly developed, and the local gatherings were a rather loosely knit group. These small gatherings did however exist side-by-side with other house groups. We can pretty much gather from the scriptures that these believers saw themselves as part of a greater city-wide family of believers. Ministry from these groups was fluid and dynamic. Members were encouraged to experience their spiritual gifts for the common good of the Body, and leaders operated as gifted men and women. This led to many opportunities for ordinary people to develop into leaders. (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 27-28)

hqdefault-3I believe that even as we see more and more open verbal and legal attacks against the Church and Christians in America and abroad, if one is truly tuned into what the Spirit is speaking, they to shall find the Father calling the Bride to journey back in time to apply the values and ministry practices found in the New Testament. While house to house ministry might look different today, many of the same Biblical principles apply and will help us to not only begin to disciple others, who go on to disciple others, we will also see the body coming back into unity and with that the Glory of the Lord shall once again be seen across this nation and through-out the world. Even if it is a remnant that begins, the fire will spread even as did through the first century Church.

Again,  I believe I have heard and learned through Holy Spirit in scripture as well as to what I have personally witnessed, this is what a Kingdom meeting does look like. Let us pray that the Bride awakens in this generation in this hour for His purpose.

I will be writing more on this topic in the coming months and welcome anyone else’s thoughts and insight as well.

~Dr. Russ Welch

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The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Posted: July 19, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Overall Life Mission1

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

Good Works

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

Time Management

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

50.Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51.Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

Relationships

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27,and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 2,and July 13.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Suffering

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13, 1723.

Character

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.

47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14 and July 3, 1723.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Spiritual Life

Assurance

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

The Scriptures

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Prayer

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

The Lord’s Day

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

Vivification of Righteousness

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.

44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12-13, 1723.

Mortification of Sin and Self Examination

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23 and August 10, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Communion with God

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26 and Aug. 10, 1723.

Aug. 17, 1723

New “Grace Message” Nothing but a spiritual “Trojan Horse”

Posted: June 17, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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The modern day “Grace” message is like a Trojan horse. It come in the form of a gift, sent by the enemy. It is a false representation of peace, for once we allow it to come in through the gate it opens up and the trained spiritual assassins break forth in to the court yard of one’s mind. At this point they wrestle against the foundation of spiritual truth, knocking down the watchmen from the walls who stand in guard against the approach of the enemy in the open, until at they at last command the gate and allow to full force of the enemy to enter, bringing death and destruction until there is but a small remnant left, for which they imprison.

We must stand guard and be ever watchful, even to that which appears as a gift. For we must test all things in the spirit assuring that they are indeed from our Lord. We seek but the gifts send from above for it is they which build us up in our faith rather than the gifts of the enemy who seeks but to destroy us.

The enemy has weakened the foundation in preparation for the allowance of this “Trojan House” to come into the camp. For we see how the years of continued watering down of the gospel message, the very foundation of our faith has been replaced with societies wisdom, ethics and morals. The hearts have been prepared for such a message as they seek the wide path rather than enduring the narrow path which calls for obedience and sacrifice.

Now if this new “Grace Message” were true and indeed the law and the old testament have passed away, then the earth would sink into the sun and the very stars of heaven would fall. For it is the God of the Old Testament, who for w brief moment stepped upon earth to restore all things, who hold all things both in heaven and earth by His command & Word.

Now when one walks in the Spirit they see the laws of God and His Kingdom not a burden rather as a blessing. For what the Father decrees is with the revelation of Jeremiah 29:11 that He purposes everything for the good of His children that His name may be “Glorified”.

It is but by the Grace of God that a servant/son can be a blessing unto His Heavenly Father, for it is His Grace which is infused into us via Holy Ghost that empowers us to walk in spiritual victory having daily dealt a death blow to the carnal nature which seeks but to enthrone itself above all else in one’s life including the Lordship of our Christ. It is the Grace from above which daily places us at the foot of the cross were we lay down every fleshly desire that we may walk in the Spirit allowing the complete dominion of Jesus Christ to rule every aspect of our lives, for then is the Glory of the Father revealed to the world.

This false grace message is a drug—a poisonous sleeping pill that feels freeing, relaxing and euphoric. Yet this non Biblical grace overdose that’s occurring in churches all over the world is resulting in people’s careless, self-focused slumber that they will, one day, fail to awaken from.

I fear that it has already has and will bring even more division into the body. Many have already fallen into its trap and they are relentlessly seeking to drag others down with them. In fact whole Church have been consumed by this seductive destructive doctrine. We need the true watchmen to take to the walls and sound the alarm.

Again, many in this modern day “Grace Message” movement have already been shocked on the day of their death to find themselves escorted not into the presence of God by glorious angels, but rather by the most horrifying of demonic creatures into their new, eternal residence in Hell. It happens every day. I’m grieved and broken.

The Apostle Paul accurately predicted, “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to MYTHS” (2 Tim. 4:3,4).

Basically this new grace message is but a theology of exemption which states that since we are saved, we are exempt from the penalties of sin. This false gospel message ever so subtly exclaims that there are parts of the Bible that no longer apply to us. Yes, it’s a heresy. This new “Grace Message” removes bible-based responsibilities to respond to God in holiness.

The number of people who subconsciously or unwittingly embrace such a theology of exemption is far greater than those who explicitly pronounce their agreement with this doctrine. Many subscribe to new “Grace Message” doctrines without realizing their deception.

Many have been lulled into a false sense of security while actually existing in an unsaved state. They are confident they’d enter Heaven if they died, yet the reality is that they would not. They have come to believe they are exempt from certain parts of the Word of God that requires response.

But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.  And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]. ( 1Peter 1:15-17)

I could go on with many more scriptures that would lay open the vulnerabilities of this new “Grace Message” that indeed it can hold no water in light of the truth of His Word. Yet I believe that I have given enough here that would cause any true Berean to dig deep and dislodge this heretical doctrine with the help of Holy Ghost guidance. Also one can email me at hisway64@aol.com and I will willing to discuss this in greater detail. Also one call follow this topic and more at https://www.facebook.com/rush.welch or https://www.facebook.com/ruuswelch?fref=ts

Let us be ever vigilant, ever studying His Word that we may rightly divide the Word and not fall for any doctrines which seek to remove us from the very foundation of our faith according to that which the Lord has commanded and taught us in His Holy Word. Let us not allow any Trojan horse into our camp rather let us set them ablaze with the Fire of His truth before they even come close that they burn as a warning signal to others to see.

Russ Welch

Servant of Christ

Profile of the Lukewarm, Part 2

Posted: June 14, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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This is a continuation of my previous post. Again, this was taken from the newsletter from Crazy Love authored by Francis Chan.

LUKEWARM PEOPLE are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, “Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only that the love of money is.” Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel “called” to minister to the rich; very few feel “called” to minister to the poor.

LUKEWARM PEOPLE do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty.

They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without it requiring too much of them.

They ask, “How far can I go before it’s considered a sin?” instead of “How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

They ask, “How much do I have to give?” instead of “How much can I give?”

They ask, “How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible?” instead of “I wish I didn’t have to go to work, so I could sit here and read longer!”

LUKEWARM PEOPLE are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God.

LUKEWARM PEOPLE feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they lived in the land of Israel, so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian or because some people persist in calling us a “Christian nation.

” LUKEWARM PEOPLE do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens–they have their savings account. They don’t need God to help them–they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live–they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis–their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.

LUKEWARM PEOPLE probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

This profile of the lukewarm is not an all-inclusive definition of what it means to be a Christian, nor is it intended to be used as ammunition to judge your fellow believers’ salvation. Instead, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, it is a call to “examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves? We are all messed-up human beings, and no one is totally immune to the behaviors described in the previous examples. However, there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these sorts of mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed.

We’ll get to the transformation later, but now is the time to take a serious self-inventory.

So if you want to know more about this book, you can visit his site at http://crazylovebook.com.

America needs a Revolutionary Spiritual Reformation – Not a political change!!!

Posted: June 13, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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Having spent some time studying the history of the Church and seeing where we are as a nation I truly believe that we are in desperate need of a Spiritual reformation. It is time that we return back to the Red Letters of the Bible, it is time to release a 3 reformation in this nation. We see a nation who has fallen morally both in the secular government as well as the Church. This is not a war of division and is not a solution that can be reached through political upheaval. I am shocked at the amount of so called teachers within the Church that so boldly speak out against the government of America and it’s politicians as they are in direct opposition to what the New Testament teaches. No my brothers and sisters what we need is for the Church to repent, turn from it’s wickedness, cry out to our God and then we shall see our God heal our land. (2 Chron 7:14)

I read post after post by pastors who bash the president and they are ultimately dishonoring the Lord when they do so for they reject the wisdom of His Word for their own wisdom. We could replace all of congress, the house even to the President with Christian men and women yet that is not the solution.

We have a organized religious structure in this nation which has shaken their fist in the face of God and have permitted abominations to take place in the house of God.

They have allowed the vow of marriage to be disregarded. They have removed reverence and holiness from the pulpit and replaced it with seeker friendly messages based upon the philosophies and wisdom of this world. They have allowed the morality of the Church to be hijacked by the unethical moral decay of this nation.

We have seen the Church sell out to the riches of this world, hijacking the store house of the Lord for His people and used it for personal gain and the building of man made enterprises. If the apostles were to return today and enter into the average Church they wouldn’t even know what it was and more than likely would see them as temples built for the honoring of pagan gods. If Jesus were to enter the average church in America today He would not even be recognized for they have sold out to the world and created a Jesus in the image that they are comfortable serving. I can hear the words of Ezekiel 34:1-25 thundering in the Spirit.

We have seen the Church remain silent in regard to moral issues because she is as dirty as the morally decayed society around her. She cannot speak against abomination of abortion for she has aborted several generations of God’s servants in the name of modern churchanity. She remains silent when prayer is mocked for she has lost the ability to pray with power and authority of Jesus Christ as she bows down to false gods of greed and pride. She cannot speak out against adultery for she herself has had an ongoing adulterous affair with the pleasures of this world. She cannot speak out against the abomination of sexual perversion in society as she herself has become but a harlot – lust and pride are the menu selection of the day. She has even allowed and condoned and in some cased applauded the abomination of the gay & lesbian agenda not only into the Church but has prostituted the pulpits out to them in the name of political correctness and social sensitivity.

We have allowed the cross to be removed from the Gospel message and replaced with a cross-less gospel. We have allowed the beauty of Gods message of grace be replaced with a graceless message that is nothing more than a license to sin. We have seen the gifts of the Church purposed for the Church marketed and sold to the highest payer. We have seen the generosity of faithful servant’s sapped as their gifts of faith are stolen by crooked and perverse shepherds.

We have seen the call of counting the cost removed and replaced with a message of prosperity that is slander the name of Jesus, causing many to stumble and seek the treasures and pleasures of this world over that of Heaven. We have seen the truth about Hell replaced with a false message of a god who will simply allow everyone into Heaven regardless their denying Him.

No, this nation does not need a political restructure nor a civil war, this nation needs a spiritual reformation that will cause the armies of a Heaven to join in as we wage spiritual warfare against the god of this age who has hijacked the faith of this nation. We need a generation of sold out faithful radical Christians who have counted the cost and pledged to Jesus: “ Whatever You desire Lord, for our lives are Yours purchased by Your blood for the glory of Your Name”. We need a reformation of His Church to return it back to His control & Headship. We need to remove the false shepherds and replace them with men of God who are willing to die for their faith and are more interested in building up a treasure chest in heaven, daring not dirty their hands with the treasures of this world.

America needs the rise of a generation marked by their servant hood and vow of holiness that will go to the gallows before ever renouncing their Christ or His Gospel message. We must stop attempting to restore America to what once was and start spending hours, days and weeks on our faces interceding for America that she will be transformed as a nation into the very image that the Father has purposed her to be, that His Holy Name may be glorified thru her to the world.

We must remember at all time that “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.  (Eph 6:12)

Ultimately what America truthfully needs is a spiritual revolution that births a supernatural Reformation that will birth a new nation that is truly under Gods dominion.  So let us sound the alarm, calling for the Spiritual revolutionist to rise up in a Holy Ghost orchestrated Reformation that will shake the nations as the Name of Jesus is Praised, Glorified and Honored above all else.

Written by Russ (Rush) Welch

What a Wicked Person Can Expect from Life

Posted: May 24, 2013 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, teaching, wilderness
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“Indeed, the light of the wicked is snuffed out. The flame of his fire stops glowing. The light in his tent becomes dark, and the lamp above him is snuffed out. “His healthy stride is shortened, and his own planning trips him up.

His own feet get him tangled in a net as he walks around on its webbing. A trap catches his heel. A snare holds him. A rope is hidden on the ground for him. A trap is on his path to catch him.

“Terrors suddenly pounce on him from every side and chase him every step he takes.
Hunger undermines his strength. Disaster is waiting beside him. His skin is eaten away by disease. Death’s firstborn son eats away at the limbs of his body. He is dragged from the safety of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors.

Fire lives in his tent. Sulfur is scattered over his home. His roots dry up under him.

His branches wither over him. All memory about him will vanish from the earth, and his reputation will not be known on the street corner. He will be driven from the light into the dark and chased out of the world.

He will not have any children or descendants among his people or any survivor where he used to live. People in the west are shocked by what happens to him. People in the east are seized with horror. This is what happens to the homes of wicked people and to those who do not know God.” (Job 18:5-21)

Praise God there is hope In Christ Jesus for those who repent and turn their lives in submission to Him!!!

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. (Gal 5:1)

We can not fight and win the battle against sin in our power!!!

And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action). I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and [a]faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and [b]faculties] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death. But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:18-23)

So many today struggle in their walk – they’ve attended conventions, conferences and Church meetings, tarried at the alters yet experience no freedom. This is what happens when a false and watered down Gospel based upon self is taught – It is void of Gods power.

To get into heaven, you have to REPENT of your sins and BELIEVE the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15).

You have to REPENT of your sins–that means turn from them and BELIEVE that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Having done these things, you will be born again and the Lord Jesus Christ will help you to walk uprightly. You will read the word and follow the teachings of Jesus. The word of God will wash your mind and your desires will actually change as you obey what you read. [Beware for there are many false gospels in the world today].

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