Give it up!

Posted on September 2, 2010 by James Fuller

Whilst away on holiday the Lord was ministering the need to bare up the brethren in prayer to be found worthy. God being Faithful revealed areas in our lives to pray for which people may find challenging; none more so than the need to completely die to ourselves.

The Scripture the Lord gave was:-

Matthew 19:16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

From the above scripture the Lord was revealing that like the rich young man many strive to walk faithfully before God yet still hold onto something; be it “one thing” (Mark 10:21) or many things that God would have them die to; give up. Sometimes this/these things we may have grown up with or they may have been a major part of our lives but God is saying that they keep us from the fullness of what He has for us.

Jesus said that those who are “rich” in this world shall “hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven”, though the Lord gave the understanding that this doesn’t always have to mean rich in monetary wealth. Men that are rich in worldly fame/popularity, in intellect, in might and prestige etc struggle to loose their life that they might find it in Christ. Or for example in Churches today, how many Christians have strove to walk with God faithfully yet have held onto one thing which they treasured; a doctrine/belief/minister or ministry that is not according to Truth. Holding on will keep many from deliverance. Holding onto the world or the way of the old man will keep many from deliverance.

The great trial of the winnowing period is found in dying to those things; letting go of everything that defined who we once were and being made completely new; into the image of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Philippians 3: 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

If you are holding onto something(s) that is identified with “you” (the old man) you’ve got to let it go now! We must reserve nothing for ourselves and give God our all, giving Him our desires and our pains. Cast all cares, fears and doubts upon Him; He is able. Time is short.

1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

See also: Word 7/15/09 Let Go!  & Word 3/28/10 If You Would Be Perfect

Love in Christ,

James

Posted in encouragement, scripture | 1 Comment

Dead Men Calling;Don’t Deny Truth

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Tara

While praying today, the Lord gave me a vision and understanding and I felt stirred to share it.

I saw a gross dry wasteland, and I was walking through it on a path. There was a river running through the land, but somehow nothing (trees etc.) was living there. I had been walking for a while and I was very tired. Then I saw men with dark reddish black circles under their eyes walking off of the path next to me. They began hissing at me and calling me to come drink the water. It would have been tempting to drink the water, because I was tired and truly wanted refreshing. However, God said don’t drink the water. He told me to look ahead, and I saw a lush green pasture with thick beautiful grass. Even though I wasn’t there yet, God told me to look ahead, and I would have the peace of actually being there. Then, I saw one of the men who had called to me fall down and die.

Understanding:

On the Christian path, the wasteland represents personal loss, disappointment, hardship, trials, dying to self, etc. It is an ugly place to be, because it is dry and not very pretty to look at. No one would probably think, “yeah I want to walk through that place” but the truth is, the only way to get to the green pasture (God, greater things, calling, blessing) is through that nasty place. Love of God is the only reason Christians would ever go there. Along the way, it gets hard. People get tired. A long time passes without seeing pretty flowers, sweet little fuzzy animals etc. So people get thirsty. They want refreshing. They want good news. Enter the enemy. Being the deceiver that he is, he knows that Christians have to walk through that place to get where they need to go, so what does he do? He sets up a trap. He puts a river there. It looks clean like regular water. In fact, it even looks pretty, but hold on a second. Nothing is living around it. That’s strange? Then when Christians come through, he calls out to them “Come, drink some water. You are so thirsty.”   That’s the voice of TEMPTATION calling. Yuck. That voice wants you to leave the path (deny truth) because apart from the path, you have no defense and you can be tossed to and fro. The water represents vanity….anything that is a temptation, a comfort, to each, individual Christian (love of the world, love of men’s opinions, love of thoughts, self-pity).  Those who get off the path, and drink the water love themselves, more than God. Like Israel in the desert, they love the comforts of life more than truth. They love comfortable beds, houses, regular schedules, variety of food more than they love God. The God they serve is their bellies. If they loved God ENOUGH, they would turn away from the temptations, the fleshly comforts, and count it all as dung/loss. The love of the truth would keep them going for a hundred more miles in that place, without a drink of water, if they truly loved God. The strange thing is that it is very obvious that the people drinking this water are not in good shape. They’ve got dark circles under their eyes. They are pale and sickly, because they are actually drinking poison from that river. Only in this dry place, would that river ever look appealing. In good times no one would want to drink that water, especially when they see what’s going on around it. But, the enemy knows that is the best place for a trap. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and nights without food, without friends, without physical comfort, so when did the devil tempt Him? Jesus didn’t drink what He was shown, because He knew to drink it was death. I am encouraged that we are capable of the same, but also warned to be sober. In the dry, weary place, we need to be alert and consider what is before us. Selfishness, being self-absorbed, love of this life, and love of comfort will lead us off of the path, where the roaring lion, the poisonous water tries to call us away. True love for God will keep our eyes fixed on the path ahead, the green pasture , and that will strengthen and refresh us. We will be able to keep moving forward and we won’t even see that poisoned river to our side. God is telling me, and anyone else who is in that place, if you love Me, keep your eyes on the horizon and keep moving. Do what you know to do. Don’t love this life unto death. Don’t let personal interest (fear) cause you to deny truth (ie Peter). Love Me and love My people. Don’t stop now. You are almost there.

God Bless,

Tara

Matthew 26:62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?63But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?69Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Philippians 3

1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Psalm 23

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.





Posted in understanding, vision, warning | 1 Comment

Don’t Call God a Liar

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Tara

Today, while reading in Luke, I had an understanding, so I thought I would share it.

Luke 18:1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Jesus said that the unjust judge would give the widow what she wanted just so she would leave the judge alone. He didn’t want to be bothered by her continuous knocking. Jesus goes on to say if an unjust judge will give a widow what she asks for just because she is determined/annoying him, how much more will God avenge His people who cry out to Him day and night. So far this scripture is very similar to Matthew 7:7

7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Basically, both scriptures are saying that God is good and just and perfect, so why wouldn’t He do what is right in the whole earth? This is true. God will always do what is right. He will never fail, leave or forsake us. He cares about every hair on our head let alone our biggest cares and concerns. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He doesn’t change. He is stable in all His ways-end of story. Jesus knows that God is unchanging and perfect. He doesn’t have to question who God is, but in the Luke 18, Jesus does question us. He says, “Nevertheless when the son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” He asks this because we are the ones who are unstable, double-minded, always going back and forth between truth and emotion. Until we get what we want from God, we are constantly seeking His hand, His approval, or something concrete to hold on to while we are waiting on Him. So, we keep knocking and knocking and knocking, wasting valuable time and energy in the process. The truth is God will always be righteous and good to us. When we ask and believe that we receive, it’s a done deal. We’ve got it. But we, ourselves, are the wild card in the mix. When we allow ourselves to fear, because we don’t see or feel like God heard and answered us, then we aren’t standing in faith. If we have to keep asking or don’t believe God’s answer, then we don’t know God or we don’t believe He is who He says He is. When we do this we are essentially calling Him a liar. I know that is strong language, but I really believe that God is ministering on that level. If we don’t believe God more than our emotions, our pain, or our logic then we are calling Him a liar-bottom line. This is where faith comes in. Faith is believing that God is true and every man (including ourselves) is a liar. Faith is knocking, believing, receiving and standing on what God gives us. When we stop repeatedly knocking on the door, it doesn’t mean that we don’t care. It means that we believe God. It means we know He will do right in the whole earth. It means we know and believe He has us covered, so we don’t have to keep asking or feel like we need to keep asking.

When Jesus returns, He wants to find faith, real faith. Not the I’ll believe it when I see it variety or the I believe it because I can feel it type or the I believe but I don’t act like it kind. He wants the kind of faith that rests solely on His words and truth. He wants the “I believe it because God said so” faith. Dave recently had a word from God that said, “I will if you will.” I believe this understanding is similar. Jesus will do His part in our lives, because He is who He says He is. It’s up to us to decide if we will do our part. It’s up to us to decide how we will answer Jesus’s question. It’s not difficult, but it does require dedicated faith (believing God against everything else).

Love in Christ,

Tara


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Word 8/29/10 There Is But One Spirit of Truth!

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Dave (Elm Street Chapel)

Word: There is but one Spirit of Truth: one Truth, one Way, one Life. I do not work against Myself. I do not raise up false teachers, false prophets; hirelings that live for the comforts of this life. In My body there is unity of the Spirit. Is there unity in the so called Christian faith? Do all embrace one Truth? One faith? (Rev.2&3) I tell you My army (Matt. 22:7) is on its way to purge My house, My land, My dominion. None will escape the balance of Truth; My Word. Only those who worship in Spirit and in Truth; My sons and daughters, will escape. There is no where to hide from Truth.

My faithful, be still. Wait upon My word of deliverance. I will speak in your ear. Do not lean upon the faith of others for I have called and chosen you. I have taught you in the ways of righteousness. Walk in it. Those who “KNOW” Me are My friends. I am in you and you are in Me and the Father loves you. Little is much with in Me. In Me there is no lack. Fear of lack is of the flesh; a cancer that consumes strength. Rest in My presence; My feast. Be at peace. I tell you I will serve you!

If you are to busy to feed My flock you are to busy. If you do not pour out what I give you, what good is a seed that is not planted? If you witness a dream, a vision or a word and do not share (with believers) your witness is silence. What I speak in your ear give to the children of My house that all may eat.

God is a Spirit and those that worship Him must do so in Spirit and in Truth. Those who refuse to eat at My table are not worthy of Me. My words are Spirit and they are Life (Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.). Those who refuse My words refuse Me. Those who refuse Me and My words have one that will judge them; My words. Those who do not eat My flesh and drink My blood have no part with Me. Yesterday’s manna has rotted. The watering place has muddy water. Choose who you serve: the God of Creation; the Spirit of Truth or the gods of mans imagination. My Kingdom is not of this world. Few allow faith to arise to find it.

Those who fall on the Rock will be broken but those who the Rock falls on will be ground to powder. Some sin goes before, some follows after.

L,J,P&HG

Dave

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Condemnation vs. Conviction

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Dave (Elm Street Chapel)

BIG DIFFERENCE!! One beats you to a pulp the other perfects. Those who walk after the Spirit must discern good from evil. Those who deceive themselves don’t pay attention to either. Unfortunately, the humble and meek are most easily effected. Being willing to admit that you were wrong, desiring to please God; being humble and meek, doesn’t mean that you actually were wrong.

Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Here is a biblical example of the sincerity of the humble and meek.

Matthew 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23And he answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24The Son of man goes as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, You have said.

Hearing a word, vision, dream or prophecy we often are affected by it. But, being willing to repent doesn’t mean that you need to. We must judge all things by the Holy Spirit. When we ask, “Is it I Lord?” We need to accept the answer and have faith in the answer.

John 16:13… when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John 8:32… you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

1 Corinthians 2:15… he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward.

I just want to encourage any who are feeling vulnerable in these difficult times of being perfected that we may be found worthy. Being pruned isn’t being a castaway. Giving up, painfully at times the prideful cares of this life, only allows us to be drawn nearer. This is the winnowing process that God uses to remove the chaff from our lives. Though it may seem unpleasant it will actually allow more of God in our lives. Always remember that those who have are promised more, you just have to trust God. After all, He won’t put any more on you than you are able to bear, You just didn’t know how much you could bear!

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children… greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

L,J,P&HG

Dave

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